LEONARD KISH'S POV,"Have you contacted Macpherson." I asked Sam whose attention was focused on the road, as he drove to the company that day.My gaze was fixed intently on the contract with Macpherson, which he had given to me earlier, meticulously tracing every little details. I had taken it upon myself to ensure that every term and clause was error-free, since I knew, signing a contract with Macpherson was going to earn me more ground and increase my chances of becoming the next Chairman of 'KishLee Corporation.'"Yes boss!" He beamed in response, without taking his eyes off the road.With the election for the ceo position scheduled, I knew I had to be meticulous and avoid any mistakes that Richard Yuka could exploit. The stakes were high, and I couldn't afford to leave any openings for him to capitalize on."Their secretary has confirmed that the meeting will proceed as agreed, and the contract will be finalized by two o'clock pm." His words came again, dripping with satisfaction
LEONARD KISH'S POV,"Richard! Macpherson!" He uttered, gasping for air, as he struggled to catch his breath.My eyes flew open immediately when I heard Sam's words, as a great sense of urgency washed over me, making me spring to my feet.Seeing how hard he was trying to catch his breath, I knew instantly that whatever it was he was going to say, was no good. Although, at the mention of Macpherson and Richard together, my mind began to race towards one possibility, and I secretly hoped it wasn't what I was thinking.As I wrestled with my thoughts, I felt a knot of anxiety tightening in my chest, but I pushed my fears aside. I needed to hear the truth from Sam himself before I could accept my fears."What is it about Macpherson? What did Richard Yuka do?" I questioned as calmly as I could, my eyes fixed intently on him, as I urged him on for an answer, even though deep within me I feared my gut."He's... He's... finalizing... the cont... Contract... with Macpherson." His response came
LEONARD KISH'S POV,"Boss!" Sam called out as he drove us back to the company that day. His voice bearing the weight of his remorse, his gloom palpable, hanging over the atmosphere. He couldn't stop blaming himself for what had happened.I gazed into the rearview mirror, my mind racing with ideas on how to handle Richard Yuka, I was too engrossed in my thoughts to utter a word, or respond to Sam's call,Although I had left Richard Yuka with a cold smile on my face, intentionally to unsettle him, deep down I was seething with anger and hurt, but I was determined not to let him see the extent of the blow he had dealt me."About Richard..." Sam hesitated, unsure if he should continue, while I remained silent, not saying a word to him either, and we continued in silence.After a while, his words came again, breaking the silence that had fallen upon us,"How about we report this matter to the board of directors, and let them handle it?" He suggested, his voice heavy with pain as he spoke.
JESSICA ANNA YUKA'S POV,My heart was banging really hard against my ribcage, when I brought up the topic regarding his wedding. Even though I knew Leonard had never picked any interest in any lady, the news of his sudden wedding had rattled my understanding and had filled me with fear.I had rushed down to the state from Chocó with just one goal in mind - I wanted to know if Leonard had really fallen in love with a lady during my years of being away. Just the thought of it made me grit my teeth, as my jaw clenched in anger.Although, my greatest fear was him confirming the news, even though I was never going to sit still and watch another lady have my man. However, his words alleviated my fears, setting my mind at peace and gradually dispelling my initial anxiety.My brows unfurrowed, and I drew in a silent breath, trying to calm my racing heart as I sought to unravel the truth hidden behind his words. I wanted to be certain that there was no emotional connection between the both of
ELSA ELKINS' POV,The hours ticked by, a long and sorrowful day was coming to an end. It was dark outside, but it was nothing compared to the abyss within the room.My day was filled with tears even as I dwelled on that agonizing realization. I was broken and dejected. I had lost every strength to move an inch, cuddled up in my room since I came back from my father's home.The cold air seeped through the window that evening, blowing cruel reality at me. My tears had stopped flowing, leaving me drained and shattered, even as I realized that it was all up to me to fight for my own freedom. Just then, I knew I had to do something, my mind began to ponder on a solution out of my cruel fate.The visit that day to my parents' home, was a stark realization that they had no intention to rescue me from Leonard's grasp, which had shattered my heart like a broken pearl, but I wasn't going to sit still and dwell in misery for the rest of my life.Inspired with the confidence, I felt a renewed ho
ELSA ELKINS' POV,My eyes flew open, even as I jerked up from sleep that morning to the brightness of the day. The ray streamed into my room, a reminder of my goal. Panic set in as I snapped off my grogginess, glancing at the clock in an alarm, which read 7:30am.I had been determined to wake up as early as I could, and strike a deal with Leonard before he left for work, but I had slept off Immediately my back had hit the bed.With a newfound determination, I threw off the covers, and scurried out of my bed, the sorrows of the previous day had gone with the night. I sprang up to my feet, even as my determination propelled me forward, my heart racing with the fear of missing Leonard.I descended the staircase in a fierce intensity. Pounding on them with the same determination that coursed through my veins. The sound from my steps echoed off the walls, but I cared not. I had just one goal - to get to Leonard before he left.I knew I had to start as soon as possible, so that I could pay
LEONARD KISH'S POV,Upon hearing her words, I realized she wasn't as ignorant as I had thought. I had wanted her to pay for the humiliation I had felt that day. I wanted to subject her to everything that would make her anything, but less than my wife, but as I stood right there with her, I realized it wasn't going to be easy, even though there was no way I was going to allow her to go scot-free.She spoke again, steady and resolute, even as she gaze at me defiantly."You had workers paid for those jobs, why must I do them without compensation? What do you think I am? A slave?" Her teeth clenched, and her eyes glinting with a fierce determination to get through with her bargain.My lips curled upwards in a grimace, as I stared into her eyes. Deep within me, I was engrossed in a thorough calculation, my mind reeling with ideas about how to make it advantageous to me, since I had realized she wouldn't give up until she had struck a deal.I was not the type to give in to people's whim, e
RICHARD YUKA'S POV,My eyes flew open as I listened to my personal assistant James. From the urgency in his voice I could perceive his panic,He had called to inform me of Leonard's move, which had taken me off guard. The fact that he was talking about J.K corporations, made me grit my teeth, and sent my mind reeling with countless thoughts.I gripped the phone tightly, my knuckles whitening as I asked, "Has he made any significant steps towards the partnership?" My voice tumbling out in a rush. My mind raced with the implications as I listened to his response, but my patience wore thin with each passing seconds, since the board of directors had discussed venturing into furniture, I couldn't sit still."Not quite Boss!" He responded, making me heave a sigh of relief as the tension seeped out of my shoulders. Although the feeling of uncertainty still lingered, I knew I still had a chance.Judging from Leonard's personality, I could tell he wouldn't take any chances this time around, w
LEONARD KISH'S POV,"You didn't ask her, Boss; you forcefully took her away after inflicting injuries on the person she just had lunch with," Sam replied calmly, his gaze fixed intently on me, his brows slightly furrowed.As soon as I heard his words, I couldn't stop myself from scoffing in disbelief. 'Did he just mean Richard?' I thought, I couldn't believe he was talking about Richard like that when he didn't need anyone to remind him of how dangerous Richard was."Do you mean Richard? Are you justifying him now?" I asked, my words ringing with disbelief as I stared at him,"No Boss! That's not what I meant; I was only trying to be rational," he responded calmly, as he pulled his gaze from me, making me scoff and rolled my eyes."As far as I'm concerned, he deserved it, and I wished I had given him enough beating," I said, "I only hate the fact that I had bent so low to his level, but I wished you didn't restrain me," My jaw clenched as soon as the words left my lips, and as the s
LEONARD KISH'S POV,My jaw clenched tightly as we drove back to the company that day, despite the fact that I was angry, there was something more than anger that had settled in my heart; something I just couldn't lay my hands on.I loosened my tie, but I couldn't get rid of that unknown feeling that was surging within me. Guilt? Sadness? Hurt? Regret? I couldn't tell, Maybe a mix of them all.I puffed out a breath and said to Sam, more like an order, "Stop the car!" His gaze had been darting from the windscreen to the rearview mirror. I needed a breath of fresh air, but as soon as the words left my lips, Sam replied sharply, "Boss, you still have a meeting to catch up with," he said, but the caution that laced his words was unmistakable.I could see the concern etched on his face, and I knew he was considering the implications of defaulting the meeting, but at that moment, I couldn't think of anything else. How could I focus on the meeting when I was feeling like that? I needed to
ELSA ELKINS' POV,"Just in case you've forgotten Elsa, you're my property who was given away as a repayment for her father's debt!" Leonard spat! His words were a like sharp blades that pierced into my heart."And from now on, you're hereby grounded and forbidden from leaving this house. Your only job is to work hard for the freedom you so much crave and if I'm not satisfied enough, you'd remain stuck right here forever." He said, his words tumbling out in a fierce intensity.Every word he spoke stabbed my heart and my knees grew weak. My words felt stuck in my throat, and I couldn't get myself to say another word to him.Right then, I was reminded again of how it began, and I realized that in that whole world, there was no place I could turn to.My father wouldn't even accept me back for fear of the notorious 'Kish family', and as for my mother, let's not even talk about her.I realized again that in that wide world, the only thing I could do was to stay obedient in my supposed husba
ELSA ELKINS' POV,My heart skipped a beat as his grip on my arm tightened; his steps were heavy with determination as he dragged me on, leaving me scuttling behind him, but I refused to give in to his intimation. My resolve grew, and I leaned in, I bit his arm with every ounce of strength in me, directing all my resolve to the bite until I tasted blood.Leonard winced in pain and in that instant, his grip loosened, while I wriggled my arm free from his monstrous grip."Have you lost your mind?" I glared at him, my blood burning hot with a seething rage, my heart banging hard against my ribcage in a mix of fear and pain."Elsa, let's get out of here, now!" He said, his voice tight with an urgency that left me confused. As he stretched his hand towards me again, I tactically avoided it, my brows creased with the confusion that had settled into my heart. I wasn't going to leave until I got an explanation for his behavior.I couldn't understand what had gotten over him. His sudden chang
LEONARD KISH'S POV,My fists clenched tightly beside me, as my anger propelled me towards them. Each step I took was a deliberate attempt towards Richard, who was invested in his act of touching my property.The smile on his face greatly irritated me, not to mention the fact that Elsa stood frozen under his spells, her gaze fixed intently on him like a precious gem.As soon as I was close enough, Elsa caught sight of me, and her eyes widened in surprise, her jaw gradually dropping. The shock she had felt was evident on her face, which made Richard slowly turn towards my direction, with an annoying broad smile on his face.In that instant, my fist shot out, and my fury directed it towards his face in a fierce determination, "Bastard!" I cursed, my voice heavy with rage.A gasp of surprise escaped Elsa's throat as my punch sent Richard off balance, and her hands flew to her mouth to stifle the shock she had felt. Her eyes darted desperately from Richard to me, her fear clearly writte
LEONARD KISH'S POV,As soon as I got off the phone, Sam asked, "Boss! Is anything the matter?" His words dripped with caution, his concern etched on his face as he stared at me.The words had barely left his lips when I turned my phone to Sam and showed him the photo of Elsa and Richard, smiling cozily at each other in an eatery, and Sam's brows creased."Do you know where this is?" I asked, my gaze fixed intently on Sam, as I demanded an answer from him.He scratched his head, and hesitated a little. "I think it's close to her workplace." He answered, his voice a stark contrast to his initial determination.As soon as I heard his words, I pulled my gaze from him. "Do you know the exact location?" I asked, my jaw clenched in determination."Yes Boss!" He answered in a small, his tone ringing with caution."Judging from the surroundings, I'm certain it's Yucoco. An eatery close to her workplace that specializes in local dishes. It is said that she's a regular customer of that place and
LEONARD KISH'S POV,Following the setback with Mr. Gustavo, I had called for a meeting to discuss alternatives, but they insisted on getting his approval or terminate the project which was already in progress.I knew what that meant; it would mean I pay for the losses incurred, and then J.K would definitely ask for compensations, but that wasn't just it.The fact that it would put an indelible mark on my reputation and ruin my chances of becoming the next CEO greatly infuriated me.I could tell Mr. Ricardo was behind the scenes and had won the shareholders over, which was why they had unanimously agreed with the suggestions he made"What's the progress on Mr. Gustavo?" I asked Sam after a strained meeting with the shareholders that day.My steps were swift and heavy as they carried me back to my office."Just like you ordered, Boss," Sam said, in a matching intensity. "His invitation has been revoked, and he won't be able to attend the upcoming International Congress of Hoteliers." He
RICHARD YUKA'S POV,As I drove to the Orphanage, the weight of my father's words hung heavy around me, causing my grip on the steering wheel to tighten.I knew I had to confront the truth about what he did to my mother, but then, I reminded myself to stay focused and achieve all that I had set my mind on, before getting back at him. I arrived at the Orphanage precisely at eleven o'clock, but I knew she might not be open to receive visitors at that moment, so I patiently waited until lunchtime.At precisely twelve-thirty, the bell rang, and immediately, I opened the door. I was determined to get my course rolling, but since I hadn't informed her about my coming, I opted for a text instead.After typing a "Hi!" I realized she might not respond to a strange number, since she never gave it to me, so I immediately deleted it and threw a bait instead."Lunch?" I texted and as I waited for her response, the sound of my heartbeat grew louder in my ears, even as I hoped for her response.Aft
RICHARD YUKA'S POV,Ever since I met Elsa, I hadn't been able to get her off my mind, with each passing day, my resolve to meet her heightened.I woke up that morning, determined to not just watch her from afar, but to make my moves. I didn't need anyone to remind me that time was of the essence, and I had to get her by every means possible.As I strolled towards the door, that morning, my father's voice rang from behind me,"Going to see that girl again?" He asked, his tone tight with annoyance, halting me in my tracks.'Again?' I thought, trying to comprehend what he meant by that, and just then it dawned on me that my father really got his eyes on me.I turned sharply, my eyes narrowing in annoyance, and I fixed my gaze on my father, whose face had no smile."How..." I started to ask, then paused as I realized how foolish it was to ask him how he got to know that I had been watching Elsa from afar.But before I could say another word, my father burst into an empty laughter, which