.The CEO..I looked at my watch to check the time. "8:45? Damn, Binky," I called out, frustration creeping into my voice. I had been waiting for roughly 20 minutes, and we were dangerously close to being late for our reservation. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair, glancing towards the hallway. "How long does it take for her to get ready?" I thought to myself, Exasperation is building. I knew Binky wanted to look perfect, but at this rate, we might miss the entire evening.“I’m coming!” she screamed as she walked out, wearing a stunning evening dress that immediately captured my attention. The dress was a deep emerald green, shimmering slightly under the light, with a fitted bodice that accentuated her figure perfectly. The neckline was a tasteful V-shape, adorned with delicate lace that added a touch of elegance and sophistication.The dress flowed down into a soft, cascading skirt that moved gracefully with every step she took, brushing lightly against the floor.My frustrati
The toy...I stared blankly at the ceiling of my office. It’s been three days since Damon and I came back from Greece. After that night, I felt like I ruined the trip, but Damon became overly protective of me, handling me like I was fragile—it was sweet. A smile curled up my lips, remembering our romantic trips.My phone beeped, drawing me out of my sweet thoughts. It was a message from Mrs. Johnson requesting my presence in her office.I opened the door leading to Mrs. Johnson’s office and was greeted by the awful sight of papers carpeting the desk, as usual. It was impressive how she managed to sort them out with ease every day.My eyes widened as I saw someone I never expected to see, especially not in Mrs. Johnson's office. I couldn't hide my discomfort upon seeing her—a person forbidden to mention Her lips curled into an annoying smile, hiding a sweet behind them."What are you doing here?" I questioned, anger lacing my voice."She’s a client, Ms. Smith," Mrs. Johnson stated,
The CEO...I ran my hands through my hair, my blood boiling—100 degrees Celsius—as I swerved, swapping lanes. The car horn blared behind me, but I barely registered it. My mind was a storm of thoughts, each one fueling the fire in my chest. I could feel my pulse throbbing in my temples, a relentless drum beat that matched the frantic rhythm of my heart.The city lights blurred past. I tightened my grip on the steering wheel as I tried to focus on the road ahead. But every red light and every slow-moving vehicle seemed like a personal affront, a deliberate attempt to test the limits of my patience. Breathing heavily, I punched the dashboard, a futile attempt to release some of the pent-up frustration.Ignoring Zach and Binky’s calls as I sped through the next intersection, narrowly avoiding a collision, I realized I was losing control not just of the car but of myself. I needed to calm down and find a way to cool the raging inferno inside me before it consumed everything in its path.
The CEO...My eyes opened groggily, wrenched from sleep by the piercing sound of my alarm. The shrill noise seemed to reverberate through my entire body, amplifying the pain that had already coursed through me. Every muscle ached as I moved slowly, wincing with each motion. I ran my hand through my tangled hair, taking a deep breath in and out to steady myself before attempting to get up. The events of the previous day flashed through my mind, and I remembered how I had stumbled straight to bed, too exhausted to tend to my wounds and bruises.I walked to the mirror, dreading what I would see but needing to face it. My reflection stared back at me, a grim testament to the rough night. Bruises mottled my face, each one a reminder of the blows I had taken.I leaned closer, gently touching the most painful spots, feeling the heat and tenderness beneath my fingertips. "They could have at least tried not to hit my face so much," I muttered to myself, frustration and dark humor mingling in
LUCY..Seeing him in such a state was heartbreaking. It was clear that the weight of his decisions had finally caught up with him. He brought it upon himself. There was a sense of helplessness, knowing that he had the power to change his fate but chose not to. All he had to do to end this kind of pain was leave his toy and pick me up.“What wasn’t I doing right? Wasn’t I pretty enough?” I thought to myself. I replayed every moment in my mind, scrutinizing every word and action. I questioned whether I had missed something obvious or if there was a flaw in me that pushed him away.The self-doubt was overwhelming, a constant whisper in my mind that perhaps I wasn’t enough. I wondered if I could have done something differently, something better, to change the outcome. The uncertainty and insecurity gnawed at me, leaving me restless and searching for answers that might never come.What did he see in Binky? I couldn't understand it. I had seen her, and there was nothing special about her—
The toy...Jessie and I sat in the office, the table between us cluttered with stacks of papers, documents, notes, and reports, evidence of our ongoing project.Jessie’s eyes widened. “You really accepted the deal?” she asked, holding a pen in her hand, surprise boldly written on her face, the pen poised mid-air as if frozen in time. “It’s a trap. You know it’s a trap.”I sighed heavily. “There was nothing I could do. Mrs. Johnson wouldn’t take no for an answer,” I replied, frustration straining my voice. I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on my chest.Jessie’s expression shifted from surprise to concern as she lowered the pen onto the table, her fingers drumming lightly on the cluttered surface.“So, what about Damon? Does he know you'll be planning Lucy's mother's party?” She asked, her voice tinged with curiosity and concern, leaning forward slightly, her eyes searching mine for answers.“Yes, I’ve told him,” I replied. I sighed, feelin
The toy...His eyes widened as he jerked back. “Binky!” His hands flew to cover his chest, but they couldn’t hide the bruises that coated almost every inch of his skin.A grimace formed on my face as my eyes trailed over the bruises. My heart sank when I saw the fading bruise around his face.“Who did this to you?” I questioned myself, my voice on the verge of breaking.“Is it only my face you care about?” A smile tugged at the left corner of his lips.“Of course not.” I threw a light punch at his hard chest. “What happened to you? Did you get involved in a street fight? How many were they? What did you do?” The deeper my heart sank, the more questions I bombarded him with.A slight frown creased his face. “I don’t want to talk about it. Just be glad I’m okay.”I sighed in defeat, knowing if Damon didn’t want to talk about something, he wouldn’t.He arched a brow. “What are you doing here?”I flung my hand behind my back, swinging my leg as I walked from his closet to his bedroom. “
The Toy.."Ariel," my mother called out, her voice fragile."No, it's me, Aria. Mummy, it's me.” I rushed to her side, taking hold of her hand. Tears welled up in my eyes as I felt her weak grip. My chest fluttered, but it felt mocking.Deep down, I knew she wasn’t looking for me. "See, Ariel has long hair; mine is short, Mummy," I said, my voice trembling with desperation and sadness.I gently stroked her hand, trying to anchor her to the present, hoping for a flicker of recognition. "It’s me, Aria," I repeated softly, searching her face.She frowned. "Why did you cut your hair? You looked prettier with it longer." Her hand rubbed my face with a tenderness that momentarily bridged the gap between her confusion and my reality.Her voice was soothing and calm, nothing like what I had imagined while reading her diary. She wiped my tears with her hand, wearing a warm smile that made me yearn for her acceptance even more.“It’s me, not Ariel,” I whispered, my voice trembling with pain.
Lucy pov ...Amidst the lush greenery, the breeze sung a calm song to me. I sat on the bench watching other patients. They were all crazy. I scoffed and skimmed my hands on my patient outfit. I turned and faced Logan, who arrived a few seconds later. “It’s been ages.” Logan smiled. “I wanted to get red roses, but you said you love yellow flowers." He handed me a bouquet of yellow roses.I smiled and accepted it. “How’s your sister?” I faced him. “Tell me you have stopped smoking.”It’s been a long time since I had a conversation with the outside world. I had no family and no friends ever came to visit. It was nice to see him.Logan chuckled. “I have stopped smoking.” His green eyes gleamed beneath the yellow hues of the sun. “And for my sister.” He paused and clenched the edge of the wooden seat. “She didn’t make it.” His voice softened.“I am so sorry.” My chest tightened. I knew how much he loved his sister.“But I opened a bar.” A wide smile formed across his lips. “When you g
Lucy ..(This chapter contains violence that might disturb viewers. Viewers' discretion is advised.)The news had already spread like wildfire. Damon hadn’t said anything, nor have I; people could only wonder what happened that led to us canceling our wedding a day before. My friend had asked, and I told them that I ended it after discovering Damon wanted to absorb my company just like his father did to other companies.Leaning back on my office chair, I sighed. I was this close to having him. I jolted up as the door opened. “There’s a meeting with the board of directors,” Tina announced. “Now?” I raised a brow. “Why?” She adjusted her glasses. “Yes, Ma’am. I really don’t know. But all the members are around.” I sprang to my feet. The clicks of my heels echoed. My heart pounded. How come I wasn’t aware of the meeting? Sweat swathed across my palm.Opening the door, my eyes fell on the seven members—they were all here. It was hard for them to gather together, except something v
The toy ..I dragged the last luggage down the stairs and placed it at the door. I was tired of being his toy. I was stupid to think that we would end up together. I had enough savings to start up my life. I need to run away from Manhattan, from New York. I need to move far away, to another place.I glanced around the apartment; so many beautiful and ugly memories; both of them haunted me.Opening the door, I gasped as my eyes fell on Damon. I held the tears that welled in my eyes. My heart twisted yet fluttered. Pain and relief fought to dominate my chest—neither won.His eyes fell on my luggage, and he frowned. “Where are you going?” What is he going to say to me? No, stay here and watch me get married to another woman. I rolled my wet eyes. “I’m leaving Damon.” I tried to bolster my voice, to show resolve.He inched closer and shut the door behind him. His beautiful amber eyes burned into mine. The eyes I had loved so much, that had caused me so much pain. Now one of my babies
The CEO..I climbed the stairs, each step feeling as heavy as the weight pressing down on my heart. Pearl had handed over the remaining 10 percent of the company shares to me, knowing that once the engagement and merger were finalized, the Wesley Corporation would likely dissolve Beckham Construction. The certificate was cold in my hands, but it felt meaningless now.As I passed by Lucy's room, the sound of her soft chuckle drifted out, followed by her mother's voice. I glared at the door. The thought of me spending the rest of my life with her was mentally gnawing. I was doing this for the child; once the child is enough, I'll get a divorce and just focus on my child. The memories of my childhood after my mother flooded in—just me and my father. "Damon isn’t around, right?" Mrs. Beckham asked. "Are you sure he is?"I was about to walk away, but the question glued my feet to the floor and, like a magnet, pulled my ears to the door."He isn't," Lucy replied, a note of excitement bub
The toy ..Tears streamed down my face, warm and bitter as they traced the curves of my cheeks. The room around me was silent like it was holding its breath, waiting for me to break.And I did.I muffled my sobs, pressing the back of my hand against my mouth, trying to keep it together, even though no one was around to witness. My elbows dug into my thighs as I leaned forward, staring at the two red lines on the pregnancy test. They glared back at me, mocking me. I shook my head, refusing to believe it. This couldn’t be real. What now? My mind raced, thoughts crashing into each other like waves against a rock. Damon’s wedding was just two days away. Two days. Even if I told him, what would change? I could hear Mr. Brian's voice in my head, loud and clear. Men know who they want to marry, and they keep the others around just for fun.I had brushed off those words when he first said them, but now they are repeated. in my mind, each repetition drilling pain into my heart—I should ha
The CEO..The drive was perfect, the kind of perfect that only comes once in a long while. The wind whipped through my hair as the convertible glided down the winding road, the sun casting a golden glow over everything it touched. The expression on my father when I testified against him in court felt like an award—a medal.Opening the door to my house, my gaze fell on Mrs. Beckham and Lucy.Mrs. Beckham stood in the center of the room, her presence cold.My smile faded, “Mrs. Beckham,” I greeted her with a curt nod. Mrs. Beckham was the female version of my father, so I spoke, a knot formed in my stomach as her presence gnawed at me.She didn’t return my pleasantries. Instead, she placed a crisp white envelope on the burly wood table, her eyes boring into mine. “Open it,” she instructed, her tone strict and firm. I hesitated for a second before crossing the room.I hardened my gaze as I snatched up the envelope, the paper cool and smooth against my skin. I tore it open and pulled
(This chapter contains violence that might disturb viewers. Viewers' discretion is advised.) The CEO . . I had changed into another outfit as I sat on the bed in my room. I constantly rubbed my hands, although they were clean. I could still feel Zach’s blood on my hand. How could I lose control? How could I hurt him? I smacked my head with my hand, letting out a grunt. Tracy trudged in. She only kept thinner and paler. “How are you doing?” “How is Zach? Is he up?” My fingers fidgeted. “No.” She tossed a file to me. “That’s the rest of my company.” “Why are you giving me?” Tracy’s expression softened. “Damon, I can die any moment. I need to leave my company with someone competent.” A weak smile stretched her lip. “Now let go and take your freedom from your father.” She gripped my hand, a failed attempt to pull me up. My chest tightened; this heart of mine had experienced too much pain. Another gloominess lingered at the mention of her dying any moment. I was too
The CEO . .Lying on the bed, I felt the sheets beneath me, my eyes closed, yet my mind was restless, buzzing with haunting images I couldn’t escape. Binky's tears haunted me; her face burned into my thoughts. But it was my father’s smile that truly kept me awake—the coldness, the quiet satisfaction he always had when things went his way. My hand gripped the bedsheet, twisting it, hoping it could ease my pain— but nothing.I couldn’t shake the thought—if only I’d been better, if only I’d been stronger if only I could’ve been more than this... this puppet he so easily manipulated. But I wasn’t. I was nothing more than a piece on his board and moved around to suit his game. The bitterness of it tore me from the inside out, choking with helplessness. If only I could turn the tables and make him pay for all of it. I wasn’t that person—not powerful enough, not anything enough.Stumbling to the closet, I flung open a drawer, my heart racing as I reached for the revolver inside. The c
Toy..I sat in the large, imposing courtroom. The air thickened with tension, but Nope still hung over, hoping Justice could be served. The murmurs of spectators seized as the proceedings began, leaving the shuffle of the papers. My eyes fixed on Damon’s father, who stood in the defendant box. Occasionally, he would stare at me and flash a smile that aggravated me. His words still rang in my ears, the way he casually told me how I looked softer than Aria outside the courtroom. I clenched my fist, hoping he would rot in jail for eternity. Mr. Jackson stood at the defendant's box. His eyes constantly darted between me and Mr. Wesley. My chest was tight like I was carrying the weight of the world on my chest. The flutters in my stomach were so grave that I might have developed stomach cancer. I sighed, hoping Damon’s threat should have walked in. Damon had messaged Mr. Jackson once he confessed to Mr. Wesley. He would protect him as Mr. Wesley would be powerless and be behind bars.