Adira's eyes fluttered open to the soft hum of machines beeping quietly in the background. The air smelled of disinfectant, and Adira felt the scratchy sheets of the hospital bed under her skin. She was in a hospital?
At first, everything was blur and she couldn't make out any details. But slowly, her vision began to clear and she saw the familiar figures of Lancelot and Jardine beside her. What?
Adira's eyes widened in realization. No, no, her baby.
She gasped as she shifted her hands to her tummy, holding it tight.
"What happened to me? Did I lose my baby?" She asked with eyes brimming red.
Jardine had a tear trickling down her cheek. "I'm so sorry, Adira. Nobody deserves to go through this."
Adira's breath started getting laboured. It couldn't be what she was thinking, was it? Did she lose the baby?
Lancelot, who had been sitting next to her, suddenly took her hand into his. "I'm truly sorry. I never wanted to cause you so much pain."
"Get me a doctor! Is my baby fine?" Adira yelled tearfully.
Jardine sobbed. "I'm afraid so. I'm so sorry,"
Pain clutched at Adira's chest. Hearing those words from Jardine were the most hurtful she's ever had to hear. She lost her baby? The only thing she had left?
"No," she shook her head. "It can't be. It can't be."
Lancelot sighed. "You had passed out in the bank, rushed over here and the doctor informed me. I hope you can forgive me for this, Ad..."
"NEVER!" Adira yelled in his face, her voice vibrating through the room. "I'll never forgive you, you monster! You killed my child!" Angry tears rolled down her cheeks.
"Adira please, you probably lost the baby out of stress. I..."
"Stress that was caused by you!" She interrupted him again. "You all have taken everything from me! You, your mother, and your damn mistress! Why don't you just take my life. Huh?! Take me!!"
Jardine dabbed the tears from her face.
"I want you out of here!" Adira continued yelling. "Get out of my life, Lancelot! Let me be! Oh! I hate you! I hate you and your damn lover! I regret the day I met you! I regret the day I fell for you! Get out of my life, you demon! Let me be!" Her voice echoed through the walls, it didn't take long before some nurses came running in.
"Ma'am? What's going on here?" They asked, concerned.
"Get them out of here!" Adira pointed at Lancelot and Jardine. "Please, get them away from me! Get them out of here!"
The nurses were perplexed, wondering why she hated them that much. However, her screams were a disturbance to the other patients.
"I'm afraid you have to leave, sir. Ma'am. Please," they turned to Lancelot and Jardine.
Lancelot was shocked. He's never seen Adira that way before, not even on the night he had told her about the divorce. He rose from his chair, his eyes still settled on her. Then, feebly, he exited the room, while Jardine followed.
***
The ride home was a very quiet one as Lancelot and Jardine didn't utter a word to each other. With so many thoughts running through their minds, they let the silence stretch and so it lasted until they got to Lancelot's family's house.
They both stepped out of the car and walked into the living room which was empty.
"I...I need sometime alone, Jardine. For now," he said without looking at Jardine and took the stairs. Getting to his room, he whacked the door closed and plonked himself on the bed, running his fingers through his hair.
"What have I done? What have I done?" He mumbled to himself.
Recalling the pain in Adira's eyes, it shattered him completely. She definitely didn't deserve any of it - she was too nice to deserve it. Unfortunately, he had gotten tired of struggling with her. For over a year, he tried all he could for his parents to love and accept her, but they didn't. His father cut him off from the company and made life really unbearable for him. Then, Jardine came along. He couldn't forget how sweet she had been in the beginning and made him realize the benefits of returning to his parents.
"I can't believe you abandoned your family's fortune just to be with this lady, Lan" those were her words to him. "Do you deserve this? Does she even deserve this? Would she have done the same if she were in your shoes?"
Lancelot lifted his face and grunted softly. He had truly loved Adira, but the love of money finally stole him away. Honestly, he couldn't tell if he was fully in love with Jardine. He knew she was beautiful, attractive, and rich, but was his heart fully in love with her? He wasn't making a mistake, was he?
Memories of when he had met Adira for the first time came flashing in his head, seventeen years ago. That day at the pool, he had seen her come in with her sister. She had been laughing so purely, he couldn't refrain himself from walking up to her. They had greeted casually and after which, she ran along to play with her sister. Some minutes later, he found her drowning in the pool and jumped in to save her. Lancelot couldn't recall what exactly had happened, but one thing was sure, and that was the fact that he didn't save her.
When he had jumped into the water, he remembered passing out in the process of saving her. The next time he regained consciousness, she was beside him with everyone thinking he was actually the one that had saved her. The pool workers said they had found them lying next to each other when they arrived. So, they figured Lancelot must've passed out after bringing her out of the pool. But Lancelot was very aware that didn't happen. He couldn't remember bringing her out of the pool. He knew someone else had saved them both, but since he couldn't tell who it was, he kept quiet about it and made everyone believe it was truly him that had saved her.
And that was how they became friends, with Adira being indebted to him.
...
The door of his room slowly went open and interrupted his thoughts. He glanced up to see his mother coming in.
"Son, what's going on? I saw Jardine leaving, and she wasn't looking so good," Madame Winslet inquired as she approached him.
Lancelot said nothing until his mother sat next to him. "She lost the baby, mum" he whimpered. "She lost the baby because of me."
His mother took a deep breath. "Come on, don't tell me you're being all moody for Adira's sake."
"Of course! I... I had truly loved her. I don't know if I still do..."
"You don't," the woman cut in rasply. "Listen to me, you love Jardine. That's the reason you ended things with Adira, right?"
Lancelot scoffed. "I'm beginning to think I ended things with her 'cause I wanted the company back."
"Well, that is not true, alright? You love Jardine, and you know it."
Lancelot covered his face with his palms. Maybe he truly loved Jardine. Maybe he truly did. He was twenty-eight years old. He should definitely know what his heart wanted.
"Listen to me," Madame Winslet drew him towards her bossom. "You made the right choice. That lady never belonged to this family, and I am so proud that you finally realized it. So, stop being all moody and get to work." She planted a kiss on his forehead before ambling to the table to decant some wine.
Lancelot listened wearily as the wine poured in from the bottle to the first glass cup.
"Your father's worried about the Yonder Dynamics. His last proposal to them was declined, still" his mother worded as she filled in two glasses and handed one to Lancelot when she returned to him.
Lancelot's brows arched as he took the glass from her. "It still wasn't approved? Why's the Yonder Dynamics so selective?"
"Well, what do you expect? They're the richest empire in the country, son. We aren't the only ones trying to invest with them."
This got Lancelot so worried, making him forget all about his worries with Adira.
The Yonder Dynamics was the biggest name in the country - with over five hundred brands connected to them. A lot of people wanted to do business with them 'cause it was certain to be a success, but unfortunately, they were very proud and selective.
The company was being ran by Nikolai Kensington - the grandson of the founders who's considered the most powerful man in the country. He was every woman's dreams and also a friend every man would love to have. Unfortunately, Nikolai was a very hard man and rarely kept friends, or women. He was hardly ever seen and that was the reason a lot of investors didn't have the privileges of being friends with him. He could only be seen for business purposes.
Lancelot was pained that his father's proposal was still being rejected. For a long time, they've been trying to get favoured by Nikolai, but unfortunately, it's been seeming impossible.
"When you finally get married to Jardine, I hope her family would be able to help. I heard they're investors with them," his mother said, sipping from her glass. "I wish someday, we get accepted, Lancelot" "How happy your father would be."
Lancelot clutched his fingers tightly as he drank from his. Nikolai Kensington, he needed to double his efforts and get favoured by him.
Jardine's footsteps echoed through the grand foyer of the exquisite house, her heart heavy and her face pale. She made her way into the living room and found her mum and grandparents sitting stiffly on the plush couch, their eyes fixed on her as she came into view. Jardine felt a knot form in her stomach instantly as she lowered her eyes and greeted. "Good day.""Jardine. Why are you looking all gloomy?" Her mother inquired. "Why won't she? When she's been sleeping with someone else's man?" Her grandfather threw a glare at her. "Dad!" Her mother - Mrs. Rowena - gasped at the aged man. "Tell me, Jardine, are you still going on with the wedding?" Her grandmother asked coldly. And in a low voice, Jardine replied: "Yes, grandma.""Have you no shame!" Her grandfather half-yelled. "You're beautiful, Jardine. You couldn't do anything else other than destroy another woman's home?""Dad! I think we should give her a break," Mrs. Rowena scoffed. "Jardine is not that evil. It isn't like she
Adira stood frozen in place as Nikolai - the most powerful billionaire - approached her. She could feel her heart pounding against her chest like a wild animal trying it escape its cage. With his cold, hard eyes settling on her like diamond orbs that pierced through her soul, she felt unhindered chills down her spine. Was Nikolai the man the bar manager was referring to? Was he the man that wanted her to stay back? But why? She's only seen him in the news and on papers, she's never met or even dreamt of meeting with him before. Someone of her status could not even meet him. So, she was wondering how he how specifically knew her to request her staying back. What could she had possibly done to offend the almighty billionaire?With each step he took closer to her, her fear increased and she took hard nervous gulps. He was so handsome, so muscular - his face an art of perfection. But right there, all she could feel was fear as she stared at him. "Adira Ravenswood," he called her full na
Adira stood up and ran out of the bar immediately, trying to see if she'd find Nikolai again. But getting outside, she found them driving away. "Oh, no" she mumbled to herself. "It wasn't a dream. It wasn't a dream."Her heart thrashed against the cage of her ribs. She lifted her hands into her hair and tousled it. What the hell just happened? So, it wasn't a dream afterall? Nikolai had really been in front of her?'I'll make you so rich, you'll walk on money' his words came flashing in her head. 'I'll place you above your enemies and make them worship at your feet.'"No," Adira whispered, still brushing her hair with her shaky fingers. How did this happen? How could he even say that to her? She returned to the bar and found the card and money still lying on the counter. A tear slipped her eye immediately. Feebly, she picked up the money and stared blankly at it. To think she had actually wanted to end her life when she was done from the bar? Was this the devil playing tricks on
Adira freshened up, packed her bags and in a short while, she was ready to go.From time to time, she paced round the room and glanced at the window to see if the car had arrived. Goodness, she was scared and found it difficult even breathing.'Calm down, Adira. Everything will be fine,' she kept assuring herself.Finally, she found a black sleek car driving into the compound and her heart jumped out of her chest. It was him. The driver was there.She puffed out her cheeks, rubbed her palms together and finally dragged her luggages out of the room. She got downstairs to where her family was gathered and laughing at the dining. Seeing Adira with her luggages seized their laughters at once as they threw suspicious stares at her."Where the hell are you going?" Soraya scoffed.Adira ignored her and headed for the door.
Adira was shown to her room which made her gasp at its beauty. The room was expansive, with high ceilings that seemed to stretch out into the heavens, and the walls painted in a chic and neutral color of beige and gray.In the center of the room was a massive four-poster bed, draped in sumptuous silken sheets and surrounded by plush pillows that looked like they were made of clouds.There was a sleek sofa in the room - as well as a dressing table.A dressing table - Adira suddenly realized. She ambled to the dressing table and found so many cosmetics on it. Huh? He already made provisions for her cosmetics?Looking around, she found a room that looked like a closet and rushed into it. Her jaw almost hit the floor when her eyes met with the luxury.Rows and rows of designer shoes, handbags and clothing were displayed, each piece looking beautiful and expens
"So, what's your name?" Mrs Bellamy asked as they ate. The rattling of forks and knives provided a rhythmical background to their meal.Adira knew the question was directed at her. She gulped down some water before looking up at the woman."Adira, ma'am. Adira Ravenswood." she inclined her head."Adira. Pretty name."Adira felt so relieved that the woman liked her. She had been so scared that she'd get rejected, just like she had been rejected by Lancelot's family."Thank you, ma'am" she beamed a smile."You're welcome, honey. So, as you must already know, I am Lancelot's mother, and this is my husband," she placed a hand on her husband's shoulder."These two titans over here are my sons - Vesper and Finn."The younger one - Finn - flashed a smile at Adira, while the older one maintained
Adira sat at the plush backseat of the car, her gaze fixed out the window as the city rushed past. The mid-day sun cast a warm glow on everything - from the bustling cars on the sidewalks to the gleaming cars that whizzed by.Just then, her car approached the Belle-Amore jewellery store and Adira's attention was drawn to the familiar figures of Mrs Winslet and Rowena walking inside. They were walking side by side and laughed heartily like they were cracking the funniest jokes.They've become friends - Adira thought. They've become friends after ruining her life and almost making her lose her life.As she watched them, she felt anger surging through her - recalling all the terrible things they made her go through."Stop the car," she instructed the driver, and quickly, the driver found a place to park.She hesitated for a while, just staring at the doors of
The sleek black pulled up to the towering building, a man coming quickly to open the backdoor. Adira emerged from the car like a queen, with two men flanking her sides like loyal knights and her secretary following closely behind. Making her way into the building, she could feel all eyes on her, as well as the people whispering her name in awe and admiration. Her designer clothes hugged her clothes in all the right places, and her hair cascaded down her back in glossy waves. Her makeup was perfect, highlighting her features in all the right places, and her jewelries sparkled like stars in the sky. Her steps were measured and graceful, each one seeming to command the attention of everyone around her. She stepped into the elevator with her people and as the doors closed, she took a deep breath. Soon, the elevator doors open and Adira stepped out to the sixth floor, which was noticeably different from the other floors. The air was tinged with a sense of exclusivity and privilege. Th