SHAWNA“So we don't know when he'll wake up." The doctor said to me, but my eyes were glued to the television, my throat was dry and no word seemed to come out.“Are you listening to me, ma'am?" The doctor said as he tapped me gently.“Yes, I am. Nothing can be done till he wakes up right?" I asked and he nodded, my mind wasn't even in what I was saying anymore.“Yes, we'll keep you posted as time goes on. We'll let you know as soon as he makes any improvements, but for now, nothing can just be done."I didn't even know when he left, all I saw was Liam coming towards me, he stood before me then his arms wrapped around me slowly."What do we do now?” He asked me, his voice felt so far from me even though he was before me.“I honestly don't know. It's now online, now everyone thinks she's the heiress, it's on the news now for f*ck’s sake!" I yelled with angry tears rolling down my face.The numbness in me before turned into anger almost immediately. The fact that it's now on the news me
DAMIENI watched as she left with the guy, my fists balled up subconsciously. I envisioned myself pummeling that same fist into his face with how tight their hands were.They entered the car and they drove off, I looked at the car till it left the premises, and that was when the suppressed groin left my mouth.I came back to have some words with Eugene, only for me to get here and to see her leaving. I wanted to go after her car when I saw Shawna, I didn't even think twice before I asked Roger to drive in.Then she ended up angry at me, I don't even know what I can do to make her talk to me at least at this point, it's like she gets angry at the mere sight of me now.“Drive me to my father's house, he has been blowing up my phone," I said to Roger as I got back into the car.“Copied." He mumbled then put the car into drive immediately then pulled out of the premises.“That was Shawna, right? What's she doing in Lancaster corporations?" Roger asked as the car joined the highway."Yes,
EUGENE“You do know that everything we've done will eventually catch up with us, Mr Bryan will eventually wake up, and he'll know that he didn't make you the heiress." Mom said as we drove home."Yes, but we'll get what we want in the end. If most of the investors even like me, he might end up making me the heiress." “But for now, let's just enjoy the moment, everyone now knows me as the current heiress of the Lancaster's empire, it feels too good to be true." I chuckled, using my hand to fan myself.Mom smirked too, but I could still see worry lurking in her eyes and her shoulders weren't relaxed either.“Mom, just calm down. Trust me this time around, we'll come out victorious this time around.” I assured her."Let's just hope. What was Shawna saying back then anyway?” Mom changed the topic."Trash, just like she is,” I stated."She's going crazy, first she came into the conference room and declared herself as the heiress, then she called you an imposter, isn't it funny?” she said.
KYLEI walked out of the house with Damien before me, he didn't acknowledge me at first till I followed him to his car, that was when he stopped and looked back.“What is it, Kyle?" He asked me.“I'm going with you." I declared simply. "What's your concern with what I'm going there to do now?” He asked me back. "I'm going there with you, and that's final.”He was so calm, nothing like what Damien always looks like whenever it comes to an issue concerning the both of us.“It's none of my concern anyway. You'll continue with what you want to do with Eugene once I've handed her the file, just don't disturb me." He said then got into his car.I squeezed my fists tight as anger thrummed through me with what he just said, his mentioning the file made me even more angry, I'm meant to be the one who gets married to Eugene, she's my girlfriend.And how the hell is Eugene the heiress to the Lancaster empire I don't know. She didn't deem it fit to inform me even with how we've been discussing
EUGENE“Uh, can you stay here please, I need to have a conversation with Kyle. When I come back, we can discuss what you came here for." I said to Damien as I got outside.“No problem, just make it quick. I have other things to do." He said and started looking at his phone immediately.I ran out of the house after Kyle, he was about to get into his car when I went to jump before him.“Get out of my way, Eugene." He ordered me.“No, we need to talk," I said, crossing my arm over my chest.“How about you go in there and talk to the person you were talking to before you noticed that I even came with him?” He asked back, almost snapping.“Why are you being this way, Kyle? You should know already that I do most of the things I do for a reason, you should know that there's a reason I was giving him preferential treatment over you in there.” I said."Really? And why were you being that way with him if I may ask." He asked, looking at me with his jaw clenched.“I'm going to get something from
SHAWNA“Mom, are you okay?" Jasper asked me, his voice broke my line of thoughts.“Of course baby, why wouldn't I be? I'm very fine." I squeezed out a smile at him, he looked at me like he knew I was lying."Then why weren't you answering me when I called from the door? Is anything bothering you, mom?”"Come here.” I dragged him to myself and hugged him, I placed a kiss on his hair as I tried to force back the tears that were pricking my eyes."I'm fine, honey. I was just thinking about something concerning work which I'll figure out in no time, you have nothing to worry about.” I assured him."Okay, I trust you.” He smiled at me."So, how has school been with your brother?” Phoebe still can't go to school, for now, she's still healing.“School is fine, all of our classmates are very nice to us, we even made some new friends. Phoebe will like it there." He sounds so certain.“That’s very good, I'm glad you're making new friends there. Now, where's your brother?"“He's with Phoebe." He
SHAWNAI watched them both with my mouth agape, they were both laughing out their butts as though they were saying the funniest thing in the world.“Honestly, I can't wait. She said we'd meet on Monday for the final contract, which would seal the fake deal she doesn't know she just greedily signed." Mr Robert said.“The funniest thing is how eager you said she was to be working with you, we put up some good impression to the outside world though.” the other man laughed.Their laughter was so disgusting that I just wanted to bash their heads together with how much they were deriving joy from another person's misery.“I have to do something," I whispered to Liam.“You want to confront them? You're sure you want to do that?" He asked me back.“I don't have a choice, what they're doing is not good and they need to be called out for it," I said back.“You think they don't know that already? What you're about to do can turn out to be more risky than you'd think, I'd say we should just leave
DAMIEN“Aren't you coming anymore? I've been expecting you." Eugene's voice came on my phone for the umpteenth time this morning.It's safe to say that I've had a not-too-good morning already because her annoying voice was all I kept hearing.“I'm on your street already, you'll see me soon," I said and ended the call.Her call woke me up this morning, she called to tell me that she had drafted out the contract agreement and I had to come pick it up so I could sign.She has been disturbing me ever since I started to think that she's talking about me coming for another thing and not just the contract.Just as I got to her house premises, a familiar car drove past me, it looked like the car of the guy that's always around Shawna, it was even the one of I'm not mistaken.I honked when I got to the big gates of her house which was opened for me almost immediately.I parked my car haphazardly since I won't be spending too much time here anyway.Just as I got out of my car, I saw two guards
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