The couple exited the restroom and they returned to the gala to enjoy the rest of the evening. They agreed to meet after the event as they were caught up in their respective conversations and business alliances. The night carried on, drinks kept flowing and deals were being made. Meanwhile, across the room, an interesting scene was unfolding. Olivia sat at a table while her hand were resting lightly on her stomach. She winced as a wave of nausea passed over her while making the food in front of her seem unappealing. Matthew looked at her with a furrowed brow. “Olivia, that is why I was telling you to stay home. You are heavily pregnant. And little Jake misses you at home.”Olivia shot him a sharp look while her annoyance was clear. “Matthew, just because I am pregnant and ugly doesn’t mean you can keep me at home. Did you forget how many times I have charmed your clients into giving you deals? You can’t just dispose of me because I look like this. I am ruining my body twice over jus
“Matthew!”Olivia shouted, her voice trembling, but she didn't stop. The guard was already pulling her away from the entrance while urging her to move and to stay safe. She was barely aware of her own movements as she reached the hallway while her hand still clutched protectively around her stomach. "The guards will take care of you," Olivia muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, her eyes not once returning to Matthew. She had no choice but to keep moving as her mind fixated only on her baby’s safety and too overwhelmed with fear to consider what she was leaving behind.Meanwhile, Matthew stood frozen in place as the flames were getting intens. His heart pounded in his chest as he watched the entrance grow smaller and the space between them widening. He could see Olivia being escorted safely, but he was trapped and surrounded by the fire, the chaos, and with no way out.His gaze flickered to the others who were still inside, but it was evident that the fire had spread so quickly t
Leon sat next to Sia's bed, watching her sleep, her face was calm as she was sleeping, despite the burns and the bruises on her skin. Her breathing was steady and for now, that was all that mattered to him. The room was quiet except, for the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. Despite the calmness in the room, all he could think was the image of fire surrounded all around them and the dread he felt when he realised that she was inside. He had gone out to take a call when the fire broke out. However, he rushed back inside to find her. He was not ready to lose the love of his life again. When his phone rang again, Leon hesitated before answering as it was his mother’s name flashing on the screen. He took a deep breath before taking the call. She would be dead sick for him at the moment. "Leon, baby, are you okay?" Anne’s voice trembled with concern. He could hear the fear in her words and the way she had probably been imagining the worst after hearing about the fire. "We heard ab
Kate’s voice dropped to a whisper, almost as if she was sharing a secret. "He loves you, boss. Madly." She glanced around the room, making sure no one else could hear, before adding, "I even saw him crying silently while holding your hand."Sia’s breath caught in her throat at the news. She couldn’t imagine Leon crying. He was usually blank or nonchalant. She felt even worse now knowing that her own pain had caused him to suffer. What was she supposed to do with a man like him? A man who loved her so deeply? Yes, she loved him back but… She did not let negative thoughts to come to her head and ruin her prospects of a good life. She deserve this love. She told herself. She would go to equal lengths for him. Each time, she had to tell herself that she was worthy of all the love that she got from him. With a sigh, Sia looked at Kate. "Kate, you need to eat and get some sleep. I will make him get some rest. He can’t keep going like this."Kate shook her head stubbornly. "I can’t leave y
Charlotte’s heart ached while seeing Sia in such a fragile state. She wanted nothing more than to wrap her best friend in a comforting hug but she knew it would only cause Sia more pain. She could not touch Sia without causing pain. “I’m not leaving,” Charlotte announced. They could not get rid of her. Her bestfriend was in pain and she needed to be here to take care of her. Sia wasn’t surprised. She knew the moment Charlotte found out about her injuries, she wouldn’t go anywhere.Leon, however, raised an eyebrow. “Why would you stay here?”“To take care of her,” Charlotte replied without hesitation.Leon crossed his arms. “I’m here. She doesn’t need anyone else. I’m her boyfriend, it’s my job to take care of her.”Charlotte shot him a defiant look. “I respect that you are her boyfriend, but I’m her best friend and family. Leaving her alone with you feels like leaving my daughter at her in-laws. I’m not comfortable with that.”Leon frowned, bewildered by her choice of words. Weren’
Leon was so sleep-deprived that he slept straight through until the next day. When he woke up, he noticed that Sia wasn’t around. He glanced at the phone on the nightstand, it was supposed to ring because he had set an alarm, but the alarm didn’t go off, and it was on silent mode. His eyes widened when he saw the date and time.As he hurried to get up, anxiety bubbling inside him, he noticed a voice message on his phone.“Leon, I’m in the living room with Charlotte. I took my medicine and had meals on time. Charlotte and Kate are taking care of me, so don’t stress. I’m absolutely fine. Also, your clothes and other things are in the closet. Take a long, relaxing shower. I will be waiting for you. P.S.: Don’t rush.”A smile formed on his lips. He decided to follow her instructions and not rush, though it was difficult knowing she was waiting downstairs. Still, he didn’t want to disappoint her, so he reluctantly took his things and headed for the shower. The best part? His clothes were n
“It’s been three days. When will you all return home?” Leon asked his siblings.Rhys answered, “I’m an intern. I work for her. How can I leave her?”Callum replied, “I’m still convincing her to fund my projects. And we spent the evening planting new plants. She was so happy and relaxed. Isn’t that what matters the most?”Coco added, “I’m the best friend! You may or may not be in her wedding, but I will be! So choose your battles wisely, brother.”Abella gave her best puppy eyes. “Can I please stay since everyone is here?”Leon sighed and sat on the couch. He couldn’t deal with his siblings. He felt like giving them all a piece of his mind, but what could he do? He was a sucker for the woman he loved, and these rascals had her wrapped around their fingers.Abella heard the oven ding and ran to the kitchen. A few minutes later, she came back with a plate full of soft breads that looked more like fruit cakes.Abella said excitedly, “Sia, I got you bread!”Sia’s eyes brightened up. Oh god,
Two weeks passed, and Sia had recovered. The Hart siblings had to return home after a week, as Leon played the "mommy card," which worked perfectly. Afterward, he spent the entire last week with Sia. He was thrilled to be in the same space with her, just the two of them. They spent a lot of time trying out different activities. Recently, they had been exploring their passions or what made them happy? What made life worth living? They tried various things, but soon found themselves bored. Discovering a passion seemed to be harder than they had anticipated.Meanwhile, two men sat in an office, working on their strategies.“How is the planning going for the event?” Matthew asked Archie.Archie sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Not well. I wanted to invite Alessia Swift to make peace. I don’t understand why she is trying to bring me down. I don’t even hold a grudge against her.”Matthew replied, “You are working with me, isn’t that enough reason for her to have a grudge?”Archie responded, “H
His voice dropped lower as he confessed, “Oh, Sia baby, I have dreamed of this every single day.” Leaning in, his lips found her neck, planting a trail of kisses that sent shivers cascading down her spine. Each kiss was deliberate, slow, and tantalizing as his lips explored the soft curves and bumps of her skin. He sucked and nipped gently, leaving her breathless and causing her to arch her back in excitement. His tongue darted out, tasting the warmth of her skin. The sensation was electric, making her clutch the bedsheet to steady herself. She was completely at his mercy, her body responding in ways she didn’t fully understand. Every touch was igniting a fire within her. He moved lower while his lips brushing the space between her breasts. Her hands instinctively found their way to his thick hair, tangling themselves in the silky strands as his touch consumed her entirely. He moved further down kissing his way down to her navel but stopped just right above her pussy area. H
When they reached their room after dinner, his gaze fell on her. She was sitting on the stool in front of the mirror while trying to remove her earrings, but she was struggling. He walked closer to her and whispered, “May I?” She silently gave him permission. He gently swept her hair to one side and carefully removed her earrings. As he worked, his hands lingered on her shoulders and their eyes met in the mirror. A soft blush painted her cheeks. Her eyes, though tired, but sparkled with life. He softly made her stand while turning her to face him. Dipping his head, he kissed her lips tenderly. After a moment, he murmured, “In five years, I see myself kissing your soft lips every day.” He whispered against her lips, “You are so beautiful, Sia baby.” Then, he claimed her lips in another kiss which deeper and more consuming. As he kissed her, her entire body trembled with need for him. She wasn’t embarrassed by the way her body craved his touch, how every fiber of her being begged
The lovebirds were truly basking in each other’s company. Leon had planned a perfect evening, starting with a romantic sunset walk along the beach as their feet were sinking into the soft sand as the waves kissed the shore. Later, they moved to a cozy candlelit dinner he had arranged just for her. The gentle glow of the candles was reflecting in her eyes as he sat in front of her. “Leon,” Sia’s soft voice broke the serenity as she called his name. “Yes?” he responded, his gaze meeting hers with warmth. “Let’s play a game,” she suggested, her lips curving into a playful smile. “Okay, which game are we playing?” Leon asked, tilting his head with interest. “Let’s play twenty questions,” Sia proposed. Leon chuckled. “Quite cliché, but fine,” he agreed. Since the moment felt too magical to let slip into silence, the game seemed like a fun way to keep the mood alive. She pouted in mock offense but pressed on, “Are you a sunrise or sunset person?” “Definitely a sunrise person
“Sia?”“Hmm,” he murmured in reply, feeling his finger trailing along her shoulder. The rays of the sun bathed her body as they lay near the sea. They were on one of the private beaches in the Philippines, one of the most breathtaking places she had ever seen. For the past three days, they had been travelling. The first two days were filled with adventure, but today was a much-needed lazy day for both of them.“I think you need sunscreen,” Leon said, his voice low and teasing. “Hmm,” she replied, her eyes still closed. She felt him scooping sunscreen into his hands, the cool sensation was contrasting with the heat of his palms as he began smoothing it over her body. His touch lingered as he worked the lotion into her neck while gliding down her back, tracing every curve and dip with deliberate care. Then his hands moved lower, over her hips and along her legs. Just as she thought he was done, his hands reversed course and they have begun gliding upward with an unhurried sensuality. S
After a few days of silence, Charlotte was nowhere to be seen. Leon had been patient, giving her the space he thought she needed to handle whatever was going on in her life. But as weeks turned into a month with no sign of her, he had had enough. He grabbed his phone and called her. She picked up just as it was about to go to voicemail. Her tired face appeared on the screen. “What’s up, little brother?” she asked, her tone lacking its usual energy. “Charlotte Hart, where the hell are you?” Leon snapped. “Somewhere on Earth. Why? What happened?” she replied nonchalantly, though her eyes betrayed exhaustion. Leon’s frown deepened. “Do you know how frustrating you are? You told everyone you were painting, but this doesn’t look like your apartment, and you look like crap.” He paused, taking a closer look. Her hair was longer, browner, and wavy which was completely different from her usual style. His brows furrowed as something else caught his attention. “Wait a minute… are you
Sia smiled widely at Abella and gave her an encouraging pat on the back. “I like it, girl,” she said with genuine warmth. Abella lowered her head, her voice tinged with embarrassment. “I’m sorry. I just… I made the plan, but they ditched me because Cade was interested in me. And, well, Leslie has a crush on him too. You know… the usual college drama.” Sia tilted her head sympathetically but kept her tone light. “I’m glad you ended up spending the evening with me instead. Those people made you cry, and they don’t deserve your energy. You should let them know you don’t care about what they think. You have got people who care about you, and tonight, we are going to have a lot of fun! You are in college, and there is no curfew.” Abella muttered with a small pout, “I still can’t drink until I’m 21.” Sia laughed. “I will show you how to have fun without needing a drop of alcohol. Trust me, tonight is going to be unforgettable.” And it was. The two spent the evening laughing, tal
Sia had just wrapped up her work at the office when her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, she raised a brow in surprise. Softening her tone, she answered, “Hello?” “Hi, Sia,” came Abella’s slightly nervous voice. “Are you busy?” Sia glanced at the clock, noting the upcoming meetings on her schedule. But she brushed them aside and replied warmly, “Not at all. Just finished my work.” “Cool!” Abella sounded a little more at ease. After a brief pause, she asked hesitantly, “Would you like to go shopping with me?” Sia blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Abella was usually reserved and rarely expressed her wishes so openly. The invitation felt like a rare and meaningful step. “Of course,” Sia said, her voice full of encouragement. “When do you want to go?” “Now?” Abella suggested tentatively. “Perfect,” Sia agreed. “Where are you? I will come pick you up.” “I’m at my dorm. Can you come here?” “Absolutely,” Sia assured her. With that, they ended the call. Sia turned to
After spending the entire night with Sia, Leon decided it was time to visit his parents, whom he hadn’t seen in two weeks. When he arrived, the house was lively as usual. Along with Nicholas and Anne, Rhys, Callum, Abella, and his grandparents, Ellora and Nikolai, were all gathered around the table. It was a joyous occasion for the family to be under the same roof. “Dad, can you take over for a month?” Leon asked, leaning against the doorframe. Well, if he had to be gone for over a month, he needed capable hands to look after his work. Who did he trust more than Nicholas Hart himself? Nicholas raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. “Do I look stupid to you?” Why on earth would he want to return to that cold office building? He recalled the time when the kids were young and he would find all the opportunity to not go to work. He had waited a lot for his retirement. There was no way, he was going back to work! “It’s just a month,” Leon persisted, his tone almost pleading. Nich
“Leon?” Sia’s voice trembled with surprise and excitement as she spotted him standing at the door of her study. Without hesitation, she ran to him while wrapping her arms tightly around his waist. “You heartless man! You went on a business trip for a whole week! Did you even miss me?” “I’m sorry, Sia baby. I’m a bad man,” he murmured, pulling her closer and kissing her cheek. “I’m sorry. Next time, I’ will take you with me.” She pouted, muttering, “What would I even do there?” He smiled, his voice soft and affectionate. “Stay with me all day. Who cares what place or task it is, as long as we are together.” Her lips curled into a contented smile and she nodded, looking every bit like a satisfied child who had just been given her favorite treat. “I love you, Leon,” she whispered. The words were rare and reserved for moments that carried her true and raw emotions. He pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. “I love you more, Sia baby.” Without another word, Leon scooped her i