Bryan's POV
I slam my fist on the large desk in front of me as anger courses through me. It jerks the files up, making my pen fall off the desk. I am not really concerned about the pen or the file that is half-open because of the effect of my slamming, my attention is on the man in front of me."What the hell!" I grit in anger."I'm sorry, sir", he apologizes firmly, bending his head down."Sorry?" I scoff. "How is your sorry going to solve this shit? If you don't look for a solution to this problem, I will have no choice but to invite the external auditors to come and check the accounts of your department as well as the Sales and Finance Department. I am no longer taking this shit!" I hit the desk again, the file falls flat on the floor.He keeps quiet. I exhale deeply, trying to control my anger. I really don't know why I made this mistake in the first place. Eric is my cousin and he is in charge of the Accounting Department. He has been heading the DepartCeline's POVComing here instead of going to work for my morning shift is a big mistake. I thought Bryan and I could talk like adults. I came here purposely so that he can give me a chance to see my son and I can beg him till he gives in to my demand but Bryan won't cease to amaze me.I have never met any man as stubborn, cruel, and dangerrous as him. His aura emits wickedness and his unsmiling face adds to it.The fear of falling for a wicked man like him made me lose interest in getting the contract done before leaving, even before I figured out I was pregnant.Sometimes, I feel stupid for being this way. I feel like an idiot for agreeing to all of this shit but as much as I try to blame myself for being in this position, anytime I think of my son, I feel happy.Jason is a precious gift that I got from the contract as a replacement for my loss. But I can't help but feel stupid for the tingling feeling I feel whenever I think of him.
Bryan's POVI close my eyes and lean my head on the chair, thinking and pondering over what happened between Celine and me as well as what to do with Jason who is laying on the hospital bed, sleeping. I can't let this go on.What do I have to do to make this boy happy and forget about the woman who stole him away from me, risking his life?I blame myself partially for shouting at him and forcing him to eat. I just wanted him to be well fed and taken care of. I wanted him to be different from the Jason I took away from his mother."Boss?" I hear Camila call, jerking me out of my reverie as I open my eyes to meet her gaze.The doctor has just left the room and she has accompanied him out. I am supposed to go back to work but I can't bear to leave without making sure that my son is fine and awake."Is he going to be fine?" I ask her, with a worried expression. This is the same question I asked the doctor before he left. She nods."As the d
Celine's POVIgnoring my tired limbs, I walk slowly towards Paxton's door. I haven't seen him since the night he left my room angrily, without answering my question about who he is. His statement caught me off-guard, making me have a feeling that he isn't who I presume he is.Paxton doesn't have any friend who comes over to visit. He lives an isolated life just like me but mine is understandable because of my child. I can't go on dates with other men when I have a toddler. I don't have any friends apart from Brianna. But Paxton's lifestyle is questionable.His apartment is well-furnished yet he lives simply like someone who has no source of living. He barely goes out but still manages to bring Jason and I groceries and gifts.What he said to me is raising numerous questions in my mind that I want to ignore.Why is he so confident that he can win Bryan over? What sort of power does he have? Is he a nonhuman? Is he a vampire?I shake my head at the
Bryan's POVPatrick leans down and mutters. "She is coming back now."I nod and he opens the door of the car immediately to let me out. I have been sitting here for almost 10 minutes, waiting outside for Celine. Patrick mentioned that she is not inside her apartment but in her neighbor's apartment.Thinking of what to say, I step out of the car and walk quietly to the small gate. It has a passage linking the three apartments on a roll. Celine's apartment is the first.I decided to come here after giving it several thoughts and coming to the conclusion that I have absolutely nothing to lose. Celine will still have to do my bidding and I don't need to beg her for anything. Going back to work was a big mistake because I couldn't concentrate. Jason's thoughts filled my mind and the suggestions Camila brought up.I stand by the door with my hands in my pockets, when the door suddenly opens and a laughing Celine comes out. A man trudges behind her with a smi
Celine's POVSitting beside Bryan a few distances away is something I never thought would happen again after what I did to ensure that we don't meet again.His quiet composure and the dangerous aura he emits still scares the shit out of me. I don't even know what to be fearful of now, whether his close presence to me or to worry about my poor child.I try to silently pray for my son's survival because of how worried I am but I can't even concentrate on praying in his presence.My eagerness vanishes all of a sudden when I see the mansion in view. I can pray now. I close my eyes and mutter a few prayers as the car drives in and stops right in the parking lot.I flutter my eyes open and find Bryan still sitting down with a serious countenance and looking straight ahead without attempting to go out. I don't know what to do either so I sit still, patiently waiting for his orders since the driver is also not coming out.When he tilt his head to gaze at
Bryan's POVAmazement is an understatement of what I feel as I watch Celine and Jason play together. The bond between them is unexplainable and I have never seen Jason smiling this way or happy since he was brought here.The thought is making me ambivalent; I am glad and also angry because I am envious of the attention he is giving to Celine. Now I know how much she means to him. Now I know the reason why he keeps asking for his mother.I am like a stranger in his life. He has known Celine to be the only one who showered him love right from birth but I was nowhere to be found. I didn't know about his existence but if I had known, I would have showered him love too.She runs his finger through his hazel brown hair as he giggles. She hugs him again with a wide smile, asking him how he has been doing. He shakes his head sadly and turns to glance at me.Celine follows his gaze and I glare at her. She turns away sharply and continues to play with him. They talk f
Paxton's POVFrom afar, I see Celine come out of a cab, pay the cabman and walk in exhaustion to the gate. I slow down the car and drive into the parking lot. I stop the car and sit still without attempting to climb out.I growl and hit the steering in anger. I am stunned by the revelation of who Celine's baby father really is. He is someone I detest even before knowing him because of how he hurt Celine but now what I feel for him is pure hatred.There was no look of recognition on his face and that made it all the more difficult for me to figure him out immediately.Instead of sitting back and waiting up for Celine so she could give me more information about him, I left and asked Caleb to meet up with me somewhere private. I needed to be sure I am not mistaking him for someone else. I wanted to be sure that he is the enemy I have been looking for all along.I squeeze my eyes shut as I remembered how I drove with eagerness to where we met and how my he
Bryan's POVJason's cries perch my ears as soon as I come out of the bathroom to dress up for work. I shake my head. He must have woken up to discover that his mother is gone.I am thinking he is going to cry for a few minutes and stop or probably go back to sleep but I am wrong. He is still crying till I finish dressing and I take my briefcase out to go out to work.Surprisingly, I am not angry, even though I did not expect this. I feel his mother's presence will ease it all but it is now obvious that they are inseparable.Celine is the only person Jason trusts. She is the only person he shares a bond with and that bond can not be broken by anyone, including me.I shake my head and walk out of my bedroom, take the staircase downstairs to his room. I had gone through all the applicant's details yesterday and I saw their pictures too. I am not satisfied with any of them.The only person with the experience I am looking for is the lady that ha
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