REIGN'S POV I jumped, dropping my book as I heard the door shut tightly downstairs. It was startling hearing such a loud noise in a house that was usually quiet. I sat up when I heard feet stomping and groaning. Ivan must be back from the banquet.It was really weird though. It was hard to tell whether Ivan was around or not because he never made noises going out or coming in. However, he was alerting everybody within a five-mile radius that he was back. I wondered if he was drunk again. I do not want to be in the presence of drunk Ivan ever again. He was brutal, unfeeling and had no bottom line.I plopped down on my head, ignoring all the ruckus he was making. I had no idea if it was on purpose or if he was too out of it to caution himself but I wanted no interaction with him. I picked up the book I was reading and drowned out all other noises. The book I was reading had the enemies to lovers trope and so far, it was really interesting. The male lead was just as mean as Ivan but th
IVAN’S POVTwenty five years ago.I laughed as I ran after the ball, excitement making my pace faster. I grinned when I was finally able to catch it. I turned back and waved at my mum. Her smile had me running back to her with my prize tucked under my arm.“ Mum, again. ” I grinned, wanting to continue the game of throw and catch where she would throw the ball while I run after it to catch it.“ Aren't you tired? ” She asked, caressing my sweat-dampened hair. Lately, mum looked more and more frail and I asked what was wrong with her but she just smiled and told me not to worry but I worry. I shook my head. “ No, it's the first time you have played with me in a while. ”“ But your dad will soon be back. You know he won't like to see you doing something so childish. ”The smile on my face disappeared at the mention of my father. I hated him. He was too strict and liked shouting at mum. He always told me to be a man and avoid childish things but I do not understand. I was a child, there
IVAN’S POV I sighed in bliss as I snuggled into my mum's embrace. I knew mum was still going to be there when I woke up. Mum would never leave me. She was just joking when she said she was going on a journey.Mum's embrace was as warm and loving as always. I mumbled as I wrapped my hands tighter around her. It was weird though. Mum was frail the last time I had seen her but now, Mum was fuller and bigger. Mum was healthy—My eyes shot wide open, the sunlight from the window, a startling brightness. I closed my eyes again, before opening them slowly, adjusting to the unwanted brightness.I sighed as I remembered the content of my dream. Could it even be called a dream when they are my memories? Something I had to live through.I placed my right arm over my eyes, the brightness annoying me. For some reason, I could not move my other arm. I glanced to my left and my soul almost left my body when I saw Reign's beautiful face.I would just ignore the adjective I unconsciously used to desc
REIGN'S POV A gasp escaped my lips before I could stop it. My hand came up to muffle it but it was too late. Ivan already noticed my outburst. He turned back to look at me, his eyes clouding in realization. I had seen the scars on his back and they were not just any kind. They were whip marks, cigarette burns and others that I could place where he got them from. Just as I imagined several times, he had tattoos on his back but they were not enough to cover the gruesomeness on his back.Who did that to him?Ivan’s whole demeanor was clouded in regret and I knew if he could wipe my memory, he would.Realizing my continuous presence was a time ticking bomb, I turned back to the door, in a hurry to leave his sight. He had not said anything but I knew venom was just at the tip of his tongue and I'd rather spare myself from any verbal abuse.“ Halt.” Ivan said, or rather commanded and I found myself stopping like a soldier listening to his superior’s instructions. “ Are you satisfied? ”
REIGN'S POV I had no idea when it started. Was it when I was 12 and was sick and a male teacher carried me and dropped me immediately with the excuse that I was too heavy? Or was it when the boy I was crushing on tried to lift me and could not even lift my arm, the embarrassment causing me to never show my face to him again? There were too much cases to remember so I had no idea which one exactly made me scared and terrified. Scared of being carried. The thought of being in the air and in my someone's arms made my head faint.Was it a phobia or just fear that was deeply rooted in me? You're too big to be carried.You're too big to be carried. Your weight can crush whoever is carrying you. Your nickname is matter, isn't it?It has always been what I heard and what I believed in solely. I would never let anyone lift me in their arms. Not even if I had it in control. I'd rather spare myself and the person the hassle“ No no, please. Put me down. ” I cried. I was too scared, too panicke
IVAN’S POV I sighed as I stared at the array of files on my desk. That's what I get for working from home frequently. I slipped my glasses on and immediately got sucked in my workspace. My mind was usually clear when I was working but this time, a certain redhead invaded my thoughts. I leaned back and sighed, remembering her extreme reaction to getting carried yesterday.I could not make sense of what happened exactly.Did I carry her roughly? No, I was sure I was gentle. Then what was the problem? I was extremely tempted to put her down when she started crying but she was too ill to walk by herself. When she suddenly swayed and I caught her, I panicked. It almost felt like she was dying. She looked pale and tired. I wondered why I did not notice her sickly appearance.Christian pushed the door open and stepped in, jolting me back to the present. I pulled off my glasses and leaned back in my seat.“ Here is the document for the land project with Davidson Corporation. ” Christian sa
REIGN'S POV I was out of the house as soon as the doctor checked on me. Just as I thought, it was not serious and there was no need for a doctor. The doctor who introduced himself as Charles, just checked my temperature then prescribed some drugs. Mel had invited me to her home and no sickness in the world would have made me miss it. All of our meetings had always been outside so I was really excited. It was everything I never got to experience as a kid, I was experiencing them now. Having a friend, visiting each other's house, sleepovers and so on were like a myth to me.Mel's family house was a freaking mansion. I did not have any words to describe it. My mouth dropped open as I stood in front of the huge door that would lead me inside.Was I even worthy of stepping into this epitome of opulence? What if I accidentally touched something I was not supposed to touch?“ Reign! You're here. ” Mel exclaimed as she stepped out of the door.“ Yes. ” I replied awkwardly, clutching the cro
REIGN'S POVI kicked the pebbles on the pathway absentmindedly as I walked home. After alighting from the bus, I did not feel the need to go home just yet so I opted for a walk instead. I had left Mel's home shortly after the incident with Matilda. Mel was distressed and I had no idea how to comfort her, I have never had siblings after all so I had no choice but to give her the space she needed.Matilda was horrible, that much was sure but a part of me felt like her animosity towards Mel goes beyond just Ivan choosing Mel over her. I sensed deep seated hatred in her, one that had been boiling for years.I looked around as I walked, enjoying watching other people. It was a favorite pastime for me to try and guess who they were and what their life entailed. But as I did so today, I felt melancholic.They probably all have something worthwhile going on for them, don't they?I loved spending time with Mel, I really did but watching her eyes spark when talking about something she loved ma
REIGN'S POV I was rotting away badly. It had only been three days but I could swear it felt like three years. There was nothing of importance to do. I was done with all of my hidden books and there was nothing of interest to watch either. I would have continued with my tour of my house, however it hurt to move too much. If I wanted it to heal as quickly as possible, I had to sacrifice unnecessary movements for now.I sighed and sat up in bed for the umpteenth time. That's what I had been doing, sit up, then lay down and the cycle continued. It was a crazy thing to want, but I would do anything to return back to work now. Even if Mr Cobbs insulted the shit out of me, I would accept it with a smile on my face. I had no one to spend time with. I usually felt lonely but never this lonely, probably because I had never tasted what companionship was back then but now that I had an idea what it meant to have a friend, to have someone who genuinely loved you for who you are, loneliness start
UNKNOWN’S POVI walked down the hallway, feeling a shiver rake through my body. I was not someone that got scared easily but this place unnerved me. It was eerie and could pass off as the perfect location for a horror movie. It didn't help that it was silent and completely empty. Usually I liked to stay away and just talk on the phone but this time, things had gotten out of hand and control. I needed to get answers.I stopped in front of the door and rasped my knuckle on it, giving myself as a prep talk while waiting for the confirmation to go in. It came a while later and I pushed the door open and walked inside. The office was shrouded in darkness, the only source of light it had was the small candle on his desk and the bit of sunlight that managed to peek through the heavy curtains. I might be paranoid but I could swear I could smell blood in the room whenever I came. It made me very uncomfortable but it looked like this man was basking in it instead. Was this what people meant by
REIGN'S POVI groaned as I slowly came through. That was the most uncomfortable sleep I have ever had. Everything seemed to hurt, most especially my bandaged ankle and foot. If I had known following Henry to the banquet would lead to all these, I would have respectfully declined. I sat up and rubbed my eyes, feeling extremely miserable. Even taking a step hurt and Doctor Charles kind of confined me to a bed rest. Imagine being confined to bed for over three weeks, can't be me.I dropped my legs over the side of the bed, wanting to freshen up, just as there was a knock on my door. There was no need to ask who it was as it was only two of us staying in the house. I limped to the door, trying not to wince at the pain I felt at the movement. I cursed Matilda in my head for the umpteenth time. I won't be responsible for how I behave the next time I see her.I pulled the door open and my eyes widened when I saw Ivan with a tray of food in his hands. I opened the door wider and let him come
REIGN'S POV Ivan was on his knees the proposal way, in his fine cut expensive suit and holding my leg in his hands. Did I fall asleep and woke up in a different universe? Or was I just hallucinating?I snatched my leg back and shifted more into the car. Ivan was insane but I wasn't going to go crazy along with him. “What are you doing?” Ivan, looking at me like I was crazy when he was actually the crazy one. “I need to check your ankle.”“My ankle is fine but you, on the other hand, are not.” I eyed him warily.“What are you even talking about? Did you hit your head when you fell?” He scoffed and tried to grab my foot but I retracted it. “Come on, what is wrong with you?”“Get up off your knees. Do you know how weird this looks?” I said, looking around. “What if someone sees you? How am I supposed to explain this?”“Why are you so concerned about what people have to say? You know I don't give a shit about that.” He sighed.“Well, I care. You have been acting weird all evening and gi
REIGN'S POV I was in shock, as was the rest of us. How could she do something like that in such a place? I looked down when everyone in the hall started to whisper and take pictures. This was the most embarrassing thing I have had to face in years. I wished I could just enter the ground or something.The crisp sound of someone's hand hitting someone's cheek had me looking up again. I gasped when I saw Matilda with her face whipped to the left and Mel in front of her. Did Mel just slap her sister…. because of me?“How dare you lay your filthy hands on her? Are you crazy?” Mel bellowed, her voice reverberating around the now silent hall. “Do you know why I have been tolerating your nonsense? Because I felt guilty, because I felt like I should have carried you along with me but with this…you've destroyed the last bit of sibling bond that we share. I never want to see you again. Get out of my sight.”Matilda screamed and rushed at Mel. “Did you just lay your hands on me because of a fat
REIGN'S POV “Mel…Mel…,” I tapped her repeatedly without lifting my eyes away from her sister. “Why is Matilda coming over here with that look on her face?”Everyone turned in the direction I was looking at and their faces changed. Ivan and Mel had knowing looks while Henry looked confused.“Oh God, no.” Mel muttered under her breath but we all heard. Finally, Matilda reached us and glared at everyone, including Henry. I wondered what her problem was. Fighting in this place wouldn't do any of their reputations any good.“You must have thought you won, huh?” Matilda glared at Melanie, hatred dripping from her voice. “You seduced him into getting back with you.”“Matilda, let's not do this here, okay? I know you are mad for some reason but just wait till we get to the comforts of our home. This is not the place.” Mel tried to pacify her.“Oh spare me the bullshit.” She hissed. “Do you think I give a fuck about that? I actually want to ruin your reputation. All of you.”“What exactly is
REIGN'S POV “Oh my God, it's really you.” I bent down to his height, smiling from ear to ear. It took every bit of self control in me not to swoop down and hug him. He might not be comfortable with that. I couldn't believe I got to see him again and so soon at that.My smile fell when there wasn't any speck of familiarity on his face. I heard little kids forget people quickly, I guessed that was true. I looked away, feeling my heart break. I thought we created a little special memory in that pastry shop.“I think I know you.” Roman said, placing his finger on his chin in thinking mode. I laughed, letting go of the sadness I felt. If he forgot, then we would just create new ones. “Wait, the pastry shop lady?”He remembered me. I almost jumped up to celebrate. “The pastry shop lady?” I laughed, “I guess you can call me that.”I gasped when he flew into my arms, hugging me tight. I laughed and squeezed him before releasing him. He was so freaking cute. I wanted to run away with him.“Th
REIGN'S POV I was nervous. I was literally fidgeting in my seat. We were the next in line in the fleet of cars arriving at the event. I was not prepared at all. What if I tripped and fell? What if someone stepped on my dress and it tore away from my body? What if—“I can imagine just how chaotic your thoughts must be right.” Henry said, reminding me that he was beside me. “You don't have to worry about a thing, Reign. I will be there beside you, holding your hand.”“I'm so sorry.” I said nervously. “I've just never had to face something like this.”“It's okay. I was even more nervous when I attended my first banquet. I was a stuttering mess.” He said, trying to lighten the mood. “Alright, it's our turn. Just follow my lead, okay?”I nodded and held my breath as he got out of the car. The crowd of reporters immediately went wild, snapping away and throwing questions. Henry was even more popular than I thought.My heart was in my throat when Henry opened my side of the door and offered
REIGN’S POV I rubbed my eyes sleepily as I trudged down the stairs. The house was empty as I walked into the kitchen. I decided to just close my eyes a bit and I ended up sleeping until dinner time. I opened the fridge and brought out a bottle of water. Ivan came in, just as I uncapped it. “Hey,” he said as he fixed his cufflinks.“Hey.” I said, drawing it out as I appraised him. “Why are you dressed like that? A special occasion?”“I wouldn't call it special. I had no choice. I'm attending with Mel, by the way. We are going public earlier than we expected.” He shrugged.My heart clenched. What the hell? “I see. I guess you will be the topic of discussion in the papers tomorrow.”“That's unavoidable.”“I wish I still had my job. This would have been so fun to write about.” I sighed dreamily.“Think about it in four months.” He smirked while I glared at him. “I'd be back late.”“Stay out all night, if you feel like it too. It's none of my business.” I shrugged and drank some water.I