Shit!"She cursed in pain struggling to move her legsSuch bad luck that befell her, just her luck to be stuck in the middle of nowhere on a night where she was haunted for some reason unknown to her, not a single soul was there to offer assistance and she was frightened by the sound of wind blowing through the forest.She imagined the worse that could happen to her that night and it was all becoming reality one step at a time.She sat down on the tar and sobbed for a minute while twisting her legs hoping to relocate her dislocated joint, the pain almost made her want to scream but she held her tongue to avoid making a sound.She bent her ankle forward and backward to be sure that it had gone back to normal and was delighted when she realized that it had, she stood hastily even though the pain was still present, she couldn't run any faster but she moved as fast as she could praying to get out of there on foot to a place where there were no trees surrounding her.She limped on one foot
She was up late going through the pile of documents on her reading table, she would have done that earlier but had no time to do so as her uncle came to visit and dropped by her house for lunch.Stacy was a young lady in her early twenties, her father Mr. Dwayne Clark was the CEO of Dwayne's oil company one of the best-selling in the states and beyond. He was no doubt a billionaire with an exotic personality who wanted his children to take after him but unfortunately, Stacy was not one of those.Born after two boys, Stacy grew up to like nothing but fashion. As a teenager, her father supported her with a belief that she would outgrow it someday but the lady kept her dream alive even as an adult.Due to her persistence, her father let her attend a fashion academy where she graduated with a good score but her designs were hidden from the outside world.As predicted by her father, she had no forthcoming jobs as a designer but Stacy wasn't giving up. With the help of her father, she start
She shook vigorously in fear as whoever it was tried to break in, she tasted the salty liquid that found its way down her chin.She had no idea what to do next, she wasn't sure the door would keep her protected for too long and she was right because right before her very eyes, an axe passed through the door and it appeared the intruder was breaking in.She quickly looked around for where to hide, she looked under her bed but the space in between was too narrow for her to fit so she could only think of one last place.She quickly ran into her closet, took the pile of clothes, and placed them over herself, she covered her mouth with her hand to avoid gaining attention from any sounds she made, she took a deep breath in and out as her heart raced rapidly.The door was finally broken and someone barged into her room, she heard footsteps and sounds of things being flipped over and her neatly arranged room being scattered, she remembered the documents she left on her reading table and praye
They sped through the forest dodging all police cars they met on the way, the red-haired man was indeed a proficient stunt driver with such dexterity required by movie producers.Stacy was quiet all through the precarious ride, she feared whatever it was that lay ahead of her in the near future of the same night, she had no tears left to cry yet they dropped from her eyes sporadically making her clothing wet with the salty liquid.Amidst her lachrymose temperament, she spotted a speeding car up ahead, she raised a brow upon seeing the plate number and she could tell that it was Kloe's official car.How could she scream and be heard without being stopped by these vile monsters in human form sitting next to her on both sides, how could she put herself to be noticed by Kloe who she undoubtedly believed was headed for her house.She couldn't let this opportunity at her fingertips down the drain without an attempt, she had to think faster than she ever had even though her chances were very
Could it be help? she wondered or could it be something worse about to happen? whatever it was Kloe prepared her mind towards it. She sat down there placing her head on her knee, she was stressed and tired and without the energy to lift herself from the tar.As the car drove near, she raised her hair only to discover that it was followed by four bikes, two in front and the other two behind, and then a second car that followed it from behind."Who could this be?" She wondered staring at the car as it approached her.The car eventually stopped and so did the bikes.Slowly, the tinted windows were brought down, it was dark and she could barely see who the driver was, she stared at the window until it was down completely, and with the inside light, she could see the face of the driver."Hello!" He said"What are you doing here? He asked her.Kloe couldn't respond at first, she was taken aback upon seeing the bikes which were ridden by well-trained and armed officers.Putting herself toge
The car sped up and continued till they got to the exact point which led inside the woods."Why did we stop?" Kloe questioned.They alighted, casting quizzical looks at the officers."What going on?" Mr. Dwayne asked them with an attitude of impatience."They went this way," One of the officers on the bike replied pointing into the woods."They are inside there? I thought you told me that they have been found. " Mr. Dwayne asked getting annoyed." Dad, let's just go," Dan said."We can't drive in there, not with the size of our car," The driver complained leaving them disappointed once again."I know a route from the other side, though it's longer it's big enough to let even a truck in, "Another officer suggested." And you expect us, to spend a long time getting there, all I know is that I want to see my daughter and I want to see her alive, " Mr. Dwayne yelled before going back into the car and slamming the door after him.Every other person entered the car as well, before they drov
"Hurry up, please she must be fine!" Kloe yelled at the nurses without an iota of guilt in her voice."Calm down miss we will do the best we c..." Don't tell me that!" Kloe interjected,"Nothing and I repeat nothing must happen to her.""We assure you, mam, we will do our best, " The nurse replied with a reassuring smile before directing them toward the chairs.Kloe stood and watched as Stacy was taken from her presence on a hospital bed until she was out of sight.She sighed as tears trickled down her cheeks before sitting on the chair next to her."I'm surprised at you," Mr. Dwayne uttered without staring at her." I could only do what I can, I'm glad she was found," Kloe replied also without staring away from her fingers which had folded into a tight fist."Thank you," Mrs. Dwayne muttered to her surprise and she faked a smile in return." Thank you Kloe but I still have a question, what is the document they...James was Interrupted by a man who walked into the lobby in a haste."
"Hello Miss, " She said to the nurse who replied to her with a broad smile which quickly changed as soon as she saw Kloe. "How may I help you?" The clerk asked in a less concerned manner." Uhm I just wanted to know, has any man been here today, this night in particular, he was stabbed in the arm," Kloe questioned her with confidence but disliked the irritating glare the clerk cast at her."No not at all," The clerk responded with a carefree demeanor, she smiled at first but raising her head to see the figure before her, she was speechless.She expected to see a wealthy billionaire lady asking for help, not some middle-class woman dressed in rags with bruises all over her face and body."She has come for a free medical treatment," The nurse thought without saying a word." What do you mean he is not here, I was told that he had been admitted at this same hospital, probably less than two hours ago, how could he not be here? " Kloe slightly raised her voice." Ma please, if you want fre
"Karen Simone," Kloe whispered and quickly hung up the call, she didn't know why but it was probably a reflex action based on how she was feeling at the moment. "Are you okay Kloe? You seem lost for a second," Stacy's voice called her attention, she stepped out of the conference room to get something only to see Kloe holding onto the phone with a depressed expression. " Guess who just called me? "Kloe asked her. " Who, I can't think of anyone that will call you to make you look like this, did something bad happen? " Her face became worried as she answered. " Do you remember Karen? The one I told you about, from my campus days? " " The one that made your life a living hell on campus, which contributes to the reason for your success today? Then yes I remember her," " Hold on? " Stacy paused as if just remembered something. " Was she the one who called you?" She inquired and Kloe nodded affirmatively. Stacy was shocked, she found it hard to believe but not as much as Kloe herse
/ Flashback/"Mam please, I did no such thing, I can't steal from you no matter what my situation is, please ma, this is all a lie, there is no way I did it, please don't fire me, I need this job I beg you," a young lady cried, pleading with tears in her eyes.This young lady was Kloe in her late teens when she worked at a clothing store just outside the campus.She was reported to her employer by one of her colleagues, claiming that she had stolen over a hundred dollars from the business, and since the accountant reported the money to be missing, with Kloe being one of the few workers who could access the store's safe, it was believable.A colleague who reported her was none other than Karen Simone, one of her mates in the university, a coworker, and also one of the newest staff in the clothing store having been hired only three weeks ago.Even before they began working together, Kloe and Karen were never on good terms, the reason being that Karen's ex-boyfriend broke up with her to
"Yes hello Rowan," she responded, giving him a warning stare. Rowan was tense as he looked at her, unable to stand it much longer he walked away, up the stairs towards Max's room."Hello, mam?" The Manager's voice brought her back to remembrance."Yes Mr manager, what do you think of my offer, you have thirty seconds to make your choice, the name or lose your job, you can tell me how much you want and I'll send that soon" I do not want your money mam, " he interjected, " I just don't want my name involved in this," he added in a tone of fear." Fine by me, so you agree then, I'm expecting that phone number soon,"The next Monday, Kloe had gone to work earlier. She was excited to give the news about their participation in the Paris Icon to her team.She had called Mr. Coleman to complain about his application without her consent to which he claimed not to have been aware.He said that only a few companies who applied got nominated, but their team selected a few prestigious fashion br
"Who is she?" This was the first statement Max heard as soon as he entered his house, Karen was seated on the sofa, her face steaming with annoyance."Who are you talking about?" Max asked her, he was puzzled by the question even though he knew that Karen referred to Kloe, but he didn't know how she found out."Don't act foolish Max, you know who I am talking about, you were at Serene Lux hotel with her a few hours ago, and you don't need to ask me how I knew, look at this," she took out her phone and showed him a picture that caused his jaws to drop.It was a picture of him and Kloe as they got out of the car at Serene Lux Hotel, a friend of hers had taken the picture when she saw them at the hotel and sent it to her immediately.In the picture, he held hands with Kloe, although the camera did not capture Kloe's face because her back was turned away from the camera, Max's face was clear."That… " Let me guess," Karen interjected," A client? I never knew you hold your clients so pas
"Thank you for everything Max, and I promise, I'll get back to you, I just need to settle down with myself, I hope you understand," Kloe said to him wrapping her hand around him in a tight embrace.Max hugged her passionately, he had never felt more comfortable in the hands of a woman than he did with Kloe, she was someone he always loved to be around, but he was bummed when she declined his request to kiss her lips.He was embarrassed even remembering it but he was not aware of what came over him.As they walked out of the building, all eyes glared at them as always until they were seated inside the car.It was 5 pm when he dropped Kloe off at her house before leaving after giving her a broad and genuine smile.Once she had gone inside, Max rolled up the window and asked Rowan,"How do I get rid of Karen without being affected by my father's deal with her?""Sir I must be honest with you," Rowan retorted."That impossible," he added with a frown on his face. He was also unhappy that
He took her hand and guided her towards the entrance, while Kloe tried to remain calm without thinking about anything stupid. She kept a smile on her face and responded to every greeting she received.Even though she was not extravagantly dressed, her beauty alone was an eye-catcher for most of the men in the building, even the women too stared at her, some with envious eyes and some without."Mr. Ben," the manager approached him."Yes, hello," Max greeted with a straight face."Please follow me this way sir, everything is ready like you requested," said the manager."I certainly hope that it is," Max retorted with closed teeth.They were led towards an exclusive elevator, reserved for people like Max, the elevator was luxurious, you don't even stand because there was a comfortable sofa inside where they sat, a cut of tea on a center table, a television for entertainment, and an air conditioner, getting rid of even the slightest moist inside the elevator.The elevator ride was short-l
"I can't love her anymore," he thought to himself while sitting next to her in the back seat."She'll think that I am taking advantage of her because I saved her, God why does this have to happen, why wasn't she just a random lady that I met outside? I'll have to take it very slowly if I am going to get her to love me because for now, I think she is just very empathetic, but then there is my father's deal with Karen, I hate my life,""Damm, she's beautiful," he stared at her, being a man who had always been interested in a woman's physique and physiognomy, he found Kloe all-round attractive. His eyes trailed down her neck and he bit hard in his lips."Control yourself, idiot!" He yelled at his thoughts, he had never felt so attracted to a woman's body like he did at the moment.He refrained from looking down at her cleavages, knowing how weird his thoughts could get."You are quiet today," Kloe broke the silence between them, she had noticed how he stared at her but pretended not to.
Indeed, even a hundred billion dollars was nothing to Max, he could make that amount of money with a single phone call, but Rowan had helped him to not be extravagant in spending as his father had instructed.Max's father was wealthy but wasn't extravagant, he didn't just spend money on whatever he wanted to and that had helped maintain his financial status, he believed that if Max could control how much he spent then he had gotten himself a perfect son to take over his company.While Rowan made the call, the manager reported that the place had already been lodged and that he couldn't send the occupants away, the current occupants had paid over seven hundred thousand dollars to stay there for the day.Rowan didn't know how to report this news to Max, but he had to anyway since there was nothing he could do."What does he mean by that? Serene Lux has three apartments, I want just one there is no way all three are lodged," Max thundered as soon as he heard it."Yes sir, all three of the
"Excuse me?" Kloe called upon one of the bartenders as soon as she entered the place, luckily she didn't meet the same lady she met two nights ago, requesting her reservation card. "Hello mam, welcome, can I help you with something?" The bartender inquired politely."Yes, table twelve please, I need to see someone immediately," she said."Okay, follow me," the bartender uttered and took the lead.Kloe could feel her heartbeat rising as she followed him, she kept staring at people seated inside hoping to Max, but she didn't."Here mam, table twelve," The bartender announced whilst pulling out the chair for her to seat."He's not here yet, thank God I'm not so late," she assured herself and took a sit."Can I get you something to drink?" The bartender offered with a smile." Yes, a bottle of red wine please," she answered. She was still nervous, she hasn't met him yet and this worsened her surge of anticipation."Alright, I will be right back," the bartender walked away immediately to