Thanes pov." Mr Renihardt? Mr Renihardt? Sir? " " Yes, yes what is it? " I barked.The young lady who was trying to get my attention recoiled, looking frightened. She cleared her throat, dropping her head down to stare at the marble floor."Sir, I asked for your opinions on our team's presentation." Her voice trembled with fear. I looked at her, then to where the other interns stood wide-eyed, all young and nervous" It's good. " I said brusquely with a wave of my hand to dismiss them. " You'll receive feedback from me. You all can leave now. " The interns gathered their things and left, looking relieved. The truth is, I didn't hear anything the intern had said. I wasn't paying any attention. My mind was submerged in thoughts of a certain hazel-eyed CEO.Two nights ago, Andera had called me. I was surprised she had my number, but then I remembered I texted her with it some time ago. More surprising was my instant relief and peace when she told me that she wasn't sick, but the way s
Andera's pov. Tiffany's test results came in today. It is not an infection or an allergic reaction as Doctor Smith had thought. He advised that I bring her over to the hospital again for further tests to be taken on her.I was relieved when she woke up feeling strong and boisterous like her usual self.But despite Tiffany's energetic mood, I decided it would be best to stay away from school today, just so she could properly rest. I also took a day off from the office. Thanks to my very capable chief operating officer, Rosa, I can confidently take a break, sit back, relax, and spend some time with both my babies, knowing that my company is in safe hands.Timmy and Tiffany have been in their room since we finished having breakfast. Tiffany has been trying out all the outfits in her closet. Preparing herself to be a model. While Timmy, her only audience, fan, and biggest supporter, has been cheering her. I lingered for a while, watching my children with love and affection. After about
Thanes pov. It's today.The Scale-up soiree. The day I defy Andera's rejection and show up at her doorstep.You could say I'm losing my mind.I slip into one of my finest Ralph Lauren suits, gray colored, a lighter shade than my eyes. My hair is brushed back in a sleek way, and a confident smirk stretches on my face as I look at myself in the mirror. Tonight, I'm not just dressing to impress – I'm on a mission to capture the attention of one woman. I spray on my signature sandalwood cologne, the same scent Andera has always loved. Tonight, I was determined to make a statement, and I know whom I want to impress.Now, with my look perfected, I've got one final move. The trick up my sleeve.A luxurious limousine awaits, ready to collect the woman who has no idea she's going to be mine for the night.I know Andera said she would not be going to this business conference with me, and I'm also aware that I may be overstepping boundaries here, but yet, my stubbornness refuses. Andera is m
Andera's pov.Thane's hand rested on the back of my neck, and a jolt of electricity ran through my veins. I wondered if he felt me stiffen under his touch. I can't believe my own body is betraying me like this.I wanted to hate him, but yet I relished the feel of his fingers on my skin, yearning for his touch. Perhaps it was because Thane was the only man my boys has ever known. He was familiar with my body, knowing exactly how to weaken my knees, to make me moan with maddening ecstasy, leaving me on the brink of exhaustion with pleasure.There are things...feelings a woman cannot forget.I was ashamed to admit it to myself, but I had been having some..cravings, I wanted to be touched and by someone who knew how. Despite the pain Thane caused me five years ago, I was still a woman with needs and desires that refused to be silenced, regardless of how much I helped myself.With his thumb, Thane drew lazy circles at the back of my neck. Sending tingles down to my core, his thumb wasn't
Andera's pov.I swallowed hard, my heart skipping a bit while Thane held my second wrist.I knew Thane well enough to recognize that menacing look in his eyes, and a shiver ran down my spine. " She isn't going anywhere, we came together, we will leave together. Perish any thoughts you're conjuring Grace. It won't work. " He maintained. If it were any other person on the receiving end of Thane's subtle threatening statement, they would have fled, but this is Grace. She was there since his childhood. The woman is like a big aunty to him.Grace clicked her teeth, frowning in disapproval."I will not let this beautiful woman here-" she gestured at me "- to waste a fine evening as this. " Challenge flickered in her jade eyes, she tugged me closer again."Grace, let her go. " Thane answered calmly, too calmly to be anything but frightening.He tugged me closer, and Grace pulled me towards herself. That was how I found myself sandwiched in between their bickering. Thane's eyes narrowed w
Thane's pov There are so many things I want to do to her and with her. At this point, it would be useless to deny it. I want Andera, scratch that, I need her, or I might just explode. I don't know how much longer till my frayed restraint completely washes away. Andera just left me and Grace with our mouths open in awe, and dammit, she made me breathless.Again, I ask myself, how is this even possible? This is the same woman I spent my life ignoring, both when she was under my family's care and when she became my wife.They say change is constant, and yes, Andera has changed, but is it usually this drastic and overwhelming? " Are you listening, Thane? " The blonde lady says to me. She has been talking non-stop of things I don't want to hear. I didn't even know why, and when she approached me, I was too focused, gawking at Andera as she took small sips of her drink. I should pay close attention to Andera; being drunk at a party like this, in a sea of men, would do more harm than good
Thanes pov.The jeep hurtled towards me. Closer, faster. I shut my eyes closed as the Jeep's blinding headlights pierced through my windshield.I braced myself for what was to come, only it didn't come. When I opened my eyes. The jeep had stopped mere inches away from my car. Like a miracle.I couldn't bring myself to sigh in relief yet, not when Andera was still inside that car with God knows who. Despite the cool night air, sweat tricked from my forehead down to my chin. I could hear my heavy breathing in my car. A tense minute of stillness passes.I fight back the urge to confront the Abductor. Confronting him might not be the best option, especially since I didn't know if he was armed. It was all I could think about to stop me from storming out of my car. The cops should be here anytime soon now. I can't see through the front tinted glass on the jeep but I know that Andera is in there.In a flash, the back door to the jeep opens, and Andera falls to the hard ground with a lou
Andera's povI hated Thane. I have never had so much hatred for one person. I hated him for what he did to me seven years ago, for believing I would stoop so low and steal from him, my husband. Nothing could quench that angerBut yet, here we are, lips crashing into one another's. Just like on our first night.They say there is a thin line between love and hate. If that's true, then I am balancing precariously on that line. I know I will never love Thane, not like I used to, but tonight, just for tonight, I'll risk it. I will put one foot on the other side of that line.I parted my lips for him, allowing Thane to deepen the kiss. We could have tonight, this frenzied moment of reckless abandon, not caring if were divorced, business partners or not.Come morning, I will go back to hating Thane, to orchestrating his ruin. Tonight, I break my rules.Thane groaned, pulling my head closer. Using his tongue to tease me, making me crave more of him.I knew any of the nurses could walk in an
Melissa's PovOver the past week, I hired several hackers to track my blackmailer's number but the criminal had his tracks covered. It was untraceable. I had gone through my list of suspects over and over again but it still does not add up. There were the five guys I had that orgy back in high school, but what would they benefit from me marrying Thane? And it's not like I recall their identities anyway. There's also Paul - Thane's nerdy cousin and personal assistant. He could be planning to take the company from Thane's hands, but it didn't make any sense how he'd accomplish that by my relationship with Thane. Everything was so weirdly confusing. At this point I was going crazy, throwing my frustration at everyone and everything. Sebastian has been avoiding me like a plague, using the disguise of business to stay away from home. I sighed as I took my sip of vodka. It's been eight days since that blackmail. Maybe the fucker has given up and decided to find someone else to torment,
Melissa's Pov. “Stay the fuck away from me, Melissa. I hate you! You are a leech! That's what you are!" Sebastian yelled as I walked out from his mansion and life. I kept chewing my bubble gum, blowing bubbles at intervals. My Louboutins clacking on the marble floor. “ Are you seriously leaving?" He asked incredulously, his tone layered with worry. I had to stifle a grin. I knew Sebastian was bluffing when he said I should leave his home. “Come on Melissa. One apology wouldn't kill you." He sounded frustrated and tired. I kept walking, not even turning to spare him a glance. I had reached the living room now. Men, with their incessant attitude, always grate on my nerves. Last night, Sebastian and I attended a family gala. One of the servers didn't get me the exact wine I ordered -which is a big insult to my person, and to teach the woman a lesson, I poured the drink on her. Sebastian got angry instead of defending me so I left the gala with my held up high. I came back home a
Andera's pov.“Are you jealous, girl? You're sure you don't want to reconsider your sexuality? You could be gay for me. Trust me, I'd take you places no man has taken you before - my brother included. " Rosa joked as she drove us to Hilltop Preschool. It was closing hours and we both decided to pick the kids up together. Rosa and I have been teasing each other since morning. “Jesus Rosa, I didn't sleep with Carol. I only fell asleep while we were watching a movie." I defended myself. She had walked in on us yesterday, I jerked awake when I heard her laughter. After putting the kids to bed(they waited up for me) I went over to Carol's - Rosa's home. True to what he said, he didn't touch me, we stayed side by side on the couch watching a new action movie Carol had recommended. I have never been a movie person, I tend to fall asleep thirty minutes into a show. Being with Carol was comforting, it was just like spending time with Rosa - like spending time with a good friend. I was so rel
Andera's povI wiped another tear from my face, not caring that the chaffuer could see me from the rearview mirror. I had ordered a Black car serviceto pick me up from the restaurant. Since I entered the luxury vehicle. I've been alternating between crying and laughing. When Thane called our daughter's name, a deluded part of me had hoped he'd beg me to take him back so we could live together as a family. But then he ruined it, by asking about her paternity.The first question he asked was if Tiffany was his child. Really? Is he stupid or did he say that to annoy me? I had thought. But then he kept on pressing, demanding to know if Tiffany was his daughter Thane thought low of me. Disgustingly low. I loved him, I worshipped the ground he stood on, and I made him see that no other person could measure up to him. Yet he implied that the moment we got divorced, I opened my legs to some Rando to knock me up.Thane is going to suffer for every moment he hurt me, I wished I could do more
Thane's pov“Tiffany." Her name rolled off my tongue like sweet wine. It's a beautiful name. The name that had been etched in my mind for days now, it was the only thing swirling in my head until I saw Andera wearing that necklace in the waiting room.One problem at a time, I had muttered to myself even though I was burning with rage. I'll sort out Tiffany's case first. Then I'll remind Andera that she's mine.“Surprised?" I asked, my expression poker-faced. “I know about Tiffany. Now sit down." I pulled out the chair for her, Andera numbly sat down, she couldn't deny it. The way her hands shook on the table was a testament to the truth. She looked at me with big wide eyes, the greens of her eyes outshining the brown. Andera could try to mask it, but I see right through her facade. Her mind must be running a mile a minute, wondering how I found out. I'll fill her in on everything but first..."Take that thing off your neck," I ordered. My eyes fell down to the sliver heart-shaped pend
Andera's pov. Thane led me outside, his hand resting on the small of my back, even in my heels, he was so tall, I'd have to tilt my neck if I wanted to see his face. The orange sunset set the sky in colorful hues. It was beautiful. I wanted to watch the sky with Thane's hand resting on my back, making me feel safe. He opened the door to his Bentley for me and I stepped in. His cologne wafted into my nose and I took in a breath full, of this familiar scent of sandalwood that always made me heady.Thane stepped into the driver's seat as I watched his long veiny fingers close around the driving wheel. I blinked, my mouth suddenly going dry, the sight of those fingers and Thane's veiny arms used to make my toes curl. It still does. I looked away, towards the streets of Seattle as Thane drove. He took a turn that wasn't the route to my home."Hey, my house is that way." I pointed towards the direction he missed."I know." Came his curt reply"What do you mean you know?" Thane didn't ans
Andera's pov. I glanced at the silver necklace on my bedside table, gleaming in the morning light that filtered in through my curtains. Despite having agreed to Carol's relationship proposal - or whatever that was last night, I didn't want to put it on again.But remembering my meeting with Thane today alongside my engineers, I swallowed down the uncertainty and wore it. It suited my cream bodice with the square-cut neckline. The engraving was clear and bold; whoever stood near me would see the writings and suspect that it was a gift from a lover. That's the reason I changed my mind, so Thane would assume it was given to me by someone special.Petty? Yeah, I know. Anything to stop him from thinking I'm available.I headed downstairs, ready to drop Tim and Tiffy at preschool. These days, I prefer driving myself every where I go. Reaching the school, I exchanged pleasantries with other parents who were dropping their kids off."See you later, Mommy." Tiffany waved me as I bent down to
Andera's pov.I stared down at the necklace around my neck, Carol had put it on me before dinner. While Rosa and the twins chatted, he was taking sneaky glances at me. Our eyes met a couple of times, and I instantly looked away. I had invited Carol over to tell him the truth, not to get swoon away but his gifts and thoughtfulness. When we finished our dinner and dessert- courtesy of Becky, Rosa moved the kids to the living room so they could all watch cartoons, but I knew she was giving me some privacy to sort things out with Carol. "First off, thanks for the gifts tonight. It's really appreciated." I began; Carol had a lopsided grin on his face as he leaned back into the dining chair. His tattoos peeked out from under his short-sleeved shirt, his jean trousers hugging his thighs, and gold earrings in both earlobes. Carol is a handsome man; I don't know why my body doesn't reacted to him the way I do whenever Thane is around me."Don't mention it, Andera. I am more than glad you lov
Andera's pov.Timmy had a frown on his beautiful face when I announced that Aunt Rosa and her brother - Carol, would be joining us for dinner tonight."Why can't Aunt Rosa come without her brother?" He whined, his chubby cheeks falling into a frown. I knelt down beside him in their shared bedroom, trying to reason with my stubborn boy."Because that wouldn't be nice, Timmy. Just imagine if someone invited Tiffany to a party and didn't invite you. Would you be happy?" I asked him. Tiffany, my sweet girl, giggled; she sat on her pink bed, legs dangling off the edge. "If they didn't invite Timmy over, I wouldn't go mommy." She said proudly."Fine. He can come." Timmy finally agreed. "And you promise to be nice to him?" I shot him a stern glance. A small grin played on Timmy's face. His gray eyes grew bright with mischief. "Yes, Mommy. I'll be nice to your boyfriend." He teased. My jaw dropped. "Boyfriend? No..no..." I shook my head. Timmy and Tiffany burst into a fit of giggles. Th