REIGN'S POV I was stuck in a dilemma. Ivan’s shirt didn't fit. I mean it did, but half of my ass was out. Going out wearing this means giving a free show to Ivan. I sighed and put my short tights back on. I thought I could pull it off without it. I stopped in front of the mirror and twirled my body left and right to see if I looked weird. It actually didn't, I almost looked…..hot. I was surprised Ivan’s shirt actually fit me and was still not snug on my body, I guess all of those muscles took a lot of space. I took a deep breath, trying to ease the nervousness I felt at having to go out like this. I was covered appropriately but I was still showing some skin, like my thighs. It didn't help either that the shirt smelled exactly like him. It almost felt like he was the one wrapped around me instead. I wish I had something else to wear.“Beggars can't be choosers, Reign.” I mumbled to myself. A knock on the door startled me and it opened before I could even form a thought. My eyes wide
REIGN'S POV I squirmed as I hugged my pillow tighter. It was the most comfortable pillow I had ever slept on. It was hard and yet so soft. Would it be a crime if I took it with me when I leave?I groaned and opened my eyes slowly. When did I even fall asleep last night? My memory was failing me at the moment. I took a deep breath and started to sit up when I noticed what I was laying on.I was sleeping on Ivan. Ivan was underneath me.My arms slipped from holding me up and I fell back to his chest harshly, jolting him awake in the process. My eyes widened as it clashed with Ivan's sleepy ones. He didn't look shocked or alarmed. Unlike me, he looked like he had expected this situation.Despite the unexpected situation, I noticed something I had no business noticing. Ivan looked even hotter in the morning. Messy bed hair, drowsy eyes and redder lips, it should be a sin for someone to look that good in the morning. I probably looked like I just went through a zombie apocalypse.At that
IVAN’S POVI felt my whole body going cold, as if I was dipped in the ocean right in the middle of winter. Why do I always forget? Why do I always get so comfortable that I forget this man is waiting around? I closed the car door and walked slowly to where he was standing, where Reign was standing. Father was looking at her, sizing her up and maybe even thinking of gobbling her up. Reign.“Father.” I said, wanting to take his attention off her by all means but Father didn't take the bait. Reign started to squirm from the attention but she didn't step closer to me, she didn't hide behind me for protection.Father eventually spoke, his icy voice making a shiver tremble down my spine. “So this is it. The journalist.” “Father–” I didn't want him saying anything to her. He could do whatever he wanted with me but not her, not Reign.“What is it you're doing now?” He was asking Reign, putting a stop to my words. “Still cooking up fake news or….sleeping with the sources now?”“Father!” I e
REIGN'S POV I had not seen Ivan in three days. It was like he straight up disappeared. If I wasn't in his house, I would have thought I imagined all the drama that happened the whole month. I had no idea where he was and I hate to admit it but I was worried about him. What happened the last time I saw him was not exactly nice.Ivan’s father was horrible. His words really hurt me but Ivan was even more miserable than I was in his presence so I didn't take offense much. My chest always started to hurt whenever I remembered the look on Ivan’s face. I had seen him angry. I had seen him upset but I had never seen him look that way before, like life was sucked out of him, like the air itself was poisoned.I remembered the nightmare he had a while ago. He was screaming his father's name as well. I had no idea what but I knew that man had never done anything good to him.It was like the people close to me had awful family members. I hated it but it made a part of me glad I had no family. I w
REIGN'S POV “Are you sure this is a good idea?” I bit my lips, looking around the restaurant. “I'm not sure anymore. I feel like we would regret it.”“Please, Reign. Do this for me, just this once.” Mel pleaded, grabbing my hands.“I don't know.” I muttered, looking away. What if it doesn't go as planned?This whole thing started after I expressed my shock at seeing Henry's name on the file loudly. Mel came to know that I had met him before and he was rather friendly to me when we met. Somehow I ended up here in the restaurant where they were supposed to be meeting. How Mel managed to convince me to do this was beyond me.I would be taking Mel's place at her dinner date with Henry. It was risky and I was sure shit was going to hit the roof when her dad found out. However, I couldn't let Mel attend herself when she was so miserable. She liked someone else, maybe even loved him but I was alone with no one in sight. Henry was also nice to me the last time I met him so it shouldn't be a
REIGN'S POV “Would you choose not to have arms or legs?” I burst out laughing at the absurd question. Henry was really the most unhinged person ever and he was really random too. I couldn't stop cracking up at his jokes.I thought for a while, “I'd say arms.”“Why?”“I mean I think it would be shitty having to get carried around if I don't have legs..” I shrugged, twirling the wine in my glass. I had not taken more than two sips of it, I knew my limit now. Getting drunk in front of Ivan was okay but I was not comfortable enough to do so in front of Henry. “But you would still have to be helped lifting things if you have no arms.” He said.“You can't change my mind, having no legs is way worse.” I shook my head.“And you still haven't told me anything about yourself.” He changed the topic.I bit my lips and sighed. I had avoided it for so long but he doesn't give up easily. “I'm not really sure what to tell you or what you even want to hear. The good things or my sob stories?”“Ever
CHRISTIAN’S POVEveryone was miserable. Everyone was going through lots of shit and I was in the middle of them all. Ivan was not listening to me. Reign wanted to know things I couldn't tell. Jessica was demanding all the attention she could get and Melanie…Let's not go there, Christian.That was a forbidden topic I would not never bring up. It was a secret I would take with me to the grave. No one would ever find out.The intercom system buzzing on my desk reminded me of where I was. It was the weekend but I was in the office because Ivan was in self destruction mode. It had been days but he was still like this, working non-stop.I sighed and Ivan's voice blew over. “Bring me the Pinnacle Point file right now.”Why did I have to suffer alongside him? I sighed again and searched for the document amongst the pile on the document shelf. I glared at the document, imagining it was Ivan before trudging to his office. I knocked and slipped in, shaking my head at the sight of Ivan's head be
MELANIE’S POV I couldn't remember the last time I was truly happy. It was so long ago that I barely have any memory of it. Was it when I was five years old and my mum bought me a chocolate cake, which was my favorite or was it when she praised my first drawing and called it the best she had ever seen even though it was ugly and obviously done by a toddler? After that, nothing could fill up my heart the way those moments did. I loved Reign and she gladdened my heart, however my heart had been scarred for years and would take a long time of love and pampering to heal. My newly developing career didn't make me overly happy as well, after all I was doing it without the support of all the people I loved.I was fourteen when mum died and everybody and everything changed after her death. I stopped drawing, hated the sight of chocolate cake, and forgot the feeling of happiness. Matilda became closed off, she never confided in anybody and that was when her rivalry with me started, my sister
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
IVAN’S POVI was confused. I always had a reason for every action I take. I don't do things simply because I thought it was right or necessary. So what was I doing now? Why was I keeping Reign in my house when I should just let her go? She was right. I didn't need her help in getting Mel to marry me. So why was I keeping her in my house? Was the sick part of me still not satisfied with how much I have made her suffer?I needed to stay away from her, that much was clear. Father thought I cared about her and that fact alone already put her in danger so what was I doing still keeping her close? I should have let her go, for her safety at least.That was why I didn't go home for days. I wanted my father to know I didn't care about her. I really didn't. I wouldn't be able to get back up if another person got hurt because Father thought they made me weak. I remembered when Reign asked me what I would do if I wasn't so afraid. It scared me how she almost got me to spill. What would I do if I
REIGN'S POV I hummed lightly as I placed the popcorn inside the microwave. I was going to have a stress filled day and not bother about anything. I was finally going to use the television like I said I would. I wondered if it had ever been put on. Does Ivan even remember that he had a television?I opened the microwave when it chimed and smiled at the sight of the popcorn. I transferred it into a bowl and skipped out of the kitchen excitedly. Today, I was not going to think of anything. I was going to live like a true jobless woman.If Ivan thought I was going to be running helter skelter trying to get Mel to marry him, then he had something else coming for him. Just like Mel decided to get back with him out of the blue, she would decide herself too whether to marry him or not.I paused as I remembered something. Mel liked someone else, that much was sure. So why did she get back with Ivan? Was it to spite the person or was she just using Ivan as a rebound? My stomach twisted lightly
REIGN'S POV I laughed. I laughed so hard that I doubled over. Was this attempt at trying to break the iceberg? If so, then he was going about it the wrong way.“That was funny.” I said, wiping the non-existent tears from my eyes. “Now that the joke is over, can I leave?”He twirled the whiskey in his cup lightly while smirking, “I'm not joking with you, Reign.”“That's another joke.” I chuckled. “You can't definitely mean that.”“The content of the contract would be modified. Don't worry about having to sign again, I'd work it out.” He said.“You think that's what I'm worried about?” I scoffed. “Do you know how ridiculous your request is?”“It wasn't a request.” He stood up and walked towards me. “It's more or less…a duty you have no choice but to fulfill. Do you think Mel accepted to get back with me because of your efforts?”“It doesn't matter if it was due to my efforts or not. What matters is she got back with you and that was what you asked of me.” I spat out. “I want to leave r
REIGN'S POV I had never been more shocked in my life. Not when I found out my best friend went ahead to date someone I liked. Not when I found out my mother was dead. This one was one that I never saw coming. I had already told myself I had failed and was even prepared to take whatever punishment was given. So what was this new update?“If I heard you right..” I started, picking my words slowly. “The both of you are back together and getting married again?”“Mmm….yes and no. Yes, we are back together and no, we are not getting married, at least not for now. I think the mistake we made the first time was just getting engaged and rushing into marriage. We didn't spend time together or get to know each other at all. This time, we will do it differently. We are going to take our time then eventually get married.” Melanie explained, glancing at Ivan who also nodded.“This is..this is amazing.” I said, still reeling from shock. I should be jumping for joy. I should be glad that I can final
REIGN'S POV I had never been more shocked in my life. Not when I found out my best friend went ahead to date someone I liked. Not when I found out my mother was dead. This one was one that I never saw coming. I had already told myself I had failed and was even prepared to take whatever punishment was given. So what was this new update?“If I heard you right..” I started, picking my words slowly. “The both of you are back together and getting married again?”“Mmm….yes and no. Yes, we are back together and no, we are not getting married, at least not for now. I think the mistake we made the first time was just getting engaged and rushing into marriage. We didn't spend time together or get to know each other at all. This time, we will do it differently. We are going to take our time then eventually get married.” Melanie explained, glancing at Ivan who also nodded.“This is..this is amazing.” I said, still reeling from shock. I should be jumping for joy. I should be glad that I can final
REIGN’S POVI hummed as I browsed through the cakes in the glass case. Today was Melanie's opening day and I wanted to surprise her. Though I was currently limited on funds, I could still afford this. Who knew choosing a cake could be so hard? I wasn't even so indecisive when choosing what life career path to take.“I wish I could just buy everything.” I groaned.“Me too.” A tiny voice said beside me. I glanced down to see a chubby boy staring at the glass case like I was. Actually, he looked even more enraptured than I was. I chuckled at his expression, then I remembered that one time Ivan said I was looking at him like how a kid looked at cake. I studied the drooling boy and scowled.Was that really what I looked like staring at him? Why was I even thinking of an asshole who has refused to show his face to me for over a week? The one month deadline he gave to me was ending in three days. Perhaps he would show up then to demand his dues from me then.I should be nervous. In the end
MELANIE’S POV I couldn't remember the last time I was truly happy. It was so long ago that I barely have any memory of it. Was it when I was five years old and my mum bought me a chocolate cake, which was my favorite or was it when she praised my first drawing and called it the best she had ever seen even though it was ugly and obviously done by a toddler? After that, nothing could fill up my heart the way those moments did. I loved Reign and she gladdened my heart, however my heart had been scarred for years and would take a long time of love and pampering to heal. My newly developing career didn't make me overly happy as well, after all I was doing it without the support of all the people I loved.I was fourteen when mum died and everybody and everything changed after her death. I stopped drawing, hated the sight of chocolate cake, and forgot the feeling of happiness. Matilda became closed off, she never confided in anybody and that was when her rivalry with me started, my sister
CHRISTIAN’S POVEveryone was miserable. Everyone was going through lots of shit and I was in the middle of them all. Ivan was not listening to me. Reign wanted to know things I couldn't tell. Jessica was demanding all the attention she could get and Melanie…Let's not go there, Christian.That was a forbidden topic I would not never bring up. It was a secret I would take with me to the grave. No one would ever find out.The intercom system buzzing on my desk reminded me of where I was. It was the weekend but I was in the office because Ivan was in self destruction mode. It had been days but he was still like this, working non-stop.I sighed and Ivan's voice blew over. “Bring me the Pinnacle Point file right now.”Why did I have to suffer alongside him? I sighed again and searched for the document amongst the pile on the document shelf. I glared at the document, imagining it was Ivan before trudging to his office. I knocked and slipped in, shaking my head at the sight of Ivan's head be