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 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