Royce Miller's POV My heart was filled with fidgets and apprehension as I boarded our private jet back to LA. With me, are my parents, Walter, and a few of my dad's men including Arthur. I feel uncomfortable wearing this charcoal gray suit jacket, with a pressed clean white collared shirt under it and a classic necktie, paired with dark trousers and well-polished leather shoes. This is my first time wearing business formal attire and I feel a little awkward. Walter who is sitting beside me tapped my shoulder as if to say I need not to worry because everything will go well. Then, he grabbed a piece of newspaper and started reading it. I can say that Walter is like Reid when it comes to business matters. No wonder, he is my brother's best friend because they have the same priorities.Walter was my brother's classmate in college and his executive assistant in META. So rare to have a male EA, but it's my brother's preference. He has been working with Reid for five years already, so amon
Royce Miller's POVI was a little tense as I get inside the conference hall. It was like I'm having a special entrance where everyone was seated, at a rectangular table. And then I stepped inside, heading my way to the CEO's seat at the center. I noticed it was still vacant, but a few hours from now a new CEO would be sitting there after the board has elected Reid's replacement. But now that I came in, things would surely turn the other way around. I could clearly see their eyes widen in great shock because they don't really have an idea that Reid will be coming back today."Good morning everyone. I think I just arrived in time", I responded and gave them my soft smile as I seated on my couch.My eyes landed on Uncle Sam's and Charles' furrowing brows as they were intently looking at me in confusion. I'm sure they are not doubting me because I know, I played my role very well. Suddenly, their gazes were changed in a natural way, showing happiness and excitement of my unexpected return
Vera Anderson's POVI was sitting alone in the sala, watching a noontime show when it was interrupted by a breaking news.The CEO of META is back!After one month in a coma, gladly he was able to survive. As his picture was flashed on the screen, I couldn't help but admire him. Reid is undeniably handsome. He has everything a woman is looking for. A successful career and a wealthy family. A man with a sense of honor and value. But still, I'm asking why I dumped him before.Then, I thought about pursuing my plan of applying for a job at META. Although, I am not so sure if I will get hired but there's no harm in trying.I already had applied to different companies and offices. In fact, I was already called for an interview and still waiting for the result. But now that Reid is back, why not try my luck in META? Suddenly, I got a call from my best friend Alexa. It's been two weeks already since we haven't talked to each other over the phone. She only texted me about her decision to wor
Vera Anderson's POVI thought it's only me and Alexa here in Skybar, but I wasn't expecting that she invited her boyfriend, and now we are expecting another one to come and that's Vince's best friend."Oh, there he is!", Vince spoke and waved his hands.I did not manage to turn around, who cares? But when I heard Alexa saying a familiar name, my heart started pounding like a drum. Deep inside, I'm hoping it's not him. Alexa kept on smiling especially when that Vince's best friend reached our table.It's really him!Royce Miller!I think he did not yet recognize me because his eyes were focused on Alexa and Vince. So I grabbed my cellphone and pretended that I am busy texting. "Hi bro, am I too late?", Royce asked giving Vince a high five."It's okay dude. Just on time", Vince chuckled."Uhm. bro, meet my girlfriend Alexa. Babe, this is my best friend Royce. I think you know each other", Vince spoke certainly."Hi, Royce! It's good to see you again!", Alexa exclaimed."Uhm. I also hav
Royce Miller's POV As of the moment I am inside Reid's room and I feel uncomfortable. This is not my own bed. Everything does not belong to me. How could I sleep here? I rolled my eyes at the ceiling because I really can't sleep. Suddenly, my phone rang. As I looked at the screen, I noticed it was coming from my best friend Vince. Actually, I am using a dual sim. The first one is the number I'm using as Royce and the second is the one I'm using as Reid. Walter had put all the important contacts of businessmen and other VIPs on Reid's number so I need to be very careful not to get confused about it. "Hello, dude! Wassup man?", I heard Vince speaking from the other line."Yes dude, wassup?" I responded.He asked me about Reid's comeback to META but of course, I cannot tell him the truth. I only told him what he needs to know and that's all. Although he is my best friend and I know him very well, but it's not yet the right time to open up something very confidential. Vince is my best
Royce Miller's POVKring...Kring...kring...The sound of my alarm clock wakes me up from a good sleep. Well, I thought I would not be able to sleep inside Reid's room, but since I was a little tipsy last night, I didn't care anymore if this is not my own bed. I was supposed to be sleeping in my bedroom when I arrived home last night but I opted not to, instead, I just changed my clothes and took off my wig, and then came inside Reid's room. I made a quick glance at my wristwatch and it was already 6:00 in the morning.This is not my usual wakeup and so I'm a little bit sleepy. But there's no other choice but to get used to getting up very early in the morning. Gladly, I only had a few drinks last night at Skybar because I always had in mind that I need to go home early for my first day of duty in the office.Alexa asked me to drive Vera home since she wanted to spend much time with Vince. Besides, I know Vera was not feeling good because I saw her puffy eyes when I went back to our ta
Royce Miller's POVWhile I am busy signing the documents piled on my table, I saw Charles through the glass door, coming into the office. I pressed the button tapped at the edge of my table to open the door, for him to get inside. "Welcome back on your first day of duty my dear cousin!", Charles approached me and I stood up to give him a light hug."How's your first day Reid, I guess it's difficult for you since you've been comatose for one month", he said, showing a brittle smile."No, I'm fine Charles. Though there are a lot of documents to look into, but it's okay. I can manage", I responded in a casual tone. As much as I could, I don't want Charles to find out that I am a little bit uneasy of the situation."Oh, by the way, what happened to your elbow, did you scratch it?", I asked curiously."Uhm. Ah, yes. my allergy attacks so I scratched it, out of itching", Charles answered without looking at me, instead his eyes were roving to and fro around the corner as if he was searching
Vera Anderson's POVWhen I got into my room, I threw my bag on my bed and slumped on the mattress in a prone position. I buried my face in the pillow and poured out all the emotions that I was trying to hold back a while ago. I'm sobbing like a child because I am really hurt. And I don't know why I'm feeling this way. I haven't experienced this in my entire life. If this is what they called 'love', then, why it's so painful? A few minutes have passed and tears have run dry, but still, I'm thinking of that kiss Royce and Roxette shared together, causing my heart to ache so much. Suddenly, my phone rang, and it was Royce. Maybe Alexa gave him my number, but I don't want to pick up the call. But the phone kept on ringing at certain intervals, so I grabbed it and clicked the accept button."Hello", I spoke softly."Hey, are you okay? I am so worried about you, so I asked your number from Alexa", Royce's sweet voice soothes my ears.This heart of mine was beating again at an abnormal spee
"Congratulations Mr. Miller, your wife has delivered a baby boy and a baby girl!", the doctor smiled. "Wow! You have twins!", Vince and Alexa spoke together. "Thank you doctor", Royce said in excitement. "Congratulations bro!", Vince tapped Royce's shoulder and shook his hand. "You are now a Daddy bro!", Alexa chuckled. Soon after, they went inside the private room to see Vera. Royce kissed his wife passionately and held her hand gently. "You delivered a twin babe! Thank God! You are safe." "Congratulations Vera!", Vince said. "Gurl, congratulations! You are now a certified Mommy!", Alexa uttered and kissed Vera's cheek. "Thank you. How about you? Are you not planning to get pregnant?", Vera asked. Vince and Alexa looked at each other as if there was something they wanted to tell. "Gurl, what is it?", Vera asked in confusion. "Uhm, the truth is---I am one-month pregnant gurl!" "Oh really?", Vera exclaimed in surprise. "Wow, bro congrats!", Royce hugged Vince and tapped
Vera's POVOne week had passed after my last conversation with Royce yet the sting of our farewell was still present. I thought it would be easy for me but with each passing day, I felt an inexplicable sadness and emptiness deep within. I was supposed to be happy with my decision but it did not turn out as I expected to happen. Until I found myself aimlessly scrolling through my phone, ending up in the recycle bin. The photos of Royce and me, which I had previously removed, were still there. As I looked at them, my tears began to flow one by one, as I yearned for those times we spent together.Dave on the other hand was just waiting for me to say 'yes' to his marriage proposal. I was supposed to accept his offer a day after I said goodbye to Royce but suddenly I found myself in a state of confusion. "What's wrong sweetie?", Harold asked anxiously while we were having breakfast one morning."I noticed that you've been like that for a few days. Do you think your Mom would be happy to k
Vera's POVI was resting in my bed, yet sleep eluded me. I kept on thinking about Royce and how he took the bullets that were intended for me. I was just thankful that nothing bad happened to him, otherwise, I couldn't find peace of mind in my lifetime.Reid and Mrs. Miller asked me to stay in the hospital until Royce woke up. But I decided to leave since I did not want him to see me. I was eternally grateful to him for saving me and my baby, and for that, I had already forgiven him. That was all.Meanwhile, I was thinking about Margaret. Finally, we got justice for Andrea. Her life imprisonment would be enough to pay for all the things she did to me, to my sister, and Roxette. Suddenly, Harold was knocking at the door. I knew that it was him since he usually knocked three times."Yes boo, come in!", I said.Harold entered my room and sat on my bed. "How are you, sweetie?""I'm fine boo.""Uhm, what do you want to do now sweetie? Are you still planning to go to Canada and settle the
Vera's POV While the jury was still deliberating about Margaret's cases, we took first a break outside. Vince approached us while Royce remained seated on a couch a little distant from us. "Hi babe!", Vince greeted Alexa with a kiss, and then he turned to me. "Hi Vera", he said and hugged me. "Hello, Vince. It's good to see you here! Uhm, by the way, this is my Mom. I mean, my biological mother and my younger sister", I said. "Hmm. Yes. Alexa told me about it", Vince responded and greeted Mom. "Hi, Aunt Olivia. Hello, little girl!", he messed up my little sister's long hair. She was a shy-type girl but according to my mother, she was not like this before when Andrea was still alive. She was attached to my twin sister so until now, she still couldn't move on from what happened. "Uhm, Vince let me introduce to you my friend Dave." "Dave, this is Vince, Alexa's boyfriend." Vince smiled and greeted him with a handshake. "Hi, bro! Nice meeting you." Dave returned the smile, but s
Vera's POV It was my alarm clock that woke me up from sleep. Despite the early hour, I had to get up due to Margaret's impending trial, a day I had been eagerly anticipating. I was hopeful for a just verdict that would make Margaret accountable for her actions. After this, I would be staying in Canada for good. This had been my plan before but it did not realize because I still wanted Margaret to pay for Identity Theft and most importantly, for killing my sister. My mother and I had already concurred on this. I would be living with her and my younger sister to make up those times we were not together. And--- Dave unexpectedly crossed my mind. I pondered over the possibility of accepting his marriage proposal. After all, he was a decent man, and eventually, I would learn to love him. But what if I fail? Everyone advised me to accept Dave's proposal for my baby's sake. Yet, I harbored doubts, as I didn't want to take advantage of his kindness. It would be unfair to him. A phone ca
Royce's POV For us to avoid the media men, Reid and I took the elevator going to the basement. "Bro, are you okay?", I asked and tapped his shoulder, Reid just let out a heavy sigh, instead of answering my question. "Are we going home now bro? I think you need to take some rest", I said as I started the engine. "Nope, bro. Let's drop by at the police station. I wanted to see that traitor friend of mine!", Reid gritted his teeth as he emphasized the word 'traitor'. I did as what I was told to do but I did not bother to talk to him while we were on our way. I knew he was not okay. The corners of his mouth turned down in a sad frown while his brows furrowed. His complexion paled as if the blood had drained from his face. His gaze was a mixture of pain and anger for being betrayed by his best friend. A few moments later, we arrived at the police station. Reid got out of the car first so I hurried to get out as well. We entered at the entrance door and the first thing that caught ou
Royce's POV Finally, the stars were aligned with us. With the help of our competent detectives, the police were able to catch the other kidnappers involved in Reid's kidnapping incident. We also found out that one of them was the driver who bumped into Dad's car, so, that person was indicted in a murder case. The police asked him the reason for killing my father but he said he was just following an order from his 'boss'—something that was baffling in my mind. Moreover, Nicholas Monet, also known as 'Simon Morris' was caught by the authorities at the LA Cruise Terminal when he was about to board a cruise ship. This time, I would make sure that this fucking asshole would be put behind bars and pay for all the crimes he committed. However, the person who ordered him to illicitly withdraw funds from our account was not yet identified. Until now, I still couldn't figure out who was behind it. On the other hand, Uncle Sam and Charles were already convicted of embezzlement and attempted
Royce's POV As soon as mom saw us at the door, she felt a sense of relief that was like a soothing balm, easing the worry that gnawed her heart from the time Reid was kidnapped until I left to meet the kidnappers. She quickly ran towards us and opened her arms. "Reid! Oh! God Thank you so much!", mom exclaimed and hugged us while tears of joy rolled down her cheeks. "Are you okay son? Did they not hurt you?" "I'm fine, mom", Reid responded softly. "Royce! Thank you for fulfilling your promise to bring your brother back home. I'm glad you are both safe!", she said as she wiped her tears away. Her face lit up with a bright smile whispering words of love and joy as she embraced us warmly. But despite her smile, restlessness was evident in her eyes, indicating the need for her to get some rest. So Reid and I accompanied her to her room and waited until she had drifted off to sleep. Together we left mom's room, moving quietly so as not to disturb her. "Bro, I think you need to take
Royce's POV The ransom demanded for the release of my brother was already inside the money bag. Everything was set ready, but still waiting for the kidnappers' call to provide the precise location of our meetup. They insisted that I would come alone and I had to follow them for my brother's safety. However, the police had organized a backup team that would support me in carrying out my plan. Suddenly our residence telephone rang. I hurriedly picked it up for I thought it was coming from the kidnappers. "Good morning sir. This is from Ally Bank. We would like to inform you that your family savings account is temporarily frozen because we noticed suspicious activity", the bank personnel spoke intently. "What do you mean suspicious activity sir?", I asked in confusion. "After you had withdrawn the substantial sum of 100 million dollars, another transaction took place, depleting 500 million dollars from the account. It was only later when we discovered that Reid Miller's signature wa