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Chapter Six
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Zara
The past few weeks have been hectic. After the events of that night, I threw my self into work the next week and in the weeks to follow. The only time I had to unwind was when I met with Valerie and Emily. The thought of my new friends brings a smile to my face. I never thought I’d be so open to having other people in my space but I seemed to like it so far. The girls had teased me endlessly on the first night we met. It was definitely hard to keep up with the amount of profanities Valerie dropped in each sentence. The girl swore like a sour grandma but I found myself smiling whenever she spoke. I would say she is a ray of sunshine but she puts the entire sun to shame, that one. Emily on the other hand is gentle, with the prettiest smile. They balance each other out perfectly. A knock sounds outside my office and in walks my Secretary, Leslie. My position in the company is not the highest but being a Senior Associate meant I was entitled to my own assistant. “ Ma’am , the CEO is asking for you in his office” “Alright , Leslie. I’ll be there, thank you” Our CEO and Senior Partner, Mr. Rogers is a Luminary in New York’s Law sector. His excellence is the reason I came to work at Rogers and Sanders Co. in the first place. I wanted to be at the top of the food chain . Besides, your environment determines the opportunities you get. Working in one of the top law forms did have it’s perks. On the entire elevator ride to the top floor, I keep pondering on why Mr. Rogers asked for me. It is rare to get called up to the CEO’s office . Am I in some kind of trouble? I knock on the door and walk in at the sound of Mr. Roger’s “come in” There is a man sitting on the couch opposite him. “ You called for me, Sir “ “Yes, Miss Parkinson. Please, sit I have a job for you.” I take a seat beside the stranger. “ This is Mr. Michael Black. Head of PR at Paradise Group” “ Paradise Group? The one owned by…” “Hernandez Andres. Yes, that’s the one” Paradise Group of Companies was the biggest conglomerate in all of New York, if not the United States. “ Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Black” The man merely sends a smile my way and nods in acknowledgement. Mr. Rogers continues, “ Mr. Black is here as a representative for his boss, Marcello Andres and they will like to form an alliance with our firm” “Okay…?” “ Don’t look so surprised, Miss Parkinson” , Mr. Rogers chuckles “ I’d like you to take on this client” Did he just say he wants me to take on a client from Paradise Group? Oh. My. God “ You have shown excellence in the duration of your stay with us. This is a chance to prove yourself in a bigger arena.” A huge grin breaks out on my face at the compliment. “ Thank you so much, Sir. I promise I won’t let you down” “ I’ll hold you to that, Miss Parkinson. You can see Mr. Black here to your office to work out the details.” I thank him once again and leave with the man who is yet to say a word, behind me. Once we’re outside, he stops me. “ Miss Parkinson, was it?” I smile politely “ Yes , Sir” He stretches a card in my direction. “ Please, call my office later in the week and set up a meeting with my secretary. I would love to stay and chat but I have a meeting to get to .” He moves towards the elevator but before he steps in, he turns towards me with a smile, “ It was lovely to make your acquaintance too, Miss Parkinson.” Strange. I press the button for the elevator and just as I am about to step in, a sudden feeling of vertigo envelopes me. I stagger for a second, gripping on to the wall for stability. It takes a few minutes for me to gain my bearings. I have been neglecting my health due to work . I think I even skipped a few meals. I just got a VIP client, I will not let something as minute as forgetting to eat, rob me of this opportunity. Luckily for me, it’s break time. So, I walk straight to the Company Cafeteria to grab a bite. Today’s menu is pasta, so I order a plate with a bottle of water. My stomach growls at the aroma of the steaming pasta and sauce, as I grab a seat by the door. I lift a forkful to my mouth but the aroma becomes a nauseating smell that makes my stomach churn. I must have gone so long without food. I lift the fork to mouth again but my gag reflexes kick in and within seconds, I am hunched over the toilet, puking my guts out. With every retch, my stomach tumbles violently, threatening to fold in on itself. Could it be ulcer? Food poisoning ? During the last week, I have been running fevers on and off. I return to the cafeteria and trash my food. I still have a few hours to be at work, so I go to work on a document I was working on earlier. I don't know how long I sit there, reading and typing on my computer until Leslie knocks on the door to my office. " It's time for your two o'clock appointment Miss Zara" "It is? I totally lost track of time. Is the client here yet?" "Not yet, ma'am" I hold my breath at the sharp pain that pierces my stomach. The pain lasts for a short while but it leaves me momentarily disoriented. "Is everything alright, Ma'am?" Leslie asks Is everything alright? I guess not. " Leslie, please reschedule my appointment for another day. Apologize to the client on my behalf" I guess it’s time to visit the doctor.Related chapters
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ZaraThe train ride to the hospital was nothing short of a nightmare. I almost puked all over the train and the innocent passengers. Why?A certain man decided to squeeze every drop of juice from my stomach , with his strong cologne. I wouldn’t go as far as calling it ‘cologne’, death trap was more like it. I was enjoying the scenery and loving the wind on my face when said man got into the seat beside me. I felt my stomach churn in a worse manner than I had experienced at the cafeteria.So, the whole trip, I had to give myself a pep talk, yunno, not to embarrass my family and all, with my fingers plugging my nose.The moment I walked into the hospital, I ran straight for the restrooms. I proceeded to puke out everything I had eaten in the last two days. Now, waiting for my name to be called, I revel in the smell of antiseptic. Have hospitals always smelled so good?I chuckle lowly. It’s funny because the few times I had accompanied my mom to the hospital for her routine examinat
APHRODISIA Chapter Eight
ZaraI walk in a daze up to my apartment and slot in the key. Everything in the background is a blur. I drop my bag and keys on the kitchen island and slide down to the floor, my back resting on the wall. This all seems like a bad dream. Maybe if I sleep and wake up, it’ll be gone.I stare down at the tiny photo card in my hand. The Sonogram…Dr. Meyers had handed it to me on my way out. I stare at the black and white image of what seems like a blob. So, this tiny human is currently growing in me. I move my hand to my stomach and rub unconsciously . I don’t have it in me to get rid of an innocent life but I am at a loss of what to do. Maybe the girls can help…I push myself up and walk to the bag I discarded earlier on the island. I fish out my phone and dial Valerie and Emily. Valerie answers first in that chirpy tone of hers “what’s good, mama?”I immediately burst into tears. “ Help me”It is Emily that says “ We’re on our way”***********Less than an hour later, the girls ar
APHRODISIA Chapter Nine
Zara“What do you mean you’re doomed?”I look up at the concerned faces of my friends. “ I meant I’m doomed, as in D-O-O-M-E…”“We know how to spell doomed, you idiot. You know, I’m beginning to question how you got a degree in Law.” Valerie says and proceeds to roll her eyes .Emily chimes in “ I thought you’d be happy that we finally have a clue as to who the baby’s father is. What’s the problem?”I lift my hands in exasperation. “ The problem is, just today, a man from Paradise group visited the firm and my boss just happened to assign me to him. That’s not the crazy part, he said he was representing MARCELLO ANDRES! Does the name sound familiar?”Emily hums in understanding. “ So, you’re scared because you think you might lose your job for getting hot and personal with a client?”“Isn’t that obvious?”Valerie rolls her eyes again for what seems like the hundredth time. She walks closer and squats in front of me, until she is at my eye level. “ According to you, you had no idea wh
APHRODISIA Chapter Ten
ZaraLast night, I had tossed and turned for hours before sleep caught up with me in the early hours of this morning. I had come to a decision; go to Paradise Group and tell Marcello Andres to take responsibility.Only, it was easier said than done.The moment I walked into the magnificent architecture, I felt like an impostor. Paradise group stood towering over several buildings in the area and that was saying something, considering that this was New York .The interior is decorated with polished wood floors and marble walls. Fancy light fittings span the reception and lobby. Men and women in all kinds of corporate wears walk up and down the place, going about their business of the day. Thankfully, I am also in my work outfit; a black tuxedo dress and a pair of black stilettos. Black makes all the difference in a look. It could take you from plain to downright majestic. I walk up to the receptionist, a dark skinned lady wig beautiful eyes. "Good morning, I’m here to see Mr. Marcel
APHRODISIA Chapter Eleven
Marcello Pregnant for me?And I thought the anonymous woman libeling my name on the media was the devil. This same reason was what propelled me into getting a vasectomy. Wait a minute...She mentioned that it was her first time.Flashback;I walk back into the room to see that she had already left. Good. I hated clingy women, especially those who had to force affection for me just to get a taste of my money. I pull back the covers to get some needed rest when a patch of colour catches my attention. I turn on the flashlight on my phone and move closer to inspect it and am surprised to find a patch of blood.Shit. Was she a virgin? Did I just take her virginity like some heartless bastard ? I didn’t even get her name.*******I should have been nicer to her. Who gives a fuck anyway? I only took her virginity not get her pregnant. Who knows where she’s been since then?The door to my office opens and Michael walks in. Just the person I need to see. He catches the look on my face
APHRODISIA Chapter Twelve
Marcello Michael picks up on the third ring. “ What’s up?”“I need Zara Parkinson’s contact details.”“ And why would you need that?”“Actions first, questions later”“That’s why you’re still a hot tempered knucklehead”I chuckle. “ Alright dumbass, I just want to apologize to her. I may have said some mean things earlier”“Try rude”“Seriously bro”He hesitates for a moment then says “ Fine”. The line goes dead.I have an idea in mind and if I play my cards right, I could uplift the company’s image and still escape my father’s wrath. It’s after work hours , so I decide to head home. I haven’t seen my mother in about two weeks . It’s best not to piss her off and have her call me herself . I may be a grown man almost in my thirties and over a feet taller than her, but trust me when I say I’ll never be too old for my mama’s chanclas.Was it when I was Seventeen? I made the mistake of talking back to my mother and stomping out. She watched me walk out without as much as a peep. That’s w
APHRODISIA Chapter Thirteen
ZaraI have never been more embarrassed in my entire life, like I was this afternoon. After the ogre had not so rudely sent me out of his office, I ran into his secretary at the door. She had sent me tight smile filled with pity, as if what she witnessed was not new to her.Embarrassing situations were not really my forte. You’d think after everything that had happened to me in high school, I’d have developed a thick skin to people’s judgements but that was not the case.I still despised it when people looked at me a certain way, be it judgmental or pitying. Judgmental looks, well, I could stand those to a certain extent but pity…pity made me feel like a failure and I can’t stand failure. And that’s exactly what I felt like when I saw her look at me today.When I got back home, my whole body felt like lead. I dropped my bag and plopped down on the couch without bothering to undress. I don’t know when sleep consumed me but I woke up a few minutes ago with a blinding headache. I rema
APHRODISIA Chapter Fourteen
ZaraMorning rolls around sooner than I expect. The morning rays penetrate the slightly parted blinds of my window. I sit up groggily, rubbing the sleep from my eyes. My body feels like it has been run over by a truck and my face feels itchy. I get up and do my regular morning stretches but for some reason, it is more painful today. I walk towards the bathroom but the sound of the doorbell stops me in my tracks.Who could it be this early in the morning?I slowly descend the stairs leading to the living room. The doorbell rings again. “ Hold on!”Whoever is at the door better be getting chased by a wild animal. Else…I swing the door open and see the last person I was expecting to see. Hands on my waist, I shoot said person my nastiest glare. “ How did you find my house?”He smirks. He actually smirks. “ I have my ways” Unbelievable. "I hope those ways of yours include how to make yourself at home in jail, becau
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APHRODISIA Chapter Twenty Nine
ZaraIt is my first time stepping foot into Marcello’s house, which is about to be my house too for the next four years. Earlier on in the week, I had sent my luggage through Mr. Philip, Marcello’s driver. I felt there was no need to come see the place myself. It is Marcello Andres; he wouldn’t be living in a shack.And I was right…This place is no shack at all. The driveway opens into a lush entrance, lined with trees on both sides. There’s a fountain in the middle; nothing grand but the size does nothing to take away the beauty of the scenery. The main building is a modern architectural structure made with 70 percent glass. From my vantage point, I can see the interior clearly and it is breathtaking.Valerie notices me staring, mouth agape and she nudges me with her elbow. “ What ? Never been to your husband’s house ?”Well, damn. It’s just day one and I’m about to get caught. “Pfft ! Of course I’ve been here before”She gives me a skeptic look “ uh huh”“ For real. I’ve just… nev
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ZaraThe girls managed to drag me out of my self-sabotaging mission. The plan was to sit there and make the day as uneventful as possible; that way, I’ll forget about it in no time. It was time for the couple first dance and I was sat there , deliberating on whether or not to do it. Marcello had shot endless lasers at me from his eyes but I refused to budge. Thankfully, Valerie and Emily started chanting “Zara! Zara! Zara!” and soon, everyone else joined in. With the spotlight now turned from networking to me, I had no choice but to give in. Marcello plastered a wide, albeit fake smile on his face and started dancing towards me. I had to hold in my gag at the sight. What a pretentious jerk.I reciprocated with an equally wide smile of my own and glided towards him, as gracefully as my dress would let me. We danced to Beyonce and Ed Sheeran’s classic. Once he held me in his embrace, one hand placed firmly on the small of my back, I found myself melting into his touch. He led the danc
APHRODISIA Chapter Twenty Seven
ZaraThe makeup artist and hairdresser arrived at a few minutes to eleven a.m. I was already showered and waiting. My hair and makeup took almost two hours and my bum is sore from sitting in one position for such a long time. My hair has been gathered into an elegant updo ; a coiffure I believe with millions of pins holding it together. The makeup artist worked her magic and my once dull complexion is glowing — smokey eyes and nude lips. I look regal.My dress is made with cord lace. It has a sweetheart neckline that pushes that holds my breasts elegantly. I thought the lack of sleeves would make the dress too slutty but that is not the case. The waist cinches and flows to my feet in a combination of lace and tulle. I look…beautiful.A knock sounds on the door and mom and dad walk in. Mom immediately tears up at the entrance and walks to me with outstretched arms. “ You look so beautiful, honey. I’m so proud of you.”“ Thanks mom”
APHRODISIA Chapter Twenty Six
Zara I woke up at five today. Last night’s sleep was fitful; I was too anxious to sleep. I tossed and turned before I managed to get some shut eye at about 2:00am. Two hours of sleep. I tried to force myself to go back to bed but all efforts proved abortive. So, I came down to the kitchen to get a glass of warm milk. I haven’t had caffeine in awhile and the sight of the coffee machine almost has me drooling. No, Zara ,think of your baby. I take a seat on one of the stools around the kitchen island. The last time I was here at Marcello’s parents, I didn’t have a good look at other places except the dinning and living rooms. The kitchen is made with neutral colors of black, white and grey. The most fascinating part of it all is the sink. It’s not your conventional sink, which comes in basin form. This one is made of black granite and bears the same structure with the entire island, save for the drainage at the corner. Money sure can do a lot. Someday, I would love to have a ki
APHRODISIA Chapter Twenty Five
ZaraAfter my discharge from the hospital, wedding preparations began in earnest. Dad and mum stayed back in New York on the insistence of Maria and Mr. Hernandez. For the past two weeks, I have been home, thanks to the leave my boss graciously offered me. At first, I wasn’t sure how I was going to spend all those weeks but now, I’m thankful that he was thoughtful enough to bring it up.My days are spent going through wedding catalogues after the other, with both mothers breathing down my neck for wanting a small wedding. I thought I could try convincing them once again to see from my perspective — I am already showing and I do not want to attract even more attention by inviting a crowd.Of course, it fell on deaf ears. The only person who seemed to see through my lens was dad. Mr. Hernandez also assured me that he understood my concern but the Andres family was a big family in the business world; a small wedding was simply unacceptable.It is one week to the dreaded event, after whic
APHRODISIA Chapter Twenty Four
ZaraThe doctor said I could go home today. Since I regained consciousness, I have spent an extra day here and this hospital room is beginning to suffocate me. I haven’t seen Marcello since I woke up, although my mom swears by him. A good man, my foot.I could tell my dad was not excited about the whole thing but he managed to keep things civil for me and mom’s sake. The girls also came by yesterday. I called to inform them and they were here within the hour. I hit the jackpot with those ones.Marcello’s family came by a few times. Maria came beating all kinds of food; I struggled to even eat some of them. Morning sickness is the devil. His father was especially worried, since he was there when the whole thing went down. He even promised to knock Marcello down a peg, which in my opinion, was the best thing I heard during my stay here.My bag is packed and ready to go, courtesy of my mom and Maria. Both women have been fussing over me like mother hens. Fortunately, they hit it off righ
APHRODISIA Chapter Twenty Three
“ You did what?”My head buzzes with the new information. I move forward on the edge of my seat, more anxious than anything else. “ What did you tell them?”“ I still have your resumé remember? You’ve met my family, I thought it’s only fair that I meet yours as well.”“ Yeah, after you told me that they weren’t my family and not to bother getting friendly with them. What the hell is wrong with you?”He merely shrugs. Shrugs, I tell you!I can’t seem to find my bearings at the moment. A lot is going through my mind. Did he tell them about the pregnancy? I turn to him in alarm“ You didn’t tell them about the pregnancy…right?”His silence confirms my fear. Blood rushes like torrents inside my head, muting the sounds around me. I stand up on shaky legs. “ This whole thing....the contract …let’s call it off. I can’t deal with this. Clearly, you have no idea what a partner is; fake or real.”I move with guarded steps towards the entrance and he makes no move to follow me; not that I want
APHRODISIA Chapter Twenty Two
Zara Within the next hour, I walk into the premises of Paradise Group. I figured a phone call would not adequately portray the range of emotions I am currently feeling, so a physical confrontation is the best bet; for someone as thickheaded as Marcello , that is. I do not bother going to the reception, I move straight to the elevators and step in. The entire ride to the last floor, I picture different scenarios that would be most befitting to channel my anger. Maybe I should knee him in the balls…Nah, he would probably dodge that without much stress. Stupid ,annoying, athletic body. Or…Maybe I should act out a scene from a movie like those crazy protagonists; Push my way through his office, step on his work desk and give him a piece of my mind while wagging my finger in his face. The middle finger preferably… I catch myself from envisioning further torture tactics. He definitely brings out the worst in me. ... Makes me question how on earth I am going to survive four yea
APHRODISIA Chapter Twenty One
ZaraA week has passed after the incident that night but Marcello has not called even once. No surprise there.Within the last week, the girls and I met once for dinner and I had informed them about my decision to get married to Marcello. I left out the fact that it is a contract marriage; I just didn’t know how they would take the information. Their reactions were priceless and even now, it is clear as day in my head.Valerie had stood comically, mouth agape and Emily, still in shock reached out to pinch her mouth closed. Laughter bubbles in my throat at the reminder. Then I told them about the events that went down after the dinner. That didn’t go down as well as the previous information. Although she did not overreact, I could see the silent storm brewing in Emily’s eyes. One thing about Em is that she is ever the calm girl but when she gets upset about something, she is capable of setting a forest on fire.She had calmly held my hand and looked into my eyes with all seriousness
