Page 64 of Fated Love with You

“I’m very impressed with your performance tonight,” he whispers harshly in my ear. “You were perfect.”

“Thank you…”

“You’re very welcome.” He adjusts the strap on my dress and spins me around, pressing a long kiss against my lips.

“Are we able to go home now?” I ask.

“You are,” he says. “The car will be ready by the time you make it downstairs.”

“What about you? Are you done, too?”

“No.” He presses a kiss against my forehead. “I’ll never be done.”

End of Episode 20

Painful Lengths

EPISODE 21

Ryder

My Heart

Thank you for letting me leave the estate with Miss Jane today!

I had a lot of fun.

You’re welcome… But don’t get used to it.

I know. Love you.

Love you more.

Islide my phone into my pocket and stare at my parents.

They’re staring back at me from a glittering gold locket, their eyes helping me calculate my next move.

This is one of few family heirlooms that I keep locked away in a bank’s security box; it’s the only place other than the cemetery and my basement where I can pay them a visit.

“One day, our empire will be yours, son… And you better not fuck it up…”

“Is everything alright in here, Mr. Rochester?” A bank employee clears her throat from the door.

“I’m fine, thank you.”

She disappears as quickly as she came in, and I lock the box and slide it into place. I check the other boxes, the ones that feature photos of my brothers, aunts, and uncles, and then I return to the bank’s main lobby to handle what I really came here for.

Checking in on everyone who owes me.

“You can come on up here, sir,” the teller smiles at me. “How may I help you tonight?”

“Check these twenty accounts,” I say, sliding her a sheet of paper and my signature card. “Verify that each one has made a deposit within the past week.”

“Do you need to know the amounts or balance on each?”

“No.”

She nods and takes the paper, typing away on her screen. “I think it’s really cool that you help so many local businesses. It’s very inspiring.”