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CHAPTER 82: The Taste of Longing
Last Updated:
2025-03-14 05:52:15
BrandykhokoChapter 83—someone’s getting a taste…
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“Seth invited us,” Sarah said. Mia’s brow arched. Seth? She turned, spotting him across the room, deep in conversation with an investor. Of course, he did. She had kept her family at a distance from the media—afraid of them seeing too much, of them getting tangled in something she wasn’t even sure she could handle herself. So what were his intentions in bringing them here? Sarah squeezed her shoulder gently. “We are proud of you, Mia.” She forced a small smile before checking her watch. “Oh, look at the time. The event’s almost over.” She turned back to them. “It’s getting late. You should start heading home. The house is far from here.” Sarah exchanged a glance with Fred before nodding. “Yeah. You’re right.” Mia let out a sharp breath as they finally left. ***************** As the event wound down, Mia stepped outside, leaning against Zac’s car. The night air was crisp, a stark contrast to the warmth of the hall. She idly scrolled through her phone, letting the silence settle
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Zac took another step back, glancing around. The air felt strange now—charged, tense, awkward. He shoved his hands into his pockets—partly to steady himself, but mostly to hide the bulge in his pants. A clear reaction his body had to Mia. Security had done their job well. They moved fast, blocking the paparazzi before they could fully swarm, but a few had already captured the moment—high-quality shots from sharp angles before being forced back. There was no undoing it now. It’s not as if they hoped to. By morning, this would be everywhere. A step away, Mia remained silent, lost in thought; Maybe she overdid it. She should have pulled away first. If this was all just an act, then why had Zac kissed her like that? She stole a glance at him. Zac looked fine—composed, as if nothing had happened. Like he was a master at this. But Mia? She couldn’t even look him in the eye right now. Zac cleared his throat. “Shall we?” Mia only nodded, lowering her head as she slipped inside the ca
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The second Mia walked in, Samantha jumped off the couch, her phone still clutched in her hand. “Oh my god!” Samantha squeaked, nearly bouncing on her toes. Mia barely had time to sigh before Samantha rushed toward her, eyes wide with excitement. “What the hell was that?” she asked, shoving her phone in Mia’s face. “I saw it! The kiss! Everyone saw it! So don’t you dare pretend like it didn’t happen!” Mia groaned, bending down to unstrap her heels. “Sam, please… I just got home.” The moment they hit the floor, she scooped them up and walked past Samantha as if nothing had happened. Samantha ignored her, following her every step. “That was not just for show. You were holding him, Mia. Like—like he was your lifeline. You can’t fake that level of chemistry.” Mia tossed her heels to the side and walked straight to her room. “It still means nothing.” “Girl, you like him,” Samantha shot back, following. “You can lie to me, but you cannot lie to yourself.” Mia didn’t answer. She open
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The sun was hot in the afternoon, and Mia and Samantha had been out shopping. They loaded the last of the groceries into the backseat, and the aroma of fresh vegetables and baked goods filled the car.Samantha shut the trunk and faced Mia. “So… did you talk to Angelo?”Mia sighed, adjusting her grip on her handbag. “Yeah, I managed to. I get where he’s coming from, but I think he’s overreacting, Sam. I mean, I’m not even his girlfriend—yet.”Samantha raised an eyebrow as they climbed into the car. “So… is he still going to be Zac's best man?”“Yeah, he agreed,” Mia admitted, fastening her seatbelt. “Only because I begged him to.”Samantha leaned forward, watching Mia's face for an instant. “But shouldn't you tell Angelo how you feel, though?”Mia frowned, turning the key in the ignition. “What are you talking about?”“It’s only natural for him to feel jealous,” Samantha stated plainly. “He wants a relationship with you, but you’re practically in love with Zac.”Mia’s fingers tightene
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Laura was the first to leave the house. Mia and Samantha shut the door after her, but just as they were about to follow, Laura suddenly stopped, pointing to the side of the doorstep.“Wait a minute. Are those roses?”Mia’s gaze followed Laura’s gesture. A perfectly arranged bouquet of deep red roses lay close to the doorstep, tied with a ribbon. A small card was attached to it.Samantha frowned. “We didn’t see that earlier.”Mia stepped closer, picking up the card.“Is it from Zac?” Samantha asked, watching her closely.Mia turned the card over and frowned. “No. It’s from Derrick.”Samantha’s irritation flared. “What’s his problem? Don’t you think it’s high time we reported him and get a restraining order? This is too much. Isn’t it obvious you’re getting married? What else is he trying to achieve? Mia rubbed her forehead. “I just don’t know. Do you think I should tell Zac about it?”“Perhaps, but we should definitely watch our backs,” Samantha replied, grabbing the bouquet from Mia’
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The luxury tailor shop smelled of fine fabric and old-world craftsmanship. Soft classical music played in the background as Zac stood in front of the largest mirror.“How’s the fit, sir?” the tailor stepped back, adjusting his glasses as he looked at Zac’s reflection in the towering mirror.Zac rotated his shoulders slightly, flexing his arms. “Feels a bit tight at the shoulders. Can we adjust them?”The tailor, a refined man in his fifties, adjusted the suit with precise fingers. A measuring tape draped around his neck as he observed Zac’s fit. “It seems you’ve built up some muscle since your last fitting, sir.”Zac huffed a quiet chuckle, rolling his neck. “Yeah, well… stress makes me hit the gym harder.”Angelo sat lazily in the leather chair nearby, one leg crossed over the other, tapping his fingers against the armrest. “Yeah, I get it. You don’t want to be suffocated in an overpriced suit on your big day.”“Exactly,” Zac said, adjusting his cufflinks before glancing at Angelo.
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“It’s wonderful to finally meet you.” Mia turned, meeting the kind smile of an older woman—one of Zac’s distant relatives.“The pleasure is all mine,” Mia said politely, returning the smile.As the women moved on, Mia took a slow sip of her champagne, turning her gaze toward Zac across the open-air courtyard. He stood at a distance, effortlessly confident, speaking with a group of older men—distant uncles and family friends, judging by their mannerisms.Unlike the others, Angelo wasn’t mingling. As a matter of fact, he hadn’t moved from his spot since he sat down.His expression was blank, like he was in a different world—one he had no interest in joining. A slight furrow formed in his brow as he stared at the floor, ignoring the people around him. Something about it made Mia pause.Part of her wanted to go to him and ask if he was okay. But the moment she took a step forward, she heard her name.She shifted her focus—and caught Seth Cornell’s stare. He was walking toward her.She s
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The tension in the beach house felt like it had a pulse of its own.Zac scoffed, stepping back. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “What the fuck are you even saying?”“You know exactly what I’m saying,” Angelo didn’t flinch. “You dragged her into your world.”“My world?” Zac’s voice rose. “Wait—are you blaming me for this? For that video?”“Of course I have every right to blame you!” Angelo snapped, stepping closer. “Ever since you made her sign that damn contract, she hasn’t had a single moment of peace.”Zac’s expression twisted, his fists flexing at his sides. But Angelo didn’t stop.“She never wanted this life.” Angelo shrugged, spreading his arms. “And now—look at her—caught in this bullshit again.”“You know nothing, Angelo,” Zac retorted, his voice low. “I didn’t know things would be like this. I’ve always protected her, and I still will.”“Ha-ha-ha. How heroic,” Angelo replied, his tone taunting. “Because every time she needs you… you’re not there.”“Well, I’m here now.
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