MADAME BROWNE “I accept the role.” Ella’s voice chimed.I felt like loosing it at that moment. The audacity of that whore to think she could ever host an event that could ever amount the ones I've been throwing for years till know. For decades, I've been hosting all of the family's events. Birthdays, business meetings, anniversaries and even funerals. My events were flawless, the decorations elite and the guests were of highly distinguished personalities.But something wicked in me couldn't get over the urge to watch her suffer? Malice was an easy option seeing the courage gleaming in her ocean blue eyes. I resisted the urge to let out a laugh, a cackle perhaps. “Sure, I look forward to seeing what you come up with.” I said and rose from the table. I was done with breakfast today, I had gained all the satisfaction there was from Ella.She didn't cease to amaze me. Oh well, she's going to regret every crossing path with me. I strutted purposefully, my heels clicking against the mar
ELLA'S POVThe soft sound of giggles rushed into my ears as I stepped out from the elevator. The warm air of the hallway greeted me, the decor gripping me in it's inviting solace.I strutted towards the door to Ivy's room with uncertainty reeling in my veins. I still couldn't get over Madame Browne's proposal and what was at stake. The proposal was cornering, like a two edged sword with no way out. Hosting events was never my thing but I was determined to make it work, at least this time. I couldn't afford having Xavier see me create a mess, also, I saw this as an opportunity to prove to everyone that I could take on the task and still deliver.Madame Browne had obviously given me the role to see me fail, I could tell she was certain I would fail when cornered with such a huge job. But I would try my best and actually give it my all.But first, I needed to meet Ivy, I'd missed her nagging voice over the days. As I gripped the knob, the soft smell of sandalwood flustered into my nostr
ELLA'S POV “Alright, tell Ivy I'll be back.” I said and flashed a glance back at Mrs. Winters, the housekeeper. She was a petite blonde lady who obviously in her mid 60s, I could tell from the soft tinge of gray at the base of the strands of her hair.She offered me a soft smile and I flashed a quick glance at Ivy. Anxiety rushed in my veins, why had the president requested my presence? I had a million questions bubbling in my veins at that instant.He rarely called for anyone's presence so I was worried. Who wouldn't be? He was my father-in-law, and I couldn't help but wonder why he had called for my presence.Did he find out I was the one hosting his birthday party? If yes, then how? I thought the event was supposed to be a surprise to him and a celebration of a life well lived. My palms grew wet as I clenched my fists until my fingers bit into the flesh of my palms. A wave trudged down my spine as I inhaled softly. I could do this, of course I could. I turn on my heel and took p
ELLA'S POV The president's cold voice jerked me out of my interlude as I swiveled to see my once smiling father-in-law now frowning. He looked nerved, clear lines of worry laced in his electrifying green eyes. It was almost as if my question had striked a chord. But I wasn't going to press on.“Let's focus on why we're here,” he said, gesturing sharply to the work table situated at the middle of the room. I followed him as I traced my steps to the high neck swivel chair opposite his.“Sit,” he prompted softly and I took a seat. The soft lush texture of the chair crumbled beneath my back as I felt myself drifting into the comfiness.“You requested my presence,” I said sharply cutting through the silence as I tried to get some emotions but his eyes remaind cold, evident as if hiding a secret.Who were the people in the picture? And why did he feel offended when I asked who they were?I was still going to do my research later on but now I had to focus on the president. I watched as he
ELLA'S POV “So what's your say?” I held by breath after asking. I couldn't directly read the look on the president's face but from the little info I could get, I could as well say the expression on his face was a bland mixture of shock of and comtempt. I waited for his response anxiously, my palms turning wet as I bit my tongue.Just before I could finish my little prediction, his face twisted sharply into a frown, his eyes gleaming with a dark glint of anger. The leafy green color of his eyes burned with the golden red color from the chandelier. My heartbeat thumped hard in my chest as my pulse raced. The anxiety in me was filling to the bream with each passing second, waves rolling up my spine.“I… I am so sorry father in law—” I was saying when he interrupted me with a raise of his index finger. Pausing, I pursed my lips as I watched his finger fall. Fear seeped into my veins. What had I done? He looked so angry, like I had provoked him. It seemed my apology didn't work but the
MADAME BROWNE’S POVHow dare her? That bitch! She even had the audacity to confront the president and have him agree to her stupid excuse of an event. The rage in my veins was hot and blazing, my fingers biting into my palm until I felt little patches of blood seeping out.I clenched my jaw tightly as I watched the president yell, “You may leave Madame Browne!”My jaw fell slightly as I stared back at the president, his eyes were blazing with fire, his tone sharp and unquestionable. I felt my once felt courage melting into a pool of regrets. The president had never opposed my words before, even though we weren't exactly close, he always allowed me have my way not untill she came into the picture.Ella.I wanted to tear into her, that bitch, for what she did. I tried to resist the sharp pungent anger in my veins as my pulse raced. My breath came in muffled puffs, the tendsion in the room rising with each passing second. Smirking, I turned in the direction of the exit and traced my wa
ELLA'S POV As I stepped into the hallway, the chillingly familiar smell of Madame Browne's cologne flared my nostrils. The haughty smell of cedarwood sent shivers down my spine. The thought of Madame Browne haunted me, filling my insides with loads upon loads of fear. The way she stared at me back in there was haunting, her gaze flickering with malice. Her eyes, as I recalled, burned with a flicker of rage and contempt like a threat orchestrated just for me.Her jaw had dropped slightly when she found out that the president chose to support me over her. It was obvious he hadn't went against her words in years. She was used to having her way and it felt good to finally stand up to her.But the consequences of it struck at a corner in my mind. Consequences? The president had warned me about her, of how conniving she could be if things didn't go her way. I had to be careful with everything — the decorations, the guests and hosting the event.I traced my steps down the hallway, the fami
MADAME BROWNE'S P O V "Yes." I heard Ella say as I chuckled inwardly. I inhaled deeply, my deft fingers roving into my hair as I stared back at that whore, Ella. She looked innocent, smiling sheepishly like the fool she was. She had obviously said yes just because the offer to have Miss Genevieve, an award winning event host, was to her profit. But things weren't always as they seem. Instead of it to be at her profit, it turned out to be her loss. If you're also wondering what I meant, let me take you on a little trip down memory lane.*******“Grapes!” I ordered opening my lips as I a maid fed me some red grapes. The sickeningly sweet taste of the grapes spread on my tongue as I pierced my teeth through the grape.It was time. The heat from the water ravished my body in it's heated hold, causing me to fiddle here and then. The taste of wine on my lips intensified with a sour yet soft familiarity to red wine. It's metallic tinge reminded me of the scene of the president turning me
ELLA'S POV When I stepped into the car, my mind reflected the memory of my confrontation with Madeline yesterday. After the visit with Doctor Huang, the doctor who was going to to be giving us the results of the scan, we went home. The instant we stepped foot into the McKinney mansion, I rushed towards the maid's quarters.I raced down the halls as I finally got to the door and I stretched my fingers and gripped the doorknob. I twisted it and as it pulled open, I caught the sight of bewildered maids.Their gazes swept to my side and I clenched my fists. My chest heaved as I exhaled with a stray droplet of sweat rolling down my forehead. I searched around with my eyes looking for any maid who looked anything like her but couldn't find any.I was so lost in looking for Madeline that I didn't even notice when a maid veered towards my path. Her eyes were shaken with fear and I could almost ear the disheveled array of puffs she exuded when she hovered towards me.“Is anything wrong ma'am?
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