The reunion continued in full swing, with the ballroom brimming with chatter, laughter, and the clinking of glasses. Waiters in crisp uniforms weaved through the crowd, offering trays of drinks, while the live band played soft jazz in the background. It was the kind of upscale event that their high school classmates would have dreamed of back then flashy, extravagant, and meant to show off success. Eloise moved through the room with ease, engaging in polite conversations, exchanging pleasantries, and effortlessly shutting down any lingering whispers about the past. The old Eloise might have shrunk under the weight of past ridicule, but she wasn’t that girl anymore. She carried herself with grace, her confidence evident in every step she took in her fitted, short dress that accentuated her curves. Yet, no matter how composed she remained on the outside, she couldn’t completely shake off the occasional glances she stole in Dino’s direction. Sandra hadn’t left his side all evening.
She didn’t wait for a response. As Eloise stepped out of the restroom and into the buzzing energy of the reunion, she took a deep breath. She needed to get through this night without letting Sandra or Dino see the battle raging inside her. Eloise had had enough. The reunion had been a mistake. She should never have come. Every moment in that ballroom had been a reminder of the past... the taunts, the humiliation, the way Sandra still had her claws in Dino. But what hurt the most was seeing Sandra’s hands on him and how he had done nothing to stop her. She could still see it so clearly in her mind. The way Sandra had “accidentally” spilled wine on his trousers, the way she had immediately knelt down, dabbing at the fabric near his thigh with slow, deliberate strokes. Dino had looked uncomfortable, sure, but he hadn’t pulled away fast enough. And then she had walked in on them like that Sandra touching him so intimately, and him just standing there. Eloise had kept her compo
As Matteo stepped out of Eloise’s room, he found Dino still standing in the same spot, his expression unreadable. The tension in the air was thick, almost suffocating. Matteo let out a breath, stretching his arms before casually leaning against the wall. "Hey, man," Matteo started, his tone light but laced with curiosity. "Do you like Eloise by any chance?" Dino’s jaw tensed. "What do you mean?" Matteo smirked slightly, tilting his head. "I mean, do you have feelings for her?" Dino scoffed, but it sounded a little too forced. "You know that’s not possible. We’re siblings… right?" Matteo studied him for a moment, watching the way Dino’s fingers twitched at his sides. He wasn’t buying it. "Well, that’s fair," Matteo said, shrugging. Dino narrowed his eyes. "Why the questions?" Matteo grinned, pushing himself off the wall. "Nothing serious." With that, he turned on his heel and walked toward his room, leaving Dino standing alone in the dimly lit hallway. Dino let out
“What if I said yes?” he murmured. “What if I wanted to?” Eloise’s heart pounded so loudly she swore he could hear it. But she refused to be the first to break. Instead, she smiled. A slow, taunting smile. “Then I’d say… you think too highly of yourself”. As Eloise turned toward the door, her pulse still racing from their exchange, she reached for the handle. But just as she twisted it open, a firm hand shot out, pushing it shut with a quiet thud. Her breath caught. Dino was behind her now, his body a breath away, his presence overwhelming. She could feel the heat radiating from him, the tension thick enough to suffocate. Slowly, she turned to face him. Her back was against the door. His gaze was dark, unreadable, but the fire in his eyes was unmistakable. Before she could say a word, he caught her wrists, lifting them above her head, pinning them against the door with an effortless grip. Her breath hitched. “Dino—” He didn’t let her finish. His lips cr
“What if I said yes?” he murmured. “What if I wanted to?” Eloise’s heart pounded so loudly she swore he could hear it. But she refused to be the first to break. Instead, she smiled. A slow, taunting smile. “Then I’d say… you think too highly of yourself”. As Eloise turned toward the door, her pulse still racing from their exchange, she reached for the handle. But just as she twisted it open, a firm hand shot out, pushing it shut with a quiet thud. Her breath caught. Dino was behind her now, his body a breath away, his presence overwhelming. She could feel the heat radiating from him, the tension thick enough to suffocate. Slowly, she turned to face him. Her back was against the door. His gaze was dark, unreadable, but the fire in his eyes was unmistakable. Before she could say a word, he caught her wrists, lifting them above her head, pinning them against the door with an effortless grip. Her breath hitched. “Dino—” He didn’t let her finish. His lips cr
His hands gripped her waist, fingers slipping beneath the fabric of her panties, dragging them down her legs in a slow, torturous motion. The cool air against her bare skin only heightened the sensation of his touch, sending a shudder through her body. Dino looked at her for a moment, his dark eyes burning as he took her in. "Tell me you want this." Eloise’s breath hitched. "I—" But words failed her because he was already moving again, his hands parting her thighs, his mouth replacing them in a way that sent her spiraling. A broken moan tore from her lips as his tongue found her, teasing, tasting, devouring. Her hands flew to his hair, gripping, pulling him closer as pleasure crashed over her in waves. Her body was taut, trembling, every nerve ending set ablaze by him. He worked her expertly, knowing exactly how to unravel her, how to pull her closer and closer to that edge she was desperate to reach. Her moans filled the office, the sound of his name slipping past her lips
Eloise hurriedly adjusted her blouse, her fingers trembling slightly as she fastened the buttons. Her body was still humming, fully aware of Dino’s lingering presence behind her. She could feel the heat of his stare, the intensity that had consumed them moments ago still crackling in the air. Her breath was uneven, her heart refusing to settle even as she forced herself to regain control. Then her phone rang. The sharp sound startled her, and she fumbled to grab it from the desk. She blinked at the screen. Matteo. Her stomach clenched. Of all times. Taking a slow, measured breath, she answered. "Hey, Matteo." "You sound out of breath," he noted instantly. "Are you okay?" Dino let out a quiet chuckle behind her, a knowing smirk tugging at his lips. The sound sent a fresh wave of frustration and something far more dangerous rushing through her veins. "I’m fine," she said quickly, clearing her throat. "Just… a long day." Matteo exhaled. "I figured. I was thinking, why d
Matteo’s brow furrowed slightly, but he didn’t press further. Instead, he reached over, his fingers grazing hers briefly before he turned his attention back to the road. The restaurant was elegant but not over-the-top. Matteo had chosen well dim lighting, warm ambiance, a perfect balance of sophistication and comfort. He pulled out a chair for her, and she slid into it, adjusting the hem of her dress. “Wine?” he asked, already signaling for the waiter. She nodded. “Red is fine.” As the waiter poured their drinks, Matteo leaned forward slightly, watching her with an easy smile. “You don’t have to pretend, you know.” Eloise raised a brow. “Pretend?” “That you’re okay. Something’s on your mind.” She hesitated, fingers tightening around her glass. She could still feel Dino. The way he touched her, the way he made her lose herself completely. It felt imprinted on her skin. And yet, here she was, sitting across from Matteo, a man who had always been gentle, kind, and undenia
The room spun as Alex's weight pressed down on her, his breath hot and thick with whiskey. The scent clung to him, suffocating her, making her stomach churn. Ashley squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself anywhere but here. His hands were rough, unrelenting, tearing at the fabric of her dress as if it had personally offended him. The sound of ripping filled the silence a sharp, cruel reminder of how little her resistance meant. "Alex, please," she whispered, but the words barely scraped past her throat. He ignored her. His mouth dragged over her skin, sloppy and possessive. His grip was bruising, fingers digging into her hips, his body pressed so tightly against hers that she could barely breathe. "You’re mine," he muttered against her collarbone, his voice thick with drunken arrogance. "You always will be." A tear slipped down her cheek. Ashley pushed against his chest, her hands trembling, but he barely noticed. Or maybe he did and just didn’t care. "Stop," she tried
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 room spun as Alex's weight pressed down on her, his breath hot and thick with whiskey. The scent clung to him, suffocating her, making her stomach churn. Ashley squeezed her eyes shut, willing herself anywhere but here. His hands were rough, unrelenting, tearing at the fabric of her dress as if it had personally offended him. The sound of ripping filled the silence a sharp, cruel reminder of how little her resistance meant. "Alex, please," she whispered, but the words barely scraped past her throat. He ignored her. His mouth dragged over her skin, sloppy and possessive. His grip was bruising, fingers digging into her hips, his body pressed so tightly against hers that she could barely breathe. "You’re mine," he muttered against her collarbone, his voice thick with drunken arrogance. "You always will be." A tear slipped down her cheek. Ashley pushed against his chest, her hands trembling, but he barely noticed. Or maybe he did and just didn’t care. "Stop," she tried
His words were a slap to the face. Her entire body tensed, grief and anger clashing inside her like a storm. She opened her mouth, trying to find her voice, trying to say something... But before she could, Alex leaned in close, his breath hot against her ear. "Don’t make things more difficult than they already are," he murmured, his tone deceptively soft. Then, just like that, he released her. He straightened his tie, his polished smile slipping back into place as if nothing had happened. And then he left her standing there. Alone. Like always. Ashley pushed open the door to the restroom and stepped inside, her heels clicking softly against the marble floor. Her breathing was shallow, her hands trembling as she locked herself inside one of the stalls. The moment she was alone, the dam broke. Silent, gut wrenching sobs wracked her body as she leaned against the cold metal wall, her fingers gripping the fabric of her dress. The pain of everything, the loss of her
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
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
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
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
Eloise: Girl's hangout with Jess Then she tossed the phone to the couch immediately... Jess watched her closely, a smirk tugging at her lips. “That bad, huh?” Eloise crossed her arms and slumped back into the couch. “I don’t want to deal with it right now.” Jess hummed. “So, let me get this straight... you can spend an entire night thinking about him, but the second he reaches out, you shut down?” Eloise shot her a glare. “I am not shutting down.” Jess arched a brow. “Oh, really? Because it looks a lot like you just threw your phone like it personally offended you.” Eloise exhaled, rubbing her temples. “I just—” Before she could finish, her phone buzzed again. Jess lunged for it before Eloise could stop her. “Ooh, let’s see what he said.” “Jess, don’t—” But it was too late. Jess already had the phone in her hands, her eyes scanning the screen. Then she let out a low whistle. “Oh. Oh, girl, he’s pissed.” Eloise snatched her phone back and hesitantly looked at t