Raymonds POV;
"Hey, I have an idea. Why don't we celebrate this? "I question, and she chuckles.
"Celebrate a hundred dollars? Goodness knows how much the others have made, and besides, where will we get the money to do that? "She questions and I smile.
"Well, the company has given me... A raise, and it should be enough for what I have planned. "I reply and she looks up at me in shock.
"Really? A raise? That's awesome! Gosh, I'm so happy for you. "She replies, and I smile. I don't like lying to her. I want to tell her that I'm now a big shot. I want to tell her that I am the one who's helped her anonymously, twice with her issues. I want to tell her, that she shouldn't worry about what her family does to me, As the money in my bank account can buy all their savings altogether, and that's without including my companies account, and my other assets. However, I can't.
I enjoy the tender moments we share cause she thinks I don't have enough. I love watc
Raymonds POV;"Something the matter? " Christiana questions as I approach her."N... No... No. He... Just had a few questions for me. "I reply, and she nods. I take a seat beside her, and she rests her head on my shoulder and keeps her gaze on the now dark sky." Aren't they beautiful? "She questions and I look up at the dark blue sky, beautifully embroidered with stars like crystals scattered all about." Yes. Yes, they are. "I reply and she takes a deep breath."I wonder if our mothers are looking down at us. "She says, and I smile." I believe they are. If they weren't, I don't think I'd have you in my life. "I reply and she chuckles." Yeah. Me too. "She replies."You never told me about your father. "She says, and my heart skips a beat. Did she hear Theodore and me?" You never asked. "I reply. Trying to calm my nerves. No. Christiana is not the nosy type. She'd never spy on me." Well, I am now, "She replies
Raymond's POV; I just placed a kiss on Christiana's lips and much to my surprise, she didn't stop me. She's sober and has zero levels of alcohol in her system, so the kiss was fully consensual, and she permitted it. My wants were already getting the better of me, and I was willing to intensify the kiss, and go wherever and however the wind blows, but the moment got interrupted by her phone. I watch her walk nervously towards it. Her face clothed in the pink shade of embarrassment. She is blushing so hard, her face changed color. I rest on the rail as I watch her pick the call and pull the phone, up to her ear. Just after the phone reaches her ear, she freezes, and the phone falls out of her hand. My brows furrow in worry as I stare at Christiana who has the look of shock and dismay plastered on her face. "Christiana? "I call in worry, but I get no reply. I quickly move towards her and pick her phone from the floor. The ID reads ' Sophie ', and
Christiana's POV; I stand before the rumbles my building now is, with the police going through the ashes, in a bid to help me recover what can be found. Grandma sent them. She said this is the least we could do. The firefighters investigated, and said the fire started from inside the fire alarm! I don't know how Stella and Drake pulled this off, but it's obvious that they got a pro to do it. So far, some shoes, pieces of jewelry, clothes, and some other stuff have been found, but what's been found, is not up to a quarter of what once stood here. I need support, and neither my dad nor husband are here to give me that. My dad woke up with a slight fever today, and couldn't make it. He tried hiding it from me, but I've lived 26 years with him. A period long enough to know him like the back of my hand. Raymond on the other hand has a very important meeting today at his workplace and missing it will cause a big scene. So he said, and I trust him. I
Christiana's POV; I am sitting in the mansion's library, staring out the window. my body is in this room, but my mind is scattered everywhere. It's been a while since I've come here. Asides from my room, this used to be my second safe heaven, but I guess after accepting Raymond and enjoying his company, I hardly ever want to leave the room. It's been three days since I got the skyscraper. The inturns have been magnificent, and I'm making cool cash. However, I'm scared, bothered. Grandma's words keep coming to me. When she asked me to pray that my anonymous helper doesn't leave me. I don't know who this person is. When my father needed help, this person came through, when I needed 3 million dollars, this person helped, and even gave me 2 extra! And now, when all my hope seemed lost, this same person came through and once again got me out of a pickle. I do not even know. is it the same person, or different people? I'm confused. How does this person,
Christiana's POV; My dad and I share a look as we hear grandmas roar from inside. "Stella! "She calls again, and my dad and I with hurried steps proceed towards the house. I've heard grandma call, Stella, like that before, and with the tone of her voice, I know whatever is coming, is not going to be good for Stella. I thank God that no matter the issues between grandma and me, she's never called me like that. My dad and I walk into the house and find our family members already in the living room. In this house, whatever drama being held in the living room, has an open invitation to all family members except the kids, which remain in the children section of the house, and workers who peep from behind doors, windows, and curtains. So that explains the crowd in the living room. I stand beside my father, and Raymond walks up to us with his hands in his pocket. Standing beside me, and my throat dries as I recall my father's words. I steal a glance
{This chapter may contain sensitive content. So, bear that in mind as you decide if to read or not:-) } Christiana's POV; "Are you okay? "Raymond questions as I dump myself on the bed, as we enter our room. "No. "I reply staring at the ground as I sit at the edge of our bed. Raymond has grown to know how to read me like a book, so there's no point lying to him. "I can't believe grandma cut Stella off like that. She showed no mercy. "I confess. Still not looking up. "Well, I don't blame Her. Stella has proven to be a very, very stupid person, and she got served a slice of life. That's nobody's fault. Grandma has been tolerating her nonsense for quite some time now. I'm not surprised this happened. I'm only surprised it took this long. "He replies, and I stare up at him. I didn't expect him to say that. I find him resting against the door, and he instantly comes off it once he sees my face. "
Christiana's POV; I lay in bed beside Raymond, with my gaze on the ceiling. Hugging the blanket covering my nudes, mindlessly. I just lost my virginity to my husband. It was exciting and is unbelievable. I lay still and a bit sore. My mind on nothing in particular. I don't know how I'm meant to behave around Raymond now. Has this made us closer? Does this mean he loves me? Does this mean I love him, or just lack self-control? Do we keep acting as normal friends? Or has this opened the door to every other form of intimacy normal for a husband and wife between us? "I think there's a way out of this. "Raymond says, and I turn to him. Confused by his statement, but refusing to says a word. "We can clear the mess Stella has put the company in, by simply buying the Villa Real company. "He adds, and a metal gong is struck in my head, at how good the idea is. Why didn't I think of this? " I mean, it will be nice if the Duran enterprise dives i
Christiana's POV; It's been a week since we submitted our progress to grandma. She released our credit cards to us but hasn't said a thing. She told us she's throwing a party and will announce the next sole inheritor of the Duran empire, before the whole world. This is a big deal, as whoever it is, gets to be the boss, and decides what jobs the rest of us get. The new person in charge, can't just fire us all without tangible reasons, but asides from that, they get to decide what they retain us as, and if we don't want such positions, we're free to leave. I know James is very mature, and a part of me is painfully making peace with him winning, but Raymond has been against me thinking or saying things like that. He says being a winner, starts from one's mindset. It's the ' The ' day. The day that marks a significant change in the Duran empire. Of course, you know by now that grandma would have nothing less than an Oscar party setting for one of her big
Hey guys, thank y'all for your steady support. For voting with gems, for comments, reviews, thank yall so very much. I appreciate, and, I love y'all so very much, and I mean it. 🤍 Quick question though, Do you want a sequel, where we get all the family drama and more scandals, or you feel we should just leave this as a single book? 😊 If you enjoyed this book, please share it with your friends and family. Let's up the views and reviews of my baby. You can also check out my second book 'My Step-Girlfriend ' It's still in its editing phase so it's not perfect 💔 Also, be on the lookout, I'm hoping to bring more books to you😘 Also, I await your most sincere reviews 🙈Love you!!! 🤍 Peace out😘 Remember, there's more to you than meets the eye. God loves you, and with him, nothing is impossible. Impossible = I'm possible 🥰
Third Persons Narrative;Raymond and Christiana walk back into the event hall, holding hands, and all smile. Leaving the whole hall confused. They were expecting them to not come back together, or not return at all. Raymond climbs back onto the podium and takes hold of the mic. "Hello, me again. Yeah, so, I'm here to announce to you all that I'm taking my wife and father-in-law away from the Duran mansion, and from now on, they'd be staying with me. I think it's high time I give my wife and dad-in-law a fresh start. "He announces, and Mr. William stares at his daughter with wide eyes. She's beside him and whispers into his ear. "It's okay daddy. It's for the best. "Raymond had asked her about this, and she said it was fine by her. Raymond has a mansion he purchases for his darling wife and father-in-law. He smiles at the crowd and walks over to grandma Duran. "Thank you, for your beautiful granddaughter. "He whispers to the awe-struck w
Raymond's POV; There are a lot of faces I want to look at as my father made this announcement, but the most important to me is Christiana's. I look over at her and find a frozen look of shock on her face. Same as her father. "Sorry? "Grandma Duran questions, and I laugh. "You heard right. "My father replies, and the priceless look of horror clouds her face. "Mr. Raymond, is this true? "A reporter questions and I smile before taking my place before the microphone. I clear my throat before proceeding to speak. "Yeah... Uhm, as my Dad said, I am his first son. The first child he ever had. I... Uh... This is very impromptu. Thank you, dad. "I begin but stop to say a sarcastic thank you to my father for putting me on the spot, and he pats my back. "It was about time. "He replies and I chuckle before continuing. "The story behind my absence from his life and why we've never spoken of each other till now remains something
Third Person's Narrative; Stella walks up to Mr. Johnson. Raymond's father and his guards try to stop her. Seeing her as a potential threat to their boss, but he signals them to let her come to him. "Good evening sir, I... Uhm, I have the papers you said you'd sign to conclude our deal. "She says, and Mr. Johnson raises a brow at her. "I said I'd sign? "He questions and she swallows. "Uhm... Y... Yes sir? "Stella replies. Unsure of herself. "Call the number I gave you. "Mr. Johnson says and Stella's forehead creases. Why does she need to call his number if he's right in front of her she thinks to herself. She's hesitant at first but decides to comply as she doesn't want to lose the deal. She takes out her phone and searches for ' Mr. Johnson ' in her contact list. She finds the number and places a call through to it. However, no phone around her rings. Neither Mr. Johnson nor his guards flinch. This confuses her as she expected Mr. Joh
Raymond's POV; Slow music begins to play, and couples begin to take the dance floor. Which is the middle of the room. Those who don't feel like dancing or don't have dance partners, form a circle around the couples dancing. "May I have this dance? "I question Christiana, and she blushes. "Yes, you may. "She replies taking my hand and leading me to the dance floor. I place my hands on her waist, and she rests hers on my shoulders. I don't pay attention to my legs, but all myself to be lost in the beauty I the goddess before me. Now I get it. All the times I caught her staring, all the times she tried to avoid my voice, gaze, or closeness. She had actually been into me for a long time, time didn't know how to tell me, or how to handle it. Now, I have my wife. And not just by title. Being rich has its plus sides. I mean, it may not seem true but my life took a turn for the better when money came into it. Unknown to Christiana, I got her l
Christiana's POV; "Do you have something to say to us? "Grandma questions stepping away from the mic, and I nod. I walk up to the mic, battling tears. The battle I've been fighting for so long has finally been won. "I... I want to first off thank my father, for the constant support, and for being the backbone I needed to stand strong. Ever since I lost my mother, he's been all I had. When I felt down, broken, cheated, hurt, defeated, and lost, he was always there for me. Always there to pick me up and dust the dirt off my skirt, to plant a kiss on my forehead, hug me, and remind me that I'm his little princess, and no matter what, no one or thing can take that crown from me. He's been there to show me, love. True love. He's been... Amazing. An amazing father. From helping me pick my prom dress, to helping me emotionally, to getting me married to my husband. There's no denying it was all over the news that Christiana Duran got married to a jobl
Christiana's POV; My mind explodes as these words reach my ears. I stare dumbfounded at him in shock. "S... Sorry, what? "I question in shock, and he takes a deep breath as if preparing himself to do something very difficult. "Christiana, when I first got married to you, I thought... I was being punished for loving your father as mine. I... I felt I was doing him a favor, and nothing will change the way I saw or felt for you. Then seeing the way you treated me... How your family contributed to that, I saw the worst coming for us. But... "He begins, and anxiety begins to gnaw at my sanity. What is he about to say? Does he... Does he want to say he has no... "But we became friends, I slowly began to see you under a new light... I gave you a chance, and you showed me what a gem you are. You're humble, silly, hardworking, strong, resilient, and not to mention how extremely beautiful you are. The list goes on, and... and I know I'm
Christianas POV; "Let's just say... I know a guy. "He replies, and I chuckle. Not only is Raymond nice, mature, and an endless list of everything good, he also has an amazing sense of humor. "You didn't reply me tough. "He says, as we continue walking on the red carpet towards the main entrance, and my brows furrow. "Reply you on what? "I question. "The dress. Your makeover, do you like it? "He questions again, and for some reason, my cheeks begin to burn. "I love it. Thank you. "I reply, and he smiles. "You look stunning. "He comments, and those words add fuel to my already burning cheeks. "Thank you. And, you look like a hero from some action movie. "I reply and he laughs. " I don't mind being the hero, as long as you're the heroine. "He says, and the heat from my blushing cheeks intensify. My gaze falls to my feet with a huge smile on my face. walking into this grand occasion with my husband's firm grip aroun
Christiana's POV; It's been a week since we submitted our progress to grandma. She released our credit cards to us but hasn't said a thing. She told us she's throwing a party and will announce the next sole inheritor of the Duran empire, before the whole world. This is a big deal, as whoever it is, gets to be the boss, and decides what jobs the rest of us get. The new person in charge, can't just fire us all without tangible reasons, but asides from that, they get to decide what they retain us as, and if we don't want such positions, we're free to leave. I know James is very mature, and a part of me is painfully making peace with him winning, but Raymond has been against me thinking or saying things like that. He says being a winner, starts from one's mindset. It's the ' The ' day. The day that marks a significant change in the Duran empire. Of course, you know by now that grandma would have nothing less than an Oscar party setting for one of her big