Dwayne smirked momentarily before a look of exasperation clouded his normal jovial features. As if the years had not been normally tumultuous enough, it seemed like 2020. The doctor's words rumbled around his mind, causing a twisting of sensation to grip deep within each of his stomach. Pregnant! The doctor has said that his sister, Ciara, was pregnant. Dwayne could scarcely believe his ear, feeling certain that some cruel joke was being played on him. If there is one thing he should doubt about Ciara, it was that she should find herself in a midst of an unplanned pregnancy. Throughout their childhood and the years wasted apart, he had never seen her with anything even remotely resembling a boyfriend. Consequently, news of her impending motherhood sent him a mixture of anger and disbelief bubbling to the surface, leaving Dwayne no choice than to confront her sister immediately. “Rumor had it that one needs a man to have fallen pregnant, Ciara.” He told her, sarcasm laced in his vo
It was an uncanny evening in the west London. The sky bore a peculiar shade of orange dusk as the sun begun to shone, casting a warm,, soft glow towards the windowpanes of Ciara's cozy part of the penthouse in the heart of the city. It was a bitter-sweet sight. The beauty of the sunset illuminated the edges of her apartment, reminding her of all the dreams and aspirations she had bought with her to the bustling metropolis.Ciara stood by the window, gently stroking her growing belly as her thoughts swirled around the unborn child who lay peacefully in her womb. Although she is still in her early stage of pregnancy, she knew that the news could come to all as shock. She knew how much bewildered her parents would have been, if only they were alive, especially her mother, who believed Ciara would have put her marriage to rest with a finality that was both heartbreaking and empowering.Ciara's heart ached with each thought of Ryan, a man she had married in a whirlwind romance that had le
Dusk settled upon the bustling city, casting a veil of tranquility over the chaos of life. Ryan was in his luxurious office on the top floor of an impressive skyscraper, poring over a stark of papers. He had been tirelessly working on the high stake project for months now, but he couldn't shake the gnawing feeling that something was amiss.Consternation cause through him, leaving him with a perpetual and inexplicable sense of incompetence that refuses to be suppressed —as the feeling seems to be growing more intense with in him.Just as the powerful sun pours its golden radiance over the horizon in the morning, Ryan would pour his time and energy into work. The company he had long nurtured bore testament to his dedication as it bloomed like roses on gull bloom.Yet despite having shouldered a ceaseless cacophony of responsibilities, Ryan's heart remained in total disarray. The void within him was hungrily engulfing him in all consuming darkness, throwing him into nothing but total con
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into month, as Ryan found himself entangled into the labyrinth of concussion. With no brief interval of relief in sight, his heartache grew in intensity, distressed etched into every line in his weary face. The dark cloud of incompleteness loomed, shattering every semblance of peace.Within the walls of his marital home, serenity remained elusive as well. Anne couldn't help but notice how gloomy Ryan had become in the past few weeks, even as Ryan tried hard to conceal his emotion. Severally, she tried talking it out with him, but he was never ready to spill the beans.“You shouldn't worry yourself much, my love.” He always tells her in reply, trying to wave the topic off —with the fear of how she would react if she ever finds out. “I'm only stressed due to excess work, I'll be fine in no time.”The once burning love between him and Anne had cooled to barely smoldering ember. The once unbreakable bind fraying with each passing moment, as Ryan's thought
Seeing the dept of her son's anguish tore at Ryan's mother's heartstrings, as she sought to mend the tattered remain of their family. Since she was left with only one option, which propelled with a burning desire to bring her son's happiness back, she embarked on a mission to find the elusive Ciara.Despite the trepidation gnawing at her, she knew she had to begin her search, in the last place she wished to return to; the hospital she employed Ciara.All of this would have been avoidable if only Ryan did not propose for a divorce, Ciara would still be his wife and she herself wouldn't be facing the humiliation of going back to the hospital.Ryan's mother couldn't help but wonder if at all Ciara would be ready to give her audience. Thinking it through, part of it all was Ciara's fault, she shouldn't have left, even with how Ryan threatened her with the divorce papers.On second thought, Ciara must have had her concrete reasons for leaving without traces, disappearing into the dark nigh
Mrs. Lehman, instead of going home, decided it will be best if she first dropped by at her son's office. She should tell him the outcome of her visit at Dr. Williams' hospital. It would be better if she let him know about it at this early time, since there is no point in hiding it from him. She informed her driver to drive her to her son's office instead of driving her home that she had already told him in the first place. The obedient driver, rather than asking questions, did as he was told and in a twinkle of eyes, they were already heading to Ryan's company. Mrs. Lehman's heart was full of pains, pure pains for her son, whose happiness lies in a woman he had already divorced with. Ciara seems to be the joy and happiness he needs, but was too blind for him to notice before. She wonders what her son would feel when she tells her about the outcome of the visit. She needs no prophecy to prophesied to her that he would be heartbroken and shattered too, but that does not give her the
The silence that enveloped them was deafening as the tension was rising quickly. Anne was staring defiantly at her husband, who was not ready to give her whatever thing she had asked him for —precisely, a reply.The silent treatment she got from him instead of a reply annoyed her to the core, her anger was ready to burst as it surged through her veins —why would he keep mute instead of a reply, this was the vexed question she asked herself?She was forced to ask him how he dared to ignore her question, but she holds herself. However, she was unable to hold it for long, at last, she speaks, breaking the long and tensed silence that suddenly envelop them.“Why aren't you saying anything, Ryan?” Anne hissed out in frustration. Her voice was slowly rising to its peak as it was laced with demand and as cold as an ice.“Why am I not saying anything?” Ryan forced himself not to let the sarcasm reflect in his tone as he repeated her question, slightly irritated by it. “Is that even supposed t
Anne hissed out loudly, pissed off that Ryan would not reply to her question. “Tell me, Ryan. The reason she suddenly showed up was for you to hand over the company back to her —because you failed her and did not follow in her plan accordingly? Is that her reason for the visit?”Ryan could tell how greatly disturbed she was at her own makeup stories and theory as she shook his shoulders so violently, it was visibly reflecting on her silence. Even though he did not know the reason she had suddenly flared up, he felt like there was more to it, and he needed to know whatever it was.“And what if that was the reason behind her visit? To make me hand back the company to her?” Ryan threw the question at her with a plain expression on his face, patiently anticipating the kind of reaction she would omit.Her face crumpled down into a deep frown as well as glaring daggers at Ryan. “She dare not come up with such an idea, Ryan.” She said with a snort, her voice as hard as steel —that Ryan could
"There she is..." Jamel whispered but audible enough to Alex's hearing, who only nodded with out a reply as he strode towards Ms. Carter. They both exchanged pleasantries before he had his seat opposite her."It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Carter." Alex said as he sat down. Ms. Carter looked at him with an inscrutable expression, her green eyes glittering."The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Alex." she replied, her voice smooth and calm. "I understand you're the CEO of The Williams cooperation. It's quite an impressive company, I've heard lots about it."Alex smiled slightly but it was enough to brighten the atmosphere. "Thank you, but I'm hardly the only one responsible for its success. I'm lucky to have a great team." He uttered, still maintaining his slight smile. "A great team, and a great leader." Ms. Carter vocalized with a few head nod. With out much further ado, she cleared her throat, deciding to go straight to the point. "I supposed you are yet to find a shareholder yet, or ha
The long ride was slow and as well as a quiet one too. Alex sighed for the umpteenth times, unable to fathom the reason behind his sigh that seems not to be coming to an end — of course, he has many reasons for his continuous sigh, but he could not pinpoint which one of it was gnawing at him.Though his mind and thoughts seems to be in fuzzy, he managed to forced his focus on the wheels —he can't repeat the same mistakes twice and this time, he might not be lucky enough and might lose his life. Alex did not want that to happen to me once again, he dreaded the thought of it. He had almost seen death once —he won't face it this time.He's currently facing a lot but losing his life shouldn't be the thought on his mind. His mother —he had stressed her enough with his continuous and never seems to end escapades lately, should he add more to it? No, right? And his daughter too, what would happen to her if she's left behind? Times like this, Alex wished he could turn the hand of time and go
When Lisa walked into her office, she was surprised to find that Judas was not there. On a normal day, Judas would be the first one to greet her upon her arrival. But today, he was nowhere to be found. Lisa was confused and concerned, so she decided to call him to find out what was going on.When she pulled out her phone, she quickly dialed Judas's number. The phone rang and rang, but there was no answer after two try. She had wanted to dial the number for the third time but shrug it off, and decided to keep her phone.Just when she was about to do as thought, the phone rang, vibrating softly in her grip. She checked the caller — it was Judas. With a deep frown settling on her face, she reluctantly picked the call. "Hey..." Judas hailed dryly from the other end. "Sorry, I screened your call. I was about parking when you called so I couldn't answer the phone." "Where are you?" Lisa questioned instead, ignoring his excuses. "I just entered my office and find it empty — you aren't her
"I know what I'm saying is true, Lisa." Andy insisted, seeing the doubt in Lisa's eyes. "Since you left for Los Angeles and made me the acting chairman, my father has been pressuring me to take over the company." Andy went as far as explaining every little detail to Lisa not leaving one out of it. He went as far as telling her how Xavier left home since he refuse to dance to his tunes and even him going to apologize to his father thinking maybe he had change. Lisa was dumbfounded after listening to all what Andy had said, even though she had expected those cunning men not to back away easily. The one she mostly find hard to believe was Xavier cutting ties with his son over his petty greed but since it's coming out from Andy's mouth, she has no other choice than to believe it. "— I shouldn't be saying this, but I can't let them hurt you. I've watched you grown up and I see how kind and considerate you've been..." Andy muttered slowly in conclusion. "I won't possibly be at peace if I
As Andy stood there, staring at his father, he knew that their relationship was irreparably broken. No matter what he said or did, he would never be able to repair the damage that had been done.The man standing in front of him was not the father he had once known and loved. He was a stranger, a man consumed by greed and ambition. He was lost to him forever.Slowly, he turned and began to walk away. He didn't look back, didn't say another word. He simply left, and never looked back.Andy couldn't help but wondered how his father had turned this way — at this stage, he's beyond repair and no matter the amount of words said could bring back his old self which seems to be lost forever.‘Am I really doing the right thing?’ He asked himself, giving his actions a second thought. ‘Leaving him and walking out of his life the moment he's alone and needed someone by his side, is it really okay to desert him like this?’He's not alone, he has his brother who are always supporting him, no matter
"Whether it's sinful or not doesn't matter to me." Xavier cut his son off, matching his angry tone. "Did you think I wish to remain hidden while that bitch enjoy all the luxury to herself and her illegitimate kids?"Andy would have calmed down a bit but his father was only adding more fuel to his anger. "How dare you, father..." He uttered repulsively, trying to defend Lisa. "Why would you speak such ill words of her and her kids who had done nothing wrong against you?""Nothing wrong, eh?" Xavier muttered with a scoff. "Her existence alone has wronged me greatly. Now that I'm into it already, I won't back down until I see her got ruined completely."Andy shook his head sideways, the look of disgust that was on his his face deepen. "You aren't worth living with, Mr. Xavier. It's a good thing you left me on your own." He said with scoff. "I see why mom left you two decades, taking Stephanie along with her.""You..." Xavier yelled with anger written all over him, pointing his index fing
Ever since Andy could remember, he has never been anxious as he is at the moment. He wasn't even sure of the best words to say to his father when he see him. It was at that moment it all dawned on him that he has not planned all of these well enough which made him let out a low but tiring sigh.The moment Andy stepped in and as though his father had been expecting him to come, Andy was welcomed by his father's blazing gaze — if only looks were capable of ending one's life, Andy was sure to have dropped death on spot."What is this ungrateful brat doing here?" Xavier's thundered in anger, his voice laced with hatred and he did not hesitate to give his son that same look as well —hatred, anger, frustration and fury! He turned towards his brother's direction. "Fred, why did you allow this boy in?""I think he has something to say to you." Fred muttered, though audibly to Xavier's hearing with a slight shoulder shrug, collapsing on the nearest couch. "Let's listen to what he has to say. H
It was barely past noon when Andy had returned home from work that afternoon, he couldn't come back home the previous day because it was already late in the night when he finished from the theatre room so he took his rest at the hospital instead. Andy sat on his favorite couch with a heavy sigh of relief but his relief did not last more than a few moment, because his relief was swallowed with his gnawing feeling of emptiness. Everything seems empty to him — and he felt as though he's alone in the whole big world. He knew something was amiss somewhere and tried figuring it out. Alas! He figured out that it was the absence of his father. He had missed his father's presence in the house, his nagging and miss seeing his scowling face as well —all of these had made the past five years bearable for him but for the past one week, he has no one else to do all of these to him. Andy couldn't help but blamed himself for the emptiness he was feeling, he was the one who had sent his own biolog
Once they were gone, Lisa let out a sigh of relief. She was glad to have a moment to herself, and she was looking forward to the peace and quiet. Although she couldn't help but feel a bit guilty about sending the kids away but she had things to discuss about with Judas.Judas moved closer and sat down on the seat opposite Lisa's desk. Lisa, as well, sat down in her usual position, her eyes fixed on the man before her. His facial expression says it all, of course he has a lot o say to Lisa and could not wait to be permitted so he could relay his words. "It seems you have something to say, Judas." Lisa finally voiced out after observing Judas for a while. She's not too blind not to have noticed —she knows Judas too well. "What have you come up with this time around?" "Uh, yeah." He nodded his head in agreement, adjusting slightly on his seat. "You can guess..." his voice was drawling and far from usual.Lisa raised her left brow slightly. "Beats me. What are you up to this time, Jude