As they were talking, the doorbell rang. Leonard knew who were knocking and went to open the door for them. When he opened the door, it was five of his friends, as he expected."Happy birthday, Leonard!" His friends cheered as they entered, carrying gifts and bottles of champagne. The room was quickly filled with more friends. They settled in, ready to celebrate with him.Daniella played the perfect hostess, ensuring that everyone had a drink and felt comfortable even though she was pregnant. They didn't waste time in lightening the cake and wishing him well when he brewed it. Soon, the party kicked into high gear, and Leonard's friends took turns sharing funny stories and toasting to his health and happiness.After a few rounds of drinks, someone suggested playing a game to lighten things up. "How about we play 'Never Have I Ever'?" One of Leonard's friends suggested, with a mischievous grin on his face.The group agreed, and they gathered in a circle, each person holding a drink. The
The next day, after an early morning sex. Daniella got prepared and was checking herself in the mirror when Leonard spoke up."How about the wedding? I'm yet to hear from you. Has he fixed the wedding date?" He asked."Not yet," Daniella replied while working on her scattered hair."We don't have time. You know that. You need to do something about it. We need him to move fast. The sooner you guys get married, the sooner we move forward with our plan. Any delay can cause disaster.”Daniella took a deep breath and turned to him. “I know. I’ve tried everything, but he is not listening to me. He keeps talking about his business and how he had been losing contracts. I don't know how long it will take.""Why will he keep delaying? Does this mean that he's sensing something?" Leonard asked."No, I don't think so. He has never suspected anything.""Then why the delay?" "To be sincere, he had been losing contracts recently, and it's weighing him down. We just need time." She said and wore his
"Alright. At least you had a great time there. But I don't want it to repeat again. You are not living alone. You have a man." Desmond said, and Daniella smiled, seeing that he had bought her lies."No problem. It won't repeat again." She said and hugged him again. "I will go now and prepare breakfast for you." She added with a warm smile.As she turned to leave, Desmond pulled her back and rested a hand on her shoulder. "You need to rest, you just got back. I don't want you to start stressing yourself out." Daniella's smile faltered for a moment before she regained her composure. Desmond was quite easy to be fooled. "I'm not weak, Honey. I can handle it. Don't worry about me."She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Desmond couldn't help but smile.As Daniella was cooking in the kitchen, the aroma of the food wafted through the air, making Desmond's stomach growl with anticipation. She was cooking his favorite food. Soon, she was done. She served the food and called Desmond.But when
After eating, he cleared the table and went to meet Daniella. He got into the room and found her crying. "You are crying?" He went and sat down behind her. "Are you crying because of the wedding?""You don't know what I'm passing through. I can't stand all the insults from my friends. They are calling me baby mama. Some are saying you will kick me out the way you kicked Anabel, and I can see it's true.""You don't need to be listening to them. You know what? I will inform my mom, and we will fix the wedding date.""Your mom? You know she hates me now. You can just fix the wedding and inform her later." Daniella said. She knew that Mrs. Elizabeth may not approve it."Don't worry about it. I will sort it out. Stop crying." He wiped her tears and kissed her forehead. "Thank you. I love you so much." "I love you too, baby." Desmond replied. "I will be going for Mayor's auction tomorrow.""But......" Daniella was about to talk, and he interrupted. "I know what you are about to say. It's
As he approached Anabel, she noticed him and leered at him."Hi, Anabel, How are you doing?" He greeted, and Anabel looked around, acting as if she were searching to know who he was talking to. "Are you talking to me?'"I'm talking to you, Anabel. How are you doing?" Desmond, repeated."Ohh! As you can see, I'm fine. I haven't come back begging you. What do you want?""Please, can we talk for a moment?" Desmond asked, trying to keep his voice steady.Anabel crossed her arms. Her gaze was cool but distant. "Talk about what exactly? Do we have any business?"Desmond hesitated, then gestured towards her rounded tummy. "I couldn't help but notice... Are you pregnant?" Desmond asked, and Anabel let out a dismissive laugh. "So you approached me to ask me if I'm pregnant. So you came to mock me?""No, I didn't say so. I was...curious. I saw your tummy, and it seemed like....""The last time checked, I was called a barren woman. What business does a barren woman have to do with pregnancy?""I.
"Don't you hear her? She said you should excuse her." Sylvester said when Desmond hesitated."I will go but I won't give up. I still believe you have something that belongs to me." Desmond said and turned to Sylvester. "And I won't allow you to take it. I'm watching you." He said and left with Daniella. Daniella was murmuring. She wasn't settled with what Desmond said.Anabel turned to Sylvester. "Thanks for acting along. You are so smart.""Anything for you." Sylvester replied. "Though i'm hoping you will give in to me soon. We can actually make a nice couple.""Yeah, but I still need time to think about it." Anabel replied. ..."I need to tell you something, Daniella." Desmond spoke up when they walked some distance away from Anabel and Sylvester "What is that?" She asked "Remember i told you i didn't come to bid on the auction. But now that Anabel is here, I know you will be moved to challenge her. I don't want you to compete with her. Once she's involved in any bidding, don't
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the auction to begin." The host began. "Our first item up for bid is a stunning diamond bracelet, and it's starting at five thousand dollars." The crowd murmured with interest, especially the women, as the host held up the exquisite piece of jewelry. Its diamonds were attracting the light and sparkling brilliantly. "Six thousand dollars." One of the women in the crowd raised her bidding paddle. "Ten thousand dollars." Anabel raised her bidding paddle with a confident smile. She didn't bother to look around to gauge people's reaction. Though she was expecting Daniella to react. She wanted to show Daniella what she was capable of. Daniella's heart flared up in jealousy as she saw Anabel bid. She took a deep breath to calm herself down but she couldn't. Desmond had warned her to avoid Anabel and never compete with her but she couldn't stand it. Unable to resist the urge to compete, she raised her paddle and called out, "Twelve thousand dollar
Daniella didn't know what else to do. All eyes were on her as if she committed a crime. Everyone was looking forward to see her pay."It's like she can't afford it." She heard on girl whispering to her friend."But why will she mention an amount she couldn't afford. She should pay up quickly." She heard the friend reply. Soon, the room began to heat up."I'm waiting for you, Miss Daniella. How will you pay?" The host asked. At this point, he was loosing his patience. "I'm sorry sir, Just a minute." She answered and quickly tested Desmond. "Please help me out and pay. This is so embarrassing. All eyes are on me."She sent the text and looked at his direction. Desmond got the notification and opened the message. He frowned and looked back at Daniella. He shook his head and began to type.Immediately, Daniella got a massage. She opened it and felt flabbergasted. Desmond texted that she should find a way and sort it out by herself, that It's non of his business."Miss Daniella. You are t
"Ohhhhh! I understand." Anabel shook her head. "You are really going through a lot.""It's my responsibility. I can't let her die. I will do everything possible to make sure she survives." Sylvester said. As they were talking, Dr. Richard walked in and greeted Anabel."Is he the doctor?" Anabel asked Sylvester."Yeah, he is the one in charge of her." Sylvester replied, and Anabel turned to the doctor and asked. "What is really happening to her?" “Vanessa’s liver is failing, and she needs a transplant as soon as possible. We will replace Vanessa’s failing liver with a healthy donor liver. The procedure is complex and costly, but it’s her only chance. I've told Sylvester what it will cost. If he continues to waste more time, he may lose her.” The doctor said, and she looked at Vanessa. She felt pity for her, then turned to the doctor.“I will cover the cost, whatever it takes. I don't want anything to happen to her.” Anabel said and Sylvester smiled, seeing that everything was going sm
The next day, Sylvester and Vanessa got prepared and headed to the hospital. The doctor had arranged their room for them. They got to the hospital, and the doctor took them to the room. Each day costs five hundred dollars, and Sylvester paid for four days. Vanessa changed into a gown and lay on the bed. The doctor connected the ICU systems, making it look like she was battling between life and death. "I will call Anabel now." Sylvester said and took a deep breath, then dialed Anabel's number. "Hello, babe." Sylvester greeted just as Anabel picked up the call. "Hi, babe. Good morning." She answered. "How are you doing?" "I....…I'm fine, but." He paused. "But what? Is there any problem?" Anabel asked, concerned. "I don't want to talk about it. I can find a way and handle it." Sylvester said. "Find a way and handle what?" Anabel asked. "Don't worry yourself. I said I will handle it." "You can still tell me. Maybe I can be of help." Anabel insists. "I don't want to be a burden
"Please, hear us out." Vanessa interjected. "Our future depends on it. It means everything to us." Dr. Richard shook his head. "I can’t condone any form of medical fraud. I don't know who you guys want to exploit money from, but I can't. It goes against everything I stand for, and the hospital management would never support it." Sylvester leaned forward. "We are not asking you to do this for free. We are prepared to compensate you generously for your cooperation." "No amount of money is worth compromising my ethics and risking my career," Dr. Richard replied. "Please leave my office." "It's not what you are thinking. It won't put you into trouble." Vanessa said. "You don't come here and teach me my job. I can't falsify a medical condition." Dr. Richard insists. Vanessa looked at Sylvester, and he nodded, then reached into his pocket and pulled out an envelope. He placed it on the desk in front of Dr. Richard. "Five thousand dollars." He said quietly. "Think about what this kind
But as Sylvester's hand moved from her neck down to caress her breasts, she gently pulled away."Not now, baby," Anabel whispered, and Sylvester was disappointed. "I just thought...""I know." Anabel replied, placing her right hand on his cheek. "But I want us to take it slow. I enjoy spending time with you like this, talking and laughing. We will have our moments, but just not tonight."Sylvester nodded, trying to mask his disappointed look. "You are right, baby. I just got carried away."Anabel smiled and gave him a reassuring kiss on the cheek. "Thank you for understanding me. Let's just enjoy each other's company."They continued talking, and the initial tension began to dissipate slowly. After a few minutes, Anabel glanced at the time and realized it was getting late. "I should be going home.""I'm hoping you'd stay over today." Sylvester said."Maybe next time." Anabel replied and stood up."Alright," he said, standing up and walking her to the door.Anabel paused for a moment a
The next time Anabel visited, she brought food for him. She knew how much he would appreciate her cooking and wanted to brighten his day. She knocked on his door, and when he opened it, she was happy to see his smiling face."My baby is here!" He exclaimed and pulled her into a warm embrace. She smiled and held up the bag of food."I brought this for you," she said, walking into the living room and setting the bag on the table."It's like you knew I would be hungry. Thank you very much." "You are welcome." She replied and began to unpack the food."This smells nice. It must be delicious.""Yeah. Anyway, you are about to find out now." She finished and gave him the spoon. "Only one spoon? There is no way I'm going to eat this alone. You are eating with me." He got up from the couch and headed to the kitchen. Before Anabel could adjust on the seat, he showed up with another spoon and a bottle of water."What are you doing? The food is for you." Anabel said."Well, I won't be eating wh
"Hey, what are you still doing there?" She called her driver, who was still hiding, and they helped Sylvester into the car. Anabel got in, and her driver drove them quickly to the nearest hospital. Once they arrived, Sylvester was taken to the emergency room, where a doctor examined his injuries. The cuts and bruises were minor, but the doctor insisted on cleaning and dressing them to prevent infection. Anabel was sitting beside Sylvester, holding his hands, while he was receiving treatment. She couldn't believe the bravery and selflessness he had shown in rescuing her. It went a long way in reinforcing her belief that Sylvester was someone she could trust and rely on. When the doctor was done, Sylvester was given some painkillers for his aches. "You are my hero, Sylvester. I love you so much." She said in the car as they drove to Sylvester's apartment. When they got to his apartment, Anabel helped him inside and made sure he was comfortable. "Do you have any food, or should I co
"Let her go!" Anabel looked back and to her greatest shock, it was Sylvester. She was surprised on how he just appeared from nowhere."And who are you to tell me what to do?" The leader asked."The one who can make you regret ever touching her." Sylvester replied."I will give you a chance to leave. This is non of your business man. Unless you want to join her." The leader said."That's my girlfriend and she's coming with me." Sylvester declared. "I won't let you take her.""You called for this young man. I'm not to be blamed." The leader said and turned to his boys. "Waste him." With their weapons on their hands, they began to walk towards Sylvester. Anabel was scared and yelled at Sylvester. "Run! You can't fight them! They will kill you!" She tried to break free from the leader's hand but she couldn't.One of the boys sneered at Sylvester's challenge and launched forward. Sylvester sprang into action and delivered a powerful uppercut as he tried to hit him with an iron rod. The pu
The drive to the hospital was short, but to Daniella, it felt like eternity. She was eager to get the medical tests over with and move on to the final preparations for the wedding. Desmond, as usual, remained calm and focused on getting everything done efficiently. They arrived at the hospital and parked the car in the parking lot. Desmond opened the door for Daniella, and they walked together towards the entrance. It was a private hospital and the best in the city. Only the rich families could afford the hospital. They got to the reception desk, where a nurse attended to them. "Good afternoon. How can I help you two today?" She had a warm smile across her face. "Our wedding is coming soon. We are here for a premarital medical test," Desmond answered. "Alright, sir, Please have a seat in the waiting area. The doctor will call you shortly." They went and took a seat at the waiting area. Only a very few people were sitting there. After a few minutes, a door opened, and a doctor ste
It was on a bright Monday morning. Daniella was standing in front of her large mirror, checking herself out. She could barely contain her excitement as she kept turning from side to side.She and Desmond were preparing to visit the civil affairs bureau to process their marriage certificate. Daniella was exceptionally happy. She would finally marry Desmond. She had been dreaming of this moment for months, not because of love, but because of a better life she saw beyond the wedding. A life where she would divorce him and walk away with half of his properties for her and her boyfriend. The wedding was set for next week, but today was the first step toward securing her future.Desmond, on the other hand, seemed calm as he waited for Daniella in the living room. "Ready?" he asked when she finally showed up.She nodded, and they both headed out to the car. They got to the driveway, and Daniella slipped into the passenger seat.Desmond drove to the civil affairs bureau in silence. Each of th