“I look stupid!” Ollie exclaimed in a mild tone of disappointment as she looked in the mirror one more time. “I look like a total goof.”“No, Ollie, you don’t,” Chloe protested as it had taken her and the costumier a considerable amount of time and energy to get her in that. “You look elegant.”Chloe looked over at the other girls on the bridal train as they silently complained about Ollie being way too vocal about her own complaints. And her dress too.“Elegant? Are you kidding me right now?” Ollie seemed like she’d never be satisfied, even though she was just a few minutes from walking down the aisle.“I’m not. Besides they’ve put in their best to give you the best, so it’s best that you just…” Chloe was out of words as she walked up to Ollie from behind, her tone becoming more and more hushed as he advanced. “Give them your best reaction. The dress is just perfect, Ollie.”The glistening white wedding gown had a very elegant flay. Maybe just too elegant to the point it puffed proud
Chloe pushed the doorbell of the door where she once lived. It felt like ages she’d been at Emma’s doorstep. The number of calls and the text messages she had gotten at the wedding made it feel like it had been really something urgent.She’d had her doubts about making that visit. The last time she remembered, Emma had wanted her downfall so badly that she had gone to the extent of allying with dangerous criminals, even putting herself in danger in the process.After a while of waiting, she pushed the doorbell yet again. She heard some footsteps trotting steadily in her direction. She held her breath in anticipation as she couldn’t tell why she had been called out there.“Chloe,” Emma said, “You’re here.” She hadn’t expected to see her after all.“Yeah, I’m here.” Chloe’s eyes ran a quick subtle scan through her. Her wandering eyes were caught by the little bump in her belly. She was shocked as she hadn’t been told that part of the story. Max…come on. He had sadly left out that import
“Don’t you have the balls to tell me what I have done wrong? Why are you treating me this way, Kylian? What have I done to deserve this? Talk to me!” Chloe had yelled at her husband, Kylian Kincaid, while trying to stop him in his tracks."You filthy pretender! I should have known better than to be deceived by your looks and lies!" Chloe Kincaid heard Kylian's words echo loud and clear in her head, as he stormed out of the house. Those were his words to her three days ago, when she had yelled at him to tell her what was happening between them.His words felt like a thousand needles in Chloe's heart, and thinking and crying about them didn't ease the pain. She felt like she was given a front-row seat as she watched her marriage disintegrate into a living hell. watching, helpless to do anything about it.Chloe sat down on the king-sized bed she once shared with her husband, Kylian Kincaid. She stared at it morosely and sighed sadly."How time flies," she muttered to herself, running her
Chloe scanned through her side of the wardrobe as she towel-dried herself and pushed down the pang of pain as she glanced at Kylian's side of the wardrobe, resisting the urge to run her fingers over his neatly pressed suits. It would just make her cry all over again, and she didn't want that.Just as it has been for a while now, Chloe is rarely in the mood for heavy outfits and makeup. having lost the drive to look good since Kylian stopped looking at her the way he used to.She slid into comfy jeans and a casual shirt and didn't bother to check out her reflection in the mirror before leaving the walk-in closet. As she headed for the bedroom door, Chloe grabbed her purse and phone and slipped into her sneakers.She was late, but she didn't care. She was the owner of THE GIRLY LUX. A fashion house that produced one of the best lingerie brands ever sold in New York. While Emma's fashion store, LA BEVA, produced the same things, they have both been successful in their own rights. There i
"Good morning, ma'am," Chorused greetings followed Chloe as she pushed through the revolving doors of her fashion store with two cups of coffee in hand.It was a big store. Chloe's sweat and toil. She always felt a sense of pride whenever she walked into it. It was proof of her hard work. She was proof that she was not a quitter.She merely nodded at her workers and made her way to her office at the back. walking past rows of assorted lingerie, pajamas, and bikinis of different colors, sizes, and fabrics, hanging on racks and mannequins for display.A few customers were walking down the aisles of clothing, giggling and whispering, but Chloe wasn't even remotely happy. Though Emma had lifted her spirits and she had made plans to get Kylian back, there was still a sliver of doubt in her gut.a sliver that won't go away.She reached her office, and just before she tried to set the cups she was holding on the floor to reach the key in her bag, brown hands shot out of thin air and took the
Kylian refused to look at the woman he called his wife. From the sound of her voice, he knew she was crying, and while a part of him wanted to go to her and hold her, he stayed put and pinned his eyes on the papers in front of him.She's getting what she deserves, he told himself."Y-you don't mean this," she said, trying to assure herself."Chloe, what part of my wanting a divorce don't you understand?" Kylian asked. He knew he was being mean to her and had never spoken to her that way, but he didn't care.She had lied to him! Made a fool of him!"Why, Kylian? I've never done anything to deserve this."His head whipped up at her statement, and his eyes held daggers. "You deserve much worse. You pretentious cheat!"Chloe took a step back, her lips quivering as his cruel words hit her like bullets. "Don't talk to me like that. You know me, Ky. You love me.""No. No. I don't." He pointed at her as he said each word. "I could never love someone so shallow and filthy... Marrying you, Chlo
Emma left the sitting room and came back a minute later with a bottle of vodka. She plopped down beside her cousin, opened the bottle, drank a mouthful, and passed it to Chloe."You know," Emma started, "I think the divorce is for the best."Beside her, Chloe gulped down the vodka and asked gloomily. "What?""Your marriage was already an unhappy one. You cried every day," Emma said, taking the bottle from Chloe. "There was no way it could've lasted, and even if it did, you would never be happy, Chloe, and you deserve happiness." She took a long swig and passed it back to Chloe.Chloe miserably drank and hiccupped. "I called him a monster, Em.""And that's what he is," Emma agreed. "Don't go thinking you don't deserve happiness simply because you called him a monster."Chloe took another mouthful and passed it to her. "It hurts, Em.""I know, but it won't hurt forever. It'll pass. Get a divorce, take half of his net worth, and travel to someplace nice and...""I didn't sign for alimony
Chloe could see why the girl would think that. She had left her office in a hurry and hadn't returned her calls or texts.What could a seventeen-year-old possibly know about love and heartbreak?"Calm down, Ollie. I'm not in any kind of danger. I'm just dealing with some things right now.""Dealing with what?" Ollie gasped over the phone. "OMG! Are you pregnant?""No, I'm not--" But Ollie no longer heard her; the girl was on a roll."Because that would explain your absence, the way you looked unwell, and you're also ignoring me. Pregnant women tend to need their men to do everything for them.""Ollie, I'm not—" Chloe frowned."Oh my gosh, can I come to visit? You forgot your purse here last week, so I can use that as an excuse. The girls say you live in a mansion and have servants for everything. Oh, can I be the fun aunt? Because I know you wouldn't let me be the godmother while Emma is around. I'm great with kids, so...”"I’m not pregnant, Ollie. I'm going through a divorce!" Chloe
Chloe pushed the doorbell of the door where she once lived. It felt like ages she’d been at Emma’s doorstep. The number of calls and the text messages she had gotten at the wedding made it feel like it had been really something urgent.She’d had her doubts about making that visit. The last time she remembered, Emma had wanted her downfall so badly that she had gone to the extent of allying with dangerous criminals, even putting herself in danger in the process.After a while of waiting, she pushed the doorbell yet again. She heard some footsteps trotting steadily in her direction. She held her breath in anticipation as she couldn’t tell why she had been called out there.“Chloe,” Emma said, “You’re here.” She hadn’t expected to see her after all.“Yeah, I’m here.” Chloe’s eyes ran a quick subtle scan through her. Her wandering eyes were caught by the little bump in her belly. She was shocked as she hadn’t been told that part of the story. Max…come on. He had sadly left out that import
“I look stupid!” Ollie exclaimed in a mild tone of disappointment as she looked in the mirror one more time. “I look like a total goof.”“No, Ollie, you don’t,” Chloe protested as it had taken her and the costumier a considerable amount of time and energy to get her in that. “You look elegant.”Chloe looked over at the other girls on the bridal train as they silently complained about Ollie being way too vocal about her own complaints. And her dress too.“Elegant? Are you kidding me right now?” Ollie seemed like she’d never be satisfied, even though she was just a few minutes from walking down the aisle.“I’m not. Besides they’ve put in their best to give you the best, so it’s best that you just…” Chloe was out of words as she walked up to Ollie from behind, her tone becoming more and more hushed as he advanced. “Give them your best reaction. The dress is just perfect, Ollie.”The glistening white wedding gown had a very elegant flay. Maybe just too elegant to the point it puffed proud
Emma was getting uncomfortable in her seat. How had Kylian gotten his hands on all that? It was probably Francis, but how had he gotten to Francis?Her attorney was totally unprepared for that sudden twist in the case. It had been a walkover up until then. That woman’s testimony had them all dumbfounded— she, her mother, and her attorney. They were all thrown in disarray.“Emma, when did this happen?” Her mother, Amelia questioned from behind in a whisper. She had no answer that could appease her mother’s curiosity without implicating her as well. Her lips seemed to shut off their own accord.She knew she was about to face cruel music which she hadn’t rehearsed its dance steps. The look on Kylian’s face when he said, “It’s over,” almost made her lose it in front of the judge. She would be giving herself away before the case was over if she hadn’t gotten her act together.“You could have told me about this,” her attorney whispered faintly in a way that meant that she was really in big
"Don’t worry,” Kylian’s attorney told him not to do the one thing that his mind had been doing subconsciously since he’d set foot in the courtroom. “You’ll be fine.”“Sure I will,” he said, trying not to discourage his attorney before the grueling duel began. Either way, he wouldn’t be that much of a mess. Worst case scenario, he’d have to see Emma at their board meetings.“Kylian,” his mother called out from behind in a whisper. “Keep your composure out there, our fifty percent depends on it.”“Thank you, Mom, you’re doing such a great job at easing me of the pressure of the moment. Very commendable.” He said, harshly sarcastic.“Thank you, Kylian. Just don’t fuck this up for us.”He was a bit taken aback to hear his mom say the ‘f-word’ in public. “It’s really sad you called me just to tell me this.”“Now’s not the time to get in your feelings, young man. Go out there and get our family’s legacy. That’s all the pep talk you need.”As much as he hated it, she was right. He inhaled de
Max had his shades on as he walked through the construction site on the hot sunny afternoon.“The long-awaited upward progress has finally begun.” Mr. Singh mused as he was almost following all of Max’s footsteps throughout the site.“Isn’t it lovely?” Max replied with a smile. “Feels like we started just yesterday.” He was glad that it had been all running smoothly despite him being occupied with all the many personal challenges that he somehow managed to see himself come out on top.“It sure does.” Mr. Singh seemed like he had a default positive response for everything he had to say. It had Max wondering if he’d ever get to see Mr. Singh mad, even just once. He itched to see that moment, except that it didn’t have to be on the job that he was doing for him.Max believed that it was all because of the remarkable presentation that he had put forth. He strongly believed that it was still speaking for him up until then. He hadn’t questioned his moves and followed him with blind trust. H
Ollie picked up her phone and dialed frantically, “Did you hear about Alejandro on the news?” The report on the news seemed untrue, and she assumed that Chloe hadn’t seen it yet. “Alejandro has been arrested on numerous charges?”“Yeah, I heard,” Chloe said, unalarmed like they hadn’t lost one of their biggest potential partners after they had set quite a huge part of their budget plans around him and his cash, especially. “He’s been arrested.”“You know what that means?” Ollie still believed that she wasn’t getting the full scope of the impact of that news in particular. “What’s going to become of our plans and all?”It took Chloe quite some time to get a sigh out from her end of the line. “Well, we are going to figure something out, Ollie.”What? She meant to ask but swallowed it in as she sought a much better response but she couldn’t find any other, that forced her to say it out anyway, but more softly and politely that didn’t make it seem like Chloe had said something unreasonabl
“It’s on the news, Chloe,” Max stared at the TV screen in wild wonder, calling out to Chloe who came running, “They finally got him.”“Businessman known as Alejandro Navarro has been finally apprehended by the forces on charges of illegal drug trades, manslaughter, sex trafficking…” the TV presenter went on and on with his many dirty deeds.“Damn, he’s got quite a lot going for him at the moment.” Max remarked as he reclined on the couch, “Good thing they got him. There could’ve been trouble if they didn’t.”“Yeah,” Chloe said looking on in anticipation, “Nothing on Diego yet?”“Wait for it.”“Alongside the underground drug lord, the notorious gangster, Diego Gutierrez was also found in the building. After much resistance and shots fired, the swat team was able to break in and apprehend the two men and a few other survivors from the heated exchange. Two hostages were found in the basement of the building, a male and a female, suspected to be victims of his trafficking crimes…” The pre
It was the D-Day of the raid. Gray couldn’t deny how nervous he was, but he had to what had to be done. His heartbeat surged forcefully with each stop and turn of the vehicle.Most of all, he hoped the resistance they had predicted would what they’d be faced with. He’d heard stories of how vicious the Mexicans could be, and he didn’t want the mission to be a continuation of that tale.“Alright,” he finally got the courage to speak up amid the men in the large trunk of the van, he was about to attempt to make them not feel what he was feeling. He took out the large tablet that had the blueprint of the building.“The operation is simple.” He didn’t believe it was, but he had to say it anyway. “First, we surround all possible exits of the villa, which include the main gate, the back gate, and one other hidden gate on the Eastern side of the fence…”“Second, we ask Alejandro and his men to come out peaceably. If they don’t, which they most probably wouldn’t, we first hit them hard with so
Kylian tapped on the door, hoping that he’d somehow made it to the right door, following Maya’s directions to her place.The block of flats had way more homes than it appeared to have while viewing it from the outside. One could easily get lost in there. It had him wondering how the inhabitants kept from mistaking another door for theirs.He tapped yet again. He heard some faint footsteps approaching the door and expected to see Maya’s dazzling face. He could hear hands working desperately at the lock and that made him brim with anticipation.Finally, he thought, till the door opened for him to see a tall macho man with overgrown beards and tattoos scattered all over his body. The shock from seeing the stranger made him almost unable to speak. He had heavy rock music pounding in his apartment.“Can I help you mate?” his deep voice could make anybody’s knees buckle with frightful intimidation.“Sorry…I came to the wrong door,” Kylian broke out in an uncoordinated stutter, “I was lookin