Zayden's POVI was buried in my work till 7 pm when I remembered I had the intention of paying Belle and her mother a visit today.I quickly round things off and pack the files I will be using at home in my briefcase. I stroll out before locking the door. I had dismissed Chloe since 6 pm.I take the elevator out to the parking lot and hop in before driving off. Different thoughts are running through my mind as I drive to the neighborhood. I am hoping to meet her mother at home since it's past 7 pm already, I am sure she must be back from wherever she is always going to.What should I say to her? How can I succeed in convincing Belle? Should I plead with her to agree to my terms? Should I try sweet-talking just like Richard has advised?I shake my head at the thought of begging her.I can't do that, I mutter."What do I do then?" I ask no one in particular.A few minutes later, I drive into the neighborhood and park aside before going out of the car, hoping the dog that kept barking a
Daisy-Belle's POVMom is ransacking my closet for a decent dress to wear before Zayden comes to pick me up to his mother's home. I am laying quietly on the bed watching her. She is excited and I am happy that she is happy about the turn of events. The only joy I am deriving from this is that my child will be born within the confines of her father and mother's marital home and I don't need to go long distances to search for her father whenever she requests to see him.I know my mother wants this too. She doesn't want my daughter or son to be like me. I am fatherless but I am not too bothered, probably because I had always thought my father was long dead. I know she is also excited about this because of how our lives will change for the better. We deserve it, don't we?I have always dreamed of growing up, going to school for mom, and landing myself a good job with good pay so I can put an end to mom's suffering. She is suffering for me but she doesn't show it. I guess doing this for h
Zayden's POVAfter waiting for a few minutes, Belle comes out. I saw Evelyn at first after knocking twice and she asked me to wait for a second so she could get her daughter.I admire Belle's dress. It fitted perfectly well and I can see signs of her protruding belly already. It isn't too glaring to the eyes unless you look carefully or you are a good observer.I am making a mental note to take her shopping next week. Evelyn made a statement a few minutes ago about spending hours looking for a perfect dress to wear. Her hair is packed in a ponytail and I find myself liking it better than letting her hair down just like she did the first time we met at the club. She looks good today.I move over to the door to open it for her like a perfect gentleman. I can't believe I am actually doing this but my subconscious is telling me this is what I need to do to get what I want. We say no words to each other as she spares me a glance before entering the car. I can't seem to figure out what sh
Zayden's POVI can remember my mother said father shouldn't know about Belle yet until our plan has been executed and that plan will be executed on the award night. Mother and I have a lot to talk about but we couldn't talk because of the presence of Belle.From what we discussed with mother the last time, I need to pretend like I want Tessa too but I know it is going to be hard doing that since I hate pretense. If I let my father think I am agreeing to his term, he will tell Tessa's father and they will help me. But if I don't, I won't get any help even though I wish I can get the help from somewhere else and not from my selfish, monstrous father.Now I remember my mother's bandaged arm as I stand with Belle by the doorway. I want to rush to him and punch the living hell out of my father but I know I can't. I need to control myself. I need to be calm so I won't ruin things way too fast. I seriously need to get my mother out of this hellhole."Zayden", he calls again as he approaches.
Belle's POVAFTER THREE WEEKSI used to think rich people have it all and the poor are the unfortunate ones meant to have one problem or the other that they are to solve every single day of their lives, most of which has to do with their finances. My thinking now has changed, ever since the day I visited Zayden's parents and I got to meet his mother and his father. Zayden is a billionaire but he has his unfair share of life challenges. Despite his wealth, his mother is crippled and bedridden and I can sense that all is not well in their home. I am quick-witted, it was easy to detect that Zayden is not on good terms with his father and his father is one of the reasons why he wants us to be married.They say the rich have it all but that is not true. I have lived all my life in a poor home with little or no food but I find happiness in being with the people I love. I feel rich people lack this. I also feel sympathy for Zayden and his mother. The woman is sweet and pretty. Even if I d
Zayden's POVI am confident and excited about tonight. I can't wait to see the glint of disappointment on my father's face, then on Julian and Tessa's face too. The thought of this alone gives me joy.I am not relying on Julian, I have sought Madeline and Alexander's help and they are willing to mention my name to their acquaintances who will have a say on who the winner will be. Madeline kept assuring me that I am a winner already until I told her about my fears and she mentioned something about making sure that the result will be transparent.I bless Damien in my heart for sending me the camera. For once in over 10 years, I feel something for Damien again, pity and affection. I missed those years we spent together hating each other.I have been avoiding Tessa for the past three weeks. She called me the night after meeting my father and I figured out that father must have called to inform her of the good news. She wanted to come to visit but I told her I was busy and I promised to
Belle's POVThe horn of his car is louder now. This is the second time he is honking, I know he doesn't want to come in.I am done with my make-up and dressing up for more than ten minutes now. But I have been staring at the mirror, doing nothing other than admiring myself and thinking about what the future holds for me.When Zayden honks his car again from outside, I know it is time to go before I get on his bad side on a special day like this. I stand up from the small stool facing my mirror and watch myself in the mirror for a while. My new hairstyle is Teased Chignon with tendrils and my red high-end flowing evening party dress is glowing. I am wearing black stiletto heels and black stone earrings. Mother had specifically picked this particular dress out of the five dresses I got for the party. I did my make-up myself and I am proud of the result.I take a deep breath and pick up my black shiny purse from the table before moving out of my bedroom. I am taking a step at a time, w
Tessa's POVZayden is not picking up his calls. I am going crazy with fear and anger. I am trying to calm myself down as I pace the floor of my room with the phone glued to my ears. I am already dressed and I can't think of one single reason why he hasn't come to pick me up. Why can't he send his driver if he is busy?He sent me the dress I am wearing and I can't even wait for him to see me in it. I have a new hairstyle and I have glamorous makeup on my face.I don't want to go alone because I want us to go to the party together. This is my plan and that of Trevor's. Besides, Zayden also said the same thing yesterday and this morning and now I can't think of anything."Goodness", I flop to the bed. "What the hell is happening?" A sudden feeling of uneasiness sweeps through me. Something isn't right, I say inwardly.Did something bad happen to Zayden? Why isn't he here yet? Should I just tell the driver to take me there while I wait for him in the car then we can go out together when
Belle's POV"Tessa Rodrigue has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the kidnap of the Billionaire's daughter, Lily Elizabeth Alvarez", the reporter states, and I heave a deep sigh. I feel a touch and I know instantly that it is Zayden."What are you thinking about?" He asks me after pecking my lips. He pulls me closer and puts off the television with the control. I am sitting in between his legs with his back on the headboard."Nothing", I whisper. I have just finished taking a bath and Zayden is also coming out of the bathroom. We have plans of going on a tour today. We are on a vacation to Paris and we are going to begin our tour today. We have been indoors for two days now, doing nothing other than playing games, cuddling in each other's arms, and having sex. Sex with Zayden is amazing and I love every moment of it. I love my life now and I am hoping it will last forever."Are you sure?" He bites my earlobe softly, with his hands on my chest. "Zayden?" I take his hands off an
Zayden's POVMy family is complete now and my joy knows no bounds. It is as if the kidnap never happened. Sometimes, I feel like spending the whole day watching Lily play, sleep or giggle, but I can't do that all day. I realize Lily only has my eyes but she has a striking resemblance with her mother.Belle and I had gone out this morning to visit Tony and I wanted Lily and her nanny to come with us but Belle protested. Tony was surprised to see us but he invited us in anyway. I have no idea why I followed Belle until I got there. Tony was truly hurt and I realized a man like that can do anything.I apologized to him for my behavior the other day and explained things to Tony. I didn't want him to see Belle as a bad woman so I told him I was the one who gave her the right to date other men while we were married. It was after she began to go out with him that it dawned on me that I might lose Belle to him and I didn't want it because I loved her and I had refused to admit it to myself
Tessa's POV"Where the hell have you been?" my father burst into my room, startling me. I am sitting on the stool writing something down in my diary. I quickly close it and stand to face him."I've been indoors", I tell him."You've been indoors? I came here this morning but you were nowhere to be found." I am silent. I don't know what other excuse to give. It is apparent he won't believe me, I have been caught red-handed.He strolls close to me and slaps my face. "You shameless girl!" my mother burst in immediately with a gasp. She must have been outside, scared of coming in to intervene but my father's slap prompted her to come in.My cheeks hurt and I close my eyes to shut the pain. "Who is responsible for the bastard you are carrying?" he thunders. My head is bent and I can't even look up at him in the face to see the disappointment. I have never felt this much regret before, no matter how bad my actions are but I regret this one. I regret wanting to become pregnant for Zayden,
Zayden's POV"I'm going with you, Zayden", Belle pulls my hand as Tristan and I get to the pavement. She kneels, begging me."No, Belle. You need to stay here and wait for us to be back", I peck her forehead."No, I want to go with you to see my baby", she begins to cry again and I sigh. "I don't want them to kill my baby.""Belle.........""I want to come with you so I can beg them to let my baby go. Please, Zayden", she sobs.I turn to face Tristan and he shakes his head."I promise we will be back soon", I kiss her lips and release her hand from mine before walking towards the car with Tristan, ignoring her cries. Natalie comes out immediately and helps her back inside with the help of Jodie."The presence of Tessa at your accident spot will ease everything, she is a suspect" Tristan informs me as we enter the car. Tristan is of the opinion that we take all the people I know can do such a thing as a suspect and not just one person. I feel Damien is capable and responsible and his
Zayden's POV"My baby!", Belle shouts as I enter the house. She runs out of the car before I can even park the car well in the driveway.I run after her and barge into the house. I just hope she won't hurt herself. I wonder where Tristan was when it happened.Who could it be? Is it Damien?I know Damien isn't the only enemy I have. He isn't the only person I am holding grudges against. Apart from Damien, Tessa is there also and my father. I remember Tony and I wonder if he is capable of doing this to get back at Belle for deceiving him.By the time I enter, Belle is already on the floor in the living room. We shouldn't have spent a week at my villa, we planned to spend just three days, if we had come back on time, maybe this wouldn't have happened."How did it happen, Natalie?" I ask her with my hands on my waist."I heard gunshots in the early hours of this morning and came out to check if all the doors are closed when I saw two men dragging Tania out with the baby. They had her mout
Tessa's POVI don't know how I got here and what happened. I groan and sit upright to find myself in a hospital bed. My mother is right beside me, dozing off. What the hell happened? I look around.Was I able to achieve my aim? The last thing I can remember is that I was on my way to Zayden's mansion. What happened afterward? Why am I here?My mother opens her eyes and smiles weakly before holding my hand."What happened? Why am I here?" I ask her? I can't be trapped here, I need to go and do what I intend to do before it's too late. I need to go there before Damien. "You lost consciousness all of a sudden", she informed me."Lost consciousness?" I furrow my brows. "How?" I only remember I was driving.She looks away with a sad expression and I become curious to know what is happening."What happened?""Tell me who is responsible", she uttered softly, holding my hand more firmly. "Your father is mad at you.""Responsible?" I ask, putting my feet down. I want to be out of here.She d
Zayden's POVThis is all my fault, I pushed her into the arms of another man. I rejected what she was offering me, her heart and she went in search of someone who would take it gladly. I didn't realize the kind of pure heart Belle has until now, I didn't realize the kind of woman she is until now.Despite her broken heart, she kept pushing to gain entrance into my heart but I kept shoving her back, making her feel rejected and unwanted. This is all my fault but I don't know if I can survive losing her. She is the reason I survived this accident in the first place. I remember the man that pushed me, he kept telling me to go back to Belle.I know I am a bad person, if only I am good, I would have told Belle to go back to Tony and accept his proposal so they can be happy together but I am not good. I am selfish and I want to be selfish till the end, I can't let her go.I pull her to me in an embrace. "It's ok. Everything is ok and fine.""He broke up with me already, we are done", she s
Belle's POV"Home sweet home", I heave a sigh of relief as I help Zayden out of the car. The front door bursts open, Tania, Natalie, and the rest of the maids come out to welcome him. They bring out his belongings from the trunk of the car as we enter.Pamela, Richard, my mother, and Zayden's mother were at the hospital before he was discharged this afternoon. Zayden wouldn't allow his father in and the man left dejectedly. I pitied him.We began to pack after he left so we could leave the hospital. By the time we were done, it was already 7 pm. Zayden's mother gave me a sweet hug and my face broke into a smile."Thank you", she whispered into my ears. That gesture alone lifted the veil of guilt I have been wearing ever since the night of the accident and I began to feel proud of myself. I don't need anyone to tell me about Zayden anymore, I believe I know him enough now and whatever is left, I am going to figure it out on my own.We have been acting like normal couples. He said he r
Zayden's POV"Go back!" The voice thunders at me for the umpteenth time but I am adamant. I want to follow him to find my way back home. Why is he sending me away?He turns abruptly to see me following him. His white face suddenly becomes red and I know he is angry.I am doom."I said go back!" He shouts again.I shiver and look back. The place looks empty, there is nothing for me there but ahead of us are grasses full of life."No!" I say stubbornly, despite my apprehensions.He scowls at me, with his chest heaving up and down. He takes a step back and charges at me. "I said go back!" He screams pushing me down the hill with all his strength."No!" I scream. There is a sudden silence. My eyes are closed, my limbs are cold, my feet are stiff and my lips are tightly closed together. Where am I?Then I hear words that sound like whispers. I strain my ears to hear more and I hear them."Who is it?""It's Damien", another voice answers.Who are these people? Who is Damien? Where am I?