[ Madeline Parker ]
I’d always advise girls never to dream for a prince charming who’d swipe them off their feet. Dreams always ended up shattered leaving us hopeless and rejected.
I am tired of having being told what to do and how to live my life. I paid the price for following my heart rather than my brain.
“Come on, girl. You haven’t touched your drink. I didn’t bring you to sulk over that scoundrel.” Ava shouted near my ear as loud, pulsating music blared through the speakers.
I looked down, she was holding a tray of vodka shots. I was hesitated at first since I don’t drink much but I badly needed it to let go off my pain even if it’s temporary. I gulped them down my throat one by one while Ava hooted for me.
“Woah! That’s like my girl.” She shouted. She was a bit tipsy so I decided not to drink more as I’d have to drive us back to home.
“Are you looking at that guy? He looks hot and I think he is looking at me.” She pointed her finger on a man on the dance floor.
“Not again, Ava.” I rolled my eyes. She has never done serious relationships. I guess she is happy because at the end, she doesn’t get her heart broken.
“I have to test him. Enjoy your drink babe and find yourself a hook up. You need to lose it, bi*ch.” She winked at me and went to the man and soon they were grinding on each other at the dance floor while I ordered the bartender to give me a bottle of plain water. Wistfully, I looked at the bodies, scattered on the dance floor. I wish I could have moved on a bit early.
“A beautiful girl like you shouldn’t be sitting here alone. There are many lusting eyes darted on you.” I heard a deep masculine voice.
Despite the noise and loud cheers from the crowd, I somehow recognized him and craned my neck in his direction. Startled, I glanced up at the owner of such imposing voice. I was yet able to make out his features but in the dim neon lights, I met with stunning azure blue eyes staring at me with inquisitiveness.
“Miss Parker, I should introduce myself.” I heard him saying in a clear voice.
I scrunched my brows together to make out his facial features, I have heard this voice before.
“I am the CEO of your company, Noah Miller. I guess this name rings a bell now.” He introduced himself with a hint of amusement in his voice.
My eyes widened. I don’t visit my father’s company much. I only join my parents during parties and business events since I hardly get time from my busy life as a doctor.
“Oh, I am sorry, Mr. Miller. I didn’t recognize you since this place is dark.” I apologized.
“Allow me to buy you a drink, Miss Miller?” He asked me in the same smooth voice.
“Thanks for the offer but I have to drive myself and my friend back to home.” I politely refused his generous offer. As much as I was comforted by his harmless company, I didn’t want to end up regretting any impulsive move driven by my unstable emotions.
“Bloody Mary for the lady.” He said to the bartender while he sipped from his glass, perhaps a light drink. The bartender served my drink, I silently thanked Mr. Miller and sipped on the mild taste of my drink. My throat burned as the liquid glided down my throat numbing my pain. Ava was completely wasted, she was kissing the guy. I wanted to stop her but it’s her life and the man didn’t seem harmful.
“I am going out from here for a while. My friends are wasted. Would you join me? Trust me, I am not trying to hit on you. I am engaged and I love my girl so you can trust me.” He said gaining my attention back on me, an amused smile floated on his lips.
I put my empty glass on the counter and jumped down from the bar stool.
“I think I need some fresh air too.” I said. Talking to a stranger is much better and he seems a sincere man.
We walked out of the club. The temperature outside had fallen miserably. Luckily, I had brought my blazer with me. I quickly wore it.
“So, what brings Doctor Parker here? I don’t take you as someone who likes clubbing. Your father describes you as a nun, to be honest.” He said breaking the silence and the mention of my father reminded me of our bitter encounter a few hours ago.
“I am sorry if I said something offensive but he really praises you and looking forward to the day when you’ll step over his position. He wants retirement but only when you’re ready.” He continued.
“I am happy and contended with my job and I am not planning to get involved in the business.” I made it very clear so he can pass my message to my father.
“Hmm, it’s very rare to see how an only heir kicks a golden throne away. Not everyone has same courage and selflessness as you, Miss Parker. I am impressed.” He mused.
“Though I planned to join it in a couple of years but now, I have changed my mind.” I didn’t know why, but it blurted out of my mouth eventually catching his attention. We stood under a tree.
“May I know why if I am not invading your privacy, Miss Parker?” He furrowed his brows together.
“I have been living in a world of illusion and deception. I don’t know whom to trust anymore when the people I have loved the most, turned me down.” I said, my throat constricted as the effect of alcohol kicked in.
“I think we should go back.” he said and I nodded.
“I’d like to help you if you want me. I mean as a friend.” He offered and it caught my attention.
Why a stranger wants to help me?
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to be nosy in your matter.” He apologised.
“It’s okay. In fact, I do need your help.” I said. He stopped walking and scrunched his brows at me.
“Yes, Miss Parker?”
“Actually, I am ready to join the company now. Let’s fix the meeting with my father and the lawyers tomorrow. I have to show some people that I am not a mute doll. I am fed of being dictated by others’ wishes and fake promises. It’s my turn to strike back.” I said thinking about my next move.
“Alright, I won’t ask you whether it’s the alcohol in your body speaking or you really want to seek revenge on someone. I’d see what can I do for you.” He said with a firm nod.
“I think I should tell you why I am doing this.” I paused and smirked again. The innocent girl who was madly in love with Logan Wesley, now feels only hatred for him, “I want to show my asshole for a husband that he has committed a hazardous mistake by betraying my love and trust. Revenge tastes sweeter when it’s served cold. Logan Wesley will realise it tomorrow.”
[ Logan Wesley ]My office is on the 45th floor of the Wesley Groups, it has glass on front side from where I could see half of the city. I usually spend my time here watching people living their hectic lives when I am not doing some work but today is different. I am not enjoying anything, not even the neat scotch I tried to swallow.I didn’t imagine in my wildest dreams that Madeline would appear at my office at the worst timing. For six years, I have watched her from far, to ensure she is happy and moved on in her life. As we promised each other before parting our ways that we’ll advance in our careers and she achieved what she had always planned.I felt mixed emotions when we came face to face for the first time. She has grown into a beautiful young woman. She is the only friend I ever had, the only person who knew the real me, who stood by my side in my thick and thins as my true friend. I’d not lie, once I was attracted to her and when my grandpa expressed his wish that he wanted
[ Logan Wesley ] My father lowered his reading glasses and gave me a deadpanned look, “Calm down, Brandon. I told you to focus on your present and in extending our empire. There’s no need to dig in the past which doesn’t matter anymore.” He said.“She visited me today.” I told him.He looked at me with a bored expression, “I know, son. Your wife told us. You are a married man now, Logan. Whatever happened in the past, it was a horrendous mistake made by your late grandfather. Anyways, she’ll not bother you again. I have warned her father and he’d not dare to breach our deal.” He said with surety.“Dad, this is my life. How can you take decisions for me?” I scoffed, “She came to visit me when her patience broke, I kept lying to her all these years. You know how pathetic I feel? Her reaction didn’t give away any signs of her involvement in the deal you and her father made.” I said.“Does it really matter now?” He gave me a dead look which means he wants to end this discussion.“Yes, she
[ Madeline Parker ]I stared at the man who broke my heart, the pain flooding back at me with more force. Seeing him with my own eyes after receiving a cruel betrayal from him, ripped my fragile emotions in shreds. Everything kicked me back in the guts, the horrible scene when I saw him with another woman, the bitter revelation and his cold response.“Dr Parker, I am sorry that the hospital called you for an emergency. I was having cramps and got panicked.” Melissa, my patient’s voice broke the chain of my thoughts and I immediately tore my gaze from him to my patient. She was my priority in the moment. So, ignoring his existence like a plague, I rushed to her.“Please, lay down. I’ll check the position of the baby. It’s normal to have cramps at this stage but I want to be sure before I perform more tests. Don’t worry, just relax or it may get worse with increased levels of hormones flow in your body.” I eased her.“I think I am not ready yet to welcome this baby. My brother isn’t in t
[ Madeline Parker ]“You should have settled it with him when you met him in the hospital, Maddie.” Ava said taking a sip of her orange juice on my kitchen counter whereas I preferred a strong coffee to kill the headache due to lack of sleep.“I know, Ava but it’s not as easy as my growing hatred for him. He was there with my patient who is about to deliver her baby and I will be the one to perform her C-section. The thought of seeing him again makes me cringe from inside. I just want to strangle him.”“Calm down, girl. You have a kid in the same house so keep your voice down. He is a smart kid. You don’t want him to ask about his sperm doner, do you?” She raised her brow and I shook my head.“Not in this lifetime. Chris doesn’t need him or his family. I can raise him alone like I have been doing all these years.” I said firmly and placed the empty mug in the sink.“Anyways, what are your plans for your surprise that you have stored for both your dad and Logan Wesley?” She asked me.“
[ Madeline Parker ]“See, I told you, it’s not that difficult. You can observe the shocked faces because they hadn’t the slightest idea that Mr. Parker would retire from his position this soon and hand it over to his daughter who always laid low profile.” Noah Miller said to me as we raised our glasses for a toast after my father made the big announcement.My keen eyes scanned the clusters of ultra rich people, raising their glasses as a sign of acceptance. I am a part of their world now, a world full of deception, rivalry, ambition, greed and never ending race to crush others in the path of success.“Yes, but the road ahead from here isn’t easy either. The real challenge will begin from tomorrow.” I closed my eyes as the bitter liquid burnt my throat.“Don’t worry, you’ll learn with time, Miss Parker but now, let’s meet our guests, some of them may become our allies, we’d need them in future. As the CEO of the company, my presence by your side is obligatory.” He said and before I cou
[ Madeline Parker ]“Excuse me, Mister?” I fumed in anger. His statement was not only offending but a direct invasion of my personal life’s matters.“You heard me very well, Madeline. I do not need to repeat my words.” He said challenge my patience with his green eyes.I scoffed and pinched the bridge of my nose, “Saying the man who was fucking his mistress right in front of my eyes.” I taunted him and guilt flashed on his face.“We need to talk, Maddie.” He said in a slightly gentler tone.“It’s Miss Parker for you, Mr. Wesley and I don’t have anything to do with you. Now, excuse me.” I said and tried to walk past him but in the next second, I was pinned on the wall, his face just a few inches away from me, his intoxicating perfume filled my nostrils and his eyes bored into mine.I saw a mixture of emotions stirring in those green orbs.“Walk out of here and see what I am going to do, Madeline.” He said in a raspy voice, his hot breath which smelled of raw whiskey falling on my face.
[ Logan Wesley ]I pinched the bridge of my nose, so completely annoyed and exhausted. I received an invitation from the Skylark Group, initially I thought it was a conclave of businessmen across the country but opposite happened.Madeline was announced as the legal heir and director of the Skylark Group. The newspaper, which is laying on my lap, had covered the whole event and printed the news in bold headlines on the front page, it was mocking me. I am sure my parents’ mood would be rotten as vomit. They are habitual to see us on the centre stage of headlines and in success.Guess what? They have called me to meet them over lunch since I skipped the dinner and this time I ran out of excuses. I checked the time, it was almost one-thirty. They usually eat around two means I was late.“Sir, this is the report of the marketing team’s performance that you asked for.” My P.A.’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.“Keep it in the drawer and cancel all my meetings for today.” I ordered her
[ Madeline Parker ]A week passed, I haven’t heard from Logan or seen him. Honestly, I was glad, I don’t want him around me because my son is my first concern and my decision has certainly brought him in jeopardy. Sooner or later, Logan would come after me and there are high chances that he’d dig my secret out.“Mom, are you listening?” Chris’ voice and a gentle tug on my forearm snapped me out of my conflicting thoughts.His big green eyes were staring at me curiously.“No, baby, it just the workload. Come here, Mom wants to cuddle with you.” I opened my arms for him. He is the source of my happiness. He quickly crawled on my lap and buried his face on my chest, my hand automatically wrapped around his tiny body. He is the only good blessing I received from Logan.“You look sad for few days. You can tell me.” He said in a concerned voice. My heart swelled with pride. My five years old kid is very sensitive about my feelings.“No, baby, Mom is only tired due to my work. I am new to a
[ Madeline Parker ]The dull ache in my heart intensified when his wife’s gaze fell on me and the mockery in her sly smile was enough to make me realise that I showed my weakness in front of them. So, I hardened my exterior and walked past them, ignoring their presence as if they were invisible to my eyes. My breathing became laboured.Logan Wesley has the guts to show at my house and questioned me when he rubs his marital status on my face. I closed the restroom door shut and leaned on the counter. My reflection mocked back at me.“Calm down, Madeline. You can’t fall weak. He can’t break you like this.” I told myself. It is my mantra but it depends on me how I stick to my own decision.I took a few deep breaths and decided to go back. The meeting should be my main concern. But the door opened and there walked the beautiful woman who left permanent imprint on my mind.“Good evening, Miss Parker.” She used over sweet voice to greet me as she leaned on the next tap. Our eyes met through
[ Madeline Parker ]“What do you mean you are not going to sue those bastards?” My father looked at me like I have said something horrendous.“I have nothing to do with the Wesley family, Dad. I made it very clear that I won’t file for a divorce because the marriage isn’t registered which means it will only throw dirt on us. I only want to take what they have snatched from us.” I reminded my father about my decision but he didn’t seem to be pleased by my firmness.He slammed his palms on the desk, he does it to intimidate the other person but I wasn’t effected. In fact, I sat calmly. Logan’s words kept resonating in my mind. He knows about our son means he won’t sit quietly for a long time. I need to keep him out of the radar as long as I can and if I file for a divorce, it’ll only encourage them to dig dirt into my personal life and Chris won’t be a secret anymore.“Are you scared for Chris?” His question came out more like a statement.I looked up and found him staring at me intentl
[ Logan Wesley ]I flopped on the sofa, sighing in frustration. This is all getting complicated. Madeline is back into my life and I can’t stop myself from thinking about her. I am unable to get her out of my head since I just came across another shocking surprise of my life.I have a kid with Madeline!All the way back home, I couldn’t stop but feel angered on her. She hid my kid from me. She had no right to keep my son secret from me but I am the one at fault. I pushed her out of the picture intentionally.“Fuck! What am I going to do? She considers me as her enemy now.” I cursed inaudibly as I didn’t want my house staff or Kate to hear anything. The last thing I wish is for another chaotic drama with Kate who becomes loud and throws tantrums over small things.I checked the time, it was almost midnight. Hoping, Kate would be fast asleep, I decided to rest in the spare bedroom since I want to be alone to figure out my next step, it’s going to be like walking on egg shells for me. I
[ Madeline Parker ]I fell down on the sofa, still trying to process what just happened. Logan was here, he knows about Christopher and the determined look in his eyes, it was clear that he won’t be losing easily. I realised what it meant. He had met Christopher now.I don’t know what to do now. What should I do? Would he want to be a part of Christopher’s life? Well, he has equal rights on my son as his biological father if he drags it in the court but he is only my son. I have raised him alone. Would he try to take him away from me?I didn’t feel when my eyes became teary. I felt vulnerable. No matter what happens, I’d fight for my son till my last breath. Logan Wesley destroyed me but he can’t have Christopher.I also know that if he wants his custody, he can easily get it. He has more money and influence than me. I want to run with my son again to an unknown place far from here but I also know that it’s not possible. I didn’t promise my son a life more like a suffering prison. He
[ Logan Wesley ]My blood ran cold. I my eyes were glued on the little boy. It can’t be true. The boy looked like a xerox copy of me, his age also indicated at the only possibility that he could be mine. His big blue eyes blinked at me in confusion and again locked with Madeline who looked pale.My heartbeats raced, adrenaline rushed through my veins. If my calculations are right, he is my child. A baby I and Madeline created together in the only time we had sex during our wedding night.“Is he mine?” I managed to ask her but she stood like a statue, remained unmoved and silent.I felt somewhat frustrated and hurt. She had kept a child secret from me.“Madeline Parker, I am asking you again, is he my child?” I pointed my finger at the boy but I kept my voice down. As much as I was desperate to know about the paternity of the boy, I didn’t want to startle him. I need to clear a few things with his mother first.Madeline seemed to come out of her shock and she quickly rushed to him whil
[ Madeline Parker ]“I am sure that I certainly don’t look like some Miss Ava.”I blinked my eyes to believe whether I was hallucinating or Logan Parker was standing in front of me. I opened my mouth to say something but my unannounced guest welcomed himself inside my house without my permission.“Logan, what the hell are you doing here?” I whispered yelled, I wanted to scream my lungs out but I couldn’t afford to wake up my son. My heart began to thump loudly inside my chest.My worst fear was knocking at my door.His eyes which were scanning my living room, shifted back on me, his lips pursed into a thin line, “I should be asking you this question, Maddie. What the hell was Noah Miller doing here at such hour?” His eyes darkened and his fists clenched.“Excuse me? Who the hell are you to ask me this question?” My anger simmered.“Oh really? Are you asking me who I am to you? Don’t you remember your little show at my company? You and your father were the one to claim your rights as m
[ Madeline Parker ]A week passed, I haven’t heard from Logan or seen him. Honestly, I was glad, I don’t want him around me because my son is my first concern and my decision has certainly brought him in jeopardy. Sooner or later, Logan would come after me and there are high chances that he’d dig my secret out.“Mom, are you listening?” Chris’ voice and a gentle tug on my forearm snapped me out of my conflicting thoughts.His big green eyes were staring at me curiously.“No, baby, it just the workload. Come here, Mom wants to cuddle with you.” I opened my arms for him. He is the source of my happiness. He quickly crawled on my lap and buried his face on my chest, my hand automatically wrapped around his tiny body. He is the only good blessing I received from Logan.“You look sad for few days. You can tell me.” He said in a concerned voice. My heart swelled with pride. My five years old kid is very sensitive about my feelings.“No, baby, Mom is only tired due to my work. I am new to a
[ Logan Wesley ]I pinched the bridge of my nose, so completely annoyed and exhausted. I received an invitation from the Skylark Group, initially I thought it was a conclave of businessmen across the country but opposite happened.Madeline was announced as the legal heir and director of the Skylark Group. The newspaper, which is laying on my lap, had covered the whole event and printed the news in bold headlines on the front page, it was mocking me. I am sure my parents’ mood would be rotten as vomit. They are habitual to see us on the centre stage of headlines and in success.Guess what? They have called me to meet them over lunch since I skipped the dinner and this time I ran out of excuses. I checked the time, it was almost one-thirty. They usually eat around two means I was late.“Sir, this is the report of the marketing team’s performance that you asked for.” My P.A.’s voice pulled me out of my thoughts.“Keep it in the drawer and cancel all my meetings for today.” I ordered her
[ Madeline Parker ]“Excuse me, Mister?” I fumed in anger. His statement was not only offending but a direct invasion of my personal life’s matters.“You heard me very well, Madeline. I do not need to repeat my words.” He said challenge my patience with his green eyes.I scoffed and pinched the bridge of my nose, “Saying the man who was fucking his mistress right in front of my eyes.” I taunted him and guilt flashed on his face.“We need to talk, Maddie.” He said in a slightly gentler tone.“It’s Miss Parker for you, Mr. Wesley and I don’t have anything to do with you. Now, excuse me.” I said and tried to walk past him but in the next second, I was pinned on the wall, his face just a few inches away from me, his intoxicating perfume filled my nostrils and his eyes bored into mine.I saw a mixture of emotions stirring in those green orbs.“Walk out of here and see what I am going to do, Madeline.” He said in a raspy voice, his hot breath which smelled of raw whiskey falling on my face.