Alexander's POVHer hands reached from behind, cradling my chest. "I have been expecting you, love... I need you, I need you now," she whispered, her lips pressing a gentle kiss on my back."What are you doing, Eva? You said you wanted to talk?" I questioned. I had more important matters to attend to than being here right now.A gentle push redirected her hand as I turned to face her. "Just tell me why you called me here," I demanded. But her hands came back, slowly tapping and caressing my body, her eyes darting."I need you now," she insisted.I had enough. I held her hands, withdrawing them again. "If this is the reason you called me here, then I am sorry, but I need to go now.""Why? What's wrong with me? Or is there someone else? Why do you always play on ignoring me? I love you; why don't you get that?"Damn, are we doing this again, really? I told her countless times, but it just seems so hard for her to grasp."Stop it, Eva. You know there is nothing between us. You needed me,
Scarlet's POVMy eyes glared at the mirror as I slowly applied some lipstick, putting on some makeup. Finally, today was the commencement of the project after so many things leading to the postponing; it was finally time.Time to begin my plan, no more delay in it all.Wearing a nice, designer dress, I stepped down the stairs, making my way to my car, as I drove off, leaving the mansion and returning to the company, enteringThe mood was quite a busy one, with each employee working on their tasks. Well, I should expect the busy mood, as the company's AI project was to commence today.I slowly walked forth, making my way to the elevator, which took me to my office floor.Entering my office, I opened up my window, glancing at my laptop, checking out my research and information regarding the AI project.I needed each detail to be correct, with no sign of errors or faults. This was a big deal for me, being my first project to oversee, so I wouldn't want it going badly now.A knock grabbed
"We're going to have issues setting up the real-time pipeline without Aiden's input. Should we wait?" "We can't delay. Let's move forward with the preliminary steps. He'll catch up," I uttered. My plan went on-site well; the AI project had begun, and Aiden's absence was evident. Sure, this may leave a slight problem, but nothing that can't be solved. But he would certainly get a lot of consequences from this. "What's going on here?" A voice snapped me out of my thoughts, drawing my attention. It was Alexander who had walked in to analyze the project's progress. "Well, the team is having a slight issue," I replied. "Slight issue? Why?" he questioned. "Aiden, one of Nova Solutions' lead party, is absent. He was supposed to be in charge of optimizing the model for real-time data processing, but his absence proved to leave us with a whole bunch of mess to fix up," I explained, observing Alexander's mood slowly changing. "After what I made known yesterday, they all just don't seem t
A deep silence filled the room for a few seconds, with all eyes staring, some at Aiden and some at me."So, Mr. Aiden Harrison, do you know why you were called here to this meeting?" Alexander uttered, breaking the silence."I- I mean – I had no idea today was the project commencement, Sir," Aiden whispered."Don't you hear yourself? You were here yesterday, and the news reached you all that the project would commence today. Now, you're telling us you didn't know. Do you think this is some sort of joke, Mr. Aiden?" Alexander's tone echoed with burning rage.I admit I had never seen him this angry before, but I guess business was no joke in their line of work.What was more interesting and fun was Aiden's downcast gaze. I loved it all, but I still had no idea why I was called up to this meeting. Was this truly about Aiden? It didn't seem like they had known about the message."The shareholders have decided to relieve you of your job... you are fired, Mr. Aiden," the words slashed throug
"Shocked?" she whispered with a sly grin spreading across her lips. My eyes felt deceived as I retreated a bit before glaring again to confirm. She was at my doorstep. What was going on? What was she doing here?"Why are you here, Evelyn?" I questioned, my tone firm as I gave her an unwelcoming glance. Her hands pushed me as she barged in."How is it so bad that I came to see my stepsister? I missed you," she said mockingly. Thankfully, Sebastian wasn't yet at home; I wanted to avoid all this drama."Leave now, Evelyn.""Sadly, I can't, not after I'm done with what I'm here for," she said, walking further into the mansion, observing its interior. "Not bad. When I heard that my stepsister was the wife of Sebastian Hawthorne, the handsome and famous billionaire, I just had to confirm things.""Jealous?" I asked, watching her gaze slowly return to me. "You're jealous, right? I'm sure you thought that after I left, I would crawl through the dirt to survive. I mean, I'm sure that's what yo
A buzzing tone grabbed my attention as I reached for my phone. My face caught sight of the anonymous caller, but this time it was a video call. I found it hard to believe he would eventually call, but this was finally the time to confirm things. From the pictures, I had no idea who he was or how he knew me and got my details.A silent pause came over me as I slowly grabbed the phone and picked up the video call, releasing another sigh. My eyes caught a glimpse of him, but he seemed to be in the dark. I said nothing at first, my eyes trying to catch a glimpse of him in the shadowy background. "Hi," a voice came through, and I guessed it was him."Hello," I replied in a whisper, my eyes still searching. "Why can't I see your face? Why the shadowy background? Are you trying to hide something?" I questioned. Him calling on a video call wasn't helpful if I couldn't see him. I needed to confirm if the picture he sent was truly him.He left no reply, which made me more curious as to why he w
I felt a surge of electricity within me that left my bones numb and my fingers trembling. My parents? How could this be? I found myself out of the company without realizing it, my legs hurrying towards my car, my hands fumbling for my car keys as they shook uncontrollably. I hoped they were safe; nothing could happen to them. Finally managing to maintain some calm, I put my car key in the ignition after getting inside and started the engine, driving off immediately.I arrived at a traffic light with a stop sign. The silence and anxious pressure I felt were overwhelming. Learning about my parents' accident wasn't something I could easily cope with.Honk! A loud car horn snapped me out of my trance, and I continued driving. After a few minutes, I arrived at the hospital, got out of my car without hesitating to park it properly, and ran inside. My legs quickly carried me as I took in the chaos around me."Help! Nurse!" Loud noises echoed around the hospital as people rushed back and fort
Sebastian's POV"Boss, they are here," Annabel uttered. A meeting was arranged with some investors regarding a building project. I needed to expand my company's reach, and a deal with them would surely put that into action. "I'll be right there, Annabel. Just a sec," I said, watching Annabel leave after.As my hand reached for my laptop, I had some information to check, details I had ordered to be sent to me once done. Dr. Danielle Matteo, a businessman—well, a doctor in the eyes of many, but I know what goes on there. I had hoped for a proper and beneficial deal with him. I had ordered tight monitoring on him, but damn, just like the rest, he proved to be nothing more than a crook out to betray me, acting up in the name of loyalty. I see through it all. Well, this would surely be his loss. I will play his game; I shall make him think he's one step ahead of me when actually, he's far behind. I'm still in need of some dealings with him, and once I'm done, I'll make sure to shut him up.
Sebastian's POVI made my way out of the mansion, erupting in rage as I entered my car and drove off at that instant. How dare she? Why doesn't she just get it? Why doesn't she understand when I tell her to stay away? She speaks as though she knows what that woman did, how she made my every day a nightmare.The last thing I would ever want was to set my eyes on her again...I parked my car at a club as I entered, walking straight to the bartender. "Whiskey," I croaked as he poured me a drink. I gulped it in a swift motion, filling up another glass and downing that as well.The drink did little in calming me down, and neither did the music. I made my way to a seat, watching the display of dances from some of the ladies working in the club. Then, my eyes caught sight of one approaching me, sitting down near me. "Hi, wanna have some fun?" she whispered in my ear."I'm not in the mood," I said, giving her a furrowed brow. I wasn't here to make a night of desires. I was just here, hoping t
I led Sebastian's mother outside the church, and as we approached my car, I noticed Kaiden awaiting my presence. His eyes were fixed on Sebastian's mother, trying to guess who she was."She will be coming with us, Kaiden," I uttered."Wait, back to the mansion?" Kaiden asked, seemingly surprised."Where else would it be?" I said with a furrowed brow, prompting him to give a nod.I helped Sebastian's mother into the back seat before joining her. Kaiden started the car engine and began driving away from the church. The sun had already set. Upon arriving back at the mansion in the late night, I helped Sebastian's mother out and noticed Kaiden's gaze still fixed on her."What are you still waiting for?" I questioned, snapping him out of his trance-like state. "Oh, won't you be going out again, ma'am?"Honestly, what was wrong with him? After a long stressful day, why would I think of going out again? And anyway, I had made sure to attend to all my plans I had set for today."No, Kaiden, y
What was she doing here?"Mam, let's go…" Kaiden snapped. "I have to check on something first." I said, leaving no further response to him as I made my way through the streets, eventually entering the building. With my eyes slowly scanning each side, I searched for Sebastian's mother. Then I caught her seated in the front seat, her hands cradled together. As I approached her, I noticed her shut eyes."Please God, I know I don't deserve a second chance, but please, just please let him see me as his mother. Let him look at me once again with love pouring out of his eyes. All I ask is just for a second chance, a second chance to correct all my wrong doings and make things right." She kept mumbling, her tears flowing out with a cracked sobber tone."Why are you here, Mam? Why did you have to leave in such haste?" Kaiden's words came in a whisper, but those whispers seemed to cause Sebastian's mother's eyes to spring open slowly as they landed on me."Scarlet?" She uttered, her very expres
Scarlet's POVAfter the detective left, I gently stood up and made my way out, my eyes landing on Kaiden standing outside, awaiting my presence."Are you set to go, ma'am?" he questioned."Yes, Kaiden, let's go," I said, entering the passenger seat as he entered the front seat.I felt less bothered by his presence; I could let things slide for now. I had my aims and plans to see through."Where are we going now, ma'am?" Kaiden's voice came through.Since everything was set and my plan to uncover Evelyn's intentions was underway, my only thought was visiting my mom."Take us to the city mental asylum, Kaiden," I said."Sorry, ma'am, mental asylum?" he asked."Are you questioning my words? That's the next direction we're heading to. If you have a problem with it, I would surely love to go there myself without you bugging at my side," I said."Alright, ma'am, I will drive now," he said, starting the car engine and driving on, leaving the restaurant behind. Not long after, we arrived at t
The evening hours found me seated, checking through some documents placed on my desk. My attention was grasped by a call later; checking it out, it was Alexander.What could he be calling about?I picked up the call."Are you free tonight, Sebastian?" Alexander uttered."Why?""Just that I missed a friend and wanted to spend some time with him. How about dinner tonight at the restaurant near your office?""You mean the Oakwood Grill restaurant?" I questioned."Yeah, Sebastian."Really, what could it be that he had called and was now asking for a meetup? Friends? I wouldn't say so. I only saw him as a business partner, and he had proved to me how he handles the business well, which impressed me. So, I was simply only impressed by his passion and talent, and I lent a little help. But I guess he took it wrong.I don't have friends; I don't need any. Workers, maybe. Business partners, maybe. But friends? Not really happening.But it doesn't seem like a bad idea to catch up for dinner. And
I needed answers to all my questions, especially why he was with her.My fingers quickly dialed Rafe's number, calling him up. The call persisted, ringing for a few seconds before it was finally picked up."What could be the reason for receiving a call from you, Mr. Hawthorne?" Rafe's voice came through. "Do you need me to find someone for you again, or get some details?""Where are you now, Rafe?" I questioned, going straight to the reason why I had called."What do you mean, Mr. Hawthorne?""A question isn't answered with another, Rafe. Just tell me where you are now.""And why do you wish to know, Mr. Hawthorne? My whereabouts should be the least of your concern, but if you must know, then I strolled out a bit.""Strolled out?" I scoffed."Tell me, Rafe. Why were you with Scarlet today at the restaurant?" I questioned, noticing the silence that echoed after, as I could grasp a slow sigh through the call."It seems the hunter has also been hunted now. Were you spying on me, Mr. Hawt
Sebastian's POV "I am not selling this land for such an amount. You either agree to my price or just leave. I have many other things to attend to," the man uttered.I couldn't help but let out a slight chuckle at his words. I had returned to work today; my wounds weren't fully healed, which was evident, but my resting time had seemed to run its course, and it was high time I got things done, taking my business to the next level.Now, here I found myself discussing with this greedy fool. The project had to begin tomorrow, no matter what, and the land deal had to be finalized today for that to happen. But it seemed that wouldn't be happening anytime soon if I didn't show him his place."Mr. Ambrose, or what was it again?" I asked."Ambrose," he responded as I walked closer to him, placing my hand on his shoulder with a firm yet gentle touch."Whatever. I don't care. I just want you to know that the papers shall be brought to you this evening, and I hope you don't disappoint. Sign them
As we clashed out on a long drive, I had told Kaiden to just keep driving around for a few minutes as I took in the air that came through the half-opened window. Maybe the peace and quiet were all I needed for just a moment. To let things go for just a few seconds and feel my life back once more.However, my thoughts soon disrupted my quiet moment, reminding me of the meeting I had set up with the private detective. I needed him to help me get details about Evenlyn's activities and keep track of her movements. With the evening hours approaching, I knew I should be returning to the company. However, I had already attended to some of the work on my desk, so I deserved a moment to rest. I could only hope they would understand my absence as I had some important matters to attend to, like finding out the truth about what happened to my mother and if Evenlyn was truly involved."Take us back to the restaurant, Kaiden," I uttered."The restaurant?" he questioned."Yes, Kaiden, the same resta
Checking his contact details, I booked a meeting with him timed for the evening hours at a nearby restaurant, placing down my phone and retracting my gaze from it. I returned my focus to the workload that awaited my early morning, checking through each research made and signing some documents. As the afternoon hours met me in my exhausted state, I gently stood up from the desk, hoping to receive some fresh air.I should be ready for such busy days since the project was now back on track and the project deadline to launch was getting nearer, so things had to be done in a hastened act while ensuring no errors occurred in the process."Mam, we are going to get lunch. You wanna come?" Emily uttered, walking with some of the other work colleagues.I guessed such socializing wouldn't be bad, even just for some moments. I couldn't deny one fact that stood glaring at me all this while—the truth that stood still of how long it had been since I had such company with people. I hadn't been in con