I glared hard at him when his grip on my wrists tightened and his body lowered towards mine.His face inched closer and his hot breath fanned my face. He gave me a long stare, not uttering a single word before a sinister smile appeared on his perfect features.He gently touched my face with his free hand, caressing my cheeks softly that I almost shut my eyes at how calming his touch was but at the same time, my insides had started erupting with fire."I'm really going to go easy with you, so just cooperate with me by handing me the paper and I'll just walk away." His voice was strained and raspy, as if he was struggling to keep his voice calm."Or what?" I asked with a raised eyebrow. His grey eyes darkened at my challenge, he shut his eyes for a few seconds before opening them.His patience is running thin! Yes!I'm succeeding at getting on his nerves!This is fun!"I have something very important to you. Instead of you going down on your knees to beg, you're realistically pinning m
ALEXANDERShe's hard. She's really hard to deal with. She's stubborn. She's annoying. She always manages to get on my fucking nerves every damn time.At first, I thought she'd be easygoing but I thought wrong. If it were anybody else who had taken the contract, I'd make them regret it.But she still managed to get away and still made me kneel down to beg for it - something that belongs to me.And to think I willingly knelt down and did as she said. She always manages to get me riled up but I also tend to be very lenient with her. In as much as I hate to admit it, she's a safe haven.My safe haven! My miracle! My Angel!How my body doesn't react to her is still a mystery to me. I'm never letting her go, not now, not ever! She's stuck with me whether she likes it or not. She's now the bright light that has lightened up my dark life. Having to live in the shadows all my life, hiding away from people for the fear of losing my life over a touch from someone. It hasn't been easy, having
IVORY I stormed into the house fuming. That condescending brute! How can he refer to my clothes as rags. Well, not that the clothes are the classiest but at least, they're descent. And even if I don't need my old clothes, I still need to go get some of my few belongings - things that are the last memory I have of my parents. I paced the living room, still fuming at Alexander, wanting to chop his head off if I set my eyes on him. He's the most annoying human to ever grace this earth. I don't know if I'm the only one who thinks like that or others don't notice how annoying and arrogant he is. His devilish handsome face flashed in my head. His annoying but cute smirk that always have a way of riling me up beyond measures. He's actually fit to be the man of my dreams, in terms of appearance. Character wise? I don't think so. I think I'm attracted to him. There's this invisible magnet that seems to be forcefully pulling me towards him. My body reacts to him against my will. Despite ho
So love me like you do. Lo, lo, love me like you. What are you waiting for?You're the day, you're the nightYou're colour of my blood......I sang along to the loud music playing in my earpods.Waking up this morning, Alexander was gone. I just shrugged it off and went about my morning routine. I'll be going over to Ava's apartment to get my belongings and then we'd go on a shopping spree.Alexander actually dropped a black card on my bedside table with a written note that wrote.....'5019. That's my pin. Have fun today, Angel.'I just simply smiled to myself. How thoughtful of him.I walked to the dining table and simply stared at the variety of food on the table. I sat down after acknowledging John's presence. I took just two bites from the toasted bread in front of me and gulped down a glass full of juice.I stood up and made my way out of the dining room but John's voice stopped me."Ma'am, you didn't have a proper breakfast."I turned and smiled at him. "You can have the rest, Jo
I sat quietly on a the floor of the library with a voluminous book on my laps. I simply just stared at the words on the book, not making any meaning out of it. It's actually a Greek mythology book.The library has now become my favorite place for the past one week. Drowning myself in the vast and different genres of book, which tends to distract me and keep my mind away from the outside world.Alexander hasn't been home for a week now and I haven't heard from him either. As a matter of fact, I don't even know about his whereabouts. I had asked John and he said that he went on an important business trip.He went on a business trip and he didn't deem it fit to let me know about it?A brief text message would've helped sated my worries but he decided to leave me hanging.Such an arrogant asshole!The house had become quite boring since he left, with nobody else to talk to and nobody to annoy. Except a brief discussions with Claire and the other workers, I've literally kept to myself the
Alexander?!Oh my God!!!I immediately plunged myself down to his side, my heart beating frantically against my ribcage.I stared at him in panic, not knowing what to do exactly.How do I stop the blood that was continuously flowing out by the side of his stomach, soaking his midnight black shirt? And I really hate the sight of blood.I desperately looked around the library, my eyes seeking to find a thick cloth but all I could see were books neatly stacked on shelves. I sighed out in frustration, but then, my eyes caught a white thick cloth that looked like a blanket. It was carelessly drooped on a one-sitter chair at the far end of the library.Has that chair been here all this while? Not caring about the answer to that question, I immediately rushed towards the chair, almost tripping on my steps. I grabbed the small, soft blanket and bolted back to Alexander. I held the blanket against his bleeding stomach, aiming to stop the bleeding.I looked up at him to see him staring intentl
The bedroom was a sanctuary of serenity, where soft rays of morning sunlight filtered through gauzy curtains, casting a gentle, golden glow on the room's furnishings. A large, plush bed dominated the center, its duvet artfully tousled as if the slumberer had just departed. The walls, painted a tranquil shade of sky blue, were adorned with an eclectic mix of artwork, from vibrant abstract canvases to serene landscapes that seemed to invite the outside world in.A quaint wooden desk nestled against one corner, cluttered with books, journals, and a meticulously arranged collection of pens. The window sill, adorned with potted succulents, overlooked a tranquil garden, where the occasional bird's song added a touch of melody to the morning tableau.On the far side of the room, a walk-in closet stood ajar, revealing a kaleidoscope of fashion choices, from tailored suits to whimsical dresses, each hung with care. A full-length mirror leaned against the closet door, ready to reflect the day's
First, there's the darkness. It's like being in the womb again, right before the grand explosion of birth. Except now, the darkness isn't comforting, it's claustrophobic. It's an abyss that threatens to consume me whole, and yet, somewhere within it, I find the strength to start swimming."She'll be fine, right?" I heard a soft female voice ask, her voice was familiar yet soothing and pleasant to my ears.My eyes slowly fluttered open, my visions were blurry and vague at first as I looked around the room strangely. It slowly became clearer as I could see the room very clearly.This looks like Alexander's room. I turned to stare at the figures that were staring back at me. I felt a soft wave of deja vu wash over me. My eyes caught Alexander's grey orbs that were mixed with so many emotions I couldn't decipher. He just stood three foots away from the bed I'm lying on - his bed. I forcefully dragged my eyes away from his to stare at his parents, who were standing closely beside him. Mr
FIVE MONTHS LATER I clutched Alexander's hand, my nails digging deep into his skin as a contraction ripped through my body like a wave crashing on the shore. "It's time," I panted, my eyes locked onto his, my voice barely above a whisper. Alexander's face was etched with concern, but he smiled reassuringly, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "We're almost there, my love. Just a few more minutes." He stroked my hair, his touch gentle and soothing. But I knew it was more than that. The pain was intensifying, like a fire burning brighter with each passing moment. I could feel the baby's head crowning, the pressure building. Suddenly, Theresa burst into the room, her face set with urgency. "It's time to go! We need to get her to the hospital, now!" she exclaimed, her voice firm but laced with worry. The next few minutes were a blur as Alexander scooped me up and rushed me to the car, Clark and Mr. Sebastian following close behind, their faces set with concern. Samantha and Mr. Marco b
As the black SUV came to a stop in front of Alexander's mansion, I felt a mix of emotions swirling inside me. Alexander got down and rounded the car to open the door for me, his eyes locked onto mine with a warm smile. I took his hand, and he helped me out of the car, his touch sending shivers down my spine.As I stepped out, I saw Theresa standing outside the patio with Mr. Sebastian, her tears-filled eyes fixed on me with a mixture of happiness and sadness. Samantha stood by the side with Mr. Marco, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Alexander's grandfather, stood with them, his eyes piercing as he gazed at me with a small smile on his lips.Alexander's hand tightened around mine as he led me towards them. Theresa immediately rushed towards me and engulfed me in a tight hug. Sobs racking through her body. My own eyes immediately clouded with tears as I hugged her back, feeling a deep sense of connection and love. I could feel her heart racing with excitement, her breath coming in s
IVORY'S POV It's been two days since I saw Ezekiel at the diner. And surprisingly, I haven't seen anything unusual. I had thought that they would've stormed here already, and I've been holding on to that small hope that Ezekiel was considerate enough not to tell Alexander my location. I've been living in this small, shabby apartment for months now, trying to lay low and avoid detection. It's been a lonely existence, but a necessary one. I've missed Alexander, missed him more than I thought possible. I never stopped loving him, but I couldn't go back to him, not to his world. It was too dangerous, too suffocating. As I looked around my apartment, I felt a pang of sadness. It was small and empty, except for the bed, a table, and a few other sparse furnishings. Joe had given it to me, and I was grateful for his kindness. At least I had a roof over my head, a place to call my own. But it was a far cry from the life I had left behind. I missed the luxury, the comfort, the sense of secur
ALEXANDER'S POVI sat in my dimly lit study, gazing out the window, surrounded by the shadows of my own despair. It had been four months since Ivory left, and I was no closer to finding her. Every lead, every hint, every rumor had turned out to be a dead end. I was starting to lose my grip on reality, my mind consumed by thoughts of her, of where she might be, of whether she was safe.I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep. I couldn't focus on anything except finding her. My business was suffering, my relationships were suffering, my very sanity was suffering. And yet, I couldn't stop. I couldn't rest until I found her.Because I loved her. I loved her more than life itself. I loved her more than I ever thought possible. She was my everything, my reason for being. And without her, I was nothing.And then, the news had come. She was pregnant. My baby was growing inside her, and I wasn't there to see it, to feel it, to be a part of it. The thought was almost too much to bear.I remembered the d
FOUR MONTHS LATER...I stood at the edge of the small town, my eyes fixed on the horizon. I had been on the move for months, never staying in one place for too long. I had to keep running, had to keep hiding. I couldn't let them find me.I had been living off the grid, using cash and fake IDs to survive. I had cut my hair short and dyed it brown, trying to blend in with the crowd. I had lost weight, my eyes sunken from lack of sleep.But despite the hardships, I felt free. I felt alive.I thought back to the night I escaped, the rain pounding against my face as I ran. I had never felt so alive, so exhilarated.I had made my way to Ravenwood, a small, quaint town nestled in the heart of Oregon, where I had managed to find a work as a waitress at a local diner. I kept to myself, never making friends or connections. I couldn't afford to get close to anyone.But as the months passed, I started to feel a sense of belonging. I started to feel like I could finally start over.I walked into t
As I watched Alexander leave my room, I roughly brushed away the tears that were streaming down my face, my hands shaking with anger and hurt. Damn him for reducing me to this state, for making me feel so vulnerable and weak. Damn him for making me love him so deeply, so completely, only to shatter my heart into a million pieces. Damn my body for always reacting to every of his touch. And, damn my heart for still loving him after his lies and betrayal. I slowly walked to the door and slammed it shut, hardly. But, just as I was about to turn, another knock sounded on the door. Angrily I opened it, ready to bark at Alexander for not wanting to leave me alone. "What part of get out don't you under..." My words hung in my throat, when my eyes met with Theresa's. Her face was glistening with tears, her eyes swollen and puffy. A look of hurt, guilt and sadness was etched on her beautiful face. My heart almost almost melted at her pitiful sight and I wanted nothing more than to go int
Laughter echoed in my mind, a cold, mirthless sound. I felt like a pawn in a game I didn't understand, used by everyone around me. My legs trembled beneath me as I reached the top of the stairs, my hand grasping for the door handle to my room.I flung the door open and stumbled inside, slamming it shut behind me. I leaned against the door, my heart racing, my mind spinning. I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare, with no escape.I slid down the door, my legs giving out beneath me. I buried my face in my hands, tears streaming down my face. I felt so alone, so lost. My hands wrapped around my stomach protectively, as if to protect the life growing inside me from the unknown danger surrounding me. A soft knock on the door broke the silence. "Angel, please let me in," Alexander's voice whispered through the door.I shook my head, even though he couldn't see me. "Go away," I whispered back.The knocking stopped, but I knew he wouldn't give up. He would keep trying to reach me, to expla
IVORY'S POVI stood frozen at the foot of the stairs, my eyes fixed on the scene before me as five pairs of eyes locked onto me, their gazes piercing and intense. Alexander's words hung in the air, a confession of secrets and lies that threatened to upend my entire world. My mind reeled, struggling to process the words he had just dropped, as if trying to solve a puzzle with missing pieces.My head spun, a dizzying sensation washing over me like a wave, leaving me breathless and disoriented. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, the wind knocked out of me, leaving me gasping for air. My legs trembled beneath me, and I reached out for the stair railings, grasping for support as the room seemed to tilt around me.Alexander immediately took a step towards me, his eyes filled with concern, but I stopped him with a raised finger, my hand shaking with a mix of anger and fear. I shook my head at him, a silent warning to stay back, to give me space to process the chaos that was erupting in
ALEXANDER'S POVI paced back and forth in my dimly lit study, my mind consumed by the events of the past few days. If only I had arrived sooner, maybe Ava would still be alive. Maybe Ivory wouldn't be lying on a bed, her heart broken and her spirit shattered.Three days ago, our mission to rescue Ivory and Ava from the clutches of Russo and his brother had gone catastrophically wrong. We were racing against time to reach the docks where they were being held hostage, but fate had other plans. Russo's men ambushed us, and we found ourselves entangled in a fierce battle that seemed to have no end. Wave after wave of his henchmen attacked us, each one more relentless than the last. We fought valiantly, but the sheer number of opponents slowed us down, and precious minutes ticked by.As the fight dragged on for over two hours, my anxiety grew. Every second counted, and I knew that Ivory and Ava were running out of time. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, we emerged victorious, bu