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52. Someone Else’s
Last Updated:
2025-01-07 22:03:25
Kiya Kingsley Is it a little hot in here… no? Maybe it’s just me.🤷🏽♀️ Please comment your thoughts on the story so far. Love you <3
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Better In Every Way 53. Late Additions
AlecIt took quite a bit of time and a lot of deep breaths and unsavoury thoughts for me to calm myself down after I let Dari out of the bathroom. I would have probably enjoyed the alternative a lot more, but that would have been a lot messier and harder to hide.I walk out of that bathroom almost ten minutes later, and I go to try reconnect with this crowd of people as best as I can. I spot Dom at our table, with a sour look on his face that he probably doesn’t realise he’s making as he talks to someone who’s face I cannot see as they are turned away from me. But I don’t need to see her face to know who it is, because only one raven haired head could put that expression on Dom’s face.And once his eyes meet mine, I can tell he’s more annoyed with me for putting him in this situation than he is with Hadley for yapping his ear off. “So it seems you were serious about coming.” I say, standing next to Dom. “Of course I was. But you probably had a feeling, seeing as you went through a
Last Updated : 2025-01-10Better In Every Way 54. Undermine
Alec I don’t know what she’s doing here, but clearly her plans for the evening do not involve getting herself back in my good graces. If they do, she has a really fucked up way of showing. About fifteen minutes after Dom and I walked away from Hadley and we went on to shmooze some more; I see Hadley move across the room from where she was stewing and plotting all the way to the table where Dari and Rachel are sat. I internally cross my fingers, hoping that she’s not there to cause trouble. There are some heavy hitters in the finance industry sitting at that table. Aaron Pryce alone would be a decent sized fish that could introduce Carrington Holdings into the workings of the game this side of the pond. Im hoping she can be mature and put potential business interests over her personal ones. Besides, she knows fuck all about what could possibly be between Dari and I. Hadley approaching her sideways would be jumping the gun on an unsure situation, and she’s too strategic, too
Last Updated : 2025-02-03Better In Every Way 55. Just About Done
AlecI could barely manage to keep my composure for the rest of the night. The second Carlos left that conference room I wanted to rush to Carter or Lachlan and smack the shit out of them for ending up in this situation.More importantly, they deserve to have their shit rocked for hiding it until their fuck up was forced on me. I guess that habit is hereditary. Can’t blame Cam anymore for his bad genes. It’s a wonder I turned out the way I did. It’s a wonder Barry or Rory turned out so much better than their parents.It takes all of my will power to put a pause on my anger and continue with the evening. As the host, I can’t just leave while the party is going hot, so to speak. I have to paste a smile on my face and put on the performance of a lifetime despite my own feelings about the direction the night has taken.I’m just about done with these people. And to make matters even worse, when I came out of the conference room and returned to the banquet hall, Dariana and Rachel had lef
Last Updated : 2025-02-05Better In Every Way 1.Best to worst day ever
“Cheers to the world’s most beautiful bride!” Exclaimed Emma, who is my maid of honour. The room erupted in cheers as everyone raised their champagne flutes. “Thank you, thank you.” I said, feigning shyness at their attention. I was so exited, today is my wedding day! I had been meticulously planning this day for the past eight months and dreaming about it for so much longer. I was marrying the love of my life, surrounded by the people we both love. Life was good. Me and my bridesmaids were all in one of the church’s prayer rooms that had been converted into a dressing room for us to do our makeup and get ready. The same had been done on the other side of the church for the groomsmen to get ready in.This cathedral was massive and it sat at the heart of our city. Getting ready here was a better option than doing so off-site and driving here as there was bound to be traffic with all the guests coming in coupled with regular afternoon city centre traffic.“I still can’t believe this
Last Updated : 2024-03-12Better In Every Way 2.Holy Ground
“Rory, what’s going on” it was a stupid question really, anyone with eyes eyes and more than two functioning brain cells could probably correctly guess what had happened. But I didn’t want to assume, there was no way this stupid cliché could actually be my life. I was internally crossing my fingers in hope that there was a reasonable alternative to the explanation that my head is already conjuring up. “Baby, listen to me; I can explain—“ Camden began, before Rory cut him off.“When I got to Liz’s car I could immediately tell something was up. The car was moving a bit so I knew that there was someone in there. The closer I got, I could see clearer through the window and I could tell Liz was… bouncing up and down.”A huge lump began to form in my throat, and I closed my eyes trying to ward off the images that that phrase branded onto my brain. “I went to knock on the window, as a joke” Rory continued, “and to tell her and the– at the time– mystery man to hurry up. I knocked on the win
Last Updated : 2024-03-12Better In Every Way 3. Lousy Character
The reception was in full swing. It actually was beginning to take the form of a fully catered rager. Since all the elders thought it would be in poor taste to celebrate a wedding that never happened. So it was just us– mostly– youngins.After I spent over an hour having what can only be described as an actual mental breakdown in the prayer room (aka the bridal dressing room) I had to face the reality that there was an entire cathedral full of people waiting for something that was not coming.I sent Rachel out to inform the people that the wedding was off. No details, just that due to unforeseen (damn near fraudulent) circumstances the wedding would not be happening; but they were welcome to enjoy the reception. I’d be damned if I was gonna let the open bar I paid so much money for to go to waste. Emma, the angel that she is, did all the heavy lifting when it came to re-organising the venue and catering so that the big round tables were cleared, and replaced with bar tables to make m
Last Updated : 2024-03-12Better In Every Way 4. All The Same
“Anyway, my point is the character wasn’t worth shit. I might as well have picked according to status.” I said, swirling the ice around my drink.“Well, luckily for me I figured that out a long time ago. Long before I would’ve found myself hosting one of these.” He proudly declares.“Oh, is that why you’re a bit of a slut?” The words come out before my brain has an opportunity to register them. I slap my hands over my mouth, embarrassed by what I just said. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. That was so rude, I wasn’t thinking.” I say from behind my hands.“That’s okay.” He laughs, “yes, that is why I am a bit of a slut.” He was clearly enjoying this a bit too much. “Though I wouldn’t say I pick according to status. I’m more of a appearance kind of guy, myself.” “If I decided to forsake character, that would probably make it on my shortlist. That would probably be the only way you’d make it, since you Blackburn men are probably all the same.” I say, probably getting too comfo
Last Updated : 2024-03-12Better In Every Way 5. New Normal
The elevator dings open and I begin the unusually long walk to my office like I didn’t just spend the last two weeks not showering and eating my weight in ice-cream.When I got back to the apartment I used to share with Cam the morning after my ravenous night with Alec, the full weight of the previous day’s events fell on me like a semi truck. Walking into that apartment was like being woken up from a blissful sleep by having ice water dumped on you. I immediately got to work packing all of Cam’s stuff and putting them into boxes. I then had my brother, and Cam’s (ex?)best friend, come pick them up from from my apartment and drop them off at Cam’s parents’ house; not before making him promise not to tell them anything if Cam hadn’t already.When I could no longer distract myself with my spring cleaning project, I took in just how devastatingly empty my apartment looked. It felt so cold and hollow. The first couple of nights there I couldn’t even bring myself to sleep in the bed. The
Last Updated : 2024-03-12
Latest chapter
Better In Every Way 55. Just About Done
AlecI could barely manage to keep my composure for the rest of the night. The second Carlos left that conference room I wanted to rush to Carter or Lachlan and smack the shit out of them for ending up in this situation.More importantly, they deserve to have their shit rocked for hiding it until their fuck up was forced on me. I guess that habit is hereditary. Can’t blame Cam anymore for his bad genes. It’s a wonder I turned out the way I did. It’s a wonder Barry or Rory turned out so much better than their parents.It takes all of my will power to put a pause on my anger and continue with the evening. As the host, I can’t just leave while the party is going hot, so to speak. I have to paste a smile on my face and put on the performance of a lifetime despite my own feelings about the direction the night has taken.I’m just about done with these people. And to make matters even worse, when I came out of the conference room and returned to the banquet hall, Dariana and Rachel had lef
Better In Every Way 54. Undermine
Alec I don’t know what she’s doing here, but clearly her plans for the evening do not involve getting herself back in my good graces. If they do, she has a really fucked up way of showing. About fifteen minutes after Dom and I walked away from Hadley and we went on to shmooze some more; I see Hadley move across the room from where she was stewing and plotting all the way to the table where Dari and Rachel are sat. I internally cross my fingers, hoping that she’s not there to cause trouble. There are some heavy hitters in the finance industry sitting at that table. Aaron Pryce alone would be a decent sized fish that could introduce Carrington Holdings into the workings of the game this side of the pond. Im hoping she can be mature and put potential business interests over her personal ones. Besides, she knows fuck all about what could possibly be between Dari and I. Hadley approaching her sideways would be jumping the gun on an unsure situation, and she’s too strategic, too
Better In Every Way 53. Late Additions
AlecIt took quite a bit of time and a lot of deep breaths and unsavoury thoughts for me to calm myself down after I let Dari out of the bathroom. I would have probably enjoyed the alternative a lot more, but that would have been a lot messier and harder to hide.I walk out of that bathroom almost ten minutes later, and I go to try reconnect with this crowd of people as best as I can. I spot Dom at our table, with a sour look on his face that he probably doesn’t realise he’s making as he talks to someone who’s face I cannot see as they are turned away from me. But I don’t need to see her face to know who it is, because only one raven haired head could put that expression on Dom’s face.And once his eyes meet mine, I can tell he’s more annoyed with me for putting him in this situation than he is with Hadley for yapping his ear off. “So it seems you were serious about coming.” I say, standing next to Dom. “Of course I was. But you probably had a feeling, seeing as you went through a
Better In Every Way 52. Someone Else’s
Dariana Emma was right. Once again to my annoyance, she was right. And damn her for it. A little quickie in the bathroom really does make things better. I walked out of that bathroom high off the fucking pheromones. A little post-nut-euphoria if you will. I feel like I might even be able to give Rachel a little more time that initially bargained for. I came out of the bathroom first, leaving Alec to sort himself out in the bathroom like he asked me really nicely to. But obviously not before making sure that I don’t look like what I just did. And once I do, it’s like my social battery has been recharged. I suddenly have the energy to deal with the rest of the night. “You look like you’re doing much better.” Rachel looks me up and down once I make it back to our table. “Yeah, I think I just needed some fresh air and time to myself.” I say. “Mmhkay…” She furrows her brows, eying me suspiciously. “I knew you did. Now. Let’s go and try to make the most out of the rest of this e
Better In Every Way 51. Anchor
DarianaI don’t know how long I stand in front of the mirror. Staring at my reflection and trying to summon my best smile for the next one or so hours that I am bound to this place. I close my eyes and try to imagine myself back at home, on my couch or in my bed, gorging on a large bowl of popcorn while watching some trashy reality television.I sigh. My god, when did my fantasies get so depressing.“Was I boring you?” Suddenly being made aware of the fact that I am no longer alone in this relatively small space had my jump a little.“What the hell!” I scold Alec as I look him in the eye in the reflection once I manage to calm myself from the scare. “Why are you in here?”“I thought we could use a moment.” He says, in an annoyingly nonchalant tone. He starts to walk up to me, and in the mirror I see his eyes trailing all over my body. “Just us, no one else around.” His voice a little low.“What if someone saw you come in?” I ask, I am unwilling to let myself forget all of the potenti
Better In Every Way 50. My Knee
Dariana Dinner started shortly after we found our seats, but not before more people decided to graciously share their opinions on my life. Almost all of them falling somewhere within the realm of the same things my parents had been saying. About how it’s my fault because Cam was a “low class pick”, and in a somewhat mocking tone suggesting my career would ‘of course’ drive away the ‘better ones’. God, I forgot just how vapid and conservative these types could be. Unfortunately Shelby and I were at different tables, but thankfully I was considered enough to not be put at a table with a bunch of strangers. But that means, however, that I was put at the main table between Alec and some other HapheusTech exec I couldn’t be bothered to maintain a conversation with. He’s not bad or weird, just… old. And he works outside of any department I would need to collaborate with so there’s nothing for us to talk about. And Alec spends a majority of the time talking to Dominic on the othe
Better In Every Way 49. In Our Seats
Dariana “Is that a question?” I ask her, but she’s not looking at me anymore, she’s too busy watching Alec walk away. Can’t say I blame her, it’s a good view— one that I will never admit to watching myself. And I won’t begin to acknowledge it now. But seeing her drift off while watching after him makes me feel a bit…. weird inside. But that’s another thing I won’t begin to acknowledge right now. “A little bit…” She finally manages to mumble. “Come on.” I say, pulling Shelby toward one of the tables so we could sit down. “These shoes aren’t exactly meant for standing around.” I say. They may be gorgeous, but this may be the last time I allow Emma to pick my shoes, the stiletto heal is biting into the heel of my foot. “This isn’t our table.” She says once we get to one. “We can always just move later.” I shrug, nudging her into a chair and not-so-gracefully plopping into one of my own. “Sweet relief.” I breathe out. “So… You and Bradley Greene, huh?” I say in an attempt
Better In Every Way 48. That Friend
Dariana The sound of the doors opening is immediately drowned out by the music and the sound of chatter coming from the event hall. The familiar mixture of sounds does very little to comfort me, but it does serve as a sort of switch. Sending me into a practiced, almost robotic, stance; moving me through the room with an ease and grace I wish I felt. At first I try to convince myself that no one cares, that there are much more important and much more interesting people here for people to look at. That everyone is staring at Dominic and Rachel, the co-host and his new girlfriend. That would, of course, make for better news. It’s new and interesting, where I hopefully have made enough rounds around dinner and tea tables that my scandal is old and tired. That hope dies in me when I separate from Rachel and her beau when they head for the bar and the eyes still follow me. People look at me out of the corner of their eyes, some don’t even pretend to look like they’re not tal
Better In Every Way Sorry For The Mistake
*DON’T PAY FOR THIS CHAPTER!!! SKIP IT!!!* This was supposed to be a chapter but there was a mistake that I didn’t notice pre-publish. It was an error with the title. Then I forgot I could just edit it so I re-published the chapter *insert facepalm here*. I am very very sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused, I’ll get better about these things, I promise. The rest of this is just going to be the first quarter of the next chapter because I cannot put less than five hundred words down and I really do not have much to say outside of my deepest apologies. Especially considering that I did warn you in the first line so you wouldn’t be subjected to this. But if you are comfortable enough to have your settings set up in a way where you auto subscribe to chapters… *shrugging my shoulders* I feel like this is your lesson to be more careful. Because what if you don’t like a book? Now you have wasted valuable coins on a book you don’t like…. *sigh* tsk tsk tsk. I’m glad I cou
