Adrian's mind was actually racing back to the time when Christian was nothing and very petty, a nobody, a mere shadow of a man, living on the streets and struggling for life. It is the very same memory of how deeply he had picked Christian up-the entire gutter of him, both literally and figuratively, to redeem him. There was the way Christian would have looked at him with gratitude and admiration as he pulled him up to his back.He entered his car and drove away. "He has forgotten how I picked him up from the gutter," said the voice of Adrian, most definitely, as it dripped with a sense of betrayal, along with a hurt that seemed to have cut deep into his soul.Because the words would tumble off in a slow, deliberate cadence, it was almost as if he were composing poetry about some ballot brought from deepest recesses of his heart to express the sheer feeling of disappointment that had crept in from all corners for understanding or about possible solutions for Christian's foolishness.A
A thought began to form in my mind as I read the blueprint proposal:"I should surprise Adrian by correcting it." I knew enough about blueprints and government proposals to be confident in making some capable contributions to the project. I was then filled with exhilaration and purpose, knowing I had the ability to positively affect Adrian's very fabric of existence.Sitting at the table with the blueprint spread out before me, I began to assess all its details-the lines and the curves-with a keen eye. I would keep on correcting every mistake and documenting every detail, making sure everything was in order.Errors started to reveal themselves to me: minor mistakes in the blueprints that, if I didn't point them out, could very well be a source of major problems.I inhaled, my mind narrowing on the undertaking before me. I surveyed the scene around my phone, researched the Dubai Government's likes and dislikes, their regulations, and their requirements.If I could cater the proposal to
I gradually tried to wake, and darkness greeted me with the still hours of the night. Stress and exhaustion would have put me in such a deep sleep that I had no concept of time. I let out a huge yawn as if to free myself of the excessive fatigue still hanging on my body while I stretched my arms and legs, fighting off the hold of sleepiness.I swung my feet off the bed and made for the living room, where I hoped to find Adrian glued to his favorite channel. To my disappointment, he was not back yet. I settled myself comfortably on the couch with the remote control in my hand, switched on a movie, and willed the built-up anxiety to go away somehow.The film had barely started to take my interest when Adrian's voice sounded loud and clear from the living room: Well Adrian, baby, where are you? With sincerity of love and concern, he asked. The instant I heard such a familiar voice, a smile crossed my face. I could sense that indescribable thrill which comes just when he arrives home to m
"I have the right to see you anytime I want, morning, afternoon, or evening, or night or midnight," Adrian said, sending chills cascading down my spine in hushed tones reminiscent of a promise. So much present emotion was warring with his affairs that I felt utterly unstrung. What was happening with Adrian? Why was he so sure, so intense? I needed to understand his mind at work because of this force drawing me into his chrysalis."Please talk to me," I said, my voice light, a soft summer breeze. "What is all this about?" My eyes searched beyond every possible imperfection in his face, hoping to find the one that would give me an answer. My heart drumming painfully fast with expectation. Adrian's face softened, eyes glinting with that electric spark. "Okay," he said, "let's go to the bedroom." His voice, low and husky, held that promise. "So I will explain it to you," he continued, pausing as if to consider. His eyes were dancing with mischief now, as if to say he might take his chance
I really thought I was going to escape this time-my feet hitting the floor in the most desperate escape attempt when, suddenly, I felt rather trapped in this strange place. The sound of my breathing seemed like thunder in my ears, and anticipation raced through my heart.But it was in vain; he caught me. I entered the visitor's room without locking the door, and Adrian also entered with agility and speed. He shut the door, and the lock clicked ominously like a death knell in that room.The sound chills my back, creating feelings of dread and foreboding. There is no escaping; I know that.Adrian's eyes brightened up with triumph as he neared me. "Where are you running to?" he said, in a low voice and sinister tone. "You can't escape me, okay?" He sneered at me while his eyes glinted with a sinister intent. "While I am a good man," he added, with such heavy sarcasm that it felt like a goddamn truck ran over me, backward.Lying down in bed, I laughed to hide the creeping fear up my spine
He exhibited an almost palpable sense of defeat in voice tinged with disappointment and exasperation as he spoke. "Okay, my penis is no longer erect from asking so many questions," he answered while avoiding my gaze as if seeking a way to escape. I could only feel a smirk on my face from a suppressed sense of victory and amusement at his miserable lot.His trousers caught my eyes. I noticed his pride had all but fallen to the ground, like a cut-off tree. It felt so funny; I could feel a giggle yearning to be released any second. "Mtchew", Adrian said, looking depressed and annoyed, with the whole body language of a beaten man."Mrs. Question," he called me, his voice dripping with sarcasm, frustration, and humor married into one split-second brush. I couldn't really help laughing, each sound like a mighty riffle pouring out of me, my whole body shaking with mirth as I considered the sheer absurdity of the situation. Adrian's plans had been thwarted, and I had escaped for the time bein
THE NEXT MORNINGThat is the noise of the alarm clock. The voice that seemed to come hauntingly through the walls of sleep woke me up immediately. But I was hazy and too enticed to be engulfed by the soft facade of my bed covers. I nestled deeper into the blankets, releasing a soft sigh, as I tried to shake the coils of sleep off my mind.And then I remembered, I had to follow Adrian to his office-that oven hot place-to meet his designs team today. Contemplating all that brought me an incomprehensible wave of energy and left me sitting up in bed with my mind racing.With the comforter on the floor, I swung my feet over the edge of the bed and left them dangling. Standing, I slowly reached up, stretching arms high overhead. I arched my back, attempting to dispel all of the sleep from my body.The movement took me to the bathroom, quiet steps against the floor marking the start of my morning routine. I douse my complexion with cool water and brush my teeth until the familiar mint flavor
I couldn't stop smiling as I stood there, listening to Adrian's request. "Baby, this is an office, not a party or club," I softly said with my shaking head of amusement.But Adrian's look stayed serious, his eyes boring into mine as he replied, "Yes, I know, but dress attractively for me, would you?" The bedroom posts had, long ago, developed a low sound and hum. The smirk that began to grow on his lips was from the wicked pleasure he got in torturing me with his pleading looks and boyish charm.Allocating enough time for him, thus, with a smile, I turned and began walking toward the bathroom with water beckoning my warm body like a siren's call. Bath time! The water soothed my eyes against the final remnants of sleep and made me stand there leisurely, washing my bum, rinsing off my taxed body, and keeping my thoughts of Adrian alive as I entered the shower.The water soothed like a balm upon my needy skin, washing out every trace of fatigue from the previous night. I stood there as t
JENNY POVContrary to what I vaguely recall about the trial, with little less than half a month to go, I walked my final tour of the evidence. I took a long walk up the stairs toward the safe box where all the documents and evidence were kept, my heart racing.When I opened the safe box, the second surprise awaited me; it was empty. All our evidence was missing! Panic swept over me, and I reached in to search frantically, hoping maybe I had mislaid the documents. But the truth was clear: everything was gone.Unbelievably so. Everything we had worked for and all our evidence had vanished. It felt like the wind was knocked out of me. How could this happen? Who took the evidence?Panicking, I called Adrian and the lawyer, stuttering. "It's gone," I said. "All of it."Adrian was calm. He reassured me: "We'll figure this out. We'll get to the bottom of it. Don't worry. We'll find a way to move forward."But I felt uneasy now. That meant our case was in trouble. Samuel's team would probably
JENNY POVWe had amassed all the evidence and, with Gabriel's expert counsel, we were quite confident of a solid case against Samuel. Upon consulting our lawyer, we scheduled an appointment to discuss the next steps and finalize the court date.There was a nervous energy fluttering around me as I followed Adrian into the lawyer's office. What would the lawyer say? After that, will it be possible for us to carry on with our case? Just the sight of Adrian's stoic demeanor reassured me, and I inhaled deeply again to control my nerves.Gabriel was inside the room, coffee in hand. He gave a little nod of acknowledgment as we settled in, while the lawyer began to go through the evidence.She finally said, after looking through the papers, "Let us go over the plan one last time. We will be bringing the lawsuit.” Then, we prepare for Samuel's team to respond, which will probably include trying to discredit you or the evidence."Adrian nodded, jaw tight with determination. "We are ready for th
JENNY POVWhen we broke away from each other after the hug, the memory of him really made me grateful for Adrian. Surely he was that support system I needed at this moment. "Thank you for being here for me," I said with quavering words.Adrian smiled at me, took my hand, and replied, "For always, I am here with you." "We'll face everything that comes."Rejuvenated, we took our seats one last time to review the evidence. The lawyer had told us that the case was strong, but we had to be prepared for every event. Adrian and I were going through the adaptations, underlining the crucial points, and exchanging views on strategies.As the day darkened, the tension in the room built up. Both of us were waiting for the return of this breath-holding event, wishing it would end soon so that we could all finally move on. But it was obvious that this required patience and tenacity.And then, just when we were seeming to take a break, the doorbell rang. Adrian went to answer it, and I could hear so
JENNY POVThen she turned to us with a playfulness glinting in her eyes and said, "I have a question for you two." Adrian and I exchanged curious looks, and I asked, "What is it's, Mom?" She fixed her gaze upon us, darting between Adrian and me, before eventually saying, "When should I expect my grandchildren, please?" The question hung expectantly between us, twinkling as a little playful tip made both of us smile and ponder on how to answer it.Adrian stared at me, a sly smile spreading across his face as if he was daring me to respond to my mom's query regarding grandchildren. "Soon, Ma," he said, his voice teasingly mischievous as he tried to deflect her curiosity. My mom's eyes sparkled with mischief while teasing me: "I know Jenny won't say anything." Her words hung in the air, humorous but full of innuendo, and made me laugh loud, feeling my cheeks burning.The night pressed on: the ambiance of darkness shielded us, and we were slowly traveling back to our rooms, slowly paying
JENNY POVThe days morphed gradually into weeks, while weeks would gradually morph into months, and my mom was really okay after that. "Thank you so much, Jenny," she said to me, holding my hand. Her voice was much better now, and we were chatting well. She didn't get sick anymore, and the doctor visits were not frequent by now since the workers kept caring about her with kindness and compassion.Adrian and I used to go and visit the hospital together to bring her favorite food and flowers. We sat down to watch movies or even play games, but even though it was at a slow pace, she was getting back. The hospital room of care was now much brighter with laughter than it had ever been used to and filled with sadness and concern.It was like any other day; we were just chit chatting when suddenly, a glittering tear glistened in Mom's eye. "I'm very grateful to you, Jenny," she said with a shaking voice. "You have been my stronghold during this journey." A warm hug followed from me, elated a
JENNY POVIn the course of her recovery, I fleeted back home to refresh myself often. The workers would live with her, looking after her needs, and updated me about her conditions through regular phone calls, sometimes giving me a good laugh or two while hearing stories on her improvements.We began to develop a bond through these talks, and soon I would be on the edge of my seat waiting for their calls. They told me all about the jokes she told, her smiles, and how determined she was to recover. I laughed and appreciated their kindness.One day, I asked them all over for breakfast in appreciation of the small things they did for my mom. They came with huge, toothy grins and gifts of sunshine-dripped fruit and fragrant flowers. Here we were around the table, sharing together in a hearty meal.Mrs. Jenkins said, "We're so proud of your mom's progress, Jenny. She's a fighter." I smiled, feeling all the more blessed to have them with me. "Thanks to you all, she's getting a little better
JENNY POVAt first, the workers got busy setting up my mother for the transport to the hospital. I watched as they transported her into a stretcher, their faces serious."We'll get her the help she needs," Adrian said, his voice reassuring. "We'll make sure she's okay."I nodded, and hope washed over me. Maybe, just maybe, we could get my mom back on her feet. Maybe we could undo the damage that Samuel had done.But for some reason, all along the way that took us out of the house into the open, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the opening act--the warm-up--for a longer and tougher journey ahead.As the workers placed my mom in a car, an entire jigsaw puzzle of emotions filled the air: relief because actions were finally being taken; then apprehension of what could come to pass in future. The workers whose eyes had been somber just a few moments ago suddenly spoke."Pleeeeeeease, Jenny, let us help,” Mrs. Jenkins said, her voice being a little shaky. "We'll assure that y
JENNY POVAdrian took my hand and squeezed it gently."Let's go," he was saying in a steady voice. We walked together toward the little house, hearts heavy with concern for the ahead.I carefully entered the house with a pounding heart and a twisty stomach for anticipation and nervousness. Workers followed close behind, looking concerned. Adrian stayed near me, offering supporting comfort.A piece of cloth had been laid over something on the floor as we entered the room. My instinct told me it was my mother, but that thought was unbearable. "Where is she?" I managed to whisper to the men working.Mrs. Jenkins paused, speaking with a trembling voice, "Look at her here," extending her hands toward the cloth.My throat constricted as Mrs. Jenkins pulled back the cloth. I almost choked. My mom was lying on the floor with her eyes closed. I screamed, "Jezzzzz!"All hell broke loose in my mind. I staggered backward, feeling lost and disoriented. I never thought I could see such a thing: My
JENNY POVThe moment I stepped into the house, some feeling of discomfort seemed to wash over both me and Adrian. The staff had welcomed us with uneasy gestures, and one could almost taste the tension. Mrs. Jenkins, the housekeeper, came towards us smiling uneasily."Jenny, dear, we need to talk to you about something," she said in whispers.I exchanged the same puzzled glance with Adrian and followed Mrs. Jenkins into the living room. The others had entered, too, and their expressions were serious."What are we talking about?" I asked with an authority in my voice, betraying hardly any nerves.Mrs. Jenkins took a deep breath. "We have been looking after your mother for a while now, and...and there is something about which we have been doing...that we should not."I had felt that my intuition might be right: a knot was tightening painfully inside my stomach. "What do you mean by that?” I demanded, trying to add firmness to my tone while being cautious.The staff exchanged anxious look