In this emotional swirl, I turned my attention back to Ryder, who seemed to sense my unease. His eyes locked with mine, and I caught a glimpse of an enigmatic expression that flickered across his features. Was it love? I wondered, my heart fluttering with hope and uncertainty.Before I could find that answer, the officiant began the wedding rituals, and the bride and groom exchanged their vows. When the officiant announced them as husband and wife and permitted the groom to kiss the bride, the room erupted in applause and whistles. However, the kiss between Alex and his new wife seemed more formal than affectionate. It struck me as odd, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss with Alex's behavior.As we exited the wedding hall, I observed that Alex didn't even carry his wife, walking away as though he were desperate to leave. I felt sympathy for his wife, as she appeared to be a genuinely nice woman. I could only hope that they would resolve whatever issues lay betwe
*Bella*As Ryder's heartfelt confession hung in the air, my eyes widened, absorbing the weight of his words. My mind became a whirlwind of emotions, trying to decipher the true depth of his intentions. Did he view me as just a friend, or was there something more blossoming between us?"I feel a difference when we're together, and I believe you feel it too," Ryder asserted, leaving a pause in his speech, eagerly awaiting my response. My heart raced, and I found myself at a loss for words, the intensity of the moment rendering me speechless.As he continued, his voice softened, laced with sincerity, "Bella, we have undeniable chemistry... and it's led me to a point where I never thought I'd ask you to move in with me."I gasped, my heart skipping a beat, trying to swallow the lump that had formed in my throat. The gravity of his proposition sank in, and I struggled to process the depth of his feelings for me. "What are you saying, Ryder?" I managed to stammer, my voice betraying both su
Alex's POV The wedding ceremony seemed to drag on endlessly, each passing moment feeling like an eternity as I longed for the day to be over so that I could finally escape the suffocating atmosphere of the crowded hall. The officiant's voice was a monotonous drone, explaining the significance of the vows we were about to take, but it all fell on deaf ears. None of these vows held any true meaning for me; they were nothing more than empty words. The truth was, I had no genuine affection for the girl standing beside me. This marriage was merely a business transaction, a strategic move to secure my family's empire. I felt no love for her, and she probably felt the same way about me. My eyes rolled involuntarily, and I cast a quick glance towards the first row where my family and friends were seated. Logan gave me a mischievous wink. I followed his gaze and found Ryder appeared strangely captivated by Bella. Confusion and suspicion gnawed at me. What was going on? Had something happened
My father never missed an opportunity to remind me that he controlled every aspect of my life. I never wanted to go on a honeymoon with that woman in the first place, but now I had no choice. I had to sacrifice my business deal, and it infuriated me to live under his control like this.I finished off the whisky in my glass, downing the remaining liquid. The bitter taste mirrored my already sour mood. With a heavy sigh, I made my way towards my room, the weight of the day weighing me down.As I approached the door, a different fragrance reached my senses. It was unfamiliar, yet intriguing. Frowning, I swung the door open, and there she was - my wife, dressed in a scorching red silk mini-dress that clung to her every curve. The dress left little to the imagination, revealing her perfect body, demanding my attention.I watched as she nervously bit her pink lips, her fingers fidgeting with uncertainty. When she finally noticed me, her big round green eyes widened in surprise. It was at th
Mia's POV.As the class came to an end, I gathered my belongings and prepared to leave the classroom. Sheena and Joanna, my two lively friends, were beside me, already discussing their post-class plans."What's the plan, girls?" Joanna asked with an eager gleam in her eyes.Sheena, the bubbly one, chimed in, "Let's go watch a movie! It'll be so much fun!"However, I had other responsibilities weighing on my mind. "I'd love to, but I have to head back to the dorm to finish today's assignment," I informed them regretfully.Joanna's expression shifted to annoyance, and she tried to persuade me, "Come on, Mia. You can do your assignment later. We'll be back from the movie in a few hours. Don't ruin the fun, babe.""Guys, seriously, I'm not interested in..." My words trailed off as I caught sight of him standing in front of me, leaning against his car.I blinked a few times to clear my vision. Maybe I was daydreaming. But no, he was there, real and alive.He smiled as he looked in my direct
Alex's POV.As I rushed through the corridors of the dimly lit hideout, I could feel the tension building up within me. The arms deal was a critical operation for my mafia gang, and my presence was crucial. Every step I took was laden with urgency, my mind focused solely on the task at hand. My heart, however, was a different matter entirely.In the midst of all the chaos, my thoughts kept drifting to the private jet that my father had arranged for Sarah and me, whisking us away to Rome for our honeymoon. It was a plan I had begrudgingly accepted, initially uninterested in any romantic pursuits. But surprisingly, Sarah had managed to kindle a spark within me, and now, I found myself genuinely looking forward to this journey with her. She was a breath of fresh air, a presence that left me yearning for more.Finally returning home after concluding the deal, I was greeted by the sight of Sarah, already prepared and packed for our trip. My heart warmed at the thoughtfulness she displayed
Logan's POV."Can someone please tell me what's going on with the recruitment for my new secretary?" I demanded, my frustration evident in the firm tone of my voice.As the head of a formidable Mafia organization, I led a double life, skillfully balancing the intricate web of criminal operations with my legitimate business affairs. It was a delicate dance that required precision and efficiency, and my trusted partners, Alex and Ryder, were invaluable in helping me maintain order and stability in both worlds. However, the absence of my capable secretary, who was currently on maternity leave, was posing a significant challenge.The HR department, unfortunately, seemed to be dragging their feet in finding a suitable replacement. The role of my secretary was crucial, acting as the gatekeeper to my time and resources. With my jam-packed schedule and numerous responsibilities, I couldn't spare a moment to personally oversee the search for a competent candidate. My frustration was mounting a
Suddenly, my phone began to buzz. I saw that it was Alex calling, and instantly, my mood brightened. Only my friends could bring me joy in such a stressful situation.I answered the call, unable to contain my grin as I spoke, "Alex, how are you doing, man?""All good. I'm in Rome. I was thinking you and Ryder could join me here," he replied."Wait, are you in Rome for your honeymoon?" I asked, curiosity piqued."Uh... yeah," he hesitated, and I could envision him rubbing his neck."As far as I know, you didn't want to go on a honeymoon with your wife. What made you change your mind?" I inquired, adopting a mocking tone, well aware of who might have influenced his sudden change of heart."You know, Logan, how my father can be. He wouldn't spare me if I didn't obey him and come on this honeymoon," he claimed, but I sensed he was being dishonest."Alright, I'll believe you. So when will you be back?" I inquired, hearing a faint voice in the background calling out Alex's name. It sounded
Ryder's POV.The club was alive with energy as the weekend reached its peak. The neon lights danced across the crowded dance floor, casting a kaleidoscope of colors on the revelers. The pulsating music thumped in my chest, creating an electric atmosphere that fueled the excitement in the air. The air was thick with the scent of alcohol and sweat, mingling with the overpowering aroma of perfume and cologne.Sitting at a reserved booth in a dimly lit corner, I was joined by my close friend, Alex. He exuded impatience, his foot tapping restlessly against the floor as he scanned the entrance of the club. We were regulars at this place, but tonight, our excitement was tinged with a hint of unease. We were waiting for Logan, our once dependable comrade, who seemed to have changed since his marriage to Mia."Ryder, when is Logan coming?" Alex asked, his voice edged with irritation.I understood his frustration; Logan used to be the first one to arrive, always ready to embrace the nightlife.
Logan's POV.As I slowly opened my eyes, the harsh, sterile lights of the hospital room greeted me. Disoriented and weak, I blinked several times until the blurry figures around me came into focus. There was Mia, her eyes filled with worry and relief, and my family standing by her side, their faces etched with concern."Mia..." I whispered, my voice barely audible.Her eyes lit up with tears of joy as she took my hand in hers. "Thank goodness you're awake," she said, her voice trembling with emotion.My family wore expressions of both happiness and concern. My mother's eyes were red from crying, while my father's stern facade tried to hide his fear. It was then that I knew I had to be honest with them about how I felt."I can't go through with the marriage," I admitted, my voice stronger now. "I love Mia, and I can't marry someone else."My father's face turned stern, and he scolded me, "You're being impractical! You have responsibilities, and this is no time for childish whims!"Befo
Logan's POV.Amidst the busy preparations for my upcoming wedding, I couldn't shake off the lingering unease in my heart. Mia's sudden resignation from my company had left me bewildered and bruised my ego. I had made it clear to her that our relationship would remain strictly professional, yet she chose to leave."Why does it bother me so much?" I wondered aloud as I paced in my luxurious penthouse.Alex, who had been helping me with the wedding arrangements, noticed my distress."Hey, man, what's bothering you? You should be on cloud nine with your marriage just around the corner," Alex said, concern evident in his voice."I don't know, Alex. It's just that Mia's resignation hit me harder than I expected," I admitted with a sigh. "Even though I told myself I didn't care about her rejecting me, there's this nagging feeling inside me.""Why do you bother? It is not like you feel something for her, do you?" Alex inquired. "Remember, you have a stunning fiancée, a glamorous wedding ahead
Alex's POV.We all gathered at Ryder's wedding, witnessing the heartfelt exchange of vows between Ryder and Bella. Their hurried marriage brought back memories of my own wedding day, where I had first laid eyes on Sarah. But after she left, things took a painful turn. I tried countless times to meet her, to explain myself, but she refused to hear me out. Her parents, adamant in their disapproval, forbade me from entering their home. It was absurd - I was her husband, not some boyfriend they could simply cast aside. I pleaded with them, insisting that I had changed, that I wanted to be with her, but they turned a deaf ear.Unbeknownst to me, Ryder had invited Sarah to the wedding as well. My heart filled with both hope and trepidation, praying that she would show up so I could finally talk to her. And then, there she was, entering the venue in a stunning peach-colored gown. Something about her appearance was different, and it left me bewildered. Her face was radiant, and I couldn't hel
I gave myself a gentle slap on the head to snap back to reality as Ryder approached. My father released my hand as Ryder stepped forward, and he kindly helped me up onto the small platform where he stood. He leaned in to plant a sweet kiss on my cheek."You look absolutely stunning," he whispered in my ear, his eyes traversing down my form before locking onto mine once more, filled with adoration.The wedding officiant, a tall and amiable man, commenced the ceremony. As he gracefully greeted everyone and eloquently explained the significance of this union, I couldn't help but steal glances at Ryder, wanting to savor every detail of his appearance.He stood there, a picture of confidence and poise. His eyes gleamed with joy and adoration, reflecting the love that bound us together. Clad in an impeccably tailored black suit that hugged his form exquisitely, he looked every bit the dashing groom. His short, dark hair was slicked back to perfection, accentuating his handsome features. He
Bella's POV.The sound of my phone jolted me awake from my slumber, disturbing the peaceful moment I had been sharing with Ryder. Gently, I disentangled myself from his embrace, aware that I was still unclothed, and hurriedly pulled the sheet to cover myself before answering the call."Mum!" I greeted cheerfully, my heart still elated from Ryder's heartfelt confession of love."Bella, what is going on?" Her voice carried a tone of anger.Confused by her question, I asked, "What do you mean, mum?""You and Ryder are all over the news, and your father is furious," she complained.My mind raced, trying to comprehend the situation. "What? I don't understand, mum. What's happening?""Where are you right now, Bella?" Her concern was evident."I am... I am..." I hesitated, unable to come up with a lie."Are you with Ryder?" She guessed, and I fell silent, confirming her suspicion."Why did you do this, Bella?" Her disappointment in me was palpable.Suddenly, the phone was snatched from my ha
Ryder's POV.My futile attempts to incite jealousy in Bella by meeting other girls left me feeling disheartened. No matter who I interacted with, she remained composed and collected, as if her emotions were impervious to my antics. Undeterred, I had to switch to plan B.I smirked as I thought about it because it was foolproof, and Ryder never failed to get what he wanted."Bella, I have planned a vacation for us," I called her while she was in school.I smiled as I could imagine her eyes widened in surprise."What? No, Ryder, I can't go on vacation, and, most of all, I have some assignments to complete," she replied, her voice tinged with reluctance."Come on, Bella. Mum is persistent about my marriage, so it will be our last vacation together. I am sending my secretary. Give her your passport. We are going to Switzerland for a week. Just me and you. I want to spend some time with you alone," I insisted, hoping she would agree."Abroad trip? You will get clicked by the media, and I do
I could feel anger and frustration bubbling up inside me. "Do you really not care if my mother wants me to marry a girl of her choice? It doesn't bother you," I asked, my voice trembling with suppressed anger.Her response shocked me, as she remained calm and matter-of-fact. "Why should it bother me? We are not committed. We are not in a relationship. You should get married, and your family wants it too," she stated, causing my frustration to escalate.Feeling a mix of desperation and vulnerability, I couldn't hold back any longer. "Bella, I want to settle down with you," I confessed shamelessly, my heart laid bare before her. I knew she might not fully understand, given her age, but I had to take the chance. I was willing to set aside my pride and beg her to marry me.Her response was not what I had hoped for, and it hit me like a heavy blow. "Are you mad? Ryder, I am still in school. I want to complete my studies. I want to make my career first. I can't think about settling down in
Ryder's POV.At 9:00 a.m. on a lazy Sunday morning, my peaceful slumber was abruptly interrupted by the incessant ringing of my phone. I groggily reached for it, wondering who could possibly be disturbing me at this ungodly hour. To my delight, Bella stirred in my arms, her tiny meows adding a touch of charm to the waking chaos.I carefully placed Bella on the pillow, ensuring her continued comfort, before reluctantly sitting up to answer the call. The screen displayed my mother's face, which meant it was likely to be something important. I swiped the answer button and, slipping my feet into slippers, made my way to the balcony, hoping to maintain some tranquility around Bella's sleeping form."Hey mum! What's up? Why did you have to call so early on a Sunday morning?" I questioned, attempting to sound both concerned and slightly annoyed."Ryder, I've sent some pictures of the daughters from reputable families to your number. Take a look and choose one of them. I'll set up a date for