LOGINAnessa’s POVWe soon got to the house as we both walked in, the atmosphere in the house feeling less suffocating."I need a minute to wash off the day," I whispered when we got to our suite.Darius nodded, looking tired. "Take your time. I will be in the study if you need me."I went into the master bathroom. I undressed then got in to let the steam from the shower blur everything around me.Thinking of how Karl had shown up like he owned the place still haunted me. Who did he think he was?When I was done dressing, I wrapped myself in a silk robe then realized that my nightgown was still in the walk in closet.With a sigh, I went there and pushed open the doors of the closet expecting it to be empty but then I froze.Darius was standing by the center of the walk-in closet, his back to me. He was only wearing his silk briefs. I had seen him in suits, in coats and even in athletic gear but this was different. The dim light in the closet caught the muscles across his shoulders and the s
Julian's POVI drove through traffic with the music blaring through the radio when my phon started to ring.With only muscle memory, I turned down the music, picked up my phone and placed it to my ears."Speak."Whoever it was had better have a good reason for ruining my good time."You always had a bad way of answering the phone, Julian. Even when you were a kid."The voice was like a shock. It was smooth and had a familiar sound to it.No, it couldn’t be."Uncle Karl?" I said, my heart beating fast. "Is that really you?""In the flesh… more or less," Karl said with a laugh. "Meet me at The Orion Lounge in twenty minutes. Do not be late. I hate waiting."The line went dead. I did not wait, I swerved into another lane, ignoring the angry honk of another driver and sped up. Karl Steele was back? The black sheep, the man who had disappeared five to ten years ago was suddenly calling me?Something told me this wasn’t a social call.When I arrived at the restaurant I saw him standing at t
Anessa’s povThe clock on my desk said 6:00 PM. I had just finished my first day as an executive secretary. It was a day with a lot of work on secret codes and planning. When I saved my last document, I felt happy and like I had done something good. I was not a person who did nothing in a big house anymore. Now, I had a job to do.I got up and walked out of the office as I made my way to Darius’s office.People stared at me from their cubicles but I didn’t care.I opened his door just to see him on his feet packing up his things in a leather bag.He looked up and saw me. The lines on his face that made him look tired went away as he smiled."I was just about to come to your office, " he said in a warm voice.I smiled back, leaning on the door. "You do not have to do that. I am already here. I know when you are done for the day."“And how? It’s your first day.”I sighed, "it is the silence. When I do not hear you yelling at the people in the London office, I know it is okay to come out
Karl’s POVI picked at my salad. "The family business is doing well, Darius. I saw that from Milan. I also saw the problems you were having. I thought I would come and help."Darius chuckled, "I do not need your help. The company is fine. I have everything I need."I looked at him with a smile. "Are you sure Darius? You have all the people you need like Anessa…”The room got very quiet as his face changed. He was mad. I watched his knuckles go red as he leaned close. "Do not say Anessa's name again if you know what is good for you.”"What's wrong Darius? I just said her name. She's your wife right? Part of the family. Why are you so upset?"Darius leaned over the table his face close to mine. "I am not playing games with you, Karl," he said. "Be careful. You are making me very angry. Do not talk about Anessa again."I looked at him for a moment then leaned back in my chair. "I'm not trying to cause trouble Big Brother," I said. “Besides, I already have a woman of my own so I don’t car
Karl’s pov"I used to work here when…" she muttered and took a step closer to me. She put her hair behind her ear in a shy manner. "I worked here when you did in the past," she said. "I always liked the way you did things. You did not care about the rules.”"I left this place a time ago," I said and I was thinking about the past. "It was a long time ago. I do not remember the date I left. What did you do here?""I remember. I was an intern in the logistics department. I used to bring coffee to your meetings. I wanted to work with you. But then you were gone before I could finish my internship.”I stood up straight then took a step closer to her. I looked intensely at her. She didn’t look like the ladies I would be with but she would do for my plan ahead. I reached out, my fingers touching the wall beside her head.She looked at me with her eyes were moving fast. She thought she was getting what she wanted as I leaned in close. My mouth near her ear."You want to work with me?" My voic
Anessa’s povI stood there, my eyes moving back and forth between the two men. They looked a lot alike. The feeling in the room had changed. It was not warm and friendly anymore. It was cold and scary."Brother?" I said quietly looking at Darius. "Darius what is he talking about? You never told me you had a brother."Darius did not look at me. He was staring at the man in the suit. "It was not important Anessa.""Not important?" The man named Karl laughed. He was leaning against Darius’s desk. "That hurts, Big Brother. Really. After all the years of me being in your shadow I am a small part of your life?""You are a problem Karl, " Darius said sharply. "One I do not have time for."Karl turned to me, a smile on his face. "A problem? Is that what he calls me? Do not believe him sweetheart. I am the most handsome one in the family. My brother has been keeping some parts of his life hidden from me.""Leave, Karl," Darius said, his voice low and angry."I am here to work," Karl said, push
Aneesa’s povI was staring in front of the mirror staring at my wedding gown while Helga my stylist and her assistants arranged my hair.She finished then waved her assistants away until it was just the two of us.After a while, I turned to her. “This is beautiful. How did you learn to do all this?
Aneesa’s povSeeing them there, being all lovey-dovey, had me fuming where I was standing.I could have gone any other place, but after tasting the coffee from this shop the first time I had moved here, I wanted no other store but this place.I took in deep breaths.“Take it easy, Aneesa. They will
Aneesa’s povI sat in the back of the car as Matt drove to the mall. That day, I wanted to get away from the house. Going to the mall seemed like a great way to do that.We hadn’t said anything to each other since we left and I wanted to thank him so bad for not ratting me out to Darius. But not on
Aneesa’s povWhen we were done eating, he drove me back to the office, and our ride back was filled with silence. The only thing that I could listen to was the music playing in the background, but even at that, my insides were burning with anger.This man had done things that I had not expected fro







