Josephine smiled politely welcoming Jeremiah Kane who walked up to her. Jeremiah reached out for a handshake and was greeted by Josephine."I didn't expect to see you here, Mr. Kane," said Josephine.Jeremiah smiled. "The Hardys are my business partners, Ms. Josephine. I took my mother to be treated at the Sparrow Clinic also on the recommendation of Dr. Lynner Hardy, whose birthday we are celebrating today."Josephine laughed softly. She looked back, but did not find Sky, Flower and Nicholas within her sights, but she saw the bodyguards still in the hall area which meant Nicholas had not gone anywhere."Ms. Josephine, I saw everything that happened earlier. I didn't think Thomas Jade and his daughters would get that far," Jeremiah said in a concerned tone.Josephine smiled bitterly. "I can't say anything, Mr. Kane. After all they are my family, at least until now I still use the same name as them. However, certain people will see that it only goes as far as my family name, I get invo
"Let's see how things are in your apartment first, what happened there," said Nicholas. He looked back. "You guys want to take a look at Ms. Joy's apartment first?"Sky and Flower nodded simultaneously while glancing at each other. Nicholas steered the car down the road to Josephine's apartment. He drove the car slowly, then stopped on a quiet side street and made a phone call."James, you go into the lobby and ask the caretaker what's going on in there. Pretend you're looking for someone," Nicholas said."All right, sir. Wait a minute," replied James, one of the bodyguards in the van behind the Lamborghini.Nicholas, Josephine, Sky, and Flower watched from the window a tall man wearing a brown leather jacket entering the apartment lobby which looked crowded. It's James.Nicholas was getting impatient when after five minutes James still had not come out of the lobby. He was about to call when James called him."What's taking you so long, James?" he asked."Excuse me, sir, I took the t
"Madam Luan, is this a small town?" whispered Flower confused. Her eyes opened wide, seeing what was in front of her.Luan takes Sky and Flower to the Personnel building, a term used to refer to the area where the personnel members live in the Adams mansion.The place was at the back of the mansion, in the form of a square room measuring 120 square meters with no partitions. All the walls were bulletproof glass windows and the inside of the building was nicely laid out as an office space.The walls are painted a very pale light green color and decorated with indoor plants arranged nicely in several corners.The counter closest to the door was reception, then there were two sets of six soft leather sofas for one person surrounding a round table in the center, in the center of the room, a few meters past the reception counter.A few meters after the last set of sofas, there are about eight fairly large cubicles each, which are used as staff workspaces, complete with work desks, swivel c
Josephine opened Nicholas's room, but no one was there. Nicholas was still working in his study. Josephine wanted to take a bath, but felt it would be impolite if she did not ask the owner's permission first.Josephine decided to get back and knocked on the door of the two children's rooms."Sky, why is the door locked?" asked Josephine, knocking on the door again."Mom, Flower is asleep and I'm also in bed. I'm so sleepy," Sky answered from inside.Josephine's brow furrowed. Usually the triplets would be happy if Josephine slept with them, especially if they were somewhere other than home."It's going to rain soon, Sky. There's been thunder since earlier. Don't you want some company?" she asked.A moment of silence. It was starting to rain outside and there was thunder. Sky clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, while Flower hid under the thick blanket and took one hand out, then gave Sky a thumbs up, a sign that they would be fine."It's okay, mom, it's warm here and the sound of
Josephine went into the bathroom, closed and locked the door, then leaned against it to calm her raging heartbeat. Josephine didn't understand why her body always reacted strangely to Nicholas. The man made it difficult for Josephine to control herself and tore her sanity every time he teased her.This is like the reaction experienced by an alcoholic. Sometimes at an acute level, an addict who has quit for a long time, then tastes even a small amount of alcohol even at the mildest level, the addiction will return and become more severe.Nicholas was like that, making Josephine addicted. That man was very dangerous to Josephine's heart, mind, and body. She felt her lips, which were still throbbing after the kiss.Nicholas's taste was intense in her mouth. He was a good kisser, so Josephine was reluctant to let go, were it not for her breathlessness. He was so soft and smelling good.She refused Nicholas nervously, reasoning that it would take her a long time to wash and Nicholas, with
Josephine bit her lower lip nervously. "Nic-Nicholas... can you let me go?" muttered Josephine in a hoarse voice. Nicholas hugged her so tight and Josephine could feel his hard erection pressed against her stomach, hidden by the sheer fabric of her blouse. "Why should I let you go, baby?" whispered Nicholas in Josephine's ear in a husky voice that gave Josephin goosebumps. "You came in here because you wanted me, right?" Josephine didn't dare look at Nicholas and looked to the side. "N-no. I-I came in because I had to turn off the alarm on my phone," Josephine stammered. Nicholas smirked and kissed Josephine's neck which opened before his eyes. "Hm? The alarm on your phone?" "Y-yes ... aah ... yes, the alarm, Nicholas." "Are you sure it's your phone?" Josephine pulled her neck away from Nicholas and raised her right hand which was still holding the phone she had just taken from the sink. Josephine's eyes looked confused. "This... isn't... my phone?" Nicholas chuckled. "T
Safe haven means more or less, a place where you can hide from something that is uncomfortable or dangerous.Similar words that have more or less the same meaning, among others, hiding place, shelter, sanctuary, secret place, retreat.Josephine, as far as she could remember, had known nothing of that kind in her life. She is used to doing everything herself, keeping all her sorrows alone, hiding all her fears, enjoying all her loneliness, and swallowing all her worries.Safe haven for her is just a mirage that disappears into thin air with a flick of the hand. There is no safe haven in her life dictionary.She doesn't have a safe haven, a place where she can hide when sadness and fear come, a protection that keeps her calm when problems and difficulties strike, a secret place for her to hide for a while from the exhaustion of facing toxic people.She used to wear a mask from a young age. Various types of masks. Cute smiling mask. Cheerful laughing mask. Serious looking mask. Polite-fa
Josephine opened her eyes and her eyes met Nicholas who was looking at her with a smile."Good morning, baby," Nicholas greeted. He looked down and planted a light kiss on Josephine's lips, making her shy and blush."Since when did you wake up?" asked Josephine quietly.Nicholas stroked Josephine's cheek. "Half an hour ago.""Oh?""Yes. But it goes by fast when I look at you."Josephine pulled the blanket over her head, embarrassed by Nicholas' words. The man laughed and pulled the blanket over Josephine."You're so beautiful, even when you sleep," Nicholas said. He kissed Josephine's forehead. "I'll get some warm water ready for you. Take a shower and we'll meet at the dinner table in half an hour."Josephine held Nicholas' hand. "Where are you?""I have something to do for a minute. Or... do you want me to give you a bath?"Josephine let go of Nicholas' hand and gently pushed him away. "Go. I'll see the kids after the bath."Nicholas laughed seeing Josephine's blushing face. He kiss
"Italy?"Josephine's eyes widened. Nicholas nodded with a smile. "Yeah. You know, our beach--La Luna, we haven't been there for a while. I think a week or two would be nice."Josephine chuckled. "What are you planning, honey?""Hey, what? I'm just taking you on a honeymoon."Josephine laughed and hugged Nicholas. She rested her head on Nicholas' chest and enjoyed his husband's heartbeat, which sounded calm and steady."Let's have our honeymoon at La Luna, honey. I want to go alone with you," said Josephine gently.Nicholas stroked Josephine's hair slowly. "Baby, let's retire for now and settle down wherever we want. I'll leave Genesis completely to Summer and Autumn, while you can entrust Farline to Flower. I guess, we've done enough and for now, let the children do the work." Let's give everything to them to take care."Josephine nodded and hugged Nicholas tightly. "Yes. Let's retire and live wherever we like. Maybe two months on La Luna beach, two months here, the next two months in
"I can't say no, can I?" asked Josephine softly.Sky lowered his head, unable to meet his mother's eyes. Flower and Rain also lowered their heads, even Nicholas. The spacious room was cold and silent.Josephine was silent, deep in thought. He knew that eventually one of his six children would decide to continue Nicholas' work and it had to be done.She remembered the conversation she had with Nicholas a few years ago, when the first triplets decided to study at different universities in different countries."I will train one of my four confidants, to take control of the Gold Dragon," said Nicholas at the time. "Who do you think is the most suitable?"Josephine looked at Nicholas in surprise. "You don't intend to pass the Gold Dragon down to one of your children? Shouldn't that clan be passed down?"Nicholas shook his head with a smile. "I'm about to abolish that tradition, since I saw that among the first triplets no one was interested in doing so.""How do you know that no one is int
"Daddy, you can't be like this," Flower complained, glaring at Nicholas. "You're a mobster and you're afraid of getting hospitalized?"Nicholas pouted. "Don't confuse my work with my illness, doctor," Nicholas snapped. "Anyway, it's just an influenza.""Come on, dad, admit it. You're afraid of needles, right?" urged Flower with a wink.Josephine laughed seeing the father and daughter argue. She took Nicholas's hand and squeezed it gently."He don't need to be hospitalized, Flower. Your daddy isn't afraid of needles, but he doesn't like the smell of disinfectant and how the nurses are going around checking him every hour," said Josephine.Nicholas took Josephine's hand gently and kissed her palm with a smile. "Your mommy really understands me, Flow."Flower pouted and sighed. "Mommy, you always spoil him. At the hospital, the equipment for examining and caring for him is more complete than when daddy is treated at home. I and my fellow doctors can also examine daddy freely there," said
"This isn't our first project, is it?" Rain asked with a frown.Two of his men lowered their heads, avoiding his anger."Why is there still an error for a problem like this?" asked Rain annoyed."I admit my mistake, Mr. Rain," said Steven Bohn bravely. "The supplier of the floor we used to use suddenly informed us that the floor specifications we requested were not available due to a shortage of basic materials, so they offered a replacement at the same price. I had no idea that the replacement floor was not according to the original specifications."Rain sighed. "Take apart all the floors that have been installed and return them to the supplier. Find another supplier who can give us what we want, even if the price is higher. I don't want this project to have any flaws or defects, because the person who asked me to do this project is a very close and meaningful person to me. I don't want him to be disappointed!" Rain said firmly, then turned around and returned to his room.In the caf
"Hold him, Flow," Sky called while holding the kid down with his feet. "He'll run away again if you don't hold his hand!"Flower snorted and took the small creature's hand that was trying to rebel."Come on, it's just a shower, why are you guys so unruly," Flower complained half angry. "Where did Rain go, why is he taking so long? Doesn't he know that these stray cats are getting bored?""Mommy help, help us, moooommmmyyyy ...!""Gosh, Summer, people will think I'm torturing you if they hear you scream like that," Flower said angrily."I don't like showers!" Summer shouted."Me too!" added Autumn."You too, Forest?" Sky asked fiercely.The little boy called Forest turned his head quietly while patting the water with his chubby hands. "I like baths. I just don't like you guys.""Jeez," Flower moaned.The three children in the big bathtub started to misbehave again, but before Flower and Sky could run out of patience, Rain came driving a plant sprayer.He started the engine and a large
"Mom, why are you so pale? Are you sick?" asked Flower with a worried tone. She put her bag on the single sofa and approached Josephine who was lying straight on the long sofa while covering her eyes with her arms.Josephine lowered her arms and looked at Flower who was still wearing her middle school uniform."Flower, are you home already? I didn't hear you come in," said Josephine in a languid tone."I came in through the back door, because Madam Luan said you weren't feeling well since morning and lay here," Flower said. "What are you doing, mom? Do you have a fever?"Josephine smiled and stroked Flower's hair. "It's okay honey, just a little unsteady and nauseous. I think it's from a lack of sleep the past few days. You know, ever since Uncle Rocco came back to Italy for his honeymoon, I did all the research myself and the other day there was a bit of a problem at the distribution center so I have to go back and forth all day from the laboratory to the warehouse," said Josephine l
"He ... You mean, Lucas?"Lindsay nodded shyly."You and him..." Janeth didn't finish, only raised her eyebrows, waiting for Lindsay to say something.Lindsay sighed. "I think I've managed to forget him and bury my feelings and memories about him, all these years. It's not easy for me. Even though you never met me at that time, I'm sure you know that I have to undergo psychiatric therapy too. One of them is to let Lucas go.""Yes, I know. I think you really need that. Your obsession with Lucas has hurt a lot of people at that time," said Janeth."Yeah, I'm aware of that. However, Lucas came back and kept coming, even though I never wanted to see him. Last week when he came, I finally decided to see him because I really wanted to end things with him, but ...." Lindsay hung up her words."He won't let you go?" continued Janeth with a smile.Lindsay blushed, took a breath, and nodded. Janeth laughed and hugged Lindsay."I'm so happy for you, Lindsay. At least I can rest easy now, because
"You're getting thinner," Lucas said sadly. "Did you eat well during this time?"He stared at the woman in the dull blue prison uniform in front of him. Lindsay is still beautiful with her hair cut short, even though her face is getting thinner and her eyes are dim.Finally, after Lindsay repeatedly refused visits during the nearly six years he was in this correctional facility, she also agreed to accept Lucas."What do you want, Lucas?" Lindsay asked quietly. "Why do you keep coming even though I keep rejecting you? Aren't you bored?"Lucas has never missed visiting Lindsay in the last five years. Every two months he would come, leave the food he brought with the warden because Lindsay never wanted to see him.Lindsay's cellmates were about to enjoy the food and after walking around for a while instead they were excitedly looking forward to Lucas' visit because it meant there was good food available.Lindsay stared at the floor, not daring to meet the eyes of the man she once loved,
"It's not for me to judge who I'm dealing with," James said softly. "After all, you're still young. You don't know anything about the real world. You taking a decision like this, is a great big step. Your heart is good, only clouded by your parents' manipulation. Your mind is clear, only clouded by your sister's bad influence. When all the ugliness is gone, you dare to regain your purity. That's great!"Janeth listened to James' words with her head down. James' deep voice was pleasing to the ear and what he said was soothing to her heart.James reached out and took Janeth's chin, moving her up so their eyes met. "Cheer up. I'll wish you all the best. Tomorrow is the day, so you need to be completely healthy and ready."Janeth's eyes blinked slowly and her hand lifted, holding James' hand on his chin, then, Janeth brought her face closer to James and planted a kiss on the man's lips.James was stunned, frozen in the warmth of Janeth's ripe lips crushing his. He could feel the desperati