OLIVER A week after my father’s funeral and I already have a lot on my table. I would be traveling to Tokyo for a land dispute between one of their big firms and ours. Honestly, I was not even cut out for all of it. I am frustrated and unhappy. What frustrated me more was this fucking interview I had. Searching for a focused assistant was difficult. It reminded me of Ellen. I do not know if I will ever find someone like her. I have questioned five already and they could not even relate to the questions. One even had the gut to tell me the questions were too personal. What was too personal in saying if you believe in love or not? I pressed the intercom for Jerry to send in the next lady and faced the files on my table, not caring to look at whoever came in. A quick knock came on my door before the person allowed herself in. I did not speak to her. “Mr. Moreno?” she called. I wanted to tell her that she was not allowed to speak until I ordered her but once my ey

ELLEN “Ellen.” I stiffened. Oliver’s voice felt like a warm blanket over my body. I recovered quickly. If he was the one, then I had come too far to blow things up. I do not have any explanation to give him. It could not be Oliver. What on earth was Oliver doing here? And why didn’t Lily say anything about him coming here? I was certain he was not the one. But I was also sure he was the one. His voice was unmistakable, and he would be the only one in Tokyo to know me with Ellen. I gasped as he grabbed my arm and spun me around to face him. It was really him. The sight of Oliver took my breath away. Those deep elusive brown eyes gripped me, holding me hostage. I could not even bring myself to look away. Oliver looked tired and restrained, not the man I used to know. Something in his demeanor changed. His jaw was peppered with facial hair, his eyes although confused looked sad and hollow and I felt pity for him. But it did nothing to mar his beauty. H

ELLEN I was off work that morning and I have never been grateful for it because I will have to stay at home and recover from the blow Oliver gave me yesterday when he showed up unannounced. I called up the nanny agency, I needed to get a nanny for Sophie. For all I know, Oliver might be watching me. Nanny arrived and I have her her job description. I will never be with Sophie in public, not until I was sure Oliver was out of town. I lazed about at home throughout the day, watched a K-drama and ate popcorn. My phone rang in the evening waking me up from sleep. I looked at it and saw it was Akira. A pit grew in my stomach. I knew it has something to do with Oliver, but I just hoped it was not. “Hello, Akira,” I said. “Valerie, he came again and offered me some cash to give him your name and address. Listen, no matter how drop dead gorgeous that Italian man looks, you should report him to the police?” Akira spoke Japanese. I did not quite understand all she said

OLIVER She became even more endearing with her resistance. However, I picked up something from the way she blatantly tells me no. She said it so curtly as if she had something to hide. She does not hesitate. Two things were involved. It was either she was not Ellen and was another strong-willed woman who knew what she wanted and did not have to think before rejecting me or she was Ellen hiding behind that face, so I will not find out who she was. I had gone to the manager of her business and collected her address and her name and had worked on it all night. I got all the information I wanted about her, but there was no child, so I decided to follow her up. Something did not match up, and I knew it. I will pester her until she gives in. Going into partnership with Clockwise for information was a bit overboard, but it was worth it. She drew me in, and I found myself getting sexually attracted to her. She has Ellen's body. Even after a child, Ellen had curves i

ELLEN "Leaving so soon?" The smoothness of his voice was striking and the grin on his face made me forget that I was already pissed. He sauntered up to me, still having that grin on his face. "Hello, mi cara." I tried to ignore his musky scent that filled my nostrils just as he moved closer to me. If I stayed, I would not make it easy for him. He cannot come to our date late and act as if nothing happened. "I guess you are done with your 'important' meeting," I said with a fake smile, emphasizing on important to let him understand that I did not appreciate the value he gave to our date. "I am sorry to keep you waiting. It was urgent and unavoidable." Jerry walked up to us. "This is my cue to leave then." "You have done a great job, Jerry. I will see you later," Oliver said to Jerry and turned back to me. "So, Val, what would you like to eat? Are you hungry?" I looked at my wristwatch. "Isn't it quite late for that?" "