[ Xavier ]“Sir, this area isn’t safe. I advise you to return because if someone catches you here, wandering in the shady area of the city, they’ll spread it like a wild fire. You know what consequences it’d bring to us.” My men advised me but there was no backing out for me tonight.“We won’t be spending much time here, Ross. We’ll take Randy with us and leave. The rest will be handled in our basement.” I replied to him and entered in a small, crowdy bar where I could see men drunken, cursing and also fighting among themselves. It was a nasty place, reeking of sweat, alcohol and tobacco but I had to do this for my family.“Where is Randy?” I asked the bartender, she was a woman with tattooed arms.“Who are you, Mister? The president of the country whom I answer? Get lost if you are penniless because we only accept cash.” She gave me a mocking look and resumed her work.“I think this is enough for your mother’s next medical bill, Jennie.” I slapped a thousand dollars on the counter wh
[ Xavier ]“What took you this long, Xavier? And what is with this dress up? Are you going to club with Travis?” My wife bombarded me with questions while I listened to her quietly. She looks really cute with frown.“I am not very late, it’s only eight forty-five. I admit, I was supposed to join you and Dad for the dinner but I went for area survey.” I told her partial truth because I hate lying to her.“Area survey, at this hour?” She frowned again and I had to admit that my wife is also very smart, if I don’t elaborate her everything in detail, then she’ll dig deeper and the truth will eventually come out.“Yes, the research team informed me that there are some unregistered and illegal buildings on the property where your ship manufacturing factory will set up in next two months and they’re very lousy people. I was there to negotiate with them peacefully but when they threw tantrums, I made them understand by greasing their palms. Money has the absolute power, Adeline. They agreed t
[ Xavier ]“Did he say something?” I asked Ross when I reached at the basement of my ‘Inferno’ to check upon Randy.“No, Sir, he isn’t opening his mouth and whenever he speaks, he throws profanities at us. Jesus! His mouth is a garbage bin.” Ross replied with a disgusted face.“Let’s check how much he can curse when I show him the real inferno.” I smirked and made my way to the downstairs to confront Randy who would give me the details of Linda and Arthur. I have to end their game forever because I can’t wait to start a new life with Adeline and I don’t want them anywhere near us and our future family.When I reached downstairs, I saw Randy tied on a chair, his face was swollen with the marks kindness by my men, his torn clothes were smeared in blood.“Good morning, Randy.” I wished him to gain his attention and he opened his bruised eyes.“You motherfucker! Why are you standing there like a coward. If you have balls then release me and see how I’d leave you without a skin on your thi
[ Adeline ]Xavier is behaving strange nowadays. He leaves early for the office and comes late than his usual time. Whenever I tried to ask him, he diverts the subject and makes love to me to brush off the subject and it began to bother me. my intercom suddenly buzzed, thus pulling me out of my private life’s dilemma.“Ma’am, Mr. Linwood is here and he wants to see you.” Sandra informed me.“Yes, send him inside.” I said and leaned back on the chair. It was my day to work in the headquarter of Linwood Corp.A minute later, Xavier walked inside my office with a tired smile on his handsome face.“Hey, are you ready to back home?” He asked me.I rose from my chair and collected my jacket and purse, “Since when you need my permission to enter in my office?” I asked him playfully while he wrapped his arm around my shoulder.“You’re my CEO here and it’s inappropriate for me to disturb you during your working hours. You know I believe in keeping my private life separate from work.” He said s
[ Xavier ]I felt half of my heart burden being lifted when I told Adeline about the location of our enemies but I had to hide the main part of the truth. She took it very maturely and promised me that she’d take care of herself. It relieved me, she is a sensible woman but it didn’t lessen my fear for her safety. She also expressed her wish to plan a baby soon and I was on the cloud nine. I can’t wait any longer to have my own family with the woman who is my everything.“Hey, what are you doing here? Your Dad is asking for you.” Adeline’s sweet voice forced me to turn around.“I was on an important call with my P.A. I instructed him to clear my schedule for tomorrow.” I told her and it was true.“If you are done with all your important calls then can we go back in Arnold’s room? He isn’t feeling well and it’s better if we spend some time with him before he falls asleep.” She said and her concern for my father made me love her even more.“Coming, my love.” I said wrapping my arm around
[ Xavier ]I felt numb from inside, I was in pain but my tears didn’t melt it out of my heart. I blankly stared at the fresh tombstone of my father’s grave. People are offering their condolences but I hardly paid any attention to them because it was just an obligation for them to be a part of a rich and influential man’s funeral. Very few of them had genuine sympathy for me.I wish I could stay long with him a week ago when he said his last words to us. He knew they were his last moments. Next day, when his nurse went to check upon him, he already slipped into his eternal sleep.“Xavier, it’s almost dusk and most of the people have left. Let’s go back home.” Adeline’s soft voice reached into my ears and her gentle tug on my hand.“I want to stay here for some time. You should go back home with Grandma. She needs you by her side.” I said to her. Her eyes were gloomy as mine but she stood like a rock beside me as she promised to my father.“Xavier, I can’t measure the depth of your pain
[ Adeline ]“Grandma, please eat something. At least, take a glass of milk.” I requested the grieving mother who just returned from her son’s funeral. She had mourned him for a week and now, her tears had dried up.“Come sit with me, dear. This loneliness is killing me.” She said in a low voice. I could feel her pain but she is a brave woman who was trying her best to act calm and hadn’t shed a tear after the burial.I sat down on the opposite chair from her. It was an early winter morning. I decided to stay home most of the time whenever my presence isn’t mandatory at work because grandmother’s health wasn’t good since Arnold’s death.“I have brought some fruits and milk, Grandma. Please, eat something first, not for yourself or anyone but Xavier. He has lost his father and you’re the only parent figure in his life.” I tried again and this time a lone tear escaped from her old eyes.“This regret won’t go from my heart until I die, Adeline. I punished my son for more than thirty years
[ Xavier ]I had been dealing with this dilemma for three days. I also consulted with my lawyers and ask them to find a way out of this mess but they all advised me that I should talk and try to negotiate with Alessandro De Niro and annul the conditions or pray the god to not bless me with a girl.“This is insane. Why did you do it, Dad?” I let out my frustration in the whiff of smoke. I rarely smoke and it was one of the moments and I feel totally lost, all the doors seemed to be closed for me.“Sir, I think you should talk to this Alessandro guy first. I have done a deep investigation on his background and whatever I found out, you may not be pleased after learning about his family background.” Zach, whom I gave the task to find everything about this squeaky clean man.I put off my reading glasses and gave him a curious look.“I know you want your payment first but this time, it’s about my family or should I say my child’s future who isn’t born yet.” I sighed and scoffed at the ridi
[ Adeline ]“Good morning, sleepy head. It’s nine in the morning and our little devils are waiting for their mom to wake up.” I heard my husband’s husky voice in my ear and lazily I opened my eyes. His beautiful eyes looked more intense in the bright sunlight which was peeking through the window.I cupped his face and brought him close to peck his forehead, “Good morning, love. It’s not my fault that I slept till this late.” I said and threw my arms around his torso.“Don’t blame me, you look ravishing in red and black and it’s been a week since I last had you.” He defended himself.“Now, it’s my fault?” I raised my brows while he took me to the bathroom and placed me on the countertop. He applied toothpaste on my brush and gave it to me.“Thanks, love. You can leave now. I’ll join you and our sons in fifteen minutes.” I said but he remained there.“What?” I gave him a confused look.“I won’t mind taking another shower with my sexy wife who’s looking more ravishing with my marks on he
[ Xavier ]The day of the judgement has finally come. I held my wife’s hand tightly, it was a silent promise that no matter what happens today, I’d stick by her side and we’ll start a new journey together today. The trial was in progress, my lawyers were doing their best to prove Emily and Linda guilty but I didn’t think Linda would get imprisonment, her mental health worsened after the death of her son. She couldn’t believe that he was actually gone.It was more severe punishment, she’d live the rest of her life in this pain and denial. Speaking of Emily, she remained silent throughout the hearing. Her family didn’t show up as they were hiding themselves from the law but her brother testified against her.We also brought the father of her ex-boyfriend in Cananda to solidify a murder case against her.“We’re going to win this case, Xav.” Adeline whispered to me.“I don’t doubt that. I am thinking where should we go to celebrate this day, just you and me.” I gave her a side glance.“Le
[ Adeline ]“Yes, Addison. You look pale, maybe sick. What’s the matter?” I asked my sister with a raised brow while Adam was busy playing with the house staff. I told Xavier not to come out because he and Addison still don’t look into eyes.She looked here and there, the coffee I served her was still untouched. She was tapping her foot on the floor, which does it whenever she’s nervous.“Look, we both aren’t very close, I get it but it has a brighter side. You don’t expect me to judge you or give you advise, you just want to talk, then talk. I am listening.” I said to ease her and she looked up.“But you must promise me that you won’t tell Mom or anyone else.” She said and I was shocked, she was requesting me.“If you have doubts on me then don’t tell me. I didn’t ask you to come to me.” I said in a little annoyed tone, blame my imbalanced hormones.“I didn’t mean in that way.” She tried to justify and a tensed silence sprawled between us.“Addison, if you are seeing yourself on a cr
[ Adeline ]“Hey, I told you not to move much. Your wound is healed but it doesn’t mean that you’d be walking and running here and there like this.” I reprimanded my husband who was watering the plants in our balcony.“Ade, don’t treat me like a patient anymore. It’s been four weeks and my wound is completely healed. In fact, you should take care of yourself now.” He said turning to face me.“Yes, you’re right but I am taking care of myself, Mr. Linwood. You should worry about yourself. The doctors advised you to avoid pressure on your muscles for next two months. Take it seriously, Xav. You’ll be a father very soon and this kind of behaviour isn’t appreciative from any angle.” I reminded him and on the mention of his baby, his eyes sparkled.He walked briskly towards me and caged me in between his arms, “I still can’t believe that we’re going to have a baby in next seven months. Our boy or girl will be with us to add more happiness in our world.” He said, his smile said a lot than he
[ Adeline ]“Linda, how are you?” I spoke over the microphone and her screaming stopped.“Emily, I hope your leg is healing now. It’s a long time since we met and I am feeling very elated to see you both. I hope you’re being treated well.” I said.“Adeline, you bitch! You coward whore, if you have guts, come in front of me.” Linda sneered and yelled at the cameras.For the first time, I witnessed her losing her temperament and it showed how vulnerable she was. Emily’s eyes moved on the camera as well but she didn’t express anything.“Linda, don’t shout, you’re making it hard for Emily to survive with you.” I said.“You’re enjoying this right? Just remember, if anything happens to me, my son will destroy you and that bastard.” Linda screamed.“I am sorry, Linda but your son can’t do anything now or ever.” I said and suddenly the two sided mirror became transparent and now, she could see me.Her eyes turned dark and she marched towards the glass.“I am going to kill you, Adeline Greyson
[ Adeline ]“What you both did inside? It was ridiculous.” I reprimanded Travis when doctors told us to leave his ward when they came to examine him and proceed with his shift to the hospital which was financed by the Linwood company.“It’s simple, we don’t trust the staff here because we don’t know them. What if his security is breached again by any insider? And what if this news leaks in the media, the damage will be beyond repair and all the suspicion will be pointed on Xavier. The investigation is on full swing and we need to keep low profile until the case is closed.” Travis explained and I thought he was right.“His wounds are fresh, I am afraid if he gets hurt while moving in an ambulance.” I expressed my concern.“Don’t worry, they are the latest technology, bumps on the roads can’t be felt and the best paramedic team will be with him and the route is only of twenty minutes at night time.” Travis assured me and I hoped everything happens smoothly.“Travis, can I ask you for a
[ Xaiver ]“I’m pregnant, Xavier.”These three words sent my mind into frenzy. For a moment, I thought I was dreaming after waking up and it could be the effect of medicines but when she kissed my forehead and placed my hand on her flat belly, my whole world stopped.I was numb to react and unable to process anything. She told me that we’re about to have a baby, our baby. I am going to be a father and when I just narrowly escaped death.The history might repeat itself once again. I could have lost my wife and another child if it wasn’t my fate and the God’s blessings.“Please, say something, Xavier. Your silence isn’t good.” I heard her wavered voice and when I met her eyes, I could see insecurities and many questions.“I can’t kiss you, how horrible a situation can be? I’m going to be a father and I am hearing this news on a hospital bed, with a hole in my stomach. I am overwhelmed, Ade.” I spoke the truth as I was still trying to wrap my mind around this news.“I can understand, Xav
[ Adeline ]“Hey, love. Wake up. See, I am here, your Adeline.” I whispered to the sleeping figure of my husband but he was in a deep sleep under the effect of the medicines. My hands ached to touch him but I was scared of hurting him. His abdomen was wrapped in bandages.I hadn’t left his side since I came back to the hospital with Grandma. Eventually, I had to tell her everything. Sooner or later, she’ll find out so hiding from her wasn’t an option. She took everything really patiently, even the death of her other grandson who wanted to kill her elder grandson. She expressed no remorse for his death.She wanted to come with me to the hospital but I insisted her to stay home and promised to bring her to the hospital once he gains his consciousness.“Xavier, I have to tell you something. I also got to know an hour ago but this is really an amazing news but you have to wake up first because I want to see your reaction when I tell you this.” I talked to him in a hope that he was listeni
[ Adeline ]Hours passed, perhaps the dawn rolled on but we didn’t hear anything from the doctors yet, they just kept rushing out and again going inside with medicines and other supplies, they refused to answer anything and it grew my fear even more. I couldn’t wrap my mind around this sudden halt in my life.“Here, have this or you’ll fall sick, Adeline.” Travis offered me coffee but I refused by shaking my head negatively.“No, I am fine but thanks, Travis.” I tried to smile but failed.He sighed and sat down on the vacant chair beside me.“I can’t feel the depth of your pain and fears, Adeline because I haven’t seen someone I love in this situation but I am here for you and Xavier, always and I know my friend, he won’t like if he learn that you tortured yourself. So, for Xavier, have some coffee. He is under the best care and we’d shift him to the best hospital in the city once his condition stabilizes and the doctors approve his shift.” He said and again tried to make me have the