Noah’s POV It's been 168 hours since I was forced to choose between being Eliana and sparing my mother's life.Seven days since I had to say goodbye to the woman I loved the most in the whole world and a week since I last went to the office, self isolating as I replayed the events of that day over and over, contemplating on how I could have done better to get a better result. I thought of a hundred ways that day could have gone without me hurting Eliana and and Fifty ended up with my mum getting killed by that maniac and the other ended up with, also my mum getting killed. It had to be done but why did I feel like shit? Why did I feel empty? Why did I feel like the only thing that made me happy has been taken from me?That's because it has been taken away from me, or rather, she has been taken away from me. Seeing her break down as I said those words haunted me, and knowing that she must be beating herself up for something like that wrecked me. Hearing she told him about the cont
Chapter 107 Eliana’s POV The distraction of my designing only lasted for a day. The next couple of days, I laid on my bed, crying from the memories.My friends have been sad about my relapse but they were as understanding as usual, taking good care of me and hanging around me.The rumours about our break up had spread like wildfire and Tiana already called to apologise. She offered to fly in but I told her not to worry.She didn't need to worry about me.I would be fine. It is just a matter of time. I lied, I would never be fine without Noah.For the first time, I decided to leave my house, take a walk around the little pack we had in this estate, so I heard from Anna.I wore a comfortable sweatshirt since fall was creeping in on us. I also wore jeans and boots, then attempted to put on a bit of makeup. The bags under my eye were evident, but I didn't want to think about it, just for today I didn't want to think about anything that would make me sad.I walked out of my door, and fo
Chapter 108Eliana’s POV I bought the place. Best thing I ever bought. We decided to meet during the weekend for the paper work. She was so nice and welcoming and even gave me some tips.I sort of felt I was moving too fast, I mean, I barely have a dress done in my collection and u already have a whole store for these clothes that I was yet to make.I put through a call to Bella Mia and Anna, their puzzled faces coming up as they looked at me. They were shocked that I was willingly calling them on my own accord. They didn't expect that me who was crying into my pillow would be the same me to pick up the phone and then make a call."Hey guys," I said and they replied the confusion and worry still etched on their faces. "Hey," they replied and it sounded more like a question than a greeting."Guys I found a space today."Bella smiled, "You left your house today, that's great. Do you feel better?" I grinned, showing them the space but they could only focus on Bree, "Awwn look at that c
Eliana’s POV Bella took up my phone and read out the message Oliver sent to me.Anna looked scared, petting my head as I brawled into the couch, "How is this guy watching us?"Mia rubbed her hands around herself, "God, this is creepy as hell."Bella had a thoughtful look on her face as she stared at the message. "I've seen this in a movie before. He is tapped into the cameras on the streets.""Wow," Anna said, and they all turned to look at her. She raised her hands in surrender, "It is impressive, to be honest. ""Whatever." She said and then got up to meet me, "Eliana," she said, patting my head, "I'm sorry you had to see that.""I thought he loved me," I said as I stopped crying and sat up.Bella wrapped her hands around me, "He does."I shook my head, "Didn't you see him with that, babe? He has already forgotten me." I screamed, and Anna and Mia kept trying to console me.Bella waited till I calmed down before she spoke, "I'm so sorry about this baby, but I feel something is up.
Eliana’s POV Bella, Mia and Anna stayed all through the night. They kept trying to convince me that Noah still loved me but I was done having hope. Oliver won and now he wants to gloat. Over my dead body.Who am I kidding, he would gloat anyway.I just laid in bed. Thinking. Trying to hold on to what Bella screamed at me earlier. "Goddammit Eliana. Noah loves you, more than he loves himself. So get that into your thick skull."I got offended, then I didn't want to talk to her anymore, Thinking she was only covering up for her brother. But I couldn't stay mad at her. I just hope she's right.I hope you still love me Noah, and yesterday has a good enough explanation if we would ever be together again. If you would ever forgive me for the contract. Bella took away my phone at five pm but I didn't mind since Anna and Mia were watching our favourite Netflix show and for a moment I let myself get carried away with it.********Noah’s POV At five on the dot, I hid behind a bush not wan
Eliana’s POV Bella sat beside me, her eyes on the screen but not focusing on the movie. Her eyes kept drifting to her phone and mine and her leg kept tapping on the floor. She looked nervous; I didn't understand why. I tried to focus on the movie but I was having issues focusing with the sound of her foot tapping the floor. I turned to her, "Bella." She didn't respond, her eyes still glued to the screen. I tapped her again, "Bella." I said, louder this time and my voice jolted her out of her trance. "What, what?" She responded, looking pale and scared. Her appearance confirmed my suspicions, something was definitely going on with Bella. Anna lowered the volume and both she and Mia turned to look at us. Bree crawled into my lap, something I've noticed she liked doing. "Are you okay, Bella?" Mia asked, coming to seat beside us. Bella nodded with a fake smile, "Yes I'm fine, why are you asking?" I scoffed, "Don't fucking lie, Bella." I tried to take her phone from her but a mess
Eliana’s POV Another gunshot rang followed by another thud, and the rapid running of people into the warehouse brought me back to the present and I remembered to breathe."Yes! I was afraid I wasn't going to get those shots." Alex grinned as he came into my peripheral view.I shook as they lifted Oliver's body off the floor effortlessly, his eyes losing life slowly as they rushed him out followed by his associate's body, my mind reeling at what could have happened if Alex had missed the shot.My eyes moved to Noah who was on the floor gripping his side where Oliver had hit him. I ran to him, my eyes filling with tears. What if Alex had come just a minute late? What if he missed the shot? What if Oliver was faster than him?What if I lost the only person I loved more than my life today?"Noah, noah baby." I said, my hands shaking as I tried to talk to him. He looked at me with his hooded eyes and he smiled, "Eliana,"I burst into tears and held him close, my heart still trying to gra
Eliana’s POV After the party and cleaning up, Noah and I silently walked into his room, his hand never leaving mine as he opened his door. It was just as neat as I remembered, and I smiled as I saw the wrinkled paper on his nightstand. It was the letter I wrote before leaving that day. I looked back at him, and he smiled, the sides of his eyes crinkling, "That was the only thing that kept me going when you weren't here."I smiled, hooking my hands behind his neck, "Well, Bella kept reminding me about how much you loved me."He looked offended for a bit, "You doubted my love for you?" I stroke his little moustache, his hair needing a trim, "I doubted your love. Not because I felt you didn't love me, but I felt that I might have messed up my chance with you."He cradled my face in his hands, my heart beating racing as his eyes, my weak point, shone with love and adoration, "Because you told Oliver about the contract and what happened to my mother?"I nodded, sighing, "If I wasn't i
Chapter 26AlexNoah didn't take it well. As expected. He even broke my nose and jaw because of it.I understood. Not only did I break his trust by fucking his sister who I swore to protect, I didn't tell him when it started. Thankfully, Eliana was there to calm him down or else I wouldn't have had a face anymore.Things were stiff between us the first few days, then he accepted it. Said he couldn't have trusted anyone else to be with his sister if not me.Things were perfect between Bella and I. Linda reached out to Bella, and made her not only an ambassador but the manager of a new division that was opening here in the city.Bella was excited. She flopped the first meeting, but Linda said basically what Laura of Pearls said. Bella was self dependent, and that's what truly mattered. I on the other hand never felt happier. She was all that mattered to me and being with her has made everyday of my life better than the last. We had crazy sex, every orgasm better than the last.I loved h
Bella's Pov Alex smiled at me, his thumb cleaning off the lone tear that escaped my eye. "I said I love you, Bella."Say something! My brain screamed at me and I recovered from the shock. "Why?" I asked, whispering, afraid that the moment might end if I was too loud.He chuckled softly, "Why? You are perfect. Compassionate and beautiful. You light up a room with your presence. A perfect example of beauty and brains. I could go and on, but those wouldn't still explain why I have fallen in love with you.""But I'm impulsive and inconsiderate. We haven't known eachother for long…""You aren't impulsive and inconsiderate. You are passionate and driven. The things you see as faults, aren't faults at all. And we haven't known each other for long, but it feels like I've known you forever.""But, but…" I stammered but he placed a finger on my lips, shutting me up. "But nothing, Bella. If you don't feel this way, it's okay. I just want you to know that, my heart's yours, even if you don't wa
Chapter 24BellaNoah was shocked when I asked him to replace my guard. He wanted to know what happened, but I wasn't giving him any explanation. I didn't want to think about anything. I immersed myself into my work, creating more content for the brands I worked with and spent the other days drinking. I didn't want to leave my home. I didn't want to stumble on Alex.That night felt like a bad dream. I hated myself for believing Antonia. Even Fiona didn't want me there.I should have maintained my pride. I should have walked away when the drinks poured on me. I should have never made that deal. Maybe, just maybe…I brushed that thought away, taking a gulp of my wine. I didn't want to feel anymore. I didn't want to regret anything anymore.Maybe I should have listened to Alex. Maybe I shouldn't have said those words. Maybe I shouldn't have let my lack of judgement and frustration coupled with jealousy get into my head.I hated Antonia. And seeing her wrapped around him with her lips on
Chapter 23Alex's POV"You know I can see through you, right?" I said with a smile as Antonia spoke about how hard it was to be related to a legend.She gasped, placing a hand on her chest, "What do you mean Alex?"I chuckled, playing with my dinner knife, "I know you have a plan to ruin things for Bella."Her eyes widened and she laughed, hard. "I knew there was a reason I liked you."I chuckled, "I see through snakes like you. Now, it would be wise if you stop whatever you are planning. "Bella came, her eyes emotionless as she saw Antonia giggle. She was going to take it the wrong way. But did she even care? Did she care enough to lose sweat over whatever I do? She was so driven by her career, I loved that about her. But she was willing to ruin what we had for something that was obviously a trap. She didn't care if after this, I would keep my distance far away from her.It didn't matter to her, all that mattered was this opportunity to meet her idol and become an ambassador for th
Chapter 22Bella.The trip back home was the worst. Alex and I still didn't talk to each other. That continued even after we got home. We barely spoke when I wanted to go out, and I only went out once. The week was the worst as I planned on how I would style my dress for the wedding at the end of the week.I tried to distract myself by meeting up with Eliana after my brother rudely asked for me to help her get ready for their date. He looked suspiciously happy, and I was happy for him.She wasn't in a good stare because of what went on with Oliver, but by the time we partnered up to make her gorgeous, she forgot all about the incident and focused only on her date with Noah.Something was up with that relationship, one minute they look like they want to kill each other, then the next they look like they can't wait to be in the room together. Eliana always blushes when we talk about sex. One would think she was a virgin but knowing my brother, that was next to impossible. Unless the un
Chapter 21Bella's Pov The dinner party started twenty minutes before we got there. Alex and I got to the hotel two hours before the time for the party to start, and that wasn't nearly enough time for me to get dressed.Alex was ready ages ago and actually offered to help inform me that I wasn't going to take much time,but I explained to him that I had to be fashionably late or I wouldn't be taken seriously. He decided to just leave the room since he was feeling restless. I wore a sparkly deep blue mermaid sequins dress with a high slit. It was off the shoulder, my cleavage evident but not spilling. I made my hair into waves and swept it to a side, then wore my jewellery which consisted of dangling earrings, rings and a little bracelet. Wore my silver heels and after doing my soft yet fierce make up, I was ready to go.I walked in front of the large mirror, a smile on my face as I checked myself out. I twirled in the mirror. The door opened and Alex stepped in, clad in his muscle
Chapter 20Bella's Pov I walked into the room with my robe on. Alex was already under the covers, turned away from my side of the bed. I let out a silent sigh as I wore my night wear and crawled under the covers.Looking at his back, I couldn't judge if he was asleep or not. I tapped on his shoulder, "Alex?" No reply. I tapped him again and I felt him grab my arm."Wha…" I didn't have time to process what was happening as he pulled me into his arms."Alex, you could have told me you wanted to cuddle." I giggled, laying in his chest.He scoffed, "I don't want to cuddle. I just want to steal your warmth.""Deceive yourself all you want, but I know you are obsessed with me." I tapped his nose and he rolled his eyes."Whatever makes you sleep, butterfly." He muttered into my ear and we fell into a deep silence.A lot was going through my mind. What are we doing ? Why did he feel offended when I said what I said about him?Was I wrong? Was it just my fear talking? What if I was getting
Chapter 19 Bella’s Pov It was seven o'clock, and I was dressed and adorned for our first shoot. Alex sat beside me in our car as we trailed behind Pearl's crew closely to the venue. I felt a lot more confident, like the real Bella people saw. Beautiful, fierce, unbreakable. All thanks to the one man I never knew could make me feel so beautiful, so seen. I blushed as I remembered events that happened earlier today in the dressing room while I was getting ready, his head between my legs as he handed his daily meal. He ate pussy better and more passionately than anyone I’ve ever met. And while I wobbled out of the dressing room to show the crew my look, he whispered assumingly dirty words to me like, “I so want to fuck you with that dress bunched around your waist.” Somehow, he managed to make that statement sweet by adding how beautiful I looked after saying that. And I felt beautiful, not just because he said so. He showed it, he made me love every one of my insecurities by mentio
Chapter 18BellaWe met the pearls crew in Dubai. They were all so nice and friendly. I couldn’t meet Laura personally but I met her assistant, who led us to the hotel where they already booked a room for us. It was a majestic five-star hotel to my taste, crawling with rich Arab men and beautiful women.Even Alex was impressed about this fact after criticizing the kind of plane ticket they bought for us, hence why we had to go on his private jet instead.The room was just how we wished it could be. It was a suite adorned with luxurious furnishings and breathtaking views of the city skyline.We settled in the suite after a brief arrangement to meet early tomorrow morning for our shoot. We had the whole day to rest.Alex was already in the suite when I walked in with a towel on his waist and water dripping down his chest.“Hey,” he greeted, taking my attention off his chest and to the teasing smirk on his face as he caught me checking him out. “I could pose for a picture if you like,” h