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046: Back to Reality (II)
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2024-10-29 19:42:56"We are comforting that…."
Ethan's eyes snapped to her manicured nail before they slowly moved in the direction she was urging him to look in.
He saw a group of girls standing around the corner of the corridor, huddled together like they were going through the game plan before breaking into loud cheers and running around the field. But their ducked heads and low whispers combined with their stealing glances at Ayla only proved otherwise. His train of thoughts was interrupted by the lady in question.
"You know what they are talking about?" It wasn't a question but she still threw him a questioning glare. Without waiting for his reply, Ayla continued, "they are wondering out loud as to how the rich and dashing business savvy Claude Atkinson ended up getting married to a nerd like me."
Ethan couldn't help himself from chuckling. A low chortle left his lips while he kept his eyes glued to Ayla's twisted face. He wanted to share his ow
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"Who dared?" A shiver ran up Ayla's spine as soon as she snapped her eyes open. She opened her mouth and closed it, repeating the process a couple of times as her mind tried to come up with words. But the shock alone had the gears in mind jammed. "W-what are you doing here?" After what seemed an eternity, she managed to force a sensible reply out of her mouth. "That's not an answer to what I asked you." "Don't have work to do today?" She shook her head, not giving away anything. As much as she despised the woman, she would not want her to get kicked out of the school. Especially, when she was in her final year of studies just like her. "You are still not answering me." "And I won't." She shook her head. "We both know it's not going to end well for her, and I don't want that." Her eyes never left his. She was trying to take a peek inside his soul. "Do you really think that
The Heartless Bride 048: Back to Reality (IV)
"I'll make sure you never do." Claude's words rang next to her ear as he continued holding her gaze with his own. The intensity with which he was staring back at her made her stomach do a flip upside down. Ayla shook her head, pushing away the feeling which was beginning to creep up her spine. She told herself internally that it was nothing much but her own mind perceiving it all wrong. "I know you won't." She shrugged it off with a small smile before bringing her focus back to her drink which was not so chilled anymore. She continued sucking the creamy liquid up the straw whilst Claude watched her with nothing but adoration in his eyes. To him, she looked like a child who had just gotten her hands on a chocolate bar. "As much as I hate to interrupt this date of yours, I think we should get moving." Ethan cleared his throat and spoke up loud and clear for the duo to hear. He cocked his head to the side where a small crowd of students
The Heartless Bride 049: Our First Date (I)
"W-what are you doing?" Even though it was obvious as a plain sunny day, Ayla couldn't help herself from questioning his actions."What does it look like?" Claude briefly glanced up to meet her confused eyes before going about tying her laces into a perfect bow. He slipped his pinky finger under the tied laces to make sure that the knot wasn't a little too tight for her to feel uncomfortable when walking.Once he was satisfied with his handiwork, he picked up his drink after dusting his hands off and pushed himself all the way up."Let's go…." He muttered out under his breath before extending his free hand towards Ayla.But instead of taking it, she raised her index finger in the air, silently asking him to allow her a moment to herself. Her actions left the two men with nothing but confusion wobbling their minds. They didn't bother to hide it, but instead of explaining herself to either of them, she went on with what she ha
The Heartless Bride 050: Our First Date (II)
"Where are we going?" Ayla was already starting to get impatient as her eyes stared out of the tinted windows, taking in a good view of her surroundings as they whizzed past tall buildings."I am not telling you, wife." Claude let out a low chuckle as he briefly glanced in her direction. He turned his attention back to the road ahead as his lips slowly curled up into a faint smile. "You definitely are not a big fan of surprises, are you?" It was more of an observation than an actual question. He could tell easily from the way her right leg was bouncing up and down throughout the ride."It's not that I am not patient otherwise. It's just that I seem to run out of it when it comes to surprises and all." Ayla pursed her lips together as she shifted in her seat slightly to have a better view of Claude. "I don't know how to explain this." She added in a low tone as memories from her past came rushing back to her, leaving behind a painful, crushing aftertaste.&nb
The Heartless Bride 051: Our First Date (III)
"Because I own this place."Her breath was knocked out of her lungs as Claude's words hung in the air. She had her eyes staring back at the man, ready to roll out of their sockets any second now. It was the soft 'ding' of the elevator arriving on their floor that pulled her back to the present."You what?" She drew her brows together, questioning the man. As far as she knew, Atkinsons' Corp never dealt in the food business."You heard me, wife." Claude brought his hand to rest at the small of her back and gave her a small push forward, guiding her to step inside the elevator along with him. "I own this place." He repeated his words from earlier before explaining himself."It's much easier to have a place ready for business meetings and gatherings. Saves me a lot of time on making sure that a reservation is scheduled for a specified day and date." He reached forward to press a button on the side panel of the elevator wall that was m
The Heartless Bride 052: Our First Date (IV)
Ayla could only shake her head at the man's words even though they managed to turn something inside her chest. He was more than a gentleman when it came to treating her right and she knew better than to take it for granted. She would always voice out her gratitude with a soft "thank you" usually, but at times like this, his words threw her mind off balance a little. Hence, she would go for the next best option: changing the topic of the conversation. "Why is it that I didn't see any staff members on our way?" She muttered out in her calm tone as soon as the duo made it inside the private room. Claude, being the gentleman he was, pulled out a chair for her, pushing it a little forward once Ayla had settled down comfortably. "Thank you." She muttered under her breath while keeping her eyes trained on the man as he moved around the black marble table and found him settling down in the chair across from her. "I like my privacy." Cl
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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
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[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
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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
