Being a real estate agent for a project as grand as the New Century Project required qualities like eloquence, distinction, elegance, and sharpness. The truth was that I, Marianne Fairmount, only pretended that these traits were part of my identity while selling properties to make ends meet. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother maintaining a different personality in front of a client.But there was a stark difference between my "work self" and my "normal self." The former required concentration, rest, and assertiveness—things I felt I was struggling to muster during this tour of the partially constructed mall."When will the project be completed?" Ernest, one of the secretaries of the businessman who was a potential buyer, asked. His boss couldn't attend in person due to his schedule."We expect to finish by the end of the second quarter of the year. As you can see, we're currently ahead of schedule," I explained as we walked through the white-walled structure.Ernest took several photos a
"It's true that you can work under pressure. You don't disappoint, Marianne.""In the long run, you get used to meeting irrational expectations. It's the primary requirement for our client profile," I explained as we both got into the elevator. I pressed the button to go up."Irrational… I like that word," he said, stroking his chin.I glanced at him, narrowing my eyes. I couldn't lose my patience with my boss, owner, and supposed fiance. The doors opened quickly, and we stepped onto the second-to-last floor. I took the property keys out of my jacket, and we entered.The apartment was a dream. It had been decorated by a famous interior designer in the city, had plenty of space, and was up to the standard of a millionaire like Lucius. I recited its features aloud."Four bedrooms, each with its own private bathroom. A spacious living and dining area with a privileged view of the sea," I explained. "The kitchen is any food lover's dream. All the appliances are new. It's been recently
I gathered my strength to hold back, but things weren't working out the way I wanted. There was no way Lucius could accompany me to see that apartment. No way at all."You can't come with me to see that apartment!" My voice came out louder and shriller than I wanted."Why not? I showed you mine. Or are you hiding something?" he joked."What's the point of you seeing the place where I'll be living? It's unnecessary," I said defensively.The elevator doors opened on the ground floor, and I started to step out. I had one foot out when I heard Lucius's voice, firm and resolute."Step out of this elevator, and there won't be a wedding."Fear filled every corner of me. I looked at him, terrified. He looked unperturbed, far from the playful Lucius I knew. I had managed to put him in a bad mood, perhaps on the defensive as well."Let's start with the rules of this agreement, Marianne. I don't like being contradicted when I know I'm right.""That's entirely subjective..." I dodged."Is
This city had a gentrification problem, which had skyrocketed just in the past year. In the year when I was oblivious to mortal issues because of my rich ex-fiance. I should never have gotten used to that comfort. Or dreamed of more than I could earn with my own hands. My mother was right: depend on a man, and your life would depend on something volatile and unstable."How many months' advance do you need?" I asked, resigned to my fate."Three months' deposit, and six months' rent in advance. Oh, and the curfew is 7 PM. The doors are double-locked after that.""Excuse me... what do you mean the doors are locked? Who locks them?""I do. I live in the next room."My mouth clamped shut in shock. I couldn't say anything in response to the woman's brazen expression. The only sound I heard was Lucius's suppressed laughter in the background. He was struggling not to burst out laughing. The woman gave him another reprimanding look."Sorry, I just remembered a joke," he excused himself, c
Never underestimate how fast a woman without a home could move. Within hours, she had filled out all the forms and gathered most of the documents she needed to apply for the mortgage. It would be enough for an average-priced, cozy, two-bedroom apartment near the city center. Nothing luxurious, but a great investment for the coming years.“Did you manage to save us months of work and sell the project?” Jenna asked, leaning against one of the walls of my cubicle at the company.“No. But they promised to get back to me for negotiations. It was a good first meeting,” I said, gathering the files I needed to print.“Well, that’s good news, but maybe not good enough to justify drinking two more cups of coffee,” she said, eyeing the empty cups on my desk skeptically. “Are you trying to give yourself a heart attack? Or are you aiming for a hospital stay to cash in on health insurance? I promise, I could be a better roommate.”I made a face to show that wasn’t the case and invited Jenna to c
“We can’t have more surprises with my marriage and your nephew being so close,” Amanda said, emphasizing the juiciest words so others would overhear. “On Saturday night, Andrew and I are hosting a welcome dinner at our apartment for your new partner. Mom and Dad will be there. Trust me, we’re all excited to learn more about your relationship and see if it will end in marriage. I mean, your hand is still empty.”With a pointed look at my bare fingers, that witch walked away. She left those who had overheard the conversation with questions about who on earth my new boyfriend was, whether it was true that he was one of our superiors, and confirming the rumor that she was pregnant with my ex’s child.“You think you can beat me, princess?” I ground my teeth, craving revenge.I got up and headed to Lucius’s office. I didn’t knock. I walked right in because I knew he was alone, not talking on a video call or anything.“I need a ring. The biggest, gaudiest engagement ring you can find,” I
Friday arrived, and with it, the night I had dreaded finally came. My panicked face was probably worth a portrait as I announced myself at the entrance of Lucius’s new building. They let me in quickly, and the elevator moved faster than I would have liked. In a few seconds, I was knocking on his door, and a few more seconds later, he opened it.“Look who’s here. I thought you wouldn’t come, considering you think I bite,” he greeted me with that shameless smile. The most shameless part was that he was wearing pajama pants, no shirt, and his hair was messier than ever.“Were you sleeping? Weren’t you supposed to have some appointment earlier?”“Did I? Well, I’m a nocturnal creature anyway. Come in,” he mocked, stepping aside to let me enter.I did, biting back my tongue and holding back aggressive comments. My boss had fully moved into his new apartment. He hadn’t changed its design since he’d arrived, but one thing had changed—the smell. It was a noticeable, masculine scent. His sce
“I don’t have a mother, Marianne. Any other questions I might actually answer?” he offered.I got the message instantly. The mother was worse than the father, and he didn’t even want to joke about her. Noted and filed away as a forbidden topic. I reorganized my thoughts. I had a purpose for tonight.“Do you have the engagement ring you told me about?” I changed the subject.“That’s not even a question,” he downed his glass in one go. “Follow me. I keep it under the Bible.”“What?” I asked, thrown off as Lucius sneaked away like a mischievous child toward the study area.He had to be mocking me—I’d discovered that that was his favorite activity when it came to me. I left my purse on the island and followed him. When I entered the elegant study with its stunning nighttime ocean view, I found him opening a safe in the bookshelf. I didn’t believe his cursed ring story for a second. I walked closer to him, crossing my arms.“What kind of lie are you going to come up with this time, Lu
Emma White's P.O.V.The chaos in the auditorium was absolute—shouts, people running in all directions, and sheer panic painted a scene of hell. My eyes stayed locked on Mark, who lay on the ground with blood smeared across his face. I couldn't move, paralyzed by shock and confusion."Get down! Don't just stand there," Lawrence urged, pulling me to a crouch.Obediently, I dropped low, realizing we weren't the only ones doing so. Others had also taken cover, waiting for the madness to subside. Though the gunshots had ceased, the frenzy hadn't. I couldn't get a clear view of how badly Mark was hurt—his security team had dragged him behind the podium."What just happened?" I asked Lawrence breathlessly."Whatever it was, it wasn't fatal," he replied, his eyes scanning the stage.From my crouched position, I saw Mark rising to his feet, ignoring his guards' insistence to stay down. My mother suddenly bolted from her seat, rushing to the stage the moment she spotted him. Her face was e
"What's more humiliating than being left alone during the debate? That was the plan—to show everyone that neither his wife nor daughter supports him after his scandals, emphasizing the danger he represents," Lawrence argued."I have to go. I'm sorry, but it's something I need to do. What's your take?" I pressed, glancing at the others.In the end, we agreed Lawrence would accompany me with his security team, Jason would be nearby to help extract my mother if necessary, and Sara offered to provoke Mark by visibly supporting Isabelle Silver.Oddly enough, Lawrence scolded Sara, telling her to stop meddling and stay with her parents that afternoon. Even more strangely, Sara didn't argue. Instead, she pouted and quietly placed her hand over her stomach in a... peculiar way.Was it just me, or did she have a bit of a belly?-All the progress I'd made in the days away from Mark seemed to crumble the moment we arrived at the auditorium for the candidates' debate. Seeing his face on the
"With you... I'd want everything."I smiled like a love-struck fool, nibbling on my fruit as my heart melted. If there were ever going to be kids in our future, I had to be at my healthiest. Jason started talking about his morning routine, and I listened with the phone tucked against my shoulder as I continued preparing breakfast. But as I poured the batter onto the pan, it struck me how odd it was that my mom hadn't come out of her room yet."That's strange. My mom's still asleep," I said, glancing toward her door."Did you check to see if she might've stepped out?" Jason suggested gently."Why would she leave? We agreed neither of us would go anywhere... I'll check."I put the phone down for a moment and knocked on her door, calling out softly. There was no response. When I opened it, the room was empty—her bed neatly made, her shoes gone. My heart raced as my phone buzzed again, this time showing my mom's number. Picking it up, I quickly explained the situation to Jason and tol
Emma White's P.O.V.I woke up wrapped in an unexpected sense of peace. Despite the unfamiliar bed and the small, borrowed space, it was a kind of calm I'd never known before. Peace, as it turned out, wasn't something you could buy, no matter how much money you had.Life in Lawrence's apartment had been surprisingly pleasant. Each day felt a little brighter, a little safer. As I got up and made my way to the bathroom, I splashed my face with cool water, noticing with delight how much my skin had improved.By the time I reached the kitchen, I was in an unusually cheerful mood. Pancakes seemed like the perfect breakfast, so I opened the fridge to grab some pre-cut fruit—melons and papayas, today's choice. The sight of the neatly packed container brought a smile to my face. I plucked a piece of melon and popped it into my mouth. It was perfect.Setting the fruit on the counter, I gathered the rest of the ingredients: oatmeal, eggs, and milk. The clock on the microwave caught my attenti
"Have you forgotten that you're still engaged to Emma White? Because I certainly haven't," Lionel accused, his tone sharper than a blade."The repeated delays in the wedding should've given you a clue—it's not happening," Lawrence stated firmly."Then why is the engagement still active? Wouldn't it have been simpler to handle this in order? Or do you enjoy fueling the rumors about my daughter? You've turned her into your mistress," Lionel spat, his glare piercing.Lawrence visibly flinched at the accusation, guilt washing over him. He seemed lost for words, so I stepped in."Dad... are you really going to echo the same gossip as those busybodies? I already told you—there was never a real relationship between Emma and Lawrence. That engagement was arranged by their parents," I explained, trying to diffuse the tension."There was never anything between us," Lawrence added, his tone desperate for clarity. "Not emotionally, not physically. It was entirely a business arrangement."At
In my head, an apocalyptic soundtrack was playing; on my parents' faces, an apocalyptic expression was forming. My apartment had turned into the ninth circle of hell. From this moment on, everything spiraled out of control. Lawrence turned to face Lionel and Clara while I instinctively clung to his back, using him as a human shield."Sara Brown!" my dad bellowed."She's not here!" I shouted, clutching Lawrence so tightly my arms ached."What are you doing with that boy?!" my father roared.Still pressed against Lawrence, I could see him glance around the room, taking in the chaos of scattered clothing—including undergarments. And then, Lawrence did something unforgivable."Isn't it obvious, sir?" he said, calm as ever.Lawrence clearly wanted to watch the world burn, and my dad wasn't about to disappoint. He lunged toward us, but my mom intercepted him, wrapping her arms around his middle to stop a full-blown disaster. Meanwhile, I stayed glued to Lawrence's back, peeking out fro
"Because I just found out from Richard!" I exclaimed, watching Lawrence's brows lift in genuine surprise. "He said Emma is their half-sister, which officially makes Victoria the ultimate hypocrite. I mean, how was she planning to marry you off to the half-sister of your half-brothers? And I was supposed to be the 'incestuous' one because of her wild theory that you and I might be siblings?""Why would Richard tell you that?" Lawrence asked, his curiosity piqued.I looked at him with a mix of tenderness and pity. I knew that Lawrence had said back in that room that he didn't see Richard and Julian as brothers, but I also knew him better than anyone.Gently, I stroked his face. "Because deep down, those two brats care about you, and they still see you as their brother."He shook his head, unconvinced. "You heard them. All they care about is the money. I even offered to give them some before the will was read but they ignored me and kept coming at me. I'm done, Sara. Let them file wha
"Look at what you've done. You've been very naughty," I teased, grinning down at him."This has to be a dream..." Lawrence muttered, almost to himself."Oh, my God. Were you dreaming about knocking me up? You dirty pervert," I laughed, my tone light.This time, Lawrence didn't stay passive. With a firm grip on my hips, he flipped us over, pinning me beneath him. His lips crashed onto mine with a renewed hunger, and I wrapped my legs around his waist as he thrust into me with such fervor that I knew exactly what was coming.And then it happened—a deep, guttural sound escaped him as he hit his climax, his release warm and consuming. The sensation of him filling me was exquisite, leaving me utterly satisfied. Or so I thought. Lawrence, ironically, didn't seem nearly as content."Damn it... I'm sorry," he muttered, frustrated."There's absolutely nothing to apologize for," I said, threading my fingers through his tousled hair. I grinned slyly. "That is... as long as you plan to make
My steps were frantic as I headed toward the parking lot. Lawrence was nowhere in sight, and the fear that he might’ve left in this state was gnawing at me. Not finding him in the elevator or the hallway only worsened my nerves. I made a beeline for my car, and my search came to an abrupt halt when I spotted him leaning against it, waiting for me. Relief washed over me.“So, this is where you’ve been,” I said, my voice heavy with thankfulness.“I wasn’t about to go far with you still in there,” he replied with a soft, melancholic smile—one that mirrored my own.“I’m prescribing you something,” I said in a mock professional tone.“And what exactly are you prescribing?” he asked, curious.“This,” I said as I wrapped my arms around him, pulling him into a tight embrace. With his height, I had to tilt upward on my toes, but he didn’t hesitate for even a second, circling my waist with his arms and holding me like his life depended on it.“I need about a million of these,” he murmured