Mag-log inShare
Chapter 12
Huling Na-update:
2024-12-16 07:00:16Weekend was close by, and I still felt nervous about the upcoming gala. I couldn’t shake the unease that came with being around the Alessandro family, Dino in particular.
Mom had gone out for the afternoon, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I texted her, desperate for a distraction. Me: Mom, can Jess also come to the gala? It didn’t take long for her to reply. Mom: Sure, but why don’t you ask Alessandro first? I sighed, staring at the screen. Of course, she’d suggest that. It wasn’t like I wanted to speak to Dino or his father more than I absolutely had to, but now it seemed unavoidable. After pacing around my room for a solid five minutes, I picked up my phone. The number saved as Mr. Alessandro stared back at me. I would’ve saved it as Mr. Gabriel or even just Gabriel
Kaugnay na kabanata
The Obsession Of My Stepbrother Chapter 13
At around 5 PM, the sound of the doorbell echoed through the house. I was about to head downstairs when I heard Mom already at the door. “Jess!” Mom’s voice carried up the stairs, warm and welcoming. By the time I got downstairs, they were already chatting. Jessica stood in the entryway, balancing a dress case in one hand and a shoe box in the other, her grin infectious as always. “Anne, you look as lovely as ever,” Jess said casually, leaning in for a quick hug. Mom beamed, clearly delighted. “And you, as vibrant as always. It’s so good to see you! How long has it been since you’ve dropped by?” “Not too long, just a few day,” Jessica admitted, shifting her things to one arm. “How have you been? And how’s life?” Mom smiled, a bit wistful. “Doing well, though sometimes busier than ever. Always somethi
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-16The Obsession Of My Stepbrother Chapter 14
Jess nudged me gently. “Come on. Let’s grab a drink and pretend we’re too cool to care.” We made our way toward the bar, but before we could order, Dino was suddenly standing in front of me, blocking my path. “Eloise,” he said smoothly, his voice carrying just enough charm to make me wary. “You look... stunning.” I straightened my posture, forcing a neutral expression. “Dino.” Jess, ever the best wingwoman, stepped in. “Hi, Dino. Love the suit. Very Wall Street.” "Thank you... you are?" Jess extended her hand with a polite smile. “Jessica. Eloise’s best friend.” Dino shook her hand, his expression polite but curious. “Nice to meet you.” “Likewise,” Jess replied, her tone
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-16The Obsession Of My Stepbrother Chapter 15
As we made our way toward the silent auction area, the buzz of conversation surrounded us. The space was filled with people browsing the tables, each laden with elegant items, vacation packages to exotic locations, rare works of art, and even exclusive wine collections. The atmosphere was both lively and sophisticated, setting the perfect stage for the evening’s high-profile fundraising. Jessica nudged me, her eyes scanning the tables. "You should totally bid on something," she said, her tone light but teasing. "Get in the spirit of things." I chuckled, shaking my head. "Not tonight. I’m just here to survive." She rolled her eyes. "You’re no fun." Mom, who had been chatting with a few familiar faces, came over with a glass of wine in hand. "Eloise, Jessica, the auction is about to start. Why don’t we f
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-16The Obsession Of My Stepbrother Chapter 16
I stared at her in disbelief. “Jessica!” The auctioneer’s voice boomed. “We have five thousand! Do I hear five thousand five hundred?” People began murmuring, their eyes darting toward us. I felt my cheeks burn as I tried to process what had just happened. “You’re going to pay for this,” I hissed, grabbing my paddle and hesitantly raising it. “Five thousand five hundred.” Jessica smirked, clearly enjoying herself. “Good job. Now, keep going. You don’t want to let someone else win after that dramatic entrance.” “Do I hear six thousand?” the auctioneer asked, looking hopeful. I sank lower into my chair, muttering under my breath. “I can’t believe you dragged me into this.” “Six thousand!” someone from the back called out, and my stomach twisted in relief. “See? Someone saved you,” Jessica whispered, winking at me. “Going once, going twice—” But then, a voice from my left rang out. "Seven thousand," a woman called, her tone smooth yet firm. I turned to see who had e
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-16The Obsession Of My Stepbrother Chapter 17
My breath caught in my throat at his words. I wasn’t sure how to respond, if I even wanted to respond. His intense gaze made it impossible to look away, and for a moment, the noise of the gala faded into the background. “Dino…” I began, trying to find the right words. “This doesn’t make any sense.” “Doesn’t it?” he asked softly, his tone laced with something I couldn’t quite place. “We’ve always had a connection, Eloise. You can deny it all you want, but I see it every time you look at me.” I shook my head, taking a small step back. “You can’t just throw money around to prove a point. That’s not how this works.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It wasn’t about the money. It’s about you. I thought… maybe tonight, you’d finally see that.” I opened my mouth to reply, but before I could, the band started playing a soft waltz, signaling the start of the dances. Dino held out his hand, his expression gentle but resolute. “Dance with me, Eloise,” he said, his voice lo
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-16The Obsession Of My Stepbrother Chapter 18
As the slow tune began to fade, my mom returned to our table, glowing from her dance with Mr. Alessandro. He followed closely, his demeanor as composed as ever, yet his gaze lingered on me as he approached. “Eloise,” he said warmly, his deep voice carrying a charm that commanded attention. “You look beautiful as always.” I blinked, momentarily taken aback by his directness. “Thank you, Mr. Alessandro,” I replied, keeping my tone polite yet uncertain. His lips quirked into a small, knowing smile, and he extended a hand. “May I have this second dance?” My mom, already seated, gave me a gentle nudge and a nod of encouragement. Jessica’s eyes widened, her excitement barely concealed as she mouthed, Say yes! Feeling the weight of their stares, I placed my hand in his. “Of course.” He led me to the dance floor with the confidence of someone who had done this countless times. As the soft melody filled the room again, he guided me gracefully into a smooth waltz. “You remind me
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-16The Obsession Of My Stepbrother Chapter 19
We drove in silence, the weight of everything still hanging in the air. When we finally arrived home, Jess and I headed upstairs. "Hey, you need rest. It's been a long day," she said softly. I nodded, too tired to argue. I headed straight for the shower, letting the hot water soothe my mind for a brief moment before I wrapped myself in a towel and got into bed. Jess soon joined me after her shower, slipping into the bed beside me. I turned off the lights, trying to unwind, but my mind kept drifting back to everything that had happened. My phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. It was a call from Mom. "I'll take it," Jess said, grabbing the phone from the nightstand. She answered it quickly, her voice muffled as she spoke to Mom. I couldn’t hear their conversation, but from the tone, I could tell she was reassuring Mom that I was already asleep. I closed my eyes, letting the quiet of the room lull me into a sense of calm, grateful for Jess’s presence by my side as I drifted of
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-16The Obsession Of My Stepbrother Chapter 20
Dino’s POV The night had been a whirlwind, and now I was home, still seething over what had transpired earlier. I walked through the grand hall of our estate, frustration weighing heavily on my chest. I wasn’t sure what exactly had gone wrong until I remembered the conversation with my father at the gala. He had been adamant about the job offer, about pushing Eloise into our lives. But now, it was clear that something I hadn’t understood had shifted between us. I wasn’t blind, I could see how she was distancing herself, and it didn’t sit well with me. I was angry. And I wasn’t sure if it was directed at Eloise for pulling away, or at my father for what I now realized he might have said to her. I stormed into his study without knocking. The room was dark, lit only by the dim glow of a desk lamp. My father sat behind his large oak desk, a glass of whiskey in hand, his expression unreadable. “You’ve got a lot of nerve, you know that?” I spat, barely controlling the anger in m
Huling Na-update : 2024-12-16
Pinakabagong kabanata
The Obsession Of My Stepbrother Chapter 82
They met in a tight embrace, the kind of hug that made the world quiet again for a few seconds. “You didn’t tell me you were coming today,” Eloise said, her voice soft against her mother’s shoulder. “I wanted it to be a surprise,” Anne chuckled as she pulled back, cupping her daughter’s face briefly before brushing a few strands of hair behind her ear. “Well, your mother insisted,” came another voice from the corner, smoother, deeper. Eloise turned to see Alessandro, standing just a few steps inside, a glass in his hand and a small smile playing on his face. Before Eloise could say anything, Dino stepped into the house, his pace slower now, his features carefully arranged in something close to neutral. “Dad?” Dino greeted, eyes briefly meeting Alessandro’s. Then, “Anne.” “Dino,” Anne said warmly, pulling him into a hug just as she had Eloise, as if all the tension between them didn’t exist or perhaps, she chose to ignore it tonight. Dino hugged her back, but his eyes f
The Obsession Of My Stepbrother Chapter 81
After he left, Eloise exhaled slowly and looked out the window. She had survived the first awkward encounter. She hadn’t flinched. She hadn’t cracked. And she wouldn’t. Even if Dino hadn’t come home last night. Even if he hadn’t called. Even if the silence between them was louder than ever. She would play it cool. Be professional. Focus on her goals. She had too much going for her to let emotions complicate things. But as the day stretched on, and she scrolled past another post dissecting the Alessandro family dynamic, her jaw clenched. She wasn’t just playing it cool. She had to be cool. Because the minute she let her guard down, she wasn’t sure what she’d do the next time she saw Dino. Or worse, what she’d let herself feel. Just before Eloise could slip into the rhythm of her work, the sharp sound of heels clicking against the polished floor interrupted the quiet hum of the office. Each step was too deliberate, too loud, and it was already clear who it was..
The Obsession Of My Stepbrother Chapter 80
She closed the door gently behind her and leaned against it, letting out a slow, tired breath. Her phone buzzed softly from where she’d left it on the bed. She moved toward it without thinking, the screen lighting up with a new message. Her heart knew before her eyes confirmed it. Dino: "I won’t be coming home today." That was it. No explanation. No follow up. Just a quiet, distant line that made her stomach twist. She sat on the edge of the bed, phone still in her hand. Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, unsure whether to type something sarcastic, neutral, or just nothing at all. A million thoughts raced through her head, most of them useless. What was she expecting him to say? That he missed her? That he’d come back tonight and act like nothing was changing? She dropped the phone beside her and rubbed her forehead, closing her eyes. This, whatever this was... was starting to blur. The line between what was real and what was just late night glances and lingering to
The Obsession Of My Stepbrother Chapter 79
Her chest tightened a little at his words. “I’m okay,” she said, even though that wasn’t the full truth. “I’ve had worse.” “I know,” he replied quietly. “But I still wanted to hear it from you.” For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence between them wasn’t awkward, it was thick with unspoken things. “Where are you right now?” she asked, needing something to ground the moment. “My father’s company,” he answered. “Going over some logistics for the expansion in Paris. It’s a mess here.” “Sounds fun.” “You’d hate it,” he said with a soft chuckle. “Noisy, chaotic, and too many people trying to suck up to my father.” Eloise smirked. “Yeah, definitely not my scene.” Another pause. “Eloise,” he said, his voice a little more serious now. “Yeah?” “We’ll I can deal with all that. Let them say whatever they want, gossip fades after all. But what’s between us...” He trailed off. Her heart skipped. “What’s between us?” He didn’t answer right away. Then, quietly, he
The Obsession Of My Stepbrother Chapter 78
The next morning at the office felt unusually quiet. Eloise stepped into the building with a calm demeanor, but inside, her thoughts were a swirl of noise. She hadn’t had much sleep after last night’s conversation with Dino. It had stayed with her long after he left. The way he opened up, the weight behind his words... it all echoed in her mind, making her heart ache a little. She had always known Dino carried a lot, but hearing it from him directly changed everything. She walked through the familiar halls of the office with practiced ease, offering small smiles to a few colleagues on the way, but her mind was clearly elsewhere. Her desk was just as she left it organized, clean, and oddly comforting. She placed her bag down, booted up her computer, and took a deep sip from her warm coffee. Dino was away today, handling business matters at his father’s company, so the atmosphere was notably different without him around. A part of her missed him already, and it was ridiculous, cons
The Obsession Of My Stepbrother Chapter 77
The silence stretched between them like an invisible thread, tying them together in a strange, heavy comfort. Dino could feel the weight of the unspoken words hanging in the air, his mind running over everything that had been said—and everything that hadn’t been said. His father’s voice still echoed in his ears, the words sharp and demanding. And yet, here he was, sitting next to Eloise, as if everything was fine.As if he could just forget about the suffocating pressure from his father and the constant expectations that seemed to define his every move.Dino glanced at Eloise again. Her eyes were focused on the TV screen, but there was something in her posture—a subtle tension in the way her body was angled, her lips pressed together—that told him she wasn’t as absorbed in the show as she appeared to be.He couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking. Was she still bothered by the way he had been distant lately? Or was she starting to understand why he had been pulling away?He did
The Obsession Of My Stepbrother Chapter 76
Dino’s phone rang again, and he groaned, already knowing who it was. He glanced at the screen Father and sighed. With a heavy pause, he answered, his voice taking on that familiar cool, distant tone.“Yeah?”His father’s voice came through the line, clear and commanding. “Dino, I need you at the office tomorrow.”Dino rubbed the back of his neck, already feeling the tension in his shoulders rise. “What for? I thought Luca was handling things.”“He is, but I need your input on something specific. These contracts with the foreign investors... this is big. I can’t leave this to anyone else.” His father’s tone was terse, and it didn’t leave much room for argument.Dino’s eyes briefly flickered to Eloise, who had turned her attention to the television, though her posture was rigid, as though she was trying to seem casual but clearly wasn’t. He rubbed his face, fighting the wave of frustration bubbling up inside. “I’m still dealing with things here. I’ve got enough on my plate.”“Enough? It
The Obsession Of My Stepbrother Chapter 75
But as much as she enjoyed this distraction, she knew she couldn’t avoid Dino forever. And she had a feeling that when she got back home, he’d be waiting. Eloise stood at the entrance of the estate, gripping the strap of her bag as she stared at the sight before her. Sandra was draped over Dino like she belonged there, her manicured fingers tracing slow, lazy circles on his chest as she laughed at something he said. Eloise swallowed hard, forcing herself to take a deep breath. You knew this would happen, she told herself. You knew she’d be here. But knowing didn’t make it any easier. Dino hadn’t noticed her yet, too caught up in whatever Sandra was saying. Or maybe... maybe he had noticed and just didn’t care. That thought stung more than she wanted to admit. She stepped further inside, her heels clicking against the floor, finally drawing their attention. Dino’s gaze snapped to her instantly, his body tensing for just a fraction of a second before his expression smoothed into
The Obsession Of My Stepbrother Chapter 74
Eloise groaned, sinking deeper into the couch. “You’re impossible.”Jess grinned, completely unfazed. “And yet, you love me.” She tossed a piece of popcorn into her mouth. “So, tell me how did this even happen? One minute you and Dino are bickering like enemies, and the next, you’re tangled in the sheets?”Eloise exhaled, staring at the ceiling as the memories flooded back. The way he had looked at her. Touched her. Claimed her. She felt the heat creeping up her neck and covered her face with her hands.“Eloise,” Jess nudged her. “Details. I need details.”Eloise peeked at her through her fingers. “Jess, I’m not going to sit here and narrate my sex life to you.”Jess pouted. “But I live for this kind of gossip.” She crossed her arms. “Fine. I’ll respect your privacy—”Eloise sighed in relief.“—but at least tell me who made the first move?”Eloise hesitated before muttering, “Him.”Jess gasped dramatically. “No way! Dino is all broody and possessive, but I never took him for the act f
