“Vernon…?” I was relieved when I saw the figure of the man who walked up to me. But even though he was my best friend, I still hid my naked body from him. "What? What's going on? Why are you here? Where is this? And.. and.. why am I naked?" I bombarded him with successive questions that made him raise an eyebrow while looking at me as if to say 'did you forget?' Huh? What is going on? Wait… “Vernon… What is this place?” My eyes widened when I saw the man coming from the door. What the… What is he doing here?! Click…. “You shall go, Vernon. Thankyou” He said coldly and I tried to beg with my eyes toward my friend to not go and leave me alone with him, but he just shrugged his shoulders in defeat before cowardly left. “Coward!!!” I shout-out to my friend but he didn’t stop and just walked out of the room. Crap!!! Silence... No one opened their mouths to speak for a few moments and I could only try not to stare at him. Damn it, why is he here?! What exactly happened last ni
Ugh…The nausea and headache hit me like waves in the sea... I quickly pushed away Bradley's body who raised an eyebrow while sniggering before placing his palm on my head."Hangover... I want to spank your arse for that thing you did last night, you know that?" He said coldly and this time it was my turn to raise a confused eyebrow."I totally forgot what happened last night" I replied quietly and made him roll his eyes in annoyance.Hey, why is he upset again? I thought confusedly...Flicking my forehead "That's why, you forgot you did something stupid last night!!!" He said irritably before grabbing a glass of water and handing it to me with an aspirin."Um... and my clothes...?" I asked softly and made him glance over by giving a mischievous smile while crawling closer."Why?" He challenged me before looking all over my body that I covered with the blanket "What are you afraid of, I've seen it all" He teased. Bradley laughed loudly when he saw the expression on my face, which pro
"Dwyne..." I lifted my head and looked at Bradley who called out at the same time holding my hand in his, oh my God. "These are my cousins, they're here because they heard you were here" He said casually and I just gave a nervous smile to everyone, at a loss for what to say."You'll get to know and remember all of us, just relax" He added and made everyone laugh as if it was a fact that I would be here often and know all of them."We should talk" I said while giving him a serious look."Oh ow" Marco exclaimed accompanied by laughter from everyone.Ugh... Dammit!!!Maya seemed to be enjoying her breakfast and started talking to everyone as I stood up and walked over alone with Bradley.What should I say? I thought confusedly, as my adrenaline and courage disappeared.Realizing I had walked a long way from the dining room, I stopped and folded my arms before blinking in surprise as my body was quickly pulled away and my lips were quickly kissed by the man I was talking to."What? Brad..
As we walked back to the dining room everyone was talking to each other as if they didn't care about us and what the two of us were doing.Is this normal for them? I thought irritably, thinking that Bradley often did this with other women and I wasn't the first.Huff..."Who is this?"Speaking of women...I just realized there was a new figure sitting on one of the seats next to Marco. Two women joined the long dining table as if it was meant for all of them.One of the women had the same face as Marco, could she be his sister?Marco looked annoyed and raised an eyebrow to stare at the woman."Merida!" I heard Marco say a name that was probably hers.It was only a while ago that he said he wanted to make me his woman, and I realized that I didn't know anything about him."I didn't know you were coming, Merida" I tried to calm down and continue eating my breakfast as I heard Bradley talking to the woman named Merida.When I looked up, Merida was looking at me with an appraising gaze, w
BANG.. BANG..!!!!I gasp loudly as Gray pulls out a gun and fires at the man pointing his weapon at us.It wasn't long before he spoke to Vernon who immediately moved to the wheel as Gray got out and drove our car away from the spot."Vernon, what happened?" I asked frantically to my friend who was driving and worried about the man we left there.He looked at me from the rearview mirror and made me speechless with the way he looked at me.Could this be the so-called dangerous life of a mobster?Was this going to be my life because I was with Bradley?No one spoke until we pulled up in front of Maya's apartment, who kissed me on the cheek and said goodbye and then Vernon immediately got back in the car to take me to my apartment.On the way back, Vernon didn't say anything and I just stared at the scenery through the window.“Are you okay?” I finally heard him ask and just shrugged without looking in his direction.“I don't know” I answered him honestly.All of this was still confusin
Hell no!"Then what about my job at the hospital?" I asked Bradley who immediately shook his head as well."Just fucking quit," he replied dismissively, and I could only snort in annoyance before walking him out of my empty apartment.What the fuck is he saying?Oh God…How can he just tell me to do what I fought for and leave my home and my true identity because of what I fought for?Is he crazy?!No way, I thought, pausing as a hand grabbed my arm and stopped my footsteps from automatically heading for the elevator."Don't be angry, it's for your own good," he said in a different, softer tone, as if trying to calm me down, which made me take a long breath to control my emotions as well."Or you can leave me so that we are no longer in a relationship," my reply was casual, but seeing the angry look in his eyes made me realize that was not an option."That's not funny," he replied coldly as he crossed his arms over his chest.I let out another long breath, why is my life becoming more
"I heard what happened, are you okay?" Dr. Patrick asked the next day when we met at the restaurant for lunch.I was surprised to see him sitting in front of me eating to ask how I was doing.Yes, he must have heard everything, considering he was part of the Bradley family.I smiled at him as I nodded my head, "Yeah, just someone trashed my apartment and made me move," I said as I ate my lunch with a sad sigh at the memory.Dr. Patrick smiled back at me, "Seeing the number of guards around the hospital, I assume my nephew is over it?" His question made me nod my head to answer him, "Yes, he was angry, but he gave me a place on the 7th floor of the next apartment, which is very close to this hospital," I explained, remembering what Bradley had done to tease me yesterday.Yes, he pretended to take me to his house, knowing full well that I would reject him outright."I heard what happened, are you okay?" Dr. Patrick asked the next day when we met at the restaurant for lunch.I was surpr
"Oh my God, have you seen the night shift schedule? How can you only have one night shift today and then be completely absent for a week?" Someone suddenly spoke before he pulled the seat next to me and sat down.What the... I thought in confused before widened my eyes when I realize who's coming and join us.Daniel...Marco and I looked over at Daniel, who had suddenly sat down at our table and joined us shortly after Dr. Patrick excused himself because he had a surgery in 10 minutes so he had to finish his lunch quickly.Daniel, who seemed to think that Marco was one of the other doctors who worked here, suddenly froze when he noticed Marco's cold look at him and made me smile amusedly at what the man did after he realized that he didn't know the man sitting next to me.I bet he didn't think I would take a seat with someone he didn't know in this hospital.Typical Daniel, not looking around and acting in a hurry, I thought amusedly while waiting for Marco reaction.I'm glad I was wit
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