Crystal was dazed, she couldn't believe this was happening right in front of her, Rafael had taken the bullet meant for her, she was numb and time stood still as she watched him fall, right in front of her, crimson
Flowed out of him and dropped on her face as she fell on her, deadweight. A cry wrenched from her mouth, "no" she got out from under him, "Rafael, no, don't do this" but she got no response. The sound of ambulance could be heard and soon it stopped as it reached, " excuse me, ma'am, we'll have to take care of him" the paramedics came out and oxygen was fixed immediately as he was put on a stretcher and taken into the ambulance, Crystal signaled Emilia to take care of Evans as she quickly jumped into the ambulance, holding Rafael's hand with tears streaming down her eyes, " Rafael, please don't leave me, I'm sorry for all the words I said to you, I didn't mean it" she cried. Soon they got to the hospital and he was rushed into the emergency unit, the doctor told**Rafael has been discharged from the hospital months back and he has gradually recovered. Their contract expired last month but Rafael hadn't said anything about it, Crystal was free to leave and she knew it was time for her to leave, he has recovered and his father has also improved a lot after listening to the message from her father, she had given her mother's ashes to him and told him to let her go and rest in peace, tears misted in his eyes as he carefully collected the jar from her, " thank you so much" he had choked out."No Sir, I should say thank you, thank you for loving my mother the way you did, I'm happy that she at least experienced true love from you, you deserve to be with her, she will be happy where ever she is right now"So they had bid her mother farewell as they poured her ashes into the river and watched it flow out. Now it's time for her to leave, she would have to discuss with Rafael concerning Evans, they will have to somehow come to an agreem
PROLOGUETen years old Crystal walked into the house, her parents had forgotten to pick her up from school, it has been a habit so she wasn't perturbed, she was usually forgotten to be picked up by her parents just like today. She would just hitch a ride with Mrs. Ester, their closest neighbor, and mother of her best friend Starlia.No sooner she had entered her room that her mother came in to apologize. "It's nothing Mum, I am fine" she replied to her mother's apology."I promise I'll make it up to you, I'll make things right" her mother said as she kissed Crystal's forehead and made to leave.Crystal turn to the other side of the bed and pretended as if she is sleeping as she listens to her mother's quiet footsteps walking away, a single tear came rolling down her cheek. She jerked awake and realized she had fallen asleep, her parents raised voices echoed in her ears, it was actually what had w
Chapter OneRafael Manuel Wade sat in his office, fuming, his body was stiff in anger, the look on his face was formidable. His assistant stood by him, fidgeting and looking unsure. " how dare they give me an ultimatum?" He voiced out in anger." Ehh...S. Sir" Val his assistant murmured , unsure of what to say to his boss, his boss is indeed fearsome when he is angry and he wished to be anywhere but close to his boss right now. "I...I...I..." he stuttered again but was interrupted by a knock on the office door, he breath a sigh of relief and hurried over to the Godsent at the door. It was Vince, his boss's friend, he quickly ushered him in and left."Seems to me like someone is in a very bad mood" Vince said looking at his friend speculatively shutting the door close behind him. He stood in front of his friend and eyed him. ' what's up? ' he asked." They want me to get married before I can bid for be entrusted with Trip
"The CEO assistant is in charge of conducting the interview, I will direct you to him" he said. His charming smile didn't make him a talkative, Crystal thought,she just wanted to get a bit of information of her chances, anyways she would have to wait and see she thought. The receptionist left her in the care of another, who directed her to another before she was finally directed to the CEO assistant office. She knocked on the door and got a reply to come in. She entered into a very polished and cool office, the man behind the desk welcomed her and told her to sit, he looks like he is in his mid forties,he look cool but he isn't smiling at her like the receptionist, infact, he is frowning at her and her heart skipped a bit."I am sorry I'm late " she said in a hoarse and shaky voice, she cleared her throat and repeated herself so she can be heard."I was caught up in traffic"" You're lucky,the CEO isn't here yet, he is attending a business meeting, so wh
Rafael stood behind his desk, gazing at the view outside, though not viewing anything as he is so engrossed in his thoughts.He had pulled his jacket and rolled up his sleeves when he came back from the board meeting, all the board members are of the opinion that he should get married to get Tripolis if that is the condition. His day has been filled with hurdles starting from when that godforsaken lady had bumped into him, his mind wandered back to the incident that morning, she looked so innocent but Rafael knows her type, she had bumped into him on purpose, of course he is the most eligible bachelor in the City, he is a known face and billionaire, she had wanted his attention and of cause she caught his attention, he did notice her beauty even when provoked but unfortunately she is just another beauty without brains and oh so infuriating, no one had made him that provoked since he was a teenager, he scoffed when he recal
CHAPTER THREECrystal woke up to the sound of her alarm clock, 5 am, she wondered how her first day at work will be like. She is elated with her job but the prospect of seeing that arrogant CEO is not at all appealing.'Well, come what may,I will work hard and show him how smart I am' she thought to herself, she is going to change his opinion of her and prove to him that she is an intelligent, smart, hardworking, independent woman and that she does not take what she didn't work hard for."I'll pay for that damn car and listen Mr Manuel, I'll make you take back your words, you dare to insult me" she muttered as she got of bed and went to prepare breakfast.She can't afford to pass a day without breakfast, she knows that she function very well if she have enough food in her stomach, nothing like starting her day with breakfast, her day will certainly go smooth. She quickly prepared omelette to go with some bread and ate quickly.*
Chapter FiveCrystal was pacing in the parking lot when she heard footsteps, she quickly turned and saw her Dad hurrying out of the building, her eyes caught Mark's but she quickly averted her gaze, her Dad passed her unnoticed and she is grateful for that, she's not ready for another round of confrontation with her Dad, he entered his car and zoomed off. Rafael came out minutes later, by the look on his face, she's not sure what to think about the meeting." How was it? She asked tentatively, he glanced at her for some seconds, probably deciding whether to tell her or not, he heaved a heavy sigh." Julius Miller was there," he said watching her and her heart skipped, does he already know he's her father? She thought," Nothing can ever go right with him " he said with so much loathe in his voice and she was taken aback by it.Okay, she has learned two things now; first, he doesn't know that Julius Miller is her father, second, he hates the m
Chapter SixThey got to the venue of the meeting right on time.The venue of the meeting is an executive restaurant, expensively polished, she has never in her entire like be to a place like this and it is obvious with the way she keeps staring In awe, she realized that this is a meeting that will be held over dinner," I'm going to eat in this exotic restaurant" she thought" You're welcome Sir and Madam" someone said to them she turned to see a man in his fifties, looking dashing in his tuxedo, " this way please" he said guiding them towards the right-wing of the building.Rafael and Crystal followed him, he directed them to a table where they are greeted by an elderly man and woman."Please have your seat" they said. Crystal sat close to Rafael, their thighs almost touching, she can feel the heat emanating from him and she glanced at him to see if he noticed, she found him staring at her and she quickly averted her gaze.