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Forty-Six
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2023-05-29 21:33:01Related chapters
Fallen Apart Forty-Seven
LENA'S POVMillions of butterflies erupted in my stomach as I stepped out of the house that afternoon to see Nixon waiting for me. He was dressed in simple jeans and a white shirt and he still managed to look devilishly handsome.I had to admit that I had a crush on him since the first day I met him at Styles Company. Everything about him screamed professional and intelligence which was my type of guy. I thought it was a tiny crush that would fade but my crush began to grow into something stronger when I got closer to him and got to experience the playful side of him.Months later, I realized that Nixon felt the same way toward me but I feign ignorance because I wasn't ready to put my job on the line by acting on my feelings for him. What I didn't expect was that Nixon would go out of his way to get the 'No dating ' rule in the company canceled just to be with him. That action of his made my heart surrender completely to him and I didn't make any attempt to control it.Every fiber of
Last Updated : 2023-05-30Fallen Apart Forty-Eight
ARIA'S POV"Is Dave going somewhere today?" I asked Lena as we stepped out of her car. "He texted me this morning not to bring him coffee.""Yeah, he has an interview concerning our new fashion line that we are launching soon," she replied. "Nixon also went with him." "Oh okay." I nodded as we made our way into the building.When we alighted from the elevator on the fifth floor, we saw all the designers exiting their offices and moving toward the conference room."What's going on?" I turned to Lena with a confused look."We are all expected to watch the president's interview, so each department gathered to watch it in their meeting room," she explained and I nodded. "See you there." She strode to her office.I walked toward my team's office as the others made their way out. "Meet us at the conference room," Summer said as she walked past me.Stepping inside the office, I went to my desk and placed my bag on my chair. I brought out my phone, typing a short text to Dave. 'Good luck o
Last Updated : 2023-05-31Fallen Apart Forty-Nine
NOTE: I will be changing POVs mid-chapter.ARIA'S POVTaking a deep breath, I pushed the door to my team's office open. I walked in with my head down as I could feel everyone's eyes on me. The moment I took my seat, Summer turned her chair to face me."Is it true?" she asked. I glanced to meet her curious eyes and I looked around to see everyone else giving me the same look. Realizing there was no point in lying since Dave already said it all, I nodded in response."So I was right all along," Michelle said, making everyone including me turn to her with a confused look. "Mr. Mendez's secretary is my neighbor, so he told me about how you used to bring him coffee every morning and go to his office during lunch break. We had an ounce that something was going on between you two and it was proven right today." She smiled. "Congratulations, by the way." "You're cool with it?" I asked because I was expecting a different reaction."Of course. I have no reason not to be, neither does anyone
Last Updated : 2023-06-01Fallen Apart Fifty
DAVE'S POVThe next day, Aria and I left work earlier than usual to visit my brother.Stopping the car in front of the cemetery, I tightened my hands on the steering wheel, taking a deep breath as I put my head down. "You don't have to go if you are not ready." Aria who was sitting on the passenger seat placed her hand on my shoulder."No." I raised my head to look at her. "I have to do it now." My brother's death broke me to the point that I went into denial. I got pissed off when I listened to people talk about his death because I wasn't ready to accept it. Due to that reason, I refused to visit his grave because it would mean I have accepted that he was gone forever and never coming back. After fighting it for years, there I was, struggling to see my brother and letting out all the pent-up anger and grief. If I waited until I was ready, I knew I would never go there because I would never be ready."Are you sure?" She gave me a worried look. "Yes." I forced a smile on my face. "
Last Updated : 2023-06-02Fallen Apart Fifty-One
LENA'S POVAria and Dave left work earlier, going to God knows where. Some other employees noticed it too and took it upon themselves to badmouth Aria. I didn't pay attention to it because I knew they were all jealous and only something to ease their jealousy.As I parked my car outside my apartment building, I climbed down to see Nixon's car stopping behind mine. With scrunched eyebrows, I watched him alight from the car. "What are you doing here?"He shoved his hand in his coat pocket as he approached me. "Since Aria is not here, I came to keep you company just like a responsible boyfriend would." He grinned"You are not my boyfriend." I raised my eyebrows at him."Yet." He turned away from me and walked towards my apartment, leaving me to stare at him in surprise. "Come and open the door," he called when he got to the entrance.I made my way to the door and opened it. He sat on the couch, resting his back on the arm and his long legs stretched on it. "What would you like?" I aske
Last Updated : 2023-06-03Fallen Apart Fifty-Two
ARIA'S POVONE MONTH LATERThe days ran by and before I could register it, my relationship with Dave was already a month old. During that time, I had to put up with my colleagues constantly gossiping about me whenever I passed by. I realized that I wasn't the only one frustrated by it when Michelle called some girl on it during one of our lunch breaks and bashed her for being jealous. My other teammates supported Michelle and the girl left the cafeteria in embarrassment.Ever since that time, the gossip about me died down, or maybe they were just careful not to talk when Lena, me, or anybody from Team 4 was around the premises.And also Lena and Nixon became an official couple after going on three dates. Nixon made sure to update his new relationship status on his social media page to announce it to everyone and urged Lena to do the same. I was in my office that morning when Lena summoned me and instructed me to deliver some documents to Dave's office. I didn't need anyone to tell m
Last Updated : 2023-06-05Fallen Apart Fifty-Three
XAVIER'S POVI was working on an architectural plan with a colleague at the office when my phone began to vibrate in my pocket. I groaned silently because I hated being disturbed at work. I knew it couldn't be anyone from my house calling since I've told them times without numbers never to call me at work."Excuse me," I said to my colleague as I made my way out of the office. Bringing out the phone from my pocket, my eyebrows furrowed together when I saw that it was my dad calling. Why would he of all people call me at this hour? Or did something happen back in the house? Is it Savannah?With my heart pounding in my chest, I answered the phone. "Dad, what's wrong?" "Nothing, son," his cheerful voice came through the phone, making my racing heart slow down. "I'm sorry for disturbing you at work but I need a favor from you.""What is it?" I rested my back on the wall, shoving my other hand in my pocket."Can you come home earlier today?" "Why?" I raised my eyebrows. "I'm taking you
Last Updated : 2023-06-07Fallen Apart Fifty-Four
ARIA'S POVMy face which has been drained of color with swollen bloodshot eyes stared back at me as I stood in front of the mirror still in the outfit I wore to work yesterday. After hearing the news, I cried to the point that my tears gland were tired of secreting more tears.Waking up this morning, I prayed that everything was just a nightmare but the broken screen on my phone was a reminder that it was all reality. It fell from my hand after my brother dropped that shocking news on me like an atomic bomb. I couldn't believe they were gone and never coming back. The door opened and I turned to see Lena stepping in. Her eyes widened at my appearance and I couldn't blame her for being shocked. I looked like a zombie."The guys would be here soon, you should get dressed," she said and I raised my eyebrows in confusion. Understanding my predicament, she explained, "I called Nixon and told him what happened, so he and Dave are on their way here to take us to Pittsburgh." I nodded and
Last Updated : 2023-06-08
Latest chapter
Fallen Apart Part 2: Chapter Twenty Five
I took her view and entered the room. The view that my eyes chanced upon, a woman sitting at the brink of the bed and burying her face in her hands, had revved up my heartbeat; she lifted her head and looked at me. There was surprise as well as confusion in Aria's gaze."Dave…what are you doing here?" she asked, tremulous her voice.I stepped closer to her, and my heart went out to her. "Aria, please, don't do that. We have to talk. You had to know how much I love you, and we have got to do this together. Please don't make this mistake. Don't decide without you talking to me," she said.She stared into mine, her own already welling with water. "I don't know if I can do this, Dave. I'm scared… so scared."."I know you are," I said, my voice cracking as the emotions spun their way inside of me. "But I'm scared too, Aria, scared to death of letting go of you and our child. We can face this together. I love you and will be with you no matter what. Please just allow us a chance."She tremb
Fallen Apart Part 2: Chapter Twenty Four
DAVE'S POVThe reports lay on the desk as my eyes looked at them without really seeing. It was two weeks ago—the night that had unleashed all my emotions with Aria. She hadn't been returning my calls or texts, and every time I tried to find her, the doors closed in front of me.It was as if that had been such a welcome distraction from the growing pit of dread deep in my stomach—one which it was easy to leave my focus on. Therefore, I just thought that probably Aria needed some space and time to think, and I gave it to her. But the days were beginning to slip into weeks; the chasm between us began to feel impossible to cross.I was just about to get into the other useless read-through of the reports when the shaking of my door broke with a knock. Before I could get a chance to answer, Nixon walked in, a sad look across his face."Dave, we have got to talk," he said, shutting the door.I rose to my feet; missed a beat in my heart. Nixon never did drama so whatever his news was, it had
Fallen Apart part 2: Chapter Twenty Three
Returning to Chicago was very much like stepping into the storm all over again. The city was the same—booming and ruthless; only I was different now. The sojourn at Pittsburgh had poured in a new perspective and a brief sabbatical from the storm that life was getting transformed into. Onwards, as I pushed open the doors and jumped into the office of the magazine, all my lugging from the past came back and sat on my shoulders again.I virtually wore the broadest smile ever as I greeted colleagues around, with their eyes to my back, and whispers trailing down the hall. News about Jax did travel fast, and however much I wanted to act like I did not hear the murmurs, they were impossible to ignore."'Did you see him? Jax is still in prison…Isn't she the one who used to go out with him?"Yeah, apparently she's trying to steer clear of any more drama. Who can blame her?"The two prattled on, voices droning in my ears as I looked down, burying myself in my work. I had the art of evasion of
Fallen Apart Part 2: Chapter Twenty Two
Xavier had spent most of the next fortnight within the confines of the house with his baby daughter, little Aurora; mankind could attribute getting associated with the atmosphere of normality amidst these crazed minds in and around people. They made one feel slightly better, anyways. The bright spot in my life was Aurora, Xavier's baby. Her laughter and innocence diverted my mind from that hurricane inside my guts.And Xavier, he never stopped showing up. Either waiting to hold me with all of my words, many, or sitting wordless with me when my words failed. He had wars of his own, his own aches: waiting for Savannah to return, raising Aurora on his own. But it never crossed him from how he was acted at that it was of much miracle to be noble, he quared each new day with that kind of fortitude. I saw and wished I could find it in myself.And suddenly it was one of those evenings where one sat in the porch with the sunset overhead, and this very question was coming alive inside me since
Fallen Apart Part 2: Chapter Twenty one
ARIA'S POVAnd there was the sun, first off, up close, shining warmly but in an absolutely singular, discreet design, wringing and bright out through the blinds and all over my bed. For one moment all was also right in my world; this was just some stupid nightmare. For a brief second, there was a sense that everything in the world was also just fine; it was all just some ridiculous nightmare. But as the fog of sleep thinned, I could see the face of reality coming creaking down upon me.There was the weight of a body beside me and the familiar scent of Dave's cologne in the air. Dread consumed me as my head turned to his, slowly, heart in the throat, lying beside me, still asleep. His face really looked peaceful, quite unlike the trouble that I knew was dwelling underneath.Panic surged through me at the full force of what I had done. As soon as I lay in Dave's bed, in full nudity and all the sheets, it all came back, the way that I kissed him. I had let myself fall into the biggest t
Fallen Apart Part 2: Chapter Twenty
DAVE'S POVDarkness had passed as I finally drove the old Civic through the winding city streets, my brain swirling with thoughts that snaked into a cocktail of feelings, triumph and unease. The news of Jax spread like a wildfire through the grapevine, and much as I loathed to admit, somewhere deep inside me, the thought of his downfall came with a bit of joy. That definitely had to be said: he had it coming. Not half of me, though—there was another that couldn't see past Aria's face in my head when she discovered all that she had been told. What would she do? Didn't she see this as a way to get rid of him and finally turn back to me? Or would she retreat into herself as she had retreated before, only this time even more broken?It was with all that running through my head that I pulled up outside Aria's apartment. I parked the car, opened the door, and let the cool night air do little to settle the restlessness in my chest. I came to her front door and knocked, waiting for her to an
Fallen Apart Part 2: Chapter Nineteen
ARIA'S POV Long before the fallout hit. My phone started going off and never stopped, vibrating out of its cradle the second the story broke. Friends, colleagues, reporters—everyone wanted a piece of the madness. I ignored them all as my heart raced, scrolling through the headlines; each one landed in my gut like a gut punch: “Jax Grayson's Secret Life Exposed!" “Exposé in the Fashion World: The Unimaginable Reality of a Fashion Giant!" "Jax Grayson Probed for Money Laundering!" I felt like throwing up. My stomach somersaulted with the words of the allegations. They had to be wrong. Simply wrong. Jax was one of the good guys, sweet …How in the world could he have held something like this secret from me? From everyone? My hands were shaking as I fumbled with that bar of digits to call Jax, hoping against all odds that there was some kind of explanation; a way that maybe this could all just be a horrible, horrible mistake. But when he picked up, his voice came flat, resigned.
Fallen Apart Part 2: Chapter Eighteen
DAVE'S POV I crossed through the doorway into my office, started pacing, and wondered how to deliver this piece of dynamite to Nixon. My office was quiet except for the humming of air conditioning. Inside my head was a no-man's-land. What I was doing, I felt, was walking a tightrope. One wrong step and everything could come crashing down. But at that moment, thinking of her in Jax's arms, of her being able to smile again the way she used to smile at me, made it resolute, and somehow, I knew I had to go through it. This morning, Nixon was extremely caught up. He had one meeting and call after another, so he was active. Still, I knew that at least I had to try and speak to him before going any further with the plan. He wasn't just a friend; he was my brother-in-law, partner in crime, the one man who could talk me out of any crazy idea I came up with. I inhaled slowly, then walked into his office. The door swung a bit wide, and behind the desk, I could see him buried in some paper
Fallen Apart Part 2: Chapter Seventeen
ARIA'S POVMy phone buzzed, it must have been for the hundredth time that morning. I didn't need to look, though all texts and notifications seemed to come down to the same thing. Well, the rumour mill hadn't stopped since Jax and I got together, but today… Today felt different. You could feel it in your bones, like a storm about to hit just out of sight."I rather reluctantly opened my phone again to scroll through the scores of messages, tweets, and posts flooding my feed. I looked up sheepishly to see what adorned every major gossip website: "New Power Couple: Aria Stephenson and Jax Grayson Romance Heat Up!" with pictures of him and me leaving that wedding together last night.". The photos had captured everything—how Jax used to hold me close and how I'd look at him.But the captions only distorted everything, making what was such close, personal time between the two of us into a public spectacle.The anxiety mixed with impatience surged, upped by apprehension in my chest. This
