Safina’s POV “It was glorious darling. I wish you could’ve seen Leo’s friend defend you from Ruby! She was about to get fired but he stopped it and gave Ruby pity money… although Leo still fired that p*ta.” Mama Benj chuckled as he excitedly called me as I get up and get ready for work to tell me what happened on my day off at Fire and Desire “Can’t say I’m surprised Ma, she deserved it. The other girls will definitely benefit from Ruby’s firing.” I chuckled, tying my hair up into a low ponytail after I did my makeup “What did Ruby even say to Le- I mean Mr. Moore?” I ask “She exposed your rough upbringing to him, called your mom a dr*ggie. And how you got here in Fire and Desire.” He scoffed “But he said and I quote ‘I’d rather spend my time with someone that has a bad past yet a decent person than a desperate, insecure b*tch like you.’ Well after he rejected her and insulted her fake t*ts…” he giggled “Nobody’s rejected her before though.” I point out as I wore my heels and smoot
I huffed as I gulped a full glass of whiskey to steel my nerves, biting my lower lip as I felt my pocket that contained the engagement ring suddenly feel so heavyGod I hope she attends the party, she’s been receiving the tulips I gave her so that must be a good sign.“You seem nervous Max, is there something on your mind?” A feminine voice spoke with a kind smile, it was Giselle… my future stepmother.I scoffed “Why do you care Giselle? You’re only marrying my father, that doesn’t mean I’ll be your f*cking son.” I spat “Although, you do realize upon marrying my father, you’ll just be second fiddle to the woman he’s loved since his childhood. He’s done it to my mom, and he’ll probably do it to you too.” I added“He’ll always love Camille, and I understand that. But I love your father and love makes us do things that may be odd or even stupid to some, but it’s a very easy sacrifice to do… For me at least.” She smiled but it didn’t quite reach her eyes, faking a giggle“Anybody wh
Safina’s Point of View“You’re so freaking lucky Safina, being the illustrious widower’s date for the night.” Karen, a former coworker swooned as she ogles Lex who was talking with a fellow businessman from afar“Oh please, he probably is paying her to be his date as he prefers the company of well educated and classy women.” Agnes, one of Bella’s so-called “Ednas” at her department spat. I just ignored her She’s technically right after all“Nobody asked for your opinion Agnes. You’re just jealous because Safina got herself a man while your husband is probably f*cking around with a blonde bimbo.” Bella spat back, I held back a giggle at my best friend’s comeback“Bella, enough. Agnes isn’t worth wasting witty comebacks for, her humor’s is as dry as her hoo-hah maybe that’s probably why she hates Safina going on a date with Henry Moore.” Karen quips as my eyes met with Lex, smiling at me. I smiled back kindly as he went to my direction. I instantly remembered my bold action earlie
Safina’s Point of View We’ve been sitting in the car for at least fifteen minutes as Lex drove around the city. I had already wiped my tears away and calmed down a bit but I am so embarrassed for bursting into tears in front of my boss’ chest“I’m sorry for ruining your night Mr. Moore, it was a bad idea for me to attend that party in the first place.” I apologized “And I’m sorry for making your shirt wet with my tears, I shouldn’t have cried in front of you.” I added, praying to god that I’m not blushing“Hey, you didn’t ruin my night. I actually had fun! And I understand, that idiot hurt you so badly and you didn’t deserve losing your job just because you wouldn’t forgive him for his infidelity.” He sighed “I sort of felt that you’re uncomfortable with me during your first week in Moore Industries, I had no idea why until tonight-” he began but I decided to tell him the story of how I met Max to shut down why I was uncomfortable around him“It's because I don’t want to fall for
Once Safina left the party, I stayed at the bar, drinking my heart out and not caring what the f*ck is going on around me. I didn’t even realize that the guests were sent home by my father after the scene that transpired with me, Safina and that f*cking date of hers. “She shouldn’t be with anyone else, only with me. He’ll never love her like I would.” I growled in anger, downing another glass of whiskey, just as I was about to pour another glass, the bottle was snatched from me “You have some explaining to do Maximilian.” My father spat with an angry glare directed to me as he placed the whiskey away from my reach “What for? I’m a grown f*cking man, I’m allowed to date whoever I want whether you approve of her or not.” I spat back, glaring back at him “I don’t give a sh*t on the b*tches you decide to stick your d*ck in! What I care about is you looking pathetic like a f*cking loser in front of a lot of people, on my engagement party no less!” he says angrily “You’re a King, act li
As Monday finally rolled around, I was nervous to go to work… because of what had happened this past Saturday.It was so f*cked up of me to kiss her that night and it was just in the heat of the moment.But a part of me doesn’t regret kissing her as if it was the perfect thing to do and I don’t even know why I feel that way.I made my way to the elevator, greeting my employees back as Leo got in with me at the elevator. Some women also looked away and stopped talking to one another as I greeted them.“Hi Lex! Had a great night with Safina last Saturday?” he jokes, looking at me with a playful smirk “Nothing happened Lee, it was just a dumb party and we had to go home early.” I looked at my watch and pressed the button to the penthouse floor“Too dumb because Maximilian King begged Safina to take him back as his girlfriend and employee?” he quips “I overheard a few of the women here on my way to the elevator, who are talking about how you defended Safina to her ex boyfriend, som
As Angel and I went inside the room, I felt a sense of déjà vu on the night of my birthday…A night that I’ll never forget… especially with a woman like Angel in my arms.The door was closed and locked and Angel sighed “I appreciate you defending me Lex but you shouldn’t have done that.” She crossed her arms across her chestI frowned a little, stepping closer towards her “And why wouldn’t I defend you? You were being harassed and any decent guy would defend a girl in your position.” I looked at her up and down, seeing her body up close, pants tightening once again at the view of her luscious lips, bodacious curves and those tantalizing brown eyes of hers that is heavily accentuated by a lighter shade of contact lenses.“I’m a stripper Lex, I’ve been doing this for almost seven years! I’ve handled my fair share of men like them before and it won’t be the last.” She retorts back, shaking her head “Most men I’ve met my whole life aren’t much of a gentleman like you so I get used to
I yawned as I stretched a little, eyes a little sore at sleeping with contact lenses on, I was going to remove my mask when I saw the familiar and strong bicep around my waist. I turned slightly to see my boss from my day job sleeping soundly next to me despite we’re on a huge couch. And memories of last night suddenly hits me like a fright trainSh*tSh*tSh*tI inwardly cringed at how I was desperate to be f*cked by him last night.“Yeah? You’re going to c*m inside me hm? Fill me up like a greedy little sl*t?” I taunted, bouncing on his big and beautiful c*ck and kissed him againI bit back a groan as I turned to face him, looking at his sleeping figureI sighed and caressed his cheek with my thumb “God I’m so f*cking dumb.” I tried pulling away but his strong arms kept me from doing so. “This is just another mistake, just like the first time we did it.” I thought “He wouldn’t want a damaged good like me anyway.”His eyes fluttered open softly and I panic a little as I re
I still decided to go to Fire and Desire a few hours later and focused on getting as much tips as possible tonightThough before going to work, I decided to at least cook something for Bella when she gets home. I cooked up some rice and take out the milkfish marinated in vinegar and garlic out of the freezer that I successfully haggled for at the Asian supermarket and fried that up and I also decided to make a quick pickled salad with daikon radishes, onions and tomatoes seasoned with jalapeno instead of Asian chilies because my vendor ran out.It was something my mom loved to make for me on a daily basis, and milkfish is rare at the time“Guess who quit her job babe?!” Bella says cheerfully as the door opened “Well technically resigned and I’m starting a new job as an intern at Style Life Magazine… hopefully.” She grinned as she placed her box of things at the coffee tableI smiled as I put the prepared food on the table “When did you resign officially?” her resignation didn’t surpri
Meanwhile…Jack parked the car on my apartment’s driveway. By now I had stopped crying and kept quiet, getting out of the car and smiling at the couple “I’m sorry for the inconvenience Mama Benj… Jack.”“Don’t mention it Saf, we’re happy to help.” Jack smiled kindly“Are you sure you’re okay sweetie? You can take a day off of work-” Mama Benj began but I cut him off “No Ma, I need the money… My monthly due date at the bank is coming up and I need the cash as soon as possible.” I smiled weakly “See you later.” I waved goodbye before heading into my apartment As soon as I close the door, all the emotions came to me as if somebody stabbed me repeatedly with a knife... As the people who mattered to me most don’t think that I am good enough….“This isn’t the job I want for you Safina.” My mother says as she puts down my essay and shook her head “You’re a very intelligent girl and it’s such a shame that you’re not using your brain for a course that can lead to a high paying job in t
Lex’s Point of View“Thank you so much for your feedback sir, I’ll have the final version of the app ready for presentation as soon as possible. And I’m sorry if I disturbed you.” He smiled apologetically at me“Nonsense Clifford, I’m happy to give feedback when needed. Don’t hesitate to come to me if you have an idea or a concern, and if I’m not here then I’m sure Safina can help you too.” I assured him“Of course sir. I should get going.” He nods and went to his department I was heading to Safina’s office when I heard my phone ring, it’s Wilma… and all of a sudden, the bad feeling in my stomach rises again. I quickly answered the phone “Wilma? Is everything okay?”“No Lex, Safina left the building… crying. I’m worried about her.” Wilma says worriedly My gut feeling was right “F*ck, alright… I’ll try to contact her, has Max King left yet?” I ask, anger and irritation bubbled inside me at the mention of that man“Unfortunately not, I haven’t seen him or his assistant. They’
I did my best to calm my nerves in the bathroom. Taking deep breaths as I look at myself in the mirror “Breathe Safina… he’s just here for business, you’re safe from him. You moved on from him. He’s not going to hurt you in any way anymore.” I gave myself a pep talk and adjusted my hairI hear the door open and I saw him enter the ladies’ room with a knowing smile on his face “This is the ladies’ room. You shouldn’t be in here Max.” I turn to face him, putting on a brave face “I know, I just wanted to talk to you.” He says, stepping towards me“We have nothing to talk about the moment you stuck your d*ck inside another girl! And I knew that the girl from the penthouse isn’t the first girl you f*cked.” I spat“I apologized for that Saf!” he reasons “A-And yes I drunkily cheated on you in Greece. But I didn’t want to tell you because I don’t want to lose you.” He admits, thinking it will help his caseI scoffed “After I quit, you preceded to blacklist me in almost every company in
I had asked Safina to escort Maximilian and his assistant into the conference room. I did wish to know why Max King would want to do business with me as his father and I have a never-ending rivalry since our teenhood and it hasn’t stopped through the years.I am hoping that he’s nothing like his father, but from what Safina has told me, he’d been a competent executive but not as CEO. He became dependent on her and he takes complete credit of things as if Safina didn’t help him.The door opened and Safina walks in with Max King and his assistant, Max’s eyes never left Safina as she closed the door.“Welcome to Moore Industries, Mr. King.” I interrupted his trance on my assistant. “It’s a pleasure to have you here.” I offered my hand for a handshake“The pleasure is all mine Mr. Moore, trust me.” He stole a glance at Safina “And please call me Max, Mr. King is my father.” He smiled “This is Percy Sandoval. My secretary.” He says, introducing his secretary to me“It’s nice to meet y
“Mr. Moore has accepted the meeting sir, I talked to his secretary and she set up a meeting next Monday at 3pm, at Moore Industries` penthouse conference room.” Percy says to me the following morning in my office“Good, I want Lex Moore to know that I mean business. But in reality, I want to take him and his company down.” I spat “It’s high time that I do something that my father never did, and that is to be better than him in all aspects.” I scoffed, sitting down on my desk “Go, finish up the report my former secretary revised for the monthly meeting with my father. And we’ll arrive fifteen minutes early to take Moore by surprise.” I told him. He nods and leaves, closing the door.I open my laptop and sigh at the sight of my screen…It’s Safina and I after we went to the tattoo shop on our first anniversary, replicating the spaghetti kiss from Lady and the Tramp in my favorite Italian restaurant.*Flashback: Max and Safina’s One Year Anniversary*“This place is wonderful Max, th
I kept staring at the email for what felt like hours… Max King had sent me an email yesterday with the purpose of having a possible partnership.“Hey Lex here’s the revised marketing presentation that you asked for– why do you look like you’ve seen a ghost?” Leo walks in my office, holding a flash drive “What happened?”“Would you believe me if I told you that Maximilian King is asking to meet with me soon regarding a possible working relationship?” I asked, still frowning as I show him my laptop screen“It really is the end of the world!” he joked as he finishes reading the mail“It’s not funny Leonard.” I stood up and looked at my window “Ever since Preston and I stepped up as the respective heads in our companies, we were rivals.” I let out a sigh“Maybe Max King is different than his father. He might want to bury the hatchet.” Leo says positively, I nodded apprehensively“From what Safina has told me, when he became CEO he is just as bad as his father had been.” I faced Leo
*Meanwhile at Max’s penthouse apartment*I poured myself a third glass of scotch while looking at my window, the noise and lights of the city somehow calms me down as I drank my sorrows away.The last time I’ve stepped foot in this apartment was when Safina had caught me cheating on her with a girl who’s name I didn’t even bother to know.I closed my eyes as I remembered what Safina had told me in the beginning of our relationship…And what I had promised her.“I was a result of an affair according to my mom. She didn’t know that my father was married to someone else, he abandoned us for his wife when I was six.” She stated with a sigh “Then at sixteen I fell in love with the guy who I lost my virginity to, only to find out he was using me to finally graduate.” She chuckles sadly “Then my mom died due to an overdose when I was a little over nineteen, leaving me with debts I didn’t even know existed.” She sighedMy heart hurts for the girl I love as we both have cruel fathers and
Safina’s Point of View It has been days since I last saw Lex in person, I was almost an hour late when Mama Benj had dropped me off to the office but Wilma was the one who welcomed me at the office, explaining that Lex wasn’t coming to work that day.He's also sent me an email that I opened the moment I noticed it on my desktop since I somehow forgot my phone at Mama Benj’s place.Safina,I want to let you know that I won’t be coming to work today, I am not feeling that great when I woke up this morning. I tried calling you earlier but you weren’t picking up the phone. Nevertheless, I want progress reports sent to this email before you leave work.I’ll be back at the office tomorrow.Respectfully,Henry Alexander Moore.It had been three days since that email, and he hasn’t come to work yet. Though we correspond with emails about progress reports and work related things, I’m too afraid to ask him why he isn’t at work.Probably because it might’ve been because of me and how