"Save me! Archer, take me away from this paradise built in the depth of hell!" Natalie's outburst could only be heard by just one man... Archer's love was both healing and heartbreaking, but Natalie would rather accept Archer's love than live the rest of her life with Oscar, her husband. The Georges family has it all, power, wealth and fame. They might not be greatly feared, but they are well respected and adored. Anyone that ever sets foot in the multi-million estate has stepped into paradise. The honest truth is that it is the opposite of what people think and see from the outside. The only people who can testify is Natalie Hills and Archer Georges. How would they let people know the truth? These two childhood sweethearts with wounded Hearts explored the estate, creating the sweetest memories as they did the craziest things together while looking for an escape path and a way to let the world see the Georges for what they truly are...! In a twist of fate, Natalie shoot's Oscar, and they all were on the run believing that he died from the gunshot. Archer becomes a billionare overnight... Then the story began.
Lihat lebih banyakNatalie Hills thought about her perfect life as it is to everyone who viewed it from outside. She is the gorgeous and sexy wife of a famous billionaire. What else is there for her to worry about if not to enjoy and swim in riches?
She was supposed to be happy, and feel fulfilled, instead of allowing emptiness and loneliness to overwhelm her, but she couldn't ignore the obvious.Admiring the spectacular view through the window, she thought about how the beautiful scenery outside is shading the raging storm inside her heart.She was supposed to feel on top of the world because she is living her dreams, but the secrets lurking around the house she has been marrying herself in for the past two years are too big to ignore. She turned around and slowly walked to the middle of the living room and stared at the television, where her husband, Oscar Georges, was being interviewed by the press. She should be proud and boastful about the fact that her husband is a handsome, gentle and famous billionaire, but she wasn't. She rather felt exhausted and sick of her life in general.Hissing, she set the glass of wine she held on the center table, took her phone and dialed her friend's number. It was high time she told someone about her married life.While she placed the phone on her left ear and turned to stare at her faint reflection on the glass window, she remembered the last day she saw her childhood sweetheart, Archer, who happens to be her husband's brother.They all went to summer camp. She was the only outsider in the midst of the wealthy and famous Georges family, invited by her friend, Aria, the only daughter of the Georges. The two brothers, Oscar and Archer, had fought, but no one cared to listen to the two sides of the story. They took Oscar's word and shushed Archer. He was the illegitimate son after all, so he angrily left the camp.She didn't expect him to give up so easily. She expected him to at least think about her and not leave, but he left without even leaving a message for her. She was heartbroken and cried all night, since then, she never saw him again.He said he loved her, and he made so many promises, but they were all lies. He didn't look back when he walked out of her life and he never reached out to her again."Hey, Natalie!" Stephanie's voice interrupted her thoughts. It was a good thing she picked up at the right time before she recalled more painful days after his disappearance."Stephanie Howard, where on Earth have you been for the past few weeks?" Natalie wanted to sound enthusiastic to hear her friend's voice after so many weeks, but her cracking voice gave her in. "That voice… Natalie, are you okay?" Stephanie asked worriedly.She could see her friend's face frowning and eyes filled with worry. It is like Stephanie notices her sadness even though she can't see the tears that have formed in her eyes. She is that friend that she could trust with anything and that is why she has to tell her what has been eating her up. "I'm not fine," She replied with a croaky voice."Should I come over?" "I would love that. I have a lot to tell you, Steph." Natalie broke into tears. Her world is shattering. It has been crumbling from the day she turned ten years old, but she has been ignoring it until two years ago when her heart started ripping apart. She's slowly drifting away without knowing. She needs a shoulder to lean on."Are you crying, Nat?" Stephanie's sigh brought a smile to her gloomy face."Hey, don't worry about me, you know how tough I am. Let's see when you come. Okay?" Natalie tried to cheer herself up."Alright. See ya," "Yeah." Natalie cut the call and sank into a chair.She picked the glass of wine again and drained it. She laughed throatily at herself as she went through the memory lane again. The most painful part of her life.Having a drunk and a gambler as a father and a drug addict as a mother, she has never felt really happy her entire life. She didn't know that she was a collateral for the huge amount of money that the Georges loaned them.She promised herself that she would only marry a man that would always be there for her when she needs him. Someone that will stay by herself when it is storming out and kiss her fears away. Someone that would never do anything to hurt her.It turned out that she must've watched a lot of love movies and read too many fantasy books that she couldn't discern reality and beautification to work of literature created to entertain. She was just a bait. She didn't want love. She believed that anyone who wanted a good man and still hoped for true love is being greedy. She chose to have only the good man because, together they can build their love, by starting with trust and care as foundation. She is more like a prisoner in her husband's house. Many single women out there who envy her don't know that she envies their freedom. She is living in bondage, she has always been and that seems to be her destiny.She stood up shakily, feeling light-headed and dizzy, she swayed, fell back to the seat, then pushed herself up again and quietly went to the kitchen.What is the use of all these luxuries when she is not enjoying them? If she had the power to rewrite her life, she wouldn't have chosen this hell she is living in. This luxurious estate. The big and fancy mansion she resides in. Soaring ceilings, large windows with postcard perfect views flooded with natural light, grand entrance, multiple fireplace and meticulously maintained multi-million mansion.Of course there are the expansive outdoor spaces such as gardens and swimming pools. The guest houses, wine cellars, video room, home gyms, lounge, ballroom, patio and live-in quarters designated for staff, cooks, gardeners, laundress, drivers, armed guards and other household workers all in one multi-million estate.She is the queen of this territory, but she is not satisfied. So many things are missing in her life and that is why she must find a way to disentangle herself from the mess or remain a prisoner of the Georges forever.As she set the empty wine glass on the kitchen counter and turned to retrace her steps, she saw a man standing in the doorway, hands in pockets, eyes fixed on her and a bag hung over one shoulder. Archer! Her eyes widened first, her lips patted, hands rose to clutch her racing heart, and head pounding as if she was being hit with a pestle. She swayed, this time, nothing held her as she bumped her head on the counter and instantly went unconscious.Archer hated to meet Natalie again in such a state. He left without saying goodbye to her because he knew that he was only going to keep hurting her. He was no good and he had nothing, so there was no way he was going to be able to take care of her the way she deserved.It has been ten years since he last saw her, but he remembers his first love. He never forgot the smell of her, and the way she smiles as if she had nothing to worry about. The way she cried when she can't hold it in anymore and how he says his name breathlessly.He couldn't come back or try to reach her because he knew that she was going to be traded for money by her broke parents. She didn't deserve that, but he couldn't help her and that was one of the many reasons why he ran away like a coward. He hoped to make a lot of money someday and come to rescue her, but ten years have already passed and he has nothing to call his own. He is a loser. He has always been in the family that he never felt belonged.Seeing her faint in front of him like that, pain ripped through his heart and he realized that he has been wrong and selfish all along. He could have done more than run away because she didn't faint because of shock, but the pain she has been holding inside for the past ten years.He hurriedly carried her into the living room, laid her on the couch and called her name. Her eyes fluttered open and tears streamed down the corners of her eyes. "Archer," She whispered softly, eyes locked with his as he cradled her head. "Ma'am, are you okay?" Archer didn't know when the woman came inside and the way she looked at him told him that she didn't trust him around Natalie. He didn't blame her for being wary of him since she didn't know their story.Judith, her private chef, stepped into the room and sent him another long disdainful look before she talked softly to Natalie. When she looked at him again, she asked him what he did to her."I'm fine, Judith. He actually helped me when I fell and hit my head on the kitchen counter." Natalie told her."You fell?""Who fell?"When Natalie found out that Oscar is not into women, she had hoped there were other ways to end things between them. But he had to force Archer to come back to the family house so that he would humiliate him by shoving the fact that he and Natalie are married down his throat.Now everything has escalated to another war all together. If he must kill, then he just has to end her own life because it's all her fault. Archer wouldn't be suffering if she had stayed away from him. He doesn't deserve any of this!“Oscar, I attempted to kill you. It's all my fault, let me pay for my sins. I know you don't like him, but he's still your brother and remember that…”“Oh, fucking shut up, Natalie!” Oscar retorted, snatching a gun from one of the men on guard. “You mean nothing to me, but seeing Archer like this, I had to spare you until now. Don't you think watching him die, or killing him with your own hands would be very painful?” He flipped the gun in his hands.“It's nice to know that you are s
Natalie felt cold hands on her face, someone was touching her. Just as she opened her eyes, she was blinded by the cold water poured on her face by unknown hands in the darkness.“What is this? How did I get here?” Her voice reverberated in her ears as tears stung the corner of her eyes.“Hello, my lovely wedded wife!” A cocky voice laughed, and that taunted her because she knew who owned the voice.“Oscar?” She called out in shock as he came out from the darkness to where a single bulb shone brightly. She was in the dark as well, which made her wonder how many more people were in the dusty room.“It's been awhile, honey. Did you miss me too much?” He walked up to her and used his finger to send strands of her hair behind. Then he rubbed his thumb on her lips as if he really missed kissing her, only he never kissed her except the one that happened on their wedding day in front of the witnesses. “You're alive? How…” she threw her face away to avoid his touch. He loathed his closeness.
Natalie walked up to the reception to drop off her keys as she had an appointment with the doctor. It isn't about her health issues, but she wants to go out and not stay stuffed like frozen food.She looked at the girl's badge before she called her attention. “Gianna,” she forced a smile at her. “Ma'am, do you need anything? You didn't have to come out here, you could have just pressed a button and I would…”“Hey, calm down and take a breath. I don't need anything else apart from air. I'm not some kind of foodstuff packed up in the fridge or cupboard. I have somewhere to go,” Natalie cut the girl off.“I'm sorry, but I was ordered not to let you leave your hotel room again. I just hope you understand, please.” Gianna walked across the counter to meet her.“I'm also sorry, but I can't take this anymore. Archer gave that order, right? I understand you all care about my safety, but it's more dangerous here.” Natalie placed her keys on the counter and turned toward the entrance of the h
Archer fixed his spy with a challenging gaze. He already knew from the beginning that Angelika had plans of her own, especially surprising her enemies with Oscar's return, but he did not expect to hear that she locked up his mother together with Natalie's parents and has been torturing them.He stamped his fist on his desk and stood up angrily. He had thought she would get the police involved and he only hoped to bail his mother, Mr and Mrs Hills out of the police custody and take them far away where she would never see them again just like he did Natalie.Now she's getting on his nerves and he's going for plan B. He can't sit back waiting for a perfect time to hit her back while his mother and the Hills' suffer. They don't deserve to be punished for being good people."How many shares are left with the Georges?" He asked, pushing his hands into his pockets."They still have thirty-five percent, we are already ahead of them. We have sixty already, and the remaining one is left with on
Natalie perched on one of the two-seater couches in the hotel room and wondered about the exclusive five-star hotel that Archer was able to get reservations for her and the McCartneys.She also overhead the receptionist discussion with another hotelier that there's a change of ownership. She's not stupid, and she hopes her suspicions aren't exactly what she's thinking because she trusts Archer would have let her in on everything going on in his life.She knows that he came back after ten years with nothing but a patched faded bag that contained his washed out clothes. He practically came back in rags and they went through a lot as nobodys, but look at her getting nice treatment in an expensive hotel in Manila, which happened because of him.She swayed when she tried to stand up and an unusual pain stabbed her heart. She was able to steady herself, standing strongly on her feet, but the pain didn't go away. That has happened once before, which she had ignored since it was gone just the
The dining room of the Georges estate grew uncomfortably silent when Angelika walked into the room. She suspected the reason for their sudden quietness, but she sat down, lowered her lashes to cover her eyes as she quietly started eating."What is this about?" She asked coldly when everyone continued stealing glances at her instead of eating."This has really affected you even though you pretend to be alright. Anyway, I was just telling everyone about today's board meeting." Elia spoke up, breaking the tension that hung in the air."What board meeting? I made it clear that no meeting will be held until I say so!" Angelika glared at the older woman."The fact that Oscar is gone shouldn't hold the company back and stop business from moving forward! So many changes are to be made and I have already permitted Julius to take over and continue from where Oscar stopped." Elia filled her in hotly."You must take me for a joke? Does Oscar mean nothing to you? Well, you chose the wrong woman to
Archer didn't go back to the Georges' estate. He had received a call on arrival in Hawaii. Mr. Adams had helped him meet the family that he had served when the family lawyer contacted him.He couldn't disclose this development to Natalie because he would have to explain the whole story to her and make her understand, and that would consume a lot of time. He didn't want to get her involved in his own mess too.Ten years ago, when he left the Georges' estate in anger, he met Eric in the shantytown that he first moved to, knowing that that was where people like him belonged and survived. Eric introduced him to one of his clients that had stomach cancer.The girl was about Natalie's age at that time and looked a lot like her. Knowing that she was going to die soon, her grandfather offered him an irresistible contract to marry the girl and stay with her for the short time that she's bound to spend on earth.He was hesitant to accept the mouthwatering offer, but his conscience nagged him si
Both Archer and Natalie heard Rohri's voice as she came up again and heard her gasped apology, but they weren't willing to break the kiss. They only stopped to breathe, but that was when the sailor and Rohri were long gone."It's fine, we will get over this." He assured her with one last deep kiss."I want to swim!" She was excitedly pulling off her clothes before he could give her a reply. "I got only this," he retrieved two of his big shirts from the small bag he packed and handed one to her.She snatched it, already in nothing but transparent bra and underwear, she threw it over her head and ran across the boat. Before he could change and go after her, she was already running around the seashore."I love the view from here, it's so quiet and peaceful and calm." She called out to him, squatting down to take fistfuls of sand in both hands."I love you more. Your excitement delights my heart." He replied, walking briskly toward her. His upper body bare, exposing his broad shoulders a
A geisha girl showed them to their rooms after they had met the old parents of Mr. Adams who seemed cheerful to have them. They had made them feel welcomed in a Hawaiian and Japanese tradition, but they still couldn't feel comfortable. They were shown into different rooms, but Archer can't have Natalie leave his side and she willingly let him lead her to his own room and was ready to share with him because she's too afraid to be on her own. Her legs just moved on their own volition, not because she knew that she was walking. She could as well be floating like some people in fantasy books.Natalie had been fighting back her nauseous feeling since she arrived at the place, so she ran into the bathroom and vomited everything she had eaten into the toilet, giving in to hysterics.Archer matched up to her and put his hand at the small of her back, his other hand patting her hair and pushing stubborn strands that threatened to fall into the water ware back."I killed a man, Archer. No one
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