LUCAIt was repulsive.Listening to their presentation of a bright future for women empowerment was supposed to be promising.The objective, the solution to profit by gaining, a realistic approach to an idealistic plan.But beneath Gomez’s "flawless" business proposal to gain our interest, I could see something devious behind that facade.When I found out through a background check, I knew I shouldn’t accept him. The fact that he was aiding one of our rival companies as they profited from human trafficking, I scorned and threw his files on the floor and left.I could care less if Milano Corp will lose an important client after I treated his recommendation but we stand firm with our beliefs.We don't invest in companies that have beyond ethical practices.Andrew, my secretary, was crying his heart out as I walked out while Gomez kept yelling he would make me pay for it.Pathetic.I have my fair share of enemies trying to wring my neck but to no avail.And this is the reason why living
NINA“What makes you say that?” Gene asks with his usual monotonous tone.What exactly is the reason why I suddenly ask this? Should I really tell him that I felt weird seeing my future step brother in action? This wasn’t the action Yu wanted to show me. In fact, I wish I should have backed off the moment I caught them in sight.Yet after witnessing it, I felt strange.The feeling of craving for something I couldn’t describe in detail. A foreign feeling that I've never felt in between my legs.Is this what people call horniness?There is no way I’ll tell my best friend that.T-that I was having the hots for L-Luca.“Nina?”Oh, I’ve been silent for too long as I was too absorbed with my thoughts that I had forgotten about Gene on the other line.But the heat in my body is excruciating. I need to calm down. I need to concentrate in our conversation."A-are you okay?"“N-never better! I’m just remembering what we talked about before.” I gulp as I tighten my grip on the phone. “You see it
NINAI continue with my usual routine. Practicing the diorama presentation, attending school, studying and rejecting Clarence's invitation to hang out after class.He seems moody each time I turn tail to the opposite direction right when he starts mentioning going out together.Something tells me he doesn't buy my bluff about Gene.But at home, after that night, I am often feeling so nervous being around Luca that I asked him to take a break and would like to self-study instead.Not even a mere mention of my strange behavior that evening.At first Luca is upset and tells me that I still needed “guidance” but seeing that I am serious about my studies, he finally concedes.“If I see your grades dropping again, mark my words I’ll quit being a CEO if you won’t graduate!” He grins after that sudden declaration.And I know he isn’t joking when he declares such things.So, not only do I have to do the self-studying on my own—thanks to my irrational behavior around him—I have to do well or el
NINAThe diorama presentation went well and despite being a nervous wreck, Mrs. McLaren complimented my effort and stage presence and gave both of us an A+.I have never been so enthusiastic about getting an A! So my heart raced, feeling a sense of accomplishment for the first time.“You did it,” Clarence says as he raises his hand. I give him a deserving high five. The adrenaline rush of excitement made me lose my guard around him for once."Thanks to you," I say while dropping my hand back. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have gotten this grade."Clarence doesn't hesitate to sling his arm around my neck.Well, almost.I regret it at that instant when he can easily touch me like this.At first, I flinch and give him a glare but he says, "Can we go out for dinner tonight as my reward?"He never stops, huh?"B-but I…"Fortunately, Mrs. McLaren gives an intentional loud cough, interrupting us both."If you haven't noticed it, you two, we are still in the middle of the class session."
NINADespite my worries, Yu reassures me that Luca wouldn't mind us snooping in his room. Well, as a matter of fact, I decide to stay in front of his bedroom door as Yu enters inside. Like an accomplice of some spy movie, I look around if the coast is clear. Knowing this hour, Luca is still at his office but who knows if he might have arrived earlier today. I hope Yu knows what he's doing."Found it!" A hand pops out what looked like a black covered bag that is supported by a silver string hanger.His head peeks out of the entrance bedroom door. "What yer waiting for? Go to your room and try it on!"I reluctantly grab the travel bag and scurry to my room. "Do you want me to call a cosmetologist to deal with your makeup?" He called out as I entered the room. I turn back as I shake my head. "N-no, I can handle it on my own." Then I smile. "Even if I don't wear make-up, I do know how to apply some."He whistles. "Woah, how come you don't wear one?"I shrug. "I only wear it during
LUCA The doorbell rings and it is 7:00:54, just a shy away to 7:01. That means not only Clarence Benz is a jerkass, he is fashionably late to pick her up. "Oh, I'll get that." Nina is about to spring to the front door, only when I grab her bare shoulder. When my hand touches her warm skin, she immediately stiffens as her head turns to me. With her large doe dark eyes, her cheeks tinted with natural blush and her lips are glossy with her lip gloss. I couldn't stop staring at her. "W-what is it?" “Oh.” I let her go and I give her a sheepish grin. “I’ll get that instead. You’ll have to get some footwear that matches your dress.” I stop midway then I take off my pinstriped jacket and place it around her shoulders. I back away a bit and feel a sudden surge of relief seeing most of her upper part is covered. "There you go. Wear this even when you're at the restaurant, all right?" There is no way I’ll let Clarence see her like this…not until they reach their destination. I wal
NINA Thank God we left. I don't know what Luca plans to do with Clarence had we stayed longer. "Did he ask you to wear his coat, Nina?" I chuckle a bit nervously. "I don't have any fancy coat that matches this dress." I give myself a twirl and I can feel the chill of my thigh from the exposed slit. However, his coat is too big for me so I have to cuff the long sleeves to my wrists. "But it doesn't make me look ridiculous, right?" "You're fine. Although I am looking forward to seeing you without that coat." Seeing his eyes on my exposed leg, I give him a warning glare. "No way I'll do that! P-plus, Luca told me not to take it off." “How overprotective," he says while shaking his head. "Then you wouldn't mind standing out as that coat literally makes you look like you are drowning from that, huh? Come on, I won't judge what you wear." I couldn't answer that. We continue walking, ignoring the neighbors eyeing us as we pass by. I lower my head as I pray that Luca was right th
NINAI regret taking it off.The feeling of the warm heater touching my bare skin and the way I feel so exposed to the public make me uncomfortable. As someone who is used to oversized clothes even during summer, I have never worn something like this in public.Clarence has been strangely quiet after his stuttering as we are being guided to the farthest table beside the glass window.My eyes flicker with anticipation when I see the full view of the whole city. Acrophobia, be damned. Why turn away such a beautiful sight? "Here we are. Please have a seat," the waitress says as we both sit on these white banquette long chairs circling around the table. I sit across Clarence as she starts pouring ice cubes to our glasses. My nervousness slips out once more as I observe Clarence politely thanking the waitress as she hands over our menus.When his eyes shift up to stare at mine, I flinch. He reverts back to his old self as he grins. "Pick anything you want and don't hold back."I fever
NINA“Are you sure you’ll be okay, Nina?”I nod as I squeeze his hands. “What’s more important is that you have to check up on her. She needs a friend.”“Thank you, babe,” he says, showing off his dazzling smile. “Should I call Yu to catch up with you?”He shakes his head. “It’s best not to let him know yet. Heather wouldn’t be pleased if I inform Yu about…this.”“Why?”He gives a sheepish smile. “Let’s just say Yu and Heather have some kind of history.”I guess that would mean it is something Luca has no right to intervene between them. “Well, I don’t want to take your time. I h-hope she’s fine, Luca. I really do.”There is a pregnant pause before he gives an upheave sigh. “I sure hope so.”I get off from the car as I am greeted with the apartment that I go to every single day. I know it’s been a week since I’ve seen the place but it brings a nostalgic feeling compared to my home in Freedomville.After I bid Luca goodbye, I head straight upstairs without any luggage as they are all
NINAIn the end, we didn’t leave the ship to see the islands Luca spoke fondly of. Instead, we overstayed in the private suite, enjoying the feeling of sex as I continue craving for it more.I don’t know what got me to do this. I’ve never considered sex as something I would enjoy. Those talks among my peers should repulsed me but now after experiencing it for the first time with the first man I’ve been infatuated with, I relish every single moment of our lovemaking.Because both of us know once we end our week vacation, we have to return to reality. And as time flies fast, we are now at Luca’s private jet heading straight to Dawn City. It will take seven hours to reach there, so we spend our time fooling around inside my room.And after the days spent with our whirlwind of sexual intercourse, we are sprawling on the bed, snuggling under the bed sheet cover as we view the night sky outside of Europe.“From the scale of 1 to 5, how would you describe our trip?” He asks while stroking m
LUCAShe’s so beautiful. Hot.Amazing.And so right for me.Men in Freedomville are foolish enough to break her self-esteem, rendering her oblivious to her own beauty. Because all the flaws I’ve seen in her—her shyness, her clumsiness, everything about her are endearing. She brings the light to my mundane, busy life. Who could have thought that my goal for perfection means nothing when I’m content with her by my side?Nina Caulfield, the original source of my conflict with my family.Yet, here we are: naked, shamelessly exposed under the bright light of the bedroom VIP suite as our bodies entangled together. I continue devouring her lips—to entice, nib, bite and suck–while not letting go even before undressing her.“Hn!” She breaks off the kiss, pulling herself away the moment I bite her lower lip hard. I unlatch our embrace as her heated body drops back on bed, her swollen lips gracefully sunder, catching her breath. As she takes a moment of rest, I take this as an opportunity t
NINA “He disappeared?” I repeat his words as a cold sweat drops from my cheek. The noise of the gym has long in deaf ears as the news slowly absorbs in my mind. “Then his company?” He shakes his head. “His company is being operated by the one which was being sold by Lucille. I don’t know which one, as the Milano family hide everything for the sake of their reputation.” Oh God. All of these happened to Luca before I met him. And to top it all up, my mother’s involvement with his dad took a huge toll on him. “Why are you telling me this, Anton?” Unfortunately, he ignores me as his attention is elsewhere. Anton’s eyes flicker as soon as his eyes wander back to the exit. As I turn, both of us can see Luca’s figure heading back to us. “Anyway, it’s best not to ask him unless he brings it up. But then again, it’s up to you, Nina. If you want to continue dating him, you have to consider all of these…” He pauses before he gives me a worried smile before patting my shoulder. “If his
NINAJust as suspected, Anton is at the sports center playing soccer with other men of different ages. When he sees me, his face brightens as he beams.“NINA!” He bellows. He excuses himself in the middle of the game as he makes a beeline from the crowd of sweaty men as he runs closer to see me.However, when his eyes wander to see the tall figure next to me, he stiffens and his legs unconsciously wobble and step backwards.I shoot Luca a glare. “Are you glaring at him?”“No, but you’re obviously scaring the poor lad with yours,” he says while giving a toothy grin. I sigh as I step forward and get closer to Anton. “Hi, Anton. Luca has something to tell you, if you don’t m-mind hearing him out.”Anton remains hesitant but hasn’t left his spot. It’s a good sign, I guess? But it gives Luca an opportunity to step forward with his long leg, stretches his hand and smiles. “We got off the wrong foot due to my poor judgment the other day, so I am here to apologize for my words.”With reluct
NINA“Are you listening, Nina?”I absent-mindedly nod as I smile, sheepishly. "C-can't we take a break, Luca?”"Not until we solve this formula. It's not that hard."“E-easy for you to say! This one has no numbers at all!”“Quadratic equations is being taught in middle school, we need to learn this first before you dive into Calculus.”Once again, Luca is in his teacher mode. He has been aching to lecture me about it since he has sworn an oath to Yu not to skip lessons while we’re on our trip. Besides, he’s more than happier to retake the mantle as my tutor.The tutorial session is the same as usual. We talk like we used to and he has been both strict and patient during today’s session. Well, except for one thing.Luca's arms wrap around my waist—which I notice he enjoys doing,as his lips give playful kisses on my neck. I shiver the moment his breath touches my skin and moan a bit as his lips touch there."L-Luca! I thought we weren't going to have a break!" The blush on my cheeks be
CLARENCE“Gene Sullivan? I’ve heard that you’re looking for me.” He’s all skinny bones.The first thing that comes to my mind the moment he turns, facing me with bandages nearly covering up his face.Seeing him in a dire state, I visibly flinch, and upon closer inspection, the bruises, especially the cut lip, the dampness of his bandaged head and a visible black eye on his left, are pretty much recent.His uninjured eye gazes at me and I’m visibly surprised that there is this intensity of his stare—instead of a victim of violence and abuse, he has the air of a soldier combating his enemy. A fighter, to sum it up. “Clarence, right? Nina talks about you from time to time.”Ah, this answers my speculation, all right. He is the “fake boyfriend”.I smile before giving an affirmative nod. “Well, I’m glad my name is mentioned from her very own lips. It’s an honor especially that she values you as her best friend. Pleasure to finally meet you, Gene Sullivan.” I extend my hand, implying comm
NINA If there is one way to phrase out how I am feeling, it should have been the feeling of bliss. Pure happiness of experiencing lovemaking from the man whom you were attracted to for a long while. Or so I thought. Sore from down below, I couldn't get up after waking up in the morning. My back even aches and the different positions Luca suggested during the second round was the cause of this. It was a miracle that I could adjust to his size and his stamina but…oh dear Lord, why the heck is he so big? Speaking of Luca, he wasn't around when I woke up. But he has cleaned me, seeing that I am wearing an oversized dress and my body is no longer drenched with sweat and err–semen. Okay, no more dirty thoughts, Nina. You’ve already done the deed last night. And seriously, how did he manage to change the bed sheets? Was I really that deep in my sleep to be unaware of my surroundings? There is a knock before Luca returns with a tray of breakfast and a plastic bag hanging on his wr
NINA It was so sudden. Earlier we were arguing, an unreasonable banter that riled me up until I wanted to be alone due to this sour mood. But now, after his revelation and his desire for me, I couldn’t lose this chance. I would be too embarrassed to admit that since I caught his lovemaking with Heather, I…was envious. And that desire outgrew my envy as relief washes over my guilt. This desire that I wanted from Luca, the man who could bring these emotions within me. Not Yu, not Clarence and not even Gene. Luca is the only one who could challenge me, who could bring out these foreign emotions bottled up in me. My greediness to have him as mine. As we lie on the bed, our passionate kisses heighten the heat right through between my legs. It’s different when I had my first kiss with him—his drunken self not too long ago. This isn’t a drunken mistake anymore. I am being embraced by the sobered Luca right now. His hands wander around my skin, exploring as his warm fingertips