[Ralph’s POV] “Enough….” she gasped, and her body convulsed once more—for the fourth time. The pleasure was thickened to a low grunt from her throat. But it wasn’t enough for me. She made me remember so much of the darkness and pain, and touched them all with light, making me feel worthy of remembering my mother again. I could see those kind eyes smiling at me again before those undernourished arms came around me tight, protectively. This heiress had made me remember what it was like to be human. I want to consume her. Fill her entirely with me. Just me. “Not yet, kitten….” I heard my voice in the darkness, and then it coaxed her, “Open your eyes, love. I want to see them when I come.” In a whimper, she slowly opened them and I kissed their damp lashes. “Ralph…?” She looked drunk with bliss. She looked like she wanted more… but then she also seemed to be begging me to stop. “Say you love me, kitten….” She stared at me through hooded eyes and exhaled, “I love you, Ralph…
[Juliette’s POV]The lobby was a sea of marble surrounded by white walls and nothing. We arrived at the elevator when Ralph sighed. “We'll have a receptionist.” Is that embarrassment? He’s embarrassed by the state of his lobby? That’s… adorable. I didn’t think he’d be embarrassed by such things. “And some couches,” I added with a smile.“And some couches,” he repeated with another sigh through his nose, his hand tucked into his pocket. “Jesus Christ…,” he cursed under his breath, embarrassment in his voice. Which broadened my smile. He is embarrassed. Is this why he’s never talked about his family or gets upset whenever I chanced upon some things about them? Then, it dawned on me: he wants to show me only the best sides of himself. So is he ashamed of the rest? I feel flattered. Yet at the same time, my heart clenched with a sour feeling. Doesn’t he trust me with the parts of him he thinks aren’t good? Trust that I would still love him for that? The light ping of the arriving e
[Juliette’s POV]But before Ralph could say the next word, Liandro turned to Ben and said, “Listen. I need a PA. And I need one fast.” I snorted inside. He’s trying to make Ben look bad in front of Ralph. I’ve seen this happen so often back at Lux Corp; the people who use this method to get ahead in their career usually eat alone during lunchtime. “I told you the recruitment drive has just ended,” Ben explained, surprisingly in a calm tone, which didn’t match the annoyed line of his brows. “It’ll take a few days to sort out the data for an analysis.” Liandro switched to Ralph. “See what I have to face everyday?” A finger shot up at Ben. “Wait. Wait. And more waiting. Jesus Christ, Ralph! How are we gonna get things moving if the gardener son here works like a fucking snail?” Ralph looked like he wanted to strangle Liandro, and Ben looked like he’s gonna help. “Let me help,” I said. And the Emperor’s clothes snorted a derision, shaking his head at the floor. “This is no business
[Juliette’s POV]“What do you want from me, Juliette?” Ralph stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Didn’t I say that ‘we need good venues’? Why do you think so?” To expand your family business, I replied in my head, using my silence as means of open defiance. “Lux Corp owns ninety-nine percent of these prospective spots. How do you expect us to not clash in this area? Goddamn it, I don’t want to fight with you in the middle of the street.” Ralph continued forward, rudely tugging me along. “Are you saying that I’m picking a fight with you unnecessarily?” I tried to pry my hand out of his but he held onto it strongly. He yanked me forward until our nose touched and he growled under his breath, “When you calm the fuck down, Juliette, you’ll recall seeing the legal rental contracts signed by legit business owners, who’ll be–and has been—paying Lux Corp the appropriate rent. I didn’t give them the space for free, if that’s what you’re thinking.” His minty breath was distracting me, s
[Juliette’s POV]“I’m sorry.” This is the fifth one I’ve heard ever since Filipo’s. As soon as they saw me, it would be 'Sorry. Busy. Talk later.'followed by a kind smile. Which is literally Fuck off, you slut in the Mafia language. If they didn't want me to think that way, then they shouldn't use their eyes as a killing machine, shooting daggers at me or glowing red with the desire to kill.Honestly, after seeing the change in Margaret, I thought the other Virtus members would follow suit. I mean, I did save Ralph’s life—that’s gotta mean something to them, right? Guess I’m still naive, as Luke had always said. Innocent and naive. Like a bunny—shit… that’s why he called me ‘bunny’. It was never meant to be in a romantic sense. But I treated it as such. Again, naive. My place in Ralph’s world is torn between two groups of people—those who appreciate me jumping in the line of fire to save Ralph because I love him, and those who despise me for jumping in the line of fire to make
[Juliette's POV]I reached for the opening of his pants. Buttons. The simplest kind of fastening. Yet… I can't… seem to get… it… out—oh God. His lips. They're on my breasts. Nibbling… sucking the plumpness of my flesh there. "Mmph!" A moan slipped from me. Another wave of bliss seized me. I paused to let the sensations simmer then I returned to his pants. The button is almost coming out—and I inhaled sharply His hands had slipped under my blouse and were caressing my abdomen, feeling, stroking and gliding, to and fro. God, his hands… Why do they always feel so good?I pushed myself forward, to feel more of his wet lips, and another moan of bliss escaped through my lips. A shudder later, my insides itched stronger.I pulled back slightly as my fingers sprang alive again, hurrying, pushing the button out of its latch. Finally, his pants came undone, and—ha!—Ralph slid those magic hands around my waist to my back as his lips moved lower…."Mmm…." I whimpered, feeling frustrated. I
[Juliette's POV]Five days later …."But the guy's from Harvard!" I exclaimed in disbelief. "That's not qualification then I don't know what is."Ben sighed. "Director Filipo's words were 'so why is a Harvard graduate doing with us instead of Lux Corp?'"I grabbed my forehead in exasperation. "Jesus Christ…. I didn't go to him. He came to us! He applied for the position. He's from the list that you gave me!" What the hell is wrong with these Virtus idiots?! This is the sixth director asking for a change of PA. The first one was 'too goody two shoes'. The second one was 'too scholarly'. The third one 'looked like a boiled cabbage'. The fourth is 'an asshole', and the fifth 'a smartypants'. I kneaded my forehead. "Seriously, Ben. They are the best amongst the lot." Another helpless sigh came through. "Maybe if we told them that Ralph—.""No!" I quickly rebutted. "Let me handle this. Please.""What are you gonna do?" "I'll make a spreadsheet. A list of all the candidates. And give a
[Juliette’s POV]So Monsieur altered the dress as I was doing hair and make-up. By the time I was ready to put on the star of his latest collection—a wedding gown that resembled the majestic grace of a waterfall of stars—he had trimmed the hem, tightened the waist, and released the plunging neckline. The result was a gown that snuggles comfortably around my bodice like a camisole, with soft, almost translucent fabric cascading from my waist. As the stylist gave the dress one last check, I looked at myself in the mirror, and my breath was taken away. Monsieur’s dresses are really a work of art: I look like some goddess in a dress sewn out of stars and mist, and a magical waterfall. When I stepped out of the dressing area into the light, everyone was staring in disbelief. “Purrfect…,” Monsieur whispered in awe. “Zis is my vision….” He gave me a light hug and pulled back. “You realised my vision, Juliette!” My lips were quivering as I spread them into a confident smile. Inside, it
[Juliette’s POV]Before the door came to a close behind me, Pauline said—-or whispered—beating me to the first word, “I think your father made it very clear over the phone yesterday, Juliette.” Here goes. I grabbed the iPad tightly and lifted my chin, not responding to a word until I sat down, and I took the seat next to Papa. The more Pauline spoke, the softer and more scratchy her voice got, which pains me to listen to it. I had to fight the urge to wince in sympathy. “So, here’s the deal, Juliette. Hand over the evidence you have, and we’ll back you up as CEO of Lux Corp.” I was stunned speechless. This was totally unexpected. Instead of giving me a laundry list of excuses, or berating me for scaring away all the investors, Papa is asking for the evidence I have at hand. He only wants the evidence? But—. “I don’t get it,” I blurted, completely taken aback. “I’ve shown it to you before. But you still chased me out.” My anger had swarmed in. “YOU THREW ME UNDER THE BUS.” Paul
[Juliette’s POV]The thought of dancing under the moonlight, amidst the warm sea breeze, has never crossed my mind until Ralph suggested it. “You’re such a bore.” He smiled with a teasing gaze as I did two twirls. He caught my waist at the perfect moment and pulled me close, snuggling my curves against his frame. That proud toothy grin of his made my heart lose its rhythm, and I lowered my chin to hide the heat in my cheeks. Hooking his elbow around my waist, he leaned in and whispered into my ear, “Why are you blushing?” “Because you’re handsome,” I whispered back and felt a shudder up my spine. Damn, that’s cringey. Thank God, he laughed at the right moment, or I’d have blushed harder. I grabbed more of his back to snuggle deeper and let my left cheek rest on his chest of muscles. Then, very naturally, a sigh of peace and relief left my lips.And very naturally too, he chuckled softly before planting a kiss on the top of my head. “Phase 1 over, kitten.” I closed my eyes to savo
[Juliette’s POV]Things turned out according to Ralph’s prediction. Papa’s gold mine got the news of my findings about Lux Corp and raced against time to meet me. Since there were over a thousand of them, from every corner of the world, Ralph suggested that I meet them all at once. With the help of an ally, we managed to rent a private island that was off the grid and had everyone gathered there for my presentation. It would be a massive one as I would be talking to thirty at a time. Am I nervous? Of course, I am. Even with Papa’s training, the nerves were still there. “You’ll be fine, kitten.” Ralph kissed my fingers, then brushed a loose strand behind my ear. “Numbers are your game.” “I know.” I checked the cue cards for the forty-first time. “But that doesn’t take the nerves away. It’s all your fault. You’ve turned it into some fucking TED talk.” Ralph chuckled. “Even if you cursed out there, it’ll be fine.” An hour later, I was done explaining to the audience of fifty ultra
[Juliette’s POV]“Those VIPs of his casino?” I asked, still in disbelief. He flashed a nodding grin, and I jolted upright, a surge of admiration and awe to my face, and I beamed, grabbing his hands in excitement. “That’s what you’ve been up to?” Then, logic jetted in. “But how? Papa and I are the only ones with that list. And those ultra rich don’t listen to anyone but Papa.” “They listen to the one who leads the people doing their dirty jobs.” I stared speechless at the man who once saved me from a drug lord, and tried to sever all ties with the mafia, get his clan members cleaned up, and reform his family business. This man had done his best to go against the impossible, push the flow and ride the currents. Never once did he bow to failure, except to learn from it. Now, he’s back in the shadows, unable to shake off the darkness and his past, yet he shines far brighter than anyone. Papa may be standing in the light, but he’s as shady as a shady businessman can get. He was study
[Juliette’s POV]I woke up to the most handsome face and the scariest pair of eyes staring at me in the fiercest silence. “Ralph?” I grabbed my throat. “Damn, what’s wrong with my voice? I sound eighty years older.” A glass of water appeared before my eyes and a low, sexy voice gruffed. “Drink.” The cool rim wedged between my lips and the sweetest water carefully slipped in. I sipped hungrily, emptying the glass with a sigh of satisfaction, and a Kleenex pressed the corners of my mouth. “Why did you put sugar in water?” He laid my head cautiously on the pillow. “I put nothing in the water.” “But it’s sweet.” My eyelids felt heavy. “Sleep.” My eyes flew open. It was my turn to stare at the beast till he asked what’s wrong, and I told him. “You’re upset.” “Because you were sick.” “Was I?” I checked myself for scars, and memories of the past forty-eight hours swiftly slotted back into my calendar. Ralph worry-stricken face calling my name repeatedly, stroking my face to get a
[Ralph’s POV]Robert’s gaze shot a warning that was the same as mine: it’s a trap. I held a finger to my lips—an instruction for him to not be heard—and he solemnly nodded. Then, I said, “Why?” “It’s Juliette.” The voice sounded secretive and rushed. “I can’t explain anything. But I’ll get her out. You have to take her away.”It was then I smelled danger and shot forward in my seat to the desk where the phone rested. Still, something feels off. “Why should I trust you?”There was a pause and then a sigh. And then the same voice lowered and exhaled. “Her child needs her, doesn’t he?” Fuck. Fuck that dumb Ben. Fuck that smartass lawyer. The fact that he knew about Milo set off all the red alarms. I sprang into action, like the pathetic Ben who had lost that darn phone and leaked all the secrets. The desperate rush to fix everything right. Oh, her crying had weakened. I rubbed her back in a comforting way, the way her housekeeper always does whenever she’s upset. She pulled back and
[Juliette’s POV]Way to go, Juliette. You fell for your father’s old tricks, and then you fell for some stranger’s weird tricks. Just because he knows your name and says it out loud, you got into his car. Great. I’m going to be trafficked as a sex slave. Milo. I’m never going to see him again. And Ralph. A clean tissue entered my view. My view was misty, so I blinked to clear it, and then realised that I was crying. Quickly, and embarrassingly, I grabbed the offer and dabbed my eyes. The man cleared his throat and repeated my name, and I gave a cold chuckle. “Yes, my father sent you, didn’t he? To get rid of me.” Both open palms waved frantically. “No, Miss! I mean, Madam. I mean, Dona.” “Who the fuck are you?” I wailed. “Just tell me. I can take it!” God, I sound pathetic. But I can’t seem to stop. “W-wait—.” His phone was out, slapped to his ear, and it rang once, then a voice came on, loud and clear. “Yes.” That deep gruff. I spun around like a deer caught in headlights.
[Juliette's POV]Paul caught a glimpse of his bleak future and plonked onto his seat in a pale face. The shareholders around Paul shared his misery while others stared puzzled at Harold Lux as he moved towards the throne at the front of the conference table. He moved past me as though I had never existed, and cold guilt stabbed my chest. “Young people.” Papa sighed. “Give them one tiny piece of candy, and they think they own the entire formula.” Everyone ignored Papa’s invitation to return to their seats. Then, Uncle Jerry stepped forward to deliver the King’s instructions. “The contract is in your email.”“What contract?” I jolted a curious look at Pauline who was reading off her mobile screen, her brows growing closer with surprise and anger. . I felt a crack in my hope and made a lunge like Paul’s.“Don’t sign it!” I yelped, desperation clawing the air. “If you invest more money, Lux Corp would pop like a bubble! The debt’s too huge—we’d be bankrupt before the casino’s ready!”W
[Jewel’s POV]This idiot. She glared down as the baby drank quietly. How dare he ignore my calls! Is he an idiot? We can’t even tell how long those two idiots are going to take, and he wants a baby now? Her finger tips caressed those tiny plump cheeks, and her mouth curled up in a loving smile. It’s not that I don’t want a baby. Heat of worry and anxiety swarmed to the back of her eyes and knocked her eardrums. The Virtus princess perked up with vigilance. Hugging Milo closer to cocoon him from danger, her gaze bounced between the main door and the bedroom door, her Virtus mind calculating and reciting the drill. Bedroom, lock door 1, bathroom, lock door 2. Two knocks. Three knocks. One knock. The Virtus code. Jewel crept closer to the tiny slit between the main door and its frame, and a familiar voice hissed through. “Peach.” Instantly, she unlocked, and the door flung back—only to shut tight. She was in the arms of the man who’d never stopped loving her since they first met. D