[ Claire ]“Miss Jones, good morning and congratulations on your wedding with none other than Mr. Tristan Pierce.” The staff at my company greeted me, with wide smiles on their faces but I knew it was only for show off. They were giving me respect because I married the richest man of the city and now, I am their CEO.“Thank you, everyone, I hope you all work as passionately as your happiness is for my marriage. I want the quarter growth of our company 2% higher than this year’s first two quarters which isn’t very promising. I want the reports of our selling and profit of last five years and your ideas to increase sales in next six months by three. I am calling a meeting. Make sure you work hard or I won’t hesitate to open vacancies. Believe me, your desks will have new faces tomorrow morning.” I addressed them like a boss, with coldness on my face and confidence dripping from my words.Their smiles dropped and their faces lost colours. I learnt from Miss Kim, my secretory about the in
[ Claire ]“Ma’am, what is it?” Miss Kim gasped when she saw imprint on my cheek.“Forget it and call board meeting. I have to take an urgent decision. Oh God! There is only disaster everywhere. This company will shut down in no time if things would go like this.” I sighed in frustration.She brought a chilled bottle and handed it to me so I could use it to lessen the swelling. I felt embarrassed that my employee has to see this.“Mr. Jones will not approve the changes because present rules are passed by him.” She said.“I don’t need his approval. In fact, I am going to explain the board members about this mismanagement and how the company is suffering from it. I am sure, they’ll support me. I have better plans for the improvement in selling.” I said to her.My headache grew with the passing hours. This job came with a bucket of only challenges and feels like a crown of thorns. The rest of the day I read and analysed the quarterly expenditure reports and compared it with the profit we
[ Claire ]“You seem very disturbed. If you don’t mind, may I ask what’s bothering you? Is it related to the business or something else?” Tristan questioned me and it forced me to look at his awaiting figure.How could I tell him about something that I am not sure whether it’s a fragment of my past or just my illusions. I shook my head negatively.“It’s nothing, don’t worry.” I assured him with a smile but he didn’t look convinced.“Anyways, I heard Miss Kim praising and your kickass attitude at the office. Keep it up and do not hesitate when you think something isn’t fair. Compassion is seen as weakness if you keep giving others chances. If you think firing less productive employees then go on.” He advised me and to some extent, his words lessened the burden on my chest.“I’ll send the notice to the marked employees tomorrow. I can’t believe my father pushed the company on the brink of downfall by his stupid decisions.” I shared my frustration with him.“You’re using your common sens
[ Tristan ]I was stunned, how could she blurt out a very special memory, exactly how it happened five years ago? I stared at her pale face and a sliver of hope sprouted inside me. She was having flashes of her past means I can help her to remember the beautiful time we spent together and how we promised each other to never be apart.“We have reached.” I said to divert the subject. I knew if I asked her about it, it’d make her panic and there’s probabilities that she’d close herself and I won’t risk it.“Come, Travis. I’ll order my favourite for us, do you want to try my special treat?” She asked Travis while avoiding me.“Yes, Mom.” My son clapped his hands and they stepped out of the car, our guards followed us. I walked by their side, my eyes scanning the area for any suspicious activities and when I was convinced that we were safe, I signalled them to enter inside. The place was quiet and vacated as I had reserved the place for two hours. I paid them double.“Why this usually crow
[ Claire ]We sat quietly on the chairs inside Thomas’ room. He was resting on his bed with closed eyes. He looked really sick and it made us worried. He had only shown me affection and if he dies, I’ll definitely lose a father figure in my life.“Claire, Tristan.” He slowly opened his eyes and looked at us.“Dad, please, rest. We can talk tomorrow.’ Tristan held his hand gently and massaged it.“I am fine, son. Don’t be panicked. I am just sleepy because doctors gave me heavy meds.” He smiled weakly.“Still, Dad. We want you to be fine so we can have a great weekend together.” I said while trying my best to smile warmly at him.“Come here.” He signalled me to hold his other hand and I wasted no time in grabbing his other hand and patted it gently.“I am so happy to see my complete family. I want nothing more from this life.” He said.“Dad, I want to throw a party but if your health allows. I want every rumour about our family to be cleared since our society always gets excited for be
[ Claire ]“Tristan?” I softly whispered his name because he had been hugging me for more than ten minutes.“Just stay like this for two minutes.” He said, burying his face in the crook of my neck but how could I tell him that our closeness is creating a summersault inside me.“I think it’ll rain again. we should go back inside as I felt droplets falling on my hands.He slowly broke the hug but still stood hugging my waist. His intense eyes fell on me and I felt strange emotions surging inside me.“Let’s go.” He said and sensually grabbed my hand. An electric sensation ran through my cells.He began to walk briskly inside but it started raining heavily so we ran. By the time we reached in the porch, I was drenched and my satin nightgown stuck on my skin. My gaze travelled on Tristan whose shirt became flimsy and gave a sexy view of his perfect abs.I gulped my saliva. In my memory, I hadn’t dated any guy since high school, having sex or any intimacy with a man was totally alien for me
[ Claire ]“Claire, I am sorry if I have crossed my lines but your question is irrelevant here. We met three days ago. How can you make assumptions?” His eyes twitched, he looked hurt.“I..I..am sorry. It came out wrong but I don’t know how to explain this but I feel like our pasts are connected. I feel it with Travis and Ryan as well, why? I haven’t felt it with anyone else.” I threw my hands in air as my frustration grew because I am feeling lost.“I understand your confusion with your past, Claire and I am here to help you with everything but we don’t know each other. Do not stress yourself and ruin the chances of a future because you want to be stuck in the past.” Tristan said, his features softened.I ran my fingers through my hairs, “It’s easy for you to say, Trisan but it’s my life and I don’t know who I used to be? Whom am I missing in my life? You haven’t gone through it so you won’t understand how it feels to be lost and there’s no one who can help you to find the answers yo
[ Claire ]“Miss Jones, we agree that you want to re-apply the old rules and want to raise the wages of our fourth class employees but you can see, we can’t afford to cut the budget of our senior employees, who are the backbone of our company. They work really hard to keep up with the present day’s competitive market.” One of the board members, who is also a very good friend of my father said during the board meeting the very next day.“I agree with you, Mr. Gabe but our workers, who work in the factory are our real backbone. They don’t complain and come to their shift on time, never takes day off because they have to look after their family’s needs. They are always scared of losing their jobs, that’s why they work with honesty but the problem persists with our upper system. They know, any MNC may hire them if they quit their jobs here and they’re taking undue advantage of our current crisis. I have shortlisted a few names. You can check their recent performance and then decide, why m
[ Alicia ]Three years, it has been three years since I tied the knot with the love of my life. It was a simple court marriage first but I didn’t imagine that Caleb planned a real wedding for us when I got discharged from the hospital. It was again a private ceremony since I don’t like loudness and wastage of money but we did invite people close to us and the number of guests reached to two hundred.Life could be no better than this. Caleb is a dotted husband and father to Alex and our one year old twins; Clarissa and Aaron. When we became pregnant, our happiness had no bound, he treated me like a queen and my son was a step ahead of his father. They cried when they found out that I carrying twins.Clarissa is the apple of everyone’s eye. Her father and elder brother are super protective of her. Sometimes, I feel jealous of my own daughter as she wraps her father around her little finger.Today’s our third anniversary. Ryan Bale died due to liver decease. Mrs. Jones’ mental state wors
[ Alicia ]“What happened to Mrs. Jones?” I asked the siblings and the bitterness on their face told that it wasn’t a good news.“Caleb, I think you shoulder answer this because that woman’s mention is driving me nuts.” Claire said with disdain.Caleb pinched the bridge of his nose, he also looked displeased but my curiosity hiked up.“Why aren’t you both telling me anything? Trust me, I am fine.” I assured them, I thought they were worried for me.“She’s in mental asylum. The doctors found out that she was mentally disturbed and she needed urgent medical supervision. Leaving her with other people might be harmful for both her and others like she had done to you in the fit of her anger. She is becoming violent day by day.” Caleb answered my question and I was quiet for a moment.“She didn’t deserve all this but nothing is in our hands. I hope she recovers soon.” I said since I held no hard feelings for her.“Ali, you can’t be this kind, people will take advantage of your kindness. Som
[ Alicia ]I woke up with dull pain in my head and I found myself in the hospital, I expected it when I recalled how I landed here. Mrs. Jones wanted to kill me but I survived. The doctor came and examined me, they said that I am lucky to have a husband who never my side even for a second.My eyes were impatiently glued on the door. I was waiting for my loved ones to walk in. I couldn’t pay attention to what the nurse was saying to me and then, the door pushed open and walked inside my husband with our son. The gleam and relief on their tired faces were the proofs how much they suffered when I was out.“Hey, love.” Caleb said in a whisper.My heart raced when I heard his smooth voice though he sounded tired.“Hey, handsome.” I greeted him.“I’ll give you two space. Mr. Jones I hope you’re breathing normally now.” The nurse joked and walked out.“Mom, how are you?” Alex asked me, he wanted to jump out of his father’s grip but Caleb held him in place.“I am feeling recharged after seein
[ Caleb ] The night felt like the longest. I couldn’t blink my eyes for a second even though they were burning due to lack of sleep. I had this fear inside me if I sleep and she wakes up then I won’t be by her side and she couldn’t press the bell by herself. But finally, my eyes gave in around four in the morning. I slept on a sitting position beside her bed so she could call me if she wakes up.I was woken up by a gentle tap on my shoulder and I slowly opened my eyes, it was a nurse who gave me a polite smile. I looked at Alicia, she was still sleeping and now my heart began to sink, it has been fifteen hours since she’s unconscious.“Mr. Jones, please go and fresh up till I am here with your wife. The doctor will take a round in next thirty minutes, only he can speculate when your wife will gain her senses.” The nurse said as if she read my dilemma.I wasn’t in a mood to leave but the nurse was right, I couldn’t help either if I stay. I stood up and stretched my stiff muscles and r
[ Caleb ]Every passing minute felt like eternity to me as I waited outside the operating room. My Alicia was fighting for her life while doctors are doing their best to save her. I closed my eyes and prayed to the God to save my wife. She had suffered a lot in her life and when I promised her that I won’t let any pain touch her, my own mother tried to kill her just because she dared to love me.Never in my wildest dream I imagined my mother to take such deadly step. She followed my father and grandfather’s path. She tried killing an innocent for her so called perception about my wife.“Caleb, please have this or you’ll fall sick yourself.” Tristan’s voice forced me to look up at my friend. He was holding a cup of coffee and I shook my head in refusal.“I could save her, Tristan. You warned me, my house staff warned me about her violent behaviour but I didn’t confront her first and busied myself when she got the chance and hurt Alicia. My wife asked me to give her a chance and how she
[ Alicia ] The next day, we were ready to leave for our house. When Alex woke up in the morning, he came running into our room and jumped on us. He was over the moon after seeing us. We cuddled with him, I couldn’t get enough of him.“Mom, I missed you and Dad but I am a big boy. I did all my work.” Alex told me proudly, he was the only one who kept me occupied or else, my mind was going back to Mrs. Jones.Caleb was lost in his own thoughts. I gave him space since it was the hardest part for him. He had to deal with his own mother and probably he had to make a tough decision.“I know my big boy.” I pinched his nose and hugged him close to my heart.Soon we reached at our home, it gave me peace to look at the home we built. Caleb picked Alex from me and I stepped down. Our guards and house staff greeted us at the entrance, they looked relieved.“How are you all?” I asked them.“Trust us, Ma’am, we would have gone crazy if you didn’t come back today. Mrs. Jones is driving us crazy wit
[ Alicia ]I stirred in my sleep and immediately a smile stretched on my lips when I saw my husband sleeping like a baby on my chest, his soft breath was falling on my bare breasts, sending a ticklish sensation on my skin. I caressed his hairs and kissed his forehead, these seven days were the best days of my life. We explored almost every famous part of the country, currently we were in a hotel’s suite since we had an early morning flight back to our home.I left the cottage at the island with heavy heart because we made the most beautiful memories of our lives there. He made love to me in every corner of the cottage. He was serious when he said he’d have me whenever he wishes. He made love to me like a mad man.“Wake up, sleepy head. We have to head back home.” I slowly tried to wake him up.He stirred but didn’t wake up, “Please, two minutes, just stay like this.” He groaned and snuggled his head more into my chest and smiled on his childish act.“I won’t mind you having here with
[ Alicia ]Caleb’s hands slowly removed my robe off my body and his eyes darkened when his eyes landed on my body, his hands froze on my forearms.“Ali, what is this?” He asked me, his heavy voice was the proof that my appearance had an effect on him.“I though it’s your favourite colour.” I said and blushed, it was the lingerie that Claire forced me to buy. The maroon colour in lacy fabric, barely covering any body part was more appealing for the eyes of a man.“It is but I didn’t know I would love it the most on you.” His lips curved upward as he roamed his lust filled eyes on my body, scanning each part of my skin. I felt my cheeks heating up, his gaze was intense.“I’ll have the pleasure of fucking you with this lingerie on your body. You have no idea how much it has turned me on.” He said, his thick was said it all.He pulled me on his lap so we could sit on a straddling position, our cores were touching, I felt his growing bulge where I needed him the most.“Do you feel it, baby
[ Alicia ]“What are we doing here, Caleb? We can’t see the sea in the darkness.” I chuckled when mu husband asked me to join him for a short walk after we reached back at our cottage and changed.“I have something for you, love but first I want you to close your eyes.” He said.“Why have I a feeling that you want to give me a surprise?” I narrowed my eyes but I was excited from inside. Whatever he does for me, it’s always special, even the smaller gestures.“Yes, there’s a gift for you but it’s also a surprise, now stop asking and close your eyes.” He said and I closed my eyes because I couldn’t wait for my surprise.In a few moments, I felt something cold around my neck, metal exactly and I guessed it was a chain or necklace. He made me wear a necklace and then he kissed my neck. I touched it to feel the design.“You can open your eyes now, love.” He said and I slowly opened my eyes and looked at the piece of jewelry. My smile vanished and my jaws dropped in shock.“Cal…Caleb, how d