CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER ONE
It was late in the evening at Edmund's residence.
The sound of footsteps is being heard from the stairs, coming down is Mr. Henry Edmund with a suit in his hands and Lucille, his wife, coming after him from behind.
"Henry, do I look okay?"Lucille Henry's wife asked him.
"Yes you do, honey, but why are you so nervous? You know almost everybody that will be gathered at this event", said Henry to his wife Lucille.
" Of course I do, but that was still when I was your secretary. Now I am your wife and you know how weird it is. Some of them, regardless of the years we have been together, still think of me as a gold digger, they all believe I married you for your money alone and assume I flirted with you after you lost your wife." Lucille replied, helping Henry adjust his suit.
Henry snickered and said" You sound so ridiculous Lucille, I loved you sincerely. That was why I asked you to marry me, so stop assuming things in your head and endure whatever they say. All I believe is the love we share. Let's get going before we arrive late for the event."
"Dad, dad." Another footstep was heard making Mr. Edmund look back at his daughter Camilla, who was" the baby of the house and he always says."
"Yes darling, do you need anything?" asked Mr. Edmund staring at Camilla who just smiled at him before responding to him.
"Ayana said she wouldn't be home to get dressed, she needed her gown to be conveyed to the office by Nanny Raquel. " Camilla replied, signaling to Nanny Raquel who entered with a dress in her hand.
"Okay darling, just warn that sister of yours not to be late," Mr. Edmund replied before moving toward the door when Lucille quickly spoke.
"Wait Henry, my daughter will be riding with us, she has been waiting for us to get ready. " Lucille said, pulling her husband to get his attention on her.
From the stairs, Henry's step-daughter Violet came down looking elegant and stunning." Ooo daddy Henry, you always forget I am here, don't you?" Violet uttered, scowling her face a little to make it look like she was hurt by Henry.
"No my dear, I thought I heard your mother saying you have a date to attend the event with you and by the way, you look stunning dear," Henry replied to his stepdaughter complimenting her.
Back in the office, Alyana was resting her head on the table. Truth be told, many things had been running through her head and mind. It was never on her agenda to attend her dad's company's 25th anniversary. She was never confident enough to show up at the venue. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear her Nanny Raquel entering her office. Hearing her name startled her out of her thoughts.
"Alyanaaaa, why haven't you put on some makeup yet?" Nanny Raquel yelled in shock, seeing Alyana lost in thought and not prepared for the party surprised her.
"Nanny, you startled me, what are you doing here anyway?" Alyana questioned, staring at her Nanny who looked like she had just seen a ghost.
"Camilla knew you would be like this, that is why she sent me here to get this dress for you right away, and, sweetie, your dad said you should not be late, so get yourself up and start dressing." Nanny Raquel replied, moving close to Alyana.
"Nanny, you know that dress is not going to fit me. Why bring something that is going to make me look absurd in it? I think it would be better if I stayed here and continued working. I can't bear the embarrassment if I end up becoming a laughing stock." Alyana replied, glancing around and avoiding Nanny Raquel's eyes.
Alyana is a brain-box and very intelligent lady but lacks beauty and confidence. She always believes her lack of beauty brings embarrassment to her family. Alyana lost her mum when she was 15 and, ever since then, has been a mother to her little sister Camilla and a caring daughter to her father. She lost her sense of caring for herself because she dedicated her time and love to her family.
Mr. Edmund, after losing his wife, lost part of his heart but regained himself because he had to be strong for his daughters. He was proud of his daughter Alyana because she was the one who helped him regain himself due to the way she stood by them and took care of them. Mr. Edmund got married to Lucille 3 years ago, who was his secretary before he fell in love with her, Lucille had a grown-up daughter, Violet, whom Henry also took in as his daughter.
After much arguing and pleading from Nanny Raquel, Alyana got dressed and together they went to the party with Alyana smacking her lips annoyingly.
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Mr. Edmund and his family arrived in front of the shiny organized building and were greeted by the guests and some investors.
Some of the investors walked up to Mr. Edmund and his family. "Good evening Henry, nice event you got here, and congratulations Henry on your achievement." Mr. Lorenzo spoke.
"Thank you so much, Lorenzo, and let me introduce you to my family. This is my wife Lucille and this is my baby Camilla," Henry explained.
"Dad, you know I am 18 now and am not a baby anymore," Camilla said to her dad, pouting, which made other investors chuckle.
"You will always be my baby Camilla," Henry said, smiling at her. Camilla loved her dad so much because he always made her feel so precious even if she didn't get to meet her mother.
"I'm sure by your right is Alyana, she has grown so beautiful just like her mother," said Mrs. Diana Making Violet giggle.
Before Mr. Edmund could explain that Violet was his stepdaughter. Alyana came in and strolled towards them quickly "sorry Papa." she whispered in her dad's ear looking at him with an apologetic look.
"This is my daughter Alyana and that is my stepdaughter Violet." Henry introduced them to his investors. Alyana greeted them before they were shown their table.
After everybody was settled at their table, the entertainer talked to the crowd, and Mr. Edmund was invited to the spotlight to give his speech.
"I welcome you all to the celebration of the touch of love candy and chocolate 25th anniversary. It hasn't been easy. But with the help of my family, we have become the number one candy and chocolate company in England. I know many of you have heard the rumors about my retirement. Now I would love to clarify that it is not a rumor. I, Henry Edmund, will be stepping down from my position as the CEO of Touch of love very soon for the most competent candidate to step in. I have three people in mind for the spot." Henry said, pointing to the crowd."My daughter Alyana, my most trusted vice president, Mr. Williams, and my stepdaughter Violet. I hope to observe their hard work and choose the best for the company. My achievement would not have been possible if not for my supporting wife and kids and well-wishers, so I thank you and wish you all a nice evening".
Applauds were heard from different directions. Mr. Edmund moved toward his family, hugging them each, and then moved to have some discussion with his investors and friends.
