Hello Loves, In every story, there is always a beginning and an end. I am deeply honored that you have become part of Kara and Nico's love journey. Your reviews, comments and votes matter a lot. They inspire me to come up with chapters regularly, and excites me every time because I knew that you were walking with me in this journey. Thank you, loves. Special mention to my editor Lyra Pinter for making this story possible. Thank you for the support and promotions you have given this book. A big thank you to my top 25 gem contributors as of this writing: magdalena.czajka, Roselyn Moore, Panela Ellis, Lei Esturas, Margaret, Katherine, Lean Cantara, Makhosazana Rebecca Mazibuko, Shirley Torres, Stina, Natalie Kae Foster, cathykoopman6, Laura Tomas, Edna Oclida, Blaca Villalpando Kelley, Joycelyn Eusebe, ruckik.evershine, Jody Conrad, Parker, Angelica Monteon, Annie Punto, Adeyiga Adepeju, Normah Mrs, Charlotte, and Anitra Christ. To my commenters and reviewers, I love your
Kara Baxter drew the lapels of her black jacket together as she anxiously awaited the arrival of her boss, Nico Bernardi. Her heart thumped fast. She was so nervous. A moment longer of this torture, and she feared her heart would jump out of her ribcage. When she received the letter from the bank this morning, she did not think twice about coming here. Nico Bernardi is her only hope. She had to at least try. The door to the office swung open, distracting her from her musings. Kara jumped to her feet when the man she was waiting for arrived. She walked in his direction but was quelled by his stern look. Kara had to step back. “M-Mr. Bernardi.” She squeaked. Perplexed, she watched Nico Bernardi strode in. He reached his table, sat on the executive chair, leaned forward, and placed his elbows atop the desk, his fingers interlacing each other. He moved so elegantly that Kara was mesmerized. Then, the signet ring on his right pinky finger caught her attention and her heart st
There was a look of pure horror in David’s face when he saw her. “Kara! What are you doing here?” Kara almost laughed out loud. If only she was looking at another person, and not at David, her boyfriend - the first serious relationship she had - it would have been comical. He was naked from the waist down. His pants and undie pooled on the floor at his feet. And his eyes looked like they were so ready to pop out of their sockets. It was the sight of his naked butt that held her attention. Her nose twitched in distaste. “Obviously I am here to surprise you. As it turned out, the surprise was on me. I did not expect to catch my boyfriend red-handed.” She said bitterly as something akin to pain pierced her heart. Her words were like a spring board that made David react so strongly. He pushed the woman off of him. Her loud scream of surprise rang around them as she flailed her arms for something to hold on to before there was a loud thud when she hit the floor. For a while,
They were silent for a long time. Kara fidget in her seat. From time to time, she threw copious glances on Mr. Bonacci’s side profile, but that is far as she went. She dared not open her mouth. Earlier, it was her adrenaline talking. She wanted to get away from David so bad and Marco Bonacci was her ticket. Now, in the confines of his car, she was tongue-tied. There was a tense silence in the air, but Kara knew it mostly came from her. “I understand you need my help?” Mr. Bonacci broke into her thoughts. “Mr. Bonacci, I..” Kara stammered, her eyes watering in anxiousness. “Marco. Call me Marco.’ He corrected her. He turned his head around and pinned her with his unwavering gaze which surprised her. He was so naturally accommodating. But Kara did not feel right to call him just by his first name, given the disparity in their statuses. Her mind rejected the idea. That would be too presumptuous. Mr. Bonacci is a man of prestige and high status. He commands respect. “It
Nico was still reeling from the confrontation he had with Kara. After seeing her anger, he did not try to prolong their interaction because he could sense that Kara was uncomfortable around him. She even thought that he would hit her. He did not know where that idea stemmed from, but it saddened him to think that she thinks that low of him to be able to conceive such a notion in her head. Without further delay, he signed her resignation paper and clearance. Then, she was gone. She did not even look back when she closed the door behind her. For a moment he felt a tinge of regret at having to see her go because he was not able to keep his mouth shut. If he had just contented himself with watching her from afar. Maybe, things would have been different. But it was over. There is nothing much he could do about it now. Kara resigned and it may well be the last time he would catch a glimpse of her. He did not think that their paths would cross again in the future. If Kara had her w
Kara Baxter did not know how she ended up here. She did not think for a second that the modeling job she secured earlier this week, the one she perceived as "manna from heaven," would turn out to be a hoax. “Why was I going to be auctioned for a charity event? I never signed up for this! I am going to sue you!” Kara angrily lashed out at Kate despite the mounting panic in her heart. Can’t anyone see that what they were doing is illegal? They lure women with a promise of a lucrative career and high pay, only to be sold to the highest bidder. “You signed the contract dear. Didn’t you read its contents? Besides, all our top models undergo a sort of baptism of fire, and this is yours.” Kate Ash, her recruiter, reminded her. “To become a prostitute?” Kara scoffed. Her face flushed red in anger. Kate looked affronted. “The Night of the Virgins was a charity event. You make it sound ghastly, dear." “A charity event that sells off their models to the highest bidder?” Kara
The moment her eyes landed on her buyer and realized his identity, Kara went ballistic. She did not know how it happened, but Kara was sure she had been grossly manipulated. Nico played her into his hands. Her nostrils flared as the anger she could not define engulfed her. How dare he put her fate into his hands? How dare he pull her like a puppet on a string just because she rejected him?Kara’s rage mounted.“You planned this!” She lashed out at him. Feeling out of her depths. Her control quickly slipped away from her. She swung her arms to hit, but instantly regretted her intent when she felt a stinging pain shoot from her wrists to her arms. “Aw!” She cried.She dropped her arms and doubled over, pulling her wrists close to her chest. Then her knees buckled, and she slumped like a heap on the floor. Nico sat on his haunches and grabbed her arms to inspect. But even in her pain, Kara is consumed with anger. She yelled at him.“Don’t touch me. I hate you.”She verbal
Nico grunted in pain. Kara felt his body went rigid and was afraid of the repercussions of her actions. To save herself from his wrath, she pushed him away and raced through the main door. She opened it, relieved that escape was right at her fingertips. But when she stepped out, a spotlight focused on her. She was momentarily blinded. Kara lifted her hand to protect her eyes. At this time, armed men swarmed around her. She was so shocked. She froze in place. “Don’t come near me.” She warned them. She was surprised when they followed her order. They did not touch her and kept their distance, but they stood in a semi-circle around her, preventing her from going further from the house. She thought it was because they feared her, but who was she deluding? Kara did not need confirmation. A moment later, she felt Nico’s hands on her shoulders. She shuddered when he bent his head, his breath fanning the back of her ears while he spoke in a deadly voice. It was so ful