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
With his nerve inknots, Xyrus watched Lana take a deep breath, preparing to tell him her story. He had wanted answers, but now that they were staring him in the face, he wasn’t sure he was ready. Things had been so perfect, right up until they weren’t, and he wanted to know what had ruined them. But he didn’t want to ruin the good times they had shared together. It was a tricky place to be, but when Lana's eyes connected with his, he knew he was out of time.“The man that came to the event last night was Danny Asunta Buenaford. His mother is Filipina like me, and his Dad is American. Of course, he is technically speaking, he is my husband.” Lana's admission was made with shame in her eyes and Xyrus instantly felt guilty for the anger he had felt.When Lana used the word husband, he felt defensive and territorial, ready to tear this ma
It was dark and cold in the home that resembled a castle. Hiding in a back room they rarely used for anything other than guests, Lana could hear Danny marching through the house as he searched for her. His steps were heavy and from the slurring of his words, she knew he had been drinking. It seemed that more and more frequently he was coming home from his Hollywood parties with an axe to grind. She had barely recovered from his last late night of closed fists and hurtful insults. She didn’t want to be his punching bag tonight, so she hid in silence, listening closely for his every move.“Where the fuck are you, you stupid bitch?!” Dan yelled so loudly Lana thought the walls shook. She gasped from the shock of his tone, and instantly regretted it.“Oh, I hear you now.” His voice grew closer with every word until the bedroom door swung open.With reddened eyes and a tired look on his