Reluctantly Yours Novels & Stories

“Yes, it’s none of your business…” He said, making Izzy frown. “I told you… But fine, let’s move on… Apology accepted… Sorry too if I ruined your picture frame… And sorry if I still can’t pay back the money I owe you… Yeah, I know it’s impossible to get that much money, I just let my anger take over, but maybe you could extend the deadline a few more months? After all, even if you own this hotel, it’s still not right for you to just barge in…”

I heard her whisper, her voice breaking as she stared at the sight before her. Chloe’s breath left her in a sharp, broken sound. I came up beside her, close enough to feel the fine tremor running through her body. The remote was still warm in my pocket. I didn’t turn it off. We slipped into the restroom, and I locked the door behind us with a soft click. “Please… take it out,” she whispered, voice already shaky. I smiled against her ear. “That depends on how well you behave. Don’t you want to get back at that cheap husband of yours?”

“You’re staying here where it’s safe.” I clenched my jaw. “I’m not asking you for permission. I’m telling you—I’m going.” His lips curved into a sardonic smile as if he found my defiance amusing. “You’re stubborn,” he remarked, taking a step closer to me, his presence overwhelming. “But fine,” he continued with a dismissive wave. “Give it a few days, and I’ll buy a hospital and put it in your name. That way, you can work from here without taking any risks.”

“Sorry, I’m just not used to it.” After speaking, I reluctantly placed my leg back, saying softly, “Sorry to trouble you...”

This sucks, there is literally NO polite way to decline. I held back a sigh, knowing I cannot actually say no. Not to the woman who acted like a parent figure to me while my own aren't around. I have a feeling that she will harbor some sort of resentment if I refused. Besides, at the end of the day, this is still her property. I took a deep breath and responded with as much enthusiasm as I can muster (barely any) “Yeah sure.” He would have passed as a toothpaste model with that smile. It was almost infectious. The landlady sighed with relief.

the words were whispered, a clandestine offer that threatened to disrupt the fragile balance of trust and loyalty. Her response, however, was resolute. "You mean in this pack? Well, I am sorry to announce to you, I do not have interest, I am sorry." Her voice carried a sense of finality, a firm rejection of the clandestine proposal. She was unwavering in her commitment to her partner, unwilling to compromise the bonds that held them together.

Damon said “Nope, not interested” “You can't refuse a gift” Ben said “Relax dude, it's your day today, just have fun, fuck up today then tomorrow you can resume being the icy CEO” I shook my head lifting the glass to my lips” “Fine” “Good then, the chick should be waiting up for you by now, happy birthday” “Fuckers” Damon laughed “ the best you've ever known

I stared at the words, knowing they carried too much heat. I deleted them and began again, this time writing something overly polite, the kind of response that almost sounded like a deferral rather than a refusal. Thank you for your interest. Unfortunately, I cannot commit at this time, but perhaps we can revisit the possibility in the future. I read it back and shook my head. It was dishonest. I did not want to revisit it in the future, not under those terms.

They were really big guys with muscular forms and tall heights. I tapped him on the shoulder, and he turned around. "Hi," I said, smiling. "Hello, Miss Romano. Are you alright?" He asked with a serious face, making my smile falter slightly. "I made these and got some for you and your friend beside you," I said and shoved the container in his hands. "O-oh, thank you, but we can't accept it." He said while trying to hand the container back to me. "I insist. And my name is Jessica. What's your name?"

But she remained silent, her lips pressed into a tight line, her arms still crossed like a shield. The weight of her refusal settled heavily in my chest. She wasn’t going to change her mind. A bitter chuckle escaped me, sharp and humorless. “You really won’t even consider it, will you?” She exhaled sharply, her expression hardening. “Adrian, I already told you—” “I heard you the first damn time,” I cut in, my tone colder than I intended. I shook my head, taking a step back. “I thought maybe, just maybe, you’d at least try to understand. But clearly, I was expecting too much.”