Chapter 2 Frustration

“Steph...Steph...Steph….” Luke mumbled as his eyes stared blankly at the window of his private jet. He is on the way to New York, after having a week-long business trip to San Francisco .

“Who is Steph?” Lilian asked as she sat in front of her brother

He didn’t answer her, making her continue, “You rarely remember a name, except Patricia!”

“You know me better than myself,” Luke said it with sarcastic tone

Lilian rolled her eyes. Luke smiled widely seeing his beloved sister put on an act, he finally said, “Last night when I lost you in the club, I went for short ONS with a woman, she is awesome.”

“And now you can’t forget her?”

Luke nodded

“What is her name again?”

“Steph” 

“I mean not the nickname Luke, duh!” Lilian protested

“I don’t know. She just told me that!”

“Ugh….then it will be hard to track her down!” Lilian told him

“Nah, all I need another ONS and I will forget her!” He said it and took his phone, calling Liam, his best friend

“Hey, bar tonight?” He asked and in seconds, he smiled. 

Lilian rolled her eyes and said, “I really hope one day you stop playing and be like the old Luke. The old Luke who is in love with one woman and is loyal to her.”

“I might let you down sister! Don’t put your hope too high” 

-----

Luke went to the bar with Liam and both of them left the bar, heading to the hotel with two different women. It’s been a week, he had changed three different women, the sex was great but again, he couldn’t get rid his thought on Steph. He finally dialed his PA’s number. 

“James, come over!” He sat lazily on his office

“Mr Miller, what can I do for you?” James 

“Track down the CCTV from the club I and Lilian had visited in San Francisco  a week ago, find the CCTV between the club and the hotel, find a woman who was with me before. When you see her, find me the detailed information about her, I want the result soon!” 

“Noted Mr Miller” James left and he was confused for a moment, ‘This is the first time he tried to find a woman who slept with him. Interesting!’

A week later, James told Luke that he couldn’t find the woman he is looking for. 

“Mr Miller, the CCTV record was gone, it seems to have been deleted by someone else. It wasn’t only one record but the whole CCTV record that day was gone.”

“What did you say?” Luke was frustrated 

“I am sorry Mr Miller” 

“Have you tried to ask the club about the name list on the VIP table?” 

“I did but they can’t release it for data protection reason” 

“Do something, for God sake! Hack their system or something!” Luke snapped 

“I want that woman identity, period!” Luke said in deep voice

“Will do as you asked Mr Miller” James quickly left Luke’s room

The next day, James came with the list of the VIP guests but no Stephanie name on it. Luke has asked James to check one by one the guest on the list but he didn’t find anyone that related to Stephanie. 

-----

Stephanie just walked out from the bathroom when she saw Martin was sitting on his favorite sofa next to the window. His expression was cold and scary. 

“You’re back!” She greeted him with a big smile

“How’s Europe?” She added

“Baby, I heard you had a lovely one-night stand weeks ago” He looked at her with a deep eyes

‘Damn it, I already deleted all the evidence but he still managed to find out!’ Stephanie thought

Seeing Stephanie went silent, he added, “Are you that lack of fuck? Am I leaving you too long? I should bring you to my business trip next time,” Martin leaned lazily on his sofa

Stephanie walked toward him, sitting on his lap, “I won’t do that again, I promise!” She brings her face closer to him and kisses him

Martin kissed her possessively. When he released her lips, he said “You know I don’t like my woman being touched by others! You’re mine only! MINE ONLY!” 

“I’M YOURS. FOREVER YOURS!” She said it and he got up, bringing her to the bed, starting to strip her night dress

“Ahhhh…” Stephanie moaned as he got himself inside her

“Tell me, I am better than him! Tell me, it is only me that makes you come hard!!!” Martin words were demanding as he moved harshly against her body

“It’s you. It's always you. No one can replace you Martin….I love you!!” She said with a little bit of screaming. However, it hurts her a little when she doesn't hear Martin reply to her. It's always like that. Martin never, even once, told her he loved her. Martin only loves Emily. Yes, Emily, his only lover who had died 3 years ago. 

Stephanie has stayed with him for 3 years after Emily left but she feels that she still can’t replace Emily's place in his heart. She couldn’t make him fall in love with her. But, she promised herself she will stay next to him forever because she owed him a life. 

----

In the morning, she woke up and found Martin wasn't there. She went to the bathroom, took a shower and changed into her suit. When she is in front of mirror, applying makeup, she heard Barbara, the head servant in the penthouse, knocked her bedroom’s door

“Madam”

“Come in”

“Madam, Mr Xander is downstairs, waiting for you. Breakfast is ready too!”

“Thanks. Where’s Martin?” 

“Sir went to Chicago, Ms Ross called him this morning.” Barbara lowered her head, she was afraid if Stephanie got angry. She knew Stephanie very well, and yes, she was right, within second, she saw Stephanie sweep her makeup table angrily, making her things scattered everywhere

“Fuck…….”