Mason Donovan tapped his feet impatiently, the seconds ticking by like eternity as he waited downstairs. When he finally caught sight of his wife rushing down the staircase, his heart clenched with anticipation.He wasted no time in swinging the door open. "How did it go?" he demanded.Arabella Collins pushed past him, her movements frantic and her expression wrought with distress. "Mason, I can't do it," she spat out, her words sharp and cutting. "Go and find someone else!"Mason's features contorted with anger, his jaw clenched so tightly it felt like it might snap. "Arabella, are you f*cking joking with me?" he seethed, his voice rising to a dangerous pitch. "You were up there for so long, and now you are telling me that you can't do it? Can't you do one simple thing right?" The air crackled with tension as his words hung heavy between them, the weight of disappointment and frustration threatening to suffocate them both."Oh... Did you think it is as simple as just negotiating for
Meanwhile, inside the room, Arabella was forcing the door handle. "Do not you dare leave me here, Mason!" she shouted. Despite her boldness, the beautiful woman was afraid of her husband's actions. Mason could very well be a psychopath and leave her locked in the room for days. "Let me out, Mason! You can't fucking lock me inside!"Outside, a smile formed on Eleonor's lips. Finally, Arabella was getting the treatment that the mother-in-law deemed appropriate. She scoffed, "You are the daughter-in-law of the Donovan family. Even if the king comes knocking on our door, we are not afraid!"**Following dayDamon stepped out of his luxurious car as the chauffeur opened the door. He stood before the Donovan mansion, ready for the dinner. When Clint called Mason last minute, requesting a dinner, Mason accepted without hesitation. All Mason wanted was for his project to be accepted.Damon was greeted at the door by Eleonor, who was impeccably dressed, wearing a fur coat over her dress. She k
"No need to trouble your daughter-in-law, ma'am. I've received an urgent call and must depart," Damon announced, his eyes never leaving Arabella's form.Arabella halted a few paces from Damon, her pulse quickening as the tension in the room thickened."What a pity," Eleonor lamented, her disappointment palpable. "But I trust you've discussed the project with Mason.""We will have other chances," Damon assured Eleonor, his words directed at her but his gaze locked onto Arabella. "Will you see me to the door, Arabella?"Arabella's breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding in her chest as she grappled with the sudden request. "Ah... yes," she stammered, a rush of heat flooding her cheeks as she hurried past Damon, her steps quickening as she made her way to the door."See you soon," Eleonor murmured, already rushing to the dining room to gossip with her son.Meanwhile, Damon passed through the doorway. Arabella watched as Damon vanished through the doorway, her heart pounding with
The priest continued walking towards the sacristy, and he returned to the place of the faithful, the hall where masses are held. Although he had spent years away from any piece of Catholicism, Damon remembered all the details. The problem with photographic memory is that you can't choose what gets engraved in the brain.The confessional was located in another corridor, in the farthest and less illuminated area of the church. Rumor had it that it was secluded because it was the place where priests chose to seduce parishioners. The confessional was closed, having only one door for the priest to enter. It was a kind of old wooden box. The side windows were covered with screens, so the priest could see the parishioner, but the parishioner could not see the priest. There was a step outside, so the penitent could kneel while confessing.That was his favorite part. To kneel and wait for the priest to tell him how far he was from holiness, knowing that he was getting worse every day and tha
"So, how was the confession?" Eleonor asked, breaking the silence that hung in the vehicle. "You took quite a while in there.""It was a relief. I really needed to get things off my chest," Arabella replied, her tone tinged with gratitude."I am glad you are feeling more at ease. we will have lunch with your family, as they requested, and then we will head to the office. Mason wants you to add a special touch to the project," Eleonor informed, keeping her eyes fixed on the road ahead.Arabella rolled her eyes with a disdainful expression. "Of course. After all, Mason can't improve his own business project," she muttered, her voice dripping with sarcasm.Eleonor chose to remain silent. She was in a good mood that day, and not even Arabella's insolence could spoil her state of mind.When they arrived in front of the Collins house, Arabella jumped out of the car as soon as she couldAs Arabella entered the familiar warmth of her childhood home, the tension that had plagued her in Eleonor
In fact, it wasn't a dream. It was a memory of the night she spent with Damon.Arabella got up, knowing she would not be able to sleep anymore after the dream about Damon. She went to the desk where the Phantom Group project was and started working. The next day, there would be a dinner with Damon Banks, and she needed to be prepared. She needed the project to be approved so she could then get rid of Mason.**The reason why casinos were legal in Las Vegas was simple; no one would be unhappy if they could indulge in sins. What people judged and repudiated elsewhere was entertainment in Vegas, it was what they called a Monday.At the Wynn Las Vegas Casino, one of the most luxurious settings in Sin City, a cocktail party was beginning. A relatively small gathering, for just over a hundred wealthy people. This would not be an ordinary night, with million-dollar games rolling on the tables, or golden call girls dancing around the hall. The night promised much more.The casino's decor was
"Let's go," Will placed his hand at the base of Arabella's spine and guided her to the table.The eye contact occurred when Arabella decided she was ready to face Damon and not dwell on the taste he had.Damon seemed to be at home, in a completely comfortable environment for him. His commanding yet relaxed posture showed that he was not far from his comfort zone. On the other hand, Arabella was completely far from what she considered normal."Do we have room for one more?" Will looked at Damon, then at the women at the table. They were all young, between their twenties and thirties. All of them, also, possessed undeniably captivating beauty."We always have room for one more," one of the women, the brunette, murmured, already moving aside to make space."Welcome, Miss Collins," the blonde, Damon's companion, smiled.From the women's postures, Arabella understood what this gathering was about. The women were not welcoming her simply because they liked her, but because the end of the n
"I can still manage my fucking time, Arabella."Upon hearing those words and letting them take effect, Arabella stopped. She simply froze, right in the middle of the hall. She thought about it, and almost wanted to laugh. Turning to Damon again, she began to speak her first thought, without filters: "You are here because you saw the perfect opportunity to bring a model. do not act like your effort is for me, because despite having the chance to be with me, you still prefer them."Damon took a step toward Arabella to ensure more privacy. In their current position, his lips were only inches away from her ear. The proximity sparked electricity, but they were too exposed to release the energy. Arabella felt her body react internally, but the only expression she had was a soft sigh."You have no idea of the effort I would make for you," he whispered."You do not need to make an effort, Mr. Banks. Your intentions are clear," she retorted."Are they really? Because you still seem irritated