Mag-log in"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
"I think there can be two faces of Xzan this year," he shrugged. "You deserve it."The judges started to discuss at once. "Congratulations, Mrs Evans," Mr Jacob said in a beat. Then the others were also smiling broadly at me.I burst into tears. "Mrs Evans?" "I..I'm...just overwhelmed." "We understand," another said. "Do you have a name for this project? It's Dynamite's but we allow for secondary personalization.""Yeah. It's Dynamite Luminary project." I had watermarked every of the files with the initials.The judge opened down something in his journal. "Good choice. Please sharpen everything you feel needs to be worked on before the D-Day.""I will, thank you." With another deep bow, I left. Honestly, it felt like a dream, surreal. I got into the elevator to going down floor and met the surprise of my life.Jennifer was standing right beside me. She was putting on a pencil skirt and a shirt. I arched my brow at the briefcase in her hand. She was Jennifer, the actress and publ
Nathan's POVMy gaze followed Ariella as she ascended the stairs. "Is there something wrong?" Jennifer asked. "You keep looking that way even after she has gone.""Ariella surprises me," I said quietly. "In what way?""The manner she has been moving of late," I mumbled. "She leaves the house more often. She stays out for long and return with flimsy excuse. I can't imagine why. Even after stopping her from using my car...."You stopped her from using your car?" Jennifer interrupted my ramblings. "I had to.""It's a good step." She took a sip from her glass. "She could be seeing someone else."My eye widened. Why haven't I thought that?"I mean," Jennifer shrugged. "It's possible. When ladies start keeping late night. It's always a man figure behind it."Thinking of it..... it actually made sense. My hands fisted around the glass. "How dare she. Under my roof?""Seizing your car isn't enough. Seize her access to your credit cards too," Jennifer suggested. "Let's see if she keeps up t







