The same time, many miles away in Mauritius-Emile, Abbey and Christopher spent the next two days exploring the the magical volcanic rain forest landscapes of southwest Mauritius. Whether it was the Trou Aux Cerfs which is the famous dormant volcano or the Mare Aux Vacoas, a reservoir embedded deep in the forest or the Grand Bassin which is the sacred lake of Mauritius, it was a magical experience for trio. Abbey didn’t forget to capture each beauty through her camera lens. Emile’s favourite was the Chamarel waterfall and the 7 coloured earth. While most people in the tour group went for a swim in the pool at the foot of the Chamarel waterfall, Emile sat scribbling her inspirations onto her notepad. Christopher sat by her side accompanying her quietly.Both Emile and Abbey were exhausted after the two-day trip and spent the next day lazily planning what to do next. Christopher left the planning to the ladies and spent the day catching up with all the documents and issues pending at h
Christopher sat at his desk trying to calm his mental faculties as he ended the call. He had no idea why Emile wanted to talk but he was sure it wouldn’t be anything good. He hoped that this wouldn’t be the last conversation they had. He didn’t wish for much. He was happy to stand behind and watch her smile. He hoped to heavens that he wouldn’t be denied that right.As he thought of the many reasons for ‘Can we talk’, a face flashed by his mind’s eye. He clenched his fists as he thought of whether the reason was Daniel. Were they going to reconcile? He sighed deeply as his lips curled up in a derogatory smile. Although he felt a painful tug in his heart, he realized that it didn’t matter as long as she was happy!Reigning his thoughts that were racing around like mad horses, Christopher left his room to meet Emile at the Café downstairs as they agreed.Emile was waiting at the café downstairs when Christopher came down.“What’s up?” Christopher asked with a calm and casual façade as h
“I, the heiress of Burke industries was reduced to living the life of a lowly prostitute” Emile’s sobs became more heartbreaking “By day, a tool to vent his anger and by night, a tool to douse his sexual needs. In society, I became a joke, a notorious woman who used despicable means to steal a husband but incapable of keeping him; who was not even worth mentioning in front of an evening partner of my husband.”“I had to stop work and cut-off contacts with all my friends…. Living my nightmare day in and day out, without even knowing the charge I was guilty of.”“Every day from then on was a living hell till 2 months ago when Michelle came back.” Emile managed say these words between sobs.Christopher’s knuckles were white from being clenched; the veins on his temples bulging from anger. Although she hadn’t used so many words to explicitly say what she went through, hearing the pain in those
Emile seemed to have been suck in a vortex, relieving the moments from six months ago. She knew that she should get as far away from the vortex as possible… but she couldn’t; It seemed like someone pushed her in… into her worst nightmare!She was sitting at her desk chatting with her Grandpa’s photograph. This was a habit she developed ever since Grandpa passed away. Whenever she had something pressing on her mind, she would sit at her desk talking as she stared at a picture of her Grandpa’s picture. He had a serene amiable smile that it would calm her mind and somehow had the magic to put her worries back in her stomach.That day, was no different from any other except that it was his death anniversary and she had just lighted a candle and was offering a remembrance prayer when Daniel barged in –“You witch….”“Daniel???” Emile stood up in shock. He had never been rude towards her in all these years; moreover, they seemed to have been getting on well these past months. He had even to
Emile had just turned to face Daniel and didn’t expect the kick; She fell backwards onto the shards as she tried to balance herself.“Ahhhaaa…” Emile cried out in pain. Blood seeped out through the cuts onto her dress, but Daniel didn’t seem to have noticed this and dragged her back onto the bed as he forced her. He didn’t seem to hear her rejection nor her screams of being in pain. He didn’t stop until she couldn’t hold on any longer and fainted.Daniel looked at Emile in disgust as he tidied his clothes and walked out of the room without a second glance just like last night. He didn’t even bother to cover her with a blanket.Daniel left early the next morning as he had a meeting with overseas delegates without even giving Emile a second thought.Alice was surprised to see that Emile had not made breakfast again. She wondered if the young lady had become enlightened. She didn’t understand
Emile heaved a sigh of relief as she noted that Daniel was not at home. She had no idea why he turned into the devil but after two days of torture, she was truly afraid of him. She decided to send Alice back as she had been at hospital taking care of her and didn’t have time to go home. Alice cooked a few light meals for Emile and left after changing the dressing for the wound on Emile’s back since she couldn’t convince Emile. She knew the young lady had her best interests at heart and didn’t argue further. In the afternoon, after eating the meal that Alice had prepared, Emile ate her medicines and was about to head upstairs when she heard the door opening. She froze in fear not knowing what to do. She didn’t want to see Daniel if she could help it but fate wasn’t so kind. Daniel walked into the lounge room and saw Emile standing with her back facing him. He didn’t know what happened to him, every time he saw her, it was like anger would explode like a volcanic eruption. “Decided
The next month was more bearable; less torturesome, with Daniel returning less frequently. Even when he returned, Emile didn’t have to worry about endless torture…. His phone would always dutifully ring after half an hour to an hour and would almost always leave immediately regardless of whether he was frustrated or not.It would be a lie if Emile said she wasn’t jealous as she saw his indulgence towards Michelle. But those feelings wouldn’t last long, she had no longer had any fantasies or requests from Daniel; he had crushed all of them with his ruthlessness’ Now, she was patiently biding her time; waiting to embrace the endless blue skies, the bliss of freedom!Two days before their third wedding anniversary, Daniel returned in a fowl temper and tortured Emile the whole night before announcing the next day that Michelle would be returning to stay with them. He warned her not to come up with any of her tricks or else he would make sure she paid with her life. Emile’s only response w
Christopher sat up straight in anticipation as he saw her eyelids fluttering. He rang the bell in excitement as he stood close to her bed.Emile slowly opened her eyes in trepidation even though her head was heavy and her eyelids refusing to budge. She was worried that she would be back in the villa the moment she opened her eyes. She stared lifelessly at the ceiling.“You’re awake.” Christopher sighed in relief “Thank the heavens.”“Huh?” Emile turned her head in confusion; Her eyes stared at Christopher in disbelief for a few minutes before a smile broke out on her lips “It’s you… I am back!”“Yes… yes… yes…” Christopher agreed without hesitation even though he had no idea what she was talking about. To him, all that mattered was that she was awake.The doctors came in along with the nurses after being alerted by the alarm. They did a thorough check before turning to advice Christopher-“She seems to be much better although the fever is yet to subside. We will observe for 2 more days
Daniel didn’t speak to Chris Jnr on the way back; he sat sulking and occasionally giving him an annoyed look without realizing that his grievance was against a six-year-old. But the sentiments were totally lost on Chris Jnr who thought about it as ‘good riddance to bad rubbish!’Daniel didn’t want much… he just wanted his son to care… to ask how he was… whether he was hurt? He didn’t expect his son to do much but an excuse of helplessness to show he cared… but what he got in return was ignorant indifference.Chris Jnr feigned ignorance to Daniel’s sulking and kept staring out of the window as always; no one would suspect that a six-year-old was doing this on purpose, especially for a kid like Chris Jnr, whose norm was to sit quietly staring out the window.On the flight, Daniel wanted to warn Chris Jnr several times not to tell Emile about what happened, but he didn’t know how to; the awkward silence lasted till the duo reached home. Well, awkward silence for Daniel and blissful silenc
George tried to rush to Daniel’s side before the police took him away, but he wasn’t successful; the more he tried, the more he got pushed back. He would have to be a fool if he didn’t realize that the shadow guards were purposefully making it difficult for him, making it impossible to get to his boss’s side in order to facilitate the arrest proceeding smoothly. How could the shadow guards not know what their little miss wanted? How dare they allow even the slightest negligence?The only thing George could do was rush after police car, hoping to make it in time, at least avoiding his boss from being locked up. He was surprised to see Chris Jnr sitting quietly in the car, expressionless, without any intention of stopping/ interfering with the ruckus. Until now, he had assumed that Chris Jnr was still in class, unaware of the situation but what he saw in front of him turned his world view upside down. Shouldn’t the kid be concerned when his father was being beaten senseless? Even if he i
“How is daddy doing?” Chris Jnr asked little treasure in concern as he walked back to their classroom holding hands.“He’s still holding it together, feigning a happy face to keep me happy." Emm pursed her lips with a helpless expression before she leaned closer and whispered in her brother’s ears "He's gone to help with the request from that president we met when we took daddy’s fancy plane.” “Eldest brother came back to keep me company.” Emm spoke with a bright smile as she knew what her brother was going to ask next.“Daddy was going to change his plans after you went with that bad father, but I didn’t let him.” Emm raised her chin proudly “I called Eldest brother so that I wouldn’t delay daddy’s important business.”“Little treasure is very sensible.” Chris Jnr had a doting smile as he tapped the tip of his little sister’s nose.Emm’s smile grew wider and brighter as she pointed her chin towards the sky; she was floating, her pride shooting to the skies after being acknowledged by
“Where are you taking me?” Neil asked with feigned irritation as Marcus led his through an overgrown grassy forest area which was located behind the prestigious school.“Aha….” Neil kept on with his theatrics as he feigned an enlightened expression “Are you going to demand entry to the school under the pretence that you have me as your hostage?? Are you???”“Che!!!” Marcus rolled his eyes as he increased his pace and kept 2 feet ahead of Neil.“Hey… wait for me… how can you claim to have me as a hostage if I run away?” Neil asked with a shamelessly smug face as he firmly believed his theory although his body was more honest, his legs kept up Marcus.“It’s here.” Marcus stopped at an inconspicuous spot and leaned against the wall casually, with his hands in his pocket.“Here???” Neil looked around at the unkept environment with disgust as he walked towards Marcus.Marcus took two steps hurriedly, keeping his distance away from Neil.“Why are you moving away?” Neil asked innocently as he
“I will get Night Vigil to charter the trip to Uncle Neil’s place.” Marcus was about to get up when Emm pulled him back as she hit her forehead with an expression that was midway between helpless and ridicule “My dear eldest brother, where do you think my daddy’s appendages will be when he is in trouble?”“You mean ….” Marcus eyes widened “Uncle Neil is here…”Emm nodded with an all-knowing expression, but added “Not exactly… I mean they are not here, but they are at Royale Lux.”“Let’s go.” Marcus led the way whistling, without feeling even the slightest bit of embarrassment after being ridiculed by his little sister.“Why are you here?” Neil grumbled as soon as he saw Marcus, on opening the door.“And I am not alone.” Marcus chuckled as he entered, revealing Emm who was hiding behind him. Although Emm boasted shamelessly that she was going to charm Neil with her cuteness, she was still scared; she held onto Marcus’s shirt as she hid behind him and peeped cautiously towards Neil.“God
The next morning as everyone sat for breakfast, Emm dialled Marcus-“Eldest brother…” She pouted as she called out in grievance as soon as he answered.“What’s wrong?” Marcus’s concerned voice came from the other end.“Nothing…um…um…” Emm sniffled as she shook her head.Chris stopped eating as he walked up to his little treasure and carried her in his arms and cuddled her; he didn’t need to ask to know what was wrong. His treasures had never been separated. He leaned forward and whispered, “Daddy is not going. Daddy will postpone the trip.”“But that is an important thing.” Emm blinked innocently.“Nothing is more important than my treasures.” Chris smiled reassuringly as he gently smoothed her back.“Eldest brother, little treasure is all alone and is not happy. Can you come to accompany me?” Emm blinked innocently as she spoke into the phone; she didn’t forget to complain “Big brother went with that bad man yesterday; he didn’t care about little treasure.”“Eldest brother will be the
Chris Jnr sat silently starring out the window as they drove to the airport. Daniel tried to start a conversation with him many times, each time failing miserably.“Daddy will never give up on you like others… after all I am your biological father. Not everyone can replace me.” Daniel started the conversation once again, after boarding the flight.“Whatever.” Chris Jnr didn’t even spare him a glance as he looked outside the window once again.“I know you are feeling sad but don’t hold it in.” Daniel tried to comfort and at the same time, he didn’t forget to sling mud at Chris “Being a father is a big commitment, it’s hard for someone without any blood ties to hold on to such a commitment. Don’t blame him.”“Whatever.”“Your mother is already upset with everything that’s happened and feels really bad and guilty.” Daniel didn’t forget to brain wash along the way. How hard could it be to steer the thoughts of a six-year-old?“Don’t bring up the past and hurt her.” Daniel shrugged empathet
“I don’t want to play word games with you...” Daniel huffed as he tried to rein his temper. What he really wanted to do was beat up the smug, insufferable man before him who thought he was king of the jungle. Wonder what Daniel would do if he knew that Chris would not even need one hand to beat him to a state that even his mother wouldn't recognise him? Wonder how colourful Daniel's face would be if he knew that Chris was not king of the jungle but he is the legendary Lord of the Night? However, as they say, ignorance is bliss and this was Daniel's current state.“Not that you’d win even if you tried.” Chris smirked “But I really can’t bear to keep looking at your obnoxious face any longer than I have to. So please, is there anything else?”“What could I want from you other than the divorce that my lover requested and our kids?” Daniel spoke with an extremely disgusted expression. Their disgust for each other was mutual.“Your kids??” Chris hooked his lips as he taunted “Does Mr Holsto
“That reminds me, how is Emile? Any news?” Master finished his bowl of soup and asked about the matter that he was most concerned about.“Don’t ask about her.” Min scowled; both his and Lai-Li’s face darkened at the mention of Emile.“Why? Didn’t you two like them?”“Not anymore.” Min turned his head resentfully while Lai-Li lowered her head.“What exactly happened?” Master asked anxiously “Is she in trouble?”“She is trouble.” Min grumbled refusing to speak.“Min had gone to take a look…” Lai-Li spoke in a downcast tone “She seems to have gone back to her ex. She is not with the youngest master Walter anymore.”“What???” Master asked in shock, before shaking his head in denial “Something is terribly wrong. It cannot be like that…. It won’t….”“I don’t want to believe it either.” Lai-Li pouted “But Min saw that man swaggering in and out of the ancestral house of the Walter after passing on Emile’s request for divorce.”“No… I need to check on them… something isn’t right…” Master tried