It was around eight in the evening, and Adrienne found herself standing in a convenience store. She gazed sadly at her reflection in the mirror, her eyes still swollen from tears. In her hands, she held a pair of chopsticks and a cup of noodles, contemplating her next move.Just then, Cathy arrived, still wearing her jacket but clearly disturbed by something. Concern etched on her face, she approached Adrienne and inquired about her puffy eyes."What happened, my friend? You were so happy earlier. Why do your eyes look swollen now?" Cathy asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.Overwhelmed by her emotions, Adrienne couldn't hold back her tears any longer. Cathy instinctively patted her, trying to offer comfort and reassurance."Stop crying, girl. People might think you're being mistreated!" Cathy urged, hoping to ease Adrienne's distress."I'm sorry, Cathy. If I could handle this on my own, I wouldn't bother you," Adrienne managed to say between sobs."Oh, Adrienne! You're no di
Adrienne left the office, her graceful figure catching Pedro's unintentional gaze. A strange warmth enveloped him as he recalled their shared moments on the island. Pedro couldn't deny the guilt that washed over him at that moment, knowing how wrong it all was."HEY FUCKER!" Gabriel's boisterous voice shattered the atmosphere as Pedro's friends entered the room, causing the sunlight to dim in comparison."Shut up, Gabriel!" Pedro retorted, his frustration evident. Each of them found their usual seats, instantly making themselves at home in Pedro's office."What brings you guys here? Don't you have your own businesses to attend to?" Pedro slouched in his chair, feeling the weight of their presence."Our businesses are running smoothly. But hey, do you have a new secretary? We saw her outside," Octavio remarked, curiosity lacing his words.Gabriel interjected, unable to contain his excitement, "Yeah, man! She's stunning and sexy. You've got to introduce me to her!"Pedro's ears burned w
Adrienne found herself caught in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She couldn't quite determine how she should feel about the unexpected attention and longing glances she received from Pedro. Was it a cause for happiness, or should she be concerned about the possibility of falling even deeper for the man she cherished the most?She had grown tired of false alarms and the pain of being misunderstood and hurt. Adrienne yearned to release herself from the grip of her emotions, even if it meant making a questionable choice. Despite her enduring love for Pedro, she felt an undeniable need to break free.Letting out a sigh, she closed her desk and prepared to head home. Upon checking her bank account, she was pleasantly surprised to find a significant amount of money saved. It signified that in just one month, she would be bidding farewell to the company she had dedicated so much time and effort to. It was time for Adrienne to redirect her focus towards a new direction in life.Just as s
Adrienne had witnessed Pedro Lassiter's loss of control and temper in the past, but this time it felt different. She could sense his genuine anger, a storm brewing beneath his usually composed demeanor.The manager of the upscale steakhouse, sensing the disturbance caused by Pedro, approached him cautiously but quickly retreated upon meeting his sharp gaze. "Sir, you're disturbing the other guests. Could you please leave?"Pedro's anger flared, and he shot back at the manager with intensity, making it clear who he was. "Do you even know who I am? I am Pedro Lassiter! Clear this place of all the customers, and reserve it for us! I'll cover all the expenses!"Adrienne couldn't help but feel sorry for the manager, who had no choice but to comply with Pedro's demands. The power and influence of the Lassiter family ensured that they always got what they wanted."Sir, there are plenty of other secretaries out there. Besides, I've been working for you for a long time. I thought maybe I could
After Pedro finished dancing with the birthday celebrant, he returned to their table only to find Adrienne absent. Worry instantly flooded his being, urging him into immediate action.Rushing out of the function hall, he sought assistance from a hotel employee. "Have you seen a woman? She was wearing a black dress, had straight hair, and wore a necklace with a blue diamond pendant?""Yes, I did see her! I noticed her in the garden, where she was drinking," the employee responded.Without a second thought, Pedro sprinted towards the garden, his heart pounding in his chest. As he arrived, a sight beyond belief unfolded before his eyes. A man was harassing Adrienne, his actions threatening to cross boundaries.Pedro's protective instincts ignited, and he swiftly intervened, unleashing his fury upon the man, regardless of his own blurred vision. The assailant was no match for Pedro's wrath.He pulled Adrienne away from the scene, leading her toward one of the hotel rooms. Grabbing a towel
After Adrienne and Cathy finished their conversation, Adrienne left the cafeteria and went up to her boss's office. There was a nervous, giddy, and dazed feeling in her heart. She didn't understand why, but after just a few hours of not seeing Pedro, she already missed him."I'm so crazy about him."When Adrienne arrived at her desk, she found flowers, chocolates, and a teddy bear there. There was a note as well, and she couldn't help but smile and feel giddy as she read it."You're giving me an early Christmas gift, Santa Claus. Thank you for the love. After several years, you finally gave me something that I will cherish forever."Adrienne read the note while sitting on her swivel chair and opening her desktop."Give me a smile, so my early arrival is worth it."Adrienne looked at the glass wall of Pedro's office, and coincidentally, her boss was looking at her with a smile. They were like crazy people staring and smiling at each other.Adrienne bit her lip and focused on her work.
Adrienne observed Pedro from the kitchen, witnessing a side of him that was rarely seen – playful, affectionate, and warm-hearted. Even the other guests, including Indi and Miko who worked alongside Adrienne in Pedro's company, were amazed by the transformation. It was hard to believe that the typically stern and intimidating Pedro Lassiter could display such genuine emotions.Cathy, always the joker, couldn't resist teasing Adrienne about the situation. "Hey, girl, I think I need to see an eye specialist. Did I really witness Pedro Lassiter smiling?"Adrienne responded with a sarcastic tone, "What do you think? Do you still believe our boss is emotionless?"Cathy raised her hands in surrender. "Well, maybe just a tiny bit. But in all fairness, who knew Sir could be so fond of children? Maybe you should give him one?" she teased, causing Adrienne's cheeks to flush with embarrassment."You're impossible," Adrienne retorted, trying to brush off the teasing. Deep down, though, she couldn
Sunday arrived, granting Adrienne a much-needed day of rest. She began the morning by attending mass, finding solace and peace in her faith. The rest of the afternoon was dedicated to cleaning and doing laundry, tasks she had learned to handle independently from a young age.Adrienne's independence was a product of a tragic event that occurred when she was only ten years old. Her parents were meant to embark on their honeymoon in Stonewick, but a devastating accident claimed their lives, leaving her orphaned. After living with her aunt for a while, she eventually found herself alone in the Azura.With her chores completed, she decided to take a quick shower before settling into bed. After a half-hour, she emerged from the shower, donning a black silk robe. Just as she was preparing to retire for the night, a knock echoed at her door."Huh? I wasn't expecting any visitors. It's already eight in the evening... Well, sometimes Cathy visits me here," she pondered, approaching the door.To