Mia's POV.In the afternoon, I retreated to my room to prepare for the impending meeting with potential clients. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the possibility of expanding Logan's branches by establishing franchises for his new product. I took great care in dressing professionally for the occasion, opting for a black pencil skirt and a crisp white top.As the meeting commenced, the discussion revolved around business matters, and, being the secretary, I assumed a quiet and observant role. My duties extended to ensuring that refreshments were available, so I promptly ordered food and drinks for the attendees.As the waiter brought in the beverages, I took the initiative to serve them in the appropriate glasses. However, I couldn't shake the uncomfortable feeling of being under the clients' scrutiny. Their gazes felt insidious and suggestive, making me feel both weird and awkward.Nonetheless, I maintained my composure, wearing a professional facade despite the discomfort th
I was jolted from my thoughts by the resounding slap of Logan's fist hitting the table. Thankfully, it was a sturdy wooden table, not one made of fragile glass. My heart raced as I watched his anger flare up."Stop it, Richard," Logan growled, his voice seething with intensity. "And don't you dare approach her. She's an innocent and kind girl, and above all, she's my..." He paused, his voice trailing off momentarily. "...secretary. I've got her back. So don't you even think about laying a finger on her."Richard smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Why are you so mad? It's just business, Logan. We're not talking about the outside world here. This is how things work in our line of work. And you're acting as if you're oblivious to it all," he taunted, a mocking laugh escaping his lips. "Come on, Logan, I know you've always enjoyed fucking those girls."The truth hit me like a freight train, shattering the illusions I had foolishly built around Logan. I was a fool to believe that
Sarah's POV. I stirred in bed, slowly awakening from my slumber. I opened my eyes and let out a lazy yawn, stretching my arm above my head. Then, I felt a warm, strong hand wrapped around my waist, and it instantly brought a smile to my face. Turning my head to the left, I saw the very handsome Alex peacefully sleeping beside me, his slightly open mouth letting out soft snores that I found endearing. Carefully, I lifted his hand from my waist and gently placed it by his side as he rolled onto his back. For a moment, I hesitated, nervously biting my bottom lip, hoping not to disturb his sleep. Alex had arrived late last night, caught up in an important deal that had occupied him for the entire week. I placed a hand on my chest, slowly releasing the breath I had been unknowingly holding for a long moment. Sliding out of bed with grace, I tiptoed my way to the bathroom to freshen up. The sound of the running water from the shower awakened my senses, and after a refreshing bath, I emer
"Hey, hubby. Dinner's ready. When will you be home?" I pressed send and anxiously awaited his response.A few moments later, my phone buzzed, and I eagerly unlocked it to read Alex's reply. "Still stuck at the office. Give me an hour, and I'll be there. Sorry, love." I couldn't help but sigh, a mix of disappointment and understanding. It seemed like the demands of his work were never-ending.With a heavy heart, I placed the plates of steaming spaghetti in the microwave to keep them warm. The television became my temporary distraction as I aimlessly flicked through the channels, searching for something to capture my attention. But my mind remained fixated on Alex's delayed arrival.Exactly an hour later, the sound of the front door creaking open broke through the silence, causing me to leap to my feet. In a flurry of anticipation, I switched off the TV and hurried to the entryway, catching sight of Alex as he stepped through the doorway. His eyes sparkled with exhaustion, but his face
Alex's POV."What do you mean by 'I can't drink with my friends' and..." She paused, her voice dripping with defiance, "...and how can you control my life." Her fiery eyes pierced through me as she waved her two fingers, clearly agitated by my words. Her body tensed, ready for a fight.I let out a deep sigh, feeling the weight of the situation press against my temples. Rubbing my forehead, I struggled to find the right words."I want you to stay away from those perverted guys who seek a chance to get into every girl's panties." My plate lay forgotten as I stood up, crossing my arms firmly across my chest, a gesture of authority.Sarah scoffed, her voice laced with sarcasm. "Really, and you know this very well? Hmmm? Every man wants only this," she mimicked my stance, crossing her hands over her chest.Frustration seeped into my voice as I replied, "It's not about blaming each other. I know how far a drunk guy can go. So I am just worried about you." The thought of another man's hands
Annoyance mixed with sadness as I recalled how he had raised his voice, refusing to listen to my perspective. I clenched my fists, replaying the scene in my mind. He couldn't control every aspect of my life; he was my husband, not my owner.With a deep breath, I decided to get up and face the day. I walked to the bathroom, the cold tiles chilling my feet, and splashed water on my face, trying to wash away the lingering frustration. After getting ready, I made my way to the kitchen, a sense of determination settling in.I knew I needed to make amends, at least for my part in the argument. So, I started preparing breakfast for both of us. The aroma of coffee filled the air, mingling with the scent of freshly toasted bread. I arranged the plates with care, setting his breakfast aside while I quietly ate mine.The silence in the room felt heavy, and I couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt. But I knew I had to give Alex some space, and perhaps some time to cool off before we could talk t
"What are you doing here? And by the way, I can pay for my drink," I said, trying to avoid looking directly at him."I know, but this one's on me," Alex insisted with a smile. The bartender served my shots, and I downed one in one go."Woah! Easy there, baby girl," Alex chuckled at my lack of experience with strong liquor."As if you care," I retorted sarcastically."I do. Otherwise, I shouldn't be here," he replied with a serious tone, making me pause for a moment."Sarah, let's da-" Julia started to say as she tugged at my hand but stopped in the middle of her sentence when she saw Alex."Hi!" Julia exclaimed with a fan-girl smile, clearly excited to see him.Alex was polite enough to acknowledge her. "Hey! You must be Julia," he said, flashing his million-dollar smile.Julia started jumping up and down with excitement. "Oh my God! Oh my God! He knows my name," she said, shaking her hand in the air. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at her reaction.It was strange seeing Alex here. A
Alex's POV.I felt a surge of unease as I watched Salvator leer at my wife from across the room. His intentions were crystal clear, and I knew he wouldn't let this opportunity pass. Determined to protect Sarah, I casually draped an arm around her and suggested that it was time to head home. Little did we know that our departure would coincide with chaos erupting all around us.As we were about to leave, the unmistakable sound of gunfire shattered the air. Instinctively, I reached for my phone and quickly texted Logan and Ryder, urging them to join us immediately. However, there was no time to waste; I had to take charge until they arrived. My bodyguard and henchmen sprang into action, and we fought back against Salvator's well-armed men.Bullets whizzed past, and the air reeked of gunpowder as we engaged in a fierce battle. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears, but I couldn't let fear paralyze me. I had to protect Sarah and everyone else caught in this dangerous situation."Stay
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