LOVE IN DECEIT

CHAPTER 3

As Emily drove home, she felt a sense of contentment wash over her. She had enjoyed her coffee date with Kate and George, and the news about the CEO of MK Pharmaceutical Company had left her feeling intrigued and a little shocked.

She was lost in thought as she drove, replaying the conversation in her head, when her phone rang. She answered, expecting it to be Kate or George calling to continue their conversation, but instead, it was her mom.

"Hey, sweetie! How was your day?" her mom asked, sounding cheerful.

"It was good, Mom. I met up with Kate and George for coffee and caught up on their lives," Emily replied.

"That sounds lovely. But anyway, I called because I need you to come home right away," her mom said, her tone turning serious.

"What's wrong?" Emily asked, feeling a twinge of concern.

"Nothing's wrong, dear. It's just that today is your father's birthday, and we're having a little celebration at home. I want you to be there," her mom explained.

Emily's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh, Mom! I forgot it was Dad's birthday today!"

"I know, sweetie. You've been busy with work and your vacation, but I want you to make time for this. Your father would love to see you," her mom said.

Emily felt a pang of guilt for forgetting her father's birthday, but she was also happy to have an excuse to spend time with her family. "Okay, Mom. I'll be right there."

After getting the call from her mom, Emily headed to her house to prepare some snacks for her father's birthday celebration. She decided to make milky doughnuts, a classic favourite in her family.

She arrived at her house and walked into her cosy kitchen, which was filled with natural light pouring in through the large windows. The walls were painted a warm yellow, and the cabinets were a crisp white.

The kitchen island in the centre of the room was made of beautiful granite, and the stainless steel appliances sparkled in the sunlight.

Emily began by preheating the oil in a deep frying pan on the stovetop. She then mixed flour, sugar, and yeast in a large bowl.

She added warm milk and eggs to the dry ingredients and stirred until a smooth batter formed. She covered the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for about an hour.

Once the dough had risen, Emily punched it down and turned it onto a floured surface. She used a cookie cutter to cut out circles of dough, which she then fried in the hot oil until they were golden brown.

She drained the doughnuts on paper towels and then glazed them with a sweet milky glaze.

As the doughnuts cooled on a wire rack, Emily's kitchen was filled with the sweet aroma of fried dough and sugar.

She couldn't wait to share the delicious treats with her family. She arranged the doughnuts on a platter and headed to her parent's house, feeling excited to celebrate her father's birthday with the people she loved.

When she arrived at her parents' house, Emily was greeted by the warm smile of her father, who was beaming with happiness.

"Hey, kiddo! I'm so glad you're here," he said, opening his arms for a hug. Emily hugged him tightly, feeling a sense of love and connection.

"Happy birthday, Dad! I'm so sorry I forgot," she said, feeling a little embarrassed.

Her father chuckled. "It's okay, sweetie. I know you've been busy. But I'm just glad you're here now."

Emily handed him the platter of milky doughnuts, and his eyes lit up with delight. "My favourite! You know the way to my heart, kiddo."

Emily's parents were both successful professionals who had instilled in her the value of hard work and determination. Her father, John, was the CEO of a reputable journalism company called NewsCorp, which owned several newspapers and online news platforms.

He was a well-respected figure in the industry, known for his integrity and commitment to fact-based reporting.

Emily's mother, Sarah, was a former teacher who had later pursued a career in counselling. She was a kind and compassionate person who had always been supportive of Emily's endeavours.

Despite her father's success in the journalism industry, Emily had never been interested in working for his company. She wanted to make a name for herself and prove her abilities without relying on her family connections.

Therefore, she chose to work for a different journalism company, one that was a partner of her father's company but not directly affiliated with it.

Emily's decision to start from scratch and build her career path had been met with understanding and support from her parents.

They were proud of her independence and determination, and they knew that she had the talent and drive to succeed in the competitive world of journalism.

"Hey Sis!! Emily's young siblings ran to hug her, Andrew and Julie, were the apples of their parents' eyes.

Andrew, who was 12 years old, was a precocious and energetic young boy who loved playing sports and exploring the outdoors.

He was always getting into mischief, whether it was building forts in the living room or trying to "reorganize" his sister's room. Despite his antics, Andrew had a soft spot for his sisters and was always looking out for them.

Julie, on the other hand, was a sweet and gentle 9-year-old who loved arts and crafts, reading books, and playing with her dolls. She was a bit of a daydreamer and often got lost in her little world, but she was always eager to share her latest creations or stories with her family.

As it was a small family celebration, they decided to keep the birthday festivities intimate and simple. They started with a delicious homemade lunch, prepared by Emily's mom, consisting of pancakes, scrambled eggs, and jollof rice with chicken.

After lunch, they gathered around the living room, where Emily's dad was seated comfortably on the couch. Emily, Andrew, and Julie took turns singing

"Happy Birthday" to their dad, their voices filled with love and enthusiasm.

Emily's mom then presented her dad with a beautifully crafted birthday cake, adorned with his favourite chocolate frosting and decorated with candles.

They all sang "Happy Birthday" again, this time with the cake as the centrepiece.

As they sang, Emily's dad couldn't help but feel grateful for his loving family and the joy they brought to his life. He blew out the candles, making a wish for good health, happiness, and many more years with his loved ones.

After the cake-cutting, they spent the rest of the day chatting, laughing, and sharing stories. Emily's dad opened his gifts, which included a new book by his favourite author, a personalized photo album, and a cosy throw blanket.

As the celebration came to a close, Emily's mom announced that she had prepared a special birthday dinner. Consisting of their dad's favourite dishes. They all sat down together to enjoy a delicious meal, savouring each bite and each other's company.

Throughout the day, Emily's dad felt loved and grateful for the simple yet meaningful celebration.

Emily was blessed to have such a wonderful family.