"You know, you remind me of myself, or should I say you remind me of who I used to be." Billion said to Esther."A hopeless romantic?" Esther asked teasingly."Yes, that's one of the many things I was." Billion said."What changed?" Esther asked."Life. Life happened and changed a lot of things, I was forced to see reality." Billion replied."Well, your answer is quite vague, but I won't ask for clarification. People shouldn't be judged based on what their family members have done." Esther replied."I'm not judging him, I'm just trying to look out for you." Billion responded."I really appreciate that, but it's not necessary. Xavier is a hard-working young man, he's honest and he's simply trying to sort out his own path. I wish people would see past his family sins and see the potential in him." Estter said."Well, if he's really all you say he is, I wish you both well." Esther said."Thank you." Esther said, a smile on her beautiful face."So, when's the wedding?" Billion asked."We
"Absolutely not!" Joy said."Why? She could be of assistance." Billion replied."In what way? From what you've said, it's obvious she's head over heels in love with him. She wouldn't be able to reason properly." Joy retorted."We can't be certain until we try. Esther is probably going to end up being a victim of Xavier's scheme if we don't notify her." Billion said."We will tell her, but not just yet. We have no solid proof against Xavier." Joy said."We do. You're a living proof. Xavier has been begging you to go out with him, even if that doesn't change her mind completely, atleast, it will gain her attention." Billion said."And then what? It's going to be my word against Xavier's and we both know who to place our money on. She won't believe us. Xavier's just going to tell her I'm responsible for the downfall of his parents and now, I'm trying to bring him down too and she'll believe him. And then, you're going to have to reveal yourself. And if anyone finds out who you are, our w
Billion stared blankly at his computer screen. It had been almost an hour since Joy left to meet up with Xavier.She had promised to keep him updated and text him the address where Xavier had asked her to meet him but she hadn't sent anything.He felt restless. Was Joy okay? A part of him knew physically hurting Joy was something really stupid and even Xavier wouldn't be that stupid, but still, he felt really worried.He considered calling her, but decided against it. Joy was a strong woman, she could look after herself, besides, it's just been an hour, it's possible she was yet to locate the place.Many thoughts kept flashing through Billion's mind, suddenly his phone rang, without looking at the caller ID, he answered."Joy! What happened? I've been worried sick about you. Are you okay?" Billion asked."Woah, slow down" the person on the other end of the phone replied with a light laugh."This isn't Joy. Who is this?" Billion asked."No, this isn't Joy and as for your question, I'm
"The Boulevard headquarters?" Esther asked."Yes." Billion simply replied."Yes, I do know where it's located but what has that brand got to do with my question?" Esther asked."It has a lot to do with it. We need to go there, but first, let me confirm if Joy is back to the office." Billion replied.He quickly sent a text to Joy and she confirmed that she was in the office and was waiting for him, he assured her he would be there soon."Billion, what's going on?" Esther asked."Just drive to the Boulevard headquarters, when we get there, I promise to explain everything." Billion said."How can you expect me to just drive off to a place I know no one? Besides, my fiance just called me and he sounded really scared, I'm supposed to be with him right now, I just need you to answer this simple question about how you know where he is." Esther screamed."Calm down, I can assure you, your fiance does not need you running to him right now, he's safe." Billion said reassuringly."How can you be
"Why?" Esther whispered."That's the same question we've been asking ourselves and we're yet to figure it out." Billion replied."I'm really sorry for springing this up on you, but you just had to be told the truth. We may not have been friends for a long time, but I know you have a good heart and I can't stand by and watch you get hurt." Billion said.Esther was trying to process everything, this was the last thing she was expecting to hear. Her thought was distracted by the message sound on her phone going off.She brought out her phone and realized it was messages from Xavier, he sent not just messages but pictures as well."Is everything okay?" Billion asked her when he realized she just continued to stare at her phone for a while."Xavier sent me pictures and he's hurt. Listen, I know he may be up to no good, but I can't sit back and watch while he's in this condition.I'm not going to tell him about any of what we've discussed, but right now, I need to be by his side." Esther sa
"Number one." Billion started, "Xavier can bring up the name; Joy." Esther scoffed loudly, "That's not possible." she said."Hold on, I'm not done yet. Xavier could bring up Joy's name and tell you about her and about his past relationship with her. I believe he would also mention how badly he had treated her and how he deeply regrets it. He could say she had an involvement in what happened to his parents and instead of resenting her, her actions awakened something he had been bottling in.Xavier would then confess to you he had rekindled his relationship with Joy and he realizes he's in love with her. And then he'll claim it would be unfair to you for him to proceed with the marriage knowing fully well his heart belongs to another." Billion explained and paused."I think I get it, this is a possibility. Xavier knows you have a kind heart, he knows you would never force him to marry you, he's aware you love him deeply and rather than him being in an unhappy marriage with you, you'd r
Confusion. That was what Joy and Billion felt. They were still trying to process Joy screaming so loudly when a knock on the door startled them."Mr Boulevard, is everything okay?" Billion's secretary asked and immediately entered his office."Sure, everything is okay." Billion replied."I heard the scream and I rushed to find out what the problem was." the secretary replied, her eyes fixed on Esther."You don't have to bother yourself. Our friend here, Esther, just received really terrible news, so she just needed to let it out." Joy explained."Oh, I see. I'm really sorry about whatever it is she's going through. I'll leave you guys to comfort her." the secretary said and left.Esther had stopped screaming, she just sat in her chair weeping profusely. After exchanging looks, Joy went over to console her. She moved one of the chairs so she could sit in front of Joy, however, she still maintained a reasonable distance so it wouldn't seem like she was crowding in Joy's personal spa
Esther paused. She stood in front of her cousin's door but somehow, she couldn't get herself to ring the bell.She contemplated knocking instead, but she hesitated, she couldn't believe she was about to go through with the plan.It was a plan she had come up with, but if she had been told a week ago that she would be standing in front of Thelma's door and about to test her fiance, she wouldn't believe it.The plan was simple. She would go to her cousin's house, hide and then Thelma would invite Xavier over.When he got there, Thelma would look for a way to make him reveal a bit of his plans to her and she was convinced he would because he was already opening up bit by bit to her.Esther couldn't believe that, not only did Xavier not really love her, he was willing to disrespect her by having a thing with her cousin.A part of her wished everything they had planned out would go accordingly, but a tiny part of her still wished it would all be a lie, but in her mind, she knew better.