Three years ago, our divorce was finalised. Three years ago, he walked out on not only me but our future together and now the past has brought us back together. I'm being haunted by the mistakes Benji made in the past.Mistakes who have now taken our daughter. No matter how much I hate to admit it, I need Benji's help. I cannot fight this alone and maybe a little part of me also hopes that we could settle our differences and comeback together because if there is one thing I would admit, it's the fact that I never stopped loving Benji and I could not stop living Benji. This is the second story in the enemies but lovers series. This is Benji and Echo's story
Benji's POV
Sometimes in life, the unexpected happens. And when I say unexpected I don't mean something trivial. I'm talking about something that could shake your roots and reshape everything about you. Something that could break your facade into a thousand pieces of glass. Glasses that would be hard to pick and place back together.
To be sincere, I never thought this would happen to me. I was so focused on Brandon and his new family. Although it brought back memories, I was so happy for him because he was a very close friend. The word friend wouldn't be enough to describe my relationship with Brandon. He was a brother. We all are brothers. And I know how hard he fought to get a little bit of peace. I know how hard he fought to be with Emma now.
And also, no one would have thought that Brandon would be the first of us to get a child but who would have thought that he was having a trust with someone we all thought he hated? Not that they were in love with each other but he claimed they were sexually compatible which I have to agree with because I've been in the audience while they made googly lovesick eyes at each other.
And while I should be happy for them....no. I am happy for both of them because they deserve this happiness but there is something that reminds me of what my life could have been like if I had not been so naive and stupid. I pushed the best thing to ever happen to me away and most days, I sit and try to imagine what she would look like now. If she would be happy without me. If she thinks about me the same way I think about her.
But there is no way to find out because I signed a contract not to even search her on social media or even contact her at all. Funny right? That's a lie. I was the one who came up with my punishment. I decided not to search for her at all. No matter what I did, I could never live up to her father's expectations. I wonder if my being a billionaire would make him change his mind now.
My phone buzzed on the table where I had kept it and I knew my friends were going off in the group chat. Since there was nothing to do, I decided to see exactly what it was they were talking about.
Alec: I have no fucking idea what is going on.
Brandon:???
Alec: I mean I don't understand what is happening.
Piper: We got that the first time.
So it was the general group chat. The one that had every one of us in it. The same one where we had argued a few days ago about who was going to be Zoey's bridesmaid.
Kevin: Speak English.
Carson: Pretty sure he is speaking English.
Kevin: You know what I mean.
Alec: Guys! I'm being serious.
Me: Then maybe you should explain better?
Carson: Is Benji being the most reasonable one in this group today?
I shook my head as a smile made its way to my face. Benji was the only black guy in our group and he was an actor but he was also the life of the party, and also the jokestar of the group. While people thought it strange that he moved with a bunch of white people, he did not care. Benji and Kevin had known him longer though. They've been friends since high school and no matter what people say about Carson relating with a group of white boys as they liked to call it, he did not care.
Emma: I don't see how Benji telling Alec to explain better makes him reasonable.
Carson: Make some noise for Mama Tyler, people.
Kevin: What the fuck? *Laughing emoji*
Me: Woohoo *laughing emoji.*
Brandon: Woohoo. That's my baby mama right there people. *Laughing emoji.*
Emma: Shut up you guys.
Alec: Guys, can we come back to the reason why I dragged you all here and not Mama Tyler although I still don't know why you named him Tyler, Dumbledore would've been better.
Me: Tyler is the best baseball player ever. And why the fuck should he be named Dumbledore? Do you want him to look like some old dude with overgrown hair extensions he disguises as a beard?
Kevin: Um....before this gets out of hand, Alec could you explain what is going on?
Alec: It's not overgrown extensions but that's by the way. I have a visitor. I mean I don't know if I should call her a visitor but since she just showed up she is a visitor right?
Zoey: For goodness sake, Alec just say what's on your mind.
Alec: So this is mainly for Benji though. You might want to come over.
Me: Why?
Carson: Do you miss him that much? As far as I know, we all live in the same area and Benji's home isn't that far from yours.
Alec: Shut up, I'm serious.
Me: Pretty sure you have to tell me why I should come over. Today's the day I play FIFA until I'm tired.
Carson: Should I come over?
Piper: Aren't you in London shooting a movie?
Carson: Fuck you caught me there.
Piper: There was nothing to catch. It was public knowledge.
Emma: Let's now go back to Alec and stop behaving like college kids.
Alec: Right.
Me:....
Alec: It's a woman. She's black. I think she's your ex-wife.
Carson: Your ex-wife is black? How did I not know about this?
Brandon: No one knew about this, you idiot.
Me: Very funny, Alec. Why would my ex-wife show up on your doorstep?
Alec: Well, she didn't show up at my doorstep per se. I was driving into the area when I saw her at the gate. She was about talking with the security guys you hired.
Kevin: Main entrance or....
Alec: Main entrance.
Brandon: And you just let her in? Do you even know if she is his ex-wife?
Alec: She is. I....I may have stumbled across her some time ago.
I scoffed. Alec saying stumbled meant he searched her up. And I dislike the fact that he would do that behind my back. What exactly did he plan to gain from searching her up?
Me: You went searching didn't you?
Alec: Yes. But that's beside the point. She insists on speaking with you.
Me: So you couldn't reach out to me personally?
Alec: I panicked.
Me: Yeah sure
Alec: But I'm not joking. Can you come over?
I released a sigh and picked up a shirt. Alec's home was in the same gated area as mine and it was just a walking distance away because the houses in this place were huge. I still doubted that my ex-wife would be with Alec, in his home. I found it hard to believe but still, there was something about this situation that propelled me forward so I sought to meet with her.
Immediately I got to Alec's home, I saw him seated on the porch, he approached me immediately.
"Where is she?" I asked him.
Alec placed his hands on the hoodie he loved wearing. He dressed like a college kid most times but that brain was way more developed and he had gone through more than an average college kid had gone through.
"Inside. But.."
I ignored him and walked into his home, making my way to his sitting room. I heard voices. A woman speaking. I knew that voice anywhere because I had spent years with her. Alec wasn't lying.
I stopped in my tracks when I saw that my ex-wife wasn't alone. She was talking to someone else. A little girl who held a teddy bear that was too big for her. She looked scared....anxious? I could not understand children very well.
My ex-wife looked better. She looked good but there was evidence of tiredness in her eyes. As much as she looked good, she also looked stressed. The little girl was the first to notice me and she touched Echo, my ex-wife who turned and stared at me.
There was so much being said in her gaze. So much being spoken with just that gaze and while I wanted nothing more than to touch her. To hold her and kiss her. To whisper sweet nothings into her ear and make her mine, I couldn't. We were not that set of people anymore. The familiarity wasn't there anymore.
Echo was the first to break eye contact. She turned to the little girl who clutched onto her dress like her life depended on it.
"Mama." The little girl said to her.
Echo turned to give her attention. "I just need a moment, baby. Would you mind giving mummy a moment?" She asked the girl.
The girl nodded but did as Echo asked. If my estimations were correct, then she would be about two or three years old.
"Benji," Echo called out in greeting.
When I said the unexpected happens sometimes, this was what I meant. I knew with one look at Echo that my life would shatter like pieces of glass. Seeing her again was going to uproot my world. I knew but still, I wanted it to happen.
It was supposed to be a one night stand but it turned into more. Ethan After one night with her, there was no way I was going to forget about her. I dreamt of her every night. Her curves, her accent, her beautiful eyes, everything. Who would have thought that the woman I dreamt about would show up in my workplace. As much as I want her, I have to be cautious. I was the new CEO and any mistake I made would not be taken lightly which was why as much as I wanted her to be known to the world, out relationship had to be a secret. I thought I gave her everything, I really thought so but why is she gone? Why did she leave me when I was at my lowest? Alexandra Ethan had been the rebound after I found out my ex was gay. But he was a rebound I could not get out of my head. And as lucky would have it, we ended up working in the same company. It turns out my fantasies about him were off the mark because in one word, he was a jerk. But that did not stop me from falling for him even if our relationship couldn't be exposed to the world. I love Ethan but he doesn't love what I can give him. He needs to focus on his job and I need to do what's best for the family he would never come to know. This is our story, our beginning and end.
In a world where family bonds are both a shield and a weapon, Serena Zhang's life revolves around protecting her younger brother at any cost. She sacrifices her own desires, surrendering control over her fate to ensure his safety and well-being. But when a heart-wrenching truth shatters her world, Serena discovers she has been a pawn in a twisted game of deceit. Betrayed and fueled by a thirst for vengeance, Serena strikes a deal with her family's rivals. Enter Nicholas Chen who decides to work with Serena and while they claimed to hate each other, they never expected that there is a thin line between love and hate and what secrets could Nicholas be hiding from Serena? Read to find out
Two people who made a mistake in the past. This same couple cannot still admit that they still have feelings for each other and that they had made a mistake when they decided to break up. While the issue may seem so easy, no body wants to go back to the person who cheated on them especially when the other person feels their partner cheated on them. They both feel the other cheated on them and one was caught in the act. How do Riley and Ash fight through everything holding them apart as they try to battle with their incessant feelings for each other? And what exactly had Riley said to Ash to make him seek help from a cougar while she sought help from a different male? Read to find out.
The Templeton's and those from the Silver family have always been at odds with each other. This hatred passed down to their descendants. Emma and Brandon have always hated each other. They wanted nothing to do with each other but a drunken night leads to an entanglement in the sheets and they came to an agreement to keep on pleasuring the other until one of them gets tired or plans on getting married. Emma calls it off after finding out she was getting married and it is not until after one month did she find out that she was pregnant and the father was her archnemesis. How will her family react when they find out? And how will Brandon react when he finds out she was pregnant with his child? This is the first story in the Enemies but Lovers series.
⚠️ WARNING ⚠️ This Book Contains Matured Contents, reader's discretion is advised. *** "Do you have any idea how much I want to be inside you right now?" he asked as he stood to his feet. "Then why aren't you?" I responded, loving the feel of him pressed so close, my back to the mirror, my front to him. But even still, in some far corner of my lust-fogged mind, I realized that we were still in a bathroom. Anyone could walk in and see us. The thought of getting discovered was scary and erotic at the same time. "Oh, we're not done. Spread your legs a bit for me, Kitten." He commanded. When I did as he instructed, he settled between my legs again. "Now close your eyes. And try not to move." Dominic Rutherford murmured. I drew in a sharp breath as his fingers slipped into me with a silky, wet ease. First one. Then another. A feverish tide rose inside me, and I groaned. I jerked in response, causing me to unconsciously move my hips towards his teasing, clever hand, seeking more. "Ohh-" My body trembled under his touch. "Please..." *** Ruby escapes a stifling marriage filled with betrayal, eager to reclaim her freedom. At a masquerade ball, she meets Dominic, a mysterious older man always wearing a mask and has a complex past. Their intense attraction ignites a passionate and dangerous affair. Dominic, who was tasked by Ruby's unknown brother to find her, is captivated by her defiant spirit. As Ruby gets entangled in Dominic's dark world and faces threats from her vengeful former husband and an enemy within, she struggles with her fear of love. Will Ruby and Dominic overcome their pasts and the secrets that threaten to tear them apart? Can Ruby submit to love even after the truth is revealed?
The whispers said that out of bitter jealousy, Hadley shoved Eric's beloved down the stairs, robbing the unborn child of life. To avenge, Eric forced Hadley abroad and completely cut her off. Years later, she reemerged, and they felt like strangers. When they met again, she was the nightclub's star, with men ready to pay fortunes just to glimpse her elusive performance. Unable to contain himself, Eric blocked her path, asking, "Is this truly how you earn a living now? Why not come back to me?" Hadley's lips curved faintly. "If you’re eager to see me, you’d better join the queue, darling."
After my family's sinister plots collapsed, they lashed out at me, taking their rage to a violent level. Cornered and desperate, I married Jaxton—the town's most sought-after bachelor—due to an unplanned pregnancy. Love had no part in this marriage; I assumed he married me purely out of responsibility, his heart belonging elsewhere. The moment I chose to let him go and turned to leave, he grabbed me and pinned me down hard. "Jaxton, you promised you'd never touch me!" I snapped, glaring fiercely. His eyes flashed arrogantly as he leaned closer. "You're the one who started this!"
Melanie married Ashton out of gratitude, but she quickly found herself entangled in a web of relentless challenges. Despite these struggles, she stayed true to her commitment to the marriage. In the hospital room, Ashton indifferently attempted to draw her blood, disregarding her discomfort. This callous act was a harsh revelation for Melanie, awakening her to the grim reality of their relationship. Resolved to prioritize her own welfare, she decided to sever ties. With newfound resolve, Melanie filed for divorce. In the process, she unveiled her concealed identities, leaving everyone in shock. Throughout these turbulent times, Melanie realized that Derek, Ashton’s uncle, had been discreetly protecting her all along.
Janice, the long-forgotten legitimate heiress, made her way back to her family, pouring her heart into winning their hearts. Yet, she had to relinquish her very identity, her academic credentials, and her creative works to her foster sister. In return for her sacrifices, she found no warmth, only deeper neglect. Resolute, Janice vowed to cut off all emotional bonds. Transformed, she now stood as a master of martial arts, adept in eight languages, an esteemed medical expert, and a celebrated designer. With newfound resolve, she declared, "From this day forward, no one in this family shall cross me."
Natalie used to think she could melt Connor’s icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scale—all in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.