"Anna, I'm sorry, but closing this deal will take over a month. Maybe I can help you pay the rent at your boss's place?" Macy, Anna's friend, said on the phone, describing the conditions of her business trip. "Or, I can send you money for the hotel. What do you think?" Anna was at Ryan's condo, cooking dinner on a Monday evening. Anna was about to serve the table when Macy updated her on her work status. Macy was the same friend Anna hoped to share an apartment with, the same one who lived in Appleton Suites, but with her gone, Anna's only option was to stay in a hotel temporarily. The problem was she did not have enough money. So, when the offer to stay with Ryan came to Anna, she took it, regardless of how little she knew about the executive assistant to the Thompson Group of Companies CEO. "Um," Anna bit her lip, thinking. The discounted rate Ryan could give her for the hotel room was a hundred dollars per night, which was very generous, considering the Diamond Hotel was a lux

Lily's eyes lit up when Shauna called and asked about pregnancy symptoms. She screamed at the top of her lungs, "Oh, my god! Oh, my god, Shauna, congratulations! I can't believe it! You are -" "That's the thing! I don't think I am pregnant. The other day, I thought that my breast was swollen, and I have been feeling tired lately, but when I took a pregnancy test this afternoon, it was negative," Shauna responded on the phone, sounding woeful. Then, the next thing Lily heard was Shauna's sobbing. Shauna whispered her fears, "What if I'm barren? What if I'll never have a child with Axel's good looks? Then, Axel would leave me and -" "Haha!" Lily laughed her heart out. She was so amused at Shauna that her eyes watered. She said, "Shauna, Axel won't leave you. He loves you! Stop that. You are getting married! You are a little too dramatic, don't you think?" "Look, I did not get pregnant right away. It took Lucas and me a few tries before I got pregnant. Take your time. Enjoy your tim

"Come on, Aiden. Let's go get your mommy," Lucas said as he walked to the lift with Ryan, Axel, and his parents. "Coming, Dad!" Aiden responded while chasing after Lucas. Lily had texted Lucas that she and Shauna had gone to Ryan's condo with Anna. His assistant had miraculously accepted a female housemate, and the same had easily become friends with Lily and Shauna. They walked past Axel's condo first, and the latter let Abner and Martha in before they all made it to Ryan's flat. When they all entered Ryan's home, Lucas' brows drew together. Lucas stood by the living room, noticing the apparent changes to Ryan's abode. Ryan's previously black throw pillows were now covered in blue-green. He had a vase and a flower in the living room, and his curtains were also in the same shade as the throw pillows. "Sir, would you like some coffee? I have some Brazilian coffee beans," Ryan offered. "Would love some cappuccino," Lucas said. "Can you call my wife for me too?" "Here! Here!

Ryan and Anna had brunch at the Diamond Hotel's main restaurant. After leaving their rooms, they were mostly silent, as if deciding what to say to each other next. Anna had to admit Ryan's admission that he liked her made things different. They were being cautious of each other's presence. Eventually, Ryan broke the ice. He laughed and said, "This is part of my plan. I would flirt with you, but I'd rather seduce you with my awkwardness." Anna froze. Then, she laughed her heart out. She replied, "This is an entirely different side of you. You've always been so serious." Ryan smiled. He wiped his lips with a table napkin and said, "This is me trying." Anna studied Ryan's face. She liked the lines on the corners of his mouth when he smiled. It looked almost like dimples. Ryan always looked neat. He often styled his blond hair. But today, unlike his usual suit and tie, Ryan wore a grey shirt and dark jacket, which still made him look good. It hid his muscles well, but that was oka

Since the storm had hit Rose Hills, Anna and Ryan had spent their days cooking their meals together, visiting Axel's parents, and mostly, cuddling in the living room and watching the rain. In the past few days, Ryan has not missed showing off his abs, and Anna swears he looks gorgeous. How she wished she could touch his broad chest and chiseled stomach. Ryan had always worked out in the gym, but now that the hotel was conserving energy, the gym and other facilities were temporarily closed. Anna saw him do his pushups in the living room the other day. Yep, she saw him half-naked again, his sweat tracing his muscles and his long legs stretched on the carpeted floor. It was the second time Anna concluded that Ryan was definitely yummy. Quite a few times, they had shared a kiss. She and Ryan had kissed four times, with Ryan taking the initiative. Each time, it was always mind-blowing, heart-pumping and breathtaking. Of course, Anna did not reveal those exciting feelings when thei