Marco Junior shook hands with the young man who had just introduced himself. There were very few men who could look Marco Junior in the eyes standing right in front of him. "Nice to meet you, Danny Robert. I'm Marco...""You too, Marco. So, where are you from?""I am...""Excuse me."Danny Robert turned his eyes to the pretty woman who approached Marco Junior. The light in her eyes said she was the girl he was going to get a drink too, but ended up talking to Marco."Sorry, Chocolate. I got caught up in the moment." Marco handed her the drink he got from her. Hershey sighed, "Can we go baby?""We're only here for an hour Chocolate." Marco pointed out."I know, I just want too..." Hershey's voice trailed off as she glanced at the man she was talking to."How did you get here so fast, and why are you dressed differently?"James frowned, "What?""Marc, this is the bone head I was just talking to in the other room," Hershey reported.Marco shook his head, "No, we've been talking about th
(Somewhere in Shanghai, China)Jiyo Kael took a deep breath, held it for a moment, and then slowly let it out again. He could still feel the adrenaline pumping through his body, even as the tension slowly began to ease. The moment when he would have calmed down, his breathing would flow evenly again and his mind would be able to process the events of the past day, that was the moment he feared the most. He knew the feeling too well. Had it too many times already.As soon as tiredness set in and his body began to cry out for relaxation, all the hard-pressed feelings that he hadn't been able or didn't want to take the time for in the whirlpool of events would surface again. The images then inexorably caught up with him with a power that made him a defenseless victim of his imagination.People he had lost, people who had died through his fault, people he had killed himself, they all looked at him, could never be chased away, gradually turning him into an unfeeling monster, the longer it
Sometimes he thought he was in a dream from which he could wake up at any moment, only to be surrounded by terror, blood, and violence, surrounded by the world as he knew it."Let go, Jiyo Kael, look ahead..." he tried to say whenever the memories or imaginings of what might or might happen as a result of his disappearance threatened to overwhelm him. Once before, after the loss of his first love, he had fallen into this abyss and withdrawn from everything. But then there were still people around him who meant something to him, people who had finally managed to pull him out of his desperation, at least to give him another chance. Even as he struggled with his drug addiction, he had never been completely alone. He had thought that was exactly what he wanted back then, but now he knew better!He also knew there were better places for him than this part of the world, and yet he couldn't bring himself to move on. Unnoticed, a smile twitched across his facial features at the thought of wha
Ben forced himself to stay in the present and decided to find a place for the car and, if possible, a shelter for the night. Either he was lucky and found Jiyo before the storm broke, or he would have to extend his search further.Since there was a hidden place of worship just a short walk away, which was occasionally visited by a few archaeologists and interested parties, Ben managed to find a room for the night and shelter for the car fairly quickly.Relieved to at least be free of the mobile jail he'd spent the day in, he began examining the humble cluster of houses more closely.To his relief, there was not the slightest sign of the presence of any sort of organized crime. At the very least, it reduced the likelihood that the drug lords' influence might have extended this far. Because even if the Warlord was dead and the organization was smashed, something always remained. There were certainly countless inconspicuous ex-employees who could always attempt to create something new fro
Darkness crept up, reached out to them with its long shadows, and made Jiyo's face shine even paler than it had appeared at first. He looked like a ghost, lost among gray clouds, narrow and hollow-cheeked, with dark, empty eyes that could not express anything."Jiyo", Ben didn't know what else to say. Nature spoke instead of him, howling out his displeasure, his despair as if he could change anything by doing so.The first drops fell, dark and heavy. Nimble hands scurried across the tables, and removed glasses and bottles as if from far away came Spanish instructions, and requests to avoid the work.A flash of lightning finally snapped Ben back to the present. "Come on Jiyo Kael - let's go!""Yes..." Jiyo Kael sat up and looked to the side. But Ben had noticed the telltale glint in his eyes almost instinctively, and as much as it shook him, he felt the relief that brought him the awareness that he could still see the emotion in Jiyo. He knew that wasn't to be taken for granted. Cautio
"Please Ben!" Like a breath swallowed by the roar of the storm, he guessed the words more than he heard them, closed his curved lips with his hot mouth, and let his passion wash away every thought as he released one hand and with feverish fingers the disturbing one pushing fabric aside to get across the flat stomach to the chest, looking for hard nipples. He played with them, remembering the effect his touch had on the sensitive skin, and wasn't disappointed when Jiyo Kael moaned into his mouth, the sound fading into a whimper.Ben's mouth loosened and traveled down his chin and cheek to his neck. His thumb circled Jiyo's chest and slid lower until his fingertips trailed over protruding ribs to search along the narrow waist for the waistband of the pants. Ben's hand found the heat that had spread between Jiyo's legs, clasped the erect member, and began rapid, demanding pumping movements. He got faster and knew too well what Jiyo Kael wanted, what he had always wanted. And he hadn't ch
But in that deep sleep all that vanished, a boyish expression coming to the fore. The air of innocence was heightened by the silky hair, leaving the weather-beaten skin, the lines showing life in and around his forehead, eyes dug, forgotten.Again he found himself lost in the sight he had longed for, longing to wake the other but unable to interrupt his sleep. A look out of the window showed him that the sun had almost set, its mild light bathed the room in warm colors, set golden accents in Jiyo Kael's hair, and deepened the shadows that surrounded him.Suddenly he stiffened, winced as if he'd heard something, and opened his eyes. Their eyes met. Ben smiled softly and wanted to approach him, but the tense concentration that had suddenly taken possession of Jiyo's entire body prevented him from doing so.Jiyo jumped up with a jerk. "They're coming," he murmured, blinking twice before being able to get his bearings."Who's coming?" Ben smiled, to which Jiyo only gave him a confused loo
A month later, three weeks into the course, Marco Junior poured his mind into his studies. He had never been so fascinated by a course in his entire life. He is taking a course called Introduction to criminal justice and he loves it. He didn't have much to say about his trigonometry course. It was so easy and so was every course he took. He complained to Hershey about their crazy instructor for their English Lit course. They were told to write a 200-page paper on the most memorable moment in their life and even if he thought and thought, he couldn't think of anything that could fill two hundred pages. But then, he thought about the time he was on earth. He has been through so much since he was born. Things he never thought he would go through. So, what he finally decided on was a biography. Twenty years is long enough to forge into 200 pages. He will write about one of what is most important to him, his family. On Tuesday afternoon, he had been in the dorm room for about thirty minu
Zenaida hands me a black lace bodice. I start to get myself into it and Zenaida turns me around to fasten the row of hooks and eyes trailing up the back. I'm distracted by my hesitancy by the thought of Marco's face and all this lace. I smile. He'll orgasm on the spot. I'm helped into the gown by Zenaida and presented to the oversized mirror. 'Holy shit!' she exclaims and then slaps her hand over her mouth. 'I'm sorry. That was so unprofessional of me.' Holy shit, indeed. I turn slightly to view the back and gasp a little. It clings to every curve I have perfectly and skims the floor when I raise on tiptoes. The lining under the lace is matt, giving the delicate, intricate pattern a shimmery effect, and the deep neckline is perfect with the cap sleeves sitting just off my shoulders, revealing my collarbones. I hear Zenaida scuttle off and return. She kneels before me. 'Put these on.' she instructs. I pull my eyes from the mirror and look down to find a pair of black, sling-back Dior
AYAH ISABEL FERNANDO POVOur wedding is fast approaching created by our children; Marco Fernando Senior siblings from me and Danielle Gustilo. As much as possible I have to keep it in a low-profile event. But, my Billionaire husband wanted to be a well-known marriage of all time. Even my personal things, I want to be discreet. But, Marco accompanied me to the first-class shopping mall.My eyes are immediately blessed with masses of drool-worthy handbags, but I'm not given the opportunity to look. He walks with purpose and meaning as he drags me along behind him and when we get in the elevator, he presses the button for the first floor. I scan the store guide.'Hey, I want the fourth floor.' I would like to avoid the international collections of the first floor. They scream expensive, but he completely ignores me. "Marc?" I look at him and find his face is completely impassive as he keeps a firm grip on my hand. The elevator door opens and I'm pulled out behind him.'This way.' he says
I collapsed on the sofa when I got home. I need an early night. Tomorrow is a long day in Country Hills and I need to get in shape. My phone is ringing. I rolled my eyes as I looked at the screen, but it wasn't what I expected. This is Tom. I growled to myself. When will my phone ring and it's someone I really want to talk to?'Hi,' I moaned. 'Okay?' he greeted, with his usual confident tone.'Yes, and you?' I knew he was fine. I heard that he was out almost every night, making up for a lost time. Not that our relationship stopped him from living exactly what he wanted.'Everything is fine. I rang to greet you tomorrow. It's tomorrow, right?' I was surprised when he remembered. He didn't really have an interest in my career.'Yes, thank you. I was just thinking of getting an early night.' 'Okay, I won't keep you,' he seemed disappointed. 'I've boxed up your other stuff.''Oh, right,' 'There's no rush,' he added. 'If you're free sometimes, it's better to chase.'Do you like it? Catc
I thought quickly. 'My car has new brakes. I forgot to remove my house key.'She accepted my excuse without further question. 'There's a spare door key in the pot by the kitchen window.' He ran back up the stairs and I followed, quickly opening a bottle of wine before rummaging through the fridge for something to eat. No one takes my wish. Wine will do. 'Yes, please.' Pearl came back into the kitchen. She's already jimmy-jammed up, and I can't wait to join her. I pour her a glass while trying to morph my face into anything other than the shocked expression that I know is still visible.'I'm going to change and call Mama,' I turned around, carrying my wine. 'I'll meet you on the sofa soon.' 'Cold,' I really need to talk to Mom. Pearl is my best friend, but you can't beat your Mom when you want comfort. Not that I can tell her why I need comfort. She will be afraid.After I put on my baggy pants and vest top, I lay on my bed and called my Mom Ayah. I called Mom Ayah Isabel when I want to
Stunned, I grabbed my clothes off the floor before running into the bathroom, closing the door behind me and flipping the lock. I leaned against the back of the door, almost naked, trying to control my ragged breathing. I looked up at the ceiling to stop my tears from falling. I am very disappointed in myself.I think I hear the sound of muffled voices coming from the room, and I try to steady my breathing so I can hear what's going on. But, nothing. No noise, no talking...nothing. Damn me for being half naked so I can't escape. Instead, I fled to the bathroom, hiding like a desperate tart. I am not comfortable with these feelings. I'm really ashamed of myself. I have been cheated on many times, and I have destroyed all the women who interfered in my relationships. Over many bottles of wine, I have condemned them, badmouthed them, and asked them for truly merciless vengeance. Now, I am one of them. I groaned, hitting the heel of my hand on my forehead. Crazy girl!When I heard the doo
He remained silent while I looked at him in shock, waiting for an explanation. I didn't get anything, except his intense green eyes staring at me from the other room. I felt like I was under a microscope, and that glass of wine was spinning in my stomach, twisting and turning as I moved nervously on my heels.'Is this some kind of joke?' I half laugh. I'm still waiting for clarity, but it won't come. I try to ignore the mass of beautiful people and frantically search my brain for guidance or instruction. It is useless. I'm not blind I'll happily volunteer that I've imagined his chest, more than once, and it's beyond even my highest imaginations and expectations. This man is beyond perfect. What will I do?He just stood there, head slightly bowed, staring at me through his long eyelashes. His eyes were piercing me, his mouth, and I could see the rise and fall of his incredible chest. There is some serious meaning; not too big, just clean...cut... perfection. If he's wrecking fully clot
"Yes, and I want to talk to you personally. Are you available tomorrow afternoon or evening?""Sister, you know that I am very busy with my job, very important or just a bonding moment?""This is very important, regarding your brother Marco Fernando Junior and your grandfather. Well, as for me, it is very important because of your inheritance. Are you interested?"Shaira Rose Fernando listen very carefully when she heard the word, inheritance. "Well, of course, I am interested to know my status for the inheritance.""Okay then, what time and place we will meet? Well, I suggest Le Jardin, a French Restaurant in BGC Taguig? We had the place on our own when we had lunch there, a dreamy place at the penthouse of W5th. Modern yet classic, I must say the irony blended well. Romantic but not boring. Complimentary slices of bread and small appetizers were served and the timing of every food we ordered was well observed (appetizers - mains). Also, there's a wine cellar where they keep some of
'Soon.' he whispered. It is a promise. He let go of my stiff thigh and got up. 'Nice to meet you, Pearl.''Hmmm, you too.' she answered thoughtfully.He stepped towards the back of the bar. Good God, he walks with purpose and it's sexy as hell. I closed my eyes to collect my mind, which was currently scattered all over the bar floor. It is absolutely hopeless. I turned to Pearl, finding the accusatory bright blue staring at me as fangs had sprouted.Her eyebrows hit her hairline. 'Fuck me, that was intense!' she spat on the table.'Was it?' I start pushing my sandwich around my plate.'You better stop with the blah-fucking-zay shit now, or I'll shove this fork so far up your ass, you'll be chewing metal. What question are you thinking?' Her tone was fierce.'I don't know,' I turned away from her. 'Attractive, arrogant and has a girlfriend.' I try for vague.Pearl let out a long, over-amplified whistle. I haven't experienced that yet. I heard about it but I didn't witness it.''What are
I turned to Herman's office to ask if he had notified Mr. Montero of the change in arrangements, but then it rang again, stopping me in my tracks. I sighed and connected the call. If Herman hadn't advised him, I would have. And if it doesn't fit, it's bad luck. I was making a mess of convincing myself that I passed on the contract because Herman was better suited for the project. I know damn well that's only half the reason'Hello.' I say, stamping my foot a little for sounding apprehensive in my greeting. I aimed for sure and confident.Shaira Rose?' His husky voice had the same effect on my fragile senses as it had on Friday. But at least on the phone, he doesn't see me physically shaking.'Who is speaking?' There. That's better - professional, businesslike, and firm. He laughed a little, and I completely passed out. 'Now, I know you already know the answer to that question because my name came up on your phone,' I cringed on the spot. 'Trying to play it cool?' Oh, the proud ass! H