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 Twenty-two.At the instruction from Zaire's assistant, Diego steered the car around the dome to the second entrance which was behind it.This was so she could avoid the press and the crowd. Lana thought that was quite okay.She did not want to meet with the press. They could take pictures all they want when she's on the runway.The crowd watched the limousine roll down the road and drive past them. They could not see the occupants of the car but apparently, no one thought to follow it.Lana breathed a sigh of relief at that"My God, the place is so full!" Clarissa said, her eyes wide with wonder "What's this, Broadway?! SERENE never had this much audience before.""Pierre Evans be doing wonders" Lana whistled as she also stared in awe.She could not help but feel her chest puff up with pride. She was going to be wearing a dress designed by the man who could pull such a crowd.That was freaking awesome!The next instant, her palms became sweaty, and her breathing ragged. She in
Chapter Twenty-ThreeWhen Pierre Evans finished his speech, Damien was glad to see that he was in good health. He had feared the man would not want to venture into fashion designing again after so many years.But again, he had designed for SERENE, so there was no harm in trying to get him to design for other companies.When the show started, he was immediately amazed by the outfits just like everyone else."Thank God, we came out for the show. I can't believe I was going to miss this!" Vera exclaimed, her mouth open as she watched the models."Exactly, Mother. I can feel my senses tingling. I don't think I've ever seen such exquisite designs before!" Rina breathed by her side, her eyes wide as she took in every detail of the outfits being paraded by the models on the runway.Surreptitiously, she brought out her iPhone and took a few pictures, as the models went by. She caught Damien glaring at her when she looked up, and gave him a nervous smile. "Thank you so much for bringing us ou
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