CELINE HERRERA POV I was brimming with anticipation when I got to the mansion. Belshar wasn't back but I knew he would be home in an hour or two. His message on my phone was burned in my head, and no matter how much I tried to calm myself down I couldn't.Dropping my bag on the table, I glanced at the message once again. It was eight simple words, 'Do you want to play hide and seek' to which I had replied 'Game' at a point during my meeting with Zane."Ugh, this is going to be a hell of a night" I got out then blushed as I recalled the last time we'd played hide and seek. "I should probably freshen up" I got out. I also needed to relieve some of the stress from work. I rushed to the bathroom, prepared a bath, and immersed myself in the sweet scenting tub of soapy water. It was refreshing and I relaxed fully into it with a satisfied smile on my face. Just fantasizing about what Belshar was going to do to me had me giggling to myself and splashing at the water to create more bubble
CELINE HERRERA POV "Come out come out, wherever you are" Belshar's voice bounced off the wall as he walked around in search of me. It was filled with dark intent, but instead of scaring me, it just made my heart beat faster and for delicious tremors to spread through my overheated skin. His voice had come from the lower part of the house, so I knew I was quite safe where I was in the meantime. It was when he came to the top floor that I needed to worry.It went quiet for a while and I waited with bated breath, my lungs burning when I forgot to breathe for the stretches of time I thought he was getting nearer to where I was. I was hiding under the desk in his home office. It was the same spot I'd hidden in, the last time we played the game. He'd caught me of course, which was why I chose to repeat hiding out here.Belshar wouldn't think I'd hide in the same place twice, would he? Was he upstairs already? I couldn't hear anything from the drumming of my heartbeat in my ears. I clut
CELINE HERRERA POV I woke up wrapped around Belshar, his warmth the right amount of perfect. I pressed a soft kiss on his throat, my body aching deliciously in the best of ways. Belshar eyes flickered open, The little move I made waking him up. Our eyes met and I watched mesmerized as his lips lifted in a smile. "Kiss me again. Right here" he pointed to the center of his chest where I knew his heart was. "I quite like the feel of your lips against my skin," he said and I glanced down at his chest, then leaned my head down. Pursing my lips, I pressed a kiss to his skin, then laid my palm against his chest, my eyes widening when his heart started to beat faster.I glanced up at him to see that his gaze was fixed on mine."That's what you do to me, Celine. You make me feel alive" I smiled, my face heating up. Belshar's palm cupped my cheek, his thumb rubbing back and forth against my face."I'm sorry about last night. I was too rough with you. You passed out" he said with a smirk tha
CELINE HERRERA POV "Do you know what I think?" I said, my finger steepled beneath my chin. "I think Mr. Stakov does not really want to invest in our company" "You are right, but we also don't really need his investment at this time so... ""We don't, but it would help us with the expansion project for next year. Having extra money is always good" I got out with a sigh and then sat back. "So what is his complaint this time"Karen glanced down at her tab. "He said he went over the agreement with his team and they want to add a few more things to the contract" My brows dipped. "What the hell does he think this is? A game. How can he agree to our terms and conditions one minute and In the next, he wants to add new conditions" "If you want my honest opinion, I don't think we should work with them at all" Karen got out and I met her gaze. "Why" I asked, wondering if Zane Stakov had also rubbed her off the wrong way. "I just don't like the vibes I get from him, Celine. Mr Stakov makes
BELSHAR NESSAR ABED POV I didn't like the way the man crowded Celine. I'd gotten her schedule from Karen earlier and when I saw that she would be meeting Zane Stakov, something about it just made me see red. I'd hacked into the CCTV at the cafe just to watch her and the more they talked, the more I wanted to rip out the guy's tongue. It didn't help that I could tell that Celine was uncomfortable. Her body language screamed it.Growling, I picked up my suit and walked out of the office. My assistant eyes widened as he saw me, and then he stood up. "Mr Belshar, are you leaving already? The contractors are already on their way and you have an important meeting..." "Cancel everything. I have somewhere I need to be right now" I said and didn't wait for his replyChristian was waiting for me outside with the car ready. I paused, stopping in my tracks as It hit me that it used to be Stone in his position... that was until he stabbed me in the back. I clenched my fist as I got in. Stone
BELSHAR NESSAR ABED POV "What was that about, Belshar" Celine got out as soon as Zane exited the cafe. "And don't think I didn't see the way you threatened him with your eyes or how you refused to take his hand when he offered you a handshake" I got to my feet and crossed my arms, matching her stare. She glared up at her, her chin set in a stubborn arc. "I wanted you to see it. I thought you noticed me crushing his foot when I walked toward him to say my goodbye too, now I'm disappointed that you didn't"Her eyes widened. "You did what now" I smirked. "I didn't like the way he made you uncomfortable, so I tried to reciprocate the feeling," I said and she rolled her eyes, then let out a frustrated sigh."How did you even know I was here" she asked, then scoffed. "You were watching me again, weren't you?" "Yes" I answered simply and she groaned"You have a whole company to run and you still have time to watch me" "I think the question should be how I am so good at pinpointing your
CELINE HERRERA POV "This place looks good" I got out, nodding as I looked around the interior of the Cafe Kail had opened. It had been a week since I and Belshar had the conversation about Delia still being alive and that Zane was probably working for her, but nothing out of the ordinary had happened since then and I was starting to think maybe we were just being paranoid after all.Getting a break from work, I'd decided to check up on Kail, even though it still felt weird being in the same space as him, especially after everything he and Séda did.Kail's lips lifted in a small smile, his gaze following mine. "Do you think so? I haven't been getting customers"Frowning I turned to face him. He looked melancholic and there were dark circles under his eyes. "No customers? Am I not considered a customer" I joked and he chuckled, but the sadness in his eyes just became more pronounced."True. I can't charge you tho" he said and I laughed. "Don't worry, Belshar gave me the unlimited ca
BELSHAR NESSAR ABED Celine blushed, then tried to pull away from me, her gaze moving to those of Enoch who stood staring at me as if I was going to attack him at any minute. "Belshar. What are you doing here? You said you were going to be busy all day today" "I did huh, is that why you decided to come here, and as if that was not enough, you met up with him," I said, my gaze moving to Enoch's."Belshar, enough, you're scaring him" Celine gritted for only me to hear and I eased up on the death stare, replacing it instead with a dark grin that I knew sent fear up his spine judging from how shaken he looked."You shouldn't have met him then," I told her, the grin still in place. "He's your ex is he not... He also kissed you the last time" "And you sent me to the hospital" he got out bravely."Be glad I didn't send you to the grave" I growled my eyes cutting to his and he must have known that I was a second away from doing exactly that because he took a step back. "You kiss another man
BELSHAR NESSAR ABED POV "We need to join them at the table," Celine murmured against my chest, where she had her face pressed against."But I quite like it here. Just the two of us, dancing under the moonlight"Her arms wrapped around me. "Me too," she sighed, then glanced up at me.Her eyes sparkled, reflecting the iridescent glow of the moon. I wanted to get lost in them."It feels so good to get away from everything, doesn't it""Yeah," I nodded, then caressed her cheek. "How are you feeling. Has it been difficult with Sadie""Not too hard since you help out a lot... Antonia has also been a good help to her. Thank you for getting her. You were right, she's really good at her job"I grinned. "I am happy to hear that. If it gets too hard, tell me okay"She nodded. "I will"Celine gaze darted to the hall as the music coming from inside changed."Do you think they'll notice that we've been gone for a while?" she asked, meeting my gaze."Kail is keeping them busy with his MC skills. We
CELINE HERRERA POV Giving birth was a nightmare, but as I stared at my beautiful baby girl's face, I couldn't help my heart filling up with joy and love. I glanced up at Belshar who was grinning down at the baby in my hand."She's so tiny" he got out, his voice filled with awe. "I know, right? After all that food, I thought she'd be a lot bigger"His grin stretched, his eyes crinkling at the side. "She's perfect," he said, then looked up at me. "Just like her mother"Color filled my cheek and I leaned toward him. "And she's strong just like her father," I said and pressed a kiss to his lips.His eyes were moist with tears when I pulled back.My heart squeezed; the feeling of too much happiness in my chest suffocating. But I loved it. I loved everything I felt when I was with Belshar."You're going to be a great father Belshar"He took my hand. "I promise to always be there for you and our daughter. And our other kids that we are going to have very soon," he grinned."Hey, what's tha
KAIL NESSAR ABED POV "Oh," Karen gasped, then pulled away from the kiss.I stared at her, my heart pounding as I took in her flushed face and swollen lips."What's wrong?" I asked as I watched her try and catch her breath."Celine. Celine and Belshar are here. They were the ones who told me about where you were. I was scared to come alone, so they came with me"I shook my head as I sucked in a deep breath. "I know," I said, then turned, and pointed to where Celine's phone was peaking through the hallway by the side of the wall.The phone soon disappeared and I chuckled. She probably noticed me staring and pointing at it."You two can come out now! Your cover has already been blown" I yelled and waited.Celine was the first to come out. She smiled as she gave a small wave. "Oh my God, Kail, it's been how long since you vanished," she said, The guilty smile on her lips stretching the closer she got to Karen and I. Belshar followed behind and stopped by Celine's side when they reached u
KAIL NESSAR ABED POV "What the hell do you want?" I groaned as I stumbled out of bed, my feet studding against the bedframe and jarring me awake as pain shot up my body. "God damn it"I grumbled as I walked out of the room. It was probably room service. My head throbbed and I barely managed to avoid tripping on the bottles that littered all over the floor. Just how much did I drink last night?"I told you not to fucking bother—" The words died on my lips as I yanked the door open and came face to face with Karen.I stared at her, my heart stopping for a beat."Karen—" her name escaped my lips as my heart kicked up in my chest, and then I clenched my eyes shut. "God, I am going crazy," I groaned, then chuckled under my breath as I rubbed my hand over my face. "I must be drunk out of my fucking mind. How long am I going to keep seeing your face, Karen," I muttered to myself, then pulled my hand away.My brows furrowed as I stared at her. Why was she still standing there? On a normal da
CELINE HERRERA POV "Absolutely not," Belshar said, then faced Victoria, who quickly looked away and shrugged. "You cannot travel in that condition""Why not? I already gave Karen my word that I was going to be her wingwoman," I pouted, and he scoffed."You are not going to be traveling, Celine, and that's final. Call Karen and tell her that you won't be able to go with her." He said then paced for a bit before turning to face me. "Did you forget what you went through in the past months? The doctor said no stress"I crossed my arms, my brows furrowing hard as I frowned. "Travelling is hardly any stress and you owe me this much after everything that happened"Belshar let out a sigh of frustration and then glanced at Victoria again. "Are you not going to say anything. Tell her just how dangerous traveling is in her condition" he said and I looked at her, my eyes daring her to say anything that was not in my favor She sighed as she dropped the towels she was folding. "If it's just for a
CELINE HERRERA POV THREE MONTHS LATER "What's wrong. You've been spacing off for a while now" Karen turned to face me and then shook her head, her eyes squinted to avoid the glare of the sun."Nothing's wrong," she answered, and I gave her a look because even a blind mind could tell by her aura that things were not right."You know you can always talk to me right"She forced a smile. "I know that"I couldn't help becoming more concerned. "If you're still traumatized about the whole thing you went through, I can fix you an appointment with the therapist that helped me when I experienced something similar"She sighed and came to sit beside me. "No, you don't have to do that at all. I promise I'm really fine."I nodded even though I wasn't convinced. There has been something off with her ever since the rescue and her refusal to talk to me was starting to make me worry.I already felt bad that she got dragged into our family's mess and had to go through something so horrible, so why wa
KAIL NESSAR ABED POV I watched as they wheeled her away, my heart burning in my chest.Belshar walked toward me; his face was grim and emotionless. He stopped in front of me and my jaws clenched, the anger in my chest poisoning my blood."You sure took your time, Belshar"He scoffed, his gaze moving over me. "That's what you think but I didn't take a rest for the ten days you both were captured, kail. I did everything possible to make sure you didn't have to die In this dump""If it was Celine, you would have made sure you rescued her in time" I roared and grabbed his shirt. "Do you have any idea what Karen went through in there? She's probably going to be traumatized after this" I gritted and saw red when he smirked."What the hell is so funny" I gritted out, the urge to punch him in the face becoming impossible to resist."I didn't think I'd see the day you would be concerned for someone else. I thought you were angry for yourself, but it turns out it's for Karen. You're down that
KAREN POV I started to get up and stopped when he reached out, his gaze intent on mine."Don't" he started, then swallowed, his gaze darting away from mine. "You don't have to get up"My face flushed and the prickly feeling in my neck intensified despite the frigid air. "Don't you like me anymore?" I asked and he shook his head, even though the action caused him a bit of discomfort."I like you a lot, Karen. You have no idea how hard it has been for me to have you so close and not be able to do anything" he said, his gaze pinning mine. "From the moment I laid eyes on you at the cafe, you consumed my thoughts. I couldn't help but watch you... I must have scared you"I bit down on my lips. "You did scare me at the start but I knew you weren't going to hurt me"A flicker of a smile ghosted across his lips, then he became serious. "You told me at the cafe before all of this happened that you loved Enoch. I told you how I felt about you and that was your reply"I twiddled with my thumb,
KAREN POV "I used to really hate Belshar, you know," Kail got out as he turned on his side to face me."Why?" I asked, staring into his grey eyes. "Because father and mother used to pay more attention to him than me. It was almost as if I didn't exist back then. They always had their eyes on him, so I had to go the extra mile just to get them to notice me."He paused, and I watched as a wry smile played on his lips. He looked so sad, it hurt my heart."I started to bully him because of that. I took pleasure in causing him pain since he took all my joy away. Father and mother soon noticed, and instead of getting in trouble, they told me that they were proud of me. So the pattern formed. It was only when I hurt him that Mother smiled at me, so I did it more times than often. But that feeling of finally being noticed soon faded because it was still because of him. I hated him so much all I thought about was killing him""And Belshar never fought back," I asked. It was a bit surprising