Chloe stood in the foyer of her family's mansion, her phone held in her hands as she stared down at the message she had received from Diana a few minutes ago.Taken it back. Chloe's grinned at the thought, image of the beautiful necklace visualizing in her head and nearly making her drool. Quickly, she typed her response.She waited for the reply and it was a short while later that a response came in.After Diana's final message, the conversation ended and Chloe placed her phone into her pocket.Now all that was left, was to wait.And just as she turned around to walk away, she not
If there was one name that always stood out beside Zacharie LaCroix's name, it was Richard Harris.One could almost compare him to Zacharie. He was the image of a perfect CEO running a company with the net worth of billions of dollars.Much like Zacharie, His name was always on billboards magazine and even got trending social topics, and much like Zacharie, his personal life was shrouded in mystery.And now, seeing the infamous business man standing right in front of her, deep brown eyes glaring down at her, Amelie couldn't help but feel shaken.But she wasn't going to back down just because of his intimidating aura, after all, if she had been capable of standing her ground when it came to Zacharie, then he was nothing."Yes," She responded. "I was the one who requested you come and pick Josie up yourself."Richard raised a brow, silently questioning her reason for doing so.Amelie understood the look on his face and quickly explained. She began softly and respectfully."I'm sorry for
Odette had just finished with her day at on the set and returned home when her phone suddenly dinged with a text message.As she slumped down into her comfort chair, maid handing her a cup of cold juice and a few scones to wet her appetite, she turned on her phone and clicked on the message that had entered.Her brows creased ever so slightly when she recognized the number that had sent the text.It was him. The same person who had been helping her since day one. The same person who had the same goal as she did.It was Odd, he usually didn't text her over trivial things and she only ever texted him when they needed to get something done that could aid the success of their plan.So, the fact that he was texting her right now, could only mean one thing.And indeed, her predictions were right.The message read.She typed back, taking a bite of her scone and waiting for his response.Not more than a second later, her phone dinged with his
'I wonder if I'm being played?' Amelie questioned silently as she looked at Zacharie.For some reason, a strange aura was radiating off the man, an aura that she couldn't decipher no matter how hard she tried.The silence continued, the two adults not saying a word, and just as the tension in the air began to grow unbearable, Zacharie's phone suddenly vibrated and the sound of the ringtone cut through the thick air.With a soft sigh, Zacharie reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, the screen light shining brightly, and read the message on the notification bar.He read the message from his grandmother and couldn't help but sigh.Rather than responding, he tucked the phone into his pocket and signaled for Eric to drive towards the location he had told the *ssistant of in the first place.As the car moved, the sound of the engine and the hum of the tires filling the air, Zacharie glanced at the woma
The place before Amelie was like some sort of underground, or better still, above, secret, shady casino.There were slot machines, poker, black jack and roulette tables, bars and restaurants, even a pool table, all of which were filled with people, most of them in expensive attire, others in suits and ties and even the occasional casual wear.It was like a while new world for the rich."What...what is this place?" Amelie breathed out, eyes still roaming the entire room, or at least the parts of the huge room that she could catch sight of, while still standing behind Zacharie.Zacharie chuckled quietly at her expression. She looked both amused and confused."Wouldn't you like to know." He said just as one the host approached them.Bowing his heading in greeting, he said. "Mr. LaCroix, I'm glad to see that you'd be joining us this evening." He then turned his attention to Amelie.For the first few seconds, he was slightly stunned to see that Zacharie had brought someone along with him.
~One Week Ago.~Zacharie was seating in the comfort of his office chair, tablet pen held tightly in-between his fingers as he finished up the completing touches for their new brand design, that the advertisement team had presented to him, when the sound of someone knocking gently on his door reached his ears.Without looking away from the work at hand, he called. "Come in."The door opened shortly after and Eric walked in, closing the door behind him before walking all the way to Zacharie's table."Mr. LaCroix," He greeted with a bow. "The report from last night just arrived." He said and whipped out a small envelope from his pocket, gently p*ssing it to Zacharie, who stopped his work almost instantly to receive it.In seconds he had torn away the brown envelope and began reading the contents, and after a few seconds, he silently chuckled, placing the letter face down on his desk."Doctor Arnaud sure doesn't taste time." He mused."It seems so." Eric answered.Zacharie adverted his ga
"A...a favor?" Damien asked.Amelie smiled and nodded her head, gesturing with her fingers for the man to come closer. "Yes. A favor, right now and here, I'll pay off all that man's debt and interest, under one condition. Are you game?"Hearing her words, Damien fidgeted with his fingers, looking between Amelie, Fernando who was downstairs wasting his life away and racking up more bills and finally Zacharie who was staring at him quietly yet intimidatingly.There's was no way he could reject. And he didn't see any need to. It was a win situation for him and he wasn't going to p*ss on the golden opportunity.Stepping closer like Amelie had suggested, he finally spoke out. "I agree. What's your condition."** ** **A few minutes had p*ssed before Damien stepped out of their private floor. Amelie watched him stepping out before tucking her phone into her blazer pocket.That was one fish taken care of. She thought, turning her attention to Fernando who had moved from one table to another,
"Thank you for bringing me back to the hospital, once again." Amelie said as she bowed her head at Zacharie after stepping out of his car."It was no problem." Zacharie responded indifferently.Ever since their talk at the restaurant, Amelie had noticed that he had barely talked much to her nor teased her. At times, he even refused to meet her gaze. She knew this was none of her business, hell she shouldn't even care if he was behaving this way, yet she couldn't help but feel disturbed somehow."If that's all, I'll take my leave now." Zacharie said and Amelie quickly reached out, her hand holding onto the edge of his sleeve."Wait.""What is it?" He asked, his voice cold."Did I... did I do something wrong today?" She asked, her expression worried.Zacharie paused, his eyes staring blankly at her before looking away.Her eyes twitched."You did nothing wrong." Zacharie responded, prying his hand free from her hold. "I have other things to take care of, so I'll be on my way now."He st
Florida was a place more comfortable than Amelie could have expected. It had sunny beaches and humble neighbors and fresh air.Although it could not hold a candle when being compared to the beauty of Paris, she was growing to love it here and it was growing on her children as much as it was growing on her.Two years, Amelie and the twins has been living in Florida for the past two years, and in these two years, she had managed to find a job and earn a lot of money and even opened her own hospital.The children were enrolled in a private elementary school each in their final years of elementary and they were having a blast.It was perfect and Amelie couldn't be more happier.At least, that's what she wanted to believe.She had a feeling her happiness was yet to come, but for now, this would have to do."Mommy, when's dinner?" Miguel asked as he stepped into the living area, Marco following closely behind.Marco was the German shepherd they had adopted upon moving to Florida. Amelie had
The week following the whole disastrous event was unnaturally peaceful.Amelie didn't complain as it gave her enough time to secretly look for a new place for she and the twins without them knowing anything about it and it also gave her enough time to gather her things and once again, secretly some of their.The reason why she was doing things in secret from them was because the last time they had moved from England back to France, the twins had thrown a fit, refusing to leave after just settling down perfectly in their new school.And right now, it was a silly case of Deja Vu.“Not gonna go around and say your farewells." Florence asked as she slipped Into Amelie office while she was packing the last of her things."I'd rather not." Amelie replied, glancing around."Well, at least bid me goodbye." Florence said and opened her arm for a hug.Amelie chuckled and went in, encasing the younger female in a p*ssionate hug for a few seconds before dressing back."You'll make an amazing team
Amelie arrived home later than day with a puffy face and red eyes.The lights were off and the house was quiet.It was obvious that Miguel and Michelle were fast asleep. Gently tip toeing over to their room, she cracked the door open slightly and stepped inside, seating at the edge of their bed and stroking their head gently, not wanting to wake them."Michelle, Miguel, mommy won't be able to make your wish come true. You won't be able to have Zacharie LaCroix as your new daddy." She whispered."Mommy will be the only one to be there for you from now on." She promised, the words leaving a sour taste in her mouth.She didn't want to be the only one, she wanted Miguel and Michelle to have a happy family. Just like the dream she had of them all being in one big happy house."I'm sorry, guys."As she apologized, a tear rolled down her cheek and landed on the bedsheet, staining the fabric.Wiping the remaining tears, Amelie leaned forward and kissed her children's forehead, smiling slightl
Zacharie was stunned to hear what she was saying.Eight years ago?He had forced himself on her? Had they met the first time back in the scan room?That didn’t make sense.He hadn’t even been in any woman ever since that night and that woman had committed suicide, had she not?“what the h*ll are you talking about, Amelie?” He finally asked, his brows deepen in confusion.“Don’t play innocent with me, Zacharie. I saw the tape. I know it was you.” She said, taking a step forward and jabbing her index finger into his chest.Zacharie’s eye twitched and he grabbed her hand. “Look, I don’t know what kind of nonsense you’re spewing, I haven’t slept with any woman in eight years, not even Odette.”“Liar.” She sneered and ripped her hand out of his grip. “You’re a lying scumbag. I’m not the only one that knows the truth.”“The truth?”“That you tainted an innocent girl, Zacharie. That night, I begged you to stop. I knew nothing of my step mother and sister’s plot and I begged you, I tried reas
"Zacharie LaCroix." Amelie uttered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Zacharie LaCroix..."As the video continued, and showed the two of them leaving the hotel, Amelie remained speechless, her mind a mess and her body unmoving.Her thoughts were jumbled and she felt the need to throw up.How could she not have seen it?It was obvious from the beginning.Now that she thought hard about it, Miguel was similar to Zacharie in some ways. The mole underneath his eyes, the same eye colors and even Michelle had some similarities to him.They both shared the same blood diseases.Like father like daughter.Just the thought of that alone almost made Amelie throw up."Oh my God." She breathed, finally standing up.Her legs were shaking, her hands trembling and she was sure her heart was beating fast."Calm down." She whispered to herself. "Calm down, it's not real. There has to be an explanation for all of this." She re*ssured herself and stood up, stumbling ever so slightly in her steps and nea
Zacharie kept true to his words, because two days after the entire incident, he showed up at the hospital, ready to begin or at least finalize the procedure of his new treatment plan."So, how is this going to work?" Zacharie asked, leaning back in the chair as he stared at Amelie."Well, the plan is very simple and straightforward, and very easy to execute." Amelie explained. "We'll have you come here and inject a serum I will prepare. This will be a one time process and will only last about thirty minutes.""One time?""Yes." She confirmed. "The serum is simply to cleanse your inner system. After that, a blood transfusion would follow.""I see. And then?""After the transfusion, there will be a period of recovery and rehabilitation, but it's not really necessary. We can skip that step. I'll provide you with some tablets that will help with the process and that will be all." She concluded."However, there is just one problem.""What is it?" Zacharie asked, sensing the worry in her vo
"This is all your fault." Odette accused, turning to glare at Amelie. "I hope you're happy now. You ruined everything. Not only did you cost me my engagement, you also had the guts to show up in such a revealing dress and try to seduce my fiance. What a shameful b*tch.""Odette that's enough!" Zacharie fiercely demanded. "Haven't you done enough?""You're right. I have. And I'm sorry. It was just... vitamins I slipped in. I went to the doctors the other day and they recommended some vitamins for you. But I knew you wouldn't take anything that has not been prescribed by your doctor so I tried to slip it in. I'm really sorry." Odette begged."Just vitamins, huh?" Zacharie asked and snapped his finger. Instantly, Eric appeared with the gl*ss of wine and handed it to Zacharie. "If you say so, then drink it.""W-what?""Drink it." Zacharie repeated."I-""I'm sure there's no harm if it's just a few vitamins.""Zach, are you kidding? It's a full gl*ss.""It is. But if it's just vitamins, li
"This drink is contaminated?" Zacharie questioned. "What do you mean by that?""Well the thing is..." Amelie began, looking like she was hesitant to speak. "The thing is..."Before she could complete her word this time around, Odette quickly took her hand and dragged her away."What are you doing? Let go." Amelie demanded, trying to pull her hand free.Odette did not comply until they were separated from the crowd, standing someplace near the balcony."What are you doing?" Amelie asked once more."I could say the same for you." Odette challenged, folding her hand over her chest."What?" Amelie blinked twice, not understanding."Why did you say that the drink is contaminated? What's your purpose for lying?""I didn't lie." Amelie retorted, clearly remembering what she has seen when she stepped out of the balcony.Odette had dropped something into the wine gl*ss, and although Amelie couldn't figure out what exactly it was, she wasn't about to just let Zacharie drink whatever concoction
Over the weekend and until she was discharged, Amelie continuously told herself not to misunderstand Zacharie's words.He had only said all that in a bid to calm the rowdy twins down and it meant nothing.She continued to tell herself that, dissuading both her heart and head from growing any sort of attachment to the words that meant nothing. That reality however, was smacked even harder in her face as the day she got discharged and went home, she was met with an invitation letter from Odette.Her birthday was tomorrow and Zacharie was holding a banquet for her and she had been invited.Staring at the letter in her hand, Amelie felt sore. She had nearly forgotten the fact that Zacharie had a fiancée who loved him very much.Not only that, she was pretty and kind and everything in all that could make a perfect wife. Unlike her, an already spoilt product.Amelie gritted her teeth at the comparison. Why was it angering her so much?Why did it have to do with her if Odette was a perfect w