Dakota POV . . "Are we there yet?" I groaned as I stretched my legs on the leather seat of Martin's black limousine. He let me occupy the whole five-seater of this glamorous baby of his. "Just a few hours more!" Martin replied without glancing at me. His eyes were on his laptop. He was sitting across from me. Today, we're all going to his villa in Corinthian, where Amy Leah's mansion was located. I sighed and pushed the intercom from the corner. "Mariana, can you play some pop music, please?" "Right away, Miss!" Mariana replied. Martin glanced at me. He saw how bored and uncomfortable I was. I even rolled my eyes, trying to exaggerate what I felt at the moment. When the song 'Single Ladies' tuned in, I began to bob my head. He was just staring at me while crossing his arms over his chest. He tilted his head to the side, and his eyes formed into thin slits while watching me humming and swaying my hands. I danced to the music while sitting and even blew him a flying kiss,
Martin POV . . I was sitting in my office while reviewing the project that Shantel left on my desk. I furrowed my brows at some dates that she approved. "Shantel!" I called her. Where was she this time? That's when the door of my office opened, and Sean, my other assistant, came in with more documents to review. "What are those?" I massaged my temples, having a migraine operating these businesses. "Ahm, sir. These are the updated documents and blueprints for the new condominium tower the company is building on the east side!" he placed all of the documents and blueprints on my desk, covering my face. I had to get up and check each page one by one. "Sean, what made Shantel sign these? She knows well that the required dates for building towers are crucial!" Sean looked over the said document, and the same as mine, his face looked confused. "Sir, I have never seen this contract before!" he shook his head at once. "Call Mr. Vianchi. Tell him to meet me at lunch in Ma
Dakota POV . . "Madam Florence, I apologize. I didn't report for how many days now. It's your decision, ma'am. I will respect it no matter what!" I couldn't look her in the eye. I was looking down at the floor the whole time. "Hmm! Perhaps I should give you a punishment, Dakota." I couldn't see her expression, but I imagined her fierce but refined look. "What do you think?" "I...I think!" goodness, I couldn't speak at all when I was in front of her. "You see, Dakota. I have a decent code for working, which I have lived with for a long time. That's why SF Galore has flourished for decades!" with the click-clacking of her high-heeled shoes, I could tell she moved from her desk to some of the mannequins lined in rows. I remained speechless. I blamed Martin for everything. I thought I was so unprofessional, the fact that SF Galore gave me a shot, and Madam Florence herself was the one who hired me, I was just throwing that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She was already
It was Saturday! The Grand Party had arrived. I wasn't just escorted by Madam Florence, but we also rode in her black Mercedes Splinter luxury van where I didn't need to bend down when getting out of the car door. I saw her speaking to Luke at her office earlier, giving him a serious talk not to say a single thing to Martin. The latter almost peed on his pants when Madam Florence's eyes blazed with a warning. I ended up wearing the elegant ball gown Madam Florence wore on her 18th birthday. I felt like a princess at the moment. I was already 25, but this gown made me feel like I was just 18. My one-of-a-kind mentor was also mesmerizing with her looks tonight. She was wearing one of her designs that was worn once by an iconic and legendary Hollywood actress. As the door of the car automatically slid open, Madam Florence got off first. She glanced at me with a satisfying smile while waiting for my grand entrance. As I got out of the van, the media and paparazzi began clicking
"Fiancee?!" I repeated, raising a pitch at the end of my tone. I saw Martin avoid my curious stare and heard Madam Florence's deep sigh. That's when Shantel came to our little group of chaos with her arrogant aura, looping immediately her hands around Martin's arm. "Oh! My apologies, Miss Weasley!" "It's Weasly!" I corrected. "Pronounce my last name well, Miss Zaborowski. Our family may not be as powerful as yours, but we are also well-known, especially when it comes to prestige and manners!" that was so true. My father was a wealthy businessman, but he never took advantage of anyone. My mom was a nurse at a public hospital. She never accepted any nursing position at a private hospital because, for her, serving patients who couldn't afford expensive treatments was her happiness in life. The music stopped, and the guests were surrounding us. However, the paparazzi kept on clicking their cameras on us. Whoever hired these stupid photographers was here with an objective~ to create
We went back to the main deck like strangers. Luke followed me, acting as my personal guard while Martin walked straight to Shantel, which made the latter smile vigorously. As we glanced at the stage, a middle-aged man held a microphone and began tapping its speaker, checking its sound. "Hello! Guests at Luminous Lounge, we are here to celebrate a very special event in the name of Mr. Martin Marcini, CEO of SF Group!" the whole main and upper deck were covered with loud applause and greetings while their eyes were fixed on Martin, who was standing tall between his mother and Shantel. "Not everyone knew about it, but Mr. Marcini is the only son of a very legendary fashion icon, Madam Florence Salvatore. Now, we are all here to celebrate his comeback. Mr. Marcini, anything to say, please!" the middle-aged man asked as he gave the microphone to Martin. Everyone clapped and gave the mother and son a warm greeting. Cameras were everywhere, flashing their pictures from every angle.
"What are you doing, and where am I? I freaked out. I clenched the duvet tight to cover myself. "Wooo! Sorry, reflexes. I'll come back later. My housekeeper was the one who removed your gown last night!" Harry turned around but also turned back. "You're in my house, by the way!" and sprinted before closing the door. 'What? In his house? I thought he was renting a unit at Sitara Tower?' I uttered inwardly. I hastily walked to the built-in closet on my right side and slid the black wall. I rummaged through the hung clothes with my hands, looking for something to wear. I took a deep gasp when I couldn't find any. I searched for some shirts in the drawer and picked up one of Harry's t-shirts, the black one with a skull print in front. If this was his house, then a hundred percent, these were his clothes. The shirt became a one-piece with each hem ending in the middle of my thigh when I put it on. I had no choice, I didn't have anything to wear in this place. I just brushed my brunet
Martin POV . . I had been calling Dakota's phone, but my calls were all transferred to voicemails. Luke tried to track her phone, but it was untraceable. Last night was a hell of a mess. I told her to trust me, yet she still followed her stupid brain and went with that guy I hated next to Castillo. "Boss, what are we going to do now?" It was Enzo and just like me, he was also banged up with everything. Upon announcing to the world about me and Shantel, the world of the mafia turned into chaos. Her father didn't let me sleep, not even a wink. He talked to me on a video call for more than three hours after the party. The three big mafia groups called and sent me messages nonstop. There was only one who didn't, and I was already expecting it. Yvan Ivanov's group, the Bratva. "Let them think what they want. That's not my concern at the moment!" I dropped the cup of bitter joe on my desk while staring at Dakota's picture on the frame. I took the picture and put it in the drawer