A Psychotic Love
Caroline Smith
I tapped my foot on the ground under the desk as my mind continued to race. What else could I do? If I didn't focus on the tapping of my foot or the sounds of commotion in the office, the image of him and her would slip into my head.
My now ex-boyfriend, Carlos, was unfaithful to me after 2 years. Walking in to see my assistant, Evelyn, and the man I figured I would one day settle down with, on top of each other in bed, breaking my heart. It wasn't how I expected us to end.
I wanted to wait for him until we married. It's not like I'm some traditionalist or stuck on some rules of religious ways, I'm far from that. I'd just been a virgin for so long, so why not wait? I was so sure he had been the one. But someone who loves you truly and deeply doesn't cheat on you.
Turning away from the computer screen, I looked out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the views of New York. I have always loved this city I've called home and admired its beauty.
Sighing and looking back to the screen, I continued to my emails, but all I could do was type gibberish in frustration and then click backspace fifty times. I let the rage finally consume me.
"Two years, t w o f u c k i n g y e a r s" What a cocky bastard to think he could just fuck her and get away with it.
It might not seem like a lot of time, but two years of my love life wasted. The love I had for him faded and turned into hatred the second I opened the door and saw him a few nights prior. Evelyn, the assistant mentioned, has called in sick since.
"Caroline" echoed in the back of my mind as I slowly returned to my senses.
"Caroline" I looked up at him; my father towered over me, causing me to make full eye contact shit.
"Tony, good morning. Why are you here?" I quickly got into the habit of sitting straight, setting my tone to formal.
"How am I supposed to one day pass this company to you if your ADHD basically runs it for you? Get your shit together. We have a meeting with some friend's investors" His tone was harsh, and he seemed irritated as he sighed in aggravation.
"I don't care what kind of week you've had or what's going on in your personal life. All I care about is you in that meeting selling yourself."
Tony Smith, my father, wasn't someone I was too fond of. He was my father, not my Dad. In my mind, I simply didn't have a Dad or Mom, well, the kind who were warm, loving, or just cared for their children in general. I had a mother and a father who were just cold and cared about business.
Since graduating college, I've been here, being trained to someday take over Smith Publishing Company. Not to be overconfident, but I was fantastic at my job. I'd been told over and over how I'm determined, impressive, and incredibly smart. But not by my parents or by investors. My parents never gave me the recognition. They did not really care for their children because the issue was they had two girls.
I always wondered what life would be like if they had a son instead of just two daughters, but deep down, I knew it would be worse.
Growing up it was just me and Belle, my baby sister. We raised each other. Belle was more outgoing and free but I was always more guarded, I had to be. Being scolded by my parents and unloved my entire life was damaging.
Caroline and Belle were graceful, and elegant and most definitely did not lack beauty. Her brown dough eyes could lock anyone in, along with her soft brown hair. Her figure was perfect, but her parents caused her to have more anxiety over eating growing up.
My parents didn't want us to be 'ugly fat disappointments'. But in their eyes, that's what we were. Even after getting into Columbia all on my own, busting my ass for years. The recognition from Olivia and Tony was never given.
I wanted to know what it was like to be truly and deeply loved. I thought I loved Carlos, but then it hit me that maybe my mind was fooling me into thinking that the manipulation was love.
He signaled at me again once more to get up. It's not my fault I was late; my assistant has been absent recently. I quickly gathered my files, stood up from the desk, pushed the lacy office chair back into the desk, and scurried out of my office. I glanced at my assistant's desk to see an expected absence. "I wouldn't show up either."
I could sense the fear around me as I walked through the floor, and my employees stood as I followed behind Tony. Stopping at the glass door of a conference room filled with people waiting as I opened the door "Sorry for my lateness."
"It's alright, Caroline; no worries," Kate, my co-worker, said. I liked her. She was kind but also fierce and well-driven. I walked over and took a seat between Kate and the head of the table where Tony sat.
"Okay, so we will start off with ideas on renovations from Kimberly."
--------------
After the two-hour meeting, I went to my office to finally check my phone. I saw that it had exploded with texts from Marta and Joy, my roommates and best friends.
I met Marta freshman year at Columbia and have known Joy since high school at Exeter together.
We are going out tonight. It's a Friday, and we are not taking no for an answer - Marta
I read the text and groaned. I wasn't a club kind of girl, and not much of a big drinker either. Growing up with my father getting so drunk and protecting Belle made me hate alcohol sometimes or consume too much of it
Of course, I did party in college, but that was only if I wasn't studying. I worked my ass off to prove myself to undeserving parents.
I scrolled through the messages accepting my fate of what was to come.
Sorry, Caroline but we have to get this silly little boy off your mind and get you back in the game - Joy
Trust me, this is out of love for you - Marta
And Marta needs some action for herself - Joy
Says you! - Marta
Seriously, who let these girls be on their phones?
Shouldn't you be working right now - Caroline
I'm a multi-tasker - Joy
I'm a procrastinator - Marta
Turning off my phone, I looked back to my computer. As I realized how much of a procrastinator I was starting to become myself.
Leaving my desk I collected the sticky notes I'd written for Evelyn a list of things she missed while she was out. But I figured she'd never return.
I held off going to HR for so long due to not wanting to be petty. But the thought of Evelyn tampering with my passcodes and work kept me up at night. I mean, who knows what this chick would do if I officially fired her?
I went to HR, and Clyde looked up at me, frightened. "Morning, Clyde." Seriously, this dude looked as if he could liquify.
"Morning, Miss Smith. How may we help you?" I bit back with pride, but I needed an assistant.
"I would like to request a new assistant, and I will be resetting all my passwords tonight." he seemed confused.
"Evelyn is a secure choice for an assistant. I don't see the need to fire her; she gets her work done and does her job well-"
"And is absent for three days after her boss walks in on her in bed with her boyfriend. Such a lovely lady. It's good to see your blushing has gone down, Clyde, because I don't think you're Evelyn's type. She's more into taking what's not hers." I smiled at him as his jaw dropped.
"Nobody said anything about firing; you can switch her to Hunter." I leaned down and whispered, "He's hell to have as a boss, but I think it's a better punishment than being fired." I stepped back and cleared my throat. "We clear Clyde?"
"Crystal Miss Smith"
"Good, that's good. I have to go wrap up a few things and then head home for the day," I said as I peeked at my watch at 3:45 p.m.
"Enjoy your weekend." I turned to go back to my office.
What happens when the mafia boss, Martin Mack's assistant overhears a conversation that puts a target on her back by Martin's heartless frenemy?? Martin must now take her into protection until everything settle down, but what settles down in the mafia world? Secrets are revealed , wars begin and romance bud much to Martin's protest. Can the mafia boss handle the mess that comes with protecting his assistant? Can Taylor handle Martin's way of living and be a part of it? Read on to find out how the pair make adjustments in their lives.
When Sofia Fernando storms out after a heated argument with her parents, she takes on a night of rebellion with her best friend Gabriella. Unfortunately the night takes an unfavorable turn. Drugged by a stranger at the club, the evening spirals into danger-until David, the ruthless leader of the Capon mafia, who was watching from afar steps in. But David's intentions are far from noble. Obsessed with Sofia, he will stop at nothing to make her his, no matter the cost. As Sofia becomes trapped in a web of dark desire, she must choose between fighting for her freedom or surrendering to a love that could destroy her. This isn't a typical love story. It's a dive into the dangerous depths of obsession, where love and madness coexist.
On the night of her sixteenth birthday, Ava Barbara’s world shatters when she’s captured by Jacob Stanley, a ruthless werewolf hunter who is on a dangerous mission. Held captive, Ava discovers a dark secret that threatens both her pack and Jacob, her captor. Now Ava is left with with two options: Will she tell her captors about the evil that is about to befall the Wolf hunters and the Wolf Pack ? Or will she find a way to safe only her pack? This book will test your patience, so be prepared. Enjoy😁
Meek and kind-hearted Robert is stuck in a turbulent marriage with Pamela, the love of his life, whose family appears to harbour an irrational hatred for him. He constantly experiences hostility and abuse from his wife's family because he is the son-in-law. Robert's in-laws are unaware that he is not the poor, common man they believe him to be. In truth, Robert is the last survivor of a sizable wealth that was left to him by a distant uncle who died many years ago. Robert had decided to keep his financial situation a secret from Pamela and her family out of concern that his money would overshadow any true relationship.
(This book has sex scenes is rated 18+)In the elite world of New York City, 19-year-old Sophia Jack's life shatters when her father arranges her marriage to Billionaire Andrew Arthur, the son of a childhood friend. Sophia resists, setting the stage for a tumultuous relationship. Dark secrets surface as Sophia unveils ties between both families and the underground mafia. She faces a gut-wrenching choice: expose her father's past or allow Andrew's family's criminal empire to flourish. With the Mafia closing in, Sophia strikes a dangerous deal to save them both. But danger escalates, leaving them with the consequences of their choices.
"You're a creepy bastard." His eyes smolder me and his answering grin is nothing short of beautiful. Deadly. "Yet you hunger for me. Tell me, this appetite of yours, does it always tend toward 'creepy bastards'?" **** Widower and ex-boss to the Mafia, Zefiro Della Rocca, has an unhealthy fixation on the woman nextdoor. It began as a coincidence, growing into mere curiosity, and soon, it was an itch he couldn't ignore, like a quick fix of crack for an addict. He didn't know her name, but he knew every inch of her skin, how it flushed when she climaxed, her favourite novel and that every night she contemplated suicide. He didn't want to care, despising his rapt fascination of the woman. She was in love with her abusive husband. She was married, bound by a contract to the Bratva's hitman. She was off-limits. But when Zefiro wanted something, it was with an intensity that bordered on madness. He obsessed, possessed, owned. There'd be bloodshed if he touched her, but the sight of blood always did fascinate him. * When Susanna flees from her husband, she stumbles right into the arms of her devilishly handsome neighbour with a brooding glare. He couldn't stand her, but she needed him, if she was ever going to escape her husband who now wanted her dead. Better the devil you know than the angel you don't. She should have recalled that before hopping into Zefiro's car and letting him whisk her away to Italy. Maybe then, she wouldn't have started an affair with him. He was the only man who touched her right, and the crazy man took no small pains in ensuring he would be the last.
On her wedding day, Khloe’s sister connived with her groom, framing her for a crime she didn’t commit. She was sentenced to three years in prison, where she endured much suffering. When Khloe was finally released, her evil sister used their mother to coerce Khloe into an indecent liaison with an elderly man. As fate would have it, Khloe crossed paths with Henrik, the dashing yet ruthless mobster who sought to alter the course of her life. Despite Henrik’s cold exterior, he cherished Khloe like no other. He helped her take retribution from her tormentors and kept her from being bullied again.
Madison had always believed that she would marry Colten. She spent her youth admiring him from afar, dreaming of their future life together. But Colten was always indifferent to her, and when he abandoned her at a time when she needed him most, she finally realized that he never loved her. With renewed resolve and a thirst for revenge, Madison left. Endless possibilities lay ahead, but Colten was no longer part of her plans. Colten rushed to her place in a panic. "Madison, please come back to me. I’ll give you everything!" It was his powerful uncle who answered the door. "She's my woman now."
After three secretive years of marriage, Eliana never met her enigmatic husband until she was served with divorce papers and learned of his extravagant pursuit of another. She snapped back to reality and secured a divorce. Thereafter, Eliana unveiled her various personas: an esteemed doctor, legendary secret agent, master hacker, celebrated designer, adept race car driver, and distinguished scientist. As her diverse talents became known, her ex-husband was consumed by remorse. Desperately, he pleaded, "Eliana, give me another chance! All my properties, even my life, are yours."
As far as everyone was concerned, William had married Renee under duress. Now that his one true love was back—and with child—they couldn’t wait for him to abandon Renee. Surprisingly, Renee was candid about the situation. "To be honest, I’m the one asking for a divorce every single day. I want it even more than any of you!" But they brushed off her remark as a paltry attempt to save face. Until William made a declaration himself. "Divorce is out of the question. Anyone who spreads false rumors shall face legal consequences!" Renee was at a loss. What was this crazy man up to now?
Rena got into an entanglement with a big shot when she was drunk one night. She needed Waylen's help while he was drawn to her youthful beauty. As such, what was supposed to be a one-night stand progressed into something serious. All was well until Rena discovered that Waylen's heart belonged to another woman. When his first love returned, he stopped coming home, leaving Rena all alone for many nights. She put up with it until she received a check and farewell note one day. Contrary to how Waylen expected her to react, Rena had a smile on her face as she bid him farewell. "It was fun while it lasted, Waylen. May our paths never cross. Have a nice life." But as fate would have it, their paths crossed again. This time, Rena had another man by her side. Waylen's eyes burned with jealousy. He spat, "How the hell did you move on? I thought you loved only me!" "Keyword, loved!" Rena flipped her hair back and retorted, "There are plenty of fish in the sea, Waylen. Besides, you were the one who asked for a breakup. Now, if you want to date me, you have to wait in line." The next day, Rena received a credit alert of billions and a diamond ring. Waylen appeared again, got down on one knee, and uttered, "May I cut in line, Rena? I still want you."