Aurelia didn't sleep a wink. Dragging herself out of bed, she sat up and just stared. Her mind was blank, the events of the previous day dawning on her. Ezekiel’s confession. Luke’s rejection. And Veronica’s……Aurelia winced as she recalled the kiss, her fingers absentmindedly skimming over her lips.‘I prefer women.’Aurelia squeezed her eyes shut, then she opened them. She slapped herself out of her daze, hoping to dispel the warmth that tickled her cheeks. That damned Veronica, she thought, recalling the satisfied smirk on the model’s face. The boldness of that woman. Kissing her out of the blue like that. It was the biggest plot twist in her mangled story, one that she had never seen coming. A subtle knock on the door cut through Aurelia’s thoughts. Her brows furrowed. She didn’t order room service, so who could be knocking at her door at this time? Wait…she paused. What time was it? Aurelia’s lazy gaze searched the walls for the clock, and when she spotted it, a gasp esca
“Do you have feelings for me?”The question cut deep, reopening the wound from last night. She had slapped a bandage on it to face him, and here was, mercilessly ripping off the fragile bandage. Luke wet his lips, his expression grace. Aurelia didn’t know which was worse, was it the expression on his face or the coldness in his tone? She didn’t want to remember that he despised the thought of her. She didn’t want him to say it openly, to reject her officially.But was she hoping for? Aurelia knew the complication of her feelings, she knew it would break the final thread that held them together. Yet her heart ached. Her despair was determined from the moment he came into her life, like a rippling tornado, fast and powerful, shattering the beliefs she’d believed in and leaving just as quickly as it came. She hasn’t forgotten how he’d acted throughout the week. While she yearned for him, even after their fallout, he ignored her like the plague. Aurelia wanted to laugh at her foolish,
Aurelia huffed as she looked down at her watch. 6 am. The airport was filled even at such an early time, and as she made her way through the crowd, her mind drifted off to the night before.She had taken a bold step, confessing her feelings to get out of the contract with the CEO. It was out of impulse. His words stabbed her more than his reaction, and she wasn't strong enough to just sit and bear the pain. She was done feeding into his ego, dancing on his palm like a puppet. Luke had talked about owning her fully, and it was nothing but an insult. Maybe it was her mistake for falling for him, for setting herself up for heartbreak, but she had enough. Although she was somewhat satisfied, seeing the shocked expression on his face was like a soothing balm to her wound. She had completely caught him off guard, and among her bountiful losses, this was a fair win. She left the restaurant without looking back or waiting for a reply. Luke didn’t stop her, and she was grateful for that. If
Aurelia hunched over the sink, her throat dry from puking her breakfast. “Did you eat something bad?” Olivia's brows knitted in worry as she rubbed Aurelia’s back. “No.” Aurelia coughed out. She filled her hand with water and splashed it against her face. It helped calm the burning sensations on her skin. “It’s probably jet lag. The flight back to New York was long.”“Hmm. All the more reason why you shouldn’t have resumed work immediately after getting back.” Olivia scolded her. Aurelia straightened up, forcing a smile to persuade her friend. Oh if only Olivia knew why she couldn’t possibly sit idle in her apartment. Her brooding thoughts would not let her rest and she’d thought of reaching out to the CEO multiple times. It drove her crazy. Although she had gotten a two-week break off work, she returned three days after arriving in New York. Work helped get her mind off things—off him. And that was what she desperately needed at the moment. A distraction.Aurelia wanted to slowl
“P-pregnant?” Aurelia gaped, her jaw scraping the floor. Ezekiel nodded solemnly, shifting on the hospital bed so he could take her hand. “The doctor said you're two months gone.”Aurelia looked down at her stomach, unable to believe a baby was growing inside her. Her baby. Luke's baby.Her vision blurred, and she felt like she was floating outside her body. She heard Ezekiel's concerned voice, but it sounded distant, muffled. The hospital room spun around her, a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds.Luke's baby.The words echoed in her mind, refusing to sink in. “This…” she suddenly felt dizzy again. “This can't be real.”She must be dreaming. It can't be possible.Because she can't……she can't get pregnant. A few years back, Aurelia had discovered she couldn't conceive during a mandatory check-up for college. Her ovarian reserve was low, so there was a 0.9% percent chance her eggs would fertilize to bear a child. It didn't mean much to her then, because she was devoted to her studie
AURELIAI threw my head back, my moans constricting against the gag in my mouth as my whole body trembled in painful pleasure. My wrists burned as my arms were bound by a tight rope, banishing any chance of escape. I looked up at him as tears welled in my eyes, begging him to put me out of my misery. He only smiled, leaning down to roughly grab my chin. “Had enough yet?” His husky voice rumbled in my ears, his hot breath fanning against my face as I writhed under his hold. “Or do you want me to punish you more?” A normal person would have easily refused, but I was far from normal. I nodded my head slowly, and he smirked.I yelped loudly as I felt the whip slash against my most sensitive part, eyes rolling to the back of my head as waves of ecstasy clouded my mind. “You fucking slut.” He whispered tentatively, and my gaze found his as he settled between my legs, spreading my thighs apart with his sturdy hands. His dark eyes soaked in the sight of my throbbing wet pussy, burning with
One month earlier...“Cheers!” A delighted giggle left my lips as I clicked glasses with my coworkers. The six of us had gathered to celebrate the success of a new project launched under our production team. The bar we chose exuded a cozy ambiance with dimly lit Edison bulbs casting a warm glow over the exposed brick walls. Jazz music floated through the air, complementing the bubbly atmosphere and leisurely chatter. “Here's to more successful projects!” Mrs Juniper, the head designer of our team cheered, puffing her chest with pride as she raised her glass of beer. “And to the best design team there is.” I clapped my hands at her declaration, and a round of hearty laughter followed. “Honestly I don't think we could have pulled it off without Aurelia,” Caspian says as he looks my way, his boyish dimples popping as he winked at me. “Her designs are maddening.” I flush brightly at his compliment, hiding my smile behind the rim of my cup as I try to cool my heated cheeks with my drin
The drive home was peaceful. I gazed out the window, taking in the scenery of the ever-bustling city as we drove through the night. The buildings lining the road blurred past, a soft sigh leaving my lips as the evening breeze combed through my curls. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a soft, ethereal light over the landscape. I tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear as I stole a glance at Caspian, the soft glow of the streetlights illuminated his face, highlighting his perfect features. His hair, a tousled mess of dark waves, framed his face perfectly, giving him a slightly unkempt but effortlessly handsome look. His eyes were a striking shade of blue, like the depths of the ocean on a clear day, and they seemed to sparkle with an inner light. His smile was warm and inviting, with a dimple appearing on his left cheek when he grinned. His features were strong yet gentle, creating a captivating combination that drew me in every time I looked at him. My heart skips a beat
“P-pregnant?” Aurelia gaped, her jaw scraping the floor. Ezekiel nodded solemnly, shifting on the hospital bed so he could take her hand. “The doctor said you're two months gone.”Aurelia looked down at her stomach, unable to believe a baby was growing inside her. Her baby. Luke's baby.Her vision blurred, and she felt like she was floating outside her body. She heard Ezekiel's concerned voice, but it sounded distant, muffled. The hospital room spun around her, a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds.Luke's baby.The words echoed in her mind, refusing to sink in. “This…” she suddenly felt dizzy again. “This can't be real.”She must be dreaming. It can't be possible.Because she can't……she can't get pregnant. A few years back, Aurelia had discovered she couldn't conceive during a mandatory check-up for college. Her ovarian reserve was low, so there was a 0.9% percent chance her eggs would fertilize to bear a child. It didn't mean much to her then, because she was devoted to her studie
Aurelia hunched over the sink, her throat dry from puking her breakfast. “Did you eat something bad?” Olivia's brows knitted in worry as she rubbed Aurelia’s back. “No.” Aurelia coughed out. She filled her hand with water and splashed it against her face. It helped calm the burning sensations on her skin. “It’s probably jet lag. The flight back to New York was long.”“Hmm. All the more reason why you shouldn’t have resumed work immediately after getting back.” Olivia scolded her. Aurelia straightened up, forcing a smile to persuade her friend. Oh if only Olivia knew why she couldn’t possibly sit idle in her apartment. Her brooding thoughts would not let her rest and she’d thought of reaching out to the CEO multiple times. It drove her crazy. Although she had gotten a two-week break off work, she returned three days after arriving in New York. Work helped get her mind off things—off him. And that was what she desperately needed at the moment. A distraction.Aurelia wanted to slowl
Aurelia huffed as she looked down at her watch. 6 am. The airport was filled even at such an early time, and as she made her way through the crowd, her mind drifted off to the night before.She had taken a bold step, confessing her feelings to get out of the contract with the CEO. It was out of impulse. His words stabbed her more than his reaction, and she wasn't strong enough to just sit and bear the pain. She was done feeding into his ego, dancing on his palm like a puppet. Luke had talked about owning her fully, and it was nothing but an insult. Maybe it was her mistake for falling for him, for setting herself up for heartbreak, but she had enough. Although she was somewhat satisfied, seeing the shocked expression on his face was like a soothing balm to her wound. She had completely caught him off guard, and among her bountiful losses, this was a fair win. She left the restaurant without looking back or waiting for a reply. Luke didn’t stop her, and she was grateful for that. If
“Do you have feelings for me?”The question cut deep, reopening the wound from last night. She had slapped a bandage on it to face him, and here was, mercilessly ripping off the fragile bandage. Luke wet his lips, his expression grace. Aurelia didn’t know which was worse, was it the expression on his face or the coldness in his tone? She didn’t want to remember that he despised the thought of her. She didn’t want him to say it openly, to reject her officially.But was she hoping for? Aurelia knew the complication of her feelings, she knew it would break the final thread that held them together. Yet her heart ached. Her despair was determined from the moment he came into her life, like a rippling tornado, fast and powerful, shattering the beliefs she’d believed in and leaving just as quickly as it came. She hasn’t forgotten how he’d acted throughout the week. While she yearned for him, even after their fallout, he ignored her like the plague. Aurelia wanted to laugh at her foolish,
Aurelia didn't sleep a wink. Dragging herself out of bed, she sat up and just stared. Her mind was blank, the events of the previous day dawning on her. Ezekiel’s confession. Luke’s rejection. And Veronica’s……Aurelia winced as she recalled the kiss, her fingers absentmindedly skimming over her lips.‘I prefer women.’Aurelia squeezed her eyes shut, then she opened them. She slapped herself out of her daze, hoping to dispel the warmth that tickled her cheeks. That damned Veronica, she thought, recalling the satisfied smirk on the model’s face. The boldness of that woman. Kissing her out of the blue like that. It was the biggest plot twist in her mangled story, one that she had never seen coming. A subtle knock on the door cut through Aurelia’s thoughts. Her brows furrowed. She didn’t order room service, so who could be knocking at her door at this time? Wait…she paused. What time was it? Aurelia’s lazy gaze searched the walls for the clock, and when she spotted it, a gasp esca
“Here.”Aurelia hesitated before taking the cup of water from Veronica, staring at it like it would come alive and bite her. “I didn't poison it if that's what you're thinking.” Veronica mused, sarcasm dripping in her tone. Giving the cup one last wary stare, Aurelia accepted it, and Veronica flopped on the sofa beside her. They were in Veronica's hotel room, and the supermodel had taken it upon herself to tend to Aurelia's wound, taking responsibility for her fall. Veronica observed Aurelia's scraped knee, then she moved to her closet, returning with a tube of ointment. Aurelia silently watched as she squeezed the open cut, her fingers spreading it against her skin. “That will do.” Veronica nodded as she sealed the cap on the ointment, letting out a small yawn as she straightened up. “Thank you.” Aurelia kept her head low, spacing out as she looked down at her feet. “Now that's out of the way, shall we begin?” Veronica suggested, leaning back in her seat as she crossed her legs
Ezekiel was in high spirits. The final event of the Fashion Week had ended at the crack of dawn but he wasn’t the least bit tired. After escorting Aurelia to her hotel room and bidding her goodbye, he skipped happily to the hotel bar to get himself a drink. Now that he knew he had genuine feelings for Aurelia, his constant struggle with denial was over, lifting a load off his chest. He was as chirpy as a schoolboy in love. “Oh?” On spotting a familiar face, Ezekiel stopped at the entrance of the bar, a mocking smirk playing on his lips as he leaned against the door frame. “Who do we have here?” Luke ignored him, pouring himself another glass of whiskey. They were the only ones in the bar. “Mind if I join you for a drink?” Ezekiel straightened up, and Luke side glanced at him, his gaze sharp. But he remained silent. Taking his silence as a go-ahead, Ezekiel sighed in contentment as he slipped onto a stool beside Luke, signaling for the bartender to serve him a drink.
THIRD PERSON POV Luke was tired. Tired of forcing smiles and empty pleasantries. The fashion week had worn him out and he couldn't wait to return to New York. “Your bitch face is showing.” Veronica teased him, noticing that he had already drained his social battery. “Wouldn’t be the worst thing.” He sighed, looking down at his watch. For how much longer did he have to be here? Luke looked over his shoulders, his eyes searching for Aurelia. His jaw clenched as Ezekiel came up beside her. He watches Aurelia’s face brighten up on his arrival, and Luke’s brows furrowed, his chest burning with jealousy. “You guys are so typical.” Veronica rolled her eyes, following his line of sight. “It’s boring to watch the same thing happen again.”Luke clicks his tongue in annoyance, facing forward. “Then why did you insist on coming along?”“Isn’t it obvious?” Veronica smirked as watched Ezekiel and Aurelia. “I also made a bet on who would win, and I’ll be damned not to see it for myself.”“Tch.”
AURELIA’S POVI threw my head back, my moans constricting against the gag in my mouth as my whole body trembled in painful pleasure. My wrists burned as my arms were bound by a tight rope, banishing any chance of escape. I looked up at him as tears welled in my eyes, begging him to put me out of my misery. He only smiled, leaning down to roughly grab my chin. “Had enough yet?” His husky voice rumbled in my ears, his hot breath fanning against my face as I writhed under his hold. “Or do you want me to punish you more?” A normal person would have easily refused, but I was far from normal. I nodded my head slowly, and he smirked. I yelped loudly as I felt the whip slash against my most sensitive part, eyes rolling to the back of my head as waves of ecstasy clouded my mind. “You fucking slut.” He whispered tentatively, and my gaze found him as he settled between my legs, spreading my thighs apart with his sturdy hands. His dark eyes soaked in the sight of my throbbing wet pussy, bur