Elli slowly opened her eyes and stared at the ceiling for a few minutes. For the first time since she arrived in the city, she felt well rested. She clutched the blanket to her face, closed her eyes and rolled to her side to savor a few more minutes before getting up and was shocked to collide with something solid.
She opened her eyes and quickly sat up, backing away when she saw her husband, sleeping beside her, only wearing sweatpants. She turned to her bedside table and saw that her clock read eight in the morning and she suddenly jumped out from her bed, rushing to the toilet.
I’m late! She thought frantically.
She took off her clothes and took a quick shower, her mind picturing the face of her supervisor screaming at her. She cringed at the thought as she turned off the shower and grabbed her towel and wrapped it around her body. She then reached for her lotion and applied it quickly as well as her face cream.
“This will do,” she mu
SJ looked up from the costing he is studying when his cellphone rang. He placed the document down and reached for his phone, looking at the caller.“What have you got for me, Leo?”Leo Reynolds, his long-time private investigator sighed at the other end of the line. “Nothing except for all those standard information, SJ,” he said calmly. “My men are still digging up but so far we have nothing that can help with whatever you’re planning.”“He couldn’t be that difficult,” SJ pointed out.“Yeah, well some are good at keeping their lives private that they even take them to their death,” Leo replied with mild irritation. “This Michael Porter was one of them. I’ve been digging information for the past month and that’s the only thing I came up with.”“Have you checked his wife?” SJ asked again.“Yes. Same results,” Leo said.
Elli looked up from her computer the following day when she heard Valerie calling her name. She quickly stood up and rushed to her area.“Yes, Ms. Valerie?” She asked formally.Valerie looked at her darkly.“I need you to go and get me three reams of A3 size bond paper at supplies,” she said curtly.“Noted, Ma’am,” Elli replied. “I will call supplies and have them here ASAP.”Valerie cursed at her angrily. “Did you hear what I just said?” She sneered. “I said that you go and get them. I did not tell you to have them delivered here. I could have done that already. Get them now. ASAP! I’m pretty sure you can move quickly considering you were absent yesterday.”“And about that,” she continued heatedly. “The next time you’ll be absent without telling me and only telling the VP, I will suspend you. Who the hell you think you are? Get a move
Three Weeks Later …Florence looked up from the proposals she is studying when she heard SJ cursing under his breath and throwing the document he is holding back on the table. It was Friday morning and he and Florence are going through the proposal for the interior schemes of the hotel lobby and presidential suite as requested by the client.“That won’t help,” she snapped with a frown. “We all know how difficult of a client Mr. Grande is but stop doing that.”“How many schemes have been rejected already? Three? Four?” He questioned dryly. “And, he’s giving us a short notice every time!”“He’s a mover, we all have seen that,” she explained as she reached for another scheme that her staff had submitted, in the hopes that it will be the one chosen by the client. “Why do you think he has hundreds of chains all over the world? That’s the way he works.&rdqu
Ellisande leaned back on the park bench, shaded by a tree, she occupied while enjoying the sandwich she made back at the apartment and brought with her for lunch along with some lemon bars. She even made one for Mr. Jones for dropping her off again last night after another overtime in filing materials samples. She looked at her watch and reminded herself that she got another hour of lunch break.“Miss Val must have been in a good mood to extend my break,” she muttered.But, over the past weeks, she noticed that her supervisor is slowly releasing the reigns on her. She would still insult her from time to time and make her run some errands, but not too much. Perhaps she had seen that Elli never fought back and just do whatever she is told.After finishing her sandwich, she then reached for the sketchpad she brought with her and stared at the schemes she made for their latest and VIP client, GHI. She remembered the day when their VP, Ms. Florence called
SJ got out of his private elevator early the following week and was met by Debra.“Mr. Grande is at your office, Mr. Kincaid,” she informed formally. “Ms. Florence is on her way up as well.”“SJ!”He turned and saw Florence alighting from the elevator with an anxious look, while bringing with her the portfolio of all the schemes her department had made.“Why do you think he’s here at this time?” She inquired curiously. “Debra called me. I’m glad I came in early today.”The two entered his office and saw Mr. Grande sitting calmly on the sofa and to their surprise, he was holding a piece of paper. He put down the cup of coffee he’s drinking when he saw them.“Mr. Grande,” SJ greeted formally. “It’s a bit early. Is there anything that we can help you with?”Elliot Grande stood up.“There definitely is,” he replie
Ellisande stepped out of the elevator on the 78th Floor, after receiving an order from the CEO, two hours after their encounter on the ground floor with their VIP client. She clutched her bag tightly as she walked towards the secretary, who is busy typing on her computer.“Good morning, Ms. Debra,” she greeted the ever-serious secretary, who earned the highest reputation as the most trusted employee of the CEO. “I’m here upon the CEO’s order.”Debra took her eyes off the screen and looked at Elli calmly. She had been working in the Kincaid’s company for past thirty years, and she will only take one look to know one’s personality. Right now, she is staring at the young Kincaid’s wife, few of the people who knows, and Debra kept her comments to herself for now.“Mr. Kincaid’s waiting for you, dear,” she said patiently. She stood up and led the way. She knocked on the wooden door bef
Elli looked up from her desk late in the evening, two days after she started working on the VIP project, when she heard someone call her. She smiled when she saw Kent, walking towards her with some take-out food.“You didn’t have to,” she said, a bit embarrassed.“You know that it’s not a problem for me,” Kent answered as he pulled up a chair and sat beside her. He carefully took out a container of the Chinese Restaurant of the food he bought and handed one to her. “Their shrimp already sold out, so I hope you don’t mind that it’s pork. It’s also their best seller.”“I don’t mind,” she assured as she opened it and smell the aroma it emitted.“They’re giving you a hard time, aren’t they?” He asked patiently as he leaned back and took a bite on the Chinese bun. “Making you do different work, so you won’t be able to finish the concept of th
SJ looked straight ahead while sitting on the bed, his eyes cold.“Here’s your drink, babe,” Carmela said sweetly, entering the room with his glass of whiskey. She placed the glass on the bedside table and bent down to his face and giving him a hungry kiss. “I’ll have the tub prep. I’ll call you.”He watched as she walked towards the bath.His thoughts drifted back to the scene he had walked into a while ago. He knew about Ellisande staying up late in office. Ever since he knew about the maltreatment she’s been getting, he had one of his bodyguards monitoring her. He had also made sure that those who were involved in the videos were given the punishment they deserved by targeting them through their work performance.But, never in his mind will he feel angry when he walked in her department’s office and found her smiling and having an enjoyable conversation with another man. He saw how her face changed
7 Years Later… SJ looked up from the contract document that he is reviewing inside his office at the sound of his two sons, squealing and laughing at the game they are playing with their playmates. He smiled at the sound of them enjoying the sunny afternoon. After scanning through the document one more time, he finally signed on his name indicated below and closed the folder and putting it on his outgoing tray. He stood up and walked towards the glass door that will lead him out to where his sons are. He stood there for a while and watched as seven-year-old Michael run happily while holding a giant pinwheel in his one hand as his younger brother Alexander Philip, who just turned five last month, was running after him, clapping happily. Their nannies were keeping a close watch on them while he saw William arranging the long table outside by the pool with Cherry and two more helpers. “My turn!” Alexander exclaimed as he pointed at the pinwheel.
Elli leaned on the bed that night two months after she got out of the hospital and watched as SJ continued swaying their baby and humming lightly to get him to sleep. The look on his face squeezed her heart so tight, the look of pure love visible on his face. It's been two months since that eventful night. Who would have thought that something dreadful and dangerous had led to something much more memorable with the birth of their son? Michael Elliot Kincaid. Elli could feel tears in her eyes when SJ told her the name that he wants for their first born. The name is not from someone in his family but from hers. She remembered hugging him so tight that he had thought of Michael Porter. She was planning to use that name on their future children. “Well, if it wasn’t for him, we wouldn’t have gotten married in the first place,” SJ pointed out with a smile. He gave her a long kiss. “I told your dad about it, and he was more than happy about it. I also discus
SJ watched, with tears in his eyes as the baby was finally laid on Elli’s arms and she lovingly cuddled him, looking down at him with so much love in her eyes. The baby is continuing to cry in his mother’s arms.“Hi, baby,” Elli whispered softly, rocking him gently. The baby, somehow felt familiar with the voice that is soothing him, started to lower his cries. “Mommy’s here. I’m so happy to see you. I love you so much, sweetheart. You just made me the happiest person, right now.”Elli turned towards him and smiled up at him widely.“I love you,” SJ said as he kissed her head gently and his one hand shakily touch the top of the head of his first-born. He could feel tears running down his face. “Hello, son. Daddy’s here now.”The two looked down at their baby lovingly, just feeling the joyful moment it brings them.“I hate to interrupt this moment, guys, but I need y
Elli finally stood up, holding on to the grab rails, from the bowl after she finally relieved herself and pulled up her underwear carefully. She winced a bit when she felt a pain on her lower back as well as her belly. She turned to flush down the toilet and noticed that she had a pinkish discharge on the bowl, and she took note of that for her next appointment with Paige.“Marissa, do you have my phone?” She called out softly. “I’ll call SJ and tell him that I want to go upstairs to the room and rest. I don’t feel like going back to the function anymore.”“Yes, Madam,” Marissa answered softly. “I’ll have your phone ready when you come out.”Elli heard the door to the bathroom open when she had another pain shot up her belly. She massaged her stomach gently, breathing slowly and calmly. After a few minutes, she finally decided to unlock the door of the stall that she occupied.“Do you
SJ looked at his watch for the fourth time and looked towards the doorway and waiting for Elli to appear back from the bathroom. He is tapping his hand lightly on his leg, a motion that his mother had accidentally saw when she turned to receive her wine.“Is something wrong, dear?” Mrs. Kincaid asked in concern.“Elli’s not yet back from the bathroom,” he answered calmly.“Give her another two minutes, dear,” she replied, putting a hand on his and squeezed it lightly. “It usually takes a little longer for pregnant women.”SJ nodded and pulled out his phone. He dialed Stu’s number and waited for the bodyguard to answer his phone. He grimaced and cursed silently when his call went unanswered. He pressed the number again and still his call went unanswered.He looked up and motioned to Sam.“Yes, sir?”“Please check on my wife,” he whispered straightly. &l
SJ held Elli’s hand as he gently assisted her down the Range Rover late Friday afternoon in the driveway, fronting The Grande Duchess Hotel, who is fully lighted for its inauguration. He made sure that her dress behind is flowing neatly.“Thanks,” Elli said with a smile and her hand automatically went to her stomach, which is now round and big. “Do you have my jacket?”He nodded as he placed them around her shoulders.Elli is now nine-months pregnant and in a few days will be giving birth to their baby.A son.SJ couldn’t hide his happiness when during their gender reveal, the baby is a boy. He wouldn’t mind having a girl as well and he will make sure that after a few years, he will be having one.Both of their families as well as their friends were overjoyed by the news. Piles of gifts started arriving at their home and Elli was shaking her head in amusement when SJ had converted one of the guest ro
Elli hugged her grandmother after the wedding ceremonies were over as well as the picture taking was completed. As instructed by SJ and getting her consent, they allowed one official photo by photographer be uploaded by the wedding organizer that SJ had hired. It created a buzz online the moment it was uploaded. “I can’t believe you came all the way here, Grams,” Elli said with a smile after giving her a kiss on the cheek. “I’m so happy that you’re here. As well as with you, Grandpa and Uncle.” She then hugged them both. Elli was glad that she decided to go overseas and see her mother’s family last year. She spent most of her time with her grandfather, who she knew was a hard man based on her mother’s journals as well as from her father. It took her a while but finally, she was able to convince him that she will lead the life that she wants. “That man better take care of you, Ellisande,” Phillip Montagu said seriously as he hugged her tightly.
SJ watched lovingly as Elli stood at the end of aisle while Luisa, Paige and Jasmine helped put on the veil that was included in the dress that he had custom-made for her. He saw her smile widely when she was handed the bouquet of flowers made of peonies, tulips, and roses with some lush greens.That night when Elli had told him about their baby where he couldn’t sleep, he decided to give her a surprise.He will marry her all over again.With their wedding anniversary coming up in less than two weeks, he had to pull a lot of strings to make everything happen. He sought the help of his mother, his and her friends, Debra, and her father, who he called overseas that same night.He had to pay a big amount just to get Le Bernardin to say yes to his plan because the place has been known to never accept any occasions. He had to rely on his biggest connection and that was Elli’s grandfather, who he finally got to talk to a few days ago.SJ was
SJ gently pulled a sleeping Elli to him and watched her snuggle automatically closer to him. He dropped a soft kiss on her forehead and just continued watching.He could not sleep even after making love to her.He just can’t. Not after getting the best news in his life.“I’m going to be a dad?” He asked when he finally stood up. “You’re not joking, right?”Elli shook her head with a smile, tears running down her cheeks. “This is supposed to be my surprise for you once we get to Le Bernardin,” she answered as she took the ultrasound photos from him and looked down at it lovingly. “But I got upset when I saw you pull those brakes.”SJ chuckled as he placed both hands on her face.“I knew you can make it to top five when you were still practicing,” she said softly. She placed her hands on his as well and smiled through tears. “I watched the replay of the race be