Adrien Russell“All good, Martin?” I asked my middle-aged driver as he checked the car. He came to my side of the window and I rolled it down. “We might need a mechanic to repair it sir. It’s not my cup of tea.” He informed guiltily while holding the umbrella over his head.I nodded in understanding and sighed as I ran out of luck with the network in my mobile too. “There’s no network here. Is there any place nearby where we can stay for the night?” I asked him. He thought for a second then answered. “There is a lodge across the street sir. But it isn’t very classy.” “That’s okay! Let’s just go there.” I stepped out of the car and Martin immediately held the umbrella over me, letting himself drench in the heavy rain. “Hey!” I pulled him under the umbrella along with me so he could cover both of us. He looked confused and flustered by my actions, making me chuckle. “I ain’t the only one who could catch a cold, am I?” He turned his eyes down with an awkward smile and then led the w
Crystal HayesUgh!Why can’t one day of my life go on without troubles? All I had planned for today was to go to my bride-to-be friend and spend the night chit chatting with her. Something I haven’t done in ages. But if nothing else, mother earth decided to spoil my day by pouring heavy rain and thunder. For the sake of my safety, I decided to halt my travel and stay in a lodge that fell on my way for the night. The journey from Texas to Manhattan wasn’t as long, but definitely tiring. I was already dripping wet because when the rainfall had started, I was out on the street waiting for the taxi. I came inside the lodge room and stretched a little. I took a pair of dry clothes from my bag and was about to change when I heard a knock on the door. Sighing, I threw the clothes on the bed and unlocked the door, only to see the most unexpected people. There stood my loan sharks, Philips’s men with a sly smirk on their ugly faces. “Did you really think that you could run away without retu
Crystal Hayes “Perfect.” I grinned largely, looking at Hannah through the mirror as I just finished setting her veil. She gave a shy smile and turned around and I enveloped in a warm hug. I was proud to see her become a grown-up, responsible woman. We pulled away as a knock was heard on the door and her parents entered the room. A gasp left Mrs. Johnson’s mouth and both their eyes teared up looking at their daughter. “You look lovely.” Mrs. Johnson hugged Hannah and let the tears flow down her eyes unlike Mr. Johnson who held them back. “Mom! You guys are going to make me cry. Racheal will kill me if I mess up my make-up.” Hannah said and we all chuckled. “My little princess is all grown up now.” Mr. Johnson said as the mother-daughter pulled away. “Dad, I will always be a princess.” Hannah smiled and hugged him. Mrs. Johnson joined them too and I looked at the family with admiration. How I miss my parents at events like this. The door of the room yanked open and Racheal and Me
Adrien RussellEver heard of the phrase, ‘No good deed goes unpunished’? It is used when an act of kindness backfires on the person who offers them. I never really thought about it until today. “Explain this, young man!” Dad put the open magazine on the coffee table. His voice was low and gritted as if he was trying to stay calm. “Dad, this isn’t what it looks like.” I tried to convince him by telling the entire story of last night. “Believe me Dad, all I was trying to do was help her.” “Adrien. Son, I am really proud of you for being generous and saving that girl. But you see, you have stained your reputation right before you could start your career. Such rumours affect the business.” He tried to explain.I knew he was right. Being named as a ‘player’ right before I could take over the business could literally be a source to put me down in front of the world. “The articles and pictures will be down in an hour or two but people will not forget this anytime soon. You will have to
Crystal HayesTwo days ago, when I came back to Texas, my life was back to how it had been.The same mess. I took up the responsibility of organizing a big event and with the advance that I was paid, I gave Philip a little more money so that he could stay out of my sight for a few days. But I very well knew he wouldn’t let me be peacefully. He called me every single day to remind me if I don’t pay the rest of the money soon, my soul will be sent to heaven. I was in the office when I was called by the receptionist saying that I had a visitor. Wondering who it could be, I went to the waiting room to see a young man I had never seen before.“Hello.” I greeted him. “Hello Mam. You are Ms. Crystal Hayes, right?” He asked and when I nodded, he sighed in relief. He introduced himself as Ryan and said he had something very important to discuss. I led him to my desk hoping for a new project that had come to me. “Ms. Hayes, I am the secretary of Mr. Raymond Russell. The owner of ‘Russell H
Adrien RussellI was pissed as I left Dad's office. Where did the idea of marriage come from? How the hell could Dad conclude on my behalf that I would marry a stranger. Frustrated, I drove to that one person who I could talk to at the moment."Hello, Ms. Stuart." I smiled at the elderly woman who opened the door for me when I rang the bell."Hello, Adrien. Come in." She cheered and I passed her a smile. "It's been a long time. Ms. Stuart, Sophie's cook tapped my shoulder."Yes. I've been a little busy." I replied."Hmm. I understand. Have a seat, I will call Sophie." Just as she said that, Sophie came running down the stairs with a huge smile."Hey, Adrien!" She hugged me tightly and I returned it."Hey, Soph." We sat on the couch and Ms. Stuart returned to the kitchen, leaving us alone."So.. how did you suddenly think of seeing me after ghosting for five days?" She taunted me playfully and I let out a chuckle."You know about the controversy, I have been trying to avoid being in pu
Crystal RussellI sat peacefully on a table with four chairs in the restaurant we planned to meet in. A small cozy place where Mr. Russell would have less fear of being spotted. I was there a bit earlier than I had to be. The morning was fresh and the cloudy weather and cold breeze had me shivering. While I waited for the two men, I felt the need to go to the restroom. When I came back and was about to sit back on the table, a red-haired girl, who clearly didn't pay attention to her steps, bumped into me and emptied an entire glass of orange juice over my shirt."Hey! Watch where you are going, bitch!" She screeched, looking at me.Wow. The audacity."Mind your language, lady. You sure it's me who should be watching my step?" I retorted back, glaring at her.Instead of commenting back, she studied my face for a second. And as if some sort of realization hit her, her eyes widened and she scoffed, looking at me from head to toe."Wow! If this isn't the gold digger, the ultimate talk of
Crystal Russell"Ha-Hannah. Hey." I gave a small forced smile but in return she glared at me with her arms crossed by her chest."You had gone for your honeymoon right." I tried to sound casual."Yes. We were supposed to come back tomorrow but when I saw the news headlines, I couldn't get myself to stay there any longer." She let me come in and as I did, I saw her parents, Megan and Ethan sitting on the couch, looking towards me."Would you like to explain yourself?" Hannah asked while everyone's attention was on me. I wanted to tell everyone the truth but then I remembered about the contract."I-" Before I could start, Hannah squealed loudly and started jumping like a freak."Oh My God! You are engaged to Adrien Russell!! I can't believe this. Why would you hide such a thing from me? You didn't even utter a word when the news came out initially. Oh my god, Crys. I am so happy for you."I looked at her like she had grown two heads while she kept hitting my arm and shaking my shoulders