NicholasI sat in the boardroom staring blankly at the projector without any idea what the financial manager was talking about. I could see his mouth moving, his actions, and the writing on the projector, but other than that, my mind was elsewhere."Sir?" I blinked rapidly, swiping a hand over my face when Allan shook me."Yes, Arnold." I played it cool, showing fake interest."Is there anything you want me to clarify?" he asked, collecting his folders from the presentation desk."No, everything is up to my satisfaction. Good job," I forced the praises out, trying so hard to remain seated. I wanted so bad to bolt out of the boardroom, head to my office, and lock myself up until everyone went home."Nick," Allan called me loudly, tapping my shoulder and snapping me out of my thoughts. Only when I came to did I realise that everyone had left the meeting."Judging by your look, you didn't see them leaving, right?" Allan asked, pulling his seat closer to mine."It's too early for this," I
Eliana"This looks really good on you; it accentuates your figure perfectly," Gavin praised, twirling me in front of a full mirror in a boutique changing room."Thank you, but for a wedding, I think I should go with a bright colour," I said, smoothing my arms on my tummy."You don't need any bright colour to make you stand out. Your pretty face and killer body are enough." I forced a smile when our eyes met in the mirror."You have a way with words, don't you?" I said, folding my arms behind my neck to unzip the black dress."You deserve every compliment, Ellie; you are beautiful," he responded, making me cringe inwardly. The nickname reminded me of the one person I was trying so hard to forget. It even sounded so wrong when Gavin used it."Here, let me." He pushed my hands away and opened the zipper, all while maintaining eye contact with me in the mirror. Something about the look he was giving me made my body shiver, and not in a good way. It had me comparing how Nick's eyes on me br
Nicholas"You haven't been yourself since I announced my marriage with Nora," Robert suddenly pointed out over dinner at his place, making me press my teeth tightly together. It was a miracle Allan hadn't told him yet about Eliana because they were always talking about me."What are you insinuating?" I snapped, dropping the fork on the plate with a clang."I am not insinuating anything, Nick; don't act all pissed off when I am just stating a fact here." I stiffened, praying on the inside for him to just let it go. Robert had always been a good brother, but a stern one at that."So tell me, do you not like Nora? You were so excited when I told you I found a woman to marry." He looked at the food I had barely touched as he spoke, but I made no move to eat it."You know I don't have a problem with your marriage, bro. Have you forgotten that I was the one who talked to Eliana when she refused to accept you and the marriage?" I pushed my plate away, my throat tingling with a craving for so
ElianaSaturday came sooner than I would have loved, even though I was happy for my mom. Being her wedding day meant that I had to unwillingly stay in the same place with Nick for as long as the ceremony took. Days of not seeing him, constantly trying to avoid thinking about him while I fought my feelings for him were about to come to an end. As if the mental pressure of meeting him wasn't enough, I had to deal with the memories of my dad. I had made peace with Rob being by step-father but the image of my father lingered."Are you done yet honey?" My mother called from downstairs, her tone of her voice depicting the anticipation, impatience and joy at the same time."Just a minute." I shouted back, looking at myself in the mirror. My make up looked natural, just the way I liked. "You look beautiful," Rachel complimented, brushing a cotton wool on the side of my mouth where there was a bit of nude lipstick out of place."If only I felt the same," I mumbled, heaving a loud sigh."Look
Nicholas"I am not even surprised. Eliana must have said no to you, and when you saw us together, your temper flared," Gavin added, the smug smirk on his face making my jaw tick.Eliana looked at my date, the scowl on her face deepening when she took note of my hand on her waist. She, however, covered it quickly with a weak hello and a forced smile. My eyes lowered, looking at the proximity between Eliana and Gavin, making my nostrils flare instantly.The red dress she wore did nothing to cover her round boobs, leaving them out for the perverted eyes to feed on. The fucker then snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her into his side as he raised an eyebrow at me. It was an open challenge, one that I was struggling to keep away from."Oh, quit it, Gavin; you know Nicholas punched you for insulting Eliana." Allan spoke behind me after clearing his throat. I didn't miss the way Eliana's brows furrowed, digesting Allan's words. She had called me a liar when I told her Gavin had insulte
Eliana"I need a moment, please," I said to Gavin without looking back, going up the steps of the wooden front porch."Did Nicholas say something hurtful to you?" I bit down on a rude remark when he spoke."No, this is..." I trailed off, swallowing thickly as I composed myself. Nick's hand around my body had left me yearning for more. I couldn't control my pussy from throbbing, even when I tried reliving the night we fell into a disagreement. The burning feeling in my veins remained, but my clit still pulsated."I just miss my dad," I sighed, which wasn't entirely a lie, placing my hand on the door handle."She said she wants to be left alone." I didn't have to turn to know that it was Nick's friend. The same one who had talked about Gavin's insult"Goodness me, Allan, have you come to feed Eliana with more lies? Please don't tell me you want her too." His voice was filled with nothing but disgust. Just like that, the heat between my legs dissipated while I pressed my teeth tightly to
NicholasI looked at my brother and his newlywed wife on the dance floor, arms around each other, as they moved as one to the slow music. Mixed emotions erupted from the inside, leaving my mind full of jumbled thoughts. The rest of the guests were helping themselves to different cuisines and cocktails, but as for me, I didn't have any urge to eat. Instead, I began looking around at the vast hotel rooftop, my eyes searching for Eliana. Since she went inside my cabin with Allan, I hadn't seen her or Gavin, but I knew they drove together after us."She is somewhere around with Gavin." Allan said beside me, handing me a saucer with a chocolate cake on it. He knew the information would only cause headache and yet he didn't mind telling me, nonchalantly, if I may add."I don't want to talk about them," I weakly said, closing my eyes to push away the thoughts."She is giving him a piece of her mind," he said anyway, raising curiosity inside of me."Why? I thought they were having a good time
ElianaNicholas deepened the kiss, tasting my tears as they fell on our lips. Wild tremors raked through me while he pulled me tighter into him, swallowing my cries. I couldn't believe it, not when I thought he was going to kick me out after my apology. Our breaths mingled, blood rushing into my ears as my heart pounded violently and fast."I didn't give you any reason to believe me, baby," Nicholas said after pulling away from the kiss. Holding either side of my face with his hands, he wiped my tears with his thumbs, looking directly into my eyes. My vision was blurred, but I could make out the intensity with which he was looking at me. It sent shivers assaulting my spine, moving to the apex between my legs."I was constantly hurting you," he added, pulling me onto him, my head on his chest."That's because you were terrified of the past repeating itself." I said, tightening my hold around his back. Oh, how I had missed being in his safe arms, feeling his warmth seep through my dress
Eliana Two Years Later "Hurry the fuck up, Eliana. I do not want Rachel's wrath on her wedding day," Nicholas shouted from downstairs, making me roll my eyes as I strapped my silver 4-inch heels on, right at the top of the staircase. "Stop cussing around E.J," I responded, running down the stairs. Nicholas was carrying our son, tapping his foot on the floor while staring at his watch. "Well, you made me do it," he defended himself, shrugged, then headed for the door while our son giggled. "How? We agreed that we wouldn't be using that language, especially now that E.J. is learning to speak." I walked after him to catch up. "I'm sorry it slipped. You can be so annoying, especially when you are required to keep time," he defended again, nodding at our chauffer as he opened the passenger door and the back seat door. "Wait until he starts cussing; your sorry won't make sense anymore." I stood behind him as he strapped E.J. into his baby car seat, then used the other side to
Three Months Later Eliana "I hereby sentence you to life in prison without the possibility of parole." The judge finished, staring right at Gavin, who hung his head, closed his eyes, opened them, and then outright glared at me with moisture in them. His father protested, violence ensuing between his security men and the Court's enforcement officers. I was quickly escorted out by Nick and his security, shielding me from the violence. Despite the adrenaline levels rising inside of me, the smile inside me couldn't be wiped off. My efforts had totally paid off, and I could finally breathe a long sigh of relief. My mother had already been sentenced to death, Matthew to two consecutive life sentences, and the family doctor and lawyer getting reduced sentences of 15 years each for entering a plea deal. Finally, my father's soul could rest in peace. "You did it, Ellie; you put him right where he deserves," Allan stated with an equally big smile as we descended the stairs leading to the p
Nicholas "How can you even say that?" Eliana shot up, closing her eyes suddenly, while the doctor rushed to her side. "Do you really think so low of me to even imagine me carrying Gavin's child?" Her voice rose. I could feel the pain in it, making me wish I hadn't mentioned Gavin. "I will have to ask you to leave, sir. My patient needs peace right now, and you aren't exactly providing it," Dr. Dave sternly said, adjusting his spectacles. "Leave us." Eliana lowered her voice, her chest rising as she let out a loud breath. "But Nick is not exactly habitable right now," Allan argued, looking at Eliana, trying to make her change her mind. I could, however, see the determination in her eyes as she scooted back to the bed. "I need only a few minutes, please," she added, looking at the doctor. "We just stabilised your pressure, so I need you to know that stress might force it to rise—" "I will be right outside; if things go south, I will intervene," Allan chimed in, assuring the doc.
Eliana I ran into the ladies washrooms, trying to lose a number of paparazzi who were coming after me. The last thing I wanted was to do an interview about what had transpired. I leaned over one of the sinks, letting out a short sigh of relief. "It's done. I did it." I whispered, looking at my reflection in the mirror above the sink. What I saw were dark circles peeking from some concealer I had tried applying. I attempted to put on a smile for pushing Gavin out of Nick's way, but instead my lips trembled. The pain I had managed to push down while dealing with Gavin was knocking, threatening to consume me. "Why?" Nick's voice filled the space, making me close my eyes. I could feel his presence, but I wasn't sure I could face him. "Why didn't you tell me?" He pressed, his steps sounding louder the closer he came. The smell of alcohol hit me, making me close my eyes while I attempted to swallow the lump that was forming in my throat. I lowered my eyes, unable to look at his reflecti
Nicholas "Come on, Nick, we'll miss the most important part of the event," Allan nudged, looking at the time on his wrist watch, while I leaned on my leather couch. "I told you I am not going," I responded in a bored tone, the urge to open another bottle of Hennessy Paradis brewing up inside. Attending the Annual Excellence Business Awards was out of the question, knowing that Eliana would be there with Gavin. "But that is a great opportunity to meet other businessmen and women. You know the best deals we've bagged so far usually originate from this event." I covered my face with my hand, closed my eyes, and pulled my brows together. "You always do that without me, Allan. You know I have always hated parading myself out there for any media attention." I sighed, just yearning to be alone in the quiet, with a bottle of alcohol to numb my burning and broken insides. "Eliana is going to be there," he spoke, making me swallow heavily. "The very reason why I am not going," I mumbled,
Eliana "Finally, I was beginning to think that you had backed out of the deal," Gavin said when I walked into his study, one of his men holding the door for me. "Aren't we impatient?" I rolled my eyes, sitting down on the office chair opposite his. "I thought your head would be killing you after all the clubbing last night," he said, dismissing his employee with a wave of his hand. "Clubbing?" I asked, removing my cat-eyed glasses. He squirmed a bit but quickly covered it by moving his swivel office chair. In fact, if I hadn't been so keen, I would have missed his quick reaction entirely. "How do you know I was clubbing? Are your men following me?" I put the glasses on the desk, then leaned over, looking at him in his evil eyes. There was nothing in them except malice, which sent shivers down my spine. "What? Ha ha, no. Uuh, I mean, why would they?" He stuttered, making me place my clasped hands on the desk, right beside my glasses. "I just saw your red eyes and puffy lids," he
NicholasI covered my head with my pillow when my phone rang somewhere on the bed. The ringtone felt like it was playing inside my ears, tormenting my banging head. I almost shouted "hallelujah" when it stopped, only for it to ring again after a few seconds."The fuck is wrong with some people?" I groaned, wondering why the person hadn't just left a simple voicemail instead of being stubborn. The only way to stop the disturbance was to grabble on the bed for the phone with my eyes still closed. When I finally found it, I blindly pressed on the screen, hoping it would end the call."Why in the hell aren't you answering my calls? Been calling since 8 and you just let it ring, are you ignoring me?" Allan went all loud, shouting over the phone like a madman, while I struggled to cover my ears. It wasn't enough, though, because I heard everything. I was pretty sure the phone wasn't on loudspeaker, even though Allan was clear."Shut up," I weakly responded, with my eyes still closed."Wait,
Eliana"I want to be left alone," I said when the guestroom door was knocked."Open up, Ellie; it's me." Allan's voice drifted inside."If he's there, I will close the door on your face," I warned, dragging my feet."If you mean Nicholas, he left without a word as soon as you closed your bedroom door." I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath to stop emotions from taking control over me. The Nick I knew would have followed me, but to hear he had already left? I couldn't pretend that it didn't make my chest ache."Come in." I stepped aside when I opened the door as Allan stepped in."He is hurting, Ellie," he said, his words making me swallow thickly to soothe my drying throat."I attached the chip to his SIM card slot," I uttered, deciding not to comment on Allan's previous statement."For real?""Haven't you seen anything from your end?" I asked, sitting on the bed."I was a little caught up," he rubbed his neck sheepishly, avoiding eye contact."I understand. Catching up with friends
Nicholas"Shit! Eliana." My stomach constricted into a tight ball. The thought of her in the presence of Gavin had my brain freeze for a moment."Relax; Gavin wouldn't dare hurt her. He knows she's important in his stupid plan." Allan stood, placing his hand on my shoulder and making me step aside."She is out there," I pointed at the door, then continued, "right now, with him. What if he just snaps and decides to..." I couldn't finish up the sentence because the next words jammed in my throat."I'm calling her," Rob stated, fishing his phone out. Their relationship seemed to grow stronger with every passing day, given the fact that she had chosen to stay with him.I watched as he placed his phone against his ear, triggering the waiting game. Tapping my foot on the floor, I began counting the seconds. When she didn't pick up, my adrenaline just shot up. Without a word, I turned for the door, my vision kind of tunnelling before me."Nick wait!" Allan called, stopping me right in front