Headache hammered Clayton's head as he woke up in the morning. He cradled his head while trying to remember why he ended up in his apartment. Last night he remembered that he came knocking on Emerald's door and hugged her when she opened the door. That was all he remembered as for the other things he did after that he had no memory of it. "I hope I didn't force myself on her," he murmured and realized he was still clad in his suit. This suggested that he didn't do anything to her. He sighed in relief. He had his shower and drove to his office after getting dressed."Helps with the hangover." Constantine placed a glass of water and a tablet on his table. "Thanks," Clayton murmured and took the tablet, put it in his mouth and grabbed the glass of water to drink. Constantine waited for him to finish before asking, "Did you apologize to the madam?" "How did you know I came to her apartment?" His brows lifted and furrowed, creating a crease on his forehead. "Madam, phoned me, usin
Shortly, Lizzy excused herself and went to the powder room. She found Emerald looking at her reflection in the mirror seemed lost and glum. Letting out a maniacal laugh made Emerald know she wasn't alone in the powder room. "Poor Emerald, whatever you do. You can't capture Clayton's attention, let alone his heart. You were given a chance to snatch his heart away from me but you failed. Stop dreaming!" With a faint smile Emerald fired back. "If you really had his heart, why aren't you married yet?" "Oh! I'm practically his wife and I don't care if the wedding comes later. As long as he satisfies me in bed, I wouldn't mind waiting." Wearing a triumphant look, Lizzy turned and went out of the powder room. ''Clayton is sleeping with Lizzy?'' Emerald blanched and her knees weakened, thankfully she managed to hold the sink and that stopped her from falling. ***"Sweetheart, are you alright?" Jim had looked for her in the powder room but she wasn't there and found her in the balcony. "
Now that she had disclosed everything that happened to her when she was missing, the heaviness in her heart was lifted. "I have promised mom that I will take care of you," Jim said while he stroked Emerald's hair. "You are the only cousin I have on mom's side. So, if that man bothers you again, don't hesitate to tell me." Jim's mother was the twin sister of Emerald's mom. His mom died five years after Emerald's mom died. "Don't worry, I won't allow him to hurt me again." Emerald peered outside the car pensively. "That's my girl," Jim ruffled her hair like a kid. Emerald held his arm and pushed it away. "Don't treat me like a girl!" "You'll always be my girl, sweetie!" He chuckled. "Anyway, we'll be flying tomorrow night to Frendelle, are you going with me?" Her team was going to fly for the race event in Frendelle."But of course, how will I miss this milestone in your life?" Jim was always by her side. Except for the two years she went missing as she didn't want him to find he
"So, what's your plan?" Emerald stared at Jim's face beaming with joy. "I'll go and see her and I'll come back in the weekend to watch you race," he had waited years for this moment to come and was afraid to miss the chance of meeting Caroline again.Totally understanding Jim's situation, Emerald had no reluctance on her part and gave her blessings. "No problem, you've waited for this to come and I don't want you to miss it. If you can't come back for the weekend because you needed more time with her, don't feel obligated to go to Frendelle." They parted ways in the airport. Emerald flew to Frendelle while Jim flew to Amerinia. ***"Ready?" Sean asked Emerald they've come to Frendelle for the scheduled practice. She nodded and put on her helmet. There were other 3 female F1 drivers aside from her and that elated Emerald. After the practice her team went to have lunch. Following lunch they went back to the hotel.Just as Emerald was about to take a nap, someone knocked on her doo
"Emerald!" Red called from behind but Emerald kept on walking with long and speedy steps. Honestly, it was all enough to make a woman want to scream and pull her hair out. Surely, most women did not have such issues with men. To her, men brought nothing but headache. Well, she was done with that, Emerald reminded herself grimly. Turning, Red looked for Clayton to confront him but he was nowhere to be found. "That sly fox might follow her to the hotel, I have to stop whatever his plans are," Red said under his breath. Just as he was going towards the car, someone grabbed his arm. He grimly looked at the person who held his arm. "Is there going on between Clayton and Emmy?" She couldn't believe that even Clayton fell in Emerald's trap. "Get lost!" He yelled, yanking his arm away. That question was rubbing salt in his wound. Betrayed. It's what he felt right now. How foolish he was for not seeing the signs. It was there all along. Clayton made a complete fool of him. At the sam
In quietness they ate their meals. But their hearts were far from quiet. Finished with his meal, Clayton stared at Emerald not averting his gaze from her even for a millisecond as though she would vanish any second if he did. Under his constant gaze, Emerald was absurdly aware of the sound of her breathing. Thinking all those days that Clayton humiliated her by taking Lizzy into their house and serving her and Clayton like she was a maid, Emerald steadied her pounding heart. "I am not a person who would look back," Emerald's words were like a cold water poured out on his head, shuddering as he listened to them. However, that didn't deter him from his purpose. Nothing can discourage him. Emerald for one year, actually two years, did all she could do to have his heart. It's now his turn to pursue her. And no matter how long it will take and whatever price he has to pay to have her heart back he was willing to do it. "Then, just forget the past and think that we have only met now,
Clayton broke into a run. Throwing the binoculars in his hand.Time itself slowed, while the car flipped over a couple of times. Clayton’s instincts took over completely, prompting action at a speed faster than thought. He heard nothing, but he felt his throat vibrate with a hoarse cry, while his body darted towards the fence to climb it. "Sir, you're not allowed to climb the fence. It's dangerous!" A marshall said while he grabbed Clayton's arm. "No, that's my wife!" Clayton bellowed and yanked his arm."Calm down sir, the medical team is now attending to her." One of the marshalls said to pacify Clayton. Clayton recollected himself and said, "Please sir, let me see my wife." The two marshalls looked at each and tacitly agreed with each other. "This way sir." They led Clayton into a safety path. The medical team already gave Emerald a first and wheeling her in the ambulance when they arrived. "You can't go in there," Sean said just as Clayton was about to get into the ambulance
Just as Clayton opened his mouth to explain, he saw Emerald's eyes flutter and opened. "You're awake!" He kissed her hand in joy. Leonardo stood at once and went to her bedside. "Dad?" Emerald wasn't sure if she was just seeing things. "Yes it's me, darling." Leonardo said to affirm her because he heard the doubt in her voice. "Why am I here?" From what she remembered she won the race as she was the one who finished the final lap first. "Your car flipped after you finished the final lap," Clayton said, shuddering that Emerald almost got killed. Emerald turned her head to look at him. Clayton wanted to divert the topic from that and said, "Congratulations baby!" "I'm not your baby," Emerald retorted. Displeasure plastered on her face. Leonardo coughed into his hand to hide the laugh that would not be held back and Clayton scowled at him, then sighed with exasperation and touched Emerald's face. "Yes, you are, my love," Clayton said with a smile on his face. "Clayton Strong, I
“Dad!” Maya pouted while Spencer chuckled. He’s used to the father and daughter’s antics. Clayton ignored Maya’s protest and talked to his granddaughter. “And don’t take your grandma and mother’s love for extreme sports.” Clayton looked at Spencer. “Make sure that your daughter won’t get involved in any extreme sports.” “Yes, dad.” Spencer nodded. He too didn’t want his daughter to take a liking to extreme sports. He would surely have a heart attack. “Are you going to make her life dull? No hobby? Just study and take over a company?” Emerald asked in a teasing tone. “Of course not, just no dangerous sports. There are sports that aren’t life threatening. She can choose from those. I can’t teach her to play golf when she grows up.” “That’s a great idea, dad.” Spencer agreed and added. “Maya and I also planned to enroll her for piano, dance and art lessons.” “Really?” Clayton was excited. Clayton wants diversity in their family. He wanted his grandchildren to have different hobbie
Zoey bit her lips. The feeling she had for Maurice was an elephant in the room that she was unwilling to face. Maurice was in a relationship and Zoey didn’t want to be the third party, destroying a relationship. Ignoring her feelings for the man would eventually kill it. That was the reason she didn’t want to admit to herself that she had fallen for the man. “Do you like me, Zoey?” Maurice’s voice was so gentle that it touched Zoey’s heart. Despite knowing that Maurice was currently free and had no girlfriend, she had no courage to confess. “If you say you don’t like me. I will tell mom and ask her to search for another woman that wants to be with me. I don’t want to force you into this relationship, Zoey. I won’t bother you again. ” Zoey's heart thumped painfully in her chest. Just the thought of losing Maurice to another woman was tearing her heart to pieces. “Do you like me, Zoey?” Maurice repeated his question a while ago. “How about you, Maurice?” Zoey asked with teary eyes.
Zoey bit her lips as her entire body and heart turned cold. “Sir, I’m not making an excuse. My phone and wallet had been stolen.” Zoey’s distressed look moved Emerald’s heart. She can’t just watch at the sideline and do nothing to help her. She couldn’t help but imagine her own daughter. What if her daughter, Maya was the one in this situation? Of course, she wanted someone to step in and intervene to help her daughter out of her predicament. “I’ll foot the bill,” Emerald passed on her black card to the server. Grateful that a good samaritan had stepped in to help her, Zoey stood up and bowed several times and unceasingly said, “Thank you.” She was in a foreign land without her phone and any money. If this kind hearted person didn’t take the initiative to help her, she couldn’t imagine what would have happened to her. She didn’t know if justice prevailed in this nation. “Come with us,” Emerald said in a soft voice. Since she had started helping her, she will follow through a
“Ms Desmond,” the man called out, his voice having an edge of huskiness. Recognizing the man, Zoey nodded and said, “Mr Fuller.” Jonathan Fuller was the president of the company that hosted the event. The event was exceptional and everything went well and beyond what he had expected. Since taking his father’s position, this was the first time that he hosted such a big event. He got curious about who was the event specialist that handled their event so well. His assistant took Zoey to meet Jonathan before the event concluded. Jonathan was smitten by the woman’s beauty and grace. “Get in the car. I’ll drive you home.” Confident that Jonathan wasn’t a pervert, Zoey didn’t refuse and hopped into the car. It was almost one in the morning when they arrived at Zoey’s apartment building. Zoey could not unbuckle her seat belt and Jonathan volunteered to help her. Not far from them, Maurice saw everything. From his vantage point it seemed that the man and woman in the sports car were
Zoey was snapped back from her own world and remembered that she wasn’t alone in the living room. She sat on the couch still hugging, Chubby the giant chubby penguin. Having no idea what to talk to, Zoey said nothing. Exhausted from the long journey, Zoey could not stop her eyes from closing when she was hugging the plushy. Maurice observed the sleeping woman, her eyebrows were drawn to a frown and her mouth slightly parted. But it didn’t lessen her beauty to a tiniest bit. “Here you go,” Trina served the hot chocolate drink. One for Maurice and one for Zoey. Trina smiled sheepishly at Maurice. “Zoey, sweetie.” Trina tried to wake Zoey by pulling the plushy away from her. “Mom, no, don’t take away Chubby from me. I missed him so much, I haven’t hugged him for two weeks,” Zoey murmured while she hugged Chubby tighter. Something flashed across Maurice's eyes while listening to Zoey. He took a sip on the hot chocolate while his eyes never left the woman who was mumbling in
Zoey felt Maurice’s body turned rigid. She bit her lips and wished that Maurice would go along with her. The man beside her looked down on her with an unreadable expression, and Zoey gave him a pleading eyes to act along with her. Zoey’s heart thumped strongly, banging her ribcage as she waited for Maurice. “Let’s go,” Maurice said indifferently and guided Zoey to his car. He opened the passenger seat and protected Zoey’s head from hitting the car frame. It was quite a romantic gesture that crushed Nick’s sliver of hope. Inside the car, Zoey fiddled the strap of her handbag, guiltily. “I’m sorry for using you Mr Strong. Please tell me how do I compensate you?” Zoey said but Maurice remained silent. Zoey felt goosebumps covered her entire body at the eerie silence that enveloped the car. “You can compensate me by making a plan for a marriage proposal.” Maverick spoke after an undetermined time of silence. “You have a girlfriend?” Zoey exclaimed in shock and added, quickly. “
Maurice pressed his lips into a thin line, waiting for Zoey to react and decline Tracy’s proposal. Caught unawares, Zoey's mind went haywire and she couldn’t form a word to refuse the idea. She swallowed several times to moisten her dry throat. Seeing that she wasn’t refusing the idea, Maurice frowned and said. “Her apartment is in the opposite direction to the manor. I have to go to bed early.” At this time, Zoey already recovered from her surprise, nodded in agreement and said, “It’s still early, taking a cab isn’t dangerous and I have learned some self - defense. So you don’t have to worry about me.” “Ten o’ clock is already late. Maurice, do me a favor. Drive Zoey to her apartment.” Theo spoke this time, he knew that Maurice would not refuse him. Maurice's hand that was in his pocket balled into a fist. “Please, don’t worry about me. I’m used to taking cabs.” Zoey was telling the truth. Before she managed to buy a second hand car, Zoey used to take cabs even in the dead
“Congratulations, Mr Strong and Ms Wagner,” Zoey said when she was near them. Maverick and Esther, shook hands with Zoey. On the other hand, Maurice who was near them took his phone and pretended to check on his messages.“You did a great job, Ms Desmond,” Maverick gave her two thumbs up. “Thanks Mr Strong but I only managed to come up with that idea because of the information you gave to me about Ms Wagner.” Zoey didn’t want to take all the credits. With clients' willingness to give her an input she was able to come up with such ideas. “By the way, Ms Desmond, I will introduce you to my siblings and in - laws, who knows, perhaps they will be your clients soon. That man wearing a black suit with gold tie is Theo, my eldest brother and his wife, Tracy. Next to her is my sister, Maya. Well we are triplets, and Maurice is my identical twin. Next to Maya is her husband, Spencer. And also the one seated on Maurice’s left side is Esther's best friend, Betty with her boyfriend, Rex.” Zoe
Although she had made a decision to let her know that she saw Maverick leaving the hotel with a beautiful woman, she found it hard to begin. “What? Cat got your tongue?” Esther teased her to alleviate the tense atmosphere. Betty swallowed before opening her mouth to speak but the phone atop her desk rang, stopping her from disclosing what she saw. She picked up the handset. “Come to my office,” Betty heard the familiar voice and her body went straight like a ramrod. “Okay sir,” Betty answered and she looked at Esther while putting down the handset. “I’ll talk to you later, the boss wants me to report to his office.” “Okay,” Esther sighed. Meanwhile in his office, Maverick was tapping his fingers on his table as he waited for Betty. “Come in,” he said as the first knock. “Betty, I need your help,” Maverick said as soon as he saw Betty enter the office. Betty couldn't help but frown, she couldn’t forget that he and a woman got into the same car, leaving the hotel. B