As I stepped into the grand two-story building of Spring Dresses, the largest fashion house in the capital, I felt a familiar thrill of excitement. The place was adorned with exquisite dresses designed by renowned fashionistas from around the globe, each piece more breathtaking than the last. The air was filled with a blend of luxury and creativity and I couldn't help but marvel at how much had changed since my last visit six years ago. "I can't believe how stunning this place is," Blessing said, who accompanied me. "It feels like a whole new world." I had come here to select my wedding dress 6 years ago, a process that had taken four long months for it to be shipped from overseas. Spring Dresses had a reputation for excellence and I was eager to see the latest collection. “Welcome to Spring Dresses!” a young man in a sharply tailored suit greeted us, extending his hand with a warm smile. “I’m Deen, the manager. It’s an honor to have you
The manager, Deen, stood nearby, his expression a mix of intrigue and apprehension. He had seen many auctions and high-stakes sales but the spectacle between Isabella and me had an intensity that was rare. As the bidding war escalated, I could see Deen’s fingers nervously tapping against the polished surface of the counter, a silent countdown to the inevitable conclusion.“Eighty million,” she declared, her voice dripping with confidence.The entire room fell silent and I could feel everyone’s eyes darting between us, waiting for my response. “Eighty million and one thousand,” I replied nonchalantly, a smile playing on my lips.Isabella shot me a cold, furious look but I remained unfazed.“One hundred million,” she said, her tone laced with arrogance.The room gasped and I felt a knot in my stomach. “What? Why are you all looking at me?” I muttered under my breath. I had no intention of spending that kind of money I said lowerin
The video about the incident at Spring Dresses had been making waves across headlines and I couldn’t believe it had gone viral. Who would do that? Spring Dresses had strict rules—especially in the platinum section. Customers weren’t allowed to take videos or pictures. It left me feeling uneasy, wondering who might have leaked it. I decided not to dwell on it too much. After all, we were the trending topic,ex-girlfriend clashes with the present girl. Reluctantly, I clicked on the video, my heart sinking as I watched. “This is bad,” I muttered to myself. Isabella had already called me twice, ranting and shouting that I was riding on her popularity. The girl truly had a flair for drama. On the bright side, I had received a significant number of partnership requests in the last two days. “Hello, Dad,” I said as soon as the call connected. “Hi, baby, how are you?” he replied, his voice weak and distant. “I’m fine, sir. But you sound tired,are you taking your medication? When was the la
“Congratulations, Maya,” Mike said as he approached, breaking through my thoughts. “Thank you,” I replied, my heart still racing. “A newbie has beaten me in my game. Nice work, Maya,” he said, his tone a mix of respect and playful rivalry. “I appreciate that,” I said, beaming at him. Just then, someone bumped into me, causing me to stumble slightly. Luckily, Mike caught me just in time. I looked up to see Isabella strutting past, her lips curled into a mocking smile. “Oops, my bad!” she laughed, her voice dripping with sarcasm before walking away. “Just forget her,” Mike said, shaking his head with a knowing look. As we gathered my scattered files from the floor, he looked at me earnestly. “Maya, I know you’re still upset about dinner. I’m really sorry; something very important came up,” he said, his expression sincere. “Oh, it’s fine,” I replied, brushing it off as we walked side by side toward my seat. I signaled to Blessing and Jude, who had been waiting patiently and they
“Don’t worry, Maya. You’re such a lovely person. You will find someone who loves you and knows your worth,” she reassured me. “True,” I said, but for now, let’s go celebrate. I parked at the hotel and we got out, the anticipation of the evening buzzing in the air. We headed toward the hotel, the same one I had visited with Mike. I couldn’t quite understand why I chose to drive here. There were plenty of nice eateries nearby, yet I made the 40-minute trip just to catch a glimpse of Alex, who had been on my mind lately. Once at the hotel,I made a reservation for a spot in the VIP section. As we settled in, I felt a mix of anxiety. Would he be here? Did he still works here?" A waiter approached and my heart raced. I hoped it would be the one person I wanted to see, but when I heard a soft, feminine voice, disappointment washed over me. My heart sank as I looked up to see a female waiter taking our order. She was friendly and efficient, but I felt let down. I could barely eat, my mi
It was Saturday already, and I had a mountain of tasks ahead of me. First on the list was my hairstylist, followed by the makeup artist. I rolled out of bed around 10 AM, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. After a quick shower, I splashed on some fragrant body lotion that always made me feel fresh. I whipped up a quick breakfast, a smoothie loaded with fruits, before diving into some documents that needed my attention. My hairstylist wouldn’t arrive until 1 PM, leaving me with a bit of time to strategize for the launch of Pourle’s products. As I scrolled through my phone, a headline caught my eye: “Isabella Accepts Position as Ambassador for Queenk Cosmetic Company.” A chill ran down my spine. Queenk was an international brand, known for its luxurious products, and they had been competing with Pourle in the market. They had entered the Madea market two years ago and were making strides, but they hadn’t quite matched Pourle’s reputation yet. I clicked on the video, and there
“I’m so sorry,the dress is ruined,” festo continued, his voice heavy with regret. I knew he was telling the truth. I had felt something off all day, and now it made sense. “It’s okay, festo, I understand. Is there any way I can get another dress?” I asked, my heart racing in my chest. “Hmm, yes, there are a few good collections here. Hold on, let me check something,” he said before ending the call. All I could do was let out a deep sigh, sinking into the plush couch, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. “The dress has been ruined,” I said, allowing my head to fall back against the cushions, frustration swirling inside me. “How did that happen?” Blessing asked, her tone laced with worry as she leaned against the doorframe. “I don’t know,” I replied, my eyes closed as I tried to block out the anxiety creeping in. “What are we going to do?” With my eyes still closed, I didn’t respond but her last question played over and over in my mind. If I decided not to at
I stepped out of my car, taking a deep breath. “Maya, you can do this,” I whispered to myself, clutching my purse tightly. As I looked around, I noticed a security guard approaching. He greeted me with a polite nod and I handed him my keys before heading toward the entrance of the banquet hall. The banquet was being held at the Presidential Hotel, the most luxurious venue in Madea and the ambiance was nothing short of breathtaking. As I walked in, I saw several people making their way inside. Glancing at my wristwatch, I realized it was already 8:30 PM , an hour and a half late. I had planned to arrive on time but now I knew I would have to stay longer than intended. Holding the edge of my dress, I made my way to the line, my heart racing. Standing there, I could feel the weight of eyes turning toward me, staring and assessing. I tried to ignore it, pretending not to notice. Being a CEO came with its own set of challenges and this was one of them. I hated large gatherings, yet here
“Christi, you’re back,” I said softly, stepping closer. She turned her head toward me and managed a small smile. “Yeah. I couldn’t stay away for long.” At least she looked better than when I first saw her. I let out a breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding. Mom was sitting near the window, slowly eating from a small bowl. That was a relief. She hadn’t eaten much since we got to the hospital, and I’d been worried. “Mom, you should eat more,” I said, pulling up a chair beside her. She gave me a tired smile. “I’m fine, Maya.” Christi got up and walked over to the table where a food flask sat. She opened it, served some porridge onto plate, and handed it to me. “Here, eat,” she said. I hesitated for a moment before taking it. “Thanks, Christi.” We sat in silence as we ate, the only sounds being the occasional scrape of the spoon against the plate. Every now and then, my eyes drifted
***Alex POV***I stared at my phone, my grip tightening as I replayed the sound of her voice in my head. She had tried to hide it, but I heard it,the tremble, the unshed tears clinging to her words. Maya was barely holding it together.A heavy sigh escaped me and I ran a hand over my face, leaning back against the cool metal of the gym’s weight rack. I shouldn’t have called her. Not now. Not when I knew hearing her like that would wreck me.But the second Carter told me about her dad about how critical his condition was,i couldn’t hold back anymore.I had to hear her voice.Even if all I got to say was a simple “Are you okay?” Even if she didn’t break down and let me comfort her like I wanted to.I just needed to be there, even if it was from a distance.I exhaled sharply, tossing my phone onto the nearest bench.“You good?” Adrian’s voice cut through my thoughts.I didn’t answer right away. Instead, I bent down, grabbed the weights at my feet, and pushed through a few reps. Maybe if
I exhaled slowly, nodding. "It’s a relief that a perfect match was finally found,” he added. I swallowed hard, my emotions threatening to overwhelm me. “That’s true,” I murmured. we’ve been searching for a compatible heart for so long. Dad was diagnosed with heart failure three years ago, but we only found out last year. He hid it from us, and when Mom discovered the truth, she was devastated. I was angry too, angry that he kept something so serious from us but later, I understood. He didn’t want us to worry. Since then, Mom had been relentless in making sure he took his medication, never letting him do anything physically demanding. Dad loved raising horses, but she wouldn’t even let him near the stables anymore. She was trying to keep him safe, following the doctor’s orders to the letter. I inhaled deeply, forcing myself to stay strong. For them. “Thank you, Doctor,” I said, stretching out my hand for a handshake. “You’re welcome,” he replied, shaking my hand firmly
A young doctor entered, followed by two nurses. His presence commanded the room, his white coat pristine, a clipboard in his hand. “Good afternoon, everyone," He greeted as he approached my father’s bed. I stepped aside as he checked Dad’s vitals, scribbling something onto his clipboard before whispering to one of the nurses. She nodded and quickly left the room. Then, he turned to us. “We’ve found a match for the heart transplant,” he announced. For a moment, my mind went blank. “The organ will be transported Freya".he continued, looking between me and my mother. A choked sob escaped my lips. Relief flooded through me so suddenly that my knees nearly buckled. Mom covered her mouth, her body shaking as fresh tears spilled down her face. “Oh, thank God…” “We just need you to sign the necessary documents and the heart will be on its way immediately,” the doctor said. I nodded quickly. “I’ll do it.” ***Alex’s POV*** “Dad, not yet. Just give me some time.” I tri
Maya’s POVThe drive to the hospital felt like eternity, although in reality, it took less than twenty minutes. The road was smooth, the car’s tires gliding over the pavement, yet my heart felt like it was dragging across jagged stones. I knew this hospital ‘WHITLOCKS’ it is one of the best in Freya. My father had donated to this hospital countless times, yet now he lay inside, not as a benefactor, but as a patient fighting for his life.As soon as the car pulled up at the entrance, I turned to Christi. Her face was pale, her eyes hollow, the dark circles under them a cruel reminder of the sleepless night she had spent crying. I knew she needed rest, even though she stubbornly refused to leave.“Christi, you need to go home and get some sleep,” I said softly, squeezing her cold hand.She shook her head immediately. “No. Don’t send me home, Maya. I want to stay".I took a deep breath, choosing my words carefully. “I need you to do something important for me. Mom and I will need food w
**Maya's POV** As we drove to the hospital, the road felt oddly familiar, a stark reminder of the countless times I had traveled this path for my dad’s charitable donations. This hospital, one of the best in Freta, had become a second home for him, filled with memories of hope and healing. The car came to a stop at the entrance, and a wave of anxiety washed over me. “Christi, you go home and rest. You’ve been up since early today. I’ll send Mom over soon,” I said, squeezing her hand slightly, hoping to reassure her. “Hy, don’t send me home! I want to come with you,” she insisted, her eyes wide with determination. “Christi, you need to prepare something for me and Mom,” I said, trying to coax her home. The dark circles under her eyes were evident, a clear sign of too much crying and not enough sleep. If Christi looked like this, I could only imagine how Mom was holding up. The thought of Mom made my heart race. I needed to be strong for everyone in our family. After what felt like
The shrill ring of the home telephone jolted me awake, slicing through the haze of sleep. Who could be calling at such an early hour? I groggily reached for my phone on the bedside table. “Morning, Maya speaking,” I mumbled, my voice still thick with sleep as the line connected.“Maya! Maya!” The urgency in my mother’s voice sent a shockwave through me. Instantly, the remnants of my dreams vanished, replaced by a surge of concern.“Mum, talk to me. Is everything okay?” I asked, forcing myself to sit up straight, a sense of dread creeping into my gut.“I’ve been calling you! Where is your phone?” she replied, her voice trembling with anxiety.“Mom, my phone fell into the pool yesterday,” I explained, trying to keep my voice steady, though the knot in my stomach tightened.“Are you crying? What’s wrong?” I could hear her voice quivering and my heart sank further.“Maya, it’s your father. He collapsed when coming out of the bathroom yesterday."she said, her sobs breaking through the li
**Alex Pov**Welcome, boss,” Cater, my most trusted guard, said. I pat him on the back.“Have there been any unusual activities around the area?” I asked, my mind racing with possibilities. “Nothing unusual on the surface but we’ll keep an eye out,” he assured me, his expression serious. “Boss, your father wants to see you.” Carter said as he opened the door of the SUV for me.“You mean the president?” I tossed the key of my bike to him, a playful smirk on my face.“Still your father,” Carter replied with a smile.The car roared to life as I settled into the back seat, attempting to change clothes during the drive home. The familiar sights outside blurred by, each one pulling me further into the whirlwind of my family dynamics.Upon entering the house, I noticed more security guards inside than usual. My curiosity simmered, but I saved my questions for later. I walked into the dining room where my family of three was already seated at the table.“Look who’s here—the one and only pro
“Maya, Maya!” I heard someone call, pulling me back to reality. I looked up to see Alex still standing outside the car, his head bent inside. “Are you okay? I’ve been calling you for a minute now and you just blanked out.” Confusion flickered in his eyes and I could see the concern etched on his face.“Damn, it was just an imagination,” I cursed under my breath. “No wonder it was too good to be true.” “Oh, I’m fine,” I said, forcing a smile as I got out of the car. I had just escaped death and here I was, lost in thoughts I shouldn’t be having. What was wrong with me? I pinched myself to ensure this was reality and not another figment of my imagination.“When I found you, the door to the pool was locked,” he said as we walked toward my house. I looked up at him, trying to process what this might mean. “Someone locked it on purpose,” he stated, his tone grave.A chill ran down my spine. Who would be so wicked as to want me dead? Who had I offended, and how did they know I couldn’t