EllA'S POVTHE NEXT DAY."Grin, grinn!" The loud buzzing of my alarm clock rang into my ears causing me to pull from my once peaceful sleep. With a disoriented yawn, I stretched my fingers in an attempt to turn off the alarm.And just when I thought I did, the ringing ceased. My eyelids opened slowly, my weak eyes adjusting to the piercing sunlight from the windows. My eyes opened to the cute view of Ivy, my daughter."What are you doing, sweetie?" I asked, my voice coming out as an hoarse whisper as I pinched her cheeks softly. "Wake up, mummy. I have school, remember?"My eyelids chimed open slowly, this time, meeting the piercing determination in Ivy's eyes. No trace of sleep lingered in her bright eyes. With a soft sigh, I pushed the covers aside and helped her get dressed. After selecting her outfit, I watched her walk out of her closet dressed in a pink gown and leggings. After that was done, I proceeded to fixing her hair in a neat ponytail. With my comb running through the
XAVIER'S POVRhea's voice was like nails on a chalkboard, “I’m far better than Ella in every way. I could give you everything she can’t.” Her lips moved closer, her intentions clear.As she made an attempt to kiss my lips, I couldn't help but notice the glints of desire glistening in Rhea's eyes. She was obviously jealous of my interest in Ella and had been trying to get my attention ever since. I noticed my response to her actions had a toil over Ella. The only reason I continued was to make Ella jealous and see where this act could lead on to.I caught her wrist before she could close the gap, a smirk tugging at the corner of my mouth. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Ella standing at the door. I hesitated, and then, on impulse, I let go of Rhea's wrist and pulled her in for the kiss she was so desperate for. It was all for show, all to provoke, to remind Ella of something that still lingered between us.Ella didn't make a sound, but I could see the way her eyes wid
CHAPTER SIXTEENELLA'S POVI woke up to the first ray of sunlight, the golden brown sunlight piercing into my eyelids. With a disorient yawn, I stretched my arms lazily as I felt a wave of tiredness hit my insides. For a moment, I just laid there, letting my mind cool off on the series of events today held. Today was the charity event day, and as much as I've been planning it, my mind was still a tangled mess. I yawned again, this time raising my body as I tried to wipe off the remnants of sleep.The clock, if i was currently, read 6:00 AM. Early, but I was used to it now. The event launches at the evening of today, a strategy to have all our schedules guests present. Today, I needed every extra minute to get ready. This event was my chance to prove myself, not just to the hospital but to everyone who had ever doubted me—including myself.I slid out of bed, the cold tile floor bracing my feet in a chilling embrace as I padded my way over to the bathroom. After bathing, I proceeded to
ELLA'S POV I glided briskly as I made my way past the hallways in the direction of Mr. Anderson's office. As I progressed through the hall's walls, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me. Mr. Anderson's call was another testimony to confirm the rumors.Rhea had always been like this towards me, cruel, cold and jealous. I still couldn't place the reason she was jealous of me, my life was just as imperfect as any other nurse in the hospital. I felt a twinge of anger—Rhea had always been a thorn in my side, and it seemed like she’d found a new way to undermine me.As I finally arrived at the entrance of the door, my breath hitched in my chest, anxiety growing in my veins. I sighed deeply, reassuring myself that Rhea's accusations were going to be an easy squeeze. But a glance at the double doors of Mr. Anderson's office gave me a reason to rethink it.From the transparent glass, I could see Mr. Anderson mouthing some words in which I couldn't quite read. I ran my fingers
ELLA'S POV I was standing near the balcony, gasping for air and steadying my nerves. I could see the evening was coming and the charity event was in full swing, however, my brain was still spinning from the day's events. I needed a moment, just a few minutes of peace from the distress that had been going on in me since the day… well, since that kiss. But then I heard him before I saw him. Xavier. His presence was like a storm, which could be seen from miles away. The atmosphere around me was becoming a little bit heavier with his arrival. I didn’t turn around, nor did I acknowledge him, but he was not the kind of man you could easily ignore."So, you’re hiding now?" His voice was velvety, tinged with that arrogant charm he wielded with ease. "You know, it is not like you to run away, Ella."I took a slow, deep breath while my eyes were focused on the city lights through the glass. "I’m not hiding," I said, my voice steady. "Just… taking a break." He came nearer, filling the room wi
XAVIER'S POV I carried Ella into the mansion, her body heavy with drunkenness, though she wasn’t entirely out. Her head lolled against my chest, the scent of alcohol thick on her breath. As we stepped inside, I motioned for my men to help me get her up to my room. Her words were a jumbled mess, half slurred, but the challenge in them was unmistakable.I followed them as I walked past the tight security at the gate all the way to the main mansion. As we proceeded, several maids all bowed and offered greetings. Normally I would dismiss the greetings but today, I acknowledged them lightly with nods and slight hand gestures. With Ella being helped by my men, we entered into the mansion, it's tall walls hinting elegance upon every stare. The coloring were elegant, yet mature— just the way I wanted it to be. I continued in my tracks, veering and turning as we grew closer to my room.As we grew closer, my mind wavered back to the thought of Ella. If I hadn't stepped in back then, she would
ELLA'S POV "CAN I LEAVE NOW?" I managed to utter with a feigned arrogance. I stared at the his cold pair of eyes, his face was almost that with a warrior's mask. My body throbbed from the ache, I tried to rise up to the floorI slowly sat up in bed, finally feeling some strength returning to my limbs. The room smelled of him—fresh, clean, with a hint of something darker underneath. I couldn’t decide if it was comforting or unsettling. Either way, I needed to get out of here. At the same time, my head was beating with the loud noise of a hangover, however, I toned it down, and put my mind on the mission: leaving.The bathroom was just a few feet away, but amidst my steps there, I couldn't help but have seen the surrounding luxury. Everything about this place screamed wealth and power, from the polished marble floors to the massive windows that offered a breathtaking view of the city. It was all so... Xavier. When I entered the bathroom, I washed my face with cold water, but I hoped
ELLA'S POV I stepped out of the sleek, black car Xavier had organized to being me home as the evening breeze embraced my curls causing it to go in the air. Tugging some loose strands behind my ear, I stared back at the shady figure of my apartment. With a sigh, I continued in my tracks as I walked in the direction of the building,my mind flashing back to the thought of Ivy at Mr and Mrs Thompson’s.They had offered to help watch Ivy down till the night as I had told them I would return late since I had to supervise the event down till it's end. As I walked past the group of security at the gate, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.My heels clapped against the hard floor as I made my way towards the door of my apartment. My plan was to enter, freshen up before going to pick up Ivy at the next apartment. But to my shock, when I arrived at the door, I felt a frisson of pure shock in my veins. A low growl escaped my throat as I stared at the unfamiliar lock. That bastard landlord
D.P.O’S POVWhen I received the president's call, I was halfway into counting a wad of cash. My fingers paused in their calculative movements and I shifted my gaze in the direction of my phone. It laid on the table, quivering and vibrating as the heavy bass ringing tone blared into the air.I reached for it with deft fingers and just as my fingers brushed against the screen, it turned on and the caller id was displayed. Nothing in the lord's green earth could have prepared me for what was about to come.The president.He was the one calling and not just that, I felt my sixth sense engaging with me, offering shallow whispers of warning as adrenaline pulsed into my veins. My heart raced in my chest as I gripped my chin for a brief moment. Questions flowed into my mind gradually and the more I tried to counter them, the more puzzled I got.I wasn't expecting the president to call me— at least not so soon. I didn't think I could ever be prepared for his call. After the day he visited the
XAVIER'S POV I wasn't supposed to feel for her. The emotions I ended up showing crashed into me like a tidal wave. Even now, I still couldn't get myself to believe it. I was about to do it. I was about to do something I never believed would be possible.I was about to show Madame Browne sympathy. I was about to offer her the one thing she didn't offer me over the years. Sympathy. Even the thought of it I was nerving. I had to admit that. Hugging her was weird. Having her sob over my suit was weird and to say the truth, all of this was weird.Madame Browne wasn't the type of lady to cry. No. She was far different from that. She was the kind of lady who's character could be adapted into the role of a villain In a movie, a book perhaps. I was used to her being the evil person and this level of vulnerability was seemingly alarming.I couldn't bring myself to believe the one woman who single handedly made my life a living hell was about to confess to all her crimes to not just the police
THE PRESIDENT'S POV “What's the information she brought?” As Xavier said the words, my expression dimmed and I turned my gaze in Madame Browne's direction. I darted my gaze in her direction and as I caught a sight of her body frame, my face twisted into a tight frown.My jaws clenched and so did my fists. Something about all of this didn't feel right. But… I just had no choice but to believe her. Madame Browne stood at the other end of the room. Her legs were as shaky as a winter leaf and cold beads of swart clung to her forehead.Her eyes moved over to catch my gaze and as our eyes met, I tried to catch any glimpse of emotion but I found nothing. Well, nothing but the bright gleam of anticipation in her eyes. Something told me this was the beginning of a dark future. I could feel it but I just wasn't sure.Madame Browne was a trickster. It was in her nature and you never might know when she told the truth. I used to be able to read through all her tactics but this time around, it w
XAVIER'S POV I woke up to the soft warmth of Ella’s body curled against mine. For a rare moment, I allowed myself to enjoy the peace. The curve of her body against mine, the way her breathing remained steady—it filled me with calmness. But duty never slept, and neither could I.For a fleeting moment, time seemed to slow, allowing me to simply exist in the tranquillity of her presence. The delicate scent of her lavender shampoo clung to her dark hair, a familiar and soothing aroma that filled my senses. I almost didn't want to get up from her side, knowing she might be the only semblance of calmness in my life today, but I had to.Placing a kiss on her hair, I carefully untangled myself from her and slid out of bed. I headed to the bathroom, brushed my teeth, and took my bathI was adjusting my tie in the mirror when a soft but firm knock sounded on the door. adjusted my tie in the mirror Who could it be so early in the morning?I padded towards the door, my feet silent on the lush
LUCAS'S POV The neon glow of the city cast long shadows as I watched her disappear into the night. My cigarette burned between my fingers, smoke curling into the air like ghosts of the past. I didn’t move until she was completely out of sight. Only then did I snap my fingers as a signal.A huge tall figure emerged from the darkness, stepping under the pale streetlight. Matteo. He had been an old soldier from back when I was still young —one of the few old ones still breathing. He wasn’t a man of many words, but he was very useful.He was my eyes on the streets, my major source of information, and not for once had he ever been wrong.“Who’s running things now?” I asked, exhaling smoke as I observed his expression.Matteo’s face was lined with years of bloodshed, his dark eyes unreadable. “No one knows, boss. There's a man—he’s got a scorpion tattoo inked onto the back of his hand. Rumours have it that he might be the one.”That gave me pause. "A scorpion?"He nodded once. "We haven’t
MADAME BROWNE'S POV I sat before the gilded vanity in my dimly lit room, carefully applying a shade of crimson to my lips. The reflection staring back at me exuded power, cruelty—a woman who had long since abandoned the silly notions of weakness and kindness. Those were for fools and children. They were nothing more than shackles meant to hold me back, and I had no use for them anymore. It was a dog-eat-dog world, and I refused to be left behind.My eyes gleamed with satisfaction as I traced the outline of my lips, the colour rich like freshly spilt blood. It was fitting. Blood had been spilt before, and more would be spilt againThe world had always been my chessboard, and I had played and would continue to play my pieces well.The soft ring of my phone interrupted my musings and brought me out of my thoughts. I reached for it almost lazily, fully expecting it to be another one of my pathetic underlings grovelling for my attention. But I was surprised as I saw the name flashing on
LUCAS'S POV1 DAY AGO.When the car arrived at the front of my crib which was located deep inside an undeveloped area. I made sure it was unnoticeable. From the outside view, any random stranger would think it was some abandoned building when really it held secrets as dark as night itself.As I stepped out of the car, my men hovered beside me. When we got to the gate, the security guards who were standing at alert confirmed my identity and opened the gate for me to enter. I stepped into the compound and headed directly for the door.I made slow, casual strides towards it and as I finally approached it, I snapped my fingers and my men opened it for me. The door chimed open and I stepped into the soft scent of cherries in the air.I already knew where it was coming from.I darted my gaze in the direction of a lady standing on top of the stage with her body clinging seductively to the stripping pole. The other stripers continued dancing. I was the one who gave them that order. Even when
LUCAS'S POV 1 DAY AGO.“Is the ride ready?” I asked with a calm voice and my assistant flashed me a glance before he beamed, “Yes sir.”“Alright officer, I'll see you soon if you dare spill anything. Claim i broke out of the cell.” I ordered and got up from my chair and paced towards the door.When I got close enough, I grabbed the doorknob and pushed it open. It made a low chime as I stepped out into the hallway and without closing the door, I headed towards the door at the end of the floor. The D.P.O revealed the emergency exit that wasn't guarded to me and I was going to take that path.When I got to the other end of the door, I paused in my tracks and turned to one of my guards who rushed towards the door and opened it. The room I stepped in reeked of odor. It seemed like it hadn't been opened in a long while. I shifted my gaze to one of my men and ordered him, “Go check what's going on in there?”The guard stepped forward and took gentle strides into the room. I waited until he
LUCAS'S POV1 DAY AGOAfter making the call, I waited for a minute before I received another call from my men. They had arrived at the back gate of police station and were waiting patiently for my go ahead. “I don't want a loud hit. I want something low and coded.” I said into the speaker. “What about the people that are going to be ensuring the DPO gets the message clearly?”“They are here boss. We'll make sure he gets the message clearly.” I waited for a while before I thought about it for a while and snapped. “You know what? I'll do it myself.” “Get into his office, beat the hell out of him and then call for me. I'll do the confrontation myself.” I turned out and I heard a corresponding hum from the other end of the phone as I ended the call and turned my gaze back to the sight of the inmates in the room.They were all 3.Each of them had unruly mops of hair on their head, red eyes, shaky breath and a staggering stance. In short, they reeked of poverty, remorse, regret and fear.