Henry’s POVWhen I arrived at the office on Friday, Julia, my secretary, came running after me right away. Julia was excellent at her job and happily married, therefore out of my reach. She'd been with me long enough to take certain liberties and kept things strictly professional between us - not that I ever hit on her. Then again, Julia was nearly sixty."Mr. Martin, there's a million pending matters on your desk and all these messages." Julia handed me about twenty messages held together with a paper clip."What time do these people start working, five in the morning?" I said, looking at her, already stressed."Eight, but you're half an hour late, so..." Julia said as she walked out. "Have a great day!"Ever since my last executive assistant, Miss Camila, resigned last week, I'd been swamped. I needed to get my act together - fucking my assistant on the desk after hours hadn't been a good idea. Again!The next day she came in all flirty, and I had to shut it down, saying it would be
Samantha’s POVHaving worked until closing time yesterday, I was exhausted, even though it was Monday. I needed another job, one with decent hours that wouldn't eat up my weekends. Working at a mall store was draining. I had just graduated with a business degree, but this was my only work experience, so finding another job wasn't proving easy.The commissions were actually great, the store was upscale, and everything was expensive. I was good at sales and had loyal customers, but it had become really hard to keep working here alongside Cybele after I caught her giving my then-boyfriend a blowjob in the back room, and she had the other two salesgirls backing her up, making the atmosphere even more unbearable.It was the most humiliating situation of my life! I had stepped out briefly to grab a quick bite, so I wouldn't have to cook when I got home, since my mom was traveling that week. It was almost closing time, and that jerk sometimes picked me up, but I had always trusted him.When I
Henry’s POVMy Monday was turning into purgatory. I needed an assistant like yesterday! Of course, being hungover wasn't helping much. And getting minimal sleep was terrible too. Maybe I should quit this bohemian lifestyle. I laughed to myself at that thought.But I would be interviewing Melissa Larson later, and it was practically certain I would hire her. I had already checked with some contacts, and they all assured me she was a very competent professional.Julia came into my office with several papers for me to sign. While passing them to me, she decided to make small talk."I talked to Mariana today. She told me she finally hired a new assistant for Mr. Miller.""Ah, yes. The lady Larson recommended. She seems very competent," I commented casually while signing papers."Yeah, that's what Mariana said. But I don't think she'll last there," Julia caught my attention with this comment, and I looked up at her."And why not, Julia?""Because Mariana told me she's gorgeous. Gorgeous lik
Henry’s POVI figured the most practical thing would be to go to the mall, where I could find everything I needed. I went to the religious goods store first - it would be quick, and I didn't want to be that heretic carrying adult toys into a religious store. When I entered, there was only one employee chatting with a young woman. I approached them while texting Hanna to let her know I was buying her a little present.I was straightforward with the saleswoman. I didn't want to waste time. She could continue gossiping with the other woman later. But the woman decided to play smart with me, and we started arguing about who the saleswoman should help first. She was irritating.I was already impatient when I looked up from my phone screen. But when I saw the woman in front of me, I had to exercise serious self-control not to ask for her number. She was stunningly beautiful. A breathtaking brunette with a toned, sensual body. Her lips were amazing, like a small, juicy apple that made me want
Henry’s POVI arrived at the office feeling excited, thinking today would be fun since my assistant would be starting, finally relieving me of my workload. Plus, there was the gossip about Alexander and his assistant, and I had plans to see Hanna tonight. Everything seemed perfect.When the elevator doors opened on the top floor of my building where my office was located, I found Melissa sitting there with her arms and legs crossed, tapping her foot and huffing. I had barely stepped out when she came straight at me."Is this what you call arrival time, Henry? Your desk is a mess, and you have piles of pending work. This place has zero management! If you're planning on going bankrupt, let me know now so I won't waste my time starting here." Melissa rattled off without taking a breath, and I just wanted to run and hide from her."I really like her!" Julia called out from her desk with a huge grin, clearly enjoying my suffering.Melissa was already showing who was boss, riding me like a h
Samantha’s POV"Oh Mom, I'm so upset that I can't go with you to grandma's birthday," I said to my mother while we were having lunch at the mall."I know, honey. But she'll love your gift, and you need to work. Responsibilities always come first, Samantha," my mother replied.My mother was a very strong woman. She raised me by herself. My father never wanted to take responsibility. He would show up occasionally saying he wanted to see me, but it was more to antagonize my mother. So after I turned eighteen, I pushed him away. I didn't need a father who only appeared when it was convenient for him to cause trouble with my mother. It was very clear to me that he had no interest in his daughter."How long will you stay there?" I asked."A week. I took some days off and I'm going to make the most of it. I also enjoy being mothered," she smiled, and I smiled back."Will you be okay?""Yes, Mom, I will.""Now tell me what's new? How are things at the store?" My mother and I talked about every
Henry’s POVWe had lunch with my mother and Julia on Tuesday, after the confusion with the mixed-up gifts, and they drove me crazy about it."Mom, I have one more thing for you." I took out the card that beautiful stranger had left at the mall store from my jacket pocket and handed it to my mother."What's this?" My mother asked.I told the story, and the three women in front of me laughed like children and made fun of me. My mother read the card and passed it to Melissa and Julia. Wiping a tear from the corner of her eye from laughing so hard, she said,"Henry Martin, I'm a good mother and I raised you right! Your behavior at the store is unacceptable. I recommend you go back there and apologize to the saleswoman, and if you ever meet that young lady again, you apologize to her too.""Mom, I'm not going back to the store to apologize," I replied."Oh yes, you are! You're better than this, Henry. And you're going back to apologize because I didn't raise an arrogant and presumptuous man
Henry’s POVIt was past seven on Friday evening when Melissa finally decided to set me free."What? You're letting me off early again today?" I asked her with a smile."I could leave you with some work to do, but I'm heading out. It's been an exhausting week - you're quite a handful.""No, no tasks, please. I'm tired too. But I'd like to thank you.""Oh really?" Melissa leaned back in her chair with a cat-that-caught-the-mouse smirk."Yeah. I might regret saying this, but I'll be honest - you pulled me back to reality. I was being careless with my company, and you put me back on the right track. Thank you.""I told you you needed me!" Melissa's smile widened. "Just for that, I'll give you the weekend off. But don't you dare show up hungover on Monday, got it?""I promise I won't!" I raised my hand in pledge.Melissa gathered her things and left. I grabbed my phone and called Patrick. I left the office to meet my friend at the Social Club."Patrick, Alexander is head over heels for Cath
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
Henry’s POVAfter examining Samantha, Molina gave her some medicine to help her relax. According to him, she would sleep until the next day. I left the bedroom door open with Cinnamon lying at the foot of the bed watching over her, then went downstairs to talk to the others."How is she, son?" My mother rushed toward me."Very shaken up, Mom. Alvaro gave her some medicine and she's asleep. He said she'll sleep until tomorrow," I replied as my mother placed her hand on my face."And how are you?" The concern was visible in my mother's eyes."I don't know how to tell you. There's a mix of feelings inside me and none of them are good," I spoke truthfully - I felt tired, exhausted, and I wanted to kill Reynold."Take it easy, man. That piece of trash is in jail and won't be getting out anytime soon," Flavian put his hand on my shoulder."Thanks, Flavian. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have made it in time," I thanked him for being a madman who drove like he had a death wish."No need to
Henry’s POVPatrick set up poker night at Rick's place, wanting to cheer him up since Rick had been really down since Tess left town. I only agreed to come because of Rick; I couldn't let down a friend who'd always helped me. But I didn't plan to stay long - I was restless and desperate to get home to Samantha.We were in the middle of a game, and I couldn't concentrate. Something was bothering me, but I didn't know what. Enzo kept calling, which was getting on my nerves. I let the first two calls go to voicemail, but by the third, I was worried the kid might be in trouble."What is it, Enzo?" I answered sharply."Hi, uncle. I'm fine, thanks for asking. How are you?" Enzo was always sarcastic when I answered in a bad mood."What do you want, kid? You sound fine.""Yeah, I am. But I'm curious about something.""Enzo, learn to get to the point, don't beat around the bush." I ran my hand across my forehead, feeling my patience wearing thin."I just talked to Aunt Sam, and I'm curious. Sin
Samantha’s POVAnother week flew by. The girls and I had everything ready for the wedding, and my bachelorette party was scheduled for the following weekend. Erica and Emilia were very excited about it.Henry had warned me earlier that he'd be home late because Patrick had organized a last-minute poker game. I thought about having dinner with my mom and Joaquin since I hadn't seen them in days. With that in mind, I was about to pick up the phone to call them as I was getting ready to leave the office, but before I could press the button, the company messenger stopped by my desk and handed me a card with a red rose.This had to be Henry's doing, I smiled at the thought. I opened the card and found a typed message:"My goddess, I miss you. Meet me at the Savoy Hotel, room 1575, at seven o'clock. I have a surprise for you."Ah, my handsome man knew how much I loved surprises. What extravagant thing had he planned this time? Henry's surprises were always elaborate, and I loved it. He was s