ELLA'S POV I walked over to the hall with the president behind me. I was taking him on a short tour of the hall and things were going smoothly. I pointed over to the stage, “That is stage and that is…”As I spoke, something in me felt uncertain. I could feel iny veins that something bad was about to go down. Madame Browne was the only person in the hall and the thought of that was unsettling.“I'll be back.” I took several steps back. I flashed a wink at Glenda telling her I had to use the lady's room before walking out of the corner into the main hall.I took slow yet calculated steps into the hallway, my heels walking slowly without making any noise. I stepped to a side and caught a view of Madame Browne's figure looking as maddened as I had left.I waited for a second, a cold sweat running down my forehead as I searched for any movements from her but received nothing. I was just about to turn and leave when I caught her walking back in the direction of a corner of the hall. She
THE NEXT DAYELLA'S POV Grin Grin!I woke up to the first ray of sunlight. The air loomed celebration and joy, the distant sound of the workers at the hall bracing my ears. My alarm clock receding ringing filled my ears as I tapped on the button to turn off before stepping out of the bed. The president's birthday was today and I had set a timer to wake up early enough to be one of the first set of people to wish him a happy birthday.I took my bath and dressed myself in a simple top and some khaki pants to go surpervise the event before the guests arrived. I traced my steps to Ivy's room to find her already awake in her pajamas. “Let's go wish Grandpa a happy birthday!” I smiled, pointing to the cake I'd ordered earlier. “Yay cake.” Ivy squeeled beside me, her sweet voice filled with joy.“Let's go.” I urged, taking the cake pack. Ivy gave out another squeel as she ran over from the bed. “Don't forget the party poppers.”Madeline, ivy's caretaker who was watching us from the side,
ELLA'S POV “This way ma'am,” The news reporter walked over to me, his finger pointing in the direction where his camera team were located.I looked back at the script in my hands, I still didn't understand why Madame Browne had insisted I did the interview when I was told only ten minutes away. Madame Browne was seated by the edge of the hall, a wicked smile playing on her lips. The flickering lights of the camera team washed her features, the malice in her gaze burning my flesh. I parted some loose strands of my hair behind my ears as I walked over to the corner where the interview was going to happen. The walls had a green background and the makeup artist walked over to me with a make-up box in her hands.“Make-up?” She asked nicely, revealing her bright set of dentition.I was just about to respond to her when Madame Browne interrupted, her tone dismissive, “No! She doesn't need that.”“The interview should start in a minute.” The director stepped in beside Madame Browne, his fi
ELLA'S POV Xavier was finally here.My joy knew no bounds as I rushed over to the parking lot where I had guessed his car was packed. From afar, I could already see a glint of his backview stepping out of his car.The security men following him led the way as he turned. His face, as you'd expect, was strict, the bad-boy look plastered on all corners of his face but once he saw me, a bright smile tugged at his lips.“Xavier.” I said, running as fast as my legs could carry me. Xavier also ran in my direction and when I finally came in contact with him, I jumped into his wife arms. The smell of his cologne flared my nostrils, the joy of being in Xavier’s arms washing back into my veins.In as much as I didn't want to admit it, I missed him. And I could tell he also missed me. His arms wrapped aroundy back, his lips placing a hot kiss on my neck.“I missed my princess.” The sound of Xavier's voice trudged into my ears, fulfillment washing into my bones. I felt happy, safe and contented
MADAME BROWNE'S POV “Hello Darling,” I spoke, my lips pressing into a thin line. I waited a long second before I finally received a reply, “Hello this is Dallas, Mr Luke's assistant—”The shaky voice on the other end wasn't Luke's. “Give my husband the damn phone!” I lashed out a command, one that was too sharp to be questioned.Sliding back into my chair, I stretched my fingers as I reached for the pack of cigarettes by a side of the table. Slowly, I opened the pack, sliding out one of the cigarettes before proceeding to light it.A flicker of light was all it needed to burn, a hazy fog of puffs waving through the air in the room. I knew today was going to come, the day they'd outgrow my games and the day I'd be left with no other choice but to use my one last weapon— the most dangerous of them all.I coughed.The thought of him was enough to make my bloodstreams tighten. My husband, Luke Browne McKinney was that one last weapon— the one fashioned against all but me.I knew I'd get
MADAME BROWNE'S POV I slid the cigarette in between my lips, the stale mist it let out seeping into the air. I inhaled, letting out puffs as I settled deeper into my chair.I was just about to take my second puff when I heard the sound of footsteps. I turned my head sharply, my senses at alert. My gaze caught the figure of a man, thin, when he turned, I recognized him immediately. It was my assistant.That insolent fool!“What did I tell you about coming into my quarters without approval from me?” I questioned, my eyes darting over his features.“I know you said it's dangerous and you could have me killed for that but…” His voice faltered, his panting rising. He was reeking with sweat, his breathing unstable like someone who had just run a hundred meters.“Go on.” I ordered, my voice soft yet laced with command. “You… you have to see this.” He said, turning on his phone. I watched his fingers shake as he swiped his fingertips on the screen like the winter leaf he was. He turned the
XAVIER'S POV“Let's go,” I said, my eyes flashing to the most beautiful lady I've met all year, Ella. She was dressed in a purple mermaid that clung to her curves perfectly. Her hair was brushed back in a neat sweep that was packed into a bun. “I’m almost done,” I heard her say, her hands brushing a make-up brush on her cheekbones. Ella looked gorgeous today, I knew she would supercede Madame Browne's. A smile tugged at the corners of my cheeks as I walked over to where she stood. Bending my neck, i sniffed her hair seductively. I'd really missed Ella over the weaks and seeing her in a gown dropped need in my veins.She released a low breath, a moan perhaps. I gripped her neck, her eyes rising to meet mine. I brush my fingers over her lips as I pulled forward, my lips claiming hers in a hot fiery kiss.I allowed her explore my mouth, her fingers rubbing the back of my head. A minute of kissing Ella and I was already hard on all edges.I pulled her closer, my fingers gripping her st
ELLA'S POV “It's the president.” My heart skipped a beat as I heard the worker's voice. I gripped my chest, fear gripping my lungs as I tried to keep a steady breathing system.Concern washed through my veins. What had happened? An attack? I knew he was aging but I'd never expected to find a healthy agilr man as the president to have an attack. Xavier took a step further from behind me, his hands gripping mine.“Where is he?” He asked, his voice sharp edged with a roll of command. The worker, who was still worked up from the fear, found it hard to give an instant reply.After what felt like a minute, her voice finally creaked out. “H… he has been rushed to the city hospital.” The lady spoke softly, glistening sweats trickling down her forehead.“Which one?” I asked, the impatience boiling in my tone.“The city hospital.” She said and before she could flutter out other words, we raced into the hallway.I ran despite on heels. I was really worried something bad had happened to the pr
ELLA'S POV I felt a wave of reassurance hit me the instant Xavier's lips pulled into a wrinkled smile. I could sense the hesitation in his breath as he stretched his hand, reaching forward to claim my hands in a handshake.As he did that, I smiled, but this time, my smile wasn't the same as his. Mine was different. My smile was edged with mystery and an unrelenting speck of mischief.The pains that tore through me weren't describable when it came to words. It felt like a knife had been driven into my back but at the same time, it left a haunting aftermath that lingered in me. I felt a malicious urge coursing through my veins as I sucked in a breath. There were times when I wanted to tear into Madame Browne and her husband but this?This was definitely the right time to do that.They could trespass with me but trying to ruin my husband's reputation?Nobody does that and goes scot free. I knew it was all another stunt of Madame Browne's when she walked into the kitchen. Her visit for
XAVIER'S POV My breath hitched in my chest at the sight of the incoming figure. Who was that? I arched my brows in fear as I prepared myself for what I was about to see.I shifted my gaze slowly, dragging it with remorse in the direction of the figure standing beside the maid.I wasn't sure who it was yet but for the first time in forever, I was curious.From the shadow of her figure I could already project the figure's sex. She was a female, dressed in a flay gown. My heart raced in my chest as I felt droplets of sweats cling to my oily forehead. Some rolled down my forehead while some clung desperately to my forehead as I finally summoned up the courage to stare at the person's face.I started from the shoes at first.I dragged my gaze over to the shoes and I was met with the sight of a flat pair of patent shoes that could have only been worn by one person in the entire Mckinney mansion.Ella.A wrinkled smile tugged at my lips and my eyes lit up as I opened my lips to speak but n
XAVIER'S POVThe rest of the run from the meeting room to the mansion was long. I recalled running out of the elevator and sprinting into the reception like a loose madman with just one thing in my mind.Ella.I couldn't stand to loose her.In as much as I didn't want to sound helpless, she was all I had and neither Madame Brown's tricks nor Rochelle's acting could take her away from me. My family wasn't going to be split apart by their baseless act.I was going to get back at Madame Browne for what she did to me.That was a promise. I would keep it dear.I sprinted past the office of the receptionist and her voice beamed from behind as I halted to a stop. “Mr Xavier!” Her tone was high pitched with an edge of worry and concern flashing in it. I turned steely with my chest heaving heavily as I stared at her. “What is that?” I prowled through gnashed teeth as I paced towards her. I walked all the way to the counter and banged my fists on the counter. “Speak up!” My voice thundered a
MADAME BROWNE'S POV I sat down on the chair near the snack table with a gleam of satisfaction washing through my veins as I gripped a nearby glass of wine from the snack desk.This was going to be fun.I could already tell.I watched the shareholders all gather around Rochelle like moths to a flame, feeding desperately on the flickers of lies she distilled. They were fools but it felt good to finally make them all my fools.A dark grin tugged at my lips as I raised the wine glass to my lips. My eyes were fixed on the scene, watching the one drama I'd prepare myself for beforehand.To the shareholders, this was a shocking revelation that urged them to have a rethink but to me? To me, this was like a drama, a scene I'd orchestrated for days. Everything went right, Rochelle did extraordinarily well and I gotta stay under the spotlight and so did Lucas.The shareholders had all fallen into our traps and all I had to do right now was to sit back and relax. Thin strips of malice lit up in
XAVIER'S POV I decided to do one thing before I allowed the shareholders to jump to conclusions. I could beat them at their own games, it wasn't too late yet.I moved to the other side of the room where the shareholders were gathered around the pregnant lady that stood her ground that I was in a relationship with her.She was crying, soft fake sobs tearing through the air as I smirked. The gazes of the shareholders flickered sharply over to me and I felt waves of shock trudged down my spine as I felt my body freeze rapidly. “Before you all jump to conclusions I believe we first have to go over the basics first,” I beamed and caught a glimpse of shock and anger in Madame Browne's eyes. I could've sworn I heard her grunt before she cut me off, “Oh what basics Xavier? Can't you just own up to your mistakes already and stop trying to turn the tables when we all know that you did all she said you did!” The tension in the air rose alongside the voices but I ignored them all, focusing m
XAVIER'S POVOh, I get it all now.Madame Browne was doing it again but this time around, the trick she had up her sleeves could ruin everything I thought I had.My reputation was about to be dragged through the mud and the thought of being tied to the spot was irritating even for me. I wanted to do something but it would only get worse.Madame Browne's paid actress was acting so good that anything I said or did wouldn't be believed by the shareholders. They'd all snagged up her words as she delivered them, delivering her lines with an Oscar worthy performance.I stayed frozen on the spot, holding on desperately to the last fading threads of restraint I had left in me. My eyes were flushed with rage and my fists were balled up like I was about to start a fight.I couldn't afford to have them trample over me like that. I had to do something— anything!I paced towards the shareholders, snagging the pictures from their hands as I inspected everyone. As I glanced at them, I felt a flush o
ELLA'S POV THREE HOURS AGO.I was doing the chores in the kitchen when I heard the door pull open. I ignored the sound thinking it was another kitchen staff stepping into the kitchen but It wasn't.I fixed my gaze on the cabbage I was cutting when I felt her presence. Madame Browne. She was here.I raised my hand immediately like someone in a trance as I flashed my gaze at her. She was standing proudly at the other side of the kitchen counter where I was chopping the cabbage. Her eyes loomed over me like a laser and I just couldn't help but frown in shock and confusion. What did she mean by what she was doing?Why was she staring?Madame Browne was never the one to stare at one, especially when I was doing a chore. The only times she stared at me was either with jealousy or disgust.But this time, she had a suspicious smile plastered on her lips. It haunted me, sending jolts of fear and panic into my veins as I missed a spot and sliced my finger.It was a low cut but it hurt as I pu
XAVIER'S POV If you think you're just as shocked as me right now, I recommend you check again because things are going haywire right now.The air in the room was bridled with tension that seared endlessly, my thoughts went wild for a moment and so did my heartbeat. The receding beeps I used to feel in my chest now faded off and I could've sworn I had an out-of-body experience with the lady.The raging sounds of gasps from the shareholders faded off and I felt myself loosen into a void, one where I'm stuck with the pregnant lady standing nearby. She flashed me a seductive wink and I stepped back in shock, adrenaline pulsing through my veins as my breath hitched.She was standing dangerously close. I could sniff her cologne from where I stood, it had a cheap air to it that turned my stomach. I tried to step back, hoping she wouldn't take another step closer but before I could do that, she pulled her head closer as if aiming to whisper something.“You'll know me very soon Xavier,” her t
XAVIER'S POV I could feel it in my veins.The president was hiding something from me and I won't stop until I find out what exactly it is. I clenched my fists for a second, following him with a thin gaze. I traced his movements down to where he arrived at the door where a masculine figure stood. Lucas. A wave of disgust crashed in me and I sniffed softly, the intensity of his gaze brushing through my skin. His eyes loomed brighter than any light I'd ever seen. His stance was a perfect replica of a predator, dark green eyes that burned right through me.The cold wind in the room crashed into me as I felt my neck hair stiffen. The room was silent for a while save for the soft screeches of the president's wheelchair.He was about wheeling out of the room when I opened my lips and called for him. “I’ll help you with that.” My voice tore through the fog of unspoken tension and I walked over to to where he stood.I stretched my hands and gripped the handles of the wheelchair before pushi