An average person hates Monday mornings, but I have hated my life for the past seven years. Sitting in the back of the car, I clasped my palms together, rubbing them absently in a vain attempt to warm the cold dread crawling up my spine. But no amount of heat could ever thaw the ice that had settled in my heart over the past seven years.It's funny how time doesn't wait for you to heal and how it didn't wait for me to outgrow the scars that came from harmless wishful thinking. I shrugged and looked outside the window at the skyline of the bustling city and the most magnificent building in the whole country where I worked. But I am far from excited. I will soon be standing before “...the very face that ruined my life without even realising it, by never looking at me the way I wished.“Which spot in the VIP parking lot, is yours, Ma'am, the middle one”“No,” I screamed in response to my new driver, my eyes widening in shock. “Turn in the other direction,” I raised my hand and pointed.
The expression on Emily's face was smug, but taking a closer look, I caught something else beneath the surface—something darker.“I have heard a lot about you, miss...”“Aveline,” I completed for her. "Right," she smiled, pulling a perfectly manicured hand from her pocket and extending it toward me. "I'm Emily, Draven ’s true mate—and soon-to-be bride."Her words hit like a punch to the gut. My stomach twisted as I glanced between her outstretched hand and Draven , who sat casually in his chair as if nothing had been said. This felt surreal like I was living in a lucid nightmare or a scene from a dystopian horror movie. I took a closer look at Emily now, she was tall, with the gate of a runway model. Her nose was long and pointed, her face exquisitely sculptured. The red lipstick across her lips complemented the silver colour of her eyes. Was it what drew Draven to her? The beauty? Or was I simply not up to par? “I don’t think you’re much for handshakes with strangers,” Emily’s
The sun did nothing to alleviate my suffering as it shone merciless above me. It was an unusually hot day. Another day to face the bricks that would break my bones and leave my life in the shadows of pain."She's here," I heard whispers and everyone seemed to stare awkwardly at me, not like I cared since I had been dealt the worse blow of my life the day before and was really ready for anything. Maybe mot anything. I casually dropped my bag and buried my head in work to distract myself all day."Here comes the slimmy and shameless bitch." Someone said when I walked out my door to give a file to an employee. "Excuse me what?" I turned when I realized I was the only female approaching since the rest sat behind desktops."You heard me," a slightly tan lady eyed me but no matter how I tried, I couldn't recall her face. She definitely didn't work here."And who are you to think you're worthy of speaking to me?" I was done playing dumb and doormat. "Oh, I see you have wings simply bec
I was no fan of Emily especially after her display in the office the previous day yet I listened to whatever she had to say hoping it was good and Draven was coming soon but that was where I had got it completely wrong."What do you want Emily?" I asked folding my hand across my chest in a defensive stance."You sent a message to Draven didn't you?" She smirked as she walked in and shut the door properly behind her "And whatever message I sent has nothing to do with you either. " I was really irritated by her guts."I don't think Draven shares the same thought as you else he wouldn't have sent me here to talk to you in his stead." "What? Draven sent you here to meet and talk with me instead?" I was shocked. "Oh Aveline, what really do you expect from him?" She blinked like a cute puppy. "Draven sent me here because he does not want to have anything to do with you or your bastard baby." Her words hit me hard.My child was no bastard."He can't," I stammered because I saw him r
I blinked back the excess sunlight and shielded my eyes with my hand when I regained consciousness. My head hurt slightly but I was alive."Damn it girl," a familiar voice filled with concern rang through my ears before I could catch a glimpse of the company around me."Hi," I muttered the words as I struggled to my sit upright. "Hey, be careful." Sabrina my best friend helped me to a sitting position. "What do you think you are doing to yourself?" I saw the lines of worry on her forehead as she squeezed my arm gently. I didn't need a lecture, I wanted to know what happened to me."What happened?" I asked in the loudest tone I could but it still came out a whisper. The sadness in her eyes fueled my curiosity, "Brina, where..." she shook her head and I trailed off.If not anyone I had surely informed Sabrina about my pregnancy. "I didn't lose it right?" I asked still hopeful."I'm sorry baby girl but I couldn't get here fast enough after your call and I met you in a really bad stat
DravenDraven arched an eyebrow when Aveline snapped back at him with her words.He rose from his chair and placed his hands on the table. His broad shoulders were very visible, and his hair bounced upward, leaving the few strands just at the front of his innocent blue eyes that could capture one's heart with just a glance.His facial appearance was one to speak about also, but at this point, he was angry rather than confused. Aveline was still standing when he stood properly. "What did you think you are trying to do?" His deep baritone filled the room but Aveline was not fazed by it. Instead, she just shrugged. "I told you already, I'm packing my things," she heaved a deep sigh and opened her eyes. "I would be out of this place in an hour."Two lines appeared on Draven's face as he stared deeper into Aveline's eyes. "We both know you are doing this to make me beg you." "Ain't I saying the truth?" He added. A deep scoff escaped Aveline's throat. "I need nothing from you, Draven; I
Aveline I walked out of the office slowly, I had made up my mind already, I could not turn back on my words. Emily was deceiving herself if she thinks I was hurt by the stupidity she portrayed in there, I knew Draven had given up on me and he sees me as a whore who just satisfy his sexual urge, it was painful but I just had to accept it.Different thoughts of what to do after I leave this place kept flooding in my head and it just kept fading away and I saw more of it as a bad option.Was Draven was right about what he said?Maybe I can't survive outside his territory, is he the reason why I had been surviving all this time?No, no way!!!The seven years that I spent here with Draven was more of a living hell so I don't think I would be fazed by the world outside this place. I would survive!!!It felt like my heart was squeezed as I turned away each day I keep telling myself that it's fine, that I would be fine even though I know things are not okay."Where did you think you are goi
Aveline Immediately I got to the hospital, and I rushed off to where the doctor that had called me was. I pushed open the ward door, hoping that what the doctor had said would turn out to be false, even though I knew that the chance of that happening was extremely low. I met the doctor standing close to the bed with what seemed to be nothing other than a stethoscope around his neck with his back turned towards me. I walked slowly, my feet feeling too heavy to raise, so I had to drag them across the floor, my facial expression betraying my emotion in that instant immediately after I laid my eyes on the figure that lay on the bed that the doctor was standing really close to and was covered from head to toe. The doctor turned to stare at me with a saddened expression plastered on his face; that same emotion could be noticed in his voice when he spoke to me. “I am sorry for your loss, Miss Aveline; she died not too long ago,” he said to me and clasped his hand on my shoulder. I tight
Aveline"What do you mean by it's not possible?" My face twisted in confusion. "Why can't I terminate the contract?" "I'm ready to do whatever it takes, no matter how far I have to go or how long it takes," I said, my determination and resolve evident in my voice. "I want you to tell me the steps I need to take to terminate the contract with immediate effect, so I can start making preparations."I paused, my eyes locked on theirs I knew it may take months to get some of the documents from the court, but I was willing to wait. I was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen. But what I didn't want to hear from them was that I shouldn't terminate the contract. That's not an option for me.I've worked too hard to get to where I am today. I've built Nova Empire from the ground up, and I won't let anyone or anything threaten its success. Beatrice needs to know that I'm not someone to be underestimated. She needs to know that I'm a force to be reckoned with.I took a deep breath,
AvelineI pushed the double door of the conference room, and the board of directors, along with the shareholders, all rose to their feet; I noticed that they were more than the people I knew. As I racked my brain, I remembered that I asked them to come along with their lawyers, and it seemed every one of them came with a lawyer. "You can have your seats," I gave everyone a copy of the files that were in my hand, and the sudden expression on their faces showed me how surprised they were.The only one who was not surprised was Kade and it was very clear to me as to why he was not surprised. "Please–" "Once we start you can say anything you want," I interrupted one of the shareholders who raised his hand. I saw the impatience in his eyes. "You need to wait, and while you are at it you can go through it." I finally sat down before heaving a heavy sigh. "This is sudden." I heard the voice from my left but I could not make out the name of the person that said it. It was not something stu
AvelineYesterday was a very long day. Betty was asleep the time I got home, the same goes for Sabrina and I felt guilty for coming home at that time of the day.Claire was not around at the moment so Sabrina was the one that had to do everything for Betty, she did not bother to ask me about what I wanted to tell her yesterday. Beatrice left my office with a look of defeat on her face after I clapped back at her using Sophie's name but that was not a reason for me to lose my guard. Walking into the company today, my sole intention was to terminate the contract with Draven's company. I needed to show Beatrice how useless her company would be without support and I had to do that quick. As much as Kade tried to persuade me into overlooking what happened, it turned out to be unsuccessful. I had also informed all the shareholders last night that there would be a meeting at nine o'clock on dot. The reply some of them gave showed me how surprised they were but we were able to come to a c
AvelineAs Kade searched my eyes for an answer, I continuously shut them at intervals. "Do you know how long I've known Sabrina?" He shook his head. "You keep–" I was happy when the door knob twisted until I saw Beatrice walking in with this usual smile on her face. Was she planning this?! Why does she always have to see Kade and me this close each time she comes here?This time, Kade was just as pissed as I was. The only person that was smiling in this room was Beatrice, it was a testament that her plan was working. An evidence that she was progressing.'It was not something to get all happy about since it won't be lasting.' I thought to myself as I turned to her. "You made a very big move so I guess you bought yourself the chance to come here." I moved some steps away from Kade. "There was nothing you were going to do had it been I made no step." One thing I admired about Beatrice was her self-confidence. Amongst everything about her, that was the one thing I could not deny. "Wh
Aveline"Are you sure you want to do this?" Kade whispered to me but I left him hanging. I had to act fast in order for other shareholders to know what would happen if Draven's company did not partner with mine. Someone needs to let them know and I am that someone. Kade was still pacing around the room with his hands in his pocket. "Aveline do you really want to terminate your contract with Draven's company?" This was the hundredth time he had asked me this today. "Do you think I'm joking or something?" My face contorted in anger. "None of you have any idea of how hard I worked to attain this foot, so none of you should interfere in whatever I wanna do." The rage burnt from within me and as much as I tried to contain it, it ended up exploding. "You mean I'm like every other person?" Kade's words made me sigh. "Do you mean you would say no to me all because you say no to others?" I saw the emotion in his eyes.Things were not going fine at the moment and all I needed was just space
AvelineHis words struck me and it felt like a lump formed in my throat. 'Draven's company?' Like he wants his shares transferred to Draven Harrington company?That is so out of the blue and it cannot get more annoying than that. With that, I knew that Beatrice was very serious with every word she meant from the start of yesterday. I needed no one to tell me that she had a hand in this. "You want to transfer your share to Draven Harrington company, why?" I asked in a disappointed tone. The mention of that name alone was so sour that my face contorted in anger. "I would love you to state your reasons please." Beatrice did not cease to start launching attacks after she left this building yesterday. At first, she started with what almost ended as an abduction. We were only lucky that Draven showed up. I was still unsure if that was one of his plans because there was no possible way he would be unaware of what was going on. "I just have this feeling that Draven's company would be at th
Aveline"My mind was telling me the truth after all," Draven's mother looked at me and Kade with a smile. "From one to the other just to increase the growth of your company." Kade stood upright and he looked at me in confusion. Yeah, it was the first time he was seeing her but that was not the same for me. "What is going on here?" His voice was laced with confusion. "I'm sorry, but please, can you step out for a bit?" I raised my hand and he halted. "She is someone I know, let her stay. Not like she would be here for long." "She's right," Draven's mother pushed a chair close to my table and a smile broadened her lips. "I would be out of here in a bit then you guys can continue whatever you are doing.""And trust me, there won't be any interruption." She added with a venom laced voice.On seeing Draven's mother, my mood changed completely. The urge to confront her about what happened yesterday kept getting stronger but I tightened my grip on the pen I was holding."I believe it's s
Aveline"You were not the one that came here the last time why?" I was disappointed after I saw the usual delivery man this time. "I've always been the one delivering to this company," he scanned the building before turning back to me. "I was quite surprised when you all asked for nothing yesterday."I stood there, perplexed, trying to make sense of the situation. We had placed an order, and yet, it had failed to reach its intended destination. I racked my brain, searching for any possible explanation, but none seemed forthcoming. The only lead I had was the person who had threatened me, but even that seemed like a long shot.Just as I was about to ask about the name of the company that delivered to us yesterday, his words pulled me back to reality. "Were you the one who made this decision?" he asked, his tone laced with a hint of concern. I looked at him, taken aback. "What decision?" I asked, my eyebrows shooting up in confusion.He gestured to the packages on the chair. "This is
AvelineThe events of the previous day still lingered in my mind, a constant reminder of the disastrous ride I had endured. While Sabrina may have experienced her own share of turmoil, mine had been more distressing. The person who was likely behind this was Draven's mother. Her unexpected visit to my office had set off a chain reaction to the unsettling and disastrous events.Her words, laced with an undercurrent of disdain, still echoed in my mind. The threats she had issued, the calculated intimidation of those photos that either she or Draven had employed, had all served to unsettle me."Do you want to tell me about what happened yesterday?" The coffee I was drinking went down with a loud gulp immediately Sabrina's elbow met my rib softly. "I'm sorry for sneaking up on you actually," she took her seat close to me.Sabrina was the type to always remember things no matter how hard you want her to forget. Her way of reacting if I told her about the photo was still uncertain to me,