MasukTessa turned on the bed. She tried to shut her eyes, but sleep wasn’t forthcoming. She could sense danger looming. Like it couldn’t be stopped no matter how hard she tried to control it.The blackmailer had been handled. But with Julian gone and Maribel back in the house again, Tessa grew antsy every time she had to see her friend’s face around the house. The guilt was getting too much to deal with now. She needed to get more serious about finding an apartment of her own.Perhaps the guilt would lessen if she weren’t living in the same house as her friend and her father. She picked up her phone to send Julian a goodnight text—he had insisted that she send him one every night until he was back from his trip. And whatever situation they were in shouldn’t deter her from making him happy.They were in this together after all.Tessa was typing the text, a big grin plastered on her face. She must have left her door unlocked because the moment she turned to face the door, Maribel burst into
These past few days, they’d been spending their nights together, and it was mostly in Julian’s home office. Tessa could no longer sleep alone in her room. Julian had a lot of business meetings that demanded his attention at all times.To be together, Tessa always spent the night in the office. Sometimes, having sex even while the meetings went on, other times she fell asleep in his arms while he was on a call with his business partners.Even amidst the chaos, they could still find happiness with each other, and somehow that was all the assurance she needed that Julian would never cast her away, no matter what happened between them. With the world falling apart, they would always choose each other.Tonight, she was seated on the couch, working on her computer, while Julian’s undivided attention was fixed on his own computer. Tessa lifted her eyes from the screen to look at Julian. She didn’t tell him about the dinner with Maribel and Bianca. She didn’t think there was a need to. She
Tessa was yet to fathom the reason her best friend would summon her for a girls’ dinner immediately after she closed from work. Her present life situation was almost plunging her into depression, and she was staying far away from the world, but Maribel wanted her out there.She clicked her teeth in annoyance, wishing she could have a life as free as her best friend’s, wishing she could just ignore the fact that someone out there had her nude pictures and wouldn’t hesitate to release them someday. She stepped into the restaurant and glimpsed Maribel from afar, sitting with her legs crossed atop one another, taking a call.She was giggling, oblivious to Tessa’s presence as she straightened out of the chair and strolled down to the window side.“Hey, Tess,” Maribel said a few more words before ending her call. Giving all her attention to Tessa, she pulled her into an embrace. “You look so worn out.”“This is what you get when you invite me to an unplanned dinner on a workday.” Tessa rol
Julian didn’t make it home until the middle of the night. Tessa waited up, pacing the living room until he showed up.“Julian.” She felt a mild sense of relief upon seeing him. Though it wouldn’t change her present predicament, his presence brought her comfort.“Hey, come here.” Julian spread out his arms to receive her. She curled in his arms, inhaling his scent, contemplating bombarding him with the discussion now or waiting for him to relax a bit before bringing it on. “I missed you.”Tessa couldn’t respond. She was trying so hard to hold still, but for how long?“There is a problem, Julian.” She couldn’t wait any longer. The earlier he knew about it, the earlier they came up with a solution. She handed her phone to him. “This number texted me this morning.”He glanced at the screen briefly. “Who’s the person and what do they want from you?” His eyes had turned dark by the time he returned them to her.“I got pictures of our visit to the yacht.”Julian stiffened, composing himself
Tessa was organizing her work schedule for the week when her phone buzzed. She ignored it at first. Another notification sounded, but she didn’t bother with it. When the third one came, she knew she couldn’t hold back.She reached for her phone, swiping the screen to check what it was all about. The texts stayed on the screen, three of them, all images from an unknown contact. Her fingers shook as she clicked on the download option.The first photo threw her off balance—she and Julian walking into the yacht with his hand on the small of her back as he guided her in. Her breath caught. She hurried to tap on the second image.A nude picture of them, but with Julian’s face missing. Only hers was visible. Her face was flushed, her eyes half closed as Julian fucked her on the upper deck of the yacht.The phone slipped out of her grip, dropping onto the table. Tessa’s vision turned blurry. Her heart hammered against her chest, threatening to fall out. A strange sound left her throat. What t
Always and foreverNight was already drawing near by the time they arrived at their destination, but with the help of the generous illumination given to the space, Tessa could make out how wide the yacht was as it sat across the sea.“Is this where we’re having our date?” Tessa admired the breathtaking view of the aurora blending seamlessly with the bright city lights, their colors shimmering all around the sea. “In a yacht? She asked, still looking around.Paradise was the perfect word to describe this place.He took her hand. “Ever had one here?”“Never.” She was suddenly glad she agreed to come on this date with him. “This is beautiful, Julian. I could get lost in here all night long.”“That’s my intention.” He beamed with a smile.She slowed her steps as they walked towards the railing. She stayed there for a moment, soaking in the view of the blue sea. Julian watched the breeze lift her hair, spreading it across her shoulders. She looked so beautiful, almost perfect, softening hi
"How are you getting along in your new job, Tessa?" Maribel asked, stuffing a forkful of pasta into her mouth. "And your co-workers, do you like them?"Tessa smiled. "Work is coming along fine." Hesitating, she briefly harbored a passing thought of Sebastian and the flowers she'd been getting every
Her cheeks reddened in eager expectancy."Yes, daddy." She muttered, pressing her lips together."You're so wet for me." He shifted her panties to the side. "Do you get wet thinking of daddy." He traced her entrance in preparation.Two fingers went in, curling against her throbbing wetness. He sent
The coolness of the room curled around her skin the moment she stepped in. The space was dimly lit, but bright enough to see their shadows spreading across the walls. She walked further in, the setting scent of ruins and sex filling her senses.A shiver ran down her spine. Julian meant business toni
A phone call from Sebastian saved Tessa from Maribel's hunches that morning. She had picked up the call and headed straight into her room to talk to him. After that, she prepared for work, leaving the house without responding to her question.She was back home, hoping to avoid Maribel again, but fat







