GRAY’S POV“I am sorry, dear, but you know how much I bonded with your wife ever since I became one of your maids. Saying these words to you might make me lose my job, but my disappointment is thicker than my love for your family…” I watched how tears fell from Lucia’s eyes one by one. Seeing Serena for the first time might have triggered something in her. She was still probably grieving, and having to be face-to-face with someone who looked exactly like Jane surely woke up something inside her. Ever since Jane died and Lucia became aware of what was the reason behind it, her treatment toward me had gone cold. You would not see Lucia passing by me without asking how my day was or if something bad happened to my day. But ever since she learned about everything, she would not even glance at me and would only nod whenever I would talk to her. She wasn’t saying anything, but I knew she blamed my family. She was blaming us. She was blaming me. “I understand, Lucia,” I stated in a low to
AERAH’S POV“Aaaaaaaa! Fuck you, Serena! Fuck you! Why do you keep getting all men in Texas?! Damn!”No matter how many times I refresh Serena Ambers’ comment section, Landon Mitchell’s name would still appear at the top. I had been doing it since yesterday, hoping that something would change and the man of my dreams’ name would disappear. Still, it wasn’t gone. His name and his comment stayed the same as if telling me that I really stood no chance against Serena when it came to Landon’s type.“Minimize your voice, girl. People are staring at you,” Kelsey stated as she rested her face on her palm, almost rolling her eyes at me. Just like me, we were both in a bad mood. I thought I ruined her day, as she would not feel the same way I did if I did not call her to be with me. Kelsey had other plans and I only forced her to listen to my rants that was why she was here.“Do you agree that I am prettier than Serena? That girl didn’t even have my curves! How can Landon call her beautiful wh
SERENA’S POVWhat? Mr. Moore? Did I hear her right? I could see Miranda trying so hard to block the gate just so the people outside would not see us. Damn, what the hell is he doing here? Kaihly said that it was just Gray’s secretary outside! “She is resting right now, Sir. I don’t think Ms. Ambers would like it if you would go inside without her permission…”What the hell?Irritated, I took a deep breath and cleared my throat, making Miranda look at her back—specifically in my direction. Her eyes immediately widened, seemingly troubled that she saw me here right now.“M-Ms. Ambers…” Miranda called, stuttering. The commotion outside halted. Slowly, I walked toward the gate and stood beside Miranda—where I could see who were the people outside. Gray, standing like a gentleman revealed himself. He was with someone, probably his newly hired secretary. My brow instantly raised. Where did he get the audacity to be here? When did I tell him that he’s allowed to step foot in front of my p
GRAY’S POVI could feel my blood rushing in my veins as I looked straight at the road. We just fucking left Serena’s residence, and only I could tell how fucking embarrassed I was because of what happened just a while ago.What were you fucking thinking, Gray? You really thought it was a good idea to visit the woman who clearly showed you that she doesn’t like you around? Your mother fucking told you that Serena did not give you a single fuck!“She is only like that when she’s not feeling well, though. We are okay whenever she feels fine,” I talked to myself. I caught my secretary taking a glimpse of me through the rearview mirror. He was probably thinking that I was losing my mind here. Damn, Serena. What the hell are you doing to me?Speaking of her, she still did not look fine. Her bruises were still visible. Actually, that was the first time I got a closer look at those because she always wore blazers and sleeves at the office. I wasn’t aware that Hazel could fucking scratch her
SERENA’S POVMy brows were almost meeting each other as I went back inside the house. Landon and Miranda were behind my back, and none of them seemed to have the energy to state a word.My heart was still drumming hard. The anxiety and anger were mixing within my chest, unable to tell which one came before everything I felt.That was so freaking close! Gray was not a stupid person to trespass on someone else’s property, but he was also a powerful one to get away with it if he decided to trespass on my house. He was an influential man. If he fucking went inside because Miranda failed to stop him, he would freaking see Kaihly and that would be the end of this freaking revenge. They would know everything with only one glimpse of my sister!“What the hell, Miranda?! How did that man know where we live? Did you freaking tell him? He almost got us! Kaihly, I thought it was only Gray’s secretary that was inside the house? Goddamit!” I exclaimed, my hands slamming the table. Miranda swallowe
GRAY’S POV“Ms. Ambers is here, Mr. Moore…” Hearing that woman’s surname, my hand automatically stopped signing the paper that I had been reviewing for the past hour. The mention of anything about her reminded me of what happened yesterday, filling me with embarrassment on the inside.“Does she have someone with her? Landon Mitchell?” I inquired curiously, trying my best not to sound interested. The man seemed to have a problem with every time that I would go near Serena. That convinced me that he was still in love with her.“Ms. Serena Ambers entered the building alone, Sir. She rode a personal vehicle and didn’t also have someone to drive her here. I don’t think Mr. Landon Mitchell even knows that she went to work today…”Why is she here? I saw her yesterday, and I could say that she wasn’t anything good. She looked pale and weak, minus the part where she stared at me with pure anger. Damn, woman. Why the hell are you here when you should have been resting at home?“What is she doi
SERENA’S POVI could feel Gray’s stare at me as I looked down on the floor. I faked my embarrassment and made my fingertips play with each other, seemingly could not face his gaze.Sorry for what? It sounded funny in my mind while I said it. It actually embarrassed me that I was doing this. My pride could not take this fake-ass acting while this bastard watched me.Would this even work on him? Gray disliked females who acted cute… or maybe not? I was not sure! I did not even have an idea what his type was. I used to be so soft when it came to him and he never liked me that way.“That is not what I am trying to say, Ms. Ambers. I’m not saying that I don’t want you here. I am just following the rules…” he explained, his tone remaining cold as if he didn’t want me here. What the hell is going on with him? I thought he was starting to become too fond of me. What’s with his tone now?“I think I’ll believe you more if only you didn’t sound so mad. You seem to not like me here, Mr. Moore,” I
SERENA’S POVI was impressed by how well Gray maintained our eye contact. He did not even blink nor look away from me as he listened to my flirty voice. I did not know how long I would do this, but the more I stayed inside his office and act like a freaking slut, the more I felt disgusted by myself.How can I even do this? Is this my hidden talent?“To be honest, Ms. Ambers, you would not be the vice president of this company if it weren’t for your abilities to run a business,” he answered, a small smile erupting on his lips. Even though I was just faking my kindness toward him, I couldn’t help but feel flattered when I heard what he said. I loved the compliment of being good, but the moment I realized that it came from this man, my fantasy would immediately disappear.I didn’t need his validation. I loved to know that I was doing good, though. That only meant my years of practice and hard work weren’t wasted. “Hmm… I guess that compliment means we are okay, then? I know that we have
SERENA’S POV“Who the hell is that man Mom was talking about?” I asked myself as I ate the salad Kelly made for us. Just like usual, all of us were in the lounge, spending our time here however we wanted. The sun was up now, but none of us seemed to have planned to leave the house. Well, I did have a plan, but I would not be so stubborn again like how I did last time. My doctor freaking scolded me when he learned how I didn’t take his advice seriously. Also, no matter how much I wanted to go out and do what I had to do, I would not take any risks again unless I really needed to do so. Geraldine almost learned what was I hiding because of my stupidity and stubbornness. I was too careless and wasn’t thinking smart enough.“Chill, girl. You don’t have to worry about it too much. Mom’s men are all reliable when it comes to technology and physical fights. You won’t be dead if someone tries to kill you again,” Kaihly answered the question that was supposed to be heard only by me. Tch. S
GRAY’S POV“Tsk. Forget about that Serena Ambers, man. It’s so fucking obvious that you’re interested in that woman, but you’ll never be at peace with her because of your family. Why don’t you try liking other women? Your former secretary—”“Shut the fuck up, Kole. I told you I am not interested in dating for now. I won’t fucking deny nor confirm anything for now, too, because everything is just so fucking confusing.”I messed up with my hair as I looked down the floor. I was not a teenager to be fucking in denial with my feelings, but I wouldn’t name whatever I felt because damn, they were not the same person, but I was afraid if ever I was falling deeply in love with Serena just because she reminded me of Jane. I had met women like Serena Ambers before. Brave and bold, and they never get too carried away with their feelings just like her, but I was never interested. Maybe as business partners, yes, as I was assured of their professionalism, but other than that, they did not interes
GRAY’S POV “Damn, that was fucking straight to the point,” Kole stated, gasping. He lightly bumped his shoulder against mine as if telling me how bad it was, that it was rude and I should not have said that. Looking at Chelsea’s embarrassed expression, I thought he was right. I should have stayed quiet.“A-Ah, it’s okay Lawrence. You don’t have to force me to Gray. This party is for Marco. It should not be for me and Gray. And duh? We just met and he barely knew me. Stop shipping me to him, guys. It’s quite embarrassing for the both of us,” Chelsea told us, stuttering and not looking where I was. She had this huge smile on her face just a while ago when Marco’s friends were teasing her to me, but now that I told them how uninterested I was, she seemed to deny it and started acting conscious. Did that embarrassment do that to her? I apologized for being blunt, but that was what I truly felt. I wasn’t hoping for an issue. I would rather look rude from their perspective than let them
GRAY’S POV “Fucking hell,” I cursed as I parked the car outside Marco’s house. My right cheek still felt numb even if my sister had slapped the hell out of my face hours ago. The rearview mirror showed me the remembrance of it—it was red and had the tiny mark of her ring that was on her fingers when it happened. I hoped this birthday celebration was an intimate one. I could not afford to be seen by guests looking like this. Fuck, why does it have to be Marco’s birthday today? Knowing that man, he was a social butterfly who knew almost all the people in and outside Texas. I got out of the car and went inside my friend’s million-dollar house, bringing nothing but the face my sister hit. I had no time to bring him gifts when many things had happened today when it wasn’t even 10 pm yet. I was not even in the pool area yet I could already hear the sound of the music. What do I expect? Marco was a party animal. I got where they were wearing the suit that I often wore while I worked, giv
SERENA’S POV The lounge fell silent as Miranda walked toward me. I glanced at Kelly, hoping to see the expression on her face that said, “I wanna answer it.” But no. My younger sister only gave me a signal by nodding her head, seemingly telling me that I should be the one to answer it. Usually, Kelly would be the one to communicate with our mother. I always led the plan and sometimes would do what they suggested, but when it came to talking to the one who birthed us, Kelly was always our representative. She had the most amazing communication skills among us and she could convince the one and only Valeria Ambers not to go here. I took a deep breath as I received the phone from my secretary. Mom’s name flashed on the screen, making me nervous even more. I answered the call as silence enveloped inside the lounge room, turning on the speaker button so that my sisters could hear her, too.“Mommy…” I greeted, befuddled on what tone should I use. She just heard that I passed out in the de
SERENA’S POV “Kelly, stop with the arguing, please. There’s something that we need to do first before anything…” Kaihly interrupted us, her tone worried. We all looked at her simultaneously, forgetting what we were worried about in a split second. It was so rare to see Kaihly without her tablet or laptop. She would not be able to live without those gadgets. But right now, she had nothing on her hand. She was just listening to us, seemingly assessing the situation. “What is it? Are there other things that we need to be worried about besides that our mother is coming here anytime soon? Damn, Kaihly, what is it?”Kaihly took a deep breath and stood up. She then faced us all, the look of terror was hiding behind her eyes, yet it still could be seen from our point of view. With the way she was acting right now, I felt like something bad was about to happen. Kaihly was always calm and composed. She was the only person who could be so chill in the middle of chaos. “Miranda said that they
AERAH’S POVI only realized that they had gotten away already when an intern walked in front of me. Snapping back to reality, I clenched my fist and continued walking. I could not see them anymore, but the memory still lingered in my mind.Serena just passed out. Why did she have to cling like that to Landon? Why did Landon have to guard her as if someone would do something bad? He was freaking overreacting! I had not heard anyone died from freaking mild headache! If I knew, that Serena was just faking it for fucking attention!That was what she was… like what Jane always did!With my head knotting, I headed towards the clinic where Serena was just a while ago. I heard they did some lab tests on her. Well, not here because a clinic in a company could not do that. The probably got the things that they needed from her and did it at one of the nearest hospitals here—which our family also owned. I had not even gotten inside the clinic when its door suddenly opened, revealing my brother a
SERENA’S POVMy head was lightly in pain, but it was not throbbing enough to make me look suspicious in front of Gray and Miranda. My sight was starting to get clearer as I regained consciousness. I was not in my room. This room was like a mini hospital that I had never seen before. Is this still inside the Moore Estates? I had never been in here.“Ms. Ambers… are you okay? How are you feeling? You have been asleep for hours now. Do you feel dizzy? Is something hurting?” Miranda asked one after another. I sat down on the bed, my forehead knotted.Her questions were making my mind turn upside down. I just woke up, for goodness sake. I would not be able to process any information for now.“Stop, Miranda. My head might hurt again because of your questions. Please, I don’t wanna answer anything for a while right now,” I said, trying not to give an attitude but ended up sighing so deeply.The only thing that I wanted to do right now was go home. They had no idea how much I was nervous pas
SERENA’S POV — Serena’s Dream / Memory Continuation —I walked toward the dining room silently, hoping to see nothing but the food Lucia had prepared for me. I would surely eat the leftovers from last night. I would not let the food I worked hard for go to waste just because Gray did not show up. Lucia and I put our blood, sweat, and tears for all of these.“Lucia, I am here now…” I announced as I entered the dining room—only to halt and fall silent when I saw a man sitting at the end of the table. All of the dishes that we cooked yesterday were served. His eyes went straight to where I was, but he did not say anything or even greet me good morning. He was still here? I thought he had left already. I intentionally took my time preparing for the day because I thought he would not bother waiting for me. My eyes fell on his empty plate. It seemed like he had been waiting for me to come down and join him. It was clean and shining. “Good morning,” I greeted in a low voice, smiling fain