Chapter Forty fiveEliana's PovThe breakfast incident marked the official beginning of a war that I already lost.I got a call from Mia a minute ago, asking if we were all up for dinner at her place. It was her way of keeping tabs on Lillian, and I was more than happy to comply. I walked downstairs, wanting to stretch my legs and spy on Noah and Lillian. They were at the indoor bar, Noah on the chair and Lillian on the desk, sitting opposite of him wearing a sheer top with no bra, her nipples straining through the thin material of the top.She was telling him something about work and he sat, listening attentively.I walked to the bar, their attention turning to me. Noah's face because expressionless and Lillian smiled like a chesire cat."Lillian," I started, taking a sip of Noah's drink. The liquid burnt a path down my throat and I had to restrain from letting the effect show as I looked Lillian in the eye."So how is the hotel hunt going?" I asked, not wasting my time in going st
Chapter Forty SixNoah's PovSo much can happen in the span of twenty four hours.There I was, getting tortured by Eliana's innocent beauty as she decended the stairs, the orange dress fitting her like a second skin, making her look angelic. She was the sun, melting my heart and I almost swept her off her feet and carried her into my room.Keyword, almost.I was nothing more than a toy to her. I didn't mean all those things I said. Hell, I was too far gone to be saved. I regretted them the minute it left my lips but I just wanted her to feel a bit of what her words made me feel.Then Lillian came back. A pleasant surprise in more ways than one.First, she was getting to Eliana and for the first time, I saw her jealous. I felt a bit better but Lillian coming back didn't sit well with me.Lillian was my first, in many ways. We were young and wild. She liked the thrill of being caught. She liked the attention men gave her, she liked the popularity, she liked it all. Then she liked me. It
Chapter Forty SevenEliana's PovOliver came back after a minute, and he laid beside me on the bed, . here knowing this was the only place Noah won't think of looking if he cared enough to. He was probably busy sticking himself into Lillian.Not like I care anyway. That is an obvious lie. I care, too too much. For a minute I thought I wasn't the only one feeling these things, but it is painfully clear that I was just a distraction for him till the woman he loved came back. The woman he has always loved. He never let go of that beaded bracelet even though they already ended things long ago.That should have been the first sign but I kept ignoring it till it wasn't possible to ignore. Lillian would be the perfect wife. She was beautiful, successful and rich. Everything I wasn't. And she fitted into this life. Into his life and his heart. Where I wished to be but can never be.There was never space for me.It wasn't supposed to hurt that much seeing them like that, but it did. And I bawl
Chapter Forty EightEliana's PovBeing this close to Noah without Lillian around was really confusing. Where's Lillian? Wasn't she supposed to be where I was, sitting beside Noah on a private jet with two of his executive employees on our way to Hawaii?Since she came back to rekindle their old love, I expected Noah to be in my face, shredding the contract. But there he was in my face, reminding me the contract was very much real and still in motion.How could I spend the next couple of days pretending like none of the things he does affect me? Just by being beside him I was frustrated in many ways, and only in my wildest fantasies could he being with me come true.There was never a 'us'. I had better accept it and quick.In the jet, we were four, minus the Air hostess and the pilots. With us, There were four other people. Noah's new assistant, Jerry who I was meeting for the first time and Noah's office's receptionist, the nice lady I met in front of Noah's office. Her name was Vivia
Chapter Forty-NineEliana's Pov I stared at the bed, hoping it would split into two if I glared hard enough. Noah barely spared me a glance as he shredded his clothes and hopped into the shower. We were going to be in the vicinity for a lot of hours, some of which I might not see if Noah keeps looking at me that way.I know I insulted him at my time of weakness, but wasn't he the one who made everything we ever had a lie? He pretended to me, played with my feelings and now he has the audacity to be mad at me?He could barely look at me and that really hurt. I bet I not forappearance'ss sake he would be here with the one woman he truly loved, Lillian. I fumed, landing on the soft bed with athudd. The hotel room was big, so big, it could be called massive. It was a suite, with a kitchen and a sitting area.The windows werefloor-to-ceilingg, offering a stunning view of the beach side. The king sized bed was placed in the middle and draped with white and gold bedspreads, and opposite i
Chapter FiftyNoah's PovThe meeting with Mr Alex was brief, the asshole wasn't even apologetic for being late and still dared to order me to his room. But like a business man, I didn't show my annoyance. If he kept that up, then there would be consequences. Unlike Mr Smith, he didn't come with his wife, although I doubt if he had one. I only brought Eliana here because Mr Smith requested she came because his wife would love to meet her and I couldn't say no. How would it look for my relationship?Being so close to Eliana was the last thing I wanted. The images of the positions Oliver could have put her in. I could only feel disgust, anger and pain.I opened my heart and that's what happened. I was taught a lesson.Seeing Oliver barely wearing anything, everything turned red. I could barely see. I sped all the way home, almost crashing into a tree. I planned to drink myself to death, so I wouldn't feel. So I wouldn't think about her anymore. So I wouldn't long for her touch. She wa
Chapter Fifty oneEliana's Pov The awkward interaction between Noah, Mr Alex and Mr Smith made the atmosphere a lot more tense. Noah sat back in his chair, his two first buttons off and his wine glass in his hand as he watched Mr Alex coldly. He exuded a commanding aura.Mr Alex, seemingly unfazed by Noah's cold demeanour, maintained a polite smile on his face as he engaged in small talk with Mr Smith. I looked at Noah, my heart flipping in my chest. I didn't want to look in his direction but I couldn't resist. Our eyes locked and my heart thumped in my chest. I couldn't look away.In his eyes, I saw a potent mix of anger, desire, and something else, something I couldn't quite decipher.His eyes trailed down my neck, dipping down my neckline. It felt like he was touching me by just looking at me, taking his time at each spot his eyes touched. Slow, seductive, tempting. His eyes rose to meet mine, and they were much darker, desire and anger clouding them. They showed a promise of ful
Chapter Fifty-twoNoah's Pov I could barely hear what Mr Smith was saying because I could focus on the conversation. My eyes were on Eliana and Mr Smith's secretary. I could kill him. I had so much money to go Scot-free and so many people who owed my favours. I could make him disappear, this night by three am in the morning. I could drown him in the ocean, I'll just plead innocent and claim it was self-defence. I'll do it, I'll fucking do it if he makes her laugh one bloody time-The sound of her giggling excitedly while covering her mouth wafted into my ears and I had barely finished my threat.Okay, that does it."Mr Adler, don't you think we could all benefit if your company and Mr Alex's company both have a partnership? Your expertise in manufacturing and Mr Alex's expertise in marketing would create a powerful combination that could lead to mutual success and growth. What are your thoughts on this?" Mr Smith said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. He had no idea what he did by a