Harold's POV.I was pretty mad.Just kidding, I was furious.I only ever got like this in my life for certain reasons. One included Brittany and trying to get me to do things she knew or maybe didn't know that I would never do for her.Like asking my parents or convincing them that she sorta needed an engagement party of her own once Matilda and Damien's wedding was over.Like, what the fuck for?I couldn't help asking while trying to keep myself from lashing out at her. She said our engagement had not been official since it happened when we were young and she needed a stupid party to take herself feel special.I knew what she was doing. she was trying to play herself into my home and I got the gist. I just didn't think that she was desperate. I mean, she had waited for this long. Couldn't she wait a few years longer?I doubted that. Moreover, I doubted that my parents would want us to wait that long too. Most especially my mum and not with everything that had gone wrong between us.
Riella's POV.The air was thick with tension. Thick running tension as Harold stared at me with hooded eyes, gaze lowered and eye fucking me in what I had on. It wasn't that he didn't respect me enough cos I knew he did.It was just that when he'd asked me to come with him, I didn't think it was because he was trying hard to resist me. I didn't know that it was taking a toll on him.“Come here,“ His husky voice warmed me up. Without warning, his hands curled around my waist and pulled me closer to flush against his chest. The action made me gasp but he moaned in delight like he was having a field day.Which I was sure he was.“You don't know how long I've been holding back, do you?“ His mouth was dangerously close to my nape so as he spoke, I couldn't help shivering at the close contact.“Harold, we shouldn't.“ I called, holding out my hand. If anything were to happen between us, I would hate for it to be termed a mistake.I'd really do.He didn't respond, he just groaned a little in
Riella's POVI moved around the room, a light smile on my face as I held out my Champagne flute in our hand. At first, my gaze flickered around the large hall trying to catch a glimpse of Carolyn somewhere anywhere.But I didn't.The room was too crowded. Yep, plenty of people showed up for Matilda and Damien's wedding but even the amount of people didn't measure up to the large space they were occupying.The event planners had gone all out to give this a blast.And a blast it was.I held out my long-flowing bride's maid dress; a lilac tunic dress that ambled down to my feet, covering my shoes and hugging my curves. It was the perfect bridesmaid's dress and I was so in love with it.I sighed before ambling across the room in search of my best friend. The reception party was nearly over but lots of people were still around, gathering in small cliques and discussing business.Yeah, this was a love gathering but it didn't matter to the people, the guest who I mostly was aware of in the c
Harold's POV.I glared hard at the skinny lady tangled up in my sheets, head resting on the pillow as she slept soundly.Brittany.I had no freaking idea what she was doing here. I didn't expect her to show up at the party yesterday. We spoke a few days before the wedding and she told me she wasn't finished with her shoot, so she wouldn't be able to make it.She sounded sincere, asking me to explain things to Matilda for her. I was only too happy to relay the news. Although they weren't all that close, Matilda was still a bit sad about her not turning up for her wedding, she didn't say anything.What I however hadn't expected was for her to make an appearance at the party yesterday.I had been dancing with Pen before Vince came along, and glared at me which I laughed at. I had just joined my mum and dad where they were standing, talking to some business associate when she sauntered in with her usual style; making a show as per usual.“Brittany, ” Mum had called, being more than please
Riella's POV.I twirled my fork gently in my hands, eyes fixated on the cheese that stared back at me in the face. Carolyn had gone all out to make dinner; macaroni and cheese. She didn't like to cook, so, it was such a grand gesture to have her do this.I however wasn't feeling the meal. I was trying hard not to bend over my toilet sink and retch everything I had consumed out of my system. The offer was so tempting and I knew if I didn't kill the thoughts now, it would be fate all night long.“Ella, ” Carolyn called softly, reaching forward to touch my fingers. She took my hand in hers, caressing it softly. It was then I realized I had tears streaming down my cheeks.I was bitter.Heartbroken.“Ella, come on.” Carolyn nudged me as she pushed the plate out of the way before inching closer to wrap her hands around me. Winter barked and wagged its tail at the same time the tears came running down.I hated to feel this way.I didn't want to feel this way.The last time I had felt this br
Riella's POV.I eased myself further into the tub, feeling my body being warmed up with the warm water and floating bubbles. Since I had been awake for a while, way before my alarm sounded, I decided to have a bath.So, here I was drinking in the silence and sinking further and further into my large bathtub while I did nothing but stare.I didn't know how long I sat there, enjoying my silence and peace and tranquility until the water went cold and the bubbles disappeared. I stepped out of the tub looking refreshed and clean while I wrapped my large towel around me.I wiped my body dry before putting on my lingerie. I creamed and picked my outfit. Unlike most times, I already had an outfit selected. It was just a black sleeveless dress that stopped on my knees. I paired this with a black wedge shoe. I didn't bother to do much on my face and I packed my dark hair into a high ponytail. Afterward, I stood in front of my mirror and stared at my reflection. The usual spark in my eyes was
Harold's POV.I exhaled and shifted my chair to the back and got on my feet. I grabbed my phone and bobbed my head to the side, quietly asking Riella to grab the files.The board meeting ended just a few minutes ago and It was just as exhausting and tiring as I knew it to be. It had been even more tedious because the company just developed a new product which we tried to get the board members' attention to.It wasn't like there was much they could do. I called the shots and they followed. Nothing more and nothing less than that.I walked quietly toward my office, noting that Riella was just behind me. She was so quiet that I wouldn't have guessed she was walking behind me if it wasn't for the click-clack of her heels.Usually, after moments like this, she would gloat about a few things she noticed at the meeting or who we were meeting next. Or ask me if I was ready to have my lunch.She was doing none of that.She was just quiet. I knew I had caused that. I hadn't even said a proper w
Harold's POV.I stormed into my office, almost banging the door in her face if she hadn't held onto the handle quickly. I wouldn't have cared if it hit her but I wasn't a beast.I pulled at my tie to release the hold on my neck. Brittany stood at the door watching me as I paced about.“What the fuck was that, Tany?” I snapped, angry with what she had done. I hated it when she did that. And now, Riella was at the receiving end.“What? You are going to support me outside and then come in here to scold me?” She leaned against the door, her black body con dress clinging to her skin.She scoffed when I cussed. “What a perfect husband.” She mocked me and I lost it.“You don't have any right, any right at all to treat her that way, Brittany. You shouldn't have said any of that to her. She was just doing her job.” I yelled, not having it.“Her job?” She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right.” She moved away from the door, walking toward me with her bag.“What's that supposed to mean?” I n
FIVE YEARS LATER.I hummed with a smile as I fixed my earrings to my ear properly. They were dropping and very long but they were also very expensive. A Christmas gift courtesy of my husband. I grabbed the cherry lip gloss on the vanity table and applied it to my lips. I smacked my lips together, pursed it, and posed in front of the mirror. I looked good. The red velvet dress I was wearing with the plunging V- neckline and long sleeves that were adorned with lace trimmings were so beautiful. I had my hair packed into a messy bun, leaving the fringes out while a pretty gold necklace lay on my neck.I did a spin and blew a kiss at my reflection. While I packed up my make-up items, the door to the room opened and my husband strolled in. He walked over and wrapped his hands around my waist. I leaned back and let him kiss my lips.“You look breathtaking,” he breathed and I beamed. Even after all these years, compliments had a way of soaking me in.I turned around and placed my hands on e
Riella's POV.Harold managed to get me to the hospital. He didn't even let me go home, he just asked that Damien drive us to the hospital, and as for Carolyn, she stayed glued to me while still sobbing about how this was her fault.Harold came through when I least expected it. It was the moment when I'd given up hope that I was never going to see him again. When I was very sure that I would never see any of them again, they came through. And I was very grateful. “How did you guys find me?” I asked as I leaned on Harold while he wrapped his hands around me.Carolyn smiled and leaned forward. Her hand gently reached out and stroked the necklace still hanging around my neck while watching me.“I put a jewelry detector.” She replied smugly and my eyes widened.“Wow,” I was honestly shocked, I didn't expect it.“I had a feeling that something could go wrong after you told me that day. I just wanted to ensure that you were going to be safe if anything were to go wrong.” She explained and
Harold's POV.My eyes widened and I went pale as soon as the line went dead in my hands. She was screaming. The bloody bastard had hit her. He was making her cry. He was hurting her. I tried to dial the cell again but it ended right on the spot.“I'm going to kill that bastard with my bare hands, ” George fumed as he paced about the room. I swallowed and shoved my phone into my pocket, swallowing up my emotions. Now was not the time for me to dwell or fume. I had to contain my emotions properly to keep a straight head. I still had time to kill the bastard.Turning around, my gaze landed on my parents. They were talking in hushed tones, looking all worried but I knew it was not because of Ella. It was a whole lot more of things that I wasn't even ready to listen to. My eyes darted away from them over to the siblings trying to talk their Mum from coming after me or whatever she intended to do with how much she was watching me.I sighed and started to walk over to her when Noel's voice
Riella's POV.I slowly regain consciousness, feeling groggy and disoriented. My head felt like something heavy had been hit on it and it felt like a spell of dizziness was cast over me. As I assessed my surroundings, I quickly realized that I was tied up and in a dark room. The pungent odor of cigarette smoke filled my nostrils, making it difficult to breathe. Fear began to set in as I realized that I had no idea how I got here or who could have done this to me.My chest heaved as flashes of what felt like the past few hours flashed through my mind's eye. The last thing I remembered was excusing myself to the restroom. My eyes widened and I coughed loudly when I finally registered everything.Oh my God, Harold!My heart ached and I found myself feeling my tied-up hands to check for my wedding bands. It was still there. Somehow, with my health at that moment, it was hard deciphering if anything was real anymore.God, if this was what I thought was happening, what was Harold going to do
Harold's POV. “So, I really need a detailed explanation of what happened,” Jackson, one of the men Tyler brought along asked, looking in my direction. I stared back at him and after a few seconds, Damien cleared his throat and started. “We had the wedding at the Oasis garden resort. It was private, essentially private. The only people who I knew attended the wedding and the reception were the resort staff. Oh and by the way, one of the staff is blackmailing us. They know how important this is to us and now, they are threatening and blackmailing. I'm still trying to get my hands on him.” Damien glared at no one again before he cleared his throat and continued. “After the wedding ended, the couples went ahead to take pictures shot by Kim, the private photographer I hired. We had fun and games and of course danced. I just finished dancing with Riella when she went off to see Jemma.” He concluded. The three men turned in the direction of Jemma who had been introduced. She seemed to s
Harold's POVI was getting ready to head back to the screaming people when Damien walked in. His eyes widened when he saw my nose and he rushed forward.“What the hell happened? And what is going on? How are Riella's folks here?” He demanded all at once?“Ella's dad did the punch. They are very worried about their daughter.” I shrugged trying to appear calm even though on the inside, I was boiling. “Damn, this is a disaster.” He massaged his forehead.“It will be a bigger disaster if I don't find my wife. An eighteen year old just promised to break my bones.” I gritted.“Are you kidding?” Damien screamed in disbelief. “Was that Ella's brother?” He questioned.“ Yep, and he seemed pretty serious about it. I love how protective he is though.” After a few seconds, I asked, ”Any luck with what you were up to?” I asked.“That's another problem. I couldn't get the pictures. The stupid man had it sold to the media already before he started threatening me. I tried to buy the pictures but
Harold's POV.I got to the door as I caressed my cheeks in anger, feeling the sting of her slap. When I opened the door, I expected to find Damien and Matilda by the door but instead, a frantic woman pushed me out of the way as soon as I opened the door and let herself in.I barely got to handle the door before a huge, brown haired man pushed his way in, followed by Jemma and Anna with a male I guessed was Duncan. He was tall, broad shouldered, and possessed pretty brown hair. I was about to shut the door when Carolyn walked in. She glanced at me, silently muttering an apology. I knew there and then that nothing would have gone well if the whole family was here. And with how much Jemma had messed up earlier, I would not be surprised if they knew everything already.“Are you the one who knocked my daughter up?” The huge man stalked toward me. I nodded and just like I had anticipated, I received the punch on my nose.I groaned and my hand immediately cupped my nose in pain. He was a ba
Harold's POVJust like I ordered, we rounded up our cars in ten minutes and we drove straight to the airport without a word. The wedding Spirit was disheveled. I had dumped my tux somewhere, leaving off my black shirt. I had made a series of calls while on the flight and now that we had alighted after four tiring hours, I was ready to strangle Brittany.“Are you sure you don't need me to come home with you?” I asked Carolyn and the girls for the umpteenth time after we arrived at the airport.“No, Harold. I will handle this. They wouldn't want to see or hear anything from you at all so, lete take the lead and handle this the way I can. It's going to be tough but they are going to listen to me in the long run. So, you stay away while I handle it.” She explained and I exhaled.Of course, I wouldn't expect Ella's folks to welcome me with open arms if I go to see them. They must have put two and two together thanks to Jemma and were probably furious now. They wouldn't want to see the face
Harold's POV.I was running mad.I didn't understand how something so perfect, something that had been going on so perfectly well had gone up in flames in a matter of seconds. Riella was missing. No, she wasn't missing.She was kidnapped.The last time someone had seen her according to Jemma who had been the person, it was when she had gone off to use the restroom. A hotel staff after then had reported that he saw a lady being snuggled into a car.“Did you catch the car's number?” Damien was the only one calm amongst us and he was trying to get answers from the trembling maid.“No, the car sped off before I could register anything.” She shook her head. I placed about, running my hands through my hair in anger. Everything was going downhill. I was running mad. I was feeling sick. I was angry.“YOU HAD ONLY ONE JOB? ONE FREAKING JOB!” I screamed at the crowd of men the resort had provided to protect us. I had gone the extra mile to pay them to specially ensure our safety but they had go