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 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 "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.
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
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
"Please, dad, stay with me," I breathlessly whispered, cradling my father's head on my lap."I-I..l-ove..." My father sputtered, gagging on his own blood as he attempted to speak."Ssshhh," I soothed, blinking back tears."I know you love me, but right now, I don't want you to strain. The medics will be here soon." I didn't know who I was trying to convince—my dad or myself. I wasn't stupid; I could see his eyes beginning to close while his face began to pale."Muum! What's taking too long?" It was a miracle I could still speak coherently. My mother was pacing frantically, her phone on her ear, trying to get through to the emergency call line. She ran towards us, her stilettos clicking on the wooden floor."Help is on the way; the ambulance will be here shortly. Honey, I need you to look at me; don't you close those eyes on me." She knelt beside us, placing the phone on the floor."El...iana." He called, spitting blood from his mouth. My mother worked on pressing his bullet wound with
Eliana (Three Months Later)"Are you insane? How can you be getting married barely three months after dad was shot and killed? Have you forgotten you nearly died too?" I snapped at my mother, shooting up from the couch as if I was possessed."Weren't you the one who kept on worrying about me staying alone? About getting a person to protect me? Well, this is me doing just that," my mother calmly replied, uncrossing her legs as she remained seated. Her nonchalance on the matter did not sit well with me. It reminded me of how oddly calm she handled my father's death."But I didn't hint at you getting married! The case hasn't even been solved yet; dad's killer is still at large, and you're...you know what? I'm leaving." I wasn't dressed up, but the last thing I wanted was to stay anywhere near my mother at that time. She was betraying my father in the worst possible way, yet she didn't seem bothered at all."So you do not want me to be happy. You want me to stay miserable for the rest of
ElianaNicholas sat beside me in the restaurant, much to my dismay. "You haven't touched your food, Eliana; is it not to your liking?" he asked nonchalantly, his deep voice making me fidget. I threw a glance at him, only to find him staring openly at my lips. I always bit my lower lip when I was nervous, an action that had the man's eyes openly devour me, or maybe I was just overthinking."I'm not hungry," I curtly replied, chuckling nervously. I directed my eyes to my plate when my mother and her fiance looked at me."Why don't you tell Ellie how we met?" My mother sparked up a conversation, making me scoff inwardly. I wasn't interested in knowing about their love lives; heck, I didn't even want them to get married."Of course!" Robert seemed delighted as he put his fork on the side of his plate. I visibly tensed, my grip on the wine glass tightening."Relax; you'll break the glass." Nicholas whispered beside me, his voice making my heart leap."She came to my office in need of my se