" Oh my god! Ellaya, are you alright? How did it happen?" Eva got up from her chair, yelled, ran, and grabbed Ellaya as she came into her office."Eva, I am fine. "Why are you so worried?" Twice, she fluttered her whip."You do not look good, Ella; do you need to see a doctor"? Eva grabbed her phone to call a doctor."I am fine, Eva, don't worry. She squeezed Eva's hand."Before you say you are alright, take a look in the mirror". Being hauled into the bathroom and placed in front of the mirror, Ellay turned to face the woman, who did not look like herself at all because of her disheveled hair, pale skin, and clothes covered in blood. "How did you end up like this?" With a shake of her head,she said. "It is not mine. "It is not my blood," she thought of someone, her face concerned."Whose, then?" Eva narrowed her eyes."Someone attacked me".Eva did not respond for a brief moment."What? Who and why did they attack you?" "Are you going to spill all the beans now?" Eva offered her
"Ellaya ". Eva jolted her out of her reverie. "Oh, what? I am sorry , can ..can we go inside and talk". Embarrassed, Ellaya pivoted on her heels and headed for her office. "Could you please change the crew members? Miss Stone, or don't want me to continue shooting?" After setting her pricey bag down on the couch, Mia hunches over. You want me to replace every member of the crew. Ellaya raised her eyebrows, rubbed her forehead. Pulling out her lipstick, Mia said, "Yes, please." "Can you explain why you want us to change the entire crew?" Ellaya asked, glancing at Eva. "They are useless; they cannot even pull off a romantic scene and expect me to behave in a certain way." Mia stopped her hand from putting on lipstick. "The plot is perfect. Mia, you do not have to use your brain". Eva expressed herself. "Is there someone who can clarify for me what you are discussing?" Eva attempted to explain the plot. "ML kissed FL and thought she was someone else in confusion. After
"It's beautiful." While sprinting along the beach in her white bikini, Mia shouted, "I am wasting my time here; make sure before signing any contracts with them the next time; they do not care about other people's time." . Ellaya yelled. causing wrinkles to form around her eyes and her lips to droop. Playfully giving her a hug, Eva said, "Hey, chill, it's been a long time since you took a vacation. This is a good opportunity to enjoy your time. New Zealand is beautiful, isn't it?" "A vacation is not necessary at this time; I hope this charity event ends soon and I can go back."When Mr. Ruan shows up, they immediately begin the event." Eva threw a sunscreem's tube at Ellaya, perching on the recliner, "Is he not supposed to be here a day before yesterday?" she caught the tube."He apologized for keeping you here, but something in the company needed his attention."Ellaya pressed her lips together, remaining silent. Feeling exposed under a cover-up, she turned to look around at two
She was in the car before she realized what had happened. She peered around, unable to determine where the car was traveling. She glanced at the man behind the wheel; his shirt's two buttons were open, exposing his bronze skin, and his sleeves were folded up and the necktie hanging loose. He looked sexy as hell. She was not feeling admiring his appearance, though."Stop, stop the car, stop it right now." She shrieked.He gave her another quick glance but did not respond as he continued to focus on the road. His jaw clenched, Ellaya failed to understand his reaction."Why did you kill him? You killed him." She sobbed. "He is not dead", Iden spoke now."Why did you hit him? He was innocent and had not done anything wrong." "He wasn’t innocent Ellaya, he touched you inappropriately"."He was just helping me, he wasn't..." Her tears were so intense that she could not finish the sentence."Kissing you, helping you, yeah!" With gritted teeth, he spoke.She looked at him, not sure what to
She wanted to call Eva to tell her everything, she was pacing back and forth in the room, robbing her hands, but she realized she had left her phone at the hotel. “ohh god! The news must have reached New York; God, they must have been dying from anxiety." "My mother would kill me if she found out that I had left the hotel with a man. She never wanted me to be in a relationship, especially not this quickly. Please, please, help me". She sat for a while on the bed, wondering how she would explain the situation to her." Don’t get me wrong My mother simply does not trust those around me because she believes I am still young and men will exploit me for money." she stood up again."This insane man look terrifying; what if I spoke to him again and he killed me? No, I do not want to die so soon." Talking to herself was one of her innate habits."Okay, I am going; I know I need to talk to him." Looking up, she made the cross sign and opened her room door. She emerged from her room after sp
"Who else is meant to be present? " he asked passing the plate of pasta ."The employees and security you mentioned, that is". She spoke while taking a bite."They will be here by tomorrow morning. I was supposed to bring you here tomorrow, only if not... it is because of that jerk..." he bit hard on the fork."He wasn't kissing me". She tried to explain again."Do not tell me he was helping you, Ellaya." He slapped the table, startling her."Something had gotten into my eyes, and he was helping me get it out. He was not kissing". She spoke scared, looking down at her plate.After what seemed like an eternity, with his eyes fixed on her face, he said, "Eat."After dinner, Ellaya sat on the couch and looked at nothing in particular. She had never shared a room with a man or been away from her people before. His deep voice startled her as he said, "Want to have a drink?" He was enjoying a drink in one hand and a cigar in the other as he sat at the home bar. She had seen a lot of men, b
Lost in contemplation, Ellaya turned around and walked out of the kitchen, stumbling over the human wall, tripped and fell between powerful arms. When she lifted her head, the man in front of her was just as amazing as he had been the night before. He appeared young and charming, his damp hair cascading over his forehead. His well-defined body muscles were accentuated by the t-shirt he wore, which fit like a second skin. She caught a glimpse of herself in the window reflection. Swallow eyes, disheveled hair, pale makeup from the previous evening. She did not get a wink of sleep last night. She could not stop thinking about his touch and kisses. She was thrilled, but she was also hurt."Why are you blushing, princess?" His comment broke her train of thought. "I..I am ..am not blushing". She felt her heart in her throat and blushed. Why did this keep happening to her every time he got close to her? She was always so nervous. The more she tried to free herself, the harder she pull
Sitting on the mezzanine, Iden's eyes were fixed on the woman performing his favorite songs and dancing on stage. Even though he had heard the songs numerous times, he had never been curious about the singer. He had always thought the song's singer might be an adult, quiet woman. However, he never would have guessed that the woman known as a rock star was singing the languid and melancholic tunes that he could listen to over and over. She was equally as beautiful as her enchanted voice. James had repeatedly reminded him that he had meetings to attend, but he had long since forgotten about them since he was preoccupied with the woman on stage.James told him, "Boss Kaito wants to talk to you." "Ask him to call back later." He spoke with his gaze fixed on the woman on stage. "Boss, there is an urgent matter." He said it once more.Reluctantly, Iden got up and walked out of the room.After several hours, Ellaya sat and massaged her sore arms and neck while sipping water."Miss Stone,
It had been weeks since Ellaya woke up. Though her physical injuries were healing, she seemed to be a shadow of her former self. She had shut herself off completely, retreating into a silent world where no one could reach her. Iden never brought up Uncle Richard, and she didn’t seem inclined to talk about him either. Their unspoken agreement to avoid the topic only deepened the growing chasm between them. Iden rarely visited the hospital, but when he did, he lingered outside her door, never stepping in for more than a brief glance. The once vibrant and animated Ellaya sat on the hospital bed one sunny morning, staring out of the window. The sunlight poured in, illuminating her frail figure. She had lost so much weight that her clothes hung loosely on her, and the dark circles under her eyes revealed the sleepless nights she endured. Her hands rested idly in her lap, motionless, and her lips trembled faintly, as though she wanted to speak but had forgotten how. Iden had seen many
Iden walked in, hands shoved deep in his pockets, his eyes darting between Ellaya’s face and the man sitting on her bed. His footsteps were slow and deliberate. His expression was cold, void of any emotion, as always. The man’s gaze tracked Iden with narrowed eyes and a stoic demeanor. Iden paused near him, then turned to look at Ellaya, who seemed transfixed on her husband, like a deer caught in headlights. “Will you not introduce me to him, puppet?” the man asked, his voice dripping with condescension, a grin plastered across his face. Iden chewed the word puppet under his breath as his brows knitted. As if jolted from a trance, Ellaya flinched at his words and shifted her gaze from the Iden to man then again, man to Iden . “He… is Iden he... is my h... husband,” she stammered, licked her dry lips, her voice shaking, tears glistening in her eyes. Iden observed her with a mix of curiosity and concern. He had seen every expression on her face, but never fear—now, she looke
Iden leaned back, a devilish grin spreading across his face, eyes sparkling with malice. “This is for thinking about my woman the wrong way, Alex,” he sneered, his voice smooth yet laced with venom. “And for the girls whose lives you ruined.” Alex's breath quickened, panic flaring in his chest as he clutched his neck, feeling the warmth of the poison seeping into his veins. “You son of a bitch,” he gasped, desperation coursing through him. “You can kill me, but not him. He would never let her go, never.” His voice faltered, each word strained as the poison began to tighten its grip. Iden froze for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he locked onto Alex. Kai and Annabel spun around, concern etched across their faces. Iden moved in close, gripping Alex's hair tightly, forcing him to look up. “Who is he?” His voice was low and menacing, a growl that sent shivers down the spine. Alex, however, just grinned defiantly through the pain, his eyes sparkling with defiance. Iden lifted him
Annabel twirled the pendrive between her manicured fingers, a sly smile curving her lips as she leaned closer. “Is this what you were talking about, sweetheart?” she purred, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. She crouched down, her fingers brushing against Alex's cheek, sending a shiver down his spine. Alex’s eyes widened in disbelief, a storm brewing within him. “Fucking bitch,” he growled, his voice low and menacing. Anger radiated off him like heat waves, and he clenched his fists, knuckles turning white. “I knew you were a fucking traitor! I knew you were just putting on an act to get close to me.” A cruel laugh escaped him, echoing around them, sharp and bitter. “I should have killed you after I… after I fucked you that night.” He paused, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air, his chest heaving with rage. “But wait, it was my damn mistake. I wanted to kill both of you together.” His eyes fixated on the pendrive again, narrowing suspiciously as if it he
The hand under his trembled slightly, her eyelashes flicked. Iden's body stiffened, rigid, and his heart throbbed violently. He clenched his hand, his eyes focused on her. Her eyes weren't focused, but she slowly opened them and tried to say something. "Laaya," he whispered. Finally, the tear he had been holding back fell down his cheeks, and he didn't even realize it. "Iden," she spoke softly. Her eyes were still not focused and fluttered twice before she finally shut them again. "Ellaya," he called out, his voice laced with panic. The doctors rushed in. "She... she just opened her eyes," he said anxiously, gently rubbing her hand. "Don't worry, Mr. Ruan. She's out of the coma now," the doctor reassured him. Iden exhaled deeply, nodding silently, his gaze fixed on her pale face and the steady rise and fall of her breaths. Every passing moment felt like agony to him. Guilt, a sensation foreign to him until now, gnawed at his insides, tormenting him with every breath. At
Iden returned to the hospital, his clothes clean and looking noble and handsome, as if the accident meant nothing and was just a passing moment. But the scrapes on his knuckles hinted at a fierce battle he had fought, as if he had gone through hell and back. He pushed open the door, and the sight still stung his eyes, hurting him like hell. His footsteps were light on the floor as he approached her bedside. Sitting down beside her, his fingertips touched her. She was pale and warm against his skin, still unconscious, still in a coma. He caressed her cheeks, noting the bandages on her head and the faint marks of several small cuts. "I am sorry, princess. I should have done better," he whispered, his voice cracking with sheer emotion. He had beaten the shit out of the person who caused her condition, but the flame in his heart still burned fiercely, and he knew why. If only he had not allowed her to sit in the car and wait for her death. If only he had never left. But he knew th
Ellaya was taken to the emergency room, leaving Iden waiting outside, surrounded by doctors and nurses. He was injured and still bleeding but was hell-bent on not getting treated until he was sure she was mended. "Iden, you need to wrap up your wound first," Annabel said, clasping his shoulder and squeezing lightly to ground his lost soul. Iden sat on a chair, his fingers clasped together, head hung low, legs spread apart. His shirt was dyed with red and dark blood, not only his. He was amidst a quest for revenge, yet here he was, tortured by the woman he sought vengeance upon. His eyes flicked toward the operating room, and his fingers tightened. His lips stretched in a straight line, and his eyes were bloodshot. The cold metal gate stared back at him as if mocking him. Inside, Ellaya was surrounded by doctors and nurses. Each moment stretched like an eternity, piercing him like a knife cutting through his very soul. Kaito stood in the corner, arms folded, eyes fixed on his brothe
Iden gently lifted Ellaya out of the wreckage, holding her close as he carried her away from the burning car. Ellaya felt delicate and weightless in his arms, her skin warm to the touch. Despite the searing heat from the flames, Iden pressed on without hesitation. His sole purpose was to ensure Ellaya's safety. Ellaya, can you hear me?" he gasped, his voice trembling with fear and anxiety as he hurried to a safe distance, Annabel right beside him. His heart raced in his chest as he rushed away from the burning wreckage, holding Ellaya close. Each step felt like a race against time, every movement fueled by desperation and a fierce resolve to save her. Ellaya's body seemed so delicate and weightless in his arms, her skin radiating warmth against his own. Her eyes fluttered open for a moment, meeting his gaze with a hint of recognition before gently closing again. "Stay with me, Ellaya," he murmured, his words thick with emotion. "Please, stay with me." Tears welled up, clouding
Sitting rigidly in the car, Ellaya watched in horror as her husband, holding her best friend, jumped out, leaving her utterly alone in the speeding vehicle. Her face lost all color, and her body shivered uncontrollably. Tears streamed down her cheeks like raindrops, and her grip tightened around the car seat as fear crept into her bones, sending chills down her spine. Her fingers trembled as she grabbed the handle of the car door, contemplating jumping out to save her own life. But as if something shifted within her, she dropped the idea. She retreated, folding her legs to her chest and hugging them tightly, hiding her face between her knees as if shielding herself from impending harm. She felt cold and numb, her mind unable to process anything but her past—her abusive and manipulative parents, her struggles in childhood to live a normal life, her desperate craving for parental love, and then Iden, who had entered her life like a sweet melody. Everything had seemed surreal at th