LOGINMarieMy heart was pounding so loudly that I could hear it in my ears.The warning bells ringing in my head were frantic and loud, but my body was still frozen on the spot as the words sank in.One bedroom suite, one bed, three days. Three nights.It was on the tip of my tongue to yell hell no! To tell them to fix it, to demand another option, to walk away. But I couldn’t.Because of the contract…..because this wasn’t just about comfort or space or boundaries. This was work, this was an agreement I had signed with my own hands.Maverick turned back to the receptionist before I could say anything reckless.“That’s fine,” he said calmly. “We’ll take the one-bedroom suite.”The receptionist’s smile returned instantly. She was relieved.“Of course, sir. I’ll process that for you right away.”She typed quickly, asked for his details, and gave him the key card with both of her hands, like it was something precious.“Enjoy your stay, Mr. Russo, and welcome once again, welcome to Silverreach
MaverickThe island was already alive when I arrived.Silverreach island looked exactly like the Cavanaughs. Perfect, well controlled, and outrageously expensive. White sands curved nearly along the shore, like they had been groomed every morning to look exactly like that. The palm trees on the island were all arranged in clean rows, not wild or messy. Even the air felt like it had been programmed that way.I stood near the private airstrip with my hands in my pockets, watching jets of all sizes land one after the other. Inside those jets would be old money, new money, CEOs, politicians and industry giants. They were all people who never waited in lines or checked prices before making payment. I shouldn’t be here.Charlie had been the first to receive the invitation, as PR Director of Prime Telecoms. He’d practically burst into my office, waving the digital invitation on his tablet screen like it was a golden ticket. “This is huge,” he had said. “You don’t turn this down, Maverick.
MarieI sat quietly at the back of the car as the driver took me home. The city lights by the window were bright and energetic, while my chest felt tight. I forced myself to breathe slowly. In…out. I told myself not to think, and not to picture it again. But it was impossible.It was hard not to think about Adeline walking out Maverick's place looking smug, and elegant….like she had every right to be there and no one could question her.I closed my eyes and leaned my head against the seat. I thought that maybe there was an explanation, but why would a supposed ex-wife go to her ex-husband’s house this late at night?My phone dinged at that moment, and when I opened my eyes to look down at the screen, I saw that it was a message from Ro. My sister.‘I have ideas for where to go for this month’s date. I’ll send you places later.’I sighed and locked my phone without even replying because I didn’t have the time and energy for Ro. At least not tonight, and not now. I needed peace and qu
Marie I didn't see Maverick throughout that day at work. I didn't see him at all.I didn't see him in the morning, in the afternoon, or even catch a glimpse of him through the glass walls or passing hallways. At first, I told myself it was nothing, that Prime Telecoms was huge and he was the CEO. So of course he could be busy.But when I was delivering a file to another department on the twentieth floor, I overheard two executives walking past me.“…he didn’t come in today,” one of them said.“Yes. There were no meetings and no briefings,” the second woman replied. “Everything has been postponed.”My steps instantly slowed as my grip tightened on the folder in my hands. Maverick didn't come to work at all today.I shook myself away from my thoughts and forced myself to keep walking and pretending that I didn't hear anything. Because I didn’t want to think about what it meant, I didn’t want to guess why he was absent, and because guessing would only drive me crazy.When I returned to
MarieI walked slowly around the living room for the millionth time that night. My slippers made soft sounds against the marble floor, and even the slightest sound seemed to echo back at me in the large house.I kept glancing toward the front door, listening for the familiar sound of Maverick’s car engine. But tonight, it has been silence so far.I walked past the long gray couch, past the glass coffee table and past the expensive artworks that I still didn’t understand, just because I wanted to stay focused on the task ahead. I kept on checking the time on the fancy wall clock. First it was ten pm, then eleven and then eleven forty-three. Now, it was midnight and there was still nothing. Rosa appeared from the hallway, tying her robe at the waist. “Marie, I will sleep now,” she said gently. “Are you sure you don’t want to rest?”“I’m okay,” I responded with a small smile. “I’m not really sleepy.”She gave me a worried look, the kind mothers give children who pretend they’re fine.
Marie“You know she had to step down from being an active board member after Maverick came back.” Tina said, leaning against the edge of my desk like she lived there.I remembered when she had mentioned something about that during the lunch. But I still pretended not to know.“Really?”“Oh, yes,” she nodded quickly. “Bianca Russo practically rebuilt this company after her husband died, but she handed the power back the moment Maverick returned… almost like she’d been waiting for him.”“It was so weird though,” Jules added with a low voice, even though the office was practically empty. “Till today, no one knows where Maverick Russo disappeared to after his father passed. One night he was here in the office, shutting himself in the boardroom. The next morning, poof. He was gone.”My heart skipped a beat. I knew exactly where he had been. He was with me, in a tiny bar in California… and then in my bed…in between my legs, telling me how delicious I was.I forced myself to swallow as norma
Maverick I was in my office going through the morning reports when I heard a knock. It was sharp, quick, and polite. The kind of knock that expected a quick answer.“Come in,” I said without looking up.The door opened, and when I finally raised my head, I froze for half a second.It was Henry Ros
MaverickMarie Cooper was making me lose control.Her big green eyes were locked on mine like I was both the villain and the addiction she couldn’t run from. She didn’t realize
MarieMy fiance didn't take it lightly when I told him that I wanted to call off the engagement.David was sweet. He lived back at home and owned a farm where he regularly supplies the local farmers market. My mum and Daisy adored him. He was a good man, and he was always there for whatever we need
Marie “Marie, are you there?” I blinked, letting my thoughts drift away and returning back to the present.I looked at the faces of my work colleagues seated around the cafeteria table. I was lucky enough to still meet them here and join themJules chuckled. “Where were you? We've been talking fo







