Bryan's POV
I hear a faint knock on the door, making me lift my head from the laptop and grant permission to the intruder.I have been working on my laptop for almost an hour, trying to meet up with a deadline. I intend to finish up before going home so I can prepare for tomorrow's business meeting with the businessman my father sent to me.Fixing my gaze back on the laptop, I continue with my review, scrolling the mouse to minimize as the person enters. I am thinking it is Stella. The voice that greets me makes me raise my head sharply and my gaze meets with Emily."Long time no see, Brandon", she flashes me a sexy smile, making me remember how she almost made me fall for that smile years ago. She is dressed in a straight black skirt and a long turtle neck white top. Her hair is packed in a big, high bun as usual and she looks elegant."How are you, Emily?" I ask her as she walks briskly towards the chair in front of me and sits in without waiting for permiCeline's POV"I knew he was yours the moment I saw him", Camilla smile boyishly and snap her head back to look at Jason on his massive bed.I flash her a smile in return, resting my back on the sofa more comfortably. I had left Paxton's apartment after telling him my conclusion.Now that I think of it all, coming here is a great idea. I am a nanny, not Bryan's wife anymore and this will give me the chance to relate with other domestic staff. Besides, Camilla is here to keep me company and lift my bad mood whenever I am sad.The smile on Jason's face the moment I entered with my little bag was priceless. It is a smile I would love to see on his face forever.Paxton was still insisting that I stayed back and he followed me to my apartment, watched me pack, and even accompany me out. I was able to convince him that I would be fine. He hugged me."You shouldn't have left", Camilla begins and I sigh heavily."I had to. I was scared Bry
Bryan's POVThe car comes to a stop and the driver opens the door for me to come out. I step out, stifling a yawn in tiredness and frustration of a bad day.Eric is still not providing the real statement of account for me to know where the loss is coming from. I was tempted to call father and explain things to her before punishing Eric but I know father will take his side.Left to me, I wouldn't have employed him but my father was involved. I hate mixing business with pleasure. I hate having my extended family involved in what I do. I love being in control. Eric's father has his own company and I wonder why he is not working with his father instead.I have been trying so hard to control my anger. Eric deserves to be punished, I have a feeling he knows what he is doing.I grab my briefcase and walk to the door. I am pretty exhausted, all I want to do is to take a shower and go to bed. I will think of the best solution to this problem tomorro
Celine's POVIf I were to consider Bryan's harsh behavior towards me, I would never feel any sort of sympathy towards him. He makes me feel like trash.He makes me feel like I am not wanted and my presence is not needed. If I had the power to decline this offer of being our son's nanny, I would have declined the offer just to spite him but I have no choice. I am the one in dire need, not him.I cried so hard after Camilla told me everything about Bryan and his first love. I was trying to relate everything together, I was trying to justify all of his actions towards me and I was also trying to understand him and his silence.I never knew he had been through so much. I thought he was ruthless because he wanted to but tonight, I realize he is this way because of the ugly realities of life.I accepted his proposal to marry him, even when I knew he was into the Mafia but his first love didn't want to accept that part of him.What makes us differe
Paxton's POVUnlike the last time I was here to familiarize myself with the surroundings of Bryan's mansion, there are two hefty bodyguards right outside his gate, looking mean and ready to kill at the slightest provocation.I drive the way I came and pull over at a short distance. I examine the house from afar, glancing around and looking at the rooftop. This will be a great area for a sniper to kill Bryan.The only difficulty is that I don't know if he comes around there often. He is a workaholic and I doubt if he has leisure time.I look around once more, making sure my presence is not known to the guards at the gate before leaning back in the seat, taking off the seatbelt.This is looking more than I expected, I groan.Did he find out about my disguise? Why is the security suddenly rigid both within and out? The Bryan I have been studying for more than a year, even without knowing his physical appearance has been nonchalant about securit
Celine's POVI got prepared after Paxton left in happiness. For the first time in a week since Bryan burst into my home to take my son away, I feel genuine happiness again.I believe I have every cause to be happy. I have every cause to let go of the bad vibes and wallow myself in this new happiness since I have my son close by. I don't need to be sad anymore. Jason is doing fine and Paxton and I are still close friends.Even though Bryan is a pain in the ass, I will no longer get hurt by his insults and choice of harsh words he directs at me. I already understand what is happening to him and the reason for his actions so I don't need to be mad when he insults me.I prepared Jason's dinner on time and fed him around 7 pm. We played for a while before I sang him a lullaby to lure him to sleep. Within minutes, Jason slept off and I practically raced to the bathroom to take a shower, giggling like a teenager going on her first date.I finish taking
Celine's POVIt's almost half an hour since Paxton and I arrived here and I haven't stopped grinning from ear to ear since then.It feels so good to be out, having fun after so many years of dealing with my grandmother's illness, signing a contract marriage with my boss, running away from him so he wouldn't know I was pregnant, and taking care of my son alone.I feel young again. It's been so long since I felt this overwhelming feeling and a remembrance of my age. I am just 26 years old but with Jason, I feel like an old woman.Tonight, Paxton is making me feel different. He is making me feel like a sweet 16, making me put off every bad thoughts out of my head. I don't want anything to ruin this lovely night. I don't know when a day like this will happen again.We are sitting in front of the bar, laughing, drinking, and hitting each other playfully.I laugh heartily and gulp down the whole content of my alcoholic drink. Paxton is in front of
Bryan's POVGuilt was visible in her eyes. I was so angry to have seen her here when she was supposed to be with my son, taking care of him.What is the essence of employing her if she would rather prefer going to clubs with a man?The thought makes me more annoyed and I sigh severally to control my nerves.Celine keeps annoying me every time. She keeps doing things that displease me. She keeps acting stupid and childish.How can she leave my son in the house and come out? Who the hell permitted her to come out, looking like a whore with her cheap red lipstick.When I first saw her, I thought I was imagining things until I gazed closer to take a careful look. Our eyes interlocked and I saw shock coursing through her and proving my assumptions wrong.If she had ignored me like we don't know each other, I would have concluded that she isn't Celine. I have never seen Celine in a dress like this and it makes me angrier. Sh
Bryan's POVI storm into the house in a rage. I thought my anger had dissolved as Kelvin drove me home but I am wrong as it intensifies the moment I burst into the mansion.The living room is empty as I hasten my pace towards Jason's room, after dropping my removed suit on the sofa in the living room. Emily had stripped it off me and dumped it in the car before we entered the club.I don't want to think of the disappointment I saw written all over her face and the consequences of my actions. I no longer care about what she is going to do it anymore. Helena is dead already and I have no reason to be scared that she is going to tell her one day that I cheated on her. The least she can do now is to tell my father.I grasp the door handle and push it open with full force, entering the room to see Celine in her nightwear already, curled up beside Jason who is sound asleep. She jolts upright in terror and our eyes meet. Her hair is in a messy bun and her red cheap lips
EIGHT MONTHS LATERCeline's POVA hand touches my protruding belly as I sit in front of the dresser, trying to get my makeup done before we leave for the party. Today is the company's anniversary and also Bryan's birthday. I have planned a surprise birthday party for him and I hope it goes well.Just like he accused me the other day, I have never seen him celebrate his birthday either. Mine was better. I only stopped celebrating my birthday after that night and the absence of my best friend was also a factor.Before the year when I got married to him, I used to celebrate my birthday, no matter how little it was. When I was in preschool, my father would buy me a lot of things to take to school and share with my classmates for my birthday, and at night, we usually ate out whenever anyone was celebrating his or her birthday.While growing up, things changed and when I became an adult and an orphan, I celebrated my birthday on my own, as a reminder of how life used to be and as a remembr
Bryan's POVCeline has been indoors for three days now and I have no idea what this is all about. I don't know if this is from the shock of hearing about her pregnancy or because she is still mad at me.She didn't even let me help her into my room as we planned. She has been in her room since she arrived from the hospital and her actions aren't straightforward.Today, I am going to go ahead with my plans. The news of her unconsciousness that night made me let go of the plan to take her on a trip but now is the right time.We need to talk. She is expecting my child. We are going to have a second child soon and these behaviors aren't the best for us as couples.I move into the kitchen and Camilla almost bumps into me."Sorry, sir", she says quickly and bows her head slightly. The other maids in the kitchen also do the same.I can't remember the last time I came towards this side of the house. And this is because I want to see Camilla about Celine."Can I see you?" I ask her. She looks s
Celine's POVMy eyes flutter open sharply and I shut them back as fast as I opened them because of how it hurts.I must have slept for so long, I say to myself before opening my eyes again, adjusting to the bright light of the room.I am staring at the white ceiling for a while before I turn to realize this isn't my room. It isn't Bryan's room either and fear grips me.Where am I? Has Paxton gotten a hold of me again?I look down to see that I am dressed in white cloth. Wait, am I in a hospital? What happened?Just before I can find answers to the questions in my head, the door opens and Bryan comes in with his mother.When he notices I am awake, he rushes to me."Celine?" The look of concern on his face is something I will love to always see. I don't want to be the only one concerned about him. I don't want this to be one-sided. I want every feeling I feel for him to be mutual. That way, my anger will dissipate easily and I can finally give this a chance. This is when I remember how
Bryan's POVFather and I walk out into the courtyard as we speak. I already spoke to my mother about my feelings for Celine and there is really no need to hide it from my father.I have always been more closer to him than my mother but Helena's death and my refusal to keep up with the family business almost drifted us apart Since my father has been gone for a long time, I never knew the bond would still be there. It is as strong as ever even though there are a lot of things we aren't talking about.I have noticed a lot of changes too and I am suspecting that he will soon quit the business too."Your mother loves shopping and that is the only weapon to get her to forgive me whenever I do something wrong. I doubt if there is any girl on earth who doesn't like shopping", he says and I shake my head.Celine is different. She isn't materialistic like the rest of the girls. I know how materialistic my mother can be but Celine isn't that way and I doubt if shopping will do the trick.Apart
Celine's POVI pack my hair hurriedly into a loose low bun so I can go out and meet with Bryan's mother who said she wanted us to meet.I have something to tell her too but I am damn curious to know what she has to say to me. I also wonder why she didn't tell me she wanted to see me when I refused to let her into the room.It's been hours since she arrived and I am surprised to know that she is still around. Camilla told me because I had gone into the kitchen to take lunch and to see Jason who was playing around.After making sure that I look presentable, I move out of the room, closing the door behind me before heading out.On my way out, my eyes dart upwards towards the staircase leading to Bryan's room and I begin to wonder if he is still around or if he has gone to work.It is late evening already and if he has gone to work, he should be back any moment from now. More reason why I need to see his mother as quickly as possible and rush back into the room so we won't meet.I haven't
Bryan's POVDejectedly, I take the staircase to my room. I am debating within me on what to do to win her over and stop her from leaving.I have done the worst things to Celine and she forgave me, why isn't she forgiving me for something as trivial as the outcome of my nightmare?I didn't do it on purpose. It isn't my fault. Why is she finding it hard to forgive me now?All this while, I never asked for forgiveness yet she forgave me and now that I am genuinely asking for it, she isn't willing to give it to me.I am trying my best to be a better person. I can't believe I also skipped work because of the fear of coming back to see her gone.Celine is good at running away and I don't know how long it will take me to find her now if she runs off like she once did.I halt in my tracks when someone approaches and I look up to see my mother.She smirks proudly and I raise a brow, wondering why she is looking amused."Are you coming from Celine's room?" She asks me. This is when it dawns on
Celine's POVI wake up to see myself in Bryan's arms and I move away slowly, making an effort not to wake him up from his deep slumber.Today is Thursday and Bryan is here sleeping in my room instead of going to work. I don't know how I feel about what has happened between Bryan and me when I am supposed to be making plans on how to leave.I have given myself to him again after everything and I begin to wonder why this has to continue happening.All I have ever shown Bryan was love but he gave me pain instead. Is it so easy to let go of everything?I thought I have forgiven him for everything he has done to me but what broke the camel's back was what he did the last time. How he sent me out like a prostitute and how he made me cry.As much as I want to pretend as if all is well, I can't let go of everything. I am confused about what to do. Remembering that Bryan talked about how we signed the original certificate instead of the fake one, I sigh loudly as I sit on the edge of the bed
Celine's POV "What the hell do you mean by that?" A deep frown descends on my face and I shoot to my feet immediately. I can't hide my displeasure. "How is that even possible? How can I be your wife? Is this your trick to let me stay back or what sort of rubbish is this, Bryan?!" He isn't responding. He is just watching me and I am beginning to think this is a joke. It has to be a joke. How is this even possible? We had a wedding in the church but the certificate was a fake one. What is he talking about then? Antonio's face holds pain and sorrow and I wonder why he isn't looking happy like I expect him to. Aside from the fact that he doesn't want Jason to be out of his reach, he should be happy he will be free from my troubles. He has taken care of Paxton and his family members, what then is going to stop him from letting us go? He told me he would let us go when this has been sorted out. I won't let him convince me with a silly talk like this. I was there. I was right there in t
Celine's POV I walk slowly into my room with Camilla trudging quietly behind me and Jason in her arms. My heart is heavy for no reason even though I know I really want to be free from all of these. Going back to Los Angeles seems like the best solution right now to heal; physically and emotionally. I am going back to my old aunt and I will start a new life over there. I am done with all of this. I am done playing the fool and the victim. I am done with Bryan. I sit on the bed, my face in a frown. I insisted on getting discharged today, even though the doctor wanted me to be in the hospital till next tomorrow. I don't want to keep seeing Bryan's face. He won't stop coming. I want to be far away from him just like the last time. Even though my mind and heart were here when I ran away from here, I was at peace with myself for the no-trouble that comes with having Bryan in my life. "You should rest today, at least", Camilla pleads with me once more, in an attempt to convince me and