“No, dad!” Leigh grabbed the edge of her seat, tension gripping her arms when she argued, telling her father she was not the least bit enthusiastic about the idea. Adam Michaels watched his daughter, saw her pale face, and almost took pity on her. Almost being the operative word because when he shook his head, it was as if the indecision did not happen. “Our main branch is in Somerset. You are aware that after you get your degree, you will take on the company just like what you wanted.” He sprung the idea in an enticing way that would make Leigh snap it up in seconds, but the reaction he expected following his announcement. was not forthcoming Adam Micheals still has something up his sleeve. He was not a ruthless businessman for nothing. He looked his daughter in the eye, daring her. “Or,” He dangled the word in suspense before continuing, “... Are you perhaps afraid to come back?” Adam knew his daughter well for him to challenge her this way. Leigh would not back down
Aboard their family van, Leigh watched as the familiar landscape of Somerset rolled through her eyes. The scene felt familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. It had been years since she had been her last - after senior high- to be exact. “So many changes.” Leigh could not help the gasp that came out her lips when she saw a billboard of a familiar man on the road and nudged her friend.“Adam Fowler, you purposely omitted to tell me I am hobnobbing with a celebrity!” Eyes grew wide as saucers, Leigh’s pleasure spread all over her face at this news. Adam laughed and opened his arms wide like it was no feat to achieve such a status. From a basketball varsity player drafted into the NBA, he was now making history on the professional court. “I am still your old friend, Adam. Nothing changed.” He told her. At the same time, they both heard a snort from the back. It was Sam. “You have any problem back there, Sam?” Adam asked cheekily, knowing how Sam tried to cut him off when h
At his office, Rocky was surprised when a flying newspaper landed unannounced on his messy table filled with proposals and documents he needed to sign. He shoved the newspaper aside, opting to concentrate on the more pressing business matters. Then, his eyes landed accidentally on the front page of the newspaper, and his jaw automatically clenched.Printed on the banner photo was the face of Adam Fowler and Rocky’s ex-wife Leigh Michaels Bolton. Something akin to pain pricked his chest. His eyes took in Leigh’s appearance. Gone was the girl who liked to wear ordinary clothes to fit in the usual crowd, replaced by an elegantly-dressed woman who looked more beautiful than the last time he saw her.Rocky looked at her face and studied every feature, taking on the changes that time brought in her. Like land in drought, he lapped up the image, trying to quench his thirst for the sight of her.Then, his eye
Leigh shook her head. Rocky was part of her past that she had to get used to. Sooner or later, their lives will cross again because of Axel. As early as now, she needed to adjust and get accustomed to his presence.She’s stronger. She has changed a lot.“I was just surprised, but it’s alright.” She assured a concerned Adam.Adam does not look convinced. He studied her face in scrutiny, making her uncomfortable at the scrutiny because of the distance separating their heads.She pushed his head away playfully. “You’re taking advantage.” She snorted, but none of the sting. To anyone, it sounded more like she was making fun of him.She knew Adam for years, and he never took advantage of her. Not even once. Well, except for the casual arm-slinging or hugging, he didn't venture beyond the line of friendship.Adam grabbed her
Leigh sat on the passenger seat with a huge scowl on her face. “What do you want?” She demanded without looking at Rocky, crossing her arms over her chest, unmasking annoyance at being dragged from her date.Rocky made sure they were well out of the establishment before he replied. “Can’t I have a small chat with my ex-wife?” He asked casually.This time, Leigh turned her head to the side and was presented with a view of Rocky's profile.“We have nothing to talk about. We were divorced.” She reminded him before pulling her gaze away from him and back to her front.The night is still young. It was way past the rush hour, and traffic flowed smoothly. The sidewalks were filled with people. Some walked in droves, smiling or chatting.Palm trees lined the center island of the avenue. “You don’t have to remind me, Tiny.”
“Have you heard from her?” Adam asked for what seemed like a hundred times already, Sam's ears were starting to get burned with irritation at his constant checking when she could not provide him with the answer he wanted to hear.“Why don’t you just drink and not think about her?” Sam asked irritably.She invited Adam out for a drink to comfort him. She did not trust his state earlier and was worried about him, but it appeared the alcohol would not do the trick. Even for a moment, he could not forget about Leigh. He kept harping about her whereabouts and safety that she was slowly losing her patience with him.Adam looked at her weirdly, his right hand holding the beer can stopped in mid-air.“Isn’t Leigh your best friend? Why aren’t you worried about her?” He pressed, snorting when she had no forthcoming answer. Adam thinks she does not care enough
Adam woke up groggily. He opened his eyes but immediately closed them again from the sunlight’s glare. He closed his eyes again before opening them once more. This time, slowly as he tried to focus on his surroundings.He knew he was in his own bed. He remembered Sam got him there and helped him undress. He also remembered how she ran a wet cloth over his body to relieve some of the stench caused by the alcohol and the remembrance of it made him smile to himself.Her gentle ministrations made quite an impression on him. Adam could never recall a time or a place when someone who was not his mother tended to him tenderly like that. He felt cared for and...He shook his head trying to shake off the last trace of sleep. He was fully aware of everything that happened after that. Warmth surging through him, Adam turned to his side, bracing his head with his hand, elbows propped on the bed to fix a
“Are you ready, Axel,” Leigh asked her son, combing her fingers on her hair. “Yes, mommy.” Axel smiled innocently at her, jumped out of the bed, and raced out of the room through the hallway until he reached the stairs. “Careful, Axel,” Leigh called out, her feet going faster to catch up to her agile son. Axel stopped, little hands holding to the handrail, and called out to her. “Hurry up, mommy. I want my ice cream and maybe we can play?” He bargained. Leigh stopped in mid-track. A thought struck her. Axel resembled Rocky a lot especially when he was about Axel’s age - precocious and cheeky. She bit her lip at the sudden onslaught of guilt from the lie she had created spanning five years, sure Rocky would hate her when her secret got out. A little hand touching her hand alerted her. She looked down to see Axel’s puzzled look on her. “Something wrong, mommy?” Her sweet son asked worriedly. Leigh crouched down on the floor to meet her son’s inquiring gaze. “Do you want to meet y
The HATED BULLY is the SECRET FIANCE has come to its end. Thank you everyone for taking time to read Leigh and Rocky's story. Allow me also to mention my sincerest thanks to my editor Sameen Watson for guiding me through this whole process. And to all of you who was with me from chapter one up to epilogue. Thank you for patiently waiting for daily updates. Thank you for the votes: Lean Cantara, Alexandria Barnes, Melissa Agee, Criselda Sanchez, Kashika Jain, Lei Esturas, Mariam Jyoti, Susan Black, ariel raplinger, babybimps, Patience Madileng, Keri Ann Lane, Nicebin A Sangma, Wanda Stewart, Lizette Abigail Corpuz. Special thanks to Melissa Agee. She was my very first voter. Thank you for the first 8 gems I got for this story. And also for reading my other story The Billonaire's Replacement Bride. Special mention to Lean Cantara, Alexandria Barnes, Criselda Sanchez and Lei Esturas for commenting in the chapters. Your comments actually inspired me to continue writing even
It was a glorious day. It was a Sunday, his grand wedding day!After Leigh agreed to marry him again, they ran back to the other house to tell everyone. They were greeted with congratulations, hugs, kisses, and warm pats on the back.“I want us to be married right away,” Rocky told their parents, and Leigh agreed. She does not need a grand wedding. She only needed Rocky, Axel, their families, and friends to be at the wedding. Her father agreed because he wanted to leave as early as possible with her mom for their tour. It was Rocky’s mother who objected. “I wanted a grand wedding, Rocky.”While the parents argued and discussed the wedding, Rocky dragged her to her feet. They slipped out of the house without their parents noticing. “Where are we going?” She asked, confused when he bundled her into his waiting car. “Let them plan a grand wedding, but I want to marry you now. I can’t wait. I want you to wear my ring on your finger when I make love to you for the first time after f
“Aw, Axel, my man!” Rocky groaned before nuzzling her neck to cover his red-from-arousal face. Leigh giggled, tickled as his breath fanned her skin. Axel chose that moment to swing on his father’s back and ride him like a horse. They almost toppled over to the bed, pressing Leigh if not for Rocky’s quick thinking. He braced his hand on the bed for support, allowing Leigh to scoot farther from the two. She laughed when he saw Rocky’s insufferable look but knew he was faking it. He loves playing with his son. She blew him a kiss, and he caught it in the air before placing his hand on his lips, making smooching sounds that had her double up in laughter. In the short time they were together, Leigh found out about Rocky’s playful side, something that surprised her. He used to tease her, sparking her anger that would later explode into verbal fights. She realized Rocky did not know how to treat her back then. He was unsure of her feelings as she was unsure of him. But when the
Stepping out of her father's office, they saw Axel waiting at the visitor’s lounge with Gemma, her father’s secretary. Everyone in her father’s office was surprised when Axel shouted, “Mommy!” Axel was like a human dynamo. He hurled himself at Leigh, but when Leigh caught him, he squirmed and launched himself at his father next.“Daddy!” Rocky Bolton smiled, snagging his son mid-air to catch him and swing him up to ride his shoulders. “Who were you with?” “Grandma,” Axel said.Then, Rocky pulled Leigh close. Together, they walked out of Adam Michaels's floor. When they passed by employees, Leigh could not help tensing up, feeling shy all of a sudden. She was reminded of the spectacle she made at the facade of the building. By now, she was sure everybody already knew about her and Rocky Bolton especially since her son took after his father a lot. Everyone who sees them together would not mistake the connection. On the other hand, Rocky had a different interpretation of the cu
Adam Michaels looked like he was ready to throw a fit.He was flushed red in anger.His strides were long and swift, with hands clenched to the sides while Leigh, Rocky, and Sam followed him.They invited curious stares, looking like a mini-parade on their way to the elevator bay, except everyone steered clear of them. The murderous look on Adam Michaels’ face was enough to scare people away.They rode the elevator with Adam bringing the front while his daughter Leigh, Rocky, and Sam followed like meek children who got into trouble and were awaiting punishment at the principal’s office.They stopped on his floor. His secretary was shocked to see him followed by his daughter, a man she presumed to be the infamous Rocky Bolton because she had been tipped earlier about the scuffle at the entrance, and Sam Adams.Mr. Michaels, just when he was about to enter his room, changed his mind at the last s
“Where have you been?” Rocky slowed down upon hearing the familiar voice of his mother.A smile broke his lips when he saw his parents sitting on the L-shaped couch in the living room, waiting for him.“Mom, dad. What brought you here?” He asked, surprised at the unexpected arrival of his parents. It had been too long since he last saw them.“Are you just going in? Where have you been?”Evelyn Bolton took a long look at her son and knew Rocky had spent the night elsewhere. She walked over to him, suspiciously taking a whiff of his neck.“No trace of alcohol. Hmm.” 
Rocky drove fast, pressing on the throttle to accelerate their speed upon learning from Leigh that Axel was crying. “Did something happen?” He asked worriedly, thinking his son needs to see a doctor. Leigh frowned absently at him. “No. He woke up and did not find me there.” Rocky covered her hand with his. Leigh sounded guilty. He, too, felt partially guilty that they had to leave Axel, but not about the talk. They needed that talk. In no time, they reached the Michaels' home. Before Rocky could turn the engine off, the door to the passenger side opened, and Leigh got out. She rushed back to see Axel and stopped when she found her son huddled in the corner of the plant box, bawling his eyes out. Something twitched inside as guilt and shame washed over her. A mother can't help feeling that way because, for a mom, a child's welfare will always come first. “Where did you go?” Adam Michaels cried when she gathered Axel in her arms and hoisted him up. Rocky was hot on her he
They were both panting when they both came up for air. Leigh looked down to see Rocky’s head thrown back and shutting his eyes as he let his face ride her orga*m.It was a huge turn-on. Leigh found her hands fisting Rocky's glorious ink-black hair to drag his face up her body. His lips made a teasing line from the apex of her thighs up to her chest. He nuzzled her neck before his lips finally landed on hers for an ardent kiss. “I love you.” Rocky breathed.Leigh purred her contentment before pushing him off her, reversing their roles. The declaration of love awakens the aggressor in her. She attacked his lips as the predator who wanted to give him full service. Rocky saw her intent, eyes blazing hot coals, and declined the offer. “No.”“But, you haven’t…” Leigh said, pointing to his hard c*ck that needed instant gratification and release. Rocky quickly covered himself before giving Leigh her nightie, undie, and terry cloth robe.“What the h*ll, Rocky? Why are you denying m
“What did you do, man?” Kade was already waiting in his office when he arrived. Rocky plopped on the couch next to Kade and tiredly leaned his head on its back. “I am desperate, man. The sooner I get my wife and son, the better for my peace of mind.” “But you are doing it all wrong. You are inviting trouble from Michaels by doing this. And look!” Kade showed him a viral post an hour ago. It was him! People are speculating, eagerly wanting to know the mystery that shrouded the entire event. Their curiosity whetted. They started asking questions as to why a well-known businessman like Rocky Bolton would appear in front of Michaels's building. “Some people think you are pulling a stunt like this as a business strategy. You wanted to gain leverage for your contracts.” Kade added, sounding concerned. Rocky shook his head, rubbing his hands through his hair in frustration. “I am at my wit's end, Kade. If I do not act right away Leigh and Axel might be taken away in a fl