“Of course Sean, I would love to. Honestly this is a ground breaker for me, thank you so much.” I grinned, I was so happy that I couldn’t even hide my excitement.“It’s nothing Hayley, your art is what is bringing you this opportunity. Don’t stop painting, don’t lose this unique pattern that you have, nurture it and I can assure you that you might even be bigger than I am. Not that I’m big or anything…” He tried to downplay himself,“Are you kidding me? I’ve looked up to your work all my life! You inspired me, if you aren’t big to anyone you’re very much big to me.”Sean smiled before standing up from the seat, I got up from my chair too.“Anyways thank you, for coming and for sharing your art with me. the fundraiser is in two days, so I would contact you if I need anything else.” He said,“No problem, honestly I don’t even know how to pay you for the big help.”“Um-if you won’t mind, I was hoping you could join me for coffee.” He shrugged casually and I let out a small smile.“Sure,
CHRISTIAN’S POVI sat down impatiently in the backseat as Terry drove as fast as he could to the hospital, Hermione had called that Dad had passed out again. The only thing coming to my mind is the fact that he was poisoned and maybe it’s still in his system. There are slow-acting poisons, so what if this was one of them? In a few minutes Terry parked in front of the hospital, I hurriedly got down and rushed towards the main entrance.As my eyes scoured the waiting area hoping I would see my mom, my eyes caught a pair of familiar ones. I recognized they were Hayley’s.“Christian,” she called as she noticed me too, I slowly walked up to her. There was someone else standing beside her, I didn’t know who she was but they looked very much alike so I could only guess they were related.“What are you doing here?” I asked, the girl beside her kept her gaze fixated on me.“I could ask you the same thing, but then your dad was just rushed in so that answers my question.” Hayley responded, she
I couldn’t say anything, I just watched as she went through this emotional outburst. Anything I say to her won’t matter anyway, she already hated me.“I’m sure you’d just lie to the media and they would believe you, what should I tell my mom what happened after the contract is over? I can’t have her worrying about her mentally ill husband and then her daughter who can’t seem to keep a man.” Hayley’s jaw clenched, she was so tired and frustrated that I could see it in her eyes.“So what are you trying to say now? What do you want to do?” I gave a casual shrug; I was standing like her words weren’t getting to me when in fact they were. I was fighting so hard to deny everything she said, I didn’t want her to be right but she was.“I don’t want to be your fake wife anymore, I don’t want this contract.” The words I didn’t know I feared rolled out from her lips.“I was going to keep up this charade, hide you from my family till everything is over. But now my mom has met yours and they’d tr
I was stunned where I stood, but then I wasn’t supposed to be. This is what Mom needed, she had been so trapped in this loveless marriage by her parents that she didn’t even realize what real love felt like.“You know what, I’m happy for the both of you.” I smiled softly, I could tell from his expression that he was confused and expected me to say more.“That’s it? That’s all you’re going to say?” he chuckled mockingly, I exhaled deeply as I rubbed my temple. First of all, I have had enough of his bullshit and I was tired of talking to him because he wasn’t worth my time.“Yeah, what else do you want me to say? That this was bad?” I raised a brow before giving a small side laugh,“No, this is good. This is the best thing that should have happened to Mom in a long time and I’m glad it’s finally happening. Goodbye.”“You’re invited to the wedding!” He shouted as I turned to take my leave, I paused between steps.“What kind of son would that make me if I came to watch the union of you a
I thought deep and hard but then I couldn’t figure out what I could give him. “I don’t know Christian, can’t you just do it out of good will?” I chuckled, “Hmn, hmn” He shook his head in disapproval; I exhaled deeply and started thinking again. “Let’s make a deal, after five months I’d have figured out what I want to give you.” He raised a brow in skepticism, “Fine then, five months it is.” CAROLINE’S POV [FLASHBACK] “Miss Foxx, sorry I kept you waiting. The lab was still getting your test results ready, anyways this is it.” The doctor stretched out his hand to give me a white envelope as he sat down. “Oh, it’s fine doctor Fell. Do I have to open this? Can’t you just tell me what exactly is wrong?” I bit my cheek nervously as I asked, “I would prefer that you see the test results for yourself, Miss Foxx.” He insisted. I swallowed before opening the envelope slowly; I had been feeling uncomfortable for the past couple of days. I couldn’t use the toilet, I was always bloated an
HAYLEY’S POVI yawned and stretched as I got out of bed, my hair was all rough and tangled. I guess today must be my bad hair day, I could swear that I applied my hair treatment before wrapping it into a bun last night.I stood in front of the mirror, and I just smiled at myself. Was I going to be living the real love life very soon? I don’t know, but was it exciting that a billionaire wants me to love him in five months?I’d say it’s crazy but I love the idea, “Morning mom” I itched the back of my neck as I walked out of my room.The date with Christian was two days ago, I came to spend a few days with my mom for emotional support since dad was still in the hospital.My mom was carrying a hot plate of pancakes to the dinning; she was not a deep sleeper like me. She believed in an early breakfast and so she wakes up early to cook, she’s always been like that since I was little. I guess old habits never really die.“Morning baby, did you have a goodnight rest?” she let out a smile and
CHRISTIAN’S POVI kept sipping from the small cup of tea in my hands, I laced it with a bit of alcohol. I was starting to think I was getting addicted to drinking, but that was my coping mechanism so I wasn’t even bothered about it.“What does a girl have to do to escape one day of work?” Riele said to herself, she came downstairs in her white bathrobe and a white towel tied on her head.“Morning Christian,” “Morning, you’re up late” I glanced through today’s newspaper, I don’t read the news, I have never read a newspaper. But I guess you suddenly get interested when rumors are likely to be spread about you, not that I cared.There are some rumors that you find funny because you’d be like when did I do this one? This was new.“I have decided to stay in and get some home service massage, all this drama is making me feel older. Besides, I’m single and lonely. What else have I got to lose?” Her tone dropped at that last statement, she moved towards the bar and poured herself a glass
HAYLEY’S POV“She’s not picking up,” I slammed my phone on my thigh as I looked out the windowMy heart was almost beating out of my chest, I kept dialing Shayla’s number so she could leave the house and meet us halfway but she wasn’t responding. I tapped my feet impatiently as I was getting car sick, I glanced at Christian and he looked just as worried as I was.“Just calm down, we’ll be there soon. I know she’s fine, you just got the threat today. The person won’t be foolish to try something in the daytime.” He replied, He was really bad at this consoling thing.We hadn’t uttered a word to each other since we got in the car; there was just too much tension in the air. I already noticed that his mood had changed before he got in the car, had to be something he checked on his phone.Soon we arrived at my mom’s house, I rushed out of the car towards the front door. I tried opening the door but it was locked from inside.“Shayla, Shayla open the door.” I banged the door loudly,I could
ONE WEEK LATERCHRISTIAN’S POV “Yes, Officer Gavin. I appreciate your efforts. Thank you.” I said, and the call dropped. I turned from the window and faced Hayley, who was lying down on the bed. We were both fully discharged from the hospital, and Khalid was still there. And I always made sure I checked on him every day. Hayley, on the other hand, still had to go to the hospital for her antenatal. Officer Gavin was telling me about Denver, and they caught him. He didn’t even hesitate to cooperate with the police; he sold Alexander out. The police were now looking for him, he and Alexander made the deal about putting the bomb under my car. And other news aside, the person who was trying to poison Bernard was a maid in the house. Her motives weren’t clear yet, but she was with the police now. I also heard that Cassidy fell to her death—not that I was being insensitive, but she deserved it. That would be the last time I would ever see Cassidy in my life, and I was thrilled, to be hon
CHRISTIAN’S POV My eyes fluttered open, and immediately I became conscious. Pain surged through my head. I raised my hand slowly to touch my head, and I realised there was a bandage on it. My body ached all through; it was like all the pain I hadn’t felt for the few moments I was asleep was all coming to me at once. The accident replayed vividly: Khalid, the screeching of metals, the flames licking at the car, and Khalid’s shriek of pain as the car engulfed in flames with his legs still trapped while his body was out of the car. Panic seized me as I scanned the unfamiliar surroundings I was in. I figured I was at the hospital; the curtains and the beeping sound of the heart monitor gave that away instantly. “Where’s Khalid, Khalid?" The words fell from my lips in a desperate plea, and my voice was hoarse from the terror that had gripped me in my sleep. The fear that my friend could be dead was the only true friend I ever had. And it would be my fault; I wouldn’t be able to forgive
HAYLEY’S POVIt’s been three days since Cassidy and Rebecca held me captive. I haven’t had food or water and am hungry and tired. My vision is starting to blur as I am slowly losing strength.I slowly closed my eyes. Maybe if I could get a little rest, it would take my mind off the hunger. But then Cassidy splashed me with another round of cold water. I opened my eyes and raised my head, gasping for breath.I shook my head to get the water out of my eye, and the sound of a stainless steel bucket falling on the floor drew my attention to Cassidy, who was standing right in front of me.“I told Christian, he has to meet me here by 1 p.m. Well, would you look at the time? And still no Christian.” She exhaled, almost disappointed.Christian was coming here? I almost felt a sense of relief, but then coming here was a trap. Cassidy was just going to kill us anyway.“Can you see that we can’t trust men and that they are all the same, but don’t worry, I’ll get revenge for us?” she teased, my
72 HOURS CHRISTIAN’S POV The sunlight penetrated the room as I stood by the crack in the window and sipped wine from a small glass. My phone was in my ear when Officer Gavin called. Different things were going through my mind; everything was my fault. From the start, I had always been the problem. Not once have any of Hayley’s mistakes occurred if she even had any. None of them had come back to either haunt me or get me kidnapped. But here I was, putting her in danger yet again because of my bad choices. I just kept proving her mother’s point that I was no good for her. And now that she was carrying my baby, what good could I possibly be to the innocent creature? “Officer Gavin, it’s been three days, and you still haven’t found her,” I complained as I turned away from the window. “What if something else happens to her? I don’t trust those two girls who have her. i…I already told you that I didn’t know where they were. Fuck! If I did, I would drive straight down and get my woman
HAYLEY’S POVI became conscious of the splash of cold water all over my face and tried to jerk up. But my eyes darted down to the rope tied around my legs to the chair, and my hands were tied to the chair behind my back.I struggled to see if I could loosen the rope on my hands, but all my efforts were useless. I exhaled heavily and raised my head to hear someone’s heels hurting the floor.I was sure that it was the person who abducted me. A petite lady with brown hair and blue eyes walked towards me with a bowl, and she smirked.“Re-Rebecca?” I mouthed as my eyes widened in disbelief. She used to be Christian’s secretary. Of course, she would want my head; Christian wasn’t paying her attention anymore. They weren’t having any of that good sex, and then he fired her.I could tell the minute I saw how he looked at her that day when I went to his office. They had something going on, but then I thought it would be Cassidy, but the turns of events were rather shocking.“I’m happy you rem
CHRISTIAN’S POV“Come on, Hayley. Pick up the phone."I mouthed as I paced around in the living room. I reacted stupidly yesterday; I shouldn’t have talked to her like that. I shouldn’t have told her to abort the baby; what stupid suggestion was that?And now that she had left home, I had no idea where she was. I couldn’t reach her; she was picking up my calls, and she still hadn’t come back home.Maybe she was right, and having a baby would change me. It would make my life in a different light. She wanted me to listen to her so badly. It wasn’t like she was forcing the baby on me; she understood even my own plight.She just wanted to talk, to figure out a solution, and I completely shut her down. It was like I was now making my own life more miserable than it already is.“She won’t pick up your calls, Christian." I turned to the sound of Riele’s voice; she was coming from the kitchen holding a glass of booze.“Thanks a lot for the help,” I replied sarcastically.She rolled her eyes.
His eyes widened, and then a storm of emotions brewed on his face. My hands started shaking nervously, and I could tell that he was pissed—like pissed as fuck.“Pregnant? Are you kidding me, Hayley? Is this some sick joke?”I shook my head. Tears threatened to spill from my eyes. I thought having a baby was a good thing. Whether planned or unplanned, we had the resources to take care of it. But then I understood that Christian wasn’t ready because of what he was going through at the moment.“No, Christian. It’s true. I know we didn’t plan it, and I swear I was scared to tell you." He cut me off“How long have you known?” He dropped the whisky bottle on the bedside drawer and faced me, his back resting comfortably on the bed's headboard.The scenario looked like a teenage girl opening up to her father about her unwanted pregnancy."Yesterday, the doctor said I’m three weeks pregnant. And that I was going through too much stress.”He scoffed, “Too much stress? I guess he’s a stupid doc
HAYLEY’S POVMy heart had been pounding in my chest like crazy since last night; I had blacked out suddenly. When I woke up, I was being treated by a doctor, and Riele was by my side.She had told me that Christian went to trash the wedding; to be honest, I wasn’t exactly expecting him to be calm about things. Ever since my dad almost overdosed and died, he just left again and never came back. So if I heard he was starting a new life after all the pain he had put us through, I would crash the wedding too.But that wasn’t my problem out of the many problems on the ground. Hermione had come to see Christian to clear things up, and coincidentally, she came with Liam.“It’s safe to say that we are both victims, Christian.” Hermione started, and the air in the living room was thick with tension as she and Liam faced Christian.I wasn’t sure what Hermione wanted—maybe reconciliation? But she was also a victim of Bernard’s lies and secrets. Liam, on the other hand, just wanted to be clear
CHRISTIAN’S POVIt felt like everything hidden was slowly unraveling itself for me, and each time I found out the truth, I couldn’t help but feel like I had been fooled my whole life. No one cared enough to tell me the truth about anything; I had been living in a lie.Looking for truths that were right under my nose the whole time, the feeling of betrayal suddenly turned into a fresh wound again. I couldn’t possibly trust anyone anymore—Hayley, maybe, or even Riele.My grip on my steering wheel tightened as my car was almost going full throttle. Hayley fainted out of nowhere, so I called the doctor to attend to her at home. I also made sure I called Riele before I left the house.I thought maybe I would be mature enough to deal with the new truth I found out about my mum, but I couldn’t sit back knowing I could see her again after so many years. And she was under a new identity and getting married too. I would lose my mind if I didn’t get closure.I parked like a crazy person in front