Hearing her name belted out in such an elegant setting stopped Lana in her tracks. Danny's voice bellowed so loudly that everyone turned around, curious as to who could be so absurd. Dressed in the world’s most expensive designer labels, the who’s who of Taguig City were not used to the behavior they were being forced to witness. Humiliated, Lana stopped, feeling as though everyone in the conference hall knew it was her the crazy man was after. She could feel herself shrinking as Dan stormed across the room. He seemed larger than she remembered, his broad shoulders pushed back with the arrogant confidence that comes with power. After leaving Xyrus to go to the bathroom, she was almost certain she had made up the sighting, thinking her paranoia was getting the best of her again. It wasn’t uncommon for her to think she saw Danny when she was out, but it had rarely actually been him. Mostly, he sent his security staff to do his dirty work, and Lana would run before the
“What the hell was that?” Wind asked, turning towards the exit of the gala. His charity event was going perfectly until that man had barged into the party screaming from across the room. Thankfully, Wind's awesome staff had quickly diverted the guests from the outburst by kicking up the bass from the band. The party had moved so swiftly, hardly anyone in the conference room was thinking about the brief chaotic moment by now. “I don’t know—” Xyrus answered, his words fading as he watched the front doors, waiting for some sort of explanation.“She knew who he was,” Akira noted, her face twisted quizzically, like she was trying to figure out a puzzle. Xyrus paused, watching the wheels turn in the minds of his two oldest friend, as they tried to help him make sense of the night. Akira had been as excited as he was when he’d decided to bring Lana to the charity event. And after Xyrus had played the matchmaker, getting Akira and Wind together after years of harmless flirting,
With the left side of her body pressed against the car door, Lana fought for as much space as she could find in the backseat of the taxi. Thankfully, Danny had been able to hail a driver pretty quickly, adding a quick ending to the worst night of her life.It was surreal, watching the city she had grown to love fading by as Danny hurled profanities in her direction. In the darkness, B.G.C looked gloomier than usual, and Lana wondered to herself if it was a sign. Could she have been wrong in thinking this city was for her?Just when she began to doubt herself, the concern in Xyrus's green eyes burned into the forefront of her memory. When Danny led her out of the charity event, squeezing her arm in a way that was sure to leave a bruise, she glanced back to see Xy standing like a statue, watching with a fiery gaze.It was a new emotion she hadn’t seen him wear, but it was enough to help her remember that something strong was growing between them. Leaving with Dan was the best way f
Still in shock, Xyrus stood on the stairs of the hotel for much longer than he anticipated. When an older man disrupted his thoughts by asking for the time, he decided to return to the event.As Xy walked through the front doors, Wind excitedly walked towards him with the look of a man who needed a favor. Knowing it was time to put on a brave face, Xyrus straightened his shoulders and took a deep breath just before Wind arrived with a graying woman beside him.“Mr. Ashington, it’s so nice to finally meet you,” she introduced herself, stepping in front of Wind to extend her hand to Xyrus.“The pleasure is all mine,” Xyrus took her hand into both of his.“Samantha Hughes,” she said, before Xyrus could ask her name. She was a sassy gal, and the men shared a smile thinking of how hot she must have been in her day.“I’m very glad we got to meet,” he added.“I asked Wind here if you would be at the event tonight and he promised to introduce us,” she explained, turning the spotlight on
Awakened by a painful ache in her back, Lana blinked slowly, trying to place the contemporary crown molding on the ceiling. It surely wasn’t her bedroom, and the memories came rushing back when her eyes landed on Danny's scowl. Even in his sleep he was intimidating.After a long night of fighting, Lana found it difficult to sit up, her abdomen sore from a collision with a wall. After berating her while finishing off a bottle of brandy, Dan began shoving Lana between threats. He couldn’t believe she had actually moved on and started a new life without him, and vowed to take her to pack up her apartment first thing in the morning. He wanted Lana to pack everything up and move back to California, but the more she thought about it, the more certain she was that giving up her life as she knew now it wasn’t an option.It had taken too long and too much effort for Lana to build up to the safe space she now depended on. Her life wasn’t perfect, but she had the freedom to be herself and
Awakened by a painful ache in her back, Lana blinked slowly, trying to place the contemporary crown molding on the ceiling. It surely wasn’t her bedroom, and the memories came rushing back when her eyes landed on Danny's scowl. Even in his sleep he was intimidating.After a long night of fighting, Lana found it difficult to sit up, her abdomen sore from a collision with a wall. After berating her while finishing off a bottle of brandy, Dan began shoving Lana between threats. He couldn’t believe she had actually moved on and started a new life without him, and vowed to take her to pack up her apartment first thing in the morning. He wanted Lana to pack everything up and move back to California, but the more she thought about it, the more certain she was that giving up her life as she knew now it wasn’t an option.It had taken too long and too much effort for Lana to build up to the safe space she now depended on. Her life wasn’t perfect, but she had the freedom to be herself and
Sitting in his living room, Xyrus stretched out on the sectional sofa. He’d finished the last of his third glass of whiskey, which he had decided must be his last. It was unlike him to drink that much, but his mind had been racing since he left the charity event. The night was passing slower than usual, his thoughts forcing him to replay one of the craziest nights of his life. It still didn’t feel real, learning that Lana was married. Xyrus had so many questions, but without a way to find the truth, he tried to convince himself to let it go.Helplessness wasn’t a feeling he was used to. Running a billion-dollar empire left Xyrus feeling powerful. There was rarely a time he couldn’t bring his visions to life or find a way to achieve anything he set his mind to. In some ways he appreciated being able to feel emotions that he hadn’t felt in years. Without sharing his life with a woman for so long, Xy wasn’t used to thinking of someone else or considering their safety above his
It seemed Lana had got bolder since she had lived in Taguig, but she still couldn’t believe she had mustered up the courage to pop up at Xyrus's house. On the cab ride over, she was filled with nerves, but when she stood at his front door, she was certain she had made the right decision. All the fear evaporated at the first sight of him.Donned in his black pajama pants and a white t-shirt, Xy had swept her in his arms, holding her as she cried, just as she imagined he would. It was proof that he felt as deeply as she did, and being taken care of by him was just another layer in the relationship that was brewing between them.Now, he stood outside the bath, contemplating her request climb in. It was obvious he wanted to, she could see it written on his face, but the apprehension, probably tied in his fear of hurting her, was holding him back. Lana found it ironic that Xy was worried about hurting her, while her husband had no remorse during his attack.“Please,” she added to her ple