The next morning… Emma stirred awake to see a man’s broad back. He was standing in front of the mirror with her white towel wrapped loosely around his waist. ‘Wow! What a mouth-watering candy!’ she thought in her head. Emma was so lost staring that she failed to see the man looking back at her from the mirror while arranging his hair. After what seemed like forever, he finally broke the silence. “You’re awake… how does your leg feel?” He slowly turned back to give her some attention. “Ah,” Emma swallowed and looked away. She has no idea why she’s suddenly so shameless. “... I don’t know,” she pulled the duvet away and tried to move her leg. “It feels…” her voice trailed off when he walked over. “I brought the first aid kit in case you woke up.” He picked up the kit, sat on the bed and placed her leg on his thigh, and started unwrapping the bandage on her foot. While he was doing that, Emma’s gaze was fixed on his side profile. The man was gentle, and nice! “You haven’t taken y
“Ahem,” she cleared her throat. “Mr. Quinn, we’re adults now and I’d appreciate it if you’re sincere with your feelings. I really don’t have interest in dating for years and–“ “I’m not asking to date you.” Their eyes met, sending sparks into them and accelerating the fire that had been brewing inside them. “Then? You want a one-night stand?” her teeth grew sour after she said that. Why the f*ck did she?! “I’d be willing if you allow me–“ “You piece of shit!!” She struggled to be let free but he wouldn’t oblige. “I heard Rose City girls are quite fierce and impatient. Miss Emma Silverstone, may I have the chance to finish my words?” He beamed. “Not when your words are bullshit!” “You remind me of someone. She was a handful on our first night. It was her first time.” If Emma was already feeling angry, right now, she couldn’t put her emotions into words. She was more than furious to speak. How could he talk about another lady in her presence? Not only is he after having a one–nig
Asher instantly looked up and saw Anamika’s eyes had opened. “Get the doctors, hurry!” Asher yelled in excitement. “Yes,” Lisa ran out to get the doctors. A moment later, a team of doctors hurried into the VIP ward and ran a Myelogram Test on her. Every part of her was fine, except her brain. But the doctors couldn’t question her at the moment, so they waited a few more days until she was a lot stronger. After a few days, the VIP ward was filled with Anamika’s family members and friends. The doctor wanted to know if her memory was intact after the surgery on her brain. But unfortunately, she had selective amnesia– she lost a large part of her memory… specifically the unhappy and traumatizing ones. Anamika only remembered her kids, Asher, Emma, Henry, her businesses, and workers. It was the greatest joy for Asher who wasn’t pleased with how her family treated her. Now that her family has become strangers to her, there won’t be any need for her to feel hurt over them anymore. When
Anamika and Emma were seen in a garden with lush and fresh flowers. The scent of different flowers dawdled in the garden, refusing to leave no matter how long had passed. Anamika forked an apple that Emma just peeled for her and asked: “How’s the company going lately?” “What else do you think? Your workers need you, ASAP. It’s good that you’re feeling well and might start next week.” Anamika waited to finish chewing the piece of apple before she asked with amusement. “You hate being at the company?” Emma quickly nodded, “I can’t hate it more.” Her friend raised a brow with her lips slowly curling into a smile. “I thought you loved to be an employee in Charlie’s family’s company?” Emma glanced at her and snorted. “Who wants to be an employee? I was doing it because I had no choice. I’d starve to death if I don’t work.” “You know that’s a lie, right?” “Mika, can you allow me the freedom to lie for once?!” Emma yelled in frustration, though not angry. “Hahahaha…why? I can’t allo
“Mika, don’t you dare lie to me.” Emma started to wave the knife in her face. “Hey, don’t play with that, it’s a sharp knife!” She snickered. “Then start talking. My patience is thinner than Aiden’s!” “Ok, OK! I’ll talk. Take the knife away from my face, please! Hahahaha….” Emma lowered the knife and waited to hear what her friend was hiding with narrowed eyes. “I didn’t lose my memory, but I wish I did,” Anamika pursed her lips as her eyes slowly started to shine with tears. “Emma, I want to forget everything. Each time that I think about them, it hurts like hell. It just gets worse every time,” she tried to sniff back the tears but they came pouring down instead. Emma’s hand grew weak and the knife slowly fell. “Mika?” she didn’t see the change in her friend’s mood coming. “I’m tired, Emma. It’s tiring,” her voice grew heavy with raw emotions. “Oh my God, babe!” Emma pulled her into a tight hug. “I’m sorry. You should have told me, I’m so sorry.” “You did nothing wrong. I g
“I don’t like her. Everyone knows that,” she replied confidently. “Is that true, or is that what you want everyone to think?” Asher crossed his legs and leaned back to rest on the old chair, patiently waiting for her answer. “What are you talking about? Everyone knows that I hate Anamika. I even sold her out to the Wale’s family when they wanted to kill her.”Asher shook his head, “I believe otherwise. You only gave her whereabouts to the Wales family because they promised to not kill her, but when you thought they did, your mental health deteriorated, which caused you to be going in and out of the hospital for five years. When you found out she was alive and not dead, you suddenly became healthy.” Seeing the look of shock that flickered past her eyes, Asher continued. “Mrs Woods. With how influential I am, do you think I won’t be able to find out what I want to know? I didn’t do it because I want to give you the chance to reunite with your daughter.”“She has lost her memory. It’s
Inside the wedding venue… Henry walked the beautiful bride down the aisle with the guests cheering for her. Because it’s a Military wedding, Quinn July was wearing his Uniform. The whole place was glittering with luxury that one didn’t know which was more beautiful– The bride or the interior decor? After handing his sister to Quinn July and saying some words to him, Henry went to sit beside Anamika on a table for four. Henry felt awkward to speak to her. Ever since the incident happened between them, he had only seen Anamika thrice. The first time was when she was still in a coma, the second time was the day she was discharged, and the third time was today. He had concluded that he’d lost Anamika for good but what he doesn’t want is to stop being friends. Although the kids do call him a lot and they talk on video calls most of the time, he was concerned about what Anamika thinks of him.“Ehm, Mika…” he has been trying to strike a conversation but has no idea how to begin. Anamik
Anamika picked her bag and rushed out of the house, heading for the airport. Few hours later, she Arrived at her mother’s house in Rose city. Mrs. Woods was sleeping when she heard a banging on her door. This community is relatively safe, but who would be banging at her door at 3 AM? Even though she thought so, she still left her bed to go check. When Anamika came to view, the woman was stunned for a long while before opening the door to let her in. She was scared that Asher might have told her the truth, but she reminded herself that Asher isn’t someone like that. “Anamika?” the woman frowned. How did she remember to come here? Didn’t she lose her memory? “What are you hiding from me?” “I– I don’t understand.” Anamika pulled out her phone from her bag and showed her mother the number. “Do you recognize this number?” Mrs. Woods frowned slightly when she saw the digits. She took her phone and compared the numbers. They were the same! “Yes, this number used to call me when you we
At the hotel… Mr. Richard was amazed and proud of Anamika. Watching her teach those old men a lesson reminded him of how her mother was back then. The man sighed and emptied the glass of wine he was holding. The result of his investigation came out yesterday. Anamika is his daughter. After finding out, he told his family before embarking on the journey to seek his daughter. The Quinn family didn’t have much to say, except that they blamed him for just finding out. As for Lisa, she was having a hard time accepting the revelation. The sound of his phone ringing snapped him out of his thoughts. He picked the phone and checked the caller ID. It was an unknown number, but he decided to answer the call. “Hello,” his voice sounded. ‘Mr. Quinn, the Emperor is back from the meeting.’ Mr. Richard bolted up and hurried out of the hotel. … Arriving at the palace, he was brought to see Anamika in the throne room. Anamika hadn’t even stepped on the dais when the man entered. The father and
The other Presidents cleared their throats and shifted in their seats. They all owe debts. What if she asks them to pay up too? Scrapping their country banks together to pay off the billions they owe Hassride would crumble their economy, so, it would be better they all mind their businesses and live Country B’s president to handle his matter on his own. The old man glanced around, seeing that no president would come to his aid, he swallowed the lump of pride that was stuck at the back of his throat and sat down. “Your Majesty, it hasn’t come to that.” His heavy voice earlier suddenly went low. “As a businesswoman like you called us, we’re strict on marking our allies and curbing our enemies. If you could boldly look at our face and disregard our authority to vomit such atrocious venom, we can’t be guaranteed that you won’t stab us in the back when you see something that would jeopardize our country. So, on this basis, we hereby vote for your country’s removal from the Alliance Nati
Sitting on the deck with a bottle of wine and cake, the two watched the numerous stars in the sky. They’ve gone a bit far from their residence, but Anamika still doesn’t know why she was brought into the yacht. Neither did Asher want to say. Well, the sky looks beautiful from here, so it’s not a loss. Asher fed her a piece of cake. Just as she was about to accept it, her gaze zoomed in on a multi-coloured and sparkling something from afar. “What’s that?” she pointed. “We’re here.” The yacht moved closer until Anamika saw it was a multi-coloured waterfall! “Oh. My. God! How is this possible?!” “It’s the reason I purchased the island. It’s beautiful, right?” He asked. “No, the view is spectacular! Wow!” The yacht stopped a distance away from the waterfall where they could view it clearly. The light coming from the yacht and the multi-coloured Illumination from the waterfall brightened the area, so much so that one would almost forget it was night. “This, I must bring Emma here,
Asher and Anamika didn’t bring their bags, except for the roses she placed in a vase beside the window. The sun was slowly giving way to the moon by the time Anamika was done re-pruning the 99 roses and setting them in a vase of warm water to keep them alive for much longer. “We didn’t bring anything along.” She sat on the bed. From inside, she could view the surroundings, thanks to the glass doors and windows. The place only has one room, a kitchen, and bathroom. “Roy brought your necessities… everything is in here,” he opened the wardrobe for her to see. “Oh, you came prepared,” she looked down at her ring. She’s been caressing it ever since he wore it on her finger. A smile settled on her lips as she remembered his cheeky confession. Suddenly, she chuckled. “Mind breaking the good news to me?” he got into bed and hugged her from behind. “I was wondering. Since when did you realize you loved me?” She asked. Asher pulled her so she was sitting in between his legs while he wrapp
For the next couple of weeks, Anamika was trying to put the country together. She must learn all there was about the country and her Ancestors, replace some workers, bestow titles on the deserving ones, amend the rules to straighten the country and lots more. It would not be easy, which was why Asher didn’t return to Country A as planned. He stayed behind to help her in whatever way he could. Inside the office, Anamika was going through some documents when Lady Seraphina, who has officially been bestowed the title of Minister of communication, knocked and entered. “Your Majesty, Richard Quinn’s men are trying to spy into our data.” “What are they trying to find?” she asked. “About your mother and you.” Anamika raised her head from the document and looked at her, “Do what you think my mother would have done if she was alive.” Lady Seraphina understood the assignment. She bowed and left. Asher entered afterwards and hugged her from behind. “You’ve been on these documents for three
While Anamika and Asher were having the greatest time of their lives, their friends and families in Country A were having a hard time believing what they were seeing on the news. How did CEO Mika suddenly become the ruler of the greatest nations to ever exist? To crown it all, their worst nightmare! Aiden was excited when he found out he was a prince but for Nadia, she was worried about her mother’s safety. Their mother didn’t tell them she was going anywhere. In fact, they thought the ruler was probably their mother’s lookalike, or twin sister, until their great grandfather explained the situation to them. As for Emma, she was lost for words on what to say. She and her husband were supposed to go for their honeymoon today, but with Anamika’s case making waves in the country, she refused to go for her honeymoon until her friend returns. Who knows, she might be facing a lot there. If only she knows that the “a lot” her friend is going through is moaning while Asher’s rod thrust in
Inside the hall… Only Asher and Anamika remained. The two continued to stare at each other. One sitting on a high level and staring down at the other. “Your Majesty, may I come closer?” “One more disrespectful word from you and you’ll have your head severed!” “Thank you, Your Majesty!” Asher closed the distance and walked up the dais. Totally ignoring her warning. Anamika’s heart danced with glee but her face was as stoic as ever. Standing right in front of her, he said. “Your Majesty, I plead not guilty.” “...” Anamika was left speechless. This man… “Hassride has always had prejudice against my country, so when they saw me, they didn’t give me the benefit of the doubt and just apprehended me,” he flattened his lips. “Oh? Are you saying my country is unreasonable?” “Your people treated me with injustice. I was chained to the wall like a criminal…I also didn’t get anything to eat. I’m starving.” His gaze softened to the likes of Aiden’s when he’s trying to talk his way out o
In a dark dungeon, Asher, Milo, and Roy were chained to the wall. Roy had sighed in helplessness for a thousand times already. “Boss, what should we do now? If help doesn’t come, we’ll be killed before we know it. I feel sorry for madam and the kids,” he sighed again. “There’s still time,” Asher responded languidly with his eyes closed. “The situation looks brim. I shouldn’t have given this suggestion. At this point, I finally realized I was stupid.” “Right, you’ve always been stupid,” Milo stole the word from his mouth. “Milo, when was the last time we spared? I think we need to compare notes after leaving here.” “All I can see is death hovering over your head,” Milo said with a straight face. He’s never one to talk too much but at this point, he was angry at himself and everyone. When they came to Hassride, they tried to spy into the country’s history but failed to find anything. Later, they found out the man who can help them was put in the dungeon. Infiltrating the dungeon
This was exactly what Anamika wanted. To plant doubt in the man’s mind. Now, with him not knowing who to trust anymore or what to believe right now, his power has decreased greatly. Too bad she doesn’t have what it takes to back up her power of the tongue. Even though Seraphina said that everything is in place, Anamika has no idea what is in place. There was absolutely no time to discuss the preparations they’ve made, but anyhow, she’ll use her voice to fight for her rights. If it doesn’t work, then, Seraphina and the others can step in.“So, this is how you intend to unseat me? What if I kill you, I’ll be the only Emperor available and your people will no longer be able to fight against me. Before they groom another Female Emperor, it would be too late. How’s that?” Anamika smiled, “It’s your call. But do you honestly think you can kill me right here?” “No, everyone here is your supporter, and killing you in front of them would mean I leave evidence. Like you said, the people will