Chapter 104RICHARD’S POVAs we descended in the elevator, my stomach suddenly churned with unease as my mind raced with potential scenarios and questions that awaited me and B outside.Since my father made frantic efforts for Heather’s video not to circulate in the media and my schoolmates were forbidden from talking about it outside school, the news didn’t quite reach the general public, so I was spared that shame and humiliation.The last time I faced a crowd of reporters wasn’t long after I returned to the city. They were curious about why I’d been travelling so much. I didn’t reveal much; just said it was for luxurious vacations and building connections with other cities and nations in preparation to take over from my father when the time came, and left it at that.The story was forged well and I sounded very convincing so they ended up buying it. Since then, I haven’t disturbed me much. I knew how mind-bugging and malicious their questions could be. I just hope it won’t break B
Chapter 105RICHARD’S POVAs we walked down the hallway, we heard voices getting louder, mixing with camera clicks that sounded more frantic with each step.My bodyguards on seeing us, quickly flanked us as we approached the exit.“Oh my goodness,” B exclaimed lowly, bringing her free hand over her lips to stop herself from gasping out loud.We looked at each other. She was shocked at the sight before her and I was pretty sure I could hear her heart beating faster in her chest.“We did our best, but they’re just too much to handle,” one of the hotel’s security men said as he grabbed the door handle to pull it open for us.The security men and my bodyguards quickly stepped out in front of us. They positioned themselves two steps below B and me on the entrance steps, forming a protective barrier around us.The scene in front of us was like something straight out of a nightmare. Reporters and cameramen crowded together, thrusting their microphones and holding up cameras, eager for any i
Chapter 106RICHARD’S POVThat particular question made me instantly nervous. Of course, B was more than attractive enough for me and my heart didn’t belong to anyone else. It belonged to her and her alone. With that in mind, I came up with the best answer I could.“As my wife mentioned earlier, whoever came up with that post was trying to cause trouble for us. It was a lie. I fulfil my duties as a man to my wife. She testified about that,” I turned to B and looked at her with proud dreamy eyes. “I love my wife very much. She’s more than attractive enough for me and my heart belongs only to her.”Cheers and coos filled the air, with some people even blowing hand whistles for us. I was overwhelmed with happiness. I didn’t anticipate the event to be so jolly and cheerful, like interviewing celebrities on a Friday night talk show. I thought the reporters would be rather brutal and malicious with their questions, but thankfully, they weren’t like that at all.B’s cheeks overheated with p
Chapter 107RICHARD’S POVHeather and I’s relationship was never a media fuss. Mostly, we met and spent time together at school so as not attract the attention of the media. We were taking tiny baby steps until we were ready to take our relationship to the next level, go public and eventually get married. But that didn’t happen. Everything fell apart in the blink of an eye because of Ben.The only times we met outside school was during a classmate’s party or other social events where I always covered up by saying she was my date, escort or just a friend I brought along for that event.Heather didn’t visit my place often. When she did, and on her third visit, my dad made it known to me he didn’t like her very much because she seemed like an opportunist. That was because he didn’t know her as well as I did. I hoped to prove him wrong over time and show him her true self, but that chance never came.So when the reporter brought up that news about Heather, it hit me like a fast-moving tr
Chapter 108BIANCA’S POVRichard looked at me, his hold on my hand loosened and his features contorted in confusion. “Miss who?”“Heather. Your ex-girlfriend,” I said, couldn’t help but wonder if he did that on purpose.He hesitated a little and sighed before answering that. “Yeah, I do.”Letting that one slide for a bit. I moved to the question. Missing her was normal and acceptable since they used to be close. “What about love?” I asked with rapt attention. “Do you still love her?”That question made him awkward and put him at unease as he looked away, rolling his eyes and letting out a series of deep lowly sighs as if not knowing what and how best to answer me.I knew he wouldn’t like me asking him that. But at moments like this, I needed to plan my future and make hay while the sun still shone. I needed to know my fate in case his ex-girlfriend walked through our apartment door one day and let him know she never stopped loving him while she away.I hope what he answered that rep
Chapter 109BIANCA'S POVThe elevator dinged, startling us. We chuckled at our reaction before stepping out into the hallway. As though Gideon knew we were coming, he opened the door before Richard could use his access card. “I saw everything,” he said with a proud, dreamy look in his eyes, still gripping the door handle. “It was… beautiful. You two handled it well, and whoever is trying to cause trouble for you two will see trouble for the rest of their lives,” he concluded firmly. “Thank you, Gideon,” I said and held Richard’s arm, leaning onto it and smiling at what Gideon said. Richard seemed unaffected and a little awkward. Gideon wanted to say something else, but Richard cut him off. “…That’s enough Gideon,” he breathed out as though fed up. “Could you at least let us in and feed us first before saying anything else?” Now that I was noticing it, he seemed exhausted and I’m sure he was also hungry. “Yeah, sure,” Gideon stepped aside for us to come in. “Now you have no excuse
Chapter 110BIANCA’S POVThe buzzing of my phone startled me up from the bed, bringing an end to one of the best sleep I have had in a century. Groaning out in frustration and drowsy as fuck, I reached out to where it was on top of the nightstand, a bit surprised it was even there. I thought Richard left it somewhere in the living room after he took me hungrily in his lips last night.My eyes were barely open and still trying to accommodate the morning light, so I didn't bother to see who was calling. I squinted and clumsily tapped the green answer button. Suddenly, Nina's overly excited voice blasted through the speaker, practically pounding on my eardrums.“Oh my gosh girl, your I***a is blowing up!”This was the first time we were talking since we sorted out things about her being involved with Richard. I know it had been a while, but that didn't mean she had to call so early and ruin my sleep. I could overlook it if it was an emergency, but from her overly excited tone, I doubted i
Chapter 111BIANCA’S POV“And you don’t have to do much,” Nina continued. “He’s already a hit on his own. All you have to do is just get him to post more. Engage with his followers and agree to this romantic shit. That’s all. How hard could that be?! It’s not rocket science, Bianca Sinclair!” She yelled into the phone, sounding like she was about to lose it. I could only imagine her reaction if she ever became famous with loads of followers. The whole world would know about it and probably never hear the end of it.As much as I wasn’t that comfortable and enthusiastic about doing all that stuff she said, I just had to unless I wanted to make her my lifetime enemy. I rubbed the bridge of my nose and sighed. “Fine. I will see what I can do.”“That’s my girl,” she cheered. “And don’t forget to keep me updated. With time I will be promoting my brand on your page. You can’t be a famous sweet ass shit and I won’t gain from it.”“Whatever…” I muttered, pulling a face. Typical Nina. Of course