"That doesn't make any sense," Rafaella voiced out. "You've never done anything like this – set us up and then make us follow the path that you laid out." She continued, her firm and distasteful voice echoing through the room.I stared at the dark night behind the glass window of Dad's office after the little lunch party that just ended a few minutes ago. Everything looked normal, everyone seemed to talk casually, and warmly. My mom and Reagan's mom seemed to be having a serious conversation and the excitement flashed in their eyes as they talked about the engagement plans. Meanwhile Reagan was with his older brother, my dad, my grandpa and their dad talking about something in another corner of the party.And I ...I can't even think about anything, or talk about anything. All of my talking abilities disappeared. There was only silence in my head since earlier, and a feeling of disappointment tucked into my parents. They have never done this: carried out a plan that was never discusse
I woke up with such a nightmare that I don't want to remember about it anymore.I sat up on my bed, with my breath racing and my eyes stinging and swollen while the world outside the bedroom window was still dark. The digital clock on the nightstand still read four in the morning, and I still had two hours of sleep.I took a breath. The uneasy and bad feeling still worsens my chest and makes me uncomfortable. I held my breath. Calmness and a kind of deep sleep without sleeping pills I can't find anymore. My head is so full of thoughts about my and Reagan's engagement, about Rhysand too. I let out a slow breath. The anxiety is still not gone.Rafaella was still sleeping comfortably hugging her bolster pillow. Her open mouth and the way the roar of her breathing reached my ears told me that she was sleeping very, very soundly. I combed my hair slowly, and decided to get out of bed. I tightened my robe and stepped towards the bedroom door and closed it silently so that Rafaella wouldn't
The snow crunched beneath my feet. My two hands that were in my jacket pocket moved to make the material tighten it on my body even more. It just rained from morning to evening in Montreal, and the winters are getting colder. I bet that rain will come again from the clouds that are still forming large dark clumps in the sky. I walked through my family's large yard toward the outside of the tall wall that covered our entire house. I nodded my head politely to greet the three guards sitting at the posts in front of the fence, and then continued on my way towards a simple three story sturdy wooden house not far from my house. The idea of having a guard in the house is strange to me. But father always said that it was for everyone's safety. I just really realized that being a rich is a burden. Our lives were never calm, and there was a feeling like everyone was planning to kill us. Whatever it was, it already happened. And this time I was the target. Like I heard from dad, uncle, and
I entered the empty toilet cubicle, and closed the door slowly. I sat in the closet with my ragged breath. I don't know what I'm doing, why should I run away from him when I've done absolutely nothing wrong. The last time we parted was punctuated by an ominous aura, but I didn't think I should run from him and avoid him to the point where it had to be like this. Maybe my instincts like wanting to be preyed on immediately took over.I took a breath, held my breath for a few seconds, and let it out slowly.This is really cowardly.I'm a coward.Instead of avoiding him, I should talk to him kindly and use my logic. Told him that I was getting engaged to Reagan, and then ended whatever relationship we had and didn't have. It had to be done before I fell deeper for him, and gave up my heart for him to hurt.I did give up on that before. I just want to enjoy my time with him because it makes me happy. Stop denying anything because it keeps me from being free and makes me depressed. Trying t
He kisses me, gently at first, then with increasing urgency, and despite everything, a familiar burst of fire low at the core of danger.He deepens the kiss, his tongue mating with mine in a military passion that doesn't reveal our lack of privacy, and the dizziness swirls, my dizziness increasing until he's the only firm anchor in my world. Overwhelmed, I pressed him down, clutching fistfuls of his shirt, and with my mind dissolving under the pull of a dark dream, it didn't matter that I had thought that we should end anything, that we should talk about what must end between us, and tell him that the arrangement engagement is arranged for me.Nothing mattered except the two of us, and cupping Rhysand's jaw to his eyes, my fingers stroking his aftershave that was both rough and soft at the same time. Rhysand put his arm around my back, pressing me against him. He brushes his mouth against my cheek, his teeth nibbling at my earlobe before making his way down my neck. Shivers danced dow
I woke up in Rhysand's big arms, when the phone rang. Realizing that the cellphone came from my small bag, I moved to get away from Rhysand's embrace which was—well, quite strange.He hugged me like a kids who needed a mother's warmth. His head was on my neck, and his body was curled up, hugging me so tightly that I didn't think I'd be able to sleep if it weren't for him hugging me like this. Snorting away from his weight, I sit up, grab Rhysand's white shirt and put it on quickly while he moves to snuggle under the blankets. Not at all bothered and looks very comfortable.I walked over to my bag that was on the nightstand and reached into it preparing a lie to answer the question, if only it was one of my family calling. But it's not. There's Felicia's name on it. And I immediately picked it up without thinking anything."Felicia?" I called her when the call connected while stepping closer to the wall."Hey," Felicia's voice sounded odd and worry rushed through me."Something happe
This is a bad plan, I'm well aware.I thought about it while under the strong warm shower. I close my eyes.Whatever Rhysand offers is a trap for me. He could have done whatever it took to drown me. But on the other hand, I also realized that there was nothing I could do. What Rhysand said was true.. that there wouldn't be anyone who could help Renne's investigation except him. And I also realized that if I asked Reagan for help, somehow my family would find out. Maven is very close to Nicholas, and Reagan is Nicholas' younger brother. The guy is very close to his own big brother, and often shares him anything and everything… he can talk to Nicholas about what he did for me and then Nicholas will talk about it to Maven, and then my big brother will stop me.The bottom line is I can't give Reagan that trust.But the person I trusted, the man I made a deal with.. was the man who would make me face my own death. I know very well that behind all the lust and passion I feel for him, the te
From : Rafaella.Dad is angry.Those two words managed to make my body freeze with fear, and bad thoughts. Dad.. what shall I do to him?I'm the one here... spending my time with Rhysand del Millero. The man he doesn't like because of his assumptions and all the information that I doubt is true.. must have made him furious. Dad probably thought I was giving him a war flag blatantly when I should be a woman who doesn't play around with other men because I'm about to get engaged to the man of his choice.I rest my head on the head of the big thick sofa which feels nice and comfortable. After thinking that I would definitely accept any lectures and tantrums from him.. I chose to stay here. I didn't want to argue with him because I couldn't fight him, and I didn't want to be a rebellious daughter. I knew that if I did I would be verbally defending Rhysand... but it felt like what I was doing right now was all the same.I snorted again, put my phone on the sofa table, I rubbed my face roug
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