Eloise’s POv Five days later, I was finally getting ready to be released. Dr. Sage had run every test imaginable, seemed satisfied with the results, and now I was just waiting for the paperwork and a ride. The door to my hospital room creaked open, and a man poked his head inside. “Mrs. Eloise?” he asked. “I’m Detective Lazio, Firenze Provincia Police Department.” My heart plummeted. He stepped inside, dressed in dark slacks with a jacket tossed over a casual shirt. He would be full of questions. Questions I had no answers for. My head was clearer now, but the glimpses I had into my past were like the flame of a lighter running out of fuel—images would spark and sputter, flicker and die, leaving me with nothing. He flashed his badge, and my stomach twisted. “Sorry to bother you here at the hospital,” Lazio apologized. He had a hound-dog face, deep brown eyes, and a solemn, concerned expression. He seemed like a nice enough guy, but I wasn’t buying it. I remembered Lau
ELOISE I remember this place. The car sped up a narrow, winding street to the summit of Pian dei Giullari and my heart leaped as I caught my first glimpse of the house mounted at the most prestigious point on the ridge. Yes, yes, yes! I’d been here before—I was sure of it. Since leaving the hospital, I’d been in a foul mood, but some of that was dissipating as fragments of memory—tickles of my past—flashed behind my eyes. There was a ring… I glanced down at my left hand, frowning. Not the diamonds glittering there, but a simpler band I recalled. And there were other things, walking in a building filled with different paintings. I was a curator after all. so I was told. Less than thirty minutes ago, when I’d been driven out of the hospital, trepidation had settled deep inside me. Even as Alex helped me to calm, , I couldn’t shake the unease curling in my gut. he’d driven us away, past the lush greenery of Golden Gate Park, through the gingerbread Victorians of Ha
The lab coat was a couple of sizes too big, but it didn’t matter. It was all the camouflage I needed. One of the burn ward nurses hadn’t shown up for duty tonight—her car had been disabled, her cell phone stolen—and the other two were run ragged as the hospital searched for staff to fill the void. By the time they managed that, I’d be finished. The lights were too bright for my liking, but there wasn’t much I could do about that. I shoved a pair of tortoise-rimmed glasses onto my nose. Slipping into my role of intern easily, I walked with confidence. The name tag on my lapel and picture were of Charles Steve. I figured no one would notice that the image on the card didn’t match my face as I strode with the authority of someone who knew what they were doing. That I belonged. What a joke. I’d never belonged anywhere. Had always been on the outside looking in. Well now I wasn’t only looking, I was fucking pounding on the window. Near the burn ward, I lingered in an alcove, then
LUCIANO.“Had Eloise been drinking on the night that she lost control of the car?” Lazio asked. I and Alex sat in an Irish pub a few blocks from my office.. Alex was on his second scotch and water. “Nope. For some reasons she had sworn not to take alcohol anymore " “What about Florence?” he asked, wondering about the woman who no one seemed to know. Eloise's employee. “No one knows what she’d been doing but there was a little alcohol in her bloodstream. Not much.” From the booth where we sat, my gaze followed a couple of guys who were throwing darts near the back of the bar."Eloise and she were close?” “As close as Eloise gets I suppose, but from work I think she's the one that relates more with Eloise” Alex swirled his drink. Ice cubes danced in the weak light. “El, didn’t have a lot of friends.”That surprised Lazio “She sure as hell got a lot of cards and flowers in the hospital”“It’s expected. We’re pretty high-profile around here.” I yanked at the knot of my tie .C
ELOISELuciano wouldn't have sex with me and it still bothers me. Does he chest on me or something? I'm sure I know men enough to realize that they never keep their stuff under their pants. I didn't want to lose my husband to the hands of a random slut . Even though I insisted that we stay in the same room, he sleeps on the couch and leaves the king sized bed for him But tonight I won't let him. I'm a human too and I'm sure he is! I was about to break the king silence before luckily he spoke up. "It's unlike you to insist on sharing the same room with me. I guess the accident really messed with your head" Luciano said with a chuckle as he lay on the couch close to the television. " No. I just feel a married couple should share a bed. I don't know how shitty my personality have been while we are married but I do appreciate that you saved me from my ex-husband. That asshole would have manipulated his way into my life again" I said . I already heard from the news about all that hap
LUCIANO"I don't know why she's here but it's definitely unlike her. She never visited you before" James said trembling on his feet. "Well let her in ofcourse" Eloise was probably trying to get to know more about herself. She was always busy running her museum and I am always the one visiting to help out and strategize but today she came and I am glad she found time to visit. "I wasn't expecting you El" I said with a smile ushering her to seat at the cushion while I abandoned my work to join her. However instead of reciprocated smile, I got a slap on my cheek instead and I could only scoff. "Did you know about this?" She asked and hands her tabs over to me. " If you were going to lie to me, to deceive me just because of money, you could have atleast had a rethink. I almost died but all you and your family care about is purchasing every piece of land around the museum "I got really annoyed but I won't blame her. She was at her most vulnerable state that she could easily be decei
LUCIANO"You need to see this boss" James said as soon as Jonathan left. "I did my own research and looking at the land registers..." I brought out a landscape and placed the photo in my desk.."Do you remember the VIPs at the museum opening party?" He asked and I nodded. "Their name came up quiet often on the register" James said with total certainty. I couldn't help but scoff. This was exactly what i guessed. It was weird enough that the museum that had no visitors at all suddenly got flooded on the opening party even though all those that Eloise invited turned down her invitation. They ended up coming. I should have know judging by the fact that they all arrived at the same exact time..So to them it was like land surveying Instead of open party? Those scumbags! "Sir... I'm sorry to bring this up again. Your grand father insist you visit him today"..I raised a brow in annoyance and then leaned back in my chair, drumming my fingers against the desk. Of course my grandfather
ELOISE Most times we'd things we end if regretting, but changing the clock backwards to correct or mistakes has never been possible. Ever since I left Luciano's office I've been restless . Probably due to guilt. No matter what he did, I shouldn't... I had no right to slap him. I've been fed with a whole lot of things this past few days and I'm just not sure who to believe but my heart would never lie to me. I know deep down that Luciano wants what's best for me. I paced back and forth in the living room, my heart hammering against my chest , and I kept glancing at the clock on the wall. Did he run away from home? There's no damn way a grown ass kan would do that. Luciano said we needed to talk, and I had convinced myself that this conversation would change everything. Would he forgive me for slapping him? Would he finally tell me the truth? Or was I just a fool The sound of that passcode being wrongly entered echoed in my ear. Was he drunk? I swallowed hard, smoothing
Brenda's pov"Have you tried turning it off and back on?" Andrew asked. I rolled my eyes and scoffed"Huh? Are you kidding me? You really believe in that childish trick that if I turn it off and back on, the computer will magically start working?""I just wonder what you were watching that got a virus on it. P*rn? Now that you have a boyfriend, I guess that’s what you need to watch to keep him happy!""Are you serious right now? Andrew I’m going straight to the manager since you clearly don't want to do your job and would rather poke your nose into someone else's private life, what is it to you that I've a boyfriend or not. You've been acting silly ever since " I grumbled. If not for the company’s strict policy to report every little issue through him, I wouldn’t even bother. His only job here is to be the middleman between us and the manager and I hated it had to be him. "You’re not as cute when you’re angry. Fine, I overreacted. But seriously, why would you watch p*rn on a
~Damien's POV~I spared a glance across the room. It was a large hall filled with people, beautifully decorated for tonight's event. I knew exactly what it was—and I was the reason behind it. Beside me sat Eva, not smiling at all. She only smiled when someone smiled at her—or when Brenda joined her side. The press kept snapping pictures. I just hoped they didn’t capture her scowling face—otherwise, tomorrow’s headlines would be something else. Instead of the typical colorful lighting used at parties, the hall was illuminated by bright white bulbs. It was almost time to exchange rings—the highlight of the night and the only reason we were throwing this party. “May I have your attention, please,” my father stepped forward, beckoning to the crowd. The room gradually quieted, and all eyes turned to him. “Thank you all for honoring me with your presence,” he began. “Today, as most of you know, is my son’s engagement day. He’s always busy with work, and I’m proud to have him as
~EVA'S POV~"Stay confident, honey. Today is your day," Brenda said, making me smile."The day I finally pay the last price for your mistake? Or the day I start paying it?" I asked, still smiling."You’ll never forgive me, will you? Anyway, I wish you happiness today—as your best friend," she chuckled. Her dress was shabby."Are you going to show up at my engagement looking like that?" I asked with concern."No," she said abruptly. "I'll wear one of my best friend's dresses.""You better be dreaming. Except for the red dress I'm wearing tonight, everything else is out for dry cleaning."She scampered over to my wardrobe and picked out a black short gown, silver heels, and a matching purse."Well, since these don't belong to you, I might never return them," she said, placing them on my bed. Once Brenda touched my clothes, they were as good as hers. That’s how she steals everything I own that she likes."Less I forget, Lucy is waiting for you in the dressing room," she chuckled.I left
EVA'S POVI woke up and noticed it was still five minutes before my alarm would go off. Groaning, I sat on my bed and ran my fingers through my hair. “This is not happening,” I muttered, recalling the events of yesterday. Did I actually agree to marry him just like that? I was sure I hadn’t slept a wink last night.I got out of bed and padded into the kitchen barefoot, finding only Sarah there.“Good morning, Sarah,” I greeted her, but she only nodded in response. She was busy preparing breakfast, and the other cooks weren’t around. I wanted to help, but I was just too exhausted.“Don’t worry, everything will be alright... You have me, okay?” she said, and I walked over to hug her. She giggled, and I returned to my room to get ready for work.On impulse, I leaned out my window to take in the morning air and sunshine, but my eyes landed on several unfamiliar cars parked outside the house. Please don’t let it be what I’m thinking...Yes! I have to talk to Chairman Huxley. I’ll te
Eva's POV"The son of the famous Alexandros has publicly accepted that he’s been dating Eva, the daughter of Chairman Huxley. The two lovebirds were spotted together yesterday. However, the rumor about her one-night stand with Michael appears to be false... The new officials have insisted..."I switched off the television. I didn’t want to hear any more. Heaving a sigh of relief, I headed to the family house. I had to obey the chairman and appear before him this morning as he requested. But instead of planning my marriage to Michael, things were finally changing, for the better."What did I hear? Is it true?" Dad asked in a tremulous voice the moment he saw me. To him, his prayers were about to be answered, why wouldn’t he be happy?"Why didn’t you tell me all this while? I even set up a blind date for you two. Ohhh, I see... you started dating from that day?" I kept nodding like a lost sheep."Say something, Eva!" Chairman Huxley said with h excitement. He was asking too many q
Eva's POVI stayed up almost all night thinking of Damien's proposal. In as much as I was tired of my father's troubles about getting married, I couldn't bring myself to signing a contract with a stranger.I stood up from my bed and headed to the kitchen. I almost forgot to eat again. Turning on the gas cooker, I placed the pot in the fire to make noodles—my favorite easily made meal. Within thirty minutes, I was done. I took my dinner to the sitting room and switched on the television.There must always be a news about us. To me, all the works the press do is centered on bringing to the world the life of the billionaires. The more secrets you expose, the higher your salary. I tuned in to the CBS news station.For some time, I only wanted to forget this all. I had to take a specific route to make my life perfect.The media doesn't care about whatever they publish in the news—whether it hurts you or breaks you, they don't give a damn."Don't worry, I listened to today's news," Serah sa
Damien’s POVGetting things ready for Camilla’s birthday party wasn’t a fair treat to me. She obviously wants everything. I had to start getting things ready for a birthday that is in two weeks' time. However, Coming out of the shopping mall, I noticed a lady hovering around my car.“What the hell are you doing?” I asked.“I’m so sorry, I mistakenly hit your car when…” She turned to tender her apology, and to my surprise, it was Eva. She must be surprised to see me too, given the way she stopped in the middle of her sentence. She slipped and fell on my bonnet.I stared at her as she made her way up. I wanted to hurt her… I wanted to hurt her so badly for thinking she could turn me down in such an embarrassing way.“Let’s grab a drink,” I said and headed to the nearest restaurant. She followed behind me, giving a reasonable space between us. It was quite annoying to me. It’s not like I’m a monster or we had an unpleasant past together.“So… we meet again,” she said. “I thought aft
_At Brenda’s apartment_ Eva’s POVI put the key I got from my office to the lock in Brenda’s house. I unlocked it and entered . “ Bitch “ I shouted. That was an informal way we both address ourselves. “Eva ! is that you? “ I heard her voice from the kitchen. She came out quickly and gave me a big hug. “ The way you barge in to my house scares me “ she said and looked at me from my head to toe. “ If that is the case , you won’t have given me your spare key!” I mocked “ Give it back then! ““ Give it back then” I mimicked carefully placing the key back to my handbag . She looked carefully at me with a worried face. I was exhausted and my face was showing it .“ Okay what’s going on? Omg they are not shutting you down are they? Because of…work, did your stock price fall or rise or something? What’s up with you girl, I know that face You look so … should I say depressed or exhausted” she was talking too fast . I know she is sincerely worried about me.“ Calm down Brenda, it’s just the
Eva’s POVI woke up to the annoying sound of my alarm clock. I sluggishly slammed it off with my palm and continued with my sleep. About a few minutes later, I jumped off my bed like someone that had a terrible nightmare.“It’s 7:30 am already? Fuck!!!” I cussed out and rushed to the bathroom. Brushing my teeth and rushing through my bath, I dressed in a normal work corporate T-shirt, a jacket, and a pair of plain trousers, and then picked a handbag and shoes that suited perfectly with the color of my dress. I had her breakfast of sandwich and went to the sitting room to grab my car keys.“Hey Dad, good morning. I’m off to work, sir,” I greeted Chairman Huxley, my father. I was already used to calling him ‘sir’ since we work in the same place and he is the boss. Chairman Huxley was still sitting on the same couch as of the previous night. He stared at me for a while before ordering me to sit down on the couch opposite him.“I told you that you have a date today, didn’t I?” His hands g