“I could help you if you want.”
Malcolm didn’t reply but she took his silence for a yes. Slowly, she itched closer and placed her palms on his shoulders. She had never massaged a guy’s arms before and now, she was as nervous as ever. Taking a deep breath, she began to knead his shoulders carefully, applying pressure a few times and observing his expression too. From the way he closed his eyes and relaxed against the chair, she knew she was getting it all right and somehow, it made her heart swell but just then, Malcolm tore away from her touch leaving her speechless. What did she do wrong?
At first, Malcolm was tempted to refuse her request of massaging him but when he couldn’t make up his mind for long, he felt her palm touch his shoulders and by God, it had taken him a lot of energy not to suck in a deep breath and show her what her touch did to him. He wasn’t going to turn gullible because of a woman. He was s
The car came to a halt a few distance away from Knights Conglomerate. Lauren, wearing one of her old dresses which she had managed to sneak into her bag of clothes, sat at the back seat, wearing a scarf around her face and a pair of dark sunglasses for a perfect disguise. She didn’t want to annoy Malcolm by walking through the front door and announcing that she was his wife. Nobody would believe her anyway. According to the world, Malcolm don’t do wives—after his ex-wife had left him in the cruellest of ways. Looking at the tall building a few metres away and tried to gain courage by taking deep breaths. She would have called Malcolm if this wasn’t a surprise. Alighting from the car, she walked to the company entrance, with her package carefully held in one arm. Greeting the security by the door, she walked inside, unsure of where her husband’s office was. It was her first time here after all. After walking around the ground floor with no sign of Malcol
Malcolm walked straight upstairs in big strides, ignoring the look he got from both Kate and his butler. On reaching their room, he pushed it open and frowned when he found it empty. Her closet was empty too. She wasn’t in Bryan’s room either. This time, his frown deepened. He returned downstairs and summoned Kate. “Where is Michelle?” He asked gruffly.She looked at him puzzled. “Madam left to see you this morning. When she heard you didn’t have breakfast before leaving, she cooked up something and took it to your office.”His office?! Malcolm was quite surprised, “This happened when?” “This morning, Master.” She replied.This morning. Why didn’t she bother to call him or had she changed her mind? Quickly, he returned back to his office, and instead of using his elevator, he walked through the front door, making all the people present there to catch their breath.
Malcolm manoeuvred the car and halted beside the road. It had been hours and yet, there was still no sign of Lauren. Was she mad at him? What if she had gotten mad at him and run away for good? He just couldn’t accept that. He couldn’t believe that. He was going to find her no matter how long it took him and he was going to do anything to make sure she forgives him. He had fired the entire security team downstairs and had them replaced but still, anger still coursed through him and the only one person who could kill that anger was actually nowhere to be found! He grabbed his phone which he had shoved to the seat beside him and looked at her number. So many times he had been tempted to call her but he wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do. Maybe, she wouldn’t pick his call or might even end up switching off her phone. Sighing, he touched the green button and just before he could end it, her voice came at the other end. “Hello, Hubby.&rdq
Michelle paced to and fro, irritating Grace. “Calm down and let me think here, Michelle.”Michelle scoffed, “Calm down? Mother, did you just say calm down? That imbecile is married to Malcolm Knight. Malcolm Knight! Christian broke up with me because of her!”Grace rolled her eyes, “Can you be reasonable for once? Malcolm Knight is married to Michelle Byrne and not Lauren Woods! Can you calm down now and let me think?” “I want her out of his life. I want my place mother!”Grace snickered, “Says someone who turned down a lifetime opportunity. Lauren wouldn’t be there if you hadn’t turned the marriage offer.” “How was I supposed to know! I actually thought it was some old skunk. Never in my wildest imagination did I think it was going to be him! Moreover, you and Dad didn’t specify who it was so I think the person to be blamed here is Father!”
Instead of parking the car in front of the office like the others, Malcolm’s driver manovered the car to what Lauren realized was a private parking lot. “So cool. Is this for you?” She exclaimed, turning to look at Malcolm, who leaned on the backseat as silent as usual. A smug smile spread on his lips as he nodded in reply. Suddenly, he began to have ideas of expanding the parking lot or perhaps, making it underground so he could earn more of that you-are-awesome look from her. Bryan, who sat in between the duo, remained quiet. If it weren’t for Lauren, he hated coming to the company, not to talk of watching boring unending meetings his father attended. When he is made CEO, he would definitely have lots of things to change. When the car came to a halt, Lauren alighted, not forgetting to help little Bryan alight. Malcolm led them into the private elevator that led straight to the last floor where his office was located. “I’ve given orders to the guards.
Warren sighed for the umpteenth time, watching his wife pace to and fro in front of him. "Stop that, Grace. I'm going to get dizzy if you keep doing that."She finally stopped in front of him, "How can you act so calm when your roof is literally on fire." "On fire." He replied sarcastically with a scoff. "Michelle is our daughter. How can you not care?" "I care, Grace. For God's sake, you know I do. This family means everything to me." Warren said tiredly. "Then you choose to see your daughter in pains? You and I know being Malcolm's wife is her rightful place yet you let a stranger take that from her!" "Can you stop it? Just stop it! Lauren is still my daughter too."Grace scoffed, "We had a deal, Warren. You give up on your so called lover and my family help you secure your seat as head of the Byrne family for life. Just because I let you bring in her daughter doesn't mean I am okay with her steali
Lauren sighed for the umpteenth time. Maybe she should tell Malcolm but knowing who he was and what he could do when overpowered by anger, she was sure she wasn’t going to survive the consequences. Of all men, Lauren. Her subconscious scolded. You know you cannot have him yet you let yourself become this attached to him! She broke down for the umpteenth time. This was definitely the hardest decision she has ever had to make. Perhaps, the only way out was to leave things to fate. Just maybe, she could stand by and watch destiny do its work. Sighing, she became conscious of her almost dark surrounding, and quickly, she jumped to her feet, grabbing her phone with her. Weird enough, she hadn’t had any calls from Malcolm. He only replied to her text with an ‘okay’ and it made her wonder if he was mad at someone or even her. She looked at the quiet pond. It was hers and Bryan’s secret path and weird how the place had actually brought c
Warren was ushered into Malcolm's office by his assistant. He had received an email that morning from Knight Conglomerate requesting his presence as soon as he can. At first, he was scared, had Lauren been discovered. Well, good thing he had a backup story to protect him and his family. Lauren was going to face whatever mess she created alone. Entering the office, he found Malcolm standing by the window with his back to the door. Warren wondered how a man could be so terrifying just by looking at his back. The atmosphere in the room was so uncomfortable that Warren prayed he would manage to get out alive. Sitting quietly, he remained still like he was going to be sentenced to death if he moved even an inch. "I am going to go straight to the point, Mr. Byrne." Malcolm finally spoke up, turning to sit down. He sat down graciously, sizing the man sitting opposite him, "What did you tell my wife yesterday?"Warren quivered slightly. If he wasn't used to facing impos
Lauren found herself in a big mansion. It was so big and beautiful that she couldn't help but admire it. Just as she was about to move about to admire it, something clung to her legs and when she turned, she saw Bryan. "Bryan?" She turned and carried him into her arms so naturally like he was a part of his life. She played around with him and just when she was getting tired, she heard a voice call out her name. Turning around, she saw no one. Was she just imagining it? It came again, this time, the voice was filled with longing and loneliness. "Who are you?" She asked. The voice came the third time and this time, a figure appeared by the door, slowly walking towards her. As the face came into light, a wave of recognition hit her and her tears began to flow freely as she ran into his arms. "Malcolm." She closed her eyes familiarizing herself with the feeling he brought and when she opened them, she was no longer in the beautiful mansion.
...Be downstairs in five minutes or forget about living...Warren flung his phone in fear and without waiting for his wife to question him, he scurried downstairs. If the voice he heard on the phone was real, then he was dead. He flew down the stairs to meet the 'visitor' who was seated comfortably on the sofa, sipping from a glass of blood-red wine. "Mr. Knight," Warren called out in respect. The man before him maybe his son-in-law but three was no way he was going to disrespect him. Malcolm finally looked at him, his eyes as icy as ever. "Start talking," Malcolm said.Warren was confused. What was the meaning of this? Was this man trying to play a prank?He smiled, "Is Mr. Knight trying to crack a joke?"Malcolm didn't reply. He kept looking at the giant clock at the other end of the room and after exactly five minutes, he threw a stack of documents at Warren. Realizing how serious the man before him was, Warren pick
Malcolm leaned by the car, smoking a cigarette and staring into the space his son disappeared into. His subordinates looked confused but they dared not question him. They had been there for hours but instead of going after the little guy and bringing him back home, they stood they for close to an hour. Malcolm however, was ignorant of what his subordinates were thinking. He only stood there quietly, with a stick of burning cigarette between his fingers, feeling as nervous as ever. Just then, he heard Bryan scream for help and that was enough to jolt him out of whatever reverie he was in. Quickly, he rushed in and the sight that greeted him, made his blood boil. Lauren laid on the floor helplessly unconscious. Quickly, he dished out an order to call Dr. Alfred before carrying the frail girl into his arms to the car and driving her off to Dr. Alfred's hospital. Bryan ignored his father. His only attention was on his mother. The thought of her death made his heart wrench. He didn't wan
Malcolm stood by Bryan's door, listening to him sulk all night with a sigh. How could he have not known? How could he have allowed himself to be deceived twice by the same person? Now, he had hurt everybody around him, including his son and most especially, Lauren. He wondered how meeting her again would feel like. He didn't even know where she was for crying out loud! Gradually pushing his weak body to his room, his face scrunched at the sight of it. The scent of that woman still lingered. In fact, it had overshadowed the scent of his Lauren and it disgusted him. He walked to the balcony, lighting a cigarette and drawing in the smoke like he was trying to find comfort in it. He chuckle as he choked. He didn't believe that a day would come when he of all people would feel pain. Maybe, karma was finally knocking at his doorstep. He chuckled wryly.Karma.Did he even believe in that word?Anna hummed a song as she took a morning shower. Perhaps, it w
Michelle let go of Bryan's chin quickly and staggered backward, her eyes not leaving the figure at the door.Malcolm.How come? She didn't even hear his car drive in. She opened her mouth to speak but no words came. Bryan glared at her and then his father before slowly walking away to his room upstairs. His face, clearly showing how to hurt he was. "Welcome baby." Michelle greeted in the most natural voice ever, hoping Malcolm hadn't seen what had transpired earlier since Bryan had his back to him. Smiling she walked up to him and made to collect his briefcase but his firm hold on it told her he had clearly seen the scene earlier. Like an executioner approaching his victim, he took cold steps towards her, her mind skipping at each step he made.He flung the briefcase to one side of the sofa, "Start talking." He said in a calm voice.Huh?! " Baby I don't know what you are talking about." Michelle tried hard to maintain her innocent look despi
Bryan stayed with Anna and her family, unwilling to return home. Anna tried every technique she could remember but the little guy was resolute. He wanted to stay with her. Anna panicked. It was getting pretty late. The sky was turning dark. She had successfully spent her whole day with the little guy but yet even now, he was ever reluctant to return to his parents. "How about this? We will meet at the lake tomorrow. Is that okay with you?" Anna negotiated, finding it funny that she was actually bargaining with a little chap.Bryan blinked, "Pinky promise?"Anna sighed. She hadn't meant her word but she really wasn't expecting him to hold her by her words. "If I Pinky swear, will you return home?"He pretended to be in deep thoughts and after a while, he looked up to her and nodded. "Fine then." She gave in, bringing her pinky finger close to the guy, and just as their Pinkys met, images began to fly through her head at a ridiculously
Bryan sat almost lifelessly, starring straight into the lake. He looked downcast. Things have never been the same ever since his mother left. His father had become so into that woman that he no longer listened or care about him.Mommy... His heart cried out, Bryan has been a good boy. Please come back to little Bryan.He didn't feel like going home despite the fact that he knew guards would be on the search for him. Luckily, that woman didn't know a thing about this place. He frowned at the thought of her discovering his mother's most treasured place. It would be like a weed entering into a place where it isn't wanted. "Little One?"Bryan froze. Had he been imagining too much that he now heard her voice in his head? Tears welled in his eyes. But just when he concluded it was an illusion, a hand touched his shoulder and the voice came again. This time, he couldn't resist it. He turned around and at the sight of her, the tears that
Anna sighed in relief after they were settled in. Luckily, Grandpa Worth had a friend in the city who was willing to accommodate them. As she looked at the family of three, her heart swelled with gratitude. They knew nothing about her yet, they risked leaving their home to accompany her to a hospital. She could only hope in her heart that someday, she would be able to repay their kindness to her. She gazed lovingly at little Gwen who was busy watching the city through the window. From her exclamations, Anna could guess it was her first time being in a big city like this. "Anna, why don't you take a walk with your sister? I think I'm going to have a headache listening to all her nonsense." Keira suggested with a smile. Behind Anna, she shared a brief meaningful gaze with her husband. If a part of her memory could flash the minute they entered the city, it only meant she was somehow connected to this city. And who knows? Perhaps, she might end up recalling more if she ge
Michelle looked in the direction of the open door, her mouth wide open in shock. She even forgot she was naked! By the door, stood Malcolm with an extremely chilly aura. God! She was doomed! She turned to look at the cause of her problems but instead of being as shocked as her, he actually had a sly smile on his face. "Malcolm..." Michelle lacked what to say. She had been caught red-handed so she couldn't whip up a single lie. "You really don't know what is called bad timing, bro, do you?" Christian said with a satisfied look on his face. It was like he had done it on purpose to piss his brother off.Quickly, Michelle grabbed her shirt and flew out of the bed. She put it on and quickly approached the man with the vicious aura standing by the door but before she could reach out to touch him, he evaded her touch. "Darling, it wasn't my fault. Christian tried to force himself on me." She said, sounding grieved.The man didn't say