Five YEARS LATER.
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 now! For the past five years, I’d studied culinary art and I became CEO to one of Tristian’s continental Resturants here in LA. It’s part of my Revenge Plan against Carlton. I became a chef and a master in the Feild. I had won several award here in L.A but none could amount to this painting made for me by my little princess. “This is so pretty Gianna!” I flush hard as I pull my baby girl into a hug. I ruffles her hair and place multiple kisses on her cheeks. Griffin’s Gift Is a pretty wrist bead. “Aww Thank you so much Griffin, this is so pretty!” I pull him into a hug and ruffles his face with several kisses making him chuckle and giggle. I let go off him to follow Gianna back to their seats. Since Gavin and Grayson, my eldest kids has no gifts. They offers me a spoonful from their cake. I eats it with so much joy and give them both a perk on their cheeks. After eating, I leave the kids at the dining to go prepare for the mall since today is a Saturday. “Mom, I’m going with you to the mall.” Gianna begins to whine as I arrives back at the living room with a brush, dressed in a casual jean and hoodie. “Oh, please Gianna. Not now—-“ I Barely finish before the others joins in, screaming. “Mom, I’ll also go with you.” “Me too mom.” “Mom, please grant us this one wish, it’s your birthday.” They all pull an apologetic, puppy face that you’ll mistake them for saints. It funnies but I know better than to laugh when trying to be stern with them. “No, you are going to stay at home.” I declared, wearing a good measure of sternness as I continue brushing my hair but that doesn’t deter my kids. “Mum, Please. We promise, we won’t run around.” Thankfully, The blasting of my phone puts a stop to their noisy whining. Gianna reach for the phone since it’s beside her and as she peeks at the screen, she Hollers like a siren. “Uncle TRISTIAN!!!!!” The boys faces lits up instantly as they immediately flew off their seats and gathers around Gianna. Gianna doesn’t bother to pass me the phone, she proceeds to punch the answer bottom and Tristian’s Face appears immediately on the screen. “Uncle Tristian!”, they all yell at the same time, their tiny voices capable of getting someone deaf. A small smile makes its way to my face as I watch Tristian beams with a Bright smile at the sight of my kids, “Yo, what’s up. How had you all been?” Tristian greets them like a fellow guy, bubbling with a smile. For the past five years, Tristisn had been a Very Good friend to me and he’d been like a father Figure to my kids. My kids used to think he’s their Dad But I didn’t want to lie to them. So I told them the truth. Not the entire truth though. I made them believe that their real father is dead and Tristian is just their uncle. Because really, Carlton is dead to me. The only dealing I’ll be having with him, is to make him pay for what he did to me. On the video call, my kids all begin talking to Tristian at the same time. “Mom Doesn’t want us to follow her to the mall!” “It’s Mommy’s birthday today, I made chocolate.” “When are you coming back?” “I Miss you so much uncle Tristian.” “C’mon kids, Don’t stress your uncle Tristian out. Can’t you see he’s tired already.” I try to intervene, rolling my eyes but still Tristian goes ahead to reply him one after the other even though he looks really drained. “Leave them alone Dahlia, I’m fine.” He frowns playfully. “I miss you too my princess,” he replies to Gianna, making baby groan. “I don’t know when I’m coming since I’ve lot work here at the office but I promise I’ll be back soon.” He replies griffin. “Guess I really miss A lot today huh! Hope you will make chocolate cake for me when I comes back Greyson?” He feign a puppy face and we all burst out laughing. . “Yes” Greyson cheers. “Now, why won’t Mummy let you go with her to the mall?” He arch his brow at me and I rolls my eyes shaking my head. “Oh please Tristian, the least thing I want today is a search party organized for my kids. You know how stubborn they are.” Tristian burst into laughter, while my kids start groaning. I takes my phone away from the table and stands up so that I’m the only one on the video call with Tristian now. As we are now the only ones on the call, Tristian wishes me a happy birthday which is the main reason he called. “I’m sorry, I’m not there now to celebrate your day with you but I’ll make it up to you when I gets back.” “C’mon, it’s fine, Tristian. You’ve done enough already.” We Discuss alittle about his Restaurant here which I’m over-seeing. Then his expression goes serious as he says, “Hope you are prepared. Because pretty soon, you’ll be meeting Carlton Stewart once again.” My pulse quickens and I smirk, “ of course more than ready!” We says our Goodbyes but as I’m about to hang up, my kids resumed whining and groaning. Pleading with Tristian to convince me to allow them come with me and I just know I’ve no choice. I had always had no choice anyway. After the call, I made them promise to behave once we gets to the mall but who am I kidding? As soon as we all Arrive at the spacious City Mall, they begin their usual gallavanting. As usual they serves as central of Attention due to their striking remembrance and it’s not everyday you randomly see Quadruplets around. Not to mention their matching outfit. And the fact that I keep screaming at them as they touch several stuffs asking me to buy it for them, is enough to get everyone’s Attention. I keeps barking different warnings as we thaw the busy mall getting various stuffs into the trolley. “Gavin, drop that. We don’t need it!!!” “Grayson, stop dragging items with your sister.” “Griffin, stop running around!!!!” “Gianna stop moving ahead of me!!!” Shouting, shopping and keeping eye on my kid isn’t such an easy combo. This is exact reason I never wanted them here. And just when I takes my eyes away from them for a moment, I look around me to only find three of them instead of four. My heart thumb and thumb even faster as It dawns on me that I’m not mistaken, they are now three. “Oh God, where’s Gianna? Where’s your sister, Gavin?” I raise an Alarm, screaming at the eldest among them. Without waiting to hear from them, I become frantic. I ask an attendant to help me watch the kids while I go in search for Gianna. I skid through different sections, my heart beating rapidly. But I finds no trace of her. Not giving up, I keeps searching until I spot a little female carbon copy of me at one of the shelves trying to reach for a draw-book. “Gianna!” I scream, I feeling an instant relieve. My nerves relax and I can finally breath now. But as I proceed to meet her, I halt abruptly as I watch a man grabs the draw-book from the top shelf and squats to Giana’s level. That physique… Blue eyes and biege ruffle hair which he occasionally runs his hand through. Gianna is in the company of the last person I ever wanted to meet so soon and now. CARLTON STEWART Oh no, this is bad. Really bad. I am witnessing my greatest fear happen right before my eyes. Why did Carlton stop to help Gianna? Did he notice her resemblance with me? What the hell is he even doing in L.A? I can’t meet him this way after five whole years. I don’t want to meet him now. My reappearance to him should be in grand style not like this. And while I’m still staring, Gianna and Carlton begins to talk. Gosh what are they talking about? What is Carlton asking my daughter? Sudden rage bolts through my veins and suddenly, Gianna sharply turns to my direction. My heart skips a beat because Carlron follows her gaze too...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
Dahlia's POV Dahlia's POV “When people talk about Rich food, What does that mean? Well, most people thinks good food is measured by the worth of ingredients used to prepare the food. But this is a wrong assumption because Rich Food are simply health-oriented Food. Irrespective of the ingredients you uses, if your food doesn’t nourishes and gives the right nutrients then it’s not sufficient enough for consumption...” I Pause as I take a look at my Audience. 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, A
Carlton's POV “Do whatever it takes Alex, just make him stay!” This is the untempt Time I’m yelling at my P.A this morning over the phone. The veins in my neck are already strained but I don’t care. I need investors right now for the company and I can’t risk losing more. Stewarts Foods Co is Experiencing A severe bankruptcy. Investors are opting are. Each departments are just lagging behind. Especially the Marketing department as they seem to be so incompetent to function without me. 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. Everything is just clashing at the same Time and it’s terribly messing with my head. This had Never happened in the history of the Stewarts Foods co. Absurd to say this whole crisis began Few years After my Marriage. Andre condition is really weighing A Ton on me. He spent Two nights at the hospital Af
Tristian’s POV The Stewarts Foods co will finally be launching their new product tomorrow. At Long Last! 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... It’s been so many years yet I still haven’t overcome the pain of loosing her. How could I ever. My vision turns blur as my memory travels back. The Agonizing and dying face of my mother morphs into my Line of vision. “Mom please open your eyes,” A Ten years old me pleaded, staring into my mother’s feeble eyes as she lays almost lifeless on the thatched bed. Tears are streaming down my cheeks and I couldn’t help it. “Co-come on son, I’ll be Fine...” she croaked and A beam with smile that barely reached her eyes. It’s clearly obvious that it was forced. I had al
Carlton's POV The ride to my parent's house is a pretty gloomy one. Andre is quietly sitting at the back and I continually keep glancing back to make sure he's awake and breathing. Marigold on the other hand is oblivious to whatever is going on around her as she is too engrossed in her phone. Today was a pre-launch of our upcoming new product. Gluten free chocolate bars. I hosted it with just a few valued customers and my esteemed executives at the office. They tasted it and Of course they had good things to say about it. Their reviews were really encouraging and I felt like I was on cloud nine today. This will be the breakthrough we've all been waiting for. The pre-launch was a good idea. It had greatly boost my confidence Level. Upon my return back home, I was eager to share the success of the pre-launch with Marigold. But Marigold being Marigold, she didn't even ask about it. She was only just prepared for my parents house since they’ve invited us for dinner today. The who
CHAPTER 11Dahlia's POV “Next, we go in with some soy sauce and oyster sauce”Grayson hands me the soy sauce and then after passing the bottle one too many times, he finally figures out which is the oyster sauce and hands it to me.“Thanks baby, you know your stuff”, I smile at him.“I learnt from the best”, his tiny eyes close slightly and I chuckle at his failed attempt to wink. He will be a really charmer when he grows. Women love a man that can cook.I continue adding condiments to the stew pot. I waited for a while for everything to simmer before adding the veggies.“Hey Gray, how's it going”, I tilt my head to the side as I study his movement. For a kid of his age, Grayson is an excellent cook, his skills are fine and meticulous.“Mommy, I'm done chopping the veggies”“Let me see them”I carefully inspect the veggies he had cut. Finely and neatly chopped. Boy have I raised a chef.“These look so good, Gray. I'm impressed”His smile widens and I can see my compliment means a
Dahlia's POVStaring at my reflection in the mirror, I can barely recognize myself with all the glamor going on. My outfit is an emerald sleek, floor length gown. It's strapless, with soft cuffs cupping my full breasts, exposing just the right amount of cleavage. The shimmering sequins are enough to catch the light in every moment. I turn from side to side, accessing the dress and its tight fitting on my body. It has a corset which hugs my waist firmly, showing my curves in the right places.Tristan suggested I go all out and hence the explanation for this dress he got me. I doubt my kids will even recognize me when they see me in this. I can't remember the last time I put on a dress, but looking at myself now I feel so confident, younger and less like a mother of four. Not that I'm complaining or anything, I love my kids, but sometimes I miss the thrill of being young, going on dates, and falling in love. I reach for the mask on the table and stare at it for the longest time.Thi
DAHLIA'S POV Carlton keeps making phone calls and furiously argues with the person on the line. People continue to walk up to him and question him about his product. He is in awe at how the event has turned out. I can almost feel his anxiety, if that's even possible. The look on his face shows that he is stupefied. His expression is a mixture of confusion, anger, fear and…. helplessness. But even with this I can't feel sorry for him. I turn to look at Tristan and a smirk is still on his face. “What's going on Tristan? Did you do this?” He looks at me and smiles sheepishly. “Maybe” “What?” “This is your revenge, Dahlia. You should be laughing your ass off at this epic fail” But I can't, not when there's a commotion like this. “Did you drug the chocolate?” “I sabotaged the product, hoping this would happen”, he gestures to the madhouse we are in, “and it did. Celebrate with me, Dahlia” He reaches out for my hand but I move away from him. “How can I celeb
DAHLIA’S POVI 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 me he
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
CHAPTER 24DAHLIA'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 flinche
CHAPTER 23 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
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 filtering
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 call
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 replie
DAHLIA'S POVI enter 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 wake soaked in m
CARLTON’S POVIt’s been two days since my P.A informed me about the proposal from Tristan Delight. He was able to schedule a meeting date, and that is today. My heart beats rapidly as I put on my shirt. I am having mixed feelings of anxiety and excitement. I open the drawers in the dressing room, and carefully select a tie that says rich and approachable but don’t fuck with me. You can have on a very elegant suit that radiates class, but your tie option is the deal breaker. I’ve been in the business of engaging investors and shareholders for a long time, and I have mastered the art of impressing them. I pick up a thick dark blue tie with little recurrent square boxes designed in the same shade as the tie. It is rich, simple yet assertive. Wearing a fancy tie to a board meeting isn’t exactly ideal, but your tie game differentiates you from others seated at the table. I stare at my reflection, I am putting on a dark blue suit with a light blue shirt. The tie compliments the outfit trem