NARRATIVE
Isabel Bryant stride in the grand deluxe living area of the Bryant's family mansion and found her husband, Minister Jordan Bryant pacing about, lost in thoughts. She knew what was troubling him.
"Did you finally decide?" Jordan Bryant turned around on hearing her voice.
"Oh Isabel, it's good you're here. Did Palo arrive safely?" He asked, moving closer to her.
"Yes he did. What is the next step now?" Isabel asked again.
"I'll have Dementriv arrange a meeting with Jamie Grey. Send Palo to me as soon as he's settled." He instructed. Isabel nodded briefly.
"I've prepared dinner, you should eat." She said before walking away.
HARRIET'S POV
That girl's words couldn't leave my head since I heard it. How brazen of her to have made those remarks. She even indirectly insulted me during the press conference.
'I wouldn't know that Ms. Mills. I mean, my mother died right after I was birthed. But that's not a cause to worry as I think my stepmom would be 'more than happy' to share such details with me.' She had said.
What exactly am I missing? What's she planning?
I trail my fingers on the champagne glass as the memories of the press conference, flooded my mind.
Her foster Mom seems really familiar. Where have I seen that face before? I moved to another section of the cellar and picked out a beer bottle. This should do.
Just then, a memory from decades ago flashed in my mind_ Aimee Brooke. And as I tried to focus on the name and face I was seeing, everything fall into place.
Aimee Brooke was a childhood friend of Paige. Yes, I remembered seeing her at the wedding and now, ha! Now, she turned out to be the woman who raised Scarlett.
She destroyed my plans but how? How did she find out? What does she know?
On second thought, I returned the beer bottle to the cellar and hurriedly walked out of the storage, climbing up the stairs with one place on my mind.
She wouldn't know if I go through her stuff carefully before she returns, would she?
I might find a lead right there to know what she's planning. I don't want Imogen getting upset because of her. Even if I have to get rid of her for the second time, I will. My children's future, their inheritance, is most important to me than even Jamie Grey.
IMOGEN'S POV
"What are going to do about that girl now?" Yori shouted to me over the loud blasting music emitting from the club house. We went clubbing at a famous night club in city center.
I crossed my legs on my seat as a smirk appeared on my lips.
"Let's see. But first, I'll need a plan."
"Attagirl!" Cora grinned. "I can't wait." She added. I caressed the champagne glass in my hand as a mischievous glint appeared in my eyes. Raising the glass to my lips, I took a fast sip.
"Me too."
NARRATIVE
Scarlett had her head bowed low, leaning against the car's headrest as memories of her first day in Birmingham City came to her mind.
She remembered her reaction when she'd come in contact with Imogen for the first time in the elevator. But most of all, she couldn't get over the dreamy young man she'd seen at the rotunda hotel's hallway.
She unconsciously shuddered at the reminisce of his effect on her. Scarlett couldn't forget how he walked past that day without sparing them a glance.
He didn't see us or he was just unconcerned? She mused. Waving the thoughts away from her mind, she reminded herself of the task she have ahead. It won't be good if she gets distracted at the moment from her goals because of some silly romance. Aside that, Scarlett was never one to show weakness.
Her hands caressed the silver-grey bracelet in her hand absentmindedly. After a while, she raised her head and stared out the window to find the car pulling into the Grey's family exquisite manor.
______
Isabel Bryant smiled on seeing the tall figure standing at the rooftop patio with his gaze fixed on a photo in his hand. She walked to him still smiling brightly.
"Palo, it's great to see you again. What do you think of her?" She asked, smiling at her son_the first child of the Bryant's family.
The young man smiled, not removing his gaze from the photo in his hand. He ran his thumb across the face of the beautiful lady and his smile broaden.
"I like her Mother, she's different from the rest." He said. Isabel heaved out a sigh of relief; this was good news to her ears.
"That's good. I'm glad you do. Now it's time to meet your father, he seeks an audience with you." She said, touching his arm slightly.
Over the last few years she last saw him, Isabel noticed how much more masculine he had become. Palo was now taller, more handsome and a smooth talker than she last recalled. His satin-gray eyes, held a much more dangerous yet attractive glint in them than they'd ever been. He was her happiness, the blessed fruit of her union with her husband.
"Mother, you're staring." Palo's voice laced with a soft chuckle, cut her off from her thoughts and brought her back to the present.
"I know, I'm just amazed by how much you've grown." She said. "You remind me so much of your father in his youth." Isabel added and Palo turned sideways to look at her.
"I'll see father in a moment." He smiled and returned his gaze to the photo. "I can't wait to meet her." He added, a faraway look appeared in his eyes and his smile broaden again.
FLASHBACK
Click! Click!! Click!!!
His camera sounded several times as he took photos of the beautiful lady that was being escorted into the villa.
From his hideout in a discreetly parked car few blocks away from the villa, he stared at his camera and a smirk appeared at a corner of his lips.
He raised his hooded shaped satin-gray eyes from the camera and stared intensely at the retreating figure of the lady.
"Truly, she looks just like her." He muttered.
PRESENTLY
Palo was thankful he had seen her for the first time that day, the moment he had flown into the country from Japan and heard about the famous mystery canal lady and his Dad had instructed him to help him take a look discreetly.
"Scarlett Heidi Grey..." He muttered softly, as though tasting the name on his tongue. And then he smiled again.
______
Harriet was in Scarlett's room, rummaging through her properties when she heard the sound of the door opening. Her heart skipped beats and she momentarily froze on her act. She was about to open the shelf by the vanity when she heard the sound of a door opening.
What do I do? What do I do? She yelled within herself, her eyes and brain making a million escape route calculations.
"I can't get caught!" She panicked within her.