**Eliana Pov**I am starting to think Zia was right. Bringing my wall a little lower was a good Idea. I feel happy these days. Jace has been good to me. His kisses are exceptional. We do that a lot. Now I have a feeling my body is trying to betray me. It wants more of him. His scent is so calming.We have been on three dates already. Which was wonderful. We are now officially dating. What I need to do next is introduce Jace to my only reason for happiness. Amelia. She needs to know.It's Monday and Amelia just left for school. Their school bus picked her up five minutes ago. I am about to leave. I don't want to miss the second bus. If I do, I have to wait 10 more minutes before the next one comes. Two minutes left, I hurried out of the house. I locked the door and turned to leave. What I saw surprised me."Jace!?" I questioned myself.Jace was outside my house, leaning on his rented car. I tried to make him return the car but he insisted. In fact, he paid for months, but refused to
**Jace Pov**All my life, I never knew I would find this much happiness. Ever. I already know any girl that claims to like me is either for my looks, my wealth or because I am famous. They were never genuine. I played along but later on I got tired of all that. If every other thing in my life is not genuine, at least the person I will be hoping to spend the rest of my life with should be. That is the reason I enjoyed my stay here. And now Eliana made everything better.I really want to tell her who I really am. But it scares me that I might scare her off. That will destroy me. But the guilt is eating me up. She is so innocent and I am keeping my real identity from her.I need to find the perfect time to tell her. And make sure I do it in a way she does understand my reason for not disclosing the information from the beginning.There is a charity event to be hosted in the high section of the school her daughter attends. The school sent me an invitation. Luke, my publicist said they w
**Eliana Pov**This is the first time i made the first move in our make out session. I was hesitant at first but the way Jace responded, gave me more courage.Our make out session was really heated. Remembering Amelia was just a room away from the sitting room, and she being a light sleeper made me slow down. Things almost got out of hand. Gosh! I wished it did.Jace and I slept on the couch together. How we were able to get a sound sleep in such a small space, I do not know. But we did. Cuddled up. It's been a very long time since I had a goodnight rest like I did last night. And a great start of the following day by another passionate make out session.Jace dropped me at work and went home. I have been smiling like a fool all day at work.On our way to my work place, Jace asked me to be his plus one to a charity event he will be attending this weekend. He said it is important to him I should be there. There is also something that he has to tell me, but it has to be there during the
**Axel Pov**I have been working very hard and non-stop, to get a shot as a quarterback. Now I am doubling the effort to have a chance at the superbowl championship. I have a feeling this coming season is my chance."That Bratkowski is not even as good as I am. He was lucky to have his way last season, but now I am ready to take that title away from him." My voice came out very determined.My coach stopped flicking through the papers on his desk and looked at me. "I know you have been working hard. It is possible you could do better than your past games. Don't get your hopes too high just keep doing what you have been doing boy". He probably doesn't think I am as good or even better than Jace Bratkowski. But I am ready to prove him wrong. He just has to make me a quarterback. I am determined.He furrowed his brows in concentration in whatever it is that he is doing. I stood up and left the office.My phone vibrates in my jeans pocket. I took it out. 'Jenny' displayed on the screen.
**Eliana Pov**I came back from work 30 minutes ago. Lucky for me, I was able to switch shifts with one of my co-workers, Aliyah. I still have an hour before Jace arrives. It's almost time for the charity event Jace invited me to. I am not sure I got enough sleep last night. I was curious about whatever it is that Jace wants to tell me tomorrow at the charity event.At the same time, after several denial and acceptance in my head, I finally accept that I am in love with Jace. I have been trying to deny it for a while now, but I can't help it anymore. I just have to let him know that I am in love with him.Maybe confessing my feelings would even make me feel better. "Yes it definitely will." I said to myself.I am contemplating between two dresses on which one to wear. There is this off the shoulder emerald green gown. It is floor length, with a one side slit that goes an inch above my knee. Then there is the second one. Red long gown, with like 3 inches long trail to sweep the whole
**Jace Pov**I didn't like the expression on Eliana's face. She looked hurt and dejected. This is not my plan. I wanted to do this myself without her figuring out any of these on her own. From the look of things, she has started putting two and two together. I don't want to see her hurt. Before I damage any of my remaining chances, I wanted to tell her everything there and then. But then I sighted my father standing with a disgusted look on his face. Before he made things worse for me, I quickly went to him. I want to know why he is here. Was he invited?"So this is what you were up to when you stood me up for an important meeting!?" The nature of our relationship is tiring. Nothing nice when talking to me."What are you doing here Dad?" I held the bridge of my nose. "Is that her?. Eliana Parker" I am not surprised. He must have done his necessary research and figured where I have been and with whom."Dad. Can we please not do this here!?""What do you see in her?" He will not st
**Eliana Pov**From the event hall, I don't know how I was able to make it home. My vision was blurry because of the pain I felt.But here I am. In my house. On the floor. In the dark. I feel a little better staying in the dark. It resembles my current state. Nothing is clear.I thought I could never get hurt beyond what Axel made me go through all those years. But here I am feeling way more lost than I did almost six years ago.I approached him and the lady he was with after their photo was taken. I was shocked with the way he acted. He did as if everything was normal between us. As if he did not leave me on graduation day stranded, pregnant and heart broken. The least he could do was to ask about the child. But who am I kidding! He left me because of the pregnancy.I thought Jace was different. He turned out to be just like Axel. Maybe even worse. Because my Amelia has gotten too comfortable around him. He has lied to both of us. He has broken two hearts.What am I going to tell Ame
**Jace Pov**It felt forever before I got to Eliana's house. Different thoughts kept running through my head. How do I get her to listen to me?The questionable and disappointed look he had on her face shattered me.I want to know what Axel did to her at the event. He was with another woman, why was he bugging her? Did he perhaps know we are together?"Damn it!" I hit the stair wheel. I drove as fast as I could to get to her.The disgust look her friend, Zia gave me outside the hall is still in my head. If her friend could look at me like I am the worst person on planet earth, how would Eliana look at me?Maybe inhumane.I don't blame her though. I was selfish. For my own selfish interest, I lied to her. I have succeeded in pleasing myself. Now I have hurt her too much. Finally, I arrived at her doorstep. After a few rings, Zia opened the door.I felt a little relieved knowing Eliana is not alone. But I really need to talk to her."Sorry Jace. Eliana can't talk now." Zia responded
**A day earlier, before the opening of the new hotel.**Maya came out of a spa, her phone on her ear with the support of her shoulder. When she exited the place, she then held the phone with her hand."I am on my way home now. I will be home in ten minutes -" Maya was speaking to Axel on the phone when she sighted Noah exiting his car. He then got into another car that was parked In Front of his car."Maya? Can you hear me?" Axel asked when Maya went silent while talking to him."Make that twenty. Twenty minutes. Something just came up." Maya quickly said and ended the call and got out of her car to hail a taxi."Go straight, " Maya ordered after getting into a taxi. They came in sight of the car in no time. She then told the taxi driver to follow the car but he should be careful not to be caught by the car In Front of them.They continued to follow the car low-key for another fifteen minutes. They arrived at a motel.maya was confused. "Stop here." She told the taxi driver before he w
"Wifey, Where have you been?" Jace spoke with a sleepy voice. He stared in his sleep and felt the other side of the bed empty. Almost immediately, the door opened and Eliana walked in. Jace's attention turned to her. Her phone in her hand and her face looked determined."I was making up my mind on what you asked of me last night." Eliana replied as she walked to Jace.Jace sat up on the bed. "Yes?" His face was hopeful of a positive answer from his wife.Eliana bit her lips nervously before saying, "I decided to take on the job -""Really!? That is wonderful news. I know you are going to do great." Jace said, holding her hand, excitedly.Eliana chuckled. "You didn't let me finish." She reasoned."Oh.. what else?" Jace asked."I will take the job on one condition." Eliana said, raising one finger up."Whatever you want, my love." Jace confirmed."I want Zia by my side in the kitchen." Eliana said. "She would act like the strength with authority there." She added."Done. Anything else?
Eliana walked into the bedroom and her husband was on a call. She could easily make up what he was discussing on the phone. It was about the new hotel that was about to be launched. They haven't decided the date yet but everything was ready. It took Jace and his good friend Jayden to get the hotel done. Even though it was an expansion not completely a new project."Hey, beautiful." Jace said after ending the call. Walking towards Eliana, who was also walking to her husband."Hey, Babe." Eliana replied.They hugged each other after sharing a kiss."I love you so much. Today was just amazing." Eliana said."Anything to make my wife happy. Besides, you deserve it all." Jace said. Putting his chin on her head. "I love you even more.""Even Zia and her entire family!" Eliana said. Her hands still wrapped around his torso as they swayed gently in the silence of the night. "You are just so amazing. When did you have time to pull that off?" Eliana probed, looking up at him."Quite some time a
*** A year later ***A maybach drove into Bratkowski's mansion in the evening. In the back seat of the car, Eliana and her husband sat. Eliana looked sad."Wifey, this is supposed to be a happy moment. Why the long face?" Jace asked, caressing her hand.Eliana sighed. "Hubby, I invited them all but no one showed up. They all had one excuse or the other. Not even Maya. She works for you, you should have forced her to show up at my certificate awarding of culinary school." Eliana said with a pout.Eliana got to meet Maya in one of her visits to Jace's office. She was so happy when she met her and realized she was the same lady Axel was drooling over at her wedding.eDestiny is what brought them together because they were destined to be together. As Eliana believed.Jace chuckled and kissed the back of her hand. "I can't force anyone, especially if it is not work related. You know that, right?" He tried to reason with her. "I know." Eliana said, still pouting."Good. Now let's go. The ki
A week has passed and Eliana decided to put one of Chelsea's advice into action. She had already planned everything before she left home that morning.At school, she quickly concluded her practical for that day early so that she can achieve her mission. She headed to the company afterwards.Walking to the front desk at the entrance, Eliana approached the receptionist."Hello." Eliana said at the receptionist. She was still nervous but tried to put on a smile. She was holding onto the lunch she packed for them from school and some things she bought on her way."Good day, how can I assist you -" the receptionist began before looking up. When she looked up, recognition flashed in her eyes. "Oh, Mrs Bratkowski, you are welcome." Eliana was a bit relieved. At least the receptionist recognised who she was. 'She must have attended our wedding.' Eliana thought to herself. That could only be the explanation, since she has never visited the office."I am here to see my husband, can you direct
"Want more sauce?" Eliana asked."Me. Me. Me." All the three little girls at the table cooed, raising their hands up with excitement. They were all savoring the dishes served to them. Eliana prepared the food with the assistance of her kitchen staff."Wifey, this is amazing." Jace said when he was done with his meal. "It is 100 times better than anything I have had that was not prepared by you " he added, while cleaning his mouth.That made the adults on the table laugh. Although they also find her cooking amazing."Thanks hubby." Eliana said with a smile. The children were served a little more of the soup that they wanted more of.Days and weeks later. In the Bratkowski's mansion sat Chelsea and her husband, Jayden, with their two girls, Reha and Myra. Then the Bratkowski's family too. They were having dinner all together. Both families seemed happy as they sat and ate cheerfully around the table.Liam, the little one was on his highchair as well, having his own version of dinner.
"What are you guys not telling me?" Eliana asked. After following Jace into the closet. "After all, I was trying to play matchmaker for Axel." She added, putting her hands on her waist.Jace chuckled as he put on his pajamas pants. "I didn't know that. When did you decide to do that? Playing Cupid and all." He asked."Since our wedding." Eliana said. Picking up the towel Jace earlier had on him. "I noticed how he was gawking over a lady that was sitting at a different table. I wanted to introduce myself to her but then I was distracted for a moment. Before I could get to her again, she was nowhere to be found." Eliana explained.They both walked out of the closet. Jace first and Eliana tailing behind."It turns out he worked it out all by himself." Jace said before sitting on the bed. Eliana walked back into the bathroom. She hung the towel where it should be and then walked back into their bedroom."Yeah, it did. They would have been a perfect match though. She is beautiful and lo
"Wait! What!?" Eliana exclaimed. Her eyes grew wide at Axel's suggestion. She abruptly got up from her sitting position.Jace's eyes were wide as well. "You are joking, right? Don't get my hopes up and then you would say you are joking. Just tell me it's a joke." He blurted. Jace is still seated, but he was close to standing up as well because he was sitting by the edge of the chair.Axel looked between the two as they acted very surprised by his words. "No. I am not. I am sorry I caught you both off guard. After everything I have made you go through. This is the least I can do for her happiness and my way of feeling less guilty for the things that happened." Axel explained."Oh and Jace, that makes you the highest shareholder of the company." Axel announced with an assuring nod. "Because half of mine now goes to my daughter." He added.Alex was still at Eliana and Jace's home when he told them that he was waiting for his lawyer. A few moments later, two lawyers came to their house. T
"Daddy! Daddy! Daddy! You are here." Amelia cheered, running towards Axel. The butler that walked him into the house took a bow and walked away."Hey Princess." Axel said, opening his hands wide for the running Amelia. He picked her up and swung her around before hugging her close to his chest.Axel laughed and Amelia giggled at that. "Woah. My Princess is getting bigger by the day." He said, after putting her down."Yes. I am a big girl now and a big sister too." Amelia said, as she pulled her father's hand towards the living room. "Mummy, daddy is here." She announced, looking at the direction of the stairs.When Axel arrived, he called Eliana and let her know he was at the gate. The gate was then opened for him and he drove through the huge compound of the mansion.Eliana was changing Liam's diaper then. She told Amelia her father was downstairs. That made Amelia run down the stairs. She was screaming her father's name and could not hear her mother's calling. Telling her not to run