By the time I reached the fourth round, there were only six contestants left. Surprisingly, Becky was also one of them. I couldn’t understand how she managed to survive all those rounds. They were fairly tough, and she couldn’t possibly have gotten through them without having some coding knowledge. I quickly finished the fourth round, and when the results came, I was relieved to know that I was promoted to the next and final round. To my surprise, Becky was also promoted, along with two others. In this round, our scores would be evaluated and the highest scorer would be awarded the prize. Hence, I tried to focus on the task at hand and gave it my everything. After about ten minutes, the round ended and all of us stepped down from the podium. We anxiously awaited the results and when they were out, everyone was shocked. “We’re aware that everyone’s waiting for the results, but we must tell you that the competition has not ended yet!” The host revealed. “Much to our surprise, there h
After spending the next twenty minutes taking appreciation from people and networking with a bunch of techies from other companies, I finally found a moment for myself. I moved away to watch Becky begging the competition hosts to excuse her behavior, as she is not in a position to afford the fine. I could help her out of pity, but I did not feel any for the first time. I felt nothing toward her, except disgust. She deserved everything that was happening to her. I wonder how she will explain this to Calvin. “Congratulations, Cassandra.” I heard Professor Clark’s voice from the side. As I looked at him, an involuntary smile spread across my face. “Professor Clark, how nice to see you.” “You too, Cassandra. It is so nice to see you put your talent to good use.” “Professor Clark, I must thank you for your help today and for your word during my court trial. You were one of the very few people who came forward to support me, and it was of tremendous help.” “Of course, Cassandra. I was
The party was in its full swing but Enzo wasn’t anywhere around. I slowly slipped on my champagne glass, sitting alone in a room full of people. Mark and Emma were speaking to some other people on the opposite end of the room. I was watching them aimlessly when I heard someone’s voice from beside me. “Hello, Miss Harper.” A male voice called me. As I turned to my side, I found an elderly gentleman smiling at me. He had kind blue eyes, with a warm expression on his face. He looked to be in his sixties. I have never seen him, but I didn’t feel intimidated by his approach either. “Hello, sir. I’m sorry, but may I know your name?” He laughed, “My bad. Let me introduce myself to you, dear. I’m Tom Mathews. I’m a senior partner in this firm.” “Pleased to meet you, Mr Mathews.” “Likewise.” He said, “I just came here to congratulate the woman who is the reason for this fantastic celebration. The firm needed it more than you.” “I’m glad that Enzo.. I mean… the CEO has organized it. It’
I looked at Enzo’s proud grin as he took the trophy into his hands.“Wow.” he said, “This looks so great, Cassie.”“All thanks to you.”He frowned and looked up at me. “Me? I didn’t do anything. It’s all on you.”“No, not really.” I said, swallowing. “Whatever I did today was because of you. Because you gave me a chance.”“Oh, come on, Cassie. Don’t be so formal with me-”I stepped forward and threw my arms around his neck. I could sense him f
Cassie’s POVBy the time Enzo finished his call and walked back to me, I jumped from the desk. He gave me an absurd look, unable to understand my behaviour.“Cassie…” He began.But before he could stop me, I rushed out of that room. Shit! Shit! Shit! What the hell did I do?I could not face Enzo. I could not face anyone. I went to the elevator and clicked it open. Before he could get onto it, I pressed the close button and watched as the doors closed on him.“Cassie, wait!” He said, but it was too late. The elevator started moving.After a minute, I got down on the lou
Enzo’s POVWhen I woke up the next morning, Cassie was not beside me.I remembered that she fell asleep on my shoulder last night. When we finally reached home, she looked too peaceful. I couldn't wake her up. So instead, I scooped her arm into my arms in bridal style and went up. I made her sleep in my room, as sleeping beside me helped her with the nightmares. I hoped I could speak to her about what happened this morning, but obviously she escaped.She was being too childish. How long is she going to avoid me? I could always confront her in the office. And that’s what I planned to do.I reached the office and decided to get done with the important tasks of the day before I called Ca
Cassie’s POVTears poured down my cheek as I walked out of his office. His voice was calling me from behind, but I did not stop. Instead, I walked into the files room to escape from the scrutinizing glances of everyone.I could not believe what I just saw. Liza was Enzo’s girlfriend. Why was I not told this before? Why did Enzo keep this from me? If I knew about his past with my sister, I never would have made the mistake of kissing him.Much to my dismay, Enzo entered the room right after me. I groaned as I looked at him.“Enzo, please leave me alone!” I said as I covered my face.“Cassie. Listen to me!”&n
“The new boss is your sister?” Emma and Mark said in unison.“Sh! Quiet!” I said, looking around the cafeteria to check if anyone heard us. Thankfully, no one did.“Cassie! This is great news!” Emma cheered, “you will never have to worry about promotions now!”I sighed, “Well, I forgot to mention that my sister hates me.” I said, “After my split with my ex-husband, my family disowned me.”“Oh, shit.” Emma said, “Cassie, that’s awful. I’m so sorry.”“So… that means you won’t ever get a promotion.” Mark said.“Yes, that’s more like it.” I said.
I anxiously waited outside the conference room. Enzo was in there talking to all of his clients in an attempt to explain to them that this was not his doing. Raymond was out here with me, pacing around the room. For the past few days, Raymond has been a tremendous help to us. Since Enzo was not in the right position to take care of everything, he stepped in to do all the negotiations. Today was the day that would decide our fate. Although I knew what was coming for us, I couldn’t help but hope that something miraculous would happen today and turn the odds in our favor. And then finally, Enzo came out. And his expression revealed that the meeting didn’t go well. “They’re taking everything.” He said, “Every single penny I own.” My heart sank. “Is there no other way?” “The clients think I betrayed their trust, so they’re seeking a higher compensation.” He said, “And since they’re doing me a favor by not pursuing this criminally, my lawyer thinks I should settle.” Criminally? Oh, G
“Who did it?” I asked, treading him carefully. In all these years of knowing him, I never saw him like this. This broken. This helpless. Enzo built that firm with his own blood and sweat. It was everything to him, and to have it all be taken away - it was a nightmare for me. Suddenly, I was enraged. The mere thought of Trent Dalton was making me shake with anger. But I knew that this was not entirely his doing. To pull off something like this, he needed someone on the inside, a mole, to give away such sensitive information. If the transactions are portrayed to be made by Enzo, then it must be an insider that had access to such sensitive information. “I don’t know.” Enzo said, “Whoever it was, they altered the firm’s accounting software to move client funds, trust funds, into my personal account. I had no idea of this, and nor did I receive any messages from the banks regarding giant transactions. Trent must have paid them to be silent as well.” “If they could get into accounting
“How old is your baby?” The nurse asked as she handed a crying Emmy back to me. “Four months now.” I sighed, patting her. “Oh, Emmy. Calm down. It’s over, isn’t it?”She just received her vaccine shot and came out of the doctor’s office bawling her eyes out. “She’s so adorable.” She mused, handing me my file. “I would agree but she’s throwing too many tantrums lately.” I said, “She could be a handful when she wants to.” “I wish I could say it gets better but it truly doesn’t.” She laughed, “But that’s what we signed up for, right?” “Yes.” I said, kissing my daughter’s tear stained cheek. “Let’s go home, shall we? Daddy’s waiting for us in the car.” Emmy just replied with another sob, burying her face in my neck. As we went out, I spotted Enzo’s car in the parking lot and headed toward it. I quickly got in. “These vaccination visits are so difficult.” I said, as I closed the car door. “I just can’t see Emmy crying so much. I just walked out of the doctor’s office today, can you
After the party, Enzo, Emmy, Sara and I headed back home. Sara was shook from the entire episode that played out and remained silent the entire journey home. As we went in, I looked at her. “Take the guest room. You can rest there.” She didn’t move an inch until Enzo looked at her. And then, she said, “I can’t live here.” She sighed, “I… I can’t… I don’t want to be a burden on anyone.” “Sara, you’re not a burden.” I protested, patting a sleeping Emmy on my chest. “I will be if we continue this arrangement.” She said, “I don’t want-” “How about this?” Enzo intervened, “I’ll give you a house. It’s right by your workplace. That way you won’t have to live with us, nor with your scum of a dad.” “A house?” She said, “I’m sure I can’t afford the rent.” “You can live there for free.” He said, “I just… I don’t ever want you to go back to that house.” Sara stared at him for a long while, as though she was trying to figure him out. “Why are you doing this?” “What?” “You didn’t even wa
Enzo looked at me and then back at the crowd, and then finally, a grin broke out on his face. “Wow.” he said, running his eyes over everyone. “That’s… my friends from college and my… how did you get them all together?” I shrugged, “After a month of thorough planning.” “I can’t believe you did this.” He said, “This is brilliant. Thank you so much, Cassie.” “You’re welcome.” I smiled. ”Now, let’s go.”One by one, Enzo’f friends and colleagues came up to him to meet him, but my eyes were looking for Sara. I found her at the far end by the bar, enjoying a drink with Mark, but her eyes were set on Enzo. She deserved to be here with us. “Oh, Emmy.” I heard Kelly’s voice coming from my side, distracting. I grinned as Emmy effortlessly slipped from my arms into hers. “Look at her, she looks like a darling.” She then looked toward, impressed, “Cassie, I must say. You completely transformed this place. Well done.” “Sara was of tremendous help, really.” I said, “I could not have done thi
Enzo’s POV I felt a small nudge on my stomach as I woke up. Assuming it to be Cassie’s limb, I ignored it. However, the nudge soon tickled it and then I felt something wet. My eyes opened to look at Emmy crawling on my chest, trying to bite my skin. A smile tugged at my lips upon the sight of her adorable face. Picking her up to my face, I placed a kiss on her cheek. “How did you come here, darling?” I mumbled as I shifted to my side. And right then, I saw it. A small cupcake was resting on the bed with a note that read: Happy Birthday Daddy. I widened my eyes in surprise and grabbed my phone to check the date. Damn. I really lost track of time. “Happy birthday, baby.” Cassie grinned, leaning down to kiss me on the lips. “First birthday with our daughter, aren’t you thrilled?” “Absolutely,” I said as I watched Emmy. She was making weird, excited noises now, eyeing the cupcake. Her hands were reaching out toward it, and I scraped off the frosting on top to place it on her lips.
As I went back home, I wondered what all of that was about. The man seemed weird, but should I tell Enzo? I was worried that he was already so stressed with everything at work. I was sure he would be overthinking with this even more. The last thing I wanted was to burden him, so I guess I would have to keep this one to myself. What Kent Rover said could’ve been a result of a massive ego hurt and nothing at all. In that case, there was no reason to alert Enzo. If he approached me again, then I would talk to Enzo about it. As I went home, I found Sara and Emmy playing in the living room as usual. However, what was strange was that Mark, Enzo’s associate, was added to the mix. And from the way Sara was laughing at whatever he had to say, I could tell that they were having a rather good time. “Hello.” I said as I walked in, “Didn’t expect you here, Mark.” He gave me a casual smile as he looked at me. “I’m sorry. I’m running errands for your fiance, please don’t mind.” “Not at all.”
As his rough hands caressed my skin, I couldn’t help but succumb to the pleasure. He was masterful at his craft and I’d long lost my immunity against his ways. Everytime he touched me, he set me on fire, and I very willingly submitted myself to him. Even though I knew he would be my doom. Despite my annoyance with him, one simple touch from him made me melt like a puddle. I was weak for him once again. But I hated being like this. I hated that I had no self control over this man. I couldn’t let him overpower me like this. He could use this as a tactic to make up with me every time I was upset. As if the Lord heard my concern, Emmy’s cry reached us. We sprung apart at once, staring at each other, dumbfounded. “Is that Emmy?” Enzo asked, gasping for breath. “Yeah,” I mumbled with an equally raspy voice as I pulled away from him. “I’ll check on her.” He was reluctant to let go of his hold on my body as I pulled away. But finally, he gave in, his shoulders slumping down as his bod
Later that evening, after Enzo was done with work, he walked in on me laying in the bathtub. His shoulder slumped, an exhausted sigh leaping out of him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think you were here.” “You want to join?” I proposed, knowing very well that he was dying for a bath. “I don’t mind.” Although he was still giving me attitude, he could not refuse the tempting offer I gave him. Without a word, he stripped naked in front of me and descended into the tub across from me. I couldn’t help but give him a disappointed smirk, “How long are you going to continue this?” “Continue what?” “This.” I said, motioning toward the distance between us. “Giving me the cold shoulder. Ignoring my calls. Throwing me unnecessary shade.” A hint of a smile touched his lips. “I like the peace it's bringing to my life. I might continue with this for a bit.” My mouth fell open. The bastard. Right then, Enzo grabbed my right foot from the edge of the tub and pulled it toward him, lathering it with som