“Olivia, go online asap! You’ll never guess who’s trending!”
I winced at Alice’s excited, high-pitched, ear destroying screech coming from my phone. A natural occurrence I should have already gotten used to since she had been my friend for twelve years, but I didn’t.
“I don’t have time for celeb gossip right now, Alice.” I huffed, removing the plates from the dish washer. “I could barely do much unpacking during the day because of the boys. I-“
“You would if you found out it was about you and a certain billionaire who are trending.” She giggled like Harley Quinn, and I could almost see the psychotic grin on her face.
“Why would I and a certain Billionair…”
Wait?! A billionaire… Does she mean…
My chest tightened at the thought of him. “Please tell me it’s not that billionaire.” I whispered.
“Who else?! You guys are all over the news!” Alice squealed.
My legs trembled under the weight of my body, and I leaned against the counter. I shivered like someone had doused me with ice water.
“W-Why?!”
“Just search Dante Romero, and you’ll see what I’m talking about! I can’t beli–“
“I’ll call you back.”
“Wait–“
I ended the call and made my way to G****e. My finger trembled as I typed the name of the one man I promised not to get involved with again.
“No!” I gasped, bile rose in my throat. My hazel eyes widened at the headlines littering the net.
Olivia Miller, the young lady from Dante Romero’s sex scandal from five years ago, was recently spotted with identical triplets. Could they be his?
“No, no, no!”
I scrolled through my phone, soaking in the multiple headlines relating to me, my kids, and Dante Romero.
‘How?’
‘Why?’
I stared at the picture of me and my sons entering a taxi, obviously taken without my permission. From the look of it, it was snapped a few minutes after we left the airport.
“Sheep,” I dropped my phone on the counter and yanked my chestnut hair.
‘This can’t be happening. This can not be fricken happening! I planned to have a fresh start in LA, but the damned past just had to come back to hunt me.’ I paced around the kitchen, trying to block the bitter memories of five years ago that plagued my mind.
‘What am I going to do? The boys are too young for this drama. Should I–‘
*Ding Dong.*
The doorbell caught my attention from my train of thoughts, and I froze in my spot. The bitter feeling that he was at my door gnawed at my throat.
*Ding Dong.*
The doorbell rang again, and I drew in a shaky breath.
‘You’re being paranoid, Olly. There’s no way he would have found me by now.’ I plodded to the living room. My door looked bigger and more menacing as I drew closer.
*Ding Dong.*
My fingers trembled as they touched the door knob.
“You’re worrying for nothing,” I whispered, opening the door.
In a blur, a large, dark figure brushed past me and slammed the door shut.
“What th–“
“It took you long enough, Miss Miller.”
The blood in my veins froze over at the icy, stoic voice of the man before me.
My gaze ran up his suit-clad upper body to his chiselled jaw line and stopped at his piercing blue eyes.
“Oh, sheep,” I breathed.
Standing before me was LA’s most desirable bachelor, the Ice Cold King, Dante Romero, in his full, dark glory.
“My children, where are they?”
Double sheep.
My heart pounded in my chest. How could he have found us when we just moved back to LA today?
“W-What children?” I cringed at my stutter.
Maybe, just maybe, my question would have been more convincing if I hadn’t squeaked like a mouse.
“Don’t play dumb with me.”
Dante’s eyes narrowed to a thin slit, and he took a step closer to me. His larger muscular form and imposing presence choked air out of my lungs. I took one step back.
“I found out you got pregnant after our little incident five years ago.”
Mayday! Mayday! Don’t leave me hanging, brain! Think of an excuse!
“You don’t really believe the rumours on the Internet. They are probably lie–“
“Are you insinuating that I’m dumb enough to base my claims on gossip?”
He took another set of slow, calculated steps towards me.
“No, sir, that’s not what I’m saying. I just mean… I’m saying no one should believe the internet… Not that you believe it… I mean…” I shook my head, gesticulating with my hands and taking a step back for every step he took. My back hit the wall, and my panic shot through the roof.
“I must admit, when I saw the headlines, I thought they were just trolls, but it got me curious. After a little digging, I found out you indeed bore my kids.”
Dante breached my personal space, and I stilled at his intimidating aura.
“I’m here to take my kids.”
“Eh?!” I gaped at him. Did he just demand for my kids, or did I mishear his words?
“Um.. sorry… but I don’t seem to understand your statement.”
“Are you daft? I’m here to take my kids home, Miss Miller. Where are they?”
It was my turn to give my own deadly glare. The man really had the nerve to insult me while making a ridiculous request.
“Sorry, but no, Mr. Romero.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
Dante’s already-present frown deepened.
“It wasn’t a request or a suggestion; it was an order.” He gave me a nasty look, which I returned.
“And the last time I checked, I don’t work for you. They are my sons, and I’m not giving them to you.”
“They are my children to–“
“Yeah, children, you didn’t know they existed until hours ago.”
“Because you hid them from me.” He growled, slamming his fist against the door. And I refused to flinch.
If he thought I was going to be intimidated into submission, he’s got another thing coming.
“You accused and borderline threatened my life. How the heck did you want me to tell you I was pregnant when you could barely stand the sight of me?”
“That still gives you no right to hide the existence of my sons; I’m their father.”
“That you’re their father doesn’t also give you the right to waltz into my home and make demands for the children I gave birth to and raised for years. You know nothing about them. Heck, you don’t even know their names.”
“Liam, Michael, and Nathan.”
The names of my sons rolled off his tongue, and I blinked.
How the heck did he know? Oh, right, he said he dug into my past. The thought of how much he knew about me irked my skin.
“And that makes you what? The perfect father?” I scoffed, and a dark look crossed his face.
“And you think you’re better?” Dante shot back. “I don’t think a woman who agrees to take advantage of a man’s drugged state and have sex with him for money should even be allowed to be a mother.”
The words struck harder than lightning. Tears gathered in my eyes, and I blinked them back. Five years later, he still believed I was a slut. I wondered how many people believed that too.
“T-that’s not what happened!” I sniffled, not able to stop my voice from trembling.
“Oh, it isn’t?” He sneered, looking down at me like a piece of crap.
I don’t know! I wanted to scream. One minute, I was munching on a box of chocolate I had received from a secret admirer after my part-time evening shift at the hotel. The next morning, I woke up naked and sore beside a strange man, without my virginity.
I swear, I don’t know how it happened.
“If that’s all, you may please le–“
Dante grabbed my wrist and pulled me to him before I could touch the door knob.
A tint of rouge coloured my cheek at the close proximity. Our chests were just a few centimetres apart, and I feared he would hear the fanatic beating of my heart. I felt small under his towering height and cold, intense stare.
My gaze traced every detail of his handsome face, and my blush intensified. Chiselled jawline, smooth tanned skin, jet black hair, and mesmerising blue eyes. No wonder women fawned over him. He was devilishly gorgeous.
“How much do you want? Name your prize.” Dante leered, pulling out a chequebook from his suit pocket.
My lips curled up into a nasty scowl.
“My children are not for sale. And nothing you say or do will make me give them to you.” I gritted my teeth and yanked my hand away from his grip.
“How about a lawsuit then.” He drawled, his lips quirking into a devious smirk. “With my power and your sorry financial state. I could make sure you never see your kids again.”
Never see my sons again?! His words sank into my flesh like the venomous fangs of a viper.
“Y-you wouldn’t dare.” My voice quivered.
Would he? There was no way he would be that heartless.
A deep, dark chuckle echoed through the living room.
Dante snaked his arm around my waist and pressed my body against his. I stiffened in his hold, frozen with fear, anger, and a strange desire pulsing through my veins.
“I’m Dante Romero, sweetheart.” His voice was low with a dangerously seductive edge, and I flushed with heat. “There are a lot of things I would dare that are beyond your imagination.”
Dante tilted his head, placing his sinfully enticing lips above my ear. “I’m giving you a choice, Olivia: move in with me or get ready to never see your boys again.”
Whatever attraction I felt for him burned to the ground.
Note to self, Olivia;
Dante Romero might be a masterpiece crafted by God, but he has the heart of the devil. Always remember that.
“Fine.” The word tasted like poison as it left my lips.
A stupid, satisfied smirk rested on Dante’s face, and I growled, wanting to slap it off.
“Perfect,” he slipped his hand off my waist, letting his fingers trace the hem of my t-shirt. I slapped his arm away and gave him a disgusted look.
“You have five minutes. Don’t bother bringing anything along. Everything will be provided at the mansion.”
Without a reply, I stormed out of the living room, biting back the urge to punch him in the nut.
“Nooo. I dun wanna –yawn– wake up…” Michael whined, climbing off the bed he shared with his brothers. “Sorry, dear, but we’ve got to go.” I lifted Nathan, still asleep, and put him against my chest, placing his head on my shoulder. Waking him up was as hopeless as telling a whale to fly. When Nathan was out, he was out. And not even an earthquake mixed with nuclear bombing could wake him up. “Where are we going, Mama?” Leon asked, standing by my side, wide awake. Unlike his younger brothers, even a pin dropping could wake him up. Michael was between his brothers, both in birth and intensity of sleep. “To your new home.” I replied, grabbing Michael’s hand. “Whyyy?” he pouted, rubbing his eyes. “I wanna sleep.” “I promise you’ll sleep when you’re in the car. Let’s go.” Leon held his brother’s hand, and we walked out of the room. The steps we took to the living room were deliberately slow, and I prayed under my breath that Dante had gotten bored and gone away forever. Fate was n
“Miss Miller, Master Romero would like to see you.” Albert, Dante’s butler, said, standing at the door of the room I had been given. Albert was like those stereotype butlers you see in movies. A posh and prim suit clad his thin, tall body. Coupled with his stoic expression and his perfect, poised posture, he looked like he waltzed right out of the Victorian era. “Oh,” I mumbled, frowning a bit. ‘What does Dante want from me now? One night hasn’t passed, and he’s already making me break my ‘avoid-Dante-Romero’ oath.’ “Could you give me a minute?” “Yes Madam. I’ll be waiting outside.” “Thank you.” He bowed and walked out, closing the white door behind him. I slipped my phone out of my shorts’ pocket and double-tapped the screen. ‘Sheep! 28 missed calls and 13 texts from Alice! How did I not— oh, my phone is on silent.’ _I’m alright, I’ll explain everything tomorrow._ I typed and hit send, not bothering to read through her messages, and I flopped on the bed. Was I really alrig
*Ring Ring*“No!!!” I mumbled, turning on my bed. I didn’t want to get up. Not when I had managed to finally fall asleep by five am.The bed was soft, really really soft, like marshmallows. And the room was really really cool and cosy. Everything was just right except the ringing of my darn phone.*Ring Ring*“Ugh!” I groaned and sat up. My sons were snuggled to my sides, so I leaned and picked up my phone from the side table, gently not to wake them up.The caller ID showed Alice, and I sighed. ‘I should have known. The gossip queen wants gossip.’“Hello.”“I called you like a trillion times. Why weren’t you picking up your call?” She said, voice all bright and preppy. I always wondered how she was always bouncy early in the morning.“Isn’t it too early? It’s after seven, Alice. After seven!” I sighed, pushing away the strands of my chestnut hair from my face.“I know, but I’m too excited. I could barely sleep last night. Tell me everything. Every single deets. I want to know everyth
“I always wanted a father.” My heart clenched at his words. Somehow, I felt like a bad mother. Since they were born, I had always played the roles of a father and a mother. It was hard, really hard no matter how much I tried. It was difficult trying to be both for three boys and I did my best, but I guess it was never enough.Nathan’s words showed me how insufficient I was. “Can we call you Papa?” Michael butted in, bubbling with excitement. I looked at Dante from the corner of my eye. His entire form was rigid.“Our friends in Paris call their father Papa, can we?” Nathan added, sharing his brother’s excitement.Dante’s grip on the cup tightened. I needed to get their attention fast. “Michael, Nathan, do you want more waffles?”“I guess he doesn’t want us to.” Michael sighed. Both boys looked down at their plates. The happy smiles on their faces curled into sombre ones. “You can call me Papa. If y
‘It’s not hard, Olly,’ I thought, staring out the car window as the vehicle drove through the busy roads of Los Angeles. ‘Just say I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’m capable of the job of a cook because I feel my skills aren’t up to your taste and you’ll probably hate what I cook.’ I bit my bottom lips. That was over the top. Way too over the top. I didn’t need to go into that much detail. ‘I’ll just tell him I really can’t cook and I faked my way through culinary school, and—argh, what was I thinking? Faked my way through culinary school? Really?’ The chain of my purse in my hand suffered the brunt of my agitation as I fiddled with it, and I felt sorry for it. It didn’t deserve the treatment I was giving it. The purse was fancy and brand new; just the like off-the-shoulder flora top, denim pants, and small heeled sandals I wore. True to his words, the staff of Mira Donna had appeared at the door one hour after breakfast, and
“W-What the?! Pervert!” I squeaked and tried to push him away. He didn’t even bulge from my attempt. “This is sexual harassment!”His rich baritone laughter vibrated against my skin, and a delightful tingle ran through me. “It isn’t if the other person permits and enjoys it.” He kissed the sensitive spot on my neck, and I bit my lips, holding back a moan.“So tell me, Olivia.”My name rolled off his tongue in the dirtiest of ways and I quivered in his hold.Dante slipped his hand under my shirt and rubbed the bare skin of my lower back. Another moan threatened to break free.“Do you want me to stop?”Yes and no hung on my tongue as two parts of me waged war.My body, desperate for the masculine touch that it had been starved of for years, wanted to take Alice’s advice and let him possess me.My mind, the wiser part of me, though fuzzy from his touch, knew this was wrong. Very wrong.Giving in to him would prove his thoughts about me. I would forever be a slut in his eyes. He would tr
“Alice?!”My eyes widened at the tall, slender figure standing beside my door.“Surrppriseeee!!” Alice smiled and opened her arms for an embrace. I ran to her, leaving Dante behind. “The boys and I missed you so much.” I gave her a warm hug.“I’ve missed you guys too. It feels like centuries since I saw you when it was just a few months ago.” She gave me a small pat on the back and let go of me.“What are you doing here? I thought you’d be at work and—whoa?” I eyed her from the top of her head to her feet, taking in what she wore.It was a sexy black dress that flaunted her curves and a lot of cleavage. The end of it stopped barely mid thigh, showing off her creamy legs that seemed longer because of the red stiletto adorning her feet.“Where are we going looking all dolled up?”“Oh nothing. I just decided to drop by and lend a hand with your stuff that’s all.”"Nothing? Really, Alice? Really?" I gave her a knowing look.“What? Can’t a girl decide to look extra?”The mischievous smile
“I took a peek at your book collection.” Dante said, standing by my side as I locked the door of my apartment. All the boxes had been moved into the car, so we were good to go. “I must say you have a very amazing taste.”“I know.” I smiled, shoving my key into my pocket.It wasn’t the first time someone had made that type of remark.I loved my books in two ways; either they were the sappiest of romances or the most horrifying of horrors. No in between.“Most people said I didn’t look what I read.” We walked side-by-side to his car. They understood the romance books, but the horror section always caught them off guard. They said I looked too sweet to be interested in that kind of stuff.”“You do. So what piqued your interest in horror?”“The tension. The rush of adrenaline. The thrill. My heart banging in my chest when I know something really really bad is about to happen to a character. What’s there not to love?”What was there not to love? Horror was happiness. Horror was life. Horro