Chapter 3 Elizabeth's Ring

Chapter Three: Elizabeth's Ring

At Ninfa's on Navigation, Lila's teammates anxiously awaited her arrival, but she was nowhere to be found. Frantically searching her bag, Lila muttered in frustration, "Oh goodness, where did I drop it?"

Cora checked the time, almost 8:45 pm. "Lila promised 8 pm; she's already 45 minutes late," she sighed, clearly bothered by the delay.

"Maybe she's stuck in traffic. It's Friday night after all," Jennifer offered optimistically.

Danielle, tapping her phone nervously, said, "She apologized and assured me she'd be here soon. Let's give her a bit more time."

Fifteen more minutes passed with no sign of Lila. Cassandra couldn't hold back anymore. "Danielle, I think it's time to call the team leader again."

Just then, Lila burst through the door, stunningly dressed and causing a commotion among the patrons who cheered her on. "And here comes the queen of the night," Kelvin announced with a grin, spotting Lila not far behind.

Dressed in a sophisticated blue dinner dress, Lila looked stunning. She acknowledged Daniel with a grateful smile as she took the last available seat near him. "I'm really sorry for being late, everyone," she apologized, glancing around the nearly empty table. "Let's order; it's on me tonight."

Daniel smiled warmly at her. "You look absolutely beautiful tonight."

Lila chuckled. "Oh please, don't flatter me too much, Mr. Kelvin."

The conversation flowed as everyone ordered their meals. Throughout dinner, Daniel subtly held Lila's hand under the table, gazing at her affectionately. Lila blushed, hoping no one else noticed.

As the team enjoyed their meal, the topic eventually turned to their personal lives. Curious about Lila's love life, her teammates teased her gently. Lila evaded their questions with a smile, but when Daniel was asked about his love life, the table erupted in playful suggestions and laughter.

Daniel hesitated, glancing at Lila. "Well, there's someone I've been thinking about asking out," he admitted, his eyes never leaving hers.

Kelvin grinned mischievously. "Go for it, man! We're all rooting for you."

Turning to Lila, Daniel took a deep breath. "Lila, can I talk to you for a minute?"

The table fell silent as Lila's heart raced. She turned to face him, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement.

"Lila, I've admired you for a long time now. I've watched you grow, and tonight, seeing you here looking so amazing, I realized I didn't want to just admire you anymore. Would you go out with me?"

Overwhelmed with emotion, tears welled up in Lila's eyes. She hugged Daniel tightly. "Yes, Daniel, I'd love to."

The table erupted in cheers as Daniel and Lila shared a kiss, surrounded by their cheering teammates.

After finishing their meal around 11 pm, Lila insisted on paying the bill despite Daniel's protests. Hand in hand, they walked out of the restaurant, greeted by Lila's enthusiastic teammates who congratulated them warmly.

Kelvin patted Daniel on the back. "You finally did it, man! I knew you had it in you."

Daniel grinned, looking at Lila with pride. "I'm glad I finally got the courage."

As they walked into the night, Daniel pulled Lila close, his arm around her shoulders. "What do you want to do first as my girlfriend?" he asked, his eyes full of excitement.

Lila smiled mischievously. "Ice cream? I heard there's a new flavor down the street."

Daniel chuckled. "Sounds perfect."

Danielle interrupted, feeling left out. "Guys, as much as I hate to break this up, it's past 11. Let's save the celebration for tomorrow."

Reluctantly, they said their goodbyes, promising to meet again the next day.

*****

Meanwhile, Axel arrived home, tired after a long day. As he undressed, he noticed something on the floor-a bracelet engraved with the name "Elizabeth." Puzzled, he picked it up, wondering where it came from. He placed it on his bedside table and continued with his nightly routine.

After showering and settling into bed, Axel found himself unable to sleep. Glancing around, he noticed the bracelet faintly glowing. Intrigued, he picked it up again, examining it closely. Memories of the cooking competition flashed through his mind, particularly the moment he helped Lila when she stumbled into him.

He showered and wore his night robe then turned on his laptop, looking over some files. Few minutes later, he turned it off and placed the laptop on the bedside table, close to the laptop. Turning off the lamp, he pulled the duvet over to his chest and closed his eyes.

He struggled to remember her name, but a sudden sharp pain in his head interrupted his thoughts. Gasping, he dropped the bracelet, clutching his head in pain as memories flashed through his mind. After the pain subsided, he tossed the bracelet aside and finally managed to sleep leaving him heaving for breath, drenched with sweat despite the AC being on. He just picked the bracelet and threw it on the table and turned to go to bed.

*****

The next morning, news of the Governor's death spread rapidly. In the Roberts mansion, Axel visited his father John, intending to discuss work matters.

"Good morning, Dad," Axel greeted him coolly.

"Axel, I handed over everything to you because I believed in your capability, not because I wanted you to become a murderer," John accused sharply.

Axel met his father's gaze calmly. "I didn't kill him, Dad. Let the police do their job."

"I know you found out about the embezzlement, but taking the law into your own hands is not the solution," John retorted angrily.

"Dad, removing corrupt individuals benefits society. I could have made him disappear, but I chose to expose him," Axel explained, his tone firm.

"I wish your mother were here to see what you've become," John said sadly. "Here's what I've decided, Axel: you have two months to marry Lila, the young chef you awarded. She would make a suitable wife. I don't care how you do it, but you need to get her to agree to marry you and bring her to see me. Do you understand?"

Axel remained silent, his expression unreadable, as his father's ultimatum hung in the air.

Chapter Four: Ultimatum and Opportunities

Lila and Danielle emerged from the spa together, deep in conversation about the events of the previous day. Danielle had called a cab, which was waiting for them.

"Oh, it's really you! Our champion chef! Such a pleasure to have you in my cab," the driver greeted them warmly.

"You recognize me too?" Lila asked, taken aback. It seemed like everyone knew about her recent success, from the spa attendants to this cab driver.

"Who wouldn't recognize the superstar chef of the moment? My daughter idolizes you. She told me how you climbed to the top without any sponsors. She envies and admires you," the driver explained with admiration in his eyes as he glanced at Lila through the rearview mirror.

Lila handed the driver her business card. "Have your daughter call me. We can set up a meeting and take it from there," she offered kindly, causing the driver to beam with gratitude.

"Feels surreal to be in the spotlight, huh?" Danielle teased, leaning closer to Lila as the cab maneuvered through the busy streets.

"It's overwhelming," Lila admitted, gazing out of the window to hide her mixed feelings.

"So, what's next? Any plans?" Danielle asked, concerned for her friend.

Lila hesitated, unsure of her next move. "Maybe starting a food brand or something," she mused, avoiding eye contact.

"What about opening your own restaurant?" Danielle suggested, her face lighting up with excitement. Before Lila could respond, the cab driver interjected enthusiastically.

"Having a chef like you own a restaurant would be incredible! I'd personally promote it and bring customers," the driver chimed in, clearly impressed by Lila's culinary skills.

A short while later, they reached their destination. Danielle paid the driver, then turned to Lila with a concerned expression. "No cooking for at least a week. You've been at it non-stop, and no one cared until now. Now that you're in the limelight, take a break. It won't hurt you," Danielle advised gently.

Just as Lila was about to respond, her phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, she saw it was Daniel. She smiled shyly and answered the call, pressing the phone to her ear.

They conversation was so interesting, she stumbled on a thorn and couldn't feel the pain due to the interesting calls she had with a Daniel. She reached her apartment and slept off instantly while on a phone call with Daniel. Daniel called her name after she slept off, but she couldn't give a response, he ended the call realising she had slept off due to her long day.

---

Meanwhile,

Axel slumped in his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought. Brian, noticing Axel's unusual demeanor, approached him with concern.

"Boss, is everything alright?" Brian asked, lowering his voice slightly.

"How does it look?" Axel replied tersely, focusing his gaze on Brian. It was rare to see Axel in such a contemplative mood.

"You seem... off. Not your usual self," Brian observed, genuinely worried. Despite being Axel's assistant, they had a close friendship that often blurred the lines between boss and friend.

"My father wants me to get married," Axel blurted out suddenly, his voice tinged with frustration.

"Really? That's... unexpected," Brian replied cautiously, trying to gauge Axel's mood.

"He's given me an ultimatum. I have to marry within two months, or he'll seize my assets," Axel explained with a sigh, his expression weary.

"What about your stepmother? Could she..." Brian started, but Axel cut him off sharply.

"My father made it clear she's not to interfere," Axel interjected, reaching into his pocket absentmindedly.

"Are you looking for something?" Brian asked, curious.

Axel retrieved a bracelet that had caught on his cufflink earlier. "The girl from the cooking competition," he muttered, more to himself than to Brian.

"What about her?" Brian inquired, puzzled by Axel's sudden interest.

"Find out everything you can about the winner of yesterday's cooking contest," Axel commanded abruptly, his tone brooking no argument.

"Sure thing, boss. You already have something in mind?" Brian asked cautiously, gathering the papers on Axel's desk as he prepared to leave.

"Just get it done," Axel replied tersely, his mind already racing with plans.

He was really pissed off and he is desperately looking for any possible means to please his father and grants him his request exactly the way he wants it.

Kelly, Axel's sister had striking sky-blue hair, she sat in a coffee shop, checking her phone impatiently. She looked around, clearly waiting for someone. Eventually, Kelly, Axel's sister, entered the shop, dressed impeccably as always.

"I had to skip my shows for this meeting, and you keep me waiting for over an hour!" the woman with blue hair exclaimed, clearly annoyed.

"Sorry, traffic was a nightmare," Kelly apologized, smiling warmly. "But I bring good news," she added quickly, trying to diffuse the tension.

"What news?" the woman asked, still miffed.

She had about the conversation of Axel and their father, she made jest of him and went to give the gist of the current situation to Kelly.

"Dad's given Axel an ultimatum. He has to get married within a month, or he loses everything," Kelly explained, taking the woman's hands in hers.

"Are you serious? I'm getting married?" the woman exclaimed incredulously. She had been seeing Axel for nearly two years, their relationship undefined but deeply intimate.

"Of course! We have a wedding to plan, sweetheart," Kelly said excitedly, her eyes shining with anticipation.

"Oh my God, how did you find out? I thought you stayed out of family drama," the woman asked curiously.

"Mom told me. Axel tried to get her to convince Dad, but he shut her down. Lucky for us," Kelly replied happily. "You'll be my maid of honor, of course."

"Absolutely, without a doubt!" the woman laughed, and they left the coffee shop together, deep in discussion about wedding plans.

---

"I nearly had the lion, but then another antelope caught my eye. I fought them both flawlessly," Henry slurred, seated at a bar, regaling anyone who would listen with exaggerated tales of his supposed conquests. The other patrons glanced at him with a mixture of pity and irritation.

The bar owner approached Henry, demanding payment for his drinks. Henry fumbled through his pockets and handed her a few coins, which she snatched with impatience. "Good for nothing," she muttered under her breath as she walked away.

A short while later, one of Axel's men approached Henry. "The boss wants to see you," he stated bluntly. Henry stared at him blearily, his mind clouded by alcohol.

"Tell your boss I'm busy with my drink. I'll see him another time," Henry slurred defiantly.

The man lost his patience and slapped Henry hard across the face. Startled, Henry sobered up and followed the man obediently. He was escorted to Axel's office without further protest.

"I'll have your money soon, Mr. Roberts. Just give me a little more time," Henry stammered nervously as he stood before Axel's imposing desk.

"Silence, Henry," Axel said coldly, causing Henry to flinch. "I have a task for you. Complete it, and your gambling debts will be forgiven."

"I'll do anything, Mr. Roberts. Anything to clear my debts," Henry promised eagerly, his desperation evident.

"I've learned that the woman suitable to be my wife is your daughter. Convince her to accept my proposal, and all your debts will be wiped clean," Axel explained with a calculated smile.

Henry paled, his thoughts racing. "Mr. Roberts, my daughter Lila is already married to you," Henry blurted out, hoping to appease Axel.

"Good," Axel replied dismissively, gesturing for his men to release Henry.

Henry left the place in fear, and almost lost in way when coming back home as a drunkard who had already lose his senses, he stumbled into Lila's room around 3 a.m feeling unconscious ., tapping on her door urgently. Startled awake, Lila initially mistook him for an intruder.

"Who's there? I don't have any money," Lila called out nervously, peering into the darkness.

"Dad," Henry said softly, finding the light switch and illuminating the room. Lila's fear dissolved into relief.

"Dad, you scared me," Lila said, her voice trembling slightly as she hugged him.

"I'm sorry for startling you, princess," Henry apologized, returning her embrace. "Daddy is sorry."

"It's okay, Dad," Lila reassured him, touched by his genuine remorse.

Henry hesitated, steeling himself. "There's something I need to tell you, something that might upset you. Please hear me out," he began tentatively.

Lila nodded, her heart pounding with apprehension. "Go ahead, Dad," she urged gently, sensing his unease.

"A while back, I got into serious debt. Not just anyone's debt, but Axel Roberts' debt," Henry confessed, his voice heavy with shame. "He promised to forgive my gambling debts on one condition-a condition that depends on you."

Lila's breath caught in her throat. Axel Roberts-the powerful, enigmatic man she had encountered briefly at the cooking competition. She remembered the rumors surrounding him, his ruthless reputation.

"And what's that condition, Dad?" Lila asked, her voice barely above a whisper, a glimmer of hope flickering in her eyes.

"Mr. Roberts wants you to marry him," Henry revealed quietly, bracing himself for her reaction.

Lila's heart sank. She felt betrayed, realizing her father had agreed to sell her off to settle his debts. Her dreams seemed to crumble before her eyes, replaced by a life she didn't want-a life as a pawn in Axel Roberts' world of power and privilege.

"Leave my room, Dad," Lila whispered hoarsely, her voice thick with unshed tears. When Henry hesitated, she raised her voice, her anguish spilling over. "Please, just leave!"

Henry retreated silently, leaving Lila to bury her face in her pillow, sobbing uncontrollably into the night.