[ Adeline ]“Sandra, this new proposal looks good and I hope Mr. Loyd will like it but don’t you think we should first ask our marketing team’s opinion because only they know what future a proposal holds in the market, no matter how intriguing it looks on the papers.” I said to Sandra. She came to my house with the final copy of the revised plan which we have to present to Mr. Loyd in next three days but a part of me wasn’t satisfied with the idea.She removed her specs and gave me a confused look. The team revised it four times before presenting it to me but I wasn’t satisfied with the outcome.“Ma’am, the marketing team has reviewed it and they think we have great opportunities in next twenty years if we go forward with this roadmap.” She said.“Did they really say it?” I asked her in confusion.“Yes, Ma’am but if you want, I’ll forward this report again to them and ask them to do more research before the final presentation.” She said, her face was contoured with disappointment.“I
[ Adeline ]“What..what..do you mean?” I blinked my eyes to believe what I just heard from her.“Oh, forget it, Ma’am. I might be misunderstood. Maybe, these pills are also given for other stomach problems. You couldn’t be pregnant otherwise you would have known this before anyone else.” She said to clear the air.I couldn’t speak, I felt like someone had knocked the air out of my lungs. My family’s fallen faces, Xavier’s dull eyes and his attempts to avoid my questions and whenever my stomach ached.“Ma’am, please, don’t think about it too much. Stress isn’t good for you.” Sandra touched my shoulder as I sat there like a stone statue.“Sandra, I want to be alone for some time. Can you come back tomorrow with the final report?” I requested her because I needed time to stop my brain from running in every direction. I needed answer from my family because if it’s true, I’d kill Arthur and Emily with my bare hands.“Sure, Ma’am. Please, take care of yourself and don’t mind my words seriou
[ Xavier ]A week has passed, Adeline is recovering, her stitches are removed but there’s an invisible rift between us since she broke down into my arms. She received the news of her miscarriage. It was a tough moment for us but the way she consoled me, despite being in the same grief, it showed how brave my wife is.I can’t forgive myself for shelling her out of our mutual grief because I wanted to save her from more pain but it turned out that she’s stronger than me, she took it very bravely and took an oath to punish our sinners in the worst way possible.Today’s the D day.I looked at my appearance in the giant mirror, I look confident, dominating in the charcoal black suit. I wear dark black on my important days but today, I matched it with metallic grey shirt and blue tie.“Sir, are you ready? You’re not wearing your watch, Sir. Should I bring it for you?” My PA asked me.“Yes, bring my Rolex Daytona. I am wearing it today.” I said and his eyes dilated.I gave him a side glance.
[ Xavier ]“Wait here, I’ll be back in five minutes.” I instructed my driver and stepped out of the car on a bright sunny day. I put my shades on and walked forward with my head high.Her back was facing me as she talked animatedly with her friend whose eyes landed on me first and she gestured her to turn back.“Xavier?” Her eyes scrunched up and the wide, cunning smile wore off her lips.“Good morning, Emily.” I greeted her but she didn’t look pleased to see me outside a Prada store.“What are you doing here?” She asked me while avoiding any eye contact with me.“I came here to buy some clothes for my wife and I spotted you with your friend.” I replied waving at her friend with a smile, who scanned me from top to bottom like I was a piece of meat.“Hello, Mr. Linwood. I can recommend you some new, trendy clothes which will suit your wife.” She grinned at me.“Sure, you can pick some clothes for my wife and make sure they’re comfortable because she is on wheelchair. You can buy someth
[ Adeline ]“You’re looking absolutely stunning, Ade and before you complain about your wheelchair, these ladies will tell you how gracious you look on your throne.” My Mom jumped in excitement when she saw me all dressed up but sitting on the chair, waiting to be shifted on my wheelchair.“Your mother is right, Ma’am. This wheelchair isn’t hindering your beauty. You still look the same, powerful and gracious yet like a princess.” My maids complimented me and I blushed.“Xavier has a taste in women’s clothing. Just look at this dress. I am in love with it.” Mom clasped her hands. I stared at my reflection.Xavier chose a red fluffy gown with frills to hide my casted leg. If I sit, nobody would be able to notice but I won’t hide it anymore. If my husband and my loved ones are being proud of me and support me on every step of my life, I’d not disappoint them.“May I come in?” My husband’s deep yet smooth voice interrupted our conversation. The maids excused themselves immediately but Mo
[ Adeline ]“Don’t be nervous love, you have faced it so many times.” Xavier whispered to me while wheeling me inside the convention hall where he had thrown the party.“Yes, I did but we haven’t done something this big before, Xav.” I replied and flashed polite smile at the cameramen. They were allowed to cover the event except the trusted media houses. They were the same people who assassin my character recently. It was my way to show them that they can’t force me to give up.“Time for the show to begin. Put up your best smile, my love which will burn the enemies’ hearts.” He said.The spotlight fell on us as Xavier wheeled me on the centre of the podium. I spotted his secretory with the microphone. Xavier took the microphone from him. Our guests were famous and prominent personalities. I palms began to sweat but I acted confident. I also saw the Linwood family and my mother with Lisa on the front tables. My eyes scanned the crowd for my father but he couldn’t be seen anywhere.“Goo
[ Xavier ]I was busy interacting with my guests when my eyes landed on the only person whom I wanted to see tonight. She walked inside the hall in a shimmery red dress with her friend behind. Her hawk like eyes searched for someone and my eyes followed her keenly. She was a red sign and I don’t want her anywhere near my loved ones.When her gaze fell on my wife and she smiled sinisterly, my sixth sense alerted me. I excused myself from my guests and made my way in their direction but she was already shaking her hand with my wife.“I heard about your accident and trust me, Adeline. I was worried about you.” I heard her saying to my wife and my blood boiled. This woman was trying to rub salt on our wounds, specially Adeline.“I didn’t expect you to come, Miss Jones and Miss Candance but we’re glad to have you here. Please, enjoy the party.” I said placing my both hands on Adeline’s shoulders from behind.Emily’s smirk dropped seeing me and my closeness with Adeline.“Mr. Linwood, thank
[ Adeline ]Arnold was holding the microphone in his hand, his eyes were on the people who had been waiting for him to end the suspense. His face looked guilt free and a strange calmness settled on his old, sick face.“Good evening, my dear friends and my family. I know you all have been wondering why my son called me here to address you all, right?” He began his speech.I held Xavier’s hand tightly to wait for the moment.“Forty years ago, my first wife and I took over the control of this company. People used to call us the ‘power couple’ and we actually proved that our coordination wasn’t only limited to our house but also in our business. She laid the company to a new zenith and even built her own company by her hard work and passion. Sadly, I lost her. I and my son grieved her death but it didn’t stop us from fulfilling her dreams. My daughter-in-law is the reflection of my wife. Tonight, I am feeling very proud to announce my retirement because I am suffering from cancer and I ha