Blake's lips curved into a small smile as he stretched a hand towards Russell, a friend of his elder sister. Russell was from one of the oldest business dynasties in the United States, like the Carter's dynasty. He and Russell had been talking about business for over four minutes before his wife appeared and stood beside her husband. “Hi, Mr. Carter,” she greeted brightly.“Hello,” he tried to beat some excitement into his voice. “Mrs. Evans.”“I'm sorry,” Russell’s wife smiled, her eyes darting from her husband to Blake. “I will have to steal Russell away.”“Oh, with all pleasure,” Blake said, relieved that the man's wife had saved him.“Let's meet up for drinks before the end of the year.” Russell said, and he took Blake's. “I will be expecting your call.”“Of course I will.” Blake made a promise he knew he would not fulfill. “Thanks so much.”Blake gave Russell’s wife a nod as the couple drifted away. He grabbed a flute of champagne from one of the waiters, who was passing a tray
Tasha woke at 5:00 am to the splashing of water against the rocks. She reached out without opening her eyes to silence the alarm. She opened her eyes slowly, blinking sleep from her eyes. “Morning sweetie,” Grant's voice was husky from sleep. He laid a hand on her thigh under the covers. “Did you sleep well?”“Yes, good morning, babe.” Tasha purred and turned to face him. He looked so adorable with his sleepy smile. “Yes, I did.” She planted a kiss on his arm. He moved closer to her, with his hand on her waist, and gave her a thorough kiss. “How is your day going to be like today?” He asked when he pulled away. “Can we meet for lunch?”They were not running this morning, so as usual, they lingered a bit in bed. “I'm going to be busy today.” She said, “Jason is still not back in the office until next week.”She had been standing in for Prof. Jason Douglas, the Head of department for the last three weeks. Marcus had undergone a minor surgery and was asked to take some time off work.
It was past eight at night on Christmas eve. Tasha, Grant, along with Tyson arrived in Sandville late afternoon for Christmas. Tasha, Grant, her father and her mother were watching a Christmas carol on the TV with cups of her mother's homemade hot apple cider drinks in their hands. The Christmas tree was blinking cheerfully in a corner. She planned to sneak back into the living room later, after everyone might have retired, to add the presents she and Grant brought with them. Tyson had gone to her brother's house so that he could be with his cousins. “I guess we should call it a day,” Tasha announced when the carol ended. She was already yawning and feeling jet lag.“Good night,” Grant said Mr. and Mrs. Harrison went upstairs with Tasha.Tasha and Grant changed into their nightclothes and brushed their teeth. “Mom suggested that you and I should attend my grandma's church tomorrow for the Christmas service. So you can meet her.” Tasha said, as they climbed into bed. Her maternal gr
“Derek?” Blake said in astonishment into the phone. “You again?”It was the second day of the new year. It surprised Blake to hear from him again. He hadn't called him since he outsmarted him with the Clinton Limited deal. “Yes, it's me again,” he said with a hint of laughter in his voice. “I guess you didn't expect my call. Well, for your information, I am a good sportsman. You win some, you lose some.” He burst into laughter, irritating the hell out of Blake.“Derek, what do you want?” Blake aimed the remote at the TV to reduce the volume. “I'm a busy man. I don't have all day.” “I want us to meet for lunch or dinner tomorrow,” he said. “I would like to discuss a business idea with you, if you don't mind.”“What business?” Blake didn't understand what was going on. “Let's meet for dinner,” Derek insisted. “Am sorry,” Blake started pacing round the living room. “I can't come for any dinner if I don't know what the deal is about.”“First, Blake, I want you to know that I am not y
“That’s good to hear.” he sat upright again. “You can go ahead and make all the adjustments.”“Awesome,” she smiled back at him and shut down her laptop.“Should I order lunch?” My house staff members are all on holiday. He checked the time on his wristwatch. “It’s going to take a while, the restaurant takes their time to get my food ready. Or would you prefer we go out to eat?” “It's okay,” she put her laptop back in the bag. “I'll wait, I am free for the rest of the day, so I can wait.”He walked to the corner to where the phone was and made the order. “Okay,” he said finally and dropped the receiver. He strolled back to Cassie and extended a hand to her, “come, let's fix you a drink before food comes.” She took his outstretched hand and allowed him to pull her to her feet. They went to his well-stocked bar in another part of the living room. “What would you like to have?” he inquired from her with a slight chuckle.“I want you to guess what I would like,” she gave him a flirty
It was Friday night, the aroma of garlic, and fresh herbs filled the kitchen as Tasha brought three single serve casserole dishes out of the oven. The weather had been cold and cloudy since the day before, though it was already mid-January. She had made Shepard pie for dinner to Wade off the winter cold. Outside, her boys, Grant and Tyson, were playing football outside at the back of the house. Tyson, always eager to show off his new skills, had asked Grant to a football game the moment Grant walked through the door from work.“Let me rest a bit,” Grant had patted him on the back. “Then we'll play later in the evening.”“Okay dad,” Tyson replied and went to do his homework for the time being. Tasha moved to the window, smiling as she watched the pair doing their thing. She was always happy about the bond that had formed between Grant and Tyson over the past few months.Tyson kicked the ball with all his might, sending it soaring across the yard.“Oh no,” Tasha burst into laughter.
“See you guys later,” Tasha kissed Grant and Tyson the next morning after breakfast. They were both going to Grant's brother's house and won't be back until later in the evening.“Take care of yourself.” Grant kissed her on the lips. “I will call you when we get there.”“Bye mom,” Tyson said. And the two of them left. Tasha locked the door and went back to bed. She had decided to just stay in bed, reading and relaxing all day. Tasha picked one novel, titled ‘The New Beginnings’, off her little bookshelf in her room and started reading. She just bought the novel two days earlier. *******"Oh my God,” Maddie thought to herself, "how on earth am I going to survive the next two months?” She stole a look at the woman sitting across from her at the dining table; her mother. Her own mother, who she always related to like an acquaintance. Their relationship was that frosty. Words between them were always scanty and stingy too. A roar of laughter from the television in the sitting room pen
Five days later, which was a Saturday, her mom came. Maddie was happy to see her, she threw herself at her mother, "mummy,” she screamed happily, thinking in her little mind that her mother had come back to her and her daddy. But her little heart was broken when her mom made her sit on the couch, while she sat on the rug, facing her daughter. "Sweetheart,” she cupped her little face in her hands. "Daddy and I don't like each other anymore and it's best that I leave to go somewhere else.”"But us all to live together, please mommy,” Maddie pleaded. "I can't live with your father anymore," Beth said and smiled ruefully. "Can we come with you?” she looked hopefully into her mother's eyes, tears welling up in her eyes. “Daddy and I will come to your new apartment.”"Am sorry dear", she took her daughter into her arms, "it's better you and daddy stay here. I promise, I will always come to check you up.”Maddie began to cry. Her mother rocked her little body, promising to always come to