Tiffany’s eyes darted to the clock for the hundredth time that afternoon, her stomach twisting as she registered the empty seat beside her.Two days. Jacob had been absent for two whole days now.She forced her gaze back to the textbook in front of her, but the words blurred together. Her pencil tapped an anxious rhythm on the desk.“Miss Foster, is there a problem?” Mrs. Hawthorne’s stern voice cut through her spiraling thoughts.Tiffany’s cheeks flushed. “No, ma’am. Sorry.”As the teacher resumed her lecture, she tried to focus, but her mind kept wandering back to Jacob. Where was he? Was he okay?Stop it, she chided herself. It’s not like he’s your boyfriend or anything. You’re just friends.That’s all.But even as she thought it, she knew it wasn’t true. At least, not for her. Somehow, without her permission, Jacob had become more than just a friend. His absence left an ache in her chest that she couldn’t quite explain.Tiffany sighed, resting her chin in her hand. It’s probably no
Tiffany slid her jacket on and glanced in the mirror, running a hand through her hair to smooth it down. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what she was about to do.He will definitely make fun of her for showing up like this.“Be back before dinner, okay?” Riley called after her.“Sure!” Tiffany responded, already stepping out the door.She headed toward the car that waited for her in the driveway. The car her father assigned to her with the driver, John, to take her anywhere she wanted, including school. For once, she was thankful to have that privilege.“Where to, Miss?” John asked.Tiffany gave him the address and leaned back in her seat.Her heart was pounding hard. Was this a mistake?Jacob told her not to come to his house and he sounded very serious. What if he got angry at her for showing up?But then again, this could be a good revenge because he was always intruding into her life!Tiffany smiled. Yes, this was a payback. Stupid Jacob…always following her around an
Jacob complied, lifting his arms as Tiffany carefully pulled his shirt over his head. The warmth of his skin against her fingers sent a shiver through her, and she quickly averted her gaze to the floor. She couldn’t focus on how close they were or how her heart raced at the thought of being so intimate with him.“You have to take your pants off too,” Tiffany said, trying not to blush.Jacob’s lips curled into a small smile. Or what looked like a ghost of his usual charming smile. “Oh, my princess. I didn’t know you were so…forward,” he drawled.“Jacob!” Tiffany snapped.“Okay, gosh,” he said weakly.Tiffany sighed as she watched him struggle with the simple task of opening his zipper. “Let me,” she said, putting her hand on his.Jacob paused and looked at her dazedly. “We haven’t even kissed yet, and you want to take my pants off?”“I am done messing around!” Tiffany exclaimed. She wanted to slap him.“S…sorry,” he murmured and swayed.Tiffany quickly grabbed his shoulders and led him
Tiffany watched Jacob sleep for a few minutes, then stood up.While she was cleaning his room, she found her diary on his desk. Now it was time to take it back and go home. End this silly blackmail once and for all.But somehow, it felt like she was betraying him and instead of grabbing her diary and heading out, she walked over to the desk and placed it exactly where she’d found it.Something must be seriously wrong with her.She looked around the room, studying it again. It was a simple room.A few posters were tacked to the walls, mostly bands she didn’t recognize. The desk was cluttered with textbooks, crumpled papers, and stray pens, yet there was something oddly organized about the mess. It was a side of Jacob she hadn’t paid attention to before—just a normal guy with a space that reflected bits of his life.Her gaze lingered on a photograph tucked into the edge of his mirror. He couldn’t be more than five in it, all toothless and innocent.She smiled. He was so cute.“Mom, no.”
“So now you get to witness the true reality of my life. Jacob stuck in this messy, broken, and old house with his poor mother,” he said. “I wasn’t born with a golden spoon in my mouth. So you are probably thinking I got some audacity to ask a girl out like you,” he added bitterly.“I see your assholy attitude is back. You must be feeling better,” Tiffany retorted.Jacob smirked his expression a mix of relief and annoyance. “Guess some things never change, huh? Even when I’m half dead, I still manage to get under your skin.”“Don’t flatter yourself. I’m just surprised you have the energy to be a jerk again,” Tiffany shot back, crossing her arms. She leaned against the doorframe, trying to maintain a tough exterior, but inside, she felt the tension shift. Despite his words, there was a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes, a reminder of how close they had been just hours before.“I’m sorry,” Jacob’s voice dropped, a more serious tone surfacing. “I just…I never wanted you to see how I li
Tiffany didn’t hate him, and she was willing to go to prom with him willingly.The thought brought a smile to his lips. It made his headache lessen.And she was here, with him. For once, he didn’t have to feel alone. He let out a soft moan as he felt her cool fingers massage his scalp.This had to be a dream, right?“You aren’t actually here, are you?” He murmured, his eyes closed.He felt her shift. “What?” she whispered.“I have a feeling I’m in some kind of fever-induced coma and imagining you next to me,” he said.Tiffany giggled. “You are always saying weird things. Is your headache getting better?”“Yes. But that doesn’t mean you should stop doing what you’re doing right now. God, you have such a soft hand. I’m in heaven,” he said.“You still feel really hot. Maybe I need to take you to the hospital,” Tiffany said.Jacob’s eyes snapped open. “What? No, that’s not necessary.”“Why not? I can ask John to drive us and then…”“No!” Jacob exclaimed, interrupting her. “There’s no need
Tiffany stormed out of the bathroom, her heart pounding with anger and adrenaline. She couldn’t believe the nerve of those two confronting her like that. But a small part of her felt a thrill of satisfaction at the way she’d handled them, the shock on their faces when they realized she wasn’t some pushover.She was her father’s daughter, after all.She rounded the corner, her mind still reeling, when she nearly collided with a solid chest. Strong hands gripped her shoulders, steadying her, and she looked up to see Jacob’s concerned face.“Whoa, where’s the fire?” he asked, his brow furrowed.Tiffany let out a shaky laugh, the tension draining from her body at the sight of him. “Just had a little run-in with the queen bees,” she said, trying to play it off.Jacob’s eyes narrowed, his grip tightening slightly. “What did they do?”She shook her head. “Nothing I couldn’t handle. Let’s just say they won’t be bothering me again anytime soon.”A slow grin spread across his face, his eyes gli
Tiffany’s heart fluttered like a trapped butterfly as she descended the stairs, her fingers lightly trailing the smooth banister. She paused at the bottom, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves.As she entered the living room, Tiffany’s eyes darted around, searching for her family’s reactions. Her gaze landed on Lucas, her younger brother, who was frozen in place, his jaw hanging open.“Tiff… you look beautiful! Like a movie star,” Lucas exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine awe.Tiffany felt a rush of affection for her little brother. “Thanks, Luke,” she said, ruffling his hair playfully.Lucas ducked away from her hand, his eyes still wide with admiration.“Lucas is correct. This dress is perfect for you,” Riley said.A warm blush crept up Tiffany’s cheeks. “You’re sweet,” she murmured, smoothing down the front of her dress self-consciously.Is it too much? she wondered, suddenly second-guessing her choice. What if Jacob doesn’t like it?The moment was shattered by the sound
Jacob returned Tiffany’s kiss with longing, his hands roaming down the slick skin of her back. Tiffany clung to him, pouring all her love and relief into the kiss.When they finally broke apart, breathless and flushed, Jacob rested his forehead against hers. “I love you, Tiffany. More than anything. And I promise, no matter what dangers come our way, we’ll face them together.”Tiffany smiled through the tears that pricked at her eyes, blending with the rivulets of water streaming down her face. “I love you too, Jacob. Always.”He kissed her again, soft and sweet, before reaching for the bottle of shampoo. With gentle hands, he began to wash her hair, his fingers massaging her scalp and working the suds through her long tresses. Tiffany leaned into his touch and closed her eyes, relishing the simple intimacy of the moment.As the water rinsed away the shampoo, Jacob’s hands drifted lower, skimming over her shoulders and down her arms. Tiffany shivered despite the heat, her skin tingling
Tiffany pushed past Marco without waiting for another word. Her mind raced as her feet carried her toward the front door. The thought of Jacob lying among the casualties tore through her like a blade, and she couldn’t bear the uncertainty.“Tiff, wait!” Riley called, hurrying after her.“I can’t,” Tiffany snapped over her shoulder, her voice tight with emotion. “I have to know if he’s okay.”River appeared at the end of the hallway, his face darkening when he saw the panic in his daughter’s eyes. “What’s going on?”Riley quickly filled him in, her voice trembling as she explained the situation. River’s jaw clenched, and he stepped forward, grabbing Tiffany’s arm to stop her.“Slow down,” he ordered. “Running in without a plan isn’t going to help anyone. You don’t even know what you’re walking into.”“I don’t care!” Tiffany shouted, tears welling in her eyes. “If something happened to Jacob—”River’s grip tightened just enough to keep her grounded. “And what if you get yourself killed
Tiffany studied the surveillance photos on her laptop again, studying each frame with a critical eye. There had to be something she missed, some clue that would unravel the mystery.As she zoomed in on one particularly grainy image, her breath caught in her throat.In the shadows behind Vincent and his sister was a figure, barely visible.Tiffany leaned in closer, squinting at the blurry figure. It was hard to make out the details, but there was something unmistakable about the shape, something familiar. The silhouette appeared to be tall, with broad shoulders—someone who was built like a fighter.Her heart pounded in her chest. The figure was too close to Vincent for comfort, and the way they stood, half-hidden in the shadows, made it clear they were trying to stay unnoticed. But why? And who was it?She snapped a screenshot of the image and adjusted the contrast, hoping to sharpen the details. The figure became slightly more visible, enough for Tiffany to catch a glimpse of a hand r
Vincent’s eyes widened slightly, but his expression remained composed. “Boss, I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”Tiffany slid a printout of the transcript across the desk. “Don’t play dumb with me, Vincent. I have proof of your little late-night chat. Start talking.”He glanced down at the paper, his brow furrowing as he read the words. When he looked back up, his gaze was steady. “It’s not what it looks like.”“Then enlighten me,” Tiffany said, leaning back in her chair. “Because from where I’m sitting, it looks like you’ve been feeding information to our enemies.”Vincent shook his head. “No, boss. I swear on my life, I would never betray the Red Vipers.”Aria, who had been silently observing the exchange, stepped forward. “Then who were you talking to, Vincent? And why all the secrecy?”Vincent licked his lips nervously, his eyes darting between Tiffany and Aria. “I was talking to my sister. She’s in trouble, mixed up with the wrong crowd. I’ve been trying to help her get out
Tiffany sat in her office, contemplating what to do next. A sharp knock interrupted her thoughts. “Come in,” she barked, composing herself.Marco, one of her most trusted men, entered. His usual swagger was muted, replaced by a nervous energy that set Tiffany’s teeth on edge.“You wanted to see me, boss?”Tiffany’s eyes narrowed. “The Rossi deal. How did our competitors know the exact terms?”Marco shifted his weight, not quite meeting her gaze. “I… I don’t know. Maybe someone overheard something?”“Bullshit,” Tiffany snapped, her patience evaporating. “That information was need-to-know. So either you’re incompetent, or you’re a rat.”Marco’s face flushed. “With all due respect, Ms. Foster, I’ve been loyal to this family for fifteen years. I would never—”“So, you have no idea how it could’ve happened?” Tiffany’s laugh was sharp and bitter. She had been doing some digging and something about Marco was off these days. And now with John dying suddenly…She advanced on Marco, her voice d
River looked up from the papers scattered across his desk, his piercing blue eyes meeting hers.“Tiffany,” River said. He gestured to the leather armchair across from him. “How are you holding up, sweetheart?” he asked.She moved woodenly, sinking into the chair. Its softness felt wrong, too comfortable for the weight of sorrow pressing down on her shoulders.“Not great, Dad,” she said.River nodded, his silence an invitation for her to continue. But the words wouldn’t come. They stuck in her throat, choking her with their intensity.Tiffany’s hands clenched in her lap, her nails digging crescents into her palms.“It has been hard on all of us. John was a valuable member of our family.” River’s voice was gentle, understanding.Tiffany nodded, a single tear escaping to trace a path down her cheek. She brushed it away angrily, hating the weakness it represented.“I should have been there,” she said, the words tumbling out in a rush.River’s eyes softened, a flicker of pain crossing his
The drive home was a blur of streetlights and racing thoughts. Tiffany pulled into her driveway, the familiar sight of her family’s sprawling estate doing little to calm her nerves. She needed to talk to someone, someone who always understood.“Riley will know what to do,” she muttered, heading towards Riley's room.She knocked on her door, but no one answered.“Um…Miss Tiffany.”She turned around and smiled at their housekeeper. “Yes, Alison?”“Miss Riley went to the dentist with Sky. She won’t be home for a few hours. Is there something you need?” Alison asked.“No. Where is Dad?” she asked.“Mr. Foster went out of town to take care of something.”“Where is John?” Tiffany asked.“I hadn’t seen him since he went to the pool house this morning,” Alison said.Tiffany headed toward the pool house, where her longtime bodyguard and driver, John, was staying. He had helped her through her transition to take her father’s position, so whenever she needed advice, he was always there for her.T
Tiffany stared at her reflection in the vanity mirror, her jaw set with determination. Vargas’ words echoed in her mind, fueling a fire within her.“I’ll show him,” she muttered, clenching her fists. “I’ll show them all.”The encounter with Vargas had shaken her, but it had also awakened something - a fierce resolve to prove herself as a leader within the Red Vipers. Tiffany took a deep breath, squaring her shoulders.“I’m not just some princess,” she told her reflection. “I’m River Foster’s daughter. This is my birthright.”But even as the words left her lips, doubt crept in. Was she really cut out for this life? Could she handle the weight of leadership, the constant danger?Tiffany shook her head, pushing the thoughts aside. She had to stay focused.Standing from the vanity, Tiffany moved to her closet and selected a sleek black dress. As she slipped it on, Tiffany felt confident.“You’ve got this,” she whispered, smoothing down the fabric. “Just remember what Dad taught you.”Her
Vargas’s grin widened, his amusement deepening as he leaned back in his chair and clapped his hands twice. The sharp sound echoed in the room, and a moment later, the door behind him creaked open.Two burly men dragged in a scrawny, disheveled figure who looked terrified.The man was dumped carelessly on the floor. Vargas gestured lazily toward him.“Meet the Rat,” Vargas said, his tone almost casual. “His name’s Eddie. Loyal to your family for years—or so you thought.”Tiffany’s gaze flicked to Eddie. She felt a twist in her stomach, but she forced her expression to remain cold and detached. This was a test, she reminded herself. She couldn’t afford to show weakness.Eddie’s bloodshot eyes widened as they focused on her. “Miss Foster,” he croaked, his voice barely above a whisper. “Please, I didn’t mean to—”“Shut him up,” Vargas snapped, and one of the men delivered a swift kick to Eddie’s side, silencing him with a pained grunt.Tiffany turned her attention back to Vargas. “You wan