Emerald recognized that voice. It belongs to Red, one of her male friends.
With a wide and bright smile she turned towards Red, but quickly her smile faded away as soon as she caught sight of the man beside Red."You did great!" Red raised his hands with thumbs up and he walked near Emerald."How long have you been here?" Emerald asked, ignoring the man standing next to Red.Clayton wanted to engulf her into his embrace. But held back as he didn't want to make another mistake that would cause her to run away again.Unconcealed adoration and longing danced in Clayton's eyes as he stared at the woman he had been searching for a long time.Last time, he saw her in an evening gown which stunned him. Today, she had the same effect on him even when clad in a race suit."An hour?" Red said as he looked at his watch.Emerald nodded and acted normal as if she was unbothered with Clayton's presence."By the way, I would like to treat you for lunch together with my cousin here," Red pointed at Clayton."Emerald, this is my cousin Clayton Strong," the excitement in Red's voice couldn't be concealed.An uncanny silence pervaded but Clayton broke it apart by offering his hand for a handshake, "My pleasure to meet you, Emerald."Emerald looked at the hand in front of her but didn't take it. She looked at Red. "I'm sorry, the pit team wanted to have lunch with me, maybe next time."Red felt something was odd because the usual warm Emerald was nowhere to be found and replaced by an icy cold person."We can join you, lunch will be with me," Red didn't want to miss his chance."I'll ask them if they want," without waiting for Red's response Emerald walked toward the pit team."She isn't like that, she is the sweetest woman I've ever seen. Perhaps she's tired practicing and pressured as the season of racing was about to begin," Red explained. If Clayton rejected Emerald he couldn't woo her."When did you meet her?" Clayton asked as his eyes followed every movement of Emerald."Six months ago, I rescued her from a group of men who were trying to harass her," Red answered.Clayton loosened his tie. The thought that his Emerald was nearly violated and he wasn't there to help her, made his chest constrict.Red followed Emerald after that, afraid that he would be turned down."Hey, guys! It's been a while. It would be great catching up with you guys while having lunch," Red without asking permission from Emerald to speak to her team."Sounds like a plan to me," Shannon chimed in.Emerald pursed her lips, she knew that Shannon had a thing for Red and didn't contradict her.The others in the team have no problem having lunch with Red. He was an easy going man and is not hard to be with.Emerald shrugged in resignation. It was really a small world. Who would have thought that Red Stanford was related to her ex - husband?She met Red abroad. If it wasn't for Red she would have lost her chastity at that time and was ravished by a group of lustful men."Red, who is he?" Shannon asked with her eyes fixated at Clayton with fawning adoration.Long gone was her infatuation for Red as her eyes landed on Clayton's face.Who could escape that beguiling deep blue eyes with long thick lashes matched with finely not too thick flawlessly arched eyebrows. His Grecian nose was finely sculpted with no imperfections. A high cheekbone complimented by a perfectly chiseled jaw. Well, his lips are alluringly lovely to look at.He wasn't just gifted with a symmetrical handsome face but he was endowed with a beautiful body at that. His form fitting white shirt couldn't hide the body underneath it. His long and slender legs highlighted his height of 6 feet and three inches.One must be blind if they weren't affected by the embodiment of Adonis.Only Emerald was immune to this man. She didn't bat an eye at him.Emerald looked at Shannon pitifully.If only Shannon knew how ruthless and coldhearted this man is, she wouldn't trade Red over a man like him.Emerald excused herself from the group to take a quick shower. Emerald locked the door so no one could come into the shower room. She heaved a sigh of relief when Clayton didn't follow her.Clayton was rather irritated as Shannon hadn't stopped pestering him but didn't show it.He intended to draw a chair for Emerald but Red beat him to it.Emerald smiled at Red and said, "Thank you," before taking a seat.The pit team begged Emerald to choose food for them as they're too lazy to choose and wanted to have a chat."Don't complain if I chose the wrong one," Emerald said, faking a stern look at her team. And then she looked at Shannon who sat next to Clayton."You're the best Emmy, I like everything you order for me. You have an impeccable taste be it food or clothes or anything, I trust your taste," Shannon propped her face with her hands, acting cutesy."No, you haven't discovered it yet," she shook her head while smirking. "I have an awful taste.""Oh?"The group thought she was referring to food.Of course, only one person knew what she was talking about. She had a bad taste when it came to men.Emerald didn't slap him when he forcefully kissed her a year ago but what she said was worse than a physical slap.Clayton couldn't say anything to refute her. He had it coming. If he treated her differently. Respected her even though their marriage was an arranged marriage it wouldn't arrive at this point that Emerald would treat him as a scumbag. It was all his fault. "I agree with Shannon, you have a great taste. I remember when we were abroad when I got sick and you took care of me. The food you cooked or bought was superb!" Red had shining eyes as he reminisced about those time he had with Emerald. Bile of jealousy was surging into Clayton's throat from the pit of his stomach when he heard Emerald took care of his cousin. Clayton wanted to shut Red's mouth to stop him from blabbering."Fine, fine, I'm going to order food for you," Emerald chuckled.Red really wanted to gain Clayton's approval and he was confident that Emerald wouldn't fail to leave a good impression on Clayt
Up close, Red could see Emerald's nervous fidget while seated on the bench outside the emergency room.Self absorbed, Emerald wasn't aware that Red was closely observing her. Unable to hold back, Red opened his mouth to speak out his observation. "It seems that you and my cousin have known each other." Emerald snapped back from her musing, abruptly turned her head so that it hurt her neck a little. "Nonsense, I don't know him," Emerald just hoped Red would believe her and ask no more questions. "The way you called his name felt like he's someone close to you and why did you cry?" Red couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something between Clayton and Emerald. "I was the one who ordered the food. And if he died, who would be held responsible? The time his life ends, so does my career. Do you understand it?" Emerald stood up, feigning anger so as not being interrogated again.Comparing the two cousins, Red and Clayton both are good looking men but Red was inferior when it co
Without making a noise she closed the door. She's no longer Clayton's wife so she has no right to make a ruckus. It's Lizzy's role anyway. Speaking of Lizzy, she came as soon as Emerald turned her back. Lizzy didn't notice her as she was busy answering a call while making her way to Clayton's room. Lizzy stood rooted on the floor upon seeing Clayton being hugged by a woman while he slept. "What are you doing here?" Her loud voice woke up Clayton. The antihistamine Clayton took made him sleep soundly and wasn't aware that Shannon came in the middle of the night. Clayton was so shocked that he froze and was unable to push the woman hugging him. Lizzy pulled Shannon's hair making Shannon fall from the bed. Lizzy took advantage of it and sat on Shannon's body while slapping her. "You whore!" Fully awake, Shannon fought back. As a woman who was used to manual work, Shannon was strong and agile, hence she overpowered Lizzy. She flipped Lizzy around and was now on top, reversing the s
Emerald parked her car and alighted from the vehicle. And then, strolled towards her apartment building. As she was entering the lobby she heard someone calling her. She turned towards the source of voice and saw Red. He was standing beside the guard. "What are you doing here?" Emerald asked as she approached Red. "It's been a while since the last time I saw you," Red said, looking at her with pleading eyes. Considering that Clayton was not with him, Emerald had no reason to refuse him. She only avoided Red because she didn't want to cross paths with Clayon again. What she witnessed in the hospital altered her decision. Initially, she accepted the fact that she and Clayton will eventually meet again because of Red. But seeing how Lizzy went berserk when she saw Shannon lying on the hospital bed with Clayton, she feared that she would be misunderstood by Lizzy and create a scene. She knew Lizzy was not afraid to hurt her as she tried to do it multiple times. She was fortunate
It was really Clayton and not a product of her imagination. Emerald, however, kept her mouth tightly shut and refused to talk to the man. A glum settled on Clayton's chest as Emerald regarded him as some stranger in the street. As though a large rock was pressed against his chest making him difficult to breathe. Emerald wondered who he was going to see at this time of the day. It was nearly midnight. With a chiming sound, the elevator stopped on the 20th floor and opened. Placing a hand on the elevator, Clayton gestured for Emerald to step out first before him. Raised and taught by her parents to be polite and grateful, Emerald said, "Thank you." Though she said it in a polite tone, it was tinged with distance and alienation. Wistfully, Clayton watched Emerald walk away as in reliving the day she walked away from his life. Why didn't he realize sooner that he fell in love with Emerald? Didn't they say that regret always comes at the end not in the beginning? But Clayton was
"Woah! You did it Emerald!" Emerald's coach was so happy that she beat her record yesterday. Her team was rooting for her to qualify for the main race. They were confident that she could achieve it. "Let's call it a day. See you tomorrow," Sean said to Emerald before leaving. He was in a hurry to leave as he needed to catch up and pick his wife from work. "Bye, Emerald," Jonas, Shannon's cousin, bade his goodbye and grabbed Shannon's wrist as if he was afraid that Shannon would blurt out unnecessary things. "See you tomorrow," Emerald replied, Jonas gave a thumbs up. Emerald took off her helmet and left the cockpit simulator. She felt the need to have a shower first before leaving as she was sweaty after hours of rigorous practice. Ready to leave the center, she went down to the parking area and rode her car. Nearly an hour, she arrived at her apartment complex. In a good mood that all was going well with her training and practice, Emerald hummed a song as she strolled from h
"What are you doing in my kitchen?" Emerald followed him to the kitchen. "Didn't I say, I am going to cook dinner?" Clayton rolled the sleeves of his shirt, ready for action. He then took Emerald's apron. Instead of scolding him, a ghost of a smile was etched on her lips seeing him in a small apron. He looked funny but it did nothing to decrease his attractiveness. He became charming even more. Emerald protested no more. She sat on the chair. "Are you sure you know your way around the kitchen?""You'll see," Clayton took ingredients from the fridge. Clayton caught sight that she yawned a few times while washing the vegetables. "Go and take a nap, I'll wake you up when I'm done." "Okay," Emerald, feeling really tired, did not refuse and went to lay on the couch in the living room. In no time, Emerald drifted off to dreamland.Once in a while, from where he was, Clayton would glance at her.Fulfilled that he was able to do the same to her, Clayton's smile deepened. Clayton saunte
How could his father force a marriage to him that he didn't like? Clayton, a person who was stubborn as a mule, when pressed to do something, usually turned unbending, but this situation was an exception. Meaning to say, he liked Emerald. He was just too afraid to get invested in a relationship. He was afraid Emerald would leave him in the end just like Charlotte. So to save his ego, Clayton made her sign a divorce paper on the day of their first anniversary. This time he wasn't abandoned but the one who left first. "To say sorry… for all the pain I inflicted…" He paused reflectively. "I'm guilty… because of our child." Emerald wanted to teach him a lesson for hurting her so she discarded the thought of telling him the truth. She's got to give him a taste of his own medicine."Emerald, my conscience is bothered and please let me make it up to you. I want us to be friends."The fear of rejection overwhelmed Clayton, in the end he drew back from declaring his love for her and ple
“Dad!” Maya pouted while Spencer chuckled. He’s used to the father and daughter’s antics. Clayton ignored Maya’s protest and talked to his granddaughter. “And don’t take your grandma and mother’s love for extreme sports.” Clayton looked at Spencer. “Make sure that your daughter won’t get involved in any extreme sports.” “Yes, dad.” Spencer nodded. He too didn’t want his daughter to take a liking to extreme sports. He would surely have a heart attack. “Are you going to make her life dull? No hobby? Just study and take over a company?” Emerald asked in a teasing tone. “Of course not, just no dangerous sports. There are sports that aren’t life threatening. She can choose from those. I can’t teach her to play golf when she grows up.” “That’s a great idea, dad.” Spencer agreed and added. “Maya and I also planned to enroll her for piano, dance and art lessons.” “Really?” Clayton was excited. Clayton wants diversity in their family. He wanted his grandchildren to have different hobbie
Zoey bit her lips. The feeling she had for Maurice was an elephant in the room that she was unwilling to face. Maurice was in a relationship and Zoey didn’t want to be the third party, destroying a relationship. Ignoring her feelings for the man would eventually kill it. That was the reason she didn’t want to admit to herself that she had fallen for the man. “Do you like me, Zoey?” Maurice’s voice was so gentle that it touched Zoey’s heart. Despite knowing that Maurice was currently free and had no girlfriend, she had no courage to confess. “If you say you don’t like me. I will tell mom and ask her to search for another woman that wants to be with me. I don’t want to force you into this relationship, Zoey. I won’t bother you again. ” Zoey's heart thumped painfully in her chest. Just the thought of losing Maurice to another woman was tearing her heart to pieces. “Do you like me, Zoey?” Maurice repeated his question a while ago. “How about you, Maurice?” Zoey asked with teary eyes.
Zoey bit her lips as her entire body and heart turned cold. “Sir, I’m not making an excuse. My phone and wallet had been stolen.” Zoey’s distressed look moved Emerald’s heart. She can’t just watch at the sideline and do nothing to help her. She couldn’t help but imagine her own daughter. What if her daughter, Maya was the one in this situation? Of course, she wanted someone to step in and intervene to help her daughter out of her predicament. “I’ll foot the bill,” Emerald passed on her black card to the server. Grateful that a good samaritan had stepped in to help her, Zoey stood up and bowed several times and unceasingly said, “Thank you.” She was in a foreign land without her phone and any money. If this kind hearted person didn’t take the initiative to help her, she couldn’t imagine what would have happened to her. She didn’t know if justice prevailed in this nation. “Come with us,” Emerald said in a soft voice. Since she had started helping her, she will follow through a
“Ms Desmond,” the man called out, his voice having an edge of huskiness. Recognizing the man, Zoey nodded and said, “Mr Fuller.” Jonathan Fuller was the president of the company that hosted the event. The event was exceptional and everything went well and beyond what he had expected. Since taking his father’s position, this was the first time that he hosted such a big event. He got curious about who was the event specialist that handled their event so well. His assistant took Zoey to meet Jonathan before the event concluded. Jonathan was smitten by the woman’s beauty and grace. “Get in the car. I’ll drive you home.” Confident that Jonathan wasn’t a pervert, Zoey didn’t refuse and hopped into the car. It was almost one in the morning when they arrived at Zoey’s apartment building. Zoey could not unbuckle her seat belt and Jonathan volunteered to help her. Not far from them, Maurice saw everything. From his vantage point it seemed that the man and woman in the sports car were
Zoey was snapped back from her own world and remembered that she wasn’t alone in the living room. She sat on the couch still hugging, Chubby the giant chubby penguin. Having no idea what to talk to, Zoey said nothing. Exhausted from the long journey, Zoey could not stop her eyes from closing when she was hugging the plushy. Maurice observed the sleeping woman, her eyebrows were drawn to a frown and her mouth slightly parted. But it didn’t lessen her beauty to a tiniest bit. “Here you go,” Trina served the hot chocolate drink. One for Maurice and one for Zoey. Trina smiled sheepishly at Maurice. “Zoey, sweetie.” Trina tried to wake Zoey by pulling the plushy away from her. “Mom, no, don’t take away Chubby from me. I missed him so much, I haven’t hugged him for two weeks,” Zoey murmured while she hugged Chubby tighter. Something flashed across Maurice's eyes while listening to Zoey. He took a sip on the hot chocolate while his eyes never left the woman who was mumbling in
Zoey felt Maurice’s body turned rigid. She bit her lips and wished that Maurice would go along with her. The man beside her looked down on her with an unreadable expression, and Zoey gave him a pleading eyes to act along with her. Zoey’s heart thumped strongly, banging her ribcage as she waited for Maurice. “Let’s go,” Maurice said indifferently and guided Zoey to his car. He opened the passenger seat and protected Zoey’s head from hitting the car frame. It was quite a romantic gesture that crushed Nick’s sliver of hope. Inside the car, Zoey fiddled the strap of her handbag, guiltily. “I’m sorry for using you Mr Strong. Please tell me how do I compensate you?” Zoey said but Maurice remained silent. Zoey felt goosebumps covered her entire body at the eerie silence that enveloped the car. “You can compensate me by making a plan for a marriage proposal.” Maverick spoke after an undetermined time of silence. “You have a girlfriend?” Zoey exclaimed in shock and added, quickly. “
Maurice pressed his lips into a thin line, waiting for Zoey to react and decline Tracy’s proposal. Caught unawares, Zoey's mind went haywire and she couldn’t form a word to refuse the idea. She swallowed several times to moisten her dry throat. Seeing that she wasn’t refusing the idea, Maurice frowned and said. “Her apartment is in the opposite direction to the manor. I have to go to bed early.” At this time, Zoey already recovered from her surprise, nodded in agreement and said, “It’s still early, taking a cab isn’t dangerous and I have learned some self - defense. So you don’t have to worry about me.” “Ten o’ clock is already late. Maurice, do me a favor. Drive Zoey to her apartment.” Theo spoke this time, he knew that Maurice would not refuse him. Maurice's hand that was in his pocket balled into a fist. “Please, don’t worry about me. I’m used to taking cabs.” Zoey was telling the truth. Before she managed to buy a second hand car, Zoey used to take cabs even in the dead
“Congratulations, Mr Strong and Ms Wagner,” Zoey said when she was near them. Maverick and Esther, shook hands with Zoey. On the other hand, Maurice who was near them took his phone and pretended to check on his messages.“You did a great job, Ms Desmond,” Maverick gave her two thumbs up. “Thanks Mr Strong but I only managed to come up with that idea because of the information you gave to me about Ms Wagner.” Zoey didn’t want to take all the credits. With clients' willingness to give her an input she was able to come up with such ideas. “By the way, Ms Desmond, I will introduce you to my siblings and in - laws, who knows, perhaps they will be your clients soon. That man wearing a black suit with gold tie is Theo, my eldest brother and his wife, Tracy. Next to her is my sister, Maya. Well we are triplets, and Maurice is my identical twin. Next to Maya is her husband, Spencer. And also the one seated on Maurice’s left side is Esther's best friend, Betty with her boyfriend, Rex.” Zoe
Although she had made a decision to let her know that she saw Maverick leaving the hotel with a beautiful woman, she found it hard to begin. “What? Cat got your tongue?” Esther teased her to alleviate the tense atmosphere. Betty swallowed before opening her mouth to speak but the phone atop her desk rang, stopping her from disclosing what she saw. She picked up the handset. “Come to my office,” Betty heard the familiar voice and her body went straight like a ramrod. “Okay sir,” Betty answered and she looked at Esther while putting down the handset. “I’ll talk to you later, the boss wants me to report to his office.” “Okay,” Esther sighed. Meanwhile in his office, Maverick was tapping his fingers on his table as he waited for Betty. “Come in,” he said as the first knock. “Betty, I need your help,” Maverick said as soon as he saw Betty enter the office. Betty couldn't help but frown, she couldn’t forget that he and a woman got into the same car, leaving the hotel. B