"You have school tomorrow, Princess."Rumi shrugged. "Yes, Grandma can bring me to the office. I will give Melissa her gift and then Grandma will take me to school."Damien sighed. If there was anything he knew well about his daughter, it was the fact that she got easily attached to people and things. And he was not sure if he wanted her to get attached to Melissa. Especially now that they were over.Damien brought his hands to his daughter's face and caressed her cheek with the back of his fingers."I'm not sure it's her birthday, baby.""But why did she have so many presents on her table? She looked really good too. Like she had a party.""I don't know. The truth is, I am not sure if it is her birthday today because we would have known. Right, Betty?" Damien took a glance at Betty who nodded."But we can always find out her birth date," Betty added, earning a glare from Damien."There are probably gifts from her admirer," Damien said to his daughter."Someone likes her?""I guess so
"Hi. How may I help you?""Melissa Rue Wilson?""Yes, that's me." Mel said, staring suspiciously at the stranger who knew her name."Name your price."Mel frowned. "Sorry?""Oh, I think this process would be quick if you stop trying to go through corners as though you do not understand what I am saying.""Excuse me?" Melissa stepped out of the house and gently shut the door behind her."I have never seen you before and you dare speak to me harshly. What the hell are you talking about?"The stranger scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You are with Damien Rolas because of his money, right? Name your price. I will give you whatever you ask for and in exchange, you quit working for him and stay away from him forever."Melissa stared in shock at the stranger. "Who the hell are you and what gives you the right to talk to me like that?"The stranger chuckled. "I know your type. You really do not have to pretend. I promise your secret is safe with me. Name your price, I will give you the money and yo
Melissa was typing away on her laptop when a knock came through on her door. She answered it and almost immediately, the door opened and Jackie walked in.Jackie was Damien's assistant. She stood a few steps away from Melissa's desk."Hi Mel, Mr Rolas wants to see you.""I'll be there shortly," Meissa answered, getting ready to stand from where she was seated.Jackie was almost on her way out when she turned back."Everything okay?" She asked, staring curiously at Melissa who finally rose to her feet, adjusting her skirt."Yes, but why do you ask?""You seem quiet. Everything good at home?""Yes, thank you.""Sorry, I'm freaking you out with my questions but things just seem awfully quiet on this floor today and this is the first time Mr Rolas would ask me to call on you. Are you both on good terms?"Melissa nodded, not knowing what else to say.Jackie smiled. "That's fine then. I am sorry for assuming wrong." Jackie said, then exited Melissa's office.Mel heaved a deep sigh once Jack
"You were so ruthless." Roland's voice came through over the phone."I agree with Roland," Taylor said. "That was so harsh of you."Damien sighed as he stood in front of the window. His phone was glued to his left ear while he ran his fingers through his hair with his free hand."You all are exaggerating. I was just being me. That is what we agreed upon. She wanted it. She wanted this to be strictly business between us and I am not going to lower my standard for anyone.""I would agree with your behavior if you are sure that you don't love her anymore. But if you still love her and you are acting like this. I just want you to know that there is no way she is going to get back to you." Roland said."We aren't getting back together so it doesn't matter.""So that's it? You are giving up on her? You wouldn't mind if I come over and woo her?" Ty said."Stay the hell away from her!!!!!!" Damien groaned, his hand bawling into a fist by his side."Why are you upset by that? She is not going
"Yes, my dear. We have a business deal to discuss over dinner.""Really? Damien wants to do business with her?""Is it a bad idea?" Victoria stared at her daughter intently."Come on, Mom. I hate that you and Damien are thinking it is perfectly okay to do business with her when you could clearly tell of her intentions. Then he goes as far as inviting her over for dinner. Really?""Calm down, baby. Their relationship failed in the past but it doesn't mean they cannot do business together. Besides, Daisy is married. I'm sure she cannot do anything silly anymore."Betty rolled her eyes. "That is where you are getting it all wrong. You all are trusting her so blindly.""I honestly don't get Damien. He seemed to have lost his senses since Melissa broke up with him. He is pushing for a divorce with Rhoda and he thinks now is the best time to start hanging out or doing business with exes. I don't know why he is acting so dumb when Rhoda could use things like that against him.""I know Damien
Damien watched as Gabby engaged in conversations with Melissa while having a big smile on her face. It was as though they knew each other before.Damien went ahead to unbuckle his seatbelt. He turned his gaze back to the front of the block and saw Melissa crouch down and hugged the little boy who hugged her in return. She kissed his forehead before rising to her feet. Then made her way to the car.Damien got down from the car. Melissa drove away by the time he shut the door. He took a glance at the moving car while making his way to the back passenger seat to open the door for his daughter.Rumi had already locked her iPad. She was putting the device into her bag when her Dad opened the door.Damien helped her down from the car. He was about to reach for her backpack when Rumi ran off. "Ryan!!!!"He took her backpack, shut the door, and even got more confused when he saw Rumi hugging the same boy.Holding his daughter's bag, Damien made his way towards the block. He mumbled some incoh
Melissa was a few steps away from her office when she saw Betty standing in front of her door. She mentally rolled her eyes as she approached her door."Hi," Betty said with a polite smile."Hi," Melissa responded, holding her handbag tighter."If this is about your brother, Please I don't want to hear it. Nothing is going on between us. Just a work relationship and I would appreciate it if you respect that."Betty folded her arms. "Damien has really been an asshole. Hasn't he?""There's no need to say nasty words. Life happens. We fall in love and out of love. The same happens with friendships. Shit happens, life happens."Betty shook her head. "There's no need to cover up for him. Dam is just an asshole. I'm hurt because I really like you for him so I was hoping something amazing would happen between you both. Nothing ever gets solved if both parties are in a foul mood. One person has to be calm and in this situation, it has to be Damien but I honestly don't understand him.""It fee
Melissa shook her head. "Me? What do I look like to you? A toddler? And there's no way you are going to take my son away from me.""He's my son too. The one you've kept away from me for all these years. The first time I saw him was like an event of two strangers meeting. He said Hi to me and I could not respond to him because I was too shocked to even make a proper sentence."Melissa sighed deeply."I know what I saw in you that made me fall in love with you, Melissa. But never in my wildest dreams would I have thought you would be this cruel, keeping my son away from me.""I'm not the bad guy here, Damien so Please don't make me feel like one. A mother would protect her child at all costs and that is what I'm doing. I respect the fact that Ryan is your flesh and blood but until you solve your issues, there is no way I will allow him to be a part of this.""Don't you trust me at all?" Damien asked, staring at her in disbelief.Melissa said nothing."Someone came to your home to threat