“Who are you” Vera asked in astonishment “ I am me Vera” Ivan replied with a chuckle, he knew that Vera would never be ready to know the answer to that question.“I know I gave you a giant sum for the contract, but I also know that that money is nowhere enough to do all this in so short a period,” Vera said, sitting upright.“The money from the contract went straight to charity Vera, this…” Ivan said, gesturing with a wave of his hand," It is all me.” He answered with a grin.“Who are you?” Vera asked again.Ivan put off the stove, took the popcorn down, and walked dramatically to the island where she sat and stared at her for a while.“Take a guess.” He said leaning on it.“At this point, I don't even know what to guess.” She said honestly. Her mind reeled with the possibilities of who he could be.“Hi Vera, my name is Ivan Dan Hugo, CEO of Hugo incorporated,” Ivan said, stretching forth his hand for a handshake.Vera stared with wide eyes and mouth, there was no way that this man,
Chapter 99It had been two weeks since Sara talked with Ares, her sight had gotten fully better, and she felt overall stronger, but she had not told anyone about it yet.She had all but avoided Ares for the moment, trying to get to know and understand this new her.Anna too had not been as present as she used to be, but their bond was still very much alive whenever she was around.She had all but avoided Ares slightly, for now, trying to get to know and understand this new her.Spending more time in the bathroom, and even longer hours in front of the mirror, was slowly becoming a norm for her, and she did not see herself stopping anytime soon It was safe to say she was utterly obsessed with herself, it did not help that Ares had gotten her a smartphone during the week.Now all she did was take pictures of herself and learn new ways to style her hair and make up her face.She loved every bit of it though, she was slowly getting to know and understand the full gravity of being a woman,
It had been a week and some days, approximately two weeks, since the incident with the red Audi.Vera had been more aware and conscious of her surroundings since the event and yes, she had been at Ivan's mansion the whole two weeks.She loved it here, coupled with the fact that he treated her like a queen who was passing time at his abode, she dreaded when the time to leave would come.He had volunteered to bring her to work and fetch her after closing hours, just to be certain she was safe. Vera never made the mistake of leaving her office building until closing hours when Ivan came for her.Occasionally she felt it was too much for him and that she was a little scared of the probability that she was disturbing him and his schedule or maybe invading his personal space.Nothing about the way Ivan acted or spoke to her gave her the impression of these things, but she knew the thought of it was a possibility.She has been her happiest and calmest this past week, her most well-fed self b
It's been a couple of days in Bali, and Eve had made the most of each day that went by.Bali was her dream, and now she was finally here, it unfolded before her like a world of beautiful tropical paradise and Eve basked in all of its enchanting beauty and splendor the most she could.From the moment her feet touched the Sandy shores, she was captivated by the warmth that came with each breeze that tousled her hair.The sweet scents of frangipani flowers that filled the air enthralled her. Her heart swelled with excitement, and she thought to herself that maybe this was not just a trip to deceive Ares and the world.This was her escape from her reality, this was a journey of exploration and self-discovery she had embarked on.With each day that passed by, Eve tried out new adventures, new food, a new things about the rich culture of the indigents.Eve started her mornings with a peaceful yoga session, surrounded by lush greenery and the soothing sounds of nature.She was beginning to l
Artemis groaned as the alarm rang loudly beside her on the bedside table, she hated that she had to wake up this early to start getting ready for work.She felt a mix of nerves and excitement as she got up from her bed and walked into the bathroom to get ready.Her mind reeled as she rehearsed everything she had to say to Ivan in her head, she needed as much courage as she could gather.She was not scared of him, but she knew the impact her decision would have on him, and, considering the events of the past few weeks, he would want to keep her close still.Artemis had worked with him for several years, but she felt it would as time for a change, she was not doing this because of what happened.Although it was a big part of her decision to leave, she also knew she needed to take this leap and step towards being her woman.She stepped out of the bathroom towards her dresser and rummaged through it, she had already mentally picked an outfit for the day so it did not take long to fish it
Sara trudged the floors of the entire house, it had become a never-ending habit since Anna and Ares started acting sketchy.It was late evening and Anna had retired for the day while Ares was not home yet, probably stuck in traffic or had a lot to do because he was usually home by this time.Sara glanced at the giant clock on the wall opposite the door and sighed.She had been feeling a strange sense of emptiness in her heart that she could not quite place the source.A longing to know where she came from and who her family was, looking for Mr. Golden Hair from the supermarket was not as easy as she had thought it would be.She had always been the girl who had the family, so it was surprising even for her to want to find them now.Maybe it was because Are's presence in her life had stirred something deep within her, the part of her that longed to know her root and origin.Tired of pacing the floor, Sara lowered herself into the floor, facing the gigantic window and staring down into t
Vera smiled to herself as she got ready to leave, she had been overly bubbly since their date last night.Ivan had surprised her with an extravagant dinner date, and they had gone to the mall and park after.She got stares and a few people took pictures when they saw the famous Vera Oliver in the park bare feet with her ex-husband.It was fun, and she would not change anything about anything that happened yesterday.Her smile grew into a grin, then a chuckle, and then even more into a giggle.She felt all jittery inside when the very image of Ivan confessing his feelings to her came afresh in her memory.Glancing one last time at the clock, she hurriedly put her feet into her shoes and dashed out the door.She had invited her mother to breakfast at a café not too far from Ivan's, she could not wait to tell her the good news and most definitely was not ready to tell Ivan on the phone, hence the invite.She turned the key in the ignition and pressed the remote to the gate before driving
Sara turned around in bed, unable to find a comfortable enough position to sleep in for the first time since she for to Ares' house.It had always been easy to fall asleep given that the bed was soft, and the sheets were comfy and gave a homely feeling, but now it was the reverse.She turned to look at Ares passed out beside her, he was tired. She could see it in his eyes when he walked in earlier that night.He also seemed bothered, but she did not ask him about it, not that she did not care, the reverse was, in fact, the case.But Sara was exhausted from not getting answers, so she had learned to always swallow her questions and maybe seek answers through observing if she could.He had devoured his plate of food within minutes of being served and even asked for more, which Sara obliged hastily.Downed two glasses of water, sat for about five minutes, and headed straight to bed, giving her a nod and a curt goodnight which she hummed to.As she looked into his face now, she could see
Chapter 190Ivan peeked at the back from where her seat every two seconds, he was a nervous wreck but tried his best to conceal that fact.His bride was yet to come, and with each passing minute, he wondered if she had changed her mind.Hermes patted his shoulders in reassurance, but his mind still was not settled.Ivan turned to look at the door again, this time his eyes met with Ares, who was beside his fiancé, Sara.Ares gave him a curt nod and a smile, while Sara waved enthusiastically.Ivan returned the item Ave and a nod before turning to face the judge.He and Vera had decided on a simple court wedding with close friends and loved ones. She had adamantly refused to have a big wedding as according to her, she was already too heavy, and organizing one would drain her.She was a perfectionist, so organizing a big event would mean going all out, and she was already too heavy for that.Ivan understood her more than anyone, they were expecting their little one anytime now, as Vera w
Chapter 189Sara sighed in relief when they all walked out of the Hamilton's house and headed for the car.This was the happiest she had been in a long time, it seemed like she had found a missing piece of herself in that little girl.They looked alike in so many aspects, and Sara would be lying if she said she did not see fragments of herself In that little girl.Her eyes, just like hers are big, brown, and Beautiful. Ushering on win into its beautiful depths.Holding so much emotion even for someone as young as her, and Sara felt like she had the trophy when she held her in her arms.When she had let Sara hug her, Sara had sobbed holding her in her arms, she smelt like heaven, felt like paradise and when she smiled, Sara compared the brightness on her face to the stars in the Galaxy.And although Sara had not told her who she was, she felt Aria could sense it, from how much they looked so alike to each other and something deeper The girl had her eyes trained on Sara the whole time
Chapter 188Catherine was glad that she was able to convince Marilyn, otherwise. The other woman, while she may seem like a softie, was a hard nut to crack.But Catherine had done it all, all by herself. Slowly, Marilyn was becoming her usual cheerful and outgoing self.Catherine could remember when Marilyn had started therapy a few days ago and had told her she had an idea.Her genius idea was to reopen the case of Steve Anderson's death and the missing of her husband.Catherine had stopped in her tracks while staring at Marilyn with surprise.This was the same woman who had argued with her when she recommended taking the case further.Catherine had disagreed the very minute the words had left Marilyn's mouth.She could not let her friends go ahead with a plan, a very dangerous one that could endanger her.What if whoever killed Steve was out there, what if they watched her take them internationally, and then she became their new target?She was unable to let it, and will not let it
Chapter 187Ares smiled into the mirror as he buttoned the last part of had shirt, carefully tucking it into his pants.He had been smiling since he left Sara's, it was like that one kiss with Sara had brought back the spark in his life back to him.His eyes were not so dull, his skin looked revived, and the bags under his eyes were less visible.Running his fingers in his hair to smoothen it down, Ares picked up his key and dashed out of the room.Ares drove out of the driveway with a new-found hope, meeting with Sara had given him a strength he never knew he lacked.They had agreed to meet Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton again, but this time with Sara in their company.He hoped she would keep the same energy as she had before they parted ways last night.Parking the car, he walked into the house you get Sara, they were already running late, and he still had to fetch Anna before they left.“Hey, I am here for Sara.” Ares said when he saw Hermes stepping out of the house just as he went in to k
Chapter 186Sara sighed as she looked around the hospital room one last time. As much as she hated it here, she would miss these walls.These blank white walls that she had stared at all those nights when she could not sleep from all the pain that coursed through her, body and soul.Tuning to a waiting Hermes, she gave him a curt nod to signify she was ready to leave.Hermes patted her shoulders in reassurance, guiding the wheelchair out of the room and into the Hallway.Sara smiled and waved at the few patients whose faces she could remember, she would miss them.Not so much, though, but they had contributed one way or the other to her journey of recovery.As they wheeled out of the hospital, she sighed in satisfaction as fresh air hit her face, greeting her and the sunlight cast its warm glow on her skin.The fresh air she felt was a giant contrast to the sterile air inside the hospital, one she had slowly grown accustomed to but was now leaving behind.The scent of fresh air mingle
Eve stared into the evening sky, smiling as she gazed at the stars that glittered in the distant galaxies.She felt she had every reason to smile, things had surprisingly been working out for her and Gede.They finally moved into their place all with the blessing of his family, and she had made peace with her friends.Carmen had not taken her decision to settle in Bali very lightly, threatening to come get her every day.But Eve knew that they knew not to come and get her, she liked it here, scratch that, she loved it here.Oliver, on the other hand, had been the last person to forgive her. Eve could not blame her, she loved her more than anyone else in the friend group.Of course, she was the most hurt, it broke Eve's heart when she thought about what she did to her or how she might have felt.But what had been done had already been done, she had made the mistake, and it could not be taken back.Kira, sweet old Kira was the least disturbed, she had just shrugged and said she knew and
Chapter 184Keeping her little family private was not exactly a choice that Athena had chosen for herself, but it was what seemed to be right at the time.She had made a family, a small, beautiful one with a mortal whom she had bared herself to.Alex was the one man who had seen beyond her mortality, and even more understood her when she explained who she was.They had met downtown when Ares had sent her on an errand. They had bumped into each other while she was trying to cover her tracks.Something had clicked between them ever since, and Athena could not resist it.Of course, they had met again, and again, and again. By the third time they met, they were stumbling into his little apartment.Lips locked, hands all over each other, and clothes flying off their bodies. Stumbling and quickly, they had found the bed and Athena was unable to remember a more passionate night for her.They had made sweet love, with his hands and mouth on every inch of her body.Athena knew then that she wo
Chapter 183The rest of the ride was quiet, and soon they were there, parked in front of the house, with Ares too skeptical to walk up to the door.“You know we can't just sit here in the car and stare at the door all day,” Anna said, sighing in frustration.“Yeah, I know, it's just… I don't know Anna.” Ares said, his fingers gripping the steering wheel tightly, Ares exhaled a long breath.“Ares, we should go.” Anna urged him, “Let's go, come on.” Anna said, stepping out of the car and peeking in to give him a stern look.“Come on Ares,” Anna said as she walked towards the door.It was evening already, and Anna hoped with everything in her that they were in and would be willing to let them see the child.Ares finally gathered enough courage to step outside the car and all towards the door.Anna had already rang the bell, so she stood aside and waited for the door to open.Walking over to stand behind her, Anna turned to give him a reassuring look before ringing the bell again.This ti
Athena sighed as she rolled over in bed, it was one of those days when she would rather not in bed than get up for any reason But she had plans, and with the company being her sole responsibility now since Ares embarked on the journey of finding his child, she needed to be at the office.Rubbing her eyes for a few minutes, Athena finally rolled out, sitting at the edge of the bed and contemplating if all this was really worth it.Or perhaps she could ditch work and everything else for the day, fall back into her bed, and pretend none of it even existed.Scolding herself, she pushed off the bed and headed for the bathroom to get ready.Getting right into it, she did her morning business. Brushing her teeth lazily as she sat on the toilet bowl.Tearing her pajamas off her body when she was done, she trudged into the shower Putting on and letting the cold shower cascade down her back. Exhaling sharply as the cold cut through her skin, giving her goosebumps. It was precisely what she n