The ferocious blaring of the alarm nettled Rissa.She felt like throwing it across the room but she held back.She could hear Adrian's faint whisper from the doorway “Don't disturb her Caleb, come with me”Rissa couldn't care less, she needed this long sleep.“Thank God we chose a weekend!” she thought inwardly.Her stomach grumbled impatiently and she knew it couldn't wait any longer.Breakfast was something she had always taken seriously.She sat up and smiled warmly staring at a tray set up in front of her.How thoughtful of Adrian, she managed to drag herself off the bed.Her body felt heavy from the impact of Adrian's favour.She managed to stand up and brush her teeth.The lingering sensation of the soreness between her legs haunted her.She blushed sheepishly thinking about it all.Just like it was eight years ago, he had crawled up to her in bed.She woke from her nap into ferocious kisses and smooching.Only this time she wasn't expecting Liam Hickson.It was the right man th
“Aren't we supposed to be strangers now? Why are you stalking me?” Liam questioned Diane.Diane didn't respond immediately, her focus rested on his left hand.Liam held a brown envelope which he clutched to himself.“You are still the same, gullible-minded as ever”Diane's spiteful words nettled him, but he struggled for control.“You haven't changed either, sly bitch” he responded swiftly.Diane smiled coyly unfazed by his words.“Why are you here?” he asked in an icy cold voice.“To help you”, she responded calmly, maintaining eye contact with him.“Do I look like I need your help?” “Of course you do, don't deny it, Adrian is a stronger opponent than you are in all ramifications”Liam scoffed loudly “How does that turn out to be your headache?”“Because Golden Fingers is…..” she started.“Can you get out of his face bitch! We have something better to discuss” Diane turned back to see Amber walk up to them.The crowded street made her hold herself back.She would have wanted nothin
Rissa hugged Stella tightly as she felt tears trickling down her eyes.Adrian stood behind them smiling pleasantly.He knew she would be overwhelmed by the surprise.He had reached out to Abraham to check up on the family and he invited them over with faith.He was excited when Abraham returned the call to inform him of their intention to visit Los Angeles.Rissa disentangled herself from her mother and hugged Abraham with affection.Caleb rushed into Stella's arms, screaming excitedly.“Grandma! Grandpa!” Stella happily hugged him while Abraham ruffled his hair vigorously.“You have added a lot of healthy weight; Los Angeles is so good on you, pumpkin,”, Abraham said playfully, and they all laughed.Rissa collected the baby from Abraham who released him despite him wiggling from the change of hands.“Where is his brother?” Rissa questioned.“Taking a peaceful nap in his crib” Stella responded.In all the bubbling reunion, Mandy just stayed behind and watched them fascinated.She had
“Are you sure you will be okay babe?” Adrian asked with genuine concern as Rissa turned the car door.Rissa gave him a reassuring smile and kissed his lips gently.She turned back to face the crowded paparazzi that had stationed themselves meticulously outside Perchy Peach.Adrian was used to the life of being harassed by the camera.It was nothing new to him, but for Rissa, he was having cold feet.She had stubbornly insisted on showing up at the company that morning alongside him.There was nothing secretive again, the whole world already knew they were an item.Caleb, accompanied by two bodyguards, went to school, and Mandy was home keeping their guests company.They alighted from the car and the paparazzi rushed out to them.To Adrian's surprise, Rissa held her head up high, her confidence top-notch; her defiant gaze made him almost smile despite himself.“Mr Grey, was there any reason why Mr Hickson was on his way to seek you out?” a brunette reporter questioned.Adrian scoffed “
Adrian held out his hand and Rissa took it, giving him a reassuring smile.They walked into the hospital at the same pace.Rissa, deep down, felt scared, but she had to be strong for Adrian.She smiled inwardly as her mind drifted off to his confession earlier that day.“I know this is not the best time to say this, but I …I am in love with you, Rissa”.The eloquence of his voice melted her heart.The sincerity it exudes! She couldn't trade it for anything else.They were definitely going to get through this together.The moment they reached the corridor to the VIP ward, they met Liam on the way.He scoffed loudly, throwing Adrian a disdainful glare.“It seems unwelcome visitors keep showing up today”.His eyes drifted to their entangled hands and a clear pain passed through his eyes.“Mr Hickson, I am sorry about what happened to your father, I am sure he will fight through it”, Adrian said calmly.He didn't mind Liam's thoughtfulness and scornful looks towards him.“All thanks to yo
“Yes, he is … my ex-boyfriend”, Mandy said softly, feeling embarrassed.Adrian heaved a deep sigh, a part of him rejoiced shamelessly at the fact that the threat wasn't directed at Rissa.But Mandy was family too; the blackmailer seemed hell-bent on setting her for doom.“Why?” Adrian questioned suspiciously but Rissa pinched him from behind.“It's okay Mandy, take your time, you can explain when you are ready”, Rissa said calmly.Mandy nodded her head in affirmation while resting her head on the car seat.Adrian felt ashamed for behaving too irrationally.He should have empathized with Mandy rather than questioned her immediately.The innocent woman was yet to get over the shock of almost getting stabbed.They alighted from the car in front of the house.The bodyguard swept Mandy off her feet, taking both Adrian and Rissa by surprise.They exchanged knowing looks and smiled awkwardly.They watched on as he carried Mandy into the house.“Are you sensing what I am sensing?” Rissa said,
A large boulder was thrown and the bodyguard hastily nodded it.Liam Hickson watched agape as the bodyguard fell and lost consciousness.His eyes widened in shock as the painful reality dawned on him.The boulder was aimed at him initially, if it had hit him, he would be spending the next few weeks in the emergency unit.He quickened his pace as the other bodyguards kept shielding him except one who was attending to their fallen colleague.Some Paparazzi rushed forward to block his way, but he and his bodyguard fought through the crowd, giving him a chance to escape.“Block all the other entrances, they must not come through”, Liam barked the orders desperately.He got to the elevator and made for his office floor.Immediately he got in, he threw himself on the sofa and heaved a deep sigh.Liam picked up the phone and dialled a contact.“What is the situation over there?” He asked worriedly.“We are managing it, Mr Hickson. The hospital security personnel were also of assistance”, the
“I am so ashamed of myself for accusing Perchy Peach CEO”“I am so pissed at Golden Fingers right now”“I will never restock their drink ever!”Rissa read through the comments on the social media with mixed emotions.She walked up to Adrian who wore an expressionless gaze.“Public sympathy is in your favour”, she said calmly.“Why does that make me feel uneasy?” Adrian responded sincerely.“I am baffled, too; who else apart from you is aware of this?”.“I can't be so sure, my grandfather was a man of few words”, Adrian responded, baffled.“To say he or she is even aware of the evidence you have in your hand”, Rissa pointed out desperately.Adrian gave it a thought but he took his mind off it as fast as he could.“Babe, I have been having this head-splitting headache since last night. Can we talk about something else?” Rissa nodded slightly in agreement, knowing Adrian had had enough of the trouble already.“Mum called earlier; they just got back home. Thank you, babe”, Rissa said wit
“Then you get to take a shower after killing the cockroach laced in your hair”. Diane laughed hysterically at the mere memory of the general’s word. She remembered how she had jumped up and ferociously pulled at her hair in a bid to get it out. Unfortunately, she just got herself fooled by the cunning bastard. Everything was going to be over soon. Finally, she was going to get her happy ending, which she had strived endlessly to achieve. Rosa had reported seeing Amber rushing into Perchy Peach and the scowl on her face a few minutes later when she exited. They must have had a bone to pick. She made for her wine cellar and brought out the best there is but she didn't have the flair to pour more than a few glasses, she had to disconnect her spy recorder in Rosa's car that minute, she was tired of hearing her moans while on missions, Mr George seems to have been digging her right. Mr Smith was right; coming back to Los Angeles was a difficult task for her, having to hide from raising
“Don't you think we should…..”The door opened, cutting Rissa off her word; Amber rushed him; she looked unkempt and uncomposed, and both Adrian and Rissa looked stunned. It took them quite some time to react to her presence.“Mrs Hickson, this is a…..it's a pleasure to see you.. please have a seat”, Adrian offered.“I know all too well that it is not a pleasant meeting, not at a time like this, but I have no choice.” Amber burst into uncontrollable tears, and Rissa moved closer to console her. Even at the most dangerous moments, she had never been this shattered.“Mrs Hickson, what is going on?” Adrian questioned suspiciously.“Liam is being blackmailed”, she said, dabbing her tears with a handkerchief.“By Diane?” Rissa questioned suspiciously.“Not her; he tells me everything about her moves, but this was an anonymous person.”Rissa felt a pang of stabbing jealousy at Amber's words; Liam hadn't been the type to hide things, unlike Adrian, who was prone to. She wished he never had t
Mandy hugged Caleb for the umpteenth time. She felt herself moved to tears, and it took all of her self-control to hold it back. Caleb was sulking, too; he had really gotten used to Mandy's presence for the few days that her departure was about to leave a void in him.His mother, Rissa, had been quite…..distracted these days that she barely had time for him. Also, his father's business was at a huge turning point; he had been keeping himself company with the numerous video games, but right now, he was getting bored.“Don't worry, pumpkin; I will come to visit soon with a lot of chocolate.” Mandy's reassuring smile did little to cheer him up, he nodded innocently. “Now baby, you wouldn't want Aunty Mandy to miss her flight, will you?” Caleb nodded in affirmation and shifted back into Rissa's embrace. He kept waving goodbye till she was out of his view.Rissa's eyes were glued to Mandy's departure, she felt sad but also was happy that nothing negative had happened during her stay in Lo
Rissa felt her cheeks heating up; she opened her eyes slightly as Adrian kissed her lips gently. It feels great every time, she thought inwardly. She wrapped her arms around him in a bear hug, pouting innocently. He looked into her eyes and laughed heartily. Rissa Stonebridge sure is full of surprises.“I got you some gifts”, Adrian said with a charming smile plastered on his face.Rissa disentangled herself from him; her eyes shot up; what was the occasion? It wasn't even her birthday. She turned her head to her bedside and saw a crowded bunch of wrapped gifts, Just looking at them from a distance, she knew he must have spent a fortune.“What is the occasion, Mr. CEO?” she said teasingly.“Nothing special; I just achieved my aim of seeing a sweet smile on my girlfriend’s cute face,” he said, squeezing her cheeks playfully. Rissa rolled her eyes and laughed “I am everything but cute! Nah, I am way past that, thanks to being thirty”.He hugged her tightly and kissed her cheeks; Adrian
Mandy waved enthusiastically and Caleb rushed into her arms. They both couldn't contain their joy; she hadn't had a video call with him in weeks, and it felt like years; she almost got thrown on her back by his huge hug. Rissa walked up to her smiling pleasantly.“Caleb is all grown; I almost fell on my butt from his hug.”Caleb laughed as he disentangled himself from her. Rissa hugged Mandy, too, and kept on blabbing about the jet lag and how she was craving a cold shower and some home-cooked meals. She reached into her pocket and handed over a chocolate box to Caleb which he collected enthusiastically.“You have lost a few pounds, Mandy. Have lectures been stressful?” Rissa questioned worriedly.“Very stressful, but I love it, it keeps me on my toes, and I only have one more year to endure the hard part.”Rissa nodded in understanding and they all walked out of the airport beaming with smiles. Mandy had called her three days back to inform her about her return to Los Angeles for a f
Diane kept gulping down more wine; she was beyond drunk, her face was swollen, and her lips were plump. She smiled inwardly as she listened in on her Bluetooth headphones. The soft moans, her mind drifting off to its imagination, parted her legs slightly and inserted two fingers into her core.The moans intensified, and so did the thrusting of her fingers; she heard the male groan, and her senses flew up; she felt the shift in power and his vigorous thrusts on the female; she felt herself reaching her peak and let out a soft moan before withdrawing her hands.Diane felt herself weakened on the sofa, her juice flowing out freely from between her legs, she smiled satisfactorily. She hadn't had the time to do that in the two months since she arrived in Los Angeles.“Can we do this a few more times?”“Don't you dare dream!”She heard the words and laughed hysterically, Rosa hadn't been aware of the bug in the car, but Diane knew she couldn't trust anyone. Stupidly enough, her assistant de
Everything else was grand except that the plan itself was fruitless; Adrian's eyes scanned the report on his table; he held up his head with his left hand and ruffled his hair. Confusion set about in his countenance; how could their brilliant idea go down the drain like that?Perchy Peach developed a new marketing strategy and product packaging, and within two days, the internet was filled up with negative reviews of it. He had tested it out privately, and nothing seemed to be out of place, but some people seemed to be hell-bent on tarnishing their image.His phone rang loudly, and he dipped his hand into his pocket to retrieve it; he picked it up instantly, and Rissa's voice came through. Caleb was reported to be ill from school, and she had to rush out of the office to get him to the hospital.Fear gripped Adrian, was this coincidental? He knew Diane was going to come for him and Rissa, but he desperately hoped for her own good that Caleb wasn't gravely ill due to one of her mischi
Winter sure was as expected; Mr. George walked out of the prison yard smiling pleasantly; a few weeks ago, she had promised to help him out; he didn't know she had such influence; two days earlier, his parole was granted without any hassle.He waved his hand excessively the moment he sighted her standing beside a luxurious car he hadn't come across before, his eyes shone in admiration of the car and the stunning owner.“Congratulations”, she said nonchalantly as he approached.“Thank you”.They got into the car and drove off instantly; Diane alighted in front of the restaurant opposite Perchy Peach; she put on her sunglasses and curvy hat, a perfect disguise for someone who had been presumed dead.Mr George didn't ask any questions; he had done his research on her secretly. She was supposed to be dead, burnt beyond recognition, but he didn't care how she survived as long as she could be an instrument in his revenge.“I got you a place and job”.She said, sipping on her coffee; the re
“You have a visitor”.Mr George turned and eyed the warder maliciously, he looked tired and haggard from the day’s strenuous activities now he had distracted his nap time. He wondered who his visitor could be but he couldn't wrap his head around it, his girlfriend had stopped visiting two months after his verdict had been stamped, his aged parents despised him a lot now, they were devoted Catholic, how could a child of theirs commit such great atrocities.“Who?” He questioned casually.“Get your ass up, inmate 7505; I am busy”.Mr George rose and yawned lazily; he silently hoped Liam or Adrian hadn't come seeking him for some kind of forgiveness; he laughed hysterically at the thought of that. He braces himself ready to dive into whatever lies ahead of him.The door flung open, and he walked out; he eyed the keys in the warder’s hand; if it had been the only key to get him out of the whole prison, he would have stolen it and absconded.“Aren't you going? I told you I am busy inmate 7