E L L E"That's what we've been trying to tell you, Elle. We've seen a lot of advertisements on their social media platforms. I can't believe this is happening."I was lost for words and was fuming with anger."They have no limits. Those bastards. I can't believe they are doing this.""They're going to release another line, and hurt millions of people.""And, their profits are going to double, or even triple. Those fuckers. She doesn't care. People's lives are at risk, and she doesn't give a shit. They don't deserve this. All she cares about is money. What a fucking bitch!""What are we going to do now?" Mina asked."We have one month to find out what's in their products, and the side effects. If something happens to a single person, we're suing their ass. And, we'll make sure everyone knows about this.""Are you going to tell Sebastian? Maybe, he's not aware."I looked at her, the sound of his name leaving a bitter taste on my mouth. "No, Mina. I'm not. He's the last person I want to
G I O V A N N AThe drive home was filled with thousands of thoughts, my mind was all over the place. I felt anxious. Was there something wrong? Why did Avery seem so distant lately? Did something happen? What did I do?Questions upon questions ran through my mind.I had no idea what to do.My palms were clammy, and my heart rate was through the roof. It couldn't be that she saw Claire's texts, could it? I shook my head, and continued driving.There's no way. She's not like that. She wouldn't do such a thing. She'd let me explain.I parked the car and took the elevator, taking a few deep breaths, hoping I'd be able to calm down.Once I reached the door, I took my keys out and unlocked the door. I placed them on the coffee table, and walked to the kitchen.Avery was sitting on a chair, staring out of the window, looking so peaceful.She's gorgeous.Her golden locks cascaded down her back, framing her face. Her eyes looked sad, and I could tell she was upset.She must be hungry."Hey,
G I O V A N N AI was out for my morning run and decided to take a rest and get coffee at my favourite coffee shop, before heading home.Once I got there, the place was full of customers and I waited for my turn to order.After a few minutes, the line got shorter and the lady behind the counter greeted me with a smile."Hey, Gio. How are you doing today?""I'm great, thank you. Just getting my daily dose of caffeine." I chuckled."Haha, yeah. It's not even 8 in the morning and I'm dying already. The usual?""Yes, please.""One caramel macchiato, coming right up. Would you like anything else?""No, thank you. Just the drink, please.""Okay, here's the bill." She said, handing me a piece of paper.I handed her the money, and waited for her to prepare the drink."Here's your order." She said, handing me the cup."Thank you, have a nice day.""You too."I took my drink and walked towards a table, when a voice that I hadn’t heard in years said my name. A voice that I had almost forgotten ju
G I O V A N N AWhen I got home, I saw that Avery wasn't around. She usually comes back home at the same time as me, unless she has a photoshoot or interview, but those are usually scheduled after lunch.I went into our bedroom, and grabbed a change of clothes and headed into the bathroom.After a quick shower, I walked out and changed. I was wearing a black tank top and sweatpants.I walked downstairs and into the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water.As I sat on the sofa, the front door opened and a smiling Avery walked inside, carrying her gym bag and a bottle of juice."Hey, baby. Did you have a good run?" She asked, walking towards me."Not exactly.""What happened?" She asked, placing the bottle and bag on the floor, and then sitting next to me."I ran into an old... friend.""Who? Do I know her?""Claire.""Claire? You mean...""Yeah. I was at the coffee shop and she showed up, trying to make conversation with me."The switch up in her mood was so evident that I immediately regre
E L L EIt's been a couple of days since I gave the products to Daniel for the tests, and the wait was killing me. But, I knew it wouldn't be a good idea to rush him.I couldn't afford any mistakes. Not now.I took the day off from work, because I love been feeling a little under the weather and had been trying to manage it, but I couldn't. So, I thought I'd call it a sick day.I was sitting on the sofa in the living room, with a blanket draped over my legs and my laptop on the coffee table.I was attending to the documents Mina sent to me, basically doing my office job at home and relaxing.My head was banging, and I was feeling too feverish. I could literally feel my bones shivering. A sudden knock on the door brought me out of my daze, and I walked over to the door, and opened it.Giovanna was standing by the door, a smile on her face, as she looked at me."Good morning. I went to the office and was told you're a little unwell. How're you feeling?" She asked and pulled me into a hu
E L L EShe didn't push it further, but I could see she wasn't too happy about the fact."Okay. Well, let's get your fever down and I'll go make you the soup. You should eat something.""Thank you, Gio.""Anything for my best friend. Now, give me the towel."Best friend? I liked the sound of that. She placed the small bowl of water on the table, and sat next to me, and dipped the towel inside the water.Once she was done, she wrung the water out and placed the towel on my forehead. The water was cold, and it felt soothing against my hot skin."How's that? Does it feel good?""It does, thanks." I said with a relieved sigh. I turned and laid in a more comfortable position, with my head resting on the pillow and the towel still on my forehead."I'm gonna go make you the soup, okay? You lie here and rest, and I'll bring it for you.""You're an angel, Gio. I'll owe you.""Nonsense. That's what friends are for. And, I'm your best friend." She winked and I laughed."I don't remember you ask
G I O V A N N AI ran towards Elle and caught her just before she could hit the floor. Her eyes lulled back and her whole body was limp.I immediately picked her up, grabbed my car keys and hurried outside."It's okay, Elle. I'm gonna get you help, okay?"The moment I buckled her inside, I got behind the wheel and drove off towards the hospital.My heart was hammering in my chest, and I could hear my blood rushing through my veins.I was scared. Scared for my best friend.She looked sick and pale and it had only gotten worse.I didn't even waste any time in the waiting area, and rushed straight to the reception."Please help. My friend is really sick, and she fainted. I need help."The lady immediately pressed the button and the doctors rushed to the scene."What's her name?""Elle.""Her surname?""Marino."They placed her on a stretcher and asked me to wait outside the room while they checked her.The moment I left the room, I called Avery."Hey, baby. How's Elle?""I'm at the hospi
G I O V A N N A"Do not put words in my mouth, Giovanna. I love Elle and she's like a sister to me, and you know how much I'm worried.""Then focus on why we're here and nothing else, do you fucking get it? Claire and I had an history, it's all in the past now. I'm not going to put her life on pause just because I fucked her. She's doing her job and it isnt my fault that we'll always get to see her, I can't wipe her off the face of earth. So, get the fuck over yourself and stop bringing up this bullshit every damn chance you get. It's fucking annoying.""Fine." She muttered, and let go of my hand.She didn't say a word to me again after that, and I was grateful for the silence. I couldn't deal with her dramatic ass anymore.When the Marino family came back out, Avery and I walked inside.The sight of her, so weak and helpless, was heartbreaking.Her skin was pale white and her eyes were dull, she had an IV injected in her vein and the monitor beeped every second, recording her heartbe
E L L EThe day I wasn't looking forward to finally arrived. The end of our mini vacation.Mikhail and I were in his car as we drove out of the mini heaven and back into the city.He looked calm, but I knew he wasn't looking forward to this any more than I was.My new car has been moved to my house the previous day, I would rather sit in the car with Mikhail than drive behind him. At least, I get to enjoy passenger princess benefits.Mikhail had one arm resting on the steering wheel and his other hand was holding mine, our fingers intertwined.As much as I hated to leave the house, the mini vacation had given me and Mikhail the space and time we needed. I didn't think it was possible for our bond to become even more stronger, but it did. Everyday with him feels like the first, of not just falling in love with him, but also discovering new things about him.Who would've imagined that the man who couldn't get his eyes off of me and I the same at the gala was mine and now, I get to live
E L L EI was watching Mikhail swim, his shirtless body glistening as the sunlight hit him.God, he looked gorgeous.I was sitting by the pool, and my eyes were glued to him, as he swam laps. I was wearing a sexy two piece bikini and Mikhail couldn't keep his eyes off of me. I knew exactly how to distract him.Ever since we had that talk last night, I could sense the difference in his behavior. He was more open and affectionate, which was good, but the fact that Lana had already tried to call him twice today, meant she wouldn't give up.He blocked her number right after though, and I suggested he came out for swimming to help him take his mind off of things since it was one of his favorite things to do. But, every time he went underwater, he would lift my legs and touch them.He swam closer to me, pulling my legs up so he could stand between them, and I wrapped them around him. His hands wrapped around my ass and he squeezed, causing a soft moan to escape my lips."Mm. You drive me c
E L L EI don't know what I was thinking, probably that Mikhail never had an ex. It was funny, really. It just never crossed my mind that he has been with other women before, that he was once in love with another woman and probably wanted to spend the rest of his life with them too.It never occurred to me, that he'd had other relationships.And, the thought of him being in love with someone else, being so intimate with another woman, made me feel nauseous.It shouldn't matter. He had an ex-girlfriend, and so what? We both had past relationships, but knowing that he has had someone in his life before me, made me feel uneasy. What made me feel more uneasy was the fact that it was the same woman we saw at the restaurant. That woman screamed trouble, and her confronting Mikhail and also calling him now, meant she had no intention of giving up.And, the fact that Mikhail didn't want to tell me who she was, just made things worse.I wasn't mad at him for not telling me, but I was curious,
E L L EI looked at Mikhail as he slept soundly, his hands holding mine as if he was scared of losing me even in his sleep. I felt safe, protected, and loved.My love for him grew deeper and stronger, and I knew it wasn't something that could be taken lightly.We've been dating for five months, and every single day, he showed me that he truly loved and cherished me. It feels like I've known him forever and I wondered where he was all my life. He wasn't the type of guy who'd not only say sweet nothings, he was the kind of guy who'd show his love, prove his love.And, that was why I was falling deeper and deeper for him.The way he'd take care of me, shower me with gifts, and make sure I was comfortable and satisfied.The way he'd drop by the office and have lunch with me, bringing me my favorite meals.The way he'd make sure to check up on me after work, no matter how busy he was. It was a type of love I've never experienced before. Not while dating Sebastian, not even when I became h
E L L EIt's Valentine's day today and Mikhail has either called nor texted.Not even a good morning.He didn't even return my text from last night and I was a bit disappointed. It was a Friday afternoon, and I was scrolling through social media, watching people celebrating their partners, gifting and taking selfies with their significant others.Even Giovanna and Avery were sharing pictures of them having a romantic time, and I was alone.Alone and sulking.My phone rang and my heart jumped in excitement, thinking Mikhail was finally calling, but to my dismay, it was my mom.Grumpily, I answered the call. My mother and I haven't spoken in a while, I could as well use this time to catch up with her."Hi, mom. Happy Valentine's day.""Hey, Elle. How are you doing, sweetie? You've refused to see your father and me. We were worried.""I'm sorry, mom. Work has been hectic, I didn't have the time to stop by.""Sweetheart, you work at an office. There's no way work is keeping you busy. Your
E L L EI was sitting in front of the same men that turned their backs on me a couple of months ago.Seated in front of me were my shareholders, the same ones that didn't think twice to dump my company and take their shares at the verge of bankruptcy. The same company that was my life's blood for the last three years, and the same company I worked tirelessly for, to make it flourish and now, all those years were flushed down the toilet by the very people I had trusted and given my loyalty to.They were greedy and money hungry, running to the first big bidder without thinking of the hard work and sacrifice I had put into the business.I sat with a straight back in my chair, hands crossed in front of me with a blank face staring at them. The room was quiet, but the air was filled with tension.They refused to maintain eye contact with me, probably ashamed that they were back to the place they once called a sinking ship.My eyes shifted from one person to the next."Gentlemen, why don't
E M O R YI sat in the taxi that was driving me to my new apartment, feeling no regret for my actions. I wasn't caught up for that life.I didn't want a life with Michael, and I didn't regret leaving the baby with him. I was no good for her, I surely wasn't mentally and emotionally ready to become her mother, considering the circumstances after her birth.Her birth brought me nothing but bad luck and my life hasn't remained the same since her birth. I lost my body, I have surgery scars on my stomach, I lost Sebastian, and now I lost my company too.Things were just too hard for me to deal with.And the moment Michael said that I was selfish, it angered me. Because deep inside, I knew that he was right. That I was being selfish, thinking about myself and nothing else. Michael was only acting out his emotions, he was blindly in love with me, and doesn't want to accept that I would never see him that way anymore.He had nothing to offer me. Nothing at all. The past three weeks of living
WARNING: This chapter contains explicit mature content. Read at your own risk! E L L EWe stumbled into his room, his lips devouring mine."Fuck. You taste so good. So fucking good." He muttered against my lips."Bed." I moaned, and he complied, leading me to the bed, pushing me down and climbing on top of me.His kisses became rougher and he trailed them down my neck, nibbling and sucking.He pulled my dress down, exposing the surprise I had for him.I wore a red, lace corset, paired with a thong and garters."Holy fuck." He breathed out, his eyes wide, lust filled."Like it?" I asked, smiling."Fuck. It's so sexy."He bent down, licking and biting the exposed flesh, and I moaned."Fuck. You're so hot. I love the way your tits look in this."His mouth found my nipples, his tongue swirling around them, the cold metal of his piercing creating a tingling sensation.He continued his trail, moving down until he reached my panty.He hooked his fingers into it and slowly dragged it down, h
E L L EThe drive to the restaurant was a blur.I couldn't stop thinking about the many ways I could make tonight interesting.And it was obvious Mikhail couldn't either, his hands kept wandering up my thighs, his eyes fixed on the road.The tension in the car was intense, and I had a feeling he was holding back, his grip on the steering wheel tightening every once in a while.When we arrived, the valet was quick to open the door for us, and we were led inside the restaurant, which was packed.The atmosphere was cozy and romantic, and the ambience was warm.We were seated in a booth, and a waiter came by shortly after, pouring us some wine, and taking our order.After we placed our order, the waiter left, leaving us to have our alone time.Mikhail couldn't keep his eyes off me, and I couldn't either.He looked gorgeous, his hair slightly disheveled, his lips pulled into a small smile."You look absolutely ravishing tonight, baby. That dress, fuck. It should be illegal."I bit my lower