Chapter 8

• Riana's POV
• “Novah!” I muttered, watching as she trailed after Thorne.
• Suddenly, my sour mood changed as a smile appeared on my face.
• Finally, my search was over and another thing that delighted me even more was, she was Wesley's daughter.
• “My instincts never lie to me.” I muttered, shifting my attention from them and then proceeded into the mall.
• But why Thorne?
• What was she doing with him of all people and then the child he was carrying?
• A lot of questions kept ringing in my head but I had no answer to any of them.
• Halting suddenly, I remembered the strange look on her face when she saw me. I had recognized her immediately, why didn't she recognize me also.
• Swirling towards the door, I dashed out of the mall only to see Thorne pulling out of the parking lot and even before I could try to get his attention, he drove off.
• Soon it was evening, meaning it was time for the dinner meeting with Wesley which I wasn't going to miss for any reason.
• On arrival, it was Alexa that welcomed me at the gate and then led me into the building.
• To my horror, Thorne was also seated and as if that was not enough, he was right beside Novah and the child from earlier was placed on the table.
• Pushing my hands into my pockets, I took my gaze off them as I made my way further in.
• Now standing next to Wesley, I bowed, my hands folded in front of me.
• “I have asked you to keep your greetings but you wouldn't listen. You're ranking higher than me now, so I should be the one paying you my respect.” Wesley chuckled, gesturing to the chair on his right.
• “You shouldn't say that, I still owe you my respect. You were a good coach…”
• “And you were my best student that pushed his teacher down the ranking.” He said with a little laughter while I just laughed.
• The hot gaze from Thorne didn't go unnoticed by me but I allowed it to remain that way.
• The fact that he always attributes his failure to me, claiming I was always on his path made me so furious with him.
• What made us sworn enemies was when he decided to interfere in my business that caused me a lot of financial loss and even though I recovered from it within a week, I wasn't going to forget about it.
• “I'm sorry I kept postponing our meeting. My racket was swoon on without warning and I had to make sure to tidy up before it escalated.” Wesley said and I nodded in understanding.
• Picking up my cutlery, I began to draw lines on the table with the edge, staring at Novah who was sitting directly opposite me.
• “Have you met her before now?” Wesley asked. He must have caught me staring.
• “I met her at the mall this afternoon.” I replied.
• “Then you must have met with my heir, Novah King.” He spoke with pride dripping from his tone. “Remember I told you my daughter was kidnapped at the hospital at birth…”
• At once I snapped my fingers.
• “I remembered alright.” Grinning, I leaned forward with my weight resting on the table. “I'm glad that you found your daughter.”
• Shifting my gaze to Novah, I said, “I’m Riana Gunnar, nice to meet you Novah King.”
• Taking my hand, she said with a smile, “It's nice meeting you too.”
• This was the first time I had seen her smile, not with the circumstances that surrounded our meeting.
• Curious, I wanted to ask how he had seen her but at the table, an angry Thorne was seated and I didn't want to start up a sensitive topic.
• It's either I find out what had happened on my own or I ask Wesley during our private meetings.
• “Let's eat before the food gets cold.” Wesley said and in unison, we dug in.
• At the end of the meal, I was left with Wesley at the table and with my hands clasped in front of me, I said, “I have a favor to ask of you.”
• “And, that is?” He asked, imitating my pose.
• “Someone is right on my trail, I can feel it getting closer with each passing day.” I paused and seeing the go ahead look on his face, I said, “I need help from your tech team, I’m willing to do anything you ask of me.”
• Falling back on his seat, a smirk appeared on his lips and this got me curious as to what was running through his head.
• “I will help you and in turn, you teach Novah the ropes.” His words made me grasp the edge of the table.
• “Are you getting her involved in the mafia? It's dangerous, you shouldn't do that…” I was still speaking when he leaned forward.
• “The least thing I will do is get Novah involved in the mafia after twenty years of looking around for her.” He huffed.
• Relaxed with his words, I fell back on my seat.
• “The same way I had mentored you, I want you to impact the same business skills in her.” Crossing his hands on his chest, he said, “I’m old now and I have been unable to learn new skills but I believe you’ve done that already.”
• Smiling at his words, I cranked my head to the side.
• If only he knew he had just made it easier for me to find out what had really happened five years ago, I doubt he would give his daughter to me.
• “Thanks for the honor, I will happily tutor Novah into a business mogul that will take over the business world in no time.” I said and we laughed.
• “Pardon me for deviating but how did you find your daughter after so many years. If I’m not mistaken, she is twenty five already.”
• “Thorne found her and I must say that is the only thing he had done that he received my commendation but otherwise, he is almost useless.” He huffed.
• “She acted weird earlier…”
• “Novah was diagnosed with amnesia. The only thing she could remember clearly is her name and tha
• t of the woman who has rescued her from her abductors.”
• “Sadly, the woman is dead.” He added.