The story so far:

"What the hell is doing here?" exclaimed Raul as he pushed the curtain back over the window in his office.

"I honestly don't know." said Sebastian as he pulled back the curtain to take a closer look. "Didn't Jack break up with her properly? He told me they were through. Claire looks like she's about to hold a press conference or something."

"What if she says she's pregnant or something?" said Raul as he pressed his temples.

"It's mathematically and scientifically impossible, with only one exception." said Sebastian standing up and pacing once again. "Jack and Claire broke up three years ago, so unless they had a one night stand I don't know about, she shouldn't technically be carrying his kid."

"I thought he was head over heels for Brielle?" groaned Raul. "She's such a sweet, sensible girl. Why can't he just stay with her?"

"Where in the blazes is Jack for that matter?" asked Raul slumping on his chair. "He should have returned by now."

"Beats me." said Sebastian as he sat down too.

"Shit, the press conference has started," said Raul as loud microphones blared outside the building.

"You know Raul, if anything happens to me, on the lines of heart failure, trauma, panic attack, please sue Jack on my behalf." sighed Sebastian as he pressed his palms over his eyes, as though he was afraid to watch.

***

A couple of hours had passed since they had arrived. The afternoon sun entered lazily through the blinds in a picturesque German village. The cozy room was dimly lit, and extremely quiet, except for the heavy breathing of the two human beings who were so deeply in love they didn't notice.

Jack hadn't slept a wink since they made love for the first time. His heart was still thundering in his chest as Brielle slept peacefully beside him. Reflecting on what had happened in the past hour, he smiled to himself.

He chuckled to himself as he remembered her lovely expressions. She had blushed so brightly when he undressed her. Her surprised gasps and moans as he touched her in ways she had never experienced before, made him fall even more in love with her.

No matter what Brielle thought, he was certain he had never seen anyone look and as beautiful as her.

He could not recall how many times he professed his love for her as he kissed every part of her body. He loved the way she called his name and gave herself to him completely. He was so afraid that he would hurt her...but he hadn't.

When Brielle was kidnapped he thought he had lost her for good. He did not know what was worse, the fact that someone would harm her or that he would not be around to protect her. Now that she was safe, as close as she could possibly be to him, sheathed within his arms he breathed easy. He would never let her be in any kind of danger again.

For starters he intended to spend every day with her, to fall asleep holding her close, knowing she was alright.

***

Brielle twitched at the gentle caress on her cheek. She opened her eyes slowly to see Jack gingerly flick a strand of loose hair off her face.

Feeling her stir awake, Jack kissed the top of her head.

"Jack," she said lovingly as she pulled him in for a deep kiss. Neither of them felt awkward since their lovemaking. It didn't matter if they were not of the same social status or wealthy enough, their physical self had already accepted the other as one.

It was incredible to Brielle, how effortlessly their bodies moved together, how wonderfully compatible they both were.

"I never knew that I was capable of feeling something like this." she said.

"Feel what?" asked Jack as he kissed her neck and ran his hands over her bare body. Brielle arched her back at his touch, her hands knotting themselves into the messy hair on top of his head.

He didn't seem the least bothered by the fact that they were both naked. Brielle, however couldn't help but blush and shiver slightly at his touch.

"Feeling loved." she said simply as his dark eyes found her own. Jack's eyes were filled with desire as he touched her intimate places, kissing her in ways that were unknown and yet felt so familiar. She moaned as he touched her differently this time. She gripped him tighter as a deeper urgency resonated within her.

"I want you." he said huskily as he nipped her shoulder roughly.

"I want you too." said Brielle blushing.

"My queen, your wish is my command." he said kissing her hand.

***

"I'm starving." announced Paula as she got up from the bed.

Axky put his arm around her waist and promptly pulled her down on top of him. "Where do you think you are going?"

"To get something to eat?" she said nervously as he started kissing her again.

"Food...is not so important." said Axky dismissively. "Let's stay in bed."

"Leslie?"

"NOOO not that name!" said Axky pulling away looking hurt. "It kills my sex drive."

Paula burst out laughing. "Axky we've been making out since we got back. We should seriously get ourselves a meal."

"Hmm." said Axky solemnly. "Okay. But afterwards we come back here."

"Sure." said Paula. "Now what would you like to eat? I can make you ravioli or casseroles, I'm especially good at making meatballs and spaghetti, or would you like some traditional Thai dishes. What kind of deserts do you like----Why are you staring at me like that?"

"You can cook?" spluttered Axky looking at her his eyes full of awe.

"Of course I can. I worked as a cook for the Kormins." she said smirking.

"You must be a good cook then. The Kormins were pretty healthy." remarked Axky smiling gleefully.

"So what would you like?" asked Paula.

"I'll eat anything, just make it look delicious so I can take a picture of it and send it to Jack., just to show him I got the better girl." said Axky taking out his phone.

Paula rolled her eyes. "Don't you have work to do? You know some hacking here, hacking there."

Axky stared at her shocked and a little hurt. "Hacking here, hacking there? I do not do any work until I get paid a handsome amount. I've refused seventeen requests since last night, because I wanted to spend some time with you."

Paula sighed. He was doing the puppy dog eyes thing again. She fought in her mind about whether she should comfort him with kisses or get lunch. The momentary indecision was solved by the sudden rumbling in her stomach.

"See ya." she said spinning around and racing out of the room.

"A smart girl is one who prioritizes her food over everything else." commented Axky slumping down on the bed and scrolling through the digital newspaper.

His eyes widened as he read the headlines.

***

The press conference was taking place just outside the office, but Raul and Sebastian preferred to watch her through the television.

"I don't trust myself to not punch her in the face if I attend the conference." Raul had said.

"Jack Dixon, my boyfriend for over two years is the most insensitive and heartless man in the world." said Claire her sharp sultry voice echoing through the microphone. She was standing on top of a red carpeted podium surrounded by thousands of reporters.

"THAT BITCH!" shouted Raul.

"Shhh" hissed Sebastion angrily. "I can't hear her."

"For two years he used me, and then broke up with me. That is a kind way to put it actually. The truth is he threw me to the curb. After everything we had been through, three years ago he dumped me when I was at my lowest. I was poor and hurting and he gave me no help, be it financial or emotional whatsoever.

He exploited my kindness, my ability to forgive and love. He hurt me so many times...often hitting me as well. I have cried myself to sleep so many times. That is why when I became pregnant I was scared to tell him..."

"Excuse me Ma'am, are you saying you are pregnant with Jack Dixon's baby?" asked a reporter in the front row.

"No. I was pregnant with Jack's baby, when he broke up with me. He called me a liar and accused me of trying to steal his company." said Claire, her manicured nails reaching up to her perfect red eyeliner, to detract a teardrop.

"I was in my first trimester with the baby when our relationship ended. Jack left me with no money or support, and I decided I would raise the child alone." she continued, her clear voice faltering slightly as she dabbed at her mascara covered eyes with a silk handkerchief.

"I gave birth to our baby girl Victoria exactly two years and six months ago, right before my modelling career took off." said Claire smiling triumphantly. "I never planned to tell anyone. I could take care of Vicky myself.

"But now she is growing older and she needs to know who her father is. She needs to know what a hypocrite, undeserving bastard he is. He calls me a conniving person, when in reality it is only him who exploits others. He abuses his power and money everywhere, as we all saw in the incidents that took place in Thailand last month. He got away with attempted murder and aggravated assault. As you can see he has always been violent and possessed an uncontrollable temper."

"But the reports say that Jack Dixon helped bring down a nexus of criminals..." called a tall reporter from the back.

"What do you expect? He has the best lawyers in the world and he keeps getting richer everyday." said Claire. "I'm just a lingerie model and socialite. He thought he could get away with his wrong doing against me and my daughter. I will not let him get away with it. I will fight till I get what is rightfully mine."

"And that is?" asked a reporter standing at the far end over a microphone.

"My daughter is the soul heiress to the Dixon Enterprises. I will not stop until we get it all." said Claire firmly, her beautiful face shining again, all traces of tears disappearing immediately.

"Now, everyone, please let me introduce Victoria to you all." said Claire. A little girl peeked out from behind the huge loudspeakers on the stage, and looked questioningly at Claire.

"Come here, darling." cooed Claire. "Mummy is right here."

The cameras zoomed in on the cute little girl in the pink frock. Her long black hair reached her waist, the colour as deep as Jack's own hair. Her eyes were a perfect bluish grey, and resembled Jack's perfectly. There was no doubt that she was his daughter.

"Thank you ladies and gentlemen." said Claire as she picked up Victoria into her arms. The little girl sucked her thumb and looked around confusedly, as cameras flashed on their faces. "I'll see you soon."

With that Claire and Victoria disappeared into a long black Rolls Royce and left the venue.

There was a very loud buzz among the reporters as soon as she was gone. The evhening news was going to be extremely juicy tonight. It seemed that Claire was going to win in court and if she did, she would easily get almost the entire Dixon Enterprises to her name in damages.

"What the HELL was that about?" said Raul as he switched off the television. "That kid is not Jack's is it? He's more responsible than that, isn't he?"

"Raul, I honestly don't know anymore. If what she says is true, and god knows Victoria looks uncannily like Jack, then there is nothing we can do. No amount of public relations, lawyers can get Jack out of this mess. She is accusing him of domestic violence, emotional and physical trauma, child negligence and hell knows what else. She's going to see this fight till the end, and we are bound to lose."

Raul sighed. Where the fuck was Jack when they needed him? Was he even listening to the news?

There was no denying that Jack Dixon was screwed all over.