- Promise that when you come back, we'll play together in the pool, mom?With a warm smile, Logan snuggled little Hope further into his arms, making the six-month-old baby gurgle in her sleep as she approached the door, where his wife and three other children were saying goodbye.- Of course you do, honey. – Missy smiled sweetly, answering little Gwyneth's question as she took her daughter in her arms, touching her fingertip to her incredibly dramatic pout, even for a 3-year-old girl – But you three have to promise me that you will behave while they're at the pool with Dad this afternoon. Remember he'll be alone with the four of you and there won't be anyone to take care of Hope if something happens.- All right, Mom. Gwyneth sighed, wrapping her little arms around Missy's neck even tighter.- Oh, don't be like that, my little love. Mom will be back in a heartbeat, I promise. – Blowing a kiss on the tip of Gwyneth's nose, Missy put her on the ground again, so she could wrap Jonathan a
- Funny to hear that from the two fools who agreed to dress up as sheep on Halloween just to make mom smile when she had the flu in bed. - Logan disguised his own laugh with a fake growl, putting both his hands on their heads to be able to ruffle them, which made the three laugh - And don't think I didn't notice that you were trying to dodge the subject, Jonathan Logan Knight . - he warned them softly, making their faces return to that insecure expression - Come on, boys. They know they can tell me what's wrong. Remember what Mom and I taught: it's better to speak the truth and ask for help...- Than lie and end up making everything worse later. - Jonathan completed with a resigned sigh, before staring at him with those green eyes that were exactly like his - Sorry, Dad. It's just... We wanted to ask you something.- But we don't want you to be upset. - Tristan completed, crestfallen.- Whatever it is, I guarantee I won't get mad, okay? - Logan assured them, starting to get worried ab
At the time, he had tried once more to convince himself that he was doing it to keep those crumbs of her presence as he around in order to be able to contain himself, satisfying the needs of the curse and at the same time not giving in to it completely... When, in fact, he was just a pathetic and desperate man, tasting his own poison, as he ached to see that the woman he had tried so hard to push away was actually pulling away, tearing himself to pieces inside at the thought that Missy surely thought of him as someone completely crazy, boorish, and terrifying, who she wanted to keep her distance from.One of the few times he hadn't come up with silly excuses to justify himself and his barely contained love was when he'd given in to the impulse to bribe the building's former owner just to get him to lie to Missy and make her think that the only free office was precisely the one that was a few meters from his, where he could see her, hear her voice and smell her whenever he wanted. The
Lost in his reverie and his memories, Logan only woke up when he realized that the boys were now looking at each other in a confused way, certainly not able to understand the kind of depth he had been talking about; clearing his throat, he smiled at his boys, putting aside his memories and returning to lighten that conversation.- But you don't have to worry about that for a long time. After all, the legacy never reached anyone under the age of 20.- All of that? – Jonathan's eyes widened, shocked – And if I've already met my soulmate before that?- So, as soon as the clock strikes midnight on the day of the 20th anniversary of the two of you, then you will know immediately. – good-naturedly, he tapped his son's nose with the tip of his finger, making him smile – Any more questions?- We'll think of more! Tristan promised excitedly.- Of course, as you always do. – Logan laughed, getting up with them in his arms, in order to put them on their feet too – Now, I think we better hurry. O
- All right, all right. I understand that you still have terrible taste in women. – she threw her reddish blonde hair back, giving him one more perverse smile, before taking her sunglasses off her head and lowering them to her eyes – But, if you ever regain your sight, know that you can always help me. Search for. – Turning in the opposite direction, she gave him a last casual wave – See you around, handsome.- Hag. – Gwyneth cursed her, sticking her tongue out as Suzan walked away, which normally would have made Logan laugh, if he wasn't so tense – Has that evil woman ever hurt mommy, daddy? – His daughter asked, showing a murderous fury that he never thought he would ever see in a little girl of just 3 years old.- Don't worry about it, sweetie. – With a sigh, Logan sat down again on the deckchair, in order to calm his two little girls – I promise that we will tell this story to you and your brothers someday. Now, let's just try to have fun in the pool, okay? - Rocking Hope in her l
- One day. he growled angrily, before leaving, seriously considering whether or not she should hunt Newton around the agency and rip his face in half.However, he hadn't, preferring to keep an eye out for whether or not he or Suzan had obeyed her threat. And, of course, they didn't, which culminated in Newton running off with Missy halfway through the experience, inventing an imaginary pain so that she could take him home so he could escape Logan's fury.That night, Logan had once again found himself petrified in his office, but this time he was as enraged as he had ever been in his life, instead of as desolate as he had been the day he found out that Missy was dating. And, for hours on end, he planned how he could make those two pay: firing them, taking them away from Missy, making sure they never got another job in that country, or just exposing to everyone at the agency what two goddamn traitors they were. ... Which of those options was the best? All of them together? And, more imp
However, in the end, the only one who came out of that situation with regret was him, naively believing that Suzan and Liam would simply break that news discreetly to Missy and then simply walk out of her life; naively not realizing that someone like Foster certainly wouldn't take orders like that and would take advantage of the situation to hurt Missy even more. In fact, it had even taken him a while to understand why she would risk her own job by doing that, when it was clear that he was trying to protect Missy: perhaps because he believed that he would not risk firing her for something that had nothing to do with with the agency; perhaps because he knew that Missy was too noble to accept his dismissing them without cause; or perhaps, as he realized later, she had been so offended by the realization that she would never have him, and that she would have to settle for Liam's mediocrity, that she had done all that just to feel that she had emerged victorious from this situation, throu
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
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