In a couple of hours, we were down to a more feasible solution. Since the cash flow was too low, Grace and I were the only ones who volunteered to lend our savings to the company in our personal names. The overbearing shareholders claimed they couldn't take such decisions without properly informing the shareholders.After, we summed everything up, we were quite confident that it would keep the business afloat for the mean time while all plans are effectively acted on."How did such a dumb employee even get hired in the first place?!" I turned to the HR team. "What have your team been doing?"Grace's response beat their hesitating one, "This isn't the first time. I have had to relieve several employees of their job myself because they were just outright incompetent. In the three years you were absent, without your firm hand on the board members, they have been stuffing the company with their unwanted incompetents. If you don't fully come back, the company will be ruined by them.""Oh G
BELLA'S POVIf dad hadn't chosen such a dumb excuse, I wouldn't be struggling to keep him by my side now.Since dad had told everyone that lame lie, I had no choice but to go with it after I returned. I had carefully capitalized on it and told it to Mark at every chance I got. He pitied me and he had been loving and kind, always coming at my every beck and call to hold me in his arms and assure me that everything would be fine and he would always be there for me. But now…I reflected on the past few days and hissed again. Now the lie was barely effective now that Sydney was more involved.Or maybe my acts weren't believable enough? Perhaps I should meet up with a doctor and make him lie, then I would get Mark to go with me and...I hissed and threw the ideas out the window. It was enough that Sydney knew about it. I didn't want more ears to hear. What if the doctor later decided to betray me?I hissed again. If dad hadn't chosen this excuse for my absence then I would have been able to
SYDNEY'S POVI angrily patted Mark on his cheek. "Wake up! I'm Sydney not Bella."I grunted loudly as I pushed at his shoulders trying, again, to get him off me. My shoulders fell as I let out a resigned sigh.How in the hell did he get himself this drunk?!After he had scared the life out of me and drunkenly said, 'wifey' with a dazed smile, he had slumped and fell on my chest and I must say, he is heavy.It was hard to breath with his head on my chest like that. And the snores that emitted from his throat was even more agitating."Mark! Godammit!" I screamed exasperatedly. I was too tired for all of this. I just wanted to come home, lock myself in my room and get enough rest to recharge me and strengthen me for the next day. But here I was, stressing my brain as I kept thinking of how to get him off me and as I also keep pushing at his taut shoulders.My eyes scanned the dim room, hoping one of those eerie shadows would turn out to be one of the household staff but no, the shadow re
I closed my eyes and muttered, "Damn it!" Why did he have to wake up now?Bella and I stared at him. Bella's gaze held concern while mine,I was sure, was drilling holes into him."Don't give her," he reiterated, his gaze on me. He looked less drunk now. His words didn't slur so much anymore and his gaze was steady to an extent.That soup must be a very effective one, even though it looked like vomit. I contemplated asking her what the recipe is.Bella shifted closer to him, her brows creased, "Mark," she placed her palm on her cheeks and made him turn his face to her, "You should get more rest.""No," he shook his head and removed her palm from his cheeks. "I need to stay awake to make sure you don't give her." He blinked rapidly for a few seconds before he shook his head and his gaze became steady again.Something akin to hurt and confusion crossed Bella's features, "Give her what? Do you even know what we're talking about? You were asleep just now.""I was but pieces of your convers
I grinned as I put the last touch on the bracelet. I let out a groan as I sat up, stretching my arms and yawning.I sighed as I checked the time. It was past working hours again. But I was comforted by the knowledge that I accomplished a lot today.I looked down at the necklace and bracelet. They were gorgeous. Infact, gorgeous is an understatement. It looked like something out of this world. It was how Atelier studios had become a household name. I always enjoy putting my best in every Jewelry, even if the orders were made by assholes. And it was what I had inculcated in our employees in the production department too.I got to work early today. After last night's drama, I surprisingly had a peaceful sleep afterward. I felt so energized this morning. I suspected it was due to the determination to get out of the marriage.I encased the bracelet and necklace by myself then I rang for my assistant.As usual, she was knocking on my door in a few seconds. "Come in."I handed her the boxes,
An hour after Richie left, I was also packing up to leave.My phone shrilled on the desk again. "Where are you at, girl?""I'm on my way, ma'am. I'll soon get there. Come on, hurry."I arched a brow, a smile on my lips. Since she called me to come over to the villa we both shared an hour ago, she had been endlessly calling over and over again to remind me to come over after work straight away. She seemed excited. Even now, her voice was practically quivering with excitement."You still won't tell me why, huh?"I trapped my phone between my shoulders and neck as I locked my drawers."No," I could hear the smile in her voice.I hummed. "Come on, Grace. Just gimme a hint. I'm dying of suspense here." I picked up the jewelry box from the table,placed it in my bag then I slung my bag over my shoulder."If you're going to die, just get here first."I cackled at her words. "Alright, I'll soon get there." I locked the main doors and started to walk to where I would get a taxi. "I'm about to g
Mark cleared his throat when I didn't look up. "Sydney?"I looked up with a smile. "I'm sorry. I got distracted. What were you saying?"His eyes strayed to the phone in my grip and lingered there and I thought I saw his jaw harden but his voice was calm and soft when he spoke again. "I got you a gift.""Oh yes, of course," I spluttered, then I quickly took the box from his outstretched hands.As he stood there, smiling at me as if he was waiting for something. I contemplated transferring the break up fee to him now so I could just leave with some of my things tonight. That way, I'll get to spend the first hours of the day with Grace but then I looked down at the gift he got me and my gaze slid back to his.He had never gotten me a gift before. Perhaps, it was to dissuade me from insisting on the divorce. I couldn't bring myself to bring up the divorce issue now."Thank you," I said instead, observing my handiwork. "It's a beautiful bracelet.""I made sure of that," he muttered, his vo
I kept my question to myself and swiftly sprang into action and joined Luigi in the frat and in no time, the cafe erupted into chaos, with chairs and tables.When Bran saw that things were quickly getting out of hand and we were defeating his hunks, he joined in the fight.He instantly rammed into Luigi, shoving him across the room. When I saw him tackle him to the floor, I quickly dodged the punch the man I was fighting threw at me and ran towards him to help.But immediately I got there, Luigi flipped him to the floor and ruthlessly pressed his palm on Bran's face. His gaze traveled behind me before they rested on me."Leave," he mouthed, "There's an alley, wait there.""What about you?!" I whispered back as my eyes widened.Why will I leave him here? There was no way I'd do that."Leave, Sydney!" He screamed as Bran took advantage of his distracted state and hit the side of his face with a tray he must have dragged from one of the tables around.I decided to listen to him. He proba