A Deserved SlapEmerald's eyes widened in shock as the pieces fell into place. "Nina? What does she have to do with this? Don’t tell me, you have been acting out because you feel sorry for Nina. Is this what she told you to do?" Emerald felt like laughing. Was this girl a child?"Don't play dumb with me!" Jasmine spat, her hand raised as if to strike Emerald. "You tried to ruin your cousin’s life, and now you're doing the same thing. You can dream. You are leaving this crew whether you like it or not!"“Is that so?” Emerald said and turned to leave. Seeing that she was leaving again, Jasmine walked over and grabbed her back. The crew were already on alert at this point.“Don’t walk away when I am talking to you!” Jasmine basically screamed.“You need to calm down,” Emerald said, but her words only made Jasmine’s anger shoot to her head.She raised her hand to throw a slap.Emerald caught her hand easily and reciprocated. No one had any time to react when Emerald’s hand connected wit
Grandma to the rescueThe next day, she went in for work. Unlike her guess, the office was fine. Most were actually glad that Jasmine got her karma and most thought it would be bad if she got fired over this. But all over, things were fine. It was a bustling morning in the grand lobby of the Houston Corporation's headquarters. The Houston cooperation building was a bit different in design than the Reeves family building, but the towering glass walls and sleek, modern furnishings really spoke of power. As employees and staff alike hurried through, one could hear their footsteps echoing against the polished marble floors.In the middle of the corporate chaos, Amanda walked into the building. Her judgmental eyes scanned the building. Amanda's old face looked indifferent as she approached the reception desk, her movements were oddly graceful despite her advanced age.The young receptionist looked up from her computer and took in Amanda’s demeanor. She had worked in the industry enough to
ExposedEmerald suddenly realized why Amanda had come. It seems she had seen what was going on online.“I heard someone is giving you trouble. Just deal with them as you like. No one can do anything to you,” Amanda said and Emerald’s heart softened. She had a grandmother of her own, but it seems this was the first time she had actually felt what it was like to have a grandmother.“Of course. If I get bullied, I will tell you,” Emerald said.Amanda chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Good. You are a semi boss here too. I want to see what the Houston family will dare do to you. Now, you'd best be getting back to work. I'll let you get on with your day."Emerald nodded, with a smile. " Thank you Grandma."Amanda reached out and gave Emerald's hand a gentle squeeze. "Now, off you go. I'll be sure to check in on you again soon."With one final embrace, Emerald reluctantly turned and headed back towards the building, her steps a little lighter, her heart a little fuller. As she w
Once a cheaterNina felt nervous as she drove to Andrew's place. Mixed emotions filled her; annoyance coupled with anticipation. The shocking revelation online troubled her.She could tell that one needed a great amount of power to make all those online news disappear and even sensor platforms from talking about it. Who was it?Could it be that Emerald really married someone better? The thought burned at her.This ignited her to resolve and to persevere. Emerald was busy living well while she was facing bankruptcy? She refused to go back to the way things were.The car arrived at the Woods family house and she stepped out.The familiar sight greeted her eyes. She took a deep breath. Smoothing her blouse, she mentally prepared her speech. She already made up her mind on how she was going to approach this.She walked to the front door and pressed the doorbell. It echoed within.The door flung wide, and a butler looked at her with a complicated expression. “Is Andrew in?” she asked and
The Hart Family in under heatIn the woodland clan, inside the Hart residence, there was utter tension. The Harts were under pressure in the clan as many started avoiding them. Whenever they went to their town, they found that people did not respond to them when they talked. Old madam Hart, who had been living in seclusion since her husband died, had even gotten the news and made the journey to visit them. When she walked into their house that day, Venus dropped a glass in shock.“What are you standing around for? Call everyone up,” Old madam Hart said and took a seat and waited. It did not take long for Anthony to appear as well as his other four children.“Mother,” Anthony said.“You had been the one to throw Bertha out of the clan?” she asked and Anthony paused.“Yes,” he answered.Old madam Hart smashed a cup. She had never thought that he would actually throw Bertha out.“Because she was weak? Just because of that?” she asked and Anthony raised a brow.“Mother, you should alrea
ComaThe Hart family gathered outside under the full moon for a wolf's call. This was a ceremony done to lure lost wolves home.With the fire burning between them and the moon shining down on them, they all scratched their arm and dropped some blood into old Madam Hart’s hand, who then changes to her wolf form and howls to the moon.Far away in the city, Bertha was asleep in her hospital room when her dreams morphed.In the depths of her mind between dream and reality, an old woman stepped out from the mist.Between her and the old woman stood a large stream, stopping the old lady from approaching closer.Bertha suddenly understood what this was. This was a wolf's call that could only be used a few times in one’s lifetime.She was confused why her grandmother would use this to find her.This old lady has been absent for years. Why did she call?“Why are you here?” she asked the old lady.“You really have no manners,” the person on the other end said.“If you have nothing to say, I am
Her mother’s past.They arrived at the hospital in a rush. Emerald rushed over to see her mother, while Matthew handled the transfer. By the time he returned to her side, the doctors were preparing to move Bertha.This was the first time Matthew had seen Bertha. The moment he saw her, he froze. Emerald did not notice his reaction as she hurried towards him.“What are they doing?” she asked as the doctors started moving the patient.“It is best she is treated at our family hospital,” he said to her and she thought his words made sense.“What about her previous doctors?” she asked.“We can always consult with them later,” he said as he leaned in, “You should already know we want to do more than treat her,”His words made her pause. True. Matthew suspected her mother was a werewolf. Bertha was transferred via a chopper to the Moonside clinic. They followed while Matthew chatted with Ray on the phone, making her severely uncomfortable. She could see his frowning face which was much diffe
Bertha’s nightmare.Right then, a light enveloped Bertha and Ray paused“Your mother is here,” he said.“I know that,” Emerald answered.“No, I mean, your actual mother, not a memory,”His words made her pause. Emerald walked over to her mother’s face and looked at the confused look on her face.“Mom!” She called several times. Her words seemed to get to Bertha. Her eyes started to clear up, but she suddenly heard a name.“Jack, your friend really fell into the hole,” they said and a round of laughter went around. Bertha looked up and saw the man.“Who is he?” Emerald asked, but no one could give an answer. Bertha climbed out of the hole and hurried over to Jack's side. She was not sure what the joke was and could not bring herself to laugh with them.“What is happening, Jack?” she asked, “What kind of tradition is this?” “The tradition is to try to jump someone, but people usually jump over the hole or something. No one really falls inside,” Jack answered and Bertha's face went re