For the first time that day, Ariel turned to look at Richard.Richard’s hand trembled slightly as he placed the plates on the sink, unable to match the intensity of her gaze.“When was the last time you asked me how I was faring, Richard?” She paused, wiped her hands furiously on the towel next to her, before continuing. “Like properly ask me how I'm doing?”Richard ran a hand through his hair. Did she know how a mess his life was at the moment? Did she have an idea of the secrets he held? Secrets that could destroy their marriage, that could expose him for who he was.“Ariel, I know I've been terrible in that aspect these past few days…”“Terrible?” She interrupted him, eyes flashing, hands curled into balls. “Terrible is an understatement, Richard, I've been ignored. You act as though I don't exist. You leave the house at odd hours and come back whenever you feel like it. Is this the marriage we're supposed to build on a strong foundation?”Without warning, he tried to hug her, but

The shrill sound of Richard's phone ringing dragged him from the depths of sleep.Rubbing his eyes vigorously, he grabbed the phone hurriedly from the bedside table as he made his way out of the room.Who the hell was calling him so early in the morning?As soon as he saw who the caller was, his initial anger slowly faded.Officer Tony.There was only one reason why the officer would be calling him so early. He had news.“Richard? We have a problem.”His hand trembling slightly, Richard sighed. In more ways than one, he regretted trying to get the Mexican's home. It was a stupid, greedy venture, and it had come back to haunt him. There was no going back now, he had to face the consequences of his actions.“What is it? It's fucking two am in the morning.”“And do you think I would be calling you by this hour if it wasn't important?”The officer’s voice had taken on an annoyed tone now, a sign that he didn't like to be challenged.“Your man has agreed to speak to the cops. If everything

Sir? They've started coming in.”Lutenant turned to Aurora, who had gone home to change into something more dinner worthy.Her dark blue midnight gown graced her feet perfectly, and the heels she wore slightly made her look taller than she originally was.Lutenant wanted nothing more than to kiss her.But first things first, the dinner.“Thank you, Aurora. How are you?”“Very good, sir. I'm hoping tonight is a success. You've looked forward to it for a long time now.”Lutenant nodded, turning to look at the window which overlooked the city.A few months ago, he was a man disrespected, a man on the brink of having his life wrenched from beneath him. But here he was, about to take over the city. And he wasn't just going to take over, he was going to do it in style.“Thank you, Aurora. You can go now. Get the people ready.”When the door closed behind her, Lutenant opened his drawer and retrieved the ring his father had specifically mailed to him whilst he was still trying to find his fe

Ariel felt as if she had taken a massive blow to her gut.She doubled over, the lights from the cameras suddenly blurring her vision.Was this really happening? Was Lutenant James, the same man she had rejected for Richard, now the supreme ruler?It was at that moment that Ariel recognized the beautiful woman who had introduced him onto the stage. It was the same woman she had seen at the restaurant with him a few days ago.“Before I say anything,” Lutenant’s voice boomed across the hall. It wasn't the voice of a loser.It was the voice of a confident man.“Before I say anything, I want to personally thank each and everyone of you for honouring the invitations my company sent out. I know that some of you don't want to be here, and for those of you who took out time from your busy schedule to even come down here, I can't thank you less.”For a moment, Ariel felt his eyes rest on her table, and her heart pounded in terror.A thousand questions plagued her mind.Had he invited her person

The yacht sailed on the sea next to the city, the backdrop of the lights giving it a depth of serenity that Lutenant had barely noticed before.He gazed at the city from the balcony of the yacht. Emotions threatened to boil over as he gazed.Once upon a time, he had muddled through mud in this city.At the moment, he was about to be the supreme ruler. The announcement was set to be made the next night in the city Square. News channels and journalists would be there.His life had changed out of the blue, and Lutenant James didn't know how to feel.“A penny for your thoughts?”Aurora joined him on the balcony. She bore two flutes filled with champagne, and smiled shyly at him. The fact that they had worked for weeks on end but even now she could barely look at him in the face without reddening completely was something that baffled him.He loved it though.“I just can't believe it. I did it. I pulled it off.”“From the first day you walked through the doors of your father's company, I kn