26Natalie's POV It was summer, the month of June. I picked a few packets of toiletries and two colognes from the display racks at Gladwell Shopmart. I had rode to the mall after discussing with my dad over lunch that day, where he made a surprising request. In his words, he would never force me to do things against my wish, but he would be glad if I put that into consideration. Recently, Zurich Corporations had risen to limelight, widely advertised on billboards and thereafter awarded the most influential company in the State. It became prominent among very wealthy individuals, and soon Zurich Corporations began to produce other subsidiary companies.The Fidells amassed in great wealth. Their offices were refurbished with smart technology, and most of the staffs who were considered to have less expertise were dismissed and replaced with the best of staffs. Mr. Fidell's net worth was thrice the amount of my dad's now, they still met as jolly good friends sharing drinks and making me
27 ****Natalie's POV****“I am here for you" Kevin said to me, after settling with the two teenage girls. “I guess I will have to use the washroom, I can't dine, looking this way" I replied. “Cake girlie! Your face..." Kevin teased and we laughed together. I feigned a frown immediately, I shouldn't be laughing with him. I couldn't take my bag because my hands were sticky, so I dropped my bag in Kevin's car and headed into the restaurant. Kevin and I walked in, we were warmly welcomed by the restaurant's front of house staff.I stared for few minutes, admiring the grandeur of the restaurant. Unconsciously, the word escaped my lips.“Whoa!"“Sleek right?" Kevin asked. “I told you so!" He continued, dusting the top of his shirt proudly. “Direction to the washroom, please..." I requested.The front of house staff directed me to take a straight route, before turning left. “Alright, thanks" I said, still clasping my hands separately from the other. “And where do you think you are go
28Mr. Mark left the estate when he noticed Natalie had shut the door to her room. While he rode in his Lexus LC, his mind was filled with the thoughts of Louisa. Ofcourse, he was heading to the home of the Browns. Natalie would be with Kevin, there was no stumbling blocks now. As he rode, he nodded to the rhythm of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean.Arriving at the Browns apartment, Mark found Louisa pruning the flowers outside. She stopped pruning, the moment his car pulled over, and stood waiting to know who had come visiting. When Mark revealed his face, she couldn't hide the fact that she was bewildered. “What are you doing here, sir?" She said, trying to sound polite, even though she knew she was rude. Mark was aghast, he shut his car door and moved swiftly to where she stood. “Louisa, do not address me as sir!" “You never did that all the time we were back from Norway, why now?" Mr. Mark continued. He looked at the pruning scissors she held, her long gown and the messy bun on
29****Kevin's POV**** My phone buzzed thrice, during the board meeting with Sam & Co. I had ignored it, paying close attention to everything the director said, this was another big deal to be made and I was not ready to miss the opportunity. “We will give a positive feedback in two days time" I assured the director, shaking hands with him. I would make sure my team gives them the best, Zurich Corporations no longer associated itself with failure, we gave the unrivaled best. When I was done with assuring the members at Sam & Co, Mr. Hudson and my P.A trailed behind me. In an hour, I was back to the company. A reasonable number of clients sat on the seats reserved at the entrance as usual. The front desk clerk welcomed me with her ever cheerful smile. “Welcome back, sir!" She said, bowing slightly. A ball pen was lying closely to the black telephone on her desk. As she spoke, she picked up the pen. “Thank you, Ruby. Hasten up!, we have so much clients today. Make sure they are al
30****Kevin's POV****“Really?" I chuckled.“Husband and son?" I asked, almost choking with laughter. My mom stomped the desk at once, “Stop that shit, Kevin! Don't be a foolish child, and stop asking me lame questions!"“Should I fold my hands and watch another woman take what belongs to me? Never!"“Rosalind Arnold will never do that!" She shrieked. “Right.." I said, clapping briefly. “In your words, I quote: ‘Rosalind Arnold!' not Fawcett and definitely not Fidell!."“I guess you do not have the slightest idea that he changed his last name. You gotta think of a smarter plan mom, because it is evident that the plan you have will end up being fruitless!" I snapped. My mom looked blankly, my words had definitely gotten to her. She gave one last puff and settled the cigarette on her dancing fingers. As she engaged herself in deep thoughts, she smacked her bubble gum noisily. My eyes assessed her oval face, she had pierced the upper part of both ears, and placed a diamond jewelry
31****Maurice's POV****Ever since the robbery incident, I had secretly contacted the team for Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT). Fortunately, I had a close friend who worked in SWAT, our friendship started since we were ten. He lost his mom way back, when he was eight and was wrongly treated by his father's new wife. Then in school, he always arrived very late, his homework unattended and his eyes very droopy. His stomach rumbled with hunger whenever he sat beside me, and at the close of school one fateful day, I found him picking leftover candy from the sport field at St. Phillips. Our friendship begun that day, and I shared my lunch with him. While we ate, he narrated his life experience to me. ‘His father was being kind to let him continue at St. Phillips' he had said. His step mother had vehemently kicked against that. Days later, Sebastian began to drop by at my place before we headed for school. He constantly met with my parents before we left, and although we didn't have
32****Maurice's POV**** The view I met when I got back to work a week later made me stop right in track. Outside the building of Venus Group, was a white 2018 Honda Accord designed with white ribbons neatly crossed at the middle, and tied in a bow at the handles and plate number.On getting closer to the car as well as the entrance, some members of Venus Group began to troop out one after the other. Mr. Mark came first, followed by Natalie, and then my Chinese colleague, Liu Ling, before the bald headed Mr. Locke joined in. Just as I thought, ‘It was for me!'“Congratulations on acquiring your official car, Mr. Maurice Brown! You have served Venus Group steadfastly and worked tirelessly in making this company flourish greatly" Mr. Mark said with a smile and then continued.“I specifically ordered that this model be made available to you this morning, because of the unproblematic period of your probation. You are special and honored in this firm, Maurice!" He finalized, while the oth
33****Natalie's POV****Kevin had sent his aides a day before, to pick me after I was back from a spa session at Zen Spa and Beauty Center.My phone chimed the moment I had refreshed and relaxed on my settee, munching a plate of cookies. Flipping the text message open, it read; “Hi sunshine! My men will be at your place shortly. Make sure to look your absolute best when you come over. Don't say no to your future husband!"‘The nerves!' Did Kevin think I supported his idea for marriage? Fine... I understood that my dad intentionally wanted to build his relationship with Mr. Fidell, and maybe have his way in dating Louisa, but I wasn't giving in to marrying Kevin. Do I love Kevin? Yes... I do, but then there's Maurice!. My father had willed the ownership of his gold mine land to me on my last birthday, which I was thankful to have secured during my rape incident. Notwithstanding the fact that the Fidells were wealthier than us, the gold mine land was enough for me to establish myself,