Elena swept her hair rather roughly to the back and stood from the chair, her brows snapped together.“Excuse me?”Zeke looked around again, nodded his head, settled on the chair in the office, and then crossed his legs together.Was he enjoying this?No.But, there was absolutely no other way to meet Elena other than this.Even her cellphone number was encrypted and he could not find it.Why was she hiding and being secretive so much?He knew that if he did not talk to her or go to her, she would not come to him.Well, maybe unless they meet at public gatherings.Elena was bent on avoiding him, and that was evident.He, on the other hand, was not ready to avoid her. He wanted to talk to her.He… wanted to settle things.Since the day he had seen her again, it was most safe to say that he could not close his eyes without seeing the woman.Zeke knew nothing about the reason he was feeling this way because of the woman, but he was bent on settling things and making her forgive him.Elena
“You are insane,” Elena shook her head and pushed her chair to the back.“It is your fault, Elena,” he stood upright and dipped his hands in his pocket.They both stared at each other for how long God knows before she tore her eyes away and dropped them on the screen in front of her.“Meeting is over, Mr. Russo.”“I will draft a business proposal and bring it down here myself. If you are not comfortable meeting here. I suggest we meet somewhere private,” he smirked knowing and she raised a brow.“I’d advise you to use that time to visit a psychiatrist. I am not doing any business with you.”He nodded his head, glanced at his wrist watch and smiled.“I will bring to you the most profitable deal that you would not want to turn down. Trust me, you would never see such an offer elsewhere.”“You seem to overestimate yourself too much, don’t you?” She raised a brow.“Trust me, I am more capable than what I give myself credit for,” he shrugged pridefully.“The media knows that… and you do to
“Your da… what are you saying? Where- Where did you get that from?” She asked, in utmost bewilderment.Nathan pouted his lips and then raised his head to look at his mother before he said again.“Is he not?”“He is not— Nathan,” she swallowed.“You’re flustered, mama,” he smiled childishly and she snapped her brows together.“I am not. I am just surprised as to how you come across that picture.”“Mum… is he our dad?” Nathan asked her and she breathed out, this time, collecting herself better.“Why do you keep asking me if he is your dad? Have I ever introduced him as such to you?”When the twins exchanged glances and smiled at each other, she felt left out and then frowned.“What? Why did you both smile? Will you not tell me?”“It’s fine, mama. It’s fine,” Nathan said and patted her thigh.“Fine for what?”“It’s just fine. We can handle it on our own,” he said with a smile.“What are you handling, please? You’re just kids!” She slapped her forehead.“You don’t want us to lie to you bu
Chloe widened her eyes at the article that popped up on her screen and then stood up immediately.Maybe it was a piece of fake news, she thought and then went to search on the internet by herself.However, when the result came out the same, she let out a scream.ELENA BASKERVILLE IS THE CEO OF B&V.Although for the past few days, she had been hearing words about the owner of the company and she had not paid any attention to it as she cared less about what was going on in the business world.She was a fashion designer, and she loved her job so much. Thinking or running around the business world was not her thing.Maybe if she was in the business world, she would have known instantly that her ex-sister-in-law was back after six years.She clicked on the contact application and then browsed through Zeke’s number.She had not called the man once in the last six years. Maybe the only one time she had called him was to beg him to bring back Elena but the man had refused to pick up her call.
“Take a seat first, Chloe,” Elena said to the lady who would not let go of her hand for a second.“I don’t mind standing all day, holding your hand. I feel like you would disappear again if I let go,” she sniffed back the tears that were threatening to fall.Elena laughed and wriggled her hand from the lady’s gently. “Disappear, you say?”She grabbed her shoulders and then forced her to sit on the chair because she settled in front of her.“Why? Am I wrong? Y… you just left. You didn’t tell me anything. You didn’t say goodbye. You just left.”“Chloe.”“We were supposed to meet that day, remember? I came over, and you were not there. Brother said you left even before the daybreak.”“I…”“I searched for you, Elena. I went through hoops and loops just to find you, but… you were hiding just too well.”“I’m sorry.”“No, no. I know why you left…” she nodded her head.“My brother… that uncircumcised bastard,” she hissed. “He fucking cheated on you,” she added, as she tears her eyes from Elen
“Drive the fucking car faster!” Camila screamed as she slapped the headrest of the driver’s seat from behind.“Ma’am, this is…”“Shut the fuck up or I will hit you from behind! Drive. Faster!”She shook her leg continuously as she raised her phone to read the article for the umpteenth time.How was she just finding out after over a week? Jesus, she had been so dense!Elena had returned to this fucking country since and she was just finding out?As if that was not enough, Zeke was caught on camera with her.What were they talking about?What was he saying to her?Why did he hold her arm?Why was he fooling with her?!Was that why he arrived at the dinner gathering late that day?Was that the reason he was grumpy and cranky for NO reason?THAT WAS THE REASON?!God, she was so angry that she could explode like a volcano. That was an understatement, in fact.Hopefully, she was going to meet the man at home.It was almost eight in the night and he would have retired home if he didn’t sto
As if he had not just spewed those cold words at her, Zeke went on with his business.His eyes fixed on the laptop screen, and brows pulled together, he pressed the keyboard continuously.“Did you promise me marriage?”Camila asked him, bewildered.Did he ever need to promise her marriage before they had to get married?Aside, when their relationship had just started, she did not even need him to spell out his intentions as everything was clear and loud.He even divorced Elena because of her!Or, was it not?Was it not because he wanted to be with her?Was it not because he loved her and could not stand the sight of another woman when he had her?Did he not tell her that he loved her?Although Zeke was not a person who was good at expressing himself, which she had always known, but still, she knew that he had loved her. At least to a point.She loved how he seemed obsessed with her back then. What the fucking hell has changed?She would have liked to lie against the sudden appearance o
“You are going live in thirty seconds, Ms. Baskerville, are you ready?”The director of the program asked her and she nodded her head before she adjusted the collar of her shirt.Ever since she had been announced as the CEO of her company about two weeks ago, many media outlets had requested to have interviews with her and this was the one she chose to settle with.Since it was a vast topic and everyone wanted to know about her, they decided to go live with the interview.Although, she had refused at first, as she was scared that she could make mistakes but they reassured her after they provided her with her expected questions.Elena adjusted her shirt for the umpteenth time as she stared at the director who gestured with his fingers that it was about to start.And so, it started, and the host started by introducing herself and then asking her to do the same.“I am Elena Baskerville, and I am the founder of B&V Architectural Services company…”~~~“While we take a short break, we woul
“Is he truly outside?” Karina rushed to her husband as he entered the room and he swallowed, entering fully.“I have told him to leave. He is leaving already,” he answered and then looked around the living room.“Where is Ramon? I ran into him outside the door here.”“He has gone to see Elena,” she replied.“Was he truly on his knees?”“You worry too much, Karina.”“Answer me, Raymond.”“Do you think that man has what it takes to do that?”He knew so well that his wife would not agree to the fact that he had left Zeke on his knees outside their mansion.“Honey, I really think you should stop interfering in their business.”“Whose business?” He feigned ignorance and settled on the chair.“Elena and Zeke. Raymond, they are not children.”“You are not honestly rooting for them again, are you?”“I am in support of whatever Elena chooses. I can’t make decisions for her and you need to know that too.”“In the past, you were against their union! I should have listened to you.”“That was beca
“Who did you say is asking for Elena?”“A Zeke Russo, sir.”Ray drew his brows together and turned to look at Karina who sat on the couch away from him.“Don’t let him in.”“Raymond,” Karina called him softly.“Let him return to wherever he is coming from or you will be losing your job!”The gateman bowed and then rushed out back.Delivering the message to the man in a rather harsh way, he closed the gate and returned inside.“Something happening?” His partner asked him as he returned inside his quarter.“The man outside. Boss said he does not want to see him in this compound or I will lose my job.”“Wait, really?”“I am telling you,” he exhaled and then settled on the chair in front of the big screen.“W… what is he doing?” He stuttered as he watched the screen.The other man rushed to him, drew his brows together, and then parted his lips.“Is that what I think it is?”“He is on his knees?” The gatekeeper asked rhetorically and then stood up hurriedly.___________“Hey, are you craz
“Take, one more spoon,” Elena patted her daughter as she took the last spoon of her food and after the girl collected it from her, she cleaned her mouth with a handkerchief and then leaned back.“Are you full?”Natalie nodded her head and then turned to look at her plate where Nathan had dropped a piece of meat in.She raised her brows, smiled gently, and then picked it up.“Thank you.”Nathan watched her sister chew it completely and then asked. “Do you want more?”She shook her head and then instead pulled off her cap. “See, my hair is starting to grow.”Nathan stared at her head where he could barely see a strand and then chuckled. He pulled off his cap too, bowed his head, and then showed her his. “Mine too.”“But…” Natalie tilted her head. “I can’t see any hair there.”“Same. There is no hair on your head either.”They dropped eyes on each other, and Elena pressed her lips, thinking Natalie had taken offense at his comment when her facial expressions literally went unreadable.Sh
“So, you’re not going? Really?”Zeke ignored Ryan totally, his head buried in his laptop and the man shook his head. Ryan exhaled and collapsed in the chair opposite Zeke and palmed his face.“Your daughter… Natalie is getting discharged today and you really are not going there?!”Still, he was mute. Maybe if Ryan peeped to check what Zeke was typing continuously on the keyboard, he would see that the only word he kept typing was ‘Natalie.’“You know, you are an asshole, right?”Still, he was mute.“She is leaving the hospital today. It means she is hale and healthy already. It means she can move around freely and you can meet her as you please, you know?” Ryan reminded him.When Zeke did not answer, he leaned closer, pushed the laptop shut, and then hissed.“What are you planning? I can swear that you are not busy and you were typing shit right there.”“C… could you see them home safely?”“Dude, that is your duty, not mine!” Ryan snapped with creased brows.Zeke nodded his head, exh
Elena looked out of the door for the umpteenth time and then sighed before she returned to stab a piece of apple in the bowl in her hand.“Give up. He’s not coming,” Ariana breathed out.“Who?”“I know you are waiting for Zeke.”“I am not!” She denied and Ariana nodded her head.“Besides… how did you know he is not coming?” She asked.“It’s been almost a week. He left without telling you and has not returned since then. He didn’t call you either.”“Something… might be wrong with him,” she shrugged her shoulders off.“Something like? Chloe was here and she didn’t deliver any bad news, so, what something?” Ariana asked.Elena sniffed, bit her lower lips, and then turned to look outside again.She did not want to admit that she was worried, but deep down, she knew she was.He was supposed to be here…He had promised he would be by her side till Natalie got discharged.He left that morning and had not returned since then.He didn’t even call her!She suspected so strongly that her father
“Did something happen?” Ryan asked Zeke again. This time, he had pulled the car gently into his compound and had followed him out of the car.Zeke had kept mute the entire time in the car and even though he and Chloe had thrown random jokes, or started random conversations with the hope that he was going to join, he kept mute still.Still, Zeke said nothing and made an entrance to the big door of his house.“No, I am certain something happened. What is wrong? You said you were going to stay for a while. You said you wanted to see your daughter.”“Ryan…” Zeke finally exhaled and swallowed.Entering the living room fully, he turned around, dropped his eyes on the couple, and then palmed his forehead.He was keeping his feelings bottled up. He felt like he wanted to cry.But, he was a man and he should not cry, right?But, fuck that.He had little regret in his life, but this…?He would forever regret it.It was something he could have controlled. He did it anyway. He thought it was the
When Ray suddenly burst into laughter, Zeke’s eyes fluttered as though he had said something very funny. He tilted his head and then sighed.“Sir?”“Is this some movie show?”“You asked…”“How much do you want, Zeke?”“I have answered you.”Ray shook his head, “My daughter is not an option.”“Everything I did is for my family, father.”“I am no father of yours and they are not your family either.”Dumbfounded, Zeke nodded his head and then smacked his tongue. “Sir.”“I am grateful to you for what you have done for our family. For my grand daughter.”“It is my responsibility as her father.”“You have no responsibility to fulfill, dear,” he chuckled rather sarcastically.“So, see her as much as you want to while we are still in the hospital. Elena included. I can assure you that will not happen again after she has been discharged.”“Fath—”“You can’t have her again!” He snapped and then palmed his forehead.“You don’t even deserve her.”“I will make myself worthy of her again,” he said.
“Are you sure? If it were up to me, I’d suggest that you stay here for a few more days,” Elena said, worry plastered across her face as she watched the man who did his shirt button.It was early the next morning and Zeke had already asked to be discharged even though the doctor had suggested that he should spend at least a day more.He insisted that he was good already and that he had no other complaints and if he did, he'd let the doctor know.“He does not listen,” Chloe who stood beside Ryan rolled her eyes and hissed.“I don’t like it here. I could not sleep well in that bed,” Zeke snapped his brows together as he glanced at the bed.“As if you’ve ever slept well in any bed,” Ryan rolled his eyes.Zeke swallowed, moved over to Elena, and then dropped his hands on her shoulders.“I am fine. I promise.”She exhaled, nodded her head, and then sniffed. “You better let me know if anything goes wrong again.”“I promise. Now, we gotta wait till Natalie gets discharged, right? The surgery
“So… how are they? My daughter and… and the donor?” Elena asked.“Rest assured, they are doing well. However, the donor… Mr Zeke. The anesthesia wore off during the surgery and he was aware during the entire procedure. Although it is highly unlikely for a person to wake up during the surgery, as the anesthesia is designed to keep them in a deep sleep state. Still, it is not impossible. It is a rare case, but it still happened with him.”“So? Is it going to be a problem?”“Not really. We made sure to adjust the anesthesia levels to ensure he was comfortable and pain-free. He will be taken to a recovery room soon where he will be monitored as the anesthesia wears off completely, but he may experience some discomfort, pain, or nausea… oh, and difficulty sleeping. But be rest assured, all of these can be managed with medication,” he informed.“Oh, God,” Elena palmed her mouth and then sniffed.“He is out of danger, Ms. Baskerville, I assure you. And your daughter too. The surgery was a s