The dull morning light in her face with her body wrapped into Elijah's arms, Peach just stared at him, his lashes, the details of his lips, unable to look away. Her hand rested on his cheek, and looked at his shut eyes, stroking his skin lightly as she felt her breathing become slow and steady. “I know it was just nonsense that she said, but I still can’t get her words out of my head...” Peach whispered, leaning in closer until there were no more inches between them, their breaths mingling together. “What can't you get out of your head?” Elijah asked, his voice low and soothing as his eyelids slowly opened. Not expecting him to even be awake, Peach froze, trying desperately to think of something, anything because she didn't want to tell him about the conversation between Melina and her. “Nothing,” Peach quickly replied, pulling her face back, feeling a heat rise to her cheeks. “It's nothing. You should go back to sleep. Yesterday was hectic, and my crying kept you up late.”
Ignoring Jerome's call, Elijah met Peach's eyes and let out calmly, “Answer it,” Her eyes darted upward to meet his gaze before looking down at her phone screen and then accepting the call, putting it on speaker. “Peach, dear! Are you alright?” Madam Jewel's voice came from the other end of the line, causing Elijah and Peach to scoff at her fake concern. “Why wouldn't I be?” Peach said calmly, not breaking eye contact with Elijah. An awkward silence settled on the line, and it took a while before Madam Jewel spoke again. “Are you... sure?” Her tone was almost concerned, but they could hear the underlying hint of disappointment in it. “Yes,” Peach mumbled, struggling to cage the anger that flared up inside of her. “But... I heard... this morning that the motel burned down, and I was worried because that's where you and Elijah with Grace stayed.” “Yeah... It did burn down.” “And you are fine... Where are you guys staying?” Not wanting to answer that question, Peach didn't m
Anger immediately started to rise inside of her as Peach glared at Madam Jewel with a look of pure hatred, and without even realizing it, she blurted, “Grandpa left that company for me, and you can't just take what he gave to me away!”A faint chuckle escaped Madam Jewel’s throat as she gazed down at her granddaughter, before she replied, “Oh yes, I can... you know, I thought you were getting married to this... this human being because you want to own something in this family and be a part of us...”A pause followed her words as she watched Peach’s eyes for a sign of fear and submission and when she saw a slight flicker of emotion in her step granddaughter’s eyes, she smiled, knowing that she managed to hit Peach’s weak spot.“I will not tolerate the disrespect I am seeing from you, Peach, and since that's how you want to behave, I am taking this opportunity to let you know you aren't fit to take over any of the family business. I don't need an arrogant, selfish, and prideful woman w
The words that Elijah said to Jerome never left Peach's thoughts, even though the morning was now evening, and Elijah was sleeping.Adjusting her head on his warm chest, Peach looked at him, just staring, allowing her thoughts to run wild in her head, as she listened to his heart beating, feeling his chest rise and falling, listening to his breathing.‘What package were you talking about?’ Peach wondered as she bit her lower lip, thinking furiously.All of a sudden, she heard his phone go off, causing Elijah to shift slightly on the bed, hugging onto her waist tightly, and burying his face deeper into her neck.“Elijah, your phone,” Peach whispered, feeling reluctant to wake him and yet, also wanting an answer.“Hmm…” He mumbled sleepily, his voice barely audible.“Your phone…,” Peach repeated, her tone a lot louder than a few minutes ago as she tried again to shake him awake.Finally, Elijah opened his eyes, blinking slowly for several seconds. After a few more seconds he seemed to
A look of fear entered Meeks’ eyes, his expression twisting with anxiety, terror, and helplessness as he and Elijah continued to stare at each other. “Which will?" Mr. Meeks finally questioned. "The will that Mr. Hayes left Peach," Elijah stated plainly, averting his gaze to stare straight into the old man's eyes, daring him to try and lie. “Whi-ch o-ne…?” Mr. Meeks murmured, barely audible for anyone to hear. Then he saw Elijah's brows furrowing, and he knew that he was getting impatient as his eyes narrowed, and he leaned forward slightly in his chair. “Don't act like a dummy with me... speak louder.” Elijah uttered in a stiff tone. Immediately, Meeks' face turned pale, his body tensing, and then his eyes widened as he blurted out, “Oooh! Oh!! Do you mean the will Madam Jewel gave Peach the night of Mr. Hayes's death anniversary party?!” “Is there another will for Peach?” Elijah asked as he raised his eyebrows. “No! No... no... I was just scared and my mind took its time to
Gazing intensely into the bathroom mirror, Elijah reached for his toothbrush but then paused as a memory of Lawyers Meeks' words kept replaying in his head, the looks on his face when he said those words, and the way his body reacted a bit nervously to question about the will.Immediately, he grabbed his phone off the sink and scrolled for Ryan’s number until he got to it, dialing it.After ringing his number, the call got answered and Ryan's voice popped up through the speaker, “Good morning, Boss...”“I need us to discuss something important later on today, and I also need Matt and you this morning,” Elijah said as he watched the bathroom door reflection in the mirror slowly pushed open, and Peach popped her head inside.“Are we coming for the same reasons, or-”“Something like that, but there's more I need to pick your brains about.”“I am getting Matt, and we are on our way.”“Good, we will wait on you guys before we leave, so be here by nine.” Wondering who her husband was talki
As the security guards approached Elijah and the others, Ryan calmly took out a file from his briefcase and looked back at Elmer and the investors. “Well, I am a lawyer with a couple of degrees, including A Doctor of Juridical Science degree, and this is a valid will that both Mr. Hayes and the law enforcement officials' signatures are on, which proves everything that Peach has told you guys, that this company is now under her management,” Ryan explained calmly, taking out the document and showing it to the investors. “I have worked with Meeks before, and that is definitely his signature on this paper. He's a man of honor, and so am I,” Mr. Walker immediately stated, glaring at Elmer. The security reached the scene but immediately stopped out of confusion, seeing that no one was attacking Elmer and just stood there looking at each other. “It could be a fraud! Who knows...” Elmer answered, shrugging nonchalantly. “But we do know. You just blurted out that you thought the will got
The anger that ate at Elijah slowly faded, and he looked back to see his wife staring calmly at him, and yet, he couldn't stop caring for what she was thinking at that moment about him.Sighing, Elijah looked back at Elmer and scoffed, letting go of his collar, causing his back to hit the tile, and a cry escaped his throat.Elmer lay on the floor, holding his chest, crying and moaning, shaking his head as he tried desperately to hold in his sobbing, the room became so quiet that the sound of a pin drop could've been heard. Everyone was shocked by what was happening in the lobby, and Natalie's hands were trembling as she tried to remember the police number, her mind a mess.“Natalie! Have you called the police yet?!” Mr. Elmer cried in rage as the pain from his face intensified because of the volume of his voice, and he moaned out, “Natalie!!!”“Yessir, I’m sorry sir, um, I need help here...” Natalie stammered with a shaky tone.“What help?”“Umm... What's the police number?”“What th