LOGINLolly’s POVRue slapped the door hard. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself and start doing something to take back your life. Are you seriously going to stand here, moaning and crying, while they win again?”Rue’s voice snapped me out of my misery and self-pity. “Yeah, you’re right. You are right. I can’t let them win again! But how am I supposed to stop them? Cindy’s going out on a date with Stone. Knowing my stepmother, she’s going to try relentlessly to marry the girls off to Stone.”Rue tapped the door again. “We can’t let that happen. You were the girl he danced with. He came all this way to find you. You need to let him know, at least.”I bobbed my head in agreement. “Okay, so what do we do?”At first silence. Then came Rue’s excited voice. “We are going to crash their date!”I nearly combust with shock. Rue was always the brave one. She was always full of ideas, but this might be the worst one yet.“Crash their date? In case you forgot, I am not allowed to leave the house.”“Okay,
Lolly’s POV“Why did it have to be you? It could’ve been me! I should’ve been the one. She beat me to it before I could say anything,” Mindy started to whine as soon as Mr. Stone left the house.Cindy threw her head back, laughing. “You snooze; you lose. Did you really think I was going to just stand there and let you have him? He’s a fucking billionaire! He’s mine now!”Mindy charged at her sister. “You conniving, sneaky bitch!”Their mother had to step in to stop them. “Girls, girls, it doesn’t matter who gets him. The fact is…we are in! We have a golden opportunity here and we cannot lose it. I don’t care who he chooses. Hell, you can both share him when the matter is settled. The only thing I care about is...securing his partnership. Do you understand?”The girls nodded obediently. Mindy lit up with excitement at the prospect of sharing another man with her sister. Their weird twin bond always freaked me out. Since they were kids, they had always shared everything: from clothes do
Lolly’s POVHe stalked across the room slowly, each step carrying his magnanimous aura. He walked with purpose, like a man used to paths opening up for him.All eyes were on him.My stepsisters crooning with barely-contained excitement. My stepmother stood straighter, dignifying themselves.I hid behind them, waiting for the right moment to sneak out. He cannot see me like this. Not like he would recognize me in my maid’s outfit anyway.His scent grew stronger as he drew closer and closer. I was practically jelly in the knees. That powerful, familiar scent paralyzed me.He stopped right in front of my stepfamily merely a few inches away from my stepsisters.“Mr. Stone, what a pleasure it is to host you in our home,” said my stepmother, Lizzy.“Yes, Mr. Stone, it is an honor to have you here,” Mindy chirped in her ultra-soft voice.“Mr. Stone, I am delighted to welcome to our home,” added the second stepsister, Cindy.I sensed the competition rising between them right away. Despite the
Lolly’s POV I nearly gasped when I stepped into the ball. The beautiful interior design, lighting, the enchanting music, the guests all dressed flamboyantly made me feel like I’d just stepped into heaven. I was breathless at the beauty of it all, and thankful to Rue for forcing me here. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Some of the guests were dancing. I moved through the crowd, keeping a low profile. Even though everyone wore a mask, I was still afraid I’d run into my stepfamily. “Who do you think is Mr. Stone?” I heard some ladies behind me muster. “Do you think that’s him?” another pointed out a broad-chested man on the dance floor. “No, he is not…charming enough. I don’t think Mr. Stone’s at his own party?” Ah, I thought, the elusive Mr. Stone continues to be elusive? I meandered through the crowd, taking note of everything. Mr. Stone’s mansion was bigger than everything I’d ever seen. The walls were covered with expensive art. I stalked the li
Lolly’s POV ~ONE YEAR LATER~ “I can’t believe we were invited to the party of the decade!” Cindy cooed excitedly. She turned over the exclusive invitation. I saw the invitation clearly from my position on the ladder where I stood dusting the chandelier. It was gold-embossed. The name ROMAN STONE jumped out to me. “I’m more surprised he finally opened up that home of his to the public,” my stepmother, Lizzy, said. Lizzy sat on the couch, watching her daughters tussle over the card. “Give it here!” Mindy said, snatching it from Cindy. “I’m not done with it!” Cindy retorted. They fought over it, their bodies hitting the ladder in the middle of the living room, and almost throwing me off. I held onto the shaking ladder as firmly as I could so I wouldn’t fall. My cleaning towel fell to the floor. I climbed down the ladder slowly, avoiding my sisters to pick it up. “Urgh, you are still here? How long does it take to actually clean a simple chandelier?” Lizzy snapped
Lolly’s POV I clutched the card firmly as the elevator took me up to the penthouse. My heartbeat was irregular. My legs were nearly shaking. What the fuck am I doing? I’m not usually the kind of girl who accepts invitation from a total stranger. Granted he was a hunk I’d like to mount, but this was not me! I don’t spend nights with strangers. I was still a virgin for God’s sake. This was not the way I planned to lose my virginity. I’d blame the alcohol if I was totally wasted, but I was not. Maybe a little tipsy, but my head was clear as I rode the elevator. This recklessness must be a side effect of my breakup. Who am I keeping myself for anyway? I was finally free. I deserved a wild night after the disaster today. The elevator finally stopped and pinged. The doors opened into a long hallway. A white door stood at the end of the hallway. I walked unsteadily. I had one last chance to back away from this. I willed my legs to turn around and walk away, but they







