"Why don't you want to go? You haven't even met my mother.""True, but I have heard about the Tigress, or are they different people? I'm not going." Loretta collected a towel from the maid and wanted to leave. "You have no choice here, Loretta. You're coming with me. Besides, where will you stay if I leave you here?" Fabian called her back. "The bungalow, or you send me back to my father.""Stop this, Retta. Tell me, why don't you want to go?""Your mum, I can't stand her.""But you haven't met her.""You are way above my league, and I'm still your—""Don't play the pet card with me, Retta.""But isn't that what I am to you, your pet?""I have already arranged for a designer to style you and get your outfits ready. We leave tomorrow." The dark-haired man ignored her question and walked out on her. "Tomorrow? That's too soon. Outfits? It's not a day..." Fabian had already gotten far and was definitely not hearing her anymore. "Shit!" Loretta cursed and walked up to her room.***"Wa
"Here's your room," the maid said, opening a door for Loretta to walk in. "Your luggage will be brought to you shortly.""Thank you, but—" Before Loretta could ask the question she had in mind, the maid had walked away. She was just as rude as her boss, the Tigress.Loretta wanted to ask the maid why there were two beds in the room instead of one. Maybe it was a mistake or something, so Loretta locked the door and chose one of the beds to lie on. They were on different ends of the room, left and right.Loretta lay on the bed and closed her eyes to silence the noise in her head.Silence the words Sandra had said to her... But her 'me' moment was interrupted by a knock at the door.She had a feeling it was a guard with her luggage, so without asking who it was, she went to the door and opened it.Standing in front of her was the last person she wanted to see... The person she had been trying to avoid her entire life."Hello, Lori.""What do you want, Roy?" Loretta maintained a straight
"Hey, wake up, it's time for breakfast." Roy tapped his roommate gently on her back."Yeah, what?" Loretta turned to the other side of the bed as she hadn’t had enough sleep.She had been awake all night trying to figure out who had sent her that cryptic text.Even when Roy joined her in the room, she noticed his mood had changed, but she cared more about the text than him."Get up, Loretta, we've been summoned for breakfast," Roy repeated clearly this time."They eat breakfast together here?" Loretta sounded surprised as she sat up, which amused Roy."Yes, they eat together. Now come on, we are guests, okay." Roy chuckled.With that, Loretta stood from the bed and went to take a quick shower.She walked alone as she was still avoiding Roy. Well, she didn't think he would be eating with them.From what she had gathered, she knew Roy was a spy expert or something... So if he was here, he came for a job and not to have fun.Loretta was guided by the guards who were at different position
"No, you don’t. You don’t want to try again," Loretta snapped and tried to get free from his grip, but he wouldn’t let her."I do. I’ve been looking for you ever since.""No, you weren’t. Stop this, Roy, move on. You’re not in your right senses.""That’s the problem, I’m not in my senses because all I think about is you. I’m not on alcohol, so you won’t say I’m dissociating. Please hear me out.""I don’t. I don’t want to listen to you. Do you know what Fabian would do to you if he finds out that—?""But you’re not happy here, are you? He treats you like a rag, he does nothing but hurt you. You’re just his pet.""That’s better than being with you, Roy. I hate you." Loretta made an effort to leave again, but Roy was persistent."I’m sorry, okay? I really am.""Sorry for what? Tell me."Roy took deep breaths, and when he noticed Loretta was no longer struggling to be free from his grip, he started, "I’m sorry for sleeping with Maddie on our first date. I was drunk and I dissociated, but
"Damn it, Loretta," Fabian cursed under his breath."What is it, sir? Is everything alright?" Mikel tried to understand Fabian's change in expression.The mafia boss didn't reply to him or anything and headed out to get her back, but just as he was about to pass through the door, his mum held him back."I would love you to meet these two men. They said they have a solution to your new anonymous business rival," the tigress said."Mum, I can't right now. I need to handle something. Besides, you have this rule of no business at parties," Fabian tried to discourage his mother, though he knew it wouldn't work."Come on, son. I had to get these gentlemen for you. It would be rude if you don't give them your attention," Sandra spoke, giving him the puppy dog eyes.Fabian knew there was no saying 'no' to his mother, so he took a little excuse, "Okay, give me a second, I'll be back with you shortly."The mafia boss went to meet with his assistant, "Mikel, come here." Fabian called him out fro
"No, no, no, this can't be happening," the mafia boss muttered to himself and went to meet with Loretta, who was still shocked.But somebody dragged him and placed their lips on his. Fabian opened his eyes to discover it was Tasha.He wanted to break free, but the room immediately went dark. While he was still thinking about what happened, the spotlight came back on, but it was on Fabian and Tasha as they kissed.The crowd started clapping and cheering for them as they kissed, and suddenly the light came back on.Loretta wiped the tears that threatened to fall.Mikel could have just let her go. She noticed how Fabian seemed so happy as he kissed Tasha, the same way he reacted when he kissed her.Loretta couldn't stand the sight and walked out of the room and into the restroom.Fabian saw her leaving the room, and his heart dropped. This wasn't what he wanted.He didn't like kissing Tasha; he wanted Loretta to be the one in his arms and her lips on his, but all thanks to his mother, sh
Fabian's rejection stung, and the surge of anger and hurt boiled over inside her. She'd leave him to his business and Tasha. She spun on her heel to make her retreat and collided with a server carrying a tray of drinks."Oh, I'm so sorry!" Loretta apologized, helping the server gather the spilled glasses."Miss, be careful," said the server in a whisper, as he handed her a napkin. "You are better off not being with these persons. They're no good for you."Loretta's eyes sparkled with surprise at the words of the server. She nodded subtly, taking the napkin.As she walked away, Loretta noticed Mikel staring across the room at her. Their eyes met, and he arched an eyebrow-just inquiring if everything was fine with her. She forced a weak smile to her face and nodded.Her evening turned into one big blur; though she did the things she was supposed to do, she faked all her amusement. Loretta kept her distance from Fabian, Roy, and Tasha and nursed her hurt feelings.As the night wore on, L
Mikel waited, watching the deserted garden.Mikel's instincts were on high.He made his way back to Loretta's room in a rush but she was nowhere to be found."Where is she?" Mikel muttered.Mikel entered the living room where Loretta sat sipping wine next to Fabian.Mikel's eyes set on Loretta's before he waved for her to come near him."Loretta, can I have a word?" Mikel spoke softly.Loretta's eyes darted to Fabian before rising to her feet."Excuse me," she said.As Loretta neared Mikel, he led her to a corner where Fabian could not hear them."What happened outside?" Mikel asked in hushed tones.Loretta looked at the room, checking if no one was looking."I met a woman," she whispered. "She says she will help me."Mikel did not change expression."What did she say?" he asked.Loretta seemed to hesitate before she answered. "She said she would help me get out of here," she replied.Mikel's eyes narrowed. "Do you trust her?" he asked.Loretta nodded slightly. "I think so," she whisp