The knock on the door made Sparkle woke up. It was Kate, she opened the door without a response from Sparkle. "What time did you get home yesterday? I was worried sick of you, Where were you?"Sparkle stretched on the bed without opening her eyes. "Mum, I had to finish up with some important things that's why I returned late. I'm fine" she muttered. Kate looked at her for a second time." We'll see to that when you're awake, it seems you didn't know what you caused last night". She said and stormed out of her room.Sparkle woke up again after three hours to the soft rays of the morning sun filtering through her bedroom window. The events of the previous day flooded her mind, and she knew she had to reach out to Ned to share the updates about Nora. she grabbed her phone and dialed his number.Ned answered, his voice laced with curiosity and concern. "Sparkle, is everything alright? Did you find Nora?" he asked, a hint of urgency in his tone.Taking a deep breath, Sparkle began to tell h
At the sight of Ryan Nora froze, Sparkle stood in shock while Ned tightened his grip around the weapon, his senses on high alert. "Ryan," he spat, his voice sounding like that of a wounded lion. "What are you doing here? Nothing concerns you here"Ryan smiled darkly, his gaze fixed on Sparkle. "Oh, but it is my concern, isn't it?" he retorted,. "You think you can just play safe and think you can take Nora away from me? Well, I won't let that happen."Sparkle's heart pounded in her chest as she stared at Ryan, her mind trying to find a way out of this ugly situation. With a steely courage, Sparkle stepped forward, her voice filled with authority. "Ryan, this isn't about you. Nora deserves to be free from your manipulation and control. We won't let you harm her anymore."Ryan's expression twisted into a mask of rage, his grip tightening around a concealed object in his hand, something he hid but the shape of it looked like a dangerous weapon. "You have no idea what you're getting yours
Sparkle's hand sank into her stomach as she seems to mistakenly press the send button on her phone, her hand trembled with fear and anxiety. The piercing sound of the gunshot and the thud of someone falling to the ground echoed in her ears, sending shivers down her spine. Her heart raced, pounding against her chest, as she struggled to compose herself and gather her thoughts. She bent down on the other side of Ned's car, her legs failing to move as she intends to move from her position. Her phone slipped from her, she tried to gasp for breath as Ryan's voice followed immediately. "Who fired that shot?" He asked but he got no response. He pulled his trigger and faced his boys. "Who did?" He asked again. "You still don't want to say?" He asked, as he let out a shot in the air. One of his boys dropped his gun and raised his hands up. Ryan rushed to grab his collar"You incompetent fool!" Ryan screamed through gritted teeth, his voice laced with anger. "What have you done? You've jeopardi
Nora watched the doctor leave her with what doesn't make sense to her. "How can that be the only word that can proceed from his mouth?" She asked in a whisper. She sat down for some time but after a about an hour, she rose up as she paced back and forth in the corridor, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and anticipation. "What if you take a seat?" Sparkle asked her"Sparkle, I can't just stand here," Nora said, her voice trembling with fear. "I need to know how he's doing. I need to see him."Sparkle gently hold Nora's hand, her touch calm and reassuring. "I understand, Nora, but remember what the doctor said. Ned is in critical condition, and the medical team is doing everything they can," she said, her voice filled with sympathy. "Rushing into the surgery room won't change anything. We need to trust in their expertise."Nora's shoulders slumped. She leaned against the wall, tears welling up in her eyes. "I know, Sparkle. It's just so hard to wait, not knowing if he's going
I have to start by introducing myself properly, my name is Nora, the only daughter, and last child of the late plantation owner; Mr. Gabriel. I was raised single-handedly by my father because my mother left us when I was still a baby. The only people I knew as a family were my Dad and my two elder brothers but when I was three years of age, my elder brother died due to a sickness he had sustained at birth. After his death, I was left with my father and Ryan; my brother. At age 12, Ryan became a rude boy and this gave my Dad concern because he was the only male child he had left, all efforts to make him change his bad ways proved abortive. Well, I wasn't close to him because of his bad ways. My father had a lot of workers at his plantation, so, every morning we all report there to watch them do their work and also to give them little assistance. Ned was one of the hard-working workers my Dad had. His childhood experience was similar to mine but more tragic than mine. Ned was raised
I sat down and watched him move around like he was looking for what I wanted. I knew that he couldn't get it right. Donald looked at me for some seconds then he looked at the fish that were neatly arranged on the flat tray. Knowing fully well that he couldn't get it, he returned to plead with me that I should come and get the one I wanted but I insisted that he must be the one to get it for me. After much deliberation between us, Donald decided to go and collect the one that was right in front of him. Guess what? He didn't get what I wanted. When he came to sit close to me he said " You don't have to be annoyed with what I gave you, I might not know what you like today but I know that one day, I will get to know it. Secondly, you don't pass a final judgment on someone because he failed a test that you have given to them unknowingly". His last words made me scared. What! How come did he know what was in my mind? Could it be that Ryan told him or was he just saying it because of sa
Was I sure if what I just saw? Was it a dream or was it reality that was playing right in front of me? I decided not to conclude yet because I really can't tell if it was Ned, besides, his mask was covering his face. I knew I was deceiving myself again. My heart knows that it was Ned I just had a conversation with, but I don't want to believe it. Suddenly, tears dropped from my eyes. I ran into the restroom to put myself together before I came out to Join others to party. Soonest the master of the ceremony stepped on the podium to officially welcome Mr. Ned that everyone was waiting for. " We have all been gathered here for the official launching of the Nora's wine that is proudly brought to us by Mr. Ned. By now, I want to believe that everyone has had the taste of the Nora's wine. Yessssss. The crowd cheered as they accompanied their response with an applause. Ladies and gentlemen, I present the face behind the Nora's wine; Mr. Ned. The shout and cheer from the crowd made thi
" In other to make Desmond to be normal again, I had to come and replace his dead sister. That's the reason you see me living here.He was given some drugs to take so that it will also help his situation, but some times he doesn't take it that's why we're worried about him. Sparkle concluded.I heaved a sigh of relief, as I watched her leave me in tears. " Till death do us apart" I said in tears. The next month was planned for the grand opening of the lost son. I was having mixed feelings because on one hand I was happy that someone was coming to live with us and on the other hand, I was so scared due to the way my husband has been acting lately. I never allowed his attitude to bother me much because i expected that from him. The long awaited day finally came, the decorations were so beautiful, everywhere smelt like a heaven. At exactly 7pm, everyone was sitted for the event to begin. We sat at the front, so i had a full glance of everything. After a brief introduction and recogniti
Nora watched the doctor leave her with what doesn't make sense to her. "How can that be the only word that can proceed from his mouth?" She asked in a whisper. She sat down for some time but after a about an hour, she rose up as she paced back and forth in the corridor, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and anticipation. "What if you take a seat?" Sparkle asked her"Sparkle, I can't just stand here," Nora said, her voice trembling with fear. "I need to know how he's doing. I need to see him."Sparkle gently hold Nora's hand, her touch calm and reassuring. "I understand, Nora, but remember what the doctor said. Ned is in critical condition, and the medical team is doing everything they can," she said, her voice filled with sympathy. "Rushing into the surgery room won't change anything. We need to trust in their expertise."Nora's shoulders slumped. She leaned against the wall, tears welling up in her eyes. "I know, Sparkle. It's just so hard to wait, not knowing if he's going
Sparkle's hand sank into her stomach as she seems to mistakenly press the send button on her phone, her hand trembled with fear and anxiety. The piercing sound of the gunshot and the thud of someone falling to the ground echoed in her ears, sending shivers down her spine. Her heart raced, pounding against her chest, as she struggled to compose herself and gather her thoughts. She bent down on the other side of Ned's car, her legs failing to move as she intends to move from her position. Her phone slipped from her, she tried to gasp for breath as Ryan's voice followed immediately. "Who fired that shot?" He asked but he got no response. He pulled his trigger and faced his boys. "Who did?" He asked again. "You still don't want to say?" He asked, as he let out a shot in the air. One of his boys dropped his gun and raised his hands up. Ryan rushed to grab his collar"You incompetent fool!" Ryan screamed through gritted teeth, his voice laced with anger. "What have you done? You've jeopardi
At the sight of Ryan Nora froze, Sparkle stood in shock while Ned tightened his grip around the weapon, his senses on high alert. "Ryan," he spat, his voice sounding like that of a wounded lion. "What are you doing here? Nothing concerns you here"Ryan smiled darkly, his gaze fixed on Sparkle. "Oh, but it is my concern, isn't it?" he retorted,. "You think you can just play safe and think you can take Nora away from me? Well, I won't let that happen."Sparkle's heart pounded in her chest as she stared at Ryan, her mind trying to find a way out of this ugly situation. With a steely courage, Sparkle stepped forward, her voice filled with authority. "Ryan, this isn't about you. Nora deserves to be free from your manipulation and control. We won't let you harm her anymore."Ryan's expression twisted into a mask of rage, his grip tightening around a concealed object in his hand, something he hid but the shape of it looked like a dangerous weapon. "You have no idea what you're getting yours
The knock on the door made Sparkle woke up. It was Kate, she opened the door without a response from Sparkle. "What time did you get home yesterday? I was worried sick of you, Where were you?"Sparkle stretched on the bed without opening her eyes. "Mum, I had to finish up with some important things that's why I returned late. I'm fine" she muttered. Kate looked at her for a second time." We'll see to that when you're awake, it seems you didn't know what you caused last night". She said and stormed out of her room.Sparkle woke up again after three hours to the soft rays of the morning sun filtering through her bedroom window. The events of the previous day flooded her mind, and she knew she had to reach out to Ned to share the updates about Nora. she grabbed her phone and dialed his number.Ned answered, his voice laced with curiosity and concern. "Sparkle, is everything alright? Did you find Nora?" he asked, a hint of urgency in his tone.Taking a deep breath, Sparkle began to tell h
Both ladies engaged themselves in series of conversations but as as the daylight began to fade, Sparkle knew it was time for her to leave and return home. She look out the window and admired the golden hues of the setting sun, casting a warm lighting over the city streets. The realization that she had to say goodbye to Nora for now pierced her heart, but she knew she had to go."Nora," Sparkle called softly, "I have to head back home now, Mom and Dad will be waiting; you know how they are, right?. But before I go, I want you to know how proud I am of you. You've shown incredible strength and resilience in the face of trials. Remember that I'm just a phone call away if you ever need someone to talk to or if you need anything at all."Nora smiled appreciatively, her eyes reflecting a newfound determination. "Thank you, Sparkle. I don't know what I would have done without your support and understanding. You've been my strength throughout this journey, and I'm grateful to have you as a fr
Ned looked at sparkle for some seconds, he could tell from her face expression, that she was tensed but was resolved to push further with his questions.He leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Sparkle, He knew that the answers he sought may be within Sparkle's knowledge but he doubted her possiblity of opening up, but he was prepared to press for the truth."Sparkle, I need to know the truth, I need you to be open to me" Ned began, his voice steady yet laced with urgency. "Were you involved in Nora's disappearance?"Sparkle shifted uncomfortably in her seat, avoiding Ned's eyes. Her fingers intertwined nervously as she struggled to find the right words. The silence in the room hung heavy, the weight of their unsteady eye contact brought tension between them."Ned, I..." Sparkle's voice quivered, her eyes filled with guilt and uncertainty. "I did help Nora escape. I couldn't bear to see her suffer, but I can't tell you where she is."Ned's heart sank at Sparkle's admission. While reliev
"I believe that he'll be fine. We just need to be strong for him and for ourselves at this point". Mr Harris advised his family. He sat on one of the chairs in the living room, watching everyone dispersing.Kate entered her room, the weight of her emotions crashing over her. She closed the door behind her, Collapsing onto her bed, she buried her face in her hands and let out the tears that seemed to originate from the depths of her soul.The image of Desmond's distressed face appeared in he thoughtsr, his nonsensical and meaningless words echoing in her mind. As a mother, she had always strived to protect her children, to shield them from pain and turmoil. Yet now, she felt helpless, powerless to help her son. She thought about how she had lost her daughter at a tender age and how she was replaced with Sparkle, and now Desmond is almost slipping out of her hands.Tears streamed down Kate's face as she allowed herself to fully embrace her grief. She wept not only for her son but also f
"Hey boss," Mike greeted Ryan. "Why the sudden change of plans?. Ryan looked at him in an annoying way, "that's not the reason I called you here, we have to get to work immediately". He told him as he turned to the direction of the roomRyan and Desmond entered the room. The dimly lit space revealed an empty bed, the absence of Nora casting a shadow of uncertainty over their plans. They exchanged worried glances, their brows furrowed in confusion."Where could she be?" Ryan muttered under his breath, his voice laced with frustration. He scanned the room, hoping for some clue or sign of Nora's whereabouts. "Desmond, where did you leave before you followed Ned"?.Desmond, his mind filled with worry, did bother to give Ryan a response. He approached the window and looked outside. His gaze shifting from one corner of the plantation to another, searching for any trace of movement. A sinking feeling settled in the pit of his stomach as he realized Nora was nowhere in sight."She must have
Ned walked out of his father's house, heading towards the car park, but his mind was still unsettled. Since he was in the house, he didn't set his eyes on Desmond nor did he hear his voice. "Would it be wise if I ask after him or should I just mind my business"? He asked himself, taking a halt. After some minutes of deliberation, he returned into the sitting."Did you forget something?" Kate's voice came through."No ma'am. I wanted bro ask about Desmond's health. How's he coping? Ned asked. Harris saw the compassion in his son's eyes. Despite the misunderstanding that always erupt between them, he still cared about his welfare. " Desmond is fine" His father finally said, "Do you want to see him?" He asked. "Sure Dad" Ned responded. His father led the way and they followed suit, he opened the door with his key but their heart sank as they stepped into Desmond's empty room. The air felt heavy with disappointment and frustration. He looked around, hoping to find some clue or indication