EMILY'S POV I was about to take a nap due to boredom when the reply of the message I sent came in. A tap on the door jolted me from sleep. “Who is there?" I asked, raising my head from the bed.“It's me, Ma'am. I brought Miss Leila reply to you,” My assistant, Harty said, from the other side of the door.I stood up from the king size bed and sat on the cushion chair in the room. “Come in," "Ma'am,” she said, handing me an envelope.I opened the envelope to see a well written letter : Good day Ma'am, I got your message and I worked on it immediately. According to the contents of your message, I have notified the media and they are ready to have you on board tomorrow. I will have the conference room prepared before your arrival. Be ensure that everything is in control,” I beamed, seeing that my plan is going well. Ronald doesn't have to know about these afterall I have to clear my name. I was still beaming when Mia's call came in. “Shit, I forgot to call her for days," I said, aloud
RONALD'S POV The loud, rasp sound on my office door caused me to raise my head up.“ Come in,"Leila rushed in, trying to catch her breath “Boss,There is a problem. Our stocks are dropping by the minute, the ones we have sold are all being returned, we have started refunding the consumer's money as we speak,”“What's the report?”I said, indifferently. “The report started with social media complaints regarding your marriage being a — fake,” she said, hesitating.“What's the source of defects?”"The team is investigating it,"she said, “ The directors called for a meeting"" Okay,” I said, unfazed.“ Sir,we addressed the financial implications,our stock prices are plummeting,”“ Get our financial advisors on board,we need to assess the damage and prepare a statement for the investors,” “The consumers are also demanding for compensation for …. emotional stress,”“Do it,"“Sir?"“Do it! I said, my voice raising my voice "Pay them for the emotional stress,”"Get the meeting room ready i
EMILY'S POVThe soft morning light crept into my room, slowly waking me up. I stretched my body as I stood up from the bed. My eyes glanced over the room, seeing that Ronald is not in the room, I rushed over to the bathroom to prepare for the day. ‘I will make everything clear today,’I said to myself, straightening my skirt. My phone beeped, drifting my attention to the phone on the table stand. I clicked on the message notification on the screen: ‘The time slated for you to meet the media is by 11am today.--- Leila.”I looked at the mirror one last time before I left the house.The chauffeur was in the driveway waiting,I hopped into the car as the car engine came to live.My palms were sweaty and my tingled nervously as we drove to the Hoffman's Empire company. As I stepped out of the car, I was immediately surrounded with swamps of reporters all clamoring for my attention.The flashes from their camera blinded me for a moment and the uproar of questions threw me off balance making
RONALD'S POV“ What's the issue on the ground concerning growth?” I asked, glancing at every face in the room. Department heads, team leaders, and key personnel filled the space eager to discuss the company's growth. Lemy from the strategic department said, “Good day everyone. I'm pleased to report that our company has seen outstanding growth over the past quarter. Today we will discuss how we continue this pace and address any challenges.”“I think we are made for greater success. Our adverts have been yielding impressive results,” Steve, the marketing director , nodded enthusiastically.I rhythmically tapped my fingertips on the table, accessing the meeting documents with my other hands. “That’s great but how will the progress affect our workload? We are already stretched thin,” Rain, a plan manager spoke upMy phone buzzed notifying me that I had a notification while the meeting was ongoing. I brought out my phone and click on the first notification that says ‘Emily Hoffman publi
EMILY'S POVMy eyes widened in shock as Ronald walked into the conference room with so much aura. ‘How did he get to know? Right! It's his company, so he would,eventually,’Ronald's gaze swept the room, his eyes scrutinizing the crowd as if searching for a specific person. His intensity was tangible and I felt a shiver run down my spine as his eyes locked into mine. ‘Why does he have this power over me? Why can he unnerve me with just one glance? it's frustrating… and terrifying.’Time seemed to slow as he strode towards me, his confident strides closing the distance. The room faded into the background, leaving the two of us suspended in anticipation.He joined me on the stage, he drew me close, his warm breath whispering against my ear “ What's going on here?" he whispered, his voice low and husky. I felt a shock of electricity as his hand wrapped round my waist, sending sparks coursing through my veins. I looked away from him facing the press so that he wouldn't see my flushed che
RONALD'S POV I arrived home drained, exhaustion weighing me down. I changed clothes and headed to my study to work on unfinished tasks. But my mind refused to focus.‘Who does she have an appointment with?’ I wondered, Emily's face lingering in my thoughts. A pang of curiosity or perhaps something more, stirred within me. I tried to shake off the distraction, directing my gaze to the documents on my desk. However, my thoughts continue to wander. ‘What if she is seeing someone?’ I said in my thoughts, feeling tightness in my chest.‘She can go out with anyone she likes, we are not romantically married anyway,’ I shrugged, fixating my eyes on the work at hand.As I worked, the hours ticked by and my eyelids began to droop. I let out a languid yawn, arching my back to relieve the tension that had built up. Just as I was starting to relax, the sudden thrill of my phone pierced the air. I glanced at the screen and Colin's name flashed back at me.Colin’s booming voice exploded through t
EMILY'S POV As soon as I stepped into the house,every bone in my body screamed tiredness. I was greeted by the workers as I went up to the master bedroom.Getting to the room, I glanced through the room and didn't see Ronald,placed my bag on the bag rack, stripped myself bare and went into the bathroom. I came back to the room and sat in front of the mirror, tying my hair into a bun when the door opened, revealing Ronald. My face relaxed into a smile “I didn't realize you were home,”“Same here, I've been home for a while. Finishing work and all,” he said, hands in his pocket.“I just got back,” I said, still focused on moisturizing my face." How was your outing? How did your appointment go?” he asked, rubbing his neck.I stopped mid way, my hands off my face. I turned, glancing at him. ‘Did he just ask me about my outing?’ I yelled in my thoughts. ‘ Is this the Ronald I know or another? He is so full of surprises,”“ Huh, it went well," I said, still shocked. It's kinda good we a
RONALD'S POV As Emily descended the stairs, time seemed to slow. Her silver heels clicked out rhythmically, drawing my attention to her slender legs and the curve of her calves. The fitted gown hugged her body, showcasing every contour and I felt my breath catch. She was stunning. Breathtaking and the epitome of elegance.My eyes roamed over her, drinking in the sight of her porcelain skin,her full lips, and her sparkling eyes. Her hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of silk, and I ached to run my fingers through them. For a moment I forgot to breath. Forgot to think. All I could do was stare, my heart was pounding in my chest like a mortal. I was captivated by her beauty. I was so lost in the sea of her beauty that I didn't notice her approaching me. “Is there something on my face?” She asked, her voice snapping back to reality. I hesitated,still reeling from the impact of her presence.“Huhh..no, yes. You've got something on your hair,”I stammered, quickly recovering up
EMILY'S POVAs I sat at the kitchen table, sipping my coffee and staring blankly at my phone, I couldn't shake off the thoughts of Ronald that had been plaguing me all morning. I had made up my mind to avoid him at all costs when I get back to work on Monday. But the thought of avoiding him only made my heart ache. Mia's sudden return, beaming with a bright smile, caught me off guard. "Emily," she called out, her voice low and sweet, like a gentle breeze on a summer day.I looked up, my curiosity piqued, and raised an eyebrow. "What's making you smile like that?" I asked, my tone laced with a hint of amusement.Mia just chuckled, her eyes sparkling with mischief, and said, "I have something to show you." My curiosity was piqued, and I found myself leaning in, eager to know what Mia had in store.Just then, Colin walked in, followed by Ronald. My heart skipped a beat as our eyes met, and I felt a rush of emotions: anger, hurt, and a hint of longing. My expression changed instantly, my
RONALD'S POV Ronald went about his morning routine, tackling his tasks with his usual efficiency. But just as he was getting into the swing of things, his phone buzzed with an unexpected call from Calling."Hey, meet me at the usual spot," Calling said, his voice low and mysterious.Ronald's brow furrowed in surprise. "What's up? It's only 2 pm. We don't usually meet until evening."There was a pause on the other end of the line before Calling responded, "Just trust me on this one, Ronald. I need to show you something."Ronald's curiosity was piqued. What could Calling possibly want to show him that couldn't wait until evening?As I drove to meet Colin, the city streets blurred together in a haze of worry and anxiety. The sound of the engine and the hum of the tires on the pavement were the only sounds that filled my mind. I navigated through the crowded streets, my eyes fixed on the road ahead, my mind racing with thoughts of Colin's call. I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease
EMILY'S POV As I lounged on the couch, lost in thought, the door swung open and Mia burst in, her energy infectious. She dropped her bag with a flourish, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "Emily, let's eat out today!" she exclaimed, already moving towards me.I opened my mouth to protest, but she was too quick. Her hand shot up, palm facing me, and I felt a familiar sense of resignation wash over me. Mia always got her way, and I knew better than to argue.With a sigh, I let her pull me up from the couch. She propelled me towards the bedroom, chattering excitedly about her day. I shrugged, letting her fuss over me as she rummaged through my closet for a change of clothes.As Mia dug through my closet, her voice bubbled over with excitement, recounting the highlights of her day at the office. I couldn't help but smile as she giggled her way through a story about her boss's misadventure with a cup of coffee. "And then, he stood up, and coffee just dripped down his shirt!" Mia's laugh
RONALD'S POVI sat at my desk, staring blankly at the papers in front of me. It had been a week since I'd sent Emily packing, and I couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness that had settled in my chest.I missed her. I missed her smile, her laugh, her sleepy face under the morning light . I even missed the way the calls me, the way my name rolled out of her tongue when we were intimate .But my pride refused to let me admit it. I had to maintain my tough exterior, my confident demeanor. I couldn't let anyone see the vulnerability that was eating away at me.As I glanced around the office, I noticed my subordinates whispering and glancing at me. I knew they were speculating about my relationship with Emily. The fact that she hadn't been coming to work only added fuel to the fire.I felt a surge of anger and frustration. Why did they have to gossip about my personal life? Bunch of gossipers. But deep down, I knew it was my own fault. I had let my pride and ego get the better of me. I ha
EMILY POVI felt like I was drowning in a sea of despair, unable to escape the crushing weight of my grief. My body ached from crying, my eyes burning from the constant flow of tears. I couldn't remember the last time I'd felt such overwhelming sadness.As I lay there, I felt Mia's gentle touch on my shoulder, her soft words of comfort whispering in my ear. But I couldn't respond, couldn't even muster up the energy to push her away. I just lay there, numb and broken, as she tried to reach me.I knew Mia was worried, I could sense it in her touch, her voice. But I couldn't reassure her, couldn't even look at her. I just felt too much pain, too much sorrow.As the minutes ticked by, I felt Mia's presence fade away, leaving me alone in my darkness. The silence was oppressive, the only sound was my quiet sobs. I felt like I was suffocating under the weight of my grief, unable to escape.I don't know how long I lay there, lost in my sorrow. Time seemed to stand still, the world outside my
RONALD'S POVI stormed into the conference room, my face a thundercloud. My team, seated around the table, exchanged nervous glances. I couldn't help it - I was still reeling from the pictures I had received the previous day. My mood was in a jumble of mess. "Alright, let's get started," I growled, slamming my fist on the table. My team jumped, taken aback by my outburst."Uh, yes, sir," one of them stammered. "We've got the quarterly reports ready for review."I snatched the report from the team member's hand, my eyes scanning the pages with a mixture of disdain and anger."This is unacceptable," I snapped, my voice rising. "You call this a report? It's a joke!"The team member who had presented the report looked taken aback. "I-I apologize, sir. I'll make sure to-"I cut him off, my face red with rage. "You'd better. I expect to see a revised report on my desk by the end of the day. And if it's not up to par, there will be consequences."The team nodded hastily, eager to escape my
EMILY POVI trudged into the room, my heart heavy with shame, regret and confusion. Ronald's words still echoed in my mind, "I don't want to see you again." I felt like I'd been punched in the gut,my heart shattered,my breath knocked out of me.I began to pack my bags, my hands moving mechanically as I tried to process what had just happened. The question, ‘How did this happen?’ swirl in my mind,I couldn't even remember all that happened before I black out, I just know that I was in the club. I didn't have anywhere to go, no one to turn to. I contemplated calling Mia, but I didn't want to burden her again. She'd already done so much for me.But I didn't have a choice. I had to call Mia. She was the only person I could turn to. I dialed her number, my heart racing with anxiety.Mia's son came to pick me up, and the drive was silent. I could feel Mia's eyes on me, sense her curiosity and concern. But she didn't ask me any questions, didn't pry. She just let me be.When we arrived at Mi
RONALD'S POVAs I stepped into my house, I felt a wave of fury wash over me. My expression was a mask of controlled anger, my eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. My jaw was clenched in a tight line, my face set in a stern, unyielding expression.I couldn't believe what I had just seen. A photo of Emily, laughing and smiling with a drink in her hand, had been sent to me. My mind was reeling with questions and doubts. Why had she lied to me? Why had she told me she was going to a quiet dinner with Mia when in reality she was out partying?I felt like I had been punched in the gut, my trust and faith in Emily shattered. I couldn't believe that she had betrayed me like this. I thought we had something real, something special. But now, I wasn't so sure.As I walked through the house, my footsteps were heavy and deliberate. I was weighing each step carefully, trying to calm myself down before I confronted Emily. But it was no use. My anger and hurt were simmering just below the surface, w
EMILY'S POVThe doctor discharged me, giving instructions that I should have enough rest and should be taken care of. I couldn't stop crying as we left the hospital. The pain and grief were overwhelming, and I felt like I was drowning in my own tears.As we were about to part ways,Ethan turned to me with a pleading look in his eyes."Emily, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me," Ethan said, his voice filled with regret. "I feel like this is all my fault."Mia's voice was sharp and angry. "You're right, it's your fault. Why weren't you watching her? Why did you let her out of your sight? You invited her to the party,you should have made her your responsibility."I reached out and put a hand on Mia's arm. "It's not Ethan's fault, Mia. It's an accident. I'm the one who...who...". I couldn't finish the sentence. The pain was too much, and I felt like I was going to break.But Mia's was unforgiving. “An accident? An accident that could have been prevented if he had been paying attention.”Mia'