KELLAN'S POV
Driving through the busy streets of New York, I made my way to my company, BAES GROUP. It is a multi-purpose company that deals majorly in food and partnership with many other restaurants. Dad had taken over the company after his parent's death, a ‘family business' he called it. Something he had no interest in which had caused a lot of struggle in the company. Graduating with an MBA at the young age of twenty-five years, I took over from where he left it. The company's gross skyrocketed the first year I took charge of the business and Bae's group has become the highest-grossing company of all time, that has been the goal every year and I could say the risk of an international establishment many others were not financially able to make help after all it is a billion dollar company. Thinking of business expansion I remembered Sharon had talked about expansion to Africa at the hotel during the opening of Quings Jewelry, one of our partnerships. As I reached the company building, I parked my car in the private parking area and sauntered towards the entrance, welcoming the silence that descended at my entry. I nodded to the ‘good morning sir' greetings of my employees and the receptionist gave a seductive smile with her greetings, the same damn act with different women all the time. I entered the elevator and pressed the thirty-first-floor button. It used to be Dad's office before he handed things over. Only a few employees worked on this floor. Once on my floor, I stride towards my office greeting Mrs Rachel Williams with a smile. She's been working with Dad as a manager before I started here and is very hardworking, she is one of the few trusted persons. As I got near the door I stopped abruptly, the view in front of me giving me an instant headache. There were lots of flower bouquets placed near the waiting area of my office. “What is all this, Miss Shirley?"I asked, frowning at my employee who actually worked in the management department but right now had to work as my temporary Personal Assistant since I fired mine about a week ago. “Em.. sir..em the letters said they are well wishes from new partners and clients,” she replied stammering. I sighed, I still do not understand what some clients think sending flowers to my office will do.’Will that do the work or pay the bills?’ They all pegged down to matchmaking their slutty daughters. “And you do not know you should have cleared it before I arrived?" “This is the second time this week. Do I have to always repeat myself?" I barked.. the sight of the damn flowers giving me a headache already. “Clear the place, Shirley," I told her trying not to snap at her again, the scene stressing today out already. “Em...Sir...the letters??" “Give them to Mr..s Rechel ...she knows what to do with them,” I replied walking into my office. I listened to Shirley as she gave me details about today's schedule. I settled to begin today's already hectic work. I was going through some documents when my phone suddenly rang; I sighed, looking at the name that appeared on the now vibrating phone. Answering the call, I grinned at the caller's chirpy voice. “Good afternoon darling, How is today's work going?" My mum's voice sounded as cheerful as always. “Fine Mom and I think I'm worried you are straining the purpose of your calling" “Kellan I didn't raise you to be this cold, I'm only checking on my baby. James, your son is being mean to me,” she said, reporting me to dDad I could imagine Dad giving her a head Pat. She spends so much time with Mrs. Brooke and they influence each other damn too much. Whining seems to be the new method now. Leaning back on my wheel on a leather chair to relax for the short drama. “I love you Mom" I replied into the phone speaker. “Really??” Without waiting for my reply she continued “Of course I know you do, which is why you should not forget the reservation," She said, I knew that was the purpose of her calling from the onset. She and Mrs. Brooke had planned a date for Olivia and me. “Hmm...an Italian restaurant fits perfectly. So, you should take her to BELLS. I heard she's trying out new recipes you know she could give you reviews about the dishes,” She added. “Mom these dishes are prepared by professional chefs, now tell me what review a high school graduate could give?" I asked. “A high schooler you say?" she shouted. “Our dear Livia will be a graduate in four years. I know I raised you better than to look down on people.” If I do not know better, anyone could convince me that my mother got her PhD in blackmailing rather than Art. One thing I have learned over the years is not to argue with a determined woman, like my dear mother and her dear partner, Eva Brooke, they sure are trained to poke where it hurts. “Okay mum, a five-star Italian restaurant noted. Dishes review, noted. Anything else ?"I asked “Treat her well and have fun,” she replied. I hear Dad chuckling in the background, my poor old man. “Go back to work boy,” Dad said into the phone. “OK. Bye mum, bye dad.” I said before my mum hung up the phone. Giving another heavy sigh I went back to the documents I was reading, eager to finish the files before Sharon arrived. Sharon Bliss has been my girlfriend for the past four years. We had met at a gala during the opening of a new restaurant branch in Texas. The relationship has been going smoothly all thanks to her. She fits perfectly well with me, a poor living girl who struggled to become successful, a now renewed actress and model for the most successful brands. The first time we were spotted on a date Mom had taken an instant dislike to the news. Sharon was born with no silver spoon she had worked hard the past years to get to the very top. I have always envisioned a career and mature woman for relationships and not a nineteen-year high school graduate still unsure of what she wants and comes with lots of baggage. What was Brooke's thinking, adopting an adult all for marriage? To say she rubs off everyone in the family is insane. Mom becomes mother hen with her. I looked up as the accounting head of my company, Peter, entered the office. “I specifically asked you to prepare the presentation by twelve and it's three now, where is it" I asked him as he shifted in his seat uncomfortably and cleared his throat. “I… I am almost done" he said, not looking at my eyes directly because he knew I knew he was lying. He was nowhere near finished with the presentation and it was obvious from his face getting pale with each second. “Why didn't you do it yet, you had two whole days to work on it". I asked him, trying to calm myself down as much as I could. “I'm sorry sir. I will submit the presentation very early tomorrow morning,” he said. I gave him a warning glare and he took it as a cue to leave. After attending to all my schedules for the day, it was already 5 pm. I relaxed into my office seat and closed my eyes. A notification popped up on my phone making me open my eyes to check the notifications. I saw a message from Dad, reminding me of the date with Livia. “Shit,” I muttered. I completely forgot about the date. I immediately rushed out of my office and instructed Shirley to make a reservation at BeLLS restaurant for 6 pm and send the address to Olivia.OLIVIA P O VI had chosen a soft cashmere blended chive green dress that stopped just above the knees with intricate patterns that seemed to dance in a dimming light. The dress hugged the body delicately like a second skin paired with deep green heels.The makeup Artist mom hired had done what I could call a perfect job on the face. My hair was swept up elegantly, with a few tendrils escaping to frame my face, creating an image of a young, soft and beautiful woman.I stepped out of the cab at the restaurant in the address Kellan's secretary had sent me earlier. Not wanting to embarrass myself I knew I needed all the confidence I could to get through this dinner. I have been informed that dinner will be at six in the evening.I walked into the restaurant, my eyes immediately searching the busy yet quiet restaurant, taking in the appearances of the people, and I could not be more grateful to Mom for convincing me of my temptation to wear simple Jeans and a sweater.“Good evening, May I
KELLAN'S POV Not in the mood for my mother's snoopy attitude. I drove towards my penthouse after I dropped off Olivia.I parked my car only to notice the lights were on. In total confusion, I moved towards the entrance door, knowing there was no way it would be a bugler. Only two people had access to this penthouse, which was Sharon and me. I had also installed a top-notch security system, so if it was a person without access, I would have been notified.I opened the door to notice flowers scattered on the floor, following their trail to the dinner.“Surprise!” I turned around to see Sharon popping a Cheval Blanc white wine. “Aren't you supposed to be in Europe?” I asked, still in shock.“I believe this is where you hug and kiss me,” She said with her arms open.Laughing softly at her I pulled her to me and kissed her. I looked at the food varieties displayed on the dining table, mostly Vegetables.“Did you change your diet routine?"“Of course, yes, I did that for you," she said e
Olivia P O VA wedding is supposed to be a joyous occasion, a day to be celebrated, where two souls come together. Joined in holy matrimony. Bonded by vows to love and to cherish.I have always imagined something romantic despite the tug of survival I have passed through. A grand wedding, the prettiest, most expensive gowns, gorgeous heels that many brides would envy, a lovely veil to put any other veils to shame, and my handsome Prince Charming, my little fairy tale.But it was just that. A fantasy. A lovely one to dream of, but a fantasy nonetheless. Because my wedding was nothing short of a cruel reality.Everything is perfect just like how I imagined my wedding day“That’s it, Livia; remember, I am always on your side. You just do not see it yet because of this, and we understand you,” My mom said.My chest tightened as she walked to the bed and opened the box, revealing the white tulle veil custom-made by a popular designer. The train ran fifteen feet long with a lace design and
Olivia's POVI stood in that gaudy bedroom, my brain still echoing with the jollity of the reception. Before me stood that huge pile of silk and satin that more threatened to overwhelm than it welcomed. It was as if nothing was there in the room except the memories of the entire day: the fragrant posy on the dresser, the beautiful wedding dress I still wore—but nothing calmed me. Growing feelings of dread nibbled my insides.My eyes clung to the closed door, the one Kellan left without one glance toward me. A wash of sourness surged into my mouth at the thought of memories of cool detachment in his eyes—what I seemed to get for the whole day. I had hoped like some sort of fool that things would have been different tonight and maybe behind that closed door, he would finally show me a small piece of the affection that I so hungered to feel.I kept my ears tuned to the door, and then I couldn't move until Kellan was inside. His expression was, as usual, clean. He never turned around at m
KELLAN’S POVI sat on the very edge of my bed. The quiet of this room slammed into me like it physically was. That framed wedding photo on my nightstand seemed to mock me, Olivia and I smiling at the camera, caught in that moment, in a bald-faced lie. In the very eyes that had been on mine, the eyes in the portrait, the eyes which on the last night late had looked at me at the sight of a word, the very same dumb petition, for an unrequitable something, sprang at me afresh. I hunched forward, elbows on my es, running a hand through my hair. It was a complete bloody sham of this marriage that I detested. The door of the room creaked open. I didn't have to raise my head and look up to see who that was. The moms can walk into a house without making a single noise, silent as a ghost. I recognized the smell of her perfume before she spoke—jasmine and something sharp, like floral arrangement liquor, which was her very own, just as her diverged and fixed hair.She murmured it again, "Kellan,
Kellan's POVI woke from my sleep, a small sound of breath at my ear, light sifting through blinds into the room casting a faint mute glow. Sharon lay asleep beside me. Her dark hair fanned over the pillow, her arm laying loose across my chest. I was still lying, staring at the ceiling and thinking over all that had happened during the last few days. Dimly, I remembered last night, hot discussions, and then Sharon's bedroom. Anything but to feel the sordid reality of my life.I peeked over at the nightstand. 7:30 a.m. My phone was vibrating a little as it bumped up against the bedside table, a few quick pulses. I inched over, still careful over Susan, and looked at the message. It was from Mom: *Kellan are you coming home today? Your father wants to go over the strategy of our business for the next quarter.*My jaw tightened, old anger coming from somewhere down deep. They never let up, did they? Yesterday, so heavy with atmosphere, and yet today they wanted me to knuckle down, to pl
As I came out of the study, I felt a rush of adrenaline. I knew I played my cards perfectly. I gave them enough that they would be satisfied all the while keeping my agenda. I am not that puppet anymore that they take me for. I have Sharon, and now I have a plan.I thanked him and he moved one step across the threshold down the hall, and it was as if a weight did come off my shoulders in the truest sense. It was so quiet inside the mansion, it was almost unbearable. I realized I was alone. Not that I cared. I would be gone soon enough and whatever tension lay between us would stay behind for the length of the trip. This was as much peace as I was going to get. I walked inside to the sound of a soft voice coming from behind me."Kellan?"I stopped, shutting my eyes for just a second to ward off frustration, then turned back around. Olivia still stood at the end of the hallway, her arms locked over her chest in uncertainty, almost vulnerable, and my nerves received the smallest nip of
“Think we're going to have time to hit the Eiffel, huh?" I said, closing the case, wishing I was packing more enthusiasm with those words than I was for real feeling. I mean, I am very lost in the city. But then again, this is Paris—love's city.Kellan continued to peck out at the keys, sending the message home. "Ehh, we'll see about that," he said, not too convinced. "I'm not that into tourist stuff."A weak smile crossed my face as I brushed off the sting of disappointment. "I get you. Maybe we should just relax there, make the most out of the suite, and be alone with each other."The silence was nearly an entity of its own: thick, heavy, and very much there as he said nothing. Try as I might, with every click and swallow, Kellan was my husband through and through. Something just kept that damn tiny flicker of hope alive in my chest.As we climbed down the stairs, I met Kellan's parents smiling at us at the bottom of the stairs.Kellan's mom pulled me into a hug. “Make sure you have