As Laura walked into the hall, everyone turned to look at her. She walked with her shoulders held high, aware of the attention she was getting."Laura, over there is Mr. Jared Tuner," Audrey whispered beside her, nodding in the direction of the small group.Snatching a drink from one of the waiters, Laura said, "Let's go say our greetings."Soft gasps of surprise and awe could be heard among the crowd as they watched her walk towards Jared Tuner."Oh, my god, who the hell is that?" Pamela asked, her jaw dropping in surprise.Laura had on an emerald green night dress that had tiny glistering stones all over her. She had her hair swept up in a French twist, with some strands left hanging from each side of her face."My God, she looks so elegant," Jacob said, whistling silently.Grace laughed nervously and said, "Well, she looks good, but we don't even know her."Jared's face was frozen as he stared at the face that was approaching him."Hello, Mr. Jared, and good evening, everyone," Lau
Laura turned and saw a handsome man standing behind her. He had the most captivating eyes, which showed lines of wrinkles on the side when he smiled."Hello, I'm David Taylor, CEO of Hilltop Holdings," David introduced himself, stretching his hand for a handshake.Laura's mouth formed an "oh." As she took his hands, she replied, "It's nice to meet you, David; I'm Laura Phillips.""Oh, I know who you are; everywhere I've turned tonight, you've been the main topic of discussion," David said with a conspiratorial smile."I guess you've had an earful about me then," Laura replied.Audrey was a few feet away from them, scanning the room to know who Laura was to be introduced to next."Seeing you beats all that I've heard tonight, Laura," David said, adding, "you look really gorgeous.""Thank you, David; it's nice that I get to meet you here tonight," Laura replied, adding, "I was going to schedule a meeting with you tomorrow.""Oh, yeah, we can still get to meet tomorrow; let's not spoil t
~Thirty Minutes Earlier~Jason moved from the group to say hi to an acquaintance of his who was at the center of the room."Hello Jason, it's good to see you made it here tonight," Paul said to him.Paul Wright was a business partner in the food industry; his company produces some of the best spices in the country, and he works both with Jason and Jared."Hi Paul, it's good to see you too." Jason replied, adding, "How has it been with you? I hear you have some products up for distribution next week."Paul smiled and said, "Jason, I won't ask how you heard that; we all know you have your superior ways of finding these things out."Jason nodded his head with a smile, raising his glass to Paul as he said, "That's what keeps me in business, Paul.""I assume there's a reason why you brought up that topic here tonight," Paul stated."Yes, I'd like to get the North hotel on your list for deliveries for this batch," Jason said.Paul looked at Jason intently as he said, "Jason, your deliveries
Jason couldn't believe his eyes; he tried to relax as he looked up again and told Tim, "Get me all that you can find out about that lady.""Okay, I'll do that right away. But Jason, are you fine?" Tim asked.Jason turned to look at him, his brow raised as he asked, "Is there a reason why I should not?""Well, you look like you've just seen a ghost. What has you so shocked?" Tim asked."There is a position in Asia; I'm sure moving there won't be so shocking for you," Jason replied with an amused smile.Tim chuckled and replied, "Thank you very much, but I'm fine here."Jason faced the crowd again and discovered he could not locate her position again."Where is she?" Jason murmured as he scanned the room.Tim stepped aside and did a check-up with Charlie. "Charlie, anything to report?""No, everything is fine, Tim," Charlie replied.Charlie was in charge of keeping tabs on the various bodyguards who were around in the shadows."Tim, I need you to do something," Jason said as Tim joined
Laura paused in the middle of the hall and turned to look at him with a raised eyebrow. "Where do you think I'm going?" Laura asked him right back. Jason stepped towards her, his voice low as he replied, "Are you playing games with me?" Laura stepped closer, their faces almost touching, as she said, "If I'm playing games, you'll be the first to know." Then she turned and walked to her door. At the door, Laura turned back and added, "By the way, I stay in this suite; I guess that makes us neighbors, don't you think?" Jason watched her walk into the suite and close the door behind her. He could not believe his eyes. "How the hell did I not know?" Jason muttered, walking towards his room in annoyance. He opened the door and walked straight to his bedroom, removing his suit as he walked. "Laura Phillips, renowned analyst and new CEO of Whites consulting firm," Jason read as he went through what Tim had sent to him. He had been amazed to find out she was the one he had gone to the
Lisa turned to see who Liam was pointing towards, and standing there was someone she didn't know."Who is that?" Lisa asked with open curiosity at the man who was equally staring at them."What is your name?" Lisa added, stepping closer to the rail."Uhm, Tim, you can call me Tim," Tim replied as he wondered whether Jason was aware the children next door were two and not one.Tim moved closer to the rail, looking from one face to another as he muttered, "You guys are twins."Lisa rolled her eyes at the question. "Huh, huh, yes, we are," she answered.Liam stepped closer as he said, "He was the one I asked about, Jason North."Lisa's expression turned to understanding as she nodded her head, her mouth forming an "oh."Tim had opened the doors to the balcony and had seen the two children talking."You know me, right?" Tim said, pointing towards Liam."Uhm, yes, I do; you told me your boss was bad with girls," Liam reminded him.Tim smiled; the boy really did remind him of Jason, and now
"Yes, Dalia, what's wrong?" Tina asked "You have a call from the park; it is very urgent, I'm told," Dalia replied. "Tina You should go get it; I hope it isn't something serious," Lily said as Tina hurried into the room. "They probably tried to reach me while I was driving," Tina stated, checking her phone as she walked. Lily stood up and followed Dalia and Tina into the room, hoping to hear Tina's side of the conversation. "Hi, so what's going on over there?" Tina said this on the phone. The look on Tina's face was calm and collected; you could hardly infer anything about the situation from her face. "Okay, I'll relay your message to her, and then we'll move on from whatever decision she makes," Tina said a minute later as she ended the call. Lily walked into the living room to have her seat, while Tina dropped the telephone and followed Lily into the living room. "What was it all about?" Lily asked. "There was a minor accident at the park on one of the roller coasters; than
"Gift, I have to go. Whatever you want to say about Jared, you can wait," Jason said, ending the call as he took the phone from Tim."It's from the Hilltop industry," Tim whispered as Jason placed the phone to his ears.The Hilltop industry was in charge of supplying some electronic materials to North Technologies. Jason knew they were experiencing some downtime and were presently not doing well."Hello, Jason North speaking," Jason said into the phone. ."Hello, Jason, Uhm, it's David Taylor. We didn't get the time to talk last night. I hope this isn't a bad time." David said this on the phone."Hello David, yes, it isn't," Jason replied."Okay, so, I know we are supposed to deliver some materials to you this month; however, there's been a bit of delay." David said.Jason was silent; he waited for David to continue his statement without interrupting."Uhm, so there might be a delay of a week; I hope that does not delay your project," David finished."Okay, no, it doesn't; if you assu
Shawn and Tobias looked back instantly, and the shock on their faces was so appealing that it brought a smile to Lily's face. "Laura? What are you doing here?" Tobias asked, looking shocked. "You look like you've seen a ghost." Laura said as she walked over and sat in front of them. Before they could answer, they heard a knock at the door, and Laura said, "Oh, that must be him." "Aunt, I thought you said she left," Tobias said, looking at Lily. Lily remained silent and only responded with a shrug. Laura opened the door, and Jason walked into the office, a sight that only made Tobias more scared and Shawn visibly angry. "You were saying something about my family," Laura said, addressing Shawn. "What is going on here? Why does this feel like a trap? Are you suspecting us of something?" Shawn asked, standing up suddenly. "Nobody is suspecting you of anything; we are just asking you about your last statement," Lily said, breaking her silence. "You know what? I'm leaving. I only
As soon as they were alone, Jason turned back to Laura and said, "Let's hear it."Laura shook her head and replied, "Jason, up until this morning, I didn't have the information I have now. I was actually trying my best not to be angry at you.""Why would you be angry at me? If for anything, I should be the one pissed, because you were not picking up my calls and you left without any notice from the event that day.""I know, but if you hear me out, then maybe you will understand my reasons," Laura said, holding up her hand."Okay, you have the floor," Jason said as he took his seat a few feet away from her."I came back to town to find my mother and to find out what happened to me seven years ago," Laura said.Jason was silent as he watched her speak, his expression neutral. Laura brushed her hair behind her neck and continued to explain her mother's relationship to Lily."Suffix it to say that I found my grandmother, but I was not able to find out what happened that one night that I c
Grace walked into Jared's office, demanding to have an audience with him."I'm sorry, ma'am, but you can't go in now; he is not on sit," the receptionist said apologetically."I know he is in there; tell him that if he does not see me now, he won't like the next news he hears," Grace responded.Having no choice, the receptionist put a call through to Jared's office again and relayed the message.After a few minutes, she dropped the phone and said, "You can go in, ma'am.""I thought as much," Grace replied, and she walked straight to the elevator.It had been radio silence since her last confrontation with Jared, but now she was going to rain down all the anger she felt within on him."I told you not to come here, Grace," Jared said as soon as Grace walked into his office."I don't give a damn what you say any longer, Jared," Grace replied with scorn."What exactly do you want, Grace?" Jared asked."What do I want? Huh, that's rich coming from you." Grace replied, adding, "You know I h
Lily was surprised to hear that, so she gripped her hand tightly and asked, "What else is there that I haven't said?"Laura shook her head and replied, "No, not you; it's from me.""Oh, what is it?" Lily asked.Laura pulled her hand from Lily's grip and brushed it through her hair as she sighed deeply."Actually, I came back to town because of two things. The first was because of the note you sent to me about my mother, and the second was because I wanted to find out what happened to me about seven years ago." Laura explained.Lily's face squeezed in confusion as she asked, "Something happened to you? What might it be?""Well, I don't know either; all I know is that I got pregnant after, and that was what resulted in my father sending me away from town," Laura replied."What?" Lily exclaimed in shock."Yes, you see, I was betrothed to Jared Tuner, but my stepsister set me up that night," Laura said, explaining what Grace had told her about the same night.There was more confusion on L
"Jason?" Tim called, wondering what was wrong."Okay, Liam, thank you for calling me. Do you know where you stay?" Jason said this on the phone.Tim realized he was talking to Laura's son and shrugged, hoping he got the answer he was looking for."No, that's fine. How is Lisa?" Jason asked.Just like magic, the hard look on Jason's face cleared as he spoke with the children. After a few minutes, the call ended."So?" Tim asked."They are leaving in two days," Jason said."What two days?" Tim replied, surprised."Yes," Jason replied, his voice sounding dejected."Oh, oh," Tim muttered."What did Gift say?" Jason asked."Nothing, just like I told you she would," Tim replied, adding, "Don't the kids know where the house is?""They don't; I think Liam called me from the card I gave him sometimes back," Jason replied."Hmm, well, I think you have tried all that you can," Tim said encouragingly.I am really going to lose Laura, Jason thought as he sat there, staring into space.*************
When Jason walked into the office that morning, everyone who saw him knew something was wrong."Jason, you don't look so good," Tim whispered behind him as they walked through the building lobby."You look like you did not get any sleep last night," Tim added as he noticed a few people staring at Jason."That is of less concern right now, Tim; I need you to get Gift here today," Jason replied as they boarded the elevator."Gift? You mean the same Gift Hatcher?" Tim asked."Yes, I need to ask her about Laura. She mentioned some time ago that they had been childhood friends," Jason replied.Tim shook his head, knowing that was not going to be a good idea, considering the outcome of the last meeting Gift had with Jason."I can basically feel you shaking your head from here," Jason muttered."Uhm, I just don't think Gift would be a good idea; I mean, after the last time, she would not be so keen to see you." Tim explained.Jason was at his wits end, and he was only trying to hold it all t
Jason woke up that morning with a heavy concern in his heart. He had tossed and turned through the night.The night before, he had been stunned by Tim's statement, and for a moment, his heart had frozen."What did you just say?" He had asked."Humm, I just heard from Emily, who heard from Laura's live-in nanny that Laura is leaving town," Tim had replied carefully.Jason had sat at the back of the car, stunned by the news. He had imagined a lot of outcomes from her sudden departure from the hotel, but he had not imagined that she would leave town."When did you get this information?" Jason had asked."Uhm, just before you stepped out of your office," Tim had also replied catiously."Why isn't she telling me about leaving town? Why is she suddenly avoiding me?" Jason asked himself, feeling a sinking feeling in his belly.Now, at the dawn of a new day, Jason climbed out of bed, looking dazed as he murmured, "I never thought I would feel this way."He walked over to the balcony and stare
"I really must have feelings for him," Laura muttered under her breath."Laura?" Teressa called again."I'm fine; I just felt a tiny pain in my chest," Laura said."Okay, let me get you water or something," Teressa said, hurring over to the mini-kitchen in the apartment.Laura's phone rang, and she saw Audrey's name on the screen."Hello, Adurey," Laura said, picking up the call."I think something must be really wrong," Audrey said in response."What?" Laura asked, her brows squeezed in confusion."You never miss a chance to work; that's why I'm wondering what's going on. How are you feeling now?" Audrey asked.Laura shook her head as she replied, "I'm fine, Audrey; I'm just not up for work yet.""Okay, no problem; I just wanted to check in on you," Audrey replied."Thank you," Laura replied, adding, "If there is anything that requires my urgent attention, please let me know.""Don't worry, I will," Audrey replied before ending the call.Laura pulled the phone from her ears and rubbe
"Hello? Lily?" Jason said as soon as he heard her voice."Jason, how are you?" Lily said, breaking into a smile as she realized it was Jason."I'm okay. How are you? Is Laura there? I called to speak with her," Jason replied.Lily looked back, and to her dismay, Laura was gone. She looked from Audrey to Tina, both of whom had unreadable expressions on their faces."Humm, she is not feeling too well and has taken the day off," Lily replied, adding, "If there is anything you want us to help you with, I'm sure Audrey would take care of it.""Oh, yes, of course," Jason replied, the line silent for a few seconds before he added, "Are you aware she moved out of the hotel?"Lily coughed slightly as she replied, "Uhm, yes, I am.""Uhm, so do you know where she moved to? Well, not that I am particularly interested; I'm just, you know, trying to be a good neighbor; I believe we were neighbors," Jason replied, forcing himself to stop after realizing how he must sound."Hmm," Lily said, her brows