Shadow had long been locked up in a particular house and was told to read a large novel written in a language he didn’t know. He would be allowed to come out only after reading and understanding the said novel. This was a punishment that put his patience as well as his intelligence and faith to test.Shadow wasn’t the first to receive this sort of a punishment. Some others who received this punishment in the past were able to learn the language with their own intellect, but it had taken them months if not years to do it. And then there were others who were able to understand the foreign novel with the gift of the tongues, which they believed was given by God himself.Ryan and Galen came to greet him together. “How far have you come?”“I deciphered a bit of it,” Shadow replied, annoyed. “Are you guys really going to keep me here until I completely decode this language? Even if it takes a few years?”“When I came here last time, you were using the book as a pillow and was snoring like a
Selena was busy talking with different families on the Aurora Hills, inviting them to the function she was going to hold in a week.Selena had finished changing the names of many properties on the Rachel Hill and even the Aurora Hills. She wasn’t just a billionaire now but a multi-billionaire, all thanks to Uzza’s efforts.All the stress left Selena’s life now. She felt extremely confident because she believed that she could handle anything and everything in life that may come her way. After all, the properties she owned would be worth more than a hundred billion dollars.While Selena was busy sharing the joy with others, Rye came to the rooftop to talk with Benjamin who was sitting on the edge, with his legs dangling.“I’ve seen money bringing smiles to many faces before, but it feels shocking even now when I see Selena Sterling’s face completely change in a matter of a few hours,” Rye said. “Life is really not just. If she had tried to get hold of all these properties in a just mann
The moment Benjamin left the rooftop, Uzza came there and asked Rye nervously, “What did he say?”“You were probably eavesdropping, so why are you still asking such a question?” Rye asked her back.“Haaah…” Uzza exhaled audibly. “I told him I wouldn’t meddle in his affairs, and I broke my word. I want to correct my mistakes, too, if possible.”“Don’t do anything stupid, alright. Rebecca doesn’t deserve Benjamin. Let’s wait a few more weeks, and then we’ll go back to Sciocidad. All of us.”Uzza sighed. “I must give credit where credit is due. Most of the women will not bother to be with a poor man, much less marry him. But Rebecca married Benjamin when he was working as a pizza delivery guy, so she’s better in that regard.”“She married him out of spite, not out of love,” Rebecca retorted.“Still, she married a poor guy. That’s not something just anyone would do. Most women I see fall for guys who lie they’re rich and what not just like how women are falling for women with makeup, wigs
In Rebecca’s room.Rebecca was writing words on a small board and kept erasing them and then wrote new words.Veronica was watching her while crunching on an apple. “What are you trying so hard for?”“My brand name.”“How about you just use Rebecca or Rebs?”“Nah, I want it to have a special meaning,” Rebecca kept thinking. “I can think of many names, but none of them are satisfying. It feels like something is missing.”“How about you put Veronica as your brand name then?” Veronica suggested. “I’m sure it will definitely bring you lots of success.”“Heh, yeah, if success can come just from the name, then I wouldn’t have had to work my ass off after finishing college.”“Having a company is quite risky, sis. Why don’t you just work like you used to? Weren’t you earning a million a month?” Veronica suggested. “I mean, you can demand more if you want.”“No, I’m not after money as much as I’m after success,” Rebecca said. “You can chase after money without end, or you can learn to find pea
In the evening, fluffy clouds drifted lazily through the cerulean sky. The scent of honeysuckle hung sweet in the air.Rebecca was on the balcony after the wind turned cold.Veronica came to meet her. “Mom hasn’t slept since last morning. She’s working so hard to become the ruler of Aurora Hills.”“The more gold and silver she has in her pockets, the less sleep she will get,” Rebecca replied.“Even though you said that you don’t seem worried for her,” Veronica asked.“I’m worried, but I have got many more things I’m worried about, though worrying doesn’t help with anything,” Rebecca said. “My mind used to be sharp until a couple of months back, but now, it feels like it has become dull. I can’t think of new designs, or even the name of my company.”“Too much thinking can make you feel congested and crazy,” Veronica said. “So, you should take your mind off all the burdens for a couple of months.”“Easier said than done,” Rebecca sadly smiled. She didn’t want to tell her sister that she
“Rebeeca, are you kidding me? Now I know why you didn’t have a wedding. To think your husband is a freaking pizza-delivery guy!” a blonde in a skimpy dress let the words flow out of her mouth like a monkey's exaggerated screams.“That’s not it, Jane.” The brunette sitting in the driver’s seat took her shades out and bit on them. She was wearing a metallic fashion dress that revealed some of her breasts and most of her healthy thighs with zero cellulite and perfect shine. She tried to explain herself by telling her a few things."So you're saying your vagina never vomited white stuff after getting married?" Jane covered her mouth in both shock and pity. "I went out on an extended foreign trip to find a good-looking husband, but you are here… stuck with a pizza-delivery guy."Rebecca didn't know whether to laugh or cry."At least tell me he's attractive.""Well," Rebecca felt awkward to respond to such a question.The car they were in, a red Porsche, had stopped in front of a cluster of
Benjamin entered the villa through the main door while chewing on a pizza slice. This was the same pizza he had wanted to give to the chief driver, though he ended up lying about forgetting to bring it. He took the rest of the pizza to the children’s room. His in-law’s children, there were four of them. All crazy, selfish, and self-absorbed in their own ways, just like their parents. Two of them talked too much, while the other two rarely ever talked. When Benjamin walked in, they were all playing games or chatting with their friends in their own mobiles. Their mobiles looked stylish and up-to-date compared to the crappy old mobile Benjamin had. “Hey, kids. I brought pizza,” Benjamin put excitement into his voice. “Put it on the table and leave,” the oldest of the four, Lisa, replied without even looking. Even though she looked cute with her pigtails and all, her words were always cold and indifferent, even more so than Rebecca. Benjamin did as she said and was leaving. (Not one o
At night.Almost everyone from the family gathered at the dining table and began eating, all except one who was still standing and serving food for others.He was the only son-in-law of the Sterling family, yet taunts and mockings were flung at him every other minute. Even the children took part in it enthusiastically.Sunday was a cheat day, so Selena was gorging on everything her hands could get hold of. While everyone sitting ate their fill to the point of burping twice or thrice, nobody offered Benjamin food or told him to sit and eat, not even his wife.He was hungry, but he was fed their trivial talk peppered with lies. He had to listen to them exchanging lies to one another. For instance, the children lied the most by hiding things they were doing. Lisa was chatting with her boyfriend since afternoon, but she lied about that. Roshan was watching exclusive stripping videos since evening, yet he acted like he was doing his homework. The other two children, who were much younger,