~Thomas~ As I drove through the ornate gates of Andrew Stanford’s estate, I was struck by its grandeur. The manicured lawns, waterfall, and sleek cars were a testament to Andrew Stanford's taste – the fucker definitely had an eye for pretty things. But the interior was where the estate truly shone. The foyer's soaring ceilings, intricate moldings, and stunning artwork created an atmosphere of refined elegance. Every detail seemed carefully curated, whispering tales of old-money sophistication. “Beautiful day, isn't it? What smells so incredible" I said, inhaling the sweet aroma of roasted beef. However, the sight that greeted me was almost comical. Everyone except Andrew stared at me with surprise etched on their faces. Didn't the fucker inform them that I was coming? My gaze shifted from Andrew to his wife, Emily, who seemed mortified, as if wishing she could disappear and I couldn't help but wonder if my appearance was the cause of her distress. My eyes strayed downward,
~Emily~Since Father-in-law's funeral, Tabitha had taken up residence in my home, her constant presence making it feel like she had been there for months, not just two days. I, on the other hand, had been avoiding her like the plague, seeking refuge in the comfort of my library. Not that I'd been able to focus on anything, but it was a preferable alternative to clashing with Tabitha.A loud knock on the Library door startled me and I immediately opened it to meet Tabitha standing there, a smug expression plastered on her face. “We have a guest coming over" She finally said, her eyes glinting with condescension “We? I wasn't aware… “ I protested but she interjected"Well, you are now” She replied, and just when I was about to speak, she placed a finger on my lips, "And don't you think I am informing you because I consider you worthy. Our guest has requested a delicacy specifically prepared by the woman of the house so you're going to do exactly that. Cook” She said, raising an eyebro
~Thomas~A trifecta of perfection- Wealth, Sophistication and CharismaI sat in my opulent office, surrounded by the finest artwork and lavish furnishings, puffing on my cigar as I reminisced about my vast wealth. The smoke swirled around me, carrying the sweet scent of success. My eyes, piercing and calculating, gazed out the window, overlooking the city skyline.As the founder and CEO of Velox Aviation and Motors in short, VAM, I had built a business empire that dominated the luxury landscape. VAM's portfolio boasted an impressive array of high-end vehicles and private jets, catering to the most discerning clientele. With a reputation for uncompromising quality and unparalleled service, VAM has become the gold standard for luxury transportation.My mind wandered to the latest addition to our fleet: a custom-designed, state-of-the-art private jet, tailored to meet the demands of the world's most affluent travelersAs I sat there, my mind began to wander to another one of my passions
~Emily~Funerals...The last time I attended one was 10 years ago, a day filled with memories I have chosen to keep buried, forever. The priest said a few prayers while the pallbearers carried the silver casket into the mausoleum "Timm" Tabitha welled and even I could tell that it was all a facadeWho else but Tabitha would wear a show-stopping outfit to her husband's funeral? Her grief seemed suspiciously understated, too - a single tear had barely grazed her cheek since the service began."On behalf of the family, I invite Tabitha Stanford, the beloved wife of the deceased to share a few words in celebration of their life," The priest saidBarely waiting for the priest to complete his statement, Tabitha stood gracefully, and with slow calculated steps, walked to the microphone "Dear Family and friends, I am very grateful for taking time out of your busy schedules to pay my husband one last form of respect" She paused"Tim and I met in high school. We started as teens and made a l
~ Emily~ My eyelids fluttered open, and the soft morning light spilled in, illuminating the empty space beside me. Andrew’s early departures for work had become a comforting routine, a gentle start to my day. I stepped into the bathroom, the warm glow of the lights enveloping me as I began to run a bath. The sound of the water cascading into the tub was soothing, but as I slipped into its warm depths, my mind betrayed me. Memories of the past few days came flooding back - Thomas's lips on mine and the feeling of helplessness as he forced a kiss on me. The two men appearing and one of them addressing Thomas as “ Boss" Thomas had handed me a business card before leaving, “Call me, we have unfinished business" he had said. I tried to push the memories away, finishing my bath in a daze. After slipping into a cotton dress, I headed to the house library, seeking solace in my familiar ritual. I had always loved reading, and Andrew had made sure to include a library in our mansion. I re
~ Thomas~TRIGGER WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS DESCRIPTIONS OF VIOLENCE AND ASSAULT. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED. As I flipped through the magazine, my gaze landed on a boldly scribbled heading– 30 UNDER 30: THOMAS BROWN TOPS THE LIST 3 YEARS IN A ROW. I felt a surge of embarrassment as I gazed at the outdated photo of myself plastered on the page. Couldn't they have made a minimal effort to find a recent picture, perhaps from my Instagram?Shifting my attention back to the yacht party, I let the magazine slide onto the sun-kissed teak, the sound of laughter and clinking glasses a welcome distraction from my initial annoyance.“Thomas" a sultry voice purred and a female hand grazed my chest, which I quickly removed breaking the brief contact“Cindy" I replied, my gaze meeting a pair of emerald green eyes that shone like a siren's call.Lucinda Wynter, infamous for her high-stakes affairs with America's business mogul and A-list celebrities. I had succumbed to her charms once befo