Amanda Lemaiyan is an heiress with a problem: when she gets back from a short vacation after breaking off her engagement to her cheating ex, she realises that the strange man she slept with at the resort is the new CEO of her company. The problem? He is the replacement of her ex, who used her to rise the ranks of her family's conglomerate. She knows what to do—forget she ever slept with the man and not give him a chance to play her like her ex did. But will her plan work when she can't help recalling how good it felt being in his arms? Especially when he seems hell-bent on getting her back into his bed... Can she give in to the temptation when she risks losing her place in her family's conglomerate if she's caught in another scandal with another CEO? *** His fingertips brushed her wet, soft folds. He pushed his middle finger into her, drew back slowly, then added his index finger. Amanda's breath came in a rush. She stopped their kiss and whispered, "Fuck me already." Oh, he was going to. After he made her tell him what he wanted to hear. "Do you want me inside you that bad?" "You know I do." With the way she was moving her hips? Yeah, he knew. "Last night, when you went home, did you think of me?" "Yes." "Did you touch yourself, thinking of me?" "Lucas," she whined, one hand grabbing his and urging him to go faster. "Tell me and I'll give you what you want." "Yes. Since the resort, you're the only one I think about when I touch myself." "You're the only one I've thought about, too, since we were together. And I've thought about you a lot."
View More"Amanda, you look amazing."
Amanda Lemaiyan smiled at her beaming best friend and shrugged. "What can I say, Cara knows how to work her magic."
Cara was her assistant. Amanda hired her three years ago to help at the company. The girl later proved to be useful in multiple aspects, including helping her show up to all occasions looking the part.
Tyra Okello approached and air kissed her cheeks. "All eyes will be on you, dear."
Definitely, Amanda thought. However, she wasn't sure her gorgeous dress, diamond jewelry, and flawless makeup would be the main reason for the attention.
It was a month after she broke her engagement to Samuel Ocen. Tongues were still wagging. This was going to be her first public appearance since the scandal ensued.
Everybody thought she was devastated after the break up. Of course she was. The asshole used her to gain favour with her father and rise to the CEO position of Lemaiyan Fits. Amanda was fortunate to discover his plan a week before their wedding.
Finding out that a two-year relationship was built on a lie would break anyone.
Her heart still ached, but she would be damned if she appeared pitiful in public. If anyone was feeling sorry for her, they'd be surprised.
"You look gorgeous too," Amanda complimented her friend when she stepped back. While Amanda donned a flowing red gown with a side-slit, Tyra had opted for a black mid-length dress.
Tyra hooked their arms together and led the way to the awaiting limousine. "Come on, let's go make an entrance they'll never forget."
Amanda chuckled as the driver held the door open and they settled inside.
"Have you seen him, by the way?" Tyra asked a few seconds later after the car left the compound.
"Seen who?"
"The new CEO. He's insanely gorgeous. I get wet just looking at him."
"You say that about every hot guy you come across," Amanda accused.
"Trust me, it's different this time. He has these intense grey eyes that seemed to be staring right into my soul when I looked into them-"
"You've met him already?"
"Once. I was at the company and he came in coming through the entrance of the building. Believe me, everybody in the vicinity went still and stared." Tyra shook her body, as if hit by a shudder. "He's going to have a hard time fighting off the female attention, I tell you."
"Nah, I don't think he'll mind that," Amanda mumbled.
"Do you want to see a picture of him?" Tyra offered. "I think it's best to prepare yourself so you don't get caught drooling when you see him later on."
"No thanks," Amanda turned her down. "There's only one reason I'm attending this party, and it's not to make eyes at the new CEO."
"Nobody said you can't do both," Tyra grumbled.
Amanda was attending the new CEO's welcome party to make a statement. She'd walk into the place with her head held high, smile on her face. She knew that everybody was waiting to see whether she'd make an appearance.
She'd be damned if she gave them the idea that she was tucked in her apartment alone, afraid to attend an event that was potentially triggering for her.
She couldn't hide in the shadows forever. It was time to get back to her life. There wasn't a better time to make a grand entrance than that night.
"I don't care who he is," Amanda said, "as long as he knows how to do his job well."
"I doubt you'll be that detached once you see him," Tyra claimed. "He's your exact type."
"No thanks, I'm steering off my father's employees for the next hundred years."
Tyra sighed. "Not everyone is going to be an asshole, you know."
Amanda pressed a finger to her temple. After being friends with Tyra for many years, she was used to her being insensitive to situations. After what happened with Samuel, she’d thought the woman would think twice before trying to insinuate that Amanda gets entangled with the new CEO.
She chose the easy way out. "I know."
There was silence for a few seconds. Then Tyra said, "When you came back, I noticed that the pack of condoms I slipped into your suitcase was gone."
Amanda turned to her friend. "What?"
"Before you left for the resort, I snuck some condoms in your bag. I didn't find them yesterday when you came back."
Amanda looked away as heat rose on her cheeks. "You did? I never saw them. I must have dropped the packet at the cabin I was staying."
"Really? Sure you didn't have some mind blowing sex with some hunk you met at the resort?"
To get away from the chaos following her break up, Amanda had taken a trip to a mountain resort. Her plan had been to spend two weeks enjoying the serene scenery and healing from the pain in her heart. She ended up spending the first week entangled in the arms of a man she met the first day, having the rebound sex her therapist warned about.
Rebound or not, it was the best sex she had in years. It was such a shame she'd never see the guy again. But it didn't matter. It was for the best. While she threw caution to the wind for those few days, she needed time to heal and move on. Until then, it was wise to stay away from sexual and romantic entanglements.
Thinking about the man—Lucas Erikson, as he had introduced himself—made her feel warm inside. God, why had she not met him years before, in place of her ex-fiancé?
"What's that smile?" Tyra's voice interrupted her trip down memory lane.
"What smile?" Amanda asked, ridding her face of any traces of said expression.
Tyra narrowed her eyes at her. "You know, since you came back yesterday, you've had this glow to you."
"I did go away to freshen up, remember?"
"Nah, it's more than that. Don't bother lying, Amanda. Come on, spill. You hooked up at the resort, right?"
"Maybe."
Tyra gaped. "Oh my God, you naughty girl. You finally heeded my advice!"
While her therapist was advising against rebound sex and relationships, Tyra didn't think the sex was a bad idea. She had argued it would make her feel better and forget her lying and cheating ex-fiancé fast.
Amanda finally allowed herself to smile. "I couldn't help myself. He was too hot."
"That's the spirit, girl!" Tyra cheered. "You used up the entire packet. Must have been tons of sex."
Well, of course, given they kept at it until Lucas left a week later…
Before she could satisfy Tyra's curiosity, her cell phone beeped in her bag. Taking it out, she saw an incoming call from Cara, her assistant.
"Hello?"
"I have bad news."
Amanda tensed. "What is it?"
"Rebecca is coming to the party."
Amanda relaxed for a second, relieved that it had nothing to do with her ex. Then it hit. "Rebecca? You told me she wasn't coming."
"That's what she said when we sent the invite. She's coming with Keith."
"Are you joking with me, Cara?"
"No. I just found out a few minutes ago. I thought I should give you a heads up."
Amanda sighed into the phone. "Okay, thanks."
She hung up and placed her phone back into her bag.
"What's wrong?" Tyra asked in concern.
"Rebecca is coming to the party. With Keith."
Tyra cursed softly. "I thought she couldn't make it."
Amanda groaned. It was never a good day to come across her older sister. "Same."
Rebecca was probably attending the party to gloat and say a few mean things.
But Amanda was used to dealing with her. No matter how nasty she was, she always managed to escape her clutches without losing her sanity.
What Amanda wasn't used to dealing with was when Rebecca's husband, Keith, was beside her.
Keith, Amanda's first love. The man she gave her virginity to at nineteen.
Then he went abroad to study at the same University with Rebecca.
When the two came back, they were engaged.
Amanda's night was no longer looking as bright as she wanted it to be.
When Amanda and Tyra walked into the ballroom, all eyes turned to them. People parted ways, and a murmur rose. Amanda fought the urge to roll her eyes. You'd think they'd be less obvious about their staring and gossiping.
She was happy to have Tyra by her side. She wasn't sure anyone would have gathered enough courage to approach her.
"Amanda, dear, you look wonderful." Her father, Charles Lemaiyan, appeared, as if he had been watching the entryway for her arrival.
She smiled at him. "Hello, Dad."
Tyra exchanged greetings with Mr. Lemaiyan and excused herself.
"You look much better," her father commented. But then, a frown appeared on his brow. "You shouldn't have rushed your vacation. I have everything under control here."
Amanda placed a hand on his arm. He had always been so concerned about her. Compared to her older siblings, he definitely dotted on her more. "Dad, you know I'm a workaholic. Staying away from work would have made me more stressed out. A short vacation was all I needed. I'm good now."
Her father's brown eyes scrutinized her. "You better stay good because if you don't, I'll fire you myself."
She chuckled. "I know you would. I'll take care of myself, papa. Don't worry."
Lemaiyan Group was the majority shareholder of Lemaiyan Fits. As the chairman and major shareholder of the conglomerate, her father maintained control over the company.
"Let me introduce you to the new CEO," he said, leading her through the room. "I poached him from the most successful fashion startup to come out of New York in a decade."
"Stop bragging, Dad. You've told me that a hundred times already over the phone."
He chuckled. "Have I?"
Charles led her towards a cluster of suits, mostly executives from the company.
Amanda surveyed the group as they approached, trying to catch sight of a new face. Her heart missed a beat when her eyes landed on a familiar head of hair. For a moment, it reminded her of Lucas. But that was ridiculous. She must have been so into him those seven days they spent rolling in bed to have a mental image of the back of his head glued to her mind.
She momentarily gazed at the ceiling and inhaled deeply. It was time to push the man out of her mind.
Her father finally came to a stop. Her eyes adjusted to the group in front of them. They were now paying attention to the chairman.
"Gentlemen," the Chairman nodded at them in greeting. Amanda smiled and acknowledged them as they returned her father's greeting.
Then her father turned her to the man of the hour. Amanda's jaw fell to the floor along with her smile.
"Amanda, this is Lucas Erikson, the new CEO of Lemaiyan Fits. Lucas, this is Amanda, my youngest daughter. She's the reason Lemaiyan Fits exists today."
One Month Later “A Crumbling Empire? What Next for Lemaiyan Group After Amanda's Exit and Erika Lemaiyan’s Entry? Also Read: Never Seen Before Couple Photos of Amanda Lemaiyan and Lucas Erikson” Amanda pushed the notification away and made a mental note to unsubscribe from that and all the other news outlets that tended to push celebrity gossip to her inbox. She wasn’t interesting in keeping up with what the internet thought about her. She was even less interested in keeping up with gossip about the Lemaiyans. “We are here,” the driver said, bringing the car to a stop. Amanda’s gaze shifted to the outside. They had arrived at the docks. She put her phone into her bag and got out when the driver opened the door for her. Closing the door, he went to the back to retrieve her suitcase. “I’ll help you bring it to the boat,” he said, leading the way down the dock. “Thank you, David,” she told him, going after him. She saw Lucas the moment his boat came into sight. He stepped off the
“This is none of your fault, Amanda. He used you, just as he planned to use my daughter. So don’t apologise to me. Also, you heard from your mother. Adeline helped her after the accident, even when she herself was in a bad condition. She chose to save you. That was just like her, always prioritising others. And you know what’s amazing? Even if you’re not her blood, you grew up to be just like her. You were passionate about honouring her memory, and you lived every day for both her and you. You were the best thing that happened to me after she was gone. So you’ll always be my granddaughter. You’re my family, do you understand?”A tear rolled down Amanda’s face as she recalled Helena’s words after they had told her everything. She wiped her face and took a deep breath.She was standing outside the mansion, in the backyard. It was late, around eleven o’clock. The day had been a rollercoaster. Finally, everything was done. Helena had promised to make Charles pay for all the pain he had ca
Amanda was planning to make the drive to her parent’s place alone. She could no longer use Tom. He was on the company’s payroll, and she was no longer a part of that. After he had dropped her at the headquarters, she had instructed him to park the car in the parking basement so she could have an easier time leaving when she was done. If any reporters had already made it outside, the most they would get was sight of her speeding away. When she left Charles’s office, she took the elevator down to the parking basement. When she got there, instead of Tom waiting beside her car to hand over the keys, it was Lucas. Why was he there? She wasn’t ready to talk to him yet. She needed to go looking for her parents before settling things with him. “We can’t talk right now,” she told him when she got closer. Looking around, she asked, “Have you seen Tom around?”Lucas flashed a car key. “I’ll drive you.”Amanda shook her head instantly. “I’m going alone.”He shook his head. “You just drove four
When Amanda had opened the door to her cabin and found Lucas on the other side, her first instinct had been to throw herself into his arms. Ever since he told her the truth about her father, she had constantly craved one thing. His comfort. She felt… No, she knew that if he held her, everything would seem better. Just like back then when they first met. He had been there for her every time things went awry since that time, and never had he given her a reason to doubt his intentions towards her. But it was so hard, so hard to let go and give in to her need for him. Not when her mind kept reminding her of every time she trusted someone only to get betrayed at the end. First, it was Keith. Then Samuel. Tyra. And now, the last person she would have ever expected to betray her. Not to mention that her birth parents gave her away for money. It was as if every person she allowed to got close to would eventually hurt her. As if nobody ever cared enough to want to keep her around.Why should
“I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t disclose the personal details of our guests.” Lucas cursed softly and turned away, grabbing his hair in one hand. He should have known this would happen. But he wasn’t going to let his trip down here go to waste. “Are there any available cabins? I’d like to book one.” If she wasn’t going to tell him whether Amanda was at the resort, he would get in and look for her himself. The receptionist adopted an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, sir. All cabins are fully booked at the moment.” Why was his luck suddenly so rotten? “But, if you’d like, you can get a day ticket. If not, I can check when a cabin will be avail—” “The day ticket,” he interrupted her. “I’ll take a day ticket, please.” “Got it,” she said, turning to her computer monitor. “Would you like to rent any gear?” “No, I’m good.” Thank heaven
When Lucas showed up at Amanda’s building the next morning, she didn’t buzz him up. He was already worried because his calls hadn’t gone through when he called her after he woke up. Apprehensive, he punched in her code, which he was familiar with, but he quickly realised she had changed it. It was after a couple more unsuccessful calls that he thought to check her car in the parking basement. After a couple minutes of checking and double checking, he realised it wasn’t there. Which meant she wasn’t at the apartment. Where could she have gone? The office? To see her father? A quick call to the office revealed she hadn’t showed up there. He drove straight to the headquarters, meaning to go check whether she was at her father’s office. But when he got there, Charles’s secretary informed him that Charles was in a meeting, and no, Amanda hadn’t showed up there either. He called up people he never thought he
“What’s wrong?” Amanda asked, noticing how agitated Lucas seemed. She had just told him about her grandmother’s offer, and how she had met Bolton Group’s lawyer that morning. He had given her some documents to review, and informed her that Helena wanted everything done by New Year’s. After New Year’s Day, she was supposed to have her inaugural meeting with the company’s board of directors. She had thought Lucas would be happy to hear the news. Instead, he looked worried. He stood up from the couch and paced, shoving a hand through his dark hair. Finally, he looked at her, his gaze earnest. “Don’t accept the company.” Amanda frowned. “What?” “It’ll put your life in danger.” Amanda’s frown deepened. “What are you talking about?” Lucas sat back down and took her hand in his. “If something happened to you right now, who would get what you have?”
When Lucas got to Tyra’s apartment building, he recognized Amanda’s car in the basement parking lot right away.As he got closer with his car, he saw that she was in the driver’s seat. Parking his car next to hers, he alighted and walked over to hers.Through the window, he could see that she was crying, sniffling into a tissue. He gunned straight for the passenger side and tried to open the door. It gave way and he slid into the seat, eyes on her distressed face.“Amanda, what’s wrong?” he asked, cradling one side of her face with his hand and turning her to face him. His other hand lifted to wipe away wetness beneath her left eye.She dropped her eyes and shook her head, crumpling the tissue in her hand and dumping it in a mini trash bin placed in the cup holder.“You said you got the video, right?” he asked.
On the evening of the day after Christmas, Amanda’s doorbell rang. When she went over to check the monitor, she was surprised to find Keith standing outside the building, awaiting her clearance. Sighing, she pressed the intercom button. “What do you want?” “Let me up, Amanda. I have something important for you.” She rubbed her fingers on her temple. “Look, Keith. This is a bad time.” No time would have been a good time for him to show up at her apartment, but she had no energy to get into that. The day was drawing to a close, and she had just negotiated with the blackmailer to accept just half of what they were asking, then give her another day to put it together. Their parting shot had been—‘If I don’t get the money by tomorrow afternoon, I’ll release the video.’ “Trust me, there couldn’t be a better time,” Keith said. Then he lifted his hand. He
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