SJ gave Ellisande an approving look after she finished her presentation. He couldn’t be any prouder for her achievement.
“I’m impressed,” Mr. Grande said seriously as he looked at the outline of descriptions that Florence had made. He flipped through the pages that contains the figures of the finishes on the interior. “However, there are some changes that we need to do. I’m ok with the tiles, the choice is very classic and clean. But, for the colors, it must reflect the schemes of the hotel. We want our guests to know exactly where they are once, they enter out hotel.”
“We can have them prepare, Mr. Grande,” Florence replied formally.
“Unfortunately, I need to make the decision by Wednesday,” Mr. Grande explained calmly. “The property that my VP acquired, will be starting its land development already as what we had shown on the master plan that we brought. I need to see them immediately.&rdq
Elli stared at herself, wondering who the woman is looking back at her. It’s the night of the event for the Vault of Arts Museum and she had just donned the dress that Jasmine had bought for her. The dress is a mermaid-style that further enhanced her hourglass shape because of the tightly fitted bodice and the bold flare at the knees, that is held by a thin-spaghetti strap. The champagne color of her dress went perfectly with her skin tone that she looks like she’s glowing. Her perfectly smooth skin beautifully showed off as well a small hint of cleavage.“Don’t you think the back is a bit low?” She asked uncertainly as she turned her body.“Elli, it’s the right height,” Jasmine replied lightly as she stepped back and looked at her. “Someone’s going to kill me over this.”“What do you mean?” Elli asked.Jasmine shook her head with a smile.“Don’t mind me,&rdqu
SJ stared with narrowed eyes as Elli received her award on the stage that was constructed on the center of the venue, as her entry was awarded third place from the final ten contestants. She smiled warmly as she accepted her plaque, cash award and bouquet of flowers. He looked at the painting and remembered that she was absorbed on it when he arrived and kissed her.He suddenly felt his anger rise-up unconsciously when Ronald bent down and kissed both of her cheeks and then congratulating her while saying something. He clenched his fists tightly, to restrained himself from storming upfront and beat up his good friend.“She deserves it,” Jasmine piped up beside him as she clapped lightly after a photo together with her entry was taken. “And, she looks beautiful, don’t you think? Hmmm… I am always amazed at my works.”SJ looked down at her coldly.“I told you to buy her a decent dress,” he snapped lightly. &l
Elli went out from her apartment wearing a blue Bloom Floral Tie Strap Bustier Summer Midi Sundress and a flat slingback slippers, early Sunday, the following day. She made sure that the door is securely lock before heading to the elevator after checking that she got everything she needs.She finally went out from the building and turned to her right, walking towards the venue of the Trade Fair she heard about last Friday. She put on her shades and cloche hat, so her hair won’t be blown by the wind since she decided to leave it down.“Hello, Miss,” a young lady greeted when she finally arrived at the entry arch of the fair. “Welcome to the Trade Fair. Our entry is fifty cents, which includes a map of the stalls that we have here.”“Thank you,” Elli said after she received the map and ticket.She stood at one side for a while as she studied the map, deciding on which side to start first. After a few minutes, she de
Elli walked towards her desk the following day and sat down on her chair. As her usual routine, she immediately unlocked her drawer and pulled out her issued laptop and have it run its startup. While she is waiting for it to load, she reached for her notes and reviewed the list of tasks she will be doing today.“On your toes,” she heard whispers. “He’s in a bad mood, right now.”“What the hell do you think happened?” Came another question. “Could it be because of that rumored break-up? He was alone on that Saturday event.”“Dear Lord, let’s just hope that he will not turn his anger on us! Tony told us that he was yelling for contract documents to be in his office. It’s still not nine yet!”Elli looked at them for a while, perplexed on the mode of conversation she just heard. She stood up when she saw Valerie and waited for whatever she will be ordering her.“Good mo
SJ rubbed his eyes tiredly as his lead bodyguard relayed that Elli has not been located yet. It’s already past midnight and he is still in his office, waiting for any news of her whereabouts.“The phone was her father’s last gift to her,” Florence had earlier berated at him. “What the hell came into your mind and acted like that? You overreacted and unmercifully destroyed her dignity in less than two minutes. And for what reason?! That gossip column on the internet!”“Did you remember what you told me?” She sneered angrily. “You said that you don’t give a damn if she will be hanging out with other men just as long as she doesn’t embarrassed herself. What happened to that statement?!”Florence then stormed out from his office and refused to speak with him.After that, he then called Kent Grayson and Thomas Jones to his office. He asked them if they knew where she went to, but they resp
“Mr. Kincaid?” Debra’s voice came, shaking SJ out from his deep thoughts. He looked up and raised his eyebrows, letting her know to continue. “Mr. Grande is on his way up here. He wants to see the progress of the drawings. I already called Ms. Florence and she’s on her way up as well.”SJ nodded as he stood up, straightening his tie and buttoned his coatHe didn’t get a good sleep. Elli’s face haunted him in his dreams. He could not forget the anguish that crossed her face when he smashed her phone out of his anger and jealousy. Now that he had looked back at it, he vehemently cursed himself for his immature action. Then, additional guilt was given when Florence berated at him angrily and telling him that the phone was her father’s last gift for her and the way she burst into tears in her private office.“But you wouldn’t care anyway, right?” Florence accused. “If you have your way or
Elli turned to her side on her bed, looking out the window, staring at the starry night sky and thinking of her parents. She wondered how they are doing and silently requested for a sign, telling her that they’re okay wherever they are.As she always does, she resorted to what’s going to make her feel alright.Racing.Because when she’s behind the wheel and the feeling of adrenaline rush in her, makes her temporarily all the hurt and pain she is going through.“Elli?”She slowly sat up when she heard Cherry’s voice outside her door. She stood up on the third knock and opened the door slightly, checking if she’s alone.“I brought you something to eat,” Cherry said with a smile after Elli closed the door. She walked towards the sitting area by the window and placed the tray down. “Master SJ made me sure that you will eat your dinner.”“I’m really not hungry,&r
SJ looked at his wife, who is staring back at him with all the hate she can muster up. He leaned back on his chair and watched her cautiously for a while.“The Grande project,” he finally stated.Elli rolled her eyes that made him clenched his fists.“Fine,” she answered tightly.SJ gave her a hard look. “I called Florence and she will be coming here tomorrow with your laptop and other things,” he pointed out calmly. “Mr. Grande came unexpectedly this morning and made a follow up with his granddaughter’s room design. He wants to give her some good news because she’s undergoing treatment.”A look of concern crossed Elli’s face.“I’ll do it but on one condition,” she said calmly. She remained silent for a long while before looking back at him with a set expression. “I want a paid one-month leave.”“Absolutely not!” He immediately
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