“I wanted to tell you when you were all together. Since that happens to be now listen up. I had a PI look into the listening device.” Chris said. “Why?” Zoey asked. “To know where they came from so I could trace the buyer.” Zoey tried not to react. “We already know that. It is Adele.” She said. “No it isn’t.” “Who is it?” Dan asked. “I don’t know yet. But the listening device came from a batch we bought some months ago. They are part of the ones we supplied to the security company.” “Meaning?” Craig asked. “Someone stole one. It can’t be Adele, she wasn’t even here when it was bought.” Chris explained. “So who is?” Dan asked. “I don’t know. But believe me I will get to the bottom of it. In the meantime you all stop acting crazy. Craig leave town. You have overstayed your welcome.” “No Dad. Nobody is driving me out of town till I am ready to leave.” He said stubbornly. “Then behave yourself while you are here, before you get another punch.” His dad barked. “I
Adele's Pov I managed to get to my office without seeing anyone. I hurriedly washed my face in the bathroom then sat behind my desk. Dan could go to hell! I had made a mistake and apologized why couldn’t he let it go? It wasn’t as if he hadn’t done the same thing before and the ass hadn't even apologized. I began thinking he was looking for a reason to break up with me. For some reason he seemed scared of having a normal relationship. I wondered why. I wished he would let me in so I could help him. I would melt his ice heart and teach him how to love. I sighed. I looked at my computer screen. I was in no mood for work but I had to. I was on a deadline. I tried to concentrate by my mind kept wandering. I was happy when my ringing phone distracted me. I looked at caller ID then groaned. My dad. I was in no mood to talk to him. I would end up yelling at him. Then it rang again and I was pleased to see it was Rachel “Rachel, so sorry for not keeping in touch.” I said. “
Adele's Pov It was Chris. “Hey Adele.” He grinned. “You are the one putting flowers on my mom’s grave?” I asked very surprised. “Yeah. I come here often to visit. It is very peaceful.” I nodded. “Very. Sometimes it is almost like I can hear her talking to me.” “You have experienced it too?” He asked surprised. “Yes. I was afraid I was crazy.” “No you are not. I know what you are talking about. It happens to me too.” We stood looking down at the grave. “You knew her well?” I asked. “Very. I had a crush on her in highschool. She was as beautiful as you. I would admire her from a distance too scared to tell her how I felt until it was too late.” He bent down and touched the grave. “ I still miss her. No woman has ever been able to replace her.” I didn’t know what to say to ease his sadness. It suddenly occurred to me why he really liked me. I reminded him of the woman he loved. “I miss her too. I sometimes wonder how different my life would have been
Dan sat staring after Adele as she left his office. He was angry, upset and embarrassed. How had she found out about Candice? Had his Dad told her? Or that asshole Craig. The mention of that name brought a lot of painful memories he had managed to push down. Now they were coming up again. His mind went back in time. it was a week to his wedding to Candice, the blonde beauty he had met in college. He wanted to take her to dinner but she had phoned to cancel at the last minute saying she was ill, so he decided to go and see how she was. He could still see himself walking into Candice’s house, he had the key to her house like she had the key to his. Standing in the hallway he could hear the moans coming from the bedroom. He knew from the moans what was happening in the bedroom but he couldn’t believe it. Candice would never do that to him. He had to see for himself. So he had entered the bedroom and seen his brother on top of his fiancée. He was so shocked he hadn’t realized when he
Adele arrived in less than five minutes. She had been lucky to quickly get a cab. Dan was sitting in his car. The street was quiet, and clouds were gathering in the sky. It was going to rain. “What is going on?” She asked looking at the damage. “How did this happen?” “I will explain later but you have to help me. The cops will be here soon and I will be in big trouble.” “Why? Have you been drinking?” She demanded. “A little.” He said weakly. “Dan! I have warned you about drinking and driving.” “I am sorry. What do we do now? If the cops arrest me I'll do time.” They could hear police sirens in the distance. “Shit!” Dan said. “Give me the keys. I will say I drove.” “What? No!” “Give it to me and stop arguing.” She said impatiently. “No. The cops won’t believe you.” “Do you have a better idea?” “No, but-“ “Then give it to me. Let’s get out of this mess and worry later.” He reluctantly handed her the keys just before the cops pulled up to
Dan felt dumb sitting in a cab. He hadn’t taken a cab in years. He preferred to drive and was used to driving. This was like a new experience for him. Karen had been calling him since yesterday but he had refused to answered. Did she really think he was dumb enough not to guess what she had done? Trying to hookup with her had been a mistake that he wasn’t going to continue. He hoped he could talk to his dad in private without his brother or sister interrupting. But Chris wasn’t home. The house keeper told him he had gone to the office. He wasn’t surprised, his dad sometimes worked on Sunday. He headed to the office and met his dad concentrating on some files spread out on his desk. “You aren’t going to the club today Dad?” He asked. “No this is important. That’s why I was calling you last night. How are you doing? Hope the little accident didn’t spoil your romantic night?” He asked. Dan sensed he was mocking him. Did he know? He always knew everything. “Not so good
Adele’s Pov Rachel must have been sitting at the window waiting for us because she opened the door and came out as we approached her driveway. I smiled a little as Jay threw himself into her arms. “I missed you Rachel!” He said happily. “Me too honey. How have you been?” She asked. “Fine. Mommy has a job.” “Are you okay?” Rachel asked me. “Sure. Great.” I said. The tone of my voice said otherwise. She frowned but didn’t say anything. We went into the house. “Lunch is almost ready, how about a little snack while you wait?” Rachel asked Jay. “Yay!” He exclaimed. I tried to protest, but Rachel ignored me and gave him a snack. She put on a cartoon channel to distract him then dragged me into the kitchen. “Okay out with it.” She said putting a beer in front of me as I sat at the kitchen counter. “When you called me yesterday night to say you were coming to visit I knew something was wrong. What happened?” “Why did’t you think I just wanted to see how you were?” I
Adele walked up to her desk and angrily grabbed the flowers, ready to drop them in the trash. But she stopped when she saw the note attached. I am really sorry, going to do better. Dan. She stared at it, not believing her eyes. Dan? He had sent her flowers as an apology? She couldn’t stop the smile spreading on her face, then frowned. Dan Richards would have to do more than just flowers to earn her forgiveness, she thought. She put them in a vase on the edge of her desk. Tim came in. “Morning Adele, how is the design going?” “Almost done. Do you want to take a look?” “No, only Mr. Dan is allowed to see it. You guys will be submitting it next week. Will it be ready by then?” “It will.” “Remember there is a promotion in it for you.” He said and left. “And I am going to get it.” She mumbled. Zoey peeped in. “Hey Adele, are you okay? Dad told me you and Dan had been in an accident. I wanted to come and see you but he said it wasn’t serious, are you okay?” “Yeah.
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