DANIELLE'S P.O.V.The sunlight tickled my thighs as its rays escaped through the curtains; while the morning licked itself over the sky. My curtains made riffs of the sky's chilly warmth sip through, filling my bedroom with gleams of light.The world was eerily silent.Opening my eyes, the silence broke as my heart began it's steady rhythm and my nose and lungs worked hand in hand, providing my body with whiffs of the fresh morning air.Two weeks had passed in a blur of very boring and lonely days spent binge watching tv shows and movies alone in the house, and less lonely days spent visiting my dearest mother-in-law, Alvida, and being visited by my friends and my sister-in-law, Alisia.And now, the day that I had both dreaded and looked forward to had finally arrived. It was the first week of August; summer had finally come and today would be my first day at the business school. I was, of course, very excited to start out the day, but also extremely nervous about what the day had in
DANIELLE'S P.O.V.Fearing the unknown was so immensely common and completely normal, however, for some reason, I could never find the courage or strength to get past it, unlike every one else around me. Whether it was driving alone towards and around a location I had never been to, finding my way around unfamiliar buildings and places, or, as was the case at that particular moment, walking around a new college campus; getting lost was one of my greatest fears.It was a sunny day in August. Sweat had started to coat my brows from my seemingly endless walking, back and forth the campus, in my attempts to locate the building I was to be in at that very moment. The time on my wristwatch read 10:30am. I was late by half an hour and I feared that apart from getting lost on my first day, I would be subjected to humiliation in front of my new colleagues.I stomped my foot on the ground in frustration, and released a sigh, air escaping my partly opened lips. I had no idea what to do. I was in
DANIELLE'S P.O.V.A woman walked up to the podium. She was immaculately dressed in black suit pants and a navy blue wrap around blouse. Her short black hair was packed into a low ponytail at the back of her head and the sound her black heels, clicking and clacking, resonated in the now silent hall."Good morning everyone." she greeted.Her voice carried loudly in the large room, indicating that she had on a microphone."Good morning, ma'am." I greeted alongside the entire class; our voices blended into one and caused a powerful and loud riffle in the room."I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. There were some urgent matters that had to be dealt with." she said, "Now, let us start the day with introductions. I am Doris Covington, the Dean of Students."A loud applause was started by one of the students, I and the others following suit in the ovation."Thank you." she said, ending the ovation. "I welcome you all to New York University, and most especially, I welcome you to Leonard Stern'
DANIELLE'S P.O.V."How was your first day, business schooler?" Sofia asked later that evening."It was okay, I guess." I replied."Our dearest business schooler here, got lost on her first day on campus." Layla said teasingly."Why do you guys keep calling me ' business schooler?" I asked.Layla and Sofia shrugged. Janelle's arms were busy but I was sure she would have equally shrugged alongside them."I'm not surprised you got lost. No offense Danielle, but you have no sense of direction. You're really lucky to be born in an era with advanced technology, or else you'd probably end up getting lost and having to start your life afresh in some distant land." Sofia said."No offense taken.""You cried, didn't you. We all know how terrified you are of getting lost." Janelle said."I didn't cry." I denied."Oh, yes she did." Layla teased, causing the rest of them to laugh."I did not!" I said adamantly."She definitely did." Janelle said, joining in the teasing."You guys, seriously. I was
DANIELLE'S P.O.V.It would seem my day was, indeed, full of surprises as that same evening, the kitchen held another stunning image for me. I stood just outside the kitchen, on its thresholds where its floors blended with the living room's floors; I was transfixed by the sight in front of me, not quite comprehending it as exciting ripples of amazement suddenly licked their way through my veins.The source of my astonishment was Adrian- he who stood in the kitchen- and it wasn't only the fact that he was shirtless and chiseled, sweat glistening over his defined back and biceps; although, I quite enjoyed the sight of his bare back which ignited something low in my stomach, a fluttering that spread to my chest.The cause of my frozen state and inability to move from the spot I was standing on was the sight of Adrian- The Almighty Adrian Valentino wearing an apron, and cooking.His Majesty, Adrian Valentino, my snotty as hell husband, who acted high and mighty like he was above everyone a
DANIELLE'S P.O.V.The days proceeding my first actual sit at home dinner with Adrian since our marriage, went by in a blur of Introductory classes, School tours, and surreptitious efforts at avoiding a particular blonde haired and hazel eyed girl. I was successful for the most part, having avoided situations that could leave me available to a conversation with her.Soon it was Thursday; the day that had been set aside for the girls and I to go shopping for our outfits to be worn to the gala. Thursday morning met me on my bedroom floor, perusing various Pinterest boards for the most suitable dresses to wear to Dad's event. I had not had any sleep the previous night as I was excited for my day out with the girls.Once the first rays of the morning sunlight licked its way through the parted curtains, I scurried into the bathroom, more than ready to and extremely thrilled about finally starting the day. I quickly took care of my hygiene and threw on an effortless outfit consisting of a pa
DANIELLE'S P.O.V.The first few hours of my day were spent idling about the house; I spent most of the day in the living room, binge watching some of the various series that I felt like watching on the television.Adrian made good on his promise to send me something to eat. About two hours after he left for work, the doorbell rang. His driver had stood at the door with a bag of takeout in his hand. I thanked Adrian's driver and excitedly opened the bag, offloading it's contents onto the kitchen island, and I sat down at the island to devour my breakfast of French toast, banana pancakes, waffles, and a box of orange juice.The gala was scheduled to start by 6:00 pm, so I had to be ready before 5:00 pm at least. Once it was 12:00 pm, I called for my hair stylist and makeup artist; they were to work their magic on me before the time allotted for leaving the house.By 5:04 pm, they were both done and had left me alone, once again, in the house. I went into to my closet and picked out my d
DANIELLE'S P.O.V.Chase fucking Sinclair.There he stood, by the closest table to the ball room's entrance doors, in all his fucked up glory."What the hell is he doing here?" Janelle asked, her voice laced with disgust.My thoughts exactly!He obviously could not have been allowed entry into the venue without an invitation card- he must have actually been invited.Surely, Dad knew better than to have invited Chase fucking Sinclair, the traitor and intruder, to his company's big event; he would not do that to me, would he?"I can not believe he is here." Layla scoffed, taking a sip from her champagne flute.Watching her drink from her flute made me realize how badly I needed a glass myself. Liquid courage was the only thing I could use to get through the night."Your dad couldn't have invited him, could he?" Sofia asked, turning to face me.I shrugged, my eyes flickering around the room in search of my father. We had to have a conversation about his choice of guests."You didn't tell