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2022-06-22 23:58:49
Crystal OduwaA/N: For the next one week, the chapters will be uploaded between 00:00-6:00 (UTC+8) Apologies for the inconvenience. Hope you're enjoying the book so far. Reviews, please?
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A VOW TO HATE 19
AIDEN 13/60TUESDAY9:34 AMI dropped the third call from my sister, cussing at the heavens for her switching her cell phone off. It's been five minutes since their parents pulled over at the drive-through.A full three hundred seconds of two adults battling to get their kids down from the car. They were not conceding."Shouldn't we go out there to help?"I grunted, curled my nose, and stayed silent. Being expected to babysit two children is tough enough, but having to do it with her makes it even worse. And my sister told me I was only getting one punishment. Safe to say, last night made things awkward for Layla and me.Tristan Thompson is not a man I anticipate seeing, and him attempting to use Layla as an object to provoke me bothers me as much as she letting him do so. Or maybe it's not about me. Still, I'm disgruntled. "Aiden."Her tone was exasperated, while her arm nudged mine. "What?"I half-yelled, keeping a close watch. The mother clambered with the arm of her son, and he
Last Updated : 2022-06-25A VOW TO HATE 20
AIDEN13/60TUESDAY“That was entertaining.”We just dropped the kids off with their parents.She was conversing on our way to the car. I was contemplating how badly the side effects of Tylenol will be. As soon as I got to the penthouse, I had a mental note for three tablets. When I rearranged the house, I would need those.Fun isn’t the word for the day.Ten minutes turned into thirty. The kids were loud. Madison asked further questions, probing relentlessly. The weirdest part is that I kept answering, indulging her further.Layla was forced to leave her Corolla in the parking lot when the twins refused to ride individually. We took my car. Note to self — never leave two teenagers in the back seat of a car. My ears are still ringing from their shouts.How the fuck do their parents cope? I was a child too. I didn’t give my father that much stress. Although It was Grant Smith who made me feel the need to be perfect right from when I was eleven years old. I'd imagine it is nothing like
Last Updated : 2022-06-26A VOW TO HATE 21
LAYLA.14/60WEDNESDAY."We run into each other again."I curved my head to the voice. Tristan Thompson? He's pacing out of my father's office. They both have smiles on their faces. I'm in Dean Construction, my office is over there. Can't possibly be a dream. But why would he have come here?Suspicious. Now that I think of it, He was at the Smith's party as well. That involved many business owners, but coming here raises a red flag. Much more with my father. "Hello, Tristan."He extends his hands, still smiling, and I'm forced to return them, even though I'm jumbled up as hell. "Layla, you've met Mr Thompson?"My cell phone had already beeped twice when I bobbed my head."We crossed paths at the party on Monday."Father nodded in understanding."I will look forward to working with you, Sir.""Likewise."They shook each other's hands and then pulled apart. Okay. Suspicious as hell. What's happening?Father made a move to leave. I smiled at Tristan and then caught up with my father, pu
Last Updated : 2022-06-29A VOW TO HATE 22
LAYLA.14/60WEDNESDAY Wednesday is bizarre. Monday is stressful, but now I'm reckoning I like stress. Stress motivates me. Stress can stimulate the brain. But weirdness?It's completely meaningless. Starting from the alleged investment with Thompson Pharmaceuticals, which I now realize was not solely with Dean Construction. Smith Industries was a part of it as well.Then Aiden asked for my opinion. I guessed he might share similar reservations, but Tristan is working with him, so I panicked and agreed with the common conclusion. Accepted it was normal because I had no clue what he was trying to say.Why would he ask if they were working together?Maybe it's a trick to get me to say something, and then my dad sums it up. Since I had understood nothing, I chose to remain neutral.That aside, I shifted to something natural. My project. The grand wedding. The next stop was Berlin. Things were no longer normal.Penelope's cousin has a history with Aiden. That would be fine if she were jus
Last Updated : 2022-07-01A VOW TO HATE 23
LAYLA. 14/60 WEDNESDAY. 6:03 PM "You're having a date with Tristan Thompson!?" I lay the phone aside to deflect Bella's screeching sound. Bad idea—calling her. The absolute worst. Another awful idea? Going to dinner with a man I just met. After that succeeds the lack of clothing options for such a date, which is why I'm currently scrambling between my closet and my underwear drawer. Between all of that, I phoned Bella, and she's making the situation worse. "Yes. I told you I was." If I weren't clutching my cell phone and searching through my closet, I would have smacked my forehead. "The Tristan Thompson! I saw the news that he was in the city!" My best friend was swooning? Perhaps I heard wrong. "You're a fan?" I flung the jeans away. It's a dinner date, Layla. Gowns. Pick a gown. "Well, not really. I love a hot-looking dude as much as the next girl, but my brother doesn't, so it's like a forbidden relationship except there's no relationship." I chuckle, reaching for
Last Updated : 2022-07-02A VOW TO HATE 24
LAYLA16/60SATURDAY — 12:32 AMBERLIN; HOTEL DE ROME. "Here we are. You should thank me for getting a reservation ahead of time. Ensuring that we'll be attended to."I scowled at what Aiden had said as I drove my luggage behind me. I'm not appreciative of having to walk from the airport down here. It only lasted ten minutes, but it was still ungratifying."You screwed up two flights now. I'm in charge of the trip to Hawaii."I say, fighting back a yawn. My feet hurt. "And that won't be a screwup. Why?"I snorted without a response, still trailing behind Aiden, who followed the lady at the front desk."Here we are."Speaking of her, she motioned to two rooms beside each other and then handed both of us separate keys."You should thank me for not booking a suite. It is what you deserve. A weekend with me. Pure torture."He clicked his tongue, forcing the key into the hole."And what have I done to deserve this vicious punishment of yours?"I nudged my head at the lady, muttering a "Th
Last Updated : 2022-07-04A VOW TO HATE 25
LAYLA18/60MONDAY.BERLIN; CAT CO WORLDWIDE MEDIA.The driver disrupts the lingering silence for over twenty minutes, "Here we are." He announces curtly.Raising my head, I catch the display of a building just about as large as Dean Construction.We got down through the doors and gave it a wedge to close. Aiden spoke with the driver, who would wait at the parking lot or return at the end of the meeting.If the meeting ends at all."Does she know you'll be here?""Nope."Nonchalance. Again."What did Penelope tell her?""She said representatives from her will arrive today to discuss. That's all.""How nice.""Cheer up, love. We won't be asked to leave, fortunately."Scoffing, I murmur underneath my breath, "If we're lucky."****"Guten Morgen."I cast Aiden an amused look. Did he speak German? I hardly stepped out into the city due to language barriers, but he was eloquent. Interesting."What did you say to him?""Good morning."He answers. There was a lady at the front desk. She smil
Last Updated : 2022-07-11A VOW TO HATE 26
AIDEN18/60MONDAY BERLIN; CAT CO WORLDWIDE MEDIA"Mr Smith."Catherine is behind me. Her voice was always so forward, thick, and laced with every emotion she was feeling. Now I'm sensing almost nothing at all. I guess we've both changed. "Catherine."She smiled, unlike in the office where it seemed like she could rip my head off."You age like fine wine Mr Smith."I arch a brow. "Am I missing something here?""Not really. The deal is closed. I believe Layla went to use the restroom. She should be right behind me."On cue, she rotated her head backwards to check. Layla hadn't come out."Thank you.""For what? Not throwing you out or the deal?""Both."I answer truthfully."I can't say I expected a phone call or at least a message, but I did hope. I always hoped." She clicked her tongue, but there was nothing bitter about that tone. Which left me to wonder if she held any resentment at all. "Catherine.""I'm not that woman anymore, I'm not holding grudges or anything.""I'm not that
Last Updated : 2022-08-01
Latest chapter
A VOW TO HATE 88
AIDENI've completely lost my mind. It's an oval room with seats circulated round it, each seat occupied by men and women who could collaborate and turn against me, take away what I've worked half my life for, destroy my professional career, yet in this moment I find it all insignificant. I can't bring myself to express anger or beg them not to turn to the enemies. I had a dossier from my father on the hotspots. Howard Keller, Sarah Conner and Rivera Marine, they had turned, or were on the brink. That leaves 7 share holders. It's not so much the numbers, but they key players. Two of them will stand with my father, they're too terrified to do otherwise, those two would have one each on their team that makes four slightly guaranteed support from whatever gets thrown at me.The remaining three could swing either way, but if two of them swing towards Tristan, the other will most definitely follow. There isn't a tie breaker here, it's win or lose. Their eager eyes bore into mine, but I
A VOW TO HATE 87
LAYLA WEDNESDAY"Come back to bed.""Don't check your phone."I spun and straddled him, looking around to see where it was. Most likely huddled somewhere in his pants. "Why?"He arched forward, his lips meeting my neck and aiming higher. "Uh nothing.""Is it about Ella?"I bet those lips had curved in a knowing smirk. It was almost noon, I hadn't slept that good in a while and he didn't wake us up, so the news hit tabloids around ten. He could've gotten up and read them at anytime. "I haven't seen the headlines."Mind reading Aiden. "So how...""If I was an obsessed wannabe sociopath. That's exactly what I'll do."He shrugged and lifted us. "Fun's over. I need to call my mom, we should freshen up and...""It could take an hour to drive home and come back, maybe we should meet..."He tossed the covers off, sliding to the edge of the bed and pulling me with him. "Who said anything about you driving home?"I could squeal and protest, but he was a man with a mission, hauling me to the b
A VOW TO HATE 86
LAYLA TUESDAY"Hey, movies are about to start. Are you okay in there?"Drew. I squeezed the knob, twitching it to open then hesitating.If we both disappear, Freya would know something's up. I need to stay calm. It's the only way.No more springing into action. "Just nothing sad. I think I plugged the toilet, I'll be out in a minute."I cringed visibly, flushing the toilet for added measure."Oh, if you need any help. Just let me know""I will."Once he was out of earshot, I dialed his number. What I should've done so long ago. "Hey."I palmed my face, the back of my head hitting the door as I listened to the soft sigh leaving his lips."Where are you?""Penthouse."I heard a strain, something that sounded awfully like zips."Oh. Have you spoken with Bella?""Not necessarily. You're with her?""Uh, yeah. Drew's here too.""That's good."I couldn't mention Freya either. I didn't miss the edge of the tone. The one that believes there's no one with him."Aiden.""I'm going to Californi
A VOW TO HATE 85
AIDEN “Let’s call a meeting with some shareholders. I want to know who’s behind this before…”“Drop. The. Call.”I expected more outrage, but this solemn tone would have to do. I anticipate my father’s smug replies will tip me off rather soon. He was on the phone, talking business. My mother was on a hospital bed somewhere and he busied himself with Smith Industries. “Aiden.” He kept the cell in his hand, the call still ongoing but whoever was on the other side hung up instead. “The next few words coming out of your mouth should be an explanation for everything. You leaked the news to the press.”His eyes went wide, but the composure didn’t falter. “You’re not stupid son. Don’t start now.”“You’re in this office discussing what? Ways to secure your asset so they’re not affected by this scandal.”“I have dealt with this news for months. I apologize for not being as distraught as you for hearing it for the first time.”“Why didn’t you tell me!”“To avoid this. We thought it could b
A VOW TO HATE 84
LAYLAReporters. News vans. I came to him. I started driving, taking turns, and here I was. Smith industries.I wasn't the only one. The news was spreading quickly. It was merely 4 p.m. and the whole place was still buzzing. Security was handling the situation but Aiden wasn't out. Neither was just father.I had clearance to go in, up to his office, and glance at Giselle at her desk who paid no attention to my movements engrossed in her world.Now I was at his door, listening for sounds at the other side. Silence. Did he go home? Pacing in the office? Sleeping? Was he on the phone with her?Making flight arrangements?I wouldn't know until I got behind those doors, so I did.He left it open, one push and it bulged.His name hung in my throat as I slid inside, softly edging the door shut.And there he was. Hands plopped on each side of his face, head nestled between his legs. Either he was deep in thoughts, or too unbothered to check who had walked in.Then there was a scuffle, he adjus
A VOW TO HATE 83
AIDENMONDAYI dipped everything. Files. Contracts. My cell phone while scouring for my keys. I wasn’t the organized and detailed fellow. I was frantic and topping over things. My senses went haywire, a term I hadn’t understood until this very moment. It’s like thinking about everything all at once. Allotting your brain with so much information that it’s unable to process any of it.How long had she been there? My father knew, but he said nothing. Was it chronic? My chest tensed. She called me herself, but how about Bella? Last I knew, my mother was investing and traveling around the world. She should not be in New York.I nearly stumbled to grab my phone off the desk as it rang. The call had been cut off before, and I would resort to other strategies if I didn't have an answer. Soon.“Aiden. I’m not in New York.”I waited.“What? Where are you? I’ll drive down now, or I’ll book the next flight there. How long have you been?”“Aiden.”She couldn’t berate correctly. Her voice was raspy,
A VOW TO HATE 82
LAYLA SATURDAY The blinds are down. Thank fuck. My room light burns, surely the sun will be scorching. There’s a piece of paper on my bedside table, my phone holds it down and it falls to the floor while I grab my cell. Hopefully, it’s not important. I have a few missed calls, messages, and emails. I can use the weekend excuse to shove them all away. I need a hot bath, and coffee, then I intend to sleep some more. My other hand is clamped on something, so when I turn around and see a plain shirt, I’m hit with nausea. I recall the night before, most of it. Bella left, and I heard the door close in the middle of the night. Disgusting behavior. All on my end. With the alcohol worn off, my feelings are bare. But it's at the brim, and now I feel nothing. Completely numb. There’s a war raging within me, but on the outside, I’m a mask of an enigma. Just a regular Saturday here. **** FREYA “I pay you too much to have these for updates.” Giselle looked around, conscious of where we
A VOW TO HATE 81
AIDEN FRIDAY “Would you like to talk about it?” Drew leaves his face unguarded and I jam my fist into it, connecting with his cheeks. He recoils, wincing in pain before landing on the floor. I moved from regular gym machines like the treadmill and punching bag to sparring with people, today being my best friend. His left cheek is bruised, a shade of bright red glaring without narrowing your gaze. “I doubt your sister will be pleased with attempted murder.” He groaned, I pulled a hand out and tugged him off the floor. “We spent more time talking than sparring. Did you come here to waste my time?” “Annoyance is a good look on you.” I let go and he fell back to the ground. “Hey! And I would not be here if you hadn’t called me, sounding like a godamn broken record.” I glared as he dusts himself back up, without my aid. I called him. Sure. But I needed someone on short notice. A mail came in from Harold. He sent over the signed agreement as a courtesy. Today was my girl’s big d
A VOW TO HATE 80
FREYA “You’re bitter.” He points out, ambling aside while I stride violently inside. “No shit. Where’s the bar?” He nudges to the end of the room, hands tucked away, a mocking smirk smearing the corners of his face. Grunting, I keep walking until I reach my destination, hiking my toes to grab a bottle from the top. “Meeting with Aiden faltered?” I pop the cork and gulp directly from the bottle. Of course, he knew I had met Aiden. “I keep a close watch on all my assets.” Scoffing, I disposed the rest of it down the drain, wiping my mouth with the back of my palm before heading to where he stood. “Asset? That’s cute.” I slurred, my words burning at the tip of my tongue, mixing with the alcohol. “Did he say something to hurt your feelings? I apologize.” Ticking his tongue in bland mockery, I balled my fists and held back an urge to smack him. “What’s your end game? We’ve met. In the flesh. Why did you involve me?” His eyes slowly took me in. Drawing from the top of my head,
