Gerard had grown increasingly impatient with each passing minute. His fingers drummed a staccato rhythm against the armrest of the luxurious lounge chair, the heavy atmosphere of the VIP room feeling stifling. His steely black eyes, accustomed to assessing situations and individuals with cold precision, pierced through the dense shroud of cigarette smoke that hung like a ghostly veil.In that dimly lit enclave of the exclusive club, North and William exchanged anxious glances. They knew all too well the tempestuous nature of their employer, and the prospect of incurring his wrath for tardiness was a prospect neither relished."Look at him," William muttered, barely audible above the sultry jazz music that filled the room. He inclined his head subtly toward Gerard, who had abruptly risen from his seat, a determined urgency in his gait as he strode toward the exit.North followed Gerard's path with a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. They could not afford any delay, especially
Amelie's eyelids fluttered open, greeted by the soft rays of the morning sun seeping through her bedroom curtains. She sighed, feeling a bit better after a long and emotionally draining night. A sense of determination welled up within her. She needed something to lift her spirits, to pull her out of the abyss of despair that had become her life.With that thought in mind, she reached for her phone and dialed her best friend's number. Ella, her ever-supportive confidante, answered after a couple of rings."Hey, Ella," Amelie greeted, her voice still bearing the slight strain from the previous night's ordeal."Ella here. How are you holding up, Amelie?" Concern laced Ella's words, a testament to their deep and enduring friendship."I'm doing a little better," Amelie replied, trying to sound more optimistic than she felt. "But I can't just stay cooped up here. I need something to distract myself. How about we go to that piano store we've been talking about for ages?"Ella agreed wholehea
The Senator's sleek black car glided to a stop in front of his opulent residence. The sun was descending, casting long shadows across the grand entrance. As the driver opened the car door, the Senator stepped out with an air of authority. He approached the imposing main door, his thoughts consumed by the recent deal with Mr. Huxley.Just as he reached for the doorknob, the door swung open from within, and he collided with Ella, Amelie's loyal friend. "Sorry, sir, I didn't see you coming," she stammered, visibly flustered.The Senator offered her a reassuring smile as he placed a calming hand on her shoulder. "No need to apologize, Ella. It's not your fault."Ella breathed a sigh of relief, her respect for the Senator evident in her eyes. "It's good you're here, sir. I actually have something to attend to at home, so I had to leave.""Ah, I see," the Senator acknowledged. "Well, you can go. I'm already home, and I'll look after Amelie. And thank you for always being there for my wife,
Amelie's heart raced as she heard Gerard's voice and recognized the familiar scent of the perfume she had once gifted him on his birthday. Her initial shock quickly turned into a tumultuous blend of anger, confusion, and resentment. What did he want from her now? She despised him for what he had done to her, for the pain he had caused. In her eyes, he had become nothing more than a wealthy Casanova, willing to pay for the pleasures of the flesh.But she had decided to go through with this meeting, not out of desire, but as a way to assert control over a man who had hurt her deeply. In an audacious move, Amelie turned around and maneuvered her hands from Gerard's hips, moving upward until she reached his groin. With an unwavering resolve, she squeezed, causing Gerard to gasp and moan in both surprise and desire.Caught off guard, Gerard grappled with his emotions, torn between stopping her and indulging in this forbidden moment with his long-lost Ivy. Conflicting thoughts raced through
Nathan sat in his dimly lit apartment, the soft glow of his computer screen casting a faint light on his face. He had been tirelessly searching the internet for any information that could link Amelie Morgan, formerly known as Amelie White, to his long-lost sister, Yvette. The screen displayed details of Amelie's life: her birthplace, her parents, and how she had come to be the wife of Senator Morgan.Yet, as Nathan read through the information, he couldn't find any connection between Amelie and his sister Yvette. It was frustrating. He had been searching for Yvette for years, and each lead had led to a dead end. This one seemed no different.His tired eyes scanned the words on the screen. It all seemed too perfect, too neatly tied together. Amelie's parents saving the senator, her parents' tragic death, and her subsequent marriage to him – it sounded like something out of a storybook, and Nathan couldn't help but wonder if it was too good to be true.With a sigh, he considered closing
Gerard's grip on Amelie's shoulder remained firm as he sought answers, his concern unwavering. His persistence made Ivy push him away, her voice laced with irritation, "Let go of me, what more do you want again?""I don't want anything, Mrs. Amelie," Gerard replied softly. "I just want to make sure you're fine before you leave for your home."Amelie's response dripped with sarcasm, "It's not as if you cared. Anyway, I'm fine. Just let me leave."Gerard was undeterred by her attitude and continued his inquiry, mentioning the maid's words about helping with her bruises. Amelie fell silent, unsure of how to explain.Gerard urged her to answer, holding her once more, and inadvertently touching a bruised spot on her body. Amelie winced in pain and cried out, "Ouch! You're hurting me!"He immediately released her, his remorse evident in his voice, "I was right after all. You're hurt. Did I hurt you last night? I'm really sorry if I did."Amelie remained silent, her thoughts clouded with the
“So, do you prefer to be called Ellie or Ella?” Nathan asked the breathtaking woman seated in his front passenger seat.“Either one is fine,” Ella waved her hand dismissively.“Ella it is, then,” Nathan decided with a smile.As he drove Ella home along the city's vibrant streets, a lively conversation unfolded.“I still can’t believe someone as young as you can become the CEO of the number one group in Esmea. You are truly a capable businessman, Sir,” Ella couldn’t stop praising him.Ella's praise warmed Nathan's heart. "Nathan, not ‘Sir’,” he reminded her for the umpteenth time. “And stop flattering me, Ella. I'm just trying my best," he modestly replied, although secretly pleased. It wasn't every day that he found himself engaged in such a lively conversation with a lady, but there was something captivating about her.Nathan's curiosity got the best of him. "So, how did you get to meet the Senator and his wife?" he asked, with a hidden motive to learn more about Amelie.Ella hesitat
Amelie lay on her bed, her voice trembling as she answered Ella's call."Hello," she said."Ella," she continued, "I'm not doing well. I need to talk."Ella, on the other end of the line, listened intently, offering her a shoulder to lean on."Amelie," Ella's voice was filled with concern. "What's going on? You sound so distressed. Are you okay?"Amelie hesitated for a moment. She wanted to tell Ella everything, to share her pain, but the fear of the Senator's wrath held her back. Instead, she decided to confide in her friend about something less revealing."I'm just going through a tough time," Amelie said, her voice quivering. "It's nothing major, really."Ella's voice was warm and reassuring. "You don't have to hide anything from me, Amelie. I'm here for you, no matter what. If you ever need someone to talk to, I'll be right by your side."Tears welled up in Amelie's eyes as she realized how lucky she was to have a friend like Ella. She knew she couldn't share the darkest aspects o