An hour had just passed when my phone continuously beeped like a hurricane.
I stared at the screen with knitted eyebrows.
Why were people mentioning me in the comments?
As I opened the app, my DMS and feed were flooded with people messaging and tagging me.
At this moment, a gentle voice reached my ears.
"V, is what they are saying true? Are you and him..."
"Ben, people love to make rumours out of everyone and everything they find nowadays." I sighed.
"Then your social media..." Ben hesitantly started.
"Yeah, what is it? I have been receiving lots of messages and notifications from everyone. I was just about to open my profile when I got your call."
"V, you won't like it... It's better if you don't see it." Ben advised me kindly. I knew he had good intentions, but keeping me in the dark would not help anyone.
"I'm more curious now, Ben. Let's meet this week. Your
"Uncle Victor." I greeted him with a smile. "How're you? Taking your meds on time, right?"The elderly man chuckled. "I was hoping you would not ask that, dear."He was sitting in a wheelchair, dressed in a dark suit and his legs were covered with a black blanket.When he was in his early forties, an accident occurred and he lost his legs. He was one of my grandfather's partners and after his death, I would come to visit Uncle Victor Fernandez at least once a month.Although my and his age was years apart, the age factor did not stop me from befriending him. He gave out a vintage vibe, similar to my grandfather which made me closer to Uncle Victor after my grandfather Eric died.I had only some supporters I could rely on and trust and those were my friends, Uncle Max, Michael, and Uncle Victor."Good girl, did someone try to mess with you these days?" Uncle Victor asked nicely. He had a smile playing on hi
"...Is she your girlfriend, Uncle?" My lips arched up subconsciously. "Were you keeping a secret from all of us?" He was 28 and almost hitting 29 this year. Settling down was not too bad. "Pretty niece, are you trying to make your uncle angry?" Uncle laughed lazily, but I could make out the warning in his words. "I dare not, Uncle." I bit back a smile. Uncle could never be angry with me, that I was sure of. "Who's she? Can you let me see her face?" "Who're you talking with!?" "Hey, what are you doing-" This girl undoubtedly was daring. Making Uncle act unusual and jolty. "Hey, this guy here, I've borrowed him for some hours, alright! You can have him later." The voice shouted on the phone. It seemed familiar but I could not pinpoint it exactly. And Uncle let you borrow him and that too for hours? Maximus was a person who got impatient with everyone except for his l
1 Week Later"Miss Ford."I whiffed out a breath as I turned around. That cologne was messing with my mind badly.Don't pay attention.We were standing on the location of Mr Richmond's land and workers were sorting out the materials that would be used in the construction of the apartments."Mr Atkinson." I nodded."A week ago when I messaged you, I was left on seen. I was incredibly hurt, Miss Ford."I cocked a brow coldly, "That means you are bound to keep getting hurt, Mr Atkinson. Since I tend to be quite busy and only care to reply when it comes to business and friends and nothing else.""Miss Ford, are you indirectly saying that you want us to be friends?"Air got knocked out of my lungs as I whipped my head toward him at a frighteningly high speed that it hurt.Disbelief was written on my face. Even he could tell easily."From where did you get thi
"No!" We both shouted. "Ahem, we aren't." Ben coughed slightly. "We're friends!" I blurted. "Is that so?" The woman owner seemed disappointed. Having finished our meal, we both went to our homes respectively. Promising the woman that we would come here again with our whole group next time. After taking a long hot shower, my mind was rejuvenated. Holding my iPad, I settled on my brown couch and started to go through the designs I received via my email box from the Empire's architects. These architects were the best in town and Empire had left no effort in hiring them. I made sure no company could ever offer them the benefits Empire delivered. I also did not let go of the ones who were not registered– the young architectural designers who helped the architects. They were youthful and fresh but people wanted an experience. However, I took them in and decided to train them under the best of the architects in the industry. They could be valuable assets to the company. I was on th
"Grandma, Mom, this is..." Aaron was about to introduce me when the young girl who appeared to be in her seventeen came closer and looked at my face deeply. She had dark-coloured hair and rosy cheeks. "Are you my brother's new partner? You do know that my brother doesn't date, right? Don't you have a taste?" She had a sassiness in her voice. "I don't know what he promises you women, but leave him if you want to stay content." I stifled a laugh. Was she really his sister? "Angela!" The middle-aged woman in her early fifties chided. I assumed she was Aaron's mother. Honestly, a pretty-looking and decent woman. "I apologise for her rude behaviour, Miss." Aaron's mom quickly apologised. Her tone was soft and kind. I instantly liked her genteel personality. "It's nothing, Ma'am." After all, it was Aaron who got dissed and not me. "What? Didn't I tell the truth?" The girl whose name was Angela grumbled. Both the mother and daughter resembled each other. "You seem to ha
My conversation with Ben in the restaurant the other day was continuously playing in my mind. "V, if you really want your shares back, you must strike when the iron is hot. The moment he asks for a minimum of help, ask him to pay back." "The payback will be your shares." Wouldn't this be too soon, though? Empire was progressing, and as I hated to admit, it required support since it was at its crucial stage. We needed basic advertising and promotion. Not too high-profile and not too low-key either. Should I execute it or not? I was mindlessly walking when I bumped into a hard wall. "Ouch." I grabbed my nose in irritation and looked up. "The h*ll." "Willingly crashing into me. Is your mind completely exhausted, Miss Ford?" "I didn't see you stopping," I answered. "And, no, I'm not tired. The day hasn't even ended yet." After saying that, I proceeded to move forward and was
28 days passed in silence. People still pinned me on stupid posts but I learnt to ignore them. I did not see Aaron much except for the important meetings with Mr Richmond. He also pretended our previous conversation did not happen. Perhaps, he had let go of me and Empire. I was happier than ever. Today, nothing could ruin my mood. "Has everything been prepared?" I got out of the lift and asked the moment I saw her. Stacy had a timid smile, but she seemed relaxed. "Yes, Ma'am. Invitations were all answered cordially and lots of investors and companies wish to join this evening's occasion.""I have talked to the media as well," Michael said as he approached us."Good job, you two." I nodded, pleased. Humming, I entered my office. After a wait of a long time, the Empire Group of Industries was hosting an event itself. The 70th anniversary! One of the city projects Empire got last year had completed too fell at this time, so this was certainly a call for a double celebration.
The flowers were exquisite. I had to admit that. Seeing such a huge bouquet, the people at the banquet were curious as their eyes kept on focusing here instead of talking. "Fleurs de délice," A man in his early forties told with wide eyes. His accent was a little weird. Heavy and breathless."Huh?" The man continued. There was admiration and envy as he spoke. "These flowers— These are from a very famous shop abroad that has a reputation for selling flowers only to those who they think are capable, so not many can get their hands on them. It is said you have to make an appointment in advance if you want the flowers delivered." I raised an eyebrow in surprise. No wonder they looked so beautiful and fancy."Any name?" Sarah peeked over my shoulder, eager to know. I shook my head. There was no name written on the card, nor any hint which could take me to the sender. "Who could it be from?" I mumbled, staring at the roses. "It could be Ben," Sarah suggested. I smiled slightly. Yes,