Eliana

My eyes fluttered closed as Craig leaned in, and I was inches away from letting him kiss, but then I regained my senses.

“No…” I murmured, pulling away. It was quite difficult because I wanted this but… no! “I’m sorry, Craig, but this can't happen,” I said, looking straight into his dark eyes.

They were glowing with unblemished heat and raw desire, barely contained.

I detangled myself from his arms, taking a small step back.

“Why?” He asked, that one word capturing everything else he wanted to say.

Taking a few steps away, I faced him squarely.

“Well, for one… you're my brother. It's wrong not to mention that we just met. I don't really know you!” I rushed the words out, rambling.

There was a brief moment of silence where I could feel his gaze brushing across my shoulders like a gentle caress.

“Is that all?” His British accent rubbed against me softly. “Come on, Eliana. You know that I'm not Rekho’s biological son; besides, I've told you how much I want you. Since the first moment I saw you-”

He trailed off to slowly walk towards me until he was standing less than a foot away, brushing his fingers down my cheek.

“I know you feel this thing between us too, don't you?”

A shiver ran through my spine, down to my core at his raw intensity.

If there's one thing I know, it's that Craig is unlike any man I've ever known.

He reached down to my back, sliding his hand through my waist. “I might not have all the answers for you right now, but I know this is right. Very, very right…”

His gaze roamed through my clothes, resting on my exposed white lace. The heat through his gaze was searing, lighting me up from the inside.

Red spots appeared on my cheeks during the innocent act, even though we had been kissing a few moments ago.

I desperately wanted to feel Craig's hands on my body. I briefly glanced down at his hands; they looked like they could properly pleasure a woman. But no matter how aroused I felt, it didn't eradicate the things Miguel did to me.

The lies, the emotional and physical abuse…

Unconsciously, my hand drifted towards my stomach, in the direction of my kidney.

Following my hands, his gaze turned icy cold; it felt like he could crush someone beneath it. I could almost taste his anger; it was that palpable.

“Don’t do that, Eliana.” Craig rasped, his voice a lethal whisper. “Not all men are like that asshole, Miguel! I promise I won't ever hurt you as he did, I swear! He's a fool for treating you like that!”

Gently raising his hands to cup the sides of my face, he brushed a loose curl away, tucking it behind my ear. “I'm gonna protect you and no one, especially that slime, Miguel, can ever hurt you again.”

His words rang true with sincerity, but if there's anything I've learnt from my ordeal with Miguel is that men will say anything to get what they want.

How can I trust that Craig isn't doing the same thing to me right now?

The truth is… I don't.

And that is no way to live, second-guessing and doubting every word that people say to me.

If I was going to heal from what Miguel did to me, then I needed to take some time… and just be alone, separate reality from the horrors I had endured.

“I'm sorry, Craig…” For the second time in less than 5 minutes, I pulled away again, regret coating my words. “But I can't. Not because I don't trust you, but because I don't trust myself right now, and the truth is, I need some time. I went through unimaginable things with Miguel, and I can't just ignore that and be with another man.”

“You're right.” His eyes flashed with understanding, and he nodded slowly, dropping his hands. “I understand. I'll give you all the time you need.”

“Excuse me?” I was taken aback by his words.

“Yes, you heard me right.” He stated in a tone that suggests any argument is futile. “I don't care how long you need or how much it's going to cost me, but I will wait for you.”

My mouth drops open because that was not what I was expecting to hear. “Craig…”

“Trust me, Eliana.” He murmurs, the corners of his eyes crinkling as he smiles.

Then, before I could say anything, he turned around and walked away, the smell of his cologne lingering in the air.

The whole interaction left me so flustered that I had to use the edge of my dress to lightly dab at my neck, suddenly feeling hot.

When that didn't work in making me cool down, I chose to leave the crowded room and go somewhere else.

Like the garden.

Slipping out through a hidden door, I found my way to a small secluded space by the side of the house, the scent of flowers assaulting my senses almost immediately.

As I stood there, I could almost feel a weight lift off my chest, a gentle breeze brushing over my skin.

From this vantage point, it felt like I was one with nature, and the rest of the world just faded into the background.

As I stood there, watching the trees sway gently in the night, I could hear my thoughts clearly.

I went over the list of things that have happened since I met my biological father. The way my life improved in a 360-degree measure and now with the latest addition, Craig declaring his feelings for me…

It was a lot to take in.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't hear the stranger wake up to me until he spoke,

“If I had known that there was going to be someone as beautiful as you here, then I would have shown up earlier.”

Startled, I turned to watch a young guy slowly approach me.

He was handsome and tall, almost as tall as Craig, with dark hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to glow in the twilight.

His strides screamed arrogance, the kind of confidence that came with wealth and privilege.

But despite his normal appearance, there was something about him that rubbed me the wrong way.

“Excuse me?” I managed to say.

He came to a stop a few feet away, smiling at me in a way that sent shivers down my spine.

“So you're the long-lost daughter of Rehko; you look better in person!” He stretched out his arm for a shake, but I hesitated, eyeing him closely.

“I’m sorry, who are you?”

“Oh, pardon my manners!” Placing a hand on his chest, he flashed me a carefree grin. “My name is John Prattville, CEO of Pratt Acquisitions and close friend of your father's.”

Eliana

I felt like I was on cloud nine and stretched like a satisfied cat as I grunted in bliss until I heard a soft chuckle beside me. My eyes flew open immediately.

Craig chuckled, then simply kissed me, breathless, not caring about my morning breath or anything else as I shrieked and stared at the entrance of my room. "Good morning, beautiful."

I pushed him off me as I exhaled and looked at him with a frown. "What on earth are you doing, Craig? Anyone could walk in, you know?"

"No one would dare, besides sleeping beauty. Dad said not to disturb your beauty sleep until you were properly rested, but I couldn't help myself the moment I walked in (he bit his lip seductively). You looked so tempting and delicious with your hair splayed on your soft pillows."

"Did you change me last night, Craig?"

"Yes, I did. Then I helped you bathe. There's no need to be shy around me, Eliana; there isn't a part of your body that wouldn't be acquainted with me in due time." He smirked unrepentantly, and I laughed. I couldn't help but laugh because this delicious-looking man who was the most eligible bachelor in town was acting rather clingy and goofy with me, which was a side I was certain people never got to see of him.

"Alright, Craig, I need a bath, and you need to leave now."

"Oh come on, angel, don't you want me in the bathroom with you? I swear it'd be worth your while."

I laughed...Gosh, I couldn't remember the last time I'd laughed this heartily and truthfully. I shook my head, "No, Craig. I'd rather have my bath alone, thank you."

He made a fake sad face, "Aww...okay then, beautiful. Dad wants you to visit his main branch today, so take all the time you need to look beautiful. I'd be in the dining room waiting for you, but if you prefer breakfast in bed, I'd bring it to you."

"Wait, what's the time right now?" I exclaimed as I looked up at the wall and realised it was almost noon and screamed, "Why didn't you wake me up? It's so late."

He shrugged nonchalantly. "You needed your beauty sleep. Every other thing would wait."

I almost melted right then as a tear slipped down my cheek, and he immediately panicked.

"Hey... hey... hey... what are you doing, beautiful? Your eyes are too beautiful for tears. Stop...none of that here."

I looked at him as he wiped my tears, then burst into laughter as I pulled him to myself and kissed him, and in mere seconds, I felt him bite my nipple bud before I pulled away from him, breathless.

"I'm not complaining, angel, but you can't start this and just leave me hanging...common." He splayed his hands helplessly, and I laughed.

"You should always laugh, Eliana; you look absolutely breathtaking and gorgeous when you laugh. Seriously, what was that for?"

I cleared my throat as emotions threatened to overwhelm me. "Just...thank you for accepting me."

"I don't just accept you, Eliana; I love you, and I will spend the rest of my life showing you just how much I love you."

I chuckled nervously as I pulled a strand of my hair away from my ear. "So... Do you, like, work at the company with him?"

"No angel... I'm a tech genius... You need to use Google, darling. Arthur adopted me when he found me abandoned at an orphanage at the age of six. He gave me identity, a name and everything I am today is thanks to him, but I've been able to do well on my own. I am a shareholder in all of his companies, but everything belongs to you now. It's time for you to learn the ropes."

"Wow... that's a lot, Craig."

"I know. You're rich... rich now. So get ready, beautiful. I'd be waiting for you." He kissed my forehead and walked out, and I finally exhaled.

This was a lot to process; weeks back I'd thought this was a fairytale, but here I was living it all as my reality now.

I got off the bed, had my bath, brushed my teeth, then moved back to my closet- a walk-in closet which was probably the size of half of Miguel's entire mansion.

I decided to wear a corporate white trouser suit which complemented my beautiful skin, as I dabbed a bit of makeup on my face and chose black heels and paired them with a simple, elegant necklace. I used a very red lipstick to complete my look.

Dang! I looked beautiful. What happened to Miguel's wife? She certainly wasn't the one standing here right now.

I picked up a black Gucci-branded pearl purse and finally walked out of my room and strutted carefully down the stairs as I found Craig already seated at the dining table, waiting for me with food.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Eliana. I have your food at the table for you.” Martha said respectfully.

I chuckled and nodded at her. “Thank you, Martha.”

The whole time I walked up to the table and sat, I noticed Craig as he stared at me in silence. “What is it, Craig? Is there something wrong?”

“I feel like a fallen angel from the sky had just graced me with her presence. You have left me absolutely breathless, beautiful.”

I chuckled as I picked up the utensils and started eating, but not once did Craig stop looking at me.

After a while, I finished eating, and Martha cleared the table. Craig cleared his throat and smiled at me. “You're so beautiful; I wish I could hide you away from the whole world.” He said in such seriousness.

“Come on now, Craig, let's not keep Dad waiting.”

“Yep, it's time to visit one office, princess.” He nodded and stood as he stretched his hand towards me and helped me stand.

We walked away from the dining room and walked out of the mansion as the workers greeted us both with respect, but then I suddenly stood still as I noticed the car we were going to father's office in- a limousine. Craig was definitely up to no good. I looked at him, and he smirked. “Craig? Why are we going in a limousine?”

He shrugged nonchalantly. “I don't feel like driving Eliana today, so Jude would be our driver today.”

Before I could give a comeback, Jude left the door open as he pulled me into the limousine, but before I was able to say a thing, my phone kept ringing until I got alerted to a text message and finally opened my purse and brought out my phone-it was Miguel. “You need to stop ignoring me, Eliana; we need to talk.”