Catherine’s POV Alexander parked his Cliff 500 at an alleyway and shot off the car. He got down, went around and pulled my door open. “Thank you,” I said, alighting. He shut my door and took my hand in his. I followed behind him, my nerves fluttering, my heart racing with peaked anxiety as we strode through a glass door. Standing inside, I quickly realized it was a Bookstore. My eyes toured the glass walled room and I was both confused and stunned. “What’s going on Alexander?” My voice wavered slightly. “It’s yours.” He said. My heart lurched; my jaw dipped in a gape of astonishment. “What do you mean?” “Happy birthday Ms. Kent.” He said, My heart did summersaults under my chest, my feet glued to the ground as my eyes toured the perimeter of the room. The bookstore was like something out of a dream. Shelves upon shelves of romantic novels lined the walls, creating a beautiful array of colors. The space was decorated with cozy reading nooks, each one furnished with plush armc
Alexander’s POV I sat in my usual silent solitude behind my desk, rustling through piles of paper on my table. I felt different today. I was not wearing my usual cloak of arrogance. I felt a sense of ease, one I could not remember ever feeling. Maybe it was listening to Catherine sob into my shoulders all night or maybe it was admitting my feelings to her in the Bookstore I had just acquired for her. I was shifting and it was as exciting as it was terrifying and I could not silence the deep fear that it was all an illusion. The door to my office swung open without a knock, barging into my thoughts and Uncle Richard stormed in. His face, the usual blend of anger and satisfaction, his eyes flashing with a cold, hard gleam. I looked up, not the least bit shaken by his sudden intrusion. “Alexander,” He said, his voice coursed with barely concealed contempt. “Dear Nephew,” His gaze swept my office with desire and longing. “What do you want Uncle Richard?” I dropped my ball ben, trying
Simon’s POV I stood outside the bookstore, my heart pounding as I looked through the glass door. I felt chills trickle down my spine. Although I had not seen her in a while, I had seen her in my dreams, every night. I was desperate to make amends, even though I knew the chances of redemption were slim. The sight of her in the bookstore—she looked happy, peaceful, and as beautiful as always. I took a deep breath, the icy air biting at my lungs, and pushed open the door. The bell chimed softly, announcing my presence. She looked up from behind the counter, her eyes widening in shock and something else—fear, perhaps. I could see the anger simmering just beneath her calm exterior. “Simon,” She blurted, her voice taut and controlled. “What are you doing here?” The room started to stifle me, the space between us charged with tension. I stepped further inside, shedding my fear with composure. I could feel my hands trembling slightly. “I—” I began, but the words felt heavy, reluctant. “I
Alexander’s POV “Hey, Alexander” Her voice creeped in softly into the darkness. I stirred awake, rubbing off sleep from my eyes and I finally make the image towering over me in the darkness. Olivia. Olivia Clarke, my stepmother. “Olivia,” I said softly. “Oh yes baby, it’s me.” She said, her voice soft and inviting. It was the dead of the night and she looked different. Her eyes were different, they were not filled with the usual care, they were filled with something that looked like longing—a deep longing. My brows furrowed with confusion. “What are you doing here?” I asked, straightening out in bed as my eyes took in her full view. A red spaghetti lace wear that exposed half of her breasts and all her thighs. I suddenly felt weird, there was a gushing of blood through my legs, through my thighs and it suddenly felt hard. She walked closer, she sat at the edge of the bed, her tapered fingers caressed my toes and I felt even weirder, and it got even harder between my thighs. “
Olivia’s POV I paced the length of my apartment, anger shooting in my restless feet. The walls seemed smaller, each tick of the clock amplifying my building anxiety. My phone was clutched tightly in my hand, the screen dim with unanswered calls and ignored messages. My heart raced with each vibration, hoping it would be him, only to be met with silence. “Where are you?" I muttered to myself, the words coming out as a desperate plea. "Why aren’t you answering? You promised me—you promised you'd never ditch me." The silence of the room was deafening. My monthly allowance still had not come. It had been three weeks since I spoke to Alexander and still my allowance was late. Late! I felt like my entire world was crumbling. Alexander had never treated me this way before, until her, until Catherine Kent. Just then, the door to my apartment crackled, and Simon walked in. He had been in Spain working fervently on the Spanish investors and his hard work had been paying off. Two major invest
Alexander’s POV What the fuck? My head screamed as I leered through the glass door. I saw the exchange clearly: a man whose face I could not see who seemed to be hitting on her, and to my dismay, Catherine seemed to be playing along, her laughter light and teasing. The man’s gestures were smooth, his smile self-assured. My jealousy flared instantly, and I strode into the store with primed anger. I dashed into the bookstore, immediately taken by fury as my eyes confirmed what I had seen from the glass doors. My day had been challenging enough, and I was eager to pick her up and head home. As if feeling like some love struck romantic for even wanting to pick her up was not enough, I approached the front counter, to see an unfamiliar man leaning in close to her, his eyes bright with flirtation. “Catherine,” I said, my voice icy as I approached. I could feel my irritation pressing down on me. “What’s going on here?” The man turned toward me, his smile faltering as he took in my tense
Alexander’s POV The door to my office swung open, and there he was—Richard. Richard Clifford. His tall, imposing figure filled the doorway, a self-satisfied smirk playing on his lips. He had that look in his eyes, the one that said he was about to enjoy a moment of triumph at my expense. “Good morning, Alexander,” He said, his voice dripping with condescension. “I trust you’re ready for today’s board meeting. I am sure you have heard that it is a formality at this point. The board will be voting you out for losing us major investors.” I looked up from my desk, maintaining a calm posture despite the anger roiling inside me. “Morning, Uncle Richard,” I replied evenly. “Actually, I have some news that might surprise you.” His eyebrows arched in mock curiosity as he stepped into the room, closing the door behind him with a firm click. “Oh? Do tell. I’m all ears.” I took a deep breath, savoring the moment. “There isn’t going to be a board meeting today.” His face registered a glimmer
Catherine’s POV “What is that for?” I gaped at the red rope that dangled from his index finger. I perched at the edge of the bed peering up at him, my forbidden book open in my lap. Alexander towered over me, a red tape hanging on his index finger. His eyes bright and inciting dug into mine. “Your hands.” My eyes investigated the tape warily and I could feel fear hijack my nerves. Alexander leaned downwards, taking both my hands and clutching my wrists. “I’ll have your two hands taped above your head.” He demonstrated lifting my hands up and just the mere thought of it made me shudder. I had been hammering him for days to explore my forbidden book with me. He was of the opinion that we did not need the book but finally he caved in after I issued a threat that if he did not try it with me, I would try them on my own. Now here we are with a big red tape and my hands trapped in the air. It certainly seemed easier on paper than reality. I looked up at him, his face hinted just a