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
Ella - POV It was a long weekend and a day off from work. So, when I woke up, I immediately checked my phone for any messages from James. Unfortunately, I found a text stating that he had already left California. Hana sighed heavily at breakfast, and Dad chided me for my obsessive phone-checking. "Please, no sighing out loud," I mumbled between bites of scrambled eggs while intermittently checking my phone. "It seems you might be more preoccupied with your phone than being aware of the people around you," Dad observed. "Give her a break, Uncle. Ella's completely smitten by James, and she even forgot she was supposed to take me to my doctor's appointment today," Hana grumbled. Her comment jolted my memory about my previous night's commitment. "Hana, I remember that I promised to take you to your doctor's appointment," I retorted, though I could see from Hana's eye roll that she didn't believe me. "Sure, Ella," she said, sighing. "You don't have to accompany me, though. Luke has a
Ella - POV "This beautifully decorated dinner setting... I'm speechless," I expressed in surprise, while the wind and rooftop view amplified the atmosphere. James nestled his head on my neck, giving me a kiss. His warm breath against my skin was intoxicating, making me inhale deeply. "To compensate for all the time we were apart, I want to lavish you with affection," James whispered into my ear, causing goosebumps to prickle my skin. I knew I had to maintain some distance, or we'd end up tangled in bed for hours. As I gently eased his grip on my waist, I couldn't help but smile, trying not to let my guilt consume me. "James, I have a small gift for you. It's not expensive, but I hope you'll like it." "When you gift me something, Ella, don't compare its value with its price tag. For me, its worth is immeasurable," he replied, warming my heart. "You're such a hopeless romantic, James. You leave me speechless all the time," I remarked, causing him to smirk. I smiled back, reaching in
Darcus Miller - POV "Why did you involve James? You weren't supposed to interfere in Ella's personal matters. That was our agreement." My voice held a snarl that made Aisha sigh. Driving this woman back was infuriating. "Don't be such a complainer, Darcus. Your mother asked me to intervene to keep Ella at bay. You should be grateful; after all, we're set to marry." I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, trying to keep my temper in check. "You're not my concern, Aisha. You're not my mate. Remember your place before you find yourself begging for mercy." Aisha stiffened at my words, her gaze focused on the road ahead. "I... I sincerely apologize, Your Majesty. I shouldn't have said what I did." Aisha's voice was quiet, apprehensive of the danger I posed. "That's better, Aisha. This last warning." Aisha nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. She bit her lower lip and looked out the window as the car sped along. I didn't care for Aisha; my thoughts were filled with Ella. But why was m
James - POV Ella slept peacefully beside me, her calm presence soothing my restlessness. Each time I contemplated revealing my true identity as a warlock to her, my heart ached. Would she accept me, or would she recoil in rejection? I feared losing her because of my profound love for her. But there was no question - I could spend the rest of my life in this blissful state, holding Ella's delicate figure close, basking in our shared tranquility. An unexpected surge of energy roused me from my slumber. My watch showed 03:00 a.m. Carefully, I removed my arm under Ella, gently placing her hand on the sheets before rising from the bed. A feeling of being observed stirred within me. I dressed quickly, moving to the balcony to investigate. As a warlock, I could sense other energies rapidly. This one felt akin to a shapeshifter, specifically a dragon. What business could a dragon have with me? I knew that a horde of warlocks and witches sought me, coveting my magic and thirsting for my demi
Ella - POV My eyes fluttered open, noting how intensely the sun shone and it was clear I overslept. James was lying beside me, peaceful in slumber, a smile on his face. I wondered what dream elicited such a response and couldn't resist capturing the moment with a quick photograph on my phone. His attractiveness was undeniable. Slipping out of bed, I freshened up and donned a bright dress James had brought me as a gift. With James still, in the realm of dreams, I went down to the restaurant and ordered his favorite breakfast, planning a room-served brunch. An amused thought crossed my mind: how my father's craving for sweets was so relentless that he'd invent the silliest excuses to secure some, even resorting to sulking when I didn't oblige. I had to hide them from him as per the doctor's orders. Entering the restaurant, the staff greeted me. They knew well that I was a co-owner of the establishment. The Manager approached me with a smile. "Ms. Hart, can I assist you with anythin
Darcus - POV Ella's words were filled with hurt and pain, echoing deep within me. I questioned my own actions - why had I revealed the existence of another world to Ella, especially when she was unlikely to believe me? "What's wrong, cat? Got your tongue?" Ella pushed me away with a growl. I stepped back. "Forget what I said." Her anger was palpable, and I knew further conversation would be futile. Ella rolled her eyes and huffed at me. "What a waste of my weekend and energy," she muttered under her breath, her words easily heard due to my acute hearing. I exited the storage room without a backward glance, berating myself for naively attempting to speak to Ella. I should have approached James directly, warning him or urging him to end the engagement with Ella, my mate. "Darcus, why didn't you tell Ella that you want her back in your life after your apology instead of uttering meaningless words?" Dargo's sarcastic tone echoed in my head. I dismissed his comment, walking towards th
Ella - POV "What's wrong, babe? You seemed distant and anxious yesterday. Is it the pressure from your new job?" James's worry was apparent in his attempt to break the silence. "James, I've been meaning to tell you this for a while," I paused, and James took my hand to soothe me. When I looked up at him, I saw concern in his eyes. "I'm working with Darcus Miller, my ex-boyfriend. He's the CEO of the company." The slight tightening of James's grip on my wrist and the raw emotion in his eyes pounded my heart. I didn't want to stress you when you were on the verge of getting a promotion. "You're leaving that company tomorrow, Ella." James's stern tone made me shiver; I'd never heard him sound like this before. "I can't. Mr. Miller manipulated the contract against me," I spat out. James's eyes grew colder, and I was frightened to see such an expression on his face. "We'll take legal action against him, Ella. I can help you terminate the contract by paying off the amount due under its