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Than There Was Us PART - I
"She loved him with all of her,But he was too oblivious to her shining light that instead drew someone else in,Someone who's been meaning to find light all his life if not for all of eternity"She had no love life to begin with but she made a living out of making people fall for each other hopelessly with just a snap of her fingers.Years of yearning to somehow be seen by Jason Faux, her multi-millionaire, playboy of a best friend as more than just a friend, Justine Bell ends up crossing paths with the enemy.Only to follow him into the dark depths of lies, secrets and manipulation she never thought existed in her world of skyscrapers and billboards.Loosing Justine to the darkness of his own world, will Jason be able to resist his instincts and leave Justine to the hands of the enemy?Indulge in this tale of love that knows no boundaries, friendship t
Last Updated : 2020-12-15Than There Was Us 1. 1. The Date
7pm.No time to breath, only work, work, work, work, work. Working late as usual has become more like my daily routine. Even though I know my secretary has left, I'm still running through last minute things.Arranging appointments despite the fact that right now I should be home, sitting on my couch and stuffing my face in front of the TV which is also a part of my daily routine.My life is pretty simple and I like it that way.The only difference is...My phone starts ringing.Sighing, I blow my pin-straight, ginger hair out of my face in exhaustion.The only difference is, I don't have a single day off or peace in my life.Picking up the phone, I look at the caller ID.'Clark Valsera's' name flashes on it.I gulp down the instant tension in my throat that comes up at that name and answer without
Last Updated : 2020-12-15Than There Was Us 1. 2. No Shit
My eyes become saucers the moment he says that.Like, whaaaaaaat?He takes in my surprise and instantly starts to rant."Look, I knew you wouldn't come if I asked you straight out so I had no choice but to do this. I didn't know what else to do, okay? You're just so busy all the damn time. Especially when I used to come to your office, you would be on the phone but your hands would be working and then you would mix up all the papers and grunt every now and then so, you get what I'm trying to say, right?", by the time he's finished there's a sheen line of sweat above his upper lip but the amount of observation he did in my office kinda freaks me out a bit too.God, can this guy rant?I narrow my eyes at him to see if he'll break under pressure but he just bursts out."What? Why are you doing that?!""No reason. I was just checking if you were serious", I calmly reply
Last Updated : 2020-12-15Than There Was Us 1. 3. What Are You Doing Here?
It's 1am and I'm still not home.I can't make myself, I don't know why. So I've been sitting in my car which is parked in the parking lot of my apartment building for the past 30 minutes, staring outside of my windshield at nothing.Literally nothing.Overthinking my way into a headache.Gosh, I'm so pathetic.I sigh and slam my head on the steering wheel.It's been an hour since I left Clinton and yet I can't stop thinking about him or the night. It's making me feel all kinds of weird, good kind of weird's which I've been trying to process but I can't. Seriously.Hence, the headache.The fact that Jason keeps calling me every minute is not helping either. And I know even though he's upstairs right now in my apartment, waiting for me whilst I've been overthinking for half hour, I can't make myself go upstairs.Somehow...
Last Updated : 2020-12-15Than There Was Us 1. 4. I Could Get Used To It
"Well, since last night went so awesome, I couldn't resist to pay you another visit and also the fact that I had to give you your paycheck, hence...", he trails off and gestures to himself, dramatically.What did I do to go through this in the morning?"You understand, you're paying me off for being your date, hypothetically", I cock a brow at him.He scoffs at me, as if... I'm a child?"Why, no of course not, silly women. Why would I? To have a date with the most busy women in all of New York is my pleasure and my honor. I would never dishonor a women of such high intellect with petty money. How could I?", he mocks me, feigning hurt as he places a hand to his chest.What a son of a..."What is your purpose here, Clinton?", I walk a few confident steps and stop in front of my desk, crossing my arms.He eyes me and I see the telltale signs of a sly smirk forming on h
Last Updated : 2020-12-15Than There Was Us 1. 5. Good Old Times
"Well, these cashmere gloves I need as it is winter, and I have... Hands"Rebecca Bloomwood's voice resonates through the whole apartment as we chew on popcorn in front of the in-house theatre TV set, on the couch.Watching 'Confessions of a Shopaholic' for the hundredth time with a bucket of popcorn in between us as we slump on each other.It's our usual Saturday night or movie night agenda of the day. We've not been able to have time for it lately and after a really long time doing this seems like a homecoming.Especially to me.I smile at the thought."You know what, I can't imagine how Luke couldn't see Rebecca's love for him", Jason comments from beside me, while chewing on popcorn not so messy-ly.I give him a look that says, 'Say what?' but he's too engrossed in the movie to actually notice it."Well, if not for 'Alicia fucking long legs'", I
Last Updated : 2020-12-15Than There Was Us 1. 6. Guilty As Charged
"Earth to Tina", Liza jumps in front of my face and I squint back in my seat at the sudden intrusion."Have you even been listening to a single word I've been telling you?", she frowns at me with one hand on her hip and feet tapping away impatiently at the floor of my cabin.It's Monday and I can't seem to get Jason out of my head. We haven't talked since that movie night at his apartment and honestly, the silence is killing me.Jason is not the type of person who bails on you. He's that nagging friend who is consistently behind you, grabbing for your attention but ever since that day and night, it's been so lonely without him even with Liza by my side, that I can't help but be worried because it's so unlike him.Sure Liza has kept me up and about, fully entertained with her antics, with the upcoming dates and schedules that I've to see through but my mind is just somewhere else despite it all.Also
Last Updated : 2020-12-15Than There Was Us 1. 7. Oh Lord, Help Me
Jason stares at Clinton, frowning so hard, I swear his skin would break out.Oh lord, help me.I look at him once and turn my gaze to Clinton who has his brows furrowed, definitely confused."Uh... He is just a client of mine who is just about to leave, right Clinton?", I give Clinton a look that says 'just go with it please' but apparently my attempts are futile."What?! But I just came, Justine. And we need to talk the talk", he gives the suggestive look at the end, emphasizing the words.He didn't just...Ugh!I hold in my grunt."Justine what is he talking about?", Jason eye's us, clearly intrigued, having caught Clinton's suggestive look since he wasn't being much subtle about it.Oh boy, Jason clearly thinks there's something going on between Clinton and me now!"It's
Last Updated : 2020-12-15
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Than There Was Us Acknowledgements
Dear readers,This section is dedicated to you. Without you this book wouldn't have been possible. It's the love of five years received by you and your love for this book that made me write it. I love you all from the bottom of my heart. Your comments, your votes, they motivated me in times of stress, sadness and brought me so much joy and motivation to keep going and not second-guessing stuff. Thank you so so so much, really.And at last, thanks to Anoushka and Manav for always staying by my side, supporting my writing, hyping the book like crazy and just being the best friends that you're. I love you guys the most! Also to my parents and my brother for yet again, not being aware of this book other than that it exists and I hope it stays the same in the future because God, I never wish to traumatize you with the smut scenes and be disowned in the process lol.All my love,Celine
Than There Was Us E P I L O G U E
Justine's POV:A loud cry jolts me awake from my slumber suddenly. My eyes immediately fall upon the cradle in the corner.It's the early hours of the morning. Sunlight falls softly on the cradle through the small gap between the curtains, creating a halo around it.I try to get up and out of my bed but a huge arm around my waist holds me down. "Jay", I nudge him from beside me.His arm only tightens around me."Jay", I clear the sleep out of my throat and nudge him a little more hard this time.He groans as he buries his head into my neck from behind."I got her.", he whispers into my ear in that husky morning voice of his which still sends shivers down my spine.Placing a chaste kiss on my collarbone, he immediately gets up from the bed in the next heartbeat. The sight of his bare back greets me and those low hanging sweatpants, making me turn over to his side of the bed and pull his pillow to me, squeezing it. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes and running his hand through his ha
Than There Was Us 2. 25. 3. Safer In Your Arms
Walking across the road, I make it to the coffee shop. I place an order to be delivered to our apartment and while it's being prepared, take a seat on one of the vacant booths. As soon as I'm in the seat, a message pops up with the address. I take a deep breath and look around once, checking to see if someone's keeping an eye on me or if it's just a fluke. Not wanting to risk it and thinking twice, I give into to what I'm about to do. I just hope David is as shortsighted as Ben said. I stand back up and approach the counter in the guise of paying up for the coffee. While I'm making the payment, as sly as I can be, I motion the employee behind the counter as subtly as possible to meet up with me in the washroom with just a tilt of my head. I make haste to the washroom as soon as I'm done with payment. Hoping the employee follows me. Once I'm inside the washroom, I check all the booths finding them empty. A few seconds later, the same employee enters through the door of the was
Than There Was Us 2. 25. 2. Baiting The Pawn
"I came as soon as I got your call"Ben comes through the double doors, rushing up the foyer and engulfs me into a assuring hug. "I got in touch with your lawyers and the security team. They're on it. We've also alerted the police. Even though they were reluctant to investigate at first and engage into searching, after that phone call confirmation and considering it's a high profile individual involved, they've started all kinds of search. Hopefully, we should have an update soon", he rambles on the specifics. Meanwhile, Liza rushes through inside with Camille on her tail. Not a few seconds after Olivia is also rushing through the doors, she gives me a look of pity maybe before rushing past us further into the house. "Thanks, I really appreciate that", I say earnestly, feeling my shoulders sinking down. Ben grasps my shoulder before squeezing it. "How is she?", he asks, a bit unsure. I know he's referring to Justine. I can't be thankful enough to him for bringing the girls with
Than There Was Us 2. 25. 1. Anxiety And Angst
Morning had come at last. I had woken upto someone caressing my arm softly, placing kisses on the back of my hand so delicately. It almost made me groan in pleasure.My eyes opened to Justine in my arms as I cocooned her from behind. My face buried in her neck.I couldn't help but take a deep whiff of her scent within me. It was the sweetest scent ever. Of our lovemaking and her entirely wrapped in it.I had made sure to do a pretty good job of it.Just for good measure, I kissed her bare shoulder softly, a little lazily as if it was not a Monday morning and still, Sunday.Sensing my wakeful state, Justine arched her back into my chest just slightly before turning her head just a bit as if asking for one.Knowing the answer to her silent request, I pressed my lips to hers. The feeling of fullness, a certain completely washed over me in that moment. I wanted to pull her in deep with the sweep of my tongue and a lot more.But we knew better, that one thing would lead to another and befo
Than There Was Us 2. 24. Rely On Me
It was a weekend yet again and the pictures of the picnic, of Justine and me literally kissing under the tree went viral. Thankfully, they mostly got my back but I'm glad they didn't get Justine's crying face.It was a private moment and as much as I want to go back in time and smash that paps camera, I can't. They had no right to intrude on us. And I'm really furious.Justine on the other hand, not so much. Even after a week I find her looking at the pictures after her morning tea.She's sitting at the breakfast bar while I stand over her shoulder with the support of my hand on the bar.She's been frowning at it for such a long time, it's almost driven me crazy with the possibilities.Like right now, she's wearing her black rimmed square shaped glasses which I didn't know she had or even needed, frowning at the picture and twisting her mouth right and left probably unconsciously."What? you don't like the picture?", I ask the one thing that has been bugging me all past week.She sigh
Than There Was Us 2. 23. Bring Me Back
Picking you up at 10. Don't be late xoThat is what I woke upto this morning and that is why I'm waiting for Justine's call at 10 in the morning, all freshened up. I don't have an idea of where she is taking me but I think it's part of the surprise. Thankfully I had no plans today however that did not prepare me for the long awaited moment.It took her extra thirty minutes to reach my building. I thought it was going to be just us two but when I got in the car, I was surprised by a grinning Cole with her."Good Morning!", he shrieked almost making my ears bleed.Although his happiness was so infectious, it made me smile."Good morning, Cole. Could you help me with where we're going today?", I raised a brow at him teasingly, hoping he tells me.He mimics the action of zipping up his lips, locking the key and throwing it away. "No can do", Justine says in a sing-a-long tone. I sigh. "It's a surprise!", Cole shrieks again, almost deafening me. I flinch but narrow my eyes at him too.
Than There Was Us 2. 22. Aftermath
And so it ensues...From that night onwards, it seemed like that bandage had been ripped off.We were together all the time. Earlier it felt like there was a dark cloud roaming over our heads but ever since that night it was gone. As if forgotten that it ever existed. The night had brought on sucha a bright morning that we just wanted to stay in that little bubble of ours.Always texting each other, talking to each other and sometimes even sneaking around places to engage in some hot and heavy sex.It was like we had have enough of foreplay and we would just run to that chase.To makeup for all those days we were not together, reaching for that release. Be it against a wall, in her office and practically any surface visible to the eye. Obviously while being discrete of not being discovered.But in our haste, not even that subtle to not kiss each other goodbye in public. People would stare at us, some even more evidently then they would like to show.But it seemed neither of us cared
Than There Was Us 2. 21. Dilemma
I didn't sleep the whole night.She was in my arms and that was all that I needed. It was like a dream come true. A dream so dear, I didn't want to loose it. So I stayed awake.Not knowing how long it will last. But until then, I can take my fill of her to long me my whole lifetime.My eyes ached but I wouldn't leave even for a single wink of nap.She was in my arms, her head on my chest, her soft breaths brushing against my chest. One of her arms thrown carelessly around me and my hand in her hair. I breathed in her head every few seconds, committing the scent of her to memory. All night I couldn't stop, even if every last time drop of me had been drained, I couldn't. I didn't want to. And it seemed neither did she. We were spent in the early hours of the morning and now it's almost afternoon. I can feel the sun on my skin from where it's streaking through the curtains from the window. So many years of pent up anticipation and here we're now. Even when she's asleep, I see her ha
