Chapter One Hundred And Ninety-Nine.The sounds of cutlery and dining filled the room as they had their breakfast. "Its just a regular breakfast." Pa Eugene grumbled, "Did you have to bring out the silverware? What's the great occasion?""I'm celebrating being back home after such a long time, grandfather,"Maya rolled her eyes, then winked at Noah, 'as well as being reunited with Noah.""What the heck?" Pa Eugene asked, his eyebrows high in confusion as he was perplexed by his grand-daughter's behaviour.Noah ignored her, focusing on his meal.Maya picked on her food as well, her eyes following every of Noah's movement as he ate.He ate like he was royalty or something, eating fish and rice with such grace.Maya watched as he tried to switch forks while eating, then awkwardly set it down as he realized there was only one meal set.This puzzled the brunette and she asked curiously, "You seem to be familiar with such dining style." She chuckled, "I was going to impress you a little...
Chapter Two HundredNoah doubled over the ropes, trying as much as possible to hold in the discomfort he felt.He was seated on a small fishing boat, which belonged to Pa Eugene, his huge self and long legs almost taking over the small boat, adding to his discomfort.The rhythmic rocking of the boat was enough to lull him to that familiar drowsiness which he always felt whenever he came on expeditions like this with Pa Eugene.But he swallowed hard instead, pushing down the bubbling of air threatening to erupt from his mouth.All around him, in little fishing boats as well were men, toiling hard for their daily catch. They seemed serious, casting nets and pulling them in, gutting fishes and cleaning them, generally making themselves useful.But at the same time, he could feel their eyes on him, watching him, waiting for that moment when he would double over the side of the boat and throw up his breakfast.And then they'd roar in derisive laughter, and talk about how less of a man he w
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety-EightSt. Hayes, Moreno.He was in the water again.He wanted to move, but his lungs were burning and his limbs felt like lead.The water surrounding him was colored with the deep red of blood.His blood.He was sinking, slowly but surely sinking. The life was going out of him. He was going to die.Then, she appeared above the water.She, with the red hair, almost like the blood pumping out of his side. Her face was hazy and he wanted to see it so bad for the last time.To touch it, to etch it in every part of his memory as he feels his life slip from him, but he could only hear the terror in her voice as she screams piercingly,"Damien!"He jerked awake, and tumbled out of bed unto the ground, breathing laboriously. It was like he was still in the water and his breath was coming out fast and shallow.The man couldn't breath, he peeled off the light cotton shirt off his body, which was soaked through with sweat, and tossed it to the side.The blankets an
Chapter one "We're here, Madam" The driver's clear voice, interrupted Lana's thoughts and her eyes snapped open. She had been lost in thoughts and didn't realize they were already home. "Oh thanks Diego" Lana said as she snapped out of her thoughts as the driver went round the side of the car to open the door for her. She gave him a charming smile which slowly faded as she stared at the huge mansion which stood in front of her. Placing her bag on her shoulder, she wearily walked into the house, the full skirts of her white dress, almost sweeping the floor. Maids bowed and greeted her as they held the door open for her. Lana failed to see the concerned looks they gave her and themselves. She wearily made her way up the grand stairs that led to her bedroom. Her head was filled with various thoughts but the one that stood out the most were the words she heard about an hour ago. At the doctor's office. "Congratulations, Mrs Romero. You're pregnant!" The doctor had said
Chapter Two Rina. "Y..you?" Her hands shook with rage as she took a step closer to the bed "what's going on? What the hell are you doing in my husband's room?!" Her fists clenched as she glared at Rina and remembered how Laura had admonished her to keep Rina away from her grandson. And now, Damien had gone and brought her into their home. She had failed Laura. Rina stared at Lana mischievously, her rosy pink lips curving into a smirk. Lana's palm itched to wipe that smirk off her face. She looked around the room, taking in the sight, slowly. The room was dimly lit from the chandelier above, which cast a faint glow around the room. Rina's hair looked disheveled and her complexion was flushed. There were clothes strewn about the floor of the room and a faint musty smell hung in the air. As Lana tried to make her brain understand whatever it is that was going on, Damien walked out of the bathroom. His golden locks, was wet and stuck to his forehead. He stopped when he saw Lan
Chapter ThreeWhen Lana opened her eyes again, she was lying on her back on a hard surface.She sat up quickly and fell back to the bed immediately as her head felt like it would split in half.She gasped in pain and grabbed her head with both hands. She realized that it was wrapped round with bandage, and there was a needle on her hand connected to a bag above her.She was at the hospital.What happened?She remembered the crash and her hands immediately went to her stomach"My baby" she breathed frantically just as the curtains were pulled aside and a doctor appeared."I see you're awake, Miss" he smiled at her as he checked he vitals "And you're doing well, I can see.""Doctor, my baby" Lana whispered softly "Is my baby fine?"The doctor's smile faded slowly as he looked down at Lana. Slowly, he shook his head."I'm sorry" he breathed softly, staring deep into her eyes.Lana's eyes burned with tears, but somehow they did not spill over."It's dead?" Her voice was void of emotion an
Chapter FourStunned, Damien stared at her.Her head was wrapped completely in a bandage, her face was white and her lip pale, and there were cuts on it.He was puzzled.He thought she had been in a minor accident so why is she looking like she just survived world war 2?When Diego had called him that she had been involved in an accident, he wanted to go to the hospital because if his grandma gets wind of Lana beibg hospitalized, all hell will let loose.But Rina had held on to his cloth at that moment."Please Dami, don't go. I'm scared" she had said, softly and feverishly. Her eyes were closed but tears still dripped out of them to soak her pillows.She was a very fragile person and had been seriously shaken when Lana had behaved like a rogue towards her.His heart hardened and he decided to stay with her. After all, he was sure Lana was just involved in a minor accident."Just take her to the hospital! The doctors would take care of her" he had spoken harshly into the phone "Do no
Chapter Five Damien paced up and down the hallway, outside the hospital room. He could not understand why he was so agitated but there was something about seeing your wife, unconscious, in a dead faint and also in another man's arms. It rattled him. Her white face and limp body had scared him as he watched the man carry her in his arms, bridal style. He stopped pacing and looked ahead, his brows coming together in a huge frown and a sour taste came into his mouth, as he stared at the man who had saved his wife. Zaire Ludovic. C.E.O of SERENE, A MultiBillion-dollar Fashion and Entertainment Company and one of the top rated fashion company in Emerald City. He was Damien's biggest Rival. The Romero family owned MAGIC, another top rated fashion and Entertainment company in the City. It had been in the family for years and was the source of all their wealth. The MAGIC group had other subsidiaries in other industries - Retail, Education, Manufacturing, Sports etc but MAGIC Touch,
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety-EightSt. Hayes, Moreno.He was in the water again.He wanted to move, but his lungs were burning and his limbs felt like lead.The water surrounding him was colored with the deep red of blood.His blood.He was sinking, slowly but surely sinking. The life was going out of him. He was going to die.Then, she appeared above the water.She, with the red hair, almost like the blood pumping out of his side. Her face was hazy and he wanted to see it so bad for the last time.To touch it, to etch it in every part of his memory as he feels his life slip from him, but he could only hear the terror in her voice as she screams piercingly,"Damien!"He jerked awake, and tumbled out of bed unto the ground, breathing laboriously. It was like he was still in the water and his breath was coming out fast and shallow.The man couldn't breath, he peeled off the light cotton shirt off his body, which was soaked through with sweat, and tossed it to the side.The blankets an
Chapter Two HundredNoah doubled over the ropes, trying as much as possible to hold in the discomfort he felt.He was seated on a small fishing boat, which belonged to Pa Eugene, his huge self and long legs almost taking over the small boat, adding to his discomfort.The rhythmic rocking of the boat was enough to lull him to that familiar drowsiness which he always felt whenever he came on expeditions like this with Pa Eugene.But he swallowed hard instead, pushing down the bubbling of air threatening to erupt from his mouth.All around him, in little fishing boats as well were men, toiling hard for their daily catch. They seemed serious, casting nets and pulling them in, gutting fishes and cleaning them, generally making themselves useful.But at the same time, he could feel their eyes on him, watching him, waiting for that moment when he would double over the side of the boat and throw up his breakfast.And then they'd roar in derisive laughter, and talk about how less of a man he w
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety-Nine.The sounds of cutlery and dining filled the room as they had their breakfast. "Its just a regular breakfast." Pa Eugene grumbled, "Did you have to bring out the silverware? What's the great occasion?""I'm celebrating being back home after such a long time, grandfather,"Maya rolled her eyes, then winked at Noah, 'as well as being reunited with Noah.""What the heck?" Pa Eugene asked, his eyebrows high in confusion as he was perplexed by his grand-daughter's behaviour.Noah ignored her, focusing on his meal.Maya picked on her food as well, her eyes following every of Noah's movement as he ate.He ate like he was royalty or something, eating fish and rice with such grace.Maya watched as he tried to switch forks while eating, then awkwardly set it down as he realized there was only one meal set.This puzzled the brunette and she asked curiously, "You seem to be familiar with such dining style." She chuckled, "I was going to impress you a little...
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety Seven"Uncle Adrian, when will mommy get here?"The little girl sat upright on the bed and stared expectantly into Adrian's face, with startling deep blue gray eyes. She was a beautiful child, with a full head of blonde curls, a small delicate doll like face and pretty features. Her skin, however, was the unhealthy color of paper at the moment, and she looked too thin and small for her age. Adrian gently caressed her blonde curls, "She'll be here soon, angel." He said softly, as he gently lowered her back on the bed, "You know you have to rest. Do not try to sit up, Arielle.""But I'm not sleepy," Arielle protested, jutting out her bottom lip in a cute pout.However, she did not resist as Adrian gently arranged the covers around her, making sure she was comfortable, especially with the small hand, which had a tube stuck in it, and was attached to a drip bag above her.The large room was filled with medical equipments, monitors beeping quietly and consi
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety-Six"Those annoying, grumpy, old..." Lana muttered angrily to herself as she stormed towards the elevator, pressing the buttons with a vengeance. Employees passed by her and bowed respectfully, giving her side looks but she didn't care. "You shouldn't blame them too much." Liam said curtly behind her, staring straight ahead as she waited for the elevator, "They have every right to know about where he is, don't you think?""Yes CEO, getting worked up is not going to solve anything." Diego agreed, giving Lana a nervous look."He's not here." Lana bit the words out. She took a deep breath then exhaled slowly, making her nerves which were on edge to slowly calm down, "When I find him, everything would return back to normal. You know this, don't you, Liam?""I know." Liam replied stiffly, "I also know whose fault it is that he is not here right now."Lana let out a shaky breath, her fingers coming to curl together around the clasp of her bag. Liam's cold wo
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety-FiveFour Years Later"With all due respect, Miss Fernandez, we would only like to know our stand in these circumstances." Director Noah spoke up, "It's been four years. Now, I understand the Chairman is recuperating but isn't it strange that we don't even know what he's recovering from? And why has he refused to take over his duties?"Lana chuckled slightly as she leaned forward, placing both elbows on the huge mahogany desk in front of her.She was seated at the head of the long rectangular desk, as the acting chairman of the Romero Empire. Behind her, Liam and Diego stood as straight as a rod, their hard gazes identical.Lana was smiling but the icy glint in her eyes was enough to send a chill down the spines of the thirty-two members of Romero's Board Of Directors seated before her.They cleared their throats enigmatically, and shifted their gazes, rearranging their jackets and trying to look more confident than they actually felt."Why has the Chai
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety-FourFar north, along the shores of a small coastal town called St. Hayes, located in Moreno, a man laid unconscious in one of the small abodes belonging to the fishermen.This was the third week he had been unconscious, even after being rescued from the frigid waters of Moreno, even after the doctors had checked on him and saved him from the claws of death.But today was going to be different.The man awoke to the soft glow of the evening sun on his face, the sea breeze playing with the soft blonde curls on his head, which were almost down to his shoulders by now.He was lying on his back on a very hard surface, and covered up to his neck with a blanket.He blinked to clear the grogginess from his vision, and after some time the room slowly came into focus.It was a large room, airy with multiple windows, covered with delicate curtains through which the soft golden glow of sunset filtered through. The bed on which he was lying on was located in the m
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety-Three"I said, bring back my son!" Vera screamed as she threw the vase at Lana.The vase of lilies clattered to the floor, inches away from Lana's feet and broke into smithereens.Lana stood as still as a statue, her eyes never leaving the floor, on which was splattered the soil from the vase and the soft white lilies.They had returned back to Oakcrest city just the week before. She had insisted on going to Oakcrest, instead of Emerald City.Infact, she had insisted on a lot of things.One of which was that Damien was still alive.When Paul had rescued her in Moreno, he had called in the authorities and for three days and three nights, they searched the river for Damien but his body was nowhere to be found.Lana stubbornly said she was not leaving Moreno until his body was found and the search stretched until a week, when she could not take it anymore.She was seriously ill from the air in Moreno, and this was posing a health risk for her child. However
Chapter One Hundred And Ninety-two "Let's die together."Zaire pressed the gun to Lana's head. He was really prepared to end it right there and then with her.He was so glad he had gotten rid of that pompous bastard. He would get rid of Lana as well and they can all meet in the after life.His fingers tightened around the trigger , with his teeth gritted in determination. A flurry of movement came behind him, distracting him but before he could assess it, he was hit across the back.This was followed swiftly with another blow to the side of his head, his jaw almost dislocating with the force of it. He collapsed with a sharp cry on the floor, his body racking with pain.From the corner of his eye, he saw the red haired guy, holding the same stick he'd used on Damien. Adrian threw the stick to the floor, and grabbed Lana, yanking her to her feet."Let me go." Lana whispered, struggling to get Adrian off her."Lana, c'mon!" Adrian said, looking back at Zaire in alarm. Zaire was still w