Letting out a huff, I slumped on the stairs, providing my butt and legs some rest.
My arms held the bunch of folders tight against my chest. Sweat trickled down my spine and forehead from all the marathons I did using the staircase between the third and fifth floor. Not only me, the entire office was racing in this marathon that Adrian Larsen held kindly giving us this project. Even one minute late became a crime here now. So waiting for the elevator was out of the question.
I had never seen the employees here working so fast before. That Larsen king wouldn't accept any default and sluggishness under his command. He was making sure he wouldn't have to face any kind of loss where he invested his money. He had set his eyes on here like a hawk all the time, if not him, then it would be his soldiers.
I still remember the shock I got when Alex told me he was the one who gave this company this project. Though
Adrian's POV Loosing the knot of my tie, I paced around my office. My jaw clenched and unclenched, fists shook to destroy something; my vision turned red. How dare that leech come into my office building and abuse one of my employees! And then he dared try to hit Sofia! My Sofia! Fucking criminal bastard! My entire frame shook with rage. My hands itched to curl around his throat and… The thoughts disturbed me. My lips thinned at my own lack of self control. No! I've handed him over to the police, and made sure he rots behind the cells for the rest of his life. I didn't need to stoop to his standard. I didn't need to behave like a mindless criminal, some dirt of a local gang. I was not him. Even the word: criminal, brought a bitte
"Sofia, can you print those documents for me, please?" Tiffany, a girl from Blake Corporation, who was also working on the project, asked me from her cubicle. Temporary cubicle. Because we will be working here only for one and a half month. "Sure, just give me a minute." I took the documents from her hand and put them on my desk. As my neighbor cubicle, she was the one I interacted the most with. Thanking me, she went back to her work, exhaling an exhausted sigh. Work was running at its highest speed. Even if we started here just yesterday, it felt like we were doing this for weeks now. After the kickback Adrian Larsen gave us in yesterday's meeting, the team working on this project of our company and Blake's company immediately transferred to Larsen Group Of Industries. Well, for a time being. They spar
Closing the sixth file, I moved to the next one. The buzz around the office obstructed my concentration. I missed my cabin back in our office. The privacy was appreciated. Though my desk here wasn't that bad. And Tiffany's company made it better. A shadow loomed over me, making me look up. Sasha. Her blazing eyes glared at me. I raised a single brow. "The boss wants you in his cabin, now." Now it was my eyes' turn to blaze. "What does he want now?" This was the third time he was calling me in his office since this morning. Every time a new excuse. First he wanted me to report him on everyone's performance - even if this responsibility didn't fall anywhere near my job - the second time, he wanted me to fetch some files from the executive manager who worked in the other building. He was really wasting h
"Mr. Larsen, please! I beg you! Don't do this! I've a sick wife to take care of," a man in his early sixties begged.I was talking to Jason at the lobby, when Adrian strolled out of the elevator with that old man running behind him, pleading and crying. But not even an ounce of emotions softened his harsh features. With a careless manner, he walked as if no poor helpless man was running behind him for a glimpse of kindness. And his bodyguard, John, seemed equally disinterested."Mr. Larsen, please! Give me another chance. I swear, I won't give you any chance to complain!" he cried out, with his hands intertwined together before him as he begged."Enough!" Adrian bellowed.I flinched, so did the entire lobby around us. Eyes furious, he turned to that trembling man."If you want to get a job somewhere else in near future, I'd suggest you get out of my sight right
"Thank you, Mr. Larsen, for dropping us!" Sam said from the back seat. After getting a curt nod from Adrian, he got out of the car. And when I was about to follow behind, a calloused hand grasped mine causing me to turn to him. He observed every emotion on my features with that intense blue gaze. Raising his hand, his fingers gently brushed the strayed tendrils away from my face, as if he couldn't stop himself. "You looked pretty shaken up back then. You okay?" Concern laced into his eyes. For an unknown reason, vulnerability rose in my chest for a second. I wanted that comfort and warmth he provided me the other day in the elevator, I wanted his strong arms around me. But then, I composed myself. "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks!" I still didn't pull away from the gentle stroke of his knuckle across my cheek. My body wanted to lean in. His gaz
I could recognize this voice anywhere. Turning around, my gaze fell on him and the skip of my heart was totally unintentional. He stood a foot away from us, donning a three piece charcoal suit. He paired it with black shirt, matching tie, and a red pocket square. Hair gelled back and jaw clean shaven - gone earlier today's stubble. As breathtaking as ever. And his sharp eyes were on… me. They raked over my body, sensually. And it felt totally opposite when Mr. Blake did it. It was a different kind of shiver. When I realized I was checking him out again, my cheeks flared when he remained shameless. I averted my eyes. With powerful strides, he came and stood right beside me. When he put a possessive arm around my waist, I looked up at him I'm surprise. Mr. Blake watched this act and removed his gaze, faking a cough. "Ah, Mr. Larsen
A picture of me coming out of the car with Alex and Sam, another one of me shaking hands with Mr. Blake, me talking to one of my colleagues, me dancing with Adrian. And the last one, me standing with Tiffany and Emma with a glass of orange juice in my hand.Looking up, my ardent eyes glanced around.No one suspicious. Everyone was busy with their drinks and chatting.Someone was keeping an eye on my every move."You okay, Sofia?" Emma queried. "You look pale.""Yeah, I'm fine. Just a minute, I'll be back." Excusing myself, I walked away.Who could send me those pictures?My phone buzzed again.Don't wander here and there too much when you're alone. Who knows, Daddy's little girl can get lost in the swarm of people and never get found?My fingers clutched the phone
Unknown POVTouching the rim of the glass, he took a lingering sip as his fingers flipped another page of the album. A album where all the mirth that once has been in his life, were imprinted.His eyes touched the smiling faces in those worn out photographs. The faces that once provided him peace and happiness. The pictures of his family.A small smile tugged at the end of his lips. His fingers traced on her soft features, petite form. She was smiling at the camera and his arm was wrapped around her waist in a protective grip.He could still remember the day when they had taken those pictures. It was during Christmas.How beautiful was that day with her…Then reality hit him, vanishing the smile off his face. His jaws clenched, fingers tightened around the glass in a vice grip.She wasn't there. His fam
As soon as Martha walked out after showing me our room, I was pulled flush against a hard chest. With one of his fists clutching my hair, my face was inches away from his furious one. Even when he was livid, the arm that wrapped around my waist, gripping me tight, was protective. His hold on my hair was gentle."What the hell do you think you're doing?" he hissed. Electric blue eyes were dark and flaming."What am I doing?" I blinked, licking my lower lip. "I just needed rest."His gaze followed the action. With a groan reverberating throughout his chest, he cupped my chin. Giving my lower lip a firm brush, he thrust his thumb in my mouth.My heart raced down my ribcage as I sucked on his finger, with my hooded eyes set on his. The desire came back to life in my veins.Letting out a grunt, he pressed his mouth against mine. A breathless moan escaped me as I pressed my
"Sofia!" Strong arms wrapped around me, pulling me back from Anastasia. "What's wrong, baby?" Turning to her, he growled out. "What did you do to her?"Flinching back, she clutched Dominic's hand. A fear along with concern laced across her face."I… I didn't do anything.""Adrian." Putting her behind him, Dominic warned him.Just as Adrian was about to snap back, I held on his shoulder."She didn't do anything. It's the baby. It kicked." Rubbing my tummy, I took a deep breath.It often kicked, but today it seemed like my junior Adrian was overly energized today.A sigh of relief left him. Kissing my temple, he cupped my cheek. "You alright? It doesn't hurt, right?"Nodding, I turned to Anastasia. "It seems like this little one already likes you. Otherwise it doesn't kick that hard. And I'm sorry abo
As soon as the car came to a halt, the driver was fast to get out and run to the door of Adrian's side.He pulled the door open. But his employer didn't make any effort to step out. He kept typing his phone at a furious pace, a permanent frown was set on his wide forehead.A sigh left me.Nodding at the awkward driver, signaling him to leave, I turned to my achingly beautiful and infuriating husband."We are here," I said.No answer.Not even a glance."The pilot is waiting for us."Ignored.I rolled my eyes.He has been in this foul mood since Sinister called and invited us to a very important family event in Russia. And Lilly's being there with her former yet new partner was the main reason behind the stick that stuck up my husband's ass. Lilly shifted to R
Glancing over my shoulder, he looked at the priest. "You can start now. And yes," his features hardened, "Make it quick!""Y-yes, of course, Mr. Larsen!" Came a timid reply behind me."Eager for the honeymoon?" Dimitri teased. Liam burst into laughter at that. While John had a small smile dancing on his lips, Dominic looked unbothered.All of them donned tuxedos, much similar to Adrian.As my soon to be husband sent a murderous glare at Liam, the ambience around us cackled with mirth.The priest came over and we exchanged the rings. And then everything seemed to pass like a blur until the priest asked the most awaited question."Do you, Adrian Timothy Larsen, son of Sinister Timothy Petrosyan, take Sofia Annabeth McCommer as your wife?""I do," he answered without any hesitation.My heart pounded down my c
My lips parted at the sight of him.The charcoal black tux he donned with a white shirt underneath hugged his broad and powerful upper body perfectly. Black pants, shiny black shoes and a blush pink pocket square, matching my gown, completed his look. With his dark strands combed back neatly, his jaw was clean shaved. My hands itched to touch them.Gosh!A breathless sigh left my lips. My eyes couldn't move away from the Greek god before me.He looked… sinfully gorgeous.My poor heart had difficulties to beat normally in his presence.And with that particular intoxicating cologne of his wafting to my nostrils, it just made the butterflies in my tummy crazy.I was so busy drooling at my man that I almost didn't notice how his eyes trailed down my body. Slowly and sensuously.A shiver ran
The dry leaves and wee trunks crumbled under my feet as my hesitant legs trudged through the eerie tacit cemetery. Only the chirping of the birds, hidden behind the heavy branches of the mighty trees that surrounded the cemetery, could be heard around the silent graveyard.Placing down the fresh Lilies before the newly wrought tombstone, my eyes roamed over the epitaph engraved on the stone.'Tim Jonathan Reeves1968-2020A doting father and a courageous man we will always remember with pride in our hearts.'"You shouldn't be here, you know? It's your wedding today," a whisper came from beside me.Blinking away the moisture in my eyes, I turned to her. Her gaze set on the gravestone before us."I came to seek blessings from the person who has treated me as his own daughter all his life." And to say thanks too. After all, because of him I
"Miss, you should get some rest now. You're sitting here for hours. And your injuries should also be taken care of. Otherwise you can get an infection," said the young nurse as she gave Adrian another visit to check on him.It was the fourth time she asked me to get myself treated. But nobody, even my family, couldn't move me from here. From beside the man who reigned over my heart.The man who hasn't opened those electric blue eyes yet. And since I got my consciousness back, without wasting any second, I rushed to his side. They moved him to another room after his operation.My heart clenched as my gaze roamed over his paler than usual features, ruffled hair and limp body. Just his broad chest rose and fell along with his breathing. That was the only thing that told me he was still with me.With my throat tightening, my eyes burned with tears, I gulped. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm
A scream tore out of my mouth while the love of my life was on the ground, clutching his chest. Even when his features were tensed, his determined hard eyes never left mine. Pushing at Monet's shoulder with as much force as I could gather, I somehow managed to break free from his grip and got off the chopper. But his fingers were soon to wrap around my wrist. A fury flashed through Adrian's blue eyes. Getting a hold on his gun, he tried to get up on his feet again. The veins of his neck stood out as he did so. Glancing back to Adrian, Monet raised his gun for the second time. Ready to shoot again. My heart lurched in my chest, eyes widened in horror. "No! Don't!" But my desperate shout went ignored as his finger curled around the trigger. "No!" As he was about to pull the trigger, a hand wr
Sofia's POV"They are here to take us out of here!"My heart stopped. For a moment, I was frozen. And then a tear slipped down my eye. A surge of happiness burst across my chest.They were here? He was here?For me…But then the fear for their life soon crashed on me, making the smile slip from my face.What if something happens to any of them? Monet wasn't weak or foolish. He wouldn't go down without a fight.Hurrying towards me, she started to untie my hands and legs. A wince left my lips as I moved my hands after hours. Not to forget the cuts were still fresh. Though the painkillers did reduce the pain somewhat to a bearable point."Don't worry, sweetheart! We will get out of here soon. That loathful man wouldn't be able to touch you again," she said. With shaky hands, once sh