Riella's POV.I woke up feeling very tired. I didn't know how pregnancy worked but this was pretty serious. It was the day of the appointment at the hospital yet I woke up with a splitting headache that could turn into a migraine at any time. I climbed out of bed and swiped my hair out of my face. My eyes felt heavy and my back hurts a little too. I yawned as I slipped my feet into a pair of flip-flops and walked to the bathroom. I didn't have the energy to stand under a shower and take a bath so, I heated my bath and settled down in it after I brushed my teeth.I think I might have fallen asleep in it for a while but I soon got out and moved to pick out my clothes. After searching for what felt like eons for cloth that wouldn't feel formal and wouldn't be too casual at the same time, I finally settled for blue jeans-clothed pinafore-styled gown. I wore a white top as the inner and paired it up with kicks.I settled down at my vanity table and dried my hair. Once I had it where I wan
Riella's POV.I pulled away from him and succeeded in putting enough distance between us so I could think clearly while I maneuvered my way through the storm that was clearly brewing. He didn't say anything in a long while, he just leaned against the wall and watched me.He wasn't just watching me. He was staring at me like he was meeting me for the first time. He was staring at me like he needed to memorize everything about me. The gaze was so intense that it had my cheeks heating up. I had to look away from him before I turned crimson.“Stop staring at me like that.” I hissed, suddenly annoyed that he was making all these emotions coursing through me. Where had all my willpower over the last few days gone? It couldn't just abandon me in my time of need!“You don't make it easy. You don't know how hard it will be for me to peel my eyes away from you.” He mumbled softly, quietly like he was in deep thoughts. I still wasn't looking at him so I couldn't tell what was going on in his hea
Riella's POV. I wanted to pull away from him but he held me close, tightly to himself so that I didn't find a space to move. It wasn't uncomfortable but it wasn't nice either because, with his arms around me, I was more than vulnerable to his touch. I could as well be melting under him. “I can't,” I panicked. I couldn't just backtrack out of my plans. I had to get rid of the baby, move to LA like I originally planned, and start a new life again. “Why? Why can't you?” He asked as his hand brushed my hair. The touch was soothing. I could be in his arms all day and still wouldn't feel like I had enough of him. He made me so insatiable. “Because I have everything planned out. I'm moving to LA to start a new life and I really need to be there for my job interview.” I told him. “I'm not letting you go, Ella. I already did that before and I almost couldn't live. I'm not risking it again.” He whispered into my ear and I felt shivers run down my spine at his words. “I can't raise a baby,
Riella's POVI hissed as I pushed my hair out of my face. I didn't know what stopped me from wrapping a band around it earlier. I arrived in LA barely twenty-four hours ago after spending almost two days on the road and I was already in love with the city. It looked so peaceful and nice compared to New York's bustling aura. Though I could tell that this was just the calm before the storm.“So, what do you think?” Harold pulled back from me and gestured to the living room. He had spent his time setting up the house with the help of other people. I looked around the large space and fell in love with the green again. The walls were painted green with a touch of lavender. The house smelt of orchids. It had smelled like lavender but since I wasn't interested in smelling that shit yet, I asked for something else. The couches were black but so comfy and the TV set and every other thing in the room was second to none. And they were all mine. I couldn't help the large smile that made its way
Harold's POV.I pulled up my shades as we walked into the Doctor's office. The middle-aged woman stood up to welcome her, a radiant smile on her pretty face. “Doctor Garnett, ” I smiled as I shook her hands. Ella stood beside me as she blessed the older woman with a smile. I could sense that she was nervous and it only made me smile.“It's nice to meet you, Harold. As I said earlier, you don't have to worry about anyone finding anything. It's against my work ethic anyway.” She smiled.When I booked the appointment two days ago, I had strongly been assured of confidentiality and I was grateful for that. I couldn't stand anyone from the media seeing me. Heck, I couldn't stand anyone recognizing me at the hospital. At least, not until I had everything where I wanted it to be.“Come in, Riella. I understand it's your first time but there is no need for you to be nervous, ” the doctor took her hands and Ella managed a small smile. I watched as she was led to the bed to have her seat.She
Riella's POV.“I'm hungry,” I whined for the umpteenth time that day. I couldn't believe how much I was eating. I couldn't stop no matter how much I tried. Was it a crime that I was pregnant?“You are what?” Harold stopped working on his laptop as he turned toward me, raising a brow at me in amusement. He must have not heard me right.“I'm hungry,” I whined again, gesturing widely and stomping my feet like a little child. There was this amusement in Harold's eyes. I didn't like it and it had me pouting my lips in anger.“It's not funny,” I eyed him with a shirt hiss. He pushed the laptop aside, raising his hands into the air as if to say he is surrendering.“I didn't say anything, ma'am.” He joked. I huffed and pushed my hair out of my face in anger. It has been irritating me of late.“I hate this hair. I'm just going to cut it.” I hissed as I tugged at a mass. “Oh, no. You will do no such thing,” Harold was beside me in seconds. He gently pried my hands off my hair. “You have no ide
Riella's POV.“Are you sure you don't want to come with me?” Carolyn asked as she walked into the living room, clutching her small mini purse. I shook my head for the umpteenth time before glancing down at my phone.I had recently downloaded this book on my phone and it had kept me busy for a while now. Tyler stepped out too, twirling his car keys in his hand. The couple were going ice skating and had offered for me to come with them but I didn't think I could put myself through that stress again. I already felt heavy with all that I had taken.I looked at my snicker bar, picked it up and took a bite. While I savored the flavor, I watched Carolyn whisper something to Tyler. My brows shut up in amazement especially when with the way Tyler smirked. “Everything okay you two?” I winked at Carolyn and she rolled her eyes the same way she cocked out her hips. I admired the blue harbor pants she was donning.“Yeah, I was just talking to Tyler about how he is going to get me pregnant, yunno?
Riella's POV.There was no way I saw that coming. Absolutely no way I could have predicted any of this. My eyes were widened and my mouth was wide open while I stared at it. I couldn't believe this. I couldn't believe this.Ultimately, my heart started racing in my chest and I was forced to take a step back because it was all too much to take in while he just knelt there watching every emotion that passed through me. “Ella, there is no one I want but you. Please, will you do us a favor and say yes to me darling?” His voice was a mixture of a plea, a desperate plea, and affection but I couldn't even think straight. Before me, my brain was thinking multiple ways about why I couldn't just do this. Why I couldn't just marry him? Why I couldn't say yes to him and it hurt to even think about them. I started to shake my head but he surprised me by inching forward with a speed that stunned me and left me gasping for a few seconds while he gently clamped my hands in his. Seconds ago, I had b
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