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Deep Breaths
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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Got Too Close Not his type
ELENA'S POV."And here's one from Nina. It's a card," I handed the handmade card to Matteo, and he collected it, dropping it off at his side, still enamored with the balls his classmates had sent him. "You wanna read it to me, baby?"He gave me a tired smile, making my brows arch."No, mum," he whined. "Told you I'll read them later.""With me?""Uhhh, no, without you."I pouted, giving him puppy eyes, and he groaned, "Alright, fine, if you want to see what's in it that badly."Almost a week had gone by since their return, and although it hadn't been a smooth ride, we had managed to overcome the obstacles. Catching glimpses of Nico had become a rare occurrence; when he wasn't addressing questions stemming from his cryptic conference speech, he was by Mia's side.His answers were direct. "I did all that was needed to get my kids. Remember when your children got abducted.""Mr. President, I don't think any of our children have been..."Nico grinned. "Proves my point, but I'd still like
Got Too Close Not over?
I left Matteo with Noah after he complained about my fussing. With Noah backing him up, it was easy to see that it was a gang-up situation, and there was no way I would win.So I went in search of Mia, having it in mind she was going to be in Nico's office, with him going through files while she stapled every damn thing she came across, leaving his office in a mess.For someone who was made up of order, he still never left her behind, no matter the consequences.But unlike before, when anyone could hear her cackling from a mile away, this time, the hallway was so quiet that if one did not know about her sudden muteness, they'd think she were absent.Whether I was welcomed into their space or not, I decided not to care. It pricked me a little that I was being kicked out. Matteo was right; I was being too fussy.If the timing was right, I could get Mia to sleep and whisk her away. I sighed, the smile playing on my lips. Since the last time we were interrupted by the kids, there had been
Got Too Close Rainy nights
Instincts were always truthful, yet often disregarded until they became impossible to overlook.I sat across from Clara, my eyes resting on her yet failing to truly perceive, and in that moment, my sudden turmoil reached its peak. A cold sensation crept through me. If it appeared overly perfect, I knew it couldn't be real.It was four in the morning, and I was already slammed with the bad news.I was extremely happy for a few hours. Couldn't misfortune wait a few days before it knocked me out like a moving van?Involuntarily, I shivered.But amongst the fear eating deep into my chest was growing rage from deep within. It was becoming repetitive and easily noticeable that whenever she sensed that Nico was comfortable and moving on without her, Alexa appeared, breaking him into more pieces so that he needed her again.How many days were left before his demeanor became cold? Aloof and, even worse, back to his former self. What the hell did she have on him that I didn't?I needed that c
Got Too Close Wild side
'I want my family back Her words edged me on, begged me to strike, grab her very perfect not so motherly hair, and pull every strand of it off her scalp. I stood there frozen, stuck to the floor, my mouth agape and eyes unable to break from her frame.She dropped the glass of wine back on the table and continued, "It's enough of running around for me. I want my son and his father back in my life; they complete...""You're mad," I interjected, "Raving mad, Alexa," my knuckles turned white as I clenched my bag handle, causing my hand to tremble, "What son are you referring to?""The one that isn't yours..."I saw red as I launched for her, ready to get blood spilled. It was one thing for Nico, but it was another about Matteo. How dare she even say his name? How dare she think about him like he was some mere accessory. 'He completes me?' What the fuck!In those few seconds, the compound became chaos, her bodyguards already on their heels to get to us, but Noah held me before I was gon
Got Too Close Wild Side (2)
Nico shoved a forkful into his mouth, chewing mechanically; silence stretching between us for a minute had me thinking I must have hallucinated his question.Picking up a napkin, he dabbed the side of his lips, then placed it beside his plate before looking up at me for the first time since I arrived at the dining area."Elena,"Quite different from the way he had called my name from the last few nights, I swallowed hard. The half-chewed food had me praying I didn't choke, not here, not right in front of him."You stopped eating," I could see his fingertip drumming against the table, "What did you say you wanted to do at La Belle again?"I forced my mouth open, but my damn voice still came out with a croak, "Char called me over, and uhh...""I called your office," his voice remained collected. At this point, he wasn't looking at me anymore, had his eyes on the plate while the chair felt hot against my ass, "Joey said he hadn't laid his eyes on you, and asked if you were okay. Was also
Got Too Close Falling apart
"What did you just... What?!"The sterile white walls and the scent of antiseptic were starting to affect me, along with the news that Clara had just uttered in the most awkward imaginable.She knew this wasn't good news; she knew how much this would ruin my life. I didn't need something like this now! Not when I wasn't sure I could even hold myself up..."You're six weeks pregnant, Elena," she repeated, the papers in her hold; she seemed to be scared of my reaction had to explain why she was a safe distance away.I clutched at the buttons of my shirt, fighting to breathe, every damn passionate night returning to me.That was what the morning sickness was all about, the emotional roller coaster that had me weeping my eyes out with every bit of provocation.I thought it was stress, the children's abduction, and now the fear that Nico would leave me.And here I was, within the four corners of a hospital that I and Clara had driven to, with Noah waiting in the car.Nico had been called t
Got Too Close All good.
Nico and Noah were unavailable for two days straight until, watching the news, I discovered the campaign for this year's election was about to commence.There he was, the smile on his face giving the aura that he had no problems, shaking hands with his shoulders straightened and chin held high.The control he exhibited standing right on that platform, the mic close to his face, talking to crowds was unnatural, and although I was just behind the TV, it was as if he was staring straight at me.I spent most of the time in the sitting room, losing my attention at the slightest distraction. 'That's a small sum for the two people that mean so much to me.'When I told Clara, she didn't look as affected as I was; instead, she frowned, "I'm surprised you don't have that amount on you right now."It dawned on her immediately, "Really, Elena?"At first, the decision to be financially independent had come from a place of keeping up my esteem; I mean, being paid to be a wife was low enough. Or t
Got Too Close Unbreak my heart
"Can't believe you're giving her thirty million, Elena," Noah huffed, "There are a million reasons she doesn't need it but wants to see your pride smolder."Complaining was never Noah's thing until I came to him that morning, cheque in hand, and explained everything that had happened while he was away.His reaction made me understand why Alexa demanded he didn't come alone.I did feel as if my pride was smoldered, but the feeling was nothing compared to how it would have been if she had eventually waltzed back into Nico's life.Nico had written the cheque immediately after he walked into the room, even before he strolled into the bathroom. When I entered the room, while the showers still gushed, it was sitting pretty at the edge of the bed.The first action I took when I picked it up was to inhale it, proving my desperation. The unbelief was gone. In its place was a dripping heart that he was bent on proving me wrong on all of my beliefs.He hadn't asked. Yet I had been digging up a l
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Got Too Close Oops
"Is that it?" Gianni frowned when I finished. "You've got to be kidding me." Midway, I had almost burst into tears, explaining in as much detail as I could that the men's beachwear collection, which would have been next week, had to be postponed because of the lack of models."You don't get it." I sniffled, dabbing my cheek. "It's bad for business. Bad publicity goes a long way, and the investors...""Hey," Maya says, wrapping her arms around my shoulder, shooting Gianna, still sitting, a glare. "There has to be something we can do about it." "You've got to be kidding me!" Gianna retorts again, "That's why you're crying?" "I'm so sorry," I sobbed. "I don't know why I'm so emotional; what's wrong with me?!" "Oh, I know." Clara mumbles."Gianna!" Maya's tone is laced with a warning tinge. "Be nice." But she was right. This was nothing to cry about; I was a grown woman. It was shameful that once they thought I was the epitome of strength, but now they knew I was just a crybaby."Do
Got Too Close Reunion (3)
The next few days we spent indoors; still, it was hard to see Nico. The air in Calabria was hearty, the laughter infectious. It wasn't hard to notice that Nico and Zayne still stayed away from each other. They had tried to hide it, but they didn't try hard enough to take off our suspicions.Milo, sometimes in the middle of a conversation with the whole family, set up opportunities for them to exchange a word two, but like two peas of the same pod, we found them, mouth full and chewing slowly until the attention was taken off their back."You want me to do it for you?" I asked Nico when we were alone in the room, watching his face as I applied my lipstick, "I could talk to Zayne, Nico. It doesn't have to..." I wasn't done when his arms curled around me, flattening his opened palm against my stomach, sending my heart racing, and then he kissed me, shutting me up briefly.When he broke it off, sending me breathless and wanting, he searched my eyes and murmured, "It's all right. It's my
Got Too Close Reunion 2
Authors POVElena didn't look back as she walked away with the others, Milo staring at the top of her head with amusement as he pushed Gianna out of the sitting room.Nico didn't like that look in his eyes. It was the same look he held for Gianna, and now, whenever Milo was around, Zayne had to work for a bit of time with his wife.He pulled his eyes off the door they just walked out of, and when he turned to Zayne, who continued to give Matteo audience, his countenance a mixture of pride and sadness, Nico felt his stomach churn.He wasn't prepared for this, wasn't ready to be knocked down from the truth he believed in. He thought that Zayne would let the children die, all for petty malice, but all this while, it had been him who did nothing to help.Then why did he hide it? Why did he go through all that only to give all of the praise to Milo? Was that why Milo distanced himself for so long? Suddenly, he felt like he wasn't part of a family he had always known."How are your injuries
Got Too Close Reunion
Author's POV.Matteo continued to chatter, "...He said you were coming for us, Dad, and you came." his innocent smile didn't match the struck expression on his father's face, which also mirrored mine."Can I say hello?" He askedSeeing Nico couldn't say a word, I took charge, "Of course, Matteo, go tell your uncle Hi.""My uncle?" His eyes widened, "Cool Ma," before he was running off towards his sister and Zayne, who, on seeing him, seemed unsure at first, but then slowly, he went on his knees and wrapped his arms around my son.That first hug held a lot of warmth for someone who had ensured he avoided Matteo initially."What's going on?" Maya asked Nico, "Why is everyone so quiet?"Nico, appearing utterly helpless, felt his tense muscles relax as he gazed ahead, overwhelmed by guilt and discomfort. Without even making eye contact with his mother, he softly responded, "Yeah, just surprised," his voice almost trailing off, "Mia doesn't talk to strangers."Although Maya wasn't entirel
Got Too Close Who again?
He returned to tell the kids they could move before he was gone again.After a bit of fun with them, to which half my attention was not in, I left them an hour later, only to discover Nico was gone.Out of the Manor, no information, just like that, disappeared into thin air, making me wish I had stayed long enough at work, for in my head, I was running wild, helpless, and perspiring.The deja vu kept coming repeatedly; it hit me out of the blue. Standing there, watching her get into his car, his chin up, refusing to spare me a glance as she planted her thumb on his chin.My stomach churned as I let out a bitter laugh. Adding to the already complicated situation, I was pregnant. It felt like the only missing piece to complete that agonizing scene from years ago was walking into his office and discovering the papers on his desk.But I wasn't going to do that; I folded my fist against the window pane, and neither was I going to cry; that girl was gone, and in her place was a grown woman
Got Too Close Unbreak my heart (2)
"You're so choosey." Joey huffed, biting into a doughnut, the chocolate toppings sticking to the tip of his nose as he narrowed his eyes at Charlotte."Well, I'm sorry for wanting to make everything perfect instead of just picking out anything my lazy ass tells me to," Charlotte retorted, shuffling through the pictures on my desk, "And believe me when I say, I still haven't found that perfect model."Joey sipped noisily from his coffee cup, and when Charlotte narrowed her gaze at him, he rolled his eyes at her.Seeing this made me wonder how La Belle had endured two people who would fight about everything, including what toppings they wanted for their doughnuts.If I had come to La Belle with the hopes of finding everything for the launching of the men's beachwear project finished, then no surprise, it wasn't even half done.With all of the models unappealing to Char's taste, everything was left on standby.Remembering I left all of the work to them for weeks, the least I could do was
Got Too Close Unbreak my heart
"Can't believe you're giving her thirty million, Elena," Noah huffed, "There are a million reasons she doesn't need it but wants to see your pride smolder."Complaining was never Noah's thing until I came to him that morning, cheque in hand, and explained everything that had happened while he was away.His reaction made me understand why Alexa demanded he didn't come alone.I did feel as if my pride was smoldered, but the feeling was nothing compared to how it would have been if she had eventually waltzed back into Nico's life.Nico had written the cheque immediately after he walked into the room, even before he strolled into the bathroom. When I entered the room, while the showers still gushed, it was sitting pretty at the edge of the bed.The first action I took when I picked it up was to inhale it, proving my desperation. The unbelief was gone. In its place was a dripping heart that he was bent on proving me wrong on all of my beliefs.He hadn't asked. Yet I had been digging up a l
Got Too Close All good.
Nico and Noah were unavailable for two days straight until, watching the news, I discovered the campaign for this year's election was about to commence.There he was, the smile on his face giving the aura that he had no problems, shaking hands with his shoulders straightened and chin held high.The control he exhibited standing right on that platform, the mic close to his face, talking to crowds was unnatural, and although I was just behind the TV, it was as if he was staring straight at me.I spent most of the time in the sitting room, losing my attention at the slightest distraction. 'That's a small sum for the two people that mean so much to me.'When I told Clara, she didn't look as affected as I was; instead, she frowned, "I'm surprised you don't have that amount on you right now."It dawned on her immediately, "Really, Elena?"At first, the decision to be financially independent had come from a place of keeping up my esteem; I mean, being paid to be a wife was low enough. Or t
Got Too Close Falling apart
"What did you just... What?!"The sterile white walls and the scent of antiseptic were starting to affect me, along with the news that Clara had just uttered in the most awkward imaginable.She knew this wasn't good news; she knew how much this would ruin my life. I didn't need something like this now! Not when I wasn't sure I could even hold myself up..."You're six weeks pregnant, Elena," she repeated, the papers in her hold; she seemed to be scared of my reaction had to explain why she was a safe distance away.I clutched at the buttons of my shirt, fighting to breathe, every damn passionate night returning to me.That was what the morning sickness was all about, the emotional roller coaster that had me weeping my eyes out with every bit of provocation.I thought it was stress, the children's abduction, and now the fear that Nico would leave me.And here I was, within the four corners of a hospital that I and Clara had driven to, with Noah waiting in the car.Nico had been called t
