[ Xavier ]The tears in Adeline's eyes give me the most numbing pain than a wound. When Sandra called me and told me that Adeline wasn't herself and exploded, hurting herself in the process.Initially, I thought it was I, whose anger she pelted on her office but when I saw her and the vulnerability in her eyes, I could tell that the story was quite opposite. She looked defeated."Are you going to say something?" Travis asked me."What do you want to hear, Travis?" I looked at him, the glass of my drink kept untouched as I have been engrossed in brainstorming. "Your beautiful wife hurt herself and turned her office upside down, it's unsual for an elegant and patient woman like Adeline to lose her temper like this." He said emptying his third glass."Lucas fucking Greyson, he is blackmailing my wife with her mother's name. Mrs. Greyson had a cardiac arrest last week, she is on medication and the bastard is saying that he'd stop her treatment if Adeline won't comply to his wishes." I t
[ Xavier ]"Please, come inside, Mr. Linwood. Mrs. Greyson is in the living room, she is expecting you to meet her there." A butler told me as he welcomed me inside the Greyson's mansion. The house was quite big and built in modern architectural style but it had so much coldness wrapped in quietness. I can never call it my home. However, maintained a straight posture and followed him inside the house. I just wanted to get out of this place as soon as possible. Mrs. Greyson was sitting on the sofa, reading a book. She looked thin and weaker than the last time I saw her. Hearing my footsteps, she looked up and passed me a graceful smile. She is the older version of her daughters. "Xavier, son. What an unexpected visit?" She stood up and greeted me."I thought I should say hello to my in-laws. These are for you." I replied and gave her the yellow rose bouquet I brought for her.She smelled them."They're lovely. Thank you. Please, have a seat." She offered me generously. "How are yo
[ Adeline ]I felt a strange settlement in my heart after my breakdown in front of Xavier who again presented himself as my knight in shining armor. He promised to bring my mother safely to me but I couldn't calm my heart and mind.I still worried about my mother who needs tending and a healthy atmosphere to get well soon. My father's toxic vicinity will only worsen her condition and I can't lose my mother. I was pacing too and fro in the living room of the villa. Lisa came twice to ask me whether I need a cup of coffee to kill my anxiety but I refused."Ma'am, killing the poor floor won't help you. Let me make a strong cup of coffee or chamomile tea to give you some relief." Lisa again came with worry itched on her face. "I don't need anything, Lisa. Thanks, for taking care of me but you can rest now." I passed her a smile which didn't reach to my eyes."I have prepared the dinner, Ma'am. Please, eat properly before you sleep." She reminded me and signed in surrender as I reluctantl
[ Adeline ]I closed the door of my mother’s room once I gave her medicines and we talked about our lives. She was in a vulnerable condition, she tolerated my father’s shitty behaviour and kept quiet for my and Addison’s sake.I broke my heart but when I saw Xavier’s stand to protect my mother from my father’s torture. I am under his debt now.“Some sherry would do?” Xavier’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.I looked over him. He had two glasses and a bottle of sherry.“I think I need one right now.” I said as a lot was going inside my head.He poured some in my glass once we sat in the living room in complete silence.“Thanks.”“For what?” He raised his eyes above the glass.“For what you have done today. Going against my father and wedging a direct enmity with him isn’t something that everyone do.” I said honestly.“You don’t need to thank me for anything I do for you, Ade. You are my wife and it’s my duty to always keep you and your loved ones happy.” He answered, he was speak
[ Adeline ]“Take care of yourself, Susan. I will see you at the evening after your follow-up check-up.” Xavier said to my mother in whose eyes I could see hearts for her son-in=law.“Oh, please, don’t trouble yourself, son. I am sick not dying and I want you to pay more attention on my daughter because I want a grandchild from you two soon.” She said, her happiness was clearly visible on her face but it put me in an awkward situation. “We’d plan one in the future but I want us to settle our current problems first.” Xavier replied to her question much to my relief because I don’t want my mother to live in any disillusion.“Sure, take your time but give me a grandchild before I get too old to play with him or die.” She joked but I didn’t like it at all.“Mom, can you stop talking about dying?” I objected.“I am sorry, sweetie. Okay, I won’t talk about dying.” She raised her hand in surrender motion but I couldn’t shake
[ Adeline ]“So, here is our final proposal, for next two years, Skylark Group will bear 67% of the total cost on manufacturing on the interest rate of 7%, we’ll use our resources to lay down the base of our collaborative cruise ship making. The total number of the ships will be ten in the initial three years because we are yet to expand ourselves overseas and the current economy indicates that we must not exceed this number because the customers in our country aren’t keen to buy private cruise ship with the next generation luxury. They have their private jets and ships. Our aim should be the East Asian countries where we can find a potential market.” I paused with my presentation to see if anyone had any query.“Mr. Cowper?” I raised my eyes at the middle-aged man.The meeting room was silent with tension. As much as I hated the man’s cocky attitude, this deal was very important for my company as it could be proved a milestone in company’s growth.“Your idea is radical, Ms. Linwood
[ Adeline ]"Emily?"I couldn't believe on my eyes. Was I hallucinating or it was Emily in real, trying on a ruby necklace, which I assumed was beyond her financial status in the present time."Who is Emily?" Sandra asked, her brows itched together in confusion. "Did you meet Xavier's first wife?" I asked her."Yes, she practically spent her day, laid on his private room, waiting for him after every hour. Mr. Arnold didn't like her much because he thought she was a distraction for his son." Sandra answered. Another negative review. I have to dig into the information that I can fetch from Sandra. Emily hadn't noticed me yet. So, it was easy for me to observe her from the other side of the glass wall."Ma'am, you can choose from our latest collection, it's not out yet but the Linwood family is a very old customer. So, we can show you those five exclusive sets." The saleswoman said to me with her sweetest smile."Yes, of course." I nodded at her but my mind and eyes were still on Emil
[ Xavier ]The last night was bliss for me after a long, painful week. Adeline finally crumbled down the invisible wall she made between us. We spent most of the night, awake and cuddling in each other’s arms. We didn’t talk much. Only I knew how I restrained myself from having her but she might regret it later.I have to wait until she is ready to mend the ridge between us or should I say, I must choose a path as soon as possible. I have to give Emily what she needs to live her life independently. And I am going to start by giving her a job in our Boston branch so she’d be away from spotlight.My phone vibrated and it showed my father’s number. We hadn’t talked much in recent days since he had been taking his treatment and he needs rest from worries.“Hello, Dad. How are you?” I asked him.“What am I hearing, my son?” Came his flat voice from the other side, I could detect traces of shock in his words as well.“What are you hearing, Dad? Can you tell me in detail so I can give you a