I frowned. "Why would you drag my father into this?""Because he himself agreed to never allow you to be in a relationship with me again, after the way you acted." Michael smiled, content with himself. "Now our secret is out; what a bummer. Daddy Angus is against Michael after he served his purpose. He wants somebody better for his little girl who loves the fame.""I don't love the fame, Mike. I love the advantages of it.""That's why you have this illusion in your head that you love me", he pointed out, picking up his phone. "You loved the idea of 'Eleanor Hawkins-Beaumont and her rich husband Michael Beaumont, the collaboration between Hawkins Enterprise and Beaumont Enterprise, America's strongest, richest banks and financial institutions.' Am I wrong?"I grinded my teeth."Yes, it's me Angus. I know it has been long and I'll make it court. Pick up your daughter for me, will you?"As I left his office I forced myself to put on a façade.Two women went towards me and one eyed me cur
"I understand", Mr Birmingham instantly interrupted me.It was Monday 12th and I went to Mr Birmingham at my usual time. He had already expected me and called me to his office.He smiled brightly at me. "Mr Beaumont himself visited me this morning and brought a new worker along to replace you in exchange. I understand you want to go back, this isn't yours Sara." "And you are really alright with it, Mr Birmingham?" "Yes", he patted my head. "Just remember me when you read any papers, ok?"Jess and the others dragged me into the building the moment they spotted me and the three of them all spoke at the same time once I sat down on my chair.On my desk, which had stayed the same as if I hadn't left a month ago, was a cake and several bouquets of flowers. It was a welcome back gift from the girls and Michael. The bouquet of red roses, at least 20 roses, were from him, as the card told me.Their hugs were bone crushing, but I laughed happily. I had my friends back and I would see them ev
"What do you mean you don't have the money for the divorce?", Michael growled, gripping my arm. "How long has this been going on for? What are his allegations? Who is your lawyer? Why are you losing the case?!" "Not here", I whispered as the people stared at us. Michael didn't hold my hand but my arm as he dragged me into Taco Bell.He sent me away to find a table and ordered food without even asking what I wanted. I kind of felt bad, but also angry at the same time.Michael returned with the trey and placed it between us. I crossed my arms."I'm sorry", he started, avoiding my eyes. "I'm just ... I just get so annoyed whenever you mention him." "Well, you shouldn't let it out on me then." "I won't", he quickly said.I glared at him and he looked at me apologetically. I uncrossed my arms. "I'm sorry too, Michael."Michael took my hand. "I just ... why didn't you tell me sooner you couldn't afford it?" My stomach felt strangely empty at his tone. "Why? Would that have changed every
Sara's POVMy mouth dropped open as Michael stopped by a black Lamborghini.When we had left this god-forsaken building, the building I would never have to set foot in, I had immediately scanned the cars as he led me down the tight, dark street. The more he walked towards the shiny, black car, the more I grew speechless.I didn't think it would really be his, I had really searched for his BMW and not a freaking Lamborghini!He unlocked it and opened the door for me. Michael stood proudly next to it, tall, confident, as expensive looking as the car was with Italian handmade shoes, the Burberry scarf, the Ralph Lauren long black coat, and the suit was just the outfit I always saw him in.Michael's shoulders were broad enough that he didn't need shoulder pads. Jess had told me that all of his suits were especially made for him, and I could see why. If you compared his broad chest to his waist, it would be hard to buy a fitting jacket in stores. Also, his legs were strong and from what I
Surprised, we met each other's eyes and laughed. Time had really flown by tonight."Let's go home", he said, taking my hands. "Let's."The ride back was pleasantly quiet and intimate as we both were lost in our thoughts. It didn't take him long to drop me off at my apartment. I took the flowers and leaned over to him."Fais de beaux rêves", Michael softly said against my lips. "Laku noć", I told him, thinking he just said good night to me. Michael gifted me a splendid smile and said: "Tomorrow. 7 a.m." "I'll be punctual", I promised. "No white button up", he playfully said. "Try me", I laughed but he grew serious. "Don't make threats you don't mean, Bašić." "Good night to you too", I laughed and got out of his car."Oh, wait", I quickly said before I closed his car door. "Your scarf-" "Keep it. What's mine is yours." "Are you sure?", I reached out for it, ready to take it off. "Yes. I mean it."I hesitated, then joked: "So, if your stuff is mine, then I want a million dollar
He beamed as I approached him. Michael took my hand and made me twirl. "Wow!", was all he could say. I laughed happily. "Wow!", he repeated and drew me close. "You look amazing, mon amour!" "Thank you! You look handsome yourself", I traced his chest and kissed his cheek.I was left speechless as we entered his big flat."My humble home", he said with a smile.Humble?It was modern, big, had amazing big windows which showed New York in its full glory, was kept minimalistic with grey furniture and -A woman stared at me angrily, her lips drawn into a tight line.I backed away a bit. Michael's hand touched my back and rested there. "Marie, this is my girlfriend Sara. Sara, this is Marie, the woman who raised me with tatie and oncle. Gerard is out currently." "A-A pleasure to meet you", I said and extended my hand. She ignored it. "Marie", Michael's tone was low and demanding.Marie huffed and took my hand. "Good, now leave us alone Michael." He raised a brow. "Jacques called a few minu
Mature content up ahead, viewer discretion is advised I had to admit, this was amazing.Not the episode we were watching. I had no clue what was going on nor did I know who that blonde haired woman was.I meant this situation here in front of me.It was Friday night, I was in my own flat instead of in my office working or at the bar going for a quick drink, I had a nice cooked dinner I had made with my girlfriend and we were now cuddling in front of the TV:Her in my arms, a blanket around us, her wide eyes as she followed every little scene with a lot of attention, the cute smiles she gave me when she caught me staring at her – it couldn't get any better. I loved her warmth, her smell – she smelled of flowers again and I inhaled it deeply – her cute expressions, the way she jumped at minor jump scares into my arms; I loved every second of it.The sheer fact I didn't sit in my office until midnight and afterwards went to bed was amazing. I didn't finish my night by working in the off
"What do you mean with that?", I asked, my voice thick. "Exactly what I said", Michael sighed heavily.It was 7 am on Monday the 19th, two days until his 30th birthday. He had picked me up, per usual, and told me of the latest news which made my heart drop into my stomach."It will be only for a week. Hamish and I need to attend the conference in Singapore. Melinda is too well informed about this topic, so she has to come along instead of you. And somebody has to stay back and take her position here." Michael thought about something, going silent for a while. "I'll be back Sunday evening the soonest. As soon as I have access to internet, you'll hear from me, I promise."I don't know what's worse – not seeing him for an entire week or taking over her position this suddenly."When are you leaving?", I asked instead of voicing my concerns. "In a few hours, at three p.m.", he sounded tight-lipped. "It was all so sudden, I just got the call a few minutes ago. I'll drop you off to work an
I took a deep breath, catching his eyes. I knew the text by heart, so I just looked at him and forgot the paper in my hands."You were there when I needed you the most, at the hospital, as I recovered, and that twice. You tried your hardest to make me happy, you nearly broke your back in exhaustion but kept going. You stuck around and loved me with the same intensity. Just thinking about you makes me smile, seeing you happy makes me happy, seeing you sad makes me sad. And when you smile at me as if I were the only woman on this world, the best thing that could have happened to you, as if I were the biggest achievement of it all, one corner of your mouth always higher than the other, it's always the right one, with your dimples showing - my heart swells up with love and feels like it could explode. Even now, so many memories later."Michael cried silently with a smile. I wiped his tears away, continuing to speak."Life with you seems so much more intriguing and promising." My own voice
I mouthed and mouthed compliments to her, until she was beaming again and walking with a raised head.I heard dad laugh, but I couldn't stop staring at Sara - the rest of the room and people were pale, grey, boring compared to her. It disappeared in a blur, while all of my senses sharpened on her.And as she stood in front of me, I whispered: "Beautiful. Perfect." I took her hands. I needed to hold her, or else I would go insane. I leaned forward to this angel, almost not daring to move as if she could vanish suddenly, holding my breath at this perfect being that was really my wife! "I wish I could kiss you already", I whispered.Sara's cheeks and ear flushed and she leaned forward, making our foreheads touch. Her eyes were full of an expression that said 'do it'. And I nearly did, hadn't the woman spoken.And then - long minutes and many tears later, we were proclaimed as husband and wife - and I could finally, finally! kiss her.And I did. I poured all of my love into the kiss - an
Michael's POVDecemberNew York, the Rink at Rockefeller CenterMy old Sara was almost back. She was bubbly again, happy and talk-active, but non-stop or constantly clutched to me.I wanted that - so I could protect her.It's December, 4 months later after mon amour had been kidnapped.Sara parked the car and we both got out. I waited until she circled the car, then intertwined our hands as we went to the ice skating center.Our wedding was planned. Everything was organized, ready for the big day, waiting for us.We both had finished seeing our therapist, Sara just a few minutes ago. I had picked her up and let her drive us here, to surprise her. The dogs were looked after by Jess and Philipp for the few hours we would be gone.Now we were waiting for January 23rd, our unofficial one year anniversary and wedding date.With Sara in tow, her hands wrapped around my arm, while I had my arm propped up in a 90 degree angle, we went onto the ice.Sara giggled."What is it honey?", I turned
He had styled his hair how I loved it - with the curl falling onto his handsome face, the rest of his waves brushed back loosely. He looked as always proper and delicious in his suit - he had chosen a dark grey colour, a grey tie and a blush pink handkerchief to fit our theme; of course he thought of everything, my clever man!I spotted how he swallowed, how he beamed, how he bobbed his feet up and down in his excitement, how he wiped his eyes once again.Faster, faster, faster!Why was this aisle so damn long?Michael winked at me as he spotted how impatient I got. 'Love you', he mouthed.My heart was melting with love.Finally - finally we reached him. Dad hugged me, kissed my cheek.Then Michael and dad patted each other on the shoulder, then hugged. "Take care of her", dad said to him, making tears well up in my eyes. He handed me over, making me take Michael's hand. Dad squeezed our holding hands."Always", Michael whispered back to my father, then turned to me. "Beautiful. Perfe
Mum spotted my reaction and leaned over, whispering sweetly into my ear. "I think it was worth going out today."I nodded as she kissed my hair, tears blurring my vision.Maybe this was a sign that I would be awarded if I stepped out. Maybe this was a sign that not everything was cruel.I thought of Michael. I thought of how I sat close to him at work with another two friends close to me, friends I could trust and I knew had visited me during my unconscious time in the hospital.My lips trembled. I wanted to show Michael this dress. I wanted to show him what had made this day so special, besides waking up next to him.Betty and Olive, the two more than helpful female employees, helped me yet again in this dress and as Betty buttoned it up, Olive's eyes shone. "This is your dress, isn't it?"I looked at the small mirror in the changing room, my bottom lip shaking heavily.Who was this woman in the mirror? She was breathing taking with her big eyes and square face, with the hourglass bo
He talked to me about the wedding to cheer me up. He talked to me about our nephew and nieces, showed me videos of Adrien, Estelle and Sara. He talked to me about our babies and how the incident had only made his protective manner grow, and he showed that without a doubt.His hand quickly laid over my body when Hector got too close. When someone came in unannounced, he sent a death glare towards the door.The way he talked to me though, with this softness and this new-found love, only made me suspect more that he wanted a baby even more quickly.It was a nice technique to make me forget about my aching body, I must admit. And I let myself be endorsed in the baby talk, in the name choosing, in how the baby would change our lives - because honestly? After what had happened, I wanted to make the most out of my life. I wanted to have a baby with him.I wanted to live. I wanted to make the world a happy and safe place for my babies. I want to have all of Michael's babies and put more 'us'
Sara's POVAt first, I blinked.Then, unfamiliar faces appeared in a silhouette above me.The harsh light made me close my eyes again.Had the policemen turned on the light once they had found me?Was I free again?"Ms Basic?", the male voice asked, shaking my shoulder. "Are you awake Ms Basic?"I nodded, my head gradually starting to hurt.I weakly raised my arm, still disorientated where I was, who I was, what day and time it was?With my hand, I shielded my eyes from the harsh light and slowly opened them.Wait, I could move my hands?"Where ... am I?", I coughed, my throat dry."In the hospital, Ms Basic. Your fiancé brought you here after you were held hostage", the man explained. I turned my head slightly to see his coat.This was my doctor?Another hand moved around my body. I turned to see the light rose outfit of the nurse.I was in a hospital room ...?But that means - I had been rescued! I had really seen Michael!I jumped up; immediately their hands caught me.It all came
Sara's POVI panted and cried and whaled as Noah repeatedly stabbed my legs. In and out, always in a new spot. The wet sound echoed in my ear.My body had grown numb and cold to the pain once he stopped stabbing me.My vision only got worse.The corners turned black.I had trouble staying conscious.I just wanted to close my eyes and sleep."Why would you call him!?", Noah yelled. He grabbed my head. Everything was spinning. "Why why why? Why do keep on clinging onto him!? Is it because he has more money? Is it because he is a shameless flirt!? Is it because both of you are divorced!?"Noah grabbed a good chunk of my hair and with a swift swipe, cut off half my hair.He let my own hair fall onto me."I'll derange so much he won't love you anymore!", Noah yelled, his voice breaking. "And then I'll kill you - because you know what? A whore like you isn't worth this pain! If I can't have you, nobody can have you!"Noah cut off the other half of my hair."The more I look at you, the more
Sara's POVNoah's tongue slipped out of my mouth, causing blood and saliva to drip out my mouth, running down my chin.My ex-husband, my abductor, stepped back with a fond smile. His eyes ... they were filled with love. With love?Every core of my body grew disgusted at this realization. What a sick fucker! Did he enjoy torturing me? How could he like something so grotesque?!With every second he kept me here, the more the man I had loved disappeared from my memories. As if the old Noah distanced himself or was being replaced with this abusive psycho.Whatever I had once felt to him - those feelings and memories felt foreign right now, unfamiliar, disgusting, vile. Why had I wasted over four years with you? Why hadn't it been Michael who I could have met at my university? Why couldn't I be happy from the start?"Did you feel anything?", Noah purred, tracing the side of my face with his knuckles.With angry tears, I heavily shook my head.Noah didn't hesitate - his slap left my face nu