Linda's POV
For what seemed like the hundredth time, I dialed Alex's number but it went straight to voicemail. A mix of anger and frustration swirled over me.
Why is he ignoring my calls? My nails crawled into my mouth, my teeth trapping them in a monstrous clamp.
I furrowed my brows, my mind racing. Alex would always be the one to call, to check up on me. If I did a deliberate accurate count, it should exceed seven times he called in a day while we were still dating. But since I returned, he barely called. Today, I had to force myself, when it passed mid-morning and I still didn't hear from him, to drop a beep across, hoping he would return it, but he didn't.
Was he now distracted because he was married to Bella? That good for nothing! I gnashed my teeth, so hard that I feared they would crack. Why was she always standing in my way? If only she hadn't interfered three years ago by getting married to Alex, my plans would have moved seven times ahead. But the next day after I ran from the States, her grand wedding to the formidable Hayes buzzed the internet non-stop, to my bewilderment.
Right from college, Bella has always loved Alex, from the very first day he came to El Camino as a transfer student. But despite his coldness and constant rejection towards her, I never thought even for a second that she had gone ahead to marry him at that dying minute.
I'd stuck to Alex initially because he was the only way for me to get close enough to the Hayes, to enable me execute my plans. But now he was married to Bella, I had to start all over again to gain his trust and get him to marry me instead before I strike with the intensity of light.
I clamped my hands together, my feet stamping the floor with persistence that reverberated with impatience, as I sat, perched at the edge of the bed. What do I do now? There is no way I'm letting anyone ruin it for me this time. Whether married or not, I don't give a fuck! I need to reunite with the true love of my life, who had also for this same purpose, married into a loveless and frost marriage with the Hayes, where he hides his true identity and is treated with disdain. Only my marriage to Alex can get this plan rolling for us. That is our turning point.
Something had to be done and on time too-Either Bella clears off the way, or I would have to help her do it!
I sprang to my feet and made for the wardrobe with a resolve. First, I need to make Alex fall for me again. I'm going to cling to him at all times, everywhere he goes, every damn thing he does, that all he sees is me. I'm going to make him fall so hard, that he will cut Bella off and make me his wife.
After what felt like an eternity, I arrived at the magnificent and sleek building of one of the top thriving companies in the country. The Stardom Empire, Alex's company. I pushed through the revolving doors, straight to his office on the 10th floor.
"Sorry ma'am. I can't let you in. Do you have an appointment with the CEO?" The voice of his secretary halted me. I had ignored her earlier when I alighted from the elevator, but she was fast enough to catch up with me just before I got into his office.
I replied with a scornful look that swept her frame, from top to bottom, feeling displeased that I had stopped for a poor thing like her. There was no use wasting my precious voice on someone who couldn't measure up to my status even till her fourth generation. Just a low class, scrambling around as a secretary, to make a living. Pathetic!
I turned on my heels and continued towards his office, reaching out to turn the door knob. Relentlessly, she still followed behind me. "Sorry ma. The CEO is not in. You can't be here".
I guess he must've heard her protest earlier because the next minute we had company. A man who I recognized as Alex's assistant joined us. He recognized me as well and bowed slightly in courtesy. He has been Alex's assistant for as long as I've known, and I am sure he was aware of everything concerning our relationship.
The office was empty and I almost reddened. "Where is Alex?" I inquired, my eyes dimming with weariness. After countless attempts to reach him on the phone, only to come all the way to his office, and he is not here too?
"He stepped out for a bit, ma". He replied.
I exhaled deeply. What do I do now? Thinking about heading home, already made my legs go numb.
"I'll wait in the office then. You two can go", I said in a tone of finality.
Tristan, his assistant made to protest that it was against their office whatever....but I shushed him, slamming the door in their faces. I sank into the chair, my mind dazed with thoughts on what to do next, as I glanced across his table halfheartedly.
Something clicked.
I caught sight of a file, tucked neatly under another, which appeared quite peculiar from the rest. I shoved it out curiously.
My eyes boomed when the revelation before me struck. "What? Divorce?" I exclaimed, my mouth agape from shock. My lazy bones seemed to receive newfound strength, and I sat up, flipping through the pages. I discovered Alex had not signed the agreement yet, but that did not steal the laugh of excitement that erupted from my lips. Were they getting a divorce already?
Heaven must certainly be on my side, cos how..... My plans were already moving faster than expected! I grabbed my bag hastily from where it sat on the desk and fumbled for my phone, to break the good news to the only person that mattered in my life. My love. For whom I had come this far. My desire to reunite with him was the only motivation I needed to keep pushing.
Adrenaline washed over me, and I found myself murmuring as I scrolled through my contacts in search of his number, "Soon baby. Very soon. You will be free from that sham of a marriage. We will be together again. We'll travel the world" I squeaked at the thought. Yes, soon the wealth of the Hayes will be ours, once Alex gets married to me. That was all that remained. I was going to get him to sign the divorce papers, and then all that awaited the Hayes was...DOOM!
