As I cut between the sandwiches I had prepared for Mr. Rude, I place them neatly on their plate by a tray. Thanking Cassey for her assistance, I toom the tray with me on my way to Nolan's room where he had called me earlier.His room was as I had last seen it, the after he had a nice arrangement with his girlfriend. God, if only he wasn't so arrogant and bitchy, he could preferably be my type. Spotting him by his balcony, I see him engrossed with his work on a floorplan. His hand is extraordinarily skilled with such detail, I wonder it's the reason why he holds himself at arms length with people. Artist and their non-sociable affairs. "What are you staring for?" Nolan says, not even taking a glance to turn to me. "Nothing, just admiring your work from behind" As I replied, I hear him scoffs at my word as if it were an insult to him."What's that for?" I asked as I set the tray by an empy spot on another table, not to have it hit and ruin his work."Architecture project, I couldn't
ALEXA’S POVStartled by the sudden appearance of Nolan’s father and the drama ready to play out in the mansion, I hid myself behind the door to witness what was going on. The atmosphere in there was hot, I could feel it. Nolan set aside his work for floor plan of a home which he was working on, ready to give his dad the floor.”We need to talk”, Anthony said. Without second guesses, Nolan knew his father has come to have the usual “talk” ready to try to make him understand for the millionth times that his business isn’t his business, he reluctantly said “yes, we can talk”“Freedom will lead you to your end. Nolan, you can’t lead a life full of carelessness if you cannot find a way to control yourself, you’ll be an aimless kite with no one to guide you” Anthony spoke with rage. He never holds a peaceful conversation with his son; it always ends in fights and arguments. Sometimes, it makes me wonder if he truly loves his son like he always says and claims. Nolan amazed by what his fat
ALEXA’S POVI shut my eyes so tight ready to take the abuse from my boss. I waited patiently for some seconds to get butchered but nothing occurred. Slightly, I opened my left eye only to sight his hand hung in the air.“Forget it” he sighed.I was relieved.He threw the ceramic on the floor, slowly smashing it into bits while in tears. I didn’t try to act the good character but instead I stayed calm and watched him stop sobbing. Nolan was the kind of man who does not hide his emotions. The stereotype of men who cries or shows emotions has nothing to do with him. He would always feel whatever whenever.“Alexa, I ask that you take me seriously this time” he spoke calmlyHe continued “have you ever felt like you’re being controlled like a puppet?” “I feel like I am being domineering at the moment”I wondered what brought about the question. The look on his face clearly showed that he was sincerely asking.“Not really” I said bluntly, looking into his eyes trying to appear convincing.My
"Things will turn out better soon; your father is only looking out for you. There's no fuss about it all. You should consider taking things bit by bit and watch everything work out positively" she saidShe might have said something worth hearing but I wasn't moved. I was still discouraged. I have been putting up with my father's cold acts towards me since the day I made it known to him that I'd rather pursue my passion for music than take over his company. I doubt if he'd ever be less uptight with me if eventually I end up not taking the path he took"Lies. Alexa, you're saying this simply because you're being paid to." I pointed outNo one would ever speak ill of their employer unless he's ready to loose his job. The Alexa I know to some extent isn't financially stable, she'd do anything to keep her job."This isn't lies. You can actually be both of the same worlds if you wish to"She watched me closely like she was putting me under a spell. Alexa would say anything to prove her poi
ALEXA'S POV It had been an eventful day yesterday. Thankfully, I had heard Mr. Brown let Nolan go out with his friends for the rest of the afternoon. The man was a bit of a recluse, and the last thing we needed right now was another teenage brain recking the whole mansion with its tantrum. I couldn't help but look back at how Nolan had reacted yesterday, his eyes flashed a hint of sadness in them that sought out empathy in me. When the afternoon finally rolled around, Mr. Brown calls me up to his office. "Sir, you called?" I stood at the foot of his office, nervously waiting at his open door.He waved me in and shut the door. I had never actually sat down on one of the plush couches in front of his desk before and was finding it rather awkward. He was standing behind his desk, hands clasped together and elbows resting on top. I tried my best not to be too intimidated. "How are you today?"Mr. Brown gave a slight smile, looking at me with a speck of worry in his eyes. A few white
ALEXA'S POV As Mr. Brown gives me a nod, I gesture him at the front of the stove where I was working. The kitchen staff watched closely as he observed while I teach him what to do."So you want to just season the meat evenly and generously, like so-" I showed him and move aside to let him do the rest. I took a wooden spatula to help stir what I had in my pot, I couldn't help but feel him staring at me."What's your favorite thing to cook?" He suddenly asked as I continued stirring the soup inside of the pot."Hm? What do you mean?" I question."Anything specific?" I look over my shoulder at him."I guess... I like pasta, rice, and some other dishes." He hummed before nodding."Oh ok… And?" He continued on questioning me."Um.. I love pancakes and omelets…""Pancakes?" He asked again."Yes. When the orphanage went bankrupt, Cody brought me pancakes from a local bakery,""Who's Cody?" I felt my blood run cold and I kept my gaze on the pot I was stirring ."My brother..." I mumbled qui
NOLAN'S POV I held myself from speaking as Kathy's words rang through my ears. I looked at Alexa who seemed fairly annoyed to see my girlfriend."Babe, you didn't tell me you're dad hired a whore..." Kathy says, giggling as she goes.Alexa's face hardened at her statement, she narrowed her eyes at Kathy as anger boiled beneath her skin."Babe, I bet I could get this bitch fired if she gets caught by your dad hurting me," Kathy whispers to my ear making me smirk.Despite the fact Alexa and I had nothing wrong going on between us, I don't feel obligated to open my self with my father's employee. She may be nice, but I would rather have my own way around my life."I wonder how you got your job, Alexa... It must've been a real mouthful when it came in the interviewing part," Kathy says, gesturing her hand in her mouth while she made an O in her mouth, making chuckle and roll my eyes at her.Alexa didn't bother to speak or give her any reaction other than to look annoyed at her."Unbother
ALEXA'S POV Standing in front of both of them, I was shocked that Nolan had stopped Kathy's hand from hitting me. His hand held her wrist so tight you couldn't imagine the look of surprise Kathy has. "Nolan, what the hell!" Kathy exclaims, taking her hand abruptly from his hold."I've told you to back off, Kathy... I knew you'd be going off course-" Nolan was cut off when Kathy spoke up, "You're being such a limp-dick!-" "Come up with a better comeback, then you can argue with me..." I step back from them, not wanting to be in their fight knowing Kathy started it all."So you're on her side now?" Kathy hissed at him. A few footsteps came over to us from behind me, I turned and saw Mr. Brown tucking his phone away to join us."Ah, Nolan. Good evening, Kath." Mr. Brown greets both of them with a smile but Nolan immediately left to the dinner table before he could say another word. "Would you like to join us, dear?" Mr. Brown looks towards Kathy who seemed visibly angry. "No thank
Alexa didn't hesitate to run into them, embracing him tightly as she buried her face in his shoulder. Nolan's arms wrapped around her just as tightly, holding her close as they both cried.It felt like they stayed that way for an eternity, just holding each other and letting out all the emotions they had been bottling up for so long. When they finally pulled away, Alexa looked up at Nolan, still unable to believe he was really there.Without a word, Nolan leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, the kiss filled with all the love and longing they had been keeping hidden for so long. Alexa's arms wrapped around his neck as she kissed him back, tears still streaming down her face.As they finally pulled away, Nolan took her hand and led her to a nearby bench. They sat down together, still holding hands as they looked into each other's eyes. Nolan took a deep breath before speaking."I'm so sorry, Alexa," he said, his voice filled with regret. "I should have never left like that, I shoul
159Alexa had been carrying the burden of not telling her son Anthony about his father for so long. She knew that Nolan hated her for what happened between them, but she still wanted Anthony to know the truth about his biological father. She had talked about it with her best friend Jade and decided to take matters into her own hands. Days had passed since Alexa wrote the letter to Nolan, and she had been anxiously waiting for his reply. She kept checking her phone for any email or message from him, but there was nothing. She even checked her mailbox day and night, hoping to see a letter from him. But as the days went by, she slowly accepted the fact that Nolan might never respond. Alexa felt heartbroken and disappointed, but she knew that it was what she had expected from him. She had made peace with the fact that Nolan hated her, and that she had to do what was right for her son. Instead of moping around her apartment, she decided to spend the weekend with her kids and Jade. Alexa
CHAPTER 158Alexa woke up to the sound of Nolan's voice singing his latest song, "Echoes of You". She smiled and pressed play again, letting the melody fill her ears. She couldn't help but hum along with the chorus, "You're the echoes of me, the echoes of you, and I'm lost in between, what's false and what's true."As she got ready for her day, Alexa continued to listen to the song on repeat, even while she was in the shower. She was so caught up in the melody that she didn't even realize she was humming along with it until she stepped out and heard herself in the silence.Alexa spent the whole day at school with Nolan's song stuck in her head. She couldn't focus on anything else, not even the lessons, and found herself humming the tune whenever she had the chance to, without even noticing it.As the week passed by, Alexa was approached by a girl at break time. She was minding her own business, eating her meal when the girl came up to her chuckling. The girl pulled out a banner of Nol
CHAPTER 157Three years had passed since Alexa had last seen Nolan. She had only caught glimpses of him on TV a few times since then. In the meantime, she had been busy raising her son, who bore a striking resemblance to Nolan.As Alexa kissed her son goodbye and turned to Jade, she couldn't help but feel grateful for her help. Jade had moved in with her to help pay the rent, and they had been taking turns caring for their children while working. Jade was currently calming down her daughter, who was having a tantrum."Thank you so much for helping me, Jade," Alexa said with a smile. "I don't know how I would have managed without you."Jade laughed and replied, "Don't be silly, Lex. We're like family now. I love your son like my own, and I don't mind helping you out at all."Alexa felt a sense of relief wash over her as she hugged Jade. It was comforting to know that she had someone she could rely on. As Jade pulled her aside, she whispered to her, "You need to tell your son the truth
CHAPTER 156Alexa looked at Bobby and thanked him for volunteering to take care of her son. She couldn't afford a full-time nanny, so she was grateful for Bobby's help. Bobby smiled at Alexa and told her that he understood her need to save money for her newborn. He was surprised that she had just been discharged from the hospital a month ago and was already back to work. Alexa reassured him that she had been through a lot and could endure any amount of pain.Bobby teased Alexa about missing her routine of watching "Rockstar Cutie" on TV. Alexa laughed and said she didn't have time for that anymore. After bidding farewell to Bobby, Alexa locked the back door and went to the counter where the TV was on. She switched the sign to "closed" as she knew there wouldn't be any customers at midnight.As the live performance was announced by the talk show host, Alexa smiled as she watched Nolan sing the same song he sang to her while they ate in the garden. It was a punk version of "Grow Old Wit
CHAPTER 155Alexa woke up to the sound of the roosters crowing outside her window. She stretched and yawned, feeling the weight of her baby bump as she got out of bed. She walked to the bathroom, splashed her face with water, and brushed her teeth. She took a moment to admire her growing belly and wondered what her baby would look like.After getting dressed, Alexa headed to the convenience store she managed. She unlocked the doors, turned on the lights, and started organizing the shelves. Her staff came in one by one, and they greeted her with smiles and hellos."Good morning, Lexie," one of her staff members said."Good morning," Alexa replied with a smile.Alexa loved her job. She enjoyed interacting with customers, organizing products, and managing her staff. It was a fresh start for her, and she was grateful for the opportunity.As the day went on, Alexa's thoughts drifted to Nolan. She wondered how he was doing and if he ever thought about her. She missed him, but she knew she h
CHAPTER 154Tears, pain and aches flew by her as they dwelt in her. Seeing the numerous messages from her colleagues, now ex co workers questioning her about her choice of resignation broke her and she couldn’t help but clench her fists. How was she supposed to explain to them? What was she even going to tell them?“Tell me Alexa, what made you change your mind?”“Did you fight with someone?”“Did someone try to force their self on you!”All these messages kept flooding her phone and she couldn’t take it anymore, she just couldn’t. She switched off her phone as she threw it to the side, she could not answer their questions, not now at least.Tears streamed down her cheeks, one day would come, perhaps she would be able to answer their questions then.She placed her hand in her bag as she took out her wallet, opening it as she checked it thoroughly, she needed to be sure she had enough money. Even if she didn’t want to take care of herself, she had to think about her baby.She heaved a
CHAPTER 153She said few words before sighing and then taking her bags out. She stepped out of the gates and on turning for the last time, she saw Nolan midway at the mansion’s door. She gasped as she tried to call out to him but then, he didn’t even act like he knew her.She narrowed her gaze to his hands and she could see them tightly clenched. She took a deep sigh as she watched him step back before turning away and then walking back into the house. This time, the tears could no longer be held back in her eyes and she turned away before walking out of the gate, finally.She dragged her suitcase on the road as she couldn’t think of anything else but what had just happened. She held on to her stomach, at this moment, there was only one thing on her mind, her unborn child. She swallowed hard as the thought of how she would take care of her baby, alone bothered her.She sat on the bench she had found in the sidewalk, she was tired, she had being walking for so long and she rested her
CHAPTER 152Tears streamed down her cheeks as she knelt before him, “please Nolan, I swear I meant for none of this to happen” she told him as tears streamed down her cheeks even more.She could no longer bear it, he was upset with her, very upset and she knew she deserved it.He turned away from her, he was broken, he didn’t want to listen to whatever it was she had to say. He clenched his fists as he started to walk away from her but then she rushed to him as she held on to his coat, “just listen to me Nolan, please.” She told him. He shook his head as he sighed, “I don’t want to listen to whatever you have to say, Alexa. Leave me alone, please” he told her but she wouldn’t listen. She was already choking from the tears and her head ached her badly but she ignored it, every single pain she felt.“I swear I wanted to call it off but then…” before she could complete her statement, he put his hands to her lips and she stopped talking. She smiled slightly as she stared into his eyes, h