116I woke up to the sound of my phone ringing, my head pounding with a headache that could rival a jackhammer. What did I do last night? The memories slowly started to trickle in and I cringed at the thought of the night with Chloe. What was I thinking? I couldn't let my emotions get in the way of the mission.I ignored the ringing, staggering into the bathroom to reach for my drug cabinet and fish out some Aspirin. It was then I noticed the bathroom was indeed unfamiliar, I looked around in confusion, wondering where I was. Frowning slightly, I reached for the immaculate white bathrobe hanging on the door, reaching for the label on embroidered on its collar, I read the ornate inscription on it out loud."Pine Crest Hotels?" It then hit me. I wasn't in my bedroom, I had lodged into a hotel room 2 nights ago, to escape Lily's nagging.Cursing slightly, I stumbled back into the bedroom, reaching for the phone on the bedside table. I had to call reception to get something for this hango
117I stared out the window into the rain, my heart pounding mercilessly against my chest. Three nights ago, in the guise of completing my mission, I made a mistake I had promised myself I wouldn't ever make again. I normally consider myself a reasonable person, but with Nathan, all reason seemed to jump out the window. I couldn't resist the urge to contact him, despite the potential consequences. And yet somehow I did resist.I could still taste his lips on mine, still feel him inside me, still feel the warmth of his body, the texture of his air, the smell of his cologne. It was all too intoxicating. Sighing and standing up from the couch, I decided I needed to get out of the house.As soon as the damn rain let out, it was contributing to my very depressed mood.I also needed to speak with Addison.Walking into her room, I heard her in the shower, singing very loudly, and very off key to Beyoncé's single ladies."A little bit on the nose? Addison?" I called out sitting on her bed. "A
118I cut the call, staring at the screen of my phone for a few moments, lost in thought. Not only had I never expected Chloe to call after that night, but to ask to see me?It was still raining outside, what is so important that she would want to talk about so desperately despite the weather and so sensitive she wouldn't say it over a phone. Was this about Eduardo? Was it about Noah? Adele? Did our time together at the ball make her change her mind about it all?My mind was racing as I tried to make sense of the situation, quickly searching for Cam's number to inform him of her request, but something stopped me.I wanted to hear her out first, I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. She came to me willingly, I couldn't involve a third party into this. Even if it was Cam.But then, he had a right to know. With all his help all this while, I felt it was unfair to keep this from him.I called Cam, "Hey man, what's up?" he answered."Chloe just called me. She wants me to come see
119My heart was beating faster and faster as I leaned in to kiss Nathan. As our lips met, a rush of emotions flooded my senses. His touch sent shivers down my spine and made my heart skip a beat. Remembering we were still outside, under the rain, I broke away from him for a moment, dragging him with me into the back seat of my car. Not minding the our wet clothes, we collapsed on each other, his hands roaming my body and heating me up in ways only he could.But just as the intensity of the moment grew, Nathan pulled away, leaving me feeling confused and vulnerable. I looked at him, trying to decipher what he was thinking. He looked back at me with a pained expression, and I could tell that he was struggling with something."Are you sure this is what you want?" Nathan asked, his voice filled with uncertainty.My mind raced as I thought about his question. I knew I wanted him, but at the same time, I couldn't ignore all the pain he had caused me in the past. We had been estranged for s
120As I walked up to the towering new building, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. After months of negotiations and paperwork, I had finally secured it for the casino that Eduardo and I were trying to run. The structure loomed over me, its sleek exterior glimmering in the bright sun. It was the first concrete step I had take toward my plan. I could finally feel it going somewhere.I couldn't wait to tell Eduardo the good news. As I stepped into the elevator, I took a deep breath, trying to contain my excitement. I pressed the button for the top floor, where Eduardo's office was located.When the elevator doors slid open, Eduardo was already waiting for me. He had a big smile on his face, and I knew he could sense my enthusiasm."Nathan!" he exclaimed, giving me a firm handshake. "Tell me, how did it go?""It went great," I said, beaming with a smile. "I was able to secure the building for our casino."Eduardo's face lit up. "That's fantastic news, Nathan," he said, clapping m
121It was impossible to escape Nathan in this city, and that fact nagged at me every second of every day.I couldn't stop thinking about him. I couldn't stop doubting and second guessing my decision in the back seat of my car that rainy day. I felt like I had made a big mistake by refusing him, I felt like it was too hasty.I had seen him the previous week, in a party Eduardo had insisted I attended represent him. He was surrounded by journalists, trying to get their five seconds of fame with the Golden Boy. He was as charming and as witty as I remembered him, smiling good naturedly as he answered all their questions. I stood back in the distance, watching it a unfold, quietly fingering the necklace he gifted me on my neck. Shaking my head to clear it, I sought out Addison for advice. She was in the living room, a bowl of popcorn on her lap, watching one of those crime documentaries she seemed to love so much."Addison, I can't seem to get Nathan out of my head," I announced sitting
122"Fine," he said at last. "Okay, on your terms." I let out another sigh of relief, that was close."Good, it should be secret. No public meetings, no pictures, no press.""Why?" He asked. "You want to keep our daughter hidden from the public? Why?""Because I don't want her getting pushed into the public eye just yet Nathan," I said rolling my eyes. "What do you think would happen when the world finds out you and I, two high profile people, had a baby together huh? It's not safe for her."He kept quiet for a minute. "Oh.""Exactly, " I pressed. "So no public appearances for now please.""I see, I can take her to the park though?""Yes, sure." I answered. "When?""In about an hour.""Isn't that too sudden?" I didn't know if it was okay yet. Addison popped in, mouthing to me that she had an appointment to meet and she had to leave immediately, I gave her a thumbs up as Nathan continued."I have missed the first two years of her life." He replied quickly. "I intend to spend as much ti
CHAPTER 123 NATHAN’S POV “Don’t you understand, I am worried about you.” Cameron said and I slightly chuckled. “You shouldn’t be,” I retorted with a shrug. I perfectly understood her concern but she didn’t know all my plans, I had set up all my plans and was sure it was going to be perfect. Planning everything wasn’t easy, I took my time and now, I am very sure of it. “Is there anything you aren’t telling me?” She asked, raising her eyebrow slightly. “I fear that you know me too well,” I started saying with a smile. “I had secured everything before now,” I started explaining to her while rising on my feet. Taking slow paces, I remembered everything vividly. “Before Chloe departed for North Caroline, we had several discussions. I wanted to settle everything with her but I am not sure she was ready tho. I gave her a parting necklace.” I said while pausing to look at her expression. I liked the suspense, Cameron’a face held a lot of emotions with confusion among t
220Chloe"Dada!" Adele's screams echoed through the air as Nathan swung her all over the place. I smiled at the sight. Her giggles were contagious. I watched through the window. Watched him spin her around, laughing his head off with her and for a minute I allowed myself to get lost in the moment with them. This was the life I had wanted all along. A happy home, a happy place, a perfect family. My eyes fell on my trembling hands and I retreated, allowing the blinds to fall. Except for the fact that we were the furthest from perfect. It had been three months since the accident. Three months since the truth of... Well everything was exposed. Mahn my life was a fucking rollercoaster. The more I thought about it, the more impressed I was that I had survived it at all. And it seemed it all started from that crazy one night stand. The world, my world, cracked and shook around its edges right from the day that I had met Nathan. If he hadn't gotten me pregnant, I most likely wouldn't hav
CHAPTER 219 NATHAN’S POV I headed to the doctor's office to collect discharge papers and a few other documents. Chloe was finally certified to be discharged and I couldn't be as happy as I was now. I was finally getting what I wanted. Signing something on the discharged paper, we started preparing for her departure. When I meant we, I meant Addison and Cameron and it was a very chaotic event. “Stop hissing, it's irritating!” I heard Cameron’s disgusted voice yelling at Addison. “Don’t you dare speak to me,” Addison warned. Feeling very embarrassed, I could see the several burning eyes on the scene happening. They had started with their annoying banter. Couldn't they just get along? I understood that Addison was annoying but Cameron had to behave like a man and stop whining like a child. I was getting angry with their actions and was only trying to cover it up with a smile. Women just loved arguing and that was it for Addison. She wouldn't miss a chance to argue with yo
CHAPTER 218 NATHAN’S POV I got to the hospital parking lot with a smile on my face. Walking into the hospital, I was very excited. Nothing was stopping me from getting her now, both Eduardo and Tristan were rotting in jail and that was all I could ask for. Pushing the don't open, I mentally groaned to see who was there with her. I was about to barge in when something stopped me. Chloe was sitting up while facing Addison and Adele with the widest smile I had ever seen. She was speaking gently and was even laughing. It felt like ages since I have seen that bright smile on her face, Chloe was the most beautiful person I had ever seen. She was always smiling and helping everyone regardless of her problems. She had a heart of gold and was always reaching out to others, losing her would be the biggest mistake I would make if I allowed it. I had already lost my loved ones once, I wasn’t going to allow this one again. Not again, she was mine alone! Seeing this just made m
CHAPTER 217 NATHAN’S POV I walked casually with Cameron beside me as we met with Officer Alex. “Good morning,” we exchanged pleasantries as he welcomed us into his office. We couldn't interrogate Eduardo a day before because he had been taken to hospital because of some minor injuries. “Are you ready?” Alex asked as we walked to meet Eduardo. “Never been this ready, I had been ready for this my whole life,” I added as I put on a forced smile. Wishing that Chloe was here to witness this, my mind drifted to her. I was going to make sure I call the nurse after this. I was also worried about her safety and had stationed two private guards for her. As far as Eduardo is concerned, he could strike anyone. I was very wary of that man and didn’t want any accident to repeat itself twice. I was never going to allow Eduardo to get to my family again, especially when I was still alive! Even if it means killing him, I would gladly do so without hesitating. He had done more than enoug
NATHAN’S POV I walked casually with Cameron beside me as we met with Officer Alex. “Good morning,” we exchanged pleasantries as he welcomed us into his office. We couldn't interrogate Eduardo a day before because he had been taken to hospital because of some minor injuries. “Are you ready?” Alex asked as we walked to meet Eduardo. “Never been this ready, I had been ready for this my whole life,” I added as I put on a forced smile. Wishing that Chloe was here to witness this, my mind drifted to her. I was going to make sure I call the nurse after this. I was also worried about her safety and had stationed two private guards for her. As far as Eduardo is concerned, he could strike anyone. I was very wary of that man and didn’t want any accident to repeat itself twice. I was never going to allow Eduardo to get to my family again, especially when I was still alive! Even if it means killing him, I would gladly do so without hesitating. He had done more than enough already! “Go
NATHAN’S POV I walked into the police station with Cameron as he discussed something with them. “You are back again?” I heard a policeman ask. “Yes, I want to reopen the case of Noah Nathan and his family,” I said as the cop went through the file. “A murder case,” I added again as they searched for it before finding it. Going through it, he nods his head. “I assume you have several pieces of evidence now?” He asked as I nodded my head. He invited me into his office and I started discussing everything with him. “That’s fine, let me arrange for an arrest,” he said before calling a junior officer. Everything was finally falling in place, I was going to get my revenge and also get my girl back. Eduardo shouldn't have played those silly games and thought I wouldn't get him. Though it was difficult, he shouldn't have messed with me. I was going to teach both him and Tristan a very good lesson. “Arrange for an arrest, Mr. Tristan, owner of….” I heard the cop saying b
NATHAN’S POV “Focus man!” I heard Cameron’s frustrated voice as I failed to carry the heavy weight for the fifth time. “I am not in the mood for this shit!” I said angrily before walking away. Not knowing why I was angry, I tried calming down my nerves. Cam was just trying to help, I shouldn't have snapped at him in that way. Everything was only because of her, it's been days since I last visited Chloe. Calling the nurse to ask if she was doing fine. I understood if Chloe wanted space and that was what I was giving her but it wasn't easy for me. My heart yearns for her presence. I was slowly going crazy with everything that has been happening lately. Every thought was connected to her, now that I knew she was innocent of everything I feel so stupid for even doubting her. She was the mother of my child and the least I could do was trust her but I had failed woefully. I had one job to do, to trust and love her but I had failed. Remembering how I had spoken to her that night
NATHAN’S POV I groaned as I went to the kitchen to search for something to eat. My mind wandered off to Chloe. “I am sure she will be fine,” I said to myself as I grabbed some cookies and a glass of juice. Walking to my office, I settled down and started some serious work. I was planning an event for models, actors and everyone in the entertainment sector so it had to be perfect. I started my work and didn’t know that time had passed, I was so buried in my work that I hadn’t noticed. Time flies as they always say, you wouldn’t believe it till you start experiencing it yourself. I went down the memory lane of how everything started. My meeting with Chloe, our relationship, everything was just so fast and now we were here. Judging by Chloe’s action I don’t think she can forgive me. I have been trying to deny that for a long time but it is getting obvious daily. She doesn’t say much and would rather ignore me. Sighing heavily, I rubbed my temples anxiously. Her being with
NATHAN’S POV “I don’t still support you buying her these flowers,” Cameron argued as we walked into the hospital. “Ohh please, Chloe is my wife and I know what she wants,” I announced angrily. “Technically, she isn't, you are only trying to win her over,” Cameron said with sarcasm. I wanted to strangle him, when you are friends with someone like Cam he does everything to annoy you. Facing him, I gave him a hard glare before storming out of his sight. “Wait, I am sorry,” I heard him say but rather chose to ignore. “I need to use the restroom,” he said but I still ignored him. “Dickhead!” I cursed before entering the hospital room. Looking bewildered, I couldn’t believe the person I was also seeing. Someone who despised me with her whole heart. “Hey Addison,” I greeted with a crooked smile as she scowled at me. Addison was always with a scowl, I wondered how Chloe was friends with her. Chloe was always happy while Addison was always the opposite. So uptight and annoying! Breathi