XAVIER'S POV “What are we going to do now sir?” My driver asked. “I don't still know yet, can't you double check. How can all the cars have they're tires deflated that is just impossible.” I countered, frustration steaming in my veins.I shifted my gaze over to the fleet of cars in the parking lot. They were all over a hundred and something and yet somehow, they're tires had been deflated.There was none I could use. My fists clenched instinctively and my heartbeat increased erratically. I couldn't let this happen. This was part of her antiques.Madame Browne.This was probably part of another one of her sick games.“I have an important meeting I must not miss, it's really important. I don't still understand how all the tires were suddenly deflated who could be behind it?” I ranted, even though I knew fully well it was all Madame Browne's handiwork.She was the mastermind behind all of this.She orchestrated this pull just to delay me and make me go late to the meeting with the sha
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
XAVIER'S POV “What are we going to do now sir?” My driver asked. “I don't still know yet, can't you double check. How can all the cars have they're tires deflated that is just impossible.” I countered, frustration steaming in my veins.I shifted my gaze over to the fleet of cars in the parking lot. They were all over a hundred and something and yet somehow, they're tires had been deflated.There was none I could use. My fists clenched instinctively and my heartbeat increased erratically. I couldn't let this happen. This was part of her antiques.Madame Browne.This was probably part of another one of her sick games.“I have an important meeting I must not miss, it's really important. I don't still understand how all the tires were suddenly deflated who could be behind it?” I ranted, even though I knew fully well it was all Madame Browne's handiwork.She was the mastermind behind all of this.She orchestrated this pull just to delay me and make me go late to the meeting with the sha
XAVIER'S POV I woke up early the next morning to the soft brush of Ella's fingers on my face. I opened my eyes slowly, a yawn tearing out of my lips.I stretched my arms disorientedly as I reached forward to grip her head. “How was your night?” Her voice was warm as I raised my back from the bed and placed a kiss on her forehead.She smiled softly. Seeing her smile made me feel so happy and filled with support. I brushed off loose strands of her hair with my fingers and fixed them to the back of her ears.“You look beautiful today darling,” I complemented, admiring her for a moment before I got up from the bed.“Thank you, hearing your complements make my heart flutter with joy.” She said and I smiled as I flexed my muscles.“What's the time now?” I asked, my breaths coming out in ragged puffs.“Relax, I woke up up early so you could meet up earliest with the second day at the office. I wouldn't want any Madame Browne scheme to stand in the way of you getting there early.” Ella remar
MADAME BROWNE'S POV “I forgot to ask, what is your name?” My voice echoed against the walls of the room, sending shivers down not just my spine but hers also. I moved my gaze to the figure standing in front of me.The soft golden hues of lights hung over her slim features. I watched her run her finger into my hair as if caressing it slowly before finally speaking, “It's Rochelle.”“Rochelle,” I repeated, nodding slowly. I stared at her for a second in admiration. She had just everything that was needed for the role.It would all be more than enough to ruin Xavier's reputation so that once it's Lucas's turn in the 21 days challenge, he wouldn't have to do much. I figured that out along the way. The mind of most humans worked with a certain logic and if you could crack it, you could as well rule over them.The plan was simple. Once Xavier's reputation is ruined in front of the board of directors, they will immediately vote for Lucas knowing fully he isn't really fitted for the role
MADAME BROWNE'S POV “How fast can you cook up a scandal?” I asked, my voice calm yet rising. The silence that followed my voice was ravishing the glimmers of impatience that seared into my veins whenever I thought of watching several media houses cook up false lies to the public about Xavier.I wanted them all to tag him as a scumbag, someone who cheated on his wife. This was going to be the best punishment for someone who had the audacity to openly insult my husband in front of the board of directors.I bet Lucas would enjoy it too. I clenched my jaw softly, trying to hold back the content that came from just thinking about getting revenge. This was definitely going to be worth every second I put in it.My gaze shifted over to the red wine that was in my glass cup. It had go e down and was due for a refill but I wouldn't do that just yet.I had to confirm from the lady standing in front of me first. She had everythingI had listed to the agency. They scouted the perfect fit for the
MADAME BROWNE'S POV “Madame Browne!” I heard a series of voices calling my name.My breath hitched in my chest at the sound as I turned my gaze steely to the direction the sound came from? Who was that?I arched my back sharply, clenching both my jaw and my fists as my grip on the frame tightened. I paced towards the door to my room, my heart racing erratically in my chest.Once I arrived at the door frame, I stared into the circular glass that enabled me to see who was approaching the room. Despite the glass lenses being dusty and blurry, I could still make out some of the figured of the people approaching the door.They were males— tall and heavily built.I tried to shift my eyes to other details that could help but there was nothing— nothing other than the blurry uniform they had on. I recognized it immediately, it was that of Jason's men.They were exactly the ones I had sent to deflate the tires to all of Xavier's cars. Why were they back?Worry seared into my blood as I swallow
MADAME BROWNE'S POVI paced towards it— the frame.Even after decades of death, he still looked just as dashing as the man I once called mine. His green eyes stared back at mine and burned a hole in my chest.I fiddled lightly, tilting my head in the direction of the door sharply. No one was supposed to come in here. The soft silence in the room braced the erratic beatings of my heart in my chest as I turned my gaze back at the figure of the frame.My fingers leaped forward quite effortlessly, it's tips gripping the wooden edges of the frame. I felt the hollow feeling that soared through my chest on most occasions.The man in the picture was gone.The last memory I had of him was when Lucas ran his bullets into his chest. I watched him bleed away, alongside that slut, Mary, his wife.She was the one that took him away from me. I'd always loved David with all my heart but after we severed the bond at the end of college, I felt jealous ever since. I know the info I'm spilling must be c
MADAME BROWNE'S POV “I want you two to go into the parking lot and deflate Xavier's tires.” I hushed, my voice low.Before continuing, I darted my eyes around the hallway just to ensure that no one was standing by. I couldn't risk having any one of the McKinneys overhear my words.I turned my gaze back to the stern figures of the two men in front of me. They were Lucas's men, the ones he gave the permission to follow my orders. “Hurry on,” I said and they turned swiftly moving into the hallways smoothly in the opposite direction.The sight of their backs reminded me of Lucas's words. He had given me one last order, and that was to give Xavier the right punishment. I wasn't going to do it all at once, I'd make it slow, deliberate in a way that'd make him regret ever crossing paths with me.I walked back up into my room, my feet gliding into the room that was reeking with tension. I searched all through it for a while, my fingers caressing the stress line that braced my neck.I moved
MADAME BROWNE'S POV “Let her go,” I heard a voice beam out from behind.The pain that revolved around my body was too firm to be overlooked. It pulsed through my veins, shaking my bones and feeling me with a nerving sensation that lingered. I felt like breaking down right there and then but then I remembered I signed up for this treatment I was receiving.That contract years ago gave him the right.I signed off my life to him.My master.His name lingered in my mind like a spell, replaying like a cursed melody. Upon his order, I heard the sound of his footsteps from behind. His men had fierce frowns on their face that spared no room for sympathy. They were all like this especially when on an order for their boss. They moved towards me and gripped the shackles that went round my wrist as they undid it casually.I heard their heavy breaths surging into my ears as the shackles clinged. The shackles on my wrist clattered as they pulled off, the pain that wrecked through the tissues in m
DISCLAIMER: This chapter contains scenes depicting physical restraint, included for narrative purpose. Reader discretion is suggested. LUCAS'S POV “What the hell?” I exclaimed, breaking into laughter as I stared at her. She had to be freaking joking. Marriage? Where the hell did she get the idea to ask me for such a thing? I never really saw Marriage as something that was worth investing in. It was all a baseless trap under a useless string called love. Unlike other people, I wasn't a fool.I was wise.Why have a lady for the rest of your life when you could actually bang as many hoes as you want while single?There were no logical answers to that question. It all resulted into baseless arguments and that usually makes my blood boil. My eyes darkened as I met Madame Browne's eyes. They stayed still, bubbling with unwavering determination. One look into her eyes and I could tell she was extremely determined. I could get her anything she asked for but marriage seemed to be far off