I am not sure how long I stood in that bath, but when I got out, Florian was standing close to the dresser, his eyes focused on the mirror. He was wearing black pants and a belt, and nothing else.I swallowed hard and walked into the room, my eyes resting on his broad back. I felt my breath hitch in my throat before I pulled my eyes away from him, letting them navigate to the clean white box resting on the bed."Is this the dress you were talking about?"He turned slightly to me, his eyes falling below my face for a short moment before he gave me a smile. "Try it on."I nodded slowly, then walked to the box. It was neatly folded inside, and I moved the complimentary card away from the box.I pulled out the dress and let it fall down to my feet, my eyes taking it in. It was a shiny silk dress with sleeves made of a string of pearls and an arrangement of the same strings ofnpearls over the chest area, leaving enough to tease and even more to imagination.I looked up to Florian, who sti
I took a bit more time to brace myself, and Florian gave me a bit of space. I hated them for ditching me like that. For taking Ronan's side till the very end, even after everything he had done to me. I hated them for pushing me out to the streets like I wasn't their own consensual decision. I never asked for them to bring me here. I never asked for any of this.I wiped the tears off my face and walked out of the closet. Florian was standing the the door, his eyes thin, his hands pushed in his pockets."Are you sure, Roxanne?"I nodded slowly. "I just need to fix myself up in my room."He nodded. "Feel free."I sloely walked out of his room, hatred mounting in my heart with each step I took closer to my room. I stepped into the same bedroom that a stranger loved me enough to make for me, but not my own mother. Even after giving Ronan every little thing he asked for. It was sickening.I sat in front of the dresser and slowly started to apply makeup. I had learned it back then so I woul
Florian had massively undermined how big of an event we were going to. Not that we were underdressed for the elite five-star hotel the car came to a stop in front of, or the herd of reporters that suddenly ran to the car once they realized it belonged to Florian. I mean, even if Florian wanted to be underdressed, he was physically cursed to never be able to.Not just his body, the god level proportions, or the perfectly sculpted face, he had an astronomical amount of money, style, and taste to match it. A shirt from his drawer could easily cost more than all of the allowances I was given at home till the very day I started working."What... are the reporters for?"He gave a small smile. "It's a big day for the company, love. Hence, the celebrations."I nodded slowly. "What is this...""You will learn it in there. No one knows yet."I nodded slowly, my eyes narrowing. "You are... not cooperating with my father's company, are you? I mean, I know he is pretty successful, but..""Is he as
I blinked, looking up to Florian, who now, more than ever, seemed like the man I used to know. His eyes were cold and focused, and the sharpness of his gaze could effectively slice through an enemy.He gently pulled me with him, and I took the first step forward. I turned, my eyes falling on the red carpet we were walking down, and I felt the weight of their potential presence suddenly fill me.People started to clap and stand up, and I turned around to the crowd on my left. Just happy elegantly dressed people clapping their hands. I swallowed and turned to the left. My brain slightly blurred out Florian so I could see the crowd. To my relief, I couldn't see any of them. I heaved a sigh of relief and started to turn around when I saw it. A beaded sheer glove that I remember my mother buying the last piece of. I remember how much I had loved them back then, and right now, it did nothing but knock the air out of me.My lips parted, my feet merely following Florian's lead at this point.
Blood drained from my face, and I turned to Florian, my eyes wide, my chest heaving. My heartbeat slowed to oblivion, and I could barely hear my own heartbeat or even feel my own feet.Frederick Wood. That was my father's name. That was....Florian's expression was blank, his eyes watching me keenly as the announcement continued, something about how the companies will be remodelled and restructured under the new leadership of CEO Florian Hunt, who will take the liberty to assign new workers for each of the companies he had acquired.I turned sharply, and as predicted, my parents were on their feet for the first time ever since the party started, and my mother looked like she was ready to give up the ghost. My dad was trying to look a little bit more composed, but he was doing a bad job at it."There is still a tiny bit more," Florian whispered to my ear, his hand running down my arm. "The party just started, sweetie."I turned to meet his eyes, and the darkness in them threatened to d
"Don't you fucking dare!" My father suddenly yelled, causing me to look up, fear reverberating through me as I met his rage filled eyes.I could hear Florian chuckle behind me, and I swallowed hard, gripping the pen tighter. All I wanted was to run behind Florian and hide, but I knew I should start sucking up for myself now. Against the abuse. Against the pain.I sniffed hard, then looked up, meeting his eyes."Why not? Why did you let go of your little company, Mr. Frederick?"Florian broke into a laugh behind me, and it only thickened my skin, only made me want to go lower than I already have. They had so much fun breaking me apart over the years. Why would they be angry now that it was my turn? Why would it hurt then for me to find my own way?"You... how dare you?" My dad said, stepping forward slowly. "You cooperated with that man to snatch my company from me?! You disguised as an investment and...""You needed investment?" I asked, my eyes darting to my mother. "Why? Did taking
"Roxanne, please. Pleaase, I am begging you. We have debts, we have.... we have so many things to do and... the hoise, Roxanne. Do you want us to have to sell the house? Do you want us to..."I blocked it all out as I leaned over the documents, reading the first clauses. Florian was right. This was much better than spray painting them.I blocked out my mother's pleas and, without a word, signed on the papers. The hall was silent, but Florian started to clap, causing the entire rom to immediately lighten up with a round of applause.People began to stand up, and soon, it turned to a standing ovation. It was exactly the sort of validation I needed after standing up to my parents for the first time in my life.Floroan came up beside me and kissed my cheek before taking the documents and handing them to his attorney."You did well, sweetheart. You are a brave, strong woman."I nodded, turning to him. He gave me a small smile, and I bit down on my lips, letting out a small, shaky breath.I
I could feel Florian's presence behind me even without looking up to the mirror, as I tried to focus on opening the dress he had brought for me. I removed the lid of the box, then slowly pulled out the most exquisite light blue material.It was a big ball gown, and I brought it to my body, my eyes falling on the material. Slowly, I looked up, and Florian was watching me, his eyes fixed on my reflection in the mirror."It's beautiful, Florian."He gave a small smile and slowly covered the distance he had initially given me so I could unbox the dress, then brought his hands slowly to my waist. His fingers ran up my spine till he got to the zipper, his other hand moving across the open part of my back to push my hair over my left shoulder.I watched him in the mirror, almost a little enchanted, my entire being lighting up with the mere awareness of his presence in this relatively small space.He slowly pulled the zipper down, and I felt the dress loosen around me, the misty air hitting