  Lana Castroff
      I walked into the ballroom where the charity auction was held and I tried to smile to some people that I know. One of the staff asked me for my auction number and she led me towards my table. I sat down and started to look around.
      Phoenix will definitely enter the scene sooner or later but I'm not going to focus on him tonight. I want to focus on Julie, I want to know what is her next move. I looked around and saw Finn talking to some people but I couldn't find Julie.
      Don't tell me that she's not here.
      The event started and they presented the first painting. I decided to go to the restroom as I observed people around. I bumped into someone and turned to see Phoenix.
      "Hey.. where are you going?" He whispered.
      "Restroom." I said and he gave me a nod before letting me go. I walked out from the ballroom towards the restroom when I saw Julie

  Phoenix Sterling
      I was this close to smash my phone to the wall. I called Lana every 5 seconds and she didn't even bother to answer it. I asked my guards to look for her because it's 2 in the morning now and she's not home yet. Where is she?
      "Mr. Sterling, she just arrived at the lobby." One of my guards said.
      "Who is she with?"
      "She got out from a taxi drunk." What's wrong with this woman?
      "She already took the lift." He said and I gestured them to leave. I opened my penthouse door waiting for the lift to stop. I was ready to get mad at her when suddenly the door opened showing her singing a weird song Mi Pan Zu Zu Zu. What the fuck is that shit?
      She was drunk. Hella drunk to be exact and when she saw me, she giggled. She jumped on me and I caught her body right away. I brought her in and closed the door.
      "Where the hell were you?" I asked as 

  Lana Castroff
      I squealed when we landed in Lake Como. This morning, Phoenix told me that he has a meeting here and that I should come to enjoy Lake Como. Instead of going to work, I decided to go with him and enjoy this short vacation.
      "I have to go on a meeting first, Pierre will take you around." Phoenix said as he walked towards his car.
      "How will you.. have your meeting?" I asked and he smiled.
      "3 hours top or maybe 2 and a half." He got into his car and he left me. I turned to Pierre and he opened the door for me.
      "Where do you want to go, Mrs. Sterling?" I froze hearing it and I thought he will never tell anyone about our relationship.
      "Uhmm.. could you send me to our hotel first?"
      "Very well." He said and I got into the car. I still felt so weird about it and I can't help repeating that name on my head. Pierre drove me to the hotel that we're staying and they already checked us in. They led me to my room and I threw myself onto the bed.
      "Where should I go after this?" I decided to change into a dress because I really like the weather and the vibe here. I got out from my room and walked to the back of the hotel that shows a really beautiful view of the lake.
      "Beautiful, isn't it?" I turned to see a really good looking man standing next to me.
      "Yes, it is."
      "I'm Aldo, the hotel manager." He said as he put his hand out. I took his hand and turned to the lake again.
      "You're here alone?" He asked and suddenly my phone rang. I quickly took it out from my bag and it's Phoenix.
      "Hello." I answered.
      "The meeting will be in one hour, where are you? I'm at the hotel." He asked.
      "I'm at the back of the hotel facing the lake." I answered and he ended the call. I turned to Aldo and raised my eyebrows.
      "I'm sorry, what were you saying?"
      "I was asking if you're alone?"
      "I'm not, I'm with-"
      "Her husband." I turned my head and saw Phoenix standing near the bench with his hands in his pockets. He smiled at me and turned to Aldo.
      "Mr. Sterling." Aldo greeted him immediately.
      "This is my wife, Aldo." Phoenix said and I thought we're not going to tell about our relationship to anyone except our family. He's breaking this rules again and again.
      "Let's go, darling. We're going to eat lunch together." Phoenix said and I walked to him.
      "I'll see you around, Aldo." I said and Aldo nodded. Phoenix wrapped his arm around my waist and we walked towards the hotel building.
      "I thought we're not going to tell anyone except our family." I turned to Phoenix and he shook his head.
      "What? What is that reaction?" I asked.
      "Lana, I'm the owner of this hotel and you really want to hangout with him? I thought you hate commoners?" He snapped.
      "What's wrong with you? Did you sleep on the wrong side of the bed last night?" I asked and he sighed.
      "I don't want to argue with you, let's just eat lunch together."
      "Listen, we both agreed that we will only let our family know and you should stick with that." I said as we both stopped in front of the entrance to the building.
      "Fine, if that's what you want." He hissed coldly and walked into the building first. I glared at him hard and wanted to smack the back of his head. He was the one who suggested this.
      I walked quickly towards him and we entered the restaurant inside the hotel. We sat near the pool and Phoenix looked like he's super pissed. He's acting like a 3 year old now.
      "I know you're looking into Julie." He said and I looked up to him.
      "And?" I raised my eyebrows.
      "I suggest you to stop because I will have my team investigate everything." He said and I leaned back to my seat.
      "Why? It's my company's fault not yours."
      "Could you just trust me in this one? She's my employee and the accident happened to my other employee." He said and I sighed.
      "What do you know about her so far?" I asked.
      "I will tell you when I have a lot of information." He said as he looked at me seriously.
      "Fine."
      "Stop your PI from investigating and let me do it."
      "Okay." I nodded.
      "Let's order." He said and I nodded. We ordered our lunch and he got a call from someone. He got up and walked towards the pool answering his call.
      I really couldn't help but wonder about our relationship right now. There are times that we really only have each other but there are times that we just do our own things. In front of the law, we are husband and wife but between us.. it was really questionable.
      It would be a lie if I say I don't care about him. He did a lot for me and he helped me a lot. I know for a fact that he's carrying more than I thought but he chooses not to tell me.
      I got a message from my PI yesterday night about Julie. She was having an affair with my father. It broke my heart into pieces. I was mad at him and mad at the situation. I tried my best to really keep normal.
      It seemed that Phoenix knew about the situation and that's why he wanted me to let it go and let him take over. I know he was trying to protect me and I know for a fact he knows more. I was so grateful to have him, I don't think I could handle things in a rational way if he's not around.
      Julie really up for the money but I really don't have proof to drag her down. I need a plan to do that and since Phoenix already know about this, I think he will wait until all the evidence is there and then he will attack but I don't think I could do that.
      Sorry Phoenix, I will keep on digging even though you tell me not to.

Lana Castroff
      I walked into the ballroom where the charity auction was held and I tried to smile to some people that I know. One of the staff asked me for my auction number and she led me towards my table. I sat down and started to look around.
      Phoenix will definitely enter the scene sooner or later but I'm not going to focus on him tonight. I want to focus on Julie, I want to know what is her next move. I looked around and saw Finn talking to some people but I couldn't find Julie.
      Don't tell me that she's not here.
      The event started and they presented the first painting. I decided to go to the restroom as I observed people around. I bumped into someone and turned to see Phoenix.
      "Hey.. where are you going?" He whispered.
      "Restroom." I said and he gave me a nod before letting me go. I walked out from the ballroom towards the restroom when I saw Julie currently calling someone. I quitely walked towards her and tried to listen to her conversation

Chapter 20