The buzz around the room began to grow. This would be the biggest move of the night, and would certainly go down in the history of the event.Jean smiled at his competitive daughter. He was willing to make a large donation, and she helped him. The wedding planner waited for Ethan to respond, but the man just shook his head.- "I'll give you one. I'll give you two. I'll give you three. Sold to the lady in red at table five, for the trifle of one million dollars. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a record holder among us."The room erupted in applause when the bottle of brandy was sold. Blair's heart was pounding as loudly as the applause, and she could only smile politely. This was a filmed event, and a few cameras turned to the redhead when she won.The master of ceremonies said a few more things about the bidding, and then announced the last item to be auctioned off that night.- "I'm going to the bathroom. Excuse me," Blair told her father when she felt that the curious eyes were no lon
The man massaged his temples to ward off the headache that was creeping closer. His patience was in short supply, especially when it came to Blair. The last thing Ethan wanted to deal with was relationship problems. The threats looming over his life were enough. He looked at Mariah to answer, feeling that the words stuck in his throat needed to be said, and they would be.- "So we're more than friends, because we fuck a lot, all the time. Understand, Mariah, nothing's going to change between us."- "It will change when your reputation is on the line," she threatened.When Ethan decided to break up with Mariah, he didn't think she would become a problem. The model was usually a well-balanced and mature woman for the type of relationship they had. However, at that moment, the man realized he was dealing with the devil.- "To be threatening me, you have no idea the level of fucking we have" he said, just to provoke her.- "You wouldn't tarnish your image over a fuck," Mariah assured.- "
- "What happened?" the question was directed to the security guard.- "There was an unexpected problem in the elevator, but it has already been resolved"- "Unforeseen?"- "A man approached Miss Collins"Ethan's blood boiled the moment those words reached his ears. He felt an almost physical pain at the thought of anyone hurting Blair. The only thing his brain could assimilate past the worry was anger.The man didn't think twice before grabbing the woman's arm and pulling her closer to him. The brief contact was electrifying for both of them; perhaps more so for one than the other. Ethan took a few seconds to smell Blair's sweet scent before he could speak:- "I need you to stay safe"Blair looked at Ethan's hand on her arm, then up at his face. His tourmaline eyes were beautiful, just as she remembered. It was as if that image would never be erased from her mind. A chill settled over her body as she realized that this man didn't belong to her.She took a deep breath, which only serve
Drake and Blair accompanied the guests, keeping some distance so as not to seem like intruders. Given the clear and clean scenery, the redhead seemed to be out of place in her black dress. Some would say she was the ex who never got over the breakup, others would bet she was getting revenge.- "Want something to drink?" Drake asked.- "Water," she replied, smiling in thanks.Drake walked over to one of the tables set up in the garden. Meanwhile, Blair walked around the space, taking in the simple, delicate decor. From what little the redhead knew of Rose, she could tell that she had chosen everything. They were college friends before Rose became interested in Blair's then-boyfriend.The woman walked carelessly through the garden, and did not notice when she moved away from the guests. There were many trees in the green environment, and she ended up disappearing from everyone's field of vision.Blair was deep in thought, imagining what her life would be like if she were a woman like Ro
- "Thank you," Trevor whispered.- "Tell your friends and family how happy she makes you," Blair murmured, and used the glass in her hand to indicate the people around her.The woman’s icy blue gaze fixed on Trevor. More than anyone else, he knew those words weren’t sincere. They were poisonous. But still, the groom nodded, the tiniest bit.- "A toast," Blair suggested, raising the glass to her lips to take a sip.Everyone imitated the redhead's gesture, raising their glasses to promote a toast and murmuring "cheers" in almost unison. However, it didn't take long for silence to reign again. People still thought Blair had something to say, and they were right.- "Oh, I almost forgot..." she began, and left the glass with half of the sparkling wine on the decorated table.- "I hope you make plans together, and that she ruins them all" and as soon as the words left Blair's lips, the guests gasped in surprise, which only spurred her to continue:- "I hope you spend every last cent to put
The steel doors opened again on the fortieth floor. Ethan bolted out of the elevator before he could hear another satire. Joseph followed him, smiling at his friend's obvious bad mood. They walked together down the hallway of the building.- "That redhead spoiled you, didn't she?" Joseph asked, but he could easily have been saying it.- "Keep my rules in mind. I don't want you turning my apartment into a nightclub." Ethan ignored his friend's previous statement, as he decided he didn't want to talk about the subject of blue eyes and copper hair.- "Too late, friend"And when Ethan pressed his finger on the digital lock on the door and opened it, he found the nightclub he had forbidden his friend from joining. The music started playing the moment the door opened, and the scantily clad women scattered around the property screamed and jumped, as if it were a surprise party.- "I swear your resignation will be ordered" Ethan said.- "Don't worry. I'll pay for everything."Banks entered th
- "Yes, sir?" Alex answered on the first ring.Even though it was the middle of the night in New York, the security guard was too dedicated to his job not to answer the door. Ethan approved of his efficiency, despite paying him very well for it.- "Find Blair Collins' location and search for her. It doesn't matter where she is, who she's with. Take her to my apartment."That order came as a surprise to Alex. In a thousand years, he would never have imagined that his boss would ask him to do such a thing. However, there were no questions. Alex was asleep before receiving Banks' call, but he was always aware that an order could come at any moment.- "Yes sir"- "If any friends are with her, take them too." Ethan remembered Drake, and felt even more angry. He was supposed to be a friend to her, not someone who accompanied her in bad decisions.- "Understood"- "Your job depends on how intact she gets to the apartment. Keep me posted." Those were Ethan's last words before hanging up.**1
He walks over to Mommy, and then grabs her hair tightly. I want to help, but I can't. I'm too scared. I don't want to get hurt like her. Mommy falls to the floor, but Daddy doesn't stop holding her hair. I know she cries when she's really happy, but I don't like the tears on her cheeks.- "I love you" she says.- "Scream!"- "I love you!" she screams, and then Daddy smiles. Is he happy now?- "Very good... very good"- "Let me go, Jean. Please," my mother begs.He lets go of her hair, and Mommy falls to the floor with her hands on her hands. She cries loudly, sobbing so hard, and I can't move. It's like there's glue on my feet. The only thing I can do is cry too, but I cry quietly so Daddy doesn't hear. I don't want him to be mad at me.- "Go put the girl to sleep, then come back and clean up the mess they made."Mommy stands up. She is weak, I know she is. The beautiful smile is not on her face, so Daddy has left Mommy sad. She starts to walk to my room, but Daddy grabs her by the ar