Andi stood there, surprised. What was she ever doing in Los Angeles?
"Mrs Crest!" His jaw dropped open at the sight of her. "It's Miss Lieu, my husband and I separated." She corrected him with a pleasant smile that showed she wasn't angry but Andi thought to apologize immediately. "Oh my mistake, I am so sorry. I didn't know." Lucy Lieu, beautiful and fearless. With eyes of that of an ocean storm yet an aura like a peaceful wind. Her small yet slightly plum lips always wore a smile whenever she wasn't angry and her thin eyes were forever knowing. A black suit shirt and trouser that seemed almost not her size hung on her body with the shirt's buttons opened to reveal a white top in the inside. The woman never wore heels unless she was at an exceptionally important meeting but on other occasions, no matter what she was wearing, she always put on canvas shoes of her choice. She worked with his father when the company was still fine. She was his personal assistant and most trusted ally before she had to marry and relocate to her home town in China. Andi wondered if she returned to Los Angeles because of her divorce but he wasn't going to ask her that. He excused himself to change from his wet clothes and dry the ones in his bag before returning to join her back in the shop. His boss, Lilly had told him to start immediately so he started by mopping the floors he had wet while Lucy walked with him with a cup of instant coffee in her hand to warm herself. "I came here for some business and decided to check out the streets when the rain started. My driver will be here any minute and I want you to come with me to my place. There's too much to discuss." She explained. "I just got this job and I can't walk out as I wish on my first day." Andi responded with his attention to the wet floors. "Maybe we can meet up after?" "Mr Emerson, allow me to be informal with you?" She asked and Andi nodded. She continued. "Andi, you don't need this job, there's so much you don't know." Andi sighed. "My mother is sick in a hospital and I have to find some way to pay the bills or she'll get kicked out. That bloody bastard will do as he says!" He spat out angrily, gripping the mop tightly. "How much is the bill? Let's go there together right now and pay for it." Andi's eyes widened but only for a second. Lucy was from a rich family and working for her father, he also paid good money. "I can't take money from you." "It's not my money... It's yours." Her words caused his head to turn dramatically and look at her confusedly. His expression questioned her and she nodded her head. *** Andi had always been the kind of person that hated taking people's kindness for granted and his boss, Lilly, had been kind to him. Irrelevant of what Lucy said, he worked till the day was over before heading over to the hospital with her to visit his mother. Immediately he walked into the hospital's premises, Stan was there and ambushed him with hateful words. "You useless prick in the finger!" He berated. "Didn't I tell you to come and pick up your trash mother? Are you trying to wreck my business?!" Andi's head fell in shame and embarrassment. He opened his mouth to speak but Lucy was already talking. "Long time no see Mr Manchester. I'll have the bills cleared as soon as we can go in and we will take her to a better hospital." She held Andi's hand and led him inside. Stan was left tongue tied as he watched them like a fool. After showing her his mother's room, Lucy asked Andi to go in first while she settled the bills and he silently obliged. His mother was awake. Her beauty had begun to fade due to her illness but she was still the most beautiful woman ever to Andi. "Hey mom, how are you feeling?" He said with a smile. "I'm alright..." She responded weakly. She would have been far better than that if doctor Stan hadn't stopped administering the proper treatment for her. Because Andi couldn't pay, he gave her enough to keep her alive but not to heal her. Lucy walked in just then. Her heart ached at the sight she saw but she managed a smile and bowed her head. "Mrs Emerson, always a great pleasure to see you." The woman smiled back. "Lucy... I haven't seen you in years..." They got into small talks about how they had been and Lucy confessed to having only found out about their bankruptcy a while ago. After her divorce, she had spent time healing at a temple. "Mrs Emerson, there's something I'd like to explain to you and Andi." Lucy started. "I worked for Mr Emerson for ten years before I got married and I still worked for him a year after. Mr Emerson has a paper company that he uses for private deals and a secret account. When I got back to Los Angeles, I did research and found out everything was still intact, including the funds!" She looked from mother to son as she explained. Andi had an unreadable expression on his face but she didn't let that interrupt her as she spoke. "I only got back a few weeks ago and I set out to find you ever since then. I was lucky to have bumped into you today, Andi. With what's left, you can take over and change your lives!" "Wait," Andi finally spoke. "You mean... We are rich?" "The secret paper company was in your name, Andi. You are a billionaire." She responded, her voice as sweet as it had always been. Andi felt his throat run dry in an instant and his insides turned confusedly. He was... A billionaire?!Andi paraded about in the hall while thinking of what Lucy had told him. He was a billionaire? Paper company? Why didn't his father tell him any of this? Why did he run away?!'Did he really run away? Was he murdered? Is he even alive?' He wondered as he kept going back and forth like a guard dog in front of his owner's room.The door pulled open and he finally stopped when Lucy walked out of the room. She smiled at him, "walk with me." Andi nodded his head and followed her down the hall. They stood under the moonless sky facing each other while Lucy's driver waited for her. "Are you alright?" She asked him with a concerned look on her face. "I heard about your divorce as well and trust me, I know how it feels." Andi forced a sad smile to his face and nodded his head. "My dad... Do you..."She shook her head. "I'm sorry Andi but I don't know where he is. But I want you to know this, the name of the paper company is Zeus and everything is in your name. We can build it together, you
The air in the hall way seemed to seize as Andi tightened his fist angrily and glared at his ex wife and her new lover. What he would give for both of them to go bankrupt and know the true meaning of hell. What he had been going through. Taylor eyed him. "Look at the irritating thing glaring at us, do you think we can feel intimidated?" Her brow arched sharply. Andi still couldn't believe it. He couldn't stop himself from asking, "Justin's hatred for me, I understand but you? I just don't get it. Why do you have to treat me this way?" His voice wavered as he asked. Taylor smirked evilly, taking a confident step towards him. "Don't ask me stupid questions you already know the answer to. From today onward, don't ever try to speak to me when you see me, you're not worth my presence. Do you hate me? Want to get back at me?"Her evil laugh rang in his ears like haunting bells. "Unfortunately, you can't. No power, no money, no nothing! You're useless, a roach is more threatening than you
Lost in thoughts in his mother's hospice room, Andi felt a hand touch his and he snapped out of his thoughts. Met by his mother's weak smile, he smiled back, one only brighter than his mother's by a little. "Are you alright?" She asked him in a meek tone and Andi nodded his head. "Are you perhaps... Thinking about what your father's personal assistant told us?" He smiled and sat next to her on the bed. "I went to see her this morning and she told me some... Things. But mom, what do you think about all of this?" She squeezed his hands gently in hers. "You've been through a lot my dear Andi, you might not tell me yourself but I am more than aware of how difficult it has been to fend for your mouth alone, talk of both of us. "And I want you to be happy, I want you to take care of yourself, I don't ever want to see you suffering. And you are my son and I know that you have always been looking forward to heading the company one day." "But mom," Andi said softly. "If the world learns
The home of the Simmons was extra lively that Friday morning. They all gathered at the dining table to enjoy a nice meal with their soon to be son in law, Justin Rivera. "I hope you find the meal to your taste, my dear." Sharon Simmons asked Justin with a gentle smile on her face.Justin's lips spread into a smile. "Of course, mom. You are exceptionally a great cook." Sharon chuckled softly. "Oh you flatter me too much. You should come by more often, I'll make you more and more tasty meals." He nodded his head. "I'll do that a lot." They all shared a laugh and continued to eat in silence. Justin suddenly turned to his father in law and asked. "Right, Mr Simmons, have you heard about the new company opening up in the city? Zeus I think." "Oh of course!" The man replied. "Every business man in the city has heard about them. Apparently, they are quite known even though they are just opening." "Yes. I heard from a close friend that they used to be a paper company and they were based
Painted in all white, Andi Emerson's apartment stood taller than every other that was close by. Its compound was enough to contain about four extravagant buildings and still there would be space for a compound. An entire part was only decorated with a large blue swimming pool and trees like that of a tropical island. Another place looked like a house on its own except it was meant for cars. The parking lot would contain about forty cars or more. Andi didn't understand why Lucy Lieu would buy such a house and call it a comfortable small apartment. Sure, the place he lived before was large, if he wished to not see his parents while still living under the same roof as them, he could have done so. This place was definitely too large for a man living alone. With several bedrooms and three different living rooms. He had no use of all of those things. But growing up in a mansion, a castle! He knew he wouldn't feel uncomfortable staying at that house. Indeed, it would be comfortable for
A black Bentley parked at the parking space of Eternal Love-- a popular jewelry store. It was said that any wedding rings purchased from there brought eternal love to the couple-- and a handsome young man stepped down from the driver's seat. Pulling his coat properly over his shoulders, he walked to the other side of the car and opened the door to the passenger's seat. A black high heel kissed the earth as Taylor stepped down. A red mini dress clung on to her curvy body and her hair was let loose over her shoulders. Slamming the door gently, she and her fiancé-- Justin-- walked hand in hand into the jewelry store. All eyes fell on the flamboyant couple as they walked in and a few people who recognized them broke into hushed murmurs. Taylor loved the attention and what she loved more was the special treatment from the manager. "Ms Simmons," the slim and petite female manager smiled from ear to ear as she approached them. "It is so lovely to have you here. Thank you for choosing
Silence engulfed the shop as the buyers turned into onlookers to know how the story was going to end. Taylor pulled the petite manager closer to her side. "I believe no introduction is needed to let you know who he is. He isn't a good person and he is very poor now. He must be so desperate that he decided to come in here and steal one or two items, knowing well that he could make a fortune from selling them." "That isn't true!" Lucy yelled out angrily. "None of that is true. We came here together to purchase a gift because we know you sell quality!""Who will you believe?" Taylor asked. "That complete stranger-- that for all we know, she could be an accomplice-- or me? I could have sworn I saw him trying to tuck an earring into his pocket earlier." The manager looked from one woman to another. Andi was already poor so she had no reason to be good to him but she couldn't afford to get on the bad side of Taylor Simmons, especially with her fast approaching wedding with Justin Rivera.
Taylor's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. She felt her throat tighten as she choked trying to swallow her own saliva. Murmurs from the other people in the jewelry store filled the place and she could hear most of them calling her shameless. “She must be out of her mind, look at everything he bought yet she called him a thief.”“Can she even afford to pay that amount without batting an eye?” “Does she even have such money? I heard rumors from my cousin that their business is struggling because he used to be the one to fund them.” “Poor boy, he probably went bankrupt because of her and her greedy family.” Her ears burnt as all of those words floated past them. How dare they talk about her like that in her presence? Had they suddenly forgotten that Andi lived off of her family after he went bankrupt? He was the one that deserved to be insulted! Not her! Or at least that was how she felt. “I'm waiting!” Andi demanded in a tone hinted with anger. “I didn't do anything when you a