Loved by Mr President

"Mama, Custard," Adrian said as he rushed towards me. I smiled watching him, my four years old son running to me. His face all smiley and his eyes reminding me of that one person. I could remember vividly four years ago, which seemed like yesterday when I had him wrapped in my arms. The nurse had just announced to me that it was a boy, a cute little one at that. I remember rubbing his golden curly hair he had from birth, I just couldn't control the joy I had that day.

"Custard," he said stretching out his hands for me to carry him.

"Mmhmm...," I hummed reaching out my hands to him. Raising him from the floor while playing with his belly, "see who wants to stress Mama now," I giggled.

I don't know if he understood what I said, but he stretched out his hands to my face and started rubbing it smoothly in a way that was as though he was comforting me and reminding me that he had no plans to stress me.

Smiling at his actions, "indeed Children were cute," I thought internally. I carefully put him into his baby buggy which I carried to the kitchen and kept a close eye on him as I turned on the electric kettle to get hot water. I quickly reached out for his milk since he enjoyed taking milk, mixed it with some little water and put it in his feeding bottle for him to suck. While waiting for the water to heat up, I picked up my phone and was greeted with a notification that just popped in,

"Your child needs so much warmth and love, luckily he/she is fortunate to have you as the perfect Parent," excitement was all over my face. It was from the Baby's app I installed on my phone that dropped tips on how to handle a growing Child. I just didn't agree with them saying "the child is fortunate," I think I'm the fortunate one. Definitely, I'd have been so lost without Adrian, he really gave me a reason to live.

The whistling from the electric kettle called me out from my reverie. I made the custard while stealing a glance at Adrian, who had already sucked almost half of the content in the feeding bottle. His concentration was so much on the bottle, it felt like he was thinking of the possibility of gulping down everything without having to suck. The custard came out perfect just the way he liked it. Over the years, well the past four years actually, I did nothing apart from working and spending time with him. It was okay to classify the working time as spending time with him also, because I did remote jobs.

I pulled him out from the baby buggy, kept him on the bed and fed him because I was certain he was going to sleep soon. Just as I thought, few minutes after, he slept off and I was left alone staring at his face, that beautiful face made from the union of me and some other man whom I called the Devil's incarnate over the years.

Just after I finished putting him to sleep, a ring came through my phone. It was a call from Jane, my best friend. Picking up the phone, I stepped out and answered the call.

"Hello," I said

"Did you see the news just now," Jane muttered incoherently.

"What news?" I said, confusion written all over my face.

"Just turn on the TV, check the news...," I heard Jane say with a voice filled with panic and before I left my daze, the call was disconnected.

Immediately, I rushed to the sitting room and turned on the TV which took some time to start up. In tension I turned on my phone and started searching for the latest news. Just as my eye caugt the tags on the well known billionaire, I heard the reporter say out loud,

"Famous and established billionaire, Darian Woods will be relocating to Carlton, as he just commissioned a new project here. We heard from some Shareholders that the building here at Carlton is going to be his headquarters and we have no idea on why he will be moving."

I couldn't believe what I heard. I switched to the next news station, it carried the same news with different headlines. Hearing all of it made me drop on the couch, I could feel the pace of my heart beat increasing and my head suddenly felt dizzy. The one person I was running from was now coming closer to me.

Picking up my phone from the couch, I tapped on the tags and saw comments rushing in,

"Oh my.... Darian Woods will be coming to Carlton"

"Good thing, it will create more employment opportunities here"

"Gosh, he's just so cute, I can't take my eyes off him," I rolled my eyes reading this comment.

"I heard he is married, I've not seen any of their couple photos in a while."

"I heard his wife was once spotted in Carlton. Or is he moving over here because of her?"

The shock from all of it made my phone fall of my hold, I couldn't control the wave of emotions running through me. After everything happened, I found it hard to put myself together, just when I was gradually pulling together, He was appearing, my pain was coming back to me, Darian Woods, my divorced husband.

After leaving Castor city where Darian lived, I tried my best to cut off every memory with him. I successfully dropped the name I had from marrying him, "Woods", without raising public talks.

Shutting my eyes, a memory with Darian rushed back to me,

~~about five years ago, Castor city~~

"Moriah," he said while working towards me and dropped a document on me.

"What's this?" I asked cluelessly while picking it up.

With the rage he used to walk in, I feared the worst was going to happen. I was used to his cruelty but I felt something was not right.

"Darian, what's this?" my lips shook in trepidation.

"You should see it yourself," he curtly replied.

My eyes went wide as I caught the first few words, subconsciously muttering it out,

"Divorce papers," I said to myself confirming what my eyes read.

"You saw well, I will be traveling to Texas and you should sign those papers. I hope to not see you when I'm back," he said, " Leave the signed papers in my room," I heard him add. That was the last conversation I had with Darian. That day, I felt like my world came crashing at my feets. From the start, the relationship between us was not really smooth. I just didn't know it was going to get worse, even to the divorce.

~~Present~~

Slowly, I let my eyes open. Funnily, the divorce was even the mildest of the treatments I went through living with Darian.

Hearing a knock on the door I stood up to check who it was.

"Oh Goodness..... Moriah, how are you pulling through?" Jane asked immediately she stepped into the house. At that moment, I felt she really had to be there because sincerely I was not feeling good. A tear rolled through my cheeks and dropped on my palms which caught Jane's attention,

"Moriah what's it?" She said while pulling me in to a hug. I really had nothing to say anymore. Jane was the person that stayed with me all through the hurtful experience I went through. Even till the divorce, she relocated because I had to leave Castor to Carlton all in a bid to stay miles away from Darian. With the connections he had, he could get to me at anytime and frustrate me. But, he decided to ignore me and he did it pretty well in the past five years.

Facts right, the Darian I know liked the city which the former headquarters was located. If he was relocating to a new place, was it an intentional act to find me or something was amiss with the company, I pondered while being wrapped up in the warmth of Jane.

Jane pulled away from the hug and stared at me blankly,

"What are you going to do?" She asked me with a sad grimace.

Trying to not feel pity for myself, as I was really lost of solutions, "I have no idea," I shrugged while wiping off tears, "He's not yet in Carlton, maybe I'll just stay on the low while thinking of what to do."

Running away was definitely not a solution and I had no plans to run anymore.

**********

Authors note to Readers:

First of all, I appreciate you all for tapping on this book and I hope you enjoy it and follow the story as it develops.

Just to clear few things;

1. This book is entirely a work of fiction and the original work of the author. Whatever character or names used in this book, was out of the author's imagination as it is not intended to create a false idea about anything or belief.

2. This book is a slow burn book and is still ONGOING.

3. Please as you read, leave a nice review and give a good rating.

4. Also, as the author, I'll try my best to update at a very good pace and give you the best of my imagination.

Thank you as you read and please enjoy.

Darian Woods

I stood in front of the window at my office watching the whole bustling of the city.

Before then, a call came from Peter, my Media manager that the news of my relocation was everywhere on the internet and he asked me if I wanted to pull it down, I told him to leave it there as I wanted it to be known by the public. My perturbed mind took unsteady lapses as I stayed there viewing the city with my gaze on nothing in particular.

Moving to Carlton was not my choice, but I had to, to maintain the fame I had built over the years that was about crashing just for one mistake. Unfortunately, the video of the terrible act happened to be with the second leading business tycoon in the country and he was on me. Being the biggest business tycoon in the whole of the country and gradually extending my forces internationally, if the video was to get out to the public, then I may lose lots of connections in the business world. My opponent was well aware of it, but he could not release it yet as he had not gotten his hands on the complete proof which was with me.

The Current headquarters here at Castor City was being infiltrated already and I could not trust anyone or anything, I decided to relocate to a new base as it turned out to be the only solution.

Hearing footsteps approaching my door, I decided to stay on alert. Usually, my Secretary calls to inform me if someone was coming around, the only person that had the liberty to work in to my office at anytime was my right hand man, Jack. I just started taking extra measures as I knew I was not totally out of danger.

Staring at the door through the window I stood at, as I could see what was going on behind me from that position, the door opened and Jack walked in.

"President Darian", he greeted, which I responded with a nod to tell him I was following.

"The building committee said everything is in place and that the place have been fumigated. Your office have been set up with an inner penthouse like the one here. The parking lot that made access to the elevator that connects to your office have been fixed. The....", I watched Jack listing on and on like he was made to memorize a manuscript for a drama.

Clearing my throat, "how about the security, is everything in place?", I inquired.

"I'm trying my best to put everything in order with the security", Jack voiced out.

"Currently, some security forces from the base and one of the special unit force have been deployed to this place. They will be moving with the security force we have here to Carlton with us. We have gotten new ammunitions and weapons which have been sent to the secret base for now. Currently, I will say the security is 80% efficient and it's a good one."

"80% is never good, but it's a good start", I mumbled under my breath.

I left the window and walked to my seat. Relaxing on it, I signalled with a raise of hand for Jack to join me.

Jack my right hand man, the one person that was with me right from when I stayed at the Woods mansion till I decided to start my journey in the business world. Currently, He is the only person I could trust and he knew everything concerning my business life, also, he was actively involved in my personal life. I just did not allow him get involved in my marriage, which no longer exists as it was against my will.

Leaning on the table with my arms,

"Any news from Gazel?", I asked blankly. I watched Jack's face fall at the question and my mind became conflicted.

"President Darian we're trying our best to infiltrate that bastard's vicinity and get the evidence. Our efforts are just proving abortive. You know before Gazel, we had placed Tom there, I know you are fully aware that his survival was just by chance.", Jack hesitated

"The last I heard from Gazel, he said he had successfully infiltrated, but it may take some time to get the evidence back. He added that we should not try contacting him as he will be contacting us himself. So for now, our hands are just crossed", he explained further.

"Mmm....", I said in response. Folding my fingers, I placed it on my chin. The current situation happening around me was one that was disturbing. I knew I had to think of a way and act fast soon. Luckily, the Company's finances was not badly affected as my competitor had no grounds with me when it came to business strategies. Even with all the tactics he tried, the Shareholders trusted the policy so much that before they could pull out, they will have given it gazillion thoughts. DARS Corporation had created it's name already and it will need strong forces before it could crumple.

"The financial documents with Harrods groups have been sorted out, haven't it?", Jack gave me a nod as I lifted myself from the chair and moved towards the door. Out of habit, Jack followed me.

I made my way to the door, opened it and stepped out. My eyes met my Secretary who was just typing on the desktop in front of her. Immediately she saw me, she started putting herself together like she was in a very messed up state and knew I was definitely going to find a fault with her. An evil grin appeared on my face seeing her that way.

I stood there for a while, about One minute and thirty seconds wanting to say something which I decided to let it pass.

I enjoyed watching the way she trembled in front of me and was scared to look at me like I was the Devil, the same idea people had about me, the key word was ruthless. I enjoyed it anyway as being in the business world makes me get tougher. It really was not a crime for me to enjoy the affluence I had created, the way I want, even if it means been ruthless.

Walking away from her, Jack was already in a phone conversation with the driver, the little I heard, he told the driver him to prepare the car as I was going to step out. A faint smile appeared on my lips, Jack just knew me so well, to even know how much I hated waiting for the driver. There was no better person to be my right hand man, I thought while entering into the car. The driver shut the door behind me immediately I stepped in, Jack sat in the front passenger seat and the driver rushed off to his seat to start the Car.

Stepping on the accelerator, he drove off in speed into the busy life of Castor city.

Darian Woods

"Royal Harmony hotels," I told the Driver who maneuvered his way around the busy road to avoid getting caught up in traffic. Lately, I moved around the City of Castor incognito, with security forces trailing me in disguise. I did it that way to not bring any attention to myself and still make the enemy think I was out to the open while I was being watched secretly.

Driving into Royal Harmony hotels, I watched the security positioned at the entrance of the hotel hurriedly opening the gates and showing my driver the restricted parking lot area for him to park. This was one of the perks of being rich, even in my incognito mode, I was still receiving special treatments, I smirked thinking about it.

Royal Harmony hotels, a large corporation that specialized mainly on Accommodations, bar, and catering services. I did not own the brand, I just had shares as much as 40% of the total company's shares in my name.

Immediately I made my entrance into Royal Harmony hotels, every one I came across, workers precisely had to pause and bow as I walked past them. It was no rule I made, it just happened out of respect for me. I was certain they were fortunate enough to get to see the top businessman in the Country by just walking close to me and they did not get such luck every day.

Interestingly, I heard there was some news about me saying, I exuded an aura that was hard to stand. A kind of domineering aura that carried so much authority making my presence known even without an introduction. Whatever was rumored was the truth as I had seen Moriah, my divorced wife, tremble on several occasions I stood close to her.

Shaking off the thoughts,

"What table was reserved for the meeting?" I asked Jack who quickly swiped open his phone and checked the list which held my appointments for each week, their time, and reservations.

"The VIP room 6 was reserved for this meeting."

"Any other one after this?" I inquired trying to clear off events from my head.

"There's no other one as this is the last for the day. The meeting that was scheduled with the Governor's son has been moved to two days from now at 10:00 am," I tilted my head listening to him.

When he was done reading out my schedule, we walked away from there with one of the attendants taking us to the VIP room reserved for the meeting.

"President Darian Woods" Mr. Humphrey stood up, trying to show his respect with a slight bow.

"Acting as a staunch loyalist for your own gains" I scoffed inwardly.

I nodded my head in response and took a seat opposite him. Jack sat by my side and softly told me that the documents concerning the meeting were already saved to the files on my phone.

"I believe you have gone through the contract, Mr. Humphrey. Do you have any issue with it?" I stated, my deep husky voice sounding like it was commanding.

"President Woods, I spoke to your personal assistant here that...," I watched Mr. Humphrey falter.

"I am not asking you about what you discussed with my assistant, I asked a simple question," I stated cutting him shut gruffly.

"That's what I'm saying, the issue I had, I told your personal assistant...," I stared at him sternly as he still wasn't getting the question. The look I gave him made his voice trail off and he shivered out of fright. Indeed people had real issues when it came to understanding things, I rolled my eyes at his actions and wondered if that was the man I actually wanted to do business with. The meeting with Mr. Humphrey was for a franchise he wanted with DARS Corporation. He wanted to register under the brand to start a Fashion Design Company which I was okay with. I made Jack and my Lawyer draft out the agreements for the contract and with what I had seen, it was okay, I just didn't get his point now.

"Mr. Humphrey, I'm waiting," I said tilting my wrist to check the time as I had no plans to spend the whole day on the meeting with Mr. Humphrey.

"The number 5 of the contract, I'm not totally okay with it," Mr. Humphrey blurted out.

"And what are you not okay with?" I questioned with my eyebrows arched.

"The part where you said you will get 30% of the total revenue. I'm afraid if we do it that way, Sir, I might run at a loss. I was thinking if it can be reduced to a 20% for you. Then It will just be perfect as I will comfortable allot the revenue to you once it's generated."

I was straight-faced as I did my calculations internally, trying to check the risks and the gains. I glared at Jack trying to know if he had a better idea before he whispered something to my ear.

Giving it a deep thought, I called out,

"Mr. Humphrey...," I started before I was cut short abruptly.

"Sir, please the cocktail you requested earlier," a waiter interrupted my speech making me glare daggers at her,

"I'm sorry sir," She stuttered while her lips shook in trepidation. I was going to shout at her for being so insensitive to interrupt before I heard Jack say,

"You may go now."

Jack explained on the Waiter's behalf, that he had requested the drink for the table and it was just not her luck that the timing to deliver was a wrong one. I decided to ignore that particular behavior as I did not want to create a scene. But I was definitely going to talk to her boss, so she gets queried.

"As I was saying before we got interrupted by a nobody, Mr. Humphrey, the least I can go is a 25% and I really can't go beyond that," I poured out the idea which Jack had whispered to me, "using my brand is a respect to your Fashion Design company which will naturally give you a larger market and people will expect quality from you. I know my resources will not be involved in your establishment, but the integrity of my brand is at stake. So, I definitely can not go beyond a 25% profit allotment", I said with firm persistence like the speech was already rehearsed in my brain.

"You can think about the contract again, whatever you decide, you know how to contact me," I said forcing a smile as I stood up to leave. I didn't bother about the bills because as a major Shareholder and a Black gold card holder, whatever bills I incurred in any of the hotel's branches and subsidiaries were on the house. Topping the business world for a long time, I had gotten used to issues like this, so I was the least disturbed as I knew he, Mr. Humphrey was going to agree with the changes I made.

********

Arriving at the office, I swiftly rushed to the penthouse to pick up a document I needed to work on, Jack followed behind.

While I was searching for the documents, notifications came running into my phone and I paused to tap on it, looking closely it was comments from a tag of my relocation, I scrolled down with my eyes before it caught something I had not thought of,

"I heard his wife was once spotted in Carlton. Or is he moving over here because of her?" I read out to Jack's hearing. "Was Moriah really in Carlton?" I said inaudibly.

"Jack put a call to Charles and tell him to check Carlton's Database," I commanded with furrows formed on my forehead.

"Okay," Jack responded, "what should he search for?"

"Moriah... Moriah Woods," I declared and my eyes darkened.