(Aya’s POV)It was a quick kiss because the children ran toward Red and me, giggling happily as they embraced us. I chuckled, reaching out for the table napkin on the side and wiping the corners of the twin’s and Katie’s mouths because of the strawberry and chocolate-covered cake balls they ate.“I like this, mommy,” Onyx said, biting the one still in his hand.Mommy.They didn’t come from my womb, but my whole body was filled with joy, and I didn’t know why I was too excited that a few hours from now, it wouldn’t be awkward for me to hear them calling me their mommy. The tears I was holding rolled down my cheeks.Blue gasped. “Oh no! You made mommy cry, Onyx.”I chuckled, wiping the tears and sniffling as I shook my head. My heart was so full, unsure where the happiness was coming from because it was overflowing inside me. I glanced at Red when he called me, extending his hand to go with him and meet our family.“Dad,” I muttered nervously.My father only smiled and hugged me. I knew
(Aya’s POV)Dante fetched us from home and drove us to Rose Hills after breakfast. We had to go there early because Mike mentioned I had to sign the prenuptial agreement before the wedding. I didn’t need to explain it to my family, especially to dad, because they understood. I was just worried because even last night, when we came home to the apartment, he didn’t say much except he knew that there was something special about Red and me.When we arrived, and Dante stopped the SUV in front of the villa, I did not wait for him to open the door. Even Addie and Leslie went out of the car and helped Katie get out of her child's seat, but we let him help my father.“Wow!” Leslie opened her mouth in awe as she looked at the luxurious home of her boss. “This is more than winning a lottery, Aya.”Addie had a different concern. “You walked on that hill and from that gate to here?”I laughed, nodding at her. I could not believe it was only recently that I thought I would die in coming here, hopin
(Red’s POV)“Aya’s here, Red. Why do you look so nervous?” Liam chuckled. “Your bride won’t run away.”I knew that because Ariana and Mike kept updating me on what was happening inside. Aya had signed the prenuptial agreement already, and she was sent to the guest room to prepare her for this event. The plan was a simple wedding in my office followed by a lunch with our families with Sherrilyn. Still, I could not ignore the fact that I already stole Aya’s dream wedding, if she had, and tied her to me, so I asked my sister for help, at least giving her a wedding to remember.Ariana told me last night to relax and leave everything to her and Mike while Liam and I were busy in the online meeting with the board last night. The event coordinator she hired had her staff work overnight, turning the covered swimming pool area into a paradise.When the music began, while I walked the red carpet adorned with flowers looking like they sprouted on the side, I could not help thinking about the gra
(Red’s POV)I wanted to kiss Aya more, but I was afraid I would not stop myself from devouring her soft and sweet lips. I stared at her lips for a few seconds as I licked mine, hoping she would allow me to kiss her again later.Later… I pressed my lips, suppressing a laugh, unsure why I wanted more when I planned to work tonight. She agreed to sleep in my bed, but I didn’t know if I would get a wink with Aya beside me.After hugs and kisses of congratulations from our family members, our guest, the person and the reason Aya and I were in this situation, walked closer to us.“Congratulations, Red, Aya,” she kissed Aya and then me on my cheek.“Aya, baby, she’s Sherrilyn,” I introduced, pretending she didn’t know why Sherrilyn was here.My wife curved into a smile. “Oh, hi! I’m so happy you came today.”“I got worried when my grandchildren called,” she muttered as she looked at the beautifully adorned place. “I came here to witness this day. It’s important for me to see who will take ca
(Red’s POV)I raised my hands. “I’m sorry. I just got curious,” I lied.“Curious? Hmph!”Aya sneered at me again and placed a pillow on the bed’s headboard, leaning her back on the cushion and turning her eyes to the magazine she was reading. I might as well suggest to Ariana to give her a space suit, a good night dress to keep me sane at night.“Don’t take advantage of me, Red,” she sighed, tilting her head to glance at me. She looked cute, pouting her lips.“I’m just a man, okay,” I murmured as I tapped my pillow, annoyingly lying on my bed and covering my face with the blanket.“Red,” called Aya in a hushed tone.“What?”I almost growled when she tried to pull the cover from my face. My forehead furrowed, seeing the horror in her eyes as if she had seen a ghost. “Ariana said you haven’t changed anything in your bedroom for many years. Does it include your bed?” she asked in a hushed tone.I pressed my lips, suppressing a laugh, wondering why she was whispering. The main bedroom, b
(Red’s POV)I curled my hands on the metal railing of the bed’s headboard when Aya’s fingers grazed my sensitive member. She tied me on purpose because if my hands were free, she would not be able to do this. I imagined grabbing her arms, kissing her soft lips, and exploring her mouth.Aya was my Delilah, draining my strength as her tongue playfully licked my pulsating crown. I moaned again, letting out a ragged breath and growling in a low tone, hoping my hands to escape from being imprisoned in her night robe’s ribbon.“Oh, God,” I murmured nervously when Aya’s mouth closed around my shaft.She was quiet and careful not to touch my skin with other parts of her body except her hand and mouth. This was like having wet dreams, and the only difference was that the warmth of her mouth reminded me this was real, and she was making every part of my body intense, not a piece of my imagination, in this erotic dream.My head arched, and I lifted my hips, wishing to get my member deeper into h
(Aya’s POV)Red peeked from the canvas, gazed at me from head to toe, and stared at my face for a while. I swallowed hard and forced a smile, hiding the fact that I was trembling, nervous that he might come closer, and found out how badly I desired him.We had not known each other for a long time, but I had done crazy things I never thought I could. I got hired but fired the next day, pretended to be his wife, and just a while ago, I vowed before the officiant to stay committed and faithful to him for the rest of my life. I must be deranged, pleasing him with my mouth and sitting naked before him.The biggest lie I had ever said today was telling him he would not satisfy me, but with his eyes fixed on my rosy peaks, it was already proof that he could. I heard him groan when I licked my lips.“Argh! You’re making me crazy, Aya,” he snarled in a low voice, putting the pencil back on the side, and began walking in my direction.I squeezed my eyes shut when I saw him reaching for my shoul
(Aya’s POV)This was the second time I saw everyone at the dining table for breakfast. The first was when I worked as their nanny supervisor, and today, as Mrs. Carlington. The children dashed toward their usual seats, except for Liam, moving to the next chair.“Good morning!” Liam greeted, his lips curving a playful smile, watching me as I checked on the food Onyx’s nanny was putting on his plate. “How’s your first night here, Aya?”“Scary,” I blushed.I glanced at Red, whose eyes were on the tablet he was reading. I walked on the vacant chair on his right side, assuming the seat was mine, but as I held the top rail, I stopped pulling it when I remembered him talking to Scarlett’s picture early this morning.“I think… I…” I turned my eyes to the last chair beside Ariana. I didn’t deserve to be in this place.“Sit!” Red muttered in an autocratic voice.It wasn’t loud, but I panicked, pulling the chair and sitting down. The maid, whose name I forgot because there were so many, walked t
(Aya’s POV) Three months later... I raised my hand, my fingers trailing my little one’s soft skin as she had her milk from my breast. I smiled when she stopped, a habit she seemed to have whenever she heard something familiar. “You heard daddy’s voice, Athena?” I asked lovingly. When I raised my head, my lips curved into a sweet smile seeing Red stopping and leaning on the doorframe. He kept his cell phone inside his pocket and gazed at us. “Cora left already?” I asked as I fixed my nursing bra and thought to pump milk later. I could not believe I was blessed with lots of milk. He shook his head. “She’s hiking with Ariana tomorrow. Can you believe it?” He chuckled. “Or should I call a rescuer in advance?” I chuckled, shaking my head. “Don’t say that in front of your sister. She might think of something else, like camping there for the night. So, please...” As Roman promised, his two children, Ariana and Red, stayed until I gave birth, and they seemed to have changed their mind
(Red’s POV)“Are you sure?” Mike asked me as Emmet and Scarlett went to the playroom to talk to Rosie.“You said it yourself, Mike, that even if I don’t press charges, she will still go to jail,” I muttered, sighing as I eyed Aya sitting in the living room, murmuring words to our little one as she caressed her belly.I hoped it was still because of her pregnancy that she was soft-hearted, sobbing over the story she heard from Scarlett. She lived poorly with Emmet, who worked as a security guard in a warehouse in the province he mentioned, but she never looked sad, not even regretting marrying him. If asked, she said she wanted to stay dead in her family’s eyes rather than go back, but Sherrilyn found her again, threatening her of hurting Emmet and Rosie if she didn’t help her with money. Sherrilyn must have forgotten that even her daughter signed a prenuptial agreement before our marriage, and the few gifts I gave her as a gift would take time to repossess because of her death. “But
(Aya’s POV)Almost eight months ago, when I first came here to the Carlington Residence, I believed I was born a selfless person with no ‘me’ time in my system. I had never expected to be part of this family when all I wanted at that time was to get a job and replace the parure Ryan gave me. I was not qualified for the job, but I had to lie to Red. The pieces of jewelry, the need for money, and the hope of finishing my studies and getting a good job for my father and Katie were the forces that pushed me to pretend to be someone else. Who knew I would meet Red, the man who had told me many times I was not qualified, had given me a chance because of his love for his children? It was not even a year, but a lot of things had happened in my life. I turned my head and gazed lovingly at my husband. He didn’t have to say it, but I knew deep inside he was hurting. I might not have witnessed their long years of marriage before the plane crash, but I saw how he tried to cope, live for his chil
(Aya’s POV)“Think, Sherrilyn,” I chuckled nervously. “The restroom is small for me to trip. And wait! Are you threatening me?”I thought of different ways to run toward the door, but Sherrilyn’s plan of possibly pushing me would be more realistic than the one in the restroom. I took a deep breath to calm myself and hoped Red would come on time. If I weren’t pregnant, I would care less about what she planned to do, but my sole concern now is my child.“Mom, will you please stop!” Scarlett grabbed her mother’s arm, stopping her.“Stop?” Sherrilyn hissed at her daughter. “As long as she’s here, she’s going to be the end of you.”“What do you plan to do with her, huh?” She asked annoyingly. “We’ll only make Red furious. Mom, all my life, I did what you wanted. Will you listen to me once? Let Aya go.”“What’s happening with you?” Sherrilyn brushed off her hand and gave her daughter a dagger look. “Have you gone mad?”“No!” Scarlett stood before her, blocking Sherrilyn from coming to me. “
(Aya’s POV)“Did you bring everything you needed?” Addie chuckled, asking me jokingly the same question she had the first time I got here in the villa in Rose Hills.I laughed as I get off the car, hating that I had to feel like my bladder was about to explode if I didn’t find a toilet right this minute. I had no intention of getting inside the villa, but Dante stopped the car in the driveway. I already had the chills, my tiny hair standing up, and my baby seemed to feel my need as it moved and kicked. I almost rolled my hair, seeing Scarlett standing in the doorway, waiting for her family.“I’m not sure I need them now, Addie,” I growled on the phone, thinking quickly about where the nearest restroom would be. “What I want now is to pee, and if I don’t, I’ll leak in Gino’s car… or worse, here in the porch!”“Then leak there first. I’m sure Scarlett won’t mind,” she advised. “Got to go, cous. We have a guest. Take care, okay?” she said, ending the call.“Why don’t you use the one nea
(Aya’s POV)“Will I get a discount if I give referrals?” Miles smiled as he picked up his cup of coffee. His eyes wandered around the common room.“Even if you don’t give referrals, Miles. I’ll still give you a discount... or maybe have your accommodation for free,” I promised him.Miles chuckled. “I’ll call you when I have the time to hike,” he sipped his coffee and then put his cup back on the center table. “But before my hiking plans, I should close this case first.”He must be working overtime; his wide-set eyes looked tired but still focused on our discussion. I wondered if he had ever slept or had time to eat. When Red called Mike and asked them to come, they arrived in less than three hours at the lodge.It was almost midnight.“You should go home, Red,” Miles said, surprising us with his advice. “Bring the kids back to the villa and pretend for a while, at least for the kids, that everything’s normal between you and Scarlett.”“I think it’s too late for that,” I cut in and smi
(Red’s POV)“Did we do something wrong?” Blue blinked his adorable eyes at me. “I’m okay having a baby sister, I swear!” He said, raising his right hand. “It’s okay we lost the bet.”We were in the main bedroom, looking like having a story-telling class, when I asked them to sit on the bed while Aya and I sat, almost leaning on the bed’s headboard, facing the children.“No,” Violet answered without breaking her gaze at me. “Mom and Dad are going to talk to us about Emmet and Rosie... and mom... the Scarlett mom,” she muttered, emphasizing her mother’s name.Katie pursed her lips as she played with her slime toy. “Why is your mom also Rosie’s mom?” she asked, leaning forward to look at Violet and her round eyes blinking curiously at her sister.She leaned back when my eldest daughter pursed her lips. Katie’s eyebrows knitted as she thought, then she shrugged her shoulders and continued playing with her toy.Violet sighed. “I hope I know the answer to that question, Katie,” she muttered
(Red’s POV)“You... know that I am Scarlett’s...” I gritted my teeth, clenching my fists but trying to control myself from hitting Emmet’s face.Emmet met my eyes and slowly shook his head. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. When he opened his eyes, he looked at his sister.“Emily, why don’t you take Rosie home?” He begged and smiled sadly at his daughter.“I don’t want to go home yet,” Rosie pouted her lips, her eyes pleading with him to let her stay.“You should listen to your daddy. Go home, Rosie,” Blue said as he got off his chair. “I’ll play outside. Triplets, do you like to play with me?”This was the first time I saw my children push away another child. Ariana always said that my kids could be awarded for amiableness and friendliness, which she sometimes disliked because it sometimes ended up trouble for her wallet when my kids also wanted to treat others with ice cream or any treats. My twins, even Katie, the sweetest of our daughters, said nothing about Rosie. She got
(Aya’s POV) “Can we name our baby sister now,” Green muttered excitedly as he ate his cake. Red turned his head to me, raising his eyebrows and asking me in silence if it was okay. I nodded, also excited about their suggestions. “Oh…kay…” He nodded slowly to them. “We’re open to suggestions,” he said, emphasizing the last word and glancing at the open main door when a familiar girl peered from the outside. “Can we do that later? We have guests.” Emily showed up at the door, smiling apologetically at us and glancing at the little girl she was with. For Rosie’s sake, I begged Red not to file a case against Emmet because on the day he ran toward me, he was not attacking; he was also trying to catch me. Violet smiled at Rosie, walking toward her and extending her hand to the child. “Hi, Rosie. Do you like cupcakes?” She nodded, her eyes wide as she looked interestingly at the balloons. She grabbed Violet’s hand and followed her toward the table. Red and I walked toward Emily, who st