Hanna POV
My face contorted.
“Why do you keep asking me about him?” I replied snarkily, vexed that I had to explain everything.
“Let’s go,” Rowan said and pulled at my hand to drag me outside,
I pulled my hand back, and he looked back inquiringly.
“I still have a meeting at the restaurant. You may go ahead.” I told him, sounding bored because my mind was already in the meeting I was about to attend.
Rowan ignored my suggestion for him to go home.
Instead, he foll
Hanna POVRowan looked so innocently at me that I almost thought he was the adult version of Riley, Briana’s eldest son. “What did I do?” Rowan asked, nonplussed. “You humiliated me in front of Mr. Branch. He is a client.” I bellowed at him. Rowan snorted. “Did I?” Those two words made me clench my hands into fists, especially when he shrugged in response."I am not playing games with you b*stard!" I lashed out. Rowan's irises dilated. "And I am?" He shot back. When I did not respond, Rowan went to explain. “I am only staking my claim. If you are embarrassed, that is not my problem anymore.” “Well, thank you very much!” I snapped and marched out of the restaurant with Rowan tailing after me. I looked like a bull, ready to charge anyone who was going to block my way.People steered clear of me, but I could sense they were whispering behind my back, and it had everything to do with Rowan. This fact aggravated my anger. I stomped to the car, snubbing the porter when he wa
Hanna POv“Are you leaving?” Rowan eyed me from the bed.I blushed when I saw his naked body on display.He did not even try to cover himself and smirked when he noticed that my roving eyes ran over his length.He was like a Greek god.My mouth watered at the delicious sight of him, and I clamped my legs as lust assaulted my senses.“I’ll see you later,” I told him, trying hard not to stammer for fear of revealing myself to Rowan.“Okay.” He agreed and laid
Hanna POVRowan was busy explaining his vision for the hotel in front of his enraptured crowd.He laid out his plans for the hotel and what he expects from us.I noticed that he dressed differently today.He had discarded his relaxed air and style to take on a more formal look. Coupled with his signature gold-framed glasses, this added to his magnetic appeal.A buzz started in the back until one employee had the gall to ask about his personal status.“Are you taken, Mr. CEO?”Her question mad
Hanna POVWhen I thought he could be redeemable in my eyes, Rowan would do and say things that would shatter that illusion, and we were back to square one.Ugh! I hate that guy, one part of my brain shouted. Yeah, but you like him, another part of my brain insisted. I feel like this push-and-pull thing with Rowan is making me crazy. Sometimes, he was sweet, which led me to believe he cared about me. And there are also times when his arrogance made me want to strangle him. When we got home, I ran to my room with Rowan on my heels. “Easy.” He said when he cornered me at the foot of the stairs. I had nowhere to go when he pressed me against the wall. “Rowan.” I squeaked, nerves suddenly frazzled when I saw desire lurking in his eyes. Excitement washed over me when he sealed my lips with a kiss. I wanted to put up a fight, but as usual, my body betrayed me. It knows its master, and it was not me. Involuntarily, I moaned and snaked my arms around his neck. Rowan seemed to like
Hanna POVI woke up feeling a certain sense of loss when I rolled on the bed to realize that I was alone. Disoriented, I sat up and padded barefoot in the ensuite bathroom. Contrary to Rowan’s declaration that I will share his room, I refuse to use it in his absence. Sleeping in his quarters would only grip me in abject desolation, knowing he was not there. I did my morning ritual before taking a bath.Emerging from the bathroom, I dressed quickly and went out. At the foot of the stairs, I found Billie waiting for me. “Ms. Hanna, the table is ready.” The idea of eating alone was unpalatable. I shook my head to decline the invitation. “I have an early meeting at the office.” Billie looked concerned upon hearing my response that I had to retract and make a compromise instead of snubbing her preparation. I knew how hard she toiled every day to cook for us. “Can you make me a sandwich to-go that I can bring along? I really am in a hurry.” I told her before sitting down on a ch
Hanna POVShame filled me, especially when I noticed that there were people within earshot, and Hailey was not exactly discreet in venting out her dissatisfaction with the company. She was talking aloud as if she meant for everyone to hear what she had to say. I wanted the ground to gobble me whole. I wished to disappear and never come back to this earth forever.I really had a bad feeling about using Rowan’s car to work. And I was right, owing to this confrontation. People are bound to talk when they recognize that car. They would put two and two together, and like Hailey, they would come up with five. People are quick to judge without taking into consideration other people’s feelings. They see an image but not the whole picture. And they judge the picture without taking into consideration what goes with it. I wanted to blame Rowan, but should I take it against him when he only wanted to secure my convenience?Besides, can I stop people from talking, especially Hailey when
Rowan POVI wonder what she is doing right now.“Bro, you are spacing out,” Charles commented when he noticed my broodiness the whole time we were seated around the circular table in my basement study in Redwood.We are safe to discuss anything here because this place is heavily guarded.“Does it have anything to do with a girl you followed to Vegas?” Flint teased.I glared at Flint’s grinning face and straightened my back.We were in a secret meeting.Briana had no idea about this place or what took place here, and we intend to keep it that way.“Have you heard from Storm?” Marcus asked. He came in late because he was busy running Rosewood now that Noah guarded Briana like a hawk and forbade her from leaving the house.“Not yet. But Storm said they tracked down Britney. She is working for Bennett.”&l
Rowan POVI never got the chance to get back to Vegas because that same afternoon, Britney was arrested.It was unexpected.“Britney was under police custody after she almost hit Briana with her car,” Charles reported when I took his call.Briana’s safety drove me to a sense of urgency. Worry filled me.Instead of going to the airport as planned, I made a U-turn and changed lanes to go to Briana's house, wanting to ensure her safety.“How is Briana? Is our sister okay?" I don't want to think the worst.
Brent POVSomeone cleared his throat, and not long after, I felt a tap on my shoulder. “Dude, that is too much public display of affection.” It was Flint, the Prince consort of Arkadia, with his wife, the Queen. There was a hush in the hospital lobby, and I knew exactly how everyone felt right that moment. There was this reverence as they eyed the royal couple. I felt it, too, even though they are my friends.It also did not help that the rest of my friends trickled in. Noah and his wife Briana came in, followed by Rowan and Hanna. Then Charles and Jenna came next. Last to appear was Marcus and his wife Martina. This time, the people in the lobby began to get noisy. They gushed over Marcus, who looked like he stepped out of the page of a magazine cover. I could not deny it. The Fords and Hunters gathered so much attention. It was a rare event to see them all together in one setting.The who’s who of Redwood City gathered in one place, making it hard for everyone not to react
Beth POVThe romantic date set the tone for the rest of our one-week leave until it was time to return to our real lives.“Goodbye, baby!” Brent called out to Krizzie’s departing figure while we watched her walk toward her building. We waited and watched until we saw her figure disappear when she entered her classroom. “She is growing.” I can’t help but be teary-eyed.Last night, Krizzie surprised us when she decided to sleep on her own bed. Brent and I stared at each other when she kissed us both goodnight and then returned to her room. “Krizzie?” I called her, feeling weirded out. “What Mommy?” She walked back to the bed where I sat. “Aren’t you going to sleep with us?” A frown marred my face when I asked.I patted the middle of the bed, urging her to climb in, but Krizzie only shook her head and smiled at me. “The Hunter triplets said I am old enough to be sleeping with Mommy and Daddy. They don’t.” She informed me. I nodded, feeling a little stuffy inside. I knew that it
Brent POVJust like what Noah said the night before, they were not at the hotel to see us off, but he gave instructions to his people to assist us. We got ready very early because Krizzie had classes. “Are you free today?” I asked Beth after we sent Krizzie to school. “You were the one who talked to my supervisor about taking a leave. How long did you apply for my leave?”“A week. You still have two more days of rest. Don’t worry, you won’t be alone. I want to spend more time catching up. What do you think?” I wiggled my brows at her, grinning mischievously. Beth slapped my chest.“I don’t like that look, Brent. I want to rest.” She warned me. She looked so d*rn cute that I stepped forward, arms spread to encircle her in my arms, and hugged her tight. Beth struggled in my arms. “Brent, people are staring.” She warned me, but I don’t care. I am too happy to care about what other people would think.“Let them.” I urged her and held her in my arms for a while longer. When I got
Brent POVKrizzie got back into our room right after, halting our talks. She knocked repeatedly on the door, prodding me to rise to my feet and open the door for her. Behind Krizzie, I saw Noah. “Thank you, Uncle Noah.” She said, turning her back on me to wave at Noah, who patted Krizzie’s head before meeting my fist for a bump. “Will you be alright here?” He checked on me, and I nodded. “Okay then. I will go ahead.” He told me.“Thanks, man! We will be checking out tomorrow morning.” I informed him while looking at the bed, where I saw Krizzie climbing in and snuggling with Beth. “Okay. I will inform the concierge in case we are not here. We are going home tonight.” Noah informed me before sauntering away. I went back to my family to join them in bed. Krizzie was asking Beth where we had been, and Beth was showing her pictures of us in the resort. “You went to the beach?” Krizzie exclaimed.I could see the dismay on her face. Beth hugged her. “We went on our honeymoon.
Beth POVI looked down from the chopper that was going to bring us back to Redwood toward the beach resort that served as our honeymoon getaway for three days and two nights and felt all the good things filling my heart. Without hesitation, I gave the property a little wave as we embarked on the journey back home. “Are you tired?” Brent asked when I leaned back on my seat and closed my eyes. I smiled naughtily. “Who wouldn’t? You did not give me a rest, Mr. Anderson.”The reprimand had no sting which was what I intended.It was the truth anyway. Brent grinned. “Did I wear you out, Mrs. Anderson?” He asked softly, but I could see the warmth in his eyes.I lifted my hand to flick his nose playfully. “I love you, Brent. Thank you for not giving up on me.” I told him.It was the truth. If Brent gave up on me, I think that would be a point of no return for the two of us. If he did not fight for us, I don't know if I would have the strength to stay and be with him. Brent did all t
Brent POV“Welcome to paradise,” I murmured in Beth's ears when the chopper drew close to the beachfront property that Rowan gifted us and prepared for landing.I held Beth close and motioned for her to look out the window so she could see what I meant. Her involuntary gasp was the response I was expecting and much more. "This is so beautiful Brent." She told me, eyes shining bright in awe. I nodded. "Indeed. The most beautiful." I agreed. Though I was not referring to our honeymoon getaway but to the woman before me. Beth, without a doubt, is the most beautiful woman my eyes have ever laid on, I decided. At the same time, I took my fill of her beauty, most especially her expressive eyes. “Your friends are wonderful.” She said evasively. She pulled her gaze away from me to avoid meeting my hot gaze, but I knew exactly what she was feeling. Her body became rigid next to me, and I smiled. Beth was self-conscious about the attention I was giving her. I took pity on her and gav
Beth POV“Ouch!” Brent grumbled when I nudged him hard on the ribs.He turned while rubbing his side to meet my glare. “Who told you to make bets on me?” I sounded stern.Brent looked nervous, and I smiled inwardly at the worry that registered on his face. “He was drunk, frustrated, and full of remorse that night, Beth. It was the time he learned about you dating that doctor. Brent felt threatened and felt cowardly. We need to do that to spur him on.” I did not realize Noah had been listening to our conversation. I did not hear his approach until he butted in to explain Brent’s side. Doubts covered my features as I stared at Brent to confirm. “Who won?” “I did!” Brent replied arrogantly. I pursed my lips. “How much did you win?” I asked, curious.“Apart from the beachfront property, close to ten million.” My eyes widened in shock. “Ten million for a bet? Wow!” My eyes rounded.“It started as a dare, Beth. But Brent did not start it. We did. We had hoped that it would bec
Brent POVI looked at Beth and saw the pink that tinged her cheeks. “I am serious, Beth. I wouldn’t have achieved all this without you as my inspiration. You and Krizzie were the driving force behind my success, so whatever I built with my hands, all I have accomplished, you were a big part of it.” I told her honestly. Beth looked like she was ready to cry. All afternoon, I had been making her cry, and I felt like punching myself. I lifted my hand to wipe her tears. “Please, don’t cry. I never meant to hurt you.” “I am not hurt, silly man.” Beth countered and punctuated her words with a smile. “I am just overwhelmed by everything. First, the proposal and the wedding, and now you are telling me this. I don’t know what I have done to deserve this.” She told me. “You gave me your love, Beth. It was what enabled me to be better every day. Without that love, Beth, I wouldn’t amount to anything.” Her face contorted, but her eyes sparkled in delight. A sheen of tears covered her ey
Beth POVI saw Brent’s nostrils flared as desire as potent as mine, filling his eyes. “I want you.” He admitted when he gathered me close to burrow his face into the crook of my neck.His words made me tremble in his arms. Tingles traveled my spine, and I had to grab Brent to press my arms around his massive back. “Dude, we still have a whole program for you. Don’t ravish your wife in front of us.” Rowan teased. “Says the man who did not ravish his wife in the hospital bed.” Flint inserted suavely, eliciting another round of laughter from all of us. Brent lifted his gaze toward Briana, who seemed to understand what he was going through. In response, Briana clapped her hand to call everyone’s attention. “Everyone, as much as the newlywed couple wanted to spend more time with us, they all wanted to have their privacy to savor this moment.”“Don’t try to be diplomatic, sis. Just say that Brent wanted to have his honeymoon right now.” Flint butted in, much to my consternation. I f