It has been universally acknowledged- not by Austen - that my sister's ex-boyfriend and I are supposed to hate eachother. There is no basis for this judgement. It is more of what is expected of us ever since my sister died in a car crash. It all happened in a sudden instant. One day she was alive and giving me girl talk and shit, the next day she was just gone.
But right now, if someone where to ask me who I hate the most, the answer won't be a particular Everest.
The tension in the hall was thick, My mom looks at me nervously as the sits with her legs crossed under her pencil skirt. My Dad maintains his stance as he cross his hand over his chest, trying hard to give me his strictest look. My hands are shaking as I the words I just heard kept echoeing in my ears.
"This is for the good, Harley" my Dad says
"Senator Campbell is a very decent human being and has taking a liking towards you"
"He's Fifty" I murmur my breath this time because shouting the previous times didn't make any difference to the conversation.
Dad's business was on the verge of collapsing and senator Campbell has offered to help him with his loans if he can have me in exchange. Any decent father would have rejected the over but not mine. Benson Powers is a misogynist. According to him, women are born to serve and must do what they are asked of.
I dig my nails into the sofa, gritting my teeth as the need to shout at my Dad, to tell him what a horrible father he is, passes through my mind. unlike me, dad doesn't look like my defiance has any effect on him. His shirt is still white and not tainted by his misdeeds. His face is strong at the age of fifty-three and the glow is still young, his black hair is combed backwards in a neat manner. He spends a lot grooming himself even more that mom does.
I look at mom, seated on the single seater beside me with her perfectly polished nails reflecting the light from our chandelier. She had her blonde hair straightened just this morning and it falls on her shoulders flawlessly. I can she that she's also startled by the news but she's a blind follower of whatever dad proclaims and she will never stand for me.
Fine! I'll stand up for myself.
"I'm not marrying him!" I get up from my seat and looked at my father unfazed. His eyes widened a little before they go back to their neutral look
"You have no choice. You're under my authority. My decision is the final one" Dad snarls, taking steps taking closer to me until we were standing chest to face. He wants to intimidate me with his words and height but I'm not going down without a fight.
I don't care if senator Campbell is fucking rich or not. I don't care if he holds immense respect in society or how powerful he is. This is my life and I value my independence. Senator Campbell might as well go suck his ass.
You treat me like shit!" I shout
"He's coming tonight, he will propose and you will say yes. I don't want to hear anything else" Dad's voice is determined and it irks me
I clench and unclench my fists, the heat in my body burning with rage. As I stare at dad, I see can see nothing I say will make him change his decision. He doesn't care if I'm happy or sad. He only cares about his business and pending loans which he took for himself at the prime of success. He is a man who is hellbent on doing what he wants to do and gets what he needs, whatever be the cost
"You suck!"
I turn around and run towards the staircase to go to my room. My wedges thump against the floor; they are deliberate and loud. It makes me feel childish that I want to remind my father that I'm bot happy with every step up.
I am not happy at all
When I reached my room, I shut the door with a slam and lock it before dragging my body to the floor. I put my knees to my chest and put my arms around them as I let the tears pout out of my eyes. I hate myself for being under the care of a man who doesn't care for me at all. Ever since my elder sister, Bella, died in an accident four years ago, Dad has been distant from me.
I understand his part of resentment. Bel died because of me. If I hadn't stayed late and gotten drunk at prom, she wouldn't have had to come and get me. mostly she wouldn't have let her boyfriend drive the car.
That night was the worst night of my life and I miss Bel. She was the best sister and she understood me. If she wasn't here, she would have done anything to stop Dad. She always had my back, no matter the cost. Dad thinks that his pampering was the reason I became rebellious. Little does he know that I'm just another copy of him and I loathe myself for that.
I forced myself to stop crying and rub my tears. If I don't do something about it then tonight is going to be the night of my doom. I have to make him stop. I'm not an item for sale. If he has trouble understanding that with words, then it'll be my actions.
There is only one person my Dad hates more than me and he is none other than my dearest foe, Xavier Everest. He is the enemy of our household and the reason for my Dad's lack of peace. The Everests and Powers has been at each others throat since Bel's death and there is nothing that can tame the loathing my Dad has for them, especially for my late sister's boyfriend.
Xavier is synonymous trouble for Dad. His entrepreneurship skills are the talk of every business magazine which my Dad reads and stresses himself about. At the age of twenty-six merely, he holds the position of the CEO of Everest Capitals and is worshipped throughout the industry. They are one of Dad's toughest competitors in the market.
Not only that, but a year back he was also mentioned among Forbes's most eligible bachelor and women throw themselves at his feet even though they know he's only going to use them for one night only. Being seen with Xavier is both a mark of prestige and scandal, and women love the prestige more.
Naive women
I spot my phone on my bed and an idea storms to my mind. I crawl over to my bed and picked it up. Sitting on the foot and leaning against the wall, I scroll through my contact list until I find him.
'FOE' - it reads as his contact name. I never asked for his number, he stole my phone and saved it himself at a party we both attended four years back. He wants to piss me off, inhaling in deep, I press 'dial'. It rings for a while before he picks it up just when I was about to end the call.
"Your place or mine?" His deep, husky voice greets my ear and I squeeze my thighs together
I once vowed to myself that I would never let Xavier have the same effect on me as he has on other girls and I mean to keep that. I am stronger than my hormones.
"Xavier?" I say, making it sound like I don't remember his voice and want to confirm that it was indeed him
"Hello, nemesis"
When Xavier storms into our hall, my Dad's phone drops from his hand at the sudden sight and he jumps up from his seat. Xavier's appearance is anything but expected or accepted for that matter.He is wearing a black suit today with a black shirt underneath. His shoes are fashionable and they shine as he walks with long strides. He doesn't look at Dad because his eyes are on our ceiling, taking in the expensive decorations which we can no longer afford to change. I have never been to Xavier's house but by the way he keeps getting richer every day, I am sure it will be a stunning place to live in.When his eyes move, they spot me on the first floor looking down upon him. His brown eyes scan my body like they always do, making me aware of why I avoid being alone with him in the first place.I don't want to repeat the mistake we made once.He looks ridiculously gorgeous. His black hair has a messy cut and his cheeks are adorned with light stubble. His jaw looks like it can be used as a sh
*Xavier's POVI first realized that I wanted Harley Powers in my bed ever since I almost stole a kiss on her eighteenth birthday. We almost made out under the stairs and it was a result of the heavy drinks I took with Bel.We never talked about it again. I am glad she never asked because I didn't have an answer for her.There was just the plain truth — I, Xavier Everest, was unable to control my hormones when I saw her in that sexy black dress. The dress was made for her with the satin material wrapped tightly around her curves, the neckline dangerously low and displaying the creamy white skin of her cleavage.We were just talking but in the blink of a second, I had my lips dangerously close to hers. I could have had her that night but Chris caught us just in time. I know it was wrong of me to have those kinds of thoughts when I was already dating her sister, but I just couldn't help it.Her miniskirt falls just over her thighs and the smooth skin underneath is making my fingers itch
*Harley's POVConditions?I didn't think about that. As much as I hate to admit it, there should have been no conditions if everything went as per my blackmailing plan. I should have been the one in control of this conversation, not him."What conditions?" I ask, pulling away from Xavier."Nothing much." He shrugs, taking a step forward and I take steps back immediately.He keeps walking towards me until I find my back hitting something behind, preventing any further movement. He stops, his hands bracing themselves on the dressing table behind me and I find myself trapped between his arms.It is unfair that he gets my body reacting wickedly every time he is close. I never thought I would have feelings for him but I did."What conditions, Xavier?" I repeat, snapping my mind away from those bad memories."This deal stays between us." A his dark eyes which doesn't go unnoticed by me. "We'll be lovers for others."I think about it-it doesn't sound like much. Lovers and Xavier never go in
*Xavier's POVBenson is the worst scum to exist on earth. His pretty face can't do justice to his black heart. As he sits across from me and Harley in the hall, his face has a blank expression. His eyes move between us as we sit there with fake smiles plastered on our faces. The level of discomfort I feel right now is unimaginable."You two are in love?" Benson asks, pointing a finger at the two of us and Claire nods. "Love?""Yes."The sweetness in Harley's voice is almost disturbing after the way she spoke with her Dad an hour ago. The girl could have been a great actress if she wasn't interested in the fashion industry."And you want to marry him?""Yes," Harley says, nodding again."But you hate him." Benson frowns."I never did." Harley looks at me and smiles innocently. "I've always loved him. I couldn't do anything about it since Bel and— ."Only I notice the disgusted look she throws at me after she spills out those words. It is like she just swallowed fat. I wonder if I shoul
*Harley' POV"Xavier Everest?!" Nina's jaw hangs open in the air, her coffee cup stopping midway to her lips."Xavier hot-as-fuck Everest?!" Jesse exclaims, her amber eyes shining bright.I nod, sipping my strawberry milkshake with a straw, as I look at my two best friends. We are currently on a break from classes and we decided to check out the new coffee shop that opened nearby. The place is comfy and the smell of coffee and cakes greeted us the moment we stepped inside through the glass doors. 'Hot Cup Brews' is already gaining popularity and I see a few of our classmates huddled around a little table at one corner.They are chattering at the top of their voices and picking attention quickly."Harley Powers!" Nina calls out loud, snapping her fingers in front of my face and making me turn my attention back to her.Her toffee-colored hair hangs loose, framing her round face as she curves her lips to a disappointed look. She recently went to Hawaii for a family trip and got a tan, re
*Xavier's POVThe sight before me gave me a headache the moment I saw it. I have zero tolerance for guys like Mason Holiday. His trapping Harley between his arms and manhandling her like that is an absolute no-go.No one touches my girl.I walk towards them, striding casually, while Harley looks at me with her mouth opened in surprise. Mason has her pressed against his car and has his head turned towards me, watching me with curious eyes."Mason Holiday," I say when I reach them and the kid flinches unnecessarily."I think you have something of mine. May I please have her back?"My politeness is sarcastic and Mason releases Harley, trailing his eyes over my body from head to toe. He is shorter than me but not that short as to not look me in the eyes."Are you marrying him?" Mason turns to ask Harley but she has already moved from her place and is standing behind me.Mason jerks his head towards her and I feel her hands grip my arm.Harley Powers isn't the kind of woman who hides behin
*Harley's POVI stare in wonder as Xavier drives the car through a huge, silver gate and heads straight towards a palace that I could have only hoped to see someday in my dreams. The garden we pass through seems like it spreads across miles and has a beautiful fountain in the middle, surrounded by statues.I have never been to Xavier's house before. His place was for Bel, not me. I had no reason to visit this place but I heard Bel talk about it although she was really bad at describing things in detail.The mansion is huge, with three stories of stunning architecture made of white marble. The glass windows are large with wooden crafting decorating them. I can't help but roam my eyes around every part of the building, not able to get enough.Xavier stops the car right in front of the entrance and I see servants rushing towards us. I stare at the tall and fit man who opens the door to my side. He is dressed in a black T-shirt, black cords, black shoes and even has black sunglasses on. H
*Xavier's POVMy hands hurt as I continue hitting the punching bag with full strength. I have been going at it for an hour without stopping and even though my muscles ache and my knuckles feel like they have reached their breaking point, I can't seem to get rid of what Mom did today.I didn't bring Harley here for Mom to go ahead and embarrass me in front of her. I brought her here so that Mom could see for herself that I was telling the truth. I can't unsee Mom's tears. The last time I saw her cry was when Dad died four years ago. Her spilling tears today enrages me. Harley did this to her."You're hurting, Xavier." Mom's voice behind me stops me for a moment but I dismiss her and continue.She shouldn't be here anyway. The top floor of the house is entirely my space — everything from the gym to the swimming pool on the rooftop are my additions — no one is allowed to disturb me here."You embarrassed me today," I spit out without looking at her when I don't hear her leave; my voice s
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