I pushed the duvet off my body and got down. I shivered as my foot came in contact with the floor. Illinois winter is a bitch.
I strode to the bathroom and brushed my teeth. I took a quick shower and changed my clothes.
I wore a simple striped T-shirt and blue skinny jeans and threw a leather jacket on top. I just brushed my hair and let it down. I applied a little makeup and took my sunglasses.
I walked down and took my handbag and my car keys. Locking the door, I walked to my car and drove to the address Aeden had sent me.
We were going to discuss the clauses of our contract marriage today. I was nervous but was looking forward to ending it as soon as possible.
I parked my car and got out of it. I took out my phone and gave Aeden a call, despite looking for him everywhere, I didn’t find him.
“Hello? Where are you?” I asked as he picked up the phone.
“Look behind,” he said and I turned. He stood behind me wearing a light blue polo shirt. The sleeves hugged his biceps, revealing half of it. My eyes traced one of his nerves that went up and hid under his sleeve. His light subtle still giving me a sneak peek of his extremely sharp jawline.
Glasses? No glasses? He might have switched to his lenses. And he still looked handsome as ever. His eyes sparked with a very foreign emotion.
Holy hell! Who is this man?
“Hi,” he said waving his hand and flashed a beautiful smile. His smile was just as intoxicating as him.
I blinked a few times and licked my lips and gave him a tight-lipped smile. An unknown warmth filled inside me as he greeted me and smiled at me.
“Shall we,” he said and guided us to the table.
His lawyer kept glancing at me and I didn’t like it one bit. He was staring at me and he wasn’t even ashamed of it. I tucked a lock behind my ear as I moved my eyes from him and followed Aeden.
Aeden didn’t bother to introduce us to each other and I wasn’t keen on knowing who his attorney was too.
I sat down and to my dismay, the lawyer sat next to me and Aeden sat opposite of me. It was extremely uncomfortable.
I shifted a little in my seat and from the corner of my eye, I saw that guy smirk at my actions. Ignoring him, I kept my eyes on Aeden.
“Let’s start,” he said and I just nodded.
Since I was a lawyer myself, I didn’t have one. I knew what I wanted and I was not going to compromise for it.
They began to explain everything. Like what we are allowed to do and what not. I was quite pleased with the contract till they mentioned the termination part of it.
“No. People will know.” I said looking up at Aeden.
“What?” He asked confused.
“2 months. It’s too short and predictable.” I said shaking my head.
“We want something that is believable. We know that this marriage is a sham but for them, it should look like an actual one.” I told.
He looked at me probably trying to process what I just told. We have to have a believable term to end this marriage.
“6 months?” He asked after pondering upon what I just said.
“No, more,” I said but dread crept when I felt a heavy presence on my thigh. I twisted my head to the side to see his stupid attorney smirking, whiled he rested his hand on my thigh.
I didn’t want to make a scene. Therefore barring my teeth, I placed my hand on his and dug my perfectly manicured nails into his skin. He winced and I took the opportunity to pry his hand away from my thigh.
But that seemed to have irked him as he moved his hand upward. Dread filled me as he kept moving his hand up, despite my efforts to take it off.
“1 year?” I heard Aeden ask.
“No, too much,” I said. I cursed myself as anyone could note the agony in my voice.
He was smirking as he still didn’t stop. By this time, I was panicking. He had reached my inner thighs and since the time my ex-boyfriend, Jack left me, I haven't let any man come closer to me.
“8 months,” I said in panic and I heard him say something but I couldn’t process any of it.
But the next second, I saw the stupid guy on the ground. I got up from my seat and looked at him horrified.
I looked to my right to see a seething Aeden. He was breathing heavily. He looked so scary. His perfect jaw was clenched hard. He kept glaring at the idiot. His eyes were blood red and a nerve on his forehead popped. His hands were curled into tight fists as he looked at the man menacingly.
“Call the cops,” he growled and I jolted. I looked around to see everyone’s attention glued to us. I wasted no time taking out my phone to call 911 but I saw an officer appear with another man.
“I’m the manager here, we called the police because of the commotion.” He said calmly.
“Good. Arrest him. He was harassing her,” Aeden said still glaring at the guy on the ground.
“Is he right ma’am?” The cop asked me and I bobbed my head up and down in approval.
He bent down and handcuffed the idiot and pulled him up to his feet. “We would like you to drop by to register your complaint later,” he said I nodded. I was gonna let him go either.
“Thank you,” Aeden's gruff voice came out before I could answer.
Next, he held my wrist as he pulled me with him. I stumbled a step or two, trying to match his steps but he didn’t stop. We reached a car soon and that is when he stopped.
“What was that?” I asked, shocked.
“He harassed you and I don’t like it when a man, touches a woman without her permission,” he said looking right into my eyes. His penetrating gaze burning through me.
He is everything a girl wants in her man but sadly, he will never be mine.
CarlaI looked at the door one last time before ringing the bell. I brushed my dress down and looked up.The door flung open revealing a smiling Sarah. The smile wasn’t a happy one, it was rather sad.“Hello,” I greeted her when she stepped aside and let me in.“Hi,” she said.“What’s wrong?” I couldn’t help but ask.“It’s mom,” she said and I frowned.“Where is she?” I asked and she told me she was seated on the back porch. I beelined straight to the porch without giving anyone or anything a glance.“Hi, Mrs. Beckett,” I greeted her. She stopped reading her paper and turned behind.“Have a seat dear,” she said. I sat down next to her on the wooden chair.I realized soon enough that her gaze remained fixed on something else. I followed her eyesight to see her looking at Pearl and
CarlaI took the papers out and slapped them on the mahogany table. I took each one of them and read it for the second time.These were the contract agreements. We decided that I go ahead and draft it and we meet to see one last time if we needed to delete or add anything.I was still confused about the way Aeden reacted the other day. He had a girlfriend despite that, he touched me. It was weird nonetheless.I looked around my boring office and sighed. I was so bored sitting here. It had been months that I actually went out of the city. Yeah, traveling was one of my hobbies. I used to go backpacking or trekking almost every weekend until I got promoted. Since then, I barely have any time for trekking or backpacking.I looked outside the window and pouted, imagining the things I could have done if I wasn’t promoted but the promotion was also necessaryfor my growth. I guess you need to sacrifice one thi
CarlaI stood with the bouquet in my hand. I was nervous. I could potentially be ruining someone’s life but for some reason but, that thought didn’t bother me much today. I was anxious because I was getting married. It was not a part of my lifebut, here I was all dolled up to get married.I always thought I’ll get married in the future but that was far and not at 25. I did imagine myself getting married to Jack but that asshole screwed my life over and was enjoying his life while I was still hung upon him. It isn’t easy to forget the boyfriend you were head over heels with, is it now?I wanted my life with him. Everything I ever did was with him in my life. For three years, I compromised; Sacrificed; but what did he do? He cheated on me. And I would have accepted it if not for the person whom he cheated with. Stella. She was like the sister I never had. She knew me really well. In fact, she was the only person I eve
He entered the room, which was supposed to be for the married couple. Him and his wife. He swiped the key card and pushed the door open. He was welcomed to a dark and cold room. He looked for the light and turned them on. But the key card fell from his hand when he looked at the room.The decoration which was done was all destroyed. Flower petals on the floor and there was barely any room on the floor to walk. He walked closer to find the room completely empty. Empty bottles of alcohol were scattered across the room and so was the duvet. His lips parted in shock as he looked at his surroundings.But the last straw was when he saw the bloody footprints across the floor and the broken vase. His eyes widened at the amount of blood that was on the white granite floor. But the biggest question was, where was Carla? For a fraction of a second, his mind went blank but recovering from the shock, he ran out of the room to look for her.He rushed outside without even both
CarlaLiving with Aeden is more complicated than it sounds. My frustration level has skyrocketed because I am around this sinful creature but can’t do anything about it.I try. It’s not that I don't try but with him around, it’s so hard. We do have different rooms but he’s around all the time. He’s everything you would want in your man. He’s near yet so far.I stopped twirling the spoon in the chicken soup I was making and took another one to see if I forgot to put the salt in it. I was so occupied in my thoughts, that I’m pretty sure that there is no salt in this soup.I dipped the spoon in and directly shoved it into my mouth, without thinking it through that it would be hot and I could burn my mouth.It was hot! Like really hot!I instantly dropped the spoon and started jumping.“Hot! Hot! Hot!” I whimpered, jumping. Tears gathered the co
Drip!Drip!Drip!Darkness was all that was visible.Just pure black!A quiver escaped her lips. A rag was tied around her lips restraining her from speaking or calling out for help.Tears welled up her eyes.She tried to move her hand and legs but they were pulled down by the heavyweights around her wrists and ankles. It was so dark that she couldn’t even see her own hands. It was all she felt.The heavy metallic weights around her wrists and ankles restricted any sort of movement.She whimpered as the pain shot up her spine as slightly shifted her position.She tried to mumble with the rag in her mouth but barely any voice was heard.Trying to free herself, she moved her wrists and ankles only for a sharp metal-like object to cut through her skin.Warmblood oozed out of her left wri
“Shit!” She exclaimed as she covered her nose with her hands. The smell was unbearable and so was the sight. She had her head turned slightly to the side as it was impossible for her to look at it.Mustering up all of her courage, she turned to look at the person laying on the ground. It was too disturbing for her to handle it. A strong wave of nausea hit and she ran out of the house pushing everyone aside and went to the side and poured out the vomit.The more she tried to forget the sight, the more it became disgusting for her. She moved away from there and stood outside the house. She just couldn’t go in there again. She waited outside till her associate, Jona came.“According to forensics, the body has been in there for at least 3 days,” he said and she just nodded.“Hey, are you okay?” He asked looking at her flustered face and uneasiness.“No!” She yelled at him.“How do expec
She looked around her. Fear radiated from her but she didn’t stop. She had to know who this person was.She looked around for any signs of human activity. She gulped and wiped the sweat beads off of her forehead.“Hello,” Her shaky voice called out.“Please,” her chin wobbled as she jerked ahead.A silent weeping echoed making her snap her head towards her right. It was unbeknown to her, why she was in this dark place.“Who’s there?” She called out.“I can help,” she said and looked around but nothing.All of a sudden she was pulled back and her back thrashed against the wall. She let out a loud wail of pain. Her back hit the wall so hard, that she heard something Crack. She squeezed her eyes shut and tried to absorb the pain. She whimpered as she tried to change her position.
Carla“So you don’t feel guilty?” The woman in front of me asked. Her hair was neatly tied up in a bun while she sat before me, with a small notebook and a pen in her hand.“Are you sure you are not saying this because you totally deny it?”I shook my head slightly and looked down at my lap.“You really don’t feel guilty about killing someone?” She asked me again and I forced my head up and looked into her eyes.“No.”After killing Cliff, I was little, well, too much in denial and Aeden forced me to take therapy with this lady before me. And also for my not so often nightmares, yet they still could shake me up and I couldn’t get anything done the next day. Honestly, I don’t like her. She is too much of a bitch for my liking. Since the time I have been attending the sessions, which were only two, she didn’t hesitate to show me her displeasure of me
AedenI tried pulling my hands out one last time but sighed in defeat when my attempt was hindered unsuccessful.The light that reached me through the blindfold, indicated that it was morning. My wrists were, well pretty much numb.I had called out for her but, I was just wasting my energy when I realized that the rooms were soundproofed.She got me good. Have to give her credits. I had never expected that she’d do something like this… it's just not her. Or maybe I just don’t know her so well. Actually, she was always afraid around me and was never open.I guess I am the one to be blamed for that. I regret it but right now, I need her to come up here and untie me. Staying in one fucking position the entire night is not a joke.A small sigh leaves my lips and I slump my wrists and shoulders. But the opening of the door has my ears perked up.A strong womanly fragrance hits my nostrils and I instantly
AedenSighing, I picked up my phone and my wallet before heading out the door. It was way past ten and it was highly uncommon for me to stay in my late mother’s office for so long.I didn’t usually visit this place because it ran smoothly unless someone decided to fuck it all up. An employee thought it was cool to randomly blurt out the ideas of the upcoming project to one of the rival company employees and I had to come down to fix his shit.I hadn’t estimated that it was going to be of so much trouble when I left home this morning but turns out, it was big. When it was past ten was beyond me.I wanted to go home and spend some time with Carla, but because of this one person, I had to be in and out of meeting all day long.I rushed out of the building to see my chauffeur by my car. He opens the door as I walked near it and he bowed down to show respect. I nodded, acknowledging his bow. It wasn’t long before
“We need to talk,” Carla burst her way into his study, without bothering about what he was doing.She stooped in her tracks, panting as she noticed two men who sat before him in their business suits, whose eyes were now focused on her. Her chest heaving as she clenched her fists by her sides and narrowed her eyes on Aeden, who was quite as startled as the men before him were.“Excuse me. Can we continue this sometime later?” He asked the two men, drawing their attention back to him from his wife.“Yes.”“Sure.”They replied simultaneously and walked out. Aeden pushed the chair back and stood up as the menexited and walked to the door and closed the door behind him.“What is it?” He asked softly as he made his way toward her and held her cheek from one side.“I-I can’t do this. No.” She
CarlaWas I doing the right thing?Too much thinking will make me regret my decisions.I take the pill bring it closer to my lips and hold the glass of water with my shaking hands. I didn’t want my child to have to grow when it can never be safe.I don’t think Aeden knows about this so it's better if he never finds out. It will be for the best. I don’t even know how he will react if he finds out. I just don’t want to hear the negative ones, if he didn’t like the idea of having children.Gulping, I place the pill at the seam of my lips. My heart was thudding rapidly against my chest. Closing my eyes I take a deep breath in.No. Don’t you will become a murderer!My consciousness mocked me and that itself was enough to push the chair back and spring up and throw the pill away.“Carla! What the hell!” I heard Aeden from behind and I turned to him he pulled th
“Why?”She fell backward, and let her eyes droop. Before she could land a harsh hit to the ground, strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer to a strong chest.She was hoisted up and carried out in bridal style. But as soon as the blood from her thigh dripped oh his arm he paused to look. When he noticed the dripping red liquid, anger burned through.With a low growl, he pressed her tightly and protectively against his body and marched out to his car, not caring about the way men moved in and out of the building.He carefully placed her on the passenger seat and moved to the other side. He noticed, Pearl, standing by the paramedics. She passed him a small smile and he returned it with a nod, pursing his lips.He sat in and stole one last glance at the woman resting on the passenger seat before driving off.The constant and loud tapping of foot was heard through the quiet hallway. Occasional huffing
“It wasn’t his mistake,” Carla breathed out.“Really?” Cliff scoffed.“Yes. Nobody has to pay for someone else’s deeds,” She said trying to inhale but the copper taste in her mouth and the pungent smell of blood didn’t allow her to.“You remember the time, you crashed into another car?” He quirked his brow up looking at her.“That was me. That was when it all began. That was my signal to being.”“It started with me finding my then long-lost and now dead brother, Steve. I didn’t have to do much. He was already a fool. A fool who was madly in love with you after one night. Wonder what magic you possess that, this idiot fell for you after one night in bed with you.”“I got what I needed from him. He told me all after I faked that I missed him all my life. I did miss my sibling, but not as much as I exaggerated. Then he told me everything I need
Caught up in work, she hadn’t realized when hours had passed and it now was seven in the evening.Her phone pinged up with a new notification but she ignored it like she had been doing for hours now. But when the constant sound of several notifications kept annoying her, she decide to put her phone on silent mode.As she took ahold of her phone, she noticed several messages from an unknown number. Unlocking the phone she read the messages, which were images, and a sudden dread kept in, looking at all the images that had been sent to her.They were several images of her. Taken the same way, in the starting she received a few stalking images of herself. Like the one in the hospital and Aeden’s penthouse. She had not given it much thought as she didn’t get any more pics after that and brushed it off thinking it was Aeden. Gulping, she swiped across her phone, looking at all the images of her.As she was scrolling through her the photos, her
Approximately one and a half months later.CarlaSinking down in my comfortable chair, I looked up from my laptop screen and focused my gaze outside the window admiring the beautiful view of the skyscrapers.But the moment was short-lived and I shrugged my shoulders and looked down on the keys of my computer.I was still mad at Aeden for abandoning me with some random strangers. I hadn’t heard or seen from either of the siblings or anyone them as a matter of fact since that day.Stupid stupid move!Who does that?He could have fucking spoken to me but he didn’t. I didn’t like it one bit. He didn’t even ask me if I wanted to go or stay. If he’d just asked me, I would have probably stayed back.I glanced at my wristwatch and packed up my stuff, shutting my computer off and putting it in my bag. I had resumed my work shortly after I found myself lying in the bed, alone and ab