"Did you not bring anything with you?" Dominic looked at me from head to toe. We were in the parking lot and I just got back from my apartment to fetch some clothes for the night. He said that the business meeting will be conducted at a resort since that's where the client wants to meet with us. "I got it all in here," I turned on my back to show him the backpack that I brought with me. "Is that all?" He asked again, as if he wasn't content with my answer. "Ummm...yeah," I replied and he just shrugged his shoulders and opened the passenger door. "Get in," he said, and I smiled shyly as I glanced at him and hopped in his car. He got in on the driver seat and didn't waste another second and immediately drove off. "You should have brought swim wear with you since we're going to the beach," he said, and I looked at him, with a frown on my face. "Aren't we going there for a meeting?" "Naturally, but we won't spend the whole day there for the meeting, you can rel
We entered the room and it was cozy and spacious. But I think what I love the most is the terrace which shows the perfect view of the beach and night sky. "This is beautiful," I mumbled as I admired the moon that's shining brightly in the sky. The cold breeze coming from the ocean passed through my body and it was such a delighting experience that I haven't felt for years. Was it eight or nine years ago the last time that I saw the ocean? "It's cold out here," Dominic wrapped hus suit over my shoulders like those in romantic movies and it gave me the chills. "Thank you," I said my thanks and made space for him as he leaned his body on the edge, taking a deep breathe. I stared at him, and I suddenly saw creases in his forehead as he opened his eyes abruptly and looked at me with his ocean blue eyes. The depths of those orbs speak for him. No matter how much he tries to appear normal in front of me, I can tell by just a glance of those blue eyes that he's tired. But what i
I didn't get any sleep at all. I was awake the whole time, waiting for him to appear, but he didn't. I checked my phone and it was already 6:49. The meeting is scheduled at eight so I have to get up and fix myself. However, I'm not so sure anymore if I should continue this. After hearing everything last night, I'm apprehensive if I should still trust him. ... After half an hour of debating I just went through with it and took a bath. This is the last time, when we get back, I'm resigning. [Click!] My eyes darted to the door and Dominic was standing there, he was smiling as if nothing had happened. "Hey there, are you ready? Sorry if I didn't come back last night. The friend I mentioned, Michaelson, he offered me another room that was available so I stayed there." He said. "Oh, I see..." I said, evading his prying gaze. "If you're ready then let's go," he said and we walked together to the cafe where he'll meet the investor. ... There were many people since
Her face ashen when she heard what I asked. Is this some sort of a taboo topic?"How do you know Cassandra?" she asked. "Dominic wasn't himself last night. He kept screaming her name and that he..." I paused, hesitating to say what he said last night."What? That he killed her?" She said with a glimpse of sadness in her eyes. She closed her eyes momentarily, her brows stretched together, and when she opened her eyes again she inhaled deeply before looking at me with a tranquil look."I don't know why he told you about her. But knowing him, I'm sure he won't open up to someone unless he trusts that person. So I hope whatever I say you'll keep it to yourself,"I clenched my fist, not knowing why she's being so cautious, "Of course, I promise,""Hmmm..." Her facial expression cracked a bit."Is there something wrong?" "No, it's just...that word—promise, I've always hated that word, but anyway, here it goes,"She moved closer to me, her lips curling upwards as she starte
We returned to the city a few hours after, and he wanted to drive me home, but I insisted on taking a cab. He also didn't press on it and respected my decision. ... "Hey, you're back, how did it go?" Kara asked me while she sat on top of her bed wearing a mud mask on her face. I just grunted at her as response and jumped on my bed, wanting to take a deep and peaceful sleep. "Wow, not good, huh?" I feel the bed sink, as she hopped on my bed. "Tell me what happened," she turned me over making me face her. "Nooo!!! I don't want to talk about it," I grabbed a pillow and covered my face with it. Wanting to drown and just end all this problems and humiliation. "Hey! Stop that," she slapped my shoulder and I hissed in pain, sitting up abruptly. "Why are you hitting me?!" "And why are you being a baby?!" She yelled back. I pouted, not wanting to respond to her, so I just buried head back to my sheets. "Fine, suit yourself, if you decide tou want to tell me then...well
"So where are you taking me for lunch?" I asked him. "There's a fancy restaurant outside, if you agree, I would like to take you there," he said. I shrugged my shoulders and he quickly grabbed my hand and this guy dragged me from the second floor all the way to the parking lot as if we we're in a freaking running contest. ... "We could have taken the elevator you know!" I glared at him when we areached his car. I was so out of breathe and this prick just laughed at my condition. "At least we got a good exercise out of it," he said, and I'm sure my face is like a tomato right now by how furious I am. "Please step inside, princess," he gestured as he opened the passenger door. Even though I'm angry at him, I'm still true to my words. So I'll go to lunch with him, and after this, I'll make sure I don't see him ever again. ... He took me to a restaurant that was a five minute drive from the mall. It was an elegant looking restaurant, a michellin holder in fact. So I'
“Wow, Isabella, you eat a lot, huh?” I closed my eyes, hearing another annoying remark from Fiona. The whole time we’ve been eating she has done nothing but say veiled mean things about me. That I eat a lot, that I have poor manners, that I don’t have any etiquette. Can’t she just leave me alone for five seconds? I suddenly felt a strong call of nature. I stood up quickly, “I have to use the restroom,” I said, leaving hurriedly. I rushed to the cubicle and did my business. After I was done, I washed my hands and prepared to go back. And the moment I got out, I feel like my soul left my body when I saw Dominic standing by the door, looking at me with an unreadable expression. “Dominic, what are you doing here? This is the ladies,” I asked, but he didn’t answer. He just stared at me. “Dominic?” “Is he really you’re boyfriend?” He asked in a chilly tone. “Um, yeah,” I said. He walked towards me slowly, “Liar” he uttered. “When we were at the resort you told me me you
"So what will you do now?" Aiden asked as I tend to his bruise. "What else can I do? I'll just go look for another job. I'm sure I can find a job out there," I said, not saying the part where I almost puked blood just to land my first ever job. "If you want, my older brother runs his own company, maybe I can get you in," he said. "You don't have to do that, you have already done a lot for me," I declined. I don't want to give him the impression that I'm just using him. "Oh come on, his company gives great benefits, plus, he even offers to fund scholarships, it'll help you with your studies so you can finally go to college," he said, and I was taken aback for a second. "How did you..." "I can tell. You work full time at Dominic's company but you have a lot of books under your bed. It's really a no brainier," he shrugged and kept quiet. I looked down and indeed the books I bought were visible down there. This guy is something else, he's very keen and observant. And
I felt someone poke my shoulders. I looked beside me to see Ara pouting. “Hey! Are you even listening to me?” She asked, her face scrunched up in frustration. “You were talking to me?” I asked, confused. She groaned, covering her face with her hands as if she couldn’t believe my lack of attention. I just can’t help it, a lot of things have been running in my mind lately. I even got called multiple times during class today because I always spaced out mid session. “I asked if you want to go clubbing with us.” She repeated.“Oh, that. I think I’ll have to pass, I still have to study, and…”“Wow, is Aiden’s older brother that strict with you? Is he restricting you on going out on weekends?” She interrupted, her face looking appalled at the idea.I quickly jumped to Hayden’s defense. “No, you got it wrong. I just really need to study, that’s all.”“Ohhh…I see. I thought he was stopping you. Sorry, my bad.” She said, holding up a peace sign. “Ummm…Anyway, about your friend—do you thin
“So why are you really here?” I asked Hayden, my tone skeptical.We were walking along the path in the oval, and since it was lunchtime, most students were inside eating, so there wasn’t anyone around here, leaving us completely alone.“I already told you. I am here for a board meeting,” he replied, a smirk tugging at his lips.I narrowed my eyes at him. “Liar.” I spat.“No I’m not,” he smiled, laughing. “Do you really think I’m lying to you?” He asked.I shrugged, “Just a gut feeling.” I said, and he laughed even more.“Don’t worry, I’m not stalking you. I really am here for business,” he said, tracing a cross sign over his chest dramatically. I sighed, deciding to just to let it go.“Plus, it’s not like that I’m obsessed with you to be stalking you in such a broad daylight,” he said, and my jaw dropped. The nerve of this guy! Did he really just say that? Without thinking, I started hitting him on the arm.“Wait, wait! I was just joking!” he protested, shielding himself from my blo
[Bang!] I stirred awake when I heard a loud sound beside me. I was sleeping since I got up early for my 7:30 session earlier. I still had enough time to rest before my 9:30 session so I made the most time out of it. Sadly, the peace was short-lived.“Are the rumors true?” Gab asked, his voice dripping with curiosity. I groggily looked at him, blinking, wondering what he was referring to. “What are you talking about?” I muttered, already putting my head down. “The news about you and Hayden dating.” He asked. And I couldn’t help but grit my teeth, my frustration bubbling up instantly. …Yesterday, after Aiden and I talked, I entered the room only to find out Auntie had already told the press Hayden and I were dating. I stood there, speechless. I thought we were still discussing the idea—not jumping straight into it. Hayden, understandably, was furious when he found out what his mom had done.But I calmed him down, reassuring him that this might actually be the safest option. Reluct
I was sitting on the terrace, staring blankly at the front lawn, waiting for their discussion inside to end. The silence enveloped me, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves in the breeze. Minutes passed before I heard footsteps approaching. Looking up, I saw Hayden holding a glass of water in his hand. “Don’t worry,” he said, offering me the water. “We don’t have to do what my mom said.” I took the glass, sipped a little, and placed it on the table. “She seems pretty energetic,” I said, earning a smile from him. He nodded. “She likes you,” he said. “Cause if she didn’t she would have worn her signature o]poker face. She mostly wears a stoic expression and ignores people, even my grandfather when he’s being too much.” “What? Really? I didn’t get that vibe from her at all.” I said, surprised.His lips curved into a thin smile, and his eyes sparkled with amusement. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his legs and getting comfortable. “She’s a good mother. A mother who w
As we approached the living room, I could see two people sitting upright from a distance. Hayden’s mother was talking to his father with a serious expression. Observing them, I couldn’t help but wonder how they managed to look so youthful despite their age.When they noticed us entering, I braced myself for yelling, cursing, or even outright hostility. A loud scream did echo through the room, but it wasn’t one of anger, but rather it was of excitement.“Good heavens! Is this her!?” Hayden’s mother exclaimed, standing abruptly and striding toward us with elegance. Her flowing blue dress swayed with each step, and before Hayden could greet her, she brushed past him without a second thought.“Move aside! I’m not here for you,” she declared, leaving Hayden visibly stunned. She stopped directly in front of me, cupping my face with hands trembling in emotion. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.I froze, unsure how to react, managing only a stiff attempt to smile to at least reciprocate he
Just as expected, the media quickly caught wind of the video and it quickly became the talk of the city. Hayden did his best to suppress the news, but even with his influence, he couldn’t keep it under wraps. “It’s fine. We can’t do anything about it now. Just let it be,” I muttered, noticing Hayden’s stressed expression as he spoke on the phone in his office.When he saw me standing by the door, he ended the call, his face showing a defeated look.“I’m sorry, I tried everything to prevent it form spreading,” he said.I nodded, offering him a small, understanding smile. I didn’t care much about it. One way or another, the truth would’ve come out. I just hadn’t expected it to be revealed this way.“Oh My God! Bella, you are…” Aiden’s voice broke the moment as he appeared out of nowhere, staring at me in shock. His messy hair and slightly red eyes made it obvious he had just woken up. Tsk. Looks like he finally calmed down enough to talk to me again. Yesterday, when Hayden and I got b
Hayden didn’t take me home. Instead, he drove us to the mountains. If earlier I wasn’t scared, I most definitely am now.What if he plans to get rid of me here for lying? The place was eerily quiet. No one would hear me scream.“What are you thinking?” His deep voice startled me, making snap my head toward him.“Nothing,” I lied.He glanced at me briefly, his gaze unreadable. “Your face says otherwise. Are you scared about what happened earlier? Did those women hurt you?” He asked, concern laced his tone.I quickly shook my head. “No—no, it’s just, umm…”“You’re worried about me?” His eyes locked on mine. I blinked. “What?! No!” He smirked. “If you’re worried I’ll stop helping you just because I know who you really are, then you’re wrong. It’s totally up to you if you want to leave.” He said, his grip on the wheel tightening.“Really?” I asked, disbelief evident in my tone.“Of course. Thoug
Tanya and Lisa approached me with sly smiles. Their over friendly and concerned demeanor immediately putting me on edge. “Oh my gosh, Bella, what happened to you? If Lisa hadn’t told me it was you, I wouldn’t have recognized you at all,” Tanya said, her voice dripping with feigned concern. but in reality, you could see it in her eyes that she doesn’t care about a single thing that’s happening in my life. “Of course it’s her, she just looks umm…” Lisa gave me as slow mocking look, crossing her arms as she looked at me from head to toe. “Poor,” she said, emphasizing the word like a sharp jab.“But let’s not dwell on that,” Tanya added with a smug grin. “What’s important is we finally found you here. You’ve been gone from home for so long that we almost forgot you existed. Dad was so worried, he started drinking the day after you left, and you didn’t even bother to call us to tell us that you’re okay.” She sniffled dramatically, even managing a fake tear.“Shh… it’s okay. At least she’
Aiden was on to me the entire drive to the mall.He kept pestering me about what Hayden meant by what the said earlier and I couldn’t give him and answer, obviously, so I stayed silent,, which only made him more persistent. Thankfully we arrived and I could finally get him to shut his mouth. I glanced at the black card in my hand, still shaken by the fact that I am able to hold something so rare. Quickly, I tucked it inside my purse, determined to only pull it out once Aiden finally runs out of cash for the sudden shopping spree he wants us to do. Aiden dragged me through multiple shops, and after just the first one, he had already spent over ten thousand dollars. Sigh. Maybe Hayden was right to give me the card after all. Knowing Aiden’s credit cards were frozen, I couldn’t help but wonder just how far he’d go with his spending spree.“Do you think this looks good?” He asked, holding up an orange and green shirt that has cartoon faces on them.