~~ Brittany's POV ~~“I want to see your boss.” I repeated for the second time as I watched Ace's secretary typing into her computer system.She was purposely ignoring me and from the gaze she threw at me initially when I arrived, it felt as though we were fighting against each other before.“At the moment, my boss is very busy inside.” She replied plainly, with just a glance.“With what? You know what, go and inform him that I'm here, and I will leave if he still doesn't want to see me.” I uttered, staring intently at her.She rolled her eyes, making me scoff in bewilderment. “Well as you can see, I'm busy and the least you can do right now is to wait for him to be done. If not, you can better off leave this building and meet him some other time.” She stood up from her seat and crossed her hands against her chest.“Pardon? Do you even realize who I am?” I asked as more shock spread across my face.“You're his wife whom he was arranged and forced to ma…" She replied, but before she c
~~ Brittany's POV ~~I stood beside dad at the grave site as we watched Lora professed how much she missed her mom and everything she would have done with her if she were still alive. Not excluding her tearful and broken voice.At some point, I felt extreme pity for her. Losing a loved one, especially a mother could be really disheartening. But it got to another point where all my sympathy vanished. Her mother's death was nobody's fault. She died because of her jealousy and greed. Trying to reap where she didn't sow and ruining my family's peace. If she hadn't planned a fire accident for my mom, of which eventually backfired on her, then she would obviously still be alive. I exhaled deeply, lowering my gaze a little. My legs were beginning to hurt from standing there for too long. I glanced at dad and couldn't make out anything from his facial expression. He was staring blankly at Lora and her mother's grave.Every year, around this time, it had always been his custom to bring us he
~~~ Ace's POV ~~~I groggily opened my eyes, squinting at the light rays. A light groan left my lips as I sat up from the bed, resting on the headboard. I rubbed my head slightly, trying to get my thinking straight. My head ached really bad. Almost immediately, the door opened, revealing Elvira stepping out of the restroom in just a short towel. “Good morning, sweetheart.” She hushed out with a smile, walking towards me on the bed.“How was your night?” She wrapped her arms around me with a pout.My brows knitted instantly and at that very moment, I muttered, “shit!” I glanced at the wall clock and rushed down from the bed as I pushed Elvira's arms off me.But then, it registered in my brain that I was already far too late.Brittany and I were supposed to see her father together as we planned to convince him, but an emergency suddenly came up with my friends. Or so I thought. It was not until I got there that it turned to be something not too serious, and I was forced to stay to have
~~~ Brittany's POV ~~~Those words had my entire body grow numb immediately. I didn't expect that and despite the pain I felt within, that still hit me differently.“What?” That was the only thing I could say from the shock that surged through me at the moment.“Enough with the pretense, Brittany. I know everything that happened between you and that forsaken lover of yours at my birthday party.” He continued to blurt out words that sounded so peculiar to me.“What are you even saying right now? What happened on the night of your birthday party? And with whom?” I yelled in frustration, still sounding so confused and lost with everything he just said.It was strange because unfortunately for me, I couldn't remember exactly what happened on that night. It was even stranger because Ace changed completely after that night, and when I asked Jake, he agreed with me that nothing had happened.I tried to think back to that evening which happened to be Ace's birthday. His friends and I had plan
~~ Ace's POV ~~“So, do you plan to give up on her?” Alex asked after narrating my ordeal with Brittany, but I didn't reply. Instead, I poured myself a glass of liquor as I gulped it down all at once. I poured in another and did the same thing, gulping it down in a go as anger radiated through me.“Why are you so pissed by the way? You called for it with your actions towards her. For example, your rash attitude. Despite being married to her, you still let different ladies flock around you, and you barely act on your responsibility.” Alex added further, his expression holding nothing but over seriousness in it and I raised my brows.“Responsibility? Dude, we are only married for family’s sake and did I tell you that there's a contract binding our marriage? She mentioned it and clearly stated that we could do as we pleased.”“But you love her and there was a time that you could do anything for her. Or do you want me to remind you of those times?” He raised his brows and I shook my head
Lora crossed her arms against her chest defensively as she stared at the two detectives in front of her with a frustrated look. Sitting in the interrogation room while being questioned irked her so bad, and she didn't fail to show that.“Detectives, I am a victim here as well and if there is anyone who is to be blamed and called here, it should be Brittany. I mean she was the only who went a different way from us.” She stated defiantly, making the detective in front of her sigh.“Young Miss, we aren't blaming anyone yet. As you might have known, the accident occurred due to failed brakes when it shouldn't have been so. We're only following procedures here as everyone involved have been questioned except you.” He tried to explain but was interrupted by Lora.“You actually mean except Brittany because she also needs to be asked some questions. It is so obvious that she instigated the accident beforehand and everything was her plan.” Lora blurted out, hate and pain laced in her tone.She
~~ Brittany's POV ~~“Thank you so much for taking care of me, young Miss.” My dad's secretary said and I nodded.“And I'm so sorry about what happened to the chairman.” He added.“Oh, It's actually nothing. Besides, if there's even anyone to thank, it should be you. For waking up strong and healthy.” I replied with a small smile.I moved closer to him on the bed as I handed him the bouquet of flowers I had come in with earlier. He collected it with a smile and muttered, “thank you.” While I just nodded.“I'll come to visit the chairman as soon as the doctors permit me.”“Just take all the rest now and don't stress yourself too much. Remember, you just went through a challenging surgery.” I said and bowed slightly. Then I glanced at his wife who in turn stood up to appreciate me and bowed slightly as well before leaving the ward. As soon as my feet stepped outside, a light sigh left my lips and I rested my back on the wall. It'd been three days already since father's accident, yet e
~~ Ace's POV ~~ Her brows knitted in a frown as she uttered, “For a person who barely comes back to his house, I think you shouldn't ask me that. Besides, it doesn't matter to you where I stay, and you are not entitled to ask me why I didn't come home.” A light sigh left my lips as I lowered my gaze to the floor. I messed up and I was fully aware. Her attitude towards me was understandable since it was my fault. I didn't trust her and I accused her falsely too. That was my mistake. Figuring out what I needed to know from Kylie, he explained things, and clearly he was the one who hit things off with her. At that moment, it suddenly dawned on me that I had fucked up big time by trusting the words of Brittany's half-sister. I sighed again and lifted my gaze, “if this is about what happened between.............” “It's nothing about it.” She interrupted me instantly walking over to stand at the other side of the bed. I paused as my gaze remained fixed on her, watching her every mov
~~ Ace's POV ~~Meeting her at the hospital premises was unexpected. I mean, I had gone there only because of personal reasons - to find out someone I still believed could just be a figment of my imagination. But, it was all thanks to that reason that a tragedy didn't occur today. If I hadn't sighted the gunman earlier to have gotten Brittany out of sight before the gunshot, then what would have happened?Whoever the masked gunman was, had targeted Brittany because he vanished right after firing just one bullet at her. When I tried to find him again, he was gone and the people who witnessed the scene didn't know of his whereabouts as well. It was like he just vanished into thin air. But that was for a matter of time. I would find him soon and he wouldn't know what hit him."We've found the gun that was used near the crime scene. Once we get a person who matches the descriptions you gave, we'll add him to the wanted list. Although it might not be easy, since his face was covered.""Do
~~ Brittany's POV~~"I'm sorry if I had kept you waiting. There were some emergency matters that I had to deal with." Dr. Marvin's apologetic tone sounded from behind as he walked to his seat and I nodded quietly."It's fine. I'm just here to make finding about these." I brought out the same drugs I had mistaken to be mine earlier and left them scattered on the doctor's desk.He only stared at it for a brief moment and an almost inaudible sigh left his lips. His hands moved forward to link together on his desk. "Whose drugs are these? I didn't prescribe them to you.""I know and that's what I came to figure out. However, I have an idea of who it belonged to, and I want to confirm with you. Just tell me nothing but the truth." I said in hush tones but he kept quiet.That wasn't what I wanted. I wanted answers but his blank gaze told me he was hesitating from explaining things to me."Fine, you don't have to explain anything to me. As his wife, I have the right to ask questions about hi
~~ Brittany's POV ~~Everywhere became silent again when the video stopped, and I glanced at the so-called diligent employee as she called herself. She was barely making eye contact with anyone in the hall. But shortly after, she summoned courage. She was trying hard to mask her anxious expression which wasn't rarely working."No, this is not right. It is absolutely illegal to stalk me, just because your position is higher? You had your secretary follow and have me on video secretly. That is against work ethics and you can be sued for that!""You're right but at the same time, this can't be overlooked. What you did over there almost cost us so much damage and that's what matters." I exhaled sharply. "Besides, everyone that was present on that day knew if you hadn't pointed accusing fingers at my secretary, then she wouldn't have gone the extra mile to prove herself. Mind you, you plotted everything from the beginning."One of the members of the board of directors, a man, added, "We al
~~ Brittany's POV ~~"Everything has been prepared for the meeting and everyone is waiting for your arrival, Ma'am.""Fine, let's go." The door opened and Jake came in. He was hesitant at first as he stepped closer, his hands clasped together in front. "Please, we need to talk." He stated almost inaudibly, his eyes simply boring into mine."Excuse us, Clarissa." I said and walked back to stand behind my desk.Clarissa left without hesitation, and I was all alone with Jake, who was still gawking at me like he was suddenly tongue-tied."You don't have all day to talk to me. There are more important things I have to do.""Um... I didn't mean to delay you or anything. I...just wanted to speak about us." He stuttered out, taking a deep breath afterward. "It's absolutely fine if you're too busy to talk now. We can do that some other time, maybe discuss over dinner later tonight.""Say whatever you have to say right here, there won't be a second chance for this discussion." I chipped in wi
~~ Ace's POV ~~I could feel people raiding their eyes on me as I walked into the company; many ladies throwing flirtatious gazes while some murmured amongst themselves. Moments later, a group of people walked up to me, stopping in front of me."Mr. Ace, it's a great honor to have you here. Please come with me, the president is pleased to welcome you to the company." One of the men amongst them stated with a small smile."I'm not here to see him." I corrected and glanced everywhere else but them. "Where is his daughter? I'm here to see her instead." I glanced back at them and could feel their embarrassment, especially on the man's face."Oh, Ms Elvira? I'll take you to her. She's in her dressing room. Come with me, please." One of the ladies offered, walking away and I followed suit.These were one of the numerous companies that A&C enterprise invested in but it was actually the first time I'd been there without the CEO title, i.e when there wasn't any official occasion going on. Afte
~~ Brittany's POV ~~I woke up to the beeping sounds beside me as I managed to sit upright on the bed. My body ached badly, like I had been lying on this bed longer than usual and my head throbbed slightly with headache. I felt heavy all of a sudden at the discomfort and I moved my gaze around the strange environment until they stopped on Clarissa sitting on a white couch."Ma'am, you're awake." She said as our gaze met, and she rose to her feet, walking towards me immediately."What happened?" I asked, looking around the ward once again. "Why am I in a hospital? And how long have I been here?""You've been unconscious for over a day, ma'am," Clarissa replied before making me rest my back on the pillows behind."But how did I end up..." The door suddenly opened causing me to pause as I turned towards the direction. Ace halted near the door briefly before hurrying towards me in the next second while the doctor just strolled casually behind him."How are you feeling, Mrs. Miller?" The
The huge black automatic gate slid open as a white Porsche sped into the compound, having less interest in parking properly. Charlotte stepped out of the car, stylishly taking in the serene atmosphere. Everything in the spacious compound screamed luxury, especially the majestic floor-standing fountain at the center.As Charlotte made her way into the gigantic mansion, some maidservants she had walked past greeted her, and the only person who stopped her was the middle-aged Butler dressed in uniform."Young Miss, you're here. The chairman is not around at the moment, but he will be back soon." He announced, his tone warm and calm as he stared at the young lady standing in front of him."I'm not here to see my Father. I just came to pick a few things in my room." Charlotte replied nonchalantly."Then, do you mind waiting behind for lunch? It is being prepared as we speak." Seeing the slight look of worry in the Butler's eyes, Charlotte sighed and lowered slightly down to his level. He
~~ Ace's POV ~~Many would say that I was speaking under the influence of alcohol and even as they finally agreed to sign the contract, I could still feel some of their astonished gazes on me. They all looked like they weren't the same set of people who weren't willing to give us a second of their time earlier.The truth of the matter was that I couldn't bear to see Brittany caught in a tight spot. I could feel it earlier when she spoke to them that she was nervous, and that was the height of it all. The Brittany I knew in business affairs was usually so confident and sometimes, it was not easy to oppose her in business matters. Many of our business partners were aware of that.As we eventually signed all the necessary parts, the deal was sealed successfully with two people from my legal team present, as I promised. They had smiles plastered over their faces, every one of them except for the old man who happens to be the town leader."We hope you don't disappoint us the second time be
~~ Brittany's POV ~~"I asked the others to think of a solution, but nothing seems to come to my mind. It's super annoying but I can't just let this go. I need to do something to prevent a disaster.""It's not the end for you, you know.""And you?" I asked, clearly irritated that I was the only one worried about the whole thing while Ace was looking the less bothered.As over an hour had passed, all he did was pacify me when I got overly worried. He even ordered our lunch through the hotel's room service and while eating, he didn't allow the topic till we finished eating. That moment felt passionate as my toes curled at how caring he was. "The both of us can't possibly be too worried at the same time. Then who would motivate who to stop overthinking?" He tilted his head to the left as if trying to seek answers through my eyes.That had me roll my eyes. As much as I wanted to deny it, he was right. One person had to stay in their right frame of mind to avoid losing it. I made my way o