"Are you ready...woah!"I turned with a beam on my face. "How do I look?"Uncle Pete's expression read of awe and admiration, it didn't feel weird at all. Rather I felt satisfied that the group of stylists I'd called had done a marvelous job."You look like you'll make the men have a cardiac arrest and the women go green with envy." He complimented, proceeding into one of the rooms of the mansion I'd just acquired with his help.That had me laughing. "Thank you, uncle Pete. You look dashing in that suit as well."He really looked good in his custom-made suit. Even at fifty two, the man looked really handsome. The strong, attractive genes ran in their family."Ah, come on." He waved away my compliment.I shook my head, knowing he was a bit...I wouldn't say shy but he wasn't really the type to care about his looks or the compliments given on his features.I was so grateful for him. These past six years he had been wit
"Why, Hailey?" Uncle Pete looked at me in surprise.Our limo was close to the venue. "Because I don't want to reveal myself yet." I told him."But you're the CEO of Astra-Z not me. I have only been managing it these past few years.""Please, uncle Pete." I begged.I didn't want to reveal myself as the CEO yet for reasons best known to me. "Are you sure you know what you're doing?" Uncle Pete questioned.Our limo slowed to a stop. My burgundy painted lips spread in a smile. "I guess. We're here. Let's go, Mr. CEO."He chuckled as our chauffeur came around to open the door for us. He stepped out before me, holding out a hand for me to take. I took it and stepped out confidently, squashing any buzz of apprehension that wanted to sway my confidence and have me falter in my heels.I was no longer that pushover. I was matured now. A mother, a successful business woman with people who loved and supported her.I beamed at uncle Pete.His eyes told me he understood how I felt beneath. Maki
"Uncle Pete?" Jared rushed to meet us before others could come to us.After his speech and the commencement of the events of the evening, everyone wanted to talk to the CEO of Astra-Z."Hello, Jared. It's been a while." Uncle Pete greeted as casually and as warmly."You..." He began but caught himself, realizing there were eyes watching."You were saying?" Uncle Pete urged.I stood beside uncle Pete, quietly watching the drama about to unfold."We'll talk later, uncle." He decided.Uncle Pete nodded and went on to attend to other guests wanting his attention.I sipped my champagne, ignoring the fact he was literally standing close with Mia who would not stop giving me the sneaky stink eye.It didn't bother me, just amused me.Then I remembered. "Oh yes, Jared. I believe you saw the note I dropped on your desk that day." I brought out my phone from my purse. "I'll need your account details so I ca
PETER"Uncle Pete, I am disappointed in you." I watched Jared paced the confines of the office of the CEO of Astra-Z Corporation.It belonged to Hailey but she wanted me to take over for the main time.I had my own office before now, though she had never occupied hers. I stood in for her in everything but after the President's party three days ago, she had asked me to take the office since I was now known by the public as the CEO of the company.I had no idea what her plans were but I was going to trust her and help her whatever way I could.There was a reason I made the decision to stick by her all these years. It was a reason even she was not aware of.I knew of her existence even before she knew of mine. There was also a reason she couldn't know who I was until her troubles started.I observed my nephew looking quite unsettled and disappointed. I had ask him to come meet me in the office because I didn't trust the public anymore. I was now under the microscopic view of the public
MIA"You have to talk to your husband, Mia. I need this partnership." Dad sounded aggravated.I heaved a weary sigh. "Daddy, you do know Jared is not the CEO of Astra-Z.""But his uncle is. Come on, princess, that company is the biggest and most influential in the country right now. I've done my research and even discovered they have other branches outside the country." He let out an angry grunt. Dad had a short temper that could blow up if he wasn't getting what he wanted. "Do you know what that would do for my career? Moreover, he's now friends with the President. I hear that the President has taken a liking to him. I need that sort of connection.""So what do you want me to do? Chain my husband and beat him up until his uncle agrees to partner with you?" Annoyance was already seeping into my voice."Sarcasm isn't helping your father right now, Mia." He deadpanned."Mom, aren't you going to say anything? What does Daddy want me to do?" I turned to my mom who sat quietly, watching b
I was shocked to see him seating in that office chair, looking like he belonged there."Hailey." Uncle Pete too was surprised because he was not expecting me.He hugged the twins and placed them on his lap. They were oblivious to whatever was happening.I avoided Jared's gaze on me. I was fighting the urge to hurry out of that office with my kids...our kids.No! I chided myself. Zion and Zaya were my kids. Emphasis on 'my'. He didn't want them. He had given me money to get rid of them when they were still in my womb as fetus.He had no right to them especially since he believed I had aborted the pregnancy.Calming my churning emotions and regaining composure, I stepped further into the office.My office. "Daddy?" Jared finally uttered a word. "Uncle Pete, they just called you their dad.""That's because...""That's because it's true." I cut uncle Pete off, scared he might spill the beans. I met Jared's gaze, raising my left hand to show him the new engagement ring nestled beautiful
MIA"I-I thought you were dead." I was still finding it hard to believe this was Jerome. There was this change in him yet the identical resemblance to his brother was the same. He was in every way like Jared; the black, full hair, sterling grey eyes and a left-sided dimple. Even same height and build. But he wasn't Jared. I didn't know how I could tell the difference. Maybe it was because I'd known them both almost all my life...at least until Jerome disappeared."That's what they wanted you to think, baby." He came to stand before me, trailing his index across the left side of my face. I moved away from his touch. "Where have you been all these years?"He studied my face. "Here and there.""They said you died in prison." Jared and their mother had told me this.But why? Six years ago when he'd called me, I'd refused to believe it was him. Even after getting married to Jared, he would still call on many days. I never picked because I didn't want to believe it was him. Also, most
"They are supposed to be back by now. It's getting late." I checked the slim gold wristwatch adorning my left wrist.A birthday gift from uncle Pete last year. It was past six. They had been gone for five hours. Uncle Pete and I had been discussing ever since and I had only just noticed the time."It's six eighteen." Uncle Pete had also checked the time on his phone. "The ice cream parlor is just five minutes drive from here. With the use of cab, I'd probably make it seven minutes.""Do you have her private cellphone number?" I asked him, not wanting to worry.Zaya could be an handful sometimes and might have insisted on staying back to have more ice cream fun. "I think I do." He was already going through his phone. "I've got it."He dialed the number but it went straight to voicemail. A frown appeared on his forehead.I squashed the worry that was beginning to buzz. "Try it again."He did. Same thing."Give me the number." I wanted to believe it was his phone or network. He call
THREE YEARS LATER...I stood outside in front the prison's huge gate, Zion and Zaya, still having their sibling rivalry, stood beside me. I paid them no mind. The day they would not argue, I would be genuinely worried. Jared stood beside me as I held a cardboard paper in view, waiting for her. "Where is she?" I questioned impatiently.Uncle Pete and Miss Nancy were home, they couldn't come because Miss Nancy had just put to bed a beautiful set of twin boys. The twin gene was really strong in the Johnson family. Celine was due at any moment. Funny right? Dylan had proposed a year after my wedding. Celine was expecting her first child but was advised to stay home and to stress as little as possible. That was what happened when your husband was a big shot doctor.The gates opened and there she was. I beamed.Zion and Zaya, now eight years of age, ran forward in unison, forgetting their meaningless squabble. "Aunt Denise!""Hey!" She opened her arms, stooping to hug them only they wer
When I finally came to, the first thing I heard was the steady beeping of the heart's monitor. I blinked reflexively as the bulb overhead hurt my eyes some. I tried to raise myself to a sitting position but a groan escaped my lips."Hailey." Someone rushed to the bed, helping me to sit up.It was Jared. "W-what happened? I had a dream. A weird dream." I told him, looking quite disoriented. "Really? What kind of dream was that?" He asked, tucking hair behind my ears. "I saw Zaya. Zion was holding her hand and they...they..." Emotions swamped me, making it difficult for me to continue speaking.I swallowed hard, trying to dislodge tears suck in my throat. He heaved a sigh. "It was not a dream, baby. Zaya is alive. I'm as shocked as you are but after uncle Pete and Miss Nancy explained all that happened, I am just thankful she's alive." Emotions rose to his throat. "No." I shook my head, not wanting to believe. "No, no. Zaya died. I saw her body. She...she laid there unconscious an
"Thank you Brenda, you did a superb job." I shook hands with the very pretty bartender dressed in revealing clothes as the cops threw handcuffs around the wrists of drugged, oblivious Philip and Derek.Finally, I did it. Actually, to be fair, I had help. Jared and me had tracked them to the location Denise had provided and it was true. I realized they frequented a rundown bar at this remote area and they were smart to because no one would have ever traced them here."It's my pleasure. Plus, the money was too good to pass up." She seemed pleased with herself. "Just a second." I left her to go get my checkbook and pen from my bag sitting in the car. I returned to her with these, wrote a figure and extended it to her. "This is thank you for a job well done."She took the check, her eyes bulged in both excitement and shock. "This is freaking much! What the hell do I do with so much money?"My eyes did a quick sweep of her work environment, then moved back to her. "You can pursue your dr
"I don't know why you brought me here. You could have come alone." I folded my arms, staring with a displeased expression at the entrance of the police station. "You need this." Jared said, turning off the engine and unbuckling his seatbelt. "Aren't you getting out?""I told you I'm not ready. I don't know what to tell her. I'm not even sure I want to talk to her, I can't forget the fact that she had a hand in my father's death.""Fine. Then don't talk, let me do the talking. I just want you to be available so you can hear the information she has. You want Philip and Derek to pay for what they have done to you, don't you?" He shifted to face me. "I guess." My tone was reluctant."Good, because I want Philip to pay for killing my father." His jaw tightened.I frowned a little. "You've never been this upset ever since...I don't know, he was your father-in-law.""A big mistake. My father's death ruined my family with my mother as an accomplice." His words were bitter to the ears. I pl
I was dressed for the event — a simple tank top and distressed denim shorts. It was time to pluck off another adversary.I opened the door and turned on the lights. "There you are." My smile was anything but welcoming or friendly. "And I thought I smelled a rotten fish." She spat, looking unkempt and dirty. And she was tied to a chair. "Oh, that'll be you seeing as you haven't had your bath in like...well, weeks." I drew a chair from the wall, placed it few feet from hers and sat. "Forgive my lack of hospitality, I've been busy.""It's been a while. What do you want?" Her once shiny red hair was now a matted mess. "Revenge." I simply said. As though on cue, I heard a rap on the door. I opened it to allow Celine and Jared walk in. Jared was carrying a box of things I'd asked for. "You bitch! You think I'm scared of you?" She was trying to act strong but the little quiver in her voice gave her away. "I think you already are." I emptied the contents in the box.I heard her gasp. "
"Room 48." I mumbled, blowing nerves away. I was here and there was no turning back. Uncle Pete and Jared had no idea where I was going. I'd lied about picking some things for Zion from the store. This should be over in no time. I raised a fist and rapped gently but firmly on the door. "Who's that?"Two of the cops had followed me upstairs but were hiding from view. That sounded like the President's voice. I knocked again, cleared my tone in a bit to disguise it and said. "Room service."There was seconds of silence, then the padding of feet coming towards the door. The door opened. "We didn't order any..." The rest of his words were drowned by shock."Hello, Mr. President." I plastered on a smile. "Can I come in?" He was yet to see the cops."Get out." Fear and anger had him growl out those words. He tried to shut the door in my face but before he succeeded, I had a foot stuck between the door and used all of my power to push it open, making him lose balance and fall to the gro
"Uncle Pete!" I dashed into the room to envelope him into a hug, not minding the presence of Miss Nancy and a nurse. He hugged me back, his chuckle a bit weak. "I missed you too."I blinked my eyes, struggling back tears and swallowing emotions lodged stubbornly in my throat. "I'm so glad you're okay, uncle Pete. I...I... thought..." I couldn't even say the words out loud. "You thought what? I'm going nowhere for a long, long time, babygirl."My heart swelled with both gratitude and love for the man. It was the first time he would be using such an endearing term in that soft, affectionate tone. "You'd better not.""Can't...breathe." He said, still hugging me. "Thank you for saving my life. Thank you." I sniffled. "I owe you everything, my life included." "I did what I'm supposed to do, Hailey. You don't have to thank me for that." He rubbed my back. I held onto him for a few more moment. "Save some for us, Hailey." Celine who had come with me chuckled. I let go, finally paying
Jared unbuckled my seatbelt and pulled me onto his laps, I could not stop sobbing. "Shh. It's okay.""I...I..." I hiccuped, words failing me. "You don't have to say anything now." His hand on my back, comforting and soothing was a bit helpful."But...oh God. I don't want to believe her, but..." I trailed off as more tears interrupted my speech."Me too. I thought she just being her sly self but when I heard her talk, I knew she wasn't lying."I sniffled back snot, raising my head to look at him. "You heard her talk? When?""When we worked together. See, everyone makes mistakes, including your father. And that mistake led to his untimely, unfortunate demise. Denise too and we both know where the mistake landed her.""I can't imagine being poor and having a rich father who didn't want you. I know my dad was wrong to have pretended Denise didn't exist but killing him didn't solve anything. She only killed the man I've loved all my life till the day he died.""And I'm sorry for that. I
"He's not our son." Was the only argument I could come up with. Disappointment and disbelief darkened his eyes. "So you're prepared to let that young boy who left his country to provide a life for himself and his family to die in a fight that doesn't concern him? Coming from you, a mother?"Guilty speared, so I kept mute, partly to reflect. "Look, babe, I know you've been through a lot and Kazim was giving every information to bring every injustice to an end and the people responsible to book and he has done a wonderful job so far, but it was getting too heated. He was digging in too deep and I feared it was only a matter of time before he would wound up dead probably in some remote location. I know you're a good person and would never want to put his life at risk, you just wanted to fight back the only way you knew how."I hated that the anger was no longer aimed at him. I felt ashamed that he'd considered the risks while I was only interested in what Kazim had to offer. "Where is