A few days back, Richmond Gibson arrived at the De Lamont Five-star hotel for a business meeting when he caught sight of a slightly familiar figure.
Upon closer inspection, he realized that it was no other person than Brian's beautiful wife. She was looking completely drained, disoriented, and broken. Even the way she slowly walked towards the cab showed that she was in a lot of pain.
Before Richmond could get close enough to her, the cab she entered had already left.
Feeling a bit worried for her, he placed a call to Brian to discreetly confirm if his wife was with him.
However, instead of Brian taking his call, his enraged mother received the call and spoke to Richmond harshly. She didn't even state why she was with Brian's phone or where Brian was before ending the call.
Richmond wished there was a way he could contact Lola and find out what was wrong with her or if Brian was alright. If only he had Lola's mobile number, it would have been easy.
However, Richmond had a principle of never interfering in his employee's private life. Even if that person was a childhood friend like Brian or even if he had been lovestruck from the moment he laid eyes on Brian's pretty wife.
Richmond went about his business six days later, when it was brought to his notice that Brian had been absent from work due to unexpected heart complications.
This time around, Richmond decided to seek out Brian and find out the conditions of things. When he called Brian's mobile line, Brian's younger sister received the call and invited him over to the house.
Upon arrival, Richmond discovered that the Hart family were throwing a surprise welcome party for Brian.
When Brian finally arrived with his beautiful wife wheeling him into the living room, Richmond felt his heart flutter at her angelic gaze. He watched with a hint of jealousy lacing his gaze as Brian pulled his wife down and kissed her before everyone.
'What a happy couple.' Richmond's lips curled up in a brief smile.
When the couple's tender moment was interrupted by his family, Richmond decided to take advantage of this opportunity to introduce himself to Lola.
What he didn't expect was the way Lola freaked out at the mention of De Lamount hotel.
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"Lola..." Rosemary's irritated voice resounded in the room, "... don't just stand there doing nothing. Get inside the kitchen and help Chelsea out with the dishes."
Lola plastered a smile on her face to mask the horror in her eyes. "Okay, mother."
She turned her attention back to Richmond and said in a hushed pleading tone.
"Please..." Lola touched Richmond lightly on the arm, speaking in a hushed voice. "...don't say a word. You never saw me there. I... I was never there. Please..."
"Lola!" Rosemary's raised voice pierced through the happy atmosphere.
"Mum..." Brian shot his mother a disapproving stare. "... can't you see that she is talking to my boss? Give her some break, please."
"Can you at least ask her to join Chelsea in the kitchen? The food and drinks aren't going to serve itself." Rosemary rolled her eyes at her son.
"I'm sorry mum." Lola came to her husband's rescue. She didn't want Brian quarrelling with his mother over her in the presence of an external guest.
"I'll quickly join Chelsea now."
Lola briskly left the living room for the kitchen, while carefully avoiding Richmond's intense gaze.
Richmond couldn't stop his heartbeat from racing as he watched Lola disappear into the kitchen. He unconsciously stroked the part of his hand where Lola had touched him while smiling inwardly at the warmth it left in his heart.
'What could have gone down at De Lamont hotel.' Richmond pondered in his heart. He had seen the panic in Lola's eyes and had heard the immense terror in her voice as she pleaded with him not to say anything. This made him even more curious and eager to know what had happened to her.
Aside from being secretly captivated by his childhood friend's wife, Richmond was appalled by Rosemary's ill-mannered behaviour towards Lola.
"Hey Richie, thanks for coming." Brian's deep voice cut into Richmond's thoughts. "I'm sorry about my mum's behaviour. She could be insensitive at times."
"That's not a problem man." Richmond waved his hand dismissively. "I'm just glad that you were able to pull through the surgery. Although, I tried checking on you once but couldn't reach you. I never knew you were hospitalized until yesterday when it was brought to my notice that you have been absent from work. So I called your younger sister and she told me all about your heart surgery."
"Yeah...the whole thing took me unaware." Brian sighed. "One minute, I was having a good time with my family and the next I was unconscious."
"So sorry man." Richmond patted Brian on the shoulder. He paused for a while and asked. "When did this happen?"
"Oh...it happened on Sunday, the fourth of this month during my wedding anniversary celebration." Brian sighed as memories of that fateful evening came flooding in.
"I thought it was the end. I was this close to death." Brian gestured animatedly, causing Richmond to chuckle. "I'm just glad that I'm alive to tell the tales all thanks to my wife and family."
"Hmm..." Richmond stroked his chin, his glimmering eyes lit with curiosity. "It must have been challenging for your family to settle all the bills."
"Yeah..." Brian paused briefly as he recollected what Lola told him about the source of the surgical bills.
"Richmond, I am grateful for all you've done for me in the past. You are the reason why I have a job and can support my wife and family. I know this is not the best time or place to make this request. But I'd rather have my wife indebted to a friend than to her proud and manipulative boss."
"Tell me what you want and consider it done," Richmond said reassuringly.
"I need you to lend me the sum of 1.4 million dollars to offset the loan my wife took from her boss."
"I'll send the money to your account right away but you don't have to pay back. Consider it as my own way of supporting your family."
"Thanks, Richie, you are too kind." Brian shook hands with his boss, an appreciative smile framing his round baby face.
"Since I've been confined to the wheelchair for the next few days, I'll send my wife first thing tomorrow morning to your office to get the money."
"I'll be expecting her." Richmond took a quick glance at his golden Rolex wristwatch. "Permit me to take my leave now."
As Richmond was about to leave, he stole one last glance at the kitchen only to see Lola coming out holding a tray of snacks. She seemed in perfect control of her emotions as she smiled captivatingly at all the guests present.
However, beyond the convincing composure was a woman on the verge of a meltdown.
"Lola, you can now relax." Chelsea approached her from behind, speaking in a hushed voice. I think Brian's boss has left."
"He has?" Lola whispered, her eyes scanning the room to ensure Richmond had truly left.
"Yeah, I heard him bidding Brian goodbye before leaving," Chelsea replied in a hushed tone.
"Phew!" Lola breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness."
"Yeah but don't you think you need to visit the hospital for a thorough check..."
"Shhhh... Clara is coming our way. We will talk later." Lola briskly walked up to her sister-in-law to get her request.
After a busy day of entertaining family and friends over at their home, Lola and Brian retired to their bedroom when the last family member had left.
Lola assisted her husband to shower and change into his pyjamas before helping him into bed. She was about to return to the bathroom to shower when Brian pulled her back into his arms.
"Where do you think you are going to my pretty little angel," Brian asked, her intense gaze brimming with immense longing. He tried kissing Lola but she smartly placed her right hand between their lips.
"I have to shower first, Brian," Lola said authoritatively. "I have been busy all day and you know how awkward I feel when I'm sweaty."
"Come on, baby. Just one harmless kiss is all I seek." Brian pleaded, making an irresistible puppy eye that had Lola melting into his arms.
"Just one kiss and nothing more," Lola warned sternly even when she knew how cheeky her husband could be. She slowly removed her hand, welcoming a passionate kiss from her husband.
Brian carefully guided Lola to the bed with one hand while the other hungrily went under her gown in desperate need to feel her softness.
"Brian...no...we can't." Lola quickly pulled away from her husband's tempting hold. Aside from considering his weak heart, she wasn't mentally and emotionally healed from Ian's sexual abuse.
At the moment, Lola's emotional state was in a mess and she couldn't afford to be vulnerable to Brian's vigilant senses.
"Come on, baby... please... I need you. I promise I'll take it slow and..."
"Just be patient, honey." Lola cut Brian off from cajoling her. "My body belongs to only... only you."
Lola felt her heart sink at her last statement. She carefully masked her pain behind feigned smiles.
"Just give your healing heart a few weeks to recover. Then you will be free to have me whichever way you want me."
"Anyway, I want you?" Brian's glimmering eyes lit up with excitement. He licked his lips sensually while assessing his wife's gifted features.
"You are such a naughty boy. But yes, anyway you want me." Lola blew kisses and disappeared into the bathroom.
A few minutes later, Lola was all cleaned up, dressed and lying beside her husband on the bed.
"So, what were you and my boss talking about earlier today," Brian asked, stroking Lola's partially dry hair fondly.
Lola's heart missed a beat.