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Araque village, M city.

One of the many villages in this city. The residents here are known for their latex and spices and fish. But that's not the only thing they do. Farming food crops is a must. This clean village is occupied by less than 4,000 natives surrounded by waters, beautiful forest and wildlife. As expected, everywhere is calm and relaxed. Children can be seen having fun around the village. The women do their daily routine; caring for the household's needs.

A few here have the privilege of living in better conditioned houses and many wish to be like them. You know instead of trekking to your farm that's maybe two or three hours away, a bike or rickshaw would be a great help and enjoyment. And whether your business does well or not, you won't worry about food or shelter. No one thinks of buying new clothing unless it's a special occasion like vital holidays, birth of a baby, marriage, festivals. A lot are content with their life though. They are like: " What I couldn't achieve now, my son or daughter will help me fulfill it. Let me take life easy and live in peace"

Moonlit tales told by a grandparent or older relative are the children's favourite. Then coupled with their mothers' delicious dinner; Ah, that is bliss. You could hear the calming waves of the rivers that are often crowded in the evenings by the girls who like to show off their dancing skills or discuss the hottest boy in the village.

Ok, no more dallying. We are in the past of Liana's family and they live as tenants of those privileged residents. Liana was just 10 years old and had gone to listen to moonlit tales three houses away.

Her parents and paternal grandma sat in the living room looking perplexed.

"What do we do now" Grandma asked subconsciously. The atmosphere in the sitting room was quite tense. Something unpleasant must have occurred.

"I can't believe they would do this. We worked so hard to nurture those spices. How could they? Just because we owed them some money. How much hurt would a little more patience bring to them?" Liana's mother almost yelled, her voice quivering.

"Honey, calm down. The milk's already spilled. No use crying over it. Now what we have to do is think of a way out. It's my fault. I went against Grandma's wishes and accepted that stupid deal causing me to borrow in confidence. Now we're all suffering the aftermath. It's my fault. It's my fault. I'm so...so..so...sorry mum, honey. I should have listened. Now we will lose all we worked for" Liana's dad was close to weeping.

His mum and wife drew closer to him and comforted him.

"It's fine, honey. No one's perfect. Sometimes, we just have to...learn.... the hard way. Don't belittle yourself my love. You have to be strong. Even if you fall many times, all of us, will help you rise to your feet again." his wife whispered and kissed his forehead. His mother simply patted his back.

"Nothing's permanent, we'll figure a way out," his mom said gently. " It's just spices and land. Let it go. We'll move out of here and find a place for ourselves" she suggested: "I contacted a friend of mine. We can live in one of her houses for a while till we can get ours"

"Ah, thank you mother. Thank you so much" Liana's dad went on his knees and hugged his mother's thigh.

"I'll never forget the help you rendered to us mother" said Liana's mom.

"Thank you, mom. Thank you" said Liana's dad.

If you are wondering what really happened; let me explain.

Liana's family dealt with spices for perfume and supplied it to a company. They were living well but then a friend deceived Liana's dad into quick-money scheme and Liana's dad made a very stupid decision. He borrowed from his friend's acquaintance who was nice at first. In the end, the company that promoted quick-money fled and Liana's dad was heartbroken. The acquaintance of his friend, knowing what happened started asking for his money even increasing the interest from 2 percent to 15 percent. It was daylight robbery. It's not gonna be easy to pay that money and the spices in his farm were not ding that well. The company they supplied even rejected them and they tried to find new clients. But that morning, Liana's dad found that all the spices were ruined by the person he owed. He then forcefully took the land and soon the rent expired. There naturally was no money to pay. So Liana's dad was in great despair. He regretted not listening to his parent's words of advice at the time. Thankfully, his mum was able to think of a solution and they moved to the city to start a new life. Liana grew up and studied cosmetics choosing to deal with genuine perfume. She managed to open a company with her parents support and that's how they became rich. You know when your quality and service in business is good, the right clients will naturally find their way to you.

So back to the present.



Laser Rose Perfumes.

Ceo's office.


Liana Peterson sat down on the pink sofa and crossed her long legs. Her assistant, Mariya Santiago, stood four feet away from her. Today, she could feel a scary aura emanating from her boss. Who had angered her so much that she ended up like this. But she must admit, her boss looked really beautiful and hot today. Even she was shocked.

She didn't want to believe at first that this was her boss. Wow, just look at her. But the aura thingy. Ah, she wanted to live longer please. Why would someone anger her sexy boss this morning? The heavens would come crashing down on her if this continues.

"Mariya!" Liana suddenly called.

"Yes, boss" she quickly answered.

"Sit down"

Mariya obeyed but sat far away from her boss on the pink sofa. Liana beckoned her to move closer to her and then whispered.

"My dear assistant, am I sexy today? Was it a shock to you? Which me do you prefer?" Liana bombarded Mariya with questions that she broke out in cold sweat.

"What's wrong? Am I terrifying?" she asked.

Mariya almost nodded as reply.

'You're very scary today, boss. Can I leave now? I have the urge to pee so bad!' Mariya thought but how could she dare let her boss know of it?

So she smiled an ugly smile.

"Boss, I am amazed by your beauty. No man can resist you and this you looks better. Are we expecting a supreme master soon?" she tried to joke but Liana frowned.

"Get out," Liana said and picked her phone to watch a movie.

"Yes, boss. I'll be right here if you need anything," Mariya sped out of the office happily like a death row prisoner suddenly granted amnesty by the king. Ah, she was glad to have survived. It's so great to be alive!


30 minutes later,


Liana got a phone call from the receptionist and prepared to meet the new big client who wanted to invest in her company.

She sat on her official chair and pretended to read a document; not forgetting to wear non-medical glasses. It doesn't hurt to look hotter, okay!

A minute later, the door opened and two men in grey suits stepped into the office and stood at the side.

Then their boss came in with Liana's assistant following behind timidly. She was crying bitterly in her heart. ' Ah, I managed to escape from the scary phoenix who knew I'd meet a more terrifying ice dragon. Ah, life is so unfair. Unjust!' she complained in her heart while trying her best to look courageous.

Even the bodyguards of this unknown big shot were scary enough, why add this boss to the lot. Ah!

Seeing the person she was waiting for, Liana Peterson rose from her burgundy, luxury boss chair, put down the document she was reading and stretched out her right hand to shake the new client.

"Hello, Mister! I'm honored by your holy presence in my little shack of a company." she greeted.

Her client whose clothing and accessories were worth more than 2 of Liana's best cars put together smiled. Her new client is a tall man. His hat covered most of his face but his chin spoke of his hidden beauty. She then thought of that guy she randomly kissed. Ah, thinking about it; she didn't know what got into her that day. So embarrassing. It's all Grandma's fault. Always nagging her like there's no tomorrow. Give her a break, okay!

The client flashed a sly smile.

"You're extending your right hand. You use it to hold the tissues right and the left to clean your arse, right?" he asked.

Liana was stunned. What kind of client is this? If he doesn't want her to shake hands with him, he should've just said so. What's with his stupid logic? Doesn't he do that also? What's with him pretending to be some magic practitioner who does Inedia? Bastard!

Even Mariya felt like beating some sense into this icy client. How dare he humiliate her sexy boss, huh?

Liana quickly regained her composure and flashed a smile.

"Oh, you detest physical contact. I understand. Even I have my limits. Let's take a seat." she offered and sat down. The client followed suit. Mariya stood behind Liana while the client's bodyguard remained close to the entrance, their faces remained icy and scary.

"So, may I know your name, please!"

Her client chuckled and took off his hat.

"My wife, do you remember me?" he asked huskily while Liana gasped together with her assistant.


"Why is it you?" Liana muttered but it was heard by the client.

"Why, you don't want to see your husband anymore? Is it because, I'm no longer handsome and you think I'm unworthy of your love?" her client started firing complaints at her like a wronged wife.

Liana and Mariya couldn't speak for different reasons.

In Mariya's case, she was stunned silly coz this client was so handsome and he called her boss 'Wifey'! Ah, this news is a very hot potato that she couldn't afford to keep easily. So there was indeed a supreme master of her hot boss? Gosh! She didn't know how to hide her excitement!

In Liana's case, she was rendered speechless as the memory of what she did that day to this man in front of her came crashing into her head.

Ah, she just wanted to hide in a hole and never come out. This man... he easily destroyed her cool image and made her like this! No, she didn't need this client; she didn't want his investments anymore. He should just sprout angel or demon wings and go away from her. His burning gaze, she can't stand it if it goes on.

"Please, let's not beat around the bush, Sir," she said after regaining her composure.

Blake just smiled at her and assessed her from head to chest. His eyes glittered at her well covered package.

"Wifey, it seems you were prepared for our date. You look so gorgeous. Just look at the melons; way bigger than before, my dear. I give you ten million thumbs up. Won't you kiss me as a reward?" her client who turned out to be Blake Millan, teased her.

Liana looked like a lost deer.

"Or you want us to chat a bit about how many children we would have and their names. I think for our firstborn, it should be James if male and Jasmine if female. You can decide the rest." Blake continued his trouble-making. Mariya's face turned red, she felt second-hand embarrassment for her boss who was still trying to keep a straight face but her ears betrayed her. Liana's ears had become red.

"Ah, so cute like a rabbit. I think I should call you Sexy Rabbit. You can call me, Hot Carrot. How does that sound?"

Blake's bodyguards felt like disappearing from the scene.

'Boss, you didn't tell us you were here to find a tigress! Is this even how to flirt with one? Ah, Boss, you're going overboard' they thought while maintaining their icy stature.

"Me, a sexy rabbit and you a hot carrot? Mr Millan are you here to insult me or do business?" she said with a tone of anger in her voice.

"Or should I call you violent cat, paper tigress, seductive Ms Right?" Blake continued his tease, clearly enjoying her anger. Yeah, that's how his future wife should be like; full of life and energy!

"Don't test my patience. In fact, please see yourselves past the entrance. I'm not interested in our collaboration any longer." Liana barked.

"Eish, baby. Calm down. You are a CEO, just like me. You need to maintain your image, so your employees can trust you. Besides, I didn't do anything wrong. I only joked a bit to liven the atmosphere. Is it wrong for me to tell you that your boobs can make a king fall off his throne? Look at your killer shape, even my minions that are as blind as a bat in the day have been healed. What about me, the one who has no companion to accompany in the day and night? I feel this connection between us. You are my wifey, my long awaited queen. I came here to do flirting business with you. This business proposal will bring a lots of benefits to you and me. For example, cute, irresistable kids of our own...."

"Shut up. Please, stop talking. Walk out that door and never come to my shack again, sir. Thanks for your intended kindness of lifting me from grass to grace. I think I love this grass. Mariya, see them out!" Liana turned her luxurious chair around; not wanting to see his face any longer.

Her assistant on the other hand, was at a loss on how to obey Liana's order.

'Boss, things are already hard enough for me, why must you force me to carry mountain Everest? I'm just a tiny human being! Boss, this is injustice. Great injustice, ah!'

How was she gonna get this money king to leave hen he seems keen on getting her boss to go out for a date. They must know each other. Or else, she wouldn't be so flustered at the beginning.

'Boss, did you commit a crime against him? Why do I feel he came for 'revenge'? How can you force me to be sentenced to death. Come on!"

Mariya straightened her back and walked slowly to Blake Millan and summoned all the courage to tell him to leave.

But he remained seated. After a minute, he saw she refused to turn her chair around, Blake left his seat and quietly walked to her spot.

He then bent his head low and kissed her right cheek.

"Baby, present me to your relatives anytime your ready.' he kissed her forehead and left cheek. Then he bit her right collarbone.

"Remember, my wife"

Before Liana could react, he had left with his bodyguards of his own accord.

Mariya gasped at what Blake did to her boss and hurried to meet her only for Liana to turn around, covering a part of her collarbones.

"You saw nothing" she said gloomily.

"Yes boss!" Mariya quickly nodded. Of course, she just came into the office. She did not see or hear anything, haha!

"Good! Make sure to have him blacklisted. His name is Blake Millan." Liana headed for the bathroom in her office as Mariya left to fulfill her orders.

Today was scary. Too scary That guy shouldn't come again. She still wanted to live longer please!


Inside Liana's bathroom, she checked the mark he left on her collarbone.

She wanted to pull her hair in frustration. That bastard!

***************

Meanwhile, at Evelyn's mansion...







Thanks for reading. And this lowly one appreciate ur support. Pls ask me questions or give criticism / suggestions as I'm still learning. Thank you.