Dakota POV..Inside the car, Luke kept glancing at me in the rearview mirror while I spoke to Harry. But I didn't mind. He could tell his boss for all I care."Yes, sure. I'm actually free these days!" I told Harry while putting on my best smile. "Well, no job at the moment!" I chuckled. "I'm at the mercy of my parents' inheritance!" I laughed out. To mess with Luke's imagination more, I turned on the speaker and Harry's voice sprouted like mushrooms."That's great. We're a little bit in the same boat. I'm also dependent on my dad's pocket!" we both laughed, making Luke furrow his brows."So, the next day, you say?" I asked and winked at Luke, who was startled and coughed a bit. Caught eavesdropping, huh?! He then focused his eyes on the road."Yeah! I have a client meeting tomorrow, so the next day is better. Where are you now, by the way? Are you at your place? The weather is cool. There are lots of people strolling in the park at the moment!" Harry uttered, inviting me in silence
Dakota POV.."Okay, kindly tell me what the h*ll happened?!" I was shaking like a leaf, my feet rushed to the emergency room, but Amy Leah stopped me before I could enter."Kota! We can't get in. They're treating him. Don't worry, Martin is a hard-headed, strong-willed man. He'll get through with this!" she was trying to comfort me but to no avail.Desmond stood up from the hospital bench and ambled towards his wife. He placed his hand on her shoulder and stared at me."He'll be fine, Kota. He has reasons to live. You!" that sounded comforting, but not enough."You guys didn't answer my question yet!" I told them, my voice came out a bit harsh. My hands were on my waist, my lips quivered, and my eyes blinked, restraining some tears from falling."They had a shoot-out with another gang!" Desmond answered in a whisper after glancing around. Amy Leah held my trembling hands while staring sternly at me, checking my reactions."And, what happened next?" I asked, and it seemed their answe
A gasp escaped from me as that far-fetched memory splashed into my mind, drowning me in the edge of disbelief. It couldn't be, I thought. I shook my head while my eyes were shut. When was the last time I talked to her? Maybe a week ago?! After that slapping incident at my bar, she never contacted me again. Although I had updates with her activities every single day, hearing her voice and laughs was different.I knew that she went out with that Harry Volkov twice. They had dinner on the first night and went to an amusement park the next day. They're both happy, and my girl was giggling like she just went back to her teenage years."Dakota Weasly!" I mumbled her name, like a bitter-sweet medicine stuck in my throat.I had to find my way out here. I had to clear things up. I needed some updates on what happened after the shoot-out. But how? I was like inside of an invisible loop of time, I couldn't escape at all."Focalizzare, Martin (Focus)!" I told myself as I glanced around. Dark wrap
The automatic door split open as I stepped out and it closed giving me a farewell sign. I glanced at the ICU one last time and rushed outside of the hospital, bumping into someone I didn't expect to see. "Ops! My bad!" the doctor wearing a white lab gown who seemed to have just finished operating someone uttered. The smell of ethanol and blood was assaulting my nostrils. My head hurt at the impact of colliding on his firm shoulder. "I'm sorry!" I replied, my head was looking down the floor. As I looked up to see who was the unfortunate guy, I felt I had seen a shelter to shield me from this horrible storm. He, too, was surprised to see me. "Kota!" "Paul!" We both uttered in unison and smiled. I had never seen Paul for two weeks although there was a time that he sent me a message, telling me he went to South Africa as one of the medical volunteers there. "Hey! It's nice to see you again!" he chuckled as he lifted me from the floor and twirled me around. "Paul, put me dow
After Five Days . . At Martin's private ward... My looks were as bright as the morning sun. My simple knitted baby blue sweater and tight jeans made me move freely inside of his room. My white knee-length boots made a click-clacking sound while my vision rummaged through the empty room. "Where is he?" I mumbled, talking to air. It was eight in the morning, too early for him to leave and stroll outside. Too cold, too. Winter was approaching, he needed to get out of here before the freezing weather came. I put my home-cooked meal; cream mushroom soup, egg mayo sandwich, and fresh brewed coffee on the side table. "Martin, babe, are you in the bathroom? You should have waited for me. You must not move a lot yet!" I strode to the bathroom just next to the entrance door, but he was not there. Where could he be? Till I heard some footsteps coming, which I thought were just the medical staff doing their morning routine. My thoughts scolded me wrong when the door to his ward slid open,
Inside Paul's office, he took the medical kit from the medicine cabinet while I was sitting on the patient's bed. I was just staring at him, admiring how fast and flawless his hands were in preparing for the cream and ointments. "All right. You've already washed your hands with lukewarm water. Let's apply some ointments now!" he then glanced at me with a smile. I almost lost myself there. Did he just notice me ogling at him? "You've been staring at me for quite a while!" d*mn, he just answered my question. Could he read minds, too? "Oh well! You can't blame a woman. My personal doctor is gorgeous!" I jeered and he just chuckled while applying the ointment at the back of my palm. I hissed in pain for quite a bit, however, once the ointment took effect, I felt a cool sensation running from the scalded skin. "Whew! That's quite good!" I uttered, and he just nodded. "Hmm! I bought this from China when I visited my friend there!" he told me as he lifted his head and met my gaze. "He'
Paul POV . . Her sweet and soft lips were still on my lips. A smile crept on my face while I was walking in the corridor, nodding and greeting the nurses, passing by. "Good evening, Dr. Castillo!" one of the nurses from the gyne department greeted with a light bow. "Good evening!" I greeted back. "Dr. Castillo, you're looking radiantly handsome tonight!" Marvin, my classmate at the medical university and colleague here at my hospital teased me while patting my shoulder. "Tell me, bro. Who's the unlucky girl!" he jeered. "Sh*t up, bro!" I jeered back. "Don't you have surgery tonight?" I jeered back, shaking his hand on my shoulder. "Ops! You're not only looking deadly handsome. You have a mark on your lips, too!" he chuckled. I stopped and touched my lips where I kissed Kota. A serious gaze was shifted to Marvin, who was obviously enjoying my flabbergasted look. "F*ck off, dude. I'm not telling you who she is!" I pushed him away. "Ahu?! But you can describe her
Dakota POV . . It has been almost a week since I passed my curriculum vitae and drawing samples to the HR of SF Galore, yet not even a single email of rejection was sent to me. I'd rather choose to be quickly rejected than wait like this, hoping that they would give my as* and my designs a chance to shine. I had been jobless for years now. What I meant was that I had a part-time job, but the income wasn't good enough to pay for my bills. Who was I kidding? Would I even consider force-designing for my bestie's and her family's clothes a job? Yeah! Right?! I was their personal designer, from her husband's custom-made suits to Amy Leah's dresses and gowns. "But all of my designs and creations for them always come with great packages!" I convinced myself, thinking of Areesh's wardrobe that has my tag. Every single shirt and pair of pants, and they were all free. I always gave that little bundle of joy free clothes and other gifts not just because he was cute but because he wa
Dakota POV . . "Martin?!" Paul repeated with a question. He glanced at the door but there was no one there. "Kota, are you alright?" "Huh?! Oh! Yeah! I am absolutely alright!" Who was he to stop me? He broke up with me after everything that I had done to him. So, who was he to control me now. "Paul, let's dance!" I placed my hands on his shoulders. "Now? Where?" Paul was confused and thought I was just kidding, but when he saw my serious look, he sighed. "You mean on the first floor? Sure, you want to have fun tonight, huh?!" He smiled and intertwined my hand with his. "That's why we are here for, Paul. To have fun. Besides, we're both leaving this place soon, so let's put a lot of memories here, shall we?!" I winked at him, and he just chuckled. We both went downstairs after closing the VIP room and talked to the server to just place our order on the table. Some of the people from the other VIP rooms did the same thing. The music was at its loudest, and the cheers
Dakota POV . . "Why are you leaving? And where are you going?" He clasped my hand that was resting on the table. A sullen look laced on his face. "Dakota, is there something wrong?" "Paul, Martin and I broke up!" I confessed. I pursed my lips to restrain the tears that were about to leak. "I am going back to London. I miss my life there. Also, I want to help Warren run our business!" It was also one of the reasons why I had to go back to my country. I called Warren the other day, and we talked about it. He said he was always swamped with the tasks and responsibilities of running Liam's company, The Bailey International. Aside from having a major in fashion design, I was also interested in marketing. I had a double course when I was studying. It was a grind to the bones, but I could say it was worth it. "Well, what can I say? So, I shall see you there then!" His smile was off the roof, and I was also stunned at his response. "What do you mean? Wait, are you also going t
Dakota POV . . "Are you sure about this?" My best friend, Amy Leah, asked me for the nth time. I planned to leave New York for good. I would like to go back to London and just help my brother with the family's business. Warren was now the CEO of Bailey's Enterprise. The business company that was once led by our cousin Liam, Amy Leah's deceased husband, a long time ago. "Yes, Ams, I am very sure about it. And please don't tell your husband about my whereabouts. Although I know for sure that Martin wouldn't mind, I just want to play safe here. Desmond's family is my enemy and Martin... is one of them now!" I took a deep sigh, thinking about everything that happened in my life since I met that gorgeous-looking but as*hole mafia god. Amy Leah sighed. "I think I can't stop you anymore. I'm going to miss you, Kota. Please keep in touch, okay?!" She hugged me tight, and this time, I couldn't help but be emotional. I told myself not to cry in front of her, but I guess that wasn't e
Dakota POV . . I tried to sleep and just forgot everything that I saw that evening, but heck, who was I kidding?! I had already rolled on the bed many times, but still, my mind was wide awake. "Huh?!" I jolted on my bed and sat up, staring blankly at the darkness. There was only one dim lamp serving as my light in my room. Although there were light posts outside the villa, and they were on from the evening till the morning, the navy blue curtains were blocking them from penetrating my room. I wiped the sweat on my forehead and planned to go downstairs to get some water. I remembered I skipped dinner, and now it was past midnight. However, I couldn't feel any hunger at all. I guessed I lost my appetite because of the two annoying jackas*s in the house. Where were they now anyway?! I stealthily crept downstairs and headed to the kitchen to get a bottle of water. I was about to open the fridge when suddenly somebody clamped my mouth and hugged me from behind. I was restrained
Dakota POV . . It had been weeks since I had never spoken to Martin since I found out he also f*cked that female member of his gang. Also, it had been a week since I had never seen him in person. He was always with that Shantel. "Hello, Miss Weasly!" Mariana called me from the kitchen. "What brought you here?!" She was cutting some carrots on the island. "Drop the 'Miss Weasly' Mariana. I told you many times that you can simply call me Dakota!" I sighed, making Mariana glance at me and her face form a thin smile. I took one baby carrot and crunched it in my mouth while staring at the different vegetables on the island. "You are cooking a lot for the evening!" I shifted my glance at her. She continued chopping the baby carrots while her smile was glued on her gentle-looking face. "Don't you know? Boss will come home this evening. He told Luke about it. Luke told me to prepare his favorite!" "Hmm, I see!" Nonchalantly, I just shrugged my shoulders and sat on one of the to
Chatny POV . . The h*ll this as*hole had the nerve to insult me after f*cking me. Who did he think he was? And what the h*ck was he doing in this motel, in this place, in this countryside? I was here simply trying to escape from Shantel, who had been bossing me around. I had a great life in Italy. My job as a fashion model was doing well until my sister dragged me into this freak show she and my father started. If only she didn't have something that could blackmail me, I would never obey her. Shantel and I may be sisters, but we were water and fire. We couldn't get along. She was the businesswoman and the brain in the family, I was the cheerful, easy-go-lucky one. I was the wallflower in the Zaborowski mansion; never noticed, never cared, but always there. "Miss, we are here!" My Lady guard arrived just in time. She was with another guy, who acted as my driver and bodyguard. "Please get rid of him. Throw him outside or in the trash, I don't care!" I pointed at Yvan, w
Yvan/Harry POV . . I had been thinking about what to do with the beauty in front of me. It had been almost an hour since I came into her room, and she hadn't finished taking a shower yet. Until a devilish plan came up in my drunk thoughts. I hastily took off my clothes and entered the bathroom. Due to the sound of water, the naked lady couldn't hear me coming in. Aside from that, she was singing nonstop. It hurt my ears, but I focused on the curves in the right places, standing in front of me. I was already out of my mind, not thinking of the consequences of my actions. She would never know me, I told myself. So, before she would turn around, I had already grabbed her. I clamped her mouth with my palm and wrapped my strong hand around her flat tummy. "Hmp!" She whimpered and struggled, but I was too strong, she couldn't move at all. "Scream, and you'll die!" I whispered in her ears, and she stopped moving. "Let me taste you, my love!" I began nibbling her collarbone, the
YVAN / HARRY POV . . I had been drinking here at the bar for almost three hours now. I escaped the company of my gang for a while to bask in the glory of being alone. Since Dakota had left with Martin last week, I was a mess. I tried everything that I could do to keep myself tied up, to forget about her. However, everything seemed to be going to waste as always! "F*ck!" I roared. The people around me glanced in my direction. The bar was not the normal bar where drunk people would actually spend their time and be crazy with the ear-deafening sound of the music. This bar was different. It was quiet and only a few customers were inside. "More brandy, boss?!" The bartender asked while wiping a glass on the counter. I nodded my head and raised my index while holding an empty glass of brandy. "Here!" He poured a new glass and put it in front of me. "It's on the house!" He added, smiling. My glassy eyes smiled back at this, in my observation, teenage bartender. "Aren't you
Dakota POV . . "I'm bored!" I complained while changing the channels of the TV in the living room. I was sitting alone here on this luxurious five-seater Italian leather couch. There were three kinds of snacks on the table that were meant for my stomach, but I only tasted a bit of each. "Life of the well-off is killing me!" I whined in the air. "Miss Weasly!" Mariana called me from the entrance of the dining room. I just glanced at her, then turned the channel to a boring talk show. "Do you like to go out for a while?" She asked, excited. "Like where Mariana? Martin told me to stop going out for a while. Also, I don't want to go out with lots of people following me!" I stomped my feet on the marmoleum floor, making Mariana smile. "Then how about let's find something to do in the mansion? By the way, what is your hobby?" I lifted my head, thinking about my dead hobbies. "Hmm, aside from designing clothes, I like horseback riding and karate!" My eyes gleamed at the idea o