Nobela ni AUTHORELLA

I literally snapped out of the diner and stormed out onto the street. I was filled with pure adrenaline—adrenaline fueled by anger, excitement, and even confusion.Confusion about Eduardo. How could he leave me alone and go dining without informing me? How could he possibly know someone so important that he would need their help for a multi-million-dollar investment? How did a mere coincidence at lunch turn into an arranged marriage proposal?Bernardo was running after me, trying to catch up. "Emily," he shouted, "wait!"I didn’t stop but slowed my hurried steps."What was that?" he asked, his head clearly in a mess.Then Eduardo met my gaze, running toward us. I had a lot to deal with regarding him, but before that, what was urgent to me was to wrap my arms around his neck and hug him."I'm sorry," I whispered into his ear, "you shouldn’t have seen that."His gentle hands brushed my back, pausing for a moment, then he replied, "I’m the one who should apologize."I pulled back slightl

Eduardo choked on his wine after he heard Seniora Los Santos call him "son." The color drained from his face, and his eyes welled up slightly... I was kind of worried about him. The wine must have been hard for him to swallow. I pulled a napkin and wiped his tears, then passed him the glass of water I had in front of me. My lipstick mark was on the edge of the rim, but that was the only water available at that moment. I held his hand as I passed the glass for him to drink."Are you okay?" I asked. "Do you need some fresh air?"He shook his head. "The water will be enough, thank you," he responded and took a sip."Do you always treat your employees like that, Emily?" Seniora asked.She didn’t seem curious at all; she was asking because she had figured out the spark between us. She probably expected me to deny it, but I never even considered that. Not once did it cross my mind. As an Arquette, I had always been a woman of my word and stood behind my actions, whether right or wrong.I was

I froze for a long moment, as if my feet were buried underground. My voice was totally gone. I never expected Eduardo to know someone like Seniora Los Santos. Not only did he know her, he was close to her. They were hugging each other warmly. How could that be?The timing couldn’t have been worse; the wine I sent to their table made them notice me. Eduardo's expression changed immediately. He looked as if he were seeing me for the first time in his life.I read his lips as he whispered my name, "Emily!"Then I saw another familiar face entering; it was his friend from that night—the owner of the farm where Eduardo took my mare, Luna. I recalled him vividly because he kept calling Eduardo "The Almighty Don" that night. Eduardo had told me he was only mocking him because of his hometown.My eyes met Seniora Los Santos'. She turned her face toward me, and a faint smile appeared as a greeting. I swallowed hard to clear the knot in my throat—though I didn't know why it was there—and forced

The lounge music blended with the sound of silver cutlery and the chatter of people. The waiters were pacing around with the orders of the diners. I was enjoying my New Yorker steak with a green nut salad flavored with apple cider vinaigrette dressing on the side, along with my red wine. Bernardo dipped one slice of his fries into my salad dressing just to annoy me. I stole his mustard, which added the missing kick to my meal. He frowned immediately after I did that."I am going to press charges regarding that," he threatened me like a foolish kid.I pointed my finger at him and responded in a baby voice, "You started first!"We both began to laugh at ourselves.It had already been over a month since I handed the properties to Miranda. Work was working, Eduardo and I were kissing, and life was living in order.I took Bernardo out for lunch after closing a deal. We were a couple of millions short for the construction we were about to start, and Bernardo found the investor at the last m

The glass walls of the room let the sunset hues in, reflecting off the surface of the oak meeting table. I was comfortably seated in my chair, watching that slandering scumbag sign the agreement with trembling hands."I hope the lesson is learned," I said, grabbing the signed documents and turning on my heels.The sound of my high heels echoed alongside the hum of the AC in the corridor. I hummed softly as I walked out of the building. Eduardo greeted me at the entrance, smiling."Sorted, Ma'am?" he asked."Stop calling me Ma'am with the same mouth you kiss me with and more," I said, blinking.He chuckled, but his expression changed instantly. I saw him strike like a tiger in the wild, ready to prey. He grabbed the man by his collar before I could stop him. The security rushed in."Eduardo," I said, "he already paid. Let him go, don’t make a scene.""Do you really think he paid? He may be paying for the slander, but what about the harassment?""What harassment?" he asked in shock."Ar

I had difficulties understanding the things I’d heard. Did Miranda refuse to be a thief right before my eyes?I held her hand gently and asked, “Miranda, what do you mean by that?”She was crying as if she were grieving; calm, demure, silent... Tears ran down her cheeks effortlessly.“Miranda?” I asked compassionately, “What happened? Tell me.”“Do you trust me, Emily?” she asked then, desperately, afraid the answer would be no. “Would you trust me with your property?” she asked after.“Miranda, I don’t know who hurt you, honey, but I’ve never doubted your integrity.” I held her hand. “We are Arquettes; we don’t lower ourselves to something like that.”Especially Miranda’s dad, my uncle James, would sacrifice his own life for his pride.“Emily!” she said, holding me as she burst into tears. The agony she felt was raw and naked.“Miranda, tell me now, what happened?” I said. “I will do my best to get you out of it if you’re in trouble. I will do my best to get you justice if you were w