GregMy routine went back to normal after Kael got discharged from the hospital, my schoolwork, up to date, my work life, back in balance even though the HR complained for a while about my sudden absence, and Kael went back to Barcelona, where he was based after a full month.I wondered what was next in our relationship now.Should I call it that?A relationship.Well, we had both accepted that it was just more than sex for us, and he definitely had made it clear that he didn't want me around my boss anymore.It had been cute and adorable to see.Kael, jealous.Never would I have imagined that.Everyone in the office glanced up and stared when a guy in all black stepped into the general office with a large bouquet in his hands."Mr. Greg Fisher."I stood up and walked over to him, puzzled."I am he.""This is for you then." He handed the flowers over after asking me to sign on a paper, and I all but turned crimson when I turned around to see everyone looking at me, including Jeremiah,
KaelI smirked, elated when I saw the number across my phone screen.He must have seen the house already."Hello, hon.""What is this?""What?""This. The house. You don't actually mean it, right?""The fact that you own the house. I do. The papers are in the drawers in the first room upstairs, and your sister's fees have been paid.""What made you think you could make that decision behind my back?!""What?"I felt the smile fade off my face. "Don't you like it?""It's not that. Spending money on me is nice, but you should have spoken to me first. My sister doesn't even know you yet, and you what? What am I meant to tell her?"To be honest, I didn't even think that far, but he doesn't have to sound so upset, does he?I frowned and raised an eyebrow when he cut the call."Huh?"Is he really that annoyed?The thought of him being angry with me at all didn't just sit right with me.I immediately dialed a number, "Didn't you advise me to buy him things?"I waited for Lyra to say something
GregGia was still as flabbergasted when she returned an hour later from wherever she went, and she stared at me for a while."You have successfully managed to traumatize me even more than our parents ever did."I can only imagine."I'm sorry."She sat on the kitchen counter and collected the cup of water I was about to drink."So who is he? A fling? Your boyfriend?"Boyfriend?I would love to call him that, but he hasn't asked me and probably wouldn't, so..."A... Situationship."She pursed her lips and stared, "So stuck in between, to be precise?""Kind of."She placed the glass on the counter when she finished and wiped her mouth. "Are you sure you want to do that, though?"I shrugged and leaned against the counter. "We like each other, so...""And you?" I asked when we both went silent."What?""Is anybody in the picture?""No. I'm still trying to get my life together."Right..."Besides, I won't keep it from you if I do get one later.""Hmm..."It was kind of a pact we made when
GregWe went to his apartment after we finished eating, the ride filled with mumblings and kisses as a designated driver drove, and we both stumbled into his apartment when we got there.I wasn't even sure what the place looked like; I was just focused on this man that was now my boyfriend.Kael or Benjamin Clarke.I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face.I hadn't even been expecting the question at all considering the fact that it had seemed like he was never going to ask, thanks to the whole situation, but he had, and I'm glad.I pushed him onto the bed and slid down his body till I was face to face with his tight trousers."Fuck." His face beamed.I smirked.Yeah, that's right.He just had a way of responding to me that always made me feel powerful. Like he lost all control when he was around me, and I was determined to make him lose it even more tonight.He relaxed against the bed and helped me take off his trousers before spreading his legs again, and I got to suckin
GregI resigned from Hurley Fashion House at the same time I finished with my course at the institute I was studying at, and the first person to wish me congratulations was my sister. She was back in school now, thanks to Greg and his generosity constantly, and the next people that came to celebrate me were my friends, Bella and Lyra at the graduation ceremony in the school."Finally, you're the designer you've always wanted to be.""Yup. I am."I couldn't believe it.Studying business management has been one of the many ideas of my parents that stuck with me, but fashion has been something I've loved since I was a kid."Where is Kael, or isn't he coming?"The million-dollar question.I glanced around again for the hundredth time amongst the other family and friends who came to celebrate their loved ones but still didn't see him.He didn't even call to say he would be late or anything, or maybe something came up.I smiled with Lyra and tried to stomp the disappointment."Let's go tak
GregLyra and Adrian finally picked a date for their wedding a month after I moved to Barcelona, which was also around the time she gave birth, and I went back to Rome to help with the preparations.The guest list, the gown, the cake, the invitation design, then the venue.Adrian had already decided on Thailand with her, and they put together their guests from both sides.It wasn't up to a hundred.First of all, because of attention—they didn't want that—and second of all, because they just want to have the moment with close family and friends.I loved the whole theme and vibe and teared up even more when she went for her first fitting with the designer.Jolene Craig. One of the best designers in Italy.She looks so beautiful.Bella agreed too.The lace, the shape, she accentuated all of that with her aura.I just couldn't wait to see Adrian's expression when he sees her.Next was the cake, which we helped pick the design of, and we chose the outfits for the bridesmaids, us, and Betha
And we've come to the end of Greg and Kael's story🥳🎉🤭. Thanks for all the reads and support. I appreciate it. I also want to know what you all think? Did you like the story? Did it meet your expectations? The next and last story will be that of Bella and I really hope you enjoy it. Ruthiana.
BellaUgh, I couldn't believe I got caught after everything.The ship, the motels, the tunnels, and wearing the freaking hoodie I've been wearing everywhere I go.The police still caught me on entering the country."You have a right to a lawyer...." Blah blah, and blah, and all that, they said when they handcuffed me, and they threw me into this van.I sighed and tried to adjust my wrist in the handcuffs even though there was literally no space."Stop moving." The man beside me snapped and stared, and I scowled for a minute before averting my gaze from him.At least it was the police who had caught me, not them, so I was still better off."Get down."I did so with the help of the officer when we got to the FBI office, and they dragged me along till I was seated in an empty room with grey walls and a single table in the midst of it.I stared at the single window or mirror in the room, which I knew the officers were just staring at me from the other side, and I smiled."Let's get this o
Quinn Three months later,The plane came to a stop in New York exactly twelve hours after I boarded it from our private airstrip in Sicily, and I got out of the plane with one of our agents when we got the go-ahead from the pilot to stand up.I headed straight for the car that was waiting for us a few feet away from the plane with the doors open.He started the engine once we both got in and drove away."Is everyone in position?""Yes ma'am." I took out my tab to view some critical information."And the location?""Secure. Target hasn't arrived yet."It was another agent from the parameter that replied through the devices in our ears.I pulled back my sleeve to check the time only to realize that both of us were actually late.I had said 7 pm, but it was already five minutes past.At least I had a reason; I wondered what his would be."Target has arrived." I heard an agent say a few minutes before we arrived at our location, and the guy with me, Lucas, came over to my side to help me
BellaThe guilt for the next few days kept killing me as Matteo and Quinn arranged the ceremony week for his burial, and I tried to get past it to function in some way.The visitors kept pouring in after that.The associates and intimate clients of the business. The family and friends that I didn't quite know about and my grandparents, who had made it known that they had a grudge against him, even though they denied that. Then there were my friends and Adrian.I collapsed into Lyra's arms when she pulled me in for a hug."I'm so sorry, dear."Greg did the same, patting my back like he did sometimes and I did my best not to start crying again.Yes, I had known him for such a short time, but that time had impacted me so much; it felt like I had known him forever.I pulled away from their hugs and sniffed when they had squeezed me long and hard enough.They led me to my room upstairs."It just happened, you know." I still couldn't believe it.There hadn't been any warning. No sign that h
BellaThe first place we stopped at was Teatro Massimo, an opera house in Palermo that holds performances every once in a while.It had this huge historical structure that stretched over a space of land with pillars and statues that accentuated its history.I handed over the ticket Elisabetta had given me after that awkward silence to the officer that checked it.He checked Giovanni and Elisabetta's tickets too and let us through after that.She beamed for the first time after that conversation, "I'm so happy that we get to view a performance today. Your mom used to love these things."I pondered that statement.According to what Jose had told me about my mom, this felt very different from what she might have liked.We sat down at the front row seats, settling in just in time before the first performance started, and clapped with everyone when the lady finished.I wouldn't say it was bad or uninteresting; I actually felt myself getting interested as more performers came on stage to pr
BellaIt wasn't until the sun shone brightly on my face the next morning that I woke up, and I first got startled at how close Quinn was on the bed to me before remembering everything that had happened last night.Her story of how she had met Jose, then the kiss.I raised my hand to my lips slowly as if in remembrance of how hot the kiss had been and closed my eyes without thinking when she tossed slightly on the bed.Fuck.Why did I close my eyes?It's not like I had done anything wrong or was checking her out. I had just been...Totally checking her out.I paused the thoughts in my head when I heard nothing a second later. The bed was perfectly still too, and there was no sound from Quinn at all.Is she still asleep?I popped open to check that out and saw her staring at me, wide eyes open with a smile on her face."Did you really think I wouldn't notice you checking me out?"I stuttered, trying to get a hold of a sentence that wouldn't totally give me away.She pulled me back onto
Quinn I made my way to Jose's room straight when I got back to the house to find him still in the vegetative state I left him in while Riley took a nap beside him.Her body was bent at an abnormal angle as she must have tried to rest her head on the bed while still holding his hand, but at least she was fast asleep.I took a step further into the room and stared at both of them for a while.Well, Riley, to be honest.She just looked so... Stunning and peaceful, she looked right now with the moon shining across her features through the window outside.She moved her head slightly when I bent down beside her to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear.She didn't wake up, though, thankfully, or I would have had to explain why I was so close to her face, staring into her eyes.I sighed and moved back, going to Jose's side to kiss his forehead, and I came back to his daughter's side to carry her up, bridal style, to her room.She immediately turned and gasped when she woke up in my arms."Ril
Quinn We got out of the car when we got to the entrance of Adrian's beautiful home, Gary handing the car key over to one of the valets that was outside the house, and they led us inside to a similar ballroom to that where Jose had held the handover for the function.It was slightly bigger, though, and had this large hanging tool—I'm guessing they use it to dangle traitors from the ceiling—but Juan wasn't there, so I had my doubts.I collected the glass of champagne that Gary passed to me from a waitress when we were fully in and took a sip of the place."Everyone is here. Even the fucking prime minister." I glanced around in the direction Gary signaled me in after a moment."Quinn..."We both turned surprised when a lady came to meet us.She shook my hand, "Flora Moretti. I saw you at the handover party."Right.I nodded, bending my head slightly to place a kiss on her palm.Gary was nowhere to be seen by the time I looked up."Nice to meet you properly.""Yeah. Word on the street sa
Quinn The doctor called me to the side the next day after checking Jose and made sure he was out of harm's way for now, and he sat opposite me in one of the private living rooms once we were alone."The treatments aren't doing much anymore. It's likely he might deteriorate badly once he wakes up.""How badly are we speaking of?""Memory loss. Leg and hand function. It's a miracle that all these haven't happened before."I felt my heart sink.He had said that before and anticipated this, but I still wasn't ready."Now, you can only stay by his side till the last day he takes his breath. I'm sorry."I shook my head, staring at nothing as he left, and I went back to his room, where he was in with Riley, after a few more minutes."What did the doctor say?"I didn't answer for a minute, pondering if I should break it all to her, but she already knew he was on his deathbed; I might as well tell her about the memory loss to prepare her for when it actually happens."He has deteriorated badl
Bella"So you were in the foster system, right?"I nodded at Elisabetta's question, grabbing a drink from the variety on the table to pour, and I shook my head at the maid that moved forward to help me pour it."It's okay. I can manage that myself."She nodded and moved back."How was it?"I pondered if I should tell them the truth or just let it all out, "Okay, but..."I felt Lyra and Greg's stares on me.They in fact knew how not-okay the system was to me."...abusive." I later completed my sentence, ignoring their stares."They abused you?"I glanced up startled when Elisabetta raised her voice."I mean, it happens to almost every child, except you're lucky. I've been known to not have such great luck, but it all turned out well. I took control of my life once I was eighteen and ended up going to college, where I met these two."They relaxed in their seats.Phew!You would think they were about to go murder every foster parent that ever raised their hands at me as a kid with the wa
BellaI popped my head into Jose's study two days later after the handover to see him huddled over his desk with Quinn.She averted her gaze when I stepped in properly."Riley..."I put on a smile that hid my awkwardness and nervousness around Quinn."I'm headed to Giovanni and Elisabetta's house now. Just wanted to inform you in case you would like to join us.""Nah..." He smiled, "...they wouldn't want to have me there anyway."Right, he had mentioned their beef with him because they blamed him for their daughter's death.I nodded and headed towards the door again, "Okay then. I'll be on my way.""Sure. Send my greetings to them.""Bye."I couldn't get out of there fast enough after that and sighed in my seat beside Lyra and Greg when we got into our car.It was a limo my parents had sent us."What is it?""Nothing." I replied immediately, grabbing a bottle of champagne from the minibar there, and I poured each of us a glass.Might as well get the dinner started before we got there.