Elara’s POV “What the heck?!”I sprang to my feet at my mother’s revelation. The words were hard to digest and for the hundredth time, I hoped it was a stunt. “Get ready, we’re hosting your betrothed for breakfast, tomorrow.” Sitting graciously in her seat with her legs crossed at the knee, there were no signs of remorse or anything I expected. Beside her, my father just looked at me with what seemed like pity. He folded the newspaper he was reading and tried poor damage control. “Look, honey,” he muffled. “It's for the best…”“I'm not even ready.” I angrily cut him off. “And even if I were, it would never be to a stranger.” “Young lady,” my mother snapped. “I can tolerate your cussing, but what I won't take is you disobeying your father.” This wasn't a joke after all. “He's not a stranger. Plus, he's a good guy.” I held back a series of sobs about to rip out. All my life, I had taken orders from them and lived under their umbrella like the decent daughter of a clergyman sho
Elara’s POV “No. No. No…” My heart sank as I stared hard at the pregnancy strip. It's been four weeks since the reckless affair. Suddenly feeling strange and missing my period, I had to get the test kit after much reluctance. “Please, god.” I mumbled, my fingers shook terribly. This felt like the longest one minute of my lifetime. Two marks?!My heart dropped deep into my stomach, with my guts twisting hard on themselves. It felt like I would pass out. Thick beads of sweat broke out of my pores and drenched me in ruin. First, I was engaged to a man I barely knew, gave my virginity to a freaking stranger who was reckless enough to bang me without protection, and now… “Argh!” I fell flat on my butt and cried. The sting from the fall wasn't as brutal as my broken heart, blocking the painful sensation as a result. My whole life was in shambles!!!“No. This can't be happening.” I groaned in severe pain and scoffed in disbelief. Unexpectedly, I heard my room door burst open and t
Elara’s POV ‘Let this be our little dirty secret.’ My mother’s words continued to replay in my head. Tonight, over dinner, I’d decide if to get rid of the baby, or pin it on Nathaniel. Or, let Marco in…Standing on the subway, I looked at the grand building that had ruined my life. Quite shaky, I was not ready to face the devil twice. Perhaps if he was warm, it would only be to get in between my thighs twice. A man like him dreaded commitment, talk more of with a loose stranger like myself. Tears stung my eyes. I was about to experience a meltdown in public. I couldn't fathom getting rid of an innocent child. ‘Not now, Elara.’I cautioned myself and shut my eyes for a while, so I could get myself together. Sin. Filth. Darkness. They were the only thing Marco reeked of. Even if he accepted responsibility, he wasn't a man I could take to my parents, or show to the world, or even be around my baby. ‘What have I done?!’ Oddly, the strong wave of his cologne, coupled with the fee
MARCO’S POV “Your father’s killer is on the run.” Kaid informed me, his voice as cold as ice as he yapped. We were on the terrace of my 80-foot tall mansion and holding my glass of brandy and my cigar, I dragged and gulped, the strong mix of alcohol and mint-flavored cigar hit me hard in my guts…Just as fucking hard as Elara! I scoffed and bit my lower lip, weird emotions consumed me, spreading smoothly like poison. She was young and naive. That night, I had groomed her to be mine, only to meet her absence. Somehow, her actions bruised my ego in an irredeemable way, and it made me detest and crave her at the same time. Her smooth skin was like white chocolate beneath my hard brown one, sweet-smelling fragrance, and provocative innocence! Never has a lady crossed my bed twice, but with Elara, it was my freaking mind! I had caught her sight when she stood afar as if trying to call for me. So, I stalked her and found out who she truly was. The daughter of an arch-enemy! After
Elara’s POV Three Years Later.“... Your daughter just fell off the stairs and she is in a bad state.” Numb. Dumb. My mouth fell a gap but no words formed. With my mind going blank for a minute, I stuttered in utter confusion. My heart pounded as if it would explode.“Come to the hospital right away, Miss Lilian.” The cold tone of Violet’s teacher echoed in my head. The call dropped. My cute three-year-old was supposed to be in school and I was going to pick her up in about an hour… Not this crap! ‘Paediatrics Emergency Ward. Mardi Clinic.’My phone chimed with the message. I shot up and bolted for the door, not caring about how shabby I looked. I hissed the address once I flagged down the first taxi. Mumbling strings of prayers, my eyes shut to hold back tears. My legs quivered and I was this close to tossing the driver out of the window and driving myself there, that's if I wouldn't be long dead from the crazy speed. On arrival, I paid him and jumped down without waiting fo
Marco’s POV Shocked. Terrified…Watching Elara’s pretty face turn paper white as she was drenched in horror, I read off her reactions, unable to place the last emotions that lingered. Guilt?...“Are you- are you stalking me?” Sweet and seductive, just as I remembered, her voice trembling voice betrayed the last straw of her confidence. With each step I took towards her, she pulled backward, and the rough click of her heels scrapped the tarred road. She gasped when kissing her back and kissed the high wall of an already closed mall. Her small fingers laced in anxiety and her eyes widened as I approached her. I leaned forward, towering my huge frame over her petite ones. My outstretched hand pressed to the wall, above her head. “Is that one of your fetish?” This time, I half-crashed against her, my mouth lingering around her small face. A soft sigh escaped her lips and she pressed her eyes shut. My hand itched beside me, in need to clutch around her white fragile neck and slip
Marco’s POV From Afar, I watched Elara fumble in search of her keys. Frustrated, she slammed her forehead with her palm. I scoffed, finding humor in her clumsiness. As if she heard me, she spun in my direction. Effortlessly, I slid to a side, blending my black attire with the darkness that loomed. Bored, I played with the handle of the dagger in my gloved hand. When I followed her down here, I had hoped to slit the throat and spread the guts of her lover like peanut butter. Instead of going to him, or the client she was dressed to service, she came home. Perhaps she was terrified for one night. My jaws clenched. They wouldn't be this lucky next time. Matter of fact, every fucking dickhead that had touched her would pay for their sins. The creaking sound of her door drew my attention. She walked in and shut it, still ignorant of my presence. For about fifteen minutes, I remained on my spot, waiting... watching.The clock ticked 10 PM. Sure that she was safe and no motherfucker wo
Elara’s POV “Don't you dare die on mama, Vee.” Red swollen eyes, dried nose, and parched throat, I wiped tears off my cheeks and tossed the tissue in the pile. The nasty mess hit the top of what had already formed a castle and rolled down. I pulled the last piece from the box. Not finding my phone, I had yet to hear from Alice to know how my baby was fairing. Most of me wished to storm out to the clinic regardless if it was midnight, but the other would rather stay safe for Violet, especially after the incident. The landline rang on the center table, snapping my mind completely. I dashed for it, knocking down every item on my way. “Lilian!” Evelyn’s voice vibrated from the speaker, causing me to burst into tears. From being mere colleagues, we became fast friends. “What happened? I've been trying to reach you all day.” She groaned. “The boss is really mad at you for being absent…” She stopped on hearing my soft sniffles. “Are you okay?” “No.” I cried as if waiting for my turn
Elara's POV “You don't look good at all.” Dr. Schwartz's sunken eyeballs ran the length of my body. I could only manage a nod. My eyes were on him… particularly on the syringe he was holding. To be honest, I was melting away, and hoping that he'd forget this part of the treatment. “I think that you should come to the hospital for full medical care.” He continued and picked up a tourniquet. My eyes darted away from him for a moment and rested on Violet's frame. She was at the foot of the bed, curled around my legs to be precise. I wasn't sure why she chose that position. “I know but I'd prefer to be treated from home.” My voice was thin and almost inaudible. “I need to properly tend for my baby.”“If you insist.” He didn't bother with the topic. “I have to take your blood sample and run some quick test. The results will be out tomorrow and we can pick things up at a faster pace.” I nodded. He approached me, syringe stuck in between fingers. He had zero idea what was running thr
Elara’s POV ‘Is this how dying feels like?’ My entire body was on fire… it felt like my intestine was some tapeworm eating me inside out. Hot intense pain gnarled at me and ate me deeply. I was losing my damn mind. The room fell totally silent. Marco wasn't here to keep it warm, nor did I have the strength to get busy. With each ticking of the clock, it felt like I was counting to my death. ‘Call Marco!’ My brain yelled at me. He was supposed to be in some business meeting. I didn't want to disrupt it like I did the other. Plus, he was far away from home. ‘I'll be fine.’ I mumble silently to myself, hoping the lies would subdue the pain. I lay flat on the bed and helplessly looked up at the ceiling. Oh, god… For what seemed like ten minutes, I remained still. My limbs were heavy, body felt foreign. The sad feeling didn't go away. ‘Call Evelyn then!’ My brain shot another emergency response at me. She wouldn't hate me so much not to help, right? Hopefully. I summoned my
Marco’s POV “I'd be present in our baby's life and pay child support all the rest of my life… We could work for join custody… that's if you still leave… Why leave?...”I paused to take a deep breath. I was crashing out and it looked terrible. Elara was pressed to the end of the car seat. Her shoulder leaned against the door. After my sex demand, she had been awfully quiet. It was even worse as we started the ride home. Her bodyguard and mine were in the other cars. I glued my lips. I mean, it was a good thing that she hadn't yelled or slammed her fist in my lips. I had better not push my luck. “How are you though?” I asked out of the blue. She slightly looked at me. Her makeup was ruined. Hair messy. “Being taking care of Violet all your life. It must be tasking.” I shrugged. “Tasking isn't the exact word you use for a sweet responsibility.” She scolded me. “And yup, maybe if you hadn't killed Nathaniel, I wouldn't be in this alone.”Fuck.I looked outside the window. How wa
Marco’s POV “You heard my lady,” my tone was dark, needy. “Hurry up with the damn papers, she needs to clean up.” The men murmured amongst themselves. They eyed me and Elara and tried to suppress a smile. I bet they would see us as tacky couples… their problem. I just reclined back in my seat and tried to hold the painful boner threatening to break out of my pants. She knew just what to say to switch me on without doing so much. Just like right now, merely seeing her in a cleaner’s wear, a black and white dress with flay like a high school girl, there's a white breast pocket that makes it seem like an apron was worn over it. The hems are decorated with flowers and silly things, and the dress stops mid-thigh. My eyes ran down her sexy petite frame…She wore a pair of white ankle socks in a fucking hot stilettos. Lacy garter strips run from her knees, up her thighs u til it disappears in her dress. FUCK! Now, I was more impatient than anyone could imagine. The gentleman's murmu
Marco’s POVAgainst my will, I had to honor my meeting with the capos. Elara had politely declined my offer this morning when she was the same person who fully obliged the nights before. Perhaps mood swings or just her being her dramatic self, but I was having a dose of the real woman I stole her life. The once aggressive and vile lady in my villa months ago had melted into this sweet and loveable lady. But her recent mood swings could scare even the devil.I lightly chuckled when I remembered last night’s drama. Was she really worried about Francesca?Dear, lord. Now that I processed all of it, it made me sick to the stomach. One, she didn’t trust me so much with ladies, maybe not at all. And two, she didn’t think I had good taste. How great!“We’re here, Don.” The driver announced once he pulled the car over in front of the casino. The meeting was moved away from home because I had a few changes on the ground. Since I was heading to the construction company after the meeting
Elara’s POV‘I’m not a mean bitch except you want me to be… like I am now…’It was almost fifteen minutes past breakfast time. I deliberately stayed up in Violet’s room after fixing her something to eat. I also didn’t want to be entirely late for the show I was about to put on.“Hey, sweetie.” I tapped her pretty cheeks. “Mama has to go downstairs for breakfast. Okay?”She rolled the slice of her cheesecake in her mouth and nodded her head. Her lips and hands were stained with buttercream. “And here’s a little pup cup for Birdie.” I opened the let’s refrigerator, just next to the little cabinet, and set the frozen cup on the floor. “You have to finish eating before tending to Birdie and remember to always…”She smacked her lips and swallowed. Then giggles. “Wash my hands,” she wriggled her small fingers. “And never eat from her plate.”I ruffled her hair and leaned in to kiss her. “That’s my baby.” I left her to her pet and walked down to join Marco at the dining table. Already, he
Marco's POV 28 days left till her departure. Today's unusually silent. It's not as bubbly and lively as it normally would be when Elara was in it. Surely, this wasn't how I hoped the last days of our union would be. Fine dinner. Sex. Vacations. More sex. Not sorrows and anguish especially when it was from her silly friend. Heaven knows how much I hated that tall lean lady and hoped for their separation. By the time I got to bed, Elara was already nestled in the sheets. She just remained still. I stood on my spot and watched her closely. The steady movement of her muscles as she inhaled and exhaled, her calm nature… she wasn't asleep. Elara was a fighter in her sleep. I suppressed a smile and stripped off my clothes till I was naked. I hit the bathroom for a quick shower. Growing up, the cold icy shower was some sort of punishment, but now, it was a means of relaxation. I let it soothe my nerves as I washed up and replayed what was transfixed earlier. Frankly, I was still m
Elara's POV “How long have you been in love with your boss, Francesca?” My tone was flat. My eyes pinned on the face of the advanced maid. Her fair skin looked quite flushed. A master of her emotions, she swiftly shifted into a curious lady with a hint of anger and irritation. In silence, she drained the tub. “When I speak, woman. You respond.” My jaws clenched. My stomach churned with disgust at her ridiculousness and how she tried to gaslight me. She managed a fake smile that didn't get to her eyes. “I beg your pardon, ma'am.” Her tone was firm. “But I find it rather appalling that you'd think of such.” “Hmm…” I smirked and relaxed in the bath. “That you'd never be worthy of your master's attention, huh?” Her jaws hardened and she covered it with a fake smile. “I rather not speak.”“No,” I stopped her. “That's not for you to decide, woman.” She filled the bath, causing the whoosh of the water to drown her silence. “Your constant need to thwart his effort.” I began. “Onc
Just A Big BabyMarco's POV Red puffy eyes, cheeks stained with tears, sad and soulless expression… ‘Who dares touch my woman?’I was on the balcony, with my eyes pressed on Elara's sad figure. I've seen her go through hell with a smile… this was bad. She carried her little girl on her shoulder and disappeared into the mansion. I dropped my thick mug shot and picked up my phone. The first number I put on the dial was that of the bodyguard. “Start talking.” He was yet to join the others, so he was in the wide, right before my eyes. Fun fact, he was my helpless prey. “Don… I… I have no idea.” My free hand played with the head of my pistol. My index finger rubbed around the mouth. “So, what's your damn use? Tour the world in my car? Walk around like a zombie?” I scoffed. “Everything was fine until she got a text. I couldn't see the content.” He stuttered. “We retraced back to Evelyn's place. I guess they had a fallout.”“Guesses upon guesses.” I sighed. “I bet you don't need you