"Wow! It's a success!" Anne patted my shoulder gently. Our dinner ended on a riverside bench, illuminated by streetlights. Every passing gaze wondered at the sight of two elegantly dressed individuals enjoying Chinese takeout with chopsticks in an unusual place. It was an oddly picturesque scene, but Anne and I relished it."Yeah, thanks to you. Though it's a shame that beautiful dress and make up went to waste.""This is better. I can't remember the last time I sat here so relaxed. I recall our family used to picnic by this river every time we celebrated something. Mom would always prepare a feast, but what I remember most is my favorite milk pudding, placed in small cups with frosting. I would always grab Pops' portion, and he never minded. Since their death, I've never dared to come here alone.""I'm so sorry for your loss, Anne. Do you prefer if we move?""No! Like I said earlier, I'm happy to be back because of you. I'm not alone. At least there's someone to restrain me if I lose
"Well, you both already know each other? I'm impressed. My instincts and Pam were right about you two, Mr. Anderson. You're not just ordinary people," Mr. Yolke praised, chuckling and causing his plump belly to jiggle."Oh, you don't know, Yolke? News about a young man who suddenly showed up at my company and boldly declared himself as my competitor? Didn't I just finish telling you about it? Your irritated reaction when I recounted it was truly convincing," Margareth retorted sharply.Mr. and Mrs. Yolke exchanged puzzled looks. "What do you mean, Margareth? Are you saying that the young man in your story earlier is Mr. Anderson here?! Oh, I'm stupidly slow in catching up with the situation!" Mr. Yolke exclaimed, taken aback but covering it up with a nervous laugh."Come on, Margareth, you've made our host uncomfortable; it's quite unethical," I said with a straight face as I walked toward the dining table, pulled out a chair, and sat casually across from them. Anne followed suit, smi
"You!" Tom's anger flared but was held in by Margareth, she put her hand onto Tom's lap."Good evening, everyone. Goodbye," I said, still with a wide grin.Mrs. Yolke followed us to the front, her discomfort and unease palpable."I apologize, Mrs. Anderson. I still hope our relationship remains untarnished due to our insensitivity tonight. I had imagined introducing you to my golf club friends. But for the sake of all of us, it seems I should wait until things calm down, right?" Mrs. Yolke coaxed while tightly gripping Anne's hand."Of course, Mrs. Yolke. I'm not a vengeful person if I know that someone didn't mean harm," Anne replied diplomatically. She didn't show weakness in her position, nor did she want her interlocutor to feel low."You're very kind. Thank you for coming tonight. Goodbye, and I hope you have a safe journey.""Thank you, Mrs. Yolke. Goodnight.""Goodnight."***Once inside the car, Anne patted me and interrogated, "What was that all about?""Which part? There wer
"Where are we? I don't see a kebab stall anywhere, and you've led me to this disheveled back alley. I'm starving, Dan," Anne whined as I parked my car in the dimly lit, deserted alley and opened the door for her, playing the role of a gentleman."Just come along; I have a surprise for you," I teased with a wide grin."A surprise? Well, lucky me for playing the role of Mrs. Anderson. No, wait a second, I think I know this area. This is the row of buildings behind Esta Piazza, and if I'm not mistaken, that back door belongs to La Tavola Reale?" Anne said as she began to piece it together.I smiled at her deduction, "Bingo.""Wait, is this allowed? Are we trespassing? Their security is really tight! I don't want to embarrass myself, Danzel, and end up in jail," Anne fretted as I held her hand, leading her toward the door she had mentioned."Don't worry, Anne, I know the chef and owner of this restaurant.""Really? You're lying; they're notoriously mysterious.""Well, I helped them naviga
"Wow, that was an amazing speech," Anne praised, applauding and making me smile broadly. "I'm curious about your story, which led you to become such good friends with them.""It's a bit long. I'll tell you sometime.""I'll be looking forward to it."I drove her home, dropping her off in the lobby. Anne opened the door and got out."Aren't you coming down?" Anne asked from the window as she saw me still behind the wheel. I shook my head. "Where are you going?""I still have some business. Go inside and get some rest. Sweet dreams.""Okay, take care."After making sure Anne had gone inside and closed the door, I continued my journey back to the city center. I was looking for some nighttime entertainment. I tossed my tie and jacket onto the passenger seat and rolled up my shirt sleeves. The loud rock music from the car's radio served as the soundtrack for my journey back to the city center.Heavenly Club, a banner displayed prominently in front with a large red neon box. The place was bu
Hearing Lyan's whisper made me swallow hard."What does Lyan mean? Does he know something about me? Ah, maybe he's just beating around the bush."Lyan left the room, drawing the heavy curtains that covered this circular-shaped lounge. Liliana approached me with an incredibly seductive move. My conscience was debating whether to play along or get as far away from this place as possible. Meanwhile, Liliana was getting closer.She tugged at my belt, looping her arm around my neck. Damn morals! Liliana's temptation was too tempting to resist. My arms pulled her closer to me, and Liliana let out a soft, pleasure-filled laugh at my reaction. Her soft, seductive voice ignited a wild passion within me as her lips drew near my ear to whisper something naughty. I couldn't wait to hear those mischievous words."You're quite naughty, Danzel."Hearing that, my awareness returned to 100%, and I pushed her away from my body."Aw! Not the reaction I was hoping for, but no matter. Oh, did I kill your
"Just tell me how much you want," I insisted."Wah wah... This reaction of yours, so full of confidence. It triggered me to want to mention an infinite number," Liliana teased. She was now lying on that round bed, her long dress slipping to the side, revealing her smooth thighs fully. Unfortunately, I was no longer the naive man from earlier; her actions no longer stirred my desire. I knew I was being toyed."You're stalling, for what?" I asked."Danzel, come closer to me!" Liliana suddenly ordered, but I didn't move."Foolish, come here! We need to convince the audience outside that you're having fun. You wouldn't want Bash's henchmen waiting for you outside with guns pointed at your head, would you?"I followed Liliana's request as she pulled me down to lie on my back. She then began to move wildly on top of me, but unfortunately, we were both still fully clothed."Yeah!! Enjoy it!" people outside cheered."Are they commenting on us?" I asked Liliana."These curtains cast shadows, D
*Ding*A message arrived on Anne's phone while she was in the middle of her evening routine. She had just finished her shower and was now sitting at her vanity, applying serum to her face to keep it healthy and moisturized. Her hair was still wet, so she took the time to blow-dry it, making sure her pillow wouldn't get damp and disrupt her sleep.After an hour had passed, she grabbed her laptop and reviewed Dr. Bertha's report on the progress of the inn's construction, the budget that needed to be prepared, and the building material suppliers that needed to be contacted.It was midnight when she yawned, stretched her body, and pushed the laptop onto the nightstand. She lay down and turned off the bedside lamp. As she drifted off to sleep, she remembered something she needed to check for tomorrow's schedule, so she reached for her phone."Hmm? A message from Lyan? What's this about?" Anne wondered, opening the message.The drowsiness that had overcome her disappeared instantly, and her