Victor’s POVWhen I saw Amy exit the kitchen to help clean up a mess in the dining room, I realized I shouldn’t have brought Olivia to Gray’s restaurant.It felt disloyal to be here, discussing marriage with Olivia in the place where I first met Daisy.“It sounds like a good arrangement for us both,” Olivia said after I told her I wanted an open marriage.Her eagerness to be able to take other lovers bruised my ego, but I couldn’t pretend to be in love with her. Daisy was too fresh in my heart and mind.The pain that tore through my soul when Daisy rejected me made me vow to never care about a female again.I should be grateful Olivia was willing to marry me. She was pretty enough to attract any man. But there was something about her, something strange about her reactions and mannerisms.She flirted with me like an experienced woman, yet she shied away from any contact with me, even the touch of my hand on hers.Still, she was Alex’s daughter, and she claimed to want to marry me. The
Seeing Victor with Olivia was agonizing. Without thinking, I ran out of the backdoor and began to walk. I had no destination in mind, but I had to get away from the sight of Olivia taking my place in Victor’s life.Four blocks later, I reminded myself that Amy and her dad needed me in the kitchen, and I returned to the restaurant. Amy and Mr. Gray tried to act like nothing was wrong.“Victor was here looking for you,” Amy said as she handed me clean dishes to put away.Great, I didn’t want him to know I was upset. It would be humiliating for him to know I cared that he was with Olivia.“What did he want?” I asked.Amy shrugged. “I guess he wanted to talk to you.”I could tell she wasn’t telling me everything, but I didn’t want to think about Victor and Olivia anymore that night. I tightly squeezed my eyes closed to try to get the image of them together out of my mind.The three of us finished our work for the night, and Mr. Gray took us to my apartment.“Thanks for your help, Daisy,”
Victor’s POVAfter leaving my parents’ house, I went home and gave my decision more thought. But I was sure Daisy meant more to me than the leadership position.Alex needed to know that I wasn’t interested in marrying Olivia even if he had to give the job to someone else. I’m sure he could find another husband for Olivia, who wanted the job.Benson was waiting by the front door when I arrived at the mansion. He held the door for me and then led me to Alex, who was waiting for me in his den.“Victor, you're here. Benson says you need to speak to me about something urgent,” Alex said and waved me into a chair next to him.“Yes. I must speak to you.” I tried to remember the words I decided to use to explain myself. I didn’t want to insult him by saying anything wrong about Olivia. She was his daughter, and he may take offense.Plus, Olivia hadn’t done anything wrong. If I didn't love Daisy, she would be acceptable for my mate. But as long as Daisy was in this world, I couldn't accept any
After the talk with Olivia, I returned to class. She gave me a little smile as I walked past her to my seat.It was a relief to know the bullies were done harassing me, but it was hard to keep my mind on what the teacher was saying when I suspected Olivia wanted to sell Wilson, Inc.I wondered why none of the Alpha kids would speak to me even when I had to talk to them first. Their passive-aggressive ghosting didn’t hurt my feelings. It was another lesson about false friends.Their friendship was no longer needed. I had Amy, a real friend.Things became more difficult at lunch when some of the boys began doing elaborate stunts to invite the girls of their choosing to the prom.One Alpha football player asked one of the popular Alpha girls by dropping balloons from the cafeteria ceiling with a banner that read, “Kylie, Be My Prom Date.”She said yes with a kiss, and the cafeteria exploded in applause. After that, every guy began planning a stunt to outdo the previous invitation. A few
The ride in the Lamborghini had my spirits soaring. How I love riding in this spectacular car with Victor. With my hair secured in a ponytail, I let the wind wash away any thoughts except my happiness at this moment.When he pulled into Alex’s driveway and glided to the mansion’s front entrance, I felt a swelling in my chest, and tears stung my eyes again.How I’ve missed this place where I had learned and changed into who I am now. It was home!I crossed my fingers and said a prayer that I would be allowed to stay.Many of the servants were waiting to greet me in the foyer. Their smiles when I walked in the door warmed my heart.“Good afternoon, Miss,” Benson said. He had his dignified butler face on, but his eyes smiled into mine. “Please follow me. Mr. Wilson is expecting you.”Benson led Victor and me into the living room, where Alex waited on the couch.“Daisy, my dear.” Alex stood and held out his arms. “I’ve missed you, sweetheart.”“I’ve missed you too.” I stepped into his emb
After waking in my bedroom at the mansion the next morning, I stretched and let my eyes absorb the familiar surroundings.I was home again!After climbing from the bed, I went into my bathroom and showered. It was wonderful to be using the familiar space.Every detail of my life was better than ever. I would never take anything for granted again.“What would you like to wear today, Miss?” Jennifer called from the bedroom.Jennifer and I had an emotional reunion the previous evening. After a tearful hug, she fussed for hours while unpacking and arranging my belongings until every item was placed where it had been before Olivia.I was glad to be back in Jennifer’s care, but I was pleased to learn Mrs. Carson still has her job keeping the apartment clean for the times when I needed to stay in the city.The arrangement would give her employment and plenty of time to read. I would stop by occasionally and trade her new books for some of her tasty home-baked cookies.Jennifer chattered abou
After my time spent alone in a high-rise apartment, I had a new appreciation for my life as Alex’s daughter. Everything would have been perfect if I wasn’t worried about hurting one of my good friends.I asked Victor to the prom on impulse after discovering he chose me over Olivia. And now Amy and I suspected William would soon ask me too.“There is no point in worrying about it until it happens,” I told myself as I signed myself out of school early. I didn’t want to think about it right now.Alex was waiting in the back of the limousine that would take us to Wilson, Inc. for the press conference Alex was giving in a half hour.He wanted to make an official statement about the lab error. A dinner was being held for our friends and family at the mansion that evening.“You look lovely, dearest,” Alex said as I joined him in the limo.“Thanks,” I said. “I changed into this dress for the press conference. Will I need to speak to them?”“Perhaps,” Alex replied. “There could be a question o
William’s POVI had to leave Alex’s mansion before I broke my promise to Daisy and revealed what I swore to keep secret.When Daisy confided in me that her engagement to Victor was fake and it was only to get him Alex’s job with the Alpha Association, I believed her.But now I wasn’t sure what was the truth of her relationship with Victor.Victor must have grown true feelings for Daisy. I understood how easy it would be to fall for her, but it put everything I had been hoping for in jeopardy.I had planned on asking them if we could speak privately after the dinner. Daisy and Victor needed to know what I had discovered in my investigation of Olivia.They needed to know there was much more to the story of the ‘lab error’ than they knew. But now I wanted to get away from the dinner party before I said things I would regret.I need to think. I wanted Daisy to be happy, even if that meant her being with Victor. It was a good thing I hadn’t had a chance to ask her to our prom. She was prob