Alexander's next plan was to properly introduce Bella to his father and to tell him about their love and his intention to marry her. That would mean strong opposition for them from his mother and Sophia. He was ready for it and so was Bella as she had told him. After their night of intimacy, Bella's heart was toughened a bit to be able to fight for their love no matter the odds. So, with that, Alexander brought Bella to his parents and told them all they needed to know about their relationship. Claudia was mad with anger and fumed visibly. Felix still maintained his calmness. He was not too happy that his son chose a maid to be his wife and his daughter-in-law but he had to carefully analyze the situation, especially when Bella was the reason Alexander had finally gotten over the death of his twin brother and was back to being the responsible man he was meant to be. If she could change Alexander, then surely she was fit to be his wife and to make him achieve more success and greatnes
Claudia made her way as soon as she was opportune to meet with Sophia. They met in a restaurant and there Claudia informed her all about the recent happenings. Sophia was vexed. She was displaced by one other but a common maid. She was even the more displeased that Felix had sided with Alexander and Bella. "How could Alex do this? Choose a pauper, a maid to be his wife?" Sophia asked."I'm equally surprised my dear. Alexander has no shame, no dignity. He is fraternizing with a low class and wants to marry her" Claudia was ashamed as she spoke."Aunty, you're not gonna let this abomination happen, are you?" Sophia asked her."Obviously not. Never. Alexander can frolic with that idiot for now but in the end he will never get married to her. I have my plans and I will do everything I have purposed in my heart to do. If that Bella of a girl is wise, she will listen to my warnings and stay away from my son else, she and her family will pay dearly" Claudia said.Sophia nodded, "I trust you
Alexander felt something odd the moment he had stepped into his bedroom. There was a strange and alluring scent in the air. Alexander wondered whether the maids had changed the air freshener in his room. The bed was strangely yet neatly done. Suddenly the sound of a romantic song filled the air and from the bathroom came Sophia, seductively dressed. She was wearing a black sexy bikini and her hair was left loose. "Hi baby" Sophia said, as she stood, leaning on the bare wall with her right leg raised up on the wall. She licked her lips enticingly as she stared at Alexander.'So this is their plan', Alexander thought to himself. He decided to leave the room immediately and quickly turned away from her. Before he could walk back to the door, Sophia had already gotten to him and stopped him, holding his hand."What do you think you're doing?" He asked her."Shhhhhhh" she said provocatively, "This isn't the time to talk.....baby" she moved to his front and started stroking his chin with h
Alexander and Bella sat down on the rocky mountains that night, having a peaceful moment. After Sophia's stunt, Alexander left them and was now staying in the settlement with Bella and her father. He would do the work he can do from there and then drive down to the main town if need be that he must be in the office for work. He was not so sure about being able to break free from Sophia's hold if she should try another sex stunt again, and he would never want to hurt Bella no matter what, not even by mistake.That night, on the high level of the mountains, Alexander told Bella everything that Sophia had done that night and he was honest enough to confess that he had almost fallen into her trap. Bella was also understanding not to hate him. She appreciated his honesty in telling her the truth and she loved him more."I will never hurt you Bella, not intentionally" Alexander said to her emotionally."I know" Bella said, touching his face softly with her hand."I mean it Bella. My mum and
The next morning, Felix, Claudia and Alexander were on their way to the settlement. Felix and Alexander had already done all the necessary calculations and have decided exactly how much to give each family that would last them for three farming seasons. They would all have more than enough to last them. Alexander was happy but Claudia was not. She just obliged to Felix's instruction because she had no other choice.Right there, in the settlement, everyone was gathered as Claudia apologized for their loss, though she did not mention who exactly had caused the fire incident. And then, from her own personal account, she had transferred to each family, one million. The people could not believe what they were seeing. It was like a dream to them. Never had that large sum entered their hands before, they had not gotten it from their farming and they were so excited. It was more than enough to cater for their need for more than a year. The disaster that was meant to ruin them was now turned t
Alexander had been thinking about Sophia's words to him since he had left her house. Everyone knew that his marriage to her would create a merger of both empires but Sophia had indicated that there was something more to it. It seemed to Alexander that she was the only one who would benefit from it and he kept thinking about what it was. What else could she get from being married to him? He wondered."You've been this way for a while now. What is the matter love?" Bella asked him having seen him for the umpteenth time being moody.He was sitting on the little dining chair and his hands were on the round table as he burrowed his brows in worry. Bella sat, facing him and he looked at her."I went to see Sophia some days back for us to reach a compromise. I had offered her a deal in which she lets us be and we will still push through with the merger but she refused. She said that there was more she would gain than just the merger should she marry me and I can't just rest. I'm trying to kn
Alexander wasted no time in leaving the settlement and returning home. He weighed the outcome of that video being leaked and saw that it was not worth the risk of not listening to Sophia. He was hurt that he was leaving Bella but at that point, he had no choice. When he arrived his mansion, Sophia was already there with Claudia. They were talking in the living room when he walked in with his bag."You're back son?" Claudia asked, surprised."Finally!" Sophia said, "I'd like to think that you have realized things and have changed your mind about that Bella, am I right?" she asked, smiling."Yes" Alexander replied and walked away, straight to his room. He hated the fact that he was dancing to Sophia's tunes.Claudia faced Sophia, "Is he serious?" she asked, surprised."I think he is" Sophia said."What did you do?" Claudia asked her."I used my feminine power and got him back to me aunty. He will no longer go back to that Bella of a girl" Sophia said.Claudia smiled. She was happy to he
Bella started thinking of a way out of Sophia's blackmail. Alexander had confessed in details all that had transpired on that fate day his brother died. Alexander and Andre both were attracted to Sophia and started competing for her attention. It started off as a joke, a light and trivial matter and then eventually grew to a serious issue. The once very close brother's became very distant and hated each other. They would fight and make threats against each other. According to Alexander, on that day when his brother had died, Alexander wanted to use his laptop for some work but could not as his laptop had developed some faults. Not minding Andre's disapproval as a result of their enemity, he dashed into his room and took his laptop to use. Unlike Alexander, Andre did not change his password after their fight began so Alexander could still have access to his computer. As Alexander used the system, an email notification popped up and as a result of his curiosity, he opened it to see an e
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