[ Claire ]“Congratulations, on your new journey as husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Pierce. Here’s your marriage certificate.” The officer, who proceeded our legal marriage procedure, congratulated us while giving us the marriage certificates.I stared down at the laminated document in my hands. Our signatures were printed and there was the seal of the government and the court which means I am officially married to Tristan Pierce, the richest guy in the city.“Tristan, the rings?” Mr. Thomas Pierce cleared his throat and signalled his son to make me wear the rings. I saw couple rings means I have to do the same.“Mom, Dad, exchange the rings.” Travis exclaimed, his happiness was evident on his gleaming face.Tristan slowly held my hand, I again felt conscious under his intense eyes, my hand shivered when our skins came in contact. He picked a solitaire, the most beautiful diamond cut I have ever seen, surrounded by small sapphires on a platinum band. It also looked familiar.He slid th
[ Tristan ]Her question took me off guard. I didn’t expect her to ask me this because I am not in a mental state to answer this question.“I don’t think so.” I somehow managed to come up with the most obvious and natural response.Her face reflected disappointment but I couldn’t tell her that we have known each other for years, we shared the most beautiful moments together, created memories which helped me to live without her for five years. I wish I could tell her that she’s the first and last woman whom I gave my heart.I don’t want to scare her.“I don’t know but whenever I look at you or your family, I feel a sense of familiarity. I think I am pressing my mind too much.” She said looking away at other direction.“We should head back home. Staying here in a public place isn’t favourable until we announce it through a press release.” I said. Her questions threw me into dilemma.“Okay.” She said in a low voice.My driver opened the door of the backseat and I waited for her to sit fi
[ Claire ] “Claire, don’t stress yourself. Tomorrow’s newspapers will bring you a good news but for now, I think you should see this.” Thomas, who sat beside I and Tristan in their living room, said.The questions of media kept stirring in my mind. How Tristan turned the table and portrayed my family as the villain along with Ryan Bale, it grew my anxiety to next level. How’d they react? They’d hate me even more?“Claire, are you okay?” Tristan’s soft voice brought me back on the earth and I stared down at the tablet. A famous news channel was telecasting the interview we gave to the media a while ago.“Umm, yeah. I am fine.” I forced a smile.“I don’t think you look fine from any angle. You are still pondering over the consequences of our announcement, right?” He raised his brow.“They’ll retaliate, Tristan. My family hates me already and how the media is criticizing them, it’ll only add fuel in the fire.” I said out my worries.“I’ll handle everything, Claire and you shouldn’t be f
[ Claire ]“Mr. Pierce, can we talk?” I fidgeted with the hem of my shirt as I waited for his response. We hadn’t spoken to each other since Ryan left. Thomas and Travis were already asleep in their rooms.Tristan, who was about to move to his room, turned slightly to look at me.“I won’t respond until you stop addressing me formally, Claire.” He said, the displeasure was evident in his tone.“Tristan, can we talk for a moment?” I corrected myself and he nodded his head this time, gesturing me to follow him in his home bar.“What do you prefer?” He asked me.“Anything light, I am not in a mood to get drunk.” I told him and he made us a drink.“What do you want to talk about? It’s almost eleven in the night. I think you should rest because tomorrow is going to be a very long day for us.” He said giving me the drink.“I want to talk about tomorrow, Tristan. What plans do you have? You can share them with me because it is related to me and my life’s current problems.” I said.“You passed
[ Claire ]“This is too much, Tristan. I have my clothes and other stuffs back at my home. I’ll bring everything here once this matter cools down.” I said to Tristan while the maids kept countless shopping bags in my room. It felt awkward and unnecessary because I don’t want to give him an impression that I want to be depend on him financially.“Claire, you deserve everything and in a few hours you won’t be the same Claire Jones anymore. You’ll need these dresses, shoes and everything.” Tristan smiled.“Still, I don’t like extravagance. Money is hard earned. We should use it wisely.” I said quietly because I had been living on meagre income since my family doesn’t support my personal expanses so I know the value of money.“You have to resign from your current job at my company, Claire.” He said and I turned to face him. I was shocked, how did he know. I am a mere employee in his sub-branch where he never visits. I am practically a nobody.“How…how did you know?” I stuttered.“I know e
[ Claire ]“Don’t stress yourself too much, Claire. Like I said, everything will go according to the original plan.” Tristan’s voice again drew my attention on him who has been playing my knight in shining armour since we met.I turned to look at him, he as a constant smile playing on his handsome face.“Why are you doing all this for me, Tristan? We agreed to help each other, I admit but your efforts for me is more than I am giving you in return.” I asked him.“I am doing nothing, Claire. I agreed to play my part and I am only doing it, please, don’t misjudge my intentions. It’s pure business.” He assured me but his last line pinched me, strange.“Still, bringing my grandparents, all the way here and help them to settle comfortably, I think you’re troubling yourself for my fucked up life. I should be the one to take care of my grandparents.” I said, feeling ashamed.“My grandparents died when I was very young but I loved them so much and I still miss them. So, whatever I did for your
[ Claire ]“Are you kidding us, Grandpa? No, you can’t do this to me, I am your only grandson.” Caleb yelled as soon as grandfather revealed his new and revised will in front of everyone. I stood quietly in a corner since I had no role until it comes on me.“Caleb, I am not disowning you but you are not ready to lead the company.” Grandpa said very calmly.“Dad, this is unfair. We won’t accept this blasphemy. I can’t give this girl a single penny from this company.” My Dad pointed his finger at me accusingly, the hatred was fairy visible in his eyes for me.“Harris, I gave you multiple chances to rectify your mistakes but you didn’t learn. If I haven’t come here, I wouldn’t have known how you treated Claire. I trusted you and handed you the control of my company but you disappointed me.” Grandpa said to Dad with a shake of his head.“Dad, I have done everything to keep this company running. I admit we faced a few obstacles but I am doing my best to find investors to save us from more
[ Claire ]“Tristan, how do you know that Mia is pregnant?” I asked Tristan once we left the office building. my father wasn’t ready to believe that his ideal daughter did something like this so he left hurriedly to confront her.“I don’t boast unless I have concrete proofs, Claire. Ryan tricked her and as far as I know that bastard, he’ll use it against your family to blackmail them.” He said in a grim tone which pushed me into tension. My sister hates me as much as the others but she’s young and immature.“Mia’s name will be dragged into this mess and it’ll only bring her shame. Oh God! What she has done?” I ran my hands through my hairs.“You still care for those people who only hates you and wants you dead? How can you be this good to evil people, Claire?” He looked at me in disbelief.“I can’t think bad about someone but it doesn’t mean I have soft spot for them. They have hurt me beyond repair, Tristan. I want to move forward and save my company. That’s what my priority will be
[ Alicia ]Three years, it has been three years since I tied the knot with the love of my life. It was a simple court marriage first but I didn’t imagine that Caleb planned a real wedding for us when I got discharged from the hospital. It was again a private ceremony since I don’t like loudness and wastage of money but we did invite people close to us and the number of guests reached to two hundred.Life could be no better than this. Caleb is a dotted husband and father to Alex and our one year old twins; Clarissa and Aaron. When we became pregnant, our happiness had no bound, he treated me like a queen and my son was a step ahead of his father. They cried when they found out that I carrying twins.Clarissa is the apple of everyone’s eye. Her father and elder brother are super protective of her. Sometimes, I feel jealous of my own daughter as she wraps her father around her little finger.Today’s our third anniversary. Ryan Bale died due to liver decease. Mrs. Jones’ mental state wors
[ Alicia ]“What happened to Mrs. Jones?” I asked the siblings and the bitterness on their face told that it wasn’t a good news.“Caleb, I think you shoulder answer this because that woman’s mention is driving me nuts.” Claire said with disdain.Caleb pinched the bridge of his nose, he also looked displeased but my curiosity hiked up.“Why aren’t you both telling me anything? Trust me, I am fine.” I assured them, I thought they were worried for me.“She’s in mental asylum. The doctors found out that she was mentally disturbed and she needed urgent medical supervision. Leaving her with other people might be harmful for both her and others like she had done to you in the fit of her anger. She is becoming violent day by day.” Caleb answered my question and I was quiet for a moment.“She didn’t deserve all this but nothing is in our hands. I hope she recovers soon.” I said since I held no hard feelings for her.“Ali, you can’t be this kind, people will take advantage of your kindness. Som
[ Alicia ]I woke up with dull pain in my head and I found myself in the hospital, I expected it when I recalled how I landed here. Mrs. Jones wanted to kill me but I survived. The doctor came and examined me, they said that I am lucky to have a husband who never my side even for a second.My eyes were impatiently glued on the door. I was waiting for my loved ones to walk in. I couldn’t pay attention to what the nurse was saying to me and then, the door pushed open and walked inside my husband with our son. The gleam and relief on their tired faces were the proofs how much they suffered when I was out.“Hey, love.” Caleb said in a whisper.My heart raced when I heard his smooth voice though he sounded tired.“Hey, handsome.” I greeted him.“I’ll give you two space. Mr. Jones I hope you’re breathing normally now.” The nurse joked and walked out.“Mom, how are you?” Alex asked me, he wanted to jump out of his father’s grip but Caleb held him in place.“I am feeling recharged after seein
[ Caleb ] The night felt like the longest. I couldn’t blink my eyes for a second even though they were burning due to lack of sleep. I had this fear inside me if I sleep and she wakes up then I won’t be by her side and she couldn’t press the bell by herself. But finally, my eyes gave in around four in the morning. I slept on a sitting position beside her bed so she could call me if she wakes up.I was woken up by a gentle tap on my shoulder and I slowly opened my eyes, it was a nurse who gave me a polite smile. I looked at Alicia, she was still sleeping and now my heart began to sink, it has been fifteen hours since she’s unconscious.“Mr. Jones, please go and fresh up till I am here with your wife. The doctor will take a round in next thirty minutes, only he can speculate when your wife will gain her senses.” The nurse said as if she read my dilemma.I wasn’t in a mood to leave but the nurse was right, I couldn’t help either if I stay. I stood up and stretched my stiff muscles and r
[ Caleb ]Every passing minute felt like eternity to me as I waited outside the operating room. My Alicia was fighting for her life while doctors are doing their best to save her. I closed my eyes and prayed to the God to save my wife. She had suffered a lot in her life and when I promised her that I won’t let any pain touch her, my own mother tried to kill her just because she dared to love me.Never in my wildest dream I imagined my mother to take such deadly step. She followed my father and grandfather’s path. She tried killing an innocent for her so called perception about my wife.“Caleb, please have this or you’ll fall sick yourself.” Tristan’s voice forced me to look up at my friend. He was holding a cup of coffee and I shook my head in refusal.“I could save her, Tristan. You warned me, my house staff warned me about her violent behaviour but I didn’t confront her first and busied myself when she got the chance and hurt Alicia. My wife asked me to give her a chance and how she
[ Alicia ] The next day, we were ready to leave for our house. When Alex woke up in the morning, he came running into our room and jumped on us. He was over the moon after seeing us. We cuddled with him, I couldn’t get enough of him.“Mom, I missed you and Dad but I am a big boy. I did all my work.” Alex told me proudly, he was the only one who kept me occupied or else, my mind was going back to Mrs. Jones.Caleb was lost in his own thoughts. I gave him space since it was the hardest part for him. He had to deal with his own mother and probably he had to make a tough decision.“I know my big boy.” I pinched his nose and hugged him close to my heart.Soon we reached at our home, it gave me peace to look at the home we built. Caleb picked Alex from me and I stepped down. Our guards and house staff greeted us at the entrance, they looked relieved.“How are you all?” I asked them.“Trust us, Ma’am, we would have gone crazy if you didn’t come back today. Mrs. Jones is driving us crazy wit
[ Alicia ]I stirred in my sleep and immediately a smile stretched on my lips when I saw my husband sleeping like a baby on my chest, his soft breath was falling on my bare breasts, sending a ticklish sensation on my skin. I caressed his hairs and kissed his forehead, these seven days were the best days of my life. We explored almost every famous part of the country, currently we were in a hotel’s suite since we had an early morning flight back to our home.I left the cottage at the island with heavy heart because we made the most beautiful memories of our lives there. He made love to me in every corner of the cottage. He was serious when he said he’d have me whenever he wishes. He made love to me like a mad man.“Wake up, sleepy head. We have to head back home.” I slowly tried to wake him up.He stirred but didn’t wake up, “Please, two minutes, just stay like this.” He groaned and snuggled his head more into my chest and smiled on his childish act.“I won’t mind you having here with
[ Alicia ]Caleb’s hands slowly removed my robe off my body and his eyes darkened when his eyes landed on my body, his hands froze on my forearms.“Ali, what is this?” He asked me, his heavy voice was the proof that my appearance had an effect on him.“I though it’s your favourite colour.” I said and blushed, it was the lingerie that Claire forced me to buy. The maroon colour in lacy fabric, barely covering any body part was more appealing for the eyes of a man.“It is but I didn’t know I would love it the most on you.” His lips curved upward as he roamed his lust filled eyes on my body, scanning each part of my skin. I felt my cheeks heating up, his gaze was intense.“I’ll have the pleasure of fucking you with this lingerie on your body. You have no idea how much it has turned me on.” He said, his thick was said it all.He pulled me on his lap so we could sit on a straddling position, our cores were touching, I felt his growing bulge where I needed him the most.“Do you feel it, baby
[ Alicia ]“What are we doing here, Caleb? We can’t see the sea in the darkness.” I chuckled when mu husband asked me to join him for a short walk after we reached back at our cottage and changed.“I have something for you, love but first I want you to close your eyes.” He said.“Why have I a feeling that you want to give me a surprise?” I narrowed my eyes but I was excited from inside. Whatever he does for me, it’s always special, even the smaller gestures.“Yes, there’s a gift for you but it’s also a surprise, now stop asking and close your eyes.” He said and I closed my eyes because I couldn’t wait for my surprise.In a few moments, I felt something cold around my neck, metal exactly and I guessed it was a chain or necklace. He made me wear a necklace and then he kissed my neck. I touched it to feel the design.“You can open your eyes now, love.” He said and I slowly opened my eyes and looked at the piece of jewelry. My smile vanished and my jaws dropped in shock.“Cal…Caleb, how d