The burden on my heart felt immensely heavy. I didn't like Debbie from the very first day we met, and I was sure she felt the same. I can remember the first time she came with Rafael for the first visit. She was arrogant and tried to bully me pretending that she was joking.She said that I was lucky that a family like Mirren's accepted a stranger like me into their midst. Even though Rafael intervened and rebuked her and defended me, her words made me sure that once she became a Mirren, she would attempt to exclude me from the family.I was truly anticipating inheriting my legacy and leaving Mirren's villa. It was my first plane after my stepfather passed; I never expected to have a relationship with Rafael.His offer from this morning keeps echoing in my mind. I'm torn about whether to accept it or not, but I'm probably going to refuse.What if his interest in me is purely driven by desire? He never expressed love or even liking for me. I find it hard to place complete trust in him.
Daniel's POVThe confusion overwhelmed me and filled my heart when Natalie called to inform me that the Merrin Group might be facing bankruptcy. From a technical perspective, that scenario seemed implausible. The Merrin Group had deep roots in the industrial world, with countless industries and companies relying on them. Their shareholders included some of the most renowned brands globally, and they even owned original brands that had been established for over a century. If the group were to face bankruptcy, it would have far-reaching consequences, potentially leading to the downfall of thousands of businesses.Even though I wasn't a fan of Rafael, I felt compelled to step in and address this issue for Natalie's sake. I knew that it would affect her in some way. But first, I needed to delve into the root of the problem and understand it fully.Over a year ago, when I received that late-night call from Merrin's family lawyer and learned about her marriage, I assumed she would end up wi
Natalie’s POVI gazed around the table, sensing a palpable unease in the air. Instead of sitting next to Daniel, I found myself beside Rafael, which puzzled everyone present. As we moved from the sitting room to the dining area, Rafael took hold of my arm, guiding me to my seat before settling next to me. I silently hoped that no one had noticed his possessive demeanor.In an attempt to ease the tension, I flashed a smile at Grandma and whispered, "You see, Grandma. Daniel and Rafael are rivals in the business realm." Rafael and Daniel exchanged hostile glances, each emanating an intense desire to best the other.Grandma smiled tenderly and replied, “They need to set aside their rivalry for your sake. They have to find a way to build a friendly relationship.”Daniel smiled back at her before turning his gaze to me, declaring, "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to win her over. I'd spare no expense, fortune and money to make her my wife. Natalie, I hope you'll grant me this privilege.
Natalie’s POVAfter Rafael left my room, I stood before the mirror, staring into my own eyes with confusion. I sighed, knowing I had to decide quickly. It wasn't easy to make a decision, but I had to think clearly. Should I accept Rafael's offer or stick to my plan and leave after the marriage period ended? It was a tough choice, but I needed to make it.I need the money from my stepfather's will to fulfill my lifelong dream of opening a fashion house. I've been obsessed with fashion design since high school, completely devoted to it, and have even won many competitions.But Mom didn't agree with that dream back then, telling me it was childish and impractical. She insisted I consider working at the Merrin Group as a member of the family. However, what I never told her was that I never felt I belonged at Merrin, even though my stepfather Matt was a great father to me. Grandma and Aunt Tobi were the best family anyone could have, but the rest of the family didn't like me. I remember how
Rafael’s POVI flipped through the pages of the file before me absent-minded. It’s the first time in all my life I feel stress and tension while thinking of someone’s reaction. I carefully reviewed the terms of the contract multiple times.“Sir, this is the last document that needs your confirmation” the secretary mumbled while staring at my face. She has been working for this company for almost a decade now, and she was a confidential employee when my father was the CEO. Therefore, I didn’t think of replacing her.I glanced at my handwatch for almost a hundred times in the last fifteen minutes. I asked in a harsh tone, “When will the next meeting begin?”She smiled and replied calmly even though I asked her that question for the tenth time now, “Your next meeting is with Miss Natalie, and it will be starting after three minutes.”I knocked with my fingers on the glassy table before me impatiently.The secretary cleared her throat and said, “The document, sir.”“Just leave it there an
Natalie’s POVEvery time Rafael touched me, I felt weak, even though I felt like I was holding the world in my hands, touching the stars, and experiencing happiness itself.How can someone be both my weakness and my source of strength? That's exactly what I felt for him.I felt like I was drowning in him, melting under his touches and kisses as his tongue traced a map on my body. Despite being on the conference table, I completely forgot that someone might barge in at any moment.All I could think about was that it wasn't enough. I craved more, more of him. I wanted him to dive into me, to feel him completely. My hands instinctively began to undo his belt, disregarding his whispers about why we couldn't do that at that moment.As I reached for his belt, he froze, gripping my hands tightly above my head and kissing me forcefully. I enjoyed his possessive kisses and dominant touch. I loved how he controlled and guided me during our intimacy.Without warning, he stopped kissing me, locki
Rafael’s POVI listened to the busy tone repeatedly played on my phone as I was laying on the big lather sofa in my office. I made three consecutive calls and all of them were rejected. I let out a ragged breath filled with rage. As for the seventh call I failed to get through. The tenth call, the eleventh call, the twelfth call. Every time I made a call I hear the disconnected tone. I gritted my teeth and hissed, “Why her phone is busy all this time?”Jack, my personal assistant, and Norm, my secretary, exchanged looks. They were discussing some details about the upcoming deal and when they heard me raved angrily, they focused with me and carefully observed my expression for a bit. I saw a playful excepressin on their faces, whereas Norm was trying to hide his amusement, Jack said with a chuckle, “Rafael, in this situation, when you hear the busy tone repeatedly, usually means that your number had been black listed!”I glared at his without understanding and roared, “Black listed?
Natalie’s POVAfter driving for an hour without a determined destination, thinking about what I had read in the contract that Rafael showed me, I found myself standing before the door of the place I liked the most - the gathering of amateur painters. Even though I wasn’t a professional painter yet, I felt relaxed whenever I started painting.I stood before the blank drawing board, and all I could see was Rafael's face. An amusing thought suddenly popped into my head. I smiled a small smile and started drawing lines on the board. Every line I drew was a release of frustration and anger towards Rafael. His thick eyebrows were knit together, his sharp gaze was gleamed with evil, and his tightened lips curved into a playful smirk. That was how I imagined his facial features at that moment. Then I painted him holding a whip, poised like an executioner.Finally, after almost three hours, I finished my initial draft and stared at the board with satisfaction. He deserves it. A hasty idea came