Alexander's presentation before the board that morning was a great success. Felix was so proud of Alexander and he gave him a big hug after the meeting. His son was indeed back to his old self. Felix was filled with so much joy. The board so much love Alexander's idea and they had no doubt that their clients would love it too. This was Alexander's first major project since his brother's death and no doubt that it was going to be a huge success. Felix could see a new level for the Grande Empire and he was proud that his son was the reason behind it. That night was going to be a celebration night at the mansion. Claudia had instructed the maids in the special dishes they were to prepare for dinner. Sophia was not excluded from the celebratory dinner. When the news of Alexander's successful meeting had gotten to the mansion, Bella felt happy for him. She was all full of smiles that Christine noticed and teased her about loving Alexander."Stop all these Christine, it's not true. Alexand
While busy with his project, Alexander knew he was missing out on quality time with Bella. He had planned to get Bella to gradually fall in love with him before the anniversary party. It would be at the party that he would tell Bella about his feelings and properly introduce her to his father as the lady behind the change in him. He had began to succeed when they spent that night together in the garden. He had felt Bella's uneasiness and little sparks of love emmitting from her heart. That was a very good start but now his work had taken all his time and attention and for about two weeks, he had not actually seen Bella. If he continued seeing her and sowing those feelings in her then he was sure that before the anniversary party, Bella's heart would have been his. Alexander knew that he had to make time to see her that day and so he intentionally finished his work on time that day and moved every other pending work to the next day. After giving his team assignments, he quickly drove
Christine walked into the room and saw Bella sitted on her bed looking disturbed. She moved to her and sat down beside her."Hey dear, what's wrong?" Christine asked."I don't know." Bella replied, "What is sir Alexander is really in love with me?" she asked, dropping her voice in a whisper to prevent accidental evesdropping."You've finally seen it right? Did he say anything to you?" Christine asked her."He said many things" Bella said."Sweetheart" Christine started with a wild smile on her face, "Sir Alexander is in love with you. It's very obvious from the way he has been around you and it's a good thing" Bella looked at her as she continued, "Imagine you finally married to the only heir to the Grandes Empire. Honey, your life and that of your dad is made" Christine was excited for her friend but was careful enough not to make any noise to attract the attention of other maids."It not that easy" Bella said."Why? I know you love him too. You've just not admitted it to yourself. A
The long awaited day for the Grande's Empire anniversary party finally came. Everything was set for that evening. Alexander made sure that his parents left before him to the grand hotel where the anniversary party would be heard so that he could have time to prepare Bella for the party.First, after he had gotten dressed up in his Forest Green tuxedo. He took Bella to a fashion house where she would be all dolled up for the event. Bella had her outfit, hair and makeup taken care of by the stylist who Alexander had taken her to and after everything, Alexander was stunned to see her. Bella looked so ravishing and beautiful in her elegant glittering gold gown. Her stilletos were gold as well and she had a fancy gold clutch in her hand. Her hair was elegantly done and curled to fall over her shoulders and her make up depicted class and beauty.Alexander was speechless to see her walk up to him in the lobby with a radiating smile on her face."How do I look?" she asked him."You're very be
Every guest present at the grand hall for the Grande's Empire anniversary party paused there various frivolities to pay keen attention to their host for the night, Mr. Felix Grande. Bella, as well as Alexander were also keen on hearing Mr. Felix's speech. As Felix gave his heart prepared speech, Alexander could see his mother and Sophia walk into view and were standing close to the stage where Felix was. Sophia was looking so elegant that evening with her baby pink, two piece gown and a perfectly done hair do. Alexander also noticed that she had worn the necklace he had given her the previous night. Sophia was full of immense joy that it radiated all over her. One look at her and one could tell that she was beaming with an unexplainable happiness. She could not wait for that one special thing that would be happening that night, her long awaited engagement to Alexander. That was one of the major reasons for her father to fly back to the city to attend the event. She just could not wai
When Alexander could not see Bella anywhere in the party, he knew that she had already gone back to the mansion. Quickly, he drove back to the house, wanting to see her and to still tell her about his feelings for her. He had planned a special dinner for both of them that night after the anniversary party would have been over and there he would have confessed his feelings for her and hopefully get her acceptance but his mother had ruined everything for him. Nevertheless, he was still going to do it. He would still tell her in the house and get his love.Knowing Bella, the first place he went to check on her when he got to the house was the garden. And as he walked in, he saw her seated there and probably enjoying the beautiful night's air. He approached her and sat beside her and that was when Bella realized his presence. She adjusted her position on the bench and shifted a little away from him, her head was bend as she played with her fingers, which were on her laps."You left the pa
Sophia and her father got to their mansion, very embarrassed and angry. Douglas, Sophia's father was fuming and being a very hot tempered man, it took him a lot to have held himself at the party. Thanks to the anger management classes he had been undergoing privly.The moment they arrived their house and walked into the large living room, he instantly let out his anger on the beautiful decor on the table just by the door. Pushing every expensive item there to the floor, destroying them in a fit. His groan was very deep and terrifying, and none of the servants and maids came near him, knowing him very well. After his anger fit, they would then go and clear the mess he had maid.Sophia just brooded on her anger. She sat down quietly on the sofa with many things going on in her mind."How dare Claudia make a fool out of me before everybody?!" Douglas's voice thundered in the living room. Sophia still kept quiet, maintaining her posture."Humiliating my daughter, humiliating my family, hu
Alexander was summoned by his parents that same evening, before dinner. This time, his father was back from the company and he needed to talk with his son. Claudia was also there in the living room on the top floor of the duplex.Felix paid close attention to his son talk about he had felt for Sophia and that he would not be able to marry her."Did you hear his nonsense?" Claudia asked her husband, very agitated and annoyed."Relax Claudia" Felix calmed her down."I should relax?" Claudia asked his, raising her voice."How on Earth can I relax when this boy is hell bent on ruining our dreams? Tell me how?" Claudia expressed dramatically."I am not ruining anything mum. Why don't you want to understand? You are my mum and you should love me and want to best for me" Alexander protested calmly."Exactly son" Claudia faced him, "I love you and that's why I'm insisting on you getting married to Sophia. She is the perfect one for you." she said."No, she is not." Alexander replied immediate
It was time. Everything was set according to their plans. Amor's army-trained men had scouted the location with the help of that same tiny, undetectable drone and the men were able to locate important spots and entry into the building.The building was a fancy bungalow situated somewhere along the borders of the city, quite far from the main town. The surrounding was deserted and only few abandoned and half demolished buildings were in sight. Alexander drove there with the evidence and alone as Sophia had demanded and was allowed in through the gate by Sophia's armed men. He was directed on where to part his convertible, which he did and them came down. The armed men searched him thoroughly to be sure he wasn't with any arms, wires of any sort, or cameras and then, they escorted him into the house and led him past the empty room, which was supposed to be the living room, through a corridor and into another room, where Sophia and her father were seated on two dinning chairs at the rou
The room was silent. It had been that way for about three hours. Everyone was present in Bella's living room waiting for Sophia's call. Jeremy has been gone for more than twelve hours and with no where to start, they were earnestly waiting for the kidnapper to call and place their demands."Why won't she call already?" Bella was angry and getting frustrated. She just paced round the living room."I sware, if anything happens to me son, I'll hunt Sophia down" She cursed angrily."Darling, relax" Amor spoke to her from the sofa where she sat. "That woman will not hurt Jeremy since she wants to get Invicta. Maybe she is trying to make a full proof plan before calling. Let's wait for her call""That's what I am waiting for" Bella said and continued pacing."Why don't you sir down?" Amor asked her"I'm okay this way" Bella replied.Time was gradually passing by and Sophia had not still called. Alexander was seriously holding in his anger. A glance at him and one could see his bloody eyes a
Sophia and her father made the plans for Jeremy's abduction that night before Sophia returned home. According to their plan, they would spend the next day, monitoring every move Bella and her son would make and then the day after, Jeremy would be successfully abducted. This was for them to be very sure before launching any attack and endangering themselves. Sophia said nothing to Alexander after she returned home that night. Alexander also ignored her presence. Things seemed to be drawing to the end. Alexander could see a life without the troubles of Sophia and her father drawing near and Sophia could see the whole of Invicta becoming hers. Two antagonizing plans of which only one can emerge victorious. Alexander held onto the faith that good will always triumph over evil and he strongly believed so.Alexander was thinking, as he laid on the bed. He had not told his parents about what was going on and he knew that he had to tell them. The problem was how to tell them without Sophia's
Amor's men were able to crack the accounts and they sent all the findings to Amor. It was during the weekend get together for the family, with Christine that Amor revealed the findings. The Michaels were in fact, the dangerous drug cartel terrorising the country. That was how they were able to sustain their dead empire. Bella was shocked and immediately forwarded the message to Alexander.*****The Grandes were having dinner when Alexander's phone chimed and he picked up his phone to read the message Bella had sent him. Sophia had her suspicious eyes on him. With the shocked expression that lasted on his face for a split second, Sophia knew that he was up to something. That message definitely had something to do with her. She was sensitive to remove her gaze from Alexander the very moment he wanted to look at her, just after he had finished reading the message. That gesture confirmed her suspicion. Alexander had something against her and she was immediately anxious. The paperwork was
Bella was stunned by what she was hearing. Her mother was plagued with cervical cancer and was near her death. Tears rolled down her eyes. Bella was no longer sure if she still hated her mother or was pained that she was suffering in sickness and would soon die."How?" Bella managed asked."I don't know....I think it's a punishment for my wrongs" Amor said.Bella felt very bad. That moment she dropped all her anger and hatred and stood up to sit beside her mother. She gave her a long hug in tears before releasing her."I forgive you mother" Bella said."Thank you sweetheart" Amor said, touching Bella cheek lovingly.After enjoying that affectionate moment, Bella spoke;"I'm sure there's a way to cure this.....this cancer thing. It's just money and I can borrow money from someone....." She quickly looked at her father, then back to her mother, "We'll take you to India, where I hear that they are good in medicine. You'll be fine mother, you won't die" "Hey!" Amor called softly, "I've t
Alexander was relaxing in his favourite place, the garden, with some refreshments. The evening was cool and enticing. As he relaxed, he thought of Bella once again, the times they had spent in the garden. It was very beautiful, every moment he had spent with her. He would have her again, he assured himself and took a bite of his snacks.His phone rang and he answered it;"Hey Duke, what do you have for me?" he asked the caller."Nothing much Alex. These accounts you sent me are very very tight. I can't crack them. I've been trying but all seems futile." Duke replied over the phone.That was not the news Alexander wanted to hear."But there's something you can do, definitely" Alexander pleaded"I really need these accounts to be cracked. It's very urgent and very important for me. Surely you must have a way....I.....I'm ready to pay to get it done." Alexander added."Alright Alex. I'll have it sent to a guy I know....and let's see if he can get through it" Duke replied him."Thanks a l
Alexander had a lot of work to do. Sophia's secret is to be unravelled. He needed to trace the source of the monthly inflow of profit for the businesses, which were previously under the Michaels empire, and he was going to do it secretly. Sophia would not be able to perceive what was going on, till the day she would be fully exposed.Sophia, on the other hand, was thinking about the perfect kidnap plan for Madame Claudia. It was as though Madame Claudia knew and had doubled her security since the merger was signed. It made matters more difficult for Sophia, but not impossible for her. Sophia had made all the necessary arrangements and with full faith, she was assured that the bodyguards of Claudia would be helpless when her own men would attack. All she was waiting for was the papers of attorney and then, she would have Claudia abducted and then get Alexander to give her all of Invicta. ******Alexander had gone to the restaurant that noon with the hope that he would find Bella closi
Bella's business plan was done and after making the necessary corrections, Gerald sent Bella the full amount she needed to start her restaurant. Gerald did not stop there, he also accompanied her in sourcing for a good building at a good location. They had already been to five different shops that evening and were seated at a cafe to relax and then make a decision."Who knew that shops cost this much" Bella complained with a slight frown on her face as she was staring at the paper containing the quotation for the cost of five different shops."It's very costly because we're buying it" Gerald smiled."Still, it's expensive" Bella said.The waiter dropped their orders, two cups of warm coffee and two plates of doughnuts on the table and left.Gerald drank from his cup of warm coffee and took a doughnut in his hand."So, which one are you picking?" he asked and bite out of his doughnut."I'm drawn to two choices. The one at Skyler's street and the last one we saw" Bella said."I prefer
It was somewhere in town, at an open air street food stand, Bella and Alexander sat down to talk Two plates of spicy beef kebabs and two milkshakes were before them.Alexander started off by repeating in details, what he had told her before, about Sophia's threat on her and her father's life to get him to marry her. "I didn't know that Sophia did something like that." Bella said."She did. Now you know why I had to leave with her." Alexander said.Bella drew in a deep breath and released it slowly."I'm sorry for thinking that you had used me and dumped me. " Bella said with remorse."All these years, I had hated you. I regretted ever knowing you. I cursed you, Alex" Tears formed in Bella's eyes as she spoke."I know. And I understand why you had felt that way. I had left without a trace and it's natural to think that. I would have thought and reacted the same as you did." Alexander said.They were silent for a while."So how has these five years been for you?" Bella asked him."Not