Who could this new rival be? Any guesses?
E L L EI went into my office and locked the door, placing the files on my desk. I picked up my oho e and decided to dial Varian."Hey, you're back." He greeted, and I frowned."Varian, did you know that the financial report was a mess, and that the shareholders are thinking of ditching the company?""Oh, shit. Dad didn't tell you.""No, he didn't. He had the board members cover it up, and didn't even have the decency to inform me.""Oh, that's bad.""I had to find out during the meeting.""What? Seriously, dad was supposed to tell you.""He didn't. But, it's fine. I'll handle it." It wasn't. "What are you going to do?""I'm going to do what I'm paid to do. I'll try and convince the shareholders to stay, or if they insist, find a way to get more investors. We can't let them take the big ones, and leave us with the small fry.""That's a smart move.""It's the only thing I can think of, right now. There's no telling what could happen. There's a possibility that the shares might be take
E L L EThe day wasn't even over yet, but I was ready to call it a day. I was pissed. Beyond pissed.My whole body vibrated with anger as I packed my thing into my handbag, and grabbed my car keys. I couldn't think straight. I just needed to get out of the office, and get some fresh air.Then go to my parent's house.The anger I was feeling was only going to take the best out of me if I didn't let it out, and who else would I be able to let it out to.My father. He wasn't the cause of the loss, but he was also the cause. All he could have done was tell me about it sooner, I would have left every single thing I was doing in Bali, to save the company.I didn't build it to this level for five freaking years, only to see it crumble right before my eyes.A wave of guilt hit me as I realized that I was having so much fun in Bali, while my company was crumbling without my knowledge and no one thought to tell me."Fucking bullshit."I stormed out of the building, and was about to climb into m
E L L EHis jaw clenched, as he gave me a deathly glare. "Are you trying to call me incompetent? Don't you forget that I handed that company over to you, Child. And I know know best, I've been in the game way before you were born and I know exactly how this works. You've only just stepped into the field. Don't tell me how to run a business, and don't come crying to me when you can't fix it. You're the CEO, deal with it.""Deal with it? You want me to deal with it. Well, it's easy for you to say when you're retired. You don't commend me for all the hardwork I put into the company for five years without break. The little time I decided to have to myself, because I was fucking exhausted, is what led to this mess. A mess, which I'm going to have to clean up, alone. Without anyone's help.""You're not alone, honey." Mum interjected, but I ignored her."You want me to deal with this shit now that there's a problem. I can't fucking believe you, Dad. You didn't even tell me when I came back
E L L ETwo Weeks Later"I can't believe you're going through with this." I gritted out, looking at three of my biggest shareholders. No matter how hard my family and I had tried, two weeks wasn't enough to time to get the company back on it's feet. "What do you mean? They offered me an unbelievable deal, and I'd be crazy to say no. Not only that, the company is not making any money, and the board is losing confidence. They are starting to think the company is a sinking ship. We've lost one shareholder, and a lot of customers. It's not ideal. So, yes, I'm going through with it. There's no point wasting more time and resources on a sinking ship." Mr. Browne said, and the other men nodded in agreement. "This is unbelievable. You're selling the shares, and you don't even care. My father built this company, and you want to throw it all away, just like that." My words didn't seem to have any effect on them, as they still stood their ground. "Elle, it's been difficult, and there's noth
E L L EI took another swig of wine, as I adjusted my glasses, trying to make more researches about this new company.It was a Saturday morning, and if just finished with my laundry and took a shower. I was putting on just a old baggy T-shirt. It was Sebastian's.That was the only thing of his I had carried with him after our divorce five years ago, and for some reasons, I couldn't seem to let go of it. But, it was just a T-shirt anyways. I was definitely not wearing it because it reminded me of the times we had spent together.Nope.Not at all.I was wearing it, because I was a busy woman and couldn't be bothered to wear an actual shirt.That's right.I was just wearing the t-shirt and nothing else.I had a whole day to myself, and I planned to spend it on researching about this new competitor.It's not like I had anything else to do.I poured myself a glass of wine, and sat back down in front of the computer.My glasses were starting to slide down my nose, and I pushed them back.I
E L L EThe day of the party had arrived, and I was a ball of nerves.It was not like me, and the Elle I was before would not have been so worried.I had a reputation.The Ice Queen.I was fierce, and strong.But, for the past two weeks, my reputation had gone down the drain. The media were not having a good time with me.They made fun of me, and laughed at me.It was like a circus.A circus, and I was the main attraction.My father and mother were devastated.They hated the fact that the media was talking about me. They hated the fact that there were lies and false accusations.But, first I had to put a face and name to this woman and finally see what the hype is all about.The launching was held in a huge luxurious hotel, and the place was packed.Everyone was dressed in their best, and I could feel eyes on me the moment we walked inside."You know, I'm not going to lie. You do look really fierce and hot. If I wasn't in love, I would have totally gone for you." Giovanna commented as
E L L EThe party was in full swing, and everyone was having a great time.They were getting their products, and enjoying the rest of the evening.While, I was in a corner, seething with anger."What do we do now?" Gio asked."There is nothing we can do.""Elle, this is serious. You cannot sit here, and not do anything. That woman is evil, and she's planning something. You have to do something.""What? What exactly am I supposed to do, Gio? This is beyond me. It's bigger than I imagined.""You are Elle freaking Marino, the woman who has taken over the business world, and has left her mark. Do not let that bitch win.""Follow me," I said to Gio as we walked towards the shelves of the newly launched cosmetics products, and stopped.I got eye shadows, foundations, contours, lipsticks and eyeliners. I got the relaxers, took out my card and paid for them.The attendant handed me my receipt and I thanked her."What are you doing?""Just wait." I told her, as we walked to the nearest exit.T
E L L EA FEW MONTHS LATERLife was not going the way I wanted it to go.Everything was falling apart.I could see the look on my father's face, and how defeated he was.The company was losing clients, and sales were getting lower each day.No one was buying our products, and the market was dominated by Emory's company.It was not like the clients were complaining.It was the opposite.Everyone was happy, and satisfied with their purchase.But, there was no comparison.Rome Beauty had taken over, and there was no stopping them.Everyone was excited about the launch of the new product.An eye shadow palette, and it was selling out.In fact, they were launching a whole new line of eye shadow palettes. They were the talk of the town and everyone was excited.Everyone except, me.I was angry and frustrated.We'd worked hard and tried so much to maintain our status.But, it was like a huge slap in the face.We were losing.And, it hurt."Elle, I need you here, please." My father spoke, and
E M O R YIt was finally the day I was getting discharged from this god-damned hospital.After one long painful week, filled with lots of chaos, I was finally leaving this shitty hell hole with a child and my baby's father.Michael has been the one caring for the baby since her birth and I haven't even seen what she looks like. Honestly, I didn't care to.My life was literally falling apart after that confrontation with Sebastian. My secrets were out and the last thing I wanted was a baby that was supposed to be my saving grace but is actually my worst nightmare.I was supposed to have the baby to get Sebastian's lineage in my name. And now, I was having her with no one.Michael has been taking care of her, but that was the least of my problems. I was probably getting a divorce from Sebastian, and there was no way I could get him back now.But, I wasn't one to give up easily. I never was.They forced me into a wheelchair, insisting I sit in it for safety. It was ridiculous, but I did
E L L EI haven't seen Giovanna and Avery in a few days and we weren't barely able to catch up, so we decided to have a sleepover/girls night to catch up on everything basically.I was sitting in the car with Mikhail in front of Gio's house. He offered to drop me off. I told him he didn't have to, but he insisted. And now, he wouldn't even let me leave the car.I giggled as he pulled me closer, and his lips grazed the nape of my neck. He knew how much that drove me crazy, and I couldn't resist giving in to him."Mikhail, you're not playing fair." I sighed, trying not to moan."And neither are you." He smirked and pulled my hair back, making it easier for him to access my neck and suck on it.I was only in my pyjamas which was a pink hello kitty two piece. Mikhail's hands roamed over my body, and I closed my eyes as his fingers rubbed against my inner thighs. I felt him bite down on my shoulder and I couldn't help the whimper that escaped my lips."I love hearing you moan for me." Mikha
S E B A S T I A NThe following morning, I heard the sound of the cell door unlocking, and I saw the guard's face peeking in."Come on, get up. Your lawyer is here and you've been granted bail.""Took you long enough." I said, giving the asshole guard a glare as he led me out of the room."You're lucky your lawyer managed to pull a few strings, otherwise, you'd still be rotting in that cell." He sneered."Go to hell."I was taken down the hallways and was brought into the visitors room, where I saw my lawyer waiting and my parents waiting.My mom's eyes were bloodshot as my father tried to console her. She rushed to me, tears falling down her cheeks and she threw her arms around me."Oh, Sebastian. My baby. I was so worried. What did they do to you?" She rubbed my cheek, her eyes looking me up and down."Mom, I'm fine.""Mr. Black. How are you feeling? Are you alright?" My lawyer, Mr. Jonathan asked, his eyes scanning the papers."I'm fine, thank you." I shook his hand with a nod."I'l
S E B A S T I A NThe iron prison door was locked harshly in my face as the guard looked at me. "Have a good night, Mr. Black." He sneered.I glared at him and then at the other guard who stood at the entrance."Go fuck yourself." I gritted out. "Maybe a night in a cell will be enough of a lesson to never raise your hands on a woman, and make her unconscious. Even your billionaire status won't save you from this." He smirked, his dark eyes mocking me.I glared at him and the guard next to him. "If you think I'll stay here for a day, then you're dead wrong.""We'll see."They both walked out of the holding cell, and I was left alone.I leaned my head against the wall and closed my eyes.Elle.Everything hurt so badly.How could Emory be so heartless and cruel?She destroyed my marriage and made a fool out of me. She was a monster, and I couldn't believe I let her into my life.I couldn't believe that I believed her.I knew something was wrong, and yet, I never stopped to listen.I didn
S E B A S T I A NThe rage that was boiling inside me was a mix of betrayal, anger and sadness.I didn't know how I was still standing, still breathing, when everything around me was crumbling down and falling apart.Her words were echoing in my mind, and I felt numb."As if cutting open my body wasn't enough, the baby isn't even a normal one, one that could have just grown up and made me rich. Now, I lost the source to my wealth too! What the fuck have you done, Michael?"Her words kept playing on a loop and the more they repeated themselves, the more it hurt.I've never felt so hurt, betrayed and used before in my entire life.The more I tried to make sense of it, the less it made sense.How could she be like this?How could she do this?Just how terrible could she be?"How did you sleep at nights soundly, knowing that you're not only a golddigger, a liar and a serial cheater. You made me nurture and love a child that wasn't even mine." I asked her."Baby, please, listen. Let's not d
E M O R YI woke up feeling sore all over.My head felt light and my stomach felt heavy.I slowly opened my eyes and looked around, but I couldn't remember anything.Where was I?What was going on?Why was everything so blurry and bright?What was the last thing I remembered?I couldn't think properly, my brain felt fuzzy.I closed my eyes again, trying to focus.And suddenly, I felt the pain in my stomach and I gasped, trying to catch my breath.The pain was agonizing and I screamed.What was happening?Why was I hurting so bad?Was it a nightmare?"Emory, hey, you're awake. Shh, relax, I'm right here. Take a deep breath, baby. Relax. It's going to be okay."I expected to see the familiar face of my husband, but I was stunned when Michael rushed to my side instead, holding my hand and whispering to me."Michael?" I croaked, my throat was dry and my mouth felt like cotton."Drink." He brought a glass of water to my lips and tilted it, allowing the cold liquid to slide down my throat an
S E B A S T I A NI didn't know how long I've been sitting, waiting for what was to come. Waiting for the conclusion of my fate, and hell, it was the most hardest wait I've ever done in my life.My life was a rollercoaster. I didn't expect this.I didn't expect any of this.I've never been so confused and lost in my life.I've never wanted a drink this badly in my life, but I had to stay sober and sane.For what was to come. I needed to experience this with clear eyes. For our child.But I wasn't even sure if it was mine anymore.And if it was, could I even be the father that she needs me to be, when her mother had failed us all?I didn't know how long I have been staring, but the doctor suddenly entered the room and I jumped up, rushing to him."Mr. Michael Carter and Mr. Sebastian Black, the result of the blood tests are in and Mr. Michael Carter's blood was compatible with the child. Mr. Black, we are sorry but the baby is not yours. You are not her biological father."His words ec
S E B A S T I A NI sat outside Emory's hospital room, my hands on my head.My head was blank, my brain unable to process anything. All I could see was Emory, laying in a pool of her own blood and her face scrunched in pain that might be etched in my head forever.I didn't know how long I've been sitting outside, but it felt like hours. I was helpless didn't know what was going on, totally clueless and the worst might have even happened.What if she doesn't make it? What if the baby doesn't make it? What if I lose both of them at the same time? Just because I was so busy accusing her of lying.If anything happens to them, I'll never forgive myself.My hands trembled and tears formed in my eyes.How could I have been so blind?So stupid.So oblivious.All this while, the woman who gave me genuine love was suffering alone and I was too busy accusing her of shit and not realizing her true intentions.I didn't pay attention to the signs, her mood swings, her weird behavior, her strange ea
E M O R YI drove into the garage, sighting Sebastian's car which could only mean he was back.It was quite unusual to see him home at the hour, but I was thankful that I'm at least going to spend some time with him.Pushing the thoughts of all I discovered at the hospital, I pressed the lock button on my car key, watching as the car honked.The sound of my heels clicking against the pavement filled the silence of the night.I turned around, the lights of the building were illuminating the parking lot and giving the entire place a golden glow, making the dark night look more beautiful.I opened the door to the house, immediately noticing a lone figure standing next to one of the dining chairs.I rushed towards him and pulled him into a hug, which he didn't reciprocate. I inhaled his cologne, sighing. This was really my man. Never in my life did I believe I'd finally be able to get my hands on him, and here I was married to him even. Who would have fucking thought? Sebastian fucking Bla