Greg paused but without looking back, replied, “Are you scared that I’d tell you I like you?” He turned to look over his shoulder and saw that her face was morphing into a scowl. At that moment, he added, “worry not, I have a fiance.” He continued what he was doing while saying, “I told you before, I saw how you were treated by your husband. I detest men who do that to their wives and as the only celebrity I’ve ever rooted for, I’d like to see you standing back on your feet. I want to see you in the limelight again, Meera.” “Are you going this for free?” “Aside from the fact that I’m your fan, I’m also a businessman. Wouldn’t you be suspicious if I don’t want anything in return?”“I would. So, tell me, what do you want in return?” She was eager to understand his intentions so she would know if she should call Maria and tell her to stop moving their things. “You were only a small-time celebrity, however, I can see that you have a lot more potential to be a mainstream celebrity. So,
“Let me see who that is,” he said and left the kitchen. Not long later, he returned and said, “It’s your brother and friend.” Just when he finished, Maria’s voice pierced through the roof, “Meera, where are you?! Tell me you’re the chef, please!! I’ve been having nightmares about eating what you made!!!”“Stop yelling like a country bumpkin. Our neighbor might think we came from the country side, tsk!” David chided in a way that wasn’t rude nor polite. What followed after was an object hitting the floor. Meera chuckled and shook her head. Those two, if David wasn’t too young, she would have thought they were in love. Their banter was one of a kind. She suddenly froze when she remembered that this was not their place. She looked up at Greg and smiled awkwardly, “I’m sorry, Mr. Greg, I’ll tell them right away to not ruin anything.”“You don’t have to. Whatever is ruined can always be replaced,” but loosing you is something that cannot be replaced, he completed the sentence in his mind
Inside the car, on their way back, Meera was looking out the window, watching the buildings speed past them. She had thought of numerous ways to solve the pressing matter at hand, but couldn’t think of anything useful. Going back to school to learn business management was not an option. When she graduated, she was excited. She thought that she could become a chef at a top restaurant, but Ben kicked against it and wanted her to be a full-time house wife and exercise her cooking skills on him alone. Meera lacked nothing, so she didn’t protest. In fact, she was happy about it. Over the years that she was a full time housewife, Ben also brought most of his work home from the office. He didn't hide anything from her, but she didn't have interest in business. Had she known that this would happen, she would have learned how to run a company from him. At this moment, Meera didn’t regret anything more than this. “What are you brooding about?”Maria’s question snapped her out of her reverie
... “Have you told Greg about the shares you got?” Maria asked once they got home. “Is there a need to tell him? He’s my sponsor, not my manager.” Meera responded while taking off her costume. “True, but is Ben and Vivian going to fold their hands and watch you run the company?”“Ben would rather die than watch the company fall into someone else’s hands. That being said, do you have... Forget it, he said he’s my follower, but how do I look for him when I don’t know his username?” Meera sighed and slumped on the sofa. Her problems were overwhelming her. A smile slipped onto Maria’s lips as she sat beside Meera, “I think David has his contact. Call him and ask.”“He does?” Meera frowned and called out to David. “He won’t hear you, he should be playing games by now.” Meera sighed, got up and headed to one of the many rooms in the house. She knocked on the door a couple of times before pushing it open. As Maria said, he was sitting in front of his computer, with gamers headphones on
The next morning... Meera wore a peach skirt suit and followed it up with a thick layer of makeup that distorted her face entirely and gave her another person’s appearance before heading for Greg’s company. Arriving at the reception, the lady refused her entry without an appointment proof. Meera messaged Greg on Insta but he wouldn’t respond. Last night, she forgot to ask for his number. Meanwhile, Greg’s assistant was sitting at the lounge, waiting for her. He saw Meera when she entered but failed to recognize her. With no means to reach Greg, trouble erupted in the reception. “Miss, you have to leave otherwise, I’ll get the security,” said the haughty female receptionist. “I really need to see your boss. He asked me to come over, which means he’s in his office. Just bring me to him or better still, give him a quick call and tell him that Me— ““I’m assuming you don’t understand my crisp and clear language. Even his family members cannot see him without booking an appointment, l
“Perfect, except that you failed to do proper research on the land you intend to build on!” Greg pointed his pen at the screen, asking, “do you know why none of our competitors are so eager to fight for the piece of land with us? It’s because the neighborhood is estimated to start sinking in 10 years. Didn’t you know that?”“Yes, I know, that’s why the company will increase its bid for the piece of land. 10 years is a long time. By eight to nine years, we would have profited and we can then sell off the property to another company. That way, we won’t suffer any loss. Moreover, the land is extremely cheap in the market as it is.”Greg sat in stunned silence, staring at his cousin who has no foresight. After a long while, he finally decided to say, “ What happens when no one buys the property from us? Are you willing to build a residence on a sinking soil for people to live in?" Before Hudson could reply, Greg raised a finger. “Why do you think that this company is standing at the top o
“Do you know her?” questioned Hudson. Without replying, Greg walked back to his seat and grabbed his phone from the table. We went on Insta and saw a bunch of messages from Meera, informing him of what had happened earlier. Greg typed a reply before calling his assistant. “Why was she prevented from seeing me?” He questioned. Meanwhile, the assistant who was already growing tired of waiting for Meera, bolted up from his seat when he heard that. “Mr. Greg, I’ve been here since and I didn’t see her anywhere in the building.” The assistant waited to hear his boss’ reply. At that moment, it dawned on him that the lady who had created a scene earlier was actually Meera. With this truth, he severely apologized for his mistake but his boss was still upset. To not be the bearer of his wrath, she needed to handle the problem from the root. After taking orders from Greg, the assistant ended the call and hurried to the entrance. On his way, he stopped at the counter and said to the reception
Meera suddenly turned her head to look at him and slightly shook her head. “I’m protected by my makeup, but you’re not. After today, there’ll be news about you and your ‘girlfriend’ on people’s lips.” Since it was unlikely for the media to report on Greg, it wouldn’t stop tongues from the high echelons to stop wagging. A thoughtful look crossed his eyes and he mumbled under his breath, “That doesn’t seem to be a bad idea.”“Did you say something?” she questioned while sipping her drink.“Nothing important,” he smiled. Greg’s phone suddenly rang, checking the caller ID, he stood up, then said, “excuse me for a moment.” Receiving her nod, he went away to take the call. Meanwhile, after he left, Secretary Sonia and Greg’s youngest sister, Lillah Carl, walked in through the entrance. They noticed that the atmosphere was weird, but as it had nothing to do with them, they didn’t mind the source of the disturbance and went to sit at a few tables away from Meera.Meera was on her phone and
As she was about to step out of her dress and hug Greg again, he gave her a once over and smirked, “There is nothing to be desired. Your body does not impress me.” A woman's body is her pride. Commenting negatively about her body could cause her mental and emotional breakdown. This, Greg knew too well, but still did it. He turned and began to put on his clothes. He believed that after disrespecting her, she would respect herself and leave like he wanted. He didn't intend to hurt her, but he had no choice. Sonia froze. Her face paled and her heart shattered into million pieces. The stabbing pain in her heart was unbearable, like a dagger twisting deep within her. She felt humiliated, rejected, and utterly devastated. Her eyes widened in disbelief, and her mind raced with shock and anger. She couldn't move, couldn't speak, couldn't breathe. The room seemed to spin around her, and her entire world came crashing down.Greg's harsh words and dismissive behavior had stripped her not onl
Sonia’s heart froze with fright when Greg turned around. Her mind jolted to the threat he made the last time she barged into his room like this. “Sonia, consider this your last warning. If you ever burst in on me like this again and catch me off guard, there’ll be consequences.” Sonia snapped out of it and took a step back in shock and dread. Standing in the room was Greg in his full glory, holding a white towel as he stared back at Sonia with darkening eyes. Behind Sonia was Meera whom nobody knew when she arrived. Meera’s eyes bulged at the sight of naked Greg. The size of his length choked her. She suddenly felt her heartbreat increasing tremendously. Her cheeks burned scarlet and her lower region tingled with excitement. She raised her gaze to stare at his face. Her eyes betraying her heartbreak. She didn't want to think that Greg lied about not having a woman, but if not, how could he show Sonia his nakedness so brazenly. Was she not present, wouldn't he have laid with her?
“Greg!” Meera heard a female voice calling out to Greg as she approached the room she was in. Greg had excused himself after bringing her to his bedroom in order to get ready for the ball. “Greg, I'm here– “The door suddenly swung open and Sonia stepped in, only to be shocked at the sight of a gorgeous woman she didn't recognize. Her brows furrowed at the sight of the stranger in Greg's bedroom and couldn't help but ask, feeling annoyed. “Who are you and what are you doing here?” Meera’s brows knitted slightly. Who is she? Why would she barge into a man's room without knocking?“Has the cat got your tongue?... Who the hell are you?!” Sonia's mind reeled with a sense of crisis as her mind conjured few ideas. The stranger in front of her looked ravishing in her red mermaid dress that outlined her curves. Her makeup was flawless and her hair was styled perfectly into a high ponytail. The stranger's gaze locked onto Sonia's, eyes sending sparks, and for a moment, they just stared at
Greg shook his head, “Glamour Entertainment’s artist had an affair with Sunlight Entertainment’s artist. However, when the artist from Sunlight Entertainment was caught, the company took advantage of your situation and together with Glamour Entertainment, increased the flame under you. They didn't care what the outcome of your struggle would be. All they cared about was maintaining the image of their artists.” Meera gasped. “You mean both companies have a hand in what I'm going through?”“Hm. With your ex-husband and his mistress's fanbase, they wouldn't have been able to stir so much wave. I knew something was fishy when the videos suddenly blew up the internet in less than 10 minutes, so I had someone look into it and found out both Glamour and Sunlight Entertainment bought the top spot on every media outlet.” Meera’s grip on her spoon tightened. No wonder Mr. Collins immediately believed her. But there was something she wasn't clear about. “If that's the case, why do both compan
Inside the car speeding down the road, Meera was staring at the scene outside the window as they zoomed by, however her mind was trapped in the event that happened earlier. It's been six months already, yet people were still hacking on her matter and wouldn't let go. She sighed for the umpteenth time, suppressing the dull ache in her heart. Suddenly, a phone appeared in her view. She turned her head and saw that Candice had extended her phone and she wouldn't talk. It seemed Candice was still annoyed. Looking down at the screen, it was Greg calling. Meera took the phone and placed it on her ear. “Hey,” she said but her voice was hoarse, barely making a sound. ‘I saw the videos. Are you alright?’ Meera shifted her gaze back to the window, swallowed and gently nodded, “I have to be.”‘I asked the driver to bring you straight to my villa, outside the city.’ After a slight pause, he explained so she doesn't get the wrong idea. ‘Paparazzi must be following you everywhere and the repo
Inside the elevator, Meera finally felt she could let out the steam she had been holding. “How could he do that? After all I've been through, Kelvin is just going to go scot-free?! I'm not happy! I'm mad!”Candice pursed her lips. She also didn't understand why Greg would let Meera be an artist here, knowing her enemies were here. Still, she had to say something to comfort Meera. “I'm sure Mr. Greg knows what he's doing.” Meera frowned. Indeed, Greg wasn't one to make such blunders. He may really know what he's doing. With that, her heart relaxed a little until the elevator arrived at her doom's door. Just when the elavator arrived at the ground floor and opened up, Meera was shocked to see an outrageous crowd waiting for her, their phones raised, furiously taking pictures and videos of her like, like uncultured reporters. Unbeknownst to her, the moment she entered the company, many people had already went online to drop spicy gossip and every jobless netizen was already waiting
Meera, Candice and Mr. Collins was left in the meeting room. The man observed Meera for a while then said:“I know you're innocent of the accusations…”Meera’s head whipped up, stunned. It's been a long time since anyone said they believed she was innocent. Before she could rejoice, he broke her bubble. “... However, I don't know if your womb had indeed been taken out or not.”“That is not an appropriate topic to discuss with my Miss!” Candice snapped, her brows furrowing deeply. However, Mr. Collins smiled, “I'm not trying to fish for gossip. I'm just stating what I believe, so she doesn't get it twisted.”Even with his excuse, Candice still rolled her eyes. She didn't give a fuck about his excuse. Although her face remained how it was - emotionless and unfriendly, she was angry. Meera quickly got involved, smiling nervously. “That's fine. The media made things up.” “I see,” Mr. Collins nodded like realization just dawned on him and then, he asked after a while. “The trick you pu
Meera was fighting internally to not break down with the amount of heavy words that were being used on her. Finally getting an opening after waiting for everyone to spit out what they had bottled up, she said. "I dare because I have the proof, gentlemen. And I will not be silenced or intimidated. You may have thought you could sweep this matter under the rug, but I assure you, the truth will come to light." She was only bluffing. She had no evidence, whatsoever. The executives' faces turned beet-red with rage, their mouths opening and closing like goldfish, as they struggled to respond to her bold challenge.All these while, Mr. Collins didn't utter a single word and was only watching Meera’s reaction closely. He saw how she stiffened when she was getting criticized, yet maintained her ground and stood firm. His eyes lowered to his fingers that were rhythmically drumming the table and his lips curled up ever so slightly before he spoke. “Miss Ford, our artist, Kelvin Morris is ou
Leaving the office, Meera’s legs gave way and she almost fell. “Careful!” Candice swiftly supported her and made her rest her weight on the wall. A lone tear slipped down Meera’s eyes. It's been almost six months since her reputation was ruined, yet the pain and fear in her heart hasn't subsided. All this while she was hiding behind the wall of thick makeup, she thought she had grown a thick skin, but now, she realized nothing had changed at all. She still has mental breakdowns when they verbally attack her. “Miss Ford, are you okay?”Meera shook her head, she wasn't okay and couldn't lie about it. “C – can I ever be able to defeat my fears?” her lips trembled. “If you put your heart to it, you can.” Looking at Candice with her teary eyes, she felt the urge to ask her what she thought about her. She'd been afraid to ask this question ever since Candice became her assistant, because she feared what her reply would be. Candice was bluntly honest and sometimes, her honesty could