"Did you do something or provoke her?"Castro asked in a dark tone as he shifted his eyes to Victor. Both men stood face to face with angry expressions that felt the tension between the two. He looked at Victor and he was angry enough to forget that Castro was his friend and soon to be a business partner"This is not your house...better watch it, "Victor said through gritted teeth, doing everything he could to ignore the anger he was feeling. Castro scoffed sarcastically as he stepped backward and sized up Victor"I came here and she didn't let me in...she never acts this way unless you did something"Castro spat out bitterly as he looked at Victor with rage in his eyes. He was busy the entire day arranging his work since he only had two days before he went back home."She's my Surrogate...you better keep your hands in check"Victor warned in a deadly tone and stormed out of there. He was in a bad mood after a long day. He thought he could talk to his Surrogate but she was acting up. He
(Vivienne)When I woke up in the morning. My eyes were stinging a little and rubbing them made things worse however I had to wake up and do something"Good morning Miss I see you don't wanna get out of bed" my morning alarm greeted me as I stretched my arms above my head letting out a lazy yawn I leaned back to the headboard and nodded at Julia. I didn't feel like leaving the comfort of my bed knowing I was not wanted anywhere"Yeah...so don't bother me please, "I said hoping she wouldn't bring up something like breakfast downstairs. She drew the curtains apart and opened the window. The bright sunlight sipped into my room like the scent of flowers accompanied by that wet morning fresh air had me exhaling and I called. Julia chuckled shaking his head as she walked back to my bed"Well, I won't since the entire house is busy...I think you'll get to rest for some hours" she remarked while getting some clothes from the couch which were lying around and I was lost"Is there a special occa
"What!what did you do?"Leo exclaimed in pure disbelief as soon as he walked out of the mansion and found Cassy. The woman he hired as his personal assistant since he had so much to manage and couldn't do them all"Well...it's still fine...look, ''she said nervously, showing me the half-dead car. She destroyed his beloved love. His Rolls Royce he loved among his cars and now she was talking as if it was nothing"Are you fucking insane...I gave it to you to get something done but...you little"he was furious as he said shooting daggers at the woman who was so careless and deserved to rot in jail for damage"Come on Leo...it's just a little mud...I can wash it off and the car will be nice and new" she remarked throwing her hands in the air as if what she was saying made sense to her ears"You are impossible!"Leo yelled out of frustration and ran his hands in his hair. She was the worst assistant ever and now he was beginning to have second thoughts"That's it...you are fired" he finally d
"She did something and now...she looks like this"like a fool Leo betrayed me and forcefully turned me around to Victor and I was even more embarrassed that all I wanted was to kick him somewhere where it would hurt deeply that this had already happened"Huh?" it was Victor who said more like a whisper and throwing all my pride aside I removed my hands from my face knowing he would laugh at me"I see" he murmured when I lifted my lashes to look at him. He had a serious expression on his face"Then get her cleaned, "Victor said, keeping his gaze on me and I was stunned he didn't laugh. At least he should laugh so I could feel better but his intense eyes made me lower my head out of shame"Come on…"Cassy pulled me inside and I stumbled and followed her. Leo didn't come with me and I was happy"Who told you to use that...now be still, "Cassy said as she tried to detangle my hair but it was all tangled up. I couldn't get it to fall down and that was a disaster"It's hurting okay…just let i
(Vivienne)"Relax... everything will be fine"Victor murmured as he worked on my hair. I was agitated and uncomfortable having him around and touching me. Although he seemed to be in a professional mood. It still gave me butterflies to know he was doing something which might be normal to him but intimate to me"It's hurting a little...I think we should wait for Cassy" I said and reached for my hair trying to feel it but I ended up touching his hand instead. I froze when he rested his hand above mine. The warmth from his palm extended to mine and my heart skipped a few beats"It's okay...just relax...I'll take care of this" he whispered, I had to say Victor was an exceptional man. He was full of surprises that shocked me every time he did something. He was gentle despite how aggressive he appeared to the eye"This way...I'll apply some hair gel to soften it" he mumbled and took a clear bottle with some jelly yellowish liquid in it. He already told me I made a mistake with what I added t
(Vivienne)I was even more nervous when the car finally stopped by the main entrance to the building. I didn't know if this was a hotel or some resort or even an estate judging by the long drive to the main building. I had to say Victor was such a show-off. From the first gate, there was tight security. Of course, I understood he was a big deal, and since the event was such an important one. He was bound to be careful not to have any guests with bad intentions"Now this is what I call...a rich people's party"it was Casey who said as soon as we got out of the car she came to my side and held my hand. Both of us were the only ones out of place. Knowing I haven't attended a party like this one other than the one back in Oxford with Victor"Come on…"we heard Monica say as soon as the security men opened the door for her. She was looking elegant and hot in her denim midi dress, it was sparkly and the entire back up to her waist was exposed in front, there was a deep V-line that parted her
(Vivienne)By now I was joined by her and Justin. I didn't know why the two men were with me since Castro excused himself but at least I was surrounded by familiar faces. Of course, they were talking to me and my attention and all my mind and my whole body was with Victor. But looking at the man. He seemed busy with the female doctor. Monica left them alone and now Martha seemed to be enjoying Victor's presence. Two men in tuxedos were standing with him and I guess they were talking about hospital stuff or maybe a business related matter"So you mean...very soon her belly will be so big like a train?"It was Kyan who asked Justin since all he was doing was asking doctor Justin about me and the baby. "Yeah...but not...like a train Kyan"Justin replied more nervously as if he didn't want to hurt my feelings. I heard whenever women got pregnant. They became less attractive and men didn't even spare them a glance due to their big tummies and looking at mine. It was getting bigger by the da
"So this is all the old man's doing...he started something...there were ups and downs...but with time I learned when you are an Ellison…"Victor said through the mic while standing on the stage as the crowd fixed their eyes on him listening to his speech "you wouldn't be called the best if you haven't fallen a few times and suffered some bruises" he said the last words and everyone laughed knowing he was joking. For him he was serious. His father started the company from scratch and went through hell to build it and make it known. He was the true founder and he was so passionate about his work"We are here to bring out the best...to give more job opportunities and grow in size," he said and before he even finished, the people listening to him started clapping. He wasn't so good at addressing a crowd but since he was the boss, he had to do so. His dad never missed a year to celebrate the company's success. He always attended such functions and saw how much people respected his father. A
(Vivienne)I sat there by the edge of the seat fiddling with my hands which felt too cold like I was sitting in a cold room. The VC was going through some files when I came in and he asked me to wait for a while. Looking at him he wasn't as scary as most students said he was. I met him countless times in these three eyes at his house when Alexis invited me and so far he was a kind man.He looked just like Alexis, especially her black hair although Alexis took her mom's blue eyes. Surprisingly she had eyes just like mine but I shook my head as I waited for him to finish upAfter some time he carefully shoved some files away and closed his laptop and took off his specs and set them aside"Welcome Miss Payton," he said, rubbing his hands together. His voice was low and calm which made me relax as I exhaled silently and nodded with a warm smile"I'm surprised about you...you are wonderful...as you know our school is nothing but the best in the region," he said as he looked at me with a bl
(Vivienne)"Ahh...now I feel worthless," Leo said with a cute pout while holding out a spoonful of ice cream. I laughed hard seeing how ridiculous he looked with such a face. For a 32 years old man. He was supposed to be better than this but the man was still the same. Playful like a child"I saw it...I mean is it real?"I asked again, I had a chance to watch one of the movie scenes he was shooting here. I didn't know the man was such a sweetie sexy seductor"It's called acting...it's fiction... whatever I do has nothing to do with my real self," he said defensively and I gave him the eye. No one would believe it when I saw how he was touching and kissing his co-star. It was so real, especially when they kissed. I felt shy watching him"I don't believe you okay...I saw and believed it"I simply said and ate my ice cream. Leo just looked at me with a blank expression. There was amusement and delight as if he was trying to understand me and I stopped not sure why his gaze made me feel unc
"But that's not what I want…""To work hard and do this yourself...but trust me...my dad is the best...he knows students like the back of his hand and I heard this time...the school will be selecting the companies we'll be going to, "she said and I was surprised. I didn't know that"Really how is that possible" weren't we supposed to choose for ourselves"I heard dad say it...that's why you need to chill I'm certain if it's dad in charge then both of us will get something good...I just hope he recommends his friend,'s company to you too"I heard Alexis loud and clear but I didn't want to get anything just because I was her friend but if her dad was in charge then I was hoping for the best"Our internship will start in a month or two...I'm so nervous okay...three years feels like forever" I said and dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes, the slightly wet grass pricking my back and exposed arms but I didn't care. I exhaled and inhaled the wonderful fresh air of wet grass and open
(Vivienne)"Why is he so difficult?"Alexis asked as we rushed for classes. We were so late and Mr. Whitlock was a ridiculous professor. He didn't tolerate late coming and of course, he gave difficult exams...forget tests and assignments which were like he didn't have a heart"It's cool he's just preparing us for our future," I said, fixing my hair. I was a total mess. I was only wearing blue skinny jeans with a blue tank top and some sneakers. My hair looked like a bird's nest because I didn't blow dry it but just washed it and applied conditioner to soften it"Come on, let's hurry or it will be a full lecture on being late which would apply to our resume, "Alexis said sarcastically and I wanted to laugh because her words made no sense. But I understood her unlike me, she was the center of it all. Being the vice Chancellor's daughter wasn't easy. She and to be the perfect example and she was exceptional"Oh thank God" she exhaled in relief when we got to class and it was as noisy as e
"Hey ..hey...no look at me...yeah look at Uncle," Kyan said waving the baby toy in the air and the baby followed his gaze. "Good girl...look at this...her name is... Vivienne or just Vivie" he added and showed a photo of Vivienne. Of course, he didn't know if the baby could even see or recognize the picture he was showing her. She was just three months old"Come on Sky focus," he said, sounding a little coy as he sat there. His niece was in a world of her own. But she looked really cute in her pink romper with pink socks and a cute headband with a ribbon attached to it. She was giggling and moving around with her tiny little hands grabbing things and fighting to get her tiny fingers in her mouth"Okay...we are on our fourth session of knowing Vivienne...she's cute with eyes like yours...not sure why but you have beautiful eyes just like her, "Kyan said, making a thinking face as he looked at a pic of Vivienne then his niece. Of course, her name was Skylar, short for the Sky. Victor na
******Three months later(New York)**(Vivienne)"Can I help you?""Yes, please...I'm new here...can you show me where the library is?"I asked, looking around the place"Yeah down the road...you can take a taxi from here or just walk but it will take a little while" the lady replied showing me the directions I smiled and thanked her before I walked away leaving the fast-food restaurant I was having my lunch atI glanced at my watch and it was getting late and the goofy girl I was waiting for hadn't shown up"Where are you, Alex?"I said and quickly crossed the road to the other side so I could wait for her. It was early in the afternoon, the day was crisp and sunny. Although it was a little windy which made my hair blow around disturbing my peace I didn't mind as I stood there staring at the brochure in my hand. I looked around the busy streets. The lady I asked at the restaurant told me this was where the public library was. I would have used the one at the University but I decided to
**2 Weeks later**"S...sir should I…"Julia asked when she accidentally walked into the room Vivienne used to sleep in but stopped when she met Victor along the way. He didn't know why he came here but he couldn't fall asleep no matter how hard he tried"Leave," Victor said coldly and Julia didn't even waste time as she retreated away Victor stood by the door for a while then rested his hand on the doorknob. A long sigh escaped his sealed lips as he pushed the door open and walked inHe turned on the lights revealing a neat well-put-together room. His Surrogate's bedroom. This was her bedroom. It had been two weeks since she left him after giving birth. He didn't blame her at the end of the day, they had a deal. She signed a contract which she honored. It was up to her to leave he had no say in her decision but she should have done what was needed of herVictor shook the thoughts away and walked to the bed. It was the same, the room was the same and empty. Her perfume lingered in the a
(Vivienne)"Destination please?""United States," I said, handing her my details as well as my password. The lady looked at me for a while and continued her work"Vacation or…""School" I replied without delay and the woman glanced up then shrugged. I didn't know why she did that but I didn't care as I stood there waiting for my ticket. I was lucky the plane to the US hasn't left yet. It has been an hour since I got here. I had everything ready to go but just needed to confirm the tickets and it was taking longer than I expected"Are you okay Ms?" the lady asked, not sure why but I was fine, just a little cold. I didn't know why it was this cold now of all days. I was wearing black leggings with ankle boots as well as a long-sleeved sweater that reached up to my neck and a brown long coat to keep warm but still, I could feel the wind blowing around"I'm fine please, "I remarked distantly, trying, by all means, to keep her off. I came to the airport early. I wanted to leave this place
(Vivienne)It felt like a dream, I felt empty and aching everywhere. I tried to move myself hoping to stop the pain I was feeling but everything seemed hard. I wanted so badly to open my eyes and see where I was unfortunately they seemed glued and wouldn't open"Ahh!"I tried to shift a little and when I moved my hand. I felt a sharp pain that made me his and kept my hand still. My head was spinning and when I flickered my eyes opened. I could only see blurry visions and it took blinking multiple times to finally adjust to the Bright Light of the strange room I found myself in"Well you are awake" I heard a small female melodious voice and suddenly a nurse was standing before me. She was smiling at me which made me wonder. I was so lost to find myself in the white-painted room which smelled like medicine and a mixture of certain cleaning agents"W...what happened here?"I managed to voice out the words but hearing myself, I sounded so restrained as if I had lost my voice at some point"