**Jace Pov**I woke up next to the most beautiful woman I have known. She sleeps peacefully and beautifully.Remembering the event of last night, I smiled to myself.Eliana was very shy at first.I associate that with the fact that she has not been with any man since Amelia's father. Later on, she became free, even wild. I loved that.I stood up gently because I didn't want to wake her up. I went to the bathroom and did my business there and I came out.She is still in the same position I left her."What time is it?" She spoke without moving an inch.I thought she was still sleeping. "Oh you're awake." I walked to the other side of the bed. "7: 18 am" I said as I hopped into bed and moved closer to her. Her eyes were still closed."Good morning" I planted a kiss on her lips and she smiled into the kiss. When I pulled back, she opened her eyes. "Good morning" still smiling."I have to be at work before 9am" she said while trying to sit up on the bed. She used the sheets to cover herself.
**Eliana Pov**Jace dropped me off today at work, promising to come back and pick me up.I was 30 minutes late to work when Jace dropped me. Zia was already at work when he dropped me off.After we have said our goodbyes. I went in through the backdoor and was attacked by Zia's mischievous smile. There and then I knew she saw Jace drop me off.I will have to face her panel now I am sure. She blocked my passage that led to the staff office, where I was heading to get changed into a work outfit. "Hello girlfriend! " She squealed like a teenage girl. I rolled my eyes. "Zia." I simply said and walked around her to get away from the interrogation that was going to follow."Oh hell no. You are not going to escape from me, woman." She followed behind me.I giggled. "Escape what exactly?" I played dumb on the subject at heart.Zia narrowed her eyes. "Don't. You. Dare. Joke about that." Zia glared at me.I set down the items I came with into my locker and started to get changed."Come on now
**Jace Pov**After answering my father's call, I felt the whole world coming to a halt. The man is strong and has that authoritative aura. When he speaks, you have to listen. Under no circumstances have I ever seen him act weak. Now here he is lying helplessly in a hospital bed, fighting for his life. Even though we were never close, there is still that father and son obligation. I felt obligated to him.I sat there in the room watching him sleep. He doesn't know I have arrived yet because when I came, he was already asleep. Though I arrived quite late.The sound of the door handle indicating someone coming into the room brought me out of my trail of thoughts. I turned to see who it was.An elderly man with gray hair came in wearing white coat. He looks older than my father. A younger woman followed behind, she hand some files hugged to her chest "Hello," the elderly man said. And went to check some things on the monitors."Hi, you must be Jace Bratkowski, Mr Bratkowski's son?." The
**Eliana Pov**Jace has been gone for three days now. I miss him more than I thought I would. Our relationship just took a new turn, I like where it is going, but now with him gone, I feel a part of me is missing. I wish we could be together all the time.He offered to leave his car with me so that I can use it for the time being. The car I later on found out it wasn't a rental, he actually bought the car here when he came. I wasn't so surprised because now I know he could afford much more.I didn't take the car because I don't even know how to drive. I was embarrassed and didn't want Jace finding that out. He said we are going to fix that soon.Before going to the restaurant today, I dropped Amelia off at Nonna's house. I then walked to Zia's house and we left together for work. That is the advantage of living in the same neighborhood. The three houses have just a few houses between them.Since Benjamin is on holiday, we used their car to get to work. "Have you had from Jace? How is
**Eliana Pov**Asher's birthday party turned out to be not as bad as I thought. I met a few parents whose kids went to the same school as Amelia. We chatted among ourselves and watched the kids have fun. At the back of Kate's house, we sat at a long table that was set for the adults at the back of the house.The kids were having fun a little further away from us but we can see them from where we are seated.The children were happy as they watched the clown entertain them. Giggles every now and then.I was glad Amelia was having fun. Until one of the parents decided to take that happiness away from me with her question. I think she is the one they called Kerine. She came with her twins, a boy and a girl to the birthday party and she is pregnant.Kerine made sure to let everyone know she has a perfect life with her husband and twins. She kept talking about how good the twins are and how her husband does anything she wants him to. How wealthy and famous he is in the community. The contr
**Axel Pov**We stayed at my mother's for two days before I was finally able to ask her about Eliana.She told me she hadn't seen her for years now.Since we came, I noticed my mother has been uneasy for some reason.Is it Jennifer's presence that is making her this way, or why?When we talked about the rumor spread about me, she would not say much except for "you know the media. They can be cruel" and That would be all she would say.We spent only two days and that fateful morning, I woke up to see Jenny was not in bed. Nothing came to my mind. I believed she must be in the bathroom or living room.To my dismay, she was nowhere to be found.I went back to the bedroom and checked the bathroom. It was empty.I went back and met mum in the living room. "Mother, where is Jenny?" I asked.She looked confused. "I haven't seen her since you both went into your room yesterday." She confirmed. "Maybe she went to explore the neighborhood." I am here getting worried for no reason."Yes. Maybe.
**Axel Pov**"Mother, did something happen when I was not around?" She hasn't said anything I could comprehend. She just kept rambling words here and there.I walked over to where she was sitting and sat next to her.My own anger has subsided. The state my mother is currently in now is scaring me."I am sorry Axel. I love you. You know that right!?" She finally said something understanding."I know that. What is the matter?" I looked her straight in the eyes. Her eyes are sad."Whatever it is, please tell me."I wasn't liking the state she is in now."You know I will only do what's best for you, right!?" She put a hand on my shoulder. "I should have said something about it earlier."My patience is growing thinner by the minute. "Just tell me already" I demand.She took a deep breath. "It's about Eliana''"What about her? You said you haven't seen here for years." I frowned.Was she not telling the truth?"Yes I haven't. But before you left for college, something happened." She looked
**Eliana Pov**I need someone to wake me up from this nightmare. Why would Axel show up at my doorstep after almost six years?When I saw him just recently, he did not hesitate in acting casually with me in public, like nothing was wrong. Now he is here!?"Who was that hottie and why does he look familiar?" Zia asked after she drove off. "He is not one of the locals, but I know I have seen his face somewhere, I just can't recall." Her attention was mostly on the road as she spoke."That.---" I gulped. "That was Amelia's father." I finally said.Zia abruptly looked my way. My eyes are glued on the road but I was having thousands of thoughts running through my head."What!?" She exclaimed before paying her attention back to the road. "You mean the same guy from the charity event?"I only nodded in response."He looks crazy now, still hot though. No wonder I can't recall where I've seen him before." She said,"Wait... Why is he at your house? How did he know where you live? What does h
**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