Anika's P.O.V With a groan, I surveyed the cup, realizing just one scoop of ice cream remained. I devoured that final spoonful and placed the cup on the floor, along with the remnants of the other junk I'd consumed. My comfort food had run out, and I had nothing left to stave off my tears. "I can't stand you, Jordan," I muttered to myself. "Why won't you ever listen? Have I hurt you so deeply? I was planning to apologize, even though I knew it wouldn't be enough. Why won't you just give me a chance to explain?" I spoke to myself, my voice laced with emotion as my eyes welled up in tears. The pain was immense. He wasn't the sole sufferer; he needed to grasp that. I had been willing to kneel and plead for his forgiveness. I needed that apology more than he could comprehend, but he drove me away. He ordered me to leave, not even entertaining my words. How evil has he turned out to be? He wasn't the Kelvin I knew. "I despise you, Kelvin, I hate you so much and I never want to see
Anika's P.O.V The door swung open, revealing Kelvin's head as he peered out. Surprise flickered across his face momentarily, quickly replaced by an exasperated sigh. He emerged fully, and oh boy... he was shirtless once again. Why did he always have to be shirtless whenever I visited? He seemed freshly showered, with damp hair droplets trailing down his appealing abs. I need to focus on why I'm here, not get lost in thoughts like that. He slid his hands into his sweatpants pockets. "What do you want?" His tone was chilly, mirroring his expression. "I-I..." I began, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Kelvin. I apologize for everything," I stammered, my eyes moistening. Why must I always be so emotional? Why does every little thing make me cry? It's becoming frustrating. "As I mentioned earlier, there's no need to apologize. There's nothing to be sorry about. Please, just go. I was doing something important before you interrupted me," he spoke, his tone softer this time. "Kel—"
Anika's P.O.V Kathy noticed me and hurried over, showering me with compliments as I emerged from my car. She donned a black and gold dress with a semi-transparent neckline that elegantly highlighted her curves, leaving her looking stunning. "Wow, you're fantastic!" she exclaimed. "Thank you," I replied with a smile. "You're no slouch yourself," I grinned. "Is this you?" she asked, clearly impressed. "No," I replied, rolling my eyes. "I'll let that slide, but you look stunning tonight," she praised me. "Thanks. Where's everyone?" I inquired impatiently. "They're inside. You're fashionably late, and Mr. Jordan is delivering his speech to the reporters in there," she informed me. "Oops... Well, head in. I'll catch up in the hall later," I told her, and she raised an eyebrow. "Are you certain?" she inquired, and I nodded in affirmation. "Alright, make sure to arrive early because soon enough, it'll be your turn to deliver the speech," she advised before walking away. My heart
Anika's P.O.V Right after Kathy left, James appeared almost instantly. "Well... How about you share something about yourself?" he suggested, taking a seat on the nearby chair, and I joined him. "There's not much to discuss. My life tends to be pretty uneventful," I responded, my voice trailing off. "Come on, there must be something worth talking about," he prodded, giving me a gentle nudge. "Alright then, what do you want to know?" I inquired, placing my arms on the table and resting my chin on them. "Everything about you, literally everything," he grinned. "Alright, I'm Anika Downs. I've been running this company since my parents passed away. I have a sister and a friend named Laura—" "Hold on, are you implying that Laura is your only friend?" he interrupted a hint of surprise in his tone. "Plus, Kathy," I added, causing him to raise an eyebrow. "I don't buy that. How can someone as attractive as you have just two friends?" he questioned. "What's wrong with that?" I shot ba
Anika's P.O.V I awoke slowly, feeling an overwhelming sense of exhaustion. Letting out a yawn, I sighed, my surroundings leaving me disoriented. Then, reality crashed down upon me, and I gasped audibly as the events of the previous night flooded my memory. What the heck had I done? Kelvin was still asleep, his arms wrapped around my waist as he spooned me from behind. Beneath the sheet that covered us, we lay naked. What on earth did I just do? Cautiously slipping away from Kelvin, I sat up, suppressing the sudden headache that pounded in my head. I pushed aside my tousled hair, tucking it behind my ears. My gaze lingered on Kelvin, who slept soundly, emitting soft snores. His innocent appearance while asleep contrasted sharply with the current situation. Getting to my feet, I collected my scattered clothing from the floor and tiptoed to the bathroom. A quiet change of attire was in order. At the moment, I wasn't prepared to engage with Kelvin, not when things were so awkwa
Kelvin's P.O.V I awoke with a throbbing headache, greeted by the morning light. My temples pulsed as I rubbed them, then reached for my phone to check the time – it was already six in the morning. Groaning, I sank back into the bed, shifting slightly and realizing I was naked under the blanket. Confusion knitted my brow. "How did I-? Oh, damn it," I cursed, a wave of remembrance flooding in from the previous night. Why did I let that happen? I should have had better control over myself and exercised some self-restraint. I was supposed to despise her, avoid her, and never fall into her trap again. So why the hell did I do the exact opposite? I sighed and raked my fingers through my hair. I messed up royally. Why did I even attend that party? I shouldn't have shown up, no – I should never have taken that drink and let myself get drunk. But I couldn't resist, not when I saw that jerk James talking to her. I impulsively grabbed whatever the bartender had on offer and downed it. I
Anika's P.O.V I sank onto the couch, my hands covering my face as I stifled the urge to let tears escape. I refuse to cry over Kelvin anymore. Who does he think he is, toying with my emotions as if I'm some sort of plaything? I had never understood him since he returned after disappearing for five years. He used to act as if he hated me, avoiding me at all costs. I even begged him at one point, but he slammed the door in my face. And now he was attempting to mend things between us when I had long lost interest in anything to do with him. He was beyond belief. He even claimed he's staying to fight for our love. Right... He was delusional. Maybe he was still intoxicated from last night, the alcohol lingering in his system, clouding his judgment. *** Day one (1) "Mr. Jordan is in your office, he arrived before I did," Kathy rushed to inform me as soon as I entered the company. I halted in my steps and faced her, taken aback. "Why is he here?" I questioned, surprised. "I'm not s
Anika's P.O.V I gazed at him for a moment before bursting into laughter in my seat. He regarded me with a bemused expression, but I couldn't have cared less. Was he asking me out on a date? Seriously? I thought he intended to fight for me, not to confess crazy things. After Kelvin gave me an odd look for a while, I gradually composed myself and wiped away the tears caused by my hearty laughter. He must be wondering why I found it amusing that he was inviting me on a date. I mean, he hadn't stopped giving me that "you're being silly" look. "So, is that a yes?" he asked with a grin. "No," I retorted, rolling my eyes. "Alright then, I'll just keep coming here for no reason." "No!" I exclaimed, and he couldn't help but smirk. "So, you agree?" he grinned. I let out a sigh. It's either I reluctantly agree to this silly date with him or endure his constant pestering and teasing about that night. His presence was a distraction that made it hard for me to focus. "Fine," I said, rolli
Anika's P.O.V I exited my car and made my way to the restaurant where Kelvin had asked me to meet him. It was the same place where we had our first date, although it had changed significantly. The restaurant had grown larger, more spacious, and more beautiful than I remembered, but the name and location helped me recognize it. It struck me as somewhat strange that Kelvin had chosen this particular spot. We had been on numerous dates over the past three months, yet he had never brought me here before. I couldn't help but wonder why he had chosen it for this occasion. Upon entering, I greeted the waitress with a simple "Birtch." She nodded and guided me to the same table where Kelvin and I had shared our first date. This place now held special memories for me, and I will cherish them forever. Our table was positioned in the middle of the restaurant, offering a lovely view of the city's night sky and the glowing street lights outside. As I approached the table, Kelvin stood up to
Anika's P.O.V I was happy and excited about following my heart and pursuing what I truly desired. But, to be honest, I was also deeply scared. I feared how Kelvin would react when I revealed everything – my feelings, and the fact that I was carrying his child. He patiently waited for me, for nearly six years, hoping that I would eventually return his love. He did everything within his power to make me happy. He became my source of solace during my darkest hours. He risked his life for mine, shielding me from Richard's threat. He detested seeing me in tears and always went above and beyond to bring a smile to my face. I was blinded by my fear of love, unable to recognize that Kelvin's love for me was unwavering. I used to think all men were unfaithful, given the pain my exes had caused me. But everything changed when I met Kelvin. I can vividly recall our first encounter at my office, during the interview process. At first, I was captivated by his handsomeness, but I quickly d
Anika's P.O.V A week had passed since everything happened. Cherry had finally returned to her country, clearing up the rumors about her and Kelvin, stating that they were just friends and business partners with nothing more, emphasizing that they wouldn't become a couple since there was someone else in both of their lives. It had caused quite a stir among their fans, and I knew this because I had been stalking her on social media, as well as Kelvin. Since our encounter at the event, I hadn't seen or spoken to Kelvin. I sighed as I glanced at the calendar on my phone. Today was the day he had given me to decide what he meant to me, or else he would leave. The truth was, I didn't know the answer. Ever since that event, I hadn't been myself, and we hadn't exchanged a word. It was tearing me apart. I couldn't bring myself to accept that I loved him, even though deep down, I had known it for the past five years. Discovering that truth had blindsided me. Kelvin had sent me a message
Anika's P.O.V I stared at my reflection in awe as the makeup artist put the finishing touches on my look. Had I described myself as looking "hot" earlier? If I did, then I needed a new word to describe how I looked right now. It was what I had been talking about; I always knew I was beautiful. So, what on earth did Jordan see in Cherry, or whatever her name was? "Wow, you look stunning. Can I take your picture and post it on my I*******m?" a makeup artist asked, and I nodded. "Of course," I posed for a few photos, and I could see the smile on her face as she uploaded the picture to her social media. "Are you ready now... woah. Is that an angel or what?" Kathy exclaimed when she saw me. I chuckled. "You wound me, Kathy. I'm way hotter than an angel, so you better correct yourself," I playfully scolded her, using her last name. "Okay, Your Majesty, is that someone hotter than an angel or what?" She replied, bowing. I laughed. "Thanks for the compliment. Can we get going now?" I a
Anika's P.O.V "Anika! Look!" I snapped out of my thoughts when Kathy barged in, shoving her iPad practically in my face. "What?" I asked, and she gestured toward the tablet. "Check out what the article says inside," she suggested, and I reluctantly complied. I felt a wave of nausea as I came across the headline and the picture within. It was Kelvin, his arms wrapped around some woman as they exited a hotel. He looked genuinely happy around her, even smiling at the camera. The woman was undeniably attractive, but in that moment, all I wanted was to see her radiant smile turn to sadness because she was clinging to Kelvin's arm like he was her boyfriend. My fury intensified when I read the headline: "Did the town's most handsome and eligible bachelor have a one-night stand with last year's Miss Beauty and a Victoria's Secret model?" accompanied by two wide-eyed emojis. I pushed the tablet away from my face, seething with anger. How dare he do this after taking me on a date and
Anika's P.O.V I closed my eyes and sighed, tightly clutching my pillow. Why was I feeling this way? I should be happy that he was leaving. I mean, I wanted him to leave, so why was I sad about him leaving? I remembered the look he gave me after our kiss. It felt like we would never see each other again, and I felt heartbroken. I was surprised that I kissed him back. It was as if I was already used to him. During that kiss, I felt a spark inside me, and my heart raced so fast, it felt like it might explode. I was so confused about my feelings, and it was incredibly frustrating. He was leaving the next day, and I might never see him again. I felt devastated when he left five years ago, and now that I finally saw him again, it turned out he was leaving soon. I didn't know what to do anymore; I didn't understand myself. *** My eyes fluttered open as the sun's rays slowly invaded my room, earning a groan from me. Why does morning have to come so soon? Couldn't the hours be a bit
Anika's P.O.V "So, what can I get you?" the irritating manager inquired, although it seemed like she was directing the question solely to Kelvin. She flashed him that annoying smile, oozing with fake charm. "I'd rather not deal with you. Have someone else attend to us," I retorted, not hiding my displeasure. The woman's gaze turned to me, her brows knitting into a frown. "With all due respect, ma'am, I'm here to assist, whether you like it or not. It's not your call to decide who serves you. You should consider yourself fortunate to be in a place like this," she spat back, surprising me with her audacity. I hadn't anticipated her responding so rudely. "Just because I didn't react when you insulted me earlier doesn't mean I'm unintelligent. Why am I being treated this way? Is this how you treat all your customers?" I seethed, my frustration bubbling to the surface. "No, just the less privileged ones," she sneered, her smirk infuriating. "How dare you? Do you have any idea who I a
Anika's P.O.V I gazed at him for a moment before bursting into laughter in my seat. He regarded me with a bemused expression, but I couldn't have cared less. Was he asking me out on a date? Seriously? I thought he intended to fight for me, not to confess crazy things. After Kelvin gave me an odd look for a while, I gradually composed myself and wiped away the tears caused by my hearty laughter. He must be wondering why I found it amusing that he was inviting me on a date. I mean, he hadn't stopped giving me that "you're being silly" look. "So, is that a yes?" he asked with a grin. "No," I retorted, rolling my eyes. "Alright then, I'll just keep coming here for no reason." "No!" I exclaimed, and he couldn't help but smirk. "So, you agree?" he grinned. I let out a sigh. It's either I reluctantly agree to this silly date with him or endure his constant pestering and teasing about that night. His presence was a distraction that made it hard for me to focus. "Fine," I said, rolli
Anika's P.O.V I sank onto the couch, my hands covering my face as I stifled the urge to let tears escape. I refuse to cry over Kelvin anymore. Who does he think he is, toying with my emotions as if I'm some sort of plaything? I had never understood him since he returned after disappearing for five years. He used to act as if he hated me, avoiding me at all costs. I even begged him at one point, but he slammed the door in my face. And now he was attempting to mend things between us when I had long lost interest in anything to do with him. He was beyond belief. He even claimed he's staying to fight for our love. Right... He was delusional. Maybe he was still intoxicated from last night, the alcohol lingering in his system, clouding his judgment. *** Day one (1) "Mr. Jordan is in your office, he arrived before I did," Kathy rushed to inform me as soon as I entered the company. I halted in my steps and faced her, taken aback. "Why is he here?" I questioned, surprised. "I'm not s