"Nothing comes without a price, Ms Lopez." He said in a low voice, flashing her a cocky grin. "Are you willing to do anything to get the lead role?" "Yes, I am." Mia hoped he wouldn't say the words she had been familiar with over the years. She chewed on her bottom lips nervously, and watched as the man leaned back on his plush chair, and Mia could feel his hungry gaze feeding on her delicate curves. "Just one night with me.. Mia Lopez." He dropped the words she had been scared of, and her head banged. Not again! "A night with you?" she spat, disgusted. "You're sick!" The man's annoying laughter filled her ears, and she grabbed her bag, feeling suffocated in his office. After trying so hard to show him what she got during the audition, this was all he could ask for, just like others. "This is a lifetime opportunity. You won't want to miss it." Mia glared at the slightly older man and he pushed a written piece of note to her. Her eyes darted to the note and t
★THE NEXT DAY★ "Shit!" Mia banged her fists on the blaring alarm clock. With a loud groan, she mumbled some words and snuggled under her duvet for comfort. Can't she get a little more sleep? "Mia," her mother's voice approached her room and her door swung open. "Good gracious!" Mrs Lopez exclaimed, taking in the awful state of her daughter's room in disbelief. In a second, she yanked the duvet off Mia's body and Mia felt a loud smack on her ass. "Mom! What was that for?" She cried in pain, rubbing her aching butt. But when her eyes darted around her untidy room, Mia gave her mother a nervous smile. "What have you been doing these past weeks?" "I've been busy, mom." "Busy?" Mrs Lopez sent Mia a disapproving glare, picking up a comb lying carelessly on the floor. Mia knew what was coming next. "Mom!" "You should learn from your sister!" "I'm sorry!" Mia ducked the comb thrown at her, and her legs tangled with a heap of clothes and she wobbled, falling into
His father was asking him to get married? "You do not tell me what to do," Xavier replied curtly, his expression unreadable and Mateo let out a low, deep sigh while Camille flared up. "Darling, why are you doing this? Lucas has a wife already." "Xavier doesn't have a girlfriend!" Lucas voice was filled with hatred, and he gripped Mitchell's comforting hand tight. Mitchell raised her head and shivered when her eyes locked with Xavier's piercing gaze. 'Why is staring at me?' she thought and avoided his eyes. When the atmosphere remained tense, Mateo's face turned stoic as he spoke with finality. "If Xavier doesn't get married, the empire will be given to Lucas." * [X-WORLD ENTERTAINMENT] Xavier shut his eyes, brushing his tongue lightly on his thin, attractive lips. "You've worked so hard to please your father. You've gotta do what he says, man." "I do not have to get married," Xavier said calmly, and his best friend, Jayden, chuckled. "Chill, man. If you don'
Jayden posed elegantly, his arms wrapped around Sophia Logan, a sexy model as several shots were taken. Jayden is one of the popular models in X-World, and has won many awards. His handsome features made other models, artists and actresses gush, but the stares of admiration weren't directed to him alone, but to the hot CEO, who sat resplendent on a black shining chair with his legs crossed. His black tailor made suit, and his dark gaze, exuding an aura of authority took the breath of everything present in the large studio. They are all trying to compose themselves under his piercing grey eyes, which scrutinized them. No one wanted to get on his bad side. After taking a break, Jayden strolled casually to Xavier, hands tucked in his pockets. "You'll get them peeing on their pants soon, man." Xavier shifted his gaze to him, his neatly combed hair falling on his perfectly sculptured face. "Why is that?" "Those eyes could kill, Xav." Jayden chuckled, collapsing on a chair. His as
Before Mia could do anything, she spotted black cars approaching them. "Shit!" She quickly got to her feet and ran off. The cars pulled to a stop, and Jayden dashed out, accompanied by bodyguards. His heart froze when he saw Xavier lying unconscious. "Xav!" Meanwhile, Mia ran as fast as her legs could carry, ignoring the bruises on her body while her heart thumped loudly against her chest. "Shit! Shit!" she kept cursing as she ran into her apartment. She knew she was in deep trouble. Grabbing her purse, she got out and flagged down a cab hurriedly. "Kenz Hospital," she said, jumping into the passenger seat. "Yes, ma'am." All through the drive, her thoughts were flooded. 'What was he doing in the middle of the road?' 'Mia! You damaged that car. It must have cost a lot. And the delivery bike. Why did mom heart fail? The surgery isn't near till a donor is found.' "We're here, ma'am," the driver announced. Mia stepped out quickly, and paid him, hurrying into the r
How did he know about her mother's surgery? "How did you..." Mia tried to form words out of her lips, but his deep voice cut her off arrogantly. "I am not a patient man, Mia." 'What a pompous jerk!' Mia thought, eyeing him, "I thought you were engaged already." She remembered Isabella broke the news that the CEO of X-World Entertainment announced his engagement. Xavier's sharp jawline hardened, "did you say something?" "I didn't!" Mia snapped, reaching out for the contract, then she ran her hazel eyes over the details, "Shit! Stuck with you for a year? Why not six months? Or three months before getting a divorce. I can't put up with your shitty attitude. And what's with the damn rules here. You think I'm some..." "Bring the cops in," she heard him say into an intercom and Mia's lips went shut immediately. She didn't want to go to jail. Her mother might die before she get released. How can a man be so heartless? 'Just keep shut, Mia. Even if we work our ass out for thre
[X-World Entertainment] "Our last movie hit the records with a hundred percent increase in views and ticket sales than we expected, Mr Singh, making it the top searched entertainment topic," the man at the front in a business suit presented. And there were sighs and nods of approval. In the spacious board room, Xavier sat at the head of the table, his grey eyes bored, he's on a shining blue tux, with his navy blue shirt buttons undone. His dark hair is styled to the side, he has his back on the exclusive chair, exuding an aura of authority. The long conference table filled up with his workers, then the director, Mr Martinez stood up, adjusted his suit and faced him. "Mr Singh, the new movie project and modelling sector are progressing well. Following our last success, new investors have showed their interest in collaborating with us, and we're using the same female lead, Harper Herna..." "Replace the female lead," Xavier cut him off, his voice commanding. Eyes turned to Xavier, b
After leaving Bella's studio, the taxi halted in front of Mia's small home. She took steady steps to the front porch and breathed out, before walking into the house. The emptiness of the sitting room welcomed her, she flung her bag towards the couch, before striding to her mother's room. When she got to Amelia [Mrs Lopez] room, she pushed the door open and peeked inside. Amelia was sleeping peacefully, a quilt covering her. Sitting quietly on the bed and gazing softly at her mother, Mia moved her fingertips to Amelia's chestnut brown hair, stroking it gently. Mia had a striking resemblance to her mother, hazel eyes, heart-shaped red lips, thick lashes and pretty delicate features, unlike Tammy who took after her father's light brown hair and deep brown eyes. After Mia watched her mother for a while, not wanting to wake her up, she secretly slipped out into the averagely furnished sitting room. Her eyes darted around, then it fell on a photo album. Her steps were slow as she
Her gaze lingered on the black exclusive card that was in her right hand for a minute longer, with the other hand hoisted on her hips.Biting down on her tongue, Mia shoved it into her purse, with a sneer on her face."Use the card from now on," she mimicked how his deep voice would have sounded if he were right in front of her.Stripping out of her nightwear, she ventured into the luxurious bathroom, shutting every thoughts from creeping into her mind.She isn't the type to depend on a man, so if he thinks he's doing her a favor, he better snaps out of that reverie.After brushing her teeth, she filled the cozy bathtub with warm water, adding and inhaling the sweet scent of strawberry and lavender.When she was done, she stepped out of the bathroom, and wrapped a towel around her body and another around her wet chestnut brown hair.Mia entered the boutique- like closet and selected a simple cream- colored laced frock and packed her hair in a simple messy bun.Since she wasn't going a
She felt an irritating sting of dryness in her throat, so she shuffled out of her queen-sized bed.With her legs wobbling on the floor and oblivious to the fact that she was still in her nightie, Mia sauntered out of her room and into the hallway. Taking the glittering stairs that led her to the kitchen, she located the large, classy fridge and brought out a bottle of water.Twisting the cap open, she took a long gulp.The cool liquid soothed her parched throat and she exhaled a sigh of relief.Trying not to think about that party and how naive she had been, she left the kitchen, remembering to switch off the lights that had casted a warm golden light when she had come in.As she made her way back to her room, she halted, dreading the feeling of going back to sleep again. What if the nightmare came back?She turned towards the direction of the balcony and when she got there, her feet rooted on the spot.The dark silhouette of a familiar stood by the railings, gazing outside the sky.
Irene turned pale, her face as white as sheets, as if she's just seen a ghost. What does Mia thinks she's doing? Going against Xavier's order?"I'm.. I'm sorry, ma'am... I can't stand up without Mr Xavier's permission," she stammered, her head still lowered, her eyes fixed on the delicate marbled floor of the living room.Mia folded her arms, a tight frown on her face, then she looked at Xavier whose forehead puckered, his earlier hardened expression replaced with a squinted glint in his enchanting grey orbs.She suddenly wished to know what he was thinking in that head of his."Xavier, I really need to talk to you," she repeated her words, more calmly this time, then she added meekly, "Can nanny Irene stand up?"A scoff escaped Xavier's lips, his gaze expressionless. The effrontery she had to stand up to him and say words without any hint of fear stirred something within him... the urge to see her break.A dark thought crept up in his mind immediately, "I didn't ask her to kneel in t
KENZ HOSPITAL, 2:56PMHer stomach rumbled for the umpteenth time and she groaned, not willing to leave her mother's bedside.Well, that wasn't the real reason. She brought out her purse and checked inside, only to find just her phone.Her cheeks flushed pink, as if someone was there, watching her.Mia sighed, looking at her mother whose eyes were peacefully closed.Kissing Amelia's forehead gently, she walked out of the ward, making sure she didn't wake up the other patient in the room.She got out of the hospital and made her way to the chauffeur who was standing outside the black sleek car that brought her in the morning.He opened the back door for her and she got in, before he jammed it close and got into the driver's seat."Where to ma'am?"Mia thought for a moment. If she says she wants to go to a restaurant nearby, she couldn't even afford a meal. Going back to the mansion would be boring, so she made her decision.[TWENTY MINS LATER, BELLA'S ART]"Mia, I can't believe you ditc
Mia slammed the door of her room shut, before getting on her bed and under the duvet. Her lips were still parted, her brain absorbing everything that just happened. Did she push his button that hard? Why did he flare up so much at the mention of his mother? But he started it, he had been the one to... Her phone began ringing, interrupting her thoughts. Having an idea of who it might be, she picked up. "Tam, are you home already?" Mia asked immediately, checking the time. It was 9:36PM. "No, Mia. I don't know what's happening, they're moving mom out of the private ward," Mia could hear the strain in her voice and she swallowed, her fists clenching into a tight ball. "Just be calm, Tam. I'll fix this. Mom will still be taken care of, okay?" "Okay," Tammy mumbled, her voice calm now. After ending the call, Mia buried her face in her pillow, "Arrgh! I hate you Xavier Singh." She screamed, the pillow muffling her shrill voice. Trying not to think about him, she tossed and
Mia watched slowly as his muscles tensed, the lining of his broad shoulders stiffening as his jaw set in a hard line.She could feel the darkness emitting from him, and she knew she must have said what she shouldn't have.Turning to leave quickly, her arms got grasped from behind in a flash movement and she was spun around to face him."How dare you?"Color drained out of her face at the change of expression on his face.His eyes were no longer grey, they were now burning with a fiery intensity that sent chills down Mia's spines."Let me go," she winced, a sore feeling lingering around her wrist but his grip tightened, bringing her closer, till her chest almost meet his.His sharp gaze sliced through her like a knife through cold butter, and his voice came out gravelly, "The next time, you talk about my mother... You'll wish I'd sent you to jail, Mia."Releasing her roughly, her feet missed a step and she staggered, falling on her butt. Her hazel eyes blinked in shock, in an attempt t
After spending a few minutes wandering in the grand mansion, Mia finally located the room assigned to her. Breathing a sigh of relief, she pushed the door open and walked in, completely mesmerized by the beauty and elegance of the room. Too tired for admiration, Mia flung her bag on the couch beside the majestic queen sized bed and pulled off her gown, tossing it on the floor, before sauntering to the washroom. ------ She had used the bathtub earlier, she was using it again and it was heavenly. The scent of lavender and fresh flowers filled the air. She closed her eyes, reveling in the soothing feeling the warm water gave to her aching muscles. What does Xavier really want from her? Can't he just leave her alone? Hissing, she got out of the tub and wrapped a purple towel around her body and another around her chestnut hair. She stepped out of the washroom, her eyes darting around the bedroom. It was similar to the room she had woken up the day Xavier took her home. But
Mia gritted her teeth in fury as she marched into the mansion, her eyes blazing and face reddening. Where the hell was that arrogant asshole? She needed to give him a piece of her mind. Even if he's heartless, he shouldn't have left her to sleep in the car.Her back, ribs and limbs ache terribly from sleeping in an uncomfortable position all night.The maids bowed as she walked past, but she ignored them. Climbing up the stairs, she hoped to locate his room or study, but Irene appeared in front of her."Are you okay, Mia?" Worry etched on her face but Mia's face held no warmth."I'm not okay. Where's Xavier?" She spat angrily, darting her eyes around the hallway."He's not home, Mia. He left for the office this morning.""I'll just go to him then," Mia brushed her fingers through her hair and made to leave, but Irene held her arm, her eyes pleading, "please Mia, you need to rest. You must be exhausted. Mr Xavier won't like it if you stress yourself."The urge to laugh hysterically ov
What... did she just say? She didn't reject Xavier, did she? The tension in the air was palpable and the hall was so quiet that you could hear the sound of a pin drop."Do you, Mia Nevaeh Lopez, take Xavier Ian Singh to be your lawfully wedded husband?" The priest reiterated, and Mia jolted out of her thoughts, glad that she didn't say that loud."Y..yes I do," she said slowly, her heart constricting and her breathing shallow, and sighs of relief filled the air.Xavier's gaze remained expressionless as they exchanged rings, and when his fingers brushed against hers, she pulled back quickly, making his brows furrow.'What's up with her?' he thought.After they were done, the priest proceeded to make his pronouncement, "By the power vested on me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss your bride to seal this vow."Kiss? Oh no.Mia held her breath when he faced her, and unveiled her, revealing her ravishing beauty. She lifted her eyes and gasped when it met his cold, grey one