Harley's POVI hiss in pain, feeling the blood rushing to my head as Antonio hurries into the mansion and parks roughly before running out to help me.Even though I am extremely weak and about to slip into unconsciousness, I still find him attractive, wishing I can touch his bare chest that is exposed as a result of the open two buttons of his shirt. His suit is off already and I have no idea when he pulled it off.He scoops me up in his arms before I know what is happening and I wince."I'm fine, Antonio", I can barely recognize my voice. It is low and weak, making me realize that I am not fine and I am losing a lot of blood.He snarls, ignoring my protest as he rushes in with me in his strong arms. I almost smile because of the look of concern on his face which makes me feel special. But on second thought, I have a feeling it is because I got shot and he feels responsible for it.I got shot while helping him and it is natural for him to be this concerned. I shouldn't attach any extr
Harley's POVMy eyes open slowly to meet the light taking over the darkness in my body and soul, making me conscious of where I am.I snap my head to the left and then right, making an effort to identify where I am and what happened.The moment I feel pain in my arms which has been lessened compared to earlier, I remember what happened and instantly know where I am.Antonio's room."Harley", a worrisome voice I recognize to be Antonio's, calls before his face comes into sight.He is shirtless and with a concern-filled expression as he peers at me with urgency."You scared me", he mutters, dragging a seat close to where I lay and sit in, watching me like a newborn baby."I'm fine", I utter softly, a frown teasing my lips when I realize I can't stand up on my own, unless with the help of Antonio and that won't be nice.He is damn shirtless. His abs are on display and I am trying so hard not to stare too much.Why can't he throw a shirt over his shoulder and wear it to save me from this
Harley's POVStanding in front of the mirror with my dress concealing my bandaged arm glued firmly to my body, I bite my lips, regretting my loose mouth."Harley!" Chelsea's shrill cry booms into the phone and I close my eyes, taking the phone off my ears for a moment.Sometimes, I regret the fact that I am too open and transparent to people, especially someone like Chelsea.I just told her that I would be going on a date with Antonio. This is something I didn't tell anyone, including Alexis and Ann who are curious to know where I am going.I really do not know why I am doing this. I told Antonio not to let anyone know about this date. It should be a secret date between us both.I just don't know what prompted me to tell Chelsea. Probably because she brought up the topic of the date with Rike again."It is just a friendly date. I promised to go with him just so we could celebrate…""What is between you two?" She questions sharply, sounding like a mother scolding her daughter."What?!"
Antonio's POVHer laughter resounds in my ears even after she has stopped laughing. Her eyes hold twinkles of amusement and I imagine seeing hope in them too.To me, Harley is an enigma. Unpredictable as well.No matter how hard I try to read through her and study her, it is always in vain. Sometimes, when I think she is unhappy, she laughs heartily, making my assumptions wrong.It makes me question my sense of reasoning and psychology knowledge.I brought up the idea of a date just to make her happy. When she cried after I asked her out on a date, I wanted to change my mind, thinking she isn't ok with it but I realized I wanted it too.I needed to go out too and have a nice time. I also wanted it because Harley needs it.I blamed myself for the injury she sustained the night we got the file back. I went ballistic when she lost consciousness and I thought she was going to die.It was at that moment that I realized she means a lot to me. In the same way, she means a lot to Alexis. My d
Harley's POVJust like always, I am here sitting for half an hour, waiting for Chelsea. I haven't ordered anything as I keep looking out of the transparent window for a sight of her car.I know if I don't show up, she won't let me be. I promised to see her yesterday and here I am trying to fulfill that promise.Expelling a sigh and leaning back on the chair, I fold my arms and a white car appears.It turns out to be hers and within minutes, she bursts into the place, with a bright smile on her face.I puff out air, glancing around to see that the weird looks I have been given since I have been sitting here are gone already."Sorry for keeping you waiting", she apologizes before slumping to the chair adjacent to mine."You kept me waiting the other time too", I voice out loudly with a frown on my face."I said I am sorry. So tell me, what is between you and Antonio?"In panic, I almost scream. "I told you already that it is just a friendly date, didn't I?"She falls silent, watching me
Antonio's POVThe hot water washes through my hair down to every part of my body, relaxing me as I let out a deep sigh.I can't wait to get out and go to bed. I am exhausted and I need some sleep. My new Assistant is good but not as good as Amelia or Harley. It takes a lot to put her through all the things that she needs to know about the company and I am refraining myself from shouting at her at every slightest mistake.If only Harley could be my Assistant forever but I know she would never accept my offer no matter how big the money is.I can't even bring myself to ask her again because of how she made me feel the last time I did and how ashamed I am of what I did to her in the past.It's all gone. But I still remember vividly how it all started and how I made her life miserable by making sure that she doesn't get a job in any company.I let out a sigh of regret and let the water wash through me once again before stepping out of the bathroom with a towel around my below.I haven't
Antonio's POVWith her head placed on my shoulder, we sit together on the sofa with her hands entangled with mine.We have been sitting here in silence for more than 10 minutes. She drags me closer to her whenever the sound comes again. I don't want to cuddle her so I won't end up doing something else.This is what she needs and it will help her forget about her fear.It is in times like this that I like Harley the most. She has shown me her weakness and this makes her all the more real.She is human after all. Just unpredictable.What is with this thunder phobia? "I hate moment likes this", she murmurs, breaking the silence. It is still raining and I can barely hear the next word she is saying."I can't hear you", I say to her, leaning down. She raises her head at this instant and our eyes interlock with our faces a few inches away from each other.Her eyes dance around with emotions. Fear. Guilt. Regret. Sadness. Pain.I can't find what I want in them. Love. Happiness. Joy. Comfor
Harley's POVI stir in my sleep and my eyes flutter open when I feel my head on a hard wall. Jerking upright, I realize strong hands are circled around my waist too and I am trapped in Antonio's hold if I don't intend to wake him up.I squeeze my eyes shut, cursing within me and trying to recall what happened and how we ended up in my bed.What the hell happened last night?The memories come rushing and I recall that I slept off amid our conversation.Nothing happened.But did he kiss me while I was asleep? Did he peck my forehead in consolation? Did he watch my face while I slept? Did he bring me to the bed himself or did I sleep-walked?I sigh loudly, glancing up at his handsome face as he breathes in and out, his chest heaving up and down slowly.Slowly and quietly, I try to extricate myself from his hold so I can admire his face before he wakes up.He stirs and I go still.This is difficult.I remember how he was so silent when I talked last night and I was happy he was giving me
Harley's POVTWO MONTHS LATERIt is rainy outside and my insides are in disarray.As soon as Antonio steps beside me, my hands shake vigorously and my heart thumps wildly in my chest as if it will soon burst out.He entwines his left hand with my right hand and squeezes it in assurance. I snap my head to exchange glances with him.His eyes hold more than assurance and it makes everything more surreal. It holds hope. For a good and promising future.I hope for happiness. Till eternity.I hope for joy. Everlasting.His eyes hold love. True love.And it holds peace. It feels as if a bowl of water has been poured all over me the moment I turn away from him, taking deep slow breaths, wanting to push down the nervousness and face the reality of what is about to happen today. And now.I am a bride.A bride dressed in a white, sleeveless wedding gown, the silhouette of the dress is fitted through the bodice and starts to flare out at the waist in a triangular fashion. Antonio is dressed in
Harley's POVAntonio didn't say what I wanted to hear. He didn't talk about making babies and that was the exact thing I needed to hear from him to assure me that this baby is accepted and I have no problem whatsoever.This is the only thing stopping me from accepting this proposal. This is what I have always dreamt of.A proposal.To be married. To him.I didn't expect this but I guess it was meant to be a surprise. Grandma is even here but she isn't looking happy.It was when Antonio helped me up from the floor and carried me in a bridal style to take me up to his room that I was able to wipe my tears and stop crying.Alexis wouldn't stop asking me why I was crying.We have been sitting in silence in his room for more than 20 minutes and I am sure the guests downstairs would have gone home.I don't want him to do ahead with this because a baby is involved. This is why I didn't accept him but went ahead to tell him that I was pregnant. This way, he can quickly change his mind about g
Antonio's POVThe moment Brandon and Stanley left the mansion to go get Harley's Grandma, I moved out of the house too and began to pace the courtyard in anticipation.I am as nervous as hell!And it's taking too long. Mother is worried that Harley won't come and I wonder why the driver I sent to her place is just leaving.He just called me a few minutes ago and he has been gone for almost an hour.I feel like calling Jude again, the driver who must be on his way to the restaurant by now but I don't want to distract him. Should I call him to just come back?I turn my back with folded arms when I see my mother coming out through the front door with a glass of wine in her hand.Her face was shining with delight earlier on but now there is worry etched on her expression. I can see her face with the help of the bright glow light which Chelsea suggested we use to decorate the whole place.I was against it at first because I don't want Harley to get suspicious the moment she comes in. I wa
Harley's POVI stare into space, tears rolling down my eyes as Grandma watches me with a face devoid of emotion.I don't know what she is thinking but I am also disappointed in myself. I didn't plan for this and I'm sure Antonio isn't expecting this either and it breaks my heart more.Antonio and I have never talked about kids or pregnancy and I don't know how to view it.Now that I have been confirmed pregnant, I am scared this will be the end of us. What if he doesn't want the baby? What if Alexis doesn't want another child to grab the attention of her father, thereby reducing his love for her? What if Antonio isn't ready for this kind of responsibility yet?He is just healing from the wounds of his past. He was left with a child who was barely a month old to care for, how sure am I that Antonio is ready to go through this again?I begin to wail between my palms, to hide my face from the woman who thought I am still a virgin. She must be so disappointed in me.A hand touches me and
Harley's POVI move swiftly across the kitchen, making an effort to finish up this cooking before Antonio's driver comes to get me.We are going on a date tonight, but without Alexis, this time, and I am excited about it. I just hope there will be no form of drama today. The first date came with drama and the second date's drama was unexpected. This time, I hope Antonio and I will have a quiet time to discuss and talk into the night before coming back home.I don't know why he is super excited about it too but I guess it is because this is going to be our first date alone. Alexis was with us during the first and second dates.The way he has been going on this date since Thursday is hilarious. He even insisted on getting me a dress but I protested but he wouldn't listen. Just this morning, he brought the dress on his way to work, reminding me about the date.It made me smile. And proud. Happy. Lucky. Special.I just finished boiling the macaroni and I want to make a roux. I melt the
Antonio's POVI knock again on the door, waiting impatiently for Harley to open up for me. I am freezing cold out here and I can't wait to see her face.Should I ask her to follow me to my place today? Will she agree? Should I sound pathetic? Shit!I don't know what is wrong with me. I am crazy about Harley and this feeling keeps increasing with each passing day. Now that she is no longer staying in my house, I love her more and want to always see her.When she told me we would see tonight, I knew it was her little way of inviting me over to the house. Well, I haven't spent a day without coming to visit after leaving work, ever since we reconciled.It has become a routine now.The door is thrown open and she jumps into my arms as though she already saw that it was no one but me or because she is happy about something."Hello to you, sweetheart", I say with a raised brow as she hugs me more. Confusion clouds my expression when she giggles.She releases me from her hold and cups my fac
Antonio's POVThe elevator dings open and I walk out with my briefcase swinging beside me. I walk towards my office, trying to take my mind off Xavier.I have just a week to provide evidence that he was responsible for my father's death and I really do not know how to go about it.I want to concentrate on work today because I am going to be signing a new deal today by noon.Immediately Harley left, I got up from the bed to get dressed and come to work so I won't end up masturbating because of my hard-on.I'm not supposed to be at work this early because of the deal we are going to sign by noon but I decided to come in and work on a few things before that time.I walk past my secretary's desk and get to the door. I insert the key to open it but surprisingly, the door opens itself.I raise a brow with the keys in my hands, trying to recall if I was the one who closed the door yesterday or if it was my secretary.I remember I was in a hurry to leave work yesterday because I was going out
Antonio's POVHarley snuggles closer into my arms, making it so difficult for me to let go and go to work.I do not feel like going to work today, I wish we could spend all day in bed. I never expected that she would spend the night with me last night but I was overjoyed when she said she would.This is what I have been dying to hear from her ever since she left the house. I am not saying anything about it anymore because I don't want to push her further. Besides, I am willing to wait for as long as she wants to come back to the house. I will keep waiting.I have been thinking hard and long about our relationship and what I want from this. Ever since I admitted my love for her, I knew I wanted her for life. This isn't meant to be a casual relationship. This is something that speaks of our future and I want that future with her.I want her to be my woman, my wife and I want us to always wake up in each other's arms.Harley doesn't want to come back to the house and I am more than despe
Harley's POVAs the car drives into the courtyard, I notice the car behind us take a U-Turn and drive off.The car behind is the one the guards were driving and now that they know we are home safely, they have gone back to meet Antonio in the restaurant.It feels as if the ride back home was slow and Alexis had fallen asleep in my arms after crying for so long.I am supposed to go home but I can't go home without knowing if Antonio is safe or not. I can't leave without seeing him walk through the front door safe and sound.My heart is heavy for no reason and I am scared. Why will Antonio not listen to me? The cops can handle it, he doesn't need to be there or involved. Can't he just come back home already and let Xavier be?The car stops and I jerk my head upright when Felix opens the door for me. Alexis's head is on my lap so I pick her up and I step out of the car carefully.I am glad she had fallen asleep. I couldn't console her when she was wailing because I was crying inside too