VICTORIA'S POV... I walked inside our bedroom but Aless was not there. Frowning, I came downstairs in search of him, he wasn't there either. Didn't he just come out a few ago from the home office, where did he disappear all of a sudden? suddenly, I heard, "Young Mistress, are you searching for something?" Sophia asked from beside her. I nodded. "Yeah, did you see Aless? Wasn't he here just a few ago?" "Oh, young master has gone outside. He said he has some plans for tonight. He was in a happy mood. I thought you know?" She watched me with concern. And then only I realised that Aless might have gone to prepare the surprise he was talking about. I nodded my head. "Yeah, I know. I just didn't realise he would go for it now." Sophia smiled at me. "Please take rest, ma'am, and let me know if you need anything." "Sure, I will."Sophia walked away and get busy with her work and I was left alone. Sitting in the living room, I waited for my husband for some time. Yet, there was no tra
VICTORIA'S POV... I sat in my personal jewellery making room on the third floor of the mansion. Again, Laess has set it for me. I mostly don't have to go outside for anything and it's very much convenient for me. Keeping the design draft before me, I am giving 'Vast Eye' an existence. I kept the red and white theme for the stones. My design also supports peace and love with its beauty. For now, it's a pendant and later, I will make a set from it. It didn't take too long like the design draft but a day only. When you have a clear design in mind it's easier to give it a shape. After I was done, it was finally the fifteenth day. The last date of handing over the jewellery. Keeping it in the black velvet box with a logo of mine, I sent it to the Art gallery. Tomorrow evening is the exhibition and I am so excited! *********** Soon the day of the exhibition arrived. My date is my husband of course. We both wore black, matching each other's outfits, created by the famous Jackson D.
VICTORIA'S POV... As we were watching the people praising my work, we heard a throat clearing, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the modern jewellery exhibition of Adornet Art Gallery..." The host gained our attention. The host continued with a grin on his face. "This exhibition is held by the famous Perficient Global and designers from various backgrounds and cities, participated in the exhibition." "As you can see, the designs have been placed along with the drafts. And I must say, the designs and the designers are incredibly talented." "It's not it only. Some designs are already getting praise from our viewers and customers. Today, this jewellery will also be presented before the audience through our selected top-class models." I gasped a little silently. I didn't know about this ramp show though. Alessandro was surprised a little too. But, he seemed excited. I looked up at him and he smiled. "Your design will be more praised when a model will wear it!" I smiled and nodded
VICTORIA'S POV... I watched the woman beside me. She is wearing that flower pendant, standing beside me. My eyes roamed to the whole stage and as I guessed, Carol is standing beside that designer from Smith Industries. Things started coming into a line before me now. I turned my gaze to the audience and met my husband's gaze. Even from afar, I could feel his confusion. He is staring at me and the model beside me. Sage, who never had much expression on his face, was also surprised by the sudden situation. I smiled at him, remaining calm. Then my eyes searched for the two faces, I want. And there they are. Both Camilla and Jordan watching me with evil smirks plastered on their faces. From this distance even I could feel the disgust in their eyes and the victorious gleam. And guess what, I only smiled. You must be thinking, why am I not anxious and hyper? Well, I might be tense before participating in the exhibition. After all, my first time official competition as a jewellery des
VICTORIA'S POV... "What!?" "What is wrong with this woman!?" "Has she gone crazy!?" "She is the one who designed it and now faking it! Who allowed her in!" Lots of murmurs started around. "Miss Edwards, please come to the point. What are you trying to say?" The host asked. I only smiled. "I have said it already. This is not my design. My design has been replaced with this." The look on the host's face seemed like he was about to roll his eyes at me but stopped himself at the right moment, holding his professionalism. "Miss Edwards, there is no way, it can happen." He denied it straight away. I chuckled. "Well, it happened, sir." "Then where is your design?" He asked in a slightly mocking tone. Still holding his composer. I turned my head to my design and the two people standing there were tensed suddenly. I walked toward them and stood in front of Carla with a smile. "So, Miss Carla Davies, please allow me." Saying, I hold her hand and pulled her along with me. "Wh... wh
VICTORIA'S POV... I looked up at my fiancee. He smiled at me, his eyes filled with adoration and pride. He leaned forward a little and kissed my head. His head turned to the people, standing before us and his mood changed immediately from soft to cold. "I want justice for my wife. If you can't, then I will take my way to do it." His cold tone rolled out of his mouth and if I wasn't on his good side, I would have been shivered by the sight and threat of him. The CEO of Adornet tried to stay forward. "Sir, we understand what you are saying..." Aless raised his hand toward them. "The designer belongs to Smith Industries, and this matter is unknown to them, I don't believe it." His vrow raised dangerously. Well, Aless is a cunning man and he is definitely aware of the dirty politics these people could play. "Mr Devonte is right. The culprit should be punished. This is a huge scam!" One audience shouted from the side. "Yes, Miss Edwards should get her justice! What sort of competit
VICTORIA'S POV... All the heads turned in the direction of the voice, as I watched a guy around Alessandro's age walking inside in a black suit. His hair neatly combed and with a glass on his nose he walked inside, followed by two men and a woman in formal attires. All of them looked so neat and noble with so much power on. Some people gasped from the audience as I heard, "Oh, assistant Cameron!" Assistant Cameron? Who is he? I felt Aless lean a little toward me and whispered in my ear. "This is the special assistant of President Rossi. Assistant Cameron. He is known as President Rossis' right-hand man. No one has seen President Rossi before as Rossis are always low-key people. Only his assistant appears in public places but that too Cameras would turn off when he would walk in." Aless explained as I turned to look around. And my husband is right! All the Cameras just turned off! My eyes landed on the people that entered. Especially, on that guy. He is an assistant, but his p
VICTORIA'S POV... 'You are the adopted daughter of Edwards!' That one line of Smith kept roaming in my head, making my head spin and nauseous from the inside. Things started fading away from my sight as I was thrown to such a level of darkness of truth and lies. I stared at the man who is being like a mad bull, trying to release him from the grip of guards and shouting. But, nothing else is getting in my head. I saw Alessandro jump forward to Smith and he pinched his face before Sage pulled him away. I heard murmurs of the people and everything felt like ringing in my head as I was going far away from them. All tones turned heavier around me as I felt the land under me is moving and I was about to fall. I don't know what just happened and suddenly, I saw Alessandro's face zooming before my eye as a frown plastered on the forehead. 'Adopted... I... I am Adopted?' That one word is now roaming all around my head, that was forcing its way up to my eyes, pulling me to the darkness an
Hello dear readers, I know I am always late to update chapters here. I apologise for that. Lately some of you were very upset about me leaving this story unfinished. I never intended to abandon it completely. I was trying to work on it and struggling honestly. However, I will return with it as soon as I am stable enough to continue. And for my other story 'Down the memory lane: marry me again, dear wife' is completed. Please, do give it a try. Also, 'tempted by her forbidden Alpha' and 'disguised bride of the ruthless duke' they are also completed stories, please do give it a try. Thank you...
LILY... "He has been stabbed over 15 times. The killer might hate him so much. His neighbour felt something was wrong and went to check. Sigh... The poor woman must be in trauma after the scene." Max said. "Umm... Anything else?" I asked, Sitting in the opposite of his desk. "I mean, who could be the killer? Any hint?" Max shook his head. "Not yet." He looked around before lowering his tone, "And you must not be too curious about this matter. He was involved in the politician murder case and now this happened. It's dangerous, Lily." Closing my notebook, I chuckled. "Are you seeing me after danger the first time?" He sighed, narrowing his eyes, "Better my name is not connected to this case. Inspector Brian was my senior and this is morally a crime for me to share any inside news with you. But..." He let out a helpless huff. "What could I do? You're a friend I couldn't deny." "You're an amazing friend both personally and professionally." I stood up. "I'll leave now." "Hmm, don't
LILY... I yawned, stretching my hands and fluttered my eyes open. The narrow ray of light was entering through the little window of my room. I smiled. It's a good and very free morning of my life. I couldn't help the grin broke on my lips... So refreshing to think that I kicked out a huge toxicity of my life! Sooo Good! Fluttering my eyes again, I looked at the small window. But, why does it feel so close this morning? I mean, sleeping on the couch, this window is a bit away from me, isn't it? Or, was I wrong? As if to answer my question, something firm wrapped around my waist, making me confused as well as alert... "Good Morning..." A deep husky tone muttered beside my ear. Fuck! I immediately jumped out of bed only to fall on my butt "AaGh!" I cried out and looked at the intruder only to gasp in agony, "Leo!" His bluish-green gaze was on me, frowning. "What stunt are you playing this morning?" He asked in a groggy voice, turning me dumbfounded. "I am playing!?" I barked at h
LEO... I woke up in the late afternoon. Couldn't sleep the entire night thinking about the ridiculous shit I did in the club. I fucking kissed her! Her soft lips felt like cotton candy, and her soft berry scent was delicious... Since the day I met her, I wanted to kiss her and finally, I did, but... Now I want more even though it happened at a crucial moment, I couldn't stop thinking the feeling of her! That woman was insanely climbing all over my thoughts! After that kissing incident, I kept myself shut to not do something more crazy. Though I don't know how long I could maintain this peace. Every time I think of her, my imagination runs wild and the effect is clear under my trousers! Sigh... Sitting on the bed, I looked around. Lily was nowhere to be seen. Wait... Where is she? It's Sunday today and she's still out for work? Such a pathetic life of a reporter! That woman really does not care about her safety, does she? What if she faces sort of the same troubles? I'm not beside
LILY... Not even three days passed and on the fourth day, I was standing right in front of the hell. I swore to not appear here after that insult but here I am, again I am here because Mom called me this morning. At the age of Fifteen, I left this mansion. It's been over nine years since she called me. I know I shouldn't after that night but I couldn't deny her because of the promise I made to Theo. If it wasn't for Grandma, I wouldn't bother to show up here ever. Taking a deep breath I stepped inside. Surprisingly, no one stopped me and I went to the hall. Alyssa, Ruby and Dad were Sitting there. The environment was gloomy. Something definitely happened here. "You called me?" I directly asked Ruby. For some reason, my usual fear wasn't working anymore. Probably because Grandma's safety was managed. She looked up at me. Her cold eyes were sending chills at my way. Beside her, Alyssa was leaning on her shoulder with her bloodshot eyes. "How dare you get in here!?" She roared at m
LILY... Lord! I messed up! What to do now!? It's not my first time doing such a thing, yet I am frozen here. And before I realised, I was pulled back hastily as Leo covered the crack. "W-we need to leave," I muttered before opening the storeroom door to leave but paused at the sight of those men. Shit! They smelled us here! Immediately closing the door, I backed up. Hope they don't enter here. "What the fuck!? Are you always this clumsy!?" Leo hissed. "Who gave you the access to become a crime reporter!?" I was already annoyed and his taunts were worsening it. However, my annoyance died inside when footsteps neared the store room. Shadows of suspicious footsteps were just outside the door. I backed away, hitting my back at Leo's chest. I could feel his rigid figure. The knob of the door twisted and my heartbeat stopped for a moment. Suddenly, Leo grabbed me by the waist, pushing me on something hard and his lips followed mine next, stiffing me on the place. In the next second th
LILY... Sigh... I stood helplessly in the phone booth, begging that annoyed specimen to bring my phone. Could my day be any worse than this? "Please, Leo. I need my phone now." I pleaded again. "You're asking a sick man, who is almost bedded because of you, to bring your phone to you because You're careless? Hmm, interesting..." His reply came from the other side. "What if I decline?" "No, please! I beg you! I need my phone, Leo. It's important, please!" I said, defeated. No more stingy with my pleas. "Ah, I don't want to... But, I guess, I will consider you this time only..." He paused and I was eager, "Only what?" I urged impatiently. "Only if you make breakfast for me every morning and don't nag me sleeping on your bed." "....." I could definitely feel a smirk on his face even on the phone. This fucking arshole! "Leo, don't you think it's too much?" I gritted my teeth. "Is it?" He asked as if there was no one innocent than him! "Alright then, help yourself." "No, wait!" I
LILY... Rushing out for evidence at any hour was a part of my job. I accepted it as a part of my life because once I dreamt of becoming a crime reporter, I knew every day would be a new challenge for me. When Grandma used to live with me, she used to nag always for my safety and I used to kiss her cheeks and rush out with a smile. Since she was admitted to the hospital, no one did her part for me. Tonight was the same or it could be, if Leo didn't show concern for me before I left the house. Though I was indifferent at that moment my heart convulsed with a warm feeling I had never tasted for more than a year. He was a stranger who somewhat forced into my life. A bit annoying but harmless. As a woman, staying with him under the same roof didn't give me insecurity. Though I would never admit this in front of him, I could not deny the fact either. I don't know who he is, where he came from or what happened to him. But Leo is a gentleman. A woman's instinct could never fail when it's
LEO... Is it even a time to go out? Didn't she remember what happened this evening? Fuck! I scratched my neck, feeling disturbed. Kept watching time again and again. It's almost Midnight and that woman is out of home! Does she even care for her security for once? I am stressed! More because I am worried about her when I shouldn't be! I mean, she is practically a stranger, but still, I am drawn to her. What happened this evening was proof. I have no memory, no particular known situation nor I am aware of my skills. I should have stayed away from those men and the most I could do was run away with her when she proposed. But, I didn't. My blood boiled when I saw the fear and helplessness in her eyes. It felt like I could rip the world apart who dared to hurt her. Those hazel eyes were pleading for salvation. In that moment something stirred in me and I wanted to keep her safe. I don't know if those guys were her enemy or some random teasers. Whoever they were, they shouldn't cross m