Adele’s Pov It was nearly 7pm before we came home. We’d had a really exciting day of building sand castles, sand ball fights, exploring, and finally dinner at a beach side restaurant. Dan carried Jay who had fallen asleep in the back seat. I wasn’t surprised, he had really worn himself out. “Let me take him upstairs.” He said. “Thanks.” I watched him go upstairs carrying my son. I smiled as I remembered how they had played in the sand like children. Looking at Dan as he and Jay threw little balls of sand at each other, I saw the real him and I liked what I saw. He was a natural dad and I wondered why he was scared to be himself. I went to the kitchen and made coffee, then brought two cups to the living room. I sank into a sofa. I felt a little sore from squatting to build sand castles, but it had been worth it. “He is really tired.” Dan said appearing behind me. “ He didn’t even stir as I took off his sneakers.” “He really loved it. This is the happiest he has ever
I stared at my dad in shock, not wanting to believe what I was hearing. “Listen carefully.” He said. “There is a company interested in working with me to take that bastard down. All I need you to do is to get Dan to employ you in the financial department and I will tell you what kind of information I will be needing. Once you have gotten it we can go ahead and launch a hostile takeover. I will get my company back fully, and my ally will get RICH INTERNATIONAL.” He told me the details of his plan. The more he talked,the lower my heart sank until I was afraid it would drop out of my feet. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I knew my dad didn’t really like Chris buying a big part of his company, and he was willing to do a couple of bad things to get it back, but I never imagined he would do something criminal, and worse still involve me in it and risk me going to jail. Did he hate Chris so much or love me so little? “So do you understand?” He asked when he was done talking.
Adele's Pov On the way home, I kept going over the conversation with my dad. What he was asking me to do was wrong in so many ways. Not only was it criminal, it could ruin the Richards and no matter what dad said Chris Richards didn’t deserve that. He had been very nice to Jay and I since we became a member of his family. Zoey too, even Dan had changed in the last twenty four hours. Did I really want to hurt thses people? But on the other hand, If Chris took full control of Dads company he would make sure it stopped existing. I knew enough of his business practices and his dislike for my dad to know what to expect. I was so distracted the cab driver and Jay had to raise thier voices to tell me we had arrived. “Mommy are you okay?” Jay asked looking into my worried face. “I am fine honey.” Dan was sitting besides the pool, wearing only a pair of swimming trunks. At the sight of him all my worries suddenly vanished. “Hey, how did it go with your dad?” He asked. I tr
Adele's Pov At breakfast Jay talked of nothing else except yesterday’s swimming lesson. I smiled as I watched him. I couldn’t remember the last time he had been this happy or excited. “I am happy you enjoyed it honey.” I said when he stopped to drink his juice. “I did and Mr. Dan has promised to teach me every weekend until I learn how to swim.” “That is really nice of him.” I said. He nodded. “He is nice. I really like him. I am happy you married him.” “Married who?” Dan asked coming into the dining room. “You,” Jay said before I could stop him. “I am happy my mom married you. I like you.” Dan looked shocked he glanced at me. I was shocked too and embarrassed. Kids never hold back. I thought. “You like me?” He asked Jay as if he wasn’t quite sure he’d heard right. Jay nodded and smiled. “You are a good daddy.” For a second Dan looked as if my son had said something unbelievable, then he smiled a little. “Thanks. I like you too.” He said awkwardly. He grabbe
Adele’s Pov He stared at me, confused by the fierce tone of my voice. “What do you mean?” He asked. “I am not going to do anything.” “So what do you mean by making my dad lose his company.” “I never said that. What I said was he won’t have much of a company left, if he doesn’t change the way he does business.” “What do you mean?” I frowned. “He dosen’t take advice, acts like he knows it all. You would think he would learn from his mistakes but no way. He has been talking of selling shares to Owens Group, which I know is a bad idea.” I felt myself pale a little. “Owens Group?” I asked. “Yes. He wants them to buy shares but I said no. I don’t trust Jeff Owens. Your dad is mad about it but I don’t care. I am trying to save him from himself, otherwise he won’t have a company left.” Chris glanced at me curiously. “Is everything okay?” I bit my lips in embarrassment, angry with myself for my silly outburst. I was acting like someone with a guilty conscience. I had to be
Dan put his cell on the table. Adele had sounded surprised that he had answered the phone. He had been surprised too. Only a couple of weeks ago he hadn’t wanted anything to do with her or her son. But she had changed everything that night, when he’d fallen asleep on her lap. It had meant a lot to him that she had stayed with him. When he had carried her room he’d fought the urge to get into bed with her. And the next morning when he had seen her at the breakfast table, looking so sweet and sexy he had fallen madly in love with her. And there was Jay, the kid was smart and he couldn’t help liking him. He smiled remembering their swim lesson yesterday and how they had both enjoyed it. He had been terrified by the thought of having a family, but now he had one, he found it wasn’t so bad. Karen called him again. He cured in annoyance. She had been calling since Saturday and he had tried to ignore her but the calls were irritating. He had told her from the beginning that their r
“You would? Why?” He asked startled. “Because I really like you, even though you are a nasty jerk sometimes,” she smiled. “But deep down you are a great guy. I know that. I’ve known that right front the first day I met you.” He looked at her. Trying to see any sign that she was lying, but decided she was being honest. He was right and Zoey had been wrong. “Why are you asking me this?” She asked. “Nothing, I just wanted to know.” He said quietly. “Would you have married me?” She asked. “I would.” They continued to stare at each other. They both had so many questions they wanted to ask, but they didn’t want to risk ruining the moment by saying something that would upset the other, so they kept silent. “It is getting late” He said suddenly standing up. “We should get some sleep.” “You are right. Good night. ” Adele tried to walk past him but he gently grabbed her arm. She held her breath as he turned her around to look at him. He pulled her closer and his mouth foun
“What are you talking about?” He frowned. “Adele came to see dad and told him she felt the deal our dads had come up with was a bad one. She was angry that your dad had a huge control of the company, so she told dad that she had a plan to get it back.” “What plan?” Dan asked coldly. “She wants to slime her way into RICH INTERNATIONAL and get information that could ruin the company, then work with another company and take it over.” “No. Adele couldn’t plan such a thing.” “Then how do you explain the company she wants to work with is Owens Group, owned by her ex’s dad?” Dan felt color drain from his face. But he refused to believe it. “There must be a mistake.” He insisted. “ Adele won’t do that, what is she hoping to gain?” “Money and power. That is all she cares about. But Dad was against it. He told her Chris was his best friend and he wasn’t going to agree to such an awful plan. He has warned her not to do it. But she is such a greedy bitch she won’t listen.” Dan s
Adele's Pov Craig was waiting outside the café as I pulled up in front of it. It had taken me nearly half an hour to calm down and drive to meet him. “Are you okay?” He asked as I walked towards him. “No. You were right.” I said sadly. We entered the café and took a table. “I am sorry I was. But you shouldn’t be surprised. Dan is such a heartless jerk, sleeping with your sister is something he can do.” “Even though he was hurt when you and Candice did the same thing to him?” I asked raising my eyebrows at him. “It wasn’t the way you think. Candice was in love with me. We were dating but Dan loved her and refused to let go. He forced her to agree to a wedding. She only did it because she was scared of him. I am sure you have seen how he behaves like a violent animal. But she got tired of pretending and came to see me before the wedding. She asked me to help her talk to Dan, and tell him how she really felt. He happened to come over and saw us talking and got all worked
Adele's Pov Craig was waiting outside the café as I pulled up in front of it. It had taken me nearly half an hour to calm down and drive to meet him. “Are you okay?” He asked as I walked towards him. “No. You were right.” I said sadly. We entered the café and took a table. “I am sorry I was. But you shouldn’t be surprised. Dan is such a heartless jerk, sleeping with your sister is something he can do.” “Even though he was hurt when you and Candice did the same thing to him?” I asked raising my eyebrows at him. “It wasn’t the way you think. Candice was in love with me. We were dating but Dan loved her and refused to let go. He forced her to agree to a wedding. She only did it because she was scared of him. I am sure you have seen how he behaves like a violent animal. But she got tired of pretending and came to see me before the wedding. She asked me to help her talk to Dan, and tell him how she really felt. He happened to come over and saw us talking and got all worked
“I told you to leave it to me!” Chris said angrily. “I warned you not to go to see Karen. Why the fuck didn’t you listen? Now look at the mess you have caused. How the hell did you think it was a good idea to be sleeping with her when married to her sister!” “I am not sleeping with her. We aren’t even dating. I am just using her to get information on Adele’s plans.” He stammered. “Really? Where you getting information the night of the accident?” Chris asked mockingly. “I am sorry about that. I don’t know what came over me, but I swear I am not sleeping with Karen.” “Tell that to Adele.” Dan winced remembering the argument last night. Zoey came in. “What?” Chris asked her angrily. “I saw Adele hurrying out of here looking like the world was ending? What happened?” She asked. “Nothing. Everything is okay.” Her dad snapped. “You haven’t seen the news have you?” Dan asked. “What news?” He showed her. She read it and gasped. “What the fuck! Adele really leaked it! S
Adele's Pov "Do you still say Karen is lying?” Dan continued, glaring at me. “Enough Dan.” Chris frowned, and turned to me. “Go on Adele, I am listening.” I couldn’t speak. I read the headline again. Owens Group were announcing the launch of their new design. It was the same design I had created. “I don’t know how they got this.” I said, still shocked. “Well we do. Karen already told us. You gave it to them just like you planned all along.” Dan said. “She is lying! But you are sleeping with her you jerk so you will believe anything.” I snapped. “What?” Chris frowned. “I caught them together. He was coming from a date with her when he had the accident. And to think I covered for him.” I said angrily. “Dan! Is that true?” Chris asked sharply. Dan looked embarrassed. “We are not sleeping together. I just wanted information, which we have. Now we know what Adele has been planning.” “I wasn’t planning anything I didn’t leak this.” I insisted. “Calm down Adele. Do
Knock! Knock! “Come in.” Chris said. He looked up as Dan walked in, then frowned. “What is up with you? Why the long face?” He asked. “Don’t tell me you and Adele are arguing again?” “Dad it’s worse than that.” Dan said sitting on the couch. He had decided to tell his Dad before seeing Karen instead of after. He still didn’t want to believe Adele was really working against them, the thought was killing him. He loved her and he couldn’t hide it anymore. “What now?” Chris asked sitting beside him. “I thought you guys were happy together?” “We were. I even bought her a car, but Dad she is planning to ruin the company. Karen was here yesterday-“ “Karen?” Chris asked rolling his eyes. “This is real Dad! She is going to sell our design to the competition.” He told Chris everything he’d been told. “She is the one planning it, not her dad. He is the one trying to stop her.” Chris snorted. “Yeah right!” “Karen has evidence Dad.” “Karen had evidence the last time and
Adele’s Pov I noticed Dan was quiet throughout dinner. I could tell something was on his mind. I didn’t ask him till I put Jay to bed. When I came down he was sitting on the couch. “What is up with you?” I asked sitting beside him. “You were quiet throughout dinner.” “Nothing. I am okay.” I smelt alcohol on his breath and tensed. “You are drinking? I thought you are trying to quit?” I said anxiously. “I just took a glass of wine.” He snapped. “If you are trying to quit them you shouldn’t be drinking any alcohol.” I said gently. “I am not a kid Adele, okay?” “Fine. How about we go and have am early night?” I said gently rubbing his neck. He got up. “I have work to do.” He said. “Leave it for tonight.” “I can’t. I have to protect the company from the people trying to ruin it.” He glared at me and walked out. I heard the study door slam shut. What was that about? I thought confused. One minute he was hot the next he was cold, would I ever understand Dan Ri
Dan tried to hide his surprise. “What the hell are you talking about?” He asked. “I am talking about the new design for the children’s clothing line you are launching soon. Adele came to see dad a couple of days ago and told him about it. She said she and some other designers were supposed to create a unique design. She plans to give it to Owens Group so their fashion division can launch it first.” “That is impossible. She doesn’t know which one will be chosen, even I don’t know.” “That is why she’s giving them all the designs.” “How would she get them?” “She plans to steal them.” Dad didn’t know what to say or believe. Everything Karen was telling him was information only Adele had. “I tried calling you to tell you but you blocked me. Coming here was the only option left.” “What did your dad say? Is he part of it?” He asked. “No. Dad didn’t think it a good idea and told her so, but she insisted she would do it. He thinks she is joking but I know she isn’t.” “But
Adele was smiling to herself when she got back to her office. Lunch with Chris had been great. She had enjoyed it so much, she hadn’t remembered to talk to him about her dad’s company. Another time, she decided. And she knew there would be another time, she meant what she said about taking lunch to him often. But lunch with Chris had also given her a feeling of déjà vu and she tried to remember why. She gave up and decided to have a final look at her design. She had finished it this morning and it was now ready for tomorrow. She opened her desk drawer where she kept her USB but couldn’t find it. Panicking, she looked again and relaxed. It was there, far inside. She couldn’t remember putting it that far back but she must have. Who else could it be? Leaving it here in the unlocked drawer was a reckless thing to do though, she thought, But she hadn’t expected she’d stay away as long as she had. Well no harm was done, by tomorrow it will be out of her hands. Zoey came in. “You a
“What are you doing here dad?” She asked surprised. “Looking for you, what else?” “Why?” “Why do you think? You have refused to answer my calls, or get in touch with me. I know you have information and I am her for it! You can’t avoid me any longer.” “Keep your voice down.” She said closing the door. “I don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t have anything yet.” “Do you think I am stupid? You expect me to believe all this time you don’t have anything?” “I don’t. If I did I would tell you. I am working in the designing department. What information could I have?” “What designs are they working on right now?” “Nothing yet.” She lied. “ So far everything is pretty slow. If I have something I will tell you.” He frowned at her. “You are coming from a meeting right now aren’t you? You must have heard something, no matter how little. Think.” He said. “Dad, it is a general meeting, where we mostly talk about how to be good workers, not about company secrets.” Ade