Isabella briskly walked into the company, her morning routine beginning with a sense of purpose. However, as she entered, Jessica hurriedly caught up with her, a look of urgency on her face. "Isabella, wait up! Your uncle is here, and he's waiting for you in your office," Jessica informed her. Isabella halted in her tracks, a deep sigh escaping her lips. "Since when has he been here?" she inquired, a mixture of concern and frustration evident in her voice."Only a few minutes ago. I tried calling you, but you weren't answering your phone. Is everything alright?" Jessica asked, a furrow forming on her brow. Isabella rolled her eyes and muttered, "Oh God, I need to handle him. I'll fill you in on the details when I'm done. Just know that Mama Christina is really getting on my nerves lately."Jessica, handing Isabella a cup of coffee, offered some words of comfort, "Take it easy, Isabella. You've got this." With a grateful nod, Isabella entered her office, ready to face the unexpected vi
As Isabella wrapped up her day at work, the looming pre-wedding party occupied her thoughts. She headed home, a mix of excitement and trepidation building within her. Upon entering, she found her mother in the living room enjoying a meal. Greeting her, Isabella couldn't help but sense a lingering concern in Eleanor's eyes. Eleanor set her utensils down, her attention fully on Isabella. "So, what have you concluded on?" she inquired.Isabella sighed, "Nothing for now. By the way, Uncle came by the company today to threaten me." Eleanor's expression shifted from curiosity to genuine concern. "Oh my goodness, Isabella! Do the needful. Don't let them take the company away from you. I know what he's capable of."Assuring her mother, Isabella replied, "Not to worry. I am going to meet with Ruben tonight at a party. We'll talk." Eleanor nodded, her worry easing a bit. "Okay, that's good. Just do whatever it takes. We can't have that devil replace you. We all know he wants to be in your posit
As the night air embraced the city, Alex cruised through the streets, attempting to reach Bambi by phone. Each call went unanswered, and his disappointment grew. Deciding to take matters into his own hands, he headed to Bar None, the place where Bambi mentioned stopping by.Upon arrival, the establishment was just beginning to open its doors. Alex stepped inside, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of Bambi. Approaching the bar, he inquired about her whereabouts. "Hey, have you seen Bambi?" he asked the bartender. The bartender shook his head, "Nah, mate. She hasn't been in yet."Disappointed but not deterred, Alex found an unoccupied seat and settled in. Pulling out his phone, he dialed Bambi's number once more, only to be greeted by her voicemail. Frustrated, he left a message expressing his desire to see her.As Bambi slipped into the bar, the doorbell chimed softly behind her. She caught sight of Alex seated at a corner table, a half-smile playing on his lips. "Hey, you're her
As the glass doors swung open, revealing the opulent hall adorned with cascading flowers and ambient lighting, Bambi couldn't help but be captivated. "So it's like this? Wow," she whispered, her eyes wandering across the elegantly arranged tables and the dance floor beyond. Alex, pleased with her reaction, grinned and extended his arm. "Shall we?" he proposed, guiding her through the lively crowd towards their designated seats, adorned with name tags.Bambi settled into her seat, her gaze still lingering on the lavish surroundings. "So, whose event is this?" she inquired. "It's the Harringtons," Alex replied, a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "They've been family friends for a really long time, even before my father passed. I used to date their daughter in my school days, before I met my ex-wife."Bambi's eyebrows lifted in surprise, "So we're at your ex's wedding or pre-wedding?" Alex chuckled, "Oh no, she got married many years ago, with kids now." "Oh... plot twist," Bambi mused, p
Amidst the lively atmosphere of the pre-wedding celebration, Alex skillfully navigated the sea of guests until he spotted Mr. Harrington and his wife engaged in conversation. Mr. Harrington, catching sight of Alex, greeted him with a playful remark, "Oh, look who the cat dragged in, if it isn't the prodigal son himself."Alex chuckled warmly, "Good evening, Rich and Tonia. Beautiful event." Tonia, with a smile that echoed the years of their acquaintance, said, "Hey, Alex. How are you? It's been ages." "I know," Alex replied, "It's good to see you too." Tonia, ever inquisitive, leaned in a bit, "How's Grace? How's she holding up? I can see she's not here."Rich interjected with a hearty laugh, "Oh, if she was here, this party would be noisy." They all shared a moment of laughter before Alex reassured them, "My mother is fine, and she said she called you guys that I'll be coming instead." Rich nodded, "Right, right. Umm... come with me to my office, let's go." "Okay," Alex agreed. They
As Alex attempted to return to his seat, Tonia, Rich's wife, caught his eye and waved him over. "Alex, come here. I want you to meet Grace's friends at the table," she beckoned with a warm smile. Alex obliged and made his way to the table where Tonia was seated with his mother's friends. Tonia gestured to the group of ladies and said, "Ladies, meet Grace's son, Alex."The reception among the ladies varied. Some greeted him with genuine warmth, offering congratulations and expressing delight at meeting Grace's son. However, there were a few who couldn't resist making snide comments. One of them, a woman with a judgmental expression, muttered under her breath, "Well, I hope he's more responsible than his father."Another, with a tone dripping with sarcasm, said, "Oh, how nice of you to join us. Grace's son, right? We've heard so much about you." Undeterred by the less-than-warm reception, Alex maintained his composure and greeted everyone with a polite nod and a charming smile. "It's a
The car hummed along the quiet streets, the rhythmic sounds of tires against asphalt filling the awkward silence between Alex and Bambi. The streetlights cast fleeting shadows across their faces as they navigated the dimly lit roads.Bambi broke the silence, her voice carrying a mix of confusion and disbelief, "What was that? That was awkward as fuck!"Alex sighed, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "I'm really sorry about all of that, Bambi."Bambi leaned back in her seat, eyes fixed on the passing scenery. "I just need to know, who was that Layla woman, and why is she weird around Isabella?"Alex hesitated, then confessed, "You know Isabella?"Bambi nodded, "Yeah, she was nice to me, and she's kinda popular, so I know her.""Right," Alex muttered, "Well, that was my ex-wife."Bambi's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Isabella? You're kidding, right?""I'm telling the truth," Alex replied, his eyes focused on the road ahead.Bambi processed the revelation, her thoughts racing
As the night at the event unfolded, Isabella and Ruben found themselves preparing to make their exit. Ruben turned to Layla and Elvin, offering a polite excuse, "Well, we better go."Isabella nodded in agreement, adding, "Yes, we should."Layla, wearing a sly smile, intercepted their departure with a question, "Oh, you are leaving too?"Ruben, maintaining his composure, replied, "I'm afraid we have to, ma'am. I'm sorry."Elvin, sensing a shift in the atmosphere, chimed in, "So, we should reschedule another meeting then. I'll give you a call."Ruben nodded graciously, "You should. Thanks. And beautiful event."Isabella exchanged pleasantries with Layla, "Thank you."With that, Isabella and Ruben gracefully exited the scene, leaving Layla and Elvin standing amidst the remnants of the event's glamour.Curiosity tinged Elvin's voice, "What was that about?"Layla, her eyes glinting with a knowing spark, responded cryptically, "Oh, my dear, that was everything I need to know. I'll give you