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Zoey's POV I wake up to the intensity of the sunlight peeping through a slightly cracked, glass window and onto my face. I groan and try to roll to the opposite side of the scorching sun rays, but I can't budge. I feel like a truck has dropped on me— a tractor trailer, to be precise. I am positive this is not just a hangover from the little alcohol I had consumed last night. A mild, but cold and salty, air gently blows on my skin creating a warm sensation on my body when contrasted with the hot sun. I try to twist my body in the opposite direction of the window but after a few failed attempts I slump in defeat. A low snore comes from behind me a while later, to twist my. Turning my upper body slightly, I see Xavier peacefully sleeping with his lips partially open and his heavy hand draped over my waist. He looks adorable and stress-free when he sleeps. My teeth sink in my slightly chapped pink lips as I bite back a laugh. My eyes sweep over his sleeping form in content for a while
Zoey's POV I know it is late by the time I pick myself up from the cold floor and decide to take a long bath. Stripping out of my morning attire, I step into the cold tub then turn on the faucet. Plopping down in the interior I listen to the bathtub filling up. A while later I tip my head back and let the soapy lather ease the tension from my aching body— both physically and mentally. I can't help pretending, just for a short while, that I haven't taken the offer and was back home with Kat, and not halfway around the world with a multi-billionaire I cheated on my psychotic ex-fiancé with. Maybe things would have been different. Or maybe not. I lazily dismiss the thought. Too late for pretending, or even wishing for that matter, everything had run its course. I'll just have to woman up and face whatever brutal obstacle the universe fling in my way. I lean further back in the tub, letting the warm water and sweet smell of raspberry envelope me. After a good half an hour, give or
Zoey's POV "I had a really great time tonight," I whisper earnestly to Xavier as we both step in the elevator with random tourists. "I aim to please." The corner of his lips quirk up in a half-smile and, before I knew it, his shoulder convulse as he let out a low laugh. "You're welcome baby, but the night's not over." My forehead creases as I look over at him. We are practically the same height, this is the good thing about wearing heels. "What do you mean?" "You'll find out soon." He kiss our tangled hands. I sigh in content, loving the feeling of his mouth against my skin. We rode patiently up to the sixth floor of the hotel as his fingers lightly stroke mine. When the last person got out, one floor below us, he quickly turn to me. "Before I forget, I need to blindfold you." The man reaches into his back pocket and pulls out a red blindfold. My jaw goes slack as I eye the fabric in his hands. The thing I hate more than surprises is being blindfolded for a surprise.
Zoey's POV Most of Xavier's clothes are off, with his help, before we even get to the semi-dark bedroom. The moon is the only source of light that penetrates the glass and shines magically on the floor. He sets me down on the edge of the bed with a chaste kiss before he goes off in search of something. I trace his silhouette as he moves around carefully in the dark. "Ah ha." Xavier turns to me a while later and holds up long, joined group of condoms. The packets glisten in the moon's reflection. "Someone thought they were getting lucky tonight," I tease as he strides over to me smiling. His smile grew even wider. "I'm optimistic, remember?" I don't have time to think of a coy remark. His mouth is already on mine, teasing and stroking. The man guides me further from the edge of the bed. His lean, steel body bows over me, not once breaking the kiss. He pulls away a while later. I whimper watching as he takes off his underpants, the last piece of fabric that stands in our way.
Xavier's POV I flip the page back and forth trying to focus on the vital information printed on the pages. Damnit! I sigh, flipping over and starting at the top again. I can't do this! "Fuuuccckk!" I yell as I clear half of the desk, hearing random things clunk on the hardwood floor. I hold my head down on the table as I take deep breaths. I can't help thinking about my family, including my fiancée, and their safety. A broad smile makes its way to my lips as the word lingers in my mind— fiancée. The happiest moment for me during that Italy trip was when she said "yes" to my re-proposal. I probably should have just done that in the very beginning instead of being a coward hiding behind a contract. Now that my mom has instigated fear into me, I really can't help but be paranoid. I haven't seen my baby since I dropped her off at my parents'. Even though she told me she is fine, since our last video chat an hour ago, I can't help being a bit fearful. Don't you know what you've
Zoey's POV "I'm sure he would call if there was a problem." I jump back a bit in the newly renovated booth before I look over at Mrs. Danvers. What's even the point of looking at my phone when my battery died a few minutes ago? Classic Zoey, forgetting to put her phone on charge. "I'm sorry. I'm just a bit jumpy today." I laugh nervously before gulping down nearly half of the warm tea. "It's understandable." She pats my left hand which was placed on the table. Her thin lips stretch in a kind smile before she drinks from her own cup. "Don't worry, nothing will happen to you. I'll personally make sure of it." "Thank you, but I can't let you do that. I mean, Xavier and the police are already on it. I just don't want to bother anyone else." "Nonsense. It's not a bother. You're a part of the family now Zoey. Your problems are ours." The corner of my lips quirk up at her kind statement. "Thank you." "No problem dear." She offers me a bittersweet smile as she glances around th
Zoey's POV "Hey there Zoey." Mr. Danvers rises from the stool then walks over to me, leaving the cup he was drinking from on the poolside bar counter. The man pulls me into a brief hug before he leads us to the patio chairs, gesturing for me to sit. This is new. My eyes wander to his dark suit that peeks out from underneath an immaculately white winter coat that hangs loosely on his body and compliments his equally fair skin. From the looks of it, he just got back. He wasn't here earlier that's for sure. The pool and outside lights automatically blink on as the sky darkens with hues of black, blue and pale orange. My eyes flicker out to the spectacular view. The bright city lights below contrasted with the dark sky. Mr. Danvers and I are on speaking terms, if you wanna say that. He apologized the very same day I came to stay here and, I guess, he has been kind since then. "Hi Mr... Uh, Fred. Hey." "Is everything okay?" He nods to the phone clutched in the palm of my hand
Zoey's POV "I can't believe that you're making me do this," Xavier grumbles, pushing an empty cart as we walk down the frozen foods aisle. We are currently walking around an empty mini mart about a mile or two from the mansion, which is, miraculously, still open at this hour. "You know I won that bet fair and square." I stick out my tongue childishly at him. I grab a pack of frankfurters and bologna, placing them in the trolley. "Now what do you want to eat?" "You," he answers boldly as his eyes hungrily rake my body. We lock each other's gazes, both of us communicating in ways that basic, sputtering words failed to do. "Guys, make this quick. I'm locking up in twenty!" I turn around to the man who had yelled from behind the cash register. He eyes us for a moment before they skim the old newspaper he has gripped in his hands. "Sure." I look briefly over at the scrawny man before I cast my eyes back at my soon-to-be husband. "Seriously, what do you want?" "Uh," the man s
Zoey's POV 6 months later "Thank you," Taking the glass out of Alex's hand, I examine the cold beverage. The water on the outside that runs down my bare hand sends a shiver up my spine. It is weird how she still sticks with me after all these months, after I straight up lied to her face for so long. She was the only one who actually reached out to me after though. I explained everything and we both agreed to forget about it. I haven’t seen her brother since that night, which is not really much of a surprise since he clearly disapproved of my pregnancy. He doesn’t care about the baby. He only sends handsome loads of money, along with the full ten million dollars I was promised, but I refuse to accept anything from him. He needs to learn that money can't fix everything. "It's the pasteurized stuff." She gives me a reassuring smile. Plopping back down on the lounge chair, she swirl in her own drink. "I made sure of it." I smile softly, thanking her again. I am just hyper conscious o
Xavier's POV I look over at the two beautiful women standing in front of me. A look of extreme guilt rests on both of their faces. "Does this have anything to do with what you wanted to talk about later?" I direct the question to Zoey, already knowing the exact answer: Yes, it does. Alex cast her eyes to the floor before quietly excusing herself, leaving Zoey and I alone in the long hall. She folds her slim arms across her chest looking down at the floor. "Come with me." I turn on my heel and walk to the nearest room so we can have a private conversation. What she said about thinking she was pregnant has been eating at me. She looked so hurt when she told me it was nothing. I guess that's why she has been avoiding me the entire week. She wants a child. If I'm being completely honest, I really do not want a kid right now. I have so many things to think of and balance. Having a kid would not be healthy for the both of us. I would need to give him or her all the love and support
Zoey's POV I groan looking at my reflection in the mirror. My hair is combed neatly in a sleek low ponytail and a light layer of makeup settle on my face. Twisting my body sideways I look down at my belly. I gently rub it. It's growing but it hardly shows; it just looks like I am a bit bloated. It has been a week since I came back here and my symptoms are getting worse. I have frequent headaches, my breasts are a bit tender and I am a little fatigued and more nauseous than usual. I have an appointment tomorrow though that I have to go to with Xavier. He'd been asking questions but I just shut him down every single time. I can't bring myself to tell him, this past week especially, after what happened last week. He has a right to know, that's why I plan on telling him tonight when we get back from this engagement dinner. It is his kid regardless of our situation. I step into a pair of flats and grab my purse from the bed. I was just about to leave when I see Xavier standing at th
Zoey's POV I try to suppress the disappointment and the dull pain in my chest, clutching it until I can hardly breathe. The newfound pain gnaw at my throat, coming out in the form of a silent cry. Beads of salty water carelessly fall from my eyes tainting my cheeks. I sniff, trying to control it, as I slowly slide down the bathroom door and unto the cold floor. A new wave of emotion struck my heart sending a chill through my entire body. I can hardly hold it back anymore. My soundless sobs rock my body as my shoulders convulse, forcing more tears to stream from my already blurry eyes. I can feel the hot tears dripping on my blouse and hands. I squeeze my eyes shut silently letting the tears weld there. I'm so stupid! How could I have been so stupid?! I lean my head back against the wall for support, an excruciating pain jab at my chest. My hands immediately falls to my belly, rubbing my it in a circular motions, whispering comforting words to our unborn child. How could he do
Xavier's POV I roll my eyes at Natasha who staggers through the doorway of her father's secret hoard of liquor. The strong scent of vodka, mixed with the cool air, takes over the foyer almost immediately. What the fuck is she even doing here? "Finally you made it," she slurs, hiccuping as she gives me a once over. Her eyes then flicker to Zoey. She clicks her tongue and raiseher eyebrows. "This should be fun." I look behind me at Zoey. She just rolls her eyes and stand her ground. I smirk, turning back around. I swear, if she so much as lets a letter slip from her mouth I'll fuck her up real bad. My mind automatically goes back to the day when I wake up in my office drunk and angry beside a naked Natasha. I grimace. Even now I can't remember what happened. Knowing this vindictive bitch though, she'd try to ruin my life every possible chance she got. Drunk or not. I roll my eyes once more taking in her drunken state. "Uh, babe, can you go up to our room? I need to have a w
Zoey's POV It's over. It's finally over. I squeeze my fiance's hand lightly as he gently tugs me through the small crowd filing out of the courtroom. The eagerly awaiting paparazzi and media outlets on the concrete step quickly run up to meet us, flashing their cameras and shoving microphones in our faces. Xavier's bodyguards quickly spring into action, trying to make a safe walkway for us to get to our car. "Right this way, sir." One of them guide us while the others tried to form a semi-circle to separate us from the thick crowd. I press the dark shades to my face in order to protect my eyes from the blinding flashes. General and personal questions are thrown my way but I ignore them. Do these people have, like, no chill? I feel extremely queasy as I absentmindedly hold my slightly puffy belly. I don't know whether it is due to the fact that I have morning sickness or that I have to relive my awful experience in that unpleasant courtroom, or maybe the fact that I'm basically
Zoey's POV My chest heaves in silence and burns painfully as tears flow freely from the corners of my eyes. All different scenarios play out in my head, but not one has a happy ending in which I walk away alive. "Okay." My voice comes out croaky, conveying the exact opposite of the emotion I am trying to portray. I hold my hands up in a form of surrender, trembling slightly from the awful thought of being put down from behind. "Just don't shoot, alright?" I slowly turn around, ready to face the bruised, unforgiving face of Troy, but stumble involuntarily when I saw Matthew a foot or two away aiming a gun directly at my head. I swallow instinctively and cast my eyes away from his, breathing heavily. "Go ahead then! Isn't this what you always wanted?!" My eyes dart back on him, not caring about the tears falling heavily from my already puffy eyes. "Go ahead and blow me to pieces! How dare you befriend me. How dare you try to come between Xavier and I?! You have some nerve—" "Go."
Xavier's POV "Look Dad, I don't have time for this bullshit! I need to find Zoey." I stop and look sharply at him. My fiancée has been missing for over an hour now, and this hedgehog wants me to talk about personal problems. He always finds a way. He will find a way. He's coming for me. Her words and frightened face haunts me every single moment I breathe. I really didn't have time for this shit. "So, like, stop following the fuck behind me." "You called me 'Dad'." He sighs, looking at me in disbelief, shoving his hands in his pants pockets. A smile slowly crawls on his face. Oh for fuck's sake! I look at him incredulously, shaking my head, then clasp my hands together shaking them at him. I try to reason with him. "My fiancée, the love of my life, is fucking missing, so do me a huge favor and get lost." I hols onto the railing and continue to climb the stairs. "Shouldn't be too hard, you've been doing it your whole life." "I just need to talk to you," I hear him yapping be
Zoey's POV Complete darkness. That's the first thing that I notice when I open my eyes. Hissing, I feel a sharp pain jolt through the back of my head as small white flashes of light dance around my vision in the dark. Everything hurt too much. It feels like a ticking bomb exploded in my head. My eyes burns painfully and I feel like throwing up due to a lack of fresh air. Slowly, my memory starts to drift back to my conscious mind, even though random bits and pieces are missing. Where the hell am I? I inhale deep, greedily gasping for clean air, only to breathe in the same hot, stale breath. The air becomes stuffy as my sweat and tears mingle before running off my face. There's something over my head! I reach out to grab the thick un-breathable fabric from my face, but my hands are bound to a sturdy object. Grunting, I pull at the rope, jerking around to loosen the grip, but it does not budge— not once. I, tiredly, close my eyes, fearing to take my last breath as life effortles