All Chapters of Love in Deceit: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

We have the rich and we have the wealthy, and Manhattan isn't referred to as the playground of billionaires for nothing. From frivolous shopping sprees to overpriced boarding houses, exclusive country clubs, and bratty kids acting up to be on the tabloids, Manhattan had them all…“Excuse me miss, please can you insert your pin? “ said the red-haired girl to Ayala with growing impatience for the third time.“Oh, I'm so sorry “ came Ayala’s reply as she put in her pin, carried the cosmetics she just got, and rushed out of the drug store.Never would she have thought herself to be in a place like this, her friends and her usually scrunched their noses at the sight of it and would rather have a hand chopped off than be caught dead in a place like that. But sadly, this had become her reality. She kept a reasonable distance from the store while holding the leather containing her purchase with both disgust and anger. She missed shopping at her favorite cosmetic brands; L’oreal, Fenty, Rare

AYALAAfter the worldwide announcement of Papa’s company declaring bankruptcy, I decided to stay off social media. I wasn’t the type of rich of Lily-Rose Deep, Blue Ivy Carter, Blake Lively, etc whose parents’ influence had a kick start in their wealth and influence giving them the “no baby“ title. I and my friends failed to see them as the truly rich, this of course came with envy on our path because while we were trained to take over large empires and advised to stay off the media's eyes, they had the liberty to literally run into the media.I logged into my Instagram and so a ton of messages from my old friends asking if I was good and if I needed money or a place to stay. Now, this is the reason I decided to stay off the internet, we declared bankruptcy and not that; we are currently living on the streets, I sigh at this thought.Though I am touched by their niceness, I needed none of it, sitting around reminiscing the old times doesn't help one bit, and looking daily at all my d

AYALAThe office was very quiet, so much that you could hear the drop of a pin. Everyone seemed to be caught up in what they were doing. Well, this was expected for a place like Igor’s Inc. Everyone was in their cubicle, moving with purpose and precision. I had barely been at my new desk for an hour before the weight of the job truly sank in. This wasn’t just any secretary position, it was combined with that of a personal assistant, it was a job in which perfection was expected, where every detail mattered. It was also a chance to prove myself.I sat at my desk, in the ergonomic chair. I was surprised a chair of this kind was given to a PA secretary and a PA. I could not help but be anxious, my every thought spun back and forth to what was expected of me. However, the office…It was a beautiful office — sleek, white walls with minimalist art that hinted at the taste of whoever designed it. A small plant sat in the corner, adding a breath of life to the otherwise sterile environment. Th

IRINA’S POVIrina adjusted her coat collar as she stood before the tall glass windows of her penthouse. Below, the city pulsed with purpose and ambition — not unlike herself. It was a strange morning. Quiet, heavy. The kind of day that whispered old names into your ear and dragged up feelings you swore were buried. Vladimir.She’d seen him two days ago, unplanned. Unintended. She’d only stopped by Igor’s Inc. to drop off a client proposal, under the pretense of business, of course. But what she’d really wanted was to see him. The man who had once ruled her world, the man she’d learned to shape herself around, and ultimately, the man she’d failed to keep.Irina made a conviction to herself, she wasn't going to fail.She pulled her phone closer and tapped into her father’s company projections. Disappointing. Growth had slowed. Investors were asking questions. Whispers of instability hovered. And it all pointed to one thing: her father’s empire needed reinforcement. Solid allies. And ther

The chandeliers sparkled like crystal stars above him, but Vladimir barely noticed them. His eyes were on something else, or rather someone else.Ayala.She looked splendid. She really got the message when I said; “Dress appropriately “. His gaze shifted from her and fixed across the ballroom, through the shifting crowd of designers, CEOs, oil heirs, and power-hungry trust fund kids. His jaw locked when he spotted her again—Ayala. But this time not alone. She had company.Standing too close, laughing too freely. With him.Alexei.Vladimir gripped the glass of scotch in his hand tighter, the cut glass imprinting faint lines into his palm. He hadn’t realized his expression had hardened until Irina stepped closer, gently brushing her fingers over his sleeve.“You look like you’re about to kill someone,” she said with a dry smile, raising a well-groomed brow. “Though I’m guessing that someone is your cousin.” Irina said. She understood how sour the relationship withhis cousin had turned.