Well, Alex happiness did not last long when his eyes caught glimpse of the neatly wrapped box that was lying few inches away from where he had picked the divorce papers from. It was strange to him, he has never seen anything like it on his dressing table since he's been using his room."Has it always been there but I failed to notice?" He asked himself as he picked up the box, unwrapping it hastily. As he opened the small box, he was shocked to see a limited edition watch in it —the type that cost a fortune."What...?" He blurted out with surprise written all over his face. "Did Lisa leave this here?...ah, no way! She would rather take this with her rather than leave such expensive gift here —she can't even afford it, can she?"Alex started to think of all the possible scenarios that could have led to the watch being there. Was it a mistake? Had Lisa left it there by accident? Or had someone else left it there, as a gift for him? But who would do that? He was trying to make sense of i
Nobody had expected Lisa to show up after three years of not hearing from her. Most people who know about her had thought she's long dead —and her uncles inclusive. Now that she's back to take the horse by its reins, she knows she has wars to fight and enemies to conquer; which are her uncles!Lisa was determined to get justice for her parents' death, and she knew that her uncles were the ones responsible. But she also knew that it would be an uphill battle, that they would not go down without a fight. But she was ready to take them on, no matter what it took.—after her parents death, Lisa realized how much danger surrounds her and for her to be safe, she has to fish out and conquer her source of danger!She had returned home, not only to stir trouble, but also to make things right. She knew that she had a long road ahead of her, but she was ready to face it head-on. She had nothing to lose, and everything to gain.Lisa was able to see through her uncles and she was aware of how extr
The elegantly dressed lady stepped out of the red car, wearing a sunshade to disguise her identity. The car's door was gently shut behind her by her newly assigned driver, who bowed slightly to her before returning to the driver's seat. Lisa stared around for a while, her eyes sparkled in recognition. For more than three years that she has leave her parents house, busily disguising herself as a private hospital's nurse, nothing has changed in the house -it was just as she has remembered it and the familiar scent of flowers in the air was still as it was. At the entrance, leading to the main building itself, stood a man who was busily grinning from ear to ear, his facial expression was that of mixed emotions; relief, recognition and excitement as he patiently waited for Lisa to walk to him. "Oh, oh...!" He exclaimed, his eyes sparkling brightly. "Look who is finally here if not for my long lost cousin. Am I right?" Lisa rolled her eyes at his choice of words. "I wasn't lost, I was b
"They will wish they never covet what wasn't theirs to start with. I'll make sure they pay for laying hands on me and everything they've done." Lisa vowed, still overwhelmed with anger. "-and Alex too, he'll as well pay for making me shed my precious tears."Lisa's vow wasn't of an empty one and Andy, just by looking into her eyes, he felt lost. The emotion in it wasn't that of the ones he's familiar with, it was totally different and he realized for sure, Lisa wouldn't back down until she's satisfied. Andy couldn't help but admit he love the new look in her eyes! "Fighting those three men isn't an easy journey to embark on, Lisa, they were never easy to start with." Andy started slowly. "We need a very good strategy to overthrow those cunning men when they least expected -they are not just greedy but a con artist as well.""Cunning or foxy, that doesn't matter anymore since it's the reason I'm here." Lisa's voice was assuring with traces of confidence in it. "We have to find a way t
A WEEK LATERThe air in the company was tensed and thick as those knife could cut through it. The staffs were busy with whatever they are doing and those who think they have enough time on their table were busy hushing words amongst themselves —none of them dare speak out loud.Dela Cruz groups already has new owner and it will be welcoming its owner that day, this was enough to keep everyone on their edge. The fact that they don't know when he/she will be arriving caused more tension.Different rumors were already flying around about the new owner, everyone tends to have one or two to say about the owner whenever they manage to gather —mostly, during their lunch break. One rumor that seemed to be the most popular was that the new owner was someone who had a grudge against the Dela Cruz family, and was looking to take revenge. This rumor had caused a lot of fear and unease among the staff, who were now even more wary of the unknown person who was about to become their boss."What do
For the past few months, the Dela Cruz groups have not been doing well lately because the three brothers who had forcefully been managing the company knew nothing about business but instead of employing an expert as a CEO, they blindly lead the company, squandering the little profits they managed to make from it. The Dela Cruz groups was said to ranked top in market sales in States and even in the surrounding company but it has dropped below the least and now, the company and the other branches under it has been struggling financially, went bankrupt and at the edge of collapsing.The three brothers did not bother about the state of the groups cause all they were after was spending whatever money the groups manages to provide for them. Realizing how much they are going to lose if the companies finally collapse, they decided to sell it off, of course, at a price that is way lower than the groups worth; it was as though they sell it off as a scrap.Andy managed to convince his father th
Xavier's eyes, as well as the other two brothers, widened in shock. "What...?" They blurted out in surprise, least expecting what they had just heard. They must have sell the groups but they never planned on evicting their seats in each companies."You heard me right, uncles!" She told them, looking each one of them directly in their eyeballs. "Did you guys signed the documents without reading what the content might be? Ah, that's too lame of you!"Xavier felt as though he was being hit on his gut. ‘Did this cockroach just try to fire me off my post as the executive director?’ He thought within himself, boiling with rage!"But that's too sudden, Lisa!" Xavier argued."It states; ‘with immediate effect’, did you not understand or do you want me to call the security on you?" Lisa sounded as though she was speaking with a hardened criminal, her gaze saying nothing less. "You shouldn't have signed the documents if you won't be abiding by it conditions.""We are family, remember?" Xavier u
Xavier, Fred and Niel got home later that day, with mixed reaction of anger, pain and defeat written on their face —it's obvious that the couldn't hide their emotions as it hit deeper than anyone would think. The type of humiliation they had face earlier, none of them had face it before. Xavier felt he was mostly humiliated, coupled with the fact he was the one doing the talking and his son had his back turned on him."What's wrong, dad...?" Ella, Lisa's youngest cousin, asked Fred immediately they walked in. She had wanted to ignore them and continue with the phone she was busy with but with their long faces, she couldn't help but interfere. The house belongs to Fred, being the only considerate one amongst the three greedy brothers, he bought a duplex to call his unlike the rest of the two who only squander theirs without thinking twice about it. Xavier, on the flip side, lived with son, Andy but since he's angry with his son, he decided to go with Fred and Neil being the younges
"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