Florenza indulged the child who followed her around the house, as she monitored the staff to ensure everyone was doing their assigned tasks for the day. As the chief domestic staff, she took her responsibilities very seriously. She ensured the mansion was spick and span and that domestic operations ran smoothly without any hitch. “Is it not weird to wash the walls?” The child asked, pointing to two maids who were brushing down a large white pillar with stiff brushes dipped in soapy water. Florenza laughed at the question and shook her head. “Alanna, those pillars are out and often exposed to dust. To keep them clean, we have to wash them often.” Florenza tried to explain as simply as she could to the seven year old. She smiled down at the little girl. She was happy about the progress the child was making. Alanna spoke more often now than she did when she first arrived at the Rossano mansion.
Leilani was staring thoughtlessly into space as was her habit these days when something caught her attention. The door to her room was creaking open slowly. Leilani flew up from the sofa in alarm. That was strange,The door was usually slammed open with force by her nurse, the monster and even his guards. She saw a young woman peek in, looking around the room tentatively, when she saw Leilani she froze. Both women stared at each other in shocked silence. Then the woman slowly began to edge forward.Leilani stood rooted, unable to move. This was strange. How did this woman get in here, where the hell were the formidable guards who always stood at the door? How and why did they let her in.Most importantly, who was she?She did not look dangerous. In fact, she was uncertain and moving with caution.The woman got
Dean stepped out of the hired luxury car that came complete with a chauffeur in white uniform. He walked around to the other side and helped Lyda out.The long powder blue dress she wore clung to her full hips and flared out at the bottom, covering her ankles and most of her heels.She put her hand in his, and they walked up the marbled entrance staircase into Christian Baker’s grand mansion. At the door, the butler nodded with a professional smile.“Dean connor.” Dean said to him. He saw the butler’s eyes light up just like the security guards’ at the gate had lit up.“Welcome to the Baker mansion.” He said and showed them in.“This place is grand.” Lyda whispered to him as they walked in, several paces behind the butler.“Yes.” Dean responded with a smile. But his attention was focused more on achieving his goal for the day. How best to navigate the topi
Dean walked downstairs into the very huge, wood-themed study at Christian Baker’s mansion. He wondered if he would have the time to get a study and house like this before his time was up.The few areas of the house he had seen so far were magnificent. He took his seat as Christian Baker moved around to stand behind his huge desk. He pulled out a bottle of whiskey from one of the desk drawers.“You know, you cannot afford to be as slow as this with something so important.” Christian Baker said as he filled up some glasses. “I am telling you this for future purposes.”“I'm not sure I understand.” Dean said, accepting a glass of whiskey from him. “If you do not state your case on time. Someone else will, and not in a way that will benefit you.” Christian Baker said. Dean still did not understand but he remained silent and watched the man take a swing from his drink.“Your work with Ally is impressive. Especially from a self made man.”Dean's jaw dropped. Him too? How did they know s
“Lyda. What’s wrong.” Dean said, rushing towards her. She was white and standing as stiff as a stick. “What's the problem?” He asked again, beginning to get very worried. She merely shook her head and tears began to stream down. That was when he noticed her smartphone. She had it stretched out to him.He paused, and then he took it from her and peered at the image. What he saw chilled his blood.“Who is this?” “Jess!” Lyda said in frustrated anger and burst into loud tears. Thankfully the party was in full swing and it was impossible for anyone to hear them over the loud music and chatter.He pulled her close and she buried her face in his chest, sobbing and trashing. Dean did not blame her. The picture he had just seen was disturbing to even him who had been in jail and seen terrible things.Jess's face had been badly beaten in.“We have to go to her. She will refuse to go to the hospital.” Lyda said quickly withdrawing from his arms. “What? She is not at the hospital?”“No. He
It was a long night for Dean and Lyda. They waited till two in the morning for the surgery to be completed.Lyda waited because this was her best friend, and Dean waited because Lyda was his responsibility and he could not just leave her out there like that.They finally returned to his apartment towards dawn, and as he tucked Lyda into bed, he shook his head in self derision. His plan to save Alanna had so backfired, now, he had a wife on his hands that he did not know what to do with. She was sleeping over more often, it seemed like she had practically moved in. Before he went to bed himself, he had to do one last thing. He opened his laptop and filled out the membership form with Levant Goldberg’s name as sponsor. He finally hit the bed at 4am. When next he opened his eyes, it was bright outside. He picked up his watch from the side table and saw it was 7am. He slowly got out of bed and went to the kitchen to make himself coffee.“Good morning.” He turned to see Lyda standin
Useless! Dean thought to himself. He knew this would happen. The cops in these parts were so incompetent. “Perhaps you know his last name or place of work? That could help with the search.” Cop 1 said.“I already told you all I know.” Lyda groaned in exasperation. “He works as a truck driver in one of the city’s factories. I don't know his last name.” For some reason, an alarm bell went off in Dean's head but he did not know why. “The longer it takes to find him, the more danger Jess is in. He may try to shut her up forever.” Lyda continued. “We could station a cop outside her ward, while we send his picture to all the factories in town.” Cop 1 said.“Please do.” Lyda said.Dean did not like this, if Rob had gone into hiding the way he suspected, the knowledge of his image circulating will only drive him further away. He may even run away from the city.
Dean watched Patel in silence as the man finished his glass of beer.“I am your biggest competitor in e-commerce. Our app has been in existence for almost fifteen years now.” Patel said.Dean felt a shiver run down his spine. “We had no close rivals all these years, and in just two months since its emergence you are about to send us packing.” Patel explained like he was truly having a heart to heart discussion with a dear friend. “I convinced Christian to change the terms. He did, but still refused to partner with my company.” He continued. Dean just sat stunned. What the hell was this? How is it possible that someone he did not know was actively trying to sabotage him by cutting off his major supply merchant? Was this what the world of business looked like?“I see why Christian like you so much, because I like your tenacity too. But I cannot understand why he would want to work with you, a strang