*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
*Haley’s POVThea Willows. Thea. Thea. TheaThe end of my pencil makes a clipping sound as I tap it on the desk agitatedly. The pop quiz in front of me is already filled up, with all the right answers marked among the multiple-choice questions. The quiz came as a necessary escape to me just at the right time because I haven't been able to stop thinking about the name on Xavier's phone screen last night.I have avoided talking to him since and pretended to be asleep when he came to our room from his study. It seems stupid to act this way. This Thea maybe anyone, yet, my heart doesn't want to believe that.It's her. It's definitely her.The piercing sound of our professor's timer causes the classroom to erupt in chaos as he collects the sheets. I hand it to him and rush out, a baseball cap shadowing my face to hide the marks on my face. I push past people until I collide with someone who holds my arm to steady my hurried steps."Hey, what's wrong?"I look up to find Nina's concerned eye
*Xavier’s POVThe bathroom door opens with a creak as I enter after knocking twice and getting no response. Harley is in the bathtub, covered in bubbles with her head tilted backward and her eyes closed. Her bare arms press on both sides of the tub, skin paler than usual.I stalk towards her, untying my tie and throwing it on the floor. When I reach her, she doesn't react to my presence and her ignorance disturbs me. I have been trying to talk to her since last night but she has avoided me. She didn't even pick up my calls today, leaving me worried until I tracked her number to her college. I rest my arms around the edge of the tub as I crouch beside her."Harley?"She opens her eyes and her sight turns to me. A slow tilt of her lips curves them into a smile."Hey, you..." she murmurs drowsily.That smile widens, turning to something sly, different from what I have usually seen her with. Before I can say anything, her wet arms wrap around my neck and she kisses me.Never have I been t
*Harley's POV I can't imagine living without you — bloody liar! The music blares through the speakers as The Devils sing their latest single. Rock' n roll is what they are generally known for, although tonight they have peeled off a layer or two with some pop. They are a group of four guys with their signature long hair and tattoos. The lead vocalist is a handsome man with a nice trimmed beard and an enchanting voice. The bar is packed with people, more entering by each minute. The scent of sweat and drinks mix in the air, making me scrunch my nose when people bump into me on their way to get a closer look at the band. The bar counter has men and women ordering drinks and some teenagers showing their fake IDs to get hooked up on alcohol. Their antics frustrate the bartender and he mutters curses under his breath, making me throw him a glance of sympathy. Rose swings her hips in the crowd. She is dressed in a midnight blue dress, her hair tied in a high bun on top of her head. The g
*Xaveir' POVMason Holiday is dead. I will skin him alive.I pace across the hall, tapping my phone in the palm of my hand as I wait for them to come home. Mom is sitting on the couch, pinching her forehead between her fingers. Just like me, she is worried ever since we got the call from Rose about what happened at the bar.Jake Gallagher is getting fired. I gave him one job and he left without informing me. If I had known that he was gone, I would have gone there myself. It's my fault I left my girls in the care of some idiot."This can't be happening, son...How did it..." Mom sighs, tears forming in her eyes. I ignore her, my mind occupied by the doors through which they are supposed to arrive.&n
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