OCTAVIA'S POV Rose looked absolutely stunning in the blue jeans that hugged her hips snugly and then flared out at her feet, her orange top hugged her waist and the neckline showed a decent amount of cleavage, her outfit accentuated her curves with her full hair pulled up in a high ponytail accentuating her face and she walked into the resturant confidently ignoring the heads that turned as she walked by. "Damn she's drop dead gorgeous, " Bree breathed beside me as soon as she caught sight of her. We are meeting up with Rose today, we got here not long ago and I had invited Bree to come along, partially because I don't want to go out with the "guards" all alone, I don't know if I'll ever get used to it and I am sure she and Rose are going to get along perfectly. The restaurant we are at is nestled on a quiet cobblestone street in the middle of the city, it's the kind of place that felt warm and inviting as soon as you stepped inside. The golden glow of the lights, the clinking of
OCTAVIA'S POV The next morning, I stretched lazily as I opened my eyes and dragged myself out of bed. The sun filtered through the curtains, bathing my room in a warm morning glow. I shuffled to the door, still rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I headed to the kitchen to get my daily cup of office. I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw someone standing unmovingly beside my door. “What the he—” I yelped as one hand clutched the doorframe for support and the other clutched my chest as if to stop my heart from falling down. The man turned slightly, his broad shoulders blocking most of the hallway. It is the man that was talking to my father yesterday evening, his expression was unreadable and his sharp jawline clenched. His dark eyes regarded me with a hint of boredom, like this was just another day at work. “Good morning, Miss Octavia,” he said in a deep, smooth voice. I blinked. Okay this is not how I expected my morning to start. “Uh… hi? What are you doing here?" “I’m Aaro
I rummaged through my drawers in the closet and pulled out a pair of black leggings and a matching sports bra, I threw on a tank tops over it, I get the feeling I might have to take off the tank top when I start sweating but I kept it on. As I changed, I caught myself glancing at the door, half expecting Aaron to burst in and tell me to hasten. I can't help it, that's what I'd do if I have have wait for someone and act like a shadow all day. I pulled my hair up and tied it in a lose ponytail and i stepped back out. To no one's suprise she was still standing there, beside my my door with his hands crossed and hist face blank.“You didn’t move an inch, did you?” I asked, unable to hide out incredulous it seems to me. “No need,” he replied simply, turning on his heel to lead the way.“This is freaking weird,” I muttered under my breath as I followed him down the hallway.“I heard that,” he said without turning around.I blinked in surprise. “Oh, so you do have a sense of humor?”He di
OCTAVIA'S POV The sound of my fists hitting the heavy punching bag echoed through the gym, a rhythmic thud that somehow felt as satisfying as it was exhausting. My knuckles would probably have become bloody now if it had not been protected by the worn boxing gloves Aaron had handed me weeks ago; my hands stung slightly with each hit, but I had somewhat gotten used to the pain. My breaths came in steady bursts as I focused on my stance, my form, and the power behind each punch. I stepped back and wiped a bead of sweat off my forehead with the back of my gloved hand. The past six weeks had been grueling, to say the least. I had gone from barely knowing how to throw a punch to being able to confidently hold my own in a fight... I think. I had thought I was just going to learn self-defense, but for the past six weeks, Aaron has been thorough... maybe a bit too thorough. He taught me hand-to-hand combat, I learned knife-fighting techniques, and we sparred often, and he always makes it l
OCTAVIAI hurried back to my room and as soon as I got in, I made a beeline for the bathroom to take a shower, I almost groaned as the cool water hit my skin washing away my sweat and easing my sore muscles. I rounded it up fast though because I didn't want to keep Bree waiting, knowing her, she would barge into my room if I keep her waiting too long, she is as patient as a five year old.Once I finished, I wrapped myself in a towel and rummaged through my closet wondering what to where, after trying on a few outfits, I finally settled on a navy blue sweater dress and a brown belt, pairing it with a pair of white leather boots, I quickly brushed my hair and applied mascara and eyeliner and then a light coat of pink lipstick and just as I was putting on my earrings, my phone buzzed on the nightstand. Bree’s message popped up: “I’m outside. Hurry up before I die of boredom.”I rolled my my eyes and grabbed my bag and made my way
OCTAVIA'S POV “Octavia?” Bree’s voice pulled me out of my daze.“Huh?” I blinked, tearing my gaze away from the door, from him. “You okay?” Rose asked, her brow furrowed in concern.“Yeah,” I said quickly, forcing a smile. “I just thought I recognized someone.”They both glanced toward the door to look at him; he had started walking towards us, his piercing gaze on me, unmoving. “Who is that?” Bree asked, her curiosity piqued."Why is he looking at you like that? Wait, he is walking this way." Rose whispered loudly. "It is Axel," I said, my voice sounding breathless. Their eyes widened, and realization dawned on them at the same time he reached our table. “Fancy seeing you here,” he drawled, standing in front of me and looking down at me with that cocky smirk. At first I froze in place, my breath catching in my throat. Slowly, I raised my eyes to look up at him as I tried to calm my racing heart. I am not that girl anymore, I can most likely kick his ass in a fight right now, I
OCTAVIAWe started walking back toward the car when I heard footsteps behind us. My heart sank before I even turned around. I turned and saw Axel coming towards us again, but this time three huge men stood behind him, their faces looking dangerous and menacing."I see you have another boy toy. Don't tell me he got tired of you already." His irritating voice grated in my ear."If you know what is good for you, Axel. You will leave now while you still can." I said."What are you going to do, huh? Give your body to another man to buy your freedom." I could feel my blood start to boil. The car park was secluded; the only people there were Axel and his men, Bree, Aaron, and I. The guards that came with us parked their car at one end of the park, and they walked quietly towards them from behind, and it was obvious he did not see them earlier.Aaron brought out his gun and pointed it at Axel."Just give the word,
OCTAVIA'S POV I closed the front door behind me and headed straight for my room. I can't even explain what I am feeling right now; I am numb. I know that in the Mafia, gunfights happen; I know that people kill; hell, I learned how to shoot a gun for a reason, but I am still shaken when I have the urge to kill someone myself. My mind was a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, and I didn’t have the energy to talk to anyone right now. I need some space, time to breathe, and somewhere to let my guard down. The moment I stepped into my room, I locked the door behind me and leaned against it, closing my eyes. My chest was tight, and my breaths felt shallow. Axel’s taunting words replayed in my mind like a broken record. Every syllable dripped with his disdain; I thought I had gotten over it, but he still unnerved me and brought back painful memories. I pushed off the door and began peeling off my clothes, letting them fall carelessly to the floor. My body felt heavy, as if the weight of t
OCTAVIA'S POV I woke up sore the next morning, every muscles in my body seemed to protest as I swung my legs off the bed. None of the training we had was anything compared to what happened last night. The first thought that came to my mind was Aaron, I quickly washed up, got dressed and hurried down the hallway to his room, I didn't even remember to knock as I pushed the door open and stepped inside. There he was, he was awake and sitting up with his back resting against the headboard. The sight of him looking so alive filled me with so much relief, I hadn't realised how scared I was till now. A lot of improvement has happened within the night, it seems. He looks significantly better compared to yesterday, I noticed as I walked up to him. He is color is almost completely back now and the way his lips quirked in a smirk confirmed that he is feeling better. He torso was completely bare save for the bandages covering his middle section and the sight of his bare chest made me pause for
OCTAVIA Mikel gave a slight chuckle but it held no real humor. “Of course, I am scared to imagine what would have happened if he wasn't there, what were you doing in such a place anyway. The don't already own many casinos and club if you wanted to experience night life, you didn't have to do all the way there, see what happened." I clenched my teeth, this feels like a scolding, he didn't let me respond before he continued, "It was a reckless situation. But then again…” He paused, his gaze sharpening, and I braced myself for whatever he was about to say. “You are woman trying to play in a man’s world. Things like this are bound to happen.”I stared at him, the air leaving my lungs for a second. My temper flared. “What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, my voice icy.Mikel shrugged, as though he were simply stating facts. “You know how it is, Octavia. In the mafia, women don’t usually involve themselves in these kinds of affairs. They get married and help to secure alliances and repa
OCTAVIA'S POV I woke up sore the next morning, every muscles in my body seemed to protest as I swung my legs off the bed. None of the training we had was anything compared to what happened last night. The first thought that came to my mind was Aaron, I quickly washed up, got dressed and hurried down the hallway to his room, I didn't even remember to knock as I pushed the door open and stepped inside. There he was, he was awake and sitting up with his back resting against the headboard. The sight of him looking so alive filled me with so much relief, I hadn't realised how scared I was till now. A lot of improvement has happened within the night, it seems. He looks significantly better compared to yesterday, I noticed as I walked up to him. He is color is almost completely back now and the way his lips quirked in a smirk confirmed that he is feeling better. He torso was completely bare save for the bandages covering his middle section and the sight of his bare chest made me pause for
OCTAVIA'S POV The ride home is not supposed to take more than one hour but it feels like I have been driving for hours and we have only covered half of the journey. My finger gripped the steering wheel so tightly that my knuckles have started to turn white.I kept glancing at Aaron, he couldn't sit upright anymore and he is now slumped on the sit. He has gotten even paler, I didn't that is even possible, his usually olive-coloured skin now looks ashen. “Aaron,” I said, my voice breaking the tense silence. “Hope you are still awake." “I’m not sleeping,” he muttered, though his eyes are barely open. “You look like you’re seconds away from passing out,” I couldn’t hide the worry in my voice and I didn't even bother to try. “Talk to me. Say something. Anything.” “Fine,” he grunted. “You’re terrible at driving.” I glared at him, though I knew he couldn’t see it. “That’s not true.” “Stop lying to yourself,” he said, his voice sounds weak but his statement is still laced with infur
OCTAVIA'S POV My heart is pounding so loudly in my chest that I won't be surprised if Aaron can hear it. I pressed my back against the cold wall behind me, and held my breath as the guy in the mask approached us. Aaron’s hand that was holding mine tightened around my wrist, at first glance, he looks so calm but I can see from they way he back is tensed as he crouched in front of me. The man grew closer and every step he took felt like a hammer strike to my heart and I tightened my grip on the gun in my hand. I know these people are here because of me, I am not stupid, I saw that the man had pointed the gun directly at me earlier, not Aaron, not anyone else but me. Our eyes had met for a brief second before chaos ensued. But why? Why would anyone want me dead? I tried to think of anyone that I have met that would want me dead, apart from Allister who is already dead now, I can't think of any reason why someone would want me dead.Nothing makes sense, it is obvious that this is not
AARON'S POVI turned to Octavia, who was still swaying to the beat, oblivious to the scene I’d just caused. I contemplated dragging her off the dance floor myself but then I hesitated.I know what she is doing right now is some sort of coping mechanism, it is her way of dealing with her pain and as much as I hate the way she is being reckless and putting herself out there like this, I kind of understand it.After making sure no idiot was close making any move towards her again, I turned and was about to retreat to the bar when I felt her hands suddenly wrap around my biceps, I turned back to her her see her looking up at me with a hazy, drunken smile.She looks so innocently gorgeous and my heart did that jumping thing again. This girl is really testing my self restraint. I didn't show any emotion and responded with a questioning raise of an eyebrow.“Dance with me,” she said, her voice slightly slurred, her fing
AARON'S POVI killed the engine in front of the club and leaned back in my seat, I didn't sat anything throughout the drive, I doubt there is anything that i could have said that would make her feel better. I glanced a her through the rearview mirror, her eyes are puffy and red from all the crying, our eyes met for a brief second before she turned away and faced the window. The tears had finally stopped, but the silence isn't any better, I can almost taste her sadness in the air. I hate seeing her so vulnerable, I know she would never let herself cry in front of anyone else but she sobbed like like baby throughout the ride here. As much as it pains me to see her hurting there's hardly anything that I can do about it and it makes me feel so useless, as much as I hate to admit it, she clearly loves that batsard, Zion and I do not see why, it is very obvious he is just a spoiled asshat. Maybe I am being a bit bias but I can't bring myself to care. I can decide who she loved and I can'
OCTAVIA'S POV My head felt heavy this morning, I spent the whole night thinking about, I know what I have to do, as part of me wishes I can ignore the past, bury the truth forever and let myself fall back into what Zion and I once had made, but what happened is too huge to just pretend it doesn't exist, it will eventually come between us. What happened is not something that can just truly fade. I decided to bite the bullet and dialed Zion's number. My heart has since become numb and I sat wordlessly as I listened for the phone dial. He picked after a few rings."Hey Octavia," he said "I am glad you called,"“Can we meet today?” I asked."Uhm sure," he agreed immediately. "Should I come over, " I could feel my heart break at the barely concealed hope in his voice.“No it's fine, I’ll come to you.” I answered.We decided on the park not too far from our, or well what used to be my apartment building. For a one hour drive, it felt like forever before we arrived, Aaron drove me as usua
OCTAVIA’S POVThe sunlight filtered softly through my bedroom window as I stretched my arm, I have finally been allowed to take off the cast and it feels amazing to have my freedom of movement back.Rose had come over earlier this afternoon, she almost had a heart attack after hearing what had happened. She went from yelling at me for not calling her immediately after the incident to hugging me so tightly that I thought she might send me back to the infirmary. Bree found the whole scene hilarious as she sat down watching us while munching on popcorn.“Honestly, Octavia,” Rose ranted, pacing back and forth in my room, “I wanted to storm over here the second I heard what happened. I would have if it wasn't for work. Isn't preventing this the whole point of having a bodyguard? Let me tell you, if I meet him—”“Rose,” I interrupted, laughing. “It’s fine. Really. Aaron does his