Trina’s POV My heart kept pounding very fast as I followed Randolph out of Mr. McAllister’s lavish office, with my mind still buzzing from the unexpected turn of events. The interview I had painstakingly prepared myself for had completely changed into something else entirely, making me quite confused and disoriented.Randolph, the distinguished butler, led me through the hallways in the magnificent building until we got to a sleek, modern office. And as he addressed me, his voice carried a warmth that contrasted with his impeccable, aristocratic appearance.“This way, Ms. Ryder. We’ll complete your employment paperwork first then I'll show you around the building. Afterall, you need to familiarize yourself with your new workplace, right?”Giving him a timid smile, I followed him into the office where I found myself signing one document after another. And as I caught sight of the salary figure, my eyes instantly widened in shock. It's double of what I had initially been offered! The p
Trina's POV Shaking my head, I made my way out of the building and as I walked to my car, I quickly pulled out my phone and dialed Justin's number, eager to share the strange events of the day with my best friend."Justin, you won't believe what just happened!" I blurted out as soon as he picked up, not wasting time on any pleasantries."Trina! How did the interview go?" As usual, Justin's voice was very warm and he sounded quite curious.As if that was just what I was waiting for, I instantly launched into a detailed account of what happened, from the unexpected job offer to the cryptic answer the butler gave me and finally, to my encounter with the intense, too-mature little boy. As soon as I finished recounting all the details, Justin burst out laughing."So, let me get this straight," he said, a hint of playful jealousy in his tone. "You never cooked for me when we were abroad. In fact, I was the one who did all the cooking! And now you've accepted a job to cook for some rich guy
Zane’s POVPushing away the paperwork in front of me, I got up and walked over to the floor-to-ceiling windows of my penthouse office, with both hands shoved into my pants pockets. Though my eyes were fixed on the city view, my mind was elsewhere. Despite myself, my thoughts keep wandering to the events that happened earlier in the day when I hired Ms. Ryder as a so-called manager. I don't know what it is about that particular woman but I find her very intriguing. One thing I’m sure of is that there's something about her that reminds me of the unforgettable night I had with a mysterious woman some few years ago. Whether or not she's related to the unknown woman remains a mystery. A mystery I won't rest until I get to the bottom of…Five years ago, I asked my good friend, the so-called best surgeon in the country, Dr. Hemsworth to do something for me... And that's how I got my son back from that woman. Afterwards, Dr. Hemsworth told me that the woman didn't survive the operation due t
Trina's POV As I drove the car out of the parking lot of the seven star hotel, an inner voice kept telling me to at least call Mr. Randolph and let him know that the boss’s son is with me, just in case Mr. McAllister asks him about his whereabouts. But as I reached for my phone with one hand while the other was on the steering wheel, I heard the mini man’s cold voice query me.“Who are you going to call?”I don't know what it is about this little boy, but just as always, I found myself blurting out an answer to his question.“Mr. Randolph… I thought that perhaps your dad might get worried if he doesn't see you. So I have to call Mr. Randolph and let him know that you're with me.”The mini man just scoffed. “Don't bother.”My brows furrowed in confusion so I looked at him through the rearview mirror. “Pardon me? Your father…”“...Knows exactly where I am.” The mini man cut me off. But I was still confused. Does he mean he told his father that he's going to sneak into a stranger’s car
Trina's POV Eleanor reluctantly agreed and so I ushered them into the living room. As Maria said her goodbyes and left, I got some of Eleanor's toys including Lego and a kids' simple puzzle. From my peripheral view, I could vividly see Jayden make a face and snort in a very low tone when he saw the toys I placed for them whereas Eleanor excitedly jumped up and started playing with the Lego. Seeing that, I quickly turned on the TV and placed the remote in front of Jayden, hoping that he might find something that would interest him. Then glancing at Eleanor who was cheerily playing with her Lego, I shook my head with a small smile on my face before making my way to the kitchen. Jayden and Eleanor are just total opposites! About fifteen minutes later, I felt as if something is off. I couldn't hear a single sound coming from the living room and Eleanor would never be so quiet. It's quite unlike my boisterous, lively and chatty daughter to remain so quiet especially when she's playi
Trina’s POV A flood of emotions overcame me as I watched the two kids who initially acted coldly towards each other, now within the space of just an hour, were warming up greatly to each other. Most especially Jayden– the boy who appears to be cold and aloof to everyone, including me but just take a look at how he's doting on Eleanor!“Try the vegetable salad, Eleanor. It's good for you as a growing child.” Jayden’s calm voice stole into my thoughts.“Okay!” Eleanor chirped. “But only if you try it too! Afterall you're a growing child as well!”All she got as an answer was an intimidating icy look to which she just giggled. “Hahaha! You can't scare me with that look, duh!”As I kept on watching them bicker at each other, I suddenly felt tears pricking at the back of my eyes. There's something deeply touching about the way Jayden is doting on Eleanor like a big brother doting on his sister. It brought back memories of long ago— of myself and my beloved brother Mason and how we took c
Zane's POV I had just come to Ms. Ryder's place for dinner on a whim, merely out of the intrigue and curiosity she arouses in me but as I sat there in her modest living room, surrounded by the aroma of her cooking, I found myself in a situation I couldn't have anticipated. Jayden, my genius son, was seated beside me with his face as aloof and indifferent as ever— a trait most people say he inherited from me. I know he's displeased, thinking that I followed him due to my overprotective nature which he hates a lot as he doesn't like being treated as the child he really is. But he can never guess the real reason why I’m really here... However, something that grabbed my attention was the little girl, whose name I’ve learnt is Eleanor. She sat cross-legged on the carpet, with her bright blue eyes fixed intently on me with unmasked curiosity. "Hi there." I heard myself saying, surprising myself with the gentleness in my voice. As if that was exactly what she was waiting for, Eleano
Trina's POV As I turned off the stove, I wiped my brow and let out an exaggerated sigh of relief. Turning to Randolph, who had insisted on helping me with chopping of vegetables and suchlike, I gave him a grateful smile. “Phew! Finally we’re done!”Randolph, the distinguished butler whom I have now warmed up to, chuckled. “Yeah, indeed that was one heck of a cooking spree! But I can't wait to taste everything! The aromas are sooo tantalizing that I’m salivating already!”I let out a triumphant giggle. Although my kitchen now looks like an apocalypse occured in it, the aromas wafting through the air told me it had been all worth it. I had poured my heart into this meal, hoping to impress both Mr. McAllister and his son, Jayden. Right now, it wasn't just about the job anymore, it was about proving to myself that I could do this, that I could create a new life for Eleanor and myself. I'm determined to do all I can to achieve my goals and I will stop at nothing in doing so.With Randolph
Trina's POV Every night since that last heated kiss we shared in Texas, try as hard as I may, I just couldn’t stop dreaming about Zane. Slowly and surely, he had dominated my thoughts both when I am awake and when I am asleep. I keep having vivid, erotic dreams of him with his hands exploring all over my body with an unrelenting hunger and his lips following shortly after. Sometimes I wake up breathless, tangled in my sheets, with my heart pounding with an ache I didn’t want to acknowledge and at other times, I wake up startled, horrified by the realization that I wanted more— not just in my dreams, but in reality. I wanted him so badly and not just for him to kiss me or touch me erotically but to make full-fledged wild, passionate and sweet love with me.And that was what scared me most of all. I know I just can't resist him any longer so I began to avoid him. And when we returned to New York, I deliberately planned my usual routine in such a way that I could continue to prevent our
Zane’s POV Rising, I met her lips in a toe-curling kiss while my arms wrapped her waist and lifted her off the desk in one fluid motion. She wrapped her legs around my waist instinctively, with her arms looping around my neck as I carried her to the plush sofa in the corner of my office. With my foot, I pressed the button to convert it into a sofa bed before I gently laid her down, pausing only to strip off my hanging shirt, leaving us skin to skin.I pressed my body against hers, groaning at the heat of her skin beneath mine. My lips found her neck, her collarbone, her breasts once more. I took my time, savoring the taste of her, the way her body arched and writhed beneath me as I explored every inch of her. Her soft cries and whispered gasps were a symphony, driving me to the edge of control.When my lips found the sensitive spot just below her ear, she let out a low, shuddering moan that sent fire coursing through me. My name came out like a breathless plea on her lips, and I capt
Zane’s POV I didn’t think at all, I only felt and acted on those feelings. Trina’s lips were so warm and soft beneath mine, and the moment they parted for me, an uncontrollable fire ignited. I kissed her hungrily and passionately as if my entire life depends on it, as if kissing her is my source of oxygen and livelihood. I devoured her, with my tongue tangling with hers in a dance of unrestrained need. Her taste was intoxicating, like sweet temptation, and I just couldn’t get enough. My hands tightened on her waist, pulling her flush against me until every curve of her body molded perfectly against the hard planes of mine.She melted completely into the kiss, with her fingers clutching at my shirt as though she needed something to hold onto, as if she's light-headed and dizzy from our steamy kisses. The sound undid me. In response, I deepened the kiss, with my lips moving over hers with a fierceness that spoke volumes of my desperation. Her hands fumbled at the buttons of my shirt, a
Zane's POV For the second night in a row, I just couldn't bring myself to fall asleep and just as I did the previous night, I kept tossing and turning on the bed in the guest room but to no avail. The knowledge of the presence of the subject of all my desires, who is gradually becoming the bane of my existence in the room just a few doors away, was a constant, maddening reminder of our heated kisses and what I was missing right now. It took every ounce of self-control to remain where I was, to not give in to the overwhelming urge to go to her.That was how I spent the night without sleeping even a wink and as dawn broke, my phone's shrill ring pierced through the silence. Grateful for the distraction, I answered immediately, with my voice rough from lack of sleep.It was my CFO and he immediately went straight to the point."Mr. McAllister Sir, there's an urgent situation at the headquarters that requires your immediate attention.”I sat up, instantly alert. "I'll be there as soon
Zane’s POVSince I was preoccupied with disturbing and tumultuous thoughts and feelings, sleep had eluded me for most of that eventful night, because try as hard as I may,I just couldn't stop thinking about Trina. And not just about the passionate kiss we shared and the way my body was aching for more. No, I was also thinking about the possibilities that she might be the mysterious woman I had a one night stand with.Despite my reputation of being a human iceberg and a man of control, I know without any iota of doubt that there's no way I can be able to sleep in the same room with Trina without touching her. No, it has already been established that she makes me lose any kind of control. Therefore, I had made my way to one of the spare guest rooms in our wing after making sure no one was around. However, after taking yet another cold shower and laying down, I just couldn't fall asleep. The bed felt both too large and suffocatingly small as I kept on tossing and turning all through the
Zane’s POV After we returned to the ranch house from the pharmacy, I made sure Mandy took the right dosage of the drug that Noah had prescribed for her but as I attempted to leave the guest room Nicola had accommodated her in, she kept coming up with excuses to make me stay longer. I humored her for a little while but after some time, I couldn't handle it any longer. She and Nicola had interrupted us when things were just beginning to get heated up and even though I pride myself in self control, I I don't think I can withhold the pent up feelings inside of me any longer. I need a release and I need it now!However, after I finally extracted myself from Mandy and I stepped into our dimly lit room, what I saw made me stop dead on my tracks. My eyes were immediately drawn to Trina's still form on the bed. Her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, with her face turned away from me. To any onlooker, she appears to be peacefully asleep but as I looked closer, I instantly realized that s
Trina’s POV Just as things were about to escalate further, just as those lips that have driven me crazy with their erotic ministrations on my skin were about to close around a part of me which longed for them– my tingling, erect nipple, a sound penetrated through the haze of desire surrounding us. At first, it sounded faint and faraway, barely registering in my brain which is foggy due to immense desire. However, the sound came again, louder and more insistent this time around, and that was when it finally registered in my hazy brain.Knocking. Someone was knocking at the door.Zane and I both froze on our spots as both our eyes, which I was even aware were closed, fluttered open. For a moment, we just stood there, staring at each other, with chests panting and heaving as if we had just finished a marathon race. The look in Zane's eyes… it simply took my breath away. Ever since I met him, I have never seen his eyes look as expressive as they were now. His usually guarded and inexpre
Trina’s POV The moment our mouths collided, it was as though a firestorm erupted between us. His lips were warm, firm, and utterly intoxicating. I kissed him with everything I had, pouring all the tension, frustration, and desire I had been holding back for a long time, perhaps ever since I first met him, into that kiss.For a heartbeat, he froze, with his hands hovering in the air as if he’s undecided, perhaps still worried about me having a ‘boyfriend’. But then, like a dam breaking loose, his emotions won against his rational thought and broke loose, and his hands suddenly gripped my waist with a force that made me gasp as he took charge. He pulled me flush against him, and I felt every inch of his hard body molding against my soft one as his lips moved against mine with fierce hunger.Zane kissed me like a man that has starved for far too long. His lips moved against mine with an urgency that sent shivers racing down my spine while his hands tightened their grip around my waist a
Trina's POV I sat at the lunch table, acutely aware of the curious glances being thrown Justin's way. The tension in the air was palpable as Donald, Nicola, Noah, and Mandy all seemed to be bursting with unasked questions. I should have known introducing Justin as my "friend" would raise eyebrows, but I hadn't anticipated the intensity of their scrutiny.As we ate in uncomfortable silence, I could practically hear the gears turning in their heads as the curiosity filled them. Finally, Donald seemed to have enough of ebbing down his curiosity and since he's one who is never known to mince words, he set down his fork with an audible clatter and fixed Justin with a penetrating and intimidating stare, so like his son Zane's own.I instantly felt my heart begin pounding in my chest as I watched his eyes narrow suspiciously.“So young man,” he began, with his voice coming out gruff and demanding, "Care to explain why the hell would my son's wife's 'friend' just decide to follow her all the