EMILY'S POVMy eyes opened slightly,I found myself sinking into the plush softness of my bed, but the comfort was quickly overshadowed by a searing headache that threatened to split my skull in two. I winced, struggling to sit up straight, and gingerly opened my eyes to take in my surroundings. The room spun around me, making my stomach lurch.I pressed my palm to my forehead, trying to massage away the throbbing pain. "What happened?" I muttered aloud, my voice hoarse from sleep. "How did I even get home last night?" I rubbed my temples, attempting to ease the ache, but my memories of the previous evening remained frustratingly foggy. The more I tried to recall, the more my head pounded, leaving me feeling disoriented.I gazed down at my clothes, and my heart sank as I realized I was still wearing the same outfit from the previous day. A wave of panic washed over me as I struggled to piece together the events of the night before. I attempted to stand up from the bed, but as soon as
RONALD'S POV I opened my eyes to see Emily's serene face as the morning light illuminate her sleepy face, her chest rising and falling steadily. I had carefully cleaned her up the night before, making sure to avoid removing her clothes, as I couldn't risk raising any suspicions. Bringing Martha into the situation was out of the question, or it might jeopardize my entire plan - a mistake I couldn't afford to make again.She mumbled softly, rolling and lying on her side, her face a few inches away from mine. My heart raced as I stared at her flawless face, her eyebrows, the curve of her nose, her inviting full pink lips, I swallowed hard as the memory of the previous night rushed in. I slowly and quietly rose up from the bed to prepare for the day's work. Emily was still fast asleep when I got ready to go to work.I arrived at work early, accompanied by my personal bodyguard. I have always arrived at work early but since I became the chairman, the staff has made it a point of action
EMILY'S POVI hesitated for a moment before answering,my mind racing with questions ‘Ethan? Why is he calling me?’ I muttered under my breath. I picked the call. “Hey, Emily!" His warm, cheerful voice filled the line, the opposite of my guarded demeanor. I twirled a strand of hair around my finger,a nervous habit I thought I’d long outgrown “Hi," " How are your day going?"he asked, his tone light and friendly." It's fine, thanks." My response was curt but I didn't mean to be rude. I was just… cautious.Ethan didn't seem to notice. “ Good, good. I was thinking we should grab coffee sometime? Catch up on old times?”I paused, my mind racing. Why was Ethan reaching out now? “ Coffee?” I repeated stalling. “Yeah, just a friendly chat,” his tone was easy going but I detected a hint of sincerity underneath. " I know this might be uncomfortable due to our past relationship. Give us a chance to be friends again, I promise never to disappoint you again.” He added,his voice low and husky.
RONALD'S POVI finally got what I wanted.The court already gave the ruling by making me the Chairman of the Hoffman’s Empire. It is now time I play my part of the deal.I stood on the porch waiting for Emily when the door crept open revealing her. She looks so beautiful and elegant in her black dress,she seems to get more beautiful day by day.At Vista Bella, the candlelight table cast a glow on Emily's face . I watched ,captivated ,as she sipped her drink,the crystal glass reflecting the light .The silence between us grew heavy with anticipation.Emily's patience snapped first. “What is the occasion tonight?” she asked, her words tumbling out with impatience .I held her gaze, my expression neutral but my mind raced. Tonight was more than just a dinner date. Tonight I will reveal my plans for her. Being curious about her, especially the pieces of the previous day etched in my memory. I don't just want to know her. I want to know everything concerning her “I wanted us to have a chan
EMILY'S POVIt was our first long conversation. We chatted expressly until our food was set on the table. Mid way into our dinner, Ronald's voice sliced into the silence.“Do you remember anything from last night?" he asked, his voice smooth and calm.I froze, my fork hovering mid hair. Ronald's words dropped like a stone into the silence, sending ripples through my calm facade.“ Last night? What happened?" I said, my voice barely a whisper. My eyes widened, as if the words themselves were a surprise. But they weren't.Memories of last night’s haze began to resurface - the way he cleaned up the mess I made. My face burned hotter.I strained to remember any other thing apart from Ronald cleaning me up but my mind remained frustratingly empty.I struggled to swallow, my throat dry. “I… I don't remember much,” I stammered, attempting to deflect.Ronald's eyes crinkled at the corners, a hint of amusement danced in his eyes. “ Really?" he asked, his tone low and teasing. My heart skipp
RONALD'S POV.I leaned in, my voice taking on a low, velvety tone. “ Do you remember anything from last night?” I asked, my eyes locking onto hers, searching for any flicker of memory . My words hung in the air, a gentle probe, inviting her to reveal what she recalled.As I watched Emily's face turn crimson, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. She was clearly uncomfortable and I was enjoying every moment of it. “Should I refresh your memory?” I asked, my gaze intense.“ I think you would like that, wouldn't you, Emily?” I whispered, my breath caressing her ear. I knew I was taking a risk, pushing her boundaries like this. But I couldn't help myself. I was drawn to her, to her spark, her energy. As I pulled back, I could see the frustration and confusion written all over her face. Her eyes glinted with curiosity , I knew she was dying to know.But I wasn't going to make it easy for her. I was going to make her wait, make her wonder. It's all part of the game, the dance w
EMILY'S POVI woke up feeling like a kid that was given candy. Today is the day I was starting work. I rolled on the bed happily. Ronald's side of the bed seem to be empty. ‘Maybe he has gone to work,’ I said internally.As I sprang out of the bed,my feet barely touched the ground. I felt like I was walking on air, my excitement building with each step.I hummed a happy tune as I showered, dropplets on my skin feeling like tiny kisses. I felt so refreshed and energetic for the day's task.As I towel dried my hair, I couldn't help but smile at my reflection. I looked happy and that's all that mattered. I slipped into a fitted navy blue pencil skirt with a crisp white blouse and fitted blazer with matching heels.The fabric hugged my curved in all the right places, making me feel confident and beautiful. As I reached for my bag,my phone suddenly buzzed to life on the bedside table. I walked over to check the notification, my heart skipped by a beat as I saw two messages waiting for me.
RONALD'S POV I stepped from the dressing room, I smoothed my tie in front of the mirror,ensuring I looked polished.I walked into the bedroom,my footsteps quiet on the marble floor. The room was bathed in the soft,golden light of dawn,and Emily's sleeping form was peaceful amidst the morning calm,her chest rising and falling with rhythmic breaths.I stared at Emily’s sleeping form one last time and stepped out of the room after leaving a note for her. I had an early flight to catch and couldn't wait to wish her the best as she starts work today. I hurried to the airport and before I knew it I was on board, after a few hours, I touched down in Mexico . As I stepped off the plane, I couldn't help the frustration that surge inside of me. The trip to Mexico ended in a negative state. The government had refused to release the land for our new resort branch, citing concerns that needed to be addressed. I had been certain that the land was secured but now I wasn't so sure. I spent a few
EMILY'S POVAs I sat at the kitchen table, sipping my coffee and staring blankly at my phone, I couldn't shake off the thoughts of Ronald that had been plaguing me all morning. I had made up my mind to avoid him at all costs when I get back to work on Monday. But the thought of avoiding him only made my heart ache. Mia's sudden return, beaming with a bright smile, caught me off guard. "Emily," she called out, her voice low and sweet, like a gentle breeze on a summer day.I looked up, my curiosity piqued, and raised an eyebrow. "What's making you smile like that?" I asked, my tone laced with a hint of amusement.Mia just chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mischief, and said, "I have something to show you." My curiosity was piqued, and I found myself leaning in, eager to know what Mia had in store.Just then, Colin walked in, followed by Ronald. My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met, and I felt a rush of emotions: anger, hurt, and a hint of longing. My expression changed instantly, my
RONALD'S POV Ronald went about his morning routine, tackling his tasks with his usual efficiency. But just as he was getting into the swing of things, his phone buzzed with an unexpected call from Calling."Hey, meet me at the usual spot," Calling said, his voice low and mysterious.Ronald's brow furrowed in surprise. "What's up? It's only 2 pm. We don't usually meet until evening."There was a pause on the other end of the line before Calling responded, "Just trust me on this one, Ronald. I need to show you something."Ronald's curiosity was piqued. What could Calling possibly want to show him that couldn't wait until evening?As I drove to meet Colin, the city streets blurred together in a haze of worry and anxiety. The sound of the engine and the hum of the tires on the pavement were the only sounds that filled my mind. I navigated through the crowded streets, my eyes fixed on the road ahead, my mind racing with thoughts of Colin's call. I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease
EMILY'S POV As I lounged on the couch, lost in thought, the door swung open and Mia burst in, her energy infectious. She dropped her bag with a flourish, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Emily, let's eat out today!" she exclaimed, already moving towards me.I opened my mouth to protest, but she was too quick. Her hand shot up, palm facing me, and I felt a familiar sense of resignation wash over me. Mia always got her way, and I knew better than to argue.With a sigh, I let her pull me up from the couch. She propelled me towards the bedroom, chattering excitedly about her day. I shrugged, letting her fuss over me as she rummaged through my closet for a change of clothes.As Mia dug through my closet, her voice bubbled over with excitement, recounting the highlights of her day at the office. I couldn't help but smile as she giggled her way through a story about her boss's misadventure with a cup of coffee. "And then, he stood up, and coffee just dripped down his shirt!" Mia's laugh
RONALD'S POVI sat at my desk, staring blankly at the papers in front of me. It had been a week since I'd sent Emily packing, and I couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that had settled in my chest.I missed her. I missed her smile, her laugh, her sleepy face under the morning light . I even missed the way the calls me, the way my name rolled out of her tongue when we were intimate .But my pride refused to let me admit it. I had to maintain my tough exterior, my confident demeanor. I couldn't let anyone see the vulnerability that was eating away at me.As I glanced around the office, I noticed my subordinates whispering and glancing at me. I knew they were speculating about my relationship with Emily. The fact that she hadn't been coming to work only added fuel to the fire.I felt a surge of anger and frustration. Why did they have to gossip about my personal life? Bunch of gossipers. But deep down, I knew it was my own fault. I had let my pride and ego get the better of me. I ha
EMILY POVI felt like I was drowning in a sea of despair, unable to escape the crushing weight of my grief. My body ached from crying, my eyes burning from the constant flow of tears. I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt such overwhelming sadness.As I lay there, I felt Mia's gentle touch on my shoulder, her soft words of comfort whispering in my ear. But I couldn't respond, couldn't even muster up the energy to push her away. I just lay there, numb and broken, as she tried to reach me.I knew Mia was worried, I could sense it in her touch, her voice. But I couldn't reassure her, couldn't even look at her. I just felt too much pain, too much sorrow.As the minutes ticked by, I felt Mia's presence fade away, leaving me alone in my darkness. The silence was oppressive, the only sound was my quiet sobs. I felt like I was suffocating under the weight of my grief, unable to escape.I don't know how long I lay there, lost in my sorrow. Time seemed to stand still, the world outside my
RONALD'S POVI stormed into the conference room, my face a thundercloud. My team, seated around the table, exchanged nervous glances. I couldn't help it - I was still reeling from the pictures I had received the previous day. My mood was in a jumble of mess. "Alright, let's get started," I growled, slamming my fist on the table. My team jumped, taken aback by my outburst."Uh, yes, sir," one of them stammered. "We've got the quarterly reports ready for review."I snatched the report from the team member's hand, my eyes scanning the pages with a mixture of disdain and anger."This is unacceptable," I snapped, my voice rising. "You call this a report? It's a joke!"The team member who had presented the report looked taken aback. "I-I apologize, sir. I'll make sure to-"I cut him off, my face red with rage. "You'd better. I expect to see a revised report on my desk by the end of the day. And if it's not up to par, there will be consequences."The team nodded hastily, eager to escape my
EMILY POVI trudged into the room, my heart heavy with shame, regret and confusion. Ronald's words still echoed in my mind, "I don't want to see you again." I felt like I'd been punched in the gut,my heart shattered,my breath knocked out of me.I began to pack my bags, my hands moving mechanically as I tried to process what had just happened. The question, ‘How did this happen?’ swirl in my mind,I couldn't even remember all that happened before I black out, I just know that I was in the club. I didn't have anywhere to go, no one to turn to. I contemplated calling Mia, but I didn't want to burden her again. She'd already done so much for me.But I didn't have a choice. I had to call Mia. She was the only person I could turn to. I dialed her number, my heart racing with anxiety.Mia's son came to pick me up, and the drive was silent. I could feel Mia's eyes on me, sense her curiosity and concern. But she didn't ask me any questions, didn't pry. She just let me be.When we arrived at Mi
RONALD'S POVAs I stepped into my house, I felt a wave of fury wash over me. My expression was a mask of controlled anger, my eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. My jaw was clenched in a tight line, my face set in a stern, unyielding expression.I couldn't believe what I had just seen. A photo of Emily, laughing and smiling with a drink in her hand, had been sent to me. My mind was reeling with questions and doubts. Why had she lied to me? Why had she told me she was going to a quiet dinner with Mia when in reality she was out partying?I felt like I had been punched in the gut, my trust and faith in Emily shattered. I couldn't believe that she had betrayed me like this. I thought we had something real, something special. But now, I wasn't so sure.As I walked through the house, my footsteps were heavy and deliberate. I was weighing each step carefully, trying to calm myself down before I confronted Emily. But it was no use. My anger and hurt were simmering just below the surface, w
EMILY'S POVThe doctor discharged me, giving instructions that I should have enough rest and should be taken care of. I couldn't stop crying as we left the hospital. The pain and grief were overwhelming, and I felt like I was drowning in my own tears.As we were about to part ways,Ethan turned to me with a pleading look in his eyes."Emily, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me," Ethan said, his voice filled with regret. "I feel like this is all my fault."Mia's voice was sharp and angry. "You're right, it's your fault. Why weren't you watching her? Why did you let her out of your sight? You invited her to the party,you should have made her your responsibility."I reached out and put a hand on Mia's arm. "It's not Ethan's fault, Mia. It's an accident. I'm the one who...who...". I couldn't finish the sentence. The pain was too much, and I felt like I was going to break.But Mia's was unforgiving. “An accident? An accident that could have been prevented if he had been paying attention.”Mia'