Loud music blared from four speakers positioned on every corner of the hall. When Paula said the party was a work thing, I never imagined a hospital was organizing a fund-raising rave.Paula had been trying to have a private time with me, and I figured she wanted to apologize on behalf of Lydia, but really, I wasn't ready for the conversation. Song after song played and the crowd went wild, wriggling to the beat and other people sang along loudly. I stood there looking lost and out of place, my petite frame a sharp contrast to the energetic surroundings. Worse still, Paula had been busy working and I knew nobody else."I can't take this anymore" I muttered to myself. I held my hands over my ears, squirming uncomfortably amidst the crowd of people. I made my way towards the exit but halted when I felt a firm grip on my wrist.I twirled around, searching for a face behind the hand."Isn't it too early to leave the party?" The stranger yelled over the music.I looked over at the tall
Navy’s POV“Are you alright?” Finn asked for the umpteenth time. I couldn’t tell if it was his persistence that annoyed me or if it was seeing Elodie chuckle heartily with someone else outside the party hall. “I’m fine, Finn!” I bellowed.He went quiet, I knew it was just for a while, there was no giving up with him.“You’re not fine, you’re just pretending to be fine. In fact, you’re boiling. Your anger and jealousy are written all over your face.” He rambled. The mere fact that he was right, annoyed me more.“Shut up, boy!” I bellowed.“She felt the same way when she saw you with the silk press hair girl yesterday. What is with you two anyway, is this going to be an open marriage or what?”My eyes widened in surprise, and my anger intensified.“What is an open marriage? I would never have that with my wife. I don’t share.” I retorted.“So what’s your relationship with the …”“Don’t!” I stopped him before he could complete his sentence. Talking about Cecilia was a churn in my stoma
Navy's POV"It's getting colder in Washington is the most repeated sentence online, in conversations, on the news, everywhere..." My deep voice echoed in the silent boardroom.I glanced to my left and the seat where a blogger should have occupied was empty.Even though she had long turned in her resignation letter, I could employ someone else. I wasn't ready to see someone else stand in front of the elevator, I wasn't ready to see articles without her name. I've always kept business and pleasure, but Elodie consumed every being of me."Coveralls," came the first suggestion."No," I snapped,"Ball dresses?""No...", "Think about it, and let me have your ideas and designs in the new week."That ended our meeting and also marked the end of a work week. I waited for my designers to leave one by one until the hall was empty. I released a deep breath as I strolled over to my window.Ever since I waved goodbye to my parents and Lumbar at the airport, going back home became so tasking.Elod
ROSÉ's POVDid I walk in on something intense? A moment? A heart-to-heart? A budding love?My heart clenched. They just seemed to be staring at each other more deeply than usual. I quickly pocketed my phone in my side bag and put my hair in a messy bun. Then, I pulled out the earbuds in my ear.“Damn this stubborn earpiece” I cursed under my breath as I tugged on the tangled wires.I was curious about what Navy said to her that had her looking pale like that."Elodie..." Navy exclaimed, surprised to see me.I see why you did not even consider checking on me. Subtle anger arose within me.Sensing that I did not hear their conversation, Cecilia quickly renewed her wide pretentious smiles, and those smiles scared me more than anything else.I began to retreat, stepping backward."I'll..." I stammered, "I will go back..." "Join us..." Cecilia interjected, catching Navy off guard.Well, it didn't surprise me. This was another chance for her to rub my secret in my face.I swallowed hard a
NAVY’s POV"My mother had an affair while she was married..." As she started, I gripped the edges of the chair tight, curious and nervous about the whole story."She became pregnant,... my father wasn't aware. I mean, the man she was married to, had no idea that she had been sleeping with someone else. So for seven years, the man called me his own until I fell sick..." Elodie's voice trailed off and I could the painful memory replay in her mind as her eyes dulled.I remained quiet, allowing her some time to be calm."That was when he found out that I wasn't his biology daughter. His blood didn't match his own.""He told the Doctors before leaving that he would appreciate it if he gave me a lethal injection instead. My mother went with him, to beg him and apologize."He made her choose between me and her marriage and she chose her marriage. They never came back for me. Nobody came back for me, I had no idea that was their way of cutting ties with me.Eventually, the hospital treated
Navy's POVWaking up with Elodie in my arms, a happy smile graced my face and even though the morning was gray and cold, I was warm. She wriggled closer to me and my arms around her tightened."Are you awake?" I whispered in her ears, planting a kiss on her cheeks. She smiled."No..." She replied, "I'll wake you then..." I returned, aiming to position her underneath me as I crawled over."No, no" Elodie whispered, "I'm... I'm feeling a bit sore," she said barely audibly. Her eyes flitted from side to side avoiding eye contact.It took me a minute to understand what she meant, seeing her cheeks turn pink immediately unlocked my awareness."Wait, what?!" I exclaimed, immediately sitting up, "Did I hurt you last night? Were you hurting the whole time? How bad is it? Why didn't you tell me? I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I was probably so carried away that I did not see you hurting. I'm sincerely sorry, let’s make sure you’re okay, I’m calling Doctor Martins.” I rambled nervously, reaching fo
ROSÈ’s POV"Can I stay a week longer? I don't want to go home..." "What?!" Paula screamed. Her voice sliced through the quiet hallway of the hospital."Stop yelling, Paula. This is a hospital!" I returned. "Follow me, now!" She said, leading the way to a staircase that led us to the hospital rooftop."Tell me everything, Rosé. Come on now! You've lived with me for a week now. Your wedding is in two weeks, does he even know you're here? What's going on with you two?""I told you everything already, Paula. He asked me to marry him...""But that was a settled fact already, wasn't it? I mean, everyone in Washington is waiting for the most expensive wedding of the decade to happen,""Expensive wedding? What are you talking about? It might not even happen at this point...""Don't jinx it!" She scolded, "I don't see you wearing a ring if he actually asked you to marry him. Did you say no?""I said yes, slept with him, woke up, and ended what little affection he had for me... then I ran to
ROSÉ’S POVThe peace we thought we would have at Finn's quaint bistro shattered so quickly. At least for me, my whole body quivered as our eyes briefly connected.My palms turned cold and sweaty, and in that moment, my memory chose to resurrect our last conversation."Why are you making me happy and giving me hope for the future?""I'm doing this for your mother!" Fuck me! I cursed under my breath.As Navy came down the stairs, his infamous hateful gaze bore into my skin, sending shivers down my spine.I should have been used to it by now but it had the same paralyzing effect on me all the time.I quickly dashed my gaze to the ground, at the same our voices echoed in my head vividly."Tell me, do you still love me now?" I asked,Navy shot me with a death stare, and growled."Don't let me set my eyes on you, ever again," Here I was, one week after, showing myself to him.I quickly retraced my steps as he came down the stairs, cornering to one side for him to pass. Suddenly, he stopp
It was a cheat sheet, or something like that. But the evening was set. A house wedding, one I had never seen. Mother would turn wherever she was if I ever attempted something like this. Alexander called it a parlor wedding. It was happening right in my living room. We redesignedput my minimalist style living room aesthetic to good use, the chandeliers above creating a dimly lit room as dawn set in.Guests trickled in, their murmurs mingling with our choice of music.Alexander stood by the makeshift altar, being the head of two long feast tables, placed at the center. I stood behind him taking in the sight of everything we had done together.The scent of fresh flowers filled the air, the vibrant colors of the floral arrangements contrasting beautifully with the muted tones of the room.Soft candlelight danced on the two-tier cake, sitting at the center of the table.Alexander was particular when he said there were twenty people coming. As his parents arrive right on time, I couldn
Rosé’s POVI left Amelia straddled to his forefront, with a direction of how the rest of the day would go for her. Navy asked a million questions, yet before we left, Alexander asked the same questions all over again.“Is there anything that comes as an instinct to men?” Paula asked, shaking her head in disbelief.Finn stepped into the driver’s seat with my sister right beside him in the passenger’s seat. Paula instantly exclaimed, “I’m getting married tonight, please let’s focus on the road.”A soft chuckle escaped my lips as I glanced at Finn, “she’s burning you,” I teased, Finn nodded agreeably, “I am searching for a good comeback…”Paula broke into a soft laughter, flailing her arms in the air. “What are we buying first?” “A wedding dress first, before the bridesmaids dresses. We haven’t even decided on the color. We’re wasting time!” Grace exclaimed, strangely motivating us in the right way.“Pink,” Paula replied, her voice cracking with emotions, suddenly she broke down in
Chapter 146Rose's POVAs we all know, every story ends. Sometimes a new story begins where the old ended, other times, it is really the end. Grace's life was about to turn to the next chapter. I could already see the fire in her eyes, she could accomplish anything. I wasn't interested in fighting for her before, but seeing her want things like every normal girl her age felt fulfilling, striving to have a purpose told me we were alike in more ways than just blood. "Maybe having you as my legal guardian won't be so bad," Grace's voice boomed into my thoughts, her excitement evident in her bubbly tone."I was worried about us, about the kind of relationship I would have with you." She continued in a tone calmer than the first.I glanced at her with an eyebrow raised. "She told you about me?"Grace nodded, her gaze softening as she glanced at me. "There are only two people mamañ talks about you, and her mother.""She was always complaining about you." Her voice shivered faintly as she
Navy’s POVLove only took a moment, and I was witnessing that moment right before me.Finn had no notice of the heart that was not beating for him, fascinated by his mere presence.My gaze flickered from Rosé to Finn, before returning to Grace. It was only then I noticed her striking semblance to her sister. Her gaze captured the depth of her desires, her long wavy hair began to bounce as she jumped in surprise, startled by an incident we were yet to see.The server had over poured the coffee, spilling the hot drink on her dress.Finally the incident that would bring them together had finally presented itself. Just the interview was his opportunity to retain Rosé.“I apologize for that…,” Finn paused, swiping his gaze on the features of the inconvenient customer to be certain of the status. From the look on his eyes, it was obvious that he was stricken by her. In that moment, I wondered what could have drawn him to her, I wanted to know if it was her beauty or her smile.I couldn’t
Chapter 144Navy’s POVThe sister’s fight had ended the moment Grace face was flooded with tears. Rosé fragile as usual gave in to her emotions too, joining her in tears. The morning sun was yet to show his face, yet the sniffles from her mother and aunty must have woken my daughter, her presence now contributing to the chorus of tears in the room.I fell into a state of chaos, torn between racing to my daughter or my wife, not knowing who to console first.Amelia got louder, hurling me towards her direction.“I’m sorry,” Grace’s soft voice echoed in the room, “please, let me rely on you… as a sister. I have no one else.”Cradling my daughter on chest, I turned to face them. Rosé was quivering slightly, her face flushed with a mix of tears and relief. “Hmmm,” I exhaled softly, looking between mother and daughter.“Such crybabies.” I remarked, stirring a blush on Rosé’s face.“I think she is hungry…” Grace croaked, her voice barely above a whisper.I nodded, “I think so too… and I f
Chapter 143Navy’s POVI blinked my eyes open, perturbed by the noise in the house. It was barely a minute since I closed my eyes, my eyes were heavy from the the lack of sleep.The first image that came into my view, was an image of Rosé packing a luggage, and instantly, my heart plummeted at the sight of it, thudding against my chest.“Baby, what’s going on?” I asked, the drowsiness in my eyes was completely gone as I jolted to my feet, making my way to Rosé.“Please, tell me, what’s wrong? Please…” Rosé turned to me, her eyes blaring with something I had never seen before.“Let’s go to Paris… let’s go today, now, let’s just go!”“Why?” I asked, “I’ll do whatever you want me to do but I need to understand why first.” “Mamañ, she’s gone…” Rosé replied, her voice quivering as she spoke, “She left Grace here and disappeared, just like me… she’s abandoned her. You think she’s still going to change? You think we still have a chance to her support? That woman deserves to burn in hell!”
Chapter 142ROSE POV Navy sat on the armchair in my spacious room, observing me as I paced agitatedly around, seething with anger at mamañ.“I can’t believe her!” I breathed, “The message Andre sent to us is a clear threat, yet she perceives it as him seeking her. What’d I tell you? She would choose Andre over anyone at any time.”“Elodie,” Navy’s soothing voice interjected, imbued with longing. As our eyes met, I could not help but notice the desire in his gaze. His gaze steadied on me, the intensity of it sending shivers down my spine. Despite my anger at mamañ, in that moment, all I could focus on was the sudden pull between us. His presence filled the room, wafting around me like a curl of smoke.“Rosé,” Navy murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, but it echoed loudly in the silence between us.“Uh,” he cleared his throat, “She is just in love… could you look at it from that perspective?“A wave of disappointment struck me as the desire in his eyes faded while he spoke.I
ROSÉ’s POVA soft exhaled escaped me, as my eyes crinkled with tears, a lump formed in my throat as I struggled to speak.“What… what do you mean, Maa?” Grace spoke out finally, breaking the silence.The answer to that question I already knew. Mamañ had acted as expected.“Henry Benoit,” she sighed sadly, “I’ve wronged him in so many ways. Andre tried to kill him once, or twice…” Our eyes met briefly moment, and I could tell from her expression that it was more than that. “Only the truth mamañ.”Mamañ bowed her head in regret, memories flooding back.“Rosé, Andre tried to harm him so many times that Benoit got a restraining order against him.”“But he didn’t stop, did he?”Mamañ shook her head sadly, her tears welling up.“He didn’t, he tried every means possible.”“Why didn’t he just arrest him?” Navy’s voice boomed into the air, shifting our attention to his tall figure emerging from the hallway.“I put her back to bed,” he explained, planting a peck on my cheek as he joined the
As I stayed in his arms, breathing in his faint fragrance and warmth until a soft coo of a baby interrupted the silence.“It’s Amelia!” Navy gasped, excitement bubbling in his voice.“Wait, you called her Amelia?” I exclaimed, surprised. “Well, I figured she could have two names.”A soft chuckle escaped my lips as I stepped out of his arms. “I’d love that…”Navy nodded, cupping my face in his hands. “I’ll take care of her, you go to the dining.”Taking a deep breath, I made my way back to the dining room, where mamañ and Grace were still seated, their conversation paused as I stepped in. Grace’s appearance was nothing like mamañ’s, and the more I studied her features, I was more convinced that she wasn’t Andre’s daughter.“Mamañ, Grace,” I began, my voice steady, despite the turmoil within, “let’s talk,”Mamañ raised her gaze to me, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.“Where have you been?” I asked, my voice demanding nothing but the truth.“Here and there…” Mamañ replied, dartin