(ARIELLE’S POV) As I sat at my desk in my office, staring blankly at the computer screen in front of me, I couldn't stop my thoughts from straying. These past few days have been of constant debate about Jared's continuous stay in my house and finally it had led me to a decision –I needed to ask him to leave. I couldn't continue living with my ex-husband; it was growing awkward and difficult with each passing day. I had planned to tell him the previous night, but just as I was about to bring it up, Dwayne's call interrupted me, and I decided to put it off until today, after work. But the more I thought about it, the more I found myself growing more and more anxious. I couldn't continue to keep up with the charade of living with him, pretending that everything was fine when it wasn't. He was making me uncomfortable with all the nice things he did, and as much as I hated to admit it, they were beginning to get to my heart. I sighed, pushing my chair back from the desk. I needed to
(ARIELLE'S POV)The days flew by and it was soon the weekend–the time for the family dinner, and it also doubled as the day Jared was supposed to leave my house. It had been three days since our last conversation, and he had kept his distance and avoided me entirely.In return, I remained silent, though the weight of the silence hurt more than I cared to admit.Even Maverick had picked up on the tension, innocently asking if Daddy had made Mommy mad, one time at dinner. I managed to force a smile, reassuring him that everything was fine, though I struggled to convince myself of it."Sweetie, now that you're done eating, why don't you go watch the TV for an hour before bedtime?" I interrupted when he tried to probe further.I watched him go, feeling sad and guilty. This thing between me and Jared wasn't fair to him. He deserved better than to be stuck in the middle of our issues, and it was better Jared left so our lives could return to normalcy.As we drove to the mansion, with Jared
(JARED'S POV)After Arielle left with Nana Jean, I tried to keep up with conversing with Maverick, even though my mind kept wondering about what Nana Jean needed to say to Arielle in private.I pushed the thought aside and focused on Maverick, who was talking excitedly about how big the mansion was and how beautiful his great-granny was. I listened attentively, smiling and nodding in all the right places.But my mind kept drifting back to Arielle. Speaking of her, since our last conversation three days ago, I have tried to keep my distance. Not because I was mad at her, but because it was the best thing to do.And today, when she stepped out in that dress, my breath was swept away. She looked like she was meant to be in dresses like that always. The way the fabric hugged her curves, the way the color matched with her skin and highlighted it...I felt my heart skip a beat as I stared at her.As I remembered that after tonight, we were no longer going to be staying under the same roof, m
(JARED'S POV)At this point, my determination to learn more about the tattoo and the man tripled. I tried to connect the tattoo to the identity of the men; was it a symbol for a group or just a work of art?But before I could pursue the thought any further, Nana Jean's voice rang out from the hallway, calling out to everyone to dinner.I took a deep breath, forcing my thoughts about the tattoo out of my head for the moment. I’d have to figure this out later. For now, food.I was about to head into the dining room when a thought hit me like a freight train.Without a second thought, I walked over to Arielle, who was standing by herself. I pulled her aside, trying to keep my voice low, but I could feel the urgency in it."Arielle, can I ask you something?" My voice was almost a whisper.She looked at me curiously, her eyes narrowing in wariness. "What is it?""It's about your bodyguard...Big Joe," I added for more emphasis. "Does he have a tattoo on his right arm?"Her expression change
(JARED'S POV)My world seemed to shatter in that instant, as I stared at Dwayne's extended hand. Except that, I was not just staring at the hand; a myriad of thoughts were fighting a war in my head, too. My father—the man I’d always admired, revered as wise, disciplined, and morally steadfast—had a child with another woman, before he even married my mother?!I felt the air leave my lungs. My chest tightened. How could this be real? How could I even begin to process this? My father, the man who was supposed to be my moral compass, had a secret . This didn’t add up. None of it did.I looked up at Dwayne, searching for answers in his eyes. But his expression was calm and collected, and he gave nothing. I instantly felt a surge of anger and resentment towards this stranger, this interloper who had arrived to disrupt the family's dynamics I knew.I didn't take his hand, didn't acknowledge his greeting. Instead, I turned to my mother, my eyes blazing with questions. Poor woman, I can't ima
(DWAYNE 'S POV)My head snapped back from the forceful impact of Arielle's punch, my calm demeanor briefly shifting as I tethered on the brink of losing my cool. But I steadied myself; the impact of her fist on my face was intense, and I could tell my face had turned red, but I have been in tougher spots before.I didn't flinch, didn't retaliate. Instead, I just looked at her, an amused look in my eyes.Arielle's skills were undeniable. Few women her age could maintain the regular exercise regimen she did, and it showed in her toned physique. Her arms were sleek and well-defined, her fists clenched in anger. But I wasn't just any man. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches in height, my strength was matched only by my professional training –I was a Mafia enforcer, a man who thrived in control and power.As I kept staring at Arielle, I couldn't help but be drawn in by the fire in her eyes. I had always been fascinated by strong–willed women, and Arielle was no exception. Her eyes blazed with fur
(Arielle’s POV)Dwayne gestured to the bench, and we both sat down, our shoulders brushing as we settled into the space between us. A heavy silence hung in the air, neither of us speaking. I didn’t want to pressure him, but being near him made me uneasy, especially when I knew he was hiding something from me.“It’s… complicated,” he said after a moment, breaking the silence.“That’s one thing about you that I’m trying to understand,” I replied. “You’re complicated, Dwayne. And I want to know why. Don’t try to fool me this time. Nana’s words...”—I shook my head—“Nana Jean’s always been good to me, but that doesn’t mean she’s completely open, especially when her own interests are involved.” I paused, gathering my thoughts. “I just want to hear it all from you, yourself. If you still regard me as your friend, Dwayne.”He met my gaze, and for a brief moment, we just stared at each other. He didn’t speak, but his expression softened into that same helpless, tolerant smile, as if to say th
(ARIELLE’S POV)I watched Dwayne’s eyes grow dark with a hatred I couldn’t describe. It sent a wave of goosebumps sprouting up along my arms and on the ridge of my neck. I felt my eyes tear up and I had to exercise restraint to make sure I didn’t cry in front of him.“There must’ve been a reason… right?” I tried to reason, forcing myself to speak through the tightness in my throat. “He must’ve wanted to help you but just couldn’t…”Dwayne let out a mirthless laugh that rattled through me, cold and sharp.“I wish,” he shook his head. “When I got to the U.S., finding him wasn’t hard. Old habits die hard, and he'd brought his business with him. At that point, he’d made quite the name for himself. But the worst part? Seeing him living this... this perfect life with his wife and son. I saw him. Arielle. I saw Jared.”His voice dipped, “He was living the life my father had denied me. I bit back the pain and told myself I didn’t care. After all, he hadn’t been my father for years. Not since
(ARIELLE'S POV)The bathroom door creaked open, and out stepped Dwayne. His hair was damp from a shower, droplets sliding down his broad, muscled chest. For a split second, we both just stared at each other, equally startled.“Arielle?” His deep voice broke the silence, his brows knitting together in concern.My mind foggy, I blinked repeatedly to ensure it was indeed him not my hallucination."What are you doing in my room?" I asked, trying to sound strong. I looked around the room, taking in the familiar surroundings. The bed, the dresser, and everything in it–everything looked like it belonged to me, but something felt off.“This is my room.” His frown deepened as he stepped further in. “I’ve been staying here since we boarded the ship.”I shook my head, a feeling of panic enveloping me. "No, no, this is my room," I insisted. "I remember vividly. I was just... just in the..." I paused and tried to recall my earlier actions, but my memories were hazy.Frustration welled up inside me
(ARIELLE'S POV)As I stepped out onto the deck after dinner, the cool evening breeze swept through my hair like a soothing caress. The sky was a beautiful sight to see at that time of the day, a hue of blue and white.Beside me, Ashley and Maverick were deep in conversation, laughter spilling out between them as we walked. But soon, as usual, Ashley excused herself, shouting with a grin, “I’ve got to go scout some handsome guys for my next evaluation sheet! Margaux’s waiting for me.”I couldn’t help but chuckle. It was typical Ashley—always on the lookout for "research material," as she liked to call it. I also knew, unless the situation was really extreme, she wouldn’t willingly spend more than 10 minutes with a kid. Maverick was an exception, of course.But she was still a good sport. She bent down and offered him her hand, her voice sweet as she said, "Alright, little man, let’s get you to your grandma. I’m sure she’s waiting to spoil you rotten."Maverick grinned, his eyes twinkli
(DWAYNE'S POV)As I settled Maverick into the seat beside me, the tension in the room seemed to dissipate. The sudden rush of chaos had passed, and now the room was filled with the soft clinking of silverware and the low hum of conversation. Crisis averted.With the atmosphere settling back into its rhythm, I let my gaze wander around the table, subtly studying the faces of those present. The Langleys were deep in conversation with Matt, their voices rising and falling with bursts of laughter and lively debate. Jared and Tiana sat next to each other. She was trying to engage him in conversation, leaning in now and then, but Jared seemed far more interested in the food than her.I once caught him staring at Arielle with so much intensity and longing and he looked away the moment he noticed I was looking at him, too. "Poor guy," I smiled inwardly.Sometimes I really don’t understand him. Does he truly care about Arielle, or is he just angry because she's moved on and refuses to come b
(ARIELLE'S POV)My first reaction when Margaux broke the news to me was that of disbelief. I sat frozen in the lounge chair, my widened eyes fixed on her as she delivered the news."I'm sorry, but my Dad has extended a dinner invitation to the Langleys and their visitors," she announced; her face was a picture of anger and frustration, one that conveyed her disapproval of her father's decision."By 'visitors,' you’re not telling me it’s...?" I trailed off, dreading the answer."Yes, Jared Smith," Margaux finished."Why would he do that?" I blurted out, finally snapping out of my initial shock. But as the words left my mouth, I felt a flutter in my chest. It wasn’t the worst thing that could happen... but it was weirdly convenient. Jared just happened to be on the same ship? What were the odds?I glanced at Dwayne, looking for answers. Had I missed something? He just shrugged and gave me a wide, innocent grin, like he had no clue either."Oh, great! A perfect party ruined by one rotten
(JARED'S POV) After the call ended, I shoved my phone into my pocket and got off the bed, heading out of the room to wait outside the Dock for whomever Matt was sending. As I walked down the hallway, I could hear the sound of chatters and laughter coming from the room within. I quickly quickened my pace, hoping to avoid getting drawn into a conversation. But my luck ran out as I turned a corner and bumped into my mother and Mrs Langley. They were standing by the rails, sipping iced tea and engaged in a hushed conversation judging from how their lips moved silently. But Mom's eyes lit up the instant she saw me, and she smiled warmly. "Hey, dear, where are you off to?" She asked, eyeing me curiously. "I'm meeting with an important business partner," I replied, trying to sound as casual as possible. I also forced a smile, hoping to reassure her. But she frowned, not having any of it. "But you promised to keep everything concerning business away for these few days, why are you going
(JARED’S POV)I turned around with the bottle of wine in my hands and found Tiana looking at me with knowing eyes. She’d caught me staring, and I had to avert my gaze quickly.Much later in the day, the sailor turned the yacht around for the beach house. We didn’t encounter the other yacht on the way back. I kept hoping we’d run into them at some point so I could see Arielle again. But that didn’t happen, so I decided to call herThe phone rang for a while without an answer until she finally picked up.“Hello. Arielle?” I said tentatively.“Hello, little brother,” Dwayne’s voice came through the speaker. I felt my blood boil with anger at the sound of his voice.“Where’s Arielle? Why are you answering her phone?” I demanded.“Relax. She’s having a swell time with the others. It’s her birthday tomorrow so we’re treating her to a nice time,” he said. I could hear the smile in his voice. “Did you forget it was her birthday, little brother?”Of course! I mentally face-palmed myself. I did
(JARED’S POV.)I walked up the steps, my eyes fixed on Mr. Langley just so I didn’t have to speak with anyone else. I couldn’t trust my mother in situations like this. She had a way of roping me into unexpected conversations.“Mr. Langley,” I called out as I stepped up to the yacht’s deck.He was deep in conversation with a fellow I surmised to be the sailor. “Ahh. Jared. Come up here, son,” he gestured with his hand. He quickly dismissed the sailor.“Son?” I scoffed inwardly. Not when he's top on the list of the people I suspect to be sabotaging my company.“Hi, ” I nodded with a forced smile. “Quite a remarkable yacht you’ve got here,” I chipped in with a smile.“Oh it’s a rental. Cost a decent sum alongside the apartment. And to think we’re only renting for a couple of days! Crazy, I tell you,” he shook his head. “Sorry we had to drag you all the way out here.. away from your company. I know it must have cost you a lot to honor the invitation,” he said, clasping my hand in both of
(JARED'S POV)I left Arielle's office basking in the fulfillment and satisfaction. Seeing her eyes light up when she received the gift made every moment worth it. I replayed the scene over and over again in my head, her fingers tracing the outline of the sculpture, her voice slightly trembling as they conveyed her gratitude. It was a peak moment, one that I wouldn't forget in a hurry.Deep down, I wish I could spend more time with her, but I had to see my Mom. She had called earlier, asking to see me, citing that she had something important to discuss with me. Now, as I drove towards the mansion's direction, I hoped it was as important as she made it sound because she has a history of exaggerating things and making them more ambiguous than they actually were.Soon, I pulled into the compound, and I didn't bother parking in the garage as I figured I'd be leaving soon. I go inside, have the "important" discussion with Mother, say hi to Nana Jean, and I'll be on my way. Easy peasy.I got
(ARIELLE'S POV)As the party got underway, I insisted on stepping aside for a moment to call Rebecca and Stephen. I needed to let them know about my decision to take two days off.They readily agreed, assuring me they’d keep things running smoothly at the restaurant in my absence. Relieved, I thanked them and ended the call before heading back inside.What Ashley called a pre-party turned out to be a lively, classic celebration—music, drinks, dancing, and endless chatter. It had been ages since I’d attended something like this, and I couldn’t help but feel a little thrill as I mingled, catching up with people and sneaking in a few moments to casually promote my restaurant.But as the evening wore on, the fatigue of the day finally caught up with me. My energy waned, and I felt the telltale weakness creeping in. Dwayne, as if sensing it, stayed close by. At one point, he gently patted my shoulder, leaning in to whisper, “If you’re tired just go back to your room and rest. You’ve got t