ELLA'S POV The pulsating beats coming in from the speakers make me go wild as I tuned my body's sleek movements in sync with the music. With my hair messed up in what was supposed to be a ponytail, my body covered in a see through gown, I could probably say I had had a pretty great night. I loved the club, the buzz, it's ever pungent smell of sex and alcohol, the drinks. But everything was typical, just like yesterday and the day before. Scrambling my gaze across the usual crowd of clubbers, the series of flashing lights. I noticed something— someone, a man's intriguing figure, sitting at the mini bar. "I see you got your eyes on someone," A voice called out to me as I turned my gaze to the tall redhead lady I knew as my best friend, Maggie. Margaret flashed a weird wink of her eyes, a grin spreaded on her cheeks. "Shut up," I admitted, feeling guilty as we both laughed at each other. "Why not go talk to him," Maggie hollers, her voice calm and cool. My face twisted into a frow
ELLA'S POV "Thank you for dropping her," I murmured drenched in thoughts as I raised my head to see the stranger my daughter had brought home this time. Pulling my gaze past his body, I paused, recognition flashing past my shocked eyes. This was Xavier McKinney, my one night stand, Ivy's father. I couldn't believe my eyes, my jaw falls slightly as the memories of our one night stand rushes into my mind. I couldn't help but feel a flash of emotions from the past years I've been left alone to bear and train Ivy ever since day one. The first was dropping out of school, then loosing matt, my boyfriend at that time to the pregnancy I had with an unknown stranger. I remembered the sleepless night I've spent, cradling my pregnancy wondering how I'd singlehandedly mother a child. Anger kicked in my veins as the memories sank deep. The loneliness I felt when my belly bump began showing while in college and being teased and made fun of. The loneliness still crept deep, the night I'd del
XAVIER'S POV "Thank goodness you're here sir," I heard a call as I alighted the car closing the door gently behind me. Turning to face Alex, I rushed past him into the hospital where my father was being taken care of.Running past the security men at the hospital, I hurried for the counter. Arriving there, I turned to the nurse at the counter and blurted, "Excuse me nurse, which room was my father kept?""Oh, Mr Xavier, good to see you again..." She bickered licking her lips seductively while staring hungrily at me. "Can you shut the fu*k up and tell me what room my father is in."Shaken by my sudden yell and the stares she got, I watched as the nurse hurried with the files on the counter. "He is in the platinum vip treatment room at the top floor."Hearing her words, I walked over to the elevator, waiting as it's doors finally chimed open and I entered. Tapping the numbers of the floor I was headed, I waited patiently as the elevator, paused, the doors opening as someone else got in
ELLA'S POV "I have to leave," I uttered, wiping some strands of my hair to a side as I made my way out of the elevator. In a fit of rush, my bag fell and all my documents were all littered to the elevator floor. Bending to pick it up, I hurriedly packed up the few documents my hands could reach and immediately dashed out of the elevator before Xavier could call me. Just as I stepped out, I heard the soft chim of the elevator as I heaved out. Wiping off the beads of sweats clouding my forehead, I stood, trying to calm my heart's erratic beating. I was shocked to meet him here again. Was he stalking me? It was now beginning to look mysterious, they way he keeps popping up wherever I go. First was with Ivy, now at my workplace, what next? Was he going to pop back into my life and take over?I felt a whirlwind of emotions as I touched my lips, the memory of our kiss creeping back to me.Shit. How could I be so foolish, to allow him kiss me. Xavier was a flirt, he surely had a way of k
ELLA'S POV "Be a good girl for mommy, okay?" I smiled softly, patting my daughter Ivy's head as we walked next door to the Thompsons'. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson, old and retired, had been absolute lifesavers since Ivy was born. They didn't have children of their own, but they had showered Ivy with all the love and attention she could ever need, making their home feel like a second home for her.As we walked up the path to their front door, I noticed the crisp morning air and the scent of blooming flowers from their garden. It was a quiet, peaceful moment, and I felt a wave of gratitude for having such wonderful neighbors.I knocked on the door, and it swung open to reveal Mrs. Thompson. She was dressed in a nice outfit, clearly ready for something special, and her husband stood behind her, adjusting his tie."Good morning, Ella," Mrs. Thompson greeted me with her usual warm smile, but there was a hint of regret in her eyes. "I’m so sorry, but we have an event to attend today. We won’t be
XAVIER'S POV I strode into the hospital with the confidence of a man who owned everything in his sight. And why not? I practically did. The crisp, sterile smell of the hospital didn’t faze me; I was used to the finest things, and this place needed my money more than I needed their gratitude.As I entered the meeting room, my eyes immediately locked onto her. Ella. The woman who had haunted my thoughts for years. She looked as stunning as ever, and the sight of her sent a surge of possessive desire through me. I wanted her, plain and simple. I wanted to feel her, to claim her again, and this time, to stay in her life.Her eyes widened in shock as she recognized me. Good. Let her be surprised. I liked the idea of unsettling her, of making her wonder why I was here. As Mr. Anderson droned on about the charity event, I barely paid attention. My focus was solely on Ella and the way she tried to compose herself.When Mr. Anderson finally left, the room fell silent, the tension thick betwee
ELLA'S POV "And I like that." Xavier's words filled my ears, the undeniable connection of our bodies causing me to fiddle gently. My body throbbed with a lot of emotions, if anything, I wanted him to pin me to four walls of this office. For him to claim me— but I won't show it.He was a jerk, one I wasn't going to allow into my life. He had left me to myself then causing my then almost perfect promising career to be shattered. I couldn't help but feel a trace of hurt in my veins, my face hardening.Back then, I had the perfect life as an adult college student, a hot boyfriend, a best friend that loved to party. My career was promising, I was supposed to be a doctor, but all my dreams laid in dirt the moment the doctor had told me I was pregnant.We were having a practical back at school, I had fainted and my best friend, Maggie, with the help of Dave, my ex boyfriend, had both helped me to the sick bay. The nurse there had taken some test and had announced discretely that I was pregn
ELLA'S POVI was walking briskly down the hallway, trying to keep my head up despite the jumble of thoughts still lodged in my mind from Rhea’s confrontation. My hand tingled where I had smacked her and as the adrenaline ebbed away, a boiling blend of anger and satisfaction set in.Penny, who had been waiting for me at the nurse station, waved the instant she saw me. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of delight which was replaced almost immediately with some curiosity."What happened?" Penny asked, worry ringing clearly in her tone.I forced out a smile, not wanting to add to her worries. "Nothing, just Rhea’s usual nonsense, nothing worth stressing about."Penny looked at me knowingly; she saw right through my attempt to downplay it. “Ella, come on. What did she say?”Looking around to see if anyone could hear us, I sighed. "That's a story for later but I have some big news now."“Really?” Penny lifted an eyebrow curiously the worry in her tone ebbing away.Stopping in my tracks, I turne
MADAME BROWNE’S POV I couldn't believe my eyes.The president was alive.Fury washed through me in waves as I gazed back at his impending figure. The president sat comfortable on a wheelchair, his gaze firm like a king surveying his kingdom. Xavier was the one pushing him around and the sight of the both of them standing there made me furious.I thought Lucas said he should be dead by now. To even think that I was actually about to start celebrating when he told me the news only to realize that it was all a lie. The president had survived the attack and as always, my plans had been ruined.I bit hard into my lower lip as I clenched my fists, the sharp pain that came from the pressing sensation of my fingernails on my palms jolting my head upright. The president had a sneer on his face as he was wheeled back into the room.His presence caused my heart to nearly skip a beat. My breaths came hitching out, ragged puffs coming out of my nostrils. I tried to contain the shock in my veins b
LUCAS'S POV I watched as the fire flickered, crackling furiously in the fireplace. The golden rays it casted brightened the room in its dimmed light. I raised my wine glass feeling the weight of her gaze on my back.Madame Browne was seated at the counter at the other end of the room, her fingers pouring white wine into a glass cup. My mind was still reeling with emotions— malice, washing through my veins. After pouring herself a topped glass of white wine, she strode out of the counter, walking in my direction. I checked the time, it was way past 10. “You can stay behind if you want.” Her voice beamed, thin layers of remorse glistening in her midnight black eyes. She hadn't changed a bit, her hair stopped just before her hips which glided, the light from the fireplace casting an exquisite silhouette of her body against the wall opposite her.I laughed, a low grunt following the few seconds of laughter that rolled out of my lips.My fingers curled against a glass of liquor. I raise
XAVIER'S POV I couldn't believe my eyes. The rage and the anger in my veins all washed away once my eyes met his. The president. He… he was alive?My jaw fell as my fingers brushed my eyes to make sure I wasn't hallucinating. The president, the same man the doctor had proclaimed dead, was standing right there, in a hospital gown on a wheelchair.I had a lot of questions bubbling up in my mind, queries surfacing as I watched him being pushed closer. The look on my face did not do enough justice to the series of emotions I had reeling in my veins.My heart skipped a beat, maybe even two. I turned my head to glare at Doctor Jiang, he wasn't shocked. He sat on his chair, tucked nearly back on the high neck swivel chair as if I hadn't pushed him against a wall some minutes ago.Slowly, I tilted my head back to see the president and confirm it all. He was still there. No, that couldn't be. Just hours ago, he was rushed into the surgery room with little chances of making it out alive and no
XAVIER'S POV After the last nurse stepped into the theater room, I watched the door close. The lights against the wall glistened red hues that sent shivers down my spine.I waited behind in the hallways waiting patiently for the feedback from the doctor. I had been sitting there for over an hour and a half now. It seemed the surgery wasn't going to finish any minute from now.My mind was filled with worries, intrusive thoughts and concerns about the president. What if he didn't make it? I shook my head softly, trying to remove the thought from my mind.Thinking negative things could only make them happen, I had to look on the bright side. For starters, the doctor had told me the president had a very strong heart that was able to withstand the last two attacks so I was sure, it would be able to withstand this one also.I ransacked my mind for other good points I could deliberate about but I found nothing— nothing but the intrusive thoughts that lingered freely in my mind. The silence
LUCAS'S POV “Oh, let the poor maid go, darling. Besides, we both know there are more important things to get settled on.” I heard the calling voice, recognition clicking almost immediately. I gazed back into the tear filled eyes of the maid huddled up against the wall, watching as muffled gasps seeped out of her lips. I was just about to grab her by the neck when I heard her voice. Madame Browne, my pretend wife.I released a low chuckle, turning to face her slowly. My gaze caught her figure, long lustrous hair, thin figure, heavy make-up— she looked just as beautiful as the wife I'd left back home thirty two years ago. She had on a long mermaid gown that clung to her edges, her dolled up face staring back at me. It all seemed as if Madame Browne was the only thing, person rather, who was still the same as I'd left her.“Let her go!” I ordered, my voice shrill. Immediately, the lady was released, I heard the low grunts she made before scurrying alongside the other maids like she w
LUCAS’S POV“We're here sir.” I heard the voice of the driver who was driving me.I turned to face him. The driver. He was dressed in an all black attire just like all of my other men. I gripped the knob to the door and twisted it as the door sprang open.I stepped out of the car and felt the soft chilling breeze that plucked greedily at me. It was windy today, I remarked. Darwin, my assistant hovered close to me as I made my way from the parking lot over to the mansion's door.It glistened under the soft rays of sunlight, clear tall glass's that chimed open and close automatically. My mind was still fixed on Xavier and that doctor, they were both hiding something— something crucial.Just as I walked past the door, I heard Darwin's voice. “After the visit with Madame Browne, you have another one—” Just as he was about completing his words, I interrupted him, “Clear my schedules tonight,I have somewhere I have to be.”I strutted past the huge living room, the maids in the mansion turni
XAVIER'S POV When I heard the president had another attack, I had rushed out of the mansion in my car with my heart reeling. “I'll be there as soon as I can.” I said, my phone clutched tightly in my palm.I raced out of the main building, Ella and I were in the middle of a conversation when I received the call from the hospital. The nurse that had called had a shaky voice that added to my worry.I shuffled through the parking lot with Alex, my assistant, running behind me trying to catch up but I was too fast. I paused in front of one of the cars and turned to him to give me the car keys. “Are you going to be okay sir? I can call a driver to drive you to you lo—” I watched him speak as I interrupted, “Just give me the keys.”With my order, he threw the keys in my direction. I caught it, the keys making a sound as I clutched them. I pressed the button on the key and watched as the car's lights flickered. I walked over to the driver seat and pulled the door open, the clear class refle
LUCAS'S POVIn that swift moment, I watched the president being wheeled out of the room into the theater. I rushed alongside the speeding nurses but paused before the ICU unit. I watched the theater's lights flicker red.It didn't take up to a minute before I saw the doctor who was stepping in. “Is anything wrong doc?” My voice was stern, cold. The doctor, an Asian man in a doctor uniform, stared back at me with wide doe eyes.“He had another attack.” I heard the doctor say. “And at this point it is very crucial at this point. The president's heart can not take—” I listened attentively, taking in the details and the information he was spilling but just before he could complete his speech, I heard the sound of footsteps speeding into the hallway.I stiffened, maintaining my stance. I already knew it was Xavier running down the hallway and just then, I heard the sound of his panting. I turned, staring at him from the side of my eyes. It was obvious the hospital had sent out a notificat
LUCAS'S POVAUTHOR’S NOTE: Dear readers, I read all your comments and I appreciate each and every one of them. I'd love to read more under this chapter. The chapter below is very long and I know you all deserve more. I hope you enjoy it. ~~~“The presidency,” I growled, my voice low. A dark grin tugged at my lips, my gaze flickering to the sight of the familiar man on the bed.He had aged quite far from the last time I saw him. His hair, which was once vibrant black was now bleached white, soft wrinkles here and there but overall, I could still see the face of the one man who disowned me years ago in his vibrant green eyes.I know you're expecting me to talk about how much of an easy going person my father was but I'll rather tell you a different story. He was the first person in the world to shun me— the first person to ever pick someone over me.He picked him over me.He did that when we were kids and now, I wouldn't let history repeat itself. Rage flashed in my green eyes as I suc