"I know her kind all too well" Jessica sighed running her hand through her head. "What do you mean by that?" Xavier asked concerned. He thought back to how manipulating she had been all her life. He would be less than shocked if he later discovers that this was just one of her manipulation schemes. "My mom's sister was the one to take care of me after my mom died. She used up all the savings and insurance left by my mom and sent me to an orphanage" Jessica started Telling this story was one of her absolute worse but she was going to tell it either way. How then would she convince him that she was aware of what relatives like that were? She was opening up a part of herself to him. She also hoped that this would bring them a tad bit closer. "After I graduated she would show up once in a while and try to get all I had on me. She would then disappear only to reappear when she wants. She has been pestering me with calls ever since I got here. She must have thought this place to be a g
"I know it would be hard for anyone in this family to trust me," Genevieve said. For some reason, the look in her eyes seemed to convince Jessica. People change right? 'People change when they are about to die' the thought crossed Jessica's mind. She has heard of people changing drastically when they were about to go to the great beyond and it was probably the case for this woman. "Are you terminally ill? Or about to die?" Jessica voiced out. "Oh no," Genevieve responded immediately. She was not angry that Jessica thought that. Who wouldn't think that? She had been a nuisance to the family for years and she woke up one morning and chose to work. It sounded strange but she knew she had a good reason for doing it. "I changed. People can change can't they?" she added. "You're sure you aren't I'll?" Jessica asked concerned. "I am very healthy" Genevieve assured her. "Okay that is good, for now, Xavier and I have been unable to conclude where you would be working so just stay arou
Leslie made such a fuss over the phone before allowing Jessica to go have her bath. Jessica put on a huge dress and strap sandals. She put on a little makeup that comprises her eye mascara and lip gloss before going down. She meets Dawson in the living room going through the television. "I am going out now, I would be back right on time to make lunch for you," Jessica said. Her plan was simple. Pick up the first beautiful thing and pay for it. "Where to?" Dawson asked. "Shopping with Leslie," She said sitting beside him. She has agreed to meet Leslie at the store and she was going to take her time. "You can't be back in time for lunch then" Dawson answered with a smile on his face. He knew Leslie because she once went after his grandson and he was all in support of her. He sponsored her lifestyle even though she came from money herself. He wanted his grandson to settle down and it was obvious that Leslie loved him. After chasing him for two years with no positive response she se
Leslie had somehow convinced Jessica not to ship at her usual thrift stores. They entered one of the Gates fashion brand stores to get a dress. "You are not only getting a dress, but you are also getting multiple high-end clothes alongside shoes and bags," Leslie said with a high-pitched squeal. "I have to be home to make lunch for Dawson," Jessica said putting a wet cloth over Leslie's excitement. Leslie shook off the feeling and hoped that Jessica would come around after the shopping began. "You'll make it in time," Leslie said. She knew it was mission impossible but she was so going to polish up Jessica to the standard of a Delgado Ladry. Leslie was young when the former Lady Delgado died but she knew quite well how elegant and exotic she looked on the news and how she was a fashion icon. She was going to turn Jessica into a fashion icon and be by her side. "Okay then, shall we begin?" Jessica asked. Leslie signaled to the girl who was waiting to wait on them and one of them
"No parties," Jessica said. "How do you possibly want to assert your dominance?" Leslie asked her. She had become an outcast but she thought by making friends with Jessica she could easily make her way back into society. It felt like she was using Jessica but she honestly did like her and wanted to be friends with her either way. Her organizing parties would just be a plus for her. "I do not want to exert dominance," Jessica said picking a mini cupcake and eating it. "It would be so much fun. You would get to meet celebrities. They would die to be invited to any party the Delgado family throws" Leslie said trying to convince her. Jessica did not feel convinced in the least bit. How does she explain to her friend she was going to get divorced in a little over eleven months? How does she explain that she would be left without almost nothing except an image that would make everyone point fingers at her? "You need to make the most of this life before Xavier throws you out," Leslie s
"What do you mean by strong?" Jessica asked blinking multiple times. "There is no doubt that you walking from the marriage would leave you with scars. Naturally, people would take Xavier's side because of his power and how you are not powerful and rich. Also, there was that scandal about you""Since there was already a scandal before people would assume that it was true and then you would suffer the backlash. It is a lie, right? The scandal I mean?" Leslie said. Jessica looked at her from the floor-length mirror. She wanted to desperately defend herself but if she could doubt that she was innocent then who was going to believe her ever? "Why do I even ask? It's obvious you are innocent" Leslie said quickly upon seeing the expression on Jessica's face. "It's fine if you do not believe me. I would also criticize the person if I did not wear the shoe." Jessica confessed. "Of course, I do believe you, Jessica," Leslie said defending herself. She only asked because you can never know
"I was going to come out and pose for you but you have seen the dress already," Jessica said to Leslie. Leslie smiled and said. "I would go out and act surprised so you can have your moment," Leslie said turning and leaving the room. "Oh well thank you" Jessica murmured as she left. She pushed open the curtain and stood like a model. Her little talk with Leslie had boosted her mood. If she acted the part well she would be treated as the real woman and Lady of the Delgado family. She was going to act the part properly. "Oh my Lady Delgado, you look stunning," Trinity said. "Do I?" Jessica said coming to look at herself in the mirror. "Oh my goodness I think I would have to leave my husband and get married to you. You look beautiful" Leslie said clapping. True to her word she hyped and acted surprise at Jessica as she came out. Jessica blushed a great deal. She barely had the opportunity to be complimented not to talk of this much and by two women who were not previously in her l
Xavier was in a board meeting with the head of departments and they were discussing how to improve their business model for the second half of the year when his phone chimed with a message. He ignored the message as he hated to be disturbed by messages while working. Brian pushed open the door to the board room and walks to his boss. "There is an emergency" he whispered into Xavier's ear. The whole boardroom went silent. "I am in the middle of a meeting" Xavier echoed loud so Brian gets the message and hold up whatever was going on. "It's about your wife," Brian said trying to make it sound urgent. "How many more items do we have to discuss?" Xavier ignored Brian and asked the person heading the meeting. "Two more sir," he responded calmly. "But if it is an emergency we can pick up from where we stopped at a later date preferred by you" he added. He would not want to get on the bad side of the person who pays him monthly. If Brian could interrupt the meeting then it might be v
Hello Guys this is the final chapter. I want to first appreciate everyone who has read this book, who had supported, commented, voted and called me order when I did not update for such a long time. Thank you so much for being such a support in these times. As this work comes to an end I hope you support me in upcoming works. This free Chapter is for you."Joshua we would be late" Aletta screamed from the bottom of the stairs. "Honey are we using our government names now?" Joshua screamed back at her. "Joshua you know I do not like being late for any of these events" Aletta screamed back at him. Altetta paced back and forth at the bottom of the stairs. "You know you should not be screaming while you are this pregnant"Joshua said as he came down the stairs with his daughter in his hands. "If you had come down earlier then I would have had no reason to scream that much" she retorted and he smiled. "It was my little pumpkin here who kept me waiting" Joshua replied as he got to stand b
"I am so happy for you, this is finally happening," Aletta said holding the arms of Jeanne excited."I am excited but also nervous very nervous does anyone have calming pills?" Jeanne said slipping her hands off Aletta's hand and feeling the sweat on her palm."Calm down, it's just you and Thiago, everyone else is just like a rock. I promise you once you get on that altar every of that nervousness would be gone" Aletta continued. "Thank you," Jeanne said sarcastically."Are you nervous because its mu brother? I can help you run away from this right now" Nichole suggested and Alethea rolled her eyes. "Are all sisters this way? This was the same advice you gave Aletta the other day" Alethea said and Jeanne shook her head. "How can I leave, I have been dreaming of this day" Jeanne replied. "Then calm down even though I don't know why you would dream of marrying my brother but we all choose our battles I guess" Nichole shrugged as she sat down."Nichole" Aletta chastised because she k
"You have to get to work" Aletta said rubbing the hand of Joshua gently. They had arrived back from their honeymoon over the weekend and this Monday morning was the first time Joshua was going back to work after the wedding."Can't I just lay down here with you all day?" he said taking out her hand and pulling her down to his level."You kept saying that and prolonged the honeymoon by two weeks,""Call me a criminal for wanting to spend time with my wife, I am getting the feeling that you do not want to spend any time with me" Joshua said opening one eye and giving her a judging look. "Joshua, you know that is not true, so get up now""You are no longer my assistant, you are supposed to be begging me to stay a bit more with you""What makes you think I don't want to do that?" Aletta asked taking his dishevelled morning hair back from his face."Because you keep urging me to get back to work so quickly, it's like you can't wait to get rid of me" Joshua took his head back to the pillow
"Mom don't cry again, you might get a serious headache at this rate," Aletta said rubbing the back of her mother while in a hug. The entire wedding was over already and the whole family was seeing the couple off as they were going directly to the airport for their honeymoon. "Come on, at this rate they might miss their flight" Leon said trying to pull Eunice off her daughter. She had been bawling the entire ceremony, if someone saw her they would think it was a sad occasion. "My daughter," Eunice said as she finally pulled away and took a step back. "I am so happy and so proud of you because you managed or find love for yourself even after everything" Eunice sniffled and smiled. "Thank you, Mom," Aletta said with a smile. "You better get going now" Jessica said stepping forward."We are on our way now" Joshua said pulling open the door and gesturing for Aletta to get in."Call us when you get there" Jessica called after the shut door."Do not call us" Xavier said as if he was giv
"I was always unsure about how I felt about you, You were always around me, taking care of me and I felt anxious whenever you were out of sight. A little secret that was the reason I always made you work overtime even when it was not necessary" Joshua said and there was a burst of small laughter across the room.They were both standing in from of the priest and altar but they had decided to take their custom written vows there. Joshua cleared his throat and looked up from his paper to stare at Aletta whose eyes never left his face. He flashed a small warm mile to her and she returned it."I never realized my feelings for you until you made that drunken confession that night that caused us to go into a relationship. I had always thought about marriage but for me, it was the only way for me to make children that would take over the company one day, being with you makes me so excited to think of waking up every morning with you by my side, I think of planting kisses on your lips and spend
"Are you feeling nervous?" Alethea asked Aletta who was sitting in the waiting room with her shaky hands. "Yes I am, who wouldn't be?" Aletta asked as she closed her eyes to steady her breath. "I mean you are very right, who would like to marry my annoying brother, as much as I would like to call you my sister in law I can help you escape if you wish to" Jeanne chimed in. "Thank you so much for the suggestion, I am nervous about this and not rethinking my decision. I can't wait to be married to him" Aletta said as her eyes shot open. "Ew" Jeanne said as she gaged. " What do you see in him?" she added as she picked at her nails. "Everything I want to see" Aletta added. "Jeanne stop trying to put ideas in her head" Jessica cautioned coming towards them. "What did I do?" Jeanne whined."I heard what you said" Jessica replied giving Jeanne a warning look. Jesica knew that her daughter was playing around but she did not want Aletta taking any of the words to heart. "I know I have s
"Mom's boyfriend would be here soon," Alethea said as she dropped the dish in her hand to the table. "I can not believe that I am being made to meet my mom's boyfriend at her age" "What I can not believe is that she can't order out but is making us to make food for him"Alethea whined as she moved back to the kitchen."What is even more crazy is that she is in a relationship again" Aletta exclaimed as she moved behind Alethea. "Don't get me wrong I guess I am glad she is finding love again" "Same here, if she is happy then there is no issue. Love is in the air" Aleteha added coming back to the table "So why don't you have anyone to share the love with?" Aletta asked. They were making the last trip from the kitchen to the table. "Says you? Who told you that I do not have someone to share this love with?" Alethea said dragging out her sentence and a weird smile climbing her face."Alethea you are hiding something from me" Aletta said going to clutch her sister's hand. "Spill now" sh
Aletta and Joshua tried to reach Anette and Richard but it was as if they had fallen off the radar. "At least we tried" Aletta said as she set down the phone to the table. "Happy now?" Joshua asked and she nodded. "I guess I have to get going now" she said taking up her phone from the table."Where to? You just got here" Joshua was sad because they had finalized her resignation and she had not been around him like he wanted her to be. He was happy regardless that she was doing what she loved. "I have to go finalize things with HR on hiring your new assistant and then I have to go shopping with your mom and sister" Aletta explained. "Can we at least have dinner together?" Joshua asked and started expressing shock when he saw the expression on her face. "We can not? I barely see you anymore these days" he whined like a child who was cheated of having any ice cream. "I am having dinner with my family, mom is introducing her boyfriend to us today and honestly, I love spending time wi
"Did you hear about Anette?" Aletta asked as she pushed the jar of pickles into the hands of Joshua. They had picked a date for the wedding and it was in three weeks. They were having one of the date nights where they stayed back home and cooked for each other. "What happened to her?" Joshua asked. Anette shook her head in bewilderment, how could this man be so oblivious to everything happening around him?"Have you seen her in a while?" Aletta asked. She wanted to know how much he did not know. "Well, since that day she came to our house, I did not think much of it when I did not see her again," Joshua said truthfully before taking off the lid of the jar. "But you know she called off her wedding and left the country so abruptly with Richard?" Aletta asked hoping that he at least knew about that fact. Yes, Anette did hurt them all but it would be too mean to not care about her when she had sincerely apologized."Maybe they did not want the wedding again?" Joshua asked shrugging. Al