“It’s nothing. I think it’s time you take your leave. I’ll speak to Hardy and get back to you, okay?”
“But I just got here! Why are you chasing me away?”
Wills rolled his eyes at his sister. He needed her out of the house before anything else went wrong.
“I’ll speak to you later. I have some important business associates coming over, and I don’t want them seeing you here.”
Wills carefully dragged his sister up. “You can’t possibly throw your sister out, and why can’t I meet your business associate?”
“Come on, we’ll talk later, okay!”
Wills said, pushing her carefully with her bag to the door. The moment he got her out of the house, he sighed.
“That was a close one!” he said to himself casually as he made his way into the room, where he found Brenda in a funny position.
Her legs were hanging high on the bed, with the other part of her body on the floor, which made it quite funny.
“Could you please help?”
Their weekend had ended as soon as it started. Returning to their normal life wasn’t in Brenda’s best interest.
She walked past him like he didn’t exist or as if she had to refer to him as the CEO.
“Have you heard?” one of Brenda’s colleagues asked another.
“About what?”
“I heard the CEO spent his weekend with a young lady who’s old enough to be his daughter!”
“Whoa, you can’t be serious!”
“I’m not, and to think the lady works in this company, though I’m not sure that part is true.”
Brenda was becoming uncomfortable with the conversation happening in front of her.
It felt like they might eventually figure out that she was the culprit. Brenda couldn’t stand it, so she decided to step out.
Lunch was almost near, and there was no need for her to remain there. She excused herself.
Earning a few questioning glares, she almost ran to the toilet. “I just hope they don’t think it’s me!”
Brenda said to herself the moment she entered the toilet, checking if anyone else was there. She comfortably sat down.
Meanwhile, Wills was busy going through a document that needed his signature for new books to be published before the end of the week.
“Are you sure this book meets the normal standard?”
Wills asked his assistant.looking worried more than ever.
“Yes, Mr. Wills, I’ve done my market research. We’ll make the money back!”
“That’s nice. Alright then, I will look into it further and see if I will sign it or not ”
“ sir, what about the other blueprint that was sent in two weeks ago, you’ve not responded to that just yet!”
“ oh, I was about to speak about that , I …”
He was cut short by a phone call. Glancing at his phone to check if it was necessary to pick up, he saw that it was his son.
Knowing why he was calling, “Hello, Dad. I know you’re busy right now, but I just wanted to let you know that I’m back!”
“Back as in how?”
“Like, I’m coming back home, Dad. Aren’t you glad to finally have your son back home and do what you’ve always wanted?”
“You know what, it’s fine. We’ll talk when I get off work,” Wills replied, ending the call.
He knew at that moment he was in for trouble, even though part of him was glad his son was back.
Another part of him didn’t want his son back home just yet. He returned to work.
“We’ll have to set up a meeting with the book’s owner and reach a proper conclusion on our percentage before we proceed with anything else,”
Wills said, referring to his assistant, who nodded as a sign that he was listening.
The moment his assistant left, Wills reached for his phone to call Brenda, knowing she must already be out for lunch.
It was safe to speak with her.
“Hi!”
Brenda answered in a low tone. Wills raised an eyebrow.
“Where are you, and why are you speaking so quietly?”
“In the toilet, ’cause I’m trying to avoid being swamped by today’s gossip about you and your mistress!”
This made Wills laugh. “I really can’t believe you just said that!”
“Well, I just did. Can I call you back? I have to get to lunch!”
“Alright, we’ll talk later.”
Wills said, but the rest of his day was filled with meetings, leaving him barely any time to eat.
He had to sign and go through all the document presented to him today, his assistant walked in
“ sir you need to rest, or at least call it a dad!”
Wills sighed, looking up from the last document, “ alright I will after this document has been signed”
Driving home was short but stressful. The moment he parked his car, he got out.
Walking into his home, he was ready to head straight to bed.
“Welcome home, Dad!”
This startled him as he looked toward the direction the voice was coming from.
But , he looked towards the kitchen first but there was no one there, he then looked towards his bar,
Seeing his son brought him back to reality. “So you came back!”
“Dad! Don’t you want me home? I could go back, you know!”
“It’s fine. No use for you here or there, so it’s fine.”
“Come on, Dad. I’m ready to work. This time I’m serious!”
“I’ve heard you. Let’s talk tomorrow. For now, I need to rest.”
“Okay, Dad!”
Hardy said, smiling sheepishly. “I never knew it would be this easy to convince him. I should’ve made my move much earlier.”
“Hardy, how did you get home?” Wills asked, standing in the doorway to his room. He lived in a small apartment.
“Your sister sent me money. I think you need to thank her!”
“Or put her in her place!”
Wills murmured to himself, opening the door to his room and slamming it shut, startling Hardy.
“I heard you, Dad!” Hardy said, making his way into his room.
He looked around while still on the phone, listening to his friends as they hailed him.He saw his dad’s suit lying carefully on the edge of the couch.Moving toward it, he searched the pockets and found his dad’s card sitting neatly inside.Hardy didn’t intend to work at his father’s company; all he wanted was to be a shareholder.With a larger percentage of income coming to him to maintain his luxurious lifestyle, the moment his father…Picking up the card, Hardy pulled out his phone to call his old friends.“Hey man, I’m back in town. Let’s go clubbing!”He ran out of the house before his father could come out.He looked around for the key that was usually kept in the front pouch of the house.“I wonder if he thinks everyone is like him, always so free with his things. I just hope it’s the same pin…”Driving out of the house, he made his way out of the driveway. Thirty minutes later, He and his friends started partying, dancing to different music, and mingling with different women
“Hardy, whenever you decide to come down, please check in with me before anything else!”Wills shouted to his son, who was still sprawled in bed with another woman.The lady he had met at the shopping mall had been spending nights with him.He smuggled her in last night, not wanting his dad to know, with Nana covering for him.He rolled out of bed, still sleepy. “I guess it’s Monday. You should get going to work!”Hardy said to the woman, still drowsy.“You don’t have a job. Why should you ever work? Your father is a billionaire,” she said, snorting.“You can’t blame me. This is my life. Please get dressed. I’ll drop you off wherever you need to go.”The woman frowned, knowing she might not get easy access to him again if she let him go.She walked slowly toward him, hugging him from behind, smiling.“Why don’t I stay here until you get back? I promise to avoid your dad, and your maid can serve me!”Hardy was irritated. “Don’t call Nana a maid. She is not a maid. Get dressed and get o
Nothing!”He said, picking up the document. “I’ll see you later. I’ll go through the document and get back to you,” knowing full well this wouldn’t end well.He rushed out of his father’s office, looking around to see if he had lost her. “Now I know where I’ve seen that face!”He walked out of the company, ignoring the stares from the ladies. Calling his friend, “Can you come over to my place? We need to talk!”“Alright, I’ll meet you there,” his friend responded, ending the call. Hardy made his way home, had lunch with Nana, and then met his friend, who was waiting in the car.“I need your help tracking someone.”“Really, who?”“A lady I met today!”“Oh, I see, another one of your escapades.”“I feel like this is different. She’s not like those gold diggers, and I need to know more about her. Find out everything you can!”“Are you sure about this? So, what’s her name?”“I don’t know her name. That’s why we’re going back to my father’s company.”“How come you don’t know her name?” An
“Is everything okay?” Hardy asked as Brenda kept staring at the figure, trying to be certain that she was seeing clearly “ Are you okay?” came the voice of Hardy placing his right hand over hers Looking up at him, stunned, “Yeah, yeah I’m fine, uhmm could you please drop me at the next bus station? I think I might need to get somewhere!” Brenda said, frowning as if she had forgotten about my schedule,” Oh really, why not let me drop you off then ?”“ Oh, no please, I already feel bad about you driving me home, this is more than generous of you”Brenda couldn't wait to get out of his presence, just so she didn't have to speak with him any longer “ it, fine let me drive you to the next station,” he said in a sad toneShe didn't want to burden him any longer, the drive down to the next station was short and quiet. She hopped out almost immediately and she started walking away from his car without even thanking him for his gesture “ Are you sure you'll be fine alone ?” he asked as
The guard and Brenda stopped in their tracks. Knowing fully that no one had entered after Brenda had.The guard carefully placed Brenda down, still keeping a tight grip on her so she wouldn't do anything rash.“And who are you?” the guard asked the figure in the shadows, though it was clear that the guard recognized his boss’s voice.“ let her go, that is not how a man should treat a lady “The person said stepping out of the shadow, this made then curious to how it may concern the unknown figure As the figure came into the light, Brenda was shocked, her mind racing “ Will!!” She called out, in the momentum of the moment forgetting they were in public, and she was to refer to him as Mr will Shaun.The name had already slipped off her lips. With her hair all messed up and, her eyes were red from the constant flow of tears Suddenly, she wondered if Will was responsible for their eviction but, she was brought back to reality by the exchange between the men “ oh Mr will, I’m so sorry
When Hardy got home, he knew there was no one there except for his nanny.“Nana, are you home?” he called out. His nana came running out from the kitchen.“Oh, my child, you’re back! I was fixing dinner for you and your father before I call it a day!”“Oh, you shouldn’t bother yourself this much. I can fix something for myself, and you know you aren’t as strong as you used to be,” Hardy said with great affection for her. He was always soft-hearted with her.He loved her like he would love his real mother.“It’s okay, my child. Let me set the table, and then I’ll call it a night. Excuse me!”“Okay, Nana. Please, Nana, have you seen my father by chance?” Hardy asked, one foot already on the staircase, getting ready to go up to his room to change.“Oh, he’s not back yet. I find it odd as well. Have you tried reaching out to him?”“No, Nana, he’s not a child. I guess he had somewhere to be!”“If you say so, Hardy,” his nana said, her voice echoing as she walked back into the kitchen.Hard
Stepping out of the company, Will was still pissed off with what he saw on his office floor, he was beginning to imagine things But knowing that he needed his same mind to get himself, inclined with the meeting he was going for, looking at himself in the mirror Of his car, he needed to calm himself down, before starting the car, the journey down to the organizers of the next biggest magazine show Had called to collaborate with his company, as he was known for being the best publishing empire, he had the audience they were looking forBut there was a clause, Wills sturdy the Baird who attended the meeting as they looked at the memo for the meeting.“ Mr will, I appreciate your presence and I must say that you are true, a wonderful person not to waste Mitch of your time, let’s discuss today's meeting “Will nodded his head , he couldn’t allow himself to be distracted by their kind gesture, to sway him off his feet, to earn his pityIt was business and business would it remain, “Thank
Hardy walked into the hospital, forgetting that he had dropped his envelope containing information that could cause chaos.But he was worried about his Nana, as he loved her so much, just like he would have loved his mother if she were alive.Storming into the hospital building, he spotted a young lady shivering, her eyes fixed on him the minute he stepped in.He knew that must be the maid. Walking toward her, he asked rudely, “What happened? Where is she?”The maid, stressed and worried, replied, “The doctor is in there, attending to her.” She pointed to a room opposite where they stood.“I just hope she’ll be fine,” Hardy murmured to himself. He didn’t have to wait long.His father appeared, running down the hall. “How is she?” he asked Hardy, glancing from him to the maid.“I haven’t heard from anyone since I arrived,” Hardy responded as they waited for the doctor to come out and address them.Walking out of the room, the doctor recognized them. “Oh, Mr. Will, it’s so nice to see y
Will sat in the first-class cabin of the transatlantic flight, staring blankly at the screen in front of him. The thought of returning to the U.S. after weeks of avoiding the inevitable felt like a bitter pill he had no choice but to swallow. Despite the luxurious surroundings and the attentive service, his mind was consumed with one relentless thought: Brenda.The idea of her—his ex-lover—marrying his son was an insult he couldn’t stomach. For days, he had convinced himself that distance was the solution, that ignoring the situation would somehow make it disappear. But it hadn’t. Instead, the announcement of a firm wedding date had dragged him back, forcing him to confront the reality of what was about to happen.By the time the plane landed, Will had made up his mind. He wouldn’t allow this farce to go on any longer. He would speak to Hardy directly and make him understand why marrying Brenda was the worst decision he could ever make.Will’s car pulled up to his grand estate late
Will sat in his office chair, staring at the city skyline through the massive glass window. The meeting had dragged on longer than expected, leaving him drained. As he loosened his tie and leaned back in the chair, he reached for his phone to check the time. That’s when he noticed it—several missed calls flashing on the screen.His brows furrowed as he unlocked the phone and scanned the call log. The name at the top made his stomach churn: Cassandra.He hesitated, already guessing the reason for the frantic calls. It wasn’t hard to figure out. Whenever Cassandra called this persistently, it could only mean one thing: Hardy.And if it was about Hardy, then Brenda’s name was undoubtedly involved.Will’s grip tightened around the phone as the all-too-familiar wave of resentment crept in. Brenda—his son’s fiancée, his own former lover, and the woman he had never truly let go of.The mere thought of Hardy marrying Brenda felt like a cruel twist of fate. It wasn’t just her presence that uns
Cassandra had barely opened her eyes when a wave of determination washed over her. It was early morning, and the faint light of dawn filtered through her curtains, casting a soft glow in her bedroom. Today marked a new month—a significant turning point in her personal crusade. She had spent the past weeks fuming, plotting, and rehearsing her arguments, all aimed at one goal: removing Brenda from Hardy’s life.Hardy’s home, her home—it didn’t matter what Brenda thought of it. Cassandra was resolute. This would not end with a wedding. Brenda would not win.But as Cassandra swung her legs off the bed, a strange sensation stopped her. Her head swam, and the world seemed to tilt. She gasped softly, clutching the edge of her mattress as dizziness overwhelmed her. Her body felt heavy, like gravity had doubled its pull.She tried to stand again but collapsed back onto the bed with a thud, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her pulse was erratic, her hands clammy. The room spun like a carou
ChapterThe trip to Brazil was an excellent one. Having to sit down and think things through, back at his home, Hardy was finding it hard to curtail his joy. His father wasn’t home; he had the opportunity to show his wife to be around, but as they were having dinner Brenda felt uncomfortable as she looked around. “Are you sure your father will be cool with me moving in even before the wedding preparations?”“There is nothing to worry about; as I have said, this is your home now, so there is nothing wrong with it.”Hardy said, planing an hand over hers that was on the table, the maid who had now become a spy.Rushed out through the back door, she knew the only place the hatred wouldn’t be keeping an eye on at that time of the day. Was the tiny door that led into the woods? It was a fishy thing to do.Having to walk through the woods, she had no choice but to find her way down to Casandra. Up on getting there, she waited to be allowed into the large country house, but at that moment
ChapterWill was just coming out of the board meeting, holding a file in his hand as his assistant rushed after him. “Sorry, sir, I forgot to remind you about the project with Brazil!”Will stopped in his tracks, stunned as he looked at his assistant, realizing he still had to travel.“And how come I’m just hearing about this now?”“I apologize, sir. You’ve been so busy with the launch of Mr. Buckley’s new book that I thought there would be time to notify you.”Will sighed, turning as he walked into his office and sat down. “And when is this meeting?”“Tomorrow night, which will be morning in Brazil.”“I see,” Will said, dropping the file he had been holding. “You know what, once I’m done here, I’ll head back home. Just book me a night flight.”“Alright, Mr. Will, I’ll do just that.”His assistant replied, walking out of the office, and Will buried himself in work.Meanwhile, Brenda was still struggling to digest the whole arrangement. Talking to her mother had been a total waste of t
ChapterTime was already running out, and Brenda couldn’t stand the stares directed her way. It felt like everyone was judging her by her appearance.She couldn’t understand why they kept staring as she approached the front desk, where the guard would pay for the gown she had chosen.Her phone wouldn’t stop ringing. She pulled it out as the ladies at the front desk began gossiping among themselves.“Are you sure someone like her, with that cheap guard, can afford such an expensive wedding dress?”“I don’t think so. You need to get your facts straight. She may look cheap, but she might actually be able to afford it.”“No, I still don’t think so.”Brenda glanced at her phone and saw it was her mom calling.Answering might mean hours of talking, and she needed to rest. There was a chance her mother wouldn’t be able to attend her wedding, which wasn’t sitting well with her. “How much is the dress?” the guard asked, irritation in his voice.“Twenty thousand,” the first lady replied, eyeing
Chapter Cassandra headed straight to her friends place the minute she noticed some inconsistency in her statement..“ I am coming over to you and you better be ready to spill everything ““ fine just come over!!”She made her way right off into the other lane just as she could make it to Layla’s place on time Everything seems blurt at the moment even for Brenda, as her mother looked at her smiling, “ come child go for the shipping at least it will reduce the street of other preparation ““ mum!!” Brenda exclaimed knowing fully well why her mother would accept that she go for a wedding preparation. Going all round, she still couldn't win her mother over the issue and this pissed her off ass she made her way right out of the hospital This made her way right out of the hospital making ht way down to the shopping mall, she didn't have the zeal to choose anything that expensive.Brenda entered the wedding dress store, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the elegant surroundings.
Cassandra woke up that morning feeling tired; she knew nothing could pull her out of this mood.One of her maids was already in her room, opening the curtains. This wasn’t something Cassandra liked best.“What exactly are you doing?” Cassandra asked, watching her maid, who was staring at something on the side table.The maid nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard Cassandra’s voice. “Oh, I’m sorry, ma’am! I was just putting this here,” she said, placing down a magazine. It was filled with news about the wealthy; Cassandra’s life had never been private since she turned sixteen.She had a fashion show to attend that morning, and she didn’t want to look at the magazine, fearing it might spoil her mood.The magazine had always been full of fabricated lies, with a few truths mixed in. It allowed people who looked up to her to read the diary of her life without really knowing her.“Would you like breakfast this morning, ma’am?” The maid sounded anxious, piquing Cassandra’s curiosity.C
Hardy drew Brenda closer as he kissed her. He knew he had won; his dad was the least of his problems now—all he needed was to get himself together and move forward.Everything seemed blurry for Brenda. She knew she shouldn’t have accepted his proposal, as everything was going from bad to worse.“I can’t accept this marriage proposal,” she said to Gerald as she paced back and forth. But the more she thought about it, the more uncertainty built up in her heart.Hardy drove back home after much pleading from his aunt. “You’re finally back home?”“Yes, I am, Dad, and I think we should start preparing for my wedding!”“Why a wedding?”“My wedding with Brenda. I proposed to her today, and she said yes!”“You can’t be serious. What do you see in her that makes you want to go against my wishes?”“I just love her, Dad. Is there anything wrong with loving a woman I cherish?”“No, I don’t think so, but you need to think this through. She’s not the best for you, and you know it!”“I have nothing