The restaurant was a cozy haven of ambient light and rich, warm colors. The aroma of fresh basil and garlic filled the air as Rene arrived at exactly 6:00, just as promised. He scanned the room for Maria, his heart beating a little faster at the anticipation of their evening together.The hostess greeted him with a warm smile. “Good evening, sir. Do you have a reservation?”“Yes, under the name Maria Rossi,” Rene replied, scanning the room for her.“Right this way,” the hostess said, leading him to a table near the window with a view of the city streets lit by the soft glow of streetlights.As Rene settled into his seat, he glanced at his watch. It wasn’t long before he saw Maria approaching, dressed elegantly in a teal dress that complemented her features perfectly, and her hair was pinned back loosely.Quickly, he stood from his seat, pulled a seat out for her, and pulled her into a hug. “You look beautiful tonight,” he whispered in her ear.Her heart fluttered as she felt the gent
The sound of the alarm clock was buzzing in Rene's ears, but his eyes were already wide open, staring unblinkingly at the ceiling.A faint crease formed on his forehead, and his breathing was slow, steady, and measured.Quietly, he slipped out of bed and padded to the bathroom, careful not to wake her. As he looked at himself in the mirror, his mind replayed the conversation from the previous night. The frustration and disappointment he felt were still fresh, like a wound that hadn't begun to heal.By the time he returned to the bedroom, Maria was stirring. She blinked a few times, then stretched, her eyes landing on Rene as he moved about the room, gathering his clothes for the day. She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes."Good Morning," she said softly, her voice still husky with sleep."Morning," Rene replied, his tone flat. He didn't meet her gaze as he continued to get dressed.Maria's brow furrowed slightly. "Are you okay?""I'm fine," he said curtly, slipping on his shirt.She sigh
Maria drove through the bustling city streets, her fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel in rhythm with the music playing softly from the radio. Pulling up to the ReF Inc. building, she took a deep breath before stepping out of her car. She adjusted her blazer and walked with determined steps toward the entrance. The sleek, modern architecture of the building was impressive, and the glass doors reflected her confident stride as she approached.Inside, the lobby was a hive of activity, with people bustling about and phones ringing. Maria headed straight for the front desk, where a young receptionist greeted her with a polite smile."Good morning! How can I help you?" the receptionist asked."Good morning," Maria replied warmly. "I have an appointment with Mr. Gunnar."The receptionist's fingers flew over the keyboard as she checked the schedule. "May I have your name, please?""Maria Rossi."After a moment, the receptionist looked up with a nod. "Yes, Ms. Rossi. You're schedul
Watching her eyes, Rene could sense the tension, the uncertainty in her tone. "I will try," he replied quietly. "Can you wait until I get back?"Darting her eyes away from him, she hesitated but eventually gave a slight nod, and Rene turned and strode away, leaving the office.A moment later, he walked into Gunnar's office, casually flopping down onto the couch. He leaned back, eyes closed, and let out a heavy sigh. Hearing that, Gunnar, who had been working at his desk, looked up from his paperwork and stared for a long while hesitantly. Then finally, setting down his pen, he approached the couch and took a seat at the opposite end. "Boss, can I ask you something?" Gunnar's tone was cautious, but there was a hint of curiosity in his voice.The was a brief pause, and then Rene opened one eye, giving Gunnar a lazy glance. "Sure, Gunnar. What's on your mind?"Gunnar shifted in his seat, trying to gauge the best way to phrase his question. "Would you let Antonio take Maria's position
The sound of Rene storming into the office and the door slamming against the wall with a reverberating bang had Gunnar, who had been deeply engrossed in paperwork jolted upright in his chair, eyes wide with surprise.“Call Carlo’s office,” Rene commanded, his voice brimming with urgency and leaving no room for argument.Gunnar blinked, momentarily taken aback by the fierce determination etched on Rene's face. “I thought we were going to wait?” he stammered, confusion and concern mingling in his voice.Rene shook his head vehemently, his eyes blazing with an intense fire. “I changed my mind. Make the call and tell Mr. Rossi that you are willing to go over to the Rossi Enterprise and hear Antonio's proposal tomorrow.”Gunnar hesitated, the weight of the sudden shift in plans pressing down on him. “Are you sure about this? I mean, you were pretty clear about giving Maria time to-”“Just make the call, Gunnar,” Rene interrupted sharply. The rage in his eyes left no doubt—this was not a mo
As soon as Maria stepped through the grand entrance of the mansion, Princess, who was pacing in the hallway, spotted her and practically flew over. Without a word of greeting, she grabbed Maria’s arm and tugged her down the corridor.“Hey, what’s going on?” Maria asked, her voice laced with confusion as she stumbled to keep up.“Just trust me,” Princess said, her voice urgent. She didn’t look back, but Maria could see the intensity in her cousin’s eyes.Maria tried to pry her arm free, but Princess was relentless. “Seriously, Princess, where are we going? What are you doing?”“Just trust me!” Princess repeated, her tone brooking no argument. “You’ll understand in a minute.”They turned a corner and headed straight for her grandfather’s office. The tension between them spiked, and Maria’s nerves were getting the better of her. She felt a hint of frustration as they approached the heavy oak door.Without knocking, Princess swung it open and pulled Maria inside. The room was filled with
As the sound of the bathroom door opening echoed in his ear, Rene jumped slightly, looking back to see Maria standing in the doorway in her nightgown.Her eyes looked puffed, and Rene rested his toothbrush on the sink as he turned to face her properly, brows furrowed. “What’s wrong?” He asked softly. She shook her head and then walked up to him, resting her forehead on his bare chest gently, shutting her eyes.Although he was confused since he slept deeply last night, Rene slowly stroked her hair, mumbling, "You want to talk about it?""You were right," Maria whispered, her voice hoarse. "About what?" Rene mumbled as she squeezed him tightly."Everything... I am only a tool for them to use... They don't see my worth past that.""Oh baby,"Silently, Rene listened to the muffled sobs from Maria. Her body trembled against his, and she cried quietly. "They never seem to want to sell Princess or Bianca off," she repeated, her voice breaking. "But me? I'm always the one they dangle in f
Resting back in his seat, Rene could feel the tension in the room as all eyes remained fixed on him. He took a sip of his orange juice, savoring the silence for a moment before responding with a casual tone."Well, Mr. Rossi," Rene began, leaning back in his chair, "as Mr. Gunnar's secretary, I suppose I could give you a few pointers on how to make a good impression."Mr. Rossi's eyes narrowed slightly, but he maintained his composed expression. "Please, go ahead."Rene took another leisurely sip of his juice before continuing. "First and foremost, it's important to be on time. Mr. Gunnar appreciates punctuality. Oh, and make sure you don't interrupt him when he's speaking. He hates that."Carlo Rossi's jaw tightened, but he managed to nod. "Anything else?""Yes," Rene said, a hint of a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. "Always address him as 'Mr. Gunnar.' He likes to be reminded of his last name for some reason. And don't forget to bring a good pen. He hates it when people as
A hush swept over the ballroom, heads turned. Glasses paused mid-air. Even the chandelier light seemed to bend its attention toward the entrance.She stood there... Catherina Ford.Grace was too small a word.She didn’t walk in, she arrived... poised like she owned the ground beneath her heels. Her dress was a deep emerald silk, folding around her like liquid elegance. Hair up in a classic twist, neck adorned with a single strand of pearls that looked like they'd been fished from the private vaults of royalty. Not a wrinkle in her brow, not a misplaced gesture. Only presence.And it was majestic.Mr. Rossi’s jaw dropped open, actually dropped, hanging loose like a broken hinge before he caught himself with a little cough and a half-step forward.“My God,” he muttered. “Is that-?”Gunnar turned toward the entrance as well, brow lifting in curiosity.Rossi's voice was low but urgent. “Gunnar… please tell me you invited her. We’re not… we’re not close enough to the Fords.”But Gunnar onl
The Rossi convoy pulled into the circular drive of the Grand Meridian, the most opulent skyscraper in the city... glass and steel stretching into the stars. Paparazzi flashes crackled beyond the velvet ropes, their lights bouncing off the tinted windows of the luxury cars. Valets and security formed tight lines, working in sharp, clean choreography.The first wave of family emerged... Mr. Rossi leading with Madam Rossi at his side, flanked by Jason, Antonio, Layla, Bianca, Princess, and the others.Then Maria and Rene stepped out next. He stayed by her side, arm tucked beneath hers, smile faint but present, expression unreadable beneath the golden lights of the entrance.The guards nodded. The family entered.But Alejandro didn’t.He stood off to the side, just beyond the corner of the building where the cameras couldn’t see, leaning against his Jaguar, one leg crossed over the other, a cigarette burning low between his fingers.His tuxedo was only half-buttoned, hair tousled like he'
Maria stood near the window, phone pressed to her ear, her back straight, voice low. She wore a floor-length gown of deep emerald, sleeveless with a high collar and a low, scooped back that exposed the elegant arch of her spine. The silk flowed like water over her body, and her earrings... a cute glimmer of green stones... brought the whole look together with effortless grace.She ended the call with a sigh just as the bathroom door behind her opened.Rene stepped out, adjusting the cufflinks on his crisp white shirt. But it was the suit that caught the room.He wore a midnight black tuxedo, tailored to precision... sharp lapels trimmed in a sheen of satin, shoulders squared, waist nipped, the cut hugging his frame like it had been made by hands that knew him well. Beneath the jacket, the subtle gleam of a black silk vest peeked through, layered over a charcoal-gray shirt with the top buttons undone just enough to be daring, but not vulgar. A small silver pin was fixed on his lapel, a
The evening of the party had arrived.Beyond the grand windows of the Rossi estate, the sky bled into twilight, a deep indigo shroud setting the stage for the storm that loomed unseen. The Rossi residence shimmered with golden light, and distant voices echoed in the halls.The party.The celebration no one could stop.In the master bedroom on the top floor, the world was quieter... thicker with tension.Madam Rossi stood before the ornate mirror, a dark sapphire gown hugging her figure like silk. Her hands were at her sides, clenched and still. The diamonds at her ears glinted like ice, and the sharp bones of her face gave her a statue-like elegance. Yet the furrow between her brows betrayed her.Behind her, Mr. Rossi was finishing the final touches. He moved with an eerie calm, slipping the delicate chain of her necklace into place around her neck. His fingers were steady as always. Precise. Cold.“Your hands haven’t aged,” she murmured, watching his reflection. “Even after all these
The dining room was uncomfortably quiet without Maria and Rene.Jason sat at the head of the long table, his hand around a half-filled glass of wine, his eyes dull and unblinking. Layla sat beside him, unusually still, her perfectly styled hair tucked behind one ear, a forced smile frozen on her lips. Juan and Antonio were seated opposite each other, eating calmly but watching everyone else with barely disguised suspicion.No one spoke unless necessary. Only the soft clinking of silverware and the occasional shifting of chairs filled the room. A storm brewed behind every glance, every twitch of a brow, every sip of water. It was the kind of quiet that could split open at the slightest provocation.Abruptly, Layla’s phone buzzed sharply against the table, slicing through the silence. She flinched. Glancing down at the screen, her stomach turned."Dad."She cleared her throat gently, offering a courteous smile to the table.“Excuse me,” she said, her voice smooth, though her fingers gri
Rene tilted his head slightly, the faintest curve of a smile teasing at the corner of his lips. He gave a soft, contemplative hmm, as though the matter were merely an intellectual exercise. The silence dragged, intentionally, until even Madam Rossi’s fork stilled halfway to her mouth.“I must say,” Rene began, voice light, polite, dangerously unbothered, “you make a compelling case, sir. Betrayal, dishonor, public shame… It’s almost Shakespearean.” He set his water glass down with an elegant clink. “But there’s just one problem.”Mr. Rossi’s eyes narrowed to slits.“I didn’t betray anyone,” Rene said, voice sharpening beneath the charm. “I didn’t cheat. I didn’t lie. And I certainly didn’t ask to be used as some sacrificial pawn in your public relations game.”Jason scoffed quietly, just loud enough to be heard. “You act like you’re above the family, like none of this matters to you.”Rene turned his gaze slowly, lazily, toward Jason. “Oh, it matters. Just not the way you want it to.”
The early morning light spilled through the sheer curtains, casting pale gold streaks across the floorboards. Rene stood shirtless before the mirror, the soft scratch of gauze brushing against his ribs as he wrapped the bruises with practiced ease.The muscles in his shoulders twitched slightly at every pull, his face set in quiet concentration. The wound, though shallow, was enough to remind him of the night before... of passion, of pain, and of the call that followed.He barely flinched as he secured the bandage with a strip of medical tape, the sting long dulled. The quiet was broken by a knock on the door.Maria stirred from the bed, tangled in the sheets. Her voice was groggy, but steady. “I’ll get it.”She padded across the room, pulling his shirt over her shoulders, and cracked the door open. One of the younger maids stood there, neatly dressed with her hands clasped in front of her. She dipped into a polite bow.“Good morning, Miss Maria. Your grandfather requests your presenc
Suddenly, Rene rose from the bed, reaching for his belt and unbuckling it. He tossed it aside, then pulled his T-shirt over his head, throwing it across the room as well. His jeans followed quickly after, and when he threw them all aside, his boxer was the only piece left.Rene stared at her for another moment, his eyes flickering down her body. Then, he smiled faintly, a little selflessly, “What now?" Staring down at him, Maria’s breath hitched. Her eyes moved over the bruises on his ribs, the faint marks across his skin. Her hand reached out instinctively, trembling slightly as it hovered near his side.But Rene stepped forward, catching her wrist in his hand and gently lowering it. His touch was warm, patient, but there was finality in it.“Don’t look at me like that,” he murmured, his voice low with a hint of pleading. “Not today.”Maria opened her mouth to protest, but he silenced her with a kiss, soft at first. His lips brushed hers like a question, not a demand. She exhaled ag
Staring ahead, Gunnar reclined on the leather couch in his private office, one ankle resting casually atop his knee, a tumbler of untouched whiskey in one hand. The room was dim, bathed in the warm golden hue of late afternoon light. The only sound was the faint ticking of the antique clock mounted above the fireplace.Across from him, Rene sat stiffly, one arm draped over the couch’s backrest, the other nursing his ribs with deliberate restraint. A thin bruise was forming along his jawline, still fresh from his father’s rage. He wore it like an afterthought, uninterested in pity."Will you tell me who did that?" Gunnar asked, lowering his gaze to the cut."No," Rene said casually.Just then, Gunnar’s phone buzzed on the table between them.He glanced down at the screen, then back at Rene. “Your grandfather-in-law is calling.”Rene smirked faintly, though his eyes remained dull. “Answer it.”Gunnar hesitated only a moment, then tapped the screen. “Okay, boss.”He placed the phone on s