Tiffany let out an exasperated breath. She was right. She had been right about him all along. He was nothing but a rich arrogant prat. Unfortunately she wasn't about to waste her energy on people like him. "How about we pretend we never met and just work?" She said to him, keeping her tone cold and eyes firm. Ronald made a face. "Wait, don't tell me you are thinking I came here for something other than work?" Tiffany's eyes widened. "What?" He approached her, closing up the distance between them. "Earlier on, you seem to have so much interest in my face," he said, lowering his lips to whisper the words into her ears. "Don't tell me you are already thinking of something else to do with me other than work...perhaps..." Tiffany gulped roughly and bit down on her lower lip. "..." ********* Ronald Ryker is the heir of a well-known conglomerate and was constantly surrounded by women. But none of them moved him. Not until he met Tiffany, a single mother and older woman who immediately captured his attention. But Tiffany had no interest in him. Not in his wealth and definitely not his hot look.
BRUCE RYKER MANSION
"Start working from one of our companies and build your experience. Adkins will drive you down to Sydney. Director Abboth is aware you are coming."
"But father..."
"One day you will lead this company, one day you will lead this Group. You will do more than waste your time if you are really serious about leading this group. I will not hand over the company I have worked hard for many years building into someone like you!" Bruce Ryker barked at his son.
Roland tried to say another word but stopped when his father shot him a stern look. One that said his decision was final.
Bruce Ryker let out a disgruntled sigh. Sometimes when he looked at his son, he wished he was half as good as the other sons of wealthy men. Men that weren't even as wealthy as he was produced hard working sons willing to lead their companies.
But his own son? He shook his head and his teeth gritted against the corners of his mouth. He has no interest in the company, does nothing aside partying and flexing around.
"Mr Chairman, you have a call," Mr Ralph, Chairman Bruce Ryker's personal assistant, came forward and handed him a ringing phone. "It's the director from the new office," Mr Ralph added.
Chairman Bruce collected the phone from him and started out of the large living room.
Roland swallowed the rest of his words as he watched his father hurried out while speaking into the phone until his voice became distant. Times like this he knew he couldn't win his father. His father was too stubborn.
Unfortunately, that was one trait he took from him.
But Roland knew that even if he went to Sydney, he would barely do any work. It was of course certain his father would put up spies to watch him.
He smirked at the thought of it. He always had his way around this kind of situation.
"Young master, should I have one of the servants pack your bags?" The butler asked Ronald.
"No, I will get some new clothes over there." He yawned tiredly and got to his feet.
"Yes sir," the butler nodded.
"Erm, chief butler, you have a son right?"
"Yes, young master. Actually, I have two sons." The man said. The pride in his voice couldn't have been missed.
Roland nodded thoughtfully. "See if the clothes will fit and hand them over to them."
"Urh, sir... I can't do that. I'm sure the clothes are very expensive... and they are a lot. I'm sorry Young master but I can't do that. And if the chairman hears about it, I'm sure he will not be. pleased."
"Come on, chief butler, don't make me look bad. I'm sure the clothes are not that expensive for your sons to wear. If it's a lot, share them among the other servants."
Roland flashed him a smile before he walked to his room.
Once inside his room, he let out a chunk of air and collapsed into his bed. He heard a crack sound. In the midst of wondering what had made the crack sound, he realised it was the picture frame he had left on the bed that just broke.
He jumped up and gathered the pieces of the frame. Thankfully it was only the glass that broke. The picture was still intact. He breathed in relief and ran his fingers delicately on it. It was a picture of a young looking woman. Anyone could see the picture was old and had been taken many years ago.
Roland stared longer at the picture, longingly before he then tucked it into his wallet, lay on the bed and shut his eyes.
Minutes later, there was a light rap on the door and the chief butler entered. With him was a list of female servants that filed up in the room.
"Young master, will you have your bath before you leave? The car is ready to take you to Sydney as the chairman ordered. " the chief butler announced.
Roland's eyes fluttered open.
"I already had my bath." Once he said that, the chief butler signalled the servants to leave.
"I will be out in a moment," Roland added and shut his eyes again. He just needed another moment of silence. Just another moment to daydream and hope that someday his dream would come to reality.
*************
"Sir, should I inform him you are waiting..."
Roland held up his hand stopping the words from Adkin's mouth from further coming out.
His eyes were focused at the door from which an almost heated conversation was going on.
"You can't fire me because of my daughter, Director Abboth. I have given my best to this company and you know it. I have toiled for this company to the best of my ability and you know what? I don't regret any of it but you can't wake up one day and decide to fire me because I am a single mother!"
"We are doing this for your own best interest.Your daughter needs you..."
"Did my daughter tell you that? That I don't give her attention? Director Abboth, give me a chance to prove myself. To prove my skills. My daughter has never been an obstruction to my work..."
"I'm sorry but the decision has been made, unfortunately, Miss Tiffany. But I assure you, I will pay you enough money for compensation."
"What? Compensation? I don't need any of that. I just want to work with my skills and abilities. I don't need freebies from anyone. I just want to work for myself and my daughter..."
Her voice trailed off shakily.
For a moment, the conversation stopped and Roland didn't hear another sound from the office.
But seconds later, the door opened and a woman stormed out of the place furiously.
Roland managed to catch a glimpse of her face as she stormed away. She looked furious alright but she looked nothing like a woman that had given birth. She looked beautiful. He admitted. He watched her until she was out of sight. There was something about her, something that oddly fascinated him. Maybe it was her firm voice and the determination to earn a living for herself and her daughter in an honest manner. Something he couldn't quite put his fingers on.
Adkins went inside the office and a second later Director Abboth was dashing out of the office hurriedly.
"Forgive me sir, I had no idea you were waiting. I should have had my secretary let you in at once."
Roland ignored Director Abboth and strided into the office. His hands were buried into the pocket of his pants stylishly as he regarded the exquisite office.
"Sir, is there anything you would want me to get for you?" Director Abboth asked, almost cowering.
To him, this was a rare chance. Meeting the heir to Ryker Group. What better way could he butter his way to the top, to the headquarters even.
"The lady that just left..." Roland started. He was looking at a painting that caught his eyes.
"Ah, I'm sorry you had to witness such a moment sir. She was a staff member here but unfortunately we had to let her go."
"Let her go? Why?" Roland glanced at Director Abbott. He felt the painting with his finger. "Nice painting you got here," he mumbled. "And new too," he added with a light chuckle.
"Er, yes... yes sir..." Director Abboth stuttered, shifting uncomfortably on his feet. Amidst the air-conditioned room, beads of sweat formed in his forehead. "She is a divorcee and has a daughter," he added.
"Ah, a divorcee and a single mother..." Roland said and glanced at him again. He chuckled and finally turned away from the painting.
Roland's movement had fear gripping Director Abbott. And he wondered if Roland could tell the story behind the painting.
"If I heard correctly, her personal life has nothing to do with her work. Why then do you wish to lay her off... urh, I guess you found someone to take her place..."
"No sir! I can't dare do that."
"Yes? Is that so?" Roland tilted his head at him. And peered at him, longer. Then he looked away.
"I wonder what will be the reaction of the Chairman if he learns that one of his dedicated workers is being unjustly laid off... for a piece of fine painting..."
Director Abboth froze.
"I'm sorry sir... this will never happen again," he whimpered.
Roland looked at him and scoffed. He had made a rough guess and laid a reckless trap but had no idea it would actually catch Director Abbott.
People like Director Abbott disgusted him. They would do anything to be at the top. When they are finally at the top, they never did anything right but embezzle funds and engage in nepotism.
But, it was never in his nature to get involved in people's life
His face broke into a wide smirk. "No, it's okay, it's okay. I am not that rigid, you know."
He patted Director Abbott's shoulder before he started to head out of the office. "I will be back tomorrow, then. You don't have to see me out." he called behind him as he started out of the office.
"Ah, and," Roland stopped just a foot from the door. He looked behind him to meet Director Abbott's face. "This should stay between us," he said and finally walked out of the office.
Director Abboth heaved out a heavy sigh and collapsed into his seat the moment the door shut.
He wasn't sure if having the chairman's son around was a good thing anymore.
How was he able to sniff out everything within a few minutes of being in his office?
He already made inquiries about him. He still recalled they told him he hated to get involved in other people's lives and didn't care about anyone. A typical rich brat.
What changed?
He wondered if perhaps he had heard wrongly.
Then he stood up and went to the painting.
"Oh my precious..." he muttered sadly, running his hands on the painting.
"That rude bastard. When did he become so cunning?" He gritted angrily.
His gaze held me. Fine dark eyes. Those eyes... where had I seen them... Then it hit me. The snob at the club. What was he doing in Mr Hendricks house and in the young Master's room? Wait... Was he an old servant I hadn't met or a new man servant? I scanned him. He looked nothing like a servant. The aura from him felt nothing like the one a servant could possess. His eyes pinched and he took a step towards me. "Did you not just hear me? What are you doing in my house?" His tone was icy. His house? There was only one person aside from Mr Hendricks that could say those words... Young master, Jay Adams! I looked at him again and hell the resemblance struck me. My jaw hung open and for a moment I felt my body go numb. *********** Jay Adams was a perfect man. More like a demigod that commanded both wealth and power. Women swooned over him and wanted a taste of him but he hated women. He does not believe in love. Beneath the tough exterior, beneath his million dollar tuxedo and his coldness were his flaws. And then there was Karen, a complete opposite of him. Poor with a sick father, a sister to cater for and saddled with debts. What will happen when these two cross paths?
“People afraid of death are greedy for life.” That was the belief of Alessandro Angelo, the Italian mafia billionaire. The one who fears no one, not even death. He lived his life everyday as if it was his last. Trained only to obey orders and keep no emotions. But what happens when he comes across a cheerful, bubbly Isabella Marco, the girl whose charm could lit up even the darkest portion of the coldest heart. Slowly and unknowingly for Alessandro, he started to want more; getting greedy for life, gradually going against his life principle. One day an order came in: “kill her or you die” Will he allow his cold self be smitten by her infectious personality or end her life as he was ordered?
Two people with different agendas are forced into an arranged marriage. For Veronica Nicholas, it is to save her family's business that has been saddled with debt and on the verge of slipping into bankruptcy and for Lawrence Williams, it is to hold onto his inheritance as the only son and heir of a conglomerate family. Veronica could never leave her darling boyfriend for the infamous national playboy nor does Lawrence wish to leave her long time crush who finally accepted his feelings after many months of rejection for a stranger he barely knows. Together the two must sign a secret contract that lets them live their desired lives while being in their arranged marriage. But how long does the life they thought was best for them last? Stuck together, Veronica and Lawrence must find a way to work together to get past the struggles of their everyday lives from their never ending enemies. Hatred at first but being in the same place where they see all the good and bad sides of each other, how long would they go on before the wave of love hit them? Or would they find a reason to go their separate ways once their different agendas have been fulfilled?
Two people, different circumstances yet love found them! Losing his wife turned his heart dark, turned him an alien to love and he swore to never love again, remain celibate and only care about his two daughters the remaining days of his life. Getting pregnant for a man that loved other women but her rendered her almost never wanted by another man because of her child but no matter what, Tessa would never have anything to do with a man that wouldn't want her child. And when Eric finally came to accept only her child but not her, she thought she could venture into marriage for the sake of her son who always craved for a father figure but deep down she wanted more. She craved to be loved and she wanted to love but that is not the same with Eric. But when love came knocking in their hearts, not even aunty Stella, the one that disliked Tessa, not even Eric's past could stop their love. The flame became unquenchable! Though it had seemed impossible and in fact never considered, Tessa and Eric found love with each other again!
Candles were lighted, beautiful scented flowers were well decorated in my house and even ribbons were tied at various places on that day. Soft music played in the stereo whilst people drank, ate and made merry. Sounds of laughter rang and everyone's faces were filled with smiles until tragedy struck like lightning that before I could realize what was happening, I became the youngest cursed teen werewolf in my pack accused of killing her mother. But then I hoped for my eighteenth birthday because it is only then that I would be free to live my life and have my mate but once again tragedy came knocking... And once again, Lily's life turned around... The rejected Alpha's mate....
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"
There was only one man in Raegan's heart, and it was Mitchel. In the second year of her marriage to him, she got pregnant. Raegan's joy knew no bounds. But before she could break the news to her husband, he served her divorce papers because he wanted to marry his first love. After an accident, Raegan lay in the pool of her own blood and called out to Mitchel for help. Unfortunately, he left with his first love in his arms. Raegan escaped death by the whiskers. Afterward, she decided to get her life back on track. Her name was everywhere years later. Mitchel became very uncomfortable. For some reason, he began to miss her. His heart ached when he saw her all smiles with another man. He crashed her wedding and fell to his knees while she was at the altar. With bloodshot eyes, he queried, "I thought you said your love for me is unbreakable? How come you are getting married to someone else? Come back to me!"
Rumors claimed that Fernanda, newly back with her family, was nothing more than a violent country bumpkin. Fernanda just flashed a casual, dismissive grin in response. Another rumor suggested that the usually rational Cristian had lost all sense, madly in love with Fernanda. This frustrated her. She could tolerate gossip about herself, but slander against her beloved crossed the line! Gradually, as Fernanda's multiple identities as a celebrated designer, a savvy gamer, an acclaimed painter, and a successful business magnate came to light, everyone realized they were the ones who had been fooled.
A sudden twist of fate connected Helena to a prominent and influential person. To onlookers, she appeared as a naive bimbo. In truth, she was a top-tier specialist, shrouded in layers of hidden identities. Charlie declared, “She’s quite delicate and easily hurt. Cross her, and you’re crossing me.” The elite families, outwitted by Helena's prowess, kept these truths from him. Helena eventually broke free from Charlie, sending him on a frenzied worldwide hunt. To him, she was a bird with dazzling wings, and his goal was to help her reach new heights.
Drugged and deceived, she bore a child amidst tragedy-her son, falsely declared dead at birth. Fueled by the agony, she disappeared, only to return years later with both her daughter and an adopted son, driven by an unyielding desire for revenge against those who had wronged her and her late mother. The plot takes an unexpected twist when the haunting truth surfaces: her son is alive, and his father is a powerful CEO.
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"