“I told you to marry Sabastian, but you refused; instead, you chose this good-for-nothing loser." Veronica scolded. Maxwell gave deaf ears to what she was saying: he has a bigger picture in mind; men like him don’t sit and whine; they take action.I have made my choice, and this is final. My marriage to Maxwell isn’t the problem here; can’t you see that? Athena spoke angrily at her mother, who has done absolutely nothing to help but scold her every single day for choosing Maxwell."Yes, he might be poor, but he protects me," she added. Maxwell didn’t bother to sit in their presence again. He got up, dusted an invisible dirt from his butt and climbed up to his room. Veronica traced him with her eyes until he disappeared into the upper lobby leading to the rooms.“The so-called Sabastian that you want to marry has a loud mouth, and see how he blew everything out of proportion. Tell Tom, Dick, and Harry how he helped me win a tender. I despise his guts".“Now that you do not have a job
“Is that what you want?’ Duncan asked his son, utterly surprised at his son’s decision."C'mon, dad, you said I could ask for anything. That’s what I want." Travis said it impatiently.“But that car was given to her for official duties. You can’t…”“Come off it, Duncan. The boy is right; the wimp no longer works here, and she has no right to drive around town in our official car. She doesn’t need it in any way." Damon rolled his eyes.Duncan took a deep breath and wiped the invisible sweat off his face with his hand.“Consider it done’.“Yes, Travis! Exclaimed, yanking his elbow in the air. His face was filled with the excitement of a newborn.After work hours were over, the three men set out to Athena’s little mansion. Her house wasn’t as big as the ones Duncan and Damon lived in. The car was the only fashionable and really expensive asset from the company, and it was only given to her because she served generously and successfully over the years she had worked.With a pound on the d
The doorbell chimed loudly into the house. Athena had fallen asleep after crying for hours. That had been her routine for the past two days. She stretched her body and yawned. Maxwell had told her he was going to see his grandparents, and he was still not back. She sniffed, struggling hard to clear her nostrils of the congestion that had appeared as a result of excessive hours of crying. She licked her now-dried lip and slipped her feet into her slippers. Her polished red nails display elegance.“Hold on a second," she said as she took the steps down. She reached the door and turned the knob.At the door, she was greeted by a strange man dressed in a black T-shirt, ripped jeans, and a face cap. She responded to him as calmly as she could. He had a smile on his face, which made Athena smile back at him.“I have a package for you, Ms. Athena Fairmont." He said it in a deep baritone voice.“Okay, that’s cool.” She responded by pushing the strands of hair that flew into her face to one
Maxwell was almost done trimming the grass outside the building in the morning hours when he received a call from Zander. He knew his time was up at the Fairmont’s mini-mansion. He turned around to see if someone was listening to him before he answered the call."Hello,” he said in a very hushed tone. He wiped his dirty hand against his worn-out black shorts as he spoke into the phone.“I have been watching you lately; I see you are getting along with Fairmont Lady so well." Zander’s voice boomed from the end of the phone".Maxwell signed, knowing it had not been an easy task for him in the past few weeks.“Everything is going as planned, and to an extent, I am glad I came at the right time."So, are you prepared for the contest? Remember, I told you it would be held tomorrow? The venue has been changed to a more private place. I will come pick you up at 12 p.m. tomorrow." Zander informed him."Zander, you know you cannot pick me right in front of the house; Athena and her mom would
"Get dressed quickly; we have no time," Zander said.Maxwell quickly went into the changing room. He dressed himself in a white robe and pants."We have no time to waste. Come on, be quick.".Maxwell hurriedly got dressed in his martial arts attire and stepped out.He got on the ring, which was stationed in the center of the hall. The crowd cheered a little when he got in the ring. A few others glared at him, wondering what a young, inexperienced man like him would be doing in the field.The music blared all through the hall as different flags from different martial schools and organizations waved in the air. The thing about winning is not about making so much noise and cheering. It's about how well you know your onions when it comes to your profession.He was inexperienced compared to the others who had registered, but his determination to break a record his father couldn't get was the motivation he needed.He shut his eyes, meditating deeply on the words that proceeded from his inst
They drove off and headed to the clinic. Maxwell's nose was treated, and a few medications were given to aid his healing.When he got a few miles away from the house, he tried to pull off the plaster, but he couldn't bear the pain, so he left it.He checked the garage. If Athena's car was there and he didn't see it, he rushed into the sitting room.Veronica almost jumped out of her skin when the door yanked open. She stood dumbstruck at his sudden appearance.God, you scare the living out of me, boy. What the hell is wrong with you, poor folks? You think this house is a jungle where you can just sneak out and jump in like some toad?" You are getting on my nerves, she said, speaking through her teeth."Arrrrgh! Stinking man from the gutters," she said, rolling her eyes. She had never, for one day, liked his guts, and Maxwell wasn't bothered by what she thought about him. She was no better than Grandma and her sons, and if not for the fact that she was Athena's mom, he was sure she woul
Maxwell receives a call from Mirabela. He has not had the time to see her since he has been busy for the last couple of weeks. An hour with his cousin was like a million dollars to him.He left home and headed for his grandfather's mansion. By this time, the guards around the house were already aware of who he was.At the gate, he was welcomed by a big guy whose smile seemed like he was happy."You are welcome, young boss," he said in a baritone voice. Maxwell looked up at him and poked him in his thick chest. Maxwell's finger cracked loudly. He paused and laughed at what had just happened to his finger.The man was dressed in a tight-fitting black polo with his breasts nudging out.He made a few pec bounces, flexing his chest muscles before Maxwell.Fascinated by the show of strength, he smiled and tapped him on the shoulders. "We should try some of these some day." He said that and continued walking into the main building.The parking lot was decorated with diverse car brands and m
Back at the Fairmont office. Duncan and his son Travis had made plans to reach out to a few investors Athena had unfinished businesses with. Travis was holding a document in his hand as he swirled himself round and round on Athena's seat."The chair seems very cool; I like it." He told his father.Travis You have to focus. The meeting is in an hour, and we have to be there before time," Duncan bashed at him."No worries, dad; we would have him sign the contract. I have learned a little magic lately. I would look him straight in the eyes and stick out my tongue a bit, and that's it".His father listened to him with interest and shook his head at the rubbish he had just spewed from his mouth. "You had better not disgrace me, Travis; don't try anything stupid.".Seeing the dead seriousness in his father's face, he laughed, hitting the top of the hand with his palm. "."C'mon, incredible hawk. I was only pulling your legs." He laughed again. Duncan's face turned red, and he pointed a fing
Maxwell and Mirabella approached the hall with their suits and their dark glasses looking so perfect in them. They had decided to go in the same dress that night, even though it wasn't their grandmother's party. The large hall was filled with guests; honorable men and women of the press were also fully present. They walked down and found the perfect spot to sit. Athena's grandma and her sons were seated on one large table. While Veronica and Athena were busy welcoming the guests into the hall, Just then Maxwell's eyes locked with Grandma Elizabeth, and she got up sharply from her seat and walked towards him.“Hey! Aren't you the wretched boy Athena brought into my home?” She asked with her aged hands on her waist.“I am that same boy, ma'am." Maxwell said, standing up from his seat.“I can see you cleaned up well, but all you need to know is that a pig will always be a pig. You do not need to borrow all of these things to look good because you want to creep into my family." She said
“What the hell is going on?” Maxwell was surprised at Athena's sudden claim of being his wife.“I should be the one asking you what's happening with you and that lady." Athena asked, putting her hands on her waist. “Well, she just came to introduce herself, and that's it. She said she wanted to get to know me, and I said fine, and then she suddenly started acting funny and crazy. She's really a creepy one. She wants me, and I can see it in her eyes. I'm never going to let her take advantage of me." Maxwell said.Athena raised her nose at him and said, “I can see that. You're irresistible,you think?” She asked sarcastically.“Of course I am irresistible, just that you are blind to it." Maxwell teased and poked her nose softly. “Grandpa is waiting for you; we thought something had happened, so I came to get you myself.”.“As my saviour or guardian angel?” “Whichever one you pick, I don't really care." Athena spoke to him calmly.“Let's go”. She pulled him by the hand.“But for real
Maxwell picked Athena up at the exact time he told her. This time she wore a black dress with a crossed strap at the back. Her hair swayed on her shoulders as she walked out of the house to meet him outside.Hello, Mr. Maxwell." She said this to him with a broad smile on her face."Hello, Ms. Fairmont, Are I late?” He asked her casually, his broad smile gracing his appearance. “Nope! You aren't late for the appointment, Mr. CEO." She responded by flapping her hands over her face so he would notice her makeup. She had to do the regular type by herself. She sensed that tonight's occasion was going to be a really heavy one, so she invited a makeup artist over to do the needful on her face. She now had fuller lips than usual, and her nose stood out, pointed and straight, with the help of the contour. “Oh! Okay, I get the message. Your makeup is a hundred percent perfect, and you look really stunning in that black dress, just like a black rose with petals of red on it." Maxwell gave his
Six months later, Wilmore Casino had grown into the talk of town. They were well known all over the city. Uncle Zander and grandpa are so proud of what Maxwell had made out of the business within just a few months of emerging as MD. Just like the way Grandpa usually creeps into his room unannounced. The knock on the door was soft and familiar, but he never thought that it would be his grandpa until he answered.“Come in, please." He answered even though his back was turned against the door. He was busy making some photocopies.“Hey,son”. Maxwell turned only to see his grandfather walking into the room with his walking aid on one hand. “Hey pops, you didn't tell me you were coming,” Maxwell said with a smile on his face. He got up from his seat and went to hug his grandfather.“I didn't know I had to call your assistant or book an appointment before coming over to see my son; you should be more grateful, and the old grayed man is paying you an extravagant visit." Grandpa teased. They
Maxwell had resumed work fully, and it has beenIt was a bit hectic for him, as this was his first time managing any institution. He was sitting in his office when Mirabella came in. Shocked to see her, he got up.“Mirabella, is everything alright?” He asked her with shock and curiosity in his tone.“Have you seen the news recently?” Mirabella asked, still pointing at him as he stood to his feet casually.“What about the news? I haven't heard anything, though." Maxwell responded sharply. "Here,” she rummaged through her bag and threw the newspaper down on the table.“What's this?” He asked about picking it up.“Vickie?” He asked in surprise and flipped the page to read the headlines. “My God, who did this to her?” He asked, looking up at Mirabella. She shrugged her shoulders. “I don't know." She replied. He paused for a while and had a flashback to the last day he had met her with those hefty men. She had actually brought them to kill him, but Grandpa was just on time to defend him
After they finished with the dinner, they spoke for a while and cracked jokes to themselves. Athen had never had such a beautiful moment in her life with any man before. Her heart skipped a bit the moment she paused and leaned closer to her. Her body was ready, and just as his lip was about to touch hers, she pulled away.“Uhm! Arrh! I have to go now. I mean, we should go now; we have work to do tomorrow. I have meetings to attend tomorrow." She stuttered the words at him. Maxwell got up and looked down at her. “I get it, and I am sorry. I am willing to wait until you are ready." He told her with a smile, and for a second, Athena had all the tightened air in her stomach loosen. “Thank you”. She said and smiled at him for being so kind and considerate, unlike Sabastian, who tried to drug her to have his way with her. She loves Maxwell's sense of humour and how mature he acts around her. He is the kind that Mark's and protects his territory. She is sure that with him, she would have n
“I shall tell you everything you need to know, and none of it shall I withhold." Maxwell told her calmly, his eyes not straying away from her at all. She had learned to hold his gaze for a little more time before doing anything else. Now that he began to speak, she placed both hands on her lap, barely even checking out the food prepared for them by the five-star chef. Athena looked cool and calm, but deep down in her heart, she had loads of unanswered questions.“I'm waiting, and I plan to listen to all you have to say to me tonight." Athena responded with a calm tone.“I am an orphan. I lost my dad to some killers from the opposition. And my mom was killed a few months after my birth. So my grandpa, Ricjard Wilmore, took me to a woman and asked her to take care of me. He even gave her some money to take care of me. The lady looked away because my life was threatened, so she ran away with the baby, and that's how I grew up in a poor home. I never knew I had a rich father until my fina
Athena put her hand into his and climbed down the remaining part of the stairs. She smiled at Maxwell and the two of them walked out of the building. Outside, Maxwell helped Athena with the door till she got into the car and settled down. Maxwell took the driver's seat and off they drove into the heart of the city. Athena looked puzzled as she drove past all the restaurants she had been to yet she never said a word, after a while she began to panic in her heart and then she couldn't just hold it anymore.“Maxwell, where are you going?” She asked curiously Maxwell took a quick look at her and smiled. Somewhere you would love he answered. “Why do you ask though, you don't trust me anymore?” He asked her with a smile forming at the corner of his lip.“It's not that, I am just curious because we've passed almost every restaurant I know “. She sighed and looked out the window. “It's fine. It's okay to have fears. I never wanted you not to be too strong though, being feminine comes with
After the men left, Maxwell looked at his watch. He had planned to go on a date with Athena, at least, if not for anything. She deserved some explanation about how he got to their house and the reason he had to hide his identity. He looked out the window for a while and smiled. There was no way he would let any of his children face the same humiliation he did from the rich folks. He had vowed to make a name for himself, aside from the great Wilmore behind his name. He would make a name for himself with the talent he has built inside of him. He twirled the seat and tossed it side by side. This is just a part of the good life. Nothing on earth would make him leave a life as sweet as this, and the best part of what he has earned with his new name is the respect he gets from the people around him and all those who once looked down on him. He sat in his office after he had the meeting with the staff. He needed to know their names, at least, so he wouldn't address them wrongly. They all