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18. Making Decisions
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Gemma has been calling me while I have been rejecting her calls, and mom has been scolding me for it.
"She's worried about you, she said he has been looking for you. Now, I don't know who's the he that Gemma was talking about. But I don't have to guess that he's the man who broke your heart. Darling, talk to her?"
I sighed and finally nodded.
"Okay, I'll call her tonight."
"What? Why? She just arrived." Mom smiled wickedly.
I have been ignoring Gemma's call, thinking that I'll explain everything once I get back. But I didn't expect that she decided that she need to hassle me by coming to my parents'.
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Stalking The Author 19. Out with it
Gemma decided to give me privacy with Brice by getting back hours after me. I was antsy when I arrived back at our apartment and quickly took a long shower then put on my makeup.More concealer under the eyes, crying every damn night has its downside. I was wearing my jeans and my most comfortable sweatshirt. I was feeling like shit, it was the best look I can pull off for him and I was done lying.It was exactly eight in the evening when the front door buzzed. My hands were sweaty and I could feel the warmness in my eyes, my tears were threatening to fall when I took a deep breath and told myself to get it over with."Come on Ella, the sooner the better," I said to myself as I walked to the door.Nothing can prepar
Stalking The Author 20. Feeling like shit
"Ella honey, it's been almost two months."Jacqueline was getting frustrated with me, while Gemma was being ignorant. She was letting me be, as long as I was not suicidal. She kept on saying to Jacqueline and Benji that people deal with their issues in their own way.That's how sweet Benji was hands-off and decided to keep on cooking, turns out that my stress was giving him more stress that he decided to keep on cooking and send out the excess food to the homeless shelter.My hands were moving on their own, continuing to slap strokes of grey on the large canvas.Two months into my depression, I was actually making money from my paintings and I have decided to move to the apartment next door to Gemma which recently became available.It's a smaller one-bedroom apartment with a great living room space for my studio. I love Gemma, I love living with her, but I didn't want to disrupt her vibe because I've been different since Brice and I don't think I can change back to the old me.I think
Stalking The Author 21. Honey bun bun
It was my first day out of the apartment, everyone was very proud of me. My first solo exhibition, I was there as a thank you to Trisha and Brenton. Everyone was there, Gemma, Benji, Jacqueline, mom, dad, and even my twin brothers.They were hoping that I would talk, but all were just happy that I was out of my apartment. There was a man who was supposed to do an article about me, but Brenton was by my side and told him that I was inspired by the Tibetan monk and said it's part of my journey as an artist to not say a word. I squeeze his hand as a thank you, his wife, Nicolette hugged me and told me she's very proud of me.The turnout was better than expected, strangers were admiring my paintings, Trisha and her people were busy explaining about the paintings. I was introduced and people seemed to like it more that I was not talking. They seemed to like that I'm a weird artist. Small dot stickers were put on the wall next to the sold paintings, champagne and hors d'oeuvres were circula
Stalking The Author 22. Love of my life
Brice's POV"Brice, you look like shit. You need to get it together. It's been months already," Clara my agent who's also acting as my mom commented on my current well-being.My real mom was nowhere to be seen since I was eighteen and she decided that I was able to stand on my own, and more so was my dad who's never been there for me my whole life. My life has been a whole bunch of screw-ups until I started writing and somehow years later, after too many minimum wage jobs, Clara picked out my work from her random piles and decided that I was going to be the next bestseller author.My life has been a series of failures, disastrous mess, one thing after another. It has never been easy for me, except for my writing career. It was making me rich, but unhappy and somehow unfulfilled. I thought losing my fiancée was my breaking point. But somehow, Ella, the stalker beauty was pulling me down to another level.If my state that of mind can be a measurement, then my very dark short writings we
Stalking The Author 23. Grasping straws
I could feel him beside me, last night was a bit of a blur but it was coming back to me. My brothers, my honey bun bun then the argument."Hey..." I greeted him when he shifted in his sleep. The handsome man was sleeping in the chair looking uncomfortable as hell with his right arm braced with the sling. I didn't expect to see him after last night, but he stayed, he must've snuck in after my brothers go back home."Good morning," he opened his eyes, put his glasses back on, and kissed my forehead gently like I was made of glass."What time is it?" I tried to get up to get a better look at the clock, but he put his hand on mine and told me it was still seven in the morning."I need to get up, my doctor..."Brice took the remote and raised the bed then arranged the pillow under me, lifting my backside, positioned me to sit comfortably."Is it true?" he cut my words while caressing my cheek and helping me with a glass of water.One moment he looked relieved that I was okay, the next he l
Stalking The Author 24. Settling in
Two days later I was released from the hospital after the doctor assessed my health, both physically and mentally."I'm still not in agreement with you going back to your place," Brice muttered as he helped me with my overnight bag."Percy and Grady will camp on your apartment building, no... they'll move in on the same floor,""I owned the whole floor," the famous author cut my words, he didn't faze and reminded me that he was too damn rich for neighbors."Won't matter, they'll move into the nearest proximity and protect me like guard dogs, my place is better. They won't bother me there."I still couldn't believe that we're bickering like a couple and the last couple of months were forgotten, easily.Though I still remembered the day I woke up and he was there, begging for my forgiveness, and an hour later we were back together. But after that the awkwardness was gone, he had seen me at my worst, we have endured months of guilt, pain, and broken hearts."One month, I'm giving them on
Stalking The Author 25. Hectic life
The next day Brice leaves my apartment just after breakfast saying that he has a meeting with his agent, then Gemma waltz into my apartment just seconds after him, her face didn't look so friendly."So, just like that...you're back with him?""Gemma, please don't do this..." I know she was not pleased that I took him back so easily."What caring for you? looking out for you? what if he decides to ditch you again? for god's sake Ella, you're not even a stalker, you're just a fan, a very devoted fan maybe. But you don't follow him around and wait for him in some dingy corner." Gemma stared at me in frustration making me feel bad."It's his past Gemma, I told you,""I know, but what I'm trying to say is be careful.""I will."She sighed knowing there's nothing that would change my decision about Brice. Maybe I was a fool, hell...maybe I'm such a masochist for his love."Promised?" she raised her pinky like we were back in elementary, keeping each other's crush a secret."Promised." I smi
Stalking The Author 26. Watched
"Hey,"It was just after five when he knocked on my door. Benji and Jacqueline didn't come by that day, and Gemma was doing overtime at work. His timing couldn't be better as I was feeling lonely after I got back from the gallery."Hmm...I've missed you," I wrapped my hands to the back of his neck and pulled him inside my apartment.The playful little kisses turn hot in seconds, we haven't done much intimate stuff since we get back together. His arm was still hurt and I was still taking everything slow.But looking at him made me realize how much I've missed him. I was feeling his kisses, returning the same vigor towards him, moaning his name, and shamelessly pressed my body flat to his and directed him towards my bedroom. My new bedroom without any of his drawings, not even his books. The thought of that made my chest heave which he mistakenly thought for being horny.Meh..."God, you're so sexy, baby." His healthy hand slipped under my blouse and took off my top. My pants followed w
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Stalking The Author 46. Epilogue
Six months later"We owe this to your family Ella, I know we decided to elope over the weekend. But now everyone is pissed at us, and my phone hasn't stopped buzzing. I'm just going to let the battery die, Clara and my PR team has gone crazy as if I needed their permission to get married." My honey bun bun looked agitated, and I smiled though I felt sorry for him. He looked adorably cute when he's upset, call me selfless but I feel like I need to climb him and join the mile-low club once we landed, if there's such a club. If not, well...I can always make one."Baby, I know that look," he shook his head looking at my horny expression. Seriously, I hope he realized what he's in for the long run and does not regret tying the knot with me. Though it's a done deal now, I smirked and weave his fingers with mine."We'll do it your way, if you feel the need to suck up to my parents and brothers then it's up to you. As long as I get to have you for the rest of my life." I bit my lip, looking a
Stalking The Author 45. When it's done
I slipped into his room after a quick shower, a change of clothes, and a cup of hot tea."Brice...oh my god. I can't believe you're here. You were gone, missing for days." I hugged, then I thought about any injuries that he might have then loosened my arms but he pulled me tighter in his embrace."Ella, baby, I'm so sorry to have made you worry about me." He cupped my face and kissed me, his glasses were on the side table, his eyes were glassy and my heartache thinking of the suffering that he had gone through."Not your fault, she got to you, but you're here now, that's all that matters," I whispered in his ear, assured him as he rest his head to the crook of my neck. It felt as if he was letting go of his burden, he leaned in and I held him close. I kept him close, engulfing him with my love. I was truly hoping we could put it all behind us and pull through from the horror we've been in. Days of worrying if he's dead or alive had drained my emotion and all I want is to be in his arm
Stalking The Author 44. The Unexpected
Two hours earlier...Percy's POV"Okay, we're going in. Jill, be on the lookout from your side."I have two men by my sides, guns on hands, one of the men brought his medical kit on his back just in case. I didn't like it when Jill told me that Grady was gone for some emergency situation I don't even know about. My gut was telling me that he should be with our baby sister, Ella."Yes, sir. Ella is stalling, confirmed, we're going in as planned."Her reply took me back to the current situation, we have been watching the house for almost an hour and waited for her to exit the premises. The house was empty aside from the infrared signature of one person we assumed was Brice, since he was not moving most likely subdued before she got out of the house.His retrieval was easy, the house was bare. There were no triggering switches that'll make the place explode if we accidentally trip them. Ann was no hitman after all, just one sick psycho stalker. But Brice was barely lucid, he was heavily
Stalking The Author 43. Giving in
"Ann, whatever you're planning, please don't do it." I kept on telling her though she kept on ignoring me.Damn it, what is taking them so long?Why haven't they caught up to us?I don't know how long, but it felt like hours until I saw a familiar black SUV from the rearview mirror. My heart was beating faster while I try to peel my eyes away from the other side of the road. I didn't want Ann to see that we're being followed and they're catching up to us.Finally!"Hey! what are you looking at?""Huh?" I turned to face her, putting my stupid face on, trying not to draw attention to the car meters away from us."I was telling you about how Brice likes my homemade cookies. Did you know he like chocolate chip cookies?" She proudly said and I just shook my head trying to let her get to the point, though I know there's none, knowing she's crazy already."I was going to bring you to him, kill you in front of him. I was going to prove to him that I'm better than you." Ann shrugged at me whil
Stalking The Author 42. Failing terribly
"Tell her, you're on your way, anything, just stall for ten more minutes," Jill instructed me to type a message to Ann's inbox. we were actually a block away from the town's public library. My doppelganger, Jill, said that their team was heading to Ann's place, and their footage showed that a car had left the premises."They need to search the place for Brice, we need her out of the house to make sure we find him. If he's not there, we need to find clues at her house to find Brice." Jill was the only one with me in the car, Grady got called out for an emergency at the office. Something about an important client who needs his expertise."Right." I bit my lip and started typing my lies then hit send. My heart was pounding so fast that my hand was shaking when I let go of my phone. Jill put her hand on mine and told me that everything is going to be okay. "You're with the best, Ella, we will find him.""I know you will, you have too. Oh, my god...it's all my fault, I know Ann. I should'v
Stalking The Author 41. Finding Ann
Where the hell are you Brice?Let's hope you get scared and stupid and now hiding away from me.That night when he didn't check up on me, I feel worried immediately. Though I've only known him for a couple of months, I could sense that there was something wrong with him. I tried calling him but got his voice mail instead. The next morning I called him again and went straight to voice mail. By then I started to get worried and insisted to my brothers that I was leaving my parents to go to his penthouse.Grady and Percy meet up with me at Brice's penthouse since they also couldn't reach his phone. They also brought a specialist to check his place out. I was fiddling with my phone, trying to contact him but for the hundredth time, I reached his voice mail instead.His bed was untouched, his fridge was still stocked with food. Even his laptop was there. There is no sign of forced entry, no sign of him leaving in a hurry, not even an indication that he was going to leave his penthouse for
Stalking The Author 40. Kidnapped
Brice's POVI wake up with a feeling of heavy nausea. The last thing I remembered was that I came back from business dinner with Clara where we were discussing about my new book progress and aligning the timetable with everything that Clara had going on for me.Where am I?I groaned when I felt my feet were lifeless, my head was pounding thinking what the fuck is wrong with me when I know for sure that I didn't even drink that much. My eyes were busy looking at my surroundings. My body felt so lethargic that tried my hardest to get up but failed miserably.What hell is happening to me? Why can't I move? Did someone drug me?The room looked clean and simple, the air was a bit damp and musty as if no one has been living here in a while. I was laying down in a clean queen size bed. The lighting was dimmed, and that's when I realized the room had no windows. Fear gets to me immediately and I try to call out but nothing came out. I tried again and finally, I can hear my voice though, my mo
Stalking The Author 39. Possessively Obsessed
Ann's POVThe moment I saw Brice walk with Ella to his car, I recognized that the woman was not her. The way she attached himself to Brice was too poised as if they were trying their best to look like a couple. The feeling didn't sit well with me, and that's when I saw it. Her eyes, they're too alert, as if she was looking out to her surrounding like a mouse ready to fight back."Damn it!" I cursed the second I realized that she was not Ella, and the real Ella had left town.Weeks earlier I'd spent days cursing, throwing stuff when I learned that Ella was being followed by bodyguards. Everywhere I follow her, she was never alone. Later on, I knew her twin brothers were putting security details on her. I shook my head trying to think hard on how to kill the bitch.Brice will be mine.Brice will be mine.Brice will be mine.I promised to myself, said the words over and over again, every time I reached a dead end. My nails were red from my nerves, I chew them when I get agitated with eac
Stalking The Author 38. Best of fan
Ann's POVStupid young love, I had fallen in love with him since I was in high school. One day Brice helped me when a group of mean girls bullied me. He told them to stop and never bother me again. After that day, I'd watch him as the hot senior, gazed from afar, hoping one day he would notice me. Again.School was never my thing, I had never been social, not with anyone. I was a loner who spends my time lurking, following the gorgeous man and watching how he mingles with his friends. Brice always looks so handsome. But I was more than happy just to be in his vicinity, carefully standing in the corner, always away from his line of sight.But my hope, my dream to be someone significant for Brice was crushed months later when my sister Summer met him and told me that she liked him.I was jealous of her while Brice didn't even notice me. Maybe because I always hide in the shadows, but honestly I was too afraid...afraid that he'd reject me. I doubt that he would recognize me. I cursed mys
