"Here are the things, Uncle Sebastian. I'm going to my room now. Don't let anyone disturb my rest." Although Ria did take her revenge on that man by advising him to go for treatment, she was still sad for those fresh-scented flowers. "Ah-?" The Old butler Sebastian was a little baffled. 'What happened to this girl? Wasn't she ecstatic earlier? So strange.' "Why Young Master Anderson doesn't eat lunch here?" Zaria asked out of the blue when she had her complete rest. "He eats in the company." "But isn't this unhealthy?" Zaria frowned. Sebastian was about to respond, but... "What's with you calling Mr Anderson the Young Master? You think it's some medieval 16th, 17th century?" Sasha, who had just arrived made fun of Ria. Zaria quietened down and even Sebastian made a face. First things first, it was rude to interrupt others. Since Sebastian could not say anything, so Ria did the education on his part, indirectly. "It's the respect and manners we all are taught since ch
Zaria's eyes squinted at the strong light above her. Before she could assimilate to the light, Elian's head blocked it. Elian, who had come downstairs to drink water, frowned when he saw the entrance gate open. Before he could see properly, it all went dark. Who knew the person he had caught under him was the person he had run away from? "How are you here?" Elian inquired, forgetting everything around. Zaria blinked. Inside her mind, she was: 'Control!''Control!' 'Do not-''You aren't a beast, Ria.'To say she was thrilled, would be an understatement. The pinning scene in which the Male lead and Female lead..."Erm...I," Zaria glanced at his arm that was trapping her from one side, from the corner of her eyes and bit her lips. Elian followed the trail of Zaria's eyes and backed away slowly. "Sorry." "Cough." Zaria looked down at her hands, now sitting on the couch. "Sorry, too." "How long have you been living here?" "Not long. Just... a few days."She stared at Elian who w
"Get up!""Mr Mason, rise and shine!" Mason grumbled, "Do I look like a child to you?" He was having such a nice dream of him hugging Jess, but Parker's annoying voice woke him up. Furthermore, today was the day his rival in love was going to arrive, so his mood was extra off. He had to intimidate him so that bast*rd could back off willingly without Mason doing anything to destroy him.Yawning, Mason stretched, "What time is it?" "Past 9 a.m." "What the h*ll! Didn't I tell you both to wake me up at sharp 6?" Mason quickly shot up from the bed, glancing here and there. "We're at fault." Tyler quickly looked away from Mason and lifted the extra beds that were on the floor. "Yeah, we are. Sleep got the best of us." Parker's eyes nearly closed again. He could not get a wink last night due to Mason's torture. Mason discussed whatever strategies that came to his mind with both men. They even played cards together for their bonding time. "Have you guys seen him?""I haven't but Tyl
Mason blinked."Where is this voice coming from?" The soldiers started to look around, suspicious thinking that an enemy had invaded their place. "It's my backpack." Mason casually commented, seemingly turning normal in front of others but only he knew how he wanted to push Kade away from his Jess. "Really?" Curious, the soldiers who called him coward some moments ago, were now surrounding him with wide eyes. "Yep." Mason was all smug as he glanced at Kade from the corner of his eyes. So it was what they called, 'when the tables get turned?' "It tells exactly what is wrong with the body the little device is supporting and tells what majors should be taken to accommodate to the situation present. This is just a prototype though. I'm still working on its improvement."'Ha, can he rival me in brains?'What Mason was looking for, was something he could not find in Kade. All his smugness turned to disappointment. Where was the negativity he was seeking!Kade had no jealousy, no feelin
Master Anderson was reading the newspaper when his wife, Madam Anderson, suddenly announced, "Dear, I want to visit them." Upon hearing her, he looked up."Didn't you say you wanted to give them time to settle into their lives themselves?" "It's been days, John. Without my princess, this place feels empty." Madam Anderson mumbled. She used to miss Elian when he was not with them, but Zaria was always there to give her company. Now that Zaria had married, without having her around, Mia Anderson felt lonely. Master Anderson arched a brow, "I thought my company was enough for my wife?" Since Madam Anderson said nothing, sighing, he got up and sat beside her."I miss them."He took her hand in his and coaxed her gently, "They both have grown up, honey. They don't want us to look after them anymore." "I know but what's wrong with visiting them? I don't believe they won't like us coming to their home," Madam Anderson frowned. She really wanted to go see them. "Okay, okay, we'll do w
"You have misunderstood," Zaria said as she tried to escape from the uncomfortable grasp."Don't try to act innocent! I have caught you red-handed and now you say I'm misunderstanding?" Sasha was not letting go.She had got the opportunity to get Ria out of this place. How could she let it go?"I'm not going to say it again. Let go." Sasha was appalled when she felt the overbearing pressure from Zaria's gaze and words. Once again Sasha felt an inferiority complex hitting her.Gritting her teeth, she yanked Ria's hands with force and pulled Ria with her. Unbeknownst to both of them, something fell from the wardrobe but none of them paid attention to it."Where is everyone!""Why are you shouting, Miss Sasha? Others are gone already, so why are you still here?" Sebastian was massaging his temple. Hearing the high-pitched tone gave him a headache."Why–" Sebastian halted as he saw the two girls together. As soon as his eyes went to Sasha's hand which was gripping Ria's, he frowned."–Are
"How about you seduce him?""...""Come on, you children are all grown-up. No need to be shy. Show him some women's charm and moves.""Aunt, you know he isn't like that!" Zaria's cheeks were red.How could Aunt Amelia tell her this!"You're right. Cousin has raised him with manners, so he probably won't jump in on you even if you make a move on him.""I-""Hush, listen!" The two of them were sitting on the bed, making plans, "You have to eliminate this alienation between you and Elian yourself. If not in this way, then the traditional way." Aunt Amelia was serious."The traditional way?" Zaria tilted her head in confusion."Yes, talk to him like you both usually talk and assure him with a beautiful smile. Serve him some good food and gradually start making moves. Haven't you heard? The path to a man's heart is through his stomach. This way, his barriers would eventually collapse.""Talk to him like we do usually?" Zaria was thinking deeply. Did they even talk?"I think I get it, Aunt.
"You know about it?" Mason asked after a short pause."Of course, I know." Mason felt someone at his back. He looked from the corner of his eyes and found that it was his father-in-law who was eyeing him. It appeared that he wanted to hear as well."Aren't you here for the wedding?" Kayden suddenly laughed and the atmosphere became normal again.'Fool, he doesn't know that I'm here to snatch his bride from him. I knew it. He doesn't have the brains.' Mason internally snorted."Yes, it is just like what you think." Mason smiled without changing his carefree face. "I'm here for the wedding and I'll not leave without attending it." Both men had a staring contest and Kayden was the first one to break it."Sure. You're our guest, so probably we can't let you go." Kayden patted his back in a friendly manner.Mason let out a smileJessica clenched her fists. Her face was void of emotion, but her heart was racing.This place was her father's territory. If her father– No, if something happened
"Sofia, so you have finally decided to leave this house for good?" A loud voice sounded in the room, and soon the smashing of objects followed. Her little sister, Abigail winced. To her, it was a norm. Her mother's hysteria, coercion, and in the end, her guilt. Abigail sighed. She knew what the outcome would be if she let it continue. "Yes, I want to leave, and I will leave." Sofia was hell-bent. One of the reasons she wanted to escape was this. Ever since he left, her mother was never the same. For years, she tried to get her mother to accept reality. That she had to learn to live without him. However, it all went in vain. Her mom never understood. He was her everything to the point that her daughters had no value in her eyes. Everything started with him. Everything also ended with him. "You aren't going anywhere! I dare you to leave!" "Watch me." Sofia shrugged. "No! You can't leave. You will not leave." Helene Roderick grabbed her daughter's arm. A hysteric glint flashed i
"Excuse me, Miss?" Someone shook her. Blinking her eyes open, she was greeted by a man in a white coat. She was a little dazed."Huh?"The light was encircling the place when she came to her senses completely and moved her neck which hurt. Sleeping in a chair and that too on a cold night with no blanket made her body freeze in some places.Albeit the area she was in was a secluded corner– away from the hospital, still, she could hear the faint bustling of people, the stomping of their hurried feet, and the sounds of wheelchairs screeching on the floor.Last night it was all too quiet that she forgot she was in a hospital and slept. One short nap became a thorough sleep and the long night evolved into a day.Her phone buzzed.Mumbling an 'excuse me', she checked her phone to see 6 missed calls from home and got worried."Hello?""Ria, we're trying to reach out to you but you weren't answering." Nanny Mary's voice filled with concern greeted her. "Is everything alright there?""Yes, yes
2 Days Later.The City Hospital. 8:28 pm."Mom! Where's mom?"The doctors and patients who were in the hospital gazed at her strangely. Zaria Smith did not care about anything.The only words that were playing in her mind like a reel were that her mother-in-law collapsed. A mother-in-law who loved her more than anything in this world.And she could be- No, she was the reason she was in danger."Young Madam, you're here!" In the waiting room, an old woman stood up.Nanny Mary hugged Zaria. Slipping into a familiar embrace, Zaria felt calm and her breathing turned even. Her voice was very low, lacking energy."I don't see Dad here.""Old Master Anderson is with the doctor discussing Madam's tumour."Zaria sucked a breath."What happened to Mom, Nanny Mary? How could she collapse all of a sudden?"Nanny Mary's grip on Zaria loosened and she sighed."Old Madam... She was thinking very hard these past few days. Her expression was also not happy. Perhaps she was under some unknown stress."
Breaking News: Rumour confirmed. The Male Lead of the highly anticipated adaption of the famous novel is Malcolm Augustus.Star Entertainment too has confirmed this news and requires lots of support from the fans and readers.The worst came true.The exhilaration and anticipation she had for the movie– it was as if someone had poured cold water on her head.Malcolm Augustus was the Male Lead of her favourite novel, the one she was looking forward to seeing in the movie theatre.Now she had to watch his annoying face on that big screen.A fierce and intense fight on the Internet began and Sofia Brown's phone buzzed crazily."Sh*t." Sofia cursed under her breath for the hundredth time and rubbed her head.Ever since Malcolm's scandal broke out, the entertainment industry and fan and anti-fan groups were in chaos. After Malcolm, lots of scandals appeared and many stars became the target of netizens and public hatred.However, Malcolm's scandal was the biggest of them all. The gentle pers
Zaria Smith knew the moment she saw this woman named Christina Norman, she was going to be a thorn in her relationship with Elian. For 3 days, Zaria did not see Elian and Christina. She had no idea what they were doing. As she passed by the hallway, she heard the low whispers of the servants, their eyes following her and observing her moves as if she were a criminal who had done a heinous crime. Were they blaming her for Christina's state? Was it Ria who forced Christina to eavesdrop on her conversation with her husband, Elian Anderson? Deep in her thoughts, she did not realise she had bumped into Sebastian. Startled, Zaria shook her head, her mind disturbed. "I wasn't looking clearly. Forgive me, Uncle Sebastian." "Young Madam, I..." "What is the matter, Uncle Sebastian? Why are you so pale?" Zaria was getting worried. Why was he so quiet? Butler Sebastian was silent as he kept his gaze low. "Is it about Elian?" "Young Madam, you have to promise me that you must stay calm
'I will finally talk to him! I can't tolerate her presence anymore. Humph, if she has no recollection of 2 years ago, she better make new memories if she can't recover the old ones.' Zaria was thinking when she stilled and watched the scene unfolding. "Elian, you're back!" Christina leapt into Elian's arms happily. "Mmh." "When are you planning to bring your friends here, Elian? I haven't seen them for a long time and I want to meet them." Zaria was in disbelief. This Christina had met them, but Zaria.. Elian had never introduced his friends to her. Not even a simple description of how they might have looked like. He always had dinner outside the house when he visited his friends. "They are busy nowadays," Elian answered and tried to separate himself from Christina but she would not budge. "Well, forget them. Do you feel the difference here?" "..." "Ugh, look around! I have changed everything." Only after that, Elian's dark eyes went to every corner. "The previous setting w
"Good grief!" The next morning when Butler Sebastian saw Zaria, he was flabbergasted. "What happened to you, Young Madam?" "Uncle Sebastian..." Zaria Smith could not get a single wink last night. The moment she would shut her eyes, she would see Elian together with that woman. She had black bags under her eyes and slightly puffed cheeks, giving a great impression of a panda. The torment she and her soul went through was intolerable. None of her friends was here. Who should she confide in? Past, he said. Was she truly just a past? Then why did he keep her here? Butler Sebastian was concerned. Was the task not successful? Since he could not get a word out from Zaria, he sighed. "Young Madam, have something first and then resolve the matter." "Resolve the matter? Will he let us do it?" Zaria muttered, a bitter face forming. "Yes?" "Oh, nothing." As she proceeded to go to the kitchen, she heard some maids speaking. "That guest staying in the room opposite the hallway, isn't she
The dinner ended in silence. Zaria waited for Elian to say something or start a conversation, but he did not. He seemed distracted. The atmosphere was romantic and dreamlike yet the tension and nervousness somehow kept coming in. Under the table, Zaria clenched her fists apprehensively. "Elian, I need to talk to you." Elian was brought back to reality as he sensed Ria's gaze on him. Blinking, he cleared his throat, "I have been meaning to tell you something for quite a while as well. I can only let this out today now that I have got the chance." Zaria's heartbeat accelerated. Was he too- She gratefully thanked her ancestors and the heavens for this moment. With a shy look, she shook her head, her voice soft and she gazed down. "You can speak first. I can wait." "Are you sure?" Elian asked seriously. "Mmh." After all, whether she said it or he said it, it was the same. Sighing, Elian made eye contact with Zaria. He was holding this girl for a long time knowing that she could h
2 Years Later: "Young Madam, all preparations have been carried out. Anything else that you require?" Zaria, who was watering the vibrant coloured flowers, stopped and turned around. Noticing Butler Sebastian, a smile took over her. So much had changed in these two years. Both Zaria and Butler Sebastian got to know each other and went along well. Butler Sebastian assisted her in many things which helped her become a perfect madam of the family. Sasha had begun to treat everyone softly. Although, sometimes she did lose control. The manor was peaceful and tranquil most of the time. Her relationship with her husband had become better and now they did not feel reluctant around each other. The Old Anderson couple would also visit them once a year and would return happily after seeing their children were happy. Her feelings had also somewhat become stabilised. "Nothing else other than him." "It's our second anniversary. He'll be on time, right?" "Young Madam..." Sebastian started h