Adonis’s angry face turned into despair. He took a few steps backwards and continued looking at Laurel, he was confused and flaggerbasted at the same time. Two things were baffling him; the coincidence, and how the hell Laurel knew the man was his step brother. He hadn’t even met the man. “How the hell did you know he was my step brother?” That was the first question Adonis asked, he needed to clarify that first. “You know the man, or let me say, you’ve bumped into him once, you just didn’t know he was your step brother, since you two have never met. It’s Tony, Lilian’s divorced husband,” Laurel felt a little bit embarrassed as she revealed who her fiancée was. She knew all this wouldn’t be a secret for long, very soon, Lilian would know all what was going on and so many things would happen. A surprise after another for Adonis, he couldn’t believe what he was hearing, that was his step brother at the car wash that day? Although he didn’t take a good look at him, well, why would h
Laurel felt a huge thud on her chest. What the hell was Lilian doing here? Lilian had never visited her office unannounced, she hadn’t even visited her normally in the first place. One trouble just left and another was replacing it immediately, Laurel was frustrated, but she knew she had to let Lilian in if she didn’t want any suspicion from her. It’d be a miracle if she hadn’t bumped over Adonis on her way here. “Okay, send her in, thank you.” After like twenty seconds of extreme silence, Laurel replied as normal as she could. However, the secretary knew something wasn’t right, but that wasn’t her concern. Laurel adjusted herself, she was glad she hadn’t burst into tears a few minutes ago, Lilian would have known that something was up, speaking of which; she already knew if she actually bumped into Adonis. Laurel could only hope she didn’t. There was a slight knock on the office door, and Laurel called for the visitor to come in. Lilian walked in, wearing a flowery armless gown,
Lilian was still surprised and speechless while Laurel booted her computer, she just couldn’t imagine that Adonis could do such a thing and more Importantly, to her best friend. Was that the main reason he wanted to marry her also? That would mean they were both playing with each other, but the fact that she wanted his money was primary, she also did love him. However, not as genuinely as she’d love Tony at the beginning. After a few seconds of being surprised at the unexpected news, Lilian would still have liked it even if he did that to her. But what was bugging her was, why Laurel? It gave a hint that they’d be talking to each other. Something was happening that she didn't know about. “Why’d he choose you? Have you two gotten that close?” Laurel looked up at her without removing her hands from the keyboard, she had told Lilian that it was just going to be one sentence and that she should leave after that; but she expected this anyway, and if she tried to force Lilian out, she mi
“I’m not doing that, Lily. Not ever,” Laurel rejected outrightly, even if she wasn’t dating Tony presently, there was a high possibility that she still wouldn’t do it. It was so surprising that her own best friend was trying to use her to get back into a relationship with a man that dumped her; what the heck had come over Lilian, Laurel thought. “I do not understand why you’re fussing about this, you’re not doing it for yourself, do it for me, Laurel. You’ve got nothing to lose, it’s a fake marriage for God’s sake!” “I’ve my dignity, Lilian. I won’t rub myself on the ground just to get you back on track with a man that doesn’t even love you. What’s wrong with you, Lily? What has money done to you?” Laurel was amazed at her friend. Lilian was doing the most and if left alone, she could do something horrible just to get back with Adonis. “Are you saying you won’t help me, Laurel?” Lilian asked, looking into Laurel’s eyes. Her only chance was beginning to slip off her hands. “Not t
L“What are you talking about, Tony?” Laurel asked, amidst the tears. Was he talking about Lilian’s child? Or a child she’d give birth to in the future. “I’m going to keep the baby, Laurel, and I want you to take care of the child like it’s yours,” Tony opened up, a small smile appearing on his face and his green eyes glowed in excitement. Mixed feelings swept through Laurel, she didn’t know whether to be able or sad. At first she had always thought that if Tony didn’t accept the child, he would have to visit Lilian to see the baby regularly which would make her feel insecure. On the other end, if somehow he got custody of the child, Lilian would be the one coming to see her baby, which might still slightly make her feel insecure. At this point, her trust for her own best friend was near zero. “How’d you do it?” Laurel asked, using the hankie Tony had given her to wipe her tears off her cheekbones and eyes. “Katerina came to see me,” Tony waved for a waiter, he was starving. “Ka
Rose Mack was one of Lilian’s friends in college, although they weren’t that close. Laurel also knew her. Rose was the kind of girl that loved being around boys, it was rumoured in college at one point that everybody in class had slept with Rose. Just like everybody would have predicted, Rose didn’t get anything off her education; she was now a bartender in one of those old bars in the middle of the city. However, Lilian knew she wasn’t just a bartender. “What’s the deal, Lily? By the way, it’s been so long, I was shocked when I saw your call,” Rose had a quick tongue, and it always seemed she was speaking too fast. “I wasn’t sure you’d come, this was a surprise,” Lilian confessed, someone she hadn’t spoken to for a very long time and all she did was put a call through to her and she was sitting inside her car an hour later. “You mentioned that it’d involve a whole lot of money, that’s what brought me here, Lily, nothing else.” Rose giggled, she was outspoken and didn’t really car
Tony was able to invite people who seemed so hard to get; Riley never gets the chance to attend family events, but she was attending the burial ceremony of Tony’s grandmother. Sir Winconstin never leaves the lounge because of his health, but he was risking his life to attend the ceremony. Adonis scoffed, it seems his new brother had half of the family on his side, and all he had was his mother. Although he wouldn’t know whose side Riley was on, the fact that she could attend this ceremony despite the love for her job was convincing enough though. “Sure, let’s go bury your grandmother then,” Adonis accepted Tony’s request, well how could he reject it? He actually came to see Tony just to get to know him and see what sought of a man he was. However, from the little conversation they’d have, Adonis couldn’t begin to judge Tony’s behaviour, he might be hiding something. When they started talking about inheritance, then he’d see Tony’s true self. “Alright then, do you mind going in my
Laurel was more confused than any other person who stood glued to the ground looking at Tony and Adonis as they walked over to the entrance of the burial site. Tony didn’t tell her Adonis would be attending, he didn't even need to tell her for her to be aware that Adonis wouldn’t attend, but they unexpectedly came in the same car. It was as if they had nothing against each other. Sir Winconstin just had a big smile on his face, seeing both of his sons walking up to him and it seemed they had gotten along quite well. Riley wasn’t too surprised, because she knew there was an explanation to what just happened. Adonis wouldn’t get along with a man who was in competition with him. The only person who wasn’t surprised at all, was Mr. Walker, although he had no idea that Adonis was going to visit Tony this morning; however, he was the one who provided Tony’s address on Adonis’s request, which explains why they came in together. The only shock he had was the fact that Adonis agreed to come.
“I’m closer to my death than I could ever be, I have chosen who the heir to my bulk of my inheritance is, and it will be read to you from my Will once I’m gone. Rest assured, everybody gets something. I must tell you this, none of my predecessors have shared the inheritance with their sons. I’m the first to do this, because of the complexity of my family. I do not want fighting between you two. Am I clear?” Winconstin narrated, coughing weakly after he had finished speaking. “Yes sir,” they both chorused. Adonis was disappointed, his anxiousness had just been postponed, he ran his hand through his hair as he grinded his teeth. Tony on the other hand heaved a sigh, this wasn’t really important to him now, although he was heartbroken that his father was dying, the fact that Laurel would be coming home soon made him so happy. “You two can go now and start the preparations for your wedding immediately,” Winconstin concluded, he so much hoped he’d be able to attend that wedding, because
“Laurel was abducted by my mother,” Adonis revealed, placing one hand on his forehead. He just had to do it because he couldn’t read minds, they might be in there and Tony would go on and spit out what he knew. Someone who had just accused him of Laurel’s abduction and was eager to see Winconstin, that was a subtle sign. He couldn’t take that sort of risk. Tony was genuinely shocked, he wasn’t faking it or anything. All his mind went to Adonis and no one else, to think that Gina would do such a thing for her son was so sick. Gina was the first person to yell about the inheritance issue when she heard of him. Tony just realised why violent she could be, he didn’t think she’d be able to go this far. “I had no idea she was going to do it, although to be honest with you, it was my idea but I just said it, I had no plans to implement it. Remember when I called you to ask if we could have our wedding on the same day?” Tony nodded positively, his shock showed clearly in his expression.
“Know what? For God’s sake.” Gina yelled, she was extremely tired and frustrated with Adonis naive attitude, it was becoming too much that she was starting to regret she ever did anything to help him become the heir. “Tony knows I was the one who abducted Laurel, he knows, he’s on his way here, father wants to see us both. We’re doomed.” Adonis approached the bed, pulling his tie loose. Gina sat upright on the bed, she was wearing a nightgown even though it wasn’t night yet, she didn’t seem surprised or shocked with what Adonis just revealed. “Take a chill pill, Adonis. All he did was accuse you, hope you haven’t agreed to his accusations?” Gina said, wondering why her son got so scared when he was a man. “I didn’t agree with his accusations, but I also didn’t ask him for evidence, even if he doesn’t have it yet. It’s only a matter of time before he does. I do not want my life ruined, Gina.” Adonis was beaming with anger right beside his mother’s bed. “It’s a bluff, Adonis. He ha
Adonis stared at Tony, his eyes popping out from their sockets, Tony had found out, but he wasn’t ready to give himself up just like that, as he stared at Adonis in the silence, he thought of the best response to give. Tony waited for a response, the look in Adonis’s eyes told him he had caught him by the tail, he wouldn’t deny it now. Just when they were both looking at each other, Adonis’s phone rang, giving him some sort of relief. He answered the phone while still staring at Tony, and Walker’s voice blared from the other end. “Your father needs to see you now, it’s urgent.” “Okay, I’m on my way.” Adonis responded and kept the cell phone back in his inner pocket. “I do not know what you’re talking about, Tony. How in the world can you accuse me of adopting Laurel.” Adonis scoffed and stood, buttoned up his blazers and walked towards the exit of the restaurant. Tony didn’t say a word, he knew it was him; Adonis wasn’t really good at lying, maybe he thought he was. He allowed A
Adonis glanced around until his eyes fell on Tony sitting at the far end of the medium sized restaurant. He was dressed like Adonis with the suit and everything, even with the shades, anyone who saw him would know he was wealthy. Adonis also came in his lamborghini, even though Tony had one he hadn’t driven it for one day. He preferred the Mercedes, it was a classy car, not like Lilian’s own in any way. Adonis walked briskly to the table Tony was occupying, drawing attention to himself, everyone's eyes were on him until he sat down. “You sure attract a lot of attention,” Tony chuckled lightly, glancing around. The people who were staring had started to go back to their business. “I can’t help it, and please do not mention my name out loud.” Adonis smiled broadly. He was still wondering why Tony called this meeting, he knew it would be more than just asking questions about family. Something was up and he could feel it. But he didn’t allow the anxiousness show on his expression, “I
Tony felt so much relief hearing that name, he fell on his knees right where he stood, his guards were confused, they wanted to help him up but he waved them off. “She didn’t speak for too long before a man collected the phone and told us that she was safe and that we have absolutely nothing to worry about.” Freedman added, he heaved a sigh and waited for Tony’s response. Winconstin and the detective were right, it was all an empty threat but it didn’t seem like it was though, especially for him. “I’m so glad she’s alive, the uncertainty was getting on my nerves. Was it a private number?” Tony asked, although they wouldn’t make such a mistake. He stood up and walked slowly, now he knew where he should go. “It was. Who do you think is doing this, Tony? Does she have any friend that is so jealous of her? For what reason is she being held?” Freedman’s tone was changing into a frustrated one. The questions just kept coming. Now that he knew his daughter was alive and well, but was he
The phone didn’t ring for five seconds before Tony picked up the call, and Katerina was surprised. Was he expecting a call? She thought. “Hello Katerina, not now please, I’m in the middle of a big problem.” Tony sounded disappointed from the other end. “Lilian just put to bed, that’s why I’m calling, it’s a girl.” Katerina reported the news afraid that Tony might hang up, she wanted to ask him what was really going on. “Oh! I’m really happy, Katerina, I guess our deal still stands?” Tony’s voice went from disappointed to surprised.“Yes, it does, but I wanted to ask you, why Laurel?” Katerina questioned, that was the main reason he called him. She could have broken the news to him any time, not immediately after Lilian gave birth. “I can’t answer that now, Katerina. We would talk about this when this issue on ground is over. Take care.” Tony replied and hung up the phone. Katerina sighed, glanced around the open space of the hospital before walking back into the building. She w
Gina walked slowly into the room, she had come all the way from the city just to see Laurel. Since her abduction, she hadn’t seen her physically, just through videos and pictures. Gina Marcellus wasn’t a very popular woman despite being the wife of the most popular and wealthiest man in the city, this was because everybody seemed to centre their attention on Winconstin, even now that he was retired and hardly comes out, he was still very relevant. However, because she wasn’t very popular, it didn't mean Gina could take chances, she had disguised like a normal person. She wasn’t wearing any expensive dress or jewellry and she didn’t even wear makeup which was what the media would recognize. She wore a skinny black Jean and boots, with a black jacket also, inside the jacket was nothing more than a tank top. It was the perfect disguise for someone who wasn’t really popular, she was also putting on a face cap that was turned backwards like she was a gangster. Laurel moved to the edge o
Katerina was sitting at the dining table knitting baby clothes when she heard Lilian loud screams, it frightened the hell out of her, immediately making her heart start beating faster than usual. Katerina dropped the wool and knitting tool on the dining table and hurried to Lilian’s room. When she got there, Lilian was trying to sit upright on the bed while giving out sounds of pain. When Katerina saw her, she knew exactly what had happened and that was why she was here. But there was a problem, one she never thought of until this moment. Lilian never thought of it either or maybe it skipped her mind, Katerina couldn’t drive! “Calm down, Lily, breathe.” Katerina said, helping her down from the bed. Katerina flung Lilian’s right arm around her neck and held her by the waist as they walked slowly towards the door.They’d have to find a taxi, but it’d be harder at night. Katerina wished she had thought of that earlier. “We’d have to find a taxi, Lily. I can’t drive.” Katerina reveale