Aiden's POV I finally resumed office after a few days of taking a break from work. My assistant finally found a way to break the scandal up with the help of the media team.I entered the company with my bag and my face full of embarrassment. I looked around as I entered, checking if people were watching me as I entered or even gossiping about me. As expected, they were doing both, which made me more embarrassed.I tried my best to ignore them and focus on where I was going. The secretary I sacked was supposed to resume work back today after apologizing publicly and privately for all I've done to her and I also promised her some increase in her salary and bonuses, that alone made her come back to work even after a lot of people were saying she shouldn't come back to work for me but the offer was far better than the one she was getting outside. I settled down in my office and she brought in my early morning coffee as she always does. I sipped the coffee as I went through the files and
Author's POV “I Know you're angry at me, Aiden,” Gera said to Aiden, who was watching her talk like a mad woman. “ I have realized that I'm so stupid and foolish to dump you back then”“I don't care if you're stupid or foolish or crazy or not, just get out of my office; I don't care whatever you think you're,” Aiden blasted Hera, not interested in listening to her bullshit. “Just get out of my office and I don't want to see you again”“No, I'm not going anywhere, Aiden.” She sat down and crossed her legs comfortably.“Are you out of your mind? who even gave you the right to my office?” Aiden asked, knowing fully well that he was the one who asked his secretary to let her in, though he didn't know she was the one.Hera didn't move an inch from where she was sitting. Instead, she adjusted well and made sure she was more comfortable.“It's high time I called security; that's what suits you since you don't want to respect yourself,” Auden threatened and picked up his phone to put a call
Author's POV “ I can't change you when I'm not even interested in a piece of trash like you in the first place” Aiden spilled out. “ You decline the arrangements, so there is no point coming back here, so just get out of my office at this moment”.“You think I don't know you chose a random person to be your wife?” Hera asked rhetorically. “I know everything you did; as expected, I made my findings.”“I don't want to hear anything from you again; I will ruin you if you do anything stupid,” Aiden said.“Don't you dare call me those names again? Are you stupid? Do you even know who you're talking to?” Hera loosed it. “I can ruin you Aiden, just because I'm seeking your love does not mean I don't know what I can do to you fool, I made you Aiden, you became what you are now because of me” Aiden was not moved by what she said because her words sounded useless to him. “If you don't leave now, I will make them drag you out, and you will be humiliated,” Aiden said to her.“Expect me soon” He
Author's POVClosing the door, she sat on her bed thinking. “What if he doesn't agree to what I told him within the days I gave him?” Hera thought to herself.“I need to do something, I need a plan in case he doesn't agree with me. He must have an enemy that I can gang up with to make him agree to marry me. I need to work with someone to bring him down to agree to my wish.” Hera kept battling with her thoughts.Later that day, she got up and went to the bathroom to have her bath; she turned on the shower and stayed under the shower for some minutes, and she came outside in a towel dripping wet; she dried her body, moving sexily after she was done. She sat in front of her dressing mirror, applying cream and makeup. After she was done she went to her wardrobe to pick her outfit. She picked a short mini hemline lilac strapless gown with silver heels.She got into her car and drove to the clubhouse where she wanted to clear her and think of what to do next.She got out of her car and wa
Author's POV “Yes?” Hera asked Kane who was dumbfounded and couldn't believe his eyes. The striking resemblance between the lady standing before him caught him thinking if Artemis had escaped or she is a twin. “What do you want from me young man?” Hera asked Kane who was still trying so hard to check if it was really Artemis or another person. Still staring at Hera, he noticed as he had a tattoo on her right arm and one on her leg but the last time he saw Artemis age doesn't have a tattoo and she does look like someone who will get one on her body“My name is Kane” he introduced himself, trying to compose himself since the lady doesn't recognize him then there is high probability that she was not Artemis or she might be the one and it is possible she lost her memory that she won't recognize him.She nodded her head, “how may I help you Mr Kane?” She asked, wondering why I approached her. “ And do I know you?” Kane looked more surprised but not really surprised because she doesn't
Aiden’s POV The buzzing sound of my phone woke me up from my sleep.I groggily opened his eyes, my head pounding like a jackhammer. The room spun, and my mouth felt like the Sahara Desert. I tried to remember the night before, but my memories were hazy as a result of the drink I had the previous night at the club and when I got home Suddenly, my phone rang, piercing through my eardrums like a siren. I winced, covering my ears.“Who is this?” I growled, answering the phone.“What is this news I'm hearing about you having another wife to be aside, Hera?” my father yelled at me over the phone, and my eyes opened well, with sleep fading away.“ It's a rumor, Dad” I never thought Hera would have said something about it to my father.“It better be a rumor, Aiden,” my father replied. “ I wouldn't want a situation where the company's reputation would be at stake because of your personal life again, and you and Hera must be together forever.”“Okay, Dad,” I replied, about to end the call wh
Author's POV Hera was surprised Aiden called her. “ Instead of him just agreeing to marry and then boom, all is settled,” Hera said to herself, removing the face cover on her face.She looked around her room and found her clothes and shoes everywhere on the floor. “How did I even get home last night?” She asked herself, holding her forehead which was banging.She began to think so hard, trying to recall how her movement went.“Holy shit!” She screamed and jumped out of bed to check if her car key was still Intact and if nothing was missing around her.She got to her sitting room and saw her maid, cleaning the room. “What happened last night?” “Just the normal thing that used to happen, ma,” she replied.“What is the normal thing that used to happen, you idiot!?” Hera screamed at her maid even though she knew the normal thing she was talking about. Whenever Gera dresses up in the evening to go clubbing or to the bar, she is always brought back home by strangers, neighbors, or just an
Author's POV Aiden sent his driver to pick Hera up, and he also got dressed to go to the office before Hera's arrival.Thankfully for him, only a few of his staff had to work the weekend, So there is almost nothing to worry about.He was surfing the internet when the door knob opened. Hera walked without knocking.“Hey Aiden,” she waved her hands with her long nails.Aiden's eyes locked onto Hera as she stepped into his office, putting on a short mini-silver gown, her presence commanding attention. Her heels hit the floor so loudly.“Hera, thanks for coming,” Aiden said, his tone formal.Hera smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “I wouldn't miss it for the world.” She replied, tossing her head to the back, her silky long hair going all around her.Aiden gestured to a chair, and Hera sat, her posture elegant, her cloth revealing all her thigh and some private part of her body “So, what's this about?” she asked, her voice husky and seducing.Aiden cleared his throat, his mind rac
Aidan POVThe next few days after Kane's threat began to unroll in a whirlpool of events -- within each minute the quiet strain between Artemis and I. We had decided on attending the charity gala, together, for the display of unity and defiance against the haunting shadows of Hera and Kane. I stood in front of the mirror, while adjusting my tie, pondering upon what I may have done, or not done of late, to have the weight of expectation hanging upon me. The gala would be where the most influential people would congregate. If ever there was a time for Hera to strike, it would be here."Are you ready?" Artemis called from the other room. She sounded almost haughty with a mixture of excitement and nerves. "Almost," I replied, forcing a smile. I had to be his strength. It was his entry into, a very new and dangerous world-and I had to make sure that it felt like a support.I was silent for a moment when she came out. She was wearing this lacey red gown that molded her body all the right
Artemis POVThe hallway, awash in chaos, found a frozen representation of me. Uncertainty had reduced the strength of my insides. Even as the adrenaline rush of Aidan's protection fueled my very being, my very fear of what would follow stopped my feet in their tracks. There were louder voices now: anger and indignation intermingled. I found myself rushing Aidan, heart pounding away. As I took the turn, he stood toe to-toe with various men, their faces illustrating how morally intense and confrontational the situation was. "Get lost," Aidan growled, barely above a whisper. "Aidan, you can’t just turn your back on this," replied one of the men, sharp-edged. He was the tallest, wearing a dark suit that announced authority. "Hera has powerful connections, and you have to be careful." "Careful?" Aidan scoffed, his temper flaring. "You think I’m afraid of some empty threats? I’ll handle this my way." I edged closer and heard snippets of their dialogue, which made my spine crawl at the
Artemis POVThe hallway, awash in chaos, found a frozen representation of me. Uncertainty had reduced the strength of my insides. Even as the adrenaline rush of Aidan's protection fueled my very being, my very fear of what would follow stopped my feet in their tracks. There were louder voices now: anger and indignation intermingled. I found myself rushing Aidan, heart pounding away. As I took the turn, he stood toe to-toe with various men, their faces illustrating how morally intense and confrontational the situation was. "Get lost," Aidan growled, barely above a whisper. "Aidan, you can’t just turn your back on this," replied one of the men, sharp-edged. He was the tallest, wearing a dark suit that announced authority. "Hera has powerful connections, and you have to be careful." "Careful?" Aidan scoffed, his temper flaring. "You think I’m afraid of some empty threats? I’ll handle this my way." I edged closer and heard snippets of their dialogue, which made my spine crawl at the
Artemis POVThe night air was cool under my feet as I stepped outside the garden, and everything was cast under a silvery glow by the moon. I could not shake the unnerving feeling pressing at my heart since dinner. Aidan's father and his expectations were hovering like a dark cloud above us, and I felt like a puppet in their great play. There was some magnetism in Aidan that drew me toward him, something I could not quite put a finger on. I found Aidan leaning back against a marble pillar, the phone still clutching in his hand. The air was thick with tension as my heart fluttered at the thought of going up to him. Did he feel it too? "Aidan?" I softly called, stepping closer. His head rose, and those piercing green eyes locked with mine. For a moment, everything ceased to exist outside this sphere that encapsulated both of us in limbo and yearning."Artemis," he said, his voice low and sultry, making me shiver. "What are you doing out here?""I needed some air," I swallowed, hoping
Aidan POVThe night hung heavily as we drove back to my family's estate, enshrouded in tension. The showdown with Kane had jolted us, and I could feel the pall of uncertainty over Artemis. I glanced at her: her jaw was set in a determined line, though fear, I knew, lurked beneath the surface. "You okay?" I asked after I parked the car, breaking the silence. "Just trying to process everything," she answered, her voice steady, but her eyes were full of worry. "What do you think Kane meant? That we were in over our heads?""Don't know," I said, raking my fingers through my hair. "But we cannot allow him to scare us. We are stronger together, and we need to focus on Hera."As we stepped inside, it was like suffocation; the grand foyer resounded with the silence of empty echoes. I felt my father's wishes bearing down on me as his wildest expectations presented themselves. I had gone against him, and I was wise enough to know that my father would not bear it lightly.''Let's go talk to hi
Artemis POVI felt each whisper of conversation thrum through the room. Every eye seemed to be trained on me in anticipation of what would unfold next. I noticed that Aidan's jaw clenched, trying to gain control over his anxiety. Hera walked further forward into the party and her smile lit up the room like a bolt of electric tension.“Aidan, darling,” Hera said sweetly, slicing every air with her voice. “I didn’t expect to find you with someone who looks so… so… different from me.” Her eyes shot over to me, and as they did, the rush of anger and insecurity combined in me."Aidan, is this the woman you have chosen to be with? I only hope she understands what she is getting into," she continued mockingly.Aidan spoke with a low but firm voice, "Enough, Hera. You have no rights to be here.""Oh but I do," She moved closer. "See, I came here to remind everyone of that little agreement." She pulled out a document from her purse and waved it like a trophy. "This says you owe me, Aidan. And
Artemis POVI felt each whisper of conversation thrum through the room. Every eye seemed to be trained on me in anticipation of what would unfold next. I noticed that Aidan's jaw clenched, trying to gain control over his anxiety. Hera walked further forward into the party and her smile lit up the room like a bolt of electric tension.“Aidan, darling,” Hera said sweetly, slicing every air with her voice. “I didn’t expect to find you with someone who looks so… so… different from me.” Her eyes shot over to me, and as they did, the rush of anger and insecurity combined in me."Aidan, is this the woman you have chosen to be with? I only hope she understands what she is getting into," she continued mockingly.Aidan spoke with a low but firm voice, "Enough, Hera. You have no rights to be here.""Oh but I do," She moved closer. "See, I came here to remind everyone of that little agreement." She pulled out a document from her purse and waved it like a trophy. "This says you owe me, Aidan. And
Artemis POVThe next few days rolled into a blur of work calls, meetings, and strategizing: Aidan and I finally reached out to our closest friends, determined to spend anxiety-ridden hours seeking out enough people to build a network of support able to help us resist Hera's power. With every discussion, one more layer of the web unfolded before us, and, with the feeling of growing tension as we neared the time of confrontation, I could feel the strands beginning to coil tighter.One evening we had gathered in my apartment. The air buzzed with anticipation, and Aidan, Emily, and Ryan comprising the rest sat serious in the living room discussing what would be the next move with me."I know it's a risky affair," Aidan said in a very firm tone. "But we've got to confront Hera directly. If we let her decide the narrative, we'll never free ourselves from her dictation."Emily nodded with her brow knitted in thoughts. "But what if she tries to retaliate? She has connections in places that ca
Artemis POVNights like these trail, having turmoil and kept whispers that swung clouds around Aidan and me. Hera's oculus, I could feel her weight, and every time I spotted her, a shiver disturbed my bones."Are you alright?" Aidan asked, coming closer and lowering his voice."I am fine," I said while forcing a smile, "just trying to grapple with all of this."With his expression raining, he answered. "I know it's quite some taking in, but remember, we have each other."As the gala went on, I tried focusing on the talks we were having, but my mind would attach itself to the topic of threat on us, as Kane's echoed himself in me. Somehow, it all felt like we were walking on a tightrope, one misstep away from disaster."Let's get some air," Aidan said, finding my hand with his.I nodded, relieved to get a moment away from the crowd. Together we stepped out onto the balcony where the coolness of the night air felt revitalizing against my skin. The sounds coming from the gala disappeared