CHAPTER 3

IT WAS ALL A SET UP

Flora widened her eyes as her body trembled in fear. She gazed at the man who just returned to his couch and was seated comfortably, lazily flicking his cigarette as if nothing happened.

She shook her head. She still can't believe that this was the same man that had promised to love her till death do them part.

Now, he is only ruthless and cruel, his heart only guided by his desires for wealth and fame.

She held the papers and breathed deeply.

At this point, she knows that she has only one option; either to choose her grandfather's wealth and risk her life, or she protects her life and loses the wealth.

She looked at the man who had allowed his greed to consume him. Since she knows that choosing her grandfather's shares will make her lose her life, she swallowed painfully and nodded.

"Fine. I'll sign it." She said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Without hesitation, she took out a pen from her bag and scribbled her signature decisively.

As soon as Richard took the divorce agreement, his lips curled up in a contented smile as if he had just won a life long thicket to unbeatable wealth.

"Good of you." He leaned and whispered coldly.

"Now, if you read through the agreement, you'll see where it stated that you're not leaving with a penny from the company or the mansion. Secondly, you're to vacate this building on or before 12:00 noon tomorrow, and you're not to carry anything other than your clothes and other minor belongings." He added.

Flora gagged ceaselessly, her tears flowing like a river. An oppressive chill came up her spine as she packed her belongings that night. The pain of all she had passed through from morning still lingered in her head, and she had to vacate the house and lodge in a hotel that night.

She had texted Debby and one of her distant aunts about the unfortunate incident that has made her lose her marriage, now rendering her homeless.

Immediately, her aunt suggested for her to come over to Mexico and live with her.

She felt a wave of relief surged through her body. After all, she's also exhausted with living among the same people and features that ruined her life.

Besides, if not for the respect of her grandfather's dying wish, she would have called off her wedding to Richard long before it happened.

His insincerity has always been evident in his attitude since their courtship days.

At some point, Richard began to act weird as one who's forced in a relationship against his will. But she chose to ignore those signs whenever she remembers the good days that he promised heaven on earth.

As she got ready to check out in the morning, she discovered that her wallet was nowhere to be found inside her bag.

‘Fuck!’ She has forgotten it in one of the drawers in the Wilson's mansion.

She had to book a boat immediately to drive her down the one mansion she's been warned and threatened never to visit again.

As she walked past the garden, approaching the silver coated front door, her ear lopes perked up as her attention got caught by the chattering of familiar voices around the garden cooling spot.

Those were the voices of Clara and her ex mother-in-law alongside Debby's.

"Hope you're satisfied now, sweetheart. Richard is finally a complete single man. Hope you don't have to feel guilty anymore?" Henya asked.

Those words left Flora dumbfounded.

She tip toes closer to have a clear view of everything.

There, she saw Debby cross her legs and blushed in a contented manner. "Sure Mama. My dad has even decided to invest in the Wilson's Swift Holdings. He couldn't contain his happiness when I told him I'm soon going to be part of the Wilsons." She admitted.

"That's the best news I've heard in a long time! My dear, with your dad's investment in the company, it will make Richard's influence to be incontestable! I knew you were going to be my favourite daughter in-law!" Henya clapped.

"Thank you mama." Debby nodded happily.

"Such a great pleasure for us to finally be a family, right? Trust me when I tell you guys that I know the best way to get rid of that bitch!" Clara chipped in.

Flora squeezed her eyes shut to force back the tears that were threatening to fall. Her feet became deeply rooted as the voices replayed in her head.

Those words sunk more than they should have, not because they were harsh, but because they were unexpected.

‘I’ve cried enough. It's high time I move on with my life.’ She mumbled.

She blinked, and everything flashed back in her head. The connection in events was unconcealable. It was Clara who suggested for them to stop at the restaurant to get her favourite drink before they reach home.

She had left Clara and Debby to use the restroom, and the moment she returned and sipped her remaining wine, her eyes began to get blurry, only for her to wake up naked on a hotel bed without any man at sight.

‘So, this was all Henya and Clara's plan, huh?’ They wanted Richard to divorce me and give Debby a spot, all because her father is interested in investing with the Wilson's holding.’

Flora's heart throbbed painfully at their words and her eyes stung.

At that moment, she lost every bit of patience and walked up to them, her face engulfed in resentment.

Debby was startled, and so was Clara and her mother.

From the look of Flora's twisted face, they already knew that she had successfully eavesdropped on their conversation. Now, the only option for them is to be cruel and show her their true colours.

"Oh, so you still got some nerves to show your disgusting face here, huh?" Henya cursed, her eyes red like a burning iron.

Clara pouted with a smirk, "Don't be too dramatic, Flora! Do you think my brother would stick to you for long just because he's married to some rich spoiled brat?"

Flora scoffed.

‘Spoilt brat? Wow! Isn't this the same family that has always praised me for being kind and humble despite my wealthy background?’ She thought to herself.

How easy it is for humans to change. These were the same people that resorted to all sorts of begging when she suggested that their wedding be paused until she clocks twenty five. Their constant persuasion for fear of losing her to another man forced her to reconsider her decision, making her end up walking down the aisle at twenty two.

She blinked.

"So, you...you all planned and framed me up, right? What did I ever do to deserve this evil from you guys?" Flora asked, her head spinning in disbelief as she gazed at their unapologetic faces.

"Oh, my dearest Flora..." Debby chuckled.

"Do you think Richard was really interested in you? Wise up girl... He was only after your grandfather's wealth! And you're nothing but just a ladder for him to climb up the governor's position in the Wilson's Swift Holdings. It is me that he truly loves!" She added, waving her fingers over Flora's face to show her the expensive engagement ring Richard had given her.

"Mummy, why are we still allowing this lunatic to express her dirty self here? Shouldn't she be on the streets by now?" Clara snapped.

"Sure, you're right." Henya nodded.

"Now, get out of here, Flora! You're divorced, and it's stated that you're no longer welcomed here beyond 12:00 noon." Henya pushed her off.

Flora smiled with an unbridled coldness.

"I'm only here for my passport and IDs. Once I get that, I'll be out of here for good!" She snapped.

"Fine. Direct Clara to where you kept it and she'll get it for you. I need you to go as far as you can from this place!" Henya warned.

“And what will you do if I don't?” Flora raised a brow.

‘What?’ Henya rolled her gaze at Clara and Debby. They were utterly surprised at Flora's sudden confidence in talking back.

Even during their highschool days, Debby had always known Flora to be fragile and indecisive, always avoiding any occasion that'll make her want to exchange words with anyone.

As soon as Flora grabbed her IDs and turned to take her leave, Debby marched behind her and grabbed her arms violently.

"Flora, take it or leave it. Richard only married you because of what he has to gain. And in all honesty, you don't deserve him, not even for a day!" She chuckled.

Flora lowered her head, a faint bitterness spreading across her lips as she glared at the woman that has always been her best friend for more than a decade. But now, all that is written over her is hypocrisy and hatred.

"I have no vocabulary to waste on you for now." Flora said and tried to free her arms from Debby's grip.

"Come back here, Flora! How dare you walk away without answering my question?" Debby dragged her back, digging her long nails painfully into Flora's flesh.

Flora turned violently and raised her hand to give her a resounding slap, but Debby instantly grabbed her hand before it landed on her face. "Who the hell do you think you are to slap me, Flora? I only took over what belongs to me! I am the woman destined to become Mrs. Wilson and not you!" Debby barked.

“And I'm not contesting that position with you. Am I?”

Debby was stunned at Flora's sudden willingness to let go of Richard without any chaos.

‘Wait, was she being insincere when she told me that she won't trade Richard for anything? Or…is there something hidden about the Wilsons that I'm not aware of?***’ Different ugly thoughts ran helter-skelter down Debby's mind.

"So, you conspired with them to ruin my life last night? Alongside Richard, right?" Flora couldn't hold her tears, the pains returned fresh, stroking her heart like a knife.

Seeing her tears, Debby heaved a sigh of relief.

‘At least, she's feeling hurt to some extent.’ she thought.

But there was still something about Flora's expression that Debby couldn't lay her hands on.

Well, she's confident that Flora can't even fight back, because she's got nothing to herself.

But still, those tears don't look hurtful enough.

“But do you really have to go that far to plot against me just to marry Richard?” Flora asked again.

Debby tilted her head toward Flora.

"Yes. That's because Richard and I have been in love with each other long before you came into the picture. Even the fire accident and the collapse of his side business was fake. I needed money as of then to fix my life, because I am the one who has been satisfying him in bed all this while!" Debby declared.

"But too bad for you, Flora.

You've signed the divorce already. So even as you know the truth now, what more can you do?”

CHAPTER 4

THIRSTY FOR REVENGE

"You're right. There's absolutely nothing I can do ." Flora nodded in affirmation. She raised her eyebrows slowly, blood cursing through her body as her heart slammed against her ribs.

She looked at Debby with utter disgust.

So, all this while, Richard has been sleeping with her best friend and would always use too much office work as an excuse to keep late nights, just to have his way with his mistress?

"So, who was that man, Debby? Who was the bastard that you arranged for me last night?" Flora asked, her voice stern and filled with hatred.

"Oh that?" Debby chuckled.

"Is there still any need for you to know?”

“Well if you insist, the truth is that…we hired a gigolo to devour you that night, but when he returned, he told us that he found another man in the room already, so he couldn't carry out the assignment."

"What?" Flora exclaimed.

"Yeah. So for now, I have no idea of the man that screwed and lick your clit* overnight. Whether he's short, tall, young, old, handsome or ugly, only your imaginations can answer that, little bitch! All we know is that another man successfully pulled your pants down." Debby sniggered, her voice devoid of any remorse.

"That's such a big lie!" Flora argued.

"I know what I'll do. The surveillance cameras of the hotel will definitely give me the detailed history of everything!" Flora said and began to walk away with deliberate steps.

"Bad news." Debby's condescending voice echoed. "The hotel's surveillance cameras happened to develop some serious mechanical fault yesterday. What a terrible coincidence, right?" She smirked.

Flora swallowed painfully.

‘These people are exceptionally smart! They really know how to play their card without flaws.’ She cursed inwardly.

Flora paused after taking some steps away from the garden and turned to glance at the Wilson's mansion for the last time. Her eyes suddenly shifted to meet the gazes of the very people that have betrayed her.

But now, all the tinge of sadness in her heart has completely vanished.

All that is left of her now is how to pick up her pieces and move on for good.

"I regret ever knowing you, Debby! I hate you all!" She cursed and left.

Watching Flora's slender body depart the Wilson's mansion, the three women looked at each other and bursted out into a mocking laughter.

Finally, they have succeeded in evading the obstacle to their dirty games.

***

While staying in Mexico with her aunt, Flora’s world came crumbling when she discovered that a seed was growing in her belly. The realisation of this even felt more hurtful than getting divorce without a penny.

How can she ever overcome the trauma of getting pregnant for a man she has no knowledge of?

She was certain that the little life she was carrying was not Richard's, because since their wedding night, Richard has not failed to use protection before having any intimacy with her.

In spite of all, she still did everything possible to put her past behind and hustle to bring out a better version of herself. Even if not for anything, she has to be strong and give her son a better life.

******

Six years later, at the well lit modern international airport, Flora took a deep breath before opening her eyes and looking at the environment around her.

Finally, this day has arrived, a day she can mingle with people in high society as she always does while growing up.

The atmosphere in the environment was harmonious.

At the airport, two young ladies held a welcome card. It was written, Chief Designer of Deluxe Arts, Flora Blake.

The ladies hung the cards on their neck, rolling their eyes over all the feminine faces as they searched frenzily for the woman they've been asked to welcome.

They keep rolling their eyes between their phones and the faces of young dignified women in the surrounding, hoping to see an exact match of the woman in their gallery.

From the description given to them by the woman's aunt, their expectation was to see an honourable woman appear in a sophisticated dress that would signal her presence in the midst of thousands, but their assumptions were wrong.

Suddenly, they spotted a casually dressed woman approaching.

Her perfect blonde long hair and cute white eyes still complimented her exceptional looks. Beside her, a little boy of approximately five years old was happily pushing a cart containing a small briefcase and a mini side bag.

Among the children in the environment, the boy's figure stood out. He has exquisite facial features and his eyes were cute and white like his mother's.

No one who sighted the little boy would not pause and give a remark after a second look. His cute pink lips and a well shaped nose were just the exact features of those rich kids usually pictured on a magazine cover as models.

"Wow! This boy is overloaded with good looks."

"I guess he took after his father. Because his looks are too good to be compared with his mother's.***" Different comments stem up in whispers from the people around.

Flora took a deep breath and squeezed her eyes shut, the moment she heard the whispers of her son taking after his father's looks.

Those words only reminded her of how she ended up birthing a child that she has no clue of who the father is, presenting her with the hurtful past she thought she had forgotten.

If not for her aunt's persuasion for her to return to New York after helping her secure a better job offer at a friend's design company, Flora wouldn't have wanted anything to do with the city until she's completely healed from her past.

She quickly took out her glass case to put on her dark sunglasses to hide the tears that were threatening to fall.

"Mummy. Don't you think those two ladies over there are here to pick us up? They've long been staring at us and whispering to each other. You told me that you're resuming a new job as a chief designer, right?" The little boy noted, pointing at the tags hanging on the ladies' necks with his mother's name boldly written on them.

Flora pursed her lips and smiled enigmatically. One thing she cherishes a lot about her son is his high IQ and the way he reasons smartly like an adult.

Well, just the thought of this reduces her resentment whenever her past comes flashing at her. At least, even though she's a single mother, she's got the cutest little boy in the whole world.

Flora followed the two ladies as they led her towards the chauffeur, who drove them with the moderate speed like she's always done when she was driving in the past, until they alighted a tall, magnificent building with shining silver gate. It looks like an estate with many flats of similar structure.

"Welcome to the Deluxe design estate ma'am. As instructed by the chairman, this will be your apartment for now." One of the ladies said as they walked to the frontage of one of the biggest and newest flats amongst the houses.

Wow! Flora exclaimed, her heart pulsating in awe of the large

apartment she never thought of occupying anytime soon.

In the evening, she decided to go out on a stroll with her little boy to at least get familiar with the environment before she resumes work the next morning.

"Hey mummy, look over there! I love that building. It looks really beautiful." Her little son remarked, pointing at a largely built pyramidal structure. Its exquisite external features were top notch, making it easy to spot among all the large buildings on the street.

Flora raised her brows. "Wow, it actually looks so..." She paused when her eyes shifted to the large sign post at the gate.

It reads, "Welcome to the Wilsons Swift Holdings. (The right place to satisfy your high luxury taste.)"

Her jaws dropped. She took a deep breath to calm her rising heartbeat down.

‘Wait, How did the Wilson's Swift Holdings relocate to this street?’ She couldn't believe her eyes.

Immediately, she swiped her phone and typed the full information about the Wilson's Swift Holdings in her google search.

There, she saw what almost broke her to pieces. The Wilson's Swift Holdings has just recently built this new site and converted it to their permanent site.

She squeezed her eyes and swallowed hard.

Everything reminded her of how she lost her inheritance to the bastards that own this company because of their evil set up.

She didn't expect that her new company would be in close proximity to that of the same people that brought heavy emotional damage to her.

At some point, she thought of resigning and searching for another job in a distant location, but then, a strong voice from deep within her heart cautioned, ‘Why should you resign your job for the same monsters that you've been anxiously waiting for a time to destroy? Shouldn't this be the best opportunity for you to monitor their every move and know how to strike a balance between their strengths and weaknesses?’ She let out a wicked smirk as she took off her glasses to have a glaring view of the building before they returned home.

CHAPTER 5

THE LEAST EXPECTED

"I've once lost everything to you, Richard, I won't let your presence in this town torment my existence anymore." Flora mumbled to herself as the taxi drove past Wilson's building when she headed for work in the morning.

"Isn't Miss Blake aware that she is supposed to be at the company on or before 9:00 am? This is just two minutes to nine o'clock and I haven't seen any trace of her." A woman who just descended began to rant as she approached the reception.

The receptionist was about to answer when Flora identified herself swiftly, moving closer to the woman.

"Hi ma'am. I'm sorry if you got the wrong impression of me. I've..." Flora was trying to explain herself when the woman cut in, her mouth agape as she rolled her widened eyes over Flora.

"Wait, are you Flora Blake?" The woman asked.

"Sure. I don't match up to your expectations, right?" Flora smiled.

It was still unbelievable for many people that a woman could become an executive designer at such a young age.

"Pardon my manners." The woman said with a smile, stretching her hands towards Flora for a shake.

"I'm Bianca Franklin. My superior sent me to check and be sure that you didn't miss your way to the office." The lady explained. She still feels bad within her for ranting at first without confirmation, because she had actually seen Flora some minutes ago at the receptionist before the superior started asking after her.

"Miss Katherine, you can hold on with the documentation for now. She needs to follow me." Bianca instructed the receptionist before gesturing with her eyes for Flora to follow her.

As they began to move towards the elevator, her eyes suddenly fell on the little boy who was tightly clinging himself to Flora.

"He's your little brother, right?" The woman asked casually.

"No, ma'am. I'm not mommy's little brother. I'm her only son! You can as well call me Daniel, or Dan in short." The little boy retorted sharply before his mother could even say a word.

"Wow!" The people at the reception chorused and bursted out with laughter at the boy's confidence.

"He's so intelligent." A lady remarked.

"Awww, I'm in love with the kid already. How I wish, my first child will be as smart as this." Katherine, the chief receptionist added.

Flora looked down and winked at him.

Before they left home, she had already told him to maintain silence no matter what people say, but it seems like that'll be a very difficult task to achieve for the little boy.

If not for the fact that they just moved into the environment, she would have enrolled him in a day care and saved herself the stress of answering too many questions from people.

Bianca rolled her eyes again at Flora. She looks so young to have birth a child of that age and still able to go far in her career.

"Pardon his manners. His name is Daniel Blake. He's actually my son." Flora explained.

Bianca couldn't get her eyes off him as they went into the elevator.

As soon as they approached the superiors office, Flora's mind began to beat, she didn't know how the woman would react if she had also conceived a wrong impression of her as a late comer to work on the first day.

When they entered, a middle aged woman was seated, sipping a cup of coffee as she rolled on the spinning chair.

"You are –Miss Flora Blake?" The woman asked, her voice laced with surprise just like the way others did the moment they saw her.

"Yes ma'am." Flora nodded and proceeded to introduce herself properly.

"Wow. And this is your son, I guess?" The woman asked again, and Flora nodded.

Flora wasn't surprised that the woman already knows much about her because she's aware of the woman's connection to her aunt. And before the woman offered her the job, her aunt had communicated details of Flora's escapade to her already.

Little Dan began to smile. For the first time, someone didn't get his identity mixed up as his mother's brother.

"You may excuse us for now, Bianca." The woman said before shifting her gaze to Flora.

"I'm Elizabeth Briggs. And before you start, I'd love to advise that you put your past behind and focus on giving us a productive result.***" The woman continued.

"If you ever need any help, I'm always here for you." She concluded.

Flora heaved a huge sigh of relief as she walked out of the office. She didn't expect that Elizabeth would be such a calm woman.

But it seems like her past life has also contributed a significant part of her kindness.

Elizabeth is a woman in her late forties that was once in an abusive marriage, and that's why the moment Flora's aunt pleaded with her to give Flora a job, she didn't hesitate to grant her request.

Before Flora returned home, almost all the employees at Davy's Design Hub seemed to like her because of her son.

She used the two weeks break given to her to explore more about the city, the changes that have occurred while she was away and also made research on other design companies and how she can make theirs to be outstanding among others.

Three days before Flora would resume her work fully, she got a call from Ms. Elizabeth.

"Flora, can you be at the office tomorrow? We have a business meeting with a very important client that I can't afford to reschedule."

“Alright.” Flora affirmed without a hesitation.

Besides, she's back to New York to work and earn a decent living for herself and her son.

Flora walked into Elizabeth's office as early as 8:00 am the next morning.

"Miss Blake. Sorry for cutting your break short, but this client is very important, and I don't want us to miss out on striking a deal with her." Elizabeth explained.

"So, how did she want us to serve her?" Flora asked.

"She need a customised ring and a portrait for her husband as an anniversary gift."

"Wow. That sounds lovely. We'll surely give her the best." Flora assured. But immediately, Elizabeth's expression turned gloomy, throwing Flora into a state of confusion.

"Miss Blake, this customer you're going to serve, I've once had a deal with her, and I can tell you, she's very difficult to deal with. In fact, she's the most difficult client we've ever had because her taste is too high. That's why we always charge her five times the amount we charge other clients, and she doesn't hesitate to pay so long as the work is delivered in a way that'll please her." Elizabeth explained.

"That's never going to be a big deal, ma'am. Trust me, once I give a sample, she'll lose her sense of difficulty because it'll be perfect beyond her imagination."

Flora said with an assuring smile.

She was so confident about her designs because she knows that since she started her design career seriously, no client has ever complained of dissatisfaction over her services.

"Thanks for your assurance, Miss Blake. The client is already waiting for you in the room conference" Elizabeth concluded, before Flora began to take her leave.

As soon as she reached the door, she paused and turned to Elizabeth, as if she just remembered something. "Miss Elizabeth , may I know how I should address the client?"

"Oh, that. You can call her Mrs. Wilson." Elizabeth replied.

The name Mrs Wilson caused Flora's mind to skip. Her heart began to pound heavily in her chest. 'Mrs. Wilson? I hope she's not a member of the same Wilson's family that I know?' Flora thought to herself.