The smell of waffles woke Lorena up. She opened her eyes to see Tanika setting a small table beside her bed."Good morning, my lady." The maid bowed when she noticed Lorena was awake.Lorena rolled her eyes in-between a yawn and a stretch combo. "We're not in the sixties, Tanika. You don't need to bow to me.""Oh." She blushed and bowed her head in wait for Lorena's following command.Shaking her head, Lorena pulled out of the bed into a sitting position. "These smell good." She said, rubbing her hands together, her feet wobbling beneath her."Go on, and take a bite." Tanika urged on happily, with a big smile on her pretty face.Lorena returned her smile and took a massive bite from a piece of the waffle. Her eyes widened as the flavors hit her tongue. She broke into an even wider smile."Tanika?""My lady." "Did you make this yourself?" She asked, taking a more significant bite."Yes, my lady." The happy girl bobbed her head in excitement. She wanted to be on good terms with the futu

"What the fuck is Marcielo doing here?" "Language, Lorena. But to answer your question, I'm not quite sure. I just saw him from afar and was immediately on the lookout for you." "Verona?" Lorena grabbed her sister's shoulder, temporarily forgetting about her aching arm. "I need you to help me out here. If Papa sees anything suspicious, we're both going down." She counted her words carefully."Don't you think I know that? That's why you must tell him to leave before Father sees him.""Lorena?" They both turned around at the same time to see Marcielo standing behind them."I'll leave you two alone," Verona drew closer to her and whispered. "I'll be on the lookout for anyone we know. Make him go away." She turned around, giving Marcielo a smile before walking away.Lorena took a moment to gather her best thoughts before raising her head up to Marcielo."Lady Lorena?" He called in that soft velvet voice of his. So different, terribly different from the thickness of Makris's voice."What

Lorena ensured Makris was deep in sleep before she mustered all her strength to push him off her body. Gently, she rolled off the bed and tiptoed out of the room. Only when she was safe in her room, did she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Now, she was angry."Beg him? Will I beg him to touch me? Who does he think I am? Some pathetic, desperate chic craving his touch? Stupid, stupid bastard!" She thought aloud."He's not even all that. I blame the multiple women that have made him believe he is some catch. My Marcielo is a better man than that asshole!" She landed with a thud on her bed. She crossed her legs and folded her hands tightly. Scrunching her face, she allowed the events of the past twenty-four hours to resurface. Then she got teary-eyed."I hope you're okay, Marci. I do." The suspense was killing her. She unclasped her sweaty palms as a thought struck her mind. She turned around to reach out for her phone on the bed stand, but it wasn't there. She searched

"Can I get a quick bite before I leave, Tanika?" Lorena said, walking into the kitchen. After tossing and turning all night, wondering what precisely sexy bridal meant and why she was getting involved in this at all, she finally concluded that she was doing it for the kids."Good morning, my lady. I made croissants." Tanika replied, already setting the plate."Oh, Tani, you spoil me so well. How come you know how to cook this good." She asked, already salivating.Tanika giggled, loving the shortened version of her name, especially coming from Lorena. "From my grandma. She had both African and Spanish heritage. She taught me everything I know about cooking."Lorena's face grew sad momentarily. It was too bad she didn't know her mother long enough to learn many things. They were also not very close to the other relatives."Are you okay?" Tanika sounded worried, and that made Lorena smile."Of course I'm fine," She hopped on the kitchen slab. "I just remembered something, but it's not im

"Lorena!" Makris called, following behind her, but she ignored him while searching for Tim. She expected to see at least some staff outside, but the places closest to the office she had been left alone with Makris were all empty. She took a turn and bumped into someone."Lorena?" Alonso held on to her. "I got your message. What's wrong?" He asked, brushing her face."Nothing is wrong. Ignore the message. I'm ready for my shoot." She said, stepping out of Alonso's embrace."You are?" Makris said, making the round."You heard me, my darling." She said with a fake smile while also mimicking Laura's voice. His brow raised, giving her a steady look. She shrugged, and her smile increased. If he thought he had figured her out completely, he was a joker. If he only knew she did, Broadway shows as an actress in disguise. Maybe it was time. Markris learned she was not the one to toy with."Very well then, my dear, let's do it." He said, his eyes never leaving her face. To an onlooker, they were