As Dwyne and Bradley's car glided through the familiar streets of Palm Beach, a mix of nostalgia and melancholy washed over her.
The palm trees lining the avenue swayed gently in the warm breeze, casting dappled shadows on the road. This was the place where she had spent her formative years, a place now filled with memories both bittersweet and poignant.
Their first stop was the old Ballet building, a grand structure with arched windows and elegant columns. Dwyne’s gaze softened as she looked up at the building, the place where she had spent countless hours perfecting her craft.
She remembered the thrill of her first recital, the hard-earned applause, and the grueling practice sessions. But it was also where her dreams had been interrupted by a cruel twist of fate. A sharp pain surged
As Benjamin Harrington walked back towards his Bentley, his eyes remained locked on Bradley, who stood beside Dwyne with a protective stance.The disbelief on Benjamin’s face was palpable as he tried to process the unexpected scenario unfolding before him.Bradley’s presence was commanding; his posture was assertive, a stark contrast to the apprehensive demeanor of Benjamin.Dwyne, clutching Bradley’s arm with a grip that spoke volumes of her reliance and trust, was visibly shaken.Benjamin couldn’t help but wonder about this man who had become so integral to Dwyne’s life. The juxtaposition of their reactions—Dwyne clinging to Bradley as if her life depended on it and Bradley’s unwavering vigilance—made Benjamin’s curiosity deepen.The tension in the air was thick. Dwyne’s heart raced with a frenetic rhythm, not from fear of Benjamin, but from concern for what Bradley might d
My eyes widened when we arrived at The Astoria, a luxury apartment complex in Coral Gables, just a stone's throw away from Palm Beach. Is he serious?!The sleek glass facade gleamed under the afternoon sun, and palm trees lined the pristine entrance, making the place look more like a five-star resort than a residence. I couldn’t help but take in the grandeur as Gray stopped in the lobby. When I turned to Bradley, he was already staring at me, that guilt-ridden smile plastered on his face. He knew exactly what I was thinking."You put me in The Astoria?" I frowned, my voice filled with shock and a hint of disbelief. Of course, Bradley would go overboard after everything that had happened. I should’ve known this would be his way of keeping me safe.He raised his eyebrows, his playful grin barely masking the seriousness underneath. "It's the safest place," he replied. "Unless you want to stay in one of my mansions?" His eyes lit up in excitement, as though the idea of me moving into h
Phillipe Quinn stood by his office window, swirling the glass of whiskey in his hand. The weight of seeing Ellaine after all these years hung heavily on him. He hadn’t expected it, certainly not in the chaotic setting of a public hospital. Ellaine… She looks well…The years of separation, filled with silence and unanswered questions, flooded his thoughts. He wasn’t sure what to make of it, but one thing was clear—Ellaine hadn’t been alone.The memory of the man who accompanied her flashed in his mind. Who is he?There was something about him, something dangerous, even more so than Benjamin Harrington. Ugh.. The thought made Phillipe clench his jaw. Benjamin had been a nightmare for their family, especially for Ellaine, and the idea of someone worse lurking around her filled him with dread.His thoughts were interrupted when Harry, his second brother and colleague, spoke up. “What’s going on, Phillipe? You’ve been staring at me for a full minute. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.
The next day, Dwyne couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, a bemused smile tugging at her lips as she saw Marco and Gray standing in the lobby, a sleek black Mercedes waiting behind them. Both men stood confidently, arms crossed, clearly in no rush, as if they’d been waiting all morning.“Seriously? You two are my bodyguards now?” Dwyne exclaimed in disbelief, shaking her head as she walked toward the car. My God…She paused only for a second, glancing at the luxurious vehicle. It was the kind of car she never imagined herself stepping into, much less on a casual trip to the hospital.Marco and Gray exchanged amused looks, shrugging in unison. “You know how much you matter to him," Marco said with a grin, gesturing for her to get inside.Dwyne rolled her eyes at their response. “To him? Or to all of you?” she muttered as she slid into the car. It was a rhetorical question, but she couldn’t shake the feeling. The weight of it all. Us—they’d said. Them all. The realization was unsett
"Quick, we need help! If he dies, none of you can get out of here on your feet!" A group of men dressed in black suits shouted violently in the emergency room carrying one injured man and seating him on the nearest empty chair. That man...I exclaimed inwardly and recognised the injured man in the middle, whose clothes soaked through with large swaths of blood. I studied his off-color face the second time...Yes, It's him. I had helped him on the street a few weeks ago. Forced. Then he disappeared like a ghost after that. I did not expect him to show up in such an appalling manner again. "HURRY!!!" The same man shouted when he saw no movement from either the doctor or the nurse. Judging from his movements, it seemed like they were all dangerous people. "HEY, ARE YOU ALL DUMB?!" Hold, Dwyne... Hold on… Don’t react, I told myself. "HEEEYYYYY..!!!!" One of the members kicked the chair… And I finally couldn't stand it either "Noisy!!! If you want to ask for help, say it nicely,
It's been the fourth day, but there is no sign of him coming to my apartment, yes, since I got that horrible message in front of my apartment door, I can be said to be hiding with the excuse of working hard by constantly being in this hospital and returning only to change clothes without wanting to linger there.Scared, not just scared but I still loved my life, not knowing who he would come with to my apartment, saying he wanted to check I didn't know what he could do to me, a woman who lived alone in an apartment with a gangster, nope never knew something good will happen about that.So I'd rather avoid it than be in the news for losing my life the next day.Hopefully, when he realizes I'm not around, he'll think of going somewhere else to help him open the stitches on his stomach.Click…"Wow, Dwyne, are you still here?" Dr. Patrick who was on morning duty greeted me as he walked into the doctor's room, I guess to check who the interns were.I smiled, "Do you need anything doctor?"
Oh my god... oh my god, help me. I hope that he's not in front of my apartment. I prayed when I finished the night watch and had to go back to rest in my apartment before starting another part time job at the cafe 4 hours from now. I slowly stepped towards my room after turning from the stairs and looked around that there was no one around. I quickly stepped into the room at the far end of my apartment and hurriedly unlocked it. Luckily this time there was no paper attached with a knife. I had to put a tape on my door so that it wouldn't look like a hole caused by the knife. Blam.... Letting out a long sigh, I entered my room and stopped when I saw a colorful bouquet of tulips, which is my favorite flower, on the kitchen counter. But instead of being happy to see the bouquet, my heart ached to know how it got there? My. God! I’m doomed…. I said weakly and slumped to the floor staring at the bouquet of flowers. ****** .. 4 hours later .. "Hello Dwyne..." Greeted Kate who
"I'll take care of it, you clean up in the back." Kate interrupted me and stood in front of the man with a smile and I released a relieved breath.Thank god..!"Hello, sis."My eyes widened in surprise and stared at the two people in front of me.What? Sister?Kate is this horrible man's sister?!"3 years of not seeing each other and this is what you're doing? Scaring my staff?" I tried not to hear their conversation but it was difficult and I could only pretend to go to the cashier counter and calculate today's income."Nice decorations, I like the flowers." I tried not to wince at the man's sarcasm.D*mn, so it was really him who sent, no, not sent but put the flowers in my room?!How could that be?Isn't my apartment locked?!I heard Kate let out a long sigh, "Leave her alone." She said and I hope he listened to his sister's words.God, help!Kate, help!"I'm sorry, it can't be that easy. I owe her my life." He replied and startled me.Huh? Owe me a life?What does that mean?Then
The next day, Dwyne couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, a bemused smile tugging at her lips as she saw Marco and Gray standing in the lobby, a sleek black Mercedes waiting behind them. Both men stood confidently, arms crossed, clearly in no rush, as if they’d been waiting all morning.“Seriously? You two are my bodyguards now?” Dwyne exclaimed in disbelief, shaking her head as she walked toward the car. My God…She paused only for a second, glancing at the luxurious vehicle. It was the kind of car she never imagined herself stepping into, much less on a casual trip to the hospital.Marco and Gray exchanged amused looks, shrugging in unison. “You know how much you matter to him," Marco said with a grin, gesturing for her to get inside.Dwyne rolled her eyes at their response. “To him? Or to all of you?” she muttered as she slid into the car. It was a rhetorical question, but she couldn’t shake the feeling. The weight of it all. Us—they’d said. Them all. The realization was unsett
Phillipe Quinn stood by his office window, swirling the glass of whiskey in his hand. The weight of seeing Ellaine after all these years hung heavily on him. He hadn’t expected it, certainly not in the chaotic setting of a public hospital. Ellaine… She looks well…The years of separation, filled with silence and unanswered questions, flooded his thoughts. He wasn’t sure what to make of it, but one thing was clear—Ellaine hadn’t been alone.The memory of the man who accompanied her flashed in his mind. Who is he?There was something about him, something dangerous, even more so than Benjamin Harrington. Ugh.. The thought made Phillipe clench his jaw. Benjamin had been a nightmare for their family, especially for Ellaine, and the idea of someone worse lurking around her filled him with dread.His thoughts were interrupted when Harry, his second brother and colleague, spoke up. “What’s going on, Phillipe? You’ve been staring at me for a full minute. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.
My eyes widened when we arrived at The Astoria, a luxury apartment complex in Coral Gables, just a stone's throw away from Palm Beach. Is he serious?!The sleek glass facade gleamed under the afternoon sun, and palm trees lined the pristine entrance, making the place look more like a five-star resort than a residence. I couldn’t help but take in the grandeur as Gray stopped in the lobby. When I turned to Bradley, he was already staring at me, that guilt-ridden smile plastered on his face. He knew exactly what I was thinking."You put me in The Astoria?" I frowned, my voice filled with shock and a hint of disbelief. Of course, Bradley would go overboard after everything that had happened. I should’ve known this would be his way of keeping me safe.He raised his eyebrows, his playful grin barely masking the seriousness underneath. "It's the safest place," he replied. "Unless you want to stay in one of my mansions?" His eyes lit up in excitement, as though the idea of me moving into h
As Benjamin Harrington walked back towards his Bentley, his eyes remained locked on Bradley, who stood beside Dwyne with a protective stance.The disbelief on Benjamin’s face was palpable as he tried to process the unexpected scenario unfolding before him.Bradley’s presence was commanding; his posture was assertive, a stark contrast to the apprehensive demeanor of Benjamin.Dwyne, clutching Bradley’s arm with a grip that spoke volumes of her reliance and trust, was visibly shaken.Benjamin couldn’t help but wonder about this man who had become so integral to Dwyne’s life. The juxtaposition of their reactions—Dwyne clinging to Bradley as if her life depended on it and Bradley’s unwavering vigilance—made Benjamin’s curiosity deepen.The tension in the air was thick. Dwyne’s heart raced with a frenetic rhythm, not from fear of Benjamin, but from concern for what Bradley might d
As Dwyne and Bradley's car glided through the familiar streets of Palm Beach, a mix of nostalgia and melancholy washed over her.The palm trees lining the avenue swayed gently in the warm breeze, casting dappled shadows on the road. This was the place where she had spent her formative years, a place now filled with memories both bittersweet and poignant.Their first stop was the old Ballet building, a grand structure with arched windows and elegant columns. Dwyne’s gaze softened as she looked up at the building, the place where she had spent countless hours perfecting her craft.She remembered the thrill of her first recital, the hard-earned applause, and the grueling practice sessions. But it was also where her dreams had been interrupted by a cruel twist of fate. A sharp pain surged
The private jet glided smoothly through the skies, carrying Dwyne and Bradley back to America after their whirlwind trip.The lush green landscapes of Italy had gradually given way to the sprawling vistas of the American Midwest, and now the jet was nearing its destination.As the plane journeyed on, the weight of their conversations and the revelations shared between them lingered in the air.Bradley had opened up to Dwyne about his life, his role in the Mafia, and the burdens and responsibilities that came with it. It had been a deep, often intense sharing of his world, one that had laid bare the vulnerabilities and challenges he faced.Now, as they flew back home, Dwyne felt it was her turn to reveal her own story—a story she had kept guarded for a l
The next morning, the soft light of dawn crept through the curtains of their villa on the Amalfi Coast. The gentle sound of waves lapping against the shore created a serene backdrop as Bradley gently woke Dwyne with passionate kisses on her lips while stroking her naked body under the blanket. She stirred, her eyes fluttering open to meet his warm gaze.“Good morning, Amore mio” Bradley said, his voice tinged with excitement and warmth. “I have something special planned for us today.”Dwyne stretched and smiled, her curiosity piqued. “What’s going on?”Bradley’s eyes sparkled with both pride and nervousness. “We’re going to have breakfast with my family”“What?” Dwyne’s heart raced with a mix of excitement and apprehension. “I.. I’m honored and a little nervous.”Bradley gave her a reassuring smile. “There’s no need to be nervous. My uncle and his wife are wonderful people. They’ll appreciate you as much as I do.”The morning was crisp and clear, and after a quick breakfast at their
“What? We’re not coming home yet?!” Dwyne exclaimed in disbelief, her eyes widening as she processed the news. “You’ve planned another trip? Where to this time?” Her voice was a mix of astonishment and excitement, as she tried to grasp the full extent of Bradley’s elaborate plans.Next, they flew to France, where Paris awaited with its timeless charm.“I can’t believe it—France?!” Dwyne exclaimed in wonder, her voice filled with awe as she peered out of the plane window. The sight of the Eiffel Tower, standing tall and elegant against the Parisian skyline, took her breath away.Her eyes wide with disbelief and excitement. The iconic landmark seemed to shimmer in the distance, a perfect prelude to the magical experiences Bradley had promised.
Dwyne cast a skeptical glance at Bradley as they approached the bustling airport, her eyebrows raised in curiosity. “So, Bradley, you really think we’re going to manage without any luggage? I didn’t bring anything.”Bradley’s face broke into a reassuring smile. “Absolutely. I’ve got everything covered. You don’t need to worry about a thing—just enjoy the adventure.”Okay then, she thought with a shake head.Dwyne shook her head in disbelief but trusted Bradley’s confidence. His track record of surprises and meticulous planning had always been spot on, so she decided to go along with it.Their first destination was Switzerland, where the snowy landscapes greeted them with a magical winter wonderland. They landed in Zurich, and a sleek black car whisked them away to a luxurious alpine chalet nestled in the heart of the Alps. The chalet, with its panoramic views of the snow-covered peaks and cozy interior, was nothing short of spectacular.Inside the spacious, elegantly appointed changi