1**THE BREAKUP**
Clara sat down for the stylist to begin her work. It was her wedding day, the day she had been anticipating for. She looked at her beautiful wedding dress and smiled. Finally, She and Jeremy would tie the knot. Jeremy walked in suddenly with a girl by his side. "Jeremy what are you doing here? You know that you're not supposed to see the bride before the wedding." Clara said looking all excited. "Wedding my foot, Clara we need to talk" Jeremy said and signalled the stylist to leave the room. "What is so important that we need to talk about and who's that girl beside you"Clara asked. "She is Vivian the rightful owner of that wedding dress"Jeremy said pointing to the wedding dress on the mannequin. "Wait, what do you mean?" Clara asked confused. "I'm breaking up with you and getting married to Vivian here" Jeremy said and hugged Vivian's waist. "What do you mean you're breaking up with me?"Clara asked on the verge of tears. Vivian couldn't take it anymore and yelled "What don't you understand here?, Jeremy doesn't love you, he loves me so we're getting married ". "Hey babe, take it easy because of the baby " Jeremy said softly as he rubbed her Vivian's stomach gently. "She's pregnant " Clara asked. "Yes , she's carrying my child." "How could you do this to me after what we shared together?" Clara asked sobbing. "We didn't share anything together Clara. You were just a plaything to be used and dumped. By the way,who would like a girl like you who's just an orphan with nothing to offer." Jeremy mocked. Avi , Clara's friend who had been eavesdropping by the door walked in. She looked at Jeremy and slapped him. The sound of the slap echoed in the room. "How dare you talk to Clara that way ?"Avi said, her face red from anger. This was Avi, a person that doesn't tolerate nonsense especially insulting her best friend. "Let's go,Clara" Avi said and pulled Clara out of the room. Avi pulled her to the packing lot where her car was. They both entered the car and Avi drove off. "You should forget about that asshole and move on. I've always known that he couldn't be trusted " Avi said. Clara only sobbed more. "Clara, you should cheer up. At least you saw his true colours before the wedding " "What can I do to cheer you up?"Avi added. "Drop me at a bar somewhere " Clara said wiping off her tears. "Okay, excellent choice" **AT THE BAR** Alex watched Clara drown in the fifth wine glass,at this rate she was going to end up wasted. Alex Banks was the CEO of the Banks Corporation and Jeremy's boss. He had seen Clara come by the office a few times to see Jeremy. But wasn't today supposed to be her wedding. He walked up to Clara and sat next to her. "What are you doing here drinking alone?" Clara looked up at the man but he vision was blurry. Clara buried her face in his arms and wailed like a child. His shirt was already getting soaked but he couldn't push her away. "That bastard broke up with me,wah"She said as she continued crying. Alex Banks finally understood why she looked like a ghost. "Have a drink with me"Clara said as she shoved a glass in Alex Banks hands. "Instead of drinking yourself to death,why not just go ahead and kill the bastard" Alex Banks suggested. "I would have done that if I had a gun"Clara said.Clara opened her eyes the next morning. Wait where was she!!. She had a terrible headache, probably from all the drinking last night. She looked around the unfamiliar room, the room was quite luxurious . She looked under the sheets and found out she was naked. What in the world happened last night? She couldn't wrap her head around it. She heard the sound of running water in the bathroom and then it stopped. A fine young handsome man stepped out of the bathroom. She recognised him. "You're Jeremy boss!!" "Yes, I am"Alex banks nodded. "What are you doing here? what happened last night" "This is my room" "So how did I end up in your room?" Clara asked. "Are you kidding me? You really don't remember what happened last night. How you forced me to get drunk, dragged me here and asked me to sleep with you" Alex banks said trying to look all innocent. "You must be mistaken, I'll never do such a thing" "Then why are you naked on my bed?"Alex asked. "You must've taken ad
Clara stepped out of her room after freshening up. She looked really great this morning. "Look at you looking good after having an all night sex" Avi teased which made Clara blush. "Stop teasing me already" Clara said and waved her hand. "So where are you going?" Avi asked. "I'm going to Jeremy's place to pick up my things" "Let me come with you "Avi suggested "No need for that, I'll handle things there myself okay. Thanks for worrying about me "Clara said and planted a kiss on Avi's forehead. **AT THE BANKS OFFICE* Kevin, Alex assistant didn't know what was going on with the CEO today. He was all smiles ever since he arrived at the office this morning. "Sir,it seems you're in a good mood this morning" Kevin said. "Of course, I met a girl last night and she was hot" Alex banks said. Kevin now realised the reason behind his smiles. The boss had met a girl but he had never slept with a girl. "I had sex with this girl". Alex said shocking Kevin. "Wait, you di
"Don't take down the video"Alex banks said surprising Kevin. "But sir the last thing you need right now is to be involved in a scandal" "Just find whoever posted the video and deal with them"Alex concluded not wanting to talk about it anymore. **AT AVI'S PLACE** "Have you seen the video that is surging the internet?" Avi's asked Clara who seemed relaxed. "Yeah, Vivian posted it" "You mean that Jeremy's bitch that insulted you" "Yeah " "Then you should do something about it because I'm not sure Alex banks is going to do anything about it, not like this is his first or going to be his last relationship scandal "Avi said. "So what should I do Avi?"Clara asked lazily. Avi stood up,took her car keys and pulled Clara along with her. 'Where are we going,Avi"Clara asked "We're going to meet Alex banks and asked him to fucking take the video down" **AT THE BANKS COMPANY** Avi and Clara stood before the receptionist in the lobby. Immediately they entered, the employees remembe
"Are you crazy?" Clara shouted angrily. Avi and Kevin both raised an eyebrow. Did Clara just curse at Alex banks. Clara had had enough of people playing her so she didn't care anymore. "Fine I'll take down the video, but on one condition" Alex said. This was definitely his opportunity to have this girl. "Okay, what condition?"Clara asked finally cooling off. "Let's make a deal, be my girlfriend and I'll take down the video"Alex said leaving everyone shocked. Alex was clearly proposing to Clara. "You can as well leave the video on the internet" Clara response brought disappointment to all in the office. Even Kevin expected her to say Yes. She pulled Avi's arm and turned to leave. "What if I help get revenge on that bastard?" Alex said not wanting to miss this opportunity. Clara turned to look at Alex, her face was lit up indicating that she loved the idea. "What are you getting at?"Clara asked "Jeremy works in my company, I could fire him and even blacklist
**AT ALEX BANKS OFFICE** Kevin walked into Alex's office,"Your mother is here to see you"He said. "Send her in"Alex banks said. James knew well that Alex banks didn't like it when family members come to visit him at work. "How dare you make your mother wait at the reception, Alex"Anna shouted as she entered the office. Anna Banks was Alex's mother and she was always nagging. "You know why I'm here right?"Anna Banks said, trying to cool off. "What is it this time Mom?" "The video that has been circulating the internet,can you explain that?"Anna Banks asked. "There is nothing to explain mom" "What do you mean by nothing to explain. who is the girl in the video?"She asked. "She's my girlfriend". Alex banks said smiling,he knew what his mother's next reaction would be. Anna Banks gasped in shock,"Girlfriend!!Since when were you serious enough to have a girlfriend". Alex banks was always fooling around with other girls which made her really upset and worried, now
Every body in the conference room looked at him. Was he really leaving in the middle of a meeting? "I've got somewhere to be so finish up without me"Alex banks said and rushed out the door, leaving the people dumbfounded. **AT THE BANKS MANSION** "I'm talking to you and you're not showing any concern"Anna shouted at Robert Banks. Robert Banks was Alex's father. "We shouldn't meddle in our son's private life. You know how he is, jumping from one girl to the other. Let him do as he pleases"Robert Banks said. "You men are always like this can't you just understand my worry. That girl doesn't even have parents and she ran off on her wedding day" Anna said. "There's all sorts of rumour about her, people say she's just a gold digger and I don't expect better from people like that". Anna Banks added. "You haven't even met her yet". Robert Banks said, all these talking was already tiring him. "Do I really need to meet a girl like that? She is going to be like a stain on my son's rep
Clara woke up midmorning the next day. It was Thursday and she didn't have anything to do. She went downstairs and saw Avi reading a magazine, "No work today"Clara asked Avi. "Nah,I quit my job yesterday"Avi said. "Great, let's go have fun today"Clara hippied. "I said I just quit my job, shouldn't you be sorry for me?"Avi said. "I didn't ask because I'm very sure you quit your job because you were bored" "You're right, that work was just paper work and more paperwork and more paperwork,Arrgghhh" Avi groaned, she looked like she could tear anything apart. Clara took a few steps back. "Let's just leave this house and go have fun "Clara suggested. "You're right, we'll go to the park,then the shopping mall and a very nice restaurant "Avi said. "That sounds like an expensive fun and I'm currently broke" "How dare you say you're broke when your boyfriend is a billionaire? Just call him and ask for money " "No" "I'll call him for you "Avi snatched Clara's phone and dialled Al
"What are you doing, Clara?"Alex Banks said pulling her arm. "I'm leaving" Clara said. Alex Banks pulled Clara to the car. Inside the car, Alex Banks hugged Clara's waist and pulled her closer to his chest. He looked deep into her eyes and leaned in closer,close enough that Clara could feel his hot breath. Clara tried hard to avoid his gaze. "What are you not telling me Clara?" Alex Banks asked again. "It's nothing really"Clara replied. "I can tell that you're lying, Clara"Alex Banks said and let go of her. Clara tried to get out of the car but it was locked. "Open the door,I want to leave"Clara said with tears welling up in her eyes. "You're not leaving till you tell me what's going on" "How many girls have you met before me?"Clara asked. Alex Banks was surprised by the sudden question, "What do you mean?, you're my girlfriend Clara, I'm not seeing any other girl" Clara looked at Alex Banks, she felt like slapping him right now, "Let's break up, Alex" "What,Why?!!
Chapter 70 — "New Faces, Old Shadows"The morning air was crisp and tinged with the promise of rain, the city bathed in that peculiar silver light that made everything look a little more dramatic, a little more alive.In the penthouse, Clara stood by the window, a steaming mug of tea warming her hands. She watched the clouds roll over the skyline, a soft smile curving her lips.Behind her, Alex moved about the kitchen with the effortless grace that still managed to take her breath away. He wore dark slacks and a crisp, open-collared shirt, his hair still damp from the shower, a five o’clock shadow dusting his jaw.They had fallen into a rhythm, she realized — a sweet, unexpected domesticity that filled her chest with gratitude every morning.“You’re staring,” Alex teased without turning around.“Can you blame me?” she quipped back, cheeks flushing when he turned and caught her gaze.He smirked, crossing to her with slow, deliberate steps. He pressed a soft kiss to her temple, letting
Chapter 69 — "The Winds of Change"The sunlight filtered lazily through the tall windows of the penthouse, bathing the living room in a soft, golden glow. Clara stretched under the crisp sheets of their bed, a smile lingering on her lips as she reached over to find Alex’s side empty but still warm.A small folded note rested on his pillow. Her heart skipped at the simple intimacy of it.“Breakfast downstairs. I love you.”The words were rushed, his handwriting a little messy, but it made her chest bloom with warmth.Padding barefoot down the marble staircase, Clara found Alex in the kitchen, sleeves rolled up, flipping pancakes with surprising focus. He glanced up the moment he heard her steps, his face lighting up with a boyish grin that melted every last shard of doubt she had once harbored.“You're up,” he said, setting the spatula down and coming toward her. He brushed his knuckles against her cheek, then pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “Sleep well?”“With you by my side?” sh
Chapter 68: Deepening Bonds The evening stretched out in a comfortable silence as Clara sat on the balcony, her legs curled beneath her, watching the cityscape. The world below was alive with movement, but up here, on this quiet balcony, time seemed to slow. The sun had set hours ago, and the stars had started to emerge, scattered across the velvet sky like tiny diamonds. But her mind was far from the beauty of the city; it was consumed by thoughts of everything that had happened in the last few months.The challenges. The trust they had fought to build. The uncertainty that had clouded their relationship, and the gradual warmth that had taken over. For the first time in her life, Clara didn’t feel like she was just surviving. She felt like she was living. And living with Alex had become something she never expected.Her fingers traced the cool railing of the balcony, the metallic texture grounding her as she thought about how much she had changed since meeting Alex. She’d once belie
Chapter 67: "A Place to Call Home"Clara stirred beneath the soft weight of the duvet, the scent of bergamot and cedarwood clinging faintly to the sheets. She blinked against the gentle flood of sunlight trickling in through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Alex’s penthouse. For the first time in what felt like forever, her heart wasn’t clenched in anticipation of the next blow. Instead, there was warmth—real warmth. And Alex’s arm was wrapped around her waist.She turned slightly to find him already awake, his stormy eyes softened as they watched her. A half-smile played on his lips. “Good morning,” he murmured, voice low and still rough with sleep.“Morning,” she whispered back, her fingers curling into the hem of his shirt.There were no apologies, no heavy sighs—only the kind of stillness that felt earned. The kind that came after weathering one storm too many. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, letting his lips linger there as if making a silent vow. “You’re home now,” he
Chapter 66: "Plans and Promises"***** Morning ComfortClara stirred awake slowly, the golden morning light peeking through the sheer curtains of Alex’s penthouse bedroom. The soft hum of the city far below was muffled, cocooned by the height of the tower and the thick glass windows. For a moment, she didn’t move. She simply lay there, her cheek nestled against the warmth of the pillow, her eyes fixed on the man sleeping beside her.Alex Banks looked more like a boy than a CEO when he was asleep. The worry lines on his forehead had eased, his dark lashes resting against his cheek. His hand was draped across her waist protectively, as if even in sleep, he feared losing her. Clara’s heart squeezed at the sight. There was a peace in this moment she hadn’t felt in a long time.She gently brushed her fingers through his hair, dark strands slipping between her fingers like silk. He stirred, his hand tightening slightly around her.“You’re staring,” he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.“
Chapter 65 – “Golden Days”The sunlight poured through the windows in golden ribbons, bathing the apartment in a glow that made everything feel new—hopeful.Clara stirred beneath the sheets, the silk-smooth comforter sliding against her bare skin. She reached out instinctively, her hand brushing against warm muscle. Alex was still there. Still real.His breathing was slow, even. Peaceful.She turned slightly to face him, propping her head on one hand as she watched him sleep. There was something disarming about Alex Banks in rest—his expression unguarded, the faint shadows beneath his eyes softened by rest. He looked younger somehow. Softer. A man no longer carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.Clara leaned in and kissed his jaw, just below the slight stubble. He stirred, his lips quirking into a half-smile.“Good morning,” he murmured.“Good morning,” she whispered back, curling into his side.They stayed like that for a while—bodies tangled, hearts beating in rhythm, wo
Chapter 64 – “The First Steps Forward”The steady click of Clara’s keyboard filled the apartment, a soft rhythm against the background hum of life—distant traffic, the occasional chirp of birds outside the window, and the gentle whir of the espresso machine Alex had insisted on installing in the kitchen despite never using it properly.Clara sat curled on the couch, a throw blanket wrapped around her legs, laptop perched atop a pillow. The cursor blinked at the end of her paragraph, a quiet companion to the rush of ideas flowing from her mind to the screen.She hadn’t written like this in months—maybe years. The words came in fits and starts, unsure at first, then gradually more confident. The piece she was working on wasn’t much—a personal essay about healing, written with aching honesty—but it felt important. Necessary.It felt like hers.From the kitchen, Alex leaned against the doorframe, arms folded, watching her with a soft smile.“How’s the masterpiece coming along?” he asked,
Chapter 63 – “Building Again”The mornings had begun to feel different.Clara woke up to the rustle of sheets and the quiet hum of Alex brushing his teeth in the en suite bathroom. The scent of espresso drifted down the hall, and in the kitchen, the CEO of Banks Holdings had somehow developed a surprising talent: making breakfast.“Scrambled or sunny side up?” he called out, still shirtless in grey sweatpants.Clara padded into the kitchen, her bare feet silent against the tiled floor. “Whatever doesn’t burn.”He gave her a mock glare over his shoulder. “You wound me.”“I’ve seen your toast,” she replied with a smirk, coming up behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist.It was in these small moments—his hand instinctively finding hers, her head leaning against his back—that the healing took root. No grand declarations. No sweeping drama. Just comfort.They shared breakfast in silence, their knees brushing under the table. Her foot slid along his calf playfully, and he raised a
Chapter 62 – "The Calm Before"The mornings had shifted.Gone were the days Clara awoke to uncertainty or silence. Now, sunlight spilled over silk sheets, and Alex’s arms were often the first thing she felt—warm, solid, secure. They had found a rhythm. Unspoken, yes. Fragile, still. But real.Clara moved quietly through the penthouse kitchen, barefoot in one of Alex’s crisp button-downs, the hem skimming her thighs. She brewed coffee with practiced ease, the scent filling the open space like memory. The kind of domestic ease she never thought she’d find again. Not after Jeremy. Not after the chaos. But Alex was different now—gentler, more present.Behind her, she heard his footsteps before he even spoke. “You’re up early,” Alex murmured, voice still rough with sleep. He came up behind her, pressing a slow kiss to the side of her neck. “Trying to seduce me before the board meeting?”She laughed softly, leaning into him. “If I wanted to seduce you, I wouldn’t be wearing this much clothi