SELENA As I slowly opened my eyes, the sweet sound of birds chirping greeted me. I sat up on my bed and stretched my arms, feeling a sense of well-being that had been absent for the past few days.I took a deep yawn, filling my lungs with fresh morning air. It was such a relief to finally wake up without feeling sick.For the past few days, I had been waking up and drifting back to sleep, sometimes I woke up to find Sofia arranging the room and sometimes Aiden was just sitting there watching me sleep.I got out of bed and walked to the window. The sun had just risen and painted the sky in beautiful shades of orange and pink. The trees, the grass, and the flowers were all covered in droplets of dew that sparkled like diamonds.I couldn't help but smile. The feeling of being alive and healthy was like a breath of fresh air after spending a few days bedridden. I felt a burst of energy flowing through me, urging me to go outside and enjoy the beauty of nature but I knew that was not poss
SELENA"Good morning," I greeted Aiden as Sofia opened my seat next to Aiden and opposite the man he was speaking to whom I didn't recognize. Sofia bowed her head once I was sited and left the dining table."How are you feeling today?" Aiden asked."Better," I nodded. He was the cause of my illness, he had chosen to keep me confined in here when he could just let me go, but he had made sure I was treated by his doctor, so there was no point arguing about it. "She looks more beautiful than I imagined," the man finally spoke leaning into his seat with a smirk on his face, he rose to his feet checking his wristwatch. "I will have it all sorted in fifteen minutes," he informed Aiden as he stepped out of the dining.I watched him leave with a puzzled look, it was obvious I had interrupted their conversation and with what Sofia said regarding Marcus. I feared Aiden might have called that man to find out about Marcus. I was tempted to ask him but I didn't want curiosity to get the best of
SELENA"Mum," I said feeling elated as we hugged each other, our eyes filled with tears. After a month of being apart, I couldn't believe I was finally holding my mother. I closed my eyes and breathed in her perfume, remembering how, while I was ill, I had dreamed of her, her scent, her laughter, and the moment we had.I wrapped my arms around my mother, holding on tightly as the tears streamed down my face. It had been so long since I'd seen her, and I had missed her more than I could say. She hugged me back, just as tightly, before finally pulling away and wiping her own tears away with a tissue."Welcome home," she said, her voice shaking with emotion.I stared back at the driveway to see if Aiden was still standing next to his car but he was already gone, I didn't even hear him drive off. I turned to stare at my mother smiling at her, she looked more beautiful than I remembered.We walked inside with my mother closing the door behind us, "Selena," Brianna yelled rushing down the
SELENA"I can't believe you both," Brianna laughed."I am sorry," I apologized for laughing while I was still laughing loudly. My mother's eyes were already filled with tears from her laughter, she cleaned the tears from her eyes trying to control herself."I will be fine mum, me and Aiden have discussed it and everything is fine now," I lied trying to calm my mother down. "You are happy being married to him, is that what you are telling me, Selena?" My mother asked looking me in the eyes like she was trying to see if I was lying. I didn't like lying to my mother but in this situation, it was for the best, I didn't want her to cry about me and not live her life because of her constant worry over my well-being. I wasn't happy that I was tied down to Aiden but I was still glad that he had not caused any harm to me or my family. I knew once I was able to help him out with his plans, he would let me go and I would be able to come back to my mum and sister."I wasn't at first but Aiden
SELENAThe last I remembered was being dragged out of the bus after a long drive and something placed over my nose before I lost consciousness. I woke up staring around and trying to make sense of my new environment, I was tied to a chair all alone in a dark room with my mouth still gagged in place. I stared down at my lap in pain, there was a deep cut from the knife one of the kidnappers had used to stab me. Why were they doing this to me? What did I do to deserve this? I sobbed silently looking around the room, I couldn't call out to my mother or Brianna because my mouth was gagged but I knew they were in another room or close by. My eyes became weak and I felt myself drifting into an unconscious state, I soon heard a groaning sound in the distance when I woke up, "Selena," Brianna groaned calling out to me.The room was suddenly dark, I struggled to call out to her but I couldn't because of the gag, I began to struggle on the chair, hoping the sound would get her to know where I
AIDENAfter I dropped Selena off at her mother's house, I instructed my men to stay away for today, I was giving her the day off to be with her family. She didn't have to worry about being followed or being watched. I wanted her to enjoy the feeling of living a regular life like she used to, once I was sure she was safe inside I drove straight to the company for a business meeting. As I sat in the meeting, nodding and pretending to be interested in the details of the new deal, my mind kept wandering back to Selena. The way her hair fell in soft curls around her face and the way her eyes sparkled when she smiled at the sight of her mother was all I could think about. I had never seen her so happy like that before and for a second I envied her mother and sister, I wished Selena could smile that way when she looked at me, not the pretentious smile but the genuine one."We would have to demand seventy percent because we are not only going into a partnership but also providing the first
AIDEN I got into the car dumbfounded and lost, Max started the car engine and drove off avoiding the paparazzi. "We have a lead, Sir," Max informed me looking at me through the rearview mirror, I could see the worry in his eyes, I couldn't tell if it was for me or for Selena's well-being. "When did this happen? Why was I informed late?" I questioned rhetorically leaning into the seat and looking through my phone, there were a series of messages from my sister and calls from my mother and father. With the news out about my secret wedding, I knew it was bound to happen, it was a win that I was officially married and able to have access to the company shares but it wasn't a win because my father was not going to approve of the secret marriage. I placed my hand on my forehead rubbing gently, I needed to figure things out before they got out of my control. "We have been able to tail the bus," Max explained turning into the highway, his speed increasing.I remembered telling all of th
SELENAI could feel the cold steel of the pocket knife pressed against my cheek. The man gripped my hair, pulling my head back to expose more of my face. I remained as still as possible, not daring to make a move that might provoke him.My eyes were red with tears streaming down my face to my ear.Just then, there was a knock at the door. The man paused, glancing over at the door with the pocket knife still in place. For a moment, I held my breath, hoping whoever it was would make him stop whatever he wanted to do."Speak," the man yelled, his voice rough and menacing."We are live boss," came a muffled reply from the other side of the door.I could see a glint of happiness in the man's eyes as he stared at me, the pocket knife still hovering in front of my face. He cupped my face tightly leaning closer as I winced in pain, "So, Mrs Selena Frazier, let's discuss," he said letting go of my face and snapping his finger as the door opened on cue with two men stepping inside.They bowed
~ TWO YEAR LATER ~ As the sun peeked through the stained glass windows of the quaint church, casting a warm glow on the pews and aisle, an air of excitement and anticipation filled the atmosphere. Today was a special day for Axel and Claire, as they were about to embark on a journey of love and commitment in front of family and friends. The delicate scent of flowers wafted through the air, adorning every corner of the church with their vibrant colors. The essence of love was palpable, adding an extra layer of magic to the already enchanting ambiance. Soft music played gently in the background, setting the perfect mood for the upcoming union. As the guests started to fill the pews, their eyes filled with joy and enthusiasm at the sight of loved ones coming together to celebrate the union of Axel and Claire. Aiden, Selena, and their son, Alex, and daughter Brianna alongside Astrid and her boyfriend Tom sat on one side, beaming with pride and excitement. Guests were the extended f
"Her water just broke," Aiden announced. They all got on their feet, Claire and Astrid rushed to her side helping her stand up as they could see the pain etched on her face, while the men ran to get the car ready. It didn't take long when they arrived at the hospital and she was taken to the theater in excruciating pain, Aiden remained outside the reception with Claire, Astrid, Axel, and Tom before the doctor informed him that he could join his wife."Everything is going to be alright," Aiden reassured her when he entered the ward to find her lying on the bed, her hand extended for him to come hold her. "It hurts so bad," Selena cried out. "Sorry," Aiden replied holding her hand in his firmly and planting a kiss on her forehead. He didn't know how else to comfort her, he could see the pain in her eyes and could only hope the delivery would happen sooner.After hours of labor pain, Aiden holding her hand and trying to soothe her pain with reassuring words, delivery began.Aiden had
"You are serious?" Claire asked just to be sure Axel wasn't joking around.He barely nodded his head to sign yes when she pulled him in for a hug, of course, she was going to move in with him and travel to another country if that was what he wanted.Everything seemed to be moving too fast when it came to how they felt for each other but for the first time in many years, she felt loved. She didn't feel like she was forcing herself on Axel like she had forced Luke to love her.Axel loved her and she could see it."I am happy for you guys," Astrid squeaked with joy, it had been a while since she last saw Axel looking at a woman the way he looked at Claire. It was like she and Selena weren't even in the room."By the way, there is something I was going to tell you, Axel, I hope I am not ruining the mood," Selena said. "I already told Claire and Astrid yesterday that -""Selena is pregnant," Astrid took the word right out of her mouth. "Are you sure you are not the one who is pregnant?" C
"Yeah, as friends. I think that would be better for both of us at the moment, I feel there are still a lot of things we don't know about each other and-""Are you joking?" Claire's eyes widened as she adjusted herself on the bed again, her face etched with confusion at Axel's words as her eyes darted from him to his hands on hers."Hey!" Axel placed his hand on her chin raising her head so he could see her face, was she crying? "Claire? I was joking," he laughed out. "I didn't find it funny," Claire smacked his hand off her chin. Axel chuckled at her reaction, "I am sorry, didn't know you were a crybaby.""What? I am not," Claire protested looking away from him. How could he tease her like that? It wasn't her fault that she had thought he was being serious about them being 'just friends' when she was attracted to him. "You look cute when you lie," Axel smirked, he placed his hand on her chin tilting her head gently to face him as he kissed her on the lips. "I will have them bring s
“Where the hell is she?” Axel yelled grabbing him by the collar, he didn’t want to believe that Claire was dead, the time period was too short for them to kill her and her clothes had no sign of blood stain when he pulled it out from the boot. “Let me off and I will tell you, lover boy,” Vincent laughed. Aiden reached for his phone immediately in his pocket, dialing one of the bodyguards who was back at Emily’s house, “Check around the house, she has to be hidden somewhere,” Aiden ordered on the first ring. “We found her boss. Was about to call you, she is unconscious,” the bodyguard replied. “Alright,” Aiden said disconnecting the call and staring at Axel who was holding back on punching Vincent in the face. “She is alright, we might just need to get her to the hospital, quickly.” “You should have stayed in jail,” Axel said to Vincent punching him in the face as Aiden held him by the waist pulling him back. “Let me go Aiden, we need to end him right now so he doesn’t come back t
“Claire,” Axel called out staring at Vincent on the laptop, his hand forming into a fist as he caused under his breath. He hadn’t anticipated seeing Vincent, wasn’t he supposed to be in jail awaiting his death sentence? This was the reason he had been against Claire going to see Emily, he reached for the door ready to hop out as Aiden grabbed him by the wrist.“Our men are already circling the building, he can’t get away with it,” Aiden said.“You want me to sit here and allow Vincent to kill her?” Axel asked shoving Aiden’s hand away, he stared at Selena and Astrid who were in disbelief at the sight of Vincent, he opened the van door and hopped out running down the street to Emily’s house.Axel ran down the street as quickly as his legs could take him, he couldn’t believe that Vincent had escaped from jail and worse Emily was working for him, what was she bound to gain from Vincent? That douchebag! He should have shot him dead a long time ago instead of hoping that the system would
THE NEXT MORNING, Aiden briefed everyone on the plan again in the van a street away from Emily's house, "If you feel uncomfortable at any moment, you just think of an excuse and leave," Aiden reminded Claire."Sure," Claire nodded. Axel walked up to her helping her put on the camera properly over her shirt button, the camera design looked like a button from afar, "this is a recording device," Axel said, placing a pen into the pocket of her shirt. "Axel, can we talk about…" Claire spoke in a low tone. She had been trying to speak to him all morning but he seemed to be avoiding the question, she didn't know why he would just listen to her so she could explain everything to him. "After," Axel cut her off. "Do you have your earbuds on?" He asked instead. "Yeah I do," she nodded, tucking her hair behind her ear so he could see it. "I was going to tell you, believe me," Claire whispered in a low voice. "What part of after don't you understand?"She bit the bottom of her lips, sad by hi
"I was just joking," Claire brushed it off at the puzzled look on Axel's face, she didn't know why she had blurted something out like that to him. Never in a million years had she asked any man that question, she smiled trying to make him see that she was bluffing."Yes.""What?" She gasped. "You… you will be my boyfriend?""Isn't that what you want? Yes, I will," Axel nodded, kissing her on the lips as her eyes widened in shock, unable to comprehend that Axel just agreed without any hint of hesitation in his voice.She watched him get out of bed and into the bathroom as she scratched the back of her head, playing back what had just happened in her head. She was about to get out of bed when the door opened with Astrid entering, she dashed out back at the sight of Claire lying naked on the bed."I am so sorry, please I didn't mean to badge in, I am so sorry," Astrid apologized. "Shit," Claire cursed, she could have sworn she used the key when locking the door or was it Axel who locked
"Don't start what you can't finish," Claire whispered. "What?" Axel chuckled. "Don't look at me like that, you just end up stealing kisses when you want to and I think that should stop," Claire said standing up but she soon came crashing into the bed as Axel grabbed her by her wrist. He grabbed her by the waist shoving her on the bed as he hovered over her, "What naughty ideas have you been thinking while I was away?" He asked with a smirk on his face. "Don't flatter yourself, mister.""So, you didn't think about my lips on yours while I was away?" Axel teased. Claire stared at him trying not to give him the benefit of the doubt but her face was suddenly turning red and she could tell from the smile on his face, darn her face.Maybe she had thought about him and she didn't know why exactly, it wasn't like Axel was laying claim on her but he had kissed her like he was, she didn't want to assume his feelings for her, it was best to stop him from kissing her any chance he got but now