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~The next day~It was finally here. The D-Day.I got up very early and ordered my maids to prepare my bath as I sat back on a high neck swivel chair and watched as the maids scurried about. I could sense their panic as they paced around the room. I could hear it all.Their hitching breaths, their muffled comments and the sound of their heels against the marbled floors.That was exactly what I wanted.I locked my arms and pulled into the soft cushions of the chair. I swiveled on the chair and turned in the direction of the floor to ceiling windows as I stared at them.Displayed on the thick glass texture was a clear shot of the sky topping buildings and a rendition of unattainable wealth. Something felt odd about it all.I could feel it in my bones. It was evident, like an impending storm waiting to wreak havoc. It was… Malice. I was enjoying this, I had to admit it at some point.Today, I'd get Xavier to realize Lucas and I are not in the same caliber as him.To
MADAME BROWNE'S POV ‘Come to the suburbs, Nighties bar, VIP second floor. Don't keep me waiting.’When I stepped out of the vehicle, I knew all hell was about to let loose. The sight in front of me was exhilarating, making my stomach churn as I clutched my purse tighter.The lowlights from the overhead signage washed towards the dimly lit path to the bar. It was just what Lucas described in that text. Nighties bar. I ran my gaze over the texts as I clenched my fists and walked past a series of passersby.Their heads turned in my direction as I inched closer to it. That bar. It was exactly the way he would've liked it. Hidden, secretive and most importantly, cloaked in shadows.I strolled into the entrance and as I paced past the security line, I received a series of hissing calls from the domineering looking men at the bars but I ignored them. I was here to do one thing and I was going to do just that.A few hours ago, I received a text from Lucas telling me to come to this designat
ELLA'S POV “And why is that?” I asked Xavier as he pulled closer to me and gripped my shoulders. “Why is a visit so important?”I was just about to ask him another question when his voice interrupted mine. Xavier's eyes shifted to me almost immediately, “We have to go meet the lawyer who is a good friend of mine. He will be the one to conduct the fake divorce arrangement. He called me to tell me he won't be available to respond to us if we don't visit today and speak with him before the D-Day.”My brows pulled closer as I stepped forward and I felt the cold air in the room brace my back. “But—”I opened my lips to speak but before I could, Xavier, beamed, “No buts Ella, you have to get ready. When we get back, I'll have you meet Madeline yourself without any intettiption.”As he said the words, his fingers proceeded to run through my hair as he pulled in for a kiss. Our lips locked in fiery kiss of passion and I pulled back to yawn.“Okay,” I nodded and turned as I paced towards the
ELLA'S POV “Ma'am Ella!” A voice beamed and my eyes pulled open. I was right there in the exact same pose as I was last night ith Xavier. His fingers were working their magic when I heard that knock.I flicked my gaze to the door almost immediately as I tugged out if Xavier's embrace. “What are you doing Ella,” He asked but I knew exactly where I was headed.Madeline was knocking.I moved towards the door and before I could get a grip of the door knob to open the door, I felt my eyes close as darkness encircled me. The bright overhead light that once lit up my tracks faded into extinct darkness as my heart started racing.At first I thought it would come as a swift rush of emotions but it wasn't. I felt emotions course through my body as I stayed still, left to wonder— to ponder on steps I could've taken.I tried to open my eyes again, this time, it would all restart but instead of the scene I was expecting, I was met by reality. It crashed into me like a swift blow as a yawn tore t
ELLA'S POVAfter the meeting with Madame Browne, Xavier and I left the dining room with our arms locked as we made our way up the stairs. We proceeded into the hallways and as we walked towards the elevator, I felt an unsettling sensation course through my veins.I caught the whiffs of Madame Browne's perfume in the air and my chest heaved as thought of her flooded my mind. A mischievous smile tugged at my lips as I locked my arms tighter with Xavier's as I gazed helplessly into his electrifying green eyes.“It's all about to come to an end now Xavier.” I mummured as he stared at me. We strolled into the elevator and as the door jammed close, I caught the glance of Madeline's figure racing towards the elevator's closing doors.My heart shook in my chest as I reached for the sensor thinking the door would open but it didn't hold back. Xavier pulled my hand backward and turned at me as he beamed with his voice filed with concern, “What was that?”His gaze sliced through the curious part
MADAME BROWNE'S POV My heart shook in my chest the instant I saw Jason charge at me with a wine glass framed in between his fingers. I noticed the sudden burst of confidence in his eyes as he said the words, “One last thing, cheers to the pregnancy test.” A dry smile tugged at my lips as his words coursed through me. My eyes darkened and I got the joke quite clearer now. He was mocking me.How audacious of him!Well, that only ignited the flames of malice that blossomed in my chest. His defiance only made me more eager to rub his face in the mud. I walked closer to him, our eyes meeting as I whispered the words when I was close enough, “I don't think it smart to celebrate now Xavier, the floor is slippery and in the blink of an eye, the things to believe in might fade out of existence.”Just a s I said the words, Xavier's lips pulled into a cunning smiles as he pulled back and walked back to the table. The air shifted and I stayed back, staring into his backview with a storm of emo
ELLA'S POV I felt my pulse rise as I saw Madame Browne raise a wine glass in the air. A wicked smile played on her lips as her eyes darkened and her voice blared out, “I would like to raise a toast to the dissolution of your union.” A wave of disgust rolled in my veins as I wrapped my arms each other and watched them laugh with my face etched in horror. I inspected their gestures casually, taking note of each and every one of their chuckles.Their faces were adorned with malice as they mocked me. I tightened my wrapped arms as the cold air in the room crashed into the flesh of my neck. A cold shiver seeped down my spine as I flashed my gaze to Xavier.He was trying hard to hold himself back.I could already tell from the bulging veins that mapped against his forehead and his clenched fists. His eyes flared with rage that was as sharp as needle and his chest heaved as sweats trickled down his forehead.I took in a whiff of breath as I raised my hand to signal to him but before I coul
XAVIER'S POVWhen I heard Madame Browne say the word media, my heart skipped a beat. The breaths rolling out of my nostrils hitched in my throat as I clenched my fist. I stared back at her soulless pair of eyes as a chug of fear seared into my bloodstreams.Ella's breath hitched and I caught the flicker of fear in them. Madame Browne's tall figure was bent to Ella's side as she whispered in the words. I knew exactly what Madame Browne was trying to do.She was trying to set us off our footing but that wouldn't work now. The plan was already made so the only choice now was either to win or to win. Losing wasn't an option— at least not in this story.My fingers curled around the figure of the wine filled glass cup in front of me as I raised it closer to my lips. With deft fingers, I took a sip out of it as I flashed my gaze at the lady seated close to me.Rochelle.I arched my back on the chair as I felt Rochelle's gaze trail over my body. The disgust in her breath was what caught my
ELLA'S POV I held back the snarling urge to laugh at Madame Browne's expression when Xavier told her we were no longer together. The life in her make-up riddled face faded the instant the words left Xavier's lips.Her lips pulled apart softly, eyes bridled with pure shock and disbelief as she clutched the fork in her hands harder. A fog of tension rolled through the air and I felt cold chills bubble down my spine as I stayed back, watching the scene as if I wasn't the genius behind all of it.Madame Browne’s eyes widened with shock and so did her little actress, Rochelle. She clutched her chest and panted softly as if she just heard a death statement. A mischievous smile tugged at my lips as my eyes darkened.I was happy.After all, this was what they wanted.A little drama wasn't going to hurt anyone right?I clenched my fists as I felt the room's cold air do some wonders against my skin. The hairs at the back of my neck all stiffened as I watched Madame Browne ask Xavier some quest