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Girls' Time

Author: Manuel Kyle
last update Huling Na-update: 2025-03-06 08:22:22

Ruby's POV

When we got home, Ariel dashed straight into the kitchen. I followed her, setting the coffee and pastries on the counter. Dominic came in behind me and hung his jacket on the back of a chair.

“I’m going to get some work done in my study,” he said, grabbing a water bottle from the fridge.

Ariel was already stuffing her face with one of the pastries. She mumbled through a mouthful, “I want to check out that arcade we passed earlier.”

I raised a brow. “Didn’t you just get home?”

She shrugged and grabbed another pastry. “It looked fun. I’ll be back in an hour.”

Dominic shot her a sharp look. “Absolutely not. You can’t just run off like that.”

Ariel snatched her bag and darted toward the door. “Love you, Dad!”

“Ariel!” he boomed out so hard that I winced, but Ariel didn't stop. She was already halfway out the door.

He groaned and muttered under his breath before yelling after her again, “Stay safe! If some weird man comes near you, use the taser I got for you! Do you hear me?”

T
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  • The Billionaire's Daring Kitten    First week in the office

    Ruby's POVA week had passed since I started working for Dominic, and already I felt like I was going crazy. Officially, I was supposed to work closely with Rosalie, learning whatever I could. Dominic had warned her not to treat me badly. That didn’t stop her from finding ways to make my life miserable.I sighed and tapped at my laptop. Rosalie had told me to arrange Dominic’s meeting schedule for the week. It was my lunch break, and I should have been enjoying it. Instead, I was stuck here, doing work that clearly wasn’t mine.Rosalie had been “nice” on the surface. She smiled when she greeted me and asked if I was handling the tasks well. But it didn’t take much to see through the act. The hostility behind her forced smiles was impossible to miss. She dumped her work on me and then walked off like it was the most natural thing in the world.I glanced through the glass doors of the office that we shared together. Rosalie was with her friends from HR, laughing and chatting over their

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-07
  • The Billionaire's Daring Kitten    In Danger

    Ruby's POVThere was definitely more to this Willow woman than met the eye, and I was going to find out what it was.However, I left the building, brushing aside the strange encounter with Willow. I was going to worry about that later. Right now, there were bigger problems to deal with, and I needed a clear head. The cafe where I usually had my lunch break wasn’t far, and the thought of sitting down with a coffee and something warm to eat was comforting. As I walked down the street, something felt off. I glanced behind me and saw three men in black shirts and black trousers, paired with black sunglasses. I knew who they were. Ambrose’s men. Again. Only Ambrose's men dressed like that.I knew without thinking much that this was another antic of Gabriel. What was he trying to do this time? Scare me again, or order me to give up that stupid key he was always going on about?My heart was spiralling away but I forced myself to stay calm. Maybe if I walked faster, they would lose interest

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-08
  • The Billionaire's Daring Kitten    A Familiar Enemy

    RUBY'S POVWhen my consciousness returned, I felt as weak and as useless as a sack of potatoes.My eyes fluttered open to blinding light, seeping through the bag over my eyes. Wincing against the brightness, I twisted and realized I was bound, sitting on a rigid wooden chair that dug into my back and behind. Thirst clawed at my throat, my body ached, and fear made me start to pant loudly.A very unfamiliar world greeted me through a small tear in the bag. Shadows danced in the light, and all I could see were dark corners and even darker objects. Or were they people? I had no idea. I strained to gather any clues about where I was, but the limited view didn't do much for me.The creak of a door opening to my left jolted me. Quickly, I let my head fall to my chest, pretending to still be unconscious. I couldn't let them know I was awake. I was not sure of what they might do if they realized I was aware of my surroundings.Ominous footsteps approached, echoing in the large space. I tried

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-09
  • The Billionaire's Daring Kitten     Found it

    Ruby's POVGabriel grabbed another chair and sat across from me. I scoffed and tipped my head. "So, are we doing this again? You’ll ask about the key, I’ll tell you I don’t have it, and you’ll keep pretending I’m lying?"His lips curled into something resembling a smile, though it didn't have any warmth. "You’ve always been so predictable, Ruby. Always trying to push buttons that don’t exist."I glared at him. "I don't think so. I married you, didn’t I? That’s not predictable. That’s the biggest mistake I’ve ever made."His nostrils flared, but he didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he clasped his hands and stared at me, as though I were some puzzle he could solve."I don’t have your key, Gabriel," I snapped. "How many times do I have to say it before it gets through your thick skull?"His voice dropped, and his words came slowly. "You know, Ruby, you really should learn when to stop talking. It might save you from unnecessary pain."I barked out a bitter laugh. "Oh, please. You’re not

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-10
  • The Billionaire's Daring Kitten    Been Through Hell

    Ruby's POVI didn’t stop running until my legs ached and my lungs burned. My eyes moved around wildly, searching for Gabriel or his men. No sign of them, thank God.I stumbled onto a highway and slowed down. But I could not stop now; they could be coming after me already.Then I noticed something familiar. I recognized the stretch of road and the bend up ahead. The Rutherford office wasn’t far from here. Just at the corner, I spotted the cafe where I’d planned to have lunch before my entire day fell apart.I crossed the street quickly and entered the cafe, pushing through the glass door. Warm air greeted me along with the smell of coffee and baked goods. For a moment, it felt strange. People sat at tables chatting, sipping drinks, completely unaware of what I’d just been through.I stopped the first waitress I saw. “Excuse me, where’s the bathroom?” My hands were shaking as I touched her shoulder, and she gave me a curious look before pointing to the back.“Down the hall to the left,”

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-12
  • The Billionaire's Daring Kitten    Lying Through

    Dominic's POVI closed the door behind Ruby and walked toward my desk. The view from the glass wall stretched out before me, but I barely saw it. I merely looked at the busy streets below me but my mind was elsewhere.Ruby had disappeared.I had returned after lunch to find her desk empty, her phone and bag still sitting there. I had called her phone repeatedly and heard nothing but the voicemail. Panic had clawed at me. I’d sent my men to look for her, scouring the city.Now three hours later, she waltzed in like nothing had happened.Behind me, she cleared her throat. I didn’t turn around. “Are you going to say something, Dominic?”I folded my arms and stared out the window. “Where were you all day?"“I was out," she said softly. “I had lunch with Ariana and Lilac and we kind of got carried away talking.”I turned and faced her, raising a brow. “Carried away for three hours?”She nodded. “I get distracted easily. You know that. It’s not a big deal, right?”“Not a big deal?” I repeat

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-14
  • The Billionaire's Daring Kitten    Bullying Willow

    Ruby’s POVI snapped the laptop shut and rubbed my temples. It had been two days since I'd escaped from Gabriel's custody, and I still hadn't recovered from it all.The last two weeks had been a whole nasty mess. First, Estelle showed up with news that my mother had died and that I had an older brother. Now, I had found out that my father hid a key inside the pendant he gave me when I was fourteen, right after my ex-husband kidnapped me.Funny enough, with just the name I was given, I haven't been able to find anything about my brother from the Internet. It was like he didn't want to be found.I exhaled sharply and shook my head. It almost felt like the season finale of a soap opera.Maybe my life really was a soap opera.Laughter and arguing voices echoed through the hallway. I frowned and craned my head toward HR’s office, but it was empty. Usually, It was Rosalie and her motley crew of friends from HR that made so much noise.I stood and walked to the door. The voices became louder

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-15
  • The Billionaire's Daring Kitten    Cover Blown

    Ruby's POVTogether, we stepped into Dominic’s office and he closed the door behind us. His movements were quick and furtive. I wanted to catch his eyes and silently ask what this was about, but he didn’t look at me. His jaw was tight. What the hell was going on?“Sit down, both of you.” He ordered.Willow lowered herself into the chair closest to the door. Her hands gripped the edge of the seat. I hesitated before sitting beside her. Dominic walked to his desk and placed both palms on its surface, staring down at us.“What is this about?” I asked. "Did something happen? Did Rosalie...."He lifted a hand to silence me and I stopped talking. My fingers curled against my lap. I glanced at Willow; she was sweating and looking like she was being dragged to the gallows.“I do routine background checks on employees,” Dominic started. His voice was calm, but I knew him enough to know that he was tense. “Especially the newer ones.”I glanced at Willow again. She kept her head down, staring at

    Huling Na-update : 2025-03-16

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  • The Billionaire's Daring Kitten    His Plan B

    Ambrose’s POVI walked out of the store room and typed out the message. Short. Precise. The kind of thing that would drive a blade straight into Dominic’s chest.“I wonder how it feels to know your daughter is slipping through your fingers as we speak. Tick tock, tick tock. Time is running out. If you ever want to see your daughter again, you will do exactly as I say. Instructions will be relayed to you very soon. I don't want any cops or dumb tricks. You know what to do.”I read it over once, then sent it. A moment later, the screen blinked. The message had been delivered.I stared at Ariel's name glowing at the top of the message. The irony of it almost made me laugh. There was something delicious about making a father’s worst nightmare come true.I slid the phone back into my pocket and sighed, walking to the rusty elevator and taking It back up. When I got up, I walked past the smoking men and stepped out into the cool night air. Chicago was quieter than usual, even though I knew

  • The Billionaire's Daring Kitten    Leverage

    Ambrose's POVThe building smelled of dead animals. It was an old hotel, now reduced to nothing but dust and silence. I stepped over a broken floorboard, my polished shoe grinding against the dirt under me. The place was barely standing. The ceiling sagged in places and the corners darkened with mold, but it would serve me for now, at least.Some of my old and loyal men were sitting on a wooden slab in the middle of the room, smoking and drinking. When they saw me, they gave me deferent bows. A few of them waved, and I waved back. I had called them together at such short notice, but they still came. It was good to know that they were still loyal to me. I would pay them handsomely once this was over.I walked toward the rusted iron elevator, its metal cage rattling as I stepped inside. The doors groaned as they slid shut and with a shudder, the elevator descended. Dominic Rutherford had taken everything I worked for away from me. Rachael was meant to be mine, but he stole her. And wh

  • The Billionaire's Daring Kitten    Ariel Still Missing

    Dominic’s POV“Oh, my God!” Ruby screamed.She sprang to her feet and started pacing her hotel room. Her hands tangled in her hair, her pants legs flapping against each other as she walked about. I'd told her about everything, from the news of the prison break that I got during the meeting, to Ariel being kidnapped at home, to her boyfriend who was in the house when it happened.“You’re telling me some random guy just waltzed into your house and claimed to be Ariel’s boyfriend?" She roared. "And you let him go? What If he was behind it all?”I squeezed my eyes shut. “He said he was in a long-distance relationship with her. That they met when she was in Switzerland.”Ruby spun on her heel, eyes burning into me. “And you believed him? Dominic, I thought you were smarter than this.”I scoffed. “Hell yes, I am. But he didn’t seem like a threat. If he was dangerous, I’d have known. Trust me, Ruby, I have been around a lot of dangerous people, and that Brandon boy is not one of them."Her a

  • The Billionaire's Daring Kitten    Five Years Apart

    Ruby's POVJust like that, five years disappeared between us.Five long years, and now I was standing here, face to face with the man I had once given my entire heart to.There was a whole myriad of emotions within me. But more than anything, I felt love. Because despite everything that had happened, despite the distance and the silence and the longing, despite every reason I had given myself to move on… I never really moved on from him.I let my eyes roam over him, drinking in every change that time had carved into him. Five years had really done him good.He was broader now, his body was solid with muscle like he had spent every day training, pushing himself harder. His hair which used to be in a ponytail was now styled into neat, sharp cornrows that framed his face perfectly. A well-trimmed beard lined his jaw, making him look even more powerful and more manly.And God help me, he looked so... fucking.... good!I felt my heart stutter, and for the first time in a long time I was br

  • The Billionaire's Daring Kitten    Amidst Chaos

    Dominic's POVThe Basement was filled with voices but none were louder than mine."Spread out!" I roared, slamming a fist against the table. "I don’t want excuses! I want results! Do you hear me?"The metal rattled under my hand, but I didn’t care. My men scrambled around, some on their phones, others poring over maps and documents. None of them moved fast enough for me. Ariel was missing, and the more time we wasted, the more danger she was in.I knew it was Ambrose. There was no doubt in my mind. That bastard had taken her, and I had let it happen.I balled my fists so tight that they hurt. I kept running last night over in my head, every single mistake, every moment I should have done something differently.I should have never told the men that guarded my house to go home. The house had been unprotected because I thought for one damn second that we could let our guard down. I should have gone home after that call with Ariel, not go to the bar with Damien. I should have..."Sir."I

  • The Billionaire's Daring Kitten    Home Again

    Ruby's POV"I understand what you’re saying, Martin, but we are not doing another take of that scene."I held my phone between my shoulder and ear, flipping through a thick script with one hand while signing a document with the other. My assistant stood beside me, watching with nervous eyes as I scrawled my signature across the last page."I don't care if the lighting was slightly off," I continued, shifting the phone back into my hand as I turned to grab a bottle of water. "The emotion was perfect. The moment was perfect. If you ask me to reshoot it again, I swear I’ll throw something at you."Martin the director laughed on the other end of the line. "Fine, fine. You win, DanCliffe. You always do.""Exactly."The assistant took the signed document from me and scurried off. Another person approached with a clipboard, but I raised a hand. "Not now. Give me a second to breathe."She hesitated before nodding and stepping back. I squeezed my eyes shut, rubbing my temples. My head was poun

  • The Billionaire's Daring Kitten    Trouble At Home

    Dominic's POVThe Chief’s words played over and over in my head. Eight inmates had escaped, and not a single one had been found. It didn’t make sense. How could a group that large vanish without a trace? Someone had helped them. Someone with power and enough resources.I gripped my whiskey glass and set it down hard. The sound made Damien glance at me. He could see the frustration in my face."Dominic," he murmured in warning.I shook my head. "He’s the Chief of Police. How does he not have a single lead? Not even one?"Damien leaned back, stretching his arm across the booth. "Agitating yourself isn’t going to change anything.""So what do you suggest?"He looked at me for a long moment. "We need to get some sleep. We regroup in the morning and think about our next step then."I opened my mouth to argue, but he raised a hand. "No arguments. You know I’m right."I ran a hand over my face. "Yeah, sure. Whatever."We finished our drinks in silence. Damien paid the bill, and we walked out

  • The Billionaire's Daring Kitten    Chaos

    Dominic's POVThe world around me blurred the moment I saw the news. Only three words rang in my head. Ambrose was free. Ambrose was free!And if he was free, I knew without a doubt that there was only one thing he would want.Revenge.“Dominic!” Damien yelled, and I gave a small start.I looked up in horror. “Ambrose escaped.”His entire expression changed immediately. The chatter in the room faded as the other men picked up on the shift in atmosphere.“What the hell do you mean he escaped?” Damien took my phone from my hand and skimmed the article. The longer he read, the thinner his lips turned. “Son of a bitch!”I ran a hand down my face, trying to tell myself to stay calm. “They set fire to the penitentiary and used the chaos as cover. The authorities haven’t been able to track him down.”“Of course they haven’t.” Damien groaned and closed his eyes. “Ambrose was never the kind of man to just sit and rot in a cell. He planned this, I know he did.”I nodded, already running through

  • The Billionaire's Daring Kitten    Trouble Breeding

    Dominic's POVFive years later..."I don't see why this meeting can't be handled over a conference call, Damien."I pushed open my office door with my shoulder, my phone propped between my ear and my collarbone. With one hand, I shrugged on my jacket while the other gripped my briefcase. "It’s not like we haven’t done this a hundred times before."Damien’s sigh came through the line. "Dom, you know how these high-rollers are. They like to see who they’re dealing with, shake hands and size up the competition. You want to lock this deal down, we do it my way.""Your way? Why the fuck? My way is better.""Because," Damien said on the other end, "when you're dealing with potential buyers for a deal this big, you look them in the eye. You gauge their reactions. You see if they're hiding anything."I sighed. "We have people for that.""And people can be wrong," Damien countered. "Come on, Dom. I already set this up. Look, the least you can do is to just show up and listen."I reached the fr

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