Elena POV “ Elena” Alex called“ I'll get ready for the dinner party shortly.” I wiggled my hands in his grip but the more I struggled, the more they became tighter.“ Elena,” he called again, his voice low.This time I turned but didn't look at him. I didn't want him to see my eyes swollen and filled with tears. I didn't want him to know I was crying earlier. That might make him feel more mighty and self-important.“ Look at me” he said, raising my face to look at him, but I averted my eyes the other way. I didn't want to see him or talk to him.One other rule that I had forgotten in the contract was not to get too close, or else I'd get burnt. But I did get close and now I'm burnt. “ Please,” and I did. His eyes were beautiful as ever holding a hint of calmness and vulnerability. It was different from the last time he consoled me. More earnest, almost charming.I stayed locked on them for a while before looking away again. “ Mr Donovan,” I locked eyes with him once again, tryin
Elena's POV Finally, the weekend has ended, and now, it's Monday. My first day of working with Mr Alexander Donovan. Of course, I would be nervous. Sk industry was like the den of the lions, and I knew one wrong step could mean a disaster. I couldn't afford to mess this up, not one bit.Alex hadn't come back to the room after that day, leaving me with a mix of relief and uneasiness. It was better this way. I didn't have to face his piercing gaze or hear his sharp words. Yet, a part of me couldn't deny the fact that I wanted him here nonetheless.I stood in front of the mirror. I adjusted my blazer for the third time. It was perfect and brought out that confident and professional look I was striving for. I stepped into the black car Alex had prepared to pick me up and tried calming myself down. “Hey,” I looked up to the driver “Nick?” I said, my eyes widening just a fraction. “ What are you doing here, and why are you the one picking me up?” “ Alex insisted I take up to the offi
Elena POV I entered my office, which was located just beside his, with only a wall separating us. The office was classy, neat and in order. I scanned the whole place walking towards my desk. On it was a huge pile of more than ten files. I rummaged through the files on the table in utter disbelief.This was too much. How did he expect me to finish all these files before the end of the day? My chest clenched as I looked at the pile of files. There was no way I was going to finish this if I kept complaining like this. I know what he is doing; he's trying to get me tired, push me, stress me, and all worked up so that I won't work anymore, but he doesn't know this is just the beginning.I strode across the table over to my chair and sat down. I need to get to work if I am going to beat him at his little game.I flipped open the first file, forcing my mind to focus on the details inside. Contracts, reports, and meeting notes stared back at me. Their content is urgent and well laid out.
Elena POV The drive home was silent and awkward. Alex and I entered the same car this time, with Nick acting as the chauffeur. I occasionally noticed the awkward glances Nick stole through the rearview mirror, while Alex, on the other hand, was red with rage.After he got a text earlier, his attitude suddenly changed, as if someone had flipped a switch.The veins in his temples were popping out. In a way, this Alex scared me more than the cold one. When we got home, he just strode into his study without saying anything, locking the door behind him. Nick came up to me, his usual playful demeanour replaced by a serious expression. “What happened back at the office?” he asked, his voice low and filled with worry.I shook my head, unsure of how to shift the situation. “ I don't know,” I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. “ Ever since he got a text everything changed. It's like he flipped a switch.”Nick glanced towards Alex's study, the door shut firmly as if it held the answers to
Elena POV “ Elena, wait” His voice echoed as I took a step on the staircase. I don't want to listen to anything he wants to say. I now know my place and it was just being a contract wife. And besides, if not for Nick, I wouldn't even bother myself with his problems. But something compelled me to stop, eager to know why he asked me to stop. Maybe something had triggered in his brain, and he wanted to open up. I didn't turn back, I didn't want to look at him. Didn't want to see his face at all. “Can you” he hesitated a minute, then continued. “Can you stay with me for the night?” he said in a hoarse tone. My eyebrow raised in dismay. I turned to see a vulnerable child who craved his mother's deprived love. I wanted to say no, I wanted to dash out of his sight to be the contract wife he wanted me to be. To stay in my lane. But, I couldn't just sweep the pile of feelings rushing inside me, making my heart pound at an extreme rate that it was all I could hear. My stomach twiste
Elena POV The morning sun shone brightly, reflecting off the window and onto my face. I groaned, rolling over to escape it, but the light was relentless.Great, just what I needed. My phone alarm rang out forcing me to sit up. I fumbled for my phone, sighing, and turning it off. When I realized that I was on the bed and not on the couch, it dawned on me that maybe Alex was the one who carried me here. I can't believe I fell asleep on him.Dragging myself out of the bed, I grabbed whatever I found in the cupboard that looked professional enough.A quick glance in the mirror told me my hair was a mess. I quickly packed it up in a ponytail and dashed out the door.Nick was already waiting outside, leaning against the car door. A maid gave me my bag that I had forgotten on the bed and I thanked her rushing to him with a smile.He wore this annoying smirk as he opened the car door for me. “ You're late, Mrs Donovan” he teased.“ Yeah, thanks for the observation,” I said, giving him a qui
Elena POV Even though my last conversation with Grace had been awkward, she never missed a chance to pop into my office for lunch. It has become our little routine, which I surprisingly enjoy so much.Even some staff at the office had started warming up to me, especially the receptionist, Jane. She was a total vibe. Always with her sarcastic comments that always had me laughing. Lunch with those two made work feel a bit less stressful. Funny how the lonely, distant geek somehow ended up with two precious friends.Grace helped me with some issues when she had the time to. She'd swing by to load me with gossip of Alex and sing his praises like he was some kind of saint without flaws. I always put on an expression of amazement whenever she said something cool about him in order not to arouse any suspicions. From all she had been saying, I could tell of her hidden feelings towards Alex, and I wondered if only she knew what a change of character he was.“ Elena,” Grace said as we exite
Elena POV Just as I was about to swing into action, a familiar voice finally responded, stepping out of the shadows and into the light.“Elena, what do you think you're doing?” Nick flinched back in fear and I sighed heavily.“ Why are you sneaking around the kitchen by this time of the night?” I asked him, setting the rolling pin down.He turned back to the fridge and brought out a bottle of orange juice, holding it up as if it were a peace offering. " I should be asking you,” setting it on the kitchen counter.I folded my arms, leaning against the counter as I watched him pour the drink into a glass. “ I came to get something to eat.” I said, looking around until my eyes found a box of pizza. I was about to take it when he suddenly grabbed it from my reach, dodging it for himself. “ So do I”I rolled my eyes at him. Always been stingy from the start. “ C’mon, it's a whole box of pizza, you can't eat it all by yourself” Nick smirked holding the pizza box just out of my reach like
Elena POV “ Madam?” The maid called softly at the other side of the door.I stood up without responding and walked towards the door. “ Yes?”I opened it to reveal the maid with a trolley and on it the exact same food I saw in Alex's study.“ What is all this?” I asked, my eye brow knitting in confusion“ Mr Alex said to bring this to you as he noticed you've been in your room and probably haven't had anything yet to eat.” She said with a smile on her face.“ and I have microwaved it, ma’am”"This is ridiculous," I muttered under my breath, staring at the food for a while before stepping aside for her to take it inside the room.I sat in front of the food not knowing whether to eat or not. Not like there's something wrong with the food.As a matter of fact I was so famished but for what reason, because I didn't want to face the woman that I sat in her position with.I was ashamed of myself even after knowing he had a wife. I still stayed and allowed myself to fall for him.No.It's al
Elena POV Silence spread throughout the room like wildfire. It took a while before I could look up at Alex again.I looked at him waiting, searching and anticipating his reaction. He just tilted his head back, the before amusement leaving his eyes and replaced with a sudden chill that could suppress me whole.I couldn't tell from his reaction what he was thinking. He just looked at me with a calm expressionless face like the words I said didn't border him.I steadied my nerves, biting my lips “ last night…”“ What happened last night?” He asked, his voice echoing like a beating drum.“ Last night we..” I paused, coming to a realisation. “ Mr Alex, I don't need to remind you of what occured between us last night. It was a mistake that won't happen again”I tried sounding as nonchalant as possible even though inside me was raging for no apparent reason. It's not like we did something intense yesterday night.We're adults, aren't we?I could see the muscle in his jaw tick, but he remain
Elena's POV For the rest of the day I stayed in my room, not wanting to come face to face with his wife.I'm sure she must have heard of me taking her position and must have some disdainful thoughts towards me but that's less of my worries right now.Infact I shouldn't be even thinking about it too much. All I should do now is secure my exit from this place so I won't get hurt too much.Whatever happened between me and Alex was far from anything meaningful. It was nothing. A mistake that shouldn't have happened. Normally I thought that him showing some care after that incident at the club would account that he has feelings for me or the night that he held me shielding me from the horrifying sounds of thunder, I thought he might have some feelings for me.Whether he did or didn't, it doesn't matter. Nothing matters now that his real wife is back with his child.Everything we've shared, all memories, would be gone within a twinkle of an eye.I wasn't from his world but I came into it
Elena POV The next morning, a light tickling sensation on my face stirred me from sleep. Without opening my eyes, I instinctively swatted at it, unwilling to wake up just yet. A comforting warmth surrounded me, unfamiliar yet oddly familiar, pulling me deeper into its embrace. It was so soothing that I instinctively snuggled closer, seeking more of it. As I nestled into the warmth, a strong hand suddenly wrapped around me, pulling me in completely. My cheek rested against a firm, warm surface, and curiosity made my fingers trail over it absentmindedly—until a deep, rumbling hum cut through the silence. “ Haven't had enough, cupcakes?” My eyes flew open, and my body went rigid. I was lying on top of Alex's shirtless chest! What the hell? Realization hit me like a shockwave, and I immediately tried to pull away. But before I could move, his arms tightened around me, holding me in place. He bent his head slightly, his lips brushing against my collarbone, sending an unexpecte
Elena POV But for all I know he should be with her—the woman who had come back after all these years. Instead, he was standing here, drunk and falling apart in my arms.I swallowed back the emotions threatening to rise. Now wasn’t the time for questions.With great effort, I guided him toward my bed, lowering him onto the edge. He groaned, rubbing a hand over his face. His normally sharp, unreadable eyes were clouded, his expression worn.He lies lazily, losing his tie, his big slender hand grasping his forehead as he tries to soothe the impact of the alcohol. I stared at him for some seconds before inhaling and exhaling sharply.His hair that was usually perfect l Hel was now in his array and his buttons were undone.“I’ll get you some water,” I said, quickly turning toward the nightstand.Before I could take a step, his fingers wrapped around my wrist, pulling me into a sudden embrace.The sudden pull made me hot my back softly but suddenly on the bed before I could blink an eye.H
Elena POV I leaned against the railings of the balcony, letting out a soft breath and staring at the clear night sky.My mind drifted to everything that had happened since the day I was left on the altar. I was far from wishing for a calm and peaceful life now.The only thing I could do to help myself was survive, especially from Catherine. Wonder what trouble she'd cause next.As I was lost in thought, a deep familiar voice startled me back to reality. “ well that was quite a show”I turned to find Nick standing there, arms crossed, an amused look in his eyes.I chuckled, shaking my head “ you saw?” “ Saw it? I practically want to frame it and hang it on the wall” he grinned, “ I thought the old Catherine I knew in school was gone but after this, I definitely know she's buried somewhere there.”I sighed, “ I allowed her the first time to have her way but won't allow for a second or third time” Nick's eyes softened, grabbing my cheek “ good, you shouldn't let anyone trample over yo
Elena POV The grand hail was lit up in dazzling golden lights, laughter and chatter filling the air as Alex and I walked hand in hand locked in.I smiled softly not wanting to arouse any suspicion as our engagement has been announced to the public even though grandma has agreed to wait, the news still circulated the internet.I could fill all the gaze on me as I strode to Nana who was standing with two other elderlies of her caliber. All dressed in exotic clothing.From their appearance you could tell they were wealthy and held authority.Nana smiled, holding out her hands as I walked close. I sealed the hug smiling back at her." Happy birthday, Nana" I said hesitantly, giving her the emerald necklaces I had gotten for her a while ago.Honestly I was skeptical about giving her because the necklace looked cheap but either way if she didn't like it I could prepare something else for her." Oh my, look" she opened it showing the two guests beside her. " My granddaughter-in-law got this
Elena POV I turned my eyes meeting those familiar grey eyes boring into mine, his lips curling into a smirk.I rolled my eyes, not wanting to indulge or talk to him since he's been busy with his business lately. Not to talk of his attitude towards me changing immediately we got home.“ What do you want?” I asked blankly.“ Nothing much”“ Okay then, if you would excuse me I need to rest,” I quickly said, turning on my heels. But stopped mid way, suddenly remembering something. I turned to him.“ Knowing your connection and how fast news travels these days, I'm sure you are aware of the little incident that happened at the mall today?” I asked.Looking at his expression, it seems he did, so I continued without waiting for a reply “ I apologise for the incident if it affected you in any way. But might I remind you to please caution your…” not knowing how to address her, whether a friend or lover, either way I just left it hanging “ seeing how close you two are I think it would do us a
Elena POV As we walked through every section of the mall, it was clear who the star of the day was.Catherine Stones -The fairy Princess of Las Vegas. Always perfect. Always radiant and flawless. The center of all attention.Nobody paid yield to me, a nobody. They only attended to her and left me like I didn't exist at all.Not like I'd care.I wonder how she still has the energy to still carry on shopping like she was made for it cause I was already tired.My legs ached from all the go here and there. Although she tagged me along I knew I didn't belong in this world. It wasn't my speciality.Just as finally thought this misery was about to end as we were about to exit the jewellery store, a voice stopped us." Excuse me, miss," the store attendant dressed in a crisp white shirt and black short skirt approached me.I frowned, " yes?"The woman crossed her arms, her gaze sharp. " We need to check your bag, miss"My brow furrowed. " Why?"The security guard beside her stepped closer "