《A Billionaire鈥檚 Ruse》


 The Hot House

    I regretted ever epting to get married to you because ever since I got married to you, my life has been filled with pain and Misery, Alex¡± I said to Alex, my Estranged husband who has proven to be a thorn in my flesh


    ¡°Are you stupid? What gives you the audacity to address me by my first name, you bitch¡± Alexander replied


    ¡°Who the hell are you that I will not address you by whatever I choose?¡± I asked him to make a mockery of him.


    ¡°I am still your husband and I have total control over you¡± Alexander replied


    ¡°you are a motherfucker and a frustrated moron¡± I replied to him obviously wanting to see his reaction.


    At that moment, he pped me, sending shivers down my spine.


    ¡°you pped me?¡± I asked him in surprise


    ¡°I will p you a thousand times if you keep on behaving in this stupid manner ever again in your life, whore¡± Alexander replied obviously relishing in my pain


    ¡°you are such a fucking loser!¡± I eximed while I sobbed moving out of the room that always reminded me of my stupidity when I decided to agree to marry my estranged husband.


    ¡°Go away, you fool and goddamn forsaking slut¡± he said to me.


    I felt great pain but what can I do?


    I was left with no option when my arranged marriage with this criminal was the only way to secure my father¡¯spany.


    I never knew that Alex was Alexander not Alexio who he imed to be. If only I knew all these because I walked up the aisle with him, my life would not be in such a mess.


    Even though my life is such a mess already, I have decided to be happy no matter what happens.


    There was only one person in the world I know I can always rte my pain to without fear of condemnation.


    I reached for my phone so I could call my mother and share my pain with her.


    I dialed her number and she picked at the first ring


    ¡°good evening, mum¡± I greeted her


    ¡°good evening Emily, how are you and how is Alex?¡± my mum enquired.


    She has gotten so used to calling Alexander, my estranged husband, Alex even when she is furious at him


    ¡°I wish I could say everything is fine, mom¡± I said to her, sobbing silently while doing so.


    ¡°What is it, Emily? What has that beast done to you¡± My mum asked me through the phone.


    ¡°This is not what I can say on the phone, mum. Are you at home now?¡± I asked my mum.


    ¡°yes, Emily, I am at home¡± my mother said


    ¡°I will be with you soon mum¡± I said hanging off the phone sobbing silently


    I mustered the strength to walk up to my bedroom to change my dress.


    When things started going awful between me and Alex, I moved out of our master bedroom


    He did not even say anything to me about it when he returned home. Our marriage is miserable.


    I quickly dressed up and got my car keys before moving out from my mansion. I was scared to drive in this state of mind but I had no option, especially with the fact that Alex has always been against employing a driver due to his insecurity.


    ***


    I entered my familypound looking really depressed. I saw my mum outside, waiting to receive me


    I ran into her, hugging her tightly


    ¡°it¡¯s alright my daughter¡± my mum said to me


    She took me inside the room while I sat down.


    ¡°would you love to take anything¡± my mum asked


    ¡°NO, mum, I am fine,¡± I said to her.


    ¡°ok, if you insist, my daughter. What happened to you my daughter that made youe home at this time¡± my mum asked


    ¡°It¡¯s Alexander, mum¡­ We exchanged words today as we always do but this time, he did something different¡± I sobbed


    ¡°What did he do to you, my angel?¡± my mum asked.


    ¡°he pped me, mum¡± I said between tears


    ¡°Alex did what!¡± my mum eximed looking shocked


    ¡°he pped me after calling me a slut before leaving the house¡± I replied to my mum who was visibly anxious to confirm what I just said


    ¡°Alex must be stupid forying his filthy finger on you, why would he do something like that to my only jewel!¡± my mum ranted.


    ¡°What do you suggest I do now, mum?¡± I asked


    ¡°what do you think you will do?¡± my mum asked


    ¡°you just need to be patient for a little while before we get everything fixed up¡± my mum continued


    ¡°for how long, mum?¡± I questioned, my eyes welling up with tears, however, this time for the maltreatment of Alex but for the shameful situation my family has been reduced to.


    ¡°It¡¯s OK, Emily. You will be fine, I promise¡± my mum assured me


    ¡°what if I die before then?¡± I asked my mum


    ¡°You will not die but you will scale through all these challenges¡± my mum said, trying to console me but I was not ready to take any of this again.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°I¡¯ve heard you mum but I knew it won¡¯t take long before youe to pick up my corpse from this house¡± I said to my mum trying to make her see reasons with me


    ¡°I understand what you are going through, Emily but if you consider it again, what do


    What do we do when we are being demanded to pay the loan of $1 billion?¡± my mum asked.


    She had a point. I knew that we had no option at this moment because with the level of loan we are facing after the evil plot by my estranged husband, Alex has done to us all.


    ¡± but, mom I do not think you value my life¡± I said to my mum


    ¡°I do, but you must understand that we are in a very tight situation¡± my mum replied


    ¡°I understand mum but it¡¯s bing unbearable¡± Imented


    ¡°be strong my daughter, we will scale through eventually¡± my mum said to me


    ¡°Thank you mum¡± I said to her.


    ¡°Anything for you my angel,¡± she replied.

 Maybe No Vows

    This is why I always run to my mum whenever my home bes too toxic. She has a way of making even the most toxic situation look little.


    ¡°Mum I need to go home before Alex returns¡± I said to my mum


    ¡°So soon?¡± She enquired


    ¡°Yes, my mum. I do not want another rough day mum¡± I said to her.


    ¡°ok, take care and stay safe,¡± my mum replied.


    I hugged her just before I stood up and headed for my car.


    I drove back home thinking about how my family has been reduced to this.


    ***


    I got back home but noticed that thepound was unusually silent. I was not in a state of analyzing my surroundings.


    I walked into the house to discover that the door was slightly open.


    ¡°Heck! Alex must be back home¡± I said to myselfThis belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    I walked into the building when I heard noisesing from the master bedroom upstairs.


    My curiosity got the better of me. I walked up the stairs to know what was really going on in the master bedroom. I got to the door of the master bedroom and my heart sank.


    ¡°NO, this shouldn¡¯t be what I am thinking¡± I said to myself.


    I heard moansing from the master bedroom. Obviously, it was the moan of ady being pleased. I opened the door and just like I expected, I saw my husband on top of anotherdy making love with anotherdy.


    He turned back when he noticed that I was in the room and had caught him in his treacherous act.


    ¡°you whore, who asked you toe into this room without taking proper permission or knocking before you entered¡± he barked


    ¡°Alex!¡± I eximed


    ¡°What do you want whore or do you want to be part of this bliss and be part of a threesome if only you agree to act as my underdog?¡± Alex said.


    I was battered and felt totally betrayed.


    ¡°I will make you pay, I promise¡± I said as I left the master bedroom banging the door behind me.


    I felt real pain for the first time.


    I ran to my room crying because I felt truly betrayed by the beast I called my husband.


    I thought hard for a way to get back at him but I could not find any sensible thing to do that would truly hurt him so I decided to cheat on him.


    This way, I will feel happy and have a sense of revenge.


    I cleaned my eyes and prepared to take my bath because tonight I will break my marital vow.


    ***


    I looked at myself in the mirror and could not believe who I saw staring at me.


    This was certainly a different Emily from the one I know. I stared at myself in the mirror and almost called myself a slut.


    My red sleeveless top barely covered my cleavage and my skirt was so short that it barely covered my panties.


    I bit my lower lips anticipating my sweet revenge on my husband.


    I felt odd but this is what that beast called my husband deserves for treating me like his ve. I took a jacket from the closet and walked out of the room.


    I walked out of the gate after ensuring that my husband did not notice me going out. I had already booked a taxi through an app on my smartphone and in less than ten minutes, a taxi arrived right in front of me.


    He rolled down his windows and greeted me.


    ¡°Hello ma¡¯am¡± he said to me obviously trying to feed his eyes by staring at my cleavage.


    ¡°Hello¡± I replied, seemingly being ufortable. I hope my voice did not betray me.


    ¡°hop in¡± he said to me trying to regain hisposure after he knew I caught him staring at my cleavage.


    ¡°ok¡± I said and entered the taxi after he opened it.


    He drove towards the popr ¡°Las Vegas¡± known for different kinds of immoral acts and atrocities. It was named Las Vegas for its popr slogan ¡°what happens in Vegas dies in Vegas.¡±


    I picked this spot because as much as I wanted revenge, I do not want to tarnish my reputation.


    I feigned ignorance even though I caught the driver stealing an asional nce at my body. I kinda like the feeling of making a man horny. I only wondered how big his bulge would be down there.


    Soon we arrived at the spot where I was to alight and I stepped down observing my environment.


    I went straight to a club and I took my time walking to the bar. The club was not that full because it was a week day. I took off my jacket slowly and I made sure that every eyes were on me. I can as well do this well since I came all the way here


    I sat down and ordered for a ss of rum. When the drink came, the server was almost fucking me with his eyes.


    Few minutester, a man came into the bar and was just looking around. He didn¡¯t have my attention. So I kept drinking and moving to the music. I was probably already drunk.


    ¡°Hello prettydy,¡± the man said to me. Obviously I assumed I was just another slut just like the other girls here.


    I was not ready to give him the pleasure he wanted so I decided to snub him at first.


    ¡°I will just assume that you did not hear me¡± he said


    I outright ignored him. I was not ready for an easyy tonight. I want to take my time and choose a man that befits my kind of person.


    ¡°I like girls with your kind of guts miss. But I will have to pass a message to you. You have caught the eyes of my boss and he wants to have a nice time with you.¡± he said looking at me as if I was another toy or asset to be observed keenly, obviously by his ¡®boss¡¯


    ¡°And who¡¯s your boss¡± I shouted in order to be heard over the loud music.


    ¡°You¡¯ll see when youe with me¡± he shouted back.


    Well, I¡¯ve got nothing to lose here. I stood up and staggered on my heels but I did not mind. I picked my jacket and followed him.


    We went to a room that was dimly lit, I could not see anything. There was smoke everywhere.

 A Good Night

    But then I notice a maning close to me and he held me by the waist and kissed my earlobe and I felt a cold wind down my spine


    ¡°You are really beautiful. I want you tonight.¡±


    For some reason I can¡¯t exin, I felt ready for him. ¡°Then have me¡± I whispered into his ears


    Then he held my hand and dragged me out of the room in fast pace. I tried to look at him but then he has a mask on. I smiled at the irony of it all. It¡¯s really gonna be a one night stand where I don¡¯t know who he is and he won¡¯t see me anymore after today or so I thought.


    Soon we arrived at a five star hotel. I knew this guy was rich but unting his wealth for just a single night affair was something I was notfortable with.


    ¡°I hope you are prepared for me tonight?¡± he asked me.


    ¡°I am more than prepared I just hope that you are not a two minute man¡± I said trying to hurt his ego


    ¡°I doubt you know what ising for you,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Enough of the cheap talk, let¡¯s go in¡± I said to him, feeling bored of the long talk already.


    At that moment, he grabbed my hands as we walked into the hotel room.


    I noticed he just moved past the receptionist without stopping to say ¡°hi¡± to the receptionist. Obviously he has been staying in this hotel for a while for him to walk in this hotel freely. But he is on mask, my mind argued but I was toozy to dwell on it


    When we got into the room, he could not even wait for me to drop my bag before he pounced on me like a man deprived of food for a week.


    He shoved his tongue into mouth trying to initiate a kiss.


    I was notfortable but I was ready to do anything that will get back at that beast I call my husband.


    He has proven to be a thorn in my flesh and I am willing to give him just what he needs.


    I opened my mouth slightly giving him ess to kiss me deeply.


    Soon I started moaning because I enjoyed the magic he did with his tongue.


    ¡°What is your name?¡± I manage to ask him truly enjoying the pleasure


    ¡°What do you need my name for?¡± he asked after breaking the kiss momentarily.


    ¡°just to know who this desperate lover is¡± I said to him


    ¡°Well, I am not desperate. I just want to have a good time with my money¡± he said to me.


    I was silent because I did not know what to say to him.


    Soon, we were under the duvet having sweet sex. I did not enjoy this but this is my only way to get back at my husband for being so foolish.


    Soon, we slept off but I had no intention of waking upte. I had a n to execute and time is certainly not my friend in this case.


    **¡±


    I woke up still feeling drunk. I could hardly remember where I was. I suddenly remembered that I was not in my house but a random hotel room where I went to spend the night with a stranger.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    I smiled when I remembered the sweet sex we had yesterday. Obviously I have been sex starved. I have almost forgotten what it truly means to have great sex.


    I had to agree that this stranger is far better than even Alexander, my estranged husband.


    I picked up my phone to check the time and noticed that it was already past 5 am.


    I woke up silently removing his hands from my chest trying hard not to wake him up from his deep sleep. Assuredly, his face was still covered with the mask. Does he have a scar on his face? But I couldn¡¯t be bothered to check nor confirm


    I got dressed and made sure I had all I needed to go with. Just then a thought urred to me.


    I remembered the way he screamed about enjoying the most of his money. I felt like a property, a thing to be used.


    I was not ready to be gued with such a feeling.


    I decide to drop a few dor note beside him so that he will know that I am not after his money but I am simply here to have some fun and unwind from all the problems in my home.


    I searched for some dor notes in my bag and thankfully, I had a good portion of it in my bag.


    I kept a good portion of it beside his bedside.


    I knew he would be up soon so I tiptoed out of the room without paying attention to anyone in the hotel, not even the receptionist.


    I went out of the hotel premises to see the taxi I booked waiting patiently for me. Of course he had no option because I was paying him double of the usual fare this morning.


    I sat in the backseat of a taxi, my mind wandering about the effect of this act on my marriage. Definitely, my marriage will never remain the same, never.


    ***


    Alexio¡¯s POV


    I woke up feeling refreshed. I can¡¯t remember thest time I had such great sex.


    I could still retain the feeling I had after I released my cum. I was angry that this stubborndy refused to allow me to release inside her.


    Talking about thedy, I stretched my hands a bit trying to touch her breast in a bid to squeeze it hard.


    ¡°what!¡± I eximed, jumping up and looking around.


    ¡°fuck! She is gone¡± I said to myself


    I decided to check my things properly if she attempted to escape with any of my belongings. If she did, I would not be offended because she really gave me great sexst night.


    I looked around and was shocked by what I saw. There beside my bedside was some dor notes. Obviously, this is not my dor note.


    Thisdy must be trying to y an emotional game with me.


    I was angry at that moment. Nobody dared to y such a stupid game with me. I took the dor note and squeezed it until it was totally useless.


    I swore to make her pay dearly for this.

 Another Reason To Cry

    I picked up my phone and called Damon, he is my subordinate turn pal and he is my hidden eye


    ¡°hello, Alexio¡± he replied from his own end.


    ¡°Have you been able to contact him to tell him I¡¯m back and are you ready for today?¡± I said. ¡°We must start the acquisition n today.¡±


    ¡°Yes, all done. We¡¯re ready¡±


    ¡°Okay then, I have a something for you,¡± I said over the phone.


    ¡°Anything¡± he said.


    ¡°Good. There is thisdy that dared to treat me unfair¡± I replied


    ¡°what do you want me to do to her?¡± he asked me


    ¡°Nothing. Don¡¯t harm her, just find her and get back to me¡± I said to him


    ¡°forward her information to me¡± he said


    ¡°That is the problem,¡± I replied.


    ¡°I do not have her information. She is just one random girl I picked up to spend the night with but I will forward the name of the hotel we lodged so that you can see if you can find anything important from the CCTV camera.¡± I replied.


    ¡°OK, boss. I will work on it immediately¡± he said


    ¡°ok¡± I said, hanging up the phone to focus on other important things.


    I could not wait for thisdy to beg me for forgiveness for acting in such a foolish manner.


    I prepared and moved out of the hotel room not without forwarding the most important details to my secret detective. Soon, this mysterydy will pay dearly for this.


    ***


    Emily POV


    I got back home feeling really drained and tired. I moved into my room after noticing that Alex, my estranged husband, was not around.


    I went to the bathroom and had a cool shower.


    While the cool water flowed down my naked body, I remembered the stranger who Iy with a few hours ago. I don¡¯t even know how he looks nor who he is. Well, we probably won¡¯t see each other anymore and I can¡¯t even be bothered.


    This is the first time I broke my marital vow of staying faithful to my husband without cheating on him or having an affair with any other person.


    Sadly, he pushed me to do this and I have no regret whatsoever. If I have the opportunity, I will do it over again.


    I was about to go to sleep when I heard the sound of the gate opening and a car entering thepound. This can only mean one thing. My estranged husband is back. This time, only God knows his agenda.


    Soon he entered the house and screamed out my name.


    ¡°Emily!¡± he screamed


    I ignored him


    ¡°Emily!!¡± he screamed louder.


    Again, I ignored him


    ¡°Where the hell are you, motherfucker!¡± he screamed again.


    ¡°What the hell is wrong with you?¡± I asked him when I came downstairs.


    ¡°You wanted me to scream at the top of my voice before you make use of that fish brain in your head, right?¡± he screamed, obviously annoyed that I stressed him.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.


    ¡°you are a bastard and a fucking cheat who do not know how to control that stick in between your legs¡± I said to him


    ¡°Say no more stupid words and I will make you ever regret knowing me,¡± he threatened.


    ¡°What else can be worse than the life that you have caged me with. I am now a ve with a ring of bondage¡± I said to him, showing him my finger on which I wore my engagement ring.


    ¡°You do not want to dare me,¡± he said with a look of threat.


    ¡°what the hell will you do if I dare you?¡± I asked, raising my voice.


    ¡°I had a stressful day, I am in no mood for all this¡± he said to me, obviously tired of hearing anything further.


    ¡°that is your problem so face it¡± I said to him


    He sighed and sat down without saying a word. After thirty minutes he spoke up.


    ¡°I need you to do something for me¡± he said silently although with a voice ofmand.


    ¡°Tell that to your slut!¡± I barked.


    ¡°I am not in the mood for all this stupid talk. Answer me and do not waste my time¡± he said


    ¡°as what? As my husband or my master?¡± I asked him in sarcasm


    ¡°that is not important because it is about your father¡¯spany¡± he said


    ¡°What is wrong with my father¡¯spany?¡± I asked him.


    ¡± I need $1million dors from you because we need to process some documents to help minimize the effect of the loan,¡± he said calmly.


    ¡°you need what!¡± I asked him, truly shocked.


    ¡°you heard me. It is important and if nothing is done, it will only take a couple of weeks for thepany to be totally out of your control and that of your family¡± he said to me.


    ¡°You gave us a million dors, and got married to me and even got 45% shares. We are barely left with $10, 000 debt. How did we get into a debt of $1, 000, 000 again?¡± I said


    ¡°I do not have that amount nor can we afford it in my family. All I have now is 55% share and $10, 000 debt¡± I said to him,


    ¡°If you do not have the money, you should prepare for a life without all of this luxury andfort you are enjoying¡± he said to me obviously trying to y an emotional game on me and sadly he seems to be seeding.


    ¡°what exactly do you hope to achieve with all these?¡± I asked


    ¡°nothing, I am just trying to see if I can help save your fallenpany, you should understand this, We need to pay $1, 000, 000 debt. So sell 30% of your shares to the creditors, so that you pay all and be left with 25% shares. No debt and you are fine.¡± He said to me with a smirk


    ¡°I curse the day you came into my life¡± I said to him feeling bitter and betrayed

 It All Started Here

    ¡°You can hate me for all I care but it will not change the fact that your father¡¯spany is on the verge of crumbling,¡± he said to me, obviously stating the truth that I hate to admit.


    ¡°Also that¡¯s not all If you pay with 30% shares out of your shares, I will buy your remaining 25% shares for $300, 000, so you can start a new business a fair deal right?¡± he said this time looking like a monster to me


    ¡°Won¡¯t it be nice if I gain yourpany instead of it should bankrupt at least I am your husband¡± he said


    ¡°You have your ownpany Alex, why mine?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not in for all these, will you solve this or let yourpany fall, make decisions¡± he said


    ¡°When do you need this money even though we can¡¯t afford everything?¡± I asked him after epting the reality I was in


    ¡°In a 3days time, the money should be ready except you are willing to lose that goddamn forsakingpany¡± he said to me.


    ¡°That is too close. When do you want me to sort out the money?¡± I asked him in surprise


    ¡°sort out yourself. The clock is ticking and time has never been your friend¡± he said to me walking into his room, obviously to celebrate once again how he seeded in putting my family in such a disastrous situation.


    At that moment I sat down truly feeling sad and depressed, not because of the money that beast is demanding but how my family, known as one of the most powerful families in this territory, has been reduced to a little thing that everybody can toss the way they wish. Sadly, it all started with one meeting, one meeting and my whole life was destroyed.


    *FLASHBACK*


    ¡°we are about to lose all we¡¯ve worked so hard for in thest two decades¡± my Dad said looking truly depressed.


    I can¡¯t remember thest time I saw my Dad looking so depressed.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ¡°what do you mean, Dad¡± I asked him


    ¡°We are at the verge of losing ourpany unless something is done really fast, I am afraid that all we have worked for all these years will be a waste of time¡± My Dad said.


    ¡°What can we do about this, Dad?¡± I asked, truly worried.


    I really love my Dad. Our bond grew stronger when I almost lost my mum in a ghastly car ident a few years ago.


    Ever since then, I am always concerned whenever my Dad is worried or disturbed.


    ¡°Nothing, my daughter, except to hope that a good investor, probably from the blues will appear and take away all our predicament,¡± My Dad said.


    ¡°where can we find such a good soul¡± I said truly bewildered, although silently, however it did not escape the ears of my Dad


    ¡°I have tried to reach out to other potential investors but they are trying to take advantage of my predicament but trying to put in policies that will affect my ownership of thispany¡± he replied.


    ¡± Dad, I want you to be strong for me, we will definitely find a way out,¡± I assured him.


    ¡°ok, my daughter. It will be difficult, but we would find a way¡± My Dad said to me seeming to be relieved even though it was just a temporal relief


    I knew we needed to do something quickly if we truly had any chances of getting ourpany back to the way it has always been, the only problem is that I do not know what to do.


    ***


    I sat down on my bed looking truly worried. After the conversation with my Dad today, I have not been myself. I have been truly worried because I knew that ourpany has been my Dad¡¯s only source of joy after the death of my mother.


    I knew with the pace at which thepany is falling, it won¡¯t take long before he gives up if nothing is done really fast.


    Sitting here all day and thinking about my Dad¡¯spany that is crumbling will not solve the problem so I decided to go out and do something different to take away all the thoughts weighing me down.


    I cheered up and called my friend, Ann, to go out and have some fun.


    ¡°Hey, Ann¡± I said


    ¡°Hello, Emily¡± she said


    ¡°Are you free today?¡± She asked


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m at home feeling really bored,¡± she responded.


    ¡°great, how about we meet today to have some fun¡± I suggested


    ¡°I love the idea because I¡¯m really bored here,¡± she said, truly excited.


    ¡°Great, it seems we are on the same page. Let¡¯s meet by 6pm¡± I said feeling excited


    ***


    I drove in my new Bmw M2 my Dad bought for mest month as a surprise to visit my friend, Ann.


    This car is certainly my favorite car amongst my fleet of cars because it gives me the feeling of luxury that I really love.


    Ann, my friend has always warned me to be careful with the way I unt my luxurious life.


    This, however, seems to be different from my life and social media because unlike most celebrities and Daughters of most billionaires, I do not have an active social media page because I cannot handle all the negative attention thates with social media.


    This is one of the reasons I avoid having a lot of friends. The few friends I have make up for me not having a sibling.


    ¡°where are you, girlfriend¡± Ann texted me


    ¡°I¡¯m close to the bar, I will be there in ten minutes¡± I texted back.


    ¡°see you, girlfriend¡± she replied


    ***


    Few minutester, I arrived at the bar to see Ann sitting in the bar, obviously waiting for me.


    ¡°look who we have here¡± she said when she noticed my presence


    ¡°sorry for keeping you waiting¡± I apologized to her after giving her a brief hug.


    ¡°It¡¯s OK, I understand you can be really busy, especially with the oue of events in your father¡¯spany,¡± she replied.


    She is one of the few people who knows about the crisis going on in my Dad¡¯spany.


    She has proven to be a trusted friend and I am alwaysfortable confiding in her about certain problems I encounter.

 The Trap He is Preparing

    We both sat down for a few minutes. Just then, the waiter arrived obviously waiting to take our orders.


    ¡°What would you like to take Ann?¡± I asked


    ¡°I don¡¯t feel like eating anything, so a fresh orange juice would be just fine¡± she said, looking at the waiter


    I wasn¡¯t about settling for the same thing. I needed something that would suit my mood.


    ¡°let me have some hard drinks that can bring out the weird girl in me¡± I said already visualizing the effect such a drink will have on me


    ¡°Emily!¡± Ann steamed, obviously trying to hide the shock


    ¡°please be fast¡± I told the waiter


    ¡°ok ma¡¯am¡± the waiter said giving me a bewildered look


    He hurried off to get my order.


    In less than five minutes, he arrived with my drink and that of Ann, my friend.


    We both drank our drinks with excitement and real pleasure in our eyes.


    Just then, the whole bar was silent for a brief moment.


    Obviously, somebody who is well known has visited the bar


    I tried to find out who such a person would be tomand such great respect


    I couldn¡¯t notice anybody special aside a young man, maybe 31, who entered the bar with a few boys, obviously his thugs


    ¡°Hey, Emily, you are staring too much,¡± Ann said to me, bringing me back to reality.


    ¡°he looks charming though he seems to be a proud folk¡± I admitted to the surprise of Ann, my friend.


    Just then, he looked towards our direction, obviously taking notice of us for the first time.


    He walked with a proud demeanor towards us along with his thugs


    ¡°Why is heing towards our direction?¡± I asked Ann, feeling nervous and insecure for the very first time.


    Ann sat quietly without responding to me and giving me the attention I was in dire need of at the moment.


    ¡°Hey, beautiful¡± he said when he finally got to our table


    Oh my goodness!


    I couldn¡¯t get hold of myself any longer


    His voice was truly Mystical and charming. I could barely utter a word until Ann spoke up on my behalf.


    ¡°Hey, Mister, how can we help you¡± she asked sounding rude in a bid to scare him away


    ¡°don¡¯t be so rude, miss¡± he said politely even though he still soundedmanding


    ¡°Besides, I just want to have a chit chat with your friend for a few minutes,¡± he said.


    ¡± Hey, mister, how can I help you¡± I said after recovering from my initial shock


    ¡°Hello, ma¡¯am, sorry for disturbing you¡­¡± he started


    ¡°That is not a problem,¡± I said before he couldplete his statement.


    ¡°I am Alex and I live in this city though. I waspletely bored at my mansion so I decided toe have some fun here¡± he replied


    ¡°Same here,¡± I replied.


    ¡°what is your name?¡± he asked


    ¡°Emily¡­ I¡¯m Emily¡± I responded


    ¡°you¡¯ve got such a beautiful name¡± he said


    ¡°Thank you¡± I replied sheepishly


    ¡°do you mind giving me your number?¡± he enquired


    ¡°uh¡­¡± I stammered when I noticed Ann looking at me obviously trying to discourage me from doing such


    ¡°sorry, I can¡¯t¡± I began ¡°I do not give my number to strangers. I¡¯m sorry¡± I concluded


    ¡°you called me a stranger?¡± he soliloquised


    ¡°who does not know, Alex Pierce, the youngest billionaire in the whole of new York!¡± he eximed obviously shocked and annoyed for being addressed in such a mannerText ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I have to go¡± I told him signaling Ann while I picked my bag off the seat to leave the bar immediately


    ¡°You can¡¯t do that,¡± he shouted while I and Ann left the bar.


    Oops! I can¡¯t exin it. Maybe I¡¯m truly in love with this dude I said to myself.


    ***


    Alexander POV


    I couldn¡¯t believe that these two beautifuldies just walked out of me a few minutes ago.


    Heck, this is the first time I felt humiliated in public


    ¡°boss, should we go after them¡± one of my guard asked


    ¡°don¡¯t bother, I do not need it!¡± I said at him


    My only problem with these thugs is that they think everything is all about force.


    Well, that is why I employed them though.


    I walked briskly towards the receptionist desk.


    ¡°what do you want¡± he asked frightened


    He was obviously not new to the game of tricks and subtlety of the bar business he was into.


    ¡°All I need from you are answers. Answers to my questions.¡± I said calmly


    ¡°what answers do you seek¡± he said to me trying to regain his confidence once again


    ¡°I need honest answers. If you can help me, you might just leave this room far richer than you have ever dreamt of in all your miserable years¡± I said


    ¡°What are your questions?¡± he asked, obviously angered by my choice of words but I do not care if he is offended by my choice of words or not.


    I am Alexander Pierce and I get whatever I want


    ¡°I want to know more about thosedies I spoke to a few minutes ago¡± I told him


    ¡°I honestly do not know who they are. This is the first time they visited this bar¡± he said


    ¡°Don¡¯t dare me!¡± I said to him looking into his eyes obviously trying tomunicate my desperation to him


    ¡°I¡¯m telling you the truth, sir¡± he said


    ¡°tell me the truth and I will give you a  of 50, 000bucks immediately


    I smiled inwardly when I saw the look of greed in his eyes. Who would ignore such an amount in exchange for a little information?


    ¡± sir, I honestly do not know anything about thosedies¡± he said


    ¡°$100, 000 or you lose your life¡± I threatened him


    I could see fear in his eyes when he heard such an amount. I am sure he wouldn¡¯t get such an amount in the next 5 months even if he worked his ass off this bar everyday including on special days like Thanksgiving.


    ¡°uh¡­ I do not know much about thosedies except that one of them is the daughter of a well known business tycoon who lives in this town¡± he said.

 Snake On the Inside

    I grinned obviously pleased with the little information he gave to me.


    ¡°Is that all you know?¡± I shrieked


    ¡°This is all I know,¡± he replied, visibly shaking.


    I was tired of his cowardice. If he expected me to give him such an amount for a few sentences, he must be joking.


    ¡°Thank you. Sometimes, there are some promises we can¡¯t fulfill no matter how we want to¡­¡± I started


    ¡°Please, don¡¯t kill me,¡± he pleaded, obviously not what I intended to do.


    ¡°See you in hell,¡± I said to him, pulling $500 from my pocket and dropped it on the table.


    That¡¯s all you deserve.


    I decided to do a lot of underground investigation to truly know who thesedies are.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    I was intrigued by their courage and their show of ss. This can only be seen among people of the elite club who have tasted what true wealth is.


    I kept on with my investigation using the little information given to me by the bar man.


    It was truly difficult making progress until I stumbled across a guy in a bar who was obviously drunk.


    I prepared and left my house looking like a top executive.


    This is my best way to disguise my real identity because it offers me the opportunity to meet with the rich and wealthy without being detected.


    Not that I am not rich.. I am Alexander Pierce but I¡¯m not Alex Pierce, the CEO of PIERCE Enterprise, that¡¯s my Twin


    I am so unsessful but I have money at least to unt


    I sat down at a strategic position when I heard all the talk between drunken men in the bar.


    One of them caught my attention.


    ¡°If only I could have one night with Emily Thornton, I will be the most fulfilled man on earth,¡± the first man said.


    ¡°You are such a dreamer. What chances do you think you have to get the famous and powerful Emily Thornton on your bed to even have a night?¡± he asked his friend,ughing hard obviously in sarcasm.


    ¡°I might just be favored by the goddess of good luck¡± the other manughed hard, obviously enjoying the sarcasm.


    That name caught my attention and I brought out my phone to search for this name. Obviously, this might be the missing link I have been searching for all this while.


    I looked at my screen in amazement. This is what I have been searching for all this while. Here was thedy I met in the bar. She was obviously from a rich family and was truly worth looking into.


    ¡°!!!¡± I heaved a sigh of relief.


    ¡°Excuse me,¡± I said, trying to break into their conversation.


    ¡°What the hell is wrong with you,d?¡± one of the men said.


    ¡°you have obviously lost your manners and do not know when to respect those ahead of you¡± the second man said to me oblivious of who he was talking to.


    I bit my lower lips in a bid to suppress my anger. If only they knew who they were talking to.


    ¡°Tell me more about this Emilydy,¡± I asked, feigning curiosity.


    They were both quick to dish out information like an open tap that had no control.


    ¡°she is the only child of the owner of Thornton construction¡± one of them said to me trying to appear as a great person for knowing so much about this family


    ¡°They are very rich but rumor has it that they are on the verge of crumbling because of the loans and debts they have experienced in thest two years¡± the other man said.


    I was d with the information they offered and when I felt I was satisfied.


    I walked out of the bar silently, obviously seeking for a way toe up with a better n.


    At first, I wanted to have my revenge for being ridiculed by thisdy but right now, no, I had other ns for thisdy.


    This is my chance to enjoy true wealth that my generation will never exhaust. I have worked for this opportunity all my life and I am not ready to let it slide at the veryst moment.


    ***


    I spent the next two months doing a real undercover investigation in a bid to get more information about this family and how I can prate them to achieve my goal.


    I believe there is always a devil in every organization. My job was to find the devil in Thornton construction and make that devil work for me.


    It took me more than a month to discover that devil but when I eventually found him, I was d I did because he proved to be the real devil himself. He was so funny that I feared if he had truly seen the devil in flesh before.


    We arranged a meeting the next day at  a secluded location. I was prepared to finally get my hands on real wealth.


    ***


    I woke up the next day very early. I was prepared to meet with the devil, Michael Hastings. I knew how crafty he was as a result of the brief chat with him and I was not ready to leave any stone unturned.


    We met as arranged and I spoke up first trying to ease the atmosphere and understand him.


    ¡°hey, Michael¡± I greeted


    ¡°hey¡± he replied coldly


    ¡°Lee, let us go straight to the point, what do you want?¡± he asked me, still maintaining the cold feeling.


    ¡°at least have a good drink before we discuss business¡± I said to him.


    ¡°I do not have all the time in the world and if you have nothing important to say, let me know so I can pull the trigger on your thick skull for wasting my time¡± he replied


    ¡°OK, have a seat let us discuss business¡± I said to him finally giving up.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± he asked again after sitting down.


    At that point, I felt as if this man could look through my soul. I could not afford to give a thoughtless answer if I will truly have a chance to get all this my soul desires.


    I looked deep into his eyes and spoke rather slowly.


    ¡°I want wealth and power that the Thornton¡¯s can offer¡± I said to him

 The Approach

    ¡°You are a greedy fellow. Why do you think you can get all these things you seek¡± he asked, obviously weighing me if I am worth his time and energy.


    ¡°I am not greedy, no, not in my eyes. I simply want to get the good things of life I can find¡± I responded looking at him deep into his eyes probably searching for some unknown clues.


    ¡°this does not change the fact you are greedy and hungry for power¡± he replied


    ¡°I might be, who knows?¡± I said, obviously remembering how I had to y the game of chess as a youth, aware of the effect of each move.


    ¡°You are greedy and this is why I chose to help you¡± he said to me, surprising me.


    ¡°What do I get in exchange for this wealth and power you seek?¡± he asked me, not removing his eyes from me even for a second.


    ¡°you will get power beyond your imagination¡± I said to him trying to lure him using greed.


    Heughed so hard that I was beginning to feel like a fool before him.


    I kept my cool waiting patiently for him to be doneughing. Just then he spoke up


    ¡°what power do you think that you can offer me that I do not already have?¡± he asked me


    I kept quiet for a while contemting the best answer to give him. I knew my sess or failure in this mission so much relied on this conversation


    ¡°what power do you seem worthy of?¡± I asked him for his opinion.


    ¡°I seek power to buy a different kind of power,¡± I replied.


    ¡°hmm¡­ A different kind of power¡± I repeated after him


    ¡°Yes, a power I have always craved right from the days of my youth,¡± he said, taking his eyes away from me for the first time, looking into space as if lost in a trance.


    ¡°Hmm,¡± I replied, waiting for him toplete his statement.


    He looked at me sharply as ifing back to his senses


    ¡°well that is not for you to know today, maybe some other time but for the meantime, I want you to make a promise to me¡± he said to me


    ¡°What promise?¡± I asked, feeling weary of him at this point. Obviously, I no longer trust this fellow and will consider eliminating him once I get what I want.


    ¡°promise me that you will not kill any member of that household¡± he said to me.


    I was at ease for the first time. If that was the only criteria, I had no problem with that. I was not out to kill. I was only out to gain power and wealth and they are safe as long as they don¡¯t get in my way of achieving this.


    ¡°It is a promise,¡± I said to him.


    ¡°one more thing.¡± he said, stopping me on my track.


    ¡°what is it?¡± I asked


    ¡°don¡¯t try to y smart with me. I am not your regr pawn and if you y any stupid games with me, I will make sure you regret the day of your birth¡± he said to me


    ¡°OK¡± I said as we shook hands and left the vicinity.


    I was d with the oue but unsure of what his secret desire is and what he will request in return. Well I will know what to do about it when it¡¯s time, I concluded.


    ***


    After our meeting that day, i decided to call Michael the next day to finalize our ns and get to work immediatelyOwned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Hello Michael,¡± I said over the phone.


    ¡°How are you, Alex?¡± he replied.


    ¡°doing fairly fine¡± I said


    ¡°Why did you call?¡± he asked, going straight to the point without wasting time.


    This is one of the things I like about this guy. He loves to always go straight to the point without wasting much time


    ¡°how do we go about the n?¡± I asked him


    ¡°Well, thepany is on the verge of copsing due to so much debt. Thepany needs any investor that can save it. This is where youe in. Schedule a meeting with the boss as a top billionaire willing to help them and you have the key to all you want¡±he replied


    ¡°Thank you man, you are the best,¡± I said to him.


    ¡°Keep that to yourself, just make sure you do not harm any member of that family except you want me to kill you with my bare hands,¡± he replied.


    ¡°OK, you can count on me if that is your problem¡± I replied to him ending the call


    ***


    I woke up the next morning and took my bath very early.


    I dressed up and wore an Italian suit. I needed to look as rich as I could. I even had to take a luxury car just to keep up with my n.


    I called my driver to drive me around. I needed to make this look as perfect as possible because if this n goes wrong, then I will be missing a golden opportunity, who knows I might never get such an opportunity again.


    I walked out of mypound and my ¡°new¡± driver was there waiting for me. I entered the car after he opened the car.


    We drove off to meet the owner of Thornton construction. Finally I will have a chance to taste real wealth.


    ***


    ¡°Good morning sir,¡± the receptionist said to me in a soothing voice.


    ¡°Good morning. I will love to meet the CEO¡± I said calmly


    ¡°please do you have an appointment with him?¡± thedy asked.


    ¡°no but he will love to see me,¡± I replied.


    ¡°What is your name?¡± she asked me.


    ¡°Alex¡­ Alex Pierce¡± I replied as I do not want anyone to know if I am Alexander or Alexio my rich twin.


    ¡°OK, let me inform him,¡± she said, picking up her telephone and punching some numbers, obviously the number of her boss.


    Before the call could go through, I saw a man, looking a bit ageding out towards the exit.


    ¡°oh, he is here already,¡± the receptionist said, dropping the telephone.

 Leveraging On The Debt

    I turned feigning surprise but keeping myposure as much as possible.


    ¡°good morning, Mr. Thornton¡± I said to him


    ¡°Good morning. Please may I know your name?¡± he asked me.


    ¡°My name is Alex Pierce¡± I replied sharply hoping my voice did not betray me.


    While I was in high school, my friends always told me that I would have a good career as an actor because of my ability to adapt quickly under any situation.


    ¡°Nice to meet you, Mr. Alex. What can I do for you¡± he asked me


    ¡°I need a few minutes of your time because I have something that can help yourpany¡± I said.


    ¡°OK,e with me,¡± he said, leading the way, obviously heading to his office. We got to his office, which was truly spacious and beautiful. I envied him and felt truly jealous that one man has all these luxuries.


    I was determined to get my share in this wealth by all means humanly possible.


    ¡°What brings you to my office?¡± he asked calmly.


    ¡°I am a billionaire and a businessman. I have noticed that yourpany has been in search of worthy investors¡¯ ¡® I said, pausing to allow him to say something so that I can know if he is buying into my speech.


    ¡°OK, well we have been in search of good investors to help us sort out some problems we have been havingtely¡± he said


    ¡°This is why I am here. I want to make you a good offer that you will appreciate greatly¡± I said to him reciting what I have been practicing for the past two days.


    ¡°Tell me about this offer,¡± he said to me.


    I smiled inwardly. He is truly buying into my n and I love it.


    ¡°I will use a unique method to help you fund yourpany¡¯s ount using mypany¡¯s name such that it will reflect that mypany is behind the transaction but yourpany stands to gain from it¡± I said


    ¡°I do not fully understand¡± he said to me


    ¡°can you please make me understand better¡± he further said


    ¡°well, in simple terms, yourpany ount will be funded at the expense of mypany¡± I said


    ¡°How much are we talking about here?¡± he asked me. I smiled deeply. I have gotten him where I wanted.


    ¡°$1 million¡± I replied looking him into his eyes.


    ¡°that is huge¡± he said to me finding it difficult to understand why I will be offering him such arge sum


    ¡°what will I give you in exchange of this favor?¡± he asked me


    ¡°45% share of yourpany and your daughter¡¯s hand in marriage¡± I said.


    ¡°that is outrageous¡± he said


    ¡°That¡¯s too much from the CEO of a failing Company, and as you can see I am just here to help.¡±


    ¡°I do not trust this offer¡± he said to me looking unsure if he should take this offer.


    ¡°You can trust Pierce Enterprise can¡¯t you?¡± I said as I stretched my card to him


    ¡°Oh, you are the same Alex¡­ Alexi¡­ Alexio Pierce¡± he said buying that.


    ¡°If only I could really be my brother, that will be nice, I will gain more than all these.¡± I thought.


    ¡°I have a good track record and having 45% share does not make me have supremacy of yourpany and you aren¡¯t loosing it as your daughter will be my wife¡± I said trying to give him a logical reason to believe me


    ¡°Also how loving will it be if I have your daughter beside me as a bride¡± giving him the eye (remember I am Alexio Pierce)


    ¡°Please give me some time to think about this,¡± he said to me.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Obviously, this is what he has been telling other people but will never get back to them. I cannot afford this after all the effort I put into this to make it work.


    ¡°I do not think that you have all the time in the world to do that¡± I responded to him trying to y a smart game on him


    ¡°why do you say so¡± he asked truly looking confused


    ¡°this offer will not be avable in the next two weeks because mypany is trying to fix a few structure for more ie real quick to help us win the contract we are bidding for¡± I said to him


    ¡°what do we need to make this work¡± he asked me obviously buying into my dubious n


    ¡°I will need just a few documents from you to get the transaction done. At most, it will take 48 hours to process everything and you will get the money¡± I said to him.


    Hell looked truly amazed by my promise. Obviously, he does not believe that this problem will be over in 48 hours. That was part of the n to blind his sense of reasoning through greed and it was truly working.


    ¡°OK, drop your email address and I will send you an email so that we can progress,¡± he said to me, beaming with a smile.


    ¡°OK, I look forward to a more profitable business opportunity with you,¡± I said to him, smiling from ear to ear.


    We shook hands and I made to leave his office when he spoke up stopping me on my track


    ¡°I hope I will not regret this decision,¡± he said, looking worried and unsure. I smiled inwardly because if only he knew what wasing for him, he would first do away with the devil in his office before calling the security on me.


    ¡°You can count on me because I also stand to gain if thispany bounces back on its feet, ¡± I reassured him.


    ¡°Thank you¡± he said as I smiled out of his office feeling fulfilled and satisfied.


    ***


    Robert Thornton POV


    I smiled deeply after this stranger left my office. This is the first time I am smiling sincerely in the past two years. And I can¡¯t really tell how happy i feel.

 I am Part of The Game Now

    I could not believe it when he offered to have just 45% share for $1 million. His offer was certainly one of the best offers because others requested equal tight ownership.


    I was d that at longst, I will get asting solution to this problem and be happy once again.


    I could not wait to get back home today and break the good news to my family.


    But will Emily like this, she loves me and thepany, she should y her part in protecting it.


    Also Mr Pierce is of a good breed. I smiled from ear to ear imagining all the good things that will happen to me as a result of this.


    ***


    Emily POV


    I sat down in the sitting room watching my favorite telenov when I heard the sound of my Dad¡¯s car.


    I smiled anxiously waiting for him to enter the room. When he entered the house, I noticed something different with him. He wore a big smile, one that I have not seen for thest two years.


    ¡°Wee Dad, what is the source of all this joy?¡± I asked him truly wanting to share in his joy


    ¡°I have finally found the solution to ourpany¡¯s major problem¡± my Dad said to me, beaming with a smile all over his face.


    ¡°Wow, I am so happy, Dad. Tell me more about this¡± I said to him


    ¡°sit down my dear¡± he said to me affectionately as a father would do to his little angel


    I sat down anxiously waiting for what my Dad had to say.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ¡°I had a strange visitor today who intended to have some shares again¡± he started


    ¡°not again¡± I said looking sad.


    ¡°This person is totally different because he asked for a fair share and he is offering about $1million in total,¡± my Dad said.


    ¡°what was his demand¡± I asked my dad hoping he will give me a different answer


    ¡°he demanded for only 45% share and erm¡­ well he also likes you¡± my dad said to me obviously satisfied with the bargain


    ¡°Oh dad what¡¯s this? how well do you know this guy, 45% is a lot, with the fact that there¡¯s more debt, and now he likes me, I hope it¡¯s not what I am thinking¡± I asked my dad not feeling too optimistic about this


    ¡°Well, I don¡¯t really know him personally but he looks credible and he is someone we all know. He is ALEX PIERCE. Also, we have nothing to lose even if the offer does not go as nned.¡± my dad said to me


    ¡°Who? that proud bastard¡± I said standing up


    ¡°Emily, never use such words in front of me again, and never with that attitude, also do you know him?¡± My dad said angrily


    ¡°Am sorry, but I can¡¯t marry a stranger, Dad, I know him but he is not what I know him to be, all over the inte, he is a good person but the Alex Pierce I met was like a thug¡± I said in defense


    ¡°The you I know is a gentle girl, the you a minute before now is a thug¡± my dad said


    ¡°Dad, it¡¯s because of the situation, I¡¯m not a thug and you know it¡± I said looking forward to seeing him hear me out


    ¡°Exactly, a situation too can warrant the part of him you saw, I¡¯m not forcing you but Emily, this is our chance of Winning, please try to get closer, you will like him¡± my dad said looking very helpless


    ¡°Okay¡±, I said as he seems satisfy, soon my mum walked in, and I told her how I have to marry a guy I don¡¯t know to keep thepany


    ¡°Getting to know him is not the issue but if I say no, then you will have to agree with me¡±. I said conclusively


    ¡°Yes, sure, why not ?¡± My mum said while my dad stretched his card to me


    I collected it and went back to my movie


    ***


    ¡°You can¡¯t believe it, the same Alex we met, the other day¡± I said on a call with my friend


    ¡°That¡¯s hard to deal with but, you will have to confirm if you really like him or not, that¡¯s a given¡± she said


    ¡°Well I will talk to youter, I want to submit a file to my dad for approval¡­¡± I said


    ¡°Oh my architect, when will you be done with my own house¡±.. she said mockingly


    ¡°Come off it¡­ Will talkter¡± I said as I hung up and knock my dad¡¯s office door


    Opening the door I could see the back of a dashing young man, seated in my dad¡¯s office


    Facing me, I realized how handsome a man should be, he stood up and walked up to me


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry for the other day, I am Alex Pierce, and I am a business man¡± he said as he stretched his hands to me


    I didn¡¯t know how my hands werelifted up responding to his handshake I smiled


    ¡°No I¡¯m sorry for being rude, I am Emily Thornton, and it¡¯s nice to meet you¡± i said


    ¡°I will love to have your contact details, will like to take you out for lunch¡± he said


    I gave my card to him and my dad came in


    ¡°Oh the introduction has been done, meet yourselves and then do not forget to buy me the goodies you enjoy¡± he said smiling happily while he signs my documents on his table


    ¡°I will take my leave¡± I said while I hoped out of the room.


    That was how my heart started beating for him. Never knew he is a monster

 It鈥檚 Show Time

    Narrator¡¯s POV


    ¡°Tomorrow is the deadline mum. We¡¯ve not been able to raise a hundred million dors yet not to talk of a billion dors. The banks keep rejecting our calls, and the stock price keep going down. I¡¯ve had to sell my car at a freaking distress price and everything is just not working out mum.¡± Emilyined while her mum fixes her hair


    ¡°I know Emily, but we have to be strong and think outside the box. Hold on now¡± Sarah said to her daughter while she fixes the zip to her dress


    ¡°But mum, must we really be there tonight. It is no news that the Thorntons are losing it all¡±


    ¡°No Emily. I won¡¯t have you chicken out of this. This is our best option.¡± Sarah said. She¡¯s doing her best to be strong in front of her daughter, but she¡¯s also shaken a little by everything that¡¯s happening. It was her strong belief that¡¯s keeping her on her feet and the determination not to lose her husband and everything he has built in his life to the hands of this wicked man that hase into their lives. No, she won¡¯t allow that.


    ¡°Emily, you¡¯re dressed up already. You¡¯re looking beautiful. Let¡¯s go and show the bastard that we¡¯re still in charge. I¡¯m sure he¡¯s not expecting us to be at the g tonight. But let¡¯s show him that we¡¯re the Thorntons.¡± She smiled at her daughter


    It was contagious and before long Emily was smiling brightly again.


    ¡°We¡¯ll get it all back Emily. Even if we have to put this house on sale and the cars. We can move to a small apartment and you and your dad can take the subway to work just as we once did when you were a child.¡± Sarah said, stroking her hair.


    ¡°Let¡¯s live each moment as theye.¡±


    ¡°I love you mum.¡±


    ¡°I love you too my darling.¡±


    ¡°Where is daddy? There can¡¯t be a Cindere without her prince charming. Because you do look like Cindere with that dress.¡±


    ¡°O no. We can¡¯t allow that right? So, here I am mydy. At your beck and call.¡± Robert came down the stairs with a bow and cracked everyone up.


    ¡°Oh dad. You look like a clown. That bow doesn¡¯t suit you at all.¡± Emily couldn¡¯t help but point out.


    ¡°Shush Emily. I won¡¯t have you look down on my prince. He¡¯s the best there is so far.¡± Sarah said with an English tone and they allughed so hard.


    Sarah has always made sure that the rtionship between her family is filled with love. To her, there is no point having all the money and then losing themselves to money.


    ¡°Robert. Emily¡± Sarah called their attention when they all sobered up. ¡°We¡¯re strong. We built this ourselves. We can make it out of this situation just like we didst time. O, I know this is on another level and it¡¯s higher but we can still do it. I¡¯m rooting for both of you all the way.¡±


    ¡°Yes mum. You¡¯re the best that has happened to us so far. Let¡¯s go. We got this.¡± Emily said


    Robert was emotional and looked at his wife tenderly. ¡°Thank you Sarah. Thanks for always being here.¡± He was close to tears already.


    ¡°Come on dad. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    They stepped out of their mansion and moved to the car. Emily opened the car door and Sarah and Robert stepped in and sat down.


    ¡°Are youfortable?¡± Emily asked the both of them and they nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll meet you guys there.¡±


    ¡°Be careful Emily. Or do I go with you instead¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay mum. It¡¯s just a 20 minute drive. I¡¯ll be fine. Drive safely John.¡± She said to the driver and stepped back. She waved and watched as the car moved out the gate, then moved to her own car and got in. She started it and moved out also.


    Emily¡¯s POV


    I have moved back to my parents¡¯ house now for the past two days. I could no longer stand the sight of Alex and I did not want tomit murder. Even though the world will be a better ce without him, it will break my mum¡¯s heart if I end up serving time in jail because of Alex.


    ¡°He¡¯s not worth it.¡± Those were always her words to me these couple of years. Being married to a bastard like him for the past couple of years has had me thinking more of murder. I even got addicted to the show ¡®how to get away with murder.¡¯ But I could never carry it out.


    Alex is all things devilish. From the night of our wedding till this time, he has been devilish.


    ¡°No, no Emily. Don¡¯t you dare bring any gloom to today¡¯s event.¡± I could hear my subconscious say but it was toote. My mind drifted of his own ord back to that night 8 months ago.


    I was so happy we were finally married. I¡¯ve waited so long and anticipated this night. The night of passionate love making between my husband and myself. This is my first time but I¡¯m no prude. I¡¯ve read widely and so I know what to expect.


    The flight on the elevator was so silent and it made me anxious. I thought maybe it was the stress of the day. I looked at him but his eyes were fixated on something else, so I kept my mouth shut and endured the ride up.


    When we got to our reserved hotel room. I was expecting the bed to be filled with roses and sweet smelling candles, but I was disappointed as there was nothing to show that this room was reserved for newly Weds. It was bare.


    Immediately we got in, Alex went to the bar and started drinking. I was confused. He was drinking straight from the bottle and he was not giving me any attention. A few times we went out on dates, even when we went to the bar. I was the only one getting smacked drunk. . He imed that he does not hold his alcohol well and he doesn¡¯t drink because of that.


    ¡°Woah Alex, slow down. That¡¯s dangerous. You don¡¯t hold your alcohol well, remember?¡± I tried to caution him but he justughed at my face and pushed me aside without saying a word.


    Is he that drunk already? I thought. I made to move close to him again but he then turned and looked at me smiling.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.

 The Twins Meet Again

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Emily. I¡¯m sorry for pushing you, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay. It¡¯s alright¡± I must have misjudged the situation.


    ¡°Go on Emily. Wash and change up. I¡¯ll join you shortly.¡±


    ¡°Okay Alex. But please don¡¯t drink too much, okay?¡± I smiled at him and moved to the bathroom, turning to look at him anxiously.


    I was still showering when the door opened and Alex came into the bathroom still fully dressed. I smiled and went to him to help with his undressing when I caught the strong smell of smoke from his breath.


    ¡°Did you also smoke?¡± I stopped and looked up at him but he sneered at me and before I knew it, he pushed me to the wal, turned my back to him and prated me forcefully.


    I never told anyone of that day. I was too ashamed of myself. I did not want my mum to get worried. I believed it was my fault, but having lived with him for almost a year now, I no longer believe such.


    Narrator¡¯s POVR¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Emily joined the queue of cars moving to the venue and they started moving at slow pace. When she got to the entrance, she alighted and a valet opened her car door. She got down and gave him her car keys. Her parents were waiting.


    She waved at them with a smile and moved to join them. Today was all about showing all the other elites that they are still standing strong and tall despite the challenges.


    As they were about to move inside, they noticed that most of the guests stayed away from them. There were weird stares and fingers pointing at them.


    ¡°The nerve they have to be here tonight, even more so without Alex.¡±


    ¡°I heard that their stock price is crashing.¡±


    ¡°So did I. I almost got some stock when I heard that she got married to Alex Pierce. Thank goodness that I never got around to buying it.¡±


    ¡°You would have lost so much if you had bought it then.¡±


    ¡°But I thought Alex Pierce was helping them out. Rather he added to the debt they got into 3 years ago. I pity such a pretty girl.¡±


    ¡°Her arrogance caused her father¡¯s downfall. I me her for making such a gentle man suffer. She must have been arrogant to him at one time and he decided to punish them.¡±


    All these whispers were not really whispers as they drifted right into the ears of Emily and her parents. The whispers were like knife cutting into the strong wall they¡¯ve built beforeing to the event


    Sarah held the hands of her husband and daughter and led him to the hall as more people kept staring at them. It was almost as if they were the highlight of the day.


    Alexio¡¯s POV


    I watched as the trio moved to a corner of the ball room to keep away from the stares of the people. I especially fixated my eyes on her, Emily. The woman I spent a night with and who sneaked out of the hotel room and dropped cash on my table.


    I had not fancied her being a Thornton because she was different from all I¡¯ve heard of her, that is aside the arrogance. She was also an adulteress. An adulteress that sneaks away from her ce of sin before morning and leaves cash behind.


    I had not nned to be here tonight but when I found out that the mystery woman that got me all irked up is none other than Emily Thornton and that she is married to my bastard brother, I had to step in.


    I call him a bastard because he would have made all my hard work go down the drain had I not been fast to act. He took the privilege of my absence and almost ruined my ns concerning the Thorntons.


    Earlier this week


    ¡°Alex, this is the report of thedy you sent to me. The interesting thing there is that she is your brother¡¯s wife, Emily Thorton.¡± Damon said to me immediately I got out of the car in front of my office building


    I stopped in my track to look at him. ¡°You¡¯re joking right?¡±


    ¡°You know me better than that Alex.¡±


    ¡°Yes. Yes, I do. Where is Alexander now?¡± I asked Matthew who met us in the hallway


    ¡°He is been held at the office.¡± He answered


    ¡°Good. Let¡¯s go.¡±


    We got to the elevator and I smirked as I noticed that the staff were weary of me. Typical Alexander. nting fears every where he goes. The little secret the staff do not know is that I am way scarier


    Once we get to the office, I saw that Alexander was seated on a chair. When he saw mee in with Damon and Michael, he cussed at Michael. I could understand his pain.


    Michael was a man I had nted at Thorntons for the past three years. It was with his Intel that I was able to weaken thepany three years ago.


    ¡°Hi Alexander¡± I said to him smiling. We were fraternal twins but that was where it ended. We hated each others¡¯ guts and me more so.


    ¡°How dare you Alexio.¡± Alexander screamed at me.


    ¡°No, no. How dare you Alexander.¡± I barked back at him. ¡°How dare you use my name and money just because we look alike?


    Yes, I¡¯ve been watching you right from the day you came to this town because I knew you might want to act smart. But I never thought you will be this foolish.


    ¡°Did you think I won¡¯t know that you¡¯re here. Do you think my staff are daft because they address you nicely and are always at your beck and call.¡±


    He became silent after that and he was looking at me with so much hatred. I could care less because we are both brutal.


    ¡°I see that you have abandoned your henchmen just to fit in. What a pity.


    ¡°Well, you have two options here Alexander. Go. Leave town. Don¡¯t look back. Don¡¯te back.

 Loosing It All

    The other option is that I hand you over to the police and make you pay for your crime. The choice is yours. The clock is ticking.¡±


    I turned and walked over to my table. And met it to my satisfaction. I sat down and faced Alexander.


    He was deep in thought. I guess he was weighing his options. Ever since we were kids, I have always had to give in to his demands but not anymore.


    This time, I have too much at stake to lose it all on him again. I¡¯ve been nning this for years now and I can not allow anyone to ruin my ns.


    ¡°What should I do about Emily?¡± He asked me with tears dropping from his eyes. I was not buying that from him. I know him so much to call his bluff on their rtionship. He has not kept a sane rtionship ever since he was grown up enough to have one. His flings alwayse crying to me and I am always the one making up to them. I am done with that life.


    I shrugged while looking at him in the eyes ¡°what so ever you deem fit Alexander. She¡¯s your wife and not mine.¡±


    When he heard me say that, his countenance changed to that of anger, ¡°how do you expect me to take care of a woman without having any money. She does not even know we are two. How do you expect her to take this?¡± He fumed.


    ¡°You put yourself in that mess because of your greed and you have no right to pass it to me.¡± I fired back at him.


    ¡°Look man, just keep her. She makes a fine wife and she is very submissive. You will like her Alexio.¡±


    ¡°And what is that supposed to mean?¡±


    ¡°She is the kind of woman you like. You remember how you use to cater for thedies whose heart I broke back at high school. You¡¯re always cleaning up after me and they are always willing to satisfy you.¡± He said sneering at him in a bid to rile me up.


    I stood up andnded a mean punch on his face.


    Heughed hysterically and shouted ¡°yes that is it Alexio. Hit me again. You psycho!!! You are always after my bitches. Why not add this one to the list.¡±


    He stopped to spit out blood from his mouth. The guys holding him down gagged him when I gave them the go ahead and they tossed him to a room inside my office. I am just thankful that my office is sound proof and nobody heard all his ranting except the guys with me and I trust them to keep their mouth shut.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    If only he knew that I already had her because of his negligence, he will go berserk.


    ¡°On a second thought, clear the building. I want him to be very far away from me, else I might just end up killing him for sure.¡± I said to Damon.


    Damon signalled to Michael and the boys and they got to work. It was almost time to close for the day. I had no intention to do any sort of work and I wanted to be done with everything that has to do with Alexander.


    They brought up an announcement about a drill and before long the whole building was quiet. Alexander was brought out and I signaled them to bring him to the table.


    ¡°Here Alexander, you sign these papers. I¡¯ll save you the trouble of embarrassing yourself. Michael why don¡¯t you read it out to him. Just skip to what he has to do¡± I said, passing the papers to Michael.


    Michael collected it from me and read. ¡°You are to leave New York City and note back. You¡¯re to leave all you got here in thest 8 months in the name of Alex Pierce, owner of Pierce Enterprises. You are to have no contact with the Thorntons. You are to do this with immediate effect.¡± Michael rounded up his reading and passed the papers back to him to append his signature.


    With a look of great contempt, he took the papers and signed on it. He turned to me and almost soat on me but he was stopped by Damon.


    ¡°O Alexander, your wedding band. I¡¯ll need it to convince your wife in order toy with her. Don¡¯t you think so?¡±


    He came back to the table and made a show of putting the ring down then he left my office. I don¡¯t trust him to keep to his word because they mean nothing to him. I have seen him break his promise more time than I am willing to count.


    Damon caught my eyes and signalled two of his men to trail him. The rest of the men went about to clean the office. I picked up the signed papers and put them in a file. Then I stepped out of the office and got in my car. There is still so much to do.


    Alexander¡¯s POV


    To hell with Alexio. The fact that he has it all, the brains, the smartness, the luck has made him arrogant and cocky. But I was ready to pay him back.


    I held my cheek. Man, the guy packs a lot of power in that one punch. It was foolish of me to rile him up I hailed an Uber on my phone and waited. I didn¡¯t want to spend so much right now but I still have to impress Emily in order for my threats to work this time around.


    When the ride came, I got in and satfortably and tried going through my ns in my head.


    Eureka, I got it. I did not even had to think too far to get to the decision. Emily has always been a sucker for her dad¡¯spany. She will do anything for thepany.


    When the Uber parked in front of the gate, I had to cajole him to go inside. I looked at the mirror and fixed my face.

 The Threat

    ¡°I¡¯ll be right back. I¡¯ll give you enough tips and a good review. I hope that¡¯s good enough?¡± I said to the driver and he nodded and said something that sounded like ¡°whatever man.¡± He¡¯s surely a foreigner.


    I walked into the house and I had to call the woman who calls herself my wife 2 times before she deemed it fit to answer me. Well, to hell with her.


    ¡°What the hell is wrong with you?¡± She shouted at me as she came downstairs.


    Good, that is the mood I want her to be in. The angrier she is, the better she will assimtion what I tell her and acts upon it.


    I told her all I had to and turned to leave


    $1 billion dors or 30% shares is the deal. I know that thepany can¡¯t raise that in three days, so I turned back and told her to starrt sending anything she gathers before the deadline.


    ¡°And Emily, don¡¯t be a stranger. Send the money as you get them. Let me break it down better for you. I mean when you¡¯ve gotten a hundred million, send it to my ount. That way, it will be considered as a consideration if peravdventure you miss the deadline. Okay?


    ¡°Or better still, convince your old man to release 30% of thepany shares. Either way, it¡¯s a win win.¡±R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Narrator¡¯s POV


    When Alexander came out of the house, he looked around and saw that the driver had left already. To hell with the review. He is going to give him a very bad review.


    He hopes that Emily works fast so that he can leave the city before Alexio finds out that he is still here.


    He has indeed changed over the years. Alexio used to be careful around him and always giving him what he wants. Not because he is afraid of him but because he loves him. They love each other.


    But he has pushed Alexio so much in thest 10 years now. Alexander is the cause of the distance and bad blood between the brothers


    Despite their differences in character, they had stayed together. With Alexander creating mess everywhere he goes and Alexio cleaning up his mess after him.


    On many asions, Alexio has pleaded with him to change and he also wanted to change but he kept finding it hard to change. This continued till that fateful night.


    He could still vividly remember that night. That was thest time they saw themselves, till today. Alexio has sworn not to have anything to do with him any more since then.


    What really happened has not been his fault but Alexio has had enough of him already. He refused to hear any exnation from him and so he the inseparable brother had gone their separate ways.


    Alexio had done his best to cater for him even though he still refused to see him.


    When Alexander heard that Alexio was moving to New York City, he had determined to settle things between them but he had to mess it all up due to his greed.


    Shit!!! He cussed. He could not go back inside. Not after all that just transpired. He stepped out of thepound and to the road and that was when it happened.


    Immediately, he stepped to the main road, he was blindfolded and gagged and pushed into a moving van. He was shocked and tried to fight them. But it happened so quickly that he had no chance to fight it. He quickly fell unconscious on the floor of the moving van.


    Alexander Pierce¡¯s POV


    I woke up to find myself tied to a chair. I was still blindfolded but I could hear the voices of people moving around. I groaned at the pain in my wrist and mouth which was still gagged. These guys were not gentle at all.


    ¡°O you¡¯re awake Mr. Pierce. Good, ¡°an unfamiliar voice said. ¡°Yes boss. He¡¯s awake now¡­ okay boss.¡± He seems to be on the phone with someone I guess.


    The blindfold was removed and so was the gag on my mouth. I winced trying to get my eyes to get ustomed to the bright light in the room. It was an unfamiliar ce. My eyes hurt from being blindfolded for a long time. So I closed it back then I moved to closing and opening it at intervals.


    Not long after, a man came in and the guys around all stood up to greet him. I opened my eyes to see who it was and it turned out to be Michael.


    ¡°You bastard.¡± He used and betrayed me after I had put my trust in him. I looked at him with great contempt and he smirked when he saw the way I looked at him. ¡°I trusted you.¡±


    ¡°You signed an agreement Alexander and you¡¯re already breaching it in just an hour. Does that not make you a worse person?¡±


    ¡°I was coerced into signing that agreement. I can¡¯t leave this town more broke than I came into it.¡±


    ¡°Well, you should have pleaded with your brother to help you out there. Then maybe this would not have happened.¡±


    He signaled to the guys around and they all held me down.


    ¡°What are you doing? What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± I shouted at them but they were too powerful and I could not resist much.


    Michael came close to me and held a knife to my face. He smirked and said


    ¡°I am only going to make you not im to be Alexio Pierce anymore. You guys look so much alike. I¡¯m just going to make a clean small cut here to differentiate you both. It is the best gift you deserve. Don¡¯t you think so?¡±


    ¡°No no Mike, let¡¯s talk this out.¡±


    ¡°Shit man. I hate it when people call me ¡®Mike¡¯. Don¡¯t you know that?¡± Michael shouted furiously. ¡°Hold him tight.¡± He came forward again and held the knife up.

 How It Really Happened

    ¡°Please Michael. Don¡¯t do this. I¡¯ll leave New York City and I will not look back. I will leave right now and I will not be greedy. Please. Just please¡­¡± I pleaded


    ¡°Let him go.¡± He ordered those holding me. ¡°Untie him also.¡±


    They got to work losing the ropes that were used to tie me up. I flexed my arms as the blood started circting back.


    ¡°Excuse us.¡± He told his men and they all stepped out. ¡°Come on Alexander. Come sit over here.¡±


    ¡°I have no hard feelings towards you man but I know who my boss is and he is the only one I follow.¡± Michael said as I took my seat in front of him.


    ¡°I will exin some few things to you Alexander and I want you to listen to me carefully. It will help you as you leave.


    Michael took the next 20 minutes exining certain things to me and


    ¡°Don¡¯t be a douchebag and get your life straight. Okay? He rounded up. ¡°You can leave now. You will be dropped outside where you will find a taxi waiting already. It is ready to take you anywhere you want outside New York. You will find some necessities in the taxi also. I hope we don¡¯t see anymore.¡±


    He signaled to his men and they came back inside. One of them held out a cloth to me. I stood up and took it from and blindfolded myself and they led me out.


    As I was being led out, my mind drifted to the meetings I had with Michael that eventually led me hereText ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Alexander Pierce POV


    After my first meeting with Robert Thorton, I went back home feeling happy. At longst, my ambition of living a life of wealth and power is about to be fulfilled.


    I got a call from Michael when I got back home. I picked up the phone at first ring


    ¡°Hello, Michael,¡± I said to him


    ¡°How did it go, Alex?¡± he asked me in a matter of fact way


    ¡°Just as nned. He was skeptical at first then he told me that he will get back to me¡± I said


    ¡°I hope you did not agree to that¡± he asked with a baritone voice


    ¡°If I were that foolish and naive, I would not havee this far.¡± I said


    ¡°Okay. Has he sent the necessary documents to you yet?¡± he asked me


    ¡°Not yet but I am sure he will do that first thing tomorrow morning. ¡± I said to him.


    ¡°You better make sure he sends those documents to you because you do not have as much time as you think you do,¡± he said to me.


    I truly considered what he said because we do not have all the time in the world. This is truly a race against time and I seem to be moving in the opposite direction of the tide.


    ¡°I know Michael and this is why I am not leaving any stone unturned¡± I replied.


    ¡°You better do not think of doing that except you want to fail¡± he said to me


    ¡°I will not fail¡± I said to him


    ¡°it is easier said than done¡± he replied


    ¡°trust me¡± I replied


    ¡°one more thing¡± he said


    ¡°what is it¡± I replied


    ¡°Like I told you before, do not harm any member of that family. Get what you want and leave them to their fate¡± he said to me


    ¡°I have heard you¡± I replied before he hung up the call. Why does he go on and on about not hurting any member of the family? I might be a thug but not a murderer.


    But that aside, atst I will be a billionaire. I smiled inwardly. The time has indeede.


    I dropped the phone and went to the freezer to check if I had anything to eat. I brought out the box of pizza I bought yesterday. I should still have 2-3 slices left. I took a can of coca c and went to sit on the only high chair in the apartment.


    It was the cheapest apartment I saw on the market and it serves the basic amenities. That is all I need and besides in two days time, I should be swimming in money.


    My phone alerted me to a new message. I stood up and picked it up from the bed. I opened my mail and there it was.


    The mail from Thornton Construction which contains all the files I needed.


    I scanned through it to confirm that all the documents I requested were avable. I smiled widely because finally, I will have the chance to taste real wealth.


    Just then, I got a call from an unknown number. I picked up the call and kept silent for a while before a voice spoke up from the other end.


    ¡°Hello Mr. Pierce. This is Lucas from Thornton¡¯s construction. ¡± the masculine voice said.


    ¡°Yes.¡± I replied.


    ¡°I would like to confirm if you received any mail from Thornton Construction containing some important documents?¡± Lucas asked.


    ¡°Yes, I did,¡± I replied.


    ¡°OK, we appreciate you for your efforts and we will appreciate it if we can get feedback from you soon.¡± Lucas said.


    I was confused about what to say to him so I simply hung up the call.


    I decided to call Michael immediately so I can know the next line of action since he was the one who initiated the idea.


    I picked up my phone and dialed his number. He picked my call on the first ring.


    ¡°Why did you call me back again?¡± he asked rudely, obviously in a bid to scare me and give me the impression that he is not to be toyed with.


    ¡°I just got a letter from Thornton Construction,¡± I said to him.


    ¡°That is good news.¡± he said to me, sounding happy for the first time. At that moment, I became worried about what he hopes to achieve from all these. He never voiced his intentions about what he really wants or wants he aims to achieve.

 Wrong But Right

    ¡°What do we do next?¡± I asked him about feeling vulnerable even though I hated the feeling of vulnerability.


    ¡°Get a securedputer office and print out those documents¡± he said to me.


    ¡°Then what do we do next?¡± I asked him, feeling annoyed that I had to rely on him for every information.


    ¡°Keep it safe and wait. ¡± he said to me.


    ¡°OK¡± I said to him. Before I was done, he hung up the call on me.


    I was truly angry because nobody hung the phone on me. I had to swallow the bitter pill waiting for my day of revenge when I would have gotten all I needed from him.


    He will certainly not be expecting what is about toe for him.


    ***R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    I moved the documents to my drive and drove my car to aputer shop close to my house. I only had to go there because I had no other shop that is secure and which offers me security.


    I could not trust such relevant information to get into the wrong hands. I entered theputer shop and met the owner of the shop. He was the only one that came to the shop today and I was d because at least this information will still be a secret.


    I was even more thankful that it was a do-it-yourselfputer shop.


    Once I was done printing, I dialed Michael¡¯s number and I informed him that I was done with printing out the document.


    ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s meet. Right now.¡± He said and dropped the call.


    Typical of him to always be the one to drop the call first. I have to add this to my bucket list: to be the first to hang up the call when speaking with Michael on the phone.


    Narrator¡¯s pov


    Michael dialed Damon¡¯s number immediately he dropped the call with Alexander. Damon picked the call on the second ring.


    ¡°Yes Michael.¡±


    ¡°The document has been sent to Alexander sir. What should be our next line of action?¡±


    ¡°Meet up with him and make sure you get a hold of that document. The boss needs it.¡±


    ¡°Understood sir.¡±


    ¡°One more thing Matthew. Don¡¯t ever let Alexander out of your sight so he does not tarnish the boss¡¯ image before he arrives. Mr. Pierce will be back in a few months.¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡±


    Michael dropped the phone and signaled to the guy standing before him to sit.


    ¡°What¡¯s the update Bob¡±


    ¡°He is one reckless guy Michael. But we make sure to clean up after him.¡±


    ¡°Good. Make sure you keep every evidence of his mess. It mighte in handy in the future when the boss is back.¡±


    ¡°Okay. Are you going to see him now?¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, yes. They may look so much alike but I¡¯m tired of seeing his own face. He is a douchebag. I will see youter.¡±


    Michael stood up and strode out of the apartment to hail a cab.


    Alexander Pierce POV


    I arrived just in time. And not long after I settled down, I saw Michael approaching me. He must have left his car somewhere else in order to avoid being tracked down by anybody.


    ¡°We meet again,¡± he said to me, smiling like a toddler who just got an ice cream.


    ¡°Yes, we will meet again,¡± I said to him.


    He sat down on one of the seat opposite me.


    ¡°Where are the documents?¡± He asked me to try to be as casual as possible even though he failed woefully at it.


    ¡°I am here with it¡± I said to him.


    ¡°Can I have it?¡± He requested


    ¡°Not yet. At least not until I know I can trust you¡± I said to him.


    ¡°Why do you not trust me?¡± He asked looking truly amazed


    ¡°I do not think I know you enough to trust you¡± I said to him.


    ¡°What do you want to know about me?¡± He asked, raising up his hands to the air in amazement.


    ¡°What if you only intend to use me as a pawn to achieve your selfish goal and try to do away with me after achieving your selfish interest?¡± I asked him


    ¡°If I truly needed those documents in your hands for my personal use, do you think I would wait for you before I get it?¡± He asked me.


    ¡°Maybe¡± I said, not wanting to be a prey to his trick.


    ¡°I will give you this document but I swear if you try to y any games with me, you will regret it forever.¡± I threatened him and from the look of realization in his eyes, he got the message.


    Thornton POV


    I was happy with the new development even though I still felt unsure about it.


    This will definitely impact my business positively. I can only imagine the good things that will happen if we are able to get these huge amount.


    I knew those documents were truly confidential but we needed to release them especially to a potential investor and Co owner of thepany.


    At that moment, I got a call from mywyer


    ¡°Hello. To what do I owe this pleasant surprise¡± I said to him over the phone.


    ¡°This is no pleasant surprise because I do not know why you will give out such information as confidential as this¡± he said to me


    I had totally forgotten that I informed him about the transaction even though I had refused to ept his advice on the matter.


    This is the first time I ignored the advice of mywyer in a financial decision but I know for sure he is being too protective of me and my business.


    This is one of the reasons I maintained him for a long time though.


    ¡°What will you have me do? Sit down and watch my business crumble when I found a lifeline all because of some documents that will be useless when the business shut down?¡± I asked him.


    At this point, mywyer kept quiet. Obviously, he knew my mind was made up and he did not bother to argue with me

 Unveiling The Plan

    ¡°I appreciate your support but at this point in time, we need immediate measures that can help stabilize our economic situation¡± I said to him trying to make him see reasons with me.


    ¡°I hope you know what you are doing?¡± he asked me before hanging up the call


    I was worried by the reaction of mywyer but I knew this was the only meaningful thing to do at the moment.


    I was still thinking about this when I heard the buzzing sound of my telephone.


    ¡°Hello¡± I said after picking up the callText ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Hello sir¡± I heard the other person say with excitement in his voice


    ¡°Why are you so excited?¡± I enquired


    ¡°We have gotten some good news Mr. Thorton.¡± The person on the other side said and judging from his voice


    ¡°Tell me. What is it?¡± I asked bing impatient with the suspense. I have never been a fan of suspense all my life and I was not about to start now


    ¡°The meeting you had with Mr. Alexander pierce seem to be having some results¡± he said


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± I asked


    ¡°We just received a transfer of $1. 5 billion into thepany¡¯s ount¡± He said


    ¡°What!¡± I eximed.


    ¡°Tell me you are joking.¡± I said over the phone.


    ¡°I am not, boss.¡± He said to me, Iughed so hard forgetting that I was still on the phone when he spoke up again


    ¡°What do we do now, boss?¡± he asked


    ¡°we will wait for Mr. Alexander Pierce¡¯s call and know the next step so we can sign the necessary documents¡± I said


    ¡°OK, boss.¡± He replied ending the call


    I stood In amazement. I could not believe what I just heard. I was right after all. I trusted him and he delivered on his promise.


    I cannot wait to finally see mypany return to it¡¯s formal glory.


    Alexander¡¯s POV


    ¡°Hello, prepare and go to the office of Mr. Thornton now. He just received an alert of $1. 5 billion¡± Michael said immediately I picked the call.


    ¡°Wow. That is good news but how did you do this?¡± I asked him because he never told me anything about his n to make sure they receive the fund I promised them.


    All this time, I have been thinking he will simply use the document to extort more funds from the Thornton¡¯s


    ¡°That is not your business, Alex. Go there and tell him to sign the document making you a co-owner of thepany, just like you have always wanted¡± He said to me.


    ¡°But what will I tell him if he wants to know how I got the money?¡± I asked him


    ¡°So you have forgotten so soon that you told him that you are the owner of a bigpany?¡± he asked me


    ¡°I still remember it like the back of my palms¡± I said to him, smiling deeply.


    He hung up immediately. I was getting used to his attitude. Besides, I have gotten what I truly wanted from him and his stupid character is no longer important again.


    I sat down imagining how my life is about to be transformed as a result of this single transaction.


    I took a quick analysis of thepany¡¯s worth and I smiled when I remembered I now have a 45% share in all these. All thanks to Michael Hastings and his dubious n. They both came through for me.


    I made a mental note to investigate how he came about the money. I was not foolish to keep quiet without investigating how he went about all these to get such an amount.


    I called my hired driver.


    ¡°Hello¡± I said, feigning a deep baritone voice.


    ¡°Hello sir¡± the other person replied from the other end.


    ¡°I need you toe to my house in the next one hour with one of your luxury car immediately¡± I said to him


    ¡°OK sir. I hope you know our rates per hour?¡± The man said, rather arrogantly.


    ¡°Can you just get the car and a driver to the address I will send to you¡± I barked trying to match his tune


    ¡°OK sir¡± he said. Just then, I hung up the call.


    Today, I will write my name in the book of the wealthy. I¡¯m sure to have gathered enough money before my twin brother returns.


    I was feeling impatient when I noticed that the driver was dying unnecessarily. I was about to call the driver again when I saw him driving into mypound.


    ¡°You should have taken more time, you know? I wonder why you have to spend a million years before you get here.¡± I said to him when I came out of my room dressed in my suit and tie.


    ¡°I am sorry sir. I had to call the mechanic to ensure that everything was in check. You know these are luxury cars and we have few experts who can work on these types of cars¡± He said to me.


    ¡°That is your freaking problem. I need your service and I need it quickly. I¡¯m about to lose my appointment.¡± I said to him,


    ¡°I am sorry sir. I want to kindly remind you that our rate is $100 per hour.¡± He said to me.


    ¡°Are you for real right now? Are you really doing this even after I told you that I amte for my appointment already? Of course I know the goddamn rate¡± I said to him rudely.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry sir¡± He replied when he noticed I was angry by his statement. I am starting to think that this driver is out to annoy me today..


    ¡°Will you please open the car? I have an appointment in the next thirty minutes. We do not have all day.¡± I said to him,


    ¡°Okay.¡± He responded, moving to open the car for me.


    I boarded the car and sat down still fuming at this guy¡¯s audacity.


    I looked at myself in the mirror once again trying to correct any thing that seems to be odd about my dressing. I cannot afford to look off for such a meeting because the sess of my n depends on this a great deal.


    I walked into the office of Mr. Thornton and was weed like a king. I am sure he doubted how genuine I was at first but now he had no reason to doubt me again.

 Emily To Be Part Of The Game Again

    ¡°O, there you are Mr. Pierce. Wee.¡± I shook hands with him and we exchanged pleasantries.


    ¡°It is nice seeing you again¡± Mr. Thornton said to me


    ¡°Me too¡± I said to him trying to sound as calm as possible.


    ¡°Please have a seat¡± he said, offering me one of the seats opposite his.


    ¡°I believe you must have gotten my response¡± I said to him


    ¡°Yes, I did and I must confess that was one of the best news I heard for a long time¡± he replied


    ¡°That is good to hear¡± I said to him


    ¡°Well, I am here to finalize the other part of the deal. I am here so we can finalize the deal so that you can sign the document making me a co-owner of thepany so that you can receive the remaining bnce I promised to send to you¡± I said to him


    ¡°That is not a problem. I am a man of integrity and I always fulfill my promise¡± He said to me.


    I honestly was not interested in all these sweet talks. All I wanted was to get the documents and know I am done with this. I checked the time and noticed that I have spent almost three hours since I started using the luxury car.


    The clock is ticking and I do not have all the time in the world.


    ¡°Okay, can we get this done with because I have some other meeting to attend to immediately¡± I said to him


    ¡°Yes, please give me a few minutes¡± He said to me picking up his telephone and pinching some digits trying to call somebody


    ¡°Hello, Emily¡± he saidOwned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Alexander¡¯s POV


    I could not hear the response of the other person but I assumed the person replied to him.


    ¡°I want you to head up to my office right now with those documents.¡± He spoke to the person who was obviously very close to him.


    He hanged up the phone and spoke to me


    ¡°Please be patient. My daughter will be here in a few minutes. Please be patient¡± Hr said to me.


    ¡°Okay.¡± I said to him hoping she arrives quick because I have spent some quality time and I was umting more money for the luxury car I hired


    ¡°Here is the document that we need to sign to finalize this deal¡± Mr. Thornton said to me


    ¡°I know but before we go ahead with this discussion, I have a special offer for you¡± I said to him


    ¡°a special offer?¡± he asked bewildered


    ¡°Yes, a special offer that I do not think you should ignore¡± I said to him


    ¡°Okay, Tell me more about this offer¡± Mr. Thornton said to me obviously trying to think hard in a bid to uncover my next move


    ¡°I think I am beginning to like your daughter¡± I said to him looking straight into his eyes in search of any objections or resistance.


    ¡°Please, Mr. Alexander Pierce, I love my daughter and I do not try to involve her in my office politics and dirty game, let alone act as bait in exchange for any favor. I will advise you to look elsewhere. I might have given you false hope thest time you were her but I thought you were joking. But in all honesty, I don¡¯t joke with my daughter¡± Mr. Thornton said to me without mincing words


    ¡°This is not about any form of office politics or game. I truly love your daughter and I only want you to benefit greatly from my benovelent heart because of your daughter¡± I said to him trying to give him enough reasons why he should buy into my idea.


    ¡°I cannot make such a crucial decision for my daughter because it is her life and she deserves to be responsible for some certain decisions in her life¡± he said to me obviously trying to y the role of a good father of which I am not interested in.


    ¡°You are not making a decision for her but you are simply helping her put her life on the right path¡± I said to him feeling frustrated with all these discussions.


    ¡°I do not think I can do what you are asking¡± he said to me trying to bring out the document to finalize our discussion


    ¡°Not so quick, Mr. Thornton¡± I said to him stopping him in his track.


    I could see the look of disapproval written all over his face but what else can I do since he insists on ying his cards wrongly and being stubborn despite all my advances.


    I have no sympathy for stubborn folks. He must learn to y by my rule if he ever hoped toe out of this alive.


    ¡°Not so fast, Mr. Thornton. Please do not be in a hurry¡± I repeated to confirm his thoughts


    ¡°What do you mean?¡± he asked looking at me afraid and suspicious.


    ¡°I feel I should tell you about my offer before we go ahead so that you can know the best course of action before you go ahead¡± I said to him.


    ¡°Please can you speak in more simple terms¡± Mr. Thornton said to me looking lost like a toddler who was abandoned by his mother in a dark and lonely cave.


    ¡°I hope to reduce my share in thispany to 40% and try to raise as much as an extra $500 million for yourpany if only you agree to do my bidding¡­¡± I started


    I noticed that his eyes bulged in greed. Of course who would not be fascinated by such an idea.


    He stood the chance of not losing much of his grip over hispany while increasing his funds by a whopping $500 million


    ¡°What do you hope to achieve with all these?¡± he asked me looking sad and depressed at the same time.


    I cared very little about his feelings and emotions. All I was after was achieving my aim and objectives. That was my primary mission and every other thing is secondary.

 It鈥檚 Not Defense

    ¡°Nothing and absolutely everything. You see, I only love your daughter and she is the reason I came here in the first ce but I am also willing to help you greatly if only you can help me convince your daughter to get married to me since you do not view her as a game in your corporate and office politics¡± I said stressing thest part so he can understand where I am heading to.


    ¡°Do not worry about mypany. Let us just sign this deal and get over with this. I am good with you having a 45% share of mypany¡± Mr. Thornton said to me when he noticed I was not ready to give in to his demands


    ¡°I do not want a 45% deal, I want your daughter¡± I said to him sternly.


    He look frightened at first but he summoned more courage before he spoke to me.


    ¡°My daughter is not a property she is a human being for christ sake¡± he said to me trying to match my tone only that age had limited him from being able to do certain things he would love to do


    ¡°I know but I will suggest that you also pay attention to the remaining use in my offer¡± I said to him feeling truly powerful for the first time in a long while.


    ¡°What is the other use in the deal?¡± he asked me looking truly afraid


    ¡°If you insist on not helping me convince your daughter about my genuine intentions towards her, you will leave me with no option than to assume that you are only being greedy and offer you the best treat I offer to greedy folks¡± I said to him.


    Mr. Thorntons POV


    I must have been Stark insane to look down on this man the first day he came to my office. I took all he said with a grain of salt but after seeing what he is capable of in terms of finance, I should not have belittled him. But I still have to fight for my daughter.


    ¡°I am not a greedy person and you know it too well¡± I said to him trying to convince him for the umpteenth time to leave my daughter out of our business deal


    ¡°You are, because if after all I did for you and all I am promising to do for you, you still insist on being so stubborn, then you are truly greedy¡± Alexander said to me.


    I kept silent when I noticed I have no reasonable answer to give to him again. But is it bad that I want to keep my daughter out of this? Sarah must not hear of this. She will be so devastated.


    ¡°Before you consider your next move. I want to inform you that mypany will be taking a legal action against you pertaining using some dubious means to transfer over $1 billion to yourpany through some hackers and one more thing, do not bother yourself how I hope to get all these evidence just be rest assured that when I am done with you, you will rot in jail while yourpany will be reduced to a heap.¡± He threatened and now I believe that I have indeed made a deal with none other than the devil.


    ¡°You cannot do that to me, Mr. Pierce¡± I replied, weighing the full implications of all these charges against me.


    ¡°This is exactly what I will do to you. I have told you all you need to do because right now, the ball is in your court and you can choose to y it the way you want.¡± He said to me standing up from his seat.


    ¡°You have 72 hours or you will face my full wrath, Mr. Thornton¡± He said before leaving my office


    I was covered with sweat as everything came rushing down on me. What should I do? There is only one person I could call in this situation.


    I felt ashamed that I had to call him but he was myst option if I ever hoped to navigate this situation. Mywyer is thest person I wanted to call but he is the only person I could call in such a situation. I could remember the warning he gave me thest time I called him. I neglected his advice because I saw no need to heed to it.


    He warned me but I chose not to listen and I might be forced to pay dearly for it. He was my only Redemption, I knew it but I was reluctant to give him a call because I do not know how he will handle such a situation. I had to believe that he would act as professionally as possible.


    I sluggishly picked up my phone scrolling through my contact in search of his contact. Right there, I saw his name staring at me but I was still hesitant to click on the dial button


    I eventually clicked ¡°dial¡± because that was my only choice. I heard the phone ringing. I could not wait for him to pick up the call


    I was doubting if he would  respond. I was about to hang up the call when he picked up the call.


    ¡°Hello, Mr. Thornton¡± he said to me


    ¡°Good evening, how are you doing?¡± I asked him trying to reduce the building tension I was feeling


    ¡°I am great. To what do I owe this call from the CEO of Thornton construction?¡± he asked me


    ¡°I have a problem and I believe that you are the only one that can help me solve it¡± I said to himText ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Okay, what exactly is the problem?¡± He asked me, feeling concerned when he noticed I was serious about it.


    ¡°It is about the deal I told you about with Mr. Alexander pierce¡± I said to him


    ¡°I knew that it will not go down well. I knew something was too suspicious with that deal¡± he said to me


    ¡°I knew but maybe I was not just smart enough to detect it on time¡± I said to him


    ¡°So what exactly is the problem?¡± he asked me

 Not Arranged Marriage

    ¡°He came to my office and insisted that we have a new structure around our deal. He came up with a sudden change of ns¡± I said to him.


    ¡± What is the new development?¡± he asked me


    ¡°Hr is including my daughter as part of the deal¡± I said to him


    ¡°What? Why will he include your daughter as part of the deal¡± he said to me bewildered by the revtion


    ¡°I do not know what he wants to achieve by doing that¡± I said to mywyer


    ¡°what does he wants?¡± mywyer asked me


    ¡°He wants to have my daughter as his bride. He ims that he loves her and will love to make her his wife.¡± I said to him


    ¡°Just that?¡± he asked me looking surprised. If only he was patient enough to hear the other part of my story


    ¡°I wish it was that simple,¡± I said to him. ¡°Yes, he said he would only receive 40% of the share and he offered to make avable an extra $500 million if only I am willing to convince my daughter to get married to him¡± I said to mywyer.


    ¡°That is obviously a trap I must warn you. I see no reason why he should be making such a huge offer if he does not have some evil plot behind his offer¡± he said to me.


    ¡°I thought as much. This is why I did not ept his offer immediately¡± I said to him weighing my options if I should truly tell him about the legal actions Alexander promised to take against me.


    ¡°But that is not all.¡± I said to him


    ¡°Really, what else?¡± Mywyer asked


    ¡°He did not actually make an offer but a threat. He threatened to take legal actions against me if I do not consent to his demand by framing me up for being involved in criminal activities using the money deposited into thepany¡¯s ount as evidence¡± I said to him


    ¡°I can tell you that he has really spent time to n this out¡± mywyer said to me


    ¡°Definitely, this is not a one day n¡± I said to mywyer


    ¡°hmm¡± he replied


    ¡°what do we do from here?¡± I asked him


    ¡°do you have any recording of your transaction thest time he paid a visit to your office?¡± he asked me


    I sat down to think very hard. There was no tangible evidence aside the fact that he paid me a visit to my office.


    ¡°I do not have any tangible evidence avable to present at the moment¡± I said to him.


    ¡°Can I be factual with you right now Robert. You have no other option than to give in to his request. You do not have the resources to go through another litigation.


    ¡°If yourpany is to go through litigation as it did two years ago, you might just as well bid yourpany goodbye. And not only that, if any news spreads about yourpany negatively right now, your stocks will pay dearly for it.¡±


    ¡°I know all these Mr. Chang. But I was hoping to get a way out from you.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Robert. There is so much I can do right now. Have you spoken to Anderson? He might have a solution.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve not been able to reach him for thest two weeks now. I believe he is out of the country or something.¡± I sure sounded dejected right now. There is no way out anywhere


    ¡°Robert, this is my sincere advice. Create an atmosphere where Emily meets with Mr. Pierce and see if the spark will fly. Then you should make your decision when you see them together.¡±


    ¡°Alright Oliver. Thank you for your time.¡± I said and hung up the call.


    A heavy weight seems to be lifted up my chest. I just need to get home and run this n through Sarah. I believe she will be okay with it. I¡¯m not pushing my daughter off to a man, I¡¯m only looking out for thepany and my family.


    I quickly stood up and made my way out of the office. My secretary has left earlier and so have some of the workers.


    I check on Emily and she has left already. I miss those days when she waits for me so we both leave work together. But ever since she got her car, she always leaves anytime she wants and I believe the new series that she is hooked on is also affecting her choice to wait for me.


    ¡°Goodbye Mr. Thorton.¡± The security guard said to me and I smiled at him in acknowledgement. He has always been a cheerful one.


    I got into my car and drove off. I can proudly say that I am among the few elites who still drives himself around. I find so much joy in the fact that I still drive myself anywhere I want to go.


    I nned out how I was going to put this to Sarah.


    She has been so supportive towards me and thepany. We started it from scratch together and we made our daughter fall in love with architecture. And it was only possible because of Sarah. I just hope I don¡¯t break her trust with this. I needed her to believe in what I can do right now more than ever.


    I ced my feet on the elerator and zoomed in at a moderate speed home.


    Once I got home, I parked the car and alighted the car. My wife was there to greet me as she has always been for the past two decades.


    ¡°Wee Robert.¡± She said in a way of wee, kissing me on my lips and hugging me.


    ¡°Thank you my love.¡± I replied as she took the briefcase from me. We both walked inside and true enough Emily was glued to the television screen, but she stood up to greet me. I sat down with her on the sofa as Sarah excused us.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    I decided to go all out and taste the water in order to gauge her reaction.


    ¡°I have finally found the solution to ourpany¡¯s major problem.¡± I told her


    ¡°Wow, I am so happy dad. Tell me more about this.¡±


    So, I went ahead and told her everything and


    ¡°Erm¡­ well he also likes you.¡± There, I said it. But the look on Emily¡¯s face was incredulous.

 I Am The Good Guy, Right?

    Mr. Thorton¡¯s POV


    And the argument began. We hardly argued as father and daughter and I was not so sure anymore if this was going to work, seeing that I have not spoken at all to Sarah. It would have been better if she were with me in order to convince Emily.


    Sarah came back to the sitting room when she heard Emily and I arguing.


    ¡°Mum, can you please help me out here?¡± Emily said to her mum immediately she got to the sitting room. She is always the umpire in the few times we have had an argument and this time seems to be no different.


    ¡°What¡¯s really going on?¡±


    ¡°Dad wants me to get married to an investor. This is all in the name of saving thepany but it¡¯s not fair to me at all, mum.¡±


    ¡°Emily calm down now. Robert, can you please borate on this.¡± Sarah said, turning to me.


    ¡°Remember I told you about Alex Pierce who wanted to invest in ourpany?¡±


    ¡°Yes. I recall our conversation about him.¡±


    Well, he ims to like Emily and he is asking my permission to marry her. I am just telling her to go on a date with him and see if she likes him. That is all.¡± I told Sarah doing my best to look innocent. I did not want to scare her.


    ¡°Mum, who in his or her rightful mind goes into an arranged marriage in this age and time.¡±


    ¡°That is enough Emily. Your dad says go on one date with him. If you don¡¯t like him, then there is no big deal there. Right, Robert?¡± She looked at me passing a message which only I could understand.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°Yes Sarah. It is not an arranged marriage.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Getting to know him is not an issue. But if I say no, then you will have to agree with me.¡± Emily said with a resigned tone. She stood up and left us in anger but I had a peace of mind because I know she will do her best to make it work.


    Sarah looked at me and I knew it was time to let her in about everything going on. I can not bring myself to lie to her. No. She deserves so much more.


    I told her of Alex¡¯s first visit till thest visit where he came to threaten me because I was not okay with bringing my daughter into office politics.


    ¡°I just wanted to see and be sure if Emily might like him back. If not, I will be ready to go to any length to save my daughter from him even if it means losing thepany.¡±


    ¡°I know how much you dote on Emily so I have no fear about that. But I don¡¯t want you manipting her into epting him. Let her have the free rein over making a decision.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m really sorry it came to this. Even as a father I was ready to give any guy she brings home trouble but how can I do that with Alex with so much on the line. It¡¯s just as if he is in charge of everything.¡±


    Sarah smiles and kisses me on the lips.


    ¡°Come on, enough of that. Let¡¯s go inside. Why don¡¯t you go and bathe while I set the table.¡± But I could sense the worry on her face


    We have be the sort of parents that use their children to gain things for themselves. I felt so disgusted with myself.


    Back at the g event


    Alexio¡¯s POV


    I tried to calm myself down. I¡¯ve been nning this for years now and I wanted to take over thepany without beingbeled evil by anyone.


    The only good thing that Alexander did was that he got into Thorton. That was his saving grace.


    Emily was never part of my n, but now I must have her in order to pay her back for that night. She does not know what¡¯sing to her.


    She was standing there with her parents trying to look unaffected by the whispers in the room, I could not help but smirk. I really can¡¯t wait for this night to end. I want to know more about her. She intrigued me..


    I had to make somest minute change of n before heading down here and I¡¯m happy they made it here as it will fuel my n to go faster than I had nned.


    ¡°Well, this is going to be interesting.¡± I said to myself as I made my way out to the podium. I love the way the room became silent from all chatters when they all saw me but my eyes were fixated on Emily. She looked so shocked to see me up here and from the look of resignation on her face which was mirrored by her parents, they must have seen no hope of getting back theirpany.


    They were all shocked to see me. They must be wondering what I am doing up here. I guess they still don¡¯t believe that it was me. No one actually saw meing in. I had taken the back door and had made sure no one saw me.


    A memo has been passed to everyone that the host of this annual g will be here today. I¡¯ve been doing this for thest three years in order to get to the heart of the elites and it worked.


    ¡°Hi everyone. I wee you all. My name is Alex Pierce and I¡¯m the host of this event.¡± There was a confused pping. The few people who were aware of my being the host, were the ones who pped enthusiastically. Most of them still look down on me despite the fact that I am an informidable force to reckon with. They don¡¯t know anything about me


    They never expected to see me here. They never expected to see me as their host. I looked straight at the Thorntons and it was evident that they were not expecting this either.


    ¡°So¡± I continued. ¡°I would like you to give a big round of apuse as my wife joins me on the dance floor for the first dance of the night.¡± There were hush sounds as the whisper began again.


    ¡°Emily.¡± I called out her name as I also moved to the dance floor as everyone made room.

 Coming To A Decision About Alex

    Narrator¡¯s POV


    Emily was reluctant to move to the dance floor. She looked at her parents and she could confirm that they were also skeptical.


    The Alex that they knew would have ridiculed them just to look good before everyone. And he might still do that.


    There is nothing that says he can¡¯t. He¡¯s probably the richest young man in this gathering.


    She was still at a loss when an usher came forward to her and offered to lead her to the dance floor.


    She could see the weird stares and mocking gaze of the crowd. The youngdies looked at her with nothing short of hatred.


    ¡°You look ravaging as ever tonight Emily.¡± Alexio said as he took her hands andid a kiss on the back of her hands.


    The music started on cue and Alexio maneuvered them both across the dance floor in a slow rhythm.


    Emily¡¯s POV


    I brace myself. It is now or never. I have to convince him to have a talk with me after the dance.


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you.¡± Alex said into my ears.


    Is he bipr? Am I hearing him correctly? Well, I¡¯m not falling for that.


    ¡°You¡¯re going home with me tonight.¡± He says again into my ears.


    I tried to move away from him but he held me close to him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you are up to Alex. But I warn you that it will not work.¡±


    ¡°How sure are you that it won¡¯t?¡± He said into my ears again


    I really want to get away from him now.


    ¡°You in this dress is making my head spin so fast and I can not wait to get it off you.¡±


    ¡°What? Not on your life Alex¡±


    He turned me and pressed my backside to his loins and I felt something poke at my back.


    What?


    ¡°That¡¯s how horney you make me feel.¡±


    I quickly turned back to face him. I am sure I was blushing and I hated myself for that, but is this the same Alex that has no good thing to say to me in the past 8 months we were married? What has gotten into him?


    ¡°Alex, I will advise you to stop now. There are many eyes staring.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t care.¡±


    ¡°But I do care.¡±


    Thankfully the music changed to a fast paced one and I quickly moved away from him. I looked at him and he had a smirk on his face.


    I quickly made my way out of the hall shamefully. I could hear my mother call out my name as she followed me out of the hall.


    ¡°Emily, hold on.¡±


    ¡°No mum, go back inside.¡±


    ¡°Emily Kris Thorton, stop where you are right now.¡± She shouted


    I stopped and I was heaving when she came over and held me.


    ¡°Come here my love.¡± She said as she led me to thedies room.


    I feel so confused right now. What is actually going on here?


    Alex!!! I practically screamed in my head. He¡¯s ying games with me. How could I exin thistest behavior of his? Everyone in that room believed that the Thorntons were doomed already.


    I will not let this go the way he thinks. No. He won¡¯t find it easy taking over my father¡¯spany. We worked so hard to get it to the position it is today. We might not be a big and powerful conglomerate but we are also a sturdypany.


    My mum was wiping my face with a napkin as she soothes me. She looks so frail right now. Thank God the restroom is empty.


    ¡°Mum.¡± I called her


    She looked up and gave me a sad smile.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry about my outburst earlier. I will make everything good.¡±


    I just remembered that Alex wanted me to go home with him. I cussed out and my mother looked at me disapprovingly. I smiled at her and apologized. When you live with an idiot and cuss-spitting monster for so long, it starts rubbing off on you.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be going home with Alex tonight mum.¡±


    ¡°What? No, I can¡¯t have that Emily. What if something were to happen to you? He¡¯s not trustworthy. I won¡¯t allow that.¡±


    ¡°Mum, listen to me. I have to do this. He invited me over. I have to do all I can to make sure that the deadline is shifted forward. We can not afford to chuck out now.


    We came here to have a chance at convincing him to postpone the deadline. And that opportunity came when he asked me to go home with him.¡±


    My mum kept looking at me with doubt and worry written all over her face.


    ¡°Come on mum. You have to agree in order for me to convince dad to let me go. Just trust me, okay.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t take it easy with him if he dares to hit you again.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t give him the chance mum.¡±


    My mum drew me to herself and hugged me while patting my back.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go out now.¡± I said holding her hands and leading her out.


    On our way out we saw my dad, he was waiting just a few feet away from the door. When he saw us, I could see him breathing a sigh of relief. He came closer to us and held my hand.


    ¡°I was almost at 100.¡±


    ¡°What? 100 what dad.¡±


    ¡°I was counting to 100. If you nor your motheres out before I count 100, I was gonna break down that door. Not caring if it¡¯s for thedies or not.¡±


    ¡°Dad. Thank God you didn¡¯t. We can¡¯t add an arrest to what is going on now.¡±


    ¡°I know Emily. But the way you left the hall and your mother had to follow you out. Then you guys took too long returning and I came out to search for you guys but I didn¡¯t see you¡­¡± my dad was


    ¡°That¡¯s okay Robert. We are both okay.¡±This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Dad, I won¡¯t be going home with you tonight.¡±


    ¡°What does that mean? Where will you be going?¡±


    I looked at my mum. She has to be the one to tell him. I know my dad will not listen to me.


    ¡°We are going home while she will be going to Alex¡¯s ce tonight.¡± My mum said while dragging my dad away.


    ¡°Thank you mum.¡± I mouthed at her.


    ¡°Call me. Be careful¡± She mouthed back.


    I watch as they both leave. I made my way back to the hall. As I got closer, I could feel the high spirit from the guests as they all mingled and chatted with each other. This was me a year ago.


    There was no worry and I was at the height of my youth. Everything was so perfect back then.


    I need to find Alex. Only if I can get to talk to him here and don¡¯t have to go ¡®home¡¯ with him.


    But I was shocked by the sight that met my eyes.

 The Unwanted Guest

    Narrator¡¯s POV


    When Emily left Alexio on the dance floor, he was about to move away from the dance floor when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw that it was a beautifuldy with brte hair, blue eyes and it was cat-like. She must have done some work on it, he thought.


    His guard came forward and was about to escort thedy away but Alex waved him away.


    ¡°Can I have this dance Alex?¡± She said in a husky voice.


    The song changed to a slow one and they started dancing.


    Alexio¡¯s POV


    ¡°I can¡¯t seem to remember your name.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re always funny Alex and never changing?¡±


    ¡°Why do you think so?¡±


    ¡°Common Alex. We both have had sex a few times and you still find it hard to remember my name every single time. I am really offended this time.¡± She said with a pout on her face.


    ¡°Besides, you promised to remember my name the next time we meet.¡±


    You bastard Alexander. I can now see how you¡¯ve been living a useless life even while making use of my name.


    ¡°So, tell me your name so I can remember it the next time we actually meet?¡±


    ¡°Maggie. As in Margaret O¡¯Connor. My dad is the owner of the O¡¯Connor garage.¡±


    ¡­ Interesting. Just the owner of a garage? She was not supposed to be here then.


    ¡°I am surprised you actually acknowledged your wife tonight. You¡¯re always irritated by her.¡± She said and I just smiled at her.


    She is giving me an insight to the rtionship between Alexander and Emily and for a reason, I¡¯m irked by it.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    ¡°You even invited me tonight so you won¡¯t have to be with her.¡± She continued


    ¡°Did I now?¡±


    She smiled


    ¡°But I¡¯m not offended in the slightest. I know what I want and how to get what I want.¡±


    She said as she slid her hands down to my crotch. I caught her hand before she did because I was already irritated by her. I¡¯ve had enough of her.


    I excused myself and was making my way out of the hall to get a quick smoke.


    I was almost out of the hall and I believe I caught sight of Emilying back to the hall without her parents.


    I was making my way to her when Maggie pulled me back to herself and kissed me on the lips. What was that?


    I tried to push her off but she held me tighter to herself.


    She smiled triumphantly when she eventually let me go. I looked around and I saw people pping and cheering.


    What¡¯s wrong with these people? Did Emily see this? For some reason I could not say, the fact that Emily must have seen this woman kiss me in public had me worried and anxious.


    ¡°Damn you woman.¡± I cussed at her


    Phones were brought out and pictures and videos were taken. I looked at Damon and he got into action in collecting the phones and deleting the pictures and videos. They were refusing but I trust Damon to get the work done. He is that efficient.


    I quickly scanned the crowd and true enough, there was Emily looking death stricken.


    ¡°Emily¡± I whispered her name.


    Damn. This was not how I wanted this night to go. I should have an upper hand in this game I had nned out.


    I made to move towards her but she fled the room so fast.


    ¡°Alex.¡± I heard a moan behind me.


    I looked back and saw Margaret holding her stomach. Not this now. I ignored her and moved on but she held my hand and she looked so much in pain. She cried and fell on the floor.


    ¡°It hurts Alex. Please. It hurts so bad¡± She cried.


    Everyone else was busy. I looked over at Damon but he was still busy with handling the guests and so were the other guys.


    I bent down and picked her up and moved her to the back of the room. Iid hands on one of the servers and put some cash in his pocket.


    ¡°Take good care of her, okay? Take her to a hospital if the need arises.¡± I told him and made my way out of the hall.


    I searched all the rooms and I could not find her. Where could she be?


    I went out of the building and there she was resting on her car. I did not want to call her name, afraid she would run away again. So I moved closer until I got closer to her.


    She was on a call.


    ¡°Ann, it was the samedy he cheated on me with. That two faced Margaret.¡±


    Ann said something on the other end.


    ¡°I don¡¯t care. To hell with love Ann. I just want to find a way to get him to settle this debt. This is the only way to save my father¡¯spany. I can not afford to lose it this way.


    ¡°Alex is just a bastard. The earlier I am done with him, the earlier I will have my peace of mind away from him.¡±


    Something was said at the other end again.


    ¡°Yes. I used to love him but not anymore.¡±


    ¡°Emily.¡±

 Why Me?

    Narrator¡¯s POV


    Emily froze. She recognises that voice. She just wished she had left already and did not have to face him tonight. She calmed herself down and turned to see Alexio standing behind her.


    She dropped the call and faced him. She was filled with apprehension at the thought of maybe he heard her conversation and thest word she uttered before she heard him call her name.


    She did not want to give him another weapon to use against her. That was thest thing she wanted.


    ¡°Yes Alex.¡±


    ¡°Alexio. Call me Alexio.¡±


    ¡°What is the difference? I¡¯ve always called you Alex ever since we met. You have never minded my calling you Alex.¡±


    ¡°Well, I mind now. I will get really pissed if you, I mean you Emily were to call me Alex again.¡± He said attempting to stroke my hair. I pped his hands away.


    ¡°And why do you think I will care?¡±


    ¡°I know you want to get close to me in order to save your Dad¡¯spany and I know you will not want me to be angry at you for any reason. It will jeopardize all you have nned already


    ¡°Also, there are a whole lot of other things that you won¡¯t understand now no matter how I exin to you. .¡±


    ¡°Whatever Alex-io. Alexio.¡± She tested him


    ¡°That¡¯s a good girl.¡± Alexio smiled at her.


    Emily¡¯s POV


    I just stared at him. Seeing him smile so carefree at me got me so angry and I just wanted to wipe the smile off his face but I held it in.


    ¡°When are we going ¡®home¡¯?¡± I asked him while trying to act unaffected.


    ¡°Are you that eager to be alone with me?¡±


    He¡¯s got guts. Well, what do I expect from someone that brought a woman into our matrimonial bed? Thinking back to that day got me riled up and I could no longer hold back. I was seeing red.


    ¡°No, I am not. And just for the record. We are sleeping separately and you can have the master room to yourself. I cannot bear to sleep on that bed after you¡¯ve brought a woman there.¡± I said bitingly


    ¡°Woah!!! Calm down Emily.¡± He mocked. At least that is what I hear.


    ¡°Calm down? You¡¯re really telling me to calm down?¡± I shouted at him and he looked around to see if there was anyone around.


    I don¡¯t care anymore. I don¡¯t care if I appear on the news tomorrow for disturbing the peace of the so-called elites. I¡¯ve had enough of them.


    ¡°You really sicken me right now ALEXIO. You¡¯ve got no remorse whatsoever.¡± I continued.


    ¡°Emily.¡± He called trying toe close to me and I pped his hands away.


    ¡°Get your hands off me. I don¡¯t care if the whole guests were toe out and witness this scene. You did not care about that when you were in there smooching with your whore.¡±


    ¡°That was a misunderstanding Emily.¡±


    ¡°Misunderstanding my foot. Was it also a misunderstanding when you were both on our matrimonial bed?¡±


    And just because I wanted to hurt him even if it is a little, I continued


    ¡°And yes, I also cheated on you. I paid you back in your own coin. Not that it will hurt you but I hope that knowledge gives you sleepless nights just as yours did to me.¡±


    I spat at him and turned to get into my car but then he held the car door.


    ¡°Get down now Emily, let me exin these things to you.¡± He sneered


    ¡°I don¡¯t care anymore about that. I will look for other means to save my father¡¯spany from you. Let go of the door.¡± But he wouldn¡¯t budge.


    ¡°Let go now Alex.¡±Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    I kicked his groin but his hold on the door was tight. He picked me up and threw me across his shoulders.


    ¡°I specifically told you that I would get angry if you were to call me Alex but you had to just call me that.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± What is he even on about?


    ¡°Put me down.¡± I hit him on the back and kick him but all I do had no effect on him, rather he seems to be enjoying it


    ¡°Follow us in her car.¡± Alexio said to someone whose face I could not see because all I could still see was his ass.


    ¡°No, no. Don¡¯t you dare touch my car. I will kill you if you do.¡± I threatened. Not my baby. Don¡¯t touch my baby


    ¡°I said put me down Alex.¡± I tried saying again and Inded a perfect blow to his ass, or I thought I did.


    I heard a car door open and then he bent down and practically dropped me like a sack of potatoes.


    ¡°Hey.¡± I cried


    ¡°Emily, I won¡¯t let you go anywhere by yourself. I want you to know that first. Secondly, you¡¯reing home with me tonight. Thirdly, I will enjoy punishing you tonight for calling me Alex, even when I told you not to anymore.¡± He smirked.


    ¡°To hell with you. I¡¯m not stepping into your freaking home. I¡¯m going to my parents¡¯ and that¡¯s final.¡±


    ¡°No. What you say is not final but whatsoever I say is final.¡±


    ¡°You egoistic bastard. I will not let you have your way with me anymore.¡± I said while pushing him away from the door.


    When I saw that he was not budging, I turned to the other door to make my escape but it was locked.


    ¡°Let me go right now.¡± I demanded


    But he got into the car instead and moved closer to me as I moved away from him.


    ¡°Will you be okay if I were to start here? I actually don¡¯t mind.¡± He threatened me but it looks like he meant it.


    ¡°Stop where you are.¡± I said when I saw that there was no more room to escape to.


    ¡°Let¡¯s go Damon.¡± He said rxing on the chair and he even dared to close his eyes.


    I made to quickly open the door to the car but he held me back and pressed his lips against mine.

 I Can Do It If I Want To

    Narrator¡¯s POV


    Emily flew away from Alexio as if she had been burnt by hot oil. and quickly like a woman possessed, shended a p on his face.


    ¡°How dare you?¡± Emily whispered.


    Anger shed in Alexio¡¯s eyes. No woman has dared to p him in his entire life. He raised his hand to caress his face and she flinched thinking he wanted to hit her back.


    When Alexio saw this something changed in his eyes.


    ¡°Damon, let¡¯s grab something to eat before heading to the airport.¡± Alexio instructed Damon.


    ¡°Airport? Why are we going to the airport?¡±


    ¡°Max, you can go ahead to the mansion.¡± Damon told the guy driving Emily¡¯s car.


    ¡°Why are you not answering me Alex?¡±


    Alexio¡¯s POV


    ¡°You are one stubborn woman Emily. I would have loved to take my sweet time to tame you but time is not on our side right now.¡± I said moving closer to Emily on the seat.


    ¡°Will you like to start receiving your punishment now or when you start eating, or when we are aboard the ne or when we get to our hotel room?¡± I said each phrase stroking her hair and moving closer to her.


    The more I moved closer, the more she drew away. I stopped stroking her hair when I saw that she had nowhere to move to anymore and I moved closer to her, trapping her there.


    ¡°What do you want?¡± She whispered


    ¡°You Emily. Just you.¡±


    ¡°But why?¡±


    I stared at her heaving chest and my eyes moved to her parted lips. Something sparked within me and I immediately caught her lips in mine and kissed her. She was not expecting it, so it was easier to pry her lips open.


    She tried to pull away and I held her head in my palm and delved my tongue deeper into her mouth.


    She struggled to break free from me but I did not give her the chance as I kissed her deeper. I gave her no chance nor time to reciprocate or refuse. It was her sweet punishment.


    Then little by little, she seemed to give way to the passion boiling in her as she held my chest and let out a breathy moan into my mouth. I worked her mouth vigorously and she moaned again.


    I carried her and put her on myp and grind my bulge against her. She tried to squirm away but I held her there and kissed her even faster. Then I moved to nibble kisses on her corbone and I worked on her side view and left a beautiful mark there.


    She jumped from the intensity of my teeth on her neck and flew away from me. She touched the spot and when she brought her hands forward she saw that there was blood there.


    Emily shot me a murderous look and I smirked at her.


    ¡°Your body does not lie. You really can¡¯t wait to have me alone in a room.¡±


    ¡°You bastard.¡± She cussed


    ¡°As much as you look cute with those cuss words spewing out of your mouth, I will advise you to stay away from it Princess. It does not suit you and I don¡¯t want my wife to be a cuss spitting bitch. I love her to be a pure bitch instead.¡±


    ¡°You¡­ you¡­ I am not a bitch and neither am I your bitch, you scum¡± I smirked at her.


    Then she tried to wipe the blood away. She tried to cover the bruise with her hair.


    ¡°I am the biggest and nicest scum you will ever have the privilege of meeting dearest.¡±


    ¡°I will appreciate it if you desist from all these endearments. It sickens me.¡± I could feel the malice in her voice but I was not perturbed by that.


    ¡°The hickey looks good on you. Don¡¯t cover it.¡± Imanded.Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    She shot me another murderous look and went ahead with what she was doing.


    ¡°I am not your trophy to be disyed as you wish.¡±


    ¡°I will make you be one.¡±


    ¡°What? What is your problem? Why are you so stuck up and believe you can do all you want to?¡±


    ¡°Because I can Emily. You will still find out the extent of my powers and be awed by it.¡± I told her in a matter of fact voice.


    ¡°You¡¯re just a cheap guy A-.¡± She quickly stopped herself and I smirked at her.


    ¡°It seems I¡¯m getting there, right? Though I do not mind punishing you consistently.¡±


    ¡°What do you want from me? What do you really want from me?¡± She


    I moved back when she said that and rxed on the seat. I ignored her and did not answer her questions.


    ¡°Why are you not answering my questions?¡± She queried.


    ¡°Do you want to save your Dad¡¯spany?¡± I asked her and she seemed shaken. Good.


    Atleast I¡¯m able to. confirm that she wants to save her father¡¯spany.


    ¡°Because if you want to, then you will have to do all I ask of you tonight. I mean every single thing I ask you to do, you do it. Anything I do to you, you ept it also.¡± I said moving closer to her.


    Trapped, she raised her hands to hit me but I held back her hand.


    ¡°Once is enough for tonight sweetheart. I can assure you that you do not want to cross that river with me tonight. You might get swept away by the raging storm.¡± I said to her kissing her earlobes. I nibbled on it and brought out my tongue to soothe the pain she might have felt.


    I carried her and ced her on myp again and I kissed her frivolously. She trembled when she felt my budge and I can¡¯t seem to keep it down.


    ¡°We are here Alexio.¡± Damon announced and she quickly came down from myps. She adjusted her clothes and did not look at my face for once.


    ¡°Thanks Damon.¡± I looked at Emily once again and she looked apprehensive.


    ¡°We are just going to have a simple dinner tonight. Nothing more, nothing less. And that is if you behave.¡±

 The Dinner

    Emily¡¯s POV


    What is wrong with me? How did I get myself in this situation with Alex?


    Alexio? To hell with him.


    He knocked on the door ss to get my attention. I wind down the ss and I heard him say


    ¡°Hurry up. We have not gotten all day.¡±


    ¡°Fucking bastard.¡± I muttered under my breath.


    I¡¯ve been cussing more ever since I met Alex and it is so annoying. I always just use to cuss when I¡¯m drunk but now¡­


    I quickly smoothed out my cloth, loosed my ponytail and covered the now bluish bruise on my neck. I just wish I had a scarf right now.


    I brought out my powder from my purse. Thank God I had that with me. I can¡¯t afford looking bad tonight. I won¡¯t give Alex the satisfaction of seeing me look defeated.


    I opened the car door and stepped out into the cool evening air and a shiver went through me. I wrapped my hands around myself to ward off the cold.


    Then suddenly, I felt a warm jacket cover me. I was startled and quickly turned and I saw Alex standing there looking so breath taking like a god from Olympus. He looked like the perfect sculpture from a master sculpture. But he had a frown on his face. Why is that?


    B


    Hold it Emily!!! Why are you seeing him in such light? Calm your damn hormones down. Why is this even happening now? My brain shouted at me


    ¡°You didn¡¯t think ofing out in this cold well covered? Come here, let¡¯s hurry inside so you can get warm.¡± He said pulling me after him.


    Anyone seeing him act towards me like this will think he¡¯s the perfect husband. I allowed him drag me after him till we entered a very furnished restaurant that looks more like an apartment.


    I couldn¡¯t help but be awed by the design. It was an architectural joy to be here. I quickly scanned the room taking in all the details.


    The restaurant was built to look like an apartment. There were just rooms all around and there were walls separating each room.


    Forgetting all about Alex, I really wanted to explore the whole ce and so I entered one of the room. There was a table at the centre of the room with a two chairs sorrounding the table.


    On the far end of the room is a mini kitchen with all necessary equipments. Each room has its own chef, ready to satisfy the customers¡¯ appetite.


    There was also a mini frezeer by the dinning table.


    The general cooking area was open and it was at the far end of the room.


    The restaurant was definitely designed to give it¡¯s customers privacy and a feel of home.


    My hands were scratching to get a drawing pad and pen in order to sketch this new idea forming in my head


    ¡°You like what you see?¡±


    I hadpletely forgotten that I was here with Alex, till I heard his voice. Hearing his voice brought me back to reality and I hated that I was in this kind of situation right now.


    A situation where I am not free to do what I want to but to be at his mercy.


    He must have noticed the change in my demeanour because he moved closer to me and tried stroking my cheek and I moved away. He was probably disappointed.


    ¡°Emily, can you just be free with me tonight? I brought you here just for this purpose.¡±


    Seeing that I was not responding, he sighed.


    ¡°Come, let¡¯s pick a room first and eat. Then we will get back to the purpose I brought you here for and we can move forward from there, okay?¡±


    Without waiting for my answer, he moved to a room and I just followed him inside.


    There was an elderly woman and a middle aged man in the room already. And they greeted us with a big smile when we got to the room.


    ¡°Wee A. We got your call that you¡¯ll being tonight with the missus. She¡¯s really pretty.¡± The elderly woman said with a fond smile to Alex.


    ¡°Mother!¡± Alex called her


    The elderly woman held out her hand and Alex went to her and held her hand, giving her a kiss on her hand. The woman pulled him into a hug and kissed him on the cheek.


    ¡°I¡¯ve really missed you A? Please, don¡¯t stay too long before you visit again. It breaks my heart not seeing you for so long.¡±This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry momma. Forgive this childish boy.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s okay now A. Seeing you now gives me so much joy already.¡± She said wiping a stray tear from her eyes.


    I was mesmerized where I was standing, I¡¯ve never heard of a mother before now. Alex moved back to where I was and pulled me to himself.


    ¡°Ma, this is Emily. Emily, this is Ma.¡± And a look passed between them which I don¡¯t really understand.


    ¡°You¡¯re wee Emily. You can call me Rose.¡±


    ¡°Okay Rose. Nice to meet you too.¡±


    ¡°Please be seated and Karl here will serve you your meals.¡± She said smiling at me and I could not help but smile back at her. Her smile was clearly contagious.


    We sat down and Karl brought our food to the table. It was Mac and cheese. Karl took my te and scooped a substantial amount into it and dropped the te in front of me.


    I looked up and threw set of eyes were looking at me keenly.


    ¡°Go on, try it.¡±


    I picked up my spoon and takjng a spoonful, I inserted it into my mouth and savored it. It was the sweetest mac and cheese I have tasted in so long.


    Forgetting that it was still night, I dug into my meal and started eating. I have forgotten how hungry I was seeing that I had eaten nothing all day.


    I forgot about those around me and I helped myself to a second te

 I Said I Can Do It If I want To

    Alexio¡¯s POVThis belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Emily groaned in satisfaction after the second te and afterwards she rested her back on the chair, heaving.


    That was when she looked up and saw that I had been staring at her all along.


    ¡°Where¡­¡± I began to say


    ¡°Rose and Karl had left earlier. It¡¯s just you and me now Emily. In this room alone. Remember our deal for tonight?¡±


    I could see her brain trying to work out a way for her.


    ¡°Alex, I¡­¡± she choked on her words when she saw the way I looked at her.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky you¡¯re across from me but bear in mind I don¡¯t forget things easily. You¡¯ll surely pay for that.¡±


    ¡°Can I know why you¡¯re so obsessed that I call you Alex? One time, you did not even want me calling your name and now I must call you Alexio. You¡¯re so confusing.¡±


    I just smirked at her, saying nothing.


    There was a knock on the door and Damon came in immediately.


    ¡°Yes Damon, you can drop it on the table.¡±


    Damon stepped into the room and dropped an envelope on the table.


    ¡°When will Jim get here?¡± I enquired of Damon.


    ¡°He will be here soon. He left the g ten minutes ago.¡± Damon replied.


    ¡°Okay. You can leave now. I¡¯ll call you in soon.¡±


    Emily was staring at Damon as he left the room.


    ¡°This night is the first time I¡¯m seeing him and he seems to be so close to you seeing as he is at your beck and call. Why haven¡¯t I noticed him before now.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because you have not been as attentive as you think you are.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by that? You¡¯re the one who never wants me to visit you at your work ce. Even when we go out on dates, it has always been the two of us.


    ¡°Every time I ask you anything personal, you be so evasive.¡±


    Hmmn¡­ I see now how Alexander has gotten her   and her parents hooked and fooled.


    He has always been evasive


    ¡°Just as you¡¯re right now.¡± Emily quipped


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to know anything about me Emily. It¡¯s not for you to know.¡± I thundered coolly without raising my voice.


    I picked the ss of wine on the table and had a sip all the while looking at Emily.


    ¡°I understand that you want to meet me especially tonight because of your father¡¯spany. I¡¯m listening.¡±


    Emily seemed pressured at that moment, not that she was rxed with me to begin with.


    ¡°Actually A¡­ I mean I need you to take back what you said the other day.¡±


    What I said? Interesting.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to expantiate on your words Emily.¡±


    ¡°Why are you feigning innocence?¡± She queried.


    ¡°But I¡¯m not. I am only telling you to help me refresh my memory.¡±


    ¡°How can you say that. You came home, dropped a bombshell, then you left and we heard no word from you for three days. Only for us to see you at the g tonight and now you¡¯re saying you can¡¯t recall?


    ¡°Do you know how worried and restless my parents and I have been for the past three days?¡± She was on her feet, pacing to and fro and even though she was angry, she looked hot doing that but this was my game and it had to be yed by my rules.


    ¡°Sit down Emily.¡± Imanded pretending to be bored by her long talks


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me what to do, okay?¡± She snapped at me. I can understand she¡¯s angry but I refused to be disobeyed.


    ¡°You must have forgotten what I told you earlier in the car. Or perhaps, you want me to refresh your memory.¡± I said also standing on my feet and moved close to her.


    She stretched out her hand to stop me.


    ¡°I¡¯m sitting¡­ I am sitting down. Okay. Here¡­ see. I¡¯m sitting down.¡±


    She was obviously scared. Instead of sitting down, I moved closer to her and rested on the back of her chair and bent down to whisper into her ear.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be scared, I can only make you feel good.¡± I whispered in her ears, giving her a bite.


    She winced but she did not move. I blew on her ears and stood back up.


    ¡°You learn quickly but you just forget easily. I want you to know that I am very willing to always remind and teach you.¡±


    She sat still and she did not move as I went back to the other side and sat down.


    ¡°Here. I want you to carefully go through that and affix your signature.¡±


    ¡°What¡­¡± she stopped to clear her throat. ¡°What¡¯s this.¡±


    ¡°You have all night to go through that and understand it.¡± I told her as I leaned back on the chair and stared at her.


    ¡°Okay.¡± She said, picking up the papers.


    The colours drained from her face as she read the title of the document. She lifted her head to stare at me incredulously.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand this Alexio.¡±


    ¡°Come on Emily. I know you can read.¡±


    ¡°Why are you doing this?¡±


    ¡°You want me to save your father¡¯spany, right? Then, you should be willing to do that much.¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯m already married to you. Or rather should I say ¡®bound¡¯ to you instead.


    ¡°Why do we need a postnuptial contract?¡± She cried, lifting her hands to show me the wedding band on her fingers.


    It was a post nuptial contract I had drawn up. I smirked at her and also showed her my wedding band.


    ¡°That makes two of us Emily. But no, this is not what I¡¯m talking about.¡± I said pulling off the ring. ¡°I want more from you.¡±


    ¡°What more can you possibly get from me? What you stated here is absolutely mad. How do you expect me to quit working and stay at home? I love working.


    ¡°And what is this here, in the fourth paragraph? I have to be faithful to you. You¡¯ve been the unfaithful one all these while. You even had the guts to bring a woman into a home my father got for us. How shameless can you be asking this of me?


    Alexio¡¯s POV


    Emily groaned in satisfaction after the second te and afterwards she rested her back on the chair, heaving.


    That was when she looked up and saw that I had been staring at her all along.


    ¡°Where¡­¡± I began to say


    ¡°Rose and Karl had left earlier. It¡¯s just you and me now Emily. In this room alone. Remember our deal for tonight?¡±


    I could see her brain trying to work out a way for her.


    ¡°Alex, I¡­¡± she choked on her words when she saw the way I looked at her.


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky you¡¯re across from me but bear in mind I don¡¯t forget things easily. You¡¯ll surely pay for that.¡±


    ¡°Can I know why you¡¯re so obsessed that I call you Alex? One time, you did not even want me calling your name and now I must call you Alexio. You¡¯re so confusing.¡±


    I just smirked at her, saying nothing.


    There was a knock on the door and Damon came in immediately.


    ¡°Yes Damon, you can drop it on the table.¡±


    Damon stepped into the room and dropped an envelope on the table.


    ¡°When will Jim get here?¡± I enquired of Damon.


    ¡°He will be here soon. He left the g ten minutes ago.¡± Damon replied.


    ¡°Okay. You can leave now. I¡¯ll call you in soon.¡±


    Emily was staring at Damon as he left the room.


    ¡°This night is the first time I¡¯m seeing him and he seems to be so close to you seeing as he is at your beck and call. Why haven¡¯t I noticed him before now.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s because you have not been as attentive as you think you are.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by that? You¡¯re the one who never wants me to visit you at your work ce. Even when we go out on dates, it has always been the two of us.


    ¡°Every time I ask you anything personal, you be so evasive.¡±


    Hmmn¡­ I see now how Alexander has gotten her   and her parents hooked and fooled.


    He has always been evasive


    ¡°Just as you¡¯re right now.¡± Emily quipped


    ¡°You don¡¯t need to know anything about me Emily. It¡¯s not for you to know.¡± I thundered coolly without raising my voice.


    I picked the ss of wine on the table and had a sip all the while looking at Emily.


    ¡°I understand that you want to meet me especially tonight because of your father¡¯spany. I¡¯m listening.¡±


    Emily seemed pressured at that moment, not that she was rxed with me to begin with.


    ¡°Actually A¡­ I mean I need you to take back what you said the other day.¡±


    What I said? Interesting.


    ¡°You¡¯ll have to expantiate on your words Emily.¡±


    ¡°Why are you feigning innocence?¡± She queried.


    ¡°But I¡¯m not. I am only telling you to help me refresh my memory.¡±


    ¡°How can you say that. You came home, dropped a bombshell, then you left and we heard no word from you for three days. Only for us to see you at the g tonight and now you¡¯re saying you can¡¯t recall?


    ¡°Do you know how worried and restless my parents and I have been for the past three days?¡± She was on her feet, pacing to and fro and even though she was angry, she looked hot doing that but this was my game and it had to be yed by my rules.


    ¡°Sit down Emily.¡± Imanded pretending to be bored by her long talks


    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me what to do, okay?¡± She snapped at me. I can understand she¡¯s angry but I refused to be disobeyed.


    ¡°You must have forgotten what I told you earlier in the car. Or perhaps, you want me to refresh your memory.¡± I said also standing on my feet and moved close to her.


    She stretched out her hand to stop me.


    ¡°I¡¯m sitting¡­ I am sitting down. Okay. Here¡­ see. I¡¯m sitting down.¡±


    She was obviously scared. Instead of sitting down, I moved closer to her and rested on the back of her chair and bent down to whisper into her ear.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be scared, I can only make you feel good.¡± I whispered in her ears, giving her a bite.


    She winced but she did not move. I blew on her ears and stood back up.


    ¡°You learn quickly but you just forget easily. I want you to know that I am very willing to always remind and teach you.¡±


    She sat still and she did not move as I went back to the other side and sat down.


    ¡°Here. I want you to carefully go through that and affix your signature.¡±


    ¡°What¡­¡± she stopped to clear her throat. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    ¡°You have all night to go through that and understand it.¡± I told her as I leaned back on the chair and stared at her.


    ¡°Okay.¡± She said, picking up the papers.


    The colours drained from her face as she read the title of the document. She lifted her head to stare at me incredulously.


    ¡°I don¡¯t understand this Alexio.¡±


    ¡°Come on Emily. I know you can read.¡±


    ¡°Why are you doing this?¡±


    ¡°You want me to save your father¡¯spany, right? Then, you should be willing to do that much.¡±


    ¡°But I¡¯m already married to you. Or rather should I say ¡®bound¡¯ to you instead.


    ¡°Why do we need a postnuptial contract?¡± She cried, lifting her hands to show me the wedding band on her fingers.


    It was a post nuptial contract I had drawn up. I smirked at her and also showed her my wedding band.


    ¡°That makes two of us Emily. But no, this is not what I¡¯m talking about.¡± I said pulling off the ring. ¡°I want more from you.¡±


    ¡°What more can you possibly get from me? What you stated here is absolutely mad. How do you expect me to quit working and stay at home? I love working.


    ¡°And what is this here, in the fourth paragraph? I have to be faithful to you. You¡¯ve been the unfaithful one all these while. You even had the guts to bring a woman into a home my father got for us. How shameless can you be asking this of me?

 The Contract

    ¡°Can you just imagine how shocked I must have been to find you humping that bitch of all people?¡±


    I stared at the heaving Emily and shrugged. I picked up an apple slice from the table and bit into it, ¡°Hmmn¡­ this i¡¯s juicy. You wanna try it¡± I said passing the te to her.


    ¡°You don¡¯t want it. That¡¯s too bad, bacause they are really really juicy.¡± I said wiping my fingers clean.


    I threw the used towel on the table and looked upzily at Emily, ¡°Actually, we both have to be faithful to each other. I will not tolerate any form of unfaithfulness. I promise you, that I¡¯ll also be faithful.


    ¡°And moreover, this is not up to you. You have to sign that documents, either tonight or tonight. I¡¯m running out of oatienxe..¡± I said, smiling at her.


    Emily¡¯s POV


    Looking at Alex smile from ear to ear really got me frightened. Why do I trust him to keep his word about signing the document?


    I remember my dad had wanted us to sign a pre nuptial agreement but I had been against it and Alex had shared the same opinion as mine.


    If we had signed those agreements then, my dad would have had an upper hand in this situation. But the agreementing from Alex himself means that he has an upper hand.


    My family has suffered too much of a blow for me to be selfish.


    I would have to quit working


    I would have to be at his beck and call.


    I would have to be a woman I never thought of bing


    But I would also be giving my father the chance to save hispany.


    I would have to trust my dad to make good use of this opportunity to take over thepany back.


    ¡°Why are you no longer asking for the 30% of thepany shares?¡±


    ¡°I already have 45%. I would love to see how your dad makes good use of this window to salvage thepany.¡± Alex said standing up. He started pacing the room, with his hands in his pocket.


    ¡°Emily, this agreement is dependent on how happy you make me.¡± Alex said moving towards me.


    I¡¯ve had enough of this torture for one night.


    ¡°Please, don¡¯te any closer.¡± I begged standing up.


    He stopped and I heaved a sigh of relief. Sitting down, I gestures for him to sit too. He smiled at me and sat down also.


    ¡°I want to add my own conditions to these conditions listed here.¡± I told him.


    He looked at me for a few seconds before he nodded his head to give me the go ahead. But then he raised his hand,


    ¡°I will be okay with whatever you say as long as it does not contradict or affect the conditions written in there.¡±


    ¡°I just want a way out for my father¡¯spany.¡± I replied to him.


    ¡°We¡¯ll be needing a witness also.¡± I reminded him.


    ¡°You don¡¯t trust me?¡± He questioned.


    ¡°Yes, I don¡¯t trust you Alex-io.¡± I¡¯ve been doing my best to avoid saying his name because I¡¯m still not used with his obsession of what I call him.


    He just smirked at me and brought out his phone and dialed a number.


    ¡°You cane in now.¡±


    Not long after he dropped the call, there was a knock on the door and Damon came into the room, along with Jim.


    I know Jim. He is a family friend and he was an associate at thew firm my dad works with. He was thewyer that was in charge of Edwards case four years ago. After the case ended, he resigned from his work and I have not seen him again till now


    What¡¯s he doing here? What has he got to do with Alex? I looked at him trying to get his attention but he avoided my gaze entirely.


    ¡°There will be some additions to the contract. I want you to note them down and add it to the prior agreement. Damon, you will be a witness alongside Jim.¡± Alex informed them, then he turned to me.


    ¡°I believe that is okay by you also Emily?¡±


    I was still surprised by Jim¡¯s presence to be attentive to Alex.


    ¡°Emily¡­ Emily.¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­ What? Did yo byu say something?¡±


    ¡°Yes, I actually did. I just asked if it is okay by you that Jim and Damon will be our witness tonight?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s okay.¡± I said


    ¡°Good. Jim take down her extra conditions for the contract.¡± Alex instructed.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Jim brought out his pad and he was ready to start taking down whatever I had to say.


    ¡°I will be adding one thing to the aforementioned agreement.¡± I said to Jim.


    ¡°I have to be given a prior notice before you ask me to go on either an event or a business trip or whatever with you. I refuse to be used.¡± I said looking straight at Alex.


    ¡°You have to calm the shareholders down. The rumours about my family and thepany started with you and so I believe you should take the lead in calming the shareholders.


    ¡°Also, my mum¡¯s birthday ising up next week. I want you to use that opportunity to stabilize thepany and deter from doing anything that will make it go down again.¡± I said, sounding satisfied but Alex just startedughing.


    ¡°Princess, those are no¡­ Those are okay.  It¡¯s fine.¡±


    Why do I feel like I am a child and Alex as an adult is being understanding? O whaatever.


    ¡°Jim, you are thewyer. Do what you¡¯re supposed to do and let¡¯s out down our signature and call it a night, uh?¡±


    Jim was done and he stood up to ce the pad in front of Alex to sign. Alex took it up and signed it without even looking at it.


    It was brought before me also and I just want to go throught it one more time.

 I Gotta Have Her

    ¡°Take your time Princess. We¡¯ve got all night.¡±


    ¡°Stop calling me Princess.¡± What¡¯s wrong with him? I muttered under my breath.


    I took the pad and just signed on it and passed it back to Jim. He also signed on after Damon had signed his. They both stood up to leave the room.


    ¡°Damon, make all necessary preparations by morning. let¡¯s get every necessary thing sorted out in regards to thepany.¡±


    ¡°Okay, Alex.¡± Damon replied and left the room then, leaving the two of us alone again.


    I looked up to Alex smiling. No, that¡¯s a smirk. That¡¯s definitely a smirk on his face. And why does the room feel so cold? I wrapped my hands around myself.


    ¡°Can we go now?¡± I demanded.


    ¡°Of course. We are going to Colorado.¡±


    ¡°What? What do you mean by Colorado?¡±


    ¡°Exactly what Colorado means Emily. I have a business meeting in the morning and you, my wife will be apanying over there.


    ¡°We just signed a contract to that effect, right? A prior notice. I¡¯m doing that¡± He said sounding as if he¡¯s doing me a favour.


    Well, he is actually doing me a favour. I brought nothing to the table. I can withstand this much humiliation just to give my family a little breathing space till things gets sorted out.


    ¡°Okay. What time are we leaving. I have to pick my clothes and stuff.¡±


    ¡°There¡¯s no need for that. All you¡¯ll be needing has been provided for. You just have to get your butt off that seat and get on the ne.¡±


    His voice sounded cold. Why the sudden change? He was not friendly to begin with but this is all shade different.


    I looked up and he was no longer smiling but there was a dangerous glint in his eyes.


    Narrator¡¯s POV


    Emily felt a chill in her bones when she saw his eyes. She looked away and swallowed hard.


    When she looked up again, Alexio was standing up and he was approaching her.


    She had no time to think of what¡¯s happening when Alexio drew her up from her seat, embracing her, then attacked her with his lips. No, he was not rough but it was unexpected.


    But Emily, conscious of her sorrounding, refused to give in.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    He bit and nibbled on her lips till she gave him ess to her mouth. He went ahead and  explored her inner mouth with his tongue.


    Emily attempted to bite Alexio¡¯s lips, but it was as if he anticipated that, he withdrew from the kiss, breathing heavily while resting his head on hers.


    ¡°Don¡¯t tempt me woman.¡± Alexio groaned. ¡°Two can y at that game.¡± He said, cing kisses and blowing hair on the previous hickey.


    Emily felt a chill in her bones. It was a warning, a reminder that he can make her a public spectator with love bites all over her body. She has sold herself to him already.


    After a few seconds, when Alexio was sure she had gotten the message. He cupped her face in hisrge hands and drew her face to himself and ced kissed her. Emily felt a different kind of shiver run through her.


    Alexio drew her more closer to himself, marking a sort of territory. He really wanted to wash away all other memories from her body. His hands roamed her body, leaving hot mes wherever it touched. The chill was gone.


    He lifted her up, still kissing her and she stranded him with her legs. Then he moved her to the wall and pinned her there. She was feeling hot.


    Then he picked her up and ced her on the other table in the room, still straddling him. The table was not as big as the one on which they had eaten. But it will work.


    He lifted up her head with his finger and he looked deep into her eyes, he saw a mixture of feelings in her eyes. Fear, lust and hesitation and longing. It was hard to guage which was stronger.


    He wanted to show her that he is not an average man. But how can he even teach her a lesson, if she does not know that he is a different man.


    Emily saw a light dim in his eyes, thinking it was because of her, she brought her lips upon his and kissed him. She refused to let go till she noticed him reciprocating with the same intensity.


    ¡®I have to make this work. I have to save my father¡¯spany.¡¯ She thought.


    Alexio groaned into her mouth, as he pulled away. Emily attempted to draw him back, but he held her hand back.


    Damn. He was not a man to use a woman. He might have told himself that he will just use her, but in reality, he was never such a man.


    ¡®Women should be pleased and satisfied.¡¯ he reminisced, rubbing a finger along her lips while staring at it.


    He pinched Emily¡¯s lips and she moaned, drawing his finger into mouth and licking it, not taking her eyes away from him. Alexio could feel the heat rushing southward and his pants ighten.


    He groaned, grabbing her face and kissing her. He brought her hand to rest on his crotch to let her know how rocky he is.


    Emily moaned, cing pressure on her hand that was on his crotch.


    Alexio moved downward to her neck, leaving love bites on its wake. Emily could not remember Alex being so obsessed with hickeys but she has epted the fact that she will be going around with scarves from that moment on.


    Alexio drew her clothes down at her cleave and stared at her cleavage. They were taut and round. Just the perfect size for her stature. He remembered how full they felt in his mouth that night.


    ¡°So beautiful.¡± He whispered, touching her nipples gently with his thumb and forefinger.


    Alexio dragged a chair to himself, sat down and continued to y with her perfect mound. He squeezed them gently as he ced light kisses on them.

 His New Obsession

    Narrator¡¯s POV


    Working his way to the top of her breast, he touched her aer and yed with it, then he put it in his mouth, smoldering and sucking on it gently, while the other was being caressed by his other hand.


    It felt heavenly to Emily as she arched her back to get more of his touch. His hands felt warm and soothing. She held his head there, not willing to let go as she let out breathy moans at intervals.


    Alexio held on to her to keep her firm as he squeezed and sucked on her nipple. When he looked up, his eyes were filled with lust and hunger for her.


    He made her lie down on the table while he pulled her clothes up. The sight was breathtaking.  He just wanted to make her reach an orgasm and he will take care of his man problem himself.


    He pulled her whitece pants down to her ankle and off her feet, kissing every skin exposed on the way and back up to her groin. Staring at her groin, She was well shaven and she smelt so good.


    He lifted up his head and looked up at her, she had her eyes closed.


    ¡°Open your eyes.¡± Hemanded.


    They were lust filled, mirroring his own desires. He instructed her to sit up on her elbows and watch him.


    Keeping his eyes locked with hers, he inserted a finger and warm juice weed him, enveloping his hands in tight embrace. He pulled it out and pulled it back in gently a few more times. He added a another finger and picked up pace.


    Emily bucked and thrashed on the mini table while Alex kept her from falling.


    ¡°Keep your eyes open.¡± He demanded from her.


    Still looking at her, he bent down and kissed her, inserting his tongue inside her. He licked and sucked with great speed and strength.


    Emily felt the waveing straight at her. She tried to fight it and she held on a little longer, but then Alexio added a finger to his tongue and that was her undoing as she came so hard, the table shook.


    Alexio held her hips in ce as she came back from her high mountain.


    She opened her eyes to see Alex wiping his hands of her fluid and she blushed crimson. She quickly averterd her eyes as she came down from the table to cover herself up.


    I¡­¡± Alex began to say, but he changed his mind, ¡°Damon wiill call the driver to drop you off at your parents.¡± With that he left the room, taking all the warmth along with him.


    Narrator¡¯s POV


    Emily felt a sudden chill as she was left alone in the room. Has she done something wrong? Was she too brazen to ept pleasure and not return the favour?


    These thoughts filled her mind as she picked her undergarments and wore them back.


    She could say she felt like she has prostituted herself. But this felt so different. It was as if she had a right o such pleasure. As if it was hers to begin with.


    Alex had never been this passionate about pleasing her ever since they had been married. She had always been the one to satisfy him any way he wants it.


    So, this particrly surprised her. How had he gone from a self centered and cheating beastard to asking her to sign a contract of being faithful to the marriage and then satisfying her?


    A knock came on the door.


    ¡°Come in.¡± She said weakly. She had no more strength left in her. It was all she could do to keep her eyes open.


    Rose came in smiling brightly and went to sit beside her. Emily did her best to smile back at her.


    ¡°A said to keep youpany till the driveres to pick you upter, hope that¡¯s okay by you?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Yes, it¡¯s very much okay.¡± Thest thing I need right now is to be left with my thoughts. I don¡¯t trust it not to break me down in this strange ce where I am not familiar with anybody.


    ¡°Good. Should I run a bathe for you while you wait?¡±


    ¡°A bathe? In a restaurant? Come on, how gullible do I look?¡± I asked incredulously.


    Rose just smiled at me, ¡°You¡¯ll be surprised with the things that you¡¯ll discover if you look just closely and keenly enough.¡± She said, pointing at the wall which I believed was separating each room in the restaurant.


    She pressed a button under the table and the wall actually opened to show avish room. She stretched out her hands to me


    ¡°Woah. I don¡¯t even know what to say. It¡¯s small from outside. I am still shocked at the interior and now you show me a new world entirely Rose. I¡¯m just so short of words.¡±


    The sight before me seemed to energise me because my senses were so heightened that I could not just sit back.


    ¡°It¡¯s beautiful Rose.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I know.¡± She smiled at me while she was running the bathe.


    ¡°But howe I¡¯ve never heard of this ce? I love architectural work and I¡¯ve made it my mission to visit every architectural site. But I¡¯ve never heard of this ce.¡± I said to no one in particr but I knew Rose heard me.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    I moved to where she was and asked her, ¡± who owns this ce Rose?¡±


    ¡°At the right time, you will know Emily.¡± She said in a way of dismissal and I had to let it go.


    ¡°Okay Rose. I¡¯ll let the questions go for now. But I assure you that I can be tenacious if the need arises.¡± I promised her and sheughed so beautifully, leaving the bathroom to give me privacy in the bathroom


    ¡°You have a beautifulugh.¡± I could not stop myself from pointing it out as I took off my clothes and got into the tub. The water was just the right temperature that I needed.

 The Thortons

    Emily¡¯s POV


    ¡°I will be right back Emily. I won¡¯t take long, but if you need my attention before I get back, all you have to do is press the bell on the table and I¡¯lle right away.


    A change of clothes has beenid out on the bed, pick anyone that catches your fancy.¡± She said and I heard the click of a lock not long after.


    I sighed, soaking myself further in the bathe. The temperature of the water seeping into my bones and healing it. I wish I could stay here all day. I packed a handful of bubble and blew it into the air.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    I picked a sunflower petal floating on the water and sniffed it. It was sweet smelling. I closed my eyes for a second to savour the scent and I moved deeper into the bathe.


    I picked my watch from the side table and checked the time. The time was 2:00am. My mind drifted to the event of the past 6 hours. It was a very long and tiring time.


    At the beginning of the day, I did not expect that I will get to see Alex ande to an agreement with him that will save my father¡¯spany.


    Alex. Alexio. He seems so different from the man I married 8 months ago. What could have brought about the change. Thest time I saw him, he was being his usual self, a bastard.


    Is he ying games with me? How could I trust his words after he failed so woefully to keep it after I got married to him? I can¡¯t really pinpoint the reason, I just seem to have this big trust in his words this time.


    It might be because of Jim. Jim was a trusted friend. But why is he working with Alex? How did they meet? Why did he ignore me earlier?


    I felt a sharp throb ring from the right corner of my head. It was painful, I had to stop thinking for a while. I just sat there in the water and closed my eyes.


    All these is just too much for me to handle alone. I have to call Ann, but I felt toozy to leave this tub now. Rather, I closed my eyes, wanting to savour it a bit longer. I made a mental note to call her immediately I get out of the tubter.


    My mind drifted to Alex once again. He is not a man to stay with one woman. I could not say what made him pick intereste in me all of a sudden but I¡¯m sure it will wear off soon.


    All I just have to do is satisfy him when hees around and pray that he loses interest in me soon and faces his Barbie with the brown hair.


    Margaret O¡¯Connor. The name brings bad memories. She had always been after things that are mine. She had moved to our neighborhood after Alex and I got married and familiarised herself to Alex in no time.


    I thought of my mum and my dad. The stuff they have been through. The ups and the downs they have face since that incident five years ago. The downs outweighing the ups. I wish I had stood my ground then. I would probably be the happiest woman on earth now.


    The tears came of their own ord. I could not even stop them. I miss James. I miss him so much.


    If he were here, I would not be in this situation to begin with. He loved me so much and I also loved him, but I just had to listen to my mother and broke my promise to him.


    I can¡¯t even hate her. She only wanted the best for me, as she imed. My mum has a good heart but she is also strong headed. She believes what she believes.


    ****


    Narrator¡¯s POV


    ¡°Believe in yourself and your potential, and let your passion and motivation guide you to sess!¡±


    The crowd erupted in cheers and apuse, their eyes full of hope and excitement.


    Emilh smiled, knowing that her words had struck a chord with them and that her message had resonated deeply.


    This was a moment she would never forget.


    As she stood on the stage, basking in the energy of the crowd, she felt a surge of pride and joy.


    Her fiance, Edward stood close to her, beaming with smiles. She returned to have her seat.


    This was her first speech in the family annual youth carnival since she got engaged to Edward.


    They¡¯ve been engaged now for over a year and Edward is still not prepared to take the next step. It has been one excuse to the other.


    Emily is a young woman of great poise and sophistication. She had been raised with the finest education and manners, and was groomed from an early age to be different.


    She was well-spoken and polished, with a keen eye for fashion and social graces. She¡¯s known for her impable taste in clothing and jewelry, and was seen as a role model for other young women in society.


    Her parents had tried for so many years to conceive but there was no sess. They were barely living their day to day life, until she came and brought joy to their lives.


    They could still remember the day they got the news of her conception. So, Mr. Robert Thorton has vowed that no matter the gender of the child, he or she will be the apple of his eyes.


    He was going to make him or her a force to be reckon with in the architectural world.


    Little wonder, that all the toys that Emily had had as a child had an architectural touch to it.


    Sarah, her mother was not left behind, in the dream she had for her darling child when she was born. She tooka extra care to make sure she stands with her head held high no matter where she finds herself.

 James

    Sarah had also nned for her to marry someone of equal or greater social standing, to further cement their family¡¯s position in society or better still elevate them in the society.


    Her engagement with Edwards Stirling was the talk of the country for a year, that was as long as they had been engaged.


    It was a ceremony of opulence and grandeur.


    Emily was adorned in a gown of ivory silk, her train trailing behind her like a cloud of gossamer.


    Diamonds sparkled on her brow, and rubies gleamed at her neck and wrists. Her hair was piled high on her head, and her eyes were bright with anticipation.


    Edward was resplendent in a suit of midnight blue, his cravat a masterpiece of fine craftsmanship.


    The ceremony was held in a grandvish banquet hall, its ceilings painted and designed with gold.


    The air was thick with power and prestige, the hall was filled with the who¡¯s who of the society. Heads of state, Ambassadors, and Dignitaries from around the world were in attendance.


    The tables were groaning with delicacies from around the world, from sulent roast meat to exotic fruits to vegetables.


    The guests were treated to a variety of wines, each more exquisite than thest. The whole affair was a feast for the eyes as well as the pte.


    ******


    The Thorntons began holding an annual carnival for the youth to promote youth power in the state and to further solidify their daughter in the society.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Since they did not have a male child, they decided to train their daughter, Emily to be a confident and great woman influencing the state.


    Their greed to be part of the elites of the state led them to Edward. They wished to marry her off to a rich man. This was one major downside in the role Sarah yed in the life of her daughter.


    The family had no idea what they were about getting themselves into.. Because of riches and influence, they gave their daughter out to Edward.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t recognize me in your speech or even during your vote of thanks. Why is that?¡± Edward queried as they got into the car.


    ¡°Everyone knows you as my fiance already. You¡¯re practically everywhere in my life. Who on Earth would dare miss you. Besides I didn¡¯t find it necessary ¡°. Emily said to him. She was too tired of his childish tantrums


    ¡°Ohh, I see, I¡¯m not important to you right?¡± he used childishly.


    ¡°I never said so, Edward. Please do not force words into my mouth ¡°. Emily blurted.


    ¡°That¡¯s nice, I see.¡± he said, stepping out of the car while pulling his tie off.


    (Emily¡¯s POV)


    I¡¯m getting tired living with Edward. When he is notining about everything, he is rather obsessed with me.


    I got engaged to him to please my parents. It seems my happiness is going for this decision.


    You know, I never intended to get married to Edward. I had a friend whilst growing up, his name is James. We did everything inmon and I had peace and happiness while I was with him.


    He was our gardener¡¯s son.


    We met at a game event hosted by my parents for the youths. I was made to believe that the social gathering my parents kept hosting was all because of me.


    I was going to be a grown up someday, but for now my parents nned a game event for little kids alongside the youth program. This was so I can learn ¡°socialising¡±, as mum loves calling it.


    Being the child of the host, I was there earlier to oversee things alongside my mum.


    I was tired and bored and sat down under a stic maple tree beside the door and was just staring at the crowded room filled with kids having fun.


    When I got bored of staring at the room full of kids, I began ying with the leaves from the tree when the door of the hall opened. I was curious as to who the next weird kid is, that was when I made eye contact with the most handsome boy


    He gave me a nervous wave. I, feeling a bit awkward, waves back and I walked over to him.


    ¡°Hi, my name is Emily.¡± I introduced myself to him, smiling.


    He smiled back at me shyly and answered, ¡°Hi Emily, I¡¯m James.¡±


    There¡¯s an awkward pause as we both try to think of something to say. This was a first for me. James ended up breaking the awkward silence between us.


    ¡°So,¡± he said, ¡°I know this is probably the least exciting ce, but I¡¯m actually kind of excited about the games we¡¯re going to haveter.¡±


    I was a little surprised that he seemed genuinely interested in the games. ¡°You like games?¡± I asked.


    ¡°I guess I do,¡± James replied smiling.


    I considered how to keep the conversation going. ¡°So, what kind of game do you prefer ?¡± I asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not really sure you¡¯re expecting this answer,¡± he said. ¡± No one seems to like this particr game, I love chess. My dad usually teaches me every evening.


    ¡°Really? I love chess too¡±, I replied excitedly. ¡± I y with our gardener. I can assure you that he is a guru.¡±


    ¡°A gardener teaches you?¡± He asked curiously, wanting to hear more.


    ¡°Yes, our gardener.¡± I replied.


    ¡°My dad is a gardener, he works with the Thorntons.¡± James said.


    ¡°I am the only daughter of the Thortons, that means your dad works at my house.¡± I solved the riddle for him, duh!


    ¡°Oh. I¡¯ve heard so much about you. My dad tells me how excited you get when you both are ying chess¡±.


    ¡°Really? He does?¡± I was touched.


    ¡°Yes. Always.¡± he affirmed.


    ¡°So tell me, what¡¯s your favorite piece on the chess board?¡± I asked James.


    ¡°The king is the most important piece,¡± he replied. ¡°It is known for its stability and perseverance. The king is also a cautious and protective piece, always focused on the bigger picture.¡±


    ¡°Wow!¡± I said, sounding impressed.

 Chess and Books

    It seems James was smarter than I expected him to be.


    ¡°What about you?¡±James asked.


    ¡°Mine is The queen.¡± I answered. ¡°She is the most powerful piece on the board, and is known for its versatility and adaptability. It¡¯s a strong leader that can be both aggressive and strategic.¡±


    From my reply, James knew that I was a leader in the making. From a little age, I have been attending various leadership programs with my parents, I guess they were starting to pay off. It actually felt good being able to show off in front of someone.


    ¡± Hmm¡­ that sounds like a leader.¡±


    ¡°We should y chess together here,¡± he said. ¡°And I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll win,¡± he said excitedly.


    ¡°You are not so humble after all. Well, Let¡¯s see,¡± I said.


    I dislike it when someone undermines my ability. I have been trained to face anything thates my way squarely.


    After several rounds, James emerged the winner. I was sad but happy as well.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ¡°He is very good,¡± I said under my breath.


    ¡°Did you say anything?¡± he asked.


    ¡°No, I mean you did well.¡± I answered.


    ¡°But I¡¯m kind of d we¡¯re here,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯s way more interesting than sitting at home watching TV.¡±


    He paused, looking a little hesitant. ¡°Do you want to explore the rest of the g with me? I¡¯m kind of bored, and it¡¯s more fun with someone to talk to.¡±


    I thought about it for a moment, then smiled. My mum won¡¯t miss me.


    ¡°Sure, let¡¯s go explore,¡± I said.


    ¡°Maybe we¡¯ll find something even more interesting.¡±


    With that, both of us head off to wander through the rest of the g. We took in the sights and sounds of the event, from the fancy decorations to the chattering of the other attendees.


    As we explored, James and I chatted about all sorts of things ¨C our hobbies, our families, our favorite foods, and more.


    ¡°How old are you Emily? Hope you don¡¯t mind my ask?¡±


    ¡°No, I don¡¯t mind. I¡¯m nine. You?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m almost ten. When is your birthday?¡±


    ¡°On the 31st of December. What about yours?¡±


    ¡°On the 28th of May.¡± he said coldly.


    ¡°That¡¯s in two days time.¡± I said thinking he would be excited.


    ¡°Yeah, it is in two days time. That¡¯s why my dad suggested Ie for this party since he couldn¡¯t afford one for me.¡±


    ¡°Ohh.¡± I said.


    After a while, we found ourselves in a quiet area of the g, away from the crowds. There was a little table set up with a disy of books, and we gravitated toward it.


    The books are old and well-loved, and they looked like they¡¯ve been read many times. I picked one up and flipped through the pages, feeling a sense of wonder as I did.


    ¡°I love books like this,¡± I said. ¡°They feel like they have so much history behind them.¡±


    ¡°I know what you mean,¡± James said.


    ¡°It¡¯s almost like you can feel the stories they¡¯ve told over the years,¡± he continued.


    ¡°It is just as if you can imagine all the people who had read them and who had been changed by them.¡± He looks at me with a thoughtful expression. ¡°Do you ever feel like books are almost alive, like they have their own personalities?¡±


    I was taken aback by his insight. I nodded and gave him an answer. ¡°Yes, exactly! Some books feel really weing and warm, like a cozy nket. Other books on the other hand, feel dark and mysterious, like they¡¯re hiding secrets.


    ¡°And some books feel like they¡¯re full of adventure, like they¡¯re daring you to follow them on a journey,¡± James added.


    ¡°They¡¯re like portals to other worlds.¡± He picked up a book from the table and held it out to me. ¡°What do you think this one looks like?¡±


    There was a knock on the door and Timmy, our driver popped his head inside,


    ¡°Emily, we have been looking for you.¡± He said when he saw that I was inside the room, ¡°Your mum is ready to leave now. She asked to get you.¡± He said


    ¡°Are they done with today¡¯s event? The time is just a few minutes past 3 pm.¡± I said looking at my watch to confirm the time.


    ¡°She got a call from home and asked that we leave now.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a bummer. I just met a friend that I wanted to spend time with.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, little miss. But we have to leave now.¡± He said, wearing a bright smile. Looking defeated, I turned to James.


    ¡°So sorry James, I have to run along. My driver is here to take me home. See you some other time. You coulde over to my house tomorrow. I¡¯ll tell my parents. Bye¡± I said walking away.


    And he waved hesitantly.


    As I walked through the front door of the library. I found myself thinking about the boy I had met at the party.


    His name was James, and he was unlike anyone I had ever met before. And believe me, I¡¯ve met numerous people in my short lifetime.


    There was something about him that drew me in, even though I barely knew him. I thought about his quirky sense of humor and his unassuming yet confident demeanor. My mind kept wandering back to the conversation we had shared, and I found myself wanting to know more about him.


    ¡°Mum.¡± I called out her name as I ran and hugged her.


    ¡°There you are. Where have you been?¡± My mum said as she looked me over if I had had any scratch on my body. When she was satisfied, she took my hand and led me to the waiting car.


    ¡°I met the nicest boy today mum. Oh, he is so fine, also mum¡­¡±


    ¡°Really? what was his name?¡± My mum said cutting me off to ask


    ¡°His name is James and he is so good with chess and¡­¡± and we continued our way home with my mum listening to me with rapt attention while I filled her in on all that happened.

 Second Meeting

    Narrator¡¯s POV


    As Emily made her way up the stairs to her bedroom, she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that she had met someone special.


    Even though their conversation had been brief, it felt like there was a connection between them. As she changed out of her party clothes and into her pajamas, she wondered if she would ever see James again. She hoped and pray that hees tomorrow.


    She closed her eyes, and she drifted off to sleep.


    The next morning, Emily woke up with a sense of anticipation. She had a busy day ahead of her, but she couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something had changed. She now has someone she could call a friend.


    She went about her day, attending sses and working on assignments. She kept wondering if he would honour her invitation.


    James, on the other hand, has been waiting eagerly all day for his mother to send him to visit his father at work.


    ¡°James.¡± His mother called him.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ¡°Yes mum.¡± He said, stepping into the kitchen.


    ¡°Take this lunch to your father. And make sure to remember to pick his drugs on the table on your way out. Take your brother along also¡± It was the happiest news that he had been expecting but why should he go with Jim? Not today of all days.


    ¡°But mum, Jim will only slow me down and I told you I¡¯m visiting with Emily. Bringing Jim along will not speak well.¡± James protested.


    His mother smiled at him, ruffling his hair, ¡°why not see it as the more, the merrier. You told me Emily is an only child, I¡¯m sure she would not mind having another friend.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s true mum. She will love it. Jim, let¡¯s go meet a friend together. Are you excited?¡± James said, turning to his 6 years old brother standing by the kitchen counter, tickling him.


    ¡°Yes James. Let¡¯s go. ¡± Jim replied,ughing.


    James collected the food from his mother and took his father¡¯s drugs from the table, then he went out with Jim.


    When they got to the Thortons¡¯ residence, their father was not at his station, so they had to wait for him. James was pacing as he was restless.


    Immediately his father came in, they both rushed to meet him and hugged him.


    ¡°Father, we are going to the bug house. Emily invited me over but I¡¯m taking Jim along also.¡± James poured out immediately his father sat down to eat. ¡°Can we go now?¡±


    The father looked at them and smiled, ¡°run along now and don¡¯t stay too long. I¡¯ll be waiting for you both so we can all go home together, okay?¡±


    The two boys nodded and made their way to the main building.


    When James knocked on Emily¡¯s front door that evening, he was nervous. He knew that he had been drawn to her at the party, and he was hoping to see her again.


    As she opened the door, she smiled at him. ¡°Hi, James,¡± she said. ¡°You came?¡±


    James stammered for a moment, not sure what to say. Finally, he spoke. ¡°Well, I hope you don¡¯t mind? I brought my little brother along.¡±


    ¡°Oh, hi James¡¯s brother. My name is Emily. What¡¯s yours?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m Jim.¡±


    ¡°Nice to meet you Jim.¡± Emily said and they all fell into an awkward silence


    ¡°Can wee in?¡± James asked politely


    Emily hesitated for a moment, then nodded. ¡°Sure. I am sorry. My bad.e on in,¡± she said.


    Emily¡¯s POV


    James and Jim stepped into the entryway, and I closed the door behind them.


    We stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do or say until his brother pulled at him arm and I quickly recollected myself.


    ¡°This way please.¡± I said leading them to the living room.¡±Have your seat please. I will be right back. Please feel at home.¡± I said as I made my way to the kitchen to meet Regina.


    She had the tray ready already. I took it from her and mouthed a thank you.


    ¡°Be careful, miss.¡± She said


    I was so happy she read into the situation. She had added another cup of tea to the tray and more biscuits. Good old Regina.


    When I got to the living room, James stood up to assist me when he saw meing. I served them a biscuit and a cup of tea.


    ¡°I hope you like the biscuit?¡± I asked Jim.


    ¡°Yes. It¡¯s milky.¡± He replied, smiling widely.


    ¡°You know your biscuits Jim. That is a bonus point for you.¡± I said, giving him a high five.


    Finally, I turned to look at James. ¡°So, what would you like to do?¡± I asked.


    James thought for a moment, then blurted out, ¡°Your house is really big, and quite spacious, the colours and everything, it is beautiful.¡±


    I was sure he wanted to explore the house, but he did not know how to say it. ¡°Let¡¯s go to the garden.¡± I said, dragging him along. Jim followed us naturally.


    ¡°It¡¯s cool here¡±, he said touching the beautiful flowers close to the water spring.


    ¡°Everything is beautiful in here.¡± he said as heid on the lowwned grass.


    ¡°Yes it is, you know this is my favourite part of the house. You know you both could being here whenever you are free. We can all. y here together.¡± I offered.


    ¡°We will take you up on that offer Miss. Thorton. Let¡¯s shake on it.¡± James said, trying to look like an older person and we allughed.


    I was so happy having friends to y with, ¡°Let us go y together in the tree house.¡± I said and we went there and yed house for sometime.


    ¡°Now I see why my dad loves his job.¡± James saiding down from a tree.


    I chuckled, ¡°Yeah, your dad is really doing a great job in the gardens.¡± Imented.


    ¡°Would you like to swim?¡± I said, pulling off my dress and jumping into the pool. Jim joined me immediately after he pulled his top and shorts and we both yed, sshing water on each other.

 Growing Up as Friends

    James didn¡¯t give me an answer but was just staring at us.


    ¡°Come on James. Don¡¯t be a spoilsport.¡± I shouted at him and Jim mimicked me


    We both watched as he pulled off his shirt tentatively, then dipped his feet in the pool, he withdrew his feet so quickly and shivered. He closed his eyes and he dived into the pool screaming.  We sshed water on ourselvesughing out loud.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    Childhood with James was so pleasant, we went to a lot of ces. We went together for pics, studied together, yed together and pranked my servants severally. He was my best friend and confidant.


    My parents, or rather my dad, took a liking to him as he noticed we are close. My dad decided to sponsore his education much to my delight and that of James. My father gave him a free pass to  and he was wee anytime in my home.


    ****


    ¡°Ma¡¯am, you will be having a virtual meeting with the directors now. They are all ready for you.¡± Ln said, dragging me away from my thoughts.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be there shortly, prepare me a cup of coffee and get some sandwiches.¡± I ordered.


    ¡°Don¡¯t forget to check the slides again to confirm their uracy. You can leave once you¡¯re done. It is gettingte¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll do just that ma¡±. Ln said, walking away.


    She was my new intern but she lives a little away from the town, so I always avoid keeping her sote. I have offered her to move in with me, but she had politely declined my offer, because of her brother who suffers autism. He does not like new ces.


    I went into my study and sat down, then I began the meeting which ran for almost 2 hours.


    After my meeting with the directors, I decided to retire to my room. Today was a hectic day.


    I had stepped out of the study and was about making my way up the stairs, already picturing my bed waiting for me, when Edward came in  and attacked me with an argument  ¡°You¡¯ve been avoiding me since noon.¡± he used.


    ¡°Hello to you too Edward.¡± I mimed sarcastically.


    ¡°I do not need your salutation Emily. I asked you a question and you are ignoring me.¡± He said testily


    ¡°Someone sure seem testy. Well, to answer your question, I never avoided houy. I have been busy. Like extremely busy edward. In fact, I just¡­¡± I was cut off.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯ve been up to recently, but that is your business. But ever since I asked for Five million dors for my business from you, you¡¯ve been acting off. Should this not be the time you show how supportive you are to me?¡± He blurted.


    ¡°I don¡¯t see why you need that amount of money, Edward and you can testify that I am supportive of you even as we are not yet married. I do my best to give you everything you ask for that is within my powers.


    I have asked if you on countless asions, if were in some kind of trouble, but you just act out and go away for days¡±. I tried to exin.


    ¡°That is because I don¡¯t see the need for you to know. ¡°He replied and walked out.


    ¡°That is exactly what I was talking about. You always leave.


    My mom came in when she heard our voices. My mom came to visit as she is taking time off work.


    ¡°Mum, can you see what you put me through eberyday?¡± I cried out when I saw her approaching me.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry my baby. I will talk to him tomorrow, I promise.¡±She said assuredly


    ¡°Sorry does not cut it mum. You were the one who insisted we move in together immediately after the engagement and now for over a year, you can¡¯t even convince him to take the next proper step. With this ring, I¡¯m practically turning to thedy of the ring.¡± I said exasperatingly and walked to my room


    Atleast my mum knows that she was the genesis of this while issue with Edward


    I drifted into my thoughts.


    I had no time to spare as I grew up, I had more meetings to hold, conferences to attend. I had to stand in for my father on a lot of asion. My father made it that way, so that I can ease my way into the heart of the Board of Directors. His strategy is that I show them how good and irresistible I was, that they have no other option but to ept me


    With all these many schedule, I no longer have the privilege of spending quality time with James anymore.


    Most times, I kept him waiting after we have made an arrangement to meet. Because by the time I get home, i will be dead tired and all I would just want to do is to head straight to bed.


    During my holidays one summer, I had nned  to go on a pic together with James. It was well drafted and I made sure it did not sh with my schedule or any other thing.


    In fact, I had picked matching outfits for both of us. ck visors with pink and ck armless top and trousers. Let me say I nned a holiday for both of us. I wanted to make it up to him for all the times I stood him up.


    Just as I was waiting for him toe over so that we can leave for the airport together, I got a call from the office. A meeting that was prescheduled but got cancelled. I was told the meeting would begin in two hours time.


    I was a guest speaker in this supposed meeting. It will benefit ourpany greatly and there was no way I could say no.


    I had no option but to unpack, repack and fly to the neighboring state immediately.


    Unfortunately, the meeting was tost for a week, I felt I had let him down again, but my hands were tied. This affects a whole lot of people who depend on my father¡¯s wise decision to survive.

 Sent Away

    I could not put a call through to James, because of the urgency of leaving. I quickly sent him a message from the car, apologizing to him.


    Unknown to me that back at home my mom would wreck an havoc that would cost me my happiness.


    Narrator¡¯s POV


    Everyone admired Emily¡¯s friendship with james. It was a wonder how different people from different backgrounds could blend so well, left many thinking for days.


    James had just gone off the phone with Jim who was wishing him a safe trip.


    Jim was the reason he came to meet Emily thiste. He had wanted to see him before they left for their trip. But apparently, he got a detention in school and won¡¯t being home till veryte.


    James sighed as he though if ways to apologize to Emily for keeping her waiting for this long. He was lost in thought and did not notice that Emily¡¯s mother, Sarah, had stood in front of him to block his ess to the house.


    ¡°Hello James, why are you here?¡±, Mrs Thorton asked.


    ¡°Good afternoon ma¡¯am. I am here for Emily.¡± he seems confused but continued. ¡°We nned to go for a little trip today ¡±


    ¡°My daughter has better ces to be, that will be more beneficial to her. Not spending time with someone like you that does not add anything of value either to her or to our family.


    ¡°All you do is take, travel, buy things, all expenses on us,¡± she used bitterly.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    James confused, tried to speak but Sarah cut him kff.


    ¡°No, you don¡¯t interrupt me while I¡¯m still talking¡±. She warned sternly and continued. ¡°Now listen to me carefully, I won¡¯t repeat myself. This friendship you have with my daughter has to stop. I don¡¯t want her close to a someone  like you.


    ¡°And I have to ward you that my daughter must not hear of what happened here today. If you do all your father has and the help he has been getting from my family will be cut off,¡± Mrs Thorton threatened.


    ¡°Leave my daughter alone. Leave her to think and focus on her life, future and what will benefit her.¡± Sheshed.


    ¡°But Mrs Thorton, your daughter and I are just friends and we¡¯ve been friends for over 10 years now. I have never brought any form of trouble to either her not her family ever since  we became close friends


    ¡°Please I ask for just one favour, let me keep see her before I leave.¡± He pleaded.


    ¡°What part of keep away from my daughter don¡¯t you understand?¡± Mrs Ashford queried.


    ¡°I want you to get out. Now you can use the door and I don¡¯t want to see you close to my family ever again.¡±she ordered.


    She called on the in-house security to drag James out, but he quickly left before the guard came.


    Mrs. Thorton ordered them no to let him in to the mansion any longer and to drive her story home, she fired James¡¯s father. Paying him off without any exnation.


    The very next day, jamesy came pleading with Mrs. Thorton to spare his father and take him back.


    ¡°I will leave and not bother Emily anymore. Please ma¡¯am, just reinstate my father back.¡± He cried and pleaded, kneeling outside the gate.


    When Sarah heard that James was kneeling outside the gate, she ordered some men to drag him away from the gate.


    When Robert came back home and noticed all that was happening, he just told his wife to take care of whatsoever was going on discreetly. He was too tired to ask for details and he forgot all about it subsequently.


    Emily¡¯s POV


    After trying to reach James for the past four days to no avail, I was getting irritated and pissed. It did not help also that he did not replt to any of my messages to him. I was worried and extremely pissed.


    So, I did my best to be alone so I don¡¯t end up snapping at those around me


    It was indeed a great news the following day during breakfast, when it was announced that the rest of the meeting has been postponed to the following month.


    A loud murmur erupted but I could care less. I quickly stood up from my table and made my way out of the room. I headed straight to my room to pack my clothes. I unlocked my phone and ordered an Uber. It will get here by the time I am done packing.


    I rushed through the process and headed out of the hotel room to check out. I called my Uber driver on the way and he confirmed that he was outside already.


    When I got home, I called on Regina and asked if James hade home in thest three days and she said yes.


    I gave her my bag to unpack while I headed out to go to James house. I wanted to apologize to him, I felt he was hurt that was why he was not pick jng my calls nor responding to my messages.


    ¡°Miss. Emily.¡±  Regina called me and I turned to stare at her. That was when she exined all that had happened in my absence.


    I could feel the colour drain from my face. I could not contain my anger anymore. I quickly ran up the flight of stairs two at a time and enteredy room to picked up my car keys.


    I came down the stairs, got out of the house and into my car. I drove so fast to James house as if a hound of hell were after me.


    When I got to his house, something felt off but I was too engrossed in my thought to notice, I just went straight to the door and started knocking but there was no answer.


    ¡°James. Jim. It¡¯s me Emily. Please open up James.¡± I pleaded.


    ¡°Papa, ain¡¯t you home. Please open the door. I am back. Please, just please.¡± I cried.

 Separation

    After knocking on the door for a few more minutes, I decided to rest a little. Maybe they had all gone out and they will be back soon.


    This was just like the day I hade to visit James 2 years ago and nobody was at home. Itter turned out that they have rushed mama to the hospital and she had passed away that same day.


    I stood up and wiped the tears from my face. I refuse to dwell with evil thoughts. I looked through the window and I saw that the whole room was empty.


    I sat down broken and alone. Had James really left without waiting for me. I could imagine how hurt he must have felt after what had happened between him and my mum.


    That was when a neighbor came over and told me that they had all left town a day ago.


    I returned home looking like a zombie.


    Narrator¡¯s POV


    Emiy locked herself in her room for days, refusing to see anyone. She refused to eat ad drink. And they all could hear her wailing at intervals, day and night.


    Her parents, on the other hand were worried about her health. It was bing unbearable. They could neither eat, drink or sleep much either.


    After two days, they were ready to call j a lock smith to pick the lock or better still break it down.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    That morning before they could carry out their ns, Emily  allowed Regina to enter her room.


    Emily had be a shadow of her former self. Her hair was scattered, her eyes swollen as though they were pecked by a hen, her face rough and of course, she looked so heart broken. She was in a really sorry state.


    ¡°Get me a very light breakfast Regina.¡± She requested weakly and Regina quickly went to get it.


    She was unable to feed herself and so Regina helped her feed. She took few sips of tea and a slice of bread and refused to eat any more.


    ¡°Miss, I¡¯m sure that will not be enough for a toddler talk more of an adult. Please you have to eat more in order to get strength and face whateveres your way.¡± She tried cajoling Emily.


    There was no doubt that Emily had fallen in love with James. It took her such a long time to realise it and then lose it even before she could express it properly..


    Tears drop streaked her face as she looked at Regina and asked


    ¡°Did James say anything to you?¡±


    Regina replied ¡°no.¡±


    A couple of dayster, I allowed my parents  toe in to my room.


    My mother immediately hugged me and she was apologizing for being short sighted.


    ¡°I only ever wanted the best for you Emily. You know that.¡± She sobbed. ¡°I did not even see that my daughter was in love already.


    ¡°I am sorry Emily. Forgive this foolish mother.¡± I could not help but hug her and we both cried as my father looked on helpless.


    Narrator¡¯s POV


    A friend of Sarah came to visit one day and ssarah entertained her in the living room. They were both going through a magazine when Emily walked passed them on her way out for a stroll.


    ¡°Why is Emily looking so sick?¡± Laura asked.


    Sarah heaved a heavy sigh as she stared at Emily going out the door. As a mother, it has been a torture to watch her daughter everyday expecting James to return. She knew as a woman and a mother that emily was in love with James already. She was just not sure of the depth of the affection in her daughter¡¯s heart.


    Her only regret was that she acted slow. She should have done this a long time ago.


    She looked a Laura with a pained expression, ¡°I did not want my daughter to get married to someone who can¡¯t take care of her needs, even if the person is not up to our status. At least, he should not be dependent on her for every single thing.¡± She started to say.


    ¡°I decided to get rid of James myself. I said some harsh words to him that I will not say normally. We all know he is a good boy and he is even good looking. Be takes care of himself and his father had been a friend of ours for years.


    ¡°But still it must not be heard that my daughter, the only heir of the Thorton family is getting married to my gardener¡¯s son. It should not be heard anywhere.¡± She defended herself


    ¡°I understand where you areing from Sarah. But you need to immediately take advantage of this situation. What i am saying is that, this is the best time to find suitors for her. You have to make her believe James isn¡¯t the one for her and that she can still love again.* She continued as she saw the light go on on Sarah¡¯s head.


    ¡°You have got friends scattered all over the state and even abroad who have sons of marriageable age. You could give your daughter to any of them on a tter of gold.


    The idea sounded ideal and perfect to Sarah. Immediately her guest left, she went to work, calling her friends who had sons and setting up date for Emily.


    She even went as far as making a post about it.


    Emily¡¯s POV


    My mom made arrangements for me to meet several men, or should I rather suitors?


    I was not impressed with all the men I met. None of them held a candle to james. I did not feel the joy I felt when I was with James.


    The first person I met was Brian, he was the son of my mother¡¯s friend who who was a merchant offshore.


    I remember the day we were to meet so vividly. I walked into the cozy cafe. The cafe is decorated with greenery and string lights, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere

 Sarah and Edward

    There were tables with two chairs attached to each table, it was just the right size for an intimate date. There was a small stage where a solo artist  could y either acoustic guitar or keyboard and sang softly and beautifully in the evening.


    Right now, there was soft music ying in the background and the smell of fresh-baked pastries wafted through the air.


    The lighting is soft and warm, creating a perfect ambiance for a first date.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    I was pleased with the sight and I felt honored as the queen that I am.


    But I never thought that I will be humiliated the way I waster humiliated.


    ¡°Hey Brian.¡± I called his attention. ¡°I thought we were supposed to have a date today.¡± I asked.


    ¡°Yo, everyone. Emily is here.¡± Brian announced loudly, but there was no other person here. Just these two obviously drunk idiots. They both cackled like two frogs who have been starved of water.


    ¡°Brian?¡± I called him.


    ¡°Yes, Emily. Yes, I know we are suppose to be on a date. But you see,¡± he hupped and the barbie on his thighs giggled.


    ¡°But you see, you were taking too long to get here and Amy here decided to be a good host and she kept mepany. So I decided to y with this honey bunny before you arrived.¡± he said holding tightly to her waist.


    ¡°Huh? But how could you do this?¡± I asked trying to keep calm.


    ¡°You were taking too long to get here Emily. And you know me? I have the concentration of a toddler. I could not wait for you.¡± He stated smiling at me


    ¡°Emily, please leave. As I am talking to you, I would not mind if you take your leave now. I will understand. As you can see I am in the middle of something serious here.¡± he said dismissing me.


    I could not believe my eyes. I walked out immediately to avoid smacking him on the head with a bottle. I am not violent but I was sure that Brian was just out to get me angry. Ugh! I felt like smashing their heads against the wall.


    Brian was my friend from high school. Our mothers are friends. When I heard, he was the one I was going on a date with, I rxed. Atleast he was a friend. But damn Brian.


    After that, I had few other dates which were never sessful. After a while, I just told my mum to stop whatsoever she believes she is doing for my good.


    Narrator¡¯s POV


    After all the humiliation Emily had gone through, Sarah had decided to give her a break.


    One cool and windy afternoon, she went to the mall for some shopping. She wanted to get a gift for Emily in order to appease her.


    There, she met a young man in the shopping center, as she was searching for the prefect gift for Emily.


    The heel in the disy case was like a siren¡¯s call, luring her in with its seductive curves and impossibly high arch. It was golden in colour.


    ¡°This will match that dress I bought recently for her,¡± she said smiling to herself. She signaled for the attendant to get it for her in size 37. Thankfully, it was still in stock. As she held it, admiring it


    ¡°This is perfect, ma¡¯am.¡± She heard a voice behind me.


    She turned to see who it was, ¡°Do you have a daughter? or you want it yourself? he asked.


    Sarah stood there, wondering who he was. He was an handsome man, but she was not one to fawn over things like that.


    Also, she had never see his face before. So she kept mute and just stared at him, waiting for him to introduce himself.


    ¡°Ohhh¡­ I am sorry. Pardon my manners.¡± He apologized, smiling but Sarah just stared at him nkly till heposed himself


    ¡°My name is Edward Stirling. I am a business man from London.¡± he said stretching out his hands to pass hisplimentary card to Sarah.


    ¡°Nice meeting you Edward.¡± Sarah said, receiving the card and stared at it. ¡°I see you¡¯re into  construction. But I have never heard of you.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am into constructions ma¡¯am. And like I said earlier, I am from London. We are just branching out to New York.¡±


    ¡°That is nice.¡± Sarah said, loosening up to him, ¡°To answer your earlier question, yes, I do have a daughter. Her name is Emily. And just as you saw, I am about to get this pair of shoes for her. She will love it.¡±  Sarah said as they both proceeded to make payments at the counter.


    ¡°I will love to pay for that. I hope you will not mind ma¡¯am?¡± He offered.


    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I have got this.¡± She said declining politely


    ¡°Please ma¡¯am. Consider it as a gift from me to your loving daughter.¡± he offered again, not relenting


    Sarah was touched by his genuineness. ¡°Alright Edward, if you insist. But on one condition, you will have to honour my invitation to invite you to my house.¡±


    ¡°I insist ma¡¯am and I will love to visit hour home.¡± he said, smiling


    ¡°It is settled then.¡± He said, passing his card to the cashier.


    ¡°Ohh, thank you so much Edward. My daughter will be happy to get this.¡± Sarah said smiling warmly at him.


    When they got to the entrance of the mall, Sarah turned to him and gave him her card, ¡°here, this is my card, you can call me anytime.¡±


    Edward read the name on the card out loud, ¡± Mrs. Sarah Thorton? Of the Thorton constructions.¡± He asked in a surprised tone.


    ¡°The very one.¡± Sarah beamed brightly, d that he recognised the name.


    ¡°It is an honour to meet you ma¡¯am.¡± Edward said stretching his hand for a handshake


    ¡°So, I¡¯ll be expecting to get a call from you soon, okay?¡±


    ¡°I will certainly call you ma¡¯am.¡± Edward said as he bade farewell to Sarah and headed to his car.


    The man standing beside the Bentley car opened the car door for Edward and he got in, then they drove off.


    Sarah went to where she had parked her car with so many bright ideas forming in her head for both Edward and her beautiful daughter, Emily.

 Edward

    Narrator¡¯s POV


    One beautiful Saturday morning, there was a knock on the main and Regina went to answer it.


    A young gentleman was smiling at her as she  opened the door.


    ¡°Hi.¡± The stranger greeted.


    Regina took her time and ran her eyes through him. She noticed that he had a perfect set of white teeth, a finely shapped haircut, and he definitely smelled nice. He was perfect, with perfect physical features.


    ¡°Good morning mister, how may I help you?¡± She asked, giving nothing away.


    ¡°Good morning. My name is Edward. I am here to see Mrs¡­¡± he said as he ran his eyes through the card.


    ¡°Mrs. Thorton, right. Pleasee in. She has been expecting you.¡± Emily said as she opened the door wide to let hime inside.


    She closed the door and led him to the living room, ¡°Please have your seat, I will go and get her.¡± She told him as she left to call Mrs. Thorton, but she was already making her way down the stairs. So, she went to get refreshments for them instead.


    ¡°Edward dear. You are here already?¡± She said as she greeted him with peck to the cheek, ¡°you¡¯re wee to our humble abode. Please seat. You can leave now Reg.¡±


    Regina headed straight to Emily¡¯s room to.


    Emily¡¯s POV


    ¡°Miss, you need to get ready,¡± Regina said excitedly as she entered my room.


    I¡¯m used to her bubbling nature by now. In fact, we have be fast friends ever since the incident with James. She does not even need to knock on my room¡¯s door most times.


    ¡°What happened?¡± I asked as I kept staring at my phone, trying to send a document to my dad


    ¡°Miss, it¡¯s¡­¡±


    ¡°I have told you to stop calling me Miss. I will prefer Emily to that, Reg and I am sure you know that¡±


    ¡°I am sorry. Old habits die hard.¡±


    ¡°I know. But you don¡¯t even make any effort.¡±


    ¡°I will do my best Em.¡± She said with a little confidence.


    ¡°Now, that is more like it.¡± I said, smiling at her.


    ¡°So, what got you so excited?¡± I asked dropping my phone to give her full attention.


    ¡°Yes, your mom invited an handsome man over.¡± She said excitedly.


    ¡°Is that it? This is not the first time she invited one over Reg.¡±


    ¡°This is different. He is not like any other man I know have seen. You would say yes even without a proposal, I assure you.¡± she imed as she went back downstairs after she got a call from my mum.


    One thing I know is that Regina would never deceive me.


    As she spoke, I felt a ting of excitement run tbrough me.


    I quickly picked an outfit and waited for a call from downstairs.


    Mom soon sent her to call me downstairs. I couldn¡¯t wait to see him that I almost tripped on the stairs with excitement.


    As I walked down the stairs, I could not get my eyes off of him. He was also staring at me and I am sure I had him mesmerised.


    I felt gravitated to him as I made my way down the staircase. As I walked towards him, he also walked towards me.


    When we met, he took up my hands and nted a kiss on it.


    ¡°Hey baby, meet Edward,¡± my mother said. ¡°Edward dear, meet my angel.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s indeed an angel,¡± He muttered.


    After my meeting with Edward, things went on so fast between us.


    He diid everything to win my heart to him. When he was not buying gifts for me, he was taking me out on pics and he made me feel so special that I soon forgot all about James.


    He eventually popped the question thatnded me in this mess.


    Life had been hell since then and I did not really understand where I got it all wrong


    Edward was a thorn in my neck.


    My parents and everyone believes Edward is rich but I had always had my doubts.


    Edward began  showing his true colors after the engagement. I mean I have been the one spending on us. He imed his business was not doing fine and he needed to pour in profits back to it every season.


    That has been his excuse for not holding the wedding. He refused to hold a wedding with my father¡¯s money but that had not stopped him from demanding money from me constantly.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    ******


    The rm went off at 6 a. m and Izily dragged myself out of bed. I got into the bathroom and took my bath and brushed my teeth.


    I had an appointment with the doctor today.


    My mom seemed concerned about my health. I have been feeling sick and so out of it these few days that she was around. She had being pressuring me to see a doctor and I decided to indulge her today


    ¡°I hope you are ready?¡± She asked from the doorway.


    ¡°Almost mum. I will join you soon, I shouted from the bathroom.


    ¡°Okay. Has she taken something today, I mean food.¡± I could hear her asking the maid.


    ¡°She has not taken any food yet ma¡¯am. But I have just served her a ss of orange juice.¡± I heard the maid reply her.


    ¡°Okay. You need to eat something Emily. What is for breakfast?¡± She asked the maid. I had no strength to argue that I had no appetite.


    Mum, I will meet you in the dinning. I need to grab my phone¡±. I told her as I turned to head back to my room.


    ¡°Alright baby. Don¡¯t keep me waiting.¡± She said as she began to eat.


    I had not taken two steps, when I bumped into Edward


    ¡°Where are you going this early Saturday morning?¡± he demanded.


    I remained silent.


    ¡°I asked you a question Emily. where are you off to?¡± he howled.


    I was shaken to my bones. Ever since we got engaged, he had never used such tone on me.

 Meeting Jim

    Edward had his fault and everything, but he had never shouted at me for the duration we had been engaged. It was either he growls and walks out on me angrily, but never really this hard. I was shocked that I was mute for a few seconds


    ¡°We are going to the hospital Edward.¡± my mom came to my rescue.


    ¡°Tell me Edward, what are you so worried about? or rather the question should be why are you bent on making life difficult for her in the presence of her mother?¡± she sounded angry.


    My mom must heard his voice, that was why she came to my rescue.


    But guess what? Edward walked out on my mom.


    Ever since he asked me for that money and I had not given him, he had been acting more like a beast.


    He had no regard for anybody and not even for my mother.


    I looked at my mother who looked so pitiful and I went to give her a big hug.


    ¡°I can¡¯t go to the hospital anymore today mum.¡± I told her softly as I held her., ¡°I will just sleep the day off.¡±


    I made to go into my room but my mom blocked my path


    ¡°No Emily. I will not allow that. I will not allow you to do what you did all those years ago. I will not let you lock yourself inside.¡± She said, tears streaming down her face.


    ¡°Okay mum, I¡¯ve heard you. Please, don¡¯t cry.¡± I hugged her.


    *****


    The weekend went by so fast with little to no event since Edward did not bothering home  all through.


    I tried calling his number but he was not responding nor was he replying my messages. After several tries, I had given up and settled to enjoy the serenity his absence afforded me.


    The following week was going to be a busy one, as thepany had two major events nned for that week


    The first event was a charity program organised by thepany to assist and aid artistic start-ups. I tabled this before my fatherst year and he epted it eagerly. ording to him, it was giving back to the society.


    I could clearly see from his expression that he was super proud of me. He took his close associates around the hall and he was exining different things to them.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    When he got to where I was, he paused his entourage and introduced me to them. I was already familiar with most of them and we shared a few jokes before they continued on their way.


    Looking around the hall, I felt proud of myself. My career life was a sessful one. I may not have much friends, but my inner circle was a pass.


    The only thing that has been like a failure to me was my marital life.


    It was non-existent. Nada. Zinch. Zero


    I picked up my phone and checked if Edward had sent any message but nothing yet.


    ¡°Hey Billionaire girlfriend.¡±


    I looked up to see Ann approach me. I went to her and gave her a tight hug.


    ¡°I thought you were noting till tomorrow.¡± I asked her after we untangled myself.


    ¡°And miss your personal maiden exhibition? Not on your life girl. Come on Em, show me around.¡± I smiled and led her indoor, holding her hands as we both went inside.


    Ann and I met at my second part in college. We be close friends without much ado.


    ¡°I will not be staying long. I am on call tonight.¡± She said as we both stood around a table and sipped from a ss. She was taking water while I was taking cocktail


    ¡°I could really use a ss of strong drink right now.¡± She said looking at the cold ss in my hand jealously. ¡°But I have to be sober tonight.¡±


    Iughed at her as she tried to look away from the ss in my hand. I dropped the ss and dragged her away from the hall before she really started drinking.


    I saw her off till she boarded a cab and made my way back to the hall.


    Lilian met me at the entrance and gave me an update on how things were going. I thanked her and we both moved back to the hall.


    We heard shrillughter and I looked to the ce theughter wasing from and it was my mother. She was the life of the party. She was surrounded by friends and they were all chatting away.


    I smiled at the sight and heaved a sigh. I would give anything to be that carefree right now.


    As I turned to head back inside, I felt the world spin around me, I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand to see clearly. I pinched myself deeply, maybe I would snap out from my dreams. Who would have thought that I would see Jim here today?


    Narrator¡¯s POV


    Emily and Jim stood there, staring at each other in disbelief. They hadn¡¯t seen each other in years, and yet here they were, together again.


    Emily¡¯s  heart was pounding in her chest. She had so many questions, but she didn¡¯t know where to start. Things were a little bit awkward right now.


    ¡°What are you doing here?¡± Jim asked her, breaking the silence.


    ¡°My father¡¯spany is hosting this art exhibition. I am convening the event.¡±


    Jim smiled at her, and Evelyn could feel her cheeks growing warm. ¡°I never doubted that you¡¯d be this good. I am so proud of you Em.¡± It¡¯s been so long Emily had heard anyone call her Em.


    She wanted to give him a hug so bad, but she remembered she was in public. Memories of their childhood together came crashing on her and she did not know when she went and enveloped him in a that hug.


    ¡°I¡¯ve missed you, Jim.¡± She said tearfully.


    ¡°I¡¯m a woman who people look up to in the society, I shouldn¡¯t be doing so.¡± Emily reminded herself, disengaging from the embrace. She wiped a stray tears from her eyes as she looked at Jim from head to toe.

 Catching Up With Jim

    ¡°It is so good to see you again, Jim. You can not start to imagine how much I have missed you.¡± She said tapping the file with her.


    Jim smiled and replied, ¡°I can assure you that I have missed you too. The feeling is mutual¡±


    ¡°So what about you Jim, what do you do?¡± Emily asked, realizing that she knew next to nothing about Jim¡¯s life or about his brother, James or anything. ¡°What are you doing these days?¡± She wanted to catch up so much. She felt like a deer starved of water.


    Jim hesitated for a moment, and then said, ¡°I¡¯m awyer.¡±


    ¡°Awyer?¡± Emily repeated, not so surprised. She had always imagined that Jim would be either awyer or a doctor. His father wanted him to studyw and he wanted to study medicine. He had fulfilled his father¡¯s wish at the long run.


    ¡°What type ofw do you practice?¡± she asked, curious.


    ¡°I¡¯m a criminal defense attorney,¡± Jim said, and a look of pride crossed his face.


    ¡°It¡¯s so strange, surprising and delightful to see you here Em.¡± Jim said, breaking the silence that had fallen between them. ¡°I never thought I would run into you again, after all these years.¡± Evelyn nodded, feeling a mix of emotions. She was happy to see him, but also confused and a little nervous.


    ¡°I have to admit, I¡¯ve thought about you from time to time,¡± Jim said, a little sheepishly.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry that we lost touch, but it¡¯s good to see you again.¡± Emily smiled.


    ¡°It¡¯s good to see you, too,¡± she said, her voice warm.


    There was an awkward pause, and then jim said, ¡°Do you want to get a drink?¡±


    Emily hesitated, but then said, ¡°Sure, I could use a ss right now¡± She looked up and noticed that Lilian was still standing beside her


    ¡°Before we go, let me do some proper introduction. Jim, this is Lilian, my PA. Lilian, this is my best friend of two brothers.  His name is Jim.¡± I quickly introduced them to each other, then I turned to Lilian and gave her a message for my mom, I have a meeting right now to attend¡±. ¡°She should handle the charity g herself¡±, she whispered to her PA as she took Jim¡¯s hand and led. him out of the hall.


    They made their way to the bar, and as they ordered drinks, they began to catch up on the years that had passed.


    It turned out that Jim had gone tow school after they had lost touch, and he had built a sessful career for himself, though, it was still at a beginners level.


    He asked about Emily¡¯s  life, and she told him about her secured position in her father¡¯spany, and how she had eventually gotten engaged to Edward.


    ¡°I am taking over my dad¡¯s position little by little now. The best way to get the board members fully on my side when dad retires is to be up and doing,¡± Evelyn said.


    ¡°So, you are the woman of thepany?¡± Jim asked, impressed.


    ¡°Yes,¡± Emily said, a little proudly. ¡°I¡¯m still in the early stages, but it¡¯s going well so far.¡±


    Jim nodded. ¡°It¡¯s an impressive feat,¡± he said.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    As they continued to talk, Emily felt herself rx. It was like no time had passed at all. They fell into easy conversation.


    She found herselfughing at his jokes, and they spoke about everything from politics to pop culture. They were so engrossed in their conversation that they didn¡¯t even notice the time passing.


    ¡°It¡¯s gettingte,¡± James said, finally, ncing at his watch. ¡°I should probably get going.¡±


    Emily felt a pang of disappointment, but she knew he was right. Her parents could have only gone home as she was sure Lilian would have passed her message to them. She heaved a heavy sigh, smiling.


    ¡°It was really great to see you,¡± Jim said, standing up from the bar. ¡°I hope we can stay in touch this time.¡±


    Emily stood up as well, and said, ¡°I hope so too.¡± She reached out to shake his hand, but instead, he pulled her in for a hug. It was a brief hug but a meaningful gesture.


    As they pulled apart, they both felt a little bit lighter. ¡°Take care,¡± Jim said, smiling.


    ¡°You too,¡± Emily replied. And then, they went their separate ways.


    Emily could not stop thinking about her encounter with Jim. It had been so good to see him again, and she longed to ask about James. She wished she had asked of him. The prompt was at the tip of her tongue but she kept suppressing it because she wanted to give Jim her full attention tonight. She was definitely going to ask about James in their next encounter.


    That night, as she was falling asleep, her phone buzzed. She picked it up, and saw that she had a new email.


    The email was from a Jim. It simply said, ¡°Just wanted to say it was really good to see you today. I enjoyed catching up. I hope we can stay in touch this time.¡±


    Emily smiled as she read the email. She felt a flicker of hope. The future seems seemed to hold good things for her from that moment


    She saw Edward pacing by her room every 2 minutes. The door was wide open.


    She called out his name, ¡°Edward¡± he stopped and turned to her direction, walking into the room.


    ¡°Edward, I am sorry for not giving you the money you requested earlier¡±. Edward was still frowning, not saying anything.


    *Do you still need it? she asked.


    Edward let out a smile from the corner of his lips.¡±I do need it. Urgently at that. You see, Emily, I have been looking for other means to get this fund but all to no avail.


    ¡°That was why I kept snapping and getting irritated with you. It¡¯s not because I wanted to.¡± Edward apologised to her, climbing the bed to meet her. He kissed her.

 Making Up With Edward

    ¡°It¡¯s alright Edward. I hope this can be enough to settle those bills.¡± Emily said as she picked up her purse and brought out her cheque book. She tore off a page and passed it to Edward.


    ¡°Here, you can have this cheque. I hope it serves it¡¯s purpose and makes you happy.¡±


    ¡°Thank you Emily. This will go a long way.¡±


    Edward gave Emily a peck on her cheek. Then, he stopped and looked her in the eye, mixed feelings flickering in his eyes. He wanted to have her. He had stayed away for too long and he was too hungry for her.


    ¡°Edward.¡± Emily breathed, sensing the charged atmosphere.


    Edward cupped her petite face in hisrge hands and kissed her with ferocity, taking her mouth with a burning possession, tasting her sweetness with deep,nguid licks. She whimpered.


    The vibration sizzled straight through Edward and he could feel himself get stiff. He pressed his hardness against the firm, silken flesh of her bottom.


    ¡°O Edward, hmmn.¡± Emily moaned, arching her back to his touch, as he pulled his shirt off.


    Edward stood up and pulled down his pants, closing the door and locking it.


    Edward made her lie back on the bed, her thick mane of hairy like an exotic fan across the white pillowcase. Her breath was slow and steady, the side profile of her breasts readily visible. Her nipples stiffened, magnifying the fullness of her ample curves..


    He traced his fingers along her skin until his fingertips met a peaked nipple. She melted into Edward, pressing her warm, curvy ass against his hard-on. The lush carnality of her body swept over him.


    His shaft grew harder and he pressed his cock against her bottom and kissed her, his tongue zing a trail from her ear to her jaw, and finally to her hot lips.


    Emily slid her hands along the muscles of Emily¡¯s chest and their breath grew rapid and pressured as their tongues probed one another¡¯s mouths.


    He caught her lower lip between his teeth and she let out a soft moan. Pushing himself upright, he swept the covers aside and outlined a path from her breast to her hip. Then he gentled her onto her back and pressed her knees apart so he could rub her clit over her panties, noting the growing wetness of the fabric.


    Cheeks flushed, blue eyes bright, she watched as Edward lowered himself to her full breast. Her expression disyed the raw, savage effect he had on her. She never hid it. She was so open and needy and sexy as fuck.


    Edward kissed his way down her cheek to her jaw, licking and nipping at her neck and then lower, her chest sex-flushed scarlet and heaving. Her full breasts were plump with arousal, her nipples stiffened into hard peaks.


    He devoured her left nipple, suckling and nipping with need. When he bit down on the beaded tip, she inhaled sharply, her fingertips raking the skin of his back as he slid his hand into her panties.


    She waspletely soaked.


    Emily¡¯s POV


    Edward lowered himself down and grasped my ankles, pushing my legs apart, reveling in my gorgeous curves.


    He slid my panties to mid-thigh and nced up at me. We locked gazes and I smiled at him. That shy smile as I allowed my knees to drop closer to her body, exposing my most private, vulnerable part.


    I lifted my legs high for better ess and edward kissed the back of my thighs. My breath caught in anticipation of what was about toe. Edward kissed and licked a trail along the back of my legs, a slow and deliberate torture.


    Finally, the need to have him between my legs overpowered me. Edward sensed this and he took a long, slow lick of my silky sex.


    As soon as his tongue met the delicate skin of my clitoris, I gasped audibly. He slid his tongue along my slick folds and my legs parted in response.


    Edward flicked and nipped at my clitoris with his expert fingers. I moaned voluntarily as my chest rose and fell with irregr breaths.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Edward reached up and rolled my tight nipple around in his fingertips, eliciting a breathy moan from me.


    I could sense him watching my face as he slid one finger into me, owning me, and then two fingers. My lips parted and I let out a guttural moan, holding tight to the sheets.


    He continued sliding his fingers in and out of my wet core, then he added his tongue to it. Making me buck my hips to the rhythm.


    I felt the pressure building and I held into his head to keep him there. He sensed the urgency and he increased his tempo. I thrashed on the bed till I came. Warm nectar flowed from me into his hand and tongue.


    He stood up and put his fingers in my mouth. I licked his fingers, not taking my eyes away from him and I watched as his eyes darkened with pleasure.


    He proceeded to pull my panties off, slow and steady. He kissed my legs and feet along the way till my panties dropped to the floor.


    I parted my legs wide and in the next instant, his mouth was on me and I moaned loudly, my knees dropping apart even further.


    I clutched the back of his head and forced his tongue to work until I was dripping wet.


    Edward stood up to reached down and stroked his shaft which was now wet with pre-cum. Sensing his urgency, I sat upright on the bed and pushed him to his back.


    I stared at as his hard-onid heavy and thick against his belly, begging for my touch.


    I knew how and where he liked to be touched.


    I grasped the base of his shaft with my tiny hand. I nced up at him, my mouth curving up at the corner in a sly smile. Then I took one long lick of the crown.

 Making Up With Edward (contd)

    He held me and groaned hoarsely, precum dripping from his shaft. Spurned on, I took him inside my warm, wet mouth.


    My pink lips covered his cock, my blue eyes pinned to his as I sucked, taking his length fully.  I pulled back with firm suction, pumping him, I caressed his balls with my hand.


    I licked at the crown, my tongue swirling, slow, leisurely circles around and around and up and down, and finally taking him back into my mouth once again. His balls tightened as his shaft throbbed in my hand, desperately needing to sink into me, to fill me, to im and possess every inch of me.


    ¡°Stop,¡± Edwardmanded.


    He rose up and pushed me to my back, spreading my legs wide where he nestled his hard-on at the entrance to my sex.


    I reached down and grasped his shaft, pumping it, and slid it against my slick pussy. I needed him to be inside me. He pressed his cockhead into my pink opening, taking me whole.


    My soft moans seemed to ignited him further and the next moment he waspletely buried inside me, surrounded by my moist heat.


    Edward grasped my curvy ass and with a wild ferocity, flipped me onto my side. He pressed his shaft down between my cheeks and I responded by pushing back with my hips, raising them up so he had perfect ess.


    He stroked my clit and using the pads of his fingers, he traced the slick opening of my cleft.


    Using just his middle finger, he delved into me and I trembled, my hips rising as he touched my scorching core where. He fingered me with a deliberate, tantalizing touch as I squirmed and panted.


    He rubbed his cockhead against my soft pink folds, up and down, against my clit, back to my ass. He repeated this several times until my entire body had broken out in a sheen of sweat. I panted and wed at the sheets.


    ¡°Oh, Edward,¡± I moaned. ¡°Please.¡± I begged. I wanted him.


    Once again, he thrust his cock into me with a low growl. He buried himself to the hilt inside my wet heat.


    Our flesh slid against one another, hot and slick with sweat. My softness surrendered to his unyielding hardness. I almost couldn¡¯t breathe for the pleasure.


    ¡°Ooh!¡± I sighed when his cock reached that tender spot deep inside.


    ¡°You¡¯re so good Ed.¡± The words came from my mouth in a guttural, savage voice before I could stop it.


    ¡°You belong to me, Em.¡± He whispered into my ears and a shiver went up my body.


    He turned me over onto my belly, pulled my hips upward and sank back into me from behind.


    He withdrew his cock and he stopped and watched as the juices so thick and wet flowed out of me.


    Narrator¡¯s POV


    Knowing how turned on she was for him, encouraged Edward further and he plunged into her, ravenous and greedy, filling her from root to tip.


    Their animal smell filled the air around them. A thick, pungent aroma of sex.


    Emily could feel she was stretched as far as possible, almost too far, so perfectly tight.


    Edward drove his shaft in and out, unable to stop himself from pushing her to the limit, to take as much as he could, as hard as he could. He could not help being selfish as he wanted to take all for himself.


    Emily¡¯s mouth was open and her breathing was rapid, moans erupting from every thrust.


    ¡°Oh, ah,¡± she whispered through ragged breaths. ¡°I¡¯m so close.¡±


    The knowledge that he could do this to her, that he could impact such an unabashedly sensual woman, pushed him further.


    The friction of Emily¡¯s sex was heightened by the tilt of her ass and when her hips began to undte, her core clenching, she knew she was close toing.


    Edward sensed this too and he proceeded to pounding his raging cock into her harder and faster, grasping her shoulders and the nape of her neck to immobilize her, his hips bucking.Text ? owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    She shrieked as the climax shuddered through her body from head to toe.


    Tension built, deep at Edwards core and coiled up, arousal mounting inside until finally, without warning, his climax charged up and he lost all control.


    ¡°Ahh, yea!¡± he cussed. ¡°You are so sweetly tight.¡± He dered.


    With a guttural moan, his orgasm tore through him, and savagery took over. His hips jerked wildly as his shaft exploded, and he spurted hot and hard inside her, angling her hips and sinking even deeper so his pulsing shaft filled her with cum.


    ¡°Give it to me Ed,¡± she encouraged as her pussy milked everyst drop from him,


    Spent, they both copsed on the bed beside each other, breathing heavily and trying to catch their breath.


    After a few more minutes, Edward stood up and started to pick his clothes up from where they had thrown it earlier. Emily was not that concerned. He had never spent a night alone with her since they have moved in together.


    But he was not just picking his clothes to go to his room, he was putting on the whole nts, shirt and sneakers.


    ¡°It¡¯ste Edward. Where are you going to?¡±


    ¡°It is none of your business woman.¡± He snapped at her and Emily flinched and moved back away from him.


    Realising what he did, he sighed and ran his left hand over his face, ¡°I am sorry Emily. But I need to be somewhere.¡± He said standing up.


    ¡°Don¡¯t wait for me. I¡¯ll bete.¡± He announced and left.


    He walked out and went straight to the car park, and got into his car.


    The car revved its engine loudly as it backed out of the driveway, almost colliding with a passing car.


    It careened down the street, taking the corners sharply and swerving around parked cars.


    The few pedestrians on the sidewalk leaped out of the way as the car sped by. Edward seemed to be in a rush as he face was hatched in a snare.

 The Talk With Jim

    Edward had gotten the money and now it was time to end things cleanly.


    ¡°Emily, wait a little more for me. I will make things right again.¡± He said, staring at the ring hanging in front of him.


    *****


    Edwards Stirling is not whom the Thortons believed him to be. He was a street thug, who was on the run for years.


    Edward was from a small town in Europe called Holbeach. He grew up in a poor family and he lost both parents at a tender age tomunity unrest.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    He had to fight for everything he needed. He was always looking for a way to get ahead, and he wasn¡¯t afraid to break the rules to do it.


    When he was a teenager, he started dealing drugs, and he quickly became sessful.


    But he wanted more, and he started getting involved in human trafficking. He found that he was good at it, and it brought him a lot of money. But it also brought him a lot of enemies, and he had to be constantly on guard.


    One day, he was approached by a man who offered him a deal. The man wanted Edward to kidnap someone for him, and he promised that it would be worth Edward¡¯s while. Edward epted the deal, and that¡¯s how he got into the kidnapping business.


    Edward had never regretted his choices nor his actions. Even though they¡¯ve led him down a dark path.


    He saw himself as a survivor. Someone who had to do whatever it takes to get ahead. But there were cracks in his armor. Cracks that he refused not acknowledge.


    He sometimes finds himself wondering why he had be like this, so brutal, but the next minute, he puts the thought away and continued living his life in reckless abandon.


    His character was ruthless and calcting, always looking for ways to make money, no matter the cost.


    He did not care who he hurts in the process, and he was willing to do anything to get what he want. His eyes are cold and calcting, and his smile is always a bit too wide, a snare.


    Edward was on the run from the feds and he flew to New York City to escape them. Things had gone wrong in a kidnapping mission and he had lost most of his men in that operation.


    His contact had gone cold and his contractor had ratted him out. He had to stow away to New York on a freight train.


    When Edward got into town, heid low for a while and did his best to gain the heart of those around him.


    That was when he heard of a wealthy family who needed a suitor for their daughter. This seemed to be just the right gig for him.


    He showed up with the thought that he would use Emily, her money and connections to cover up his criminal activities.


    He also intended to use her influence to build up his own power and status back in his hometown. But even as his power grew, he never felt satisfied. He grew selfish. There was always more that he wanted, more that he needed.


    Recently, his past caught up with him and he needed funds to shut it. He had never asked Emily for this high amounts before now, but the urgency of the matter made him irrational and he began giving her attitude when she turned him down.


    ****


    Emily heaved a sigh of relief and stood up and headed for the bathroom.


    For the past two months that Edward had asked her for this money and she did not indulge him, he had refused to stay in the same room. Though this did not actually bother Emily. She is an only child and was used to sleeping alone.


    But the fact that he suddenly shouts at her was a major cause of conern for Emily. Most times, he even threatened to leave her and for days, he also avoided her.


    Emily knew something was wrong somewhere and all these while, she had been trying toy her hand on that something but to no avail.


    She believed Edward is keeping something huge from her, but she just can¡¯t wrap her head around it.


    Emily¡¯s POV


    I will be seeing Jim this morning, I needed to talk to him.


    Yes, it¡¯s been long, but I need rity. I need closure.


    ¡°Hello Jim.¡± I greeted as I walked in to the cafe. I was surprised no one else was there. It is still rush hour.


    ¡°Hi Emily. How are you?¡± Jim responded, standing up to give me a side hug.


    ¡°I¡¯m great. It¡¯s so good to see you again so soon Jim.¡± I said excitedly and he rewarded me with his charming smiled.


    ¡°Why is it that no one else is here?¡± I asked him, looking around.


    After hesitating a little bit, he told me shyly that he got the whole space for two hours to talk with me, without interruption.


    I felt honored, Jim has a pure soul. I touched my heart, ¡°I am touched Jim.¡±


    ¡°So, what will you like to have.¡± He asked me, standing up and heading to the counter.


    ¡°A cup of ck coffee..¡±


    ¡°With two spoonful of sugar.¡±  We bothughed. ¡°You have not changed a bit Emily. It is refreshing.¡±


    I smiled at him as he brought my cup of ck sweetness. Jim seemed to be outspoken too. No more the shy boy I knew. It was refreshing.


    ¡°Thanks Jim.¡± I said, inhaling the sweet aroma before a taking a sip of it. I dropped it on the table as I faced Jim and got serious


    ¡°Jim¡±, I began ¡°I want to first and foremost apologize to you and James  in absence, for all that happened those years ago. I am so sorry for all that happened.¡±


    Jim was silent as be looked at me with emotions written all over his face.


    ¡°I disappointed James the most. He was always there for me, but I was just too busy then.


    And the worst of all, my mom.¡± I sighed with a year streaking down my face as the memory of that moment came crashing on me

 Jim Tells His Story

    ¡°When I heard what my mom did to you, I immediately ran to your house. I knocked and I called out your name. I called out James¡¯s name. I called out Papa¡¯s name, but there was no answer.


    ¡°I was there in front of your house, crying. That was when a neighbor told me you guys had left already.¡± I said crying sadly.


    I was broken Jim. I was sick for days , I cried my eyes out. I Searched for you guys, I even visited our favorite ces. I waited night and day for at least a call from James.¡± I continued.


    ¡°But¡­ but you both never did. You were also my friend Jim, but you did not even reach out to me also.¡± I used him.


    ¡°I believed you both had forgotten about me, and my mom, she was so sorry. She also helped to look for you. She was just concerned for me, albeit, in a not so good way.¡± I finished with tears on my face.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want you crying Emily. It is okay.¡± Jim consoled me


    ¡°You should know I won¡¯t leave you like that. I pleaded with James to wait till you get back, but he could not. Your mother was on our neck to not contact your and he was hurt.


    ¡°James said he begged her but all his pleas fell on deaf ears. Well, I have no right to be offended anymore. James is doing great and I mean, look at me now, I am a big guy.¡± He boasted, obviously trying to lighten the mood.


    ¡°But truly, Your mom¡¯s words and actions broke something in James. It gave him a new thought that he had to make something out of his life.¡± He concluded, taking a sip of his tea.


    Sitting down one on one with Jim, has made me notice his manly features. He was no longer the skrawny little teenager running after James and I whenever we go out.¡±


    Jim is now tall and broad-shouldered, with dark hair and piercing brown eyes. His face is ruggedly handsome, with a strong jaw and full lips. But his best feature is his smile ¨C it¡¯s warm and genuine, and it lits up his whole face.


    To lighten the mood further, i asked him a question in an interview style sort of way, ¡°So James dear, you mentioned you are awyer earlier.


    ¡°When I heard of the name James Forlorn, I wondered Who this man was that made people talk so much about him and how he was the best in the game. I never knew it was you. So tell me, how did you get here? What made you change your name. I want to know.¡±


    ¡°The journey was a rough one, Em. A very tough one.¡± Jim replied with a distant look in his eyes.


    ¡°After we left town, papa, James and I went to the capital. We were stranded for days, and even weeks. We were sleeping outside; the car park, bridges or in front of shops. No shelter, no food and then he fell ill.¡± He said and his voice broke just slightly. He took a deep breath and continued.This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°Papa developed cold from sleeping outside. We tried our best to make ends meet. I got a cleaning job while James got a delivery man job.


    ¡°At work, I tried to exin the situation of my dad to the management, but they told me, that is a family issue and it is not tolerated in a business institute. ording to him, they all have family issues, but they don¡¯t bother others about it.¡± I was sobbing silently at his sad story.


    ¡°I felt bad at the sound of that. Papa¡¯s health deteriorated and we were helpless. Papa was hospitalized and I struggled to get another job whilst working there. James did other various menial jobs just to save up for Papa¡¯s drugs and our daily upkeep.


    ¡°One day, It rained so hard and I was out there on an errand. After I got paid, I wanted to head straight to the hospital to meet up with James so we could pay for the bills, but I got stucked and there was no way I could return because of the storm. I thought James must be stranded too. Then, I got a call from the hospital.¡± Jim stopped to take a breath.


    ¡°Papa has passed away.¡± He cried and I sobbed into my palm.


    ¡°I was confused Em. I still saw him this morning and he said he would wait for me this evening so we could all y a game of chess just like the old times.


    ¡°It was a huge blow on my face. I med myself for not working harder. James med himself for not being able to provide for my dad after causing such a mess with your family.¡± He clenched his hands


    ¡°I was pained that we got nost words from my papa. He wasn¡¯t supposed to die like this.¡± He said as he wiped the tear from his eyes with a brown handkerchief.


    ¡°Together, James and I determined that our Papa¡¯sbour over us won¡¯t be in vain.¡± He continued with a calm voice.


    ¡°My next employer was a nice person. After hearing about Papa¡¯s passing, they felt bad and decided to adopt me. They only had a son, he is a year older than I am. He treats me like his younger brother, not minding my race or colour. His name is Alexio.¡± he exined.


    ¡°I went back to school and so did James. One day, he asked me what I wanted to study, I saidw. I knou goji would be surprised I chose Law instead of Medicine. Papa wanted me to study Law, his reasons best known to him, I had to honor him by studying this.


    ¡°I graduated from the university, ran few other programmes as well, worked hard, and here I am.¡± standing up and turning for the camera.


    ¡°I¡¯m so happy for you Jim¡±. Emily said after hearing his sess story.

 It Ended Well

    It was a rollercoaster story. She had cried at some point and smiled at some other times.


    ¡°I always thought about you, but there was no way to get to you. I just want to assure you of that.¡±


    ¡°Thanks Jim. What about James? Is he here with you.¡±


    Jim gave me a sad smile, ¡°No Em. James is a missionary in Africa now.¡±


    ¡°What? In Africa.¡±


    ¡°Yes Em. He obeyed the call two years ago.¡±


    O my God. ¡°How do youmunicate?¡±This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    ¡°We don¡¯t. He calls us when he misses us. He had forbidden us to call or message him first.¡±


    I am happy for James. This was not expected but at least he is doing what he likes.


    ¡°So, what are you here for?¡± I asked him, sipping my coffee. ¡­ it had gone cold.


    ¡°There is a criminal lurking around this ce ording to information we got and I came here to get him.¡±


    ¡°But you are not a detective. You are awyer.¡±


    ¡°Yes, I am awyer and not an investigator. But I have gathered experience with my little time in the crime division and I¡¯ve been asked to assist in apprehending him. So, I thought I should look into it myself when I heard he had been spotted somewhere here. He is an international criminal.


    This investigation has gone on for over two years now and unfortunately, no one has gotten a hold of him yet.¡± heined.


    ¡°So how should Ie in? Do you need my assistance?¡± I joked


    ¡°Don¡¯t bother Emily, I¡¯ll get him.¡± he boasted.


    ¡°Alright, I was only joking by the way. Meanwhile, I will love for you to visit me in my home soon. I will be able to entertain you better and we can be more rxed.¡± I said


    ¡°I will visit you during the week.¡±


    ¡°Okay. I will be expecting your call.¡± I said standing up and picking my back from the chair beside me.


    ¡°See you soon Em.¡± Jim waved at me as I left the cafe and into the sun.


    Narrator¡¯s POV


    The week flew by so fast and the weekend was here again. Emily had no other ns but to soak herself in a hot bath while catching up with reading.


    It had been over a week since Edward hade home, but she had learnt to live with it.


    ¡°It is either we get married this year or I¡­ beg him to marry me.* She heaved a heavy sigh as she prepared for her ritual for the day.


    There was a knock on her door. ¡°Who could that be? I had specifically told them I did not want any disturbance.¡± She murmured.


    She took her robe and put it on.


    ¡°What is it Hope?¡± She asked the maid, standing in front of her


    ¡°You have a guest ma¡¯am. He says his name is Jim Forlorn.¡±


    ¡°Jim? Are you sure? ¡± she asked hope surprised


    ¡°Yes ma¡¯am.¡±


    ¡°I aming.¡± She said closing the door and quickly wore something.


    She got out of her room and peeked from the stairs and truly Jim was there.


    ¡°Hi Em.¡± James said as she walked down the stairs. She had not given him my house address


    ¡°How on earth did you get here?¡± She asked in bewilderment.


    ¡°I have my ways.¡± He replied smiling.


    ¡°Really? Alright. So what should I offer you?¡± I asked. Well, she had no reason to be rmed. Jim was her good friend.


    ¡°Soda will do.¡± He said as he looked around the house.


    The ceilings are high, and the walls are adorned with expensive paintings and tapestries. There¡¯s arge firece in the center of the room, with a massive mantelpiece and a roaring fire. The furniture is luxurious, with plush sofas and armchairs arranged around the room. A crystal chandelier hangs from the ceiling, casting a soft glow over everything. It¡¯s a space that exudes wealth and sophistication.


    The servants are impably dressed and groomed, and they move around the house with quiet efficiency. They¡¯re polite and professional, and they seem to take great pride in their work.


    He noticed that there are several disy cases lining the walls. In these cases are all sorts of mementos and keepsakes, from pictures of Evelyn and her parents, her husband with various important people to souvenirs from her travels around the world. There¡¯s also arge bookshelf filled with leather-bound volumes, some of them quite rare and expensive.


    ¡°Here you go.¡±


    Throughout the discussion, James could not help but stare at a particr portrait on the wall.


    The face looked familiar, he thought within himself.


    ¡°That¡¯s my fiance Edward¡± she said when she noticed that he was staring at the portrait.


    She went ahead and told him how they met. How it was an arranged meeting spearheaded by her mom. How her mum had made fliers and announce that she wanted suitors for her daughter.


    ¡°So, where is Edward from?¡± he asked curiously.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. But he is from London.¡± She replied rolling her eyes, ¡°Mum said something about his parents. She thinks they arete.¡±


    ¡°She thinks?¡± he asked with his eyes opened wide. ¡°So she epted someone she has zero knowledge about where he came from? With no background check? Nothing?¡± He asked in bewilderment. ¡°And you epted such?¡±


    She sighed deeply and said, ¡°I don¡¯t know Jim. I did not think it through then. I was just heartbroken and blind to so many things that are affecting my life then.¡±


    Emily¡¯s POV


    ¡°Recently, he has been requesting for a lot of money. He has been acting strange and he takes strange calls. Hehides his phone from me and sometimes, rushes out of the house with a particr servant. He is the only one he is close with in all the house.¡± I exined to him.


    It felt good to tell this problem to a guy. A man. Someone that can rte and probably give me the best advice.


    ¡°Is he around?¡±


    ¡°Who?¡±


    ¡°The servant.¡± Why is he asking about the servant and not reacting to what I told him.


    ¡°Oh you mean Rogers. No they went out together, as usual.¡±


    ¡°Ohh, ok I¡¯ll be on my way now Emily.¡±


    ¡°So soon.¡±


    ¡°Yes. I just remembered that I have to quickly attend to some things at work.¡± Jim exined


    ¡°Alright Jim. See you some other time.¡± She said as she waved him goodbye.

 Edward Comes Home

    Narrator¡¯s POV


    Three dayster, Edward walked into the living room and Emily decided to confront him.


    ¡°Where have you been Edward?¡± She shouted at him. ¡°You took money from me and disappeared immediately after. What sort of beast are you?¡±


    Edward looked unbothered as he made his way to his room.


    ¡°I am talking to you and you are not responding. You left for almost two weeks only to return now and you do not deem it fit that I need an exnation. Who does that?¡± she asked hysterically


    ¡°Emily.¡± He called her name coldly. ¡°If it is because of the money you gave me and you think you have the right to yell at me, then you have got it all wrong.¡± He said coldly, ¡°And besides, the money has been used for its own purpose  and there¡¯s nothing you can do about it.¡± He blurted and made to walk away.


    ¡°I am still talking to you Edward.¡± Emily said, blocking his path.


    ¡°Do you have a death wish, woman?¡±


    ¡°No, I do not but do you?¡±


    ¡°What do you mean by that Emily? Are you threatening me?¡±


    ¡°You just did the same  thing, Edward.¡± She screamed at him. ¡°You said the same words first, so how is my repeating what you said a threat?¡± She asked him


    ¡°I want to ask you Edward, what business are you really into? Do you have another business you¡¯re sponsoring aside the one that I am aware of or what particrly are you running from?¡± she queried, searching his eyes for answers.


    ¡°Leave my path Emily.¡±  he ordered, attempting to push her away from his way.


    ¡°I will not. Not untill you give me an answer. I deserve an exnation.¡± And a scuffle ensued


    After some time, Edward carried her and ced  her on the sofa and walked back out letting out long annoying cuss words as he left her.


    Emily couldn¡¯t believe what just happened. She just keeps seeing different sides to himtely. Is he in some kind of trouble?


    Her happiness was slowly fading away. She was slowly losing hold of who she was. The only memory she had to keeping her sanity is the memory of James. And he also was bing lost to her gradually.


    Emily picked up her phone and dialed a number


    ¡°Ann, I am finished¡±, she cried bitterly on the phone.


    ¡°Calm down girl, and talk to me¡±, Ann said.


    ¡°He pushed me away. Edward pushed me away when I tried confronting him about his disappearancetely.¡± she sobbed over the phone. ¡°Edward had never done this to me, It is getting worst Ann and we are not even married yet.¡±


    ¡°Why would he do that? Should Ie over? Have you told your mom? What did she say?¡± Ann asked simtaneously, leaving Emily with no other option but to wail loudly. She couldn¡¯t reply to any.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Please for now girl,y low. I am on my way to you, okay?¡±, she pleaded.


    ¡°No, it¡¯s okay Ann. I can not let you leave your work for me again. Just hearing your voice is enough. I will be fine, go back to what you¡¯re doing.¡± Emily replied and dropped the call


    Emily¡¯s POV


    Although Edward behaved suspiciously nowadays, he was still a sweet fellow in certain things. He remembered special dates in our lives, our anniversary, my birthday, my mom¡¯s and also that of my dad¡¯s. He celebrated it in a special way that made it memorable.


    My birthday was going to be in two days after we got into that argument.


    I was not expecting much when I went to bed the night before my birthday.


    I wake up with a warm feeling between my legs. I  opened my eyes in shock and looked down. I was not expecting what my eyes saw.


    Edward had his head between my thighs nuzzling my sex.


    ¡°Edward?¡± I moan his name questioningly.


    ¡°Rx Emily. Let me pleasure you.¡± He said with a voicede with lust


    ¡°What¡­?¡± I could not think straight as he started to lick me there.


    His tongue moved in and out. I was panting so hard by this time, forgetting all that happened in that moment of bliss.Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    I moaned breathily and pushed my sex in his face, needing more and more. He moved his tongue faster at the delicious soundsing from my throat.


    ¡°Yes. It feels so good.¡± I moaned, pushing his head deeper.


    He did not say a word, but indulged me and kept stroking me.


    He stopped and lifted his head up. He started kissing his way up, starting from my thighs, to my stomach, lifting my top on his way to my breast. He lifted it over my head and threw it on the floor.


    He took one of my nipples in his mouth, biting, licking, and teasing. Pleasure flows in my whole body. I grab the back of his head, my legs around his hips.


    Edward kept teasing my breast while hi s fingers kept stroking my clit.


    Then lifting himself up, he covered my mouth with his in a swift move. I tugged at his hair. He thrusts his tongue deeper into my mouth. He sucks my tongue. I kiss him back with feverish tempo.


    I can feel his erection. It got me drilling more wetness into the sheets.


    ¡°Edward, please,¡± I moaned into his mouth, craddling him at the hip and attempted to turn him over. He broke the kiss and looked down at me. His grey eyes were full of heat.


    ¡°Patience Emily.¡± He groaned.


    He took my wrists and held it over my head. Then he positioned the tip of his erection on my sex. He then proceeded to tease my entrance, making me pant harder.


    ¡°Mmmh.¡±


    He then slowly inserted the tip of his shaft inside me. A moan escaped from my mouth. He thrust further until he was inside me fully, to the hilt.

 Lunch With Edward

    He held my hips in ce as he started moving slowly, looking into my eyes. His eyes were filled with lust.


    I held his face in ce and kissed his lips softly while moving with him. He started moving faster.


    ¡°Ahh¡± Edward grunted and kissed my neck.


    He released my arm that he had been holding and I was able to flip us and I rode him.


    ¡°I¡¯m close.¡± I say.


    Edward felt the urgency as he held me in a hug and he flipped me back to the bed and he began thrusting faster.


    Groaning, grunting and moaning, we both came strongly. I held him tight as he shook, releasing his essence into me.


    We bothy on the bed, panting and trying to catch our breath.


    ¡°Happy birthday, Emily,¡± he said in a husky voice, kissing me on the head.


    I smiled and hid my face in his chest.


    *****


    I spared a peek at the table clock and the time was a few minutes past 10 am.


    Moments like this were rare between Andrew and I, in fact in our one year of being together, I can count the number of times he had held me this intimately. It made me want to savour the moment more. Not willing to let it go


    I could sense something changing for good.


    With this morning sex session, I decided to put all our animosity aside, at least for today, and enjoy the day.


    He stood up from the bed and looked at me and tucked my hair behind my ears. He was about to say something but then he stopped and left the bed.


    ¡°Go take a shower and dress in this.¡± He said passing a big box to me while he puts on his pants.


    ¡°What is this?¡± I asked, opening the box.


    ¡°You will see. We are going out for lunch. Be ready in an hour¡±


    Having said this, he stepped out of my room and I guessed back to his room.


    I opened the box and inside was a silver gown and a matching heels and also another blue gown.


    I gasped in surprise. Is this for real? This set cost almost $100, 000.


    I had never gotten anything of this worth from Edward. Ever.


    I was still skeptical as I brought the gown out of the box. It was the real thing.


    The gown was slit to the thigh from the Hem. There were embroideries on the front.


    The blue gown was simple but elegant. I was still pondering on which to wear because I did not know where we were going when Edward popped his head back in the room


    ¡°Wear the blue gown for now.¡± He said and went back out.


    I smiled and made my way to the bathroom. I hummed as I took a shower, brushed my teeth and towelled my body dry.


    I came out of the bathroom and proceeded to apply my make-up.


    By the time I was done, the time on my table was showing 12:30.


    I picked up the gown and it felt light and soft to the touch. I wore it and picked a ck heels from my walk in closet and a matching purse to go with it.


    Edward was by the door already waiting for me.


    I smiled as I went to him. The maids allplemented me as I made my way down the stairs.


    ¡°You look beautiful in that gown Miss.¡±R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    ¡°You are beautiful, ma¡¯am.¡±


    I rewarded them all with smiles as I got to where Andrew was and he opened the door to usher mee out utnod the room


    We went out together for lunch, in an Italian restaurant. It was the restaurant we came to for our first date


    . There was a man ying sweet melodies with a violin. It seemed this was his trick to make me forget his misdeeds, and it actually worked.


    All through the lunch, I was grinning from ear to ear, I was so happy that he remembered and he made an effort to make it memorable.


    Then, I noticed he was making some calls during the lunch. He seemed to be nning something huge and I could feel the tickles inside my tummy. Maybe this is it.


    ¡°Are you okay Emily?¡±


    ¡°Uh? I¡¯m fine. Perfectly fine. Why do you ask?¡±


    ¡°You look flushed. You are not feverish. Are you tired then? Should we head back home now?¡± Andrew asked all this in a breath pace, cing a finger on my forehead, with a frown on his face


    This was a side of Andrew I have never noticed. I smiled at him and held his hand.


    ¡°I am fine Andrew. I am just happy to be here with you. We have not done anything like this in forever.¡± I said to him pouring out my heart to him.


    Something flickered in his eyes. Something uncertain. But it quickly disappeared and I just thought I must have imagined it.


    ¡°Let¡¯s finish our meal.¡± He said, smiling at me.


    After a while, I excused myself and headed to the bathroom, taking my purse and phone along with me.


    I immediately called Anne. This is too much for me to handle alone. I have to share it with someone.


    Ann took so long in replying and when she did she sounded out of breath and suspicious.


    ¡°Hey billionaire.¡± She said breathlessly but I was too adrenaline pumped to question her breathlessness


    ¡°Bestie. I just have to share this with you. Everything has never been so so fine between Andrew and I as it is today. He¡¯s giving me all the right signs today.¡±


    ¡°Really? That is nice to hear. I will have to call youter girl. Something came up¡± She said


    ¡°What¡­¡± I heard a click that the other line had been dropped.


    I looked at my phone screen with a wierd look as if it was the one that disconnected the call. I did not expect that from her. Well, everything is going fine so far. I can¡¯t wait to see the other things he had nned.

 The Wedding Invitation

    I quickly powdered my face and retouched my make up and left the bathroom. Andrew was on a call again, but his face was rxed unlike the other times.


    I stood far away for some time, observing him. He waved at me when he saw me and I proceeded to meet him.


    We headed back to the park for a walk  after lunch. And Andrew was a perfect gentleman


    Maybe, just maybe someone should get ready to be a real bride soon. I practically heard wedding bells ring in my head. I could not stop myself from smiling. Today could not have been better.


    I caught a glimpse of him texting on his phone and I had to call his attention back to the road.


    When we got into thepound, I noticed that the lights of thepound were off and that everywhere was eerie.


    I thought hard about what could have been the problem. shes of horror movie I had watched with Anna came to. mind and I shivered and held Andrew¡¯s hands. They were cold and I quickly withdrew my hands.R¨ºAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Trying to act unaffected, I asked Edward


    ¡°What do you think is happening? The lights are switched off?¡±


    But he just kept mute. I tried calling my maid, it wasn¡¯t going through. I totally refused to get down from the car. I was thinking of what next to do, when Edward came to open the door of my side of the car.


    He held out his hand for me to take, but I shook my head and refused to get down.


    ¡°Edward, let us call the cops. I am having a bad feeling about this


    ¡°Come on Emily. We have to at least check out what is happening before we call for help.¡±


    ¡°Are you sure everything will be fine?¡±


    ¡°Yes, besides you have me here.¡± He said holding out his hand again. I looked up at him and he gave me a sort of a reassuring smile.


    Then I took his tentatively and we both moved towards the door with the help of the shlight of our phones.


    We got to the door step, and he opened the door with his keys. This had never happened before,  how would no one be at home, I thought. We entered the living room and suddenly the lights were switched on and the next thing I heard was


    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!


    I almost copsed from the shock, it was indeed a surprise.


    Iughed when I saw the people gathered around me. Iughed as I greeted each of them with hugs and handshakes. I even got a bouquet from a distant rtive.


    Edward had called my close friends and associates to surprise me for my birthday. I was so overwhelmed by the love showered on me.


    The whole space was decorated with shining lights and balls. And everyone was looking so elegant.


    Even my mum and dad were both here and they were grinning from ear to ear.


    ¡°Mum? Dad?¡± I said, giving each of them a hug. I was truly happy.


    Today could not have gone better.


    ¡°Time to change your clothes, woman.¡± That must be Ann¡¯s voice.


    I turned around with a huge smile as I hugged her.


    ¡°You are here also.¡±


    ¡°Hello, I am the ¡®here¡¯.¡± She boasted, touching her chest.


    ¡°I nned all these from day one girl.¡± She said and I looked at Edward smiling fondly at me.


    Could it be that I had a wrong perception about Edwards, were all my suspicions wrong?


    With this singr act of his, he had seeded in clearing all the doubt. No one could convince me otherwise. Edward loved me so much. She concluded.


    Ann and I went to my room and I changed into the silver gown Edward had bought alongside the silver heels.


    It was an eight inch heel and it bnced so well on my feet.


    ¡°Come sit here girl.¡± Ann said.


    I sat down before my vanity while Anne did a retouch on my make up. I looked at the mirror and I looked so dazzling. If I could say that myself, I wonder how the others will see it


    ¡°Ow, my eyes. You are a brimming light princess.¡± Anne said, blocking her eyes. Iughed as I swiped at her arm yfully.


    Together we went downstairs and Anne took it upon herself to make a grand introduction despite me pleas of otherwise.


    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, behold the Princess!!!¡± She said, pping her hand as others also joined her.


    I blushed as I came down the stairs. And everyone pped. They all came to greet me. Again.


    After a while, I seeded in getting away from the people surrounding me, I stood at a corner and watched as Edward greeted those around him and had conversations with them with so much ease.


    This is the first time I am seeing that about him. He was so free and carried an air of importance around him.


    He saw me looking at him and he came to my side.


    ¡°Are you happy?¡± He asked


    ¡°Yes Edward. I have never been so happy. I appreciate your grand gesture.¡± I said, giving him a bow.


    ¡°I have an announcement to make tonight Emily. I hope you won¡¯t mind?¡±


    I smiled at him and nodded my head at him to go on.


    ¡°Okay. You won¡¯t regret this.¡± He said, sounding like a youngd.


    ¡°Sarah. Robert. Pleasee over here.¡± Edward signaled for the music to stop. He got everyone¡¯s attention


    ¡°Tonight is Emily¡¯s birthday and I want to appreciate you all for taking your time to be here despite the short notice.¡± Edward began.


    ¡°Everyone here also knows that it¡¯s been over a year since I got engaged to Emily. Most of you were there. So, I want to thank Sarah and Robert for being supportive through it all.¡±


    Ann came beside me and held my hand as both smiled at each other. This was it, our eyes said.

 Jim?

    ¡°So,¡± Edward continued, looking towards me and our eyes met.


    ¡°So, I want to use this opportunity to request that you all grace our wedding ceremony next month.¡±


    Yes!!! I screamed in my head as the whole room erupted with pping and shouts of congrattions filled the air.


    Anne squealed and gave me a hug as those closest to us came to congratte me once again.


    The night wore on and I swore that I saw Jim among the guests. But it was only for a brief moment and then he was not there again.


    I tried to search the room full of guests, but I did not see anyone like him anymore. I decided to take my mind off of it and just enjoy the evening.


    By 10:00 pm, most of the guests had left and we were left with just a handful who were waiting for their Uber toe pick them up.


    Anne was also leaving as she was on call tonight.


    I hugged her for a long time and gave a big kiss on her lips.


    ¡°Thank you so much girl. And I want you to know that I love you to the moon and¡­¡±Exclusive content ? by N?(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.


    ¡°Back.¡± We said in unison as weughed and held onto each other longer.


    ¡°Be careful while driving, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay Grandma.¡± She said, giving me a wink.


    I waved at her until she got out of sight. When I turned, I came face to face with Jim. I was shocked and shrieked but he quickly covered my mouth.


    ¡°Hey, it¡¯s me. It¡¯s me, okay? Do not shout. I am removing my hands.¡±


    I nodded and he removed his hand from my mouth. Immediately he did that, I gave him a big p on his shoulder.


    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing snicking up on me like that? You of all people should know I don¡¯t like that.¡± I said feigning annoyance.


    Yes, I feigned annoyance. I can not afford to be angry at Jim.


    ¡°I am sorry. You were so engrossed with your girlfriend and¡­ I did not n to scare you though.


    ¡°But you still pack a lot of punch.¡± Heined, rubbing his shoulders.


    I smiled proudly, ¡°Well, I got the best teachers.¡±


    ¡°How did you get here? How did you know there was a celebration tonight?¡±


    ¡°I wanted to greet you for your birthday but I could not reach you all day. I came around and met your friend and she invited me to stay back. Hope that¡¯s alright?¡±


    ¡°Are you kidding me right now with that question? Of course I am very much okay with you staying back. In fact I am ted.¡± I said, giving him a hug.


    ¡°But I did not see you at all.¡±


    ¡°You had many guests flocking around you, I did not want to be a nuisance nor a distraction.¡± He said, shrugging.


    ¡°You still have the knack of reading the room, eh?¡±


    ¡°You can say that.¡±


    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s head back inside.¡± I said, pulling him back to the mansion with me.


    ¡°Not tonight Em. I have to head back.¡± He objected, sounding disappointed. ¡°I¡¯ll make it up to you, okay?¡±


    ¡°You better do.¡± I said waving at him as he left.


    ¡°Who was that?¡± I turned to see Edward moving towards me. I stretched out my hands to take it and rested on him while he held me from behind.


    ¡°Just a friend from my childhood. I¡¯ll introduce you both to each other soon.¡±


    We stood like this for a moment and I forgot all that had happened between us before now and decided to focus on our future.


    I shivered involuntarily and he wrapped his hand closer around me. ¡°Let¡¯s head back inside. It¡¯s cold out here.¡± I nodded and followed him back inside.


    I suddenly remembered, ¡°what about mum and dad.?¡± I asked him, facing him.


    ¡°They left already. I saw them off myself?¡± Edward replied and led me up the stairs to our room. All the guests had left and the maids were arranging the room.


    I noticed that I had not seen Roger all day. I stopped a worker passing by and asked her,


    ¡°Rachel, What about Roger? I¡¯ve not seen him today.¡± I felt Edward stiffen behind me.


    ¡°I sent him on an errand. He will be back soon.¡± Edward answered from behind me and asked Rachel to leave.


    ¡°Okay then. I am just so tired right now that I want to sleep.¡± I said immediately we got to the room.


    ¡°No. Not yet.¡± Edward said as he traced a finger along my side, sending hot waves of shiver to my feet, I tripped.


    I yfully pped his hands and ran to the bathroom.


    I opened my phone and I saw that all social media handles were buzzing. I, Emily, was trending. I stood there in the bathroom and watched my videos over and over again with a smile on her face.


    There was even talk of my wedding which wasing up next month and I felt giddy inside out.


    I proceeded to take off my clothes and stepped into the shower.


    The next thing I felt were warm hands around my waist.


    Edward kissed my ears as his other handes up to my left breast. He found the rock hard cold nipple and immediately, the other hand goes down to my sex and strokes my clit with a gentle touch.


    I arch my back as he¡¯s touching me and I use my right hand to feel his rock hard shaft and stroke it.


    I turned to face him and I continued stroking his hard shaft while my left hand found his neck and we kissed passionately.


    ¡°You are so fucking hot, Emily.¡± Edward grained into my neck, as he held my face in ce and nted short kisses on it.


    I smiled and put both hands on his shaft, moving my hands to send him tickled vibes down his massive shaft.


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