With her mouth agape, Ellaya stood gazing up at heaven from the gangway. The yacht’s name, Heaven is etched in elegant gold letters on the stern. Iden held Ellaya's hand and led her inside. "Oh! My. God, Is it yours?" She cried out in excitement, turning and glancing all over. " No, this is Mr. Ruan's, my boss". "A man of luxury, that is for sure". Iden chuckled at her enthusiasm, "Yeah, he is." The yacht was a sleek modern vessel with a polished deck, gleaming chrome railing, and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the azure sea. It’s a floating heaven where time slows down, and the world beyond fades away. Ellya stood holding the railing, closed her eyes, and breathed in the salty air while admiring the glittering sea. Iden stood behind her. "Are you enjoying the surprise?" She turned to glance over her shoulder and smiled at the owner of the magnetic voice. As the sun begins its descent, casting a warm, golden glow across the water, Iden leads Ellaya to th
Their kiss taste of salt and logging. The room is saturated with candlelight, casting shadows on the mahogany walls. Iden hands map the curves of Ellaya’s body, and the world outside ceases to exist. The yacht rocks gently, echoing their rhythm. Iden released her grip on her swollen, dark pink lips after what seemed like an eternity. He buried his head, breathed heavily, in her neck beneath her thick hair as they gasped for air. "Ah!!...", a soft moan escaped her lips, she steered on his unexpected kiss on her neck, bit her already swollen lips, and Iden lifted his head and looked at her half-closed eyes, a smile saying, "Do not do it, princess, or I will lose control." Her eyes widened, and she met his intense gaze. His hands were caressing her body, and she knew exactly what that famished expression meant. Unsure of what to say, Ellaya pursed her lips even more. She met his intense gaze, without flinching "Oh! No, I am still a virgin should I need to tell me? Will it matter
As she passed out from the orgasm, her mind went blank unable to process the sudden rush of euphoria. The passion between them like wildfire, leaving them breathless and warning for more. Iden stood up and opened his shirt's two buttons. But was stopped in the middle. his phone rang. Echoing in the empty room, overlapping the rhythm of their rapid breath. His jaw tightened, his knuckles white gripping the phone. Muted the cell he sat at the edge of the bed, cupped Ellaya’s face and kissed her forehead, "I need to take this call, I will be back, okay." She nodded her head. Iden left the room with his phone. The room, once filled with their shared desire, now echoed with the emptiness of his absence. Ellaya's finger trembled as she wrapped herself in the silk bedsheet and sat on the edge of the bed. She put her shaking hand on her face, taking a deep breath and it trailed from her cheeks to her lips, to her neck. Her skin prickled as if a thousand fireflies had kissed it,
"Hello Ema", Ellaya greeted, her smile bright as she handed over her luggage and dashed forward. Welcome back, Miss. How was your trip?" Ema's voice was warm, her smile mirroring Ellaya Good. How is everyone?" Ellaya's pace is quickened. "Everyone is doing well ma'am. Sir and madam are home today with guests." Ema replied, trailing behind her with the luggage. "Guests? who?" Her lips pursed in thought. The sweet aroma of coffee and freshly baked cookies wrapped around her, mingling with the distant hum of conversation and laughter. As she stepped into the living room, her feet halted. her eyes widened, and her forehead creased deeply. "What are you doing here", The words slipped out before she could stop them. Ellaya's gaze swept the room, taking in the faces turned towards her, their smiles frozen mid-sip. silence hung in the air, thick and heavy. Then a voice shattered it. "Ellaya, my baby girl, my little princess!." Her mother's voice rang out loud and clear, as she rushed
They threw her onto the floor and locked the door behind her. Ellaya scrambled to her feet, rushing to the door. She pounded on it with her fists, her cries of frustration and desperation unyielding.Ellaya pounded on the door, her palms pressing against the cold, unforgiving floor. Her desperate plea for freedom. But the door remained unyielding, its eavy wood a barrier between her and the outside world.Tears ran down her cheeks as she slid down, her back to the door. The memories of Iden haunted her -the way his eyes bore into hers, the touch of his hands on her skin. They had met under strange circumstances, and now fate had to cruelly separate them. She never imagined that her own parents would oppose her and force her to marry against her will.Ellaya clenched her fists, determination replacing her initial despair. She vowed to escape this prison, not just for herself but for her love. For Iden.The room was silent except for her ragged breath. Ellaya wiped her tears, her resolv
The room was a frigid cocoon, it's walls closing in on Ellaya. The cold floor gnawed at her skin, and her swollen eyes ached from relentless tears. She had cried until her soul felt raw, yet the pain remained an unyielding ache that threatened to consume her. Her mother's entrance was a thunderclap, shattering the fragile peace of her solitude. The woman's grip on Ellaya's arm was iron, yanking her from the floor. "What's wrong with him, Ella? We've known Austine for years" yelled as forced her to stand on her wobbly leg . Struggling to stand, Ellaya's voice trembled as she fought to stand her ground. " I don't love him mumma." The words hung in the air, a desperate plea. But her mother's eyes held no sympathy- only the certainty of duty. She threw her on the bed and went into the walk-in closet. Returning back with a long white gown that looked like a wedding dress. Throwing it onto the bed. "There's no love in this world" her mother spat, as if love were a foolish myth.
As Ellaya descended the stairs, the gown trailing behind her, she vowed to defy fate. Love might be treacherous, but she would fight against cynicism, against her doubts. She would prove that even an “ugly face” could hold a heart ablaze. Ellaya stood beneath the stairs, gazing into the faces of people she had once thought of as family; but now, her family was merely using her as a commodity, without a thought for her. But it was her destiny; they never considered her anything more than a machine to earn money for them; she had no idea what her parents' love was; all she knew was how to earn, and they taught her well in this regard. Her senses snapped out of her reverie as she felt her mother's hand approach, telling her, "You look perfect; let us go; they are waiting." Ellaya nodded and got in the car; her dad was already there, using his phone to type something. Her mother commanded the driver while seated next to her. Ellaya twisted her waist and held her stomach in agony
Ellaya’s heart raced as she stood there, her entire world hanging in the balance. The dimly light corridor seemed to hold its breath. His eyes bore into hers searching for any sign of hesitation or doubt. "Are you sure you want this”, He asked, his voice low and intense. Ellaya mind raced. She had never been one to make impuseive decisions, but this, this was different. This was Iden-the man who had turned her life upside down, the man who had awakened desires she never knew existed. She noded , her resolve firm. "Yes”. She whispered. Her voice barely audible. She had left behind her career, her family, and her old life. She had no doubt about that. Iden face transferred. The hard lines soften, and smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He pulled her close, hugged her in his firm arms. Ellaya doubt melted away, replaced by desire and longing. She leaned into his embrace, feeling the weight of her decision settle over her . She could not imagine her parents' reaction to her sudden
"Iden I am sorry," she said in a whisper, calming his tormented spirit. He closed his eyes, savoring the warmth of her embrace, but his heart remained conflicted as to why he asked with a low voice. Her breath was warm, her presence was serene yet smoldering, and her head was resting on the back of his shoulders."I am not sure..."He shivered and felt his body jolt as her breath fanned his bare skin. I could feel that I was the reason you were upset. He drew her in front, encircling her narrow waist with his powerful arms. "I cannot bear the thought that you are hurt," he said, rubbing her wet face and pushing her hair back. He bent down and looked at her face, examining every inch of it. "It is killing me," his breath fanned her cold and wet lips and made her bare skin itch. He slapped his lips on her, intensifying their kiss. With his teeth brushing against her lips, his tongue vying for control, and his hands moving all over her body, he pushed her against the wall, ripped
Iden held her trembling form, her sobs echoing in the quiet room. “Why? Why did you do this to me?” she cried, her voice barely a whisper. “Why did you marry her?” She clung to him, her tears soaking through his shirt. Iden stood there, speechless, as she poured out her heart. “Divorce her… come back to me… I can’t live without you.” The word “divorce” jolted him back to reality. He gently pushed her away, holding her shoulders to create some distance. His eyes softened as he looked into hers. Wiping her tears, he caressed her head tenderly. “Anna, stop crying. You know why I married her. Please, stop acting like a child and be strong, okay?” “You promised you’d never leave me. Then why did you marry her and not me? Tell me, Iden.” She wiped her tears with the back of her hands, shaking her head in despair. He grabbed her and bent down slightly, his voice firm yet gentle. “Anna, listen to me. I am not leaving you. You don’t have to be mad. Pull yourself together and be stron
She stood under the hospital building, its tall shadow stretching across the road. The setting sun cast a warm glow, brushing her face and sending a chill through her skin. As she moved forward, she rummaged through her handbag for her phone, her mind focused on getting home before Iden arrived. Over the past two months, she had visited Eva whenever she could, though Eva’s condition remained unchanged. She hadn’t visited her parents, still haunted by her mother’s harsh words. Lost in thought, she didn’t notice the figure approaching and bumped into them. Her phone fell, and she knelt to pick it up, apologizing. Her breath caught when she heard her name. She looked up, and a small, beautiful smile crept across her face as she recognized the voice. Ella… oh my god, is it really you?” The woman looked as beautiful and cheerful as ever. Ellaya stood up, clutching her phone. “Annabell, when did you get back?” Ellaya moved forward and hugged her tightly. It had been almost a year sinc
Iden was preparing dinner while Ellaya perched on the kitchen island, her eyes following his every move. She watched the way he chopped vegetables, the concentration on his face, the subtle twitch of his muscles, and how his long, beautiful fingers gripped the knife. Even in casual sweatpants and a t-shirt, he exuded a magnetism that could make women kneel and beg for his attention. And here she was, the better half of this incredibly handsome man, wondering why he chose her among all the beautiful women out there. The hurtful words of her mother echoed in her mind, making her wonder if he would eventually get tired of her and shove her out of his life, just as her mother had predicted. The question raced through her mind like a wild wind, leaving her feeling vulnerable and uncertain. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. One harsh word from her mother, and here, her self-confidence shattered like a piece of glass. It had taken her years to piece it back together, and yet, o
Iden shoved his phone into his pocket, snapped his laptop shut, and yanked his car keys from the drawer. He stormed out of his office, with James scrambling to keep up. “Sir, you have a meeting in ten minutes,” James called out, clutching his file, his phone precariously balancing his glasses on his nose. “Cancel it,” Iden barked, adjusting his tie and coat, his pace unrelenting. “And the dinner meeting with the Japanese client in an hour?” James pressed, his voice tinged with desperation. “Cancel that too.” Iden’s steps faltered only at the elevator, where he jabbed the button repeatedly. “But sir, we’ve been waiting for this meeting for six months,” James stammered, his anxiety palpable. They had poured countless hours into securing this deal, with trips to Japan and sleepless nights. Now, on the brink of success, Iden was abruptly pulling the plug. James’s heart raced with unease. Iden jabbed the elevator buttons repeatedly. “Sir, the lift has been out of order since
Ellaya’s heart raced as her mother’s harsh words reverberated through her mind. “Ella, stop deceiving yourself.” Her mother’s voice was a thunderclap, nearly bursting her eardrums. “I still remember how the doctor recoiled in fear when you were born, almost dropping you. Even as your mother, I couldn’t bear to look at you for months. I cried days and nights, thinking I had given birth to something inhuman. But since you are our only child, your father and I eventually accepted you. What do you think others will do? They can find countless beautiful women, so why would they choose you, Ellaya, unless they had some hidden agenda?” Mrs. Stone’s voice was icy and unyielding. “You are different, ugly, and frightening. Look at yourself.” She shook Ellaya roughly, forcing her to face the mirror. Already broken, Ellaya couldn’t muster the strength to confront her reflection. “You were only good at singing, Ellaya, but you ruined everything. You ruined us. Raising you was a nightmare, and I
Ellaya nodded and wiped her tears as she stood up and left. She met the attentive doctor of Ava, and collected all the information. “Miss Stone. We are doing our best to help her wake up, but again, we are only doctors, not gods. You have to wait patiently,” the doctor advised gently. Ellaya nodded, feeling a mix of hope and helplessness. She wanted to pay for Mia’s medical expenses, but the doctor informed her that someone had already covered all the bills; it must have been her father. Without giving it more thought, she went to meet Mia next. “Doctor, how is she now?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly. “We have treated her superficial wounds, but the wound on her soul is hard to treat. She isn’t talking or responding to anything. I can suggest a good psychiatrist,” the doctor replied with a concerned look. Ellaya nodded again and entered the room. Mia was sitting on her bed, staring at the wall and biting her lower lip. “Mia,” Ellaya called her name softly, but th
It was a scorching day when Ellaya stepped out of her house, shielding herself with an umbrella. She looked effortlessly stunning in beige wide-leg high-waist pants paired with a matching crop top. Wiping the sweat from her forehead, she made her way to the bus stop. This was her first time traveling alone on public transportation. “You can do it, Ellaya,” she whispered to herself, taking a deep breath as she boarded the bus. Although it was her first solo journey, she felt the comforting presence of her husband, Iden, who was always there to protect her. Smiling at the thought of him, she pulled out her phone to let him know she was on her way. It was a rule they had—she always informed him of her whereabouts. But just as she unlocked her phone, it abruptly shut down. Frustrated, she tried to turn it back on, but it was no use. Ellaya had a habit of neglecting her gadgets, often forgetting to charge them. With a sigh, she leaned against the window, watching the world go by. Whe
“If you agree to a 15% profit, sign the document. If not, leave my office right now, Mr. Cooper,” Iden said, unlocking his phone and typing something. With a thud, Iden threw the file on the table. The man opposite him glanced nervously at his associates, rubbing his hands and chewing on his lower lip. “But Mr. Ruan, we agreed to a 50-50 profit split,” he protested. “It’s okay, Mr. Cooper. If you don’t want to sign the document right now, I can still work on the land we agreed on without losing a single cent to you. Fifteen percent is a fortune you earn from the Ruan Corporation. Fifteen percent profit is even more than fifty percent from other companies, so it’s not a loss for you to work with the Ruans,” Iden replied calmly. Mr. Cooper cocked his head and glanced at the man sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed, sipping his wine. His body shook involuntarily, and beads of sweat slid down his forehead as his Adam’s apple bobbed up and down. He stretched out his hand, took