VLADIMIRTime seemed to stop as I watched her in slow motion. It's as if the whole world ceased to exist. All I could see was her.What the hell is she doing here?!I mean, I know this place is near the shelter but I never thought I would bump into her, let alone eat in the same restaurant!And why the hell is that man's hands all over her? Why is she letting him touch her?!My fingers tightened around the utensils in my hands as I watched him gently guide her in as if she couldn't walk on her own!What is the meaning of this? I glanced at their table where Dave and the other woman sat. Are they out on a double date? Who is the man she's with? Does Dave know him?My jaw clenched as I watch the asshole pull out a chair for Yvonne. How long has it been since the divorce was finalized? One week? Two weeks?It doesn't matter. The point is, it hasn't been long. But she's already here going out on a date looking so fucking beautiful!Fuck. Wait. Did I just compliment her?I scanned her from
YVONNEI missed him. God, I missed him.I am so close to jumping on him. My whole body ached for him. I wanted to hug him. Kiss him. But I can't...Riva is just outside, waiting on their table..."If you have nothing else to say, I'd like to leave, please," I told him before I changed my mind.Thankfully, he didn't argue anymore. I have to muster all my strength to force myself to walk away from him. My heart felt like breaking at each step I took.I gasped. My eyes widened when I realized who was in front of me. As if it wasn't torture enough, here comes Riva who must be going to the washroom. This is the first time I'd be seeing her up close.I clenched my jaw to keep a straight face as we walked past each other. I couldn't help but glance at her face.She looked better now than the first time I saw her. Of course, she's with Vladimir now!My heart was beating so fast, I think it could jump out of my ribcage! My knees were buckling when I got back to our table. I drew a long breath,
YVONNEI woke up to find Selene cooking breakfast. The mouthwatering scent of whatever she was making woke me up from my dreamless slumber."I'm sorry I rummaged through your kitchen," she said unapologetically."It's fine," I muttered my mind still dazed with sleep. I wanted to stay in bed but unfortunately, I can't.It's Monday and I needed to go to work. I groaned while pushing myself to get up. I barely got any sleep last night. Vladimir occupied my thoughts until the wee hours of the morning. At this rate, he should seriously pay me rent. Damn it."You look like shit," Selene chuckled."Tss, tell me about it," I scoffed."You can use some coffee. Do you want me to make some for you?" she asked."Don't bother. I'll do it," I said.I made a cup for both of us. We ate together in silence. It was the kind of silence that felt welcoming though. "Will you go to the shelter today?" I asked her."Later," she replied. "I have a therapy session with Dr. Gomez."We have a few therapists in
YVONNETime stood still as I watched him walk towards me. My breathing hitched. I was torn between fleeing and running toward him."You are late," he muttered when he stopped right in front of me.He only said three words. Three words that were enough to turn my world upside down. I found myself staring into his eyes once again and I just knew it.Yesterday may have been a coincidence, but this one is certainly not.Why is he here? I know the shelter is under his foundation but he rarely goes there! I'd been working in the LGC Foundation for a few months, but the only times he had been there was because of me!Was it wrong to assume that he was here for... Me?But why?Did he suddenly realize that he missed me when he saw me yesterday? Did he wake up this morning and finally acknowledge he wanted me back?Tss. Stop dreaming. I quietly told myself."Good morning, Vladimir," I heard Dr. Phil.I took a deep breath before taking a glance at him. I must have completely forgotten about his
YVONNE"Ahh..." I couldn't stop my moans. It's hard to admit it, but I missed this. I missed him. So bad...I clung onto his nape to pull him even closer. I kissed him back with the same intensity. And it seems like he has no plans on stopping soon.And I have no plan to fight him either...I felt Vlad taking steps away from the wall while still carrying me. The next thing I knew, he had already made me sit on top of my wooden desk. One swipe and I heard the papers rustling as they fell onto the floor. It all happened without having to break the kiss we were sharing.He pressed his hips onto mine, making me aware of his heavy arousal. I couldn't help but moan again. He pushed me down the table until my upper body was already lying on its cold surface. My legs are still wrapped around his hips. His kisses moved down to my jaw, then further down to my neck."Uhh!" I moaned when his tongue darted out and started laving on the sensitive skin of
VLADIMIRThe next morning, I found myself driving to the shelter. When I realized what I was doing, I wanted to curse myself.Fuck. What is happening to me?After hitting the brake, I slammed my hand into the steering wheel. I massaged the bridge of my nose frustratedly while taking a harsh breath.Why am I making it a big deal? LGC Foundation is under my company. It's only normal to know what was going on with its projects, right?Right. That makes sense...With those thoughts, I headed to the shelter only to find Yvonne still wasn't there. I glanced at my wristwatch. It's only a few minutes before eight in the morning. She must be on her way so I decided to return to my car and wait.My jaw clenched when I saw her come out of that man's car. I went out to confront her. I was almost blinded with rage but I tried to keep myself together. It's okay. She's single now. She can go out with anyone she wants.Bitter bile drenched my tongue."If you have nothing else to say, I still have a l
YVONNEI looked at Vladimir, who seemed to be busy with something on his phone. His forehead was creased while he stared at its screen. He picked up his cup to take a sip of coffee before pressing the screen with his long fingers.My cheeks heated profusely at the sight of them lazily tapping on the keyboard. Damn. Vivid images from my dream the other day played inside my head. I gulped an imaginary lump in my throat as I tried to shake the dirty, dirty thoughts that started to pollute my mind.And here I thought I was getting better from my hypersexuality ever since I started the therapy. I sighed.I hadn't even thought about sex for a while! I had been so busy at the shelter I barely had time for myself. I'm usually dead on my feet by night, so all I want to do is sleep.Vladimir must have something to do with it. He can easily rouse the deepest, darkest desires that I thought I had completely shunned. He's really a devil in disguise! A walking temptation...Just look at him now. He
VLADIMIR"This project is important for the company's image right now. I can't afford to let you mess it up."What the hell am I talking about? Fucking asshole!She's right. What the fuck am I doing here? I gritted my teeth frustratingly.I stared at her as she glared at me as if she wanted to kill me. I took it as a chance to really look at her.She looked so different now. From her hair to her clothes and just her overall aura. She must have lost a few pounds. Did she do it on purpose? I don't know...Her long hair is cropped down to her chin, which shows her long, slender neck.I wanted to kiss her senselessly, to run my tongue along the sensitive skin behind her ear down to her shoulder, but I had to stop myself. Not just because we were in front of other people, but because I already lost the right to do so.I shifted on my feet uncomfortably. I can't believe I'm getting a fucking a hard-on in the middle of this argument!Fuck this.She sighed while shaking her head before walkin
YVONNE"Are you sure you wanna do this?" Vlad worriedly asked."Yes," I sighed exasperatedly. He'd been asking for the hundredth time already.I cupped his face with my hands, making him look at me."Vlad, I want to do this," I told him, smiling to reassure him that I would be okay."I want to close this chapter of my life before I truly open a new one. I don't want anything to come back and haunt me in the future. I want to get rid of all my demons and leave them together with the past," I told him honestly.He stared deep into my eyes for a while."Okay..." he finally sighed. "Do you want me to come with you?""What? No!" I exclaimed. "Just stay here and wait for me," I said."Damn it. Why does it sound like you're talking to a pet?" he snapped.I chuckled, looking at the annoyed expression on his face."Don't worry, I'll make it up to you when we get home," I winked."Fine," he snorted half-heartedly. I knew he wouldn't agree to this, but I feel like I really need this before moving
VLADIMIR"You killed them!" Jade cried, her voice dripping with bitterness and rage. "You killed my family! You should die, you monster!"I frowned. I gently grabbed Yvonne to push her behind me. She seemed reluctant, but I insisted."You know very well I wasn't the one behind your family's ambush," I told her in a low but commanding voice."But you were the reason why they were in that kind of business! You dragged them to hell when you let them join your illegal activities!" she yelled. "Leon told me everything!"I gritted my teeth. I thought she was one of the smartest women I knew. Now, I'm beginning to doubt it. Why would she believe a word that came out of that asshole's mouth?"Your father was bankrupt. He lost all your money and property to gambling!" I growled. "He kept begging me to let him join my underground business until I did! Even after that, he didn't stop his addiction. He owed people who went after them that night. I have nothing to do with it!""I don't believe you
YVONNEI ran outside. My heart beats faster the closer I get to the entrance."Yvonne!" I heard Selene scream my name despite the chaos around us. I turned to look at her. I sighed in relief after seeing that she was fine, just like Phil said."Are you okay?" she worriedly asked, her eyes surveying my body, looking for any injury."Yes," I nodded. "Stay here. I'll go out to see what's going on.""What?!" she exclaimed while following me. "Are you crazy?! It's safer here. Who knows whom the shooters were targeting? Stay here!"She grabbed my hand and held me tight."I know. But I should be responsible for this," I told her. Aside from that, I couldn't wait to see if Vlad was safe. I would die of anxiety if I didn't know his state as soon as possible."Yvonne!" she protested but kept following me."Go back there!" I hissed. "Vlad is outside. He'll never let anything happen to me.""What? Is he some kind of superhero now?" she snorted. I sighed defeatedly."Selene, please," I turned to l
YVONNE"Please be careful," I whispered. I tried to hold on to him, to stop him from leaving, but he still went after his men.I understand. He needs to help them. A lot of lives are at stake. I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with much-needed air.He closed the door behind him. Somehow, I felt safe in the familiar confines of my office, but I couldn't completely shake the guilt away.How about the other guests? The employees? They're innocent. They shouldn't have been dragged into this mess. I don't know what I would do if any of them get hurt or worse..."This is all my fault," Riva cried beside me."No shit," I muttered without looking at her. I felt bad that she was hurt, but I still couldn't help the anger that was slowly filling me from inside out.I don't know everything, but I've heard enough to conclude that she knew Jade was planning this all along. However, she never told anything to Vlad. Just like what she did back then with her father."How could you claim you love
VLADIMIR"Vlad!" Yvonne cried as I hugged her. I only want her to be safe. I need to protect her no matter what.I closed my eyes as I waited for the pain to come, but instead of the sudden, intense burning pain of a bullet piercing my flesh, I felt a heavy weight collapsing on my back.At the same time, I heard Blaze and Mike coming to help us. Mike kept firing shots, covering us while Blaze helped me get up.I was confused when I realized it was Riva's weight that fell upon me. She was hit. Blaze pulled her up and dragged her inside while I ran with Yvonne. Other guests were also rushing inside the shelter, looking for a place to hide."What the hell?" I exclaimed when we finally got into safety."I-I'm sorry," Riva gasped while looking straight into my eyes.I frowned, getting more confused. How did she get shot? Isn't she the one behind this? Maybe because I tried to take the bullet that was supposed to be for Yvonne. My jaw clenched at the thought that she was the target of those
VLADIMIRRiva just started a fucking commotion. Reporters around swarmed like bees around her, making it hard for my men to drag her away!Fuck.What is she trying to do? Did she think she could win my favor if she ruined this event?"Vlad, please!" she screamed while trying to get away from the reporters who were shoving their mics and cameras in her face."Fuck it, do something," I hissed at Blaze who quickly moved."Vlad," Yvonne muttered beside me while holding onto my hand. Her palm was cold but sweaty and I couldn't blame her.She worked hard for this. And it's slowly falling apart right before her very eyes! Fuck.I should have known Riva wouldn't stop at anything. What else does she want from me?"Wait here," I whispered to her while signaling Matias to stay beside her.I don't want anything to do with her but this is the fastest way to get rid of her. I walked past the reporters who were asking questions nonstop. Cameras were flashing left and right! Blaze and my other men cl
YVONNEI stared at my reflection in the mirror. It's been a while since I last glammed up like this. The dress hugged my body in all the right places. The slit on one side showed just enough skin but still looked elegant and sophisticated.The strapless and structured bodice complemented me well. However, I couldn't help but think that something was amiss. I let out a harsh sigh."Is there something wrong?" Vlad asked when he suddenly appeared behind me. I was so preoccupied that I didn't notice when he came. He held me in his arms, his fingers gently caressing the curve of my waist.We were in the penthouse he had just acquired. I agreed to stay with him now that he's here but I'm still keeping my unit."Nothing," I forced a smile onto my lips. "I'm just a little anxious."I told him honestly. I wanted everything to be perfect tonight and I couldn't help but worry that something might go wrong."You don't need to worry," he pulled me onto him and gently placed a chaste kiss on my lip
VLADIMIR"I missed you," she groaned, making me harder than I already was!Fuck. She's making me lose it when I didn't even plan on taking her tonight! I wanted to take things slow, but she's a fucking temptation!I can't even remember how we ended up like this. I only wanted to surprise her with this new place. Her unit was fine, but I wanted the best for her. I knew she would probably refuse to accept it, so I already had it under her name.I growled when she suddenly bit my lip in the midst of our heated kiss. All thoughts that I had quickly dissipated into the air, leaving only her.I slid my fingers into her hair, pulled her face towards mine, and forcibly captured her exploring tongue with mine, thus deepening the kiss. Our mouths fused until we needed to come up for air. I didn't let her go. We tried to catch our breath against each other's lips."Vlad," she called my name like a prayer, breaking all the reigns I'd been trying so hard to keep."You have no idea how much I've l
YVONNE"What?!" I snapped at Selene who kept gawking at me as if I was a puzzle she couldn't quite solve."Are you high?" she asked, her voice dripping with genuine confusion.I frowned. Why the hell would she think that?"Something's different today. You look so..." she trailed off while staring at me. She's seriously starting to creep me out."Stop staring!" I groaned, but she only laughed at me."C'mon Yvonne, spill the beans!" she chuckled, making me roll my eyes."Does it have anything to do with Dr. Phil?" she asked, wiggling her eyebrows.She then glanced at Dr. Phil who was busy talking to his patients. I watched as the expression on her face slowly changed. When her eyes returned to me, she seemed more confused than earlier.An audible gasp came out of her lips when she must have realized something. Her eyes widened a fraction. It would have been funny watching her reactions if it hadn't changed to an accusing one."Don't tell me..." she didn't finish but I think we both knew