“Oh My God,” Kim gasped was dramatic when I revealed the cruelty of my stepmother and her daughter to him.“Why wasn't I informed? Nor Tom?” He looked perplexed and hurt too.“I had no idea, Kim, everything was handled by others, I wasn’t aware of anything at all,” I told him truthfully, It was completely Derek’s decision to hide the incident that happened with me, and to keep my situation in the dark.I didn’t feel the need to fight with him because I was already tired from all the fights I did in my life.“Oh, Dear, show me your face…” Kim held my face and started to inspect the wounds, the marks had faded mostly but light marks still remained.“I could cover them up with some makeup,When would you like to start the campaign shoot, huh?”Kim asked, adding positivity to my life.“Tomorrow will be fine, today I am going to visit my father’s agency.” I told him and he paused for a moment, and then revealed, “Darling, that Miller agency isn’t a place where you should go…”Why is that s
RING … RINGI was busy in my shoot when Kim appeared with a stern face and then held up my phone in complete displeasure.“This accountant seemed to get no rest.” He groaned non appreciatively and I rolled my eyes at him, “Must be something regarding new partner.”CLICK“Yes,” I received the call.“Miss Hood, The new partner… He … He’s here…He’s setting the office and wants you to come over right now.”At his command, I inhaled a deep breath and then let out in exasperation, “I am not his servant. I’ll come in the evening after my shoot is over, if he could wait then it’s fine, otherwise, he could do as he wishes to.”I burst out angrily.Why does everyone need to order their commands on me, huh?I am not a servant !!And with that outrage, I disconnected the call abruptly without asking the name of this new partner.How stupid of me !!“Is everything ok?” Kim gave me an anxious look, and giving him a nod we then continued the shoot.****CLICKWalking towards the agency door, I foun
DEREK POV :Amy looked far better than she was in the hospital, she has gotten better and strong.I was surprised to know that she had started her first campaign shoot just after a week of discharge. I thought the marks would stop her from going out publicly for a while, but no, as always, this woman amused me.I couldn’t help but admire her more, as soon as I saw her my all tiredness and the bad days from the past seemed to fade.How big an idiot I was to let her go in the first place ??Now, as I realized all my worst doings, I could tell that Amy’s doubt on me at this time is justified.But, I was well prepared today, learning from my past mistakes.“Everything would be paperwork between us, no one can force anyone regarding anything.You can take those papers to your lawyer, discuss all the clauses with him and then return to me if you feel safe and secure with this deal, Amy.”I handed her the papers of contract which I had prepared beforehand for this day, since I heard about Pa
AMY POV :“There must be a way, Mr. Garner,” I looked at Mr. Garner in distress.It’s been close to a month now since Tom has gone and is trapped in the hands of those cruel people, he has to return safely and back to us.“We’re trying, Amy, don’t stress yourself…” As always, his father gave me hope but I knew well that if there would be something he could do to bring Tom back here in Berlin, he would have brought him back till now.SIGHFiddling with my hands, I tried to compose my emotions and stayed strong when his father inquired lightly, “Where’s your ring, dear?”MY RING ??I blinked and looked down at my hand in embarrassment, how could I be so lost that I never remembered to ask my mother about my engagement ring??Did I lose it?Biting my lips, I responded with my eyes lowered in shame, “Uhm… it loosened in my finger so I sent it back to fix the band.”Mr. Garner, not anyone else knows about the incident that happened with me at Miller’s villa, nor I wanted to disclose it to
DEREK POV :“Where’s my ring?” Amy’s growl was louder and it immediately straightened my back.“What ring?” I intentionally appeared blank.So, finally, she remembered about her ring, huh?This shows how important Tom Garner and his emotions are to Amy.Who is she fooling, huh?“My engagement ring,” She gritted her teeth so hard, I heard the crack in her teeth.God, she is mad !!“I don’t know.” I lied flawlessly and she immediately denied it.“Liar, I know you have it, again you have returned to your jerk side !!” She scolded me and I frowned badly.Jerk !! Is this what she named me now?First, A**hole than this…“This is getting personal now, you told me we would contact only regarding business,” I reminded her, her own words and silence fell at the other end.TICK … TOCKIt prolonged and I waited patiently.“I want my ring back,” Amy finally spoke.“I’ll ask the nurse who took care of you,” I responded like a responsible man, and with a cold Bye she ended the call indifferently.BE
AMY POV :“Derek?” I heard the noises and Derek’s curse from the other end before the line went dead out of the blue.BEEPI stared at my phone, lost completely in numerous outraging thoughts of what Derek might be doing in the auditions, or what those models would do to him.Well, whatever it is, that’s not my concern at all.But then why I am feeling the slight burn in my heart?NO !!I must look for him, after all, I am also a partner in the agency.If he could audition for those women, why can’t I?Why should he audition them alone, huh?Furious, I stood from my place and called for Kim.“Yes,” He appeared just a few seconds later.“Postponed this shoot, I need to be somewhere,” I told him hurriedly and he froze in shock.Ignoring him, I made my way to my car before I heard his cry, and then slammed the door shut.“Miller Agency.”BOOM****CLICKAs soon as I rushed inside the agency, I paused to squint my eyes at the women waiting in a queue.My eyeballs nearly jumped out at thei
“See something you like,” With a soft smile, Derek broke my trance and I flushed in embarrassment.“Are you planning to change your hairstyle, because this doesn’t suit you at all?” I told him honestly and his smile widened.“That bad?” He prompted.“Worse…” I replied with a straight face and that welcomed me with his heartful chuckle.“Duly Noted.”I got awestruck by his hearty chuckle."Hah"I tried to compose my emotions which were clearly going out of control now.No, I hate him, we are just partners, not anything else.Just partners.“You could take a seat,” Derek’s voice came again alarming my senses, and just then I noticed that he had stepped far away from me.“Or you could stay wherever you like,” He eyed me hesitatingly, and instantly, I rose from the table, red from shame.“Ahem… I am fine…” I told him while containing my embarrassment.He nodded and then yelled louder, “NEXT.”And there the system started of “US” auditioning the women for becoming new and lively models of
“No,” I gave my blunt disapproval to the recent woman who joined the stage and Derek frowned badly.“Catherine’s figure is perfect for modeling, Amy,Look at her previous shoots, she looked great,” He handed me her portfolio to which I didn’t spare a single glance.“No.”My refusal remained the same and Derek groaned, displeased.“Is there something we should discuss before being neutral to those women auditioning for us?” He prompted and I immediately paled.So, he did notice my jealousy.ARGHH !!“How did you find them, first of all?” I asked straightly.“They treated me well here as a customer, and with a little chat someone told me about her past and then knowing well, that I could be a helping hand they provided me with their portfolio,And with your agency, I think it’s the best I could do.” He explained calmly, but that didn’t put my heart at ease.“For them or for me, hmm?” I inquired.“Huh, come on, Amy, are you being jealous now?Seriously??” He looked amused as he finally f
DEREK POV :Eric’s deception was easy to get caught, the moment he asked me to make a choice I knew he wouldn’t let us go.I could see the blood in his eyes, he wouldn't be at ease until he painted us all in red.With his men escorting the staff, I took the golden chance to attack him.My unexpected move made him bewildered, the first thing I did was to kick away his gun.“Close the door, Amy,” I commanded, in case his men returned to help him.Amy did as I told her.“You shouldn’t have done that, Derek…” Eric scowled as he attacked back at me, his punches flew in the air and when they hit my body, it was bloody painful.“Surrender, Eric, nothing will change between us, I promise.You will remain my brother, Eric Shepherd.”During our struggle, I tried to calm him down.“I am no Shepherd,I hate this name, I am Carson Dexter.”He acted crazily, throwing me away from him and then picking up the gun.CLICK“He made me like this,It was his fault.” He pointed the gun straight at the Gran
Before he would pull the trigger his father shouted in defeat.“I’ll bring everything, everything that you need, Eric.”Eric was smiling at his victory when all of a sudden Derek’s father hinted at the man and he stepped out of the crowd with a gun.“Now.” His father yelled and the shot was fired.BAM“Ahh…” The screeches of fear filled the atmosphere. As I looked up, I realized that the man who had stepped out had been shot by one of Eric’s men, while another person got shot in the wheelchair.“Viola…” Derek’s father leaped towards his wife when he was held by Eric’s men.“I told you father, ladies first.” Clenching his jaw, Eric seethed without a single remorse of killing his shooting his own mother.“If I could shoot my own mother you all have no idea what I could do to you all?” He threatened the whole staff and they cornered, with dread in their eyes while I remained on the ground, overwhelmed by all the disaster happening around me.Derek, where are you?****CLICK“Little broth
DEREK POV :“I killed his lover.”BOOMThat gunshot broke the barrier of my patience and I spoke out impassively.“Eric…”There was silence at the other end and then a mocking laugh came.“Hah, my sweet little brother,You still act impulsively, Deriee…”Eric spoke in wit.“Let everyone go, Eric, since when did you become a murderer?” I questioned, overwhelmed by the information of the massacre he created at the Shepherd Villa.“Murderer??What about Grandpa and Dad, who murdered my childhood together, my happiness, Derek?”His question made me avert my eyes at my father.I know their expectations were too high for Eric, and they tried their best to change Eric into a perfect candidate for Shepherd Corporation heir, but sadly he failed.Or they failed I guess.“What do you want, Eric, I’ll give you everything…” I made an offer.“Everything, Derek?” He asked to confirm.“Yes, everything…” I agreed instantly.“Good, send father with the approval letter of converting all the shares under
AMY POV :“Wake up, sweetie, we’re home…”I was in a dark place when a voice and a pat muddled with my mind.“Hmm…” With a groan, I opened my sleepy eyes and instantly sat up in fright.“You…” With my back hit hard, I realized I was trapped in a car with Carson.How? Wasn’t I sleeping in Derek’s bed?Where is he?My panic started to rise when he smiled.“I left a note for your fiance, Don’t worry, he’ll come soon.”With shallow breaths I watched him, he sat calmly and groomed.I looked around to get an idea of my location but I found nothing.SCREECHAt last, the car stopped and Carson stepped out of it, and then pulled me out with him.“Ah.” The daylight hit my face making me squeal for a moment, When I opened my eyes fully I saw the villa in front of me.“Shepherd Villa?” I gasped.“Clear the way.” Unbothered by my struggles, Carson held my arm tightly and then pulled me roughly inside.As soon as the guards saw him entering with force, they charged at him, but very soon they were a
ONE YEAR LATER“Loss??” I looked at the Manager in shock. Were my decisions proved to be wrong?“Those people faked their qualifications, they were never qualified for this job Sir.”THUDI sat in my chair, lots of words, and thoughts.“What about the loan we took?” I inquired.“We have a deadline in a week,” He informed me.A week…So, we have a week to go bankrupt.“Hah…”I laughed at my misery, Since childhood, I was getting prepared to handle all the business issues, yet I failed in just a year.I did such a terrible job,It’s a shame for me.****“What’s the progress, son?” Grandpa asked at the dining table and I gave him the fake conclusion.“We’re having some issues, but we’ll be fine Grandpa.”“Great, my Eric could never make any mistake.” He spoke proudly while I sat silent, drowned in my own failure.****“Be strong, brother, I am going to visit you in a few days.” Derek tried to encourage me but I was too occupied in my disaster.After disconnecting his call, I called Elsa.
ERIC SHEPHERD :Seven Years Old“Leave me alone, Deriee,” I growled unhappily.While I was here studying madly, and doing multiple activities, my twin brother, Derek got the chance to walk around free and eat ice cream.His continuous offer to me made me want to take a bite of ice cream too.“Eriee,” He teased me.“Fine, one bite I’ll take and just one race.” Closing my book softly, I told him.“On your mark, get, set, go.”Derek started to run away and I chased after him. Whenever we raced there was no winner or loser, we always got into a tie.Even today it would happen the same way if Grandpa hadn't returned home early.“Eric.” At his one call, I stood straight, panic rising in my heart.“I win… I win…” Derek jumped happily while my heart dropped with each step Grandpa was taking toward me.“Is this the way an heir should be, hmm?Look at yourself Eric,” He scolded me and I lowered my head further in shame.“I’m sorry, Grandpa,” I apologized quickly.“Get back to studying.” He orde
“A child needs a father,I won't let that kid experience the life I had, Derek.I could never be that cruel."Amy spoke irrelevantly making me frown deeper."We'll talk about this in the morning, Amy,I already had enough for today."I groan in response all ready to leave the room and end this stupid topic when her words halted my steps."Drop me back to my home, Derek,Knowing this place belongs to someone else in your life, I can't stay here, Derek..."That was it, her words literally boiled my blood.Can't she see that everything I have belongs to only one person, that's her.Can't she see??"You’re my f**king fiance that doesn’t allow you to give me away to others…I am not a f**king toy, I am a human with a heart and it will always belong to you, I belong to you, Amy.I Love you, Damn it,and I will never allow you to walk away from me or push me to someone else.I know I made a few mistakes in the past and hurt you badly, but God, can't you see I'm trying my best to change every
DEREK POV :Amy’s behavior outside was totally unexpected, and what’s more unexpected is her ignorance regarding her actions.What had happened to her?I thought this trauma won’t harm anyone but looking at Amy now, I felt frightened by her appearance.What if she harms someone else too?The man called her “MadWoman” and she didn’t show any response to it.Has her mind gone numb?I felt fully helpless in this situation, I don’t have any idea what to do.Knowing that my own brother has done this to my lover hurts me f**king bad.Why?Why did Eric harm Amy?She has no relation with him at all.Why, Eric? Why?“Amy…Derek…Dear, what’s this noise outside?” Amy’s mother came rushing, worry written all over her face.Amy remained pale and unresponsive to her when I wisely held her arm breaking her trance.“Oh, we just revealed our relationship status to the paparazzi, they were congratulating us…” I made up a lie.“Oh, that’s such a good news,My dear, Amy…”Unknown to Amy's lack of emotio
AMY POV :The peace in my heart matched the peace on the man’s face beside me.Derek slept peacefully and I watched him in fascination. This man could never look dull, although I know he’s exhausted but this peace on his face, his charisma could never let his charm fall off.GOD !!I sighed in admiration while caressing his face.The scruff on his face rubbed roughly at the palm of my hand but I didn't mind, it gave me the console I needed the most.I had no idea for how long I watched him until the room started to get dark giving me the indication of the night.Pulling Derek away from me gently, I stood up to look for the switch but as I was bound with the IV in my hand I couldn’t move around much.Thinking wisely I pressed the button to call for a nurse.The moonlight fell in the room and I felt attracted towards it.Without knowing, I headed for the vast window and looked outside, as I had expected it was full moon and the moonlight created a melancholic mood that swept over all th