LOGINIn the restroom, I splashed water into my eyes and rinsed my mouth. When the sick feeling subsided a bit, I exited the restroom only to bump into Melinda at the doorway.
"Ariella," she hurried towards me. "Are you okay?"
I nodded. "Just a bit tired." I offered her an apologetic smile. "I think I'll take my leave now."
"Yeah, sure," she waved me off. "Please take care of yourself."
"Thank yo
I frowned. I dipped my head to read what was in there and...My mouth opened and closed with no sound."Divorce papers?" I whispered, raising my head to look at her.She had left.No fucking way in hell!I bunched the papers into my pocket and hurried back stage, pushing reporters away on my quest to find her.The backstage was empty.I called Adrian."Hello?""Bring my car backstage. Now!""Yes sir."************************For five hours, I had been waiting for Ariella. It's been five good hours since I left Xzan's exclusive hall to my estate and Ariella was not yet back.I paced the length of the house. Walking up and down the stairs, peeping the driveway from time to time but she did not return. Again I tried putting a call to her. It went straight to voicemail.I got a call from Brex and I hastily put the phone to my ears. "What did you find?" "Nothing much," he answered from the other end. "But trailing after her for the past two days only showed two major places she visited;
{Nathan's POV}It was two things. I was dreaming or watching a real life drama unfurl right in front of me.Watching Ariella wieled the stage like she was born for it...I couldn't wrap my head around it.At first, when she had walked out to meet Jennifer on the stage, I thought she was nuts. The first question I asked myself was how she had gained entrance into the hall. It was common knowledge that gaining entrance was only through invite. I had expected security to throw her out. I had dialed Adrian to come by so he could drive her out when she was thrown out. But she was not.She'd turned to the crowd, looking so different from the Ariella I knew and referred to herself as a lead engineer.She was mad. It was the only valid explanation. It made sense, considering her recent behaviors. I mean, she had locked me out of my own room. In the house that I built with my money. I began to mull through the list of psychiatrist that I knew personally. It was the least I could do for her.Ev
"God! You did so well," Melinda said for the third or was it the fourth time? That's after she had almost embraced the life out of me.We were backstage and a vote was currently going on. After my presentation, there had been a sort of drama among the judges. So they set up a system where more people are required to vote.I wasn't really bothered about who the overall winner would be. The most important thing was being able to rightly claim back my project work. And I had done that. I also knew that no matter what, I would not leave the hall same way I came. Already my phone was pinging with tons of collaboration messages.It became so much that Melinda mentioned getting an assistant. I cut her a sharp glare and she threw a elbow into my back in return."Ms Evans?" Melinda had but turned at the sound of my name. There was a tight security detail go get back stage. Infact we'd just been informed that a vehicle with tight security detail was waiting to convey us home. It was why we
My body went numb as Jennifer walked up to the podium like she deserved to be there. She walked with her back straight and her shoulder held up like it was her project she was about to defend.An applause broke out the moment she introduced herself.She hit the first slide and turned to face the crowd.My blood boiled at the sight of my own watermark- Dynamite Luminary. A.E, on the great screen beside her."Now, Ariella," Melinda nudged me forward. "Before she starts talking. Now!"I smoothened imaginary wrinkles from my dress. Holding my breath, I continued on to the stage. Before stepping out of the divider that separated us from the crowd, I touched my stomach briefly. Hi little one. Let's do this.Then I stepped unto the stage.Someone started to my direction, hurrying over to me. He looked like security. I did not pay him heed, I crossed the distance to Jennifer.She froze at the sight of me. Her eyes widening for a second. Then she blinked and it was gone. "What's all this?" S
Melinda put back the papers in her bag with a nod."I can't thank you enough, Lin.""Enough of that," she waved. "We should toast to this. Let's drink!"I went to get a bottle of Chardonnay from the kitchen, and poured her a glass."Why aren't you drinking?" she asked and took a sip from the glass. "Hmm," she nodded in appreciation. "You should take from this.""I'm a bit lightheaded," I answered sincerely. "Besides I do not feel like taking.anything at the...""Hsve you seen this," Melinda cut in, showing me the recent clip of Jennifer.I nodded slowly. "Face of Xzan huh? Who knew the bitch got something reasonable up her head. Honestly I always saw her as a dunce. But Dynamite? Wow.....""Lin." She kept talking."Melinda?"She paused, looking at my face. "You...you're crying?"I didn't even know I was. I wiped at my face. "I don't know how to say this.""What's wrong?" Melinda appeared real worried. "Go on... whatever it is, I can't judge."I broke down completely then. I spilled
Deep down, I'd wished the thirty days countdown would change my mind. I had hoped to see changes that will make me consider a reconciliation. No more.There would never be a chance for Nathan again, I vowed. I was done.Only two days left to leave him.The next day, I woke up in good spirits. It fully dawned on me that I was doing this. I was presenting for Xzan's yearly global project. And the best part of it? I was leaving Nathan soon. Thankfully, he wasn't around. I wasn't looking forward to a repeat of what happened last night.I fixed myself a quick meal and dived straight into work, polishing and refining my project topic. I was disrupted by the shrill sound of my phone's ringtone.To my surprise it was Jacob Larson who introduced himself when I picked up. I frowned, wondering why he called and not send a mail like he used to.*"Your project for Dynamite was it done fully by you? Or you had others who worked with you?" he asked.My frown deepened, not knowing where he was going







