Vanessa Carlysle Novels & Stories

’ ‘Who—’ He glanced up, and the glee vanished. Vanessa stepped through the entrance, wearing an all-white suit that made her look like a ghost. Her blonde hair was scraped back, her skin pale enough to make an undertaker proud, and—because subtlety was never her strong suit—there was a bloodstained bandage wrapped around her left wrist. Well. That answered the question of whether my social media post had worked. ‘Christ,’ Cary muttered beside me. His entire body stiffened. ‘What the hell is she doing here?’

She hadn't expected that the Vano Carlos referred to was her senior in college. Chelsea distinctly remembered how nerdy Vano was. The girl contacted Indri again, unable to hide her surprise. "Indri, I can't bear the thought of seducing Carlos's son," Chelsea complained. Biting her lower lip, she tried to find the right words to convey the news. "Why? Is he not attractive? Or..." "He's Vano Wijaya, our senior in college," Chelsea interrupted before Indri could ramble. "W-what...? Vano Wijaya? That nerd? Oh..."

I was gathering my things when I spotted him across the room, greeting someone who’d just walked in. Vanessa. She was still in her shoot outfit—something sparkly and silver—and her hair was curled in perfect waves. I remembered hearing she had done her session earlier in the day. Xavier walked toward her with that easy smile I hadn’t seen all afternoon, and my stomach twisted. “Congrats,” I heard him say as I slowly zipped my bag. “I heard you’re representing Liverpool for Miss England.” She laughed, brushing a hand over her hair. “Thanks! And you’ve got Manchester’s very own right here,” she said, nodding in my direction.

“What a surprise.” I turn. She’s tall. Elegant in a way that looks effortless. Dark hair swept into a perfect chignon, burgundy dress, early thirties. Striking rather than pretty, the kind of woman who owns every room. And she’s looking at Adrian like she has every right to. “Vanessa.” Adrian’s voice is professionally neutral. Not cold, not warm. So this is Vanessa Hale. She air kisses his cheek, then turns those dark eyes on me. “And this must be Zara.” Her smile is flawless. Genuinely warm. “I’ve been looking forward to this.”

“Vanessa Thomas is not the kind of girl you can play games with, Nash. In all honesty, I think you fucked up when you picked her. She will be your downfall.” He wasn’t wrong. I had no doubt that she would be my downfall. However, the moment that she walked into JD’s bar last night, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was like a dark goddess walking into my life with the sole intent to drive a bullet through my heart. Her dark wash jeans hugged her curves in all the right places, and the way her thick breasts spilled out of her acid-wash tank top made my balls clench with desire.

“I could be.” “Awww,” Vanessa leaned over and hugged me. “No, you couldn’t, sweetie. Not now. Hang around me a little longer and I will teach you but you’re not ready yet, my sweet little innocent apprentice.” We walked out and Vanessa walked up to the door of this absolutely gorgeous white Camaro and opened it. I had seen it in the parking lot but never put two and two together. “Oh my God, Vanessa! This is your car!” She grinned. “Yep, hop in! It was a present from my mom and dad for my sixteenth birthday. It’s a 2018 model SS Coupe. She’s my baby and her name is Dolly.”

He nodded, heading back to mix what I hoped would be strong enough to make this night more bearable. As I waited for my drink, a sharp, high-pitched laugh cut through the background music. Oh God, please, let this not be who I think it is. But of course, because my night wasn’t bad enough, the universe answered with the one voice I prayed never to hear again. “Well, well… Kayla Williams. Drinking alone? Where is your husband?” The voice belonged to none other than Vanessa Crest. Her name alone made my spine stiffen. She slid beside me with the confidence of someone who knew she could have the world at her feet, and she could.

“Really?” He nodded. “Come meet her.” I followed Noah into the living room, where a tall, athletic-looking woman stood, her arms crossed. She had jet-black hair tied in a sleek ponytail, piercing green eyes, and an air of confidence that screamed ‘don’t mess with me.’ “This is Vanessa,” Noah introduced. “She’s ex-military and comes highly recommended.” Vanessa extended her hand. “Nice to meet you, Isabella.” I shook it, feeling the firmness of her grip. “Nice to meet you too.”

“Rough night?” Amara stiffened. “What do you want?” “To congratulate you.” Vanessa’s smile was razor-thin. “You survived the gala. Not everyone does.” Amara’s hands tightened on the doorframe. “Why are you really here?” “Because I enjoy watching people flail,” Vanessa admitted. She tilted her glass, the wine catching the dim light. “You think you’re holding your ground. Admirable. But you don’t see the whole board, little café girl. Caroline’s return isn’t an accident. And Damian?” She leaned in closer, her perfume heady. “Damian is many things, but he is not merciful.”

I breath out. They all stay silent. I see a look of recognition flash through Cristian's eyes. I cock my head in confusion. He catches my gaze and right as he's about to say something, a larger, older woman came over to us. "Hi I'm Sylvia, I'll be taking care of you today. What can I get for you?" She greets us happily.