LOGINLEAH'S POV I don't know what forbidden romance will cost me but I guess one of them is irrational behavior.I just told a man that I'm sure as hell is attracted to me to stare at me. Now all he does is stare at my face politely. And a few glances at my boobs.Men!We walked out of the elevator to an open space. My jaw almost drops. This place is heaven — and heaven is an understatement.How much money was put into this place? And this is just for Emily?He loves his daughter so much. I can only wish Victor had come close. But that's impossible.I was carried away by the scenery but was jolted back by Ethan's light squeeze on my hand.The rooftop is exactly what Emily described that morning with her papers spread across the living room floor. Fairy lights everywhere — not sparse, not subtle, everywhere — strung between posts and draped along the railings until the whole space glows warm and gold. Round tables dressed in white. Fresh flowers in the center of each one, pale pink and ivo
LEAH'S POV Did I seriously just get played? I was taken advantage of by my best friend's father. My head keeps spiraling at the barrage of questions.The well-ventilated bathroom starts to tighten, the room spinning. The air conditioner makes me sick and really nauseous.I rushed to the tap, running water over my wrist. The same old trick. But this time it didn't work.I stumble backwards till my back hits the next door. I sniffle in silence. I swallowed the overwhelming emotions rising in my chest.“Leah… Leah… Leah…” It's fine, it's very okay.“Everything is falling into place for you. Your mom just got a sweet man as a lover, your sister will get a college scholarship, your best friend will own this big mall… and you… " You…” My heart sinks as I stare at my horrible reflection in the mirror. Am I that ugly?Am I that easily replaceable? I thought he asked me to leave his house because he was angry and jealous. He actually asked me to leave because he has a fiancée. I don't think
LEAH'S POV He breaks the kiss briefly, resting his head on mine, I am now on his lap.He starts breathing heavily. And whimpering slightly.“Baby….?” I call, raising his head to look at me.“Talk to me… please, your silence, not so possessive touches are killing me.” I try talking him out of whatever is wrong.He signs, “I will be fine… whatever it is, do not jump to conclusions… please”He says, with a hint of finality in his voice, like he is dropping a conversation. He dropped me off his lap then he turned to get out of the car.Just like that. Why is he treating me like we are about to break up finally? My delusional ass refuses to accept we broke up even though we were never together.I manage to step out of the car. A foot at a time, each one feels like I'm walking on a nail. Or simply walking with my pain behind my legs. Thinking back at the enthusiastic thought and expectation I had with the Intensity of the text. I feel so stupid. Like idiotic stupid.Maybe I was an idiot th
LEAH'S POV I averted my gaze as soon as I saw them. Suddenly I realized the building was beautiful.The venue is a converted waterfront warehouse on Biscayne Bay. From the outside, it doesn't look much like a standard Miami building. It has been transformed. The warm amber light spills from every window. It will be a beautiful sight to behold at night. I can imagine the amber light spills from every window, casting a golden reflection across the dark water beside it. It is beautiful but I bet it will be gorgeous at night.A red carpet runs from the valet drop, to the entrance. I wonder why Ethan didn't take that route. We were standing in a little building just outside the main building. It's linked, but not the red-carpet way. I kept on staring, keeping my mind as blank as possible to distract myself from the lovey couples.Ethan grabbed my hands, squeezing them gently. He jolted me back to reality.“You seem distracted, is everything okay?” He asks, leaning down to whisper in my
LEAH POVI don't know why I am still nervous, ever since Emily told me what her dad said. My heart skipped a beat and my body suddenly longed to be touched, seen, and caressed by him.Maybe I overreacted by not chasing after him. I won't lie, I really miss him. But I think work is really heavy on him. Or maybe he found another girl. And the girl is satisfying his desires more than I ever will.Maybe I can see him today after the campaign. And hopefully come back home as tired as my mom.Elric really meant what he said by tearing down the clothes. My mum walked back in with a bare face, dressed in an oversized shirt obviously his shirt, and with just her back and shoes.Her hair is in a mess and her lips are still shiny and swollen, you can tell they went at it again before she got down from the car. Mum isn't someone to talk about her sexual experiences with me but she told me that she had to leave his apartment.And that could only mean one thing. Or two things. Or maybe more.She ne
UNKNOWN POV I couldn't help my laughter. The Almighty Damien is scared of the dead man who rose, at the same time facing several challenges in his company.He doesn't know what is coming yet. I want to see the trick they want to perform with the new campaign. I might not be there to watch, but my tentacles are everywhere. I don't need to be there to watch him.“Tell me more darling” I said calmly into the phone. Well, it doesn't really matter. It doesn't matter if I yell or moan. The distorted voice would remain mechanical as always.I chuckled slightly, thinking of how scared Leah was when she got the call the other day.“The campaign is holding tomorrow, the threat about the new sheriff didn't stop it”“Oh baby girl, it wasn't a threat, I meant it”“I will be waiting for him at Key West tomorrow…. It's been a long time since I saw his face”“I need to go now, my attention is needed….” I dropped the call before she could finish, I don't need stupid familiarity with my pawns.Just wh
Damien POVMarcus’s voice cuts through the line.“Sir, you need to hurry. It’s bad.”The words hit like a second punch tonight. I don’t speak. I wait, watching the tail lights of a distant car disappear around the bend—the same direction she went. My lungs feel tight, as if the air in the cabin has
Damien POVWatching her walk away feels like I've lost her forever. I want to chase her…. bring her back and show her that I never meant anything I said but I fear it's too late for that now.She disappears into the shadows of the street, heels clicking fainter and fainter until the night swallows
LEAH POVI can't hold it anymore. "You had no right to do that. None at all. What is wrong with you?”“What is wrong with me? No Leah, what is wrong with you?” He snaps back, “We were fine yesterday. Fine. And today you’re on a date with some guy because I told you I was going on a trip? You think
LEAH POV Damien stands at the edge of our table like the whole restaurant belongs to him. His black coat stays buttoned, he keeps his hands deep in his pockets, his eyes fixed only on me. Ethan, the candles, the glittering city below—they might as well not exist.My heart is still pounding from wh







