Chapter 41 Return

• “Welcome back ma’am Hera.” The driver greeted as he stuffed Hera's carryall in the trunk.
• Hera nodded, unwilling to say anything to her driver. She glanced her eyes around the airport and smirked.
• “Time to face the company again.” She said to herself.
• Hera has been away from the country for the for past six years. She moved to England to establish a branch for the Wood family’s company.
• Consequent to the fact that it’s a new branch, Hera stayed over in England to oversee the smooth running of the company and how successful it'll be in the area.
• Now certain that the branch is performing well, Hera to return to America where the headquarters lies.
• “Nothing much have changed.” She hissed under her breath.
• By the time they drove out of the airport, the sky was already dark and murky.
• Hera kept on darting her around noting the new companies, restaurants and hotels littered in the city.
• The driver paused when they got to the red light and at that moment Hera's phone rang.
• She shoved it from her bag and saw Danika’s name flicker on the screen. Hera swiped the receiver tab and nestled the phone on her ear.
• “Mummy Hera, are you back now?” Danika’s voice reverberated.
• “Almost close to the mansion. Anything for me?” Hera teased.
• Meanwhile, she plod her eyes outside through her window that was open. Her eyes traveled to the BMW beside her and she caught a glimpse of the lady inside the car.
• When her eyes brushed past the lady, Hera felt somewhat shocked. When she moved her eyes back to glanced at the woman again the BMW already sped past them, making it unable for her to see the person again.
• ‘Isn’t that Monica’s daughter? No, it can’t be. Monica is no more neither are her children. They’re all dead and forgotten.’ Hera thought.
• However, her musings was interrupted by Danika’s words.
• “Mum are you there?”
• Coughed, Hera hesitantly responded, “Yes Danika. I was…looking at something before.”
• She heard Danika huff before speaking again.
• “Okay…I’ll come to the house when I’m done here in my boutique.” Danika said.
• Hera whispered a ‘yes,’ to Danika and hung down the call, more worried about what she just saw.
• ‘I hope that’s not who I think it is. I just hope.’ She mumbled inwardly, shaking her legs.
• Hera was so lost in thoughts about who she assumes she saw that she didn’t know when they arrived at the mansion. When the driver fluttered the door open for her, she stared at him, confused.
• “We’ve arrived ma’am Hera.” The driver spluttered, riveting her mind back.
• Sighs. Hera clamped on her handbag and clenched out of the car, her eyes feast around the compound and building she hadn’t seen for years.
• “Welcome home ma’am Hera.” She heard voices blare a few steps away from her. Hera glanced at the direction and saw the servants cluster in circle with their heads bowed.
• Hera is the type of woman who presence alone commands respect. Rumors had it that she killed her husband Blaine Wood to take over the Wood’s property. However, no matter the weight of allegation pulled on her, Hera pled not guilty of the charges.
• After all the court cases got handled smoothly did she take over the property and impounded the properties of all the member of the wood family that fought against her.
• When she acceded the seat of power of the Wood family, bloggers began sprinkling rumors that Hera is one of the richest woman in the states.
• Hera tilted the corner of her mouth into a smirk before sauntering into the building.
• The head servant followed her in tow.
• “What did you prepare for my return?” She questioned the head servant.
• The woman leveled her head downwards while answering her question.
• “We prepared all your favorite dishes,ma’ am. It’s already served in the dining, ma’ am.”
• Hera spun around on her heels and sauntered to the stairs.
• “I'll have to shower first of all. You don’t expect to eat without washing off sweat from my body.” She spluttered sardonically while pacing the stairs to her room.
• When she was out of sight the servants took a long sigh.
• “I can’t believe she’s back. Gosh! She’s scary.” One of the servants gushed with laden breath.
• “Everyone back to work!” The head servant commanded and they all scurried to their work. Gossiping about Hera and her daughter Danika will not only incur her wrath but she'll sack the person.
• So the head servant who had experienced first hand how she treats people that gossip about her tries to avoid such scenarios from happening again.
• Moment later, Danika arrived at the mansion.
• “Mummy Hera!” She calls with every step she takes.
• “Mummy Hera!”
• Danika darted her eyes around in search of her mother. The servants told her Hera went to shower but she ignored them and proceed calling out to her.
• “Mummy Hera!! Come out!”
• A grin takes over her features as she called on her mother. When she reached the edge of the staircase, she leaned her head forward and called again.
• Afterward, she heard Hera's footsteps clomping on the hardwood floor as she crept down the stairs.
• “Welcome home, mummy Hera.” Danika sputtered, giggling.
• Hera pinned her eyes on her daughter, smiling sheepishly. When she reached the last stairs, she splayed her arms and Danika flushed herself in Hera's embrace.
• Stroking her silky hair and inhaling Danika’s smooth floral scent, Hera wheezed. “It’s feels good to hold you again, Danika.”
• Then Danika extricated from Hera's embrace and shook her head, “it feels good too.”
• “C'mon, let’s go nibble the already served food, child.”
• She tugged Danika to the dining. A jasmine colored chandelier dangle from the ceiling in the middle of the table, sending sprinkles of light across the table.
• Hera settled on the head chair while Danika sat beside her before they began eating.
• The screeches of utensil hitting the platter and small chatter from both mother and daughter clouded the air.
• When they finished their meal, the servants served them their dessert which was a cheesecake.
• “So mummy Hera, how is the branch company doing now?” Danika asked after swallowing the cake in her mouth.
• Hera held her wine glass close to her lips, she looked over at Danika from over the rim glass and whispered.
• “Things are going well there. I already appointed a manager to oversee things while I’m not around.”
• “I trust what you can do.” Danika said, clinking her glass with Hera's.
• Arching her brows, Hera asked, “And how about you and Lucas? Any change yet?”
• Danika scoffed, “Trust me mother, someone like Lucas doesn’t deserve our help.” She shook her head in disdain.
• “So that means he hasn’t changed a tad despite promising to turn a new leaf? That son of a bitch! How dare he!?” Hera slammed her fist on the table, seething with anger.
• “Easy, mummy Hera!” Danika let out a dry chuckle while peeking at her raging mother.
• “We have him in our clutches more than ever…” She whispered, swigging her wine.
• “What do you mean, Danika?” Hera asked, slightly confused by Danika words.
• “The Evangelista group is facing financial crisis as we speak. Most shareholders detangled from the company and right now, the weakling Lucas has no one to rely on except us.” She giggled.
• “People's rumor has it that the company might fold any moment from now. I’m certain he wouldn’t want that. And he's going to fight to elevate the status. But who do you think he's going to turn back to?” Danika said confidently, smiles drifting from her lips.
• Hera raised her brows quizzically while downing Danika’s words.
• “That serves him right. His uncle and I made a pact. I even gave him a large sum of money for some shits he wanted to settle before he died. So the money and the contract we signed, Lucas must live up to it. Else I’ll make sure he begs on the street.” Hera said grinding her teeth.
• Shocked by Hera’ words, Danika asked with narrowed eyes.
• “You mean you borrowed his uncle a large amount of money?”
• Hera looked at her startled daughter from the corner of her eyes and nodded.
• “An amount he won’t be able to pay even with his life.”
• Danika eyed her mother suspiciously. All the thoughts she harbored in her mind all these years began roving around again. She couldn’t keep her curiosity at bay hence she blurted, her eyes fixed on the table.
• “You had an affair with him, right?” She asked, trailing her eyes to Hera she added. “You had an affair with his uncle. You two were a thing and that’s the reason you of all people gave someone such an amount of money?” Danika asked, voice cold.
• Hera tilted her lips in a smirk, bashing her eyes at Danika she gave a slight nod.
• “You are right Danika Wood. I had an affair with him. I loved him and I wanted him. To make him accept my love for him I gave him a large sum of money. After our first night he proposed the contract I accepted. But you know why?” Hera craned her hand and caressed Danika’s cheeks.
• However, Danika didn’t budge nor respond to her question.
• Hera continued regardless. “Because I knew you love Lucas from ages.”
• Hearing this Danika raised her head and locked her eyes with her mothers
• “You knew?” Danika asked and Hera nodded.
• “That’s why I quickly accepted the contract.”
• “But Lucas doesn’t love me. He made it clear we are better off friends not lovers.” Danika gushed.
• “One thing you should know, Danika Wood.” Hera’s voice boomed as she reclined her back on the seat. “People we love mustn’t always love us but we must shackle them in our web by will or by force. Lucas doesn’t have a choice here. You love him, you shackle him. Besides he's nothing without us I wonder why he’s being so stupid not to accept you with a cheerful heart.”
• ‘Because he loves that bitch, Sia. But I must make him mine.’ Danika mused inwardly.
• “Do not worry about Lucas. He's a piece of cake.” Hera said, gripping Danika’s hand.
• Snorts, she arched her brow before saying. “Send my regards to him and invite him over for lunch tomorrow.” Hera grinned.
• Looking at her mother, Danika shook her head. “Okay, mummy Hera.”
• ‘Daniel paid gravely for cheating on me after everything I did for him. And for you Lucas you’ll continue paying for his sins and you must marry Danika because it’s a signed deal. I'll make sure of it.’ Hera whispered inwardly.