DAHLIA'S POV I walked into the office and my eyes subconsciously search for Carlton. He is seated at the far end of the office but even with the distance and space between us, I suddenly feel nauseated as anger seeps through me. I clench my fist tightly glaring at him, like if we were left alone in the room, I would kill him immediately. I stare at the face that had brought so much pain and anguish to my life. The face of a betrayer. Left to me, if this was truly a business endeavor, for the purpose of generating income, I would never partner with someone like Carlton. Not only is he a traitor, but he is a manipulator and a self-centered person, who doesn't care if people around him are hurt. I came to the conclusion of this, the day he told me to my face that I should abort my babies. And the rest of the foreplay from then was just icing on the cake. As I glare at him, I remember how much his face had tormented me in prison. How it kept recurring in my dream and I would w
22 CARLTON’S POV “Why is Dahlia here? Why was she in your company? Why did she came back? Since when have you been seeing each other?!” Mari-gold had been ranting the same thing right from when we were in the car driving back to the mansion and as soon as we gets in, she doesn’t waste time to attack me. She didn’t even give me room to breath. I throw my keys to the table collapse on on couch. “Answer me, Carlton,” “Get a grip Mari-gold!” I scoff, getting really irritated. “No, why is she here?,” she asks again, impatiently tapping her feet to the floor. “We are business partners. The man you saw beside her, that's Tristan Martinez, CEO of Tristan delight. Dahlia bought shares in my company through him. This partnership will get the company back on its feet and redeem our reputation.” “At least that's the plan…,” I add. “Terminate it.” I sharply turn to look at her in her akimbo stance. Hands placed on the waist, head held high. “What?” “You heard me,” she
Carlton’s pov “How could you do that?” The room is as still as ice as my Father paces back and forth. His eyes inflamed as they glared at me. Apparently, there are already rumours of my collaboration with Tristan Delights. People think I may be framing the company and that is where Marigold's father's speculations came from. “I am only trying to promote the company,” I quietly reply him. “Promote? Don't be a joker. You're destroying everything we have worked for. How could you make such a drastic decision, all on your own. You didn't deem it right to inform me, huh?” I nod my head, recalling our past argument on the company, and the numerous ones before that. When will he ever support my decision. To be frank, I am getting frustrated of all this back and forth. “Do you know how furious the Campbells are? They are partners and you didn't even inform them. How can you make such a reckless decision, Carlton?” The Campbells are Marigold's parents. Her Father has been cal
DAHLIA'S POV A feeling of satisfaction washes over me as I relish the dreadful news about Stewart's Foods Co. that I had seen on TV. As usual, the media arrived at so many conclusions as to why a company like ours would partner with a drowning company. As much as we are supposed to be helping them, alleviating the company's current state, I still enjoy seeing the hate speech on the news and social media about Stewart's Foods Co. I live for these moments. Our company is posing to be Stewart's Foods Co’s savior but the irony of it, is that deep down, we are thrilled about all the slander they are receiving. People even speculate they may have some dirt on us and that's why we are helping them. Although they know better than to expatiate on that rumor. Tristan will end it before it even starts. Lately, the news and social media has been endearing to me and I always anticipate the nasty articles posted on the downfall of a big company. A lot of reporters don't even bother
CARLTON'S POV It’s a relief that the doctor was able to revive Andre After I rushed him to the hospital. And it also took high level of discipline to not go wild on the teachers. Fuck sakes they knows Andre is a special kid, Aren’t they supposed to keep an eye on him? Once again, My whole days went into watching over Andre, neglecting piles of work I’ve to Fix at the office. I called and literally spammed marigold with Text messages, informing her of Audre condition so she could watch Andre while I return to the office. But who was I kidding? Marigold didn’t Take my calls or returned my Texts. Honestly, I’m getting fed up of Mari-gold! Audre got discharged few hours Ago and when we arrive home, I takes my time to prepare his Favourite for him. Spaghetti bolognese. Thankfully he didn’t stress me. He was extremely weak Anyways so he just complied. After feeding him, I got him to shower. I gave him his medicine and now he’s up in his room sleeping. I finally got some time to
DAHLIA'S POV I had just gotten off the phone with Tristen and to say I’m infuriated is an understatement. I’m boiling really hard right now. How could Tristian Agree for me to meet with Carlton Alone at some Restaurant to Discuss about the press conference? Yes, I know we would eventually get to discuss it but why a restaurant. Why not the office? It’s already bad enough that I’ve to stand the sight of that Face of the man I hate so much and now we’ve to meet in a restaurant like some couples on a date? The thought of that Alone is making me cringe right now. I need something to calm my system down right now. so I walk to the wine cabinet, pick out my favorite white wine and pour myself a glass. Circling the glass, before bringing it to my lip, I allow the taste of the wine to remain under my tongue before swallowing. I take in a deep breath to calm myself but Gavin barges into the kitchen in frantic motion. “What's wrong?,” I ask, reaching out for him but he flinches at
DAHLIA'S POV As I stare at my reflection in the mirror, I recall how this has become a frequent action for me since commencing my revenge on Carlton. First the mask party, then the lunch meeting and now this. The press conference is set to begin soon yet I am here in front of a mirror unable to bring myself to move. We are going to be late, Tristan and I. But I can't care less, the though that occupies the bulk of my mind is, am I truly ready to see the faces of the people I despise the most in this world and actual converse with them. “Tristan is here,” Sunny announces as she quickly runs back to the kitchen to continue cooking. I take in a deep breath, and pat myself on the cheek. “You can do this, Dahlia.” Then I put on perfume and leave the room. *^^* The hall is rowdy as reporters and paparazzi are everywhere. I immediately spot familiar faces and my rage begins to build. Carlton's parents are seated at a corner and my parents are seated at a short distance fro
DAHLIA’S POV I look around warily my eyes searching the room for a tall and muscular man. There aren’t many in the room so this should be easy, besides Tristan stands out wherever he goes. But the more I look, the more the appearance of even his silhouette seems vague. Where the hell could he be? I don’t want to spend one more minute than I have to here. I take out my phone from my Hermes bag which every female that passed by me stared at. Tristan’s phone number is the first on my call log since I speak to him on a regular basis. I dial in the number and it goes straight to voice mail. I impatiently stuff the phone back in my bag as my eyes dart around the room again. Still no sign of him. I have to find him, I can’t leave without him, besides we came in his car. As much as I don’t want to speak to anybody here, I’d have to if I intend to find Tristan quickly. The room is getting less crowded as people make their way out. Maybe he’s already outside waiting for me, and like
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
“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, 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
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 b
Carlton’s POV, After the question I just blurt out, dahlia is narrowing her brows at me and I’m feeling so ridiculous for asking that. I’m pretty sure I sounded so desperate and it’s prickling a nerve in me. Right from the moment I saw the news of Tristian and dahlia on my TL, it disorganized every part of me. I don’t know but the news really bit me so hard. Seeing dahlia together with another man in an intimate position. It affected me in a way it shouldn’t have. I found myself boiling hard with rage, the urge to pull dahlia away from Tristian hit so hard. “And Why do you ask?” Dahlia asks with her brow arched as if she’s taunting me. No, mocking me. And I just feel worse. Biting my inner lips, I laugh lightly to cover up my embarrassment. “Don’t mind that dahlia, I shouldn’t have asked. I was just you know… Surprised by the news. You and Tristian didn’t strike me like you are dating.” More like I’m the one who don’t want to think that. Because come to think of it, no man would
Dahlia’s POV, After our discussion about marigold’s doom, Tristian and I decided to tour round the pack and for the first time since years, I am having so much fun. We visited the animals and played with them. Tristian kept making jokes on them and I couldn’t help laughing. From the zoo, we toured the forest and tried out some traditional healthy meals together. After a fulfilling day of fun, we are heading home when some content creators approached us. They seem to be organizing romantic Games for couples and they were meeting random couples to participate. I actually found the request awkward as they’ve mistaken me and Tristian for couples. Tristian exchanged a baffled look with me before turning to them. “Umm…we aren’t couples.” Tristian tells them awkwardly, flashing them an exuberant grin as he make eye gesture at me. Almost like he’s asking for my opinion. The content creators after realizing, they gasp in embarrassment and quickly apologized. “I’m really sorry. We
Dahlia’s POV, After our discussion about marigold’s doom, Tristian and I decided to tour round the pack and for the first time since years, I am having so much fun. We visited the animals and played with them. Tristian kept making jokes on them and I couldn’t help laughing. From the zoo, we toured the forest and tried out some traditional healthy meals together. After a fulfilling day of fun, we are heading home when some content creators approached us. They seem to be organizing romantic Games for couples and they were meeting random couples to participate. I actually found the request awkward as they’ve mistaken me and Tristian for couples. Tristian exchanged a baffled look with me before turning to them. “Umm…we aren’t couples.” Tristian tells them awkwardly, flashing them an exuberant grin as he make eye gesture at me. Almost like he’s asking for my opinion. The content creators after realizing, they gasp in embarrassment and quickly apologized. “I’m really sorry. We th
Unedited. Dahlia’s POV, “So, why did you ask us to meet in this… place?” I ask Tristian as my eyes rove around the scenery. It’s a park and I’ve just met up with Tristian at the bridge where he had Been waiting for me. Instead of a reply, what I get is Tristian staring at me almost in awe. Like it’s his first time seeing him. His eyes are glistening with something as they rake through every inch of me, a small smile tugging at his lips. That look… it mentally draws up a person in my head and it pisses me off. Carlton… that’s the same expression I catches on him each time I spot him gazing at me and I’ll damned if I say I don’t know what it is. As much as it discomforts me, it fills me with this satisfaction that I’m slowly getting my claws on him. Sooner of a later, it would be doomed by me. However my concern now is Tristian and he won’t stop staring, I snap him out of it. “And what’s that look all about?” I snap a finger at him. “Huh… look?!” Like speed of lightening, his expre
Carlton POV, “A Dull knife is a dangerous knife.” Dahlia has the calmest smile as she’s enthusiastically enlightening our students regarding culinary techniques. We are in the advanced stage of our cooking course and dahlia taking the student while I am sitting beside her, watching. Every inch of her. The way her hand moves, the passion in her eyes, the professional way she dishes our tips and handle cultures like she’s born to do this! Dahlia is one hell of an incredible woman. She’s not just beautiful, she’s so smart and As I stare at her, it’s hard to keep my sanity in check. I keep rethinking the bad decisions I had made in the past. How the hell did I let this woman slip away from me? Right now, she’s laying emphasis on knife work and she’s so enthusiastic about it.“If you risk using a dull knife to dice ingredients, you just don’t risk a potential hazard, you risk getting bad shapes. Just like this.” With the student watching with keen attention, dahlia picks up a carrot a