LOVE, LIES AND REVENGE

CHAPTER 2

Andre lay sprawled on the bed, his eyes following the woman from last night. Her bare back moved gracefully as she strolled into the bathroom, her steps unhurried, radiating a quiet confidence as she went to freshen up.

Another woman laid next to him, snuggled in close. Her body curved around his and her head resting on his chest. She lay sideways, her legs bent, and her feet tucked up while her arms were wrapped around him, holding him gently as he reclined on the bed, back against the pillows.

"We should do this more often,” the woman said before entering the bathroom and shutting the door gently behind her.

Andre smiles and admires what a night he had in his head, but also thinks of a way to get the women out of the house.

Moments later, there was a gentle knock from the other side of the room door followed by a soft voice.

"Master Andre? Mrs. Wilde calls for you” one of the maids calls out with a clear voice.

Andre sighs softly in relief. This was the opening he needed to finally get rid of the women he had just been with.

Andre Wilde was a young adult in his prime and the current CEO of Wild-Inc, living together with his family - Parents and younger siblings, in order to demonstrate commitment to preserve the family’s legacy and business.

The family resided in their grand estate, a sprawling mansion that had been their family’s home for generations. Despite living under the same opulent roof, their individual pursuits kept them apart, making their interactions feel like rare events and the mansion's vast spaces made it easier.

"Tell mother I’ll be right out!” He replies to the maid as he jumps out of bed trying to get some clothes on.

"Alright ladies, this was fun,” Andre said as he hastily threw on some clothes, trying to get dressed while ushering the girls out the door. He was eager to see them go.

"Goodbye Andre,” says the woman snuggled up with him earlier, leaving a gentle imprint of her lips on his as she walked towards the front door.

"Later, beautiful,” Andre replied with a soft smile.

"Last night was fun,” the other woman says, walking up to him to give him a kiss.

"Yes it was, beautiful” Andre replied after the goodbye kiss, with a little more haste this time, his anticipation mounted, building from a simmer to a boil as he waited for them to leave.

With a confident swagger, she closed the distance between them, her eyes locked on his with fierce determination, "I’ve told you before, and I’ll say it again."

"I have a name, and my name is Claire,” she whispers, right before pressing her lips to his with a fierce intensity, as if trying to convey a message that words alone couldn’t express. Her hand wrapped around his jaw and her thumb traced the curve of his ear.

With a slow, seductive smile, she backed away, her body language a clear message: "Look at me, Andre."

Andre is relieved as she finally leaves and wonders why his mother needed him. "This probably has something to do with the big meeting on Monday with those investors,” he thought to himself.

It was a sunny Saturday morning and Andre’s usual Saturday morning routine required running for a bit with his dog, and doing some light workout.

He proceeds to the gym built on the other side of the compound, ignoring the fact that his mother, who was part of the board for their company, requested for him.

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

Chompers, a Great Dane species Andre has had for over 5 years now, a bundle of energy, trots alongside Andre as he jogged, leaving the quiet high-end residential streets filled with mansions behind, and enters into the vibrant city surrounded by bustling shops, cafes and towering buildings.

After going at it for a couple of miles, they stop for a while, taking the usual break at the usual stop where Andre gets a protein bar for stamina.

He sinks onto the nearest wooden bench, Chompers still on his leash. He tears open the wrapper of his protein bar with a practiced gesture, as he takes a bite, his eyes closed in appreciation, savoring the sweet, nutty flavor and the boost of energy it promises.

Andre’s attention wavered for a split second and that was all the time Chompers needed to make a break for it.

Before Andre could react, Chompers had already taken off, his tail wagging wildly as he explored the surrounding area with unrestrained excitement.

"Chompers, you get back here!” Andre exclaimed, setting his protein bar wrapper aside and taking off after his adventurous dog.

Andre already knew he was beaten. His legs, still recovering from the run, couldn't keep up with Chomper’s sudden sprint. He watched Chompers dart through the crowd, leash trailing behind him.

Andre finally caught up to Chompers, his chest heaving with exhaustion and heart racing. He bent over, hands on knees, and out of breath.

He caught his breath and his heart rate slowed, clarity began to return. The foggy haze lifted, and Andre's thoughts snapped back into focus. He could finally think straight again, only to look up and realize it was a young beautiful woman who had come to his aid, holding the leash of Chompers.

The 32-inch Great Dane, usually a rambunctious dog, transformed into the epitome of good manners and gentleness as this woman stood before him. Instead of his usual boisterous greeting, Chompers offered a dignified sniff, followed by a soft nuzzle, his snout gently bumping against the woman’s hand.

Words refused to come out of Andre, "Did I just come across the most beautiful woman on the planet?” he thought to himself as he watched her get friendly with his dog.

She was everything he loved his women to look like.

She stood just inches above 5ft, a petite vision of elegance. Piercing blue eyes sparkled beneath her blonde hair, which framed her face and fell just above her neck. Wearing a white, curve-hugging gown showcasing her toned figure, accentuating her confident stride and poised demeanor. With each movement, she exuded finesse and sophistication, her warm smile hinting at a beautiful soul within, basically what Andre loved to see in a woman.

"You could just say thank you, instead of staring,” the woman tells Andre as she notices his eyes devouring her.

"I’ve never seen him get so friendly with anyone, and this quickly too,” he replies, his voice dripping with confidence, intentionally brushing off the fact that he’s supposed to be thankful.

"I happen to have that effect on people too,” she replies, following up on Andre’s cockiness as she rubs Chompers on the head. "You should pay more attention to your dog next time, Sir.”

Andre Wlide, a famous billionaire, was surprised as the lady spoke to him with a disarmingly casual ease, her voice free from the usual undertones of awe or sycophancy, treating him like an ordinary person. Her casual tone caught him off guard, and he found himself enjoying the rare, refreshing exchange.

"Seems like you're not from around here, because you wouldn’t address me that way if you knew who…” Andre tries to brag before getting interrupted.

"I know who you are, Andre Wilde, someone just has to tell you to be more careful." She says calmly, yet with a bold tone.

She lets Chompers go after noticing him furtively wagging his tail as he inched forward, whining softly with his eyes fixed on Andre.

Andre bent down, arms open wide, and scooped up his eager dog. "Never scare me like that again,” he whispers to himself.

By the time Andre gets up, he looks around for the woman he was just talking to, but she was gone. He scanned the surroundings, puzzled, wondering when she had slipped away, leaving only the faint memory of their conversation.

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

Andre finally gets home after jogging back with Chompers, and he meets his mother waiting for him to have the conversation he avoided before leaving.

"We live in a mansion. How do I end up running into you immediately when I get in. If this is about the meeting on Monday, I got it!” Andre addresses his mother in a way to show his displeasure.

"I saw the women you came back with last night, Dre” Grace replies, her hands were clasped gently in front of her, her fingers intertwined in a relaxed grasp. Her facial expression was serene, yet serious, with a hint of warmth in her eyes.

"When are you going to stop living like this, Andre” Grace continues. "You were supposed to have settled down by now, and these women you come home with every night? When will all this stop?”

"Why don’t you go and talk to your other children then?” Andre says, his voice escalated, getting louder. "I wasn’t the one who almost ruined this family a few years ago, like your husband!. Your daughter, Stephanie, still acts like an irresponsible teenager even if she’s in her early 30s. Your other son, Luke, is a hippie and wants no part in the family business!”

"But none of them are the face or CEO of our company. Don’t ruin this family, Dre, I can make a lot of things happen and if you do something beyond my control that will bring this family down, you will go down alone.” Grace spoke with a serene smile, in a low tone and a voice that will send shivers down anyone’s spine, before turning and walking away.

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

A lot of pressure has been on Andre and his father, Mr. Wilde Wilde. They were both in charge of their proposals they had with the potential investors.

The meeting was held, and it felt like a success. However, the investors’ decision would not be immediate, leaving Andre and Ethan Wilde in a state of hopeful suspense.

"That was a lovely presentation, Andre, I have an excellent feeling about this collaboration.” Mr. Smith, a co-founder of the investing company, says to Andre, smiling and shaking his hand.

"Thank you very much Sir, I really look forward to getting a response from you as soon as possible,” Andre says with a little bit of nervousness in his voice.

I can sense the eagerness in your voice, Son. But don’t worry, once everything is finalized, I’ll have my secretary come deliver the papers to you personally” Mr. Smith chuckles as he tries to direct Andre towards his secretary. " You can go and introduce yourself, I don’t think you’ve met her before."

Andre approached the secretary he was directed to. She was having a formal conversation with Ethan.

"You!?” Andre was surprised to find out who the secretary was.

It was the woman from the other day, the beautiful blonde woman who helped Andre with Chompers.

"Andre, you know this woman?” Ethan’s surprise spilled over into a question.

Andre’s surprised tone echoed through his words "What are you doing here?”

"Obviously, you were just directed towards me by a man who referred to me as his Secretary,” the secretary says, her response laced with snarky sweetness.

Andre smiles and replies "I never thought I would see you again. You disappeared without a trace, you could have at least told me your name.”

"That’s right!” Ethan interrupts with a mischievous smile. "You still haven’t given us your name."

Andre stares, waiting for her to finally give out her name.

"My name?” she replies with a little hesitation, enjoying the suspense she has created.

"My name is Sarah Morgan."