(Memories)As I stepped into my unlocked dorm room, my exhausted eyes fell upon Penelope, who was completely engrossed in her artwork "I thought you were taking a break from painting," I asked, taken aback by her seriousness. She was usually the life of the party, so seeing her so focused was a bit strange "I was, but Tate called. She said she had an opening for my art and mentioned that new investors were in town" Penelope explained, briefly glancing at me. "What happened? You look awful." "I had a terrible day" I sighed, dropping down onto my bed. I checked my phone and realized it was already 11:30 pm. Exhaustion washed over me, reminding me of the long day I had ahead of tomorrow "I might need to borrow you for the whole day tomorrow" Penelope announced, her voice carrying a sense of urgency "The whole day" I asked. Both curious and hesitant. "Yeah" she responded , continuing to paint as she spoke. "I need to check out the art gallery venue. I want to find a perfect spot". "
(The art exhibition)I felt a sense of uneasiness as her gazes shifted uncontrollably giving me a death glare. It had been an hour since I arrived, and at first, she ignored me but later asked me to wait. So there I sat, admiring the structures and decor of the main office.“Maybe you could try calling him again, I have been waiting for hours,” I said, my voice getting irritated “You can't yell at me Miss, or I might have to call security, go back, sit down, and wait,” the hot brunette sitting at the receptionist's desk replied, her eyes glaring at me, before returning to her laptop.“Excuse me Lady but I never yelled at you,” I said, feeling my anger rise, she was pushing my patience to its limits. “I don't know or care, if this is how you treat other visitors, but am not one of them” I warned, my voice dead serious.She stared at me surprised, her gaze unmoving.“ when your boss comes back, tell him Gemini Victoria Saint stopped by” I added, noticing the surprise on her face“
(A white lie)My heart sank a little at the news. The painting held so much sentimental value to me and losing it felt like losing a piece of my mom."Why would you sell it?" I couldn't hide the disappointment in my voice, a tinge of frustration seeping in. Tracy's smile faltered slightly, sensing my disappointment."Calm down G, you are yelling" Penelope's voice sooth in, trying to calm my enveloping anger "You don't get it, Penelope, that painting had my mom's initials, it was probably stolen and auctioned here, I bet Grandma doesn't have a clue of such a transaction, seeing she has been busy a lot" I chipped in."I'm sorry Victoria, I had no idea, and am currently not in charge of handling this stuff, I was asked by your grandma to organize the auction for some of the artwork in the house and I didn't pay attention to all the artwork that was brought in. And we can't just leave some artwork and focus on the newest, auctioning them out seems like the best way of handling them" she e
Reunion "I heard you came over," she said, her voice dripping with mockery. I watched her in horror, knowing that she was pretending, but her acting skills were so good that it only fueled my hatred for her even more."You should stay for dinner, my love," she continued, her words laced with cruel intentions. "It looks like you haven't been eating well. You appear so pale.""Well, when you have a thief in your midst, it's bound to happen, I suppose," I replied, my voice filled with anger. "Stealing artifacts seems to be her expertise, along with stealing my happiness."Before I could deliver a final blow to her verbally, a familiar voice interrupted me. It was Gustavo, standing behind me now, his gaze fixed on me. I couldn't believe what he was doing. Who gave him the right to interrupt me? I forced a smile and walked away, heading towards the front door."Gemini!" Gustavo called after me, catching my hands to stop me. His eyes scanned the surroundings to ensure we were alone.
(Inheritance)Since the incident at the birthday party, things have taken a turn for the worse. The meeting seemed to drag on forever, and I could feel the piercing stares of my dad and Gustavo directed at me. Were they looking at me?"Has Simon reached out to you, Gustavo?" my dad inquired with curiosity evident in his tone. Gustavo, seemingly calm despite their previous altercation at Simon's father's birthday party, responded, "No, sir.""I'm not paying all of you to simply say no. Figure it out, we need Simon here. He's a valuable asset that we can't afford to lose," my dad sternly addressed the room. "We need him before the next scheduled meeting. This meeting is adjourned.""Mary, is he inside?" I asked, concerned."He is. Should I let him know you're here?" Mary offered, reaching for the intercom."No need. It's urgent. I'll go in myself," I swiftly responded, noticing Mary's anxious expression. "I promise I won't get you in trouble."With a soft knock, I pushed open the glass
(Desires)Once again, I found myself in that very place I had sworn never to return to."Whisky or wine?" Simon asked from behind the bar."Wine, please," I replied.He approached me with a glass of red wine, offering it to me as he raised his for a toast."Cheers to... Is there anything else you'd like to add?" he paused, his eyes locked onto mine."Cheers to not caring," I said.A smile formed on his lips as he took a sip from his glass, then sat down on the couch behind him, pulling me down onto his lap.I perched uncomfortably, his pristine white sleeve unbuttoned halfway, revealing a hint of his chest and his disheveled hair contributing to his bad boy image.He was undeniably attractive, but I felt uneasy being in such proximity to him. I attempted to get up, but he tightened his grip, his hand resting on my thigh.I could feel his warmth and the intensity of his touch sent shivers down my spine. As we sat there, surrounded by the lit ambiance, the soft music, became a distant b
(A romantic gesture) (Gustavo pov)**********"You should get dressed,” I said, my voice tinged with urgency.She turned towards me with a mischievous smile. "We still have time," she whispered, pressing her lips against my neck. "Let's go one more round."Annoyed, I tossed her clothes towards her. "We don't have time for this," I insisted.For the past two weeks, I had been tirelessly working to secure those funds, knowing that one wrong move could ruin everything. The thought of being arrested for embezzlement sent a shiver down my spine.Gemini was still essential to my plans, despite how aggravating she had become lately. I needed her, whether I liked it or not."So, what's the plan?" Mrs. Ciara's voice interrupted my thoughts."It's simple," I replied, turning to face her. "You continue playing the role of Saint's devoted wife, earning his complete trust. We need access to those assets."Mrs. Ciara's voice dripped with contempt. "Saint doesn't easily trust anyone, especially when
(Not a request) ~~~~~~~~***~~~~~~~~As I sat down to eat, the sound of my fork clicking against the plate ruined my appetite. I couldn't help but shoot a glance at Simon. How was it that he always seemed to be everywhere?"Mrs. Saint, I have to say, this meal is divine," Simon praised my stepmother, causing her cheeks to turn a faint shade of red.I watched, annoyed, as she basked in his compliment. What a cunning charmer he was. I couldn't keep quiet any longer. I had to put an end to this charade."Just so you know, Simon, she didn't prepare this meal. She simply enjoys putting on a show in the kitchen, pretending to be devoted to it," I interjected, cutting short their moment of happiness.The entire house fell into a tense silence. I could hear a faint chuckle from the maid standing behind us, her gasp barely audible. My father's eyes filled with rage, capable of knocking victims to the ground. And as for Simon, a mischievous
~A CITY OF ART~Gemini didn’t hesitate. The moment Simon uttered those words “You need to get out of there”—she was already packing. She didn’t need an explanation. She trusted Simon. By the time the clean-up crew arrived, she was already handing the keys to them with strict instructions to finish by the morning.Penelope and Benson had watched her with matching expressions of concern. Benson, being Benson, had tried to keep the mood light. “You know, Gem,” he said as they walked into the lobby of the luxurious hotel she had booked at the last minute. “For someone who claims to want a quiet life, your life is pure telenovela material.” Gemini forced a smile as she handed her credit card to the receptionist. “I’d say it’s more of a psychological thriller at this point.” Penelope crossed her arms. “Gem, are you okay? You barely said a word in the cab.” “I’m fine,” Gemini lied, forcing another fake smile.”Benson squinted. “That was the fakest smile I’ve ever seen.” She g
~A TRIP TO PARIS~The moment their plane touched down in Paris, Gemini felt a strange mix of excitement and unease settle in her chest. The last time she had been here, she was a child—clutching her mother’s hand as they walked through the streets, listening to her talk about dreams, art, and love.Now, she was returning with a mission.Benson stretched as they stepped into the arrivals terminal, adjusting his oversized sunglasses. “Ah, Paris. The city of love, croissants, and my future sugar daddy.” Penelope rolled her eyes. “We’ve been here for five minutes.” “I like to manifest.” Gemini chuckled but quickly turned serious as she pulled out the letter again, her eyes scanning the familiar handwriting.It had to be her mother’s. And there was only one place that could hold the answers she needed—her mother’s house in Paris.A sleek black car was already waiting for them, arranged by Simon, of course.“Tell me, Gem, how rich are you now?” Benson teased as he slid into the back
~A CRUEL CONFESSION~It wouldn’t look good if I didn’t visit Tiara. I had enough on my plate already—keeping an eye on Jerome, who was hell-bent on becoming a problem, and now Simon, who was digging into things that were none of his damn business. Simon needed to be dealt with—soon.As I stepped into the hospital hallway, my sharp gaze swept over the doctors and nurses bustling past me. I exhaled, rolling my shoulders before stopping in front of Tiara’s room. Just as I reached for the door handle, a nurse appeared, blocking my way. “Excuse me, sir,” she said, adjusting the noteboard in her arms. “May I ask who you are?” I turned to her, flashing my most charming smile. The blush that crept up her neck told me it worked. “A close friend of the patient,” I said smoothly. She hesitated, biting her lip. “That’s nice, but I’m afraid she’s not accepting visitors—strict orders from her mother.” Ciara. That insufferable woman. Did she know I’d come?I sighed dramatically, tilti
~MORNING DESIRE~Gemini sat quietly in the garden, her gaze locked on the mysterious key resting in her palm. She studied it intently, as if willing it to reveal its secrets. A deep, familiar voice broke her thoughts. “If you stare at it any longer, it might explode,” Simon teased from behind her, his arms wrapped securely around her shoulders. A small smile played on Gemini’s lips as she reached up, gently caressing his hand. She tilted her head slightly, an unspoken invitation. Simon understood immediately, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to her lips before pulling back. “Aren’t you busy today?” she asked, her voice light but curious. Simon smirked and moved to sit beside her. He was supposed to be in the office, but his plans had shifted after receiving a call from Lilac Sheinkaih.She had requested a meeting today—one he wasn’t about to miss. If she had answers that could help Gemini, he would be there in a heartbeat.“Well,” he said, stretching out his legs, “I have an
SHATTERED BONDSCiara gently took Tiara’s frail hand in hers, her thumb brushing soothing circles over the cold skin. Her daughter had barely spoken since she was admitted, the weight of her loss pressing down on her like a suffocating fog.“Tiara, sweetheart,” Ciara murmured, her voice soft, almost pleading. “Won’t you say something to Mommy?”She reached out, tucking a loose strand of hair behind Tiara’s ear, but the girl didn’t react. She simply sat there—silent, hollow, a ghost of herself.Tiara was wasting away before her eyes, refusing to eat, refusing to acknowledge the world around her. And yet, Ciara couldn’t bring herself to grieve for the baby her daughter had lost.Not when she believed it was for the best.Sighing, she laced her fingers with Tiara’s. “I know this is hard,” she said, her voice carrying that practiced gentleness, the kind that hid the sharp edge of her true thoughts. “But as much as I hate to see you like this, I think… in some ways, it was for the best.”
~DINNER & SEX~The sun had just dipped below the horizon, casting a warm orange glow across the sky as Simon pulled into the driveway of their cozy home. Gemini, her hand resting gently on her burgeoning baby bump, smiled softly at him. She had been tired lately, her body changing in ways she was still getting used to, but Simon’s quiet attentiveness had been her anchor. Tonight, though, there was something different in his eyes—a spark of excitement she hadn’t seen in weeks. “You are going to love the surprise I have for you,” he said, his voice low and teasing as he helped her out of the car. Her curiosity piqued, but she didn’t press him. Simon had always been the romantic one, the planner, the dreamer. She trusted him to make tonight special.Inside, the house was bathed in the soft, flickering light of candles. Dozens of them, scattered across the living room and dining area, their flames dancing like tiny stars. The air smelled of lavender and vanilla, a scent she associat
~THE BOX OF SECRETS~Gemini stared at the long list of preparations for the upcoming exhibition. It had been an exhausting week—work had become her only escape, keeping her mind occupied and away from the tangled mess of her family’s betrayals. Every lead had hit a dead end.But she wasn’t giving up. Her mother’s letters were still evidence—proof that something had been left for her, something hidden beneath the layers of deception. She sighed, resting a hand on her stomach. Her phone chimed. A text from Simon.A small smile tugged at her lips. He had mentioned a surprise for her tonight. What could it be?The thought warmed her, pushing aside the storm of stress she carried daily. She was just about to sign the last document for the day and head home when Tracy stepped into her office.“I think I’m done for the day, Tracy,” Gemini said, stretching her fingers and flashing her assistant a tired smile. Tracy hesitated. “You have a delivery, ma’am.” Gemini frowned, glancin
~A DARK STORM OF TRUTH~Brandon arrived at Saint Mansion not long after his call with Lilac. Stepping into the driveway, he paused, his eyes locked on the grand estate that once belonged to his sister. Memories flooded his mind. He could almost see Maya standing at the door, waiting to see him off whenever he visited. Her laughter, her warmth—everything about her still lingered in the very walls of this house. But now, there was only silence. The rain poured steadily, tapping against the sleek black car as Brandon finally stepped out. His jaw tightened as he made his way to the entrance, his footsteps heavy with purpose. A maid hurried forward to greet him. He barely spared her a glance as he scanned the dimly lit foyer. Something felt… off. The house was too quiet. Brandon turned to the maid, his voice sharp. “Where’s Nanny Laura?” The older woman hesitated. She fidgeted with the hem of her apron, avoiding his gaze. Brandon’s patience was already thin. “I asked yo
~A GROWING THREAT~Simon stepped out of the hospital’s grand entrance, the weight of the day pressing against his shoulders. His name was etched in bold letters across the sleek glass facade—Sinclair Medical Center—a reminder of the empire he’d built. But right now, none of it mattered. He loosened his tie slightly, exhaling as he made his way to his car. Sliding into the driver’s seat, he started the engine and pulled out of the lot, navigating the busy streets with ease. A few blocks later, he spotted a small roadside flower stand tucked between a café and a bookstore. A hint of memories tugged at him—Gemini loved fresh flowers. She once told him that nothing brightened a room quite like them. Smiling to himself, he parked and stepped out, his sharp suit standing in contrast to the casual bustle of the street. “Good evening, sir,” the elderly florist greeted warmly. “What can I get for you?” “Something elegant,” Simon said, scanning the vibrant display. His eyes landed o