Brie POV“Carlo Bianchi Salon?” I was surprised when I set my flats-clad feet outside the two-story building that would serve as the meeting place for the appointment Charles set for me.At first, I thought I got it wrong.I looked at my phone's gallery, where I took an image of a piece of paper Charles handed me last night to see if I got the address correct, thinking there had to be a mix-up.When double-checking proved I had the correct address, a frown formed slowly on my forehead.Why would my brother send me to a salon?Then, when I was about to turn around and ditch the appointment, the glass doors opened to reveal the face of a thirty-ish man with a flawless face and a buzz cut that enhanced his facial hair.“Ms. Ford, I am Carlo Bianchi. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He told me before lifting his hand in my direction. While doing so, I noticed how he ran his eyes over my body as if I was merchandise he was trying to inspect. The perusal was not offending, but it was critic
Hunter POVFour years later.“Why didn’t anyone bother to tell me about the incident?” I hissed at the head of my legal team.With my free hand, I clutched a copy of the morning paper where a news report about a branch of Hunter Hotels was published.It wouldn’t have been crucial if the report was good, but it was the opposite. And it irritated the h*ll out of me.“Sir, we already apologized to the customer. We also upgraded his room and provided freebies. We did not know he would go to the press to make a complaint.”“Have you secured a non-disclosure on this?”There was silence on the other line, telling me he didn’t. “Mr. Langley, you have to understand that we cannot take anyone’s word at face value. We always have to put it in print.”“It was just a mix-up, sir. It happens all the time.”“So, you mean to tell me all these years you did not impose countermeasures to prevent occurrences such as this? Even if it happens every day, we can’t leave anything to chance. We always have
Noah Hunter POV“Noah!” I turned my head around and saw Britney White, my fiancée, waving at me. Two people flanked her. The one on her right is her manager, whom I have known fairly well over the years, and the one on her left is her bodyguard.When our eyes met, she dropped her carryall bag and ran toward me, ignoring the buzz around her. People started smiling at the sight of her weaving her way around the crowd and getting their phones out to catch her on video.As an international model, Britney is quite popular and is considered a celebrity in her own right. When she dashed in my direction, she was shedding all the air of sophistication surrounding her, looking like a girl so much in love. My lips curled reflexively at the corners before I moved my feet toward her. When we met at the center of the large airport, she clung to me, wrapping her arms around my neck to kiss my lips. “I missed you.” She told me, gliding her lips to mine. For a moment, something in my mind flash
Noah POVI slid inside the car to join Britney, and without looking at her, I ordered the driver to pull away, which he did immediately following my orders.I checked my watch and started counting the time. I could not wait to drop Britney off so I could do my thing.I felt Britney shift in her seat while she drew closer. “I am sorry. Are you still upset with me?” She asked.Gone was the flamboyant persona she assumed at the airport, and she was back to the timid Britney I used to know when we were together, one of the things I liked about her.“I am not,” I told her tersely.I was looking forward. My mind is busy conjuring the face of that woman in the airport. Her eyes were the same as Briana's, but the resemblance stopped there.While Briana had pale brown straight hair, the woman at the airport had wavy blonde hair that shone when it caught light.Her body commands attention – from the small of her waist to the gently flaring hips and gorgeous legs. My hands itched to run my
Noah POVWhen the car turned round the block, and we were well out of sight of Britney’s apartment, I did what I had been itching to do earlier. I took my phone out and called Brent, a private investigator, in my employ.He works for me independently but not for the company, and over the years, we developed mutual trust that paved the way to becoming good friends. He was one of my people now, not just an employee. He owns one of the top surveillance and investigative agencies in the country. “Morning, boss. What’s with the early call?” He said flippantly when he picked up.“Stop making me feel like a stuck-up CEO,” I told him succinctly, which earned a low laugh from him.“Okay. Let’s cut to the chase and get it on. What do you want me to do?” He asked, sounding all business-like as usual. His voice lacked the carefree tone from earlier and was now all seriousness.Suddenly, I began to hesitate. I don’t know how to begin.Asking Brent’s help would open up a can of worms I had pai
Noah POVAfter meeting Brent, I went back to the office.“Good morning, Mr. Hunter.” My assistant met me at the door and followed me inside the office.When I sat down behind my desk, he handed me my schedule for the day.I noticed I have a TV guest this afternoon. “Did you check with the studio coordinator who are my co-guests in the interview?” I asked, wanting to plan.As the CEO of one of the oldest chains of hotels in the country, I have often grace shows as part of our PR campaign. Though it was something I did not enjoy doing, I felt the need to engage in activities such as this for exposure. Not only does it help expand our clientele, but provides us an edge over our competitors.“I heard the Fords are coming into Redwood. Their new hotel completed construction last month, and the management is gearing up for a grand launch. Their CEO will be joining you for the television interview this afternoon.” Chris reported.He mentioned another company aspiring to get a chunk of Red
Noah POVHeat spreads quickly to my cheeks at her rudeness.It was not something I could not let slide. No one disrespected me like that.“Noah, thank you for gracing our show. Per usual, you are superb.” Amy Smith snatched my attention away from Briana Ford while she gushed my praises, unaware of the inner turmoil inside my head.“Come again?” I asked when I did not get her words.My brain has malfunctioned and got stuck to one image - the minx of a girl named Briana Ford.Amy leaned close and whispered near my ear, and something inside me recoiled. My displeasure doubled. “Maybe we could extend this meeting to dinner. Alfredo’s mentioned in its recent advertisement this new addition to their menu. One of my co-workers said it was spectacular.” She droned on, but my attention was not on her.“Sorry, Amy, but I have a prior engagement,” I cut her off brusquely.I heard her gasp of surprise at the uncharacteristic show of rudeness. I ignored it while I sprinted after Briana Ford.
Briana POVWhen the car stopped outside our home, Marcus got out first to open the back passenger door and help the kids. But the nannies were faster. They already unstrapped the triplets from their seats, so when Marcus opened the door, they all jumped up at him, giggling.They clung to Marcus before they slid down his body one by one and ran toward the house.The nannies ran after them, leaving Marcus and me outside. “Careful children!” Marcus shouted his reminder after the kids scampered off toward the big mansion we recently relocated to.I looked at my sons as they ran away and felt a twinge of pain in my heart.The first time I saw Noah after five years was a shock. He looks the same, but not the same. It must be because I never really knew him. I thought I knew, but I was wrong. “Let’s go to the playroom.” I heard one of my sons, Riley, shout, pulling me out of my trance.Then, I watched as his brothers Brix and Mason nodded in agreement.Seeing the kids happy puts a wist
Charles POVThe next day, our other two babies were born one after the other.Jenna and I were also there to witness everything and become part of our children’s birth.Jenna’s eyes were puffy when she held our two other newborns in her arms. She had been crying nonstop since yesterday because it still had not sunk in that she was a mom of four babies.When we visited Briana, she and Jenna had a long talk.Briana was smiling, but I could see that she was at a loss when it was time to take the baby away from her.I realized that this ordeal put a lot of strain on
Charles POVThe phone in the delivery room rang, and a nurse went to answer it.“Dr. Martin, it’s delivery room 2.” She said from across the room, allowing us to hear.Dr. Martin went to answer it. Her face was serious when she placed the phone back in its cradle.Then, she turned her head back to her medical team.“Are you still up for another delivery?” She asked her team.Their high spirits rubbed off on Jenna and me. We were smiling when they shouted, of course.
Charles POVIt was a crazy day.We were having a meeting when I heard that Briana had been rushed to the hospital.“Brie is having our baby,” I told my brothers and friend after I dropped the call.It was Jenna. She, Noah, and Biana were already in the hospital because Briana's water broke.My face contorted as emotions I could not name assailed.A mix of fear, excitement, nervousness, worry, and happiness barraged me.Briana, my baby sister, was going to deliver my and Jenna's baby right now. 
Jenna POVThe days quickly passed by.Though we did not talk about it, it seemed as if Charles and I were in tacit agreement to take things slow concerning our careers and concentrate more on each other.We go out of town and do things we had never done before as a couple.It was marvelous.“It’s good that you spend more time with each other because I tell you, once the four babies arrive, you won’t get even a wink of sleep,” Briana told me when I came to her house that afternoon to catch up and to check on her.It’s the baby’s
Jenna POVI turned my head sharply in Beth’s direction to find her busy talking with Brent.They were whispering, and from the blush that tinted her cheeks, I was sure the talk was naughty.“Don’t you want me to be here?” The uncertainty in Charles’ voice got to me.“Of course not!” I denied it, but I could feel my face growing warm because Charles’ eyes were riveted on my packages.I was sure that by just looking at the logo outside the bags, he would know what Beth and I were up to.My guess was not far from the t
Jenna POVWe arrived at our new home much later than expected because I requested the cab driver to drop us off at the nearest florist.After purchasing the flowers I needed, I dragged Beth to the supermarket to buy some scented candles and stuff.“Are you going to sed*ce your husband?” Beth looked confused.I lifted my head from browsing through the label of a scented oil I wanted to purchase to look at her.“What?” I asked since I did not hear her.“If you plan to tempt your husband, you don’t need this.” She told me, looking exasp
Jenna POVAfter Charles left the hospital, I urged Beth to trace our way back inside.We passed the lobby, and I felt weirded out by the looks everyone was giving me. It caused a frown to form on my head. Beth must have noticed my reaction. “Don’t mind them. They just heard about what Gwen did. They all feel sorry for you.” She explained, brushing off the stares I was getting. She even covered her mouth with her hand to stifle a sarcastic laugh. I was surprised not only by the information she shared but also by her reaction. “How?” “Police came here to arrest her. It kind of got messy because Gwen resisted the arrest even when they showed her the warrant. She even tried to run away as if she could escape them. What a d*mmy!” Beth scoffed. It used to confuse me when Beth acted unfriendly toward Gwen. Beth is warm-hearted and is often on good terms with our co-workers, except with Gwen. Now, I know. At first, I did not understand her. Beth admitted that she did not understan
Charles POVAt Jenna’s insistence, I reluctantly left the hospital to go to the office. When I arrived at my office, I was dragging my feet. Whereas before, work had been the boon of my existence.I realized recently that all work and no play made me a very dull person. That’s why it puzzled me why Jenna loved me regardless. “You don’t look too happy reporting for work,” Rowan commented after dragging my feet to my office and finding him, Marcus, and Flint sitting around my conference table. “What are you doing here?” I asked, frowning. “Don’t you have better things to do than loitering around my office?” I asked them when they did not answer my question. My three brothers shrugged their shoulders and simultaneously picked up their coffee mugs to take a sip. My eyes squinted. My brother looked too relaxed for my peace of mind. My eyes narrowed into slits as I pierced them with a glare. Flint immediately rose from his seat to pour my coffee mug and offered it to me. I accepte
Charles POV“Good morning, sir.” The bodyguards posted outside the suite of our surrogates greeted us.“How is everyone?” I asked, stopping to talk to them.Jenna and Beth were still busy in their own world, talking and catching up.Jenna listened in rapt attention as Beth told her about the hardships of first-trimester pregnancy.A smile never left her face, but in my heart, I would always regret that what happened to Jenna denied her the chance to experience pregnancy and motherhood.Still, her talk about forgiveness hit me hard.