JEMIMA’S POV As I opened the door, the first vision that greeted me was loveliness itself — and my heart did a flip. Kalmia stood before me, clothed in a ravishing red gown that perfectly struck all the right curves. The light played off her white shoes, while her hair fell in a beautiful vibe down to her face. I was itching to cross over then and talk with her, but my head was filled with the words of Visha, chanting for me like a mantra. At once, those venomous, malicious words turned my mood sour and filled me with a nasty, festering hatred for the very woman standing in front of me. I could feel my expression twist into a grimace as I narrowed my glare upon Kalmia in contempt. Well, Mrs. Shawty, who seemingly was oblivious to the unsteadiness now hanging in the air, motioned to the chair beside her that was facing away from me, pausing to say, "Have a seat, please," her voice taking on an almost syrupy warmth and charm. The mixture of surprise and recognition returned to
KALMIA’S POV The shine in her eyes was something that I had never in all these days observed; it was a chilly impersonation of nobility, razor-tipped in its subtlety, just like the voice that turned on me. It was almost like she materialized from under some boundaries around fair; Jemima possessed a brusque and undeniable self that she wore only but occasionally. Stepping in closer, I reached out in concern, asking in a gentle, soft tone, "What did get changed?" I had been somewhat genuinely confused, considering so many reasons why something so terrible could have brought in so much change. Jemima had been my friend, my confidante, the one who selflessly took care of Dawn, my darling daughter, for months. But now, I looked into her eyes, and I was staring at that stranger raging and fuming in great resent. The hurtful bites of her words struck like a vicious rebuke cutting through me, "Please spare me your care." I felt the cutting of hurt and betrayal in my heart as I asked, "I
KALMIA’S POV "She's so rude, my love," I said to him, still trying to comprehend the encounter with Jemima. "I am still shocked by her behavior." I couldn't put it behind me: the way she had spoken to me was as if the words were still clinging to my consciousness like aftertaste. Arrow had a suggestion.He searched my face for signs of distress, eyes colored with undercurrents of sympathy. Gentle and soft-spoken, he said: "I think we should please call her." "I am so sorry, my love," I said, shaking my head. "I cannot talk to her. I am just too hurt by the way she spoke." The memory of her words, stupidly put, stung like a thousand angry bees. I couldn't bear to clench my teeth at her." "My love, perhaps she was out of her mind," said Arrow, trying to calm me. His voice, healer-like in its sweetness, only enhanced my anger and hurt. "No, no, my love," I replied. "I cannot." I did not want to say more; I wanted to dismiss the whole incident from my thoughts. The image of how Jemita
JEMIMA’S POV "Nincompoops," I hung the call saying, just above a simmering degree, my anger and frustration below the surface. "I'll be your frustrating Kalmia," I mumbled, low and ominous, "I can make your life a living hell." The venom flowed from my agitated heart, akin to the poisonous emotions simmering deep inside me. The voices became louder, swelling my heart with rage, thumping against my temples, and rising to the surface in anger. With phone in hand, I designed to scroll through the contacts to find someone to confide in regarding this matter. I needed a shoulder to lean on. I scrolled down the names until it lit on one- Visha- and dialed her number. The ringing did not last long, however, because there was no pickup, so I felt disappointed and worried. What if she was busy? What if she did not want to talk to me? My room looked normal but strange. Everything was serious, but the sound of my breaths was heard clearly. Then I called again and kept drumming my fingers on t
JEMIMA’S POV I was gradually coming back from slumber, blinking open my eyes with a cursory glance next to me for a familiar visage. To my dismay, however, Visha was untraceable. The expanse of the bed seemed louder in her absence, unnerving me. With fingers automatically clutching my phone, I just swiped to the notifications tab. There it was: the message that eclipsed everything. The message on the screen seemed to shout at me: "Do whatever it takes to bring Kalmia down."I remained transfixed by the message, grasping its import, and a slow smile crept onto my lips. Waves of ecstasy washed over me—my whole being swelled with purpose, and I let out a primal scream akin to that of a lottery winner. I was announcing to the entire world about my newfound resolution. Now, in my mind's eye, lay the plot-a plan to destroy the Kalmia family, to see them humbled from the altars of power. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but for me, it was justified; they were finally to be made to pay. "When
JEMIMA’S POV Arrow's voice spoke with a layer of worry, turning into me to overview the surface of my face for any signs of distress. His searching view traveled over my lips, my cheeks, my eyes, inquiring about what might be upsetting me. "What is it, Jemima? What's the problem?" he asked, brow furrowed in concern, words nearly a whisper. I chuckled and with a sly playful smile on my lips, shook my head. "Nothing, Arrow," I said, speaking almost inaudibly, a slight teasing intonation underlying every word. Arrow's narrowed eyes bore down into me as though seeking the whole truth, racing with possibilities in his head. He turned his face towards the wall, all muscles inside rigid with expectancy, body language practically jumping to compete in a tension created by a fight against my charms. "Yes, I am, my love," my voice had a low seductive growl holding words like heavy gumdrops of longing, "I'm sick, and then the doctor said I need you as my medication." Arrow drew a little
JEMIMA’S POV "Can you just quit it, Arrow." I shouted at him, my voice desperate, and the sound waves carrying some of my vexation back to me through the walls. Desire consumed me, a fiery inferno of hunger raging through my being, arousal tingling all over my skin. "I was building my case," I admitted, my words spilling out in a rush as I put my hands down on my wet thighs. Juice was trickling down from there, sweet and sticky evidence for my reasoning. I licked my finger, letting my tongue graze the wetness of my arousal as the salty sweetness burst on my tongue. "Can we just have sex, please?" I begged, my voice thick with need. "No one is watching," I added, looking deep into his eyes, feeling the heat of my stare and the dilation of my pupils with desire. I squatted slowly down on the floor, deliberately bringing my hands to pull down his pants. My fingers brushed lightly over his skin, sending shivers running down my spine. Arrow, however, would have none of this. Imme
JEMIMA’S POV Arrow lay beside me, sweet and tender after all, sorely consumed with lust, his body languid across mine, as he slipped into dreams, the look of serenity etched on his sleeping visage, his eyelids fluttering slightly, almost as though chasing something with his subconscious. Later that evening, I woke fully tired and fatigued from the untouched spell of sweet lovemaking. Sore muscles, sensitivity of skin, and an ever-racing heart were still alive with excitement when I thought about our marriage. I turned my eyes and found Arrow lying peacefully in front of me, so calm; with every breath of his, tranquility filled the room, all on account of him. Arrow continued and sounded being, completely unaware of my gaze fixed on his forehead. With love and adoration in my heart, I leaned over him, moving with the emotions that filled my soul, kissed him on his forehead, brushing my lips lightly against his skin, so still and gently at peace, with a light kiss soft and tender. Su
ARROW’S POV "This is interesting," the strange man nods with a hint of a smile, like the first brush of dawn. "I'm not afraid of challenges," he says strongly, like a boulder anchored firmly in the wind. The crowd erupts in excitement, with several cheering aloud, while some stood in quiet awe, like excitement flooding the room. I am studying the strange kind of person, trying to see through him-like detectives on a manhunt. Narrowing my eyes, I try to read him, like he is a challenge waiting to be solved. What drives him? What motivates him to take on this kind of challenge? "Fine, then," I said, still smiling-most apparently like a flower blossoming in full sunlight. "Let us proceed. You have one week, and no more than that, to carry out the experiment 'Echoes in the Night,' " I exclaim, barely able to stay calm, like a host who had just announced the winning contestant on a quiz show. "If you succeed, you will obtain both the reward and the job offered at our company," I challen
ARROW’S POV "Okay, thank you very much," said the man whose voice was like a dingy summer breeze, and then he nodded to the crowd. But with the sudden laughter and chatter resuming in the room, the pair of strange-man-like eyes remained gazed on my face. It seemed as if he was studying me, and his expression was unreadable like a mask hiding true feelings. The very anticipation electrified the air, the crowd was like one huge buzzing hive of bees hovering around a sweet flower. The ambience I could sense-bright smiles and exaggerated nods were everywhere as I scanned the room, like a sailor negotiating turbulent waters-even an iota of doubt was significantly possible, and I felt the heavy mantle of responsibility settle on my shoulders. "I realize that this is no small task; yet one also knows there is someone, with the talent and creativity, who could certainly breathe life into 'Echoes in the Night,'" the voice had a clarity and confidence, almost bright, like the peal of a bell
ARROW’S POV Well, now is the time to get a contract, I say with excitement and anticipation, surveying a sea of faces, all shining with hopeful expectation. "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you a challenge," I say, words lingering in the air, promising something extraordinary, something to which they could respond with skill. The pause was meant for effect. The silence that ensued was thick; the applicants leaned in, eyes fixed on mine, their faces full of curiosity and intrigue. "This is a photo of the legendary 'Echoes of the Night' by the rare artist Julian Backward," I continued, a sense of reverence creeping into my tone as I unveiled the enigma posed before them. Another silence fell, broken only by the patchy humming sounds of anticipation as the applicants awaited what would come next from my lips. "The original has long gone from our world for many decades, and all we have now is just an incomplete and cryptic message left behind by the artist," I further described, pa
ARROW’S POV I drove to where all the beautiful employees were-the company-as if a race were being run in my head with all kinds of thoughts and feelings; even the words of my pretty wife continued to replay in my mind, her idea like a tempting dream. The drive was more of a blur at that moment. The heart picked up with excitement and expectation; all I could think of was the work at hand. Reaching the company, I made my way to the HR office, each step deliberate and determined. Hands reached out to knock on the door. I knocked; a voice from inside called, "Come in.” I cracked it open, the creak of the hinges being a gentle accompaniment to the movements, and stepped into the inside. The office was warm, welcoming, with air and polished wood scent filling my sensory reception. Mr. Dayemi looked up from his desk with a smile as he greeted me. "Oh, good morning, sir," he said, with a friendly and courteous tone of voice and crinkled eyes as he got up. I responded to his greeting w
ARROW’S POV The melodic tune of my phone, breaking the silence of dawn, pulled me from my sleep and out into the sunshine, calling for a new day to begin. Somehow this sleep I had last night felt different, more restful, and I attributed that to the fact that I had finally made some sort of peace with myself. "Surely, this must be the result of the fabricated peace I've managed to keep busy with myself," so I whispered faintly under my breath. Lethargically, I got up, pushing myself away from the bed because it seemed to want to enjoy the reminiscences of a long and calm night. I neared Kalmia by the bed, overwhelmed by the beauty of her sleeping visage. How peaceful and calm it looked in the deep realm of slumber! I bent down and kissed her forehead. She stirred slightly, but the beautiful world she belonged to was untouched by me. I stood there for a second in awe of her sleeping beauty, drinking her in with my eyes. Her eyelids fluttered again, almost as if in pursuit of some
ARROW’S POV My injuries were heavy to carry so I sunk into my chair as betrayal and treachery found a fit description for my musing. The happenings of the morning were on replay, rehearsing each excruciating scene with pain that refused to be soothed. My mind could not think straight at all; all I had was this jumbled mass, a confused wreck, as I was desperately trying to find some rationale in the midst of this whirlwind that had so completely disrupted my life. Reality fractured; either I was literally insane or abstractly bombed, for the ground beneath me lay in complete anarchy. Kindness on her part must have compelled my PA to somehow intrude into my thoughts; he was still speaking when I could not summon sufficient energy to give a verbal response. "Good day, sir," he voice flowed like a soft breeze that danced in summer. "A meeting is scheduled with Enzo Company Ltd." I barely lifted my head to consider him; my eyes were fixed on an invisible point below the floor. Others wo
ARROW’S POV There I stood paralyzed into surprise, then the words poured out of my mouth, "But I'm apologizing," where my voice had a shock between confusion and concern. I could not believe what was going on. There she was, blazing with rage, the anger between us so thick it could almost be felt as an entity of its own. Her burning gaze seared into me as she hissed at me with poisonous words. Of course she was angry, boiling angry, deep down. Tension radiated from her like waves crashing at the seashore. Breath should not break this silence; on that principle, I went out of the kitchen, leaving her all alone with her anger and resolved not to ignite that fire further. My walk to the room is greatly embarrassed by the knot formed at the bottom of my stomach. It feels like I am losing my wife; she is sneaking away from me, and I have no clue how to prevent that situation. This thought gave me the feeling of having something sharp twisted in my heart. I sat down on the edge of the be
JEMIMA’S POV Why do you speak like that, Arrow that I stood there with my lock of eyes to Arrow's voice an inch above whisper? The words were suspended in the following silence that accompanied my wait for his answer, pounding in my ears with anticipation. "I'm listening to myself," Arrow said confusedly. "I know what I've said," he said with narrowed eyes as he landed heavy gazes on me. He continued, "I'll be expecting a child soon." Those words hit like a bomb in my system. I felt my eyes widen, with my breath caught in my throat and staring at Arrow, and my mind whirling with their implications. "What child are you talking about, Arrow?" I asked her with a slight tremble in my voice as my heart raced with expectation. Arrow's eyes switched to mine, a note of curiosity in his voice as he asked, "So we had sex, right?" The words hung in the air because of the shared intimacy, passion that burned between us in time past. "And sex leads to fertilisation," Arrow continued, voice
KALMIA’S POV I stood there, tears streaming down my face as I became angry seeing my darling old photo. I hated him. Every word made me feel guilt, accusation, and condemnation. It was cutting me, a knife stabbing through my lungs, releasing the rage inside of me whenever I got close to someone. "Oh!" I screamed at Arrow. "You can't say anything right!" It echoed off the walls down the length of the aisle. I was a mass of banshee wails across the cityscape, heart-broken, for nothing could justify how Arrow could betray me. Nothing could replicate the liveliness and bruises of reality, wrapping its arm around me, constricting my lungs, and pricking that infernal tear at the corners of my eyes. It was like sun deep in the clouds, all of them dark, beckoning. "Arrow," he said, trying to sound low and soothing, but he couldn't convince me. I wouldn't let him. I cut him off with fury in my voice. "Shut your f****** mouth, Arrow!" I spat with venom. I was stepping closer to him, fir