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
The lights, the music, the roaring applause, all of it got to my head even before I got to drink any wine. It was crazy how addicted the sort of love Florian could give had me in a matter of seconds, and the minute he had his lips against mine, parting and seeking slow, dominating entrance, in front of men and women who respected him, it.. it did something to me.It altered the chemistry of my brain and messed with my rationality. It felt like every other kiss I have had, excluding the first one between us in that closet, faded away into nothingness.I sighed as he broke the kiss, then gently touched my nose. "You still taste like exotic fruits, Roxanne."I slowly stuck my tongue to the roof of my mouth, my chest slightly heaving. "Exotic fruits?""Uh huh," he said, laughing. "Lest I forget, sweetheart..." He leaned to me, his thumb running slowly on my throat. "I prepared a violin for you."I gasped, my hands coming to my mouth. He laughed as he slowly moved away from me, letting go
I can't quite remember the rest of the night, mostly because it was more mundane compared to everything that had happened before that. I could remember doing a few toasts until I got a little tipsy. I could remember the wave of congratulations and the way Florian had taken me straight to the car while carrying me bridal style.Now here I am, sitting in the car, staring off at the stars, my chest heaving, my lips slightly parted. I felt free. Like a star in space. Ready to fall. Ready to break free. I have never felt like this all my life.The door opened, and I turned to see Florian standing by the door, the driver holding the door open for him. Someone was on the other side, talking to him about something, but his eyes were fixed on me, his hands pushed into his pockets. He looked like a dream, like the ghost of the love I never had. Like the ghost that just keeps on haunting me. The ghost that I never want to let go of.Maybe if I was completely sober, I would just sit there and w
I leaned away from Florian, my hands still loosely wrapped around his waist, my eyes looking up to his. "I meant every word.""Oh, I know," he said, gently stroking my face. "I know you did."I swallowed, then turned towards the room I had just come out of, my anger fuelling even more. I hated that he would have it so damn easy. That he wouldn't see his life flash in front of him like Florian's parents did. That he wouldn't feel the gruelling pain and humiliation that Ellinel felt before she died. That he would simply lie here and get away with everything."Let me treat you tonight," Florian whispered, causing me to turn back to him."Roast?" I asked, and he broke into his breathtaking smile that I knew for a fact that he reserved for just me."Roast, baby girl."He held my hand tight, and I felt my brain shut off as he led me out of the hospital towards his own car. The car that had driven me here was parked next to it, and Florian waved it away.We got into the car, and Florian lean
I walked down the long hallways that led to my father's hospital room. It was in the VIP section, hence it was much quieter than the rest of the hospital, and the only sound I could hear was the clinking of my heels against the tiled floor.I stopped in front of VIP room 8, my eyes cold as I examined the cold door. My fingers tightened around the printed will papers I was holding and all of the information Florian had regarding my father's mistress and her twenty year old son.It made me laugh just thinking about how I thought I was second favourite. I hadn't even been in the equation. Not even Ronan was, but he deserved that. He had been in the equation long enough."Hello?"I turned, and a nurse gave me a small smile. "Hello.""Who are you?" She asked, her voice polite. "I am his daughter," I said, a small smirk appearing on my lips. Of course, I was his daughter. Only one demon can take out another."Oh, sure, then. He has not had any visitors ever since he went into another card
The house was awfully quiet, and I lay in ned all alone, my eyes fixed on the chandelier hanging from it. My mind reeled with all of the inconsistencies that I hadn't noticed all these years.How I never realized just how bad these people were. How shameless they were, fighting for money that was never even theirs.I swallowed hard and turned on my stomach, burying my face in the pillow. It haunted me just how Florian had to stand by and watch it all happen. How he had to watch himself still want me despite everything.I gave a small grunt and sat up, my heart burning with anger. It all felt like it was happening right now for me. Like I was seeing my father threatening Florian's father for money that originally belonged to the latter. It haunted my soul that they could have spent that blood money in me, for something, and it felt like I owed Florian a bigger apology.I got out of bed and slowly went down the stairs. I stopped at the very foot of the stairs, however, as the sound of s
I held unto Florian's waist even as he gently parked the bike, then leaned back and removed his helmet. I reluctantly let go of him and got off the bike, and he got off too, taking my helmet from me as he gently balanced it on the bike. He turned, holding my hand as softly as the subset lights were resting in his hair, his eyes tender. "Is this alright?" I swallowed, my eyes slowly moving to the gate. "Will they want to see me?" He gave a small chuckle. "I am sure they will." I nodded, and he gently led me towards the gate. He pushed open and slowly started to lead me into the long rows of his family that have passed on. I held my breath throughout the short trip that took us to the side by side graves where his parents lay forever, and I immediately felt my heart drop. "Hi, Mum, Dad." Florian's voice was casual, and it reflected just how close he was with his parents, and it extended to even right now. "Sorry, I haven't been able to come around recently. I am all grown up, and I
I watched the sun as it set, while Florian lay in my lap, his body spread on the bed, his bare back tinted a warm light brown by the sun, his hair sprawled all over me. I had my fingers buried in his hair and my other hand running down his back.His fever had gone down after a few pills, and it seemed to have knocked him out. I leaned, kissing the top of his back, before I leaned away, just as a familiar ding reached my ears.I turned, and his phone that was sitting on the bedside drawer to my right was lit up, most probably with a message.I swallowed hard, looking down at him. I wasn't sure if he would have let me read the message had he been awake, but morbid curiosity haunted my mind, and I found myself reaching for the phone.I stopped, however, my chest heaving. Knowing how heavily involved with my family Florian was, there was a very good chance that it would be about them. I am not sure I want to ruin this evening with them. I am not sure I want to ruin this day by discovering
"I am sorry," I said to Florian, reaching to cup his face. "I wanted to make something for you."He nodded slowly. "So why are you fighting with a maid? You can just have her escorted out."I bit down on my lips. "I am sorry. I let my jealousy take over for a minute."He didn't reply but raised his eyes to the maid that was still standing behind us. I turned to her too, my eyes wide, my chest heaving hard as I watched her."You heard me the first time. Leave.""Sir, please. I beg of you. I was simply cooking porridge for you and...""Don't let me repeat myself, Savannah. Please leave."Florian turned to me. "Be careful."I nodded, and he started to turn away from both of us. "You know I can love you better, sir," came Savannah's strained voice, her breaths so loud that it made her voice sound a little muffled. "You know I would never remind you of the things you want to forget. You know I would never be selfish. You know I would never ever huet you. You know that, sir."Florian turn
I gently ran my fingers through Florian's hair, my eyes fixed on his sleeping frame. He was wearing a robe around him, his head resting on my lap, his lips slightly parted. His body was burning up, but he preferred having me sit right here than be Iver him, trying to bring down his temperature with a cold towel.I leaned, my eyes darting across both of his closed ones. He was slightly reddish, and against his layer judgement, I gently moved his sleeping frame, then got out of bed.I walked to the restroom and grabbed a small towel and his first aid kit. I dampened the towel, squeezed the excess water off, and then walked back to the room. Luckily for me, he wasn't awake, and I sat next to him, keeping the towel and the first aid box away.I gently loosened the knot of his robe, then pulled it down to his waist, leaving him shirtless upwards. I then slowly brought the damp towel to his body.The first I pressed it unto him, he gave a small shiver, but then slowly fell back asleep, his
The ride home was quiet, but at least Florian let me hold until his hand tight. I watched his profile, my eyes blurred with tears. I hated myself for pushing him to this point. I hated myself for the blood I carried in my veins. I hated the time I wasted without letting myself go for someone who I knew would absolutely do it for me.We finally got home, and Florian went out, then came around and opened the door for me. His eyes held mine for a long minute before he turned away, closing the car door, before he walked away.I stopped by the door, watching his back as he made his way up the stairs, letting go of the cat keys on one of the stairs and never even looking back.I blinked, my face dropping, the emotions heavy on my heart. I slowly followed him, wondering if he would still come to my room tonight, like he always did. I wouldn't even want him to. I wanted him to be selfish and not spend the night in the arms of the person who reminds him of everything he keeps trying to run aw
ROXANNE'S P.O.V It felt like the wind was knocked right out of my lungs. Ronan? Ronan was a little bitch but... I slowly looked up to Florian.Florian wouldn't lie to me, especially right now. Florian wouldn't make things up right now, and he definitely wouldn't do so much for an anger that wasn't justified."What's that look?" He asked, laughing slightly. "Why would you be surprised? I told you she was dead the other day.""I...""You guarded your heart a little too hard again, didn't you?" He gave a small pause, his brows raised. "You... we both know you asked now only because you still want to guard your heart. That's why you forgot that she wasn't even living competition. That's why everything passes for you like these rain clouds. Because you keep guarding your heart a little too hard. A little too selfishly, Roxanne.""Florian..""What are you going to say to me?" He asked, his voice breaking. I never thought I would see Florian reach this point, and fuck, it scared me. "That