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2023-07-26 23:29:04
Crystal OduwaA/N: As I saidddd, the next couple of chapters are going to turn out pretty fast-paced. So many things going on at once, but don't worry we're getting some wedding content! Drop your thoughts below( ◜‿◝ )♡
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A 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 : 2023-07-29A VOW TO HATE 71
AIDEN6/7THURSDAYIt's the eve of the deadline. The previous few days went calmly. My father presented keynotes with his signature quote, “I can’t leave this entirely up to you, or you might screw it up.”He’s right. Never assumed I’d say it, but I might blow this thing up. Not for the reasons you think. I could, if I wanted to, destroy her. Come against all their shortcomings.Use our strengths to commandeer. But I didn’t want those. I wished to defend myself as she tilted against her car, pointed out that I was there for her. That I saw her. All of her that night, but I left because I was trying to find a solution. It flopped.Harold demanded nothing. He felt outraged that I walked out mid-conversation and insisted that I focus on winning instead of undoing anything.I tried. I unboxed my father’s notes, but they were brutal. Speaking against their HR policy and the lawsuits filed against them. That was just the beginning. I couldn’t do it.I kept all the files back in the box, paus
Last Updated : 2023-07-31A VOW TO HATE 72
LAYLA FRIDAY 7/7 His touch is greedy, his restraint on my waist is indigent. Fingers burrow into my skin as he delicately slips a hand away to cup the back of my head. He angles it to meet his mouth. I gasped, and his tongue drove into mine, deepening the kiss further. “God, what are you doing to me?” His other hand leaves my waist, head ducked as he buries it in my bared cleavages. He teases first, then sucks until he reaches my nipples. “Aiden. Your father might come in. Someone could see.” He jerked away, his grunt filling the room. He glanced around, our eyes meeting the camera. “There’s a camera there. We’re going..." He flipped his finger over my lips. I went mute. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his phone and dialed a number. His finger rested against my lips, and I sighed. “Hey, could you kill the conference room footage for the next hour and delete the recordings for the last ten minutes? Thanks." He wavered for feedback, then d
Last Updated : 2023-08-02A VOW TO HATE 73
LAYLA7/7FRIDAY“It’s a little late. Don’t you think we should get going?"He pried around, checking the table where my phone was still seated, then the entire room. His hands slid on each side of my shoulders, and he squeezed. The weight lifted off my shoulders is surprising.In the meantime, let's pretend the world out there isn't constantly fighting to end each other. Let’s assume it’s just the two of us, and no one exists.”“Mmm”I swept my eyes, reaching into his hair and sinking my fingers into them.“This is nice.”****“You’re taking Harold’s proposal.”He buttons his shirt, flattening the sleeve lines toremove wrinkles.“We don’t know if he’ll say yes. Best case, he called your father, and they made an arrangement.”“We talk about my father a lot. Do you have a crush on him, love?”I cringed as the words left his mouth, flipping him the finger shortly after.“Stop worrying about my father and consider this new opportunity. Works schedule and all.”“How will you handle him? I
Last Updated : 2023-08-04A VOW TO HATE 74
LAYLAMONDAYSomeone pushed the front door twenty minutes after we ended the call. What happened to knocking these days?I jiggle underneath the covers, goosebumps surging. I changed my work clothes just now.I puckered my eyes as I thought about whether to check on the person in shorts and a baggy shirt.It's Aiden. It had to be him."Layla."He bawls, footsteps approaching. I hold on to the sheets."Layla."His tone is softer near my bedroom door. I recoiled, moving my lips, but no words came out."My love."He taps twice."Can I come in?"I nod my head, knowing he isn't able to see inside."I can wait here. Just let me know you're okay."I stretch and pull my cell towards myself."It's open."I text, and the door creaks immediately.I clutch the cell, covering my eyes, as a whiff of his scent startles me."What's wrong?"Silence."Cramps?"He murmured. I jerked my head."Where do you need me?"Everywhere. It's a terrifying thought.Sighing, I hear his shoes hit the ground, the bed r
Last Updated : 2023-08-05A VOW TO HATE 75
LAYLA MONDAY“You can’t be serious.”I didn’t quit nodding, undoing the ponytail I made so I could keep the band on my wrist, maybe I could tie a vein so hard, the blood stops flowing, and I die. Yeah, that’s sure to fix a lot of my problems. “I am.”“When was this?”I double-tapped the screen. The time stamp read a little after seven pm. “I don’t know. Three hours give or take.”“And what have you been doing the whole time?”I brought my knees up to my chest.“Rocking my body like this on the bed. I got up half an hour ago to search for alcohol, but I’m out. Then I realized I don’t want to drink alone, so I’d like it if you’d join me.”I sniffled. “So your life just virtually imploded over the past seven days. You went from wedding to realizing you and Aiden were across each other from enemy lines, then he swopped in with a reverse uno, fucked you on the table, that was hot by the way, your father who’s a dick, apologies since he birthed you and all, Aiden and you cuddle and he
Last Updated : 2023-08-07A VOW TO HATE 76
AIDEN MONDAY I’m like a patient healing from an accident. I lost my memory for a second. Everything became hazy, and I knew something was missing. A part of the puzzle, even though the piece looks whole, that tiny part makes the picture perfect. Freya Greyson. There’s a shriek in my head. The blank spaces are ink filled; the blurry lines are perfect when I blink my lids one time. You meet all kinds of people; investors, entrepreneurs, and social climbers. Everyone fits into a category in my mind. All except two. Layla Dean. Now Freya Greyson. Doctors say your mind blocks things that hurt too much. Like amnesia caused by severe depression or death. It’s why our minds erase their voices and faces because it damaged us too much, and the only way to ease the pain was to forget. It’s why the farther away you are from people, the lesser effect they had because it’s easier to focus on people when they’re right in front of you. “Addie.” “Don’t.” I warned. My fingers ached from my tigh
Last Updated : 2023-08-11A VOW TO HATE 77
LAYLA MONDAY “Answer it.” “Freya. I don’t…” “Yes, you do. Incubus. A clever way to hide his contact.” “I wasn’t trying.” She didn’t quit blinking. What I assumed were tears behind her lids. A split second ago, we were still on the ground, Freya weeping in my arms, relentlessly. Until she wasn’t. My phone disrupted the balance, ringing in my bag, and when I retrieved it, Aiden’s contact flashed across the screen. I didn’t need to say it. My guilty eyes gave me away. She crawled and jerked apart from me, a screech leaving her lips. “Go on.” She urged, her tone breaking further. “I’m hanging up. He’s not important now. I want us to be okay. That’s what matters.” “No. I need you to pick it up. I want to hear what he says.” “Go on.” The call would end soon, so I hit answer and brought it to my ears. “Layla.” My chest constricts, and I lower a wince that slips out. I chose to ignore how dejected his tone sounded because if I dwell on that, I go back to where we started. And I
Last Updated : 2023-08-12
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,
