With an alarmed look on her face, Vina plopped on the couch next to him as she leaned forward. “What are you talking about?” She asked her heart, ramming against her chest as she darted her eyes around, hoping it shouldn't be what she was thinking. “They suddenly barged in, I had no prior information of their presence.” He exhaled as Vina peered at him, waiting for him to spill what she wanted to hear. “You know I trust my instincts so well, I had to send the documents to you this morning. They didn't find anything on me, I'm grateful for that.” He muttered while she sighed in relief. “By the way, I have a bit of explanation concerning the content of those documents.” When she didn't respond, he asked, “Were they here too?” “Yes.” She nodded, the look on his face going sour. Vina didn't need anyone to tell her Karl was scared, the look on his face was enough and it was as if he was going to pass out the next second. Feigning to have really flopped, she bent her head and then be
Armed with evidence which was enough to put an end to Vina Leighton and Karl Smith's streak, Jonathan called for a general meeting of all staff in the mall. From the lowly janitor to the manager, they all were to converge at the hall for a brief meeting before the mall would be reopened again. That morning while Jonathan was getting ready for work, Ariel walked up to him, wrapping her hands around his waist with her head placed on his back. “These days you’ve been scarce, is everything alright?” She asked, her tone dripping with sincerity. For the last few days, she had been trying to have a little chit chat with him but before he would return home, she was already in bed and before she woke up the next day, he was off. “Yeah!” Jonathan nodded, taking her hands off his waist gently. Swirling around to face her, he placed his hand on her shoulder, “You shouldn't bother about me, I’m absolutely fine.” “Hazel misses you, you should try to create time for her.” She said as she remov
Jonathan and Pearl exchanged glances before returning their gazes to Vina who was still fuming in anger. Stepping forward, Pearl cooed, “You should get a grip of yourself dear.” She went further to say, “No one here is a petty thief and moreover, you didn't walk past with your car key, you should look around more carefully.” Despite her mild tone, Vina was still furious and wanted to hit her but Jonathan stepped in, suspending her hand mid air. “You shouldn't be acting out of board young lady.” He snapped. “Like she said, no one is a petty thief and you shouldn't go around trying to defame someone.” He pushed her aside, and at once an angry Vina raised her head. For a moment, she kept staring at Jon as anger raked through her. Just when he thought she had finally recognized the man in front of her, he exhaled. “If I don't get to find my keys, both of you will remain in the holding cell until I do.” She huffed and then stormed away in fury. Frustrated, Pearl tossed her head aside
Getting to the boardroom, it was already packed to the brim with the staff who were itching to find out what the meeting was all about. Seated on the elevated platform were a handful of board of directors, shareholders and then the managerial team of the mall. Vina kept scrolling through her iPad, trying to take her mind off the handsome young man she had encountered earlier. Deep down, she felt a connection like they had known each other before now but the issue was, she couldn't place the connection. He kept looking strange to her when in the real sense he was familiar. Using the butt of her pencil to scratch the bridge of her nostrils, she raised her head just in time to see Pearl pulling out a seat for him on the table she sat on too. Since she was sitting next to Karl, she held his arm, urging him to look in their direction which he did. “That should be Jonathan Gray.” He mumbled as he peered at them. “No way! What is going on here?” He gulped. It seemed like his senses ha
The gasps and side comments were getting intense and Precious wasn't helping matters as she was mute and also wore a calm expression. “Are you indeed the culprit?” Karlyx asked. He was standing by her side at the moment. “Nope! I want to use the bathroom.” Relieved, Karlyx exhaled as he pushed his head backwards. Crossing his hands, he informed them that she wasn't the culprit and once again there was murmuring in the hall as everyone wanted to speak at the same time. Vina kept sipping from her bottle while Karl clenched and unclenched his fists as his heart rammed against his chest. Solomon did nothing to end the suspense, rather he took the chair next to Jonathan and then plopped on it. With his hands crossed on the table, he asked, “What should I do next?”“We should allow them to confess as planned.” He muttered. Smirking, Solomon leaned in and with a voice barely above a whisper, he said, “You have no idea who you are dealing with.” “They aren't going to say a word as the
“Am I speaking with Mr. Gray?” A masculine voice asked at the other end of the call.“Yes please!!" Jonathan responded with an enquiring tone.“I'm afraid you need to come to the hospital right now. This is Dr. Solomon speaking, your wife was admitted a few hours ago and it is very urgent, she has hospitalisation bills that needs to be sorted out, so your presence is needed right now." The voice said with a hint of urgency.A feeling of fear and agitation flushed through him and he spoke to the doctor in a stutter, “My wife? How come?"Jonathan was very sure he left her at home that morning, hale and hearty. She had held his hands and hugged him warmly before he left for work.“Doctor, is my wife okay?" Jonathan went on to ask.His palms are already getting sweaty. “First of all you need to calm down, and then come over to the hospital. That best answers your question.” the doctor added.Jonathan hung up the call that moment, walking out of the office to the hallways in fast strides.
Seeing the evidence right in front of her, Sarah knew she had been caught.Her eyes were suddenly filled with tears as she tried to cover up the truth. "Jon, please. I’m sorry. It’s not what you think. Please forgive me."But Jonathan's resolve was firm. "We’re done, Sarah. I want a divorce, there is nothing you or anybody would say that would change that." “ What about Hazel? If we get divorce, how do you intend to take care of her?” Sarah was trying to use their daughter to threaten Jonathan.Just then, his phone rang. It was their daughter, Hazel. Without another word, he turned on his heel and left the hospital, ignoring Emily’s desperate, threatening words.Jonathan's hands were still shaking as he drove away from the hospital. Sarah's pleas echoed in his mind, but he forced himself to stay firm. She had betrayed him, and he couldn’t forgive her for that.His phone rang again, breaking his thoughts. It was their daughter, Hazel. "Daddy, when are you coming home?" she asked, her
"Rich Daddy." The phrase reverberated ceaselessly in Jonathan's thoughts. His wife had implanted such erroneous ideas in their daughter's mind, and the rage it incited within him was beyond measure. The notion that his daughter had been so deeply influenced by her mother's fabrications fueled a fire of frustration and helplessness that he struggled to contain.That night, Jonathan stood at the doorway, gazing at his beautiful daughter as she slept soundly. She had refused to speak to him earlier, their argument still fresh in her mind, and it was only in the early hours of the morning that she finally succumbed to sleep. Jonathan felt a pang of sadness as he watched her peaceful slumber, wishing he could bridge the growing chasm between them.He paced around Hazel's room for a few moments, his heart heavy with turmoil. He leaned down and planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, a small gesture of love and regret, before quietly leaving her to her dreams.Heading toward the living room