~[CHAPTER TEN]~Figures came strolling past my jumbled form, each one bearing a red envelope in their hands. The hubbub which befell the area, had my eyes shifting from here to there, hoping to understand what to make of the rabbles. At every corner one turned to, you were sure to find a jumbled form, all to influence the ruckus which had now pulled about. "Have you gotten one?" Face bearing a crooked grin, the figure of a man hurried past mine, eyes lingering on my disoriented gaze. "What is that?" My voice called after that departing figure, yet, there followed no answer from the fellow who appeared to have something much more interesting to tend to. "It's an invitation" I didn't need to turn around to tell who that voice belonged to—That damning calm voice of his, which emitted past my shoulders. And perhaps that was some charm of his, demanding attention, that is. Cause in a second, the once-growing hubbub had died, with the people returning to their positions. I found my
~[CHAPTER ELEVEN]~THIRD PERSON POINT OF VIEW.Kristoffer barely found interest in all that went on around him, excluding the discussions about Holden Inc. the young man probably might have made leave hours ago, but that would only be dishonoring the lot of people before him. The ones so kind to have invited him for such a fine gathering as this. A low sigh escaped his lips the moment the seat next to him was snatched, and next came the form of Diego, sinking into the hold of that chair."You could have just stayed back" Kristoffer let out. "Oh, be grateful and make merry that I even decided to show up" Followed the voice, with Diego soon reaching for the single glass before him. "Gatherings like this are no concern of mine, Kris" "Especially if it doesn't- His words got held in, as those eyes he bore had now found interest on a silhouette under the chandelier lights. Gaze peering on, the young man itched for every knowledge of who that figure was. "Hold that thought" His lips
~[CHAPTER TWELVE]~My gaze beheld the girl in the mirror—A wreck she was. An utter mess. Eyes weary, they only yearned for a long night's rest. One uninterrupted, but how impossible that was, as I was forced to remain on the grounds of this building, all in sakes of an event I barely found an interest in. How funny, only an hour ago, it was the only thing I spoke of, and now, I only wished to be far from here. Only now did the joy of home hit me. Oh, how lucky Tara was. With no composure to put up, and no gentleman to force a smile at, it sure was the happiest place to be in at the hour. Even from here, I still could hear the orchestra playing. Those group of people who had been hired to bless the evening with such tunes I only found soothing. Their hands had been busy at the instruments from the moment I walked in here, and up till this moment, they haven't bothered taking a rest, not even a glass of water had they halted their session for. The roof could come down, and they
~[CHAPTER THIRTEEN]~Jane Parker. Those pair of eyes settled on my figure had managed to have me snapped back to reverie, with the voice of the announcer calling for me, ushering me onto the awaiting stage. My presence on that platform for whatever reason had those prying gazes onlooking my withered form. The silence which came about had claimed most of the room, and with all attention fixed my way, I was spared a few seconds to have a rethink of why I agreed to this. Adalynn. It was that persistent figure who had pushed me into this, stating that if I in fact was to live up to all what I claimed to be, then I must in fact give a speech at the annual ‘Corporates Innovative conference’ which was a safe space for all of the big names I had come to know, and now here I was, being awaited by a hundred, all anticipating what the representative of Holden Inc. had to spew. I approached the mic, feet hesitant, eyes paused on the sea of heads below. Among those figures, I was quick to re
~[CHAPTER FOURTEEN]~I sauntered into the living room only to find a grinning Tara waddling around the area, hands holding onto a ginormous box, with a red string as a bow attached to it. "Look who decided to return home after all" That utterance of Tara was laced with such enthusiasm I never had witnessed from my friend before, and while those eyes of hers went beaming on, I found her already making her way to me. "The courier said it was for a Jane Parker...Now I believe you're the only Jane Parker in this room now....Isn't it. So sweetie, start speaking. Who's the Mister?" Came that utterance at once, demanding of me. At once, she had dumped the box into my hands, and with that face holding onto a grin which only foretold all of the nagging she was bound to put me through, those eyes of hers questioned my movements. "What Mister?" Believe me I was just as lost in whatever it was she was on about, for I ached to know what such amusement was for."Have a peek at that" Implored
~[CHAPTER FIFTEEN]~That blank gaze. Intent on me all the while that figure came waddling down the stairs, and in the time those eyes remained keen on my form, I stayed frozen on my feet. He was just as I imagined—That same striking resemblance he bore with his son, and with his scrutiny accessing my profile, I surely was to be found shaken. This was the same man I had heard of, for so long—The same one highly spoken of, and now, being stood here in the same room as him, all of me quaked. Trent Holden. Only at his incoming form, was I then spared an opportunity making out the features he shared with Kristoffer—Those eyes were similar, smile even befitting, not to forget that brooding energy which surrounded them. They were just alike, yet different. Trent was much different. His gaze never was questioning, and in as much as I juddered at his presence, there was just something that seemed warming about the fellow, which left had me wondering why Kristoffer was an exact opposite t
~[CHAPTER SIXTEEN]~The tension which burned in this space, was one which had me looking anywhere but the intricate lines on my palms which for some reason I had developed an interest on for the past minute. The night surely was young, but so was the communication shared between Kristoffer and I since we made leave from his father's home. He had spoken not a word to me since the minute I stepped into this vehicle, and I tell you, not even a cough came emitted my way. Eyes only fixed on the road, his grip on the steering wheel tightened, with the quietude lingering between both our forms, and only then did I think it wise cracking the silence which had befallen. "Are you taking me back to the office?" For a second his eyes turned to me, but as expected he had them set back on the road ahead. "I'm taking you home, Jane""Home?" A scoff came from me, eyes beholding the blank expression held on his face. "You barely know where I live, Mr. Holden" "Then you'd better start directing
~[CHAPTER SEVENTEEN]~“That was Kristoffer Holden who was just in here now!” The voice of Tara blasted in the space, those gaping eyes of hers to be found watching every movement of mine. "You're smashing your boss!" I watched the glee cross the face of my friend, with eyes widened at me, that figure of hers drew nearer at each utterance she gave. "We're not smashing, T" I drawled, moving to and fro the room. "Perhaps, I'm misunderstanding it all, cause I just saw you making out with him right on our couch" "Okay, okay, okay. Whatever you say, but we're not smashing" Her grin grew even wider, figure tagging right behind mine as I pulled away from her, making my way into the kitchen area, hoping to evade all her taunts. "Why didn't you tell me, Jane?" Her hands reached for the brownies I had abandoned in the microwave, teeth sinking into it, while I watched the delight fill her eyes. So ready she was for the round of questionings. Ready to spend the night, if possible, going on
~[CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE]~"We can't let you through ma'am" My eyes were found gaping at the form away, holding onto such hostile air which exhumed from the fellow. "Sorry, what?""Mr. Holden has requested he best be left alone…He has informed us not to let anyone in" He clarified. "I work for him......at the company" My words barely had little effect on the man away, as that smug scowl still rested on his lips, with eyes holding a haze of trauma, and brute."We're gonna have to ask you to leave, young lady" He followed at once, motioning for me to step away. "It's important I see him, Sir" "You have to leave, Miss" "It's urgent" "I'd hate to repeat myself" "Come on!" My arms flung in the air, exasperation claiming the most of me."Ma'am, Please. You're creating a scene" My jaw had dropped without warning at his choice of words, eyes gaping on at him. "I'm creating a scene?" The scoff left my lips, gaze peering at that profile. "If you don't mind me asking, what's the name?" "
~[CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT]~And here we were, forms centered on the office floor, with burnt cig ashes littered over the marble tiles, while the sound of my laughs poured out into the room. "I'm telling you, Jane. I found myself mopping floors with my garments, all in sakes of bringing food to my mouth" Spoke Louis. "It was a hectic one, Jane" "Life never is easy" "Not in a million years would I believe you come from such home, so raggedy, even to an extent of being feasted by rats" I called in a low voice. "Oh, not just the rodents, Jane" He whispered. "Even the roaches and snakes took abode in our home, and only then did it hit me, that I wasn't living. Not until I got the comfort I sought, the peace......and the joy" He called in a low voice. "One never is serious, not until they get a push" He let out. "Mine came about, at the height of the poverty that feasted my heart. That, Janet Parker, was my turning point, and my snap to work" "What is yours?" Those eyes searched throu
~[CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN]~The reception received upon my entry into Cigg Holdings, was beyond exceptional, I tell you. Each one of the people bore smiles on their face, with eyes beaming on at me, their arms opened up to receive me, at this point, I was made to believe there was something else to the occasion. Could I have turned so important overnight. "Oh, please. Don't get the poor lady, startled" The calm voice of Mr Vettriano soon took the space, with his figure coming right into view. "We can save the cheers for when eventually she takes office" He chuckled, with hands reaching out to take mine. "I hope" He added in a low voice. "Miss Parker, I long awaited your visit" He stepped aside, motioning for me to step into the elevator before him. Those eyes watched me keenly. Holding onto to every slight movement I gave, with a look of glee I still couldn't decipher."I'm sorry, I couldn't meet up on time" My voice was low, eyes watching his fingers set the elevator to the last
~[CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX]~"Why do you look ravishing today, Miss Parker?" My eyes had snapped to the form of Susy proceeding into the office, hands holding onto a paper bag."Why?" I followed with confused eyes peering on at her."You look beautiful, not to lie" That certainly must be a lie,m, cause I believe looked just the way I felt, and I can tell you I didn't feel so good.Saying I was tired, was merely an understatement. I was utterly drained, completely knackered as one would say. "I gotta tell you, Susy. When a lady hears how beautiful she is, she flushes not because she actually is beautiful, it's because it helps boost her confidence" "If I do look beautiful, then I must go on being stressed, cause I can't tell what's changed with me. But stil, thank you for that" I saw a smile creep up her lips, eyes beaming on at me."No, thank you. Miss Parker" She fell silent, eyes only watching me carefully, and next came the same Susy I was familiar with. "Miss Parker" Her voice w
~[CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE]~"Become a manager at Cigg. Holdings"Those words still rolled around my head, despite it being days since Louis had stepped here. Me? A manager to one of the top companies in the state, if not the best. What exactly did I know about managing such huge business?But I tell you, Louis was one to think otherwise. In fact, he deemed me the best match to head such organization. Now, why would that be? I still couldn't figure out, all i found myself re-living, were his utterances. This was massive. It spelt a new path in my life. Me heading such organization as Louis' was bound to change all about me. And I mean that in every good way. My life was to change for good. But why me? What exactly did he mean by his interest piqued in getting familiar with my character? What character exactly? If anything I was an utter mess. A sore one. Why then did Louis Vettriano choose to come to me with such offer that just was irresistible. "Jane"I was snapped at the sound
~[CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR]~"My life's only a rollercoaster, Tara" My figure had crashed right onto the couch, taking the space next to her form. "A rough ride it is" I could feel her eyes scanning my profile, no words coming from the girl away. At once I had snatched the heels off my feet, sinking my legs onto the plush carpet, and I tell you, the feel that rushed through was just every comfort I sought. "Can you believe Louis Vettriano stopped by the office today. The life had soon rushed back to me, with every delight filling my gaze, while those words stumbled out my lips. "He was there to offer me a job, Tara. A job!?" "He offered to make me his manager"The eyes of Tara only watched me while I went on. She had barely made an utterance, that gaze only remained intent on my form. "I'm entirely lost, Tara" My voice was low, eyes faltering. "Whatever do you think I should do?" "Okay, that's enough, Jane!" Followed the voice of Tara, figure tearing off the couch at once. "You put
~[CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE]~"There are a lot of things left for one to behold in this world, Miss Parker" My gaze shifted to the form of Louis, ears perked, at each word that came tumbling out his lips. I dare not be distracted. He had so managed to earn my undivided attention effortlessly, with eyes watching him, watching every slight movement he gave."You, Miss Parker, are an exceptional lady, I must say"He waved at the lady behind the counter, calling for her to return with the cups of coffee he had ordered minutes ago. I gaped on like I was caught in some sort of trance. Perhaps, I was. For it be the fact that this man wasn't on my TV screen, or the page of some magazine held between my fingers. No, no, no. Louis Vettriano was sat right before me. Far away from Holden Inc. we were. For some reason, he had decided to take me to the café right down the street, prepared to make his business known. I soon caught sight of the lady approaching, hands bearing a tray holding the cup
~[CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO]~"Miss Parker?" “Miss Parker!” I jolted at the voice which deemed it fit to ruin the peace that had taken a hold of me.Oh, the calm I had found myself in, now altered by whoever that form was that had now waddled into the area. It was merely five minutes gone that I was found basking in every serenity that came with the office space, mind lost in thoughts, having its own wandering, when that voice came stumbling in, altering a moment that I felt was just irredeemable. "Miss Parker!" "What is it, Susy!?"Believe me I tried my best to remain calm, I pinched myself to, but the incessant call of my name, by a girl whom I had been direct in sending downstairs, to fetch nothing in particular, just to evade her babbles, for as peaceful as five minutes could be, soon got me snapping to her, eyes taking in her form. She paused at my outpour, eyes shifting through the room for a minute, and at once her eyes lit up, figure pulling closer to mine. "There are some peo
~[CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE]~I let the form of Tara crash into my hands, a low grunt pouring out her lips upon the impact of our figures.She had bruises all over. With eyes still holding onto the fear that had caught her half an hour ago, there still remained patches of blood on her lips. "I'm sorry" My voice wavered, eyes pulling her even tighter to myself. "I'm sorry, Tara" She barely made an utterance, instead, her grip on me only tightened, body relaxing in mine. "Janet Parker?" Came the voice that managed to pull our figures apart. "I'll need you for questioning" I stared at the middle-aged man before me, eyes holding onto the same joy it held, while he burst into our house, tackling George to the ground. He had smacked him repeatedly, holding a gun to his face, and in all of his glory, he tore a cuff out, placing it on the wrists of the man who would have been my murderer, if they hadn't arrived just in time. "I'm Officer Thawne" "Your friend will be attended to by the parame