"We're finally here!" Nathan said.An expensive boutique was in front of Daphne, staring at the logo, and a commercial banner on the top, with their lady ambassador, was being printed there. Daphne couldn't stop Nathan from bringing her there, as Nathan wanted her to have a style. Despite how she said she was pleased with her comfortable and not-so-expensive clothing, Nathan insisted on making her more fashionable and a deserving woman for a successful tycoonโNathan.With no words said, Daphne, followed Nathan inside as they had discussed it back from the mansion with a famous stylist, Ava Alesna, a known stylist in the showbiz industry, as she was one of the sponsors of celebrity clothing and pageants. Daphne's heart started to jump as she bit her lower lips, seeing a woman in her early forties standing from sitting on a sofa as the woman witnessed the arrival of Nathan and Daphne."Was she the woman you had told me?" asked the woman. Nathan nodded and responded, "Yeah. She's Daphne
"That special someone who always made me motivated and was part of every current success I achieved in life was Daphneโฆ" added Nathan and paused as he wandered his gaze around, staring at each eye on him, especially on Daphne.On Daphne's chair, she felt her chest move up and down as her heart beat fast because of Nathan's words. She understood he was no longer thinking about her as a fake girlfriend but as a natural person who was always at his side."Thank you for inviting me to give this speech to all Enigmatic Corporation employees and Mr. Borden, the CEO; congratulations on the success. May this be an inspiration for you all," ended Nathan as he saw on the teleprompter that no words needed to be said. As Nathan ended the speech, he threw a subtle glance and flashed a warm smile at Daphne while Daphne's defenses weakened, as it almost made her melt from her chair. A bewildered affection and admiration were with her, including Daphne, as his special someone would always make her p
"We hoped everyone relished the anniversary celebration. The Enigmatic Corporation Board of Trustees and CEO would like to thank all the employees and special guests for coming!" The emcee's closing remarks echoed in the hall. People commenced moving out, while most of them persisted, went to the stage, and took group pictures. At the same time, Daphne stood and felt over the moon, cheeks still red as tomatoes, as her mind floated and made her stop grinning as the kissing scene was pinned into her head and couldn't be eliminated. It tickled her as butterflies still wandered on her stomach. It was as thrilling as watching romantic movies, and she couldn't recoup that fast. She squinted and glowed worth a thousand words, placing her fingers on her lips as Nathan's scent and lipsโ flavor lingered. She was like a statue that hadn't stridden because those thoughts affected her system."Thanks for inviting me, Mr. Borden," Nathan waved his hand at Tobias, who was in front of him."See you
Nathan loved herโor at least, that was what he had told to her.Her stomach somersaulted into fireworks, the fizzy sensation leaping into her insides as if it wanted to burst out. She felt her cheeks warm in a fluster, and her chest tightened in an odd, euphoric manner.Who wouldnโt feel that when the man who just confessed to you was by your side while both of you looked like fools stealing each other's glances as you waited for the elevator to open? Heightening up her uncouthness, Daphne didnโt know if she should at least tell him something or not. He said he would wait for her response, yet Daphne knew in her heart that she already had an answer.It was just more of a matter of how she would tell him.And with that, she gathered all her confidence to face him by pivoting to his side. Nathan noticed her, his hand still inside the pockets as he raised his eyebrows, waiting for Daphne to speak."Nathan, um, about what you said a while ago..." Daphne mumbled, nibbling her lower lip.He
Daphne couldnโt sleep. Her mind was still awake and active, perusing on what Maverick had told her a while ago. Was it true that Tatiana had forged her medical results so that he would believe she was infertile? If that was so, she was relieved to know that his true intention for her was to make her pregnant, give birth to an heir and do nothing more than that. She knew she was beyond that appalling notion, and she was more capable than being his breeding wife, who could give him sons to appease his selfish goals. Be that as it may, she didnโt feel sorry or livid regarding that revelation; as such, Maverick was no longer important to him. Although she had felt a twinge of guilt for him; it didnโt supersede her hovering feelings of betrayal from what he had done. She didnโt want her heart shattered again, especially by the same man who had become the reason for her brokenness.And yet, here again... another manโNathan, who completely overturned her feelings, which she had already shut
Linda Collins was not as inquisitive and perceptive as her daughter Daphne, which was the main reason why she often made impetuous and dubious decisions. And at the moment, she had accepted the mysterious manโs frisky offer; it was no different.When she met the familiar in the casino, she agreed to play if other players would lend her the first set of chips. To Linda's luck, Maverickโs secretary granted Linda her request, giving her a hefty amount of chips as the entire group resumed playing poker.Having that leverage, she was pumped up in the first round that her cards were continuously winning. All the odds were with her in the proceeding rounds. She believed, at last, that fate was on her side, keeping her winnings off the charts.By the time the last round of poker was over, Linda was proclaimed the winner by the organizer. She won the golden pot of about twenty million dollars, and players greeted her to win a tremendous prize.Afterward, Maverickโs secretary, who was also the
The minute Daphne left the bathroom, Nathan, who was drinking his third bottle of water, almost choked out. Jolting up from the sofa, he coughed relentlessly when his eyes gorged out of Daphneโs flimsy nightgown."Are you okay?" she asked worriedly as she walked toward him.Nathan waved at her while shaking his head. Damn, this woman was completely oblivious to how he turned him inside out. He definitely wasnโt expecting her to wear something rather promiscuous and soโsultry, that all his mind could think of was to undo that dress of hers and sink his mouth into her luscious lips."Iโm okay." He cleared his throat, stood up from the sofa, and frantically walked to his belongings.Daphne nibbled her bottom lips. She wrapped her arms around herself as she trod to where her suitcase was and grabbed her nightly essentials.Then, as soon as Nathan finished unpacking his things, he turned around to head to the bathroom when he found himself gawking at Daphne. He gulped, unfastening his coll
The executive meeting started without further ado. Along with the research and development team, the marketing head discussed the new product line that Nathan and his team were planning to introduce to the market next month.There was a solid research background, a tight market line, and potential growth in the segmented market. It was undeniably a well-thought-out plan for the branch to penetrate a specific market that was not yet saturated by the big brands. However, Casper Smith was censured for this. He didnโt like it, and he was adamant about pulling the project out before it could even reach the public.Despite this, Nathan would never back down. He knew he had a concrete plan that could be materialized effectively and would give the branch a chance to be saved from being sold to the market. This was, after all, his brotherโs legacy, and he would do everything in his power to realize the dream that his brother wanted for their subsidiary branch."Your project has a lot of risks,
One month after the traumatic incident, Maverick and Deanna were put on trial for attempted murder, rape, homicide, and other related allegations that were charged to them. Meanwhile, Daphneโs mother, Linda Collins, was also convicted of the crime of conspiring with the suspects and was sentenced by the court to five years of imprisonment. Before going to jail, Linda begged for her daughterโs forgiveness, but she failed to do so when Daphne had already wanted nothing to do with her, cutting her off completely in her life. The feat in their lives continued to flourish after the trial. Nathan was successful in acquiring back the rights in his fatherโs corporation and kept his executive manager title both overseas and in the main branch. The following month of having full control of the business, he was triumphant in increasing their sales by a whooping margin of twenty percent. Because of that, the board of members was satisfied with his management and wanted the company to venture int
As the two men take on to exchange blows, neither of them wanted to back out. Maverick threw Nathan a punch on his ribs, while Nathan hit him on his shins. Both of them knew how to play physically along with wit, and despite their airtight attacks, none of them were knocked out in a single smash. Maverick stood up from his fall, wiping the blood on his nose, and said, โSince back then, youโre always a pussy, Nathan.โ He smirked, showing his bloody teeth. โAt least not like you who is a goddamn fucking maniac.โNathan rushed toward him, pushing all his strength to Maverick, locking his arms around his waist and slamming his back to the wall. They both fell to the ground, hitting each other with all their willpower as they rolled through the wide pathway of the kitchen while plates, condiments, and other necessities were falling from the cupboard. Meanwhile, as their fight continued in lock horns and a thug of wars, Clara, who was knocked down to the ground, gained consciousness when
Nathan surveyed the entire residence of the beach house. While Clara and Chuck were behind him, he sifted through the location and found out that aside from Maverick, Daphne, and possibly Deanna, no one was there to secure the front lawn.The front door didnโt have any operative on the lookout, even at the side and the back of the abode. He then climbed into a nearby willow and pored over the area. There was a faint shadow in the room to the left on the second floor and an open window by the side of the house. Consequently, on the east, he scaled around to check for the other entrances where he could snitch inside. โHe might be thereโlook at your seven,โ Nathan commented to Clara and mounted down to the ground. Clara looked up to where his eyes were pointing. โWhat if we wait for the police first before we sneak in? Just to make sure that this wonโt go wrong.โ He rubbed his palms together, wiping the dirt he got from the bark of three. โNah, we canโt. They may arrive late and we mi
โIs she fucking telling the truth, Maverick? Goddamn it, answer me?!โ she shouted, blaring at him with her utter resentment. Maverickโs shoulder jostled in shock that in reflex his mouth parted to say, โYes. Fuck, thatโs right, Daphne! If I didnโt do that, you wouldnโt come to me! And if I didnโt accept Casperโs help, that fucking son-of-a-bitch will have what is mine!โ He bent forward, grabbing her shoulders rigidly as he continued, โYouโre mine, Daphne! And he canโt take you away from me!โ Daphne was flabbergasted by his statement. Her body became frozen in the bed as she gazed at him in wonder and shuddering. Meanwhile, Deanna found Maverickโs concession hilarious that her high-pitched voice soared throughout the room like alarming sirens. โThis is so good! Oh, God, Daphne, you never fail to amaze me, dear. Youโre just too fucking sweet that all I want to do is to tear you into pieces.โ She arched her body forward and gave her a condescending smile. โThis is also the reason why
The crack of the dawn settled on the horizon as Daphneโs senses rouse from unconsciousness. A drumming throb in her head kindled when she struggled to get up from the wide silk mattress of the bed. She perched her palms on the soft cushion and looked around the room, surmising the familiar interiors of the spacious chateau. Her eyes scooted to the open window by the bedside and were sleeted by the overlooking view of the ocean. The tides were calm; the air was moderately breezy, and the skies flourished with an auburn, unruffled-tone array of billows. Daphne quite remembered this place as though she had been here before with the Brenners when they went for a vacation. Furrowing her eyebrows in bewilderment, she roamed to the right side of the room and was welcomed by Maverickโs collected yet lecherous expression. Daphne juddered up from the bed, realizing that her arms and feet were chained to the four corners of the bed. She pulled the cuffs away and tried to escape from itโfrom t
The time had idled in Chuckโs room while they were waiting for Nathanโs arrival. Chuck was on his desk, encrusting his chin with his palm elbowed on the desk, while Clara was pacing back and forth in the middle of the room, raking her fingers through her hair as the time ticked another minute. Her eyes shot at the movement of the long hand on Chuckโs white clock and flailed her arms in the air out of frustration. โOh my God! Whatโs taking him so long? Weโve called his phone millions of times and yet we still canโt reach him.โ She gave the kid an eye and ranted, โIโm getting disappointed with your uncle every minute that has passed by."Chuckโs eyes tilted up to the hood and exhaled. โWhy do you have to wait for him, anyway? I told you I could help you. I know how to read maps.โ Clara looked at him and was about to say something when Mrs. Willis chimed in, โWe donโt have to rush. Rushing wonโt do us any good and it might even make the situation worse. She placed the tray on the tabl
Daphneโs eyes fluttered ajar when she felt herself moving at a constant speed while her body was in inert motion. She was plagued by the plodding movement of the car as she felt the tight manacles on her ankles and wrists. As she felt the crack of dizziness on the back of her head, she blinked her eyes twice until her vision became clearer.Cocking her head to the stained-glass window, she peeked through it, sifting at the blurry sight of the road by her side. She didnโt know where she was, but the passing trees and secluded road gave her a hint that she was somewhere in a provincial location.Drifting her head to the front, her eyes darted at a muscular-looking man in his late twenties. His back was broad under an Oxford shirt, and his arms had a fine sliver of body hair that was noticeable in the bright cast of the afternoon sunlight.Her nose crinkled in contempt as she tried to fix her fetal position in the narrow space of the seat. Daphne wanted to collect her inflating with Lind
A clear blue indigo sky slightly turned yellow-orange on the east side. The sun slowly rose, matched with busy streets, and people rushed to work and other destinations. At the same time, Nathan only relaxed on the balcony and sat on the chair while there was an empty cup of coffee on the table. Seeing an incredible masterpiece and scenery somewhat calmed his morning and made him smile to prepare for a long day and another problem he might encounter."What a beautiful sky. I hoped it was beautiful as my day," muttered Nathan. "But I knew it would not be."In his silence, Nathan heard the carโs horn and a shout of a fellow citizen. Minutes after that, a vibration of his cell phone in his pocket made him blink twice, then look at who was calling him. A police officer he had coordinated was calling him, which gave him an idea it was good or worse, unwelcome news regarding Deanna's whereabouts."Hey, officer, how are you doing?" Nathan's opening spiel."Stressed, but still fine," retorted
โI recalled that damn woman flying near the gutter as my car ran over herโฆ.โA familiar woman Nathan saw in his side mirror would never be forgotten. Yes, he felt worried, even when he recalled it. Until now, he didnโt know that womanโs name if he had met her before or had not. The run-over incident brought him fear.โShit.โHe had reason to be told and announced if it would be brought as another issue. It was from the past, but enemies were found digging it to destroy his name for personal interest, maybe because they wanted to own a company.Sitting on a smooth swivel chair on the top floor of the Kelly Building branch, he turned it, facing the door as his secretary entered. Elliot had a confused face when he went near Nathan. Elliot turned his gaze around and saw it was just the two inside the office, then looked back at him.โWhat was it, Mr. Kelly?โ asked Elliot. He was worried it would be another problem. โWas it about Deanna?โโNah,โ responded Nathan and exhaled. โIt was about