His Bound Love's Very Dirty Secret

"Load the guns! SHOOT to kill! SHOOT TO KILL!"

Although the Sergeant detested giving that order, he was all too aware that it was sometimes a stone-cold-fact-of-life necessity. And in this instance, in the middle of that stinky, muddy, humid, mosquito-infested godforsaken jungle where their latest mission took them, he knew it wasn't just necessary.

It was a command.

And it took no less than that when one has to take down a group of highly trained diabolical terrorists right in their very own hideout.

The Sergeant, affectionately nicknamed Sarge Ben by his team, wove in and out through the trees, shooting his powerful Galil assault rifle and ducking behind whatever protective cover he came across. Banyan trees, moss-covered boulders, dense foliage, anything that would shield him from the almost continuous rain of artillery fire. Not to mention occasional explosions from rocket launchers and grenades. It was a good thing each and every member of Sarge Ben's high-level militia ranger team was fully protected with cutting-edge Kevlar armoured vests and helmets. As the minutes ticked by, the rain of gunfire and artillery became less frequent and less deafening until complete, dead silence.

The Sergeant and his troops now had to mentally prepare themselves for the most difficult portion of their task.

The extermination of anyone unlucky enough to still be alive.

Once he reached the extremists' hideout, the Sergeant slowly picked his way through the trail of dead bodies to look for survivors when he caught a glimpse of movement out of the corner of his eye.

Before he knew it, he felt someone pounce on him - with a knife poised to plunge right into his chest!

Whoever this person was, the experienced military commander could tell from his attacker's movements that he or she was silent but lethal. Thank goodness Sarge Ben was able to disarm his assailant by grabbing the hand that held the weapon, giving the wrist a sudden twist, and bending it at a sharp angle, causing the attacker to give a yelp of pain and surprise as the knife fell to the ground. Along with the one holding it.

Finally, Sarge Ben got a good look at his mysterious assailant. It turned out to be - a kid! Well, not exactly a child but still barely in his teens. Looking at the somewhat scrawny boy with a shaggy mop of dirty-blonde hair, he still seemed too young and way too reckless to be able to take on a full-grown military officer.

But the Sergeant's perceptions suddenly changed when the youngster resumed attacking him again - but barehanded this time.

It was clear that the youngster knew where to hit, and his strength and speed indicated that he had received intensive training. Despite the Sergeant's skilled dodging and parrying, the younger fighter managed to breach his defences and get in some well-aimed kicks and punches. But it was obvious the boy was fueled by anger and was too enraged to pay close attention to his foe's movements.

As the fighting progressed, Sarge Ben found himself analyzing, even doing an internal play-by-play, while his young and dirty opponent traded punches and kicks with him.

I've got to counter his lethal high kick with a weak chin punch. Catch his fist and turn him around, so I can kick him in the stomach. Quick recovery, eh? He's got strong abs, I'll give him that. Combinations of open palm hits to his torso. Still standing, kid? Let's see if you can still stand after one of my roundhouse kicks! Damn it, boy! Why won't you stay the hell down?!!?

But after half a dozen more hits, the teenager slumped to the ground, exhausted and half-conscious. His face was covered in bruises, and his lower lip was swollen and bleeding from a cut. The loose-fitting, grimy shirt he wore was torn in a few places, but Sarge Ben knew it covered much bigger bruises, maybe even a fractured rib or two.

I know we're supposed to leave no survivors - but I guess I can make an exception here! After all, Paraluman did request for this to happen.

As he looked down at his now-defeated opponent, Sarge Ben finally made up his mind and spoke the words that would alter his life, their lives, forever.

"Get a stretcher and carry him out, along with everyone else we find who might still be alive. He's coming back to camp with us, along with any other survivors!"

"Found another one, Sarge! Definitely alive, but he's knocked out cold with a gunshot wound through his stomach. Must have collapsed from extreme blood loss."

Ben took a closer look at the unconscious teenager on the stretcher, "Have the medic run a full medical check-up on both of them. If he can do it quickly, so much the better."

"But we don't have all the needed equipment for a complete examination, sir!"

"Then try whatever you can, for now, Private Tomas. Make do with what you have until we get back to our base in the city."

"Sir, yes sir," exclaimed the rookie soldier.

"Gotta make a few private phone calls so hold down the fort and keep me informed, will you?"

"Yes sir," Private Tomas repeated in a softer tone of voice as he gently but thoroughly examined the blond-haired boy and the other survivor.

Sarge Ben took the radio with him as he walked a few feet away from his troops towards some bushes, making sure not one of his men could hear him. He then took out a small but powerful satellite phone from a hidden inner pocket, then dialled a number. It took three rings before a lilting, childlike voice answered.

"Hello, Daddy."

"Hello, my sweet and precious little Princess Estelle. Can you ask your Mommy to come to the phone, so we can talk about grown-up things? That's a good little girl."

"But Mommy's not here, Daddy. She's taking a bath right now, and I'm already a big girl, and I answered your call on your special secret phone. I'm already a grown-up Dad, so you can talk to me about adult stuff now."

"I know, my cute fairy star, but I really have to talk to your Mommy because these are her friends with me, and you haven't met them yet. But tell you what? Someday you'll meet them when your Mom introduces them to you, and that's for sure, my dearest daughter."

"Is that a promise, Daddy?"

"Yes, it's a promise, my pretty little munchkin."

"Cross your heart and hope to die?"

"Cross my heart, Princess."

Just then, Sarge Ben heard the sound of someone swiftly rushing in to scoop up the little girl. After a series of shuffling sounds and mechanical clicks, the impish girl's voice was replaced by a more mature and well-modulated tone that was unmistakably that of a woman.

"Hello. Ben, my love."

"Yes, Paraluman. And yes, it IS me. The boys who you mentioned specifically are all safe and sound."

"Are they the only ones who are okay, Beloved?" she asked in an extremely hopeful tone, as she prayed to whatever saints and divinities who might hear her pleas.

"I'm so sorry, my beloved Ara, but they're the only survivors. I'm about to call the base on my other radio and give them a heads-up, just so they won't get too shocked to learn they'll be having ... guests."

Her Father had always abhorred hospitals. She had long known that ever since she was a little girl each time he had to pick her up from the final and only hospital her Mother was confined in.

So when her own Father's health started failing and the opportunity presented itself, she made sure to closely supervise the building of a genuine medical room, with all the vital contraptions, hardware, and even medical staff, in their biggest bedroom. No expense was spared in preparation for her Father's old age.

However, it would appear that he most likely won't make it past 50.

Yeah, money may not be able to buy me happiness, but it has bought us more time. invaluable time for the two of us to spend together. Particularly since Mother had already left us, way too early.

So every evening, she made it a habit to check in on him. Her Father's medical room was just a few doors away from her own bedroom suite, making the task very easy for her to do. She threw on a silk robe on top of her transparent short nightgown and proceeded barefoot to the medical room.

But as soon as she set foot inside, the blond-haired young lady immediately noticed something g out of the ordinary. No, something very, very wrong ...

Where are the nurses? Not even a medic? Isn't there supposed to be a doctor checking him regularly? And why are the lights dimmed?

She let her eyes adjust to the darkness at first, as she tried to remember where the light switch was. At that point, she decided to walk over the inter-con located next to her Father's bed ...

But as she got closer, she saw him...

A tall, broad-shouldered, well-built bearded man in his early 30's.

He was at the other end of the huge room, away from the French windows and entryways and almost invisible in the darkness. But even if she were blind, she recognized him, knew him.

"What are you doing here?" the younger woman asked her Father's business partner, who continued to remain quietly hidden in the shadows.

"Excuse me, but shouldn't I be here?" replied the male visitor in a deep and quietly commanding voice.

"Humph, like I don't know why you're here! You just want to make sure he dies soon so you can finally take over Silverfire!"

He gave a low, masculine laugh. "My dear Estelle, don't you remember? I only came here because you invited me."

The beautiful young lady's voice rose to an angry pitch. "Don't you dare call me by that name! And I have no idea what you mean!"

But the man ruthlessly cut her off, feeling a bit of the same fury as he had heard from her. "Don't lie to me, ESTELLE! I know how much you want me and how well you try to hide it from your Father! Well, it won't work with me!"

"How dare you think that!"

"Yes, I dare and even wish to say more! And I dare to do more to prove that it is true!"

As he spoke, the man walked away from the shadows and slowly drew closer to her sickly Father's bed. The weak moonlight shone on the thick waves of his dirty blond hair. She could barely make out the tints of his deep blue eyes, though. Making sure she was watching him, he started to remove the jacket of his dark-coloured Italian suit ... his silk tie... and then proceeded to unbutton his white signature long-sleeved shirt...

She stared at his well-defined chest that was peppered with feathery blond hair, his muscled eight-pack, sinewy shoulders and bulging biceps and found herself swallowing hard.

At 28, the lovely blond was no virgin and the man standing before was ten years her senior, but he was definitely the most beautiful male specimen she had ever seen in her life.

"Maybe it's because I've never found anyone to equal him in any way. Not in my whole lifetime, no matter how much I've tried," she whispered to herself.

The man smiled upon reading her facial expression. No matter how hard she tried, her lovely face still gave away her true feelings - feelings for him. He then paused after he threw his shirt on the floor, allowing her a good view of his chiselled muscular upper body.

"Do you want me to stop?" he said, one thick eyebrow raised.

"Don't be too full of yourself, Stephan!" she snapped as she turned her head away.

"Stephan, huh? And you still didn't answer my question, Estelle."

"Don't you DARE call me by that name!"

"And again, not the answer I was waiting for. So, it looks like you still want to see more of me..."

The man named Stephan slowly walked towards her, his eyes not leaving her now-blushing face. In mere seconds he had already cleared the three-meter distance between them and now stood towering before her.

She froze at his closeness, while she felt the sensual heat radiating from his body, and smelled his tantalizing natural scent that mixed with the woodsy fragrance of his cologne. She could even hear his warm breath from right above her head. The woman called Estelle hated how her body was now reacting to his presence. She also loathed the fact that she knew he could just easily embrace her and she would easily yield to him.

And it's not just because she was a foot smaller than his 6'3 height, nor was it the fact that his hug could completely encompass her whole body and still have space for another woman with a similar stature and body type.

It was because she knew she would easily melt into his muscular arms and just surrender herself to his desires. Her thoughts were all aflutter: But does he really desire me? Or is it because he's forced by my Father to pay attention to me? Or maybe it's because of the better interests of the company...

"Estelle, you still have not answered my question..."

"Wh-what question?"

She raised her head and her hazel eyes locked onto his dark blue ones.

"Never mind..." he replied.

His lips descended on hers as his hands pulled her to him.

And she couldn't stop him...Neither could she stop how much she wanted him...

Passionately...

Desperately...

I should tell him to leave... I should fight him, scream for a security guard and have him thrown out... I should be kicking him in the balls and not wanting to feel them... Damn it, Estelle, stop wanting to feel him... stop wanting him to feel you...

But she knew that was not going to happen.

Estelle's hands were now eagerly touching as much as she could of his exposed body, feeling her heat flare as she enjoyed the way he felt, smelled, and tasted. Meanwhile, his fingers were grazing her breasts, which were hardly covered by her very thin, see-through nightgown.

The visitor's mouth had now transferred its attention towards one of her hardening nipples, wetting the flimsy fabric and, unwittingly, her womanhood as well. He groaned low and loudly as he felt her swiftly removing his belt and impatiently unzipping his pants, thankful that he never wore underwear.

As her hands found his thick and throbbing eight-incher, his groans suddenly turned to breathless gasps.

Her mind was still trying to gain control but was slowly losing the battle to her overwhelmed senses. Even the way he sounds is delectable...

Stop thinking like that, Zoe! Make him stop... Damn, make yourself stop!

"So, you do want me after all..." the passionate male murmured into her left breast, which he had now managed to expose by pulling her nightgown up. "You won't be able to hide it from me, so you might as well admit it, Zoe."

"Funny... I thought... aaaahhhh... you didn't even... mmmmphhh... want me..."

"I really prefer calling you Estelle," he responded, while softly biting into one of her now-hardened nipples. "And I really DO want you."

Ignoring his first statement, she hissed her approval at his mouth's movement before gasping out an order, "Say it again!"

"I'll do more than say it. I'll let my actions speak..."

Estelle gave a high, breathless squeal as she felt his arms suddenly lift her smoothly and effortlessly off the floor. She felt herself being brought to the dark corner where she first saw him. As he placed her down on a large comfortable couch, she realized that he had already stepped out of his pants and was now totally naked, his magnificent masculine body on full display.

And fortunately for her, her eyes had now adjusted to the dark.

Damn, that eight-pack, that chiselled chest, those muscular thighs, and his. Damn, that's thick. huge! He's going to finally do it! He's finally going to take me and make me his! SHIT... I shouldn't... but damn it... I want him to! I. WANT. HIM!

As Stephan lay down above her, she felt every part of his sinewy, well-built body settle on top of her own half-nakedness, as if they were made to fit each other perfectly. She tried to struggle against him, and herself, as she felt his hardness settle firmly on her moist and eager slit.

However, the thought of her dying Father lying just a few meters away from them was the only thing stopping her now from totally surrendering.

"Please, don't fight me, Estelle. I do intend to show you how much I want you," he growled, his breath warm against her ear while his throbbing tackle's moist tip started to pierce through the sensitive folds between her legs. "I really intend to prove that to you right now."

As she mumbled her resistance, he held both her wrists above her head with one hand, while he expertly removed whatever was left of her clothing from her luscious, soft and full-breasted body. She sighed and moaned as he started kissing, sucking, licking and probing with his mouth and fingers, all her exposed delicate parts almost in unison.

"My Father... is... JUST RIGHT THERE... you maniac!" Estelle managed to gasp as she felt two long fingers pinching her now swollen clit, making her insides twitch and spurt around his shaft's head, seemingly against her will.

"He wants this to happen. Take my word for it, beautiful."

She felt him pull his hips away as she let his words sink into her mind, her shock and lust getting in the way of proper processing.

"My F-Father... wants... t-this?" Estelle stuttered through her question.

Her answer was two masculine fingers not-so-gently pushing into her slit, their tips rubbing at that certain torturous/delicious spot three inches from her pulsing opening.

She screamed in pained delight as she felt her g-spot's sensations piercing through her insides like lightning. At this point, she could no longer see, hear, taste or feel anything else but the incredible lover on top of her and what he was making her feel.

Estelle knew she was about to surrender, and it would be a relief to do so.

"FINE! Do whatever you want with me... Ahhhhh... as long as... y-you can... Unghhhh... just prove to me that you really do WANT ME! That I am SPECIAL to you, and that's not just my imagination!"

The very virile man above her paused for a Moment and then raised his head to look her in the eye. "That is my intention, princess. Let my action speak..."

He began to slowly bury his pulsing manhood into her moistness, then stopped midway...

As she whimpered her objections, he took a while to enjoy the sight of her nakedness and feel her walls tighten around his thick member...

Then he slammed himself into her with the force of a sledgehammer!

Estelle screeched in intense passion and satisfaction as this amazing specimen of a man pounded into her with speed and strength, causing her walls to tighten even more. This caused the sensual sensations between them to intensify twice over, making their lovemaking even more satisfying yet hungering at the same time.

And though he had the staying power to keep slamming into her for hours, his need for her wouldn't allow him to.

Neither will she.

"Stephan... damn it, more... I'm close." she cried between clenched teeth. "FASTER... go HARDER... PLEEEEEEEASSSE!!!"

"Motherfucker, you feel. so good. I'm cumming... Estelle... I'm CUMMING!!!" he gritted; his jaw clamped together. "FUUUUUKKK!!!"

They reached their peaks at the same time along with their cries of satisfaction. The pair were lost in a climax that overwhelmed their senses more than they ever felt before with any other partner. The afterglow was amazing as well, as they had hardly recovered but had already started to kiss, caress and nuzzle again.

Suddenly, an explosion rang out from outside the room, causing the room's tall glass windows to shatter!

The man on top of her was thrown off the sofa, and Estelle sat up in shock and terror.

Looking down, she saw her lover's body covered in blood...

Looking up, she saw her Father's heart monitor going flat line...

Looking across the room, she saw the door being kicked open and in came half a dozen men with high-powered guns...

And they were now all looking lustily at her.

The last thing she saw was her screaming as she was being violated by multiple men, while she kept screaming a name..."

" VICTOR! HELP ME!!! VIIIIICTOOOR!"

The blond-haired woman sitting at the back of the limo was wearing silver four-inch stilettos with rhinestones and glitter embedded into them. Though very chic, her shoes seemed to be out of place since it was early morning, and she was on her way to work.

However, her expensive high-heels did match her onyx and diamond jewelry set, which included a platinum watch, silver choker, a white gold ring on her right pointy finger, small hoop earrings with a single small diamond each near her earlobes, and a thick shackle-like slave bracelet, all made with elegant with classic-looking lines in black metal. It all completed her evening gala socialite look, but she didn't care about the way she looked right now.

Her mind was still fluttering over her dream and the to-dos for the day when Eros' low bass voice pierced through her cluttered thoughts.

"We might be in for some heavy traffic, Zoe. I'll be calling your Father about it and I hope you don't mind."

"Eros, just do your job. After all, he's your boss and that's what you're being paid for," she answered without caring.

She was also wearing a typical business suit any modern-day executive female would wear, except that her cream-coloured blouse's front was opened beyond her breast line, and it had no buttons to close it. Her deep, rounded cleavage was on full display since she chose not to wear a bra. She has never worn underwear ever, and she's not about to start now just because they'll be having several serious business meetings today.

The man sitting in front of her paused in his planned phone call as he watched her put on blood-red lipstick on her full lips to match her shiny crimson nail polish.

"Zoe, sorry for saying this, but are you sure about that blouse though, and all that jewellery, and those shoes? You are having several meetings with several business partners and big-time investors today, right?"

"Eros, please, that's NOT part of your job description. After all, we both know that the only one who'll put up a fuss is Victor, and he's NOT your boss and neither of you both are my Dad or my partner to comment on what I'm wearing, so I hope you both don't mind!"

The broad-shouldered, dark-haired, and handsome male's face remained cold and unreadable for a Moment before he went on to speed dial Roman Buenaventura's private number. Zoe could hear her Dad's suave and friendly tone from where she sat, as she continued to primp in front of her classy compact mirror.

"Good morning, Eros, let me guess, heavy traffic, right? You could have just sent me a text."

"I'm sorry, sir. I don't think I'll ever be used to just typing you a message."

"Well, you can take a man out of the army -"

"The same can be said about you. And Victor?"

"Ah, your so called twin is also late, which is why I'm sure you will also be delayed for the same reason. Tell my daughter to be ready for a very busy day. We have a lot happening since our newly acquired corporation has been onboard."

"I can hear you, Dad!" Zoe loudly interrupted while flipping her long thick and brown hair, not caring about ladylike behavior. "At least when I get there, I don't have to deal with the big bad wolf at once, so my day is saved, no matter how heavy it will be!"

Eros decided to go on speakerphone at this point, and she could almost "see" her Father clucking his tongue and shaking his head at his answer, "Daughter, why do you insist on having this long-time war with Victor? He's my first and most trusted business partner here at Silverfire and has been around with the family from the time that you were a child."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. He's your first protégé in the army and is like a son to you, blah, blah, blah! But he's the first one who turned cold on me, Dad, so you can't blame me for being this way with him."

"But is that the only reason why you hate him so much, Estelle?"

Zoe flinched, not just because her Father used his favourite name for her, which she secretly loathed because her dead Mom used to call her that, but because she knew that Victor's sudden iciness towards her - which started about a decade ago - had hit her hard.

She wasn't about to admit that to her Father, who she knew would take his loyal longtime friend's side.

Especially not when the clean-shaven and stoic Silverfire's Head of Security was right there in front of her, hearing words that he could easily tell Victor. Sure, he's the most trustworthy man in the whole company as far as she knows, but Eros did serve in her Father's former militia group more than a decade ago.

And, of course, Victor was in the same group. Twins, remember? Nope, Dad, I am not going to tell you SHIT!

"So Dad, am I really going to be the overall head for our upcoming annual Investor's Meet? I hope I've already gotten a go for that?"

Silence at the other end of the line.

Zoe sighed before whispering under her breath, "That's not a very good sign."

Eros seemed to have heard her, "Sir, we're already here. Just give us a few minutes to park, and we'll be there in your office in no time."

A sigh could be heard over the phone, although it's not clear if it was out of relief or slight frustration.

"Alright, we can just continue our discussion when you get here, Estelle. See you soon, darling daughter."

The call ended and Eros slipped his hi-tech wide-screen cellular work phone back into his coat's inner breast pocket. Zoe hurriedly stowed away her make-up things into her signature leather handbag, which had the same colour theme as her shoes and jewellery, slung it over her shoulder, and placed her formal leather binder on her lap.

Discussion huh, Dad? If I find out that it's Victor who's vetoing my proposal for the annual event, I swear! the woman said to herself.

She didn't get to finish her thoughts as their tinted door was opened by their chauffeur, Serg. It was hard to stay mad with this young man's eager-to-please attitude and innocent, cheerful smile.

"Here we are, Miss Zoe. You have a nice day now. You too, Sir Eros," their boyish-looking driver beamed, as he stretched his arm out towards the executive elevator entrance, which looked more like a simple cargo elevator.

Except, of course, there were hidden security measures before it could even be opened.

Sergei stood right behind them, with the limo doors locked, as Eros placed his hand over a spot on the bare cemented wall beside the wide elevator door frame. It lit up under his palms and a patch of light showed up above his hand. He then pressed specific spots on the glowing strip and a ding could be heard as the elevator doors slid open. As the overall Security Head of the whole of Silverfire Inc., he preferred to do everything by himself rather than Zoe, so she let him do all that on his own.

The two top honchos entered the lift and that's the only time Sergei slid his gun back into his chest holster and unlocked the limo's front door. Zoe and Eros didn't see him drive away since they were already zooming up to the 122nd floor by that time.

While going up, Zoe was reviewing her dream and what happened last night.

"VICTOR! NOOOOO!!!"

Zoe woke up to her screaming his name again. She hoped to God that no one heard her. Meanwhile, her mind is running in panic mode.

Thank God that I practically have my own suite in this house. If this happened in our luxury condo, my Dad would definitely freak out. Especially since it's THAT name, I'm screaming like I'm being murdered.

She knew she had slept naked last night, so there was nothing to take off before taking her bath. And since she slept alone in her massive bedroom, walking around naked was the most natural thing for her to do.

Heh, knowing how we always fight, I don't think Daddy would even find it strange. Besides, it's a dream that's really strange. Like how many times did I dream that up? At least once a week? Damn, I must really be wanting him that much.

The young woman opened her eyes and saw complete darkness. She was a bit surprised since she usually slept with one or two ambient lights on.

Need to find a way to get my "fix" soon. I've been so busy lately that I haven't had time for that. I really should schedule a session, and fast. My sanity depends on it.

She tried to sit up on her bed, then realized that she had her "fix" quite recently.

Her "fix" was sleeping soundly right beside her, naked as the day he was born.

Oh my God, I'm not at home! FUCKING hell, was I that totally out of myself? Damn it Zoe, how could you forget?! Thank God, he didn't wake up when I started screaming!

As she tried to creep out of bed, Zoe realized that two other men were sharing her room, all of them in the same state of undress as she was. She groaned as more of the memories of the night before started invading her head, along with a strong headache and nausea due to a lousy hangover. Meanwhile, her "Cousin It" never had a hangover, and she wished she were so lucky.

It's that dream! That fucked up shitty nightmare! Now I'm so disoriented that I am not able to realize where I am. And shit, we have a full day of meetings later in the day too! I have to get back home before my Father leaves for the office. Shitshitshitshit!

Thankfully, she was able to get a cab to drop her off a few meters away from their mansion's camera-ridden gates. Zoe also managed to sneak into the property and inside her room without anyone seeing her or being caught on the CCTV, hours before her Father had already left with their chauffeur/bodyguard Sergei.

And now, she's but seconds away from reaching the President and Vice-President's office floor. Zoe couldn't help but smile mischievously at being able to avoid being discovered with her secret fix... again.

Genius move, Zoe, to message your Dad before leaving "The Midnight Resort" so you can show up later at the office an hour before the meetings. And using Asya as an excuse too? Hah, he always goes soft when he hears me spending time with my ultimate childhood best friend. Now, all the evidence of last night has been erased with a bit of sleep, a fast intense facial, make-up galore, and a double shot of espresso.

The elevator doors opened, and the Security Chief made sure he was one step ahead of the only daughter of Roman Stephano Buenaventura as they walked the half-dozen carpeted meters toward the Silverfire President's office. His being a natural gentleman dictated it, along with the fact that he knew it was what was expected of him, since it's a security protocol that he personally included in Silverfire corporate safety rules and regulations which he personally added when he became the Security Head of the said business conglomerate.

Eros' strong hands smoothly turned the ornate doorknobs of the carved mahogany double doors of Roman's modern and state-of-the-art executive office. He opened it with only a slight shove due to the impressive strength of his muscular arms.

In walked Zoe, into her Father's massive and classically-designed corporate room...

And her smile disappeared.

As her heart started to pound.

"Hello Estelle, I see you've come dressed for another kind of occasion. Are we having a party later? "

She could have her Father calling her that name, but not from him. Nor could she take that kind of criticism from Victor for how she was, especially when it came to the way she looked.

And that smooth, sarcastic, and drawling tone of his that was sending chills up and down her spine...

"Hello Victor!" she slowly said in a cold, cutting voice, her hazel eyes narrowing.

And no one in the room can blame her for how she's feeling right now.