Andera's Pov. I don't know much of Italian, but I've been around Rosa long enough to know that Bella means beauty. He called me beautiful. I withdrew my hand from him, feeling suddenly uncomfortable with my old apron and flour-stained cheeks. His onyx eyes didn't stop searching my face. There was something with him I couldn't quite put in place. He had this rugged beauty. With an earring on one ear and a tattoo that snaked up his arm."Via" Rosa's voice startled me. "You didn't even unload your bags before jumping out of the car." She chided.Her brother. The one she went to pick from the airport. Mortification washed over me. This is the first time I'm meeting with Rosa's brother and I look a mess."I wanted to see the friend you won't stop talking about." He grinned at her. Then his gaze settled on me again. "And what a beauty she is." his eyes were so dark, but I swear I could see the pupils dilate."Leave her alone Carol, Andera is my friend" Rosa warned and moved past him int
Andera's Pov. I hadn't laughed so much in one day as I had today. At some point, Rosa came into the kitchen to check up on me and her brother. She frowned when she saw the both of us with flour on our clothes. "The kids are watching cartoons in the living room." she had said, then left. Rosa's warning still rang in my ears, but Carol was good company and fun to be with, at least when he wasn't taking sneaky glances at my legs; he was cool to be around. Funny and cheerful. I couldn't help but warm up to him. "Now behold my masterpiece," Carol said with a mock bow and then opened the oven to bring out the chocolate cake. "Our masterpiece" I corrected. " We both made this cake together" "Did we? You just left all the hard work for me; your tiny efforts barely count," he teased. "Can I just taste it already?" "Alright, but only because you begged me" I fake rolled my eyes. Carol took a slice of the cake and fed it to me. I let out a moan of satisfaction when the moist cake me
Andera's Pov.I hissed. There would be no 'Soon' anything between me and Carol. Before I could drop my phone down, a message came up that had my eyes widening in their sockets.'EXECUTIVE OF RENIHARDT'S INFRASTRUCTURE ALLEGEDLY HARASSED YOUNG INTERN.'My heart hammered in my chest. Harassment? Thane's company? Thane had worked tirelessly to ensure that his company maintained a good name; I knew the great deal of time and energy it took him to oversee his company.How would he be coping with this situation? I shoved the thought aside. I couldn't possibly be worried about Thane. I hated him; I was only this concerned because it may rub off my company; that was the only reason why it seemed my heart wanted to split into two, this fear inside of me; it was not because I cared about him, right? I didn't give myself time to decipher my feelings before recklessly dialing his number."Andera," my name rolled off Thane's tongue; his voice didn't carry its usual confidence; he sounded flat
Thane's pov.Mom?! Does Andera have a child?A myriad of emotions coursed through me at once. Shock, surprise, Unbelief. Andera had a daughter? Wait, that would mean she has a partner in her life.No! Andera is single, or why else would she be using her father's surname? Right? 'You have a child?' I type and send it to her. Despite it being almost six pm, with the cool Seattle air and air-conditioned office, heat was rising inside of me. I shrugged off my suit jacket and loosened my tie as I waited for Andera's reply. If she doesn't text me back, I swear to God, I will go to her home this instant and find out answers for myself. Shit, I want her. I don't care if she's had a child during our time apart, it makes no difference to me. I would love her and love her child equally as well. Paul pokes his annoying head into my office, aggravating me further"Planning on staying here tonight, Boss? The company is already deserted.""Get the fuck out." I sneer at Paul. I'm not in the mo
Andera's pov.Thane groaned into my mouth, I felt the vibration all the way down to my core. His hands gripped my hair, urging me to part my lips for him, to deepen this kiss. Our tongues danced around each other in a beautiful, sensual rhythm. Nothing about the kiss was teasing or shy; it was demanding and furious; we latched onto each other with an indescribable force. Kissing Thane was the only diversion I could think of. If I had run back inside to call the police, he may have followed me, which would have meant risking him seeing Tim and Tiffy. One look at his son and Thane would know the truth.I cannot risk that, I have eight more weeks and a few days to get my revenge, pull out of Thane's collaboration, and let him suffer the losses that come with a failed partnership. Till then, I need to keep him off my radar. But why am I enjoying the taste of Thane's lips on mine this much? I shouldn't; I should break it. "Fuck, Andera. You taste divine. I could keep feasting on you f
Andera's pov "Bye, Mommy." Timmy and Tiffany chorused. I breathed a sigh of relief. Tiffany's body temperature was normal, and she was elated to go to school I caught sight of the lipgloss glistening on Tiffany's small pink lips but I let it slide. After all my worrying yesterday, I'm so relieved seeing my little girl animated that I can't bring myself to reprimand her. Just as I was about turning on my heels to go to the car, Timmy rushed back to me. "Mommy, wait!" I stopped at Tim's demanding yell."What is it sweetie?" I squat on my heels. Timmy looks up at me from beneath those thick eyelashes, his gray eyes full of a certain kind of determination. "Is Aunty Rosa's brother coming over today?" He asked, with his hand placed on his hips. For a moment, I'm shocked. Shocked and amused. "You don't like him?" I hold back a smile. Timmy folds his small arm over his chest and shakes his head. Tiffany -whom I didn't notice had walked back to me and did the same- folding her hands
Andera's pov.Thane's arrest was the first thing I heard of when I stepped into my office. The next thing I did was to drive here. I stiffen in Thane's embrace. Hugging me in public like this would spread rumors about us, and then the truth about our failed marriage would come to the spotlight, and then... I pushed Thane away. "Andera." He rasped, looking at me like I had just offered him the moon on a silver platter. The push or rejection of the hug didn't even register in his head. Contrary to what Thane may think, I am only here because the more he stays locked up in this cell for a crime he didn't commit, the longer my plans for revenge are being delayed. Rosa had already started the process for the termination of our partnership, handling the necessary paperwork to ensure that Thane's company would assume all liabilities and financial losses incurred."Thank you. For showing up." He muttered. Guilt gnawed my insides, making it hard to answer Thane. I am very close to my lon
Thane's pov. If I wasn't in love with her before, I'm completely, utterly smitten now. Andera doesn't know it yet, but she's beginning to care about me and fall back in love with me, or why else would she go through the trouble of getting me out of that cell?Just a little more nudge and we will be back together. Andera and I can have that family she always dreamt about. Full of love and laughter and kids to dote on and spoil silly.The thought brings a smile to my face. I can already imagine having a little girl who would be daddy's angel and a boy to be mommy's love.My momentary happiness turns into wistfulness. Andera and I would have had this happy home by now if I hadn't divorced her after Anna found the heirloom in her bag. But wait a minute, now that I think of it, how did that even end up in Andera's bag? My heart was filled with so much resentment that I believed the worst of her. Could it be that she was framed? But by who? That's a mystery to be solved another day.A
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