Days passed. Samantha was missing Ethan so much that she eagerly awaited his return on a Thursday.
While inside the kitchen of the First Diamond Hotel, Samantha repeatedly checked the time.
Before Ethan left, he told that a private jet was unavailable, and thus, he and John took a shared flight, booking first class on the way back to Braeton from Laton City.
Killing the time, Samantha kept herself busy, randomly tasting how the chefs have prepared the dishes for their lunch service.
When one of the station chefs, Jane, reported late for her shift, she came into the kitchen mumbling, "Sorry I'm late. There is this big traffic due to fire trucks and ambulances, rushing into the airport. Apparently, there was a flight that crashed on the runway at Braeton airport!"
That immediately shifted Samantha's attention to Jane. She frowned and asked, "A plane crashed at the airport?"
"I don't know the details. I just heard people talk
Friday, 8 AM.Standing on a rocky cliff of Jansu island, a huge mansion made of bricks and closed grilled windows faced the sea.The same estate stood miles away from the nearby, yet nearly deserted town within the island.The mansion was surrounded by security, guarding its isolated estate against unexpected guests. It was utterly the most protected home on Jansu island.Jansu island was known for its rough waves, often flooding the coasts. It resulted in many fishermen to lose their homes that several left the island to search anew. Those who remain lingered the peaks of the island, away from the seas.It was essentially one of the most remote islands in the country and rarely were there boats going in and out of the place.From inside the four-story mansion, a man was looking out his grilled windows, holding up a phone in his hand. He had jet black hair, a well-built body, and tanned skin. He stood abou
The time had finally come. It was the day of the First Diamond Hotel's grand opening. The entire lobby of the hotel was filled with Christmas decors, reminding everyone of the nearing celebration. A huge Christmas Tree stood at the centermost part of the hotel lobby where a sofa was placed in front of it, perfect for families to take a quick picture amidst the beautiful high ceilings of the property and grand chandelier by the entrance. A band was playing Christmas songs in one corner as each of the hotel's valued guests arrived. While Ethan and his parents were busy entertaining the arrival of the Wright Diamond Corporation board of directors, Samantha was claiming it in the kitchen. "Five minutes to serve our sea urchin canapes, everyone. How are we doing?" Samantha called out. "Ten pieces to go chef!" Answered one of her station chefs. She smiled, looking at the scrambled eggs mixed
After the event, Ethan and Amanda took the opportunity to introduce Samantha personally to the rest of his family, his uncle, and some of his cousins. They were all welcoming of Samantha, especially after learning that she was the General's daughter. Samantha could not deny it, being granted back as her father's daughter had its advantages. Ethan's relatives had no questions about her background, merely advocating her skills as a chef and her beautiful face. While Winfield and Samantha still needed more time to heal all the wounds, she was at least happy that they were now trying. Since their reconciliation, Winfield had visited their home once and even fetched the children on one occasion, having lunch at the First Diamond Hotel with her. While Amanda further dragged Samantha to other tables, Ethan asked for private time with the General. It confused Winfield why there was a need to talk with Ethan at ano
Samantha came home one afternoon after hearing from her aunt Diana that her father brought Matilda to their home. Winfield called Samantha several times, but because of her work, she could not answer his calls. He only left her a message, telling her he was leaving for a few days. Arriving at the mansion gardens, Samantha found Matilda with her caregiver, watering the plants with her children and two maids. "Mommy! Grandma Matilda is here!" Announced Kenzie. "Hi, Mommy! You are home early today?" Kyle probed. With a smile, Samantha embraced her children and pecked on each of their cheeks. She told, "I came home early because grandma is here. And today, we have presents to wrap because it's almost Christmas!" "Yey! I want to wrap Daddy's gift!" Kyle happily answered. "And I'll wrap Mommy's and grandma D's and grandma Matilda's gifts!" Kenzie claimed. "You can wrap the other gifts, Kyle." "Ar
4:00 AM at Jansu Island. In the mansion, standing atop of a cliff of Jansu Island, men on guard secured the area, walking back and forth at the estate when out of nowhere, the power went off! "What's going on?" "What happened to the power?" "Turn the emergency power on!" The surrounding men asked each other while some checked on their power lines. It took around ten minutes for the mansion's generator to kick-in, lighting only a portion of the lights outside the home. "What just happened?" "I don't know, but the town also has no power." There were roughly eight guards outside the home. While some guards continue to converse, a few checked the perimeters, making sure there were no intrusions. A man holding a gun across his chest specifically checked the seas and the cliff entrance. When he saw that his colleagues on a speedboat were still doing their rounds half a mile from t
At 5AM in Jansu Island, the skies were still dark. The sun has yet to rise for another half an hour, yet the lights were out again. "What the hell!" One guard exclaimed, noticing the generator was cut off. "What's wrong with the power this time?" With Winfield's men turning off the power, commotion arose from outside the mansion. Blake Taylor's head of security rushed down to the basement, hoping to find out what was the problem. He flashed his lights as he went down the stairs, only to be taken aback, seeing three of his men unconscious, lying down on the floor. "Fuck - Ahhh!" The moment the head of security turned around, silenced shots went to his arms and thighs. He wound up falling down the stairs, tumbling to the ground. While groaning in pain, the man attempted to warn his co-security, "We - we have intruders! We - "Ahhh!" His words were cut off with the gurgling sound of his throat, as the man chocked fr
Winfield sensed his world crumbled after hearing Blake's words. The woman he married as his second wife was apparently responsible for Sarah's disappearance! At that point, all he could think about was hate. He hated himself and the woman who destroyed his family. Deep inside, he wondered, 'How could I ever tell Sarah?' His emotions were conflicted, unable to find the right words to explain himself. For now, all he could do was to ease her pain. He remained to embrace his wife against his chest as she let out all her tears. Right after settling Sarah's emotions, he weakly said, "Sarah, I am sorry. I should - I should have seen through this. This is my fault." Sarah did not answer. After all the crying she did that morning, her heart suddenly turned numb. She could also say the same about her husband. After all, she had long expressed how she did not like how Catherine was clearly attracted to Winfield. H
From inside the military hospital, near the east coast, Winfield was wiping Sarah dry after she had taken a shower in the morning. Winfield had Sarah's body and blood checked before they would leave for Braeton, wanting to be sure there was no serious problem with his wife, having been locked up for so many years. Fortunately, despite the wrong Blake had done, he took care of Sarah well.She was healthy and apparently had regularly been checked by a visiting doctor. As Winfield helped her put on a new dress, he said with his voice breaking in and out, "There. You - you look lovely." Sarah was silent the whole time. She had been since she left Jansu lsland, merely speaking when she needed something like food or water. Looking up to Winfield, she probed with her wistful eyes, "Is it true that you married Catherine?" The question resulted in Winfield swallowing down his own spew. His eyes fluttered as he answered, "