Annelise's POVI didn't believe my ears at first. I had to pinch myself back to reality to check if I was really not dreaming.I've also been wondering how he intends to deal with the current issue on the ground. It's really getting wild that I had to just go offline completely.“You want us to pretend like we're fine and the rumors are untrue by going out together?” I asked again."You know what? Forget I asked. There must really be another way around this other than that.” He said, gesturing with his hand."I'll do it.” I voiced out before he could reach the door.He stopped walking, halting just by the door.“But in exchange for something." I added.“I should have known it's not going to be free. How much do you need?" He asked.I frowned at how he just jumped to a conclusion without hearing me say anything.“I don't want your money." I said, still frowning.Does he think everyone wants his money and that the whole world revolves around it?“What do you want then?” He asked, lookin
Ethan's POVHoots of people in the crowd met my ears as Anastasia and I tried to find our way in the stream of people at this carnival.This carnival is attended by almost half of New York City; they all went crazy the moment the announcer announced our arrival.I was thinking of any outing we could go on when Lucas's call came in, and he said an invitation to attend this year's carnival came in for me.It was a mistake on his part as the message never got to me. The carnival is exactly the kind of thing we needed. There are other business moguls here too, and this year's theme seemed a bit different from the other years.Anastasia seemed to be finding it hard to weave her way around, even with the heavy security leading us through and clearing the road.I just tightened my hold on her waist, so I was practically taking her with me.Different things were asked by people, but we ignored everything until we got to the high table where we were meant to sit.The fun part of the carnival h
Annelise's POVI woke up to bright lights in my eyes. Upon opening them, I realized it was the sun; the blinds were open, allowing sunlight to stream in directly.Turning to the other side, I attempted to rouse myself further. I buried my face deeper into the bed covers and was met with a familiar scent in that spot.My eyes flew open in delight. I could sleep here forever, inhaling this scent. But, wasn't I the only one who slept here? Who else could have been on the bed apart from me?Even though Ethan slept on it yesterday, I changed the covers to a completely new set. Inhaling it again, I realized it was so familiar, like something I had smelled yesterday. Shoot! It's Ethan's cologne. It must be really strong to still linger here.I stood up from the bed and rushed to the toilet, feeling the urge to vomit. I made the mistake of looking into the mirror. I looked terrible. The makeup from yesterday was smeared all over my face. The dress I wore yesterday still clung to me, and my ov
Annelise's POVI stare in awe at how tall and big the building is. My door was opened for me by Max, and I had to just come down.He must have thought that was the reason I was still in the car; I was too caught up gawking at the building to remember that I needed to get out.Once outside, I had to compose myself and look like I'm not just coming here for the first time.The parking lot was empty; we didn't see anyone at all. I almost wished it would be that way when we got into the building too, but the moment the sliding doors were open, I realized how wrong I was.It's just like how any office building would look like; different people were behind computers and were working, while some walked around carrying documents and whatnot.The moment I got into the lobby, though, almost everyone stopped working. Their eyes were on me and Max.“It's this way, ma'am," Max's voice made me start walking again. Our footsteps were the only thing that could be heard in that big-ass place.The mome
Annelise's POV“You helped me yesterday, I'm only trying to return the favor too, and also to keep my own side of the deal,” Ethan said.Wow, he really took that seriously. I was wondering what made him take my job hunting also serious; I almost didn't remember that we made a deal yesterday. And I didn't even do what I did because of this; I'm capable of getting a job by myself without the help of anyone.“Oh, you don't have to though. I'm sure I can do this on my own,” I said."I know you can, but that's before we got married to one another. Now, if you applied to any company and they see your picture with the name attached to it, every organization would want to employ you,” Ethan explained.“While that isn't a bad thing, they'll want to always gain your favor because of who you are. I'm very sure that's the major reason you didn't want to work here in the first place."“That's just the reality of things. This lifestyle can be very tiring, but there's really nothing we can do about
Ethan's POVAfter dropping Anastasia home, I drove straight to the place I'm meant to meet up with the other investigator I hired concerning Ken.He told me that he has something for me which can't be said on the phone; I'd rather want to see it. I only came because he said it wouldn't take up to thirty minutes.The address he gave me was so straightforward, I didn't have any issue identifying it at all.“Go straight to the point," I ordered him immediately. He was standing outside already.He looked around, probably checking to see if we were being followed then he started talking. Rex isn't far from here at all even if the need for an attack arises.“He's a trafficker. Not only a drug trafficker, he does it for children and women too," he said.I was expecting some dirty things on Ken, but definitely not this one. I was shocked to hear that; he doesn't even appear like someone who can hurt a fly.“How credible is what you just told me?" I asked him with a straight face.I've mastere
Annelise's POVA scream tore out of my mouth as I saw what Ethan was wearing fully. I thought the red was a shirt design or something, not knowing that it was blood.Ethan didn't look phased or anything, he just kept looking at me weirdly, he looked at his clothe then at me again.“B-blood." I spluttered.“Is that why you're acting this way? It's just blood." He shrugged.My throat went dry at what he just said, it's just ‘blood’? Is that meant to be something we just see randomly each day?!“Did you fight with someone?" I couldn't help but ask, I just had to."And how's that your concern?”I clamped my mouth shut again, it's how he's always quick to respond in tines like this that gets me. It's like he has a response to everything.“Well, it was either you engaged in a fight or you killed someone. You didn't kill anyone, did you?" I gasped at the last line.Ethan was quiet at first, his face was just blank before the corner of his lips lifted up, then a full blown smile came up on hi
Ethan's POV“That's just the way it's done. You need to face reality and accept it that way." I looked down and continued eating. She didn't say anything too, neither did I look up to see the expression on his face.I heard her sigh then her cutleries started sounding, the rest of the meal was done in silence.When I was done with eating, Angela came to the dining room almost immediately.“Sir, someone is here to see you." She said.“Who is it?" I asked, I'm not expecting anyone. And even if I'm not, Rex is the one who comes in to relay this kind of message and not Angela.“Your brother." She said after being quiet for a while.I snapped my head up to look at her , even Anastasia stopped eating.“He's been outside way before you both started eating, he's been causing trouble outside since, the security men didn't open up the door, but he's saying something you might be interested in.” She rambled out.What the h*ll does he want now?I walked outside without saying any other thing, th