As I was getting ready to make love with my boyfriend, a lace panty suddenly fell out of his suit pocket. It clearly wasn't mine.I immediately slapped Blake across the face!"What the hell is this?" I roared."It's no big deal, Ava You know, an open relationship. I suggest we try it," he said nonchalantly.I was stunned - after eight years of love and preparing to marry, Blake had betrayed me. How had I never realized he was a jerk?Just a few hours ago -We had attended Blake's father's wedding to his second wife Isabella. Isabella is a lovely woman, and I really like her.At the altar, as Isabella was about to toss her bouquet, she walked towards me amidst the eager gazes of all the women.I started feeling nervous. I looked at Blake, and he was gazing at me tenderly as if it was what he had been hoping for."Eva, dear," Isabella said as she handed me a bouquet of white roses and lilies. "I can't wait to see your wedding with Blake."As I received the bouquet, a flush of warmth ros
AVAThe last drop of whiskey dribbled pathetically into my shot glass, barely coating the bottom. I sighed. My head felt too heavy for my neck. I let the empty bottle clatter back on the counter, then slumping forward and resting my forehead on it.This had to be a nightmare. The kind where you wake up sweating but grateful it wasn't real. These things happened in movies, and I’ve heard stories in real life. But never have I ever imagined that this would happen to me. Not to me. Not with Blake. Not after eight years.I let out a muffled sob against my arm as tears slid down my cheeks. My chest felt like it was being crushed. It felt like my heart would never know how to beat properly again.“Open relationship?” I repeated as his words floated into my head.“That bastard!” My eyes welled up again, and I buried my face in my hands.I was so stupid. Not only did I hand over all those dividends from my parents' insurance to him, but he was in control of my father's company. My inheritance
ALEXANDERCharles Montgomery, of all people?I stopped myself from massaging my temple for the umpteenth time as I watched my sister dance with her new husband. There were several respectable men in our social circle, successful businessmen and accomplished professionals she could have chosen from. But she had to choose Charles, who I knew more than anyone else, was bad news. Everything about Charles screamed ‘hidden agenda’.But what could I do? Isabella was radiant with happiness, and after her first marriage ended so disastrously, I vowed to support whatever choice she made. I had to fly over from Singapore after postponing an important merger, just to attend for a few minutes before heading back.I glanced at my watch. It had been barely five minutes since I left the wedding reception and I started feeling strange. There was an unfamiliar warmth riding up my neck, and spreading slowly like honey. My throat burned slightly with a sensation I'd never experienced even with the strong
There were still traces of last night's celebrations everywhere when I returned, although the workers had begun clearing away most of the arrangements and I was sure the new couple were already on their side of the estate. All I wanted was to make it to my room without running into Blake. He was the last person I wanted to see.I dove into my room, tossing my purse on the bed before collapsing next to it. My head fell into my hands and immediately, uninvited images of last night with Alexander flooded my mind.His hands on my skin, his mouth against my neck...“No, stop it,” I muttered to myself, pinching the bridge of my nose. I threw my head back with a sigh before dropping it back down as I affirmed to myself,“He didn't see my face. He has no idea who I am.”It was a one-time thing, right? A mistake born of alcohol and heartbreak. The kind of story you take to your grave. Just forget it happened and move on.And then there was Blake….Who’d shattered everything to the tiniest bits
ALEXANDERStill couldn’t get my mind off that woman. For the first time in my life, I was obsessing over a woman I couldn't even see clearly in my memories. The thought of marriage had always been a business consideration to me. Yet, here I was, entertaining the idea of binding myself to a complete stranger. Ridiculous.Even as I drove to Isabella’s house, that woman was all on my mind. Not that I would have attended this dinner at all had my sister not pleaded with me to make time for it.Shortly after arriving and Isabella chattering about what not to be, she turned her head towards the door, beaming before bouncing away from me. This was when I noticed a young woman entering the hall.“Ava! You made it.”Ava. Something about her captured my attention immediately. I couldn’t tell what. Was it those intense dark, stunning eyes?“Come, come!” After they’d hugged, Isabella took the woman by the hand, soon leading her in my direction. I noticed how she was making an effort not to look d
AVAMy heart felt like it would fly out of my chest any second with the way it thumped behind my ribs. He just asked me where I was last night. Did he already know? Now, I wasn't one to shy away from social interactions or confrontations for that matter but at this point, I might as well hair disappear from here.Even as I walked back to the dining area, it was hard keeping my hands from trembling so I had to clasp them neatly around each other.“Are you okay?” Isabella enquired, a concerned look on her face.Forcing a laugh, I tried to play it off.“Sure! I was...just…in a hurry to get back to this sumptuous meal,” I chuckled.“Ah,” she nodded knowingly before repeating, “sumptuous indeed.”Alexander returned to where we were, staring at me as he shoved his phone into his pocket.“I’ve got to go now. Something has come up that needs my attention immediately.“Isabelle pressed a hand to her chest.“It’s not something serious, is it?”“You needn't bother your head about it,” he assured
AVAThe air in the car was pensive. And I stared straight ahead at the road as we drove home.After we had had our argument last night and I'd let it slip that I didn't love him anymore, it had been complete silence ever since, and when we got home I slept in the guest room.This morning was no better.I wasn't in the mood to argue and neither was he. I told him I was coming in to work, he had only huffed and stalked out the dining room, leaving his breakfast unfinished. And now, we were both in the backseat of his car, heading to the company. Suddenly, his phone rang beside me, drawing me out of my musings. I watched him fish the device out of his suit jacket.“Chloe,” the caller ID displayed in big, bold letters on the screen. My anger began to bubble immediately.Blake cast a surreptitious glance my way, before turning away to pick the call.“I told you not to call me so early in the morning. What do you want?” He spoke in soft tones.A woman's high pitched voice could be heard on
“You've got to be kidding me,” I muttered under my breath.I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He dumped me by the side of the road, threw bills at me, all so he could walk arm in arm wirh Chloe?“I'm actually being very serious right now.” Lily said behind me.“Every woman here would give left arm to take Chloe's place.” she sighed dreamily. “And what's not to envy? She's beautiful and has the boss wrapped around her finger.”Lily must have confused my silence for interest because she continued with her chatter.“Don't tell anyone, but I once walked in on them getting naughty,” her voice dropped to a whisper and she blushed.“They're so cute together, aren't they?”I stared at the closed office door, wondering if Blake was having his wicked way with his plaything right then.“How long have they been together?” I asked, working hard to hide my anger.Lila tapped her chin repeatedly as though she was deep in thought.“A little over two years. I think they're planning a wedding. Isn'
AVA“Right...Blake.” I scratched my head, suddenly remembering the man I left in my apartment.“I didn't think he'd still be there. He showed up drunk off his ass and started to make a scene in the hallway, then I had to let him use the bathroom before he would throw up everywhere.”“And you let him stay?” Alexander asked.“I was going to send him away after he cleaned himself up. Actually, this whole mess is because of him. He's the reason I called you.”Alexander frowned slightly. “He sobered up enough to tell me you were in France with some woman, not Tokyo. He said if I didn't believe him, I should call and check.”The annoyance on Alex’s face thickened even further.“Blake knew about your father's setup with Angelina, but I still don’t understand how that’s even possible. Him and your dad…”“C’mon let’s head back,” he says, taking my hand.“I can’t believe he had the audacity to make himself at home at my house.We walked the four blocks back to my apartment.I unlocked the door
ALEXANDERTwelve missed calls. All to Ava. All unanswered.I jabbed the call button again, sitting restlessly at the back of the car as we drove through the night’s traffic. The same result…it would ring, then go to voicemail. I saw my own reflection in the tinted car window. My eyes were bloodshot, with dark circles. I didn’t even sleep on the flight home.“Can't you go any faster?” I snapped at the driver, who glanced at me in the rearview mirror.“Traffic's bad, sir. There's construction ahead.”I swore under my breath and then checked my messages again. Ava had called me yesterday, around the time when I was unconscious in that room. Which meant Angelina must have had my phone.What the hell did she say to Ava?After that call, Ava sent me a barrage of texts.***Where are you? Who was that? Are you in France? Alexander, answer me. Who are you with?***All that I couldn’t reply because I was busy being drugged and unconscious.I tried calling again. Voicemail.“Fuck!” I slammed my
Crossing the line.ALEXANDERTokyo business, done and dusted. I was ready to head back home to Ava. It’s only been a few days, but I missed her so much already. Matthew was already on his system trying to book my flight back home, while I gathered my documents from the conference table.While I slipped them into my briefcase, my phone vibrated in my breast pocket.It was dad. I wondered why he was calling, we’ve not spoken in weeks.Our last conversation didn’t ended well because he made his disapproval of Ava abundantly clear. To him, her previous relationship with Blake made her unsuitable for the family. But I didn't care and I took my stand, prioritizing my own happiness.I accepted the call anyway.“To what do I owe this surprise?”He answered, “I see you've decided that communicating with your father is optional these days.”I moved toward the window, gazing out at Tokyo's skyline. “We've both been busy, and given our last conversation, I assumed you needed some time to adjust t
AVA“Why won't you try to understand my point of view? It’snot fair, Ava. Not fair.”I tried to pull away. “Blake, you need to go—“His face started to look drained of colour and he suddenly doubled over with a strangled noise from his throat like he was going to retch.“Don't you dare throw up in my hallway,” I hissed at himHe gagged again, clutching his stomach and eyes wide with the panic of imminent vomit.“Shit.” I grabbed his arm and hauled him to his feet, then dragging him inside myBlake was leaning heavily against me and breathing heavily as we headed towards the bathroom which suddenly felt like it was miles away.As soon as we got there, Blake lurched towards the toilet and collapsing to his knees in front of the bowl and began throwing up like and animal.Holding my noise from the stench that immediately permeated the the air, I turned away. The re
“I don't want any relationship with you beyond necessary company communications. I hope you respect my wishes.”“Ava, please. I know I made mistakes, terrible mistakes that I can't take back. But I'm trying to be better.”I maintained my distance, arms crossed. “This isn't about your personal growth journey, Blake. It's about consequences.”“I recognize that. I threw away the one person I loved most. And I regret it every single day.For a moment, I could almost see the true cost of his actions reflected in his expression. But I was no longer the woman who would sacrifice herself on the altar of his redemption.“I can't help you feel better about what you did,” I said. “And I won't absolve you, either.”“That's not what I'm asking for.” He reached for my hand, stopping just short of touching me when I pulled back. “I just want another chance to show you who I
I got a vacation, which made me happy, but not as happy as having Alexander beside me. He was out at a business conference.Three days into my supposed break, I finished reviewing all the board presentation materials twice and fielded endless calls from Annalise about last-minute details.I was now at Silverpine Beach, and the reason I was here was currently not answering her phone.I dialed Granny's number again as I drove up to her cottage. Still no answer and that was not unusual because sometimes she was just asleep.I parked outside, walked up to the house and took the spare key still inside the conch shell by the door.“Granny?” I called, dropping my bag in the entryway. “It's Ava.”On going in, I noticed it looked like no one was home“Granny? Are you here?”When I got no answer and she was nowhere around the house I began to feel uneasy. I even glanced into the garden through the back
AVAI kicked off my heels at the door and sighed as my feet met the cool floors of Alexander's penthouse. After three months of practically living here, it still felt strange to call it ‘home,’ although Alexander’s been pushing for me to make it official.My phone buzzed with a text from Annalise, which was a follow-up to our strategy meeting that afternoon.****Board meeting confirmed for Thursday. Blake is requesting to address directors privately beforehand. Red flag?***I typed back quickly. ***Definitely. Can we get someone in that meeting?******Working on it. Dinner tomorrow to finalize?******Perfect. My place, 7pm.***I set the phone down, glancing at the clock.Alexander's flight from Tokyo would be landing soon. After a week away, I wanted to surprise him with dinner—something simple but thoughtful. The refrigerator yielded ingredients for his favorite pasta dish.I pulled my hair into
AVAI slid my sunglasses from my face, hooking them into the neckline of my blouse as I approached the reception desk.The woman behind it smiled at me.“Good morning. How may I help you?”“I'm looking for Annalise Morris. Does she still work here?”The receptionist's smile tightened slightly. “Is there a particular issue I can help you with?”“No issue. I'm a friend of hers.” I returned her smile. “You can just let her know I'm around.”As the receptionist made a call, I turned to survey the lobby.Annalise and I used to be good friends and business partners before Blake's manipulation drove a wedge between us.We worked at the company together and until Blake stepped in and suggested I stepped back to focus on my health. He also kept planting seeds of doubt about Annalise's, which escalated over months until I was convinced my best friend was undercutting me.
AVAI woke up slowly. Then there came the pleasant ache in my muscles.I opened my eyes to find Alexander watching me, his head propped on one hand, dark hair deliciously mussed from sleep and other activities.The morning stubble along his jaw gave him a rougher edge than his usual polished appearance.“Jesus,” I gasped, jerking slightly. “You scared me.”“Sorry.” He smiled but he didn't sound sorry at all.His touched my waist from under the sheets and his thumb traced idle circles on the bare skin above my hip bone.“How long have you been watching me sleep like some kind of gorgeous creep?” I asked, my voice still rough with sleep.“I don't know. Fifteen minutes, maybe.”His eyes traveled over my face with shameless appreciation. “You talk in your sleep.”“I do not,”I answered quickly.“You do. Something about dolp