The week progressed quietly for Lara and Dana, with nothing out the ordinary. Kim was progressing well. She had her first set of exams next week, other than being nervous nothing was worthy of note. Steve tried to comfort her “It doesn’t matter if we don’t clear this time. We can try again next year. Daddy will support you.”Kim rolled her eyes “Can you have a little more faith in me?”Steve “”---Wednesday afternoon, Ben was in the middle of holding an internal meeting when his phone lit up with an unfamiliar caller id-“Dring …dring…dring…”Ben hated interruption during meetings. He frowned as he cut the call and asked the staff who was about to report about the current projects to start.“Dring…. Dring…. Dring…” The person on the other end didn’t seem to get the message. Ben looked around the room contemplating before excusing himself to pick the call.“Hello” His voice was unusually cold but that didn’t seem to deter the caller’s enthusiasm.“Mr. Adalase, its me… meet me at my B
“Dana, what a surprise.” He greeted Dana as he reached close to her.“Brother, please entertain Dana while I go and find Ms. Burton.” Mary ran off before Dana could reject her.She smiled awkwardly at Maine.Maine smiled happily; he ignored her awkwardness. He was ecstatic that his plan was about to succeed. A few seconds, a toast, and then his friends would come over… he could introduce …he would naturally apologize for the misunderstanding later but by then she will be announced as his fiancée to the world. He was just one step away from success.“Dana, I am so happy you are here.” He smiled warmly as he took two champagne flutes from the waiter “Please join me in a toast to wish my sister good health and good fortune.”Dana smiled, she couldn’t be rude and refuse to toast the birthday girl now, could she? She extended her hand and received the flute.Maine smiled and lifted the flute to toast when Dana’s phone rang.“Dring…. Dring…. Dring”“Excuse me.” Dana smiled politely as she k
Frank and Ed looked cautiously at Ben who walked in with an indifferent expression. ‘Did he meet Dana? What happened?’ Their thoughts churned but they didn’t ask, just studied Ben’s face for cues.Dana walked back into the pub. Frank and Ed noted that she was wearing a different dress. They looked curiously at Ben, but he still kept a poker face.Maine was chatting with his friends, anxiously eyeing the entrance from time-to-time. He was still standing where she left him 30 mins ago, but Dana didn’t feel any sympathy. Her mind was raging with anger, her eyes narrowed into slits before she regained her composure and walked in with a ridiculing smile.Maine’s heart raced as he saw Dana walking towards him with a sharp gaze. ‘She had changed her dress. Why?’“Are alright? Why did you change?” He walked out from his friends’ circle and asked taking her arm gently in concern.“Does my dress have anything to do with Mr Stapleton?” Dana asked pointedly pulling her arm away in disgust. Her vo
Glitz club-Maine arrived early. He sat in a corner drinking dolefully, he had already finished 2 bottles. He had never been this humiliated … sadly, he still didn’t hate her… he just wanted her to see him, accept him. He hated Amber for her stupid plan. He wanted to tear her into a million pieces ‘Bitch!’Amber arrived at 7 on the dot. She didn’t want to agitate Maine further.“You have ruined my life, bitch” Maine greeted Amber resentfully.“Are you trying to blame me for your inefficiency?” Amber sat down with a taunting smile.She called the waiter and ordered a drink. She looked at Maine disdainfully when he wasn’t looking and plastered a pitiful expression when he turned his gaze at her “I helped you with planning every single detail…. And you are discrediting me? Don’t you know how much I want you to succeed.” She sobbed “Only then would I get Ben. I have been dreaming about him ever since I met him 10 years ago.”A sloppily dressed man who was sitting on the table behind Maine
Dana and Lara had arrived smoothly at Frank’s place.“How are you?” Sarah was waiting at the door. She was excited, she didn’t really have any girlfriends for a long time.“I am hungry.” Dana pouted as she walked in.“We haven’t had breakfast yet. We were waiting for you two.” Sarah smiled.Everyone was waiting at the table, including 2 new underage faces.“This is Dana and Lara.” Sarah introduced to her kids. Lu ran upto them and hugged them both “Auntie Dana…. Auntie Lara…”. He led them both to the table.“We will sit together.” He smiled sweetly.Ben’s and Ed’s face darkened. “No” they responded in unison.Lu pouted, he looked at Dana with the most pitiful puppy eye expression he could muster.“Aawwh…” Dana kneeled and hugged him. “I will sit with you, okay?”“UMM…” He hummed like a happy bum and looked at Lara.Lara ruffled his hair and nodded.He led Dana and Lara to the seats next to him and sat down proudly. He didn’t forget to send a gloating look at Ben and Ed.‘This little d
The next 2 weeks were uneventful and quiet. During this time, Lara only took local assignments. She accompanied Dana for her house visits with Kim. Kim was getting more and more under the pump as the exam dates grew closer.During the house visit a week before the exam-“Dana, I know I have to become independent. But my heart is beating so fast, I can’t breathe.” Kim spoke anxiously.“Kiddo, you don’t breathe with your heart. … you should stop studying and follow my footsteps…. Ha…. Ha…. Ha…” Lara laughed as she rubbed the top of Kim’s hair.Kim rolled her eyes and looked pleadingly at Dana “Can you come with me for my exams? It’s next week Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for year 11 subjects.”Dana pursed her lips into a smile “Do you want my Boss to fire me?”“That’s okay. Mr. Adalase can take care of you.” Kim muttered while pulling Dana’s hand like a spoilt child.“Kim, dad will come with you.” Steve felt really helpless, she would always think of Dana when she needed something.“Ho
Ben and the rest viewed the surveillance. Ben felt his heart clogging up as he watched Dana’s unconscious body being lowered on to the ground. Ed wasn’t in a better state either. Shadow got to work swiftly. He noted the license plate number of the white minivan and sent Style to file a complaint with the precinct. Scar, Spice and Speed sat reviewing the surveillance videos from the time Dana entered Randy's for other clues.“We will shift to Adalase manor. You guys, see if you can take these videos offsite and follow. If not, keep reviewing here.” Ben instructed as he stood up.“See if the others are available to join.” Ben instructed Shadow and turned to Ed “Maybe leave the kids out.”Ed shook his head “I don’t think they will listen if it’s not an order. Let them do what they want. We can use all the manpower we can get.”“I will get my men over.” Frank was about to dial when he was stopped by Ben.“We can’t afford any more accidents. Make sure the kids are covered. If possible, ge
“Are you insulting her looks?” Dana shook her head in sympathy “I was trying to save you a miserable death. But that you have insulted her looks… I don’t think I can save you….”“Puchi…” Lara couldn’t help laughing even though she was trembling with fear. She had no idea whose ghost had affected Dana.“Do you know who I am?” The bald man with a sleezy aura asked. He was getting impatient with her stupidity.“You…” Dana frowned… her disdainful face feigned a thoughtful expression. She made a careless clicking sound and added “Some scum who thinks he’s won with 10 steroid injected misfits.”“Heh! Do you think I would bring you here with just 10 men??” The bald man sneered.“Let me introduce myself. I am Dolce Fulton.” Dolce lifted his lips in mockery. “This is my friend Dickson Landon.” He rubbed his hand against his baldness on top of his head. “And don’t worry, there's another 10 in the dark and another 50 guarding this factory outside. So don’t get your hopes high.”“Heh! 50 men outs