LOGINPaige"Hello?""Mrs. De Luca?"I frowned "Yes?""I'm calling from the club where your husband is."I closed my eyes, of course this was about him. "What happened, is he okay?" I asked"He's had quite a bit to drink."I glanced toward the nursery where Kyla was sleeping."How much?"The man hesitated "Enough that he shouldn't be driving in that state."I sighed."Is he conscious?""Yes. But he's refusing to take a cab and I can't let him drive in the state he is in now."I rubbed my forehead. "Where are you?"He gave me the name and address of the club."I understand, I will be there." I ended the call.I grabbed my bag, checked on Kyla one more time, and left the house.Rosa was downstairs."Where are you going?" she asked when she saw me rush out"to get Dante, he is drunk at some club and insists on driving home so I have to go get him."Her expression immediately changed."oh my goodness, I will watch Kyla?"I didn't wait for a response, I took a cab across town, the entire ride,
PaigeThe first thing I noticed when I woke up was that I was smiling and I had no idea why, I had this rush of excitement, then last night came rushing back.It had started off terribly but I ended up having one of the best nights I had in a long time. I groaned softly and pulled the blanket over my face for a second just wanting to stay in that bliss for a bit longer.Pete's face came to mind, his perfect jawline and full lips, and I could feel the rush of excitement inside me. I laughed quietly to myself before I finally pushed the blanket aside and climbed out of bed.After pulling on my robe, I walked toward the nursery, the door was slightly open.I pushed it wider, Kyla was already wide awake.She was lying in her crib, kicking her little legs and making soft sounds to herself.I smiled "Who is a sneaky little baby?"Her eyes immediately found me as I walked over and picked her up."When did you wake up little princess?"She stared at me with those wide, curious eyes."You sne
PaigeI don't know how long we sat there talking but at some point, I stopped thinking about the time, about Dante or Keisha and it felt like I was just me after a really long time. It didn't help that Pete was so easy to talk to, with him I didn't have to pretend to be someone I am not to keep up with him, he seemed to just enjoy me. I glanced down at my wrist and my eyes widened at the time"Oh, shit."Pete nearly choked on his drink "What?"I quickly checked the time again "It's almost midnight."He laughed a little "Seriously?""Yes." I stood up so quickly that I almost lost my balance "I have to go, I should be home by now.""Time flies when you are having fun."I looked at him."Apparently."He stood and dusted off his trousers."Come on, I will take you home.""You don't have to, I can take a cab." i offered but he was not having it"I know." He smiled, "but I want to, my mom raised me right."We made our way down the stairs, the city growing louder as we left the rooftop beh
PaigeI had no idea where Pete was taking me and I really didn't care, maybe I had finally lost my mind given I had only met this man a few hours ago and knew nothing about him except his name. The city stretched beneath us as we stepped onto the abandoned rooftop, the skyline glowing against the dark sky. Somewhere below, traffic moved like a river of headlights, completely unaware of the mess happening inside my head.Pete carried two bottles of water and a bottle of champagne he'd somehow managed to rescue from the gala.He held it up."Before you judge me, I would like you to know this was very expensive."I laughed "You are stealing from a charity event?""more like borrowing.""Without permission?""Exactly."I shook my head "You are ridiculous.""And yet you followed me here."He had a point.We sat against the low concrete wall overlooking the city.Pete handed me the champagne and I took a small sip as the bubbles tickled my nose and he just watched me with amusement. I like
DanteThe moment I saw Keisha standing across the ballroom with another man, something inside me snapped, I didn't understand it and I didn't want to understand it.All I knew was that I hated seeing his hand resting against her waist and I hated the way he leaned down to say something in her ear, I hated the smile she gave him.That smile was supposed to be mine."Keisha."I didn't realize I would said her name aloud until the man beside her glanced in my direction and she looked up and our eyes met instantly. For one second, neither of us moved, the she looked away and that made it even worse and my jaw tightened.Who the hell was this guy?I didn't even know that she was coming today otherwise I would not have dragged Paige here tonight, and I knew she was pissed at me, I had been ignoring her calls and texts but this, this was taking it too far, she wanted my attention now she had it. It took me a few more minutes before I realized Paige was not yet back, she had whispered somet
PaigeThe moment the bathroom door closed behind me, I leaned against it, my hands were violently shaking.I stared at myself in the mirror and barely recognized the woman looking back.My makeup was still perfectly in place and my hair hadn't moved.My dress looked exactly the way it had when I left the house, but inside?I was a mess. Of course Keisha would be here, I thought to myself, I should have known tonight wouldn't be simple.I had spent the entire afternoon convincing myself that maybe, just for one evening, I could forget everything that happened and just be present in the moment, I was wrong obviously. I had even allowed myself to believe that maybe tonight could be about us.Just one evening where we could exist beside each other without everything feeling so complicated.And then I walked into the ballroom and found his girlfriend.I pulled out my phone, there was only one person I wanted to call and she answered on the second ring."Hey, girl what's going on."I swall
Paige The moment we step onto the red carpet, I feel like the whole world explodes.Flashes erupt from every direction, blinding and relentless, cameras clicking so fast it sounds like rain hitting glass. Voices overlap reporters calling Dante’s name, photographers shouting instructions, strangers
PaigeThe penthouse is too quiet. I am used to my one bedroom apartment downtown where you hear all types of noises. Even the air was different here. The soft hum of the city far below. The faint tick of a designer clock I didn’t buy and could never afford. Even the fabric of the dress I am wearin
DanteI watched her from across the penthouse, seated stiffly on the edge of the bed.She didn’t realize I was watching. Of course she didn’t. That was the nature of control: the subject must act naturally while you study every gesture, every twitch, every breath. Her hands fidgeted with the edge
PaigeI move into Dante De Luca’s penthouse with one suitcase and a promise I have already broken twice.The elevator ride is silent.The walls are mirrored, reflecting me back at myself from every angle my tired eyes, the faint swelling beneath them, the way my shoulders curl inward like I’m braci







