DESIRE AND LUST
Desire And Lust – Chapter 39&40
{°° Forbidden Desire °°}
©Lana
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🌺 ᴮᵃᶜᵏᵍʳᵒᵘⁿᵈ ˢᵒⁿᵍ’ᶜᵒˡˡᵃᵗᵉʳᵃˡ ᴰᵃᵐᵃᵍᵉ’ᴮʸ ᶜʰʳⁱˢ ᴳʳᵉʸ 🌺
“What’s going on ?” Yolanda asked, walking over to the scene her husband beside her
Her eyes narrowed . Her gaze flickered between Ana and Samantha.
Then it dropped to Ana’s dress, her lashes, her hair nearly identical to hers.
She gasped. “Ana… what happened to you?” she asked, taking a step forward. “Why are you wet? What’s going on?”
Ana stayed quiet, lips pressed together, eyes .
“Samantha, what do you think you’re doing?”
Joyce’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and clear. “You can’t just cause a scene like this—”
“Stay out of it,” Samantha snapped, her voice cold. She pointed a shaking finger at Ana. “If I ever see you near Charlie again, you’re dead. I don’t want you breathing the same air as him. Do you hear me?”
Ana’s eyes widened in shock.
How was she going to do that?.When she works for him.
Yolanda looked between them, stunned.
“You’re a snake,” Samantha spat. “Trying to steal someone’s boyfriend right out of the family. Pathetic.”
“Samantha!” Yolanda gasped, clutching her stomach as her voice rose.
“What the hell are you talking about?! This is my birthday party ,why are you yelling at Ana like this?”
“She didn’t tell you?” Samantha scoffed. “Of course she did’. You’re her bestie, after all. Probably hiding it for her. You’re just like her.”
Yolanda blinked. “Wait. What are you accusing me of now?”
“You heard me. No different. Always wanting things that don’t belong to you,” Samantha hissed.
Yolanda stared at her, jaw dropped, disbelief painted across her face.
“Sam that’s enough!”Alison who have been quiet snapped.
Everyone turned toward him as his voice echoed across the ballroom.
“You’ve said more than enough. This isn’t the place for your tantrum,” he added, walking up and grabbing Samantha gently by the arm.
She jerked her arm away. “Don’t touch me! You think you get to silence me now? Just because they’re your precious friends?”
Alison glanced at Joyce, then back at Samantha. “You’re embarrassing yourself, and you’re embarrassing all of us.”
Samantha laughed bitterly. “Oh, now you all care about embarrassment? Where was this energy when she was stealing my brother’s attention, or when Yolanda stole Miguel?”
Yolanda stepped forward, eyes blazing. “I didn’t steal anyone from anyone, Samantha. He was never yours to begin with. So stop spinning fantasies.”
“And Anna?” Samantha snapped. “You’re just going to let her cozy up to my brother while pretending she’s innocent?”
“ENOUGH!” Yolanda shouted.
“This is my birthday. I don’t care what drama you brought here ,I want you gone.”
Yolanda looked at her Miguel and said, “Please. Tell your ex to leave.”
Samantha’s face fell as she looked between Miguel and Yolanda, the way he holds Yolanda’s hand made her heart cleanched.
Ana’s eyes flicked between them, it was clearly that they knew eachother.
“Samantha,” Miguel said his voice cold and hush, “Leave. This isn’t the time or place, for your nonsense”
Tears brimmed in Samantha’s eyes, but she scoffed instead. “All of you are fake. I fucking hate y..”
Without another word, Alison stepped forward, and lift her in his arms and walk out with her Screaming her lungs out.
Joyce shook her head,.
The room was silent. Ana looked down at the floor, feeling humiliated.
Yolanda took a deep breath and turned to her, eyes still full of confusion and concern.
“What… just happened?” someone finally whispered.
Anna could barely breathe.
Whatever happened now had just blown up the party.
“Anna, are you okay?” Yolanda asked gently, placing a hand on her shoulder. Her voice cracked slightly she hadn’t meant to sound like she was interrogating her.
Ana nodded slowly, her eyes cast downward.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured. “This is all my fault. I shouldn’t have come.”
Yolanda frowned. “Ana, none of this is your fault. Samantha’s the one acting like she’s lost her mind. I don’t even know why she came. I didn’t invite her.”
Just then, Fatima walked into the room.
Her eyes scanned the tense atmosphere frozen conversations, shocked faces, and the heavy silence still clinging to the air like dust.
She spotted Ana, eyes lingering on her dress, and raised a questioning brow.
Joyce rolled her eyes. “Look who just walked in the one who brought that drama queen here.”
Fatima blinked, confused. “What’s going on?”
“That bitch friend of yours, is what happened, ” Joyce snapped.
Yolanda looked at Fatima, disappointed. “So you really came with Samantha? On my birthday?”
“You’re not even going to greet your cousin sister first?”Fatima asked
Yolanda scoffed “Not when you brought a walking disaster into this party.”
” She wanted to talk only, that’s why I brought her.”
“Talk?” Yolanda laughed bitterly.
“She came here to fight. She accused me of stealing my own husband from her, me still a man from her is she crazy or what gosh!”
Fatima’s face fell. “Yolanda, I’m so sorry. I swear I didn’t know she’d do that.”
Miguel rubbed her shoulder. “Hey, babe, breathe. You’re pregnant don’t let this stress you out.”
“She ruined everything,” Yolanda muttered, sitting heavily in a nearby chair. “I just wanted one peaceful celebration. And she came in here like a hurricane.”
Miguel knelt beside her and kissed her forehead. “She’s gone now. Don’t give her any more of your energy.”
Yolanda nodded slowly, and turned to look at Ana.
She exhaled slowly, steadying her voice. “Anna, you can’t stay like that.”
Anna glanced down at her soaked dress the makeup smudged under her eyes, her trembling hands.
She looked like she’d just survived a storm. In a way, she had.
“You’ll find a clean outfit upstairs. Joyce will take you,” Yolanda said gently.
“Go change, freshen up, and forget that Samantha nonsense ever happened.”
Anna hesitated. “Are you sure? I don’t want to, I can just leave and…”
“Yes,” Yolanda interrupted softly but firmly. “You’re not leaving like this. This is my house, and you’re not walking out feeling humiliated.”
Joyce nodded, already stepping forward. “Come on, girl. Let’s get you looking like a queen again.”
Anna gave Yolanda a grateful glance and quietly followed Joyce out of the room.
As they climbed the stairs, whispers of the earlier chaos still lingered behind them.
Meanwhile, Yolanda leaned back in her chair. Miguel crouched beside her again, placing a calming hand on her arm.
“See? You’re handling this,” he said.
She let out a breathy laugh. “I feel like flipping a table.”
Miguel grinned. “I’ll hold your earrings if it comes to that.”
***
“I feel so bad,” Ana said as Joyce closed the door behind them.
“You don’t have to feel bad, Ana,” Joyce said.
“That bitchy Samantha is the one to blame. She’s the one who was rude to you. I just don’t understand why she suddenly showed up and started insulting you like that. What’s really going on?”
Ana stayed quiet for a moment. “I don’t know, seriously. She just came at me, angry, and I don’t even know why. I didn’t expect that from her ,honestly, I’m really confused.”
“Maybe something happened that made her snap,” Joyce suggested.
Ana paused, thinking. Then she remembered the day Samantha saw her at Mr. King’s house.
“Samantha saw me at Mr Kings house, maybe that’s why she was mad?.”
She went on to explain everything , as Joyce listens.
“So you’re saying Samantha saw you two together?” Joyce asked.
“Yes. She did.”
“Oh my God. That’s it. That’s why she’s pissed because she saw you with her brother! I don’t get her sometimes. He’s her brother not her boyfriend. Why is she acting so possessive?”
“Maybe she’s just being overprotective,” Ana said.
“Overprotective of who? Charlie is not a baby who needs protecting. She’s just being a bitch,” Joyce replied, clearly annoyed and pissed off.
“Are you okay though, Ana?” she asked. Ana nodded as she walked over to where the dress was placed.
“By the way, how does she know Yolanda’s husband?”
Joyce smirk. “He’s her ex.”
“What?”
“Yeah, they have a past. Miguel and Samantha dated, but they eventually broke up,” Joyce explained.
“Wow, that’s a lot. So that’s why she was busy accusing Yola,” Ana said as her hands traced the dress she was supposed to wear.
“She was just embarrassing herself in front of everyone. Gosh, she’s annoying,” Joyce said, standing up.
She looked at Ana. “But are you sure you’re okay, Ana?” she asked again.
Ana looked down before meeting her gaze.
“I’m fine, Joyce. I just wish things were… somehow different,” she said softly.
Joyce walked over and held her hands.
She squeezed Ana’s hands gently.
“I know,” she said softly. “But sometimes, things happen the way they do for a reason. Maybe this is all leading you to something better.”
Ana gave her a small smile. “Thanks, Joyce. You’ve always had a way with words.”
Joyce grinned. “Well, someone has to keep you sane.”
They both chuckled lightly, and for a brief moment, the tension in the room lifted. Ana picked up the dress and held it against herself, looking in the mirror.
“Do you think it still looks okay? After all that?”
Joyce tilted her head, studying her friend. “It looks perfect. And so do you. You’re going to walk out there and remind everyone why you’re unbothered.”
Ana smirked. “Unbothered and underdressed.”
Joyce laughed. “As long as you don’t slap anyone, we’re good.”
Ana rolled her eyes playfully and turned toward the mirror again. But deep down, her mind was still replaying everything Samantha had said..
Before she could think too hard, Joyce’s voice cut in.
“Come on. Let’s get you dressed and back out there. You’ve already had your dramatic moment now it’s time to steal the spotlight.”
Ana smiled and nodded.
***
After she finished getting dressed and made sure her makeup was perfect, Joyce grinned at her.
“You look so pretty. That dress suits you so well,” she said.
Ana smiled softly. “Thanks.”
They headed for the door, but the moment Joyce opened it,she froze.
Her eyes widened when she came face-to-face with Mr. King.
“Charlie? What are you doing here?” Joyce asked, her voice a mix of surprise and annoyance.
Ana, standing just behind her, instantly took a small step back.
Her heart skipped.
What was he doing here?
And what did he want?
“I need to talk to Ms. Evans,” Mr. King said, his gaze flicking past Joyce into the room.
His eyes found Ana.
For a moment, neither of them said a word.
Then Ana looked away.
“Can we talk?” he asked quietly.
Ana hesitated, then nodded. Joyce stepped aside to give her space.
“You can find me out in the backyard,” Ana muttered as she brushed past him, refusing to meet his eyes.
Joyce folded her arms, watching him.
“Charlie, you should really make your intentions clear,” she said. “You’re confusing her.”
“What did Sam do this time?” Mr. King asked,.
Joyce rolled her eyes as she walked beside him.
“Your sister’s insane—and honestly, you’re not helping. Right now, you’re acting like a red flag. You’re still with Fatima, but you want Ana too?”
She stopped and looked straight at him.
“Ana’s not someone you can just play with, Charlie.”
Mr. King clenched his jaw, saying nothing. Joyce gave him one last look before walking away, muttering something under her breath.
He stood there for a second, staring at the door Ana had disappeared through — then followed.
Outside, the air was cooler. The faint sound of crickets filled the silence as Ana stood near the edge of the yard, arms folded, trying not to shiver though it wasn’t from the cold.
She heard his footsteps behind her and turned slightly.
“You look gorgeous,” Mr. King said, his gaze darkening as it lingered on her.
Ana smiled faintly and turned away from him. She looked up at the sky, closing her eyes for a moment.
“The view is perfect,” she whispered as he walked closer, stopping beside her.
His intoxicating scent filled the night air around them. She wanted to wrap herself in it, to lose herself in him ,, but she didn’t move.
“I’m sorry Sam did that to you,” Mr. King said softly.
Ana didn’t reply right away.
She just kept her eyes on the stars, pretending she didn’t hear him.
“You don’t have to apologize for her,” she finally said, her voice quiet. “Sam has always hated me. That’s not your fault.”
“I should’ve stopped her,” he murmured. “I should’ve been there.”
Ana smiled faintly. “Thank you, but you don’t have to say that for my sake,” she said softly. “I’m fine. Really.”
She paused, letting out a quiet breath. “Maybe your sister was right. That’s why I’ve decided—whatever this is between us… it has to stop.”
Ana continued, her voice barely steady. “You’re my boss. I’m just your assistant. If we keep going down this path, it’s only going to lead to trouble. We’re already knee-deep in it, and I don’t want more. So… we need to end this.”
Mr. King stared at her, his chest tightening. Letting her go? It wasn’t just hard—it felt impossible. She was a temptation he couldn’t resist.
“Ana,” he said quietly, stepping toward her.
But she backed away. “Don’t,” she said firmly, her eyes glistening. “You know how this ends. If anything comes out, I’ll be the one dragged through the mud—not you. I’ll be the one accused of sleeping my way into this job. People won’t care about the truth. They’ll tear me apart.”
Her voice wavered. “They’ve already started. You’ve heard the whispers. And if it gets worse… I can’t survive that.”
She took a shaky breath.
“So please, let’s stop this. Before we go too far.”
Mr. King clenched his jaw, fighting the ache building in his chest—torn between what he wanted and what he knew was right.
“Is that really what you want?” Mr. King asked quietly.
“I know you, Ana,” he went on, his voice low and almost breaking. “You feel this to ,,deeply.”
He drew in a slow breath. “Alright. I’ll give you what you’re asking for. I’ll stay away… if you can handle it. If you can stand me being this close without touching you. Without wanting more.”
His eyes darkened, voice thick with restrained emotion.
“But I won’t lie,I don’t think I can. I won’t be able to stand in the same room with you and pretend I don’t want you. Pretend you don’t undo me with just one look. That kind of self-control? That’s impossible.”
A long silence stretched between them.
Then he spoke again, softer this time.
“So if you really want me to walk away..I will but I can’t promise you anything “
Ana swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. “ I have to go.”
He slipped his hands into his pockets and watched her walk away.
For a long moment, he didn’t move.
He just stared at the space she’d left behind.
Then he tilted his head back, eyes to the sky, and exhaled sharply.
“Damn it,” he muttered.
Letting her go was harder than he thought.
Because everything about Ana pulled him in like gravity.
