JACE'S POVThe wind had picked up its pace by the time I got to Stacy's house. A quick glance at my clock showed the time to be a couple of minutes past seven and suddenly, the darkening skies made sense. In less than thirty minutes the stars would be out, illuminating the night sky.A sigh slid past my lips. Why was I anticipating the stars? I had no idea.I pulled myself back to the present as I stared at Stacy's door. For some strange reason, I was particularly eager to go in and see her. Hell, I didn't even want to attend this business meeting either her. But it was inevitable at this point. There was no turning back and this whole situation was caused by one person; Anastasia.Finally, I took in a deep breath as I climbed the little stairs that led to her front door. I Knocked once, twice as I waited for a response, one that didn't take a lot of time to get."Who's there?" Stacy's voice came from inside. I could literally smell her excitement from out here. " Who is it?""Open up
Liam's POVA smile crept onto my lips as I stared at the woman sprawled on the bed, just barely covered up and next to me. Her hair was spread out all around her, forming the image of some kind of angel's halo. She looked like one if I was being frank and I would no doubt call her one, but only if the circumstances were different.Life really was cruel, and yes, the circumstances were different.I mentally patted myself for a job well done. Right from the moment I picked up my phone to start recording, I just knew it was going to be a masterpiece and that it would work very well. Too well if you asked me.I darted my gaze back to the girl, she was still unconscious and at peace too. Maybe if she knew the danger that was lurking ahead,it would spur her awake. But it could happen, at least not now, Stacy and I had made sure of it.I saved the video on my phone as I pressed the gadget into my palm. I'd almost missed it, but then I remembered Stacy's instructions to me.Call me, the momen
Stacy's POVThe moment Jace's Mercedes pulls to a stop at the entrance of the chosen venue, a sense of dread washes over me. There's no way it could be. It just wasn't possible. I was probably hallucinating or perhaps Jace had to make a quick stop to grab something. Yes, that had to be it. Right?But the more I watched Jace with hooded eyes, as he expertly turned the wheels around to find the perfect parking spot, my heart sunk deeper and deeper. If he was just making a quick stop then it didn't matter where he parked right? Him touring the hotel grounds for a suitable place to park was absolutely not necessary."Jace?" I called out, a hint of uncertainty in my voice. He hunmed in response, his eyes still trained on the road. " What are we doing here?""I don't understand." He replied, a bit absentmindedly. " Is that even supposed to be a question? You know why we're here, don't you? So I need to find a parking spot."" Is the event holding here?" I gasped, genuinely shocked to the
Jace’s POVUnder the light dim but bright enough to see others that sat at the table with me, I zoned out occasionally as they only talked business matters. I inhaled sharply and exhaled slowly, I wanted the business deal to be finalized soon.“Jace…” A feminine voice called out.Stacy walked in looking ravishing as always and all the men’s attention was turned to her direction. She’s always had an effect on men. Her fingers trailed on the table which made a loud but pleasing sound and she walked directly towards me.I felt relieved as I wanted to ask her of Scarlet’s whereabouts but she surprised me and everyone seated by sitting on my laps and wrapped her hands round my neck.She l0ooked at me affectionately and smiled, I was perplexed by her actions while murmurings arose from my business associates.“Stacy?” I asked in a bit of shock.She chuckled, gently patted my shoulders and took a quick glance at the men who were tensed by the shocking situation before turning to face me. I t
Stacy’s POVJace was stunned at the drama and stunt that I pulled in front of his business associate but I needed to go the extra mile to get his attention and get what I want, he was repulsed at it at first but I decided to pull my triumph card.After threatening him with our relationship, he concurred to my wishes and was scared of losing our friendship. Our alliance had gone a long way and I was too valuable to be discarded.I knew no one else had the audacity to do what I did but I wanted to be the only person to have that effect on him and not Scarlet. I chose the perfect location so he wouldn’t be able to turn me down.Seeing that he was ready to do as I wish, I teased him and since he was a man that stood by his word I made a mental calculation on the time frame needed for him to get the flowers and it was more than enough for me to put things in place.Feeling contented for accomplishing the first phase of my mission I went upstairs, called Jace and told him to come find me. I
Jace’s POVImmediately Stacy left I messaged one of my men and ordered a bouquet of Stacy’s favorite flowers, fifteen minutes later; it was delivered and my business associates couldn’t help but talk about just business.Our little interaction had shut their mouth and clarified any doubts concerning my relationship with Stacy. I excused myself politely.“Gentleman, you’ll have to excuse me for few minutes, I have to salvage my friendship with my best friend.” I said lightly.They laughed and gave me their consent. I perceived the scent of the flowers, put a hand in my pocket and headed for the rooms upstairs. I took the elevator and hummed a lovely tune.I chuckled at how childish Stacy was, one of the reasons I stayed friends with her was her competitive spirit, she would never back down from a business proposal or contract until she won it.Stacy stayed with me when I still struggled to build my empire, many girls were with me but only for the money. She had no ulterior motive and o
Annastasia’s POVMy eyes flew open as I felt cold water been poured on me, i closed my eyes almost immediately as I found it hard to adjust to the amount of light that entered my eye. I could feel other’s presence in the room as well and discovered I wasn’t alone.A man was beside me and he was hastily wearing his clothes, I asked who he was but he gave me no response and looked fearfully towards the entrance, my eyes trailed down towards the direction only to see Jace.My nausea made matters worse as I vomited, I felt irritated by something but couldn’t pinpoint what it was but it made me dizzy and weak.I was as shocked as he was and confused as well but he was quick to jump into conclusions, I felt my heart been torn into pieces and shredded into fragments that can never be made into a whole as he called me a whore.He proceeded to call me a slut, horrible and disgusting person, each word of his was like a dagger that tore my soul into pieces but I was still confused at what was ha
Jace’s POVAs I stormed off; I had no other wish than to be alone and vent out my built up frustration, anger and feeling of betrayal. I hated being helpless and weak in front of others but my reputation would be at stake if I left the meeting abruptly.Scarlet had done enough psychological and emotional damage to me, I wasn’t going to let the whore affect my s=business so I headed for the meeting room instead. Never had I for once imagined that she would betray me.She had always posed as a weak, gentle and innocent woman but Stacy’s childishness today has opened my eyes to the truth and dark secret of the slut I called a wife.Stacy trailed behind me and tried to calm me down.“Calm down Jace, don’t get all worked up.” She said worriedly.I tried to smile but I couldn’t hide my foul mood and scowled instead, as I approached the door to the conference room where the meeting was ongoing she blocked my path and wouldn’t let me go in, I eyed her confusedly.“Move.” I ordered.“No, I can
Jace’s POVScarlett and I reconciled and I managed to convince her into coming back home with me which was almost an impossible task. Her Mom and Lucy made it hard as they insisted that they had recently reconciled with her and didn’t want to let go of her.Lucy also talked to me in private and confessed all her wrongdoings as well, she even volunteered to go the police and confess everything as well but I stopped her. She had changed her ways and accepted that she was wrong so I forgave her, it would break Scarlett to know that her sister was in jail.Though we’re together yet our contract marriage had ended and I knew that there was no other person that I would rather spend the rest of my life with. I made plans along with Lucy to ask Scarlett to marry me.I asked her out on a date as usual and had everything planned out already. We got dressed and I took her to a five star restaurant. We got served her favorite meal and she ate happily.“Are you enjoying the meal?” I asked.“Of co
Scarlett (Anastasia’s) POVIt’s been a week after the incidence and my life has been paradise save for the absence of Jace. Lucy and I became inseparable and began to catch up on the things we’ve missed in each other’s life.She would buy me flowers, clothes and we’d go out together and have fun, I was beginning to get accustomed to calling stepmom my mom and she’s being trying hard to make up for her mistakes. Everything was perfect yet I missed Jace.Lucy was busy baking my favorite strawberry pies in the kitchen and I stepped out to the balcony to receive fresh air after teasing her and making a mess with the flour in the kitchen.The breeze reminded me of the moments I spent with Jace, how we were lovey-dovey and I felt I was riding on a winged stallion on the clouds but all of that was now in the past. Our marriage had legally ended a week ago.I looked up and saw a familiar figure approach the house and saw that it was Jace, I smiled and kept enjoying the atmosphere and immediat
Scarlett’s PovAfter I left Jace’s mansion I realized there was nowhere else for me to go than to go back home. I hesitated for the first two days as I lodged in an hotel and reviewed my entire life. I had fallen in love with a man who saw me as a plaything and didn’t feel the least same.I suffered in the hands of Stacy who constantly reminded me that I was a nobody yet I persisted thinking Jace loved me but in the end she was right. Our marriage was nothing but a contract after all.Being set up with another man was even more disgusting but Jace made me feel like a woman and told me that it was all a lie since I was drugged and couldn’t remember anything. I packed my things and decided to go back to my stepmother and stepsister.I was determined to bear whatever they throw my way and also live a peaceful life until I can get a good job and just leave the city forever. As I stepped foot at the house all trhe bad m,emories came flooding back in my head.I had left thinking I’d never c
Jace’s POVI didn’t want to believe that Stacy had anything to do with Scarlett’s disappearance but it was too much of a coincidence for her to appear and then Scarlett disappears. I then realized that following any of those bad events is Stacy’s presence.She insisted that I find her in one of the hotel rooms in which I found Scarlett and hers happens to coincidentally be the one opposite it. I had just been blinded by our friendship and refused to acknowledge that she was a suspect.Tara’s words confirmed that Scarlett really loves me and I’ve be with her too long to be able to distinguish if she was after my monet or not. There were instances where I was helpless and she could have carthered away all of my monety but she still stood by me.I decided to chose love over friendship and went to confront Stacy. At the face of confrontation I got to know that she betrayed me because she allegedly loved me but it was all lies, she didn’t love me, Scarlett did. Scarlett taught me what love
Stacy’s POVLiam and I didn’t find a solution even after hours of thinking and he left to attend to an important business so I headed home. Throughout the drive back home I couldn’t stop thinking of the consequences of my actions. Everything was perfectly ruined.I began to regret my actions and wished I could turn back the hands of time and change my actions but there was nothing like such so I had to find a way to get myself out of this mess. I contemplated Liam’s advice of running away but Jace was influential and would find me even if it meant going to the ends of the world and tearing countries up.I lingered in my car for few more minutes, trying to figure out a way even if it meant shifting all the blame on Liam. Liam would certainly feel betrayed but I couldn’t afford falling out with him. The evidences were too glaring and incriminating for me to deny connections with him.The llok on Jace’s face whne he discovers that I am the cause of his recent pain would be excruciatingl
Jace’s POVI woke up with a banging headache and lay still for few minutes. I shut my eyes and fell asleep once more with the aim of getting rid of the headache before waking up. The hangover from the alcohol I took made me weak. I would have opted for painkillers but I felt too lazy to get up.I wake up half an hour later and yawned widely, satisfied that the headache had subsided though I could still faintly feel some pain. I leaned back against the bed frame and the incidence of the previous day flooded my memory.With a sigh, I gently rubbed my temples and shook my head as I remembered getting wasted to the point where I poured out my heart contents and grievances to Stacy and she consoled me.Stacy has been with me as a friend for as long as I remember and I completely trust her more than anyone else but I’ve been having my doubts about her and reasons to doubt her as well but I didn’t want them to be through as she’s been the only one who stayed with me come rain come sunshine.
Stacy’s POVStill grumbling and regretting the opportunity that I just passed by, I arrived at where Liam asked to meet looking swollen. If it weren’t for him I would be rolling under the sheets with Jace and hopefully have his seeds inside of me by now.It was something I’ve always dreamt of and whatever Liam called me for should better be worth it else I’ll make him regret it. Though Jace was now mine and there’s no longer any obstruction between us but I wanted the process to be fast and also to find something that would hold him down.If I got pregnant, he would surely take responsibility and I couldn’t wait for that to happen. Liam looked impatient and worried the moment I stepped in the room and scowled at me.“Where have you been?” He snapped.I got irritated.“Slow down your horses Liam, why are you been so irritable?” I threw back.He ran his fingers through his hair, something he does whenever he was in some sort of trouble or frustrated.“We’re in big trouble.” He divulged.
Stacy’s POVImmediately we were done with our looting I thanked the girls for their cooperation and took everything to my house where I safely stacked them somewhere hidden and proceeded to go Jace’s house and see how far my plan has worked. When I arrived there the guards and maids wore a swollen expression.“Good afternoon ma’am.” The maids greeted.I acknowledge their greetings with a wave.“Where’s Jace?” I asked.“He’s at the mini bar.” A maid replied.I nodded and walked there, the loud clanging of my heels sounded sonorous to my ears and I saw Jace from afar, drinking like his life depended on it. It meant that he had found the letter and my plan had worked just as I expected it to.“Jace.” I called out.He turned to look at me for a split second before turning his attention back to his glass of alcohol. I stood before him and tried to touch him but he flinched and acted as if my touch repulsed him.“Jace, what happened to you?” I asked worriedly.He ignored me and downed anoth
Jace’s POVThough I wasn’t satisfied with what I had found since it was half information from Adam Brooke I still didn’t give up hope because he gave me a lead which I was sure to follow. Seeing that the blackmailer was a male made me realize that the shoe fits Liam, only he could dare such.I needed to know why he did it but I wasn’t going to show him all of my cards at once as it would only ruin the game. I decided to gather all evidences first before attacking him. I decided to go back home to that one person who makes my life worth living and couldn’t wait to have her in my arms.As I parked the car I couldn’t stop reminiscing about the sweet intimate moments I shared with her. I would go a million miles to protect her smile and ensure that she keeps smiling forever. I walked into the house and the maids greeted me warmly but I was eager to hear one voice.I rushed up the stairs and didn’t bother going to my room to change my dress before going straight to Scarlett’s room. I knock