● PARK●

“Twenty years ago, Desiree ki||ed someone” May reveal earning an horrified look from Sally.

“According to what our anonymous informant gave us” May continue her story. ” Before Desiree got married to Greg Landon who is Xavier’s grandfather. Greg was married to someone else, a Vivian Landon”

“Vivian Landon gave birth to a girl called Sophia and passed away when Sophia turn twenty two. Having been Greg mistress, Desiree move into the Landon mansion as the new wife”

“By then she already had her son, who is Xavier’s father. Desiree and Sophia didn’t get along mainly because Desiree tried to control Sophia’s life”

“When Greg died. He left everything to Sophia and that made Desiree angry. Our source didn’t say much about what happen after the inheritance take over but he did mention what Desiree did just to own everything”

“Don’t tell me she ki||ed Sophia?” Sally ask, finishing for her friend.

“That is what our source claim but when we did our research,we found out that Sophia had gone insane and that she committed suicide in the spsycia” May reveal.

“This is insane” Sally mutter, feeling cold shiver run down her spine.

“When we got this info. We decided not to say a word because we were scared ourselves”

“You guys should have told the police about it” Sally insist.

“We only have the word of a stranger and nothing else. What if we had told the police and it turn out to be a lie?” May demand.

“Tell me, did you send me to Xavier in the pretence of getting an exclusive just so I can find something against Desiree?” Sally ask.

“No! I really needed the exclusive and I had a hunch that Xavier Landon had a secret which is why I sent you to him. I wasn’t thinking about Desiree when I sent you there….I should never have gotten you involve….you know you can’t possibly be around the Landon family”

“If Desiree really ki||ed someone then you know it isn’t safe staying there. Quit your job and end wh@??ver you have going with Xavier, I don’t want anything happening to you” May said, looking worried.

Sally thought about Xavier and their marriage….will she be willing to give it up while knowing deep down that it will hurt her.

“Say something Sally, you need to promise me that you will quit wh@??ver you have going with Xavier, please” May pleas got Sally out of her reverie.

“You don’t have to worry. As soon as the sun rises tomorrow, I will be submitting my resignation letter”

“And Xavier?” May ask, a questioning look on her face.

“I will also end things with him, don’t worry” Sally said softly, pulling May into her arms for a hug.

******
● BROOKS MANSION●

Teddy sat alone in his study, drinking his favorite alcohol, tequila.

While drinking, he kept looking at the photograph he had in hand.

The picture had a very beautiful lady in it, she was starring into the camera, a lovely smile on her face.

“It’s been years and I can’t stop thinking about you” Teddy said, taking a deep breath.

“Death took you away from me but I won’t let those who hurt you get away. I promise to destroy them, I swear, I will make them all pay for what they did to you, Sophia” Teddy vow softly, tears sliding down his cheek.

*******
● THREE DAYS LATER ~ LANDON REAL ESTATE COMPANY●

Sally sat behind her desk, writing out a note. A thought came to her and she stop writing to take a deep breath.

It’s been three days since her conversation with May and just like she promise, she had shown up the next day with her resignation letter but she got a call from James telling her that Xavier is out of the country for a business trip and that he will be staying till the business is sorted out.

She had felt a big relief at that moment, since she has been hesitant about calling the whole thing off.

But now that they’ve spend three days apart, she knew without a doubt that calling off their deal is the best thing for her.

So as soon as Xavier return, she will be handing him her resignation letter and calling it quits.

Somehow that left Sally feeling a bit depress and she has been feeling that way each time she thinks about ending her deal with Xavier….what exactly is wrong with her?

The buzzing of her phone brought her back to reality, she pick it up to see a message from Xavier.

★ AM BACK AND I WON’T BE GOING TO THE COMPANY, COME TO MY APARTMENT, YOU SAID YOU NEEDED TO TELL ME SOMETHING ★

As soon as Sally read the message, she pick up her things and left the room, heading to Xavier’s home.

It took her an hour to get there due to the heavy traffic.

A brief knock got James answering the door.

“You are here” he said, making room for her to go in.

“Where is he?” Sally ask.

“At the pool, he’s having a swim” James reply.

Sally was about to leave when he detain her.

“How is May?” His sudden question got Sally’s brow raising.

“She’s…fine. Why do you ask? Hope you aren’t bothering her about that….”

“Am not! I just want to know if she’s doing fine” James said, cutting her off.

“She is fine. Why do you think she wouldn’t be fine?” Sally enquire.

“Nothing. I just wanted to know and about your upcoming marriage, congrats”

“What’s with the congrat? Didn’t you think me a spy or something before? Just act the way you do, this sudden friendliness is a bit scary” Sally said, tapping his arm lightly.

“And if you are genuinely worried about May, how about you go and see her” Sally added before making way to the pool.

She walk in to see Xavier diving into the water, she stood watching him swim back and forth, each stroke outlining his sleek smooth body and it’s a very tempting body.

When he saw her, a smile spread across his face, somehow his smile got infectious cause Sally found herself smiling in return.

“Did you miss me so much that you ran here after getting my message?” He ask, swimming to where she stood.

“For the record, I didn’t run and I didn’t miss you and also, what guy leaves the country without saying a word to his fiancee and then ask his right hand man to send her a brief message?” Sally ask, folding her arms against her chest.

“I’m sorry. It all happen so fast, I could barely even pack some clothes for the trip, I was so busy that I had to ask James to send you the message” he apologise, making Sally feel like his wife already by his explanation.

“It doesn’t matter. About the thing I said before, we need to talk and It’s very….”

“Help me out of the pool ” Xavier said, stretching his hand to her.

Sally sigh and took hold of his stretch hand only for her to be pulled into the water.

For a minute, Sally struggle under the water before surfacing, breathing heavily.

Xavier was by her side, his arms circling her waist to hold her against him.

“Why did you that!” Sally yell, wiping the water off her face.

“No reason,Just wanted to get you wet” he reply, smiling at her.

“Ha ha, very funny. Let go of me” Sally tried to pull away but he tighten his hold.

“I know what you want to say, I have a guess and so before you say it, allow me to say mine” he said, looking up at something.

Sally followed his gaze to see a drone flying towards them and in it held a little box.

Sally didn’t need him telling her what the box contain and she knew that she should be doing her best to prevent what’s about to happen but she didn’t have the will.

Not when he has this lovely smile on his face, Sally thought, watching him pick the box from the drone.

“The proposal I had in mind at first was a bit flashy but then I remember that your parent don’t know about us yet which is why I chose this instead” He said, opening the box to reveal a glittering diamond ring.

“I know you don’t love me but I respect you and I can promise that you will always have my loyalty and protection. I promise to be the perfect husband as long as you will do me the honour of being my wife. So, what do you say?” He ask, waiting for her reply.

Sally did her best to remember the reason why she came but that reason is slowly dissolving.

He did not love her but she did….that certain thought surprise her but she knew within her heart a long time ago that she has fallen for Xavier.

She couldn’t deny it now and she couldn’t refuse him even if she had May standing beside her.

“Yes, I will marry you” Sally reply, her heart thumping wild with excitement.

He slid the ring in her finger and toss the box away to pull Sally back into his arms.

The two kissed like never before, both tasting and prolonging the kiss for as long as they could.

“Err…sorry to intrude but the designer is here, sir” James said from the entrance before disappearing.

“What designer?” Sally ask, licking her lips.

“Tomorrow is the company anniversary, I want you to outshine everyone coming” Xavier answered.

“You don’t have to….”

“I want to” he said, silencing her with a kiss.

“And also, I will be announcing our engagement tomorrow. I want everyone to know you are mine and no one else” He added softly.

******
● LANDON REAL ESTATE COMPANY~ ANNIVERSARY D-DAY ●

“I will like to call on Mrs Desiree Landon to give us all a word of advice” The Mc said as everyone render an applause for the great Desiree Landon.

From where Sally stood, she watch Xavier help his grandmother on the podium and when he would have left, Desiree held onto his hand.

“First of all, I’d like to make a toast” Desiree began as the waiter and waitress pass a glass of champagne around to everyone.

When Desiree had her glass in hand, she continue her speech.

“You might all be wondering what the toast is about but I can assure you that it’s a joyful occasion since it’s about my grandson” Desiree smile at Xavier who also smile in return, wondering what his grandmother is up to.

“A joyful occasion needs to be shared with everyone and that is why I’d like us all to raise our glass to toast to my grandson Xavier Landon and his Fiancee Genova William on their recent engagement ” Desiree announce, startling everyone, most especially Xavier and Sally……

TBC ❤️