“What are you doing here?” Rose looked around the small sized meeting room and when her eyes settled on Mr Nelson, her eyes immediately questioned him. “What is this man doing here in this room Mr Nelson?” Rose began tapping her heels on the floor and waiting for a response.“They tricked us Rose! These people lied to us.” Alana spoke out with her frown still plastered on her face. Rose looked at Alana before fixing her eyes back on Mr Nelson who was quick to smile and say. “This is Mr De Luan...”“I very well know who this man is.” Rose then stared at Stephano again who seemed rather too comfortable on that chair. She saw him raise his brows at her words but she was quick to turn that smile into a twisted frown. “He's my brother-in-law. My husband's brother.” She saw that smile wipe off Stephano's face but he remained calm while eyeing her intently.“He is the boss and owner of this company Ms Foyer.” Rose blinked as her lower lip hanged down before turning her gaze back to Stephano
“And, what are we celebrating?” Rose asked leaning against the window to enjoy more of the night breeze sweeping through her face and hair. She was beside Azazel in the passenger seat while Azazel was behind the wheel.“No particular reason. Can't a man take his wife out to dinner?” He took a brief look at her before focusing his eyes back on the road ahead. The sky was extra dark tonight and the moon wasn't visible. Rose blinked and turned to look at him. It was the first time he ever addressed her as his wife. She didn't know why that felt like he was drawing towards something but then she shooked her head with a smile. This was Azazel, their town's biggest flirt who had gotten more half of the city's women in his bed. She had nothing to worry about.And, then her sudden work trip to Stephano's ranch hit her and she bit her lip. “I want to tell you something.” She murmured a little and hearing Azazel respond with a hum told her he had heard her.“I have a sudden work related trip an
The make-up artists were performing their work on Rose in her room. She had some little blush to her natural look which made her look more simple and beautiful. Her cheekbones came out while her lashes were groomed as well. Her hair was a little damp to the side. Rose watched as these women worked their magic on her.The first photoshoot was to take place by the pool at the back of the house in the ranch. She could already hear the sounds of hushed footsteps and talks outside. She could tell the team were all working hard to make this shoot worth the whole for the ad. Rose could only bit her lip recalling yesterday. She couldn't believe she had kissed Stephano despite trying her best to stay away from him. He suddenly came to kiss her and she hated how her body had shamelessly melted in his arms and embrace before kissing him back.She felt awful all through the night that she barely slept a wink at all. Rose didn't want to give Stephano any ideas and was sure to inform him today once
Rose took a seat with everyone and made her ears listen to Mr Yuang. It was a beautiful and breezy night out here and everyone already had their glasses in hand. One of the team poured a drink for Rose. Rose wanted to accept but heard Stephano say. “I don't think it's appropriate. She's a loose drinker.”And, everyone looked at Rose who blinked and with a tight lip took the glass from the man's hand and gulped it whole. The enticing aroma that came from the grilled steaks was making Rose gain more appetite for more beer. Pamela made sure she only allowed little for her boss. Mr Yuang began to sing some french song and others joined him.“Did you know that Mr De Luan plays the ukulele?” Mr Yuang announced prompting everyone to look towards Stephano's direction. Some of the ladies' eyes were already on Stephano hours ago and Rose couldn't help but feel a little uncomfortable at that. She silently chewed on her steak and poached down some beer. She got to realize how meat paired well wit
“Cut! That's a wrap everyone.” Mr Yuang got down from the director's chair sounding the announcement with the megaphone. Rose inhaled before releasing her breath. Her back ached her a little for posing in one way for more than twenty minutes straight. The entire team all went to packing out the equipments. “Great job Mrs Rose. You are indeed excellent. I might even contact you for a photoshoot in France sometime.” Rose turned around to see Mr Yuang coming her way and holding two Pina coladas. “Have one. I see you are exhausted.” Rose saw the pyramid shaped cocktail glass and accepted it. The smell alone which went through her nose revealed it was pineapple flavoured.“Thank you Mr Yuang. Honestly this entire experience of acting as a model for a shoot has been...very refreshing. I never saw myself as a model.” Rose smiled. “Well you better believe it Mrs Rose. You have the beauty and the body as well. Don't let anything stop you from seeing how truly worthy you are. And, I must add t
Rose blinked, groaned and held her head as she winced with the heavy throbbing of her head. She saw the room was brightly lit and she closed her eyes again to feel her head pounding and wanting to fall off her neck.She shuddered and tried to move while still holding her head when she opened her eyes and looked down. Her eyes widened to see she was fully naked within the sheets and was quick to draw the sheets up to her neck in shock. Her breathing was becoming rapid and labored. Her heart began to race as she tried to recall what happened but she came out blank.A chill ran down her spine when she felt something heavy on her legs. Rose swallowed before feeling it on her and turned to her right only to almost die of shock when Stephano was sleeping by her side. All her mind went to was....Did she and Stephano get intimate? Her hands were shaking and her shaky hands moved the sheets and she gasped also seeing Stephano fully naked.With a lump in her throat Rose gritted before pushing h
Stephano was in a conference meeting discussing the annual sales and reports of his company. Even though he was present physically his mind went away towards her. Her blue eyes that were spellbound. Her angelic smile and face. His smile was visible as he couldn't wait for Rose to finally become his. He was already counting the seconds, the minutes, the hours and the days when she would finally come back to him. Stephano leaned more on his chair grinning from ear to ear. He recalled sending her a text last night but she didn't respond. He already knew she wouldn't reply to his messages. He knew Rose must be wailing in utter guilt and shame for believing she had cheated on Azazel. He knew Rose won't keep quiet for much longer. It was better she left Azazel than him having to find out and feel betrayed and hurt. He was still lost in thinking of his victory when the door bursted open moving his eyes straight towards that direction. Over thirty members at the meeting all turned towards th
Rose watched helplessly as the officer dragged Azazel with him by the handcuffs towards the door. “I'll... I'll call the lawyer.” Rose managed when they were outside the house. This was a nightmare for her and Rose couldn't stop hiccuping. Azazel was just as clueless as her. He believed the case had been closed because of a lack of substantial evidence. He wondered who this sudden witness was. He recalled Stephano handling the case but got his mouth bitter knowing it had to always come around to Stephano. He felt cornered but had to stay calm not to worry Rose more. “Call my dad's lawyer. He'll solve this. His number is in the journal.” He told Rose before getting into the police jeep.Rose held her head before storming back into the house. She took out Azazel's journal and was quick to flip the pages. She knew Mason's lawyer's name and found his number right away. “Mr Boris? My husband has been locked up.” Rose panicked while Violet came to offer her some glass of water.Rose called
“We both are right here waiting for you, love.” Stephano gestured with a warm smile while holding their little six months old baby girl Arielle closely in his arms. Her tiny feet moved to graze Stephano's arm.Rose didn't want to shed any tears but she couldn't help it. Today was her surgery and she didn't want to get her hopes up. It was a fifty percent chance of success but Rose only chose to think about the beautiful family she had created in the last half a year. The nurses were pulling at her stretcher and taking her into the operating room.She saw Stephano's face and her little angel before the doors closed and she looked up to heaven. She had wanted to hear more than anything. It was the reason she had stalled her wedding until now. She wanted to also have Arielle before going into surgery. Doctor Drausio and the two other doctors smiled at her and Rose only inhaled sharply. This was her second ear operation and she didn't want to think about it anymore. She had now left it al
Rose groaned as she slowly opened her eyes. Her ears immediately working to pick up some faint beeping sounds. Her vision was blurry but was staring at something white before she clearly saw the white ceiling above her.Looking down she saw the cannula fixed in the back of her hand and attached to a long tube of a bag that hanged on a metal stand just beside her bed. Her breathing was normal and she only then realized she was at a hospital. She tried to recall what happened but only made her head throb.Rose looked to her side and found Stephano sleeping on the long couch. She blinked and again wanted to recall and then saw herself being bound. She recalled her breathing growing hard and intense. Someone had held her arm behind and then her eyes saw a white cloth coming towards her nose. She was quick to smell the chloroform and once it was on her nose everything went black.She winced more feeling her head now running over the place. She stirred and Stephano groaned before opening hi
Stephano tried to wiggle his arms but only found the ropes tightening him more. He groaned and saw Rose walk back to stand beside Joel. Stephano's jaw hardened when he saw Joel's arm now coming to rest on Rose's waist from behind. He had never loathed anyone as much as he did for Joel right now. He was a sudden disease like the covid that came to plague his entire family. He couldn't help but look at Rose again. Why hadn't she recognized him? Her eyes seemed so distant and so far away from him. It was as if she was not his Rose anymore. But he knew she wasn't in her right senses. He was soon beginning to dread the thoughts about what that maniac might have given her.“Are you still wondering what I did to her?” Joel read what was in his mind and Stephano couldn't help but want to punch that smug face of his hard and make him scream in pain.Joel brought Rose closer to him and about to kiss her in the mouth when Stephano growled loudly at the top of his deep voice. “HEY! DON'T FUCKING
Few Hours Ago, The choppers had now passed the Russia borders. The air traffic control had given them the clear signal to get into the cold sky. “It's damn freezing here in Russia.” Mason now had on his long coat while Stephano seemed unbothered by the cold. His eyes keenly stared outside the window. His hands moving on his thighs with an inpatient face. His entire demeanour was relentless and all he wanted to do was to have that bastard in his hand and kill him brutally. “We'll get him son.” Mason told him but Stephano didn't want to hear anything right now. He already had his gun in hand and anxiously waiting for the choppers to land on the ground. “How long till we land?” He impatiently asked the pilot. “We'll be landing in half an hour Mr De Luan.” Stephano relaxed back on his seat and had his eyes back at the window. He could see the entire city of Russia bathed in a cold like mist. Unlike Spain still wanting to enter winter, Russia had beat them to it. The cold breeze coul
“It can't be...” Azazel blinked for the third time before hearing Joel laugh out. “I can get you some water to wash out your face. Maybe then you can see more clearly.” Joel smirked but Rose only looked at Azazel with no visible expression on her face.“You are alive Rose. You are...But you died in the fire? Stephano found your body...” And, Azazel paused only to turn his gaze towards Joel. His face immediately scrunched in disgust when his arms were wrapped around Rose's waist. He looked at Rose again and couldn't recognize her. Her face looked like she had been hypnotized.Azazel only wondered who this guy was and why he had him and Rose kidnapped. Looking at him again Azazel could tell he wasn't older than 20 to 23 years of age. “Who are you and what the hell do you want with us?” Azazel gritted this time before groaning when one of the guys kicked him in the stomach.Rose flinched hearing him groan and Joel had to touch her face prompting her to look at him. “You shouldn't look at
“Who the fuck is Joel? Can someone explain this to me!” Stephano looked from his dad to his mom hoping one of them could answer. He still couldn't forget how his father's face had gone a little pale but then looked at his mom.“Mom...”“He...he was your father's elder half brother.” Sierra repiled gaining her composure. It was like she was reminded of a terrible past when it came to Joel. The man was a real piece of shit in her eyes. Never worth even looking at.Stephano was shocked to the bones. He was never informed that he had an uncle until now. And, why wasn't he informed. And, then it hit him. “He was?... He's dead?”“We don't know. He disappeared without a trace years ago.” Mason had now taken back his seat looking a little puzzled.“Well he doesn't look like he died all those years ago. This picture is just over ten years old dad!” Stephano informed and Mason looked at Sierra. “Where did you find this picture Stephano?” Mason asked.“That fucking bastard led us there!” Stepha
As the city's lights blurred past the window in his car Stephano thought of her. The inner turmoil in his heart was weighing heavily on him. He didn't know how he could move on. Every second her face was etched in his mind and soul. His body craved for her presence every damn second of the day.It had only been three days since her death so it was still a fresh bruise on his heart. But unlike any other bruise he knew his heart won't heal for as long as he lived. He could never find happiness anymore and was merely pushing through life with one goal in his mind. One that he planned to pursue until he took his last breaths.He took a sharp turn and paused getting his feet onto the brakes. The car had halted in front of a flower shop. The display of flowers outside the shop were mostly roses. It was also Rose's favourite flowers. He couldn't help but think that Rose would have liked to have seen her room filled with her favourite flowers. Something she could sniff in and have that wide b
Stephano constantly crashed his foot against the accelerator almost making it loose it's functionality. He had broken three traffic rules on his way back to his apartment building. He was anxious and confused. His pulse was very high and he felt his body shivering.He tightly held onto the steering wheel while gritting and cursing. He tried to stay calm but even his mind was fighting against it. The truth was he didn't know if Rose was still alive. Not knowing what was happening was killing him. He had dialled Judith's cellphone number for the ninth time now but was found switched off. His insides were burning him knowing he could be too late in saving her.He didn't know who this enemy was but one thing he knew was that he wasn't stupid and he kept on blaming himself for not seeing things this clearly. The fact that the enemy got to know about Rose's pregnancy got him all the more agitated and anxious. He wondered how he got to know about it. He had only told his family last night an
Rose got down to the kitchen and stood in front of the refrigerator. She opened it only to find the entire fridge packed and stocked with groceries and foods. Her stomach sounded good when her eyes settled on the ingredients and foods in the fridge. She wondered if Stephano had told somebody to stock his apartment.She got out the bread and made some quick sandwiches for herself. She made three for herself and was still contemplating whether to make some for Stephano. No doubt she was still upset with him for what he did at his parents' house but she couldn't starve him. Only recalling how he had driven the car all the way from the beach house down here made her decide to make sandwich for him as well.She was getting the fresh lettuce on the bread when she felt large pair of arms coming to snake around her belly. She instantly went stiff as a board but slowly relaxed when his scent came to her nose. She also sensed tension in his body and she couldn't help but look at him from the co