THIRD POV

"What do you mean that you insulted Kevin Douglas?!" Nathan's father bellowed so loud that the expensive glass in the cabinet trembled. He looked like a bull ready to gore anything in its path. Including his imbecilic son.

The victim was gulping as he shrunk further and further into his seat. He had just finished narrating his 'adventure' with Kevin Douglas. Whatever fright he had imaged in delivering the news to his father was nothing compared to reality. He had spent half the night tossing and turning thinking of the best possible way to deliver it. But there wasn't any.

He first thought of handling the situation on his own but no amount of ideas or bravado could make him face the Douglas ever again. The next best thing was to go to his one defense; his mother. But that proved to be not such a good idea after all. Upon relating what transpired yester night, she looked at him in horror and gasping and crying flew from room to room in search of her husband to inform him on the imminent disaster. If ever he needed his mother on his side it was now. She was an expert in getting his father to do exactly what he wanted, but not this time. This time she looked troubled and horrified. And simply sat there as her husband berated her son for the idiotic imbecile that he truly was.

"Will you answer me you fool!" he thundered. He could no longer take him shriveling up like dried up old prune.

"It was an honest mistake" he squeaked. The squeaking and the shivering was so unlike him. He feared no one. And never, in all his life, had he been frightened of his dad till this moment.

"Mistake?" gaping at him like a fool. He turned to his wife "He calls it a "mistake"! He has the effrontery to say that ruining our lives was a mistake!" slamming his fist on the table. Both his wife and son jumped at the noise.

"I didn't know who they were. I thought they were some wannabes. Not anybody important" he tried to explain quickly. Maybe running away was not such a bad idea. He could make it. Get a job somewhere.

"That is your problem! All your life you have looked down on people. You have judged them according to their haves and have nots. Time and time again, I have cautioned you. But did you listen? No. You did what you wanted. You disrespected who you wanted. And now look where that has gotten you. Look!"

Nathan shrunk back in his char. He hated to admit it but his father was right. And the idea of fleeing home was sounding more appealing by the second.

"But you are not only to blame" in a biting voice filled with niceness. He turned to the woman at the table and a sneering accusing voice "Your mother is responsible for turning you into demon possessed little brat!"

"Yuri! How could you say that?" his wife gasped. But his son sighed a little in relief. Yes it was all his mother's fault. She had raised him to respect no one. If he could shift the blame from himself to his mother he might live to see another day.

"You know I speak the truth Ariana. How many times have I cautioned you about spoiling the kids? About making them too soft? How many flipping times!" banging his fist on the table as he spoke.

Tears sprung to her eyes at his harsh tone. "I just wanted-"

"Wanted to give them the life we never had" he mimicked. "Well, guess what? They are going to get exactly the life we had thanks to that fool you call a son. And thanks to you. When the Douglas are through with us there would be nothing left to our names"

"But" she protested.

"But what?" he demanded.

She remained silent. Her mind was going 200 miles per hour trying to come up with a way to combat this disaster.

"We are finished. How ironic, my enemies are not responsible for my downfall but my own wife and son. You have destroyed this family. Both of you have" he growled. All his hard work and dedication were al for nothing. Thanks to his wife and son.

"At least I still have Yara" he muttered to himself but his wife and son heard. From his words Ariana pursed up her lips in distaste and jealousy. It was infuriating that she was jealous of her own daughter but she could not help it. Her husband dotted on her and showered her with love and attention and gifts. She was the first woman in his life. Yara could do no wrong.

"We have to come up with something Yuri" she snapped. Her voice harsher than she intended.

Yuri gave her one glare that shut her up. As he racked his brain, Nathans phone beeped. Reaching for it, he saw it was from work.

"Are you even taking this serious?!" his father screamed at him upon seeing the phone in his hand.

"No it's from work" he hastily tried to explain.

He merely grunted. "Well what does it say?" impatient and frustrated.

"That the meeting is postponed till 6 this evening. And it is mandatory that we are all there" reading from the phone.

"At least that buys us some time" Ariane suddenly seeing the silver lining.

"Let us hope so" he growled standing up from the table and walking out of the room.

"Where are you going?"

"To fix the screw up that your son caused" yelling back.

There was a moment of silence between mother and son. Both lost in their own thoughts.

"You really messed up this time son" she sadly told her favorite son. She couldn't help him this time. He had messed up and messed up bad. And his screw-up was affecting the whole family. He was dragging the family down, particularly the funds. And nothing came between her and the flood of monetary funds.

"I am scared" he whimpered to his mommy.

"You should be." She was physically shivering with fear. She was not one of the pleasant people to the Douglases when they used to live here long ago. She had just come to the realization that she had given her enemies a reason and a cause to come after her family.

And her idiotic son had given them a gun to fire at her.

..................................................................................................................................................................

"Yeah. Yeah- Okay - I hear you" there was a pause. "Don't worry. I will see what I can do" Thomas spoke tiredly before hanging up from one of the many phone calls he had been receiving all morning. Sighing he took a seat at the table.

"Another one?" his sister queried.

"Yup" popping the p.

"Why am I not surprised?" passing him the blintz.

All morning his cell phone hadn't ceased ringing. He was getting calls from family friends, clients and family members pleading for him to have a talk with Kevin Douglas. To pacify him and his family. What he didn't understand was what they expected him to do about it. Not to be misunderstood he was enjoying the newfound respect and fear that was being awarded to him, after all he and the Douglas were past family. But they didn't part on good terms. It was anything but calm and peaceful.

"I have been getting calls and emails and texts all begging me to go on behalf of their kids and talk to Mr. and Ms. Douglas" her sister related. It was astounding.

"Why don't you just say Gina and Kevin?" her father asked with curiosity.

"I did" she replied playing with her food.

"No, you said Mr. and Ms. Douglas" he corrected. He still could not wrap his brain on the fact that Mary and Kevin used to be his children-in-law. His poor and non-status ex children-in-law. The idiots who didn't know their hands from their elbows. But look at them now. Now they were powerful and an enigma. How the hell it happened he still had no clue.

"Huh. I did, didn't I? I did not even realize it" laughing a little in embarrassment. She didn't even know that she had done so. It just came so natural. But could you blame her? She was in awe and slightly scared of the two people. Even absent she was inclined to show her respects.

"Well, I don't see what exactly they expect me to do about it. I mean, why is it my problem?" a frustrated Thomas cut in. He couldn't disappoint but he knew that it was Hercules task. There was nothing he could really do. He was slowly learning that one shouldn't butt into the business of the Douglas. Besides they gave him no chance to do so.

"Well, you must do something my dears" their mother pleaded. Her mind racing on possibilities that could raise the standard of her family.

"Can you imagine the amount of respect you will receive? They will always be in your debt?" his mother encouraged. Just dreaming about the respect and admiration and loyalty that her children would receive from the city. They would be thought of as heroes.

"What I don't understand is how teenagers managed to insult Kevin Douglas and his family?" Mary-Anne voiced out as she bit into her watermelon. "I mean I can't even talk to the guy. He is so dark and dangerous. It's like he repels people away"

"Well children are known to run headfirst into danger? They have no fear and damn the consequences" their father shrugged.

"And I am sure they had no clue who he was until it was too late" Estelle offered chuckling a little just imagining it. She was recalling the first day that she encountered the Petersons before finding out that they were the infamous Douglases.

"Sure I was married to Gina, but that doesn't mean I have a say on what she does with her life. And who she associates with." Thomas continued to lament not listening to anyone else.

"Maybe they hope that your charm and past marriage might sway her" his mother volunteered.

"Past marriage?" He had to laugh. That was just ridiculous. Then he saw the look of seriousness on his mother's face.

"You're really serious?"

"Come on. It was anything but peaceful. She must hate me now. No, I know that she hates me. I am the cruel and mean ex. And I am probably sure that she despises anyone I consider a friend or family." recalling the cold shoulder he received from Gina.

"You never know" his mother replied.

"What do you mean?" truly curious.

"Women are different than men. Their love never truly goes away. Maybe deep down inside she might be harboring some love for you. After all you were her first in everything" with a knowing look on her face.

Thomas thought about it for a minute. Could it be? Was it possible that Gina could still be harboring some feeling for him? Maybe mother was right. He was her first in every sense of the word. Those feelings and memories don't just disappear.

But as quickly as those thoughts arose they were soon dashed when he recalled how she was always in the midst of Brian Montgommery. He was like a pet that wouldn't stray away from his master. He was so damn curious to know the nature of their relationship.

"Well then mom by your theory, Kevin must really hate me. He is a man" Gina sighed dejectedly and a little disappointed.

"Kevin is a different case study. He is a little bit of an enigma" frowning a little in thought. "Tell me, has he tried to engage you?" her father asked curiously.

"No. It is always business and nothing else." Giving him a watery smile.

"Give him some time. He might come around" her mother encouraged.

"It has been almost ten years mom. I highly doubt he is going to come around."

"You were his wife" her father reminded her.

"And I cheated on him, humiliated him in front of the whole city, divorced him and left with him nothing" she reminded him with slight anger in her voice but the smile never leaving her face. She was after all a Davis.

The table was quiet from her words.

"I must be going. I have to try and talk to Gina and word is she comes to the office really early" placing his napkin down and standing from his seat. "Want a ride to the office Annie?" Thomas offered.

"Yes. I might as well go in too" standing up also.

"Have a good day kids" their mother called after them. "And remember you are a Davis"

"Thank you mom. See you later. Love you" Mary-Anne called.

Once strapped in the vehicle they took off.

"This is going to be an interesting day" Thomas commented as they cruised through the streets.

"You said it brother"

.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Today was not a good day for the Douglas and their clan. First, they were late coming into work this morning. And that was all thanks to their kids. First, they hid all the shoes in the house. Then they hid the car keys. They could not understand how Rylan and Miles had gotten their hands on their car keys. Finally, they had to wake them up and demand their shoes and keys before they were punished.

The little imps even hid Trevor's and Victoria's. When asked why they hid those particular ones, Miles the eldest simply replied

"We didn't want you to borrow any shoes from them" shrugging his shoulders.

And when they demanded to know why, Rylan spoke for the group

"We missed you. And we were bored" her eyes big and round and innocent. The adults had promised to come home early this evening but in the meantime they were instructed to put all the shoes in their rightful places.

Then, their office phones were blasting with phone calls. They were not allowed a moment of peace. The calls were from parents of those juveniles that they would be dealing with later this evening.

And to top it off, they were still busy rearranging and dismantling the mess that the Payne's had left behind. No matter which way you looked at it, the Paynes had the wisdom of selling it when they did. They were going bankrupt and all their files and proceedings were in complete disarray. Now it made sense why they sold the steel company for less than it was actually worth. The 40% discount that they had bought the company for was not even worth the headache and pain that the Douglas and Montgomery and Hunings and the lawyers and the executives were going through.

Kevin and Victoria were beginning to wonder if they should just revamp and get the business running and then sell it. They might as well just flip this company. There was just so many legal loopholes and issues appearing one after the other. And they couldn't deal with the buffoons that called themselves their co-shareholders any longer. They could not did not have a free hand that they wished they did in running the business. People like Thomas Davis and Reginald Fritzgald had a knack for undermining their authority and filibustering their proposals to cause unnecessary delays.

The most frustrated among them would be Victoria, who had spent a good three days going through all the, receipts and invoices. Safe to say she was not in a good mood. And fate decided to test her patience by making her attend a meeting with some of the most arrogant and pig-headed corporate employees.

Sitting through the meeting the only thing that was running through her head was 'Boy are these people incompetent' and she nearly said it aloud. There seemed to be a contest on who could make the great Victoria Hunnigs submit. It would be comical if it was not so pitiful to see them try and fail undermine her authority. But a hero emerged, and out of all places it was from the Marketing department. And his name was Teddy Misanee.

Teddy the hero was a tall man in his mid-thirties. Some women would find him dashing and suave. Teddy went through the ususal schooling and had been working in the steel company since he was 24 and what a career it had been. He had risen through the ranks and had achieved the executive positon of the marketing department through hard work and sabotage and occasionally knocking people who stood in his way. His personal motto was "all was fair in love and war." And it had done him well. But that would be what would raise him and what would bring him down.

That fateful morning, whilst parents were praying to God to save them from the disaster and plagues that their children had brought. Teddy was just about to bring chaos in his own life.

He was giving a presentation of the proposal that was targeted specifically for the public. It was going well for the most part. He was commanding the room but halfway through, Victoria cut him off to ask a question. He answered as respectfully as he could. Then she did it again and he respectfully answered. Five minutes later she cut him off this time to challenge his idea and offer a counter solution and opinion. And that was when the sounding of the horns of war began.

We can't be too sure if it was arrogance or frustration that lead Teddy to say these words to Victoria.

"Will you shut up, whilst I am talking?!"

And the whole world was still. Everyone had an incredulous look on their faces. They could not believe he had just said that to the infamous Victoria. She could have him fired in a second without the prospect of another job anywhere ever again.

But Vic just licked her lips and spoke in a quiet voice "Of course you are right. Forgive me. Please continue" she encouraged.

So the meeting continued. And Victoria true to her word did not offer another word for the rest of the meeting. So the meeting came to an end. She thanked everyone, and walked out the room but not before seeing several people congratulate Teddy and high five him for taking the "cold hearted bitch" down a peg. And throughout the day Teddy continued receiving praises and congratulations for telling off and conquering Victoria. He was basking in the compliments and praises.

The all-knowing Victoria saw the showmanship but did nothing. She just smiled and walked to her office.

Twenty minutes later she was typing a storm on her laptop when a knock came to her door. The person or persons didn't wait for a reply before barging in. It was Gina and Brian.

Brian had a silly grin on his face.

"Yes can I help you?" she questioned both of them. Yet already knew what they wanted.

"I heard you got told off by a marketing exec" Brian grinned at her. His eyes shining with laugher.

"It is the topic of the day I assume"

"Oh hell yes"

"Hmm" going back to her screen.

Brian and Gina shared a knowing look.

"And I heard you didn't do a thing" he continued.

"Yup" popping the p.

"Are you-"

"Yes" knowing where the conversation was going.

"How long?"

"I give him less than a week" an evil glint appearing in her eye.

"Poor boy." Gina said in mock sympathy whilst shaking her head. The man should have known that something was wrong. He should have at least expected some consequences or repercussions. But you can't help stupid can you?

"Good luck to him" Brian muttered. He knew better than anyone that whatever Victoria was planning would have the man running. A yelling and crazy Victoria was a hundred times better than a quiet, calculating and furious Victoria.

As they chatted among themselves, they were interrupted by the phone.

"What is it Loretta?" Victoria asked her p.a

"Sorry to interrupt Ms. Nnaji. But there is a Mr. Davis here to see Ms. Douglas"

Vic muted the call before turning to look at Gina who simply shrugged her shoulders.

"Do you have a meeting with him?" Brian questioned. Gina seemed to be minimizing the contact she shared with him in particular.

"Not that I recall" raising her eyebrow.

"Want me to send him away?" Vic offered. It was no secret that Thomas and Vic did not like each other. Vic's job was to make money. And Thomas was a thorn in her flesh when it came to that. The man was a child according to Victoria. His emotions run ahead of him instead of logic and reason.

Sighing heavily "No. Then he will keep pestering me till I see. Better to get this over with"

Nodding Vic pressed the button "Ms. Douglas will be out in a second Loretta"

"Very well ma'am"

"Well better get going. See you guys for lunch?" Gina questioned the two.

"Yup"

"Definitely"

"Call me if you need me" Brian called after her.

"I will" she said over her shoulder before closing the door.

Brian was still looking at the door when Victoria threw a clip at his face.

"What?" pretending to be annoyed.

"I was calling you for a minute" she chuckled.

"Well I am all ears now, pretty lady." Bouncing on his toes like a child causing Vic to giggle.

"I was saying that, Davis is no competition" winking wickedly.

Brian just scoffed. "I know that" rolling his eyes.

"Really?" Vic challenged.

"Please. Gina is never getting back together with that gebroni." Scoffing at the very idea of it.

"Maybe not him. But this town has quite a few good looking men" she teased.

"And so did Germany and she never once swayed" he retorted.

She started to chuckle "You do realize that you are a part of that male population right?"

"Just what are you getting at Victoria?" he asked pointedly.

"I am saying. Start making your move" before going back to her work.

..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

Gina walked to the foyer to see Thomas waiting patiently by the reception desk.

"Mr. Davis what can I do for you?"

"Ms. Douglas hello" he said pleasantly.

"Hello" she politely reciprocated. "What can I do for you?"

"Might we step in your office? This is a personal matter" he demanded more than asked.

She looked at him for a second, before leading the way. Once inside her office with the door closed she got down to business.

"Now will you tell me what is going on?"

"Yes" before clearing his throat. "It has come to my attention that you are involved in a situation that affects some people"

She raised her eyebrows in mock surprise "Is that so?"

"Yes. And I have a favor to ask of you."

"Do you?" in a slow voice.

"Yes. One that affects the reputation of this establishment."

She already knew where this was headed. "What is it Mr. Davis?"

"It concerns your restaurant."

"Which one Mr. Davis. I own several" in a pointed voice. She was not bragging, her family did indeed own a chain.

For a minute, there was a flash of an emotion that Gina was not too sure of. It seemed to be pride. But then again it could be jealousy.

But Thomas's replied "The Spice"

"Ahh I see." Rolling her chair to and fro.

"You see..."

"I am going to have to stop you there Mr. Davis. What I do with my business is none of yours."

"Actually it does?" with a smirk on his face.

"Really?" she demanded but never raising her voice. "Tell me, am I running my companies illegally?" she questioned.

"No. But -"

"Am I wanted by the federal government?" she asked pointedly.

"No. This -"

But once again she cut him off. "Do you have a personal complaint or grievance against my restaurant?"

"No. Not personally"

"Then I fail to see how the dynamics of my restaurant concerns you" in a firm tone that left no room no for discussion.

Now Thomas was stumped. Taking a deep breath. "Gina" he began but he was cut off once again.

"It is Ms. Douglas. I prefer Ms. Douglas." For the umpteenth time.

He studied the woman in front of him carefully. There was something about Gina. Something that made her to enjoy kicking him down. And that had nothing to do with their failed marriage. She had turned into a blood-sucking vampire.

"What's happened to you?" he questioned.

She cocked her head to indicate her confusion.

"I mean what has happened to you? You've changed. You were never this rude or passive aggressive" he started.

"Or smart. Or richer than you" she added in a sweet condescending tone.

He give her an equally condescending sweet smile.

"Mr. Davis, did you ever think that, you just underestimated me in the past?"

He just looked at her not saying a word.

"Hmm? Because I was not on your financial par?"

"Maybe because you never proved yourself" he snapped back.

Gina just stared at him not saying a word but Thomas continued to speak.

"I think that you should thank me for pushing you to this position. You owe me this"

"So what do you want exactly?" she challenged.

"Lay off the kids. They were stupid yes. But getting their reputation ruined and that of their families isn't worth it"

"I don't know about that. It did wonders for me and Kevin. Maybe this is the kick in their pants that they need"

There was silence.

"I think you should go Mr. Davis. I have nothing to say to you. And in future stay out of business that does not concern you." Giving Thomas the boot as politely as she could.

"We are not done talking, Gina. If we are to work effectively together our past must be talked about. I know our marriage wasn't what we wanted...."

"Not today Mr. Davis. Not today" she warned as her eyed slid into grey piercing slits that had Thomas taken aback.

"Then when?" sighing in frustration. There was so much he wanted to say. So much he wanted to get off his chest.

"Nine yeas ago. We said all we needed" firmly.

"I don't think we did" in a gentle voice. He was getting to her. He knew it.

"Oh yes we did. We said all that needed to be said. Nothing became clearer."

There was a knock at the door, and before either of them could answer Brian poked his head through. Thomas was growling inside. But he wasn't that surprised. He had been expecting the pest to come flying in at any moment. To be honest he was losing respect for Brian. The manner that he was always hovering around Gina was truly sickening.

"Sorry to interrupt, but Gina, I need your car keys" walking into the room.

"Why?" nevertheless reaching for her purse to grab them.

"I just spoke to Miles and Edwards. They are feeling down. So I am taking the rest of the day to hang out with the boys. Then we'll head over to the airport to pick up Richard"

"They called?" sadness apparent on her face as she handed him the keys. Her kids had been pouting when she had left this morning.

Thomas just sat there uncomfortably and in frustration.

"Yeah. I facetimed them."

"Want me to come with you?"

"Nah" smiling at her. "This is a fun boy's day. No ladies allowed"

"So you are taking Kev then. I could cover for him." She knew well that the children needed to have a parent around them. They had been feeling neglected lately.

"Note I said, fun boy's day. Not disciplined boys day" making a face.

Gina laughed. But she found that to be slightly untrue. Brian could become the disciplinarian anytime he wanted. He had no qualms about punishing the kids when he felt they had misbehaved or crossed a line.

"Anyways, you good to drive my car?"

Thomas looked alarmed at this. Everyone in town knew that Brian's car was a death trap. Gina had no reason to be behind those wheels. Just how much had this man corrupted his ex-wife?

"Yeah. Please I will enjoy it"

"Alright then. See you" turning to leave.

"Call if you need anything" she yelled at him before he completely left the room.

"Will do" before closing the door.

The room was in silence once more as Gina collected herself. But that silence was broken by Thomas' question that was just eating away at him. He was too curious for his own good.

"Who is Edwards and Miles?"

Gina paused for a minute. It looked like she wasn't going to answer but looking him right in the eye, she said in a firm voice

"My children"

Then all hell broke loose.