"Tenacious?" I choked on a reply. It was obvious that he had a very negative impression of me. We constantly clashed, like oil and water.
However, something unexpected started to stir within me among the conflicts. There was an unmistakable magnetism that pulled me in behind the layers of his stern persona.
His ability to dominate a space and his intense stare was both offensive and enticing.
Our encounters evolved into a delicate ballet of tension and reluctant respect as the days stretched into weeks. It seemed as if two hostile groups were striving for control of the situation. However, there were short, silent times when I saw vulnerability in his eyes.
One evening, he stopped me with a single word as I was ready to leave his office. "Wait."
I whirled while posing a doubtful brow.
He paused, looking at me intently as if he were looking for something. Then, in the quietest voice I'd ever heard, he murmured, "Thank you."
His genuineness threw me off guard, and I blinked in shock. He dismissed me by returning to his job without waiting for a response.
My heart was pounding as I left his office. Even little, the space between us had changed. And I couldn't help but wonder whether Ethan Stone was more complex than first seemed.
Nearly every night, Ethan made sure he had enough of me. The joy and ferocity he puts into it only served to deepen my already-existing affection for him.
Although making love wasn't in our contract, once he had his way with me cruelly, I found myself looking forward to our romantic evenings.
I can tell he is merely having me for pleasure by looking into his eyes as we are making out.
I never anticipated my life would change so drastically. I found myself caught in a web of love to a total stranger the very next instant when I was battling to hang onto what little hope I still had.
My life was no longer mine the minute I consented to that contract marriage with Ethan Stone. I had to make a decision I had never intended to make due to the financial strain on my family. But even the strongest of principles may be compromised by desperation.
"Elah, you're late again," Ethan said as I entered the luxurious surroundings of Accuzy Tech's corporate offices.
The agreement had said that I would operate as his personal assistant, which required me to schedule his meetings, handle his emails, and negotiate the perilous waters of his professional environment.
I stumbled, "I'm sorry, Mr. Stone," with my eyes glued to the shiny floor.
I detested the submissive tone I was forced to employ, but I had no other option. Surgery for my brother depends on it.
He hardly looked up from his laptop, "You know, punctuality is a virtue here," he said. I guess timeliness isn't your strongest strength, however, is it?
I bit my lip to control the temptation to lash out at him. He was aware of the influence he had on me and used my brother's illness to his advantage.
However, I felt a flame of rage start to burn within me with each insulting remark and condescending gaze. a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, I might figure out how to defend myself.
Months passed, then an unexpected event occurred. Those evenings of coerced intercourse had hurt my dignity, but perhaps more.
Strange and perplexing feelings started to grow inside of me. Ethan, meanwhile, continued to be distant and chilly, acting for reasons that eluded me.
I asked Ethan to skip the day because I needed to see my brother, on a morning when he had just concluded his rounds on me.
I decided to tidy up Ethan's study room before I left since I recalled him requesting me to do so as I was getting ready to leave.
While I was working, I found a hidden diary in his bedroom. I turned each page, skimming through it one after the other out of interest to see what was written there when suddenly I saw my Dad's name. The text on the pages hinted at a history entwined with treachery and retaliation.
As I became aware that this was not only about my family and me, my heart began to beat. It was important to get to the bottom of things, no matter how unpleasant it may be.
My voice quivered as I said, "Dad, I found something... something that connects you to Mr. Jakes."
His eyes met mine as he raised his head, expressing both astonishment and worry.
"What are you talking about, Elah?"
I forced back tears while taking a deep breath. This Diary, Dad. Ethan owns it. It talks about a secret conflict between you and Mr. Jakes, a conflict that killed my mother. What is happening?"
I was able to see the agony in his eyes as his gaze wavered. "Elah, have a seat. I had to share something with you."
My heart was beating fast when I sat down.
He started in a wretched voice, "Your mother and I were once close to Jake's family."
"Ethan usually finds fault in everything your mother does, but we were like a family. When she made a mistake, he would tell his father's bodyguards to beat her up."
To avoid having his sad eyes touch mine, he sighed while looking aside.
"We had no power. Despite his father's complaints, Mr. Jakes was always on his side since your mother rejected his offer. Elah, your mother didn't pass away by mistake. It was the outcome of Ethan and Jake's repeated acts of cruelty and mistreatment."
"But why does he want you dead, you could ask."
"He thought I had killed his father in retaliation."
His words impacted me like a blow to the belly, and I found it difficult to breathe. I felt a searing, radiating pain from my chest that was primal.
I said, "No," as tears started to form in my eyes. "No, that's not possible."
He extended his hand and took my hand in his.
"Elah, I'm very sorry. I ought to have told you earlier. I had believed that burying
it would keep you safe, but now I see that it has only caused you more suffering."
In pain, I withdrew my hand as my chest ached. "You... you made me think it was a mistake all these years? You made me think that my mother was taken from me without cause?"He couldn't look up at me, so he glanced down. "Elah, I believed it was best."I was torn apart inside by anger and confusion as well as the misery I was experiencing. "So, Dad, what do we do now? How do we handle Ethan and all of this?"His shoulders sagged as he moaned. "I'm not sure, Elah. But we must stop this cycle of retaliation. We cannot allow more lives to be lost as a result of this."Ethan had to meet me at home before he returned, so I left. "What are you doing here, Elah?" I was sitting on Ethan's bed when a voice from behind me drew my attention away from my thoughts.Thomas was staring at me with worried eyes as I turned around. Thomas, who at one point seemed to be a buddy, suddenly held the key to something more significant and risky.He is an aura of peace in my life, always ready to provide
I was consumed with thoughts of my father's passing when I abruptly heard Ethan's Father.As soon as I caught sight of Mr. Jakes, Ethan's father, my heart raced. It was clear how shocked and surprised Ethan was as his eyes widened."What are you doing here?" Ethan's voice trembled, a mixture of uncertainty and perplexity.Mr. Jakes looked his kid in the eye, his face cold. "I came to complete what I began,"Ethan spoke with a mix of doubt and urgency in his words. "You killed Elah's father, did you?"With a menacing glimmer in his eyes, Mr. Jakes grinned. "The father of your beloved Elah was at a loose end. Just like your own father, he knew too much."I was stuck in place as I crouched down in the vehicle, the revelation coming over me like a tsunami. My father was shot by his father, not Ethan.While speaking, Ethan's voice quivered and was tinged with rage and uncertainty."Why did you kill him, though?"Mr. Jakes raised the pistol and stared emotionlessly into Ethan's eyes. He w
A few years backI walked into the Academic advisor's office and clenched my fingers together as I walked slowly towards his desk. A feeling of fear and worry wrapped around my face as I tried to compose myself. Seated with both legs on the table, a large newspaper covering his face was the dramatic Academic advisor. As much as I tried to avoid meeting him in a private place, I just couldn't ignore his meeting this time around.Stood in front of him as I came to a stop."You asked to see me, sir,"Quickly flapped the papers he was holding, and gave an outrageous look. Bent his face slightly trying to get a clearer look without his glasses. "Miss Anderson." He sounded as official and polite as he could ever be. "Have a seat." He said stretching his hand to the seat in front of me. Dropping the papers he held and leaning forward on his chair.He snorted, "Is there anything you'd like to talk to me about?" I was confused, "I don't understand."He stared at me abruptly. "Your grades ar
"Dad!" I stood trying to compose myself. "How long have you been standing here?"He looked pale and full of sorrow. With each passing day gradually drew life and hope away from him. Looking at how he gets to fight each day, struggling to stay alive for me and my brother, gives me determination to keep pushing. "I was contacted by your advisor." He said trying to maintain steady eye contact as if there was something he was looking forward to hearing from me. My heart froze. "Why would he…" immediately I noticed the change in his countenance, I knew I had failed him. I knelt immediately. "I'm sorry, Dad. I was only worried about David. But I'm promising to…." He suddenly placed his hands on my shoulders, inflicting shock on me."What are you talking about Elah?" Immediately, I stood up, looking like I had seen a ghost. "You said my academic advisor contacted you?""Yes. He did." He said and sat down on the floor of the basketball court. "And what did he say?" "Is there somethin
"Oh, Mitchell!" Quickly dropped my hand, trying to act normal."You were going to hit me right?" "Not at all.""I was only joking." She said and a little smile played around her cheek."Everyone's gone, why are you still in class?" "Nothing. I just want to do something reading before I leave." "Elah, I know it's them." She pointed to the guys outside and I sighed. "Come, I'll drop you off." I looked at her with surprise, I couldn't have asked for more. I hurriedly threw my books into my small bag and followed her. "My driver is outside the class, I'll have him come into the school so he can walk us to the car. At least, that way they wouldn't dare to come close to you."I shook my head in appreciation as we walked majestically to where her car was parked. The boys gave me an angry look but all that mattered to me was the freedom I got. We got to her car and I hopped in. Words couldn't describe how comfortable and expensive the car was. Mitchell is from a wealthy family, she is th
"Is everything okay?" I asked with anxiety in my voice.She sighed but didn't say a word. I pushed the door open and stepped out. As much as I wanted to know what the issue was, I didn't want to miss my appointment at the bar. I walked into the Celab bar, which operated as a restaurant during the day but at night, runs a bar session. "Good day ma'am," I said to the lady at the bar counter. She looked at me and then continued arranging the bottles and cleaning the cups. "I'm sorry but, I have an appointment with your manager." She turned and faced me, looking as if I said something out of point."Can't you see I'm busy, go ask another person.""But you work here and you can as well tell me where to find him.""Is anything wrong with your ears? I said, go ask another person. Leave!""Okay, okay, sorry." Just when I was about to approach another bartender, she called out to me and said,"That's him over there." She pointed in a direction. "Thank you.""Good day sir, I'm Elah Anderson
Suddenly, David began to throw up blood from his mouth.I ran to him, I could feel the weakness in his eyes, tears running down my cheeks as I saw him struggle for his life. A cry for help which I couldn't give. My hands were covered in blood, I didn't know what to do at that time."Doctor!" I screamed at the top of my voice. "Doctor, somebody help!" Immediately a nurse ran into the ward and ran out. Then a doctor rushed in with her and he was wheeled away. Seated in the corner of the room, my knees tight to my chest, and tears were far from my eyes. I knew the doctors would ask for more money but we've got nothing, not even a single dime.About a few minutes later, a nurse walked up to me,"Excuse me, Miss, the doctor wants to see you." I sluggishly pushed myself up, in the hollow of my pain and sympathy for Dave, I struggled to find my way to the doctor's office, finding comfort in the pool of my pains."You may have your seat." He saidI sat down, tightly clenched my bloody hands
I sat in my room, thinking on how I would get the money needed for David's treatment. The weight of responsibility and the heaviness of debt, I felt like fainting. "Should I talk to Mitchell about it?" I thought but I didn't want to lose being friends with her. "What if she feels I only want her because of her Money? No, I won't." But then, remembering David's condition pushed me into making the decision to talk to Mitchell."I will talk to her about it. I will do whatever it is she wants if she demands it." I made up my mind and I didn't consider any other option as Mitchell was like my only hope at that time. I sat up late, waiting for my Dad as it kept raining cats and dogs. I was really worried because he had no friends, or relatives he could go to that night. With his present state, I had no choice but to go into the rain to look for him. I picked up the little umbrella we had, David's fifth year birthday present from my Dad and dashed into the heavy rain.I had only walked