Kal's POV; When Bells steps into the arena, we are meant to have dinner; I already feel her presence even if I am backing her and looking out to the vast beach before me as the sun sets over the horizon. She greets me with her subtle lavender fragrance and the clink of her heels against the stone floor, and when I turn, I am blown away by how beautiful she looks in her dress. It hugs her curves and is starting to drive me mad. Bells have a way of making me feel like we are meeting for the first time over and over again. Noticing the look of subtle surprise on her face, I know that she is feeling the same way I am feeling. "You look breathtaking as hell, Bells." I compliment, meaning it. She took my breath away the moment I set eyes on her, and I just have to admit it out loud. Nodding, she sets her purse on the fancy table we were going to have our meal before taking her seat. "Nice choice of restaurant." I hear what she says, and I have an idea that she mutters
Taleela's POV; "Come here," He says in a husky tone and pulls me by the wrist, flush against his chest. I am fully aware of his breath against the back of my ear as my behind comes in contact with him. His teeth grazes my ear and I close my eyes and sigh, trying hard to stand with all firmness. My legs are shaky. When his hand wraps around my waist, a soft sigh escapes my throat. He knows that he has a great effect on me and he is using it to his own advantage. I have just finished stripping for him and somehow, I am in his arms. I had done it all on purpose, dancing extremely close to him, wrapping my arms around his neck and grinding closely against him. I feel him stiffen against me at first before he slowly moves along with me. I guide him on how to hold me while I maneuver my body slowly around him, placing my lips against his sensitive spots. Somehow, we are standing before the strip table and as soon as the song ends, he bends me over and from behind and he
Kal's POV; Bells phone is ringing, but she is not picking my calls and this is getting me bothered and pissed as hell. Ever since she walked out of the restaurant fuming yesterday evening, I have been calling and texting her, hoping she would pick up and tell me why she decided to leave in such a manner. To be honest, I was embarrassed yesterday. The waiter even looked sorry as I tossed my credit card at him and paid for the untouched food. The amount I spent on the meal isn't my problem at all. It was the manner with which she had left and as I pace about in my office, I keep on calling her number and hoping she picks up. When I got home last night, my parents were home. It was a thing of surprise. I spent little time with them because I was angry and unsettled. Even my mother who had been away for close to three months was bothered but I told her not to worry. As soon I woke up, I tried her number again and dropped her a text, asking why she was ignoring my calls.
Taleela's POV Tonight, the strip club is filled with people, owing to the fact that it is a weekend. Susan won't be coming today and that's because she's having a late night date with her new love interest. I am alone with no one to talk to while I wait for my regular patrons to walk up to me or go to the table to dance. The whole arena is booming with loud music and at different tables, strippers are performing for interested customers. As I sit alone at one of the lounges, I am taken back to yesterday's evening. Our date was going quite fine till Kal began to speak ill of BSL and I kind of regret my reaction now. If Kal was smart enough, my reaction yesterday would increase his curiosity. He was definitely going to notice that something fishy was up. As I walked out of the restaurant, I called Susan and asked her to pick me up from the restaurant. When she arrived, she was staring at me with a strange look and seeing that I was visibly angry, she did not ask me any
Kal's POV Throughout today, I am not able to concentrate. Everyone has received the end of my anger and I have fired two of my employees. Even Achilles is avoiding me. Allegra came over to see me today, but I asked my secretary not to let her in with the excuse that I am in a conference meeting. She called, but I didn't pick up, sending her call straight to voicemail. My mother calls later in the day. She's heading out with my father for a dinner date with friends later in the evening. I tell her that it's fine. I wouldn't be home early anyways. No matter how hard I try not to call Bells, my mind goes back to her and without thinking, my finger taps on her contact. I have ringed her twice but she doesn't pick. When I can't take it anymore, I groan and shut down my system. She's not worth it. I am definitely lying to myself about that. For her to be on my mind all day long, she's definitely more than worth it. I pick up my phone, deciding to dial Susan's numb
Taleela's POV"I've wanted to do this for so long, ómorfi gynaíka." He voices out in Greek.That is when I feel something snap. What am I doing? Why am I letting this particular man do all these to me? It doesn't feel right in any way. Nothing with him does. So, I push him away from me and slip down the counter, my feet landing on the hard ground.Kal has a look of surprise in his eyes, and his stance speaks volumes of it all."Why did you suddenly push me away?" He asks, looking genuinely confused.I make sure I am a few meters away from him before I give him a reply. My arms are folded over my chest as I do this. "Because you shouldn't be in my apartment first."His confusion deepens. "I honestly do not understand you, Bells. You fucking let me in. I didn't force you to do that in any way. What the hell are you saying?"I ignore him and go to the sink where the cup he brought down from the cabinet is sitting. I pick it up and place it beneath the faucet, rinsing and letting fresh wa
Susan's POV "Hey, you look great." I turn to look at the random stranger who is smiling at me and walking away. "Thanks!" I call after him.I look around me. It's dark already, and there's no sign of my supposed date. I take a short rundown of my whole day. I was meant to meet Achilles at this Bohemian restaurant. But I had no idea where it was located. It's got me really frustrated because I have been trying his number to no avail. Back home, Taleela advised me to ask Achilles for the address, but I was too excited to do that. I mean, bohemian restaurants are not as rampant as McDonald's or Starbucks. It'd be easy to find. When I got to the bus stop, I took a bus that dropped me at the next bus stop. Having no idea where to go or what transport to board, I decided to text Achilles, who was online. He didn't reply to my text after fifteen minutes, and I wondered why because he was online. I dropped another text asking him to respond to my text, but he didn't. So, I dial
Susan's POV I have never been to his home. The last time he offered to take me to his apartment, something came up and we just had lunch at a public place. I'm seated in his car, directly beside him as he drives. I do not want to look at him because he has been giving me side glances since he swerved out of the public parking lot. I try so hard to ignore the beautiful, definitely expensive interiors of his car and the soft music pouring out of the radio by looking out of the window into the busy night streets. Up till now, I am still doubtful of everything. I have insecurity issues and that's because of my past. I haven't had the best relationships so far so this one with Achilles, even if it has been defined, makes me really doubtful and scared. I need to be reassured and I am not getting that from him. I turn abruptly when I feel his hand close around both of my hands. That's when I realize that I've been peeling the skin around my cuticles. "Why are you so anxious?" He asks. "
Taleela's POVIn the evening, Karanos proposed to me; I wasn't expecting it. I had just been coming down the stairs for dinner when I found him down on one knee with a plush red box that was open and had a diamond ring sitting on it.I had nearly toppled down the stairs when I saw him in that position, and it had him bounding up the stairs in sheer panic.We had both erupted into laughter, and I had kissed and kissed and kissed him, bursting into tears as he took a second kneel before me.It's a memory I will never forget in a rush. The slow sex we had after his proposal, how he handled me gently, how he made me feel like the most special woman in the world.For the first time in my life, I felt a rush of love I had never felt for so many people.We had kept the marriage proposal secret, but somehow, Susan had spread the news across to everyone in her family and also Kal's family. What shocked me the most was how Achilles, Susan, and Karanos' mother conspired to plan a joint wedding.
Susan's POVI ask, fully dressed, but Achilles seems to have difficulty buttoning up his shirt. Frowning, I walk toward where he's standing and help him to button his shirt up."Why are you suddenly shaky?" I ask.Achilles shakes his head, and a lock of his hair falls on his forehead. I push his hair back to its normal position and kiss his lip before leaning back to look at my beautiful husband.He's dressed in a dark shirt, and slacks cling to his long powerful legs. It's not tucked in. Just the way I like it. Patting his chest, I kiss him again."You're nervous, babe," I say to him. "I can see that you are."Achilles sighs and picks up his perfume bottle from the vanity table behind me. "Yes, I am. What if your mother threatens me and decides to send me off without you? What if she dislikes me? What if—"But I place a hand on his lip to shut him up. "Shh. It's okay, Achilles. My mother isn't going to do anything funny. Yes, she might be strict and all that. I think she'll like you
Jemmah's POVThree days later.Greece.I don't know why Karanos wants us to drive to his parent's home. I already told him I'm feeling quite sick, but he's bent on doing what he wants."Can we stop by the hospital before seeing your parents, babe?" I ask as we almost get to the city clinic.The flight we took last night messed with my rhythm, making me highly uncomfortable.Karanos sighs and finally agrees. As he turns at the intersection, he says, "Baby, we all know it's your pregnancy and nothing else. We even got a book to guide us through your trimesters. Isn't that enough? My mum doesn't like latecomers,"I frown at him. "Mummy's boy?"I notice Kal's jaw shift. I know he's trying to react calmly to what I just said. Since my pregnancy, he has been considerate, and I find it weird."Babe, you know that's not true. I love my mother, but I don't suck up to her,""But you sure look like you're doing so!" I say to him,Karanos visibly blows out a breath. "No, I am not! That's how we a
Jemmah's POVThree months laterWell, I got pregnant!Isn't that good news?At first, I didn't think it was. I wasn't ready for a baby, and I didn't plan for it.I didn't see myself pregnant this year. I had never really given having a baby thought, and I was pretty disoriented when the doctor told me I was pregnant.Karanos was in the country for a three-month vacation and a company merger. So, he was running around and setting things up while I relaxed. He didn't want me stressed out.I told him a week later while we were on a date. I knew it wasn't the perfect timing, and I hadn't crested one, so I thought informing him on a date would spice things up since he was in a happy mood.Well, it spiced things up. Kal leaped to his feet and kicked his chair back as he walked towards my seat. He lifted me and twirled me around. He was thrilled, but I wasn't quite sure I was.Okay, here's the thing.I was just so confused about the pregnancy thing, and I wanted to burst into tears, but Kal
Taleela's POVThere's a party tonight, and Karanos has forced me to come to Greece. Anyway, it's not something I'd be stubborn about because I want to be there while he celebrates his partnership with us.That's what his father wants, and Karanos has to do it for him. The man is sick and needs some requests to be granted.Susan already called hours ago to tell me the dress code. It was annoying because I had already prepared a dress to wear tonight, and Susan was calling to tell me that Linda had already picked a dress code for the party.Well, it's no problem because I have already ordered a new dress that'll be delivered in hours at Susan's apartment. I'll be going to the airport with nothing but my purse and a few clothes to stay in over the weekend.I miss Karanos. It's just been a week, but it feels like years.On the morning after the night I had gotten drunk, Tobias pulled out from the deal, and I asked Nikolai to put assigning the contract to anyone on hold because I already h
Taleela's POVHe picks up.Wherever he is, there is a flurry of activities, but he still picks up anyway. That's a good thing. I hope he listens to me because I am extraordinarily drunk and about to pass out."Jemmah," His voice comes. Soft and filled with so much worry."Kal," I say, and my voice breaks. "Kal, photos of me in the strip club back in Greece got released on the internet," Then I begin to sob."Jemmah, I need you to stay calm for me, okay?" He says. "I'll be at your apartment in less than an hour,""But you're in Greece," I choke back tears. "How will you get here in less than an hour?""Don't worry, my love. I'll be there in no time. Don't drink more than what you already have consumed, okay?"I nod. "Yes," Even if I know I will drink till I pass out.When he ends the call, I take another swig from the bottle before leaning back into my couch and thinking about how my life is already a mess within a week of Karanos not being in my life. I have to admit, but he brings s
Taleela's POVI'm scrolling through the internet, and all that fills my news feed are pictures of me and Karanos and headlines talking about our breakup and how it affected our business relationship. Even discussions about the deal being called off.How the hell did these people know about all this? Did Karanos tell them in a press conference or something?Shaking my head, I know that Karanos is not that type of person. He's primarily private, apart from the unfortunate pictures taken by the paparazzi and some ladies that want to leech off him.I lean away from the back seat and tap my driver's shoulder. He turns for a bit. We're almost at the intersection, so I must tell him quickly."Can you take the longer route? We're going to enter my apartment from the back," I say. "The paparazzi will be waiting for me,""Okay, ma'am." The driver says and immediately swerves into the other intersection that leads to the longer route.When we get to my apartment, many reporters are standing in f
Karanos' POV"Jemmah, listen to me," I say as I follow her out of the beach house. We haven't even been here for half a week, and all this is happening. I feel so frustrated and aggravated at myself.But Jemmah doesn't even give me listening ears. She hikes her tote bag higher and continues to drive her luggage toward the door. Pulling the door with all her might, she steps out and nearly swings it shut in my face, but I am quick to hold the gate and follow her outside.She already booked a ride about an hour ago, and the driver is already here with his car purring. As soon as he sees her, he climbs out of his car and takes her luggage from her. Jemmah steps into the back of the car while she waits for the driver to place her stuff in the trunk.She doesn't spare me a glance throughout the ordeal. Her jaw is set, and I see that she's trying so hard not to break down.I climb down the porch steps when I see the driver wasting a bit of time in the trunk and go over to the side of the wi
Jemmah's POV"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to," Karanos says, his voice thick with emotions. "I wish I could make all this stop. You're hurt. You're crying."I jolt awake at the sound of his cries. Looking out of our window momentarily, I see that it's still midnight. Looking back at Karanos lying on the bed, I notice he's sweating a lot, even under the air conditioning.He's having a nightmare.So I move close enough till my skin touches his, and I gather him in my arms. As soon as he feels me close, his arms wrap around me, and he buries his head in my chest.He keeps talking and even starts to sob, making me confused. Why is he having nightmares? What did he experience in the past?But I don't ask him all that. I am more concerned about his well-being, so I wrap my legs around his lean waist, placing my chin on his head while I rock him comfortingly."You'll be fine, baby. You'll be fine," I say in my most quiet voice. "It's just a dream, and you'll wake up soon. I love you so much, Ka