"You are so stupid!" Tristan stood frozen in shock as his father's furious fist connected with his face. The force of the blow almost sent him sprawling to the ground. The room seemed to blur as his step-mother, sensing the commotion, rushed out from the kitchen, her eyes widening in alarm at the scene unfolding before her."Benjamin, why did you do that?!" she exclaimed, her voice full of disbelief. Her hands reaching out to hold onto her husband. "That bastard, let one of the biggest project be on Branson's side! You're a disappointment, Tristan. I keep on reminding you how important to get that contract but look what happened, you managed to fail it!" she scolded him once more, anger is evidence in his eyes. "And what's next? You are also going to let him take the spot for the international expansion project?" Tristan clenched his jaw, as his father grabbed him by the arm tightly, pulling him towards himself. "Benjamin, you are hurting you son...""This is the first and last cha
In the elegant surroundings of a luxurious bridal boutique, Tristan and Viviana found themselves immersed in the preparations for their wedding engagement.As the bridal consultant presented Viviana with an array of exquisite engagement rings, Tristan can't help but go sigh in boredom. He really doesn't want to waste his time on this nonsense. "Ma'am Viviana, this one is absolutely stunning," the consultant exclaimed, holding up a dazzling diamond ring. "It would be the perfect symbol of your love and commitment!" Tristan scrunched his nose at that statement."You're right. Look, babe! What do you think?" Viviana held up her left hand to show off her ring finger. It was covered in a thick layer of diamonds. "This one's beautiful, isn't it?" she asked as she slipped it on her ring finger. Viviana's bright fave turned into annoyance, when Tristan doesn't even look at her hand properly before making some sarcastic comment. "No idea, Viviana. This looks like it could be part of a set
Samantha sighed again. She couldn't shake off the worry in her heart, it seemed to be getting harder for her to reject Kristoffer's courtship as the days passed, but the reason for her frown now was the words that Viviana had said that she couldn't get out of her mind."Psh! You still seem happy about your engagement party preparations, huh?" she said with a pout. Then the door to her office opened and there she saw Tristan holding some papers."If you need something done, just leave it here on the top of the table," she said. After seeing Tristan enter and close the door, she lowered her gaze and never lifted her head again."Is there a problem?" She felt Tristan walking towards her. From her sitting position, she stood up and pretended to be busy searching for some folders in their container."Sam?" He reached for her hand, and she turned her head to see his worried eyes. Samantha avoided his gaze, as if she was being sucked in by his eyes. Since this morning, she had been ignoring
The grand mansion's garden is beautifully decorated with fairy lights, lanterns, and a flower arch at the entrance. There is a cozy seating area with vintage furniture, and a dance floor in the center of the garden. Food stations offering various cuisines are spread throughout the area. Guests are mingling, enjoying the music, and capturing moments at the photo booth.Almost all well-known people in the business industry are here, that's why almost all famous journalists are also here, and they don't miss any opportunity to cover events tonight.Samantha quietly observes her surroundings when she sees her mother and step-father coming out of the mansion."There they are," says Kristoffer who's just sitting on the same table as Samantha, wearing a well-fitted black tuxedo with a crisp white dress shirt, black bowtie, and black patent leather shoes. After a few moments of chatting with some passing guests, her parents finally arrived in front of where she was.Kristoffer stood up from h
From the middle, Viviana and Tristan sat, with Samantha's step-father and mother on either side of them. The guests, too, were happy to observe, but some of them couldn't help but whisper and speculate whether the marriage of the two will really push through, especially considering the undeniable history of conflict between the two families in the business realm."Good evening, everyone! I hope you're all having a fantastic time tonight. We are gathered here to celebrate the love and commitment of two extraordinary individuals, Mr. Tristan Hilton and Ms. Viviana Branson!" The host begins. "While it is known to everyone that the initial encounter between their families regarding their businesses did not go well, they expect that the love they now have for each other will be the binding force for even greater success in their business and family."From where Tristan was seated, his eyes found Samantha, who was now sitting next to Kristoffer. He didn't take his gaze off her; he wanted to
Tristan walked towards the host, his father's brow furrowed, while his step-mother was oblivious to what was about to happen."Mr. Hilton?" the host asked in confusion as Tristan took the microphone in his hand."There will be no wedding." Whispers quickly spread around, reporters started to scramble, prompting Tristan's father to stand up from his seat and approach him."What the fuck are you talking about, Tristan? Take back what you said," his father sternly whispered, but Tristan remained unfazed."Everyone knows that this is happening because of the agreement between the Hilton and Branson families, but I never agreed to it, only my father did.""Oh my gosh!""He really doesn't love Ms. Branson?""Poor thing, she really wanted to become a Hilton," whispers around. Viviana stood up from her seat."Tristan, please... W-What are you doing? Go back to your seat. Aren't you embarrassed?" Viviana whispered, and then grabbed Tristan's arm, but he firmly removed it.Samantha glanced as K
"Viviana, please don't involve my child." After stepping down from the stage, Samantha's mother approached her."Ms. Samantha, what does Ms. Branson mean? Do you know if there's any truth to your step-brother impregnating Ms. Viviana?" asked a reporter, followed by others."Everyone, please don't escalate the situation. My child has nothing to do with this. Tristan, please, sort this mess out. Samantha..." Samantha looked at Tristan again, her mind seemingly blank, all she knew was that she wanted to cry."Let's leave here for now, dear," her mother suggested, taking her by the arm."Sam..." Tristan was about to follow when he was stopped."You heard what Samantha's mother said, Tristan. Fix the mess you've made," Kristoffer firmly stated, then followed Samantha.Tristan's father walked over to the host and whispered something."Everyone. I kindly ask that you return to your seats. We can also start lining up for the buffet." The host tried to calm the guests, especially the media, bu
Tristan nearly fell from the force of his father's punch, it was as if he lost his hearing momentarily, even the noises from their vast garden he couldn't hear."What madness has entered your mind to make you do all of this?!" his father yelled at him. His eyes were red with extreme anger. Tristan straightened up and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth."Don't you think, Tristan? What you've done could cause everything to be lost when you open your eyes tomorrow because of your foolishness!" His father's fist landed on his cheek again, but he remained silent, trying to calm himself. He didn't seem to understand what his father was saying because his mind was occupied by Samantha."The media will surely feast on this. And do you think Kristoffer won't retaliate for the humiliation you've caused Viviana? You ruined our plans, Tristan. You didn't just embarrass me, but our entire family! You're fucking stupid!" His father choked him, Tristan gritted his teeth."You will marry Vi
Samantha could hear the waves crash against her earlobe. Her skin seems hugging the coldness that's whispering in her surroundings. "Evelyn, where we actually are? Just make sure you have no hidden anger towards me that you are gonna drown me on the sea." Evelyn chuckle while she's acting as Samantha's support while walking and making sure that her friend will not going to removed her blindfold. "Nah, you can trust me for this, Sam!" Evelyn even giggled. After some time, they already stopped from walking, Samantha then sense that Evelyn already removed her hands from her shoulder. The silent of the surroundings made her heart race. "Evelyn? Should I remove it already?" She asked with a shaky tone, but Evelyn didn't answer her anymore so she decided to slowly removed the blindfold on her eyes. As she opened her eyes, the beauty of the night sky and the lights coming from the decorated lanterns was what greeted her eyes. But her eyes soon focus into one spot. It's a heart shape can
"Tristan, what should we do now?! My daughter's in danger," Nathalie said, panic seeping through her voice, while Evelyn is trying to calm her down. Benjamin then, is already calling some men to come and help to find where Viviana kept Samantha. "I c-can't afford to let her get killed!" Tristan jaw clenched, he quickly picked his car's key and jacket."Tristan, where are you going?" Benjamin asked his son. "Dad, I can't just wait here. I need to do something!" Tristan was about to step out of the mansion when his phone rang, and to their surprised when Tristan answer the video call, it's not only Viviana they see, instead she's with Kristoffer also. "Kristoffer?!" Nathalie can't believe what she's seeing. She even trusted Kristoffer to take care of her daughter, but now he's actually one of the kidnappers. "How dare you, Kristoffer?! Where did you take my daughter!? What have you done with her?!" "Oh, easy, Aunt Nathalie. She's there still breathing." The camera was being zoomed
"How could you do that to me, Viviana?!" Viviana quickly followed Tristan inside their home. "T-Tristan, babe... Please, let me explain.""Damn you! Explain what? Your lies? Maybe you can still fool me if ever I didn't follow Samantha to Kristoffer's house and I didn't hear and see all your lies. You are pregnant, huh?" He spat the last words like they were a curse word.Viviana froze for the second time, she's afraid, too scared that Tristan might just leave her, but she's more than angry, because if only Samantha didn't go there, maybe he won't follow her and discover the truth."So, from the start you are just fooling me? You fucking made me believe that we are really having a child!" Her hands curled into fists as she looked at the other side of the living room. "Tristan, I'm sorry okay? T-That's the only thing I can do to make you marry me." Viviana tried to grab his arm but Tristan pulled away and stepped backward. "And to get my wealth?" Viviana shook her head even it's too
"I'll just pay the bills, just wait me here?" Samantha smiled and nodded at Kristoffer. She can feel the furious gazed of Viviana towards her. She can actually hear her fingers tapping on the tap of the table. "If you are not really going to rest room, then we should go," she heard the words coming from Tristan. Its been half an hour since she's trying to control her hand from trembling because of undeniable nervousness. "No, I really want to, but I just really don't have a good feelings making you wait here." Samantha finally met Viviana's sight, who's not surprisingly still lingering on her. "Viviana..." Tristan whispered like the tone of his voice is fulll of tiredness. "Fine! I'll be back here quickly. Tristan, just sit there, and wait me, okay?" Viviana said while standing up from seating, and even looked back at Samantha with a warning look before walking into the hallway that leads to the rest room. When both of their lovers already out of the picture, Samantha could fee
"Tristan," Viviana approached Tristan and hugged him. She needs to act like a good wife again and not to trigger his anger towards him since their marriage is in a verge of failure because Samantha seems to be entering the picture again, especially now that Kristoffer also told her that before this month end, Samantha will be back here in New York and she doesn't like that news.She knows very well that Tristan is still in love with Samantha, and she won't let them be happy. "I-I'm happy that you are back. Look, I am sorry about our last fight. You don't have to stay away from me babe, especially that it's only a few months before I give birth." She gives him a small smile and caresses his cheek lovingly.Tristan stares at her silently for sometime and then sighs as he pinches the bridge of his nose. He looks tired, and Viviana knows that it's because of his hidden purpose at London. "I'm tired, Viviana. I want to rest." Despite the anger simmering inside of her, she still managed t
Samantha slowly opened her eyes, finding herself inside an unknown place she can't really recognize. Soon enough she realized that she's like in an apartment. She got up from lying on the bed, thinking how she somehow ends up here."Sam..." Her eyes widened as she heard a very familiar voice, the same time she saw Tristan standing by the door of the bedroom. Samantha quickly got up from the bed and find her purse and wear her shoes again. She's about to leave the room when Tristan approached her."Sam..." He hugged her, holding tightly on her waist. "Tristan!" She pushes him away. "What are you doing?! Let me go!" When their eyes met she immediately felt like he's hurt. His face shows that he wants to hold her more. Her heart beat more faster as Tristan held her hands, but she just pushed his arms.She's too shocked to opened her eyes and see him here, like all of this feels like a dreams. She doesn't know how to react, but her feelings can't deny that he's still have an effect on
"I hate him, Kris! But I hate your girlfriend more!" Viviana raised her voice, she's calling her brother, after Tristan left her and telling him about Tristan knowing the truth already that Samantha goes back to New York to witnessed their wedding. "Can you calm your ass, Viviana?" "Calm down? How can I calm down when he seems interested to know the reason why the fucking Samantha go there that time? What if... What if Tristan find her and leave me? I... I'm scared. I don't want any of this! You should have hide that girlfriend of yours and not let him see her," she said while sniffing. Kristoffer doesn't want to see his sister hurting especially because of Tristan because it made his blood boiled. He could do anything just to make her sister happy and no one could prevent him from doing that. "Stop crying, Viviana. I will make sure that Tristan is going nowhere near her and he can't just treat you like you are not his wife." Kristoffer told her with a serious tone and a cold voi
Viviana's bedroom was a sanctuary of luxurious fabrics and adorned with extravagant things, that cast a soft glow upon her surroundings. It was within this lavish haven that Viviana stood, her phone resting on a marble tabletop, its screen displaying Kristoffer's name.She pressed the speaker button, allowing her to still hear his voice, as she gazed upon her reflection in a grandiose mirror. The mirror, framed with ornate golden carvings is reflecting perfect body shape.Kristoffer's voice echoed from the phone, with a confident tone. The timbre of his voice reverberated through the room. "Of course, she can't do that to someone like me, Viviana," he proclaimed, there's an arrogance seeping into his words.She raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk dancing upon her lips as she turned away from the mirror, fixating her gaze on an exquisite vase of orchids. "Psh! You are too confident, Kris," she taunted, her voice tinged with amusement. "Are you sure she's not just using you to cover
"Tristan?" "What are you doing here? And I didn't invite you to come inside already!""Samantha's there during our wedding right?" Evelyn, didn't expect that from Tristan. She doesn't know how Tristan knew it. But then she need to stick on her promise as what Samantha request her to do and that's not to tell anyone about it."W-What are you talking about? How could Samantha possibly there that moment, do you think she'll come back here just for you?""Tristan, you ruined my best friend's life. You are the reason why she suffered from humiliation." "Please, Evelyn... Don't hide it anymore. Tell me, tell me why she was there during that time? Did she plan to stop our wedding because the truth is she still loves me, right?" Tristan's voice quivered with a mixture of desperation and hope. He was searching for answers, clinging onto the possibility that Samantha's presence meant something more than what he had initially believed.Evelyn bit her lip, her eyes darting around the room as if