M I C H A E LI was standing in front of the girl's apartment.Marie was her name, according to the background research done on her. She thinks she could try to ruin my woman's reputation and she'd get away with it easily?Big fucking mistake.The worst thing she could have done is work with my enemy, and try to harm the woman carrying my child.Emory and I dated right from college and when she came to me with a new strategy to extort money, I was hesitant to watch the love of my life get married to another man, but as soon as I heard the money involved, I was game.Now, that we are in the second phase, everything has gone smoothly.She is already pregnant with my child and we are getting closer each day.She is the only woman who is perfect for me, and no one is ever going to break us apart.Not even her own husband.Knocking on the door, I waited patiently.A few seconds later, the door opened, revealing the same girl who appeared in the background checks we had done.She looked at
E L L EToday is the day of the interview and I drove into the driveway of Marie's apartment.I should have known that something was wrong when I arrived into her apartment and she wasn't dressed yet.I went over to her on the couch and looked at her. "Are you okay?""Yeah. I'm fine." She mustered up a smile. "Is everything alright? You look a little pale.""It's nothing. I'm fine. Just a little nervous. I don't know why. But, let's get ready.""You'll be great, Marie. You're literally saving the lives of a lot of people by doing this. And, I really want to thank you for doing this for me. It means a lot.""I'm happy to help, Elle. Now, let's get going. We're gonna be late." I still couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something off about her. She stood up and went to get dressed. While Marie was being prepared for the interview, I decided to call my mom."Hey there, sweetie. How are you feeling today?""Hey, Mom. I'm doing fine. A little stressed, but okay. I just wanted t
E L L EMy body went numb as I heard the words coming from her. I felt utterly disappointed as I watched Marie through the glass separating us. Her eyes met mine and she was quick to avoid eye contact.What did they do to her?She definitely wouldn't come out and say she had lied. Emory must done something to shut her up. Maybe offer her a ridiculous amount of money to retract her statements.Either way, I knew that there was no point in trying to change her mind. She has already made up her mind and it was impossible to convince her otherwise.I took a deep breath and decided to leave the interview room.As soon as I walked out, a man was standing outside, leaning against the wall, a smirk on his face.He looked at me and his smirk widened. "Well, well. Hello there, Elle. What a surprise."I took a step back and stared at him."W-what are you doing here?" I could swear I'd seen his face somewhere. Bali. Hooded guy. Chasing after me with a knife trying to kill me.I swallowed the lump
E L L EI just came out from the shower, drying my wet hair when I heard a text notification.I sighed and sat down on my bed.What now?I picked up my phone and saw that the message was from an unknown number.'Hey princess.'Princess?Who the hell is this?Wrapping the towel around my wet hair, I laid on the bed and texted back.'Who is this?' I replied. 'Don't tell me you've forgotten your boyfriend's number. I'm hurt.''Boyfriend?''Yes. Boyfriend.''You have the wrong number.''Do I? I don't think so.''Yes.''Okay, okay. You've got me. It's me, Elle. Mikhail.'Mikhail?What the hell?I stared at my phone.Mikhail is texting me?How?After our last meeting two days ago, he didn't collect my number, neither did I get his. So, how?'How did you get my number?' I asked him.'Let's just say, I have connections.' I could already imagine him grinning.I smiled to myself, feeling all jittery that he was actually texting me. I felt like a teenager having her first crush.It was pathetic.
E L L EI looked around and noticed that the sky was filled with stars."It's so beautiful." "Far from the city. No light pollution. Just you and me. Come on." He said, his hand wrapped around mine and led me towards a bench.We sat down and enjoyed the view.The lake was shining underneath the bright stars. The moon was shining beautifully. It was a perfect view."Wow.""You like it?""I love it. Thank you.""No, thank you. I didn't expect to be able to come here tonight. But, here we are.""I thought you'd come alone.""No. I had to show you. The reason why I love to drive late at night. It's not always about clearing your head. It's also about the beautiful views you can see at the same time. Something worth seeing and experiencing. Like tonight.""You're right. Tonight is beautiful.""Thank you, Elle. For giving me this opportunity. To spend the night with you. Even though, it's only for a few hours, but, you gave me that chance."Why was he so sweet?It was weird, and, at the sam
M I K H A I LThe next day, after my morning workout, a hot shower, a nice meal and a coffee, I was in my study, ready for work.Sipping my coffee, my mind went back to the previous night.She was something else.I've never been this smitten over a woman before.She was the one.And, she's the only one I'd do anything for.Anything.She's a fighter. A woman full of surprises.My phone rang on the table and I picked it up.It was my best friend, Ivan."Hey, brother.""What's up?""Just calling to see if you're alive. Haven't heard from you in a while. You okay?""Yeah. Yeah. I'm good. Sorry, I've been busy.""Too busy to call me?""Sorry, bro. How have you been? Anything new?""I should be asking you that. Who's the new chick you've been seen with. It's all over the internet.""I knew you'd find out. But, yeah. She's someone special.""Special? So, this isn't just a quick fuck? What's going on?""Her name's Eleanor. But, she likes to be called Elle. And no, she's definitely not a quick
E L L EI applied the final touch of make up to my face as admired my reflection through the mirror.I felt amazing and happy, like i didn't have any problems to deal with. It's been about five years since I genuinely felt happy, felt like there was light at the end of the tunnel. Spending just a little time with Mikhail was a feeling I haven't felt in a long while. I felt young, I felt beautiful, I felt worthy of being loved.Mikhail was the light at the end of my tunnel.He was bringing a new meaning into my life. And fast. It was scary. We've only been spending time together for the past two weeks, but, he's managed to make me smile, laugh and just simply enjoy my life.He's made me realize that I didn't have to put a halt on my life because of my failed marriage.But, that fear still lingered I'm my mind. I haven't accepted his proposal yet, but I knew I'd have to make a decision soon. But, that was where my fear lies.I was afraid that things would turn sour and he'd be another
E L L EI haven't even gotten over the shock that Mikhail had done that for me. Why? He barely knew me. Didn't know if I was worthy of this, but he did it without a second thought.Was this a dream? Because I didn't want to wake up.But, then again, a part of me wished he had listened.I was a strong believer that God has a plan for everyone. He doesn't do anything randomly. And, there's a reason Mikhail came into my life. There's a reason why I was saved by him.And, he has a reason to like me.Mikhail.The same man that has been painted bad by the public for being rude, arrogant, cold, uninterested and emotionless was doing this. I've come to realize that they were spreading false news about him, because he wasn't giving them that attention like other celebrities do. Women flocked around his every time, but he doesn't even bat an eyelash at them or give them the time of the day. He wasn't just saving me.He was making me believe in miracles.He was showing me a life where the past
E L L EThe cops came in right on cue, and they handcuffed Sebastian."You're under arrest for trespassing and disturbing the peace. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law." They said and moved him to their van.Sebastian turned to look at me, "I'm not giving up, Elle. I would never hurt you. This isn't over." He said as they took him into the van. "Are you okay, ma'am?" One of the cops asked. "I'll handle it from here." Ivan said."Sir, are you sure?""Yes, he's my friend." I answered for him with a little smile, my body still shaken.The cops left and I turned to Ivan."He called you, didn't he?"Ivan nodded, "And he's probably on a plane right now, cancelling his meetings and getting the first flight back home."I sighed. "He doesn't have to do that. I'm fine now.""Do you know how scared he was that you were all alone? That man was about to murder the whole city if anything had happened to you."And I believe it."Well, nothing happened.""Except you
E L L EMy life was a mess, and so was the room.I was actually exaggerating, but whenever mother nature arrives, my emotions are literally everywhere.My period started today, and I was already an emotional mess. My cramps were always so horrible and I don't even look forward to it. I was sitting on the bed with the lights turned off and my phone in my hands.My hair was in a messy bun, and my face was bare and makeup free.I was wearing an oversized shirt and a pair of sweatpants, unable to sleep.Mikhail was out of the country for business and he'll be back in two days. He left this afternoon and I was already missing him.It was currently 2am and I had to take another round of painkillers before I could finally go to sleep.As if he knew I was thinking about him, my phone rang, and Mikhail's name popped up on the screen."Hey, sweetheart." He said."Hi, how's the meeting going?" It was probably daytime over there. "We finished a few hours ago. How are you doing, my love?"Right
S E B A S T I A NI was on my second bottle of whiskey and it still could numb the pain in my heart. I could earlier hear Emory's voice outside the gate while she shouted to be let in.I had specifically ordered the security guard to never let her into my house ever again, or he was at the risk of losing his job.Her audacity to actually think I would allow her to step foot in this house was unbelievable.The media was going crazy over the scandal and everyone was talking about the affair and the child.Everyone was trying to get the latest gossip and trying to figure out what was true and what was false. My phone has been blaring non stop, notifications after notifications coming in, social media was on fire and everyone was either praising or bashing me.Emory has been calling and texting, and I've been ignoring all of them.She's lost her mind, and it was no surprise. My hatred for her burned like a furnace, spreading across my chest.I've had her for six years and not once did she
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