shuhaige
13
Nelly’s phone rang, breaking the silence of the night. The sound echoed through the office, making her heart race with anticipation. It was Donna, her voice filled with excitement.
“Mommy, have you finished work?” Donna’s words carried a sense of urgency, as if she had been waiting for this very moment.
With a hint of mischief, Nelly replied, “You’ve called me just in time. What else can I say?”
A glimmer of hope filled Donna’s voice as she asked, “Does that mean you’re not working overtime today?”
Nelly’s response was firm and unwavering. “No, I don’t have to work overtime. I’ll be there to pick you up later.”
Joy overflowed in Donna’s words. “Yeah! We’ll wait for you, then!”
The call ended, and Nelly swiftly gathered her belongings, clocked out, and left the office. The night was dark and mysterious, the moon casting an eerie glow upon the empty streets.
Nelly’s destination was a school, nestled in a secluded area. The drive seemed longer than usual, as if time itself was taunting her. When she finally arrived, the school was nearly deserted, with only a few stragglers lingering behind.
She dialed Donna’s number, her voice echoing through the silence. “I’m here. Where are you guys?”
There was a pause on the other end of the line, and then Donna’s voice spilled into her ear. “Oops! I forgot to tell you, Mommy. Gramps came and fetched us earlier.”
Disappointment tinged Nelly’s tone as she asked, “So, what should I do now?”
Before she could fully comprehend the situation, a voice emerged from above her. “You are Donna’s mom, Nelly, aren’t you?”
Startled, Nelly lifted her head to see a tall figure standing before her. He exuded confidence and power, his presence commanding attention. It was the director of school affairs, a man with an air of mystery surrounding him.
Clad in black, he seemed unearthly, like a creature of the night. His features were sharp and alluring, reminiscent of a famous actor. Donna’s infatuation with him suddenly made sense.
A soft chuckle danced on the other end of the line as Donna spoke. “Mommy, enjoy your chat with him. I’m hanging up now!”
Nelly’s phone clicked off, leaving her alone with the enigmatic man. She reluctantly pocketed her phone and nodded in acknowledgment. “Yes, that’s me.”
The man introduced himself as Zachary Lucas, his voice smooth and captivating. Nelly couldn’t help but notice his sincere and gentle gaze, which seemed to hold a depth of understanding.
Zachary explained that Donna had asked him to wait for Nelly and inform her that her grandfather had already picked up the children. Nelly feigned gratitude, masking her true frustration at the lie she was forced to tell.
A glimmer of amusement danced in Zachary’s eyes as he extended his hand. “I’m Zachary Lucas.”
Nelly shook his hand, an air of politeness shrouding their interaction. “I’m Nelly Jackson.”
Zachary’s next words caught her off guard. “I know, since Donna talks about you often.”
A rush of embarrassment washed over Nelly, unsure of how to navigate this unfamiliar territory. She had faced danger and darkness, but now she stood before a handsome gentleman, unsure of herself.
His suggestion startled her. “Shall we go for a cup of coffee?”
Confusion filled her mind. Was this what Donna had wanted? Zachary seemed to read her thoughts and added, “Isn’t this what Donna wanted? I thought we could fulfill her wish.”
Nelly couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation. “Okay, let’s go.”
With a gesture towards his parked car, they made their way towards the unknown. As they sat in the car, Nelly couldn’t help but notice Zachary’s grace and elegance. Every move he made exuded sophistication and charm.
Conversation flowed effortlessly between them. Zachary remarked on their recent return from abroad, showing a genuine interest in their experiences. Nelly nodded, affirming their shared knowledge.
He paused for a moment, his gaze fixed upon her. “It must be quite a challenge, looking after three kids all by yourself.”
Nelly couldn’t help but smile, knowing the truth all too well. “To be honest, it’s more of a challenge for them to take care of me.”
Laughter erupted from Zachary, his laughter contagious. “All your three kids are lovable and sensible.”
Nelly couldn’t agree more. “Indeed, they are truly adorable.”
Lost in their conversation, they soon arrived at the cafe Zachary had mentioned. It stood in stark contrast to the dark night, its warm lights inviting them in. They entered, ready to embark on an unexpected journey together. The atmosphere within the dimly lit cafe was soothing, with a touch of elegance. Zachary and Nelly chose a table near the window, their eyes glinting with secrets.
As they ordered from the mysterious menu, their voices intertwined with hushed tones.
Unbeknownst to them, at that very moment, Alpha Kilian’s car slowly passed by outside. His head throbbed from the previous night’s revelries, fueling his irritability. Yet, fate led his gaze to the window, where Nelly sat, accompanied by a man.
“Stop the car,” he commanded abruptly, his voice laced with a hint of authority.
The driver obeyed without question, bringing the vehicle to an abrupt halt.
Alpha Kilian, positioned in a way that granted him full view of the two inside the cafe, observed their every move with a wolfish intensity.
Seated beside him, Lara furrowed her brow in puzzlement, her attention drawn to Alpha Kilian’s peculiar behavior. When she followed his gaze, her eyes widened in comprehension.
It seemed that the very things they wished to avoid were inevitably unfolding before them.
Witnessing Alpha Kilian’s emotional turmoil, Lara took a deep breath and averted her gaze. “I went to Prosper Technologies earlier today,” she offered, breaking the tense silence.
Alpha Kilian turned to face her, his eyes burning with curiosity.
“I had a conversation with a certain Ms. Jackson… who demanded a million,” Lara continued, her tone tinged with caution.
Alpha Kilian’s face contorted in a frown. “And what did you say?”
“I have no knowledge of this woman’s connection to you, but I didn’t want her to disturb your peace. So, I paid her off,” Lara replied, her voice steady and resolute.
Alpha Kilian found it hard to believe. “Did she take the money?”
Lara thought about Nelly’s actions and concluded that it didn’t matter how she handled the money. She knew Nelly had accepted it.
Nodding slightly, Lara confirmed, “She took it.” Then, with a hint of worry, she added, “It appears that she has set her sights on a new target.”
Alpha Kilian’s expression darkened further, his countenance mirroring the storm brewing within him.
Lara reminded him sternly, “Alpha Kilian, our company is in the midst of expanding. Your emotions should not hinder our projects. Negative news will have dire consequences for our plans.”
Silence lingered in the air, but Alpha Kilian remained unresponsive. In that moment, none of Lara’s words seemed to penetrate the turmoil within him.
Nelly…
During their divorce, he had offered her money, but she vehemently refused to accept a single cent.
And yet now, she had accepted a million? Ha… Impressive, indeed.
“Continue driving,” Alpha Kilian finally ordered, his voice firm.
The driver obeyed, seamlessly resuming their journey. Lara sat by his side, studying him intently, yet refraining from further words.
Deep within her, she knew that Alpha Kilian would never show interest in the woman who had accepted her payout.
Whatever their shared past, it was truly over now.
As she clutched the information in her hands, Lara couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief.
Meanwhile, Zachary and Nelly engaged in a heartfelt conversation, their voices blending seamlessly in the confined space of the cafe.
Zachary exuded tenderness and care, making Nelly feel safe not only physically but also emotionally.
Nelly, an open book without pretense, basked in the comfort of their conversation. They felt like old friends meeting for the first time, their connection heartfelt and genuine.
With few friends of her own, Nelly found herself drawn to Zachary’s genuine nature.
Deep down, she knew that this man had the potential to bring her happiness, be it as a friend or a lover.
As they continued to chat, Nelly’s honesty took center stage. “Honestly, I think you’ve been deceived by Donna. My phone was perfectly fine. She tricked you into waiting for me.”
Zachary’s response held no surprise. “Actually, she deceived you, not me!”
“Really?” Nelly questioned, her curiosity piqued.
“She spoke of you to me every day, arousing my curiosity. So, I expressed my desire to meet you, and she helped me,” Zachary explained calmly.
Nelly couldn’t help but feel astonished. No one had put in such effort for her before.
“So, it seems that you are the one being deceived,” Zachary clarified.
Finally understanding the whole story, Nelly nodded in agreement. “Ah, I see.”
“I hope you’re not upset about it,” Zachary added.
“No, not at all,” Nelly shook her head, a smile gracing her lips. “I don’t mind meeting a handsome man.”
Zachary, with his striking looks reminiscent of a movie star, captivated Nelly’s attention. She had always admired handsome men, so this encounter delighted her.
After their time together, as the clock struck nine in the evening, Zachary prepared to drive her home.
As the car came to a stop, Nelly turned to him and bid him farewell. “It’s getting late, so I won’t invite you inside. Drive safely back.”
Zachary nodded. “May we have a meal together soon?”
Her smile brightening, Nelly eagerly responded, “Yes, definitely! I would love to have lunch or dinner with such a handsome man.”
“Let’s exchange contact information then, shall we?” Zachary suggested, retrieving his phone. “Is WhatsApp acceptable?”NôvelDrama.Org content rights.
Suddenly, Nelly realized that they had engaged in lengthy conversation without ever exchanging contact details.
Quickly, she retrieved her own phone and allowed him to scan her information.
After adding each other to their contact lists, Zachary said, “I’ve sent you my number. If you ever need anything, just give me a call.”
“I will,” Nelly assured him.
“Goodbye then,” Zachary murmured, his eyes reflecting a reluctance to part.
Nelly nodded in response. “Yes.”
With that, Zachary smiled, turned to his car, and drove away, his presence fading into the distance.
As the dust settled and Nelly prepared to head upstairs, another car appeared in the distance, hurtling towards her.
Caught off guard, Nelly’s mind raced as the car screeched to a stop just a meter away.
In the next heartbeat, Alpha Kilian emerged from the vehicle, his fury palpable.
Recognizing his frenzied figure, Nelly’s brows furrowed, her voice dripping with indignation. “Alpha Kilian, have you lost your mind?”
Alpha Kilian sneered, his rage consuming him. “Yes, if I am insane now, it’s because you drive me to madness.” With a sudden, forceful movement, he pulled her into his arms and pressed his lips forcefully against hers.