**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
**Eliana Pov**I am currently getting ready to go and meet Jace at the diner we had dinner all together sometime ago. Maybe he deserves a listening ear. Amelia has been showing concern in her own way. Always clingy and cuddly. She kept asking "mummy why are you sad?" I will put up my best pretend smile and respond to her that I am not. I was just having a headache. But it will go soon if I get enough rest.I hope it does go away.It kept happening for a while before she agreed that I was having a headache.I hope meeting Jace now will help me get over it all.My life in my old town was something I had decided to forget. Now that all these are happening, it feels like my old life is what is playing back again. The unfortunate events that took place made it all come back to me with vivid pictures and feelings. Although that made it easier for me to talk about it without breaking down.I finally shared my whole story with Zia. How my father married another woman after my mother's pas
** Jace Pov**I poured my heart to Eliana. I finally let her know my feelings for her. I was careful not to say I love her. Even though I do love her. But that might scare her off with our current situation. Now I wait for her response. She kept quiet for a while, pulling her hands away from mine. I felt her distance from that simple action. she began to speak. Her first statement hit me like a wave of rejection."As I said. This is not a date. I am here to clarify some things. So that my consciousness can be clean.""I have heard all you have to say. That is no defense to the way you acted." She is right. "You are right, it was very selfish of me. I know and I am sorry." I said apologetically."I might forgive you eventually. It's important though I let you know now that I can't be with you."There it is. The end of my happiness.I felt heavy in my chest. My lips are still sealed. I swallowed a huge nut in my throat."You broke my heart again. I cannot risk going through that fo
**Eliana Pov**I never knew sharing my story would make me feel less burden. But it actually did. I should have done this sooner. It was harder when I was talking to Zia about my past life. But now that I am letting Jace in on it, it's weight in my heart is lifted.Jace gave me all of his attention. Talking to him about it is the only mission I have at heart. There is a reason for that. When I am done with feeling him in, then the reason will follow.We are currently walking after we left the diner. I contemplated on whether to leave the rest of the story for another day? but I didn't want to give Jace the idea that I want to meet with him again.He waited expectedly. As we take slow steps. Even though this topic is a little lighter to talk about, I can't be discussing it amidst walking.I sighted a street bench where we were heading. "We can sit there for now." I pointed towards the chair. I will be able to sit again now that I have stretched my legs for a while."Ok" he responde
** Jace Pov**Eliana is a strong and independent woman. It is one of the reasons I like her alot. She has been through so much, yet she tried her best to be happy, especially for her daughter.And here, I thought my life was a mess.She is still going through a lot.As the monster I am, I added to her dismay.Her cries have subsided now. That is a good thing because it was killing me seeing her cry. It ached my heart.It seems the way I am rubbing her lower back helped a lot. She liked it.I don't know what to say or do now, except whatever decision she makes, I will abide by it. Even if it will kill me gradually."I am so sorry. You have no idea how sorry I am." I really do feel sorry for her and for me too, I know I have blown my chances with her."Whatever decision you make. I will respect it" I spoke honestly.She is calmer now but her voice was still trembling when she spoke. "You know... I heard about a famous footballer in our town and he is a sworn enemy of Axel." She gave a d
**Eliana Pov**When I had the doorbell, I knew it was Jace. I had just finished preparing dinner and took a shower, while Amelia played with her toys on my bed. I dried my hair and wore a jeans t-shirt.Amelia ran to the door.I felt the urge to make myself presentable. I checked myself in the mirror before coming out of the bedroom and I walked to the door. Jace stood there In all his handsomeness and a friendly smile plastered on his face. "Hey" I responded with all seriousness. "Hi""Jace! You're back." Amelia ran towards him and hugged his legs. "I missed you. Are you done with the work?." She looked up.Amelia kept asking why Jace hasn't come? She wanted to show him her drawing. I told her he had some work to do. She will not see him for a while because he is too busy. With the hope that with time, she will forget him."I missed you too berry" that is the nickname he has for Amelia.I stood there looking at them for a moment. Many thoughts running through my head. I didn't kno
** Axel Pov**The non-stop buzzing of my phone started to get the best of me. I could throw it out the window now but I didn't want to move. Who the fuck keeps calling me this early.I dreamt of Eliana. It happened like a deja vu of the charity event we attended in Carefree town some weeks ago. Why am I now thinking of her to the extent of dreaming about her?! I asked myself.When I saw her at that event, she looked different. A good difference though. I tried to keep things professional and at the same time, I didn't want to hurt the feelings of my fiancee Jenny.Although, Eliana seems to take offense to my action. I don't blame her. I just disappeared from her life. Even though we had our future planned together. I felt that was just a high school dream that was impossible.When Jenny asked who she was. I simply told her Eliana is a girl we used to date in highschool. "Are you going to answer that!?" Jenny's sleepy voice asked. I groan in annoyance. What is so important that it
**Axel Pov**I arrived home. I intend to wait for Jenny to come and we should find a solution to the problem at hand.I don't know what Noah is doing about it. Because it's not fucking working.The entrance of my house is filled with the press. Flash lights going off"Mr Taylor, Mr Taylor.... what do you have to say about the claims that you abandoned your child?""Is it true that you did it for your career?""What is the name of your child?""Is it a girl or boy?""Do you regret your decision now that the truth is out?""How does your fiancée feel about it?"A Lot of random questions were thrown at me as I walked through them, with the help of my bodyguards.I kept silent. Deep down, I was burning with rage. This needs to stop. Whoever did this must be after my career for sure. The person knows that if a rumor involves a child, people will not take it lightly. Before the truth comes out, damage must have been done already.I took a shower and when I came out, Jenny was already home.
**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