EMILY’S POVA sudden knock came on my apartment door, loud and unexpected. I flinched slightly, and my head turned towards the entrance door."Babes, please hold on. Someone is knocking on my door," I said, to Olivia over the phone, my voice tightening."Are you expecting anyone, Emily," Olivia asked, and I nodded negatively as if she could see me."Not at all, I'm not expecting anyone," I responded."Maybe you should ignore it," Emily suggested, and I nodded in agreement. "I think I'll agree with you. I'm not expecting anyone," I replied, and just then I heard another loud bang on my door.My eyes went to the door, my mind racing with various thoughts. I'm not expecting anyone. No texts? No calls? -- just nothingCould it be Ethan? Maybe he's back and if he's the one, why is he here? I thought he didn't want to ruin his reputation. Coming over to my house will ruin his reputation.I stood up from the plush sofa, still holding my phone as I adjusted my gown. I approached the person, m
EMILY POVI shut the door to my apartment and leaned against it, releasing the breath I didn't realize I was holding.I shut my eyes, as my mind wondered why Daniel had come to my house in such a drunken state. Does he want to reconnect with me? I heard a muffled snore of Daniel as he banged the door hard."Emily!""Emily!" Olivia's voice cut through my world as I recalled that I was conversing with her over the phone."Olivia," I called, my voice barely above a whisper. "I left him outside, and I'm fine, I'm safe," Reassuring myself and her."Good!" She said, her voice firm. "Let him be, he will be fine. When he comes back to his senses, he will leave your doorstep. I need to handle that brat."I chuckled at her word 'handle'. She wants to handle a son of the Sinclair family, a powerful and influential family at that."Just don't get yourself into trouble. I appreciate you for your concern. I owe you one, girl," I appreciated, sincerely."Save it, girl. Just text me when you need my
EMILY POVI stared at my reflection in the bathroom, my damp hair clinging to my cheeks.Last night's event left me exhausted. Ethan's sudden question and my silence, being unable to answer his question. Daniel's drunken appearances at my doorstep.I splashed cold water on my face, to regain posture and stop myself from getting distracted.My phone buzzed in my jogger's pant pocket, and I picked it up to see Olivia’s name flashing across the screen. I pressed “Answer” before the third ring."Emily!" Olivia's voice came up. "Hope you're good. Hope you're not wallowing in thoughts?" Her voice was laced with concern.I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. "I guess so," I admitted."It's a yes. That's good, get dressed and meet me at K Lounge in thirty minutes. I don't want any excuse," She asserted, her voice adrenaline."Mm Olivia, I'm still busy with work at home.. office work," I pressed my lips together."Babe, this is 6pm, for Christ's sake. Do you want to overwork yourself? The
EMILY POVIt was like a movie stuck on repeat. The moment I saw Ethan with an unfamiliar lady kept playing in my head. I slumped on my couch, sighing as I took off the ankle boots, placing them disorganized on the floor.My feet ached but that's the least of my concern.Who was she? She didn't seem like an official business partner. There was something different, and off about the way she leaned onto Ethan; it felt familiar, like something personal. The way he looked at her, wasn't screaming business. It was something else.Was he done with me? Just so soon just like the rumors about him implied? No, I don't want to believe that. Not the way he gazed at me when we were discussing before his so-called business partner interjected us. That wasn't the look of someone who had moved on.My hand reached for my cell phone and hovered my thumb over his name. Maybe I should call him and ask him right away for an explanation.No, Emily! Don't do that, don't give him that satisfaction. Not now,
Emily POVBefore Daniel's new girlfriend could reach my side, I hurriedly slipped into the front seat of Ethan's sleek black car.The door closed with a muted click. The car window glided up, and she stood in disbelief, scoffing as I could tell that she was trying to see through the car, to know whose car I entered and who I was discussing with.My heart was hammering so loud that I was sure Ethan could hear it, thinking I would get caught by her.Ethan didn't say anything. He started the engine, and without any word, he drove away, and I could still see her gazing at the car till the car was out of sight."Where are we going?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.He glanced at me, those storm‑grey eyes flickering with something unreadable. "My suite," he said, voice low. "We need to talk… privately."My pulse spiked again, but this time it was anticipation, not fear. We pulled up in front of his hotel, and Ethan killed the engine. The sudden silence felt charged. I watched him un
EMILY POVI shut down my laptop and stood up, sliding my feet into my ankle boot. I put on my coat as I strode out of my office, holding onto my handbag.My heels echoed in the lobby. Everyone has closed for the day hours ago and I would say I'm the last person that would leave the office building. The silence in the office some times make my brains work faster.I heard my phone buzzed from my bag and opened my bag as I slide out my cell phone. Olivia's text flashed again on my phone screen as I hovered the message."Babes, meet me at Le Ciro restaurant by 9pm sharp. You're not going to bail my birthday. Look hot for me!" She sent and my eyes hastily went to my phone clock.It's almost 9 pm"Sure, I'll meet you there," I sent, setting my phone back inside my back.Like as if I knew she was going to pick that restaurant. Thank goodness she messaged me which had serve as a reminder.Olivia loves throwing shades at people she detest. I bet she chose that restaurant so she can flaunt it
EMILY POVAfter dinner at the restaurant with Olivia. I left for home. Daniel and Camille had left the restaurant very early and left it in chat of you cousin it's late.By the time I got home, the adrenaline had disappeared replacing it with a worn out expression. I dragged my feet out of the cab and went into my apartment.I stepped out of my boot heels and entered the living room fully as I fling my handbag on the sofa and slumped on the plushy sofa.I shut my eyes for some minutes and after two hours, my eyes opened. Goodnight I can't believe I dozed off on the couch. I went upstairs to my room and slipped my dress off my body, letting it calm on the floor and wore Ethan's jacket that I had forgotten to give back to him the other day he came to my house.The shirt was oversized and soft. It smelled like him, his cologne. I returned to the living room and heard a knock on the door.Who could it be? Ethan? I'm not expecting anyone. Emily stop deceiving yourself, a part of you is wis
I never imagined I'd be stepping my foot into the Sinclair hall, first time stepping my foot into the building. The building was massive, imposing, oppressive and can question if your heels were too loud for the marble floors."Don't look to stiff and smile," Olivia whispered as she tucked her arm into mine. She looked so engrossed in the dressing more like she belonged here. Her hair style,her gown that closed and I'm still thinking if I should have gone with the navy dress instead of the black dress."It feels I'm walking onto a place I wasn't invited into. A movie one can't walk into without auditioning," I whispered, glancing around."You look like one that owns this place." She said, smiling as she faced her front. "You deserve to be here. Let's make this invite useful,"I flashed her smile but I was still nervous. My company had landed a partnership with one of the Sinclair industries subsidiaries but still it felt like I'm stepping into another world, the Sinclair world.Not do
EMILY’S POVTwo invitations. Same day. Same night.And one of them came from the man who had kissed me like he meant it, but still hadn’t said how he truly felt.I read the message again.Then again.I didn’t know what I would say. I didn’t know what I would choose.When I see Ethan's text, asking me out for dinner on Saturday night, my stomach twisted.Two invitations. Same day. Same night.I picked up my phone and responded to the text. "What do you think of Friday night,""If it's fine by you," He texted back."Then I'd love that," I texted back, grimacing.Friday night arrived quicker than I had imagined. I wore a simple outfit....a deep navy dress that hugged my body frame, with a soft makeup, and my hair curled. I dressed to l
EMILY’S POVI couldn't shake her words off my mind. They echoed in my head for minutes after I watch her leave to attend to other guest. Her calm but calculative voice played again and again in my head."You should be careful.""You know, sometimes people get a little... possessive about things.""If I were you, I wouldn’t be too quick to trust people easily before of their nice gestures. You never know who’s playing you.""Just don’t get too comfortable, Emily. People like you don’t always get the luxury of staying comfortable."Those words replayed in my head over and over countless times.Was that a warning? Or was it a cryptic code that I have to decode.I stood in front of the designs displayed, trying to focus on the clothes, the stitching, the fabrics bu
EMILY'S POVI froze, my phone pressed harder against my ears as Ethan's voice Ethan echoed in my head.For a moment I didn't know how to respond. I hoped they didn't hear his voice or know who I was talking to.My tongue felt heavy, my heart pounding loudly. I stared at Victoria, who was watching me closely with a smug expression on her face."I'll take my leave now," I said, turning my back at her as I clutched onto my bag and phone tighter. I got outside and reduced my pace."Emily," Ethan called again, his voice raspy.I walked out of the building, stepping on a pavement to wait for a cab."Yes," I finally answered, my voice low and steady.There was a brief silence on the other end before Ethan talked again. "You're ignoring me calls and kept my text messages on read. I guess that was deliberate," He said, frustration hinting in his voice mI swallowed hard, gripping my tote bag tighter against my side. "I was busy, and I needed some space for myself," I said, keeping my voice ste
EMILY'S POVThe hotel hallway suddenly became quiet after the knock. My soul has frozen, my heart slamming against my ribs when I heard Chloe's voice from outside.I was resting on the door, unsure of my next line of action,my thoughts racing faster than a cheetahMy entire body tensed at the idea of her walking in and discovering me here, in Ethan’s suite. The last thing I wanted was for her to put two and two together.I held my breath for a few more moments, counting the seconds in my head as I waited for her footsteps to fade down the hallway. When the silence was absolute, I dared to open the door slightly, just enough to peek out. My heart still raced, but thankfully, the hallway was empty.That was too close.I closed the door quietly behind me, taking a deep, steadying breath. I needed to leave. I needed to get out of here before anything else happened, before Chloe came back or someone else discovered me. Ethan had given me access to his suite, but that didn’t mean I was supp
EMILY'S POVThe morning light filtered in softly through the curtains, casting reflection across the room. My eyes flickered open, blinking multiple times as I stretched my soul and body. I could feel Ethan's arm around my chest, his chest rising and falling in rhythm. The faint scent of his cologne still lingered in the air as his arms made me feel safe, comfortable.....secured, almost like we are the only one on earth.I shifted and turned to face him. His dark hair tousled from sleep. I smiled softly, taking in the sight of him. He looks so at peace, vulnerable in a way that he didn't let anyone see. My fingers trace the contours of his face.Ethan stirred, blinking his eyes as it met mine. There was that look in his eyes, something deep and unspoken, like there was so much he wanted to say but for some reason he didn't."Good morning," I whispered, my voice thick with sleep."Morning," He replied, his voice low and rough. He reached out, pulling me closer as his lips find it way o
EMILY'S POVIn the past few days, things moved faster than I had expected. Olivia's idea, that I had doubted and feared that it might be in a dream forever has blossomed into something real.With her help, and her networking, her small circle of socialites who were happy and eager to try out a fresh designer approached me and I found myself designing again.Sketches turned into consultations. Consultation turned into paid request and I found myself doing something I enjoyed, doing something I can do at my comfort zone.I wasn't serving anyone again.Now a self made boss. I was a building.In the afternoon, I sat on the dynamite titles, adjusting the glasses on my eyes..I was in the middle of a wedding concept for a bride that had approached me on Epitok..She wanted her gown modern, minimal and breathtaking. It's very challenging. She pointed out the way she wants her gown to sew but the process is hell of a kind, challenging but it's something I wanted because it's challenging.I was
EMILY'S POV"Olivia, what are you trying to say?" I asked, looking at her as my eyes narrowed. I could tell she was building up something but I just can't place my hand around it.She leaned forward, her fingers tapping on the table. "What I'm saying is that, don't you think it's time for you to start making use of your hands, those magical hands.""My hands?, Olivia, please be direct. What do you mean?" I asked, my eyes darting at my innocent hands.She gave me a small smile. "It's fashion. Emily, aren't you getting it. Your hands, your designs, your talent, the nous in your head. That should be your job now. Forget about Liu fashion store, it's their lost and yours," She asserted, giving me a big smile.It took me a minute for her words to click and almost immediately my eyes opened in excitement. "Olivia, how are you so fucking smart. You want me to start designing again right?" I inquired, and she nodded, in affirmation."Exactly. I want you to start designing, and not just desig
EMILY POVOlivia entered the kitchen and I stood at the doorway, folding my arms. "I forgot to tell you that Camille said she came over with the aim to apologize," I said, heading towards the counter, resting on it as I folded my arms across my chest. The memories of the meeting still lingered in my head like a bittersweet taste.Olivia scoffed. "The Camille bitch I know doesn't look like someone that knows how to admit to her stupidity not to talk of apologizing," She replied, rolling her eyes. "But why did Victoria tag along? Have you meet her personally before?""I haven't meet her personally before. I don't even know her, I only got to know all thanks to the introduction you did at the gala. I think they are getting suspicious about me and Ethan relationship. Camille caught us talking in a terrace at his family's gala event so she's probably piecing it together but Victoria..... she's hard to read," I expressed, spearing Olivia a glance as she began eating the breakfast I had prep
EMILY POV"You're flirting with him? I thought you said you were only going to use him to make Daniel jealous, to make Daniel realise that he made a huge mistake cheating on you," Olivia said, her eyebrow rising in suprise as she folded her arms across her chest. Her tone wasn't harsh instead surprised and a little bit worried.I dropped my eyes to the floor,my fingers fiddling with each other in a speechless way. Her gaze on me tells she's trying to read every emotions written on my face."Liv, that was the plan at first," I mumbled. "But now....things are different. I didn't mean for it to happen but I'm starting to really like him. I'm beginning to enjoying his company more. It's becoming more than a crush, I think I'm falling for him in a hard way,"Olivia gazed at me for a long moment, and suddenly widened her arms, pulling me into a tight, warm and comforting hug. I blinked twice, my arms hanging in the air.I had expected her to yell at me, maybe call me crazy for letting my e