I glanced over my shoulder, meeting Pedro’s intense stare. A shrill of satisfaction coursed through me as I sipped. “Just looking for some good company,” I replied, my voice dripping with insinuation.Pedro’s stare was a searing brand against my skin. I could feel his attention pressing down on me as I leaned in closer to George, my fingers trailing lightly over his arm.“Tell me more about yourself, George,” I said, deliberately keeping my voice sultry.He smirked, sensing the game but willing to play along. “Wait a minute, are you trying to make the dude over there kill me? Is that your man?” He asked to my surprise.“Just play along” I said.“Well, I’m in finance. I travel a lot, but nothing beats moments like these—meeting a beautiful woman under the stars.”I let out a soft laugh, tilting my head just enough to give Pedro the perfect view of my excitement. “You flatter me.”Pedro’s presence loomed upon us before I even turned around. The air around us charged with a kind electr
After the back and forth I had with Pedro earlier, I decided I was not going to share a room or spend another night in the same bed with him. I planned on telling him that his reason for this honeymoon needed to be reconsidered because I was beginning to feel sick to my stomach. Then I hear the door swing open, slamming on the wall with a loud bang. I jolted awake. I felt my eyes unconsciously twitch against the dim lighting, disoriented, my senses still heavy with sleep. The first thing I registered was the strong scent of cigarettes, and alcohol, definitely a whiskey smell—It was so potent that it drowned out the smell of the air fresheners. From the silheout I could make out in my head, it had to be Pedro. My body tensed as I sat up, gripping the blanket around me. He stepped inside, I could feel his aura instantly filling the room and strangely, it made me feel unsettled, Pedro had never smoked around me. He looked wrecked, his black shirt half-unbuttoned, and h
Did I just kill that man?My heart was pounding so loudly I could barely hear my own ragged breathing, everything had become hazy, fast and did not make any sense.My eyes were beginning to itch from the cigarette smoke.I stumbled into the bedroom, my hands shaking as I slammed the door shut behind me, twisting the lock so hard my fingers ached.That was not enough for what I had just done.And I knew it, that the locks wouldn’t hold.Frantic, I grabbed the nearest arm chair and shoved it under the doorknob. Then another. Then the bedside table. My movements were clumsy, my body betraying me as panic took over. The room spun, my breaths coming too fast as I struggled to catch them. I could feel my sweat soaking up the scanty piece of night wear I had on.A thousand thoughts raced through my mind, should I hide in the racks of clothes in the closet or should I find a phone and call the police? Or the ambulance? Or call home?Fuck did I just murder someone! I whimpered around the room.
Pedro exhaled slowly, wiping a hand across his face, smearing the blood even more.“You are scaring me, Pedro” I choked out.“And now?” His lips curled, his gaze dragging over my shaking form. “so you can be sacred but did not hesitate to remind me of how much of a spineless dingbat I was, cariño?”I couldn’t answer.Pedro sucked his tongue. “You act so brave when you’re throwing things. Running. Hiding.” He took another step closer. “But now I’m right in front of you?” He crouched, his voice dropping to a whisper. “You’re acting like a frightened little girl?.”Tears slipped down my face.“Please,” I tried again, my voice breaking.Pedro tilted his head. “Get up and strip those clothes! I want to see your body, the very one you have been hiding from me and giving to those low lives secretly!”.Then, suddenly—he laughed.“I said strip you fucking bitch!” He shouted, yanking me up by hair and slapping me into the bed.“Please! Pedro, please!” I begged weakly.I watched him roll down his
Don Pedro’s POVI woke with a crushing headache, it seemed as if the night’s excesses had conspired to rip apart every fibre of my being. I could feel my head splitting, and for a long moment, I lay in bed, barely aware of the world around me. I had a lot to drink with Natalia last night, it had me wondering if she was just as wasted.Then, as my eyes fluttered open, I saw chaos. The room was in disarray, I sat up slowly, my vision blurring at the sight before me.The bed sheets looked like a blood bath had happened, the lines were twisted and dishevelled, and, God help me, there were bright red stains on the bed. My pulse hammered in my ears as I struggled to clear my thoughts. I fumbled for the clock on the bedside table—past 10am. That meant I had overslept, and worse, I was not dressed at all. I was butt naked.I just knew my head was not clear yet. I swung my legs off the bed, and my eyes fell on the floor. A thin trail of blood snaked its way toward the bathroom.My hear
The nurse I had called quickly took over, speaking rapidly into her phone, while a doctor approached us.I wanted abrupt attendance, not this calm disposition on the doctor.Can they fucking move fast around here? I hovered at the edge of the commotion, everything seemed slow except the chaos in my mind.“What happened?” the doctor asked, his eyes meeting mine.I swallowed, struggling to find the words. “I… she was hurt. There’s blood everywhere…”He nodded, his expression turning serious as he examined Tessa. “We’ll take care of her,” he assured me. “Please Stay here.”I nodded, though I wasn’t sure I could stay. I paced outside the emergency room, my phone pressed tightly to my bare chest. I tried calling out to the nurses and wards for updates, but the line was busy, and the staff seemed too occupied with their own urgent tasks. I managed to sit on a cold bench, every minute felt like an eternity and I was drained from trying to recall every moment of the night in my head.
Don Pedro’s POVI felt the sweet ocean breeze tugging gently at my sleeves as I took a long drag from my blunt this cold Sunday morning. It felt so refreshing.The rhythmic sound of the waves splashing calmed my racking nerves, but my mind was miles away, deep in thought.Franco had informed me about business back home —one of our foremost plantations was experiencing a new rise of competitors—and it surprised me how all these happened in just how many weeks of being away. Franco stood beside me, his posture relaxed yet alert, his eyes scanning the horizon ahead. It was something I admired about Franco - His alertness.He was always alert and on the go!On the move whenever I said so.On very few occasions we shared a blunt together, I had to admit he was becoming more of a brother to me each passing day and I felt I could tell him anything. I did tell him everything.You see, this life we live can't go without at least trusting someone, even though I preach, trust nobody.“We must k
AUTHOR’S POVDon Pedro and Franco were still deep in conversation on the balcony of the beach house, they had been there for about an hour or more.They were laughing heartily and puffing smoke when trouble came knocking.Their conversation was abruptly interrupted by the sound of a guard’s heavy footsteps. The guard rushed toward them, breathless and wide-eyed. “Sir! Sir, you need to come quickly—there’s trouble in the back!”Pedro’s eyes flashed, and he straightened instantly, throwing his blunt away. “What sort of trouble?” he barked, turning to Franco.The guard, panting, reported, “Tessa… Miss Tessa has jumped into the water at the back of the house. She’s… she’s drowning!”The world seemed to speed up for Pedro. His heart pounded with sudden alarm as he exchanged a startled look with Franco. “What?” Pedro shouted, his voice roared with disbelief. “Bring me to her —now!”Within moments, Pedro and a few of his men sprang into action. Pedro rushed toward the back of the house,
AUTHORS POV The house was unusually quiet when Tessa returned from the shopping mall. She was tempted to kick off her shoes by the door, except for the fact that she was not in the comfort of the room she shared with Pedro. She sighed as the scent of grilled meat and garlic hit her nose, straying from the dining. Her body ached, and all she really wanted was a hot bath and to be left alone. But the silence in the air felt heavy—like something was waiting. She walked into the dining area and found Don Pedro seated at the head of the long glass table. The only sound in the room came from the clinking of his fork against the china plate. The light above him made his presence look even more imposing than usual. He looked up at her, chewing slowly, watching her. “You’re late,” he said flatly, setting his cutlery down. “Join me for dinner.” Tessa forced a polite smile. “I’m not hungry. It’s been a long day. I’d rather go upstairs and rest.” Pedro’s jaw twitched as though he wanted to s
AUTHORS POVTessa’s heels tapped softly against the tiled floor of the shopping mall as she made her way down the brightly lit aisle. She wasn’t dressed to be noticed—plain jeans, a white shirt, her hair tucked into a low bun—but somehow, she still felt exposed. Maybe it was the shelves lined with menstrual pads in front of her, or maybe it was the heavy cloud of stress that had followed her from the office. If there was a way she could discard Pedro's bodyguards outside the mall, she would have. But she couldn't.She sighed and picked up a familiar purple pack, scanning the back with little interest. It was one of those errands that needed to be done—quietly, quickly, and without thinking. She had no energy to waste. Her head throbbed from a day filled with tense emails and awkward silences with Pedro. All she wanted was to buy her toiletries and get home.Just as she reached for another item, a voice cut through the air behind her.“Tessa.”Her whole body tensed. She didn’t even ne
AUTHOR’S POV The corridor was quiet, save for the soft click of Regina’s heels on the floor as she walked to her room. Spending time with Pablo wasn’t a bad idea after-all. it was all she needed to stay sane and somehow he worked his magic on her and she was all smile. As she reached her door and turned the handle and went in, she sensed something was wrong—but it was too late. Franco was already in the room. Before she could process the shock, he slammed the door shut behind her and pushed her roughly against it. His lips crashed into hers with a hunger that made her stomach turn. She tried to push but he held her to the door, kissing her forcefully. Ravaging her lips with reckless abandon. In split seconds, he was holding her against the door with one hand while his other free hands was ravaging under her skirt in search of her panties. His forceful grasp were so strong, Regina found it hard to breath. She shoved him hard. “What the hell, Franco!” He stared at her, ch
AUTHORS POV Pablo arrived at the front steps of the Lorenzo estate just as the night encroached, it was just past 8pm. The floodgate lights bathed everything under it with bright light, giving the evening a cold, bright feeling, at least for Regina. As soon as Regina stepped out to meet him, he smiled. “I came as soon as you called,” Pablo said softly, his voice carrying a quiet concern. Regina looked at him, a little stunned that he had actually come. “I didn’t think you would,” she admitted, her voice uncertain, laced with doubt. He stepped closer, careful, gentle. “Regina, I can’t ignore you. Not for anything.” She blinked, a slow breath escaping her. There was a stillness in the air, as if the whole world paused for this moment. “Thank you,” she whispered, then motioned towards the path by the garden. “Do you mind going for a walk?” “Of course not,” he replied, his hand lightly brushing hers as they started walking side by side down the gravel path. For a few minutes, they
AUTHOR’S POVTessa didn’t want to be there.At the damn restaurant even though it was silent with minimal designs, dressed in soft candlelight and gold, with empty chairs and untouched tables that made it feel more like a theatre than a place to eat. It did not appeal to Tessa, all she wanted to do was get some sleep and maybe wake up later at night to help Camila with the pitch like she had planned in her head.Tessa looked around in disbelief. The place was completely empty—except for her and Pedro.Pedro sat across from her, wearing a smug look, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. “I booked the whole place,” he said casually like he could hear the questions in her mind, like he was announcing a weather forecast. “Just so we could have a private moment. No distractions. No one watching.”Tessa look around, unimpressed. In her mind, she muttered, Wasteful. Completely unnecessary. Her expression stayed calm, but her eyes were shooting daggers around.“You didn’t need to do th
“Knock, knock.”Pedro’s voice echoed in the stillness. Tessa didn’t answer, not immediately. She stared at her computer screen, half-pretending to finish up a report that had long since ceased to be her focus. She wondered why he hadn’t left yet. Was he going to just stand there? Was he expecting her to acknowledge him first? She wasn’t sure what it was that kept her there in her chair—but she was certain she did not feeling like going back home, she probably would have gone to Jamie’s but he told her he had a guest coming over to fuck him, Jamie was raw like that.The door swung open with a soft whistlelike sound.Pedro stood in the doorway, his tall frame leaning against the doorjamb. He had a wry smile on one side of his face, but there was also a mild annoyance in his eyes. “Everyone’s gone, Tessa. What are you still doing here? Planning on spending the night on that desk?”Tessa didn’t look up at him immediately. Instead, she glanced at the clock on her desk. It was gettin
AUTHOR’S POV Now, the day was over and night’s drawing near. The office was slowly beginning to get quiet, the busy sound of the air conditioner was the only sound left in the room by the time the last couple of staff members left the lounge. Most of the team had trickled out already, leaving behind their cold coffee cups and half-written notes on desks. There was this joy that seemed to engulf them after work closure. Perhaps they had happy homes to return to after a long day at work, and Tessa would stare out of the window behind her desk, the uniform way the various cars pull out of the parking lot, disappearing into the streets only to return the next day. She did not have a happy home to return to. So it was okay for her to envy them. In those quiet moments, she hated herself for how painful and bitter she’d become; at least she had not developed into an angry red witch, but she was not far from becoming a witch with how often darkness seemed to engulf her. She used to be
Regina forced herself to wear a warm smile, wiping away her tears repeatedly. “No, I’m fine,” she replied, her voice was flat and she hoped she was convincing enough. “I just… don’t feel well.”Dame Rossa’s stare softened slightly, but her voice remained stern as she continued, “before I say what I want to say, I would like to be honest with you, from where I stand, you dont look fine, and it’s definitely man problems”Regina tried to deny, but Dame Rossa motioned her to be quiet in the most calm manner.“I am not here to kick you while you are already down, You know, Regina… I didn’t just come back to Monterrey because I missed the weather or the old house or even the metropolis itself. No. I came back for something deeper. I came back because I made a promise to myself—and to your father, God rest his soul.Your father… he meant everything to me. He wasn’t just my brother—he was my best friend. And he loved you more than life. You were his precious baby girl. And when he died… I fe
Regina woke up to a damp pillow, the time on the table clock was an unmistakable evidence of a day spent crying, it was past 4pm. The sun was beginning no give way for darkness to take over as it’s golden beams slowly withdrew from drawn curtains, Regina did not notice the smudged tear stains on her cheeks. For hours, she had lain in bed, unaware of the numerous calls from Pablo, or the call from her masseuse. She recalled every word she’d overheard from Pedro and Franco—their conversation had cut deeper than any sharp object. In the midst of that agony, a disturbing thought crept into her mind: perhaps the Sabrina Franco mentioned in their discussion looked hotter than she did. Curiousity swelled within her, she dragged herself out of bed and strolled barefoot to the mirror.Staring at her reflection, Regina scrutinised herself: her hair was a dishevelled mess, her skin pale and lagged, and her eyes red-rimmed from endless tears. “Is this what it takes?” she muttered quietly, h