All Chapters of Love in the Headlines : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

151 Chapters

Scars

REIGN'S POV A gasp escaped my lips before I could stop it. My hand came up to muffle it but it was too late. Ivan already noticed my outburst. He turned back to look at me, his eyes clouding in realization. I had seen the scars on his back and they were not just any kind. They were whip marks, cigarette burns and others that I could place where he got them from. Just as I imagined several times, he had tattoos on his back but they were not enough to cover the gruesomeness on his back.Who did that to him?Ivan’s whole demeanor was clouded in regret and I knew if he could wipe my memory, he would.Realizing my continuous presence was a time ticking bomb, I turned back to the door, in a hurry to leave his sight. He had not said anything but I knew venom was just at the tip of his tongue and I'd rather spare myself from any verbal abuse.“ Halt.” Ivan said, or rather commanded and I found myself stopping like a soldier listening to his superior’s instructions. “ Are you satisfied? ”

Hallucination

REIGN'S POV I had no idea when it started. Was it when I was 12 and was sick and a male teacher carried me and dropped me immediately with the excuse that I was too heavy? Or was it when the boy I was crushing on tried to lift me and could not even lift my arm, the embarrassment causing me to never show my face to him again? There were too much cases to remember so I had no idea which one exactly made me scared and terrified. Scared of being carried. The thought of being in the air and in my someone's arms made my head faint.Was it a phobia or just fear that was deeply rooted in me? You're too big to be carried.You're too big to be carried. Your weight can crush whoever is carrying you. Your nickname is matter, isn't it?It has always been what I heard and what I believed in solely. I would never let anyone lift me in their arms. Not even if I had it in control. I'd rather spare myself and the person the hassle“ No no, please. Put me down. ” I cried. I was too scared, too panicke

Phobia

IVAN’S POV I sighed as I stared at the array of files on my desk. That's what I get for working from home frequently. I slipped my glasses on and immediately got sucked in my workspace. My mind was usually clear when I was working but this time, a certain redhead invaded my thoughts. I leaned back and sighed, remembering her extreme reaction to getting carried yesterday.I could not make sense of what happened exactly.Did I carry her roughly? No, I was sure I was gentle. Then what was the problem? I was extremely tempted to put her down when she started crying but she was too ill to walk by herself. When she suddenly swayed and I caught her, I panicked. It almost felt like she was dying. She looked pale and tired. I wondered why I did not notice her sickly appearance.Christian pushed the door open and stepped in, jolting me back to the present. I pulled off my glasses and leaned back in my seat.“ Here is the document for the land project with Davidson Corporation. ” Christian sa

Her sister's fiancée

REIGN'S POV I was out of the house as soon as the doctor checked on me. Just as I thought, it was not serious and there was no need for a doctor. The doctor who introduced himself as Charles, just checked my temperature then prescribed some drugs. Mel had invited me to her home and no sickness in the world would have made me miss it. All of our meetings had always been outside so I was really excited. It was everything I never got to experience as a kid, I was experiencing them now. Having a friend, visiting each other's house, sleepovers and so on were like a myth to me.Mel's family house was a freaking mansion. I did not have any words to describe it. My mouth dropped open as I stood in front of the huge door that would lead me inside.Was I even worthy of stepping into this epitome of opulence? What if I accidentally touched something I was not supposed to touch?“ Reign! You're here. ” Mel exclaimed as she stepped out of the door.“ Yes. ” I replied awkwardly, clutching the cro

Does it have to be Mel?

REIGN'S POVI kicked the pebbles on the pathway absentmindedly as I walked home. After alighting from the bus, I did not feel the need to go home just yet so I opted for a walk instead. I had left Mel's home shortly after the incident with Matilda. Mel was distressed and I had no idea how to comfort her, I have never had siblings after all so I had no choice but to give her the space she needed.Matilda was horrible, that much was sure but a part of me felt like her animosity towards Mel goes beyond just Ivan choosing Mel over her. I sensed deep seated hatred in her, one that had been boiling for years.I looked around as I walked, enjoying watching other people. It was a favorite pastime for me to try and guess who they were and what their life entailed. But as I did so today, I felt melancholic.They probably all have something worthwhile going on for them, don't they?I loved spending time with Mel, I really did but watching her eyes spark when talking about something she loved ma

Hangovers and cramps

REIGN'S POV I groaned, clutching my head as I turned around and slept on my back instead. Everything hurts. Why did I drink so much yesterday? I sat up and looked around groggily. What was going on? My thoughts were all over the place and I felt weird.I felt funny.I pushed the duvet off me and suddenly it all made sense. I grabbed my pillow and screamed into it.Of course, is it really your time of the month if it didn't come at the wrong time? Is there even ever a right time?I wanted to just lie down and nurse my aching head while rotting away but it felt uncomfortable lying and doing nothing, knowing what was going on down there. I stood up and grimaced at the red patch on the sheets. I pulled it from the bed and folded it in a lump, with the aim of washing after I had taken my bath. I wanted to do it immediately but my first day was usually a river. I'd hate to stain anything else.Freshening up was a hassle and my cramps started to hit as soon as I stepped out of the bathroom

Playful banter

REIGN'S POV I had woken up in a parallel universe. This universe was vastly different from the world I was used to. In this universe, Ivan was good to me. Ivan worried about me. In this universe, Ivan went out of his way to make me feel better on my period.I blinked repeatedly, expecting him to disappear but even after a few times, Ivan’s tall figure was still within my eyesight.“ Uhm…can I come in? ” He asked awkwardly, like he didn't think this through before doing it.I nodded absentmindedly and opened the door wider for him to come in. I shut the door after him and followed him back to the bed. “ Is there a problem? ”“ Ah, well, I brought these for you. ” He said, placing the things in his hands on the bedside drawer and taking a seat on the single sofa in the room. “ I heard a heating pad helps with cramps, as well as chocolates. I brought food as well. You haven't eaten all day. ”I suddenly thought of those dramatic moments in cartoons when something happens and a character

Attraction vs. liking someone

IVAN’S POVI tapped my pen on the table lightly while Henry's assistant explained the structure of the building we were collaborating on. It was supposed to be a refuge for abused women and children. Totally nonprofit at all. I was surprised Henry was willing to do this with me. He didn't seem like the type to do things like this but I knew better than to judge people by their appearance.“ I would like it if we tone down the exuberance a bit. ” I inputted, leaning forward. “ It's supposed to be a place where they can recuperate and face life head on once again. I don't see anyone being comfortable enough to do that here, honestly. ”Henry tapped his jaw in thought. “ I think I see what you mean. I'd have team work on something new. ”“ Please contact my design team as well for any assistance that you need. ” I offered.“ Of course. ” Henry grinned. The meeting was over and he was back to his happy go lucky self. It almost hurts to see all that smiling. What was he so happy about? I

More like stalking

MELANIE’S POV I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel anxiously as I waited for the black sedan that Christian drove to come within sight. It was crazy what he had reduced me to.A scorned woman stalking the man that does not want her.I wanted to give up, I wanted to let him go but I was unable to. I spent every waking moment thinking about him, wishing things were different than what it was. If this was what love was all about, then I was not sure I liked it very much. I hated that my mood now depended on someone else.If I had these feelings for Ivan, my life would be easier.I gasped when his car finally appeared and ducked. I only realized my silliness when I remembered my car had tinted glasses. “ Right, he can't see me. "I murmured. I pulled my sunglasses from the compartment and put them on. I waited for Christian to enter his apartment complex before alighting and jogging after him.“ Miss. ” A woman I had not noticed called out when I dashed after Christian who was about

Where have you been all my life?

REIGN’S POV I hummed happily as I waited in front of Mel's door. The week had gone by rather slowly and I was glad I was finally done with it. It was crazy I had to face that every month. I had missed Mel immensely and we had chatted often but it was nothing like seeing each other in person.I knocked again when I didn't hear a response. I started getting jittery. What if Mel was not home? I didn't tell her I was coming so it would be a surprise but it looked like I came in vain instead. I sighed and turned around to leave when I heard the door crack open. I turned back with a smile on my face but it slipped when I noticed the state of Mel who was standing by the door. Her eyes were red rimmed and her mascara was smudged down her cheeks. “Mel, what's going on?” I asked, quietly and moved closer to her. As if she had been waiting for someone to ask, Mel sagged in my arms and burst into tears. I sighed and held her in my arms, patting her back gently. I led her into the house without

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