It’s my birthday and the house had Been buzzing with tiny clones of me jumping all around and singing me birthday song. I call them, my tiny clones because they are like four spitting image of me which is one thing I’ll forever be grateful for. Thank Goodness they’ve nothing in common with their father. Only Gianna had her father Biege hair colour but I tinted it to black. So nothing reminds me of the person whom I hate so much. “Mom, I’ve a gift for you…” Gianna the 3rd and my only girl among my quadruplets shrill like a Siren as we are all having breakfast. Her immediate younger brother Griffin also adds, “me too mommy!” I breaks into a cheeky grin like a kid on Christmas, as I watch them flee the table. They leaves the dining and comes back with their gifts. Gianna hands me a very beautiful sketch. A portrait of me in chef attire holding a spatula. My heart flusters as I stares at the sketch. I had never loved my new career as a chef this much as I’m feeling right
CARLTON’S POV Few moments ago, my entire world damn near came to a stop as my eyes came in contact with the little kid I just helped get a draw-book. She has beautiful cyan eyes that twinkled brightly as she stared at me with a gleeful smile. Her lips are plump and pink. Her short curly hair, raven black. In fact everything about her, immediately reminded me of a memory that had been hunting me through the past 5 years. “Thank you Mista!” Her tiny but loud voice made me jolts out of my daze. Hearing her voice and having her stare up at me, filled me with something I haven’t felt for a long time - Warmth and Pure bliss. And I don’t know why but felt this strong connection towards her. Which immediately dissolves as it dawns on me that I might be hallucinating.... Again. It’s not the first time I’m mistaking a random Female for Dahlia. ever since she disappeared after her release, I’ll be damned if I say I never regretted my action at some point. I don’t know if it’s guilt b
When Marcus called, he told me Andre had a seizure, which nearly gave me a heart attack. It’s not like it’s the first time this is happening but it happened when Andre was all alone in the Mansion. As usual, Mari-gold had Abandoned him in the house to go to God-knows well. If not that my mother visited the mansion today, I wonder what could have happened. According to Marcus, My mother was the one who rushed him to the hospital. And when Andre had woken up, he began fighting with the nurses and demanding to leave. My mother already left to attend to some important business. They had to call Mari-gold but she took none of their calls. Marcus had to call me when the racus was still going on. After the call with Marcus, I had to call Mari-gold. After a million unanswered calls, she finally picked up and her response towards everything I told her, was ‘I’m caught up with something right now Carlton, I can’t come’ Then she hung up! Of course I know the ‘something’ she was talking abou
Dahlia pov Tristian company, branded as TRIST DELIGHT is hosting a food festival and as it’s usually done, I’ve to give a speech addressing the Audience, introduce some healthy Food recipes, new products and Heath Tips. And so, we’ve done parts of them, the hall is bustling with life as Several Exotic food are placed on thousands of Tables. Yes, Thousands, and I’m not exaggerating! Tristian company is the Top one Food company around the world so it’s no surprise that we commands crowd. Right now, I’m standing elegantly on the podium, Addressing the vast Audience. And before I proceed, I pass the Audience one finale look - then my eyes caught him. Those striking Emerald eyes. The man who’d practically rescued me out of the ruins, my bastard Ex-husband put me. The man who’d made me who I am today. A successful chef and a co-ceo. Tristian Martinez. As our eyes meets, there he goes giving me a wink and his signature smile of Approval and support. I smile back before I continue
Carlton's POV “Do whatever it takes Alex, just make him stay! We can’t loose any more client!” This is the untempt Time I’m yelling at my P.A this morning over the phone. Well would you blame me? Stewarts Foods Co is inder A terrible bankruptcy. Investors are opting out and I don’t want to talk About the brutal backlashes on the internet, Bad reviews from our Top customers all of which are pointing to me. Of course it has to be on me. I’m the Acting CEO After-all. “But Sir...” “No buts Alex. Make Mr, prem stay and that’s finale. Just get something right for once in your life! I’m already on my way.” I thundered rashly and hung up, throwing the phone on the desk. My fingers worked furiously as they knots my Tie around my neck. After knotting it, I quickly slide off my brief case from the table. Took my phone and I walked out of the room. I was prodding down the staircase when I over here marigold yelling. And at the dinning Is she and Andre. She’s trying to force him to e
Tristian’s POV It’s been four days now since the event where I talked with dahlia regarding her revenge plot for that bastard ex husband of hers. And finally, The Stewarts Foods co will finally be launching their new product tomorrow. At Long Last! But right now I’m literally shaking in rage as I clenched hard to the photo frame in my hand. I’m trying so hard to deadened the pain ripping through me as I glares hard at it but it’s proving impossible. My blood is a mix of rage and intense pain. It has always been like this each time I lays my eyes on the photo of my mother... The sudden buzzing of my phone, jolts me back to reality. I pulled out my phone from my pocket and answered the call. “Hel...” “Just go Straight to the point.” I growled into the phone, sparing No time for patience. I was visibly shaking with rage. “The deal is done sir. It’s going to be one hell of a remarkable day for the Stewarts Foods co. Tomorrow.” “Good...” I deadpanned. A smirk curved th
Dahlia's POV I finished cooking in like the duration of thirty minutes. Grayson’s little assistant was really an advantage. Since Tristian would be here soon, I needed to hurry. I dished out the meals and Grayson joined me to pack everything to the dinning. Tristian came right on time. Just when I had finished setting up the table. “Woah, I can already tell by the Aroma that these meal are incredibly delicious.” Tristian appraised as he gets to the table. “Of course it is, I and mom made it.” Grayson enthused proudly. Tristian chuckled and I rolled my eyes. “Grayson when someone compliments your work, you should say Thank you.” “Thank you uncle Tristian!” “you are welcome, my little guy.” Tristian winks at him and assumes his position on a seat opposite of me. “Uncle Tristian did you get my toy?” Gianna attacked Tristian as soon as he sat down. And that earned her a frown from me. So typical of Gianna to never forget things especially when you promise her a gift. A
“About the pre-Launch of your new product at the company, Carlton, how did it go?” My father asked, breaking the silence on the dinning table. We were currently having dinner with my parents. Me, marigold and my son. And it has been an awkward one as no one was talking. My had tried initiating conversation with Andre but then Andre wasn’t the talkative kid. Infact he hated talking and mingling with people so he didn’t responded well to mom and mom just left him alone. My parents sure as hell never been the pampering parents anyways and won’t suddenly start doing that with Andre. They believe so much in being strict. Mari-gold on the other hand don’t, or no longer get along with my parents. She sure as knew she’d be embarrassing herself if she tries starting a conversation so she knew better to just shut up. And my parents doesn’t bother to ask me anything about life with me or my family cause they already know the answer. It’s been nothing but hell and I want a bloody out! We a
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