CHAPTER 32: SUITOR.The next morning, as early as 5, the stranger that Kira had helped fluttered his eyes open. He turned his head slightly on the bed before blinking twice as he tried to get where he was. It was certainly not his room, so he turned his head to his right only to find a drawing board before realizing where he was."Ouch." He winced in pain as he sat, he touched the injury below his waist that had been cleaned and well bandaged. He was shirtless as well. He furrowed his eyebrows before finally placing his legs on the floor. His clothes had been neatly arranged beside him and he wasted no time in wearing them.As he was buttoning the shirt, he walked to the drawing board and saw the drawing of him, his thin lips revealed a tiny smirk. Unfortunately, he had no phone with him so he just let it be.He looked around the room with his hand on his injury. Different artworks were arranged on the wall and those that were yet to be uncompleted were left laying on the floor.The m
CHAPTER 33: WHAT DOES YOUR HEART SAY?"So here I am on the beach against my will." Kira sighed and sipped her coconut drink loudly. Evelyn who was beside her laughed heartily, well…yeah, they forced her to come over even when she said she wouldn't. Moreover, she permitted them to do so, she said 'Do your worst' and they did it."You need to start coming out regularly," Evelyn advised Kira while the latter only eyed her before hissing."This is coming from an extreme introvert, haha."Evelyn shook her head in amusement and there was silence. They watched the wave roll against the water thereby creating a splashing sound. Tom and the other kids were near the water with two adults to oversee their affairs and make sure that they were okay.Evelyn sighed and sipped the milk that she was holding. This was what she knew that Tom was lacking but wouldn't want to let her know. Even though he was young yet he wasn't dumb, he was very smart and this was one of his characteristics that made Evel
CHAPTER 34: AM I A BASTARD?Tom looked from his mum to his supposed 'daddy' and wondered why no one was responding to his question."Tom, you shouldn't ask such meaningless questions. Instead, ask those that are beneficial to you." Evelyn chided him and Tom pouted."Tom, a bastard is someone who doesn't have a father," Raphael responded sharply. Evelyn was astounded and she couldn't help but yell at Raphael for telling that to a kid."RAPHAEL!"But he ignored her and proceeded to explain, "But you are not a bastard because you have a father, right?" Raphael winked at Tom and the little boy giggled."Yes, you are my father and daddy." He replied happily."Now that's how my boy should behave. So don't mind anyone who goes around saying that about you. Just focus on your studies and make your mum proud of you, okay?""Okay."Evelyn rested her head against the window. For a moment there, it was like she was about to lose it. She was confused and at the same time grateful because if it wer
CHAPTER 35. DINNER DATE.Raphael and Evelyn arrived at Raphael's only secret penthouse. As she stepped out, she was amazed by the exterior decorations, it was all thanks to the lights that she was able to see everything. Raphael watched her silently as she was so invested in her surroundings and he silently thanked his stars for bringing the two of them together at this certain point. She looked so beautiful that Raphael was finding it hard to take his eyes off her throughout the whole ride.He walked over to meet her. Evelyn caught a whiff of his manly and intoxicating perfume, it smelt homely."Shall we?" She glanced at him and then at his cuffed hand, she gently hooked hers with his and he led the way.Stepping into the place was like another new world for Evelyn. Her eyes kept checking out every detail she came across."You have a beautiful home." She commented."It can't be called home yet if it's this empty. It's only a house." Raphael responded.They continued walking until the
CHAPTER 36: RICHARD.Kira was stunned to see the same person she had helped the other night in her sitting room. He briefly glanced at her and looked away while she tried to figure out how the hell he got in. She bent her head and took a deep look at her door, it wasn't broken or anything like that…"Excuse me, who are you?" She asked. He was cleaning the other part of his body. The man locked eyes with her and knit his brows."Do you have a slow brain? Or you are pretending to forget this face?" He asked mockingly and relaxed on the chair."Listen to me, Mister…""My name is Richard." He interrupted as he watched her go all 'angry bird' on him but his countenance didn't change. It seemed like he was about to start enjoying her going crazy."Richard or whoever you are, I don't care. What are you doing in my house?""To thank you for saving my life the last time and also to seek refuge tonight in your place," Richard responded.Kira scoffed in disbelief, "Well, guess what? You are very
CHAPTER 37: POTENTIAL BRIDE.A FEW DAYS LATER,The Theophilus family received Shaft and his niece into their home expectedly. The conversation Vegas had with Micheal was positive and so they saw no reason why they shouldn't invite them over to process things out.The men were busy talking with each other while Mandarin took Erica out on a tour of the mansion to give the men some space."Wow, you have achieved a lot, Micheal." Shaft praised him."It's all hard work, my dear friend. It hasn't been easy and that's why I try my best to instill these business values in my sons' life and as you can see, they are doing extraordinarily well in it, especially Vegas." Michael replied."Hmm, the stock market is going well for everyone but I do have a feeling that things might get more costly when it gets to a certain point especially now that some things are now going into seclusion with few being able to provide them.""I agree, Shaft but isn't that going to be a great gain for us the sellers?
CHAPTER 38: GIFTSSavage greeted Miss Conner as she passed by her side the next morning, holding a well-made bag. She walked hastily until she got to the workers' arena, her eyes searching for one particular person and she found her. She quickly approached her."Evelyn, you have a delivery." She announced and raised the customized bag high for her to see and maybe everyone else that was around. Evelyn was amazed and she collected the bag from her, muttering a 'thank you before checking it. She wondered who it could be from."Oh, my, who is crushing on our dear Evelyn?" Rob teased her as he appeared from behind to take a peek at the things. There were chocolates and heart-sent messages. The store from which it was brought was a well-known place to be an abode of romance items either to be used for proposal or any other thing.Evelyn blushed and hid the bag as she took steps away from Rob with a smile."Oh my, she is blushing. There must be a secret we don't know, spill it, Evelyn." Rit
CHAPTER 39: BASKETBALL WAR.Kira got out of the cab and paid the driver. She pulled the strap of her bag with her left hand while the other one was holding onto a bag that was containing some drawing materials. She was standing in front of a university's gate, a famous one and expensive too.She had a bright smile on her face as she read the school's name at the gate before approaching it.She entered the university and was pleased with the architectural structures. The school was very big and Kira keenly praised the person who came up with the color mixing. The flowers were blooming cause it was their season and it added more warmth to the surroundings. The students were all moving around, some were reading, some were with their partners, and some were laughing and running all around. These were social parts of being a student.Two particular people caught her attention and they seemed to be dating. The guy gently kisses her forehead, making the girl giggle. Kira smiled bitterly as s
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