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Chapter 40
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2024-10-29 19:42:56The next afternoon I contemplated confronting Raphael. Tomorrow is Friday, in other words, The Charity Ball day. The day I’m going to meet Sinclair Family. And Raphael has yet to discuss minute details with me like timings, where to meet etc., I won’t let myself assume that he is going to collect me at my home. It would be out of his way which is a waste of time. And Raphael Sinclair doesn’t waste it if he could help it. But where is the guy? It’s not like him to avoid a person or a situation. But it’s pretty clear he is avoiding me. Generally, when Raphael Sinclair is inattention, it’s in your face noteworthy. Even though we are not glued to each other 24/7, I would know when he is voluntarily steering clear of me.
Not to point out the obvious, but he didn’t come home last night. Which is a first? And here I thought 100% attendance is guaranteed. Had to rely on the fantasies to pass my boredom, my inner self complained while sighing.
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Before going home, I stopped at a cafe nearer to the office for lunch. I don’t want to face the empty walls of my home yet. I tried my best not to think about what Raphael’s doing in his office with her. Am I judging too soon? Maybe he has a legitimate reason for having her in his office. What if she is not Elizabeth but some executive from his other branch or something? At this point I’m picking straws I know, but what if I’m jumping to a conclusion without hearing the verdict? Doesn’t he have a say? I know how he treated me is wrong. But shouldn’t I give him a chance to hear his side? For the relationship's sake? All these doubts my mind will definitely play dirty tricks enough to make me mad. Only one way to get clarified. I’m no coward, then why take a coward’s route now?With that in mind, I returned to the office mustering normalcy with pride wrapped around me like a cloak. The office door is still locked. Not that I haven
Tangled with the CEO Chapter 42
Why did you forgive so easily? Why not let him grovel for a bit?, asked my inner diva now in the getup of a therapist (with incense sticks and all, no kidding)I returned to my desk with my inner diva making static noises.What?Why did you forgive him so easily? Why not let him grovel for a bit? Asked my inner diva now in the getup of a therapist once I gave her some attention (with incense sticks and all, no kidding). Feeling like she would disturb me until I answered her, I gave my clarification.His heart is in the right place, but the people surrounding him are using this weakness to their advantage. I must maintain hope. For our relationship. A battle is lost that is never entered. And I'm a fighter through and through all my life. I just... When he explained his reasons, I envisioned him as a lone warrior standing in front of his family, Fighting the world, not knowing that one of its members or maybe all of them holding a dagger, ready to backstab
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‘I... I don’t know’, I replied showing my indecision.‘I understand. You were afraid of the consequences. But Erica, what happens when he comes to know about all this from a third source? It’s no use dancing around the topic. Think about it. I got to go. It will be a Long time before I talk to you again. Don’t worry I will message you about my findings’.I cut off before he could say more,’ what are you saying? Are you in trouble? Anything I can do? God Kade, why are men so stupid? It’s not glamorous if you clam up and think the woman will understand. Trust me, it’s not hot.’Before I can rant and rave some more, he continued, ‘My life...is going with some changes that require my immediate attention. Wish I could help you more. But life interferes. Don’t ever think that I’m strangling you in a lurch. If you require any kind of help with anything call Michael. He is from the club.
Tangled with the CEO Chapter 44
We entered the mansion without any fuss, seemingly as I was with Raphael. It’s a three-storey mansion where the main foyer splits into two grand staircases that only enhances the luxurious look. The mansion was full of such extravagantly gilded furniture and grandeur that I thought it would have been better suited to a reigning monarch.We were directed to the ballroom (I stopped ooh...ing at the main foyer itself. Ballroom! I never knew anyone with ballrooms in their houses) where a different security detail is present to recheck the authenticity. Looking at the guest list I too would recommend it. Hollywood’s well-known actors, producers, politicians what not; you name it, they have it. The party was going with the sort of discreet swing that only serious money could contrive.Ok, we are in, now what?Can I ask?Ask? Ask whom? What are you saying?My inner diva clears her throat and said,Attention everyone, this announcement i
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‘But Diana, she is dead. There is no need for us to part anymore. Don’t you see?’‘Oh, darling. I understand that her being murdered worked in our favour, but that just made me realize how careless I was being! It could have been easily Edward who caught us. I don’t want to risk it. All this wealth slipping from my fingers... I can’t bear it. He will divorce me for sure if he learns.’‘Does wealth is more important for you? More than me?’, he sounded angered.‘How naive you are? Sometimes I forget your age. I may not reflect your emotions, but I could advise you. Remember this darling, there is nothing if there is no wealth. Only money brings you luxury. Not these silly emotions. For what it’s worth, I’m really sorry darling, we couldn’t be seen together again. So, please leave. And never come back’, the last sentence she said as a warning that will have dire consequences if he d
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Scared of blood.His words were ringing in my ears still when Raphael intercepted us.‘God, what a mess! what happened?’‘I... we were dancing... then suddenly I don’t know where that waiter came from. It all happened within seconds. I was cut and your brother... he just... fainted?’, I remiss the story, still mulling over what Nathaniel said.‘Oh yay. It happens whenever he sees blood. He is hemophobic’, he explained.‘What’s a party without a few drinks being spilled, right? You better put him in a more comfortable position and have someone look at him’‘What about you? Show me where you are hurt’‘Here. As I told your brother it’s nothing serious. I will clean it up in the ladies' room. You take him to somewhere quiet’, I said motioning to the onlookers. Actually, I wanted some alone time to think about what conspired here. For someone, it may
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He took my hand, stood, and without sparing any glance to the other occupants on the table, announced, ‘we are leaving’.‘You can’t leave now! The auction has just begun. What will the media think? Jacob- ‘Diana is in the middle of profanity when we left the ballroom.Raphael didn’t take me to any other room, but straight to the parking garage which was thankfully away from the prying eyes of the media.He selected a Bugatti la Voiture Noire (the most expensive one) from a handful of cars (I don’t know the names of half of them, only that they would be freaking expensive) and opened the door saying, ‘get in’.Ok. Not. ‘One, I’m not a dog to follow your orders, and two, where are you taking me? I just clarified I’m not ready for any of your hanky-panky’, I said with my cheeks blazing probably a nice shade of red from my blushing.‘You amaze me, Erica. Hanky-Panky? Ev
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Raphael Sinclair laid a trap and I fell hook, line, and sinker for it. Looking at the file-indelible scars are left on my heart. I lost...lost my faith in love. Because in my hand is a file that opens to a photo of me- a photo that was taken 3 months back. The date was printed at the bottom of the photo. Each page consists of the parts of my life which were known to only Kade before. My entire life... is packed in this file.The conversation with Kade came to my mind‘Remember you said your sister got the information about you from a PI hired by her boyfriend’‘Yes. I totally forgot about it.’‘Well, I almost tracked that PI. It’s just a final case of pinpointing. By tonight I will give you the details’Well, there is no need for pinpointing anymore. Because staring at the details, I can say that the PI did a wonderful job. An apathetic laugh escaped me. My life collapses before my eyes, and I’m appre
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He extended his hand, before everyone important to us, to join him. I searched for Kade. Understanding what I’m asking, Kade appeared beside me, to walk me through the aisle.When I reached Raphael, he joined our hands together and turned us to the pastor. We both looked into each other’s eyes ignoring the pastor, until the time he asked Raphael, ‘do you Raphael Jacob Sinclair take Erica Anderson as your wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, keeping yourself solely unto her for as long as you both shall live?’Raphael said ‘I do’ while looking into my eyes.Then the pastor turned towards me and asked ‘Do you Erica Anderson, take Raphael Jacob Sinclair, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and health, to love, honor and obey, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself solely unto him fo
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Two days have passed since I cut our ties.Despite telling him no, I was suffering from a lassitude, a vagueness, that prevented me from doing anything more energetic and profitable than wandering the streets of New York listlessly. A strenuous exercise may help, but my body was not obeying my commands. What I need is, I decided fretfully, something to take my mind off Raphael Sinclair.Remind me why are we doing this again? Asked my inner diva.Self-respect, I gritted out.It must be nice sleeping with that self-respect, my inner self said sarcasm dripping from her voice.Decide which side you are before sprouting your nonsense.Can I say, peace? My inner b queried.There was nothing dramatically changing in my life once I said no. No light pointed out whether I have done the right thing or not. No mini-Raphael’s asking, ‘Why did you leave daddy, mommy?’ In the dreams. All the same, I felt lonely. Sometimes I questi
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‘That’s the point. You never considered how I may feel! Normally, when a girlfriend says she is pregnant, her boyfriend asks-how does she feel? Is she happy? Does she want this baby?... you know the basic things. But do not place surveillance on her as if she is a fugitive. Who does that? You always canter to what I may want without consulting me, yet never wait and think what I may need, Raphael?’‘You are being unreasonable Erica. I explained to you the circumstances and the delicacy the situation warranted’‘No! You had your turn, now you listen to me. This relationship’, I swallowed the lump that formed on what I was about to say, ‘this...whatever we are having is not how a relationship works. There must be a give and take. There must be dates, talking...not soulful silences, sharing each other’s feelings, emotions, fear’s, hobbies, musical tastes, not to forget the past(like have any more surprise family
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‘Before I speak any further, why don’t you go change while I order something for you?’ He pointed towards his wardrobe that has his second set of clothes.‘Are you going to charge this one too?’ I joked, reminiscing his demand to pay for the clothes he bought.‘Consider this my investment’, he countered.Once I changed into his shirt and ate a sandwich that no doubt one of his possums provided, I asked relaxing on the couch, ‘so, what do you want to talk about?’‘Do you love me?’‘Just go to the jugular, why don’t you? You don’t have the right to ask that question. I’m not here to listen to this’, I tried to get up.‘Sit down Erica. Trust me, I will explain later. Just answer my question’I snorted at him demanding my trust. ‘Why?’‘Because I want to know how you feel about me before I say anything&rsquo
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It didn’t help to improve my mood either when I stepped outside the subway to encounter the rain. The way my life is going I really ought to have known better than to think the weather would cooperate. A wry glance at the dense cloud-packed sky confirmed that the rain wasn't likely to let up. Well, in for a penny, in for a pound. I had no alternative but to get soaked in the rain as I walked. By the time I reached my former office, I’m drenched wet to the bone, my cream shirt and black skirt, no doubt liberally splattered with dirty rainwater spots. I don’t know what I’m going to accomplish once I meet Raphael, however, in my current mindset I would probably stab him with his pen that’s always neatly placed on his desk.Once I entered his floor, my eyes landed on none other than the woman who was cast alongside Raphael in the picture. She was lounging casually on the couch outside his office, doing her touch-up. Why, oh why? Can this day get any
Tangled with the CEO Chapter 56
All I’m saying is he is human... treat him as such. Don’t condemn him without listening to his side, Raphael’s new friend aka my inner b advised me.That’s not true. We talked about what happened, I mulled.No, you dissected, and he listened patiently, my inner b was on a roll.Yet, not once did he object, I countered.At this, my inner diva started counting his virtues while pacing the imaginary floor. ‘Did you give him the chance? You were the one to build an impossible castle of dreams on an insecure foundation. You were the one to abandon a relationship that has leavening magic which lacked in this generation. You may reason yourself with whatever you think is right, but just think... he was the guy who held you when you cried. He was the guy who listened to your blabbering and didn’t blanch at your imagination. He was the guy who rescued you when you are in danger, not once but twice. He was the guy who wanted to a
Tangled with the CEO Chapter 55
‘I... but doctor, how is that possible?’‘Are you asking me the basics Ms. Anderson?’, he asked playfully.‘What? Of course not. What I mean is... doctor it’s... it’s actually only been a month since I entered a relationship. You see what I’m getting at?’, I asked hopefully with my cheeks blushing red, hinting at a probable malfunction in the scanning report.‘My dear, if I can be blunt, all it takes is only one time done at the right moment. And you are six weeks pregnant from what I can see in the reports’‘But... how? Six weeks?’Please ask again, I want to have a nice laugh, my inner d said sarcastically.‘Well, many new would-be mothers’ get confused the first time. The counting starts from your last period, not from the date the sperm enters your body’.‘Oh...ok’, I mentally cringed, visualizing the scientific side.
Tangled with the CEO Chapter 54
‘No!!’, my scream was joined by another male one. Rose looked surprised at the blood coming from her. The bullet was lodged near her heart. I could feel her life force slipping. What a waste! A Life is driven by greed and envy. Though I didn’t agree with her choices, I didn’t want this for her. I wanted justice, yes, but this feels... cheated.I looked at the guy who was the cause of this mess and was shocked to see his facial characteristics. He is by no doubt Raphael’s half-brother. His jawline... his nose...his hair... They look like Raphael, only younger. How could Diana sleep with him, knowing he resembles Raphael? That was one twisted mind I wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole.He knelt beside Rose, gingerly holding his hand, ‘Oh Rose, I’m sorry’, silent tears can be seen leaking from his eyes.‘I knew... you were always ...a poor...shot’, Rose joked with her last breath.Even though
Tangled with the CEO Chapter 53
‘Stop your riddles and say clearly Rose’, I spat the words.‘Erica...Erica...Erica, you always had a problem with power. First, Raphael when he made you a workhorse, now, me for not spilling my guts faster. It’s ok though, as this will be your last conversation... I will tell you. You know, as a friend’, she said sarcastically before continuing to reply to my questions, ‘so, where was I? Oh, yes, children. Me and my brother. Where does Sophie fit into this?’, she tapped her finger on the Chin and said, ‘right in the middle of it. We are... the three musketeers’‘I won’t believe you’, I said, not wanting to see the image she is projecting.‘Whatever! Believe it or not. Just because you closed your eyes doesn’t mean it’s dark outside. However, I agree she was not part of the plan in the beginning. It all started four years ago. My mother’s bedtime story on her deathbed,
