POISON'S POVIf you asked me, I'd tell you this place smelled like shit.It looked like a torn out piece of a 6 year old Disn*y princess scrapbook, colored in pink. I couldn't stand it here, everything annoyed me.The constant reek of roses in the air, the fake giggles of the lady present, everything did!I didn't mean to sound rude but who the actual fuck pays ten grand for a makeover. It's not as if the person I am going to kill is a young, important person. It's an old man who's already on his sick bed.I smirked as I watched Madame Browne spoke with the lady. I felt irritated by this— the lady's fake giggle, the malice dripping beneath the sickeningly sweet facade in the tones. I rolled my eyes reading meaning into each and every one of the words they spoke.When Madame Browne agree to pay ten grand, my jaw fell. It seemed as if the job really did mean a lot to her, I wasn't going to disappoint anyways. I grumbled as the two workers in the store led me in the direction of a door t
ELLA'S POV AT THE MCKINNEY MANSIONI watched the president sleep peacefully. Xavier was by the other end of the room, he was also watching the president like I was. The silence in the room was soft unlike any other. I couldn't take my eyes of the president so quick.What if uncle Lucas came back?The thought of that alone was enough to keep my awake. My body was sore with pain as I adjusted my seat. As the time pulled by I began feeling sleepy. I tilted my head in Xavier's eyes to check up on Xavier.He was already asleep. I had to stay awake, atleast since Xavier was asleep. Someone had to stay awake in order to alert the others in case anything happened.I stayed awake for a while until I was pulling into sleep. My eyelids were struggling to stay up and my weak body was already pulling into the charm of sleep. My back arched instinctively as I settled deeper into the chair I was seating and before I knew it, I was already falling asleep.The silence in the room eased the sleep that
ELLA' POVCaroline.Even the sound of her name made me feel anxious. I ran a finger into my hair, staring helplessly at Xavier as he guided me into our bedroom. My body was sore and the relief I felt to lay on the soft cushions was great.“I don't feel the president is safe around her, Xavier?” I mumbled, struggling to stay awake. My eyelids were already closed and it was almost midnight.Xavier, who was in the bathroom, strutted out. He was just as tired as I was and seeing him like that, I decided not to press on. I rubbed my knuckles lazily on my eyes as I bit back a yawn.I had to stay awake.Something in me still couldn't relax knowing fully well the president was left under the supervision of a total stranger. Xavier walked over to the bed and before he got on it, he patted my head softly.“The president will be just fine, the security at the hallways are guiding the room just Incase.” Xavier’s voice faltered into a yawn just after he finished.I tried to relax— to let off the t
ELLA'S POV I paced backwards, a chill running through my veins. Sweat trickled down my forehead as I glared hard at the prominent figure of Caroline.Just before I could take another step backward, she stopped walking and stared at me. She glared hard at me for what felt like a minute before I saw recognition glisten in her eyes.“Ma'am, what are you doing at this odd hour, I was afraid the president was getting attacked.” My heart skipped a beat at the sound of her voice.I still didn't believe her words, a few seconds ago her eyes were bloodshot, contempt rolling freely in them and now, she was acting like she'd just seen me? I calmed my heavy breathing to reply her, “I… I ac.. I.” I struggled to build the words as I stuttere making a fool of myself. Just as she'd spoken, I watched two other figures pull out from behind her.They were prominent, like that of well built men. The shadows in the hallway draped over their figures so I couldn't get a clear sight of them.I wasn't sure
ELLA'S POV Who was that?I was pulled back into the elevator and I felt my back run into the hard chest of a man. I immediately tried to move away from it— whoever he was. I had to get out of here.Just then, the elevator’s lights flickered on.My heart shook in my chest as I was met by the figure. Xavier, in his sleeping attire with a restless look on his face. “Ella, I thought I told you not to worry.” His tone was soft as his hand slid around my neck.“I'm sorry, I just—” I tried to build up words but he interrupted me halfway, “I get you're worried about the president, I am also as worried as you. Together, we'll make it work.”Following his words were the comfort of receiving reassurance from the one person I loved the most. A sexy smile made it's way to his face, the dim lights in the elevator bracing his face. I pulled closer to him as his hand gripped my waist as he pulled closer to him, his lips pausing before my ear lobe. “the president will be fine only if we can give him
CAROLINE'S POVWhen that lady, Ella walked towards me back then in the room, my heart skipped a beat. I had to do something, anything. I tried to mask my anxiety and I used that bitch fell for it.I was expecting her to walk out of the room and never show her face again but she stood her ground, her gaze holding mine. She really did have some courage from what Madame Browne told me. I thought I'd meet a feeble, easily manipulated lady but she was different.Ella Rocci really did have an eye for catching details, an hard nut to crack if you asked me but like all the others, I'd get over her. She smiled softly at me for what felt like a minute before she spoke about giving me an interview. My heart skipped a beat as fear lit up in my eyes but I immediately hid it.I followed her with a soft gaze until she was back to the door before I said, “That'll be fine by me. When is going to take place?” She spun around, a daring look into her eyes. “I'll let you know when the time comes Carolin
ELLA'S POV I woke up to the soft sounds of Xavier pulling out of the bed. His soft footsteps pulled me out of sleep as I flustered my lids open. I was welcomed by the sight of him getting dressed and checking out his outfit in the mirror of the dressing room. I still hadn't made It up to him about what happened last night.His silence and the absence of his early morning hums hinted that he was mad at me. I stood up from the bed, putting on the robe as I walked in his direction. From where I stood, I could see him standing by a side of the dressing room. He was adjusting his tie while staring at his own reflection in the mirror. Xavier's jaw was well clenched as I made my way into the dressing room.I walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder from behind. “Hello handsome.” I said, laughing as I teased. Xavier was able to hold himself from laughing but I had other plans to make him laugh.I reached forward and hugged from behind feeling the soft texture of his shirt. The soft s
POISON'S POV Never in my life had I expected to be met by Ella's question. It crashed into me like a ton of bricks, the haunting sound of her voice filling my insides with dark, poignant fear.I felt the air passing through my lungs hitch as I clenched my fists to my sides. The silence that followed her question stretched endlessly as little beads of desperation clung to my forehead.“What is your name, really?” She repeated the question again but this time, it didn't seem as if I had the luxury of picking whether I was going to answer or not, it was a command. Her tone was driven by an authority that seemed unquestionable even for someone like myself.I fixed my face into a frown, my eyes darting over to hers as I clenched my jaw. I wasn't going to leave any gaps for suspicion, I had to act as clean as possible. Considering the low amount of time I was given to go over the role as Caroline, a poor caretaker to the president. I took a long breath and opened my lips to speak, “Caroli
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