Samantha glared at her mom, “Why the excited expression? Did something good happen?” Sarah chuckled, “Come off it! You don't expect me to lay down and mope all day do you?” “Have you checked what time it is? You've literally moped the day, Mom!” Sarah didn't pay much attention to Samantha’s response, “I'm down now and that's what's important.” “Have you heard what happened to Lopez Conglomerate?” Samantha suddenly asked. “Oh, yes dear. It's quite unfortunate what happened,” Sarah responded, making a sad face. Samantha thought it strange that her mother was happy on the same day that a tragic incident had taken place at the company but she said nothing in that light. Maurice and Ian suddenly walked in with sad expressions written on their faces. “Dad….Grandfather!” Samantha rushed to hug them both. “I heard about what happened at Lopez Conglomerate, I'm sorry!” Samantha apologized, knowing how passionate both her Grandfather and father were about the family company. “Come dear
"Come on! That isn't my place! It's left to Loretta and Nash to come up with a convenient date!” Maurice was beginning to get tired of Sarah's insistence on Nash and Loretta's marriage. “But it's still within your right to do so, after all, she is your daughter! Besides, I don't think Nash would mind,” Sarah ran her fingers across Maurice's chest, tenderly. “Okay, fine. How about two weeks from now?” Maurice finally gave in, in a bid to stop her from pestering him. “That's perfect baby, I'll ask her to come over tomorrow!” Sarah responded excitedly, hugging Maurice, almost suffocating him. *** Nash glared at his phone that had just started to ring, his vision fuzzy, “Hello Nash, guess what?” An excited voice rang out from the other end of the line. Nash smiled when he heard the excitement in Sarah's voice. “Just tell me, baby, what is it?” Nash responded carelessly. “Baby? Nash, are you drunk?” Sarah yelled, looking around to be sure no one was eavesdropping on their conversati
Nash frowned, “That won't be possible mother, I have to be at the Lopez estate this morning. Maurice has fixed a date for my wedding with Loretta.” His mother's face instantly lit up. “That's great news! I'll let your father know then. Congratulations son!” His mother left his room in excitement. Nash smiled when he saw his mother's reaction. Meanwhile, Ethan and Loretta were about to leave for the office when Sarah called asking Loretta to come over briefly. Ethan recalled how disturbed Loretta had been the last time she had been called that way to her family home. “I don't think you should go. I'm sure whatever nonsense she has to say to you can wait. We just suffered a major blow barely two days ago and I need you in top shape if we are to navigate our way through this!” Ethan spoke to Loretta. Loretta sighed, “I know but she claimed it was my father who requested my presence.” “And who requested your presence the last time? Besides, since when did she become your father's s
Loretta glared at her father in shock, “What? You can't be serious, Dad!” “Dad, why are you doing this?” Samantha yelled at Maurice. “I gave your sister a choice but…” “Let me stop you right there, son. It was my decision to give Ethan that position and it was also mine to keep him there, so don't blame the innocent girl for your decision. At least be bold enough to own up to it.” Ian furrowed his brows as he returned to his study. “Grandpa wait!” Samantha yelled as she ran after him, leaving Loretta with Nash and their parents. “Dad, so this is why you sent for me right?” Loretta gritted her teeth, glaring at all three of them before storming out. “Wait! Where are you…” But Loretta was gone before he could finish speaking. “Call Ethan and have him come get her!” Now damn it!” Maurice yelled at Sarah when she hesitated before picking up her phone. Nash on the other hand felt very satisfied as he exchanged glances with Sarah when Maurice wasn't looking. *** Ethan was in the m
Ethan and Loretta sat by the poolside with their feet dangling in the water. The air was slightly chilly as the wind blew past their faces. Ethan ran his fingers through his tussled hair as he stared at Loretta. He could imagine the numerous thoughts that were running through her mind. “With you beside me, it feels so easy to believe everything will be all right,” Loretta finally spoke, staring blankly at the sky. Staring at him made accepting her harsh reality more difficult so she struggled with herself to avoid his gaze. “Everything will be all right. You are not alone you know?” Ethan responded, his gaze still resting on her tear-stricken face. He handed her his handkerchief as if just noticing her tear-stricken face. “How can it be? When I've just been condemned to a life of sorrow by my own father?” She asked, her eyes instantly becoming watery. She felt like locking herself in her room and crying her eyes out. But she knew Ethan would never let that happen. “No one ca
Ian slowly beckoned on Samantha as he took her into his arms. “All right, I will speak to your father about it. Please don't cry.” Meanwhile, at Sunrise Villa, Loretta couldn't get over what had happened earlier in the day. “Ethan, please tell me again how you knew that it was going to rain earlier today,” Loretta asked, after harboring the thought in her mind for so long. Ethan had succeeded in getting her to think about other things besides her forced marriage to Nash Barrington. Even though he wished she wouldn't bring up the subject about the rain incident, he still preferred it over her crying her eyes out. “So? How did you know?” Loretta asked again after watching Ethan smile at her question. “I checked the weather report before I told you, although I didn't know it would happen that quickly,” Ethan quickly made up an explanation. He had actually perceived the rain as his senses seemed to be getting even sharper. Loretta furrowed her brows. She hadn't thought about the
"How did you know that?” Nash suddenly asked, frowning. “So you admit to doing so?” Sarah shot back at him. “That fool, Ethan Banks, was here only moments ago and he told me so. Why in God's name did you take the entire file?” Sarah asked angrily. Nash rubbed his chin, “I guess my guy was a little too overzealous with the job but that shouldn't be a problem. It could be anyone who took it. He's got no proof!” Sarah hesitated for a second before responding, “I guess you are right. He must have discovered the missing Project Nine documents and decided to make it look like he's still got something on me.” “Kudos on the social media post by the way!” Sarah added, smiling. “Hahaha….I thought I make things public. I'm sure that's why the jackass came to try his luck. He's seen that he's got no choice. I bet he's licking his bruised ego as we speak.” Nash chuckled. Sarah smiled deviously, “I hope you are making all the necessary preparations. I want a small but colorful wedding!” Nash
Nash and his mother had started shopping in earnest for the wedding. Both mother and son were seen looking through several wedding dresses at a prestigious bridal shop. “Son, what do you think about this one?” Mrs. Barrington asked her son. Since Sarah had given them Loretta's measurements, they knew what would fit her. “I think it would bring out her curves perfectly well!” Nash grinned. Mrs. Barrington laughed loudly, “We will take this!” She announced, gesturing at the wedding dress that Nash had approved of. Meanwhile, at the Lopez family estate, Sarah was seen looking down at Loretta and Samantha. “Shouldn't you be shopping with Nash and his mother for your wedding?” Sarah asked when she saw Loretta and Samantha playing a game of chess. Loretta had decided to take a few days off work since the wedding was just around the corner. She has finally lost the will to fight it anymore, though her attitude towards the arrangement remained the same. “You might as well do the shop