The image of him being happy and loving with my best friend felt like betrayal. It felt like he had launched a knife into my heart while I was struggling to breathe. How could he betray me this way? How could he betray me with my best friend? "You said you loved me." I cried out and brushed the tears running down my face away. He stared at me, and the coldness in his eyes mirrored the one his mother always had for me. "That was my greatest mistake." I felt cold. ..... Once Imela believed love was enough, but not anymore. Love was just another lie that the weak believed in to keep them from seeing the truth: that there was no place for people like them in this world.
Imela Barau's POV
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Blink.
Repeat.
All the coping lessons I gave myself for thirty minutes while we drove over here had suddenly become useless, as none of them were helping me face the beat of the drum. My heart hammered against my chest, and sweat trickled down my face as I bit down on my lower lip, waiting for the reaction of the speechless family at the dinner table to the news.
"You asked her to marry you?" Ivory Plane, Oliver's mother, exclaimed as her green eyes darted between us in horror, as if those words were the worst thing she had ever heard. Her complete disapproval bore itself in her poised, high-pitched voice.
Oliver Plane dropped the bomb a minute ago. It was the news of our engagement at the dinner table, and a minute of silence passed with the gazes of the other four Planes at the table darting between us.
"I am very sure that is what I just said a minute ago, Mom." Oliver, who hadn't picked up all the cues his mother had laid since he stepped into the house hand in hand with me, asked.
I stayed still in my seat, like one drenched in cold, dirty water, unable to blink or even breathe, when Ivory's murderous gaze swept over to me. I always pictured myself dying at a ripe old age, but seated here and now, I felt my death wasn't so far away.
I wasn't poorly dressed. I wore a red asymmetrical dress which Elena, my grandma, bought me on my 21st birthday four months ago after saving up for five months. It was lovely, and I reserved it to be worn only on special occasions like tonight. Ivory's eyes, however, made me feel like I wore filth from my head down to my toe as her disgust-filled eyes raked over me.
My hands tightened around my cutlery because we had barely finished eating when Oliver dropped the news of our engagement on them, probably hoping for a better reaction than the one he was currently receiving.
Ivory had asked who I was, wanting to chit-chat despite the disdain and obvious resentment she bore for my presence, and Oliver introduced me to them as his fiancée.
When Oliver Plane asked me to marry him, I only thought about spending forever with the man I love and growing together to a ripe old age. I didn't think too far into the reality of what that meant, and that was my error. This, right here, is what it meant.
"Congratulations, brother," Nina said happily, and she was the first on the table to show a genuine reaction. She was Oliver's younger sister of three years, who was studying at Harvard Law. The nineteen-year-old rose from her seat and gave him a warm hug in a show of support.
If looks could kill, Ivory Plane would have murdered her youngest child at that very moment.
"Thank you," Oliver said with a radiant smile, and Nina's green eyes dimmed as she returned his smile.
"Congratulations?" Ivory scoffed, and this turned the two siblings' attention to her. "This is madness! He is literally throwing his life away, and on whom? Her?" Her cold, burning gaze once again seized me from head down to my finger, and her cheeks turned red from visible rage.
"You are being dramatic, Mom, as always." Nina brushed it off casually.
Oh, it was nice that one out of the four Planes that heard the news was all welcoming. Two against three wasn't a very hopeful look.
I never thought I would be one to turn a family against themselves, but here I was, doing a fine job at that.
Ivory once again looks so close to murdering her child. "Stop talking, Nina, for your own sake." She said it gracefully, even though her eyes warned the girl that she was this close to meeting a cruel fate if she kept talking.
Nina scoffed and reluctantly returned to her seat.
My hands on the table trembled, and I withdrew them and placed them on my lap where no one would see them.
Oliver noticed because he reached out, placed his hand tenderly on mine, and squeezed on it. "In what way am I throwing my life away? What is wrong with Imela?" Oliver demanded.
Ivory threw her hands up as if the answer to the question was so obvious to anyone looking. "What do you know about her? What does her mother do? Who is her father? What does he do? These are the things you took into consideration before-"
"Before what?" Oliver challenged with a raised brow, not letting her finish. His voice was becoming rigid, and I knew he was close to losing control. "Before falling in love and wanting to spend the rest of my life with someone? What do her father and mother have to do with the fact that I love her?" He adjusted the blue tie he had on and undid the few top buttons of his white inner shirt.
I could tell he wanted to get out of this three-piece suit.
"Son, marriage is a serious commitment, not just something you run into because you feel like it." Robert Plane spoke up for the first time since his son dropped the bomb on them.
With his line of speech, it showed he was choosing his wife's side and not Oliver's.
The odds weren't in our favour.
"Of course not, Dad; I am supposed to treat it like a business transaction like you and Mom have for thirty years, hating who you married and wishing nothing but death upon them, but staying married because it is good for business." He answered.
Robert slammed his hand against the table, startling everyone seated. "Enough!"
"You will speak to your father and me with respect." Ivory snapped, turning her fury on Oliver.
Oliver looked anything but ready to do as he was told. "You have shown little to no respect to Imela since she got here, and you do not even know her."
Ivory's attention, once again, moved to me, and they became as hard as rocks. Her green eyes pierced into me as if they could see my soul.
Her gaze darkened, and anger flared in her eyes. "I do not need to know her to know her type. She's a gold digger, a manipulator, one who sees a boy from a wealthy family and lashes onto him for as long as she can. She is the kind that will take all that she can from him before leaving him for dead." Ivory poured out on me, her tone brittle with annoyance.
Silence once again engulfed everyone, and the only noise heard was a clock hanging on the wall in the living room.
I gasped, and a tear dropped. I felt a stab in my chest, unable to bear her crude words.
Nina glanced at me with a pitiful look on her face and said, "If I were you, I'd get as far from this cursed family as possible; we ruin everything we touch and try to love." She advised, and there was no sarcasm in her tone.
Oliver threw the serviette down on the table, rose to his feet, and turned his attention to me. "I am sorry you had to sit through this hell called dinner. I will not keep you anymore and burden you with this madness." He offered me his hand. "Let's get out of here."
"Oliver, do not walk out on us; this dinner isn't over," Robert said in a commanding tone.
"It is for me and my fiancée." He replied, not breaking his gaze on me.
I took his hand, and I felt much strength return to my legs as he pulled me up.
He wrapped his arms protectively around me as soon as I fully rose, and without looking back at those still seated at the table, he led me away from the hell called dinner.
Xoxo
Hello, thanks for opening. I hope you will enjoy your read.
Also, the playlist for this book is as follows: Until I Found You - Stephen Sanchez
Say Yes To Heaven - Lana Del Ray
I Want You Anyway - Jon McLaughlin
The Night We Met - Lord Huron
Before You Leave Me- Alex Warren
Can't Lose - I.B.K
The Good Ones - Gabby Barrett
Another Love - Tom Odell
Daylight - David Kushner
Wait For Me - Johnny Drille
Steady My Heart - Kari Jobe
Rivers Flows In You - Yiruma
Wonder- Shawn Mendes
These songs are always in replay and help set the options and rhythm for the book. Hope you love them XD.
He rose and moved towards me, my heart picking up its pace with every step he took. His hand stroked the side of my face, causing a tingle to rush through me and I shivered into his touch just like earlier. He leaned in and his breath fanned over my face, hot, weakening and mind-numbing. "You should be running, Zera." he said with a voice so raw it made me shudder against him. "The most sensible thing to do is run from someone like me." "I don't want to run." I stubborn stated, worn out with his long game. It wasn't helping anyone. He wanted me, I could see that, and I wanted him too. His nose rubbed against mine, and he moved his forehead against mine. "Oh darling, but you should. I won't be like those little boys you've been with. I won't stop when you want me to. I won't stop until I'm completely buried in your mind and soul. You will belong to me."
"Take off your clothes, I want to see the body I'd be living with for the rest of my life," he commands, moving to the other side of the room where the red armchair was. She hesitated, and that displeased him. He growled, clearly infuriated. “Do you need some kind of motivation? Because you will not get it. Take off your fucking clothes!” he thunders, making her jump and her legs shake. With shaky hands and a trembling body, she grabbed the hand of the silk gown again and dragged it down. Her eyes stayed glued to the floor, not having the audacity to look up at the alpha king across the room from her. “You’re not done yet!” *** Mia Asika had wanted only one thing for the longest time, enlightenment and the freedom to travel the world in search of it. Mia's dreams however ended the day Ariel, her beautiful and fair older sister who was betrothed to the alpha king, died the night before her marriage and she became the last resort. Hated at sight, the alpha king moved to make her union to him that of misery. Can Mia's will for survival withstand the alpha king's cold and unloving nature? Love and Chaos series Book #1 The Alpha King's Ugly Bride Book# 2 His Forbidden Mate Book #3 The Alpha King's Runaway Bride Book #4 Alpha Koz: The Abnormal Alpha
The room is awfully quiet except for Keenan's laboured breath and my heavily pounding heart. His hands are planted on his hips and his eyes fixated on the ceiling as if he's thinking about all the regretful things he's done in his life. Why does this it feel like the beginning of another disastrous road? "What's wrong?" I ask in panic, because I wonder if he's also recollecting the events that happened last night in part like I am and regretting it. "Apparently we did more than get drunk last night," He lift the paper certificate from the bar counter and shows it to me, "we got married."
She rubbed her forehead profusely, "You do, you could walk away and save yourself now and I will be fine and I will understand." He glanced at her and his gaze locked and there was a level of sincerity in them, "If I save myself, who's going to save you?" ***** Jasmin Whyte was a twenty-six-year-old thief who ran away from her boyfriend after she caught him cheating, an excuse to finally leave her old life behind and start over, but when she discovered that she was two weeks pregnant for her him, she began back to her old ways. It wasn't long before she fell into trouble which was how she ran into billionaire Cainan Inferno and her life took an unexpected turn. Cainan Inferno was a thirty-three-year-old Billionaire and the CEO of The Inferno group which was the largest company in the country. He once had it all with money and looks, but his life took a sour turn after he lost his wife Neriah Gomez to cancer. Meeting Jasmin Whyte sparked the feeling he thought was long dead and he knew the only one capable of helping him move on from his late wife was her. He tracked her down and made her an offer she couldn't refuse while ignoring all the threats her past posed to his name, reputation and social status. All he asks in return was for her to steal his heart. Will she be able to do the one thing he asks or will she lose her heart in the process?
*No one messes with fire and goes unburnt.* "Twenty four hours is my most generous offer to you." He says with no trace of pity in his tone. Her eyes widen, "But that's unfair." "Unfair is demolishing the house on you while you're still inside and believe me that's what I'm going to do if you don't get lost in twenty-four hours." She scoffs"You're unbelievable." "Being unbelievable is what has brought me here today." He agrees with a nod. "And being an idiot is what will take you to where you will be tomorrow, cause you might be a billionaire, but you sure are an idiotic one." Cainan Inferno is a self-made billionaire and since he worked for everything he has, he doesn't do well with insult from people, especially those that are not his class. So what happens when poor Neriah Gomez cross the line with Cainan and calls him an idiotic billionaire before his staff? Will he do to her like he has done to the rest or will the cold-hearted monster choose to let it go??
"You really think I'm playing around?" He grounds at me through gritted teeth and he takes a step closer and I begin to move back. "I gave you a strict instruction and you disobeyed, you chose to rebel." There is about one zillion comeback running through my head, but my brain only focuses on the man whose green eyes has somehow turn into black because he's mad at me. "Do you know what happens to rebellious people?" I keep moving back until my back hit the wall and I hiss out in frustration. I swallow hard and try not to look at him, pissing him off would be a good thing when we aren't the only ones in the whole house. "Do you?!" He demands with a roar. "No, I don't. Tell me." I say, hiding the trembling of my voice as I look up at him. He takes a firm step close to stand intimately close to me, his height making me feel like a little child. "They get punished." *** The arrangement was, I get to meet her, propose to her, we get married as that would create a stronger bond d the two business associates, bringing us together as a family. Falling in love with her personal assistant was never part of the arrangement.
Her fiance and her best friend worked together and set her up. She lost everything and died in the street. However, she was reborn. The moment she opened her eyes, her husband was trying to strangle her. Luckily, she survived that. She signed the divorce agreement without hesitation and was ready for her miserable life. To her surprise, her mother in this life left her a great deal of money. She turned the tables and avenged herself. Everything went well in her career and love when her ex-husband came to her.
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. "It's time to reveal your true identity, darling."
As far as everyone was concerned, William had married Renee under duress. Now that his one true love was back—and with child—they couldn’t wait for him to abandon Renee. Surprisingly, Renee was candid about the situation. "To be honest, I’m the one asking for a divorce every single day. I want it even more than any of you!" But they brushed off her remark as a paltry attempt to save face. Until William made a declaration himself. "Divorce is out of the question. Anyone who spreads false rumors shall face legal consequences!" Renee was at a loss. What was this crazy man up to now?
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
My family was on the poverty line and had no way to support me in college. I had to work part-time every day just to make ends meet and afford to get into the university. That was when I met her—the pretty girl in my class that every boy dreamt of asking out. I was well aware she was out of my league. Nevertheless, I mustered all my courage and bravely told her that I had fallen for her. To my surprise, she agreed to be my girlfriend. With the sweetest smile I had ever seen, she told me that she wanted my first gift for her to be the latest and top-of-the-line iPhone. I worked like a dog and even did my classmates’ laundry to save up. My hard work eventually paid off after a month. I finally got to buy what she wanted. But as I was wrapping my gift, I saw her in the dressing room, making out with the captain of the basketball team. She then heartlessly made fun of my inadequacy and made a fool out of me. To make things worse, the guy whom she cheated on me with even punched me in the face. Desperation washed over me, but there was nothing I could do but lie on the floor as they trampled on my feelings. But then, my father called me out of the blue, and my life turned upside down. It turned out that I was a billionaire's son.
Three years ago, the Moore family opposed Charles Moore's choice to marry his beloved woman and selected Scarlett Riley as his bride. Charles didn't love her. In fact, he hated her. Not long after they got married, Scarlett received an offer from her dream university and jumped on it. Three years later, Charles's beloved woman fell terribly ill. In order to fulfill her last wish, he called Scarlett back and presented her with a divorce agreement. Scarlett was deeply hurt by Charles's abrupt decision, but she chose to let him go and agreed to sign the divorce papers. However, Charles seemed to delay the process deliberately, leaving Scarlett confused and frustrated. Now, Scarlett was trapped between the consequences of Charles's indecision. Would she be able to break free from him? Would Charles eventually come to his senses and face his true feelings?