*Xavier’s POVThe moment those dirty words leave her lips, we ditch the Russo brothers in their posh hotel and rush back home. I find my hands unable to leave Harley's body and we make out in the backseat for the entire ride. Harley laughs when I mutter silent curses to the driver to drive faster.By the time we reach home, my cock is straining against my pants. Thankfully, Mom and Rose aren't to be spotted when we enter the house, so I grab Harley's hand and we run up the stairs, hurrying to our room. Once in, I do not look back as I lock the door and face Harley. She is standing beside the bed, giving me a tiny smile as I walk toward her. Her off-shoulder dress presents a great view of her skin, along with the dip of the neckline towards her cleavage. My heart drums loud in my chest when I grab her by her waist, pulling her towards me, and her hands travel up to the collar of my shirt."Hey," she giggles."Hey, you." I tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear as I look at her face.
*Harley’s POVSleep hasn't been my friend for long, but I wake up with a smile for the first time in four years. A yawn leaves me the moment I open my eyes and am greeted with the sound of silence, followed by the sound of birds chirping perched on the garden trees.The heavy weight on my waist makes me look down to see a strong, muscular arm, endowed with light hair, wrapped around me securely, keeping me close to the warmth of the body behind my back.I remember last night. It has been embedded like permanent ink in my mind and I will never forget it. People say that we never forget the person we lose our virginity to and maybe that's right because Xavier has been in my mind for years now and last night only made him more everlasting."Good, morning, nemesis," Xavier groans, nuzzling his nose on my shoulder."Good morning." I avoid turning around, conscious of my morning breath, but I twine an arm around his neck while his hand reaches under the blanket.A husky moan leaves me when
*Harley’s POVHe looks familiar. A little too familiar.My eyes focus on the mirror to study Jake Gallagher's face as he drives the car. Xavier wanted to drop me off, but after hearing how much work he was loaded with, I asked him to send in a driver. He ended up sending his PA because he can't trust anyone else to drop me off safely.Sweet? Yes.Possessive? Hell ya!Annoying? Even more yes.As Jake maneuvers the car into a free parking slot on campus, I quickly grab my bag and am about to open the door when I see him undoing his seatbelt and getting down the car. He comes around and opens the door for me. I mouth him a'thank you' as I get down and he shuts the door.We stand there in silence. My legs are rooted to the spot, my eyes on him. He is tall with a good build but his face is completely shadowed by his thick brown bread. His hair is slicked back to a bun at the back of his head and his professional suit keeps him out of place among the students around us hanging about in thei
*Harley’s POVI flip around, my fingers clutching my phone tight as he stands before me. In the daylight, his appearance is more menacing and duplicitous with the strange mask on."No, no, no..."My foot falls on the pile of mud, twisting at the toes and gravity pulls me down to the ground, my one hand falling on the burner phone and Nina's voice stops when the thing crashes under my palm."C'mon, darling." The man takes steps towards me while I drag my body backward, the pain in my toes making it hard to make my legs work. "Stop playing around and get this over with."His voice. How can someone have such a harsh voice? It sounds like he has something in his mouth, making the sound unrecognizable. But there is a hint of something known. I must have heard him before. I know I have heard him before."What do you want from me?" I ask him. My hands hurt as my palms drag through the gravel, slicing a layer of skin. "I don't have anything. Please leave me alone.""Oh, honey, you do have som
*Xavier’s POVI'm at theWhat the fuck comes after that? She sent me half a text, knowing that it will make me ridiculously worried about her.The second I got it, my possessiveness took the best of me. I fucking called her and she didn't pick up. I called the driver myself who said that he was a little late to reach the college. I asked him which car did he take and he said he took Jake's because the latter had errands to run and was coming along with him.No wonder Harley couldn't find her ride.I haven't seen Jake after he dashed out to meet the Russo brothers to get their signatures on some important documents. He hasn't returned yet and the last time I checked, he said he was still with them.I tap my fingers on my elbows as I lean with my arms crossed, waiting for Harley by the car with the idiot driver. The students are dispersing and it is nearing sundown. All come and go but there is no sign of Harley."You are not suited for this job anymore, Rick. You're fired," I say to th
*Harley’s POVMemories are scary. They have the power to haunt you every time you close your eyes. I have my share of bad memories too.The recall starts in simple ways — like the moment in first grade when Kevin Lewinsky dropped noodles on my head, or the time in secondary school when Nina and Jesse got their first boyfriends while no one asked me out, or the time when I had to change myself completely in high school only to find out that I was a victim for stalkers to follow me home, or the day when I came home from prom with my Dad only to find out that my sister was gone forever.But worst of all, the memory of that day is the one that chills me to my bone. I close my eyes, I see the masked man. I open my eyes and find him still there. My skin crawls when I remember being pressed under him, the glint of the steel knife when it cut my face, leaving me with two viciously ugly lines on my cheek which the doctor said would take a lifetime to vanish for the cut was so deep. I remember
*Xavier’s POV"Right foot forward and block with your forearm," Rose instructs Harley as the latter lifts herself from the floor after being thrown back hard twice. She gathers her strength, positioning herself just like Rose.Rose chose to teach Harley the basics of preventing an attack today. So far, Harley has only learned to block a blow to her face. Not a surprise considering she got scared after seeing her face in the mirror this morning and spent an hour crying in the bathroom. I tried to tell her that it didn't matter because she looks gorgeous but she didn't listen to a word."I'm tired," Harley grunts when she misses stopping a punch on her arm.Rose narrows her eyes, glaring at Harley. My sister takes her job very seriously and looks clearly in no mood for excuses.Scary monster"You can never be tired when defending yourself, Harley. Now, fight back!"She holds Harley's arms, positioning them to reduce the gap between her hands so the enemy doesn't use the space between th
*Xaveir’s POVGlasses clink, a champagne fountain fills them, and people dance in their expensive dresses under the roof of the exquisite ballroom of the manor. We meet the guests who approach us and some we approach ourselves with glasses of red wine in our hands which neither of us cares to drink. Music plays loud yet the song is soft music. We admire the elegant decorations until our sights fall on the host of the party.Senator Julius Campbell"You're so dead, Everest," Harley mutters under her breath as she watches Senator Campbell approaching us with a grin on his face."I'm sorry, love, but I need you to be here," I whisper in her ear, my hand on her waist squeezing tight as we both force a smile at the Senator.It is his sixth engagement party. After Harley and I got married, he secured the warmth of a rich heiress who was more than excited to jump into his arms at the consideration of his background which would make her an important public figure. He sent me the invitation tw
The sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting a warm glow over the backyard where the Everest family had gathered for Ivy's sixth birthday. The air buzzed with the joyful chatter of friends and family who had been witness to Ivy's journey from a tiny, cooing infant to the lively, spirited child she had become.In the midst of the celebration, Ivy darted around the garden, her laughter echoing through the air. Her curly hair bounced with each step, and her eyes sparkled with the innocence of childhood. Every now and then, she would steal a glance at her parents, her source of love and security.Seated at a beautifully adorned table, Xaveir and Harley marveled at the scene. It seemed like just yesterday when they held their fragile newborn for the first time. Now, Ivy was a whirlwind of energy, a testament to the love that surrounded her.As the evening unfolded, friends and family shared anecdotes and memories, each contributing to the rich tapestry of Ivy's life. Aunt Rose, who had onc
*Xaveir’d POV "Ice chips?""No.""You sure?"The moment Harley glares at me, I bite my tongue and have to swallow a chip myself as I take a seat near her bed. My wife has her arms crossed over her chest, grimacing every other second when she gets a contraction. Her hospital gown is blue with tiny white dots as their only design and Harley’s belly is huge, my baby kicking her every time she tries to move a little."It's been nine hours!" Harley frowns, unfolding her arms and letting them drop to her sides. "Why is she not out yet?"I place the cup of ice chips on the table nearby and touch her hand, lifting it to my lips to kiss. "Don't worry, honey. Maybe the baby loves you a little too much.""Uhhhgg..." Harley grunts, jerking my hand away from hers and grabbing her stomach with both hands, her eyes squeezing shut as she takes deep breaths when another contraction hits. "I hate this, Xaveir. Please do this for me."I remain quiet, not able to think of anything to say to that. Gettin
*Harley’s POV Xaveir: You're late. I'm coming in. You aren't allowed to see the bride. Xaveir: Fuck those rules...I want to see you. No can do. Vaughn: Xaveir Fine. After the wedding, you're mine. Get that? I do Xaveir: Good. Now get your pretty ass out here. I'm waiting. Will do I smile at the phone screen like a giddy teenager getting a love text from her crush. Xaveir’s texts never fail to raise the butterflies in my stomach. Every word is like a little spin to my heart. I put the phone on the table near me and glance at my reflection in the floor-length mirror of the dressing room. This wedding gown is even more gorgeous than the last one. The material is soft and feels like butter under my fingertips. The neckline has a net pattern stitched like flowers and the gown hugs my figure, accentuating my curves. I chose it myself this time and this is the gown of my real wedding. My hair is in a half-up-do with pearl clips keeping it in place. The make-up artist did my face we
*Haley’s POV Xaveir's office desk has three framed photos. One is of him and Bel on their graduation day with their arms around each other as they smile at the camera, their graduation caps half-sliding from their heads. I remember that picture because I was the one holding the camera.The second one is of our family — me, him, Doris, and Rose. It was taken a month after he returned from the hospital. We wanted to have a moment to ourselves. In the picture, we are all dressed fashionably and sitting on the sofa in the hall, Doris in between me and Rose while Xaveir stands behind us as we all smile at the camera.The third one, and the one he keeps at the front, is of him and me. It's a selfie we took while getting ready for a party. He is holding me to his side, both of us smiling at the phone in his outstretched hand. We didn't think the picture would come out that good but it did and it's Xaveir’s favorite.I trace a finger over the wooden frame holding the picture, feeling overwhe
*Xaveir’s POVThe first thing I notice about Noah Striker when the cops drag him to the other side of the booth is that he has grown a beard. His orange jumpsuit is fitted closely to his body, he has lost weight, and his hair has grown but it is the beard that I notice because the beard makes him look like he had been when he wore the disguise of Jake.I see a little bit of Jake in his green eyes as he takes the seat opposite me and the cops let him go, taking two steps back and standing behind him with hands behind their backs. Noah stares at me with a look of astonishment, like he can't believe that I am here to meet him.It was a difficult task to get a visit with him. I wasn't on his contact list so I had to find my way through somewhat illegally. The officer-in-charge, Jeremy Donovan, has always been a little corrupt. He was much obliged to let me in with a few dollars under the table.Noah's eyes follow my hands as I pick up the headset kept to the side and get ready to talk. He
*Harley’s POVTwo months later:"I'm happy to volunteer as the Godmother for the prettiest baby in this world.""No way! Harley knows that only I can be that. Don't you, Harley?""That's so rude! You're already a Godmother to your niece. This one's for me.""That's unfair. My niece doesn't even live here."With my palms on my cheek, I look at my best friends as they throw each other relentless comebacks. They have been at it for the last 5 minutes and 20 seconds exactly, going back and forth over who gets to be the Godmother to my unborn baby. We are at Hot Cup Brews, sitting by the round table besid
*Xaveir’s POVMy senses are somehow heightened with the long moments of unconsciousness. When the feeling of being alive starts to come back, the first thing I hear is the sound of soft breathing near my head and the feel of fingers curling around my palm — fingers that are warm and smooth. Everything else is quiet.I try to force my eyes open but it takes a lot of effort. For a second, I start to think that I will never be able to open them again but that feeling washes off when I am greeted with the sight of a plain ceiling above my head. There is an oxygen mask above my nose and it troubles me when I attempt to look around through it. I check for my arms and find both of them safe at my sides. Then I see her.She is sleeping quietly, her head lying above my hand. Her hair c
*Harley’s POVMy stare is fixed blankly on the white hospital floor as I sit with my feet above the seat. The sleeves of my shirt are pulled to my hand, my fingers keeping their hold on them tight. The place is quiet except for the sobs of Doris who has a handkerchief pressed to her nose as she sniffs hard. The waiting room has several anxious faces staring at the double doors. Each time they open and a nurse or doctor steps out, the people flick their gaze at the door, thinking that they bring news of their own.Tears on my cheeks have dried up, leaving behind stains as I wait and wait.I have been sitting here for three hours while Xaveir's body is being cut and stitched back by the surgeons in the operating room. He had a pulmonary embolism and the doctors arranged an emergency operation, telling me that his chances of survival are fifty-fifty. The entire family is here, except for my Mom and little Bel. They are at home, waiting for any news.Doris and Rose are sitting on the benc
*Harley’s POV“….We were rushed to the hospital on time. After a few tests they found out the baby was still alive and they needed to perform a surgery to take out the baby. The hospital insisted I call a sister or the mother’s patient to claim the baby, I panicked and didn’t know what to do so I called my the only other person Bella trusted more than me, my ex-girlfriend to claim the baby and then called my dad to move Bel and I to a different hospital”"LIAR!"Mom is the first one to break the silence after Xaveir finishes his story. I am startled when she pushes me toward Dad before stalking Xaveir, her knuckles white as she digs her nails into her palms."Isabelle..." Xaveir