The angry blaring of her bedside alarm jolted Rissa from her sleep; she adjusted her soft pillow, covering her ears from it.To her ultimate surprise, she felt a tingling sensation in her stomach, and she rubbed her hand over her baby bump.She felt a stronger jab, and her eyes flew open instantly. "My baby just kicked!" she soliloquized in disbelief.The strong jab occurred again and she laughed excitedly "he kicked!" she shouted joyfully and rolled out of her bed.Her joy knew no bounds at that; it's been two months since her suicidal attempt, and her mother's friends have been supportive.Abraham made it his duty to check up on her every day after work, and Mariah brought her snacks daily.She picked up her phone to share the news with Mariah, but unfortunately, she didn't pick up.Rissa trotted into the kitchen to make herself breakfast and was humming her favourite Taylor Swift breakup song as usual.For a short time, her mind drifted to Liam, but she shook it off instantly; his
Diane felt a wave of nausea at Rissa's smiling face in a picture they jointly took on their first promotion at work." Everything comes easy for that bitch" she muttered to herself and tore the picture throwing Rissa's part in the dumpster.She picked up her Louis Vuitton mini bag and made her way to the office, amidst the terrible traffic." What the hell is happening?" a stout man shouted at the bus driver who retorted." Are you too blind to see the crime scene?" the driver shouted back eyeing the questioner with disdain.Diane bit her upper lips in regret for rejecting Liam's offer to buy her a new car when her car broke down recently." I need to act like I am not interested in his money," She had prepped her mind, standing her ground despite his insistence.Going to exquisite restaurants on dates and shopping had been their norm, but she still avoided raising his suspicion.She knew Liam wasn't a total pushover; he is the CEO of a top-tier company, so dealing with people's gree
" Diane Donaldson, will you marry me?" Liam had suddenly popped the question while on his bended knees.Diane felt like the world was at a standstill, waiting for her to make the first move; she watched blankly as all faces pleaded desperately along with Liam.She felt like a Cinderella in her designer comfy shoes, and amusingly enough, Liam doesn't fall short of a Prince charming." Yes! Yes!" She screamed excitedly as all hands jammed together, and Liam took her slim fingers into his; he slipped a diamond ring into her finger.Surprising breaths were drawn from other female onlookers, "this ring must cost more than my annual earnings," Diane thought to herself, smiling satisfactorily.She hugged Liam tightly and kissed him with enthusiasm; never in her life had she expected her fantasy to become a reality after all.Not just dining with prominent personalities but getting married to a billionaire CEO who is extremely charming." I love you”, she whispered into Liam's ears, which he
Stella paced endlessly still staring intently at Rissa's protruding stomach." And you kept it away from me?" She thundered obviously hurt by it " Mum! I knew you would be devastated, I didn't want that," Rissa responded touching Stella's shoulder Stella closed her eyes and opened it again, her watery eyes stared at her daughter, pity written all over it." Is it Liam's?" She asked slowly but Rissa's disapproving nod confirmed her suspicion." So it is for the strange man?" She bellowed calmly settling on the sofa, her hand gripping it tightly." Yes”, Rissa responded downcast; Stella was speechless for some seconds, contemplating how to handle the situation." It is a whole lot to take in Rissa; forgive my reactions; I know you are hurting too," she said at last." I know mum, it wasn't easy for me either, I....." she started, but Stella stopped her putting a hand over her mouth." Don't explain anything. I do not care if history has just repeated itself, but I will ensure you have
" I was betrothed to someone”, Liam said calmly, maintaining eye contact with Diane, whose heart shattered immediately." Not anymore... Diane.. not anymore, I swear," Liam added, shaking his outstretched wrist dismissively.Diane was dumbfounded; she buried her head in her hand and ruffled her lustrous hair, disappointed.Her newly bestowed diamond ring felt heavy all of a sudden.Diane summoned all the courage she could muster and looked Liam in the eye." Who?" she asked hoping desperately his response won't fit with her suspicion."Amber, her name is Amber, she is....." Liam started but Diane hastily interjected." The fashion blogger?" She asked in disbelief, and Liam nodded in affirmation, confirming her fear.Her mind wandered off to the lady's attitude towards her at the proposal party." And you still invited her to the proposal!" She screamed out loudly " I didn't Diane, I was surprised to see her in attendance but we weren't an item anymore so I didn't think much of it," L
Rissa sat with her hands crossed over her chest, watching Luke and Matthew carrying Stella's luggage.It has been two months after her first visit and being true to her words, she had quit her job and moved in." That was the last one, Miss Stonebridge”, Luke informed her, breathing heavily."Thank you, Luke”, Stella said excitedly as she unpacked one of the gigantic boxes.Rissa rubbed her protruding bump out of habit; she looked over at her phone and checked Diane's last message, which was over two months ago.She had woken up to use the restroom when she dropped her a text stating that she was thinking about her.To Rissa's bewilderment, after she responded, Diane blocked her access to her, which she found unusual." You should have informed Abraham, too," Mariah said to Stella, pouting.Stella's pompousness wouldn't let her as she likes to believe she was independent." Help me with the fruit”, Stella said to Mariah, feigning ignorance at her word relating to Abraham.Deep down, s
" You cannot be resting at a crucial time like this, Miss Stonebridge,” the Asian supervisor shouted nettled. " I am sorry… was ...I mean I got lightheaded," Rissa pleaded desperately The man eyed her with disdain, and he stormed out of the processing department, muttering inaudible words to himself. Rissa nodded her head pitifully, and she felt tears brewing behind her sardonic eyes. " Ignore him, Rissa; he is a sadist who despises everyone else but himself," an older colleague said reassuringly, and they both laughed. " Thank you granny" Rissa responded pleasantly " Take all the time you need, young lady; he is just an awful jerk who knows nothing about pregnancy,” another woman contributed. Rissa's mood lifted slightly as she felt the loving support all around her, she joined the fruit processing department as a contractual manual worker to earn a weekly wage. She stood up abruptly as she noticed the Asian supervisor walking back into the department. He walked so
" Yes, I do”, Diane screamed excitedly, ignoring the scoff from the back seat in the mini hall.Her focus was sorely on her groom; she had finally done it, and she had become Mrs Hickson." I pronounce you man and wife,” the priest said enthusiastically, and applauses rained at the moment.She couldn't wait to be told as she latched on to Liam and kissed him fervently.Her mind drifted back to all the humiliating moments she had to endure to have Liam to herself.She even went as far as employing her devilish cunningness to become Mrs Hickson in place of poor sloppy Rissa Stonebridge.Liam felt so overwhelmed that he just kept smiling while reciprocating her loving moment.It was his second time in less than a year to hold a wedding, his wedding.He was glad he had avoided the bloggers and reporters getting wind of the wedding.Even that very morning his company just took down a post from an anonymous blogger on the rumor of him getting married.He had promised Diane he would keep her
Adrian's eyes widened in amazement, he had actually wished he could call on a fairy godmother as he usually imagined as a child. He was an adult now, such delusion could never solve his problems.But Alas! One has shown up all dressed stunningly turning all heads. He was tempted to rush out of his office as he stared intently at the CCTV footage where Rissa was surrounded by multiple paparazzi.She looked too confident to be calling whatever she was saying a bluff. Was her unexpected presence a solution or going to escalate the problems further?Whatever she was trying to do, he wasn't sure it would be effective except for her stunning look, which obviously had the best effect already.“Mr Grey, Miss Stonebridge has found us a solution”His secretary's words jolted him out of his depressed state. He didn't care about being classy and rushed down the stairs to the front door of Perchy Peach where Rissa was being interviewed.“As I had said earlier, those are the differences, check it o
“What do I want? So annoying when you ask in that manner” “What do you want Mr George?” Adrian questioned again; this time, his voice was firmer and dangerous. “Wow! So scary, well if you must know the only desire I have is to watch your company crumble”, Mr George said laughing awkwardly. Adrian resisted the urge to punch him in the face. This definitely was a bigger conspiracy, obviously; Mr George wasn't capable of orchestrating such alone. “Tell your sponsor that you make a great puppet, smart move on his part, someone would have to take the fall eventually…. someone easily dis..pen..sable”, Adrian said, smiling wickedly and taunting him. One of the few tricks he had picked up in his years as an actor. He stared intently into George’s eyes, his furrowed brow satisfied Adrian. Obviously, his trick had hit a nerve. “I am nobody's puppet! We are into a respectable partnership agreement, and we both have equal rights”, he responded defensively, crossing his arm over his chest.
Adrian locked hands with Rissa who put her ear gently on his broad chest. It feels like home, very homely, but it was too good to last a century.Adrian stared blankly at her, hoping desperately the world could be in favour of all their wishes. Everything was going on fine, so smoothly that he was feeling quite uneasy about it all.Tracy had committed suicide in prison after leaving a note stating she had gaslighted Bianca Grey and Diane Donaldson to do her bidding.They both got out unscratched after paying a meagre fine. Bianca left Los Angeles willingly after apologizing to those she had hurt, and Diane disappeared into thin air.Adrian couldn't be sure of how Liam Hickson handled the evidence he gave him secretly. But Golden Fingers seems to be back in all its glory, fiercely competing with Perchy Peach in the market.The only thing that reminds me of the scar of the battle is that Adrian insisted Rissa stay in his apartment, and this time around, she didn't refuse.The happiness
Adrian stretched out his hand and threw the flash into the air, three eyes followed its movement till it landed on the intruder's palm. Liam’s eyes widened at Adrian's foolishness.“Shedding blood wasn't necessary in the first place so I won't if you both stay put till I leave”.He shot the air to show them he was capable of destruction if they did not comply. Rissa and Amber heard the sound and fear gripped them. They hastily hid behind Adrian’s car while the intruder successfully ran off excitedly.There was no way they could be sure of who was behind the mask; too many people were after that evidence.“We will all get killed at this rate!” Liam said angrily.“Should I have allowed him to kill them?” Adrian shot back, returning his exact energy.They both stared intently into each other's furrowed brows and, at the same time, ran forward to check up on their women. Rissa and Amber were literally shaking from fear.Diane brought out a telescope, and her focal point was on Rissa and A
Liam carried the white porcelain close to his chest and moved slowly in a staggering motion.Amber stood by his side while other people kept making speculative guesses about their current relationship, but she couldn't care less; Liam needed her now, and she was there for him.The long siren kept the street bubbling as more people kept showing interest in Rowen's death. The families of the victims of the faulty construction gathered to protest in front of Golden Fingers.Tracy had made it her plan B by reaching out to them all from the onset and using their pent-up resentment for her own bidding. They kept demanding the truth from the grieving Liam Hickson.Despite the security personnel stationed around, they kept coming up with provocative billboards and ensured they posted the videos on social media to amass public sympathy.Liam disappointed them by reacting calmly against their expectation. Bianca’s reaction was the worst; she had actually surrendered to the police for a malicio
“My girlfriend is losing consciousness”, Adrian shouted distressed.The policemen stationed outside the mansion exchanged confused looks. One of them called the emergency service. Adrian, sensing impending defeat, hastily immersed in his acting skill.“I need to get her an inhaler before it is too late. Are you going to take responsibility for that? I have one in there”, he said, pointing towards his apartment.The hesitance of the police made him glare more at them, they finally agreed that he could go in there but must only return with an inhaler.Adrian smiled inwardly at successfully fooling them; he carefully laid Rissa on the relaxation chair and rushed in; one of the policemen stood beside her, watching her gasping for air.He rushed straight to his study and picked up the box. He unboxed it and brought out a small flash, he knew shredding the papers would leave some evidence behind. He tore them into pieces and flushed them down the toilet. He was about to rush out when he rem
Amber hastily picked up her bag and rushed out of the office. Her secretary, a lanky tall man, requested he follow her, but she outrightly rejected the offer.Rissa's call had destabilized her emotions, and the only thing that mattered was finding Liam, the grieving Liam.She knew better than to be at ease knowing fully well the emotional disturbances that he had gone through the past few months. She kept calling his number repeatedly before she left her office but he wasn't picking up.Amber got into her car and zoomed off thinking of where he could be.“Liam! Liam! Where could you be?” She kept humming while driving at high speed.The memory of their childhood resurfaced in her mind, the days Rowen scolded him badly; Liam had always hidden himself in his late mother's room or swam endlessly in the pool till he was almost out of breath.Where would the adult Liam want to be, she wondered?The car came to an abrupt stop in front of the Hickson's mansion and she alighted hastily. She a
*Bang* A cold chill swept over Adrian as two bodies dropped unconsciously on the floor. He hastily rushed over to Rowen Hickson who was already coughing blood. “Call an ambulance!” He screamed in agony. One of the bodyguards rushed over to Tracy whom his fired bullet had grazed her arm. She wriggled around in pain. No one had seen it coming; she wasn't expected to shoot Rowen Hickson on the spot. The angry blaring of the ambulance siren made them all alert; Bianca just stood at a spot, horrified, not daring to move or speak. A million self-blame ran through her head. Why had she given in to Tracy's trickery from the start? She had assumed using Rowen Hickson's enemy to punish him would relieve her resentment towards him for orchestrating her brother's death and denying their child. In the end, it all turns out to be false, and Rowen is dying as a result of her foolishness. Rowen and Tracy were ushered into the ambulance van. The police also arrived at the scene immediately; Tra
“I was,” Rowen Hickson said with confidence. Being baffled was an understatement as Adrian exchanged gazes with the security personnel.Bianca said she had suspected someone from the CCTV footage showing up every night for three consecutive nights and always staring at Adrian's apartment. So they decided to set a trap for him that night.“What sly bastard did our trap…..”Bianca was saying as she walked into the living room. The word got stuck on her tongue when he saw who the intruder turned out to be.Shocked, she backed away from the room to catch her breath. What was Rowen Hickson doing there? Wasn't he bedridden?Rowen just looked over at her and looked away instantly, not caring about the emotion that was evident on her pale face.“Why are you here Mr Hickson?”“You know why I am here Adrian”.“You have all the resources to hire someone to do it, why are you here by yourself?” Adrian questioned suspiciously.“Could I trust anyone with it? Of course not”“Excuse us”, Adrian said