~~~LANCE'S POV~~~“Lance, are you crazy?” Henry’s voice blasted through the phone, so loud that it felt like my ears would burst out. “Borrowing money from Billy, that shark? Do you even have any fucking idea what you’ve gotten yourself into?”I sighed heavily, running a hand through my hair, trying to stay calm. “Henry, relax. I know what I’m doing. I’ll pay him back, no problem.”“No problem?” Henry scoffed, disbelief dripping from his words. “Lance, this is Billy we’re talking about. He’s not just any guy—he goes crazy with anything call money. What if you miss a payment? He’ll take everything you’ve worked so hard for! How could you make such a decision without even consulting me when I’m your lawyer?”I could feel him burning with fury and seething in anger from whereever he was. I glanced back at the crowd behind me, my stomach twisting into tight knots as I tried not to raise up my voice at where I was.I knew Henry was right, but what other choices did I have at that time? “I
~~~MAYA'S POV~~~Why was he looking at me like that? Did he perhaps know that I intentionally fell?My heart raced as I wondered if he knew I fell on purpose or not, but I quickly dismissed the thought because if he did, he'd be yelling his head off - that's the Lance I used to know. Yet here he was, staring at me with those eyes, like he was hurting as if he'd almost lost something precious.That's not like the Lance I knew.Lance leaned against the doorframe, his shoulders sagging as he let out a deep sigh. "Why'd you do it?" He asked.I played dumb, tilting my head, "Do what?""Don’t play dumb with me, Maya. I saw your eyes before you fell. You knew….you knew I would catch you. You planned the whole thing." He ran his fingers through his hair, frustration evident in his tone as he continued, "So why? Why did you make me choose again?”So he knew?We locked eyes for a fleeting moment as he waited for my to response to him but I couldn't keep up with it anymore so I averted my gaze f
~~~ASHLEY'S POV~~~I threw everything I could reach against the wall, venting my anger. I let out a loud piercing scream as images of Lance saving that bitch and abandoning me kept flashing through my mind. I kept asking myself over and over again how it had all come to this and why the man who seemed not to have gotten over his ex-wife and even resisted my charm in all the years we'd been married suddenly got smitten by that bitch.Yes, I agreed that she was beautiful. I agree that she had a bigger and curvy features that could make any man go insane than me, but I had no idea that my own husband who claimed that he wasn't over his first wife, would also join the band of men smitten by her and end up humiliating me in public.I knew that he secretly admire her to even be moaning out her name when we were having sex two days ago. We fought over it but I thought it was just men's daily dream of fantasizing over things they desire and he would get over it but what happened today was a
I didn't even remember how I walked out of the building or left the party; I was just there, walking down the cold streets with my arms wrapped tightly around myself as if they could protect me from the storm raging inside. The night air chilled my skin, but it was nothing compared to the coldness sinking deep into my heart and as the images flashed back again and again in my mind, my knees gave way in the middle of the street. I crumbled to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.I could see people's eyes on me but I didn't really care, they were free to do whatever they wanted to do or even share my crying videos on social media; I didn't care because they had no Idea of what I was goi through.Now thinking about it, I realized I was wrong to think something was wrong with me that made Lance unable to get over his ex-wife. Now I understood that none of this or about Maya was my fault. All I did was fight for my love with the power I had and Maya was just too weak to defend her love, w
~~~KINGLSEY'S POV~~~I stepped out of the private jet with my secretary and my dad, the cool night air hitting my face. My Rolex glinted under the airport lights as I checked the time and I would say in the next few hours, I would be having my engagement party with Maya which was one of the reasons why we returned quickly after closing the deal.We'd just closed a $2.3 billion deal in Hong Kong, acquiring three of Zhao's subsidiaries. It was quite a difficult one and Ihad to go to some pretty extreme lengths to make them give in.Well…in this kind of the world, being soft or patient doesn't get you what you want. Sometimes, you need to take drastic steps to get it. Which was why I sometimes have to take some necessary steps as I hate dragging thing out.Dad had no clue about it, of course. To him, this was a easy deal but he had no idea of what I and Mr Zhao had done on private to made him give in to all our conditions.I would say I picked up this trick from Maya's father as he also
Ashley continued noticing that I wasn't impressed. "I know there's a lot to gain from this marriage, but you deserve better…..better than someone who's sneaking around with another person's husband when it's just a few days until her marriage to you. I think that disrespectful a slap to your face. What happens when it taints your image and your reputation?" She asked in a concerned tone that didn't quite reach her eyes.And I would say all her attempts at sympathy were almost laughable, as she thought she could badmouth Maya and get me to call off the engagement, but this was far more than that , not some petty relationship drama.I crossed my arms, watching her carefully. “You seem very concerned about my reputation more than myself. What's your angle here, Ashley? I think I should know that before we discuss something else." She didn't falter, "I might have a better offer for you. Much more suitable than what she and her family are offering to you. We all know that people like us
~~~MAYA’S POV~~~“How exactly are you feeling about this engagement?" I looked up, a smile spreading across my face. "It's... indescribable," I began. "Kingsley and I, we've grown up together. We've seen each other at our best and our worst and now, to stand here, knowing we've chosen each other for life… It's beyond amazing. I'm just... I'm so happy I can barely put it into words."Another reporter leaned in, "What do you love most about Mr Kingsley Bane?"My eyes softened as I thought of him. "Oh, where do I even start?" I laughed out. "His smile, for one. It lights up his whole face and when he smiles at me, it's like the whole world disappears. Moreover, his eyes... when he looks at me, it's like he sees straight into my soul. They're this deep, rich blue eyes like ocean that I could get lost in for hours."I paused, a mischievous glint in my eye. "And then there's his long hair that cascade over his shoulder. Well...what's left of it now." I felt sad, “He used to have this gorge
As Kingsley and I stepped into the grand hall, a hush fell over the crowd before erupting into applause. My heart raced faster with each step I took, partly from nerves and partly from excitement that I was feeling The room was filled with prominent figures from all over the world and I would say this was really a classic party just like my parents and Kinglsey's mother said, considering the faces that I was seeing here.My golden off-shoulder gown, a masterpiece designed by a world-renowned fashion house which belongs to the Bane family, trailed behind me. Each step sent light dancing off the thousands of diamonds that were sewn into the fabric. Whispers rippled through the crowd as we took each step. “She looks absolutely stunning," I heard someone murmur.Another voice chimed in, "And he is so handsome. What a perfect pair they make."We bowed our heads slightly, acknowledging the guests with my my left hand placed on my chest as I was overwhelmed by the warmth."Thank you all,"
We turned in unison, and there she was—Ashley. Her radiant smile beamed as if she’d just won the lottery. She waved enthusiastically, her left hand high in the air, drawing every ounce of attention toward herself. My fists curled into tight balls at my sides, anger surging through me like a storm. And what the fuck is she doing here?In anger, I glared at Lance, who also looked a little bit surprised by her presence. He gave me that “I’m sorry” look, but that’s not what I wanted from him. I wanted him to tell me why she was here.Ashley rushed toward our side and then stormed into the midst of Lance and Henry, pushing Henry away from Lance. My stomach churned when she flashed him that annoying smile and looped her arm through Lance’s. My patience thinned. “What are you doing here?” Lance growled before I could say a word. His voice was low but sharp. Ashley tilted her head coyly. “Oh, honey, don’t be like that. Have you forgotten that I told you I would support you no matte
Standing in the corridor of the courtroom on the first floor of the tall building, I let out a soft sigh as I intertwined my fingers nervously. I was trying so hard to convince myself that I wouldn’t embarrass myself in court today especially since it looked like I would be appearing without my lawyer. "I’ve really underestimated my opponent. I should have foreseen this," I muttered under my breath as I was already feeling frustrated. Behind me, Lance paced back and forth with his phone totally glued to his ear. He had been trying to reach Henry for the past hours, but there was no answer. Many bad thought had already been playing on my head. Each time I heard the automatic response from the network provider, my frustration grew as I thought what I actually thought had happened. "Where the hell is he?" Lance growled, ending another failed call. I leaned against one of the stone pillars, watching the steady stream of people going in and out of the courthouse and deep down
I exhaled slowly. “I won’t forgive you,” I said and I could see a flicker of something like sadness—or was it disappointment? across his face. “At least, not yet. But if you win this case for us…” I let my words hang in the air, a faint smile tugging at my lips. Immediately he heard that, Henry’s head shot up. Relief washed over his face. “I’ll win it. You have my word,” he promised. “Bold of you to promise that,” Lance interjected with a teasing smirk. “You’ll be up against one of the biggest firms in America. Do you even stand a chance?” Henry straightened and said confidently. “I’ll take your doubt as fuel to prove you wrong man.” His tone was defiant, and the two men exchanged chuckles. Henry glanced up at Lance hesitantly. “You’re not angry with me?” Lance responded, looking at me. “Since she said she’d forgive you eventually…” He trailed off, mouthing a quiet ‘thank you’ in my direction. I cleared my throat as I quickly shifted my gaze away from him, clearly uncomfort
Sitting in the meeting room with Lance and Bryan seated across from me, I lightly tapped my fingers against the polished surface of the table. My gaze which was fixed on the stack of files before me, was now starting to blur. I’d been poring over documents since morning as we’re all desperately searching for legal precedents to block the rezoning of this building. My temples throbbed, and I sighed in exhaustion. Even, the words on the pages are beginning to dance, moving around on their own. My eyes were failing me. Who exactly would have thought this is what I’d be doing the moment I took over Lance’s company? If I’d known it would be like this, I swear I never as done it. Just as I was nearing the end of the document in front of me, the door creaked open, and Janet entered, pushing a cart that was stacked high with dusty files and documents. She wheeled it to the table and began to unload them right in front of me. “These are the last documents,” she announced as she placed
***KINGSLEY'S POV***The tension in the room was suffocating as Maya said she was here to talk about us. About us? Did she mean the same ‘us’ that she abandoned because she didn't trust me enough. She didn't believe that I could protect her and she left.Maya stood right in front of me, looking at me with those pleading eyes that once had the power to melt my resolve. But not anymore. Not after what she had done to me and the humiliation she had made me go through. I became a man that wasn't only lied to but was also abandoned; as my family had no idea that I was aware of everything about her. I was sure if not because she fainted that day, she would have run out of the hall, abandoning me on the altar.My jaw tightened as I looked at her but I held it all back in, and forced my gaze back to the files in my hand, pretending to be unbothered by her presence. “We have nothing left to talk about," I said flatly, flipping a page I wasn’t even reading, but just pretending to be busy. "No
Looking out of the car window, my gaze was fixed on the cityscape rushing by. I could feel my fingers tangling and twisting together in a restless dance on my lap.The memories of how I landed in the hospital on my wedding day, all rushed in. I remembered how I woke up, the faint beeping of the heart monitor rang in my ears and the nurse's soft voice, asked me if I was alright but my eyes just scanned through the room. There’s no one else in this room apart from her. Then she mentioned that Kingsley had stepped out to take a call and will be back soon. Immediately she left the room to get the doctor, I yanked the IV drip from my arm, the bright red dot of blood that bloomed on my skin and then… fled the hospital.Since that day…I haven't contacted him again, not even when I was back. I knew that he had the right to be angry at me…I knew that he must have felt betrayed when we both promised that we will stick through together but I only abandoned him, let him alone face the critics
Yes, I know I'm hot. “Wow… you look absolutely stunning” he mouthed.i Ignored him, tossing his coat at him.“Stop leaving your trash in my room,” I said, walking past him.Just as I reached the car, he stepped forward and draped his coat over my shoulders. “You can’t walk into the company dressed like this,” he said, his voice low while I arched my brow at him, “ I mean..the weather seems cold today. “ I stopped, glancing at the coat before pulling it off and tossing it back at him. I knew exactly what he was trying to say as I remembered he didn't like me wearing something exposing. But what about his wife that could even walk naked in the public? I bet he got nothing against that. “And who exactly are you to tell me what I can and can’t wear? Mr Lance Wells, I will be grateful if you can keep your concern to yourself.” I said, feeling angry that he was here pretending to be concerned about me while still planning on secretly taking Bella's hair for a DNA test. His jaw tig
"What the hell are you doing here?" My voice cracked, slicing through the morning silence like shattered glass. "No, seriously, how the hell did you get in here? Did you break into my house?" My brow arched, disbelief lacing my tone.Scrambling upright on the bed, I tugged at the hem of my nightgown as I was now suddenly hyper-aware of how exposed I was."Whoa, calm down, sweetheart," Lance drawled, his smirk as infuriating as ever. "You can't just jump to conclusions already? Relax. I’m not a thief.""Relax?" I gaped at him,. "You walk into my bedroom uninvited, and you think relax is the appropriate response? What if—what if you’re here to harm me? Especially after I took everything away from you because I'm pretty sure you are still angry about that but putting on a facades.”He raised his hands in mock surrender, the corners of his mouth twitching as though he found my panic amusing. "Harm you? Really? I thought we cleared the air, Maya. I clearly told you that I don't mind you ta
***MAYA'S POV***The night air was cool as I stood on the terrace, counting the stars that scattered across the big sky. Raising up my hand, I let my fingers trace patterns in the air, a small attempt to distract myself from the thoughts weaving through my mind.It had been a long day…A soft breeze ruffled my hair, and I closed my eyes, breathing in deeply, as though inhaling something sweet and calming. And then… there it was—a warm hand slipping around my waist. My heart skipped a beat as his familiar scent, woodsy and rich, filled my senses."Lance," I whispered breathlessly as his lips pressed softly against my neck.How could I not recognize his touch, his scent?He chuckled softly, pulling me closer, murmuring, “I’m back, love.” The warmth of his breath sent a shiver down my spine.I turned slowly to face him, drinking in his features—those familiar eyes and his smile that was bright. Before I could say a word, he leaned in and caught my lips in a deep, hungry kiss, his mouth e