HelVINI Helena's POV I couldn't get over the excitement and joy when Maria was given an award after her speaking session. When she got to her seat, she texted me to meet her in the bathroom and while there she cried until she was too tired to, then I reworked her makeup. By the time the conference was over, she was exhausted and wanted only her bed. Ailene bought her food and escorted her to the penthouse. “Helena Montoya, I look at you and Maria Bellucci and I can't help but see two very phenomenal women charting paths in their various fields.” Vini had nothing but praises for me and Maria when we settled down for dinner after the conference. “Thank you, Vini.” I gave the wickedly handsome man a bright smile. “Where's Maria?” Vincenzo asked, looking up from his phone for the first time since we sat at the table “Maria was a little tired after the conference so she called it a night early.” “And we all leave Paris tomorrow morning.” “Yeah. We leave first thing in
Girl Time Aiva's POV I smiled when I heard Maria's hearty laugh as she listened to Ailene's joke. Helena was at the other end fixing Nathan's buttons which had come off while he was playing around with the huge toy car that Sebastian had bought for him while he stayed here with Ailene and I. Upon my request, they had visited a few days after they returned from the conference that took place in Paris. “Here you go. Breakfast is ready, everyone.” I dropped the full jug of juice on the table that was already filled with a variety of food and wine. I also instructed the maid to take Nathan to the smaller table nearby and feed him because I was certain that me and the girls may have adult conversations. “Mom, I told you that Maria also saw the man with the huge jacket. He gave everyone a good laugh during the conference.” Ailene turned towards me with laug
THE MARRIAGE PROPOSAL Maria's POV "Will you marry me, Miss Belluci?" The question has me eyeing the man before me as if he had grown two heads over the past half hour he had been in my office. If anyone had told me my perfectly boring morning would take the route it had now I would have called them insane. I had woken up in a good mood, earlier than usual because I wanted to drop my son off at his kindergarten before heading to work for a meeting that would essentially change my company for good not expecting to be interrupted by the last person I had expected to see. Sebastian Bolt. Even his name sounded attractive. He was the CEO of Bolt Industries who had hounded me with proposals to buy my company despite my continuous refusals. He had come to apparently convince me in person but soon changed his proposal. "What happened to buying my company?" I asked stepping away from him. I couldn't help but wonder if he remembered me from that night five years ago when I had
Family Reunion Maria’s POV “You sneaky little bitch!” A feminine voice screeched and I turned barely in time to see a flash of blonde hair launch herself at me. Thankfully, Hilda, one of the members of my team, had been quick enough to pull me out of the way before a set of red painted claws dug into my face. I nodded my thanks to her and turned to see the blonde glaring at me with hate in her eyes. “It’s been a long time, sister.” I told her, brushing a hand over my suit. “What brings you to Amsterdam?” I feigned a cold expression even though deep down I burned with curiosity. I hadn’t seen my half-sister since I had left London five year’s prior after my family had taken her side when I had caught her in bed with my fiancé so it was a marvel she would show up now in Amsterdam glaring daggers at me. “Don’t play coy, Maria.” She spat. “It doesn’t suit you.” Knowing whatever she had to say couldn’t be any good, I turned to look at my staff who were watching us with bate
Dinner Date. Sebastian’s POV “Is there a reason you didn’t inform me you were engaged?” Maria asked. I smiled as I could hear the anger in her voice even through the phone. I had hoped to tell her eventually even though I didn’t see that bit of information as important. “Good day to you too, fiancée.” I greeted knowing it would irk her. “Who told you?” She scoffed. “Your ex fiancée just visited me.” She answered. “Cassandra Kidman.” I hadn’t bothered telling her about the engagement because it had been a match planned by my father and it wasn’t important because nothing had been done, at least on my part. If the Kidman’s had thought I would agree to the match they had truly overestimated their worth because while they did have an impressive reach with their shipping company, in the last few years they had secured such terrible losses under Cassandra’s leadership that they had become a laughing stock in the financial world. I was watching them closely, bidding my time
Meeting The Inlaws Maria’s POV “Wear something elegant.” I read Sebastian’s text again and glared, checking my reflection in the crystal door of the restaurant he had chosen, satisfied my hair hadn’t been mussed on the ride over. I had chosen a sleek red number that Helena had insisted I wore because it was both sexy and elegant despite my protest because it hugged my curves too much. “There is no such thing as too much curves, dear Maria.” The annoying woman had said. “Besides it has been an age since you’ve had some…” “Please don’t use such language around my son.” “Alright but I do hope you sample some of that fine wine tonight.” I shook the conversation out of my head, fixing my face into a neutral mask as I spied Sebastian coming to meet me. He looked painfully handsome in the well-cut black suit he had worn with his beautiful dark hair artfully cut and styled. My breath hitched as he smiled revealing a perfect dentition and laugh lines which had been my weaknes
Family Reunion Maria’s POV Sebastian’s laugh had his father red with rage. He rose from his seat, coming to stand by me with a protective hand on my low back. I was much too angry to give mind to the sparks that traveled up my spine from where he touched me. “You forget, dad, that if I hadn’t taken over Bolt Industries when I did, the company would no doubt have folded under your leadership.” He said with a bored tone. “Even if you were to present that case to the board, they would no doubt agree with me.” “How dare you?!” The man spat rising from his seat. “I raised you when your whore of a mother dropped you on my doorstep. I took you in with no questions asked. I made you what you are today.” “And you have made sure to remind me of it at every turn.” Sebastian scowled. “I have paid my dues in the billions I have made you and if you choose, I will leave you to see just how well you can manage those billions.” If I wasn’t upset and if he were any other man, I would have
I Cannot Marry YouSebastian’s POV It took everything in me not to pick up Maria’s father by his neck and shake him. I wondered how he could treat his own daughter so poorly despite seeing how his words hurt her. I had gotten out of my car to talk about what had happened at dinner and to know why she hadn’t said anything about her relationship to Cassandra. “Is that really what you came all this way to say? After five years?” She had looked so broken when she had said those words that anger had coursed through me for her. I knew how it felt to be berated by family so I understood her pain perfectly. It was honestly for her good she had been disowned by him. Such a selfish bastard didn’t deserve her. The man looked dejected and stood for a long minute after the elevator doors shut. Sebastian it is a pleasure to see you. I was hoping we could…” “Why are you here?” I asked interrupting him. “Excuse me?” “Why are you in my fiancé’s apartment building?” I asked again. He frowned
Girl Time Aiva's POV I smiled when I heard Maria's hearty laugh as she listened to Ailene's joke. Helena was at the other end fixing Nathan's buttons which had come off while he was playing around with the huge toy car that Sebastian had bought for him while he stayed here with Ailene and I. Upon my request, they had visited a few days after they returned from the conference that took place in Paris. “Here you go. Breakfast is ready, everyone.” I dropped the full jug of juice on the table that was already filled with a variety of food and wine. I also instructed the maid to take Nathan to the smaller table nearby and feed him because I was certain that me and the girls may have adult conversations. “Mom, I told you that Maria also saw the man with the huge jacket. He gave everyone a good laugh during the conference.” Ailene turned towards me with laug
HelVINI Helena's POV I couldn't get over the excitement and joy when Maria was given an award after her speaking session. When she got to her seat, she texted me to meet her in the bathroom and while there she cried until she was too tired to, then I reworked her makeup. By the time the conference was over, she was exhausted and wanted only her bed. Ailene bought her food and escorted her to the penthouse. “Helena Montoya, I look at you and Maria Bellucci and I can't help but see two very phenomenal women charting paths in their various fields.” Vini had nothing but praises for me and Maria when we settled down for dinner after the conference. “Thank you, Vini.” I gave the wickedly handsome man a bright smile. “Where's Maria?” Vincenzo asked, looking up from his phone for the first time since we sat at the table “Maria was a little tired after the conference so she called it a night early.” “And we all leave Paris tomorrow morning.” “Yeah. We leave first thing in
Flowery Moments Maria's POV My heart banged wildly as I rushed back to my penthouse after exiting Sebastian's room thinking that I would turn around and see him coming after me. “How could you do that, Maria? Come on, how could you do that?” I repeated to myself over again as I walked back. My body still trembled from Sebastian's touch and longed for it but my brain was seriously beating my body for betraying us. How could I just jump into bed with him after months where he ignored me and didn't even care one bit? How could I just jump into his bed after the naughty tantrum-like behaviour he displayed when I was with Vicenzo? I opened the door to the penthouse and when I entered, moved straight to the bathroom. “Are you alright, Maria?” I turned to see Helena on the sofa and she looked as if she had been waiting up for me. “What's the time?” “It's five AM.” I sighed resignedly and slumped down on the sofa in front of Helena, then bit my lip to prevent from cryi
Burning With Jealousy Sebastian's PoV The endless meetings concerning the annual business conference were taking their toll as usual. I was moving from one meeting to the other with the top guns so I hadn't even had time to ask if Maria had arrived or if she was settled in the penthouse. I wanted to give her the best experience while she was in Paris, so I instructed my other pilot to bring her down to Paris with my other private jet and I also instructed the host that when they arrived they should only be given the best. The meeting I just came out from lasted for hours. Don't get me wrong, it was meetings such as that one that placed me on a higher pedestal than businessmen of my age but it was long and I was tired physically. When we came out of the boardroom, my physical exhaustion changed to anger and burning jealousy when I saw Maria with some other guy. The guy was pleased to see me and I didn't mean to be rude but I was burning too much with jealousy to even thi
The Annual Corporate Conference Maria's POV The journey to Paris was more enjoyable than the last time because I was not treated as a first time speaker but a seasoned writer. Helena and I were taken to Paris with a private jet and when we arrived, we were lodged in one of the best penthouses in one of Sebastian's highrise buildings. When we entered the penthouse, Helena whistled and turned to me. “At this point Maria, I doubt that all of this is because you are a speaker. You were a speaker last year and we didn't get all of these.” I folded my arms and then raised my brow “Really? Why do you think we were given this type of treatment then?” “Isn’t it obvious? Sebastian of course. We came in his private jet and now we are in one of the best apartments in his highrise buildings.” I chuckled and shook my head. “You of all people know that Sebastian doesn't give a damn about me so yes, he may be the owner but it could have been that the panel decided that it had to be that
The Armani Brothers Maria's POV I smiled as I laid sleeping Nathan on his bed. I thought about my day with him and I must say that I had a swell time with him at the new zoo downtown. We saw different types of animals, participated in fun activities and I allowed ice cream and had other snacks. The highlight for me was spending time with my son but at different times I felt like people were watching us. I looked over my shoulder at different times but didn't see anyone. “Goodnight, my love.” I pecked his cheek. He slept off immediately after he ate dinner and had his bath because he was exhausted after the long fun day he had. I stayed back in Nathan's room and watched him as he slept thinking about how he looked so much like his father. Speaking about his father, at one point while we were in the zoo, I felt that Sebastian was there and I even perceived his signature cologne but then the logical part of me reasoned that I must be missing him deeply to feel that way.
Catching A Glimpse Sebastian's PoV It was Saturday and since my mother started living with Ailene, I ensured to have breakfast with them every Saturday so that I could spend some time with them and catch up on how their week went. When I entered, I saw that breakfast was already set at Ailene's terrace. “Okay, darling. Enjoy your day and ensure to tell me all about it when you get back.” “Okay, Aiva.” I heard the sweet childish voice on the other end of the video call and knew that my mother was having facetime with Nathan. They had become so close, they always spent some time together. “Nathan says hello.” She informed Ailene after ending the call. “He is on his way to the new zoo downtown with Maria and is so excited about it.” “I can imagine how excited he is right now. His beautiful eyes would be aglow and his cheeks would be reddish with excitement.” Ailene replied with a fond smile on her face. As they talked about Maria and Nathan, I behaved as if I was not in
Building Trust Walls Keith's POV I sighed as I watched Sebastian speed off in his car. “Why are you torturing yourself this way?” I asked no one in particular. “You are obviously still in love with this woman and even if you don't say it, your body first of all pines after her.” “Is Sebastian okay?” I heard someone ask behind me and turned to see Helena. I gave her a small smile and said. “Just business discussions giving him some kind of heat.” She raised one elegant bro and folded her smooth hands. “Business discussions or the woman in the gold dress.” I sighed and smiled. “I forgot that you know me all too well. Okay fine. The woman.” “But he didn't say anything to her after the little hand wave he gave her. He only spent the rest of the night with his eyes glued on her. Maria could be pregnant right now from the amount of eye-fucking she received from Sebastian tonight.” When I heard her last sentence, I couldn't help myself so I bent forward and laughed hard.
Rolling With The Top Dogs Sebastian’s POV I drove into the parking lot of the luxurious hotel where the annual event for corporate topdogs in the country was being held. It was a party organized for the elite and powerful in the corporate world and once in a while, they invited those who were promising or trailblazers. Aileen told me earlier that Maria and Helena got the invite this year. I also saw the news on television and I contemplated cancelling but I didn't want to be tagged a coward by Ailene or Keith. It's been many weeks since I last saw Maria and this was because I had made intentional efforts to either avoid her or any news about her. I know that my actions may have hurt her, especially the day she waited all day at my office waiting lounge but then there was a part of me that felt like she deserved all of those treatments even though the other part of me misses her and wants to hold her in my arms again. But sadly, the part of me who wants nothing to do w