Drake POV.Today will be a special day for me and also a hectic one. It's the day of my company's dinner party, and also a party to thank everyone for their hard work. I sprayed my perfume on my body, dressed my hair a little and smile, I don't know if Valerie would be coming, but at least I need to leave a good impression on myself, I would be greeting and meeting different people around the world and those I would convince investing more in my new company. I brought out my phone and texted Alexander to get my car prepared immediately.I sat on the bed while waiting for Charlotte who was still in the bathroom. She has been there for about ten minutes now, and I wondered what she was doing there. As though she read my mind, the bathroom door opened and she walked in. She was putting on something sexy, as if she was going to a club rather than a dinner party, “What are you putting on?” I asked.“I'm wearing my cloth, babe, or do you want me to take it off?” She seductively walked close
Valerie's POV.The fact the Drake was standing in front of me and trying to make a scene made me embarrassed, I have been trying to hide myself well from the paparazzi and trying not to be the topic of tomorrow's headline news and all was futile just because of Drake. I don't know if he derives joy in seeing me get bullied, or if it was just his act of getting back at me. He made things worse for me when he called me his mistress in front of everyone, That's definitely not a nice word to use. As if that weren't enough, Charlotte also came with her trouble. I wish the ground could just open up and swallow me. This is so embarrassing.But why does she want to see me in private? I have nothing to talk to her about and I also do not have the time to patiently stand and watch her rant nonsense from her mouth, I absolutely know there is nothing she would want to tell me except for me to stay away from her husband, This isn't the first time I'm hearing that from her, But I will not give in
Valerie's POV.I stood surprised in front of Charlotte, I don't remember telling her I was pregnant, and I'm sure Ron wouldn't do that, Jasmine doesn't even have any connection with Charlotte, so how did Charlotte find out that I was pregnant? And here I was, thinking it was something else, Something that Charlotte doesn't want Drake to know that might destroy her image. I had no idea that she was trying to prevent me from telling Drake about my baby, But why? Why should I ask that? Of course, she doesn't want Drake for find out that I'm pregnant for him because she doesn't want to be left in the dark, She is afraid that once I tell Drake about my pregnancy, He would come back to me, But I don't think it would be possible, Drake doesn't love me, he never loved me, I was only used when he needs me.“How do you know about my pregnancy?” I asked, curiously. My mind won't rest, if I don't ask her this question, if I don't know how she got to know that in pregnant. If no one told her about
Drake's POV. I had to go answer the call from some shareholders who wanted to talk business with me. I had no time to think about Charlotte who had dragged Valerie off to heaven knows where. They were both grown up women, and I'm sure they wouldn't do anything stupid since this was a public party. When I was done with the shareholders, I went back to the party receptionist, only for me to see a particular place crowded. I wondered what was happening there. I was about walking to the crowded scene when Alexander appeared in front of me, “What's happening there?” I asked him. “Mrs Chase fell from the stairs, and she has been rushed to the hospital, I have been looking for you for a while now, it's been about ten minutes this happened” He explained, I looked at him confused, Charlotte was with Valerie a while ago, How come she fell from the stairs? I looked ahead of me and sighted Ron running out as if someone were after his life. “Charlotte was with Valerie a while ago. If Charl
Ron’s POVValerie's eyelids flickered open, and the room began to come into focus. The familiar smell of antiseptic and the whiteness of the hospital greeted her senses, but it was me, seated beside her bed, that held her attention.“Ron… “ she whispered.I kept my eyes on her, wide, and I held her hand gently in my own. Once her eyes opened, the relief that crossed my face seemed to soften the hard lines of worry etched there. Leaning closer, with my voice soft and low, I said.“Valerie… thank God you're awake." I mumbled, glad she is okay because she’s my leverage against Drake.Valerie tried to smile but it came out as weak, almost just like a twitch of her lips."I…it's so difficult. What…where do I even start?" murmured Valerie in a hoarse voice. The words lay heavy upon her, it was as if each one drained her considerable effort. For a moment, she fixed her eyes on the ceiling.I held her hand softly and told her to go on. "Take your time, okay, Valarie? I'm right here with you.
Drake’s POVCharlotte shifted uncomfortably and grimaced at the dull ache in her side. The doctors had insisted she stay for observation in the hospital."How are you feeling?" I asked softly, my voice distant, as I came to the side of her bed, my eyes flicking over her once, twice, almost as if checking on her condition.Charlotte managed to force a smile even if it did feel a bit hollow. "I'm fine, just a bit sore.“ have to speak to Valerie," I said. “I will go with you,” Charlotte replied.I frowned. "Charlotte, this is not a good idea. You both should be getting rest. Seeing her now would just make matters worse.""Please, Drake," Charlotte pressed on, pleading in her voice. "I need to see her. I need to know she's okay.”I stumbled, obviously torn. I didn't want to deny Charlotte what she was asking for, yet at the same time, I was just skeptical about letting her go see Valeria. The little feeling of discomfort I couldn't shake continued in the back of my mind, somewhere in hi
Drake’s POVI held a tight grip on Ron's collar, fueled by the shock and rage boiling inside me. The fluorescent lights in the hospital hallway buzzed very faintly, casting a sterile light above my head.Ron was looking directly into my eyes, not flinching at all when I pressed him hard against the wall in front of him. The unsaid words in the air hurt so much."Who was the father, Ron?" my voice was low, ominously controlled, mere inches from Ron's face. I could feel my pulse pounding in my ears, my mind racing with a thousand possibilities, none of them making any sense. "Tell me, damn it!"Repulsed, Ron winced as he loudly tore free of my hold on his collar. Then, like a spring loosed, he leaped back before taking a pace backward to arrange the creases from his shirt, and not for one second did he take his eyes from me."You don't need to know a thing about Valerie," Ron spat venom in his tone. "Not now, not ever; you never gave a damn about her, So don't come here demanding answer
Valerie’s POVRon heaved open the hospital door with a heavy heart, his footsteps faltering as he went in. The room was dimly lit. Light emanated softly from the bedside lamp, casting warm but subdued lighting over my pale face. I lay propped up in bed, my eyes closed, lost in a fragile sleep that seemed to be an escape from the reality I was facing.I stirred as I felt his presence, my eyes flickered open. I looked at him with confusion and expectation, my eyes scanning his face for answers. "Ron," I whispered, my voice hoarse. "What are you doing here? Did something happen?"I couldn’t help but have this eerie feelings that something bad has happened. My guts tells me so, but I just couldn’t pin point it. I hurriedly touch my legs but it is fine, I could feel it. So, if I didn’t lose my legs because of the fall, what could be the case?Ron swallowed, all the words I had been practicing now sounded woefully insufficient and shallow. "Valerie, we need to talk," Ron said slowly, his vo
Valerie's POV Two weeks later.The doctor attended to me while the nurse administered a pill for me to take. It's been two days since I was rescued. A lot has happened over the past two weeks. Now I am here for the test results which were conducted two days ago.Charlotte had kept me captive for a week and two days before I was rescued. How Drake and the police found me was absurd but I was glad Charlotte was behind bars.I was glad to be free even though I stayed a week and two days in captivity.*Flashback*“Here's your food, pig. Make sure to eat up and be done in five minutes. I'll be back to collect the plate.” Charlotte hissed and spat into the food before placing it on the ground in front of me.She pulled at my hair and confirmed the tightness of the chains around my body, hissed again before scurrying out of the dirty dark room where I had been kept captive for only God knows when.For four days,I hadn't had anything except water. Charlotte had made it a point of duty to spi
Drake's POV My chest region wanted to explode. It was exploding already,my heart racing as I listened to Valerie's voicemail.Ron had forcefully taken the company from her? How? I thought they were working together in pulling me into mud? Is she making a mockery of me or is she damn serious?She sounded serious. Her voice dripped with fear and uncertainty like she didn't know the next step to take. I dialed her number but I didn't go through. Something was off so I decided to go home. I wasn't expecting her to be home but at least I could corner her while she's packing out of the house.I quickly entered my car and the driver sped off at full speed. We pulled up in front of my lawn for ten minutes. I quickly alighted, sprinting into the house.I quickly made it to her room, knocking frantically on her wooden door but there came no reply. I knocked thrice and still no response.What if she's in the shower?I tried to be considerate but then she had identified herself as an enemy. Fr
Valerie’s POV I didn't know if Drake had received my voicemail or not but I hoped he did. This was all my fault. I should have listened to Jasmine. I tried calling Jasmine but the network connectivity of my surroundings was poor and I couldn't reach her.Luckily,I got lifted by a cab driver riding along my path and he brought me down to Drake's house. I got down from the cab, thanked the driver, and offered him a few bills which he kindly turned down before revving out of the lawn. I felt grateful for his kind lift after I had spent close to an hour trying to find my way home.I sluggishly carried myself to the porch, approached the door with a soft knock.My legs began to tremble beneath me. Here I was standing in front of Drake's house,a man I had just taken his company and a few valuable assets from him and handed it to his stepbrother.No response.I knocked again, this time louder and more pronounced.Shortly after,the door creaked slightly, opening to reveal Mia's face.“Welcom
Valerie's POV My legs vibrated beneath me as Drake walked up to me,his gaze devouring. He took the mic from me forcefully, his gaze shifting to the crowd.“I am so sorry for this misunderstanding fellas but think this lady is probably drunk and needs to be taken care of. Guards please lead her away.”Drake commanded his voice dripping with authority and power.Two men leapt forward and snatched my arms, grabbing and holding onto me tightly. They began to lead me away but Ron was quick to intercept. He landed both guard's a kick to their groin letting them retreat away and unrest erupted from the onlookers.This definitely wasn't what they planned to be their soulful entertainment but surprisingly they had no choice but to sit and watch it play out.Drake rage boiled over the surface ,his anger simmering onto his oceanic blue eyes.“ Why the hell did you do that to my guards Ron? What right do you have to waltz in here and disrupt a party that lots of money was spent on to organize? Wh
Drake's POV My car pulled up infront of a the magnificent hotel, an exact replica of a castle in fairy-tale. My driver quickly alighted, turned around opening the door for me. I stepped out of the car,the cool evening breeze caressing my skin. Charlotte stepped out as well,her arm quickly slipped around mine. She flashed me a sheepish smile, holding unto her purse tightly. I straightened out my suits, applying a fresh layer of deodorant, adjusted my glasses before making my way into the Hall which was bustling with loud music and bangers. Alot of guests had started arriving, staffs especially. Junior staffs to be precise.I looked around, my eyes dancing across the hall untill I spotted Sheila whispering into the MC ear.She seemed to be telling him to begin immediate actions since I was already in the room.The MC nodded understanding whatever she had to say. My gaze left thier faces and got focused on Charlotte who kept tugging at my suit.“ I don't want a single wrinkle in sight
Drake's POV It's been two days since i had the most terrifying nightmare of my life. Why would Valerie appear as an old woman seeking revenge? Why did she constantly accuse me of killing our baby when I indirectly and directly didn't have a hand in it.Till date, I had no answer to my question. I literally just couldn't comprehend why she had to disguise herself as an old hag. I didn't take it so literal but I knew Valerie wasn't happy with all that had been happening to her. I was going to find out sooner than later.The foreign investors and I had lost contact. Sara had stopped receiving and returning Sheila's texts, emails and calls. She must have cautioned herself to avoid being snuffed out or caught by her Boss who would probably be livid at her. I had told Sheila to keep on sending texts untill Sara eventually replies.Surprisingly,the ball solstice was to hold tomorrow. It was such a great day anticipated by a lot of people. Me ,my stakeholders and my employees,the junior staf
Drake's POV “ Wait Valerie, listen to me." I yelled repeatedly but Valerie wouldn't listen,age kept on moving, her pace gradually increasing.“ Please wait for Val. I have something important to talk to you about. The road ahead of us is quite dangerous. You need my help in navigating these dark paths. Let me help you." I urged, calling into the night air but Valerie wouldn't listen.“ Leave me alone." She managed to say, her back h at me,her pace a little.“ It's late and dark, lonely and scary. You need to come back to me. The driver is waiting. If we keep on going through this path,we might lose the driver entirely.”Valeria chuckled scornfully “ I don't mind losing the driver. I don't want to go with you. Leave me alone.”Valerie's steps increased as she surged deeper out of the light and into the darkness, navigating through the wood and thick bushes like she was quite familiar with her environment.“ You are threading into the bushes Val. Am sorry I called you out tonight. We
Drake's POV “ Out of my fucking room before I lose it. You are a fucking chameleon. You always change your skin to fit a favorable condition. You don't care about others. You only use them to satisfy and pleasure yourself. You only use them when you have something to gain. When they have something meaningful to offer." Charlotte's expression turned pitiful,tears pricked at the corners of Charlotte's eyes.“Drake, I care about you. I am not exploiting you. I care. I want to care.” she tried to touch me,my devouring gaze stopped her hand halfway.“ I want my personal space but if you're willing to give me the space I need,get out of my way, I am late for an appointment." I sneered and shot her a glare.“ Drake, listen to me." Charlotte pleaded.I frowned,my annoyance flaring.“Get out of my way,I need to use the exit door." I ordered.Charlotte's feet didn't budge,it rooted firmly to the floor.“ pl–.” I shoved Charlotte away, stepping out of the room immediately." Sleep in the room
Drake's POV 3:45 Pm. I kept staring at time,my mind divulged of any means of keeping itself occupied until I was ready to leave.Sheila had dropped the audio tape from her interrogation from twelve junior staffs. There wasn't much attached to their conversation but I was able to pick out something. They didn't have contact with the foreign investors considering there were based in the ground and second floor of the building.Sheila had promised to continue tomorrow even though I saw how exhausted she was. Interrogating a total number of twelve staff members alone was no easy feat. I had stopped her from carrying on with the interrogation considering the company had seventy staff and ten contract workers.She couldn't bear the burden of twelve,how would she bear the burden of sixty eight more staff. There were other ways to snuff out a culprit and I would find it out sooner or later.The door to my office opened and Sheila walked in with a glass of water. I asked if it's almond time