hapter 7
Chapter 7
57%
Tiana was just digging into her morning pancakes when her phone buzzed. It was Dad–Cedric. “Hey, Tiana,” he said, “Simon flaked on the engagement thing. He’s sorry, though. Can you let bygones be bygones?”
Her forehead crinkled in a frown. The Schneiders and the Fletchers were bigwigs in Novavista. Their joining forces was a
win–win.
She used to be head over heels for Simon, but after all the pain he’d caused, her dad still wanted her to take him back. She wondered if Cedric even cared about her feelings.
Simon had messed up more times than she could count. Each time, she’d given him another chance, but all she got was his cold shoulder. There had to be a line somewhere.
“Maybe I don’t want to,” she shot back, her voice icy.
Cedric was taken aback by her firmness. “Tiana, you’re twenty–one now. Selene, your age, is already making waves at Novavista Medical University, helping me out with the company. She’s the brains behind ChillRelief Capsules, putting our pharma business on the map. What about you?”
Cedric continued, “I told you I didn’t want you to get into showbiz, but you insisted. You wanted to be with Simon, and I backed you up. Now everyone in Novavista knows how much you love him. If you’re not with him, who else will want you? You’re floundering in med school and your love life. It’s like you can’t focus on anything for more than five minutes.”
Tiana was floored. She couldn’t believe her father, her biggest supporter, was laying into her like this. ‘Am I doomed to love the wrong guy forever? Is there no escape? And getting into showbiz made me unfocused and a failure at med school? So, in Dad’s eyes, I am just a screw–up, incapable of getting anything right
Tiana was just about to respond when a voice as warm as a cup of cocoa came through the line. “Dad, Mom’s got breakfast ready, and your favorite shrimp frittata’s on the table. Better get here quick before it gets cold!”
It was Selene Starling, the golden child of the family. Her mom, Coraline Starling, had become part of the Schneiders a decade ago, and Selene had always been the picture of a loving daughter, a far cry from Tiana’s more self–centered ways. Selene had a knack for calling Cedric with a sweetness Tiana rarely matched.
The Schneider family villa had lost its cozy charm for Tiana. The rose garden, her mom’s pride and joy, was now a thing of the past, replaced by Coraline’s new floral choices. Every visit was a reminder of the happy family unit Cedric, Coraline, and Selene had become.
“Tiana, I’m off to breakfast. Simon will be meeting you. Be nice to him and stop acting spoiled!” Cedric’s words were firm as he ended the call.
The doorbell chimed, and Tiana groaned, rubbing her forehead. She looked over at Enoch, who was watching her closely. “I’m not in the mood to see Simon,” she declared with a firm shake of her head.
Enoch rose, striding to the door and pulling it open, revealing Simon on the doorstep. He was holding a gorgeous bouquet of rainbow roses, a special delivery from overseas, meant to impress Tiana. His confident smile slipped a bit when he saw
Enoch instead of Tiana,
“What brings you here so early, Enoch?” Simon asked, trying to sound casual. Enoch wasn’t just any bodyguard; his imposing presence and stern demeanor were enough to make anyone uneasy.
of few smiles, except
“Tiana doesn’t wish to see you. Please leave. Enoch said, his face a mask of indifference. Het when he was around Tiana, and his cold, distant demeanor was a clear deterrent.
He was a
16:25 Fri, 14 Feb 0
Chapter 7
Enoch towered over Simon by a couple of inches, his broad shoulders and muscular frame filling the doorway. His fitted shirt did little to hide his combat–ready physique, a subtle reminder that he was more than just a pretty face.
Simon, the charming heir of Novavista, was no match for Enoch’s brawn. He sneered at the bodyguard. “Get out of my way! This is between Tiana and me. It’s not your business to butt inf“
He made a move to push past Enoch, but the guy didn’t budge, standing there like a solid rock. Simon’s frustration grew. “You’re Enoch Gaston, right? If you don’t step aside, I swear I can make a call that’ll have you out of Novavista faster than you can blink”
Most people would’ve quaked at Simon’s threat, but Enoch was unmoved. His chiseled face was a blank slate, and he loomed over Simon, an immovable force. His dark eyes held a hint of scorn, treating Simon like a mere pest.
For a second. Simon felt a powerful vibe coming from Enoch, something regal and commanding, but he shook it off. No way a mere bodyguard could have that kind of presence.
Simon barked, “Are you trying to protect her because you’ve got a crush on Tiana? You need to know your place. Even if she
you- doesn’t marry me, she’d never go for a nobody like
“Enough!” Tiana burst in from the dining area, her eyes blazing at Simon. “You don’t get to talk down to my people!” She yanked Enoch into the apartment and slammed the door, catching Simon’s nose in the process and drawing blood. Simon stood there, scowling at the closed door. Tiana had been getting more defiant lately. He wondered, “Where is the girl who used to follow me around? I haven’t cheated–just skipped our engagement party. Couldn’t we just reschedule!
After tending to his bleeding nose, Simon left, his face dark. They’d had fights before, and she’d always come back within a week. This time would be no different. She loved him too much to really walk away. With that thought, Simon felt a little more at peace.
After Tiana slammed the apartment door, she was about to retreat to her room. But as she reached for the handle, Enoch cornered her, his muscular arms caging her against the doorframe.
Her eyes widened in surprise. “What are you?” she started, but he didn’t let her finish. His lips crashed into hers, a passionate and demanding kiss that left her breathless.
The world spun as their lips met, and for a moment, all her sorrows vanished. She was so lost in the kiss that she didn’t realize she was running out of air until she had to push against his chest.
He finally pulled back, resting his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling. His eyes held hers, watching as she nibbled her lip. In a deep, gravelly voice, he said, “Don’t do that, babe.”
Tiana was captivated, unable to break his gaze. Her heart fluttered as his thumb gently traced her swollen lips. “The kiss was for standing up for me,” he explained.
AD
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