MAE"You should answer that, switching off your phone might get him worried," Ryder suggests staring at me."I doubt he will be, he is just trying to be in control of the situation like he always does," I reply staring at Ryder before looking back at the lake."You will be surprised to find out that he actually cares about you, and gets worried about you when you are not around," Ryder informs me, his voice is low like it is a secret he shouldn't even be telling me."I am so angry right now that I am starting to find that hard to believe," I admit. It's been barely two days since Evelyn's arrival and it is starting to feel like he is not on my side. "I don't even know why he won't just listen to me. You can see it as well that Lily is innocent and Evelyn is probably the mastermind of this whole plan.""I never said your sister was innocent Ma'am, I know she is your sister and it is normal for you to trust her but I believe we need to come to terms with the fact that perhaps your siste
MAEOur phones, switched off? I know I switched mine off, I stare behind me at Ryder, before looking back at the lake."Why are your phones switched off?" Sin's voice holds a mix of concern and frustration, which makes me pause for a moment. "I'm sorry," I respond, trying to keep the conversation calm. "I just needed some time to think things through."There's a brief silence on the other end of the line. I can almost picture Sin running his hand through his hair, a sign of his impatience or stress I've come to recognize over the past few weeks. "I get that, Mae, but you could have just told me. I was worried about you," he finally says, his voice softening slightly."....." "I am sorry, I didn't mean to -""It's fine," I brush it off, not wanting to remember how he had reacted earlier."No, it's not fine, Mae. I am sorry for how I reacted before. You deserve better than that. I was just stressed and I took it out on you, which wasn’t fair," Sin’s voice comes through."Alright," I r
MAEI am not surprised that she would choose to press charges, I run my fingers through my hair trying to stay calm and assess the situation properly. "And Lily? If the police are planning on investigating the case does she have to remain in jail?" I ask.Sin's expression turns somber, and he nods. "Yes, she'll have to stay in custody until the investigation is over. But I will make sure she gets a good lawyer to represent her."I nod, feeling a sense of unease. The thought of Lily in jail, even if it's temporary, is unsettling. But I also understand the gravity of the situation and the need for a thorough investigation."We'll get through this, Mae," Sin says, his voice soft and reassuring. "Together."I look at him, and our eyes meet. I see the sincerity in his gaze. "I know this is a lot for you, especially with your parent not wanting you to have anything to do with me or my sister. I am grateful that despite the -"He places his hand on mine interrupting me, "I told you, Mae, I c
MAEMy hand tightens on the doorknob, my mouth forming an O, I take a step back realizing I must be invading his privacy, what would he think of me if he found me watching him but I feel the desire to watch, to see what he is doing.I must be out of my mind, I look behind me just to be sure no one is looking at me before taking a step forward and peeping at them again.This time, Ryder is no longer on his back but on his knee, the woman has her ass arched to him, waiting patiently for him to take it. She chuckles lightly staring at Ryder as she spreads her legs far apart.He slaps her behind softly before pulling her by the waist towards him and thrust deep into her.A soft moan escapes the woman's lips, her hand holding onto the sheets for dear life and her breasts bouncing towards each other.He continues to pull her down on him, he stops and his thrust picks up speed and depth, the woman struggling to keep herself from moaning loudly. She pants softly, her eyes gliding to the back
SIN"Hey, sleepy head," I whisper, her grip on my waist tightens for a moment before her eyes slowly open to stare at me. I tuck a strand of hair on her face behind her ear and plant a kiss on her forehead. "Hey," she mutters, sleep still evident in her voice. "Did you sleep well?" I ask, running his hand on my cheeks. "Yeah, I did," she replies giving me a slight nod. I smile at her, pleased that she was able to get some sleep, "Good, I was worried you wouldn't get any sleep." I admit, she looked restless last night. I know Lily's case must have clouded her mind but eventually, I felt her body more relaxed in the middle of the night and I knew she had finally found some peace. "I'm glad you could rest," I say, my voice filled with relief. Her eyes scan mine, searching for something I can't quite read. "What about you? Did you sleep okay?" she asks, concern lacing her tone.I nod, not wanting to worry her with my restless thoughts. "Yeah, I slept fine," I assure her, squeezing he
SIN"What is Evelyn doing here?" Mae questions running her fingers through her hair, frustration evident in her voice. I glance at Mae, trying to maintain my composure despite the unexpected interruption. I know she and Evelyn despise each other, the hospital incident already proved that. "I'm not sure, but it can't be good," I say, my tone laced with annoyance. "It must be about Lily."Mae's brows knit together in concern. "Lily? Or is it about you?" she asks."Me?""Your mum seems hellbent on getting rid of me, I won't be surprised if this unexpected visit is to do just that," she says, and it feels like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders as she lets out a low sigh.I pull Mae close, my arms wrapping around her in a protective embrace. "I'm on your side, you can trust me," I reassure her, feeling her body tense in my arms. "It's not you that I don't trust, it is Evelyn," she admits. Her admission is sharp, slicing through the air between us. I nod, understanding the dep
MAE"Mae will continue to work for Hayes Tech and that's final, she will also be handling Saviano's project," Sin says, his voice leaving no room for argument.I hold on to his hand, "No, Mae, I don't want your input on this," he says pointing a finger my way to shun me from even daring to speak. "I cannot believe this nonsense," Mrs. Hayes yells angrily. "Oh, you will want her input," Evelyn interjects bringing out her phone and placing it on the table. On the screen is a video playing of Evelyn and Sin kissing, the kissing is so intense that I know what is coming next. Sin grabs the phone immediately from the table taking it away from my view, "What the hell is this?" He asks, switching the phone off. "Don't ask me, ask her," Evelyn says, pointing at me. "Me?" I'm stunned, unable to respond as I feel everyone's eyes are fixed on me. "I don't understand what you mean by me," I manage to stammer, my voice barely a whisper.Mrs. Hayes speaks, her face red with fury. "Enough of thi
MAEI place my hand on my chest, my heart racing. I can't go to jail, especially for something I didn't do. How could Lily confess to my involvement in all of this? Sin's expression is one of conflicted emotions. He runs his fingers through his hair, he sighs, "Relax," he says placing his hand on mine. "This scandal could destroy everything, the company, my reputation, but we need to prioritize. Your freedom and clearing your name comes first. I will get my lawyers and speak to Evelyn. We'll resolve this issue, okay?" "I am so sorry Sin, I can't believe that Lily will do something like this, I don't even know what has gotten into her," I say, my voice breaking under the strain. The room feels unbearably tight, the walls closing in as the gravity of the situation sinks deeper.Sin squeezes my hand reassuringly. "We'll figure this out together. I know you, Mae. You wouldn't harm anyone, let alone orchestrate something this destructive. We just need to get to the station and figure thi
NOAH"Noah, I know what happened. I remember everything. And I know you saved my life. But that doesn't give you the right to leave me without a word. To break our engagement and walk away. You need to understand, I thought we had something real. Something worth fighting for," she says, her voice cracking with emotion.I nod, feeling a pang of regret. Of course, what we had was real, I sent her 500 million without batting an eye, all I wanted at that moment was her and it still is, but I..."Aria, I know I made a mistake. I owe you an explanation. I just... I don't want you to get hurt because of me, I don't want your parents to..." Aria closes the distance between us placing her hand on my cheeks, I feel the warmth of her hand zapping away the frustration and anger building up inside of me from what had happened that day and how things could have turned out worse."So, what? You are going to be a coward by allowing Melissa to get into your head.""She killed two women I was involved
NOAHI thought falling in love was complicated, no, it's loving them from a distance that is quite complicated, seeing them and being unable to hold them, touch them, or even talk to them.I've been away for two weeks, trying to clear my head and make sense of everything. The investigation, Melissa's arrest, Aria's coma... it's all been too much. I know I shouldn't have left without talking to Aria, but I couldn't bear the thought of hurting her more than I already have. I've been watching her from afar, making sure she's safe and recovering well. But now, as I'm back in town, I know I will need to face her soon. As I step towards my car at the airport, I'm bombarded by reporters. "Noah, how does it feel to be back?" "Noah, what's your response to the allegations?" "Noah, are you dating anyone new?" I ignore them and rush to my car, but one of their questions strikes a nerve in me, "Do you think Melissa will have the new person in your life killed?"I turn to stare at the reporter
ARIA"Where is Noah? Is this a joke because I do not find it funny," it's been one month, one fucking month, and the first thing he decides to do instead of being right here with me, holding my hands and comforting me is to run away and give them some stupid rule over what? "What did I do? If anyone should be keeping any distance, it should be me, his psycho friend tried to kill me," I yell."A lot of Noah's flings have all suffered their fair share, Melissa has been secretly fucking up their life. The moment she finds out they are involved with Noah," Arthur explains. "The investigation found out that two of the girls died, they were able to trace it back to Melissa," he adds.I feel a chill run down my spine as I process this information. Noah's flings? How many girls has he been involved with? Two of them are dead? And all this happened while I was in a coma.My mind is racing with questions, but before I can ask any of them, Arthur drops another bombshell."Melissa had the inten
ARIAThey say a near-death experience is different for everyone, I have read that some people wake up not remembering anything leading to their accident. The last thing I remember is seeing Noah's face before blacking out, but the memories are still sharp in my head.I wake up to the beeping of machines and the antiseptic smell of a hospital, which I hate. I try to sit up, but a sharp pain in my stomach makes me wince. I look down to see my stomach is bandaged, I look around, disoriented, and see my mother sitting in a chair beside my bed, her eyes red and puffy from lack of sleep.She gasps as she sees me awake and trying to sit up, "Aria, my child, you are awake, you are awake" she yells standing on her feet, relief washing over her face.I try to speak, but my voice is hoarse and barely audible. My mother rushes out of the room and I can hear her screaming at the top of her lungs for the doctors to come, she soon comes back in with not only the doctor but my dad and Arthur. "Ari,
NOAH"Can you make a reservation at the Haute Cuisine?" I ask, making a turn into the road leading to the cabin."Is it a business meeting, Sir?" Brian questions. "I can have it set for -""It's a date Brian, not a business meeting," I interrupt him, parking the car right in front of the cabin. For a second the phone goes silent on the other end, Brian probably wondering why I am having a date in an expensive restaurant downtown and canceling my schedule for the day."A d-date?" Brian finally says stuttering. "I mean yes Sir," he says and I am sure he is already scribbling away on his note. He has always had a thing with jotting every single word I say, well it has always been useful for him especially since I love my things done almost to perfection. "A date at Haute Cuisine tonight, what menu are we looking at?" "Do not place an order?" I am not sure what Aria would like, it will be best if she makes the order instead. Anything she orders is fine by me as long as I get to look at h
ARIAMelissa stands in the doorway, a stern expression on her face. "Well, what do we have here?" she says, her voice firm but polite. What the hell is she doing here and how did she get in? Did Noah not close the door? I am sure he wouldn't have made that mistake, to keep the door open."What the hell are you doing here and how did you get in?" I ask, my voice getting loud with each word.Melissa chuckles and walks into the room, her eyes scanning the space as if searching for something. "I have a spare key, what? Did you think you are the only one Noah has brought to this cabin?"Rolling my eyes, I kiss my teeth not answering her question, it doesn't matter who has been here before. Although, I am jealous of the idea of him sharing this space with another woman, but he has made it clear that I am all he needs in his life and that is enough for me. "Anyways," she continues. "I wanted to see Noah, I have been trying to reach him since last night but he wasn't picking up my calls."O
ARIA"This should fit just fine," Noah says handing me one of his T-shirts from the wardrobe, I don't know how he convinced me to spend the night in the cabin, if anything I should be heading home to be alone, and think about the proposal but I want to be here with him. Whenever I am with him, every other thing seems meaningless. Noah had suggested spending the night at his house first, but I was against it, at least for now. His mother would just have us married at sight, if anyone wants us paired together other than Noah, it's her.I put the towel on the hanger and wear the T-shirt over my head, the T-shirt fits like a dress, big and just above my knee. I check my face in the mirror, packing my hair into a ponytail before leaving the bathroom. I am not surprised when I find Noah in his pajamas standing by the door waiting patiently for me to come out. His eyes light up the moment I step out, his eyes falling from my face to his T-shirt on my body. "Noah, you're staring," I say, t
NOAHDammit!I have placed her in a spot, look at her eyes, I can see the desire to say yes, but also the confusion at how soon this is all happening. I knew I should have waited a bit, but I don't think I can.The thought of someone else and not me being her life is going to completely wreck me. I always have this ring, it has been in the family for ages, all I had to do was ask my mother for it. She was stunned when I asked, "Are you sure Noah? I mean I am happy you are finally asking for the ring, but are you sure you want it?" She asked."Aria, you don't have to say anything right now," I say, not wanting to get rejected. Her rejection will hurt more than her silence. "How about you think about it? I don't want to pressure you into anything okay?" I say holding her hand and placing the ring in her hand. "Y-You want me to think about it, while I hold on to the ring?" She stutters. "That's a lot of pressure Noah, and... And this ring looks like a family heirloom."Of course, she d
ARIA"So, what's it with you and this cabin?" I ask as he offers me a glass of wine before joining me on the couch. "Do you bring all your girlfriends here?" "Girlfriend?" He chuckles taking a sip from his wine glass. "I don't do girlfriends Aria, you are the first."First? I don't know if I should believe that or not. "The cabin is just a safe space for me, away from everyone," he continues."Well, the reason I wanted us to meet was because of my parents," I begin, taking a sip from my drink. He raises an eyebrow, " Your parents? Are they fine?""Yeah, they are but my dad suspects foul play, he thinks someone might be on to him and my mum. He said the accident was caused by the brake failure," I explain. "He wants his recovery with that of my mother hidden for now, he hopes this will hopefully lure out whoever is behind it."Noah takes a sip of his drink, nodding his head, "You want me to hide seeing him and your mother?""Yeah, for now of course," I say."You know, you could have