Chapter NineA mix of kisses and goosebumps /-Isla-/“You asked to see me, Mom,” I said, sitting by her bedside. I tried not to look her in the eyes because I was certain she would see through me. I was already fighting hard to keep the tears stinging my eyes at bay. If anyone interrogated me, I might as well burst into tears. “Yes, I did,” she said weakly. “I wanted us to discuss your father's company which is currently under your uncle's control. I spoke to him…” she paused suddenly, letting out a violent cough. “Are you okay, mom?” I asked, scrambling off the bed to grab a bottle of water for her. I picked one out from the fridge and uncapped it quickly. I poured it quickly into the glass and handed it to her. She emptied the glass and relief washed through me when I saw that she was okay. “Are you okay, Isla?’ she asked me. “Your eyes…”“I should be the one asking if you're okay, Mom. We were talking about the company and you said…” I tried to change the subject but she cut
Chapter Ten A little trick /-Isla-/I panicked immediately I realised what I had done. I opened my mouth to apologise but nothing came out. I was gaping like a fish. Those blue eyes looked like they had been stabbed over and over in the chest. To make it worse, my mouth wasn't cooperating. Instead, my hands were clasped together in silent plea. “I should start packing,” he stood up and walked to his wardrobe without sparing me a second glance. What is wrong with me?!“Carlos…” I finally managed to speak. “I'm sorry, please… I didn't mean to react like that . I just…” I couldn't find the right words to say. “You just what?” He faced me, allowing the wardrobe slam close behind him. “Go ahead and explain, I'm waiting!” “I'm sorry…” I apologised, feeling the tears stung in my eyes. “I don't know why…”“Well I do!” He said coldly. “You are still hung over that Roman guy. Whatever he did to you has you wrapped around his fucking finger that you can think of anything else or being wi
Chapter ElevenA punishment for a prize/-Isla-/“I don't understand. What the hell is going on here and why have you been here all day, Elsie?” I asked, barely able to keep my anger at bay. “I was searching everywhere for you!”Elsie let out a sigh as she got up from her seat. “Let's talk outside, Isla. Please?” “No, we are going to talk right here! In front of him! He told me you were being tortured for disrespecting him and he would double your punishment every second Carlos stays here,” I yelled. Her eyes widened in shock and she stared accusingly at Roman.“All I had to do was win, you didn't say it had to be the right way,’’ he shrugged. I wanted to rip my head out in confusion. They were both confusing me! “Isla, I came here to have a word with Roman, as you know. I told him to leave you alone that you had a boyfriend who would kill for you and he said if he actually wanted you to send Carlos away within the next few hours, you would. Of course I didn't believe him so I told
Chapter TwelveMondays Always Suck/-Isla-/“Ouch! That hurts,” Elsie cried. “It should,” I huffed. “Maybe next time, you wouldn't be so eager to jump into a deal with the devil. What the hell were you even thinking?” She buried her face in the pillow, sobbing quietly. I felt a little guilty for scolding her in her condition. “That heartless bastard,” I cursed under my breath. “I can't believe that he actually whipped you all night!”“I… you can't blame him. We had a deal and he was very clear about the consequences. I was the one who got overconfident and agreed to it,” Elise said quietly. Guilt clawed my chest. If I wasn't so gullible, she might have won and Roman would be out of her life for good. “My mother wants me to work with him,” I said. “Imagine sitting across him every day for the next what… three years of my life?”“Why do you assume you would be sitting next to him?” Elsie's tone held a little amusement and I wasn't tempted to poke her wounds for mocking me.I droppe
Chapter Thirteen A for Arrogance /-Isla-/“You're joking right?” I chuckled. “You almost got me…”“Do I look like I have the time to play games with you?” He cut in icily and my laughter seized. He was nothing like the Roman I knew at home. This man before me was a cold domineering boss, stern enough to fire anyone he didn't feel the need to keep. “You can't fire me. This is my father's company!” I defiantly stated.“The company policy doesn't exempt you from the dresscode. You can walk in here dressed like a slut and expect me to hand you an appointment letter simply because it is listed in your inheritance,” he said, picking up the phone. “What are you doing?” I asked. “What do you think? I'm calling the security to throw you out,” he shrugged and my eyes widened. “You can't do that!” I half-yelled, annoyance seeping through my veins. “What is wrong with you people?!”He paused dialing the numbers, staring at me as I threw my purse in frustration. “I wore a decent pantsuit t
Chapter Fourteen A little fickle of jealousy /-Isla-/“How was your first day at work?” My mother asked. She was in bed now with a doctor examining her. “Exceedingly infuriating,” I huffed. “I told you mother, I can't work with that man. Can you believe he fired me on my first day at work!” Elsie laughed and I shot her a glare. She was supposed to be pouring my mother a drink, not reveling in my suffering. “What were you expecting when you wore that?” Elsie retorted. “I know the Luna complained about your first outfit but you didn't have to go and mke it worse.”“Perhaps,” I muttered. “But that is no excuse for him to treat me the way he did!” “Isla,” my mother called and I looked at her. “You need to stop fighting your uncle. You will never be able to survive at this rate.”“Did you hear the part where I said he took me in as an intern, not a regular employee!” I groaned. “I tried my best to tolerate him mother but he just keeps pushing me to the edge. He is a bully!” She snor
Chapter Fifteen A distress call/-Isla-/“The chicken has too much spice in it,” Manda dropped her fifth complaint. “Could have reduced the quantity of spices a little bit. It could cause serious stomach problems.” The food in my mouth suddenly tasted like ashes. Everyone else, including Roman complimented the dish on their first spoonful but all Manda has done since she started eating was complain about one thing or the other. Nothing was good enough for her. I was trying my best to stay calm, even when Arla was practically growling inside me. Elsie was constantly rubbing my lap to keep me calm but Manda wouldn't just stop. She was pushing every single button, baiting me to disrespect her before everyone. “You know, now that the soup is a little cold, it tastes even more…”“If you're not hungry, you could just leave the table,” My mother finally came to the rescue. “My ears are bleeding from all your complains.” “Mother,” Manda pouted with her fake innocence. “I do want to eat,
Chapter Sixteen Mine alone /-Manda-/“Roman please…” I whined, trying to miss him but he peeled my hands away from him as though I disgusted him. I didn't understand it. Outside, he acted like the lovely caring husband, he let me kiss him, but him, wrap my arms around him but inside, he treated me like I was garbage who didn't deserve to share the same space with him.I made another attempt to touch him and he shot me a disgusted look. “Get your filthy hands off me,” his icy tone made me flinch. “Why… why do you keep doing this to me?” I cried. “Am I not good enough for you? It is bad enough that this is an open marriage but can't I atleast kiss you away from the prying eyes of people?”There was no form of emotion in those seafoam eyes as he looked at me. It felt.like everything I said didn't make any sense to him. “I had an agreement, Manda. I made this an open marriage so you wouldn't bother me about things like this. The only thing I can offer you is the Luna position and re
Chapter Twenty Three A second chance /-Isla-/It was pointless, yet I don't even know why I try.After he gave me that answer, he coldly dismissed me. Asking me to get back to work like none of it ever happened. It hurt. A lot more than I wanted to admit but there was nothing I could do. No form of reverse psychology would ever make him change his mind. I was stuck with him whether I liked it or not. I was too exhausted to try to searched for Garry after work, to apologise for what happened earlier. I guess that would have to wait until tomorrow. I just wanted to go home now and sleep it off. Thankfully, Mrs Lang didn't hoard me with work to do at home so I walked out of the building the same way I came. The driver was already waiting for me.“Greetings, your highness,” he bowed Andi nodded in acknowledgement. I entered the car and let my body fall against the leather seat. My phone rang at that moment and I wanted to ignore it but something just told me to check. I picked it
Chapter twenty two What We Feel/-Isla-/“Can I at least tell him I'm leaving?” I asked Roman. “No,” he said plainly. “But it will be rude to…”“He was employed to work not to go on dates. You don't owe him anything,” Roman said plainly. “For moon's sake, it is just lunch! Not a date!” I groaned. “I am just trying to show some courtesy.”He didn't argue with me any further. He simply grabbed my hand and pulled me along with him back to the office. I could feel the dozens of eyes on us and I just wanted to disappear. Why was this man bent in making my life difficult? Wasn't it hard enough already? He didn't stop until we were both in his private elevator. “What are you doing, Roman?” I demanded. “Did you see the way everyone was staring at us?” “So fucking what?” He suddenly advanced towards me and I moved backwards. The predatory look in his eyes made my legs feel like jelly. “Why…why are you coming so close to me?” I stuttered out as I backed away from him. “Don't… don't com
Chapter Twenty-OneA new friend/-Isla-/Lunch break came sooner than expected and even then, I was happy to go. Ksit a few hours here and it already felt like I was working for an eternity. “You can take a break now,” Mrs Lang told me. “Get yourself something to eat.” I didn't even try to play the perfect employee and stay back like she did to finish my work. I was off my seat and grabbing my purse. I could feel her judgement gaze on me even though she was the one who I should go for my break. I walked out of the room, relieved to be out of her sight and headed downstairs. As I stepped out of the elevator, I met someone. A blond with soft blue eyes just outside the elevator. “Hello,” he smiled at me. “Hello,” I responded politely. “You're new here, right?” He asked and I nodded. “I'm Garry, you?” I couldn't help wondering if he didn't actually know who I was. I mean everyone knew members of the royal bloodline right?“Isla,” I responded, taking his hand. “There's a restaura
Chapter Twenty Not So subtle/-Isla-/“You can't just do this,” I blurted. “It wasn't my fault!” “Whose fault is it then?” Mrs Lang asked. “Mine?” “Some lady walked in here and just poured your coffee all the documents. I didn't do anything to her. Goddess knows that i don't even know her name!” I said. She didn't look even a tad hit convinced. “Your little amateur lies will not save you from this. Stop wasting your breath and leave. I warned you about this before hand, didn't I?” She reminded me. “I don't give second chances so don't bother begging.” A tear rolled down my cheeks. I was frustrated and didn't bother explaining myself further. I just packed up and walkd out of the office. I wiped my tears furiously as I walked down the hall. Less than two hours I arrived here and I was already leaving permanently. I bumped hard into someone and staggered back. Before I could fall, a strong pair of arms wrapped around my waist. “Isla,” that familiar baritone drew my attention to
Chapter Nineteen Frustration isn't cute /-Isla-/I woke up later than I expected. I was exhausted out of my mind but I needed to go to work. It was my first day and I couldn't afford to make a bad impression on my first day. I didn't even know what kind of person Mrs Lang would be. It was 8:30 when I arrived at the company. I was dressed in the pantsuit I wanted to wear yesterday. Thankfully, my injuries were already gone and I couldn't feel the pain anymore. Arla healed up in my sleep. I headed to the second floor where Mrs Lang's office was located, clutching tightly to my internship letter.I was supposed to be an employee but of course, Roman just had to prove himself. I let out a sigh and knocked twice. “Come in,” came an immediate response, and I entered. Mrs. Lang sat behind a massive, sleek black desk, her sharp eyes assessing me the moment I stepped through the door. She didn’t smile. No, that would have been too much. Instead, her expression was hard, her posture str
Chapter Eighteen Call on me/-Isla-/One minute I was almost certain that he'd lost control and the next, he moved away from me like I was hot iron. “I'm sorry,” he apologized. “I shouldn't come off on you like that.” I was gobsmacked. Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined that Roman would apologize to me. Yet his dstance gave my brain the much needed space to process everything. “I'll get you something to wear. Don't move,” he said and walked away.I couldn't even if I wanted to. This man clearly had no idea about the depth of the effect he had on me. As I stared at his retreating figure, I couldn't help but wonder how a man who had been so dismissive of me in the past was now so… seductive and possessive. Was it because of the matebond? I certainly hoped not. I wouldn't be able to survive any more of this torture. I waited there for him, seizing the opportunity to regain my composure and allow my body to return to normal. In less than ten minutes, he was back in a dress
Chapter Seventeen A very rough night /-Isla-/I didn't have the time to fully process what she said because the wolf on top of us was gradually overpowering us.There was no escape route either because we were enclosed in a circle of spectating wolves. Just when I thought it was over for us, something flashed through the circle and knocked him off me. “Mate!” Arla leapt in joy. “He came!” Arla sat up despite the pain, and together, we watched the huge grey wolf crush the other's neck in a matter of seconds.It tossed the corpse aside, and the rest of the wolves tried backing away, but they weren't so lucky. The speed and accuracy at which the Alpha wolf used to sink his canines into their necks was almost unimaginable. He dropped the last limp body, and that was when Arla's pain and weakness suddenly descended on me. Like it had been on hold because of the fight. I shifted back to human form and the injuries I saw on my skin were all unbelievable. Arla was too weak to heal me n
Chapter Sixteen Mine alone /-Manda-/“Roman please…” I whined, trying to miss him but he peeled my hands away from him as though I disgusted him. I didn't understand it. Outside, he acted like the lovely caring husband, he let me kiss him, but him, wrap my arms around him but inside, he treated me like I was garbage who didn't deserve to share the same space with him.I made another attempt to touch him and he shot me a disgusted look. “Get your filthy hands off me,” his icy tone made me flinch. “Why… why do you keep doing this to me?” I cried. “Am I not good enough for you? It is bad enough that this is an open marriage but can't I atleast kiss you away from the prying eyes of people?”There was no form of emotion in those seafoam eyes as he looked at me. It felt.like everything I said didn't make any sense to him. “I had an agreement, Manda. I made this an open marriage so you wouldn't bother me about things like this. The only thing I can offer you is the Luna position and re
Chapter Fifteen A distress call/-Isla-/“The chicken has too much spice in it,” Manda dropped her fifth complaint. “Could have reduced the quantity of spices a little bit. It could cause serious stomach problems.” The food in my mouth suddenly tasted like ashes. Everyone else, including Roman complimented the dish on their first spoonful but all Manda has done since she started eating was complain about one thing or the other. Nothing was good enough for her. I was trying my best to stay calm, even when Arla was practically growling inside me. Elsie was constantly rubbing my lap to keep me calm but Manda wouldn't just stop. She was pushing every single button, baiting me to disrespect her before everyone. “You know, now that the soup is a little cold, it tastes even more…”“If you're not hungry, you could just leave the table,” My mother finally came to the rescue. “My ears are bleeding from all your complains.” “Mother,” Manda pouted with her fake innocence. “I do want to eat,