Hunter POVFour years later.“Why didn’t anyone bother to tell me about the incident?” I hissed at the head of my legal team.With my free hand, I clutched a copy of the morning paper where a news report about a branch of Hunter Hotels was published.It wouldn’t have been crucial if the report was good, but it was the opposite. And it irritated the h*ll out of me.“Sir, we already apologized to the customer. We also upgraded his room and provided freebies. We did not know he would go to the press to make a complaint.”“Have you secured a non-disclosure on this?”There was silence on the other line, telling me he didn’t. “Mr. Langley, you have to understand that we cannot take anyone’s word at face value. We always have to put it in print.”“It was just a mix-up, sir. It happens all the time.”“So, you mean to tell me all these years you did not impose countermeasures to prevent occurrences such as this? Even if it happens every day, we can’t leave anything to chance. We always have
Noah Hunter POV“Noah!” I turned my head around and saw Britney White, my fiancée, waving at me. Two people flanked her. The one on her right is her manager, whom I have known fairly well over the years, and the one on her left is her bodyguard.When our eyes met, she dropped her carryall bag and ran toward me, ignoring the buzz around her. People started smiling at the sight of her weaving her way around the crowd and getting their phones out to catch her on video.As an international model, Britney is quite popular and is considered a celebrity in her own right. When she dashed in my direction, she was shedding all the air of sophistication surrounding her, looking like a girl so much in love. My lips curled reflexively at the corners before I moved my feet toward her. When we met at the center of the large airport, she clung to me, wrapping her arms around my neck to kiss my lips. “I missed you.” She told me, gliding her lips to mine. For a moment, something in my mind flash
Noah POVI slid inside the car to join Britney, and without looking at her, I ordered the driver to pull away, which he did immediately following my orders.I checked my watch and started counting the time. I could not wait to drop Britney off so I could do my thing.I felt Britney shift in her seat while she drew closer. “I am sorry. Are you still upset with me?” She asked.Gone was the flamboyant persona she assumed at the airport, and she was back to the timid Britney I used to know when we were together, one of the things I liked about her.“I am not,” I told her tersely.I was looking forward. My mind is busy conjuring the face of that woman in the airport. Her eyes were the same as Briana's, but the resemblance stopped there.While Briana had pale brown straight hair, the woman at the airport had wavy blonde hair that shone when it caught light.Her body commands attention – from the small of her waist to the gently flaring hips and gorgeous legs. My hands itched to run my
Noah POVWhen the car turned round the block, and we were well out of sight of Britney’s apartment, I did what I had been itching to do earlier. I took my phone out and called Brent, a private investigator, in my employ.He works for me independently but not for the company, and over the years, we developed mutual trust that paved the way to becoming good friends. He was one of my people now, not just an employee. He owns one of the top surveillance and investigative agencies in the country. “Morning, boss. What’s with the early call?” He said flippantly when he picked up.“Stop making me feel like a stuck-up CEO,” I told him succinctly, which earned a low laugh from him.“Okay. Let’s cut to the chase and get it on. What do you want me to do?” He asked, sounding all business-like as usual. His voice lacked the carefree tone from earlier and was now all seriousness.Suddenly, I began to hesitate. I don’t know how to begin.Asking Brent’s help would open up a can of worms I had pai
Noah POVAfter meeting Brent, I went back to the office.“Good morning, Mr. Hunter.” My assistant met me at the door and followed me inside the office.When I sat down behind my desk, he handed me my schedule for the day.I noticed I have a TV guest this afternoon. “Did you check with the studio coordinator who are my co-guests in the interview?” I asked, wanting to plan.As the CEO of one of the oldest chains of hotels in the country, I have often grace shows as part of our PR campaign. Though it was something I did not enjoy doing, I felt the need to engage in activities such as this for exposure. Not only does it help expand our clientele, but provides us an edge over our competitors.“I heard the Fords are coming into Redwood. Their new hotel completed construction last month, and the management is gearing up for a grand launch. Their CEO will be joining you for the television interview this afternoon.” Chris reported.He mentioned another company aspiring to get a chunk of Red
Noah POVHeat spreads quickly to my cheeks at her rudeness.It was not something I could not let slide. No one disrespected me like that.“Noah, thank you for gracing our show. Per usual, you are superb.” Amy Smith snatched my attention away from Briana Ford while she gushed my praises, unaware of the inner turmoil inside my head.“Come again?” I asked when I did not get her words.My brain has malfunctioned and got stuck to one image - the minx of a girl named Briana Ford.Amy leaned close and whispered near my ear, and something inside me recoiled. My displeasure doubled. “Maybe we could extend this meeting to dinner. Alfredo’s mentioned in its recent advertisement this new addition to their menu. One of my co-workers said it was spectacular.” She droned on, but my attention was not on her.“Sorry, Amy, but I have a prior engagement,” I cut her off brusquely.I heard her gasp of surprise at the uncharacteristic show of rudeness. I ignored it while I sprinted after Briana Ford.
Briana POVWhen the car stopped outside our home, Marcus got out first to open the back passenger door and help the kids. But the nannies were faster. They already unstrapped the triplets from their seats, so when Marcus opened the door, they all jumped up at him, giggling.They clung to Marcus before they slid down his body one by one and ran toward the house.The nannies ran after them, leaving Marcus and me outside. “Careful children!” Marcus shouted his reminder after the kids scampered off toward the big mansion we recently relocated to.I looked at my sons as they ran away and felt a twinge of pain in my heart.The first time I saw Noah after five years was a shock. He looks the same, but not the same. It must be because I never really knew him. I thought I knew, but I was wrong. “Let’s go to the playroom.” I heard one of my sons, Riley, shout, pulling me out of my trance.Then, I watched as his brothers Brix and Mason nodded in agreement.Seeing the kids happy puts a wist
Briana POVThe Night of the Party.“You look stunning as always, Briana.” Martina, my assistant, commented. She was the only person from my work group that I invited to come along with me to Redwood City.She came by the house to help me prepare for the party tonight.I smiled my thanks.When she left, I studied my face in the mirror. I checked whether my make-up was all right or that no strand of hair escaped my braid. I made sure that I would wow everyone when they saw me tonight.I am sure that most of the attendees to the party Matt Bryant is hosting will be the same people I knew while married to Noah.I presume some of them even witnessed my humiliation when I was thrown out of Hunter Enterprises five years ago.I had to make sure I looked my best. I don’t want people to see any trace of the old Briana."I am no longer Briana Johnson Hunter. I am Briana Ford. I am a force to reckon with." I repeated this mantra over and over in my head while I took deep breaths to calm my n
Brent POVI held out my hand and anxiously waited for Beth to take it.When she placed her hand on mine, I closed the gap between us to pull her to my chest and wrapped my arms around her.“Thank you.” I closed my eyes and sighed.Beth pushed at my chest and self-consciously looked around.“People are staring.” She whispered shyly.But I was not concerned about that. What matters is that Beth agreed to give us a try.“I don’t care about them. I only care about us.&rdqu
Brent POVI felt her resistance fading away.Our chests heaved with too much emotion, but I was not letting her go.She twisted her body, and I released her, but I made sure that she was not far.I took her hand, all the while looking straight into her eyes.“I told you, I love you.”“Love is nurtured, Bernt. You did nothing in
Brent POVI did not know my promise would come to a test early that morning when Krizzie and I walked out of the kitchen to find Beth and Dr. Roberts at the door, talking sweetly.They were so engrossed with each other that they did not notice us.“I am sorry about last night,” Beth said.“No. It’s me who needed to apologize for my rude behavior. I am sorry, Beth. I got jealous of your ex-husband.”Beth hugged a bouquet of roses to her chest and put them under her nose to sniff.Her action dove a knife deep into my heart, but I wouldn’t gi
Brent POVShe is avoiding me.“Mommy, ahh!” Krizzie opened her mouth and took a bite from the sandwich Beth placed near her mouth.“Yummy.” She declared while munching happily.“How about Daddy? You let him have a bite out of our sandwich, too.” Krizzie prodded her mom.The smile on Beth’s face froze. She did not move until I forced her by coiling my fingers around her wrist and pulling her hands near my mouth so I could take a bite out of her sandwich.All the while, I was looking at her.
Beth POV“Mommy, wakey, wakey!” I opened bloodshot eyes to search for Krizzie, but when I felt the tremors around me, I immediately shot up in bed. “Krizzie!” I cried in alarm.I was ready to pluck her from the bed when I realized something.Krizzie was jumping on the bed. I pressed a hand to my chest to steady my heavily pounding heart as I stared at my daughter. I really thought there was an earthquake. Phew!“What’s wrong, Mommy?” Krizzie stopped her play to stare at me, erasing the smile on her lips.I shook my head. “I thought there was an earthquake.” Krizzie’s eyes widened, and she giggled. “You are s*lly, Mommy. It’s just me, Krizzie.” She informed me. I nodded, glad that it was just my overactive imagination.“Yeah. Mommy’s s*lly.” I agreed and grabbed her by the shoulders to pepper tiny kisses on her face. We heard a knock on the door, prompting me to release my daughter. Krizzie’s eyes connected with mine before her hands flew to her mouth. Then, without warnin
Beth POVWhen the door slammed shut, and I was left alone in the house, it was as if all the fight left me.I felt so drained.Arguing with Brent had been emotionally and mentally taxing. That is why I avoided it at all costs.If we could co-exist peacefully with our child, that would be better.For years after our divorce, I accepted that all we could ever be is Krizzie’s parents.I never want to return to that time when all I do is beg for his love and attention.When he offered marriage,
Beth POV“If I am selfish. I would do that.” He countered so casually that my anger meter was beginning to exceed its limit. It was ready to burst into flames. “And what are you trying to imply? That you are the epitome of selflessness, is that it?” I snapped, too angry to care whether my voice was going through the roof. I don’t know where Brent was getting all this nerve to tell me.“You have some nerve! You who never wanted my baby in the first place.” I hissed.My teeth gritted and my hands clenched into fists. “Because it was never in our agreement, d*mn it, Beth. All along, I thought we were in sync with our ideals. We agreed not to have any babies, but what did you do? You went behind my back and got yourself pregnant without my knowledge.” Tears sprung in my eyes when I remembered all that happened nine years ago. I thought I was already past it, but d*mn, it still hurts like h*ll.I sighed, trying to keep my tears in check because I didn’t need them now. It was not g
Beth POV“What is wrong with you?” I asked Brent after he came down from Krizzie’s bedroom.We went to dinner as planned, and Krizzie was over the moon.It was a rare event for Krizzie—the three of us sharing a meal because Brent and I alternated taking care of her most of the time. We co-parent.Brent even bought the house next door to be effective in our parenting.In this way, Krizzie has easy access to both parents. Though I am the main parent in this set-up, Brent helped as much as he could. Plus, he was a good provider. He even bought this house for Krizzie for convenience and easy access. Brent sat on the couch in front of me. “What are you talking about?” He acted clueless, which added to my frustration. “Why are you messing up our relationship?”“I am not messing up anything. You did.” He told me. “Since when?” Now, it was my time to be confused. I could not recall a time when I had become errant in our agreements pertaining to our co-parenting set-up. Brent did not s
Beth POVI don’t know what Brent is trying to do, but he was getting on my nerves. When Krizzie sprung the idea that Brent was taking us out on a date, I had half a mind to refuse. But I could not let Krizzie down. I saw the expectant look on her face. She was happy with the prospect that Brent was going to date us. “We will go take your car,” Brent suggested, but I shook my head. “What about your car?” “I can leave it at the parking lot, and I will ask one of my men to pick it up for me,” I told her. I shrugged my shoulders, thinking that if I refused, it would end up in an argument. You can never win an argument with Brent. He was the type who pushed and insisted, and right now, I am at the state where I find confrontations and discussions bothersome. I would always choose to be quiet to maintain the peace. We were about to board my car when I heard someone call my name. I turned around to see that it was Dr. Roberts. When I stopped, he jogged toward us. “I am sorry, bu