Chapter Fourteen"You wouldn't want a bastard from a gold digger now, would you?!"Rina stepped backward in shock as Damien suddenly lunged at her, his huge hands wrapped around her slender neck."That's my child you're talking about!" He roared, his eyes bulging with anger as he glared down at her "How dare you refer to it as a bastard?!"Rina had gone pale, and she shook like a leaf in Damien's hands."Damien, what are you doing?!" Vera screamed in a shrill voice as she walked into the room.She had heard Damien roar in anger, and had hurried over to see what was happening only to see this.Rina gasped as she tried to ease the pressure of his huge hands around her neck, and Damien finally let go, when he realized he had held her too tightly.He turned away in fury, raking a hand through his golden hair as his breath came out in huffs.His eyes were red and his nostrils flared with the effort to stay calm.Rina sank to the floor, trembling as tears filled her eyes. Reaching up to tou
Chapter Fifteen"Miss Fernandez, the Directors from REGAL called again. They wanted to know if you're ready to meet them now." Diego said hurriedly, as he tried to keep up with Lana.Lana whipped her sunglasses off her face and into her purse, as she walked briskly into the lobby of the tall skyscraper.It was the headquarters of ALLURE, a fashion design company which she had started three years ago, and was well on it's way to being one of the best in the city.She was followed by her team of directors and managers as well as her bodyguards. They formed a formidable group with Lana in front of them, looking every inch like a queen in her long black dress, that shimmered with thousand of well cut diamonds that had been cleverly sewn into the material of the dress.The dress hugged her figure, and accentuated her perfect curves. It had thin straps and was designed to show her delicate and enticing bare back which was covered at the moment with a very stylish custom made suit jacket.Cl
Chapter Sixteen"Lighten up, Lana. I know what you mean." Zaire flashed a goodnatured smile at her and she finally relaxed.She took a sip of her coffee. It had gone a bit cold so it did not scald her tongue as it did for Zaire when he first tasted it.The rich taste of coffee burst in her mouth, giving off the calming and soothing feeling she always felt when she had her morning coffeeAlthough the smile in Zaire's face was light and cheerful, his eyes held a tinge of sadness. He saw that Lana was still wary about him.He watched Lana and smiled at the contented look on her face as she savored her coffee. His eyes roved over her face, half dazed as he admired the beauty of her heart-shaped face. Her red hair which she styled to the side was luscious and tendrils of red curls framed her face.Occasionally, she would raise a well manicured hand to brush a tendril from her face as she sipped from her coffee.Lana looked up and her soft green eyes fell on Zaire's piercing ones which were
Chapter Seventeen"I need your services, Muse."Lana's eyes widened with shock as she heard Zaire's utter those words. Behind her, Diego had been startled from his position and he blinked rapidly, looking from Zaire to Lana.Zaire was very amused at their expressions, that he almost laughed out loud."Come on, did you think I wouldn't know you were Muse, Lana?" He drawled, cocking an eyebrow at them."I don't know what you're talking about." Lana finally found her voice and she said firmly. She picked up her coffee again and took another sip.She kept her eyes defiantly away from Zaire as she denied the Muse title. She had thought she kept the identity really secret, but of course, Zaire was just too smart for her.Actually, Zaire had not been sure if she was Muse and had only said that on a whim. But the expressions of Lana and Diego was enough to confirm his earlier suspicions.It only made sense that Lana was Muse. He had seem her work and knew how spectacular they were. Most of th
Chapter Eighteen"Pierre Evans would be at SERENE'S Fashion show?!" Lana breathed softly, a smile stretching her lips. She looked up at Zaire and added "I'd be honored to wear his dress."Zaire gave her a broad grin, "I thought you would. I'll let Mr Evans know immediately."He stood up as he spoke and Lana did the same too, walking him to the door. Her face was flushed and still lit up in awe. The atmosphere in the room sudden became lighter, happier with the news Zaire brought.She was really grateful to him. Zaire looked at her pleased expression, and gave himself a mental pat for a job well done.He was determined to make her happy all the time. If he continued this way, perhaps she might give him a chance and open up her heart to him.Or so he thought."Let me walk you to your car," Lana offered and he nodded.He straightened his sharp designer suit, and took long strides towards the huge double doors with brass handles.As he reached for the handle, however, the door was suddenl
Chapter NineteenClarissa nodded satisfactorily, staring into Lana's determined eyes. "That's my girl. We are so over nasty cheats and ex-husbands, okay?" She affirmed and Lana giggled before nodding.Clarissa knew everything about Lana's life back in Oakcrest city. When Lana had returned home and they'd met once more, it was clearly seen that she was not okay.She was not the bright bubbly Lana that she was before she had left. Clarissa was furious that this was because of Damien Romero, her ex-husband.Even though Clarissa had the energy of a child and was as refreshing as fresh dew, she was the one who normally left men begging in herrelationships.No man would dare to try to break her heart. They'd be getting their three legs broken by her brothers, instead.A tentative knock sounded on the door and the two ladies turned to it. The handle turned and Diego poked his head inside. Relieved to see that Zaire was gone and it was now Clarissa in there with Lana, he walked right in to
Chapter Twenty"Pierre Evans, the world renowned mentor and fashion designer will be at SERENE'S fashion show!"Vera stood aside with a triumphant smile on her face, as Damien's head whipped up to stare at her.He narrowed his eyes at them, obviously thinking they were lying, but then he really did not focus on the trending news nowadays.But if Pierre Evans had really appeared...Nine years ago, when the fashion icon had vanished into thin air, the industry desperately searched for him but no one could find him.Pierre was an independent designer himself. He refused to be contracted with any company for any periods longer than six months.And if he did, the company had to be among the top five in the country. Once Pierre contracted with them, they remained in that top five due to his influence.Pierre Evans had worked for MAGIC TOUCH for just three months when Laura was alive but it was memorable. He focused more on mentoring their designers, helping them to make outstanding designs.
Chapter Twenty OneThe night was well lit both with the moonlight as well as the lights emanating from the huge dome where SERENE was holding its fashion show.The show proved to be a big affair with all influential and respectable members of the society in attendance. An hour before the show started, the dome was already filled up, with the invited VVIP members seating primly inside on reserved chairs.Over the years SERENE has proved to have amazing designs that were sought for at any opportunity. So no one wanted to miss it.They knew SERENE was getting its designs from ALLURE and also Muse. This caused a lot of dissension in the fashion industry, with everyone saying Muse was being unfair working for a few selected people.But no one had seen this talented fashion designer so their anger and envy were not well-aimed. The fashion icons in the city could not also reject her designs because they were top notch.So they took every opportunity to make sure they are available when her d
Chapter Ninety-ThreeThe security guards escorted Madam Vera and Rina out of the premises of the company.Vera had stopped struggling and Rina was still playing a dying girl. Soon, the driver brought Vera's car round to the entrance of the lobby, and only then did the security guards let go of the women."Let go of me," Madam Vera struggled one last time, just as they let go of them. She turned to glare at the security guards who still stood behind them, waiting for the woman to get into their cars.Vera stretched back her hands and gave them both slaps across their faces. The men did not flinch and their grave expression remained the same, even with the red welt marks on their cheeks."Please, get into the car, ma'am." A body guard said, giving Vera a serious look. The other glanced at the driver, who came round to open the car door for them."Lowlife bastards," Vera swore under her breath, glaring at the security guards with hate. They gave her a look that said they did not even c
Chapter Ninety-TwoRina walked into her office, and all the employees quickly stood up and bowed in unison, with respect. The fact that she had such influence to the extent that, she'd gotten Rina fired was still mindblowing.No one would dare to cross her from now on, especially now that they knew the CEO was solidly behind her. He even escorted his mother out of the premises for her.Lana sat behind her desk and only then did she ask them to sit with a curt nod of her head. The employees sat down clumsily, shifting uncomfortably under Lana's scrutinizing gaze.Claudia and the rest of Rina's minions felt the most uncomfortable. They could not even raise their heads to look at Lana. Instead, they fiddled with their keyboards or thumbs or bag straps or the pile of papers on their desks.All the while praying that Lana does not call them out. Even though they hated her, they still loved their jobs and wanted to keep it. Rina was gone, so there was no use acting up in front of Lana.L
Chapter Ninety-One"I'll reconsider suing your mother, Damien." Lana uttered, "If Rina is fired from MAGIC!"Rina gasped in outrage, while Vera struggled in the hands of the security men, "Let me go!" She struggled fiercely once more, and managed to wrench herself free from the men, who were a bit surprised by her strength. They had let her go, because it seemed like Vera would hurt herself any moment with the way she was struggling.She stood arms akimbo and faced Lana, "You bitch, what are you saying?! You want Rina fired, after everything she's done for MAGIC?!" She yelled at her, "Do you think I don't know what's going on? You're trying to throw out the rightful owner and take Rina's glory!" She then turned to face Damien, saying fiercely, "How long are you going to believe her? Can't you see how evil she is?!"Damien was silent, ignoring his mother's outburst. He tilted his head and watched Lana with a calculated, narrowed gaze. "You will reconsider, you say?""Damien!" Vera scr
Chapter NinetyLana looked so fierce, that both Vera and Rina were overcome with fear. They shuddered, even as Vera tried to stand firm."I won't let you get away with this, Lana!" she retorted, "I won't!""Oh right!" Lana said suddenly as she walked back to Diego, and examined his face once more. The sight of his bleeding lips made her grit her teeth in anger. She turned back to Vera and said coldly, "I won't let you get away with this too, Vera."Vera eyed her in annoyance, "What?!""This is assault." Lana said, simply, "You dared to hit a person to the extent that you left a mark on their skin." She smiled tightly, "You have to pay for that."Vera scoffed, "You must be out of your mind!" She spat out, unable to believe what she was hearing. She sniffed haughtily and looked down her nose at Lana, "I was only teaching your lowlife assistant a lesson. How dare he speak out of turn to me?!"Lana brought out her cellphone from her bag, and gave Vera a fake smile, "you can explain that t
Chapter Eighty-NineVera raised her hand to strike Diego once more, but then she felt a tight grip on her hand, holding her back. "What the..." she started saying as she turned in anger to look at the person that would dare to hold her hand back. Her eyes widened in shock when her eyes met Lana's face."Y..you.." she retorted, trying to sound firm, "What do you think you're doing?""Are you out of your freaking mind?!" Lana growled, baring her teeth at the older woman, who was stunned at her audacity."Let go of me this instant!" Mada Vera shrieked in a tremulous voice, "Don't you know who you're talking to?!"Lana was trembling with rage. She looked from Diego's reddened cheek and bleeding lips, and it only seemed to add more fuel to the inferno that was raging within her."You nasty old hag, how dare you touch him?!" She said to Vera, fiercely. The employees gathered around, all gasped at Lana's audacity. They wondered if she knew she was talking to the mother of the CEO.Vera's mo
Chapter Eighty-EightDiego paced back and forth outside the office of the design team, eagerly awaiting the arrival of Damien.He could not take it if Lana was angry.His heart clenched within him, as guilt made his stomach churn. The question she'd asked him rang in his ears over and over again "Is CEO Damien your boss that you take orders from him?"He was sure he'd heard some traces of hurt in her voice. Diego groaned at that possibility. He could not believe he was such a coward in front of the person who had treated his mistress so badly when she was in RomeroIt was just that Damien's aura was too domineering and Diego still feared him.If it weren't for Miss Lana being in the Romero Villa, Diego wasn't sure he'd ever have gotten the opportunity to look Damien in the face.That was how high up he was.The elevator dinged behind him and he turned to it sharply, his eyes lit with hope, "Miss Lana?!" He called out as he walked towards the elevator. However, he stopped and froze, a
Chapter Eighty-Seven"We'll be signing it in the office."Lana scoffed in disbelief. She raked a hand through her hair, and tried not to glare at him."It's okay, it's okay ." She calmed herself down, "He's just trying to get on your nerves."She was certain now, that Damien was playing tricks with her. If not, why all these delay in signing the papers?"You said you had the papers here." She said, giving him a right smile, "Why trouble ourselves and take it to the office?"Damien shrugged, "So we can meet my lawyer there," he replied and walked past her to grab his jacket which was on the chair next to where he'd been sitting, and draped it over his shoulders, "He can be our witness as well."He finished buttoning the jacket and gave her a cocky smile, as she watched him puzzledly.What he'd said made sense .Perhaps, he was not playing tricks after all?"I can only know that when I sign the papers," she reminded herself, then raised her nose haughtily at him, before saying outloud.
Chapter Eighty-Six"Yes!" Vera cried, admitting her wrongdoing "Yes I did! And so what?"She was breathing hard and trembling with fear and anger at her ruined plans, but she decided to forge on anyway."Yes, I set someone to keep tabs on you!"she continued, her words coming out in a rush, "But that's because you chose to keep yourself far away from the rest of the famiky and your fiancee! Do you know how heartbroken Rina was everyday, at your absence? Just knowing that you were fine was enough for her, which was why I did it!""Who is it? Your minion?" Damien asked, ignoring her outburst. If Rina died every night and woke up every day at his absence, it was none of his business. She was the one reason he'd left the main estate in the first place. She should deal with it. However, Vera ignored his question as well, "But it's a good thing I did, right?" She went on with a vehemence in her tone, "if I hadn't, then I wouldn't have known you disgraced our family by bringing back that sc
Chapter Eighty-FiveThere was an awkward silence at the table for a few minutes, with Lana wondering why he'd not take his mother's call.But that's none of her business now, was it?"Aren't you eating?" Damien's asked. His brows was furrowed slightly in worry, "Why? It's not to your taste?""No, no." Lana replied, shaking her head, "I've not tasted it, but I'm sure it tastes superb." As she spoke, she looked down at her plate and her mouth made a round "o", when she saw the food.Beef cutlets with a side of roasted vegetables and pasta. "Impressive." She mumbled as she took a bite of a juicy, crispy beef cutlet. They were actually her favorite, and she wondered how Damien had known about it.He was watching her now, eagerly anticipating her reaction, "Well, do you like it?" He asked, softly."It's really good," Lana replied, nodding her head in appreciation, at the rich flavour of chewy meat and vegetables that burst in her mouth with every bite she took, "Yvette's cooking is real