I met Christopher outside the restaurant and together we walked into the restaurant, holding hands. He confirmed that I was really fine and wasn’t being bothered by my parents as he led me towards our table. “I need to make sure no wrong would come to you under my watch otherwise I won’t be able to forgive myself,” he explained as he pulled out a seat for me. “I understand,” I said, smiling at his kind gesture. “And I appreciate your intentions. Thanks to you, I can breathe after several years mistreatment.” Christopher’s smile warmed me up and after a while of staring at my face, a move I didn’t quite understand, he told me that our breakfast was buffet style and we had to actually serve ourselves. I had to hold back from asking him why we wasted all that time for. Somehow, I think this buffet style is just his way of trying to see more of I like to eat. Christopher can be very intentional, and he deserves his flowers. I mean, he deserves a reward of his kindness. Ch
Mum had already called me more than three times before I could finish packing and go down to the underground parking lot to pick up my car. There are still three hours and twenty minutes left before the time the Moore family would be coming around, but it seemed like she couldn’t wait already. When Mum called me for the fourth time, I had already driven out of the parking lot and hit the expressway, and only then did I connect my phone to my car’s Bluetooth before taking her call. “Where did you keep your phone all these while I’ve been calling you, or did you see them and deliberately ignored me?” She asked, sounding pissed at the other end. I ignored Mum’s rants and directly tell her that I was on my way home. “I’m on my way home, did something happen?” Mum ignored my question and directly asked, “How many minutes away from home are you?” “I wouldn’t know. I just left the office,” I replied curtly. Then I heard Mum inhale sharply from the other end. I knew what was
A subtle frown appeared on Mum’s face at the command Dad had given. “Why is that? Brenda is a part of our family, why do you want her to stay in her room when the Moore family arrives?” “You are always taking things too far. Did I say that Brenda isn’t a part of our family? She is our daughter, of course, I wouldn’t short-change her!” Dad said, looking offended. He was clearly unhappy about Mum’s insinuation. “Our daughter had just returned home after going through a serious surgery and according to her doctor, she is not allowed to be moving about. Stress should be far away from her,” Dad added, staring at Mum squarely. “Tell me, what would you do if she were to faint in front of the Moore family? How will we redeem ourselves?” Dad’s question had Mum sealing her lips and the hard expression on her face, softening. She must have thought that made a lot of sense since getting the More family’s favour was more important. “Brenda has fainted in front of them before. Imagine
Dad chatted with Grandpa Moore and Christopher’s uncles for a bit before leading everyone to the dining room and somehow, I ended up sitting next to Christopher. Actually, it wasn’t a coincidence since my best friend Tessa decided to play some tricks just to make it happen, and I have to thank her for the opportunity. It’s as if she already knew what I wanted, but I know she just thought to do what was necessary. She can’t help bringing her brother and I close. It’s just in her nature. Nothing much is said during dinner as Grandpa Moore gave off the air of someone who doesn’t speak while eating, and the rest of the Moore family seem to follow his lead. The Moore family and my Wilson family have a vast contrasting difference, especially in manners. They maintain dining etiquette and don’t talk while eating unlike in my family where Mum will choose that opportunity to scold the peace out of me. I bet dining together is one of the only opportunities she has to see me and te
“I haven’t visited Emily is years. I want to see her bedroom,” Tessa said, rising to her feet while meeting her Grandfathers gaze with a big smile on her face. A subtle of confusion smeared my face as I tried to understand the situation. I really don’t know what my best friend is up to, but whatever it is, I’m sure it will benefit me. “Of course, you can go,” Mum said immediately, getting Grandpa Moore’s nod of approval. Then she turned her gaze to me. “Emily, go on, take your best friend to see your bedroom. You can as well take a walk outside and talk about girly stuff.” “Good,” Tessa said and then turned to drag me to my feet before shifting her entire attention to Christopher. “Cousin, you are coming along. Let the elders conclude on the rest of the wedding plans.” Without waiting for anyone’s approval, Christopher pretended to have no choice but to honour his cousin’s invitation, and rose to his feet. No one said a word to stop him and just like that, we left the sitti
Brenda’s POV. My heart slammed against my chest as I strolled back to my room in anger. The way that Emily’s best friend, Tessa, embarrassed me was uncalled for. I have no doubt that Emily must have been giving her details about me otherwise why would she be so bitter towards me and even speak to me with words that hurt in the right places? Oh... Emily, you shouldn’t have done that, now you are going to see what I will do to you. I don’t need to wait until I’ve fully recovered, I just know the right things to do and the right people to use. Just in case you’ve forgotten what I can do, I will remind you, and while at it, ensure that your wedding to Christopher Moore never holds. If I don’t marry Christopher as I rightfully should, then you can’t! You are not allowed to have happiness, not after how your parents made me an orphan! The rims of my eyes turned red and my teeth gritted as I recalled those painful memories from years back, but as quickly as my tears came, they dis
Oliver continued with his pretence. He apologized to me and promised to visit me the very next day. Honestly, I don’t love Oliver, and I definitely do not care about him. The only reason I worked so hard to be with him was because I didn’t want to see Emily happy in any form. I was unsatisfied knowing that she was getting love and attention from someone else after blocking the road to receiving those affections from her parents. I had to do something to break her completely and by snatching Oliver from her, and letting her find out in the most cruel way, kind of got the job now but seeing Christopher Moore in the picture, has threatened to ruin my hard work. If Christopher wasn’t meant for me from the very beginning, then I wouldn’t be going so hard against Emily now. “I will come with my parents to visit you in the evening, and I will let my Mum call yours to inform her about our plans,” Oliver stated. “Okay,” I sniffed, sounding completely dejected. “I will wait for you tom
Emily’s POV. “I see that you are happy and satisfied with your best friend,” Christopher said with his gaze on me as he crossed his leg over the other while sitting on a chair as Tessa and I walked into the room and shut the door. From the shameless attitude he displayed back in the dining room, I thought that I would see him on my bed by now, but it turned out that he could be a gentleman when he wanted. “Of course, she’s always proud of me,” Tessa jumped in before words could form in my mouth. “Are you jealous that you don’t have any good friend like they way we do?” “Who said I don’t have good friends? What do you take me for?” Christopher retorted. Meanwhile, Tessa pretended to think for a moment before saying, “Oh... I remember now. All your friends are living abroad, so you are back here alone and lonely.” Tessa wriggled her eyebrows playfully after finishing her remark and I bet she’s very proud of herself while Christopher remained unaffected with her teasing until th
“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
“I just stepped into the office this morning and learned the worst news in recent times since I started work at Transcorp,” Stella started, turning her full attention to me. And I can tell by the way her jaw flexed that she was trying hard to control her emotions. I pretended not to have any idea of what she was talking about just to be on the safer side and probed, “What bad news did you hear?” “Barbara Collins was promoted and moved from the secretary’s desk to the Management department. Didn’t you hear about it when you clocked in this morning?” Stella inquired, narrowing her eyes. I could tell she was just mad at the situation, and not at me, so there wasn’t any need for me to lie to her, especially when she was being so honest with me. “I heard about it,” I admitted as my shoulders naturally slumped. I’ve been tensed all morning since finding out the news, and I still felt that Christopher owed me some answers. “And you have no idea why she was given a promotion she didn
Emily’s POV. As the warm water from the shower splashes on my head and pours down my body, I can’t help but think about Christopher and what he was doing now. We didn’t have much time to ourselves at work today and standing under the shower only made me miss him more. Thoughts of Christopher occupied my mind until I turned off the shower and stepped back into my bedroom dressed in my pyjamas. And in my bid to quickly check my phone to see if there has been any text from him yet, I discovered that one of my bags which I returned from work with, was missing. My brows creased in worry as I began to think of the place where I must have left it because I am quite sure that I took both bags with me while leaving my office. “Did I leave it my car or...?” My thoughts immediately come to a halt when I finally remembered the last possible place where I might have left it. Almost immediately, anger consumed me as I opened my door and stormed out of my bedroom. I can’t imagine that I w
“Honey, you should know my sister doesn’t care about how long she has known this Christopher before deciding to marry him,” I said to Oliver, my tone dripping with honey. “So, she only cares about taking revenge on me?” Oliver asked, meeting my gaze with a scowl sitting on his face. He looked very displeased as if Emily didn’t have any right to do as she pleased with her life. I smirked to myself and slowly nodded in response, as innocence contoured my face. I have to sow more discord why pretending to be oblivious to them. “I believe that’s what she is thinking about. Also, like I said, this Christopher Moore is from the famous prominent Moore family. Emily will definitely pick him as her partner as along as she feels he’s better than you.” As I made that striking statement of indirectly calling Oliver inferior, I laughed inwardly as I watched him gnash his teeth from the corner of my eyes. But then, I had to go into another coughing fit as my expression grew weary. Almost i
Brenda’s POV.I have been sitting in my bedroom, impatiently waiting for Oliver to come find me since I heard of his arrival, but I have no idea of what has been keeping him downstairs. If I didn’t have to pretend to be totally helpless, I would have already found my way to the living room long ago. But as if Oliver could sense my displeasure, he knocked softly on my door and came in when I weakly approved. “Babe,” Oliver called me softly as he quickly rushed over to my side with concern laced in his brows. “How are you?” My eyes turned teary as I attempted to sit up on the bed, but he quickly assisted me saying, “You don’t have to struggle to do this while I’m here,” While I enjoy this, I can’t help but actually hope that his mind is still divided. It would be futile for him not to be concerned about Emily and her impending wedding after my efforts last night. I won’t even let it happen.“I have been waiting for your visit. What took you so long?” I asked weakly, allowing m
Emily’s POV.Work was a lot tasking today. I felt so exhausted that I could use a full body massage to relax my tensed nerves. But this is something only a phone call from Christopher would have solved. Sadly, he is pretty occupied today.As soon as I finished the last document I had to review for the day, I shut my computer and left the company, expecting to get home and get some rest only for me return home and see Oliver and his parents sitting in the living room chatting with Mum and Dad.Honestly, I had no idea the Jones’ would be in our house today even though Mrs. Jones had phoned Mum last night. Although I had heard Mum’s happy voice from the door as I walked a minute ago, it never occured to me that there were only a handful of people she invited home and had this kind of reaction with while chatting, and that the Jones should be the more appropriate family.My stomach churned, especially at the sight of Oliver. I don’t know why he still affected me so badly even though
Barbara was a bit uncomfortable with my out-of-the-blue question. Her lashes fluttered lightly as she looked towards her father for help, but he either didn’t see her since he wasn’t looking her way, or he pretended not to have seen her subtle gesture.Whichever one it was, I am still waiting for Barbara’s response because I won’t let her get away with this. Her actions are annoying and the sight of her is irritating.Seeing that she couldn’t get away with my interrogation she smiled sheepishly and returned her gaze back to me.“I took a half-day off from work today.”“Why?” I probed, leaning out of my seat with all manner of curiosity as a deafening silence hit the room. And I’m glad that everyone apart from Barbara knew better but to be silent.Barbara looked anywhere but at me as she answered my question. “I wasn’t feeling too well, but I’m all good now.”A scoff escaped my lips before I could gauge my reaction. Nothing infuriated me more than this woman’s nonchalance at my
THURSDAY. Christopher’s POV. Thursday was a busy day for me and I barely had the time to check on Emily. But to make up for it, I invited her to have lunch with me during lunch break. Emily looked a bit stunned by the offer as she set my food down. “I have my lunch already. Also, while it’s true that Stella won’t say anything since she knows we are together, we can’t disrupt the work ethic” Emily said to me with slightly furrowed brows. If this had been any other day, I would have let her escape unfortunately for her, I’m not in that mood, so I pinned my gaze to her and ask, “Are you sure you don’t want to have lunch with me, and would prefer eating with others?” I asked her that question, I rubbed my jaw subtly with my fingers and licked my lower lips without doing as much as blinking. How could Emily resist this temptation? I am not always proud, but some special occasions calls for it, like today. Emily let out a deep sigh and plopped herself on the couch.
Emily’s POV. “I see that you are happy and satisfied with your best friend,” Christopher said with his gaze on me as he crossed his leg over the other while sitting on a chair as Tessa and I walked into the room and shut the door. From the shameless attitude he displayed back in the dining room, I thought that I would see him on my bed by now, but it turned out that he could be a gentleman when he wanted. “Of course, she’s always proud of me,” Tessa jumped in before words could form in my mouth. “Are you jealous that you don’t have any good friend like they way we do?” “Who said I don’t have good friends? What do you take me for?” Christopher retorted. Meanwhile, Tessa pretended to think for a moment before saying, “Oh... I remember now. All your friends are living abroad, so you are back here alone and lonely.” Tessa wriggled her eyebrows playfully after finishing her remark and I bet she’s very proud of herself while Christopher remained unaffected with her teasing until th