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2021-09-18 17:30:00Chapter seven
Diane walked into the kitchen as the aroma of bacon and egg wafted through her nose.
"Good morning ma'am, would you like your breakfast to be served?" The cook asked.
"Heavens! please serve it to me. I'm starved." She groaned, her love for food was an understatement.
The cook chuckled and nodded. She served her the bacon and egg and watched as she ate it, she wanted the lady of the house approval of her meal that's why she specially prepared it.
Diane moaned softly as the taste of the food hit her taste buds. She began to rush it earning a chuckle from the cook.
"This is magnificent, this is heavenly." She complimented in between her meal.
"Thanks ma'am."
"It's Diane, what's your name?"
"Charlotte. I'm glad you like it." Charlotte beamed with happiness. It was a great deal for Charlotte, Dario had never ever said a thank you to her at least the lady of the house appreciates her work.
"You know what Charlotte you'll have to teach me your recipe. I'm sure Elena would kill for it."
Charlotte chuckled. "No problem, anytime Diane."
Diane was about to take another bite when Dennis walked in with another cute young boy. She sent him a bright smile but he returned it with a deep scowl.
"Good morning." The young boy who stood beside Dennis greeted.
"Good morning sweetie, would you like some bacon and egg?"
The young boy glinted with sheer happiness as he walked towards her slowly.
"Gabby what are you doing?" Dennis questioned with annoyance as he stared at his stupid best friend who was falling for the witch spell.
Gabriel stopped on his tracks and turned to him. "She's nice and she's offering me breakfast."
"That's the red witch!" Dennis said with consternation.
"Dennis! Say sorry to her this instance." Charlotte cautioned.
"I won't." He stamped his feet on the ground. "I rather not eat than apologise to her." He folded his arms prepared to go through with his promise.
"Denny," Gabriel called eyes wide. He wondered what was wrong with his best friend, this woman is not a witch, she's the sweetest and kindest step mother he knows, has ever seen.
Diane felt hurt that Dennis stopped his friend from collecting the food she offered. She covered it up immediately when she noticed Charlotte gaze on her.
"Don't worry Char," she turned to Dennis who still had a deep scowl on his face. "You don't have to miss breakfast because of me, I'll be leaving now."
She stood up and left the kitchen bumping into Garrett outside.
"Diane.."
She cut him off immediately not wanting any apology. "I'll be going out and won't be back till late evening." She said and left.
____________________________________
Diane met Jason and Elena in the hospital, Ruby was going to be discharged today.
"Good morning." She greeted them as she drew closer.
"Morning." They replied.
Jason pulled her into a brotherly hug and kissed her forehead."I'm sorry I wasn't around when all this happened." He apologised. "I should have been there."
"It's nothing. You had things doing." She replied as they watched the doctors run some small tests on Ruby before she was fully discharged.
"How's Dario?" Elena questioned.
Jason frowned at that. "Who is Dario?"
Diane and Elena both exchanged glances, how could they forget to inform Jason on the new developments. Jason was going to be Elena husband on Saturday and Jason was a brother to her and they missed out on informing him about Dario.
"Diane is married to him." Elena broke the news.
They both watched his guarded expression. His face was blank then it shifted to frown, confusion and then it stopped at hurt.
"We're so sorry, we didn't mean for you not to know." Diane tried to apologise without getting him pissed.
"Why wasn't I aware of this?" He yelled at the brink of anger.
The nurse passing by shot a hard glare at him and mouthed, "be quiet." He glared at her back and turned to Elena and her.
"I can't believe this, who is he? How can I not know?" He was exasperated.
"Dario Simpson." Elena answered.
Jason paused and stared at both of them in awe, the Dario Simpson? This can't be possible, no it can't be. He shook his head and began pacing up and down the hallway. Diane can't be married to that arrogant jerk, that obnoxious bastard. He was about to come forward and let them knowo about his displeasure with this but he was stopped.
Ruby came out with the doctor, she had a cast on her left arm, her head was bandaged and a small plaster on her face below her eyes. She stared at her mother, aunt and uncle Jay. She wondered where her uncle Andy was, did he not like her anymore? Why wasn't he here to take her back home? She didn't dwell on it for a long time because uncle Jay flashed her one of his famous smiles.
"Oncle Jay!" she screamed as she ran towards him to get a hug.
"Careful Ruby," Diane shouted her heart almost out of her chest.
"Hey munchkin," Jason said bending low to her height though he still towered above her.
She tried to fling her arms around him but that just caused a sharp pain on her left hand. She hissed immediately and returned the arm back to its position.
"Careful munchkin." Jason said as he assessed her.
Diane smiled fondly at Jason and Ruby, he was the father figure in her life and the love Jason showered on her would make you think they were father and daughter. She blinked away a stray tears from her eye, she didn't want memories of her ex boyfriend haunting her.
She missed the conversation between Ruby and Jason because of her wondering thoughts but she grabbed the part of Jason buying her ice cream. She was in Jason's arms as they walked out of the hospital heading home. She watched as Ruby blabbered on to Jason and Elena about what went on in the hospital, making hand gestures which was weird because she was doing it with one hand. Jason and Elena laughed about her poor description of a doctor which she said was evil.
Diane thoughts wandered off to Dario house. She wondered what will happen when Dennis sees Ruby, she was scared of the things he would do to her. She knew he lacked attention and that's why he misbehaved and is bittered but she wants to let him know that she would never be a wicked stepmother.
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Chapter nine "Ruby!!" Diane screamed as she chased Ruby downstairs. "C'mon Ruby I don't have the whole day." She groaned stamping her feet. Ruby giggled as she made her mom chase her. It was too early and she didn't want to have her bath. Diane was getting frustrated by the 'catch me if you can' Ruby was playing. She knew all the screaming and shouting and probably the gasping from diverted heart attack had caused a ruckus in the house. This was just 5am in the morning and she had to bath and dress up Ruby for Elena's wedding. She missed the bachelorette party last night because of Ruby and Dennis, she didn't want to miss dressing her up, being the chief bride's maid and Ruby the little bride. "Ruby I swear..." She halted her words same time as Ruby stopped running and turned to face her with her face scrunched up in confusion. Ruby held her rag doll with her good hand as she sta
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Chapter tenDiane stood behind Lena dressed in a lacey burgundy off shoulder mermaid dress while Lena was dressed in a white mermaid gown which was also off shoulder...a simple dress. She felt like she was stealing Lena spotlight but she couldn't refuse the dress...it was beautiful and a gift from Jason. She even told Lena she didn't want to wear the dress because it would make her stand out but Lena being Lena waved it off.Lena held a bunch of pink roses...it being her favourite flower. Her raven black hair was all curled up like Goldy locks... Of course Goldy locks and the three bears her favourite cartoon. This was her dream wedding a combination of all her favourite things.Lena looked into Jason's eyes and everything else around her...them became still...this is it, the time she finally gets spend the rest of her life with Jason. She didn't think anything could go wrong. She received a sweet smile from Jason that melted her heart and made the
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Chapter elevenDiane moved skillfully in the kitchen as she prepared dinner. She had intentionally given Charlotte a break, to leave the cooking duties to her. She felt helpless and bored since Elena was not back from her honeymoon and decided to take on the cooking duties.At first, Dennis wouldn't eat anything she made, he starved himself of home made meals for almost a week until Dario came home one evening and requested for dinner. She had prepared lasagna that day and served it to him in the dinning room. Ruby, her and Dario sat eating she didn't expect to see Dennis assume the seat next to Dario and politely ask for dinner. It was a sight to behold. Since then Dario and Dennis made it to dinner every night even though there were only small talks made between Ruby and Dario, sometimes Dennis adding in.It felt like a family, a broken one trying to find their way.Dennis had become a chang
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Chapter twelve"Are you going to be okay?" Ronnie asked from where he sat in Dario office.Dario nodded but it didn't seem like he meant it. He relaxed his hand on the mahogany table in front of him and buried his head in his palms.Ronnie didn't look convinced a bit. He wanted the best for his brother but he knew he couldn't ease his heart ache. He wanted to speak but he couldn't— he knew how touchy the subject was to Dario especially today."Dario, I don't want to leave you alone." Ronnie said as a matter of fact. He knew where this was going to end and that was what he was trying to avoid.Dario chuckled dryly. "It's not going to change this time."Every year Ronnie offered help to Dario but Dario bluntly refuses. Be This year wasn't going to be any different.Ronnie sighed as he watched his brother with pity eyes. At least this year is better than the previous. The previous years following the death
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Chapter thirteen"What are you doing?" Diane asked Charlotte as she walked into the kitchen."I'm making pizza." She replied "it's Dennis favourite. It's like a tradition.""Tradition?""It's his birthday." She grinned."His birthday?" Shocked and surprised, why did no one inform her of this.... she's been trying to get Dennis to like her and this was the opportunity she had been looking for. "Let me help." Diane said and joined Charlotte in preparing the pizza.Charlotte and Diane worked their magic in preparing the pizza. Diane had suggested to throw a small birthday party in honour of Dennis when she found out Dario never celebrated Dennis birthday. When the minced chicken for the pizza was in the frying pan, she started out for the cake.She added butter and cream into the mixer and began creaming, she creamed until it was fluffy and light. She set that aside and started with the eggs. She worked willing
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Chapter fourteen Chapter fifteen Dario rolled in his bed with his hands massaging his temples. "What the hell?" He muttered under his breath trying to ease the banging in his head. He rolled off his bed and untangled the sheets that covered him with his right hand still massaging his right temple. He noticed he was still on his cloths from the previous day. He groaned loudly as he remembered last night.... scattering the party, shouting at Diane, shouting at Dennis, Aaron punching him...What happened after that he couldn't remember....he tried pushing in bit nothing came. "Fuck me!" He stood up heading to the bathroom when his eyes caught sight of the glass of water and the packet of Advil resting on his bedside table. He knew none of his workers ever goes into his room, no one had ever brought him Advil for his hangovers. He knew Diane left it there for him. He felt guilty for treating her
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Chapter fifteenDario sat in his study beating himself up for his useless attempt at apologising whilst anticipating the play date with Ruby. What in God's name does a play date entails. "Why do I have to be such a jerk? I mean what's so hard in saying I'm sorry." He muttered under his breath as he ran his fingers through his hair.A knock brought his attention to the door."Come in." He answered staring at the door to see who it was.Diane walked in with Charlotte behind her, carrying a tray of food. She wanted to surprise....or maybe get something from him and the only way to a man's heart is through food.Dario stared at her in surprise wondering what she was up to, she had clearly stated just few minutes ago that she would not serve him breakfast and now she......"Hey Dario, ummh, I brought you breakfast as you requested." She bit
Last Updated : 2021-10-03
Latest chapter
The Contract Living with the billionaires 33
Chapter thirty three Morning light filtered through the curtains as Ronnie and Catherine caught their breath after a wild night. They had barely finished round two—one in the bedroom and another in the bathroom—when Ronnie, still feeling the aftermath, decided it was time to call for breakfast. Just as he reached for her phone, a knock echoed through the room. "Room service!" came the cheerful call. Before Ronnie could respond, the door swung open, revealing Dario and Theo, grinning ear to ear as they wheeled in a lavish breakfast spread, the aroma of fresh pancakes and sizzling bacon filling the air. "Wow!!!" Theo exclaimed, his eyes wide as he took in the scene, glancing between the two of them. Catherine instinctively tugged down her t-shirt, trying to shield herself from their amused gazes. "It’s not like I haven’t seen it before," Dario quipped, dodging a pillow thrown at him by Ronnie. "Relax, just joking!" "What are you two doing here?" Ronnie asked, feigning annoyance bu
The Contract Living with the billionaires 32
Chapter thirty two Catherine opened her eyes to find Ronnie gazing at her, a mix of emotions swirling in his eyes. He hadn’t said the “L” word back yet, but at that moment, she didn’t care. "Good morning. How long have you been awake?" she yawned, stretching. His fingers tangled gently in her hair as he replied with a breathtaking smile. "I don’t know... long enough." Her eyes widened. "Seriously? You’ve just been staring at me?" He nodded, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. She felt a rush of embarrassment and covered her eyes with her hands. "What if I drooled while sleeping?" she pouted, half-laughing. "You’d look cute doing it, just like you do now." He leaned in and stole a kiss, leaving her momentarily speechless. Wait—what? She hadn’t even brushed her teeth! Last night had been unforgettable; it was her first time, and they’d made love more than five times after she confessed her feelings. She could still feel the aftershocks of those intense moments. "I love
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Chapter thirty one Catherine sighed, sinking deeper into the bed, covering her face with her hands. "I know... I was so stupid. I told him everything, thinking he couldn’t hear me. But he wasn’t fully unconscious—he could hear every word." Hayden’s eyes widened as she sat down beside Catherine. "Catherine, how could you let that slip?" She looked utterly shocked, her voice laced with concern. "What are you going to do now?" "I don’t know," Catherine muttered, her voice muffled by the pillow. "Dario doesn’t seem angry, but... I feel like I’ve made everything more complicated. And then there’s Ronnie..." Hayden raised an eyebrow, leaning closer. "Ronnie? What about him?" Catherine let out a frustrated sigh. "Dario and Theo think he’s in love with me. They said he’s been jealous this whole time, that he doesn’t even care about Lucy." Her voice wavered with uncertainty. "But he’s engaged, Hayden. And I don’t know if they’re just trying to make me feel better or if I should even belie
The Contract Living with the billionaires 30
Chapter thirty Mason arrived to pick Catherine up after breakfast with her parents. The entire experience still felt surreal. She had a family—a mother, a father, and a sister. Not just any sister, but a twin. The thought twisted uncomfortably in her chest. Was Caitlin the reason she’d been missing all these years? It felt wrong to place all the blame on her. The memories Catherine had unlocked revealed she hadn’t been the easiest child—she was a brat back then, angry and reckless. But still, Caitlin could have told someone the moment she pushed her overboard. She could’ve alerted an adult, instead of waiting until morning to start pretending to look for her. By then, Catherine had likely drifted miles away from the ship, lost in the storm. Maybe even dead—or so they all thought. Catherine sighed. They were adults now, and she had no intention of holding on to the past. But still, Caitlin’s absence lingered in her mind. Where was she? Why hadn’t she returned? "Hey, you look so wor
The Contract Living with the billionaires 29
Chapter twenty nine "What are you doing?" The voice was faint, like an echo from a long-forgotten past. She froze, her breath catching in her throat. She stood aboard a ship she had never set foot on before, yet it felt eerily familiar. In the distance, two figures—a pair of young girls—argued in the heart of a raging storm. The one facing her, drenched and defiant, was unmistakably herself, younger and more reckless. Slowly, she approached, the wind whipping her hair, saltwater stinging her skin. From a safe distance, she finally saw the face of the second girl, the one with her back turned. Her heart stilled. It was like staring into a mirror—another version of her younger self. "Why do you always do that?" the other girl spat, her voice sharp with frustration, cutting through the roar of the storm. "What do you care?" Young Catherine shot back, her chin lifting defiantly. "I take what I want. If I can't have it, I'll guilt them into giving it to me. And if I still can't have it
The Contract Living with the billionaires 28
Chapter twenty eight Arriving at the imposing Smoak mansion, Catherine's thoughts swirled with a potent mix of apprehension and uncertainty. Helen's unexpected invitation for her to spend the night with her and Christian only added to the whirlwind of emotions. Despite Rosita's initial reluctance, she relented after some persuasion from Jacob, leaving Catherine to grapple with her own inner turmoil.Her mind still reeling from Ronnie and Lucy's bombshell announcement, Catherine felt as though the ground had shifted beneath her feet, leaving her adrift in a sea of uncertainty. Catherine's thoughts drifted to Theo's cryptic message, his urgent plea for a conversation when she returns weighing heavily on her mind. The memory of his embrace, tinged with a sense of foreboding, lingered like an ominous shadow.Pushing aside the turmoil, Catherine resolved to lose herself in the grandeur of the Smoak mansion. The sight of the sprawling estate, adorned with a majestic fountain and meticulou
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Chapter twenty sevenDario nudged her forward, urging her towards the couple who stood before her, Caitlin's parents. Catherine hesitated, feeling an unfamiliar shyness wash over her as she approached."Hey, Dad," Catherine greeted tentatively, her voice sounding foreign as she waved hesitantly. It felt strange to utter the word "dad," a term she hadn't used since her days in foster care."Aw, come here, sweetheart, don't be shy," her father coaxed, enveloping her in a warm embrace. "I love you, shortcake," he murmured, planting a tender kiss atop her head.Tears threatened to well up as Catherine soaked in the overwhelming flood of emotions. This was what it felt like to be truly loved and cared for—a sensation she had only dreamed of experiencing within the confines of a real family.As her father released her, Catherine turned to face his wife, Helen. Tentatively, she wrapped her arms around Helen, feeling a slight stiffness in return. But amidst the whirlwind of emotions, Catherine
The Contract Living with the billionaires 26
Chapter twenty sixAs the resonant knock echoed through their room, Catherine shot Dario a quizzical look, confusion etched into her features. "Expecting someone?" she inquired, her tone laced with curiosity.Dario's solemn shake of the head only deepened Catherine's perplexity as she rose to confront the mysterious visitor. With a hesitant twist of the knob, she swung the door open to reveal Mia, Rosita's personal maid."Mia?" Catherine called out, her brow furrowing with bewilderment. She couldn't recall ever exchanging more than passing pleasantries with the elusive servant, making her early appearance all the more intriguing.With a graceful bow, Mia delivered her enigmatic message, her voice soft yet laden with unspoken secrets. "Ma'am Rosita requests your presence," she intoned, her head bowed in deference."Why?" Catherine probed, her gaze searching for any hint of explanation in Mia's lowered stance."She didn't disclose her intentions, miss," Mia replied, her eyes never meeti
The Contract Living with the billionaires 25
Chapter twenty five"No, no, no, please, don't," Catherine pleaded, her voice a desperate whisper echoing through the confines of her nightmare. With each thrash and turn, she battled against the unseen adversary lurking within her dreams."Cait, Cait," Dario's voice broke through the darkness, his hands reaching out to steady her thrashing form. "C'mon, Cait," he urged, his tone a mixture of urgency and reassurance. "Snap out of it!"His words pierced the veil of her dreams, pulling her back to consciousness with a jolt. Gasping for air, Catherine's eyes darted around the room, searching for signs of the unseen danger that had haunted her sleep. Yet, it was Dario's presence beside her that anchored her in reality, his steady gaze a lifeline in the tumult of her subconscious.Their eyes met, a silent exchange of emotions passing between them. In Dario's gaze, Catherine found concern and relief intertwined, a reflection of his unwavering support in her darkest moments. And as the echoes
