The sounds of the ocean echoes all around the beach while the moon shines like a pearl above. A cool night breeze gently sweeps by, amplifying the whole ambience. The couple are unaware of everything else around them, their minds and hearts entangled in the sweet momentScarlett moans when Ryder’s tongue meshes with hers, causing jolts of electricity crackle through her. He relishes her sweet taste. She feels light and fragile under his touch, making him want to hold her in his arms forever. He leans closer, kissing her gently. His pecks are intoxicatingly pleasurable, his warmth a strange comfort. She kisses him back, her mixed up emotions being expressed through the soft kisses and low moans. He slowly lets go of her and nuzzles his nose against hers. Under the moonlight, he can see her face which has gone beetroot red. She looks cute, her cheeks a little puffed up by shyness and her blue eyes are looking directly at him with many unspoken words.“This is when my wife looks the mos
Scarlett comes out of the toilet to find that Ryder is waiting for her near a pole, having already freshened up. He casually slips his hand into hers and kisses their interlocked fingers. “There’s a small restaurant at the corner,” he says. “They only sell seafood. Will you be alright with it?”“Yeah, let’s go.”They head for an outdoor restaurant which is located a few meters away from the amphitheater. It’s a cozy place with warm lighting and music for the diners. Ryder chooses a spot away from the crowd. A server hands them the food menu.“I’ll take the seafood salad,” Scarlett states. “Lobster Thermidor for me,” Ryder says. “And white wine.”The server notes down the orders and leaves. Ryder is still holding her hand, lightly brushing her fingers with his thumb.“I’m curious about something,” she begins. “You never had a girlfriend?”Ryder doesn’t reply but broods over her question. “I had one,” he finally replies. Scarlett shifts in her seat. He had a girlfriend? Who?“What ha
*Flashback* Scarlett is nervously standing in front of the Hawkins mansion. School has just ended and Hector Hawkins invited her to his mansion so that they can work on their project together. She’s slightly blushing as she rings the doorbell. An elderly maid opens the door. “Yes, how may I help you my dear?” She asks kindly. “I’m Scarlett D’arcy,” Scarlett replies. “I am-” “Oh yes!” The old maid exclaims. “Master Hector spoke of you. Come on in!” Scarlett smiles at the woman and enters the mansion. “I’m Miranda,” the maid introduces herself. “The senior maid here. I’m so glad you’re here, my dear. Master Hector rarely has any friends come over. He’s outside now. Would you like to wait in the living room?” “Sure!” Scarlett sits in the living room, feeling happy. She has had a crush on Hector for the past two years. They’ve been classmates since they were ten and Scarlett can’t help liking him. He’s got a cool aura and is good at almost everything. From studies to sports, Hect
“You alright, kitten?” Ryder asks. Scarlett breaks out of her reverie.They’re on their way to the Southern mines and are currently in Ryder’s private jet. Scarlett is staring out of the window, thinking about the picture she received. She’s debating whether to ask Ryder or not but her faith is severely shaken. After her experience with Elle, there’s no way she can trust anyone even remotely connected to her stepsister. But Ryder helped you in jail, she reasons with herself. He trained you and even provided you with a home.It can be a trap too, another voice inside her says. He might lie about the photo and tell you that he has nothing to do with Elle. What if he trained you to gain your trust and then harm you?The photo can be a fake. It can be real. What will she do?Her mind is swirling with many questions but no answers. “I’m fine,” she manages to say.Ryder frowns at her. Scarlett has been absent minded since morning and he’s worried now. She straightens herself and takes out
Sand and soot are flying everywhere as the workers drill into the ground to open a pathway. They’re shouting instructions to each other, working together to break into the mines. The whole place is buzzing with miners and locals alike, working to find gold in the desert town. Ryder and Scarlett are standing near a railing, watching the miners work. They’re both wearing safety gears like the others, observing the work. Joining them is Mr. Karwoski. “How long will it take for the gold to be found?” Karwoski asks. “Will the equipment be sufficient for the dig?”“It’ll take at least two weeks or more,” Scarlett states. “There are risky areas which need to be dug through and we can’t risk the workers’ lives for it by speeding up the expedition.”“A week is too much!” Karwoski protests. “We’re gonna be too late if my rivals get the gold first!”“Time isn’t as important as the lives of my workers,” Scarlett icily says. “Give us two weeks. If we don’t get any gold, we’ll plan again. But I wo
Scarlett comes out of the bathroom, wiping her hair. Ryder is sitting near the fireplace with a drink in his hand. He looks up and flashes her a smile but she turns away.“What’s bothering you, kitten?” He asks. “You’ve been cold lately. Well, you’re always cold but now you’re not even talking to me.”He winks and adds, “Did I not free you well enough that night?”Scarlett glares at him. “I’m not bothered by anything!” She murmurs loudly. Ryder sighs and stands up, prowling towards her. She boldly looks into his eyes, defiant but he keeps on coming closer. Scarlett keeps stepping backward until her back touches the wall. Instantly, his arms lock her in a cage. His gaze is poring into her soul as if she’s completely bare in front of him.“You can’t lie to me, kitten,” he whispers. “I know something is bothering you. Say it.”Scarlett glances at his arms. These hands held Elle once. The very thought of it is making her blood boil. “You…” She begins. “Are you truly loyal to me?”Ryder
Kat rushes through the corridors, panicking. Jim is chasing after her and no matter what he says, she’s not stopping.“Kat, calm down!” He yells at her but she’s dashing toward the VIP section. That evening, she received a call that her grandmother is in critical condition after suffering a heart attack.Miranda has been suffering from cancer for years and the chemotherapy is taking a toll on her health. The heart attack wasn’t fatal but it still weakened her. Kat’s heart is racing, every other thought pushed out of her mind.“Granny!” She gasps when she barges into Miranda’s room. Miranda is lying on the bed, weak and frail. Her dry lips crack into a small smile when she sees Kat.“Kat…” she
The moon is shrouded by the clouds. An eerie silence is creeping in the desolated forest sans the cries of cicadas which echo every now and then. The chilly mist is slowly thickening, swirling above a waterbody which flows down toward the river ahead. A long bridge connects the two lands, quiet and isolated from the rest of the city. A pair of lights break through the darkness as it approaches the bridge. Inside it are a man, a woman, and a boy of sixteen. The boy looks fearful and restless.“Mom, where are we going?” the boy asks. He’s wearing a school uniform and there’s a tag on his chest, ‘Ryder’. He had gone to stay over at a friend’s place when his parents arrived to take him. It didn’t take him long to figure out why they were so anxious. “Is it the Hawkins?” He whispers. “Did they find out?”His father, Carl Hoover, looks at him from the rearview mirror. “I’m afraid so, son,” he mutters. “Vincent Hawkins found out that I’m snooping in his office. We’ll have to leave town. I