*El Príncipe y la Bella Flor: The Prince and the Beautiful Flower ***** Spanish fairytale where a prince falls in love with a mysterious maiden in a magical garden, but is captured by an evil sorcerer. The prince uses wit and bravery to rescue her.
Adrian's POVThe moment he had finished the call and started to turn towards me, I struck. As hard as I could, I ran towards him and hit the back of his neck with my open hand. He slumped instantly, knocked out cold.It was then I realized my guess was right. Elizabeth was a cunning woman indeed. The man had actually mentioned his partner keeping Joyce and my son in his custody, meaning there was one man left in the house.Since they needed hostages, I was sure they weren't going to harm them. Still, I didn't want them to be used as a tool to exploit my weakness.I brought out my phone and sent a message to Javier and Daniel. The feedback I received was a bit satisfying. It seemed the policemen had apprehended the kidnappers on the way. If only they knew it was just a distraction.The main obstacle was right in Joyce's house. The two men were definitely not the only ones involved, and it also seemed Elizabeth was coming down here herself.It was a good one. At least, I could speak to
Adrian's POV"Let's see how it goes then," Elizabeth said, snapping her fingers to order her men. "Let's go."At that moment, my phone buzzed. I fetched it from my pocket and saw a juicy message- 'Everything is ready. We are prepared to strike anytime you give out the order.'Now, I had the upper hand. I could turn the tables at that moment, but then, I felt a little bit of sympathy towards her.As the men in black were about to file out, I warned, "I'd advise against that. You might regret it.""You should be bothered about your family, Adrian," Elizabeth fired, but I could see the hesitation in her eyes. I saw her whisper to one of her men, before shifting her gaze back to me.The man she had whispered to, took two men and walked out of the house."If I find out that this is just a trick, you'll pay dearly for it," Elizabeth threatened."Hmph... You're about to be stunned. I retorted, throwing occasional glances at Joyce and Rafael. Rafael was still asleep, but Joyce had her eyes sca
Natalia's POVThe pulse of the nightclub was alive with music vibrating in the air as I moved, shaking and twirling on the dance floor. The bar up front was crowded with strangers whose faces were indistinguishable in the dimness of the light, not to mention my blurred vision. But amidst all that haze, one figure stood out-the woman who had bumped into me earlier today.Her name was Christina.We had a little causerie at the roadside for a short while, and I learned that we had a lot of things in common. One of them was how we were both maltreated by our husbands. She openly declared, as if it was nothing to feel ashamed of, that she was the lover of a married man, a declaration which could have raised an eyebrow or two under different circumstances. Instead, I felt a pang of pity for her.Before I knew it, I had opened to her, spilling thoughts and feelings that had been kept in. I hadn't even realized I had opened up to her until I was done talking.I was surprised at how natural tal
Joyce's POVI slowly opened my eyes, feeling the softness of the pillow beneath my head and the warmth of the blanket wrapped around me. Memories of last night's event flooded through my head. Adrian had kept me company till I had fallen asleep. The shock was a bit too much for me to bear that I had remained in a dazed state all through the night.As I scrambled to sit on the bed, a thought popped up in my head, causing me to turn sharply to the side. I let out a deep breath, realizing the bed was empty and cold.For once, I actually thought Adrian had slept by my side. I couldn't help but fantasize the idea of waking up by his side every day just to be greeted by his gorgeous face."Oh, my goodness! What's wrong with you, Joyce? Get yourself together," I scolded myself, shaking the thoughts off my mind.I jumped out of bed and rushed into the bathroom. I had my bath quickly and walked out, wearing a bathrobe. I chose a flowy maxi dress with a layered necklace and a pair of black shoe
Luis's POV"I warned you about that unpolished woman, and you would not listen," my mother hissed, narrowing her eyes in disapproval. "There are far better and more suitable women out there, capable of meeting your needs and making a proper wife.""I already ended things up with her mama," I tried to explain, but she wasn't buying it."But we lost something valuable. If you had done it earlier, it wouldn't have happened" my mother argued.I couldn't stand my mother's nagging, but I dared not express my dissatisfaction. It was my fault we were in this situation in the first place. Even my dad was enraged by the fact that he had lost five percent of the company's shares to a business competitor.After leaving Santoria Industries that evening, I spoke to Dad about getting it back, but he said it wasn't necessary. I felt displeased, but I had to concede. It was his company, not mine.Suddenly, I recalled something. Today was supposed to be the day Ligia was to apologize to Joyce and Adrian
Joyce's POVThen, for the next three hours, I immersed myself fully in work. Of course, from time to time, I couldn't resist looking at my son's father, sleeping serenely. I watched his chest rise and fall, his quiet breathing was curiously soothing, like some background hum in relation to my work.Just when I had gotten into my rhythm and was deep in my tasks, the sudden loud knock at the door broke the silence and bringing me back to reality.I paused what I was doing and stood up to see who was at the door with the intention of telling them to come back later to avoid waking the boss up. I gently twisted the door knob and opened the door, peeping out."Hello.. please, the boss is asleep. You can....." The rest of the words hung in my throat the moment I recognized the two people standing in front of me. One was a man I had only seen and heard about once,while the other was a lady I knew to detest me greatly.The man was grinning weirdly. "Good day to you, huh... Miss. Sanchez, righ
Adrian's POVMy heart thumped wildly against my chest as I waited patiently for the office closing hours. I had made the necessary preparations to ensure my plans went well, and for the first time, I was glad Rafael's nanny was back, leaving just Joyce and me to spend quality time together.Though everything had been put in place, I was still nervous."What if she rejects me?"That was the question I kept asking myself. I subconsciously glanced at her seat out of habit and noticed she wasn't there.Oh yeah! I had actually asked her to sort out some issues on my behalf with the marketing department. I was waiting for her, and like my wish had been granted, a soft knock interrupted my thoughts. The door opened and voilà, it was Joyce. I felt relief wash all over me like a tide on a quiet beach."Sir, I think it's time to go," she said softly, which reminded me of the act of forgiveness she had displayed in my presence and that of Ligia and Luis.I quietly stood up and grabbed my jacket f
Joyce's POVThe sight before me was mesmerizing. I had thought it was a dinner date, but it seemed beyond that. My heart was beating erratically against my chest, and I knew he was waiting for me to speak, but I just couldn't.It was overwhelming, and I was finding it hard to think straight. A fragment of my memories flashed through my head- the scene of Gabriel proposing to me.That alone was enough to quench whatever fire was burning in my heart. I felt my stomach churn with fear of being betrayed for the second time. The first was heart-wrenching enough. Going through another could kill me."Joyce, are you okay?" I heard him ask. His voice was distant as I thought of the right answer to give to him. He was my son's father, and I couldn't deny the fact that I had feelings for him.He was also really different from Gabriel, but I still couldn't bring myself to trust him fully. A part of me wanted to give him the chance to prove himself.I sighed deeply and turned to look deeply into h
Natalia's POVI had never been subjected to such barbaric punishment in my life. I should have just listened to Christina when she warned me, but I had let my anger take over. I then realized that the big boss was not feared for nothing. His reputation truly preceded him in every way. He was ruthless and brutal. He wasn’t a man who tolerated disobedience—or weakness. I learned the hard way.No wonder Christina couldn't fight back when she was physically abused. Talking about Christina, I still had a score to settle with her.Lying in bed for a week had been tiring. The pain was still there, my body was still sore but staying in my room for one more day could kill me. I had to go out there. I needed to see how that wretched woman and her brat were doing. I secretly wished she suffered the same fate as I did but knew that was impossible. the boss never wanted his hostages tainted in any way.I felt my anger begin to bubble beneath the surface. Even now, she was still preferred over me.
Natalia's POVI had never been subjected to such barbaric punishment in my life. I should have just listened to Christina when she warned me, but I had let my anger take over. It was then I realized that the big boss was not feared for nothing.No wonder Christina couldn't fight back when she was physically abused. Talking about Christina, I still had a score to settle with her.Lying in bed for a week had been tiring. The pain was still there, but staying in my room for one more day could kill me.Walking out of my room, I didn't know what led me to the room Joyce was locked up. The moment I saw the big boss come out of the room, I quickly hid.I had a feeling he knew someone was watching him but decided to ignore it. Better still, I had come this far and wasn't going back.I took a deep breath and stepped forward, opening the door without knocking.Joyce turned to look at me, her expression flickering between surprise and exhaustion. She looked frail, but her eyes still burned with
Joyce's POV"You're still trying to prove your stubbornness, aren't you?" Lionel smiled, his voice full of mockery. "Soon you'll have no choice but to let yourself succumb to my advances."For a week now, that pervert has been harassing me with threats. At one point, he starved me just because I made him angry. The way he talks and acts is always irritating, and it always makes me want to throw up. I was fed up with the sight of him.Well, at least, he ensured my son was well-fed as a way to appease me. But even that felt like a mockery—a calculated cruelty meant to keep me compliant."Mr. Lionel, men like you should be married," I stated accusingly.Lionel simply shrugged, a sly grin stretching across his face. "Yes, I am. I also have a mistress and I don't mind having you as the second one. Don't worry, you have nothing to be wary of. Like I said earlier, money isn't the problem.""Ugh... How many times do you want me to spell it out to you?" I scoffed in disgust. "I want nothing to
ADRIAN'S POV"Fine, let's work together. The police will assist us."Those were the last words I had spoken to Gabriel before Detective Torres suggested we have a meeting in his office. I had seen the incredulous look he shot at me when I agreed to work with Gabriel; like I had suddenly grown a second head with two horns. I decided to play it cool and act as though I hadn't caught that. I watched as the weak man was unstrapped from the chair and laid on a stretcher. The nurses attending to him applied first aid, cleaned up his wounds, set up a line, and whisked him out of the cell.Honestly, I was taken aback that I had agreed to work with him. What if t this was just another one of his manipulative game for him? What if he has something else planned? My family depends on this, but is it worth the risk? How many times had I underestimated him before? Was I doing it again now? It was a risky decision, yet my instincts weren’t giving me the warnings they normally did."Sir, we should
Adrian's POVIt's been a week since that bastard who calls himself Gabriel refused to tell the truth. Shockingly, I had been so occupied with issues at the company that I hadn't gotten time to balance my emotions properly. My eyes had dark circles around them like ominous curtains, my stubble had grown out, matching my disheveled state of mind, and I was a complete shadow of myself.Miguel still had nothing. No updates, no footage, no break, nothing. Whoever had taken them was yet to contact me for any demands, negotiations, or ransom. It was as though they had vanished into thin air, leaving me to face my demons.It was so hectic that I had become unable to control my anger. Most of the workers had become unwitting victims of my misplaced aggression.I sat trying to attend to the documents before me, going over them as fast as possible so I might leave for the police station. It was futile, though, as my mind was elsewhere: were they safe, was she alive, was Rafael okay? The uncertai
Gabriel's POVIt all felt so surreal, like a dream from the moment the cops barged into my house and arrested me till now. Never had such a thing happened in my whole life as a Moreno. Me, Gabriel Moreno, reduced to this pitiful state? My pride, my ego—it was shattered into irreparable shards. Life has been so unfair, unjust, and so relentlessly cruel to me. It was tiring, and I had thought of ending it countless times. If only I had gotten the woman I've always wanted in my life, maybe things would have been different; everything would’ve aligned perfectly. But no. Maybe.....just then, I heard footsteps approaching and snapped out of my thoughts. I couldn't turn to see who it was, because my hands were strapped to a chair, but the suffocating pressure that increased as the man approached reminded me of a particular person, and just before I could guess who the person was, I heard a familiar voice."He looks okay. Has the interrogation not begun?" I heard the man ask.That voice. I
Adrian's POV"What have you found?" I asked, my eyes on Miguel as he kept typing away furiously on the keyboard.His expression looked disturbed, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding—a sickening feeling gnawing at my gut. My heart thudded painfully in my chest. Something was clearly wrong, but he didn't want to reveal it to me."Miguel," I called, raising my voice and revealing impatience. I could feel the burn rise in my chest as my breaths came in shallow bursts. "What's wrong Miguel? Que? Answer me man!"Miguel sighed dejectedly then finally turned his eyes towards me, worry shadowing the lines of his face. "There is nothing-""What?!" Michelle gasped in shock, her voice hoarse. "No no no no! ¡Esto no puede estar pasando! Have you checked the toy section and also the pajamas section? That was exactly where the attendant and I left her. She has to have been captured by the cameras.""Sadly, she isn't," Miguel replied, his frown deepening as he fidgeted with the mouse.
Joyce's POVI blinked my eyes to stop the tears threatening to fall. No! I didn't want to give Natalia the privilege of seeing me vulnerable. Despite my efforts to not hate her, she kept stepping on my toes.What baffled me the most was the enemy she hinted about earlier. Admittedly, Adrian had many enemies and business rivals, but for someone to actually plan something as daring and repulsive as abducting a child? It would have to be a very powerful individual, someone who knew just where to hit. The last time someone -Elizabeth to be precise- tried this, it was a futile attempt.I kept sparing furtive glances at my baby placed on an old and dusty sofa. He was still asleep. His small chest rose and then fell, but his cheeks had reddened slightly and he looked so helpless. Panic clawed at my chest. What if he got sick while inhaling the dust? The thought that he was inhaling thick musty air made my stomach suddenly turn. I felt a grip in my heart at what could happen in case he did
Natalia's POVI could feel a sharp pain in my hand, seconds after I slapped the bitch sitting right in front of me. How dare she talk to me like that? Her words cut deep into my heart and I couldn't help but vent my anger with that slap.I wasn't satisfied. I badly wanted to claw her face and pull every strand of hair on her head out till she was bald. I wanted to set her on fire and watch her scream in excruciating pain.I know those around me were baffled by the level of hatred I had for my blood, but that was it, I honestly didn't care. I despised her greatly."You slut!" I heard her cuss. "Did you just hit me?"I snorted in laughter. "Si. Yes, I did. Tell me, what do you want to do about it?"She didn't reply and simply looked at me with hatred in her eyes. I had never seen such fierce hatred in her eyes before and honestly, it took me by surprise. Yet, I wasn't done with the mockery."You can hit me back if you can," I added with sarcasm in my voice."You're soulless, Natalia. You