Chapter One Hundred And Fifty-FiveHer face lit up with joy as she saw Clarissa running towards her. The two women rushed into each other's embrace, squealing happily."Clarrisa, what are you doing here?" Lana asked, her eyes roving over her friend's face. "Oh, I was invited," Clarissa said excitedly, then made a curtsy, "As the acting CEO of ALLURE, of course I have to attend the Queen's Glamour And Festival Awards. Besides, I wouldn't miss this for nothing. I see what you're doing with MAGIC and I have to come celebrate with you!"Lana smiled and gave Clarissa another crushing hug. It was not even up to half a year that she left emerald city, and she had missed her best friend so badly.Clarissa returned the hug, then her eyes drifted to Damien who was watching them. He gave her a tiny nod of his head in acknowledgement.Clarissa's smile faded and she disengaged from the hug, looking to Lana for explanation.Lana saw her knowing look, and said, "Oh never mind, he's with me.""When
Chapter One Hundred And Fifty SixThe cheering and applause continued as the queen mounted the platform and walked towards the MC.She was a woman in her mid-forties, but looked very much like someone in her twenties. She was elegantly dressed in a white, fashionable frock.She carried herself with a regal air, and even from across the room, she exuded power and authority.The MC handed the microphone over to the queen, and stepped back respectfully. "Thank you so much for joining me in this wonderful event tonight." Queen Elena began, "It is with great joy that I am able to..."Clarissa leaned in to whisper in Lana's ears, "So, when are you going to tell me all about it?""All about what?" Lana whispered back, although she knew what Clarissa was talking about.Clarissa was miffed, "Don't play dumb with me, Lana." She continued, "Tell me everything about how you got back with Damien.""Shhh," Lana shushed her, appalled by Clarissa's behavior, "I will but after the event is over."Tha
Chapter One Hundred And Fifty-SevenThere was a unified gasp from the crowd, as Rina struck the trophy to the ground. She stood back proudly and smirked in satisfaction."No." Mandy said weakly as she dropped to her knees, and stared at the trophy in the floor. She looked absolutely crushed and Lana's face turned red with rage."Rina!"She yelled as she rushed up the steps of the platform, and hurried up to Mandy and Rina, followed by Clarissa and Vera.Damien stood back and called Liam, "Rina is here." He uttered, "I changed my mind. She will rot in jail from today. Send the recordings to the cops."He looked up in time to see Lana walked up to Rina, and delivered a hard slap to her face.He arched an eyebrow at that and chuckled slightly, as he started walking towards the platform. His woman can be really fiesty sometimes and he liked that."Are you out of your freaking mind?!" Lana screamed, as Rina stumbled back, shock etched on every part of her face.The crowd gasped in horror,
Chapter One Hundred And Fifty-Eight"I am Muse."The crowd went wild at this calm revelation of Lana's. They inched closer to the platform to see more of this drama, even as everyone was staring at her Lana in shock.Everyone, but Clarissa was stunned by her revelation and the queen was speechless."You are...Muse?" Damien asked, turning Lana by the shoulders to look at him. His eyebrows arched in surprise and disbelief as Lana nodded."Hmm. I'm sorry I couldn't tell you earlier," She said in response.Damien was dumbstruck. Lana was really something else. The woman whom he'd treated so badly years ago, turned out not to be just a heiress but also one of the most talented designers the country had known.This was the woman he'd almost let slip because of his foolishness, and now she was saving MAGIC.Shame flooded through him, just as Vera pushed her way through the crowd to Lana, her eyes shining brightly, "Lana, you're Muse?"she asked excitedly, "Oh my god, that's amazing! My daugh
Chapter One Hundred And Fifty NineThe queen managed to pick her jaw from off the floor and stared at Lana, "You are Muse?"Lana nodded politely in reply and the Queen laughed softly, a small and disbelieving laugh.This was the Muse who had refused to work with her?Anger surged through her, and she clenched the papers in her fist. However, before she could say anything, Lana uttered, "Your Majesty, I never knew you were in need of my services." She told the queen politely, "If I had known, there was no way I'd refuse to serve a great person like you.""What are you talking about?" The queen replied in an agitated voice, "You decided to keep yourself hidden, and only design for a select few. I tried to reach you through Ludovic, your agency, but you rejected me several times.""What?" Lana asked, interrupting the queen."What?" The queen asked, confused and pissed as well."No, you said something about Ludovic being Muse's agency." Lana inquired, "Ludovic was never my agency.""That
Chapter One Hundred And SixteenThe Queen's Award ended successfully with Mandy taking the trophy home. The event caused several headlines for days.The media carried the news of Rina's arrest, as well as Lana's revelation that she was Muse.The queen's award brought more popularity to MAGIC, and a lot more coverage to them when the season finally opened. Due to the award, MAGIC regained its top portion in Oakcrest, a fashion company known for their splendid designs and also for working with Muse.For days, Lana's email was blowing up with requests from companies asking for a collaboration. The press settled outside the entrance of MAGIC and the Romero Villa, always hoarding her with questions about her work, relationship and life.They were only satisfied when she gave an interview answering all this questions, but she was still a bit conscious of the media knowing too much about her life.This was the reason why she had not wanted to reveal her identity as Muse to the world."Girl
Chapter One Hundred And Sixty-OneWhen Lana ended the call, Damien frowned slightly in confusion. A bad feeling crept up his neck and nagged at him for the next one hour.He had become very busy after MAGIC had won the queen's award. The entire company was bustling with the aftermath of the success of that event, as well as their catalogue for the new season.Tonight, he and Lana would have some time to themselves for the first time in a week.They had barely had time for themselves that week all because of Clarrisa. Damien heaved a sigh of relief as he recalled that Clarrisa had finally returned back to Emerald City.He was sooner about to go crazy with her in the Romero Villa, always with her nose in his and Lana's business.Clarissa did not like him and Damien did not like her as well.He had vehemently refused to accompany Lana to see her off at the airport that morning, and Clarrisa had been glad he was not tagging along."Its the last time I'll be seeing my best friend in a long
Chapter One Hundred And Sixty-TwoDamien drove like a mad man along the highway at a neck breaking speedHe had only one thought in his head as he drove along; Lana was in danger.He shouldn't have let her go on to the airport. At least she would still be with him now. But how would he have known Zaire was going to hit this early?His forehead glistened with beads of sweat and his fingers gripped the steering tightly. Ludovic must have gotten to her.It has to be the case.In fury, he punched the steering, letting his horn honk loudly on the road, startling the other drivers."Damn you, Ludovic!" He swore under his breath.His phone was ringing nonstop. He knew it was Liam but he ignored it. Liam would meet him at the airport.When he got to the airport, he got out and actually met Liam there waiting for him. The assistant had taken a shorter route to the airport.There were patrol cars around the airport. The cops had been notified already, as well as the authorities in the building
Chapter Two Hundred And NineteenMaya made her way to the elevator that connected the company with the parking lot, her head held high in triumph.Before she could press the button however, Gary hurriedly stood up and shouted, "I was only trying to save you from embarassing yourself, Maya!"Maya stopped, her shoulders stiff with contained fury as she turned to him, "What?" She scoffed, taking slow threatening steps back towards him, "you never learn, do you?""You know he doesn't want you." Gary gritted out, "You're better off with me, Maya. You're smart and we connect well. Why don't you make the wise decision and come to me?"Maya laughed cynically, "Is this fool on drugs?" She asked, fury blazing in her eyes, "Why would I even consider being with you? You ugly looking wimp. Can you take care of me? Do you know how much I'm worth?!""You're not worth that much more than me, you know." Gary chuckled bitterly, his eyes wide in a terrifying way, "We both work in the same company and ea
Chapter Two Hundred And EighteenWithout warning, Gary marched forward and grabbed Maya's hand, pulling her flush against him.Maya gasped in outrage as she stumbled roughly unto him, "What do you think you're doing?" She screeched, "Let go of me, you pig!""I should be asking you that question!" Gary was trembling with rage, "What are you doing, selling yourself like a whore for this gigolo?!"There was a sharp intake of breath from the employees who were pretending to be working but also watching the drama.Some were enjoying the show so much that they spoke low behind their palms, laughing and snickering at Maya.It serves her right for strutting about like she owned the place. Maya had been a pain the neck around the office, ever since Noah started working there.It was refreshing to hear her being referred to as the slut that she truly was.She was clearly throwing herself at the man who did not want her, and bared her teeth at any girl in the office who looked at him. Not like
Chapter Two Hundred And SeventeenNoah stiffened as Gary said those words. What the actual hell?!He turned sharply and glared at Gary, who had a maliciously gleeful look in his eyes.How had he known about that? Noah narrowed his eyes at the odious man, who was enjoying the look of confusion on Noah's face.Slowly, he started chuckling and soon, the annoying man straightened up and laughed outloud while Noah simmered, and the rest of the colleagues watched in puzzlement."You never thought about that, did you?" Gary continued, after he'd had a good laugh, "Well, you should have, before you thought of running your mouth." He lifted the stack of files and slammed them back down on Noah's desk, roughly, "You better start working on them," he smirked, then leaned in to say in Noah's ears once more, "Or you're not the only one who is going to lose your job."Noah's mouth tightened into a grim line, as he realized what Gary was trying to say.He had indeed started working at the company
Chapter Two Hundred And SixteenThere were shocked gasps around the office at that statement. Everyone was staring at Noah, wondering where he got his boldness from.Even if he was right, no one had ever thought of talking back to their superior. They had always collected whatever harsh treatment had been meted out to them, without second thoughts.Who did this new guy think he was? What was that he said, Manager Gary's job was what was on the line.Really, it was his own life that was on the line. They looked at Manager Gary to see how he'd receive this news.Gary had gone pale, then slowly he turned beet red. He bared his teeth at Noah menacingly, "What did you say?"Noah stood his ground, staring at the man, "This preparations were supposed to have been sent in a month ago." He went on, "The orders for the shipment were made before I even started working here. I'm sure the regional manager have this job to you directly but you did not carry it out, due to your negligence."Gary was
Chapter Two Hundred And FifteenWham!A huge stack of files was dropped on Noah's desk like a boulder, and the small desk rattled from the force of it."Listen up newbie, I want these files to be screened and the reports on my desk in the next one hour, do you understand me?"Noah slowly looked from the huge stack of files sitting in his desk, to the shaggy haired man in front of him.It was Gary Shane, the junior sales executive and Noah's direct boss in the establishment.From the very day, Noah started working at Romero Solutions And Logistics, Gary seemed to have it out for him and took extreme pleasure in giving him demanding tasks.Arching a well carved eyebrow in question, Noah spoke calmly, "All of these? In an hour's time?""What?" Gary smirked. He was chewing gum and the smacking sounds it made grated on Noah's nerves. Gary shoved his hands into his pockets and took a relaxed stance in front of Noah's desk, his eyes roving over Noah in mocking fashion."What?" He asked agai
Chapter Two Hundred And FourteenLana looked up again as she felt Adrian's hands stop their soothing motion on her neck and shoulders."You've located...he's really alive?" He asked, his brows coming together in disbelief.In reply, Lana laughed happily, covering her mouth daintily. Her eyes shimmered with happy tears and she went on speaking cheerfully, "Yes! Can you believe it? Well of course you believe it, because I always said so!"Adrian was silent even as Lana kept in talking. He'd stopped massaging her shoulders and her cheerful voice was just going on and on in his head.She looked really happy, hopeful, something he'd never seen in her in a long time.And that was because Damien Romero had been found.Wait, he was really alive?He'd always heard Lana say it and he'd seen her waiting for him, encouraged her to keep on hoping because only then Arielle could be saved but now, it seemed like Damien Romero was really going to be back in her life.Their lives.Somehow, and for rea
Chapter Two Hundred And Thirteen"What do you mean he knows something?"Lana asked, later that night in Adrian's office.When Adrian had called her at the company earlier, she'd immediately headed to the hospital to see him.Oakcrest City's hospital was one of the best healthcare facilities not only in the city but in neighboring cities as well. It was a combination of both specialists and general hospital.It provided the best health care services and even the creme de la creme of society had their check ups there. The hospital's VIP section was built solely for the benefit and comfort of wealthy people. This sentiment has gone on to be abused by the rich, who use the hospital as a getaway to evade tax hunt, scandals and malingering.The facilities in the VIP area were more like the equipments that belonged in a spa or resort than an hospital. There were lounges, perfect little cafes and the patients wore robes as their hospital wear instead.However, only the best and most professi
Chapter Two Hundred And Twelve"You were right," Director Evans said as he walked over to the single table in the centre of the small office.Apart from the single table and two chairs facing it, the office was bare, with its grey decor.There were two chairs sitting side by side near the table, which had a packet of cigarettes sitting on it as well.Director Evans drew a cigarette out of the slim pack and lit it with a lighter lying close by, "Romero is really not in the hospital. Lana did really play us all."Zaire smirked as he listened to this, while Director Evans took his seat with a satisfied sigh, "Now, there's just one little problem to sort out before we make this public," he drawled, taking long puffs on his cigarette, "Where is Romero, really? Do you think he's going to come back?""Damien Romero will never come back to his Empire," Zaire spoke with a calm smile, as he turned to back to watching the city below.Director Evans was watching him with narrowed eyes, "How do yo
Chapter Two Hundred And ElevenDirector Evans walked briskly out of the hospital and towards his parked car, smiling from ear to ear. His driver swiftly opened the car door for him and he quickly got in, making himself comfortable.The driver quickly went round and took his spot as well, "Should I go to the location, sir?""He must be waiting by now, don't you think?" Director Evans replied, "We'd better get moving then."The driver nodded and immediately placed the car on the road, and was soon speeding down the highway.The Director sat in the back seat looking very pleased with himself. He was still smiling and soon, he burst out into full blown laughter.The driver glanced at him curiously from the rear view mirror and quickly looked away focusing on his driving.He did not know what was making his boss laugh and he was not very curious by the way.Besides, he and his boss were not in a relationship where they could discuss his source of joy.But he could not help, but wonder wha