Chapter 1 Chapter 1

“It’s the fifth car, Mr. Kincaid.” Sebastien Jackson Kincaid, or as known by everyone as SJ, cursed over the phone after the butler from his country home reported another incident. He knew the butler is cringing at the other line. “Is she hurt?” He barked a few minutes after. “Minor injuries, Sir,” the butler answered. “Dr. Jones has already tended to her and she is resting. I already had the car towed. I fear that madam might shift her interests on the bikes once she recovers.”“Then, give her the damn keys if she does!” He scoffed hotly and then ended the call. “Let me guess,” his best friend, Brian Johnson drawled out with a laugh. “Does this had something to do with that simpleton you left behind at your country home?”“Apparently, that simpleton is far from what she is now,” SJ grumbled as he stepped outside the private elevator that leads to his office on the 78 th Floor of the Kincaid Tower. The building that was built by his hardworking grandfather and houses the country’s top real estate developer. “My day hasn’t even yet started but she already gave me a headache. COnsidering that it's just the start of the new year.”“Why don’t you take some days off and see her?” Brian suggested as he smiled warmly at one of SJ’s secretary, who blushed before looking away. “It’s been like what? Four years since you last saw her? She might be bored there. Why don’t you show her the ropes?”“Then, what?!” SJ snapped as he sat on his chair. “I’m not going to babysit her.” Brian rolled his eyes. “She’s fucking 21 already or sooner,” he replied as he took a sit on one of the chairs, facing him. “I’m sure she can take care of herself. Give her a job here. She might be useful on something, I’m sure. Don’t forget that you spent for her university.” The two gentlemen looked up when Debra Marks, his secretary, who previously belongs to his father, entered his office with one assistant behind her, carrying their coffees. After setting their cups down, the assistant hurriedly took off. “Mr. Kincaid, your mother called thirty minutes ago,” Debra informed formally. “She says that you meet her for lunch at The Japanese Dining Palace.” SJ nodded as he accepted the files she is handing to him. “Your meeting with Build Enterprise will be in an hour,” she continued. “This is also the check for the expansion of Square Complex that needs your signature so I can forward to Procurement for the materials to be ordered and delivered.”“Had they reserved already?”“Yes, sir,” Debra answered. “Steven sent me the inventory and we had it cross-checked already for conformity. Is there anything else you need me to do?” SJ remained silent for a while. “Call Lamborghini dealership and tell them to deliver their latest sports car model to my country home,” he demanded calmly. He raised his eyebrows at Brian, who gasped in surprise. “I want it today. They can send their bill and you have the check prepare. I’ll sign it before I go and meet my mother for lunch.”“Are you crazy?” Brian asked intently. “What if she wrecks it again?”“Then, let her wreck it!” SJ grumbled. “That woman is doing that to get my attention over something that William had called me about months ago. Now! Let’s discuss our agenda for the meeting. How much do you think Build Enterprise will negotiate?” After several hours, SJ emerged from his meeting with a smug look as the lead engineer of Build Enterprise bowed to him formally before taking his leave, together with Brian, who will also be taking off to go back to his own company. He checked his watch and saw that he had some minutes to spare before leaving to have lunch with his mother. “Is the check for the car ready, Deb?” He inquired. “It’s on your desk, Sir,” Debra answered. “The dealer also called and informed that the car has already been delivered and received.” SJ nodded before entering his office. He strode towards his desk, his eyes turning cold when he saw the check and million of dollars amount indicated. Tall and imposing at just the age of twenty-eight years old, Sebastien Jackson Kincaid was a force to reckon with when he took over the family’s real estate and construction business over five years ago. In less than three years, he had successfully launched the company into the international scene that gain the attention that his competitors envied. He is ruthless, sharp, fair and a hard-nose negotiator and nothing can escape his attention. A billion-net worth at such an age, SJ has been known as one of the valuable catch for families with daughters, who tried gaining his attention and to be associated with his family to further their status. “I’m off for lunch, Debra,” he said a few moments later as he handed her the signed check and sent his mom a message that he’s on his way. “I’ll be back in a few hours. Tell the Engineering Group that I need all the costs of the bids we gave to Build Enterprise.” SJ entered his private elevator and proceeded to the parking area at the 19 th Floor. He walked towards his silver Audi R8 Coupe that he had recently bought and got in. Despite his status, SJ still prefers driving himself much to his mother’s protest, who is begging him to hire a driver and bodyguard and ride in a much suitable vehicle for him. But, SJ heeded her as he loves the feel whenever he’s behind the wheel. He remembered the few times he got into accidents due to some underground racing during his college days. “Nice to see you again, Mr. Kincaid,” the maître d said formally after greeting him warmly when he arrived at the restaurant. “Your mother is already at your usual room. Jenny here will be your waitress for today.”“Thank you, Ross,” SJ answered, and he followed the waitress. Cynthia Kincaid looked up when the door slid open with SJ entering. She placed her cup of tea down and stood up to greet her son. “Is dad coming over, mom?” He asked after giving her a soft kiss on the cheek and taking his seat in front of her. He studied her quietly and his mother frowned at him, reading his thoughts. “Yes, he’s on his way from the golf club,” she answered with mild annoyance. She paused when their waitress returned with the food she had ordered. “I hope you don’t mind, but I already ordered. Your father rushed off to his game and didn’t bother to have breakfast.” SJ remained silent as he reached for his chopsticks when his phone suddenly rang. His mother frowned again when she glimpsed the name of the caller. “Hey,” SJ drawled lightly. “I’ll call you back. I’m having lunch with my parents.”“Are you still seeing her?” Cynthia asked intently after he ended the call. “I don’t want to talk about her, mom,” SJ interrupted firmly. He took a piece of salmon sashimi and placed it in his mouth, loving the freshness and the quality of the meat. “I’m sure she’s not the reason why you asked to meet with me.” A few minutes later, his father, Alexander Kincaid, finally arrived and the three of them silently and mutually agreed to have some lunch first before any discussion. SJ knew well that if he will get his mother upset, she won’t be eating once they are done talking. “Alright,” SJ finally said when they were served their tea and desserts. Cynthia looked at him before opening her mouth. “Your father and I talked about this and we both agreed that I think it’s the right time to introduced Ellisande,” she started slowly and calmly. “She’s going to be 21 by the end of the year and it’s also high time for you to get a wife.” SJ looked at his mother in amusement. “Let me guess,” he replied with a smile. “She talked to you, didn’t she? Is this what this is about? Did she tell on me that I’ve been ignoring her calls for the past two years?”“She has been calling you?!” Cynthia asked in surprise. She looked at her husband before looking back at him. “We have no idea! The reason that I brought this up because I stopped by the country house yesterday and had a chance to talked with her. She told me that she’s bored and feeling useless.”“What else did she tell you?” SJ asked. “Well, she showed me the artworks she made and they’re beautiful,” Cynthia continued. “She’s been making her own money by selling some of her pieces to collectors.”“Is that all she said?” He asked. “Is there anything else that we need to know, son?” Alexander asked. SJ looked at them hardly, his blood slowly starting to boil as all the reports that his butler had called over the years came flooding back. “That two-faced bitch wrecked five sports cars already and I’m sure she’s not stopping there,” he started to enumerate angrily. “William called this morning and she’s currently in crutches from the injury she sustained. That simpleton you introduced me to four years ago is joining underground racing and I wouldn’t be surprise if I’ll be seeing her name in the obituary!”“And, the highlight of it all, she’s been sending weekly a divorce settlement to Nigel’s Law Office!”“She’s asking for a divorce?” His mother asked, aghast. “And, I’m already thinking of giving it to her,” SJ answered heatedly. “What’s the used of that arranged marriage anyway, huh? I didn’t get anything from this shit you tied me up with. She probably did given that I spent for her education and her father’s hospitalization until he died.”“Ellisande is your wife, and she will stay as one!” Alexander said firmly. “She is not my wife because we never consummated our marriage!” SJ fired back. “I don’t know what the hell you and grandfather were thinking when her father asked you that favor! That simpleton is not so innocent after all! I’ve already spent millions and she’s still getting on my nerves!”“That’s enough, SJ,” Alexander ordered with authority. “I will tell you the reason once the public knows about your marriage. I have valid reasons, but she doesn’t know it yet. We will be telling her once the family presents her formally.”“Then, get her to come here so this can be over sooner,” SJ snorted. “Your father and I agreed that you will go there to pick her up,” Cynthia said calmly. “Why don’t you take three months off and spend time and getting to know her? She’s a wonderful person, SJ and I’m sure you know that I don’t warmed up easily with people I met. Both of us can go there and spend time with you, two as well.”“Five days and that’s my final offer,” he argued and then stood up to take his leave. “I will call you to let you know of my schedule there.”

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

SJ remained calm until he got inside his car. He gripped the steering wheel tightly as he sped through the city, cursing the heavens for the predicament he has been entered in four years ago. His phone rang and he checked the screen on his dashboard to see his lover, Carmela Steinfeld calling. “Are you coming over?” She purred at the other end of the line. “I got the tub ready.”“I’m entering the driveway already,” he replied and ended the call. He got out of his car and tossed his keys to the valet and entered the luxurious lobby of K Park Palace, an eighty-eight story, residential building that his family had built. He went to his private elevator and press the button towards the penthouse, where he had house her for the past two years. “Let’s get you out of those clothes to sooth those nerves,” Carmela greeted when he entered the penthouse. She quickly took off his jacket and placed them on the wardrobe closet and followed him towards the master’s bedroom and bath. “I had your whisky ready as well.” SJ didn’t say a word but quickly pulled her to him and kissed her roughly, his hands roaming around her curvy body, tearing the flimsy robe she is wearing. He thrust his tongue inside her mouth and heard her moan is response, her body pressing onto him. “You seemed to be in a hurry,” she teased breathlessly. Indeed he was. He turned her towards the counter and stripped off her remaining garments, leaving her naked and pulled down his pants. Her eyes widened, looking through the mirror at his erection, before he had finally divested his boxer shorts. He grabbed her tied hair and twirled it around his hand as he thrust his fingers into her wet folds, making her moan at the sensation. SJ entered her from behind roughly and started to thrust into her hardly. Carmela arched her body backward, her hands braced on the counter as she accepted his thrusting into her eagerly. She panted, looking at him through the mirror, her breasts going up and down in a fast pace. “Oh, wow!” She gushed a few minutes later as SJ finally pulled out and grabbed his pants, looking for his phone. She walked towards one end of the counter and poured him some whisky. “That was so damned good, babe. The last time we did that was the time you lost a bid to your rival eighteen months ago.” SJ looked at her hardly as he took a drink from his glass. “What did you say?” He countered. “I’m sorry,” she quickly apologized as she wrapped her arms around his neck and rubbed her breasts against his chest. “It’s just been too long for me. You know how I always love that. Like being tortured by you, begging for more.” He smirked down at her. “Well, why don’t you do some begging to get some more?” He challenged. Carmela smiled up at him widely while her one hand slowly went down to his groin area and wrapped his engorged manhood, pushing it back and forth. “I definitely do know how to,” she flirted and went down on her knees. She took him into her mouth and started giving him a blow job, winking up at him. SJ looked down at her smugly, watching her pleasuring him as he leaned on the lavatory counter and drinking his whisky. He opened his phone and called his secretary. “Have all documents sent to the penthouse, Deb,” he instructed. “I’m not going back.” He then ended the call and let out a pleasuring growl at her performance. “You never disappoint me,” he drawled as he tilted her face up with his manhood fully in her mouth. He laughed. “Why don’t we finish this off at the bedroom?” The bath has been forgotten as SJ dragged Carmela towards the bedroom and threw her onto the king size bed, spreading her legs wide open and thrusting into her back and forth, her screams filling the room. He had forgotten the argument with his parents. He even forgotten scolding his butler over the wrecked car as well as the amount of the Lamborghini he purchased. Only one thing he could not forget in his mind as he turned Carmela over and took her from behind. SJ could still remember the pair of dark blue eyes that looked up at him innocently four years ago when he said, ‘I Do.’ Apparently, that was a big lie.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Ellisande Porter looked up from the painting of a scenery that she is doing when she heard a sound of an engine from outside. She placed her paintbrush down and reached for the crutches she has been since last night after the accident she was involved in during the race she entered. “Who’s it for, William?” She asked softly, standing beside the butler, who was giving back the paper he had signed. “What’s a Lamborghini doing here?”“Mr. Kincaid had it delivered,” the butler answered patiently as he assisted her back inside. Ellisande abruptly stopped and refused to budge from where she is standing, looking at William coldly. “So, he’s not giving in to my request, is he?” She shot angrily. She held out her hand. “Give me the keys, William! I’m going to wreck that piece of trash right now!”“Ms. Elli, please don’t be hard on yourself,” he said gently. “You’re still recovering from your injury. The young master was upset when I told him about your accident.”“So, he compensated for a new car?” She asked intently. “Get him on the phone, William. I’m going to give him a piece of my mind!” She carefully brought herself back to the room where she does her painting and sat on the sofa, seething angrily, and cursing her father on the so-called arranged marriage he got herself into. She had just turned seventeen and looking forward to Senior High when her father shockingly told her that she has been arranged to marry the son of his employer that he had work for twenty years. Ellisande didn’t take the news so well since she just started going out with her long-time crush, Lance Harrison. “I’m only seventeen, dad!” She yelled angrily. “Why are you pushing this marriage? I don’t even know that guy! Is this some sort of loyalty to your employer? There are others!”“I have reasons, Elli,” her father said calmly. “When you’re old enough, you will know. Please trust me on this. I know SJ is a good man and he will treat you well. His parents will let him know the reason for this marriage. It is beneficial to them as well as to you when the time comes.” Ellisande had never made her father disappointed in her entire life except for this one time. She ran away and stayed with her best friend. She closed her eyes and recalled the sermon she received from him when she finally came back home. “Is he answering your calls, William?” She asked when she saw the butler, hanging up the phone a few hours later. “Was that him?”“Mr. Kincaid might be in a meeting somewhere, Ms. Elli,” he responded formally. “I just got off the phone from his secretary and she said that he had all documents delivered to his penthouse.”“Call his mobile, then,” she insisted as she picked up the phone and pointedly look at him, telling him to dial the number. “This will not even take long.” The call finally went through after William dialed and she waited for him to answer it. Ellisande opened her mouth to start off but froze on what she heard on the other line. “Oh, baby, f*ck me like that again,” a sultry female voice moaned. A male grunt responded, knowing it to be SJ’s voice. Ellisande slammed the phone angrily and walked off to her room, slamming the door loudly. She knew those sounds very well. Because she had walked in on it herself, finding her best friend and her long-time crush on the bed, having sex. She immediately turned around and left. Feeling heartbroken and betrayed, she went back home to her dad, crying her heart out. She endured without arguing his long sermon and she felt guilty because after all she did, her father whole-heartedly accepted her back, all things forgiven and forgotten. To make up for her mistakes, she finally agreed to marry the Kincaid’s son. She waited nervously that fateful day, wearing a plain, flowy white dress with lace trimmings, which belonged to her mother at the family’s living room, where she is living now. She watched as the man, who they called SJ, strode angrily towards her and stood beside her as the judge officiated their marriage. She remembered the look in his dark grey eyes. Her husband hated her. That was the first and the last time she saw him. After they were married, he then went back home to the city despite his parents’ pleas. In the next months, being Mrs. SJ Kincaid, it will take her a while to get his approval on her requests, especially on her education. But, thanks to her father, who never left her, she was able to finish her Senior High in time despite the hardships she went through. After learning that she was betrayed by Lance and her best friend, the entire school made her a laughingstock. “That’s because your standing in society is no match for Gertrude.”“Her mother must have died early to save herself from her daughter’s embarrassment.” Ellisande endured all that, never telling her father and others the hurt, emotionally, mentally and physically she had gone through. After she finished school, she enrolled in the nearest college in her area and took up Interior Design. She thought that she had all problems left behind but another one came like a blow. Her father was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer and died after a few weeks. With the bills, piled up to cover all the medical expenses, Ellisande has no choice but to stop school but it still wasn’t enough to pay all her father’s debts. It left her with no choice but to call her husband and pleaded for his help. Her husband immediately wired her the remaining balance and told her not to call him again. But, she called him again after a few months to ask if she can continue her course. After badgering him, she finally agreed that she will take it online. And, here she is now. She had finally graduated. It wasn’t easy because there will be time she would be distracted and she would take one of her husband’s sports car for a spin. Growing with her father, who raced for the Kincaid’s racing team back in his days, the love for racing has grown into her. She knew the troubles she had gotten herself into but she has her reasons. For the past two years, with no communication from her husband, she started sending him divorce papers to sign. Over the years, she had found herself falling in love with one of her online classmates and he seems to be interested on her as well. But, she received no reaction from her husband.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

It was two weeks later when Ellisande found herself, standing by in agitation as Cherry, one of the maids, cleaning some wounds she obtained a while ago in her husband’s country home office. She had taken one of her husbands Ducati motorbike for a spin to clear her mind after receiving no news on the divorce she is seeking and was surprisingly caught between a car race between two gang rivals. She tried steering away from the fight, but they suddenly thought she was part of the game and went after her. Her husband managed to save her just in the nick of time and got himself wounded in the process. “That’ll be all,” she heard a hard bark. “My wife will tend to me. All of you, get out! Now!” The maids scurried in fear and Elli watched helplessly as William, the last one to leave, closing the door quietly. “What the hell are you waiting for?!” Her husband shouted. Elli turned and hurriedly went to where her husband is sitting and picked up the towel, dipping it on the warm water. Her husband, who arrived surprisingly three days ahead from the day William had told her and got word where she went to from somebody, he had instructed to keep track on her. “It’s going to sting a bit,” she said quietly as she carefully placed the towel on the wound on his upper arm, patting it lightly. After twenty minutes of cleaning and dressing up his wounds, Elli gave the bowl and medicine kit to William, who stood by the door outside. “Get back here quickly!” SJ commanded. Elli stood in front of him, far enough to get away from him in case he will hurt her. “From this day onward, you are no longer allowed to take any vehicles outside this house! Understood?” SJ started to order hardly. He looked at her angrily. “Just because your father was a racer, it doesn’t make you one! Get that off your head. Second, you are married to a Kincaid, then you start acting one!” She cringed at his tone. “My parents will be coming here in three days and you are to show them the respect they deserve!” He continued, looking her up and down, disdain on his face. He remained silent for a while. “You have three days to make yourself suitable. Don’t you dare embarrass me, Ellisande. You will not like it when I get angry.”“Then, just sign that divorce papers!” She suddenly blurted out. “It’ll end both of our miseries.” Elli quickly took a step back at the dark look he threw her way. She stopped herself and looked back at him evenly, not holding her anger at the insults he said to her. She clenched her fists. “I never wanted this marriage in the first place,” she said tightly. “Three days, Ellisande,” SJ answered instead as he stood up. “You will be sorry if you don’t.” She watched as he went out of the office. “Jerk!” She shouted. SJ looked up from the paper that he is reading in his office, late Saturday morning when William appeared and informed him that his parents’ car just entered their gate. “Where’s my wife?” He asked as he stood up. “She’s already at the foyer, sir,” William answered and then backed away before walking off. SJ returned the document he is reading and reached for his phone, checking for messages. He found several messages from Carmela, his secretary as well as Brian and from his two sisters. He placed his phone inside his pocket and went out from his office. He turned at the corner and stopped abruptly for a while when he saw his wife, standing quietly at the foyer, beside William, talking to him formally. Only he wasn’t the wife he had arrived to a few days ago. Ellisande looked breathtakingly young and beautiful in her light blue, off-shoulder, floral dress that ended few inches below her knee. She had her hair tied up in a loose braid and only wore light lipstick. He remembered three days ago how she struggles in familiarizing herself with the Kincaid values and customs that has been handed down from generations. His additional insults and harassment added more fuel to the fire that he learned from William that she had hid herself in a broom closet and cried. He forced everything on her for three days. She slept late from her lessons and will wake up early to cater to his demands by making him breakfast, preparing his bath and clothes to wear, accepting insults from him and daring her to fight back. “I guess, this is your way in getting back at me for all those cars I’ve wrecked,” she commented just one time after serving him his coffee again, since he was not happy with the sweetness that she made. She yelped in surprise when he threw the cup, the china broken into pieces. She lowered her head and said, “I’ll make you another cup.” SJ sauntered towards them and William turned to him when he heard him approach. “Lunch will be ready by 12 at the garden, Sir,” he said as he opened the main door. “Raise your head up and smile, goddamnit,” SJ scoffed at Elli. “Don’t you dare insult my parents or you’ll regret it.” He went out ahead just in time for his parents’ classic Mercedes Benz car stopped right in front of the house. He walked down the steps and watched as his father opened the car door and assisted his wife. “Good to see you, mom,” SJ greeted as he bent down and kissed his mother on the cheek.

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Ellisande stood quietly behind her husband while they watched the elder Kincaid’s getting out of the car. She clasped her hands in front, gripping them lightly while trying to calm her nerves. She heard SJ greeting his mother softly. “Hello, Elli,” Mrs. Kincaid greeted with a warm smile. “It’s nice seeing you again, Mrs. Kincaid,” Elli replied formally with a smile. “Don’t you think it’s time for you to call me Mom?” Mrs. Kincaid asked gently. She turned to her son and gave him a light frown. “Are you disallowing Elli to call me Mom?”“No, he did not…, Mom,” Elli quickly answered to prevent any anger from SJ. “I just presumed that it’s more formal. My apologies for assuming wrong.”“Oh, dear,” Mrs. Kincaid stated with a smile. “I gained another daughter and I’m not regretting it. And, so does Mr. Kincaid. Your dad.”“You’re family, Elli,” Mr. Kincaid assured gently. “And, so is your father.” Elli nodded with a smile. Without waiting for her husband’s reaction, she carefully guided Mrs. Kincaid towards the house, while she could hear both men behind them discussing about an apartment being prepared back in the city. “I will have some tea ready for you, Mom,” she said gently when the elder woman took a seat on the couch inside the spacious living room. “Let William take care of it, child,” Mrs. Kincaid responded as she tapped the space beside her. “Why don’t you seat here with me and we can talk? How is that painting of yours that you’ve been doing when I was here the last time? Have that one reserved for me, okay? I have this wall back at home that will suit the painting perfectly.”“Just a few remaining touches and it’ll be ready,” Elli answered as she smiled at the maid who served them their tea. She carefully handed one to Mrs. Kincaid. “I will find time later or tomorrow so you can take it with you when you go back to the city. Please send me a picture of it once it’s up.”“You can take a picture of it when we go back,” Mrs. Kincaid said. Elli looked at her for a while, don’t know what to say. Mrs. Kincaid noticed the look that crossed Elli’s face and she turned to her son. “You haven’t told her yet, have you, SJ?” She asked calmly, placing her cup on the table after taking a sip. She clasped her hands on her lap and looked at her son. “Are you trying to lead me on again?”“I will tell her today, Mom,” SJ answered tightly. “Then, tell her now,” Mrs. Kincaid insisted. “I assumed that you went ahead here to arranged everything on what we had talked about.”“What do you mean?” Elli asked politely as she looked back and forth at the mother and son. “You’re coming to the city with us when we return,” SJ said firmly as he looked at Elli straightly. “It has been discussed that we will be presenting you as my wife before you turn 21. But, prior to that, you will work with the ranks in the company to learn the system for a few months. Your employment has already been taken care of as well as the apartment you will be staying in has already been furnished and just waiting for you to move in.” Elli remained silent for a while, absorbing the news. “It’s just a few months, dear,” Mrs. Kincaid assured as she reached out and squeeze her hand. “After the press release, you will be staying with SJ, then. We’re just taking precautionary measures and let you adjust for a few months.”“No,” Elli finally stated. She pulled her hand away and stood up. “I don’t understand. Don’t I have any say on this?” She then turned around and run out of the room, clutching her head at the shocking news she just heard. I’m not going there, she thought over and over in her mind. She walked towards the pool by the garden, calming her nerves. This is not right. “How dare you run out from my mother?!” SJ scoffed angrily behind her. He grabbed her upper arm and turned her to him roughly and gave her a slap on the face. He grabbed her by the chin tightly and tilted her face up with one finger pointing at her. “I warned you, Ellisande. You’re going to regret by disrespecting my parents.”“Let go of me,” she begged with tears in her eyes. Elli was roughly pushed away and she tried to regain her balance, which she did. However, she took a step back to get away from him only to feel nothing but air. In a flash, she fell into the deep part of the pool, making a loud splash. With her arms flailing, she shouted for help, fear creeping up to her. “Help me!” She shouted. “Ellisande!” She heard Mrs. Kincaid’s voice screaming in fear. “Sir, madam cannot swim!” Two hours later, Elli remained sitting on the upper corner of her bed, wrapping her robe tightly around her as she stared out the window blankly. Her husband had dive in and saved her, but it didn’t made her feel better. It only made her remember a lot of bad memories she wanted to forget. She pulled her knees up and hugged them as tears streamed down her face. The incident a while ago made her remember how her mother, who doesn’t know how to swim as well, unselfishly saved her after she was pushed down the pool by a boy, who keeps on bullying her when she was ten years old. Her mother died while saving her. She remembered the look of the Kincaid’s when William told them the reason on why she doesn’t know how to swim while the town doctor checked on her vitals. “Elli?” She heard Mrs. Kincaid’s voice outside her door along with a soft knock. “May I come in? I have Cherry brough some food for you. You need to eat.” The knock finally subsided a few minutes later. Ellisande touched her cheek where SJ’s hand had touched, and she could still feel the pain. She closed her eyes as she recalled what her father said. “He’s going to treat you well, Elli,” he assured as he gave her a kiss on the forehead on the day of her wedding. “I know SJ and he’s a very good man.” She finally stood up from her bed and went to her desk, reaching for her journal and started pouring out her emotions. She stopped from time to time, looking at the family picture of her and her parents as well as the square painting her mother had given her on her 8 th birthday. It was a painting of a tree with a swing in winter season and the reason for it was because Elli was born on the first day of snow. It was early evening when she heard a firm knock on her door and she stood stiffly when it was her husband’s voice that came from behind. She quietly opened her door and stepped outside the hallway, stood in front of him quietly, her eyes on lowered. “They’re waiting for us downstairs,” he gruffly said and started to walk towards the stairs. Ellisande followed him quietly up to the dining room where his parents, especially his mother looking at him expectantly. She greeted them formally before taking a seat beside SJ. She thanked Cherry quietly when her food was served. “Would you like some wine, Elli?” Mr. Kincaid asked gently. “No, thank you,” Ellisande replied with a smile. “But, thank you for the offer.”“William did say that you never drink,” Mrs. Kincaid commented with a smile as she placed down her glass. “Anyway, I’m heading towards the town tomorrow morning to check and buy some local goods to bring back home. I would really love for you to come with me.”“Yes, I will go with you,” Ellisande answered.

Chapter 6 Chapter 6

SJ looked up from the report that he is reading when the driver told him that they are now approaching The Upper Hill Apartment on Saturday evening. He placed the documents on the space beside him and looked at Ellisande, who is sitting quietly on her side, her eyes staring out the window. Ever since she fell down the pool at the country house, she had changed drastically when she went out of her room that night when he came to fetch her for dinner. From the carefree and active lady, she became quiet and submissive, a complete turnaround from all the reports that William had relayed to him over the years. Unbeknownst to Ellisande, he has started keeping tabs on her when her father died. After pestering him with calls to borrow money to pay off her father’s medical expenses and the debt he had for his hospitalization, SJ became curious of the woman he had married. It took her months mourning her father and he assumed that when she called him up again several times and asked to continue her studies was her own way of trying to cope with the loss. He finally agreed to let her take it online. His reason was because he knew about the bullying she had endured when she was finishing her Senior High. She never said any single thing about it. He knew all this from William. “The one-year rent has already been paid for and the bill for the water and electricity will be automatically deducted from the office account,” SJ said firmly when they finally arrived on the 5 th Floor of the apartment. “You can rearrange the furniture whichever you like.” He was met with silence. SJ turned impatiently and saw Ellisande standing in the middle of the living room, her eyes, looking around the luxurious space. “Are you listening, Ellisande?!” SJ asked with irritation. Ellisande blinked and turned her face to him as she clutched the painting she had brought with her. “Isn’t this too big for me?” She questioned quietly. “A studio type will be fine with me.”“This is not even in the upper class level. This is my parents gift to you. It’s too big for you but this is decent enough. Mom insisted to get you one at Grande Hills but I had to turned that down. You need to maintain and project a decent middle class level person,” he said instead as he nodded at his driver, who is bringing Ellisande’s belongings inside the apartment. “You shall thank them properly and don’t you dare say anything more and insult them again. Here.” SJ grabbed the manila envelope his driver handed and pulled the documents out. “This is your Employment Contract as well as other legal documents,” he said as he placed them on her hands one by one. “You will be reporting to work on Wednesday. I’m sure it is enough time for you to read everything on the corporate manual as well as familiarize yourself in the city.”“Interior Design Associate,” she said and her eyes widened at the salary grade. She looked at him. “I’m going to have a salary?!”“Are you an idiot?” He snapped. “What kind of a question is that?!” Ellisande lowered her eyes and mumbled an apology. “What did you say?” He sneered. “Don’t mumble, Ellisande.”“I’m sorry for being an idiot,” she then clearly said. SJ looked at her in disdain and finally pulled out a letter size envelope. “Here are your keys to the apartment,” he said, dropping them on her palm. “I’m keeping the spare with me. Here’s also the key to your car. This is not a reminder, Ellisande! The vehicle parked on the 3 rd floor is not for racing. You will maintain it and have it check regularly, using the money you will be earning.” He continued to lecture her for the next thirty minutes until he finally run out of things to say. He turned towards the door after calling his driver to get the car ready. “You’d better do well, Ellisande,” he warned. He then took off, leaving her to fend off for herself. He took out his phone when he heard it rang and saw Carmela calling. “Are you back?” She purred seductively. “Yes. I’m having my driver drop me off there,” he answered as he entered the car while the driver carefully closed the door for him. “Can you order dinner? Chill some wine as well. It’ll be an hour or so drive going there with the traffic now.”“Already did,” she replied sweetly. “And, I bought this outfit I’m wearing just for you.” SJ chuckled as he looked at his watch before looking out the city night skyline. “Drop me at K Park Palace and pick me up on Monday at seven sharp,” he instructed his driver as he picked up the documents he stopped reading and continued.

Chapter 7 Chapter 7

Ellisande opened the door to her apartment on a Thursday night, a week later from the day she started working at Kincaid Development at the Kincaid Tower. She took off her low heel pumps and walked tiredly towards the couch. She sat down and leaned her head on the soft pillow, closing her eyes. In her first week in the city, she managed to get lost on her way back from the supermarket by making a wrong turn and crashing into an ongoing store renovation. A furious SJ came picking her up on a late Sunday morning at the police station after paying for the damages. The policemen seemed to know him well enough not to say anything and watched her being dragged back to his car and berated at her furiously the entire way to her apartment. He yelled at her, for the car she was using will be taken for repairs. She tried explaining that she made a wrong turn but he never believed her. “I just said yesterday that it’s not for racing!” He shouted and he started poking one finger on her head hardly. “Are you letting that get in through your thick head? Or are you just plainly stupid and could not understand the words I’m saying?” After learning about her situation, Mrs. Kincaid had secretly had groceries delivered to her apartment with a note saying that she will be taking care of it from now on. She also added to understand her husband’s anger since he is only worried about her safety, to which Ellisande refused to believe. On the next two days of her free time, she got robbed of the cash she had with her at the other side of the town and had to walk home for three hours since she is not yet familiar with the surroundings. She didn’t inform her husband about it, knowing he will only get angrier and who know what he is going to do to her. Life got even more miserable when she reported on her first day of work. She arrived twenty minutes before the office hours and wore a decent outfit, a collared white long-sleeve blouse together with a pair of grey pants and blazer. The Hiring Manager, she was told to report to, took one look at her and only sneered. After issuing her office ID and getting her biometrics, Ellisande then went to the 70 th Floor and went to the ID Manager’s Office, who endorsed her to a supervisor. One look from the supervisor and Ellisande knew that she will be hated. The minute the manager turned her back to them, her supervisor, Valerie Coleman, then ordered her to make her coffee. To make matters worse, her group of officemates then demanded coffee as well. She spent her first day, waiting hand and foot for them. She recalled empty cups being thrown at her to disposed of. She went home past 9 in the evening after cleaning and fixing the pantry. The following days were the same and they would sometimes add another item like ordering her to get them several boxes of bond paper immediately only to find out a few hours later that you can call and have someone from Warehouse Supplies Department deliver them straight to them. She would also eat on her own on her small office desk since not one is asking her to join. When one had found out about it, her supervisor called and yelled at her, pointing a rule, she could not find in the manual that having lunch on their desk is prohibited. Ellisande opened her eyes and reached for her bag and pulled out her soiled blouse. She had an accident at the company’s food hall when she tripped over something, her food tray flying as well as the person’s tray she collided, scalding her left arm with hot soup while most of it landed on her head and blouse. Nobody made a move to help her while she apologized profusely at the person she collided, who is yelling at her angrily. “It’ll get better, Elli,” she assured herself as she stood up, heading to the bath in her room to wash her blouse. “You were given a small work a while ago. That’s an accomplishment.” Small work that meant changing any typo errors on the notes of one’s drawings. She was happy she was able to read and edit a few pages. She heard the doorbell rang and she stopped for a while, curious as to who is behind the door. “May I help you?” Elli asked gently when she opened her door after checking through the peep hole. “Hi! I’m your neighbor from Unit 5A,” a tall, dark-haired woman greeted with a smile. “My name’s Jasmine Stevenson.”“I’m Ellisande Porter,” Elli answered. Jasmine beamed warmly. “It took me a while to come and check on you,” she explained gently. “My husband just got out of the hospital yesterday and had been pretty busy. Have you eaten? It’s my son’s birthday and I prepared a small feast.”“Oh, I don’t want to intrude,” Elli answered gently. “You’re not,” Jasmine countered softly and she gently took Elli’s hand and pulled her out. “It’s just you and me on this floor. Thank God you’ve finally arrived. I’m so bored to death with no one to talk to when my husband goes to work. I’m never of an outgoing person and prefer to stay here.”“Me, too,” Elli said, liking Jasmine even more. She fixed herself lightly before following Jasmine inside and was greeted by the husband, who is sitting comfortably on the lazy boy chair and watching a sports game while two boys are arguing over a drawing of a horse. “Hey,” Jasmine called at the two. “Say hello to Ms. Elli, boys. She’s our new neighbor.”

Chapter 8 Chapter 8

“So, how is she doing?” SJ looked up from the construction drawings he is reviewing and looked at Brian coldly on a busy Tuesday morning. He then looked back down and continued his checking. He never said a thing and waited for Brian to continue. “I heard she got into an accident at the food hall last week,” Brian continued casually as he placed down the drawing he is reviewing as well. “No one even helped her up. Poor girl then has to suffer through some tantrums of some bitch she accidentally bumped into.”“Anything else?!” SJ sneered. Brian gave him a wry look. “Just letting you know that your wife is not having the time of her life in your company,” he commented dryly as he returned the drawing to SJ and made some notes on his Ipad. “On my way up in the elevator, there was this group of women snickering and gossiping about her. Presumably, your wife was discovered by one of the janitors having her lunch in the broom closet yesterday.”“You always like listening to gossips, do you?” SJ countered. “What I’m trying to say, dude is, why the hell are you allowing these people to treat her like that?” Brian pointed out firmly. “She’s a Kincaid for crying out loud and you’re doing nothing! Is this still part of the arrangement your family decided? That girl’s from the country and she’s isn’t even 21.”“She has to learn to be the Kincaid wife she will be,” SJ said firmly. His friend only looked at him wryly before resuming his review on the drawings silently. “Mr. Kincaid, there’s a call for you on line three,” his secretary, Debra said formally over the intercom. “It’s from the office of Grande Holdings, Inc.” Brian looked up abruptly at the news. Grande Holdings, Inc is known all over the world as one of the top hotel chains, running over 100 branches across the globe. “This is SJ Kincaid speaking,” SJ said formally after picking up the receiver. “Good day, Mr. Kincaid,” a female voice greeted calmly. “I’m Katherine Jacobs from Mr. Elliot Grande’s office. His office would like to set a meeting with you this coming Thursday. Will 10 in the morning be possible?” SJ looked at his computer screen, checking his schedule. “Yes, Ms. Jacobs,” he affirmed. “10 on Thursday will be good. Is there anything or anyone here in the office that Mr. Grande needs to attend?”“Your Design and Engineering team, if possible,” Katherine answered. “Thank you for your time. We will see you Thursday.”“We just got an appointment with GHI!” Brian exclaimed. “Bloody hell!” SJ remained silent for a while, absorbing the news. He clenched his fists gently. This is it! The one thing that he has been targeting on for years ever since he became the CEO and Vice-President of his family’s business, he had been setting his eyes on GHI to get them as clients. Fate seems to be going his way after all the years he had work so hard to become what he is now. “Your dad will be thrilled to hear this,” Brian continued. “I’ll let him know once we have the meeting,” SJ concluded. “I don’t want to pre-empt the excitement.” The two returned to their work in silence for the next few hours until they heard the door of his office opening. Carmela came striding in wearing a leopard print pencil skirt, topped with a plain white silk sleeveless top and a black leather jacket. She paired it with black stilettos, dangling diamond earrings and red lips. “Hey, guys!” She greeted flirtatiously. Brian turned to SJ with a cold look to which his friend returned with a warning look. “Hey, babe,” SJ greeted as he stood up and meeting her halfway. His face was then pulled down by her and gave him a hard kiss, slipping her tongue in his mouth for a few seconds. “Photoshoot already done?”“It took a while,” she replied as she walked towards his desk and sat on the corner of his desk, looking at Brian sideways. “Antonio really had these stupid assistants in his studio. Not to forget in being so slow in doing their job. If I was the one who hired them, I kick them out immediately.”“I’ll be taking my leave,” Brian interrupted stiffly. “Just call me up for updates and I’ll see you on Thursday.” Carmela looked at Brian’s back coldly as he went out before looking at SJ with a pout. “He never likes me since we started going out,” she whined dramatically. She followed him towards the couch and sat beside him. “Is it because he desires me as well and hated the fact that I choose you?” SJ studied her appearance and could feel his desire rising up. He run a hand up her legs and she flashed him an encouraging smile, her eyes getting excited. After staying in his office for the next hours, SJ and Carmela went out, looking happy and satisfied as they headed out for lunch. They took his private elevator down to the lobby and driveway where the car he had given her a few months ago is waiting, driven by a driver he hired as well. “Where do you want to eat?” He asked as he got in beside her. “You deserve to have the best after that contract signing yesterday. My apologies for not being able to make it.”“Let’s go to Sky Garden,” Carmela said with a smile. “I want to show off this earrings you gave me.” SJ grinned as he bent down to give her a kiss. Just before he closed his eyes, he caught attention of Ellisande, hurriedly walking up the driveway with several bags of take-out food, more than enough than she can handle. No one bothered to help her. She stopped for a while, putting the bags down and gently rubbed her arms. He watched as she answered her phone and saw her winced slightly at whatever the caller is telling her. “Ugh! Look at that,” Carmela commented disgustedly when her eyes spotted Ellisande, lifting up the bags again and walking in hurriedly. “With the way she is dressing herself, it’s no wonder that’s the job being offered to her.” He remained silent and what Brian had told him a while ago came back into his mind.

Chapter 9 Chapter 9

Elli went back to her desk after having a quick lunch at the cafeteria of the building’s service crew. Thomas Jones, a man in his sixties, discovered her having lunch at the broom closet last week. He then invited her to eat where the crew eats. After the accident she experienced at the food hall, she decided to bring her own lunch and find a small, private place where she can eat in peace. It would also be the time to allow herself to rest from all the orders her supervisor, Valerie is throwing her way. “Are the drawings done, Elli?” Her supervisor’s voice came. “It’ll be done in ten minutes, Ma’am,” Elli answered formally as she neatly stacked the drawing pages and filed them properly. “I will put it on your desk.”“I don’t have ten minutes!” Valerie sneered at her coldly. “I told you that I need them right after lunch! God! You’re such an idiot! Are you doing this to ruin the rest of my day or are you really just confirming that you’re stupid?”“Hurry up!” Elli quickly clipped the papers and handed them to her. “What the hell is this?!” Valerie yelled and she threw the thick file at her, hitting her squarely on the face. “I told you to print the drawings for the Fine Jewelry store! Why the hell did you give me that?!”“You said to print the drawings of Pots and Pans,” Elli explained, ignoring the pain on her face. Valerie looked at her menacingly and took a step towards her, pointing one finger. “Are you calling me a liar?” She asked threateningly. She turned to the others. “Did any of you remember what I told her to prepare?”“Fine Jewelry, Ms. Val,” one said maliciously. “Those papers you wasted will be coming off your paycheck, you useless piece of trash,” Valerie sneered. “That includes the usage of ink as well. Taylor, have IT compute, the amount of ink that was used and submit to accounting the cost that will be deducted from her pay.”“Right away, Ms. Valerie,” Taylor responded. “You should have been grateful that I’m finally giving you something to do,” Valerie scoffed. “But, here you are wasting the company’s resources. Most newbies here won’t get that chance being just a few weeks onboard. You’re such a disgrace!”“I will print the drawings right away, Ms. Valerie,” Elli said formally and bowed to apologize. “Get to it, then!” Valerie snorted. Elli turned back to her desk and quickly wiped the tears, spilling down her cheeks. She grabbed some bond papers and placed them properly on the printer beside her. She took a quick glance and saw Valerie snickering with her group of friends. Elli knew right then that she had set it up. “You’re a strong girl, Elli,” she whispered with encouragement. “Just let it go. You can handle this.”“About time!” Valerie said loudly when Elli finally placed the drawings of Fine Jewelry on her desk. She looked at her disdainfully. “Go and make us some coffee. While you’re at it, have the small meeting room set up for a meeting with the client. Don’t bother calling a janitor. The client is on her way up. Move!”“Yes, Ms. Valerie,” Elli said and hurried off. Elli then hurriedly went to bid her order. She started preparing the coffee and then the small meeting room. She turned on the lights and AC, making sure the chairs are arranged properly. She then sprayed a bit of freshener. “Right this way, Mrs. Newman,” she heard her supervisor’s voice said formally. “I’ll have coffee serve for you and your company. Ms. Paulson is on her way up from lunch.” Elli went out just right on time for Valerie and the client to appear. She bowed at them formally before rushing off to prepare the coffee. She lined up four cups and arranged the sugar and cream before reaching for the coffee pot. She poured them and then carefully lifted up the tray, walking slowly to not cause any spill. She knocked on the glass door gently to signify that she’s coming in with coffee. She gently pushed the door open with her left arm and walked in. Just as she took a step inside, she felt a whack and a push on her back that made her fall, the coffee crashing below her. “Oh my God!” Elli said in fright as she knelt and started cleaning the mess, ignoring her blouse and arms that were dozed with hot coffee. “I am so sorry.” She looked up and saw Valerie looking at her with a smirk, the owner and companion of Fine Jewelry with a look of disgust and Florence Paulson, the Department VP of Interior Design, looking at her calmly. “I didn’t know that SJ allows hiring personnel that are klutzes,” Mrs. Newman commented to Florence. “I will make you a fresh batch,” Elli said a few minutes later as she stood up with the tray and two broken cups. “I am really sorry, Madame.”“Never mind,” Florence assured patiently as she typed on her phone. “I’ll have my secretary get us some coffee from the food hall as well as some sweets. Valerie, call cleaning crew to clean the mess up.” Elli went out from the room, and she hurriedly went back to the pantry. She knew that the broken cups will be deducted from her salary again. She wondered as she wiped the stains on her blouse if there’s anything left on her salary come pay day. She finally went back to her desk, her head low to avoid looking at the faces of her officemates, who despised her without any reason. She closed her eyes and breath deeply to prevent any tears from flowing. “Hey,” she heard someone said. A stack of papers were then slammed down on her desk. “Ms. Valerie needs this after the meeting. She wants you to arrange them according to material number.” She spent the next two hours, doing the task assigned to her. She heard the door of the meeting room finally opened and exchange of conversations. “Tell SJ to come and see me, alright?” Mrs. Newman said. “That boy always keeps himself busy making more billions. He seems to forget to have some relaxation.”“I will, Mrs. Newman,” Florence replied politely. “You know how SJ can be. Once he keeps on working, the only way that can stop him is something that has to do with his mother.”“Probably the reason why he didn’t marry that model yet,” Mrs. Newman added. Elli heard the conversation and didn’t quite understand the comment, finally choosing to let it go. She had her work finish and she quickly stood up and proceeded to her supervisor’s desk. “Elli, a word please,” Florence called out politely after the client took off. “I’ll be at my office.” Elli put on her blazer and fixed herself. She buttoned her blazer to try and hide the coffee stains before proceeding to the VP’s office. It could only cover a little part. Before she could proceed, Valerie stopped her abruptly. “You better watch what you will be saying,” Valerie warned. “I can make your life much hell, remember that.” Florence looked up when Elli knocked on her door. “Take a seat, Ellisande,” she said politely. She looked at the file she’s holding which contains her details. “First and foremost, are you okay?”“Yes, Ms. Paulson,” Elli answered. “Florence will do,” Florence corrected before finally closing the folder. She clasped her hands on top of it and looked at Ellisande for a few seconds. “Is there anything you would like to tell me? My apologies that I wasn’t able to talk with you when you came on board since I was completing an urgent project. So, how’s your work going? Anything you want to say?” Elli remained silent for a while. “I am sorry about the incident a while ago,” she finally said quietly. “I promise that I will be more careful and will work harder.” Florence looked at her in surprise when that was all she said. “Is that all?” She prodded gently. “Yes, ma’am,” Elli replied. “Very well,” Florence finally said with a sigh. “You may go back to your desk.”“Thank you, Ms. Florence,” Elli responded. She then stood up and bowed lightly before turning around to see the door open and came in her husband. She stood in surprise, looking at him, who is looking at her up and down, his face unreadable. “Good afternoon, Sir,” Elli greeted with a bow before stepping aside and heading out of the office. She quickly rushed back to her desk, hoping that her husband didn’t notice her physical condition. She noticed her desk was piled up with paper works and a note with instructions. She checked and concluded that she’ll be going home late again to finish the task. She started right on it. But, what she didn’t noticed was the moment the glass door to the VP’s office was close, SJ Kincaid received a slap from Florence and some tongue lashing.