EUGENE“Good morning ma'am, how was your weekend?" My assistant asked me as soon as I got to the office.“It was very fine, thank you. How was yours too?" I asked her back politely, the last thing I'd want to have here is to not have a good relationship with the workers, especially my assistant.So I've been trying as much as I can to be friendly with them.“It was fine too." She said as she followed me into the office with her book in hand.“I won't be doing too much today, I just want to explore the empire, I want to see everywhere and not just this building,” I told her."Well noted ma'am, your wish is my command, I'll make provision for that now.” She walked out of my office, leaving the steaming cup of coffee she came in with.If there's anything I love about this position, the coffees would be number one, they're so nice, thick, and creamy.I don't even know what they do to make it this rich and different from other ones I've drank before. I closed my eyes and revealed its delic
SHAWNA“What?" I asked back with a deep frown etched into my face and confusion swirling in my eyes.“Get married to me, I just said that." He repeated those words. I had to rack my brain on what marriage means again because he can't be for real right now.“I don't think you understand what I'm saying or you know who I am, I don't even know you, you also don't know me." I almost screamed.“I understand you, you're Shawna and you're meant to be the head of the Lancaster empire because your grandfather handed it over to you." “And now you need my help with getting it back, I also need your help with getting married to me. It's a win-win situation for us, we both get something in the end.” He said.So he did understand everything I just narrated, and he knows me now. Why then does he want to get married to me? It's just so funny and sounds so crazy to me.“Why should we get married to each other when we don't even know each other? What if I'm a gold digger and I end up taking all your m
DAMIENEugene looked behind herself to see the person who was stopping her from slapping Shawna.She tried to pull her hand away from his but he tightened his hold on her hand. I had seen and saw everything that was going on, it was when she wanted to hit Shawna that I knew I had to step in.Shawna looked up from the ground with her hand guarding her face in anticipation of the slap. When she saw me, her eyes widened.“Who the fuck is this?" Eugene asked with anger evident on her face.She turned her head and when she saw that it was me, she immediately smiled, getting rid of that glare on her face.“Hey, I didn't see you there, I was just having a peaceful conversation with Shawna." She lied through her teeth, still keeping up with that fake smile.I dropped her hand as though it was a disease and she'd infected me with it, so I cleaned my hand with my handkerchief carefully.“You and I know you're lying, Eugene. Why are you this schemy and wicked?" I asked her. The people around us
SHAWNAI looked at Damien to see him equally confused as I was, I gently dragged my children back to avoid further embarrassment.“What do you mean by that? Don't you want this job anymore, or you'll say you don't know me?" Damien said, refraining from using foul words around the children."It's an order from above, sir. And you're allowed to go in, but not with them.” He said, pointing at my children and me.“What do you even mean by that? Who's the ‘above’ you're talking about? Don't they have a name? Get out of my way this instant!” Damien ordered him through gritted teeth."We'll just leave, Damien. Don't worry about us, I'll look for other places myself, thanks for offering though." I made to leave with my children but he stopped me."No, no, you don't have to do that, I'll get this sorted out in no time, I'm sure he's just bluffing, just give me a little time." He then turned back to the guy with a glare on his face.I just don't want more embarrassment, I've incurred a lot of t
SHAWNAI thought I wasn't hearing well when I heard that because there's just no way that's true. And it's not just anyone but the same guy who was asking me to marry him in return for his favor.He's currently before me with his hands in his pocket and a relaxed expression on his face.“Sorry, I don't think I heard you correctly. Did you just say-" he interrupted me.“Yes, they're my kids, do you want us to start dragging this now?" He asked me with one of his eyebrows up.“What now? You want to deny that you don't know him?" Damien's mother asked me.“I do know him, but I know the father of my children and he's not the one." I scoffed.“I'm sorry for her behavior sir, I'm sure she's just being this way because my son is here, she has eyes for him and has been pining over him since.” Damien's mother said again.With the look of things, this guy before me looks richer and bigger than them, that has to be the reason she's this way to him.“Excuse you?" I asked out loud. This just looks
SHAWNAThe three of them looked at me with a look that said they were not going to back down, I couldn't even sideline them at this point.“Yes Mom, who's our father this man, that man over there, or Liam," Billy asked me, his siblings nodded after what he just said, agreeing with the question.Before I could reply to them, the guy beside me butted in.“My name is Paul, I'd love to be your father if you would all allow me, it's nice to meet the three of you. I guess this would be the first time you're all seeing me.” He said.I was more than gobsmacked at what he just said, I just couldn't say anything. My children were looking at me, almost as if they were asking if he was being real.I couldn't even say anything, I just kept looking at them like a deer caught in headlights."Mom?" Phoebe asked me, dragging me out of that reverie.“How about you all sit down there and I discuss with him? I promise I'll tell you everything after this." I told them."Promise?” Jasper asked me, his mout
EUGENE“Let's go," I said to my driver, leaving the school with him after I had watched Damien leave with Shawna. The way he interfered and talked back at me made me so angry.I'm mad that he's still after her despite everything that has happened all these years, he doesn't even know that those children are his, yet he's still after her!What does he even see in her that I don't have? There's nothing special about her at all, she's just normal, absolutely normal!I have everything he can ever need, money included. I'm not poor and won't even be a financial problem to him, but he still wants someone as poor as that.“Ma'am?" My driver’s voice drew me out of that reverie, I'd been standing before the car, my eyes going over to the same spot where Shawna was standing with Damien and her three spawns.My assistant had to leave rapidly earlier with the other guys so I'm just with my driver.Can't she just focus on that guy that has been following her everywhere? They fit each other so damn
SHAWNALiam has been keeping me waiting here for some minutes now and I've been here since, he just kept telling me that I should please hold on for him.The most annoying and infuriating part of this is that he's not telling me what's keeping him waiting, he just keeps telling me to calm down.I sipped on the coffee before me with anger thrumming through me, I'm trying so hard to suppress the anger in me right now but nothing seems to be forthcoming.He said we should meet at a coffee shop and now I'm on my second cup of coffee yet there's nothing from him. I just kept scrolling through my phone till I felt a presence before me.I looked up from my phone to see Damien standing before me, he had his hand dipped into his pocket.“Damien?" I mumbled, almost as if I couldn't believe that he was standing before me.“Can I sit?" He asked me, gesturing at the chair opposite me, the one he was currently standing beside.I didn't even know what to say, Liam could come in anytime soon, and if
RAMONI was dead tired by the time we finished the meeting at the company. My shirt clung to my back, and my head was pounding from all the numbers and back-to-back discussions. All I wanted was to check my phone and unwind, maybe see if Phoebe had texted.I reached into my pocket. Empty.My heart skipped.I checked the table, the chair, and even under the folder I’d used. Nothing.“Where the hell is my phone?” I muttered.My uncle, sitting across from me, raised an eyebrow. “Lose something?”“My phone. I had it before we came here.”He shrugged. “Maybe you dropped it at the house.”I didn’t like how quick he was to answer.Still, I forced a calm nod and stood up. “I’ll go check.”The ride back to his place felt like it took forever. My mind was racing. Phoebe. Had she called? Texted? What if something was wrong? My gut wouldn’t calm down.When I got to the house, I tore through every room I had been in earlier. The living room. The guest room. Even the damn kitchen. Nothing.My uncle
PHOEBEThe hotel was breathtaking, with marble floors, chandeliers sparkling like stars, a scent of roses, and money hanging in the air. My heels clicked softly as I followed the receptionist, who wore a perfectly polite smile. My coat was still wrapped tightly around me, hiding the dress Winnie helped me pick out. My heart fluttered with a mix of excitement and nerves.“He’ll be with you shortly,” the receptionist said sweetly, opening a suite door for me. “Please, get comfortable. There are refreshments inside. Make yourself at home.”I gave a shy nod. “Thank you.”The door shut behind me.The suite was luxurious, with soft couches, a large table with drinks and fruit, and dim romantic lighting. I let out a small breath. “Wow…”I walked slowly to the table, brushing my fingers along the glass rim of a wine glass. Red wine. A chill ran up my spine, and I shook it off. Maybe he asked them to pour it before he arrived. Maybe this was his way of setting the mood.I pulled out my phone.
PHOEBEI slammed the front door a little harder than I meant to when I got home.Winnie looked up from the couch, raising an eyebrow. "Whoa. Somebody’s in a mood. What's wrong, sunshine?"I dropped my bag by the door and flopped onto the armchair with a loud sigh. "It’s Ramon," I said, pouting like a child.Winnie immediately perked up. "Ramon? Spill. What happened?!"I buried my face in my hands for a second before looking up at her. "We kissed. Like... really kissed. It was amazing. He kissed me like he needed me to breathe or something."Winnie squealed, hugging a throw pillow. "Oh my God! Finally!""Yeah, it was incredible," I mumbled, my cheeks heating up. "But right after that, he got a call. Emergency at home. He had to leave. Just like that."Winnie’s face softened. "Oh, babe...""I know he had no choice," I said quickly, fiddling with a loose thread on the armrest. "But... it sucks. I’m losing my mind over him, Winnie. I’m slowly going crazy. I want him so bad it hurts."Winn
PHOEBERamon’s eyes burned into me like I was the only thing he could see. I felt my cheeks heat up under his stare, and I shifted awkwardly on my feet.“Phoebe,” he said, his voice low and rough, “I want all of you…every part of you. I’m not afraid of being with you. I’m just... trying to restrain myself.”My heart pounded so hard it hurt. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out at first. Then I swallowed hard and said, "I want all of you, too, Ramon. I’m not scared."Something snapped between us.Ramon closed the space in a single, hungry heartbeat, grabbing me again and crashing his mouth onto mine. This kiss wasn’t soft. It wasn’t sweet. It was rough, fierce, almost desperate, like he had been starving, and I was the only thing that could satisfy him.His lips crushed against mine, demanding and urgent. I could feel the heat pouring off his body as he kissed me like he needed me more than air. His hand slid up, fingers threading into the hair at the nape of my neck, then wrapping
RAMONI tossed and turned all night. No matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t sleep. My mind kept racing, full of everything Uncle Richard had said... and Phoebe. Always Phoebe.I was falling for her. Hard. It scared the hell out of me, but it also felt so right. I didn’t just like her, I needed her. Every smile, every look, every word she said stuck in my head like glue.When morning came, I dragged myself out of bed, showered, and dressed like a man on a mission. I didn’t even think twice. I was going to see her. I had to.No more running. No more hiding.When I got to the worksite, she was there already, sorting through some papers, looking so focused and beautiful that it made my heart twist. She looked up and blinked like she couldn’t believe what she was seeing."Ramon?" she said, her voice small but full of surprise. "I thought... I thought you weren’t going to be available anymore."I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling awkward and stupid all at once. "Yeah, about that. I’m
WINNIEWinnie stared at me like I had just grown two heads. "What do you mean you don't know if Ramon likes you enough to be intimate?" she asked, her eyes wide.I hugged my knees to my chest, feeling small and stupid. "I don’t know, Win. Maybe... maybe he’s just not that into me. Maybe he sees me like a kid or something."Winnie shook her head fast. "No way. Anyone with eyes can see Ramon is crazy about you, Phoebe. Seriously. He looks at you like you hung the moon!"I smiled a little, but it didn’t reach my heart. "Then why is he so hesitant? Why does he always back away when things get... close?"Winnie opened her mouth to say something, then paused. Her face changed slowly, like she was putting puzzle pieces together."Wait a second..." she said carefully. "Have you guys ever... you know... done it?"I looked down at my lap, my face burning. "No," I whispered.Winnie’s mouth fell open. "Wait. You mean... never?"I nodded, feeling like I was about to sink into the floor."And he kn
RAMONI stood in the garden, massaging my temples and trying to figure out what just happened. I hated seeing Phoebe hurt. I hated that I was the reason for that look in her eyes, the one that made my chest ache. I wanted to run after her, fix it, explain everything better.I had just taken a step toward the house when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to see Billy and Jasper coming out. Great. Just what I needed right now.They stood there awkwardly for a second before Billy cleared his throat."Hey, man," he said, not meeting my eyes. "We, uh... we just wanted to say sorry."I blinked, surprised. "Sorry?"Jasper shoved his hands into his pockets. "Yeah. For looking down on you. We didn't know... well, we didn't know you were who you are."I sighed, not really wanting to have this conversation. "It's fine," I muttered, even though it really wasn't."But," Billy added quickly, "we still think you're hiding something. And honestly... we don’t think you're worthy of our sister."Tha
PHOEBEThe second everyone was distracted inside, I grabbed Ramon’s hand and tugged him gently toward the garden. I was buzzing with excitement, my heart beating way too fast. I needed a moment alone with him, away from all the heavy stares and questions."Come on," I said, smiling at him. "Let’s get some air."He smiled back, letting me pull him along. The night air was cool and smelled faintly of roses. The garden lights made everything look soft and dreamy.Once we were far enough from the house, I stopped and turned to him, crossing my arms playfully. "So..." I began, raising an eyebrow. "You’re secretly rich, huh?"Ramon chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess so.""You guess so?" I laughed, nudging him with my shoulder. "Why didn’t you tell me?"He shrugged, looking a little sheepish. "I was going to tell you... eventually. I just wanted you to like me for me, you know? Not for anything else."I looked at him, my heart softening even more. His voice sounded so honest, s
PHOEBEI felt like I’d been holding my breath the whole night, but when Uncle Richard finally gave his answer, it was like the air rushed back into my lungs.“Well,” he said with a small chuckle, wiping his mouth with his napkin, “the truth is, we’re a wealthy family. Very wealthy. Ramon chose to keep that hidden because he didn’t want gold-diggers. He wanted someone who’d love him for who he is, not what he has.”There was a beat of silence.Then Billy blinked. “Wait… you’re saying Ramon’s been pretending to be broke?”“Not broke,” Uncle Richard clarified with a grin. “Just… simple. Down-to-earth.”Everyone at the table was stunned. I couldn’t help it, I let out the tiniest giggle. Then a bigger one. And before long, laughter started to ripple around the table. Even Jasper cracked a smile. It was like the whole room finally exhaled.I glanced at Mom and made a small, sneaky wink. She caught it instantly. Her lips curved just slightly, and then she gave a quick nod.“Phoebe,” she said