Two years later
"It's lunch time, Mandy. Take a rest." Jane patted my shoulder lightly as she stood beside my chair.
I nodded my head, "In a moment. I'll join you later."
Jane sighed. "Okay. I'll order your menu first, sounds good?"
I looked up, smiled sweetly and threw a peck in the air, Jane snorted in disgust. "You are the best, my dear. Thank you."
"I know. Just hurry up and finish it."
"Aye aye madam." I replied, returning to focus on the data I had to input.
Actually Gabriel had told me when he leave for a while earlier. He said that I had to stop my work and take a break when it was time because he really knew my work habits to the point of skipping breaks. I just nodded in response, which he replied with a ridiculous threat.
"If you don't take a rest, I won't give you any more work, Mandy. I'll do everything, and you're not gonna take a dollar from me."
That ridiculous threat wouldn't have happened because I knew Gabriel could never even order his coffee without me. But, really, he's very nice and I don't want to disappoint him by delaying this task. I had to work it out so nothing went wrong and ended up making my handsome boss wait for this data for a twenty minute meeting after resting.
Five minutes later, I finished checking my work. Heaving a sigh of relief, I lifted my arms up and rocked them to relax my body, and then I got up and grabbing my wallet, phone, and then walked towards the open elevator carrying a man who just got out of there.
Finally I can enjoy lunch time in the cafeteria more freely than before due to the fact that we have a big project to deal with, that's why I can breathe a sigh of relief at this time.
Coming out of the elevator, I walked towards the bustling open canteen. Dexter was already waving from the place he had prepared for me. I stepped up to them, and was greeted by a shake of the head, as well as a sour welcome.
"Once in a while you should try to relax, Mandy. Money doesn't go away just because you don't relax for an hour, you know that?" That satire with the advising tone came from Cindy.
My closest friend at work. Who also come from the same country as mine, Canada. She lived in Toronto and I lived in Montreal. That's what made us close and become friend since the first time we worked here.
"Don't worry, there's only a little more left. It would be a shame if I didn't miss it."
"Perfectionist as always." chirp Jane.
"Are you going to continue eating or giving Amanda advice - which I know will never work -?" said Dexter who took a piece of turkey and piled it on his own plate.
Cindy and Jane suddenly joined in doing the same thing. I just chuckled and took a sip of mineral water and then put the delicious menus on my plate. The last few weeks I can only eat fast food or Pizza, and when I eat this different menu, I really enjoy it.
"Did you know that Big Man is going to work with the biggest company in America?" Dexter's question made us stop chewing.
"America's biggest company? Which Company? There are so many, Dex." Jane replied which made me nod in agreement with her. I went back to chewing my food, and then choked a bit when Dexter answered.
"The biggest of the greatest. RID Miller."
"RID Miller? You'd be wrong to think that companies were the biggest in America, that company were the biggest in the world." Cindy replied enthusiastically.
I frowned deeply.
RID Miller.
Of course I know RID Miller, who doesn't? A company owned by the Del Millero family which is now managed and owned by a member of their family. Rhysand del Milero. A man who has never been seen by any media, until everyone considers him a mysterious man.
Rumors circulated that Rhysand was a handsome man with all the perfections of a god. However, Jordan said that he was an obnoxious old man. Of course I believed in Jordan who was my boyfriend more than rumors, and he just so happened to have the same last name as Rhysand's.
So if there were women—like Cindy, for example—who admired and adore him like Rhysand's devotte, I couldn't help but laugh inwardly, imagining what they would do if they met Rhysand which was far from the rumors they had heard.
"Ah yes, then I was wrong." Dexter replied casually.
"So we're going to meet Rhysand del Millero?" Cindy chirped in her voice still shocked between disbelief and delight. Not without reason. She, on every occasion someone said about RID leader Miller, would be the most passionate woman.
"Really? Are you sure? That is a true news?" Jane asked, confirming with Dexter. And the other was Jane, who also frequently gossiped with Cindy about that mysterious Millero man.
As usual I couldn't help but laugh about the reality they might face later if they met him.
Dexter nodded his head, "Big Man told the Deputy Director himself. I happened to be eavesdropping after yesterday's meeting."
Big Man—our nickname for the Big Boss, Renald Barend. A man in his fifties who is still fit and strong running the company. The reason we call him Big Man is because he is the Big Boss of our company and also he has a big body like Dwayne Johnson.
Sir Barend doesn't know anything about us calling him that. If he had known, maybe we wouldn't have worked here anymore.
"Don't dream of meeting Rhysand del Millero because you are just ordinary employees." I muttered to them casually. While eating this turkey meat with more enthusiasm because it's really delicious.
"Well, luck is on your side, then." Cindy said with a click, then she continued. "This isn't a dream either. We can't possibly not see him. He'll always come here for meetings."
God, I really wanted to laugh.
"Hum, but the rumors say that Rhysand Del Milero rarely attends meetings like that. He's the owner and there's a CEO who takes care of all the work." Dexter said.
Another rumor going around was that he would rather have fun than run his own company. I don't know if it's the truth or not because apart from asking Jordan what he looked like, I've never asked anything else. The Rhysand Millero issue doesn't matter to me.
Dexter, Cindy and Jane got into an argument about that guy again, and I just continued to have a solemn lunch while holding back my laughter when Dexter said something that would cause an argument between Jane and Cindy.
"Sometimes your expectations don't match reality, what if in reality Rhysand del Millero is a bald guy like Johnny Sins or bald and fat like Steve Harvey?"
"That is not true!" Cindy exclaimed disapprovingly followed by Jane.
"You say that because yo envy with his popularity and perfection."
"Huh! Why should I be jealous of a man I've never even seen his face? I could be more handsome and you'll regret because your expectations." Dexter's reply casually made the two women even more annoyed and argued more and more with Dexter.
"Amanda,"The call made me, who was confused, flinch at that sound. Jordan was standing from the lobby couch, waving and smiling handsomely at me. I just walked towards him with the same smile, and when I reached him, I immediately hugged my boyfriend, who was returned, with a tight hug. He hugged me back tightly.We haven't seen each other for two weeks because he has to go to Madrid to meet his family, and then he went to India for do his noble work. I really miss Jordan."Did you wait long?" I asked, pulling my head away from Jordan's chest, looking up to see his handsome face.Jordan shook his head, "No, honey. I've only been here for fifteen minutes."I hit his stomach lightly, "It's the same."Jordan chuckled softly, "Okay. Okay." He smiled and stroked my hair. "Then do you want to have dinner? It's to pay for me who's been waiting here for you for so long?" he asked. I nod.Jordan smiled and kissed the top of my head before we leave my office.I met Jordan a year and a half a
"Did you know that RID Miller would be working with our company?" I asked, flip pancakes on pan.Jordan was sitting on the stool pantry, in front of his laptop and drinking his favorite chocolate milk. The habit that he always did in the morning before breakfast. "What? Are you serious?"I nodded, giving him a glance that showed a surprised face. "Yeah, I'm serious. I heard it from my friend who heard it from the Director.""Strange. It's not unusual for Rhysand to use an IT team from another company.""Why?" I asked as I put the pancakes on the plate. I then took some white bread to make sandwiches."Because he has his own programmers—by the way can I eat them?" Jordan asked, his index finger pointing at the two pancakes.I nodded."Well, as far as I know Rhysand prefers to use his own programmers because he doesn't like to be hassle." He continued while putting honey on top of the two pancakes."Couldn't have he just cooperated, right?"Jordan nodded. "Can be."I frowned, arranged t
The hoodie was no longer snug on his head, but of course I could still recognize that he was the man in the cafe before, because the clothes were the same.I was a little surprised looking at his face. What I thought he was handsome like Armie Hammer was different. He was handsome, but much more handsome with black hair, hazel eyes as beautiful as Matthew Daddario, a sharp nose, thick lips and also a body that was one foot taller than me. He is handsome and very beatiful.Sexy and beautiful—which seemed strangely familiar.But..."What are you doing, sir?" I said with a sarcastic call when I came back to my senses.He blinked as well as if he had just woken up, which was the same as me. "Are you Amanda?"I nodded stuttering when I heard his voice which also felt familiar. "Yes. What's wrong? You know me?"That strange man stared at me intently before moving his face forward which made me turn my face back.Disrespectful."If you mean to be rude, remember there are a lot of people here
Jordan hasn't heard from me in a week, and he hasn't replied to my messages at all. I didn't think about continuing to do it, and chose to continue with my life as it should be. I already understood that he was a busy person, and sometimes the cities he visited didn't have a signal. I try to understand that, I also have no right to interfere in his business. I can only pray that he's always protected while doing the noble thing to help the underprivileged. Something that sticks out in my heart is an envy when I see people with their partners, doing normal things and looking happy. I wanted to feel that too, but I realized it was an unreasonable thing to think about. I mean, everyone has their life and happiness. I don't have to envy them, because what God has given me is more than enough. So I stopped complaining and refocused on my work. Jordan would be back, and he had promised to introduce me to his family. He had serious intentions towards me, even though he never touched me.
I paused, staring at him with my heart beating fast. "Sorry, I'm not interested. Thank you." I replied while fighting off the tremors growing in my chest. I started to walk out of the balcony, but his words kept me from doing it. "You remember me, Amanda." It's not a question, it's a statement. Of course he knew that because I was so easy to read. Everyone says the same thing, I'm like an open book in front of anyone. Yes, I'm such a loser. His hazel eyes stared at me intently. A different look from the one Jordan always used when looking at me. He seemed to want to dominate and there was something behind his hazel eyes that made no one want to take their eyes off him. His head tilted like he wanted to strip my mind. I gulped, "Yeah, I remember you. You're an asshole who took my virginity when I was drunk, and so easily left a woman in the morning with a million dollar check, an expensive dress, a note, and treated me like a cheap bitch." I answered at length, unable to cover m
Jordan didn't take me to Madrid like he said before. Apparently. His grandparents had their wedding anniversary party at their home in New York.Thoughts about them not liking me or I am unattractive in their eyes are occupying my brain right now. I could only clench my sweaty hands to vent my anxiety. "Don't be nervous, Amanda. They're good people. I'm sure they'll like you." I gulped and nodded. Choose to gaze at the towering pine trees on both sides of the road.My attention was slightly distracted when I looked at how grand and luxurious this mansion was. This palace is in the upscale BlueStone district of Tarrytown. The number one luxury district in New York. This blue to gray mansion, which is styled like an Urban building in the 20's, caught my interest because it was so beautiful. The grounds were wide and green, dotted with short thick trees and neat lawns, beyond the grounds of this magnificent mansion was the Hudson River shining in the moonlight. I'm guessing that Jord
He can't be Rhysand del Millero. My heart was pounding in my chest, my stomach was churning and I wanted to run now before Bellva called them or Jordan pulled him here. What's in the hell? Why does the universe seem to be pulling him at me by these crazy coincidences? "Hey, are you really okay?" Bellva asked. I blinked consciously, and looked at Bellva. "Can you help me get out of here?" There was a question mark on Bellva's expression but she quickly nodded. We stood up, and then started to walk away from there. "Where do you want to go?" Jordan's question along with their approaching steps made me freeze. Bellva who noticed my movements immediately answered. "I'd like to take her to my room. She wants to see my James Taylor collection." I bit my lip firmly to hold back the turmoil that was in me, and then slowly turned around to face them—Jordan who was standing by his grandfather's side, briefly caught a glimpse of the man behind Jordan who seemed to be holding back his lau
My heart was beating fast in my chest, my stomach was churning. I closed my eyes for a moment trying to steady myself. I sucked in a sharp breath, and then twisted my body, the dress spinning around my legs. He towered high right in the balcony doorway. His hands were in his trouser pockets, the sleeves of his black shirt were rolled up to his elbows and two of his shirt pees were open, revealing the skin on his chest and tattoos peeking out a little. I swallowed heavily. Insist on putting on a flat face and not caring. Clearing my throat, I said, "And it still doesn't matter." "For a woman who just punched me yesterday and kicked my balls, you're pretty relaxed, señorita." There was a pause, he chuckled. "Do you know how important the part you punched was? You'll be disappointed if I don't get to use it." For a moment, I didn't expect him to actually say that, but he did. He really did. "And I'll cut it off now if you're not polite to me. Again." I emphasized that last word. He
Rhysand. I caressed her face, amazed at how soft her skin was, and how it would still be beautiful even when she fell asleep with her mouth open and her hair messy.I planted a kiss on his forehead, stroking the enlarged belly, containing our two children. Something lit up inside me. Happiness and many more thrilling feelings that make me always kneel in front of her.I kissed her again, kissing her face with light kisses, and biting her cheek which were more chubby than before.Cute.She writhes under me, grunting when her sleep is disturbed. Her hand pushed my face away, I chuckled."Stay away from me, Rhys. I still want to sleep." Her scolding comes back, and butterflies fly in my chest when I feel that this is real. That she was already in my arms and no one would be able to take her away from me. Even her my famlily, and my family.I put my face on her neck, sipping on the skin of her neck, inhaling the scent that will never bore me. "I love you." The words just came out.She sh
Rafaella isn't much different from our dad, I spent the afternoon listening to her talk about how I should divorce him, raise my two kids with them instead of Rhysand, saying that Rhysand was a bad influence on our kids.I never paid any attention to her. Never bothered about her, I never even filled it into my mind. All I did was hear her, and make a face that I didn't care about what she said. She left when she got tired of lecturing me.Rafaella can be a supportive sibling, and so can I, but she can be a bitch sometimes and always brings something up, whatever she does is keep me wrong, and makes me the coward of all. I know that it's in her nature, but now I can't take it anymore. I was just trying to put my real face on, and tell her that I never heard any of the lectures she gave.I never got any support from her, all she did was blame me and say that everything happened because of me. I did feel it was a mistake, that I should have stayed away from Rhysand. But I have never reg
Rhodes, Greece, Two Months Later.Silence.Quiet.Silent.Empty.Empty.I leaned myself on the small green sofa bed on the balcony. Staring at the beautiful scenery in front of me. Beautiful Lindos beach, and some small kayaks that reach almost the middle of the beach. I put my pregnancy book on top of my stomach which was protruding more than it should. I know that because I'm carrying two babies, and Rafaella often looks at my belly in horror. I don't feel bad about it. Pride and happiness seep into my chest. Realizing that I will be a mother soon.On the other hand the emptiness and silence still surrounds my heart. Shadows and hopes for someone to be by my side to be with me, and face this together. I knew that I was too naive, too hopeful that he would come to me, and take me home. That he would do everything for us. But I'm sure he will. I can't deny how crazy he is and how he could do anything for me. I've been in that position before, and I underestimate his love if I dare to
Seven years later.I leaned back in my chair after finishing chatting with business colleagues who happened to stop me and engage me in conversation with so much nonsense.I took a sip of wine, putting my hands in the pockets of my formal trousers, looking at a woman sitting with her family. There were two women with the same face, and I didn't have to bother to tell which was the other and which was the woman I had been obsessed with for the past seven years.Amanda Dimitriou.Yeah, I've fallen that deep for her. There wasn't a day I spent without watching her from afar until I could even recognize her from a hundred meters away. If she only knew what I've done—how many people's blood I've spilled just because of that about her .. would she have run away?Well, of course yes. Do i care? No. The thing Amanda should know is that she can't run away from me when I come to claim her later.I've already made a plan. Did something to her : got her wasted tonight, stole her, and then brought
It's all fun, and feels so fast.Feels hazy, and so satisfying until I wake up in the morning. Sitting myself on the bed of a two hundred thousand dollar hotel room, staring at the messy bed room. Someone messed up this room last night, and I know it was me. Well, I was drunk, which I never do anymore. I have a high tolerance for alcohol, and I never want to make myself vulnerable in a crowd. I would choose to get drunk in my own room, and then face a headache the next day.Exception for tonight. It's like I'm back in my early puberty : high on alcohol, and then finding a different woman every weekend sleeping in the same bed as me. Naked, of course. I've rarely done that, at least I've never done it in a high state and then forgot the safeguard I always use. I wouldn't take such a risk while I was having conscientious sex, and relief washed over me to see the ripped condom packaging on the floor.I believe my hangover came from exhaustion after having fun and exploring five countries
I realized that I was twenty-two years old, and I had graduated from a business school in New York.It's really an extraordinary thing, and on the other hand it's so annoying.I wanted to grow up, to be able to do something wild, to have more power for it, to be free and then to die with satisfaction. On the other hand I realized that I would never be free from anything. There is a great responsibility that is tightly tied around my neck, and there are many hopes that rest on my shoulders.My grandfather from my father side, and my grandfather from my mother side—they all expected me to become the successor to the business empire they had worked so hard to build themselves.I always thought that if I deserved it all, I had enough self-confidence to make it. More than that, I love them, cherish them. Well, even though I hate their children, I love the parents who gave birth to them. Those two middle-aged couples replaced the love that Bellva and I should have received from two selfish
I don't trust other people.They are fickle, prone to errors, and don't know what they are doing often.They are useless, tasteless, and should not pollute the air with their breath. The disdain I have for these people has been ingrained in me ever since I grew up from the small child phase and gradually discovered what the world is all about.I don't believe in the chance system either. People don't get two or three chances with me. One mistake and they're out.Forever.Anyone who crossed the line once would do it again if given the chance. It's the forbidden fruit, the gratification deferred, and the glorification sought. If they get one taste, they will be compelled to taste another.Then another. And one more.Until they are reduced to animals pursuing their basic needs.Giving them the chance to get close to the line, let alone cross it, is the personification of stupidity.My zero-tolerance policy might describe me as cold-blooded and heartless, but it was better than being labe
My blood rushed under my skin when I saw him.And those same green eyes as mine are adrift with me.His expression hardened, and he started walking towards me. I froze, not knowing what to do with his sudden presence."Are you all right, Amanda?"I shook my head.My heartbeat slowed down when my older brother had stopped right in front of me. That familiar musk scent came to my nose. His face hardened, and underneath it was the longing he had for me."Maven.""Amanda..." he said harshly. "You have no idea how much we flustered looking for you? How long we waited to meet you.""I'm fine." I said. I looked at Jade who was looking at us in confusion. "We'll talk for a bit. You don't need to worry, he's my brother."I know Jade already knows, but I just wanted to let her know that so there's no understanding at all. Jade nodded, and then left us.Maven catches the eye, and leads me to the other end of the room. Close to the exit."I'm fine. You don't need to worry, Maven." I gulped. "I'm
Husband and wife.I never thought that I would experience it so quickly. I didn't expect that my status had changed in two days. So short, and fast.A mother and a wife.My heart expands with happiness as I pull off this elaborate dress with Jade's help.He walked into the bedroom, and that was it.. it felt different and not different. He sat on the edge of the bed. He looked at me, with heat in his eyes, and a bright light in them. I drew closer to him. Stop, and stand between his legs. He hugged my waist, kissing my stomach that was under his shirt that I was wearing. I love wearing his t-shirt, I love his signature scent that never goes away, and it always makes me feel comfortable."I should take off your dress, Wife." he said.His other calls made me smile. Happiness exploded in my heart. "The dress is quite beautiful, and expensive. I will not let you mess it, husband."He looked up, his smile bright."Are you happy?" I stroked his face.He nodded. "Very happy."I sat astride hi