Henry’s POVI arrived at the Social Club with Edward and Enzo. The guys had reserved a room there and they'd gone all out - they'd set up a room with a pool table, poker table, and arcade games, leather sofas scattered around, and a 1950s-style bar stocked with every kind of drink. This was going to be fun and relaxing."So, ready for your last bachelor party bender?" Patrick asked as soon as I arrived."I thought this day would never come." Alexander approached and handed me a glass.Only then did I notice they were all wearing the same t-shirt - a black one with a cartoon of me being dragged by a rope tied to my foot by a cartoon of Sam, with "game over" written below. These guys were acting like kindergarteners.As if the t-shirts weren't enough, they had prepared several activities, and they all involved lots of alcohol. I probably wouldn't remember my own name the next day.I was already slightly drunk when I saw Flavian answer a call and slip out of the room. When he came back, h
I got home after a long day, and my parents were waiting for me in the living room."Catherine, sit down. We need to talk," my father said, looking quite agitated."What's going on, Dad?" I asked tiredly. I had worked all day, gone to college at night, and upon getting home, all I wanted was to take a shower and crash into bed. But that wasn't possible."Catherine, your cousin's wedding invitation has arrived," my mother said."That little tramp is not my cousin!" I snapped, already getting angry."Catherine, she is your cousin," my mother insisted. "You need to stop this childish behavior. Melissa already hit her and caused a scene here at home. Enough! She's my sister's daughter, which makes her your cousin.""I'm sorry, Mom, but she means nothing to me," I tried to stay calm. "She slept with my boyfriend in my bed. That's not something she should do."I had been dating Claude for four years; he was my first boyfriend, and I found him in my bed, in my room, having sex with Kelly, my
There was no way out - my friend dragged me to the ball. As soon as we got in, Mel pulled us to the bar and whispered in my ear:"It's an open bar tonight, so you're going to drink until all that sadness washes away!" Mel handed me two tequila shots while holding two more in her hands. "Let's down these!" We knocked back the tequila, and Fred was already handing each of us a cosmopolitan.Melissa dragged me to the dance floor, and I was actually having fun. When a slow song started playing, Fred and Mel began slow dancing together. I took that as my cue to head to the buffet, but I didn't make it there. I felt someone grab my hand, and when I turned around, there was a man in a black mask smiling at me - and what a smile! He kissed my hand and pulled me close, whispering in my ear with a husky voice:"Surely the most beautiful woman in the room won't deny me a dance, will she?""And why not? Let's dance," I smiled back at him.It was impossible to resist that seductive husky voice and
On Monday during lunch, I met Mel. She handed me a small bag from a fancy store, and I looked at her, confused."My mom asked me to give this to you. She said it's perfect for you and doesn't suit her," Mel said with a big smile.I opened the bag, and inside was the perfume I had worn to the ball. A huge smile spread across my face. I loved that perfume, and it was part of the best night of my life. I just hoped that my best night hadn't left me with an STD as a souvenir. With that thought, I thanked Mel and told her I'd call her mom later, then mentioned I wanted to call the lab to schedule some tests.I called the laboratory and was informed that I needed a doctor's prescription to get the tests covered by health insurance. Thank God the company provided health insurance for employees because otherwise, I wouldn't know what to do. My salary wasn't high, and what little was left after covering college expenses went to helping at home, since my mom didn't work outside the house and my
When I graduated, Peter was already two years old. By then, he was walking everywhere, always clinging to grandma - which was his first word. He was a beautiful boy with straight black hair, fair skin, a cute little upturned nose, and those huge violet eyes that made me sigh. He was my sunshine! And now I would have more time for him.After graduation, my boss called me in for a chat. He was an excellent boss and said he was very happy with my work at the company, but he knew I deserved to go far, so I should look for a job in my field, and he would understand. He assured me that my job at the construction company would be mine for as long as I wanted, and if I left and things didn't work out, I would always have a place to come back to. However, he advised that I should seek something in my field of study to provide a better future for my son. I was very touched by this and accepted his good advice.I told Melissa, and she immediately said she would talk to her father about reaching o
I showed up at the company at 8:00 a.m. Mrs. Taylor gave me a warm welcome and introduced me to everyone, and they were all very kind. The boss wasn't there - he was traveling and would return at the end of the week. The office was beautiful, very modern, decorated in white with stainless steel and green accents, managing to be both professional and welcoming. It was elegant, and I really liked it. I was particularly glad I had chosen to wear a black suit with a dark green silk blouse underneath and black heels. I would need to dress elegantly every day now, after all, I would be working directly with the company president.Mid-morning, I received a message from Mel saying she had managed to schedule an appointment with the director of the daycare near our apartment during lunch hour. I explained the situation to Mrs. Taylor and asked if it would be possible to leave during that time, assuring her I would be back on schedule."So you have a child. How old is he?" she asked with a smile
Alexander’s POV In his New York hotel room, a persistent thought occupied Alexander Miller's mind - what would his new assistant be like?That voice seemed to have taken residence in my head. When I called the office today, I just wanted to tell Mariana that I had closed the deal I came to negotiate here in the United States, but when I heard that voice, something inside me completely stirred. It was such a melodious voice, so calm, I don't know why it irritated me so much.Now here I was, sitting in my hotel room with a glass of whiskey in hand, looking out at Central Park through the window and wondering about the owner of that voice. It completely threw me off the details I needed to confirm, and I got pissed off for not knowing what to say and having such scattered thoughts. I ended up yelling like a madman at the woman on the other end of the line. I probably scared her. Maybe she wouldn't even be there anymore when I got back, and Mariana would kill me. She didn't want to delay
As Mrs. Taylor was explaining everything to me, I carefully noted down all the important information. We had established a good work rhythm, and the afternoon was flying by. She told me she needed to make a personal call and left the room, mentioning that someone from the IT Department would bring me a company phone that should be kept on at all times.Soon after, a tall, skinny guy with a nerdy look entered the room and was startled when he saw me:"Wow! Um... sorry, who are you?"I stood up to greet him:"Catherine Vergara, Mr. Miller's new assistant." - He looked me up and down as if sizing me up."Miss Catherine Vergara?"I nodded with a professional smile. He grinned and said:"This is actually for you." - he extended his hand and gave me a brand-new phone and a tablet. "This is your company phone. The boss already had your number, and his number was saved in the contacts. It's also set up with your work email. The tablet was configured with the company system, Mr. Miller's schedu
Henry’s POVI arrived at the Social Club with Edward and Enzo. The guys had reserved a room there and they'd gone all out - they'd set up a room with a pool table, poker table, and arcade games, leather sofas scattered around, and a 1950s-style bar stocked with every kind of drink. This was going to be fun and relaxing."So, ready for your last bachelor party bender?" Patrick asked as soon as I arrived."I thought this day would never come." Alexander approached and handed me a glass.Only then did I notice they were all wearing the same t-shirt - a black one with a cartoon of me being dragged by a rope tied to my foot by a cartoon of Sam, with "game over" written below. These guys were acting like kindergarteners.As if the t-shirts weren't enough, they had prepared several activities, and they all involved lots of alcohol. I probably wouldn't remember my own name the next day.I was already slightly drunk when I saw Flavian answer a call and slip out of the room. When he came back, h
Samantha’s POVThe plans for the night were explained, and the girls decided to start the games. Soon we were all seated, and a bowl with folded papers was placed in front of me."Let's start with the lingerie, everyone grabs your box," Erica said, kicking things off."Okay, Sam, you'll draw a paper and read what's written. To win the gift, you have to guess who experienced the situation described in the paper. If you guess wrong, you'll have to share a situation that happened to you. When you open the present, you'll keep your eyes closed and feel around to figure out what it is. Got it?" Emilia explained the rules of the game."Oh my god! Alright, let's begin," I said and drew the first paper. "On my first time, my boyfriend and I watched some movies to learn because it was his first time too. When we tried to do a position we saw in a movie, I accidentally kicked him in the face, and he fell off the bed and broke his nose. I ended the night still a virgin and in a hospital making up
Samantha’s POVThe week had finally ended, and it had been exhausting. Romulus kept calling and threatening me, but Flavian said the wiretap was active and they were gathering lots of evidence, including proof of other crimes Romulus was committing, so he'd be arrested again soon. But it was horrible to keep getting his calls and hearing threats, not knowing what to expect.As if that wasn't enough, ever since he found out that Edward's sisters were organizing my bachelorette party, Henry had been pestering me to know what they had planned, why I'd let them organize the party, and if there would be any kind of wild rituals, as he put it. I assured him I knew nothing about it, but that he shouldn't worry. However, he kept suggesting every five minutes that we should ditch our friends and family and spend time just the two of us. He was driving me crazy with this whole thing, but I wouldn't budge - I was having my bachelorette party, and it would be fun, he'd just have to deal with it.I
Henry’s POVThe week was coming to an end. The days had been challenging, but in a week, I would say yes to the woman of my life, and we would be united in marriage. However, what truly united us was our love. And each day, I loved her more.If someone had told me a while back that I would be eager to get married and have a family, I would have called them crazy. But at those days, that was all I felt - eagerness for the wedding, for the arrival of my child, eagerness to get home every day and see the woman of my life smiling at me. I was a lucky man; I had everything that made me happy and even more."Good morning, Henry!" Melissa greeted me with a very cheerful and festive hello."Good morning, crazy girl! What's got you so happy?" I asked, finding her too effusive."Oh, I don't know, maybe a girls-only party tomorrow, or the wedding of history's biggest ladies' man next week..." Melissa pondered, looking up with a pen in her mouth, making me laugh."Mel, what's going to happen at th
Reynold’s POVI was still wondering how that idiot Henry managed to get to that hotel. When Samantha walked in, I was sure she was expecting to meet him, and just by her being there, I knew she hadn't talked to that fool. But somehow he found out and ruined my plans.And that wasn't all - he showed up with that brute of a detective who immediately started pushing me around. God, that detective's hand was heavy; the punch he gave me in the face still hurt.I just wanted my night of pleasure with Samantha, and I wasn't willing to share my first time with her with that little thug Romulus. I made a deal with him, but I wasn't interested in waiting until he felt like letting me fuck that hot piece. So I handled it my way - borrowed some money from Reuben and put my plan into action. I remembered the lunch at Hebe's house when Samantha was talking about how Henry would make romantic surprises and always give her red roses - such terrible tackiness! But it was useful because she fell for my
Samantha’s POVIt was very difficult to calm Henry down when I called to tell him what happened at the dinner. He wanted me to quit immediately, and it took a long time to convince him that I was safe inside the company.I knew he would rush out of his office to come to my workplace again, which was happening far too frequently lately. Fortunately, it was already the end of the day, so his work wouldn't be left aside once more because of me.Henry arrived in less than half an hour, leaned on my desk, and looked into my eyes - his irritation was palpable."Samantha, I wasn't happy about you working and being exposed to danger before, and now that you're pregnant, I like it even less. We should rethink this," Henry placed both hands on my desk and immediately voiced his concerns."And what do you expect me to do? Stay locked up at home?" I asked calmly. "Because that's not going to happen.""Sam!" Henry threw himself into the chair in front of my desk, completely frustrated. "I don't wan
Samantha’s POVAs days went by, the memory of Reynold's attack gradually faded, becoming just a terrible moment buried deep in my mind. I no longer dwelled on what happened and the nightmares had stopped.Romulus had disappeared, which should have put me at ease, but I knew that his temporary absence meant he was plotting something, and that made me uneasy. And that Nicole, who now frequently appeared near the company building, wouldn't let me forget that Romulus was still a threat.Making the situation more tense, Isabella decided to make her presence known in my life as well, which was becoming irritating. The spoiled princess now made scenes wherever she found me, and according to what Melissa told me, she had been pursuing Henry, even though he had banned her from entering the company. She would wait for him outside.But neither Isabella nor Nicole scared me; only Romulus haunted me. Still, I tried to live my life as normally as possible.In the middle of the afternoon, I had a hug
Samantha’s POVAfter a refreshing shower, I was already feeling much better and more upbeat. When I sat down at the table for breakfast, I felt my stomach growling with hunger. We had breakfast laughing and chatting about everyday things, while Enzo secretly fed Cinnamon under the table with small pieces of everything, as if we couldn't see him.I had gone through something horrible the night before, but being there surrounded by those three showering me with attention and affection, trying their best to make me laugh, was like a balm for my neartragedy. It was so good to have them around, and it greatly improved my mood."Sam, what do you think about having lunch at the club? Just the four of us?" Henry suggested, and I liked the idea."At the Social Club?" I asked."No, at the sports club. The restaurant there is excellent, and it has an integrated green area. I think it could be nice," Henry insisted."I think so too. Let's go," I agreed.The kids also liked the idea, and it would b
Samantha’s POVI opened my eyes to a dark room, which was strange because I felt rested as if I'd slept for hours. Truth be told, I wished I could sleep for a week and wake up to find that yesterday's terror had been nothing but a nightmare. But it wasn't like that; unfortunately, it was real.When I closed my eyes, I could still feel the revulsion from Reynold's hands on me. The knot that formed in my throat from the fear of that monster's attack hasn't completely gone away. As much as I didn't want to imagine it, I knew well what would have happened to me if Henry hadn't arrived. I didn’t even know how he got there, how he found me. All I knew was that he arrived in time and prevented the worst - he saved me.I curled up in bed, seeing his empty side. I pulled his pillow against my body and hugged it, breathing in his scent. Why isn't he here? After seeing his father grabbing me, would he no longer be able to stay near me? Even though it was forceful and Reynold didn't even manage to