(Caleb's POV)It's been a year and seeing her still makes my heart beat furiously. I wonder how she was doing after a year. But seeing her in front of me, with her dark blue trousers, partnered with a dark blue blazer and plain white v-neck t-shirt, and a high heel, she dressed differently from before. I believe she was doing great with her new family. She really became a Laverde. It should be.I noticed her hair grew longer with side bangs and it suited her, she looks stunning as ever even though her hair was quite messy, she look like she had just woken up, and it shows on her swollen face. Similar countenance whenever I woke up beside he--"G-Good day, Mr. Carter," she coldly responded after a couple of seconds. I can sense how she firmly said my name. Of course, I expected her to be this way, giving me a cold shoulder."You two already knew each other?" Atty. Ford, my lawyer.As this is an important matter for the sake of my company, I have to personally visit the person who bough
(Anastasia's POV)As soon as his car fades away, my eyes felt warm, did not realize that tears starts streaming down my face. I abruptly wiped my tears before my secretary see me in this condition."A-Are you alright, Madam?"I lowered my countenance, "Yes, don't mind me."I control my emotions as I don't want to feel weak in front of my employee. They are never used to seeing me this vulnerable, helpless, and fragile.As we arrived at the company, I immediately bid goodbye to my secretary and headed to my car, parked in a parking lot, a few distances away from my secretary's car.I slammed the door open and slump in the driver's seat, leaning on the steering wheel, weeping silently as his face and figure flashed in my head. I badly miss him.But my heart felt a pang when he called me as if he just met me. He looks so stern, the usual Caleb I've seen whenever his CEO mode is turned on. He treated me as one of his co businessmen, he look at me in a way that he never miss a bit of me,
(Anastasia's POV)I entered the building with a gloomy feeling and low energy. My eyes were still hurt and swollen from crying last night. As my grandfather said, he wanted me to get married to that jerk Charles within this month, which is incredulous and unbelievable.His demands were still echoing inside my head, and it made me frustrated just by visualizing being the wife of that womanizer. How can I deal with these things? The elevator stopped and I drag my feet inside my office, throwing my bag and slumping on the couch while letting out a sigh, continuously."Oh, God!"I ran my hands through my countenance, planning what should I do to prevent the wedding from occurring.My thoughts were disturbed when a knock on the door resonated inside my office.I sigh and fix myself, striding towards my table before I yelled to the person behind the door to come inside. I look up and saw my secretary Mina, walking towards my table while carrying a bunch of documents."Good Morning, Miss."
(Anastasia's POV)Pretending to be busy in front of my laptop while taking a glance every second at the two men, comfortably sitting on the couch on opposite sides. They're talking as if they were in a restaurant, catching up on each other's life, reminiscing the past, not even taking a glance at me.From what I've heard, Caleb and Charles were classmates during college and they were varsity players on a basketball team, alongside Damian.Seeing them, exchanging smiles makes me wonder if they really did get along during that times. But I noticed they were comfortable with each other, proof that they have a brotherhood in the past, together with Damian.I did not intend to interrupt their reunion but a knock on the door resonated inside the room."Come in." Mina came inside with a worried face. "Uhmm..."I stood up. "Is there something wrong, Mina?"She greeted the men on the couch before she strode in my direction. "Madam, Henry is arrived, with the news."I deeply sighed and stood u
(Caleb's POV)After Anastasia pushed me inside the huge cabinet but it was really narrower and smaller inside of it, the room became quiet. I can't see through the doors of the cabinet as it does not have any holes to peek through it.I don't understand why I have to hide from her grandfather. I did not even do wrong to him. We never met in the past. Even though we were in the same elite groups in the business world, I never had a conversation with him, not even a quick chat with him. Maybe because I have never usually been attending an elite VIP party circuit.I have these thoughts that he might have hated me for hurting his granddaughter, Anastasia. I can't blame him for putting hatred towards me. I deserve all of those hatreds.It's been more than 30 minutes, and Anastasia hasn't back. It must be safe now to exit from this cabinet. As I was about to open the cabinet door when the main office door suddenly opened. I was startled by the sudden door creek open, I shut and closed the c
(Anastasia's POV)"I... I'm sorry, Caleb..."---Yes, I decline to come with him.As much as I wanted to be with him... But the situation is a huge problem. I can't leave Mom and Alice, I can't leave my Grandfather in this situation. I want to be with Caleb, whereas Mom and Grandfather, accept Caleb as part of the family, accept my decision to be with him, and accept our relationship wholeheartedly.After that night, Caleb never visit my office again, and it's been a week. It's not that I miss him, I was just disappointed, he had given up that early. I thought he would force me, kidnap me, or take me away from my family.I sigh as I leaned on the headboard of the mattress, my eyes wandering to the window. The sun was climbing out of the deep well of winter, but it was still brutally cold.The cold was like that, seeping through my seven layers of clothing, attacking seams and long coats and spots of thin insulation. The exposed skin on my face felt as if it had been touched with lit ci
(Anastasia's POV)Hearing Charles's side, makes me wonder if his father is cruel than my grandfather. I was terrified that my grandfather would do the same to Caleb if I insisted to be with him. Grandfather could get easily ruin Caleb's reputation but I know that Caleb won't back off, especially, if it involves ruining his business. He is more powerful than Laverde, he is capable of doing something but he has its limit. He would not abuse his power for his agenda.That's how I know Caleb Carter, by the time when I'm with him.Here it goes again... Thinking about him, makes my heart feel a pang.I wanted to see him every day but he should not. I'm trying to avoid him from seeing my grandfather. In that way, Grandfather would not put all his anger on Caleb. Adam explains it to me during my first few days here in Italy. Grandfather despises Caleb that much. I sighed as I strode inside the Walton's Group building. Today, the Laverde had a meeting with the Walton's so I would be meeting C
(Anastasia's POV)"Piazza Duca d'Aosta, 9, 20124."I turned my Porsche to the right corner as I what the GPS said. I was just following the GPS, I realized this is quite near to where I live. It took me almost 30 minutes to arrive at the address that Caleb sent to me from the Walton Company."Excelsior Hotel Gallia. Where are you?" I mumbled under my breath.And then after taking turns, I reached my destination, Excelsior Hotel Gallia. It looks like a hotel, however, it was a restaurant on the first floor.Is he staying here?I jerk off the car and don't forget the sunglasses, striding inside the hotel. Halted at the receptionist, to ask where the Terrazza Gallia was located. As she guided me upstairs, I noticed the stunning views from the terrace. She dropped me off in the Terrazza Gallia and bid goodbye to her. I asked the waiter if there is a reservation for Caleb Carter and he led me to a VIP room.I was in awe of how private this room is, the interior is clean and new. The room i