“Hey mama,” Dario said, walking into Maria’s room. “Good morning, how’re you feeling today?”“Hey baby,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Her voice sounded weak. “I feel almost the same.”Another month had passed and Maria’s health had remained the same and maybe a little bit better. Though she could talk now. Nobody knew the origin or the cause of the sudden extreme fatigue.Many doctors had come from far and near to assess the situation, but a solution have not been found until now. Even traditional healers had come to do their thing, but all to no avail.It had been devastating for the entire household; Dario, Aisha, their close families and the royal workers that worked in the mansion. Maria had always been such a kind woman and an absolute sweetheart. “I’m sorry I haven’t come to say hi since morning. Got busy with matters of the empire,” Dario apologized and sat beside her on the bed. He then placed his hand on her cheek and caressed it with his thumb.Maria fl
“Listen to me… “Dario leaned in closer so he could hear her, his face etched with sorrow. “I’m listening, mama.”“There… there is something about the ring,” Maria started, her voice barely a whisper. Dario’s brows furrowed in confusion, his eyes rolling backwards as he wondered what ring she was talking about. “What ring is that, mama?”“The ring…” Marias ‘a voice was becoming more faint as she spoke and her breathing got weaker.“The ring I gave to you,.. you gave… to… Delilah,” she added. Dario’s eyes shot upwards in remembrance, “I remember, I remember. I remember the ring. Yes! Yes! What about it, mama?”“It’s special.” “Uh!”Maria took a labored breath, her lips trembling as she continued, “it’s not just any ring… it has… powers.. it is extraordinary.”Dario’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief. The same ring he gave to Delilah when he married her?? The same ring Delilah threw at his face on that terrible night years ago?? “What do you mean it has powers?” Dario asked, his
Dario and Aisha stood in the royal gardens where Maria’s burial had just taken place. The air was thick with sorrow and a profound silence enveloping the area, broken by only the ruffling of leaves. Maria loved the garden. She loves flowers. Dario could remember how her face would light up when she was in the garden because it brought her so much joy. She had a gentle touch with her flowers, treating each plant as if it were a precious gem. She would hum softly to herself as she carefully pruned, watered and tended her lovely lilies and the rest. Dario knew that the best place she would love to go to rest in, would definitely be the royal garden. Close to her flowers and surrounded by them. It would also be just a walk away if he wanted to visit her in the mansion. Even Aisha knew how contagious Maria’s happiness in the garden was. Most of the time, they would often chat there and Maria would happily teach her about flowers. As Dario stared at her resting place, their memories
Dario was in his father’s same old study, sitting on his same old worn leather chair. Two months had already passed and Dario spent most of his time in his father’s study. Except for the times he had to attend to the affairs of the empire. Living without hearing the laughter of his mother echoing through the mansion or the sound of her voice made the mansion feel strange. But, Dario didn’t let his grief consume him, and attended to his duties efficiently.He stared at both of his hands. The key to the mystery box in one and the apology letter from his father, Lord Reynolds, in the other. He looked up from his hand to the mystery box which sat on the table before him, locked. He finally found the key to the mystery box after following the clues that his father laid down for him.Though his journey on discovering the key wasn’t easy, he learned a lot through it. Just as Lord Reynolds intended for him.Over the years, he grappled with forgiving his father who acted out of love but ca
“Mrs Silver,” Blake took a deep breath, gathering his composure as he locked eyes with the steely gaze of Silver. “I am here for the same reason. I want to buy this technological powerhouse, and I don’t know why you’re so adamant on not selling it to me.”Silver let out a sarcastic laughter briefly. “What do you have to offer this technological powerhouse, just like you called it,” she said proudly.Blake began, his tone measured, yet earnest, “I understand your concern for the future of this company, Mrs Silver. But I assure you that I can take this company to heights it has never reached...”Suddenly, Silver began to laugh uncontrollably till her ribs started to hurt. Dario and Blake exchanged confused glances before looking back at Silver.What was so funny about what Blake just said?She stopped laughing for a second and was about to speak when she started laughing all over again pointing her finger at Dario and Blake. Dario recognized this. He knew what this was about; Silver d
In no time, a man in an impeccably tailored suit and an imposing figure walked into the office. As he entered, the air of authority around him filled the room. He scanned the office in a single glance and said “Silver,” greeting coldly without regarding the presence of Dario and Blake. “I trust everything is in order?” He asked. This was a question he always asked whenever he came into the company. And Silver knew the right answer. She straightened in her chair and forced a confident smile. “Of course, Mr Donald. Everything is in order.” “Good,” he replied, his tone unreadable. “And who are these people over here and what do they want?”“Good day-“ Dario started, but Silver raised her voice to interrupt him and said, “Sir, they were just about to leave!” Mr Donald glanced at Dario and Blake with an intimidating gaze. With one glance, he was able to sum up the total value of what they both had on. He didn’t even bother to look at their faces. He then returned his gaze to Silver.
When Donald processed the hit fully, he didn’t think twice when he raised his clenched fist to return a heavier punch on Dario’s face. But before his fist could get any closer to Dario’s face, Blake grabbed his arm, stopping it in the air. Donald’s anger was blazing intensely within him. “How dare he!’ He thought to himself. And the moment he felt a hold on his arm, stopping him, his anger multiplied. He shot his gaze at Blake when he realized it was his hold and he attempted to release his arm. But Blake’s grip was too strong. “Don’t you dare lay a finger on my boss! Are you trying to get yourself killed?” Blake asked Donald, his tone calm but firm. His composure was unshaken despite Donald’s struggle to free his arm. Donald’s struggle abruptly stopped the moment he heard Blake’s words. “Your boss?” He asked, his face contorted in disdain. “Oh your personal assistant is now your boss?” He asked before yanking his hand off Blake’s hold and laughing sarcastically. “Silver, did yo
Donald reached for his phone and began to dial a number. “I’m calling the police! This is identity theft and you both should rot in jail!”As Donald was making the call, Blake’s eyes caught a glimpse of a newspaper on Silver’s table. He picked it up and unfolded it, scanning through the newspaper. “He should be here,” Blake mouthed to himself. “I need you at my company, now,” Donald simply stated and hung up the phone. “Found it!” Blake shouted. In the newspaper was an article about Dario, with a prominent photo. Due to Dario’s influence, articles were always written about him and the matters of the empire almost every day. Even in foreign newspapers!“Look at this,” Blake said, stretching the paper to Donald, Donald leaned forward, squinting at the photo and back at Dario. ‘Why do they suddenly look so alike?’ He thought to himself, his doubt melting into panic gradually.‘Oh my god… wait! this can’t be real.’ he said to himself, his heart racing faster and his eyes widened. ‘H