Wayne twirled the pen in his fingers, flipping through the documents in front of him. He was sitting in the Manager’s office, trying to go through the Business Investment for Las Vegas Oil that Henry handed to him.But he was finding it hard to concentrate on the files.His mind went waltzing back to what happened at Loretta’s restaurant yesterday. Mike Taylor would be planning some retribution by now. It would be best if he keeps a better eye on his wife.Last night, after they left the sitting heading back to their room, he’d tried to get Loretta not to worry and assure her he’ll pay the loan for her, but she broke down in tears. She was already overwhelmed with all that had happened, coupled with the fact that her Grandma had driven her to a tight corner.Wayne tugged on his shirt button nervously. He had something else to be worried about. The results of the DNA test was going to be out this evening. All of his plans was dependent on that test.He sat up when his phone suddenly pi
Wayne caught Andrew’s wrist, gripping it hard. “I just warned you not to over step your boundaries, right?” He twisted violently.Cayenne gasped in shock as the tall and muscular Andrew was flung hard to the wall, with sounds of ribs cracking.“Ah! Punk!” Andrew screamed in anguish. “You humiliated me!”Everywhere was quiet, even his men stared down at him in pity. The mighty Andrew Tates was beaten up by a mere nobody. Wayne hissed and turned away. The few people gawking at him gave way as he made their way to the counter.“I demand to see the manager right now!” Wayne asked the worker that was seated there.Cayenne glanced back to see that one of Andrew’s men was on his feet, clutching his stomach and making a call.Her hands trembled in fear as she stared at Wayne. She had no idea who he was but he’d put himself in trouble by standing up for her.She rushed forward to stop him from causing more chaos. “I really appreciate your help sir, but it’s best if you leave now. Andrew Tates
“Kindly answer my question, Mr Rogers.” Wayne repeated, his voice chilly and terrifying. “Did you really meet my parents on the floor, dead even before the fire engulfed the whole house?”Ben flinched, his lips quivering. “Look here, Mr Costa.” He adjusted his tie nervously. “My statement is still the same I gave the police, I couldn’t find the courage to go in. We all waited outside as the fire engulfed the house, I only set my eyes on them after the fire fighter’s arrived.” “Really?” Wayne asked, his gaze piercing deeper into the man’s. He had a hunch that this man was lying.“I’m telling you the truth!”“I see.” Wayne relaxed back on his chair, his hands gripping the glass tight as he stared at Ben who was looking all unsettled.There was no use of forcing the truth from him. He would get it through other means.“One more question,” Wayne spoke again. “Did you note anything unusual that happened before their death, like a few hours, a day or a few days before-” He was suddenly cut
After the call to Loretta, Nikki dropped Sylvie off and left for the airport. She alighted from the car and made her way to the checkpoint, she stood in a clear position where Jared would see her.The line of people slowly diminished, but Nikki didn’t get a glimpse of her fiancé.Re-checking the text he sent last night, she bit her lip. It stated that his flight would arrive by 3.30pm.But now, it was already half past four and Jared was nowhere to be found. The fact that he wasn’t replying her messages nor returning her calls made it all feel worse.Frustrated, Nikki approached the officials at the airport in a bid to check the flight list.It was confirmed. Jared Moore didn’t board the plane.She pursed her lips disdainfully, watching a couple that just reconciled hugging each other in front of her.This wasn’t the first, second or third time Jared would stand her up. She always nagged him to come visit but whenever he informed her of his flight, he would give an excuse for not arr
Wayne was in their room, helping Elsa with her homework and keeping an eye on his phone at the same time. He’d called Loretta three times now, but she wasn’t answering the calls.When he arrived from the Kindergarten with Elsa, he didn’t meet his wife. He’d tried to enquire from some of the helpers where she left for, but none of them replied politely, they were all rude to him.“Daddy! I’m done with my homework.” Elsa announced and got up to arrange the books into her bag.Wayne picked his phone, dialing Loretta’s number again.He had a unexplainable bad feeling in the pit of his stomach, and he just couldn’t help feeling restless. If only she could pick her calls.He rubbed his nape nervously. Where could she have gone to?The phone rang for a long time and came to a stop. Still no answer.Wayne adjusted his tie and got up. He just couldn’t sit here while his wife was probably in danger out there, somewhere.“Daddy, where is Mummy?” His daughter’s voice pierced into his thoughts. “
Wayne lifted Mike by his collar, pressing him hard against the wall. “What the hell were you about to do to my wife? How dare you touch her? Didn’t I warn you the last time?” He thundered, his entire eyes red with rage and fury.“What can a nonentity do to me?” Mike snickered, though there was traces of fear in his eyes.Wayne grabbed his collar tighter, choking him. “I warned you.” He growled. “Anyone that dares to cross their boundaries would put up with whatever consequences that comes up with it!”Mike’s face turned red as the air was slowly squeezed out of him. “Y. . .You bastard, let go of me right away or I’ll make your life miserable!”“You should be worried about your own life right now.” Wayne snickered, turning to face Loretta. “How much is the loan?”“Sixty thousand dollars, including interest.”Wayne tilted his head towards a black bag that was by the door. “In that bag is your sixty thousand dollars, therefore, my wife’s loan has been paid off!”Mike gritted his teeth ha
When they arrived home, Wayne tried to speak to Loretta, but she ignored him. She managed to flash a small smile at their daughter and trudge up the stairs.“Daddy? Was Mummy crying?” Elsa asked, immediately her father picked her up.Guilt ate at Wayne’s heart and he shook his head. “I’m sorry, baby. I made your mother cry.”“I know what makes Mummy feel better!” Elsa whispered into her father’s ears.Wayne smiled and nodded, placing her down. “Why don’t you go upstairs to keep Mummy some company while I go prepare her favorite food?” He handed her a paper bag as well.“Chocolates! Thank you Daddy!” Elsa jumped in excitement when she opened the bag.He was glad he asked Mark to bring some chocolates along, the smile on Elsa’s face right now was priceless. Just then, someone cleared their throats behind them and Wayne turned to see Aleena, glaring at him with hatred.Wayne greeted her, but she didn’t reply.But when Elsa offered Dennis some chocolates, she opened her mouth. “My child
Anna shook her fingers furiously at Wayne. “Once this bastard is taken care of, I’m gonna marry you into the Brooks family and that’s the end of it!”“You can’t do that!” Loretta shouted back, challengingly. Grandma’s hurtful words pierced through her heart like a knife and she felt so pained.“I’ve made my decision and that’s final, you’re getting a divorce from this bastard!”Anna finally turned her ferocious gaze on Wayne. "You should prepare for your exit from this family! I'm no longer tolerating lowly people like you here anymore.""Now that you've annoyed the Taylors to the point of blind rage, you either choose to go meet them and get your punishment yourself? Or they hunt you down? From now on, you have nothing to do with the Moore's! Go in there and pack your things out!"Loretta leaped forward at that instant. "Wayne's going nowhere, Grandma! If he leaves, I leave with him!"Anna was a bit taken aback. "Really? Loretta?" Her voice turned icy cold. "You want to follow the pa
Memories of all that happened today flashed back to Alice's head.She passed the 1st round of the Oriental Catering Contest and on her way home, she bumped into that man that gave her wild goose-bumps.Nathan Reyes.Astonishingly handsome and charismatic -only when he didn't open his mouth. One of the dancers said he was a well-known business man.Alice sat up.How come she's never heard of him?She head to her table and turned on her monitor, typing his name on the browser. His pictures popped up at once.Scrolling through, she found out that not only was Nathan stinking rich, he was the grandson of a past Governor of Haiui- Greg Reyes, his father- Martin Reyes, was the President of the prominent food packaging company- Cheese&LiT Co and his mother, Lina Reyes was the best surgeon in the state.Charismatic family.There was no mention of a sibling of Nathan’s- that meant she had upset the heir to the Reyes Legacy.Even if Alice hadn’t heard of the Reyes family, she knew Cheese&LiT a
presence. “You have no right to do that! I made a simple mistake and I apologized, what else do you want?”“I do not need anything from a spoilt idiotic brat like you.” He fired back at her.Alice was red in the neck. “Who the hell do you think you are to call me an idiot? The governor's son? Even the President's son has more good manners than you do!”Nathan frowned. “You don't seem to know who I am.”“And who the fuck are you?” She shook her fists at him. “I've never heard of your name here in Haiui, aren't you just a spoilt brat that returned from abroad and got handed all the family properties on a platter of gold?”His gaze darkened, but his voice was still non chalant. “Why do I feel like you're one of those stalker ladies that have been dying to grace my bed?”“Yuck!” Alice grimaced in disgust. “I'd rather eat poop than waste my time with a man as arrogant and condescending as you are!”That statement clearly hit Nathan’s nerve cause he stood up abruptly, veins popping out on h
“I’m sorry I have no idea what you’re talking about.”“You have an idea, you freak!” Alice grabbed his collar. “You are the cause of everything that’s happened to me and my family, you fraudster!”He held her hands, “I’m beginning to feel embarrassed, Miss, Let go of me!” His thick voice resounded.Alice flinched visibly and everywhere around them became silent.“I said, let go of me!” He repeated icily.A shiver ran down her spine as she stared through the sunglasses into his eyes, leaving goosebumps in their wake.Her fingers subconsciously grabbed his collar harder.“No, you’re gonna pay for all what you did,” She insisted. “You absconded with my parent’s money only to return and flaunt it around. Everyone needs to know what cheat and fraudster you are!” Alice screamed.“What?” He gritted so angrily that she felt the waves of anger through his collar, but she didn’t care, he needs to suffer pain and humiliation.Alice turned to face the crowd. “Someone call the police! This man is
Wayne barged into the house with Mark right behind him, both of them panting heavily. "Where the hell is Mathew?" Wayne grabbed the bodyguard's collar.The guard's face was riddled with shock and confusion. "He should still be in the house, I never allowed him to leave!""What?" Wayne faced Mark in shock. What if that video had been wrong? But he had a feeling deep in his mind that he wasn't wrong.They all rushed towards the stairs, making their way straight to Mathew's room."Mathew? Are you in?" Mark hurriedly banged the door.Wayne paused to check the lock. It had been locked from outside. Signalling no one was in."No. No. No. Shit!" He swore in anger.If his mind was working perfectly, Wallock has Mathew in custody and was probably waiting for the right time to threaten him.Mark managed to break the door open, rushing in to check everywhere.No Mathew.Wayne caught a letter on the bed. It was from Mathew himself."Dear son, I'm sorry to relay this to you this way. Not especial
When Alice returned to the restaurant, customers were already teeming in, most of them asking for her mother, she managed to give them the best reply she could and after instructing the Juliet and Marie on what to do, she left for work.She prayed the Principal won't be around like yesterday, she was 2 hours late already and she wasn't in the mood to receive any tongue lashing this morning.As it happened, Mrs Sanders was right at the gate when she arrived, she beckoned Alice to her office with a stiff face.“Miss Ruiz, what time is it by your watch right now?”“I'm sorry I'm late again, my mum-”“What the hell does your watch say?” Mrs Sanders asked again, a little louder this time.“10 o’ clock.” Alice gritted.“When are you supposed to resume?” “8 o clock.”“Seriously, do you expect the parents to wait for you to resume before dropping their kids? Is this what I pay you for?”Alice kept mute.“Miss Ruiz, I'm talking to you, aren't I?”Alice sighed, she was still shaken from the or
His words sent shivers down Alice's spine, but she was determined not to show fear in his presence. “You have no right to do that! I made a simple mistake and I apologized, what else do you want?”“I do not need anything from a spoilt idiotic brat like you.” He fired back at her.Alice was red in the neck. “Who the hell do you think you are to call me an idiot? The governor's son? Even the President's son has more good manners than you do!”Nathan frowned. “You don't seem to know who I am.”“And who the fuck are you?” She shook her fists at him. “I've never heard of your name here in Haiui, aren't you just a spoilt brat that returned from abroad and got handed all the family properties on a platter of gold?”His gaze darkened, but his voice was still non chalant. “Why do I feel like you're one of those stalker ladies that have been dying to grace my bed?”“Yuck!” Alice grimaced in disgust. “I'd rather eat poop than waste my time with a man as arrogant and condescending as you are!”Th
Alice kneaded the dough thoroughly, adding some butter and re-kneading.Her fingers felt stiff but she continued anyway, they’d run out of supplies for the evening sales so she had to.The thought of abandoning everything flashed through her mind, but the fact that her mum was still lying in a hospital made her continue working vigorously.The heat from the oven sizzled her skin and made her realize that the oven was ready, as she began piling the dough in, Juliet came in.Alice looked up at her. “How’s it going over there?”“Fine.” Juliet sighed, looking her from up to down. “You can go have some rest, Miss. I’ll look after the oven.”“No, Thanks. Julie. I have to make sure everything comes out well.”“You look like you could pass out any minute from now, you’ve been working since morning, please-”“I have to work. My Mum is in the hospital.”Juliet went to put on an apron. “That’s more reason why you should have some rest. Come on, we don’t have much customers at this time, you can
The next morning while she was cleaning hastily so she doesn't have to be late for work again, Juliet suddenly rushed out of her mother's office.“Miss Alice.” She panicked. “Your mum, she fell and-”“What?” A lump formed in Alice's throat, with her heart thumping she dropped the mop and rushed to the office. Her mother was lying on the floor, seemingly lifeless.Cold fear came over her.“Mum?” Alice shook her with trembling hands. “Can you hear me? Mum?” She checked her pulse and thankfully, Mum was still breathing. “Go prepare a cab for the hospital while I bring her out.” She instructed Julie.Julie nodded and left.“Mum? Can you hear me?” Alice asked again.She burst into tears when her mother's lashes fluttered a little.Her mother was still alive!As she carried her mother over her back, she discovered in shock how much weight her mother had lost. Alice cried harder when she realized that her mum might really be sick and hiding it from her.She couldn't afford to lose her Mum.
“It's fine dear, nature has a way of gifting us something else for whatever we lose.” Mum patted her hair fondly.Alice wiped her tears to stare at her mother’s face, “You aren't surprised, why?”“I kind of figured it out when you returned home early and looking downcast yesterday.”“Mum.” The tears flowed harder. “I'm sorry for letting you down.”“You didn't let me down, love. Audition or no audition, win or lose, you’re still my precious daughter that I cherish so much.”Alice kept sobbing until she began to feel sleepy, she pulled her Mum into an embrace and whispered. “I love you, Mum and I would do anything to make you happy.”As she went to bed that night, she made a decision to never give up, no matter what came her way.The next day, Alice woke up late and ended up getting to work late, but she was relieved to find out that the Principal was not yet in school.She went about her normal activities of taking care of other people's children, feeding them, cleaning their poop, hel