Amber woke up with a terrible hangover headache. She opened her eyes and stared vacantly at the ceiling. Her body ached like hell… She thought back to last night. She remembered how Ben threw her away like a piece of rag and went to look for Dana. Her lips curled up as she thought of the miserable state Ben would find Dana. No man can forgive finding his woman in another man’s bed…
‘DUK’ ‘DUK’ ‘DUK’
Loud knocks and noises outside the room pulled Amber out of her thoughts. She panicked as she remembered organizing a few paparazzies for come to her room this morning. She tried to get up hurriedly but the pain in her body gave way and she fell back. Amber froze… she didn’t fall back on the bed…. She fell on someone…. There was someone in her bed. She raised her head in shock and was even more shocked as she saw the face of the owner of the body…. ‘Maine?? Why was he here?&rsquo
Amber rang Bryan as soon as Irene left.“Hello”“Big brother, its Amber.” Amber spoke sweetly with a slightly nasal voice. She had followed Irene and kept calling Bryan big brother to establish the relationship.Bryan frowned ‘How did she get his number?’ The frown only lasted for few seconds ‘It must be his brainless sister!’“Big Brother…” Amber called again.“Um”“Is it convenient for me to meet you?” Amber asked sweetly.“No. I am in the hospital.” Bryan’s tone was stiff.Amber’s heart shook ‘Why was his tone stiff? Does he know something?’“Big brother, I wouldn’t trouble you if it wasn’t important.” Amber spoke in a polite respectful tone.“I can come there and meet you.” Amber spoke hurriedly.“Okay. I will wait at cafeteria in 10 min
Amber called Irene as soon as she reached her apartment and started crying. She cried without saying a coherent sentence.Irene was so worried that she rushed back to Amber’s apartment. She had seen the news. She was worried Amber might do something insensible.“Irene… oh… Irene…” Amber cried as she hugged Irene.“There…. There… calm down.” Irene patted her back gently.“Irene… I really have nothing to live for…. Oh… so painful…” She hit her chest. It was part acting and part real… She really loved Ben! After all these years and schemes, it was hard to accept that Ben would never be hers.“What happened? Did that bitch make things difficult for you?” Irene gritted her teeth. She had seen the news; she couldn’t believe that a woman could be so vicious.“Ben…. Ben…. He is going to marry her. He w
Ben finished the last of his work and got up. He took his car keys and went downstairs. Shadow was waiting; he stood up as he heard the door open.Ben looked at the time, 3 am. He frowned “Why are you here? What are you doing?”“Boss, I will drive.” Shadow closed the door once Ben got in “Peach apartment?”“No. She will have moved back to Pete’s drive.” Ben leaned back and closed his eyes.Shadow wanted to remind Ben that today Sunday and Dana always stayed with Lara on Saturday and Sunday but somehow, he didn’t want to disturb Ben’s tranquility. He could always drive Ben back to Peach apartments once they confirmed she was not here.“You stay here.”“Boss…”“No arguments.”Shadow lowered his head.Ben jumped into the backyard and stealthily entered the house. He found Dana’s bedroom and walked in; she was s
Bryan walked in with a dark face.“Are you going to tell me what’s going on or???” Bryan narrowed his eyes threateningly. He looked twice scarier than Ben. Ed and Frank shivered inwardly.Shadow stepped forward and gave his phone to Bryan. It read-Dear Shadow,Thank you for being my Shadow, my brother in arms and my friend. I apologize for drugging you. … In my defense, I suspect you have attached a bell somewhere on me, otherwise how do you know the minute I move?I apologize for taking advantage of your trust and drugging your drink, but this I have to do on my own. I can’t have you talking me out of it, nor can I have you insisting on accompanying me. How dare you want my woman to take care you as well? …. So, I can’t take you. You have become stubborn over the years and don’t listen to me anymore. This was the only way I could think of to keep you away …This is my journey…forgive
Days went by, Dana’s world reduced to the hospital room, she turned off her phone cutting all her contacts to the outside world. She stopped talking to everyone other than Ben. Shadow would come everyday at noon to clean Ben. She would assist happily getting everything ready but wouldn’t say anything. Shadow didn’t say anything either.Scar tried to talk a few times, only to have hit a dead wall. The last time Dana spoke to him was the third day after Ben’s accident when she asked him to watch over Ben while she went to get herself a change of clothes. Scar agreed even though he had Shadow screaming in his ears to refuse. He would cope the punishment for disobedience later.Days passed into weeks and soon Dana’s 2 weeks holiday was up. Dana turned on her phone and called Tael.“Hello” Tael’s amiable voice came from the other side.“Hi Director, it’s Dana.” Dana’s voice was hoarse.
Margaret looked up as she saw the patient stir.“Were you the one looking after me?”“Yes.” Margaret nodded, her eyes flashing with excitement. She couldn’t believe her luck. She just came to see who the patient was out of curiosity. She had heard the nurses talk in the tearoom about a patient who was taken care of meticulously by a woman who disappeared the moment he woke up. She was curious who this person was …. She couldn’t believe it when she saw Mr Adalase. She had just sat down to calm her excitement when another pie fell from the sky.She didn’t notice the light fading in Ben’s eyes. She was curled up in her fantasy.“Did I behave inappropriately?” Ben asked uncomfortably. He remembered how he kissed the woman who was holding him when he woke up…. She looked like Dana… she even tasted like Dana… Ben sighed as he thought his brain must have been playing tricks o
Ben waited for Dana at the Art of Coffee as usual. He waited past her normal time only to be disappointed. It was four days since he had seen her. It felt like someone was sucking the life out of him. Although he was more uncomfortable this time, the first three days didn’t ring any alarm bells as he thought she was tired from looking after him for 3 weeks without food and rest. It was reasonable for someone to be exhausted.He visited all the places where Dana would frequent. By 6 in the evening, Ben couldn’t be bothered with being subtle anymore. He drove up to Dana's house. There were no lights anywhere in the house; it didn’t look like there was anyone in. He walked up to the door; it was locked from the outside with a padlock. He jumped in and checked each room before heading back. There was no sign of Dana being there for the last few days.On the way, he switched his phone to hands-free.“Skylight, usual box”“Di
The next morning Frank and Sarah woke up to an unrelenting doorbell.“Go away!” Sarah threw the pillow in the direction of the door.“You rest, I’ll go see who it is” Frank sat up to change. Just as he was changing, the maid knocked on the door“Sir, it’s Mr Adalase to see Ma’am”“I’ll see him” Frank replied softly. He didn’t want to wake Sarah.“Ben’s here? Has Dana come back?” Sarah sat up hearing Ben was here.Frank shook his head with a doting smile “Didn’t you ask the person ringing the bell to go away? I’ll go send him away and come back”“No… no… don’t be silly. I am awake. Give me 5 mins. I’ll come down” Sarah had just woken up and didn’t even realize Frank was teasing her.Ben was impatiently pacing back and forth when they came downstairs“Why
“That is not up to you.” Marken, one of the high counsellors disdained. Adalases was not Ben’s to stake at will; There were other Adalases who could refute this stake.Sherman knew Marken’s ambition was no less than Herten, but he also knew that unlike Herten, Marken would never betray his country and was in a good mood for watching a show although he knew what decision he would ultimately make.“That is a fair point.” Sherman nodded thoughtfully before saying “If the entire Adalase can be staked on this man, then I agree.” Sherman chuckled “With resources greater than the reserve bank, it won’t be hard to rebuild our facilities even if we are compromised.”No one could refute this point.“The Weldons won’t shy away from responsibility either.” Frank didn’t know why the commander had changed his colors, but he stood shoulder to shoulder with his brother.Shadow didn’t have anything to offer, but he stood beside Ben. His expression unwavering.Tyrell slowly got up from his chair and wal
Lara delivered a baby girl as her heart’s desire. She only saw her bundle of joy for a minute before her vision blurred. She also saw the joy in her man’s eyes. These were the two things she remembered before she fainted. She didn’t know if she would wake up again or whether this was eternal sleep, but she was gratified.The Evans and Burton elders had just returned when Amy came out holding the bundle of joy. They didn’t have time to process everything before they were handed the little bundle.“She is so sweet.” Megan smiled as looked over Marjorie shoulders.“My daughter-in-law is indeed pretty.” Dana laughed. She knew the minds of the elders were not calm. She was trying to lighten their moods.No one knew when Ben, Frank and Shadow appeared behind their women.“How can it be so easy to snatch my granddaughter?” Marjorie retorted proudly.“Yes…. yes…yes...” Abigail laughed happily as she let the little one hold her finger tightly. Dana’s retort had pulled the elders mind back to th
Ben and Dana’s days were filled with love and tranquility. Ben felt like he was in a dream; his life was everything he dreamed of; his beloved woman was his wife; she would cook and wait for him; his house was filled with the laughter of the precious treasures his wife had given him. He was truly grateful to the heavens.Ed’s days were getting hectic. Between the challenges of his official duty and a pregnant wife, he was almost ready to retire. He wanted to spend more time with his wife and child. Seeing Ben’s cute little babies, he couldn’t wait to have his own little treasure.Frank and Sarah didn’t know whether to laugh or cry; their little Lu would run almost every day to see his little wife, especially now that she was becoming prettier. The babies were becoming chubbier with fair skin and rosy cheeks. Their features were becoming more prominent and dashing, melting the hearts of everyone around them.Dan and Don were like a mother hen defending their younger siblings from everyo
The next day, the Williamses landed and rushed to the hospital. Dana had rested well and regained most of her vigor.Ben was changing nappies while Dana was sleeping peacefully when they arrived.“She can still sleep?” Dana’s younger sister asked in surprise as Ben gestured for them to lower their volume. He handed one baby each to the stunned Mr and Mrs Williams and led all of them to the adjacent room.“Sorry… Dana has just rested.” Ben apologized sincerely for his rudeness.Mrs Williams shook head, her eyes were misty. She was truly grateful to the heavens for her daughter’s fortune to have met such a man. Even though he was rich and powerful, he loved and doted on her without bounds…. This was truly her fortune. It would be a lie to say that they were not worried. On the way back after the wedding they had met a lady who was crying pitifully. Mrs Williams didn’t feel comfortable and lend her a shoulder to lean on; She didn’t know who they were and told them that she was fleeing fro
Ben sat next to Dana urging her to wake up. He was scared out of his wits as he had seen the amount of blood that she lost during the delivery… he feared that she wouldn’t wake up and all his happiness would disappear in the blink of an eye even though Steve repeatedly reassured him that she was fine and just sleeping from exhaustion. He sat next to her telling her how much he missed her.He told her how he felt that a portion of him was missing without her by his side; He told her how much he loved her…. He begged her to wake up… He sat by her side never taking his eyes of her pale face… holding her hand … and begging her to wake up….He started to tell her their story from his perspective. He told her how she disturbed him from their first encounter. How he thought that she had approached him with a purpose, He told her how he shamelessly wanted to see her even if he knew that she had approached him with a purpose.He told her how he used to follow her like a shadow just to feel her
Ben was on edge now that Dana was full term. He kept following her nervously like a shadow. One evening just as they finished dinner and were heading upstairs to retire, Dana stood still on the stairs and called weakly “Ben….”“What is it?” Ben looked affectionately at his wife who had stopped walking and became stiff.“I…. my …. I think my water broke.” Dana barely managed to mumble as she held on tightly to Ben.“You…. you….” Ben froze.Alexa was the first to react. She ran downstairs to alert Shadow and Mrs Bentley before running back upstairs to get the baby bag that Dana had prepared beforehand.“CEO” Alexa called out helplessly as she saw a frozen Ben.“Huh?” Ben looked at the panic-stricken Dana and came to his senses. He carried her and ran downstairs carefully. Alexa informed him that Shadow was waiting downstairs with the car. Shadow had informed Steve as soon as Alexa came running downstairs. Everything at the hospital would be set by Steve.Shadow sped towards the hospital;
Shadow had been getting along fabulously with Ruth and decided that he wanted to get married watching Ben’s bliss. He had decided on Ruth, then what was the point in delaying… but the problem was he had no idea how to…. he was also worried if Ruth didn’t have the same intention… then wouldn’t he be making a fool of himself?Shadow walked around with a constipated expression. He would have asked Dana’s help if his boss wasn’t so petty…. But what could he do… his boss was!“What’s wrong?” Dana finally asked as she couldn’t bear to watch his miserable face.“I …” Shadow suddenly felt tongue tied. He was waiting for Dana to ask…. But when she did, he didn’t know how to vocalize his problem. He lowered his head with a frown on his lips.“He wants to propose to Ruth but doesn’t know how to.” Ben didn’t give Shadow any face when he mercilessly pierced through his wall.“Oh….” Dana nodded perceptively “You are worried that she doesn’t have that intention and she will reject?”Shadow nodded alt
The ladies went shopping happily without realizing that none of their actions were missed by their men.Dana wanted to see how Ruth was going so she decided to stop by her shop. However, she changed her mind when she got to Ruth’s shop and pulled the others and ran. Granger was at the store pestering Ruth. It was most certainly a crime to stop someone’s fortune and she didn’t want her husband to have another enemy…..hehe…hehe… she was quite clever!“What are you laughing like a fool for?” Lara asked looking at Dana’s silly smile.Dana shrugged keeping her silly smile but didn’t enlighten the two.“Sister-in-law...” A sweet sound called from behind as the ladies were immersed in their world of freedom.The three turned in unison but Dana’s face darkened as she saw Lizzie walking towards her smiling like a flower. She had almost forgotten her promise to Bertie.“When did I become your sister-in-law?” Dana folded her hands looking arrogantly at Lizzie.“Soon… soon we will be family.” Lizz
In a condemned cell in B country, Pigle read the news of embezzlement of 10 million in public funds from Pigle enterprises. He begged the prison guards to let him see his son one last time.Jefferson indulged him considering he had inadvertently helped Ben get closure to the mystery that was haunting him for more than 15 years.Pigle junior arrived promptly to see his father once he was granted visitation rights.“Son, this is all Mr Adalase’s doing. You have to become strong and hit him hard.” Charles eyes were red with anger.“Dad, I know all about the cause and effect of this incident.” Pigle junior lowered his head in shame. His father was his pride. He looked up to his father but now…. looking at all the shameful things his father had done, he didn’t want any part in it. He wanted to take his mother and run far from all this shame.“Son…” Charles called; his eyes widened as he lifted in eyebrows.Pigle junior showed the video that was sent to him soon after the incident broke out.