Copyright © 2021 Salem Goodness
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Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Names, characters, and places are products of the author’s imagination.
Front cover image by Salem Goodness
Book design by Salem Goodness
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10KM, Idiroko rd canaanland bus stop
Ota, Ogun state, 112233
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BRIEF INTRO:
She is a single mom and a young widow with a tragic past that threatens to compromise the future that beholds herself and her child. Thelma Valentine is a diligent woman, she works hard to give her child a better life, and a better future from all the chaos that once surrounded them in the past.
Thelma Valentine is a strong-willed woman determined to accomplish whatever she sets her mind to do. A woman who forsook her identity so her daughter may have a life where she wouldn’t have to look over her shoulder each day.
One tragedy was avoided but no one knows for how long the peace they now live in will last.
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Kaycee, the fancy hotel manager ensured everything was in order for the evening event that was to be hosted by one of American’s top wealthy family “The Chester family” the Sweet Dreams hotel was among the top picks to host. All day he gathered both morning and evening workers to set up the event, and hired a substitute escort for one of the Chester's sons.
The entire arrangement and organizing were finished on time before the early guests arrived and Kaycee goes to get the escort from the private lot. He waited impatiently for the model he hired as an escort but there was no sign of her. He then checks his watch to ensure they were right on schedule and everything was on point but no escort. Kaycee checked his phone for any missed or incoming calls from her, but nothing explained the sudden absence. Kaycee was worried the model backed out of the deal and ran off, he was terrified she wouldn’t show up, thus embarrassing the wealthy family and lowering the hotel’s interest.
Not being able to handle it, Kaycee left the parking lot and went back into the building, on the way he asked the doorman to keep an eye out for any missing guests while he reinspects things going on inside.
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They walked back into the open hall where the guests are chatting, the music blasted through the array speakers giving a booming feeling, and Thelma watched a few of the guest dance, she envied the grace and elegance they possessed, not like she could match up, it was thrilling to experience.
‘Rich people’ she thought and rolled her eyes at them because they couldn't see her. Thelma was quiet the whole time as Kaycee led them away, but she became anxious when they went out, door after door.
“Look, Thelma… this might be a hard thing to do, but I promise, you will be fine.” He reassures her.
“You sure?” She shakily asks.
“Yeah, there are just a few things you should know. A little precaution on the dos and don’t. One! Avoid making any related conversation with the families. Two! Do not, I repeat do not get yourself drunk, if possible stay away from alcohol, and lastly try not to be uptight till the night's over.” Kaycee rushed up the details, which wasn’t enough to help Thelma.
“What if they ask about my name, what do I say?” She asked.
“Tell them it is Ava Sambora, nothing else. That is your fake identity for tonight. Also, avoid situations that may involve discussion about your life, work or family, please do this to avoid any more complications.” Kaycee held her hand so she understood the risk they were both taking.
“I will.” She answered. “Who am I escorting?”
“I don’t know for sure. Ivan senior has two sons, and it is one of them you are escorting. I hope it's the younger son and not the older son.” He muttered.
Thelma had to swallow her questions and hope for the best, it would be terrible being stuck with the wrong son.
........
“This is Ava Sambora she is the escort I told you about, she will be your son’s partner for tonight.” Kaycee informs the woman of the house.
“Really? Is she legit?” The woman asked with a doubting look.
“Very! I am positive, and I am honored to be at service to the Chester family. Ava here has volunteered-”He gently pushed Thelma forward to greet them but she was frozen like ice.
‘Volunteered? I never volunteered for anything’ Thelma shouts in her head but could not let the words out. Kaycee was clear about his motives but his response to the wealthy woman opened Thelma’s eyes to the secret things he did not tell her.
“That’s great to hear.” The woman spoke. “My dear meet my oldest son, Orlando Ivan Chester.” She gestured behind her but there was a man joyfully picking his nose at a corner and Thelma cringed in disgust. The woman noticed the irritation in Thelma’s eyes and corrected herself. “Not that one, he is the one standing over there. Honey please come here. Sometimes he does not like attention.” She said and called Orlando so she could introduce him.
He stepped forward from the darkness almost towering above everything. His body language was angry as he reluctantly looked at Thelma.
From the shape of his face to his strong masculine feature, Thelma knew something was terribly wrong with this meeting. Orlando had his face emotionless, though he wore darkened sunglasses to mask the bored look in his eyes which also matched his exotic outfit.
“Hello, nice to meet you.” He said but it sounded cold and bitter like he was forced to recite the words. Orlando stretched out his hands for her to shake and she reluctantly accepted it, when she did the feeling of closeness became stronger.
‘wait a second… I remember those glasses- I-I remember that face… that voice... it sounds so familiar’ After a few seconds, her blood ran cold upon realizing it.
‘Oh my gosh! It’s the guy who tried to kill me!’
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Hello dear fam! Just a short notice that there will be gradual changes to my work, but do not forget to add it to your library right now so you don't miss the new updates. Billionaire spy is undergoing final edits.
Peace out!
© 2021 Salem Goodness
Hamper Avery Guide Schools…One quiet Afternoon…“The solar system consists of the sun and other planets surrounding its orbit, that, including the eight planets-“ Mr Owen, the social science teacher explains to his students the science of the planets and the cosmos of space. Among the kids listening attentively, there was a peculiar student whose attention was far from the class. She listened only halfway and drifted as boredom took over. Every time there was a science subject, she would fantasize about places she wished to go, someplace that was out of this boring class she referred to as a prison hole.But the door that separates them from the outside world beckons freedom “my exodus” as she calls it, and it calls anxiously at her. Ella knew the last bell for the day would grant her the wish of freedom from Mr Owen’s oppression, it gives her hope to count down the remaining seconds to closing time.Ella eagerly tapped her favorite Tinkerbell pen on the small brown wooden desk, waiti
They strolled to the closest ice cream shop, the same one they had been visiting since Ella was seven. It is a cozy and simple family ice cream shop loved by families looking for a quiet place to share some dessert with their family or friends.Thelma had no car of her own, so they went on foot. Ever since she gave up her old Life for this new one things have been a hard-time struggle for her, but she never for once inflicted the suffering on Ella. Ariella Valentine, her pride and joy, the only reason she was still pushing on to live since the death of her husband Valentino Zachary. Thelma made herself a promise to stay strong and never let the same fate befall her and her daughter as it did to her husband.It has been a tough struggle raising one child with no help, a very hard one because she had to sell all her properties including that of late Valentino, to keep his obsessed brother out of her life. Thelma used every dime on her to pay the best lawyer in Rio just so every single tr
“Isaiah don’t you think this is all too fast, I mean Orlando has zero interest in the family business, he is just like Uncle Sam in the fortune stories who hates life and everything. Orlando just goes about doing what he likes he doesn’t very much care about anything or anyone.” Ruby tried talking her husband from pushing Orlando to forcefully take over the family business.She knew Orlando too well, and throwing all the family’s hard earn inheritance into his hands will surely lead to a forever disaster. Isaiah looked at his lovely wife, she has no idea how important it is for the first son of the Chester family to take over the business. Isaiah Ivan Chester popular by the name Ivan Senior has worked so hard to build his successful shipping company (I Ivan.co) his company has been awarded the best shipping enterprise in America and his legacy must continue, this is when
Thelma reached the sweet dreams hotel by six which means her work shift had started about an hour ago, being a chef at this big hotel was the only job and living for her and Ella, and she doesn’t intend to lose it any time soon.“You’re lucky Kaycee did not find you sneaking into the restaurant this late Elle.” Emma had her covered up till she arrived and took her position in the kitchen where all the meals were made and served to the hotel and it restaurant. Technically there are two kitchens one for the hotel restaurant and the other for room service but most foods were cooked in the hotel restaurant’s kitchen.“Thanks again Emma, I totally forgot about my shift. A lot has been going on lately, it makes me tired and stressed out, I guess it must be the reason work slipped off my mind..” Thelma explained to the nice mi
“Such a disoriented fool.” Emma rolled her eyes at Kaycee who left the kitchen with a plate of joy in hand. “You know he is our boss, right.” Thelma reminded her, she wasn’t defending him or being sarcastic. Thelma just needed to remind Emma that he is still above them on the job even if they behaved like friends. “Yeah I know. And he knows better than to fire me, I mean where would the hotel be if not for my great culinary skills and good brains.” Emma praised herself. “You work only for the hotel restaurant, remember.” Thelma reminded her with a smile on her lips. “Yes I know, but I rule this place.” Emma wiggled her brows at Thelma, they both talked and worked while clearing pans and leftover ingredients from the stove and the countertop. When they were done
The sound of a car drifting roughly burst through the cold night. Tires screeched loudly and continuously before it stopped. Ruby looked out the opened window of her private living room seeing the black Porsche parked in front of the house and Orlando stepping out of it. She quickly changed out of her dressing gown into a simple purple gown that went to her knees and strode downstairs a scowl on her face. Orlando burst through the mahogany doors like a drunk, jangling his keys around then sets them into a bowl on a wooden table. “Orlando, how many times do I have to tell you to stop speed driving?” Ruby scolded her oldest son as soon as he came into their family house. She was so pissed at his careless driving she felt like spanking him. “Mom!” He exclaimed moving to hug Ruby but she stopped him.
Isaiah paced from left to right in the basement of his house. The floor was covered with a wine carpet and a table rug placed in the middle. With expensive painting and souvenirs and vases organized at various sections, it is the definition of richness and glamor, ‘I hope to God this works’ Isaiah prayed and looked down at his Rolex watch counting the seconds that passed. He then paused as the door opened and Ruby’s form appeared. “What did he say?” He asked eagerly. “He said he’s coming.” Ruby replied with a half-smile on her face. Isaiah let out a sigh in relief and put his hand over his chest dramatically, he sat on the bed rubbing his face with the palm of his hands still in utter shock Orlando accepted without causing chaos. “So you told him this ceremony
Five years earlier “Heyyy Ariella, want to know what Aunty Pamela got you?” Thelma cooed five-year-old Ella. It was a week after Ella’s birthday and they promised Ella that they will open all the gifts a week after. The weather was cold, snow and ice coated the streets and houses, Thelma took a green wrapped gift signed by her sister Pamela and opened it with a cutter. “Aww a tinker bell pen. That’s weird? Right babe.” She frowned at the gift wondering why her sister had gotten Ella a pen, Thelma dropped the box beside her and heard something jiggle inside, she frowned again and carefully carried the box in her hands shaking it again for confirmation, it jiggled again she traced the inside of the box and found a hole inserting her index finger she pulled on it and it revealed a cute golden chain decorated with little fairies and an envelope beneath.