Briana POVI was shivering in restrained anger.If Marcus was not quick to defend me, I don't know what I would have done to Matt Bryant.That man deserves a slap for implying I was a gold-digger. All my life Matt Bryant had looked down on me, constantly harping about Marsha and Danny's benevolence. He says without it, I would be nothing. Yes, I owe Marsha and Danny, but I repaid their generosity by working my ass off on their hotel. Their son Noah left for college. He rebelled and refused to take the reins of the business, but I stayed behind to learn the ropes.Every day after class, I worked as part of the cleaning staff. I took every job to pay for my college tuition. Marsha and Danny could have paid my college fees, but I owed them too much to ask for more. When I finished college, Danny thought it was time for me to assume other jobs. I started as a concierge and worked my way up to various positions. I even handled marketing for the company.When Noah returned, they tr
Briana POV“I thought I made it clear that I don’t want to see you again.” He hissed.“If so, why did you come to the interview this afternoon, knowing I would be there?” I could not help the retort that escaped my lips.I wanted to let Noah know that I’ve changed. I was not the old pushover Briana he could string along.“I was informed that I would be guesting with Briana Ford. How would I know it was you? I was not informed you remarried.” Now, he sounded defensive, and it brought me a little bit of satisfaction at the knowledge.“I didn’t know you wanted to keep tabs on my life.” I retorted sarcastically.The edges of Noah’s mouth tightened, telling me he was not taking my barb well.“What are
Briana POVI was stumped.I did not know how Noah and I ended up kissing each other fiercely. Hanna was staring at me, but I could not meet her gaze. I also kept silent because, frankly, right now, I was still shaken by what happened. It was so sudden. So unexpected. I wanted to blame it all on Noah.I hated him. I knew that. But why did I respond to his kiss?More importantly, why did it feel right? Gosh! The man has a fiancée. He loves someone else and has been in love with her for years. I wanted to bang my head on the mirror to knock some sense into me. I am not a relationship wrecker. Britney White does not deserve it.If Noah did not stop, would it end with just a kiss? I stared at my reddening face in the mirror when Hanna's gasp interrupted my musings. "Oh, my gee! You are still in love with him!"My heart started to pound double in my chest. Five years! "No. I don't." I denied hotly and fumbled to do something to avoid meeting Hanna's gaze from our reflection in the
Noah POVI was looking at Briana while Hanna dragged her away and felt a sense of unexplainable loss.I shook my head, not understanding myself anymore.I hated her. I knew that.But as I watch her leave, why does it feel like something is squeezing my gut?"I thought you hated her."Britney’s voice intruded into the mess in my head.Detecting a hint of pain in her voice, I could not help but wince.“What are you doing here?” I asked harshly.Britney flinched. She looked taken aback, and I realized I had been aggressive with her. I felt sorry for her.In all the years we had been together, I had always been patient with her, just as she was patient with me.She understood what I had gone through.I sighed.“I am sorry,” I said wearily, brushing my hair back for want of doing something.My hands missed holding Briana, and I itch to run after her to continue what we have started.Britney must have sensed the way my mind was going when she intruded, yet again into my thoughts. "Your u
Noah POV“What have I done?” I mused to myself while at the same time, I felt regret filled me with shame.I let hate consume me. “I will handle the reinvestigation and once I found out that Briana was not guilty, I will reopen the case,” Brent told me. “I thought the reinvestigation was to clear her name?” I asked in bated breath. “Yes. But the accident still happened. Someone tampered with your car. The police stopped investigating because you told them it was a close case. You were sure Briana did it, but you did not want to turn her in.” The memories of what happened in the past came to assault my senses. That was my bargain with Briana before. Divorce me and she will leave scot-free. “Maybe at the back of my head I hoped she didn’t do it. She loved my parents.” I reasoned.“Or maybe because you do love her. You were just consumed by anger that time.”What Brent said made me pensive. I couldn’t undo the years passed, but I could not stop myself from feeling an immense sense
Noah POVAs I waited for my car, I was filled with remorse, the what ifs and the could have been.When the car stopped in front of me, Chris, my assistant, got out to open the door for me.“Are we going to the apartment, sir?” He asked when I got in.“No. Just drive around.” I told him.The car engine started, and we drove off the hotel.We just circled around. I wound the window down and let the night breeze slap my cheeks. “I needed a cigarette,” I told Chris.The driver stopped the car outside the parking area near the convenience store that operated twenty-four-seven.I got out and ordered Chris and the driver to stay behind.“I’ll just be a moment,” I told them.I got inside and went straight to the counter to request my brand. I stand in line and wait for my turn.While waiting, I sensed a presence on my legs. When I looked down, I saw a boy about four or five years old. He was about to untie the laces of my Oxfords.He looked surprised when our eyes met. I noticed he was t
Noah POVI felt like a stalker watching the black SUV cruise down the highway. At the next stoplight, it turned left and stopped outside a huge house. The house looked brand new. It is a two-story modern mansion that looks majestic from afar. The lamps outside cast a muted color of gold that looked breathtaking in the moonlight.The green backdrop of trees and mossy green grass emphasized simplicity, neatness, and understated opulence.Looking at this house was like looking at Briana herself. She used to be simple, but her beauty radiates from within.“Bye, Daddy M.” They cried in unison as they clambered out of the car, ducking their father’s tall figure.I looked at the sight with envy and a dull ache in my chest.“It’s Mr. Ford. I did not know he had children.” The driver’s voice pulled me out of my trance.“He’s in the limelight because of his work. He must have done it to protect his family.” It was Chris explaining.I sighed.“Let’s go,” I told the driver, and we left the are
Noah POV"How did I get home last night?"That was the first question that came to my head when I opened my eyes and saw the familiar sight of my bedroom's ceiling.My phone rings, and despite feeling hung over, I squinted to locate my phone. I grabbed it from the nightstand and pressed the answer button.“Hunter,” I mumbled huskily.The caller spoke, and I sat up straight.“Chris, who brought me home?” I asked, brushing back the hair that fell loosely on my forehead.I really could not remember what happened the night before. I was so hammered.
Brent POVDo you know what heaven feels like?It was having the love of your life wrap her arms around your massive frame and hold on to you like she did not want to let go or part from you. That was heaven for me - being held by Beth like this was my new definition of high. Before, what made me high was dodging bullets and trying to outwit Hades from the door of death.I used to live in the thrill of danger, but no more. That’s the reason I built BASS Incorporated frame by frame. For my own protection.I already cheated death once, and I am not sure I can do it again. I released her and cupped her chin. Then, I leaned my head in to capture her lips in a gentle kiss. At first, I only pressed our lips together and pulled back. Her tongue darted to worry her upper and lower lips, and I became excited.I pulled her again, and this time, I took her lips in a searing kiss.I took control of the kiss, nibbling and chewing on her lips before I let my tongue slide over the seams, wai
Brent POV“You are a billionaire.” She uttered in a daze, and I nodded my head. BASS Incorporated is a renowned surveillance and security company.“Why didn’t you tell me?”“As you mentioned earlier, your desires are simple. There is nothing about my company or wealth that could impress you.” I told her bluntly. “Still. It’s one piece of information you kept from me. I was supposed to know because I was your wife.”“At the time, the BASS was not this big. I started as a private investigator. My reputation grew with the help of Noah Hunter. He threw work my way. I specialized in corporate espionage. I unravel many cases of economic sabotage and stealing company trade secrets. Then, the Fords also gave me jobs.” “Isn’t that a bit dangerous?” Worry etched on her face, and I leaned forward to smoothen the folds it created on her forehead. “I am doing administrative work nowadays. Before, I used to handle cases that took me weeks, sometimes months, to finish.” The creases on her foreh
Brent POVI held out my hand and anxiously waited for Beth to take it.When she placed her hand on mine, I closed the gap between us to pull her to my chest and wrapped my arms around her.“Thank you.” I closed my eyes and sighed.Beth pushed at my chest and self-consciously looked around.“People are staring.” She whispered shyly.But I was not concerned about that. What matters is that Beth agreed to give us a try.“I don’t care about them. I only care about us.&rdqu
Brent POVI felt her resistance fading away.Our chests heaved with too much emotion, but I was not letting her go.She twisted her body, and I released her, but I made sure that she was not far.I took her hand, all the while looking straight into her eyes.“I told you, I love you.”“Love is nurtured, Bernt. You did nothing in
Brent POVI did not know my promise would come to a test early that morning when Krizzie and I walked out of the kitchen to find Beth and Dr. Roberts at the door, talking sweetly.They were so engrossed with each other that they did not notice us.“I am sorry about last night,” Beth said.“No. It’s me who needed to apologize for my rude behavior. I am sorry, Beth. I got jealous of your ex-husband.”Beth hugged a bouquet of roses to her chest and put them under her nose to sniff.Her action dove a knife deep into my heart, but I wouldn’t gi
Brent POVShe is avoiding me.“Mommy, ahh!” Krizzie opened her mouth and took a bite from the sandwich Beth placed near her mouth.“Yummy.” She declared while munching happily.“How about Daddy? You let him have a bite out of our sandwich, too.” Krizzie prodded her mom.The smile on Beth’s face froze. She did not move until I forced her by coiling my fingers around her wrist and pulling her hands near my mouth so I could take a bite out of her sandwich.All the while, I was looking at her.
Beth POV“Mommy, wakey, wakey!” I opened bloodshot eyes to search for Krizzie, but when I felt the tremors around me, I immediately shot up in bed. “Krizzie!” I cried in alarm.I was ready to pluck her from the bed when I realized something.Krizzie was jumping on the bed. I pressed a hand to my chest to steady my heavily pounding heart as I stared at my daughter. I really thought there was an earthquake. Phew!“What’s wrong, Mommy?” Krizzie stopped her play to stare at me, erasing the smile on her lips.I shook my head. “I thought there was an earthquake.” Krizzie’s eyes widened, and she giggled. “You are s*lly, Mommy. It’s just me, Krizzie.” She informed me. I nodded, glad that it was just my overactive imagination.“Yeah. Mommy’s s*lly.” I agreed and grabbed her by the shoulders to pepper tiny kisses on her face. We heard a knock on the door, prompting me to release my daughter. Krizzie’s eyes connected with mine before her hands flew to her mouth. Then, without warnin
Beth POVWhen the door slammed shut, and I was left alone in the house, it was as if all the fight left me.I felt so drained.Arguing with Brent had been emotionally and mentally taxing. That is why I avoided it at all costs.If we could co-exist peacefully with our child, that would be better.For years after our divorce, I accepted that all we could ever be is Krizzie’s parents.I never want to return to that time when all I do is beg for his love and attention.When he offered marriage,
Beth POV“If I am selfish. I would do that.” He countered so casually that my anger meter was beginning to exceed its limit. It was ready to burst into flames. “And what are you trying to imply? That you are the epitome of selflessness, is that it?” I snapped, too angry to care whether my voice was going through the roof. I don’t know where Brent was getting all this nerve to tell me.“You have some nerve! You who never wanted my baby in the first place.” I hissed.My teeth gritted and my hands clenched into fists. “Because it was never in our agreement, d*mn it, Beth. All along, I thought we were in sync with our ideals. We agreed not to have any babies, but what did you do? You went behind my back and got yourself pregnant without my knowledge.” Tears sprung in my eyes when I remembered all that happened nine years ago. I thought I was already past it, but d*mn, it still hurts like h*ll.I sighed, trying to keep my tears in check because I didn’t need them now. It was not g