2024-08-07 17:52:38Kevin nodded once and took the card from Mia.
Mia moved towards the front door. She actually thought Kevin was going to refuse her order.
But then he could be dumb but not that dumb. He was supposed to know that she was very busy which was why she had to ask him to do it.
Besides, Kevin doesn't do anything else in the house. And she pays his bills, provides shelter and even feeds him. This was the least he could do for her.
Kevin pocketed the card and walked out of the villa as well without any word.
He flagged down a taxi. “Phoenix Plaza!”
The driver nodded once and Kevin got inside the car. He couldn't wait to see Alessia again.
A smile was on his face as the car pulled off in front of the plaza. He got down and handed over some wads of notes to the driver.
He hesitated briefly before he walked inside. He stopped almost immediately, in the lobby when he saw Alessia standing with some men and women in expensive suits.
He didn't expect to see Alessia amidst many people. He thought he would be able to see her alone.
He glanced at his clothes and concluded instantly that he would see Alessia some other time.
But before he could turn away, Alessia already saw him. Their gaze held and locked for a moment.
Alessia teared up. She couldn't believe her eyes. That she could finally be looking at Lord Phoenix after so long.
She unconsciously took a step closer, placed her hands together in front of her, and started to go down. She was going to kneel and chant for Kevin's name. After all, he owns Phoenix Plaza and he should be known by all and sundry that he was back!
Kevin saw what she was about to do. He rushed forward and stopped her before she would kneel. He pulled her into a hug immediately, shocking Alessia for a moment because she wasn't expecting it.
Everyone around stared at them, shocked. Then comments flew in from different directions.
The workers’ eyes widened in shock.
“This has never happened before.”
“Who is that man?”
“Why is she hugging him?”
“Whoever he is. He must be very important to her because Alessia barely feels anything. She's not at all emotional.”
“She doesn't even have a love interest.”
“B_boss,” Alessia stammered. She didn't know what to do at first. The boss was hugging her and that was so strange.
It was the first time it would happen and eventhough she wanted just that, she dared not propose it.
Kevin patted her back slightly, unconcerned. “I can't reveal my identity yet, Alessia. Not here, not now. I don't want anyone to know that Phoenix is still alive,” he whispered into her ears.
Alessia nodded once in understanding and Kevin pulled back.
Her face changed drastically. She knew that she had made a very big mistake. She would have spoilt the plan if Kevin hadn't hugged her sooner.
She turned to look at the faces of the people who were staring back at her with skeptical expressions. They were waiting for her to talk, to let them in on what was happening because Alessia had never been in that kind of position. She has always been strict and maybe harsh most of the time.
And it has never even been rumoured that she had a boyfriend.
Alessia cleared her throat meaningfully. “So, everyone, I want you to meet my boyfriend, Kevin,” she announced.
Everyone's expression went weird as they regarded Kevin for a moment. They were not expecting it at all. They were there for something else. They were the executives of Phoenix Group anyway.
“Really?” One of the men, Mr Jude said suddenly, with a wide smile on his face. “So nice to meet you, Mr Kevin,” he said happily.
“Yes! I must say I'm really shocked. I never expected to see the boyfriend of our pretty and hardworking CEO. It's nice meeting you,” Mr Oscar smiled.
Kevin smiled, flabbergasted but Alessia was shy. She couldn't imagine what she had just said. She just made everything more awkward and she hoped Kevin wasn't upset with her about it.
“Yes! I'm happy for you, Miss Alessia,” Mrs Cynthia congratulated her.
Alessia nodded once, with a wide smile on her face. “I need to attend to something. I will speak to you all later,” he excused herself and led Kevin inside the elevator.
The executives were still smiling and chatting happily before Alessia and Kevin were out of sight.
“I thought I was going to meet you alone,” Kevin said suddenly as the elevator ascended.
“I'm sorry Boss. I_” she started but the elevator opened. “Please, let's go to my office. We can talk better there,” she explained and stepped out.
Kevin nodded once and followed her. They entered the spacious office of Alessia.
She closed the door and knelt in front of Kevin. “I'm so sorry boss! I thought I should reveal your identity to everyone which was why I called the executives over but I'm so sorry. Because I almost put you in another disaster.”
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Kevin moved closer to her slowly.“I deserve to die, boss!” Alessia muttered, with her head bowed.Kevin ignored her words and gently pulled her up. “If I kill you, where do I get a new general Tiger, Little cat?” He teased.Alessia smiled softly and Kevin could remember the last time he had seen her smile. That was a year ago, just before the accident happened.He was on his way to Penia City in his private ship when he was ambushed. Kevin was asleep when he heard noises. When he walked out of his room, corpses were lying on the floor. Kevin was caught off guard. He rushed inside to grab his gun but even with that, he was suddenly feeling dizzy and his head hurt so much.Before he could say more, some men in black rushed out with guns in their hands.One of them fired a shot almost immediately but the ship moved to a side suddenly, making them miss their target.Kevin used the opportunity to shoot one of them and rush over to the ship’s Bridge. The helmsman was dead!He doesn't even
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Alessia thought for a moment and a smile evaded her face. “I think I might have a good gift.”“Really?”Alessia nodded slightly and moved away. She moved to her bar and retrieved a bottle of wine.“This is the best gift,” she announced with a wide smile.Kevin moved closer and took the bottle of wine from her.“This is Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tache. It's one of the most expensive wines in the world. It costs over 200k dollars. If you give this as a gift to anyone, they will surely be happy and grateful about it.”Kevin nodded several times “This is the best gift. Thank you so much, Alessia.”Alessia reciprocated his smile. “Anytime, boss. Though, I think we still have a lot to catch up to.”Kevin nodded in agreement. “Sure, and there is plenty of time to do that. But I better leave now.”“Alright.”Alessia watched him until he was out of the office. She was more than happy and she would like if not anything, to show Lionel that he was wrong and Phoenix was alive but they were g
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Mia’s face turned pale, she didn’t expect Kevin would screw up. She saw the look on Mrs Perry's face and knew instantly that she was enraged. That was the last thing she wanted.She got up and hurried to stand in front of Mrs Perry. “Grandmother, please. Don't be offended!” She apologized with a trembling voice.It looked like everyone was against her already. If her grandmother get disappointed at her, it would be disastrous. Mendy laughed. At first, he thought it was true. He recognized Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tache immediately. His eyes went wide with shock when Kevin revealed it. It was the most expensive wine in the world but there was no way someone like Kevin would have it. It's just not possible unless it's truly fake like Mrs Perry has said.No, he was certain. Kevin was poor! Mrs Perry has a dark frown on her face. She was still fuming. “How dare you! How could you think so low of me!” She growled. She couldn't believe that her son-in-law would disgrace her like tha
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The response got Mrs Perry super furious. She couldn't quite contain the anger building up inside her. She looked at Kevin with hatred emanating from her eyes. “You are so shameless! How dare you make the whole Perry family awkward! How dare you as the son-in-law of this family!”Mia was so awkward. She couldn't confidently look at her cousins. She felt embarrassed. Yet, she turned to Kevin, brimming fire.“What do you think you are doing, Kevin?” She yelled at him instead. “When will you stop making trouble here? What is wrong with you!” She scolded him.Mendy laughed, feeling pleased with himself. He was so happy that Kevin was helping him with his plan.He decided to further make use of the opportunity.“In fact,” Mendy said suddenly, turning attention back to him. “I know the senior manager of Phoenix Group and well, he can also help the Perry family to cooperate with them. But then, that wouldn't work if they knew the son-in-law of the Perry family had offended the owner of the P
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How did Phoenix Group hear of Mrs Perry's birthday party?Everyone was shocked.The man cleared his throat meaningfully when no one replied to him. “Sorry, may I know who Mrs Perry is?” He asked again as everyone was too shocked to say a word.Phoenix Group is one of the most important and influential groups in Falcone state. Sending gifts to someone like Perry's family was considered a high honour.“She's our grandmother!” Morris said quickly.Mrs Perry moved forward, with a wide smile on her face. “I am. Did you say you are from Miss Alessia Anderson?”The man nodded once. “Yes ma’am. And here is what she has for you_”Just as he said this, four men walked inside carrying one or two things. They walked to Mrs Perry and started presenting the gifts to her.Mrs Perry took the first gift with a sudden gasp. “Is this Chinese Famille-Rose Baluster Vase?”The man nodded with a smile. “Very well, ma’am.”Mrs Perry couldn't believe it. She ran her fingers around the vase. She had seen a pic
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Henry moved closer to be able to see the wine very well.He made a nod of his head. “There's no way I will be mistaken.”“Are you sure?” Mrs Perry probed further.Henry nodded again. “I mean this wine is definitely from the CEO. There's no way it will be a fake. She got it at the auction,” He explained further.Mrs Perry was confused for a moment. She looked at Kevin. Could that be right? If the wine was really real, then Kevin got such an expensive wine for her birthday. And that's all that matters!“How hard did you work to have been able to afford this wine?” She asked because she didn't believe that Kevin was truly Alessia's friend. The thought of it made her laugh.Mia looked at Kevin, shocked. “Is that true? The wine is real and you are really a friend of the CEO?”Even though she found it hard to believe, little facts were staring right at them.Kevin felt it was ridiculous and couldn't answer. Mia chose to believe everything she heard from people and not him. There was no poin
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Amidst the jubilation, Morris and Mendy couldn't discuss. But Morris was constantly looking at him.Morris could see that Mendy was angry and he knew what that would be for him. He needed to pacify him.“Grandmother! Don't you think Mr Mendy should be invited to the party as well?” Morris said suddenly.“That's right!” One of Mia's cousins, Rosaline added quickly. “Mr Mendy should really be invited,” she said teasingly.“Yes, he's not like some useless son-in-law!” Another supported.“Yes, mother. I also think he should be invited,” Morris' father, Philip said eventually. He had been quiet since the party started.Mia groaned inwardly. She could not talk. She felt even more embarrassed. Mrs Perry nodded once. “That's right. Mr Mendy Karim is invited to the business party that will come up in two days,” she announced.Morris nodded happily and looked at Mendy.“Thank you so much, Mrs Perry,” Mendy responded, with a sly smile. He couldn't stop thinking of how Kevin could have gotten
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Kevin woke up earlier and walked back to the room. He knocked several times and when Mia didn't respond, he pushed the door open.“What do you think you are doing here?” Mia's cold voice boomed suddenly.She was at the dressing table, applying makeup on her face.“Good morning, i_”“You didn't answer my question,” she cut in harshly. Her voice was not only cold but brutal. Kevin could hear the hatred emanating from it.Kevin released a sigh. “I want to use the bathroom. You didn't let me sleep here last night. Should I not wash this morning?”Mia scoffed. “Why should I be concerned if you wash or not? You don't even have a job you resume every morning,” she turned to look at Kevin. “Your only job was to be the best husband.”Kevin released a sigh of frustration. Not again! He had no strength to pursue it.“You should be ready to apologize to my grandmother.”“And why should I do that? Mr Henry confirmed that the wine was indeed authentic. What should I be apologizing for?”Mia scoffed
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Kevin immediately dialled Lionel's number. As the call went through, he mused on what Anthony aimed to achieve by wanting to secure invites for his family.What exactly was his aim in wanting to attend the party? Connection or foul play?Perhaps he was hoping he'd see the Phoenix and have a chat with him about the Print Odd company? Obviously.One other was sure, though; he thought he could get into the party through Lionel, cause chaos, or plant it for the future. Either way, he had no idea that he'd be the one making the decision of who gets to attend and who doesn't. Of course, he doesn't know. He'd never have thought of it even in a million years.And now that he'd seen it, there was no way he'd allow his plan to work.He glanced down at his phone and realised it had ended without a response.He frowned. That was unlike Lionel. He picks up his calls on the first couple of rings. Kevin picked up his phone, about to redial the number when Lionel's call came through.“Hello, boss. I'
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Alessia hummed a song as she parked her car before Kevin's apartment. She was delighted to see him again after his trip to Landary Province.She put on a pair of sunglasses before she stepped out of her car. Then she began the walk up to his door. She stood by the door and rasped her knuckles on it.“Yes?”She heard Kevin's voice come to her, distracted.She assumed that he was working but wondered why the maid was not the one answering her."It's Alessia,” she called out."Coming,” she heard him murmur. A few seconds later, the door was pulled open.Alessia smiled at Kevin, her gaze briefly taking him in. A loose blue t-shirt and joggers with an apron on. "Good morning, boss.” She grinned as she stepped inside, eyeing his apron."Morning, Alessia," Kevin answered, closing the door behind him. “How're you?”“I'm fine,” she dragged the words, an amused frown forming on her brows. “Are you cooking?"He nodded. “Jake and I are trying to fix ourselves a breakfast.”Alessia couldn't keep
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Howard nodded, unable to hide his grin. “You’re right.”“Where are we going?”“It's a surprise."Lisa's lips slowly spread into a bigger smile. “A surprise?""Yes, Sweetheart.”She looked out the window, surveying the environment. "Where-”"We're here,” Howard announced as he parked the car before Kevin's apartment.“Where's this?"“Uncle Kevin's place," Howard grinned.Lisa's eyes widened as she slammed her palm on her mouth. She looked at the house ahead. “Dad!" She grinned. “Are you serious?"Howard smiled. “Yes, Lisa. Come on, let's go say hi. Yesterday when I was speaking with him, he asked about you and said he'd like to see you. I decided to keep it to myself and make it a surprise.”She beamed. “This is a pleasant surprise, no doubt. But you should have told me. I'd have made cookies for him. He likes them.”"I know he does. But you don't have the time. You'll need to return soon and get your homework done. I'm sure he won't want you to go through all that stress just for him.
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Lisa chewed the cap of her pen as she stared at the arithmetic question before her. “Why is this one giving me such a tough time?” She muttered to herself, her brows tightly knitted as she dragged two slant lines across the work she just solved wrong.She glanced at her dad. He was still on another of his long work calls, so she couldn't go to him. Besides, he already explained the steps to her.She tapped her pen against her lips, eyes squinted at the question in the book.“Maybe I need a break.""Lisa! Dinner's ready,” her mom called out.“Yes!” She threw her hands in the air. "Just the break I needed.” She beamed as she closed her book. She left her study room and raced to the dining room.“Mom, what did you make?" Her gaze fell on the dining table, and she didn't wait for her mother to answer her question. She gasped. “Spaghetti bolognese!" She hugged her mom, “You're the best, mom!" Her mother hugged her back."Okay, boss. I'll take note of that,” Howard told Kevin.“I don't mea
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“That professor is so hot,” Sue's friend said as she stepped out of the classroom, turning around to face Sue, who also just stepped out. The friend fanned her face, then let out a sigh of longing. “I didn't want the class to end." Sue, Mia's cousin, rolled her eyes at her friend. “Not as hot as my Silas, though."Her friend also rolled her eyes. "Please. Trust me, if Silas happened to be bald, he wouldn't be as handsome as the professor.”"Well, he doesn’t happen to be bald, and he's the most gorgeous!” Sue beamed.Their other friend caught up to them. She clapped her hands as she forced herself in between them.“You two were so busy talking about how hot your professor is that you missed the assignment he gave."The first friend frowned and turned to the second friend. “He gave an assignment?”She bobbed her head. "Yep. He scribbled on the board that we'd receive the question in our emails and everyone will defend their answers.”Sue let out a groan. "What's this? Fifth grade?”"Do
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Mia was stunned. She had always pegged Kevin to be an ingrate. Especially since he tended to behave like one. It was why she always made a note to let him know that if it wasn't for her, he wouldn't be alive. Now, she felt a tad bit guilty about it.Looking at him now, he looked so sincere; he looked like he meant every one of the words he just uttered.She forgot about all the lies he had told her; she forgot about the times she thought he had been ungrateful and let her lips curl into a small smile.She placed her fork on the table and looked up. She opened her mouth to speak, but she was unable to get her words out before her phone beeped in her bag.“Excuse me," she muttered as she looked down. When she opened her bag, her screen had lit up, and the light illuminated the dark space. She grabbed the phone and brought it out.A scowl appeared on her face when she saw that it was a text from Morris. It was rare. Curious, her fingers glided across her screen as she opened the message.
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Mia gaped at him. She was stuck between hissing and bursting out into a fit of laughter.“How?" She let out a laugh, her voice shaky from the laugh she held back.“What do you mean, how?” Kevin enquired, trying to read Mia's expression. The shock he had expected was there, the disbelief was also there; what he hadn't expected was the calm.Mia's gaze roamed Kevin's eyes. He had always thought Kevin was weird, really. Else, why would he lie to her and still look her straight in the eyes? She regarded him for a while, her eyes going from his face to his shirt. “It's not possible," she said with so much certainty. Then, she scoffed. “How can you be Lord Phoenix? Even Alessia, who took over the company, will never try to impersonate him." Kevin said nothing. And Mia became more baffled. How on Earth did he even think she'd believe such a dumb lie?A dry laugh escaped her lips. “You cannot be Lord Phoenix, Kevin. There's no way.”“You sound so sure," Kevin finally spoke up. "Why?”“Lord
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Kevin was taken aback. He had heard that Mia didn't remember anything about her abduction. Kevin decided to play dumb. Maybe that was what she had also done when she said she didn't remember. “Why will you ask me that?" Mia looked Kevin in the eyes. He didn't even bat an eye at the question.And for the first time, she wondered if he was in on the abduction. But then, what would he gain? And from what she remembered of the abduction, Anthony didn't sound like he was on good terms with Kevin.She leaned forward and rested her elbow on the table. “Who—"“Your meals are ready, ma'am."Mia straightened up at the attendant's voice. There were two of them, each holding a filled tray in his hand. One for her, the other for Kevin.“Thank you," Mia beamed.The three meals were a minuscule amount of food in the centre of the plates with leaves on the sides. Food and leaves that neither Kevin nor Mia cared to know what they were.They both picked up their cutleries after the attendants left, bu
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“Hello? Ma'am? Is that you?"Mia crossed her free hand across her chest. “Oh, so you still remember me.""It's not what you think, ma'am. We've been trying to reach you for days, but it was all to no avail. And there was no one else we could call. Besides, it wasn't like we could pass the information we had to someone else.”Mia realised that they must have tried to reach her when she was abducted. But then, what about the time before she went missing? She hadn't heard from them since she told them to find out more about the Lisa girl.But she decided to let it slide. It was enough that they had information.“What did you find out about his relationship with the girl?" She enquired, lowering her voice as her gaze dashed to the closed door to her room.He cleared his throat. “The man we've been tailing is currently out of the country." Mia rolled her eyes. "I know that. Go straight to the response to my question.”"He is known as Lisa's guardian. Some said he is her uncle. But the maj
