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Terakhir Diperbarui:
2023-07-01 14:52:01
Crystal OduwaA/N: It's a new month. New beginningssss Thoughts on the book?◉‿◉
Bab terkait
A VOW TO HATE 54
AIDEN 42/60 What a fool. Of course, she ghosted me this morning. Snubbing my texts and calls. I hauled my ass back to my office. My hands stayed fastened. If they come undone, I'd cram them into something, a wall maybe, or someone, my father most likely. I couldn't focus. No paperwork or filling could get my mind off this situation. Until a text darted in, lightening my mood. "I would like to see both of you. There are some things we must discuss. Adam." Text blast. That meant Layla got it as well. The chat screen displayed a pop-up of someone typing. Adam or her. "I have a lot of paperwork to file. I doubt I can make it. You can text me the info here." My spirits fell. Is insinuating that her sudden busy day has something to do with me being too precarious? "I'm afraid that's a no. It's important to show up. I'm not the only one who'll be there." Adam's feedback was cryptic. Who else? Another scheme from our fathers? "Who else is coming?" I beat her to reply. "We're mee
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2023-07-03A VOW TO HATE 55
LAYLA 41/60THURSDAYHis fingers glided underneath my skirt, rubbing loosely in circles, and eventually reaching my thighs. I rubbed my legs against his fingers, moaning at the friction, yet wanting more. This wasn't a wish. He's not erroneous. We can't call it anything, but it's there. Searing tension, as though the monster was behind you in a horror movie. However, you're the main character who never dies, so you look forward to it. Aiden is like gasoline, and I'm like the scorching fire. Naturally drawn to each other. An explosive mix, wiping out everything in its path, devouring everything in its path. All without a damn care. As destructive as the mixture was, it was also enchanting. Charming. The sight was breathtaking.That's how it feels. I heaved when his fingers fastened around my underwear hem, yanking back to the present.An extremely popular company parking lot. He's blocking the view, but with closer attention, anyone could see what we were doing. I bucked my knees,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2023-07-04A VOW TO HATE 56
LAYLA 43/60 I shifted my palms off the sofa, smiling tight-lipped at Bella, then turned my neck to the figure behind me. It's mid-March. Freya sported low-rise jeans, a top, and a jacket. No luggage in sight, just a bag. She's staying somewhere? I still couldn't breathe. "I know I left for quite some time, retired from the inner circle. But don't be mean, hug me. In my defense, Lay, I wasn't coming here for you. I'm lucky that you're here as well." A laugh escaped her lips as she removed her purse. I gulped down not quite letting the air get through yet. "I missed both of you. Coming back feels great!" She yelled. I heard bits of fragmented information as I picked myself up off the sofa, standing at her height. She enveloped me in a hug before anything else. Vanilla's sweet scent dominated my nostrils. That much hadn’t changed. Bella gave me a look, then got up and embraced her. All three of us slouched on the couch, Freya in the middle. “That must have been a long flight.
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2023-07-05A VOW TO HATE 57
AIDEN 43/60 SATURDAY It hit me how thrilled they were. Tristan and my father. Like those who won the lotteries. Did he use this info on my dad? My father will benefit from the Harold and Cruz merger. If both families feel that we have defiled them, their ego may get in the way. If there’s one thing they hold dear, it's the control they exercise over their kids. They will destroy everything to prove a point. I’ll bet Tristan knows this and exploits it no matter what. Chaos. They'll dump everything we built in the past month down the drain. That was only door number one. I reached out and pulled out another file. Printed correspondence between Layla’s dad and my father, deciding on how to split the Thompson shares between both and when to purchase. That’s incriminating. Two more files. The third was a breakdown of the company now. Tristan Thompson was a major player, as well as the Deans and Smiths. This and the previous folder beside each other can do serious damage. The last
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2023-07-06A VOW TO HATE 58
AIDEN 46/60 TUESDAY 4 days. 96 hours. I hadn’t seen or heard. Sent a text. Got no response. It was work, but still. She’ll come in today. That’s indisputable. Since we had the scheduled meeting with Adam, I asked him to hold it at Harold Construction. I have an update. I got the recording and a plan to end the prenup. Not only that, but I did it all myself, too. The last four days have made my skin crawl. I felt fidgety and unstable. Drinking water frequently. Taking showers. Distracted. Always needed to be distracted. Staying idle was risky. Not having anything to do meant letting my mind wander to her. Ask impossible questions. Where has she been the whole time? The guest? Bella called back, but she was just as sketchy. Avoid direct questions. I fixated on the problems, but I always ended up at the starting line. If I can rectify this now, I’ll take the win. I needed it. Between my father, the company, Tristan, and fucking Layla Dean, I was going mad. **** I arrived
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2023-07-07A VOW TO HATE 59
LAYLA 46/60I got a postcard in my message this morning. Before the meeting. Return tickets for Penelope and Quentin. With only a week and a half until their wedding day, their first honeymoon ended.They reveled in it. Outsiders would see it as a romantic getaway. Beach pictures. Polaroids. Photo booth. Jealousy fuels me, aching my skin. I hadn't considered settling down soon, but they're true fairy tale stories. I may never get to experience that with someone.The subtle reminder of Aiden’s reference makes me wince. I tried to erase the whole thing. A pact with Bella. I stayed away. But when I walked past him, his body sprawled over the chair, filling the space, his scent consuming the room. I got knocked back.Then came his presentation. It melted my insides. Turned me into goo. I stared. I gawked. It was hot. Fixer Aiden was appealing. All of him.Then it ended with him walking out. Maybe it’s for the best. These past few days with Freya made me realize I can’t have both. Working
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2023-07-10A VOW TO HATE 60
AIDEN 46/60 TUESDAY "Our flight got held. Pen needs you or Layla to confirm a few specials for the wedding. It's a catering service." Huh. Intriguing. "I'll text you the address." Quentin sent me a series of messages. That was the last stroke. The others had pictures they took on the trip. Touring several cities. Layla already said no? Maybe she was with her friend after our meeting. I threw my head back at the unconscious thought. My growing obsession with this person is worrying. This trip will take my mind off him or her. And Layla Dean. I wasn't having any work done here, so I picked up my stuff and waited for Quentin's follow-up message before leaving the office. *** Someone lied. 'You or Layla.' That simple preposition implies alternatives. As in one. See? Not both. Now, if that definition had not changed, why did I walk into Calloway's confectionary and see her standing there? At that point, the conversation absorbed her. She overlooked my presence. However, a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2023-07-11A VOW TO HATE 61
AIDEN 46/60 TUESDAY The doctor saw us right away and asked a few questions. Why did I take grapes especially? Layla twitched at that. He asked more about insurance and shit I didn’t care about, then offered a prescription and some painkillers. We were out in half an hour. The walk back was quiet. I threw in random questions, which she reacted to, but my mind was solely on tomorrow's plan. Cage her. Layla speaks up when she has no choice. I had a brilliant plan. Show up at her place and not leave until she tells me the truth. I may have other intentions than licking her lips. I can’t wait for tomorrow. *** LAYLA 47/60 WEDNESDAY I hate today. It’s my day off work, but I forgot to turn the alarm off. When it buzzed at seven in the morning, jolting me out of my peaceful slumber, I wasn't elated. I accustomed my body to waking up early, so after tossing for a while, I accepted my short-lived sleep and got out of bed. Today was also the day I ran out of coffee. So I got
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2023-07-12
Bab terbaru
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,
