Hailey's POV.The plane had barely landed before I was itching to disappear. Not into a new place or new beginning like everyone kept saying... but to dissolve. Just vanish. Because arriving didn’t feel like an arrival at all.I clutched the strap of my backpack tighter, head down, ignoring everything, my parents. Everything . It all made me sick.The drive from the airport took another eternity. I didn’t care about the clean streets or the fact that the weather here was “nicer.” My chest ached like a balloon filled too tightly, ready to burst with the slightest jab.When we finally pulled up to the new house... big, modern, ugly in its perfection... I didn’t wait for anyone. I grabbed my duffel bag, ignored Dad’s attempt at a half smile, and walked straight in without a word.I stomped up the stairs, turning corners I wasn't used to, passing empty rooms and unfamiliar walls. I picked the room at the end of the hall just because it was farthest away from everyone. It didn’t matter
Hailey’s POV.A week.Seven whole days since we moved.You’d think that might be enough time for me to at least unpack or open the blinds or look around the neighborhood. But no. I stayed in my room like it was a bunker and the rest of the world was at war. The most I did was drag myself to the kitchen for water or snacks, and even that felt like crossing enemy lines.I didn’t care about the house fridge or the stupid backyard with trimmed hedges that looked like they belonged in a brochure.I don't want any of that."Wakey wakeey, sunshine." Aiden's text was the first to wake me up. "Hey." I simply texted him. "Are you still pissed about moving?""Very much so.""C'mon, try to let it go, and enjoy the city." "But I won't be able to see you again." "What made you so sure that I lived in California and you could find me there?" That seemed to strike a bell. "I don't know, I just had a feeling." A knock suddenly came on the door before I could get his next message. “Hailey,” mom
Arya's POV."You are hired," I suddenly heard him say and my eyes flew wide open in shock. I was hired? Just like that?I have a job now? After what felt like forever of searching for a job as a chef? I finally have my dream job.Isn't life full of surprises huh?"Thank you... Thank you so much, I promise you won't regret this, when do I resume work? Immediately?" I squealed happily."I can fix you breakfast right away." I suddenly noticed the corner of his lips tilt up in a sly smirk."Breakfast?" He chuckled."How well can you resist an orgasm?" His next words hit me hard across the ear.He didn't just say that right? I mean there is no way someone would say that to anyone."Excuse me?" I managed to mutter, my eyes furrowed in confusion. "I just asked how well you can resist an orgasm? You do know what an orgasm is right?" He repeated.Now, I'm lost, what is going on?"Uhm... I'm sorry, I'm quite confused, what has my work got to do with that?" I summoned up courage to ask."We o
Arya's POV.For a split second, I couldn't quite decipher what my eyes were staring at, as a muscular man climbed down the stairs clad casually in a joggers pant, black haired, amazing blue/green eyes and perfectly structured jawline. He had the looks of a complete Greek God.I quickly sprung up to my feet immediately he walked into the living room, the second lady did same as well."You are here for the job huh?" He asked, his eyes fixed on me.I shivered slightly as the sound of his voice washed over me, not only was he handsome but his voice sounded so suiting as well, laced with dominance and so much power."Yes sir," the lady beside me quickly blurted out.I had my head hung low the entire time, I couldn't look him directly in the face, I felt intimidated by the dreamy creature standing few feet away from me.How will I be able to work for him if I feel this way about him."You," he suddenly pointed at the lady beside me.Oh no, he's going to hire her, I can't believe I lost wit
Lucas's POVI couldn't help the satisfied smile that broke out on my face as I recounted my encounter with the Arya girl.I couldn't have found myself a perfect fit, I knew she was the one the very moment I saw her.It was the more reason I had bid that amount, I knew she was going to find it difficult rejecting it.Her innocence stirred up the darkest part of me.How she cringed at my choice of words.How uncomfortable she was standing next to me.She couldn't look me in the eyes and when she did, I was lost for a moment staring at those innocent pair of eyes.Her incredibly pretty face, every tiny feature of her face stood out in style.Those heart shaped lips, plump and pinky clamoring out to me.And then the petite yet thick body of hers, her tiny curves.Damn! So many things I want to do to her.But annoyingly, this is a contract and I can't breach it unless it's consensual. I could get her to consent to it nevertheless, I could make her want me badly, make her plead for me to t
Arya's POVIt felt like an attainment seeing myself fly a private jet.I never thought that could be possible my whole life.We landed shortly afterwards.Wow, I found myself in yet another island.How rich could this family be? Lucas held my hand and we headed into one of the buildings."You might find them a bit out of place but don't let anyone get to you alright? you will only survive this easily if you appear difficult," he whispered to me as we proceeded inside.By "them" Is he by any chance referring to his family? Why did he sound like they are dangerous or something? Why is he just letting me know now? What have I gotten myself into? I suddenly noticed his hand on mine tightened as he squeezed it gently."It's okay, I will never let anything happen to you babydoll, you don't have to be scared," he whispered.I guess he noticed how tensed his statement made me.And why does he keep referring to me as "babydoll?" I'm quite certain that I was clear when I had told him my n
Arya's POV.Martin quickly pulled away from me and faced him with a smile on his face.Everything about this man is creepy as hell, I mean he has a smile on his face when he has just been caught trying to force himself on his brother's woman."Relax bro," I was only having a discussion with my future sister in law," he shrugged. "Oh yeah? Having a discussion with her caged in between your hands? That must really be some important discussion," Lucas snapped, the anger in his voice was undeniably evident.Okay, I don't like where this is going.I quickly walked over to Lucas and grabbed his hands, at this point, I wasn't concerned about how I felt as our hands came in contact, I just needed to get him out of here immediately before the situation escalated."Lucas, please let's go," I muttered staring at him with pleading eyes."Man, take your bitch and leave already," Martin suddenly blurted out.Wait, what?Did he just call me that?"What did you just call her?" Lucas gritted marching
Arya's POV. Lucas continued to pace to and fro the room, his breath so ragged, I could hear them from the edge of the bed where I sat. He's been on that since we returned to the room. "Get a good sleep, babydoll, we have a long trip ahead of us tomorrow," he casually spared me a glance before returning to his pacing. I truly wanted to get a good sleep, I was tired already from today's trip, and such drama that went down few minutes ago. I tried not to look at him further and just go to sleep like he had demanded. I really, really tried. But how could I ignore him when he was pacing furiously around the room, his jaw clenched so tight I thought it might snap? The tension in his shoulders, the way his fists were balled at his sides, and the quiet rage radiating from him... it was impossible to ignore. Lucas was a storm, and I was trapped in his eye. "Sit down," I finally spoke, my voice more uncertain than I wanted it to be. Oh goodness, what am I doing? He stopped pacing and
Hailey’s POV.A week.Seven whole days since we moved.You’d think that might be enough time for me to at least unpack or open the blinds or look around the neighborhood. But no. I stayed in my room like it was a bunker and the rest of the world was at war. The most I did was drag myself to the kitchen for water or snacks, and even that felt like crossing enemy lines.I didn’t care about the house fridge or the stupid backyard with trimmed hedges that looked like they belonged in a brochure.I don't want any of that."Wakey wakeey, sunshine." Aiden's text was the first to wake me up. "Hey." I simply texted him. "Are you still pissed about moving?""Very much so.""C'mon, try to let it go, and enjoy the city." "But I won't be able to see you again." "What made you so sure that I lived in California and you could find me there?" That seemed to strike a bell. "I don't know, I just had a feeling." A knock suddenly came on the door before I could get his next message. “Hailey,” mom
Hailey's POV.The plane had barely landed before I was itching to disappear. Not into a new place or new beginning like everyone kept saying... but to dissolve. Just vanish. Because arriving didn’t feel like an arrival at all.I clutched the strap of my backpack tighter, head down, ignoring everything, my parents. Everything . It all made me sick.The drive from the airport took another eternity. I didn’t care about the clean streets or the fact that the weather here was “nicer.” My chest ached like a balloon filled too tightly, ready to burst with the slightest jab.When we finally pulled up to the new house... big, modern, ugly in its perfection... I didn’t wait for anyone. I grabbed my duffel bag, ignored Dad’s attempt at a half smile, and walked straight in without a word.I stomped up the stairs, turning corners I wasn't used to, passing empty rooms and unfamiliar walls. I picked the room at the end of the hall just because it was farthest away from everyone. It didn’t matter
Hailey’s POV.The rain had started just as we left the house, the kind of rain that blurred everything... buildings, streets, even emotions. It matched the heaviness pressing against my chest as I sat in the back seat of the car, silent, still, and aching in ways I couldn’t yet explain. I didn’t say a word. I couldn’t.Outside, the familiar streets greeted me. Trees I used to race past on my bike stood tall and wet, their leaves seemed to be whispering silent goodbyes. Mr. Howard’s bookstore with the bell that never worked right, the little coffee shop where Marissa , Liam and I used to cram for tests and gossip over muffins too dry and coffee too bitter. Everything looked softer in the rain, like the city was crying with me.Mom glanced at me through the rearview mirror. She didn’t say anything either. Maybe she saw the tears that had started to slide down my cheeks. Maybe she didn’t. I didn’t bother to wipe them away.This was it. We were really leaving.Dad’s transfer came three w
Third book alert!SEXT PARTNER.Hailey's parents moved to a new city due to job promotion and she transfers to a new school, only to discover that her secret sext partner was the hottest boy in school, and he was dating the hottest girl in school as well. She stood no chance of having him, but what if she was underestimating the intense hold she had over him. Chapter one."You know I'd really love to see you!" His text popped up on my phone just as I plopped down on the bed. "Well, I am not what you call the perfect lady!" I texted immediately. "I highly doubt that." His reply came and I chuckled to myself. Aiden and I bumped into each other in a weird app, exchanged numbers and have been keeping each other's company intimately, since then. We haven't met, neither have we seen each other. Our interaction was strictly over text and I think we are both okay with that. We are both 18 and in 12th grade."We will eventually see each other someday you know." He texted. "Yeah?" "Yes
Chloe's POV. The moment I stepped out of the elevator and into the wide, glass paneled lobby of Hayes’s firm, I felt like I was trespassing on a dangerous ground.I continued to feverishly put one feet after another, my footsteps thumping in sync with the unease curling in my stomach. I hadn't seen Hayes in days. Not since... the party. Not since the bathroom. Not since he found out. My heart clenched at the thought.The receptionist looked up with a warm smile that faltered the second she recognized me.“Um... Miss Chloe. I’m not sure if Mr. Hayes is available”“Please.” My voice cracked, and I cleared my throat quickly. “Just let him know I’m here. I won’t stay long. I promise.”She hesitated, clearly torn between professional courtesy and the pitiful look on my face. Eventually, she picked up the phone and dialed.A moment passed. Then two.Finally, she looked up at me with an apologetic glance. “He said… he’s busy.”“I’ll wait,” I said stubbornly and sat on the plush leather couc
Hayes's POV.I slowly opened my eyes trying to take in the environment but it posed a big threat, my eyelids were heavy and my head too.I squeezed my eyes back shut and relaxed, I didn't care about my environment anymore, it felt safe and conducive, not even the problems I was dealing with popped up in my head, I felt at peace.I suddenly felt a presence beside me, I assumed it was Chloe, she stirred and laid her head on my chest, snuggling deeper into me, and in turn, I wrapped my arms around her, in the process, I inhaled the scent of her hair and it sent an unexplainable calmness down my spine.It suddenly occurred to me that this is in no way Chloe's scent. And Chloe and I aren't even in a good place right now for her to be sleeping beside me. My nose suddenly caught her scent again, this time, my eyes popped open in shock.And to more shock, it was an unknown lady lying on my chest, looking closely, I suddenly realized that it was the lady from the club last night.What is she
Hayes's POV.I dragged my feet frustratedly into the club and went straight to the bar section."A shot please," I said to the waiter.This will make it the second time that I will be in a buzzing underground club ready to soak myself with some really hot liquor, all for the sake of heartbreak.When am I ever going to learn huh?First it was Elisha, and now Chloe. What exactly have I done to deserve this? Have I not been loving enough? Is there something that I am not doing right? It hurts because I truly loved Chloe more than I have ever loved another woman. She really held a place in my heart. Why did she have to hurt me like this when all I have ever done was to love her unconditionally. It hurts more because despite how hard I was trying to shut her out, somehow, I just couldn't and it was infuriating the hell out of me.I should hate her, I should shut her out and cast her away from my life for hurting me so bad, but somehow, all I could think of was her wellbeing, I couldn't s
Chloe's POV. I didn’t want Hardin to drive me home.I couldn’t look at him, not right now. Not after everything that had just unraveled like a cruel twist of fate in front of Hayes... his eyes, his trembling voice, his heartbreak. all because of me. I had caused it. I had made this mess.So I stood stubbornly by the curb, trembling, refusing Hardin’s extended hand and barely meeting his eyes when he called my name with that low, frustrated murmur.“Chloe, let me at least make sure you get home safe.”I shook my head furiously. “No. Just… just go, Hardin.”He exhaled, jaw clenched, torn between anger and concern. His eyes lingered on me for a beat too long. searching, but I couldn’t let him find anything. Not now.The taxi pulled up, and I got in without another word, slamming the door shut behind me like I was sealing off every horrible choice I’d made tonight.The ride was quiet, filled only with the noises from the street as we drove by. I sat with my head leaning against the cool
Chloe's POV. My lipstick was smudged, my breath still uneven as I leaned over the sink, trying to steady myself. The mirror was an unkind witness. My cheeks flushed, mascara slightly smudged at the corners, lips red and swollen. I looked like every dirty thought I ever denied having.Behind me, Hardin buttoned his shirt slowly, each motion dragging across my nerves. His eyes lingered on me through the mirror. That damned smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth again, smug and amused.“You okay?” he asked, his voice low and still laced with satisfaction. He came up behind me, placing both hands on my hips, pressing a kiss just under my ear.I nodded too quickly, still caught in the haze. “Yeah. I… I just need a second.”A second to pretend none of it happened.A second to forget that I had just betrayed someone who loved me enough to make me his girlfriend, Someone who... God help me... was standing outside this building somewhere, waiting for me with that soft smile of his and the ho