Zoe's car pulled into Mayflower Street and in front of Jasmine's shop. Half her back seat and trunk were filled with boxes of chocolates, fresh fruits, imported cooking ingredients, little wrapped trinkets, bright school supplies tied with ribbons, and any gift item she could grab at the last minute on her way. As soon as she parked in the same spot she had the last time she came, still trying to open the car door so that she could step out, the shop door suddenly burst open.“Auntie Zoe!” Raine squealed, her little legs carrying her so fast, as she ran towards Zoe immediately, and flew into her arms the second the door opened.Zoe's lips curved into a delighted smile, her eyes widening in an excited surprise, as she caught her right in time, “Goodness!” She gasped, “Raine…” She carried her up in her arms. “I'm not heavy. Am I?” The seven-year-old giggled endlessly, her hands flapping in the air as she gazed at Zoe so endearingly with a smile. “Of course not!” Zoe chuckled, as she
The corridors of the mansion felt colder than Ivy remembered, as she stood calmly that morning at a secluded spot in the mansion, her fingers brushing the mahogany banister as servants moved about, with their chatter muting under the high ceilings of the living room. She hadn’t been here in months, and though everything looked the same, it all felt different. It felt so hollow and empty now.She had heard that after Malcolm threw everyone out of the company, her mother had been in the hospital ever since then, but she didn't dare to visit her at all. And though Irina had been trying to call Ivy ever since she heard that returned to their house, which was like the second time ever since she left the first time, she could not pick up because she really had nothing to tell her mother. And now, walking the halls of their once beautiful and warm abode, Ivy felt the weight of something dark in her heart, which she couldn't quite explain because it was overbearing. It had been almost thr
The MEL-CO private exclusive resort has been reserved for the grand evening that Malcolm had planned out perfectly, and he had arrived earlier at the fine dining on the last floor, which was usually reserved months in advance for the use, by top VVIP elites in the city. Dressed in a fine designer burgundy shirt and black pants, looking so dapper, he sat at his best spot in the room, his fingers tapping lightly against the glass of water in front of him, while remaining very patient as he waited. This time, he was the one doing the waiting, not the other way around, as he was used to. The only person who had ever had to make him wait endlessly and had even stood him up several times was Zoe- only her. After the incident of him hearing her explain what truly happened, and him condemning himself for being such a snob without hearing her first , he decided to forget all that happened and make amends as soon as possible instead of wallowing in guilt for too long. He didn't want things t
Andre strode toward Ivy quickly, with disbelief scribbled on his face, “You are back?” His voice teetered on the borderline of both relief and anger, like he didn’t know which emotion to cling to.Ivy, who heard her brother, turned fully now, her gown swaying softly as she adjusted her clutch in her hand, her lips curving into her small smile, “Yes,” she responded cheerfully, “It is nice to see you.”“Back to living here?” He questioned suspiciously, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion about what was going on in the head of the sister he had not seen for months. But Ivy only gave a small shake of her head in answer to his question with a radiant and convincing smile, as she stepped past him gracefully, her perfume trailing in the air, “Please can we talk later?” she implored softly, “I am late already.”And just like that, Ivy walked down the stairs into the hallway that led to the grand front doors of the mansion as if the months of absence had meant nothing, and as if the fractures
Zoe slipped off her heels the moment she walked into her room, and tossed them neatly by the door, before pulling off her coat and dropping her bag somewhere she didn't look at. The day had been so long, especially with the nerve wracking meeting she had with Andre. Without doing anything further, she pulled her laptop out of her briefcase and sat at her study desk to pour herself into work for about two more hours, while sifting through contracts, reports and approvals. Just as she was nearing the end of finishing her work, her mind slipping into relaxation, her head suddenly wandered back to the night before at Malcolm’s house—the way tension had filled the air, and when she momentarily lost her mind.Shaking her head instantly off the thoughts, Zoe chided herself, “Don’t think too much, Zoe. You know better.” In an effort to clear her head and relax, she finished off her work and had a hot bath shortly after. When she had changed into a casual white T-shirt and loose gray jogger
Dylan had driven Zoe to her destination that evening, a fine six star diner at a tall elite tower. She stepped out of the car, her heels clicking softly against the marble pavement of the exclusive diner, while dressed in a gorgeous red plaid corporate gown. Her hair which framed her beautiful face like a halo fell in loose waves, and every step she took was so grateful, her presence radiating elegance. As she sauntered into the luxurious space, the entire grandeur room of sophistication was empty as if it was barely functioning, except that there was just one man sitting at a table that has the best view, with a storm brewing in his eyes. It was Andre. He sat there, drumming his fingers against the polished wood with an impatient, furious rhythm, with his lips curled in that scornful sneer he always wore like a badge. He was livid. ‘He had been waiting for almost fifteen minutes now and Zoe wasn't where to be found! She was playing games with him, wasn't she?!’ Andre's eyes twit