Another chapter will be out in four hours, because of course, Zora and Elliot keep bothering me... Don't forget to leave a review...
Chapter 8 "Shitty alarm," I grumbled as I moved my left hand around the table. With my eyes still closed tightly, my fingers brushed against the alarm clock and immediately switched it off. I opened my eyes slowly, and just like I had expected, Kathy was on her bed, her body sprawled out on the small bed. I walked to the wardrobe and picked blue jeans and a purple top with a purple bandana. I threw it on the bed and shuffled into the bathroom. Thirty minutes later, I was out and I pushed Kathy off the bed. She fell with a thud and I burst out laughing as she scrambled up, glaring daggers at me. "Get your shitty ass off the bed. You will be late for work." She rubbed her eyes and stood up. I watched as she staggered into the bathroom and shook my head. Kathy wasn't a morning person. I made some pancakes and scrambled eggs and by 7:30 am, we were all done. I grabbed my bag as Kathy wobbled down her meal. I sent a message to Aaron and the next second, he replied. "Hey, sis. I'm
Chapter 9 It was one thing to be in one of the most affluent companies in the country but to stand in the CEO's office with a dashing young man staring right at you, was something I could have fainted from. Averting my gaze from his, my eyes scanned through his office, taking in the beautiful decor. Starting from the small parlor on the left side of the office with a long sofa and small glass table in front of it, a 60-inch flat-screen tv, a refrigerator to the left, a water heater, and back to the main dish. Seated at the center of the office was a big glass table with two black leather chairs situated in front of him. To his side were a telephone, a notepad, a stack of beautifully designed pens, and an award frame with his laptop situated directly in front of him. I let out a short breath as I brought my eyes back to him, letting them hold the god-like being before me. I had seen him before but the way his black hair smoothed backward, and how professional he looked suited up
Chapter 10 As soon as we got into the car, my nostrils were once again assaulted by the same scent of Elliot I had perceived back at the office. For a minute there, I inhaled deeply, ignoring everything else as I let my eyes flutter to a close while I tried to have this scent forever imprinted in my brain. "Drive." In a simple but clear order, Elliot instructed the driver and we left. All through the drive, no one spoke to each other until it pulled up in front of a breathtaking building. Elliot's door opened and I watched as he stepped out of it before rounding the back to get mine for me. Such a gentlemanly act, I noted inwardly but kept my smile simple. My eyes remained glued to the magnificent structure before me, as they screamed one word – rich. I couldn't help but look around and take note of the decorations hanging from the ceiling which was covered in glass that showed my reflection. With our elbows locked, Elliot led me to a table he had reserved for the occasion a
Chapter 11 "Hello," Drew greeted from behind me. His trademark smile was still plastered on his face. "Hi," Kathy responded, pursing her lips into a thin line before gesturing with her eyes for me to enter. "I am in a hurry. I will take my leave first," Drew informed me with a wave and got into his car. With that, I proceeded into the apartment and was greeted first with numerous questions. "What the heck, Zora? Are you going out with two dashing young gods at the same time?" "Relax, Kathy. What happened to welcome, Zora? How are you?" "Not with what I just witnessed, Zora. Now tell me quickly. Who is he? What about Elliot? What happened out there? I rolled my eyes and shook my head. "You worry too much. I am not double timing. He is Elliot Garrett's friend," I explained. "Uhm-uhm." "Yes. On the other hand, I see you have left some juicy details from me." My words had hit straight at my aim and immediately she blinked shyly and turned her head away. "Oh no, you don't. Not
Chapter 12 Elliot stepped out of his car and entered my workplace. He searched around and I watched until our eyes met. He walked over to where I was standing and narrowed his eyes at me as he took in my overall appearance. He glared subtly at me, annoyed that I was still putting on my work clothes. He was likely pissed that I asked him to come by and I wasn't even ready yet. I was still running around in my work clothes, waiting tables. "What is the meaning of all this?" He hissed. "You asked me to come to your workplace and even gave me a fixed time, and here I am only to see that you are not ready. You are still even working. Why do you like being so tardy at everything?" His glare did not diminish as he was still glaring at me fiercely. So fiercely that it almost threatened to burn holes into my skin. I was annoyed by his tone but I decided not to react to it. I was learning to take it in stride so as not to make everything harder between us. Even though I didn't like him, I sti
Chapter 13 I looked at Kathy and rolled my eyes in annoyance. "What do you want to know?" I winced, waving her off. "I have no juicy news this time." Kathy grinned at me, her teeth shining as if she just won the lottery. "I want to know everything!" she squealed. "There's nothing interesting to know about, Kathy. He just behaved like the asshole he is. He thinks because he is a billionaire, he has the right to be arrogant. I don't even care about his status." I squeezed my eyes shut, shaking off the blue eyes that kept popping into my mind. Kathy shook her head at me, a smile gracing her lips. "I know you're attracted to him. I mean, who wouldn't? He is so hot with his ever-permanent smirk and his icy blue eyes. He is also the perfect height and most women would kill to have him," She winked and I rolled my eyes. She was right, and as much as I didn't want that to get to me. It did. I was just his fake fiancee and there are many ladies out there willing and wishing for a one
Chapter 14 The day has been hectic. The smell of good food still filled my nostrils making my stomach rumble in hunger. I scolded myself like that would actually help. I'm glad the day was over and the best thing that has been in my head all day was the thought of Elliot. I can't seriously like the guy….pfft. It was supposed to be an act. I did what I did before, pushing the thought at the back of my head since I couldn't abolish such thoughts from my mind these days. They always find ways to resurface again. Memories never truly die, they always remember themselves. I thought I was done for the entire day when I saw this unknown man sitting across the tables close to the window. His hands were loosely clinging to the newspaper he was reading. I realized that his table was empty, so I took a glass of iced tea and placed it before him. He let down his newspaper for a bit and smirked at me. I grimaced, thinking why he would do that. I have felt strange advances from men and even s
Chapter 15 The memory of our previous date still lingered in my head. It was like when I wanted to forget, it remembers and always gives me a cause to smile. It was everything and more because I found comfort in it. Sometimes, I forget that I was actually very mad at him for not reaching me since then. Did all of that even mean anything to him? I have been rethinking that question, maybe I would get some divine answer but Elliot was the only one that could answer that. I hated not knowing at all, nothing in the world prepared me for days of utter silence. I wanted to call but I would sound desperate if I did. That wasn't something I would let myself do, I had too much pride, and not a pin was going to waste on Elliot. "Why am I bothering myself so much.?" I muttered to myself. If I was doing this, then it proves only one thing that I liked him and cared for him that much. It wasn't even that deep, we only looked out for ourselves and this was his version of making it up to him. Th
Dear wonderful readers, I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to read my book! Your support and enthusiasm mean the world to me. Without you, book one could not have been the success that it is. I am grateful to have such amazing, dedicated readers like you. It thrills me to announce that there will be a book two! I am so excited to continue this journey with you and bring you more of the characters you have grown to love (and certainly some new ones too!). I promise to keep you on the edge of your seat with even more twists and turns. Again, thank you for all that you do. I appreciate every kind word, review, and recommendation. You are the reason why I write, and I cannot wait to share more of my stories with you. With love and gratitude, H.B Temilorun
EpilogueZora lost track of the fluorescent white bulbs that skipped past her as she lay on the stroller moving at a high speed. She had hoped that keeping count of them would be able to distract her from the pain that throbbed through her entire system. Her eyes were half shut and her throat hurt from screaming so much.She looked around her and studied the crowd of nurses that had gathered around her all pushing the stroller through the hallway of the hospital. She was pregnant, yes, but she knew she wasn’t that heavy so she couldn’t understand why there were so many people blocking her air.She inhaled loudly in a desperate attempt to take in all of the lavender and disinfectant-filled air into her lungs before letting it all out with a loud scream as a new surge of pain rippled through her. She wondered why it was taking them so long to get to the theatre.She reached for Kathy's palm which sat beside her pushing the stroller as well and she squeezed it tightly as the pain continu
Chapter 128.Aaron rolled my suitcase through the airport lounge as we went to check in, the queue wasn’t long so I was able to finish quickly and I dropped off my baggage and collected my boarding pass then he waited for me while we ran through passport control and security clearance and then I returned and we all headed to the waiting area.My flight announcement was called soon after and we all got up from our seats. “That’s our cue,” I said as I turned to Aaron and I could see he was biting back his pain. “Um, so take care you guys and be safe, oh and eat a lot of good food too…” he trailed off and pulled me into a tight hug immediately, I hugged him back and squeezed him gently.“Hey, it’s not even that long you don’t have to be a crybaby,” I teased. “I’m not crying,” he said, his voice cracking. We pulled out from the hug and then he hugged Kathy next.“What! That doesn’t make any sense,” my words flashed through my mind as I watched them. Kathy was already on the airline's we
Chapter 127.I could barely keep my legs straight as I looked at him and I was scared my knees would give in and I'd fall to the ground. I had gone to the wedding with all confidence hoping to say my mind with a straight face and walk out with explosions behind me like I was in some Tom Cruise movie.But as soon as I walked into that room I felt as though my backbone had split and I was leaning on a thin shard, if I wasn’t cautious I would crumble to the ground and it would be an absolute mess. But I knew better than that. I had already crumbled and there were no tears left to cry, but now that I had hit rock bottom I could only go up but I had to cut any strings holding me back for that to happen.And Elliott was a massive fucking chain.He was even more beautiful as he stood there in his black tuxedo and I couldn’t help the envy that crawled at the back of my neck. I would’ve given anything to be in Sharon’s place, but then again that’s not why I was there.I stood up straight as I
Chapter 126.I stood in front of the mirror with a small smile on my face as I dusted the bottom of my dress. Kathy stood propped at my door frame staring at me warily. I ignored her. I had made up my mind on what I was going to do and I was not interested in what anyone else had to say.If everyone was so bent on me moving on, then they should allow me to do it my way. “This is a crazy idea,” she blurted out, finding it hard to keep a cap on her thoughts any longer. “Kathy, we talked about this,” I said, my eyes still on the mirror.“I know we have but is there seriously no way to talk you out of this? I mean, everything about this is wrong,” she waived. I turned to her and rolled my eyes. “You promised you would respect my decision no matter what it was, saying it's wrong isn’t very respectful don’t you think,” I hissed. “Besides, I kept to my side of the deal. I’m going on the vacation aren’t I?” I added and she heaved a sigh as she rubbed her temples.She was worried and I unde
Chapter 125.I sat on the couch breathing in the coffee-filled air into my nostrils as I held the cup of freshly brewed coffee to my face. There was a calming effect coffee always seemed to have on me and I hated that I couldn’t drink it all the time. It wasn’t like there were any healthier alternatives.It was either that or alcohol.Aaron walked into the sitting room and sat beside me as I finally brought the mood to my lips and slurped loudly. I hummed inwardly as the bitter-sweet taste massaged my taste buds and the warmth reverberated through the walls of my mouth before sliding down my throat. I let out a satisfied breath as I closed my eyes. “Hey sis, can we talk?”Can’t I just have my damn coffee in peace?The past couple of days had been filled with countless pieces of advice and lectures, mostly on my little brother’s part. I knew he cared about me but I couldn’t understand why he was hell-bent on letting Elliott know about the baby and why he refused to understand why I jus
Chapter 124.I rounded up my chores for the day, dusting off surfaces and spraying air fresheners in the different rooms. I was just about to retire to my room and take a rest before heading for the shower when I heard a light tapping on my door. I froze for a moment as I wondered who it could be. Kathy and I hadn’t been getting visitors for a while so I wondered if it was a friend of Aarons.My chest began to beat harder as another possibility crossed my mind. Maybe Elliott had gotten tired of waiting for me to text back and had come to me himself. If that was the case then I was screwed. I wasn’t sure I would be able to successfully keep the truth about me having a baby from him if we got into a heated argument.I shrugged it off immediately, there was still tension in the media, and his marriage to Sharon was still being talked about everywhere. Elliott was a smart man, he wouldn’t risk coming to my place at such a time.Well, there was only one way to find out who was at the door.
Chapter 123.At this point in my life, I wasn’t sure I could handle another shocking news.It felt as though I was in a tragic slice-of-life drama and I was the main character. There was absolutely no other explanation as to why amid everything that was going on I stood at the hospital with results from a pregnancy test in my hands.And it read positive.I had gone to the hospital to get a prescription for nausea or fever at most but instead. I found out that there had been a living thing in me for two whole months. My mind flashed back to moments when I had felt dizziness and fatigue but I thought they were from work-related stress or at most the effect of mourning my father in an unhealthy manner for so long.Meanwhile, I was pregnant. I couldn’t even understand my emotions anymore as I stood frozen on a spot while the doctor explained the result with a wide smile on his face. Ordinarily, I would have been happy, no, I still should have been happy no matter the circumstance but the
Chapter 122.Time travel doesn’t exist. That statement felt like a hoax the following days after I met with Elliott. I felt as though I had been plunged right back into the past. A past I had struggled to crawl out from only a few months before, a past that left me devastated and locked up in my room was now replaying in the present.Only this time, there were no flowers or midnight texts, this time I was truly alone. I couldn’t see a future for myself anymore, part of me knew that there was still one for me but how on earth was I supposed to get there after all I’d been through?I’m only human and there’s only so much I could take so why on the earth was the world so unfair to me? Why was I being saddled with more weight than I could lift? What on earth had I ever done to be treated like this? Was it so wrong to fall in love?I missed the old me, strong, independent, self-willed, and determined, and whenever I thought about it I realized that the greatest mistake I had ever made was