“What’s funny?” Christopher asked in genuine confusion as he met my gaze, but I quickly shook my head, refusing to answer that question. “Nothing,” I smiled at him. “I shall return to my desk. Have a good day, Mr. Moore, and see you at your lunch.” As soon as I made my statement clear, I opened the door and walked out, shutting it with a soft thud. Then it took me a few moments to recover and adjust my emotions before making my way back to my office. Stella was eagerly waiting for my return which was evident from the way she leaned out of her table as soon as she saw me walk back in. “What is Mr. Moore’s excuse this time around?” she inquired with her gaze on me and I told her the exact reason Christopher gave to me. “Oh…” Stella drawled. She had a mixed expression at the news. While she was happy that Barbara wasn’t promoted because she was deserving of that position, she was still a bit dissatisfied with her. Just like me, she must be wondering if there wasn’t any other w
As soon as I finished making that statement, I brought the glass of champagne to my lips with my left hand to show off my engagement ring. Then I watched with satisfaction as Barbara’s gaze landed on it as something similar to shock and disbelief flashed across her eyes. It pleased me so greatly to see that reaction on her face.My instincts had told me that she had deliberately bright her friends over to greet me just to prove some kind of point to them.I think she was acting like I had honoured her family’s invitation for her sake, but my actions to counter that just now hadn’t been planned before hand. It was merely a reflex; something that just happened to take place.As I don’t have the time to entertain Barbara’s shock, I excused myself from her presence and went away to continue my chats with important men in the industry.---Barbara’s POV.My head swirled with different unbelievable crazy thoughts as my gaze caught the sparkling jewel sleeked around Christopher’s fin
Sandra and Lucy seem to have forgotten what I’m made of. I don’t give up easily on anything I’ve set my eyes on unless the chance is 0%. Yes, you heard that right. Even when I failed to secure a job at TRANSCORP, what did I do? In fact, what I did next should let anyone know that I am tenacious. And who can compete with that? --- In quick elegant steps, I arrived in front of my father. And at my presence, he quickly introduced me to the minister of Finance. I exchanged polite pleasantries with the minister before whispering to my Dad’s ear, “Dad, please excuse me. I want to have a word with you for a moment.” The next second, I nodded curtly to the minister with a small polite smile on her lips before leaving. My dad found me alone at a table a minute later and joined me. “And what has my beautiful princess got to say to me?” he asked, a proud smile on his lips as he admired my beauty. Dad loved Mum a lot as I was their only child, he cherished me a lot, and
If I didn’t know Stella could be this warm since the few weeks I’ve gotten to know her and work closely with her, tonight, proved it.Stella dropped work aside and chatted with us like an older sister. She told us the story of how she met her husband despite her busy schedule.She told us a story about a man who was so kind to her and would do anything to relieve her of her burden. And as she sat right next to me with a glowing smile, something hit me.Christopher was also like her husband; a man who would do anything to relieve me of my burden. Although we’ve only got together, he is someone that doesn’t like to see me suffer.So, hearing Stella talk about her husband, made me appreciate the man in my life. “Having a good man is important, but most importantly, you have to be a good woman to him to balance the equation,” Stella finished as her smiling gaze moved from one person to the other.Her advice struck me as well. Now, I know for a fact that I have to be intentional wit
A deep sigh escaped my lips before a small smile bloomed. I will miss Stella. And that’s for certain.The cool breeze from the night hit my face a few seconds later, snapping back to reality. I quickly walked towards the car park and found mine.The drive home had me thinking of what the future holds for me and Christopher. While everything seems roe going smoothly, I can’t help but be a little worried. Everything seems too good to be true. You know, I had once concluded that I was destined to be alone and unloved and zeroed my mind down on any form of expectation, until Christopher came along.Now, I’m thinking if our relationship will continue with the same energy and last a life time. I shouldn’t be blamed for having these thoughts as I have gone through hell and beyond to get to this point. See what my parents did to me. I was once their beloved little princess, until I went missing and returned years later.People can change, that I understand. But one’s parents? That’s
To me, everything dad said isn’t as important as the question I asked. And for the God’s sake, I hope they don’t plan to make me mad until the end of tomorrow.Mum gave me a burning look. “And why do you ask?” she asked, as if I shouldn’t have posed that question in the first place.I scoffed within me, getting ready to remind her of how sick her daughter was and how inappropriate it would be if anything happened to her at the Moore residence when Dad spoke.“No, she won’t,” he said with an intent gaze fixed on me. I held back a sigh of relief as I rose to my feet with Mum glaring daggers at me. At least Dad seems to be the only one on the right track, which is enough for me.As I left the living room, I could still hear Mum arguing with Dad.“What do you mean Brenda isn’t coming to the Moore residence with us?” “Brenda had a major surgery and should rest. What would you do if she fainted in their home?” Before a response could come from Mum, I had completely disappeared fr
It took a lot of effort of blinking and trying to steady myself on the rail of one of Dad’s exercise equipment to finally stabilise myself.“Y-you...y-you... Uncle Frederick told you that?” I asked Dad, definitely looking like I had been slapped back to reality.“Yes it did,” Dad confirmed once again. “Though, I heard it’s an arranged marriage.” As soon as he said that, both anger, confusion and bitterness consumed me. I had no idea I was a step late trying to win Christopher Moore over but what baffles me more is how and why his family would arrange his marriage.Is it that he can’t find himself a woman or they simply took charge of that aspect of his life because of her position?Also, what about me? I mean... Dad has been friends with uncle Fredrick and TRANSCORP’s business partner. Why didn’t they pick when they were searching for a wife for Christopher?I just can’t being myself to understand this stupid situation.I felt my breath size for a moment. I can’t accept this r
“Wow! Look whose contact still exists on my phone.” Noah’s low chuckle rang in my ears as soon as I greeted him. “I wonder why I still have it,” he finished.I know now, without doubts that this is my chance to rekindle whatever lost touch I had with Noah in the past.And to Noah, question, I responded, “Maybe because I am still important to you, and you can’t get over me.”But as soon as that statement reached his ears, an annoyance I didn’t know he had, manifested.“Barbara, it’s so rude to call someone this late at night. Who do you think you are to disturb my sleep?” “Noah, give me five minutes of your sleep time and if I’m not worth it in the end, you can hang up on me and get back to bed,” I quickly said with utter confidence just in case that brat planned to hang up on me without a chance.Noah let out a low groan into the phone. I can tell he’s still mad at me, but ready to give me a chance.“Make this five minutes worth it otherwise, I will make you pay in unimaginabl
Emily.It is with so much relief on my heart that Christopher and I are walking right next to each other without any other human to interfere.Tessa is my best girl. She read the situation and then proceeded to an act. Mum almost ruined it though by trying to make Brenda follow us.I don’t know what she was thinking when she brought up that idea. I bet she didn’t know she looked empty in front of the Moore family for what she did.If I wasn’t so sure that Mum would never want to jeopardize her bidding relationship with the Moore family, I would have thought she was thinking of making Christopher interested in Brenda. I hope I’m not wrong.Because, I haven’t forgotten the fact that Mum was going to help Brenda marry Christopher instead after Brenda found out Christopher’s identity and cried to her that she wanted him.To think Mum had been foolish to even consider her request and even proceed to act on it.Today made me realize that there was probably nothing Mum could not do fo
Tessa.Mrs. Wilson being unable to read the ruin angered me in ways I didn’t know was possible.Even that fool naked Brenda pretended to be oblivious to the situation and sat there next to her mother, fluttering her lashes innocently; like she was some pitiful unloved lady ostracized by her family. If I didn’t know what Brenda was like, I would have fallen for her stunt but thankfully, I would never be deceived by her. But my family was different.They don’t know Brenda is a white lotus and a green tea bitch.And although I would like to expose that witch right in front of them, now wasn’t the time as it could ruin things for Emily. Besides, I can still deal with Brenda on my own.She doesn’t know whose lands she is stepping on.The awkward silence stretched enough to erupt Chris’s anger. He wasn’t a fan of Brenda, thanks to the true stories I told him about how Emily used to be bullied by her, and her mother.But before things could get out of hand; like Chris displaying an
Tessa. Grandpa’s talks were getting boring. From taking about the wedding, he shifted focus to business, engaging Emily’s dad in the conversation.Mr. Wilson’s eyes was full of smiles as he immediately connected to the conversation. After all, the business deal was the reason for his happiness, not his daughter’s marriage. I rolled my eyes inwardly as the silence on my part stretched. And that was when my gaze fell on my cousin, Chris. He was looking my way but I could bet it wasn’t me he was staring at.There was someone he had come to adore who was sitting next to me.From the corner of my eyes, I caught Emily looking back at Chris. And instantly, a smile appeared on my lips.These two looked tired of sitting at a place with no opportunity to interact with each other. Unfortunately for them, Grandpa was so old fashioned that he doesn’t have any innovative ideas in regards to this aspect.He doesn’t understand that the future couple need to spend more time together to know
While I’m happy someone from the Moore family came to my defence which is proof they had accepted me, I couldn’t help but be mad at Mum.What she just displayed was evidence of how bias she was to Brenda. She just showed the Moore family that I am the less preferred. Which is stupid.I don’t care that Mum loves Brenda with all her life. At least, she should tame her emotions and obsession outside. Even Dad who was alert, seemed to disapprove of Mum’s actions in front of the Moore family. I could tell by the way he touched the back of her hand while gazing elsewhere.And I would like to think that he was more disappointed because she and Brenda had indirectly told them they didn’t like the work they did with my wedding invitation cards.Soon, the awkwardness hanging in the air disappeared along with Tessa’s presence. Tessa arrived with a warm smile on her face , especially after she saw me. But the second she noticed Brenda, I saw her smile crack.I perfectly understand my fri
I felt Brenda’s discomfort as Grandpa Moore engaged me in a conversation. I think she’s crazy for even wanting the Moore family’s attention on her. Brenda is nothing short of a heavily delusional psychopath who doesn’t have a limit to her actions. Why on earth would she be mad that all attention was on me now? Somehow, I wished that Brenda will be taken away from my side. I don’t like sitting beside her and assimilating her negative energy. It makes me more mad. Unfortunately, I don’t have any other option. From talking about work, Grandpa shifted the conversation, mentioning the wedding which was in a few weeks. Uncle Frederick’s wife mentioned the wedding invitation cards were ready. A minute later, their family butler brought a square-shaped box with a red ribbon at the top. “They arrived this morning,” Grandpa Moore revealed with a smile before turning to Christopher to give him a glance. Then Mum used the opportunity to say her thoughts. “I think we should unveil the
“Thank you for caring this much about my daughter,” Mum said, her eyes lighting up like fireworks. Then almost immediately, she dragged Brenda into the conversation. “Brenda, you have to thank Mr. Moore.” And as if Brenda was just waiting for the right moment to show herself, she took Mum’s leading and turned her attention to Grandpa Moore. “Thank you, grandpa for your well wishes,” she said softly before turning to Christopher’s uncles to do the same. “... I deeply appreciate your concern.” It was so hard keeping a straight face when anger was about to consume me whole. Brenda spoke so endearingly as if she was the one marrying into the Moore family. It can’t be jealousy driving me at this point. Also, I’m not being paranoid. I have every reason to be furious at Mum and Brenda. I don’t know who is more dumb between the two but finally after analyzing the situation, I realised that Mum was the foolish one because how can you try to get Brenda into the Moore family’s good bo
“The patriarch and his family are all waiting in the living room. I will lead the way,” the butler informed Mum and Dad while gesturing towards the building’s entrance. “Sure,” Dad muttered as he and Mum quickly started to walk behind the butler and in no time, my steps and Brenda’s fall into place behind our parents’. The Moore residence was nothing like anything we had seen. It had this vintage style to the building whereas inside the house, the decors and styles were modernized, making it look like there have been a renovation in recent times. Brenda and I couldn’t help staring at the intricate designs on the walls, and the beautiful sculpture pieces inside the building. But I made sure my fascination was masked with a subtle elegance. Stepping into the grand living room with a splash of pure gold used in the interior decor, we meet the members of the Moore family rising to their feet with welcoming smiles on their faces. Within a few seconds, my gaze swiftly moved from on
As Mum and Dad went over to the first car, Brenda got in next to me and slowly secured her seatbelt. Next, she turned to me, her lips parting several times before finally bringing forth a word. “Emily, how do I look tonight? Do you think my lipstick is a little too dull?” Instantly, my eyes narrowed into splits as I briefly turned my gaze to her. What nonsense?! Is this witch actually asking me how she looks tonight? Is she on something? What kind of delusion gave her the effrontery to even say a word to me, talk more of trying to make me gauge her looks tonight? There could be only one reason for Brenda being high this evening. Her senses have returned. I feel Brenda deserves a beating for her annoying thoughtless provoking actions right now. She only acts out of point and looks for my trouble when she was her usual self. I guess she has actually made full recovery from the surgery. My stare on Brenda conveyed my deep hatred for her and I guessed just for a tiny
My question seemed to stop Mum right in her tracks. She stared at me for a moment and finally, Dad broke the silence. “We are going to be late if you two keep arguing,” he said with a tight frown. I bet he was only trying to end this fight because it wasn’t beneficial with his plans to keep time with the Moore family. “Darling, we are leaving in just two cars. What’s the sitting arrangement?” Mum asked as her gaze darted towards the cars before shifting back to Dad. As soon as Mum asked that question, Brenda interrupted with that annoying harmless smile on her face. “Mum, you and Dad can ride in the first car while I ride with Emily,” she suggested, taking Mum’s arm as if to please her and get her to agree.I’m not surprised Brenda made that suggestion. If anything, I had been expecting it. And if she hadn’t made that suggestion, I would have questioned her.Brenda likes attention. She can’t do without making others look bad as long as it would elevate her in other people