Mag-log inRichard looked at Adrian for a long moment.Then he looked at the television where his own face was still being displayed beside the words confirmed dead.“They are a few people. The CEO, Chief Communication Officer, General Counsel which is Mr. Benjamin and the Spokesperson.” Adrian leaned back, “ Since Mr. Benjamin is with us, I guess that narrows our search to just three entities.” “It's done.” Ivan announced, dropping the laptop on the table. He looked distraught, the news on the TV still gnawing at him.Adrian reached for his phone, scrolling through it as he mumbled out, “Thank you.” Ivan stood up, walking towards Ashley who was sitting at a corner of the living. “Ms. Ashley, is there like a convenient store nearby?”Ashley quickly stood up, “Is there something you need? I can get it…”“No. I just want to take a walk. It feels stuffy here.” “Let me walk you.” Ashley said, leading the way out. Ivan followed. Adrian and Richard exchanged a glance once the door shut behind
“I can't believe I almost died.” Ivan gasped, staring at the wreckage of the jet they had been seating in just four hours ago in his phone. He sat on the long sofa, hands clenched, his legs bouncing on the floor anxiously. Despite being born into wealth and being wealthy himself, he had never been in a situation where his life was threatened, so that shook him. Richard paced about the room fist clenched by his side. He was fuming, not because of the attempted tragedy, but because he wondered who would dare mess with him like this. Adrian sat across from them, still visibly shaken as he typed something on the computer. The door to the small apartment living room burst open and Gavin walked in just ahead of Ashley, holding a bag, containing a few necessities. Ashley was the only person he could trust here so he had called her as soon as they arrived. “Ivan, stop sulking over there and do what you need to do to prevent these phones from being reachable.” Adrian said, pointing at
Renata ran to the living, drawn out by the voice. “Ma'am, are you alright?” But Arabella didn't answer. She couldn't. Her whole body was still trembling in disbelief, her eyes still fixed on the TV. Renata saw it and covered her mouth, letting out a gasp. Vera was still talking on the phone, panicking over Arabella's yell. Renata grabbed the phone. The screen was cracked, but it still worked fine. “Ms. Vera, I think something happened on the news that affected her.” She explained. “Send me the address, I'm on my way.” Vera said hurriedly. Renata quickly shared the location to Vera before dropping the phone. She picked up the TV remote, and switched it off, but Arabella grabbed it from her hand and switched it on again. This time she turned up the volume. She bit down on her lip, hoping maybe she had overacted. Just because the three of them went out together doesn't mean they took his private jet. The news said seven, not three. Maybe it was another person ent
Arabella sat across from Claudia in a quiet coffee shop nestled in one of the city's most affluent neighborhoods. Sunlight streamed through tall windows, warming the marble tabletops and casting a golden glow across the room.“So, you are Arabella.” Claudia said, stirring her coffee with unhurried grace. At fifty-two, she was still striking. Her chestnut hair, threaded with silver at the temples, swept into a neat low bun. She wore a cream blazer and tailored trousers. “How did you like your welcome back gift?” She asked, adjusting the silk scarf tied loosely around her neck. “It's a fifty million dollar penthouse.” “What?” Arabella mumbled, eyes wide in disbelief. She knew that house was expensive. But $50M was too much. It was unnecessary.Still she closed her mouth and held Claudia’s gaze. She didn't want to look classless in front of her. “Well, I guess I better do a good job at Vertex Energy to please my benefactor.” She said,Claudia chuckled, soft, elegant, and still ma
Adrian's car drove to a halt at the apron on the Republic Airport where Richard's private jet was waiting. He had arrived early, but still didn't beat Richard and his legal team who had arrived just minutes earlier. Gavin and Adrian stepped out of the car and Gavin reached for their suitcase from the boot. The sleek Bombardier Global 7500 jet towered above them at the far end of the apron, bearing the Vertex Energy logo along its fuselage.“Good morning, Mr. Gallagher.” Adrian greeted enthusiastically, “I had no idea you were coming with us.” Richard only nodded, patting Adrian’s shoulder lightly. Adrian studied him for a while. His smile was forced, hands fidgeting in his pocket as he shifted his weight from one foot to another.Richard was anxious. Of course he was. Meeting his only love thirty years later would make anyone anxious.Adrian heaved a sigh, not knowing how to feel about this information. “You should go in and get settled.” Richard suggested.Gavin took the bag
Adrian and Arabella locked eyes over Axel. No one said anything, but by the look in their eyes, one could tell they were already going down memory lane.“Grandma said you both were inseparable as kids. Tell me all the good memories. I don't want the sad ones.” Axel insisted. For a child who barely talked much, and rarely ever asked for anything, they couldn't reject his request.“You know, the first time I saw your mom, she reminded me of Pikachu.” “Huh?” Arabella gasped in disbelief, “You told me I was the cutest kid you’ve ever seen. You’re lying.” “Of course not.” Adrian argued, “You were cute. Wide sparkly eyes and rosey cheeks just like Pikachu.” Adrian and Axel giggled. Arabella, still not convinced, brought out goggled Pikachu. “There is no way I looked like that.” He showed it to Axel, hoping to get him on her side. Axel looked at his mom and then the picture. “Of course you do.” Adrian and Axel dissolved into laughter.Arabella narrowed her eyes at the father-son du
BACHELORETTE NIGHTThe party was booming—masks glittering under disco lights, music pulsing through the floor. Vera and her bridesmaids danced while her favorite musician performed a private mini-concert. A few people sat back and just enjoyed the music and their drinks. On the other side of the
FIVE YEARS LATER “...your new leadership structure is already in place,” Arabella said , eyes sweeping the boardroom. “Revenue projections are stable, staff turnover is down, and the brand has regained credibility.”No one interrupted her.She stood at the head of the table in a navy-blue blazer a
ONE MONTH LATERArabella curled in the corner of the small room, her knees to her chest. Her arms shook from the last injection…they always made her feel like her bones were burning. She bit down on her lip to stop herself from crying again. Her voice was too hoarse to make another sound anyway.T
Adrian’s fist came down again, a dull, sickening sound filling the room.The guard collapsed against the tiled wall, sliding to the floor, blood already soaking into his uniform. His face was swollen, one eye nearly shut, breath coming out in broken wheezes. Adrian didn’t stop. He barely even looke







