- I think that was the best sundae I've ever had... - Missy praised, smiling happily as she gave a last wistful lick of the small spoon she had been using to eat.- And to think you didn't want to come... - Logan laughed, keeping his hand intertwined with hers as he watched her throw the small cup into a trash can, before they continued to walk calmly through the mall - If you liked it so much, I promise we'll come here whenever possible, just like we do with our restaurant.- Our restaurant? Missy smiled, liking the sound of that phrase, even though she was confused.- That's what I've been calling your favorite Italian restaurant, at least to myself. – he smiled, slightly embarrassed – That place became special to me, not only because it was, technically, our first date, but also… Because, for the first time, I felt that we were starting to have a connection. – Logan caressed her face gently with his other hand – I felt… That we were made for each other, not only because I loved you
- No, but I know the look on his face. – Logan grunted, while calling the valet to bring his car – He is that detestable type of person who recognized my face and now he will send our photos to the gossip portals, wanting to receive money for the “busting”. – he said that last word with deep disgust – Damn. I want everyone to know that I love you and that we're together, but... I hate to think that you're going to have to deal with the shit the media can come up with. – he sighed, irritated – Discreet people like me are full of speculations they like to make. I can't imagine what they're going to come up with, now that they know I'm with you... - As soon as he helped her into the car, Logan immediately gave her a regretful expression – Sorry, love. I should have been more careful. It's just... The harassment has decreased so much over the years, I don't even need security anymore when I go out in public places and...- Logan, you don't need to apologize. – Smiling, she leaned over to
- Oh, Missy, you are simply stunning! The infectious euphoria in Megan's voice made Missy smile, though her stomach was still tight with nervousness. With restless hands, she smoothed, for the millionth time that early evening, the silky fabric of the tea-pink dress she was wearing. There was embroidery and detail covering every inch of it, from the hem that spilled a few inches to the floor, the fabric that flared out just below her knees, the region that perfectly hugged her thighs and waist, the sleeves that formed a small cape around her arms, down to the moderate cleavage, but which still left a considerable amount of skin on her collarbone and her breasts on display. - So it turned out good, didn't it? Missy asked, smiling shyly at her reflection in the mirror as she noted how the color had left her pale skin looking rosy and healthy. - Don't be, silly. – Megan laughed, looking delighted, as she watched her too – You look fantastic! I knew this dress would look perfect on you
Biting her lip even harder, Missy just lowered her head, too embarrassed to admit that he was correct. Victoria had never really thought it was worth taking Missy to a fancy event in a limousine, as it had always been a little obvious that she didn't fit in those kinds of places. In fact, Missy had always felt as if her mother thought it would be a waste to take her with her anywhere, even in a car. Perhaps that was why she was so shocked: shocked that Logan thought she was worthy of such opulence.She just hoped she didn't make him regret that night. After all, she'd already had enough experience to know that she wasn't born for those kinds of events.The sound of Logan's deep breath, taken through clenched teeth, brought her attention back to him, whose dark, furious expression made him look like a beast about to pounce. However, as soon as their eyes met again, his face softened a little, although she could still recognize the anger that was still present even when he pulled her on
The sound of Raquela's voice faded as they walked away, quickly advancing beyond the hall, to a quieter and more secluded place, similar to a staff entrance, while Missy tried to repress that bad feeling that was squeezing her chest."Honey, I…" Logan began, his voice clearly apologetic, but Missy quickly cut him off.- Everything is fine. – Missy swallowed hard, making an effort to dissipate the tension – I… I mean, it's okay if you had something with Barbarah and Samantha… You did, right? she couldn't stop herself from asking, although Wendy's tone had made it quite clear.Logan sighed heavily, before replying, “Well, yes, but only with Samantha. It was a long time ago, when I was in my early 20s and still working as a model. It didn't get to be a real relationship. We enjoyed each other's company and started something purely physical, but it didn't last long. We weren't even really friends and so we both agreed to end it without any hurt feelings or animosity, especially since neit
It was the first time Missy had woken up before Logan.And so, for more than half an hour, she remained just looking at him, dazzled by each of the shapes and small details of his face and body, while she allowed him to rest. After all, she knew that, as much as Logan tried to hide it, he had accumulated a lot of work in those last two weeks that he had taken time off to be with her, after they had declared themselves for each other. Now, in that last week before Christmas, he had gone to great lengths to manage to fulfill all the agency's thousand demands, which even Diana and Devon's help could not lessen, and yet remain perfectly present for her: being the best of company. during the day and satisfying her at night.So, watching him stir a little but remain asleep, Missy realized that she finally had the opportunity to be the one she spoiled, instead of the other way around. Giving him one last tender kiss on the cheek, being careful not to wake him up, Missy got out of bed before
- Everything is ready now. I'm sure I'll soon be able to tell you exactly what your software's market value is. - Thanks, sis. – Missy thanked Alice for the phone, plopping down on the sofa, exhausted after spending the entire afternoon packing up the first things she was going to take to Logan's apartment. - Are you sure you don't want help with the move? – she could almost hear her sister's malicious and at the same time satisfied smile on the other end of the line, which made her laugh. - Not. Logan and I had agreed that he would help me with that as soon as he got off work. she said, giving a dreamy sigh. 'I can't believe my little sister is about to move in with a man…' Alice sniffed theatrically, making Missy laugh. - You talk like this wasn't the first thing you and Devon did. Missy teased. "It was either that or accept that he put me over his shoulder and took us to a chapel in Las Vegas…" Alice mumbled amusedly, being interrupted by a voice in the background, which Missy
- Not. She made it worse. - Missy shook her head regretfully - She went to my apartment. Apparently he wanted me to give up my “revenge plan” against Liam when I asked you, my new boyfriend, to fire him just so I could enjoy his suffering. she said, shrugging. - And I would have done it from that first day, with pleasure, if you had let me. - Logan opened an evil smile, making her laugh. - But the question is not what she thinks. – Missy explained, looking him deep in the eyes – Actually… I came here because I wanted you to tell me… Why? – she finally asked, genuinely confused – After everything that happened, why do this now? - Because I caught them breaking agency rules. - The delighted smile became a devilish expression and, suddenly, Logan looked sadistically satisfied as he told her that - More specifically those that concern the attack on modesty. A film crew and I caught them having sex on one of our studios, which is, under agency rules, termination for cause. Nothing more,
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