Chapter 32“Is that who I think it is?”, Her father asked as she walked into the large centre living room with Christopher and the guard with the bag now tagging behind her. “Father”, She said. “Isla”, he replied her, matching the bland tone she'd used in greeting him. She looked away, a proud stance. That was how they'd now come to know each other.He snapped his fingers and all the house staff present disappeared under a minute.“Including you, Christopher”“Oh”, Christopher said, laughing nervously. “My Lord”. He bowed and walked out hastily.“I should call in the prodigal father and tell him you are here”, Mr Jackson said, looking up as he finally let down the magazine he'd been reading when she'd walked in.Isla placed her hands in the pockets of her trouser. That was one bullet. She'd been expecting it nonetheless. But yet it seemed to still soak all of her blood up, still stab through the doors of fading heart.“And I should leave. And make way for whoever it is that's runni

Chapter 34“Oh look. It's the golden cow himself ”, Isla said, as she walked over to her seat, standing for a while so the servant behind her would take off her coat.She took her seat, unfolding the cutlery napkin.“Now that he's here, can we please get this freaking brunch over with? “Isla!”, Her father cautioned in a strict and sharp manner.“Oh apologies. I forgot. The rest of us do not have places to be”, Isla said, sarcasm evident in her tone.Leonard rubbed the base of his nose. It was evident that the animosity between them was still very strong.“Adrian, please tell Christopher to prepare the kitchen staff to bring in the food”“Yes sir”Adrian had barely reached the door when Richard came out from the other door, his phone to his ears. He ended the call as he got close enough and his movement towards them slowed.There was an uncanny silence as he came to the dining table.“Richard”, Leonard said with a slight head bow.“Leonard”, Richard replied coldly, drawing out his cha

Chapter 36The scanner ran through Adrian's facials. In minutes the door slid open and Adrian walked in, his briefcase following behind him in the hands of his personal bodyguard.Shilla, he could see that he was headed for his office. Tapping on the controls on the table, the doors slid open again.“Good morning sir”, she greeted as she walked in, placing a bunch of files on the adjacent desk.“Morning Shilla. How are you?”“Very fine sir”, she said, shifting her glasses.She stood in front of his desk, waiting for him to respond. Adrian raised his head from the computer screen wondering why she was still there.“Sir… there is a meeting scheduled for 9.00 which is approximately thirty minutes away. The management which is your father wants a board meeting with you telling him why you cut off business relations with the Hamiltons”Adrian paused for a second, his mind completely blank. “That’s … great. Where's the report on contract loopholes?”“I have it here sir”, Shilla said, holdi

Chapter 38“Slow down for what exactly, Rosa? For what?!”“I just … I … I'm not … I'm not in the mood”“You are not…”, Mason started, finding himself completely dumbfounded.“Rosa, you've not touched me or even looked my way in weeks!! What do you mean you are not in the mood?”“I just don't want to….”“You just don't want to do what…”“Stop shouting Mason!”, Rosa finally let out, raising her voice above his. “You just promised. God!”,she said in an exasperated voice. “Okay, okay… I'm… I'm sorry. Ok? I'm… I'm”“You are not sorry Mason. You are not”“I am Rosa. I really am”, He said, his eyes pleading with her. She turned her face away from him but he drew her into his arms“Look. Look at me Rosa. I am sorry. I'm just … I'm just a bit overwhelmed by how the company's going and… I just need … I just need you.”She didn't respond, her eyes looking down as she avoided his eye contact. “Look, I miss you Rosa and I know you do too. So, just let me…”, he said, placing his hands on her sho

Chapter 40Adrian wanted to go over and talk to Audrey but he was too tired to. He'd done some extensive research at the office today and all he wanted was to prepare for the business meeting he had the next day - by sleeping.He let the water in the bathtub run, taking the glass of brandy with him. His chest hair had grown a bit over time and so had his upper abdomen.He really had to hit the gym. It wasn't that bad but Adrian knew that if he neglected like he had done for the past two weeks then he'd be looking older than his father in a short while.The towel let down slowly to the ground. Adrian stepped into the bathtub, his body submerged in the foamy bath water. The brandy was a little bit over the half of the glass and Adrian set it to stand in the in the empty metal basket just above him. He sunk in a little, letting his head rest on the designated headrest of the bathtub. He mediated calmly, letting his mind reel over the events of the day. Nothing much had happened apart fr