"I think I'm going to be sick," Melissa managed to utter, her hands clutching her mouth tightly in a desperate attempt to hold back the impending wave of nausea.Jeremy's face contorted with a mixture of dread and concern. "What? Can't you hold it?" he asked, fearing the worst."No, I can't..." Melissa's words trailed off as she succumbed to a fit of vomiting, the contents spilling onto both the car's interior and Jeremy's pants. He let out an exasperated sigh, his frustration mingled with sympathy for Melissa's discomfort."Oh God..." Jeremy muttered, his voice filled with resignation."Sir, should I stop the car?" Lucas inquired, his eyes reflecting a mix of concern and disgust."No, keep driving. Drive even faster," Jeremy commanded, urgency lacing his voice.Lucas accelerated the car, the engine roaring as they raced toward Jeremy's estate.As they arrived at Jeremy's grand estate, he swiftly exited the vehicle and extended a helping hand to Melissa, who struggled to maintain her
The lined curtains allowed a gentle stream of morning light to seep through, casting a soft glow in the room. Melissa's eyelids fluttered open, greeted by a throbbing ache in her head. With a faint groan, she instinctively reached for her forehead, massaging her temples to ease the discomfort. The events of the previous night flooded her mind, and she realized she had indulged in excessive drinking. How did she manage to get home? And when did she arrive? The details eluded her, lost in a hazy fog. Stretching her limbs and stifling a yawn, she couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected comfort of her bed. "Wait, what?" she thought, suddenly fully awake.As her eyes adjusted to the surroundings, she took in the opulent black fur rug and the sleek flat-screen TV adorning the black and white walls. The room exuded an air of luxury that puzzled her. Where was she? Was this all just a dream? Confusion mingled with her headache as she struggled to piece together fragmented memories. Frust
"Please don't leave. I don't want to stay alone," Melissa whispered that night, and Jeremy found himself unable to walk away. The thought of leaving her all by herself tugged at him, compelling him to stay. Something deep within urged him to hold her in his arms, offering solace and support that she desperately needed. However, Jeremy, true to his nature, initially dismissed the idea."I can't stay," he said softly, gently releasing his hand from her grasp."Why not?" Melissa questioned, her eyes filled with genuine concern.Jeremy struggled to find the right words. "It's complicated.""You look really sad," Melissa observed, her expression filled with kindness. "My mother always used to say that warm hugs take away sadness."Jeremy was taken aback, unsure of how to respond. "So?" he managed to utter."So come here, so I can give you a big hug," Melissa exclaimed, stretching her arms wide open with a bright smile on her face.Jeremy stood there, contemplating his next move."You're
Melissa slowly regained consciousness, realizing she was still in the same room where she had awoken earlier. The throbbing headache had eased slightly, but her memory remained blank, unable to recall anything from the previous night. She cautiously examined her body and discovered she was no longer wearing the bathrobe but instead adorned in a modest red dress."Don't worry, the maid changed your clothes," a familiar voice reassured her. Melissa looked up and saw Jeremy seated on a white sofa across the room. His striking eyes held a mix of intensity and curiosity as they focused on her."How did I end up here?" she inquired, her voice tinged with confusion."You seriously don't remember anything?" Jeremy asked, amusement dancing in his eyes."If I did, I wouldn't be asking you, would I?" Melissa responded, her irritation apparent.Jeremy cleared his throat, taken aback by her boldness. It was a rare occurrence for someone to speak to him in such a manner. Normally, such insolence w
Jeremy stormed into his study, his face etched with fury. The audacity! After subjecting him to such turmoil last night, she had the nerve to speak to him however she pleased. What had he expected, though? He pondered, massaging his temples."Whoa, you look like a thunderstorm. Are we in danger?" Steve remarked as he and Tony entered the study.Jeremy turned towards them, his anger palpable. "What are you guys doing here?" he demanded."We came to discuss business. We asked Thomas to inform you of our arrival, but he said you were preoccupied upstairs. Is everything alright?" Tony inquired, extending a glass of Scotch to Jeremy.Jeremy accepted the glass, swiftly downing its contents in a single gulp. "Slow down, buddy. I'm sure you can handle whatever is bothering you," Steve advised, concerned."Quiet, Steve. Tony, go on," Jeremy commanded."Well, we find ourselves in quite a predicament," Tony began."What's wrong?" Jeremy interjected, his interest piqued."One of our esteemed clie
Gregory Adams stepped into SiTech, his first visit to the renowned establishment. He had always held an eager curiosity to meet its enigmatic owner, as his foolish son had spoken so highly of the man, praising his genius and warning against underestimating him. As Gregory entered, a sharply dressed figure in a sleek black suit approached him, gesturing silently for him to follow.Together, they entered the elevator, ascending to the top floor in silence. It was only then, when they reached their destination, that the suited man turned to face Gregory, delivering a subtle warning. "He is waiting for you inside. I advise caution with your words."Gregory couldn't help but scoff inwardly. Did this man have any inkling of the individual he was addressing? If anything, caution should be exercised in addressing someone of his own stature. Undeterred, Gregory strode into the office.Inside, a man sat behind the desk, draped in a black suit. His formidable presence exuded an aura that could s
"We come to you now with breaking news. Owner and founder of the Adams association, Gregory Adams, was found dead this morning. Witnesses say he had died naturally and..." Jeremy switched off the TV, the news report serving as a stark reminder of the inevitable. He placed the remote on the table before him and reclined on the sofa, his posture radiating a sense of dominance. Yet, his almond-shaped eyes betrayed a hidden turmoil within.Just then, Lucas, Jeremy's trusted right-hand man, entered the room dressed in black. He glanced at Jeremy, a hint of curiosity in his eyes, questioning the presence of the visitor. "Sir, he's here," Lucas informed, silently pondering the significance of this meeting."Let him in," Jeremy replied, and a young man walked in, donning a friendly smile as he approached the sofa where Jeremy sat. "May I sit?" the man asked, and Jeremy nodded in assent.The man took a seat opposite Jeremy, initiating the conversation. "Thank you," he began, a touch of gratit
Melissa exchanged a knowing smile with Tommy. This marked the fourth time he had deliberately spilled coffee on her, attempting to provoke a reaction. However, Melissa maintained her composure, flashing her customary smile and wordlessly making her way into Sasha Arts Studio.As an artist, Melissa's position at Sasha Arts Studio was delicate. The scales of her professional life hung in a precarious balance. Any misstep or loss of equilibrium could jeopardize the new life she had painstakingly built, something she was determined to protect.Ignoring Tommy's antics as she had done on previous occasions, Melissa gracefully entered the ladies' room to freshen up. Melissa Williams was an ex-convict charged with an accidental murder three years ago. After serving her time, she was now striving to embrace a new life and leave her past behind.Emerging from the restroom, her efforts to remove the coffee stain evident, Melissa caught the sound of someone calling her name. "Melissa."She turne
Jeremy stormed into his study, his face etched with fury. The audacity! After subjecting him to such turmoil last night, she had the nerve to speak to him however she pleased. What had he expected, though? He pondered, massaging his temples."Whoa, you look like a thunderstorm. Are we in danger?" Steve remarked as he and Tony entered the study.Jeremy turned towards them, his anger palpable. "What are you guys doing here?" he demanded."We came to discuss business. We asked Thomas to inform you of our arrival, but he said you were preoccupied upstairs. Is everything alright?" Tony inquired, extending a glass of Scotch to Jeremy.Jeremy accepted the glass, swiftly downing its contents in a single gulp. "Slow down, buddy. I'm sure you can handle whatever is bothering you," Steve advised, concerned."Quiet, Steve. Tony, go on," Jeremy commanded."Well, we find ourselves in quite a predicament," Tony began."What's wrong?" Jeremy interjected, his interest piqued."One of our esteemed clie
Melissa slowly regained consciousness, realizing she was still in the same room where she had awoken earlier. The throbbing headache had eased slightly, but her memory remained blank, unable to recall anything from the previous night. She cautiously examined her body and discovered she was no longer wearing the bathrobe but instead adorned in a modest red dress."Don't worry, the maid changed your clothes," a familiar voice reassured her. Melissa looked up and saw Jeremy seated on a white sofa across the room. His striking eyes held a mix of intensity and curiosity as they focused on her."How did I end up here?" she inquired, her voice tinged with confusion."You seriously don't remember anything?" Jeremy asked, amusement dancing in his eyes."If I did, I wouldn't be asking you, would I?" Melissa responded, her irritation apparent.Jeremy cleared his throat, taken aback by her boldness. It was a rare occurrence for someone to speak to him in such a manner. Normally, such insolence w
"Please don't leave. I don't want to stay alone," Melissa whispered that night, and Jeremy found himself unable to walk away. The thought of leaving her all by herself tugged at him, compelling him to stay. Something deep within urged him to hold her in his arms, offering solace and support that she desperately needed. However, Jeremy, true to his nature, initially dismissed the idea."I can't stay," he said softly, gently releasing his hand from her grasp."Why not?" Melissa questioned, her eyes filled with genuine concern.Jeremy struggled to find the right words. "It's complicated.""You look really sad," Melissa observed, her expression filled with kindness. "My mother always used to say that warm hugs take away sadness."Jeremy was taken aback, unsure of how to respond. "So?" he managed to utter."So come here, so I can give you a big hug," Melissa exclaimed, stretching her arms wide open with a bright smile on her face.Jeremy stood there, contemplating his next move."You're
The lined curtains allowed a gentle stream of morning light to seep through, casting a soft glow in the room. Melissa's eyelids fluttered open, greeted by a throbbing ache in her head. With a faint groan, she instinctively reached for her forehead, massaging her temples to ease the discomfort. The events of the previous night flooded her mind, and she realized she had indulged in excessive drinking. How did she manage to get home? And when did she arrive? The details eluded her, lost in a hazy fog. Stretching her limbs and stifling a yawn, she couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected comfort of her bed. "Wait, what?" she thought, suddenly fully awake.As her eyes adjusted to the surroundings, she took in the opulent black fur rug and the sleek flat-screen TV adorning the black and white walls. The room exuded an air of luxury that puzzled her. Where was she? Was this all just a dream? Confusion mingled with her headache as she struggled to piece together fragmented memories. Frust
"I think I'm going to be sick," Melissa managed to utter, her hands clutching her mouth tightly in a desperate attempt to hold back the impending wave of nausea.Jeremy's face contorted with a mixture of dread and concern. "What? Can't you hold it?" he asked, fearing the worst."No, I can't..." Melissa's words trailed off as she succumbed to a fit of vomiting, the contents spilling onto both the car's interior and Jeremy's pants. He let out an exasperated sigh, his frustration mingled with sympathy for Melissa's discomfort."Oh God..." Jeremy muttered, his voice filled with resignation."Sir, should I stop the car?" Lucas inquired, his eyes reflecting a mix of concern and disgust."No, keep driving. Drive even faster," Jeremy commanded, urgency lacing his voice.Lucas accelerated the car, the engine roaring as they raced toward Jeremy's estate.As they arrived at Jeremy's grand estate, he swiftly exited the vehicle and extended a helping hand to Melissa, who struggled to maintain her
"Please, I beg you. Don't do this," Melissa pleaded weakly as one of the men approached her, her voice trembling with fear."You'll be fine. We won't harm you," the man replied dismissively, his hand reaching out towards her.But then a sudden eruption of anger shattered the tense atmosphere as Jeremy's commanding voice cut through the darkness. His presence was formidable, his protective instincts ignited like a raging fire. The three men turned their attention to the new arrival, their bravado waning."Don't you dare touch her with those filthy hands," Jeremy's voice resonated with an unmistakable authority, piercing through the night.The assailants sneered in defiance, underestimating the resolve within Jeremy's gaze. One of them taunted, "Or what? People like you are all bark and no bite. You can't do shit."Jeremy merely tilted his head slightly, his eyes piercing through the darkness. "Don't make me repeat myself," he warned, his voice laced with lethal determination."Alright,
Melissa gripped the steering wheel tightly, feeling torn between heading home and facing Nicky and Sam's barrage of questions, or seeking solace elsewhere. The weight of her thoughts pushed her towards the latter, prompting her to consider stopping at a bar for a drink. She yearned for a moment of respite, a chance to clear her mind.Three years of incarceration should have made her strong and resilient, impervious to pain. Yet, the truth was that she still felt fragile, vulnerable, and easily wounded by life's challenges. She had toiled tirelessly to rebuild everything, only to see it crumble because of one person. Memories of her past, when her life had been shattered by a single individual, flooded her mind, and tears welled up, blurring her vision. Melissa had to pull over, her tears demanding attention.After taking a deep breath, she resolved to visit a nearby bar and indulge in a couple of drinks. Drinking wasn't her usual remedy, but today felt like an exception—a moment to te
Jeremy sat in his office, struggling to focus on his work as his mind continuously wandered back to the encounter with Melissa earlier. He couldn't understand why she had pretended not to recognize him, hastily departing with an air of sadness and hurt. Various questions swirled in his mind. Had someone said something offensive to her? Or had she experienced something traumatic? Although Melissa seemed strong and independent, he doubted any of these possibilities. Yet, inexplicably, he found himself caring about her well-being, despite knowing so little about her.Realizing his ignorance about Melissa nagged at him, Jeremy made a decision. He called Lucas into his office and requested him to gather information about Melissa. "Lucas, could you please find out more about Melissa? I'd like to know who she really is.""Of course, sir," Lucas replied, his efficient demeanor evident. He set to work, and a couple of hours later, a comprehensive file appeared on Jeremy's computer, containing
Melissa's gaze was irresistibly drawn to the imposing figure standing next to her car. The perfectly tailored black suit accentuated his muscular physique, and her eyes trailed down his straight, powerful legs, leading to a pair of exquisite Italian black leather shoes. A glimpse of a GMT Master Ice Rolex caught her attention as it adorned his wrist. "Damn," she thought, momentarily captivated by his striking appearance. His chiseled face and alluring lips, coupled with his impeccable fashion sense, could easily enchant any woman. However, Melissa was determined not to let his good looks distract her. She wondered what he was doing in such an unlikely place. Taking a deep breath, she composed herself and walked purposefully toward her car.The distance between them seemed longer than it actually was, for his unwavering gaze made her feel unexpectedly nervous. Melissa's heart skipped a beat, causing her to stumble precariously. Just as she teetered on the verge of an embarrassing fall