Ella - POV In a whirl of emotions, I hailed a cab and hurried home. I didn't want to disturb Hana, who was clearly enjoying her time with Drake. A man she mentioned was keen on dating her. I opted to text her that I was unwell and had decided to leave the party early. Upon arrival, I noticed Dad's absence, indicating he was still at his friend's place. My heart pounded relentlessly as I retreated to the solitude of my room, surrendering to sobs as I agonized over the undeniable attraction I felt toward Darcus. The fact that I'd kissed him back suggested lingering feelings for him. But what about James? How would I explain this to him? The truth would undoubtedly shatter him, but I couldn't proceed with our engagement under such circumstances. James deserved a loving, loyal woman, not a cheat like me. Changing into my pajamas, I made a cup of chamomile tea to calm my frayed nerves, but peace eluded me. Restless, I paced my room, thoughts a whirlwind in my mind. I spotted a message fr
Ella - POV Waking up to the familiar sight of my bedroom ceiling, I found myself in my bed, a dull ache pulsating in my head. I had reached out to Darcus, planning to go to the hospital. So why was I here, not in a sterile hospital room? The unsettling discomfort of last night had felt like the brink of death, and desperate for clarity, I checked the time on my phone. It was just 7:00 a.m. Perplexed, I scrolled through my call logs, wondering if my interaction with Darcus had been a figment of my imagination. To my surprise, there were no calls to Darcus recorded. Perhaps everything that had transpired last night was just a sinister dream, an imagination fuelled by my unwell state. But it had felt so real. After freshening up with a quick shower, I joined my dad and Hana at the breakfast table, where a spread was already laid out. "Ella, how are you feeling today?" Hana inquired, reminding me of the text I'd sent her last night about my ill health. Dad's gaze echoed her concern, awa
Ella - POV "We need to drive to the airport. Our meeting in Minnesota awaits us, and we'll take the private jet," Darcus informed me. I remembered the scheduled trip to Minnesota, realizing we wouldn't return until late evening. As I had promised, this dashed my hopes of visiting Hana early in the evening. "I apologize, Mr. Miller. I had forgotten about our crucial meeting," I confessed. He simply nodded, opening the car door for me to slide in. "Why did you need to pick me up, Mr. Miller? You could've sent the driver instead." "The driver has the day off, and your apartment is on the way to the airport," Darcus answered, his tone as emotionless as always. I'd grown accustomed to this colder side of Darcus, so it didn't phase me. Still, when I looked into his eyes, something stirred in me. I abruptly halted that train of thought, haunted by the previous night's memories. "Did I call you last night? Saying I was feeling unwell?" I blurted out the question without much thought. Sinc
Darcus - POV "Ms. Hart, it seems you put much effort into this strategy." Archer smiled at her, and she smiled back. Ella's smile caught my attention, and a pang of jealousy surged through me. She rarely smiled at me, but here she was, smiling at Archer. "So, Mr. Taylor, what do you think? Should we proceed with this strategy or not?" My words directed their attention to Archer's secretary, who looked at me with evident desire. "Hmmm... I think I'd like to proceed with this strategy. Ms. Hart, could you resend the agreement? I'll consult with the team to explore options for increasing the profit margins. Brenton had a great idea," Archer replied, his gaze lingering on Ella with an amused expression. Ella nodded and averted her eyes, focusing on her work behind the laptop. "If we're done, we should take our leave." Ella looked up from her laptop and nodded in agreement. "Mr. Miller and Ms. Hart, why don't you join me in celebrating our company's 50th anniversary? It would be an off
Ella - POV "You're not well, Darcus. Let me call the doctor immediately," I insisted, concerned about his sudden illness. However, Darcus grabbed my hand tightly and sat on the bed, preventing me from leaving the room. The atmosphere in the room changed, and I felt a strange sensation taking hold of my body. I couldn't take my eyes off Darcus, who had unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his muscular chest. My heart raced as I looked up to meet his intense gaze. What was happening to me? Why was I feeling this overwhelming desire? "Darcus, I..." I started to speak, my voice trembling, but he interrupted me. "Ella, please don't look at me like that... If you don't want me to kiss you again, please step back," he struggled to get the words out, his voice filled with desire and restraint. I was torn between wanting him to kiss me and the confusion of the situation. My body was aching for his touch, and I couldn't deny my attraction towards him. Conflicting emotions swirled within me as I s
Ella - POV Darcus was writhing in pain, his condition worsening by the minute. Worried, I immediately called the doctors, who arrived promptly to assess his situation. However, despite their expertise, they couldn't pinpoint the cause of his suffering. They administered medication and an injection to alleviate his symptoms and advised me to take him to the hospital for further tests, suspecting an underlying issue. Sitting by Darcus's bedside, I watched him sleep peacefully in the dimly lit room. The weight of uncertainty pressed upon me as I contemplated the following action. Should I leave him alone and attend the party that awaited me, or should I stay by his side, offering comfort and support during this challenging time? It was still early in the afternoon, and a part of me yearned for a temporary escape from the worry that consumed me. With a sigh, I decided to seize a momentary respite from the situation. The tailoring team provided me with comfortable attire for the party, a
Ella - POV I dressed in a stunning red gown that shimmered like a gown from the Met Gala. Mr. Taylor's team insisted on doing my makeup and hairstyling, which I initially wanted to decline, finding it excessive. However, after two hours of preparation, I found myself exhausted yet ready for the event. As I stepped out of the room, my eyes fell upon Darcus, dressed impeccably in an expensive tuxedo. His black suit and perfectly styled black hair left me momentarily breathless. He glanced at me, and I instinctively looked away. When I dared to steal another glance, I saw him standing there, momentarily speechless, with a slight parting of his lips. A smile tugged at my own lips, witnessing his reaction. As I walked towards him, he swiftly regained his composure. "I despise gatherings," Darcus chuckled, teasing me as he took my hand. The weight of my gown required me to seek balance, and holding Darcus's hand provided the necessary support. "Why did you agree to come when I suggested
James - POV Darcus led us to a secluded room away from the bustling party. I saw Ella cast a perplexed glance at him. "What's on your mind, Darcus?" Ella asked as we stepped inside. "It's time we acknowledged what transpired between us. I accept that I'm at fault here, not Ella." Darcus confessed, his tone heavy. I turned to Ella, whose face had turned ashen at his words. I shot Darcus a stern look. "James," Darcus began, "I don't want Ella to shoulder the burden alone when I tell you the truth." "I share the blame, too," Ella admitted, her voice laden with sadness. "You don't need to intervene, Mr. Miller. I'm capable of speaking for myself." "I've had enough," I grumbled, "Ella, enlighten me." Ella's eyes welled up at my harsh tone. She clenched her fists, trying to muster courage. "Darcus and I kissed at Avery's farewell party, and not only then, but Darcus also kissed me in the office," Ella admitted, her voice barely a whisper. I was at a loss, my gaze shifting between Ella