Harold's POVRiella sped into the driveway just about the time I was contemplating giving her a call. I sent her a text last night, asking her to come over to my house for work but she didn't reply to it. I had thought she didn't see it but she was here now.I took my phone from the pocket of my pants and unlocked the door for her so she wouldn't have to stand for too long. My fingers hurriedly did the buttons of my white shirt. As soon as I was done, I walked out of my room and strode toward her, where she stood in the living room.Her eyes were darting everywhere around the large room like she was trying to understand something. But she turned when she heard the fast-approaching footsteps from me.“I didn't think you got my text, ” I told her as I walked into the living room.Her lips parted softly and she gave me a hard stare, her gaze locked with mine. She was clutching the strap of her black flannel bag closely like she was trying to protect herself or something.Me, I didn't kno
Riella's POV.I settled in the solitude of books, reading the book I had chosen. I was still a bit shook by Harold's confirmation earlier.Someone had been watching me?Someone had been following me.That feeling, that gut feeling like someone watching me had settled in me all those years when I was with Desmond. Everywhere I went, it always felt like he was there watching me.But that day, when he ceased to exist in my life, I thought the feeling had died. I thought it had withered and died because the one person triggering it had gone.Well, I was wrong.I didn't realize that not until I got into my car this morning and the feeling re-awakened in me. And it didn't stop, not until I got to Harold's house.God, I had been deeply shaken. I thought it was just a feeling and I was being paranoid for nothing but it didn't seem so anymore.I greedily read the last few sentences of the novel I had chosen. It had been a while with me seated here, reading one of the many novels available.As
Riella's POV.“So, your house tomorrow?” I asked as I gently adjusted the strap of my black bag. Dusk had settled and the atmosphere was slightly chilly. I was just in the driveway yet I couldn't stop looking around.Harold's house is situated in a place that has a great deal of nature. The first time I saw it, I was astounded. Even now as I was standing beside my car, about to leave, I couldn't help looking around. The environment was just so lovely and so were the acrylic smells of flowers that lined the paths. I shifted my gaze to Harold. He gently tucked his phone into the pocket of his pants and his eyes rested on me.For a moment, I lost my breath.The glow of the moon in the sky had its warmth and rays bestowed on his face and it couldn't have looked more beautiful. His eyes were a beautiful pool of brown, of honey. I felt like I could swim in the pool all day without getting out.I blinked and looked away from him. Maybe I needed to swim in the pool too or have a long relaxin
Riella's POV.I rolled over to the other side, feeling fatigued and pulled me in. I knew I should probably get out of bed now if I didn't want to be late for work but I was feeling very lazy.I rolled to the other side of the bed and pulled the duvet closer snuggling. I didn't even know why I was this drained but I was exhausted.Groaning loudly, I flicked the duvet from my body and forced myself to peel my eyes open. The room was a bit dark since I failed to raise the curtains last night. I climbed out of bed and stretched my limbs. Pulling my feet into a pair of flip-flops, I skipped to the bathroom lazily to do my thing. In a few minutes, I was out of the bathroom dressing up for work. I was a bit confused about what to wear so like always, I allowed my hands to do the picking. Eventually, I got my hands on a black pencil skirt that stopped just at my knee with a purple floral blouse. I paired this with purple peep-toe heels but this time, I made sure to pack a pair of slippers
Harold's POV.“Is there any complaint you would like to make?” The caterer asked, passing me one of her professional smiles. I shook my head before glancing at the screen of my phone. Brittany's face was on display. She was seated on a chair in what I assumed is her changing room while the hair stylist and manicurist surrounded her. I understood that she was preparing for a shoot.“What do you think?” I asked her. She was the one who wanted an engagement party yet she wasn't even here for the preparation. And here I was preparing for the party alone.“What can I say?” She raised a brow. One of the ladies helping her with her makeup edged further and she scowled heavily at her. “Well, I trust your taste buds. You wouldn't dare pick something I wouldn't like anyway.” She shrugged like it didn't matter even though I knew it did. She would make a mountain out of a molehill if things didn't turn out the way she wanted.“Okay, " I noted dismissively. My gaze darted to the caterer who was
Harold's POVAs I climbed out of the car, the first thing–someone I noticed was Riella. She was standing right outside the door, clutching her phone. I frowned.I hadn't locked her out, right?I couldn't even have done that since I had given her the security codes that would help her into the house. So, why in the world was she standing there, eyes fixed on me?I took my time walking up to her and it wasn't until I was inches away did I realize that she wasn't with her bag which meant that she had probably settled in. So, why was she standing here, waiting for me? Or maybe it wasn't me she was waiting for.“Harold, ” she called. I stopped, meeting her eyes and I saw the concern in her eyes. But I really didn't need her to explain anything. I didn't want her to mention anything. What was I even going to say to her?I like you so much that you are everywhere occupying my thoughts yet I am marrying someone else?Shit!“Forget about it, ” I dismissed and successfully stopped her from sayi
Riella's POV.“There is no way we are putting them on the list, ” I told Harold as I fixed my eyes on the screen of my tablet, meticulously scrolling down through it.“No way, huh?” He raised a brow, amusement setting into his handsome face. I could have paled but instead, I shrugged noncommittally and looked away from him.“Well, what do you suggest?” I asked him as I rubbed at my sides. I leaned further into the couch, swinging my cross legs back and forth and keeping my eyes on the screen because I didn't want to see my overly fine handsome boss sucking the flesh of their lips between his teeth. “I suggest we call it a night. I'm tired, anyway.” He groaned and shut down his laptop. I winced, a bit startled by the action. Still, I didn't move from my seat. Harold shot out of his chair and made his way toward me. I was aware of him pulling at his tie as he edged closer and closer.“So, what?” I asked as I busied myself with sorting out my emails. I had a few texts to return to my br
Riella's POV.I rushed out of the shower and wrapped the large towel around me. My gaze fell on the large room before me when I stepped out of the bathroom. While I had gone home to pack my stuff, Harold had gone all out to make this room mine. The designs and everything made the room cozy with warmth.I started to dry my skin with the large towel while I looked through my box for something to wear. I wasn't going to unpack since I would be leaving soon. I grabbed a pair of washed faded boyfriend shorts and a baggy T-shirt I had stolen from my dad the last time I went home.The brown-colored top covered my thick frame and fell to my thighs, just a few inches before the length of the shorts on my mid-thighs. Since I had washed my hair, I unwrapped it from the smaller towel I had wrapped it into. I went away to dry the towels and when I came back, I slipped my foot into a pair of flip-flops I had brought with me, combed my hair with my hands as I walked out of the room with my phone in
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