Octavia POV After everything that happened, Zion thought it would be a good idea to ease the tension and kinda forget everything that happened, at least momentarily. Whenever I think about the whole drama that happened, I feel a little embarrassed, but I also feel more confident and free because I stood up for myself. Zion took my hand and smiled,Let’s do something fun, just you and me. No drama. No stress. Deal?”Rose had left as soon as we were bailed, saying she wanted to get started on fixing the shop and we should have fun. With a tight hug, I let her go.Zion took me to a famous ice cream shop where he told me about his day; he’d been editing a new project, and how boring it had been without me there to distract him. He chuckled, but I could see the lingering tension was still there.When I told him about mine, how Jenna and Sophia had vandalized the café and how Rose and I had ended up in a brawl, everything that happened in full detail. His jaw tightened, his grip on his spoo
ZION'S POV I had told Octavia that I want her to meet my family and tonight is finally the night. We are going dinner with her brother's family. I can't wait to introduce her to them, she would love the boys. He had been out of town for a while and now that he was back, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for them to meet. I could tell Octavia was a bit nervous at first, but as the day approached, her excitement grew. I want her to feel like part of the family.Octavia had spent the afternoon getting ready and when she stepped out of her apartment, she looked stunning. Her smile was radiant and I felt a surge of pride as I took her hand and led her to the car."You look amazing," I said, squeezing her hand gently as we walked towards the door."Thanks," she replied, a hint of nervousness still lingering in her voice. "I just hope they like me.""They will," I assured her. "How could they not? You are going to love the kids."Octavia took a deep breath and I could see her trying to
OCTAVIA'S POV The moment I saw Nile, it felt like the ground had been ripped out from beneath me. My heart pounded in my chest and the room began to spin. The shock was so overwhelming that I couldn't process anything else. I had to get out of there. I bolted from the room in pure panic and horror I didn't stop until I was outside, gasping for breath. I swallowed the bile that threatened to crawl up my throat. I leaned against the cool brick wall as I tried to steady myself, but my mind was racing. Of all people, why did it have to be Nile? Memories of I have buried deep at the back of my mind came rushing back, memories I thought I had left behind. The pain, the shame, the fear, the eyes it all came flooding back. I choked back a sob as it threatened to drown me.Tears streamed down my face as I stumbled away from the house. My thoughts were a jumbled mess. What would Zion think of me now? Nile would have told him everything. How could he not? The truth was out, and there was no hi
OCTAVIA’S POVThe days that followed was a blur of heartache and fear. Zion had stopped sending me messages,I reread his messages and each message he sent was a painful reminder of what we had. His words were filled with love and reassurance, telling me that he didn't care about my past that he still loved me. But I couldn't bring myself to respond. Nile's threats loomed over me like a dark cloud, it awakened memories that I had tried so hard to make sure they never come to the surface. Every time my phone buzzed with a new message, my heart broke a little more. I longed to see Zion, to explain everything, but I can't risk it. I sat alone in on the balcony of my apartment and watched the sunset, there was a sudden knock on the door. My heart jumped and for a moment, a part of my hoped it was Zion. I opened the door to find Nile standing there, his expression turned into a sick smile as he saw he. "Hey Octavia, " he said sweetly but in a way that has started to make my stomach churn.
OCTAVIA'S POV I hummed to myself as I walked back to my apartment after seeing Rose off, her visit has really lifted my mood, this is the best I have felt in a while, I stared at Zion’s closed door for a beat as I contemplated knocking, changing my mind, I went inside my apartment and went straight to my bedroom.I went into the bathroom and started to fill the tub with warm water, I added a generous amount of peaches scented bubble bath. The soothing aroma began to fill the room and I started to feel my tense muscles start to relax even before I stepped into the water. As the tub filled up, I lit a few candles and dimmed the lights, creating the perfect ambiance. I undressed slowly, feeling the cool air against my skin and then eased myself into the warm water. The bubbles enveloped me and I let out a sigh of relief as I sank deeper into the tub. I closed my eyes, feeling the warmth seep into my muscles, easing the tension that had built up over the past few days. The water lapped
OCTAVIA'S POV The days that followed Zion and I making up has been like a dream come true. Our relationship blossomed and we got even closer than before. We spent every moment we could together, hanging out, laughing, and simply enjoying each other's company. The love between us deepened and I feel like I am walking on air.Zion has all but moved into my apartment as he spends almost every time that he is not working in my apartment which is quite often with the holidays approaching. He can't seem to get enough of me, almost like he is trying to make up for the lost time and I am enjoying every minute of it. We have been doing do many things together, we've had picnics in the park, late-night walks under the stars, we watch football games together and I make him watch my favorite romcoms with me late at night even though we never make it till the end of the movie before we get otherwise occupied , his hands always finds it's way under my clothes and that is usually what seals the de
OCTAVIA'S POV I couldn't contain my worry of having to go to Nile's house again, he will probably not try anything since his wife and Zion would be in the house too. The thought of facing him again made my stomach churn.The evening arrived and I smoothened my sweaty palms on my dress as Zion parked the car and we made our way to the entrance. The air was crisp, and the sky was painted with the colors of the setting sun. Zion held my hand as if sensing my nervousness. "It'll be fine," he said and placed a quick kiss on my lipsI forced a smile, I couldn't shake away the feeling that I was being watched. "Me too, Zion."We were greeted at the door by Nile, he smiled widely and acted as charming as ever as he gave Zion a manly hug and shook my hand squeezed it tighter than he should. But I could see the coldness in his eyes when he looked at me, it was a stark contrast to the warmth he projected. "Welcome, welcome," he said, ushering us inside. "It's so good to see you both."Their h
OCTAVIA'S POV I dried myself after my shower and put on my robe; I stared at my phone on the bed, contemplating whether to call Zion. Fuck it, I'm going to do it. He has got to understand that I would never do that. How can he believe I would seduce his brother without a second thought? Taking a deep breath, I dialed Zion's number; my heart raced slightly as I held the phone to my ear. The line rang a few times before he picked up; the background was noisy. I could hear music and the sounds of glasses clinking and people laughing. It was like he was at a bar or a party; neither of the two hurts less. "Hello?" Zion's voice came on the line; it was slightly slurred. I could tell he had been drinking, and the realization made my heart ache even more."Zion, it's Octavia," I said, keeping my voice steady. "We need to talk, don't you think?"There was a moment of silence on the other end before he responded. "Octavia, what do we need to talk about? What do you want from me? Haven't you
‘’Who are you?’’Lucas Conti. I smiled. Who would have thought I would meet one of the world’s billionaires and a rumored womaniser today. It was such a shame that I was smelling like sardine, but I could still do something with what I had.I dropped the photo in my hand and walked towards him, slowly and seductively. I stretched my hands towards him.‘’Grace Miller. I’m waiting for the manager.’’He took my hands and I held his eyes. Seducing men was not something that needed the right time if one was an expert. I rubbed my finger on his hand and I made the handshake linger for just the right amount of time.‘’Grace,’’ he said, the tone of his voice dropping to familiar levels. ‘’Are you a guest in our hotel?’‘’Well,’’ I said. ‘’I could be your guest.’’His face broke into a smile. I had him charmed. The manager stepped in just then. Wrong timing. I mean, he could have remained lost in his quest for water.‘’Good afternoon, sir,’’ he stammered. ‘’I wasn’t aware you were aro
I closed my eyes as we moved farther and farther away from the mansion. The roaring sound of the motor bikes did not help the turmoil I felt inside. I was leaving everything I had worked so hard for in the last few years. But i was not accepting defeat yet. I would be back.I will come back for my son. For what is mine and give everyone what is due.Diego had succeeded in killing most of the men that were loyal to me, and even as I sat on the bike clutching myself, I wasn't sure who was for me anymore. It was a big risk I was taking and I hoped it would be worth it all. For the sake of those who had died on the path to my ambition. For Lorenz’s sake.I reach for my thigh, tapping it. The pressure of the knife against my skin reminded me that I was not unarmed. We were leaving the city. I was being taken to a neighbouring town a few hours from Palmero. There I would stay under the radar, until Diego was gotten rid of. I would also try to make the necessary liaison with all the
My phone was buzzing in my pocket continuously. I had placed it on DND, so the call had to have been persistent for it to be vibrating in my pocket. I glanced at the large screen and then at Lucas who was seated on the seat just beside the investors. He smiled encouragingly at me. Today was the big day. The day I presented our beautiful project.He said it was just for formalities. The people who mattered had seen the presentation privately and they loved it. I was still nervous though and the continuous vibrations in my pocket were compounding it.The presentation was over in twenty minutes. The smiles on their faces and the warm and firm handshakes told me all I needed to know.Lucas slapped my shoulders warmly. ‘’You did good. I was impressed. This calls for some wine.’’We were going to get featured on the front pages of the business papers and on the headlines of the business news. It was finally an opportunity to prove to Nile and my father that I could make a meaningfu
Before I could scream, I heard hurried footsteps approaching the room and the door flung open instantly.‘’It’s urgent,’’ the first man said. I could see what he couldn’t say in his eyes.I pointed at the monitor. ‘’Get the doctor here fast.’’Two of them hurried out of the room. ‘’The doctor is trying to save your father,’’ the first man said.‘’Save? What happened?’’‘’He went into cardiac arrest.’’I felt blood seeping out of my head and I swooned. He caught me just in time. The nurse was arriving as I was being held.‘’The monitor,’’ I said to her. She hurried to his side, and I was ushered out of the room. That feeling of desolation overpowered me once again. I had not felt that since I left Axel’s whore house, but now I was at the brink of losing everything I cherished.When I got to father’s room, I stood outside observing through the door as the doctor tried to revive his heart with the defibrillator. I clenched my hand into a fist. What had gone wrong? Someone had
I watched her face turn pale as she read the report in her hand. ‘’Is this real?’’ She looked up at me.I nodded. ‘’I don’t think he knows.’’A sad smile spread on her face. ‘’What a horrible way to finally find your brother, Octavia. I mean, we all thought he died in the fire. Same way we thought you did.’’There was a knock on the door and we quickly put the document away. ‘’Come in,’’ aunt Elena said. I had been sleeping in her room since the incident the previous day.A maid walked in. “Good morning, ma’am,’’ she said. ‘’Did you sleep well?’’‘’I did.’’It was the maid who looked after her room. ‘’I came to ask if you needed anything this morning, ma’am.’’‘’Not at all,’’ she responded.‘’Coffee?’’‘’That’s fine.’’I waited until she was gone for a minute before I spoke. ‘’We can’t trust any of the new staff right now. They were all employed by Rory, and we don’t know who is with her or not.’’‘’Rory needs to be arrested, and made to confess.’’I nodded in agreement. W
She didn’t budge. She remained calm and determined. ‘’You are trying to save the life of a man that should have been killed on the spot. How wicked can one be?’’‘’We need to find out who he’s working with,’’ she said. ‘’Until then, no one touches him. His punishment is at my disposal.’’She walked away and I bit my lips. The plan was crashing. Sylvester had shot the wrong person, Octavia was still alive and she had my necklace. Now, Sylvester was going to be tortured until he confessed. I wondered how strong he would be. I had to do something.I found Mikel in his office. He was startled to see me. I could tell he was expecting me. He had that look in his face.‘’I’m in trouble, Mikel,’’ I said. ‘’I need your help.’’He glared at me. ‘’What were you thinking? We had a plan. A good one. You abandoned it for some no good riff raff.’’‘’Mikel..’’‘’I know you were sleeping with him,’’ he said, anger attempting to boil over the surface. ‘’I can’t help you right now.’’I moved f
I found aunt Elena in her room. She was startled by the expression on my face.‘’You look like you have seen a ghost,’’ she said, straightening her dress.‘’I think I have,’’ I replied. I walked in and sat on her bed. She was looking at me with concern. ‘’Did Rory catch you snooping around?’’ she asked. ‘’I couldn’t hold her for so long.’’I shook my head. ‘’No.’’ I reached for my bra and pulled out the necklace. She gasped. ‘’Where did you find it?’’‘’Her room. She hid it on the chandelier all this time,’’ I said. ‘’How could she..’’ She stood up. ‘’I have to report this immediately. ‘’I lost my trusted maid of over ten years because of this lying woman.’’I shushed her and asked her to sit down. ‘’That’s not the problem now, aunt,’ i said.‘’What is?’’I leaned closer to her. ‘’Sylvester.’’ I lowered my voice, scared that the room was being tapped. ‘’He’s not who he says he is. His name is not Sylvester Munroe. The real person is dead.’’Her mouth fell open but no sou
I had just gotten off a call with Lucas Conti and was enjoying a martini when I was told someone wanted to see me. I was clad in nothing but a towel and I was in no mood to see anyone. It was a beautiful day. Our project had passed the second phase of approval and it was ready to be opened in the Netherlands. Then the Americas and the United Kingdom.‘’She gave her name as Rose, sir,’’ the uniformed lady said and instantly the martini turned sour in my throat.Rose? It had been almost two weeks since our meeting in Amsterdam. I’d not forgotten the allegations she made against my business partner, but I had tossed them under the carpet. I was not going to allow his personal matters stop me from making money. It was the only thing that brought me happiness now. I was very unfortunate with love.‘’Ask her to come in,’’ I said, taking off my sunglasses. ‘’She can wait in the guest sitting room.’’‘’Yes, sir.’’I sipped a little more of the martini before rising from the mat. It
My phone buzzed again.It had been going off like that for the past ten minutes. Soft, insistent vibrations against my hip, each one a ripple in the still waters of Aunt Elena’s very long, very detailed baby-bathing tutorial.She was standing over the bath, her sleeves rolled up, a calm, patient smile on her face as she cradled the baby in her arms for the third demonstration that afternoon. Not a drop of water splashed. Everything about her was precise, delicate, practiced.“And always keep your hand under the neck,” she said gently, as though I hadn’t already memorized every movement. “They’re so small, you see? You have to make them feel safe.”“I see,” I murmured, though my mind was far from here. The phone buzzed again. I didn’t need to look at it. I already knew who it was. Sylvester. His calls were never this persistent. If he was calling this much, something was wrong.Still, I couldn’t just step away. Not from Aunt Elena. She wasn’t the kind of woman you interrupted,