Ericka's point of view...
It was a risky plan, but I was desperate enough to take the chance. If Logan, the young master of the Davis family, was smitten by Elvira, perhaps I could escape the fate I so dreaded. "Ma'am...I was asked to bring only one guest..." the driver said, his tone a mixture of confusion and curiosity. Something was off...! The driver behaved so oddly. “We are sisters, do you have any objections?” I protested, trying to play it cool. “I thought I was the guest of honor today, but I think I need to ask Mr. Davis send me another car...." I picked up my phone scrolling down the screen, pretending to be calling someone. And as I expected, it did intimidate him. "Ma'am, that's okay. No need to disturb Sir. We are already running late..." the driver said, respectfully and opened the car door for us. Elvira smiled sweetly, her earlier resentment replaced by an eagerness to impress. "Thank you," she said, her voice sweet and gentle. What a gentle butterfly...! I controlled the urge to roll my eyes. With that, we climbed into the car, and as I settled in, I felt a flicker of hope. Maybe this plan would work. Maybe I could escape this marriage after all. I shot a glance at Elvira, who was now giddy with excitement, and I couldn’t help but smirk. “You look incredible!” I exclaimed once again when we finally settled in the car. Elvira blushed, preening down at herself for a moment, she seemed to forget the resentment she held towards me. “That color really suits you, little sis” I added, hoping to stoke her vanity even further. “Do you really think so?” she asked, turning to me, her eyes bright with excitement. “Absolutely. You should wear black more often, that suits you so well." I smiled, my voice light and encouraging. I need to build a friendly atmosphere here because I have to spend this evening with her, after all. "I bet he’d be taken with you,” I murmured under my breath but she heard me. I just wanted to see the reaction she would give to me. It was the bait I needed to reel her in. Elvira’s expression changed as the allure of my suggestion sunk in. “Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked bitterly, looking straight into my eyes, and I smiled assuringly. Of course, I am sure. I want this darling...! More than anything else. I wasn't this sure in my life. “Yes, I am. Why not? You’re beautiful, and you have that charm in you," I said, emphasizing the truth behind my words, though I meant them in a different context. She smirked proudly. She always believed that she was more beautiful than me and I am glad she does. "It's good to have someone for this. He won’t be able to resist,” I thought to myself. "You won't be having a chance with Logan if he sees me," she added, and I literally wanted to laugh out loud but controlled myself. I don't want that damned chance with him, darling. I wish I could just disappear somewhere. "I will be happy for you if that happens, dear," I said, being as friendly as I can ever be. "It's your choice then. Don't blame me...” she said proudly, her voice filled with narcissism. This girl knows how to get on someone's nerves. It's not like I want her to suffer. I just gave her a chance and it's completely her own choice. I just hope that Logan would choose her instead of me, as he isn't pleased with me. “You look too good, of course, better than me in every aspect. You deserve it.” I said sitting quietly after that. Her face lit up at my words, and for a moment, I saw the glimmer of ambition ignite in her eyes. She never saw him, I wondered what she would do after seeing that damned handsome face of his. She was already picturing herself with a wonderland prince, perhaps even imagining what it would be like to be a part of the prestigious Davis family. Good for her...! I just wish her the best of luck..! We drove through the twinkling city roads straight to the address that Dad had forwarded to me. I looked outside the window and my jaw dropped. "Heavens Garden..." "Isn't it a nightclub? Why did you bring us here?" I asked the driver and he didn't respond. According to what Dad said, Logan threw a party for youngsters and after the party, there will be a family gathering at the Davis Mansion. But he never told me anything about where the party was being held. Looking at the sparkling nightclub, I felt a bit awkward. I never stepped into a place like this before. Elvira, on the other side was jumping in excitement as we got down. "Wow..." "Is the party here? No doubt they are the richest family in the city" she exclaimed and I looked at her, she was so excited. "I was asked to escort you here, Ma'am," the driver finally said, bowing respectfully, indirectly asking for his leave. I nodded and he left us before the closed doors of the nightclub. "Let's get in..." Elvira rushed over but I stopped as my phone buzzed in my purse. "Wait here, Elvira, let me take this call," I said while taking out my phone to see. I thought it was Dad who called me to ask where I was, but the name flashed on the screen, almost jolted me. Mr. Nathan Davis...! My ex-boss. Why is he calling me, now? Without letting him wait any longer, I answered. "Hello Sir" Ignoring my greetings, he barked instantly. "Where are you?" his cold tone echoed in my ears. "I...I...am..." I stuttered, unable to say where exactly I was. I don't know if he is inside the nightclub, too, because with his personality, he would never enter a filthy place like this. Why did he call me by the way? "Sir..." I was about to ask him but he cut me off, "Do you remember, the Arizona project" He called me because of work, of course. A workaholic like him would only think about the projects and deals all the time. "Yes, Sir" I retorted immediately. "Do you have any files with you?" he asked. I paused recalling about the project. As I left the job at a very short notice, he couldn't hire a new secretary, and I couldn't hand over the work to someone else entirely. "I still have the files in a pen drive," I replied. "Good, bring it to me" he commanded and I was dumbfounded. Wait...! What...! Now?? I literally wanted to yell at him for the very first time that I am not his employee anymore, but I don't know why my words always get stuck in my throat when I am talking to him. "But sir...!" I tried to protest but he, of course, didn't let me complete. "Right now..." he yelled a command above his lungs and I didn't know what to do. Sighing internally, I replied. "Okay sir, I will be right there" Hanging up the phone, I turned to look at Elvira only to find her gone already. That girl was so desperate to show off. I called her but her phone was out of reach. I was so annoyed that I wanted to smash that girl's face. Didn't I say to wait here for me? Why did she go in, all by herself? Stupid girl...! Should I just leave her here? Damn it...! I have to inform her, at least. Slamming my foot on the floor, I walked inside, hesitatingly. There wasn't a single soul let alone any guards at the entrance. I stepped inside, supeciously. The way to the dance floor was dark and I couldn't hear anything from there. I walked in further, and soon, my whole self shivered when I saw the scene unfolding before me. "Damn...! It's indeed a trap...!!" **************Author’s Point of View… It had taken years. Years of waiting, of planning, of bleeding in silence. But on a crisp autumn morning, under the golden light of the boardroom chandelier, Nathan Dawis, finally held the final piece of his revenge in his palm. He had already taken down Michael and his empire effortlessly and now it's time for the snakes in his sleeve. “Fifty-two percent of the shares,” the legal advisor announced, sliding the final signed document across the table. “Congratulations, Mr. Dawis. You now own the Dawis Empire.” Nathan smirked. He had already bought forty seven percent of the company shares secretly and with the five percent shares, his grandma, Amanda Dawis gifted him, now he owns fifty two percent of the shares of the Dawis group , making him the biggest share holder and indirectly the owner of the company. There was no thunderous applause. No dramatic music. Just a quiet click as Nathan signed the last page. He stood slowly, slipping his pen into
Author's point of view... "Ericka...!!" A voice rang out in disbelief, cutting through the soft silence in the car like a whip. Ericka’s heart jolted. She turned her head just in time to see Anna, standing in the rain-drenched street, her eyes wide with shock—and rage. “What the hell are you doing?!” Anna screamed, her voice trembling. The first thing that Anna thought was that Nathan taking advantage of her friend. She thought Ericka was being forced into something. Before Ericka could even react, Anna stormed toward the car in a fury. Nathan instinctively reached for Ericka’s hand, pulling her closer protectively. Anna reached the car and slammed her palm on the hood, startling them both. Then, with a sharp glare at Nathan, she grabbed a loose stone lying near the sidewalk and then, Thund...! The passenger side mirror shattered in a violent clatter. “Anna!!” Ericka flung open the door and rushed out, grabbing her friend’s hand before she could strike again. “Stop i
Author's point of view... Ericka stepped out of the café, her head down, her thoughts spinning like a whirlwind inside her. Though she tried to smack it out of her head, she couldn't completely. At that time, she was ignoring him, she hated him and she thought he was so angry with her. She even thought he would kill her but in reality, he was always good to her. All he wanted was her to come find him. She gasped and covered her forehead. "How idioty I was!" she muttered to none particular, "He saved Ryan…he saved me...! Yet he never even told me…" "He had always been there for me...!!" Her feet moved on their own, aimless and slow, as if waiting for her heart to catch up. The late afternoon sky had darkened unexpectedly, casting a shadow across the pavement. She didn't realize it. Her mind was somewhere deep. Thunder rolled in the distance, and the wind started to whip around the trees lining the street. Still, Ericka didn’t stop. She was lost in the memory of Rya
Author's point of view... Ericka stood up from her seat, her chair scraping back abruptly as Ryan limped into the café. Her heart dropped. He looked like he’d walked through a warzone, his lip split, a dark bruise under his left eye, his arm in a sling, and several small cuts which were now brownish in color, peeking out from under the collar of his hoodie. “Ryan…! What happened to you?!" she exclaimed, rushing to him. She thought he might have gotten into a fight at the college. He raised a hand quickly, attempting a smile despite the pain. “Don’t panic, sis… It looks worse than it is.” Ericka was both furious and concerned at the same time. How could she not panic! “Worse than it is?” she repeated in disbelief, helping him settle into the seat across from her. “You look like you were thrown into a boxing ring and left there overnight!” “I’m okay,” he said, waving off her concern. “Just… let me breathe for a sec.” Ericka stared at him, her mind spinning. The last tim
Author's point of view... The warm morning light continued to spill into the room, and Ericka lay still beneath Nathan, her heart beating louder than the birds chirping outside. He hadn’t moved, and neither let her walk out. His forehead was still touching hers, as they lay there, tired. And the million dollar smile on his lips was lazy, amused, and far too confident for someone who just stole something so precious from her. Ericka pouted. “You said you wouldn’t do anything until I was ready…” Nathan raised a brow, eyes still locked with hers. “You nodded.” “You are so cunning!! I was under a spell!” “I’ll gladly cast it again,” he murmured, nuzzling the tip of her nose with his. Ericka huffed and turned her face away, her cheeks turning redder. Is this the same man she knew before? “You’re unbelievable.” she mumbled. Nathan smirked. “You’re unbelievably cute when flustered.” She tried to push him off. “Let me go. I need to shower.” But instead of letting her
Author's point of view... The morning sun slipped in through the half-open curtains, casting warm stripes across the silky white sheets. Birds chirped faintly outside the window, but inside the room, everything was still. Ericka stirred slightly, her lashes fluttering open. Her head ached faintly, her body heavy as if she’d just come out of a dream. She blinked several times, trying to register where she was. "Soft sheets… expensive scent… wait… silk robe?" Her eyes widened as she slowly sat up, finding herself wrapped in nothing but a man’s black silk robe that hung loosely around her shoulders. "What the—?!" before she could realise, the words slipped out of her mouth. She stared at her arms, at her bare legs peeking from beneath the robe. No clothes…! A drop of cold sweat dripped down her forehead. As she tried to remember, her head spun but still... no memory of changing into these by herself… Her mind raced, still foggy from the night before. Then she turned her head.