Umm…miss Celine?Celine rolled unto her back and yawned. Goodness, she wasn’t going to ever get over how soft and comfortable and appeasing the bed was. She would’ve probably drifted off to sleep again, maybe for another hour or two, if not for a gentle probing on her shoulder.“Miss Celine? You have to wake up now.”“What? Why?” She recognized Nessa’s voice immediately, but her eyes remained shut.“Sir Williams is waiting for you downstairs.”She snuggled into the duvet to hide her face under a pillow. “Why is he waiting for me? Doesn’t he has to go to work or something?”“Yes, that’s why he’s waiting for you. He said I should get you ready to come with him.”Celine’s eyes flew open the moment the meaning of Nessa’s words registered in her groggy head. Oh, right. Their unfinished conversation last night. Williams had not given her any opportunity to argue about it last night, and right now he was offering her no choices either.“Rich people and their arrogant authority comple
Cold shivers travelled down her shoulders, warming up her heart as his voice vibrated through her senses.“What?” She could only gasp. He was just too close, assaulting her with his mere presence, his velvety voice and…him. Her knees were weak, and it was only sheer willpower keeping her upright.His warm breath lingered over the nape of her neck for a torturous heartbeat before he pulled away.“You shouldn’t be late for work on your first day.” He said casually. “As the president of the company, I should be reprimanding you.”And before she could regain her composure to offered a befitting resort, he sauntered away, leaving her hurrying over her heels to keep up with his long stride.“Work?” She couldn’t make sense of that. “What do you mean by that?”“Did you expect to be freely accommodated?” His voice was bone dry, as if he couldn’t fathom how naïve she was.Her mouth opened but no words could find their way out through her blocked windpipe.“But…”Williams slipped into t
But Dr. Hammond said they have to watch you for another day.”“I’m totally fine. Seriously, the young man worries too much.” An airy voice argued fondly. “Even still, you can’t just discharge yourself. Williams won’t like it.”The airy voice chuckled. “He’s my son. Trust me, he can’t get angry with me. All I have to do is cajole him a little, add his favorite meal for good measure and he’ll be nodding at whatever I want.”“I heard that, mom.” Williams ambled into the hospital room, with Celine close behind.The room was easily bigger than her apartment and would’ve passed for the penthouse of a five star hotel if not for the medical equipment in the room.A woman, only a few inches taller than Celine, smiled in mischief before hurrying over to pull Williams into a hug, wrapping her slender arms around him.“I miss your baby stomach whenever I hug you.” She rubbed his midriff. “Everything is like a wall now. Do you even eat proper food?”Celine tried to stifle a laugh at the r
Chapter One.Celine stood completely still, holding her breath so as not to make even the slightest sound.Her heart rammed against her chest in fast, heavy beats. Cold sweat rolled down her back, crawling over the fine skin there like needle pricks.Maybe he’ll assume She was not home and go away.Almost the same second, her front door vibrated with another loud pounding.“I know you’re in there.” The scratchy voice of her landlord boomed. “I can see you through the window blinds. Open the door this second or so help me, I will rough you up the first chance I get.”Celine didn’t see any way around it. She’d forgotten about closing the curtains. Now it was going to cost her.She dropped the whisking spoon on the countertop of the tiny cubicle of a kitchen. Breakfast would have to wait. After Vaughn had had his fill of shouting at her she might not even have enough time to eat anything before going to work.She smoothed the front of her white dress and hurried towards the door. She had
Chapter 2Williams watched her go, too stunned to even rush after her.It was her!All angelic five foot nine beauty of her. He would never forget that long golden hair…those emerald green eyes that were always filled with a spark. That serene face that always held a smile.Natasha…His first crush, the first and only woman who ever fully captured his heart.But of course, it couldn’t be her. This woman was far younger and slimmer around the edges.And Williams had watched Natasha die. She’d breathed her last while he cuddled her to his aching chest and cried.But the resemblance was uncanny. Too real and potent to simply ignore. That was why he’d let the street car driver pick her up in the first place. Williams had found out long ago that an hour in here, just driving around the city did a lot of mind calming. He was able to think clearly, to get even the barest of minutes where he felt at peace.So he’d taken over the city’s shuttle company, and commandeered one of the street cars
Chapter 3.Celine looked up when the great glass front doors of the Carmollete pulled open again.This time it was her boss, Earl Carlson. This was about five hours since she got to work, and two hours left in her shift.He was a slim tall man in his late forties, with a sweet tongue and legs that couldn’t stay in one place for long.She tried to get his attention as he strolled by but he was deep into a conversation on his phone. Earl was always talking.Celine knew she had only a couple of minutes to get to him before he had to leave for somewhere else. Probably to meet one or two of his numerous lady friends—all of them blonde and curvy.But it was a busy evening in the restaurant. An insurance firm was celebrating the anniversary of one of its chairmen, so the place was packed. And rowdy, which wasn’t what anyone would’ve expected from such a reserved bunch.“Two bottles of bourbon to table six. Table six!” called the chief waitress as she hurried over to the bar stand. Despite th
“Where are you taking me to?” Her persistent voice bored through his ears again. Williams grinded his teeth but remained silent. He punched an icon on the electronic dashboard of the Tesla and it accelerated. He was going at 200 mph now. She clutched at the sides of the seat as the increased speed sent her back into it. “Please slow down. You’re going too fast.” He heard her fumbling about before clicking her seat belt in place. But he couldn’t look at her. Wouldn’t dare to. She was just too much to take in at the moment. He had to concentrate on the near empty road and the ache in his chest. Williams’ head pounded like a tolling church bell and his knuckles still throbbed from the fight. He simply needed a few seconds of silence… “I asked you a question! You can’t just pick me up and drive off without telling me what your intended destination is!” “Did I force you to get into the car?” He asked calmly, not even sparing her a glance. Something burned in his chest and he gasped, s
Chapter 5)(The Snow Times; News Flash of the Morning.Head news anchor of the paramount news network in the country, Dalia Barrows, adjusted her round glasses and stared straight at the viewers as she began to read again.“And now, the breaking news of today. CEO of Diamond Empire and also one of the wealthiest men in the world, Williams Herringbone, has at this time been declared missing. His custom made Tesla car was found in the early hours of the morning, parked haphazardly on Avenue bridge in the heart of Frostone. There are no signs of struggle or crash. It was found by college athlete, Fred Lindon during his usual morning jog around the blocks, and he immediately called the city police to take care of the situation. Friends and family members have been contacted, his office called up, but no one has seen or heard from him since 8 p.m. last night.”A brief pause here.“ Williams Herringbone is an extremely private person, and very little is known about his life outside the worl