Xavier's POV Uncaring about the state I met him, I grab his throat, digging my fingers into him as his already swollen face becomes red. My first instinct is to make sure his veins pop out but in the remembrance of my decision to give him a slow torturous death, I let go of him, making him cough and take in as much air as he can.I trust Antonio to always do the right thing. The bastard's state is enough to make me reward Antonio but that will be later.I need to know who sent him. I need to know where he came from.He doesn't look familiar. He doesn't look like someone who is from one of the opposing groups. Antonio says he has refused to say a word despite the beatings.Ignoring his blood-stained clothes and his bleeding mouth, I roll up the sleeves of my shirt, extending my unhurt hand to Phillip who is the closest to me.He places an ice pick in my hand and I am about to get to work when the idiot begins to scream, shaking vigorously and bawling his eyes out.His expression is
Jasmine's POV She looked convinced.I'm sure she was convinced when she saw my strange hair, unlike the devil who wouldn't be moved a bit towards being convinced that I am not her.He is too blinded by obsession and revenge to see the truth.Relief washed through me when Mrs Moore ran off after a tear rolled down her eyes. Even though, I was hoping the conversation would take a new turn and she would ask me questions out of curiosity but she left.Mr Moore is my next target now. That man knows I am not her. He was so sure I wasn't Andre.I need to see him. We need to talk.Maybe that will change everything. Maybe this is an opportunity for the devil to realize his mistake before he fixes another date for the wedding.The fact that I was able to convince Mrs Moore a little today has made me feel so happy about the wedding postponement. This means everything will work in my favor and I will be out of here pretty soon.Wanting to distract myself, I move away slowly from the bed and appr
Xavier's POV She looks like she is going to faint soon. Her face goes pale and white as she continues to watch me with her hands around her mouth and her eyes bulging wide open.I can vow that this isn't the first time she is seeing a man naked so I wonder why the overreaction.Andre is known for her wild lifestyle.Suddenly, it hits me.I am dealing with a different person now. There is a high possibility that this is not Andre but someone else who looks just like her.It's hard to believe but I am giving it a chance even though nothing is changing about us pushing through with the wedding. I won't let my guard down. I won't be tricked again until another person is produced as Andre. This is when I will be fully sure that the woman before me who seems innocent and naive, unlike the fiery, strong-headed woman who left me at the altar months ago, is different.When she isn't moving or batting her eyes, I decide to cover up. I grab a towel from the stand and wrap it around my waist.I
Jasmine's POV His eyes do not hold anger or intimidation. It is just a gentle stare. A stare that makes my heart flutter like I am having the wedding of my dream indeed.A stare that makes him the opposite of the monster I call. A stare that makes me wish things were different and we aren't total strangers but two people who found love in each other and are here because of that.There is absolutely nothing great about this wedding. Not my well-styled hair with different beautiful ribbons, not my white beautiful short wedding dress, not my beautiful makeup which makes me look different and definitely not the expensive heels I have on.This might be a wedding to him and everyone else here today but to me, it isn't real.I can never be his wife.I am not Andre. I am just taking a place till he finds her.The officiant stands in front of us as soon as we enter the hall, holding hands like we are truly in love with each other and the desire for this wedding isn't one-sided.His hand was
Jasmine's POV With a smug smile still on my face, I watched the car ahead drive into the mansion and ours followed.It drives in for a while till it gets to the parking lot. I spare Mr. Moore a glance who is still looking confused and shocked as the car halts to a stop.Before I can help myself out, the door is thrown open from outside by one of Xavier's dark-looking men. The moment I step out, trying to look as gracious as possible since I have to act like the person he thought he got married to, my eyes meet his.He is standing right beside the guard who opened the door for me. It looks like he is waiting for me so we can make an appearance today since we are married.The smile on my face disappears when he appears from nowhere and stretches his arm for me to take.He is sinfully handsome but I can't admire him because I hate him. I hate everything about him. His manipulative ways.His cold heart.And his cruelty."Shall we?" he calls out, jerking me back to life. I don't want to
Xavier's POV Getting married to Andre or Jasmine is meant to strengthen my footing in the family business.Relief was what I felt this morning at the registry but now, I feel the total opposite. Rage and anger is the best way to describe how I felt after she pulled that stunt and I couldn't do anything.The door opens and I watch her come in while I sit crossed leg on a sofa with a phone glued to my ears.She is glancing around the room with curiosity and awe as though this isn't the first time she is here. Instead of sitting down and trying to get out of her dress, she stands avoiding my gaze while I continue my call."Where are they now?" I ask the person on the other side. It is Antonio. He had to leave immediately after we left the registry."The men are taking a ship out of New York tonight. We have no idea where they are headed but I have my men on their trail. They will strike before the ship moves", he informs me calmly and I nod in satisfaction.Everything must be resolved t
Jasmine's POV Everything about this man screams danger and it makes fear slither through me. I always knew he was dangerous. He looked dangerous but I never thought he would be as bad as ordering one of his men to kill someone.It makes me wonder what kind of life I have gotten myself into.Crying wasn't something I planned. In fact, I vowed never to cry about my situation ever again but I could help the fear and sadness gnawing at my heart. Besides, I wanted to let it out just so he can change his mind about sleeping with me.That is the height of it.I can't let this happen.I have always kept my virginity because I wanted it to be with the right man and at the right time. I once dated but it was a short relationship that only lasted for three months. We broke things off when it was obvious he just wanted to get into my pants. I wasn't ready. I didn't even feel the need to give him my body.I didn't regret breaking up with him but ever since, I haven't been in any other relationsh
Xavier's POV Taking notice of the woman I got married to just yesterday as she steps out of the Mercedes car which brings her to the party, my lips part ways unconsciously at the purity and innocence radiating her flawless milky skin.Her dress hugs her petite body, giving a clear view of her cleavage and just how sexy she is.Her hair is down but this time, she isn't trying to defy me by coming to the party with that stupid white hair. The black wig which came off her head the other day is back looking like her real hair.I am sure she is also not confident about how she looks with that white hair.She glances around until her eyes meet mine. "Boss, are you there?" A voice calls out from the other side, reminding me about the fact that I was on a call before she arrived.She approaches and I gulp, confusion clouding my mind. The more that I think of this whole thing, the more confused I become about the fact that this isn't Andre.Andre is hot and sexy but the meekness that comes w
Xavier's POV If there is anything I regret, it is inviting Alex to witness this and also asking him for advice on how to propose. The asshole clearly told me to use G****e which I did. Jasmine's kiss stops me from minding the silly jerk. I was ready to punch him in the face for spilling the beans and embarrassing me like that. Dragging me behind her with Alex acting all childish makes me wonder how Andre fell in love with the idiot. When we get inside, they all begin to chatter away leaving me to watch in awe. A lot has changed about me. Jasmine has changed me. Aside from Grandmother, I hate having family time like this. I don't know if it's because I barely have time for such or it's because it reminds me so much of my parents. I just hated it. But now, I have a new family. Aside from my Grandmother. Alex and Sophia are now part of that family despite my effort to push them away forever. Jasmine's gaze meets mine and she signals to come to take a seat while Alex pops the c
Jasmine's POV With a blindfold over my face and after several attempts to get him to spill the beans about where we are going, the car comes to an abrupt stop.From the screeching sound, I can tell it is on sandy ground. It pricks my hibernating curiosity and I turn around unable to see anything.Finally, I felt his touch after hearing the sound of the car door opening. He places his hand on my back and another on my lap. Then he helps me out of the car without a word.Where are we? What is happening? What surprise awaits me here?I can't help but wonder, managing to hide away the fear gnawing at my heart as I push down the choking tide of panic building.Unable to hold it back any longer, I voice out barely in a whisper. "Where are we, Xavier?"He hushes me up as he helps me take slow steps on the sandy ground towards somewhere. The cool air hits my face as soon as we come to a stop. I am tempted to pull off the tight blindfold and look around. As if hearing my thought, he holds my
Xavier's POV Throbbing with a wild, raw, and primal feeling inside me, my tongue slides deep between her parted lips.From the moment she stepped into the restaurant, all I could see was her and all I could feel was pure admiration. She looked so beautiful and elegant in that black long dress that I could barely hold myself back from touching her.The sparkle in her eyes and the smile on her face didn't help in quenching my desire. The thought of being more intimate with each other intensified the heated lust already raging inside of me, filling me with wild and crazy imaginations of what I would do to her.The car comes to a stop and I flutter my eyes open, my hands on her back and my lips still on her.I couldn't resist not touching her as soon as we got into the car. She responded with the same energy and I almost lost it.Lifting my head, I brush back a stray piece of hair with my fingers. We local gazes for a second, breathless from the kiss before I say. "Let's get out of here.
Jasmine's POV Stepping out of the white limo with an INGOO sleeveless backless black dress and cross strappy heels, saying I am anxious is an understatement.My heart is thumping wildly within my ribcage.My hands are trembling slightly despite my firm hold on my tiny purse.My lips are quivering in excitement mixed with nervousness as I glance around to see Mathew appear in front of me.He is wearing a black official suit.Before I can ask him where Xavier is, he presents a bouquet to me. I gasps slowly before taking it from him without any question.I'm sure this is from Xavier.With that in mind, I begin to feel teary. Bowing down, he sways his right hand towards a direction which I assume is where Xavier is. There is a door at the entrance and staring up at the high building, I see it is a diner.It is so beautiful from outside.Flashing him a smile, I walk along graciously, feeling tingles of excitement as I perceive the scent of the flowers in my hands.The transparent door sw
Xavier's POV It took everything in me to say those words.Finally, I breathed out when it came out.I had to breathe in and out, unlocking my heart to say the one thing I have never said to any woman.Desire floods through me as I caress her entire body, deepening the kiss. Her body trembles with passion as she whispers against my lips. "I love you too, Xavier."It is taking everything in me not to scoop her up and throw her to the bed, to show her just how I want and love her and just how much I want to worship her beautiful milky body.She brings out a different part of me. That part I don't want to show anyone. She has managed to pull down that strong high wall I built around myself which makes me think I can never feel the emotion called love again.She holds onto me strongly, as though she is scared I will disappear. I hold her back with the same firmness, letting her melt into me with pleasure.Before I know it, I'm kissing her like she is the last air I need to breathe. I neve
Jasmine's POV I can feel his fear. His fear of confessing his love for me and also the fear of not confessing so he wouldn't lose me.It makes me want to feel glad that my feelings are being reciprocated though not vocally. I have never been in a relationship before just like how he has never been in a serious relationship either.We are both new to this but I am willing to do all it takes for it to work, including confessing my love for him over and over again. But from what just happened, I realize Xavier isn't ready to do what I want. What I feel right now is anger. Pure anger coursed through me for his show of jealousy when he hasn't even admitted his feelings for me.If it wasn't Alex and it was just a casual friend of mine, is this how he would have embarrassed me publicly?So much for causing a scene.Ignoring the chuckle from Alex who is bleeding, I storm towards the exit, murmurs rising from others in the restaurant.I didn't slap Catherine when she introduced herself as
Xavier's POV Jasmine isn't home.She has been ignoring me since we got back from Chicago. Our plan to go on an official date is ruined again.And I fucking miss her.I miss kissing and cuddling with her on our matrimonial bed. I know she needs some space and I gave her space. We haven't slept in the same bed for two days now.After deciding to put an end to all of this and inviting Nicholas and his wife to the mansion so we can clear the air, she isn't home.I tried her number but it is unreachable.Sebastian, who is a threat, is gone already but I still don't feel ok having gone without prior notice or any bodyguard with her.Anything can happen.Being my wife makes her an easy target.Restlessly, I pace the extent of our bedroom, trying her number again and again until it starts to ring.After ringing for almost a minute, it goes into voicemail.Goddammit!Impatiently, I stroll out heading towards the control room. I hope she hasn't done anything silly.I know she is sad about kno
Jasmine's POV My Aunt's flat is the third one. Seeing that he is at the first flat, I nod at him in appreciation. He must be a local for him to have known the description so well.I tap Xavier and we both get down. The driver is going to wait till we are done so we can take us back to the airport.Xavier wanted us to come with his helicopter but I told him not to. I have my reasons.Dropping out of college was not intended. I wanted to go to school but I had to drop out when I could not afford my fees.Despite the years of working my ass off, I still don't have any savings. But I intend to still go back to school which was why I was in search of another job in Chicago before I crossed paths with Xavier.I don't mind going part time but I intend to start working again so I can afford my fees and go back.When we get close to the flat, I knock on the door and Xavier holds my hand, making me flash him a smile.I can hear rustles from inside and a few seconds later, the door is thrown op
Jasmine's POV My aunt lives in the slum part of Chicago and I feel uncomfortable having Xavier with me on our way to see her.Even though I feel safer with him beside me. I snuggle closer to him in the back seat of the car we hired. We have been silent since we got to the airport.He keeps pressing kisses to my forehead and hair and it amazes me.Even though Xavier still has not said the love word, I know I mean a lot to him. It just saddens me that he doesn't know how to express his feelings vocally.This should be enough. His actions ought to be enough but I am not satisfied. I want assurance. I want him to say the word. I want us to be free with each other. To be able to tell each other anything and everything. To be able to share secrets. To understand each other's silence too.I don't regret loving him. I don't regret telling him I loved him anymore too. I just want him to say it back to me."We should go out to a nice restaurant after you meet with your Aunt, what do you think?