CHAPTER 20: YOU ARE A GREAT MUM."Here, have this." Evelyn passed a beverage to Kira."Thanks. " Kira appreciated it. It was Friday night for them to enjoy themselves. Kira was having a sleepover at Evelyn's place. That was what she was getting used to."Living alone is one big hell of a ride," Kira said as she popped the drink openly."Don't tell me about it. I experienced it for a while before giving birth." Evelyn replied and took a sip from her drink. Her friend simply smiled."So how are you coping at work?" Kira asked."I am coping well. The workers are nice…""And your boss? I have never really seen him at all so I don't know what he looks like. Is he handsome? Is he that dream guy that we would always talk about when we were teenagers?"Evelyn smiled and remembered Raphael's distinctive features that got her red like a tomato."Are you blushing? Wait…you are blushing, what the f*ck? You are blushing about your boss…""What? No, you totally got it wrong. I was just having a ran
CHAPTER 21: HEARTBEAT.Evelyn arrived at the company the next Monday morning after dropping Tom off at school. She wasn't late this time around so she wasn't much in a hurry until she bumped into Vegas again that morning."I am sorry…oh, Mr. Vegas, Good morning." She greeted him swiftly."Good morning, Miss Evelyn. You seem to be in a rush." Vegas commented and put on a charming smile but Evelyn looked away and breathed in the fresh air. The air had suddenly become suffocating for her.She wasn't in a rush before but now, she suddenly wished to be Barry Allen, the fastest person alive."Yes, since you know that sir then I will love to take my leave."As Jeremy was about to take the elevator upstairs, he sighted the two of them. He couldn't figure out what exactly they were talking about but seeing the way Vegas was smiling, it seemed as if he was flirting with her. He wasn't privileged to catch a glimpse of Evelyn's reaction or else, it would have been fun to watch."Goodness, Mr. Veg
CHAPTER 22: STEPSISTER.Evelyn held Tom's hand as they walked around the things meant for sale inside the big supermarket. He kept on bickering with her about some specific cartoon characters. She wasn't in the mood to fight back, instead, she pats his back and nodded whenever he asked 'Am I right, mum?'. That was his characteristic.As they kept walking, Evelyn saw her stepsister from afar and she immediately paused in her walking. Tom had no idea what had made her pause, he thought that she was going through the commodities on display so he cared less. Evelyn looked at her son and then at her sister who seemed to be parading the whole place with her head raised high with pride.Evelyn licked her dry lips and was about to turn around just to prevent her from seeing them but luck was not on her side this evening as Ruby caught a glimpse of someone that looked so much like her sister."Excuse me?" She called out and rushed to meet the person. Evelyn's hand turned sweaty and she had pro
CHAPTER 23: I SAW HER.Later in the evening, the whole family of Hezekiah was relaxing after they had had their dinner. The sitting room wasn't lively nor was it stiff but one wouldn't want to feel comfortable there.Johnson Hezekiah was cupping his chin with his palms, his face was dull. Anyone who might have entered the sitting room at that moment would have seen that the famous Johnson was now a shadow of himself. His sunken eyes were glued onto the television that kept rambling about some business officials.For the past months, his business had automatically gone down the grave. The business shareholders were all withdrawing themselves from the business, he tried his best to keep everything under his control so that things wouldn't leak out but…it just went, poof.Johnson sighed and rubbed his face in depression. His money was all going down the drain, his eyes darted toward the woman he called his wife, Jessica. She was busy watching him too.Jessica had been trying her best to
CHAPTER 24: SICK.Outside a luxurious building, around the swimming pool arena were two seats beautifully decorated to sit on them. The full lights were on and it only beautified the whole outta area.On the two seats were Erica and a particularly fair young man. They were sitting opposite each other and were immensely into the current discussion.The young man was wearing a bathrobe and his hair was wet, signifying that he came out of the swimming not too long to discuss with Erica."I see no reason why you ought to swim tonight," Erica commented."That's because you are far from being me. This is the time I wished to and I did." The man replied."My dear cousin Vincent is smart and knows how to play with words," Erica said with a daring smile."And that's why you will always be behind me.""Don't be so sure of yourself." Erica chuckled and they clicked their glasses together before pronouncing the word CHEERS to each other. They took a light sip.Erica exchanged the position of her
CHAPTER 25. MR RAPHAEL?The doorbell of Evelyn's apartment kept ringing repeatedly and all she wanted to do at that moment was to curse at whoever was disturbing her peace. She pushed herself from the chair and walked like a drunkard to open the door without trying to look at who it was. Well, she had it in mind that it was Kira but on opening the door…"Hey, Ki…Mr. Raphael?" Her eyes widened and her first instinct was to slam the door against his face which she did automatically. She leaned against it as her heart skipped a beat. She wasn't expecting him at her doorstep looking all enticing…what the hell was she thinking of in this situation?Raphael, who was standing in front of the door, rubbed his creased forehead. Was she taken by surprise? He knocked gently on the door."Miss Evelyn, you are keeping me waiting." He said and a few minutes later, the door was opened and Evelyn poked her head out before stepping out of the house, closing the door quickly. She puts on a smile on her
CHAPTER 26: TRY TO MAKE IT WORK.Raphael managed to calm her down in the meantime. Evelyn continued trembling, nevertheless, she was still clinging to him."What is it, Evelyn? Did you have a bad dream?" He asked softly while she nodded in response."Do you want to tell me what it is all about?" He continued asking. Evelyn looked up at him from the corner of his body that she had hidden her face in. Was this appropriate in the first place? But right now, she just wanted to bear her mind to someone. Evelyn sniffed and proceeded in answering the question."I had a dream about someone snatching my son from me. It was so scary and it…it isn't my first time dreaming about this. Ever since I arrived back here, I have been having multiple scary dreams about my son and I am scared, Raphael…I am really scared…I can't live without my son…he is my life, I just can't." She said and burst into tears again.Raphael wondered what type of luck he had this time around. On one hand, he was trying so ha
CHAPTER 27: A PUNCH.Erica's car's door was opened for her by one of the security men in the compound that actually belonged to her Uncle. Because of the type of jobs that he was into, the security was tightened and none of the men were smiling. They bowed to greet her as she walked into the mansion.Her heels clicked against the tiled floor with confidence as she walked past the workers. A man dressed in a black suit and fully armed met up with her."Where is my uncle?" She asked fiercely."In the private office." He replied and she left for the place.The man stared at her intently as she walked in a huge stride towards the private office. She was the princess of the family and received so much love from her uncle. There were some mysteries about her coming around to the public a few years back. No one knew that Shaft had a niece until recently when she popped out of nowhere in the last few years and made a name for herself with the help of her uncle.She met up to the beauty standa
CHAPTER 80: THE END; WILD NIGHT.Evelyn finished showering. She was in Raphael's penthouse and Tom insisted on staying at Kira's place. She didn't know if that was willingly or if he was bribed to stay. She looked at the lingerie that Kira had insisted that she buy for Raphael's sake. She still remembered the conversation they had."Don't you think he will see me as being cheap?" She asked as she ransacked her hands through the lingerie."See as cheap? What? No, he even knows how hard he had to work just to get you so you ain't cheap my dear.""But it still feels kind of thrilling.""Have you two kissed?" Kira whispered."Yeah," Evelyn replied."Don't you feel like moving forward a bit?" Evelyn blushed and hit her friend with the lingerie before walking away."Fine then, I will buy it."Raphael came into the room with his phone in his hand when Evelyn released the bathrobe she was wearing. It was such perfect timing."Evelyn, do you…what the hell?" His eyes widened. His eyes slowly ate
CHAPTER 79: THE TRUTH.Michael opened his eyes to the deafening sound of the machine that didn't seem prepared to want to stop anytime soon. He sighed and tried moving his hand but it was painful for him, he couldn't move his legs either. He tried hard to remember what had happened the night before but his memories were hazy for him.Then his head snapped to the television in front of him, the picture of Raphael was there and his eyes opened clearly as he tried his best to listen."The second son of the Theophilus family, Raphael Theophilus has been confirmed to be the solidified owner of the new mega-company, Exclusive North Star [ENS]. The news came as a shock to everyone when this was announced and along with the news of his company was the information of his called-off engagement with the A-list actress, Erica.Not many know the reason why this came up but the Billionaire made mention of sticking to his family and being responsible as a father and loving husband alongside being th
CHAPTER 78: IT'S ALL COMING DOWN TONIGHT [3].Evelyn put down the bowl of noodles for Tom who grabbed it and started eating. She smiled and went to the sitting room. There wasn't much to do, it felt as if she was living life on repeat for the past few months. Before she could take a spoon, the doorbell rang and it made her pause, wondering who it was. Kira would have called to inform her of her coming if it was her so who could it be?Tom stared at the door for a while, and so did his mother before she eventually stood up to answer it. When she opened the door, she was faced with the biggest surprise ever. Raphael was standing right in front of her, holding a box that she assumed was filled with pizza and maybe something else."Raphael." She whispered and he smiled. Tom stood up and came to their side. His eyes widened when he saw him and instantly cried out."Daddy."Raphael put down the box and lifted the happy Tom, he used this opportunity to enter the house without being asked to.
CHAPTER 77: IT'S ALL COMING DOWN TONIGHT [2]Erica closed the door to her room and smiled as she strolled towards Raphael with a huge smile on her face, wondering why he called her privately but whatever it was, she was sure that it would make her happy."So, what is the important thing you have for me? Our engagement is just a few days away and I think it's gonna be special."Raphael yawned and nodded, "Call off the engagement."The smile on her face was wiped off completely when she heard this. She instantly put on a frown."What do you mean by calling off the engagement? I don't understand.""I believe that I am speaking the official language of the country correctly. CALL OFF THE ENGAGEMENT. Even a kid in basic class understands what I am saying.""Well, I don't. How can you just tell me to call off my engagement with you? It's impossible! Did I do something wrong, Raphael? I will apologize. I will change any bad habit of mine but please, don't make me call off the engagement.""T
CHAPTER 76: IT'S ALL COMING DOWN TONIGHT [1]Micheal wore his suit and clicked his cufflinks as he checked himself in the mirror. He seemed of utmost pride as Shaft had invited him to join in his family's dinner party. This was a way for him to relieve stress, he glanced at his beautiful wife and opened his arm for her to hook hers with."You look amazing." He complimented."And you look gorgeous as ever. Old age does not affect you, darling."Micheal kissed her and they both walked out of their bedroom, climbing down the stairs as elegantly as ever. Raphael, who was sitting down, stood up to greet his father."Good evening, father.""Raphael." Michael acknowledged his greeting."Where is Vegas?" He asked him."He is probably busy.""Busy? Doesn't he know about the special occasion we have this evening? Try his number for me.""Unfortunately, I don't have it," Raphael responded."How can you not have your brother's number? What has been happening in this family all this while?" Michea
CHAPTER 75: IN A HURRY."Why do I feel like my meeting here with you is more than a mere greeting?" Vincent asked as he played with a toy card. He blew out the smoke from his cigarettes and put them down on the ashtray. He locked eyes with Raphael whose legs were crossed against each other."And congratulations on your new company that is completely sucking the life out of your father." He added and Raphael chuckled coldly."How did you know?" He asked him."I am not a son of the mafia for nothing. All the rich men in the city are people that I keep a close watch on probably for profit's sake. So why are we here?""I believe that you already know the reason.""You don't want to get married to my sister," Vincent replied and Raphael nodded."Smart of you." He complimented while Vincent smirked.He was young but not dumb. He had been in the business since ten years old and he had been taught to get who a person is from close observation. He knew from the start that Raphael wasn't dumb,
CHAPTER 74: ALL IS FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR."Who is the establishment? What is going on?" Micheal yelled at his assistant in the conference room. They were currently holding a meeting with a few people around. The room was as chill as a home for kept stock fish. Raphael folded his arms as he watched everyone."I…I don't know, sir. Many of our investors are withdrawing from us. If care isn't taken, we might lose them all to the new company." He replied.That was true. Even though Raphael and the rest had been trying their best for the growth of the family business, there was this particular business that had risen from nowhere in the last four months and was already taking the lead as it was solely based on what Theo's group of industries had to offer.They were making more gains than them and what was even more frustrating was that the owner was unknown. It felt as if the person was in darkness, shooting an arrow of victory toward their opponents."What should we do? I am confused. Send
CHAPTER 73: FIVE MONTHS LATER.Raphael blew his bubble gum as he put his right hand inside his pockets while looking around. It's been five months since everything happened and a few things had changed in his life alongside others.A man approached him and bowed. He collected the travel bag that Raphael was holding and pulled it away to the trunk of the car while Raphael got into the car before shutting the door after him.As the driver drove, his eyes ran across the whole building. He left the country three months ago for a business trip and he had been busy…a lot of things piled up for him and he felt emotionally drained. As the car went past a couple standing by the roadside, showcasing their love publicly, Raphael's heart ached and he touched the position on his chest before rolling up the window.After a few minutes of driving, the car finally arrived at the mansion. Raphael exited the car and walked into the mansion while the travel bag was brought in. The first person he saw wa
CHAPTER 72: SHE IS GONE AGAIN!Raphael walked down the staircase quickly. His hands were searching all over his pockets for his car keys. He was inside the room earlier going through a lot of files when he randomly picked up his phone to call Evelyn. He switched it on.It's been a while since he spoke to her and it made him guilty. How would she react? Many thoughts went through his mind. Raphael put down his phone again and closed his eyes.He had not been brave to face her, he was just ashamed but then he was pushed to call her. So after scrolling to her contact, he received a notification beforehand and clicked on it. It was a message from Evelyn and after reading it, his mind became unsettled. His brain couldn't comprehend the details after his eyes landed on the'Until we meet again, Raphael.'He dashed out of the room immediately. His entire body was shaking as he started skipping steps, not caring if he would slip and fall.He walked past Vegas who was enjoying himself on the c