Elena's POVMy eyes fluttered open,my head comfortably lying on Raymond's broad chest.I could hear his heartbeat, a symphony of the soul.He kissed my forehead, as his fingers raced towards my hips.“Morning, sunshine,” his baritone voice roared. Immediately, a smile curled up my lips as I lifted my head to meet his chiseled face. He returned the smile, raising his brow in an iconic manner.“I love you, Elena,” he whispered, leaning forward for a kiss.“I…” I was halted before I began my words by the shrill beeping of the alarm.My eyes raced to the clock,“Shit,” I muttered as I sprang up from the bed.“What’s wrong, Elena?” Raymond asked, sitting upright and adjusting his position.“I have an appointment with Mr Brooks,” I whispered, rushing into the bathroom and shutting the door.The warm liquids cascaded down my body, a temporary warm relief washing over me.After a brief moment, I turned off the shower, the towel gluing onto my chest like a second ski
Raymond's POVI dragged my feet into the mansion, exhaustion washing over me.My gaze swept across the house, a cold expression running across my face as I beheld the beauty.The scent of the freshly plucked flower engulfed the air, the sunlight streaming down the Italian window, as it cast its rays on the artwork.As I moved further, my steps echoed off the hardwood floor, the soft rustling of the fabric of my expensive suit, the only sound that punctuated the air.The dining room was poorly adorned by the chandelier which hung on the ceiling, casting soft rainbow colors on the floor beneath.All this beauty I beheld was interrupted as my gaze fell on Elena.I could feel my heart racing as I stared deep into her glassy eyes, which reflected pain as she looked down the mezzanine.“Elena,” I said, trying hard to sound casual.I could see disappointment flood her cheeks,“Thank you for the birthday gift,” She whispered a hint of betrayal in her voice.Darts of guilt hit m
Elena's POVI got up, moved to the window, and watched him leave the Laurence mansion, striding gracefully to the parking slot towards his car.A sigh escaped my lips as I retreated to my bed, trying to get my mind to think straight.“Why is Alana always intervening in my relationship with Raymond?” “Why is my husband attached to my stepsister?” I whispered, my mind reeling with thoughts.I had wanted to spend my birthday eve with Raymond and see what surprise he had for me, but Alana ruined everything.“She just can't wait to take away all the people I love from me, but why?” I mumbledThese questions swirled in my head, plunging me into darkness, an endless world of different questions.I felt weariness wash over my body as my thoughts ran wild. I could feel my headache as if a huge party was bustling in my head.I needed to clear my head and seal my mind, to avoid all these thoughts from entering into my head. My eyes darted around the room as I stood up,
Raymond's POVSpending the whole day with Alana instead of Mike or at my company wasn't the plan. I had this anger boiling inside of me as her fingers raced to my chest, slowly removing the button.“What’s the problem, Raymond? ” She asked, noticing the frown on my face.“You are causing a distraction,” I said with a hint of frustration in my voice, my gaze fixated on the road as I weaved through the trafficked road.“Really?” she asked, feigning a surprised expression on her face.I ignored her question, my grip tight on the steering.“I find you quite irresistible,” She confessed, her palm moving to my abdomen.I halted the car, just before her palm moved further, my gaze lurking with hers.“Do you want to get us killed?” I asked, raising my brow in anger.“Of course not,” she replied, feigning a smile on her lips which kind of irked me. “Good, keep your hands to yourself or we might end up in an accident,” My voice cold as I zoomed off.“Jeez,” she hissed, a pang
Elena's POVMy eyes fluttered open, and the rays from the light which hung above me rushed into my pupils.“What’s that?” I muttered weakly, squinting my eyes to get accustomed to the harsh rays.The beeping of some instrument punctuated the atmosphere and I sat up, my gaze darting to the corners of the quiet room.“Where am I?” I asked no one in particular.The pounding in my head sounded like a war drum, making my headache so bad. I supported my head with my palm, trying so hard to understand why I was in the weirdly white room.The door creaked open, revealing Ralph as he rushed in.“Elena, are you okay?” he asked, his brow etched in worry as he stared into my eyes.“Where am I?” I asked, ignoring his question.He gave me a long deep stare as if scrutinizing my features,“Just relax, you'll be alright,” he whispered, sitting beside me, a smile on his face.“Where is Raymond?” I asked weekly, my eyes darting to the corners of the room.He looked at me, I could
Raymond's POVMy eyes averted to my wristwatch, my brow raised high.“Must have been the drink,” I whispered, my gaze darting around the bar, everywhere still bustling with activities.“You passed out,” said Alana as she relaxed on my shoulders.“What the hell?” I pushed Alana's head off my chest, rising.“What’s wrong, Raymond?” she asked, her voice etched in worry as she stood up, leaning closer to me.The thick breath of tequila escaped her lips, bathing my lips with its annoying smell.I restrained myself from feigning a reaction as I kept a straight face, staring her deep in the eyes.“The Party just started, Raymond,” she whispered, her lips a few meters from mine.“And, I'm fucking bored,” I replied, rolling my eyes.“Why don't we get to the good part?” Her words were seductive, capable of luring the weak-hearted.Her fingers ran across my chest seductively, as she bit her lips, unbuttoning my shirt.Her tongue coiled out from her mouth, cleaning her upper
Raymond's POV“Damn it,” I muttered under my breath, frustration laced in my voice.“What’s going on? What would happen to Hope?” Elena's tears rushed down, her voice quivering.What have I done? If only I protected Elena just as I had promised her, I don't think all these would have happened.“God,” I mumbled, relaxing on one of the pillars in the mansion and shutting my eyes, my shoulders shrugged as my thoughts weighed me down like lead.“You always ruin everything,” Ralph accused, his voice venomous.“Your anger keeps getting in the way and you end us destroying things, Raymond,” Ralph grumbled. “Shut the bloody hell up, Ralph!” I muttered as sweat dripped down my face.I could feel fear crawling down my spine, my breath coming in short gasps. I was reeling in confusion, unsure of what would happen to my little boy if the anonymous caller took his threats seriously.“Fuck it,” I cursed under my breath.A stinging sensation could be felt in my eyes. Could it
Raymond's POV“What plan, Ralph?” “I know how these guys operate, I know how they reason and I'm quite sure they're gonna play a foul game,” said Alana as she descended the stairs with calculated steps.Ralph whirled around, surprised at the lines of Alana’s expression as she walked towards him.“You don't have to go, Ralph. For fuck sake, this isn't a fucking chess game! ” Alana protested.Displaying a smirk on his lips Ralph turned in my direction, ignoring Alana's protest.“ Then a game of chess it is,” said Ralph as he displayed a mysterious grin, I had never seen him so confident while speaking. “What the fuck is going on in your head, Ralph?” I asked, as his expression plunged me into the dark.“We are gonna play chess,” he said, as his already fierce facial expression intensified making everyone stare as if they had just seen a ghost.“I’m quite confused, Ralph. How's this going to help Hope?” My voice was laced with confusion.“Patience Brother” We would pull
Elena's Point of ViewI stood in the poorly illuminated room, tears streaming down my face as I recounted everything I'd been through—the loss, the pain, the gain… everything.I hugged myself, memories of my son flashing before my eyes. I could still see him running toward me and planting kisses on my face. I shut my eyes, letting the tears fall freely, hoping that maybe the pain would go away if I just admitted that I was hurt. I could still hear Ralph's deep voice speaking to me:“Elena, stay strong. Raymond might be a jerk, but once you understand him, you'll be cool with him,” he would tell me each time he saw me drowning in pain.Now, they were all gone. The building made me feel a little uncomfortable with its tranquil state. Raymond, on the other hand, had always been moody, unwilling to discuss anything with me.I wiped my tears with the edge of my palm and stood up. Today, my father-in-law would be buried at the cemetery.I glanced at the mirror. I was dressed in a dark gown,
Raymond's point of viewThe sitting room was filled with laughter and sift clinging of glasses, particularly from my friends. I had invited only a few friends; we didn't want to make it known to avoid the prying eyes of the journalists.My father sat on the stool like a king with a warm smile, watching my friends drink to their satisfaction; it was his birthday.“Where is the baker?” I asked, my mom's eyes scanning the room as I searched for her. Just then, she walked in with the cake cradled in her hand. Her face was covered with a veil; she was an Indian, and maybe she was respecting her culture. I knew little about Indian culture. She had tattoos on her hand, which I observed as she slowly dropped the cake on the table.“I should be taking my leave,” she whispered, her voice tiny.“So early?” Elena asked, walking up to her.“Yeah, I've got some unfinished business to attend to,” she replied, her voice firm.Elena tried protesting, but I stopped her just in time with a kiss, which
Alana's Point of ViewI sat in the corner of the room, my eyes stretched wide as I focused on the window. Cadwell Psychiatric Hospital could be defined as hell. My hair was unkempt and untangled, resting on my pale face, and my clothes were loose, hanging on my shrugged shoulders. I had spent two months in this hell, and no one bothered to reach out to me.I dragged my hair and groaned, my eyes reddening as I thought about Elena. Her life was fixed, and mine was damaged.Just then, a lady walked into the room with a guard, her face pale.“Alana Laurence, you have a visitor,” she said. Visitor? That sounded like a word foreign to my life.I stood from the marble floor and strutted out of the room with her. My heart sank as I stared at Violet on the other end of the table, a smile crawling up her lips. Her hair was tinted, her lips crimson, and she wore a long red gown. She stole my breath away at that moment.She picked up the phone at the other end, her eyes urging me to do the same.
Alana's Point of ViewThe distant hum of machines could be heard, the strong scent of antiseptic evident in the air. I tossed and turned on the bed, pain coursing down my abdomen. I was at the hospital; even without opening my eyes, I knew it.The low, distant chatter of patients and doctors added to my unease, and I had no other option but to let my eyes open.“Damn it,” I cursed, sitting upright. Sweat raced down my forehead as I stared at the doctors and nurses running around me.“She is awake, Doctor,” one of the nurses said, signaling the attention of Doctor Lucas.Maintaining his friendly demeanor, he walked over to me, a smile spreading across his lips.“Alana, welcome on board,” he teased, trying to lighten the tense atmosphere. Honestly, his sense of humor sucked. I couldn't believe that I had come to the hospital after being pushed down by Elena.“How do you feel?” he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.“Better,” I grumbled. To be honest, I felt that he should shut up and
Elena's point of viewEver since my stepmother's burial, Alana's health has deteriorated. She had handled her departure like a grown woman, but now she acts like she lost it. Her change of behavior was secretly causing an alarm. I don't mean to use the word, but she acted insane.“You awake this morning?” Raymond's voice sliced through the air, startling me from my thoughts. A smile tugged beside my lips as he leaned in, his hands cupping my boobs. He pressed my nipples, and I let out a soft moan.“What's bothering my angel?” He asked, his voice hoarse.“Nothin’.” I replied, relaxing on his chest, his cologne dominating the air.“Alright, if you say so,” he whispered, biting my ear, and I giggled in response.“You going to jog today?” I asked, playing with his darkened nipples, which were perched on his muscular pecs.“The only exercise I want to do is with you,” he whispered, rolling me over and staying on top of me. I could feel his bulge harden on my stomach, our gaze fixated for
Alana's point of viewMy eyes were weary as I stared on a pillar, trying to avoid everyone's attention from my direction. The hot, steamy chocolate coffee enveloped the air. I reached out and took a sip, my eyes still fixated on the pillars. It wasn't easy acting like I was grieving my mother; well, I was good at what I did. It was obvious I was better than I had given myself credit for.Raymond stared at me from a distance as he played with Hope. I wasn't a telepath, but I was sure whatever was going on in his mind was clearly not good. The news felt unbelievable in his ears. It was pretty obvious that he wasn't convinced that my mother died so fast, even after he demanded an autopsy.I got up from the couch, walked over to the table, and dropped the coffee cup. I could notice his gaze trailing behind me as I walked out sobbing. I had requested an emergency burial for mom; the authorities had their doubts, but I seventy had my way after so many pleadings from my lawyer and my surna
Alana's point of viewI could feel anger course through my veins as I paced back and forth.My mother had one job to do, and now she screwed it up. If she was as smart as she claimed to be, I wouldn't be stuck in this mess.My knuckles collided with the pillars, and my brows arched as I stared at the mirror in front of me. The beating of my heart quickened as I bit my lips. I rolled my eyes in anger, sinking into the soft mattress. I was torn apart between seeing my mother's face and staying back at home. With a frustrated sigh, I rose, dragging my feet across my spacious room. Striding gracefully with a poised elegance, I walked down the stairs, Elena's gaze trailing behind. She had halted her lively conversation after she saw me. My shoulders shrugged, and I walked outside the sitting room and into my car. The car swerved through the streets, and I got to the police station in no time.The harsh fluorescent light of the prison visiting room flickered slightly as I walked in, my f
Elena's point of viewThe afternoon sun streamed down the window, casting warm glows on the floor.My hand grasped the baking pan as I carefully grazed butter on it, humming my favorite song ‘Bad Guy by Billie Eilish.’ It was Hope's birthday; he just turned six, and we decided to throw a little party. I had chosen not to allow my dad's condition to take a toll on me for now.The scent of freshly baked chocolate cake wafted through the atmosphere, perching on my nostrils. I stood erect as my eyes scanned the kitchen for any other thing that needed to be done; thankfully there was none.Quickly, I dropped everything I was holding and walked into the shower cubicle to wash away the day's exhaustion and grimness. As the cool liquid ran down my spine, I felt a sigh of relief engulf me. Seconds stretched into minutes, and I was done with my bath. Just as I was about to select a gown from the vast collection of clothing in my wardrobe, my eyes rested on the CD, which stayed lazily on the n
Elena's Pov.I was seated by the balcony and delighted in the refreshing cool breeze and invigorating fresh air, which provided much-needed comfort for my stressed body.Been pretty stressed lately, and I was advised by Doctor Lucas to have enough rest. The sweet melodies of the birds nearby transferred a calm sensation into my soul.So lost in thoughts, I jerked upon hearing the shrill sound of my phone ringing. I got back into my bedroom to check who the caller was. On realizing that it was my father's doctor, I picked it up instantly.“Good evening, doctor, please, how is my father doing?” “I am so sorry to break this news to you, Elena; your father passed on in the early hours of the day,” he explained with sadness evident in his voice. What! How!“This isn't happening, W- What happened?” I stuttered with short breaths. My heart raced rapidly as my fears began to resurface. I could feel sweat beads forming on my forehead even with the cool breeze that filled the air.“I have in