Ryan’s POV
“Thank you for coming.” I offered my hand to the tall man that stood beside Roman, in appreciation.
“The pleasure is all mine.” He shook my outstretched hand firmly with a broad smile. “Permit me to take my leave, gentlemen.”
“Sure!” I nodded and with a last broad and professional smile, the man exited my office. I sat down and Roman followed suit.
“The business deal sounds great.” He commented.
“I know right.” I replied curtly and then focused my attention on the paperwork on my desk.
“Ryan!” he drawled which got me to look at him.
“What?”
“What’s wrong?” he queried.
“What makes you think something is wrong?”
“You look disturbed.” He frowned and eyed me seriously. “Is there something you’d like to share?&rdquo
Samantha’s POVI hurried out of bed as soon as the alarm clock rang out. I can’t believe I slept in so late. I rushed into the bathroom to get myself ready for the day’s work.After observing the proper hygiene routine, I got dressed as usual in my suit and pant. I gelled up my hair and styled it to the masculine type that I always go with.Once I was done, I took an observant look at myself and I was certain I was good to go. I grab the necessary things I needed and rushed out of my room. I glanced briefly at my wristwatch and I realized my phone would get disturbed soon by calls.I didn’t even get the chance to complete my thoughts before my phone rang.“Damn it!” I hissed when I saw Philip’s name flashed across the screen. I swiped to the receive side and placed the phone close to my ear.I made sure I held it in place with my shoulder while I moved closer to the kitche
Ryan’s POV I was taken aback when I saw a familiar face behind the mask. “Long time no see, Ryan.” He smiled as he walked closer. My armed men hurriedly came to stand in front of me in a bid to protect me. “Adrian Leigh!” I frowned slightly. “Surprised to see me?” he asked. I should have known he was back in town. But why would he be right here in a store room that belongs to a foe? What exactly was he doing here? Could he be the mastermind behind all that has been happening to my businesses? I wouldn’t be surprised if he actually was the one that masterminded all these. It doesn’t look like something he wasn’t capable of doing. Moreover, the Andersons and the Leigh were not best of business partners. They were practically foes. Always at each other’s necks, being the second family name that reigned in our business world. “What are you doing here?” I asked. “I shou
Samantha’s POV I got down from my car and headed towards the cabin while a guard closed the door behind me. When I got to the cabin’s entrance, the man who stood guard bowed. “Miss!” “Tell him I’m here to see him.” I ordered. With a slight nod, he moved away from the doorpost and went inside the cabin. Few minutes later, he came out with the permission to make me go in. I entered the cabin and I saw different armed men who stood guard. Before I could get the chance to ask any of them where my uncle was, I saw him seated at the far end of a table which was surrounded with empty seats. I believe he just had a meeting with his men. With a slight sigh, I walked closer to him and before I could eventually get to him, he was on his feet, walking up to me. “It is a rare privilege to see you here, my lady.” Uncle Mark bowed with a hint of mockery in his tone. I was sure he was still unpleased with wh
Samantha’s POVMy whole life at some point simply revolved around revenge but then I realized there was more to revenge than to just nip at someone. There was more to that guilt… that regret. There was actually more things to focus my entire being on achieving that’d actually assist my goal. I found something worth more my time…something I needed to take charge of. Something I needed to be responsible for! And that was power! Acquisition of power was my goal now.~“Did you get the mail I sent to you last night?” Ryan asked and I nodded.“Yeah, these are the information I got.”I stretched the folder I had with me to him. He collected it and glanced through it.“All right. This should be enough.” He nodded as he acknowledged the information I got for him.He turned to Philip.“What about the statistical report I requested?”&ldq
Ryan’s POV“Can you stop zoning out on me, Ryan?” Roman sighed. He lifted his wine glass to have a sip while he kept his gaze fixed on me. I couldn’t blame him though. He had literally stayed with me all day and I barely understood what he had been saying.“I’m sorry, buddy.” I apologized as I stood to my feet.“That’s like the hundredth time I’ve heard that today. What exactly is wrong with you?” I turned to face him. “Is something wrong at the company?”I pulled in my upper lip and I rubbed my forehead slightly when I suddenly felt my head ache.“Can you stop doing that and tell me what’s wrong?”“I think something fishy is really going on in the company.” I finally said something about what I was paranoid about.“What do you mean?” Roman asked.“I’m sure you heard the new
Samantha’s POV “I don’t understand, sir.” I perfectly understood what he just said but I still hoped and prayed I heard him wrong. I can’t possibly live with him. I wouldn’t be able to carry out my own operations. I’d be stuck trying to remain undiscovered. Hiding my true identity was one thing, trying not to make my gender known was another and it was something I’d never risk. “You don’t expect me to always wait for you every time I need your services.” Ryan shrugged. “Besides, you’ve been working with me for a while now and I don’t think I’d ask you to quit anytime soon.” “But…” “To save us the stress, you need to live here.” Ryan smiled. “But sir…” I tried to talk but he cut me off again with a raise of hand. That infuriated me. “Mr Anderson!” I snapped angrily. Ryan looked at me with a sly smile. “Yeah?” “I. Can’t. Live. Here” I emphasized on every single word
Samantha’s POVI pulled the hood of my sweatshirt up to cover the cap on my head, tucked my revolver in its pocket and my daggers in my thigh boots. I closed the door behind me while I exited my house. As soon as I was out of the house, I pressed the button that revealed my car, which was hidden behind a gate in its designated area.I headed to the car. I got in, fixed my seatbelt, ignited the car and zoomed out. I connected my phone to the car and called Nate. After a few beeping sound, I heard his excited voice.“Lia!”“Hey, Nate.”“I thought you eloped again.” He teased.“Who would I elope with?” I chuckled and simultaneously merged into the moving vehicles. “By the way, did Uncle Mark show up today?”“No, he hasn’t been here lately.”“Okay, what about Adrian?” Silence ensued. “N
Adrian's POVI ran my fingers through the books that were on my desk before I slammed the opened one shut. I've been bothered since Emilia left few hours ago and I could blame it on the words she said. If anything, why would my name continuously pop up just like she mentioned? I never had any interest in the Anderson's business. They were one of the most successful family brand home and abroad and my family was just next to theirs. But that never made me barge into their affairs like my cabinet would want to.I also have no idea as to why Emilia would prefer to work for him as his personal bodyguard. The reasons were just not forthcoming. She had been the gentle and submissive type. Rarely gets into a fight nor disagree with me. She was always this loving and caring girl who was head over heels in love with me before she went into hiding.I tried all I could to get information about her location but all to no avail. I sinc
46The moment Ryan left Samantha’s house, she couldn’t keep herself calm. Guilt ate her up as she accepted the fact that Ryan was not wrong about anything. She was in fact the one to make amends and becoming Ryan’s pretend bride wouldn’t be bad in any way. She liked him at least, even though she wasn’t meant to. As Samantha sat in silence in the living room, she could feel Nathaniel’s intense gaze on her. She knew he would give her another earful. Sometimes, she wondered whether or not she was the older one or Nate.“Just say it.” She sighed and sat back, shutting her eyes. “I already had enough today but I certainly do not mind listening to you top it up.”“Why are you bent on ignoring your heart, sis?” Nathaniel asked instead. “It’s obvious, even to the blind, that you like him. You might not notice but the way you try hard to push him away just screams one thing to me.”“What?”“Samantha Emilia Gray is in love with Ryan Robin Anderson.”“Nate…”“I advise you move closer to him rat
Author’s POV continues…Stepping into the hotel room, Ryan let out a sigh as he sprawled out on the couch. His head ached badly and he felt drained. His whole life at the moment seemed to revolve around issues. As much as he tried to think, he couldn’t figure out any other way out of the scandal, other than the option the crisis manager provided. Besides, it wouldn’t be much of a problem since he was no longer with Brianna. Just as he thought about her, Ryan realized he might have had issues with the available solution to the scandal if Brianna had not done what she did.~*Four months ago*Ryan alighted and locked the car doors. With some white gift bags in one hand and a bouquet on the other, he strolled towards the building. Apparently, he had thought of visiting Brianna’s parents after he came back from the vacation at France. He hadn’t informed Brianna that he was back and he knew she’d be at her parents’ place since they were the one that called her back.On his way to their p
Author's POV“Where’s she?”This was the first thing Ryan said the moment Nathaniel opened the door. “How did you get here?” The boy wondered.“Can I see her?” Ryan stressed, ignoring his question.“I’m sorry, no!” Nate answered and tried to shut the door.“Don’t you dare!” “Ryan Anderson,” Samantha called from within the house. “Threatening or snapping at the child won’t get you anywhere near me.”Ryan sighed and rubbed his temple. Ever since he met Samantha, it has been from one issue to the other. He was just there, at Samantha’s place, to get things over with. He was tired of the ups and downs and really wanted to be free from the Gray’s unending schemes.“It’s bad enough that I have to deal with several attacks yearly. Now, I have to deal with being called a molester. What more damage do you intend to wreck, Samantha Gray?” Samantha shut her eyes at his words. She understood the fact that series of news had been circulating about him that are really bad for his reputation, but
Samantha’s POV A groan escaped my mouth as I turned around on the wide surface that provided the comfort I needed. I heard a bell ring and the loud sound made my forehead creased, even though my eyes were still shut. I stretched my arms but paused when I hit something hard beside me. My eyes flung open. “Oh my god!” I screamed, pulling the blanket with me as I shrink back into the bed like that was even possible. In reflex, my head banged and I winced, rubbing my temple with my free hand. The hard thing I supposedly hit hissed from my shriek and propped himself up. He rubbed his eyes and then held on to his temple. One could tell he was still in the mood for more sleep. “What’s with the scream?” He drawled, his eyes half opened. “What… Are… You… Doing… Here?” I cried out. My cry seemed to call his full attention to the situation at hand because his eyes went wide the next second. He stared at me and his mouth went agape. “Sam?” He called, his voice laced with some certain le
Lightning flashed across the sky as the rain pounded on. It was a stormy night and somewhere in a secluded area was a luxurious villa that looked abandoned from its exterior view. But right in this villa, a young lad could be seen in the living room, seated on a couch with a pillow on his laps which he rested his hands on. With the dim lightning in the living room, he focused on the show that played off on the television.From the lifeless looks of some of the characters in the show, it was evident that he was watching a horror drama. His attention was so keen that he didn’t notice someone walk up to him. All he felt at first was the cold breath at his neck, making the hair on his body stand. But right before he could regain his composure, he felt a pair of cold hands snake up to his shoulders which made him flinched hard, jumping out of the couch as he screamed at the top of his lungs. The lights in the room all came on, brightening the room with their full intensity. The lad turn
A lady moved swiftly as she disappeared around the corner, walking her way into what seemed to be a hideout for criminal acts. The men at the entrance all bowed to her as she walked past them, giving no regards to their greetings. She traipsed further into the building, her mind focused on just one thing as she ignored the men who she came in contact with on her way. “Miss!” A guy hurriedly stood to his feet the moment she barged into a room. The people in the room all stood to acknowledge her presence. The room had a setup similar to a conference room and it looked like she interrupted their discussion. Taking a quick glance at the faces of people in the room that had their head lowered slightly in respect to her, the lady walked across the room.“Why are you here by this time, Miss?” “David,” the lady pulled out a chair and sat on it. “I believe you remember why this group came into existence.”“Yes, Miss.”“Mind if you remind me?” The cold gaze and emotionless tone the lady sp
Samantha’s POVTears trickled down my face while I stared at Nathaniel on the hospital bed. I held his hand in mine and placed a kiss on the back of his hand as different thoughts ran through my mind. “Why would anyone try to kill him? He is not a threat to anyone. I made sure of that because I rarely give him a chance to get involved in anything. All I asked him to do is work at the hotel so why would anyone see him as a threat?”I felt a hand rest on my shoulders and I looked up to see Adrian, staring at me with worry-filled eyes. I didn’t even realize he was back. He took an excuse to do something few minutes ago.“You need to rest, Lia. Nate is out of harm’s way now and I’m here to watch over him.”“No,” I shook my head. “I’ll watch over him till he’s awake.”“But, Emilia…” I cut him off.“I want to be the first person he sees.”Letting out a sigh, he moved away to sit on a couch. I turned back my attention to Nate, who doesn’t look like he’d open his eyes soon. “Would you at le
Adrian’s POV“What?” I raised my head to look at the man who stood in front of me. “What do you mean by that?”He had lowered his head, with guilt written over his face. “I thought I made the deadline clear so why is this still not ready?” The sound of my hands colliding with the table made him flinch. If he thought his excuse would make me go lenient on him then he is wrong. “Boss!” Alexander barged into my office and his action made me raise a brow at him.The man realized that might be his chance to escape my wrath at the moment so he tried his luck.“I’m sorry, sir. I’ll get the documents ready and send them to you before tomorrow morning.”“You had better do that.” I answered, giving his luck a chance to work.“I will, sir.” He nodded frantically and was about to scurry away from my presence. “Who’s in charge of the company’s introduction letter?” He stopped in his tracks and turned.“I…uhm… Mr…” I sighed.“You know what?” I waved him off. “Just leave. Tell whoever it is to
Samantha’s POVThe meeting with Mr Atkinson went hitch free. I had promised myself that would be the last meeting with the man, so I made sure I sealed every deal before leaving his place. The moment I entered my suite, I got ready to go back home. Dragging my travelling bag behind me, I dropped it close to the bed and packed some of my things. I threw every bit of my stuff into the box and when I was certain I left nothing behind; I zipped the bag and pulled it up. My phone’s screen lit up, so I reached out to pick it up. It was a message from David. My brows arched as I read.“I’m sorry I cannot escort you back home. I had to leave immediately, Miss. Something urgent came up, and I’ll tell you about it when you get back. My apologies!”I deleted the message and navigated through my phone to get Aaron’s contact.“Hello.” I breathed out the moment he answered, and I simultaneously sat on the bed. “I’m done packing. You can get the cab now.” “Okay, Miss.” He answered with no hesit