MasukYVONNE'S P.O.VI was excited. So excited that it should have been embarrassing.All my years working at SilverThorn Luxury Group, I had never once attended one of the company's annual employee retreats.There had always been a reason, and that reason had always been Edgar.Whether it was because he suddenly needed me home, because he had made other plans for us that never happened, or simply because he didn't like the idea of me spending two weeks with him on a retreat, somehow I had always ended up declining the invitation.Back then, I had convinced myself it was a sacrifice every wife made. Now, I realized I had simply been shrinking my own world to fit inside his.This year, everything is different. I was free, I am freeFree to be excited over something as simple as a vacation without feeling guilty for it, the thought alone filled me with a childlike giddiness I hadn't felt in years.I smiled as I zipped my suitcase shut before giving it one final, unnecessary inspection.Clothe
CLAYTON'S P.O.VI glanced down at my watch.2:15 p.m.Exactly fifteen minutes had passed since the strategy meeting began, and for the what would be the fifth time, I found myself paying more attention to the ticking hands of my watch than the presentation happening across the conference room. “....Which brings projected fourth-quarter growth to...., Mr Voss?” I looked up at Harrison, the guy handling the presentation, who called lightly when he saw that I was distracted. My eyes moved around the executive table to see everyone staring at me. I narrowed my gaze, and they all turned their heads I cleared my throat, willing myself to endure just a few more minutes of this meeting. “Continue” The presentation resumed, his voice rang out loud, talking about the project we had shifted to the last quarter of the year. I tried to listen, I truly did. I was always one for complete focus, especially during important meetings like thisBut I couldn't concentrate, my mind kept swinging back
YVONNE'S P.O.VA week isn't particularly short.Unless you're responsible for planning the itinerary of a two-week annual employee retreat on a private island, then suddenly, five days feels like five hours or less.SilverThorn Luxury Group had been in a constant state of organized chaos since Monday morning. It's Friday now, but we're still neck-deep in work.“You sure you won't use another cup of coffee? I'm heading to the cafeteria,” Craig offered, balancing a thick stack of folders against his hipsI didn't even bother looking up from the color-coded schedule spread across my desk. “I'm one cup of coffee more from landing in the E.R” Craig laughed “You're making jokes now Yvie, that's good”I felt my lips stretched into a small smile, although the week has been nothing short of hectic, I've been feeling much more...lighter...Happier than everAnd it has everything to do with the rooftop date last weekend Craig shifted the folders onto my already overcrowded desk with a groan. “A
YVONNE'S P.O.VHis gaze searched mine as though trying to memorize every expression crossing my face. He expelled a soft breath“Move in with me, Yvonne.” It wasn't just a request; it was a plea. This man, my boss, my ex-husband's boss, CEO of the biggest luxury Group in the entire freaking world, was asking me to...move in with himMy heart was having palpitations after palpitations “I'm tired of counting the hours until I get to see you.” The navy of his eyes was so bright, with assuredness and clarity, and that other thing that I've been too sacred to nameI shook my head, rubbing a hand over my chest as if I could somehow ease the ache throbbing inside. “Clayton, what are you saying?”His Adam's apple bobbed, a small, self-conscious laugh escaped him “, You know what I'm saying, Yvonne. You just haven't admitted it to yourself yet”My eyes fluttered closed. I tried to breathe in, but my entire body was ablaze. When I opened my eyes, I looked down at the dress I was wearing, the
YVONNE The first bite nearly made me forget how to speak.The buttery lobster practically melted on my tongue, the saffron risotto was somehow richer than anything I have ever tasted, and the wine was like taking a sip of paradise. I closed my eyes in delight, an appreciative sigh slipping out of me before I could stop it “Oh...” I took another bite of my food, and rich flavours, unlike any before, exploded on my taste buds. I've always been one to appreciate a good meal, but forgive me when I say I didn't know food could get this good. This was like food premium or something “Mmm.” My eyes fluttered shut again as I swallowed it all down. I reached for the stem of my wine glass when my eyes caught Mr Voss's over the small table between us. His hands were frozen on his knife and fork, and his eyes were solely fixed on me, as if he had been watching me for a while I gulped instinctively, red patches coating my upper cheek. “What?” I mouthed out the question, feeling my blush deepe
SIXTEEN YEARS AGO: CLAYTON'S P.O.V“I...um...I...really” My words flattered, of course, it did.For once, I couldn't even blame it on my heart; I was getting much better. Dr Harris said the surgery had gone well, and if everything continued like this, I would eventually be able to live a normal life.I feel so much better as the day goes by. I can use the stairs without collapsing, I can run short distances now, Dad even lets me after Uncle Sway pushes him to, of course Most days, breathing didn't feel I was trying to suck air through a straw.But all of that seemed to disappear whenever I came to this library. No... It disappears whenever I'm with Yvonne.She looked up from the gigantic astronomy book resting on her lap. I could bet my favourite comic collection that she doesn't understand most of the words inside it, but she loves the stars, and the book has pictures in it tooHer eyes meet mine, hers are the colour of reddish brown, like... a russet. It's so rare and beautiful, a







