Ella - POV Ella _ POV "Darcus, what on earth are you doing? Why did you kiss me?" I exclaimed in frustration. Mr. Miller and Hazel stood there, devoid of emotion, their stances rigid. Finally, I approached and slapped him across the face, only to gasp in agony as my palm struck his hard, unyielding face. "Are you all right, Ella?" Mr. Miller's voice held an undercurrent of concern as I cradled my injured hand. How could slapping a human cause such excruciating pain? Is he a human or a vampire? What am I even thinking right now? Mr. Miller walked over to me and examined the palm of my hand. He halted his steps as I instinctively moved back. "You forcibly kissed me, Mr. Miller, and now you're concerned about my well-being. I am an engaged woman. How could you do that?" I snarled through the agony. Seeing my struggle, Mr. Miller proceeded to the desk and retrieved a first aid kit, grabbing my right hand and forcing me to sit on the sofa against my will. "Please, do not touch me, Mr.
Ella - POV I approached Mr. Miller's cabin but paused upon hearing a woman's voice. I stayed back, avoiding being seen as I eavesdropped on their conversation. Standing in the shadows, I could hear a woman's voice screaming. The silence in the hallway made it easier to focus on their words. "Darcus, why are you keeping that woman close to you? I told you to sever all ties with her," said the woman's voice. "When it comes to that woman, I'm not interested in her. It's purely business. So don't interfere, Mom," Mr. Miller's voice was icy. "The stoic mask you wear can't hide your true feelings, and as your mother, I'm tired of you lying to me about it. Don't you still have emotions for her, despite all the effort I've put into erasing that bond?" Her voice turned furious. "It's time for you to leave, Mom. I have work to do," Mr. Miller's remarks conveyed an underlying resentment. "Fine, but don't think I'll let this issue go. Meet me at home, and we'll find a way to get rid of that
Ella - POV "I don't understand what's going on, Ella," asked my dad. I didn't respond to my dad's words because I wanted to chase Mr. Miller away. As I marched towards the door, I snatched my phone from Mr. Miller's grasp. Just as I was about to slam the door in his face, Mr. Miller stopped me and stormed inside. I gave Mr. Miller a disapproving frown, while Dad maintained a bewildered expression. Hana and Luke stopped squabbling and stared at me. Mr. Miller knew my father was completely unaware that his company employed me. "I apologize for barging in like this, but I need to clarify things, Mr. Hart. I believed, Ms. Hart, that you always spoke the truth, but I was mistaken." I felt the weight of my father's gaze upon me, and the guilt building up inside me surfaced. "Mr. Miller, are you getting involved in an issue that has nothing to do with you?" I inquired firmly. "Could you both please stop arguing and explain what is happening in this room?" Dad yelled sarcastically. "We ar
Ella - POV Tears fell as I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling and reflecting on the events of that fateful night. I still question why I met Darcus and agreed to be his girlfriend — a decision I regret to this day. My thoughts veered towards a vivid flashback, where everything played out. ****** Flashbacks: Darcus and Ella's College Love Story After my encounter with Darcus in the canteen, his presence became a constant in my life. Whether I passed a locker or went to class, he would flash a grin or give me a lingering look. I always averted my glance bashfully. Darcus was a magnet for female attention due to his handsome looks. Receiving his attention sent butterflies to my stomach and accelerated my pulse each time his eyes rested on me. His attention towards me didn't go unnoticed. Other girls on campus became hostile, a trend that continued for a few days. One day, while changing into my sports suit, a group of cheerleaders approached me with wicked grins. "What do you want,
Ella - POV Hana had prepared a lovely breakfast spread, but my attention was drawn towards my father's closed door. Sensing my concern, Hana spoke up. "Before I woke you, I spoke with your father. He said he wasn't hungry and wished to be left alone," Hana shared. Her words exacerbated my worry. I approached my father's door, knocked, and pleaded, "Dad, please let me talk to you; let me tell you everything." There was no response, and a wave of despair washed over me. I returned to the breakfast table, my appetite gone. "Thank you for the delightful breakfast, Hana," I forced a smile, noticing her meticulous attire. "Are you going back to work today?" "I can't sit idly wallowing in sorrow; it's better to distract myself with work," Hana responded, nibbling on breakfast. "Just be careful not to overdo it, Hana. You tend to overwork when you're stressed," I warned. Hana looked taken aback by my comment, but her phone rang before she could respond. She answered and held a one-sided c
Ella - POV "I trust you've coordinated everything for Avery's Farewell party?" Mr. Miller swiftly pivots from the personal to the professional, redirecting our conversation. "The arrangements are all set, Mr. Miller. I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for bringing Hana on board." I manage a reply as I near the door, my gaze meeting Mr. Miller's curt nod of acknowledgement before he immerses himself back in his work. "Ella, have you informed your fiancé about working with me? I've been wondering if that conversation has been had." The unexpected question makes me pause in my tracks. Narrowing my gaze, I stride back towards him, the heat of fury flushing my face. "Darcus, listen carefully. That is none of your business. You've already torn apart my relationship with my father. The day I agreed to be your girlfriend was a low point in my life. I wish I could turn back the clock to my college days and simply erase you from my past to save myself this heartache." The pe
Ella - POV "Hana, calm down. Even if I file a complaint, it may not work out. Darcus has a knack for turning situations to his advantage. I even tried to resign, but he managed to trap me with a three-year contract that stipulates a large sum as a penalty if I were to leave." I explained dejectedly, which made Hana's eyes widen in disbelief. "Ella, this isn't like you. You've always been a fighter. Are you giving up because you still have feelings for Darcus?" Hana challenged, hands on hips, her gaze filled with suspicion. Instead of answering, I held Hana's hand and walked her towards the office building. My silence was a confirmation, and I could tell Hana knew it too. With time running out, she didn't press further. Once we reached the office, we quickly got ready for the club meeting, slipping into our attire and applying makeup. I let down my mid-length brown hair, stepped into a black dress that clung to my curves, and stopped at my knees. As per Mr. Miller's instructions, Ha
Ella - POV Mr. Miller's hands grazed my knees, and I found myself ensnared in his intense hazel gaze. My heart raced within my chest as he drew closer, but thoughts of James flooded my mind, causing the charged atmosphere to dissipate. I pulled back, glaring at Mr. Miller. "I apologize for being late, Mr. Miller. Unfortunately, the manager fell ill, so I had to drop her off at home before attending the meeting," Hana interjected, diffusing the tension. I distanced myself from Mr. Miller, who had shifted into his professional demeanor. "It's alright, Ms. Lee. We're waiting for a client who is running behind schedule. Please take a seat," Mr. Miller replied, gesturing for Hana to join me. Soon after, the client arrived, striding in with a team of bodyguards. He exuded a charismatic aura, with piercing grey eyes and a chiseled jawline. As he ran a hand through his blonde hair, Hana seemed captivated by his appearance. "I'm Archer Taylor, CEO of Software Tech. My apologies for the del