Bryan's POV An unusual quiet descended in the house broken only by the ticking of the clock. I sat in the broad sitting room alone wondering if I was doing the right thing. When things seem to be going well with Danielle and me, petty things seem to be the destroyer. I pursed my lips and shook my head. Something better should be done with this day. Ben said earlier that he was going to meet an investor, it made me remember how my company is sinking and how much I need Danielle in my life and my company. I stood up, grabbed a crate, and went to a nearby bar. I sat by the counter, gulping down shots of vodka. Jack joined me soon and sat beside me. "What are you doing here?" I asked him… "Boss, I should be asking you that. I searched everywhere but you were nowhere to be found. I figured you'd be here of all places. What's wrong sir?" He asked. I tossed him a shot of Vodka. I can't talk to someone who isn't drinking and he knew that. It was too early to have a drink but I didn't giv
Danielle's POV The next day, I was ready for work at the precisely appropriate time. I selected a simple office dress of short pants and a suit jacket with a silk cream top underneath. "How do I look?" I asked Gabriel who had been resting on the door for quite a while now. "How did you know I was here?" He walked in taking one step at a time. I combed my hair and packed it in a bun. I carried my black bag, the one I used to take to the office while I was still there. "You look amazing but I'd rather you not go at all. Are you sure about this Danielle?" I nodded my head. "I need to do this for my kids and the family. I have come this far and besides, I'm a strong person. I'll live." Gabriel shrugged and nodded. "If that's what you want, go for it. Remember to keep your distance from that wrench of a man. I don't want you going anywhere near him okay?" I smiled and kissed his cheeks. "I'll be just fine Gabe, relax." "Kids, are you ready?" I asked immediately as I got to the sit
Danielle's POV Oxygen seized from the air and I found myself choking on my breath. I didn't expect this to come this early. "Are you okay?" She asked me. I shook my head. "Sorry, what did you say your name was again?" I needed to be sure I heard it right. "Susan," she said and smiled. Seeing her smile, I remember that I am not a fighter for love. I gave up that instant. I do not want to have anything to do with Bryan anymore. At this point, it wasn't about Isabelle any longer, I did not want any complications with a woman of such high status. She was clean and classy in the way she spoke and the way she walked. Bryan has good taste I must say. If this is his first love, they better get back together. I would try to be with her and leave her on. When I am invisible, I'll leave the company and probably start up my own company. I led her to the VIP lobby for her to wait. With the money I have with me, it's enough to build a company already. I have my house in construction and that
Bryan's POV Ben wasn't lying after all. I picked up the pen and tried to focus on the abstract. The pen fell from my trembling hand. I closed my eyes and sighed. I tried as much as I could not to spare her a glance. “What do you want?” I asked. Her breath still smells of rusted rose. I'm certain she was the one seated in front of me. “You miss me don't you?" “What do you want?” I asked again, ignoring her statement. She placed her hand on the table close enough to mine. She still has the floral ring I had for her that night before she disappeared. How dare she come back here? Her hands moved further and touched mine. I wonder if her touch was still the same. I didn't take my hands off, I just sat there without doing anything. I closed my eyes and tried to remember how her soft cozy palm always felt. I missed those years when she'd come around and place her hands on my chest. She'd kiss my cheeks and whisper to my ears, “Baby”. At the time, those were the words I wanted to hear. S
Danielle's POVI stood by the door, mesmerized by what I just saw. It's confusing enough to have Susan around but having Isabelle around at the same time made it worse.Millions of thoughts rushed through my mind. I wondered if I should step in or just step out. Bryan sat there with folded arms like nothing was going on in his front.I cleared my throat and both women looked at me. The look on Isabelle's face was terrible. She was trying to hold back what I would call “intended tears."“I was just about to call you,” Bryan said. I pointed my forefinger on my nose and tried to play innocent. “me?” I asked.He nodded while Isabelle still held her cheek. I dropped the flash drive on the table and tried to hurry away from his office but a female voice called my name."Can you…wait here for a second?" It was Susan. I took a deep breath. I do not want to be a part of whatever is going on in this office. I turned to her with a fake smile. “Hi ma'am, how can I help you?” Bryan covered his
Danielle's POVI didn't waste time pursuing Ella's dream for her. I didn't have the luxury of getting my heart desires when I was young and I do not want that to be the same fate my kids would have to face.Although Mila and Lila complained to me, I told them to wait and think about what they wanted to do with their young age.The next day was a big day for Ella. I dropped Mila and Lila in school then drove Ella down to Halsey Ballet School. I met a woman, Lucy. She explained the running of the school and told me how Ella would have to wait in school for a week and I could only see her on weekends.“Are you okay with this, Ella?” I asked her. Her eyes wandered around like she was thinking twice.“we can just go home if you don't wanna—”“ I'll stay. Just for a few days.”I bent and kissed her forehead. “Be good. I'll come see you from time to time.”I sorted the bills with the receptionist and left. While I was driving down to work, I kept wondering if Ella was going to do okay. She
Danielle's POVI wandered around the school premises making sure I was shouting at the top of my lungs. “You have to find my daughter for me in this instance! You want me to tear your school down?” I shouted at the security that was trying to hold me down.Do they think I was joking? Who the fuck did this and why the fuck is my daughter all over the news. I just brought her in today and now they are telling me she's gone.I went back to Lucy and rested on the chair. I summoned all the patience I had left in me. I can't bear it, who have I offended this time around?“You, you have to explain it all again. Tell me your alibi. I am listening…”The shaky woman closed her eyes and started talking. That's right, start talking.“the teacher was just going to show the new student around and she…she wandered off. We have been searching the whole school, she's not in here."I banged the table as hard as I could and winced in pain. “I'll just have to look for her myself,” I told her and stormed
Ella Arnold's POVI opened my eyes slowly and felt a slight headache. “Mom?” I Said and rubbed my forehead. Everywhere was blurry so I had to squint my eyes and open them slowly.One thing wasn't right. Mommy didn't answer and this place doesn't smell like home or school. I sat up and noticed I was sleeping on a tiny bed that had no bunk. I looked around and checked if I'd see Mila or Lila around but nay, I can't even smell them.Looking around, I found some old books covered in dirty cobwebs at the top of the wall. The room is not big, it's tall. Too much space at the top.I also found an old radio, a type I had never seen before. The room is a mess like it hasn't been used for decades. Beside me was a food tray of bread and water. What was I supposed to do with that?“Mom?” I called out again but then I realized how stupid I was at the moment. I read my mother's journals at home and there was something like this in it. Kidnapping. That's the word.I started hearing footsteps walk c