Bryan pulled over at the park and they both went in. Ella was surprised to find Dylan standing beside a well laid out table for two. She glanced back at Bryan.
"Before you think of chopping my head off I think you two should talk. You should hear what he has to say." Bryan told her and then he was gone, leaving the two of them. Ella swallowed nervously and felt butterflies take flight in her stomach. She took a deep breath before she covered the space between them and they were face to face. Their gazes locked and held."Thank you for coming." Dylan pulled out a chair for her."This is nice." She commented."I'm glad you like it." Ella wasn't surprised to find seafood staring back at her, it reminded her of the first dinner they had together."Happy Birthday Ella. I got you something." he handed her a little box. Ella opened it and found a sapphire starfish pendant on a silver chain and she thought the jewellery was beautiful. "May i?"Ella nodded andElla threw open the French doors of her room at the culinary institute in Paris and grinned towards the sunlight, it felt amazing to be out here where she'd always wanted to be for a long time now. Being here felt surreal and Ella made a silent promise to herself to do the best she can and be her best, then she walked back into the room and began to unpack when the door opened and a slim light skinned girl barrelled in."Hello my name is Eileen Alferos.""Ella Garcia." the perky girl rattled off in Tagalog and Ella knew in an instant that the two of them would get along just fine, she was glad to not be alone in this foreign city far from home.Ella was so restless she couldn't sleep a wink that night. She was nervous as hell and didn't know what to expect."You'll get over it soon." Eileen assured her as they sat for breakfast but Ella didn't think that would be happening any time soon.The room where they all assembled in was spacious and sunny and the tea
"Rise and shine sleeping beauty!" Ella groaned as Eileen pushed aside the drapes and her eyes were assaulted by the rays of the morning sun. "Eileen please go away." She grumbled."There are flowers here for you." She sang with a wiggle of her brows. Ella cracked her eyes open and spied the beautiful bouquet of Aster flowers. How dare Blake send her flowers? Her favourite nonetheless. She was about to ask Eileen to throw them in the garbage before she announced, "Look, there's a note.""What does it say?""It's a new day, never stop smiling, love D. Who's D?" Eileen raised curious brows.Before Ella knew it she bolted out of bed and snatched the note. As she read it again and again a grin broke out of her face. She reached for the bouquet and inhaled its scent deeply. Of course there was no one else who would send her aster flowers. "So, are you going to tell me who's D?" Eileen folded her arms and waited curiously."Mind your own business." Ella told
Ella couldn't believe she was finally one step in reaching her dreams. Everything was happening so fast she wished she could take a moment to savour it a little while longer. The teachers and students at the culinary school were extremely kind and attentive Ella had even made a few friends including her perky room mate Eileen. It was two weeks to Christmas and the entire class were out for a picnic. Lights were everywhere; it was afterall the city of light, and it all looked pretty romantic.As she walked through the Champ Elysees with her fellow students, Ella realised she no longer hurt whenever something reminded of Dylan and it felt like it was just yesterday when they'd both took a walk along the stunning boulevard and he'd asked her to trust him. So many things had changed, she realised with a jolt that she wanted to give their marriage a chance, she was sure Dylan wants the same thing if the flowers she received everyday for the past three months was evidence en
"Here's your coffee sir." "Thank you Valerie...damn it!" Dylan cussed in surprise as the entire mug of tepid liquid was dumped on him."Oh my God! I'm so sorry!" Valerie cried in horror. Dylan leapt out of his chair as he prepared to give her an earful but the sight of her big eyes filled with tears had him feeling sorry for her, he sighed. "Don't cry, it's just coffee." he told her. "Don't worry about it.""At least let me clean the shirt for you." She said tearfully. "You don't have to do that.""Please, don't let Doña Bianca fire me because of this.""My mom won't find out about this I can assure you.""Thank you for you assurance sir Dylan but I insist on cleaning the shirt for you." Dylan shook his head and knew that if he didn't let her do what she wants she would continue to pester him and he had a lot to do before his flight to Paris tomorrow night. He took off his shirt and handed it to her. "Satisfied?" he asked as he took his se
It was Savannah and Jason all over again Dylan thought as he gripped the bouquet of aster flowers he was holding crumpling the petals at the same time he felt like he was reliving his past all over again and just like before his heart had been crushed when he'd wanted to surprise Savannah only to walk in and find her in Jason’s arms and now Ella...this is just too much to bear, Dylan didn't think he could survive anymore heartbreak.He'd held onto the last vestige of hope that she might have feelings for him but he'd thought wrong. No more he thought as he turned and walked back to the car he was done letting them make a fool out of him."Let's go Jonathan." he barked.Dylan gulped down the amber liquid in one go and relish in the temporary relief he got as it burned his throat. He allowed himself a good cry even though he didn't want to. He'd driven straight to the airport not wanting to spend one more hour in that cursed city. Dylan was unable to accept that
Ella didn't understand what was going after she recovered from her shock she picked up her phone and dialled Bryan's number and was relieved to hear him pick up. She quickly told him what happened and he was shocked as well."Have you spoken with Dylan?" she asked frantically."No. He was gone for a few days and no one knew where he went then he suddenly reappeared. I have no idea of what could've happened or why he would send you divorce papers.""I have no idea either. Bryan do you think he changed his mind? Or that he got tired of waiting?" Ella didn't want to think that that was the case."Ella, if there's any thing i'm sure of it's that Dylan loves you." Bryan assured her and Ella nodded like he could see her. "You shouldn't worry about this, i'll talk to Dylan.""Thank you Bryan."Ella still didn't feel better after that and she decided that the only possible solution was to speak with Dylan face to face and have him explain why he suddenly wants
Dylan dropped Savannah off at her aunt's house and asked Jonathan to drop him off at the apartment where he'd enjoyed his solitary moments when to his chagrin he saw Bryan waiting at the steps.Dylan walked past him and jammed the key into the lock, he twisted and pushed the door open. He switched on the lights and shrugged out of his jacket."You've been hiding out here for a while now." Bryan observed. "Is something wrong?""Things have never been better." he replied distractedly."I know you sent Ella divorce papers.""Straight to the point I see." Dylan bit out sourly as he turned to face him. "Let me ask you one question Bryan, are you my friend or Ella’s?""What do you mean?""If you're still my friend then you should be on my side." Dylan poured himself a glass of water then he walked over to the couch and sank into it.Bryan hovered over him and accused. "So you did send it deliberately. Do you really not love her?" "I don'
Ella’s heart was in her throat as she approached the place Bryan told her she could find Dylan. After the brief conversation she had with Bryan Ella knew she'd have to salvage her relationship in person and so she booked the first flight out, now here she was. Whatever they would talk about might make or break their relationship and Ella wasn't mentally prepared for another heart break. She instructed the taxi driver to stop at the address Bryan gave her and Ella got out. Because she hadn't been in the right state of mind since she left Paris Ella hadn't told her parents she was coming home and had drove here straight from the airport. She inhaled and exhaled slowly. She'd never been so afraid of losing anything in her life as much as she does now. After her little pep talk, she started towards the house then froze in her spot as she saw Dylan’s car pull to a stop in front of the house. The smile that was making its way up her lips froze on her face when she saw him pull
CHAPTER FIVEA Year Ago...Claire was two hours earlier than she'd hoped to be but no matter, she'd just wait it out. She adjusted the strap of her shoulder bag just as the lift opened at the second floor."Claire you're late." Charity's tone was reproving but Claire rolled her eyes and ignored her."Please, i'm two hours early." Charity was her friend and room mate."And why are you hanging out here? Shouldn't you be working?"Charity pointedly ignored her but then her eyes lit up suddenly and that meant she's got mischief up her sleeve."No I don't wanna hear it.""Come on, I've got this awesome dress I would like you to try on.""Try it on yourself.""I wish." She sighed wistfully. The thing charity was worried about the most was her size, she fretted over the fact that she couldn't fit into all the cute little dresses and jeans she's always wanted.Claire ran her fingers on the silky-smooth fabric. The dress wa
CHAPTER FOURThat tiny feeling of doubt lingered through the next morning, it suffocated her to the point that she thought she couldn't breathe. As she slipped back into her uniform, work was the last thing on her mind right now. She could feel Dimitri's heated gaze boring into her skin and knew he was awake. "You plan on sneaking away like a coward?" he drawled.Claire wasn't sure she'd wanted to sneak away. God she had no idea what she wants right now, her feelings were all over the place. Must be PMS or something. When she swivelled around, she sucked in a sharp breath as she saw his member proudly jutting up and she felt hot all over. Sex right now would mess up her already messed up mind so she forced her gaze to his face. Right now, she couldn't decipher what he was feeling at the moment. he wore the mask of indifference perfectly."I wasn’t actually...""Don't feed me that Crap about what happened between us last night being a mis
CHAPTER THREEThey were quiet, each lost in his own personal reflection. Claire just wants to lie down somewhere and forget this day but Dimitri won't let her, he's persistent and she couldn't decide whether she like that or not. "Do you remember the first time we met?" How could she forget?"I thought you were the most beautiful woman in the ball room. You took my breath away then, and you take my breath away standing in that cute little uniform." he caught her face in his palms and stared deep into her eyes.Claire couldn't tear her gaze away even if she wanted to. His feelings were so intense it ignited a fire deep within her very soul. "I feel the same way about you as I did when I first met you and there's nothing you can say or do that'll make me feel otherwise." Claire swallowed hard and in one breath said, "even though I was once an escort?"Dimitri shook his head. "No one is perfect darling, your past doesn't define the woman yo
CHAPTER TWOSix months ago..."Is my hair okay?""The just-had-sex hair suits you perfectly agapi mou, every man out there will be envious of me." Claire punched his arm playfully."I'm serious Dimitri! I'd die if anyone knew what we just did.""It's not something to hide, we're getting married in a month." he kissed her slow and sweet, pulling her even close until she could feel him against her.She giggled as she pulled back. "We should get to the party before it ends.""You can’t blame me I can't get enough of you."She can't get enough of him too. God how much she loved this man who makes her more happy than she'd ever been in her life. Tonight, Dimitri's going to announce to everyone that they're going to get married.Dimitri took her hand in his as he led them both to the garden at the Stavros mansion in Athens, Greece the guests mingled together while servers went around with snacks and drink. A buffet table stood a
A STAVROS PASSIONTHE STAVROS BOOK 1 MARICRUZ ROSALESA STAVROS PASSIONFirst editionCopyright © 2019 by Maricruz Rosales All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or here after invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. All incidents are pure invention.CHAPTER ONE"Welcome to New York Mr Stavros." the bright-eyed, round-faced chauffeur said cheerily as he
CHAPTER SIX "Why didn't you tell us about it?"Dominic looked away from the window of his water front apartment to his mother, she was holding a brown envelope."I don't want to talk about it. " she was holding the envelope that confirmed his biggest fears, he couldn’t have children of his own.It was a boating accident seven years ago and Dominic was never the same ever since."Your father and I are worried about you. At least come spend some time with us and let us keep you company. " "I'm fine mom, there's nothing to worry about. " She wasn't convinced though. He had bags under his eyes as if he hadn’t been sleeping and there were a couple of empty cans of beer littered on the table. Dominic was stubborn and nothing either of them could do to make him change his mind.These past three weeks were the most miserable weeks of his life. Clara's betrayal had cut deep. There were times in these past three weeks that he'd thought of running to her and
CHAPTER FIVE"You look even more beautiful than I did on my wedding day." Anastasia Magnus gushed as she did the finishing touches on Clara's make up.Clara smiled. "Now you're just buttering me up.""Dominic is doing enough of that already." Anastasia wagged her brows at her friend." I didn't think this day would ever come." "Yeah, well it is here so put that glum look away. You will not get the same drama as my wedding day. " "I know. I'm just being silly. Am glad you're here Ana.""It is time!" Clara's mother ambled into the room with a dazzling smile on her face. "You're glowing my dear.""Thank you mom." her mother allowed herself a good cry before they finally left the room.Clara was being escorted to the limo which will take her to the church where she'll be getting married when a taxi suddenly pulled over in front of the Contas' house and none other than Mark, her ex boyfriend came out of it."You have cheated me Clara.
CHAPTER FOURThe past few days had been hectic, what with all the preparations for the wedding that they didn't have time to see each other. Today was her first ultrasound and Dominic was coming to pick her up himself. She saw his car round the corner which led to his parents' house and stopped in front of her. He got out of the car and came to where she was standing and kissed her full on the mouth. "You look lovely. " "In this?" Clara was wearing one of her mother’s old dresses which she'd mended the other day. It was old and unappealing, how could he possibly think that she looked anything but a homeless person."You look beautiful in anything."He opened the car door for her and she got in before hopped in the driver’s seat. "Make yourself comfortable, the doctor will be with you shortly." the nurse informed them before exiting the room."Do you want a boy or a girl?" Clara asked.Dominic kissed her knuckles as
CHAPTER THREE"Dominic! we were just talking about you" his mother cried as soon they stepped into the room. "Mom, dad, this is Clara Wilson... my wife. " The table went silent and the only sound heard was the clatter of fork slipping from the table to the ground. "Since when?" his dad asked."My dear son, come up stairs will you?" his mother spoke after a long silence. Clara felt so exposed under their scrutiny. "Why don't you make yourself comfortable, i'll be right back." Dominic gave her hand a reassuring squeeze."What is this I hear about you being married to that girl Dominic?"His mother was the first to demand."I hope you know what you’re doing son." his father said."I know that I should've told you all sooner but I couldn't wait.""Marriage is not some game you can play anytime you feel like it." His mother said."There's only one reason why he could possibly want to get married, and so out o