AURELIAI checked my watch for what felt like the hundredth time, my anxiety spiking with each passing second. 8:47 AM. Thirteen minutes until my shift started, and I was still stuck at this wretched bus stop.The usually reliable cab service was nowhere to be found, courtesy of the morning traffic chaos. I paced back and forth, my heels clicking impatiently on the pavement."Come on, come on," I muttered to myself.With a huff, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I began walking, my heels clicking faster as I picked up pace. But my haste proved costly. One step and my heel snapped, sending me stumbling."No, no, no!" I exclaimed, frustration boiling over.I limped to the side of the road, assessing the damage. Broken heel, ruined shoe, and a rapidly approaching deadline.You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.Just as despair started to set in, a sleek black sedan glided to a stop beside me. The driver’s window rolled down, revealing a chiseled face with piercing brown eyes.I
THIRD PERSON POVAurelia tried her best to stay calm as they turned into a trendy shopping district, and Ezekiel parked in front of a chic boutique. "Ava's Haven" read the sign above the door.Ezekiel gracefully opened Aurelia's door, offering a gallant hand. "Shall we?"Aurelia’s gaze flickered from to building to his hand, uncertainty bubbling within her. But she took his hand, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip. Ezekiel helped her out of the car, holding a bright smile as she followed his lead. Inside, the boutique was a haven of style and elegance, with shoes with stunning designs.Aurelia’s lips parted in awe as she looked around, her gaze landing on a pair of low emerald green heels. It shimmered with velvety emerald green leather, featuring delicate silver filigree ankle straps, flower-shaped buckles, and a slender crystal-encircled toe, exuding understated elegance and sophistication. But when she caught sight of the price tag, it shook her to her bones.It was a whoppin
THIRD PERSON POV The casino was dimly lit, dark clouds of tobacco floating around the room, complimenting the ambiance better than the shitty jazz music. He stood there, back pressed against the brick walls, a glass of whiskey in one hand and the other tucked in his pocket. He waited, his heavily hooded eyes scanning through the vicinity. Luke silently eyed the men in the bar, but none of them were remarkable enough to keep his attention. All except one. Luke's grip on his cup tightens as he spots Ezekiel. The actor had just arrived, and he wasted no time in ordering a glass of champagne. It annoyed him. It made his blood boil and sizzle over, threatening to make him go mad. But even still, he appeared unaffected, because he would rather die than give Ezekiel the pleasure of a reaction. Ezekiel spots Luke while a waitress pours him a drink. Leaning back in his seat, he held the CEO’s gaze, a taunting smile playing on his lips. Both men faced off, a silent battle witho
“Wow, this is beautiful.” Aurelia gaped, her lips parted in awe as she admired the beautiful event hall. “Kendall really pulled through huh?” she turned to an excited Oliva, sporting an impressed smile.“Yes!” Olivia clapped in delight. “He's the absolute best!—but don't tell him I said that.”Aurelia chuckled lightly, giving Olivia a reassuring pat on the back. “Will do. I'm just glad you're getting the wedding of your dreams.” “And to the man of my dreams,” Olivia added, her gaze sweeping over the beautiful hall once more, warmth tickling her heart. “It all feels surreal.”“You can say that again.” Aurelia agreed, recalling the day she was welcomed to the team by the bumbling couple. They were always at each other's throats, so it was shocking to see that in between their heated arguments and childish taunts, they had built a strong connection that led to love. And now, they're getting married in a few days. “Who would've thought.”“Definitely not me.” Both women turned to see Ken
“Am I…. Interrupting something?”On impulse, Aurelia pushed off Ezekiel, dread settling within her. Why did the CEO have to catch her in the most compromising position?“Luke—” she began, her words died with the sharp glare he sent her way. Aurelia pressed her lips together, choosing silence, although it was her only option. Ezekiel rolled his eyes, rocking on the heels of his sneakers. He played it off with a grin, hiding the fact that he was offended by how Aurelia had shoved him away. “I see you both are already on a first-name basis.” Ezekiel drawled, sarcasm dripping in his tone. Luke's chest burned with rage, but instead of strangling Ezekiel like he’d envisioned a million times in his head, he opened the door wide, shifting his hard glare to the other male. “Get. Out.” Luke ordered, and Ezekiel scoffed. Luke’s gaze darkened dangerously, a silent warning and Ezekiel matched his glare, but instead of holding a deep frown, his lips spread into a toothy grin.Aurelia stood betw
The kiss soon became heated, warming the air between them. Aurelia stood on her toes, a needy moan rumbling in her chest as he grabbed a handful of her behind, effortlessly hoisting her up and setting her on the desk. His tongue danced with hers, taking the lead and letting her follow him into sweet oblivion. She instinctively spread her legs, goosebumps littering her skin as he grinds his hardness against her throbbing core. “Ah…” Aurelia moaned out loud, shivering in pleasure as his hand dug under her skirt his fingers teasing her bud through her thin underwear. His other hand roughly palmed her breast, kneading her like soft dough. As their lips parted, Aurelia's eyes fluttered open, locking onto Luke's intense gaze. The air thickened, heavy with unspoken promises. "Please," she whispered, her voice barely audible. “I need you.” His response was a low, husky murmur, sending shivers down her spine. His lips slithered to her neck, biting and sucking on the spots that m
Olivia sighed, her shoulders slumping in disappointment as her gaze swept through the crowd. She couldn't see Aurelia anywhere. “Maybe I shouldn't have told her not to come without a date,” she said to her husband, her chest tightening with guilt. The main ceremony had already concluded, and the reception party had just begun. Kendall reached for her hands, eyeing the diamond ring on her finger before giving it a comforting squeeze. “Don't worry my love, Aurelia wouldn't miss our wedding for any reason.”“But I think I went too far,” Olivia whined, causing Kendall’s brows to arch in question. “What did you do?”“Uhmm.” Olivia hesitated a bit before speaking, and Kendall narrowed his eyes at her in suspicion. “I may or may have not told security not to let her in without a date.”Contrary to what she thought, Kendall burst into laughter, leaning back in his seat as his shoulders quaked with amusement. “Hey!” Olivia slapped his shoulders, her cheeks puffing up in cute annoyance. “I
The night was in full bloom, bustling with new opportunities and hope. As Aurelia stepped into the sophisticated ambiance of Vintage Oasis, Ezekiel’s new wine bar, she felt the evening's magic envelop her. Soft golden lighting cast a warm glow on the polished mahogany walls, adorned with wine-inspired artwork. The air vibrated with refined chatter and the clinking of crystal glasses.Before her, a sea of dignitaries mingled, sipping on exquisite wines and savoring hors d'oeuvres crafted by the city's top chefs. Tuxedo-clad gentlemen and elegantly gowned ladies moved with poise, exchanging smiles and handshakes. The atmosphere pulsed with sophistication as if the very essence of luxury had been distilled into this singular event.Aurelia straightened her shoulders, refusing to be intimated. But she couldn’t deny that she felt out of place, like a goldfish among sharks. The air felt rich with personalities, suffocating her. A waitress offers a glass of wine off a silver tray and she
LUKE’S POV The warehouse was in flames, the acrid scent of burning wood and gunpowder choking the air. Smoke curled around us, thick and blinding, but it didn’t matter. My eyes were locked on one thing—her. Aurelia was on the ground, her body trembling, Will sprawled a few feet away from her, coughing through the debris. Her bruised wrists and the terror in her wide eyes made something inside me snap. My fingers tightened around my gun as I stepped forward. The world had narrowed to a single, unrelenting focus: kill them all. The man coughed, spitting blood onto the floor, his face twisted in fury and disbelief. “Well, well. The bastard prince decided to show up.” He wiped his nose, grinning despite the blood leaking from his mouth. I didn’t hesitate and fired another shot. He barely had time to register what happened before he collapsed, the bullet lodged in his shoulder. His scream echoed through the chaos, but I wasn’t done. I stalked forward, shoving my gun against his
AURELIA POVMy breath came in shallow gasps, each one laced with the sting of panic. The moment the door slammed shut behind them, I lay still, too afraid to move, my body curled in on itself as if making myself smaller would somehow make me invisible.I instinctively reached for my stomach, my fear multiplying by tenfold. Little did my captors know that they threatened two lives and not one. Six hours.That’s all the time I had before they killed me and my baby. A sob built in my throat, but I swallowed it down. Crying wouldn’t save me. They said they had sent a ransom note or Luke, but would he come? To risk his life for me? He had already told me to know my place, and whatever we had ended when I confessed to him. I tried to sit up, trying to my breath steamy as my fingers twitched, testing the ropes around my wrists. I winced and the rough fibers bit into my skin, leaving behind red blisters. But I ignored it. I didn’t want to sit around, waiting like a damsel in distress. Thi
LUKE POVThe words blurred as my vision swam, the ache in my chest deepening into something unbearable. I read it over and over again, processing the words that felt impossible.She loved me?She loved me and not Ezekiel.All this time….and I was too blind to see it, or maybe she was just that good at hiding it. The weight of Seraphina’s words weighed heavy on my shoulders, and there was one part that confused me. My father. He was the one who had taken her in after her father’s death. That was what I had always been told. That was what I had believed.But these words… this confession…It told a different story. She loved me and hated herself for it. All because she thought I was the son of the man who killed her father.A sick, twisting feeling curled in my stomach. Realization sunk in like paint spreading on a white cloth, tainting whatever perception I had been fed before. It was all a lie. My hands trembled, not with grief, but with fury. Rage bubbled in my chest, threatening
LUKE POV“What an unpleasant surprise.”I pushed past Ezekiel and entered his dorm room, my jaw clenching as my grip on the file unconsciously tightened.Ezekiel had just stepped out of the bathroom, casually drying his hair with a towel, while I stood there glaring at him. A few moments of tense silence passed between us before I strode over to his couch and dropped the file.“That’s the transfer of ownership document for the port,” I said, my voice gruff. I had lost the challenge, and now I was here to fulfill my end of the deal.Ezekiel hummed in interest, leaning against the wall with a taunting smile. “I guess you’re a man of your word, then.”I ignored his remark and turned to leave, but my steps faltered when his voice rang out again.“No hard feelings, right?”My patience cracked. I looked over my shoulder, my gaze burning with malice.“Fuck you, Sterling.”***I slumped into my car seat, tipping my head back and staring up at the ceiling. I hadn’t been home for the past week,
Luke waited in the room for Seraphina to wake up, the doctor who had examined her said she passed out from exhaustion, but her situation was stable for now. It made him wonder how many times she had pushed herself so hard. He hadn’t even found out until later, so it only meant that she had been hiding it for a long while now. Enduring the pain in silence and forcing smiles. Maybe that would explain her impulsive mood swings. Luke glanced at her, watching her chest rise and fall slowly. Her hair bun was still in place, and even in slumber, she looked beautiful. He subconsciously leaned in, taking in every detail and curve of her face, from the freckles on her nose to the little scar on her left brow. His gaze flickered to her lips and lingered there. They were painted hot red with lipstick, adding a dangerous allure to her soft features. Luke flinched as her eyes fluttered. Startled, he straightened up, clearing his throat to regain his composure, but his cheeks were flushed with
Seraphina was discharged from the hospital two weeks later, and during the time she was hospitalized, Luke visited her often, but Seraphina never allowed him in. It hurt him deeply, especially when Ezekiel was allowed to see her. The bet between them was still active and Luke feared he might have made a grave mistake. He still watched her from afar to protect her, because now that he knew about her illness he couldn’t afford to slack off. Soon the annual banquet was held as a way for the heirs of influential families to make their debut, and this year, it was held by Montauge’s, Veronica’s family. The night was in full bloom, and both Luke and Seraphina had received an invitation. Luke saw this as the perfect opportunity to finally talk to her, and he looked forward to taking her, but his plans were thwarted the moment Ezekiel came to pick her up instead. Of course, he also got an invitation. Ezekiel stepped out of his sleek BMW, dressed in a tailored white suit and crimson
Veronica planned to make Seraphina jealous, so she accompanied him to an exclusive club in the heart of the city, one that could only be accessible to elite members. Veronica was his date for the evening, and as they reached the location, he began to regret his decision. “How is this going to help again?” He grumbled as they stepped out of his car. Veronica held his arm, dressed in a hot red dress that left little to the imagination, while he wore a black dress shirt and pants to match. Veronica rolled her eyes at his hesitance. “Just follow my lead dumbass.” The club was as sophisticated yet wild at the same time, and Luke was surprised to see Seraphina and Ezekiel making out in the VIP section. Luke’s jaw clenched at the sight, but Veronica tapped his jaw to get his attention. “Don’t look at her.” She scolded him, dragging him to the dance floor. “If not it won’t work.” Luke took a deep breath, stealing one last glance at them before moving on. As they stepped onto t
Third Person POVWeeks later…Luke moaned as he felt her palm against him. He grabbed her hand to stop her, pulling back from the kiss with a dazed expression. “We can’t do that here.” He muttered, his wary gaze darting around the library. Seraphina blinked at him, her brows slightly furrowed in frustration. “Just shut up and kiss me.” And with that she crashed her lips against his, angling her head as she deepened the kiss.Luke gave him, feeling himself get hotter with each passing minute. His hands tightened on her waist, wanting to wander. But he couldn’t because she hadn’t permitted him yet. Seraphina spread her legs, letting him grind against her at least, her back pressed against the wall as Luke's tongue danced with hers. The air between them was hot, and Luke groaned, feeling his erection straining against his pants. Seraphina pulled back from the kiss with a smirk, her fingers combing through his hair.“Beg me.” She demanded, and he gulped his spit, wavering for a bit. L
Luke’s POV “A date?” I was in the gym of the mansion when Seraphina skipped in and started going on about her date with Ezekiel. The topic was none of my business, but she wanted me to tell her more about Ezekiel.“Ask him yourself.” I tightened the bandages on my wrists and swung at the punching bag, my brows furrowed in irritation. That bitter feeling was stirring in my chest again. Ever since they met, Seraphina’s attention was fixated on Ezekiel, and Ezekiel, he was milking the situation with his God damned charm. I raised my hands to deliver another punch, then Seraphina blocked my view. It was a good thing I managed to stop my fist before it made contact with her face.“Careful,” I warned her, already growing tired of the conversation.“Tell me.” She insisted. “I want to know what kind of guy he is.”A dry chuckle escaped my lips. “He’s a man whore.” I say simply. “And you are nothing but another fling to him, so you better stay away.” Seraphina tilted her head to the side.