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Sunshine

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Chapter 17: Sunshine (Stella's POV)

When my alarm rang the next morning, I didn't wake up with the usual groan and pout on my face. I woke up chirpier than the birds outside. 

Squinting my eyes open, I reached for my phone and tapped the alarm off before stretching in bed, releasing a breath as my muscles grew taut before relaxing while I wiggled my toes and then sat upright, running a hand through my hair and taking a look around my room. Everything was normal, just like it was every day. Simply mundane. 

But today was a brand new day with new rays of sunshine. Today, I was finally free of the D'Angelo marriage deal. 

Last night, once I hit the final button and received that confirmation email, securing the two million dollars into my account, I slept like a baby, feeling the huge weight of the marriage lift off my shoulders effortlessly. 

I did it. I really did it. Holy fucking shit, I pulled it off... 

The buzzing of my phone wiped the sleepy smile off my face as I leaned back and grabbed it, answering the phone once I read Zarah's name flashing on the screen. "Hello?" I cleared my throat. 

"Did you do it? Did you manage to get it done? Did you pull it off?" 

I sighed dramatically and fell back onto my bed. "I did, Zarah darling, I did," I sang, closing my eyes. 

She let out a breath of relief before a tiny squeal escaped her. "I'm so fucking happy, I can't believe you managed to pull it off. I—" I heard shuffling on her end before she chuckled and then Logan took over the phone. 

"Since you managed all on your own, Stella, let us go back to sleep." 

"Last I checked, I wasn't the one who woke you or your Mrs up, Sleeping Beauty," I teased. 

"Apparently, my Mrs can't decipher between prince charming and a troll." 

I laughed sarcastically, "The troll being you?" 

"The troll being her best friend. That's you, I'm afraid." 

I rolled my eyes in response. 

He always takes the last word, damn it. I'm used to winning at that game. 

"Goodbye," he said. 

"Logan," I rushed out before he disconnected. "I didn't get a chance to say this last night but thank you. Really, I mean it." 

There was a slight pause. "Just remember, you owe me a favor now. And," he huffed, "I still think going to Rhys would have been more beneficial for you. But regardless of that, you're welcome. Now, don't disturb us." I heard her laughter as I groaned in disgust and hung up, tossing my phone on the mattress. 

Celebrating my victory on a fine Sunday morning, I took my time getting out of bed and heading downstairs once I freshened up to make myself some breakfast. Keeping one hand on the lid of the blender, I replayed last night's events the same way I had before I fell asleep. 

I didn't leave a trace, I made sure of it. I did everything right and that too, without Logan's help. It took patience and a lot of loading symbols to finally transfer the money and the two glasses of white wine I had sitting at my kitchen counter, still in the dress I wore to that party, kept me busy. 

By the time the confirmation reached me, I was a little tipsy. Too exhausted and drunk to celebrate, I just cleaned myself up and fell asleep. Hence, my success is beaming down on me like sunshine this morning. 

When I snapped out of my thoughts and set up my breakfast on the kitchen island, my foot touched the fabric discarded beneath the counter, and looking down at it, I recalled how antsy and impatient I had gotten before tossing my dress and completing the rest of the... robbery, in a set of black lace panties and a bra. 

Oops. 

Scooping up the dress, I set it aside for the time being only before I could settle down to eat my breakfast, the doorbell rang. Bracing my hands on the counter, I huffed, "Damn it." Tightening the rose-colored satin robe I wore, I moved to the door and answered it, my heart dropping for a moment when my eyes clashed with Rhys's. "Mr. Romanov," I said, suppressing any surprise I might have shown. "It's a bit early for your usual tortuous visits, don't you think?" 

He brushed past me and welcomed himself into the penthouse, strolling in and taking a quick scan of the place before turning to face me as I shut the door, leaning against it. 

"And here I thought this was my apartment," I muttered. 

"I'm here to collect you." 

"Collect me?" I mused. 

"You need to come with me to your father's house. He's asked for you." 

"What for?"

"A meeting." 

"Elaborate." I headed back into the kitchen with him reluctantly following me. 

"With Matteo and Nico D'Angelo." 

I took my bottom lip between my teeth but forced myself to keep a blank face as I sat back down. "Isn't my father a bit too desperate about this wedding?" I huffed, acting clueless as I took a sip of my green smoothie. 

He merely hummed, standing across the counter with his hands snuggly tucked into his pockets, his eyes burning into me before sliding over to my dress. "I thought you came home sober," he said. 

"I did," I replied truthfully. 

"Sober enough to roam around in your kitchen naked?" He raised his brows at me. 

"You don't do that when you're sober?" I teased, giving him the usual grins I often did. 

The ones I save for Rhys Romanov. The ones that remind him that I will always win. Even though he's not the one I'm usually playing against. 

My eyes narrowed as he stared at the dress for a beat before looking at me. "Are you picturing me naked?" 

He ignored me. "Finish up your breakfast and go get dressed. Don't you have work to do?" 

"It's Sunday. I don't go to the office on Sundays." 

"Ms. Almonte," he exhaled, frustration seeping through his voice. 

"What's got you so glum today, Mr. Romanov?" I questioned, rolling my eyes in annoyance. 

"You're testing my patience more than usual today." 

"No, your patience is simply wearing thin today," I countered, slurping down whatever was left of my smoothie and leaving the fruit bowl in the fridge for later. "I won't push my luck. Give me fifteen minutes." I rounded the counter with my dress in hand. 

"Ten," he demanded. 

"Fifteen," I argued, walking past him, stumbling back when he snuck his fingers into the robe tie that went around my waist. 

Yanking me back, he held me in place as I stumbled into him, my back colliding with his chest. Every nerve in my body grew rigid when I not only heard but felt him sigh before he leaned into me, dropping forward as he brought his lips to my ear. 

"Nine minutes now, Dorogaya," he whispered. 

"I said fifteen," I mumbled hesitantly. 

"Nine minutes and thirty seconds," he mumbled before letting me go. 

I stood still for a second, processing the sudden change in proximity and surprisingly, the loss of warmth I felt. 

"Eight minutes," he announced. 

Groaning in annoyance, I rushed back upstairs and to my closet, grabbing a pair of simple black fitted pants and a black corset bodysuit that would slip under my pants and had intricate lace detailing along the ribs, coming up the center and along my chest while the remaining fabric spanning across my back and torso remained sheer and black. 

Swiftly changing, the two black straps snapped against my shoulders as I let them go before pulling my pants on and slipping into my classic Louboutins. After dropping my necessary items in the purse and quickly brushing my hair once I put on a dusty, crimson-colored lip gloss, I headed back downstairs, releasing a breath as I glanced at the clock. "See. Eight minutes and I made it," I said, tilting my head to one side as my gaze traveled across his body. "I must say, you look rather disheveled today... Unlike your usual self."

Normally, Rhys appeared formal and amazingly put together at all times but today, instead of a crisp button-up he wore a simple white v-neck. Despite the black slacks and matching blazer jacket, he looked like his beauty sleep was interrupted with his hair a bit more untamed than usual. 

"You can save your remarks on my attire for later," he retorted, spinning on his heels and leading the way out. 

Resisting an eye roll, I trailed behind him. "Will you bother to tell me what the hell has happened or just demand that I obey every order and come with you? It's been one night, don't tell me something has already gone south with this stupid fucking deal." 

Just keep playing pretend, Stella. 

Rhys stopped and turned to me while we waited for the elevator. "What makes you think something's wrong?" 

I pointed to his face and reached up to poke a cheek but he gripped my wrist, pulling my hand down as I answered him, "Other than the brooding face? It's looking grumpier than usual, Mr. Romanov. It's not a very handsome look on you." 

He lifted a brow and stepped closer. "Find my other appearances handsome, do you?" 

I snickered, "I'm afraid my husband wouldn't like that, would he? Don't get touchy now, you had a problem with it last night," I reminded him before getting in the elevator. 

"Ms. Almonte," he called out, standing beside me, "you're awfully bright this morning." 

Did he just realize? 

"I'm always bright in the mornings," I lied, "you just dampen my mood. Like you're doing right now." I huffed to prove my point and pressed the button to the lobby before folding my arms across my chest. 

"Don't worry, I'm sure this meeting will bring it back up, my love." 

I stole a glance at him and found him already watching me. "What?" I bit out. 

The ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of his lip but it was gone in the blink of an eye as he faced forward. 

It was impossible to drown out the thoughts of Rhys possibly being onto me, but I wouldn't let that deter me. Innocent until proven guilty, wasn't that the saying? 

At the end of it, I pulled off the perfect crime and I'd be damned if I let anybody catch me, especially Rhys Romanov.

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Chapter 17

now I'm actually getting into the flow of this book idk why it took so long so y'all better return this energy with your comments and keep me motivated pls <33

next ch: investigation