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
XAVIER'S POV “Ladies and gentlemen.” I heard it.The announcer's voice. Like a bean, it came and I felt my breath hitch in my throat.The meeting was just about to start and the air, as I recalled, loomed with a boiling intensity that made it hard to act normal.“The voting for the presidential seat of the McKinney company will soon begin bad like the last time, we'll all come out and vote. The rules are simple, the shareholders can only vote in the favor of one participant.” He continued and I felt a sharp jolt of adrenaline lung into my veins.I jammed my eyelids close and with each muffled gasp that rippled through my lips, I felt myself edging slowly into a haze— one that was coerced solely by my troubled thoughts.In that dazed moment, my mind flashed over a lot of things. The president. Ella. Ivy. I thought of each and every one and as I did that, I got ready to face Madame Browne head on.This was my chance to get what I deserved. As I continued pondering on thoughts, I felt
ELLA'S POV As the car zoomed out of the McKinney mansion, I stared back at the figure of Rochelle and the man sprinting towards the parking lot. She flashed her a gaze and scrambled it through the parking lot in a daze.When her eyes met, I could've sworn the glass of the backseat door shook as her gaze pierced through it's transparent base. “That's her!! She running off!” She beamed and a dark smile tugged at my lips.I turned back to the driver and caught a glance at the bright glimmers of worry in his eyes. He turned to me, “It seems something's wrong, should I wait behind ma'am?” I winced sharply with my heart thumping hard in my chest as my voice rippled out in an hoarse beam, “No. Keep on going. I can't have them meet us here.” The driver hesitated for a minute before he said, “Yes ma'am,” He turned back to the steering wheel and gripped it before stepping his foot on the accelerator. The car roared to life and as the car sped into the streets, a surge of elation braced my h
ELLA'S POVAs I reached for my phone, I heard a sharp gasp tear through Rochelle's lips as she lunged in my direction. Stealthily, I maneuvered and ducked as I raced into the hallway.I started slowly, taking soft strides before I gathered enough momentum to make me sprint as fast as possible. As I pushed forward on weak legs, I heard her yelling at the guy she was with. “What are you looking at stupid? Go get her!!” Her commanding voice lashed through the air and I heard the ceding sound of boots and heels behind me. I continued running, this time, I made sure I was able to get to the staircase fast. My fingers shook like a winter leaf as I gripped the banister.The breath rolling through my lips heightened and with each whiff of air I took in, I felt my lungs tighten as I paused to glance at them. I tilted my head in their direction and I caught the sight of Rochelle sprinting towards me with her acquaintance hovering behind her in a wrinkled shirt and sagging trousers.The sight o
ELLA'S POV “Stay safe dear,”I waved at her. Ivy. She was just about pulling another unsolicited questionnaire when I shifted my gaze to my wrist watch. “You're going to be late. Hop into the car.” As my words travelled into the air, Ivy flashed me a glance and for the first time in what felt like forever, my curious little rascal turned and stepped into the car. My jaw tilted downwards a bit as shock seared into my veins.It took a while before she got to the car's backdoor and from where I stood, I watched her struggle to open the door. “Don't worry honey, I'm on my way.” I pushed forward slowly with a sharp jolt of membranes bridling my shoulders. The strength left in my legs was beginning to spiral out but I held back, steeling myself to stay strong.I clenched my fists tightly before taking slow strides in her direction. When I got close enough, I stretched my fingers and gripped the knob as I pulled it. The door pulled open and the flashy interior of the car caught my eyes. I
XAVIER'S POV “Now that Mr Xavier has finished his speech, we can now start voting.”I heard the soft beams of voices from behind me as I flashed my gaze at the media team. I stared at them for a moment and I fixed my gaze on each and every one of them. I took a moment to asess them and within a few seconds, I finished my analysis. In their widened eyes, their fear, anxiety and pity gleaned back at me.I sighed.The voting that was about to start was something that could either smoothen the edges of my life or create a dent but I made a decision and I was going to stick to it. Whatever happenes, I'd still stand by the company. I'd still nurtured it. I'd still watch it grow.The McKinney legacy couldn't go down like that.No.The sharp edgy lighting in the media team were holding beamed in my direction and I blinked slowly, steeling my eyes away from the lights. “It's so sad the president was kidnapped, I'm sure it’s the handiwork of that lady. I heard her name is Madame Browne.” The s
XAVIER'S POV I could feel their gazes on me.I heard their soft taunting sound of sighs and mumbling trudging through the air. This wasn't the first times they acted like this but this… this was definitely going to be the last.The news of the president going missing shocked me out of my wits. After my chat with him, he asked me to leave and as I returned to the room, I passed the night on the bed with Ella. I pulled into the sheets disorientedly as waves upon waves of tiredness launched into my veins.I was just about to pull to sleep when my phone suddenly beeped with an emergency contact signal from the president. I jumped to my feet almost immediately and grabbed my phone as I sprinted out of the room.I pushed the door open and raced into the hallway like a child being chased by clowns. My case wasn't really far from that. I was being chased by my fears, my hopes and the nerving sensation that came from the thought of having something bad happen to him.I couldn't afford to loos
ELLA'S POV ~The next day~“Good morning ma'am.” The sharp, cutting voice of a female slipped into my ears as I pulled out of the hazy confines of sleep. I yawned, stretching disorientedly as my stretched my fingers and reached for the other side of the bed to check if, just if, Xavier returned back to the room that night.My fingers stroke the soft cushion of his size of the bed and a sense of worry flowed into my veins. My eyes pulled open as I pulled my back from the bed. I flashed my gaze at his side of the bed for anything that hinted his presence but all I received was the familiar whiff of him in the sheets.Did he pass the night here or was all of this just another one of my disturbing thoughts?As I asked myself the question, I shot a glancea t the figure standing at the other side of the room. It was Madeline's. My eyebrows quirked and I clench my fists and I stepped down from the bed.I put on some flip-flops before pacing towards her. Her eyes sparkled from afar like alwa
XAVIER'S POV Dear reader, if absolute shock and confusion were a person, that god-damned person would be me.As I stood there, I felt my knees buckle as I nearly lost balance. The words the president spat out echoed repeatedly against the walls of my ears and with each replay, I felt fear encircling my senses.The fact that Lucas was the leader of a powerful mafia gang leader from Russia wasn't a small thing.I still couldn't believe it. Why would I believe Lucas, my uncle whose case I used to think could be taken down by a mere court case, was actually a powerful mafia lord himself.Confusion wrapped around me like a cocoon and in it's nerving sheets, I found a haunting solace that sent chills down my spine. It revealed a lot to me even at this time when I needed it the most. I used to think I could take him down with one course case backed with evidence but it's only then I realized this battle was one that had exceeded sparing words.The little energy I was able to gather in my l
XAVIER'S POV When my lips pulled open, It was to the starry vision of a dark room. I winced sharply, fear purring in my veins as I tried my best to make out something from the background I was.The last thing I remembered was zoning out after the president told me my family were killed by the brutal hands of Lucas McKinney and Madam Browne. As the thought punched through my mind, I shook my head slowly, my face powdered with sweats.Even now, I still couldn't believe it. It had to be a joke. Madame Browne and Lucas couldn't have done that. This had to be a dream, a nightmare of some sorts.I was sure it was edged far away from reality. That was the only logical reason I was waking up in a dark room. I must be sleeping peacefully on a bed with Ella's body clinging to mine.I must be sleeping peacefully.That had to be it.This was a dream.With gentle flinches, I pulled my back from the hard ground and I felt the brushing texture of the group against my back. The sudden scratch caused