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Amanda stood outside the door with a hesitant smile. Elizabeth’s face bloomed into a happy smile as she saw Amanda, forgetting her previous rant.“Come… come… come…. It has been such a long time since you came to see this old woman.” Elizabeth invited happily.Adam’s face fell inwardly as he saw who the visitor was. He quietly send a message calling for back-up as he sat with an expressionless face.“Auntie, did I come at a wrong time?” Amanda stood in the lounge, hesitating if she should go forward and accept Elizabeth’s invitation to sit down and back off; Adam’s face didn’t have the same enthusiasm as Elizabeth. But if she went back today, she wouldn’t be able to achieve her goal. Just as she was hesitating, the doorbell rang again.“Emile must be here.” Elizabeth got up hastily as she looked guiltily towards Adam. It was not her intention to have Amanda and Emile together. Her calling Emile was purely on impulse… she didn’t even know that Amanda would be dropping by. She had never
The dinner ended on a high note with Eric balancing the strained ambience with his witty rejoinders although Elizabeth didn’t achieve her goal. She wanted to get back to topic several times but was pushed back even before she could start either by Adam or Mark.“Your mom is never really going to accept me!” Emile sighed as she leaned into Chris’s embrace on their way back home; the sadness in her eyes could not be hidden, even under the cover of darkness.“Whether she accepts or not is her problem.” Chris wasn’t too concerned. The truth was that he wasn’t too keen on getting his mom’s approval. Perhaps it was because of the way his young mind was impacted by the influence her meddling had on Darcy’s life. Don’t put it down as he wasn’t even past the age of a preschooler when that incident happened; young minds are more observant and alert especially those of exceptionally talented ones like that of Chris.“She is her and I am me…” Chris continued as he saw that her mood was still low.
That night the busiest person was Abbey; She knew the cravings of the audience for the background of her previous articles. There was a huge fan base following for the travel diaries of two ladies who travelled anonymously and how they found the love of their life during these travels. Her boss had told her that most of the letters they received was urging them shed light into the circumstances that led to the ladies requiring to travel incognito.Sam had told her that he was even approached by other magazines wanting to buy the article with the backstory at a high price but at that stage they didn’t have that intention but now, the more coverage they got would, the better it would be for their cause although they were confident in winning the court case, public opinion can be a scary fact especially for the kids who might not have an adult with them all the time.Abbey decided to give Sam a ring to check if he had any contacts or ideas to increase coverage. The two plotted for the ear
FreeSpirit’s updates were uploaded daily over the next three days without fail. FreeSpirit remained true to the intent of accurate depiction of the young heiress journey. The second edition told the incidents that led to the marriage that could portray as fulfillment of one’s fantasy; she described the hopes and qualms that churned in the young heiress’s mind without fallacy, neither glorifying nor demeaning… just her thoughts.Her excitement at being able to wear the wedding dress for the man she adored; her apprehension at what the future holds, wondering if this marriage would lead to something wonderful… fulfillment of her unrequited love or…. FreeSpirit didn’t sanctify her intention… she reported honestly the darkest desire of the young heiress's heart to make this marriage a lifelong commitment rather than the 6-month contract.The life that followed… sharing the wedding home with her husband’s lover…. having to live in the guest room while her husband and lover shared the master
Emile was probably the only person who wasn’t impacted by the article; She had lived through it which was a hundred times worse than what Abbey had written… but the other reason was she didn’t read the article. She trusted Abbey, she didn’t have to read to know what she wrote.She wondered why her husband and kids weren’t in the lounge area waiting for her as usual when she came back from work; but she didn’t waste time wondering, she turned to Jeffrey “Where is everyone?”“Boss is with the children in their bedroom.” Jeffrey responded as he hanged the coat and hat that Emile had handed over.“Um” Emile nodded with a quizzical pout, but she didn’t question Jeffrey any further. She walked towards the children’s room; ‘Why bother the poor butler when she could get the answer from the horse’s mouth?’Emile opened the door and stood still watching the serene scene in the room, savouring the beauty of the scene in front of her. Chris was sitting with his eyes closed on the rocking chair wit
Chris’s place became much livelier than the gloom and doom expected from the stress in the week leading up to the court case with the Burke brothers deciding to stay back till the court case was finalized. All they needed to do to implement the change in plans were to make a call. Henry called his father and heartlessly dumped the reins of running the Burke industries on him before he and his brothers called their wives to update them with the change in their plan; they originally only planned on a flying visit to make sure their little pearl was alright before flying back the same day.The ladies of the Burke clan too decided to follow their men with the kids once they were made aware and they heartlessly left the old men to fend for themselves and manage the company. Luckily for the old men, their women decided to stay back and help under the condition that they would go over the day before the case began.Addison and Eric had an arrangement between themselves, more of a pact made up
The next morning, Chris and Emile were the last ones to wake up and come downstairs. It was a miracle that they slept in this long considering the noise downstairs. Chris Jnr and Emm had woken up in the morning and went for a run as per their norm before crawling back into bed to snuggle with mommy and daddy.The only difference was usually daddy would accompany them for the morning run but this morning, daddy feigned ignorance to their prodding no matter how they poked him. They could only ditch their daddy who was feigning sleep and go on with their day. Luckily big brother wasn’t as heartless as daddy and was waiting for them along with their Burke brothers and sisters.The younger generation of Burkes didn’t have this habit considering they were all still young, but they got up for the sake of excitement. Miles, Penny and Vincent too joined the mob soon after Chris Jnr and Emm joined them.“Why is everyone up so early?” Emile asked with a sheepish smile as she noted that everyone w
“Your Honor, regardless of the grounds on which the parents got together and later separated, the children belong to both parents. The children have the right enjoy the care and love of both parents. My client has been denied the right to even the knowledge of the existence of his children.”“Defence council” Judge Bianchini turned to Thomas with a quizzical gaze.“How can I raise an objection to a universal truth?” Thomas laughed as he stood up “But I do have a genuine dilemma.”“Oh???” Judge Bianchini raised his eyebrows while Danzel had an irritated expression. He knew Thomas too well to know that this was not a genuine question but rather the basis of the trap that he was laying out for them to naively crawl into.“What gives one the right to being a father? Accidentally planting the seed, ordering destruction when not convenient and claiming rights once all the difficulties are passed? Or…” Thomas paused with a thoughtful and yet confused expression “Does it come with nurturing an
The same evening that Chris was rushing towards the light of his life, many miles away in Níngjìng valley, Lai-Li and Bai-Min were anxiously waiting at the door of their master’s seclusion cave. It had been more than 2 weeks since Master went into seclusion.According to his temperament and considering how anxious he was to get to Chris and Emile; he should have come out after their previously imposed curfew of 1 week. However, not only did he not come out in a week, but another week had also quietly passed without any moment from cave.Just as the duo were losing patience, the stone at the entrance of the cave rolled away and Master appeared before the duo with his usual amiable smile, like a living buddha; however, the paleness around his aura although it was better than when he woke up 2 weeks ago, it hadn’t disappeared.“Master, are you not better?” Lai-Li ran over to hug master like a small child and asked anxiously as she noted that her master’s aura lacked the majesty and vigor
“It’s Uncle Night Vigil.” Emm whispered with a mysterious expression causing Chris Jnr and Marcus to chuckle as they answered the call.“Hello Uncle Night Vigil.” Emm smiled sweetly as she answered the call.“How is Uncle’s little treasure doing?” Night Vigil’s voice that was filled with affection came from the other end.“Little treasure missed Uncle Night Vigil.” Emm pouted childishly before continuing “So, we have to finish all our work quickly and then little treasure can come and meet Uncle Night Vigil.”“Hur….hur…hur…. that is a must.” Night Vigil laughed heartily before asking “Is big treasure with you?”“How did you guess?” Little treasure’s eyes widened in admiration, her lips making an ‘o’ shape.Chris Jnr shook his head helplessly at his sister’s theatrics but didn’t expose her.“Little treasure is making fun of Uncle Night Vigil.” Night Vigil chuckled without giving the little treasure any face.“Hymph” Little treasure hmphed as she lifted her chin resentfully ‘Uncle Night
“What is it?” Marcus and Chris Jnr asked in unison, with the same helpless expression.“Choose the venue as the same place that daddy and mommy confessed in Mossel Bay.” Emm answered bubbling with excitement.“If it where they confessed, then we have to do it in several hundred feet above ground.” Chris Jnr rolled his eyes with feigned disdain even though he liked the idea.Emm pouted before raising her chin defiantly “Anyway that would have a special meaning to both daddy and mommy.”“Okay…. okay…. little treasure is right… big treasure was only teasing you.” Chris Jnr quickly decided to plead guilty before the little empress decided to throw a tantrum.“We could do it in the vineyard that our family owns.” Marcus suggested as he agreed with little treasure.Chris Jnr’s eyes kept rolling as little treasure’s idea started to get fixated in his head “Let’s see what the wedding planners can come up with.”“But that will mean more work for both of you.” Chris Jnr added with a thoughtful e
“You two….” Marcus looked from one treasure to the other in disbelief, holding a wedding was a huge thing, he wanted to dissuade them, but he knew that twin look; A hundred wild horses wouldn’t be able to hold them back…. What could this poor eldest brother do other than support them?“Tell me what to do...” Marcus slouched down, sighing with a resigned expression; since he couldn’t talk them out of it, he might as well support them all the way and face the music later. Little uncle might be disappointed with him for not being sensible and mature enough to guide the duo in the right direction but at least he could be a good eldest brother.“I have given the task of selecting the wedding planner from the three wedding planners I have shortlisted to Uncle Night Vigil.” Chris Jnr fiddled with his fingers as he lowered his head and raised his eyes to look guiltily at eldest brother and little treasure. He didn’t ask for their opinion before he decided to act and didn’t know if they would f
Chris Jnr locked his door soon after Emile ran out of his room with the phone and climbed back onto his bed and dialed little treasure. He knew he would have to wait for a while since they hadn’t made an appointment but contrary to his expectation little treasure picked up the call even before it could ring.“Big brother….”Chris Jnr pursed his lips into a pout; Little treasure rarely called him big brother…. Not unless she had encountered some sort of grievance….“Big brother is here…” Chris Jnr softened his voice, like he had seen his daddy do when he was comforting them “What’s wrong with little treasure? Is eldest brother not there?” He knew that with eldest brother near her, there was no way she would suffer any grievance.“Little treasure is fine…” Emm pouted as she tried to hold on to her grievance. She was fine, just that she missed her brother too much… they had never been separated and that too for this long.“He’s here.” Marcus responded at the same time as Emm.“What’s wron
“I…. what???” Emile’s voice rose a notch as she lifted her head to look at Chris in shock. She shook her head in denial as she lowered her eyes taking stock of every conversation with Daniel; she muttered in disbelief even before her brain finished processing her thoughts “In my memory, our re-acquaintance did not exist, let alone marriage…. Then how can I ask for a divorce?”“I believe you…. you might not have asked.” Chris coaxed patiently as he gently massaged her back to calm her emotions.“Hubby, I am truly sorry….” Emile buried her face coquettishly in his chest, as she muttered “I cannot even imagine the pain it caused you…. I am so sorry…”“It is not your fault. I am to be blamed if you have to blame someone…. It is my fault I believed that lunatic.” Chris pacified gently, without feeling tired or agitated even though he was repeatedly saying the same thing.“The only reason I believed him was because my brain was not functioning properly; I couldn’t see through his stupid sche
“Yes…. I don’t think either of us will have a choice when those two scheme together.” Chris’s lips curled up; his eyes narrowed with curiosity.Although he was eager to know what his treasures had in store for them, he didn’t look into it as he didn’t want to deprive them of the joy, the joy they got from seeing their expressions towards the element of surprise that his treasures had planned. This reunion was fully to their credit although he didn’t know how they managed; this indulgence was what they deserved.“You mean ….” Emile raised her head curiously to look up at Chris “You mean, the two are plotting?”“How else could you explain me missing my tail?” Chris chuckled “and giving me the luxury to come and find you on my own?”Emile giggled as she leaned comfortably into Chris’s embrace.“Wife, what happened?” Chris asked once they settled comfortably in each other’s embrace.“I am not sure…” Emile paused as she bit her lower lip hesitating before raising her head to look into Chris
“Hubby, you…. aren’t you getting married to someone else?” Emile asked cautiously in a low voice; no matter how cautious she was, she couldn’t hide the hope in her heart…which transmitted as an excited relief through her voice. “Wife, I have told you before…I, Christopher Walter will only marry once and my wife can only be Emile Burke…” Chris assured patiently, his voice carrying a promise…. an oath of a lifetime… “Hubby….” Emile called out in a soft voice, her lips curling up in a sweet smile, brightening her entire aura; all her grievance melted with his promise…she knew her husband never spoke for verbality. “Um” Chris hummed in a low coaxing voice; his aura too brightened, dissipating the cold, gloomy aura around him…. a simple address from her, calmed his restless soul like magic. At this moment, silence entwined with each other’s calm breathing, seemed to be healing the undue grievance suffered by the two souls who loved each other deeply. “Hubby….” Emile called again, her v
Chris Jnr was setting up his gadgets to contact little treasure when Night Sonic announced that he had taken care of everything. Chris Jnr nodded in acknowledgement as he continued to fidget with his gadgets.‘Duk…duk…duk…’ A soft knock was heard a few minutes later at Chris Jnr’s door.Chris Jnr’s lips curled up in a knowing smirk as he carelessly placed a sheet over his bed, covering his gadgets, and walked over to open the door.“Aren’t you tired? Shouldn’t you be sleeping?” Chris Jnr quirked his eyebrows wanting to taunt, however his lips curled down guiltily as he saw his mommy’s red eyes.“Do you have a way to contact your daddy?” Emile quickly entered and closed the door as she didn’t want to cause unnecessary trouble; she didn’t know if Daniel was still awake or if their voice would attract unnecessary attention.Chris Jnr pursed his lips stubbornly toying with the idea of whether he wanted to pay back his daddy’s grievance or succumb to mommy’s sorry state. However, he gave u