Taleela's POV As soon as the car drives into the gate, my phone vibrates on my lap. Picking it up, I see that the caller is Kal. I shut my eyes and sigh, not knowing if I should pick up the call or not. But I end up picking up the call anyway. There's nothing to be scared of. "Where the hell are you?" Kal growls. I frown at the tone he's using on me. He has never spoken to me in this manner and I will definitely not take this from him. What makes him think he has the guts to speak to me in this manner? The sex we're having? I scoff, watching as my driver swerves into a space reserved for just one car. "Excuse you?" "What? I sent my chauffeur to get you almost two hours ago and you haven't gone down to meet him. And don't tell me you're somewhere else." "And if I am?" I fire. "And if I am somewhere else, what are you going to do, huh?" Like he senses that I want drama, he ignores my question. "Are you still coming or do I tell my driver to leave?" "Tell him t
Susan's POV I can feel myself floating in the clouds as I walk through the red-carpeted area alongside Achilles who has his arms around my waist as we both smile, letting reporters, hired photographers and paparazzi take pictures of us. The moment is glorious but ephemeral because as soon as we're out of the walkway, we're both accosted by one of the hosts. I watch how easily Achilles blends in with the environment, smiling freely and answering the host while commenting on her dress. When she turns to me and asks about my dress and my designer, I am quick enough to tell her, grateful that I did not stutter at a point. That's why I am learning fashion designing for a reason. As soon as I set my eyes on the outfit I was to wear back at Achilles Penthouse, I already knew the designers so it was quite easy for me. Once we're done with the mini interview, Achilles and I stand together in front of the black banner behind us filled with brand names of sponsors that made this g
Taleela's POV; Maya Fox is hosting the gala today and somehow, I meet her in the corridor as I walk alongside Nikolai. We are passing through the gallery, our destination is the hall. The party has begun and very soon, important and special guests are going to be called to the high table. Maya smiles as soon as she sees me, I am wrapped in a hug. "Black women and doing the most!" She chirps. Moving out of her hold before I get suffocated by her perfume, I give her a stiff smile, correcting her on my race. "I'm Afro-Italian." "Still a black woman." Maya Fox replied, then looked at Nikolai. "Right?" "If she says she's afro Italian, then she is afro Italian." The awkwardness that fills the whole area is thick. Maya breaks the silence by clearing her throat. "I'd be calling you up to the high table very soon. But before that, you're going to address shocking fans and customers." I shrug, unfazed. "Sure, I'm ready." Maya Fox smiles at Nikolai. "I like her already.
Taleela's POVEverywhere seems different now that my identity has been revealed. I can hear gasps as I walk towards the podium to speak. A lot of people are on their feet, staring my way and taking pictures. I am not fazed by it. I am only worried about Susan. Kal can go fuck himself. He's the reason I'm doing all these. I do not bother to turn back to look at my friend because she's going to have the most shocking look on her face. Nikolai is standing beside Maya Fox and smiling at me with reassurance as I step forward. A lot of people are trying to get pictures of me but my guards are doing quite a good job. I feel myself move but I do not feel my feet. I take the steps leading up to the podium one after the other and my guards stand by the side, leaving me bare to the whole world to take pictures. Closing my eyes for a brief second, I sigh. Maya gives me a hug which I return hesitantly and I just hope that nobody notices it. Well, I am not the one to care. She moves awa
Taleela's POVIt's Karanos. He has a smile on his face, not warm like it usually is but distant. I give him a quick smile and begin to dish food onto my plate. I am too hungry to engage in any conversation. "So, all these while, I have been having sex with a client who doesn't want to award me a contract," Karanos laughs. I look around, glad that few people are at the table. Bending towards him, I whisper. "Not here, Kal. We can talk this out later." Karanos's face is set like a stone. "No, there's nothing to talk about later." Really? Does Karanos think I'll go on my knees to beg him? Or follow him around to make him see reasons? If that's what he thinks, then he's onto something. I give him a salty smile. "Okay." I quickly dish whatever I'll be eating onto my plate, ignoring his presence beside me. I walk away, knowing fully well that I left the desired result on his face. He is probably expecting me to try to make him see sense in what I am saying. But Jemmah d
Kal's POV I don't know. I should be mad at Bells— Jemmah. Oh, shit. I don't even know what name to call her. I can't stay mad at her and I do not know why. It's so hard to stay mad at Bells. My father, when it had been announced that Taleela was the CEO of BSL, had been so angry. Knowing fully well that we were an item, he asked me to see him later tomorrow, after the gala. My mother on the other hand was disagreeing with my father so she left without him, increasing his anger. Now, I am bearing the brunt of it. I should have known from the way she was acting weird, refusing me to see her till today, ditching the driver I sent to pick her up, and leaving me for some blond dude who posed as her vice. Seeing Nikolai present her to everyone, I know the bastard was smitten. I mean, who wouldn't be? Her dress alone when I met her in the lobby should have told it all to me. She was wearing a BSL exotic dress that cost two working-class employee's yearly salary. Deciding no
Taleela's POVThe party is over. Walking over to Susan's table, I notice that she's not only with Achilles and his brother but also with Linda who is a student at my university, and… Karanos. I think he already saw me walking towards their table and his gaze is on me. I try my best to ignore the fact that he's seated at that table. Susan immediately stands to her feet as soon as she sees me. "Hi, guys," I greet them all. Linda waves at me. "Hey, Jemmah! It's so surprising that I've been attending the same university as the CEO of BSL." I chuckle, feeling quite awkward. Tarantino rolls his eyes at Linda and gives me a slow, lazy smile. I have to admit that he's really good-looking. He has the body of a model. Lean and also with adequate muscles in the right places. "Hello," He stands on his feet, taking my hand and bringing it to his lips. His eyes are trained on me but from my peripheral vision, I notice Kal's fists immediately clench. Achilles puts a hand on his should
CHAPTER 46 Kal's POV"You can't tell me that you had an affair with that lady!" My father spat out as he paced about the living room. Sighing, I rub my forehead. "Father, I told you this last night. I thought you were aware?" My father stops walking at stares at me full on. He's extremely furious that I hadn't used the opportunity to take advantage of Jemmah. It doesn't always work that way. Knowing my father, I know he would have grabbed onto that opportunity if he had been aware. It's different for me. Last night, the news shocked me to the marrow. I was hurt that she had been lying to me the whole time even after the time we spent together. I guess I don't matter that much. Achilles is standing behind one of the couches and my mother seems to be walking around the house and my father follows her movement all the time. Now, she's picking up a candle holder from the middle of the room and somehow, my father has stopped pacing and begins to watch her. "Cara, if yo