ACCALIA'S POVDon squeezed my hand reassuringly, his gaze filled with unwavering determination. "We can do this, Accalia," he said, his voice steady despite the tremble in his hands. "Together, we can face anything."With a heavy heart, I nodded in agreement, drawing strength from Don's unwavering faith in our future. As we boarded the bus and took our seats, I cast one last glance back at the village of Arinthia, its familiar streets now fading into the distance.And as the bus pulled away, carrying us towards an uncertain future, I knew that it was time to go back to my old life.As the bus journeyed towards the city, the landscape outside morphed from rolling hills to towering skyscrapers, a stark contrast to the quaint charm of Arinthia. With each passing mile, my heart grew heavier, the uncertainty of our future weighing heavily upon me.But as we finally arrived at our destination and stepped off the bus, a sense of anticipation tingled in the air. For the first time in what fel
ACCALIA POV)"You will marry him next week!"I felt the last wall of hope in my heart crumble down. I stared at my father with teary face, my eyes had long turned red and I tried desperately to sniffle and breathe at the same time."Father how can you ask me to marry him? You know very well what he tried to do to me !" I cried out desperately, hoping inside of me that my father would hear me out and change his mind."That was all in the past, let's forget about it. He is now a changed man."I used the back of my hand to wipe my running nose. I could not believe that my father would do something like this."How can you say that, you know very well what he tried to do Father!"Something flickered in my father's eyes, the emotion in his eyes were raw. It showed real pain but he was adamant on not working with the emotion."Accalia! You will do as you are told!"My father's voice thundered through the whole room, I flinched in fear, not fear of his anger but fear of what was to come with
(DON'S POV)Don Donato was a name synonymous with power and dominance in the corporate world and I sure as hell ruled my imaginary kingdom from the very pinnacle of my sleek skyscraper company, Donato Enterprises. I was blessed with piercing blue eyes that could cut through any steel, a jawline that was carved to perfection with a demeanor that left no room for compromise or incompetence, I would always command respect and fear in equal in the business worldI was seated in my lavishly luxurious office, I leaned back in my chair with my fingers steepled beneath my sharp chin. My phone repeatedly buzzed uncontrollably with messages and calls, but I paid them no mind or attention. The world outside the floor-to-ceiling windows seemed insignificant compared to the empire I had built from the ground. Donato Enterprises was my own kingdom and I was its unrelenting ruler.My assistant, Jennifer, timidly entered the room and her eyes were wide with apprehension. "Mr. Donato, the quarterly re
(ACCALIA'S POV)The club's intoxicating rhythm moved through the air and it was creating an atmosphere that was charged with immense desires. The handsome stranger's presence in front of me felt like a magnetic force, like it was drawing me closer as though we were two opposing poles.With the effects of alcohol still in my head, it seemed to somehow lend me a very reckless confidence, I leaned in closer to the handsome stranger. His gaze were penetrating and unwavering and held mine in a heated embrace that left me breathless, it was almost like we were in a staring competition. The unspoken connection between us sizzled like electricity. The handsome stranger was the definition of perfection, how could a man be so handsome? He skin was smooth and so clear, he had strong jawline and dark blue eyes set deep into his face like a gemstone. His hair was thick and black and fell on his forehead with an ease that showed his rough exterior and it suited him, his hair was styled perfectly
(DON'S POV)As I looked into Accalia's eyes, her words hung between us and it was heavy with desperation and desire. It was clear that she was really in a predicament, probably a very big and deep one but what struck me most was how intensely drunk she appeared to be. The alcohol had blurred the edges of her world and it left her vulnerable and adrift. Anything could happen to her if she mingled in the crowd or stepped outside anyone. I took a good look at her, she looked fragile like she would break at the slightest touch. She looked nothing more than twenty, she was wearing nothing but a yellow dress that fell below her knees and showed off her beautiful legs. Her hair golden hair fell freely around her shoulders in waves and her little makeup perfectly blended with her pale skin making her appear like an angel, as if God had made up some sort of beauty serum for her. She was a beauty, truly, and there was something intoxicating about her beauty even if I felt my mind begin to wan
(ACCALIA'S POV)The moment I regained consciousness, I regretted it instantly. My head throbbed with a relentless and heavy ache and the blinding sunlight filtering through the curtains felt like an assault on my eyes. As I tried to piece together the events of the previous night, I felt a strong feeling of irritation washed over me when the vivid memory of my parents asking me to marry Ken Peterson flooded in, and I hissed in annoyance.I groaned in irritation, wanting nothing more than to bury my head under the covers and block out the world. I intended to roll over and go back to sleep, to escape the impending storm of parental pressure, but then the distorted and blurry memories flooded into my mind. The club, the sultry proposition I had dared to make and the my goodness gracious, the handsome and mysterious stranger named Don, it all came rushing back.My eyes widened in embarrassment as I remembered my reckless proposal to a man I barely knew. The last thing I recalled him sa
(ACCALIA'S POV)My eyes traveled to where Don sat, He was dressed in a dark suit, with a crisp white shirt and a silk tie. His shoes are shined to a mirror-like finish, and he's wearing a gold watch on his wrist. His expression is unreadable, but there's a hint of a smirk on his lips. His eyes are cold and calculating, and he exudes an aura of power and control. He sits back on the couch, one leg crossed casually over the other as if he owns the room. Everything about him screams danger and authority, his gaze holding empty emotions in them, I was confused, I had a hazy memory of him at the bar but he was the one as his strong cologne filled the entire room,Clarissa pasted a fake smile on her face as she approached me.“What's going on?” I managed to whisper to her.“What do you mean what's going on? He came for you.” Her voice rang like a bell in my head, as I looked at everyone in the room.“You all have got to be joking, right?” I asked but Dad only smiled as he stared at me,and
ACCALIA'S POVWe got downstairs, to see Dad and Aunt Clarissa. The look on their faces seems subtle and confused. I stood behind Don, as he spoke,“I'm taking her home tonight.” He says, Dad shared a look with Aunt Clarissa, then to me,“Why all of a sudden? The marriage rites are yet to be done.” He managed to say, Don turned his head slowly to him,”Marriage rites?" They both nodded frantically,“Lia and I already did that. I just came here to pick up my wife before you give her up.” He paused, then allowed them to digest what he had just said, then continued” We'll see you at the wedding.” They both stood in awe at what was happening, even I was shocked because I wasn't expecting that response from him.He looked at me with a cold expression, “Pack your things and meet me in the car." He said as he straightened his jacket and adjusted his tie. He gave me a cold, hard look, and then turns and walks out the door without a word. As he leaves, I feel a sense of relief wash over me. I c