Ella's POV
“Where are we going?” I ask Zed as soon as I have figured out that we’re not on our way home.
“Lunch.” His eyes are on the road but he casts a glance sideways.
“Okay.” I’m also hungry already, so I just nod and close my eyes.
My thoughts go back to Mr. D right away. And this connects me to the task James told me. That he won’t mind giving me the business he and my dad had worked hard for secretly. However, he indirectly asked me to avenge him by competing against Kim Yuan’s Corporation. And that would be a man named Dennis.
Now, I understand what James meant. Dennis is the genius who leads the team of highly-capable engineers and computer programmers who create and design Kim Yuan’s flagship products. If I’m going to pirate Mr. D, that means robbing him of the source of his success. Though hiring other talents is possible,
"Ella," says Zed, glints of nervousness painting his face. I want to make things right with you. I want to give our relationship a proper name." A pang of pain wraps my heart. This man is indeed silly enough to jump into a cliff of uncertainties. He knows I can never promise a future for both of us, but he is still making a fool of himself. He has been there. "May I see what's in that other box, please?" I tell him, changing the topic. I am also curious about what is he's asking in that other box. Zed stares at me for a while before he moves his eyes towards the two attendants watching us from afar. One nod from Zed, and the two come forward. One of them is still holding the heart-shaped pillow that carries the box. The two attendants bow slightly before the bearer of the pillow puts down the box carefully in front of me. My heartbeats turn into a frenzy. It pounds hard against my ear as I feel I know what's written on the strip inside.
“Ella,” says Zed, glints of nervousness painting his face. I want to make things right with you. I want to give our relationship a proper name.”A pang of pain wraps my heart. This man is indeed silly enough to jump into a cliff of uncertainties. He knows I can never promise a future for both of us, but he is still making a fool of himself. He has been there.“May I see what’s in that other box, please?” I tell him, changing the topic. I am also curious about what is he’s asking in that other box.Zed stares at me for a while before he moves his eyes towards the two attendants who are watching us from afar.One nod from Zed, and the two come forward. One of them is still holding the heart-shaped pillow that carries the box. The two bow slightly before the bearer of the pillow puts down the box carefully in front of me. My heartbeats turn into a frenzy. It pounds hard against my ear as I feel I know what’s wr
He looks at me with mocking eyes like I am the most stupid woman on the face of the earth. He doesn’t say anything, but his action speaks it all. I froze. My thoughts drift right away to the paintings Zed had purchased recently. Why does he need so many? Mr. D seems to have read my thoughts. “When a man cares for a woman with an unrealistic devotion, it’s already called obsession.” My heart must have skipped some beats because I suddenly feel dizzy. My breathing has also become shallow. Zed is obsessed with Yen! But this is not the place to break out my emotion, so I take deep breaths until I calm down a little. “Are you alright?” he asks, gawking at my face. I wonder how he speaks like an average man today. “I’m a little dizzy,” I tell him with an air of confidence exuding from within. But when he furrows his brow, I add, “As what every pregnant woman experiences.” He casts me a lazy look. “These painti
"It's not w-what you think, Ella," Zed stutters as glints of nervousness hit his eyes. "I can't explain as of now, but one day I'll make you understand.""How am I going to interpret it? Those numbers of orders you make are enough to fill all the walls of this house. I'm not as stupid as you think. You just have to be honest with me because I can understand," my voice already cracks.Zed pulls to the side of the road and turns off the engine. He closes his eyes and later rubs his face with his hand."When I said I love you, I'm not lying, Ella. There's just something I want to look at in those paintings – I'm searching for something."Searching for something. Is he also an artist who thinks his works are copied?I sigh. I'm not in the mood to ask about his hobby. Maybe I can do that later. But for now, I just want to mess up with my jealousy. He looks sincere indeed. And those beautiful eyes of him are beggingfor my understandi
Before the crimson skies fade into black, the lights around the house and in the garden are already in full swing. Tonight is not just a house blessing, but our engagement party. Since James doesn’t want me anymore, I have decided to give ourselves a chance to be happy. I have never felt happier in my life, not until I met Zed. He’s perfect in my eyes, and I can't ask for more.I pity Miss Yen for letting go of a husband as excellent and as gentle as Zed. I almost can’t believe how Zed got erectile dysfunction when he was with her becausethat flaw doesn’t leave any trace. He ismighty down thereand his self-control is excellent. He often brings me to some bliss of multiple orgasms before he comes.Our invited guests have started arriving when the shorthand of the clock strikes at six. They’re not our close friends, but the prominent people Zed has acquainted with through ‘The Quartet’ and during his seminars. S
Maezy. Right, she's the one. I never remember inviting her here. And even if she's Ara's friend, I don't believe she will be bold enough to invite her. Her gaze is flaming like she's about to devour me alive. I don't have to think twice to conclude that those stares are deadly and full of hatred. But why? "Love, what's wrong?" Zed whispering in my ear has me come back to my senses. I haven't noticed that he has already ended his opening remark. I tilt my head to look at him, then move my eyes towards the woman. Even if I haven't lingered my gaze on her for even half a second, I know Zed has followed me. I look at him again affectionately, and he also locks his eyes on me meaningfully, our smile never leaving our lips. In the eyes of the crowd, we are one sweet couple -- lost in the tide of the moment -- whispering sweet nothings. Zed doesn't reply as the lady of the ceremony mentions us again. She grabs our attention as she announces that the next part is a song rendition by a famo
"Mr. D, I don't like cliffhangers. So spit it out," I urge him. I always know that there's always a senseto what he says behind his weirdness. "Jessica, in Merchant of Venice, says that love is blind and lovers cannot see. But I'd still say it's stupid." I laugh. Mr. D is indeed versatile. Aside from his immense knowledge about art and technology, I realize he's also well-versed in literature. Thus, the famous Shakespeare's quote. "It's because you're not in love yet." Or maybe, your EQ is low, I tell myself. He tilts his head sidewardand stares at me. "What's so good about having someone who is not yours?" Then, he leaves without looking back. I also stand dumbfounded, my mouth hanging open as I stare at his retreating figure. What is Mr. D thinking? Could it be because of Zed's interest in Yen's portraits? I had the same sentiment as him, so I understand. I then rush insid
Zed's POV It's already four in the morning when the music from the ballroom stops. As the host of the party, I can't afford to leave the guests who danced into the night until three. While the youngsters were dancing, I checked the guest's logbook. But Maezy's name wasn't there. There's no suspicious entry as well because I was the one who listed down the guests to be invited. As to why she was at my engagement party, I had no idea. I have the feeling that she comes for revenge. I'm beginning to feel afraid for Yen. I wonder if they knew she was here last night. I want to warn her, but how? I don't want this to cause problems between Ella and me. Ara can also be her target, but she only plays a small role in her destruction. What I am being sure of is that she's here for James. Without James, she can't get enough resources for her financial needs. Mr. Yuki left her, and Kim has found out about her deception. I knew that Maezy did shady things for James, and she had been his accompli
Zed's POV I stare at the charcoal portraits of two little kids. One painting shows them holding hands, another shows them eating together, and another shows them chasing happily. Those portraits depict my longing to be with the brother I had never met. I don't realize that my tears are already brimming as I recall those days. Those days when I sent those paintings to the orphanage together with my father's monthly allocation for him. I wonder if dad had noticed that I also painted a portrait every month and made sure I finished them before it was time to send them to him. "You keep them," I say, lifting my teary eyes to Dennis. Dennis rolls his eyes. "You made me so poor back then. All the money that daddy sent went to the expensive frames I bought for those portraits." Ella laughs but tears pool at the corners of her beautiful eyes. She looks so divine in her bridal gown; her angelic face matches the glitters of those thousands of diamonds that Den adorned on her wedding dress.
My brows furrow as I look at the woman whose voice rings loud and clear inside the room. She looks like she is in her mid-fifties, but a strong and domineering aura emanates from her. Her presence speaks of authority, and the lift of her chin and fiery gaze is enough to tell she holds a high position that even James bows down in respect. “My queen! Why are you here?” exclaims James, his previous arrogant look melts down against the power and authority of this woman. “Put down your weapons!” she orders, moving her eyes around. The three burly men instantly bend down and put their guns on the floor. I look at James and also find him conceding. He raises his hands in a gesture of surrender, then bows down, placing his gun on the floor. “Surrender all the weapons, not only those in your hands!” My eyes grow wide at her command, and my gaze darts toward the men pulling the pistols and knives hidden inside their jackets. I also watch James disengage an oliv
"Very well," James raises his hands and claps slowly but loudly. He stands at the doorway, slowly pacing towards us. Following behind him are three burly-looking men who quickly spread apart, covering the room's corners. However, his claps are not to applaud but to mock. James is devilishly a handsome man in his mid-thirties but doesn't have the aura of domineering and stunning CEOs. He has gold piercings on his ears, messy bangs that he keeps pushing to the side, and tattoos painting his entire arms. He stands tall in a pair of signature rubber shoes and bleached denim jeans, coupled with a button-up shirt that lays open down to the center of his chest. His figure better fits the definition of a mobster. James looks at Zed and says, "I always know you would come to play the role of a knight in shining armor, saving a damsel in distress." I glance at Zed, now sitting beside Ella and holding her hand. He looks back at James, his eyes keen and watchful.
I feel my fear sucking the air out of me. If I have to see myself in the mirror, I must already be as pale as death’s shade. Zed glances at me worriedly, but his expression is worse than mine. I know very well that he’s not scared for himself but us. Every minute that ticks by feels like taking away some years from my life.“Where are we now?” Mitch asks, her eyes moving around fast. She’s as scared as me!“We’re going uphill,” says Zed. He looks now at Ella, who is now fast asleep due to the sedative that Mitch administered to her. Because of my fear, I didn’t even notice before that an intravenous solution was dripping above her.“Will the baby be alright?” He’s sleeping soundly on the stroller beside the stretcher. I can’t help noticing how Ella has prepared for this.“She must be. I have been able to prepare her needs ahead.”The ambulance then skids to a turn. Mitch and I hurriedly peer through the slits of the curtains and see that we’re entering a wide gate. Zed also peeks out,
"What are we going to do now?" I whisper, but my eyes dart wide in fear. Mitch and Ella also look back at me with freezing gazes, massive glints of fear and shock ruling their expressions. "Where are we heading?" Ella asks, her gaze shifting among the three of us. "I'll call a backup." Zed pulls out his phone from his back pocket without wasting a second. "Sir, we screwed up. When we reached the clinic, Ella was already in an ambulance. But an enemy has taken the driver's place." "Whose ambulance?" "From the hospital where her OB-Gyne is affiliated." "Where's Monster?" "At the clinic. But the key is with me." I realize that the monster they are talking about is the car we used in coming to the clinic. But, perhaps, it got that name because it is heavily tinted and bullet-proofed, aside from the ammunition loaded inside. "No worries. I have spare keys." "You're following?" Zed asks. "Yes."
Zed moves straight ahead instead of turning to the left as initially planned. So I start presuming that Zed has changed his mind about picking up Ella himself. But then he turns right, and soon, we enter a black gate. “What are we doing here?” I ask Zed. Seeing him unfastening his seatbelt, I also do mine. “Hurry, Ar. We need to change the vehicle, a bullet-proof one.” “Who is living here?” “One of my teams.” Zed jumps down from the car and runs towards my side to open the door for me. But before he reaches me, I have already stepped one foot out. “Ara, just stay here. You will be safe here. This area is heavily guarded, and the security is high. I will pick you up once everything is over. But in case I can’t, my team knows what to do with you,” Zed speaks in utmost tenderness. His face even paints his gratefulness and worry for me. But I don’t like him saying goodbye. I may not be of any help to him, but I want to accompany him until
"Ara, close your eyes and tighten your seatbelt!" I scream even before I see Zed's next move. He then looks over his right shoulder, places his right hand on the top of the steering wheel, then eases off his foot abruptly from the brake pedal. I scream again as the car reverses andaccelerates backward, missing the car that speeds next to us narrowly. "Slow down, Zed! I'm not ready to die yet!" I shout from the top of my lungs as our car is about to collide with another vehicle. And the torture doesn't end. Cars after cars come closer by a thread's width, but luckily, Zed swerves away just in time! Damn, Kim! I wouldn't be in death's mouth if it were not because of him! Is he siding now with James? "Scream as loud as you can, Ar! It eases your fear. Haven't I told you? Kim's kindness is just a show-off?" Zed yell in my left ear, jolting me off from my seat. "My goodness, Zedrick! I don't expect this side of you. How can you fly a
"You're seeking more trouble, Zed. Do you think James will give you peace?" I am already shaking in anger. Zed is just too stubborn. Just where does this man get his courage from? If he relies on his previous investigation team, I don't believe they're more powerful than the assassin's group. They have been delving into James' case for several years already. They would have solved the case long ago if they were that good. "Let him do what he wants." Zed doesn't look like he is kidding. His eyes are on the road, but his sharp gaze reflects his determination. Silence envelopes inside the car, giving me more time to look left and right, scared that a convoy of vehicles will suddenly overtake and block our way. I am fond of watching suspense movies, and finally, I have become the leading character in my life's drama. My phone suddenly vibrates, and I immediately presume it comes from a bomb planted under my seat. I scream, and Zed s
“Made from finest silk fabrics, this gown is embellished with 1000 diamonds. But this is not the most expensive wedding gown. Kate Middleton’s sparkling wedding tiara alone had 1000 diamonds.” Zed’s face pulls into a stern frown. “Are you meeting me just to show that off? Damn you, Dennis! I admit I can never afford a lavish bridal gown as you do, but believe me, the beauty of the wedding lies not in the expensive gown a bride wears, but the weight of the affection she carries in her heart.” I raise my head this time and peer at these men squarely. I may not have met Dennis yet, the one they call Mr. D, but I heard many things about him from Yen. She even calls him eccentric. And judging from what I am seeing now, he looks far more bizarre than how Yen describes him. How can a man in his right mind calls an ex-fiancé just to show off? “I’m seeing you because I want to ask for your suggestion.” Mr. D shrugs like he doesn’t care about Zed’s reaction. I