"Bryce, do you like Hera?" Max's voice penetrated through Bryce's dark hazel world and he straightened himself to look at Max who eyes were fixated on him.Does he like Hera? Does he even know what that word means? All he knew was that he wanted her close to him. He didn't like it when he saw her with someone else that's not him. He was overly protective and jealous when she's in the company of another man. He loved seeing her laugh, her smile seems to warm his heart for some reason and even though he didn't want to think about her, he couldn't help but do the exact opposite. Does that count as liking someone?"Bryce I cannot help you if you hold back from telling me exactly what's going on with you. Do you like Hera or not?" Max repeated and watched closely to see his friend's reaction.Damn! Hera was good and he'd give her that. She had managed to thaw his best friend's frozen heart and has somehow managed to break through his thick barriers."I don't know." He blurted out at last a
All through the drive, Bryce thought of a million and one ways to murder that bastard when he laid his hands on him. First he would beat him up to a pulp and then he would offer him as a burnt offering to his ancestors so that they would see first-hand, just how stupid and foolish he was to have gotten himself tangled up with his woman.Yes, he might not want to admit it yet but Max was right. Hera just wasn't a friend to him. She was more than that and he has realized that too. Earlier today when she hadn't come back home, he felt as if something inside him had died which was weird on so many levels because he had never felt anything strange to the point where he would be driving at such high speed in the middle of the night just because he wanted to get to a woman.It was both intriguing and laughable. All his life, he had done absolutely everything in his power to not get entangled by any woman. Hell, he had even refrained from anything that would take him down that path and now al
Bryce drove home after placing Hera comfortably on the car seat. She didn't wake till they arrived home and he simply let her sleep till he drove into his mansion. She stirred awake then and her eyes fluttered as she took in her surrounding. She was in a car? She looked around and her apartment came into view. When did she leave Ben's house? She was sleeping comfortably over there so when did she leave? "You're awake." She heard the familiar voice of Bryce from opposite her and she clenched her fists angrily. Ben had done what she clearly asked him not to do. He had called Bryce to pick her up. She didn't want to see him so why would he do that? And without her permission as well? He was the last person on earth that she wanted to talk to. She had been avoiding him for a reason after all. "Let's get you inside—" He tried to reach out to her but she pulled away as though he had burned her. Her reaction left him hurt and completely speechless. Hera had never tried to avoid his touch ne
"Can we start all over again Hera?" Bryce asked when she remained silent and didn't say anything more about his previous remark. He was lost and utterly confused and the fact that she was incredibly silent at the moment, didn't help matters at all. He didn't know if he had finally managed to get through to her of if she had forgiven him. Her silence was slowly starting to scare him, which is weird because he never gets scared when it has something to do with Hera.But whatever her response would be, he knew one thing would always be certain, he would not stop apologizing until she is finally ready to forgive him. He would make sure that no matter what happens, she would learn to forgive him.Hera on the other hand felt conflicted. She was battling with herself and her principles at the moment. Accepting to be his friend again only meant one thing; She would be back into his life again and she would not be able to escape all of those things that she tried to escape. She would not be ab
"Are you dried up yet?" Bryce asked from the living room in Hera's apartment where they had been seated ever since they alighted his car. For some reason, he couldn't go back to his mansion and had decided to crash at her place for the night. Hera knew that it was a big step, letting a man into her apartment to spend the night but she let him anyways. She couldn't send him away even if she wanted to. Especially not after what they had just being through tonight."Almost." She answered from her bedroom. She had been trying to wipe her hair dry ever since she got out from the shower. Drying her hair had not always been the easiest chore but it was either she tried to or got her bed wet tonight with dripping water.She sat down at the edge of the bed and ran the towel through and through, in a bid to get all the water out."You're not going to get it out like that." She heard Bryce's voice from behind her. She turned around to see him leaned against the door of her bedroom. For how long
"My father was a bastard. A very big one." Bryce muttered and Hera swallowed. She wasn't used to such vulgar words but he was hurt so she would let him. If this is the way he wanted to express himself and let out all the pain, then she would encourage him as long as he felt better afterwards. "My mother and father were not always in love as I had imagined. They were forced to get married by their parents and had always pretended to be together for public eyes.""My dad was an abuser and a manipulator." He said at last. "I didn't know because mom was so good at hiding it. He would protray her to the world as someone who was mentally unstable and couldn't put her shit together. She would cover her scars with dresses, wear heavy make-up and would smile to the media that she was okay. Everyone thought that her marriage was heaven on earth, but they didn't know half the shit that happened at home behind closed doors."The more he spoke, the more he gripped her hands tightly. Hera felt his
Bryce woke up to find Hera's side of the bed completely empty. The last thing he remembered was curling up on her thighs till he drifted off to sleep so where did she go? They had slept together and he was sure of it. There's no way in hell that she'd leave him to sleep somewhere else. The possibility of that happening was one hundred to one percent but he was hoping that she didn't. Just then, she walked into the room holding a tray containing breakfast of different sorts."Good morning." She greeted and a smile lit up on his face. He was genuinely happy to see her. She didn't leave."You didn't leave." It was more of a statement than a question. He thought that telling her his past had maybe scared her off or maybe he had thought that his presence had scared her away from her own bedroom but he was wrong. He didn't want her to feel scared or threatened by him. He was hoping that they had crossed that bridge. He was really hoping that she didn't consider him a monster like he'd hoped
Hera pulled herself away from his touch and sat upright on the bed. At first, she thought that she didn't hear him clearly but she did. He was asking her to move in. There's no way she could do that. They're not in any relationship whatsoever and she doesn't know If it's the right thing to do at this point. Moving in was a very big request and she doesn't know what to say or how to even respond to that. She most definitely wasn't expecting him to say such to her.She was trying not to feel guilty that he had slept here and he was asking her to move in? She would just have to tell him that she couldn't do it but why was it so hard for her to do so? Was it because somewhere In her hearts of hearts, she was considering it?Hera heard ruffling of sheets behind her as he tried to get up as well. "Why are you so quiet? Did I say or do something wrong this time?"She shook her head no. "Not really. I'm just...I don't think that I'm ready to move In with you Bryce. I don't want to." She ran h
"Is everything okay?" Hera asked Christina worriedly as they cleared up the table together after dinner. Bryce was somewhere around the house with Max and Christina had offered to help Hera out even though Hera had told her not to worry about it."You've been awfully quiet ever since we sat down for dinner and it's crazy because you are never quiet Christina. You love to chat and talk about a lot of things. Are you okay? Is something bothering you?" Hera pressed on while Christina only managed a smile."Of course, sis. Everything is okay." She beamed in reply. "I just wasn't feeling chatty during dinner and besides, you used to scold me whenever i talk during meals so what changed so suddenly?""I know." Hera breathed out. "I just want you to feel comfortable here so i don't mind if you're chatty. I know that it wasn't easy coming all the way here and i just want you to settle in nicely.""I am settling in nicely." Christina assured her sister. She definitely wasn't moody because of di
Max stared down at the little woman that looked at him with a cold expression, standing in front of him. What are the odds that the woman he had encountered today at the airport would end up being his best friend's sister in-law. For the life in him, this wasn't exactly how he had mapped out his evening to go.But can you blame him? Lots of women had played out the supposed 'bumping into him' trick just to get him to notice them so how could've he have known that she was genuinely telling the truth about not wanting anything from him?Women always wanted something from him and they went through great lengths to get it as well. It's a well known fact at this point. If he wasn't filling their cunt with his dick and making them scream out his name at the top of their voices then he was satisfying them in other necessary areas.They always wanted him and it's not like he was complaining about it. It's always a win-win situation for both parties at the end of the day which was why he had a
"Hey man." Bryce's voice filtered from behind her as he came to greet Max at the door and Christina shifted from the door to the side when they shook hands and made her way back to the dinner table without uttering another word. What could she possibly say anyways?That his friend was the one who had assaulted her at the airport. He had made rude and nasty advances at her? Maybe she should just go ahead and tell Bryce that his friend continuously made a pass at her and offered himself up for tasting if she was interested in joining him on his bed. That would be quite a story to share with them over dinner wouldn't it?Somehow, She couldn't stop thinking about how Bryce was friends with the type of man and the fact that her sister calls him family. Does Hera know about him or was she oblivious to the truth? The more she gave it some thought, the more anxious it made her."Christina are you okay?" Hera had asked when she noticed how quiet she had become. Usually, she would've been askin
Christina's plane touched down at the airport hours later. After clearance and getting her luggage, she made her way past security towards the arrival section. The sisters at the convent had told her that she'd be picked up at the airport upon arrival.She looked around the airport, waiting and hoping patiently that she doesn't run into that man and that she leaves before they both spot or come in contact with each other again. She had caught him having sex against her will. Who knows what he might do to her if he finds out that she was still here. She had already rejected his advances once and he might think that she was onto him.God! She just wanted to get out of here fast and call it a day."Hey kiddo!" Someone called out to her and she darted her eyes towards the direction of the voice that waved at her. A wide grin broke out on her face as she rushed into his arms, hugging him tightly. It was Bryce."Big brother!" She squealed in delight. She wasn't expecting him to pick her up
"Christina, are you fully packed yet?" Sister Martha called out to her from outside her bedroom as she placed the last pile of clothes into her box and zipped it shut. She had made sure to pack her things for today's journey since last night so how come she's still struggling to finish last minute? What else was she forgetting?"Just five more minutes sister Martha. I'll be down in a bit." She answered back as she tidied up her room in a hurry, putting the rest of her stuffs away from the bed and stashing them up nicely inside the closet.Today was finally the day. She had waited a whole year for this and now, it was finally happening. She was moving to the big city at long last. She had passed her papers and a few weeks back, she had been accepted into the college of her choice. Everything was finally falling into place thanks to Bryce's help.She made to pick up her bags when a familiar portrait caught her attention. Slowly, she walked over to her dresser and picked up the framed eng
NINE MONTHS LATER....Hera sat up on the bed after her long rest. She and Bryce had both decided to officially tie the knot after her delivery which was due anytime soon. She stared at the ring on her finger and the images from that night flooded her memories. She could clearly remember that day as though it were yesterday. Bryce had gotten down on one knee and promised to marry and love her forever.She guessed that's all there was on marriage and soon after the baby is delivered, they will be joined together as man and wife. She had been feeling down that she would bring a baby into this world without going about it the right way but he had assured her that her fears were valid and had decided to do it right way. The godly way. The thought of that day approaching had her grinning from ear to ear.Christina and the sisters had paid her a visit as well during the latter stages of her pregnancy. Christina was very ecstatic about being an aunt. She couldn't wait for the day she gave bir
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY" Hera snapped her eyes open the next morning to see Mariam standing there by the side of the bed as she stared at her with a face full of smiles. She forced herself up with a smile to hug her. Feeling like she was forgetting something, she turned to look at bed in hopes of finding him asleep but he wasn't there.There wasn't a sign of him. Mariam wouldn't have walked into the room if he was there so where could he have gone without telling her? He always informed her before going anywhere so she was a little surprised that he wasn't here to wish her a happy birthday. He had promised that he would spend the day with her. Did he lie to her?"Ma'am, did Bryce leave for work already?" She asked innocently. "He promised that he'd be at home today.""I'm so sorry Hera but Bryce got an urgent call from work so he had to leave quickly." Mariam informed her. "He wanted to tell you but you were sound asleep and he didn't want to wake you up. He felt really bad and that's why he a
"Yes please make sure that everything goes according to plan and smoothly tomorrow night. Don't forget to keep me updated on everything. Okay bye." Bryce disconnected the call as soon as he came out of Hera's ward. He had accompanied her and Mariam to the hospital for her checkup and while they were at it, he had excused himself to take a call in regards to Hera's birthday surprise. So far, he was utterly and totally stressed but it was worth it.With a smile on his face, he dipped his hands into his pockets to reveal the small box. For some reason, he has been carrying it everywhere not wanting to put it down even for a second. He opened the box and stared at the beautiful engagement ring resting there. He carressed the ring with his finger as he imagined how beautiful it would look on Hera's hands before putting it back into his pocket.He was trying his very possible best to have everything under control before tomorrow evening so that he would be fully prepared to celebrate Hera's
"What do you think of this?" Bryce asked Max who was busily flipping through the papers on his desk as if his life depended on it. He had noticed that his best friend has been incredibly busy these past few weeks with work and business travels that he couldn't help but pity him. Regardless of his whore side, Max had always been a hard worker and takes his job seriously. "Do you think that Hera will like it?"Max looked at him wearily but his face is quickly replaced with shock, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets when he saw what Bryce was trying to show him. It was a goddamn engagement ring in a beautiful jewelry box. Max couldn't believe it. "Y-You want to propose to Hera? You want to get married?"Bryce smiled cheerfully when he noticed that he had gotten Max's full attention. "Yeah. I've spoken to the sisters at the convent and I've made my intentions known to them. They gave me their blessings too.""This is a huge step Bryce, even for you." Max reminded him, standing up