SAVANNAHRafael caressed the curve of my lower back while his one hand was on the back of my neck, his thumb gently circling my jaw.My body melted from each touch. His every move was gentle—coaxing, seducing, and maybe because I was already looking forward to tonight, my sensitive skin felt like it was on fire.Maybe I was still afraid to accept Rafael’s offer, but if this was the only way he knew he could give me, so be it. I wanted to be with him, too. Whatever reason stopped him from opening up more, I would try to respect it until he was ready.Nonetheless, I let go of my fears, averting my mind from any odds that hadn’t even happened. Rafe slowly glided his hand to my thighs, wrapping them to his. And then he lifted me up. My legs were now wrapped around his waist while his palm rested on the bump of my ass.Without breaking our hot, sleek kiss, Rafe brought me to the couch so I would sit. I knew where this night was going, but I had already lost the sense to protest. I was look
RAFAELI’d imagined this scenario dozens of times in the past month – the beautiful, brown-haired Savannah in my penthouse, my living room, her luscious body bared and spread before me; her round hazel eyes pleading to me to take her. But I didn’t exactly think I would do it. I tried to avoid acquainting myself with her, but I ended up wanting her more. It was amazing how I could still feel the soft tissues of her pussy around my cock.Savi was now coming out of my bedroom, wearing my T-shirt and sweatpants. It was huge on her but seeing her in my clothes sent an inexplicable delight in my chest. I was envious at the same time of the piece of fabric. I wanted her in my arms again.No one except my family had been into my private space; no other woman had walked into my bedroom except if it was my housekeeper, Annie, who came in two times a week. She was a middle-aged woman.I couldn’t wait to make her fully mine and show her to the public. I’d order my agent to process her divorce tom
SAVANNAH“She’s probably devastated. She’s worried about her so much,” I commented, referring to Sofia’s mother. I was now resting in Rafe’s arms on the couch.I refused to tell Jocelyn about me and her daughter or Edward because it might become an issue with Rafe’s business deal. I was supposed to be an outsider—or just an employee in that meeting. My personal life shouldn’t mix with my career, and I was only new to my job. I also didn’t want to deceive Estrellas; hence, I avoided telling them. I didn’t want it to come from me. But truth always prevailed, and it was fast. Our lives had been tangled in the most unexpected way. Our connections were still incredible, knowing I met Rafe on different occasions.But it was surprising to know I could be of help to Rafael in the way he told me about Emilio’s conversation with Carter.“But did they already decide to sign with you?”“That’s what we’re about to find out.”“If they’re not interested in working with you, they won’t ask to see us
SAVANNAHRafe was not on my side when I woke up the next morning. I had sex with a demigod until the last ounce of energy in my body; I’d slept in his arms serenely. But something else felt odd. I wasn’t sure if I was dreaming, but I thought Rafe didn’t stay beside me. I just didn’t feel his presence.He was dressed now in an impeccable black suit, walking back and forth to his bedroom. A phone was pressed on his ear, and he seemed anxious.“What? Are you sure, Pax? Because twenty years ago, my parents gave up on following that lead.” He paused. “No, they looked, and they stopped. They stopped, but I didn’t... No, don’t tell anyone... Yes, yes. Come to my office by lunchtime.” He hung up and started pacing again with his two fingers pressing the pressure point of his temples. He cursed under his breath.“Is everything okay?” I asked. Only then did he notice me.“Hey”He was hesitating if he should come to me or not, so I made the first move. I guess I shouldn’t ask him where he slept.
SAVANNAHMichael was at his desk when I got home. I knocked on his already opened door to get his attention.“Savi,” he said, looking at me through his glasses.I lifted the take-out Chinese food I bought on the way. “I got your favorite.” Michael’s favorites were dim sum, while I craved wanton noodles. I had to better focus on my brother, who was also alone in this house.He smiled and removed his glasses. “I know when you’re nice to me. Do you need something?”I laughed. “You know me well.”We both went down. I took out some plates to prepare snacks and served Michael what he liked.“It’s not every time I can do this, you know,” I said. “When you find a new girlfriend, I’ll leave you alone.” I placed chopsticks in front of him.I loved our little moments like this. It always took me back to when I was just a little girl who didn’t want to be separated from my only brother because we were the only ones left in the world.He took the first bite of his dumpling before he asked me. “Wha
SAVANNAHAfter the meeting with Carter discussing our plans with PeekFlix, the meeting closed with a decision that Sebastian Entertainment would take care of its international affairs, and the Mexican office would function under the same management. Emilio would remain its CEO, but Jacob had been given a higher position in the new office they would establish in New York. Finally, the film franchises’ plans were presented on the projector screen for the wrap-up.The two businessmen then signed the papers in front of the press, and the reporters joined the meeting for the interview.“Thank you for giving us this exclusive scoop,” the blonde reporter with bright lipstick said.“We all work in the same industry. We ought to share the good news,” Carter said.“You will have a special event for the official announcement of these two companies joining ventures, is that correct?” she asked again.“Yes. As PeekFlix finally embraces its new milestone, the world should know what we have in store
SAVANNAHWhile we ate, Rafael showed me a black and fragrant envelope as if it were an invitation. On the opening was a wax seal embossed with the letter S in a beautiful cursive font.“It’s my mother’s birthday this week, the day after your class reunion. My mother has been planning this for a long time. I only told you now because they are sending out the official invitations to select friends and relatives. I want you to come with me. It’ll be our first appearance in front of my parents.”I didn’t even want to open the invitation because of its beautiful design, but I was curious about the writing, so I put down my salad wrap and opened the envelope.A lilac-colored paper was enclosed in it. I drew it out and read the contents.“Fifty and Fabulous!”Rachel W. SebastianCelebrate with this great woman, a devoted mother and wife, and entrepreneur, this Sunday at seven at the Sebastian House on Long Island, New YorkThis was it. We were getting to the most crucial part of this agreeme
SAVANNAHRiley looked out the window while I put on a necklace in front of the mirror. She was now dressed in a purple silk evening gown she had prepared weeks ago. Her perfect wavy hair graciously fell over her shoulders.“Rafael Sebastian really is something, isn’t he? He sent us a limo. Won’t your boyfriend come with us?” she asked.“He said we should go first. He suddenly has some important last-minute thing to do. But I didn’t know he was going to send a fancy chauffeur.” I wore my pearl earrings, perfect for my black designer off-shoulder maxi dress with a front slit on the right thigh.Riley shut down the blinds and joined me in front of the mirror. “Damn, Savi. We look hot.”I made a pose, sticking out my butt. “Yeah. It’s been a while since we dressed up like this.”“Hey, Riley, Sav.” Wesley knocked on the door. “Are you going to be there long? I’m going out first since I’m picking up Lana.”“Yeah, sure! You go first,” Riley answered. “Oops. I just have one more thing to do.
SAVANNAH Two years later... I expected to see this day but didn’t expect to feel melancholy. Carter was packing his stuff in a big blue box, like someone who got fired from his job. But his expression was too joyful for someone leaving his post. I was happy for him at the same time. We’d worked together for a couple of years now, and we were so productive. Seeing him step down as CMO would make a drastic change for the office and the entire management. Well, he was following his dreams. He was leaving the entertainment world for a new career journey. He had finally built the perfumery company that he had wanted all along. As for me, I would be the new CMO and Rafe’s partner in life. Yep, that was the proper name for it. “Take care of my office, will you?” Carter said as he transferred his pile of old binders to a box. “You know what to do with these?” “Yes, when I needed ideas from our previous work. Visit us, okay?” He chuckled. “Come on, Savi. We’ve been practically a family e
SAVANNAH“A toast. For all of us!” Rafe lifted his champagne glass as we gathered after the program. The Estrellas and some familiar faces in the company had also joined us at our table. With that, everyone raised their glasses and then drank their champagne.“Thank you, darling.” Rachel put her glass down and clasped her hands. “You see, everyone. I’ve always asked myself whether this time will come, and I’ll be present to witness it.”Everyone turned silent.“But here I am, seeing all of you, celebrating our success. I can’t ask for anything more.” Her gaze stopped at Michael, and she smiled. “I’ve never felt so happy again until this moment. And to my husband and children. Thank you for making this possible, and congratulations to us all.”Everyone at the round table applauded and sipped on their drinks again.“Congratulations to the additional family member, too,” a sophisticated-looking woman in a blue gown commented. She seemed about Rachel’s age.“Oh, Anya is giving birth six m
SAVANNAHThree weeks later…After convincing Michael to officially meet the Sebastians, he hardly had any sleep. I could tell by the dark shades underneath his eyes and how he always asked me what to say to them. He looked nervous but was still very handsome, just like his brother. They were fraternal twins, but was it ironic that I was seeing a resemblance now?Someone knocked on the door, and then Rafe let himself in. “Is everyone ready?”Last week, I moved into his penthouse, which I basically consider my personal space now. We hadn’t told anyone about our engagement since we wanted his parents to meet Michael first and then our announcement. It should be private. He also insisted I invite Michael here yesterday so they could talk.In addition, Michael didn’t know there was a huge celebration in the company tonight. It was the sixtieth founding anniversary of Sebastian Entertainment Group and Rafe’s appointment as the new chairman. Michael had changed his ties many times now in fr
RAFAEL“A week after Mikhail went missing, and the news spread to the school,” I began the story I never told anyone. It tortured me to share this part of my life with someone, but not this me. Surprisingly, I felt fine. My tranquility was her doing.Savannah was now leaning on my chest with my arm on her shoulders on the bed. I loved smelling her vanilla-scented hair. We fucked and made love in the last three hours, but I still couldn’t get enough. I needed more of her.“The kids watched, the teachers felt sorry, and that was when Brett’s friends came to me. They told me what happened at the amusement park. We came back every day. Dad hired people to find him, but he was gone. He didn’t speak to me for a while.”“So you blame yourself because you thought he blamed you. Your dad mentioned something about it,” she said. That was probably when they spoke at the beach. “Why do you think he blamed you?”“I brought him there after school. Mikhail didn’t speak, but he understood me. I asked
RAFAELI couldn’t imagine their faces when I told them Mikhail was alive. Dad had lost hope. My mother still mourned in her sleep. Julian was young when Mikhail went missing, so he couldn’t remember much. My twin was a lost boy who never found his way back home. It had been three decades.I thought it was impossible. I thought when Brett showed me the papers, he was messing with me again, trying to destroy the sanity left in me. But when I saw Michael Gibson, the man who raised the only woman that brought me back to life, when he told me how he got lost before I could say anything, I knew it was him. It was a small world, but it took us time to find each other.It was her. Savannah brought him back to me.Mikhail wasn’t as he was twenty-nine years ago. I worried because of his speech disability, the world would be cruel to him, but he grew up as a man better than I’d become. He stood on his own and became a self-made man. He loved Savannah and protected her. I should be ashamed.I hur
SAVANNAHMichael and the girls were in the living room when Rafe left a few moments ago. They were staring at me with a googly as if waiting for me to say something. I wondered if my brother had told them anything. In addition, it was still strange to see Sofia sitting in our living room.I sat on the sofa across from them.“What now?” Riley said.I looked at my brother. “Do you mind me telling them?”Michael tensed up, folding his arms across his chest. “I supposed they already know, so there’s no point asking.”“Sorry,” I murmured.I started explaining from the beginning—about how Michael told me he was still looking for his family. My friends knew my brother was adopted, but we didn’t speak about it because it seemed unnatural. Michael was already there when I was growing up. My brother even surprisingly answered Riley’s questions.“Please, don’t tell anyone about this yet. Even with your parents, Sofia,” I pleaded.“Of course. I understand,” she said softly.
SAVANNAHMy whole body shivered. Rafe’s question only meant that they were talking about Michael. Gradually, I understood what was happening.There were things Rafael didn’t tell me. Things about him he couldn’t entrust others yet, especially to someone like me whom he had just met. That was human nature, so I understood and was still waiting. But things between the two of us kept getting deeper.It wasn’t just any person who’d accidentally become a part of his life.Rafe had a sibling (a twin) he’d lost many years ago, and it was my very own brother. The same person who raised me, the same person who carried and fed me as a child. It wasn’t just about his family—it was mine too.Rafe and I’s connection to the Reeds was already problematic. I wasn’t sure what to believe because the coincidence was too bewildering; it almost seemed impossible.Unable to answer or move, Rafe snatched my hand and dragged me to his car with brute force. My wrist was hurting, but the noise in my mind from
SAVANNAHThe past few weeks have been busy in the office. I missed Rafe terribly despite my anger at what happened in Long Island. His absence had me overthinking things about him and Erin—things he refused to tell me.I hadn’t heard from Rafe since his last message and only followed him on the news. He was in many meetings and conferences, but Billy and Carter assured me everything was going fine. They didn’t tell me when they were returning. I’d just take what I could get and let him explain when he returned.But today, I stood before his brother because I needed to leave early. Brett was picking me up to take me to Brooklyn, eagerly looking forward and hoping I’d meet Michael’s family. However, Carter had to bring another piece of news.“Rafe’s returning today.”A pool of emotions lifted up my heart. Excitement? Restlessness? I wasn’t sure. “He is? What time?”“Not sure, but he has probably left the office now.”I heaved an exhale. “Thanks for giving me an update every now and then
SAVANNAHI spent the next hour talking to Michael about Rafe. He’d love a bit of honesty, although I kept some privacy for myself. He listened, but he was frantic. My brother wasn’t the type to show it all throughout.“Savannah, that is not okay to leave a girlfriend alone at god knows where for any reason,” he pressed.“I know, but I don’t want to make an issue about it before hearing his explanation.”He shook his head. “You’re too kind.”“Well, I was raised this way.”He arched his eyebrow. “So it’s my fault.”“No! Because you’re too kind to me.” I held his hand. “Michael, we’re still new. He’s still figuring things out because the last time he had a relationship was over a decade ago.”“And you believed him?”“Yes. Why would a man lie about his relationship? As far as I know, men like to brag about it.”“Well… You’re not wrong, although I’m not the type,” he defended. “But please know that if he ever hurt you, he’ll have to face me.”I gave him a smile. “Thank you, but I’ll figure