After Cole left, the whole room was covered in a chill atmosphere. Neither Isabella nor Dominic tried to talk to each other. Isabella wanted to ask him about what Cole meant, she was curious who the girl Cole was referring to but felt like she’d be stepping over the line if she asks. Time flew fast and it was almost 8PM. Isabella stole glances at Dominic, she wanted to ask if it was okay for her to go ahead but it seems inappropriate that she leaves before her boss does. “You can go ahead,” Isabella darted her eyes towards Dominic’s direction, stunned. ‘Did he just read my mind?’ She thought. “I can tell you’re uncomfortable, I’m sorry for what happened earlier, you shouldn't have see that. Cole and I don’t really have the best relationship,” Dominic said, still gazing at her with unreadable emotions. “It’s okay,” it was all Isabella could say, not daring to look at him. “Then...ummm, I'll leave first, sir, goodnight!” Isabella hesitantly stood up. She looked at him b
Days have passed after that unsettling interaction. Isabella could feel Dominic was distancing himself from her. All they ever talk about whenever they are in the office was the schedule of his meetings and if he needs her to run some errands. Aside from that, they mostly never talk to each other. That night, when Isabella asked who Cassy was, Dominic seemed to realize what he just did, immediately letting go of her and leaving. She was left bewildered, and in the end she had no choice but to take a cab home. She could tell something was up, from his talk with Cole that afternoon, and the fact that he called her Cassy just proves it. Right now she was alone again inside his office, plotting schedules for him. It was the same routine every single day. While she was organizing some documents, the door suddenly opened and she stood up out of reflex thinking it was Dominic, but it ended up being the person she least expected to see. She can already feel a burning headache
Fiona watched as Cole entered the office. He was smiling at her with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "What are you so happy about?" She barked at him, sitting down, massaging her temples. "You shouldn't let out your frustrations on her. You're better than that Fiona," Cole looked at her, his eyes softening as he ogled her face. "What is it to you?" "Come on, I'm trying to help you here. Do you really want to be some kind of villain?" Cole chuckled, sitting beside her, looking at her while batting his eye lashes. Fiona just gave him a blank face, her irritation rising at an intense peak. She raised her hand and stopped it mid air, her fingers wide open while she looked at Cole imagining crushing his face with her bare hands. "Ugh you're so annoying!" She clenched her teeth, stomping her feet on the ground. She got up and grabbed her purse angrily, walking to the door as she banged the door close. "Haha, she still haven't changed after all these years. I wonder w
Isabella's POV ___________ What Thea told back there made me reflect on Fiona's treatment towards me. Sure, she was acting as if I've wronged her, but now that I think of it. I feel like she's seeing another person whenever she talks to me. I massaged my temples, my head hurting from thinking too much and opened the door. I thought no one would be at the office, but unexpectedly he was already here. "Where have you been?" He turned to me, his eyes scanning me. "I'm sorry Sir, I just got back from the cafeteria. Is there anything you need me to do?" I asked, waiting for his response. A minute passed, and here I am still standing by the door since he still wasn't talking. His eyes remained latched on me and I was starting to feel uncomfortable, but thank God he averted his eyes and finally talked. "Nothing. I was just wondering where you were," "Oh...okay," it was all I could say as I smiled at him, nodding my head before walking to my table. "I heard Fiona was here ear
"What?! I have a bad feeling about this Bella, maybe you should resign, there's still other jobs out there you can do," I told Kara everything that happened, and as expected, she wants me to resign from my job. I can't blame her though, there's something about Dominic that I can't just understand. "I don't know about that. You saw me applying for a lot of job, and this is the only company who hired me." [Ding!] I looked at my phone to see who texted me and saw his name appear on the screen. "Who's that?" she asked, and I showed her my phone and it made her frown even more. "He said we have a business meeting to attend to outside of the city," "And he's bringing you with him?" "Well, yeah, that is part of my job description," I said, and I honestly cannot make up Kara's face anymore. Even a talented artist would have a hard time drawing the look on her face. "Absolutely not! He's creepy, Bella. I heard rumors about him being a total psycho, and also that yesterday h
"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
Back at the hospital, the atmosphere felt heavier. Too sterile. Too quiet. It was the kind of silence that I hate. The only things that you you basically hear is the beeping of the monitor.Hayden still hadn’t woken up.I sat next to him in the VIP room where the nurses led me to earlier, my eyes fixed on the bandage wrapped around his head. There were scratches on his face, some bruising on his jaw. But nothing prepared me for the moment I walked in and saw him lying there, still, pale, tubes hooked to him.The nurse had said his condition was stable, but that word barely gave me comfort.Stable meant alive. Not okay.“Ms.?” A nurse peeked in. “Do you need anything?”I shook my head. “Thank you.”I asked Aiden to go home first to take care of Blake. So it was just me and Hayden right now. We have also notified their parents and Auntie almost fainted at the news and had to be taken to the hospital. Uncle said they’ll arrive tomorrow since they were o
I was expecting him to yell. To meet fire with fire, like he always did. But Dominic just stared at me, his expression unreadable.And his stillness made me even more angrier. My hands were still slightly trembling from the slap, and my heart was pounding in my chest. But then I saw something unexpected, his eyes… it wasn’t filled with rage. They looked… concerned. And tired.He took a step forward. “Why are you crying?”I blinked, feeling the heat of my tears finally streaming down. I didn’t even realize I was crying until he said it. My throat was dry, and my chest hurt, but I wasn’t about to let him touch me—much less see me like this.When his hand reached up to wipe my face, I slapped it away. Hard.“Don’t touch me,” I said through clenched teeth. My voice cracked, but I didn’t back down.To my surprise, he didn’t push it. He actually pulled his hand back and… obeyed me. That was the scariest part. The calm before whatever twisted storm he had plann
My heels echoed through the hospital loudly. I didn’t care if people were staring. My heart was racing so loud it practically drowned out the sound of my steps anyway. I followed the nurse, my eyes trained on the walls but my mind all over the place.Please be okay. Please, Hayden, be okay.“He’s in this room, ma’am,” the nurse said, stopping in front of a door. She looked at me with a bit of sympathy in her eyes. “His condition has stabilized. It was a road accident—some reckless driver at an intersection. We’re still waiting for the official report.”Road accident?My breath caught in my throat as I stepped into the room.There he was.His head was wrapped in white gauze, a few cuts lining his forehead. His lip was split on one side. He had an IV in his hand and an oxygen clip on his finger. He looked... pale…and till. Too still for someone who never stops moving.My knees buckled slightly, and I had to grip the side of the door to stop myself from fall
I walked into the office that morning with a spring in my step and a smile that just wouldn’t go away. It wasn’t just a good day, it felt like the world was finally spinning the right way for me again. After everything, I was finally happy.“Good Morning Miss,” one of the interns beamed as I passed by.“Morning!” I chirped back, offering a quick wave. My heels clicked against the marble tiles like music. People nodded, smiled, even I feel like they were probably a little surprised by how bright I was glowing today. But I didn’t care. Let them wonder.But the moment I pushed the door open to my office, the smile on my face quickly drained away.Dominic was already inside with his arms crossed, pacing like he had every right to be in my space. My hand was still on the doorknob, and I’m not even sure if I should make my presence known, already seeing a huge argument coming my way.“Seriously?” I finally muttered, shutting the door behind me and rubbing my templ
We were on our way home after unintentionally spending the night outside. I glanced down at my hand, the ring on my finger glistening even in the soft daylight.I looked down at my hand, at the ring that now sat on my finger. It was simple but beautiful. A smooth white gold band with a single diamond in the middle. But what really got me was the engraving on the inside. “My first and last”It was so Hayden. Refined, meaningful, and intentional. “My fiancée’s staring at her hand a lot,” Hayden’s voice broke through my thoughts.I rolled my eyes but couldn’t hide the smile playing on my lips. “I mean, it’s so pretty. Who wouldn’t stare?”Hayden smirked. “Should I get jealous of the ring?”I turned my hand slightly, admiring the way the sunlight made it shimmer. “Mmm. Maybe.”He scoffed, reaching over to take my left hand in his, bringing it to his lips for a brief, lingering kiss. “There. Now it’s touched by me. That should make it hundred times better.”
The night felt like something straight out of a dream. I leaned back on my hands, staring up at the vast sky, a content sigh escaping my lips. “Time flies too fast, doesn’t it?”Hayden hummed in agreement beside me. “Yeah. Feels like just yesterday we were here, and I was making a fool out of myself, trying to confess to you.”I turned my head to look at him, smirking. “Oh, you mean when you stuttered through half your confession and nearly tripped over a rock?”He raised his brow at me, “Now you’re just making things up?”I grinned. “What do you mean? That’s exactly how I remember it.” I said, teasing him.Hayden shook his head. “I can’t believe I’m marrying a woman who takes pleasure in my suffering.”I gasped, playfully shoving his arm. “Excuse me! First of all, I never agreed to marry you—”He raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Yet.”I squinted at him, suddenly suspicious. “Why do you sound so confident?”He shrugged, looking way too smug. “Ju
After dinner, Hayden leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms like a lazy cat. He had that look—the one that meant he was up to something.“We’re going somewhere,” he said casually, as if he hadn’t just blindsided me with the announcement.I raised an eyebrow. “Now? It’s late.”He smirked. “That’s the point.”I groaned, already feeling the exhaustion creeping in. “Can’t we do whatever this is tomorrow? My bed is calling me.”Hayden shook his head, standing up. “Nope. You’ll love it, I promise.”I sighed, rubbing my temples. “At least tell me where we’re going.”“Nope,” he repeated, grinning as he took my hand and pulled me up. “You can just take a nap on our way there.”I grumbled the entire way to the car. And the moment I settled inside. I was out like a blown candle.—When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was the gentle hum of the car.The second thing? The eerie darkness outside.I blinked groggily, sitting up. “Where… ar
It had been way too long since Hayden and I spent time together just the two of us. And with what has been happening. I decided to clear my schedule and dedicated a whole day for the two of us. We at least deserve this needed break.The moment we stepped into the mall, he was already in full spoiling mode.“Pick whatever you want,” he said, flashing me that signature grin of his.I raised an eyebrow. “You do realize I have money now, right? I can treat you for once.”Hayden scoffed, draping an arm around my shoulders as we walked. “And deprive me of the joy of spoiling my lover? Absolutely not.”I rolled my eyes. “You’re so dramatic.”“And yet, you love it.”I sighed. “Why do you everyone keep saying that?”He just smirked and led me straight into a boutique, where I barely even had a say in what was happening.“Try this one.”“Ooh, this color will look great on you.”“We’re getting this.”Before I knew it, we were loaded wit
The car ride home was suffocating.Hayden hadn’t said a single word since we left the school. He just kept his hands on the wheel, eyes straight ahead, his jaw locked in silent restraint.I wanted to say something.Anything.But the air between us was so thick, I could barely breathe.Blake was in the backseat hugging his massive teddy bear, Mr. Fluffington, as he had proudly named it.And the second we arrived home, he bolted inside.“Uncle Hayden! Look at this!” he beamed, holding up the plush toy as soon as we stepped through the door. “Isn’t he cool?”Hayden forced a small smile, ruffling Blake’s hair. “Yeah, buddy. He’s awesome.”“And guess what?” Blake continued excitedly. “Papa and I won him! We played lots of games together, and it was so much fun!”I flinched.I knew the moment that word left his mouth, it was like twisting a knife into Hayden’s heart. His face scrunched a little for a moment bu tasked it off quickly.He didn’