XAVIER'S POV Claudia being here tonight was the last thing I expected to see. Sitting there, having to watch her saunter away after snide remarks to Ella, that old irritability surged right through me. The harder I seem to keep my past at arm's length, there Claudia was, crawling out of the shadows like a ghost I'd wish would finally disappear. I should've known better. I should have known better than to think a person like her wouldn't find a way to just pop up no matter where I went. That woman always did find ways of resurfacing at just about the time when I thought that she was gone for good.Claudia… She was one of those exes I wished I could eradicate from my life, someone whose persistence rivaled a damn cockroach. However many times I reiterated to her that things between us were over-long over-she continued snuffling around, trying to scratch her way back into my world. I didn't do well with loose ends, and Claudia was just that. A loose end that would not quit.But what in
ELLA'S POV The second Xavier returned to my side, I immediately put on my facade. I didn't want him to think that I was still bothered with what I had seen earlier on. I followed him, saw him meeting Claudia, and now I had more questions than answers. But I couldn't let him see the storm brewing inside me. Not now.He slid his arm around my waist like it was the most natural thing in the world, and I could feel the heat of him even through the layers of my dress. Perfect at pretending, his demeanor was so calm, so collected, so strong. Everything about him screamed control, dominance, and that unnerving masculinity that seemed to draw everyone in. No surprise there, because to everyone around us, he was this big, strong man who could not be moved. And then there was me, barely holding it together, pretending to fit into this world. My heart was racing in my chest, but Xavier…he was effortless. I wasn't. I'd found it increasingly difficult to keep up the pretence. Every smile contrive
CLAUDIA'S POVXavier was gone, and I was still standing, my fists clenched so tightly into my sides my nails stung my palms. How could he be blind? How could he leave me behind as though it didn't mean anything at all? My heart slammed around inside my chest. Anger rose inside of me. It just wasn't fair. Any of this was. That bitch Ella gets everything I want. With a child, that would mean fame, attention, and most importantly, Xavier. She had thought with a child she would be able to tie down Xavier with a marriage. And goddamn it, it was working. Now she gets to walk around, parading around Xavier with that excuse of a child, Ivy. Their names were a common murmur at the party; everyone was chatting about the new Mrs McKinney. It was working; she was getting far more attention than I had ever imagined. And that alone was enough to see my blood boil.Xavier was mine, he had always been mine, even before she stepped into the picture. And now? Now she was parading around as Mrs. McKinn
ELLA'S POV The drive home was silent, at least for me. My mind was tangled in a web that I couldn't untangle. Xavier and Ivy filled the car with chatter, their voices bouncing back and forth in casual conversation, but I barely heard them. I nodded here and there, faking my interest, though my mind was elsewhere— on Claudia.Xavier. Claudia. What had been going on between them?I clutched the seat and looked out of the window, watching the passing city lights, wondering if I had read too much into it. But again, Xavier's face when she approached us had told me all I needed to know: there was history there, and it wasn't one I was included in.It appeared that they met in the past. But where? Restless, I chewed my lower lip, fiddling in the back seat chairs of the car. The momentary glimpse of the skyscrapers made me remember that I was Xavier's wife— or rather, his sham wife. The marriage was to be one of convenience, one where all I had to do was make believe before the throngs and
ELLA'S POV I woke up the next morning with a sigh, the light of the new day filtering through the curtains. The air was cool, and the faint smell of coffee drifted in, rumbling my stomach. I rubbed my eyes and slid out of bed, feeling the slight tension in my muscles as I padded towards the bathroom. The shower water was warm, comforting as it cascaded over my skin. But my mind was definitely not so calm.Xavier was still here from last night. He'd been different. Still cold, still him-but yet more there. More real. And I just couldn't get out of my head that there was something more to this man than met the eye.I felt a weird flutter in my chest as I dried off-unease. I wasn't used to this form of life; everything was just a little bit off-kilter. I wrapped a towel around myself and moved back into the room. I froze as I heard the faint clatter of dishes from downstairs.What was that?I pulled on some clothes and went downstairs, freezing immediately when I saw Xavier at the count
XAVIER'S POV I was in the middle of reviewing some contracts when the door to my office flew open. My head jerked up, and there she was — Ella, storming in like she owned the place. Her face was flushed with anger, but damn if she didn't look like the sexiest thing I'd seen all day. I sat back in my chair, locking eyes with her. I couldn't help but let my gaze slide down her body, the dress clinging to her curves. Angry, she was; I could tell that by the look on her face, but it was of little consequence as all I could think about was how much I wanted to bend her over my desk and remind her exactly who was in control here."Xavier," she spat my name like a curse. Good, I like her all fired up, like this. I stood up deliberately and took my time about it. "What do you think that you're doing?" she demanded, crossing her arms over her chest; she looked every bit ready for a fight. But I wasn't in the mood for talking."You came all the way here to start yelling at me?" I drawled, ste
ELLA'S POV It was absolutely nothing like I had pictured in my mind. My breath hitched as Xavier's hand guided me inside, his presence strong and overwhelming behind me. The space screamed power, control, and. intimacy-very much not the kind with which I was familiar. More to the point, it was a place where Xavier's dominance and authority reigned.My heart was racing, and not completely out of fear. There was more to it, a thrill in a way, as if stepping into this room was stepping into a part of him no one else had access to."You're going to love this," he said, voice low, commanding, yet sending a wave of uncertainty through me.I stammered, looking at the dark wood surrounding me, at the leather straps, the polished metal. That was something else altogether. That wasn't ordinary attraction; that was something strong, and I wasn't so sure I was ready for this.His hand moved to my chin, turning my face to him. His eyes were blazing with that possessive intensity, which had thrill
ELLA'S POV I lay in bed, feeling the sheets beneath me, observing the first beams of morning sunlight filter through the curtains. I had just pulled on my dress, but I really didn't feel like moving quite yet. My mind was still lost in the haze of last night. His touch remained on my skin, the possessive grip, the ease with which he took control-so naturally.A small smile teased at my lips until it quickly fell away with the emergence of a voice-a female voice-from the hallway. I frowned at the sound that invaded my thoughts. I strained to listen more intently, and what I heard was the sharp, cutting sound of her voice cutting through the air.It sounded too familiar.Then it clicked. Claudia.I sprang upright, the memory of her stinging words at the party flashing through my mind. I slipped off the bed, then moved silently toward the door, just out of sight but close enough to hear their conversation clearly."Xavier, I don't understand. Why are you wasting your time with her?" Cla
ELLA'S POV Xavier was finally here.My joy knew no bounds as I rushed over to the parking lot where I had guessed his car was packed. From afar, I could already see a glint of his backview stepping out of his car.The security men following him led the way as he turned. His face, as you'd expect, was strict, the bad-boy look plastered on all corners of his face but once he saw me, a bright smile tugged at his lips.“Xavier.” I said, running as fast as my legs could carry me. Xavier also ran in my direction and when I finally came in contact with him, I jumped into his wife arms. The smell of his cologne flared my nostrils, the joy of being in Xavier’s arms washing back into my veins.In as much as I didn't want to admit it, I missed him. And I could tell he also missed me. His arms wrapped aroundy back, his lips placing a hot kiss on my neck.“I missed my princess.” The sound of Xavier's voice trudged into my ears, fulfillment washing into my bones. I felt happy, safe and contented
ELLA'S POV “This way ma'am,” The news reporter walked over to me, his finger pointing in the direction where his camera team were located.I looked back at the script in my hands, I still didn't understand why Madame Browne had insisted I did the interview when I was told only ten minutes away. Madame Browne was seated by the edge of the hall, a wicked smile playing on her lips. The flickering lights of the camera team washed her features, the malice in her gaze burning my flesh. I parted some loose strands of my hair behind my ears as I walked over to the corner where the interview was going to happen. The walls had a green background and the makeup artist walked over to me with a make-up box in her hands.“Make-up?” She asked nicely, revealing her bright set of dentition.I was just about to respond to her when Madame Browne interrupted, her tone dismissive, “No! She doesn't need that.”“The interview should start in a minute.” The director stepped in beside Madame Browne, his fi
THE NEXT DAYELLA'S POV Grin Grin!I woke up to the first ray of sunlight. The air loomed celebration and joy, the distant sound of the workers at the hall bracing my ears. My alarm clock receding ringing filled my ears as I tapped on the button to turn off before stepping out of the bed. The president's birthday was today and I had set a timer to wake up early enough to be one of the first set of people to wish him a happy birthday.I took my bath and dressed myself in a simple top and some khaki pants to go surpervise the event before the guests arrived. I traced my steps to Ivy's room to find her already awake in her pajamas. “Let's go wish Grandpa a happy birthday!” I smiled, pointing to the cake I'd ordered earlier. “Yay cake.” Ivy squeeled beside me, her sweet voice filled with joy.“Let's go.” I urged, taking the cake pack. Ivy gave out another squeel as she ran over from the bed. “Don't forget the party poppers.”Madeline, ivy's caretaker who was watching us from the side,
ELLA'S POV I walked over to the hall with the president behind me. I was taking him on a short tour of the hall and things were going smoothly. I pointed over to the stage, “That is stage and that is…”As I spoke, something in me felt uncertain. I could feel iny veins that something bad was about to go down. Madame Browne was the only person in the hall and the thought of that was unsettling.“I'll be back.” I took several steps back. I flashed a wink at Glenda telling her I had to use the lady's room before walking out of the corner into the main hall.I took slow yet calculated steps into the hallway, my heels walking slowly without making any noise. I stepped to a side and caught a view of Madame Browne's figure looking as maddened as I had left.I waited for a second, a cold sweat running down my forehead as I searched for any movements from her but received nothing. I was just about to turn and leave when I caught her walking back in the direction of a corner of the hall. She
ELLA'S POV “My mistake…was thinking the size of the event mattered more than the heart behind it. For years, I was impressed by noise. But this year, Ella reminded me that silence…can steal the show.”It would be an understatement to say my heart skipped a beat when those words escaped the president's lips. I felt the world beneath me crumble, the shock causing me to nearly lose my stance.A tear slid down my cheek. My heart was still racing from the shock. I had been so afraid of the president not acknowledging my efforts. For a split second, I'd thought I lost it all to Madame Browne and that she'd won but I was wrong.I had won.Madame Browne's efforts to ruin the event didn't work, I scaled through. The president had walked over to me and for the first time, had offered me a hug.He seemed very happy, probably the happiest he'd ever been. Once the hug ended, he turned in Ms. Glenda's direction. I hesitated for a second before I spoke, “This is Ms. Glenda she helped me design the
MADAME BROWNE'S POVThe elevator door in front of me chimed open sharply, a soft metallic swoosh brushing my ears. I stepped out of the elevator into the long hallway to my room. As expected, my maids were lined up by the walls like figurines dressed in uniforms I'd designed myself. The elevator's soft gloom layered over the purple linen of the uniform, catching my gaze from the side.The silence in the hallway was soft, almost unbearable but somehow, it felt okay. The discomfort in my veins rolled easily, my face fixed into one of those things oldsters call a warrior's mask.The president would be here anytime from now and he was going to come back to her— Ella, and that bitch, Glenda. He would witness their event and would probably give her some accolades— accolades that should've been mine.I bit my lower lips furiously, the impatience in me was cold— chilling cold. I clenched my fists trying to think of something else, something other than her.Ella.Her name was like fucking tat
ELLA'S POV I wasn't expecting to see Madame Browne at the event hall but there she was, claded in one of the most expensive dresses I've ever seen. Her eyes loomed with malice and an even darker emotion, the air shifting sharply.Smug smirks slipped through her lips as she strutted into the hall. Her presence daunted curious gazes, hushed whispers trudging through the air as she made her way into the hall.My bloodstreams tightened, the veins in my legs twitching as I maintained a straight stance. The air, if I remembered clearly, stood still with unspoken tension.I stood by the stage, the clipboard in my hands nearly snapping to the floor from the shock.The silence in the hall was thick with suspense, the whispers fading immediately as Madame Browne strutted into the hall. Her eyes wandered around sharply, inspecting each and every detail as if searching for a flaw to bicker on about.My heart raced in my chest, my gaze following Madame Browne. And just when I thought she wouldn't
Madame Browne's PerspectiveThere was only one sound filling the car: the smooth hum of the engine beneath me, as I sat in the backseat, my fingers idly tracing the rim of my wine glass. Outside, the city was a blur of lights and motion, a sea of faceless people who didn't matter to me. They were all just ants, scurrying around in a world that would never understand the power I held.The driver, a quiet man that had driven for me for years, looked back at me through the rearview mirror. "Ma'am, where to tonight?"I took another sip of my wine, let the rich flavor dance on my tongue. "To the mansion," I said coolly, my voice low, deliberate. "I need to speak with the staff, make sure everything is in order.The mansion had been mine, my domain where I could let my guard down, and relax in the knowledge I was in control. But tonight… tonight was different. The tension was palpable, an unhealthy knot threatening to tighten in my chest. It had not gone according to plan, and to say the le
MADAME BROWNE'S I thought I'd seen it all.Well, not until I saw Glenda Bacci stepping into the one bar I thought I could escape her god-damned presence. She stood by the door to the mini bar, the club's flickering lights highlighting her silhouette.A proud smile tugged at her cherry red lips, disgust burning in my breath. I tried to flash my eyes away, to hide the discomfort I faced.Anger steamed in my blood, hard and pungent. I gripped the shot glass on the table, my fingers wrapping against the hard glass as I gulped it all down. I tried to turn away, to not acknowledge Glenda's presence but the attraction was daring, like that of a moth to a flame.“Oh! Look who it is?” I said, sarcasm dripping in the base of my voice. “Little Miss messiah.” “Yes, Madame Browne it is but this time, I'm no little messiah, I am Glenda Bacci, the one woman you tried to ruin years ago.” Glenda remarked like she didn't give a damn about my presence.She’d really grown wings I must say. But, like al