Dear readers, Apologies... I had been down with a flu and was unable to upload for the last few days. Hope you all enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed writing. Happy reading :)
“Shopping?” Shadow repeated resentfully “Boss, I’d much rather sleep on a window sill”Even though he said this, he still jumped in and walked up to Ben“Are you joking?”“I have taken up the penalty of organizing the next 4 Adalase outings, do you think I am joking?” Ben asked with a painful expression“Ouch!!” Shadow sniggered“Let’s go to Archies first and then we’ll have street food at Movie plaza and then watch a movie” Ben repeated Dana’s itinerary that he had eavesdropped.“Boss…” Shadow scrunched up his eyebrows “shouldn’t you be doing this with someone else?”“I am” Ben looked at Shadow with a hint of mockery “You’re just the backdrop”Shadow “”Ben and Shadow dressed up with a braided shoulder length wig and a slightly oversized cowboy hat. They arrived at Archies slightly after 10. Ben didn’t know if Dana was already here since the listening device was destroyed. He headed straight to the surveillance room and requested access. The security staff on duty was a newbie and di
Lara and Dana casually walked to the plaza and started browsing which movie to watch. It was not a high traffic time and there was only one staff at the counter. Shadow walked up to her and requested to book seats for him and Ben to the left side of the seats Dana and Lara booked. The staff had a difficult expression. Shadow told her that his Boss and Mrs were having a fight and his Boss was trying to win her back. The staff was a romantic at heart and quickly agreed.After debating back and forth, Lara and Dana decided to watch a romantic comedy “after love”.As per shadow’s request, the staff booked seats in the middle row for them; Shadow paid for their seats and also gave the staff a huge tip in appreciation.Lara and Dana sat with their popcorn and drinks. Lara felt a gaze on them and turned her head to look at Ben and Shadow. She didn’t recognize them and since they weren’t looking at them when she looked, she ignored them. The movie was hilarious… both Lara and Dana laughed the
Next day-Lara sat in the coffee shop opposite Dana’s company. She knew Dana was busy, but she needed a friend's company right now. ‘Who asked Dana to be her friend?’ she thought willfully as she watched the door.“Ding” Dana’s phone lit up with a notification just as she was finishing the meeting with her staff. She looked at the gloomy faces around her “Let’s do it like this for now and we can revise the plan once the budget is finalized.”Everyone knew the Vice president was taking revenge for turning down his proposal for undertaking the Saturn group’s training event last month. But there was no way, they could meet the requested timelines while meeting all the previously agreed commitments. This was the fifth revision done for the “Pharmmed” training plan this week. It still came back with a reject seal.Neither Dana nor Tael, who was the Director of the training department could find any flaws with the proposal. It wasn’t standard practice to have proposals approved by vice pres
Dana parked in the underground parking spot in the Sun plaza and headed to level 4 were Sahn’s golden spoon was located. Lara kept her head down. Half way up Dana felt bad for Lara “Do you want to go to the ‘wigs and hats’ shop first”“Makes sense”They got off at Level 2 and went to ‘Wigs and Hats’. Lara didn’t like wearing wigs as they made her feel itchy and she had a phobia for where it has been before. However, this was an emergency. The lady at the counter was amiable and sensible, she sensed Lara’s discomfort and asked her why she wanted a wig since she had beautiful hair.“I … I just want to remain low key, not have anyone recognize me” she smiled uncomfortably.“I can show you a high end wig which will cost 10 times more than the regular stock, but it guaranteed to clean and it is easy to manage as long as you don’t treat it with chemicals”“Let’s have a look”“Also, I only have limited stock. I have a blonde one and brunette one that is waist long; then there is a slightly
Dana and Tael walked towards the meeting room discussing the final details of the plan.“This one is a no brainer. Don’t stress” Tael said lightly.“I am not stressed about the plan. I am just worried vice president will make it hard for the team” Dana shook her head. She knew her team’s morale was at its lowest. They couldn’t take another blow.Everyone walked into the meeting room and quickly took their seats. Henry walked in with the delegates from ANCHOR while Sandra distributed the meeting agenda and plan for the training event that the team had put together. Dana’s team comprised of her personal assistant, Esther, Trainer’s Richard, Phoebe, Paul and Interns Sandra and Henry. Dana opened the floor for the meeting with brief introductions and handed the floor to Richard.Richard summarized the layout of the training plan that was put together along with recommendations for experts in the area for running the session and average cost details. The ANCHOR team wanted to find out if t
Her lips were ruthlessly sealed before she could finish. How could he let her finish what she was going to say? ‘Last time heh! This was the first of the many to come Heh…heh!’He only meant to stop her chattering, but her allure was too great for him to stop, he could never have enough… and this stupid woman didn’t know how to breathe… she was running out of air.’ He pulled back and caressed her swollen lips.“Don’t say meaningless things… I don’t want to hear” He held her tightly, breathed heavily as he tried to restrain the demons of desire.“Eh… you … Can you not kiss me? I don’t like it” She was definitely angry, but why did she sound like she was pouting coquettishly??“But I like it. What do I do? Woman, you have poisoned me!” Ben looked deeply into her eyes. They clearly had only few interactions, yet she held his soul mesmerized. He didn’t know why. He had certainly met women who are a lot more beautiful, more accomplished and outstanding, yet none of them disturbed him like
Dana sat at dining table dressed in a black business suit with trousers nibbling on her breakfast absent mindedly.“Penny for your thoughts” Lara sat lazily beside her still dressed in her PJ’s.“No… it’s nothing…” Dana shook her head.“Does it have anything to do with a certain someone that we are not allowed to talk about?” Lara raised her eyebrows teasingly.“Who” Dana asked innocently but her face darkened in a few minutes as she realized her good friend’s evil thoughts.“Then what is it?” Lara ignored her dark face and kept teasing“I was thinking about today’s meeting” Dana said lightly. She knew Lara wouldn’t let it go if she didn’t spill.“What about it?” Lara was still not unconvinced and decided to play along.“I have a hunch that the ogre wants to twist my arm into accepting the Saturn group’s training plan”“How so?”“Maybe using my team?” Dana wasn’t sure either.“Why is he so bent on Saturn group? Is this the first time your department has refused to take up an assignmen
“Dring….Dring…Dring”“Hello” Ben picked up the phone with a smile looking at the caller id.“’Cuz, got a minute?”“Would you hang up if I said no?”“Has it worked when you’ve tried in the past?”“Didn’t think so… tell me… what do you want me to do?”“Do you have a meeting? Can we catch up at our normal place in 10 mins?”“Why are you so free today?”“Can’t I miss you out of brotherly love?”“I am too lazy to argue you… I’ll see you in 10, usual place!” Ben didn’t want to stay and watch Lisa acting pitiful. Any reason to get out was good enough.Both of them hung up.Ben walked out of the office “I won’t be available till 2pm. For emergencies or anything that can’t wait till 2, contact Shadow. Pass the memo to all the departments"Lisa blinked ‘Was he really going to hang her out to dry?’“CEO, do you need me to follow?”“Did I ask you to?” Ben looked sternly at Lisa ‘Was she this annoying before? How did he not notice?’Shadow “”Shadow followed Ben to the elevator, once the door clos
“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.