Novels by dark elegance

I think…” I cleared my throat, scrambling for a believable excuse “We shouldn’t go. It will only bring back painful memories, and with the royal wedding hanging over my head, my nerves are already shot. I really can’t handle the distraction right now.” “Hmm, if you say so”, he said, letting the subject drop A suffocating relief washed over me as we approached the car. The driver promptly opened the rear door for us before the sudden ring of my phone I paused with one foot inside the car, tapping the screen to answer the unknown number. “Hello?” A wall of thumping, heavy music blasted through the speaker, so deafening that I instinctively yanked the phone away from my ear. Then her voice cut through the noise. “Is that how you greet your mother, Annabelle?” My entire body went rigid. My chest tightened so suddenly that breathing became difficult. My fingers nearly lost their grip on my phone. Mother. After all these years. I darted a look at Nathan. The absolute last

Are you suggesting we collaborate?” Gina asked “Certainly not.” The princess did not look up from the sketches spread across the table. “I prefer having choices, and I intend to secure the finest designer for the gown.” “Don’t you think that’s an unnecessary extravagance?” She waved me off, the expensive bracelets on her wrist clinking together. “Expense is of no concern,” the princess said, standing up. “The wedding is in two months. Just don’t disappoint me.” She didn't wait for a response before turning on her heel. On cue, her entourage scrambled to their feet and followed after her. We watched them leave, then Gina turned her sharp gaze on me. “Wow. A senior designer,” her voice dripping with envy. “I never saw that coming. What exactly did you do to sleepwalk into that position?” I kept my head down, carefully sliding my sketches back into my folder. “Seriously, how?” Gina pressed. My hands went still. I raised my eyes to hers. “Why don't you worry about wha

By morning, Jessie had already left for work by the time I woke up. I didn't need to clock in early today because of my upcoming appointment with the princess.As I swung my legs out of bed, a nagging feeling crept in that I was forgetting something important. That was when my eyes caught a small piece of paper pinned to the lamp on my nightstand. “I ran out and got some shower gel last night. You owe me big time.” An overwhelming sense of gratitude washed over me. Having a friend like her made everything easier.I took my time getting ready, slipping into a sophisticated outfit. I refused to let yesterday's drama ruin my confidence. Stepping out the door, I headed toward the Blue Diamond Hotel early, determined to make today a complete success.“Good morning. I’m here for my meeting with Princess Fedelma. I’m a senior designer representing Sweet Body,” I told the receptionist.After a quick confirmation call, the receptionist instructed me to wait.As I headed toward the seating area

At my insistence, Nathan pulled up outside Sweet Body so I could check out the designs for the presentation. I’d expected Jessie to have gone home by now, but the moment she saw me, she rushed forward and wrapped her arms around my me. I melted into the embrace. I hadn't realized how badly I needed her to hold me until she did..."I tried reaching Benedict; I couldn't get through.""It's okay," I said and pulled away with a forced small smile. “I’m here now.""You sure?"I nodded."You should go home.”She shook her head."I'll stay. I still have some work to finish."A brief squeeze of her hand was all the gratitude I could manage before walking into my office... The sketches for the royal wedding were already spread across my desk.I picked them up one by one. They were elegantly beautiful; excitement stirred inside me.Maybe tomorrow wouldn't be a disaster after all. I gathered the design sketch pad neatly, slipping it into my bag. I cast a quick glance around the room to make sur

The cold steel bit into my wrists as they marched me into the precinct, my heart hammering wildly against my ribs. Behind the desk, the sergeant shuffled papers, his brief, judgmental glance making me want to scream that they had the wrong person. I was innocent, but to everyone here, I was already just another file. Detectives moved through the corridors like predators in their natural habitat.The wanted posters covering the walls got me thinking: how many of these fugitives were just hiding because nobody would ever believe their side of the story? I looked down at my trembling hand, praying for a different fate. I didn't belong in this nightmareI was processed, fingerprinted, and eventually led into the area as others, handcuffed, who had long since given up and resorted to staring at the floor.My chest tightened when I saw Mrs. Margaret sitting across the room, wrapped in a coat, her face marked with bruises. Dark patches colored her cheek and temple. One side of her lip was sw

It was an extreme reaction coming from Mrs. Margaret I paced the office floor, my hands trembling as I replayed the scene in my head. I knew about her heart condition, and the last thing I wanted was for something terrible to happen because of me.The door suddenly swung open, making me flinch. Jessie strode in, her arms crossed. “Seriously, Anna, you are so good at disappearing and leaving me to foot the bill.”“I didn't mean to. I'm sorry. I'll pay you back,” I murmured, my voice hollow with distraction. “Did anything happen after I left? At the restaurant?Jessie’s expression hardened into a frown. “What do you mean?”“Was an ambulance called? Was anyone hurt? I rounded the desk, my knees shaking as I dropped into my chair.She stared at me, thoroughly baffled. “No. Nothing happened. Why?”The suffocating panic lifted instantly before my eyes drifted to the desk. The untitled folder portfolio wasn’t where I had left it. I frantically swept the papers on the surface, yanked the d