Sly recovered from his shock and mumbled the only words that came to play. "Let's talk about this in person, not on the phone," his tone was heavy as he cast a glance in Monica's direction and hung up the phone immediately.
"Let's begin the tour," he announced and immediately stood up and stretched his hand towards Monica. She took it hesitantly and stood up as Sly led her out of the dining to the living room. "You already know where this is. The space is quite huge, which is why we have a dual setup," he explained.
"During indoor parties, we can entertain different guests simultaneously," he added. Monica admired the designer's choice of leather for the furniture. Everything had a white theme. Sly led her down the stairs to the garage.
"This is the underground garage. It has twenty cars so far but can take at least forty," Sly explained casually. There was no arrogance in his tone. It was more like explaining the different tastes of vegetables.
Monica gawMonica was flustered. Even so, Sly was momentous and she feared any kind of argument between them. Slowly, she unbuttoned the shirt, loosely allowing it to fall, exposing a lip-licking gorgeous bikini. Her face was so heated she couldn't look up. She didn't know what he was thinking or what he would do, significantly feeling his heated gaze on her and stood frozen for five seconds. "Put on the shirt and let's go," he muttered, turning to leaveWithin the swift of the wind, Monica had put the shirt back on, sighing relieved. She lifted her head in time to catch a smirk in the corner of Sly's mouth but it seemed to be gone the instant she caught it. She trod after him through the living room to the stairs, leading to a door."This is the gym. I do work out a lot at dawn. You are usually asleep then," he pointed out, making Monica uncomfortable. Yes, she loved to sleep but most probably because there wasn't much to do. Yet, hearing Sly blurt it out, was a ringing alarm on h
His face was inches from hers, his breath fanning her face. His eyes were dark with lust. He was serious and she knew he meant his words. She couldn't risk losing her first kiss in a contract marriage."Next question," she said, sinking into the water and swimming away. The corners of Sly's lips curled upward. He swam after her, catching on and caging between the stair rails. He smirked, "Good girl. Tell me, what is your passion? What do you want to be in the future." He was so close, Monica felt uneasy and shifted her gaze."One year of my future is already decided so my plan after that is to venture into the Finance and accounting field. I enjoyed finance and accounting in school and I know I would enjoy working with it but my passion is to learn more about electronics and build a business around it."Sly never expected to have such a detailed outline of her passion from her and instantly, he felt something he never felt for any woman - Admiration. With the se
Monica had never thought about a situation like that. She never thought of a plan to safeguard herself in that direction. Her silence was a clear indication that her father was right. She was too naive for someone as experienced as Sly. He has shown her so much kindness and care, which naturally makes her like him but what if there was more to it? Since she didn't have an answer to the question, she wisely kept mute.********At the Del family car park, Sly was sitting at the driver's seat of his car, in a heated argument with his father. He did not have the slightest idea about how his father heard about the news, since the media had been cleared. However, upon careful analysis, someone at the event had relayed every information to him. Mr. Del was both worried and enraged. He just hoped that Sly wouldn't be hurt for the second time."Who is she Sly?" His father's baritone voice rang from the end of the line.Sly was unfazed. He was pushed to the hole an
The drive home was in complete silence, both sides engrossed in thought and not noticing the other's disenchantment. Sly, who has been a critical thinker and always thought through everything, missed a vital part of his plan. How could he have envisioned pregnancy when everything was a contract?Nonetheless, it wasn't easy to fool the real world. They would be expecting an heir real soon. For the first time, he didn't know how to get around this part of the contract. Despite everything, he decided not to think too much into it. After all, he still had over five months before his family's arrival.******Monica woke up to Sly's banging on the door. For the first time, she set an alarm to sleep yet, the alarm hadn't sounded but when she saw Sly in workout clothes, the grogginess in her eyes instantly dissipated."Meet me at the gym in five minutes," Sly commanded before he exited her room. He did it on purpose to avoid any kind of argument. Monica was having a
"Love? are you insane? This is purely business okay?" Monica was blushing at her own words. She remembered vividly the first time they met. He told her she was plain and there was no way he would be attracted to her. Coupled with her parents' advice, she had blocked the slightest chance of entertaining the fact that Sly would ever love her."Oh is it? Don't you feel your stomach giddy when he comes around or your heart racing when he comes close to you?" Gertrude would not relent.Monica felt she was going to have a heart attack with Gertrude's ceaseless questions and decided to find a way of escape."Come on, my heart races whenever I am around strangers so it isn't strange to feel that way around him. Anyway, your big mouth tells me that you are fine. I should call him to come and take me home.""Hold on, he came to drop you off?" Gertrude's voice was laced with shock, her eyes almost popping out of their socket. Monica was smart academically but completely naive
After confessing his true state of mind, Sly bid James farewell, leaving the latter dumbfounded at the cafe. He drove back to Gertrude's house to pick up Monica.Gertrude watched the couple from her window upstairs, her mind buried in worry concerning her friend. Monica sat at the passenger seat, her mood culpable. Sly noticed the shift and offhandedly asked,"How did it go?"Monica sighed. "It was good. She just had..." Monica wanted to tell Sly about Gertrude's breakup but remembering how he warned her against matters of love, she thought against it."She just had what?" Sly asked, noticing her uncompleted statement.Monica forced a smile, "Never mind. It's just girls' talk. Nothing to worry about."Sly wasn't convinced. "You don't expect me to believe that. Come on, tell me," Sly's tone was relaxed and stimulating. Monica almost gave in."It's not something you would like to hear but can I ask you something?"Sly shrugge
Monica stood frozen at the spot, her mind drifted to the first time Sly threatened to kiss her. 'Does it mean he would have done it if I had given him the chance?' She thought against it. Maybe, she didn't hear him well enough.While Monica struggled with her notions, Sly thought was in a completely different light. Silence means consent. To him, her silence meant she had granted him the necessary permission, and therefore, without asking the second time, he plastered his lips on hers.An incredible sensation of pleasure, stirred with warmth and lust, spiraled Monica, as Sly's tongue explored her opened shocked mouth. She was yet to realize that even her eyes were opened wide in shock as Sly continued to inflict this strange sweet pleasure on her lips. However, realization kicked in, as she pulled away, just as her palms landed hardly on Sly's cheek.SlapNow, it was Sly's turn to be shocked. No person; male or female, has ever slapped him before. The wor
"What do you mean by you will not let me out of your sight? I am here to work, remember?" Monica couldn't help asking. After what happened this morning, she planned on staying away from Sly the best she could but being in the same office for one week, she never estimated such a predicament. To her, being close to Sly was just like dropping sugar into an ants hill. He would not relent.To her comfort, Sly had a completely different agenda. While her thoughts went disband, he was composed and calculated."What is going on in that brain of yours? Do you think I'm going to take advantage of you in my office? Then, you are mistaken. One thing you have to know about me is that I don't mix business with pleasure. I just want to train you," his voice was serious and she instantly understood the tone. Whichever way, she couldn't prevent the weight of embarrassment now laying loosely on her."Train me in what?" she said sheepishly. Sly beckoned her to sit, as he sat di
"What is going on," Sly asked as soon as James ended the call. Somehow, he felt it concerned Monica therefore, his heart rate increased, his brow creased into a frown. The guests were beginning to murmur in displeasure and Dickson was taking care of the media, his friends trying to put up a show to calm the guests. "You will have to stand firm for what I’m about to tell you." James thoughtfully said, increasing Sly's frustration. "Tell me anything. Did Monica elope?" Sly asked of the worst. "No. Claudia scratched her face, and it's quite terrible. She held a gun to Monica's head when I got there but everything is under control and they are in police custody at the moment," James encouraged but Sly was so furious, he almost walked out to meet Claudia. "Make sure that she never leaves jail alive," he commanded. His voice was dangerously cold, even James feared. All Sly wanted was for Monica to be happy, therefore, it ached his heart that she had to go through this, right under his pro
"Sly, we met again. Isn't it wonderful?" Claudia was delighted to meet Sly again after a decade. From the last time she saw him, he was still attractive but more matured. He was still every woman's dream. He still walked as if he ruled the world. Claudia missed the time when she was the most important person in his life. Sly, on the other hand, was rather peaceful. He always thought that seeing Claudia again will make him angry but he was rather grateful. He understood that he wouldn't have had Monica if Claudia didn't leave him therefore, he shook his head and turned to leave. "Wait! Look, I'm sorry for everything. It wasn't my fault. Your mother paid me but if you want..." Sly walked away without a word before Claudia finished speaking. To him, it was a waste of time. Filled with envy and jealousy, she barged into Monica's room. Monica was waiting for Alisha and the girls to return. She held her gown admiringly, seemingly not able to wait to walk down the aisle. She th
Monica was vanquished with all the wedding preparations ongoing. For Sly’s surprise to be perfect, he put his pride aside and called Ben, interrupting his wonderful moment with Serena. Ben was astonished when he heard Sly’s voice on the line. "This is Sylvester Norman, can we talk?"Whichever way, he didn't hide his shock. "I must say it's a pleasant surprise but why not?" Ben responded, not taking his eyes off Serena."Great. I’m organizing a surprise for Monica and I want all her friends around. Our wedding would not be complete without you," Sly waited for Ben's next response. Ben was in good spirits and Sly has been in his good books since the mega proposal therefore, he said, "Who said I was going to miss your wedding? Even without an invitation, I would have still made an appearance whether you liked it or not."Sly's lips thinned into a smile, "Thank you then." He was about to end the call when Ben spoke, "if you must k
Thanks to Sly’s big surprise, news travelled around the world through the media. Of course, not everyone was happy for them, especially Sly’s whores but there were equally genuinely excited people, even when the news travelled to Atlanta Georgia. When Ben watched the whole thing on national television, tears formed in the corners of his eyes but fortunately, they were happy tears. He felt that Monica deserved to be honoured for all she faced with Sly and Veronica and even Dickson. Therefore, he internally admired Sly for this action. Still, he wanted to share the news with someone. Serena had taken the day off to take care of Jackie since her mother had travelled to another state. He knew that Serena must have not heard the news and called to inform her. Unfortunately, Serena didn’t answer the call after five dials. Naturally, Ben grew impatient and decided to drive over to her house. Before he got to her gate, a white Hyundai Elantra drove out at top speed. He felt
Sly and Monica retired to bed later than imagined because of the party. However, Sly woke up quite early to prepare for work. His movements woke Monica, who followed suit. Sly chose Monica's attire for the day and made her choose his. Things were almost perfect. When they went to the dining room, Sly made sure to feed her and fed on her leftovers. Mr Brown could neither hide nor wipe his smile. His eyes were cloudy with happy tears, seeing the couple in that way. When they got to the car, Sly opened the door, buckled Monica before he sat in the driver's side. He didn't want any third party. He treated her with so much care as if she was fragile and would break. He adored her. Monica couldn't stop blushing. Her heart was warmed. She was surprised that Kyle managed Norman Holdings in their absence when they arrived in the office. He was waiting for them to hand over his report before he left. "Welcome back. I prepared a report on everything and invited t
Monica's heart leapt with joy. She felt as if she was dreaming. She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw her mom and dad in the villa. They were equally excited to see her, pulling her into a warm embrace. Sly had called Christiana to arrange a surprise party for Monica with the help of Dickson before he left Atlanta for Dubai with Monica. He recalled that everyone at home had seen Meg when she came; therefore, he wanted them to know that Monica was the only woman for him. Not only Monica's parents were there but Mr Herbert Norman and Veronica had arrived as well. Dickson had taken over the entertainment bit with his friends after inviting Gertrude over. The music wasn't too loud, it was easy to communicate among themselves. Kyle was there and so was Elsie but the person Sly wanted to see was James, who had made sure to bring Barbara along since she was now in her second trimester and much more energetic. This was a reunion Monica never imagined and it brought happy tears
In Atlanta. "Uncle Ben," Jackie's anxious voice echoed through the room when he saw Ben's sleeping form on the couch. Ben hadn't slept in the guest room as Serena had suggested. He felt like keeping watch, just in case Monica returned. Jackie was excited because he liked Ben so much and anytime Ben visited in the past, he spent time playing with him as well. Ben groggily woke up, his eyes foggy at the energetic boy standing before him with a ball in hand, "Hey little man," he uttered in his deep velvety voice. "When did you get back and where is Auntie Monica? She isn't in her room and so is Auntie Elsie. Auntie Monica promised to take me to the park," Jackie rattled all at once. The last time he recalled, Ben was there to take Monica out to dinner so it was natural for him to expect Ben to return with his Auntie. However, Ben turned gloomy, regret and pain, beginning to wash over him all at once, "don't worry, little man, I will take you to the p
Monica gawked at the calm turquoise waters through the glass in amazement. She rubbed her eyes in unbelief. It couldn't be. She looked around eagerly for Sly but he wasn't there. She also realized that she wasn't in the dress she wore last night and recalled Sly saying he was going to rip it off her. Sly's fragrance was so strong around her. Reality revealed that she was wearing his shirt. She had mixed feelings of excitement, anger and rage. Suddenly, she thought that perhaps, it was a dream. Her two fingers grabbed a tiny bit of her skin, pressed in between them. A loud yelp eluded her, "ouch!" "Are you alright?" Sly's deep voice rang behind her. She turned to meet his concerned gaze. He dropped a tray of food on the nightstand table, the aroma of the food causing Monica's stomach to hum. "Is this real? I just pinched myself to see if I was dreaming." Sly forced a smile, Monica's frail form in his oversized shirt on her made him guilty. The fact that she withered r
Sly arrived at the jet hanger. A sense of accomplishment caressing him. Nonetheless, he was concerned about how Monica would react when she woke up. Still, he was determined to make it work and to never let her out of his sight again. Another jet arrived and James was waiting on Sly's instructions. When it didn't come, he dialled his number. "We have to go Sly," he said as soon as Sly answered the call. Sly had just finished tucking Monica in bed in the private jet. He thoughtfully said, "no, you take the other jet with the boys and don't leave Elsie behind." James couldn't understand the abrupt change of plans, "What about you?" "I have to go somewhere," Sly reiterated. Worry laced his tone. "Please Sly, I have to know. "James was wagging in another confusion. "It's nothing James, trust me. We're just going for a little vacation in Dubai." James was washed in solace. He agreed that it was best for the pair to take some t