ELLA'S POV “We're back, the cameras have been set. I set one behind the rose bouquet we kept there and I know it will capture her quicker than we expect.”I tilted my head in the direction of the door as I caught the two figures of the maids as they strutted back into the room. I could already sense their eagerness from a mile away, it whiffed over me and so did that of the other maids lined up behind me.I could hear each and every one of the ragged gasps as I my fingers inched closer to the keyboard.I wasn't sure whether it was the tension in the room or the unsettling sensation in my veins but I couldn't help be restless. I tried to shake it off but I failed woefully.My fingers tapped over the keys and as the soft cold bracing the keys tinged against my fingertips, I felt a cold chill run down my veins. "Were you able to fix the camera chips in the right places?" I quirked my brows as I asked them. The maids who I gave the chips turned at me and strutted closer to me. I tighten
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 POV “We're back, the cameras have been set. I set one behind the rose bouquet we kept there and I know it will capture her quicker than we expect.”I tilted my head in the direction of the door as I caught the two figures of the maids as they strutted back into the room. I could already sense their eagerness from a mile away, it whiffed over me and so did that of the other maids lined up behind me.I could hear each and every one of the ragged gasps as I my fingers inched closer to the keyboard.I wasn't sure whether it was the tension in the room or the unsettling sensation in my veins but I couldn't help be restless. I tried to shake it off but I failed woefully.My fingers tapped over the keys and as the soft cold bracing the keys tinged against my fingertips, I felt a cold chill run down my veins. "Were you able to fix the camera chips in the right places?" I quirked my brows as I asked them. The maids who I gave the chips turned at me and strutted closer to me. I tighten
ELLA'S POV “One…” I drawled as I pushed the door open. It creaked open almost immediately and I was met by the sight of Cassandra standing there beside the president.The president was neatly tucked in on the bed, his lean body figure laid to sleep. From the soft sound of his snores, it was evident he was having a good sleep. Describing this scene should've been innocent if not that she was in the room.Cassandra.She stood dangerously close to him and in the corner of my eyes, I caught sight of the syringe I saw her holding in the hallway. The instant she saw me, her eyes lit up and in the blink of my eyes, the syringe I could've sworn I saw with her disappeared.I arched my brows in confusion as I clutched my chin, “W… where is it?” my lips quivered as the words skittered out.She raised her brow at me with suspicion laced in her eyes, “What did you mean Mrs Ella?” Her lips pulled into a welcoming smile that sent a wave of chills down my spine as I tucked my arms around each other
ELLA'S POV “The plan is simple, I want each and every one of you to support me in bringing Madame Browne and Rochelle down. Rochelle is telling lies and her claims to being my husband's concubine are all lies. She has a fake belly bump and I need your help in proving that.” I beamed and the maids all turned to each other in confusion.“Yes. I understand you're all shocked that I don't have much time. This is a picture of a fake belly bump.” I continued as I brought out my phone and searched for a fake belly bump picture on my phone's browser.Once it was fully loaded, I passed my phone to one of the maids to pass it over to the rest of them. Sitting back in the chair Madeline gave me, I watched as they all passed my phone around until it was given back to me.When I received it, it was on shaky fingers as I clutched my chest in an aim to steady the heavy beatings in my chest. One of the maids rushed to the side of the room and came back running towards me with a glass of water in her
ELLA'S POV “Are you coming with us?” My lips pulled apart as I darted my gaze in her direction. The maid behind stepped closer to us as I waited patiently for her response. From what I saw, it was vividly tell she was debating my words.In her eyes, I caught the embers of hesitation and fear. “We'll be there together Madison.” I assured as I stretched my fingers and gripped her shoulders. I bit hard into my lower lip as anxiety pulsed through my veins. I wasn't sure why she was taking longer than expected to give me a response but I clearly see that she was scared. Her eyes widened and I noticed the chills that seemed to lash down her back whenever she tried to speak.“Madison?” I called her name one last time as I raised my gaze to meet the widened eyes of Madison. Her eyes lit up as she nodded in agreement and immediately replied me, “Yes, after much contemplation, I have decided that I can't stay here any longer. I am ready to return to the McKinney mansion but this time, I'll s
XAVIER'S POV Dear readers, if you thought I died, clutch your hearts because I am about to face something far worse.“In a few seconds Xavier, you'll meet your death. The car will explode as the warehouse you're about to crash into is a refinery of highly sensitive explosives.” The driver's words echoed against the inner walls of my ears and I tried to process it but my mind stayed blank. I tried to reason but my sixth sense seemed to have failed me.When it clicked back in, my brows knitted close as I uttered, “You?” I didn't quite get him. What did he mean by me? Was it an error or did he actually mean it?As I pondered, I caught the sight of a menacing smile tugging at his lips as his fingers clutched the door handle. My eyes widened in shock as I tried to react but before I could move my restless muscles, he pushed the door open and jumped out, leaving me all alone in the car."See you in hell." He beamed as he lunged out of the car with a wicked smile playing on his lips.Whe
XAVIER'S POV I watched the cityscape blur by as the car veered sharply into the street leading towards the office. As he drove, I couldn't help but check the time on my wrist watch every two minutes. I couldn't afford to be late.I had to be there.That meeting… it wasn't going to happen without me.The shareholders must think they're making the right choice by voting for Madame Browne but they were wrong. I darted my gaze to my wrist as I skimmed my wristwatch for the umpteenth time that minute.“Can you drive faster?” I pulled close to the driver seat as I tapped the driver's shoulder and he tilted his face towards me. “We're almost there sir, I'd appreciate it if you exercise some patience. I'm going as fast as I can.” He responded and I clenched my fists tightly.My eyes flared up as impatience shimmered in them. “Listen, I don't have the time to wait that long, go on the highest speed if you must but you have to get there quickly.” I ordered and he immediately nodded as I press
XAVIER'S POV The shock from the interview was still reeling in my veins. I couldn't believe it. Madame Browne set me up. She planned each and every one of the activities that went on.I couldn't believe I allowed myself to get knocked off by their plan. I clenched my fists and frowned as I strolled into the room only to find it empty. My brows arched in confusion as I gripped my jaw. I could've sworn she was following me just now. She was right behind me but now, she wasn't.I wasn't sure whether to worry or feel angered by the fact my reputation was dented by that hypocritical interview. I paced out of the room and as I stared at the hallway, I expected to find her strutting towards the door but she wasn't there.As I thought about it, my mind flashed back to the grin tugged at the corners of Lucas's face. It was obvious he had won. Just as the thought punched through my mind, I felt my veins twitch as I jammed the door close.With a dark frown on my face, I paced towards the mini
ELLA'S POV When the thought crossed my mind, I immediately knew what I wanted to do. I stepped out of the car in a hurry and launched in the direction of the double door leading into the mansion.The guards standing by it pulled it open as they saw me running. Once I got there, they asked me questions. “Is there any problem, ma'am?” I shook my head and continued running.I ran up the stairs and as I skipped over some of them, I paced into the elevator. I waited for the door to close before I tapped the button of the number of the floor I was headed to.I waited for the door to chime open before I continued running down the hallway. I sped past the flickering lights as I finally arrived at the door, I gripped the door knob tightly. I knocked on the door of the maid's quarters and as it finally pulled open, I met the sight of a shocked maid who was holding a cleaning rag.“Ma'am Ella?” She gasped out but I ignored her shock and raced into the room. The other maids in the room all shift
ELLA'S POV When the doctor stepped into the scene in front of the cameras, I noticed a sudden gasp that escaped Xavier's lips. I tilted my head in his direction as I held his hand, I knew he was nervous also.If I were to say the truth, I was also nervous but I hid mine perfectly under a smile. The cameras shifted sharply to Doctor Huang's figure as the management fixed his ear chords and attached a micro speaker to his shirt.After they did that, he proceeded to bring out the paper slip as he shifted his attention to the paper slip in his hands. He clutched it tightly and after that, he proceeded to read out the result to the audience watching.“Regarding Ms Rochelle's baby, Mr Xavier McKinney, you are…” my heart skipped a beat as I clutched a handful of my dresses in fear. Even though I knew what the doctor was going to say, I couldn't help it but feel scared.What if it all turned upside down?I shook my head as I removed my mind from the thought. Doctor Huang was a family doctor