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Crystal OduwaA/N: Let's keep the comments goinggggg. Thoughtssssss? (◠‿◕)
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A VOW TO HATE 53
LAYLA 41/60 THURSDAY He didn't mince words when he said I couldn't evade his grip. The morning light shone past the blindfold and I turned, moaning tiredly, jerking to get out of Aiden's grip. I specifically needed to pee. This was also my house. I couldn't run away. "Aiden." I pushed his hair back, rumpled from the position we slept in. He grumbled and freed his grip. "I need to pee," I admitted. Can't recall why I needed to reassure him. When I got out of bed, I looked down at my thighs and reached for the wardrobe in search of underwear. Then I slipped into the bathroom. I brushed my teeth, sprayed water on my face, and peed. I didn't leave immediately after. Staring at my cheeks and tracing the hickeys along my neck. The previous ones healed, but he gave more last night. I threw my head back, a sigh leaving my lips at the memory. He was amazing. There's no struggle anymore. I relished it to the fullest, and we didn't even have sex. The guilt only grew stronger after we fi
A VOW TO HATE 54
AIDEN 42/60 What a fool. Of course, she ghosted me this morning. Snubbing my texts and calls. I hauled my ass back to my office. My hands stayed fastened. If they come undone, I'd cram them into something, a wall maybe, or someone, my father most likely. I couldn't focus. No paperwork or filling could get my mind off this situation. Until a text darted in, lightening my mood. "I would like to see both of you. There are some things we must discuss. Adam." Text blast. That meant Layla got it as well. The chat screen displayed a pop-up of someone typing. Adam or her. "I have a lot of paperwork to file. I doubt I can make it. You can text me the info here." My spirits fell. Is insinuating that her sudden busy day has something to do with me being too precarious? "I'm afraid that's a no. It's important to show up. I'm not the only one who'll be there." Adam's feedback was cryptic. Who else? Another scheme from our fathers? "Who else is coming?" I beat her to reply. "We're mee
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LAYLA 41/60THURSDAYHis fingers glided underneath my skirt, rubbing loosely in circles, and eventually reaching my thighs. I rubbed my legs against his fingers, moaning at the friction, yet wanting more. This wasn't a wish. He's not erroneous. We can't call it anything, but it's there. Searing tension, as though the monster was behind you in a horror movie. However, you're the main character who never dies, so you look forward to it. Aiden is like gasoline, and I'm like the scorching fire. Naturally drawn to each other. An explosive mix, wiping out everything in its path, devouring everything in its path. All without a damn care. As destructive as the mixture was, it was also enchanting. Charming. The sight was breathtaking.That's how it feels. I heaved when his fingers fastened around my underwear hem, yanking back to the present.An extremely popular company parking lot. He's blocking the view, but with closer attention, anyone could see what we were doing. I bucked my knees,
A VOW TO HATE 56
LAYLA 43/60 I shifted my palms off the sofa, smiling tight-lipped at Bella, then turned my neck to the figure behind me. It's mid-March. Freya sported low-rise jeans, a top, and a jacket. No luggage in sight, just a bag. She's staying somewhere? I still couldn't breathe. "I know I left for quite some time, retired from the inner circle. But don't be mean, hug me. In my defense, Lay, I wasn't coming here for you. I'm lucky that you're here as well." A laugh escaped her lips as she removed her purse. I gulped down not quite letting the air get through yet. "I missed both of you. Coming back feels great!" She yelled. I heard bits of fragmented information as I picked myself up off the sofa, standing at her height. She enveloped me in a hug before anything else. Vanilla's sweet scent dominated my nostrils. That much hadn’t changed. Bella gave me a look, then got up and embraced her. All three of us slouched on the couch, Freya in the middle. “That must have been a long flight.
A VOW TO HATE 57
AIDEN 43/60 SATURDAY It hit me how thrilled they were. Tristan and my father. Like those who won the lotteries. Did he use this info on my dad? My father will benefit from the Harold and Cruz merger. If both families feel that we have defiled them, their ego may get in the way. If there’s one thing they hold dear, it's the control they exercise over their kids. They will destroy everything to prove a point. I’ll bet Tristan knows this and exploits it no matter what. Chaos. They'll dump everything we built in the past month down the drain. That was only door number one. I reached out and pulled out another file. Printed correspondence between Layla’s dad and my father, deciding on how to split the Thompson shares between both and when to purchase. That’s incriminating. Two more files. The third was a breakdown of the company now. Tristan Thompson was a major player, as well as the Deans and Smiths. This and the previous folder beside each other can do serious damage. The last
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AIDEN 46/60 TUESDAY 4 days. 96 hours. I hadn’t seen or heard. Sent a text. Got no response. It was work, but still. She’ll come in today. That’s indisputable. Since we had the scheduled meeting with Adam, I asked him to hold it at Harold Construction. I have an update. I got the recording and a plan to end the prenup. Not only that, but I did it all myself, too. The last four days have made my skin crawl. I felt fidgety and unstable. Drinking water frequently. Taking showers. Distracted. Always needed to be distracted. Staying idle was risky. Not having anything to do meant letting my mind wander to her. Ask impossible questions. Where has she been the whole time? The guest? Bella called back, but she was just as sketchy. Avoid direct questions. I fixated on the problems, but I always ended up at the starting line. If I can rectify this now, I’ll take the win. I needed it. Between my father, the company, Tristan, and fucking Layla Dean, I was going mad. **** I arrived
A VOW TO HATE 59
LAYLA 46/60I got a postcard in my message this morning. Before the meeting. Return tickets for Penelope and Quentin. With only a week and a half until their wedding day, their first honeymoon ended.They reveled in it. Outsiders would see it as a romantic getaway. Beach pictures. Polaroids. Photo booth. Jealousy fuels me, aching my skin. I hadn't considered settling down soon, but they're true fairy tale stories. I may never get to experience that with someone.The subtle reminder of Aiden’s reference makes me wince. I tried to erase the whole thing. A pact with Bella. I stayed away. But when I walked past him, his body sprawled over the chair, filling the space, his scent consuming the room. I got knocked back.Then came his presentation. It melted my insides. Turned me into goo. I stared. I gawked. It was hot. Fixer Aiden was appealing. All of him.Then it ended with him walking out. Maybe it’s for the best. These past few days with Freya made me realize I can’t have both. Working
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AIDEN 46/60 TUESDAY "Our flight got held. Pen needs you or Layla to confirm a few specials for the wedding. It's a catering service." Huh. Intriguing. "I'll text you the address." Quentin sent me a series of messages. That was the last stroke. The others had pictures they took on the trip. Touring several cities. Layla already said no? Maybe she was with her friend after our meeting. I threw my head back at the unconscious thought. My growing obsession with this person is worrying. This trip will take my mind off him or her. And Layla Dean. I wasn't having any work done here, so I picked up my stuff and waited for Quentin's follow-up message before leaving the office. *** Someone lied. 'You or Layla.' That simple preposition implies alternatives. As in one. See? Not both. Now, if that definition had not changed, why did I walk into Calloway's confectionary and see her standing there? At that point, the conversation absorbed her. She overlooked my presence. However, a
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