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CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
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Falling Just as Hard CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
OLIVIAWe’re still holding hands when we step into the apartment and that’s the first thing Jake notices.His eyes move from me to Sharlene and back again then rest on our joined hands. His eyes twitch, that’s the only reaction from him.There are no signs of the girls from last night, he must have asked them to leave after Sharlene walked in. For that I was grateful, that way Sharlene would not be able to see the humiliation Jake is putting me through.With a final glance at Jake I let my hand slip from Sharlene’s and go to my room. They could stay there and do whatever it is that siblings do.As for me, I was going to treat this wedding like it was a real one because after everything that has happened, I had a feeling that I would never have the courage to get married again. Or at least for real.So I was going this one as much as I could and not even Jake was going to ruin it for me.Just before I shut my door I hear Jake and Sharlene talking, more like arguing because their voice
Falling Just as Hard CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
OLIVIAWe’re still holding hands when we step into the apartment and that’s the first thing Jake notices.His eyes move from me to Sharlene and back again then rest on our joined hands. His eyes twitch, that’s the only reaction from him.There are no signs of the girls from last night, he must have asked them to leave after Sharlene walked in. For that I was grateful, that way Sharlene would not be able to see the humiliation Jake is putting me through.With a final glance at Jake I let my hand slip from Sharlene’s and go to my room. They could stay there and do whatever it is that siblings do.As for me, I was going to treat this wedding like it was a real one because after everything that has happened, I had a feeling that I would never have the courage to get married again. Or at least for real.So I was going this one as much as I could and not even Jake was going to ruin it for me.Just before I shut my door I hear Jake and Sharlene talking, more like arguing because their voice
Falling Just as Hard CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
OLIVIAWe go to random stores after that. We buy jewelry and whatever it is that Sharlene deemed important for a wedding.She even gets us matching necklaces at some point with our initials at the back. I’m not sure how she convinced the jeweller to brand it on the spot but it worked.I would do whatever she asked if she threatened me the way she did the jeweller in her drunken state.Sharlene was right, alcohol brings out all the fun. I could get used to this.I wish Jess was with us, lord knows she could use some fun in her life especially with the entire marriage thing going on.I imagine the desperation she feels being tied down to someone forever. Mine was just going to last three months but it felt like an eternal cage. I had to go back and find a way to help her.“Hey! What are you thinking so much about?” Sharlene asks me as our cab pulls into the parking lot of a bustling bar.“My best friend, her parents are making her get married to someone she does not even know” I whine,
Falling Just as Hard CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
OLIVIAHangover is a bitch and I’m never drinking again.By the time I made it up the stairs last night and into my bed, I blacked out.I woke up in the middle of the night throwing up. Sweet Sharlene held my hair though and cleaned me up when I was done.When I woke up in the morning, I felt dead. My eyelids were heavy and they hurt a lot. The sun streaming into the room didn’t even help.Luckily there was aspirin and a bottle of water waiting by the side of my bed. I made a mental note to thank Sharlene later for it.I’m not sure what time she left but it must have been pretty early because I woke up to an empty bed.It’s just a day till the wedding and I’m growing nervous. Especially when Jake’s mum comes to the apartment and whisks me away.Apparently we’re going for spa treatment which she claimed was also good for bonding with her future daughter-in-law.I doubt she meant it. If anything I was at alert around her, in case she decides to get rid of me before the wedding.“Thank y
Falling Just as Hard CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
OLIVIAThe ride home in his car is silent, but not awkward. We’re both drowned in our thoughts, me especially because I don’t know what to expect from Jake.I don’t want to assume that the actions he had displayed back at the club was out of jealousy. I mean that is one emotion that I can never expect from him, not when he had several women lined up and waiting to take my position.“You didn’t have to carry me out like that, I’m not a child. You should have just called me out.”I didn’t expect a response so I’m baffled when he comes to an abrupt stop and turns to give me a stern look. “And would you have followed me? Willing?”I’m tongue-tied because I don’t have the answer to his question. Or maybe it’s because I was too ashamed of my answer, it would seem pathetic to say that I would drop everything I have and follow me if he ever asked.The light turns green and I’m spared from answering. Instead I put all of my focus on the window and stare at the night life that breezes past us.
Falling Just as Hard CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
OLIVIAI’ll dream about last night for the rest of my life. The passion, the love and the desires that laid tangles with us in the sheets.I’ve never been connected to another like I have with Jake and instead of the regret I thought with seep in, love blooms even more in my heart.This was a dream come true for me. To spend my life with someone that loved me, that was willing to go miles for me and what we shared.It’s hard to keep the smile from my face even in my dreams. My joy was immeasurable. I turn around and try to wriggle back into his arms only to find his side of the bed empty.After his profession we’d both ended up in his room, and he showed me the reason he was quite popular with the girls, while they were all hooked to him.It was a torture trying not to think of all the people he had been with in the past. My only consolation was that he ended up with me. I was the only that held him in the night, I was the one he choose.I let light slowly seep into my eyelids as I op
Falling Just as Hard CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
OLIVIAWe stand there, engaged in a staring contest. Of course I lose because in my defense his eyes aren’t really the type you’d like to look into for a long time. It feels like they’ll drag you into the plainness of them.“I’m out of here,” I mutter under my breath and try to push past him. He’s not even trying to be gentle at this point, he pushes my shoulders hard enough that I stumble and fall to the floor.It hurt, really bad. I hope I’ve not bruised my tail bone because it would be even more painful.With a muffled sob I stand up with much difficulty and hold on to the table so I don’t go falling down again.“Why won’t you let me leave? It’s clear that you don’t want mt here anymore,” I say, growing frustrated with every minute that passed us by.“I’ll let you leave on only one condition,” he starts with a raised brow. “You’ll ever contact Jake again.”“What sort of joke is that? What of the wedding? I think you’re missing a lot with what you’re asking me to do.”Kyle shakes hi
Falling Just as Hard CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
OLIVIAAll my life people have always said demeaning things to me because I had no family but never has anyone said it so plainly to my face. That I wasn’t worthy.The others at least had the decency to whisper it behind my back.I never asked for this kind of life. I didn’t choose to have no family, or anyone to call me home. All I ever wanted in life was the one thing that was denied right since I was a child.The ability to belong to a family, to experience the warmness of that bond. To feel the love of a father and to be held by a mother who cared for you but than herself.It had been though growing a thick skin and paying what others said no mind. No one wanted to be friends with me, like having no parents or siblings was my fault.Going from one orphanage to the other as a kid was enough to scar me a lifetime. To think that were people who judged me for something I had no control over.“So having a family or not is what determines your worth to other people?” I ask in a heated t
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Falling Just as Hard Chapter 80
It’s not the strong hospital smell that wakes me up or the warm hand on my cheek. But the twinge of pain that starts in my lower abdomen and spreads to my entire stomach. The first word I say is, “Jake,” followed by a sharp gasp. I hold the side of the bed tight and try to will the pain away. But the more I try to act like it’s not there, the more it eats me up from the inside out. Something warm touches my head at the same time I hear a faint voice ask, “Where are you hurt?” I’m in so much pain that I don’t jump with glee when Drew’s worried face comes into my line of sight. He’s alive but my brain is trying to process what’s wrong with me first. It’s a blood shattering battle. “The doctor-” I gasp, “Call the doctor. Oh my God Jake,” I clutch my stomach, bending over to try and ease the contraction that I’m feeling in there. My baby better be alright, he has to be. Drew removes the needles in his arm when he processes what is happening and leaves the room to get t
Falling Just as Hard Chapter 79
I’ve been paranoid since the meeting with Father, if Drew notices he doesn’t comment on it or ask any questions. . I sigh for the tenth time since we drove out of the house. I know Drew is being patient but with the way he’s tapping his fingers against the wheel I know he’s dying to ask me what happened during the meeting. It’s not like I’m hiding it from him, I’m just waiting till I’m sure what exactly is going on with Sherp till I tell him. There are so many questions that I’m afraid of what the answers will be. The first will be if Sherp has been working for Father the whole time he knew me, which from what Father said I think is the case. Still, he could’ve easily exposed my identity from the very beginning but he didn’t. I need to know what his game is in order to access this situation properly. I mean he gave me the very explosives I used to blow up the boat, why would he do that if he was working for Father? Most importantly, why is he helping Father look fo
Falling Just as Hard Chapter 78
Skipping dinner seemed like the best thing to do when we got home. After our make out in the office, I’ve not been able to look Drew in the eye.The smile on his face hasn’t left ever since and I’m worried he thinks we’re much more than a fake couple now.I can’t deny that what happened is the only sunshine I’ve had in my life since learning that I’ll be having Jake.It’s part of the reason I’m scared to think so much about it. I’m not ready to put a name or tag on how we both feel.My only mistake was skipping out on dinner and turning in early so I wouldn’t have to talk to him. Now I’m lying down wide awake because the hunger gnawing at me won’t let me sleep.I watch the rise and fall of Drew’s chest as he sleeps before slipping out of the bed. I’m careful not to wake him on my way out, carefully navigating through the dark room.When I make it to the stairs I almost leap in joy. Food at last. I take the stairs two at a time and run to the kitchen when I’m down.I cry out in relief
Falling Just as Hard Chapter 77
I don’t come downstairs until the doorbell rings. I’ve done a pretty good job of avoiding Jenny and now I was going to risk running into her. The entire house is quiet when I come down, she must be taking a nap. For some reason I tiptoe to the door and stifle a startle when I open the door to a rather grumpy looking Dr. Shelby. All since I’ve known him, he was always smiling, patient. There was this airiness that surrounded him, it always made you feel at ease with him. But all that is left now are deep frown lines on his face and I hate to be the reason for it. “How did you think drinking while being pregnant was a good idea?” he asks the moment he steps past the threshold. “Why keep a child you’re not going to take proper care of?” My breath seizes in my lung. With a slight tilt to my head I study his expression. His eyes are accusing as he glares at me. This right here is not Dr. Shelby. Someone has taken him and put in place this angry version that I’m not used to.
Falling Just as Hard Chapter 76
There’s a soft touch on my shoulder and I look up to see Drew’s worried eyes. He raises his brow asking if I’m okay and I nod. Daisy shakes in my arms, the sleeve of my gown stained with her tears. The meeting should go on but I also can’t leave her in this state when I’m the primary reason she has to go through this grief. “Let me take you home,” I whisper to her. The meeting can always wait, but for now I need to calm her down and make sure she’s okay so she doesn’t hurt herself. She nods into my shoulder. I turn to Drew, “Can you take over the meeting, I’ll take her home now,” I tell him. “Why? Everyone has agreed to you being the new chairman, so you have to finish up. And with Daisy we can’t risk them changing their mind” he whispers to me. I shake my head. “Her feelings right now are more important. You can explain the situation to them and have them vote now. They’ll understand why I have to leave right away,” I say. Daisy is already trembling from c
Falling Just as Hard Chapter 75
Never did I think I’d be back here, in this soulless city that has had nothing but pain to offer me. But here I am, sitting in Drew’s passenger seat with the window down. There’s a random song playing on the radio that fills the silence dwelling between us. I’m grateful for it because after the tense conversation we had, we both needed to process our thoughts. I have to think of myself as Cassie now, I need to slowly immerse myself into her persona. Above all, I have to become her for this irrational plan of mine to work. “Aren’t you cold, the window has been down for so long,” Drew says, his attention still on the road. “Oh, I didn’t realize,” I reply. My body chooses that exact moment to shiver. I don’t miss the smile on Drew’s lips. “What were you thinking so much about?” he asks. I twist slightly to him. “You said you want nothing to do with the company…” I start. His short laugh is nervous, “Yes?” “But I have no idea how to actually run the company
Falling Just as Hard Chapter 74
Everyday that I see the sun rise is torture to my soul. Every morning that I wake up without Don by my side, tears my heart into a million pieces. I don’t know where life ends and where death starts. They’ve both become the same to me. It has made me prisoner in this dark perilous place called my mind. I sit by the window every night and wait for a dawn that never breaks, but that even is too much to ask. This is my own hell. This is my own home. There’s nothing on the news about the explosion. If I hadn’t been there myself I wouldn’t even believe that it happened. No bodies have been found. That is both my hope and my nightmare. Two long months of emptiness and guilt, that is my punishment. What if he’s really gone? What if he didn’t survive? No one could be alive and stay hidden for that long. What if he’s out there looking for me? I deflate. The chances are unlikely, especially after the way we parted. I should have held onto him a little longer, laced his f
Falling Just as Hard Chapter 73
Something was wrong, even a blind man could see it from miles away. I listened through the entire meeting but barely heard a word. They talked mostly about shares and opening another branch in some city I didn’t catch the name. My eyes shifted to the jot pad Car had left on the table, his handwriting had to be the ugliest thing in the world as I scanned over what he had written. He was my assistant, but it felt like he was more, like I should care for him. The meeting was barely over when I stood up from the meeting and left. I went straight to the restroom, sure that a clue to whatever was wrong with him would be there. I went straight to the waste bin that was at the far end of the restroom. Lying at the bottom was a rumpled toilet paper that was stained with blood, and lots of it. There was a sudden panic as I closed the lid, there was something going on with him but what if it was something that wasn’t entirely my business. It was clear he was sick, but sick w
Falling Just as Hard Chapter 72
His lips. They tormented me more than my father. The things I had felt in those few seconds always rattled my heart and made butterflies flutter in my stomach. But then I always remembered, his panic-stricken face after and the fact that he hated me, just like they all did. “I’m sorry” I said as I detangled myself from him and stood straighter, adjusting my tie in the process. He said nothing. He didn’t even acknowledge the fall or the awkward moment his arms had been wrapped around me. Maybe he did this often, letting his male personal assistants fall into his arms. It hit me then! A scandal, Don involved with his male assistant, a gay relationship. It would ruin a respectable family like his. The doors dinged when we got to the ground floor. I walked after him making sure to put a decent space between us. I’ll rather fall on my butt than into his hands again. A black sleek limousine was already waiting when we got out of the building, the other staff glaring daggers a
