Chapter Twenty-Seven"What?!" Diego and Lana cried out in unison.Lana grabbed Clarissa's phone from her hands, her brows furrowed as she scrolled down reading the comments that were on the various posts.They were bashing her online, calling her a homewrecker and a troublemaker, as well as an attention whore."I bet she slept her way to wearing that finale gown!""She's not even that pretty. Rina is better than her.""Poor Rina. She's so strong. I hope she overcomes this.""I detest girls like this. I bet they are not even that interested in her. She's the one throwing herself at them!""She'd better not come between our power couple. All homewreckers should be jailed!"Lana's teeth gritted in anger as she read those comments. She was being bashed online while the real homewrecker was being pitied and praised.Ironically, nothing was said about the men who had actually been involved in the scuffle, Lana realised as a bitter taste crept into her mouth.She continued scrolling on comme
Chapter Twenty-EightDamien stood outside the Greenville Hospital, his hands tucked deep in his pocket while the cool night air played with his golden hair.They had rushed Rina to the hospital and called the family doctor, who owned the hospital. Rina had cried in pain all along and asked Damien to stay by her side all through her treatment.It was a very tearful performance and she had refused for any treatment unless Damien held her hand.Damien had obliged her, holding her hands even though it filled him with distaste and partly because his mother was on his neck to do so.Besides, Rina looked so pale, so fragile, so helpless...She was the sister of his best friend and he'd charged him with taking care of her. This had been no problem when he'd been madly in love with her, but now it irked him when she wanted to get close to him.He wondered how he'd fallen out of love with her so quickly. She was once his everything but one of the things he hates the most was a two-faced person.
Chapter Twenty-Nine "The Parcel...where's the parcel, Diego?!" Lana asked, her breath ragged. "It's here. It's in the car." Diego answered, his head and voice lowered. "Right on the passenger seat." Lana extricated herself from Clarissa and walked to the car. She yanked open the door of the passenger side, just as a shrill sound split air. It was the sound of her phone ringing. "Uhh.. Lana."Clarissa who was with the phone said, as she glanced at the caller ID. Lana ignored it. It was probably her dad. She'll talk to him later and besides, she was already on her way home. She reached down and picked up the box on the passenger seat with trembling hands. It was small and was a lightweight, Lana thought as she shook the box. It made a rustling sound, like papers but she couldn't really determine it. She reached for the purple band round it, when Clarrissa's voice stopped her again. "Lana!" She called urgently as the phone started ringing once more. It had rang out once. "Rissa,
Chapter ThirtyDiego stood up and hastened to the car. He opened the door to the passenger's door and brought out the black parcel.He handed it to Lana, who collected it slowly. Then he fell to his knees, still feeling remorseful."Oh get up, you idiot!" Clarissa snarled at him but he didn't move. Slowly, he raised reddened eyes to look at Lana, who was glaring hard at him."Do you want people to think of me as someone who maltreats their employees?" She said through clenched teeth "this is a public place. What the hell are you kneeling down for?"Immediately, he sprang to his feet, but still kept his eyes on the floor. His hands were clasped together in front of him and he looked so pitiful that Lana rolled her eyes.She stared at the black Lacquer box in front of her. It had a purple ribbon around it. Lana stared at the box for what seemed to be the longest of minutes.What was in it? What had Laura left for her?The box was small, only about a foot long and it felt light. Lana sho
Chapter Thirty-OneRina's eyes snapped open in the VIP Ward, where she'd been moved to.She lay still, frowning slightly, and pricking her ears. Something had awakened her.She sat up to listen better, and groaned when her eyes swam before her."Shit!" She grabbed her head with both hands and swore loudly. "Those damned drugs. I hate them so much," she muttered as she waited for the dizziness to subside.Finally, it did and she swung her legs over the side of the huge bed, placing her bare foot on the rug. The room was huge as well, and well lit. It was painted sky blue and the rug on the floor was so soft, it could sink a person.In the middle of the room were two white sofas, with a low table in the centre, on which sat a huge basket of fruit.She was alone in the room, and that suited her. She was still angry with Damien, over the events of the night and she was not ready to act frail right now.She was also not in the mood to act coy with Vera."That old lady is getting irritatin
Chapter Thirty-TwoLana paced up and down her room, her mind whirling with different thoughts."Do I really need to do this? I mean, Laura is dead and this parcel is five years too late," she muttered to herself.But then, Rina is still in the Romero Empire, no doubt putting her plan in place."What do I do, what do I do?" She chanted, biting her finger tips, as the wheels in her brains turned over and over again, "Should I really let Rina destroy everything Laura built? But hold on, even if I can stop her, how do I stop her?!"And there was the big question.Why on Earth did Laura send her that parcel, thinking she'd know what to do with it.Lana didn't know shit.Laura probably thought she'd know what to do with it, because she was married to Damien back then."And that was five years ago," she stopped in the middle of the room and stared fixedly into the distance, looking but not seeing "I'm done with the Romero Empire. I'm done."Suddenly, her phone rang, the shrill sound breaking
Chapter Thirty-Three"I'll work with you only if you'll let me handle MAGIC."Pierre's jaw dropped and he blinked in shock, as Lana said those words,"you'll work with me? Here in Oakcrest City?!" He had to ask again so he'd be sure."Yes, Pierre." Lana replied, her face set with a very determined expression.Pierre had a shocked smile on his face, "This was getting better and better." He thought, gleefully.However, a slight frown crossed his face as he seemed to remember the next words she had said, "And MAGIC is the catch? Why, if I may ask?"Lana remained silent for what seemed to be the longest of minutes. Her fingers clenched and unclenched as she debated within herself."Does he really need to know about Laura's parcel? I mean I could use all the help I need." She thought, biting her lip in indecision "But then, this is a delicate matter. I need to check things out for myself first, then recruit help."She inhaled deeply and answered with a cheerful, affected tone, "uh..nothing
Chapter Thirty-FourZaire sat in his office, scrolling through his iPad. A slight smile curved his face as he read the headlines of trending posts.It's been three days and the posts were still hot, ganering more and more attention. They were all talking about Lana, who was currently the most sought after model in the industry.This was because other fashion companies CEOs bugged him for information on the model, as they wanted to make use of her as well.Zaire had his IT team tell the media, the model for the finale dress was not a professional model so nothing could be done from their end. This was after SERENE was sold out for the season in a night to royals, celebrities, foreigners everywhere across the country.It was amazing considering the almost scandal that went round about her the night of the show. However, it not only brought more attention to her, it led to him selling out for the season.Zaire stood up from his desk, then went to the small bar in his spacious and impecc
Chapter Ninety-FiveWhen the car rolled to a stop in front of the main house, Vera held on to Rina, "Honey, why don't you come over to my place?," she asked, " I don't want you to be all alone here, and it will be easier for me to speak to your father."Rina gave her a tight smile, but slowly shook her head, "No, Mother." She replied, in a lowered voice, "I need some alone time. I want to be by myself for some time."Vera sighed, "Alright then, go on." She saod and Rina climbed out of the car with great relief. As she walked towards the entrance of the house, Vera lowered the window pane and called out to her, "Don't even think about getting funny ideas, dear. I'll call at the house later this evening, okay?"Rina gave her a warm smile and waved her along, "Okay Vera, I'll see you soon." She uttered softly, and as the car drove away with a cloud of dust, Rina's smile slowly faded away, and in its place, came a nasty scowl. "Ugh, she's so annoying, geez." She uttered, shuddering dram
Chapter Ninety-Four"W...what?" Rina stuttered, looking at Vera with eyes wide with terror. She had gone a little pale and did not know how to reply to Vera's request.Vera looked her up and down, her brows furrowed in confusion, "Why are you so shocked?" she asked in a surprised tone.Rina let out a nervous laugh, "oh, it's nothing." She cracked, suddenly apprehensive. She swallowed hard and looked at Vera once more, "It's just that you've never asked about my family, so..."She trailed off, giving Vera a knowing look and Vera laughed lightly, "No dear. I never asked about them because I didn't want you to be uncomfortable." She replied Rina, "And besides, Damien liked you despite your family's influence, that's why I decided to just let things lie low."Rina also laughed nervously and nodded her head, "Oh ok. Well, that's okay, Mother." She said, trying to reassure the older woman, "Just continue to keep things lying low."Vera shook her head to Rina's chagrin, "No dear. Now is
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.