Red reached out his hands and framed Freya’s small beautiful face.
“What are you doing?” Freya swatted his arm but Red kept holding her face.
His lips sealed her lips into an aggressive kiss, his way of venting the unease in his heart.
He doesn’t love her but the thought of her imagining being with someone else made his heart unsettled. This was quite baffling to Red.
Seeing what was happening the driver quickly got out of the car.
Freya frantically hit Red’s chest with her puny hands. But to a man with a sturdy chest, her pounding was nothing.
Clayton exuded a cold aura around him at the question that anyone with a few meters radius could feel it.He turned and faced the media. “My wife is not a product of plastic surgery. She doesn’t need to go under a knife.”He couldn't be bothered explaining if he was the one under their scrutiny but it was Emerald.He won’t let others speak ill of his wife.After commenting, he turned and led Emerald into the building.Emerald wasn’t bothered about the rumors around her. She was used to hearing people gossip about her appearance.She just s
“Mr. Brown, I am saying this as the new CEO and the heiress of Giovanni Kingston,” Emerald said coldly, she gave him a wintry gaze.Mr. Brown felt shivers run down his spine. He hadn’t seen this girl look like that. She always wore an innocent and sweet smile but now she looks terrifying.But Mr. Brown pushed aside his fear and said, “Kingston Ltd have not attained this heights without us.”“I know,” Emerald nodded in acknowledgment. “But, in order to take Kingston Ltd, I have to get rid of old tools with newer tools. Time is changing, people are changing and so the need to change people in the company is inevitable. I won’t allow you to hinder Kingston Ltd to soar higher.”&nbs
Clayton stopped and looked at her. Smiling, he said, “Stay there, I’ll be back soon.” “Okay,” Emerald bobbed her head up and down like a good girl. As Clayton had promised he came back soon with the stableman leading a black stallion. Emerald giggled with excitement. “Meet Maximus,” Clayton said. “Maximus? As in the three time show jumping world champion Ben Kincaid’s horse?” Emerald asked as she recognized the horse. “Mm,” Clayton nodded. “Babe,” Emerald hugged Clayton. She was euphoric to have acquired the horse. “How did you get this from him? I mean, I contacted him since I heard he had retired due to his illness. He refused even with the handsome money I offered.” “Ben Kincaid is my friend. He won’t sell Maximus to you because I already bought it at the time I saw you practicing here.” “When did you see me practicing here?” “Three days before grandpa and I came to speak about our marriage which you adamantly refused,” Clayton said with a teasing undertone.
“So, you don’t like children?” Emerald nearly choked on her question and couldn’t help but tear up. Clayton turned and laid on his side, he cupped her face, “Babe, you got me wrong.” “Then, why don’t you want to have children?” Emerald asked like a child that had been deprived of sweets. Clayton planted a kiss on her forehead. “I do want to have kids with you, lots of them.” He sighed and continued, “But knowing your low pain threshold, I couldn’t bear to see you in pain. You can’t take the birth pain, babe. I’m afraid to lose you. How could I go on living without you? I might die as well and that would leave our baby alone.” “I want us to have children, baby,” Emerald insisted. “We can have children only if you agree to gestational surrogacy. They can harvest your eggs and fertilize it with my sperm and place the embryo into the uterus of a gestational surrogate.” Clayton said. “I don’t agree with that,” Emerald wanted to feel how it was like to be pregnant. Moreover, s
“Hello,” comes Red’s bland greeting. “Send me your fiancée phone number,” Clayton said. “What do you need her number for?” Red said in an unfriendly tone. “My wife is with her. I need to talk to my wife, she isn’t answering her phone,” Clayton closed her eyes as exasperation seeped through his voice. “What did you do to Emerald that she’s refusing to answer your call?” Red’s concern annoyed Clayton. “Send her number now!” Clayton growled. Red wasn’t afraid of Clayton anymore and refused to give Freya’s number. He dialed Freya’s number as he was worried about her. “Come on, answer your phone,” Red mumbled when Freya wasn’t answering the call. For the umpteenth time he called Freya but to no avail. He was forced to send Freya’s number to Clayton, maybe she would answer Clayton’s call. When Clayton received the phone number, he dialed it right away. Clayton sighed when his call was answered. “Hi, this is Clayton, is my wife with you? And where are you now?” Clayton
Emerald’s reluctance was allayed as Clayton wrapped her hand with his warm hand. Giggle erupted from her when they began dancing their way into the reception hall. Clayton did not release her hand even after they stopped dancing. Emerald pulled her hand but Clayton didn’t allow her as he tightened his hold. Clayton didn’t want to lose sight of her when he spotted Justin in the reception hall. He hadn’t seen him during the ceremony thus he wasn’t worrying that he wasn’t close to Emerald. But now, he had to be vigilant. He and Emerald were having issues and it would be easy for Justin to swoop in, taking advantage of the current situation. “Will you dance with me?” Clayton asked as he leaned sideways. There was no response from Emerald but Clayton didn’t accept defeat. He stood in front of her and bowed like a gentleman with his hand stretched out. Some guests were looking at them and that prompted Emerald to take his hand. Clayton smiled as his trick worked. He will use
“I see, “ Clayton kept his expression neutral as he nodded his head. He climbed up the stairs in a hurry once the butler went on with his work. Clayton picked up his phone. He called the person who knew Emerald’s schedule. “Hello, Mr. Strong?” Clayton could hear the background noise and recognized that Olivia was in the airport. Unsure if Emerald was with her, he asked, “Is my wife with you?” “Yes sir, she’s in the rest room at the moment,” Olivia answered. “Why aren’t you using a private plane?” The Kingston owned private jets. “It’s an urgent business trip, sir and there’s no time to wait for the private jet to be prepared,” Olivia answered. “Come on Olivia, it’s time to board,” Clayton’s heart leaped as soon as Emerald’s voice came over. “Give the phone to my wife,” Clayton barked and Olivia did as she was ordered. “Mr. Strong wants to talk to you,” she gave the phone to Emerald and pulled her suitcase, walking away to give them privacy to talk. “What?” Clayton
As if she went back to the day of their first marriage, Clayton was staring at her with a wintry gaze and stood there like an aloof iceberg. Clearing his throat, Sean said, “I have to pick up my wife from work so I’d better go.” Sean was playing safe as he didn’t want to be caught in the crossfire. Who knows what this formidable man in the corporate world would do to him if he got annoyed by his presence. “Bye,” Emerald waved her hand, she then turned to look at Clayton. “Wait for me here,”she said to Clayton and he nodded. Emerald quickly got changed and went outside. Not waiting for her, Clayton walked ahead of her. The drive home was extremely silent and Emerald was skittish. Emerald heaved a sigh of relief when none of the three older men were in the living room. She obediently followed Clayton upstairs and walked into their room as if she was walking into a lion’s den. As soon as the door met the door jamb, an arm wrapped around her tiny waist and her soft bod
“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