Andrea’s POV
“Andrea, Michael has emailed you his resignation before leaving! Have you checked?” asked Roberta as I went through the terms and conditions of the Wells Group project. After all the deals went out of our hands, this was my only hope. It was obvious Zion was deliberately trying to force me to surrender to his wishes, but he had no idea about my patience. After raising the twins single-handedly since they were born, I had loads of it. I wasn’t the immature, reckless Andrea I used to be. However much he tried, I wouldn’t rise to the bait.
Now, this fresh piece of news shattered my inner resolve. How could Michael backstab me? How could he leave Ratio now, when I needed him the most? “Are you sure? I have received no email from him yet.”
Roberta looked uncomfortable while I gave her a suspicious look. No, there were no emails from Michael. “How do you know about this? Did he tell you he will leave Ratio?” I was now sure this was a joke. I trusted Michael even with my eyes closed.
“I overheard him talking to Steve McGuire, Conrad Architect’s new owner’s trusted PA. He has joined them at an exorbitant price.” Blood boiled in my veins as I stood up, ready to confront Zion. This was getting too far. I hadn’t blasted him for his cheap stunts when he snatched all our projects, but this was the limit. How could they buy Michael? My business depended on him.
How will I make ends meet if the business doesn’t earn? When he refused to take responsibility for the twins, I didn’t pursue it with him. Now that I was trying to earn a living for my children, he had to snatch it all from me!
“How could they do this to us? How could Michael sell his soul and leave me when I needed him the most?”
Roberta looked upset too and stood in silence, unable to comfort me. It wasn’t her fault. I had never broken down in front of outsiders. “Do you want to appoint a new marketing guy, Andrea? My brother’s best friend, Dennis Webster, has a degree in marketing management. He’s looking for an internship. He’s quite needy! I’m sure he’ll work very hard.”
I nodded, smiling at her with gratitude. “Ask him to come down for an interview tomorrow morning, sharp at 9.” She nodded and left while I closed my eyes to get a grip on myself. I had to do this. I had to show Zion my true mettle. He could try all his life, but I wouldn’t bend at all. I would make Dennis Webster sign a two-year deal with me before he joined us. He couldn’t leave the company any time.
Roberta left, but I stayed on preparing the deal I would make Dennis sign on.
After five minutes, the guard entered, looking hassled. “Ms. Cromwell, there is a gentleman outside demanding to enter the office to meet you. Should we let him in?”
“Office hours are over for the day. Ask him to come back tomorrow.” I wasn’t in the mood to meet anyone right now. The faster I completed the document, the sooner I could go home to my children.
With Adrian’s leg still in a cast, he was cranky at seeing the others have fun without him. He hadn’t expected it to stay for so many days, and I couldn’t tell him how long it would take him to heal. I felt guilty for neglecting the twins recently.
“I told him, ma’am. He isn’t taking no for an answer.” Somehow, the description of the stranger fitted Zion perfectly. Who else would come over to see me here in my office?
“Did he mention his name?” The guard shook his head when the door opened and Zion barged in furiously.
“Why am I being stopped from coming over to see you, Andrea? Don’t they know who I am?” He trembled with fury while I gaped at his arrogance. Who did he think he was? The Almighty?
I gestured to my guard to leave the room, and he did. I turned to face Zion bravely.
“Why are you here Zion? You’re the rival, the worst enemy Ratio Architects could ever have. Why would I agree to meet you? Please leave while I’m being nice to you. I have nothing to discuss with you.” I seethed with fury at the man, waiting for him to leave. Did he think I would welcome him with open arms after the stunt he pulled?
He stood frozen while his hawk-like eyes watched me warily. “Are you sure you don’t want to negotiate with me? This is your last chance, Andrea.”
“No, after you bought my employee, you’ve closed all avenues up for negotiation. Good luck with your business. You may leave!” Yet he disregarded my order and stood watching me with a strange expression on his face. I was bad at reading emotions.
My phone buzzed with an incoming call from Grandpa Vincent and I picked it up, accepting the call.
“Can you come home right away, Andy? The therapist is here to check up on Adrian. He has damaged the cast. Please don’t scold him. He’s quite upset now.”
“I’ll be there in ten minutes.” I disconnected the call, dumping my stuff into my laptop bag in haste. Tears pricked in my eyes. I had been so engaged in work, that I had totally forgotten about my responsibilities towards my little ones. I was indeed the worst mom alive!
“Boyfriend problems? Who did you leave hanging now?” Zion’s taunting words echoed in the room, bringing me out of my dazed state. I had completely forgotten about his presence in the room.
“None of your business, Zion. If you can’t see yourself out, I might have to call the security guard.” I picked up the intercom to do just that when he punched the wall nearby and stormed out of my office.
“You’ll pay for this insult, Andrea Cromwell!” He threw over his shoulder, but I wasn’t bothered. My mind was on my child, who might be struggling with his injury. My poor baby boy! He needed me so much while I dumped my responsibilities upon grandpa and Granny Catherine so conveniently.
I rushed out of the office and drove as fast as possible towards Cromwell Mansion. There wasn’t a minute to lose. However, throughout the way, I had the feeling of being stalked. Of course, I was imagining things. Who would stalk me?
After ten minutes, I pulled up in the driveway of Cromwell Mansion and rushed inside just in time to see the therapist working on Adrian’s cast. Adrian had fallen asleep from the exhaustion and I sat beside him to stroke the hair off his face. At four, he had been a brave boy indeed! Granny Catherine sat on the other side of Adrian and I gave her a smile of gratitude. I would have been so lost without her help!
“How long will this take?” I asked the therapist in a low tone.
“Fifteen minutes more, ma’am!” I tiptoed out of the room, leaving granny Catherine with Adrian and his therapist.
Mrs. Hamilton brought me a chilled tumbler of refreshing lemonade. I needed it so badly. “Thank you, Kathy! I needed this.” She smiled, knowing me so well. “How did it happen? What upset him so much?”
“Zayden and Zane challenged him to outrun them. He thought his injury had healed and tampered with the cast. I have no idea how they damaged it! When I went in to give him his evening snack, I found them all hovering around him, helping him get free.”
I looked around for Zayden. He was getting unmanageable every day. What would I do with him? “Where’s Zayden? I think I need to talk to him.”
“I haven’t seen him all evening. Maybe he’s hiding after the stunt he has pulled. Give him time, Andy. When things calm down, you can talk to him. Don’t shout, just make him understand his mistakes.” I nodded, taking in a deep breath. I would try, but it was difficult.
I wondered when Knox and Danielle would return.
I could feel a headache coming on. The day’s exhaustion was taking a toll on me. “I’ll get some coffee.”
“After lemonade? Why don’t you freshen up? We will have an early dinner and you can rest awhile.”
“Let’s wait for Adrian to wake up. We can have dinner together. I’ll freshen up in the meantime.”
I was about to go to my bedroom when the doorbell rang. Who could it be? Were my grandparents expecting guests? I had no wish to entertain guests right now.
“Who could that be now?” asked Mrs. Hamilton as she bustled towards the main door. I couldn’t take a step further as a sense of dread clutched at my heart. From the open window, I caught sight of a black Mercedes parked in the driveway!
Of course, I knew who had a weakness for Mercedes cars! It was none other than Zion Concorde!
Andrea’s POVA sense of dread spread over my mind as I watched Mrs. Hamilton approach the door. No, I couldn’t face him. “Please deal with him, Kathy. Tell him I’m busy!” I dashed off towards Adrian’s room to avoid Zion at all costs. The therapist had completed his work and got up to leave. I could hear the main door close. So Zion had left! Granny Catherine was arranging Adrian’s duvet and cushions, so I followed the therapist out. “Call me if he faces any discomfort. Otherwise, I’ll come over after two days to check up on him.” “Thank you so much for coming over at such short notice.” He smiled and nodded at me.“It’s my job.” As we walked out of the room towards the main door, I froze at the sight of Zion, sitting in the living room, maybe waiting for me. What was he doing here? Didn’t he know I was busy? The therapist took his leave while I walked over to Zion, glaring at him all the while. “What brings you here, Zion? There is nothing to discuss. I’m busy!” I continued to glar
Andrea’s POV I felt relaxed, rested, and much better! The soft bed I was lying on didn’t seem mine! Where was I? I remembered falling unconscious in the office! After that, everything was hazy. I had no memory of anything whatsoever. Immediately I opened my eyes with a start as a feeling of dread clutched at my heart. I looked around the tastefully done-up room. Where was I? This wasn’t my room or Cromwell Mansion! With its neutral shades of beige, it looked more like a man’s bedroom. My heart constricted with fright. I dreaded accepting the obvious. Did Zion bring me over to his house? After all, he was the only one present near me when I lost consciousness. No, I had to escape. I didn’t want to stay here a second longer to confront him. My head swooned as I tried to get up. It was a futile effort, and I fell back on the bed. I knew I was burning with a fever, but I had to leave. If I stayed here, I would go crazy. I made repeated attempts at getting up on my feet. At last, I sto
Zion’s POV Mad fury coursed through my body as I realized what she had done. How dare she hit me? I would punish her right away! No one could get away after messing with Zion Concorde! Maybe she hadn’t gone far without a car or her bag!I was about to open the door and run after her when a phone buzzed somewhere on the floor. I felt my phone in my pocket. It wasn’t mine. I looked around to find Andrea’s phone lying outside the main door. She might have dropped it in her haste. Then how would she summon help in her condition? I walked out of the penthouse, picked up the phone and glared at the screen. The name Adrian flashed across the screen, immediately making me see red. At that moment, I could have killed the guy with my bare hands. I was about to accept the call immediately, intending to blast him for calling at odd hours, when my gaze fell near the elevator. A gasp of horror escaped my lips at the sight of Andrea lying near my private elevator. I knew she was burning with feve
Andrea’s POV I waited outside Zion’s condominium for Grandpa Vincent’s car. I was glad I could get away from Zion. It was true he had helped me recover, but I couldn’t breathe in his presence. I didn’t want to go down memory lane and relive the moments I spent with him. What was the use? He didn’t love me the way I did. It was best to stay away from one another. His gesture couldn’t undo the hurt he had inflicted on me. He had broken me five years ago. Even now, his harsh, judgemental words shattered me, more than a fatal wound could. How could he have such a low opinion of me without proof? No, he was too toxic for me. It was better I avoided him at all costs. Thankfully, I had found my mobile phone lying on the bed beside me. I had dropped it somewhere when I fell unconscious. Seeing it suddenly near me gave me the idea of escaping. Maybe Zion had left it accidentally on my bed. I sneaked out with it while he was busy in the kitchen. After everything he did to me, did he really e
Andrea’s POV I turned a deaf ear to the phone, letting it buzz. Somehow, I had the feeling Zion had a hand in the eviction. Why else would they evict us so abruptly? I just couldn’t sit idle at home and rest when there was so much on my plate. I popped a pill and got ready to go to the office. Grandpa was upset with me and refused to talk to me. I could understand his point of view, but today, I had to check out what was going on. I would definitely demand a notice period when I wasn’t a defaulter. The moment I drove out through the gates, I came across Zion’s car, heading right inside. Why was he here now? Maybe he was here to blast me for escaping him and ignoring his call. It served him right. I swerved the car, but he blocked me. Lowering his window, he handed me my laptop bag. I could see the amusement in his eyes, but I ignored it. I snatched my bag from his grip and drove away, leaving him where he was. After ten minutes, I braced the LA traffic and reached my office. Rober
Andrea’s POV “Mom, I hate to live alone. Why do we have to go? Why can’t we stay at G-Pa’s house like Zane and Angel do?” asked Zayden, scowling at me defiantly. They called their great-grandpa, G-Pa, just as Knox’s children did. I glanced at Adrian sulking in the back seat, furious to leave Cromwell Mansion behind. His leg was much better and he could walk using a crutch. It would be a matter of days before he could move around without aid. I couldn’t stay until then. I had to get away before Knox’s arrival. He was too dominating! “Their lives are settled in Cromwell Mansion, whereas ours is in our apartment. How long would you miss school? It’s quite a distance from Cromwell Mansion.” I drove towards my apartment while the twins sulked. I couldn’t tell them the real reason I had moved out. They were too young to understand. There was another reason, though. Zane, Zayden, and Adrian together were becoming quite a handful for granny Catherine and grandpa to handle at their age. The
Zion’s POV My whole body burned with rage at the mention of the name. I hated that name now! Who the f*ck was this Adrian guy? My mind conjured up images of a shrewd, lecherous playboy with looks good enough to kill! I could disfigure him using only my bare hands. Was he Andrea’s boyfriend? Why else would she live together with him? I hadn’t seen a wedding ring on her finger. So she couldn’t have been married to the guy! How did Knox accept him so readily in her life when he broke off all ties with me? He hadn’t even given me a chance to explain myself. Then, Knox had always been the weirdest among us. It was expected of him. I had no idea how he chose an angel of a woman for himself. He didn’t deserve Danielle’s love! I sat in my car and seethed even more, unable to drive away. I wanted Knox to leave so that I could go back to catch them red-handed. Of course, I knew Andrea wasn’t answerable to me. She had the right to move on after I had thrown her out of my life five years ago.
Andrea’s POV I gasped with horror at finding myself in Zion’s arms, despite my efforts to keep him at bay. Why was he waiting in front of the door?“Leave me, Zion!” I thrashed furiously, desperate to place some distance between us. I was here to warn him, not to hug him!“What have I done? You’re the one who walked into my arms!” His eyes sparkled with mischief, infuriating me even more. Did he find this amusing?I wasn’t letting this opportunity go. Did he think I would blush and stammer at his flirty ways? The old Andrea who had a crush on him might have done that, but not me. I had learned my lesson the hard way. I would never fall for him again. “How would I know you’d be waiting for me right at the door with open arms? Desperate, aren’t you? No wonder your wife left you.” He released me as if my words hit him hard. His jaws clenched and I could see the annoyed look back on his face. Good enough! That’s how I wanted it between us. It would make me hate him even more. It would r