All Chapters of Love Stitched In Rivalry : Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

CHAPTER 2Alex POVMy thumb hovers over the notification. The email sits there, unopened, for the past three hours. I catch myself reaching for my phone many times, pulling back each time like a coward. When I finally opened it at midnight, it’s just two lines of message,‘I sent my reply through the company-Ellis.’Maya calls the next morning, breathless with excitement about the contracts and planning schedules. I have four days to prepare myself for the man I’ve spent three years trying to forget.The week passes in a blur of sleepless nights as I prepare myself to see him again.Tuesday morning drags by, and I arrive at the office earlier than I’ve ever been.“You look like hell,” Maya says, bringing me a hot cup of coffee."Thanks."I replied with my eyes fixed on the coffee."He's just a designer, Alex. You've met with hundreds of them."Not the same, I think. "I'm fine," I tell her, brushing invisible wrinkles from my suit. Her raised eyebrow tells me she doesn't believe a wor

CHAPTER 4ALEX POVThe drive to South Square takes about twenty minutes through the slow evening traffic.I could still turn back and hold on to what’s left of my sanity but that at the cost of this collaboration.Instead I pull into a parking spot across from the bar,turn the engine off and stare at the bar’s colourful sign post as it flickers above the entrance.“Damn Ellis” I said loudly into the vacant air. I unlock my seatbelt and push open the car's door stepping out into the cold.The bar looks more classy the moment I walk in. Warm lights glow softly from the ceiling shining against the flawlessly polished marble floors and midnight blue walls.Curved plush booths sit along the walls to give people space and some privacy. The air in here carries a mix of sweat and liquor. The music is louder here that I can almost feel the beat in my chest, blending with quiet conversations. The whole place screams luxury,wealth and carefully put together.The bar is pretty full for a Tuesday

CHAPTER 6ALEX POVI tilt the bottle over the glass and watch the last drop of whiskey pour in.I lost count after the first few swigs.I should stop. It's past midnight and I have a company to run tomorrow.Instead, I reached for the bottle,the amber liquid shone as I poured it into the glass.I kept pouring, ignoring how much was already in the glass.I lost track somewhere between one and three pours.I leaned back in my chair and took a long sip.The whiskey burns past my throat, sharp and bitter, but the ache in my chest doesn’t ease.My stomach twists at the memory of Ellis in that bar with her pressed between his legs with those hazel eyes locked on mine.My hands clench at the thought that he must have purposely did that to make me feel it all.The sharp burning pain of want and jealousy.The worst part?It did work,because I felt it all.I looked at the tie crumpled on the floor and my jack

CHAPTER EIGHTELLIS POVI stare at the name displayed on my phone and my heartbeat races.I set my coffee down the second cup today and let it go to voicemail. took three seconds of silence before it starts ringing again and I finally press the answer button"Ellis." Her voice cuts through the speaker coldly. Exactly as I remember."Mother."I answered "I saw the news,your father needs you to come home tonight.”Of course she did. Not how are you,not are you alright. Just straight to the point."I can't,I have a lot to do…”" Do not make me stress myself,Ellis"she cuts in sharply and the line goes dead.I sit there,the phone still pressed to my ear in the silence.Home, she wants me home.The place I have not stepped foot in for two years. The place I swore I would never go back to.I should refuse and ignore her completely.But if I don't show up, she will do wh

CHAPTER TENALEX POVThe sun sets outside while I sit still at my desk working. The office is quiet since everyone must have gone home hours ago,tired too.The stock closed at eighty four, down eight percent in one day.I have gone over the numbers more than ten times today, weighing every suggestion and still, nothing feels right.My mind drifts back to yesterday’s interview. Every word had been carefully crafted by the PR team. They protected the company, but they still feel off and I can’t shake this feeling off.A knock at the door makes jolt be back.My mother stands in the doorway dolled up in a blue designer button down gown,purse over one arm and a paper bag dangling from the other hand.“How did you even find your way up here?” I ask, a little taken aback. Mom has never been great with directions.I half expected her to get lost before she made it this far."The security man helps me." She wa