I don't know where he got the guts to say this right now. Right in front of me? He... what? He needs me in his life. After almost six years of fighting my own battles and pain, he'll just come back to me again, only to ask me back in his life like it's an immediate thing?!
My tears stung around my eyes. I put my trembling hands on his shoulder and pushed him a bit. And maybe because he's feeling weak and fragile right now, I am able to push him off my body.I wandered my eyes around his face, and I saw the differences he has had over the past few years. He looks like he doesn't shave at all because of the moustache and beard on his face, hair that's almost in his eye level, his eyes that seem sleepless, and there are some scratches under his eyes.I chuckled without humor, trying to fight back my tears. "I d-don't know what you're talking about."I tried to lighten up the situation, but he's not buying it. His face is just seriously looking at me, staring at my face, and memorizing every part of me. I don't know if it's just my hallucination, but I thought I had seen longing in his eyes... but in just a blink, he masks it immediately.He leaned closer to me. I prepare myself to push him hard when he touches me again... but he just corners me. He puts his hands on the wall beside me, trapping me on both sides. He stares at me dangerously, his lips in a grin line, and he is heavily breathing.My chest pounded as I felt his hot breath touching my skin. I gulped and tilted my head to the other side."B-Baby, please. I missed you so much. I missed your scent in my sheets. I missed your soft lips. I missed your sweet voice. I missed your angelic laugh. I missed making love with you, baby. I missed everything about you! P-Please." His voice is weak and brittle.Something pinched my heart, but I immediately disregarded it. Don't pity him, Penny! Come on! He hurt you in the past! He left you during the times you expected to be the best times of your marriage! He left you... only to be with the girl... who happened to be his greatest love... his ex. Don't believe in him. Don't be weak.I gathered all my strength, and in just a snap, he was forced to tilt his head on the other side as my palm met his thick face. He clenched his jaw. I even saw a tear roll down his face.I smirked with so much fury. "You have the guts to come here and tell me you missed me? No, Ethan. That doesn't work right now. I've moved on for the past years. I won't take you back, Ethan. No matter what happens... I won't take you back." I chanted like a promised spell.I pushed him off, then ran to go back to the room where the auction was happening. Tears immediately cascaded down my face. My sight gets blurry because of the continuous fall of my tears. Instead of going to the room, I planned to go out first. To think and to breathe.I sobbed and held my chest as I cried my heart out. Fuck him! Why now, huh?! Why now that my life is stable and well?! Why now that I'm content and happy?! Why not in the years that I was suffering?! Why not during the times that I needed him to hug me?! Why not on the days that I missed his scent?! Why not in the hours that I wish he stayed?! That I wish he had chosen me?! And loved me truly the way I did?! Why not in those times, huh?! Why now?!The pain that I'm feeling gives me the time to look back at the times when everything was still okay and in favor of my life.***** Flashback *****"I said no, Lesh. We just went to the club last night! Also, I needed to rush my report. It's due on Monday!" I said as I declined Lesh's offer to go to the club.We're in Falcon's company right now, working as an intern. I literally chose this company because of the man I like. I smirked as I thought of Ethan Falcon—the cold, mysterious, and dangerous heir of the Falcon Empire.Lesh frowned at me. "Don't worry, I'll pay!" I shook my head at her as I got my things. "Hmm, I heard Ethan and his girlfriend have broken up already. And I overheard earlier that they will go out tonight! Too bad, you're not free, so you won't see him."She smirked as my eyes widened. They've broken up?! I felt the excitement rush through my veins. My heart pounds faster at the thought that he's already single! Now, I can flirt with him, huh?I planned to just go home to our condo and rush my report, but look at me now, walking down the aisle of a high-end bar with a wide smile plastered on my face.Lesh bumped my shoulder. "Don't be happy too much, girl. You're not even sure if he'll acknowledge your presence! His heart is broken, so maybe he'll just get himself drunk."I rolled my eyes at her. "Of course he'll acknowledge my presence! I'm too hot to be forgotten, anyway." I winked at her."Crazy girl,"I just laughed and shook my head.I narrowed my eyes at Ethan, sitting on a couch with his friends. He was holding a thick glass while his eyes were straightly looking on the dance floor, neverminding the girl beside him. My forehead creased when I saw the girl lick his ear!Oh fuck! I'm jealous!I drank the whiskey in my hand and left our friends at our table. I heard them calling me up, but I didn't look back. My eyes focused on Ethan, who seemed to be in a trance. His eyes were emotionless and dark. Oh fuck, he's so hot!Instead of going to their table, I went to the dance floor and made my hot moves there. Wearing my black fitted dress above my knee and black stilletos, I made sure that I looked too hot to not be noticed."Do you mind if I join you?" A man asked me.I smiled and shook my head. We danced for a couple of minutes until I turned to Ethan's table. My eyes widened, and I feel like I stopped breathing when our eyes met! The girl beside him is now touching his chest down to his body! I suddenly feel irritated. The man behind me holds my waist as he continues dancing with me.I stopped my movements, seriously watching Ethan, who's also watching me."What is it? You want to go out?" The man whispered.I sighed and removed his hand from my waist. "No, I'm sorry. My feet hurt."I glanced at Ethan's table once again, and I couldn't see him anymore. The girl is still there, sitting, but Ethan's nowhere to be found. I sighed and decided to just go back to our table when someone grabbed my hand. I was about to decline him, but I feel like all my blood went up to my cheeks when I saw who it was!It was fucking Ethan!I feel like I lost my confidence! He was dangerously looking at me while I'm sure I looked nervous!"Do you want to go out of here?" was his first question.My jaw dropped. I shook my head, but when I realized what I'd done, I immediately nodded! Damn it! I'm so fucking nervous! Where is your confidence now, Pennelope? Argh!"Y-Yeah, I mean, of course!" I tried to sound normal, but it turns out I'm too excited!He didn't give me any emotion, and he just grabbed me out of the club. I wasn't able to call my friends, especially Lesh! For me, what's important right now is to have sex with him! My cheeks flushed with the thought that we'd have sex!"One room for a night, please," he told the receptionist in a five-star hotel with his husky voice.The woman glanced at us twice, and I observed her checking Ethan's body out! I know that look too well. When she noticed I was watching her, her eyes widened in fear."Ah, sir, this is your room number." Her voice startled. I really don't care if she desires Ethan, though. "Enjoy your stay, ma'am, sir!"Ethan held my hand again as we went inside the elevator. There was no one inside, and as the elevator closed, he pushed me against the wall and immediately brushed my lips with his. I moaned because of shock. I enveloped my arms around his nape as I kissed him back. We stopped when the door opened.We walked fast to enter our room, like we were about to die if we would keep it slow! Nobody talks inside, and only the sound of our lips kissing can be heard.We stayed in that room for almost 3 hours, enjoying and savoring our bodies. I laid my head on the soft pillow as we both reached heaven for the fourth time now!I tilted my head to look at him, and I saw him breathing heavily while his eyes were closed. I smirked and kissed him on the lips. He kissed me back, but I stopped and tilted my head to the other side, only for his kisses to fall on my cheeks.He groaned. "I want to do it again,"I chuckled as I hugged him. "I'm sore. Why don't we do it again the next time?"He sighed and grabbed my hand at his waist. He removed it, and he stood up, naked."I don't do replays. I'm sorry."I smirked as I watched his round butt. He wears his black slacks and a white dress shirt back. He then looked at me."Let's go. I'll drive you back to the bar."I sighed and stood up to wear my clothes back too. I told him to just drive me to our condo. I gave him my address, and I'm thankful he obliged."Thanks. I enjoyed it a lot." I smirked at him.He nodded his head. "Good night."I raised an eyebrow. Too cold, huh?"Oh, God! We've been calling you a thousand times now!" Lesh screamed as I entered our condo.We are renting this condo, and we are sharing for a fair payment, as this will be beneficial for us financially. I just smiled at her. I'm too happy to be irritated right now.Oh, fuck, I feel so exhausted and full!"Good night, Lesh!" I laughed when she screamed again, but I closed the door of my room immediately.I washed my body with a big smile plastered on my face. Satisfied with what happened.He's a good fucker, huh?"Mr. Falcon's son will come here later. One of you will be chosen to be his temporary secretary."My jaw dropped at what the manager said. We, the interns, are all lined up in front of her. She said there's an important announcement to be made. I didn't know that this was as important as breathing!I smirked and raised my hand."Yes, Miss Lopez?" She asked when she noticed me."Oh, please don't cause any embarrassment, Penny!" I heard Lesh whispering beside me.Of course, I won't embarrass myself! I just want to ask about something.I smiled at her. "Who is going to choose, ma'am? Is it you or is it..." Hmm, how do I call him anyway? Sir Ethan? I giggled secretly. "Mr. Falcon's son?"She nods her head. "Mr. Falcon wants his son to choose by himself, but his son called earlier and wants me to choose for him."I slowly nod at her."So everything is okay, now? I don't know you all personally, and for the days that you're here, I'm not sure of your skills yet."I raised my hand again, int
I can't stop myself from smiling on our way to our condo. Lesh and Layla are staring at me like I'm being crazy. Well, maybe yes. I'm crazy for Ethan so much that even those little things from him make me happy."I will think that you are losing your mind already," Layla mumbled as we entered our condo. I sat on the soft couch and laid my head on there, still smiling like an idiot. Tomorrow is Sunday and it is our free day. But since I am Ethan Falcon's secretary, I need to go there and do my work. I should've complaining right now but since it was Ethan Falcon whom I will be working with, I can't find any reason for me to complain. I smirked at my two friends looking so problematic right now. I raised my two hands to calm them down. "Come on, girls! I know what I'm doing and Ethan informed me that I will have my payment for working at him on our free day so I will also benefit from it." I tried to make a point at them.It is true, though. The Falcon Empire will pay me for the hour
I was breathing heavily as his hand ran through my black skirt. I closed my eyes tightly as I bit the side of my lips to stifle my moans. However, when his finger tips found their way to my wetness, I lost it. My lips have become apart, and I can't stifle myself from moaning anymore."Ah!" I laid my head on the front seat as I held on to the seatbelt in me."Fuck! You're so fucking wet!" He dangerously said, using his hoarse voice.I snapped at him with my eyes narrowed, and I noticed his jaw clenched. He is also gripping the steering wheel so tightly that I think it will break if this continues. The moment I told him I also wanted to let off some steam, he grabbed my arm and took me to his car. It seems like he cannot wait anymore because he's now about to finger-fuck me!And fuck, I don't think I can still wait any longer either!"Is your car tinted?" I almost begged him to ask that question.My chest is falling and rising abruptly as his finger slides to my pants and is now teasing
"I'm cumming," his hoarse voice conquered my ear as he pounded my body at the back."Faster, E-Ethan..." I moaned as I felt myself nearing to cum also.He held my hair together, then he pounded me with so much strength and speed until we screamed each other's names as we reached heaven for the third time now."It's so good to be on your inside, baby. Fuck!"I closed my eyes and breathed heavily. We're here at his penthouse again, obviously fucking around. He fetched me from our university after submitting our report there, and then we went here at his penthouse. Even though we just had sex last night, I felt like it wasn't enough. I need him for a lifetime."What do you want for dinner, hmm?" He asked while caressing my hair.We are wrapped in his white sheet on his bed. He's hugging me from the back, his arms are enveloping my naked body while my head is lying on his hard chest. I can feel his heart beat because of our position. He's still very hard on, even though we've already done
"You could've just talked to Mr. Falcon, sir. I can walk to the bathroom alone, though," I whispered softly as we watched his father walk out of our floor.He clenched his jaw so much that I thought he would shout at me, but instead, he neared me—not that he's not near me."S-Sir..." I stuttered when my back hit the wall.He put his arms beside me, cornering me and ensuring that I had no chance to slip out of his hold. He bent down a little, only to level his face against mine.He smirked at me without humor. His eyes are blazing with fire and anger. "What did you call me?" he asked with a little smirk on his face, even though his eyes were burning.I put my arms on his hard chest, slightly pushing him away, but because he is stronger than me, he did not even move a little. He snapped at my arms that were on his chest, gathered them, and held them tightly."Answer me," he demands, the smirk on his face is already gone. He's completely dangerously looking at me now."S-Sir..."I was cu
I know that I should not act this way. In the first place, I am not his girlfriend, and being jealous is out of the picture of our relationship.I shook my head at the thought of a relationship.Clearly, our relationship was all about lust. He likes me? Why would he fucking let a woman kiss him if he does? Or maybe... he means he likes me physically? He likes to fuck me, huh? He likes me for my physical appearance. He likes me on his bed while he's on top of me, hovering over me harder and rougher. Oh Damn!I caressed my arms as I looked up at the sky. Millions of stars and a moon are giving light to our darkness. Somehow, watching them makes me feel at peace.A low baritone voice interrupted me from my thoughts. "It's cold in here. Why don't you go inside and join your friends to have fun?"I clenched my fist and didn't answer. I heard him chuckle from my back, and I felt him put his black coat on my shoulder. I immediately closed my eyes when his fucking scent ran through my nose. I
"You may now kiss the bride," the priest announced with a wide smile on his face.Ethan and I faced each other. I can hear some murmurs from the crowd as he holds my white veil. His face becomes blurry in my sight because of the tears that are starting to form in my eyes. He looked at me warily; there's no smile on his face. He watched me like a puzzle he couldn't solve.I tried to smile at him, but my lips just trembled.I don't feel it was my wedding. Only our friends are here, and his family. I may be liberated, but I dream of my wedding being something special and memorable. I dream it to happen on a beach while the sun is setting and I am wearing a white dress, smiling as I walk down the aisle... to the man for whom my heart is beating.I like Ethan.No, I love him.I love him, and I married him even though I knew he couldn't love me back. I shouldn't settle for less, yes. But what can I do when all I want to do is be with him? I'm tired... But one touch from him and I'm running
I entered the room through the back door so that I could get away from the media. The last thing I want to happen right now is for them to gossip about my personal life. I don't want them to meddle with my life and ask why my eyes are red and restless."Mom! Where have you been? It's almost an hour since you left!" Jared hugged me tightly when he noticed me walking to their table.I tried to smile a little at him. I witnessed some people near us looking at us. When they met my eyes, they slowly smiled awkwardly at me."Let's go back to our table now, baby," I softly whispered at him.He looked up at me and blinked his eyes innocently at me. He then nodded, and I held his hand as we walked back to our table.Jess looked problematic, but when he saw us approaching, he sighed heavily and in relief."We've been looking at you! Where did you go?" The sincerity was evident in his voice."I just retouched my makeup," I answered in a soft voice.He narrowed his eyes at me, but then he nodded
Ethan's POV“I didn't expect you to come home today.” Pennelope whispered, caressing my naked body with her soft hands. I kissed her head and embraced her more. We are in the bathtub of her room and we have just finished making love.I missed her so much.“When I learned you are planning a party for your company's fourth anniversary, I wanted to surprise you. So I made sure I am present in your big event.”She lifted her head from lying on my chest. “How did you even know about the party?” She narrowed her eyes. I sighed and smirked. “Ethan!”I chuckled. “I'm sorry, I just can't stand getting no information about you so I made sure that all your men will report to me before I leave for Italy.”She groaned. “And I did not even know about it?”“You will not let it happen if you find out about it.” I ran my fingers on her arm down to her ring finger, where the ring I just gave her is on. “It really fits on your finger.” I whispered huskily.She laid her head on my chest again as we b
Pennelope's POVI saw and read it in the magazines multiple times. He was seen in a famous hotel in Italy with the same woman multiple times. So it is possible that he is already opening up his heart for someone. It hurts, yes. But I asked him this. So I don't have any choice but to accept whatever consequences it may cause me. The woman is a famous model here in the United States so maybe he really did not go to Italy for a business trip, huh? Maybe he went there for the both of them to date?I gulped and shook my head, trying to erase the thoughts running in my mind.It only took twenty minutes before we arrived at my company. Everyone greeted us with their big and warm smiles as we approached the hallway. Today is my company's fourth anniversary. And I am happy to celebrate it with my employees. The Spades together with David Falcon got jailed already. I don't know how it happened so quickly but they are sentenced for a lifetime imprisonment. I learned that Elyse is pregnant wi
Pennelope's POVOne call from Ethan and I felt all my blood go to my head. I immediately answered the phone with my trembling hands.“Ethan, w-what happened?” I asked nervously. I can hear his deep breathing from the other line, indicating that he's already tired. “He is already saved. I already found him,” he said with a husky voice.“Oh, god! Thank you! Where are you? Where is he? I'm going-”“He's unconscious…” he said, which cut me off.“What? Ethan, where are you? I'm going there! Ethan!”He told me the address of where he is right now together with Jared. It is the address of an Hospital. I don't know what to feel. I wanted to be happy and feel relieved because my son is already found, but I can't completely be happy knowing that he is unconscious now. Ethan did not let me drive my car. He asked one of his men to do the job for me. And although I wanted him to know that I could do it alone, I did not waste any more time. All I want is to see my son. All I want is to embrace
Ethan's POVHearing that, my sight darkened and all I wanna do right now is to go with the Spades and get my son back with us. I don't care about their lives anymore. I will kill for my son.I will kill just to save my son's life.I brought all my remaining men with me, having their weapons equipped within themselves. It's already dawn. Anytime soon now, the sun will rise, which means another day will start again. And I swear to all the heavens, all of this chaos will end before this day ends. I swear it. And if I swear, I only don't swear. I make it happen.The Spades mansion is big but not as big as the Falcon's mansion. They are surrounded by my men there. So it was easy for us to get informed about what was happening there. I took my guns and suppressed sniper rifle with me and wore my earpiece.“Are you sure you can do it by yourself? I can join you, Ethan.” Erman said with a worried tone.I clenched my jaw and tightened my grip on the gun. “No, I can do it. But always be ready,
Ethan's POVThe unending challenges are exhausting me. The pain throwing to my heart is killing me. But I have to bear the pain to fight back. Because I knew that everything would be worth it. Whatever I am doing and fighting for, I know it will be worth it. My family, Pennelope and Jared, is worth it. I ran my hands on the prepared and ready to use weapons in the headquarters. I know I promised my wife that I will not hurt any innocent people and I also promised that no one will die. However, I cannot promise we won't be using guns because this is not just about who is much powerful and has better connections, this is about who is smarter, who has the best idea, and who does not have weakness.I used to be called a heartless billionaire. I used to play fire with women everytime I wanted to take some steam off my body. I did not care about their feelings. I did not care about other people's feelings. Not until Pennelope came into my life.She changed my perspective about everything.
Pennelope's POVI am eager to end this. It has ruined beautiful things, turned special events into something horrific. Am I going to wait for further destruction before I end this?No. This has to end already. I do not know if Ethan already knows what Killian has said to me. Do I believe him? Not really, but hearing him out, telling me his explanations, I believe him at some point. Every word he said was full of sincerity.I know that he is good at faking things and this may just be his way to lure me… but I can feel that he is telling the truth. “Please answer the phone…” I whispered to myself as I wandered around the balcony. After the call I had with Killian, I immediately typed Ethan's phone number to call him. Unfortunately, he is not answering it. I have been calling him for the third time now and there was still no response. “Please…” Just as I said it, Ethan's baritone voice came on the other line.“Baby…” I knew it was him. I gulped and for a moment, I forgot the words
Pennelope's POVI do not know what's happening. The events occurred quickly. Ethan's men guided me to our car and they drove me back to our house, without Ethan with me. With my trembling hands, I took my phone out of my purse. Just like rain, continuous messages from different people popped out on my screen. I could not read all their messages one by one. Even Jessie has multiple messages on me but I did not try to read it. I went to a famous website platform, and I saw what Ethan was saying. Dalilah Spade, mother of Elyse Spade, is being interviewed by one of the most reliable and famous media outlets in the country. “We are still investigating everything. The Falcons are users. They used and involved my daughter in their crimes. And now, my daughter's life is being ruined because of Ethan Falcon. We thought they were married. We thought Ethan Falcon married our daughter. But it turned out, everything was just a lie.”I gulped as my heart knocked my chest hard and loud. “For five
Pennelope's POVEthan's explanation did not make me feel better. It did not ease the pain that I had felt back then or the betrayal I am feeling right now. I still feel... betrayed. I still feel... like I was a trash... easy to throw away and easy to forget. "Should I thank you then for s-saving my life?" My voice broke as I asked Ethan that question.No matter how hard I try to stop my tears from falling, I can't. They are flowing down like rainfall. It was easy for him to give up on me. It was easy for him to abide his family's want, just as easy as like that. He married me. He made a promise, and I kept it in my heart. But why did he let me go away? Why did he let me feel the pain I felt back then? Why did he let me go through all the pain I went through? His love was not enough to fight for me. His love was too shallow."B-Baby," he tried to hold my hand, but I shoved it away. I sobbed hard as I looked into his eyes. I glanced at his father, who's crying, and at Elyse, whose ey
Ethan's POVThe sound of water coming from the shower is so relaxing. Its cold breeze is calming my nerves, and it brings chills to my deepest bones inside.I do not usually experience it before, but now that I have seen Pennelope and have fallen in love with her again after five years, I suddenly feel the excitement of being alive. That day, I immediately called the leader of my men to find Pennelope. The excitement to see her again is so strong that I could not concentrate on work and could not take even a single nap. I need to see her again. I need to talk to her. And it may be wrong to say it, but I need to get her back. I need to win her back and bring her back into my life again. The five years of being tortured are already enough. Actually, I already gave up on finding Pennelope and having her back in my life again. Not because I do not love her anymore or because I do not want her in my life anymore. But rather because I knew that what I had done could not be forgiven. And ev