Stealing the Heart of Mr. Steele

Chapter 106 [Angelica]

[Flashback-The day before}

The wedding trip was a disaster. I know Atlas showed up and left, the shopkeeper confirmed it when she informed me that only half of my purchases had been approved by "Mr. Steele himself."

But we didn't see him. He never made his presence known. He went out of his way to avoid us. To avoid

1. me.

How am I going to win him over, to bring him back to me, if he cannot even spend a pleasant afternoon with me, one that he helped me plan?

Disappointed, I returned home, hoping to rest and brainstorm ways to give myself more opportunities with Atlas. I know he is still attracted to me I can see it in the way he looks at me and feel it in the way he pulls away from our kisses as if he is afraid to give in and submit.

I just need to find the right opportunity to force his hand.

And I need to get my sister out of the way. She isn't part of the plan.

She has wanted Atlas since the moment she met him, but he never saw her as anything more than my little sister. When they married, she became his little inconvenience. And now-now she is the one in control of his heart. Even if I could tear them apart again, she is the mother of his heir.

He will never give her up without being forced to.

But Cordelia has always been easy to manipulate. She is so needy and desperate to be loved that she doesn't know how to recognize true love and devotion when she has it. That's why she never noticed Clark. It is also why she is so vulnerable when it comes to Atlas. If she could recognize his love, she wouldn't doubt him

Thankfully, she isn't that mature.From NôvelDrama.Org.

What I need to do is cause chaos, to create discord between the two of them.

The best place to do that will be the office. I already have an established presence. Maybe I should just stop by, nose around a bit, and see what I can do.

"April, Atlas forgot to give me a key to the new lock on our bedroom. Do you happen to have a spare?"

Early on I made a point of befriending April. I know who controls things in this house. Because I've been nothing but sweet to her she has no reason to suspect me. If anything, she's rooting for me to win Atlas and keep my odious sister out of her house.

She doesn't question me. She doesn't even blink. April reaches into the cabinet with all of the keys pulls a shiny new one down and hands it to me. It would have taken me hours to figure out the right key, there are so many there, each one unlocking something different in this massive estate.

With my preparations for tonight ready, I take one of Atlas' many cars and make a quick stop at Steele Industries. Once I'm there it's easy to get past security and even past Atlas assistant with no fuss. I've been a regular here for weeks now, people know who I am. 1/3

I'm Atlas' wife, or at least I will be.

"Mrs. Steele," Andi, a clever redhead with too much time on her hands rushes after me. "Mr. Steele didn't come back from lunch. Any idea when he'll be back?"

"He and I have very special plans for the evening," I say with gusto, making sure that others around me can hear. "We won't want to be disturbed."

The poor girl blushes a shade of crimson deeper than her roots before apologizing for her rudeness and backing away.

Everyone sees me entering his office. I find exactly what I'm looking for sitting in a small basket to the right.

Cordelia's design spec-the document that tells everyone on the team all the specifications of how to create and produce the garment. I hate to admit it, but my little sister does have a fair amount of talent, both her sketch and the design itself are stunning. Assuming I'm leaving a romantic note, nobody pays me any attention as I sit at his desk with one of his red Sharpies. I then make a point of leaving, making a huge fuss about an art show I hope to attend this afternoon, and how I hope Atlas will join me. As sneak down the stairs to the design department, I send my mom a text.

"Hey Mom, can you buy me a ticket for the exhibit you are going to this afternoon? Oh and if Atlas asks, I'm with you."

"What are you up to, Angelica," my mother responds right away.

"It's a surprise. He's such a romantic. I want a chance to give him something lovely too."

She sends me a high-five emoji and a bunch of hearts followed by the image of a baby. I guess nobody informed her after the accident that I was unable to have any children.

I head down to design. That annoying production manager is managing the site, making sure every element of Cordelia's design is perfect. What is her name again? Tiffany? Anyway, it doesn't matter.

I pass one of the sewists and stop her. I hand her a large envelope. Inside are stacks of hundred-dollar bills. After instructing her to give a stack to each of the members of her team, I show her the design alternations. "These are from Mr. Steele," I smile my largest smile as I explain how she is to distribute the money and wait for Theo to leave before giving this spec to Manny, the lead sewist. "Tu comprendes?"

"Si, Maestra Steele," she gratefully takes the money thanking both Mr. Steele and myself for our continued generosity.

I make it home long before Atlas does. I take a long bath, drink a glass or two of wine, and leave the rest out for Atlas, knowing he cannot resist a good red.

Sitting awake in my room, I lounge around in my best silk pajamas and read a book, settling in for the night. I know it might be a while for Atlas to finish dinner, finish the wine, and then find his way to bed. Two hours later I tip-toe down the hall, unlock his door and creep into his room.

Curling up next to him, he rolls over, pulling me into him.

"Cordella," he whispers into my hair.

"Yes, Atlas, I'm here." I place a hand on his waist, my hand moving towards the waistband of his pants. "I'll never leave you." (1

His eyes snap open. "Angelica," he barks as he pulls my hand out of his pants. "Get the hell out of my

room!"

"Where am I," I pretend to blink awake. "Oh Atlas, how did I..."

Jumping out of bed he grabs his robes and wraps them around his chest. "Just get out, Angelica," he sighs, exhausted. "Go back to your room."

"If that's what you want," I walk away slowly, giving him a full view of my negligee.

He turns his back to me, his eyes closed, but I can feel how hard it is for him to look away.

"It's just a matter of time," I whisper as I enter my room. "And then he'll be mine."

[End Flashback]

VictoryAnne Vice Author