The bar turned into a mess due to the fist fight that occurred. Rowan had managed to knock the blonde-haired guy off. But that didn't stop the fact that he was badly injured.Astrid grabbed his arm and left the bar while Rose and Nelson stayed behind. "I am sorry about this." Leaving a compensation card for the bar owner, Nelson dragged Rose out of the bar.Once they were outside, he let go of her and raked his fingers through his hair, frustrated by the incident."Hey, you shouldn't be pissed about this, Minty got what she deserved," Rose mumbled, her mouth pouted to the side." When will you learn to stop making rash decisions? Look what it caused. Rowan got injured because of your bad temper! " Nelson scolded her.Rose scoffed in disbelief. " Look, I did what was best for you. I didn't know that things would go south. As for Rowan, I don't feel any remorse towards him either. He deserved it as well, " she protested, finding no fault in what she did to Minty." Did you even know th
Astrid and Rowan sat in silence as she cleaned his wound. Luckily, the bottle didn't cause much damage but was definitely going to leave a scar.The atmosphere between them was tense. Astrid was sad about his injury and didn't want to talk to him. While he desperately wanted to break the silence between them, Astrid remained stern, treating his wound."Why did you step in front of me? Do you know you would have been killed by that attack?" Astrid broke the silence between then, her voice angry and displeased."Should I have let the bottle hit you then? I protected you, Astrid all you have to say is thank you," Rowan grumbled coldly."What?!" Astrid exclaimed angrily, she was stunned by the tone his used on her.Rowan regretted his words instantly but couldn't do anything about it since it was out already.He was trying hard as possible not to sound cold or harsh around Astrid. It wasn't his temperament to be nice or smooth talking. Which was why Chef Gladline lectured him every time
That night, Astrid stayed at his lodge since it was late for her to go back to the house her friends had booked for the trip.She was fully aware of herself around Rowan and made sure to keep a reasonable distance away from him.The latter also minded his business, as long as she was in his line of sight. He didn't come to the island for any business trip. He just wanted to spend time with Astrid, but so far, there has been a bridge between them.They were both sitting in the living room, Astrid was with a cup of hot coffee, crouched on the sofa with her knees in front of her, while Rowan sat across her with his laptop on his lap, pretending to be busy.He was browsing the Internet for fancy restaurant on the island. Maybe, if Astrid agrees to go out with him tomorrow, he would take care of her meals for the day."Um, can I use the bathroom?" Astrid asked, breaking the silence between them."Sure, it's down the hallway by the left." He directed.Astrid tried to drop her coffee on the
Astrid rushed back to her friends but met only Nelson who was seated at the foot of the stairs with a worried face. "Nelson, what happened?" she asked with a concerned tone as she took a seat beside him. "She didn't come back last night, Astrid. we had an argument and it bothers me so much because I..." he trailed off " I don't want to lose her," he muttered with a soft pathetic voice filled with regret and desperation. Astrid understood what he meant and couldn't help but feel sorry for him. "Do you love her?" Astrid asked out of the blue. His body stiffened giving her the answer she needed. "What's stopping you, Nelson?" "I...I don't even know." "Think harder!" Astrid pressured him with a strong voice. "I have tried Astrid! She just an arm away from me. Yet, I can't seem build the courage to grab her. It is more complicated than you think, Astrid," he said, letting his emotions take control. "How complicated if you are not the one painting it that way? whenever you are rea
The news about Rowan's engagement was all over the news. A video of him with Victoria by his side, placing a kiss on his right cheek buzzed the media. Astrid couldn't believe what she was seeing and decided to call Grandma Wade. With trembling hands, she dialed her number. Rose and Nelson felt sorry for her and cussed Rowan on her behalf.He hurt her again and this time was worse than the first. Grandma Wade's line didn't go through, frustrating Astrid even more.Remembering his awkward call, she became furious. He had told her he was leaving the island for the purpose of getting engaged to his ex-girlfriend. Astrid felt so pathetic for believing that he was trying to make things better between them. But here she was again, deceived and betrayed by his lies."Ri Ri, I...I am sorry about this. I shouldn't have turned on the TV.""How is that your fault? I would have seen it sooner or later. Besides, why do you feel so for me? It is stupid to waste your emotions like that. Remember Ro
comment! Comment!! Comment!!! Please, I left an author's note asking for an author -reader discussion 😔 but none of you interacted. It would be nice to hear your thoughts about the characters, really. Please 🥺 don't forget to leave a comment. I will reply to every one of them. Let's interact."Here we are, the heart of the island," the dancer announced as he took them into a busy bar. There was a country band playing, entertaining some couples who danced to their music, a group of drinkers, and some natives who cracked jokes, livening the atmosphere. "I can see that. What is it called here? " Astrid asked, taking a seat next to him." Palm pub, you can get whatever you want here. It comes with a package of fun. By the way, you haven't told me your name yet, beautiful, " he said, with a smirk that lit up his face."Astrid and my friends here are Rose and Nelson," she introduced them. "That's a lovely name," he muttered, ignoring her friends."I am Simon, born and raised on the isla
Astrid returned to Los Angeles the next day. She came as a new person with a different perspective and ambition to attain.She went back to her parents home to spend some time away from the world. It was the only place that gave her serene comfort. Also, she needed to keep her head straight and focus on whatever the future brings to her.Getting a warm welcome from her parents she discussed some business matters with them, then talked about her experience in Palm City and how Rose got a new boyfriend who happened to be her secretary.She also let Mr. Williams her parents butler to know that his daughter was in save hands.After that, she retired to her room and prepared to have a nice nap. But the moment she bounced on her bed, she got a call from a long time friend."Look who's calling. I thought you forgot about me completely." She mused."Of course not. You are one of the best I have in my circle. How are you feeling? I saw the news," he muttered with a low tone."It is normal for
Everything was going as planned, having Rowan engaged to her in exchange for Noah's custody. It was simple for her, a threat to steal Noah while he was busy at work or an event. Victoria knew his weakness and decided to use it against him. The entire Wade household was silent as a graveyard because of Victoria's return. It was unexpected from their young master and no one dared to question his choice.Not even Chef Gladline. Ever since Victoria stepped into the house again, Chef Gladline remained cold towards him, attending to little Noah while keeping Victoria in check."Isn't this wonderful? Us sitting here, spending time with each other like a complete family. I knew you would come back to me Rowan." Victoria said with a condescending voice as she plucked the petals of the rose in her hand.Rowan was far from her, even though he agreed to the engagement, emphasis on it being one sided he wasn't going to compromise the feelings he had for Astrid.He hated that things had to turn o
The next day, on the east side facing the coast of the city, some men were brutally beaten up. The thugs Victoria had hired were energetically looking for their target.But what they didn't know was that their targets were not easy people to find. And when they failed to track even the easiest Intel about them, they took it out on innocent people."I will ask you one last time." the Big Boss leading the gang grumbled with a threatening voice, squatting down to look at the men his thugs had battered."Do you know this people?" he asked coldly.The tied up men trembled in fear for their life and had no other choice but to tell them what they knew."Yes...the woman by the left with a blonde hair is our boss and the man in the other picture is her ex-husband. I don't know anything about the kid, I swear." One of them revealed out of fear."I knew you were reliable." the boss grinned then signaled his men to take care of the rest.The factory men were roughly dragged back into the building
Astrid squeezed her left eye shut as she received a full scolding from Rose. Rowan finally let her make contact with the world by returning her phone."Do you know how many times I called you?!!!!!!!! Nelson has been doing your work for weeks! Your parents have been on a high train thinking you were kidnapped!" Rose nagged her.‘I was actually kidnapped.' Astrid muttered in her mind, throwing Rowan a side glance."So when are you coming back?! And why does it have to be him again? I don't like that ex-husband of yours. How can he steal you away from me for weeks?! Does he even know how important you are to me, to us. When you return, I am going to call the police and report him for abduction." Rose rumbled furiously and Astrid couldn't help but put her on a loud speaker just for Rowan to hear."I don't like your friend, Love. And if she thinks she can share you with me then I am going to keep you here," He grumbled, getting pissed off by Rose's words of possession."Did he just say th
"Cherry on top," Astrid muttered softly as she whipped some cream together.Rowan kissed her lightly on the lips and rested his head on her shoulder while his hands wrapped around her waist.He keenly watched her make their breakfast. "So when are you going to let me leave our little bird nest?" she asked. Not that she was getting bored of being locked up in a particular place with just the two of them.She needed to get back to work. Nelson would probably be preparing to eat her alive for abandoning him with so much responsibility on his shoulders."Why?""Don't ask me why. You know I was abducted by you. My parents will probably be raking through the city looking for me, I left my company without a trace and Rose will think that I abandoned her. I need to go back and you too. Noah needs you," she said, trying to convince him."It's going to be us. When we return, it's going to be the three of us and no one else." he said with a strong possessive tone.Astrid chuckled loving how ser
Even in the midst of happiness and bliss, there were still some people who couldn't find a bit of sunshine.Victoria was hit across her face so hard that she spat out blood from her mouth."You had only one job, Victoria. One fucking job. Make that bastard fall in love with you and make Astrid leave him. Why do I have to fucking do things around here myself!" Her boss roared, pointing a gun at her head. The man she worked so hard for and loved couldn't even show her a sheer of peace."I promise, I will get things done properly. Just don't dispose of me yet," she begged him, holding on to him as her heart ached and cheeks burned.His expression softened up a bit after he heard her words and he extended his hand and caressed the cheek he had smacked."This is the reason why I like you. So persistent and diligent. You better not fucking fail my expectations again," he said, roughly pulling her head until their lips were inches apart. "As long as you are a good girl, I will reward you in
Two weeks went by without the two love birds noticing. Rowan took her on dates within the remote area he captured her in. They had great times with each other and also had sex at intervals. They grew so attached to each other to the extent that they found it hard to be apart.Even now that they were spending time on the deck by the lake in the backyard of the remote cabin, Rowan just couldn't get his hands off her."At this rate, I might end up getting pregnant if you keep touching me like this," Astrid said rolling her head back as he fondled her breasts."Isn't it obvious that I want you to have my babies. I would die to have you birth little replicas of you," he teased and she chuckled, giving him a light kiss."How did you find, here?" she asked, switching their positions, where she is on top of him while he serves as her body mattress."This place has always been my quiet place. I come here to think most of the time and remember my parents.""So it was like a get away from me?"
After hearing those words from Astrid's lips, Rowan threw all caution out of the window and kissed her like it was his last.She matched his pace, hurriedly working her hands on the button of his shirt. He let her undress him, kiss and bite every part of his body she wanted to leave a mark on. Once they were out of their clothes, Astrid wrapped her hands around his neck pulling him down to her body until their chests were merged.She let out a breathy gasp as Rowan entered inside her, filling her with his largeness and length."You are so big," she moaned, digging her nails into the flesh of his back as he moved in deeper."I know. And you have the right hole for me." he muttered inside her mouth.Astrid has always known that he was large but didn't think it was this huge. The first time they had sex, Rowan didn't try much or even have interest in her then, because he didn't fill her just the way he was doing now.When he began to thrust his hips in and out of her, Astrid felt like h
"WHAT! No, I don't want to share a bed with you." Astrid protested but he ignored her tantrums and embraced her, covering the sheets on her bed over their body."I promise I won't touch you or do anything inappropriate as you say," he muttered trying to convince her to agree to his idea."You already DID! How am I supposed to trust you the second time? Get out of my bed!" She raised her voice at him adamant about her choice.Rowan slightly rolled his eyes and sighed. He wished Astrid wouldn't be so stubborn. All he wanted was to lay beside her and embrace the emotions that had been erupting within him."Be quiet, Astrid." He declared with a cold voice."Now you are getting mad at me? Wow..." Astrid said in surprise but her remaining words were swallowed when he kissed her."I thought you said you won't do anything inappropriate to me.""Yes, I did. But each time you complain, I will kiss you.""You, pathological liar..." He kissed."Butter head." Another kiss."Tyrant." He trailed kis
The cold silence of the night added to the intense atmosphere created by Rowan and Astrid. They were both seated, facing each other across a large s-shaped dining table.Neither of them wanted to talk, but their eyes held so many questions that needed to be answered.After a short while, when Astrid got up to leave, He decided to break the silence between them. "Please, sit down.""Please? That does not sound like you." "Will you like it if I had asked harshly?""That will depend on how you say it."Rowan narrowed his eyes straight at her as they darkened. "Sit down, Astrid." He commanded with a cold voice."That's better." Astrid sat back on her chair and looked straight at him.He got up from where he sat, walked over to the side she was sitting, pulled out a chair beside her and sat down. She stared at him confused, questioning his behavior with her gaze."Don't just look at me, say something if you want to. I won't bite you if you do," Rowan said, then abruptly pulled her chair
It has been a week since Astrid encountered Rowan. After their nerve-wrecking argument, Rowan steered out of her way. There was no sign of him in the mansion he had locked her in. Astrid felt dejected and depressed from everything he was doing to her.She even went ahead to go on a hunger strike. If he wasn't going to show up and take responsibility for what he has done, then she would do the unforgivable."Young Miss, please let us in. Mr. Wade will kick us out if he finds out that you starved yourself for a week," A maid complained, banging at Astrid's door.Rowan had left her and some other maids in charge of Astrid's welfare until he came back. But none of them were finding it easy to carry out their jobs. Astrid decided to be a thorn to them just to get back at Rowan.She knows he would panic if he found out that she starved for a week. And she plans to put the blame on him. However, her little protest was not an easy one. She could barely lift her finger let alone stand up an