It was lunch break. Bloom wanted Mario to leave the men and come have lunch with her. She had brought a food flask along with her and returned to the boss's office to get her son."You don't have to. Sharon will get lunch for you, or what do you say?" The CEO threaded his long, slender and masculine fingers in a caressing manner through the boy's soft thick curls and wore a simple smile.Bloom and Adrian gasped and Sharon nearly fainted. Who the hell was this?! Where did that cold-hearted ice king drift off to?! They revelled in their individual conflicting thoughts till Adrian was brave enough to dare interrupt the ice king. "B-but..."But, Mario nodded eagerly, a sheet of happiness etched across his adorable face. "Yes! That's even better...if it's okay..." His voice lost its charge at the end, his shoulders slumming and head lowering as he slowly turned to his mother.'This kid!' Bloom was amazed. He was acting all pouty and spoiled all of a sudden. But what was more pending in dang
"Hurry up Bloom!" Stefano called out to Bloom who was frantically searching for the right key to lock the house."Just a minute!" She hollered back, clammy fingers now able to grasp the right key. She sighed in relief and quickly locked the door before racing towards the black van waiting on the coblestone driveway.Bloom ran into the van as fast as she could but couldn't avoid getting a little wet from the heavily pouring rain. Mario was sitting at the back and staring out the windows to watch the rain. As Stefano drove off, Bloom busied herself with tying up her unruly hair.She had woken up late that day and didn't have ample time to treat her hair as she was running late. After Stefano dropped her off, he drove off with little Mario to drop him at his kindergarten.Bloom got into the building, chased by the rain and shut her beige umbrella. She wasn't soaked and it made her smile in relief.As she got into the change room, she dried her dampened hair with a towel and a frown on her
Bloom, now noticing the unnatural silence, stopped her tiny giggles and straightened with a plain face. "Uh...um...it looks okay".Hayes wanted to chuckle outward but let it go as he walked up to her. "Thanks. Do get us cups of coffee will you?" He spoke softly to her as opposing his cold aura.She was surprisingly unaffected by it and pushed to ask, "For us? Are we...""Yes miss Santiago. I do owe you for the aid you lent me" He smirked crookedly, secretly eying the bells dangling around her head.Bloom displayed a smile and whipped around to go get the task done. In that swift motion, her straps swirled, making the bells clank loudly against each other. The CEO's gaze softened and oozed a compelling amount of tenderness that had the other woman glaring hatefully.Bloom returned with the mugs of steaming coffee balanced on a round tray and held carefully in her hands. Her bells were jingling softly from how she walked cautiously so she wouldn't spill the coffee by accident like she di
Today was a very important day at W.M Companies. An event was being hosted at the Grand hall which was at the back of the magnificent building, behind the large courtyard.Bloom today was a waitress as she was donning a semi-formal suit with a vest on it. The outfit was black and white. Ella was dressed the same as they both carried their silver trays of expensive drinks to serve the guests.The function was being held to mark the Company's seventh anniversary since it's founding. So the boss was busy attending to the arriving guests along with his secretary.Bloom had arrived with Mario and Stefano. Stefano's father was a business partner to the C.E.O of W.M Companies and so he was an esteemed guest. After she had left to resume work for that evening, Mario was with Stefano's father, Mr Antonio who held on to him like a cherished grandson. Stefano followed closely beside them and smiled when he saw Mario cranning his neck in desperate search.The CEO had just welcomed in the last gues
Hayes quickly ran his gaze around and screeched to a sudden halt when his eyes caught those brown orbs that caressed his very soul. An approving glint shone in his eyes before his lips curled up into a small smile. She was no longer in the waitress uniform and was now in a nude short dress that made her look like a teenager attending a prom.'Subtle yet dashing' He thought to himself, now walking to where she was. The event was over and the guests were already leaving so Bloom figured it was okay to change into the dress she brought with her."Mommy!" Mario was eager to go over to her now and she smiled at him, "You must have had so much fun without me huh. It's about time we headed home too".The boy nodded drowsily and both adults chuckled. "Goodnight little man and thanks for coming. I had a nice evening" The CEO commended the child who beamed at him and nodded energetically."I did too. Goodnight Hayes" He waved at him, being picked up by Stefano who led them towards the exit. Haye
"Thanks for dropping me off" Bloom smiled politely and Adrian smiled back. But he was coming out of the car and she fidgeted.He walked round the car to stand before her. Now what else did he want with her? Bloom stood, wary of whatever would come and he just stared. He lifted his hand to caress her cheek, making her breath cease.Adrian used her state of shock to lean in, brushing the tip of his nose against hers. 'He's too close!' She was a panicking mess, heart beating out of her chest and ringing in her ears and body trembling greatly."Bloom!" A loud voice interrupted, coming to her rescue and setting her free. She elatedly twisted her body to the side to see an angry Benjamin standing on the porch. He looked ready to kill and Bloom rejoiced nevertheless."I gotta go" She excused herself from his dominating clutches and hurried over to her brother."You're back already. Is he in?" She tried to get the anger out of him and she succeeded when he dropped his tensed shoulders."In and
There was a knock on the door and Bloom moved to let in whoever was outside. The person stepped in with a pleasant smile and Bloom moved back to allow the man to walk in. He was clad in a black formal suit and appeared to be in his mid forties with brown slick back hair and caressing grey eyes."Good morning mam" He spoke so softly and Bloom quickly responded to his greeting as she scolded herself for her improper behavior."You're here quite early" The CEO, gallantly seated on his chair with legs crossed, stared particularly at the other man who was at the far end of the large office.The other man only smiled more and moved in approaching steps towards the ice king. "It's good to see you in good health, young master".'Young master?' Bloom's ears perked up and she wore a look of sheer surprise. The curious woman followed gently behind the man."Quit calling me that already. You're quite stubborn aren't you?" The boss frowned at the older who only maintained his smile. From the way th
"Let them in" Hayes hadn't fully pronounced those words when a bubbly, hyperactive little figure ran through the door and firing right towards him."Hayes!" Now that was startling, Hayes instantly rose and couldn't ignore his brisk legs from rounding the large desk to go over to receive the elated child.Benjamin stood with a smile, it was always such a sight to see this pair acting up around each other.Hayes swiped the boy off the floor and swiftly into his arms, little Mario giggling non-stop. "I see you accompanied your uncle, were you that eager to see me?"The CEO held a proud smile as he paid rapt attention to the child's behavior. Mario nodded in affirmation. He wasn't a shy child and neither was he timid towards letting the CEO know how badly he wanted to see him again.The door came open again. She had just come in to take the trashcan out but was suddenly struck still. 'Big brother? Why is he here?'But that wasn't all, as she moved closer, she was graced with the mesmerizin
Bloom laughed heartily to what Anna was saying at the other end of the line as she pressed the button at the bottom of the pen. "You really want to do that? Mario would love it but I don't think Martha would want to join in. It's her day after all..."She was making a list for her daughter's two-year old birthday party and had asked Anna for some suggestions in case she was missing something. "...I think I might have to revise my budget once more" She pouted, using the butt of the pen to scratch her hair as she peered down into the rough scribble."It's good Ella's going with me- you should come with as well..." She began to walk away from the island, heading out of the kitchen where the children's voices came blowing against her.Mario came running down the hallway in pursuit of Benjamin who carried a happily babbling Martha in his arms. Bloom shook her head and stepped back into the kitchen before they would knock into her. "Ben, stop inciting the kids!"She moved away from the phon
“Listen to me! She’s not worth it!” Bloom grabbed his head, raising on the tips of her toes and forcing him to bend down to her as she held a fierce look, searching his flaming orbs as she spoke in a hushed tone.“Hayes…look at me, you’re better than this. I know you can control it…for Mario, you’ll scare him”.Sudden realization struck his mind and he shifted his gaze to look over at the boy who was clutching his grandpa fearfully after his father had barked in that loud and reprehensive voice. He felt sad to see the fear reflecting in the boy’s innocent eyes and deflated simultaneously under Bloom’s gentle pressure. Valerie looked at him calming down and huffed haughtily. Her gaze lowered to her tied hands in front of her and pain distorted the look on her face. She might’ve plotted to get rid of his mother the night of that fire but…she had lost the most valuable things in her life as well. “My avaricious jealousy drove me into committing such a vicious crime…snatching my children
It was Pablo who grinned at the glaring man and innocently walked in, in the company of his sister, his mother and the Don. When Mario felt the new presence that entered into the ward, he looked away and beamed to see Pascal. Carrying his plastic bowl in his hand, he was once again making a great dash. “Grandpa!”Hayes had never seen the Don before and as he observed him closely, he could see the prominent features Pablo had was inherited from his father. “I see you’re having quite the moment yourself huh” Pascal smiled as he had the boy in his arms and the child giggled guiltily. Mario saw the woman that came with them and looked at her with unfamiliarity and he questioned in a small voice, “Are you my grandma?” The child’s innocent question had the adults looking his way and Mrs Jefferson gave him a warm, affectionate smile and quickly glanced at his mother before nodding. “That’s right, I’m your mommy’s mother and that makes me your grandma”. ‘What?’ Bloom, Pablo and Laura were
Standing up, “You could’ve all had it easy if it had been Stefano on your tail…but not me”. Their voice went dangerous at the end and the petrified woman was on the verge of hyperventilating as three loud shots echoed around her and she jumped with great fright. “W-who a-are you?…w-who s-sent y-you…” How shocking it was to see her so badly shaken, it was utterly pitiful to watch and they huffed at her question and came to squat in front of her with their firearm dangling in their loose grip. “The grim reaper, out on a hunt for those who dared to cause Bloom Santiago, pain. Now, on your feet, old hag” They held the gun firmly and pushed its muzzle into her cheek to drill in the command. “Try to disobey me and you end up like that blonde pussy”. She shivered after she heard that. It seemed Adrian had been…she gulped, the situation had completely turned in their favor and all she had worked so hard to build withered away in that single instant. “Move it”. **Bloom entered into the
“Quick! Get her to into the building!” It seemed Valerie had been shielded in time as the commotion began and three men were guiding her as they were running in the direction of the back entrance to the house. ‘Like I would let you get away, you vain witch!’ Adrian couldn’t go after them however. Not when bullets were flying about the place sporadically and the number of fallen men kept on the increase. He had taken cover behind a wall and peered out cautiously to see they were all down and the attacker was nowhere in sight. ‘Did he go after them instead?’ He thought that plausible since they must’ve not been only after him but Valerie as well. Whoever they were that had skillfully mingled into his men and kept their profile hidden so perfectly. He froze, there was a sound that defused behind him and his body stilled on an impulse. He heard it again, louder and closer this time and shook wholly at the dreadful sensation that drenched down his form when he heard the cocking of a g
Laura was going to say that normally but it seemed she was rather excited about it than she presumed. Bloom burned even more at her announcement and shrank into herself, wanting to vanish right that moment. ’S-she’s pregnant?’ Mrs Jefferson's brows shot up with pleasant surprise and she walked up to her and held her hands. Bloom felt nervous and antsy as she lifted her gaze and was stunned to see the big smile on her face. “Does he know?!” Ah, this bubbly girl. Bloom was helpless towards Laura and could only blush so hard and bite her lip as she shyly murmured her hesitant reply, “N-no- how would he know anyway when I only just found out?” Laura grinned toothily and Bloom flushed, knowing she was being played with as she sighed. The girl was such a jovial and boisterous person and so the shy and reserved Bloom couldn’t help but get dragged into her pace and teased like that. “Laura, don’t be a bully and spare her your troubles” Mrs Jefferson chided her daughter who innocently zipp
Sergio was walking down the corridor, in search of the little boy. Mario had suddenly just ran out of his father’s ward and since he was small, he quickly disappeared from his uncle’s sight and was currently nowhere to be found. He had thought the boy would be in his uncle’s ward instead but couldn’t find him there either and he was heading to the lobby when he passed the stranger who was stepping out of the elevator. ‘Hmmm?’ Sergio stopped and turned. He saw the back of a man? Well, the build did give away it was definitely a man who was clad in a biker’s outfit and holding his helmet beneath his right arm. His eyes narrowed but he was distracted when he recalled the boy and took a left turn for the stairs, thinking Mario would have taken that way. The stranger smirked and glimpsed at the departing Sergio and walked on. Appearing in front of a ward and reading the name on the doorplate, they pushed the door open and walked in, shutting it behind them quietly. As if they knew before
“Laura, pass the glass of water. She’s waking up” The woman spoke to the girl who immediately went over to the bedside table and gently picked up the tall glass of water and handed it to her mother. Bloom who had been brought in earlier that evening, was scrunching her face and rousing from the state of unconsciousness she was brought in. Her face rumpled more and she shot up with a violent sneeze, startling the other two. Bloom was dumbfounded when her eyes came open. Where were those men she had been with? The surprise attacks and gun shots…her eyes were surveying her surrounding and she couldn’t recognize the unfamiliar faces before her. Mrs Jefferson eased her dilemma by speaking to her first, “You were rescued from the ones who held you captive. I know you’re frightened and still yet to come around with what you’ve been through but I assure you, you’re safe now”. It felt…strangely warm and assuring, to listen to the tender words of this woman who had a similar hair color to he
“You’re acquainted with them?” The chatters ceased and Pablo went silent for a moment, recalling it must really be the first time she was seeing Stefano. He nodded, “Yeah, we’re sort of related”. Sergio jumped when he said that and threw an arm round his neck. “Hey, what’s that to mean huh? We’re your older brothers, the only ones you’ll ever have. Stop acting like we’re some pain up your ass”. And the foul language and his uncouth mannerisms…Alexa frowned openly. ‘I’m worried for the upbringing of this child…then again, I’m not the exception myself’ She cackled suddenly, drawing the men’s attention her way. It was a blow to her, to come to the realization she couldn’t not ship herself with the men and she was retreating away in defeat to her iron principles. She entered the ward and shut the door. That was weird, she just cackled to herself and trudged away. What a strange woman. Stefano was also taking his leave, “Every passing second draws her farther from our reach. I’ll give