*RENEE*The following day,I was busy coming up with different ideas for the next set of dresses that I’d be making.As darkness enveloped the city,I got dress to meet up with Sarah.I had no idea that Sarah had chosen Venus bar.I only got to know when I met her at the location.I sighed staring at the casual outfit I was wearing.I could only hope that I do not look out of place.This bar was a renowned,exclusive club in the city which was frequented by the high societal folks.Membership at Venus Bar was a symbol of status and wealth.I made my way to a private room upstairs which Sarah had booked.***********MARCELO*“Stop!”I ordered Luke as soon as I caught sight of something.“Is something wrong,sir?”He asked as he stopped pushing my wheelchair.My eyes followed the woman who was clad in a simple shirt and jeans,a baseball cap concealed most of her face but I couldn’t fail to recognize her.My wife!What was she doing here?What could a woman be doing a such a bar?Was she secretl
*RENEE*Even if I was surprised at Marcelo’s presence at the bar,I tried to play it cool.I didn’t do anything wrong this time,did I?“Marcelo,this is Sarah,my best friend.Sarah,Marcelo, my husband.”I introduced.Being a private figure in social circles,Marcelo was clearly no stranger to Sarah,plus I had told her a lot about him.But I didn’t want him to know that I was the co-owner of this bar.Sarah and I exchanged knowing looks then she turned to face Marcelo.“Mr King,I’ve heard so much about you.I hope it’s still okay to spend time with my best friend.You certainly can’t be stingy with her.”Sarah teased.I don’t think Marcelo would believe that Sarah and I were simply hanging out in Venus Bar because this bar was known to be frequented by wealthy men who hooked up with different women.I stared at Marcelo who was still giving me a cold look.“Come here.”He ordered me.I glanced at Sarah.”You…you should head back first.”I suggested,aware of Marcelo’s unpredictable temperament and
*MARCELO*I stared up at Renee who was looking quite displeased at me.Yeah,that’s what you get for lying to me!It was actually laughable that she had said she came here with her best friend.Am I supposed to believe that?“Mr King,Can I leave now?”She leaned down a bit and asked me.Despite myself,I was momentarily captivated by her scent.She smelled sweet and milky and her warm breath tickle my ear,triggering a shiver through my entire body.I swallowed recalling how hot he feels to kiss her.“So now that Marcelo is here,can we get on to what we have planned for tonight!”Someone announced,breaking me out of my trance.I looked away from Renee and took a sip of my whiskey,then I said,casually to Renee.“What would you like Miss Hudson to join you in?”I asked,careful not to address her as Mrs King yet.“I said I was leaving.”Renee reminded me.“Sit down!”I ordered her loudly and she couldn’t dare refuse.She reluctantly sat adjacent to me.“Marcelo,I’m your wife,you can’t keep treat
*RENEE*I stared back at Marcelo who was looking angrier by the moment.I had a feeling that he wasn’t going to let me see another man’s crotch.The room fell into a hushed stillness,with everyone too apprehensive to even breathe.Was I perhaps witnessing my final moments of peace?Have I pushed my luck too far?Well,I couldn’t stop now.It felt fun to push him.Afterall, he started this.“Mr King?What do you say?”I eyed him.”Should I continue the game?I’ll follow your decision.”I made sure my voice was laced with a flirtatious softness.I watched as Marcelo’s expression darkened and he finally caved.He moved forward on his wheelchair,picked up a piece of clothing and threw it to Damian.“Get dress!This stupid game’s over.”Marcelo ordered.Damian quickly started to get dressed.Turns out that he had been scared of going completely nude.I smiled,cheerfully,stood and moved to a quieter spot in the room.This was the moment I had been waiting for.Truth is,I didn’t find anything appealing
*MARCELO*Her words as well as the look of disdain in her eyes when she talked about Andrew somehow made me feel a sense of gratification.When we arrived at my house,Renee got down from the car and I watched as she walked into the house.Luke got down from the car and opened the door for me.“Why was she at Venus Bar?Do you really think that she was only hanging out with her friend?”“Well,her friend,Miss Sarah is a well known socialite,she goes clubbing and other social activities a lot so it is possible that she may have invited Mrs King to hang out with her tonight.”I stared at Luke,skeptically.”I still do not think that it was that simple.”I mean if Renee truly was a demure lady,how could she have such exceptional dice skills.“Look into how often Renee goes to Venus Bar.”I instructed.”And have that place investigated.”“Alright, sir.”Luke replied.I felt there was something off about that woman.Renee,who always seemed so docile was perhaps not as simple as she appeared.*****
*RENEE*I watched as Catherine rubbed the necklace on her neck as she boasted.“You know how special I am to my family.My mother got this made for me from a renowned designer.”I scoffed.Indeed.“Wow.No wonder I was captivated by your necklace.”One of the people around us remarked.“Catherine,you’re so lucky to have such a caring mother.”Celine and other elites chimed in,showering her with compliments.The buzz drew the attention of others in the fashion circle,curious about a piece designed by the prominent designer.I observed quietly as the group admired and discussed the necklace.I was certained that someone was about to recognize it.And I was right.All of a sudden,a voice cut through the chatter.“Wait!Isn’t that the necklace Renee made for Sarah?I remember seeing it being showcased on Renee’s page.”Catherine immediately denied.“Of course not.Don’t you dare spread any silly rumors.This was custom-made for me.”The woman who had spoken burst into laughter along with her frien
Catherine’s expression soured,a look of distress crossing her face as she turned to Rocco and Grace.“Mom,dad…”She whispered, her voice laced with dismay.The praises being lavished on Renee felt like a slap on Catherine’s face.She only wanted people to slander Renee.For the Hudsons,the idea of an adopted daughter outshining their biological was simply forbidden!An abomination.Rocco,keen to defend his daughter,adjusted his tone.“Catherine is a prodigy.My daughter makes me proud with her so many talents.As for Renee,well, her musical abilities have waned over time,nowhere near Catherine’s level.”Grace joined in,a tinge of regret in her tone.“Yeah,Renee only liked to do irrelevant things growing up no matter how hard we tried to give her the best of all education.”Their words stirred a wave of sympathy among the audience.Meanwhile,in a secluded spot upstairs,Jason who was holding a glass of champagne had a smirk on his lips.He nudged the man who had just joined him.“Marcelo,d
“Get her the banjo from the hall.”Marcelo announced.Jason was shocked to hear that.”But that belonged to your father.No one is allowed to touch it.”“Renee needs it,give it to her.”Jason was stunned.The banjo that belonged to Marcelo’s dad was off-limits but now he was allowing Renee okay it?Jason knew that Renee and Marcelo’s marriage was arranged by his mother against his wishes.He also knew his friend better than anyone.Marcelo had never let anyone,even a woman come close to him.But why was he softening towards Renee?Could he be falling for her?This was staring to get interesting.The waiter promptly returned,banjo in hand and presented it to Renee.“That’s the one from the hall!”An onlooker immediately recognized the sacred banjo.Just a short while ago,Catherine had taunted Renee,asserting that the banjo in the hall was an antique meant for display only.Now, as Renee took hold of it,Catherine’s smugness seemed to fade,replaced by a sense of being publicly mocked.Cather
Although unsure of Marcelo’s intentions, Renee sensed it wasn't going to be favorable at all.Below, music played, and people danced wildly, their movements uninhibited.Some were drinking and dancing, others were intimately entwined.It was a scene of decadence."What are you suggesting?""Dance by that window. If you raise one hundred thousand dollars in bids, I'll persuade Wyatt for you."The Dove Island Club hosted a competition for female dancers every Saturday night, with the most popular dancer receiving a bonus.In this world, popularity often equated to financial gain, especially amongst the wealthy.“Marcelo, you want your woman to dance for others' amusement?" Renee was incredulous.Marcelo clarified, "Mrs. King, you are just my nominal wife, not my woman."Being his nominal wife and being his woman were distinctly different. The former could be a mere title, while the latter implied intimac
*RENEE*"I wasn't on a date with him! Hold on, have you been having me followed?"My eyes widened in disbelief.How else could Marcelo have known about my encounter with Andrew?Suddenly, I felt herself being lifted effortlessly by Marcelo.My world spun, and before I knew it, I was pushed against the sofa.My body twisted uncomfortably, but it was his firm grip on my jaw that truly unsettled me.I felt trapped, like a bird ensnared."You regret marrying me,huh?”His voice was cold, his face dangerously close to mine. "Can't get over him? You felt forced into this marriage? Marrying me only because he betrayed you? Is that it, Renee?""Having me followed?"I was incredulous and furious. "Marcelo, have you no respect for privacy?"Anger filled me, intensifying her frustration.His own anger manifested in chilling calmness. "Upset because you're embarrassed?"“What the fuck..."I scoffed at the absurd
*RENEE*I frowned, "What are you talking about?"“Of course I already know that you aren’t related to Naomi and I also know you take her as your Grandmother.Catherine told her that you tied the knot with Marcelo because of her. After getting married, you became Marcelo’s slave, a laughingstock in the social circuit.Naomi, all anxious, rushed to see you."Andrew’s words slithered in, injecting venom into my heart and squeezing the air out of me.“Renee,the truth is, you hurt Naomi!"Andrew had sought me out for this very reason,he knew what had happened from the start.It was no coincidence that he came driving around KM Group knowing I would come running out and that I would need a ride.Otherwise, how could there have been such a coincidental encounter where I happened to bump into him?My lips quivered as I asked, "How... How could Catherine stoop so low?"Naomi didn’t deserve this!Naomi had also taken good care of Catherine.Even if their ties weren't tight, Catherine shouldn't have
Catherine, who became a well-known figure in the entertainment industry after being recognized as the true daughter of the influential Hudson family, faced intense scrutiny.When news broke that she lost the STAR Jewelry endorsement from KM Group, the media and netizens were quick to react.Netizens mocked her online. "Just two days ago, she boasted about securing the endorsement, and now it's just a dream."“Catherine, the rich heiress, right? Maybe her parents can fix this. Hahaha!""Here's a funny story. Catherine claimed she secured the endorsement of the upscale jewelry brand STAR.""How can Catherine be so shameless? Going so far as pretending to be STAR’s spokesperson?"Reading these comments,Catherine furiously smashed her phone.Her agent let out a resigned sigh, instructed Catherine’s assistant to get a new phone, and tried to console her. "Ignore the comments. The internet's memory is short. They'll move on.""Why don't we suppress these comments?"Catherine asked, frustrate
Catherine was on the brink of losing her composure, hit by two setbacks in quick succession.Despite her best efforts, not only did she fail to undermine Renee but she also lost the endorsement."Renee, you have to stop right there. You..."“Catherine,let it go. Sign the termination agreement," her agent advised, gripping her arm. There was no turning back now. Any emotional outburst from Catherine would only worsen their situation, especially given KM Group's influence.Meanwhile, in the office, Renee reviewed the contract carefully. Satisfied that it was straightforward, she signed it.The legal department representative then informed her, "Miss Hudson, there's an additional requirement. The new co-stylist must meet our president.""This wasn't a requirement before." Renee raised an eyebrow, feeling something was off.The representative offered a lame explanation. "Due to recent complications, we've implemented this new rule."Renee, aware of who occupied the president's office on t
*MARCELO*She seemed serious about wanting to talk to me so I crossed my arms and asked.“What’s this about,Renee?”She moved closer to me and brought out a recording.I frowned as she played the recording.“Congratulations to our first place winner,Renee Hudson…”“Mr Glenn,I’ve agreed to your offer to endorse STAR.I’ll even reduce my fee by three million dollars,on one condition…Renee Hudson must not be your collaborative stylist.”“We announce Alicia Miguel as the selected stylist.Thank you to the other four stylists for participating.”I watched as Renee turned off the recording and then she said to me.“Mr King,KM Group’s policy states that the top scorer in the final interview becomes the co-stylist for your company.Isn’t it irregular for an employee to alter the rules for personal gain?I truly believed that I had a shot at KM Group because it had always prided itself about being fair and giving equal chances to all.This contradicts those values,doesn’t it?”Her stern,business-foc
Jason had a penthouse in Spain.He usually came here for business trips so he got the penthouse a long time ago.Jason and Lena got to his Penthouse at about 2:am.He turned on the lights as they walked in.“You should get some sleep.”He said as they walked into the master bedroom.“I need to take a shower first.”Lena replied.“Okay.”Lena peeled off her dress and bra.Her panties was still in his pocket.He watched her as she undressed.And sir tried not to feel shy about it.He found her so beautiful and she enjoyed his stares.“I’ll join you.”He whispered when she finished undressing.“Okay.”While he started to take off his clothes,Lena walked into the bathroom,she could see two light options.Turning both of them on,she realized one was brighter than the other so she turned off the brighter one.She had been using the bathroom in the other room but Jason wanted them to sleep on the same bedroom tonight.There was a light knock on the door.“Come in.”She whispered.The door opened an
It started out as a one night stand for Milena and Jason.To them being boss and employees and now fuck buddies.They had both tried to keep it professional.Milena had did her best to stop thinking about him sexually.But all it always takes was Jason to look at her,just one look sets her body on fire.A fire that could only be quenched by him.And then,they both came to an agreement.To have sex with each other whenever they wanted.Milena knew that this was risky for her heart and body but she wanted to believe that maybe someday,she’d stop wanting him so much.They were currently on their first business trip together abroad,and so far Milena had been having a great time.Not only was her boss overly good in bed but he was also kind and considerate to go sightseeing with her because it was her first time in Paris.It was her first time ever leaving the country.In moments like this with Jason,Milena always had to remind herself that she couldn’t fall for him.************************
*RENEE*His response cut me off.I watched as he sat stoically on the opposite side of the car, his face an impassive mask, seemingly unaffected by his mother's distressing episode at the sanatorium.My curiosity was usually contained, but Jessica was an exception.In my middle school days, fraught with confusion and helplessness, watching Jessica on TV,learning about her success story,she had come from nothing and made a name for herself,that had encouraged me to pursue my dreams.Sitting up straight,I asserted, "Mr. King, as your lawful wife, I have a right to understand the situation with my mother-in-law."Marcelo turned towards me, noting my serious tone. He rolled down the window, letting in a gust of wind.“Renee, remember, curiosity kills the cat.""Fine," I muttered, my voice low. "But remember, your mother told you not to pick on me. I might just tell her about this next time.”“Go ahead," he said suddenly."What?"I was taken aback, not following his train of thought.Marcel