"Look into my eyes

and confess your feelings

I didn't want to let go

because I'm ready to love you

If we are meant to be,

my heart will be yours.."

-SS

Earlier that afternoon, Devon ordered flowers for Natalia. Though he didn't visit her for the past month, he's genuinely worried about her but knew his wife needed time to focus on Daniel's condition. No one knows how sick the man is but they assumed it's worse. When Natalia presented herself at the shareholders' meeting a few days ago, he then planned to take actions in claiming her back.

Currently, he's waiting for Natalia to finished her work. When his wife reached the ground floor, he just observed her getting curious about his little gift.

He noticed she's getting finer like a wine as time passes by. Her wavy dark brown hair and white cream skin are glowing. Her face is vibrant and those cherry lips are mesmerizing. Devon admitted that he wasn't able to appreciate her as he's more focused on establishing business relationships for their company from the past years. He should have known better.

After his pondering, he dialed her number and slowly walked towards the beautiful woman.

Natalia sighed in defeat as Devon already stood in front of her. Ignoring his expression of relief, she took a glance towards the main entrance to see if Cal has arrived. Her phone buzzed and she received a message from her bodyguard. She quickly closed her eyes in frustration. No wonder he's a no-show...he got stranded in a mild traffic.

'What a timing.'

Seeing a no way out, Natalia silently followed Devon up to the main entrance. Unknown to her, the man was restraining himself to touch her. As they waited, a white two-seater Jaguar halted in front of them. The valet then alighted from the driver's seat and greeted Devon.

"Nat!" Both of them turned their heads on the person who shouted cheerfully.

"Ariel. It's soo nice seeing you here again." Natalia genuinely stated. Her unsung prayer has been heard.

The woman who just arrived, kissed Natalia's cheeks and automatically place herself between the two. Ironically, the scene played as if they're close friends.

"What are you two doing here?" Ariel inquired enthusiastically in a fake tone making herself dull. At least in Natalia's ears.

"I'm just waiting for my ride." Natalia responded keeping her cool. She intentionally stated that she is going home with no additional company.

Then Ariel, in all of her wits, turned to Devon. "Are you returning to the Yushkova mansion?"

The man looked at his wife and decided to say 'no' to Ariel.

"There goes my ride." Natalia suddenly uttered praying she won't be discovered and that her acting skills will be at par with the 'barbie doll'. She walked outside the Zimmer Company's main gate keeping her grace and make her way to the first car she spotted. The nearest was the latest model of black BMW 540 who seemed to slow down.

Gathering her confidence, Natalia opened the door of the tinted vehicle thanking the Higher Being that it pulled over as if waiting for her. She planned on alighting at the nearest drop-off area and compensate the owner of the vehicle.

She quickly looked back at the two leeches and saw their eyes getting wide. The car is a limited edition of BMW. In their country, only a handful of people owned that kind of model.

Natalia settled on the rear passenger seat closing her eyes and calmed her breathing. She felt that the car started to move and immediately opened her eyes to look around. She just noticed the person sitting beside her.

'Alexander Gates....'

The very handsome and powerful man was seated next to Natalia looking at her intently. His honey-colored eyes penetrated her whole being. She felt defenseless and small in front him.

"I...I'm very sorry for the intrusion, Mr. Gates. Forgive me." Natalia said with sincerity and prepared to alight anytime now.

Once the traffic lights turned red, she opened the door and quickly descended from the vehicle forgetting about the compensation. "Thank you for your kindness Mr. Gates."

The man just nodded at her, then the car drove away.

Sergei was observing his boss through the rear-view mirror. The powerful man lazily looked at his phone but with a hint of a smile on his lips. The assistant took note of the fact that Mrs. Yushkova is an impressive individual for drawing an unusual delightful expression to his stone-cold boss. Plus, she's the only person that was allowed a direct interaction with his fearsome employer.

#######

"What?! Give us the full details." Ziv excitedly asked of Natalia. They were having a home-made dinner at the Zimmer estate.

"What's he like?" Luna inquired.

"Is it hard?" Trish questioned.

All of them almost expel the food from their mouths and looked shockingly at the red-haired woman.

"I meant, resisting his charms and getting off his car?" Trish explained casually confused of their weird reactions.

"No." Natalia replied.

"Huh." Ziv commented wiggling his brows. He glanced at Luna knowingly.

Natalia saw their interaction but chose to ignore. She's just thankful that she didn't offend Mr. Gates. The end. Hopefully.

After having dinner, the group transferred at the living room. Jake then came out of the study and handed three invitations to the guests.

"Thank you, Mr. Zimmer." Ziv was the one who received the invitations from Jake, who wore eyeglasses which made him innocently ravishing, and purposely hold the latter's hand longer than intended.

Natalia rolled her eyes at Ziv's gesture. Her brother just shook his head smiling and ignored the matter. She secretly observed him as he took a quick glance at the red-haired lady. Then Jake took his leave to go back to the study room with a smirk.

"Yum." Ziv drooled over Natalia's handsome brother.

"Ugh..give me a break!" Natalia stood up to get an ice cream tub and share the dessert with her friends.

Ziv is willing to make their gowns for the upcoming Zimmer Grand Ball which is two months from now. The ball is an annual fundraising event. It includes the famous date-for-auction segment which is the highlight of the night. All of them became excited for the event.

After her friends went home, Natalia visited her father in the master's bedroom.

"Hi dad. How are you?..." Everyday, she would talk to her father and update him about her life.

"...So please wake up and be my date on the ball." She said to Daniel with her eyes pooling with tears. I love you dad.

#######

At the Yushkova mansion.

"Ariel, did you---".

"Yes. I've already found a way. Just say the word." I informed Victoria and winked at her feeling proud of my work.

"That's my girl." Victoria praised and hugged me. After few more talks, we went on our respective rooms.

I went straight to the bathroom and slipped off my designer dress from Ziv. I'm excited for the Zimmer Grand Ball because Victoria promised me another gown from the well known fashion guru. I can't wait to add it to my collections.

I stared at my bare body's reflection at the mirror in front of me. Though I'm not the petite type, my body has the right curves and I'm legally blonde. I remembered how Mr. Genome feasted on my figure.

EARLIER

"How have you been Ariel? You've grown into a fine woman." The man shamelessly looked at me from head to toe as we made our way to a cafe near the Zimmer building.

"I'm always good Mr. Genome. How about you?" I said smiling shyly at him remembering I need to get on his good side.

"Call me Jude." He said to me. I just nodded as we enter the cafe. He treated me with a drink of my choice and he chose a table that was at the corner of the establishment. Jude was on his forties and his frame isn't pleasing to the eyes. He's not muscular and has a crooked smile on him. I shook my head to focus at the present matter.

"Jude...didn't you have a meeting with Natalia?" I asked him drinking from my cup.

"I've requested her assistant to reschedule the meeting when I saw you." The man confessed. '

"You don't have to do that." I said with a surprised tone.

"I do and I can. There are more important things than that." Mr. Genome looked at me with a meaning. I blushed at his statement.

"Thank you, Jude. You have always treated me with goodness and care." I said thoughtfully as I've reached out his hand. I saw him looking at my hand covering his. He smiled at my action. After few more praises to him, his hand landed on my knee.

"If you need anything, you can come to me Ariel." He said squeezing the part just above my knee and produced a mischievous smile. I felt disgusted but I have to endure. I gave him a grateful look.

PRESENT

I have come a long way to retreat my steps. Now that I am inside the Yushkova family, I need to be useful and be the future Madam of this great household. I long to be with Devon for a long time and cannot wait for his future ex-wife to be of nothing.

For a long time, I have swallowed being her shadow as early as when we were teenagers. Now that I have the opportunities, the man I love and this powerful family will be mine at last.

Finishing my night routine, I wore a lingerie and covered it with a robe. I opened my drawer and got the special perfume stick I've ordered from the underground market.

I made my way to Devon's room and found it empty. . He's still on his study.

I have set the sticks above one of the cabinets and lit it. The aroma dispersed around the room. I've waited for him and turned the lights off.

The door creak and I know that Devon has arrived. He went straight to the bathroom. After few minutes, he exited wearing only a towel which was clinging on his waist.

I saw the changed on Devon. His body became still and I know the aphrodisiac scent already affected him. Dropping my robe to the floor, I walked towards him. I've embraced him from behind and I felt his muscles trembled. He turned around and faced me.

"W..what're you doing here Ariel?" Devon asked in a hoarse voice as he gritted his teeth while looking at my body. He closed his eyes trying to control the urge.

"Don't fight it." I said to him in a seductive way. He opened his eyes which showed lust and lifted me to lay me on the bed. .

"Damn it." Devon whispered as he devoured my lips giving in to his urges.