LOGINAce's POV
“Daughter of the popular business tycoon, Brittany Anderson, leaves groom hanging at the altar.” My secretary read out a headline from the tablet and glanced at me. “What does that say?” “Here it goes.” “She seemed so brave to have broken ties with the handsome CEO, Ace Miller. This is to show that the beautiful lady, Brittany Anderson, can do anything at all. She has proven.......” “Just get down to the comments.” I chipped in before she could finish. I was beginning to get bored and not ready to hear any damn story. “Alright. A comment says, 'She didn't prove any bravery, instead showed us how stupid she was.' This was from a guy and he got numerous people who agreed with him.” “Another one says, 'Why do the bad women always get hold of the good men? This could have been me, then I wouldn't be so ungrateful like her.' This is from a lady.” She continued to say with a smile on her face. She grinned from ear to ear as she scrolled on the tablet, chuckling out at some points. “Is that all?” I inquired when she didn't say anything else. “I was just checking these comments out and trust me, ninety percent are on your side. Many are criticizing her, while some even wish they were your bride instead.” I scoffed and rested back on my chair. I didn't know if I should be happy at the comments right now or bust out in anger instead because none of the comments were helping. For a fact, I had every right to be angry at her for what she did to my family and me. She almost ruined my reputation with just that one move she took at the altar. Even if we were never in good terms with each other, she shouldn't have still gotten the guts to do that. Just because of what she did, my father has been so angry towards everyone in the house, especially me. He believed I was the reason she made that decision. According to him, if I had been so good to her from the start, then she wouldn't have had a reason to break up with me at the altar. He blamed me for it all and wanted me to do something about it immediately. But unfortunately for him, I was doing nothing and that's because Ace Miller will never beg a lady, instead they come to me and pleaded to be under me. Her case was not any different. I would make sure she comes to beg me, then I end things myself. That was the only way to pacify the burning rage inside me. “Oh my gosh!” My secretary suddenly exclaimed and I glanced at her. “What is it?” I asked icily. “You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Brittany was interviewed this morning in her car, and what she said earned lots of support from people.” She grimaced and pursed her lips. What the..... “You've got to see this.” She added quickly and placed the tablet in front of me. I let out a scoff, listening to her speech and watching how she smiled at the camera at intervals. Doesn't she feel guilty for tainting her family's reputation? I scrolled past the video to the comment section and the reactions were something else. Even when the video was brief, the engagements were surprising. I can't believe this. Just when I thought people were solidly behind me? Then I got this. “Come on, you shouldn't think about it just yet. You still have people behind you.” My secretary intruded my thoughts. Was it so obvious that I was thinking? “For example, I am here.” She suddenly added. I glanced up at her, and she was smiling at me. “I am always here to help you with all the problems, including the ones you feel inside.” She was winking and biting her lower lip. My head lowered with a sigh. She should just stop. We're in the office for crying out loud. A hand rubbed the back of my head, at the same time, drawing invisible circles on my neck. She was now standing by my side. I closed my eyes and lowered my head once again. “I will always be.” She took her hand to my suit jacket as she began to unbutton my suit jacket. No, Ace, you can't do this, not here. What if dad barged in on you? Adding to his blazing rage towards me, then I'd be totally done for. I pushed her off from me immediately and fixed back my buttons. “Not here, Melissa.” I grumbled out. “Then where should it be?” She swiveled my chair to face her. “Not now either.” My face was looking stern as I spoke. “What do you mean not now? Look, I want you right now and here.” She attempted to unbutton my jacket, but I was quick to stop her, pushing her hands off me once again. I wasn't going to let this daughter of eve get to me. “What now?” “I don't do fucks with my office staff, I believe you should know that by now.” That was totally not true though, when I find you alluring, then we're good to go. “But, you could make me an exception, just like the other night.” The last part came in a whisper, and it almost made me forget my promise to dad. “That night was just a mistake because I was drunk.” “A night that you and I enjoyed.” She corrected immediately. Melissa and I used to be fuck buddies occasionally until when father realized it, and I was almost forced to step down as the CEO. Ever since, I always tried to avoid the workers sexually until Melissa seduced me at a club one night, but I absolutely didn't regret it that night. I don't reject sex, especially when it was offered on a platter of gold, but right now, I had a promise to keep. Next time, I wouldn't spare her. “We could try that again. You just let me have my way, then I'll ride you to heaven.” “Stop it, Melissa. You should leave.” Some noises outside diverted my attention away from her. “Check what the noise is about.” I glanced at the window and rested back on my seat. She rolled her eyes before walking to the window. “The reporters are downstairs.” She announced and I glanced at her. “Are they inside already?” “No, they are outside the gate because I asked the security not to let them in.” “Alright, still make sure they don't come in no matter what.” I had nothing to say to them and until I figure out a perfect story that wouldn't make me look like a fool, I would try not to see them. The telephone rang from my desk and I heaved a sigh. “What is it?” I said immediately I picked it up. “Sir, there is someone looking for you.” My receptionist replied. “Who?” “It's a lady you know, sir.” A she? Who the fuck was here to see me? “What did she say her name was?” “Sir, she has forbidden me to say, but she is a business partner of the company.” A business partner? “Do we have a business meeting today?” I asked Melissa and she raised a brow. “No, except for the one we have with the board of directors, and that is to take place in two hours time.” She replied, walking to my desk as she picked up her tablet. “Yes, that's all.” She added after probably confirming it on her tablet. “Let her in.” I said over to the telephone and dumped it back to its place. “What meeting are you having?” Melissa asked. “I don't know.” I was still uncertain on whom it was, even if my mind was trying to go to someone right now, but why would she try to see me when obviously she didn't want to see my face? Shortly after, we heard a knock and the door open. I peeked up, only for my eyes to widen at the person in front of me. What was she doing here? “May I come in?” She was still standing at the door, and when she saw that I didn't say anything, she walked in and made herself comfortable on a seat. “I will take my leave now, sir.” Melissa walked out of the office. I was so speechless to find her in my company. Was she here to finish what she started? A quiet sigh left my lips and I rested back on my seat, trying to look unaffected by her unexpected visit. “Mr Miller, I know you must be wondering why I am here..........” She paused and tapped continually on my desk. Mr. Miller? Was she kidding? “Well, it's simple….” She trailed off and halted the tapping on my desk. “I want to apologize for the way I left you hanging at the altar. Trust me, it was never intentional.” “Why are you saying this?” I asked, even before she could say anything else. This was so unlike her, so what could be the reason? “Why? Can't I apologize?” She asked back and I scoffed. “Well, the Brittany I've known would never apologize.” I blurted out. There was no point in sugar coating things. “Then you're wrong because I do apologize when I'm wrong.” She muttered something else which I wished I heard but didn't. “Well, it seems like a different thing here.” I shrugged out and she rolled her eyes. “Anyway, back to why I'm here.....” She let out a feigned smile. “I have a proposal for you, and it is something that would interest you quite much.” She brought out some files from her bag and tossed it on my desk. “And how do you know what might interest me?” I scoffed out, glancing at the files on my desk. “Well, as a business lady, I am so much aware of the offers that are competent in the business world and I believe you're smart enough to know that also.” I peeked at her then at the files before opening it. Immediately, I checked the file, my eyes almost popped in shock. It was a fvcking contract! I raised my gaze instantly and she had one of the most unbelievable look on earth. “Let's get married again.” She stated, increasing my shock.~~ Brittany's POV ~~So many seconds passed that I lost count of how long we sat in that car, completely wordless. But it was at least better than earlier when his gaze was still piercing into mine with unsaid emotions. A look that made the hollow of my chest tighten. Ace wasn't the best person on Earth, at the same time he wasn't the worst. At that point, every wall around me cracked. Every decision I made up to this day has come back to haunt me. Every detail unjustified. My judgement could have been wrong.I had just dropped a bombshell and he didn't question me. He didn't let me know what he felt. Just this desperate feeling inside my heart that yearned for a reaction. At least a reaction that proved I was wrong. As he placed his head on the wheel, drawing more tension around us, I wondered what kind of thoughts ran through his head at the moment. Then came the moment I dreaded. The moment he lifted his head and pushed the door open, leaving me all alone in the car. I watche
~~ Brittany's POV ~~'The emergency ward.'Those were the only words I could remember from the next text I received as I ran out of the company literally.I didn't know how I got out but I also remembered Ace running after me. His voice constantly calling out to me to slow down. He offered to ride me in his car after I had managed to tell him my auntie got involved in an accident.And whatever made me enter his car, it was because I could barely control the emotions that suddenly washed through me.As I jumped out of the car, straight into the hospital building, locating my auntie became my priority. Not bothered about the frantic steps of someone else behind me. Or the constant calls of my name as I made a turn in the hallway."Auntie," I called, hastening my steps towards her. "What happened to you? Who did this?" My eyes widened as they ran over the bandage around her arm."It was an accident.""An accident? How come? Where?" Panic filled my voice as I asked. "What about Emma?""Em
~~ Brittany's POV ~~"Help me get my children back."I stood in front of the mirror reminiscing over the words that had kept me thinking since yesterday morning."If you had loved your children dearly as you claimed, then why did you have to make them believe the wrong thing for so many years? Their father could have..."I hadn't finished when she chipped in, "He is the real monster."For the very first time, the pain in her voice became mixed with anger that crept slowly into her eyes. And that became the end of the conversation.I didn't want to press further. So, I concluded that she was just a mother of two children filled with regrets and a will to amend her mistake.However, I failed to understand something. Why did she refer to Ace's father as the real monster? What transpired in the family many years ago that had cost the mental health of their children?The fury that burned in her eyes made it clear that whatever happened in the past didn't just happen at nature's will. Hence
~~ Brittany's POV ~~Silence dragged between us for what seemed like forever. As I didn't question him further, I thought he wasn't ready to reveal anything else. Or maybe he was too drunk to finish what he started.Just when I was about to give up on hearing anything else from him, he groaned, dragging himself to sit up, but he ended up leaning on his side instead."Brittany." He began. "I've messed up again." He picked his words slower than usual, almost inaudible."My mother abandoned me when I needed her the most along with my sister who was still a newborn baby. Until now, I thought I had forgotten all about the misery I went through as a young boy. But no. Seeing her again after so many years has brought me close to losing my mind." He purred, running his finger through his hair in frustration."Why does she have to appear now and turn my world upside down? She'd made me question everything I thought I knew from the beginning."A tear slipped down his eyes. Then, another, and he
~~ Brittany's POV I checked my wristwatch for the upteenth time since I arrived at the restaurant before glancing back at the entrance."What's taking him so long?" I asked as I shot Clarissa a glance behind me."I don't know, ma'am. I'll try to reach him again." She walked away, leaving me to ponder my thoughts alone. Honestly, I was so thrilled when Clarissa told me that she found out the late Sophia Brooks' father's location. And he had agreed to meet me after she offered him some cash. He was the only one who could tell me everything I needed to know about the unusual events surrounding the death of his daughter.But it was already way past the time we agreed to meet and he still hadn't arrived. I really hoped that he wouldn't just take my hard-earned money and that I wasn't fooled.Clarissa returned a while later, but there was no noticeable difference in how she looked compared to how she was before leaving earlier. Inste
~~ Ace's POV ~~Everything was beginning to make sense at that moment. Or so I wanted to believe. My head felt foggy, and my thoughts became unclear, with different assumptions. Who else could have been the culprit, if not her?I was more than confused!For over a decade, all I remembered was a five-year-old boy who drastically lost a peaceful home. The five-year-old boy who watched his once affectionate mother slowly drift away from him.And, then came the moment when a peaceful home became a war zone. A moment when someone poisoned both my father and me, and we almost died. I was still in the hospital when I heard of her arrest. My mother I mean. According to my father, she admitted she wanted to wipe the entire family out from the face of the earth. And when I asked why? I was informed she did it because she had a lover.A lover whom she cherished more than her children and family.And I believed it. Every damn accusation. Because while I was still hospitalized, I tried to give h
~~ Brittany's POV ~~"Take the files to the Operations department. Tell them to work on it and send it back to my desk before the weekend.""Also make sure the head of the department briefs you on all you need to know about the projects at hand against our next business trip. Okay?" "Clarissa?" I
~~~~Brittany's POV~~~The restaurant's atmosphere was cozy and bright. Just like I wanted. It was an inviting and attractive surrounding. All thanks to Clarissa, who studied my tastes in these things so well.Eating dinner with Kylie was going smooth. Though, I felt his eyes stealing glances at me
Lora walked into the gigantic mansion in a catwalk, her sling purse hung on her right arm as a small smile spread across her face.The interior of the Anderson's mansion was a testament of magnificence and luxury with a grand foyer, two sweeping staircases that curved like ribbons against each othe
As soon as Brittany exited the office, Jake landed a heavy punch on Kylie that sent him right to the ground. He let out a groan as he held to the chair he once sat on for support.Jake was furious, even that was an understatement. Coming back to apologize for the strange attitude he earlier portray







