Richard barely had time to settle in the office the next morning before his secretary, Linda, knocked on his door. "Mr. Richard, there's someone here to see you. He says it's urgent," Linda said, looking a bit flustered. Richard frowned. "Who is it?" "It's Alex, Senator Jonah's son," she replied, her voice a whisper. Richard's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Send him in." A moment later, Alex strolled into the office. Tall, with an air of confidence and a smile that seemed permanently fixed on his face, he extended a hand to Richard. "Richard, the man!. Nice to finally meet you after all this time." Richard stood up and shook his hand. "Alex, this is unexpected. What brings you here?" Alex's smile widened. "I heard about the incident at the jewelry store yesterday. Quite the hero, aren't you?" Richard chuckled lightly. "Just did what anyone would do." "Well," Alex said, leaning in a bit, "I'm here to invite you to a masquerade ball I'm throwing tonight. It's in celebration of
A hush abruptly fell over the boutique as Richard stepped in, and the air grew thick with the tension of unexpected recognition. The sugar daddy accompanying the mistress, turned his head to the entrance to know who had walked in—gasped loudly. His eyes went wide, darting between Richard and Amelia, who stood trembling near the back. The salespeople, too, seemed frozen in shock, their eyes wide and mouths slightly agape. Was this really happening, or were they dreaming?The mistress, with her obnoxiously loud lipstick and gaudy jewelry, didn’t seem to grasp the gravity of the situation at first. She sauntered over to Richard, a sly smile playing on her heavily made-up lips. “Richard?” The woman scoffed, disbelief evident in her voice. “You're here? For her?” She gestured dismissively towards Amelia, who stood frozen, her eyes wide with a mixture of relief and anxiety.Richard barely looked at the woman, his eyes fixed on Amelia. The mistress's smile faltered. She must have realized t
AMELIA'S POVI stood in front of the mirror, trying to steady my nerves. My hands shook as I pinned the final strand of hair into place. Richard had actually stood up for me today. The memory of it made my heart flutter. Could things really go back to how they used to be between us?The gown I had chosen for the masquerade ball fit perfectly, hugging my curves in all the right places. It was a deep emerald green, with intricate silver embroidery that caught the light with every movement. My mask, adorned with feathers and tiny crystals, completed the ensemble. I took a deep breath, feeling a cocktail of anticipation and anxiety churn in my stomach.A car horn beeped outside my window. “Right on time,” I murmured to myself, grabbing my clutch and heading downstairs. As I stepped outside, a sleek black limousine waited for me. The driver, a tall man with a polite smile, opened the door.“Miss Amelia, Mr. Richard sent me to pick you up,” he said.I slid into the backseat, the soft le
RICHARDS POV The masquerade ball was in full swing, colors and laughter swirling around us like leaves in a playful autumn breeze. Amelia stood beside me, her hand resting lightly on my arm. The music played lively, weaving through the air, and drawing couples to the dance floor in a graceful dance of masks and mystery.I adjusted my mask, feeling the cool silk against my skin and glanced at Amelia. She looked stunning in her emerald green dress, her eyes sparkling behind her delicate mask.“Richard, have you tried the champagne?” Amelia asked softly. “It’s absolutely divine.”“I haven’t had the pleasure yet,” I replied, leaning closer to catch her scent—something floral and sweet, like jasmine. “But if you recommend it, I’m sure it’s worth a taste.”Before I could make my way to the champagne table, I spotted Jenny approaching us, her steps confident and her mask doing little to hide her smug expression. She seemed so sure of herself, so certain that she had the upper hand. Tonigh
RICHARD'S POVThe chandeliers glittered like a thousand tiny stars above us, casting a golden hue over the masquerade ball. Amelia's laughter was like music, and as we swayed to the rhythm, I felt a sense of peace. But peace is often fleeting.As we danced, a man with a portly belly approached. His mask was elaborate, hiding his features, but it couldn’t hide his wealth. "Excuse me," he said, his voice smooth yet commanding. "Would you care to join us for a private poker game? A more... exclusive event, if you will."I hesitated. Poker wasn't my forte. But before I could decline, Alex, Jenny’s man, sauntered over, a smug grin plastered on his face. "Didn't I tell you he wouldn't want to play?" he said loudly, making sure others around us could hear. "He obviously doesn't have the liver for it."The crowd's attention shifted to us. Whispered conversations buzzed around like annoying flies. People were watching, waiting for my reaction. I couldn't back down now. I glanced at Amelia, who
Richard's POVThe room was buzzing with tension. Alex's face was a mask of barely-contained frustration, his eyes burning holes through the poker table. I glanced at the stack of chips in front of me, feeling a mix of satisfaction and unease. Winning was sweet, but Alex was like a coiled spring, ready to snap."Another round," Alex said, his voice tight. He tossed a fresh stack of chips onto the table with a flick of his wrist. The amount was staggering, over a hundred thousand dollars. The crowd around us shifted, whispers igniting like sparks in dry grass."You're on," I replied, keeping my voice steady. The cards were dealt, and I felt Amelia’s hand squeeze my shoulder. It was a small gesture, but it grounded me."Come on, Richard, you’ve got this!" Amelia cheered, her voice bright and encouraging. Across the table, Jenny's eyes narrowed, shooting daggers at Amelia. The silent war between them raged on, unnoticed by most but clear to those who knew.Alex’s eyes darted between his c
Amelia's POVI stood there, watching Jenny and Richard talk. My blood boiled. Jenny, of all people. She didn’t deserve his attention. She was just a secretary. I was his ex-wife. I had history with him, memories, a life we built together.I tried to catch Richard’s eye, but he was too engrossed in whatever Jenny was saying. Every time I took a step closer, hoping to interject, Jenny cut me off. Each time, her voice grew louder, more insistent, as if she was marking her territory.The third time I tried, I had enough. “Richard, can we leave and dance?” I asked, my voice sharp and cutting through their conversation.Jenny didn’t even look at me. “Dancing is over, Amelia. Richard has important things to discuss.”I clenched my fists. “I have important things to discuss with him too,” I snapped.Richard glanced at me, his face flushed with embarrassment. He looked like he wished the ground would swallow him whole. Before I could say anything more, he excused himself and walked away.I fel
I exited the ball and walked straight to the parking lot. I was heading home to ease my nerves, but my mind was restless. Amelia and Jenny—what a mess. The tension between them had been almost electric, like a storm waiting to break. I slid into the back seat of my car and closed the door with a soft thud. The ball had been a disaster from start to finish. The night felt strange, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. A gnawing unease made my skin prickle.Amelia and Jenny's icy glares had me on edge, but It wasn't just about them, though. There was something more, something deeper, but I couldn't put my finger on it. The driver turned the key in the ignition, and the engine roared to life. The radio crackled, spilling out a soft melody, but I wasn't in the mood for music. I asked him to switch it off. He did and pulled out of the parking lot. My thoughts kept drifting back to the ball. Amelia's sharp words, Jenny's hurt expression—it was all because of me. I had