LOGINShare
62
Last Updated:
2023-07-17 15:52:52
Crystal OduwaA/N: Thoughtsssss? Let's hear them.
Related chapters
A VOW TO HATE 63
LAYLA49/60FRIDAY Wedding rehearsals. That was still happening. Traditional parents, I suppose. Pen and Quentin were around and, with less than a week to the wedding, they liked the rehearsal and dinner conducted efficiently. Had to keep the buzz going. Their children had to remain at the center for longer. The dinner was the day before, while the rehearsal was today. They had dresses and vows written out. I don't regret getting them hitched because this sham wasn't a wedding. Like they were role-playing with scripts.They didn't have any say in how it unfolded. Neither did I. Adam texted me with an index of stuff to bring to the event, which was at Quentin's family home. They included wine. It even had a specific dress code. A purple strapless gown for Penelope's close friends. Six pm tonight. Two days after the Freya outing. Brief texts and succinct calls, but she hadn't left. At first, I was quirky about her being too close and uncovering something, but now I'm weary of her
Last Updated : 2023-07-18A VOW TO HATE 64
LAYLA50/60SATURDAYThe Cruz shut down the mall for their daughter's outfit trial. Dramatic. Well, aware. We were interested in one shop, but they shut it down.When she said dress shopping, I expected just us and maybe a few other girls.I was wrong. Picture a stall filled with a dozen girls. Then there's the bride and me.The worst part? There were only a few of them that Penelope was acquainted with. Parents selected the others. In fact, they were offered the "position" Models and daughters of influential people.Creepy. All we needed were two dresses for the after-party. I figured an hour would do and Pen and I could slip out and enjoy the weekend. Grab a few drinks.Wrong again. We got here before noon, and it was almost two pm.The girl number one has tried half a dozen dresses, but they aren't "giving wedding" as she would like them to be.You'd think the bride would be more concerned. Her wedding. Big day and all. Pen and I tried less than five dresses before deciding on a few
Last Updated : 2023-07-20A VOW TO HATE 65
LAYLA50/60SATURDAY"I am going to make a call.""Oh..."He rotated, taking sharp strides away from me. Uh - Was he waiting for someone? Finally, what?"Layla, come on! Let's go check out the bar."My eyes were on his retreating figure as Bella dragged my arm despite resistance.I etched his face look in my mind. Anguish. ****"What's on the menu?”I glanced back every half second for Aiden. The mystery call wasn’t done. “It’s special today. Sipsmith Strawberry Smash Gin. It is flavored and contains alcohol. We’re trying to see how well it will perform in the market.”“Layla!”I almost steered my balance. Bella jeered my shoulders, drawing my attention to the bar.“What do you think, girls?”Another shoulder peek. He was gone.“Let’s try it.”We chorused, pulling out a bar stool to sit on.***“I can get my own Uber, thank you.” I boasted, put in place by Aiden.When did he come back again?We purchased an entire bottle and had a glass full of each. However, it was too sweet. It di
Last Updated : 2023-07-22A VOW TO HATE 66
LAYLA 50/60 SATURDAY We should stall. Slow down. I twitched at the bump. Why does he have so many clothes on? What happened to shirtless Aiden? Who gave him a fricking shirt? Can I strangle said person? “Take it off.” I murmured, turning sideways, and tugging at a free button. “Layla.” “Stop talking,” I whisper, pressing a finger against his lips. My back would hurt from these movements. I took my head off his lap, sliding to sit beside him, steadying my body with a firm grip on his arms. “You’re drunk, love.” “Do you enjoy blow jobs?” I grazed my bottom lip as my eyes trailed to his shorts. “No. This isn't good..." “No, you don’t enjoy blow jobs?” I squirmed, batting my lashes at him. He was so close; I reached out and kissed his lower lip. “Fuck.” Palming him through his shorts, I cupped a fist full and pumped gently. “Layla. You’re drunk.” “Forgive me if I’m sloppy." I palmed his face with the other, my lips tracing his cheeks. I guess I can kiss his whole face.
Last Updated : 2023-07-23A VOW TO HATE 67
LAYLA 52/60MONDAYDid I text the man who covered me that night? Nope. Did I discuss the topic when Penelope, Bella, and I met up? Not a chance. I’m delusional. I comforted myself that it was a dream. God knows how I wound up in my bed, shoes off, duvet wrapped, definitely not Aiden Smith.It was simpler that way since I also had to bring up what transpired in the back of Quentin’s car. I assumed I was quiet. The girls didn't bother me, thankfully. Having to justify to Bella that I wasn’t evading him as I promised was enough. However, telling Penelope everything would leave me in a coma. Two days without him were nice. No contact if you must. Two texts came together. One broke said no contact, and the other was intriguing. My father and Aiden Smith. I opened the former first, believing it was less risky.Related. “You and the Smith boy had them married? Do you realize what you’ve done?”Hold. I held my keys in the air. I just drove home from the office, and this is my greeting.
Last Updated : 2023-07-24A VOW TO HATE 68
LAYLA52/60MONDAY“Are we set?”We swapped items. My phone for a juice pack.“Ouch.”I grieved in pain, observing the mark on my palm. Her finger grazed mine while collecting it.“Sorry. I guess my nails are too sharp.”I smiled weakly, noticing what she was holding in her other hand. Cellphone.“Uh, it’s okay. Just a scratch."I soothed the spot with my fingers. Her gaze loomed over me as I did. She smiled, but it felt strange. Like how she twitched the edge of her lips instead of pressing in a straight line, as always.Am I overthinking? Most likely. She scraped me when we passed stuff around. It happened. Not like she would try to hurt me on purpose.“Can I use the charger in your room?”I nodded a few times, and she turned away.I filled the table with snacks and inserted a random movie to watch.Sipping my juice on the couch, I took deep breaths, unable to shake the feeling off my chest. The kind you get when you eat bad sushi. Nauseating. As though you could toss your entire bel
Last Updated : 2023-07-25A VOW TO HATE 69
LAYLA 56/60FRIDAY “Is it hot here?"“You’re wearing my jacket.”“Right. We should get back. Just in case they look. We also have that thing back at Bella's.”He popped the final cherry, lifting himself off the chair while keeping a steady glance at me. I clutched the material to stop my fingers from trembling. “Let’s go, love.”His love. He called me his love. That tingling happy dance in my belly? Yeah, that’s not okay. ***“Did you have to sneak out?”Bella joked, pouring wine into each glass. “My parents wanted us to sit around a fireplace and talk about the alliance's future."Quentin responded, grabbing a glass. “On the eve of your wedding?”“I know.”Penelope snorted, resting her head on his. Drew and Bella were snuggling on the couch, and that left me and the green-eyed man whose hands whirled my thigh. He does that a lot. Unconsciously too. It’s gentle yet soothes me inside. I like it. A lot more than it should.“Man, I can’t wait to get drunk tonight and see you walk
Last Updated : 2023-07-26A VOW TO HATE 70
LAYLA 58/60 SATURDAY Does this count as day 1 out of the seven days or day 58th, which is the second stage of the wedding? Yesterday was a church reception with drinks and dancing until everyone was exhausted. Bella kept tugging my arms on the dance floor, but I lost willpower after the news. She pried the information out on the Uber back to her place, where I spent the night, too agitated to plan a trip home. I doubt my spewed thoughts stayed in her mind. She was tipsy, whispering all the things she and Drew would do alone. I used earplugs. The next morning, today, I booked a cab back to my place. They were both asleep when I slipped out. The venue was a rooftop, just friends, no business partners or middle-aged men and women. This one was for Pen and Quentin. No, I haven’t seen or heard from him. I wandered back to the entrance, hopeful he would be there. The place was empty. Everyone was inside. I checked with so many people on the dance floor. I would have notice
Last Updated : 2023-07-29
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,
