(Karis's pov) Xander snapped once again. I had successfully pushed him to the brink but he had no right to be angry when he was with Emma yesterday. "Karis," Xander said, stretching out his hand for me. His voice was calm, but I could sense a brewing storm. I nervously swallowed, refusing to take his hand; who knows what the hell he planned on doing? Skyler held my hand and pulled me behind to cover me from Xander's piercing gaze, which didn't go well with Xander. His eyes got darker with the room suffocating. "Stop scaring her Xander. It's not like she hasn't told you about the divorce before." Skyler sneered. Benjamin was stunned and looked equally angry, but his anger was not focused towards Skyler. "I was not talking to you but My wife." Xander's voice was seething with anger, prominent in every word sounding like Venom. I peeked my head from behind Skyler to look at Xander's expression. The angrier he looked, the happier he made me. Skyler held my hand pro
(Karis's pov) I froze immediately Xander hugged me while he was on his knees. "Xander kneeling won't change a thing about how much you hurt me. Why did you cancel the charges on Emma? " I asked him. It hurts to know your husband was supporting someone that hurt you. Xander never stood up for me, it was Skyler who charged Emma to court in the first place. Xander didn't answer. He was kneeling down while he hugged me. It made me wonder if he was feeling guilty. "Tell me why you chose to help another woman instead of your wife. But it's fine I never expected much from you." I tried to pry away his hand from my waist but it only tightened. " If scandals about one of our investors were to surface to the public it would affect the shares negatively." Xander finally stated his reasons that were not justifiable. He was validating business over his wife. I was not move or let myself be swayed by his words. "I am done with your excuses. There is always one excuse after a
(Karis's pov) Xander didn't return home that night. I didn't bother to wait for him, but I was too worried to sleep. By the time I woke up in the morning, I got the message that he was travelling for a short business trip. He didn't bother informing me because he was probably still mad because of what I did, but he had no right to. For the next couple of days, I hardly left home except when I visited Bertha and my father-in-law in the hospital, and they were both recovering well. Skyler and I kept in touch the entire period to keep a record of our collaboration progress. Despite several days passing by, there was not a single word from Xander. I knew I should not be bothered but it made me worried. The only good thing that happened was that there was no sign of Emma anymore. "The moment I get home I am going to pop a bottle of wine." Bertha chimed excitedly. Today was the day she was finally cleared to be discharged. Although she would return for check-ups, it was cle
(Xander's pov) After the last argument I had with Karis, I could not bring myself to return home and face her. I knew what I did was wrong considering how Emma treated Karis. I wanted Emma to pay, but when the decision was between business and Karis, with Mum also on my neck, it was hard to decide. There was something about Karis that I really could not point my finger at that made me drawn to her. I didn't love her but I still could not let go of her. It was a crazy obsession that was eating me. Remembering how I got on my knees to beg her earlier was too absurd even for me to imagine it. After everything I doubt she trusted me. The club music was blaring loudly; after leaving the house, I went back to the office to drown myself in work until it was late at night. Luckily, the boys were hanging out in one of our spots tonight, so I decided to join in. They were having the time of their lives and flirting with some girls who threw themselves at us. Immediat
(Xander's pov) The busy party was winding down because it was already getting to the late hours of the night. Benjamin was trying to track Rico's car; I didn't have much hope of that though. By now they must have ditched the car or given Karis to another person. ‘ Why is it that whenever I take my eyes off my little red, she gets into trouble?’ I didn't bother going back to the party but just stayed in the security room relaying instructions to my men. I had already pulled off my jacket and tie, with my sleeves folded and my top buttons undone. Knowing the potential danger Karis was in made me restless. She could be getting raped now or being shipped to God knows where. The door was pushed open, and Ethan came in, but there was no Emma. My grey eyes stormed, and before I could question him on where I was Emma, he answered me. "Miss Reynolds mysteriously disappeared from the party." He informed me, and I slammed my hand on the table, making Ethan flinch back
(Karis's pov) There was this indescribable pain in my head. My eyes fluttered open but I found out my environs were dark. The ache in my skull would not stop. I tried to sit up but realized my entire body was limp with no sensation in my limbs, and I was lying on what seemed to be in a car booth. There was incoherent chatter from the back seat. It took a while before I got to remember everything that had happened to me. My heart started beating fast as panic watched over me. I was kidnapped. The body aches all over my body made it hard to concentrate on what they were saying but I could get snippets of the conversation. "Skyler has already been drugged so there is no way he will be able to hold himself back. This is what he gets for trying to send me to prison." I heard a voice very similar to Emma's. There was no way I could mistake her voice for another. "I didn't plan on taking drastic measures like this but Xander changed. If I am not careful he might e
(Karis's pov) Xander went stiff when my hot lips met with his. He was not expecting me to make such a move, and neither was I, but the heat I felt inside was driving me insane. The car was extremely hot despite the air conditioning. He protested, trying to fight my lips, but I didn't let him. I bit his lower lips until they bled to allow my hot tongue to explore his mouth. Just like more aphrodisiac was injected to me the heat increased tremendously as soon as I tasted his mouth. I moaned into his mouth, I didn't care if the driver was being affected or if he could see me through the rear mirror. He better not catch a glimpse because Xander was going to rip his eyes off. Xander exercised every power in him not to return the kiss; I didn't care, though all that mattered was drowning myself in the moment as I ravaged his lips like a starving beast. He forced our lips to part. "We can't be doing this Karis. You are not yourself." He said in between groans that rev
(Karis's pov) I continued torturing Xander the same way he has been torturing me. It was sweet torture and he was growing impatient. His member was too large for me to take in completely, and I was almost gagging my throat. I sucked, bit and twirled my tongue around like I was enjoying a lollipop making sure my actions were slow. Xander groaned and kept on cussing inaudibly for me to hear but it was working. I was driving him to the brink. I pulled away when I felt his member pulsate in my mouth and licked my lips grinning mischievous at me. "Bloody hell." I heard him curse under his breath, and then he grabbed my waist, straddling me around his waist. I had to bend my head for the car to accommodate us. Although it was a large Range Rover there was not much space for us. His hand pulled up my dress and yanked off my panties tearing it to shred. He didn't give me any warning probably lost in the moment and desperate for a release like me. Damn, my body was fuckin
(Xander's pov) I don't know why Vance and Val wanted to come out to play in the park when the temperature was freezing in December. Frost covered every branch, creating a dazzling white layer that sparkled in the fading afternoon light. The ground was frozen and crunchy underfoot, and the air was biting cold, nipping at my face. I sat on a chilly wooden bench, wrapping my scarf tighter around my neck as my breath from fogs in front of me. In the distance, Vance and Valeria played in the snow near the swings, their lively voices piercing and brightening the atmosphere. Vance excitedly called out to me, waving his arms to get my attention, his joyful sound warming the cold winter day. He had successfully built a snowman with Val and seemed to be having a lot of fun. It reminded me of when me and the boys did similar things during our childhood then Karis would want to join in to enjoy the fun. I wasn't particularly nice because I always stopped her from
(Xander's pov) Sky, that's what Ivan called him; it was amusing. There was a time when we were considered friends, Zed, Ivan, Kyle and Sky, but in the same way, I left my past as Zed, the same way Sky is dead to me. "When you call him that it reminds me of how much I hate that jerk?" I clicked my tongue and then moved to my desk, Ignoring them, but they were used to my attitude, especially this bunch that found pleasure in pissing me off. "You both know how to hold a grudge, so what's the plan, or are you so pathetic you have no way of explaining things to Karis? You were basically a living dead these past years with the only thing you did was aggressively doing business." Ivan sneered, taking a drag of his cigarette. He was awfully free for someone who ran a Mafia and had a wedding coming up. "You are very nosy, you focus on your life since you will soon be a married man. I am sure Bertha won't condone your habits, especially considering the fact she escaped death
(Xander's pov) When it comes to Karis, I always lose my reasoning. That's how I would describe it. It was foolish of me thinking that just by talking to her we would be able to resolve our differences and be a happy couple we were never in the past. That could never be the case; how was I going to explain that what happened between me and Emma was a mistake and I was drunk when Vance was in the picture? He was the proof that I was a cheating husband. One way or the other, Karis would come back, it isn't overconfident, but I know what I was capable of doing. She would have to fulfil her contract, and it just turns out that I was the only one with the stones unless she decides to choose for the black market, like how the scheming Skyler works. For obvious reasons, my dislike for Skyler grew by the day. I had to hold back myself from not breaking the arm he had on Karis's waist. She claimed that he was her fiance, but there was no ring on her finger. My little red
(Karis's pov) Xander must be delusion if he thinks I would ever go back to him. I rather die. Despite everything my mind was still thinking about what he said about Skyler. I knew Xander and Skyler had a history together, which I was curious about, but neither party was willing to share it. What was the main reason that made them enemies? From my guess, they were friends in the past because they seemed to have the same friend group. Something big must have happened and I had no fucking idea. ' Why am I even doubting Skyler?' the question popped into my head. Skyler had never done anything against me. He had been very supportive so far. "Was the negotiations a success?" Lavender asked me as we made our way out of the venue. I could still feel Xander's gaze on me. All he could ever do was look at my back because I was already beyond his reach. There was no going back from this point. "I rather not talk about it." I sighed feeling exhausted from talking to X
(Karis's pov) The Atmosphere was festive, with Christmas close by and there seemed to be a lot of blissful chatter in the room except my table. It was a face-down between me and my ex-husband, Xander De Marco, who was super delusional. Honestly, I had no idea why I was still here listening to Xander. He was driving me crazy. He was right, Xander loved making my life a living hell but not again will I let him have the last laugh. I wished he would just drop down dead and I could not control my emotions anymore. My eyes were glaring so hard at him they could almost pop out. "You are a narcissist and full of yourself. I am done with this conversation." I scoffed about leaving the table. It was better I leave here because I was certain Mr Santos was not coming back. "Letting your emotions control you isn't smart in the business world, dear wife. I thought Skyler thought you better, but then again, I am the best in the game, little Red." He placed his glass back on
(Karis's pov) My first instinct was to get the hell out of there; that would have been what Karis would have done in this scenario, but Karis is dead. Madam Esmeralda was not scared of an annoying ex-husband. "I thought as much." Xander chimed, still maintaining his annoying smile. I had a strong urge to smack it off his face. At times I wonder what goes on in that head of his. His smile made me sick to my stomach and, for a strange reason, reminded me of a lot of annoying memories I would rather forget. "I didn't know you know, each other. I hope you are not offended by Mr De Marco joining us. Since you requested further negotiations, I thought it fit he should be here since he is already my partner." Mr Santos explained. My smile stiffened, Xander had already finalized the deal. "We barely know each other Mr Santos," I said with a dry smile as I took my seat. Lavender excused us to go to an already booked nearby table. "Are you sure about that? To the best o
(Karis's pov) Today was a long day. I had several calls coming in, and a lot was generally happening, not to forget the fact I was all over the media. Honestly, everything was draining, and it was more than I had bargained for. "Maybe you should just take a break, and if you need my help, don't hesitate." I heard Skyler say over the phone. I just finished a quick Zoom meeting and was about to leave home for my lunch appointment with Mr Santos. Skyler called in to check up on me which was very thoughtful of him to do."I will take a break. There is no need to worry much, and if I need your help, I will contact you." I replied, knowing fully well I would only resort to asking for his help as a last card. I didn't want to depend on others to achieve my goals, and Skyler had already done more than enough for me, so asking him for more help didn't go well with me. "You promise to ask for my help." He mentioned that his Baritone voice sounded soothing to my ears.
(Karis's pov) The Reynolds family held 50 percent deciding power, meaning if all the other shareholders were against the idea, then the decision would be bounced off the table. "First of all, we have to make something clear here. Only shareholders can make a decision." I mentioned that plunged Emma and Dad into deeper confusion. I cleared my throat, and then my eyes darted among the shareholders. "Gentlemen, you can now leave. Thank you for your time," I mentioned. Then, to Emma's shock, almost every shareholder got on their feet and nodded at me before they left the room. "What's going on shareholders can't leave in the middle of a meeting?" Emma asked confused. There were just 4 people left in the room: Dad, Emma, me and Mr Floyd, who refused to sell his shares. "Isn't it crystal clear to you already?" I asked Emma, who was still confused, but I think Dad got the message because he released a frustrated sigh. "You bought off all their shares." Dad sighed
(Karis's pov) Miranda was seething in anger; if looks could kill, I would have been dead by now. "Karis, please let your mother sit down. She is rather old," Christian said with a very calm voice. I Arched my brow at him, then pouted my lips pretending like I was considering when my real intention was just to have fun with my family. "Since Miranda had to sit down due to her age, why didn't Emma give up her seat? After all, she is the youngest here and Miranda's daughter."I suggested which was very reasonable. But for some unknown reason, Emma didn't like the idea of giving up her seat for her mother. Her face twisted in ways I never knew it could with her eyes throwing daggers at me. Christian reached out to massage the space between his brows because this argument was not going anywhere. It's not my fault he has a problematic family and a daughter who cares less about her mother. "In my opinion, you shouldnbe the one to leave here; you have never been to a st