ElevenThe next morning, Talia woke up, the sunlight filtering through the curtains. She quickly dressed for work, noticing that Leo was no longer beside her. When she stepped outside, a car was already waiting. As she approached, she saw Leo seated inside."Good morning," they greeted each other politely as she slid into the car.To her surprise, Leo reached into the seat next to him and handed her a small food flask. "Make sure you eat when you get to work. Don’t starve," he said with a soft smile.Talia blinked, taken aback. "You did all this?" she asked, unable to hide her surprise at this sudden gesture. "I can just buy food at the office. You don't have to go through the trouble."Leo hesitated before responding. "The mornings are hectic. This is the least I can do for you right now."She glanced at the flask, then back at him. "You've already done enough, Leo. Thank you," she said, smiling despite her inner confusion.Leo's gaze softened as he watched her. "You need to take car
TwelveLeo clenched his fists as Talia’s father glared at him, visibly shocked by his audacity. The older man’s expression hardened. "I bet you want money, right?" he sneered. "I’ll give it to you, just so you can get the hell out of Talia’s life." With a swift motion, Leo flipped his hand away and pulled a still-stunned Talia close to him.“I knew there was something up! So, you found yourself a new lover, huh? Don’t you dare bring shame to our family!” her father spat venomously, his voice filled with disdain. Talia’s heart clenched at the harsh words."Lover?" Leo scoffed. "I’m her lawful husband—" But before he could finish, Talia nudged him, cutting him off.“He’s my husband’s older brother,” Talia said firmly, her voice steady. Leo’s expression darkened, disappointment flickering in his eyes as he stared at her.Her father’s mood shifted instantly, a fake smile spreading across his face. "Oh, the eldest son of the Donovan family? No wonder you're extraordinary. Excuse my rudenes
ThirteenIn the meeting room, everyone gathered around the table, the atmosphere tense and heavy. Malia's gaze was locked onto Talia, her expression a mix of aggression and jealousy. “What’s going on here?” Malia demanded, her voice cutting through the silence. “The sales department report didn’t meet the standards this month. Who’s responsible for this mess?” Her eyes bored into Talia with a mocking glare.Lisa, Talia’s friend, stood up defiantly. “Are you blaming Talia for this? You only got your position because of your connections with the Donovan family, not because of your abilities,” she shot back, her voice firm and unapologetic. Talia struggled to hold back a laugh at Lisa’s boldness.Lisa continued, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “It’s a miracle your performance ever meets the standard. Malia, you’re just a placeholder.” Malia’s face flushed with rage, but Lisa ignored her, leaning closer to Talia. “Talia, you have the Donovan name, too, right? Why don’t you get the same p
FourteenHis eyes were still glued to her, lingering far too long, but Talia pretended not to notice. She straightened her back and put on her most professional smile. "Good evening, Mr. Bernard," she repeated, holding up the documents. "I’m Talia from the Donovan Group, and I’m here to discuss cooperation with you." He didn’t seem to care about her words. Instead, a sheepish grin spread across his face, his gaze traveling slowly up and down her body. He stood up, his eyes darkening with lust as he moved closer."Ah, I remember now." His voice was slurred with alcohol as he walked towards her, his steps slow, predatory. "Talia… the beautiful lady from the Donovan Group." His grin widened. "Your company is too generous, sending me such a… feast." Without warning, he grabbed her hand, his touch rough and unwanted.Talia’s heart pounded, but she remained calm, quickly yanking her hand away. She forced her smile to remain intact, even though her stomach churned. "I think there’s been a
FIFTEENWhen Talia whispered that to Leo, he smiled and gently smoothed her hair. "You want us to make love again, don’t you?" he asked, his tone teasing. Before she could respond, she placed her hand on his lips, but it was too late—Greg had already heard it. He chuckled slightly from the driver’s seat.Talia stammered, "Y-Yes, I want to have a baby as soon as possible... so the mission can be accomplished earlier." She pouted her lips, trying to look serious.Leo smiled, took her hands, and kissed them softly. "If that’s what you want, I’ll satisfy you," he said, leaning in closer to kiss her. Suddenly aware of Greg’s presence, she quickly pulled her hand back and cleared her throat. "Never mind... Greg is still here," she said shyly, her cheeks flushing pink."Greg!" Leo called out firmly. Greg turned around, smiling sheepishly. "Yes, sir. Umm... okay, I’ll go now." He stammered before dashing out of the car."Oh my God, Greg is so sensible," Talia muttered to herself with a
SIXTEEN After a short silent debate, I stand on the ottoman and walk to him. But when I move to straddle him, he shakes his head. “No. Turn around. Lie down.” When I don’t immediately obey, he moves me how he wants me. Urging me onto my stomach facing the window, my shins and feet bent up against the back of the couch. It feels strange and awkward and it’s made worse by the fact we aren’t touching.He must sense my confusion, because he rumbles out a laugh as he takes the remote and puts a movie on. “You don’t remember this.”It’s only when the opening credits of a bullshit action movie start that I go still. “I was lying between you two like this.”“Yes.” He tosses one of the throw blankets over my lower half and then nudges my legs wider. “Just. Like. This.” And then his hand is there, burrowing under the blankets and sliding up to bracket my inner thigh. “You were wearing a skirt nearly as short as this. Were you hoping I'd finger you?”Embarrassment and desire twine through me. “
SEVENTEENHis curse is the only warning I get before his mouth is on me. Licking and sucking and, holy shit, that feels good. I barely get a chance to enjoy it before I’m orgasming, my toes curling and my back bowing. I don’t mean to grab his hair and grind my pussy against his face, milking every last bit of pleasure from his clever tongue.I don’t mean to, but I’m not sorry I do it.Shane shifts me higher on the ottoman and shoves it forward enough that he can go to his knees between my spread thighs. I tense. Most of the time when guys have gone down on me in the past, they’re in a rush, doing the bare minimum to get me ready enough to fuck me. I’m more than ready to fuck Leo, but he’s giving my pussy slow, thorough kisses. Like he has all the time in the world. Like this isn’t even about my pleasure; it’s simply because he’s enjoying himself.Little by little, I relax, my mind unspooling beneath his tongue and the pressure of his fingers against my thighs, holding me open for him.
EIGHTEENGreg stood under the shade of a large tree, his posture a mix of impatience and fatigue. The quiet of the night was occasionally interrupted by the distant sounds of the city. "The duration of the movie should be over, right?" Greg muttered to himself, rubbing his eyes wearily. "Nevermind, I’ll watch a few more." He shrugged, settling in to wait for his boss and Talia to finish their business.***Inside the office, the ambient light from Talia’s desk lamp cast a warm glow on her focused face as she typed diligently. Her concentration was shattered when Malia burst into the room, practically slamming a document onto her desk. The sudden noise jolted Talia, and she looked up, her surprise evident in her wide eyes."Talia!" Malia’s voice cut through the air like a blade. Her face was flushed with anger, her eyes narrow slits. "Who gave you the courage to slack off in the middle of a crucial project? Do you know how important Mr. Bernard's project is? If you can’t handle it, the
Greg's face was plastered with worry and panic, his brow furrowed and lips trembling as he fidgeted nervously. “Could it be that they’ve rekindled their old feelings, sir?” he ventured, hesitating as he spoke. His voice wavered, unsure whether he should even suggest such a thing.Leo’s reaction was immediate. His eyes darkened, the veins in his neck bulging as fury built inside him like a storm. His fists slammed onto the table, rattling the objects on it. “It’s *not possible!*” His voice exploded, raw and full of venom. His breathing quickened, each intake of air sharp and strained, the very idea of betrayal igniting something fierce in him.Greg stepped back, eyes wide with fear as he instinctively raised his hands in a defensive gesture. “S-sorry, sir,” he stammered, bowing his head to avoid Leo’s searing gaze. His heart raced, pounding against his ribs. Leo clenched his jaw so tightly his teeth ached, but the pain in his chest was far worse. His eyes darted back and forth as his
THIRTY FOURFear gripped Talia as she looked around the dark, suffocating room. Her heart pounded like a drum, her palms slick with cold sweat. She pounded on the door, her fists aching from the effort. “Mother! Mother! Please, open the door! Open the door for me! I know you're out there!" Her voice cracked with desperation as she slammed her body against the heavy door again, the sound echoing in the suffocating space.Outside, her stepmother smirked, her lips curling into a cruel grin. Her hand gripped the door knob tightly, fingers lingering as if savoring Talia’s agony. "Shut up, Talia!" she hissed, her voice dripping with malice. "Stay inside and let the matter settle. When everything falls into place, only then will I open the door for you. Do you hear me?!" Her voice was sharp, echoing through the cold, silent house.Talia’s heart dropped. She backed away from the door, chest heaving, her breath ragged. She fumbled for her phone, hands shaking, and frantically dialed the guards
THIRTY THREE Talia immediately stiffened, her name echoing through the hallway, spoken by a voice she didn’t recognize. A cold shiver ran down her spine as she turned slowly toward Leo, her heartbeat quickening with a mix of fear and frustration. “Let me finish this conversation with my mother tonight, Leo,” she said, her voice barely concealing the exhaustion that weighed heavily in her chest. Her eyes flitted away from his, avoiding the intensity in his gaze. “We’ll talk about this later.”She ran a hand through her hair, trying to soothe the tension pounding in her head. “And I think we both need time to calm down, to think clearly before we take any action.”Leo’s hand lingered on her arm, his touch soft yet filled with restraint. His lips pressed together as he held back the words he truly wanted to say. His eyes, though dark and stormy, flickered with something more tender—something Talia refused to acknowledge right now."Al
THIRTY TWOMr. Diego's eyes widened, confusion and disbelief etched on his face as Leo’s bold claim hung in the air. The room fell silent, all eyes shifting to Leo and Talia, their tension palpable. Talia’s heart thudded in her chest as she avoided her father’s questioning gaze, desperately trying to maintain her composure.“Wait… you’re married?” Mr. Diego asked, his voice thick with curiosity, as if struggling to grasp the reality.Leo’s lips curled into a mischievous smirk, his sharp gaze fixed on Talia, who stood rigid beside him. Her pulse quickened under his stare, a storm of emotions brewing beneath the surface. He seemed to take pleasure in the subtle discomfort he was causing her. “Yes. I got married as soon as I returned to the country,” Leo responded smoothly, his voice laced with arrogance. “I just haven’t announced it yet.”Mr. Diego raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled by the sudden revelation. “It’s quite a rush! I wonder if one of the people here is your fiancée?” His wo
THIRTY ONE Malia sat on the edge of the bed, her gaze fixated on the floor, as her mother gently combed through her hair. The rhythmic strokes of the brush were meant to soothe, but the tension in Malia’s clenched fists betrayed her frustration. “You look absolutely stunning, Malia,” her mother, Mrs. Lyra, said, a smile playing on her lips. “I’m telling you, no man will be able to walk past without turning his head.” She admired her daughter’s reflection in the mirror, her voice dripping with pride. Malia’s lips tightened into a thin line, her eyes dark with jealousy as she met her mother’s gaze in the mirror. “That’s only if my idiotic stepsister doesn’t decide to crash the night and ruin everything, like she always does,” she muttered bitterly, venom seeping into her tone. Mrs. Lyra’s fingers paused for a second, her face twisting with a knowing smirk before she resumed brushing. “Oh, that’s right, Talia. The ever-perfect golden child. But did you hear?” Her voice lowered, al
THIRTY Talia glared at Marco, the heat of her anger burning in her chest as she avoided eye contact. She clenched her fists, every muscle in her body screaming with frustration. She didn’t want to be near him, let alone listen to whatever nonsense he had to say. “What do you want?” she snapped, her voice sharp and cold. Her expression remained hardened as she shifted her weight uncomfortably, wishing he would just disappear. Marco’s face tightened, his jaw clenching as he took a step forward, his hand reaching for hers. “Let’s go,” he demanded, his voice devoid of emotion as though he had the right to still control her. Talia flung his hand off her wrist as if his touch burned her skin, her heart pounding with irritation. “Just tell me what you want, Marco!” Her voice rose, shaking slightly from the mixture of hurt and anger coursing through her veins. “Stop touching me!” Marco’s eyes flashed with a hint of frustration, the calm facade slipping for a brief second before he compos
TWENTY NINE Talia’s face was a mask of forced calm as she walked over to Leo's table. Inside, however, her stomach churned with discomfort. She sat down across from him, plastering on a fake smile, hoping this encounter would be quick."Mr. Leo, what a coincidence seeing you here!" she said, her voice bright, but her eyes carried a glimmer of frustration she struggled to hide.Leo leaned back in his chair, a sly smile curling on his lips as he met her gaze. “Yes, Miss Talia. Funny thing though, my wife cooked for me today, so I didn’t even need to come here.”Talia froze mid-bite, her throat tightening as she swallowed her food a bit too forcefully. She quickly reached for her water, taking a sip to mask her growing irritation. *Oh please, stop talking nonsense,* she thought, resisting the urge to roll her eyes."Then why aren't you eating what your wife cooked?" she asked, her voice filled with false curiosity a
TWENTY EIGHT Lisa's face flushed with anger, her lips pressed into a thin line as she stormed toward Malia, her eyes blazing with indignation. She moved so quickly and forcefully that the tension in the air crackled around her, completely ignoring Marco who stood nearby, his gaze shifting between the two women with a quiet intensity.“Malia, I thought you were fired?” Lisa spat, her voice sharp and accusatory, her eyebrows furrowed in disbelief. Her fists clenched at her sides as she squared off with Malia, her anger palpable.Malia let out a slow, sarcastic laugh, her lips curling into a smug smirk. She stood tall, shoulders back, exuding a cocky confidence that only made Lisa’s blood boil more. “Fired?” she repeated, her voice dripping with mockery as she raised an eyebrow. “No, darling. I wasn’t fired. I was *demoted,* yes, but I’m still your supervisor.” Her smirk widened as her eyes flicked over to Marco, who gave her a small nod of approval, his expression unreadable but approv
Lisa finished talking, letting out a long sigh as her head drooped back onto the desk. The exhaustion in her eyes was evident, dark circles framing them. Her shoulders sagged, and within seconds, she dozed off.“Lisa, don’t sleep!” Talia’s voice broke through the silence as she barged into the office, her hand dramatically placed on her growling stomach. “Let’s go eat. I’m *famished*,” she added with a playful groan. Her eyes scanned Lisa’s sleeping form before she walked over, lightly tapping her on the shoulder.Lisa jolted awake, her eyes fluttering open, squinting in confusion before she realized where she was. She groaned, stretching her arms above her head as a tired smile curled on her lips. “Ugh, Talia, I was in the middle of such a good dream,” she mumbled, but the moment she caught sight of her phone, her grogginess faded. Excitement sparkled in her eyes as she reached for it. “Girl! I have some juicy gossip for you!” she exclaimed dramatically,