Thanks for reading this chapter :) How do you think Richard is going to try to win over Elena this time? Will he succeed? :P
“It’s your fault, just admit it,” the driver frowned, staring at the bent metal of the car, before looking at the woman whose scooter had slammed into it. “It doesn’t hurt to be a little more cautious while driving, does it?”The woman gasped, taken aback by the words of the middle-aged man. Her perfect brows pinched and a frown formed on her lips. “Are you kidding me? This is clearly your fault.” She was so pissed—so damn pissed. She was already late for her class, and this man—this damn old man—was backing off from lecturing on how to drive. For Angelina, it was simply too early for a lecture, especially when she was already late enough to have to skip her breakfast.And clearly, an empty stomach Angelina was a very cranky Angelina.She took a few breaths before replying, her hands pressing hard on her hips as she tried to calm her anger and not explode at the man. “Sir, my scooter hit your car because you suddenly and illegally switched lanes without notifying or signaling to anyone
Elena was heading towards her car when a black Mercedes rolled up in front of her.Surprised for a moment, it didn’t take her long to recognize the car’s owner.However, before she could say something, the backseat window rolled down and Richard’s familiar face appeared. “May I drop you somewhere?”Elena adjusted the strap of her purse, feeling awkward once again. Perhaps working with her ex wasn’t such a good idea after all. Josh had warned her against it, but she had decided to trust her instincts and signed the movie, mostly because she had instantly fallen in love with the script and knew such stories and opportunities were hard to come by.“I’ve got my car, but thanks.”He nodded, still smiling. “Sure. See you tomorrow at the crew meeting?”“Wouldn’t dare miss it.”“Good.” He nodded once again, spared a lingering glance, put on his dark shades, and instructed his driver to leave.Once Richard’s car was out of sight, Elena sighed deeply.God, she didn’t know how much longer she cou
Elena was ready for bed when her phone chimed, and she reluctantly dragged herself to see whose ass was on fire so late at night. Her eyes widened, and she silently stared when Simon’s name flashed on the screen.A month of not seeing him—at least not for longer than a minute or two—and there she was, suddenly anxious and so damn nervous for her own good. ‘What does he want now?’ she thought, nibbling on her bottom lip, her heart pounding in her chest as if ready to break through.She sighed, not sure what to do. But before the call disconnected, she rushed to answer, cursing herself almost instantly when his deep voice grazed her ear.“And here I thought you were planning to ignore me,” he said, and Elena couldn’t describe the way something stung at the back of her eyes.She didn’t even know why she was being so emotional; it wasn’t as if she missed him or something. Right?She shook her head and sat down on the edge of the bed, fiddling with the hem of her nightdress. “We talked abo
“Not even if it’s my birthday?” Elena paused and stared, her perfect eyebrows rising into her forehead. “Wait. Is that true?”Was it really his birthday? How did she not know about this? Why hadn’t her assistant said anything about it? Then again, one could never be sure with Simon Walsh. He didn’t mind lying if it served his purpose. And right now, half of her mind was refusing to believe if he was being honest for the same reason.He traced a finger down her cheek, stopping only when it reached her chin, and lifted it a bit so now she could see directly into his eyes. “Why would I lie about such a thing?”“Because you’re capable of it?” She wanted to say but bit back her words instead.“I don’t know. Because you’re getting some thrill out of it? Because you’re bored and looking for something to amuse you? Anything is possible with you.”He chuckled, and she once again found herself staring at those luscious lips of his. They were just so goddamn beautiful. And close. “I’m glad to kno
“Oh, it’s real, alright,” he said from behind, his lips spread in a knowing smirk. He joined her at her side and looked at the painting that was made more than a thousand years ago, and she couldn’t believe it was now in his possession.She turned to look at him, her eyes wide. “Where did you find this? How?”He chuckled. “That’s not the only one,” and just as he said that, Elena looked over her shoulder and realized he was right. This place wasn’t just one huge museum, it was a whole art collection.Her breath left her body and she just stood there, trying to wrap her head around the fact that Simon had his own private museum. A museum.She shook her head in disbelief, “I can’t believe you own all of this. This is… I have no words.” Then, her eyes fell on the most beautiful vase, a rare piece that was so old no one was sure of its exact date of origin. “Is this what you wanted me to see? I thought it was something… else,” she had a vague idea of what she had thought this night would b
Elena didn’t know what to say.She bit her lip, stared at her reflection, and couldn’t help but smile.“This is ridiculous,” she chuckled, shaking her head.Behind her, Simon frowned. “Why?”“I feel like a kid,” she said, taking off the crown and holding it in front of her eyes. It was truly beautiful, no doubt about that. She could tell it was not only rare but more precious than everything he owned in the previous room.“What’s wrong with that?” he asked, and Elena found herself momentarily speechless.“Nothing, I guess.”“That’s what I thought,” he smiled, and the two of them returned to put the crown back on the showcase.Elena hummed, looking around the space, suddenly feeling chilled. “So, what do you plan to do with all this? Are you going to open this place to the world someday?”“I don’t know,” he said, and Elena wasn’t sure if he hadn’t actually decided or didn’t want to say.She chose not to press, though. She simply smiled at him, following him out of the room. “So, what’s
“Dance with me?” he asked.They had just finished their meals. The dinner had been amazing.The cake had been even better.Now, the night was coming to an end. The stars were shining brightly in the sky and the moon looked bigger than it usually did. The pool was shimmering as the wind blew over it, and everything about the night looked so peaceful and so romantic that it was hard not to give in.She watched Simon rise from his seat and hold his hand out to her. Elena had no doubt about how beautiful he was in the moonlight.She had always thought of him as the most handsome man she had ever met, but in the dark, his eyes glimmering with so many things she had only ever dreamt of, and the way the wind blew his hair away from his face… there was a sudden vulnerability that made him look almost real.She had already decided that today was his day and she wasn’t going to deny him anything.She placed her hand in his and let him lead her to the pool side.The soft music was now replaced wi
Like any other night in the past, Josh found himself wide awake.Most nights, he spent working in the home office, clearing all the pending work and working on the future ones. But tonight was something different. Tonight was one of those nights when he could neither find the will to work nor the urge to sleep. He just sat there, in the darkness, staring at nothing, like a ghost of a man who once knew how to live.The wooden chair creaked under him as he shifted his weight, leaning forward and letting his face fall in his hands.Then, he looked up and reminded himself that the reason he couldn’t sleep was not because he couldn’t but because he didn’t want to. He didn’t want to give himself the rest. He didn’t want to lose this feeling of emptiness inside him. He didn’t want to forget how it felt to have that one person taken away from him whom he had loved so damn much.Fuck! He was screwed, wasn’t he?He did this to himself. If only he hadn’t been so greedy…perhaps Shelly would have b