CHAPTER 4

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 knocking ladies out of their wits but why had I fallen. Over the years, since our one night stand, I hadn't however been with any other man.

The memories from our passionate night still crept in, the sensations, it all came flowing back. Just before I could delve further into my thoughts, I was immediately jerked back to reality by a tap on my shoulders.

"Ella," I heard a voice call out my name and I spun in the direction. Standing before me, dressed in a nurse uniform and a gown, was Penny, my best friend and also my work friend. "Are you okay? You look so engrossed in thoughts."

I forced out a smile as I nodded. "Yeah," I lied, trying to hide the fact that I was very bothered.

"Ella, I hope you sure know that I know that you're lying right?" Penny smiled her soulful blue eyes burning with concern. I felt a light tinge of anger, "He's back!"

****

XAVIER'S POV

"Ella Patterson, 24, Nurse at New York city hospital..." I watched as my assistant, Alex, recited, his eyes strolling over his phone's screen.

"Enough of this nonsense Alex!" I yelled, anger purring in my veins. "You had just one job, get me all the deep details not basic infos." I hurled, hitting my fist on the desk.

Rising up from the high neck swivel chair I was sitting on, I charged out of the room heading directly for the door. I am so pissed right now. I couldn't even look back at how incompetent my assistant, Alex, was. If it were fully up to me, I would have sacked him ages ago, but my grandfather had insisted on keeping him around, citing loyalty and trust.

As I approached the elevator, I walked inside and waited as the doors chimed shut. Alone with my thoughts, the anger that had simmered beneath the surface started to cool, replaced by a more complex mix of emotions. The memory of our kiss replayed in my mind—the softness of her lips, the intoxicating taste of cherry. I could feel the heat rising within me just thinking about it.

Ella had been on my mind ever since the night of our one-night stand. She was unlike any other woman I had ever met—attractive, soulful, and unique. After that night, I had done everything in my power to find her, but my efforts were futile. Not long after, my grandfather had sent me off to England to earn a degree and prepare to take over his company.

I had returned to Brooklyn earlier this month, the city buzzing with life. One of my first stops was the club where I had met Ella, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. Just before I could head to the company for a board meeting, I ran into Ivy. The instant I saw her, I felt a connection—her green eyes, her dark hair, even her humor mirrored mine. She was undeniably my daughter.

This time, I wasn’t just going to get my daughter back. I was going to get Ella back into my life where she belonged. And I was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.

As I progressed towards the elevator, I walked inside and waited as the door chimed. I was now left alone with my thoughts, my one felt anger now seemed to have hit the surface as I heaved. I couldn't still get our kiss out of my mind, the soft taste of cherry in her lips, her soulful eyes. As I continued to ponder on her features, I felt an in my pants.

Ella had been on my mind ever since the night of our stand. She was unlike any other woman I've ever met, attractive, soulful and. Unique— yes, that was the word.

After the stand, I had tried all my possible best to find her, but all my efforts had been to no avail. Not long after that, I had been sent off to England by my grandfather off to earn a degree to take over his company.

I had arrived back into the bustling streets of Brooklyn earlier this month, had visited the club I'd met Ella. Just before I could visit the company to a board meeting, I had ran into Ivy, my daughter.

The instant I saw Ivy, I felt an instant connection to her, like a child version of myself, we both possessed the same eye and hair color and even had the same humor which all just clicked.

I sat in my office, staring at a photo of Ivy on my phone. Her green eyes, identical to mine, made my chest tighten with emotions I usually kept buried. "You could get them both back," I whispered to myself, the determination in my voice echoing through the empty room.

Placing the phone on my desk, I leaned back in my leather chair. I had built an empire, becoming the man everyone respected and feared. Yet, Ella and Ivy's sudden reappearance had stirred something deep within me, something I couldn’t ignore.

"Mr. McKinney?" Alex's voice crackled through the intercom, snapping me out of my reverie.

"Yes, Alex?" I replied, my tone firm but composed.

"I have the information you requested. Shall I bring it in?"

"Please do."

Moments later, Alex entered, her usual confident demeanor slightly subdued under my intense gaze. She handed me a folder, her eyes flickering with curiosity. "Everything you asked for is in there."

"Thank you, Alex," I said, giving her a brief nod. She left quickly, and I opened the folder, my heart pounding as I scanned the pages.

Ella had been through so much since that night years ago. She had struggled, but she had shown remarkable strength. And Ivy… my daughter. The realization hit me like a freight train.

I closed the folder and stood up, my resolve hardening. Ella had walked away once, but I wasn’t the same man I was back then. I had the power and resources to change things. If she thought she could keep Ivy from me, she was mistaken.

I picked up the phone and dialed a number. "Get me my legal team," I ordered, my voice steady. "I want a full strategy meeting in one hour."

Hanging up, I looked out the window, my reflection staring back at me—determined and resolute. Ella might think she can keep our daughter away, but she has no idea who she's dealing with now.

"You could get them both back," I repeated, feeling a smirk curl at the corner of my lips.

And I would. No matter what it took.

My phone buzzed, pulling me from my thoughts. A message from my contact: "Meet me at the usual place."

I grabbed my coat and headed out, anticipation buzzing through me. The bar was dimly lit, the perfect setting for a discreet meeting. I spotted my contact in a secluded corner and made my way over, my presence commanding attention.

He looked up as I approached, his eyes wary. "You have what I asked for?" I inquired, sliding into the seat across from him.

He nodded, sliding a small USB drive across the table. "Everything you need to know about Ella is on there."

I picked it up, my fingers brushing the cold metal. "Good. And remember, this stays between us."

"Of course," he replied, his tone serious.

I stood up, my mind already racing with plans. Ella thought she could leave the past behind, but she had no idea what was coming. The fire between us had never truly died, and now, it was about to be reignited.

This time, I wasn’t just going to get my daughter back. I was going to get Ella back into my life where she belonged. And I was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.