THE NEXT MORNING*****The jarring of his alarm was what woke Adrian up. In no time, he leaped out of bed, took a refreshing bath, and put on his regular business attire.Morning sun cast a golden glow on the city as he drove to the company.As Adrian reached the entrance of his office, his phone buzzed an incoming text message."I will be coming to the company today."The message sent Adrian's heart racing. Who could this be? The content of the message sent a cold thrill down his spine.He tried putting the feeling off and focusing on the tasks at hand for the day. However, the message would not leave his head and would not be denied attention.As he walked into his office, his staff smiled and greeted "Good morning, sir."Adrian merely nodded, curtly eyeing the room as if searching for signs of who could have sent such a cryptic message via text.The sun had barely risen, but something in his gut was telling him that this would be a day full of surprises.The message was from Mr. Sh
THE NEXT DAYLying in bed, face up, beaming with pleasure, thoughts of his wife's deteriorating health began to improve, and the contract that he had finally gained after so much effort of years that were passing tirelessly. A sense of relief and accomplishment washed over him, and he couldn't help but think that today was the perfect day to take his wife, Jenny, home from the hospital."I think I have to discharge Jenny today," he whispered to himself, and smiling all over his face, he slung the quilts and got out of bed.Stretching his body, feeling muscles relax from tenseness, he walked up to the bathroom. He started off by picking his toothbrush along with the toothpaste and brushed teeth and the tongue round and softly.His mouth was filled with the minty taste of the toothpaste as he refreshed himself with water in his mouth. Thereafter, he walked to the bathtub, which he had already filled with liquid soap. The sweet fragrance of the soap filled the atmosphere and Adrian felt
As Adrian was done with his meal, he extended his hand, his fingers reaching out to the keys lying on the table.Utensils clinking against the plate resounded as Madam Helen, the housekeeper, began clearing the table. Her hands moved in quiet efficiency, gathering up the plates and glasses with practiced ease."How is Madam Jenny?" she asked, her tone warm and soft, as she began cleaning up the remains of Adrian's meal.Adrian's face broke into a wide smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he replied,"She's fine." The smile was contagious, and Helen could not help but smile back at him, the face creasing with warmth."Yes, sir," she said softly and deferentially, collecting the last of the dishes to turn toward the kitchen to wash up.As Madam Helen disappeared into the kitchen, Adrian felt a wave of contentment wash over him. He leaned back in his chair, scraping the legs on the floor, and rose to his feet, slow and languid."I am happy," he whispered, still in a quieted tone,
Then Adrian cut through the tension like a hot knife, each word heavy with venom and contempt; his tone reverberating around the room."Speak up, Dr. Frederick!" he shouted, his voice still echoing off the walls.Dr. Frederick's eyes grew wide in terror as he stuttered out an apology."I'm sorry, Adrian," he said, his voice trembling with fear.Adrian's face contorted with anger at the implication, his eyes burning with fire."Dr. Frederick, how I wish I had relied on your observation," he spat, his words dripping with sarcasm."My wife would have been a dead person by now," he went on, as in a crescendo of voice."And you are called a doctor? You purchased that certificate to become a doctor?" It was an open dagger: Adrien's words tore into the flesh of Doctor Frederic's soul and took away his breath.His ashen face jerked wildly round the room as if in search of every avenue of escape open to him in front of Adrian. Really, he was afraid enough to wish that the earth could open and
Lying in bed, I looked around at the sterile hospital walls and turned my eyes to see who was at the doorway; my heart was racing in anticipation. Then, I saw him. In the doorway stood my husband Adrian, a smile spreading warmly in his face. I was too happy-my heart swelling with delight-and I just couldn't help but return him a smile."Hello, baby," I said, my voice barely audible, as I stared back at Adrian's smiling face. He looked so handsome, so radiant that my heart just skipped a beat."Good morning, my love," he said in a low, husky voice, heading toward me. He was still smiling, his eyes crinkling up toward the edges, and my heart melted at the mere vision of him.As he reached the bed I was sitting upon, he leaned forward and kissed my forehead. His kiss sent a run of shivers down my back, a wave of warmth that filled my body, making me happier, more alive. I closed my eyes, basking in the moment-the feel of his lips against my skin, the love radiating from him in waves, lik
As I looked into his eyes, my chest warmed up. "That's so nice of you, my love," I whispered, my voice barely audible as I looked up at him. He grinned at me with a radiant smile, his eyes crinkling at the corners, and offered me his hand to take. "Let's go, please," he said in this low, husky voice that sent my spine tingling on end.We walked towards the room, he put his arm around my waist and pulled me close to him. His hand rested at the curve of my hip, his fingers touching my skin as he stroked a flutter in my chest. "Baby," he whispered softly against my ear. His breath traveled the length of my neck, raising tingles across the surface. His heart skipped as he spoke a little louder to continue in this low, sultry tone: "I feel horny." Those words made some electricity pass right through my body.I knew right away in my chest was racing, a pulse of anticipation. Something pressed strong and insisting into my back, and my trouble was basically sealed. There was a complete riot i
Adrian's gaze, while he stood there in the bathroom, seemed to hold me hostage, his eyes ablaze with a longing that made my skin crawl. I tried to tear my eyes away from his naked body, but they were drawn back, as if by some perverse fascination, like a moth to a flame."Adrian, please," I whispered, my voice barely audible, trying to push him away, my hands shaking with fear and desire. "You're distracting me from the party upstairs. The party is coming soon."I wriggled myself out of the bathroom, wrapping the towel as tightly as possible around my body as I went into the bedroom. I felt Adrian staring at me, really looking at me, as I walked away from him. I shrugged off the weird sensation of his scrutiny and proceeded to get ready for the party.We were already late, and I knew everybody was waiting for us to arrive. I quickly dried myself, my towel swishing across my skin, cleaning off the drops of water clinging to me like small diamonds.Standing before the closet, scanning t
The moment the immensity of what his cousin Julian had done dawned upon Adrian, a contortion appeared in his face through shock, anger, and a feeling of betrayal.His bright and warm eyes had now taken the intensity of blazing fire, with a burning passion for justice as if filling those eyes. Gone was that perennial smile that graced his countenance, taken over by furrows which now seemed etched within him.Of a sudden, with the reality hitting his system, his anger boiled over from underneath; he could barely hold himself back.His fists turned into balls and his knuckles began whitening, reflecting the tempest inside his head. Somehow, his hands seemed to follow a mind of their own as they raced to the pocket behind and wrapped around the phone's familiar form.With a jerky, quick motion, Adrian whipped out the phone and clutched it in hands that seemed to show a resolve almost to desperation. His fingers flew across the screen in scrolling through contacts in frantic urgency, as if
JENNY POVWe strolled to the living room and there, illuminated by the soft glow of the lights illuminating the path from the entrance, we found Grace (or so she claimed) standing with head downcast, turning eyes to the floor in a gesture of abandonment and with shoulders slumped in an act of discomfiture. "Good day, sir and ma'am," she addressed, her whisper almost inaudible, trembling slightly as she spoke, the words formed by hardly fluttering lips."Yea, Grace," he replied in a neutral tone, without a discernible expression, right when we sat together, as I was sitting on him, arms wrapped around me while holding me to himself, a hand softly placed on my stomach. Adrian then turned to Scarlett, his eyes narrowing as he studied her with a furrowed, working overtime with his brain to decode whatever she was ruminating upon."Grace, who are you?" he asked in a commanding tone that seemed to challenge such pronouncement, laced with some measure of skepticism, his tone even dripping wi
JENNY POVThe onset of this incident will forever remain my awakening hour, with the night still darkened. I became more aware of my surroundings, with the first thing in sight being Adrian, my husband, seated next to me with a most concerned look on his face. That dim bedside lamp light warmed him, throwing the depths of his worry into bold relief."What happened?" I pictured me demanding, but my voice was edged with confusion and alarm. Just as I attempted to rise, dizziness would encompass me, my husband's hands there to gently yet quite firmly assist me."You fell; you fainted," Adrian said. I kept on repeating it to myself in an attempt to fathom what it meant to faint. "I fainted?" I was finally able to whisper, the word now hanging in the air as if challenging my perception.He looked at me for a long moment, concerned but slightly annoyed. "Yes, love," he said gently but firmly. "I've told you to take it easy on yourself." Even as his tone reproached, his eyes showed the quick
JENNY POVMonica left my mother behind, with Grace, the maid, for services in the house. The next day, I woke as if with no energy; my body felt heavy and completely pregnant. "Honey," I called, sweet and gentle, hoping that Adrian would respond. But there was only silence. I waited for a moment expecting him to walk into the bedroom, but nothing.Sighing, I arise and manage to put all my strength into moving toward the kitchen. The instant Grace saw me walk through, she seemed to stop whatever the action was that she was engaged in and smiled, saying "Good morning, ma'am." In that voice, there was this plural, respectful and welcoming tone. I returned the gesture but instinctively put my hands on my huge tummy to rub it while feeling kicks from the baby inside. "Good morning, dear," I added just to sound a little more cheerful than I really felt.It was an exceptionally warm and inviting room that within one breath, would include coffee brewing. I found my usual place on the table an
ADRIAN POVIn the warmth of home, the weak lights of evening embraced us in lazy comfort. "Well, this is home; I was checking on Jenny," I muttered, sadly and tenderly gazing at her with concern. "No need to worry, babe. Jenny was fine," I comforted him with a smile, gently pulling him into hugs.As we moved on toward the room, the only sound from out two feet padding softly across the floor. "We need to hire a maid," I soothingly suggested, trying to approach the subject slowly. But Jenny interrupted, her voice very clear and very strong. "No, baby. I can do all the housework," she opposed right away, with a determined glint in her eyes that dared me to argue with her.My heart reeked of love and guilt towards her. I smiled sweetly and said, "No, my love-no." "You are expecting and I cannot allow you to submit yourself to doing that." Please, let me take care of this." I pleaded as I caressed her hair softly, as though that might somehow soften her resolute spirit.She regarded my w
ADRIAN POVFour hours later, the wait finally ended. Dr. Dazzy walked out of the emergency room, a mask of professionalism on his face, his eyes revealing but a sliver of concern. He called out my name, voice laden with reassuring authority like a lifeline thrown to a drowning man, "Mr...?" Suddenly his gaze shifted towards the waiting area, raking in one after the other until at last, it rested on yours truly.I jumped up, my heart racing. Oh yeah, that's me, I whispered back. "How is she? How's Jenny?" The floodgates burst open.The treatment softened the doctor's looks a bit as he nodded. "I'm with your wife now," he said, almost holding out a glimmer of hope. "Let's talk," he said, sending a gesture toward one of the waiting room's quiet corners. My heart drummed in my chest like a drummer preparing for some primitive ritual. What was he going to say? Was Jenny okay? The uncertainty was murder.I quickly marched into the doctor's office, purposeful stride like a man on a mission,
ADRIAN POVAs we lay there, Jenny's body tensed, muscles broiling under the skin like waves about to crest. A grotesque distortion of her face came into view as her eyes were closed shut, and a strangled, guttural cry, "Hpppp!" escaped her lips, followed closely by a heartbreaking wrenching sound. This tearing sound ripped irrevocably through the very fabric of that moment. Eyes that once sparkled with humor and fun turned into tight, scrunched-up furrows of mixed terror and discomfort." And I, exhilarated, turned toward her, speaking soft, reassuring words, almost like a summer's warm, gentle breeze."What is it, baby?" I asked, leniently. Distracted by pain, Jenny barely perceived my touch as I brushed a straining hand from her forehead. In that instant, I felt an electric jolt through my fingers. Slowly, her eyes opened, and she gazed up at me- her expression blurred and hazy, breathing labored. Each rise and fall of her chest steered with ragged breaths alongside cowering flickeri
ADRIAN POVFive months laterSoftly I entered the room calling for my wife. "Honey," I said very softly, very lovingly. "I'm over here, baby," she said, warm and inviting, as I turned in the direction of her voice.Jenny was in the room, snacking and gently rubbing her stomach. She had dancing happiness in her eyes, and her face shone with a glorious smile. I, at that moment, couldn't help but smile back at her, as time seemed to make my love grow stronger for her."You are eating too much baby," I said, staring right at her, mischief ringing in my voice."Funny. It's that time of the baby." She replied, "I'm eating for two now, you know." And I laughed and shook my head, awestruck by the miracle in her womb.Looking at her, he could not stop the gratitude that he felt for all that was in store for the couple. The joy of becoming parents was getting real for them, and the dreamy excitement of meeting their little one was almost tangible. Then Jenny held my hand, intertwining her finge
ADRIAN POVAll fit to burst with happy joy, and really not in any way able to keep joy controlled, I ran straight towards Jenny's ward; and my heart beat like a train's wheels running on the tracks. Cracked the door ajar, I peeped in. But, no sooner did my eyes lay on my beautiful wife lying down there, with her eyes locked onto the television-"Honey," I called softly so as not to startle her.She turned her gaze to me, and a slight smile fell across her lips. "Yea," she replied soft and gentle. I moved to the edge of the bed and sat on it beside her, our eyes shining into each other. I was lost staring into those beautiful eyes and getting all the more lovely toward her.Before the evils of my mind settle, I kissed her lips very lightly, "I love you very much," he whispered-voice barely audible as he choked with emotion. She smiled and wrapped her arms around me, drawing in tighter. "I love you too," she murmured, still kissing me.Kissing her made euphoria and gratification wrap aro
ARROW POVCrack of dawn with blurred golden rays peeking through the wrappers of my curtains woke up my senses. As I turned my head, there was the soothing sight of Jenny sleeping beside me; what a rare sight. Normally, J would be awake, ultra-busy preparing for her day most probably hours ahead of me. With my finger, I touched her shoulder softly, even while talking-low and concerned. "Honey?" I said quietly, but no stir. Her gently comforting breath indicated she was still fast asleep.Looking at Jenny, my face turned into a mask of concern. I knew I should take her in for an immediate checkup. "I think we should go to the hospital," I said, maintaining a naturalness in my voice. But all of her answers were a slight shake of her head along with a presence in her playing lips-a weak smile of assurance. "No, baby, I'll be fine; maybe it's just stress," she said, her words at a whisper.I nodded my head, in understanding, with my concern still at its peak. "It's stressful, I know, but