As the CEO of his father's company, Richard attended a meeting at Skyline Corporation, but his mind wasn’t in the room. Though he sat at the head of the table, his thoughts were elsewhere, far from the discussions happening around him. He was physically present but mentally absent. His mind kept replaying how he had treated Kristin earlier. A pang of guilt gnawed at him for yelling at her, an innocent lady who had done nothing but try to be kind. She had acted outside the terms of their contract, but the way he had lashed out at her was unnecessary. He remembered the way she flinched when he raised his voice, and guilt twisted his insides. Richard had always loathed women, treating them with a cold detachment, almost as if they were beneath him. He never felt remorse for it—until now. The guilt he felt was new. Why was he even feeling guilty? These thoughts clouded his mind until a light tap on his shoulder pulled him back to reality. "Are you okay? You seem lost," Julio ask
Kristin nervously clasped her hands together as she watched Luke help Richard into the bed. Richard was still unconscious, and Luke had called at the perfect time, just when Kristin desperately needed help. She had quickly answered the phone and informed Luke of what had happened to Richard. Luke had arrived in record time because he genuinely cared about Richard. "Will he be okay?" Kristin asked, her voice trembling. "He will be if he manages to sleep," Luke mumbled, knowing all too well about Richard's struggles with insomnia after working with him for five years. "What do you mean?" Kristin asked, confused. "What exactly happened to him?" Luke inquired, trying to change the subject. "I don’t know. He just became triggered when he walked into my room," Kristin replied. "What were you doing at the time?" Luke questioned. Kristin hesitated, biting her lower lip before answering, "I was dancing with a ball anklet on." "A ball anklet?" Luke’s brows furrowed. Kristin
The talking alarm woke Richard up, signaling the start of a new day. He slowly opened his eyes and was stunned by what he saw. His head was resting comfortably on Kristin’s chest, and his hands were still wrapped around her waist. “What the heck…” he muttered, quickly pulling away from Kristin, who was still asleep Did he really spend the night in a woman's arms? How had he managed to fall asleep? Normally, he wouldn’t sleep until close to dawn. How had the impossible become possible last night? Richard questioned the walls in his room, but since they couldn’t talk, he got no answers. His eyes slowly returned to the woman sleeping in his bed. She looked so fragile and innocent while she slept. Richard swiped his dark hair back, remembering that he was the one who had wrapped his arms around her last night. What had he been thinking? Without waking Kristin, he got out of bed and began getting ready for the day’s business. He was about to knot his tie when Kristin
"Spend the night in my room," his baritone tone interrupted her. "Huh?" Kristin uttered, her voice barely a whisper. Did Mr. Grouchy just ask her to spend the night in his room? But why? she wondered as she stared at Richard with wide, innocent eyes. Richard was at a loss for words. He still couldn’t believe how those words had slipped out of his mouth. Last night, he had slept soundly in Kristin’s arms without any nightmares disturbing him. He had been thinking about it all day, and that’s why, when he opened his mouth, the words "Spend the night in my room" had come out before he could stop them. "You want me to spend the night in your room?" Kristin asked, disbelief clear in her voice. Richard knew he couldn’t take back what he had said. Kristin had heard him loud and clear, and lying would only make him seem foolish. He wasn’t sure if he could trust her with his secret. She already knew about his phobia of jangling sounds; would revealing his insomnia make her know too m
Richard walked around the resort in his hotel, observing the new faces of the people who had come to stay. Celebrities and influencers flocked to the resort for videos and commercials. This was one reason Glamour Empire Hotel was popular in Las Vegas, with its stunning structure and views perfect for promotional work. The hotel also featured a casino and a spa, providing guests with an experience akin to heaven. “Richard Hernandez" Richard turned to see who had called his name and found it was Lewis. “Should I send him away?” Luke asked. “Let it slide, Luke. I’ll join you shortly,” Richard replied. Luke left, and Lewis approached Richard with an insufferable smile. “What are you doing here?” Richard asked, his expression flat and cold. Lewis scoffed. “I’m a guest. Shouldn’t I at least be welcomed at Richard Hernandez’s luxurious hotel?” he asked rhetorically, as if his question didn’t warrant a response. “Then enjoy yourself to the fullest,” Richard said, turning t
Richard sat down in the dining room, watching as Kristin served her specialty to him. She served the meal with a smiling face, still in disbelief that Richard had agreed to taste her cooking. The last time she had cooked for him, he had shouted and scolded her, but today was different—Mr. Grouchy wanted to taste her cooking. Kristin grinned from ear to ear. "Dig in," she said, flashing a smile at Richard as she sat close to him. Richard stared at her beautiful brown eyes before picking up the spoon to eat. His face quickly returned to its usual cold demeanor. The smile that had briefly appeared on his face vanished just as quickly as it came. "Do you like it? Does it taste delicious?" Kristin asked, watching intently as Richard ate the dish made of root vegetables and rice. "Not that bad," Richard muttered. "You should've just said it’s delicious," Kristin muttered under her breath, but Richard heard her. "Should I stop eating?" he asked. Kristin shook her head swiftly
The man smiled as Cecelia's hand caressed him through his pants. "I'm going to call you back," the man said, ending the call and planting a kiss on Cecelia’s lips. The lipstick on her lips left a stain on his. "You said you have information about Kristin, Richard’s wife?" Lewis asked. Cecelia smiled, wiping the lipstick stain from Lewis’s lips. "Yes, I do. Luke told me about her last night," she replied. "What did he say?" "Remember our deal? You said you’d pay me for my services. I’d like to be paid before I give you the details." Without hesitation, Lewis handed her an envelope. Cecelia chuckled at the amount inside and pocketed it. "So, what did your husband say?" "Kristin is from Mexico." "Mexico? She doesn’t look Mexican," Lewis said. "She’s likely mixed race, which is why she doesn’t look fully Mexican. She’s also from a wealthy family in Mexico." "Are you sure your husband is telling the truth?" Cecelia smiled seductively and draped her arms over Lewi
Ophelia struggled to break free from Kristin’s grip, but it seemed Kristin had more strength than she anticipated. Despite her efforts, Ophelia couldn’t escape Kristin’s hold. She had made a grave mistake by messing with a farmer’s daughter. Kristin might appear fragile, but she possessed a lot of inner strength, built up from years of working on the farm since childhood. "What are you? Let go of my hand!" Ophelia screamed, her face turning red from the pain. "I may not have the physical strength to fight, but that doesn’t mean I’ll let you slap me. My parents never raised a hand against me, and I won’t allow you to do so either. And one more thing—if you call my husband a devil again, I might just forget the lessons I was taught at home and leave an unforgettable mark on your face," Kristin said, releasing Ophelia’s hand. Ophelia fumed with anger. She wasn’t someone who easily learned her lesson, so she attempted to slap Kristin again, but a voice halted her. "Try to slap her, a
"I think I am in love with you," he whispered. Kristin’s heart fluttered and melted like ice. She knew the alcohol was speaking for him, but she couldn’t help falling for his words. "You… are in love… with me?" she stammered. Richard smiled. He looked so cute when he smiled, but she knew it was only temporary, a result of the alcohol. He caressed her face again, and slowly his lips moved closer to hers. Kristin wondered what it would feel like to kiss a billionaire like Richard. As he leaned closer, she closed her eyes, her long natural lashes coming into view. Her heart pounded as she waited for Richard’s lips to meet hers, but just an inch away, Richard’s head fell onto her shoulder. Kristin opened her eyes and found Richard sleeping on her shoulder. She puffed out a breath, figuring out how to take him home. --- Kristin exhaled loudly after she dropped Richard on the bed. "Gosh! He’s heavy," she muttered to herself, stretching her body. She sat beside Richard,
Cecelia bit her lip, trying to think of a response to give to Luke. She had overheard Lewis on the phone, and that’s how she knew Richard wasn’t in Vegas. She cursed herself a million times for not keeping her mouth shut. "What are you up to, Love?" Luke asked. Cecelia forced a smile and said, "I just guessed, because you have so many files piled up for you." Luke glanced at the stack of files on the table. "Is that why you think Richard isn’t in Vegas?" "I guess so. I’m going to rest now," she said, giving him a brief kiss on the lips before heading to the bedroom. Luke continued with his work, and when he was done, he went to the bedroom and found Cecelia already asleep. "I wonder why she’s so tired. It’s not like she’s working," Luke muttered to himself as he looked at his wife. --- **GLENWOOD** Richard's eyes were fixed on Kristin's as she disinfected his wound. Just as Justo had predicted, she was tending to his injured arm. "You shouldn’t have gone hunting with Justo
Kristin quickly took Richard outside the house while Justo remained inside. "What are you thinking, Mr. Grouchy? You don’t know how to hunt, so why did you accept the challenge?" Kristin asked, worry etched on her face. Hunting wasn’t child’s play, and she was concerned for Richard. "You said you only had one friend, so why did you lie?" Richard retorted, his voice laced with irritation. He hated that Kristin had known Justo for so long. "I didn’t lie to you, Mr. Grouchy. Romina is the only friend I have." "What about him?" Richard asked, his tone sharp. "I don’t consider Justo a friend; I see him as a brother. Justo acts crazy sometimes, and you shouldn’t let his words get to you," Kristin explained. "I don’t care, Firefly. I’m going to do it," Richard declared stubbornly. "Don’t be foolish. You’re going to get injured!" Kristin warned. "You think I’m a weakling?" Richard asked, his displeasure evident in his voice. Kristin quickly shook her head. "I don’t consider you a we
Voices from outside woke Richard from his sleep. As usual, he hadn't slept until it was 6 a.m. The voices from outside were so loud that he had to get up from bed. He went outside and, standing by the door, he saw a group of farmers talking to Kristin and her mom. It was easy for him to tell they were farmers because Kristin once told him how farmers in Glenwood dress. Richard listened to them even though he didn’t clearly understand what they were saying. It had to do with farming, and such topics were rarely discussed in Las Vegas. "Oh my goodness!" a woman gasped when she saw Richard standing by the door. Her hands pointed at Richard, causing the others to turn and look at him. The farmers gasped as if they had never seen a handsome man before. Yes, they had never seen a man as handsome as Richard in their entire lives in Glenwood. "Who is he? "He is so handsome and tall!" "Did Kristin bring a boyfriend home?" "Your boyfriend is so handsome, Kristin!" "I k
Kristin went numb instantly, words couldn't form in her mouth. She was still staring at Richard, shocked that he had traveled all the way from Las Vegas to see her. "Who is at the door?" Gladys asked, noticing Kristin’s delay in returning to the dining table. Kristin closed the door, trying to conceal her surprise. "I thought it was Justo. Why didn’t he come inside with you?" Gladys continued. Kristin swallowed hard. "Can I step out for a few minutes?" she asked. "In the middle of dinner? You’re acting strange. Are you alright?" Gladys inquired. "I’m fine, Mom. Just give me five minutes, and I’ll be back," Kristin assured her. She rushed outside, taking Richard by the hand and leading him to a secluded spot where they wouldn’t be easily seen. "What are you doing here?" she asked. "Are you not happy to see me?" Richard replied with a question of his own. "It’s not that I’m not happy to see you. I’m just surprised. You’re the last person I expected to see here in Gle
Kristin kept crying silently as her flight documents were being processed. The processing was expedited because Richard ensured it. "You will be back home as soon as the flight papers are ready," Richard said, sitting beside her and holding her hand. "Thank you so much, Mr. Grouchy," she hiccuped through her tears. "Stop crying, Firefly. I’m sure your dad will be fine, okay?" He wiped her tears, but they continued to fall. "I love my dad so much, and I can’t stop crying until I see him. I don’t want to lose my dad. I still want him to be with me," Kristin cried out. Richard hugged her, patting her gently. "He’s going to be fine. You just have to stay positive." A few minutes later, her flight was ready, and Kristin was set to leave. The plane would land at an airport in a nearby city, and she would take a bus to her hometown of Glenwood. "Keep me posted about your dad’s condition," Richard said. Kristin nodded, wiping her tears. "Take this, in case you need to spend mo
Kristin’s jaw dropped in shock as Richard revealed the identity of the malicious woman who had made his life so difficult. “The wicked woman was your mom?” she asked, unable to believe her ears. “Yes, she was my very own mother.” “Why would she do something so heartless to you?” Kristin asked, her voice filled with concern. Richard shook his head. To this day, he still couldn’t understand why his mother had treated him with such hatred. “I have no idea, Firefly. She never gave me a definite reason for her cruelty.” “And your dad? Did you know anything about him?” “I don’t know who he is. Maybe he’s the reason my mom hated me so much. I never called her 'mom' because she didn’t treat me like her son. She was just so cruel.” Kristin wiped the tears from his face and offered him a comforting smile. “You’ve been through so much, and you’re incredibly strong for enduring all that torment.” “Do you finally understand why I hate women and despise having my secrets exposed? I
Richard drove around the city, frantically searching for Kristin. The thought of Lewis being with her terrified him more than the idea of dying. He kept calling her until he saw her lying unconscious in the middle of the road. The heavy rain had made the streets nearly deserted. "Firefly," he mumbled, quickly getting out of the car. He rushed to her, gently cradling her head in his arm. "Firefly," he called again, trying to wake her, but she remained unconscious. Richard carried her back to his home, unsure of what to do next. She was shivering even while unconscious. He knew she needed to be out of her wet clothes, but he was unsure how to handle undressing a woman. He had never done it before, and with Luke already gone, he was alone in this task. Despite his hesitation, Richard summoned the courage and carefully removed her wet clothes. He couldn’t help but admire her body. Though she had grown up on a farm, her skin was still as white as snow. "Stop it, Richard," he scold
Kristin walked through the rain, unsure of where to go. She was still new in Vegas, and the only people she knew were Richard and Luke. She thought about asking Luke for help but stopped when she remembered he was married. She had never met Luke’s wife before and didn’t know how she would react to seeing her. Feeling helpless and homeless, Kristin wandered through the downpour, tears streaming down her face. Her clothes were soaked, her hair clung to her face, and the rain mingled with her tears, washing them away. It broke her heart that Richard had pushed her out of the house in the dead of night. She knew he had a hot temper, but she never imagined he would go so far as to drive her out into the rain. "Where will I go from here?" Kristin wondered, her tears falling faster as regret washed over her. She wished she hadn’t brought up the topic, but it was too late now. Here she was, alone in a rainy city. Kristin eventually found refuge under the small awning of a kiosk. Sh