NATASHA
"This is crazy, Nat," my sister confronted me when I told her about my plan, causing her to momentarily freak out.Tossing the bouquet on the table, I couldn't help but agree. "I know," I replied.I didn't want to stress her out, especially considering her delicate pregnancy. It wasn't healthy, and I felt guilty for adding to her worries."If they find out about this, you're dead," she exclaimed. "And if they knew that I'm tolerating you and your plan, I'm dead."Placing her palm over her chest, she looked at me as if I had committed an unforgivable act.Taking a long, deep breath, I faced my sister. "Mom and Dad know that we had a fight the other day. Just tell them you haven't spoken to me since then."She looked at me with bored eyes, as if I had become a demon sitting on her shoulder, asking her to lie. But deep down, I knew she wouldn't let me down."If it slipped your mind, let me remind you that we're both terrible liars," she retorted, and she had a point."Please, Laura. Do it for me," I begged. "I don't want to marry a stranger. You said it yourself. You heard how bad he is for anyone."She closed her eyes and held her belly that carried her second child. Pacing back and forth, I knew she wouldn't let me down."I shouldn't have told you about that.""We've heard it from everyone, Laura. Michael Montero isn't reliable. He only agreed to this because of his inheritance."Cracking my knuckles out of nervousness, I audibly swallowed.Many people have said it. He changes women like he changes clothes. He sleeps with five women a day. I... I don't want to be with a man like him."We don't know that, Nat. Rumors are just rumors. There's a possibility that it's not even true.""But there's always a chance that it might be true.""Let's not judge him just yet.""And regret everything in the end? No, Laura. I would rather marry a poor man than a rich asshole who lives a lavish lifestyle.""You haven't seen him. We don't know what he looks like, how he talks, or how he treats people. Maybe he's a decent guy?"Begging with my eyes, I shook my head. "Laura, please, I can't.""Nat, I..." She held her head and sighed."You're the only one I can count on." Almost tearing up, I would have seriously knelt before her if I had to. "Mom and Dad won't listen to me.""Alright."Lighting up a candle, I held onto the hope that she was hinting at me."The ceremony will start in less than an hour, and the guests are filling up the venue." Walking to the window, she peeked outside. "And I heard from Dad earlier that the groom's family has already arrived.""Should I hail a cab?""No, it'll be too obvious." She shook her head and handed me her keys. "Take my car. It's in the parking lot.""Okay, what do I do next?"Laura turned her head to me and said, "I suggest you start by changing your clothes."Pulling out a pair of jeans and a simple tee, I struggled to take off the heavy gown and change while Laura pondered something."Okay, I need you to listen to me."As I wiped the makeup off my face, I stood in front of her."Once you leave..." she trailed off."I know what could happen," I foreshadowed. "Out of everyone around me, you're the only one who knows who I truly am.""Nat...""And you know how suffocated I've felt my whole life. I need them to let me go."Enveloping me in a hug, I closed my eyes and returned it. "I understand you, little sis. I do."Pulling away, I could see her eyes turning glassy as she stared at me."Just promise me that you'll be okay."Never had I ever defied my parents' orders, and yet the time had come for me to decide for myself.I stumbled my way to the back of the venue, hiding my face with a baseball cap while keeping my head down."Where the hell is Michael?!"A woman's voice echoed through the hallway, causing me to jump. I knew exactly who owned that voice. It was Mrs. Montero, and her aggressive nature was all too familiar.Hiding behind a corner, I peeked and saw her dressed in pastel, her distress evident and a frown etched on her face."He said he's on his way," the girl by her side replied. "He said he got caught in traffic.""Could you shed some light on his whereabouts last night?""I believe he was... well, in his usual place?"As they walked past my hiding spot, Mrs. Montero let out a loud groan of frustration."He should stop acting like a bachelor. He's getting married for Christ sake!" she exclaimed. "Keep an eye on him, and tell me immediately if you catch him with other women again, got it?""Yes, ma'am."Scoffing, I knew it. That man consistently exhibited unfavorable behavior."Glad to know I'm making the right choice," I told myself before blending in with the people filling the venue.Passing by the open parking space, I let out a sigh of relief as I reached the outside.Looking back, I just wished that our business would thrive even without me.I feared that I may never be able to make up for leaving my loved ones behind. Whatever financial issues they had, I was sure they would find another way to fix it.Just not through me."Gah!" I blurted out as I bumped into a wall- a wall in the middle of the pathway?"Whoa! Watch it," a smoky, baritone voice spoke. "You okay?"My hands were on his pecs as his hands rested on my hips. Our bodies were pressed against each other, with no gaps in between. I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between my softness and his hard muscles.When I lifted my head, I saw a man blessed with perfection.His disheveled brown hair perfectly complements the shape of his face, accentuating his chiseled jawline, perfectly aligned eyebrows, and tall nose. His captivating dark, yet slightly grayish eyes have the ability to penetrate my soul, and I would gladly welcome him.He casually dons his suit, but there's an air of confidence and allure about him. To put it bluntly, he looks like he just fucked someone.When he noticed my stare, he chuckled."I'm sorry," I stammered and jumped back.Hurriedly, I took the other way."Hey, miss!" he called.As soon as I heard him call my name, my body froze. I hesitantly looked over my shoulder and saw him approaching me.The wind tousled his dark hair, giving him a slightly disheveled appearance.Raising my pink glittery wallet, he held a charming smile. "I think you dropped this.""Thanks." Snatching it from his hands, our skin touched, and I felt a tickling sensation that shook my whole body.Stupid hormones."Have we met before?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.Immediately, I shook my head. "You've mistaken me for someone," I replied before leaving without looking back.My heart raced, and my mind replayed the image of that man looking into my eyes, smiling at me.He's incredibly handsome."Shut up, Natasha, and just get the hell out of here."As I beeped Laura's car, ready to get in, my eyes unknowingly landed on the gazebo.There, my mother stood, disappointment, worry, and sadness etched on her face."I'm so sorry, Mom," I whispered before I revved the car and drove away from that place.MICHAEL"Congratulations to the man who just got canceled. This toast is for you, Michael Montero," their cheers filled my ears, drowning out the loud thumping music from the club's speakers.That disastrous wedding ended far too early. My bride vanished, along with the money I was promised."I was planning on asking how your honeymoon would go, but then..." they jeered at me.My cousin, Aaron, nudged my shoulder, causing me to spill my drink on the floor."Hey!""Man, you could've hit the jackpot," he hissed.Raising my eyebrows, I made a face. "Jackpot? Have you seen the bitch for you to say that?" I scoffed. "She's only 18 years old, clearly immature."The twins, Cole and Enzo, burst into laughter while Aaron seemed confident in his choice of words to describe my supposed bride."You talk like you never had a red mountain on the top of your nose when we were in high school," teased Enzo, which Cole wheezed about."Can you not remind me of that nightmare?"Aaron pulled out his phone
NATASHAAs the rain poured down heavily in the middle of summer, the night sky was shrouded in thick clouds, and the thunder rumbled ominously.Flipping the sign from OPEN to CLOSE, I untied my apron and placed it in my locker."Here's your wage for today," Doris handed me the fruits of my hard work, not even bothering to put it in an envelope. "After tax, and deducting the daily installment pay for your rent."Doris, my boss at the diner where I had been working since I fled the city, also happened to be the landlady of the apartment I sought refuge in."Thanks, Doris.""Don't thank me," her snobbish face and strong voice made her seem like a terror witch, but in reality, she had a heart of gold. "You earned it."She gave me a wide smile and shooed me out of her diner."Watch out for the dark corners, you know how dangerous this place can be at night, especially when you're as pretty as you are."Shaking my head, I brushed off that thought."See you tomorrow!" I waved my hand at her b
MICHAEL"You were supposed to call me the moment you found her!" Aaron yelled at me through the phone. I couldn't help but remind him that I was two years older than him."So, did you?" he asked impatiently.Rolling my eyes, I leaned on the banister of the balcony and glanced inside the hotel room."Yes, I did.""Great! So, how was it?""I fucking found her right before those three fucking pigs could molest her in a dark alley," I replied, my voice dripping with scorn."What?!""She was in shock last night," I explained. "I couldn't talk to her.""How is she now? Is she okay?""Of course, goddamn it, she's fine," I snapped, unable to contain my irritation. "She's with me.""And?""I want to get back at those motherfucking pigs.""Whoa, whoa, hold on. I thought you said you planned to take her with you and get your money. Where is all this madness coming from?"That's the question. That's the fucking question.Why am I so enraged?People may label me a monster due to my obsession with m
NATASHA I had a rough night, but I was also blessed with good sight. "Mike," I whispered his name, feeling a flush on my cheeks. Biting my lower lip, I reminisced about his face - the way he looked at me, the way he smiled. He's my savior, and I should be more grateful. I want to offer him something to thank him properly. But what should I do? Maybe I could give him an apple as a token of appreciation. No, that's not enough. I gave him the longest kiss I could offer. And his lips tasted nice and soft. I feel like I want to kiss him more. Is that wrong? "You weren't in your apartment last night, you clocked in late, and now you're spacing out, smiling like an idiot. What's with you?" Doris had her right hand on her hips, while the other held a stack of receipts. "Sorry," I forced a toothy grin, and she shook her head. "Table nine, that cute guy specifically asked for the waitress named 'Tasha' to take his order." My eyes immediately searched for the table and found the appeali
MICHAEL"Someone's gonna get laid tonight," Cole teased while sitting on one of the boxes they delivered to my cheap rented apartment.Throwing him daggers, the bastard only laughed at my face. "If you're not going to say something necessary, you can get out of my place."Raspberry, Cole stretched to his side to reach the neatly folded clothes Tasha left and smelled them. Perv."Hey, hands off."Chortling like Santa Claus, he wiggled the skirt while making weird noises only a lunatic makes."Hey, Cole, if you're not going to help me with this couch, I'm gonna have your face shoved in Aaron's anus." His twin threw his shoes right at his face."What the--" Pointing his finger at Enzo, he lazily stood up and tossed the skirt at me. "Mr. Possessive is being sensitive whenever we talk about his 'the one that ran away'.""Bet he would," Aaron snickered while pushing the new cabinet flat against the newly painted wall. "Who wouldn't get cranky after being celibate for months?"Enzo laughed h
NATASHAArriving at my flat, I couldn't help but beam. I was overjoyed to have spent an entire day with a charming man like Mike."Here we are," he announced as he pulled his car to a stop. "Back home, safe and sound."I knew it was my cue to leave, but a part of me didn't want to.Turning to look at him, I was met with his incredibly handsome face. How could a man be so perfect?"Thank you, Mike," I said in a soft voice, clutching my bag and tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "I've never felt so liberated in my entire life.""I'm glad I could make you happy," he replied, his voice naturally seductive. I could listen to him all day and never tire of it.He was charming and flirtatious, albeit a bit quirky at times. His gaze made me self-conscious, but oddly, I enjoyed the attention he gave me."Just a friendly reminder, don't walk down that alley again. It's dangerous," he advised, referring to the incident from the other night."I wouldn't want a repeat of that," I agreed, my ga
MICHAELA kiss was all she asked for, but damn, she wanted more.Her body fit perfectly in my arms. Hell, her waist was so good to hold. I'd love to hold it while guiding her as she rode me."Oh, Mike..." she whimpered as I sipped at the skin of her neck.She smelled so good, and the soft noises she made sounded like thousands of angels singing in my ears, as if the gates of heaven were beginning to open."Do you really want this?" I asked, seeking assurance.I never asked the women I bed if they were sure about what would happen next. They were always the ones to initiate the battle in bed. But right now, what has gotten into me?There's nothing sweet about me. I kiss rough, I fuck hard."Yes," she breathed.Running my fingers through her yellow hair, I lightly tugged it to gain better access to her neck, savoring the growing fetish I had for her.Damn, I wanted to leave marks on every inch of her skin. I wanted to claim her. I wanted to have her.Setting her on the counter, our eyes
NATASHAI feel like I'm in heaven. Or, more accurately, he's the one leading me there.My skin is exposed to the night, and I should be feeling the chill. Yet, his tender caresses generate such warmth that I can't help but perspire.Although I'm lying in bed, he leaves me gasping for breath."Mike..." His name escapes my lips as a knot of anticipation forms in my stomach.Tonight, every sensation is a revelation. It's an exhilarating experience I never imagined I'd encounter.My hand finds its way to the back of his head while my hips instinctively respond to the tantalizing movements of his tongue exploring my intimate area.I feel like I'm scaling a towering mountain solo, and I can already glimpse the summit.As I grip and tug at the sheets, my eyes roll back, overwhelmed by the waves of pleasure electrifying every nerve in my body.A swarm of butterflies takes flight in my stomach. Stars twinkle behind my tightly shut eyelids as I ascend to the clouds. My legs tremble with satisfa