086.Laura sat in a coffee shop, her feet tapping relentlessly on the floor. Vera had gone to get them drinks but that was the least of her problems right now. She knew Gina was the one responsible for the beating she received, but she had no idea how Amber was able to clear her name in just a small amount of time.This only confirmed her suspicion that there was someone helping her form the sidelines. But who could that be? And why did the girl who helped to get the man caught look so familiar?"Something is fishy!" "Laura, did you hear, Amber has gotten all her opportunities back. Lots of companies are calling to get interviewed by her. They were moved by now she took care of the case and gave the police the leverage to catch the abuser." Vera dropped the coffee on the table and sat down.Laura groaned. "I hate how this is turning out, Gina. We need to do something about it.""That's not all. Ms. June has given her the cover page for the Mainland Tech Conference Article. If she pu
087."Ms. June, I don't think I'm the right person for this interview," Amber forced a smile. "I mean, I already have loads of work in hand, and it wouldn't be nice to add Cloud Limited to the list, now would it? I'm sure there are tons of reporters that would be interested. Like..." she trailed, trying to think of the perfect person. She had already given Gina some parts of her work. She wouldn't want to stress the young lady out with more work.Laura? She internally scoffed. Laura set her up and almost ruined her reputation. She wouldn't want to give Laura, but then Laura and Jack would be a perfect match, right?Before she could say anything, Ms. June raised a palm to stop her. "Amber, listen," she sighed and leaned forward in her chair. "I understand you're busy with interviews and the likes, but you got to understand that they asked you to come personally. And you know we can't turn them down when the Lead Editor has approved of it, right?" Amber sighed and ruffled her hair. Loo
088.Amber rushed to Laura's desk and slammed her hands on it, startling the young lady who was busy on her laptop. "How could you? Have you no conscience?" she yelled, drawing the attention of their colleagues.They hadn't seen Amber this angry before so it drew their attention and their eyes perked up to know what Laura had done to make Amber snap.Laura looked at Amber, confusion etched on her face. "What are you talking about?""Don't you dare act oblivious with me. Don't act like you have no idea what I'm talking about." Amber was seething now. "That's because I have no idea what you're talking about. If you have nothing to do with your time, please, move aside. I have an article to post for tomorrow's magazine."Amber's fists balled. "Oh, so now you have no idea what you did, right? Let me refresh your memory. You've been stepping on my toes and trying to sabotage every little thing I do, I've tolerated that. Then you set me up with that bastard at the club and ruined my reputa
089.“I can't believe we're all going to work overtime because you chose to be lazy with your work,” Laura complained, glaring at Amber. “If you can't do it, you can just say it and give up.” she groaned and facepalmed.Amber said nothing as she typed away on her computer. She was following the process of the editing, and also adding some things into it herself. She wouldn't want what happened the last time to repeat itself.“Don't listen to her, Amber,” Gina encouraged her with a smile. “I know you can do it.”Amber smiled and nodded, her fingers working fast. It was almost an hour until they clock out.Vera leaned in and whispered to Laura. “What if she actually finishes up, Laura? What are we gonna do then?” Laura scoffed. “There is no fucking way she would be able to finish in time. Trust me, she started from the beginning. She'd have to listen to the recordings and stuff all over again. There's no way she can-"“I'm done!” Amber exclaimed, drawing everybody's attention.“What!”
090.“Would you like dinner before a bath?” Axel asked as they walked into his house.Amber collapsed on the couch. “I wish I can have both, but let's take care of the most important first. I'm starving.” she pouted with cute puppy eyes that made Axel smile at her.“Then I'll whip up something fast and delicious for you to eat,” he removed his suit jacket and undid two buttons of his shirt. He rolled his sleeves and turned to look at Amber who watched him with a dreamy expression.He chuckled and walked to the kitchen. Amber followed him immediately. She took a seat and placed her jaw in her hands as she watched him.Amber’s tired eyes drank in Axel’s every move. There was something hypnotizing about watching him cook. She let the tension of the day slowly unwind, the sight of him so focused on his task soothing her frayed nerves.The clang of pots and pans, the sizzle of meat in the pan, the mouth-watering aromas—it all created a symphony of domesticity, a sense of calm she hadn’t fe
091.Axel chuckled, and slid into the bathtub, his fingers playing along her breasts, circling closer and closer to her nipples. “Why, Amber, is it working?” he teased, his breath hot against her skin. “Should I stop?”Amber shook her head, her eyes fluttering closed. “No, please don't stop.” Her voice was barely above a whisper now, her whole body tingling with anticipation.Axel obliged, gently taking one of her nipples between his thumb and forefinger, rolling it delicately. Amber gasped, a soft moan escaping her lips as her body arched into his touch.Axel's hand moved to Amber’s other breast, kneading and caressing her soft flesh. His lips trailed down her neck, his tongue swirling against her skin. “You're so beautiful, Amber. So perfect,” he murmured, his voice thick with desire.Amber let out a low moan, her breath coming faster now. Her skin was flushed with excitement, her nipples hard against his palms. She reached back, pulling him closer, her lips seeking his.Their lips
092.Axel chuckled, the sound low and throaty. “Well, I’m not done with you yet, my wicked kitten.” He settled himself between her thighs, positioning himself at her entrance.“Oh?” Amber raised an eyebrow, her lips curved in a seductive smile. “Is that so?”Axel’s eyes glinted with mischief. “You bet. This time, I’m going to claim every inch of you.”Axel’s hands gripped her thighs, his gaze locked onto hers as he pushed himself slowly, inch by delicious inch, into her waiting heat. Amber gasped, her back arching as he filled her completely.“Oh god, Axel…” she moaned, her hands sliding up his chest to tangle in his hair. “You feel so good.”Axel grunted, his hips starting a slow, sensual rhythm. “And you,” he breathed, nipping at her neck, “feel incredible.”Axel’s body became a well-oiled machine, every muscle moving in perfect rhythm as he thrust into Amber’s waiting heat. He watched the pleasure course through her body, her eyes rolling back, her lips parted in ecstasy. Her moans
093.Amber woke up the next morning feeling like she’d won a lottery. She stretched and turned, her eyes meeting with that of Axel, who was already dressed up and seated on the bed, watching her.Amber smiled at him and he cupped her cheeks. “Good morning, Cat Eyes, you look extremely beautiful in the mornings,” he pinched the cheek and Amber couldn't help chuckling.“Good morning, King,” she replied and Axel couldn't help giving her a cute smile. “You're ready for work? Already?” she asked and he shrugged.“What can I say? I'm an early bird. Unlike some people.” Axel mumbled the last part, but Amber heard him loud and clear.“It's too early to tease me, Mr. A,” she pulled him into a hug. “I wish I could stay here in your arms the whole day, but I've got an interview today.”Axel held her close, savoring the warmth of her body against his. “I know, baby. I want to be here with you too,” he smiled and Amber took in the masculine scent of his cologne. She wished she could stay in his ar
125 ~ Final Chapter ~ Epilogue Wedding Day… “Don’t cry, baby. You’re gonna ruin your makeup.” Loris said, her own tears falling. Amber nodded. “Mum, you asked me not to cry but you’re doing the exact same thing.” she sniffled, trying to hold back her tears. Loris wiped her face with the back of her palm. “It’s just that I can still remember forcing you to go to College that fateful day, and you didn’t want to because you didn’t want to stay with Cole. But you had no idea Axel was there. You two started young, and you’ve been through a lot together. I’m so proud of you for being so strong and resilient.” Amber smiled, squeezing her mother’s hand gently. “I wouldn’t have gotten through it all without Axel, Cole, my friends, and you, Mom. And now, here I am, about to marry the love of my life. It’s a dream come true.” “And I’m honored to be here,” Loris replied, her voice soft and loving. “Now, I don’t want to be responsible for making you late on your wedding day, so let’s get yo
124 ~ Penultimate ChapterA Day Later…Axel’s eyes fluttered open and the first set of eyes he met were those cat eyes he fell in love with. As he stared into those eyes, everything came rushing back to him and a small smile played on his lips.“Cat eyes,” he called weakly and she hugged him, but was careful not to hurt him.“Oh, Axel! I’m so happy you’re awake!” she burst into tears, a flood of relief washing over her. When she saw him get stabbed, it was almost like her world had come to a halt. She’d panicked and gotten angry that she had to inflict the same pain on Jack without even thinking twice.Axel winced slightly as Amber tightened her embrace, but he smiled. “I’m sorry I worried you,” he whispered. “But I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere.”Amber pulled back, her eyes bright with tears. “How are you feeling?” she asked, smoothing his hair back with a gentle hand.“Better, now theat you’re here,” Axel replied, a weak but genuine smile on his face. “Are you okay?”Amber snif
123.A.A Entertainment…That same night, Larissa had fallen asleep in the employee’s lounge while resting. Her eyes suddenly snapped open, and she checked her wristwatch to see that it was already late into the night. She tried to call Axel, but his number was not going through. She couldn’t get Maverick either.Her eyes darted to the glass of juice she had taken. Something didn’t feel right. She wasn’t one to sleep this long and in the company for that matter. She stood up and quickly rushed to Maverick’s office, but he had just woken up too.“This can’t be a coincidence. How did we fall asleep at the same time?” Larissa asked.Maverick was about to answer when they heard a sound coming from Axel’s office. They both exchanged worried looks. “Quick, call the nearby police station. I’m sure it’s either a thief or someone I’ve been suspecting for days now.”Maverick nodded and went to make a call while Larissa snuck into the office. There she was, standing with her phone placed on her e
122.Amber stumbled backwards, feeling like a knife had been pierced through her chest. In that moment, the words of Friedrich Nietzsche which says “Betrayal hurts more when it comes from someone we trust. And the pain is reminder that our trust was misplaced and our love was blind.”She couldn’t believe the one person she had trusted with her life during her time of pain was the same person that caused her the pain to begin with?Ironically, it was like a twisted game of chess where she had been nothing more than a pawn, manipulated by a mastermind who had disguised himself as a friend and confidant. It was a cruel irony that only added to the bitter sting of betrayal.Amber swallowed hard, the ache in her heart intensifying. “How could you?” she asked, her voice shaky. “I trusted you. Melissa trusted you. Cole, my parents, we all did.”Jack didn’t have an ounce of remorse on his face. “I did what I had to do to get you, Amber,” he replied. “When I confessed my feelings in college an
121.Amber exchanged worried glances with Cole and the rest. “It can’t be, right?” she whispered, her chest tightening. “Jack can’t be Don. It’s not possible. He would never hurt anyone.”“Amber is right. Are you sure you checked the address correctly? Maybe there was a glitch or something?” Melissa asked. She might be mad at Jack for everything he had done, but she knew him too well. He would never hurt anyone. He wouldn’t stoop this low.Cole looked uncertain, but he was sure this can’t be a mix-up. He was a computer expert, and there was no effing way he would have gotten the wrong address. “As much as this might sound shocking, it might actually be true. Think about it, Jack is the only rival Axel has now. He used to date Amber before Axel returned. And according to what I’ve heard him say, he’s loved Amber since College.”Axel nodded. “Cole is right.”Amber shook her head. “No, this can’t be right,” she began pacing, her heart pounding in her chest. “I know Jack might be temperam
120.Axel felt like a thunderclap had just sounded in his head the minute he saw the message. Cole leaned close to Axel so he could take a look.“Whoa!” Cole exclaimed. “He caught the bait. But what the heck is Amber doing outside?”Axel sighed. “I can’t break up with Amber, Cole. She would be devastated,” he massaged his temple as he thought of a plan. “Devastated,” he repeated. “That’s it!” Cole arched an eyebrow. “What do you mean?” he gasped. “Don’t tell me you’re going to really break up with her? Axel, Amber might faint, and I will beat you up! It’s not a threat, it’s a promise.” Cole warned.“Relax and hear me out,” Axel said and Cole took a deep breath to calm himself down. “I am going to break up with her, but it’s not going to be a real breakup. We have to find a way to let in on the plan.”Cole seemed to get it and nodded. “Don’t worry. I know how to do that,” he said and Axel raised an eyebrow.“How? We can’t inform her through calls or texts. Our phones might be connecte
119.“Uh… I was…”Larissa folded her arms, her expression stern. “What are you doing in Axel’s office and why are his files scattered on the desk?” she asked, her eyes running over the mess Candice had made.Candice knew she needed to find a way out of this mess. “Uh… it’s not something serious. I just,”“You just what?” Larissa asked, her voice getting hard. Last time she checked, employees weren’t allowed in Axel’s office, especially when he wasn’t in. Coupled with that, Axel didn’t even like Candice to begin with, so there was no way he would ask her to get anything from his office for him, not when she and Maverick were around.“I was looking for the file I submitted to Mr. Axel,” she began, her heart beating frantically in her chest. “I mean, my resume and stuff. I don’t know where I kept the original anymore, and I need to check something urgently, that’s why I came here to find it.”Larissa scoffed. If Candice thought she was going to believe any of those lies, the lady was cle
118.The reporter’s voice echoed through the television in a serious, breaking news tone, “This just in: The only son of the world-renowned billionaire, Kevin King, has taken to social media to announce that his wedding to renowned journalist Amber Smith is soon, with the date being kept a secret.”The news spread like wildfire. Within minutes, the entire nation was buzzing with excitement, speculating about the date and location of the wedding. But underneath the glamour and excitement, a darker force lurked in the shadows.As the days passed, Amber and Axel played their part, lavishing each other with affection in the public eye. Every post, every picture, every tweet seemed to fuel the media frenzy and the anger of the dangerous underdog.Meanwhile, Cole and Axel worked tirelessly to track the mysterious Don. But despite their best efforts, they kept coming up short. The spyware was immune to every hack they tried, and the location remained hidden. It was as if Don were a ghost, sl
117.After the dinner, Amber, Larissa and Melissa stayed back to help Loris clean. Kevin talked over wine with Mr. Smith while Axel felt like his world had been tilted. Cole walked to him and held his hand, leading him upstairs to his room.Maverick, who had also noticed the distressful look on Axel's face had to follow them as well. They got to Cole's room and he locked the door then turned to face Axel.“Spill it. What happened back at the dinner? Your phone beeped, you checked it and all of a sudden, your mood changed. You haven't been yourself since then,” he said and Axel let out a sigh. “You might not married to Amber yet, but you and I have been friends long enough to be called family, and I won't appreciate it if you decide to hide this from me.”“I don't intend to hide this from you, Cole,” Axel said, his tone low. “I'm just worried. I might not be as scared as I was years ago, but I'm worried. Don is back.”“What!” Maverick and Cole exclaimed at the same time.“How is that p