Lahat ng Kabanata ng Ruin me, Gently : Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

“You can just call in sick, you know?” Sage stared at me with worried eyes as I grabbed my handbag.​“Staying home would only make me more depressed. So I might as well get busy with some real-life tasks.”​“Everything going on is real?” She said, and I shrugged.​“It makes no sense to cry over spilled milk. I've got to be strong.”​“Just take care and call me if you need anything. I can come pick you up when you close.”​“I’m driving.” I reminded my sister.​“It doesn’t matter. Just stay close to your phone!” Sage pulled me into a hug.​……………………………….​MATTEO.​“I’ll go straight to the point so we both save time. Just name whatever you want as a gift. I’ll make sure you have it. But if you’ve come here to continue from where Mom left off, then I’m glad to inform you that you’re wasting your time.”​“Did you even get any sleep last night?” I paused from pouring myself a cup of coffee to glance at my younger sister.​“What’s bothering you?” Lisa continued to stare at me inten

I should have been shocked that Enrico was discussing this with me, but that wasn’t the case. I was more surprised by how chaotic my life has been over the past couple of days - experiencing things I had never encountered before.“What happened to doing things the right way? So you knew I deserved a promotion and yet you turned a blind eye to all of my hard work?” I challenged Enri.I mean, how was I supposed to be proud of a promotion if it came from these circumstances?“Oh, please, don’t start with that pity talk. I’ll try not to get angry because you’ve never owned a business or been in charge of one.”“Do you think this place would still be up and running if we played by the books?” He threw his hand up in the air, gesturing at the building. “Your salary, bonuses, and all the other benefits - you think they are all because of your collective effort?”My lips were almost moving, but he beat me to it. “And before you accuse me of being irrational, I acknowledge everyone’s hard work

ISABELLE.What the hell was he doing here?I was pulled from my racing thoughts when he drew me closer to him. Then I finally found the courage to look him in the eyes.DonMatteoOr whatever the hell his name was.His tie was gone, and the first two buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a glimpse of his hard chest and the necklace tucked beneath the fabric. The scent of his cologne….. God, it was intoxicating.He kept his arm firmly around my waist as he continued to stare down at me, worry evident in his gorgeous eyes.I felt warm, safe, and —-why did it feel like I’d missed him?“You okay?” His soothing voice interrupted my thoughts.I didn’t know why, but it felt so good to hear genuine concern from someone other than Sage or Heather.“Who the hell is he?” Aurora’s voice snapped me back to reality, dripping with hatred and jealousy.Without thinking, I leaned into Don’s hold, rose onto my tiptoes, and pressed my lips against his.Sparks shot through my entire body as Matt de

ISABELLE.I wanted to scream, but for some reason, it felt like a terrible thing to do in this serene environment. If I did, then it would be only my voice that would be heard, making me seem like a crazy woman.“Let go of me,” I said through gritted teeth as he carried me in, still throwing him glares.Silence.Almost as though I wasn’t talking to anyone.“If you take me in, I’ll file a complaint against you. I’ll show the cops the stupid contract, and you will be arrested and jailed for kidnapping.”I was probably rambling, but hey, I had to fight for my life, right?“My pleasure!” he said with the calmest voice I’d ever heard from him.I was about to lash out at him when a familiar face came into view.I saw him that night at the club.“Shut the door, please,” Matt said to him as he continued to make his way in with me.“You’re taking me into your home against my will. I hope you know what this means?”Silence.“Your men are watching. Aren’t you embarrassed?!” I whisper- yelled as

ISABELLE.Matteo and I stayed locked together for a while, the two of us trying to catch our breaths as the warm water continued to rain down around us. My legs were shaking, and I wasn’t sure I could stand even if Matt put me down.His forehead rested against mine, his eyes closed as he caught his breath. The reality of what we had just done again started creeping in through the post-orgasmic haze.This wasn’t supposed to happen. Not tonight. Not ever, really, considering I’d turned down his ridiculous contract offer.“I should…” he started to say, then stopped. Slowly, carefully, he pulled out of me, and I couldn’t suppress the small sound that escaped.His jaw tightened. “Let me put you down.”Matt lowered my legs until my feet touched the wet floor, but kept his hands on my waist when my knees immediately wobbled. The gesture felt too careful. Too intimate for what this was—whatever this was.“I’m fine,” I said quickly, even though I very clearly wasn’t. I gripped his forearms for