Dahlia’s POV, Unedited. Not this Again! Walking outside the company to meet a host of paparazzi is something I will never prepare for. But… well, considering the news flying all about, its quite expected. The media would go at lengths just to monetize rumors. As soon as I and Tristan stepped out, different microphones are shooting towards us with truck load of questions flying in the air at same time. “Can you explain the nature of your relationship, given the intimate photo circulating online?” “Are you two dating, and if so, how long have you been together?” “Please Sir… ma’am, the public needs answers” As the questions stops, I try to smuggle past the crowd of medias and head off as I’m not caught up for any explanation. But Tristian decides to feed them. Tucking his hands into pocket, he observes the media and begin to speak into one of the microphone. “I’m just going to say this once and short. I and dahlia are not in any relationship that extends from
“It’s a pleasure to be meeting you here you know.” Marigold bubble with an overly exaggerated smile that spite me to my stomach. And without giving me space to breath she begin to ramble. “Anyways I’ve seen the news about you and Tristian flying around. Is that true? Are you dating? I hope you are because you need to see you guys In that photo clip. You know you looked soooo good together!” She said, stressing the ‘so’, Obvious sarcasm dripping from her voice and from the evil grin on her face. I hiss with annoyance. “You should drop this whole act already marigold. You are fooling no one but yourself.” I spat, glaring straight into her face. And as if to feign innocence or ignorant, she makes a puppy face. “What are you talking about? Aren’t you tired of keeping malice with me?” Malice! The nerve of her to say that or even stand before me smiling after setting me up with her husband. I could play along with her charade now but that would so petty so I just smirk and draw cl
Dahlia’s pov The rest of the days goes by in a blur of the regular events. Carlton and I having classes, and each passing moment with him, he shows his building feelings for me without having to speak it. There are times he occasionally winks. Times he just stare at me and zone out In important events. Like when discussing and planning out the upcoming contest with the rest of the team. When TRISTAIN is in my presence, he’s unable to contain or hide his jealousy and rage. It shows in the way he speaks so rashly to him, he only holds himself back as Tristian he his superior. As for me and Tristan, we indulge him. I intentionally grooms seductive outfits and put on the love birds charade with Tristian just to spite Carlton and boy did it work out. At a point, it feels like Carlton decides to challenge TRISTAIN to win me. He invites me on take outs tagging it as business take outs but TRISTAIN put it upon himself to follow me to the dinners just to spite Carlton up. As if Carlton reali
Marigold’s POV,As I’m staring at the TV’s screen, my blood is boiling so hard. My vision is a complete blur of red as I’m staring at the two people on screen. Dahlia and my husband. Their talking about whatever nonsense cookbook they just released and if I don’t much, I would be thinking these two are couples. They are both standing together looking so happy. Even though no one is seeing it, I can clearly see the chemistry between them. It so obvious and fucking choking. Carlton keeps winking at dahlia obviously not concerned with public getting ideas…This is all dahlia’s fault! As she’s speaking into that microphone right now, I so want to rip it off and wipe the smile off her face. "I'm completely overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude today!This cookbook…” she swerve up a cookbook to the view of the screen. “…is a true labor of love. and it wouldn't have been possible without the inspiration and creativity of my amazing student chefs. They've pushed me to think outside the
Carlton’s pov, For a very long time now, I can’t remember when last I’ve been this happy. I’m sitting with dahlia in some classy restaurant. Exotic meals are scampered around our table. I had made sure to order for the best meals as I’ve to do lot of convincing to get dahlia here with me after our shoot.“Thank you so much dahlia for honoring my invitation.” I bemuse, staring at dahlia with a grin. Prying Eyes from the many people in the restaurant are all dancing around us but honestly I don’t give a damn what’s going through their minds. Today is one hell of a remarking day not just because of the book release, I mean I releases cook books every now and then but it’s a different feeling that I got to achieve a successful collaboration with dahlia. “Thank you for everything. You literally raised my company back up from scratch and bough me back to prominence again. I don’t really know how best to thank you enough.” “Well, you have already thanked me Enough Carlton. it’s becomin
Carlton’s POV,“Carlton.” She calls my name with some measure of fright in her voice then she takes a deep sigh. “What were you up to?” I narrow my brow, My gaze shifting from her to my messed up wardrobe. I don’t expect a proper response from her and she doesn’t fail to betray my assumption. “Nothing… I was just… Anyways how are you doing? How was the book launch?” She wears a bright smile, walking towards me. She reach for my briefcase and I just let her play the good wife charade. The last thing I need right now is her tantrums. “Where’s Andre?” I ask her as I’m taking off my clothes. She’s leaning on the cupboard and she frown questioningly at me like I just spoke French. “I asks where is Andre?” “Where else would he be? In his room of course.” She rolls her eyes. I don’t need to ask if he had eaten lunch because I know fully well marigold would rather do anything but cook. So as soon as I’m done changing up, I have to head for the kitchen to commence my usual routine. But
Carlton’s POV, “Carlton.” She calls my name with some measure of fright in her voice then she takes a deep sigh. “What were you up to?” I narrow my brow, My gaze shifting from her to my messed up wardrobe. I don’t expect a proper response from her and she doesn’t fail to betray my assumption. “Nothing… I was just… Anyways how are you doing? How was the book launch?” She wears a bright smile, walking towards me. She reach for my briefcase and I just let her play the good wife charade. The last thing I need right now is her tantrums. “Where’s Andre?” I ask her as I’m taking off my clothes. She’s leaning on the cupboard and she frown questioningly at me like I just spoke French. “I asks where is Andre?” “Where else would he be? In his room of course.” She rolls her eyes. I don’t need to ask if he had eaten lunch because I know fully well marigold would rather do anything but cook. So as soon as I’m done changing up, I have to head for the kitchen to commence my usual rou
Carlton pov, Wow! I’ve almost forgotten about this. After reading the notification, I shove the phone back in its place and turn to Andre who has a curious expression on his face. “That’s was a notice from your school, Andre. Concerning your BOOTCAMP.” I informs him with a smile. “Yahhhhh!” He cheers, His blue eyes sparkling like starlights. if it was Andre of before, he wouldn’t act on that. Especially if it has to do with socializing. “Daddy would you be coming with me?” Is that even a question? “Of course sweat heart, I wouldn’t miss it for anything in the world.” I assures him and that escalates his excitement even more then he begins to ramble. “Thank you daddy. Dad what would happen at the camp? How does it usually look like? Have you attended before? Would Aunt dahlia be coming with her kids too?…” Andre rush all in one breath, his joy searing all over the place. He can’t seem to contain his new found energy and among all he rambled out, I just choose to reply the last
Dahlia pov I walk away from Carlton and when at a safe distance, I answers Tristian’s call. Carlton’s eyes follows me, his eyes not peeling away from me for a single moment. “”Dahlia.” Tristian baritone protrudes from the other end of the line. Completely turning away from Carlton, I speaks into the phone. “Yeah, Tristian. How are you doing?” Tristian probably reads meanings to my dull tone of voice and he begin to apologize about what happened this morning. Somehow, I had honestly forgotten about it if not that he brought it up. “But what’s going Tristian? Who is that girl with you?” I blurts out the minute he’s done apologizing. And the way his breath stiffen proves that the topic is sort of sensitive to him. “She’s…” he sighs, and his voice becomes firm. “She’s no one dahlia.” “No one?” I can’t help the annoyance that courses through me. “Tristian? What do you mean no one? She’s all over your calls. Do you really have to be so hideous about her?” Excerpt that Tristian is up
Chapter 3Its 4pm and everyone has gotten settled in their different lodges then those who decided to come out for the evening tour, are all scampering all over the extra spacious arena. Camping up in different spots. Some couples throwing kites up with their kids at the beach area. Some just walking about. Some feeding animals at the zoo area and some trying out grilled foods at the Carter’s area. Everywhere super lively and bubbling. Then some like me, Carlton and the kids are touring through the landscape. It’s spacious enough to have different families at different spots. Like most of the parents are doing, i and Carlton has been educating the kids on everything we comes across. Our hands pointing all directions like some tour guards. The kids keeps marveling at everything and squealing happily, making me and Carlton to laugh together. The kids manages to make the touring so lively that I and Carlton keeps laughing at intervals, I have been so engrossed in the moment that I l
Its 4pm and everyone has gotten settled in their different lodges then those who decided to come out for the evening tour, are all scampering all over the extra spacious arena. Camping up in different spots. Some couples throwing kites up with their kids at the beach area. Some just walking about. Some feeding animals at the zoo area and some trying out grilled foods at the Carteen. Everywhere super lively and bustling. Since it’s evening, electric lights is illuminating everywhere. Then some like me, Carlton and the kids are touring through the landscape. It’s spacious enough to have different families at different spots. Like most of the parents are doing, i and Carlton has been educating the kids on everything we comes across. Our hands pointing all directions like some tour guards. The kids keeps marveling at everything and squealing happily, making me and Carlton to laugh together. The kids manages to make the touring so lively that I and Carlton keeps laughing at intervals,
Dahlia “Mummy were you really married to uncle Carlton?” That question pierces through me like a newly filed sword. No, it’s just the question but the innocent eyes of my all four kids as they are bearing through me. I’m feeling different emotions all at that same time. Anger. Guilt. Fear. They were never supposed to find out about this at all. How dare that woman? Words can’t express the amount of anger I’m feeling towards her right now. Towards everything. Right now we are all in the plane as the BOOTCAMP was said to be holding in Los Angeles. Every family are occupying different rows of seat as we are all flying in the plane. Carlton and Andre are somewhere at the back and after settling in, Gavin decided to throw the cold question at me. For the very first time, I’m unable to formulate any words to say to my kids. I don’t want to lie to them but at the same time, I don’t want this discussion. Especially with them. It’ll trigger a whole lot of other questions likeWhat happened
Carlton POV, Most of the parents who came for the Bootcamp seems to know each other. When I and dahlia walked together into the hall, we long splits up as friends who knows us came to greet us. While I leave dahlia with her old friend, I walk off with a business associate of mine leaving Andre behind to mingle with his peers. But I actually regrets doing that because Andre got involved in a fight with some kids right inside the hall. Dahlia’s kids were also involved too. The table quickly turn. Me and the other parents of the kids have to separate the fight while everyone in the hall has their attention towards us. “What the hell happened?” Dahlia yells, glaring at both her kids and the all other kids. “They started it!” Gianna snap, pointing at the other kids they fought with. “They were making fun of Andre.” She divulged and I frown. A girl among the other kids retorts Gianna. “She’s lying. I and my friends just said sick kids can’t survive boot camps.” The kid said wi
Carlton’s pov, Most of the parents who came for the Bootcamp seems to know each other. After our encounter at the car park, dahlia and I proceeds into the hall along with the kids. As Expected we walks into a rowdy scene. Parents who probably knows each other are scampering around greeting each other. Kids are buzzing around mingling with their peers. Some staffs are engaging in different activities, some walking around and others prepping up speakers for the camping speech. “Dahlia!” Right at the entrance, some woman comes rushing dahlia with a smile on her face. She seems to know dahlia and at the sight of her, dahlia’s face lits up. “Omg, Carolina. Look at you!” They begin to talk when one of my business Associates Alfred hijacks me from no where. “Hey Carlton…” he acknowledges me with a warm smile on his face. “Alfred…” We begin to greet each other and I don’t realize Andre has walk off my sight. Along with Dahlia's kids. until a ruckus suddenly exudes in the hall tha
Dahlia POV, The morning has been a whole new vigor of excitement as today is their BOOTCAMP. But me? I don’t really know. I’m not so thrilled about Bootcamp due to my past traumatic experiences but that Aside, I’m also worried that Tristian isn’t here yet. It’s already 9 Am and my kids are all dressed up already, including me. In fact they are already waiting in the car while I’m just in my room packing up relevant stuffs for the camping. Sunny had really been of great help all morning. And right now, she’s still helping me. “Do you really need these much mattresses?” Sunny asks I’m stuffing several mattresses into a bag while she had been passing them to me. “Of course, I wouldn’t want my kids catching a cold.” I said and she groan then roll her eyes. “And Tristian,” she suddenly hollers. “You said he would be here this morning. What’s keeping him?” She asks with a scoff, feigning her usual annoyance over Tristian. Well, even me would like to know what’s keeping him. If he
CARLTON’s POV, After the marigold sex tape shenanigans has been eradicated, I decided to finally face my father. More he called few moments ago after I just parted ways with dahlia and I drove straight ti the mansion and I found him at the living room standing and facing the glassed wall. Even as an old man, he still bears that intimidating Aura around him and I hated the way my body reacted to him. Especially when he twirls to face me, his stern dark eyed unnerves every inch of me. I just pulls up a firm, unbothered facade as I wait for him to speak. And I’ve been waiting since like the past ten seconds. “Finally, you decided to show up.” He finally speak with a calm voice then he walks away from his position. My eyes follows him keenly and the next thing he does actually stuns me. He walks towards the wine rank. Bring out a red wine and two glasses. He fetches some quantity each glasses and pass one over to me. I hesitate for a second before collecting it then he walks back to
Dahlia’s POV, The drive to wherever we are heading is quiet and cozy until Carlton brings up the subject of Tristian. “You know, I’ve been wondering.” He begins. pulling my attention from the phone I’m operating, I turn to face his side profile. “What do you have on Tristian?” His question completely throws me off and I arch my brows at him. Then As if reading my mind, he speaks further. “Like getting Alan to release marigold sex tapes and still getting him to take it down, couldn’t have been so easy. Yet he he did all that just for your sake. You seem to have something on him and if you don’t, then he definitely has a thing for you.” And there he goes again trying into pry into mine and Tristian’s relationship. I know what he wants to hear and that’s what I’ll be giving him… but in a non pleasing way. “You are absolutely wrong on that.” I began, eyes still pinned to his side profile. “Tristan doesn’t have anything for me. I mean not everyone does good things and expect somet