“Alistair! What a … pleasant surprise”, Layla said, as she swung the door open.
“Hey Layla. How are you… how are you doing?”
“I'm great. Oh please, come in”, she said, stepping back from the door. Alistair walked up the remaining part of the small stairs into the house and Layla shut the door behind him. He walked slowly in, feeling a little nervous.
“Where's your mum?”
“She's in her room. She was on a call but I'm sure she'll be done by now. Let me check on her and tell her you are here”
Alistair nodded, watching Layla walk out of the living room into one of the adjoining rooms. He turned to the windows, acknowledging the cozziness of the country house as he walked towards that end of the room. He'd wondered why they'd come all the way here to live, giving a lot of distance from the busy city. Here, you could barely hear honking cars, loud city ad screens or sirens. There was a still quietness about it, a comforting yet uncomfortable silence around it all.
“Alistair?”, Tricia Moore's voice came from behind.
“Nana”, Alistair responded, turning immediately he heard the voice. She stretched her arms towards him for a hug and Alistair responded alike, coming into her short ranged arms.
“Oh Alistair ”, She whispered to him, caressing his back hair like he was some long lost son. She finally let go of him, keeping still within arm's range.
“How have you been my dear? It's been so long since you visited.”
“I…”
“I understand”, she said, placing her hand over his. “You know I always do”
She gave him that kind smile, that smile that reminded him of so many unspoken memories in his head, memories that seemed so cloudy in his head now.
They hugged again and this time Alistair didn't feel like letting go. Her hands soothed his back slowly, just the way she would do when he was much younger.
“Come… tell me. How are you?”, She asked, leading him to sit beside her on the couch.
“I'm fine Nana. How have you been? How’s your health?”
“I've been well dear. Very well. Layla's been taking care of me and my health is better”
“I'm glad to hear that Nana”, Alistair said with a brief smile.
“Oh dear”, Tricia gasped like she'd forgotten something. “Where's the cake Layla?”
“Bringing it Mum”, she shouted from the kitchen.
“Oh that wouldn't be necessary Nana”, Alistair began protesting.
“I insist dear. Let me”, she said again with that smile of hers. Layla brought a slice of cream chocolate cake on a saucer and some iced tea in an averagely tall glass, all balanced perfectly on the tray. The aroma of the cake filled the room but the cake tasted even better.
“You like it?”, Tricia asked as she took the saucer from her daughter.
“It's almond and chocolate”
Alistair nodded, taking another chunk with his fork.
“Really? It doesn't taste like it”, Alistair said, looking at the slice in his hand amidst a mouthful of cake.
“But it's my favourite of your recipes anyway”
Tricia Moore smiled, filling her own fork with cake. She watched Alistair as he took chunk after chunk off the cake. Placing her saucer down, she excused herself.
She walked into the kitchen, going straight to the oven.
“Layla”
“Layla!”
“Yes mum”, Layla answered coming into the kitchen, one hand struggling to fix her earring.
“Why is this cake in the oven?”
“Oh that's the almond and hazelnut cake”
“But I thought I specifically asked you to serve it first”
“Yes but the cake wasn't done properly and I forgot that you had asked me to serve it first. Besides, Alistair is allergic to hazelnut. You couldn't have possibly forgotten, could you?”
“Oh dear, that's true. He is allergic”
“Mum… you can't keep forgetting sensitive details like that”
“I'm sorry. It won't happen next time. Thank you for reminding me”
“You are welcome”, Layla said, pecking her mum. She took a chunk of the already cut out cake on the saucer and headed for the door.
“Going somewhere?”
“Yeah, I have lunch date with my friends”
“Where?”
“Zikki's”
“And who is Zikki again?”
“Mum…”, Layla groaned.
“I’ll explain when I get back, ok? Love you” She blew a kiss and the door shut loudly.
“Layla wait up”, Alistair said, also passing the kitchen.
“Are you going to?”
“Yes Nana. I have to rush. It's … it's almost dinner time at the house.”
Oh you can stay for dinner dear, I don't mind”
“I wish I could Nana but I have to go”
“Ohhh”
He came to where she stood and hugged her.
“I promise to come visiting the minute I have the chance”
“Ok dear. I look forward to seeing you”
She smiled, watching as he walked out the door. She turned to the kitchen window, where she could see him escorting Layla to the road.
“Two adorable children aren't they?”
******************************
“Elara”, Ethan called as his voice echoed through the empty space.
“Elara”
“Mr. Ethan Sterling, why the heck are you shouting?”, She said, tipping over a little as she rested on the protectors. She was up the stairs and Ethan looked up to her.
Ethan licked his lips. “Oh I'm definitely coming for you”, he said as he moved to the head of the stairs and made his way up. In her panties and a loose singlet top, she walked towards him as he arrived at the top of the stairs, his eyes devouring her already.
She put her hands round his neck and they kissed passionately. She giggled as he hands moved inside her, she pulling in more.
“Hmm… I can see you've missed me”, she said, as she felt her panties slide down her thighs.
“You think?”
He carried her thick thighs to the room, laying her on the bed as he hurriedly removed his clothes. Soon, they were both in their birthday suits with moans and alluring groanings echoing in the house.
Alistair was yet to find out as he walked up the stairs, wondering who was in the house. His first guess was as good as correct as he met Elara's undies on the floor just in front of the room.
He pushed the door open and there they were.
“What the … shit!”
Ethan fell over to other side of the bed, breathing heavily.
“What are you…. Get out of here”, Elara said, her face never more annoyed. She gathered the duvet clothes to cover herself.
“Elara, I thought you said this bastard won't be a problem”
“He won't.. he's just…”, she said, amidst gathering the falling, heavy duvet to get to the door. Alistair just stood there, too dumbfounded to speak.
“Would you get out of here?”
“Elara, what are you…?”
“What? I'm ******* with Ethan Sterling, so? Think I want to be married to you? Get out of here!”, She shouted, banging the door in his face.
“Arghh”, Elara groaned. “My parents stupid decisions!”
“Forget him. Where were we?”
Their giggles filled the house again and Alistair just stared at the door, unable to speak. He finally walked away, a sorry and broken man.
Should he have expected more? He knew Elara wasn't his biggest fan but this… this was beyond the line. And look at him, thinking marriage would make her love him. She'd obviously been cheating on his all along.
“Get me another cup”, Ms. Wilde commanded the maid standing near her. The maid hurried out of the room and was soon back with another tea cup on a saucer. She placed it on the table in front of her madam, taking out the rejected one.“Where's my husband?”, she asked as the maid poured liquid milk into the cup.“He left for work early today ma'am”“Without letting me know?” she asked, slowing down suddenly as she placed some cut fruits in a bowl.“Ye..yes ma'am.”There was an uncomfortable silence that followed her reply.“Did he have breakfast?”, she asked, picking up the sugar tongs.She stopped as if listening for a distant reply from the maid that was right next to her.“No … no ma'am. He insisted on not …”“What time was the breakfast set?”The maid looked down and the room went dead silent again.“What time?”“ 5 …. 6.00 a.m ma'am”“And my husband left by what time?”“Four ma'am”Mrs. Wilde dropped the sugar tongs on the saucer. The sound of the metal clashing with the ceramic di
The red bubbly liquid filled the tall tulip glass in his hand.“Honey, have you seen this?!”, she said, walking into the living room rather more hastily thanusual.“The Voxx Group is having their first annual gathering in twenty years.”, Mr. Wilde said,sipping his chilled rose wine. “I'm aware”“And? Aren't we attending?”“Of course we are attending. But I have a business meeting today. It depends on when I finish”“And you didn't think to tell me Gerald? You had invitations from over a week ago! And I'm justfinding out today about this event?”“I've been occupied, Kate.”, He said in a cool tone, putting down his glass. “I'm busy”“Plus, you sit all day with your phone. How come you weren't aware?”“So? What has that got to do with this?”Gerald Wilde placed the glass out again for the wine chef to fill. He sipped slowly like he hadn't heard a word she had just said. He waved a hand, dismissing the young chef.“What do you want Kate?”, he asked, dropping the glass on the glass cent
“Dadd!!”, Elara whined on the phone. “You are not going to be done till another hour and the event is just fifteen minutes away from starting!”“Elara, I have said…”“And it just can't happen! Urghh”, she groaned loudly into the mouthpiece.“I have to go back to my meeting Elara”“Ok, ok, fine, wait. Release our own invites and you can cut down on my allowance by 5%”Her father was quiet for some time.“It's a one time offer Daddy. And don't you think I won't get it back”Gerald laughed. “I'll have my secretary mail the digital invites to you right away”“Perfect. Have fun with your boring meeting”, she said and hung up.Just then her mum walked into the living room.“Darling, this or this?” she asked, holding up the pieces of jewelry. In her right hand was a simple pendant necklace with a heart shaped diamond designed with shiny little threads of silver criss- crossing the face. Her left hand had a fine gold torque necklace in its open box with matching earrings, bracelets and rings.
He moved into where the main party was holding, where the elegant tables and chairs were arranged. Middle aged people talked in groups, very elegantly dressed so you could guess at once that they were rich. Most of the young people were in groups of two and three and their groups seemed clustered together to one side of the space from the supposed entrance.“Oh, there's Mr. Wilde”, he spotted as his eyes moved slowly across the open space. He could see him with some elderly men of his age discussing in low volumes near the stage.Alistair couldn't believe that he was in this very Voxx meeting - the first after twenty years of his parents’ death. What shocked him the most was his sharp memory of the faces - he could still tell and recognise the owners of some of the enterprises under the Voxx Group and some of his father's closest partners. As his eyes darted around, in search of a free seat, he hoped earnestly that no one would draw attention to him.But how wrong he was.“Isn't that
Alistair looked at the document shoved into his hands. He was confused.“What… I.. I don't understand”“Sign the freaking papers, Alistair!”, Elara shouted, glaring angrily at him.“I don't understand, Elara. What.. are … are these divorce papers?”Smack! That was the third time he had been slapped in a row.“Have you suddenly lost your ability to read? Or is it your ability to comprehend that's the problem?” , Elara insulted, casting her wicked glares on him.But Alistair's mental faculties didn't want to comprehend at that moment. They were blank, they remained blank and that was how he wanted them to remain.“I have had a whole year. A whole year Alistair! A whole year of putting up with your… your stupidity! And… and … with the …. disgrace… and with the … the… Urghh!”, She shouted in frustration, tugging furiously at her hair.“You see what you are doing?! Do you see what this bastard has caused for this family, Gerald? And I warned you, didn't I? And you didn’t fulfil all the pla
“Alistair”, Nathan said, getting to his feet as soon as he saw him. He walked over more briskly than Alistair entered the room, engulfing him in a hug. Surprised but not shook, he slowly hugged back, memories flooding him all at once.“Nathan”, he said slowly, in a raspy, loud whisper.“It's been… so long”“Yeah like fifteen years”, Alistair said, disentangling from the hug.“Still can't believe it's you”“I….me neither”“Ahemm”, the lawyer's deep cough brought both young men to reality.“Oh… ummm.. sorry. Back to business please”, Nathan said as he unnecessarily adjusted his suit, leading Alistair to where the fairly long conference table was.“Take a seat please”, Nathan instructed as Regan walked up to pull out the chair.“Thanks”, Alistair said to Regan, taking his seat slowly.An awkward silence filled the room as Nathan signaled all the men in the room to leave, except Regan of course. Nathan cleared his throat, obviously a little nervous to start.“Umm… Mr. Alistair, this is y
“What’s the meaning of this Nathan? Huh? Why didn't you inform me that this was what this meeting was about?”“I’m sorry sir. I was only acting on Mr. Voxx final instructions.”“Mr Voxx is dead! And I adopted his son. I am closer than a next of kin. I should have been told about this!”The elevator doors swung open. Mr. Wilde stepped out angrily, headed for the building's exit door. The automatic doors slid open and Mr. Wilde came to out where his car was parked.“I want a copy of that contract document, Nathan”“I'm sorry Mr. Wilde but you don't get a copy. But you will get to sign in consent as a voluntary adoptive parent to Mr. Alistair's inheritance.”“I'm not asking you Nathan. That's an order. And if I don't get a copy, forget my signature being in that consent.”“Oh you will sign it Mr. Wilde”, Nathan said, his tone suddenly raspy and dangerous.“You have too much to risk. After all, isn't he still the bastard son in law of yours?”“What … what are you talking about?”Nathan sm
Alistair woke up rather too suddenly, his seemingly pleasant yet nightmare of a dream stirring his consciousness. For a moment, he was bewildered, stirring at the suite he was in, confused. The chandelier lights, though dimmed, seemed to bright for his eyes. He squinted, his realization first of his non-aching body.Moving around, his soon found the bathroom and washed his face. Then realization dawned him. The events of last night.Anyone who'd known him and witnessed the previous night could have given him an award for composure. Apparent composure though. No one knew or rather, he should say no one knew yet the things he already had set in motion in his imagination.But his sudden wealth had shook him. Even Nathan knew that at some point, he'd drop the nonchalant, indifferent attitude he was wearing. He was beyond awed. And the irony of events as well? Hadn't it been few moments away from his utter embarrassment and divorcement? A smug smile appeared on his face as he wondered the
Alistair brought the boat cruise to a stop. Just when he decided to take his mind off the chaos happening. Elara was killed, and he found his way to a hotel room.Nathan, Layla, and Reagan were with him. "I think this is the right time to let the authorities in on this," Layla muttered."Yeah, this was the same thought on my mind as we exited the boat. Tomorrow morning I am going to head back home, gather all the evidence, get Mark involved in this, and report this to the authorities.""Exactly, this is the best thing to do if you ask me. We can no longer contain this. It would have been you, but Elara took your spot.Who knows who would be next? It could be me, Layla, or you. That's more reason you need to get Mark to go with you tomorrow morning. It's time to bring an end to this madness of Mr. Wilde, and his partners."(The next day)Mr. Alistair quickly rushed home and got hold of the files. He already informed Mark about his plans and asked him to wait for him at the police stati
Layla was briefed about what she needed to do by Alistair. Unlike the last time, Nathan agreed to this, he was in full support.The plan was for Alistair to call for a meeting, he made it for Mr. Sterling to attend. Making sure Layla won't have any problem retrieving the document.Layla arrived early at Voxx's Technologies. She waited for him to leave for the meeting. Immediately she was sure he had left. She immediately went into his room, Fiona was at the door watching out for her.Just in case her brother or anyone tries to go in. Layla went straight to the shelf and did just like Fiona explained. The shelf moved away revealing a safe.She smiled, and quickly imputed the code which Fiona gave to her. The safe opened, but to her amazement the safe was empty. She was confused, and immediately she brought out her phone and took a photo.She sent it to Alistair and quickly closed the safe. The shelf went back to its position. She came out of Mr. Sterling's office, Fiona was expecting t
Alistair, Nathan, Layla, Burundi, and Mark stepped out of his study room. Mark came to submit some files of illegal acts Mr. Wilde has been engaged in the past.They were all tired after accessing each case one by one. But none of the cases has to do with Voxx's Group or his father's death. The only information they found useful was the fact that he possessed a certain USB key.They all retired to their different rooms, while Mark went home. Alistair couldn't get sleep, so he brought the file to the dining room, sat down, and went through it once more. Hoping he would find something.Mrs. Tricia, who came out to make a phone call to someone, was shocked to see Alistair seated in the dining room. Before she could retrace her step, Alistair sighted her. She composed herself and walked towards him."You aren't asleep, what's going on? You also look worried, are you fine?"Alistair shook his head, "I ain't fine, a lot of things are going on."She sat down, "Do you care to share what's goi
(Three weeks later)Kathy was present in the office of her boss, Mr. Alistair. She had a little bottle which Oliver gave her to spike Alistair's drink. She was a bit scared, but at the same time, she knew she also needed to be careful.She paced to and fro in his office, waiting for a particular time to do what she had in mind to do. Her gaze was on everyone in the room, all she was waiting for was Mr. Alistair to request coffee or tea."Kathy, please get me tea just before the meeting starts." She smiled at him, but it was a dry smile. "Yes boss, I am on it."She walked out of the office and went straight to her office. She already had the tea made, all she had to do was to pour in the liquid that would spike the drink. She got a mug, poured the drink into it, and poured in the liquid.She did the sign of the cross and walked out of her office heading back to Mr. Alistair's office. She tried to compose herself, she knew how observant Mr. Alistair and Nathan were.If she acts in a sha
Ethan walked out of the bathroom, he was shocked to see the three ladies lying down on the bed.He wanted to shout at them, but then he remembered this wasn't his home. It was just a brothel. He picked up his shirt, phone, and car keys, and walked out of the room.He wasn't watching where he was going, and he bumped into a guy. He got annoyed and was about to retaliate only to find out it was Oliver."Oliver.""Ethan," Oliver called out. Ethan's gaze moved to the lady beside him, "Kathy? Wait a minute, can someone tell me what's going on here?""Man calm down, you don't have to get confused. She's my girlfriend, you know the ethics of the common, you can't date your colleagues.Well, it just happened that we fell in love with each other, and we just couldn't throw it under the bridge because of some dumb organization stuff.""Wait a minute Oliver, for how long has this been happening?"Oliver looked at Kathy, "Two tears.""What? You mean you guys have been dating for a good two years,
(Few Hours Later)"You look really tense, and should I say unhappy, what's going on?" Elara asked as she reached for Mr. Alistair's hands.Mr. Alistair smiled, this was one of his tricks to get her into doing whatever he wanted her to do. "Let's just say I am extremely tired, you know what it means to work as the president of Vox's Group right?"She nodded her head, "Yeah I partially have an idea. There are times when I see my Dad in a terrible state just because of work. That's one of the reasons I said to myself I was never going to work.Not like work work, I mean get into the corporate work. I saw the torment it caused to my Dad, that shit pissed me off. That's more reason I decided to follow the career path of my Dad."Mr. Alistair was taking note of the things she said about her Dad. "Do you think your Dad has something special he's hiding? You know maybe a special property in his safe?"Elara smiled, "I don't fucking have an idea about that. How am I supposed to know if he does
Mr. Alistair turned towards him, "What, and what have you found about it?""Well I have found someone who can be of much help to us," he answered as he stepped out of the elevator."Really? How come I didn't know about this, and what if this so-called person is one of Mr. Wild's loyal fans?"They got into his office, and Layla was asleep. "Come on man, don't you trust me anymore? I did my research, and he has definitely nothing to do with Mr. Wilde. Besides, he's an undercover CIA agent. Trust me when I say he can be of much help.""Wait a minute, did you just say ah undercover CIA agent?"Layla woke up due to the pitch of their voice. "Yeah, you heard me correctly. An undercover CIA agent.""If he's an undercover CIA agent, how did you get to him? Don't you think if you can find him, whosoever he was made to watch won't also have a problem in finding out that he's a CIA agent?"He chuckled, "I think I didn't really explain things to you. Well, there's this friend of mine who I used t
(Few Hours Later)Fiona and Mr. Alistair were seated in the restaurant as they were both having steaks and juice. "What is it, you wanted to tell me?"Fiona smiled, "I know this might sound crazy, but I think this is what we need to do."Mr. Alistair was confused, so he sat up. "What do you mean, please explain."She cleared her throat and reached for his hands. "I know this sounds funny, but I want to propose something.""What's that?""I need us to act. I mean I want us to act as boyfriend and girlfriend. I am tired of my father nagging about getting married to you.Truth be told, I don't like you one bit. But I am just doing this because of my Dad, nothing more, nothing less.""Really? Do you want the both of us to act as couples? Do you think that's the way out?""Yes, that's the way out. If you ask me, it's the only way out. There's no way out than this," she replied, raising her voice."This is the reason why you called me right? To propose this piece of shit to me? Come on, are
Elara sat down on her bed smiling as she gazed at her phone. Her mum walked into her room without knocking."What's with that look on your face?" She asked, resting on her door."It's none of your business, Mum. But if you must know, it's just some random chat with a friend," she replied, her gaze not leaving her phone."A male friend, I suppose right?" She asked as she walked towards the bed."Come on Mum, what's with all this question?""I am glad you asked. Dear Elara, you aren't getting any younger, don't you think it's time for you to settle down? It's high time you need to get married," Mrs. Wilde muttered.Elara burst into laughter, "Mum, is this what you wanted to say? Come on, you don't have to worry about it, I am already working on it.""Wait a minute, do you mean you are already in a relationship with someone or what?"She nodded her head, "Yes mum, but don't ask me for any details. I ain't going to tell you anything, but be rest assured that your lovely daughter is in a r