“She was a master of concealing her genuine emotions, while you effortlessly display yours." Lucas asserted, causing Kate to blush at his unexpected praise and tenderness."I simply follow my instincts, that's all." Kate replied softly, her words causing Lucas's gaze to soften as he gently brushed his thumb down her cheek."Following your heart can lead to heartache, you know.""You wouldn't do that to me though. You understand the pain and betrayal that comes with it." Kate stated, causing Lucas's eyes to widen and look away."Is that why you were hesitant about our plan? Despite having everything to gain, you were reluctant to agree to it."Kate's heart skipped a beat as she carefully chose her words, "You have always been transparent with me about the plan and your intentions."She thought of how Lucas had always maintained boundaries between them, trying to protect her from falling in love. He was true to his word, and she trusted him. He was nothing like Elizabeth.Lucas remained
"Your comprehension of friendship is lacking, isn't it?" Kate observed while Elizabeth lifted her chin in response and inquired,"What does that entail?""Ace aids Lucas due to their friendship, but also because of their working relationship. Likewise, he is here with me solely to fulfill his duties, but we have also become friends." Kate replied."Merely friends... is that so?" Elizabeth gave them an evaluating look, questioning, "So, you don't mind Lucas using you as a pawn in his 'friendship' game?"Kate nodded, "That is correct.""You are a naive young lady, but time will tell who is right." Elizabeth sauntered off, leaving Kate staring after her with disdain."Try not to let her get to you, Kate." Ace interjected."I'm doing my best." Kate responded.They continued to browse through the festival stalls, with Kate eventually purchasing a beautifully handcrafted shawl."We've been out here for quite some time now. I wonder how the deal is going." Ace pondered."Was it supposed to t
"Nothing in our world is ever truly simple, Kate," Lucas explained, his tone laced with frustration. "The deal went awry, and some fool on the other side thought it necessary to force things in their favor. At least, that's how it appears on the surface. But with the number of men they had ready to go, I have a feeling this was their plan all along." Ace opened his mouth to speak, but the sound of another car pulling up outside interrupted them, causing everyone to pause. Turning to look out the window, Lucas's expression darkened. "Excuse me," he said curtly before opening the door and stepping outside. Kate wasted no time in following him, with Ace trailing behind. Outside, Wilson and Elizabeth had just arrived at the front of the villa. Kate's blood boiled at the sight of her. Lucas glanced back at them, his gaze cold and unyielding. "What are you doing here?" he asked sharply. Wilson laughed, trying to make light of the situation. "Now, is that any way to greet your savior? No
Kate discovered Matteo waiting for her alone at their usual meeting spot, his eyes locking onto her immediately as she approached. "Thank you for coming," he uttered appreciatively.Kate could sense the gravity of the situation and decided to cut straight to the chase. "Is it true? Do you work for the mafia?" she asked, her words laced with a sense of urgency.Matteo let out a sigh, his hand running through his hair in frustration. "When I was transferred here from the headquarters, I learned that the police have virtually no power in this town. The gangs reign supreme and control everything. I hate it, but to do any good behind the scenes, I have to maintain a relationship with the local mafioso...including Wilson. It sickens me, but my entire department is under his control," he explained bitterly, causing Kate's heart to sink."But—" Matteo interrupted her, his voice firm as he locked eyes with her."I never lied about my feelings for you, Kate. Despite what you may think, I wasn't
The following day, Matteo's caution lingered in her thoughts as she stirred from her slumber and prepared for the day ahead. 'What should I do if Wilson and Elizabeth truly have dark intentions towards me?' She pondered while making her way to the dining area, where she found Lucas already waiting for her. "Good morning, Kate." Lucas greeted, causing her to freeze in surprise at his disheveled appearance. His hair was slightly tousled, and her gaze fixated on the skin peeking out from his unbuttoned robe. 'Oh my, those abs.' Kate gasped inwardly, momentarily lost in her thoughts. "What?" Lucas questioned, snapping her out of her reverie as she averted her eyes with a blush. "N-nothing..." Kate stammered. Lucas raised an eyebrow in response and then shrugged. "After breakfast, we must discuss our plans. I have something to show you." "Plans? Regarding Wilson, or for the upcoming wedding?" Kate inquired. "The wedding, of course. Why would I be discussing Wilson with you?" Lucas s
Before Kate could respond to his words, Lucas swiftly grabbed a cookie smothered in vanilla frosting and offered it to her lips, saying, "Here, taste this one." Kate hesitated before taking a bite, her lips grazing against his fingers. The gentle touch sent a flush of warmth to her cheeks once again. "Delicious!" she exclaimed, flustered. Lucas made a sound as if choking. Clearing his throat, Lucas spoke, "You enjoy these cookies, then?" "Yes, very much." Kate replied. "Very well." Lucas commented, turning to the assortment of dishes. "Perhaps one of these..." Kate reached out and grasped his wrist before he could grab a puffed pastry with icing. "You don't expect me to try all of them, do you?" she asked, raising a brow. "Why not?" Lucas inquired. "This is too much for one person to consume, even if they are just samples." Kate pointed out. "Ah, you have a point." Lucas muttered. After a moment of hesitation, Kate mustered up the courage to try another slice of cake she had no
“I-I- I see. Well, I suppose I should take a hint and not linger where I'm not wanted.” Elizabeth commented and Lucas responded to her. “That's a good idea." He said and Elizabeth left as she glanced back at them as if dazed. Surprising to Kate, Lucas stood up to her in such a way that she couldn't believe. It was like he truly loved her. As Lucas still had her firmly in his grasp, her heart began to race. "Ummm... Lucas," she called out softly. "You wanted to see the car, right?" Lucas responded, avoiding any discussion of his previous behavior. Kate's heart sank as she realized he didn't want to address their earlier interaction. ‘It was all an act,’ She concluded in her mind as she replied to him. "Yes, the car. Right." "Why don't I get permission for us to take it for a test drive?" Lucas suggested, and Kate nodded with a hint of a smile. Before long, they were sitting side by side in the new race car, Lucas admiring the dashboard and running his hands over the steering whe
As they drove down the quiet side road, Lucas finally pulled into an isolated lot. With the car parked, he turned to look at Kate. "This place used to be my escape as a teenager," he revealed, "a sanctuary away from strict parents, waiting soldiers, and the responsibilities of being an heir. It may not be exactly as I remember it, but it still serves as a private refuge." The word ‘privacy’ echoed in Kate's mind, causing her heart to beat faster. She couldn't keep track of how many times Lucas had made her heart race today. ‘Why did he choose to share this personal space with me?’ she wondered, sensing a vulnerability in Lucas that he rarely showed anyone else. Without warning, Lucas pulled her back onto his lap, leaning in for another intense kiss. As they settled into a comfortable position, he wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her closer to him as if he wanted to meld their bodies together. "Do you like this?" he whispered, his deep voice resonating through her body. Hi
“Er… why are you staring at me like that?” Ace asked as he shifted back slightly in his seat. ‘What has gotten him all worked up now?’ Ace wondered, glancing up at Lucas with a confused expression. Lucas balled his hands into fists, his thin lips pursed tightly, and his emerald eyes blazed with fury. “You had just one job, Ace! And you failed miserably at it. How the hell did she escape the villa without anyone seeing her?" Lucas seethed while Ace blinked at him. “W-what do you mean?" he asked. “Kate. She’s not in the house. She escaped last night. That fucking woman drugged me! I'm going to make her pay!" Lucas barked, and at that moment, it dawned on Ace as well. He looked around his surroundings and then recalled having drinks with Kate while they were having a conversation together. Was he drugged too? Of course he was! How in the world would he explain the nagging headache he was having, and what was he doing in the dining room so early in the morning? Ace mused silently. “D
Kate's heart pounded in her chest, as she rose from her seat, and moved towards the door, her steps light and cautious. She glanced back at Ace one last time, then swallowed a lump in her throat as she turned away, and slipped out of the living room and into the hallway, her mind racing.Kate walked cautiously until she was at the door’s entrance, then she looked back, her ears straining for any sound that might indicate she had been discovered. She didn't know why she hadn't come across any of Lucas's men that patrol in the hallway around nights like this, but for whatever reason they were not present, Kate was grateful for that. She slowly turned the knob of the door, and pushed the door open, then walked outside and closed the door behind her.Outside, the cold night air grazed Kate's cheek. She paused, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She squinted her eyes to look at the gigantic metal gate standing between her and her freedom, and Kate bit her lips as she wondered how she
‘How do I get the pill now?’ Kate mused, as she held the wine tightly in her hand, and then she froze when she realized that she was still wrapped in a towel. ‘Oh my God! How did I forget that?’ Kate said in her mind, as she dropped the wine bottle back on the kitchen counter and paced around the room. She took deep breaths, as she pondered on her next step of actions. She walked back toward the kitchen door, and poked her head out to call out to Ace while hiding her body from his view. “Hey, Ace. I was wondering if I could get back to my room, and find something appropriate to wear. I— I don't feel comfortable like this with you.” Ace, who had been sitting leisurely on the dining table while he waited for Kate, turned his head toward her. And when he realized that she was putting on nothing except a towel that was wrapped around her, a blush crept up his cheek, and he quickly turned away from her. He coughed, and said to her, "Lucas will murder me if he finds out I was with you in
“Lucas." Kate gasped, as she scrambled from the bed, and went to the man’s side, her eyes flickering with worry. But that was just for a moment, as it dawned on her that the drug she had mixed in Lucas's wine had taken effect, and that was probably why he slumped on the bed like that. Kate's heart raced, as she glanced at the man's sleeping form. He looked completely harmless, and his face was as serene as that of an angel. She traced her fingers across his brows, his cheek, his jawline down to his thin lips, and Kate felt her heart beating wildly in her chest. She found herself hesitating about her plans with Matteo. She couldn't help but feel her heart aching a little at the thought of escaping from Lucas, and staying far away from him. But isn't that what she wanted? So why was she feeling this way?’ Kate mused, as she watched the man, deep in slumber. “What will you do when you find out that I'm gone? Will you miss me? Will you look for me?" Kate mumbled quietly, as she leaned fo
Wilson walked into the hospital with his trusted aide, Aiden, following after him, while Wilson's face was marred with worry. He had been searching for his daughter for three days now, and didn't know who had the guts to kidnap Elizabeth from under his nose. He had gotten a call from someone who told him that his daughter had been brought to their hospital by a young man, and the young man had given them an order to reach out to Wilson when the span of three days had passed by.“Sir, do you think she's here or maybe someone is trying to play a dirty trick on us?" Aiden said, as he walked alongside Wilson, and looked around the surroundings with wariness in his eyes.“I don't know what's going on, Aiden, but we will find out soon." Wilson replied, as he walked to the reception area where a young female nurse with black glasses that framed her face, looked up at them.“How may I help you, sir?" She asked, looking between Wilson and Aiden. “I'm here for Elizabeth Wilson. Is there a pati
Lucas pulled away from Kate’s addicting lips, and looked into her hazel eyes. “I want you, Kitty. I could lose my mind if I don't have you right now.” He breathed into her ears, his emerald eyes were filled with unrestrained desire for her.Kate's heart raced, her whole body was thrilling at the thought of having the man inside her again. The excitement was rushing from the base of her hair to the tips of her toes, and she whispered shyly, “But we can't do it here. They will see us." "I will gouge out the eyes of anyone who dares to peer at my beauty.” Lucas let out a low growl, as he raised his hands toward her chest, and the next moment, he ripped the tiny clothing off her chest, revealing her firm, full breasts to his naked eyes.Kate gasped, as goosebumps of excitement ran up her arms. She felt his hand on her ass, and the other hand grabbing at her perfect breasts, his mouth over her hardened nipples. Lucas shifted her panties aside, forcing her legs apart as he held her tightly
Instead of entering the pool like Lucas wanted her to, Kate took off her shoes, and sat down on the side of the pool, dipping her feet in. Face with Lucas's toned abs, and minimal clothing, her breath caught, and her eyes trailed off to his body, stopping at his swimwear. Lucas curled his lips into a smirk, as he watched her with an amused glint in his emerald eyes. There was a moment of panic when Kate realized she was openly staring at his crotch…. and Lucas has probably noticed. ‘Shit! What am I thinking? You should focus on your plans, and not his damn crotch, Kate!’ Kate said in her mind, chiding herself. She quickly looked away in a futile attempt to save some dignity. When she looked at Lucas again, he smiled knowingly but when he didn't comment on it, Kate breathed a sigh of relief. “So, Kitty….” He drawled, "Why do you ask that we relax here when you don't even want to enter the pool? Afraid that much, of water, or me? I promised you that neither of us bite, come dive with
After a long and tiring day of acting as the perfect bride and overseeing the details of the wedding, including the arrangement of the guest lists, and having to discuss with the event planner, Kate entered her room and slumped on her bed, with a heavy sigh escaping her lips. After a moment of silence surrounding her, she suddenly stood up when she realized that she still had her wedding dress on. That's right! She had tried the wedding gown earlier, but the waist side needed adjustment, so Kate gave it back to the seamstress for them to adjust it. While they were doing other things, she was asked to try on the gown again, but she was busy at that moment with the event planner Lucas had put in charge and had to keep the gown on the couch. After everything was being sorted out, she then remembered she had to try the dress and had worn it with the help of the seamstress. The dress was perfect for her, and since everything had been finalized, she excused herself and glided up the stair
The next day, Kate woke up early with a dread feeling in the pit of her stomach. She was feeling so restless throughout the night that she couldn't sleep well and had dark circles under her eyes. Glancing towards the wall clock in her room, she was surprised to see that it was just six a.m. in the morning.She rubbed her eyes and got up from the bed as she opened the door of her room, wanting to get down to the kitchen to make a coffee for herself, but when she came out of her room, Kate was stunned to see the bustling of people in the villa, with Lucas's men standing in black suits as they stood like sculptures, and watched the activities of the people running all around in the hallway, living room, and guest room. ‘What's going on?’ Kate wondered as the feeling she had earlier increased, and she clasped her palm nervously as she descended the stairs and made her way downstairs.Once she got to the large living room, she couldn't find any familiar faces amidst the people, and whethe