CHAPTER 21Relief washed over me, mingling with a surge of joy. I leaned in, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead, silently thanking her for taking this leap of faith with me."Goodbye then Emma" i said"Goodbye Alexander"As I stepped out of Emma's apartment building, ready to head back to my own thoughts, a woman's voice called out from the side of the road. I hesitated, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected interruption. Curiosity getting the better of me, I approached her cautiously."Excuse me, are you Alexander?" she asked, her eyes filled with a mix of determination and concern.I nodded, a touch of wariness seeping into my voice. "Yes, I am. Who are you?"The woman took a deep breath, her gaze steady. "I'm Laila, Emma's friend," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of urgency. "I care deeply about her, and I need to talk to you about the relationship you're about to embark on for the sake of your child."Her words sent a shiver down m

CHAPTER 23Alexander.I tried not thinking about it but everything I do and wherever I go only seemed to remind me of that night with her. I tried using various girls to satiate my hunger for her but it never worked, that pleasure I got from her was never found anywhere else. I tried virgins and even paid them off, I tried sleeping with a virgin while both of us were completely drunk but all I felt was loneliness and confusion. I went back to the gallery and made researches about her and I found out that she was quite a talented artist and her art left me in wonder making her even more and more intriguing. I had been awaiting her call or at least even a text but she never even tried to text or call me. I wondered if there could be a possibility that the cleaning lady didn't give her the note so I went back to the hotel and made enquires, she had definitely received the number but she didn't seem to be willing to call me.Desperate, I had my assistant o

CHAPTER 25Tears welled up in my eyes once again, this time not out of sorrow, but out of gratitude. In that moment, I realized the immense love and concern they held for me. They weren't belittling me; they were simply trying to shield me from further pain.I took a deep breath, letting their words sink in. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice filled with genuine appreciation. "I'm sorry for lashing out. I know you both have my best interests at heart."Laila and Natalie exchanged a knowing glance and then smiled at me. "We're a team, Emma," Laila said, her voice brimming with determination. "We'll face everything together, the highs and the lows. You're not alone in this, I have said that way too many times girl. We love you."With renewed understanding and a strengthened bond, we resumed our roles, each playing a part in clearing the remnants of the burnt books. As we worked side by side, a sense of unity and resilience.A wave of contentment washed ove

CHAPTER 27As the initial shock wore off, he turned his gaze towards me, his eyes filled with a quiet intensity.I splashed cold water onto my face once more, the refreshing liquid soothing my heated skin. As I gazed at my reflection, I realized that my sudden rush to fix my appearance was not solely because of Alexander. It was an instinctual desire to present myself in the best possible light, to feel confident and put together.With newfound determination, I rummaged through my drawer, selecting a simple, flattering outfit and carefully applying a light touch of makeup. Each stroke of mascara and swipe of lip balm was an act of self-care, a way to enhance my own natural beauty rather than seeking validation from others.As I stood before the mirror, I couldn't help but question my motivations. Why was I going through all this effort to look good for a conversation with Alexander? Was it merely an excuse I had concocted to justify my actions? Or was

CHAPTER 29As the weight of our conversation hung in the air, I suddenly pulled away from Alexander, a surge of excitement coursing through me. "Wait, Alexander! What about my wedding dress? And will I have bridesmaids?"A mischievous smile danced upon his lips as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small envelope. "That's exactly why I came here so early. I wanted to give you this."He handed me the envelope, and inside was a handwritten note, along with his credit card. My eyes widened in astonishment as he continued, "Emma, this credit card is now yours. I've written down the PIN for you. I want you to go shopping for your perfect wedding dress, and whatever else you need. I want you to have everything you've ever dreamed of."Tears welled up in my eyes as gratitude overwhelmed me. Alexander may not be able to offer me love, but he was determined to give me everything else in abundance. It was an unexpected gesture, and I felt my heart swell