LUCIANO The list of things I'd rather do besides arguing with my father and his wife about why exactly the museum must be sold and why they were interested in acquiring the lands around included but not limited to eating fried maggots or watching a cartoon until my eyes bugs out. I've asked my secretary to check out what was really going on. The sindaci was involved. The ministro aswell other top company holders except GED. I couldn't understand exactly why he wasn't involved. Don't tell me it's because he wasn't involved or had no information. I don't know because my family must have not wanted me to know. Or he declined to give in the greediness because he still loves Eloise. That asshole! "Sir we are here" James said as he stopped in front of the amusement park. I decided to conduct an incognito study of user behavior, as the company is developing an AI that personalizes guest experiences. We are observing how people interact with park technology to refine their algo
ELOISE Having the same birth mark doesn't necessarily mean that Luciano was the father of my kids . I mean I've never met him except when the kids were five already. That birth mark could be tattooed. I just don't want to think about it when I got home. And even after few days at home I couldn't still successful shove the thought out of my head. He said the same. That birthmark doesn't really mean he was the father. it's still puzzling to me what a grown ass man is doing in an amusement park. I got to the museum to see all my employees assembled Infront of a boiling tempered man. Luciano was really scolding grown men and women? I hurriedly rushed to the scene and furrowed my brows in anger. "What the hell do you think you are doing?" I questioned with a clenched fist.. "What does it look like Eloise? I should center my blame on you right now . How the hell are you running this place? I'm sorry if I'm crossing the line but excuse me? You don't make
ELOISE"Am I late?" I said two hours later of deliberately making Damon wait " No. It's ... fine. I arrived early, I was nearby remember?" Luciano then arrived. I almost thought he won't show up" Damon rolled his eyes " You came with him?"; He muttered in annoyance. " I honestly hope you don't mind?. He insisted to follow me around" I laughed gently Luciano smiled at me and pecked my cheeks . Now that I think about it, this was far way childish than I thought. He looked up at the waitress across and signalled, ," you can bring the food now to him" "I'm sorry, I ordered on my own . I hope that's alright, besides, I already know your favorite" The waiter dropped two servings of abundant seafood, with grilled fish, fried calamari, and spaghetti alle vongoleIt was actually once at the top list of my favorites. Damon's intentions were quiet clear this was the exact meal I always order at every of our anniversary. " You can fix something for
ELOISE As I stepped into the spacious, dimly lit office, my eyes fell on Mr. Luciano. He stood with a smug smile, his gaze unwavering as he watched me approach. There was something cold and calculated in his demeanor, the same sense of entitlement that seemed to surround him since the beginning. Even though I was very much aware of the fact that Mr.Luciano is a money grubber, I still wasn't expecting that level of betrayal.. "Gosh ! I'm so stupid" I smacked my forehead..I probably shouldn't believe Damon who was ready to do anything out of jealousy.. I took a deep breath, clutching the stack of documents in my hand, and tried to ignore the sinking feeling in my stomach. I couldn’t help but wonder if Damon had been right all along. His warnings about Mr. Luciano echoed in my mind, and while Damon’s jealousy often clouded his judgment, maybe this time he had been onto something. For the past few days, I hadn't realized that he was the one offering to buy my father's mansion thr
ELOISE "Marrying you would do no good to me..don't use the museum as an excuse. Your grandfather has be all over me and my children since we arrived Italy..But trust me, even though I do not know the father of my children, It couldn't have been you" His eyes suddenly lit up " Damon is not the father?" "I will take my leave now Luciano. Don't mistake my desperateness for brokenness.. I was very comfortable before all of this and a husband is not close to what I need now" "Just a year. Think about Eloise..That been said, I've vowed to protect you and the kids with my life just like your mother did " I rolled my eyes to him. " My mother?" I quivered.. I've been so annoyed at nature for it took away my mom few months after my birth.. " I'm really sorry for what I'm about to say Eloise.. few years ago, your mom had jumped into the fire at the kitchen restaurant to save me and my mom who suddenly passed out while cooking according to autopsy " I held my breath knowing fully
LUCIANO I watched my late wife's grandfather walk round the sleek silver range coover I had just had delivered. A supercar, it was the ultimate boy-toy, for only ten would ever be built. The older man’s excitement was rare. I already know how much he adores new rides so I got it as a bribe sort of "A car that costs almost a half of a million.’ grandpa said, he stood tall and straight in spite of his seventy-five years, "Luci, It does my heart good to see you taking an interest in such things again! Did you fall In love recently? I smirked but said nothing in response to that leading comment. "I wouldn't be surprised if you have dear... Gossip columnists regularly referred to the billionaire head of the halmart software company as beautiful. " I hated the press..but loved how good they praised me. I sure have that lean, bronzed features which might have a breathtaking symmetry that turned female heads wherever I
ELOISE "we are not getting paid on time?" Matthew asked with a very bewildered look.."that can't happen. I have a loan interest..I have to pay for my kid's academy and they are even preparing for their first camp. I can't let my kids miss their first camping. Why are you all not saying anything? " The other workers either stood or paced around in anger "Felicia say something. You have your mother's hospital bill to take care of. Infact you even need it worst than I do. So why are not bothered?" I decided to step in. It's been two weeks since their salary was due. " I'm sorry for all this time," I apologized"Dl you really not have money?".Ann asked.with a sassy tone.. "Excuse me?" "It's just unbelievable to understand that the best curator I'm U.S is fucking broke! That designer bag you have took me six months to save up . If you sell everything you are wearing now including your jewelries, it could pay us for four months and you'd have some money left"
LUCIANO Eloise ls was absent again at dinner, but since I didn’t want to worry to the kids I told them she was at the office, working late again.. I still haven't adjusted to suddenly moving from bachelorhood to fatherhood. Not just to one or two but three kids.. My trust issue made me send their nanny away and now I even have to drive them back from school! "Why is mom very busy this days, Dad?" "Dad" I had to be touched to realize I was the dad they are calling. I would have laughed at the reality but I had to be an adult.. "She's preparing uhhh...for her best friends birthday" I stuttered at the Triplets with the same night wear. I could barely differentiate who Giana was from Kiara. " But mommy doesn't have any friends. only her sister visits her" " Right... She made new friend. You won't want your mom to bed lonely right?" "She has you now or do you plan to abandon us again? " "Nooo... Nope. I won't do that " I stuttered. At least not jus
DAMIEN POVWe moved quickly, staying low, and taking cover behind the nearest warehouse. My heart thudded in my chest, but I didn’t let it show. Every muscle was coiled with anticipation. Eva was close. I could feel it. And I was going to make sure Marcus didn’t get away with what he had done.I signaled to Marco to take the left side, while I led the team to the right, the area where Marcus’s phone had been traced to. The building was run-down, the kind of place where people went to disappear. But this wouldn’t be where Marcus disappeared. This was where his story would end.I couldn’t let him hurt Eva.As we closed the distance, I signaled to my men to stay alert. I was just a few feet from the entrance when I heard a noise. It was a slight scuffle followed by a faint whimper. It was enough to make my blood run cold. Eva.I moved forward, silently, my hand on the grip of my gun, eyes scanning for any sign of Marcus. There was no room for error. We couldn’t risk a standoff. We had t
DAMIEN"No,’ Chairman Huxley said. ‘We found out late tonight. A call came through, and the man on the phone threatened to kill Eva if the FBI or the cops are brought in.I need your help,’ he said, appealing to me ‘I have to get my daughter back safely.I clenched my fist. Marcus just doesn't know the boundaries that are not meant to be crossed. How dare he kidnap my wife in my absence. He didn't even try to be anonymous. He fucking told her father he was Marcus. Which means he has so much guts and no fear. "Well, ‘this is unusual. Of course, I understand the situation, and if you wish to pay him in that fashion, I can arrange it. However, I never recommend paying kidnappers and, believe me, I’ve had my share of threats.’‘What would you do?’ Chairman Huxley asked."I wouldn’t call in the FBI, they’re useless,’ I said. ‘I have my own people who use the latest technology. When he phones again, we can put that into action."He’s calling tomorrow at 10 a.m.""Where?""L.A.," Chairma
Eva.Finally I got it. This was no joke.When I’d started to struggle with the short man, he’d run out of the room, slamming the door in my face and locking it so I couldn’t get out.Shit! I thought, looking around. I really am a captive.There were no windows, a stone floor, a big old heavy door, a rickety cot with a stained mattress in the corner, an old blanket and a bucket.I'm screwed.How had this happened?I shut my eyes for a moment, trying to summon all the strength I could. Don’t panic, A little voice whispered in my head. Stay calm. You will get out of this.The short man with the pop eyes had tried to force some pills into my mouth. I’d kicked him in the balls and the pills had scattered on the ground. If I’d been quicker, I might have reached the door before him, but he was fast for such an unfit-looking man. Strong and smelly, too. I wrinkled my nose in disgust.Kidnapped. It seemed like a plot from a movie. No wonder I felt so sick, they’d obviously used somethi
A year later.Brenda's pov"From the moment we met, I liked you. I think about you all the time and I even dreamt about you at night. I know this might seem sudden but I don't think I can wait any longer"I smiled. Watching Micheal from across the table in the fancy exquisite restaurant. He knelt on one knee and brought a ring box out of his jacket pocket, the velvet catching the soft candlelight between us. My breath hitched as he opened it to reveal a delicate diamond solitaire, shimmering like a secret under the stars."Will you marry me?" he asked, with a low earnest voice , his eyes locked on mine like I was the only person in his world.For a heartbeat, the whole restaurant seemed to fade away the clink of glasses, the low hum of conversation, even the soft classical music floating through the air. All I could see was him, his trembling hand, and the hope in his eyes.Tears welled up before I could stop them. Not because I was surprised—but because I had waited so long to hear
Eva I woke up two weeks later “Eva, come home right now.”The urgency in my father’s voice froze me in place. I dropped my phone and rushed out, not even bothering to change out of Damien's pajamas. Yes his own because they are bigger and thicker and the weather is just damn too cold. Within seconds, I was behind the wheel of my Land Rover, tearing down the road, my heart pounding with worry.This wasn’t like Chairman Huxley. My father never called like that—never sounded that rattled. A thousand thoughts flooded my mind, each worse than the last. Was he sick again? Had something happened? I imagined him on the bed whimpering about how he loves me and that I should take care of myself. Oh God! I dreaded that thought. I must agree that the worst part of having parents is watching them grow old I parked haphazardly in front of the house, not caring that the tires weren’t straight or that I’d blocked part of the driveway. Kicking the door open, I ran up the stairs, two s
EvaThis isn’t what I was expecting at all. Ever since I got back, I’ve been starving myself. Not on purpose, okay, maybe a little out of pride. I've texted Damien for his address so I can easily order something to eat but he won't reply and I wasn't going to call him Gosh I literally haven’t eaten a single thing today and I slept off only to wake up by past 11pm. my stomach is punishing me for my negligence. The growling is so loud it could probably summon the dead. I tried to sleep, I really did, but the hunger pangs were too painful to ignore.It was too late to order anything. No restaurants will be open for delivery. So I was left with the one option I always end up taking a midnight snack.I tiptoed to the kitchen like a thief, praying not to wake anyone. The first time I tried this at home, Chairman Huxley nearly turned my head into a pancake with a frying pan. He thought I was a burglar. I still don’t understand why he chose a frying pan of all things. What if
Eva’s POV“What am I doing? Seriously?” I asked, trying not to let the irritation in my voice rise too much. His cold tone had sparked an ache I couldn’t quite describe. I only wanted to celebrate with him, to share in his moment and maybe, just for a second, pretend there was something real between us.But apparently, even pretending was asking too much.The audience hadn’t picked up on the tension between us yet. We were both still smiling like a picture-perfect couple. All fake. All for show.“You should stop acting up, Eva,” Damien muttered under his breath, though his smile remained intact, perfectly sculpted for the cameras that wouldn’t stop clicking. "Or else I will do this" He pulled me closer, his arm tightening around my waist as if this moment actually meant something. His lips cut mine I was so flustered by the sudden kiss . What was he doing. This is going overboard To the watching world, we were the romantic headline of the week: Office Romance Goals—The Alexa
Eva's POV"Get up."The deep voice cut through my sleep. Blinking my eyes open, I saw Damien standing in front of me. My surroundings felt unfamiliar—this wasn’t the plush hotel suite we’d stayed in the night before."Where…?" I began to ask, startled and confused. I felt embarrassed to be so disoriented.“We’re back in the States. Now get up. The car is already waiting,” Damien said, his tone sharp and devoid of warmth.Back in the States? My mind raced. I didn’t remember boarding a plane, let alone arriving here. The last thing I recalled was collapsing into bed, exhausted from the gala night. We were supposed to stay for two weeks, not just one. So why the sudden change?I covered my face with my hands, trying to wake up fully—and to hide the panic rising inside me. Something didn’t feel right.“Come on! I have things to do,” Damien snapped, grabbing my wrist and dragging me toward the exit. I stumbled down the stairs, still groggy and struggling to keep up with his long strides.W
Eva’s POVThe suite was quiet . The kind of silence that presses against your ears, heavy and watchful. I stared at the three dresses laid out on the bed, each more extravagant than the last. velvet. Midnight blue silk. Gold sequins.All picked by Damien not me. Apparently, even my wardrobe was part of the arrangement.I chose the midnight blue one. It was elegant but simple, the kind of gown that didn’t scream for attention, but still turned heads. As I stepped into the walk-in closet and zipped it up, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror.My makeup was flawless. My hair swept into soft waves. I looked… expensive. But I didn’t feel that way.Not when my heart was still sore from this morning. Not when I still heard Damien’s voice in my head like a cruel echo. “After the divorce, I doubt I’ll even remember your face.”I grabbed the silver heels from the box on the wardrobe and slipped them on just as the door creaked open.Damien stepped in.He wore a black tux, with a dark bo