LOGINI watched Klaire take a cab just in front of my car and exhaled, hitting the steering wheel. I hated chaos and grandmother was putting me in one again. There was no need for all of the drama. I turned the car around and headed back to Brooks' residence.And to Klaire, I had dragged Klaire out of a business meeting, given her no explanation, atched her walk away confused.And making whatever relationship we had worsen."Mr. Brooks is still inside." The housekeeper said. I nodded and walked in.Grandmother looked up first when I rounded the corner. I looked straight at my grandmother."What exactly are you doing?""Having tea." She picked up her teacup with surprising elegance.I exhaled sharply. "Why are you so determined to meet Klaire?"She studied me for a long moment. Long enough that I became uncomfortable. Then she asked quietly, "Why are you so determined to stop me?"I frowned. First off, we shouldn’t be having this conversation at my investors house. Secondly, I was too angry
I stood outside Brooks' mansion with my arms folded, staring at the fountain in front of me. Mr. Vilmorre had practically ordered me outside.No explanation. No discussion.Just..."Wait here."I sighed. "What is wrong with that man?"First, Hale said he insisted I come to the meeting. Then he acted like my presence was an inconvenience.I began pacing slowly across the stone driveway, occasionally glancing toward the entrance.Five minutes passed. Then ten. "What is taking so long?"Was Brooks discussing something confidential? Had the meeting resumed?Or...Was Mr. Vilmorre arguing with him again?I turned toward the entrance. "He probably needs me but is too proud to call me back in…” The front door swung open.Mr. Vilmorre walked toward me with unusually long steps.His expression...was strange.He looked... flustered. I'd never seen him look flustered before."Mr. Vilmorre?"He didn't answer. Instead, he grabbed my wrist. "Come with me.""W-what?""Now."Before I could react, he was
Brooks greeted Klaire as though she had been an expected guest all along.Only until they were done with their pleasantries that he asked for both of us to take our seats around the long oak table in the dining room. A stack of documents already lay neatly arranged."This won't take too long," Brooks said, taking the seat opposite us."I hope not," I replied evenly.He smiled and he opened the first file. "I'll be honest with you, Aleksander. I was disappointed."I nodded. “I know.""No." He shook his head. "I don't think you do." He folded his hands together. "I trusted Vilmorre Enterprise because I believed your systems were stronger than everyone else's." He looked directly at me. "Then your investor list was leaked. You can imagine what that did to my confidence."Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Klaire lower her gaze. Her fingers tightened around the edge of the file before her.I knew she still blamed herself. Even after I'd withdrawn the case.The guilt hadn't left her.A
Hale walked into my office without knocking. That alone told me he had news."What is it?""I met Brooks yesterday."My pen paused.Finally, something useful in this office. I set the document aside and leaned back in my chair. "And?"Hale smiled."I think he's willing to give Vilmorre another chance."That was why he was one of my top investors. He hardly gave up on Vilmorre. He could be stubborn, but the edge we give his company over others would definitely made him stay. And too bad, we need him badly. "Explain.""He admitted he reacted too quickly after the investor leak. He said the way the situation was handled afterward made him reconsider." Hale sighed. “I personally think grandmother spoke to him or something. But we can’t be too sure”I nodded once. I didn’t care who convinced who. He was back and that’s all that mattered.Brooks wasn't just another investor. His influence stretched beyond the local market. If he returned, others would likely follow.That was good. Very good.
The doorbell rang just as I finished folding my laundry and I frowned as I rushed to the door. Lance wasn’t supposed to be here until evening.And he wasn’t.Opening the door, a delivery man stood outside, holding an elegant bouquet of white lilies and pale pink roses.“Mrs. Klaire?”“Yes?”“These are for you.” He handed me the bouquet before asking me to sign on a small electronic pad. I thanked him, closed the door, and stared at the flowers in confusion.They were beautiful. Far too expensive for an ordinary gift.There was no need for Lance to go extra miles. He had apologized enough for regarding me as just his girlfriend and I had forgiven him…I guess.With curiosity , I opened it he letter placed in the flower.My dear,I have heard a little about what happened at Vilmorre Enterprise. Although I do not know every detail, I know enough to say I am truly sorry for the pain my grandson has caused you.Aleksander is many wonderful things, but apologizing has never been one of them.
Hale.Seeing Hale’s call was mixed feelings. I didn’t know what to expect and how to respond to any news he might bring. Was it work? Or just wanted to say hi to Lance’s wife.I answered immediately. “Good afternoon, Mr. Hale.”“You’ve started sounding too formal.”I laughed. “You are my superior.”“To an extent…” he laughed. “So…”“So?”“I’m inviting you out.”“…What?”“Relax.” He laughed. “It’s lunch. I promise I’m old enough to be your uncle.”I covered my mouth as I laughed. “I wasn’t thinking whatever you’re thinking”“You were.”“I wasn’t.”“You definitely were.”His laughter was contagious. “So…Are you coming?”I looked around my apartment.“I suppose sitting indoors all day isn’t helping.”“Exactly. I’ll send you the location.”An hour later, I found him waiting outside a quiet café. The moment he saw me, he stood.“I almost didn’t recognize you.”I frowned. “Is that a compliment?”“You look…” He studied me “…rested.”I laughed.“I’ve been sleeping.”“I can tell.”He pulled out
I stood in the middle of the living room, surrounded by gift boxes and half-opened bags, staring at walls that didn’t have cracks in them. No leaking ceiling, no noisy neighbors. No moans from the very person I was living with…I mean if there ever get to be moans in this apartment, it would be com
One moment Grandmother was sleeping, the next, the nurses rushed into the room, and machines were making noises I never wanted to hear again.Doctors appeared from nowhere.And once again, I found myself standing outside the hospital room with absolutely no control over the situation.By sunrise, t
I practically skipped into the building that morning. I would be setting my clock to Moscow time this week, which meant I would be finishing all my work for the day by 10.00 am just to be culturally accurate.Haha.But for the first time in weeks, there wasn’t an Aleksander Vilmorre waiting to thro
Elise’s smile dropped for a second when I finished my sentence. We were seated inside my office after work hours. Most employees had already left."Why all of a sudden?" Her eyes blinked several times. "You said it was not the time to meet her. You said it would take a long while before you decide







