"If that is a joke, it's a very expensive one." Olivia said, arching her brows at Van. "If you're going to tell a lie, then at least try to find one that's easy to believe. Do you even have any idea who Eric Mochi is?""She's right Van." Tony said. "Allow me to explain, we all know about some people that are billionaires, wealthy people who are respected by the society, but the Mochis are different. Eric Mochi is a fifth generation billionaire, it's like their family has been rich since the dawn of time. From what I heard, they started with a small factory and that business has been growing since the 1900s up till today. It had been passed down the generation for years and now Eric Mochi is the one in charge. Apparently he's one of the very few business owners to have friendly relationship with the president, and other ministers.Getting an appointment at his company is almost impossible, much less getting him to see you personally.""Oh?" Van could tell quite easily that Eric was a
There was a dark look in Van's eyes as he uttered those words and Blanche was almost drowned in a sea of fear. "W-What on earth are you talking about? Who are you to talk about punishing others for their sins?!" She tried to sound as dominant as she did before but her voice was wavering. Regardless of his faded old outfit, Van was different than the person she knew five years ago. Back then, they spoke however they pleased to him and he didn't dare to so much as look them in the eyes, much less talk back at them. That was one of the reasons she didn't mind her daughter getting narried to him, she wanted to have a son in law she could control. He was much different now. But she believed he was still under her in terms of wealth so it gave her the courage to keep going. "You pulled the short straw by being poor and you don't have anyone to blame for that. Tell me, how exactly are you going to punish us? With more of your empty threats?"Just then, Bianca showed up with Moses by her
"Go on, beg for it. Isn't that what you came here for? It must be that the money is important to you right? Maybe that mother of yours is ill? Or you have an outstanding debt? I'll take care of everything. All you gotta do, is drop to your pathetic knees and ask." Moses felt like he was taunting Van with his statement but the latter couldn't even be bothered. He watched calmly as Moses kept poking at him with money issues, asking if he needed rent or if his family was just starving. Next to him, Bianca was totally enjoying it. The look on her face showed that she wanted nothing more than to see him humiliated and it left Van to wonder if she truly loved him during their years of courtship. He understood the fact that couples dated and broke up all the time, it wasn't anything special. But if their life for each other was genuine, they would never be able to stand by and watch the other be in a difficult position. "What is going on here? I don't like having a large group in the hall
Van was a frail, gentle man with a kind heart, and that was one of the reasons she chose to date him in the first place. She felt that when they married, she would be able to control him however she pleased, and for the time they spent together, she could. Van never raised his voice at her, nor did he ever question her decisions or request, whatever she said was always final. But there he was now, sending chills down her spine with just a single look. "All this is because of the money right? That's all you want. If I give it to you, you're going to leave." Bianca didn't know why but she was getting more scared by his presence. "Though I can't believe you'd actually have the guts to demand any money from me. Shouldn't you have forgotten about it? I mean how else am I supposed to get compensation for my wasted time?""Wasted time? I practically lived for you during our years of courtship, but you lied to me, cheated on me, and even went as far as to almost ruin my life. And you dare o
"Babe, you never told me you had a sister." Bianca said, staring from Ivy to Moses. "Oh, so you're the illegitimate child my father had with that prostitute. You have some nerves showing your stupid face in front of me. Didn't I tell you that I'd kill you the next time I set my eyes on you?""And here I thought you would have grown out of that little delusional bubble in your head but I guess I was wrong. You're still as stupid as ever.""Why you-?""What the hell is going on Moses? You have a sister?"Richard Wilson was the CEO of the Emigrand group and he was happily married to Rachel Wilson. They had a son, Moses, and to everyone they were the perfect family. Three years after Moses was born, Richard started seeing someone else, a model. Cori Aldrich was a model known both locally and internationally for her beauty and charm. She even won the title of the sexiest woman of the year for four years in a row. Every man was interested in going out with her but she only chose the best
"So I'm a father," Van had been repeating the same thing over and over again, still finding it difficult to believe. "I am a father!" More than the shock he felt, Van was surprised to find that he was oddly pleased by it as well. He had never imagined that something like that could happen to him, he couldn't believe that such magnificent blessings would fall on him when he least expected it. If he was ever going to have a child, van believed it would be with Bianca, since that was the wonan he had chosen to spend the rest of his life with, and he was loyal to her during their years of courtship. If he hadn't gotten in that fight with Bianca, he would have never ended up at the bar, his one night stand with Ivy would have never happened, and he would have never gotten the privilege to be called fhe father of someone. Although it had never been his intention to cheat on Bianca, but Van was glad it was with a woman like Ivy. She had this aura of toughness around her, and she also see
"I initially came here because I had a lunch appointment with a new friend I made, but I'm already too late and I doubt he would still be here. But just in case, why don't I check if he is and if he's not, we can go back to your place.""Okay, but how do you plan on dealing with this mess?" Ivy asked, gesturing at Moses and Bianca. Van sighed and turned his attention back to Moses. "Listen, I have been standing here for way too long and if you don't mind, I'd like to go home."Moses scoffed at his statement. "Do you think this is some kind of joke?! In case you're not aware, you're in a serious trouble here. Not only did you ruin our friend's birthday party and constituted nonsense in such a prestigious hotel, you also threatened me and my fiancee. Do you really think I'm going to let it go?!""He must really think you're joking." Bianca was trying to support Moses but the truth was, she was feeling sad. And as much as she hated to admit it, she felt that way because of Van. He was
After the commotion died down, Van and Ivy left the hotel but rather than going right back to her place, they went to a nearby restaurant to talk. "First of all Ivy, let me apologize for all that transpired between us. Normally, I'm not the type of guy that would do anything to hurt a woman and honestly, asides from Bianca, you're the only other woman I've ever been with. I'm not trying to praise myself or anything, I just want you to know that I'm not a bad person.""Yeah, I hink I know that now." Ivy didn't want to admit it but Van felt like the perfect father figure for her kids. In fact, she was almost glad to have someone like him as their father. "Not to be rude or anything but you need a change of outfit. I wouldn't want our kids to see you wearing that."When she said 'our kids' rather than 'my kids', Van felt a warmness in his heart. He was a father, for real. It wasn't a joke or a prank, he really was a father. It was overwhelming but at the same time…pleasant. "Yeah, I fi
"What?!""I know, it's a big deal. Jasper said he doesn't like the fact that he has to ask me for money whenever he needs it, so I thought, 'why not operate on a joint account?' that way, he wouldn't have to ask me when he needs money.""Wait, I don't understand. Why does he ask you for money?""I already told you, his parents are trying to teach him a lesson on discipline, they're not giving him enough money. I really think that's stupid by the way. Why restrict your son's account just because you want to teach him something?"Ivy had to act fast, if they opened a joint account, there would be no stopping him from taking all her money, and he'd just disappear. But she couldn't come out and say something like that without proof. "Macy, let's tell Van." If Van was aware, she would be able to tell him her worries about Jasper, and he might be able to help. "What? No. Ivy, you promised.""No Macy, hear me out. If I tell Van, I know how I'm going to convince him so he'll be on your side
Van had to take a moment to understand what Ivy meant by her statement. "No." He said firmly. "Ivy, I made a mistake, I know I did. But you can't break up with me, not because of this. I am sorry, I was an asshole, I should have talked to you, I should have told you the truth, I don't know why I didn't. But I swear to you, there is absolutely nothing between us.""Van, that still isn't a clear answer.""Okay, you're right. Look, I met her at the grocery store and she helped me pick the milk when I told you I'd go shopping that day, and when she tried to ask for my number, I clearly told her that I was married and didn't want anything to do with her. But I don't know if she's trailing me but I've been running into her almost everywhere. Honestly, it's tiring. I am so sorry I didn't say anything when you asked. I should have told you about her right from the first day, I just never thought she would be a persistent problem.""So she's just another Chris?""Yeah, I guess.""Van, I'm sor
Ivy had been gone for more than an hour, and Van was starting to get worried. He didn't like the fact that she was alone outside when that pervert was probably still looking for her. The fact that they fought also didn't help in putting his mind at rest. He decided that he was going to go and look for her. He should have just told her the truth when she asked about Cynthia earlier. Van wasn't cheating on Ivy, and he didn't have the intention of ever doing so, he just didn't know why he was so hesitant to tell her about it. He grabbed his coat and went outside but he was shocked to find Cynthia seated on the porch. "You, again? What the hell do you want from me?" He questioned angrily. "I thought I already made myself clear when I said I wanted nothing to do with you.""Relax tough guy, I'm not here to seduce you or anything. Just think of me as a friend for now." She smiled, rising to her feet. "What do you want?""Here." She handed him her phone. Van was reluctant to take it at
Ivy frowned but she didn't say anything else because the bus had arrived, and it would only be pointless and embarrassing to fight on the bus. The ride home was quiet and it felt longer than it should be. Ivy knew something was up, Van would never get so worked up over nothing. She wasn't trying to insinuate that he was cheating on her or anything like that, she just wanted to know what happened between he and that lady. The rest of the day was ruined for Ivy and she couldn't even eat. Van didn't say a word to her, and she didn't bother to ask him anymore. The silence in the house was killing her, and she desperately needed to clear her head. "Where are you going?" Van demanded as she walked towards the entrance. "Nowhere." She replied without looking at him. "Ivy, about what happened this morning –""It's nothing right? That's what you said, isn't it? Yeah, I've heard." She slammed the door as she walked out. The night was fast approaching so Ivy didn't want to venture too far
Ivy could barely sleep all through the night, Jasper's words still echoed in her head. What bothered her more was the fact that he was right. Macy was so in love with him that she would believe what ever he said in a heartbeat. To say something like that and expect Macy to believe her, Ivy would need proof. "Hey you," Van kissed her forehead. "How was your night?""It was good." She hated lying to Van, but it was Macy's wish to do so, so she had no choice. "Where did you run off to so early in the morning?""I went for a little run. Just needed to stretch my limbs for a while." He had met Cynthia again, and Van was convinced that she was spying on him. He just wished he had a way to permanently shake her off. "Are you okay?" It seemed like something was bothering him, but anytime Ivy asked what it was, he would just smile and say it was nothing. "I'm okay." He smiled. "You know you can tell me anything, right?""Of course. And I will, if anything happens.""Okay. So what are we do
"Well hello Mr 'I'm a married man', what are you doing out here on this fine day? Shouldn't you be at home snuggling with your wife?"Van had noticed Cynthia about five minutes earlier but he intentionally ignored her, walking off in the opposite direction to avoid her talking to him. "Hi." He said without looking at her. "What's wrong? You look worried. Wanna talk about it?""I'm fine. I should go." Van started to walk away but Cynthia ran to his front, blocking his path. "Listen to me, I don't know why you're doing this, but I assure you, I'm not a bad person." Her smile was still on her face but her cheery voice was sounding more forced, like she was trying not to get angry, or to show that she was already angry. "I never said you were. Now, may I go?""Oh come on, you don't have to be so difficult. There really is nothing wrong in you making friends. It's not like I'm asking you to chase away your wife or anything.""How did you know I'd be here?""What?" She looked shocked by
"Ivy, are you free today?"Macy told Ivy that she would arrive in Hawaii the day before, but her flight was delayed so it took another day. "Hmm I'll have to think of what to tell Van, but, I guess I could try.""Think of what to say? Since when do you need permission from Van to leave the house?""It's… complicated. Don't worry, if I'm able to convince Van, I'll fill you in on all the details.""Okay, I'll text you the address.""Alright." She hung up and let out a sigh, the whole 'Macy mystery' was still bothering her. "Who was that?"Ivy jumped as she heard Van's voice, she didn't know when he walked in. "It was no one, just a friend." She lied. "Okay well, I need to go out for a while." He said, grabbing his coat from the closet. "Oh? Where are you going?""Boyd asked me to meet him at the beach, he said there was something he wanted to talk about.""I didn't know you and Boyd were that close.""We're not. I just want to hear what he has to say, plus, it'll be rude to just igno
"Hey Ivy, where exactly are you in Hawaii?""Uh in a small town, uh Kailua Kona, I think." When Van first told her about the place, she was surprised as to how he even knew about it in the first place. He said he chose it because it was rich in Hawaiian culture and history. Then they had the best stores and restaurants. "Okay," Macy replied. "I'll stay somewhere close by, so it'll be easy for you to come to me. Let me know where you're staying so I can make living preparations too.""Uh Macy, what exactly is going on?" The mystery was making Ivy crazy. She wanted to know what the issue was, and Macy was seriously avoiding that topic. "I already told you, it's not something we can discuss on the phone. We'll be there today, and we can talk better then.""Okay, wait today?!" When she said she wanted to fly over, Ivy never expected it to be so quickly. And did she say we? "Wait Macy, aren't you the only one coming? You said we.""Like I said earlier, we'll talk when we land."She said
Van couldn't believe what he was hearing. How dare he boldly say such a thing to him?"You know you have some nerves, my wife is not an object you can just buy." His voice had an edgy tone to it. "Everybody has a price, Van. Just name yours, and I'm ready to pay."Van felt his blood rising and he had the overwhelming urge to punch him in the face, multiple times. He was about to say something else when he felt Ivy's touch. Ivy knew what was likely to happen next if she didn't do anything. She grabbed hold of Van's arm, keeping him from doing anything rash. "Let's just go, Van."He glared at Chris for a second before turning to face Ivy. "Yeah, let's just go."They had started to walk away when he spoke up again. "Just know this, Van, Chris Efron wants that lovely lady, and Chris Efron always gets what he wants."★★★Van had been pacing for almost ten minutes, and he wouldn't calm down no matter what Ivy said. "Really Van, don't get yourself worked worked up over nothing.""Over noth