"My dear son!” the baroness stretched her hand and hugged her son as he came to kiss her good morning.
“I would like to go to the stables later this morning Mother”, he announced. “That is good son”, she said,” it's a long time you ride your horse”. “Celine!, the baroness addressed her,” Do you know how to ride a horse? “Yes" She answered,” but it's been a while so I would need some help with the horse”. “Oh, you don't need to worry”, the baroness said,” David is an excellent horseman”, she proclaimed proudly. Celine looked at David and was tense as he looked at her with an indifferent expression. “Mother!" he turned to his mother once again,”l cannot be teaching someone how to ride, you know I just wanted some air”, he said gruffly. “Yes, I know,” the baroness said,” Please take Celine along, the fresh air would do her good too". “Okay Mother, if you insist”, he said reluctantly. Looking at Celine mockingly, he said;” but she should not blame me if she can't hold her horse and gets her butts on the ground”, he chuckled aloud with amusement. This seems to annoy Celine; “I can hold my horse”, she challenged, with a glint in her eyes. His eyebrows raised as he saw her boldness. “Alright, we shall see”, he said mockingly. The servants brought the breakfast, there were a lot of dishes to choose from, she just ate some bread slices with honey and some eggs. After breakfast, she stood up and excused herself to get her coat, as she went up the stairs two at a time. *** Following David to the stables was a good idea, her nostrils were filled with the smell of dung and horses, as they went towards the stables. David looked back at her sceptically as he saw her struggling to meet up with his strides. He decided to slow down and wait for her. “How long have you rode a horse?” he asked. “About three years now”, she replied, surprised that he slowed his pace for her. “That is quite a long” time he drawled. “Anyway just do as I say if you want and you would be fine”, he said sheepishly. Celine nodded her head in agreement and followed him to the stables. “Good morning my lord”.a stable worker came forward and brought a magnificent black horse to David. David collected the reins from him and patted the horse as he led it outside the yard. “Prepare the brown horse for my wife”, he commanded. “Right away my lord” he said and went back into the stables. Celine followed David into the courtyard as he led his horse, looking at them was a beautiful sight for her. David looked so natural with the horse, she reminded him of knights who fought wars for kingdoms. Hearing some sounds, she looked back to see the most beautiful horse she had ever seen. It was a mare, brown in colour, well-groomed and decorated with a silver saddle. “She is called silver”, David said as he gave the horse a soft Pat,” and mine is called stony”. “Silver is a beautiful name, but why stony?” “Is it because it's a magnificent horse?” she asked with a smile. “Yes of course!" he responded,” it's magnificent, give it the name” he grinned. “He should smile more”, she thought with a sigh,” it gives him a charming and cheerful look, instead of the indifference he always shows her”. He beckoned to her and she moved closer as if she was in a trance. He put his hands on her waist as he pulled her close. Being close to him made her breathless. With a heave, he lifted her into the horse. She grabbed the reins and held it. He looked down and fitted her legs to both sides of the stirrup. “I think you are good to go, be gentle with Silver and she will be with you," he said with a grin. She nodded and gave her horse a little push, but got a surprise as the horse nervously leapt forward, throwing her off balance, before she could grip the reins tightly, she was already on the ground. *** My God, she heard David exclaim running towards her. Are you alright he said with a worried expression on his face as he helped her up. Looking at him, she chuckled and tried to make a joke out of her fall. You have said already that I would fall, and now it has happened, are you satisfied now,? David looked at her, his mouth twitching. I don't want to laugh because you fell, but you are funny, quit blaming me and admit you have forgotten how to ride a horse. Never she said out aloud, I will not accept defeat.l know how to ride, being thrown from a horse is not a big deal, she said shrugging her shoulders. As the stable worker brought back the horse, Celine put her hands under the horse's nostrils and patted it, She was shocked and her body reacted with a jolt as David held her waist and put her on the horse once again. I can climb the horse myself, she said gruffly “Is that a thank you?”David asked sarcastically. Looking at her and feeling satisfied that she could handle the horse, he went over to his horse and with a smooth stride he climbed it. Turning the horse in the direction of the exit, he turned and looked at her. “Let's go ! he commanded. Celine put a little pressure on the horse to move it forward, then started riding the horse ahead of David in small strides. *** David pushed his horse to move a little slower, as he looked ahead at the woman who was now his wife. He never thought she could steer feelings of want in him. “God! He wants her badly. He has always been careful about how he relates with women, although women flock around him like sheep, making the media think he is a playboy, he is prudent in his dealings with them, and he never lets them come close. But Celine was different from the type of women he had known, most of them were the clingy type, but Celine is calm and composed with an aura of confidence he admires in a woman. Now about the feelings she steered in him, he shrugged and quickly shook off the thoughts, closing the gaps between both horses."These mountains are mostly found in Albania” he said with enthusiasm,” you can see such a view from here because we are close to them”.Celine looked towards the mountains which were covered with vegetation characterized by rocky terrain and deep gorges. She felt it provided an adventurous environment for exploration.She took a deep breath from the cool breeze and sighed with excitement seeing that David was excited too.It's good you like it, he said dismissively with a frown.“What had she done again?” she wondered,“Does he always change from one mood to the other?”After riding for a while, she stole a glance at him, noticing that he was quiet and distant.She pushed her horse closer and decided to tell him about her ex-husband Ray, to clear the air on that, she thought.“Ray, that was the name of my ex-husband, she explained, was a good man with ambition when we got married, but I
She woke up in the morning to see that David was up already.Coming back the day before, after riding the horses, he went to his study, making some phone calls, according to him.She didn't see him come to sleep at night, because she was asleep then, she also hardly saw him throughout yesterday,She wondered if he was avoiding her.She got up reluctantly and looked around the room, except for the sheets that were crumbled, one would think that David hadn't slept in the room last night.She went to the bathroom to take a shower, wondering where her husband had disappeared.Going downstairs, she saw that no one was there, except for a maid cleaning the table.“Good morning my lady”, she greeted“Good morning,” Celine answered.“Where is everyone?” she asked.“Mr Wheelers has gone to the office while Mrs Wheelers is still in her room”, the maid answered.With a bow, sh
She took the blue Ferrari which David had instructed her to drive whenever she wanted to go out.Her dress was corporate, a blue suit over a black camisole that brought out the beauty of her eyes.As she reached the building, she was astonished by the striking appearance of the company. It was huge and prominent, and she couldn't believe she was married to its owner.A security man directed her to the car pack, she packed the car and went inside the building.Inside, she was told to present her ID card, which she did before she was allowed in.She went to the receptionist and asked about the CEO.She was told to wait while the receptionist made a phone call.Ma'am please what is your name, she asked.Mrs Celine Wheelers, she replied.The receptionist raised her brow but composed herself quickly, putting down the phone she directed Celine to the sixth floorCeline thanked her and took the lift.
Celine walked down towards her car and she noticed a shopping mall close to the company and decided to go there to do some shopping before she went home.She would buy a scarf or shawl for her mother."l know mother would like that", she muttered to herself smiling as she walked down.She removed every thought of David's attitude and indifference from her mind.She wouldn't give up, she thought, after all, she was his wife and she had to make this second marriage work even if David showed indifference to her.A mistake must not be repeated twice, one should always take caution after an experience.She started humming to herself as she entered the shopping mall.***David looked remorseful as he watched her go, he stood up to go after her, but he stopped himself quickly."How can he, the CEO of the wheelers company, run after a woman?"He looked curiously at the lunch pack and opened it, as he saw th
Celine reached the reception area but didn't see anyone.“Hello, anyone here?” she called outBut no one answered her.“That's strange”, she thought to herself.Just as she was about to move out, someone grabbed her from behind again as she was about to open the door to the mall to go out.She turned, and her heart started beating fast again as she noticed a gun pointed at her head.Turning as she raised her hands, she saw other two men with masks at the corner of the building pointing guns at the cashier and attendants who were all piled in one corner.The man pointing the gun at her shoved her with a push to sit where the other customers sat on the ground, with another man pointing a gun at them.Celine sat there quietly with others knowing that she was in trouble, entering the wrong place at the wrong time.Looking around, she saw that they were robbers trying to steal money from the cashier. By the way, they were nervous; she guessed they
David was so engrossed with the file when Arabella came in.“David you should see this”,she said.‘See what?He barked at her.“The news”, she said.He glanced at the television which was on.So what do l have to do with the news he said dismissively,then something caught his eye.“My God!He exclaimed loudly.On the ground with other people was his wife,the news was all about some robbers hijacking the shopping mall close to his company.He stood up apprehensively.“He thought she had gone home”,he thought silently “Damn!He spat out again.How can his wife be in the custody of these hoodlums,he thought she had gone home.“What is she doing there?”He thought to himself,pacing up and down in the office and thinking of what to do.He couldn't believe that his wife who just left here a few minutes ago was now in the custody of hoodlums.He picked up his p
What happened to her?, the baroness asked, worried as she saw David carrying Celine inside the mansion.“She's fine ,I can assure you of that mother”.David said.“All thanks to God”,the baroness said,making a prayer sign.“I was so worried when the maids told me there was a robbery and she was in the mall”.“I tried calling you but couldn't reach you”.Don't worry mother,I will be fine “,Celine reassured the baroness seeing her worried look.“It's just a little sprain,I will be alright in a few days”.“Very well,the baroness said.it's good that you are safe”.“Thank you mother”, Celine said,as David carried her up the stairs.He put her down gently on the bed.“I will call the doctor to see your sprain”,he said“No need for a doctor,she spat out angrily”,still upset by his behavior.David looked at her,seeing the anger in her eyes.“I am sorry”,he said
"I brought her here”, David said as he came down the stairs.“ She came to see Celine”.“Oh I see”, the baroness said with raised brows.“Then you can join us for dinner Arabella”.“Thank you, ma'am,”, Arabella said, smiling sheepishly. as she went to the dinner table to pull a chair for herself. Not minding that everyone knew she had wanted to stay for dinner.“David come and sit with me”, Arabella said, already helping him to pull a chair close to her.David looked towards Celine but she ignored him, pretending to look elsewhere.He reluctantly accepted Arabella's invitation seeing her smile of triumph, as Celine sat close to his mother.Immediately, Arabella started talking as the food was served.”David, do you remember how we went for a picnic in our third year at college?”She chuckled as David grinned.“Do you remember
They had a lovely time with Celine's father,for the rest of the week.Her father, most times doted on his grandchildren all the time he was home,except when he was at work at his law firm.David gave himself a little break at the office and told the new secretary to handle matters over there.The secretary was doing a great job as he was trained by Arabella,so David was not regretting letting Arabella go anymore.The new secretary was capable of handling matters so swiftly and even more.David had also informed his mother that they would be arriving at the weekend,and Celine had also talked to her,letting her know, she and her grandchildren were fine.At the last day of the week,Celine's leg was better,so they decided to go out to the park and have a good time with the children. The maid also went with them.They strolled around for a bit then sat down under a tree.Whil
"What!" David exclaimed.“How ? When did it happen?”“Am sorry, I didn't know she was going to enter the garden and sit there,you see the garden has been unkempt for sometime and the new gardener comes in after a month," Celine's father said.“Anyway we are in the hospital.”David hung up the phone and his heartbeat accelerated. He couldn't believe Celine was in danger,and was fighting for her life in the hospital.He barely grasped the name of the hospital from his father in-law,all he wanted to do at that moment was to be at his wife's side.He stood up shaking and took his car keys and phone on his desk.As he stepped out, the new secretary that took over from Arabella was at the office besides his own,he quickly asked David what was wrong,seeing David's worried expression.David told him to take care of the office and not to worry.As he drove,he was so lucky tha
David was not himself for some time now,after Celine had left the house with the kids,the house was not the same for him anymore.The night before seemed endless,he tossed and turned until he was sure he had worn a hole in the mattress.Sleep refused to relieve him,he wrestled with his thoughts,his feelings for Celine,his love for his children…..But now,he had to make a decision and that was what he was about to do as he sat in his office.He had already sent for Arabella through the intercom,and was waiting for her to come in.“You sent for me David?” Arabella said as she came inside David's office.“Yes I did,”David said,”please sit down Arabella.”As Arabella sat down,David used just a minute to finish up what he was doing on his laptop.“Arabella,”he said as he raised up his head.“I know what I'm about to say might upset you,but you have to look at the brigh
Celine stood by the pool at her father's house.She watched the water in the pool as it was calm.She wished her life was as calm as the water.She remembered when she came to the house the day before and hugged her father,she couldn't prevent the tears from falling as her father consoled her.She watched later as he doted on his grandchildren before they all went inside the house.Her father had already told his housekeeper to prepare a room for Celine and the children.He made sure they cooked her favourite dish and allowed her to relax well and enjoy the food without asking her any questions.She was surprised because this was the third day and he hasn't said anything to her.“My princess,”Celine turned quickly to the sound of her Dad's voice,he was coming towards her as she stood by the side of the pool.“Father, you shouldn't have come down here to look for
"No mother,I will tell him on the way to my Dad's place.”“Ok,I have no business meddling,my dear it's between you and your husband but please try to sort it out on time,so that the children will not be affected.”“Ok mother I will do that,thank you so much,”Celine said.“Ok my dear,”the baroness said.She followed Celine inside the nursery to say goodbye to her grandkids.She bent and kissed each one of them on their cheeks.“My sweethearts,”she said,smiling at each of them,”I will miss you so much,come back soon ok.”“Don't worry mother,we will be back soon ok.”“Ok my dear,” the baroness said to Celine,"I will take you on your word.”Celine went over to the room and picked her suitcase and the one she packed for the kids.She then went back to meet the maid who was already ready with her own suitcase.They went downstairs and th
Looking at Celine,for a while,David saw that she was serious.He knows that the way he feels and relates with Arabella,others don't do the same as they don't understand their relationship.“But why would you say that Celine,I have never given you any reason to doubt me in handling this matter.”“You know I am not having an affair with Arabella,and I told you I will handle the matter.”“I will also make sure Arabella doesn't come to this house anymore.”“That is what you would always say,but after a while you will see her here again.”Celine said.“I don't know why we are still arguing about this woman? Especially after what she did.”“This woman would not stop till she has you in her life David and I can see that you are trying to make things so easy for her,”Celine said.“I am not making things easy for her Celine,I am just trying to handle this situation in a
David was so embarrassed about what had just happened,he can remember Celine vividly as she warned him against Arabella. It seems he was the only one that trusted Arabella blindly and this was the consequence.He entered the room but couldn't find Celine.He went towards the bathroom door and knocked.“Celine,darling, please come out," he said,"I would like us to talk.”“There is nothing to talk about,” Celine said inside the bathroom,she really didn't want to face him now.“Please darling,I know I have really hurt you by what you saw,” David said.“Please just come out ,so we can talk, my dear,”David said.Celine reluctantly came outside and David wanted to hold her,but she avoided him.“Stay away from me! “David, please don't touch me.”“Why Celine? You are my wife and I have a right to touch you.”“Not after you have committed
Everyone in the room was startled. David was so embarrassed that he didn't know what to say to his mother. Immediately Arabella burst into tears. “What is wrong?” the Baroness asked again. “Why is Arabella crying?” “It's nothing,’’ Celine said," mother,let us go to the living room.” Before the Baroness could turn as she too knew it was an awkward situation, Arabella composed herself quickly and said. “Ma'am,I am sorry for everything but I and David slept together as we were both drunk.” The Baroness stood there in shock,as she heard what Arabella said. “What do you mean Arabella,that is a shameful act and you are bold to tell me to my face!” The baroness looked at David with eyes which were quite disappointed. “Am sorry ma'am,” Arabella said, “please forgive me ma'am
"My God!” She exclaimed loudly.“What is the meaning of this?”The sight she saw was making her more furious as her face was boiling with rage.On the bed she saw Arabella wrapped in David's arms and it looked as if David was holding her also as she laid in his arms.Arabella was looking as if she just woke up from a deep sleep and David was still sleeping.Celine went towards the bed angrily and held David's arm,trying to wake him and pull him out of the bed.“David,”she called,patting him on the shoulders,so he could wake up.“Why don't you leave him to sleep," Arabella said,”you can see he is exhausted after our…..“Shut up!” Celine shouted,as she stretched her hand towards Arabella and slapped her hard on the face.The sound of the slap could be heard in the dark hallway.Arabella fell back on the bed not expecting the slap Celine gave her.