Arya’s POV My heart was racing but I knew better and composed myself. Whatever he had to ask wasn’t centered around the tea. That was only an avenue to get me to agree but I couldn’t deny I let my curiosity get the best of me. Why didn’t I decline? I felt like slapping my mouth. ‘Ask?! Seriously Arya! My blabbing mouth won’t stop until I’ve ran myself to the ground. I felt helpless but still stayed silent and waited for the question to descend.“Okay, listen carefully” My ears perked up immediately and followed the words from his mouth.“Let’s say you had a bird since you were little. The bird was sickly and relied on you a lot. And every-time it fell ill you were there to support it even when it caught a deadly flu you made sure it overcame it at the expense of a painful sacrifice. Time flew and the bird grew, finally becoming healthy and ready to explore the world. You let it go and it always came back, until...”He took a dramatic pause before continuing. I had to say it made my
Arya’s POV My hands under the table curled into a fist. I looked up to meet his down to business gaze. His eyes betrayed no sign of emotion and I wasn’t any different until a sad smile tugged my lips. This was like a scene in a movie that I found extremely ridiculous. I planned to leave Nicklaus anyways but hearing him utter such words made me feel pathetic. Was that really necessary? My unresponsiveness caused his gaze to darken. I could almost taste the iciness emanating from his stare. His earlier cheerful personality was gone in the blink of an eye. “Disclosing that won’t be necessary” I tried my best to muster a reassuring smile but it couldn’t reach my cheeks. For a moment silence reigned in our midst and I watched his eyes darken with hatred lingering beneath his restrain. I was taken aback but composed myself he probably misunderstood me so I sought to clarify but he spoke first.“Do you have any idea the troubles you’ve caused us?” His low growl mirrored his suppressed
Arya’s POV My lashes fluttered as I withdrew my phone to check the number while my gaze remained laced with confusion. I don’t remember giving him my contact, if anything I should feel guilty for not calling first after receiving his at the banquet but then we weren’t close enough for that so I brushed off that thought. I’d recognized his voice but when he spoke again his words confirmed my suspicions.“It’s Damien”I took the call while getting accompanied out of Harrington’s mansion and dutifully declined a meeting with him. One of the reasons being I already had an engagement with the lawyers and overall I didn’t wanna get tangled up with Damien, I know how he feels about me plus he’s a Prince, things could get really messing and I wasn’t crazy enough to have a strife with the royal family. The call ended with me once again disappointing him and this only dampened my mood as I let out a weary sigh.I hailed a cab and tactfully returned my mom’s call, after a brief conversation she
Bella’s POV “Pitter patter” The first rain of the year earnestly splashed against the window but I felt warm inside knowing things were looking up between me and Klaus. It’s funny how I don’t want this moment to end even though I know it’s fleeting. Why do I feel this way though? Klaus successfully called off his engagement as far as I know. What more do I want from him? I can feel his genuine feelings for me.Although he wasn’t around his mint fragrance is wafted all over me and it’s not because of this morning steamy session...I already showered, but because I’m embedded in his oversized cream hoodie. The soothing texture is almost everything I need in this weather. Only a sweet cuddling could make things better. “Breakfast is ready”Paula opened my room door and announced, only then did I realize I’ve been smiling sheepishly while staring at the foggy window. Nothing like an early morning rain to start the day. I hope the rain didn’t bother him on his way. I followed her ou
Bella’s POV Maybe it’s the cool temperature or maybe it’s our ambiguous position but the air around us suddenly felt thinner. As only tension filled the air I couldn’t bring myself to look away. What about this man infatuated me so much?I had no idea but as he drew closer I found myself inching nearer until our lips were forged into one. Playing and dancing around to the heat of our bodies. His clasp on my waist grew tighter while I wrapped my hands around his neck to elevate my frame but it still wasn’t enough. I was struggling until he hoisted me up against the countertop and I hadn’t even realized where I was until his moved kisses to my neckline causing me to arch my back while placing my hands on the marble top.The spacious kitchen felt invisible under our heated influence. Although we’ve made out in almost every section of this house, this would be the first time doing it in the kitchen! Sadly this weird fetish couldn’t be realized because his phone rang out for the fourth
Arya’s POV “Wow! The universe was really f*cking with me” These were the only words that slipped outta my lips as I slumped on the bathroom floor. After getting an earful from Adam couldn’t things have been different for my sake? I already promised to leave his son alone and now what? I’m freaking pregnant! Doesn’t this makes me the joke of the century?A tear leisurely rolled down my eyes at the realization of what I must do. “My baby, why’d you have to come at this time? My hands massaged my stomach and it was like a dam was broken, I couldn’t control the streams of tears flooding my vision. “It’s my baby too...why must I go through such pain because of Nicklaus and the Harringtons? It’s f*cking insane!”“They’re all full of shit!”“It’s all a load of bull!”My emotions were torn and I was cursing and ranting more than I’ve ever did. I feel myself losing it but at the same time I know I needed to be strong. “Get your shit together Arya. Sometimes the test can be wrong” I tol
Arya’s POV There’s a time in one’s life when you feel exposed, vulnerable and conflicted. Not knowing right from wrong or good from evil but the only thought plastered in your head is how to survive. This was mine. I’m not sure how long I stood looking like a statue but I’m pretty sure it was enough to give me away. Should I make up an excuse? Or should I come clean?‘Choices’My hated nemesis. At every point in life we’re all forced to make choices. Some more difficult than others while some graciously leaves you to wallow in regret, still that’s not the worse part. The most dreaded side of it is the fact that at the end of it all we face the grave consequences while the so called ‘choice’ goes scot-free. With this I need not explain further why I hate ‘choices’.‘Goddamn! I just did a full blown epilogue about ‘choices’.Just great! Another gift from my baby, the hormones are now discovering hidden talent in me. At this rate I better enroll in a talent show for all our sakes!
Arya’s POV Did I say he had no expression? Scratch that because he had on the entire grim ripper’s armory. Luckily my phone was in my hands elsewise it would’ve been left behind. My earlier excitements were gone in seconds and all that’s left is my dreaded reality. All my problems embedded in one man. ‘Nicklaus’Sometimes I wonder, why’d he have to get me at the auction? When I watched the video in the USB he looked very absent then suddenly before the auctioneer could close the bid he announced his. Why?I’m sure my life wouldn’t have gotten this complicated, right? It would’ve just been a one night stand with another man and not some outrageous marriage contract. I guess there’s no point in regretting when the hands of time can’t be reversed. I’m forced to disgust the bitter pill of my misfortune. ‘How pathetic’I stared at the back of Nicklaus head emotionless while he sprinted for his parked Aston Martin. When did things go south for me? Falling in love with a man I shouldn’t
Arya’s hands moved to clasp her lips, what she held was both shocking and surprising. Her gaze couldn’t help darting at Nicklaus’s peaceful face. Ever since the incident, she was inclined to bring up Aiden but she couldn’t muster the courage and avoided the topics like the plague. She’d often help him dress his wound while he slept on the drugs and when he was awake she was gone, leaving the maids to prepare and deliver the meals.This was about the time when she usually dressed his wound but something else stole her attention. In her hands were photos of her and Aiden, they were taken when she lived with Aiden, it appeared to be dated back to that day at the hospital. The pictures were only taken from one location. ‘The balcony’It must’ve been taken by a drone or something of that kind, her thoughts were in shambles, he knew about Aiden since?But why didn’t he do anything? Nothing made sense to her anymore. Hours passed after this discovery and Arya stayed seated in his r
Arya's POVTechnically everyone here presence was closer to him than his supposed family. I can’t help but think I misjudged him when he said he had no family.Now I know he meant it, no one deserves to grow up in such conditions. With my fingers crossed I perched my ears to listen to the doctor’s announcement.“The surgery was a success. He didn't faint from excessive loss of blood but instead, exhaustion. He’ll be moved shortly, you'll be able to see him then but it'll take a while before he wakes up. His insomnia prevents him from sleeping so we induced him with something strong…”Nicklaus has insomnia? I never knew that, he always slept when we were together. “…Whoever is by his side when he wakes up should call the attention of a doctor. We can only verify his stability when he regains consciousness”.With that, the doctor left and I forgot how to move my feet, when I did remember, the first person I met was Klaus. “Nicklaus has insomnia?”I was staring at him for an answ
“Please…I beg you, I can’t do anything else but this, I’ll find a way to repay you, I promise… Just please spare Aiden”What sounded like a hysterical laugh ended with a scorn from Jane.“Does that mean you’re choosing to pay with your life?… Don’t you get it? There’s no point begging. Juliet had to die because I knew she was in on it, even though she lied and pretended to be a saint, even when she made me take months of gun training, and even when she placed me instead of the real Jane to be Aiden's nanny. She claimed she did all that for my revenge but I knew, I've always known I'd kill her for what she did! So, you see… everyone involved dies, only then would it be fair!”Melissa seemed to have recovered from the shock and shouted.“Let me die instead, please!”“No!” Arya screamed with uncontrollable pain. “I would never let that happen! This has nothing to do with you-”“Shut your mouth, how can a mother be alive when her daughter dies? I’d hang myself if that should happen, I’
“Nicklaus…drop your gun”Arya’s voice cracked but it was audible enough. Her eyes on the other hand were no longer sharp and full of life. It looked like a drawing with no emotions.Just desperation clouded her mind, she was at that point where selling her soul to the devil didn’t sound like a bad idea. Anything would do to get through this nightmare, “Please, just listen to me!” She screamed out in pain, her breathing was haggard and slowly Nicklaus lowered his hands and tossed his gun aside.“Very good, I knew you’d be useful in taming this beast. Now, hand over the ledger”All eyes rested on Nicklaus right now, amongst those eyes were Arya’s shocked gaze. Was she referring to the same ledger that got Luke killed? A shudder ran through her spine, she knew it was very important to Nicklaus, what if he doesn’t give it up and Aiden ends up paying with his life? After all, she hid him from Nicklaus all this while.What if he resents her for it and as retribution he lets Aiden,
As expected the night was torture for Arya, she didn't dare lie down, afraid of what she'd see in her dreams tonight. Luke had sent a driver to retrieve Arya’s car so she held her phone while staring at the stars from the balcony. The chair she sat on still had Aiden’s scent and she couldn’t stop crying. How can what felt like heaven a few hours ago suddenly become hell?Such is the pain of longing, It casts a vague appearance in the memories and leaves behind fragments of pieces that end up becoming history. With time they start to feel warm in the heart, no longer the cold of the void space left behind but even the warmth is just the heart’s coping mechanism, nothing can truly replace the missing piece.Above all, it’s the guilt that eats deep into the heart that does the most damage, maybe if things were different seeing a brighter light would be possible sooner than later but that’s never the case.And that’s definitely not the case here!Arya clenched her chest tighter,
The tension in the room immediately tightened, Lucious’s focus was now on Arya. Juliet’s words seemed to do the trick and he began his questioning.“Is this true?…”Of course, his question was met with no reply, of all the times Arya would be in the right state of mind to answer that, right now was definitely not the freaking time!“Are you going to keep avoiding me even if I’m right here? I saw the news and wanted to check in with you but you never answered the phone. So it really was you, Arya”His tone had a tinge of sadness lurking underneath its solemn feel but Arya heard none of this, in fact, she hadn’t spared Lucious a glance the entire time, her gaze remained fixed on Juliet.“I’ve brought the documents, hand over Aiden or there will be serious consequences!” The shakiness of her voice came from her boiling anger, she was so mad it felt like she would explode in rage but Juliet kept adding fuel to fire!“I didn’t know you had hearing impairments… Come tomorrow at noon to
“HAPPY NEW YEAR!”“POW! POW!”Fire works graced the sky of the Smith’s residence, the atmosphere was bright and bubbly as were the hearts of everyone present witnessing the glorious scenes of colorful Fireworks bursting open in the sky.“Look Aiden, do you like it?”Arya voiced to the cheerful little man who was swinging his hands with great excitement. Luke and Melissa stood together while Arya stood some distance away with Aiden in her arms and all other members of the household including Jane went back inside to prepare the elaborate meal and Aiden’s necessary arrangements. It was twelve midnight, marking the dawn of a new day, and in this case a new year! So of course Aiden won’t be joining the fun. Jane took him to his cot while Arya, Melissa and Luke had a splendid time at the dining. A completely joyous family was all she ever asked for, it seemed impossible from the start and even the only one she had was taken away but life wasn’t so cruel afterward. It found a way t
Without a word Klaus grabbed Bella’s hand and led her outside. She couldn’t help but think, wasn’t she the one who came to drag him out? How did she end up being dragged instead?He released her hands in front of his car and ruffled his wet hair against the cold air. “Aren’t you cold? Why did you get soaked?”She asked out of sheer concern but deep down she wasn’t complaining about the view he was feeding her lustful mind. It wasn’t bad enough his shirt stuck to him like tissue but a few buttons were undone to reveal his protruding chest. No straight woman could remain a nun when faced with this temptation yet she tried to peel her eyes off and focus it on his face but his face wasn’t any better!The base of his hair was turning black and because it was wet it appeared darker with the blonde tips that dripped off stray water droplets. “I’m fine, I needed to wash off the tipsiness”.“A-alright…” she stammered and it finally dawned on her, just how flushed she was at the though
Bella’s POVChristmas Eve was going smoothly with Amiee. I cooked while she… well, she played games as usual, now that she got the new video game set from Klaus she even neglected eating! Not if I can help it though, she certainly wouldn’t starve on my watch. There were medications to be taken so not skipping meals was as important as breathing.“Amiee! Food is served!”“Coming!”That’s the third time this evening, I matched over and held her favorite stuffed animal.“Come eat or I’ll feed Ms Pears some food”“You can’t do that, you ruin her fur!”At last, something finally got her attention off the screen. It’s cliche that a teenager is still hung up by a stuffed toy but who am I to judge? As long as Ms Pears can get the Job done, she’s welcomed to stay.“The choice is yours, choose wisely”“Fine! Leave Ms Pears out of this”She stood up and abandoned her gaming machine. This made me wonder, just how important was Ms Pears to her.Would I be ranked lower than a stuffed animal