Gerald took in a deep breath when he walked closer to the Zhao estate. It was an opulent mansion that screamed of old generational wealth. It was breathtaking.Grace however wasn't at ease. She thought back to Chang's expression when he saw Gerald and she didn't need any soothsayer to tell her that Chang didn't like Gerald at all, it was foolish of her to think that Chang would welcome Gerald with open arms in the first meeting knowing the kind of person her cousin was.“Both of you, meet me in the drawing room.” Chang walked past them swiftly and entered the house.“Well…he's a grumpy one.” Gerald observed with furrowed brows.“He's not exactly the best person towards strangers, I'm sorry about his attitude.” Grace apologized for his attitude.“It's fine, let's see what he wants.” He smiled and fondled her cheeks then both of them entered the manor.Grace led Gerald to one of the drawing rooms where Chang was waiting for them. He sat down with the poise of someone who knew he held a
Gerald paused and his instincts kicked in. Something didn't feel right. His instincts were tingling, the hairs on the back of his neck stood up and he could have sworn that they were being followed. “Grace, i think we should head back inside.” he said, pulling her back. “I think we should head back inside,”“Why? what's wrong?” Grace frowned as she noticed the panicked look on Gerald’s face. “I’m not quite sure but…” Gerald’s voice trailed off as he scanned the path ahead and behind. “I’d feel better if we weren’t out here alone.”Grace nodded, completely trusting his judgment which shocked her a little. Since when did she trust this man so much? They turned to head back towards the house but they didn't even take more than a few steps when a figure emerged from the undergrowth. It was Tao, Chang’s bodyguard. His large frame blocked their path, and the fierce look on his eyes was enough to make a man’s skin crawl.
“My parents.” Grace whispered as she unconsciously tightened her grip on Gerald. Her heart pounded against her chest with anxiety as she wondered how her parents would take the news of Gerald. Her father in particular, had always been strict about who she brought into their lives. What would he think of Gerald after an incident like this?Grace was still thinking about her next move when she caught sight of Chang and Jao leading her parents towards their direction. Her heart beat increased ten fold when she saw the scowl on her father's face, Chang however had a smug smile which Grace didn't miss.“Father, mother.” Grace rushed to greet them as she tried to keep her composure. Her mother offered her a small smile in response but her father's expression remained cold, his eyes fixed on Gerald who stared back at him with hands in pocket.“Grace, whose this?” Mr Zhao asked with the authority of a man who was not used to being questioned.“Thi…this is Gerald.” Grace replied, trying to so
“Gerald.” Mr Zhao began with a tone that was vastly different from before, shocking even Gerald. “I….I apologize for my earlier harshness, I didn't realize who you were, I owe you a debt of gratitude for what you did for my father. Forgive me, let's not end things on such a sour note. I was hasty in my judgement.”As if to prove his point, Mr Zhao sucked in another deep breath and right before the shock gazes of everyone, he bowed. “What!” Gerald was taken aback by the sudden change in Mr Zhao's attitude. Just moments ago, the man was ready to throw him out without a second thought, and now, after learning about how he saved his father, he was ready to make amends? The shift was so quick, it made Gerald's dizzy.“Uh…” For a second, Gerald didn't know what to say, but he managed to just simply say. “Thank you for your kind words.” The respect he had hoped for didn't feel as genuine as he would have liked but this was a nice start.“Why don't we come inside?” Mr Zhao asked as he notic
Gerald followed Grace's parents into the lavish living room, still recovering from the drastic shift in Mr. Zhao's demeanor. He glanced at Grace with a raised eyebrow, and she offered him a reassuring smile, though he could tell that she was as nervous as he was.They settled onto the soft plush couches, and after a brief moment of awkward silence, Mr. Zhao cleared his throat, his stern expression softening—a rare sight to see.“Gerald, I want to apologize again for my earlier behavior. It was unbecoming. I hope you can understand a father's concern for his daughter,” Mr. Zhao said, though Gerald couldn't tell whether it was a genuine apology.“I understand, Mr. Zhao. A parent's concern is natural. I just want you to know that I would never do anything to harm Grace. She is... very important to me,” Gerald nodded and said with a straight face.Grace’s face heated up like a bright tomato, and she felt giddy inside. Madam Zhao, who had been observing Gerald, cleared her throat to speak
Grace and Gerald sat together in a comforting silence for a few minutes, enjoying the moment before Grace took a deep breath and stood up.“It's getting late. We should get some rest; it's going to be a long day tomorrow,” she said to Gerald, flashing a small smile.“Alright then,” Gerald stretched his arms and rose to his feet. “Where should I sleep?” he asked as he glanced around.Grace hesitated for a moment as her mind raced, but eventually, she sucked in a deep breath. “You'll sleep in my room.”“Heh?” Gerald blinked, his thought process slowing down. “Your room?” he repeated, as if unsure of what she said the first time.“Yes,” Grace nodded with a serious expression. “If we're going to present a united front to my family, it needs to start now. The family needs to see you as more than my boyfriend, so... I thought this could solidify our relationship and show them that we stand together.”“Solidify?” A devious smirk spread across Gerald's face. “What exactly do you mean by that?
“Calm down,” Grace pleaded with him and he sighed, taking a step back and letting her take control of the situation. “Uncle, that was unnecessary” She turned to face her uncle, doing her best to calm the rage simmering in her chest. “Gerald is my guest, and he deserves to be treated with respect.” “Respect?” Her uncle's eyes narrowed as he looked at her, “You’re defending him? it ‘s quite amusing that you’re so eager to protect him with what’s at stake here.”“What do you mean?” Grace’s eyebrows creased together as she asked.“You don't know?” A small chuckle escaped his lips. “Tell me something dear niece, what will you do if you decide to marry this man? Surely you know that marrying outside the family would mean giving up your position as CEO. You wouldn't be a part of this family anymore.”His words were like a bucket of cold water that splashed on Grace’s face. Her mind raced as her uncle's words echoed in her mind but she calmed down and stood her ground.“Marrying Gerald wo
Grace held her breath as the phone continued to ring. After a few minutes, the call finally connected and her grandfather's familiar voice came through the speaker.“Grace, my dear? How are you?” he asked with that caring voice that she always loved.“Grandfather, I..I need to talk to you.” She said, fighting to keep her voice steady.There was a brief pause on the other line before he spoke again. “Of course, tell me what's troubling you.”Grace took a deep breath and glanced at Gerald, who nodded at her in encouragement. “Grandfather.* Grace began, trying to steady her emotions but she broke down trembling as tears slipped down her cheeks. “I…I’m in over my head right now. Uncle Zhang and Chang, they are threatening to take everything. He says that he believes that you are not well and he will use every means necessary to take over the company. I don't know what to do. I'm losing my mind.”A long pause followed. Grace eagerly awaited her grandfather's response but there was nothi
Brian walked gently towards his car which was parked outside waiting patiently for him to get in. He gave a fake smile at whom he found inside and she returned his gestures. The chauffeur drove them to the airport and they got there thirty minutes before the flight takes off. It was a business trip along with his secretary lucy and planned to be back within a month even before it was over. They got to their destination safely and Lucy handled everything properly while they got off the plane. He wasn't ready to address anyone that day and Lucy had to inform those who wishes to see him that he was unavailable for that moment. It was late at night and he intended to take a walk around this place where he was going to stay for a while. He had an earpod on listening to music that could soothe his mood. As he strolled, he took pictures of captivating features in this place. His eyes met a girl who seemed stranded by the bridge side, she was wincing and shivering in the cold. Perhap
He turned off the phone immediately and warned Brian to stay off his family as he got informed that his wife was involved in an accident."You made a wrong choice by messing with those that were dear to me" Brian said as Felix narrowed a brow at this man right in front of him who always does as he threaten.He couldn't say a word back at Brian as he hurriedly rushed out while his brother glared at the table with an evil intention written all over his face.It rained heavily as he could be found drained in the rain, every effort to get in touch with those whom he lost in the fire outbreak proved abortive as deep in his heart.He didn't want to believe that they were consumed in the fire, he had a lot of memories attached to those people mostly the woman who stole his heart.His life was a mess as he had lost the one whom he tried to protect. He suddenly felt a shield covering him from the rain and when he lifted his head. Brian found someone holding an umbrella over his head and he s
She studied her son, the brief smile that escaped his lips.When she mentioned Julie's name, which made her heart flutter. All she wants this time is to hear Brian call her mother again."How about we pay her a visit tomorrow?" She suggested, he grimaced at her and sighed, and she knew that was a yes. His father demanded to see him privately, and he yielded to his demand. The old man laid on the bed exhausted for the day as the party was getting dismissed gradually. He smiled immediately he saw Brian and got relieved that at least he was forgiven."No one is giving me the answers I need…why did you send me back?". His scoffed and rose from the bed while beckoning on Brian to pick a file which laid on the desk."Someone talked some sense into me" he confessed sad at heart and Brian smirked at him while picking up the file lazily."Transfer of property?" Brian read and his father nodded."I don't need anything that is yours…""I knew you would say that, but son you're the only one I
His eyes strictly monitoring her hair and shoes."You can't follow me with that" he stated and offered to follow her to her room.She smiled as she followed suit. To be honest, she did that on purpose. The hair thing actually."I won't wait all day!" he yelled from the room as he got there before her. She rolled her eyes and hastened her footsteps into the room.He pulled out her makeup seat and tapped it with his hands, beckoning on her to sit down.She sat down as he instructed and stared at the mirror. She wondered if he can really dress a person's hair because his own hair never looked properly kept.She gulped as he began combing her hair with his hands."Shouldn't he be using a comb for that?" she questioned.He began twirling part of her hair and held it up with a pin. He made a twirl with another part and made held it again.She placed her hand on her cheek and let him do his thing.He was done in a minute.She kept staring at her hair while her eyes admired it.She didn't
The thought of her former apartment popped up in his memory and he decided to drive off there. Josh who was hurrying up to met his mother's needs found him at the gates."You came for her?" He just said with a wry smile."Where's she?" Brian asked with the assertion that this naughty boy was referring to Julie."Mom's apartment, she's a psycho this time around, so be careful" he advised with no formal gestures as though the kid was having an indifference attitude towards him. Brian intended him to ask him a question which concerned a drawing of his but he had to see Julie first. Brian rang the doorbell and josh scoffed;"Why are you acting like a gentle man?" He asked opening the door for Brian. In here, everyone surrounded someone and he guessed it was Julie. Quickly, he excused himself through their midst to take a look at her and once their eyes met, she flinched and folded her legs on the bed frightened. This act of hers averted their gaze on him as they sensed he was danger.
The wailing of siren could be heard as it drove to the nearest hospital. Some doctors could be seen hurrying to take a woman to the ICU. Brian got worries written all over his face, as he hoped the victim wakes up. Lucy was less bothered besides this woman would be out of her way. She glanced at the doctor who got out of the room to address them. He was sad too. Brian had it in mind that this doctor was going to tell him that the patient lost her memory. Lucy ticked her tongue hoping that she hears this woman was dead."Can I see her?" Brian asked in whispers and the doctor nodded. They transferred her from the ICU to a ward where she could be visited. Brian wasn't allowed in as he could see nurses and a security agent rushing.After the doctor assign to administer medication to her sighed sharply and ushered Brian inside. The door glide open gently as he paced towards were she sat chained to the bed, he narrowed a brow at her surprised at the sudden scene. Her hair was wet an
"Do always cry like a child whenever she spoke to you this bad?". She scoffed and ditched the coffee in his hand again."Are you here to hurt me the more""No! I'm just learning new features, you know I despise people when they cry, but you look beautiful when you do such" he teased, and she smiled wiping her tears the more and then collected the coffee from him yet again. It seems she was going to keep to act this way with the pissed off mug of coffee."Really?" She beckoned, bringing out a mirror."Seriously? You always keep a mirror with you?""Yeah, to see if I look good when I'm done" she said laughing as he only smiled a little. It didn't take long when she began yawning by then, she was done with coffee and handed him back his mug."Goodnight Brian, I've got a lot to do tomorrow at my restaurant…stay happy! But don't cross that lioness part, she's scary when she's angry" she said in a faint voice as she walked away."Julie, are okay right where you are?" He thought, glancing a
"My biggest fan?" She echoed impressive though because she never knew she's got fans from just saving lives and her biggest fan was definitely jimmy disguised; however, the late line was awkward as he says she should be grateful he wrote it. There was no doubt that she needed to call him, although she still got my pride. She carried the box inside because she didn't want anyone to see the gift inside. Once she got in.She unfolded the wrap from the box and found a necklace. It was gorgeous and made of pure diamond."Not bad" She commented because it was expensive and wow he sure knew she wanted such. Julie was more like a materialistic person, although it would have been romantic if he wore it on her and then say: "I'm sorry love for suspecting you". It wasn't only a necklace she found but a pen and diary which wrote;"Pour it all out to me, I might be of great help". Weird right but this damn book got her laughing, just what she wanted, a diary. Well, the last two gifts she saw wa
The rain had started falling and Brian intended to leave the office. He was somewhat jealous when he mistakenly found jimmy and Julie kissing. It got him all riled up, he picked an umbrella from his office and dashed outside, however Julie's voice drew him back when she said;"Please wait, let's go together". He glanced at her as she ran through the rain to meet with him, Julie had no umbrella and once she reached out to him, she went under his umbrella while rubbing her palm together annoyed. Brian wished to ask a question but couldn't, he had snubbed her earlier because he didn't want to admit to himself that he was having feelings for this woman.Besides wading off any such feelings was for good because she was going to die someday.He kept staring at her and not taking a step forward neither was she, rather this woman was staring at the rain drop."Let's go Brian" she uttered, turning her gaze to him. He felt like telling it to her face that she should end any relationship she had