Every jaw round the table, with the exception of Jay’s, dropped. Chris Richards does have a way of springing surprise. Adele thought. “What a minute dad, what did you say?” Zoey asked. “I said Adele should come and work with us.” “No,” Adele said quickly. “ I appreciate the offer but I am not experienced enough to work in a place as big as RICH INTERNATIONAL.” “Yes you are. What you don’t know Dan will happily teach you.” Chris said. “Dad, Adele can’t work for us, remember?” Dan said. Adele looked at him, wondering what he meant by that. “I am thinking the financial department would suit Adele,” Chris continued ignoring Dan. “What do you say Adele?” “No. Not finance.” Adele said panicking. “Why not? I can make you in charge of the finance department. You will have full access to the company finances and be able to work better.” He said. Dan and Zoey stared at him as if he had gone crazy. “Dad! What are you talking about! Adele can’t work at RICH INTERNATIONAL.”
Zoey stormed into her bedroom, cursing loudly and angrily. She didn’t care if her fucking dad heard. She felt like killing someone. She grabbed a flower vase from her dressing table and threw it across the room. It smashed against a wall. The books on her dressing table also went flying and many other things too. She really wished they were landing on Chris Richards head. Then she grabbed a pen from her table and began stabbing her pillow, imagining it to be Adele. She was angry and humiliated. That bitch Adele was going to come from no where and have a top position in her company, while she was a nobody in the same company. No! Never! Her dad had gone too far. She would get back at him and the bitch. She didn’t care what it took. Both of them would pay for her humiliation. When she was tired of destroying things she sat on her bed and buried her face in her hands. Her phone rang. She glanced at it and saw it was Karen calling. She ignored it. Craig came in. He whistled at the d
Adele’s Pov We drove home in silence. I was still too shocked to say anything. I glanced at Dan, he was still wearing the same frown he’d worn when he had gotten into the car. From the frown and the time he had wasted, I guessed a huge argument had happened after Jay and I had left. I sighed. I still couldn’t believe I was going to be working at RICH INTERNATIONAL. And it had been so easy that I was a little uneasy. What was Chris up to? And why was he insisting I go to the financial department, the same department my dad wanted me to go to in the beginning. Was it a coincidence? I didn’t think so. Or had my dad persuaded him to do it? More likely. Well Dad was in for a huge let down. I had chosen a department where I couldn’t get him any information. I felt excited at my new position, and also a little scared. The Richards siblings weren’t happy about it, not even Zoey, who I thought was my best friend. Would I survive surrounded by all that hostility? Jay was asleep w
Adele’s Pov Mommy can Mr. Dan go with us to the beach today?” Jay asked as I helped him dress the next morning. “No honey. Mr. Dan is busy. You and I are going to have fun today.” “Are we going to see grandpa Jason?” I hesitated. Dad had asked me to come but I didn’t want to, I didn’t want to tell him about the job offer just yet. I wanted to delay talking to him and hearing his angry complains when he heard I wasn’t in a place where I couldn’t carry out his plan. Jay repeated his question. “No sweetie grandpa Jason can’t see us today. But I will take you round town and give you a great time. I promise.” “Would we go to the beach again?” “Yeah honey, but first I want to talk you round town. Then there is something important I want to show you.” “What?” He asked. “You will see it very soon.”. I pinched his cheek lovingly and we went downstairs. Dan was at the tables. He looked up as we came in and mumbled good morning. “Can you teach me swimming again
Adele's PovIt was the problem of who to look after Jay while I was working. There was no Rachel to help me now. I would have to hire help. It was the only thing to do, even though I felt uncomfortable leaving him with a stranger. I tried not to worry, reminding myself I would only be a phone call away and when I was home in the evenings I would give my son my full attention. But first I would tell Dan my plans. Not that I cared for his opinion, but it was the right thing to do. I had to catch him before he left for work, so on Monday morning I knocked on the door of his room. “Come in.” He said. I went in and stood staring at him like a statue. He had a towel round his waist. The sight of his muscular upper body literally took my breath away. I couldn’t breath, all I could do was stare. “Can I help you? Or did you come to stare at me?” He asked smiling a little. I found my voice. “I need to talk to you.” I stammered. “I want to hire a Nanny for Jay since I will be wo
“When were you going to tell me?” Jason asked his daughter. “Tell you what dad? What are you talking about?” “That you had gotten a job at RICH INTERNATIONAL! Or were you trying to hide it from me?” Adele had been about to open her front door, she paused, her heart racing. “No I wasn’t trying to hide it. Chris offered me the job this morning.” She lied. “Really? So how come it already made it’s way into the news?” “It is in the news?” She asked alarmed. “Sure, how do you think I found out?” “Well I don’t know why it’s there so soon, but anyway I planned to tell you.” She stammered. “We will meet tomorrow as planned.” “Hold on Dad, it isn’t-“ He had already hung up. She yelled in frustration and went in. Her dad was in for a big surprise if he thought he would get RICH INTERNATIONAL through her. She was surprised her employment had made news though. She brought out her cell and went to the news blogs. She found it in the business section and smiled a little. Her
Adele’s Pov Dad was smiling broadly as I walked over to his table. “Hey Dad.” I said quietly. I wasn’t looking forward to this meeting. “Hey sweetheart, you final did it. I knew you would. Once you got Dan to fall for you I knew he would agree to whatever you asked. But why didn’t you insist on the finance department?” I frowned at him. “I didn’t do anything Dad. Dan didn’t talk to his dad. Chris offered me the job without me asking. I thought maybe you spoke to him.” “No. I don’t want this linked to me.” “So why did Chris give me the job so easily?” I wondered aloud. “Who cares? You got the job. That’s what matters. It isn’t the department we wanted but it is a start. Now all you have to do is gather info on the company. Stuff like, what new designs are they developing, who are they doing business with and whatever financial information you can get.” “How am I going to get information sitting at my desk?” I asked annoyed. “Board meetings, talking to co workers, look
Adele’s Pov During break time the first thing I did was to call Brenda and asked if she’d picked Jay from school. “Yes, he is having lunch now. Like I said don’t worry. I have everything handled.” I could hear Jay talking in the background. “He want to speak with you.” Brenda said and gave him the phone. I spoke to him a little and told him I missed him and would be home soon. Then I hung up as Zoey came in. “Adele! You have an office?” She asked surprised. “Yeah. Your dad asked them to give me my own space. It has a pretty good view don’t you think?” Zoey was silent, staring out of the window. Then she turned with a big smile on her face. “It is beautiful. I am really surprised at my dad, he usually doesn’t care about the comfort of his employees. You are lucky.” “Yeah, your dad is really nice.” “He is. How about lunch. I am sure you have a lot of questions. I will be happy to answer them.” “Another time. I am not really hungry. Maybe I will have a sandwich la
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