The people from the Marketing and research team were indignant. It was one thing to be criticized by William, but for an unknown nobody to say the work they had spent three weeks on was useless was a heavy blow.Someone finally muttered discontentedly.“The people who play games don’t respond to surveys. The turnover has always been low.”“That’s because you ask the wrong questions and offer uninteresting incentives.”“Why would a person who spends over a thousand dollars in games every month care about some 10 dollars worth of shopping vouchers? Not only would it disrupt the game, but he would also have to spend more money to use the 10 dollars.”“What’s your suggestion then?”“Ask them if they want to be the VIPs who would receive the release or upgrade of the newest AR group software a day before the global release if they help you with the survey.”“What? How is it possible to release a product in advance for a select few people?”“William, can that be done?” Rosaline asked Willi
The next three months went by in a blur.They all settled into a pattern of sorts.William, Tessa, and Albert would go to work as usual. Rosaline would bring her work to William’s office or stay in the penthouse. She would randomly sleep at Tessa’s apartment or William’s place.She tried to cook as much as possible but did not always get the time. William, Tessa, and Albert all started helping her with CARE-related work. It lessened her workload by a ton.They all traveled from time to time to look into CARE issues and welcomed a lot of new members while finding adoption and foster homes for many.William thought nothing would surprise him anymore after Rosaline explained how closely she had worked with his father over the years.Timothy got admitted to Apex military academy, and William had Felix drive him there.They did not want anyone to know he knew them so that he could earn his keep himself.Felix thought his workload had increased since he was managing CARE as well.But Feli
One day, Asteria happened to be alone with Rosaline in the pantry.She felt awkward. She thought she had done something wrong by liking her man, so she held her head low.Rosaline started the conversation to her utter dismay.“You are Asteria Scott, right? Danial Scott, global CEO of Scott group’s daughter.”“Umm, Yes.” “Nice to meet you. I should have talked to you sooner. I am sorry.”“Uhh?”“Ah, I guess Mr. Scott did not tell you. You made an oil painting that your father hangs in his office.”“Yes. What about it?”“It is brilliant - vibrant colors with unearthly innocence. I begged your father to let me study it carefully for some time. You have no idea how hard he grilled me for that.”“What?”“Yes, I bet he values that painting more than his company. He was afraid I would ruin your masterpiece, so he had a dozen conditions before he allowed him within one meter close to it.”“Really?”“Of course, Miss. Scott. Why would I lie to you? The truth is I owe you.”“You owe me?”“Yes.
The weekend arrived, and Asteria found herself in an SUV with William, Rosaline, Tessa, Albert, and Felix.She was closest to Felix, so she stuck with him the entire time.Felix was already used to it and let her be. “Albert, I asked you to look after Tess. Why are you in a cold war with her?” Rosaline asked out of nowhere when they were joking about something else.“She started it,” Albert exclaimed.“Why?” “He said something about you.” Tessa fessed up. Tessa and Albert looked at each other and realized there was no good reason for two years of their cold war.“What did you say about her?” William asked Albert.Albert wasn’t sure what to say to save himself, “Brother, I did not say anything bad. I was just.”Rosaline could read between Albert and Tessa’s expressions, “You doubted my intentions and feelings for William.”William frowned at that. Albert and Tessa gave silent acquiescence. Rosaline turned to Tessa, “Tess! What would you do if the roles had reversed?”“What kind of
The next day everyone had breakfast before they went to the CARE foundation of M city.William had been here before, so he directly left to check the security and other details.Tessa, Albert, and Felix had been heaping around for some time, so they also toured the grounds and talked to the people, getting to know everyone a little.Rosaline took Asteria to the art room, where Jasmine spent most of her time at her private desk.Jasmine smiled at Rosaline when she saw her. But she instinctively shrank herself on seeing a new person.Rosaline went up to her and talked to her gently.“Hey, Jas. How have you been, girl?”“I…I am okay, Miss Rosy.”“Rosy, just Rosy Jas. Remember what I said - my fellow art enthusiasts call me just Rosy.”“Ohh..okay, Rosy.”“What are you working on?”“This…this is you…you and your…your boyfriend.”“You drew William and me together. Oh Wow. Thank you so much.”“I…I hope. It’s okay.”“Of course. I just realized we don’t even have a picture together. I will han
For the first time since Asteria knew William, he spoke to her on his initiative.“Miss Scott, you should be a professional painter or something in the field,” William told her.Asteria came out of her trance after a few seconds before his words registered to her.“Really?”“Your paintings are very life-like. And you enjoy it.”“I will paint more in the future.”Felix chimed in, “Not just that. You should open your art gallery. Showcase your skills, groom others like Jasmine and show their works.”Rosaline supported that as well.“I agree. I have known Jasmine for a year now, and in one day, she was closer to you than she had been with me. Besides, I have never seen either of you so happy as you were today.”Asteria was flattered listening to them. But she did not dare to take that step.She could only timidly thank them, “Thank you. I will think about it.”Rosaline patted her on the shoulders and comforted her.“If you need any advice on how to go about it, William’s mother used to o
It was their last night in T city.They planned to drive to NewT city in the morning and spend the day there before going to S city the day after.They had the barbeque in the garden by the swing.William talked to Albert and Felix, but his eyes followed Rosaline everywhere.“Brother, you are looking at her as if she would disappear the next moment. Stop staring like that. I am sure sister-in-law won’t be too comfortable like that.”“She won’t be bothered.”“In that case, she is as thick-skinned as you are.”“Watch it.”“Fine. Why did you invite Asteria on the trip? I still don’t know why you hired her for nothing.”“It’s more like she invited us on her trip with Miss Scott. My reasons for hiring her are confidential. Besides, she should be leaving soon.”Felix chimed in. “I think the lady boss wanted Ash to give up on her man without making things awkward.”Albert shot him a mischievous glance. “Ash? Really? When did you get so close with her?”Felix merely shrugged. “I work with her
“Just say what you want to say,” William asked, looking at her adorably displeased face.“You did not let me talk to Tess. I have not lost an argument with Tess in ages.” Rosaline pouted.William dipped his head and stole a quick kiss before answering her.“Were you going to agree with her then?”“That was not given, okay.”William locked the door behind them before walking to the bed and sitting on the edge with Rosaline still on his lap.“Then what were you going to say?”“I don’t know. As long as I did not lose.” Rosaline grumbled. “Ah! I will never hear the end of it.”“Baby, at this moment, Tess is not the one you should worry about.”“Hmm? Why are you displeased?”“You have barely spent time with me since we hit the road.” “How could that be? I have been staying with you every night.”“You come to our bedroom so late at night it can be called early morning and fall asleep within half a minute.”“That’s because it’s a group trip.”“If that’s the group trip, why do you lock yours