NOLANMy mother’s voice lingered all through the rest of the weekend. It was the voice that kept me awake all through last night and the one I thought of when I drove early to the office because I received the email from the board.“You are going to lose everything if you decide to divorce Chloe,” that word echoed, it is one thing to lose half but to lose everything? That is a whole different ball game. I had to talk to Jake, he had acted severally as my legal counsel. Although Jake and I had a business partnership together, he was a Havard law graduate and had stood as my legal counsel severally. From filing for divorce to the custody battle, there would be a lot I would need counseling for. But one at a time. I stepped out of the elevator as the staff already present greeted me, I responded with a casual head raise, my mind was occupied, after the stunt I had pulled last week by canceling the Launch without their consent, I expected this form of backlash. Actions have conseque
NOLANThe smile on my face broadens, one would think I am a mad man, I am on the verge of losing my position as the CEO but here I am beaming with a huge smile on my face. “Why are you grinning, Nolan, are you that delusional to think the board won't remove you as the CEO?” Jake asked with a puzzled look on his face. He had come over after the meeting to my office, he was seated on the couch opposite me. There was a lot of thought that must be running through my mind.“I don't think I am above the board if they can remove my father who founded the fucking empire, then who am I?” I responded with a grin still on my face. “Then why the fuck are you this happy or have you lost your mind Nolan?” he asked, his voice laced with concern. “I haven't, I just don't give a fuck, the only person that I give a fuck about, I just discovered today also gives a fuck about me,” I responded in a happy tone, my eyes still glimmering in happiness. “Let me guess, Alanna?” he rolled his eyes. “Are yo
ALANNAIs Nolan crazy? Or is this one of his schemes to get me to think he is on my side?But why?First, he takes my ass to fight for custody, then he shifts the launch for me. Then he asks Chloe for a divorce and shows up on my date to fight with Brad. Now is about to lose his position as CEO for me.Talk about mixed signals.“Alanna, Alanna, wait up,” I heard a familiar voice call my name, I did not have to look to know who it was that was calling me. Brad.“Hi Brad,” I greeted, slowing down my pace as I stride towards my office. “Do you have a moment?” he asked as he caught up with me, I paused and veered to face him, he had a slight grin on. I could almost swear that he was happy with the outcome of the meeting. Well, why shouldn't he be? He and Nolan had always had the worst relationship and he had always thought that Nolan didn't deserve to be CEO, I wouldn't blame him though because he works just as hard as Nolan.“What's up,” I asked. “I just wanted to talk to you as a fr
ALANNAThe musk of his cologne, a familiar blend of spice and woodsy warmth, filled my senses the moment I stepped through the doorway. It was a scent I hadn't realized I missed, not until his hand snaked around my waist, pulling me flush against him. My traitorous body reacted instantly, a tremor running down my spine."Alanna," his voice was a low rumble, sending shivers down my already heated skin. His fingers, calloused from years of wielding a guitar, traced a lazy circle on the small of my back, sending a jolt of electricity through me."Nolan," the name came out a choked whisper, a battle raging within me. Part of me, the rational, angry part, wanted to shove him away, to scream at him for the hurt he'd caused. The other, more primal part, yearned for the warmth of his touch, the familiar press of his body against mine.“I am with Brad now,”He leaned in, his breath hot against my ear. "Don't say his name." It wasn't a request, it was a command, laced with a possessiveness that
NOLANI want to kiss her, her smell envelopes me, everything in me wants to take her in my arms, cup her buttocks and raise her to the desk, and kiss her with the passion I used to kiss her, but I couldn't. Not when I have not been officially separated from Chloe. I could see the desire in her eyes, she wants me just as much as I want her. I paused.“I want this so bad,” I mumbled in a husky tone, fueled by my desire and her willingness.“I want you so bad,” I muttered, her hazel-green eyes piercing through mine. “But Alanna, you deserve more than this, I want to get this right this time,”I slowly loosened my grip on her and gave her a few distance away from me and I glanced at her, hoping she would say something. But she didn't. She said nothing. “You deserve more than what I can offer you now, I am not going to touch you till I am officially separated from Chloe, and start the divorce process,”“I never asked you to divorce Chloe, don't be a fool and get a divorce for the secon
ALANNAToday would be that day I dread so much. I woke up early to dress in a black suit with red lipstick and red stilettos which matched with my red Louis Vuitton handbag. I needed to look my best today.Today is the day my ex-husband drags my ass to court for a custody hearing. It is funny that all the time I had been to court had been because of Nolan. When he and I divorced and when he decided to be the villain and take me the court for the custody of my children.As Angela and I got out of the car, there were a lot of press and reporters waiting at the entrance of the courtroom. The guard I had hired, stretched forth his arms by our side to shield us from their ravishing push to get an answer out of me. I bowed my hair, as the other guard stood in front of us, motioning for us to follow him and we did just that. When we got to the courtroom hallway, a few minutes before the hearing. Nolan stood by the door, he wore a navy blue tuxedo, with white long sleeves and a red tie,
CHAPTER 64 BRADThe doorbell's shrill ring shattered the peaceful silence of my morning. Wiping flour dust off my hands, I trudged towards the door, muttering about who could be visiting at this ungodly hour. Through the peephole, I saw Chloe, a wild look in her usually manicured eyes, practically vibrating on my doorstep.Opening the door, I raised an eyebrow. "Chloe? Everything alright?"She practically barreled into me, nearly knocking me off balance. "Brad, thank God you're here," she gasped, clinging to my arms like a shipwreck survivor."Whoa, slow down there, drama queen," I said gently, ushering her inside. "What's gotten into you?"Chloe practically collapsed onto the couch, her designer purse clattering to the floor. "It's Alanna! And that… and that she-devil of a mother-in-law of mine!""What about them?" I asked, cautiously taking a seat across from her. The last time Chloe mentioned Alanna, it wasn't exactly a friendly conversation.She took a deep breath, her voice trem
ALANNAThe court adjourned its hearing till next week, I would want to spend any other day in court but this is the small price I had to pay to ensure my children don't end up with the Westbrook. Especially knowing that the witch is going for the kill, I would do anything within my power to make sure I don't let her have her way.I was about to exit the courthouse when Nolan caught up with me, it appeared like he had been sprinting when he finally caught up with me, Angela gave me a sly smile.“I will leave you two alone to talk,” she muttered, not waiting for my response, she strode away, leaving me standing there with Nolan. He is staring at me. A look I recognize all too often, a look he had given me so many times. My eyes narrowed, and I veered to face him, “You look beautiful,” he winced and I rolled my eyes.“You are unbelievable, you just dragged me to court and you are here…”I had not finished speaking when he interrupted me, “I told you it was my mother, but clearly, even