Her head assistant, Mr. Armani shot daggers with his gaze as he strode towards me. "How dare you disrespect Madam Florence!" he roared, pushing my shoulder. He might be gay, but he was strong, and I was pushed back with his harsh poking. "I...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to~" I was stammering, my head was looking down the shiny marbled floor. "You didn't mean to?!" he cut me off, I flinched at the loudness of his voice. I lifted my head a bit to see his raging expression. "Who are you, and what are you doing here?" Mr. Armani kept on cross-examining me like I just murdered somebody in the building. "What are these? What kind of rubbish are these things?" he then stared at my designs with disgust. The tips of his fingers were shaking like my clothes were trash. "Janitor, hey! Throw these pieces of trash out!" okay, that's too much. I raised both of my hands, spreading them on each side, trying to protect my designs. "Mr. Armani, I didn't mean to disrespect anyone here, especially Mad
"Amy Leah, I've got the job!" I excitedly told my best friend the good news. The moment Madam Florence said I could start tomorrow, I called Amy Leah right away. "Oh my goodness! Kota, baby, I'm so proud of you!" I could feel the sincerity in her voice. "How about let's celebrate tonight? Tell me everything about the new job you've got!" "Of course! I'm going to your place tonight. I miss you and Areesh!" my excitement was floating in the air. Who would have thought that after everything, I would totally land in the company I had been dreaming of working with for a long time? "All right, come to our place. I will let Dante pick you up so you won't need to drive when you get home!" Amy Leah offered, and I just followed everything she planned for tonight. Of course, I wasn't going to their mansion empty-handed. This was the best time for serious shopping. Aside from getting some gifts for my godson, Areesh, I also needed to buy some sets of casual attires. I got in my car,
Martin POV . . I have been stuck in this wheelchair for almost two weeks now. I already told my mom and Shantel that this wasn't necessary anymore, but my mom was adamant. If I defied her, she would give me a couple of hours of sermon, and she, the ever gentle and calm woman, was definitely different when she was mad. I wouldn't want to see the she-wolf in her! "Tesoro mio, I already called Mr. Vianchi, and guess what?" it was Shantel. She has been doing almost all of my work since I was confined at the hospital. She just walked into my study room with her fitted one-piece above-the-knee red dress, the tight-fitted outfit accentuated her curves. The click-clacking of her black stilettos was like a melodic rhythm seducing my manhood, but my boy didn't even respond. She deliberately flipped her hair to the side, showing her neck while giving me the documents, Mr. Vianchi and I signed about a month ago. "Thanks, bellissima!" I gently told her. She loved it when I called her th
Dakota POV . . The white long limo seemed to be small, carrying only six people, including Enzo and Leon. The tension between us inside was so strong that I couldn't find the courage to even cross my legs. Sitting beside me was no other than Madam Florence, while just across from us were two people with sharp stares ready to murder me anytime. The silence was ear-piercing that even the tiny sound of a needle could be heard if you dropped it. I tried to avoid Martin's glare, focusing my sight on the scenery outside. I just wished nobody could hear the loud thumping of my heart. I was also praying that Madam Florence couldn't notice the weirdness in this spacious, but uncomfortable limousine. "Such a beautiful sight, isn't it, Dakota?" it was Madam Florence nudging my silence. "Yes, Madam. The leaves are beautiful!" I humbly told her while shifting my glance at her. She was staring deeply at me. There was something in those gazes that I couldn't fathom. "Do you like autu
It took about 10 minutes to calm down before going back to the private room. When I arrived, the food was already served, and they started eating. "I'm sorry, it took me so long!" laced with embarrassment, my head was looking down while I took my seat. "It's all right, Dakota. I was even worried something might have happened to you. Are you all right now, dear?" Madam Florence asked, concern was written all over her look. "Yes, madam. I was just a bit dizzy earlier, but I feel better now!" I explained, my orbs were avoiding a certain glare from someone across me. "That's wonderful to know. I ordered spring pasta with smoked salmon for you. I hope you like it!" "Oh! Thank you, madam. I absolutely love ~" "Mamma, she's allergic to salmon!" when suddenly the jerk across me, cut me off. He also called the server standing from the corner and pointed at my plate. "Take the food away. Give her grilled chicken avocado salad!" he dominantly uttered, and the server left right away.
Until we headed back to the tower, Madam Florence had never said anything. She remained quiet the whole afternoon. Worried I was the reason, I ambled towards her with my head looking down the marbled floor. My hands were fidgeting, and my heart was racing. She would have sensed my presence behind her because she suddenly turned around and faced me. "Madam!" I humbly spoke. "Tell me, Dakota. Tell me the truth. Did my son treat you well when you were together?" her tone was stern, and her orbs were glued on me. "In his own way, I say, he was rough but also romantic!" flashbacks of our dates and travels popped up in my mind. My heart pounded fast upon remembering how he was so possessive of me, but at the same very caring. "I never felt so secure in my life when I was with him!" I told her the truth, what could I hide now? Martin already blasted me in front of his mom. "I see!" she just nodded. She waved her hand and glanced at Andrea, one of her assistants like me, dismissing he
Friday night! I heard Shantel call my name from the office, but I feigned deaf. I kept walking till I reached the lift. But before I could push the button, she stopped my hand by playfully putting her fingers on my shoulder. "There's someone here who's trying to escape, and you think I can't tell that!" cloaked with sarcasm in her words, I just raised my brows at her. "Why are you in a hurry this time, tesoro mio?" now, she's in front of me, her back facing the lift. Her lashes were flickering, and her pouted lips were an inch close to mine. "I've an appointment, what else?" as nonchalantly as it sounded, trying to convey the message that it's none of her business where I would go and who I would be with. "Hmm! Can I go with you? It's Friday night, and the weather is getting cold. I forgot to bring my coat with me. It's still hanging in the closet!" she used her pouty lips to point at the small wardrobe I had in my office. "Or much better if we both go back there and get it!"
"Martin, is this all your doing?" her question was simple, but her tone was more an interrogation. "D*mn it, Martin! Stop doing this!" I tried to grope her hand, but she kept swaying it away. The people inside the theater became rowdy, the women were screaming in fear, and the men tried to calm them. "Marti~" "It's not me, and keep quiet. Give me your hand. Let's get out of here!" I whisper-yelled while staring at the woman beside me. "No! I'm not going with you!" she yelled back. "Where's Paul!" her eyes rummaged through the darkness, worried and scared. "D*mn it, Dakota!" whether she would like it or not, I lifted her on my shoulder and focused my eyes on the scent of everything inside. The couple of couples I passed by earlier and their seats. It was a good thing my eyes were trained to see the dark; just memorize the smell of everything around me. When I saw the neon light flashing exit, amid the riotous crowd and the woman on my shoulder's ear-piercing scream, we manage
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