Crystal's POV
'I know you dread this dinner as much as you dread a live snake but you and I know what the result of your refusal to go can be ' Karen said as I looked at the cloth Eric had handpicked for me to wear to his family dinner like an abomination 'Sometimes, I feel Eric is just out to embarrass me for no reason. This dress is too revealing, Karen,' I said, picking up the dress and turning it around for a better view. It was a beautiful gown, no doubt, but it was backless. The front was beautifully designed with a small cut on the chest area to give a glimpse of cleavage. Another problem I had with the dress was that it was too short for my liking 'You need to get dressed. I am sure that Sir Eric is almost through. You are going to get us both into trouble if you are not dressed by the time he is through,' Karen said, looking pleadingly at me. Eric had instructed Karen to help me get dressed as if I was a toddler. It was Eric's pastime to make me feel brainless most of the time. Picking out the clothes I wore whenever I was going out with him was another way of showing me how little he thought of me and my dress sense. I had prayed all week that something would come up and the dinner would be canceled. I wasn't ready for his mother and sister's nasty remarks about my background and self-worth. Eric knew how much I hated being in his mother's or sister's company yet he forced me to their presence at every given opportunity. I didn't know the essence of the dinner but I was sure that Eric's mother must have brought up the idea probably to give me one million reasons why I couldn't attend the annual Christmas party the Conners organized every year for employees and their family. Ever since I had gotten married to Eric, I had never for once attended any party that had to do with the company. I attended a few fundraisers with him after Netizens came after him for flaunting other women when he was married. The fundraiser I attended with him was just to make him look like a dedicated husband. I was brought out of my reverie by Karen's grunt. I rolled my eyes and picked up the dress, giving it another disdainful look before putting it on. Karen said it looked good on me but I didn't believe her. She must have been saying that to make me feel better. After I got dressed and complimented the dress with black high heel sandals. I didn't see any reason to use any other color but black since the dress was black and it depicted my mood at that moment. Karen and I rushed downstairs just in time because we were barely in the sitting room for three minutes when Eric came downstairs. He looked at me for some seconds like one will look at their car to be sure there are no dents on it or as one will look at their shoes after a near mud stain disaster. 'Couldn't you have added some colors to your dress? Red lips and a red shoe would have complemented the dressing appropriately,' Eric said, looking at me as if I were a piece of trash. 'You took the color out of my life ' I mumbled to myself 'You said what?' Eric asked, looking at me intently, and my heart skipped a bit. I could only hope he didn't hear me 'I said that I didn't realize. I can go back and change the heel' I lied 'You expect me to wait while you change into another ugly heel. We are almost late, and I am not as tacky as you,' Eric said and matched out of the door, yanking it so hard that it hit the wall. I winced at the sound before following him 'Best of luck,' Karen whispered to me when I was about to close the door. Yeah, I needed it to deal with the Conners that night even though I knew that my luck ran out the very first day I had the misfortune to be married to Eric. Eric was behind the wheel by the time I got to the car. He barely allowed me to close the door before he zoomed off. I quietly sat beside him all through the journey. When we got to his parent's house, he didn't wait for me to get out of the car before walking off. I got out and gently closed the car door. I had received hot slaps on my cheeks twice before because he said I closed the door too hard. I walked to the door with my steps heavy with dread. I didn't like his family except for his father and I was not ready to change that. They hated me, I guess it was only necessary that I reciprocated the feelings. Eric was still at the door ringing the bell when I got to him. The door opened, and his sister stood there in a blue gown that would have made a nun blush. 'Hey bro. You are late,' Cassidy said, grinning at her brother. The bond between them would have been enviable for me if they were not just two sides of a bent coin. 'Yeah, some tacky idiots delayed me,' Eric said and walked in. Cassidy's smile slipped when she set her blue, almost ocean-like colored eyes on me. I had been standing behind Eric on purpose so she had noticed me when Eric walked into the house. 'No matter how much you are dressed up, you are still the same pig that was picked from the slum. How is it possible to wear a designer gown and still look that ugly? Yuck!' 'CC be nice' Eric's dad chided her as he came to the door. Cassidy left the door and sashayed in, leaving me by the door Yeah, that is CC, my sister-in-law. Rude, uncouth, no brain filter, and mannerless. Cassidy Conner, CC for short. She walks around half naked all in the name of owning a fashion brand that was not yet known. 'Good evening sir' I greeted Eric's father 'My dear girl. How are you doing? Come in.' Eric's father said and pulled my hand taking me to the dining. Eric's mom was already at the table with Eric and CC. The house staff were already serving the food. I greeted Eric's mother, but she paid me no mind, so I just sat down where Eric's father pointed beside Eric. We started eating, but I didn't have an appetite. I just wanted it all done so that we could just leave the presence of his mum and sister. Eric's mum was sending glares my way. Sometimes I wondered if I offended the woman in my past life and she was taking it out on me in my present life. To avoid her gaze, I refused to raise my head while eating. 'I asked Eric to bring you to dinner so that I can warm you myself,' Eric's mum said, and I almost smiled. I had guessed so too. 'Darling' Eric's dad called at her in warning 'No, darling, she needs to hear this,' She said to her husband and then turned to me. ' You will be attending the Conners company's yearly Christmas party with us, but you must be warned. If you dare carry yourself in a way that will bring disgrace to this family, then consider yourself dead' She fumed 'I don't want to go, ma'am,' I said. I wasn't interested in her party so she could just relax. 'You...' Eric's mum started but her husband laid a hand on her arm to stop her from talking 'Crystal, there is a man I would like to do business with. He will be flying in from Paris and he will be attending the party. He likes responsible men and family units. I want us to present a united front' Eric's dad explained to me. 'Is he that important?' I asked him and I could hear CC snort. 'Yes. Mr Midas Anthony St. Clair is the CEO of St Clair Conglomerates. He took over from his grandfather recently. We want him as a partner' He answered 'Midas Anthony?' I asked with a frown. How can he be Midas Anthony.? 'I guess you might want to see a picture as well', CC said sarcastically and then got up from her chair and showed a picture to me on her phone, but it was just for a second or two. I didn't see the pics very well but it looked familiar. I was sure that if I saw Midas I would recognize him anywhere. At that moment, I wished I had a phone was could connect to the Internet or preferably a laptop computer I could use. I made a mental note to ask Karen for help. I needed to find out more about this Midas before the party. 'You know a St.Clair?' Eric's dad asked after CC went to sit down 'Where will she know a St. Clair from' Eric's mom said laughing lightly. We all returned to eating after I told Eric's dad that I understood him but my mind kept going back to the name. My Midas was Midas Anthony Ranchers but something about the name Midas Anthony St.Clair makes me uncomfortable. Could it be Midas? My own Midas? But how was it possible?. I couldn't sit still anymore. I became unsettled. What would I do if it was Midas.?How would I deal with the disappointment if he was a different Midas altogether.?I guess I have to wait till the party. But until then I knew I would not be able to rest easy. I wanted to meet this Midas even if he was not my Midas; it would be good to have someone with that name around, even if it is just for a few hours. I just hope he is as nice and welcoming as my Midas. Until then!Crystal's POV 'Why does Eric love this type of dress? Where does he even get them from? The slums?' I hissed as I threw the dress on the floor. Karen picked it up and put it on the bed. Eric loved his women dressed in revealing clothes. It was none of my business until he started making me wear rags, all in the name of fashion. 'If you don't mind. I might have a dress you would love' Karen said shrugging 'Really?' I asked wondering where Karen could get a dress that was worthy of the Conners end of the year party from 'Yes. If you wouldn't mind' Karen said and I asked her to go bring it I did not want to go to the party. Especially since Adrian was taking his girlfriend with him. I wouldn't have known about his intention to take her to the party if he had not made the call in the car on our way from dinner with his family. He had received the call and almost got us killed in the process, but thankfully enough, the other driver had been smart enough to apply the break
Midas' POV I watched Crystal walk into the ball room and I felt an undiluted joy seep into my heart. Joy at the fact that I can finally get to see my Crystal so close to me. Watching her from afar months had been nothing but pure torture but I had to endure in order to know those I was up against very well before I made my move. Crystal shone in the room light. I had guessed her size but Karen had done a good job in getting me the actual size. She looked like a queen. Heads turned her way as she looked around. My Crystal, my first love, my only love. I had frowned when Eric's mum, his sister and one other lady had been talking to her. I couldn't hear them from where I was but Crystal's body language said it all. I watched as Eric Conner stormed to her side and pulled her out of the hall and took her towards the garden. It seemed she said something that didn't sit well with him. I gave them some seconds headstart before I followed. I signalled to Edmond, my PA and he nodde
Midas' POV Like a regal queen standing in her majesty, my baby stood looking into the swimming pool while her hair flowed down her back like a pool of rare jewel. The diamond studs on her dress caught the beautiful ray of the moon and glittered in the dark, just the way I thought she would look in the dress under the moonlight. I stood there watching her. Unable to resist it, I took out my phone and took a picture of her backside while she stood there like an empress. The sound of my phone camera made her turn and I took another. 'What are you doing Mr Saint Clair?' She asked looking surprised. I didn't answer her immediately because I was checking out the picture I took. She looked so beautiful. 'I am sorry Mrs Conner. I just couldn't stop myself from taking a picture of you. You looked so beautiful that I just needed to keep a memory of the look. I am sorry if I am breaking any rules,' I said smiling at her even if I wasnt comfortable calling her Mrs Conner. 'It is okay Mr
Midas' POV The sound of my phone ringing made me wake with a start. I rubbed my neck gently before standing up. I had slept in a very uncomfortable position and I could feel a dull pain in my neck. I groaned as I picked my phone from the reading table. It was Karen. I became alert immediately. 'Karen?' I called her name anxiously. 'Mr Saint Clair, I am sorry to disturb your sleep at this time of the night but I think Crystal might need your help,' Karen said sounding agitated. What happened Karen? Where is Crystal?' I asked as I dashed to my wardrobe to get something to wear, I still had the towel tied around my waist from my bath. I had slept off after talking to my grandfather. 'I don't know the details but Sir Eric was pissed about something after they returned. He beat her and threw her out of the house. He didn't just throw her out of the house he asked his body guards to throw her out of the compound. She is outside the gate as we speak,' Karen explained speedily.
Crystal's POV I woke up with a start as the memories of what happened the previous night came back to me as I was on the verge of wakefulness. I remembered that Mr St Clair had rescued me from the cold and brought me to his house. We had gotten back from the dinner the previous night and Eric had revisited my threat to divorce him. I had gotten in his face and told him I would if he pushed me one more time. That had gotten him angry and he had beaten me blue black before asking his body guards to throw me out of the house and out of the gate. My heart started beating faster as I realized that I had to get home before Eric discovered that I was gone. I would have left the room immediately but I felt very pressed so I rushed into the bathroom. When I was done relieving myself, I was about to leave the room when my eyes caught a picture on the wash hand basin. It was the picture of Midas and I on my first day at work at the eatery where we worked before he disappeared. I bli
Midas POV 'I want this forever.' That was the mantra that kept coming into my head as I settled into the kiss Crystal had initiated. I had not expected that she would want to kiss me but I had nothing against it either. We never got around to making love when we were together but we kissed a lot. It was our favorite past time. I remembered that Crystal had jokingly said that she hoped we would not forget that we were free to make love after we got married. It was our decision to stay the way we were until we got married. Crystal was a virgin then but I was not but for her, I was willing to wait until she was ready. I changed the angle of our kiss and dug my hand into her hair while massaging her scalp. Damn all consequences I was ready to make love to her there and then. Goodness knows I had waited long enough. Crystal suddenly withdrew from the kiss blushing bright red and apologizing as if she had just unknowingly killed someone. 'Why are you apologizing this way Cryst
Crystal POV Midas was driving with one hand while the other held mine. Once in a while, he would take his eyes off the road and gaze into mine for a second or two and I will smile. It was evening already and he was taking me back to Eric's house. He had taken time to tell me his plans for me and his revenge plan on the Conners and the Martins all I had to do was trust him. 'I wish I wasn't going back ever again,' I said sadly. 'I wish so too but let us take it one step at a time. I want you to back down from Eric as we have discussed. Don't get in his face anymore. Let him believe that he has broken you and you are now submissive,' Midas said and I nodded. I trusted him totally and I was going to do everything he said. 'I still find it difficult to believe that Eric is attracted to me,' I said frowning. 'I am a man Pixie, I saw the way he looked at you at the party. He is doing all this just to prove to himself that he is better off without you.' 'I don't think so. He
Crystal's POV 'That must be Mr St Clair,' CC said and jumped up to get the door. We were in Eric's father's house for the dinner the family was having with Midas. My heart immediately started beating so fast that I was sure Eric could hear it. I had not heard from Midas since he dropped me off at Eric's house. I had asked Karen if she heard from him several times and she had said she didn't. I looked forwards to him calling me or Karen. Since I knew Karen was also working for Midas, I felt safer in the house but not hearing from Midas gave me some sort of sadness. Eric's mother came to the house on Thursday and gave me a package she said Midas had dropped off for me. When I opened it, it was a beautiful dress in a shade of blue. I had to hide my happiness in the presence of Eric's mum but after she left, Karen and I had a field day admiring the dress. 'He delivered a package to CC too. I guess he is already taking care of the family even before he is married to CC. He must
Midas’ POV ‘How did I do?’ Crystal asked me the moment the cameras were off. I pulled her up from the chair and pulled her straight into my chest. I kissed her lips gently before I answered her question. We had decided that Crystal should grant the interview to let the Conners off the hook for a while. Netizens were going wild on the Internet and people had placed a siege on their companies everywhere they were in Roseville. It was time to move on to the next line of action, hence the interview. ‘You did great babe. You were eloquent and you looked like a queen. Tell me, how did I get so lucky?’ ‘Stop being playful Midas. I am serious here,' Crystal said trying to push me away but I held on to her. ‘I am serious here too Crystal. You were magnificent,’ I said then kissed her neck. She shivered in my hands then blushed. I knew she was uncomfortable with the camera crew still in there but I just wanted to hold her. ‘Mr St Clair, I will be on my way now,’ Theresa the hos
Eric's POV ‘You need to eat Eric. That is the only way you are getting out of this bed. You need to man up and stop behaving like a child,' Dad said angrily before leaving the room. I didn't have an appetite, but they seemed not to understand. How could I eat when my whole world had just crumbled. ‘For us to get out of this mess, we need our strength and our wits around us Eric. So starving yourself won't help you,’ Mum said coming to sit beside me. ‘Mum, in just a blink of an eye, I have lost everything. I realized too late that I could lose Crystal.’ ‘Crystal will come back Eric. She can't possibly leave her grandmother alone.’ ‘The Martins haven't contacted you?’ I asked Mum in surprise. ‘No, they haven't,' Mum answered. ‘I thought they were the ones who gave you this house.’ ‘No. That is another friend. Not them. Why did you ask if they have contacted me?’ ‘Crystal’s grandmother is missing alongside her caregiver.' ‘What! And those fools didn't deem it fi
Eric's POV I sat in the car, watching her house from a distance, deliberating exactly how I intended to make her pay for what she had done. At a point, I wanted to turn back and just release the uncensored video to the Internet; of course, I had nothing more to lose as it was. Everything had already gone to ruins but I changed my mind and decided to confront her instead and tell her to expect her nude photos all over the internet the next day. If I go down, she goes with me. I would have gotten out of the car, but I stopped when a car came to a stop in front of her house, and a man well dressed came out looking like he had just walked out of a magazine cover. She opened the door instantly, the car parked, and rushed into the waiting hands of the other man. My blood boiled, I wasn't even out of the way yet and she was already in another man’s arms. I thought she said she cared about me. It all just showed that she didn't love me in any way whatsoever. I was sure that she must hav
Crystal’s POV I was confused with everything my grandmother was saying. She told me herself that she picked me up from a dumpster while she was digging through dumpsters to get food. ‘Grandma. I don't understand you at all. Who am I?’ I asked her with a deep frown. ‘You will all have to listen to my explanation and you Crystal, you need to listen to me with an open mind. Promise me you will not judge me until you have heard it all,' my grandmother said looking pitiful. ‘I promise Grandma,' I said. ‘Ok. Where do I start from?’ Grandma asked looking at Mr Rotman. ‘Start from when you took Pearl,' Mr Rotman said with anger very evident in his voice. ‘No. I think she should start from the beginning. Who were you to my mother?’ I said. I didn't want any details left out. It was obvious that Mr Rotman knew who she was to my mother but I needed to know too. ‘Okay. I met your mother when she was still pregnant with you. She was homeless because her landlord had thrown her ou
Eric's POV I came awake gradually as the knock on my car window continued gently. I opened my eyes and wound down. Two police officers were standing outside the car. Some nosy people in the neighborhood must have called the cops. ‘We noticed that your car has been parked here all night. We just wanted to make sure you are okay in here,’ one of the police officers said. ‘I am fine. I guess I slept off and forgot to go home,’ I said trying my best to smile. ‘Ok. But I might have to ask you to move your car because your presence here since last night has given some of the residents concern. Hope you understand sir?’ The other police officer said and I nodded in understanding. I knew the drift so I started the car and moved. I checked the mirror to see if they were standing there. As expected, they were standing at the spot where I just moved from watching me drive out of the street. When I was sure that I was out of their sight totally, I parked my car. My life as it was,
Crystal's POV ‘I am beginning to think that you added weight since we got to Paris. I can feel pain from your weight’ Midas said as I lay on his chest after another round of mind blowing love making. ‘Are you calling me fat?’ I asked raising my head to look at him, feigning anger. Midas laughed hard pulling at my cheeks playfully. I joined him but soon stopped to just stare at him. ‘Why are you starring at me like that?’ Midas asked as his laughter turned to grin. ‘You are so handsome and it is so unbelievable that you are mine. I feel so blessed Midas,’ I said smiling at him. ‘The first time I got here after I was rescued from Roseville by grandpa, the first thing that came to my mind was that my wealth will be meaningless without you in it. Now that you are here, I feel so complete. I can't wait to announce to the world that you are mine,’ Midas said. I would have said something more cheesy but my stomach rumbled so loud that we started laughing at the same time. I co
Crystal’s POV My hands shook a little as I dropped the phone. Eric's words resonated in my head. Was it possible that Eric loved me or was he lying about it? I had not intended to call him but after Midas told me about my grandmother’s coming to Paris, I had left him downstairs just to clear my head. The excitement was drowning me. My eyes had caught my phone on the bed side table where I placed it and I decided to call Eric. Why I did it was beyond me. The moment I dropped the call, I wished I had not made the call. I debated within myself for minutes wondering if it were true that Eric was in love with me. At first, I wished he had shown me how much he cared when I was with him just maybe I would have gladly opened my heart to him without reservations. But then I snapped out of it. It was reality and not some fictional movie. Eric was lying about that. I was so lost in thought that I didn't hear Midas open the door and entered. Him calling my name startled me and the f
Eric's POV I threw the glass cup in my hand against the TV screen as I watched Midas St Clair address the press in front of his grandfather’s mansion in Paris. My secretary had called earlier to tell me about the leaked audio recording of the discussion between Midas St Clair and my momsister CC. She had also called me to tell me that there was a possibility of Midas addressing the press so I had stayed glued to the television station that was capturing everything live from Paris. I had initially thought that CC’s selfish act would for once bring something good for the family. I had noticed her attitude towards Midas the very day he had dinner with the family. I knew she wanted him. Following mum to Paris was actually an opportunity for her to get close to Midas. I had warned her before she left that she was not to do anything stupid to put the family in further trouble. When the picture of them just kissing at the party had broken the Internet, I had thought in relief that
Midas’ POV The sound of my phone roused me from my sleep. I grumbled about the disturbance and picked the phone without checking who was calling while adjusting Crystal properly on my arm. ‘Hello,’ I said into the phone. ‘Are you sleeping?’ Edmond asked as if he had never heard of anyone sleeping in broad day light. ‘I texted you, I told you to leave if you didn't see us come back downstairs in five minutes,' I hissed. lightly. ‘We left but we are back and we were almost not allowed into the gate by the mammoth at the entrance of the estate,' Edmond said. ‘What are you talking about?’ I asked in confusion. ‘The estate gate is filled with reporters who are demanding to see you. The gate is under a siege. I kid you not.’ ‘Damn it. Grandpa is going to kill me,' I muttered and that woke Crystal. ‘What is the problem Midas?’ Crystal asked worriedly. ‘There are reporters at the gate. Grandpa hates them. Go back to sleep. I will just go and do something about it befor