The drive home was smooth and breezy. She sat at the back of the fancy car, staring out of the tinted windows. The sound of the world outside was blurred out, gracing her sight with its beauty. Her mind raced with so many thoughts including how she was going to break the news to her step sister. Olivia had not taken the news of her one night stand with Adrian lightly. She knew that Olivia would have her head for this marriage, and so will the rest of her family. At this point in time, her father could very well disown her. She sighed and moved away from the tinted windows, leaning back in the soft chairs of the luxurious Audi. Her phone dinged slightly with a message notification. She slid it out of her hand bag and stared at the screen. It was a direct message from Olivia asking her where she was. She tried to reply but her hands trembled so much that she finally gave up. She could not bring herself to do it, anything. She would have to keep this marriage proposal from Charles Bl
The sunlight came in through the window, resting on Ria who was sitting on her bed with a book in her hands. She was cooped up in her bedroom, bored as fuck.She tried so hard to focus and read, but the words were blurry before her eyes and her mind was too distracted with other things to focus on the story. The weight of everything that was happening recently was enough to press down on her, making it impossible for her to enjoy the story, or anything else.Her phone suddenly began to ring, breaking the silence. She raised her head from the pages, blinking as she reached for it. Her fingers trembled slightly when she stared at the screen and saw that it was an unknown number.“Hello?” she answered in a quiet and uncertain voice.“Ria!" A voice came from the other end of the line. She instantly knew who it was from the voice.Adrian's father."This is Charles Blake, Adrian's father,” he said in a deep and authoritative voice. "I know," she said, sitting up straight and gripping the
Ria sat comfortably in the Porsche. She admired the inside of the luxurious car that was screaming of wealth. The cool air from the vents brushed against her skin. She enjoyed the wonderful view of the city from the car. For a long time, she had not even been able to relax her body and forget about her problems. And for the first time in a long time, she was able to do that. The tension that had built up in her long ago had quickly eased up as she admired her surroundings with an overflow of joy. It feels good to be free. She finally leaned back in the seat and put the mobile phone that she had been holding all along into her animal skin hand bag. She sighed as she stared at the driver who was focused on the road. After a few minutes of driving, the vehicle slowed down. The driver pulled up in front of a grand building in a serene and high end environment. Ria’s eyes widened as she immediately recognized exactly where they were. They were at the most famous and also the b
The afternoon sun was hot.That was the first thing that Olivia noticed the moment she stepped out of the taxi. She stared up at the Coffee shop afore her.Adrian was in there, waiting for her. He has called her to inform her of Ria's pregnancy and his father's decision. She has been livid to the bones. He had asked both of them to meet and talk.And she was here to make sure that Ria never got what she wanted by doing all of this.She heard the taxi driver away as she began to make her way up to the door. She walked into the coffee shop, her eyes scanning the space for Adrian. She spotted him instantly.He was sitting down at the far corner of the shop with a face cap and a nose mask. She recognized him. She saw that his eyes were fixed on her as she approached.When she reached, he stood up and opened his arms, inviting her. She fell into them, feeling a sense of comfort and security."I have missed you so much," Adrian whispered, his breath warm against her ear."I missed you too,
Ria said nothing to Olivia, just standing there. She did not want to give her step-sister the chance to rubbish her like she always did. She was pregnant now.She had to pick her battles sensibly because of her child."Every day, I am just simply disappointed in you and every single thing you do!" Olivia barked at her.There was no response.Anger built inside of Olivia as Ria said nothing, only adjusting her handbag in her hand like Olivia was addressing the air."Are you ignoring me?!" She demanded viciously."I am not-" Olivia's hands connected with Ria's face, cutting her off instantly. She had even channeled all of her anger, pain, and hurt into that hit.Ria's head fell to the side, her eyes widening in shock. She clutched her cheek, the handbag in her hand falling to the floor. "You think I do not know that you went to a wedding dress fitting with Chairman Blake?!" She screamed at Ria."He asked me to come!" Ria defended herself.Olivia let out a cold laugh."So despite every
Olivia stood frozen at the top of the stairs, staring down at Ria’s motionless body. She watched as the red blood formed a thick pool beneath her, staining the floor like ink spilled from an expensive fountain pen.Olivia raised her hands to her mouth, her eyes remained wide open with shock. Her breath hitched in her throat. "Ria?" She whispered, praying deep down that she would answer. She had not meant for this to happen. She had only wanted her to lose the baby, not die. “No… No…” she whispered. Then her voice grew louder. “No!”She rushed down the stairs with her heart hammering against her rib cage. She knelt beside Ria and shook her motionless body by her shoulders, desperately.“Ria! Wake up!” Olivia's voice cracked with panic rising quickly inside of her. “You can not die. Wake up!”There was no movement.Nothing.She could see that the side of Ria's head was bleeding profusely. There was a part where the impact of the fall has injured her Tears welled up in her eyes as s
Charles Blake stepped into the room with Adrian following close behind. The tension in the atmosphere instantly thickened as everyone stared at each other in silence."I asked, what did both of you do to Ria?" Charles demanded again.Ria opened her mouth to speak but Margaret blurted out before she could utter a word. "Ria was climbing the stairs and fell."Charles glanced at Ria with narrowed eyes. He looked so angry that Ria felt like he would scold her endlessly. "And how the hell did you slip on the stairs while you are with my grandchild growing in your womb?""I- I- " Ria attempted to speak again, remorse filling her at Charles' angry voice. But Olivia stepped in."She was attention starved and did it to seek attention like always," Olivia cut in swiftly.Surprise instantly flashed across Ria's face at her step sister's words.The room went silent. "What are you-" Charles began to say as Margaret stepped forward. "Ria has always been like that ever since childhood," she infor
A sharp pain stabbed Ria in the heart.Tears began to stream down Ria's face as her heart constricted in pain.The doctor looked up, instantly observing Ria's distress. "Are you feeling any kind of pain, Mrs. Blake-to-be?" He demanded."No," Ria whispered, her voice cracking as she looked away trying to hide the tears.But it's too late."Then why are you crying?" The doctor asked with concern.Adrian interrupted. "She is just emotional, you know, with pregnancy hormones and all that shit," he added.The doctor looked between them with a suspicious gaze. Her tears continued to spill over uncontrollably, silently streaming down the side of her cheeks and unto the bed. She could not breathe. She could not even move.Adrian's words replayed in her head with each syllable cutting through her like a butcher's sharp knife.Doctor Smith eyed both of them suspiciously. "Can you take a step back, Mr Blake junior?" Doctor Smith demanded. He had reason to believe that the man was upsetting his
As the footstep drew closer to the door, Olivia's eyes darted around, her heart pounding as she looked for where to hide.She saw the doorknob twist and without waiting further she ran to the door and quickly hid, leaning against the wall, her heart pounding loudly in her chest as she took in a deep breath, shutting her eyes.Ria, opened the door and walked in. She stood at the doorway confused, her eyes darting around the room. Her brows furrowed."I don't remember shutting this door behind me when I left," she said to herself.She shrugged. "Well, maybe I did," she walked into the room towards Charles' bed, leaving the door open.Ria placed the tray of food she carried on the bedside table and turned to Charles. "Oh no you have soiled yourself." Ria said as she saw the wet covers on Charles."What do I do now? Adrian isn't around and you need a change of clothes," Ria asked, biting her lips as she fidgets.Olivia took advantage of Ria being distracted and slid out from behind the o
“Rise and Shine Mr Charles,” Ria said, smiling as she drew the curtains open. The rays of the morning sun reflected into the room, making Charles blink.Ria turned to look at him and smiled. “I know, I know... you don’t like the early morning sun.But just a little morning light is good for you. Don’t worry, I’ll close it back soon.”“I thought you might enjoy some sunlight today,” she added, glancing at him. “It’s a beautiful day outside. Not too hot, not too cold. Just the kind you used to say was perfect for gardening.”Ria walked to his bedside, adjusting the blanket covering his body. “Hope you had a good night's rest? Your grandchild said I should ask you that.” Ria chuckled, trying to crack a joke.She picked up two pillows, fluffed it up a bit and adjusted it on his back, making Charles sit up. Then she moved about the room—tidying a few things, picking up a glass cup from the bedside table, and arranging the few books on the shelf.“You know your grandchild didn't let me sleep
Ria blinked, clearly not expecting the question. She slowly turned her eyes to Adrian, expecting him to speak up for her. But Adrian didn’t say anything. He didn’t even look at her. His face was void of any expression. He just kept his eyes on his plate, cutting his meat like he hadn’t heard anything.Ria’s throat felt dry from Adrian's silent dismissal. She swallowed before answering. “I… I was upstairs in Adrian's room"" Doing what?" Betty eyed her" Well.. well I was with Adrian on his bed.” she said in a low voice.The moment those words came out, Olivia, who had just taken a spoonful of rice, suddenly started coughing. She dropped her spoon and covered her mouth, choking on the food. Her face turned slightly red, her eyes tearing up as she struggled to breathe.Betty quickly reached for the glass of water near her and handed it to Olivia. “Easy now,” she said. “Drink water.”Olivia grabbed the glass with shaky hands and took a large gulp. She wiped her lips gently with the back
The room went silent as all heads slowly turned, following Charles' gaze.Olivia?She stood there, frozen for a moment like she didn’t expect to be looked at. Her eyes moved from one person to the other, confused by their stares.Why are they are staring at me? Olivia pondered, blinking.‘They don't know anything yet.’ She reminded herself, getting rid of the fear that had enveloped her heart and forced out an innocent smile as she approached them.Still, her chest felt tight. Her hands were starting to sweat.Why won’t he stop looking and twitching at me?“Oh my God, Mr Blake, you are back.” Olivia screamed, her voice dripping of excitement, as if she was very happy to see him. “We were all scared and worried.” she continued, her voice dropping a bit low in sadness. “I… I didn’t even know he was strong enough to return home.” She muttered, staring at Adrian and then back at Charles. “But thank God, it's good to see you home.” she smiled sweetly.Charles’ eyes didn’t leave her. They t
Olivia, stood stunned, as her gaze couldn't leave Charles. Her stomach twisted. No… No, no, this can’t be happening.He’s alive? How… how is that possible? She thought, wondering.Did he tell Adrian anything? Did he say I was the one who pushed him?Olivia shut her eyes for a moment, trying to calm her thoughts.Damn it. Why didn’t he die?Adrian pushed the wheelchair towards the entrance of the house but Charles' gaze still remained fixed on Olivia until he was completely out of sight.Olivia blinked, jolting back to reality. She shook her head quickly, as if trying to push away the fear that had crept up her spine. She swallowed hard as she backed away from the window, her hands turning cold. Taking a slow deep breath, Olivia slowly made her way to the living room, her mind racing.But how's he alive?Hope he hasn't revealed all her secrets to Adrian.?Has her cover been blown? Shit! This might be the end of her.Dread filled her heart as she quietly approached the living room.
Olivia was getting impatient and frustrated.She had been trying to convince them for a while now. Every time she suggested they go to the hospital, Ria, would said no. And worse, Betty kept listening to her.Olivia stood by the side, arms crossed as she watched Betty cry and snifle in Ria's arms like a child who had lost the world.Olivia rolled her eyes as she pondered on what to do next to convince this two idiots to head to the hospital. And it's not as if she could go alone without drawing suspicions to herself.Worse still, she couldn't find the recording pen. Did that old man still hold onto it even while dying? Olivia thought. She felt uneasy at the possibility of her cover being blown too early.She decided to try one more time. “How long are we going to sit here?” Olivia asked irritated. “Your father is at the hospital, and Adrian might need help. We should go there.”Ria glanced up at her. “Adrian asked us to stay. Let’s respect that.”Betty sniffled loudly. “Ria’s right...
Betty slumped on the cold floor after Adrian and her father left for the hospital. Her hands covered her face and her shoulders shook as she cried loudly, her voice, echoing in the quiet room.Ria knelt beside her, gently rubbing her back and whispering soothing words.“Betty, please… calm down, he’s going to be okay. Adrian’s taking care of him. I'm sure Adrian and the doctors will do everything they can to make sure that Mr Charles gets better.” Ria said, trying to comfort her, but nothing that Ria said seemed to help.But Betty just cried harder, shaking her head. “He… he just dropped! Right there… I don't know if he would be able to survive that fall, his body is already getting old.”“Let's be positive Betty, Mr. Charles will survive. He might look old, but he's very strong.”Then, out of nowhere, Olivia came rushing down the stairs. Her eyes were wide, and her voice was loud and filled with urgency.“What’s going on down here? I heard someone screaming.” Her brows furrowed as s
Olivia watched from the creek of Adrian's bedroom door as Adrian slowly made his way towards Ria, handing her the juice he had taken pride in making and then hovering over her.Every move was slow and deliberate , she tried to make out the words he was saying to Ria as his voice was too low, too soft to listen to almost like he was whispering. Her chest tightened, as confusion and jealousy settled in her heart.What was going on? What was he doing? Was this part of his father's threat? Olivia thought to herself as she watched Ria and Adrian speak to one another. Her nails dug into the wood of the doorframe. "Ahem" The sound made her soul leave her body as she turned around abruptly, her heart pounding in her chest, only to find Charles staring back at her with anger burning through his eyes"You're… you're back... Welcome" she stammered, trying to swallow the lump that had formed in her throat. "Hmmm" "Sir, it's not what you think. I can explain" she added quickly, trying to kee
Charles' phone buzzed immediately. He took a brief glance and stood up, walking out of the room and shutting the door tightly behind him."Annoying little piece of two-timing, double-crossing tramp.." Adrian cussed under his breath as he descended down the stairs, his face brewing with resentment and barely controlled anger.Betty couldn't help but stare at her brother with a teasing smirk on her face as she watched him from the living room. His usual calm demeanor seemed to have collapsed and it was amusing the way he continued speaking to himself as he approached her."What's got you so worked up? Wait, don't tell me.." Betty asked curiously with a bit of sarcasm in her voice as she immediately burst into a chain of laughter quickly understanding her brothers predicament Adrian raised his brows in irritation but chose to let it go, as he wasn't in the mood to bicker with someone especially BettyHe angrily made his way towards the kitchen and brought out a few oranges to the count