LOGINJULIANI grinned as I looked at the door. That had gone quite well. Better than I imagined, I thought as I turned around and headed for my suite on the top floor.I mentally patted myself on the back for coming up with those new conditions on the spur of the moment.I was just going to ask the secretary to print an agreement form before she arrives.Spending the weekends and going on trips together would definitely be a nice way to seduce her and sweep her off her feet, I thought with a chuckle.I strode through the hotel grounds, as I made my way to the playground. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the playground where the beautiful sounds of children's laughter filled the air. I smiled as I approached, glad for the initiative that had made me think of building a playground and making the Hotel child-friendly.Looking around, I spotted Dee Dee on the swings, her legs pumping to gain height, her face a picture of pure joy. Sandra stood nearby, her watchful eyes trackin
JULIANI strode into Rhodes Abode Hotel with my face glued to my phone, a deep frown etched across my face as I scrolled through the latest report.Another loss. Another deal gone.Another collection stolen right from under us.This was the second time in just a few months that the fashion house had lost a major collection contract to a competitor. Not just any competitors, the same one. And that wasn't a coincidence. It was a pattern. A dangerous one.My jaw tightened as I locked my phone and slipped it into my pocket. The polished marble floors reflected my steps as I moved through the lobby, staff nodding respectfully as I passed, but I barely acknowledged them. My mind was already ten steps ahead, dissecting possibilities, running through suspects.There was a leak somewhere. There had to be.Design concepts, timelines, negotiation terms, these weren’t things an outsider could just guess. Someone on the inside was feeding information, and I was running out of time to find out w
JULIANI strode into Rhodes Abode Hotel with my face glued to my phone, a deep frown etched across my face as I scrolled through the latest report.Another loss. Another deal gone.Another collection stolen right from under us.This was the second time in just a few months that the fashion house had lost a major collection contract to a competitor. Not just any competitors, the same one. And that wasn't a coincidence. It was a pattern. A dangerous one.My jaw tightened as I locked my phone and slipped it into my pocket. The polished marble floors reflected my steps as I moved through the lobby, staff nodding respectfully as I passed, but I barely acknowledged them. My mind was already ten steps ahead, dissecting possibilities, running through suspects.There was a leak somewhere. There had to be.Design concepts, timelines, negotiation terms, these weren’t things an outsider could just guess. Someone on the inside was feeding information, and I was running out of time to find out w
ANDREA “Tia?!” I yelled again, alerting the driver. “Do you need help, ma'am?” He asked, I shook my head with a sigh.“No, thanks,” I said, and then I heard Tia's voice.“Andrea,” she called out, and I placed the phone back on my ears.“Where did you go?” I asked. “You were pretty silent after my question.”“I needed to get away from your Tio,” she said and I sighed in relief. “So, you haven't told anyone?” I asked.“No, I was hoping to tell them during dinner. Why?” She said, and I let out a sigh of relief.“It's just that I need you to keep Diane a secret for now. I don't want Tio or Veronica to know about her just yet.”There was a brief pause on the other side before Tia spoke again. Her voice was firm, but soft. “If that's what you want Andrea. But you'll have to tell your Tio about his granddaughter eventually, especially if you are going to bring Diane to the party.”I sighed as I glanced out the windows at the passing buildings, trying to gather my thoughts.“I can't bring
ANDREA “Tia?!” I yelled again, alerting the driver. “Do you need help, ma'am?” He asked, I shook my head with a sigh.“No, thanks,” I said, and then I heard Tia's voice.“Andrea,” she called out, and I placed the phone back on my ears.“Where did you go?” I asked. “You were pretty silent after my question.”“I needed to get away from your Tio,” she said and I sighed in relief. “So, you haven't told anyone?” I asked.“No, I was hoping to tell them during dinner. Why?” She said, and I let out a sigh of relief.“It's just that I need you to keep Diane a secret for now. I don't want Tio or Veronica to know about her just yet.”There was a brief pause on the other side before Tia spoke again. Her voice was firm, but soft. “If that's what you want Andrea. But you'll have to tell your Tio about his granddaughter eventually, especially if you are going to bring Diane to the party.”I sighed as I glanced out the windows at the passing buildings, trying to gather my thoughts.“I can't bring
ANDREA“Oh please,” I scoffed, trying to regain some of my confidence, and act like it.“You can't say you are doing something to punish and reward me at the same time,” I said.“If I don't attach this condition, someone else from your company will be asked to take your place. But now, you will be the only one with access to me.”“Everyone will wonder what you said and did to convince me. So, what's it going to be? Are you going to accept my condition or reject it and risk not getting the promotion or worse losing your job?” He asked, and I eyed him suspiciously.“How did you know my promotion was tied to this assignment?” I asked, and Julian smile widened.“I have my sources, Andy,” he said, and I glared at me with displeasure.Neither of us said a word as I weighed my options. I hated the idea of being at his mercy, but I can't afford to jeopardize my career.I have already given my consent to Rebecca, and was only here to get answers so I would know how better to handle him.“So, w
ANDREAIt's been days since Tia Patricia came to visit me, and met Diane. I sat by the bedroom window, a cup of coffee in my hand.I was still contemplating the best possible course of action for my situation. Diane played with her toys on my bed, her laughter brought a comforting melody to my sca
ANDREA“Andrea? It's really you,” my Tia, Patricia said as I opened the door of my hotel suite, and looked at surprised.She immediately pulled me into her embrace.“I couldn't believe it when the receptionist said my Aunt was here to see me,” I said, relaxing in her embrace.Although Veronica had
VERONICADuring dinner at the Reyes's house, I decided to bring up Andrea's return.“Papi,” she started, and both my parents looked up when they detected the seriousness in my voice.“Yes, mija?” my father responded.“Is there a problem?” My Mom asked, her concern was evident in her voice as she st
MARCUSI stood confused, and furious as the elevator door closed. Watching Andrea wither away from my sight.Without wasting any time, I whipped out my phone and dialed Veronica's number.“You won't believe who I just ran into right now,” I said the moment the call connected.“Who?” Veronica inquir







