When Jake drove into the mansion through the gate, he parked by the entrance and hurriedly got out of his car, proceeding towards the doorsteps. He had made Mathew and Micheal take a cab back to the company while he had driven the car and hurried back to the mansion, after the butler's call.As he made his way in through the door, the butler met him. "Where are they?" Jake asked the butler. His voice was surprisingly calm however a tinge of panic hid underneath it."Your mother already left. Your wife is up in her room.""What did they talk about?" Jake asked another question.The butler let out a heavy sigh. "I don't know exactly but your wife was pretty upset when she left the living room for her room and your mother was furious when she left the mansion as well."Letting out a sigh, Jake made his way past the butler and hurried towards the stairway. He knew his mother, she was one vicious and manipulative woman who would go to any length just to get what she wanted. He thus felt
It was early April. A Saturday. The weather was mild and pleasant. The golden orb in the sky seemed friendly to the inhabitants of earth as its rays weren't as harsh as the previous day's own.Within the four corners of the Conat's mansion, the atmosphere was joyous and abuzz. A birthday party was ongoing characterised by music, laughter and happy chatters. It was an athletic, sports-themed birthday party incorporating basketball and gymnastics. Since Andrew loved basketball and Sheila was into gymnastics, they had decided to go with this theme. Sheila's birthday wasn't until the next day but the duo had decided to celebrate it together on Andrew's birthday.The backyard of the mansion had been transformed into a mini sports arena, decorated with colourful balloons, colourful mats, sparkling ribbons and banners depicting both basketball and gymnastics sports. At the gate, some staff were stationed to give the arriving guests sports-themed party hats, caps, leotards, hair ties and j
"Mr Anderson is here." Micheal's voice came from the telecommunicator on Jake's desk. "Send him in," Jake said simply before disconnecting the call. A few minutes later, a knock sounded on the door. "Come in," he muttered and Stephen Anderson stepped in, escorted by Mathew who left immediately Stephen moved to sit down on the chair Jake gestured for him to sit in. "This is a real desperate move. Asking me to buy your company," Jake spoke with a smirk curved on his face. Stephen chuckled, a rather dry chuckle. "Well, are you going to buy it or not?" And it was Jake's turn to chuckle. "Not… I mean with you giving me that cocky attitude of yours and all, why would I do you such a favour?" Stephen sighed heavily, the smirk on Jake's face annoyed him to no end. And to think it was Jake who had catalysed the crisis going on in his company in the first place. Well, he wasn't trying to blame him anymore, after all, if he hadn't done anything wrong, Jake wouldn't have been able to dig up
Maddie was working in her fashion workspace when Jake returned home from work. She had been working on an assignment they were given back at the fashion school. The assignment had been given to them since the previous week Friday and was due for submission on Wednesday that week, which was in two days. The assignment was to design three nature-inspired garments. Maddie had already made a total of ten sketches of designs fitting this theme. She had picked one from the lot but was unsure which other two to pick. She had however started working on the first one she had picked. She had sketched this particular design by taking inspiration from the ocean waves. It was a gown with features of a mermaid silhouette and she was using cascading layers of blue and teal fabric. She adorned the bodice with sequins and beads that mimicked the shimmering surface of water. The neckline was shaped like a seashell, and the flowing train incorporated patterns of coral and seaweed, exhibiting the beaut
"Hey babe, I might not get off work until past 7pm. Should I grab us dinner on my way? Miss you… PS: Can't wait to have you in my arms. I am going to make you scream so loud tonight, you would lose your voice by tomorrow. Love you." There was a couple of love emojis, kiss emojis and a winking emoji at the end of the text. "What the f**k!" Maddie exclaimed as she read the text again. No! It can't be! Audrey and her brother? How? She knew Audrey's passcode so she couldn't help but open the phone, proceeding to open Mathew's text inbox. Her mouth went agape as she scrolled down, reading the previous messages exchanged between them. They really had something going on… Maddie was appalled. Disgusted even. Audrey finally returned with the crackers in a plate and set it on the table. "Sorry I took a while," she apologized. "You said my phone was ringing?" Audrey had not turned to look at Maddie so she hadn't noticed her friend's countenance or the fact that her friend was holding her p
Harry chuckled, rubbing his suddenly sweaty palms together. "Okay… Let's hear these questions." It was obvious that he was nervous, the erratic movement of his eyes gave that away even though he managed to keep his voice steady.Jake smirked. "Who is Laura Montenegro?" He leaned back on the backrest of the chair he was sitting on, his gaze on Harry intent like he didn't want to miss even the slightest detail of his overall expression.A blank expression formed on Harry's face. "Laura who? Who is that?" He seemed to be genuinely confused, Jake observed."The lady you paid to sleep with me on my twentieth birthday," Jake happily shared more information as he pulled out a folded sheet of paper from his tuxedo suit pocket and passed it to Harry from across the table. "That's the transaction details from back then. You made the transfer from your own account, remember?" Jake said.Harry unfolded the paper and peeped at its content. "Ahhhh! So Laura was her name. I didn't take that into
*FLASHBACKS — 8 YEARS AGO* "Hey sis, wait up!" Ten year old Mathew Stewart screamed at his sister as he struggled to keep up with her. She was walking so fast, he was literally out of breath chasing after her. Mathew was dressed in his school uniform of grey khaki pants, a short sleeved button down shirt with a bow tie around the collar, and a knitted grey cardigan worn over the shirt, matched with long white pair of stockings in black leather shoes matching the black leather belt he wore around the waist of his pants. His uniform was neat and well ironed giving one the illusion of him being a smart student which he didn't think himself to be. But then, maybe he was smart but didn't know it as he never studied. Studying was just so hard, he couldn't bring himself to do it no matter how hard he tried! He and his sister were weaving their way through a horde of other students walking in through the wide open gates of JK Academy. This was the school both Mathew and his sister Maddi
Jake got a call from Steve right after his meeting. He was still at the company suite where the meeting had been held although Mathew and Micheal had gone ahead to bring the car up front from the parking lot."He called your mother. Just like we suspected he would," Steve informed as soon as Jake picked the call. Jake simply hummed in response to his words. His mind too perturbed to bring himself to speak."I will send you the recording of their call right away," Steve spoke again.Jake let out another hum, and then disconnected the call, a heavy sigh escaping his lips.The duo had predicted that Harry would call his mother right after Jake confronted him so they had arranged a woman for Harry the previous night, to meet him at a bar he frequented and get him to take her to bed. Harry's weakness was alcohol and women so it was an easy plan to construct. While at it, the woman they hired had tapped into Harry's cell phone by installing a spy software, which the hacker who worked wi
The sun was slowly dipping below the horizon, casting a rather warm and golden hue over the serene seascape. The air was cool and soothing. The gentle sound of waves crashing against each other gave off a a soothing backdrop to the scene. Along the sandy shore, an aisle was crafted, adorned with seashells and colourful flowers. Audrey had been the one in charge of all the wedding decorations and she had done one hell of a job! The salty breeze carried with it a sense of anticipation, mingling with the laughter and chatter of everyone gathered, half of which the wedding couple didn't even know. Being the global favourite couple, people had come for their wedding from all around the globe. The place was packed full. It was a good thing that the private beach was immensely spacious. Underneath beautifully constructed bamboo arches, adorned with billowing fabrics and fresh blooming flowers, the guests were sitting in groups. A romantic melody soon started to play and the procession
The long awaited day of the trial of the state versus Linsley Conat finally came. As the masses were now actively involved in this case, Linsley Conat had been unable to bribe her way out of prison. The few people she knew in power in the judiciary system refused to help her. Her last resort, which had been to fake mental illness, had fallen apart because her son had made sure to cut her off completely from those that might be able to help her fake the reports and all the other necessary documents. Backed in a corner, helpless, all she had been able to do was wait dejectedly in her cell for the day of her trial…"All rise!"Everyone in the courtroom rose immediately as the command from the judicial assistant rang out. The judge stepped in and it was after he took his seat that he muttered a lazy, "Sit!" and everyone else in the courtroom took their respective seats.From across the courtroom, Linsley's almost lifeless eyes caught sight of her son and she gave him the most deathly st
It was all over the news the next morning being a Saturday, every news channel was airing it. Newspapers, magazines both online and in hard copy print all carried the news of the arrest of Linsley Conat. The news however didn't say under what grounds she was arrested but in the news published by Starlight Media agency, they announced that the son of Linsley Conat, Jake Conat had agreed to an exclusive interview to discuss the subject of his mother's arrest and give them all the scoop there was. The interview was scheduled for the next day being Sunday. The internet was in a frenzy. Jake got a call from the company warning him not to come because the paparazzi were everywhere. Even the security stationed far ahead at the entrance of the street leading to the mansion had called to inform him that the paparazzi were gathered there as well. Thankfully, the paparazzi couldn't get into the street because of the tight security at the entrance so they couldn't get anywhere close to the ma
It was a lot. Everything that had happened in the past couple days. It was too much revelation. She was angry, bitter, sad, frustrated, and hurt but most of all, what she felt the most was fear. The fear of losing the love she shared with Jake. The fear of losing the happiness he had brought into her life. The fear of losing the peace he had brought her. The fear of losing the complete perfect family she had envisioned. The fear of losing her brother even. It was because of this fear that she hadn't come to a decision all the while or even address the situation. Now she was ready. She knew what she had to do. Karen had ended their session with the words, "Maddie dear, don't forget that the past is past. It actually has no control whatsoever on your present or future, not unless you allow it. Your happiness does not lie in the past but in your now." Karen's words had been the final push she had needed to come to a decision… "Welcome mummy," Andrew who was in the living room rushed
Maddie had been sitting right across Karen for roughly fifteen minutes already, yet she hadn't said a word other than the greeting she had muttered to the lady when she had first stepped in. The warm smile playing on the therapist's face didn't falter, she continued waiting patiently for Maddie to speak. Drawing a sharp breath, Maddie finally opened her mouth to speak. "I umm, it's umm, complicated. I don't even know where to start." Karen's smile widened. "You can start anywhere you like Maddie. " The way Karen's office was designed, it was a modern office setting with an office table and a chair, and then across the table on the other end were two other chairs, arranged to slantingly face each other. There were a stretch of cupboards right behind the office table and chairs, at the far end of the wall, it contained drawers containing files of patients. Ahead of the office table before one got to the door or if one came from the door, were two adjacent reclining sofas. This w
"Idiot!" Linsley cursed under her breath the moment Stephanie was gone, kicking at her feet in fury, and just then her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID and then picked the call rather hurriedly. "So, have you found that fool Harry?" she asked the person on the other line. "No we haven't. He seems to have disappeared," came the reply from the person on the other line. "Then find his f**king family fool and use them to lure him out!" She practically yelled into the phone. "Well, umm, his father and younger sister have disappeared as well. I think your son is protecting them by keeping them hidden somewhere." "Arrrgh!" Linsley screamed, tossing her phone across the wall in anger. "Incompetent fools!" she cursed, and then started to parade about the room. Her son was protecting Harry! Was he f**king insane? He had threatened to send her to jail but it had just been an empty threat, right? Well, she was beginning to think of the threat as more than just an empty threat.
Jake couldn't believe she was really in his arms. Sleeping so soundly with her face pressed against his chest. He had been on his way out to get himself a fresh cup of coffee when the knock on his door had sounded. He had immediately known it was her. So, he had quickly answered the door and alas! It had been indeed her!Even though she had not exactly voiced out her reason for being there, he had seen it playing so evidently in her eyes. But then, there had been conflicting emotions playing in her eyes too and she had almost scurried away. Thank goodness he hadn't let her! He hadn't known where the courage had come from to ask her to stay and let him cuddle her. He had almost thought she wouldn't stay or let him even as much as touch her but she had agreed. She had stayed and now she was in his arms.However, Jake didn't know whether to be pleased or not. It was almost like she was giving herself one last time to be with him, and then afterwards she would leave him for good. It wa
"You umm, you have something on your mouth," Jake's voice sounded seconds later when Maddie didn't look away like he had expected her to when their gazes first locked. His shaky voice gave away his nervousness. He wasn't lying though, she did have food particles smeared on one corner of her lips.On hearing his words, Maddie reached for a serviette piece on the table to wipe her mouth all over as Jake hadn't specifically pointed out the part of her mouth that was smeared with food particles. And she wasn't ready to ask him for specifics. As she performed this action, Jake found his eyes lowering to her lips, swallowing as he remembered how it tasted. She finished cleaning her mouth, her eyes returning to him and catching the desire playing in his eyes. Her gaze on him turned into a glare and he quickly looked away from her feeling slightly embarrassed. "Mummy, can you please pass me the ketchup?" Andrew's voice was Jake's saving grace as Maddie averted her gaze from him to her s
Jake did well to stay out of Maddie's way for the rest of the evening. Even skipping dinner. He was already content enough that she had returned to the mansion although he knew that her reason for returning was most probably because of her son. It had been evident in her face earlier when she saw him after getting out of the car. The way she had turned away from him so swiftly. He was pretty sure that if she could, she would have dug a hole and hidden herself in it right there and then. It was how much she despised him now. Well, she did have every right to. Closing his laptop, Jake rose from his chair and started to make his way out of the office study. He proceeded towards the kitchen in the second floor, opening the refrigerator to take out a foil covered plate. The plate contained the quesadilla pizza his son had given him earlier saying that Maddie and him had baked it and kept some for him. He knew that them keeping some for him was all his son and not at all Maddie's decis