He was gone. And I was back to my senses. Well not completely because as much as I regretted sleeping with a stranger last night, I’ve never experienced such pleasure before. What I regretted was not knowing anything about him. But it was for the best because such a man would ruin me. I fear he has.
My hair was all scattered as I checked the bathroom mirror, and I gasped as I saw the millions of hickeys he left on my body. My ass still hurt from the whips but a crazy smile widened my lips at the feeling of it all.
I don’t feel so hateful anymore. But I still had a mission.
Cleaning up and wearing my clothes, I pushed last night out of my head. My plan starts in a week. I can’t let memories of a night with a stranger ruin it. Because I would never truly be happy till I destroy everything Ryan has ever loved.
One week after, I was back in the one state I hated the most. The state that made it so hard to breathe, but Jay was here and he gripped my hand as I stepped out of his car. “Remember it gets better. Ryan doesn’t know you are alive. You will take back control”
I smiled, feeling a little better. “Thanks Jay.”
He ruffled my hair. “It’s nothing kiddo. Everything is perfect and ready for you snowflake.”
I hugged him tightly, and placed a kiss on his cheek. He was the best and I didn’t deserve all he did for me, especially helping me with my revenge plan. “Try not to miss me old man.”
He snorted. “Whatever. The house is well secured and not so far from the bus station. Since you refused a car.” He rolled his eyes then sighed. “Just promise me you will give up on this once it gets too dangerous.”
I smiled, nodding. I wouldn’t give up on this if it got too dangerous.
He sighed again. “I know you wouldn’t, ‘Em.”
He was the only one who called me Emma in private.
Them he entered his car, leaving me in front of the place I was going to be living in for the next year. “Go get ‘em.”
And he drove away.
I sighed as I walked into the house, and immediately changed into my office wear, for my interview. Jay secured a job at Ryan’s company, since he knew the owner and all I needed to do was a short interview to know where I would be working.
I planned to be the secretary, so as the interview ended and the man gave me a firm hand shake, I knew I was going to get the job.
Then he said. “Go to the CEO’s office to finalize the deal. He always asks to meet new employees personally.”
I snorted to myself. Of course he would. This place was one of the biggest companies in the whole of the city, the owner had to be extra cautious of who they were employing.
I nodded politely at the interviewer. “please lead the way.”
He took me to an elevator, and I stood steadily, wandering the perfect spot to be placed so
I could have easy access to all the files I needed. We ended on the last floor, and walked down a long, sleek hallway lined with expensive art and marble floors that seemed to echo each step. I felt my pulse quicken. This was it, the moment I had been planning for months. The chance to face the man who had taken everything from me and start dismantling his life, piece by piece.
The interviewer gestured to a large, imposing door at the end of the hall. “The CEO’s office is just through there. He’s expecting you.”
“Thank you,” I said, offering a polite smile as he left and let out a sigh, hoping I’m accepted and given a good spot, preferably the head secretary.
I held my head high as I placed my hand on the door handle, and turned it open, stepping into the office.
I was greeted by a luxurious office that seemed more like a penthouse than a place of business. Floor-to-ceiling windows offered a stunning view of the city, while sleek furniture and tasteful décor screamed wealth and power.
But my focus wasn’t on the scenery. It was on the man behind the desk, who was facing away from me, staring out the window. His voice was cold and casual as he spoke without turning around.
“Close the door behind you.”
A gasp left my lips as I gripped the door handle tight, not believing my ears. What were the odds? Why did he have to be the CEO?
Why does the man who saw that side of me, have to be my boss?
He swirled in his chair, and came face to face with me and I froze as those intimidating beautiful eye’s recognized me instantly, and then trailed down my body, causing familiar shivers to run through my bones.
He was even more handsome than that night. His hair was perfectly styled like he wasn’t a day over thirty. His beaded, slightly grey but perfectly trimmed and his scar over his eye, just as sexy as the last time. He was in a perfect black suit, and I knew it was worth a lot.
He was danger and ruin. And has come to ruin my perfectly thought through plans. I can’t believe this was Damien Caldwell. CEO of the company I sold my business to three years ago. Fate is a fickle, funny son of a bitch.
He smirked, and relaxed in his chair. “Well well well. I knew if I prayed hard enough, you would appear. Or are you stalking me, Angel?”
I swallowed, raising my chin. “I had no idea you are the CEO. I’m here strictly for work.”
He chuckled as he picked up my file. “Amanda…” his tongue rolled out my fake name and I shivered nonetheless. His voice did something to me the minute I heard him talk.
His grey eyes met mine once again. “So that’s the name behind the good girl.”
Anger flooded me as i clenched my fists. “You didn’t bother to learn it then, so forget it. And I would love if you stopped mentioning that night, if I’m going to be accepted in this company, sir.” I spat, and he rose a brow.
“Feisty. Hm, doesn’t at all sound like the same woman” he smirked again, and I opened my mouth to correct him but he said.
“I’ll give you the job, but not as secretary.”
I instantly relaxed, he was giving me the job despite our past but the other part hit me.
“Wait, not as secretary? But that’s what I applied for.”
He straightened in his chair, and every sign of playfulness was gone as his eyes bored into mine.
“I don’t want you as a secretary. I was you as my personal assistant. That means you and I would be working very closely together, Amanda.”
Anger rushed through me and I struggled to keep it at bay. Why was he so infuriating?
“But that’s not what I applied for.”
He shrugged. “I give what is best to the capacity of my candidates. So you can either take the job, or walk out to another company. But I’m sure you wouldn’t because there’s a reason you took this company. I’m right, aren’t I?”
I bit my lip as I thought of my options and his gaze fell to my lip, making me feel self conscious and a little bit turned on.
This was why I couldn’t work here anymore. But I needed this company. This was my only shot to take control from Ryan. To
Take my life back.
I could resist this distraction. In fact, working as his assistant gives me the best access to the database of the company.
So I gave him my best smile and said.
“Deal, I will work as your assistant on one condition.”
He raised his brow in amusement. “What condition is that, Amanda?”
I steeled my gaze, making sure I sounded more confident than I felt right now.
“That night never happened, Mr Caldwell. This would be strictly professional, and it stays there.”
He smirked. “If that’s what you want, then welcome to Caldwell.”
He stretched forth his hand, and I hesitated.
“Come on. I don’t bite.”
I faltered, knowing how much of a lie that was.
Amusement flashed through his face, and he smirked.
I sighed, slipping my hand in his, and sparks flew through my hand as he lingered before letting go, causing me to squeeze my thighs together.
How was I to destroy Ryan when Damien was going to be my boss who I’ve already slept with?
And how could I resist him when all I could think about when I look at him is fucking him?
I walked out of his office hurriedly and shut the door quietly behind me. I made my way to a secluded part of the restroom and checked to make sure no one was there before I pulled out my phone.My hand was shaking as I paced around the restroom and my chest tightened with disbelief. This couldn’t be real. It had to be some cosmic joke, I was both disheveled and horny at the same time and it was so crazy.I pushed my thoughts away and looked for Jay’s number before dialing it, waiting for him to pick up the damn phone.“This is not the time to be unavailable, Jay,” I muttered under my breathe while looking at the door nervously and praying no one would come in. I could hear people talking but it was faraway and I realized no one was close enough and I let out a sigh of relief.Finally, the line clicked. “Emma?” Jay’s groggy voice was a balm and an irritant all at once.“Amanda,” I corrected instinctively. He still had that bad habit of calling me by my former name and I wasn’t going to
I turned to look at the man, offering him a reassuring smile. “You okay?”He nodded quickly, looking at me like relieved like I had just saved his life.“My name is Andrew,” he introduced himself and I gave him a curt.“Amanda.”“Thank you for handling Becca for me,” he had said, his deep, smooth voice wrapping around me like a warm scarf. “She’s… difficult, but you managed her well.”I had nodded, keeping my face neutral. “It was nothing.”But then he’d smiled, the kind of smile that made my stomach flutter despite the walls I’d built around myself. “Still, I appreciate it. Let me make it up to you. How about coffee?”For a brief moment, I’d hesitated. Accepting coffee with Andrew when I had only just met him wasn’t logical but saying no would have seemed rude- or worse, defensive.But he wasn’t Damien. He wasn’t older and sexy…Shit, was i comparing men to Damien now?Seeing as Andrew waited for a really, I pushed the stupid thoughts away.I had forced a smile and agreed. “Sure. Coff
“Please, I’d like to be excused,” I said but I didn’t wait for either of them to answer before I ran out of the office.My hands were trembling as I made my way to the bathroom, my heart was racing and I was feeling suffocated.Ryan was Damien’s son which meant that I had slept with my ex’s father.Fuck!While he deserved that and more, I realized how bad this was for me. I instantly wanted a shower. I hated everything Ryan related.I suddenly started feeling cold and everything around me just seemed to come to an halt. I leaned against the cold sink and held unto it tightly.How could I have been so stupid?I closed my eyes and let the memories of the night I met Damien resurface. I should’ve never gone to him, I should’ve ignored the stupid thing that kept pulling me to him- I didn’t and now here I was, in a complicated situation.He was Ryan’s father.The thought made me nervous and I felt like I was losing my mind. If someone as manipulative, cruel and dangerous as Ryan was raised
“No,” I replied him, my voice was firm even though I was feeling the opposite. “Nothing about you affects me.”A slow, knowing smile spread across his face, as if he could see right through me. “Good,” he said simply, stepping back.We walked out of the conference room. I was still startled but I took deep breaths to calm myself. I kept my body still and tried to ignore how much my body reacted to him.We got into the elevator and I was desperate to get away from him. But as the doors closed, Damien reached out and stopped them, his hand resting on the panel.“Amanda,” he called my name with a husky voice. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that night.”I forgot how to breathe and my heart starting racing as I turned to look at him. “Damien, I-“He silenced me by walking closer to me and gripping me by my throat, I burned at the feel of his hand against my bare skin. “I want you…” he started before running his other hand through my hair. “I want you to look into my eyes and te
My body still hummed with the memory of Damien’s hands on me, his lips claiming mine, the possessiveness in his every movement but all I could feel was shake and disgust at myself. I immediately got a hold of myself, smoothened my cloth and exited the elevator even though my knees were still shaken and I could still hear his voice. I tried not to think of it all through the day while I got tasks done.I hated him. I hated how he made me feel, made me lose control and the way I fell apart just by him looking at me. Most of all, I hated myself for letting him have his way with me. Again. I was stronger than that, more in control. But around him, I became someone I didn’t recognize, someone weak and submissive. I let out a sigh and packed my things as I exited the office. When I got back to my apartment, I had nothing to distract me so the memories came flooding back into my mind. I couldn’t sleep and everything I tried to close my eyes, I felt the touch of Damien on my body, his tongue
“We need to talk,” I spoke up, my voice was curt and sharp even if his eyes on me had disoriented me. He leaned back into his chair, cocked an eyebrow and folded his arms across his chest. “By all means, Amanda. What’s so urgent?”I shut the door behind me and walked further into his office. I took a deep breath to steady myself before I looked at him dead in the eyes. “There was a camera in the elevator,” I told him, my voice blunt and words straight to the point. “It needs to be deleted.”His expression changed into one of amusement and he sat up before tilting his head slightly. “Why?”“Why?” I repeated, incredulous. “You know why. That footage- it’s…” I paused, searching for the right word. “Inappropriate.”A smirk made its way to his lips. “Inappropriate? I’d say it was more… passionate.”I balled my hands into fists as heat rose to my face. “Dam… Mr Caldwell, this isn’t funny and I am fucking serious. That footage can’t exist, it must be deleted.”He stood up from his seat, walk
The day was going as expected as always bit I was on front desk duty in front of Damien’s office. I was trying my best to get my work done and not thinking about Damien or the way he had looked this morning when he demanded I sit at the desk. I was focused on the documents in front of me, sorting through them where I heard someone’s footsteps approaching. I looked up and saw it was the woman from the other day- Becca, she was looking as confident as always and had on a very expensive outfit and her cologne screamed luxury too so I knew she was rich. She barely spared me a glance as she disappeared into Damien’s office without knocking.I rolled my eyes. Becca had been circling Damien for weeks now, her flirtation as obvious as her too-tight pencil skirts. Not that it mattered to me. I didn’t care who Damien moved around with- it wasn’t like it bothered me anyways. At least, that was what I kept telling myself. About theory minutes later, Becca walked out of the office looking… well
Before I knew it, Damien had gotten out of his chair and walked to me, closing the distance that was between us in just few steps. He held my hand tightly but not painfully as he held me in place. He pushed me against the wall, his body towering over mine as his dark eyes bored into mine. “Enough,” he growled, his voice a dangerous rumble. “I have had enough of your attitude, Amanda.”My breathe caught in my throat and my brain screamed at me to just apologize and leave but I was too stubborn. I glared at him with my heart racing. “What? Did my words hurt? Or is it just hard to hear the truth?”He clenched his teeth and for a moment, I thought he was going to snap and yell at me. But to my surprise, he leaned in to me, his warm breath fanning over my ear as he spoke. “You don’t want me to touch or fuck you, which is fine. But I would do many things to you to show you that you aren’t meant to talk to me like you just did.” An involuntary shiver ran down my spine as the heat radiating
AndrewI always knew I loved Anna. A few months had passed since Am- sorry Emma and Anna reunited, they had been spending so much time together and I could help but love how much they were bonding. Emma was back at work and even if people didn’t know she was the Amanda, they still loved her. Work had been going so well and even Damien was different, seeing our boss involved had shocked us all but we loved the change that came with it. Emma was happy and I was happy with Anna too. Our love had waxed stronger and it was practically impossible to separate us. She was more than my girlfriend- she was my world, my peace and everything precious I had in the world. Every time I looked at her, I knew she was the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, the one I wanted to wake up to each morning and the one I wanted to bear my kids and annoy forever. And I was fully ready to take things to the next level. I wanted to marry her.My mind was made up, so immediately I got home after
AnnaI couldn’t stop looking at the woman that was in front of me. She walked closer to me and wrapped her hands around me, pulling me into a hug and that was only when I realized that it was real and I wasn’t dreaming. Emma- my Emma was really standing in front of me.She was alive and well after all these years. I had cried and looked for her every day even after I was told she bribed in the fire, I had refused to give up on my search for her because they provided me with no body.Only after searching years did I stop, and now she was standing right in front of me. She was alive, just like I had believed it, I wrapped my arms around her tightly, tears welling up in my eyes as I hugged her like my life depended on it. “Emma…” I managed to say, pulling away from her and holding her by the shoulders, staring at her intently. Her eyes were glistening with tears and her lips trembled as she tittered my smile. “Let’s go sit,” she said in a soft tone. “I need to explain everything.”I g
AndrewAfter Amanda and I planned out how things would go and how she should meet Anna, she finally left, happier than she had come. I was grateful that she was safe and they things had turn out amazing for her. Immediately Amanda left, Anna had called me and told me how busy she was and that she only had a few minutes for break and she decided to check in on me. I assured her that I understood and I took that as the right opportunity to ask her out on a date, using the excuse of her being stressed out and we could use that time to destress while spending time with each other. She agreed and we ended the call. I immediately called Amanda and told her about what I had planned, she thanked me profusely and I ended the call, going to get ready for the date. After I was done dressing, I got into my car and headed to Anna’s apartment. When I got there, I got down from my car and walked to the door with some flowers I had picked up on my way there. “Okay, you can do this, Andrew,” I sa
Andrew “I find it hard to believe you,” Anna finally said, her voice cracking. “If you were able to hide this from me, what more are you hiding from me?”“I’m not hiding anything from you, Anna. I swear it,” I replied her. She didn’t reply but she turned away from me and started pacing around the room. I looked at her silently, waiting for her to say something. I had been so worried about Amanda and I had said what I shouldn’t have and now I had angered her, I prayed silently, hoping that she would forgive me. “Anna, please,” I murmured again. “Just listen to me.”She stopped pacing and turned to face me, her blue eyes filled with uncertainty. “Do you swear, Andrew? Swear to me that’s there’s nothing more to you and Amanda expert being friends.”I quickly got up and walked to her, taking her hands and holding on to them firmly, my eyes locking with hers. “I swear by everything I have, Anna. There’s nothing. Amanda is just a friend and that is what she would forever remain.”“Prom
Andrew “I’m sorry okay?”“Apology accepted,” I replied, mirroring her smile. We pulled away from each other and she went to turn on the TV picking movie of her choice like I had asked her to.We sat on the floor, my legs open and her in between them, resting on my chest as we watched the movie. We watched the movie for a while before we started talking about other thing, barely paying any mind to the movie that was playing. “Do you want more cookies?” She asked, picking up the plate and bringing it closer to me. I grinned. “If I eat any more, I won’t fit into my jeans tomorrow.”“Your loss,” she teased, biting into one herself.This was what I loved about Anna- things with her always felt so easy, so natural. But with Amanda, it was the opposite, I still couldn’t wrap my head around how they were related, they were different. Anna sat up before turning and facing me directly, bending her head slightly with a small smile on her face. “So… how’s Amanda? I haven’t seen her around
The air was filled with a suffocating tension as I drove, I held on to the steering wheel tightly, driving through both empty and busy streets trying to get to the location Amanda had sent me as fast as I could. She was sitting beside, silent and nervously staring out the window. I knew how badly she wanted to save Damien, it was weird to me, when she had left the office without a word, he didn’t even look bothered or try to reach out to her. But here she was, trying all her best to save the man that could have possibly killed her father. She didn’t mind, all she wanted was for him to be safe, even if he’d never get back to her. I admired her and how trusting she was because she was going to meet a guy names Jay. I didn’t know why, but the minute she mentioned his name, I started feeling weird about it because something about the man even though I had never met him seemed suspicious. I tried telling her but she brushed it aside and said he had always helped her. I wanted to stop h
After I settled into my apartment, I showered and had a change of clothes then headed to Damien’s house, I wasn’t going waste anymore time or let doubt could my mind. I was going to do this now. I needed to tell him everything. Damien’s house loomed large and imposing as I approached the gates. My heart pounded with each step. Would he even let me in?The guard at the gate must have somehow recognized me and he allowed me through without hesitation. I walked to the front door of the house, my hands shaky and my stomach in knots. Hesitantly I ringed the bell, expecting the maid to come open the door but, instead, it was Damien who came to open the door. My breath caught in my throat as I stared at him and for a moment, none of us said anything. “Amanda?” he finally spoke up, his voice soft and filled with surprise and an emotion I couldn’t quite place my hands on. I let out a small sigh. “It’s Emma,” I said softly. “And I came back… for you.”His eyes widened in shock me he moved
Damien’s words kept replying in my head over the weeks that passed. He was right, I had to live my truth if I really wanted to make things right. There was no need in pretending to someone I wasn’t, I had done that for a reason and even if I had been successful with my mission. I was still unhappy and I felt bitter. If living my truth was what would make Damien forgive me or even come back to me, I didn’t mind. But, most of all, I was doing this for myself. I needed to reconnect with my family and give myself the chance to be happy. I booked an appointment with the surgeon that had changed my face years ago and started packing my things for the trip to Miami. A few days later, my trip was booked, my bags were packed and I headed to the airport. The flight there was long but it was worth it, I hated traveling but I had to do this. Immediately, the plane landed, I ordered a ride to the hotel I had booked down and I didn’t bother resting before I headed to the clinic. I alighted
Few days after Jay was arrested and I was saved from almost dying, it was aired on the news. Apparently, Jay was not what he had painted himself to be to me. He was evil and sinister, in fact he had been diagnosed with a mental disorder and was supposed to be treated but he didn’t get help. All he wanted was revenge, just like… me. They had also raided the creepy looking building he had been staying in and they had found the documents that contained all the necessary information to prove that Damien was innocent. Jay had it all this time but still lied that we had to go to the warehouse just because he wanted to get rid of me, he knew Damien was innocent but was blinded by revenge that he wanted him to suffer no matter what. A tear slipped down my face and another and then another. I was now fully crying and I just couldn’t stop myself. My life was messed up, no one in it was good and I feared that the one person that might’ve been the truth would want nothing to do with me. I wa