"He's like my shadow, following me everywhere I go." ✨
E L L EIt was raining, and the weather was cold but we had thankfully landed before the storm hit.My luggage had been placed in the trunk, and the driver was waiting for me.I walked down the steps of the plane and towards the car. The guards were quick to get an umbrella over mine and Mina's head as we headed to the black SUV.I spotted Sebastian walking to his car, an umbrella also on his head as he made his way inside."I've already sent the location of the hotel to the driver. Do you want to get settled and then grab something to eat or just order in and head to the hotel?""Let's go and check out the area. It's been a while since I've been in London.""It's raining though." She objected."Who cares? The weather will cool our heads."Mina nodded and sat beside the driver. I sat in the passenger seat, and we drove towards the hotel.The driver pulled over to the front and the doorman was quick to open the door. "Here's your room, Ms. Marino.""Thanks."Mina walked up the stairs an
E L L EIt was finally Monday. I spent the entire previous day locked inside my room, and no matter how much Mina tried to cheer me up, nothing worked.She had gotten me food and drinks, and even tried to watch movies and series with me, but nothing worked.The pain and anger were still there. Like a hole buried deep inside my chest, making sure to make itself known once in a while. I only had myself to blame for feeling this way.If I had listened to my parent's and saw what they were protecting me from, I wouldn't be going through this. I hadn't talked to Sebastian ever since Friday. He was true to his words and stayed away. And for that, I was thankful. I haven't left my room since then, because the anger and the rage were still there. My words had obviously gotten to him and I felt satisfaction that I was at least able to give him just a little bit taste of his medicine.And that, was just a tip of an iceberg compared to all I intend to do to him. I knew the moment I'd face him,
E L L EThe car pulled to a stop in front of Rodriguez's company. "We're here, ma'am." The driver announced."Nervous?" Mina asked, noticing my silence.I shook my head. "I've done this a hundred times, but something about this just seems...""Off?" She helped.I nodded, "I mean, ice had competitions that I won against a couple of times because I had a better offer, but this– this seems different. There's more at stake. And it's not just the money.""Then what is it, Elle?""My dignity." I admitted."And what does that mean?""If I can't get this deal, then I've failed. Failed in what I've been working for. My father has so much trust that I wouldn't screw this up. And I need to let that bastard see that I'm not the weak wife he used to know five years ago. I need him to regret everything. Every single word he said and the way he hurt me. I'll make him see that no matter how much he tries to tear me down, I'll rise back stronger and bigger. And once that happens, he'll see what a huge
E L L EI closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I swear I saw this coming. I knew it."You're late." Rodriguez commented."Apologies, I had a few things to do.""And what exactly are those things that were more important than being on time for a very important meeting?" I snapped, turning around."None of your business." He snapped back."It is my business. This is a very important and serious meeting and it's about your company's future. So, don't be an ass and start being professional and show up on time."He smirked. "When did you become a spokesperson for Mr. Rodriguez here? I believe Mr. Rodriguez can forgive a little lateness.""Whatever." I mumbled."Shall we begin, Sebastian?" Mr. Rodriguez butted in, looking between both of us. We didn't even try to hide the anonymity between us. "Yes.""Please, have a seat." Rodriguez instructed.Sebastian took a seat next to me, and I didn't even look at him."Mr. Rodriguez, I would like to apologize for the inconvenience and delay, but I'
E L L EMina was fast asleep on her side of the bed as I stared at the ceiling. For some reasons unknown to me, I felt restless.I took the sheets off my body and walked into the closet to change into a comfortable dress. I went down the stairs and towards the hotel's bar.The lights were dim, and a few people were scattered around the place, either alone or with their companions.I was glad it was quiet, and no one bothered me.I sat on a stool and ordered a glass of wine. I wasn't in the mood for anything strong, and a glass of wine would help me relax."I would like a whisky on the rocks, please."That voice."Sebastian." I breathed.He was sitting right beside me."Elle.""What are you doing here?""I think the question is what are you doing here?" He retorted."I'm not in the mood for your sarcastic remarks." I sighed."Neither am I.""Then, leave.""Not until you tell me why the fuck he decided to accept the pathetic deal instead of mine." He snapped, taking a sip of his drink.
E L L EIt was our last night in London and Mina insisted on we celebrating our winnings. My dad couldn't hide his happiness on the phone call when he heard I'd won the deal against Sebastian.Making him proud made me happy.We decided on a karaoke bar since it was Mina's choice and we would be able to celebrate, have fun, and drink as much as we wanted.I was wearing a skimpy white dress and paired it with white heels and a white clutch. I decided to go all out and went a little bold with the makeup, opting for a darker and sultrier look. My body was aching all over due to stress, but I wasn't going to let it ruin my night.We arrived at the club and it was packed with people. The music was blasting, and there was a crowd singing along. We grabbed a couple of drinks and headed towards a room to start the night.After a few hours of non-stop drinking and singing, we decided it was time to head home. I was a bit tipsy and felt dizzy."Mina, I don't feel well." I whispered, leaning on h
E L L E“Remind me why I’m doing this again?” I groaned, looking at my mother who had a proud smile on her face.“You’re not getting any younger, sweetie. You have to move on with your life and start having your own family. We only have you and your brother and the house is quite boring without you both.”Without exactly saying it, I already knew what she meant. She wanted grandkids. I felt a painful pang in my chest as I looked away. He or she would’ve been five. I would have had a five year old child and probably would have had another within those years, until my dreams were shattered by who I considered my best friend.I lost everything because of her. I lost my baby a few days after learning about my pregnancy. My world crumbled apart.My mother sighed, taking my hand in hers. I felt a lone tear escape from my eye and quickly wiped it.She smiled sadly at me, placing her other hand on top of mine.She was the only person I had ever told. I didn’t even tell my father. Just her. Sh
E L L EAfter a few weeks of thinking about my parent's proposal, I had finally made up my mind. I would at least meet the men they had chosen for me, and go on a couple of dates. But, if it didn't work out, I would not go on any further.I sat in the kitchen, drinking coffee and eating some chocolate chip cookies. I had an early meeting today and needed the extra caffeine to keep me awake and alert.My phone dinged and I reached over to grab it.**Mom:**Good morning, sweetie.How's work?**Me:**It's going well.Had a few meetings with potential clients. What's up, mama?**Mom:**Just wanted to tell you the first suitor's name.You're free tonight, right?I took a deep breath and nodded to myself.**Me:**I'm free, yes.What's the name?**Mom:**He goes by the name, Prince.Meet him tonight at 7:30 pm at the restaurant,La Rue.Don't be late, darling.**Me:**Fine.I'll let you know if I can't make it.Talk later.Bye.**Mom:**Okay, sweetie. Have a great day.I love you,Bye.I put
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." Mikh
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'
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 did
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
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 a
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 e
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