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016: To New Beginnings (II)
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2021-07-13 03:03:36"Won't you be coming inside?" Ayla spoke up as her steps slowed down to a stop, her eyes never leaving the man's figure.
She was busy attending to her guests, greeting them on her way around the hall, when she received a text from an unsaved number. Much to her surprise, the sender was not someone she was completely unfamiliar with. The text came from Ethan. He had asked her to meet him somewhere private.
"Don't tell me that you came all the way just to hand me another apology letter from your boss?" Ayla didn't want to show him how displeased she was, but she couldn't hold herself back.
"I am sorry, but that's not the case this time." Ethan hurriedly clarified the situation. Getting her all worked up would be the last thing he wanted. "It's true that I am the messenger once again, but this time it's not a letter I come bearing." He took a couple of steps closer to her and handed her a black file.
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"Ayla?""Do you need me to call the doctor?" Claude spoke up again when he didn't hear a reply from her. His worrying mind was already thinking of the worst. He could only stand there as he contemplated what had gone wrong with her."N-no."A sigh of relief left his lips when a stuttering reply made its way into his ears."Are you sure?" He was still doubtful about it. Her pale face and shallow breaths told him a completely different story."Yes. I am fine." Ayla replied to him hurriedly this time. She would hate herself for creating a scene right after arriving at the Atkinsons' family manor. "I think I only need some food." She added as she kept her eyes glued to the covers.She was trying her best not to look him in the eye. The thought of it alone made her feel weird. What added to her nervousness was how casually he was taking it
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"You purposefully went to another city, just so you could avoid meeting me before our wedding." Ayla couldn't believe her ears. She was struggling to believe Claude's words, but knew better than to not trust him."Sort of, yes. I was hoping to surprise you right on the wedding day. I didn't know that things would go south before I was able to return." He exhaled out a tired sigh as his thoughts returned to that eventful day."Even if I have chosen to stay here, I would have to leave eventually because someone decided to not do their job." He continued, giving her a better picture of things."Did you fix the problem?" Ayla couldn't help but inquire about it, trying to keep the conversation going."Of course. Otherwise, I would not be here." He replied to her. "One more thing, do you know about the event tonight?"Claude decided to address the bigger i
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[Half an hour later.]Ayla made her way down a not-so-narrow corridor as a maid guide the way. She didn't know that Claude's room was literally located in another wing. If she had an idea prior, she would have rather had the maid call him to her.But given the circumstances, she didn't want to bother him much. Especially after how he helped her with her outfits and everything else. It wouldn't be wrong if she was to say that he was acting like the ideal husband one could ask for. The only problem was that she wasn't someone who'd thought about it—ever."There you go, Young Mistress." The maid stepped to the side and bowed her head ever so slightly.Ayla thanked her with a small nod before her eyes shifted to the wide oak door staring back at her.'Do I go inside or not?' She began to contemplate over it once the maid left.
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[Three years later…]"Breathe in… breathe out…" Ayla was mumbling to herself as she tried to calm down her jittery nerves.She was standing before a floor length mirror, her eyes focused on her own reflection as her dress glinted under the warm lighting of her new room. Bringing her palms to the front of the dress, she ran them down in attempts to smoothen down the nonexisting creases. She couldn't help the worrying thoughts resonating at the back of her mind, her frown only deepening. But before she could delve down further, a knock at the door brought her out."Is anyone inside?"The voice was so familiar to her that a sigh of relief left her lips unconsciously."It's just me in here." Ayla breathed out as a soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips. She had sent everyone out including the make-up artist and her team once they had
The Heartless Bride 191: Desires (II)*
[The following chapter includes mention of R-18 content. Kindly read at your own discretion.] Claude sucked onto the soft spot as his finger moved inside her, earning her moans in return which were not less than a siren's call for him, luring him to continue. He felt her insides tightening around his finger as he moved it relentlessly. He knew that she was close to finding her release and deliberately slowed down his movements. Ayla could feel her orgasm building up, inching closer to the edge. She let out a frustrated groan when Claude slowed down his movements. "D-don't st-op." She managed to say in between her gasps for air. "Oh! I am not planning to, my love, not tonight." Claude murmured against her skin and moved his lips to her cleavage, biting and sucking on her fair, smooth skin. "This might hurt a bit." He said as he inserted
The Heartless Bride 190: Desires (I)*
[The following chapter includes mention of R-18 content. Kindly read at your own discretion.] "You don't think that it makes me unworthy of you?" She managed to mutter out as she held Claude's gaze. "You must have hit your brain if that's what's going through your brain." Claude scoffed as he leaned down to capture her lips in a passionate kiss. This time she didn't push him away but responded with the same passion. It wasn't until both of them ran out of their breaths did they pull back. "Do you understand now how much you mean to me?" Claude flicked her forehead as if he was reprimanding a small child. "I do… you mean no less to me." She smiled for the first time today and it was enough for Claude to know that everything was going to be just fine. All she needed was a little time and his love. "I love you." Claude mumbled
The Heartless Bride 189: The Most Precious Thing to Me*
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[Three weeks later…]With a jump in her step, Ayla made her way to her favourite store. Things were going great with Claude finally. Everything in her life seemed to be on track. Well, almost everything.Though Claude and her were spending more and more time together with each passing day as if they were in a relationship. They kind of were, but the man never asked her to be his girlfriend despite the fact that's how he had been introducing her to everyone who saw them together.There was one other thing which was bugging her at the back of her mind. Because of peer pressure about them dating—if it could be called that—the two of them inadvertently started using black masks whenever they were in public. Neither of the two wanted to let others throw in their unwanted opinions about their relationship. Though somewhere deep inside her heart, she wanted the whole world to know that Claud
The Heartless Bride 185: Suspicions (I)
"So…"Ayla dragged it out as she turned around to stare at the man who was still standing by the doors."Mr. D'Souza?""Call me Gavin, please." He still has the same charming smile playing across his face as he walked further into the room"Umm… I am pretty sure I can not do that." Ayla let out a nervous chuckle. There was something ominous about the way he stared back at her. She couldn't put her finger on it, but she was sure that it wasn't only her mind playing with her. Something about him had shifted since the moment they walked in."Oh, please. Claude and I may not be the best of friends, but we are on our way there. It would mean a lot to me if you'd call me without any formalities." He paused before adding after a while. "Only when it's us… three."'What the f*ck!'Ala
The Heartless Bride 184: I was Missing you (II)
"Because it looks like I interrupted something important."Her frown was the only thing which Claude could see but the helplessness which filled her eyes was enough of a giveaway for him. She was feeling guilty for interrupting their meeting. Well, it was more of a tour now. The actual meeting had already been wrapped up a while ago. It was what had Claude believing that her interruption was not going to have any repercussions. Even if there were any, he didn't care."It's fine. Don't worry." Claude rubbed his hand up and down her back to calm her down. Turning his attention to the group, he began. "Apologies for the interruption everyone, but let me introduce you all to my girlfriend." He was smart enough to not announce her name to the team. Though he wondered where Ayla was going with the secrecy."I am sure she must have a name." It was Mr. D'Souza who spoke up. There was a small smile playing acros
