For the following weeks, Ethan knew to avoid me, and I made sure that I kept seeing Ethan to a minimum. I was up late and spent most of my day in my room making Lindsey’s dress.The door was always locked, in case he had the bright idea to stop by. A few times, I would hear his footsteps stopping at my door for a while, before he would continue down to his own. Each time I would hold my breath, like it kept me from going to it and opening it to see his face.The only highlight in those weeks, save for watching my dreams for Lindsey’s dress come to life, was spending time with Jace. His easygoing attitude was rubbing off on me and I found that I could relax more in situations I thought were normally stressful.He had helped me pack Lindsey’s heavily beaded dress into a carrier bag and loaded the car with the things I needed.“You know, if this driver thing doesn’t work for you, you can always be my personal assistant. You’re great at that.” I joked as I climbed in with my tools in the
“That went very well if you ask me.” Jace said when I had stayed deathly silent in the car on our way home. “Except for the part where you disappeared into your mind and I had to do the whole compliment thing.”“Oh, I uhh, got distracted.” Maybe I could just not go. I could tell her we were down with the cold that day and decided to stay home.“I noticed. You were not much help when she wanted to pick shoes. I hope my option would not be considered a fashion faux de pas.” He added brightly, failing an attempt at a French accent.“I think both shoes looked great. Either was fine.” If I did the sick thing, and she sent condolences then Ethan would find out that I declined an invite without telling him.“Course you do. Do you mind telling me exactly what is wrong? You know what they say about problems shared.” He wriggled his brows in the mirror.A second opinion would be great. “I would love to attend; I mean my dress, worn by one of the rich people in this state. But…I don’t want Ethan
“Are you ready?” Ethan's voice pierced through the thick layers of my thoughts. It pulled me back to reality as we stood hand-in-hand at the entrance of the magnificent hall. I turned my head to the side slowly in his direction and nodded. Ethan guided me in like a gentleman, one who people would think he was without sin. He didn't seem like the man I was angry with, his aura had changed completely. A wide smile has managed to curl up his lips. Fluorescent flashes of lights from cameras lit our path as we strode to the red carpet. We posed for a few pictures like the lovely couple we were supposed to be in the eyes of the nation and swam through the sea of reporters trying to ask Ethan questions, into the hall. The grandeur of the hall left me agape, my eyes couldn't help but wander around each corner of the hall. The high ceilings had beautiful designs with intricate details and an enormous magnificent chandelier that commanded attention in the middle of the room. It cast a rich g
I hurried behind him as he walked out of the hall into the garage with long strides in search of his car. The valet had given him instructions of where it was. Ethan had left the hall in anger without sparing a single glance and I had to follow behind like a puppet. If I stay back, a scandalous headline would appear on the news tomorrow and I can't risk that. The story-starved journalists are everywhere, on their toes, watchful like a hawk’s eye on its prey. They are ready to grab any slip-up and bend it into a story whose headlines would have citizens in a chokehold. My heels clank on the floor as I hurried behind him to catch up.He increased his pace making it harder for me to catch up. I couldn't see his face as he had his huge back against me. Ethan unlocked the doors of the car with his keys and climbed in. My heels made it harder for me to move faster, so I crouched and removed the left pair. The screeching sound of his tires against the smooth concrete floor made me lift m
“You should have warned me,” I yelled, hitting him on the chest but he didn't react to my blows.“I tried to but you were too stubborn to listen then. Too curious to see beyond your veil of oblivion, but don't worry I have everything under control.” He said.I rolled my eyes, “Of course,” I said sarcastically and tried to slip away from him but he used his arm to push me back up. “What do you want?” I inquired of him. A scowl appeared on my face as I lifted my eyes to his face from under my lashes“Are we good?” He asked, his orbs wandered left and right as he searched my eyes.I sighed in defeat, “Maybe. Why are you still on the issue? I have told you, I didn't do it but you chose to believe Ava nonetheless. How do you expect me to believe your words when you don't trust me? I know she was your girlfriend and there is still a little itsy-bitsy-tiny feeling for her in your heart, but…His lips covered mine in an instant, my words fell back into my throat as he sucked on my lips. The
“What?!” She exclaimed, “I can't believe this, this is massive.”“You better believe it, Cupcake. You have gone global. Congratulations.” I congratulated her, keeping an eye on the road. I want to see her beautiful smile but I can't. My hands steered the wheels as we drove into town.“I have to call Lindsey and thank her for this,” she squealed.Lindsey? She thinks it was because Lindsey had worn the dress last night. I mean it brought her art to light, but her name in every newspaper was my doing.I pulled that stunt but I don't want her to know, she would not like it. I had to play along with whatever was going on. “Sure, but wait till we are done shopping,” I said, stopping her.Lindsey might not play along with this and she would end up finding out that it was me. I need to find a way to contact Lindsey to inform her of my little game.“I understand it now.” She lifted her head sharply to look at me.I glanced back and forth between the road and her face which held an expression o
My heart raced as I walked off from him. I wanted him to mean every word he had said. After what we had last night, my body has been craving his touch more than ever, and even though I want to pretend, he keeps making it hard for me. I didn't think he was going to take my words seriously and bring me out to shop. I felt my warm blood creep underneath my cheeks.I put on the third dress; a long tight revealing black dress. He nodded his head in approval as I came out to show it to him. I went back to the dressing section and put on the fourth dress; a nude body con gown without a back piece to cover from my shoulder to my waistline. The only support was the straps at the front. I clipped it behind my neck to cover my breast while my back remained bare.I watched his eyes flicker with desires as I walked forward. My skin tingled as goosebumps washed over me and his eyes traced every detail of the dress on my body. He ran the tip of his tongue over his bottom lips and clasped his hands a
“We would contain this at home,” Ethan informed me as I came out with the pile of clothes on my hands.“No more activities for today?” I asked and he nodded. I have truly awakened the beast. “I'm hungry. Let's go eat lunch at a nearby restaurant before going home.”“Okay, but first. I need to relieve myself of this bulge. I can't walk around in this.“Oh, sorry.”“It's fine,”“Does it hurt? I asked curiously, “I'm not teasing you, that was a genuine question.”“I know, I didn't say you were, did I?”“Your face said it for you,”“Guess I need to buy a mask for my face then.”I rolled my eyes, and walked over to the couch, “Go to the dressing room.”“Nah,” he chuckled. “I can't have her hear my sexy moan, she would be tempted to join me.”“You're disgusting,”He chuckled and stood up, walking over to the mirror, he looked at himself, “It's not that obvious,”“It's not?” I exclaimed. It was more than obvious, his cock has built a tent on his seams and it's not that obvious. What is obvio
MAEThe moment the door opened, and I saw who it was, my heart stopped. “Dad?” I croaked, my voice barely above a whisper. Tears sprang to my eyes almost immediately. I tried to sit up, but he was already by my side, gently pressing me back down. “Don’t push yourself,” he said softly, but there was worry in every word. He pulled up a chair and sat next to me, his hand covering mine. “You should be resting.”I blinked up at him, confused. “What… how are you here? Shouldn’t you also be resting?” My dad had fainted just two days ago and seeing him there made my chest ache.He gave me a small smile and shrugged like it was nothing. “I heard about a certain Mae being treated at the hospital. Someone mentioned your name, and I… I had to make sure it was you.” His voice cracked a little at the end.I swallowed hard, my throat hurting. “I’m okay now, Dad. I promise. I should be the one worrying about you. How do you feel?”“I'm fine.” He replied with a small smile. He just held my hand, his
CMAEThe moment Ethan walked in, my heart stopped. Not in a good way. He looked rough like he’d been through hell and back, but he still had this commanding presence about him. And those men in suits behind him? Yeah, that didn’t help. My stomach twisted, the knife in my throat feeling colder and sharper than ever now. Ava’s grip on me tightened, and I could feel her shaking just slightly. Their coming closer was making her nervous and her knife pressed into my neck even more, scaring me.“Ethan,” she said, her voice cracking but still carrying that desperate tone. “Tell them to stay back, or I’ll kill her.” That sent a chill down my spine, like ice running through my veins. She pressed the knife closer, and I winced, biting my lip to keep myself from crying out. It hurt, my shoulder had still not healed from the accident and the way she was pressing it down hurt badly.Ethan raised his hands, palms out, his voice calm, like he was trying to also calm her down. “Ava, just let her
ChaMAEMy eyes snapped open, and for a moment, everything was a blur. My head throbbed like someone had hit it many times, and my mouth was dry, my tongue sticking to the roof of it. My head hurt badly, like badly, especially the back of my head like it had been hit.I blinked a few times, trying to figure out where I was, trying to remember what had happened, but nothing made sense. The air was damp and cold, and there was this faint, musty smell that made my stomach twist. I looked around, my vision finally clearing, and panic hit me almost immediately, making my heart pound harder than ever.I was in a huge, dark basement, the kind you only find in horror movies, except this was real life, my life. The only light came from a single bulb hanging from the ceiling, swaying slightly like it might go out any second. My arms and legs felt heavy, and when I tried to move, I realized why. I was tied to a chair. Thick ropes dug into my wrists and ankles, holding me in place no matter h
MAEIt was Julianna. Of course, it was Julianna. Why did I think she wouldn't come? Of course, she would. Seemed like everyone knew her except me and it was killing me. I wasn't even sure if she and Ethan had dated before. I wasn't sure about anything anymore.She walked onto the balcony like she owned the world, dressed to kill in this beautiful black dress that hugged her figure perfectly. She looked completely perfect. Her makeup was flawless, not a smudge out of place, and her hair looked like it had been styled by some overpriced Hollywood professional. She had this effortless grace about her like she knew people were watching, and she loved it. I felt tiny in comparison. I felt out of place at that moment. She was like the epitome of beauty, and I was the epitome of nothing. Well, not nothing. I believed in loving my body, but she just suited him perfectly while he and I were odd together.She made her way over to us with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes, slipping he
MAEI spotted him the second Lindsey walked away like my eyes had been programmed to find him in any crowd. He stood near the far wall, looking way too good in a perfectly tailored suit, a drink in his hand, and that confident, effortless stance that used to make me melt. My stomach did this weird flip, and for a second, I thought about bolting right back out the door. But then Lindsey’s voice yanked me out of my thoughts. “Okay, I'm back.” Before I could react, she handed me another drink, her energy as bubbly as ever. “Thanks for coming. Seriously, it means so much to me!” I forced a smile, trying my best to match her enthusiasm. “Of course. I’m honored to be here.” She rolled her eyes and smacked my arm lightly, laughing. “Oh, stop being so modest. You’re family. I'm surprised you and Ethan didn't come together, but oh well. Couples always fight, right? Now, eat whatever you want, okay? I’ll be right back. Again. I have to say hi to a million more people.” “Go, go,” I s
MAEIt was another picture of Ethan and Julianna. They were holding hands, her other hand clutching a bouquet like they were in some sort of romantic movie, which made me sad instead of happy.My chest felt tight like someone had taken a fistful of my heart and squeezed it. And it hurt badly. I wished there was medicine for heartache because I couldn't take any more of this pain. I just wanted peace. Sighing, I tossed my phone to the side, the screen going dark as it hit the pillow. My fingers brushed against my cheeks, and I realized tears had started falling again. Why couldn't I stop crying? It was definitely because of my pregnancy. Not because of Ethan. Not.I curled up on my bed, wrapping my arms around my stomach without even thinking about it. My voice cracked as I whispered, “I’m sorry, baby. I’m sorry you can’t be close to your father right now.” My hand instinctively rubbed the small curve of my belly, as I could somehow comfort the little life growing inside me. The ac
MAEEthan walked toward us, his chest rising and falling like he’d just sprinted a marathon. “How’s your dad?” he asked with worry. He sounded sincere, like he was genuinely worried, but I couldn't think about why he was there or how he even knew my dad was at the hospital. I glanced at Miles, waiting for him to answer, because I sure wasn’t about to and the only other person who could have told him was Miles. I'd been with Mum all night so it sure as hell wasn't her and if it was Miles, I was going to kill him. Tear him in half.Miles rubbed the back of his neck, looking awkward, and said, “He’s stable now. My mom's with him now.” I stood there, my arms crossed tight against my chest, looking between the two of them. My brain was spinning. Why was Ethan here? He couldn't have magically known Dad was here. My eyes narrowed suspiciously at Miles, and he caught the look. He sighed like he knew what my question was. “I called him,” he admitted, shrugging like it was no big deal. “W
MAE Miles and I bolted outside, my heart hammering in my chest. The second we stepped out, I froze. My dad was lying on the ground, his face pale, his eyes closed. My mom was kneeling over him, her hands on his chest, crying. “Oh my God! Honey!” she sobbed. “Please, get up! Don't do this to me!”“Dad!” I shrieked, running toward him, my broken foot hurting way worse than earlier. Miles sprinted past me, grabbing his phone and already dialing. “I’m calling 911!” he shouted, his voice shaking, not helping my frayed nerves at all.I dropped next to my mom, my hands hovering over Dad like I didn’t know what to do. “Dad?” I whispered, my voice cracking. “Come on, wake up. Please.” He didn’t move. He didn’t even flinch. My mom’s cries were breaking me into a million tiny pieces. My heart was pounding hard, blood rushing to my head, making it very hard to think or breathe. The walls seemed to be closing in on me.It felt like forever before the ambulance arrived, though it couldn’t have b
MAEI zipped up my bag with shaky hands, my chest heaving as I threw the last of my stuff inside. My heart was screaming at me to stop, to wait, to give him a chance to explain, but my brain wasn’t having it. I wanted him to also say something, anything, apologize, beg me to stay, tell me what actually happened, at least explain, but Ethan? Ethan didn't seem to care.He wasn’t even begging me to stay. He wasn’t apologizing. He was just standing there like I wasn’t literally packing my things and leaving, like I didn't mean a single thing to him, like what we had, our love, our bond, our marriage meant nothing to him. And it fucking hurt. It hurt to not see him fight for us. Did he even care about us at all? Did all this even mean anything to him?And then he said it.“Maybe we do need a break from each other.”I froze. A break? I wanted to believe I'd heard wrong, but I didn't. He had said we needed a break and I wanted him to say that he was kidding. I wanted him to say he wasn't s