Início / Romance / My Step-Uncle's Plaything / Capítulo 61 - Capítulo 70

Todos os capítulos de My Step-Uncle's Plaything: Capítulo 61 - Capítulo 70

81 Capítulos

Chapter 61

LanceThe first call came before seven in the morning.I hadn’t even arrived at the office when my phone vibrated on the car dashboard. The Head of Customer Service was calling—something that rarely happened that early unless there was a serious problem.“Sir, we’ve logged twelve complaints in the last forty-eight hours regarding the canned beef steak,” she began immediately. “Same batch number. Customers are reporting a sour smell upon opening, even though the best-before date is still months away.”I didn’t speak right away. I pulled the car over to the side of the road.“Twelve complaints?” I repeated, my tone sharper now. “Same production run?”“Yes, sir. Batch code 23B-17.”My grip on the steering wheel tightened. “Hold distribution immediately. I want a full report on production logs, sterilization records, and storage conditions. Within the hour.”When I arrived at Richardson Foods, I didn’t go to my office. I went straight to the quality control laboratory, where several membe

Chapter 62

AliceIt still feels different every time I go up to Mom’s place—it’s like I return to a lighter version of myself, the one without complicated men, without corporate wars, and without eyes constantly measuring whether I’m enough for the world of people like Lance.I have my own keys and fingerprint on the door lock, so I just opened the door. I was immediately greeted by the smell of sinigang and the familiar laughter of my stepfather watching a documentary in the living room. Mom glanced at me from the kitchen, and her smile instantly widened.“Alice!” she said, her voice full of delight as she wiped her hands on her apron before hugging me. “I’m so glad you dropped by. I thought you were busy again with school and work.”“A little,” I replied, hugging her back. “But I wanted to rest too. And… I missed you.”That was true. I was tired—from classes, from my part-time job at MobTech, and from the emotions I kept trying to steady every day. Lance had been busy these past few weeks—espe

Chapter 63

AliceFor a moment, it felt like the world stopped between us.The kiss I started was supposed to be brief, just a simple admission that I was happy he was there, that I missed him too. But when I felt his slow yet certain response, the rhythm of the night shifted. His hand wrapped around my waist tightened slightly, as if he was afraid I might disappear again if he let go.I closed my eyes and rose higher on my toes to reach him. I felt the warmth of his palm slowly moving up my back, the gentle touch sending shivers across my skin despite the thin fabric of my sleepwear. He wasn’t rushing me. He wasn’t aggressive. But there was depth in every movement, as if each touch carried longing.“Lancy…” I whispered softly between kisses.He paused just enough to look at me. “Hmm?”“It's late,” I murmured. “You need to rest. I can tell that you're drunk and tired too.”“For you, I don't feel anything but love you,” he answered without hesitation.I didn’t know whether it was a warning or an i

Chapter 64

LanceI woke up early, not because of the alarm or work, but because I could feel the warmth of Alice’s body tucked against my chest, her slow breathing brushing against my neck.For a moment, I kept my eyes closed, trying to carve that second into memory—the peaceful look on her face, the way her hair spilled across the pillow, the unconscious way she held onto me even in her sleep.If I could stop time, I would have.But I know, I can’t.Carefully, I eased her arm from around my waist and slowly sat up. I didn’t want to wake her. More than that, I didn’t want Lemuel waking up and finding me here.I slipped out of the room quietly, adjusting my weight with each step to avoid making any sound. I settled in the living room, sitting on the sofa, before leaning back as if I had slept there all night.They can’t know.Not yet.If they find out—especially Annabelle—she won’t take it lightly. Not because she’s cruel. The opposite. She’s protective of Alice. And with everything happening at

Chapter 65

AliceIt’s been two weeks since the night I fell asleep beside Lance, wrapped in his arms, convinced that whatever storm came our way—we would survive it.That night, everything felt simple.His heartbeat under my cheek. His fingers are tracing slow circles against my back. The quiet promise in the way he held me, like he was already choosing me over the world.I thought I was ready for whatever came next, but I was wrong.I was at MobTech’s Marketing Department when the whispers started.It was an ordinary morning. The kind that feels harmless. Presentation slides are half-finished on my screen. A campaign calendar is open in another tab. My coffee was sitting beside my computer, growing cold because I’d already taken too many distracted sips without tasting it.The office hum was normal—keyboards clicking, printers whirring, someone laughing two cubicles away.Then I heard his name.“They said Sir Lance…” one of my department mates whispered, her voice lowered but not low enough. "H

Chapter 66

AliceOn the other end of the line, after I said the word married, silence followed.It wasn’t long.But it was long enough.Long enough for my mind to betray me.In that tiny stretch of quiet, I imagined headlines. Engagement photos. Press releases. His father was standing beside him. Jeraldine is smiling for the cameras.“Alice,” Lance finally said, his voice low and controlled. “Don’t think about what you’re hearing.”I closed my eyes.It was so easy for him to say that.“Lance…” I replied softly. “This isn’t just simple gossip. There’s an article. A blind item. People are talking about it in the office.”I heard him exhale slowly, as if steadying himself before choosing his words carefully.“I know where that’s coming from,” he said. “And I’m handling it.”Handling it.I wanted to hold onto those two words.But they felt… distant.“Handling it how?” I asked before I could stop myself. My voice wasn’t angry, but scared.There was another pause, shorter this time but heavy.“I’m doi

Chapter 67

AliceA week passed, and during those seven days, I made a conscious decision not to let the noise of the world dictate my peace. I chose to believe Lance.Not just because he said the right words. Not just because I wanted to.But because I know him.And if there was one thing our relationship had taught me, it was this: not every battle needs to be fought with panic. Some battles are fought quietly—with trust, especially in a situation like ours.So that’s what I held on to.“Girl, if we don’t finish this thesis draft soon, we'll submit a blank,” Shirley complained as we walked toward the library.I laughed. “You? Submitting blank? You’re literally top of the class.”“Top of the class but exhausted,” she shot back. “It’s our last semester, Alice. Last semester.”I smiled at that.Last semester.In a few months, we’d graduate. College life would be over. No more hiding behind the excuse of exams to justify sleepless nights—especially not when your boyfriend is a CEO constantly dealin

Chapter 68

AliceWhen I got back to the apartment, I felt different. Not confused or insecure. I’m feeling controlled and grounded.I turned on the kitchen lights and headed straight to the fridge. As I took out the ingredients for adobo, his message replayed in my mind.'Wear something that makes me forget my last name.'I smiled to myself before grabbing my phone and starting typing.Me: I’m at the apartment.His reply came almost instantly.Lance: Are you trying to distract me from corporate warfare, Miss Marketing?Me: Maybe. Is it working?Lance: Very. What kind of wine?Me: Red. Strong. Like you when you’re stubborn.Lance: Careful. I might show up earlier than 8.I shook my head, setting the phone down.As I cooked the adobo—my favorite, and secretly his too, even if he never admitted it—I paid attention to every detail. A little brown sugar for a hint of sweetness. Extra garlic because he liked it rich and bold. I let it simmer slowly, allowing the meat to soften and the sauce to thicken

Chapter 69

AliceI woke up to the smell of bacon. This has never happened before, as I always prepare my meals since I live alone. I didn’t open my eyes right away and first felt the cool emptiness of the bed beside me—Lance was already gone—and the faint ache in my body, a sweet reminder of what happened last night.A slow smile curved on my lips before I finally sat up. I feel like singing, knowing who could be the one busying himself in the kitchen.Oh, I can't wait to have a morning like this.From the bedroom, I could hear the soft clatter of a pan and the click of the stove. The door was slightly open. I glanced at myself in the mirror. My hair was still messy, my skin marked with faint traces of his kisses along my neck and shoulders.I didn’t cover them and let them stay before I slipped into Lance's oversized shirt, which I took from his condo before. It reached mid-thigh.Nothing else underneath.When I stepped out of the bedroom, the sight in front of me made my lips curl instantly.L

Chapter 70

Alice“How long has this been going on?” Mom asked, her eyes locked directly on mine. Lance had just sat down beside me after he got dressed.“Mom, please—” I started.“Answer me, Alice.”I took a deep breath.“Months.”Lance was the one who answered.I turned to look at him. Months? Did that mean he was including even the very beginning—our first meeting?“Months?” Mom repeated, her voice rising. “And you didn’t even think to tell me?”“We didn’t want everything to become chaotic,” Lance replied, still calm. “We were waiting for the right time.”“The right time?” My mother let out a short laugh, but there was no amusement in it. “You’re taking advantage of my daughter—”“Mom!” My voice rose despite myself. “It’s not like that.”“Isn’t it?” she shot back. “Alice, do you even understand the position he’s in? Do you know how complicated everything is? His brother is my husband,” she added sharply.“Honey,” Uncle Lemuel cut in gently, “let’s calm down.”“Calm down?” She turned to him. “Y

ANTERIOR

...

PRÓXIMO

ESCANEIE O CÓDIGO PARA LER NO APP

DMCA.com Protection Status