The next thing I knew, I was taking very slow, calculated steps to the sitting room in a bid not to alert Adrian about the storm brewing inside me. Each foot into this room, time seemed to swallow me in; underfoot, the floor trembled, as if poised to sink me and swallow me whole. I fell into a small chair and burst into a storm of sobs, burying my face between my palms. Gushes of tears which seemed to form a river of pain flowed down my cheeks, each drop a sore reminder of failure; and each sob bore witness to my agony.The very chair seemed to embrace me, its insufficient cushions replacing real comfort. I felt slaughtered, my emotions raw and naked, crying for what seemed forever, with my heart broken into a zillion pieces. Everything around me grew dim, shriveling upon the sound of my hitching breath and the feeling of tears streaming down my face. Alone in utter terror and despair, I truly was, with no lifeline in sight.The road to the wardrobe was one marked with a dulled purpos
"It's okay," Adrian said to me: soft and soothing- as I stood there tears streaming down my face and my body shaking with sobs. He took my phone from my hands and brushed fingers against mine. He got busy deftly moving fingers above the keyboard, the fingers flying so fast across the screen as he edited the message and sent it to Samuel.The sound of his fingers typing away on the keyboard was like music to my ears, a sweet symphony of salvation as I watched him work his magic. With something hopeful rising within me, his taking charge of the situation and saving me from despair made me even relieved."I have edited the message," he said, holding eye contact with me and sounding calm and reassuring. "And it says..." I will give you cash. "He paused, scanning with those blue eyes into mine like he was looking for my approval." That's okay, right?" he asked. In his voice were gentleness as if asking permission.The words hung in space between us, a promise, a guarantee, indeed, a lifeli
Suddenly, abruptly he withdrew from me and set his gaze directly into mine. "On your stomach," he mouthed in a smooth pulse of lust driving his words home. I obeyed him, feeling his grip on my hips as he maneuvered me. There was pressure from the head of his cock onto my ass, and I became tense waiting for the pain."Shhh, relax, babe," he would whisper hotly in my ear; with one just thrust, he was all the way inside me; the initial sharp pain was bombarded with pleasure as he began to thrust. Thrusting hard and fast, he drove pleasure through me; I moaned a bit, biting my lip, trying to keep the screech in.His hand worked its way around to my clit while he kept mercilessly pounding into me. I could feel my orgasm building, the pleasure so great I could barely handle it. Feeling my clutch escape, he withdrew, spun me on my back.His cock found my pussy effortlessly, sliding into me. He leaned down, taking my lips for a heated kiss, and began to thrust. Fingers still working my clit l
The kitchen was filled with warm sunlight streaming through the window; the golden light fell on the counters, brightening up the scattered utensils and appliances. In the air was the fresher brewed aroma of coffee, presumably from the coffee maker sitting grandly over the counter. I was engrossed by the happenings of yesterday, lost in thought, and on hearing footsteps walking in.Then Adrian came rushing into the kitchen, his eyes glued at me while having a look so soft and gentle. "Baby, please," he continued, his voice sexy and lower that soothed, "I want us to sit together after you are done talking about the fight." He remained silent, looking into my eyes as if trying to gauge something, but I had a hot temper; the storms of emotion were simmering within, so the heat had not yet worn off.So I immediately rebuffed him: my voice was as full on as I could be, but still respectful, because this was my husband; I loved him. "I'll be busy," I said, just matters short, curt. Android'
"My mom!" I screamed from the depths of my being in an agonizing cry of the spirit echoing through the room. "Is she dead?" My voice quivered; the last few words were hardly spoken, as if I feared to utter the truth. "No, this has got to be a mistake," I stammered in disbelief. "Who knows? Maybe you just misread it." I gave a laugh, a chilling, mirthless sound, like a cracking piece of ice, as I desperately sought a way to wipe the truth away, to evade the overwhelming press of reality.In Adrian's gaze, however, a serious expression planted itself, with stormy eyes clashing with distant emotion, like storm clouds brooding somewhere far away. "Ahhh, I laugh, who knows, we were probably rushing to read," he said, voice low and husky, then paused, level eyes searching mine for understanding, for acceptance. "You know I wouldn't joke about something like that," he stated flatly, with determination. "I'm serious, baby." His finger pointed at the paper, trembling slightly."See, here?" sai
As Adrian and I settled into the car, soft leather seats enveloped us like a warm hug, preparing us for our journey. Our mission was to find my mother's graveyards, and we meant to accomplish it. Adrian's hands moved deftly, like a person who had the terrain well imprinted in memory, to position the GPS tracker, whose gentle blue light lit the dashboard.It is gentle, robotic voice that announced our movement, leading us down crooked pathways as the view outside melted into the equivalent of a watercolor painting in the rain. "Baby, we are at the place," Adrian said, his voice in a tender, hushed tone wherein the person had come.I felt excitement pouring over me like a person near their destination as I said, "Ahh, so quick." The words hung in the air, like a challenge, as Adrian nodded his head while still keeping his eyes on the road, his face concentrated like someone focused on a task."Yes, but it is not quite close from our house," his words were a slow, measured pace, like som
Dueling gazes. Like a mind reader conjuring deep thoughts, my eyes were fixed on his. The soft golden rays emanating from the table made us feel warm, tenderly caressing our features as we got lost in our thoughts. "What's wrong, baby?” I asked softly, a tone seeking to comprehend; like a true seeker.A devilish glimmer sparkled in his eyes, reflecting the glint of mischief like a person who had just sprung a secret. But his face looked oddly serious: his lips chiseled, his jaw clenched like one who meant to deliver a truth. "Julian and Samuel are working together," he said, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial stage, like one about to let someone in on a secret.A strange, wild emotion erupted: like a punch in the gut. My eyes popped, my brows jumped, like a confession that shocked the living daylights out of somebody. "How do you know that?" I asked, my voice a gentle probe, like one who knew there was more to discover here. My hands were clasped, like a person praying, as I waite
Except for the droning sound of fluorescent lights, I was in a dim-lit room, going through the blueprint with scanning eyes; like an abandoned treasure hunter, I was falling deep into the document as though something inside was nagging me uncomfortably, like finding a puzzle that had some pieces missing."It is not complete," I said to Adrian barely above a whisper, all my uneasiness washing over me suddenly at that moment. Adrian's eyes were narrowed like a person trying to solve a mystery at this point-'Are you serious?'A nod from me, eyes glued to the incomplete blueprint like a person staring at an unfinished jigsaw puzzle, said it all-"Yeah, go through it," I insisted, sounding firm like someone trying to persuade someone to the truth. Adrian opened his phone and went through the document thoroughly, his eyes scanning the pages as though searching for a particular detail.His expression changed as he read, like a person who has just discovered a shocking truth. His eyes widened
JENNY POVI stood beside Adrian, my heart racing in excitement as he ended his proposal to the crowd. He seemed to sense the moment's emotion as a lovely smile replaced the tension in his face."Now, I'd like to introduce the person who has played a pivotal role in finding out the truth regarding Samuel and Julian's deception: my wife, Jenny."The audience was utterly still, all eyes on me as Adrian took my hand and brought me to the stage. At that moment, I was stun-not sure how to react. Wife? He never mentioned it in public before.As I scanned the room, my gaze fell upon Samuel, who besides busy whispering into his brother's ears, seemed confused as he and Julian were not connected the minute before nor even knew what happened.Adrian spoke through the mic, "And now, I have something to say." The whole room held its collective breath as some kind of climatic twist was about to unravel.I gazed at him. Then Adrian began to speak, and with it, of course, my eyes were there to see h
JENNY POV"Oh my God, what do we do now, baby?" I asked Adrian almost inaudibly, it slipped out like a keenly uttered prayer, with panic and doubt glittering in my eyes as I held his gaze."I don't know, darling," he replied in soft tones, one of the soothing voices hanging on the air like an aura, "just go baby, up to the hostess, tell her you want to give your proposal," I suggested and almost rushed through the words. Adrian's eyes narrowed, contemplating my reply like a puzzle piece that reluctantly fit."Okay, are you sure it helps?" he asked skeptically. I bobbed my head for yes as if it were attached to a buoy on a swell. "Yes, go ahead, just do it before the government officials reach the stage," I added with an urgency intensifying by the moment.Another "ok", and now Adrian was striding up to the proscenium, his long legs devouring distance like a ravenous giant. The bouncers tried to intercept him, massive and intense in stature, arms like offending barricades blocking his
JENNY POV"Why are you telling us to get out?" I asked Samuel, the confusion and hint of annoyance in my voice, like a puzzle yet to be solved. The words hung heavy in the atmosphere, as it felt like a challenge, a gauntlet thrown down; Samuel's expression also seemed to morph from an unfriendly smile to something threatening."Haha, don't start proving to me that Superwoman is here now, or we shall have to black-list your company's name," Samuel said in an exaggeratedly sarcastic manner, as if the words were reverberating within the throat of an anaconda. The words slapped, a tight comment that narrowed my eyes a bit, like a detective going over some clues."Julian, even you?" Adrian grumbled, disappointment intertwining with mock fury at his friend's betrayal, the barometer of the soul hinting at stormy weather far off. It also appeared as if they hung in the air, a question mark, a puzzle to be solved.The voice of Adrian cleaved through the air, sharp and piercing as a surgeon's s
JENNY POVI screamed so much that Adrian woke up all shocked with his eyes wide open and sat up in bed suddenly. As if my voice was a slap in the face, he woke up with its sound." Baby! We are already 4 hours late!" I exclaimed, without stopping for breath. "The event has begun!" And eventually added with increasing pitch.He went white as he absorbed the extent of the situation. He leapt from bed like a flash and ran to the bathroom, slamming its door behind him. I saw him off, and my heart raced in anxiety and frustration. I could not believe we had gotten that late and that the event had already begun minus us.I quickly went back to my room, teeming with thoughts of everything I had to do. I hastily donned my corporate wear, a pencil skirt and crisp white blouse, slipped on my black heeled shoes, and moved as they clacked on the floor echoing through the room. I later accessorized with rings, bracelets, and earrings, giving a careful selection to finish my outfit.Completing what
JENNY POV"My love, I received a text from the Dubai government telling me that the proposal will be tomorrow," Adrian said in a very excited and urgent tone as he walked into the room, his face shining with both excitement and anticipation. "Ahhh," I exclaimed, my voice shocked at such an abrupt change of plans. "They changed the date, love?" I asked, my brows knitting with confusion as I tried to figure out this turn of events."So I thought it would be two weeks later?" I wondered out loud, looking for clarification on the new timing. "Yes, but I just got an email now, so it would be tomorrow," he said quietly, matter-of-fact and informing me of his latest news. "Alright then, no problem," I replied in resigned acquiescence, accepting this new timetable.I walked to the kitchen to prepare something for Isaac and the others while my husband followed behind, the sound of light footsteps trailing in the quiet. Night had fallen outside the kitchen, dark and desolate yet warm and busy w
JENNY POVAs my head leaned closer towards him, my eyes facing his offended curiosity led me to ask, "What did you do then?" My voice was almost a whisper, my words heavy with anticipation for him to reveal the next chapter. He smiled, that sly yet mischievous glint in his eyes, and began speaking."Zara told me the plan of Samuel," he said, and sure enough, that was how he had come here putting his life at stake. "And so we came up with another plan." At that point he paused grandly, as if to relish a moment. "Guess, baby?" he teased with a twinkle of amusement in his eye.I shook my head in a guess but tried to fathom what they might have done. "You guys confronted him?" I suggested hesitantly, my voice uncertain.He chuckled slowly, shaking his head. "No, dear," he said, his voice smooth, dripping with sophistication. "We acted it to be so real, but it was actually edited." The proud glint in his eyes showed he felt like they had done something clever. "And we called a photographe
JENNY POVI was thinking when the sharp blast of a motor-horn cleaved the air into pieces. My heart raced faster recognizing the familiar sound of Adrian's car horn. I knew he was back, and an excitement swept over me, as if some burden had lifted off my shoulders. I could not wait to see my husband.I dashed through my hurried feet and reached the entrance of my house almost instantly. I reached there in a hurry and found Adrian coming from his car. His figure was as tall as the car did not have. Yet for such a gigantic stature, there were marks of stress and, plain to see, the weariness in his eyes. My heart, on the contrary, was full of feeling and sympathy for him."You are back, honey," my voice thick with emotion as I held him close against me. He hugged me tight, and exclaimed, "Thank you, my love," grazing my forehead with his lips while I shivered from the sensation.Everything seemed to drift far into the background; it was just a lovely space that had come alive through the
SAMUEL POVLike, all my thoughts were running amok in connection with that tormented video, and a little voice made itself heard in my subconscious. What did Zara do? Did she get me in a trap? I asked myself, thoughts swirling through suspicion, anger, and a little self-doubt.Picking my other phone, I quickly punched Zara's number. Ring! I heard it, slicing through the silence. Zara answered, but before I could speak, she hung up the phone. Frustration rushed through me, further fueling my anger.I tried again, this time using a different number. Zara picked it up. "Hello?" her voice was tense but cautious. "Hello, Zara," I said, my voice firm but controlled. "What's the problem?" she responded, her tone drenching with attitude, her mixed tone of defiance and hostility.It lit up a little surprise in me. "Are we fighting, Zara?" I shot back with a little confusion and concern in my voice. It caught me a little off guard because of how hostile she was.Zara just laughed instead. "Haha
SAMUEL POVThe entire time, I simply stared at the exhausted girl. Zara was lying there, motionless, chest rising and falling with labored breaths; her whole body felt like the effect of all the things that had occurred between us up to that point. The silence in the air was made heavy by all the emotions we felt; it seemed to be a live entity that inhabited the space between us.With me, however, it was done. Done. I was clothed, moving softly with the rustling fabric that now formed a stark contrast with the silence. Leaving Zara to her weary slumber, I began to prepare for my departure.As I reached for the door, however, my hands instinctively dipped into my back pocket, my fingers closing around a crumpled wad of dollars. They were old papers, and worn and creased, whose edges frayed from spending. With a swift, almost cruel movement, I flung the money onto Zara's face, making it flutter down like autumn leaves, each one a tiny, insignificant thing.A sharp and startling smack wa