“This is ... .this is” I stutter. “Beautiful? You are already beautiful dear, I only brought out the shine in you!” She said, and I jolted up to hug her. She wanted to resist at first probably out of fear for Mrs Ave, but then allowed me to. “Thank you ma'am!” I said, avoiding tearing up and then ruining my makeover with suppressed emotions. “You are welcome!” “Is she done? Oh my goodness! She is hot!" Mrs Maribel said on seeing me. "Of course she is hot! A Blackwood can't be looking unkempt!” Mrs Ave said, and I tried to remember where I had heard of the name Blackwood. it keeps resounding in my brain. “Of course I know about that Merida, you don't need to remind me about your fashion sense!” She said, and they both laughed out loud. “Alright, Maribel! See you some other time!” We walked back to the car, patiently waiting for us. Thirty minutes later we stopped again at the front of an eatery. “Come on, darling! Let's go in!” She said already out of the car. “Ookay!” I repl
“Are you cold?” she asked, still patting my back, gently. “No ma'am! I am just overwhelmed by joy! Thank you so much ma'am!” I said, release her from the hug, cleaned my eyes, made a wish, and then blow off the candle lights. “Wow, that is my baby girl!” She said, and I smiled, while we started eating. Soon my phone started ringing, at first I did not want to pick the call but on sighting the caller's ID, I quickly picked it up after a polite excuse. “Hello! How is it going?” Sande asked me, sounding distressed. “I'm still working on it, just give me a minute!” I said, while stroking my forehead with the tip of my fingers. “Are you sure, help is forthcoming?” She asked again, while trying hard not to cry. “Yes, Sande…” I wanted to say more when I heard someone else screamed loudly at the background. “Hello! What is going on?” I said, already pacing around now. “Grandma is no longer breathing, Alex! She is all I have now! I don't know what to do anymore!” She said, al
"Alex! Who was that wealthy woman?" She screamed with excitement, the moment the call connected. “How do you mean?” I said, puzzled, and wanting to hear more from her. “Do you know how rich that lady is? She is so powerful that, my grandma was picked right at home and straight to the most famous private hospital in the world! Isn't that wonderful?” She said giggling, still excited. “Meaning?” “Meaning, grandma is receiving a better medical treatment in Lady Ave Merida Blackwood's hospital!” She said in a high pitched voice. “I am sure you know who owns the hospital? How did you get in contact with your boss’s mother, so quickly? Girl, you are deeply connected,now!” She said obviously happy for me, but my head was already spinning around with this information. “Wait a minute! You meant it is the same Blackwood's? I mean, the Blackwood's I am currently working with?” I said, swallowing hard. “Don't tell me you are this dumb? Girl, of course it's the same Blackwood's! There
“Now, this is just the right opportunity for me!” I said on sighting him walking towards me. “Please don't tell me I came around at the wrong time?” he said smiling, and I grinned at him. “What! Why will you say such a thing, Chester?” I asked him. “Because that signature smile of yours, literally means something I might not want to hear right now!” He said, peck me on my cheeks before sitting down on the couch opposite me. “Nah! It's nothing, Chester! You hardly come home!” “Mom! I am deeply sorry about that!. I am just so busy these days. But, I will surely make it up to you!” He said with the smile that has earned him the abominable name on social media. “Alright! I just want you to be okay! Always take care of yourself, Chester!” “I will, mom!" "Has your sister called you?” "No, mom! But I did, she didn't answer the phone, and she never called back!" "That spoiled brat!” I said, and he laughed out softly. “Come on, mom! She is an adult now. And besides, remember she
CHESTER BLACKWOOD POV On driving off, I silently wonder who is the gorgeous lady, my mom went out on a dinner with? Probably one of the daughter's of those elites family seeking to steal my hard earned wealth through marriage. “I really hope she doesn't buy their lies and life of deceit! Those kind of ladies would do anything just to achieve their aim unlike someone else I know” I said while the thought of her, flashes through my mind immediately. She hasn't even call me thw whole day. Well not that I care though, after all, I have made up my mind to stay away from her. Arriving home ten minutes later, I freshen and decided to sleep earlier for tomorrow's duty. ******** ALEXANDRIA POV The strong ray of light from the slightly opened curtains flashes on my face, and I turned to face the other side of the bed. Suddenly I jolted up and I tried to calculate in my brain the missing link to something. Turning sharply to the other side of the bed, I grabbed the black box shaped digit
"Let the new personal secretary come in!” The voice spoke out from within the office again, and I swallowed hard before approaching his office. I have never been this tensed because of anybody before, so why now?. “Good for her! Boss, is definitely giving her the sack very soon!” Gabriela said and I turned to look at her, wondering what her problem is with me?”. “How long is it going to take for you to open the door and fucking come in?" The voice sounded and I tremble slightly. Damned, his stern, cold voice, is deeply intimidating to the ears. “Good morning sir!” I said on entering the spacious office with beautiful interior designs. He was standing facing the wall. He is the same height with Murphy, and as for the mask…. “What is fucking good about the morning? Miss Alexandria!" He said calmly but coldy that I tried not to show my fear. “Why are you just coming now? Are you aware that this is your first day of resumption? Didn't my friend inform you about the rules? That is if
"Let the new personal secretary come in!” The voice spoke out from within the office again, and I swallowed hard before approaching his office. I have never been this tensed because of anybody before, so why now?. “Good for her! Boss, is definitely giving her the sack very soon!” Gabriela said and I turned to look at her, wondering what her problem is with me?”. “How long is it going to take for you to open the door and fucking come in?" The voice sounded and I tremble slightly. Damned, his stern, cold voice, is deeply intimidating to the ears. “Good morning sir!” I said on entering the spacious office with beautiful interior designs. He was standing facing the wall. He is the same height with Murphy, and as for the mask…. “What is fucking good about the morning? Miss Alexandria!" He said calmly but coldy that I tried not to show my fear. “Why are you just coming now? Are you aware that this is your first day of resumption? Didn't my friend inform you about the rules? That is if
“Yes, sir!” Andrus, quickly hurry into his own office to make a call. “So, easily?” I questioned myself inwardly, wondering why he is acting like the devil itself. This man is heartless! How could Murphy be friends with such a cold, hearted man?” I resolved to ask him, the next time I see him. “But…sir! Please, sir! It won't repeat itself again! Oh my goodness! What have I done wrong? It must be this witch, here! She is evil, and brings bad luck! She needs to be sacked too!” She said loudly pointing fingers towards my direction, almost running wild. "Oh! really? A witch? That sounds just great!" i said with a grin, and she rushed towards me like someone fully possessed by demon's. She was about getting closer to me, her eyes glimmering with hate, when two strong hands suddenly grabbed by the waist and pulled her roughly along with them. "Mr president! please give me another chance at my job! bitch! this isn't the end of it yet!" She screamed loudly while being dragged away.
Chester’s mind raced as he and Liam sat at the front of the sleek black car, the streets of New York blurred outside the windows. The tension between them was palpable, the quiet hum of the engine barely cutting through the weight of the situation. "I can't afford to alert Madeline," Chester said quietly, his gaze focused on the road ahead. "She’s playing this game too well. We have to keep everything under the radar. If she suspects we’re on to her, she might move Alex again." Liam nodded, his expression grim. "Agreed. We’ll use private investigators. They can follow the trail without raising any suspicion. No need for police, now. We need this to be clean." Chester clenched his fists. His frustration was barely contained. He didn’t care about anything else anymore. His world had become a desperate chase to find Alex, to bring her back from the nightmare she was in. Every second that passed without her made the reality of losing her even more real. --- Meanwhile, in a dark and s
The streets of New York blurred as cheater's car sped down the road. His mind raced faster than the car’s engine, his heart pounding in his chest. He was so close. Just a few more miles, and he’d finally be able to see Alex, to explain himself, to tell her how much he regretted everything. But the closer he got to Alex’s house written address, the more his unease grew. His phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the silence that had settled over him during the long drive. He pulled over, his hands trembling slightly as he grabbed it. It was a text from Daniel: "Call me. Something’s wrong." Chester's stomach twisted. Without hesitation, he dialed Daniel’s number, the anticipation gnawing at him. “Chester,” Daniel’s voice came through the phone, urgent and clipped. “It’s Alex. She’s gone.” Chester's pulse spiked. “What do you mean, gone? Where the hell is she?” “Someone took her. We don’t know who or why, but they grabbed her and her son. No sign of a struggle, just—gone. The police a
As the evening wore on, the luxurious ballroom where Chester’s wedding was supposed to take place was now eerily quiet. The guests had scattered, and the only sound that remained was the faint rustling of fabric from Madeline’s mother and her family, who had tried to console the shattered woman in the wake of Chester's abrupt departure. Madeline, her face pale and tear-streaked, sat alone in a chair near the empty altar, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. The luxurious wedding gown that had once symbolized the beginning of a new life for her now felt like a suffocating shroud. Her mind raced with thoughts of betrayal and humiliation. She had spent so long trying to claw her way into Chester’s life, only for him to abandon her without a word. Her mother and the other family members kept trying to reach out to her, offering empty words of comfort. “He’ll come back around, darling,” her mother said gently, dabbing at Madeline’s tears with a lace handkerchief. “He has to. You’
The opulent venue was buzzing with excitement as the guests gathered, their eager whispers filling the air. The grand chandeliers cast a golden glow over the extravagant ballroom, and outside, the elite guests sipped champagne in a garden adorned with roses, basking in the spectacle of Chester's and Madeline’s wedding. Chester stood at the altar, a mere puppet of his family’s design. His chest tightened with every passing second. The distant clink of glasses and the murmured chatter of the crowd did little to drown out the chaotic thoughts racing through his mind. He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t marry Madeline. As the officiant began the ceremony, Chester’s gaze flickered to Madeline, standing beside him with her flawless smile and eyes that glittered with triumph. But all he could think about was Alex—the woman he had loved, the woman he had lost. His heart slammed against his ribs, and his breath caught in his throat as a text message vibrated in his p
The weight of the news still hung heavily in the air as Alex watched the announcement unfold on the television screen. The buzz from the media, the socialites, and the world beyond seemed to intensify as the forced engagement between Chester and Madeline Brooks was broadcasted. The lavish wedding details began circulating—grand venues, designer dresses, and the promise of a high-profile ceremony to match the family's elite status. It felt surreal to Alex, who had once been that woman—caught in the whirlwind of Chester’s world, a world filled with promises and expectations. Yet, here she was, standing at the threshold of a new chapter, away from it all. Her son stirred in his crib, pulling her out of her thoughts. She smiled softly, walking over to him, watching as his tiny fingers reached up in his sleep. Despite everything—despite the confusion, the heartache, the betrayal—he was her miracle. And for him, she would build a future free from the past, free from the shadows of Leon a
Alex sat quietly in the park, the soft hum of the city around her, but her mind was far away. She glanced down at her son, his bright eyes reflecting the sunlight as he played with a small toy in his hands. He was the center of her world, and every decision she made from here on out would be for him. But there was something else. Something growing inside her—an uncertainty, a curiosity, a question that she had tried to ignore for so long. Could she open her heart again?... Liam had been there for her in a way that no one else had. He had never asked for anything, never pushed her to be someone she wasn’t. The more time she spent with him, the more she realized how much she appreciated his quiet strength, his kindness, and the ease with which he made her laugh. It wasn’t love yet, not the passionate kind she had shared with Leon, but it was something. Something she hadn’t felt in a long time... Liam had made it clear that he wasn’t ru
The weight of the announcement still hung heavily in Alex’s chest. She had tried to stay indifferent, but the image of Chester, standing next to Madeline, his expression distant yet resigned, kept haunting her. It wasn’t that she expected him to sit around pining for her, but seeing him so publicly move on, so easily, was more painful than she anticipated. As much as she told herself that it was for the best, that she was better off without him, there was always that nagging voice in the back of her mind. What if things could have been different? What if they hadn’t fallen apart the way they had? Could they have found a way back to each other? But that was in the past. And now, all that mattered was her son. He had her heart and soul, and Alex was determined to give him the best life possible. As she sat in the quiet of her apartment, holding her son close, she felt a stirring of something unexpected. It wasn’t just a feeling of longing for a man who no
Chester could hardly believe the words Madeline had spoken to him three weeks later! I'm Pregnant? The thought made his stomach churn. He hadn’t been careful, but the idea of her carrying his child seemed far-fetched, especially given the haze of alcohol and the drug she’d so deftly slipped into his system. But the truth, as twisted as it was, couldn’t be denied. He had no choice but to go through with a test, something he dreaded more than anything. --- The Next Day... Chester sat in the sterile, cold hospital room, his hands tightly clenched around the armrest of the chair. The results from the test were about to be revealed, and with every passing second, the knot in his stomach tightened further. Madeline sat across from him, her face a mask of feigned concern. She had been playing the role of the victim perfectly, looking so innocent, but Chester could see through the charade. Still, despite everything, there was a part of him that feared what the test might confirm. A nurse
CHESTER BLACKWOOD POV I sat at my desk, surrounded by files, photos, and addresses, my eyes bloodshot but sharp. For the first time in months, i wasn’t drowning in whiskey or self-pity. i had focus now — and it all pointed to one city. New York.... My private investigator had finally unearthed a clue, subtle but undeniable: a hospital record flagged under a different surname, but the birthdate and the emergency contact screamed Alex. It was the only real lead he’d had since she disappeared. Daniel walked in unannounced, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed. “You look like hell, but for once you look alive.” I smirked slightly, the first real smile in ages. “I’m going to find her.” Daniel stepped closer, glancing at the spread of documents. “And when you do?” “I’m not letting her go,” I said flatly. “Not again.” But deep down, anxiety twisted in my chest. If Alex had hidden herself this well, it meant she didn’t want to be found. --- Meanwhile, across in another city..