로그인Tristan I pressed my hand against my forehead.“What?”“The company’s account, Tristan. They’re frozen.”I stepped away from the nursery, running a hand over my face.“Why?”“Some transactions don’t match the records. The bank wants an explanation before they release the funds.”I stepped toward the window and looked out at the city below.“Then give them one.”“I can’t. I don’t know where some of the money went.”“What do you mean you don’t know?”“I’ve checked the records. There are payments I can’t account for.”Heat flushed my forehead.“Mike, you’re the accountant. How the hell did the money leave the company without you knowing?”“I’m trying to figure that out.”“Trying?” I snapped. “I need answers. I need to know what the hell happened."“I understand, but I need you to come in. We have to go through the records together.”I let out a frustrated sigh.“That’s your job, Mike! But, fine. I’ll try to be there. I want to see every transaction record when I come.”“Alright. We’ll g
TristanThe girl at the table across from me noticed me watching her. It was like she could feel my eyes on her, and she wanted me to keep watching all night, wanted me to keep wanting her. She stood from her table and made her way to the dance floor. Her body followed every rhythm of the music.She knew I still had my eyes on her.Every time our eyes met, she gave me that little smile before turning back to her friends.I took a sip from my drink and kept watching her put on a show because I knew it was all for me.Eventually, she left the dance floor and walked over.“You’ve been staring all night.”“And you’ve had your eyes on me too.”She smiled shyly, tucking a stand of hair behind her ear.“Dance with me?”I shook my head. “Not my thing. But I’d keep watching you. You got moves.”“I think I’d rather stay here with you,” she said, biting her lips.“My pleasure.”My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I pulled it out. It was Daphne, just as I expected, probably calling to pester me
CamilleA few days later, my mother called again.She said Richard wanted to finally meet me properly, rather than just hearing about me. Dinner at her place that evening.I spent longer deciding on what to wear. Something I’d feel good in and comfortable wearing. The drive took almost two hours to get there.“Your mother tells me you’re doing incredible things in interior design,” Richard, my mother’s fiancé, said warmly.I smiled. “I try to do my best.” “I believe you truly are.”“Thank you.”He nodded. “I’m sorry, by the way,” he added, his voice gentler now. “About everything with your marriage. Your mother mentioned some of it. I’m truly sorry it ended. She also said he hadn’t exactly been good to you. Sorry, I don’t mean to pry.”“My mother definitely mentioned a lot of things.” I let out a quiet laugh. “Thank you, Richard.”“I’m sorry, dear. I didn’t mean to pry into your private affairs,” my mother said, cutting in.“It’s okay, Mom.”“Thank you, darling. I’m so happy you’re
CamilleGareth wasn’t lying about the kissesHe kissed me like he had an unquenchable thirst for me, there was so much desire in his kisses and caresses. I moaned softly as his hands ran through my skin. He kissed me all over, making my skin shiver.“You’re trouble,” I murmured against his chest, still catching my breath.“I’ve been told.”I laughed, digging my fingers into his skin. “Mm-hmm, I can imagine. I know you’ve got a roster.”“Lips sealed,” he said laughing.He pulled the covers up, and we settled under the sheets. “Oh, you want to get—““Shhhh.” Gareth cut me off, taking my lips again in his, his hands going down on me. I hated that thoughts of Tristan sometimes crossed my mind at moments like this. It felt unfair to Gareth. But, the truth was I never had it this intense with him at least not after years into our marriage, when I gained weight all his affection stopped and I became undesirable. Sex became a chore to him and what he mostly deprived me of.Gareth on the oth
Gareth“Welcome to Vellum.” I smiled, gesturing for Marlene to take a seat.Marlene stood across from my desk, still looking around the office after our tour. She pulled out a chair and sat down.“What you have here is incredible, G. Vellum is absolutely breathtaking. The structure, the interior, everything. Just wow.”“Thank you, Marlene. It has always been my dream to build Vellum, and now we have a whole hotel chain.”“Proud of you is an understatement.”I smiled m at her warmly. Just then, the door swung open and Marcus walked in. As usual, he hadn’t bothered to knock. Being my buddy, I never thought much of it.“Well, look who we have here. Merida!”“Marlene,” she corrected, laughing. “Oh my God! Marcus, it’s been years.”Marcus scratched his head. “My bad, Marlene.” He pulled her into a brief hug. “It’s been years. What are you doing back in town?”She sighed. “Long story. Since you’re here, please help me plead with the CEO to give me a job,” she teased.“Oh, the job is already
Gareth“However you wish. I bought coffee. I’m prepared to also fetch pastries. I’m willing to negotiate terms.”She let out a soft laugh.“Fine. Sit down.” She took a sip of coffee, studying me over the rim of the cup. “Uhm, are you going to tell me what you were up to yesterday? You were gone most of the day and barely called.”I set my own coffee down, choosing my words carefully. “I had to help a friend. Someone I hadn’t seen in years reached out, and she needed my support.”“She.”“Yes. Her name’s Marlene and she flew in from Sydney yesterday.”Camille’s expression didn’t change much, but I caught a flicker of something behind her eyes. Curiosity, maybe wariness. Hard to tell.“Okay,” she said slowly. “Tell me about her.”“It’s complicated. She’s going through something really personal, and I don’t think she’d be happy with me sharing it.”Camille gave me a dry look. “I thought we could talk about anything.”“Yes. Except this is about someone’s life. I have to respect her privac







