8 AM, Monday.Emily’s POV.Happiness is when you realize you are finally stepping foot into TRANSCORP as a staff and not a hopeful job-seeking candidate. The joy feels different.I might not have everything I want right now, but I can feel that TRANSCORP is my breakthrough point. As soon as I step out of the elevator, I see Stella standing in front of the receptionist's desk with her protruding belly. She smiles at me and I quickly make my way towards her.“Good morning, Stella.” “Congratulations, Emily and welcome to Transcorp,” she shakes my hand and turns to face the young man and woman behind the desk who stands to their feet. She introduces me to them.“Emily, meet… They are the CEO’s secretaries…” I give a small nod of my head in greeting while taking care not to smile too much. I can’t be found giving away that I’m desperate about my new job otherwise they might have something to worry about.Stella works me into my job description and introduces me to the rest of
I wasn’t expecting Christopher to reach his hand out for a handshake but instinctively, I accepted it and got reminded of the streak of warmth his hand was capable of leaving just like that passionate night.I watch as he walks past me and rounds his desk to sit behind it. As soon as he sees the cup of espresso sitting on his desk, he picks it up and takes a sip before putting it back on the saucer.Fixing his gaze on Stella, he asks, “Stella, what’s my schedule for today?” Immediately, she makes quick swipes on the tablet screen in her arm before reading out his itinerary for the day.“You have a meeting with the Board of Directors by 10 AM. Your visit to the car factory is scheduled for 1 PM. And that’s all for today.”Christopher rubs his stubble with his index finger and doesn’t take his eyes off her. He seemed to be lost in thought for a moment as silence ensued. The next moment, he makes an adjustment to his schedule.“Move the trip for the factory to 3 PM and make a re
Shortly after arriving at Green Gardens and sitting around our reserved table, I learn that Christopher prefers and frequents it for personal meetings. It was no wonder he met with his home interior decorator the other day.The waiters put each menu in front of us and I’m the last to pick mine. Unlike Christian who orders more proteins, because he is probably trying to build more muscles, Stella orders a big bowl of salad, fruits, tomato sauce pasta, smoked salmon and water. I doubt I will have any space left on the table for my order.Stella seems more relaxed and I don’t know if it’s because she is too pregnant to care. Whichever one it is, I bury my head in the menu and mind my business.“Emily,” Christopher suddenly calls for me. “Have you learned from Stella how to make reservations and get a table for me even when there is none available?”I almost think he is joking with me but when I see one or two lines on his forehead, I clear my throat and quickly answer him, “I’m sti
The Heavens must be smiling at me because I can’t seem to stop thinking about ‘my car’ even as my cab pulls up outside my gated house.But my joy is short-lived when I run into Brenda at the door. Immediately, the smile on my face completely disappears. I wonder which of her stupid tricks she thinks she can succeed with today.Brenda is all glamoured up with a look of excitement on her face and she smells like rose oil. She must have used an entire bottle for a bath. “Where have you been all day dressed like that?” She asks as her eyes roam about me. “Have you been job-hunting?”I put one hand on my waist and peer at her with slightly furrowed brows. “Do I need to start reporting my activities to you now?” “I was just trying to help,” she shrugs.‘Trying to help???’ I scoff and almost roll my eyes at her. “Will you get out of my way or would you prefer that I push you away for real this time?” I’m not joking when I say that. If she can accuse me of something I didn’t do and
Brenda cries that she is at fault while stopping Mum from chasing after me. I sneer and walk straight without whipping my head back until I get to my bedroom. And I shut the door with a bang. So much anger is swelling in my heart by the time I sink my bum into the chair in front of my dresser. “Emily, you are special and deserving! Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!” I scream in front of my mirror and feel a tad bit better after. My joy currently lies in the fact that I have secured my dream job and there will be nothing stopping me. Maybe I should ask Stella about the possibility of getting an apartment rent-free from TRANSCORP? I think to myself. But the possibility of Christopher one day finding out about the one-night stand and sacking me from my job bothers me because then, he will take back every single penny the company gave to me, including the car and the apartment I want. When that happens, I will be homeless and left to return to this house with no oth
“What did you just say?! I dare you to repeat it!” With hands on my waist and a flaring nose, I am now standing right in front of Oliver not minding the presence of both of our families.Oliver backs away with a mix of fear and surprise in his eyes. I bet he wasn’t expecting that I would overhear him and almost launch an attack on him. “Oh, my goodness, Emily!” Mum shouts from somewhere behind me and I don’t give a fuck about her thoughts or anyone else’s. Everyone in this room is my enemy.“What happened to your own kidney?” I ask as I am ready to tear him down with my gritted teeth.Oliver blinks, unsure of how to word his response. “I-I Haven’t run the required tests yet, besides, I’m not – I-I Don’t think that I will make a better match,” he stutters.“Then does that give you the right to demand that I should give a part of my body to anyone when you can’t even make an effort for the same sacrifice? Who the hell do you think you are?!!!” I scream, my voice loud enough like
My alarm jerks me awake at 6 AM and I have to fight through with the sleep in my eyes to get off the bed and go to the bathroom to get ready. The thought of Christopher Moore soon finding out about our intimate night at the club kept me awake most of last night. I need to keep evidence for that day at the nightclub to prove my innocence. At least, he needs to know it was a big misunderstanding just in case he would want to blame and fire me for it.I stayed awake trying to hack into the servers of Exclusive XX Club, and it took quite some time before I was able to gain access. It seems I am a little rusty since it’s been over ten years since I last practised. Hacking is one of the skills the old master who raised me in the village after I escaped from my kidnappers taught me. Although I’m not professionally trained, I believe there is no information I cannot lay my hands on if I put my mind to it. The only thing it might take is time.Unfortunately for me, I didn’t find the fi
Stella turns her head in my direction and squints her eyes. “They do, but only to their executive staff.”I grin inwardly and ask again, carefully, “Does the executive personal assistant to the CEO count as an executive staff?” Stella doesn’t reply at first, instead, she eyes me like she’s trying to gauge my motive for that question.“Yes. But why do you ask?”I rub my hands together under my desk in excitement while trying not to look the part. “I am thinking of moving out of my family’s home soon. So, I was thinking that if Transcorp could offer me a place, I wouldn’t need to make further expenses on rent.”“Remind me as soon as your trial period ends. I will help you inquire if you qualify,” Stella says to me before shifting her gaze to the digital clock on her table. I guess it’s time to work.“Mr. Moore will be here any time soon. It’s time to make his espresso,” she alerts me. I glance at the clock and take note of the time so she doesn’t have to remind me about it ne
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