At Edward's mansion, the whole family sat together for the first time since the explosion. The blast that claimed three of Mr Edward's employees. Mr Edward accompanied by David made a press briefing assuring the country that his family was safe and the explosion was caused by a gas leak. Now with the renovations complete, the mansion stood greater than it was before. Mr Edward, Ms Lucy, and Mr Johnson sat in the garden talking mostly about their childhood and how their lives had changed since they fell apart. Thanks to Diana's confession, they now knew her grandfather was the one who planted the gold jewellery in Edward's jacket, sending him to prison. Moses' father was an employee at Johnson's farm but got fired when his drinking and negligence caused the farm a handful of cattle. When Edward's father replaced him, Moses father committed suicide, and since then, Moses blamed Edward for his ruined childhood. When Edward started the organization, Moses' empire collapsed. He
Opening her eyes feeling groggy, her head so heavy, Melissa turned almost falling off the bed.Lying on her belly, she lifted her heavy head to scan the room trying to figure out how she got home but all she could remember was two men helping her stand when she almost fell at the bathroom door. "My head hurts so much, where the hell am I?Looking around the dimly lit room, opening her eyes wider as they threatened to close, she realized she was not home. The last she could remember was attending a party. Melissa was not into partying but her best friend had forced her to join promising to be back before midnight. Still lying there, she moved her eyes from the bed scanning her surrounding and all she could see was a shower head behind glass sliding doors and a small desk next to a mini fridge. The floor to ceiling window gave her a view of the buildings around making her bolt up in flight on realizing she was not in her apartment. "Oh my, how did I get to a hotel room?" She wonder
Walking into the house, Melissa was welcome by the one person who was always happy to see her. "Mum it's great, I love it." Tommy beamed as Melissa handed him the toy car he had been asking for. "Hey young man, what do you say after getting a gift?" She asked playfully raffling his hair. "Thank you, mum." He hugged her, then took his toy car to play on the carpet. Glued to the spot, tears filled Melissa's eyes as she watched him play. Her son was the light in her life. The only good thing she got from that night. He was so obedient and well mannered, she felt proud to be his mother. But all credit went to her aunt. Without Betty, Melissa didn't know how she could have managed to raise him on her own.Dropping from university when her parents died. Then later finding herself pregnant with no money to support them. Was hard for her to comprehend. Luckily her aunt was there to support her. That fateful day when her aunt found her in the small apartment, she was on the b
“Welcome sir, I’ll show you to your suite." The manager led them to the elevator heading to the top floor to the presidential suite. “Melissa, are you okay?” Lisa asked when she noticed how conflicted Melissa looked.“I’m fine, let’s go." She and Lisa walked behind the group of staff. "Ugh! It seems we have to wait." Since many people were accompanying the client, they couldn’t get into the elevator forcing them to wait for the next one. "Let's stand here." Melissa held Lisa's arm. She had not expected Mark Johnson, the CEO of the biggest company in the country and growing globally to be the client. They had not seen each other for over four years and Mark didn't react to recognition after seeing her. To Melissa’s belief, Mark couldn’t remember her since they were not close though they had met a few times back in the university. "Oh, he's so handsome. I'm jealous you get to spend time with him." Standing at the doorway of the presidential suit, Lisa whispered to Melissa. "It's w
Melissa had to leave, Mark knew who she was making her more scared. If she stayed to take care of him then with no time he would know about tommy and she couldn't have that. Tommy was her life no way was going to let them take him from her. She had seen many cases and the poor mother is always on the losing end. How would she fight the most wealthy man in country yet she had nothing? After getting out of the room, she went to the manager's office with a plan in mind. She needed money for Tommy's school and her aunt's business but she couldn't stay in the hotel with Mark there. Not only did he threaten her son's wellbeing but he messed her brain to. Being in a hotel room with him was like relieving that night. The night that never left her mind. "Excuse me sir can I come in?" She inquired after knocking on the managers office door."Yes come in Melissa, is everything with the client okay?" Her nemesis was the most important client in the hotel at the moment and the manager was so
Soon the week was over and Melissa had to go back to work. She thought Mr Johnson would complain or look for her after she left but he didn't bother with her. From her colleague's she heard of how he praised the hotel staff and tipped Luke handsomely for his meticulous work.All the talk of how well he worked with Luke made Melissa upset, she couldn't understand her own emotions, its like deep down she wanted Mark to go after her yet in real sense she was running away from him."Stupid Melissa how could you think such a man can chase after a poor woman like you. What happened four years ago was just an accident." She scolded herself several times trying to push the thoughts out of her mind. Though he recognized her it didn't mean he had any interest in her."Hey Melli you're back, how was the week?" Lisa was always cheerful and chatty. The moment she saw Melissa she dropped everything rushing to hug her. "Melissa why did you suddenly ask for a week off yet you didn't even inform m
For two days Melissa spent everytime she had with her son, and helping her aunt reopen the flower shop. The shop had closed for some months but they still got clients ordering flowers for functions and a few hotels around town got their centerpieces. Having worked in corporate, as a professional accountant, Betty went back to what she loved doing when she lost her family. When her husband and son died, she couldn't live in the city anymore. She lost her home and job making it too hard for her to cope, opting for a new life in the province. Though she never talked about her family, Melissa knew she had never forgotten the hurt and humiliation she suffered back then. Her mother had told her stories about her aunt and when she came to get her, Melissa in her heart promised to always take care of her and Tommy since they where the only family she had."What time are you traveling tomorrow?" Aunt Betty inquired when they sat down to watch cartoon with Tommy after having dinner."Before
After waiting for almost ten minutes, true to his word's the road cleared and traffic moved smoothly. After waiting for almost ten minutes, true to his word's the road cleared and traffic moved smoothly. Stopping in front of the big gray and white painted building, Melissa straightened her skirt, took deep breaths walking into the building with every step wondering what kind of people she would be working with. She was not good at making friends upfront and without a doubt she expected some hostility. Sauntering to the front desk, the receptionist smiled at her. She was kind and welcoming and Melissa would tell she had been waiting for her. Showing her where to leave her suitcase, the receptionist directed Melissa to the elevator up to the managers office."Excuse me sir, Miss White is here." The secretary knocked at the managers office popping her head through the slightly opened door."Okay, show her in." Sightly raising his head, the manager invited Melissa to sit when she wa
At Edward's mansion, the whole family sat together for the first time since the explosion. The blast that claimed three of Mr Edward's employees. Mr Edward accompanied by David made a press briefing assuring the country that his family was safe and the explosion was caused by a gas leak. Now with the renovations complete, the mansion stood greater than it was before. Mr Edward, Ms Lucy, and Mr Johnson sat in the garden talking mostly about their childhood and how their lives had changed since they fell apart. Thanks to Diana's confession, they now knew her grandfather was the one who planted the gold jewellery in Edward's jacket, sending him to prison. Moses' father was an employee at Johnson's farm but got fired when his drinking and negligence caused the farm a handful of cattle. When Edward's father replaced him, Moses father committed suicide, and since then, Moses blamed Edward for his ruined childhood. When Edward started the organization, Moses' empire collapsed. He
“Richard, you’ve come." Cassandra rushed from the first floor carrying a doll in her hand and a lady dressed in white running after her. "Aunt Cassandra!" Mark stared at her as she wrapped her arms around his waist. "Cassandra!" Her sister peeled her from Mark. “You see, I told you Richard will come for me and our baby." She smiled, holding onto Mark’s arm, stopping him from leaving. “Yes Cassandra, let him have some rest first." Sasha’s mother took Cassandra’s hand forcing her to let go of Mark. “So sorry for that." Sasha’s mother apologized holding Cassandra back. “They diagnosed her with dementia. Most of the time she makes things up and confuses people." She explained to Mark who froze staring at Cassandra. After learning of Cassandra's evil scheme that kept his family apart, Richard sent her away. They didn't have her imprisoned but Richard declined all communication with her. “Oh! I'm so sorry." Mark took a step back when she tried to hold his arm again. Staring at what
At the states, Sasha sat opposite her mother and grandfather, biting her fingernails. She couldn’t dare look her grandfather in the eyes. “Please forgive me. I never meant for all this to happen. Mum!” When her mother overheard her phone conversation with Diana, she forced her to confess to her involvement in Melissa’s kidnapping. “I can’t believe you are capable of this Sasha. Do you see how your obsession with Mark has hurt people?” Her mother asked with tears in her eyes. “I’m sorry!” She sniffed trying to hold her mother’s hand. “This is my fault. I pushed my daughter and granddaughter too hard. I turned them into heartless monsters. Being a Johnson was my dream and now my children suffer because of my greed.” Sasha’s grandfather said ashamed of what he had made them do. “No father, you only did it thinking of their well being. Don’t blame yourself father, they chose to force what was not working.” His eldest daughter tried to console him. “But I put the idea in them. How
"They are moving, I have to get to Melissa." Mark glanced at the tracker in his hand. "We are almost there." Robert fastened his seat belt. "Once they pass the bridge it will be too late. Call Andrew and the police chief, they have to close the road." Mark instructed him. "I can't lose you again Melissa." He said to himself looking at the wedding ring on his left hand clutching the steering wheel. "Careful bro. We can't save her if we are dead." Seated beside Mark, Robert cautioned as he accelerated the speed. "We are running out of time, Robert. I promised to protect her." "And you will get her back." On the other side, David and his security team raided the house. They shot dead most of Diana's men, injuring several of them. "Where did they take my sister?" He beat up one of the guards but no matter how hard he hit him, he didn't say a thing. "Stop, you're going to kill him." The lady who helped Melissa shouted. "These people know nothing, even if you kill them they won
"Ma'am, we have a problem." One of Diana's men got into the office out of breath. "Our men on the perimeter just informed me, there are several vehicles with armed men ending this way." "What? Are they police?" Diana asked as she gathered her things, stuffing them in a travel bag. "No, they look like the men from Edward's security." He explained. "Damn it. How did they find us?" She ran a hand through her hair. "What do we do now ma'am?" "Get my car ready. We have to get to the plane." She ordered walking out. "You think you can outsmart me?" Diana banged the door open and woke Melissa up. "What happened? Ouch, you're hurting me.""Get up." Diana pulled Melissa up by the hair then frisked her body for a phone. "You brought them here." "What's going on? I have nothing on me, Diana." Melissa cried out as Diana pulled her hair. "What is this?" Diana asked, looking at the tiny red light on Melissa's necklace. "What?" "F*ck, this led them straight to us." Diana plucked off the n
Two days earlier. In Mr Edward’s office, Mark almost went mad calling everyone on his contact list. As he looked for ways to get Melissa back, David and Mr Edward organized a search team with the police and his security team when Luke Edward barged in. "You have to get out." "Luke!" Mr Edward roared as the door bust open. “There is a bomb in the office dad. We have to leave now.” The three men stared at him as he checked the bookshelf and the cabinets.Trying to get information on the new gang in town, Luke sent one of his trusted men to investigate. The man was later captured and tortured. While locked up, he overheard the plan to bomb Edward's mansion and as they took him out to finish him off, he escaped. Then went straight to Luke's office. When Luke got the information, he instructed his men to take him to their private doctor as he ran to the mansion. Though he never saw eye to eye with his father on most things, he still loved him and was willing to risk his life for h
When Melissa opened her eyes, she glanced from the blue bed sheets to the gray painting on the wall. With her hands and feet tied, she looked around the unfamiliar room. A few minutes later, the door opened inviting in a young lady carrying food and water on a tray, followed closely by one of Diana’s armed men. “Take some medicine for your head.” The lady instructed, handing her the glass of water and a white pill. “Please untie my hands.” Melissa requested which the man obliged to. Then cuffed her left hand on the bed. “Make sure you eat. I’ll come for the plate later.” The lady instructed, after making sure she had swallowed the pill. “Where is Diana? I want to see her. I demand to know if anyone survived the explosion. Hey, where is Diana?” She asked, but no one talked back to her. They left the room, locking the door. Curled on the bed, Melissa stared at the food for a while. Watching the explosion felt like her world had ended. She didn’t want to imagine life without Mar
Driving from Edward’s mansion with her brother, Melissa got a message from Sasha. She asked to meet at a hotel a few miles out of town for some interior deco inputs on an office she was opening in the States where she planned to relocate to. “I’m afraid I can’t come with you to the company. Sasha wants us to meet for lunch. She needs my help with something.” She informed David after reading the message. “Are you sure it’s okay to meet with her alone? I can take you there.” David said, feeling restless about the meeting. “She is not that bad of a person when you get to know her and I have to be friendly with her for Mark. The two families are very close. Whether I like it or not, she will always be around whenever we go for any of Johnson’s family functions.” She said, trying to ease his worries. “The driver will take you. Be very careful. If you suspect anything, get out and make sure to call me once your meeting is done.” He instructed, still feeling reluctant to let her go a
Seated in the office at the steels company, Melissa smiled remembering the wonderful places they visited over the weekend. The family of three took road trips most of the free weekend's, which was both exciting and educational for Tommy as they visited different parts of the world. Mark was extremely affectionate, always pampering her and providing everything they needed more than they asked for. Which often reminded her of her father. The man who worked hard to provide for his little girl. After the ceremony they had moved into the Johnson's mansion but since his mother was back at the farm and her aunt had moved to live with the Edward's as she prepared to move to her husband's home, they went back to the villa house. After years of mourning, Betty reunited with her son and husband. Cassandra didn't accept Richard going back to Betty. In a fit of range she attacked Betty and threatened to slits her throat if she didn't turn down Richard, luckily Richard and the family interve