"What are you doing here, honey?" My father looked at me cautiously but with a hint of joy at seeing me.I smiled, breathing unevenly due to nerves."Oh, I was looking for a... a..." I began to look around to see what I supposedly needed. I spotted a paperweight and grabbed it, showing it to him and moving away from his desk. "This!""Why do you need a paperweight?" My father looked puzzled, raising an eyebrow and crossing his arms.I tensed up. Why did I need it? I looked around again, searching for an excuse as quickly as I could."Since I'll be starting classes soon, I thought it would be useful," I shrugged as if what I was saying was the most normal thing, and then I passed by him.Just when I thought I had escaped my father and could breathe, he unexpectedly grabbed my arm and turned me toward him. I must have looked worried because my father's expression changed."Are you okay?" He looked at me with concern, not letting go of my arm."Of course, Dad, why wouldn't I be?" I smile
I waited to hear the front door of the house close.I closed my door and entered the bathroom to finish brushing my teeth.I changed into fresh clothes and approached Ethan to admire him sleeping once again. I wanted to wake him up and kiss him, but from the tired expression on his face, I couldn't bring myself to do it.It seemed like this morning "nap" was going to last a while, so I decided to go get something to eat.Knowing that my father probably hadn't left me anything prepared for breakfast, I went to the speakers in the living room and played some music at a moderate volume, knowing that Sleeping Beauty was upstairs.I focused on cooking something simple and quick—French toast with scrambled eggs.While cooking the meal, I got lost in the music playing downstairs.I closed my eyes from time to time and sang along in parts that didn't require reaching too high or too low notes, as I knew my house had enough glass to warn me that people who couldn't hit high notes weren't allow
It had been a long while since Ethan had fallen asleep in my arms, on my bed.I thought it was best for him to rest and regain his energy, to forget some of his worries. I didn't like seeing him like this; it tore me apart, and my heart felt small.I knew he was suffering, and I also knew I couldn't help him.I gently stroked his cheek, and he just moved his head slightly, a reflex to my touch. His expression looked calmer, and that eased my internal pain.I got up and went to the terrace of my house. I needed some fresh air, to clear my mind.My father had told me he wanted us to have dinner tonight, but for what? We only dined together in restaurants when he had some news to deliver.I was dying to tell him that I was with Ethan and that I didn't care about his contract and his foolishness. Could I do that? Would I dare to say that I loved him and would do anything for him?It was still a mystery to me why my father's appreciation for Ethan had suddenly changed. He had chosen him to
Ethan reached the end of the stairs, and a girl in a suggestive dress greeted him. My blood boiled inside me, but I calmed down when I saw that he didn't pay her much attention.He approached some men in executive suits who were showing him some papers. Ethan was talking and talking with those men.Who were they? What the hell was he doing there, and why was he signing papers?I shook my head and pressed the elevator button, waiting for it to arrive. I couldn't stop glancing in Ethan's direction.He was leaning against a shiny metal railing and seemed pensive, watching people come and go. Every time he looked in my direction, I lowered my head as if I were searching for something in my bag.At that moment, I saw him take out his phone and dial a number. I wondered who he was calling. I tensed up as I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.I took it out and saw that it was him calling me."Yes?" I tried to shrink in my spot to minimize the noise and avoid being discovered.The elevator wa
There I was, in an elevator at MAXCO, the rival company of FinnCO for as long as I can remember. I wasn't alone; I was with a tall man, well-built, with shiny brown hair, gray-blue eyes, and a beautiful smile that could stop hearts with just a glimpse.He looked torn between astonishment and annoyance. You could see that he was having an internal debate about whether to shout at me or say nothing. That man was none other than Ethan.The man I had fallen in love with, to whom I had given my all in these few months, the one to whom I had surrendered body and soul by the side of a pool.That man to whom my heart belonged."Minerva?! Speak!" His voice seemed unyielding.His expression was the most serious I had ever seen on his face. He was really angry.He was wearing a black suit that made him look spectacular, truly a sight to behold. His navy blue tie made him look so elegant that I felt like forgetting everything and just kissing him."Why aren't you saying anything?! Say something,
Ethan closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and ran his hand through his hair, tousling it slightly.He opened his eyes again and nodded."I will tell you the whole truth, but not here," he said, looking at me intensely. "Do you trust me?"I stepped back, puzzled. Why was he asking me that now? Did I trust him? Did I? Pf, who was I trying to fool, of course, I did.I wanted him. I loved him, how could I not trust him?"Answer me, do you trust me?" he insisted, this time approaching me and gently taking me by the arms."Yes, Ethan. I trust you," I replied dryly.I felt like I was betraying myself by saying those words.A half-smile crossed his lips, and he took hold of my left arm. The elevator doors opened, and we stepped out.He led me to the right side of the floor. There were several offices, all with an elegant yet modern style. The floors and walls were cream-colored, and there were many people walking back and forth with papers in their hands.Phones were ringing like crazy. Etha
"At first, I…""Is this what it all meant to you? A scheme hatched by a stupid company?" I interrupted him.He was silent, said absolutely nothing to me and looked at me with sorrow and sadness.I couldn't take it anymore. He was admitting to my face that everything had been planned, absolutely everything.So he wasn't in love with me? Was it all a trick so that I would help him get into my father's company?I felt like the worst of prostitutes, he had even used me sexually! Not even a prostitute would have been used this way.I had been such an idiot, letting my feelings for him guide me.Why was he doing it? Revenge for his father? Loyalty to this company? Being a bastard, you idiot? I don't know, but I didn't want to be left to find out.I turned and headed for the door."Wait, Minerva! Let me finish, please.""I don't want to listen to you anymore, Ethan. I thought that we... that you…" I got frustrated when I couldn't even finish saying a sentence.I moved my hands trying to cont
I've endured a lot since I was young. At the age of 7, I was in a car accident with my parents, and my mother didn't survive.I had the misfortune of not being liked for who I truly was during high school because I "had too much money," and I never had real friends, except for Amelia and Isabela. They were my friends since I was a child, and they are the only ones I've ever truly trusted.As I grew older, I experienced several heartbreaks, and they all hurt, but none hurt as much as Henry. I thought he was the love of my life, that we would even get married. Naive? Perhaps a bit.Then came Ethan... He changed my life.He came to protect me, my father knows why, but I never imagined I would fall in love with him, that he would become my obsession, my desire, the owner of my heart and body.All of that in just four months.I've always been someone who believes that crying in private is much better than running into someone else's arms for comfort. Whenever I needed to cry, I locked myse
"You shouldn't let anger get the best of you, brother," I tried to advise him."Oh, of course not, that's not going to happen," he murmured, sipping the remnants of his drink."The point is, you should calm down, go and expand your social networks just like she...""She doesn't expand her social networks; she's known him since she was seventeen!" he shouted in frustration, but I continued to look at him impassively."You should relax," I said with a shrug, finding it impossible to understand his nervous breakdown.Wasn't it his idea? He should just speak the truth, express his true feelings, and that's it.I know it's easier said than done, but it was the best way out instead of going around throwing punches."Is he holding her hand?" he asked through gritted teeth. "This is over."I sighed and decided to get him out of there before the situation turned into a bloody and unpleasant scene.I took care of dragging him out of the café and then let him run free, like a caged animal."Just
Valentine's Day had finally arrived.Daniel was a bundle of nerves, and spending the day helping him clean his house and prepare the dinner for the evening was getting on my nerves too.I didn't want to prepare anything for that day with Ethan because I knew, thanks to my brother-in-law, that he was planning a surprise for me, a surprise that I hadn't discovered yet.When we finished the preparations, Daniel accompanied me back home. Upon arriving, I saw that Ethan was at home.That surprised me."What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at work?" I looked at him in doubt."Today is a special day. Did you really think I'd forget it and work until so late?" He put his hands on my waist to pull me closer."No, you never forget this day, and you always have some surprise for me." I hugged him, resting my head on his shoulder."Do you want to know your surprise?" Our gazes connected."I should be the one surprising you." I hesitated.Ethan gave me a sly smile and retraced his steps to re
I was immensely excited to see them since I hadn't seen them for several weeks. They had been on their honeymoon, and I wasn't expecting them back for another couple of days. Behind them were Iván and Amelia.Delia let them all in and appeared in the living room just behind them."Minnie!" Chris said excitedly."Why are you here so early?" I asked, genuinely confused by their early arrival."Do you think we'd leave you alone on our beautiful godson's birthday?" Isabela said."To be honest, yes. You were on your honeymoon," I admitted with a shrug."And? We decided to come back early, plus with this woman, every day feels like a honeymoon," Chris said, looking at Isabela with love, putting his arm around her waist and pulling her close.She smiled and pushed him away a bit, giggling. I smiled happily."But you know, the party starts in an hour," I said apologetically for them arriving so early.Chris looked at Isabela, who looked at Iván, and then their gaze moved to Amelia."I thought
Three years later..."Minerva, hurry up, we're going to be late!" I heard Ethan's voice from downstairs.I rolled my eyes and finished adjusting my hair and dress. I put on some flats and made my way down the stairs.At the bottom of the stairs was the man I had been living with for 7 years, and I loved him just as much as when I was 19.He stopped checking his watch and took a deep breath as he prepared to call me again. However, when he saw me, he smiled in a way that I adored.I descended the stairs and stopped on the last step, so I was at eye level with him.This day was very special because my father was finally returning from his annual business observation trip around the world. It had been 5 months since I last saw him, and I was excited to see him again. It was also special because we were going to a unique birthday celebration and my father was returning from his trip. I had taken the day off with my beloved husband to have lunch together."I'm here," I said, smiling at him
Esther stood still for a moment, as if waiting for a sign or something. In the background, you could see their house, and she was sitting on the couch that used to belong to her father, according to what Ethan had told me. Esther was wearing a dress that I had given her on one of the many times I had dinner at her place."Is it recording?" Esther pointed at the camera. The image wobbled slightly, as if the person recording didn't have a steady hand."Yes, Mom," Daniel's voice sounded with irritation."Don't answer me like that, young man," she scolded him and narrowed her eyes, looking beyond the camera.I chuckled and saw Daniel by my side, shrinking in his seat."I'm sorry, Mom. We've already had five takes; they could arrive any moment, and the surprise will be ruined."Daniel sighed with nostalgia, as if he were remembering that day."Well, all right. I'm sorry," Esther paused, lowered her head, took a deep breath, and raised her head with a beautiful smile. "Ethan, Minerva, if y
I took a deep breath, looking at myself in the mirror.I adjusted the white dress I was wearing and looked at my friends. Isabela was sitting on a sofa in the room, holding a glass of wine in her right hand, gazing at me intently.Both of them were wearing pale pink dresses that hugged their bodies, with small straps supporting the dress and accentuating their chests. They had their hands on their hips, inspecting me from head to toe.In a way, the three of us had changed.My hair was a bit shorter than before, although at that precise moment, it wasn't noticeable since I had it tied up with a bow and a braid. Amelia kept her hair the same length as before and had it straightened this time, pulled into a high ponytail.The three of us still shared the same height and the same skin tone.I turned to look at myself again in the mirror in front of me. The dress was bigger than I had imagined, slightly constricting around my stomach, which was bothering me a bit near the abdominal wound,
I paced back and forth in the living room of my house, extremely nervous.I glanced at my father's closed office door once more. I then sat down on the largest sofa in the room, placing both hands on my knees.It was a fairly sunny day, with a few clouds in the sky, but it was overall a bright blue day. My house was clean, thanks to the cleaning I had done the day before in preparation for today.My house looked the same as before. The dining area was in front of a large window with a panoramic view of the city. Next to it was the guest bedroom door, where Ethan had stayed the first time he visited.In front of me was the TV, with two individual sofas on each side. To the left, there was a wall with an opening leading to the kitchen, which was spotless. The stairs were behind me, and the front door was in the opposite corner of the same wall.You could see the upstairs from where I was sitting, as there was a glass and black metal railing that allowed you to see halfway down the hallw
I released my friends' hands and sat next to Daniel."Hello," I murmured."Hello, Minnie," he responded sleepily."How do you feel?" I smiled with a hint of sadness."Tired. This has been intense," he admitted, leaning his elbows on his knees."I'm sorry for everything that happened. This was not part of the plan."He sighed."Don't worry, Minnie. We're all alive. Now, it's time for you and my brother to make amends. Go on, what are you waiting for?"Daniel smiled at me with all the sincerity his tired eyes could muster, and he got up. I followed suit. We hugged, and Daniel joined my friends. I approached them too."Take him to my house and tell my father what happened. Ask him to let Daniel sleep in my room, please."My friends nodded and gave me a hug. I hugged Iván tightly, and he smiled at me. They left a few minutes later.I waited until I couldn't see them anymore and stood in front of Ethan's room. I took a deep breath and entered. I closed the door behind me and stood at the f
"Let me go, Christopher! Ethan's inside, for God's sake! Let me go!" I struggled to free myself from his grasp.I couldn't contain the emotions inside me. My stomach churned with dread. Ethan was inside, and I couldn't leave him.Chris held me tightly, his grip unyielding.I was overwhelmed by the tumultuous emotions raging within me. Ethan had died, and there was so much left unsaid. I couldn't tell him I loved him; I couldn't apologize for my earlier harsh words. I wouldn't see him again, feel his presence, hug him, or kiss him. He was gone.He had left us, protecting both me and Chris.How had I ever doubted his feelings for me? Now he was gone, gone forever.The firefighters rushed to extinguish the flames, but I was unable to look away from the fire-ravaged mansion. My tears flowed freely down my cheeks.I had been so foolish. I hadn't told him how I felt. I hadn't had the chance to say yes to his proposal. And now, it was too late. He was gone.Exhausted from my struggles with