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
Andera's Pov The first thing I felt was the cold.My eyelids were heavy; it was an effort to open them; even when I did, I couldn't see past the darkness that wrapped me like a dark curtain. My head throbbed, heavy like lead. The harsh cold hit me again, racking my body with shivers.Reality hit my hazy mind like a brutal wave.The accident and kidnap.My kids.“Timmy! Tiffany!” I screamed past the burning parchedness in my throat. My voice echoed off the walls, bouncing back to me.“Atlas! Timmy!! Tiffan..”A cough so violent wrenched free from me, squeezing my organs, clogging my throat.Water, I needed water.I coughed again, and blood spluttered to my thighs; the dull ache in the side of my head returned, but it wasn't bleeding anymore; the wound must have coated.I reached out to touch it, but my hand didn't move; I tried again, but nothing; it was then I regained consciousness of my body enough to know I was tied down to a chair, my ankles were bound, and my hands tied behind m
Thane's Pov. The meeting dragged longer than it should have. Much to my Asian client's disdain, I kept glancing at my watch, thinking of Andera, Timmy, and Tiffany at the bakery and all the family time I was missing out on. Thankfully, the wedding was a stone's throw away, after which we'd go on our honeymoon - the twins included, to a place far removed, deep in the mountains. I heaved out a sigh of relief when we rounded things up. Something had been gnawing at me the entire meeting. I brushed it off as the feeling of missing out, but now that the meeting is over, I realize it's because Atlas didn't check in with me. He was supposed to give me information once they reached the bakery, and departed too. Andrea had also said she'd call me on her way back. I haven't received her call, and she should have been back by now. I called once. No answer. Twice. Nothing. By the third ring, my gut twisted sharply. I stood from my chair when the call ended and reached out to Paul “Postpon
Andera's povI could hear the blood pounding in my ears. My pulse spiked, I drew the twins closer to me.“Mommy is something wrong?” Timmy asked with a trembling voice.Atlas drew out his gun, Tiffany let out a piercing scream, Timmy burrowed into my side, his fists clutching my shirt.“Stay down.” Atlas's voice carried a note of urgency I had not heard before. My throat dried as I pulled the kids down with me to the floor of the car. “At..Atlas. Wh..what's going on?” I couldn't hear myself over the erratic beating of my heart. Oh God! What could be happening? My body trembled with fear. I reached into my purse with shaky fingers to call for help. Somehow, over the loud thumping in my chest and the shakiness of my body, I heard the sound of metal clashing against metal behind us, of tires screeching, and a loud bang.My hand flew to my mouth to stifle my horrified scream; the car behind us had just been hit.Tiffany burst into tears, and Timmy joined immediately. “Mommy”I hushed t
Andera's Pov.Tiffany tugged on her daddy's pants, giving him those cute hazel eyes both of us found hard to say No to. “Please, Daddy, please. Pretty pleaseeee”I bit back a grin when Timmy joined, grabbing the other leg. “Please, Daddy.”They were both using their child charm on him, and it was working. Thane ran a hand over his face like a defeated man. His eyes ping-ponged between the two rascals, weaponizing their asset of cuteness. There was love in his eyes, bright and unwavering, but there was also guilt, the kind only a parent would have when forced to choose duty over time with their family.“Help me.” Thane mouthed in my direction. I cleared my throat, stepping in. “Timmy and Tiffany Reinhardt, come here.”Timmy pouted, folded his arms, and stomped his foot over to my side; Tiffany held on though, sheathing her biggest weapon-big puppy hazel eyes. Thane's throat bobbed, he hated saying no to the twins. While Timmy was more understanding, Tiffany would likely throw a fit
Andera's pov. I stopped by Becky's to see how they were doing; thankfully, Jeremy is walking now with the aid of crutches; they both promised to be in attendance for the wedding. It's two more weeks to forever! I grinned and stopped at the red light. Thane and I were putting the finishing touches on our preparations. The kids and I have been so giddy ever since. I know Thane Is equally excited; he's not just bouncy like me, Timmy, and Tiffany. Explaining our remarriage to the kids had been quite a task; they kept sprouting question upon question, but they were later distracted with the promise of cakes, partying, and participating in the wedding. I drive home on autopilot. The gates opened as I pulled up in the garage; I caught sight of Thane waiting on the terrace. “Welcome back,” Thane says with a soft smile as I join him. He's wearing a crisp white shirt folded at the wrist and pants that hugged him. It was unfair how he looked insanely handsome in his casual wear. One
Andera's pov. Today was for the girls—just me, Rosa, and Tiffany.Timmy pouted as we left the house, arms crossed and lips pushed out dramatically. “Why do the girls get all the fun?” he asked, for the third time. I ruffled his hair and kissed his forehead. “You’re going to get your tuxedo tested with Daddy, and he also promised you ice cream afterward. That's pretty fun too.”He nodded, his pout loosening at the mention of ice cream. I watched as Father and Son dressed up to go to the tailor. My heart doing the happy dance somersault of someone in love. With the wedding just four weeks away, our preparations have kicked into full gear, We arrived at one of Seattle's most exclusive bridal houses. The boutique was known for Its elegance and custom gowns. It smelled like soft roses and expensive fabrics when we stepped in. The bright lighting poured from the crystal-like chandeliers to the rows of dresses that looked like art.“Woah.” Tiffany's mouth flew open in awe “Mommy, it lo
Andera's pov. The clouds darkened as I made my way to my car. It was all clear skies this morning. Now it's threatening to rain, typical Seattle weather. Well, on the bright side, at least it didn't start before I made this visit. I slipped into the driver's seat of my car right as the rain started pouring down. Two weeks ago, I got that call from Atlas. I met Becky in a physically sound state, emotionally- not at all good. Her fall was a result of a call from her sister, telling her that her son had been involved in a motorbike accident. Becky left immediately to tend to her son. I turn on my car engine and drive out from the hospital's parking lot. Jeremy - Becky's son, had been recovering. Thankfully, he was wearing a helmet at the time of his motorbike accident, so no damage went to his head, but he did break some important bones in his legs. The doctor assured us that with the proper treatment and rehabilitation, he would be able to walk again. Thane and I had been visiting
Andera's pov.Seattle hadn't changed, The normal moody skies and busy traffic. My office hadn’t changed either. The floor to ceiling glass windows remained the same as with the walls, and the same soft buzz of conversations and typing that filled every corridor of Auraspire Energies.But I had changed.A whole lot, not that I dyed my hair a different color and got some tats. There was a new weight on my left hand—cool, solid, impossible to ignore.And everyone noticed.The second I stepped off the executive elevator. I caught lingering glances at my hand, the glances changed to widened eyes and whispered exchanges.Congratulations, ma’am,” Lucy, one of my very loyal workers said as I passed the marketing wing. I smiled my thanks at her; despite being the CEO, I kept my relationship with my workers professional and cordial.“Welcome back, Boss! The Maldives looked good on you,” another called out.“Damn, that ring could finance half our solar grid,” Alex, our lead engineer, muttered wi
Thane's povShe knows I'm lying. I know that she knows I'm lying. I watched her and the kids sleep peacefully in the cabin; it's been hours since we left, and we'd be home soon. Home. Warmth spread its way all over my body. I had doubted Andera would accept my proposal. Hell, I hadn't even wanted to propose yet, although I carried the ring everywhere with me. But Maldives had been an eye opener, I realized, for what would be the hundredth time, that I wanted to spend every day of my life with her. I wanted us to have beautiful vacations and getaways, laugh together, and share our tough moments. Like taking her to the sea of stars, the proposal had also been a gamble; thank the universe that the stars(above and below) were in my favor. I didn't know what I'd do if she had turned me down.But there's another problem I have to fix. I hated lying to Andera, but fúck, I couldn't put her in that position of anxiety and worry again. She's under the illusion that no one is after her, that