LOGINBrittany's POV
My face had one of the straight look ever, and I was certain he wouldn't know what I was thinking. His attitude when I got to his office almost began to piss me off but thankfully I held out well. I had to even reply to him, “Then you're wrong because I do apologize when I'm wrong, especially to those who are worth it.” Thankfully, he seemed not to hear the last phrases because I was certain he would have reacted if he had. Although, I didn't give a f**k but now was not the moment to piss him off. I was here, literally in disguise as his business partner, something I didn't really want, but what could I do when Mom had given thousands of reasons why I should make this marriage possible? Suddenly, he busted into a small laughter and I raised my brow at him, wondering what was funny at the moment. Did he think I was joking? The tone behind his laughter didn't sit well with me, as it had hints of mockery behind it. Then he stopped laughing. “Tell me, Miss Anderson, did you probably have an overdose of your medication today? Or didn't you sleep well last night?” He threw a series of questions at me, that it got me a little pissed. What the…. “Well, I don't think you didn't sleep well last night, especially after doing what brought you lots of joy. Or is it that you regret your actions because you would lose more in this?” He answered his own question with a smirk. Tchh... What does he think of himself? Well, he should keep fooling himself because I slept much better last night, even better than I'd slept for the past few days since all this marriage saga began. “Mr Miller, I don't understand why you're asking all these questions. Is there something you probably don't like in this contract?” I uttered quietly whilst trying to maintain my cool. Oh, how I badly wanted to lash out at him right there! But I would be totally done for once I do that because that would only mean that I lose in the deal I had with mom. I released a low sigh and scoffed when his lips curled up into a cunning smirk. He raised a brow and stood up from his swivel chair that his face became so close to mine. Then his hot breath fanned my face, almost clouding my thoughts for a minute, “Tell me Miss Anderson, why are you here?” I froze on my spot instantly before gulping down nothing. I didn't even realize when my eyes slowly rolled down to stare at his sexy - alluring lips—same lips I could die for back in those days. Our lips were inches apart, and any slight movement forward from either of us would lead to the worst scenario ever today. Shit, Brittany! Get a hold of yourself else you might end up regretting your actions later. A beep from a phone or rather my phone in my purse sounded and luckily, he moved back to his seat even before I could move. I heaved a low sigh as I only glanced at my purse which just saved me and I think he also sighed. Or did I hear wrongly? “You still haven't answered my question.” He spoke out with an unreadable expression. Huh? What question? And why did his expression suddenly change? Humph!!! “Why are you here?” He repeated like he noticed my confused state. “I've told you earlier on. I still want the wedding to hold.” “Why did you cancel it then?” That question took me unaware, and I became silent for a brief moment to process my answer. “Because I needed more time to think. Besides, I'm a business lady who knows when to keep aside personal feelings in business.” “Then, why did you create the mess in the first place?” He scoffed out as he placed his hand on the armrest. “Like I said, I needed more time to think and right now, I have.” He stood up from his seat and walked to the window behind him, leaving me curious for a moment. “Let me think about it.” “Alright then, I'll leave you to it but you should make it snappy as well because I don't have all the time in the world. You have until tomorrow to go through the contract and give your views. Call me when you're done.” I picked up my purse and made to walk out of the office in style when he suddenly stopped me with his words. "It's funny how you'd suddenly want to get on a contracted marriage when we're already arranged to marry each other. Or have you forgotten what our union means to the family?" I turned around to meet his piercing gaze; he was already facing me by then and as expected, it was accompanied with an annoying smirk on his face and his two hands in his pocket. "I haven't. But we're talking about you and I here, we can't just go ahead with the marriage like nothing happened between us. At least, with the contract, we can still be certain not to get involved in each other's life, just like you requested years ago." I rounded up my speech with a straight look. Even if I was slightly affected by my own speech, I couldn't help but to study his facial expression. I could swear his looks changed after mentioning the last phrase but unfortunately, I didn't care because he brought it upon himself at first. With this said, I sauntered out of his office, leaving him to battle with his unreadable emotions as I also hoped I didn't skip any part of the wedding details. Almost getting to my car, I brought out my keys to access my car and phone to check what message probably popped the other time in Ace's office and I hushed out a small amount of air. Not too surprising, it was my mom and her message boldly read, “Are you done? Did he accept the terms? You know what, call me when you're out of his office.” I bet she was on her toes already. I would just see her instead, that would be much better and I could also use the chance to correct something too. So, I just texted back, “I'll just come over.” My phone began to ring immediately I drove out of the company. I almost thought mom was the caller, but my eyes furrowed when I saw 'Asshole' as the caller. Why was he calling? “I've signed the contract, so you can come pick it up now.” Ace spoke out even before I could say a word and immediately, I screeched the car to a halt. He didn't even let me speak when he cut the phone on his end and I ended up staring at my screen in uttermost surprise. That was fast! Hold on...... Did he even go through it?~~ Brittany's POV ~~A gentle knock at the door shifted my attention for a moment."Come in.""Good morning ma'am." Clarissa walked in seconds later. "I hope you took care of yesterday's emergency." She dropped a mug of piping, steaming espresso on my desk.I muttered a 'thank you' while taking the coffee to my lips. It lingered there for a while before I took a sip."Yes, I was able to handle the emergency." I responded, my mind drifting back to yesterday's scene.Before I left the office in a hurry, it was an emergency I had told her. But turned out the situation was more than an emergency. Almost a deadly situation that shook every being in me if not handled quickly.Until now, I still found it so strange that Ace had found me there. Even if he said it was just a coincidence, something in my gut didn't believe it. I only decided not to push it.At that moment, protecting my daughter's identity was what mattered. Despite not getting my answers. Despite still being in the dark of who
~~ Brittany's POV ~~"I'm sorry for the way I judged you. I was so desperate to find Emma and had become too anxious when I found her with you, so I didn't think before reacting."Thanks to the little boy whom I believed was the same age as Emma and probably in the same class. He had quickly explained that Emma was standing all alone when they met her which was why they took her with them to find her guardian. But, when they couldn't find her, they thought to contact her through the school. It was in that moment that I arrived.Emma also agreed that everything was true, so I made sure I wasn't tricked."It's fine. Everyone reacts differently especially when anxiousness sets in." She replied, holding a cup of coffee.After the small commotion outside, we were seated in a small coffee shop where I wanted to get to know her better. As I had said earlier, she had looked quite suspicious when I first caught her watching Ace from a distance, and I was sure she also saw me that day."You st
~~ Brittany's POV~~I gripped the wheels tightly as I stomped on the brakes, my heart racing like hell. My hands vibrated silently when I pushed the car door open and my legs shook as I stepped out of the car and raced towards her, my daughter's nanny."What happened to my daughter? How did she get missing?" I asked immediately I came to face her, my voice almost failing me."Ma'am." She called anxiously, as if my presence startled her and the look in her eyes said it all. But, I was more anxious than she was. What she had called to tell me over the phone this evening was quite disturbing and since then, it has kept me on my toes."We had come here after school to get ice cream but I had to make urgent use of the restroom and I asked her to wait for me." She sucked in a shaky breath. "When I returned, she was no longer here and I've been looking all over for her since then." The last words came out almost as a whisper, as she avoided my gaze.A frustrated sigh left my lips instantly.
~~ Ace's POV ~~People say a mother's love is unconditional. A mother is the best in the world. I mean I used to be part of those people. A five-year-old boy who loved his mother even more than he loved himself.Those phrases, especially the last one, were words I grew used to saying as a child. It all began with saying 'I love you' as a toddler to the only woman I so much cherished back then. Then, gradually the words extended as I grew older. But did that last? Everything changed when I clocked five. The woman whom I thought was my only source of joy and hope left me in ruins. Leaving me behind with a newborn baby was not just the only painful experience, but she also had me on my deathbed.As if ruining the family she once cherished wasn't enough, she ran away with another man to only God knows where. My dad had tried different ways to find her but all efforts were to no avail. But now, she dared to come back despite the terrible things she'd done?I wasn't the only one affecte
~~ Ace's POV ~~'Bing'My phone vibrated in my pocket as soon as I stepped out of my father-in-law's ward. I brought it out to a text from my lawyer while making my way out of the hallway. As I promised that bastard who attempted murder on Brittany's life, I wasn't going to take things lightly with him. Even if he hired one of my best attorneys, he wouldn't be able to escape the consequences of his crimes.After going through the text from my lawyer, the next text that popped up was from my Dad's secretary. My Dad was demanding yet another dinner that wouldn't yield anything. This time, he wanted me to bring Charlotte as well even if it was forcefully.I scoffed out, slipping my phone back inside my pocket. It was quite frustrating going through the same thing over and over again, especially with Dad. I knew his major reason for calling for a family dinner was that he wasn't satisfied with our conversation earlier today.Dad could set anything up just to get things done his own way.
~~ Brittany's POV ~~Running down to the hospital, Mom was the first person I saw when I reached the VIP ward. She was standing beside Dad, staring into nothingness. Not until, the door slid open and I walked in. Surprisingly, Dad was still lying on the bed, the machines beeping loudly as always and the usual oxygen mask on his face as he had never woken from a coma."What happened, Mom? Why is Dad still lying unconscious?" I asked as I stood beside her, staring between her and my Dad.That was when I noticed the difference. His eyes were opened. But why wasn't he moving?"He's awake but still can't respond to external stimuli. The doctors said he is in a vegetative state and will need a few days or weeks to recover." Mom replied, as if reading my mind and I froze for a moment before I let out a low breath.She patted my shoulder, studying my worried expression more. "The doctors assured us he'll be fine, and that's what we hope for." I nodded and glanced at her. She was also trying







