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
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 that signature smile of his. A smile of Approval and support. I smile back before I continue my speec
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. Stewarts Foods Co is Experiencing A severe 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 eat when he clearly didn’t want that food. She was yel
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... 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 the side of my lip as I cut the call. I’ve barely ended the call before My office door burst open and I don’t need to even look before I know who that is. Who e
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 This is it. It's all happening. The day I finally have my revenge. Stewart's Foods Co. are holding their launch party today, where they'll be releasing their new product to the public. And Tristian and I will be attending. Everything was coming into play. Taking one last glance at myself, I carefully put on the venetian style mask, adorned with feathers, lace and gemstones that compliment my dress. I walk into the living room where Tristian is already waiting for me. As I prudently walk down the stairs my heart begins to pound against my chest from the way Tristan stared at me. That intensive gaze of his which sends chills down my spine, never turn a moment away from me until I reach the bay of the stairs. He lazily drops his eyes down the length of my body, tracing the elegant lines of my dress. His gaze is soft yet intense, as he travels up my body, lingering in certain places, causing my heart to beat more rapidly. He meets my eyes again and what I
DAHLIA'S POV “So, How did you get access to their production center?” I asked Tristian while the commotion in the hall still went on. Thankfully my kids were at a safe distance. “I planted spies in the company. They were losing customers and employees because of the rumors that they couldn't keep up with employee salaries. And that was the moment they needed more employees since their product launch was around the corner. So I sent in spies to pretend they were seeking a job, we faked their qualifications and other necessary documents. They were given the job and hence access to all production units. The rest of the plan was child's play after that. They could easily sneak in anything into the production unit without getting caught or questioned” As I listen attentively to Tristan, I am completely marveled by how well crafted his plan is. I can't help shaking my head at him and smiling. “Who would have known you'd be so good at getting revenge?” “I like to think I have a
CARLTON’S POV Dahlia is probably the mother Andre wishes for. And I know that's an awful thing to say, but I've never seen react around any woman the way he does with her. He lets her speak, he listens to her and obeys her. Like Father, like son right?He sees something in her just like I do. I am still in awe at how Dahlia's kids were able to get Andre to laugh. I haven't seen my son laugh in months. And that speaks volumes. Am I a bad parent? Am I going about everything wrong?I'd have to get a parenting manual from Dahlia because how does she do that? Her kids bring a certain kind of joy with them that is just contagious, and Andre is no exception. When they live it always feels like the mood has been dulled, or the atmosphere is suddenly gloomy. Again, Andre is no exception, because since they left he has been salty and bitter. He went back to being the Andre that I'm used to but in a more intense level. I took everything in me to not call Dahlia and plead with her to bri
DAHLIA'S POV Again, Carlton has said something to implicate himself and me in the presence of Marigold. I should be elated but I don't feel like having a back and forth with Marigold. The look in her eyes shows that she wants to engage in a fight and any moment from now she'd have an outburst because of my presence here. My kids are here and the last thing I want to do is fight with Marigold in front of them. The last time that happened, it didn't end well for me. I'm not about to repeat it. So before Marigold can utter a word, I excuse myself from the situation. “I can see now is not a good time, we’ll just go.”I hold my kids by their hands and turn around to leave but Carlton stops me. He's suddenly beside me and his hands are on mine, holding me back. My eyes open in shock because of his actions. I don't know if he's trying to get Marigold infuriated because it's working. The look in her eyes shows that she could kill me right now. Her eyes are fixated on the contact betw
CARLTON’S POV It's been three days since my encounter with Dahlia at the hospital. She still asks about Andre's health and I admire her for being so invested in his well being, something his own mother can never do. But that's about it. She has no interest in reiterating the conversation we were having that day and I respect that. It's a sensitive topic for her and I will be as patient as I can be. My patience seems to be wearing out as I stare at her while she assesses the beet roots on the shelves. We are at a raw food materials store. It's one of our events to prepare for the physical classes. After this we will converge at the front of the store to take pictures. So far everything has been going well except the constant urge to speak to Dahlia. Ever since the day at the hospital, I keep getting intrigued by her. The little things she does, how her fingers gently caress the fruits, how her lips curve into a slight smile as she assesses vegetables. She must really like the thin
DAHLIA'S POV The morning is dull and the sky humid. I make sure the kids wear jackets and have scarves tied around their neck before dropping them off at school. Throughout yesterday night and this morning, thoughts of Tristan have been on my mind. Our kiss, seeing him in so much pain. I wish everything didn't go down the way it did. I have had time to think about it too, and I owe Sunny an apology, and a huge thank you for her impact on my life and that of my kids. So in a good spirit, I make breakfast for Tristan and Sunny and dish theirs in a cooler. I freshen up, drop my kids at school and head to the hospital. The hospital environment always gives me jitters. Seeing people walk in and out with one condition or the other, in pain, receiving bad or good news. It's almost overwhelming, so I quickly make my way past everyone and head to Tristan's room. The door is a little open and I can hear someone talking. I walk in to see the doctor speaking to Tristan about his condition. Bu
DAHLIA'S POVWe have to get him on his feet at least. We'll help him walk to the car and the rest will be easy. One of Tristan's arms is draped over my shoulder, the other is draped over Sunny's shoulder. He is still in pain, and groaning as we push our way to my car. “Almost there,” I groan feeling bad for Tristan as he tries to suppress the pain and not groan. “It's okay, Tristan, you'll be fine. We are almost at the car,” I try to reassure him. Sunny is quiet throughout. We finally get Tristan into the car. “I have to do something, I'll meet you there,” Sunny says, sounding suspicious. She doesn't wait for me to reply before she walks away. Tristan groans again bringing my attention back to him. I'll deal with Sunny later, Tristan is my priority for now. I quickly enter my car and drive to the hospital. I finally found time to get my car from the mechanic shop. Tristan groans in pain the whole way to the hospital and I feel really bad for him. I try increasing my speed but
DAHLIA'S POV “What is going on here?”Sunny's voice gets loud as her expression goes dark. She looks between Tristan and I, her lip twitches as realization sets in and she begins pacing. “Sunny, calm down,” I say, trying to ease her. Her reaction is perfectly valid, maybe Tristan might be oblivious, although I doubt that, but I know how Sunny feels about him. And here I am kissing someone she likes. But I couldn't help it, I was caught up in the moment. I shouldn't have betrayed her like that, still, the pull between Tristan and I was too much to ignore. The way he stared at me, the lustful look in his eyes. If Sunny hadn't interrupted, I wonder how far it would have gone. Maybe it's because I haven't been touched or kissed in a while, because why else will I give in? My thoughts are in a haze but with the growing fury in Sunny's eyes, I have to prioritize her feelings first. “Calm down? You're telling me to calm down? I walk in here, tired as hell from work, hoping to see that
DAHLIA'S POV “Miss Dahlia, is it true that you're having a private relationship outside work with Mr. Carlton Stewart?” One of the reporters asks almost putting the mic in my mouth. I have to get out of this, out of here. How did I get myself in this mess?Oh yes, I remember, I walked out of the auditorium room and was met with this paparazzi asking inappropriate questions. .Who even gave them permission to enter here? And they are asking unscreened questions which puts me in a tight place. “Miss Dahlia, please explain your relationship with Mr. Stewart,” another one shoots a question. I immediately turn and glare at him, he instinctively steps back still keeping the mic close to my mouth. This is too much. The blinding lights, the multiple mics in my face. I can't take it. My head begins to spin and it feels like I'll collapse anytime soon. As the reporters keep throwing questions at me, I feel my knees begin to grow weak. No, no, no. Don't give up on me now. They are givin
DAHLIA'S POV The eyes of the man embracing me grows wide and he immediately pushes himself off me. I feel a little hurt but then I remember that it's Carlton. He's a cheat and sneaking around is his specialty. “We…we were ju…just hugging,” he stammers, “there’s nothing going on I swear it.”I fold my arms across my chest and watch as Carlton pathetically tries to explain the situation to Tristan. Tristan scoffs and moves further into the room. “I know you were just hugging because I know Dahlia, she'd never fool around with someone's husband. It's beneath her,” he says looking at Carlton. I know what he's doing. Yes, everything he's saying is true and I believe it but he's also trying to mock Carlton, knowing fully well that Carlton was sleeping with someone else when he was still married to me. And it's working because the look on Carlton's face says he feels ashamed and he wants to kill Tristan for mocking him. Carlton's jaws tightens and his shoulders get tense. Tristan al
MARIGOLD'S POV It has been exactly three days since my fight with Dahlia in front of the school compound. People took videos and pictures and posted them on the net. At first the headlines were, CEO of Tristan Delight at Texas branch gets into an embarrassing fight with a fellow parent at her children's school. The next day they had completely changed. Apparently the newly found public attraction had made people dig in more on my life and Dahlia's. The new headlines were…CEO of Tristan Delight at Texas branch engages in a fight with her stepsister over the CEO of Stewart's Foods Co, husband to the stepsister. I mean, I'm excited about the news and all but the least they could do is use my name. Now I have to parade around like the ‘stepsister’. I'm not complaining though, this is the most publicity I've gotten in years. Today is the third day and I'm just loving the comments and articles online. It's all hateful comments against Dahlia. People are defending me, saying Dahlia is