Natalis'S POV"Hello! Sweet cheeks" the cheesy voice made me cringe in disgust but I had to hide it cause I desperately needed his help. His tone was annoying as always. "Let me hear your voice. Don't you miss me?""Cazzone," I muttered under my breath. I quickly regained my composure and replied, "Madrileno. It's been a while."I tried to sound as formal as possible, ignoring how angry he gets at everything irritating him."Of course, it's been a while. Let me guess; you're calling me because you miss how much I handle you, am I right? Ti sono mancato eh querida?" Madrileno uttered with a playful tone which made me shudder. Why was I feeling the goosebumps on my skin? I had to shut him up before he said something out of line."Madrileno, I need your help" I declared and the next thing that ensued was an eerie silence which made me wonder what was going on in that thick skull of his. The silence was so thick you could slice through it. It was making me uncomfortable. I wanted to end i
Joyce's POVMy heart was drumming hard against my chest as our eyes locked. Without saying anything, Adrian focused on his meal and took a bite.“Erm.. Mr. Ortega.. I need_”“It's fine. You can go” he interjected without looking up, which surprised me. I thought I had heard wrong. I hadn't even gotten the chance to complete my request.“Sir, I’m so sorry,” I said apologetically. “My son’s babysitter called to inform me he is unwell. I know I shouldn't be doing this on my first day at work but I’ve never heard her sounding this flustered before and_”“And I said it's fine!” He cut me off. “Just keep in mind that I'll deduct a certain amount from your salary if you don't make it to work tomorrow morning before I do and complete the task assigned to you.”My jaw dropped, “Huh... Sir? Don't you understand? My son_”He raised his head and glared hard at me, “I'm not deaf and stupid. I heard you and I'm certain you understood me too. You can leave.”Stupid! I wanted to curse at him but I he
Adrian's POVEver since I got into my house an hour ago, I have been unable to understand what had possessed me to order my driver to give that woman a ride. It baffled me and to make matters worse, she rejected my offer. I felt slighted.Damn it! It took me a lot of self-control to stop myself from losing my cool when the driver told me what had transpired.I needed to stop thinking about her and focus on my work but I just couldn't, no matter how hard I tried. Her eyes held something mysterious that tugged at my heart.I pushed aside the laptop I was working on and jumped off the bed to take a cold shower. Perhaps that would help cool me off.I was about to walk into the bathroom when I heard a soft tap on the door."Come in," I answered and the person walked in.Sebastian. I frowned seeing the old man who had been working as my butler for years now. "What is it?""Dinner is ready, sir," he bowed respectfully."I'll be right there," I responded after which immediately, he excused hi
Natalia's POV "We can't talk like this," I said seductively while swinging my hips as I walked towards him. I tried squeezing my nose to stop inhaling the dense smoke into my lungs. Half-naked women were everywhere I could not even find a place to sit. This is totally disgusting. Madrileno's lustful gaze was on me as he caressed the almost naked lady sitting on his lap. He must have thought this would arouse me or make me jealous but honestly, I didn't give a damn. It made me want to gag. After a while, he raised his hand and the ladies scrambled out of the room, leaving only the guards behind. I stumbled when he stood up and walked up to me. His 6ft 4 inch muscular build towered above me. He moved with a predatory grace, like a lion stalking his prey which exudes an air of silent menace. His pupils dilate, and his gaze becomes darker, more primal—focused entirely on me. His eyelids lower slightly, enhancing his predatory look—hungry, focused, and apologetically dominant. His gaze
Gabriel's POV"What took you so long?" I yelled out, releasing all my pent-up emotions on the fool who had kept me waiting at the casino for the past few hours. “You are not being paid to be a slacker damn it!”The man bowed "I'm sorry sir. The traffic jam was heavy.""Sit!" I pointed to the leather chair right next to me and snapped my fingers to one of the waiters "Get us a drink. I'll go with Vieux Carré.""I'm fine" The investigator rejected the offer which threatened to further aggravate me.I inhaled sharply and glared at him, "What have you found about the woman I told you to search for?""Um.. sir, I remember I said you should give me enough time. There were no traces of this woman for the past two years" he replied.I remained silent with my eyes closed in deep thoughts but I could still hear the music outdoors distantly. Indeed we had agreed on a deadline but I was too impatient. I just wanted to find Joyce and get rid of Natalia before I ruined her completely. We were bad fo
Natalia's POVThe door creaked open and I tiptoed into the house, trying my best not to make any sound. I couldn't believe I had slept at Madrileno's den for that long. Not only that, I had sex with him!!! Unbelievable.A conflict of emotion was running through my head. I cannot deny it was good. I have not felt this much alive and satisfied for long. But Madrileno? Of all people? I prayed silently as I quietly made my way to my room. Just then, a figure appeared before me which caused me to stop on the spot.I could feel the blood drain from my face when I saw Gabriel standing right in front of me with a grim expression on his face."Where are you coming from?" His thunderous voice reverberated through the silent room, further increasing the tension in the atmosphere.“Gabriel…,” I barely uttered.My heart lurched as my stomach twisted into knots. My gaze drops to his hand and I notice he’s holding a knife. A cold, gleaming blade, just sitting there in his hand.I suddenly freeze. Fo
JOYCE'S POV"Mommy! Take me with you." Raphael screamed with his little voice.Thank goodness his fever had broken late last night and now he seemed to be his happy cheery self once again. He had been gentle and cooperative since he woke up this morning but when I mentioned leaving for work, he started throwing tantrums. There was no way I would take him to the office. What would I tell Adrian? Besides, there was no way I would do that. Rafael bore an uncanny resemblance to Adrian. I patted his head slowly "Don't worry. Christie will be here with you""But it's you I want Mama," he pouted his lips"I promise I'll be back early to spend time with you," I said trying to sound convincingHe wiped his tears with the back of his hands, sniffling as he fought to keep the snot from dripping from his nose. "Pinky promise.""Yes, my darling. Pinky promise" We joined our little fingers together. "Now let's have our breakfast before it gets cold. I don't want to be late for work""Woah! Chocolat
Adrian's POVWhen I saw her by the office entrance that morning, I did what felt natural—or at least, what I thought would feel natural. I ignored her. I walked right past without a word, not even a glance. It was almost mechanical, like a defense mechanism I couldn’t explain. But the moment I did it, I felt that familiar, unsettling pull again, tightening my chest.I didn’t understand it. There was no reason for me to feel... whatever this was. I know it wasn’t an attraction. It wasn’t even dislike. It was just there, like something lurking just below the surface every time I was around her. She… this was the reason why I had declined going to the casino with Miguel. It didn’t feel right. And it was starting to get under my skin. Later, when I asked her to come along to the meeting, she hesitated, probably surprised—hell, who wouldn't? But she agreed, and as soon as she did, I felt a strange sense of relief and regret.Why didn't I say anything about the ride she rejected? Or maybe