Eliana"Bullshit! That is some fake ass lame excuse that is absolutely baseless," I hissed, straining the muscles on my chest. I placed my hand over my stitched wound when a sharp pain radiated."But, of course. We have them on tape planning your kidnapping and murder," Nicholas chimed in, pushing Rob so he could get closer to me."And the alleged assault? How are we going to prove that it didn't happen because your father is dead already?"Allan was unapologetic as he raised his eyebrows, staring around at all of us."How are they going to prove their lie too?" Rachel chimed in, sending me a sympathetic smile."They can't. This will be our word against theirs," Rob said, nodding to himself."But can't we use what she told me?" I said."What exactly did she tell you?" Dorian asked, his eyes fixed on the branula on the back of my hand."She killed dad when he found out that she was cheating on him with Matthew; he filed for divorce." I told them about what she said, hoping that it would
Nicholas"I can't believe I agreed to this," I mumbled, going around my Rolls Royce to open the passenger door for my girlfriend outside the county jail, where both Matthew and Nora were being held. It had been exactly 10 days since I shot her and 3 days after she had been discharged from the hospital. The doctor had insisted that she wasn't to be moved around, but I had to heed her request to see her mom after she threatened to go on a hunger strike."Baby, are you sure about this?" I asked for the umpteenth time as I helped her out, while my brother stepped out to lend a hand. He wanted to have a word with Nora too, but mostly he wanted to make sure that Ellie was safe. Over the course of the week, Rob had become Ellie's protector and it just warmed my heart."I know you're hoping for me to change my mind, but I need to do this." She closed her eyes when her sandal-clad left foot came into contact with the concrete. She still felt pain whenever she strained, even though the stitches
Eliana"No, no, no, she cannot die now," I mumbled to no one in particular, leaning on one of the fluffy pillows Nick had gotten for me. After my mother had been taken to the hospital, Rob drove there, then let Nick drive me home."Death is such an easy way out. She has to pay for all the crimes she has committed in prison," I added, tapping on the side of my thigh. I had the desire to step out of bed and pace around on the woollen area rug, but the ache in my healing wound stopped me. Instead, I placed my hand gently on the spot and began massaging my mind at my mother's selfish actions.I was so engrossed in my thoughts with my eyes closed that I didn't hear Nick enter the room until he spoke. "Rob just called me," he stated."And?" I asked in a shaky yet loud voice, my eyes fluttering open."Relax, baby; she's stable now." I heaved a sigh of relief, my mouth watering at the same time, when an inviting aroma hit my nostrils. On his hands was a tray with a bowl of steaming soup and a
NicholasSilence followed after I broke the news, except for Ellie's loud breathing. I honestly didn't know what to expect, so I just held her face. One minute went by in that position until she placed her hands on mine, then gently removed them and pulled her head backwards. The previous moisture in her eyes was gone, and the first faint trace of irritation crossed her angelic face."Coward," she said flatly, letting out a questionable light and a short laugh."What's for lunch?" She suddenly asked, her lips stretching into a smile. My brows furrowed as she crawled out of bed slowly, raising so many questions in my mind."Oh, never mind, I just remembered Nanny is making eggplant curry today according to the timetable my nutritionist provided." Her voice gave out nothing whatsoever, but what had me tilting my head quizzically was the big smile she was spotting."Did you hear what I said?" I carefully asked, looking as she stopped draping her legs over the edge of the bed half-way.Tur
Eliana"Watch out!" I almost bumped into Nanny as I was storming back into the house to check if I could reach lawyer Stamford before they made it out far."Your food is ready, Ellie," Nanny called out when I didn't stop."I'm not hungry anymore." I gave my loud reply without looking back. I was racing against time, and the last thing I wanted was for the three of them to get away. Knowing that Nora was dead was better than finding out that she was actually alive but couldn't be found. What had chills gripping me wasn't her getting away from justice, but what she was capable of."Keep it for later." I heard Nick instruct Nanny as I got in via the backdoor. At that moment, no pain was significant when compared to what was at stake. He caught up with me pretty fast while he typed furiously on the phone. I was sure he was talking to Allan or one of his many security teams."Rob tells me there are even helicopters in the search party, trained sniffer dogs, and patrol officers on the looko
NicholasTwo good days had gone by since Nora's escape, and there still wasn't any report from the police or my security team. The three of them seemed to have disappeared completely off the face of the earth. Their bank records confirmed that somehow Nora had cleared all her savings a day before the escape. That meant that, between the lawyer and the doctor, one of them must have transacted on her behalf."What if she repeats the same thing she did?" Eliana suddenly asked, biting a green apple. She sat by the edge of the pool, her legs dipped into the clear water."Moving states and staying off the radar for another 2 decades?" I asked after resurfacing from the water. I was taking a swim while we chatted randomly, relishing in each other's company. She had decided to start school at Indiana University and was scared to live on her own. She barely laughed or found anything interesting anymore."Yes, and worse, leaving the country," she added after swallowing the bite she had taken. We
ElianaThree Weeks LaterI leaned on the elevator, a bag of packed food in my hands, as I glanced at the floor indicator. After staying indoors for three weeks in fear of Nora, I decided to step out and surprise Nicholas for lunch. He had bought a Rolls Royce, specifically for me, and even got a chauffer for me, saying I couldn't stay home forever."Hi, how can I help you?" The secretary asked without turning her gaze from the computer screen."I'm here to see Nick," I simply stated, holding a laugh when she turned slowly, eyes widening."You are the girl who poured coffee on me because I refused to let you in," she pointed at me, recognition crossing her eyes. I thought she wouldn't because I had my hair down to my shoulders, and instead of the tennis skirt I wore that day, I was wearing a floral short dress."I'm sorry about that. I was so angry I could barely think straight." It was a genuine apology, and I surely hoped she would accept it."It's okay; there was actually a crazier
NicholasAfter our steamy session, Allan came shortly after. Luckily, we had already dressed, but Eliana was still on my lap, sleeping soundly as I enjoyed the food. I felt much lighter, as if cumming during the quickie had lifted a big burden off my shoulders. My mind felt so fresh, as if I hadn't spent the entire morning going through files, holding online meetings, and filling out forms."This place reeks of sex." Typical Allan and his remarks. He strutted inside, one hand in his pocket."Shut up," I hissed, my mouth full."Hey Ellie," he diverted the conversation, looking at her back."She's asleep; lower your voice, motherfucker." I chastised, pulling my plate closer when he sniffed and eyed it."That intense?" He wiggled his eyebrows, earning a sharp glare from me."She just took some medications that have sedatives in them." I explained, but the way Allan looked at me meant he didn't believe me."This is unfair; how do you get sex and food at the same time while I am starving f
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