- How did you get? – despite being obviously disappointed, Daniel also looked shocked – Were you really able to sleep with someone? I thought you finally changed your mind, son! – that growl sounded frustrated – I thought I finally understood that this isn't a curse, as you always thought. What happened to your brilliant plan to...? - Father! – Logan panted, sounding almost panicked – Listen: I don't have time for this right now! I promise I'll come to Sunday lunch this time, but you two have to leave right now and... - Although? – Gwyneth practically snarled, hurt like Missy had never seen – How do you think I can leave now that I know my son is going back to square one? Logan… – she lamented, disturbed – Do you really think that continuing in denial is the way to go? Even after all you've suffered? Listen, I have nothing against this girl who might still be here, whoever she is, but do you really think it's okay to kid yourself like that? It won't go away so easily. You need to get
- You know she won't disappear if you walk away from her for, like, two minutes, right? Cracking a smile, while Logan was still opening the passenger door so she could get out of his car, Missy spotted her older sister standing beside Devon on the Knights' lawn, watching Logan's every move with an astuteness that only she owned. Laughing, Missy hurried over to where she was and enveloped her little sister in a bear hug. Not that she was very tall herself, after all, the two of them shared the short stature and slight build of the women in her paternal family, but there was no denying that Megan, at just 5' 1" was especially gifted with the genes of the Sutton. - I had decided to go to your house yesterday. - Her older sister told, as soon as they finally let go - But then Gwyneth told me that she had convinced Logan to share you a little and I was incredulous. – Megan turned her attention to Logan with a grimace that was a mixture of amusement and irritation – That's why I decided to
- You... Do you really think so? She swallowed hard, trying to hold back the tears of joy that suddenly threatened to spill over. Of course, she would never doubt Megan's love, but she hadn't grown up among the Knights. From the first moment she was introduced to them, she had been afraid of not fitting in, of not being accepted into that family. And, ironically, Logan's first reaction to her had fueled those fears even more. But time had passed and the Knights had become as much a second family to her as they were to Megan. Still, hearing that from Logan and seeing how truly they had been not only worried about her these last few weeks, but also happy and relieved to see her again that day, had touched her deeply, even more than she'd realized. - Of course they do. It's impossible not to love someone like you, Missy, who brings joy and sweetness everywhere she goes. – he distributed soft kisses over her face, almost as if he were drying invisible tears – Every little detail of you is
- I know it's going to sound like I'm making it up. – Logan laughed – But… His name was Logan. – He smiled widely when he saw her gasp, delighted – This is another of the family traditions: every two or three generations, at least one man in the family must be called Logan. And here I am. – he shrugged – But, back to the story: they say that, one day, after some time governing that place, Knight... I mean, Logan... Well, he... - Logan pointed to the man on the tapestry, exasperated, which made her have to stifle her laughter, although that reaction gave her the impression that he didn't like being compared with his eponymous ancestor – He had a visit from a local old lady. Knight had saved her granddaughter from being raped, and for that, she wanted to reward him. When he asked her how she planned to do that… - Logan interrupted the narrative again, looking stiff, and when he spoke again, he did so with a sigh – She replied that she was a sorceress. And, as a reward for his good deed,
- Uh... Well, no... - Missy swallowed hard - Megan even told her those first three days, but... She just sent me a message saying that these things happen, that I should get over it and... - Missy blinked away a tear, trying to push that memory away, as she had done until that moment - I should take this as an incentive to improve the way I am and behave if I don't want this to happen again. she admitted in a fragile whisper. - What?! – Logan roared, revolted and scandalized – How could she say that? How could she not even have the consideration to come all the way over here to comfort you, instead of just sending you a message as rude as that? - It's okay, Logan, really. – Missy assured, wringing her hands nervously – I'm used to her personality. And I also know how busy she is. It's not like she can just hop on the first flight here from Paris whenever something happens to me. - It's what anyone in my family would do. he said through gritted teeth. - I know. - Missy smiled affect
- All right, I think that's enough, isn't it? Still in the middle of a laugh, Missy looked at Logan's displeased face, who continued to glare at the family nonstop, as they all brought out more and more albums from his childhood to show Missy his embarrassing moments, such as a sequence of photos in which he, a child just over two years old, ran away from the bath completely naked and started running around the house, or the album of school presentations in which the photograph recorded the moment when he, a little boy of seven, raised his fist to hit a colleague who had stolen his hat. Not to mention the countless adorable and funny pictures of him as a plump baby playing in the bath or eating dirt before Gwyneth or Daniel could stop him. - Oh, come on, Missy hasn't gotten to know you well enough yet, as Mom suggested… – Diana laughed wickedly, putting another CD inside the DVD player – She hasn't even watched the recording of that fashion show where the another model tried to grope
- You know you can trust me and talk to me about anything, no matter what it is, right? – he asked carefully, taking her by the hand and sitting her on the sofa next to him, wrapping her affectionately between his arms, in a consoling hug – If something is wrong, or making you feel bad, we can solve it together, I promise. Just tell me what's going on, please. The sharp distress in his voice surprised her, even amid the pain inside her, and after a moment of silence, Missy realized that maybe it really was good to talk about this with someone. They were unlikely to reach a resolution, or so she believed, but Logan had already helped her so much and in so many ways... There was no reason not to open up to him again, especially about something that was hurting her so much. - Since... Since that day, I... - Missy began, with a shaky and tearful voice, not knowing exactly how to put it into words - I don't know why exactly, but... I can't wear those clothes anymore ... Or looking at mysel
- Very well. See? Deep down, you know the whole truth. You just need it to take root inside you and push away all those horrible things you've been told. – he whispered vehemently, hugging her tightly by the waist – But… What about me? Do you think I'd say you're pathetic? he questioned, raising an eyebrow almost in a warning tone, which made her giggle. - No, you would never do that. – She smiled at him through her reflex, feeling her throat tighten with emotion and… Another feeling, more intense than anything else she had ever felt, and that she didn't even know how to name what it was - You… Would you tell me to see myself as I really am... To start seeing in myself all the amazing things you always repeat when you're with me. - And what do I always repeat to you? – he challenged her, as he slowly removed her bra, letting her breasts, free and heavy, push themselves directly into his large hands, which began to touch them with reverence. - That… – she gasped in pleasure when he t
Smiling a small contented smile, Hope visibly relaxed for a moment, but then the nervousness seemed to take over her small body again, as Missy led them to the large counter, where the old man greeted them warmly.-We… Hmmm… – Hope stammered nervously, hugging Missy with more and more desperation – We wanted an ice cream… Huh… – Her little daughter was getting more and more insecure, looking at her as if she was begging for help.- I would like a strawberry ice cream, please. – Missy asked softly, as she remembered saying when she was a little girl so terribly shy that she could barely ask anything from people she didn't know – And you, my love? she asked Hope, with a smile full of encouragement, for her to keep talking.- I want chocolate... Please. – Hope whispered, completely blushing, before burying her face in her mother's shoulder quickly.- Well, what a polite little girl... – the gentleman smiled, while picking up some glass bowls – You must be very proud to have such a kind d
Once in her arms, Hope lifted her tear-stained little face to look at her, initially looking surprised to see her mother there, but then her expression distorted into a sad sob and she buried her head against Missy's chest, panting.-Mommy... – her little baby wailed, making Missy's heart sink even more – Mommy... Mommy...- It's okay, my sweetheart. – Missy tried to console her, running her hands through her soft hair, while she continued to say, in a low and gentle voice, almost as if she were singing a lullaby to her, as she did every night – Mommy is here, don't worry. It's going to be okay... - she waited until Hope's cries went from copious to just a few sad sobs, before finally asking - Hope, what happened? – she caressed her cheek until she convinced her to look up – Why are you crying, little angel?Hope's little mouth quivered a few times before she finally sniffled, her little blue eyes filled with such sadness that Missy found herself kissing her little cheek over and over
Stealthily, Missy looked through the window.Inside, in the huge classroom, several children seemed to be copying something into their notebooks while chatting animatedly. And, of course, it wasn't hard for her to find her children, as usual, sitting in the chairs at the corner of the wall, not too close and also not far from the teacher, where she remembered also liking to be, when she was in the 4th grade. year, like them. Jonathan had his back turned in his chair, looking at his brother in the back seat, while Tristan was showing him something that looked very interesting on the portable video game he was holding. With an amused sigh, Missy tried to convince herself that at least they were doing that after they had finished their homework, as the open pages of their notebooks were visibly written all over the desks.In fact, she truly took pride in the fact that they were only ten years old and yet they were centered and obedient enough to keep up well in school, despite all the lo
Now, he was able to do so much more besides being afraid. He was capable of being brave. To face what he feared. Of fighting to live the joys that were to come, even in the midst of tragedies. And now, more than ever, he knew he was able to see his family's legacy for what it really was, not a curse. He would be able to spend the rest of his life talking about him in a hopeful and balanced way to his children, as he had that day, and as his parents and grandfather had done to him in his childhood.Even if there was still the fear of what could happen to their babies in the future.- Are you OK love?Surprised by that whisper, Logan turned to see Missy dressed in a long cotton Hello Kitty nightgown, already without makeup and with her long brown hair loose, approaching him and Hope, who began to babble softly and extend her little arms towards the mother. Smiling, Missy took her little girl and offered her the breast, leaving the baby immediately calmer as she watched Logan's face with
- And... - the desperation in Foster's voice was so deep that Logan almost felt sorry for her... Almost - How much exactly is this debt?- Come with me, Ms. Foster. - Mr. Ramzi sighed – Something tells me that your next fainting spell will not be false, when we finish talking.- H-hey, I'm sure we can work it out, right? - Logan thought she was trying to sound sensual, in the midst of dread - I mean, there are so many other better things in life than money... Why don't we go to a more private place and I...?- Oh, don't worry, Ms. Foster. - again, Mr. Ramzi interrupted her, perfectly calm and measured - The only person who will be where we are going is my wife, one of the main people responsible for the hotel's accounting.Still a little dazed by everything he had just heard, Logan remained staring at Missy's equally shocked face, until the voices of Foster and the hotel manager were lost in the night, leaving them alone again, hidden among the shadows .- Heavens, I had no idea that
- What? - Suzan repeated, seeming to be choking - No, that's impossible! His family has a lot of money! That's how we paid for the trip and the hotel!- Funny... - Stra. Kobayashi gave Suzan one more look from under his lashes - I could have sworn he told us he came to the hotel on account of a donation from one of his investors...- Investors? - Suzan gasped, irritated – But we came here so he could get investors and...! - Realizing that everyone was looking at her with interest, Foster suddenly stopped talking, getting up from the table with a sour expression - If you'll excuse me, I think the drink made me sick. I am a little confuse. I'm going to bed for the rest of the night. - and so, without saying goodbye, Foster stomped out of the hall, probably in search of the groom who apparently no one knew exactly who he was or where he came from, including Suzan herself.- What an interesting situation, isn't it? - was all that Mr. Montenegro commented, with a veiled smile, a second bef
- And, allow me to say, what a beautiful dress, Stra. Knight. - Suzan interrupted him with a mean smile - It looks so modern, with that rounded silhouette and that blunt skirt. Anyone with no aesthetic taste could even say that his seamstress deserved a scolding...- Suzan! - her companion gasped, looking suddenly possessed, before quickly recovering, putting that artificially sympathetic expression back on her face – Forgive me, Stra. Knight. My dear fiancée Suzan comes from a humble background and sometimes fumbles with the meaning of some words, causing some indiscretions. - solemnly ignoring the revolted look that Foster threw at him, the man made that criticism facing Missy directly, with a seductive smile that was making Logan increasingly enraged - Why don't we continue our conversation that afternoon about investments, Stra. Knight? It would be a pleasure to hear the advice of such a refined and thoughtful lady again. If I may say so, even a party as exquisite as this isn't en
- I perceived. - Missy laughed - But I'm relieved that you five are fine. I was worried when I got to the room and found no one. - taking Hope in her arms, she looked at him with curiosity - But, what made you so distracted?- A ghost of Christmas past. - several of them actually, but Logan didn't add that comment as he continued to explain, realizing that Missy had become even more confused – Newton and Foster are here at the hotel, too. – he added cautiously, with a sigh.- Liam and Suzan? - Missy choked, stunned.- Yes, unfortunately. He is one of the employees at the hotel and she is apparently here because she has become the mistress of a rich man. - Logan rolled his eyes full of contempt - A man who, by the way, was in the same meeting as you, apparently. - he shrugged, while Missy blinked a few times, still shocked.- Heavens... I confess that of all the things I thought could happen when we were invited to visit the United Arab Emirates, this was the last of them. - to his tot
He was selfish. It was malicious. It was a plan full of ulterior motives. Damn, it was even a new lie, as he wasn't being completely truthful with Missy that her main motivation was just to help her get revenge. Yet he had impulsively proposed it to her, letting himself think only with his heart for the first time in his life.And, as if his heart thought the situation wasn't already complicated enough, he had given in to the impulse to confess his physical desire for her and kiss her for the first time right there, in the middle of her kitchen, even though he knew perfectly well that that it was far from the right time for them to share that kind of intimacy. Still, none of those conflicting emotions had been able to erase the emotion of that moment, when he finally knew the sweet taste of her lips and the softness of the curves of her delicious body, feeling a powerful wave of emotion and contentment run through him as he realized that she wanted him too. Damn it, with his mind as c