Moses walked out of the Lorenzo building at a quarter past six. The evening air met him at the entrance. It was fresh, carrying a soft hint of the city's rush hour noise. He paused at the front of the building and looked out at the streets far ahead with a sense of unhurried ease. He had no where urgent to be, his only mission today was conquering this place and he had succeeded. Moses smiled. It started small, spreading across his expression until it had taken over his whole face. He rolled his shoulders back and began confident strides forward, each foot landing with the particular satisfaction of someone walking the grounds they now owned. He had dreamt of this for years and unlike most, it was no vague, shapeless dream of success. Rather, it was specifically detailed in ways that would guarantee him success. He was someone who has spent long nights mapping a destination he intended to reach regardless of what stands between his path forward. The Lorenzo Group, the name, the c

Pa Lorenzo sighed and stood up without a word, not sparing anyone a glance. He made his way to the door, softly clicking it shut behind him. Ivy stared at the door, then turned to her grandmother. "Ma, Is he okay?" She asked quietly. Ma Lorenzo glanced at the door, then back at the room. Her face was calm, up until her expression betrayed her. "I'll check on him later," she simply said, a sad smile spread across her face. She had been married to him for years and she knew him, enough to know that the best thing he needed in this moment was space then comfort later on. She felt his grief, especially without his lack of words and it ached her more than any grief she had harboured herself. Ivy held her gaze, then nodded. Elissa sighed, lowering her gaze as she bit her finger softly. Ivy adjusted herself, looking around the room as she exchanged glances with everyone there. Her sisters, her mother, Ma Lorenzo and Derrick who still stood by her side, egging her on with a comforting

Daniella reached Moses. "Can you stand?" she asked him in a low voice. "I'm sure you can't." Moses exhaled through the dull ache in his ribs and pushed himself up with her help. His weight leaned greatly into her for a brief moment before he steadied. "I guess I'll survive," he muttered as he winced in pain. Daniella looked around at the staring eyes. "Yeah, barely." Without wasting time on anything else, she placed one of his arm over her shoulder and guided him through the thinning crowd. "Screw you!!" One of the men on the ground due to the fight with Daniella yelled. But she ignored everything as she led Moses out of the bar. At the curb, she raised a hand and a taxi slowed, pulling back without hesitation. She opened the back door first and helped him inside before sliding in beside him. "Upside street," Moses told the driver, and the car pulled away. He leaned down carefully and rested his head against the seat. Daniella glanced at him just once. "You're r

Ma Lorenzo stood by the counter in the kitchen, her posture composed. Ivy's mother sat across from her. Their voices were low and their conversation sounded really private.Derrick paused, catching the tail end of names before they caught his presence.Moses and Pa Lorenzo. That was all he could hear.But he cleared his throat as if he heard nothing. "Uhhm, Ivy isn't feeling really well," he said in an even tone. "Could you prepare something light for her to eat before the doctor arrives?""The doctor?" Ivy's mother said in genuine surprise. "How...is it that serious?""Well, yes," Derrick replied. "But not really though. She threw up twice before we called for the doctor."The women nodded slowly. "Alright. We'd see her as soon we we're done."Derrick gave a brief nod and turned away. As he walked, his mind went back to what the women were discussing earlier. Why had they stopped immediately when he had walked in?He exhaled softly as he finally brushed the thought aside. A mome

The doctor, who had stepped aside slightly during the exchange, glanced down at his wristwatch before clearing his throat. This drew attention back to him."I definitely would've stayed for that," he said with a polite smile, "but I'm quite afraid I have another appointment waiting at the moment."He turned back to Ivy, his tone shifting into something a bit more professional. "You'll need to come in for a proper checkup in the coming Tuesday. We'll run all the necessary tests then."Ivy nodded. "Okay Doctor.""As for now," he continued, "have more rest. No unnecessary stress this morning, alright?"Derrick inclined his head in agreement. "Of course. I'll make sure of that."The doctor gave an approving nod before patting Derrick lightly on the shoulder. Then he made his way out.The door had barely closed behind him before the energy in the room picked up again."So," Jane began, tilting her head thoughtfully as she looked at Ivy, "what are are hoping for?""A girl of course," Sandra