Of course things went horribly downhill from then on.
Victory tried to make light of the situation and continued with her usual banter, but with her running to the toilet and heaving out her stomach contents every couple of hours, it was difficult for Arthur to ignore the fragile state that she was in.
From an outsider's perspective, both of Victory and Arthur had bizarre guilty looks plastered on their faces every time they faced each other. Both of them wore similar expressions of being caught red-handed with their hands in the cookie jar.
If only people knew.
For indeed, Arthur did dip his dirty fingers into Victory's cookie jar.
Aaron, being the sass that he is, was first to comment on the change in their relationship.
Since the revelation of her pregnancy, Victory had tried to avoid Aaron for as long as she could.
However, working in the same building definitely had its disadvantages. Just a week after their visit to the h
Hi! Do you think Aaron suspects that there’s something between Victory and Arthur? I look forward to reading your comments. xx F.A.R. Ps: I’d be most thankful if you give me some stars and share your a review for the book. Thank you!
Arriving in Brooklyn, Victory parked her cheerful yellow Mini Cooper Countryman in front of an old, faded, nondescript building. She quickly bounded up the stairs and knocked her fist on a massive brown door. There was a sign above the door that read, "Brooklyn Institution for the Care of Children". Victory was standing in front of an orphanage, one that she used to volunteer with since she was 16 years old. The orphanage started as a community project assignment for school. At the time, she had just transferred to a new school and was paired with Aaron for the assignment. The orphanage had held good memories for her. A time when she had felt like the efforts that she puts in would make a difference in the world by aiding poor orphans and having the ability to impact their lives in a positive manner. The school assignment for the orphanage was also the start of her beautiful friendship with Aaron and she would forever be grateful for that experienc
Two weeks later, Victory found herself once again seated at the doctor's office, with Arthur standing firmly behind her chair. This time, Arthur had both his hands resting on her shoulders, unconsciously lending Victory his strength andreminding her that he's there to support her and whatever decision that she makes. For the appointment, she decided to wear a blue and white striped jacket from Ralph Lauren, a printed white Chanel blouse and a navy maxi skirt which ended demurely just above her knees. Unfortunately, due to her growing waistline, she is no longer able to fit into her tight pencil skirts.Although her pregnancy is barely noticeable, her tummy had actually expanded by at least an inch. Her feet were adorned with a red pair of mary janes, similar to what Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz wore. She also wore white knee length stockings, making her appear like a schoolgirl and looking younger than her 24 years. She completed her look with a pair of p
"Let's have lunch first," Arthur replied, looking at her expectantly. "You've told me before that you get angry when you're hungry. I wouldn't want you to bite my head off," he teased her as his smile grew wider. To Victory's surprise, there was a warm smile spreading on his face, making him look younger than his 28 years and dangerously attractive. She had noticed before that his dimples would appear cheekily whenever his lips curved into a wide smile. Today, his dimples made one of their rare appearances and boldly winked at her. His posture was more relaxed and warm. Even his eyes appeared a bright blue color and there was an indescribable look of contentment shining from them. Somehow, from where she was seated, Arthur looked happy and contented. Mr. Grouch Arthur Knight, look happy? Well this is definitely a first, Victory told herself. Unable to stop herself, Victory felt the familiar tug of a smile spreading its way across
Arthur held the door open as the interior decorator waltz into his apartment, carrying her cherry red handbag in one hand and a medium-sized tablet in her other hand. As they both entered the living room, he introduced her to Victory, explaining that he plans to renovate the guest room to fit Victory's taste. The interior decorator is a gorgeous red-head, blessed with an equally voluptuous figure. Victory saw that she oozed sex appeal without even needing to try. A half-moon pair of glasses rested on the bridge of her nose, giving her the air of a sexy schoolteacher, one that would cause boys to purposely get into trouble, just so that they would see her again in detention. Despite her appearance, her face carried a cool and professional demeanour. Victory couldn't help but notice that a large diamond engagement ring adorned her finger, glittering in the light as she waved her hand. Aww, she's engaged to be married, Victory tells herself with
The renovation works went smoothly and Victory had chosen to have the movers to help her with packing and carrying her stuff to Arthur's apartment. Surprisingly, her parents were easily convinced by her choice to move out of the family home. She reasoned with them that she needed to move to a place that is closer to the office, given her erratic work schedule and numerous media events. Both her parents were surprisingly understanding at her request. They understood how committed she is about her work and have seen her coming home at odd hours, thus agreeing that it would be best indeed if she stayed nearer to both the city centre and Knight Towers. She promised that she will be back during the weekends for the usual family dinner, if she's not having dinner with the Knights that is. And besides, it's not that they are staying that far away from city, her parents' home are in the suburbs, only about 30 minutes drive if traffic is clear, from Knight Tow
It has been more than four months since Victory and Aaron had returned from their trip in Europe. Having adjusted to their busy work schedules, both rarely had any time to spend with each other. While Victory spent most of her time in New York, Aaron was always away, traveling from one city to another, meeting clients and acquiring new contracts for Knight Enterprises. Avery had created a new post that was specially tailored for Aaron when he joined the family business. He is a part of the business development division, heading the marketing department. During the past month, Aaron has been traveling back-to-back and working hard to strengthen the company's relationship with existing clients while slowly gaining a few new ones. In a way, Victory was secretly relieved that Aaron is always away. She knew that if Aaron was there to witness her spewing out her stomach's contents at the smallest whiff of food during the first trimester, he would de
At that very moment, Aaron's cellphone suddenly rang. Saved by the bell, Victory told herself. Victory breathed out a small sigh of relief as Aaron stood up and pointed to his still ringing phone. "Sorry, I've got to take this. I'm renovating my new apartment and I'm going to be meeting the designer tomorrow." He said apologetically as he walked away from the dining table, placing the cellphone next to his right ear. Victory pretended to continue eating, her anxious heart fervently hoping that no one else would ask her any more questions about the pregnancy. Ugh, this is hard, she huffed mentally. She moved her gaze to the wooden grandfather's clock in the dining room, and counted the minutes until dinner would be over. Time seems to slow down when you're falling into an agonizing and painful death, she forlornly thought to her self. Ten minutes later, Aaron stormed into the dining room. His black shoes were practically thumpin
"How are you feeling?" Arthur asked gently as the dark grey BMW silently sped into the city. He pulled Victory's slender hands into his and gave them a light squeeze, giving her his assurance that things will get better. She tore her gaze away from both their hands which were entwined on Arthur's lap and looked up to observe the damage that Aaron had imposed on his face. His gentle tone was in contradiction to how dreadful his face looks. His left cheek was already swollen in an angry shade of red. Combined with his busted lips and messy hair, within the dark confines of the car, he appeared more sinister and yet still manage to look dangerously attractive. Unconsciously, she pulled up one of her hands away from Arthur's hold and palmed it on his swollen cheek. Her thumb caressed his skin in slow gentle strokes. Arthur hissed as her hand touched the raw and swollen area of his cheek. "Does it hurt?" She asked gently, her emeral
Arthur salaciouslytraced every inch of Victory's body with his hands, mouth, lips and tongue. He expertly devoured her, his actions fueled by her whimpers, basking in gratification every time he heard her plead and moan his name. His pale blue eyes darkened with lust as he gazed at his bride who was writhing with pleasure in front of him. He was facing her groin, his tongue lapping, teasing the swollen nubbin at her entrance as his fingers pumped relentlessly inside of her. Victory twitched in response,her skin tingling in excitement, the sexual tension was too much for her to bear. She was so close to losing control, her fingers desperately clutching his hair, trying to find an anchor to the passion that is threatening to take over her senses. Deliberately, heremoved his tongue from her clit and raised his head, causing her to groan and rock her hips in agony. She was so close to reaching her pinnacle and yet Arthur wasdel
Two weeks later. Unlike their wedding day debacle, Victory and Arthur's second attempt at getting married occurred during one of the worst downpours New York has ever seen. The weather was increasingly tempestuous, the wind howling ferociously as the heavy and almost continual rain soaked each and every guest that arrived at the church. Even the bride and groom were not spared. Despite being shielded by a huge umbrella, the bottom half of Victory's dress was absolutely drenched by the time she made it inside the church's complex. Those who were superstitious might consider the gloomy weather as a bad omen, but Victory and Arthur were indifferent. The both of them only had eyes for each other and the weather was the least of their worries. In Arthur's case, he is more worried about Victory leaving him at the altar as she did the last time. So, in order to avoid Victory from doing another episode of the runaway bride, Arthur ha
"Arthur, look! Someone's proposing!" Victory called eagerly to Arthur, waving her hands, beckoning him to come towards her. A wide smile had adorned her face as she eagerly peered through the darkness, trying to see if she could spot a couple under the canopy of trees in Central Park. Her elbows were resting on the railings, her body leaning forward as a dreamy sigh escaped her lips. She wasn't able to spot anything underneath the clump of trees so she lether eyes wander across the buildings surrounding Central Park, wondering which unit were owned by the soon to be betrothed couple. "Aww... This is so sweet, don't you think so?" She cooed as she looked wistfully at the fairy lights, her emerald green eyes trailing over the words, Will You Marry Me? Whoever did this must have done some meticulous planning indeed, Victory thought to herself. How many fairy lights did it take to pull this off, she wondered, a frown marring her forehead.She was
The next day arrived quickly. It is the day where Victory and Arthur will finally go on their third date. Despite her excitement, this day also means that Victory will have to move her stuff from her Upper West Side Apartment to Arthur's apartment not far from Fifth Avenue. And just like any billionaire heiress out there, Victory has a LOT of STUFF in her apartment in the form of clothes and shoes. Victory was so busy with packing and moving into Arthur's apartment that by the time the last box had arrived in Arthur's apartment, the sun had dipped in the horizon. Glancing at the time, she hurriedly entered her bathroom, she was feeling all hot and sticky and desperately needed a shower. Almost an hour later, she exited her walk-in closet, wearing a demure, white Ted Baker dress with a huge black bow across her chest. Perhaps this is Victory's way of saying she's gifting herself to Arthur, all wrapped nicely in Ted Baker's oversized bow.
The next morning Victory woke up to find Arthur quietly snoring beside her. Savouring the rare occasion that she gets to observe him without him knowing, she gazed at the man who had managed to steal her heart. There is a softness to his expression when he's sleeping and her hand itched, wanting to stroke his face. However, she refrained, not wanting to wake him up from his slumber. Luckily they remembered to draw the curtains last night so the room was still covered in darkness. She turned away from Arthur and her hand roamed to the side table next to the bed, picking up her handphone to check the time. Eight o'clock. That's odd, she thought to herself. Arthur has never slept in as late as this. He is usually very punctual with his time. They didn't sleep that late last night either, both falling asleep right after they made love. What Victory did not know was that Arthur had sneaked out of the room last night for a rendezvous with
"Arthur, what do you think happened between Faith and Aaron all those years ago in high school?" Victory asked after they have left the Halloween party. Her forehead wrinkled as she tried to think of the connection between Aaron and Faith but nothing came to mind. Victory has not been a good best friend to Aaron for the past few months. Granted, she has had her hands full with adopting to her new position at A. K. Media, battling Arthur in court over the custody of Astor and now rebuilding her relationship with Arthur. And whenever she would talk to Aaron, it was always about her problems and not his. She hasnot heard a peep from Aaron about the mysterious girl who took all his clothes and left it outside the toilet and she is curious about her. It was a relief that she was able to easily find his clothes, otherwise she might have to resort to taking the table cloth from the registration counter for Aaron to use to cover his nudity.
By the time Arthur and Victory returned to the hall three hours later, the Halloween Party have just begun. A. K. Media's immersive parties are legendary and quite rare, as they are hosted only a handful of times in a year. The last immersive event that A. K. Media hosted was the blackout luncheon at The Peninsula hotel when Victory returned to New York from Switzerland.There is a long waiting list of celebrities and social influencers clamouring for an invite to the event. The invitation list is exclusive, limited to a small number of people. Tonight, the guest list only includes 300 people. A small line can be seen at the entrance of the hall, party-goers handing over their black and gold invitation card to catwoman and supergirl manning the registration counter. This being a Halloween Party, everyone was garbed in various costumes, and that also include the staff of A. K. Media who are working tonight. A gift bag is handed to each party-g
Red-faced and choking on my saliva, I ran out of the living room to my bedroom, muttering some lame excuse to Faith about not feeling well. My heart was pumping wildly, interlaced with fear and disbelief. Why did I have to say that? Why does my mouth always seem to get me in trouble? Urgh! I feel like punching myself, if that is even possible. I went to lie on my bed, trying to make sense of my thinking. Strange thoughts popped up like bubbles on the beach, one after another. I gave out a frustrated sigh, trying very hard not to pull out all of my hair, thoroughly annoyed at myself. As I was drowning myself in regret, my phone suddenly beeped, a message popping up on the screen. Relieved to have something to divert my attention, I picked up my phone. Arthur: "Do you want me to accompany you tonight, honey bun?" Speak of the devil and here he is. I huffed in annoyance, pursing my lips as I consider on ignoring the
And just like that, the very next day Arthur picked up Astor and Susannah from my apartment and took all their belongings with him. He was so confident that I will follow suit that he cleaned up everything in both their rooms, insisting that they won't be coming to visit me as I will be coming to stay with him soon. He even offered me to let him bring my stuff as well but I was adamant for him to wait until after the third date. No mule is as stubborn as a Victory Sinclair. We were standing at the front door of my apartment, Susannah and Astor had left with Gerald and are waiting for Arthur in the car. I stared at his pale blue eyes while he stares into mine. Neither of us backs down, for we have arrived at an impasse. Which is weird because he wants me in his bed and I also want to be in his bed. No surprises there. The only thing holding me back is my insistence at going for the third date, simply because that is what we had agreed upon.