LORRAINE'S POV"At least give me a chance to explain," I read Ryder Sterling's phone message and frown.How can he explain the brutal beating of a servant? Will he claim to have no control over the choices of his family again? He may not take part in the cruelty, but he clearly didn't care much either. I ignore the message and carry my cup of hot coffee to the couch closest to the tv. It's been days since I listened to any news. I switch on the tv only to be utterly shocked by the first headline, which is also under the tag of Breaking News."Tragic Death of former Actress Aubrey Sinclair shocks the nation."I blink a few times to make sure that I am not hallucinating because of my tiredness. The same headline remains on the screen after I have opened my eyes again. And a young newscaster tells the tale."In a shocking turn of events, former Hollywood actress Aubrey Sinclair has been found dead in a bathtub inside an apartment downtown belonging to CEO and owner of Stellar Style fas
LORRAINE'S POVI have listened to every fresh news about Aubrey Sinclair's death and a good number of people are of the opinion that it is my fault that she committed suicide. That I should have stayed away from my ex-husband's life and mind. There are however those that believe it was Aubrey's own foolishness that ended her life. Many also seem to be blaming her husband's love for me. "I wonder what it feels like to have a man whose love for you makes your enemies take their own life." It's the first message that meets my eyes after unlocking my phone. Just as you would expect, the message is from my former friend, Jessica. I huff in annoyance and carry on to check the list of missed calls. There are several from my work friends and three more from Ryder Sterling. I will be answering none.The sound of the doorbell startles me, making me spill a little of my morning coffee. I walk to the door expecting to see Jessica, but it turns out to be . . . my ex-husband!His smooth skin glow
He strides forward and I get ready to reach for the knife behind me. I am utterly shocked when he simply falls to his knees in front of me, bends and pecks the skin of my feet several times. I stumble back, my eyes wide. "You . . . did that?!" I exclaim as he rises back to his feet. "You asked me to prove my desperate desire to take care of you," he reminds. "I am guessing it's now your turn to keep your end of the deal. Accept all the good things that I will offer, including your dream Villa at Future Front." He adds with a proud smile."That's . . . a crazy deal," I complain. His graceful compliance to my embarassing demands isn't what I had anticipated. I had thought he would curse me and finally walk away for good."Well, I would be happy to do more than just kiss your feet. You only have to say it," he suggests."Get out!" I snap. He obediently turns on his heel and heads for the door, as if obeying my last command. He however halts and looks back at the last moment."The Vi
My experienced interviewer, Vicki White, smiles like a genuine friend, but I know better than to think she will go easy on me. With millions of people watching she is also aiming to advance her career. Host: Welcome, Miss Rosefield. We are extremely glad to have you in our show. As you can imagine the world is anxious to hear your thoughts on a lot of viral things that are currently connected to your name.I nod my head and force a smile. "Thank you for having me. I am excited to share my thoughts and feelings on all the matters that your audiences wants me to talk about," I say despite the fact that I wish I didn't have to be here.Host : I admire the success that you have acquired in the fashion industry within a very short time. We shall definitely talk about that. But first I would like to hear what was your first reaction when you heard the news of Aubrey Sinclair's death.Me: I had arrived back in the country earlier that day and didn't expect to see such a tragedy in the news.
LORRAINE'S POV"You pay to get cut up then come to my apartment?" I question in annoyance. I cannot even see her expressions as her entire face is hidden by the bandages. "I am sorry, Sarah. I clearly didn't prepare well before going under the knife. The bandages do not allow me to see much and I didn't know where else to go," she apologizes. "Last time I let you stay here you stole my dress and went to meet my ex-husband behind my back," I remind."And I have been trying to say sorry for days even when you wouldn't return my calls," she defends. How did I get a friend so stupid? I had decided to end our friendship for good but now I can't throw her back out when she can barely see where she is going. She stumbles across the room until she finds the couch and sits. "Why on earth would you disfigure your face as if it weren't good enough before?" I question."It wasn't as good as yours, Sarah. You may not understand but it's very important that I look good," she says. "For actor
LORRAINE'S POV"How is your cousin, Leon?" I ask. "I was supposed to call him for some important information. He hasn't answered any of my calls."The actor shakes his head, appearing a little enraged. "Let me guess, he told you that he got more information about our family," he says. "Leon is a lustful young man whose only intention was to please your mind when he realised that you didn't like the treatment of our servant."So there was nothing the young man wanted to say? What about the things that my ex-husband claimed they are involved in?"Anonymous man told me about your families dead and missing servants. A human trafficking business as well," I inform. He grins as if it's all a joke. "Those are shitty rumours that our neighbors made up in hope of crushing my father's enormous ego. The servant that was rumoured to have been murdered had in fact returned back to their country. I can also assure you that my father only happens to know someone that helps the immigrants get in the
LORRAINE'S POVJessica hurriedly stumbles back into the room, touching everything to find her way back to the couch."Who would have thought that actor Ryder Sterling would be envious of another man?" she laughs. "Do you really think that Lucas Ravenwood killed Aubrey Sinclair?" I shrug my shoulders. I cannot know for sure. But only a fool would believe that he would have done it to protect me. "He is a lot more desirable than I thought. I have always admired a dangerous man that does anything to impress and protect the woman he loves," Jessica confesses. "Can I see the pricey house he bought for you?""No. I am not taking it," I say and see her eyes widen. "How stupid must you be to refuse a 200 million dollar mansion? We both know that you might die before being able to afford such!" she literally berates. "Give it to me if you want to live in this apartment forever," she demands. "That won't happen either. The house is under my name and I will do with it as I please," I state b
After taking a warm bath I finally realise that I must now decide what to wear. I cannot wear Ryder Sterling's bracelet once more with a different dress. The rest of my jewelry may be good and stylish but not made of precious metals or pearls. I suddenly recall the gift box that the actor left on my coffee table. Can it be a necklace or bracelet at least? I wrap a towel around my body and make my way back to the living room where I find Jessica snoring on the couch. I open the fancy gift box to find a heart shaped jar with beautiful, silver engravings. It's stunning and expensive, but not helpful in my current situation. I need actual, sparkling jewelry. Or I could wear . . . the priceless designer heels that Lucas Ravenwood left in here!Such a shoe would stand out even among other competing accessories. And he will never know that I wore it because media isn't allowed in such a private party. I return to the bedroom and pull out the best time of my black, high neck dresses. It's
LUCAS RAVENWOOD'S POV"We found him with the Italian mob. They gave him to us as soon as they heard he was disloyal to you," Greg informs after opening my car door for me and shutting it. He leads the way into the old warehouse that we used as a temporary home for the trafficked humans I bought before they were later freed to either work for me or return to their families.Doors open and the sounds of desperate screams meet out ears. I had no doubt that my gang will have tortured him. They were mad that he betrayed us for little cash, knowing well that the video he filmed would be used to damage my reputation and would as well put the lives of those I care about at risk. The man's face is bloodied when we reach the scene. He stumbles forward and falls to his knees in front of me."Sir! Mr Ravenwood . . . I am extremely sorry. I will never betray you again! Please . . . let me live!" he begs.I scoff. "You betrayed me for a few bucks and you think I would take you back? I should cut o
LORRAINE'S POVMy laptop is on as I draw more designs for our brand's opening party. Luca Romanov stands by my side, staring at the sketches with interest. Actor Ryder Sterling is getting his man of the year award tonight, but I couldn't attend the event as there is so much that needs my attention. The big building now has our brand's name and trademark. In a few days we will be holding the launch party. Ryder Sterling said we would have invitation cards sent out by then to every one of the country's elite. Some will attend, some will not. Because right now everyone's attention is on the world's newest hero, billionaire Lucas Ravenwood. The sales of his brand have skyrocketed, with the coat he personally modeled leading in the number of purchases. I am sure he is dying to release the designs that Jessica stole from me. He promised I would have a hundred percent royalties. But I would rather have my new brand sell the outfits, regardless of how little the sales will be.We would have
LUCAS RAVENWOOD'S POVMy office phone hasn't stopped ringing for ten minutes since the actual truth about my underworld dealings aired. Every television channel is fighting to be the first to have an interview with me.I already got what I wanted, but people will find it strange if I do not address the things they are curious about. Especially considering the fact that I shot a man in that video. "Your plan worked perfectly. Ryder Sterling helped strengthen your repute and boost the sales of your businesses. But you will have more enemies now more than ever before," Greg says. "Did you find that traitor?" I ask, referring to the stupid man that betrayed us by filming a video for actor Ryder Sterling. "He had fled out of the country even before the news aired. Your best men are on him though. A week won't pass before we find him," Greg answers. "What should be done when he is found?" he asks. "Kill the idiot," I order and my assistant nods in approval.I paid the man well. He was i
LORRAINE'S POVI hand Ryder Sterling a glass of wine as soon as we walk into my apartment. My apartment is not as luxurious as the hotels he prefers to sleep in. But it's his choice to be here."I ordered food for us," he informs after taking the drink. "We can relax and talk about our future," he suggests with a seductive smile. "I do not mind talking about business," I state. "What do you think of the name Gracewear as our brand's name?" I ask, taking my seat on the couch."Fantastic," he happily approves while taking a seat beside me. "Your creativity never fails to amaze me." He leans in and pecks the side of my neck. "I would give up anything to be more than friends with you.""We are business partners," I remind. "Would you consider letting us be romantic partners some day? If . . . I turn out worthy of your love, of course," he asks.He is rich and almost as good-looking as my ex-husband. There is a chance he could make a perfect boyfriend. But love is something I swore neve
LORRAINE'S POVI watch Ryder Sterling's eyes fill with fury as he glares at my ringing phone."Do not answer that devil, Sarah. He may be seeking to threaten you," he urges. "I have to answer the call. He has got my designs," I tell him."You gave him?" "No. Jessica stole from me and tried selling to him. There is also the jacket that his brand released at the time I started designing for you. I forgot it in his house the day he asked me to leave," I answer. The actor watches me with astounded eyes. "And you didn't think of telling me this all this time we have been friends?" he asks in disappointment. "I am an independent woman, Ryder. It was my burden to carry," I answer before picking my ex-husband's call.I do not move away to avoid raising the actor's suspicion that I am hiding something from him. "Hello dear. How are you doing?" his voice sounds so calm and quite enchanting. Is he not worried about the disgraceful news of his illegal business as well as the calls for his ar
LORRAINE'S POVWho on earth throws a party to celebrate the fall of another person? Ryder Sterling must have been obsessed with destroying my ex-husband to have seen it fit to invite me and his rich, famous friends to this little celebration. It's the first time I have set foot in his stunning house. It's not exactly a huge mansion, but the interior has quite the exquisite decor. For some reason he has got a sculpture of Julius Caesar as the centerpiece of his spacious ballroom. There is pretty of expensive wine and good music. Some guests even brought gifts to congratulate the actor for successfully defaming mighty billionaire Lucas Ravenwood. I have spotted several of my ex-husband's old enemies looking quite exhilarated. I am sure some of them sponsored the protests that are now calling for Lucas Ravenwood's arrest and prosecution.The actor smiles proudly as the guests shower him with praise. I personally think that it's too soon to be celebrating. It's highly doubtful that Luca
LORRAINE'S POVMy eyes go wide as soon as I open the gift box. The same heels that I sold this morning are inside. What on earth?!A message from Lucas Ravenwood pops up on my phone as if he was waiting for the exact moment that I would have the box open. "Hello dear. You should have asked me for finances instead of selling my gifts. You can keep both the money and the shoes." The message reads. So the lady that bought the heels wasn't really an interested customer? Was she one of his insanely loyal employees? How did he even know that I was selling the heels?Does he have his criminal spies following me? I do not exactly feel safe. Hopefully he will have more worrying issues to focus on when the news of his human trafficking business airs on every popular tv channel. He will no longer have so much finances to waste. I walk to the safe drawer where I kept the heels before and put them back. For the first time I notice the murder mystery book that Ryder Sterling gifted me after I de
LORRAINE'S POV"I would beg you to keep the shoes if they weren't from that demon. Did he really think he can buy back your love?" Ryder Sterling asks as the team of auctioneers lead us to a secluded room where our rich buyer is supposed to make the payment for the shoes. I had no idea that there were such elite auction events until the actor told me about this one. The heels sold for a staggering amount of fourteen million dollars, which is nearly double the price that they are actually worth. I do not need to sell anything else to increase my contribution. "Is there something else that he gave you that I am not aware of?" Ryder Sterling asks. "No of course," I reply even though it shouldn't be his business. "Will you sell the mansion as well?" he asks. "No. I will figure out what to do with it," I answer. "Let me know when you are ready to get rid of it and need my assistance," he offers.I nod. The auctioneers direct the rich woman who made the last bidding to deposit the fin
LORRAINE'S POV"You didn't knock," I say. "I could have been naked.""Sorry. But I would not mind your nakedness. You would make a pretty model, you know that, right?" he answers, striding farther into the room.Of course I don't want him here when Luca is cooking in my kitchen. Why do they all have a habit of showing up unannounced? He places a bottle of wine on the table in front of me. "We should celebrate. The great fall of billionaire Lucas Ravenwood and his brand," he says with the happiest of smiles. "So the media is willing to air your evidence?" I ask."They are extremely excited. Once the video is verified to be authentic the story will air tomorrow. The entire world will know who their true enemy is," he answers.So my ex-husband is really going to lose his precious crown of great fame and probably get sued by families of victims of his human trafficking business. I doubt he would still keep sketches of my designs after his reputation gets terribly damaged."We must take