Next Day when I wake up, I find Elliot pacing around my room, looking worried. I'm not used to seeing him as soon as I wake up and that's why I get startled. “What happened?” I ask, gaining his attention. Elliot stops walking around and comes closer to me. Though my mind is hazy due to sleep, I remember yesterday's event perfectly. I now know who Elliot really is and how dangerous he could get.“You are awake.” He says the obvious, making it obvious that he is nervous about something. Now, that's news. I never thought I would find Elliot nervous and worried. The delusional part of my mind is telling me that he is getting nervous because of me. I shove back that ridiculous thought.“Did anything happen?” I question, taking the blanket off of me. “No.” He sounds confident, seeming to get his composure back, “You weren't waking up so I was thinking you were having dreams about me.” I roll my eyes at his bizarre answer. His reason doesn't fool me though. For the first time ever, I can
The next time I meet Elliot is when he takes me to his workplace. No. It's not his office where he operates his corporate business. It's his workplace where he operates his illegal business. This place isn't what I expected. I expected to see a dark place like that warehouse. That's the reason why I was getting so nervous and scared. Luckily for me, this place looks good and it's not located in an isolated place.Anyone would think this 10 storey building is here for serving some kind of legal jobs. No one can guess what goes on around here.As the car stops, someone runs towards the car and opens the door for me. The man is dressed in a black suit with Bluetooth connected to his ears and sunglasses on his eyes, most definitely pulling off the attire of a classic bodyguard. While someone opens a door for me, another man opens the other door for Elliot. “Please, go first.” I'm not used to his courtesy so it feels foreign to me. However, I don't opt for making a comment on that. Withou
The man who tortured me that day without any solid reason is now grovelling at my feet, his face unrecognisable.“Please, forgive me, ma'am.” The man pleads with an agony-filled voice. Seeing him in such a situation makes me shudder. If it weren't for the size of body and his voice, I wouldn't even recognise him. When he looks up to me, I can't help gasping. His eyes are swollen, there are big bags under his eyes. His lips are busted, dried blood coating his lips. Both of his hands are in casts. Even looking at him makes me wince. What am I supposed to do in this situation? “Please forgive me for raising my filthy hands on you, ma'am.” He pleads again, tears cascading down his cheeks. “You asked if he were alive.” Elliot begins to speak, “Now, the decision is in your hand. Do you want to forgive him or do you want my men to deal with him differently?” There's no mercy in his tone. Without any doubt, he will kill the man without batting an eye. “Forgive him.” I gulp down, “I forgiv
Elliot forwards his hand, urging me to take it. “Don't argue.” He says in a hushed tone, looking ahead as he speaks with a smiley face for the guests. I pull my lips into a thin line, swallowing down my complaint as I give him my hand. Just like a gentleman, he kisses my hand, his lips feeling like a feather touch on my hand. Blood rushes to my cheek, coating my cheeks with a red taint. Flashes of several cameras hit my face, almost turning me blind. I understood why he is being extra gentle today. All the cameras are on us today, watching our every move like hawks. Sparing Elliot a blushful smile, I walk alongside him, trying my best to ignore the flashes of cameras and questions aimed at us. “Sway your hips more.” Elliot whispers into my ears in the disguise of whispering sweet things to me. “Are you crazy?” I whisper back to him, offended at his question. He is such a pervert. “Didn't she teach you that? You need to act like her.” He whispers again, taking the risk of anyone
Cara isn't as foolish as she lets others believe. She didn't make a haste call to one of her men demanding answers. She called her sister, talking about the design of a girl's dress that she liked. Who could have thought that even at a time like this, she was thinking of her work? She doesn't fool us either. She is trying to distract us, playing safe. While Elliot is busy talking to different people, I get a call from mom. Finding a less quiet place, which would be ideal for the phone call, I pick it up. “How's the date going?” She squeals like a schoolgirl with a crush. Her enthusiasm doesn't cease to make me smile brightly. “Mom.” I say in a gentle yet scolding tone, “We are attending a party, not a date.” I remind her. I can imagine her disappointed face right now. “That's a bummer.” She even sounds disappointed. Sometimes, I feel as if she is stuck in an old person's body. Her spirit is still so young. “Right. It's so sad.” I add, putting salt in her burn. “But I would let y
Keep telling myself it's a do or die situation, and I need to fight back, I turn back only to find Cara standing behind me. This crazy bitch! I pick myself up quickly before she can take advantage of me being in a disadvantaged position and attack me again. Like I said, she strikes at me again but I dodge her skilfully, causing her to collide with the sink. “I will fucking kill you today, you bitch.” She hisses like a snake, coming towards me again. Just when she thinks she has me in a tight position, I grab her by the hair and turn her around, making her face the mirror. She messed up with the wrong girl if she thought she could easily overpower me. I was never physically weak. My father used to teach me how to fight when I was a little kid because he was a frantic fan of wrestling. I wasn't weak, I was just a coward. I belonged to the bottom of the food chain. How was I supposed to fight with the rich kids who had everyone and everything to back them up? So, I had to keep my mout
“Are you gonna sleep now? I know I'm soft and comfortable but, I can't possibly be a substitute for a pillow or a mattress.” Elliot's soft voice brings me back from my reverie. I feel so embarrassed that I don't even want to look up at him and keep burying my face in his chest. Apparently, I've grown so comfortable with him that I don't mind our close proximity. I don't mind that I'm hugging him for my dear life. If my old self peeked into this situation, she would be so surprised to see herself in this position. “Aren't I a jerk anymore?” He jokes humorously, taking his hand off of me. Did he really have to make me so embarrassed? I'm already thinking of digging my own grave. What did I think before breaking into a fit of tears in Elliot's arms? Apparently, nothing. But I'm glad he is at least a decent human being. No. He needs more credit than that. No one held me like that while I cried since my parent's death. No one made me so comfortable without even saying anything. No one ma
“Get dressed.” Elliot orders me in a cold voice after we are done. His behaviour hits me like a bucket of cold water. He was such a gentleman, treating me like a princess. His tone has totally changed. He has come back to his usual cold self which makes him a self-centred jerk. Was I really getting ahead of myself? Is he gonna be more of an asshole to me from now on because he has gotten a taste of me? “Come on, hurry up.” His voice gets rougher, “We haven't gotten all day. What if someone comes through?” He asks, buttoning his shirt which is all crumbled up. “Didn't you say you don't care about what people think about you?” I ask him, my voice bitter and is battered with hurt. “Yeah.” He agrees, using the dresser to check himself out in the mirror, “But I do care what others think about you.” My heart pounds like crazy against my ribcage with that one sentence. Elliot may be the most confusing person I've ever encountered. The rough edge of his voice went into hiding, making an
No. She is definitely joking. It can't possibly be true. I heard the conversation between Elliot and Leo in the car. He has the reputation of being a playboy. The fact that he is a virgin contradicts all other allegations. “Stop joking around.” Lailah’s facial expression says that she didn't expect that reply from me. “You are talking about things which are exactly opposite. He is a well- known playboy. How can you say that he is a virgin? It's like the joke of the year.’ I scoff. My strong reaction shocks them momentarily. I sound so jealous that it shocks me as well. I realise how far I've fallen. Elliot has turned me into a lovesick girl. I don't remember ever being jealous over anything or anyone. But now, there's a bitter taste in my tongue, in my mind. In fact, jealousy is written all over my face. Lailah doesn't say anything. She looks back at Leo who gives her a “told you so” look. “Leo?” He looks at me, responding to my call.“Yeah?”“Now that you know I'm Amber, you mus
“Are you sure she will be alright?” I can hear an angry tone even when I think I'm deep into sleep. The angry tone itself tells me that it's none other than Elliot. Is he talking about me? “Elli, I'm not a doctor but I have ears, fully functioning ears. And those ears heard what the doctor said.” A new voice emerges, sounding sarcastic. My consciousness can't pick up the voice but I feel like I heard it before. I know who talks with this kind of sarcasm. I try to open my eyes and see who it is, but I just feel so tired. My eyelids feel too heavy to move. “Leo, don't be mean. Elliot is just worried about his wife. Be good!”A female voice chides him. Leo? What's he doing here? If the guy is Leo then the girl must be Lailah. What are they doing here all of sudden? I want to know, I want to open my eyes. “I'm sorry.” But he doesn't sound sorry at all. Typical Leo. “I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings, Mr.Ivanov. And yeah, your wife will be alright. That's what the doctor said. So, now
“Are you serious?” My hands are on my hip like a classic mom who is angry at something. “What?” He feigns innocence, looking at me with puppy eyes. “You want me to believe that you could manage only one room?” He nods his head. “Isn't that what the receptionist said? If you don't believe me, go ahead and listen to him again.” He shrugs his shoulders, walking ahead of me. “You are a billionaire for God's sake!” I say behind him, walking behind him. “So?” He halts which causes me to collide with his chest. “You want me to waste my money just because I'm a billionaire?” He asks, bending down a little and touching the bridge of my nose with his finger.“Yes. I do.” I swat his hand away, “How are we supposed to share a room here as well? If you have forgotten, let me remind you, we aren't married.” He looks bored of my speech. “Not yet.” He corrects me, “Besides, weren't you too bold, too eager earlier?” He whispers in my ear. I push him away and walk towards the room. It's not lik
“Is the greatest of all, the strongest mafia leader the world has to offer, afraid of flight?” My voice is teasing, eyes twinkling with newly found interest. Elliot scoffs at my face, not admitting it. He plays cool by picking up a glass of liquor. But I can see his discomfort. It's written all over his face. It makes me wonder if he has always been like this. I can't even imagine it. He has to fly all the time for his business. It must be a hassle to always feel uncomfortable and slightly scared while flying, that too so frequently. It's not my first time flying. But it's definitely my first time flying in a private jet. Who would have thought that the girl who was fighting poverty, working overtime to get meals 3 times a day, would have the luxury to ride on a jet like this? Definitely not me. I'm still awestruck by that fact. However, my joy of being in such a majestic vehicle doesn't last long. The reason? Elliot fucking Ivanov. You are wrong if you think I'm saying this because
“Can I talk with you for a while, dad?”I ask him over the phone. “Well, you are talking now, baby girl.” His voice is humorous as he speaks. “Yeah.” I don't let my annoyance show at all, “But I want to talk about something private, something serious.” He sighs loudly over the phone. “If something is bothering you, we should talk face to face. I will swing by your place tonight.” He offers. The affection that he holds for his daughter is unparalleled. It's hard to believe that he has done anything wrong. Maybe it's his love for his daughter which led him to the wrong path. “No need for that. I'm standing right outside your office.” I let him know. I can imagine the confusion on his face. “Then why aren't you coming in?” He proceeds to ask. “Because your secretary told me you are busy with work. So, I decided to call you.” He laughs out at my answer, probably getting the shock of his life that Amber decided to wait and call. “Now that I'm talking to you, I think you are not as bu
“Get dressed.” Elliot orders me in a cold voice after we are done. His behaviour hits me like a bucket of cold water. He was such a gentleman, treating me like a princess. His tone has totally changed. He has come back to his usual cold self which makes him a self-centred jerk. Was I really getting ahead of myself? Is he gonna be more of an asshole to me from now on because he has gotten a taste of me? “Come on, hurry up.” His voice gets rougher, “We haven't gotten all day. What if someone comes through?” He asks, buttoning his shirt which is all crumbled up. “Didn't you say you don't care about what people think about you?” I ask him, my voice bitter and is battered with hurt. “Yeah.” He agrees, using the dresser to check himself out in the mirror, “But I do care what others think about you.” My heart pounds like crazy against my ribcage with that one sentence. Elliot may be the most confusing person I've ever encountered. The rough edge of his voice went into hiding, making an
“Are you gonna sleep now? I know I'm soft and comfortable but, I can't possibly be a substitute for a pillow or a mattress.” Elliot's soft voice brings me back from my reverie. I feel so embarrassed that I don't even want to look up at him and keep burying my face in his chest. Apparently, I've grown so comfortable with him that I don't mind our close proximity. I don't mind that I'm hugging him for my dear life. If my old self peeked into this situation, she would be so surprised to see herself in this position. “Aren't I a jerk anymore?” He jokes humorously, taking his hand off of me. Did he really have to make me so embarrassed? I'm already thinking of digging my own grave. What did I think before breaking into a fit of tears in Elliot's arms? Apparently, nothing. But I'm glad he is at least a decent human being. No. He needs more credit than that. No one held me like that while I cried since my parent's death. No one made me so comfortable without even saying anything. No one ma
Keep telling myself it's a do or die situation, and I need to fight back, I turn back only to find Cara standing behind me. This crazy bitch! I pick myself up quickly before she can take advantage of me being in a disadvantaged position and attack me again. Like I said, she strikes at me again but I dodge her skilfully, causing her to collide with the sink. “I will fucking kill you today, you bitch.” She hisses like a snake, coming towards me again. Just when she thinks she has me in a tight position, I grab her by the hair and turn her around, making her face the mirror. She messed up with the wrong girl if she thought she could easily overpower me. I was never physically weak. My father used to teach me how to fight when I was a little kid because he was a frantic fan of wrestling. I wasn't weak, I was just a coward. I belonged to the bottom of the food chain. How was I supposed to fight with the rich kids who had everyone and everything to back them up? So, I had to keep my mout
Cara isn't as foolish as she lets others believe. She didn't make a haste call to one of her men demanding answers. She called her sister, talking about the design of a girl's dress that she liked. Who could have thought that even at a time like this, she was thinking of her work? She doesn't fool us either. She is trying to distract us, playing safe. While Elliot is busy talking to different people, I get a call from mom. Finding a less quiet place, which would be ideal for the phone call, I pick it up. “How's the date going?” She squeals like a schoolgirl with a crush. Her enthusiasm doesn't cease to make me smile brightly. “Mom.” I say in a gentle yet scolding tone, “We are attending a party, not a date.” I remind her. I can imagine her disappointed face right now. “That's a bummer.” She even sounds disappointed. Sometimes, I feel as if she is stuck in an old person's body. Her spirit is still so young. “Right. It's so sad.” I add, putting salt in her burn. “But I would let y