Franklin's POV:
"You're right. We would have become married, but it's not too late for me to divorce your sister now. She isn't up to my standard, and I do not like her," I say as the waiter brought our dinner and Amelia smiled sweetly.
"How about me? I have always admired you then. Honestly, that night, I felt sad seeing that Natalie drugged you and used you as her escape from our parents' home. She's just wayward, and I had always admired you then, hoping we would become a pair," Amelia said, tears gathering in her eyes.
I sighed.
"Do not worry, I will end my marriage with Natalie, okay? And she can move on with her life with whomever she pleases; I do not care," I told Amelia, and she smiled sweetly at me.
"Does that mean you will consider dating me now? I really do love you, Frank?" Amelia asked me, looking at me sweetly.
She was really beautiful, and with her blue eyes shining, I couldn't say no to her request.
I had always wanted to date her. I used to like her then. She was taller like a formidable model with slender legs, slim waist, and ample bosom.
Those days, my father usually sent me on some errands to meet Mr. Liam Jackson, and from there, I would catch a glimpse of Amelia and Natalie. Also, whenever our families had any event hosted during the end of the year, like New Year festivities, Christmas, or birthday celebrations, my dad would still invite the Jackson's family to our home.
Presently, as I got married and moved away from my father's house where I now live with my wife, I hardly attended these end-of-year celebrations as I felt ashamed to be in the same location as my wife.
I would travel out and give silly excuses to my dad about why I couldn't show up.
The waiter soon arrived with our meals, and I got up and stood from the table to excuse myself.
"I'm coming. I want to go and use the restroom," I told Amelia, and she smiled at me.
"Okay," Amelia said, while the waiter left, positioning our meals on the table.
I knew I wasn't supposed to leave my meal, but Amelia was like family to me, and I trusted her.
I quickly waved away the negative feeling that had settled in the pit of my stomach as I left to the restroom to relieve myself.
I stole a final look at Amelia as I quickly entered the restroom, while I saw her smiling at me.
I hurried into the men's restroom to relieve myself. There were several stalls for the men to use, knowing that their restaurant could get crowded with many patrons.
As I got out of the restroom, wanting to leave, not expecting that I would be pressed, simply because I didn't have the time to relieve myself at home, I bumped into Michael Austin, my best friend here in the city.
Michael wore a white shirt paired with black jeans similar to mine, as he wore black canvas shoes too.
"Frank! What brought you here, bro? Hold up, let me use the restroom quickly," Michael rushed into the restroom to relieve himself too, while I waited for him to come out.
"Frank!" Michael and I shook hands, and I asked him, "What's up with you? What brings you here too, Mike?"
Michael smiled and replied, "I was just bored at home. You know, no wife or girlfriend, so I came here to see if I can find any pretty lady to hang out with."
Michael had dark complexion skin, compared to me, who was fair.
"That's fine. I have to go now, as I came here with my date," I replied, wanting to leave and didn't want to mention that I came here with my wife's half-sister.
"Your date?" Michael looked taken aback as he stopped me, his eyes narrowed at me.
"Yeah, can't I go on a date again?" I asked Michael. I saw him frown, but he quickly laughed out and replied, "Of course, hahaha, you can go on a date, Frank. But with your wife, I guess. Who did you arrive here with?"
"Come, let's go out and meet with her. She will be waiting for me," I told Michael, as he didn't seem happy to hear that I came here on a date and not with my wife.
I didn't go on any date with Natalie. I haven't taken her out or for shopping. I just planned to divorce her, and while the matter is still ongoing in my mind, I haven't discussed it yet with Michael, even as he was my best friend. I know he wouldn't support me in divorcing Natalie as he kind of has a soft spot for her.
Michael and I were age mates. He owned several hotels here, thanks to his affluent parents too. As he was a billionaire, and his father was a senator.
We exited the men's restroom and went back to the private parlor to join Amelia there.
As I approached the chair where Amelia sat, just as I saw that the waiter had already served my request, I quickly introduced Michael to Amelia.
"Hey, bro, meet my girlfriend Amelia Jackson. Amy, this is Michael Austin, my childhood best friend," I introduced Amelia to Michael, just as I moved to take my seat in the room, wanting to be quick with my dinner and to return home on time to my unwanted wife.
"Hi," Amelia said to Michael as she stood up from her seat and extended her right hand to him for a handshake.
Michael only stared at Amelia's hand and he didn't accept her hand for a handshake.
"Frank, isn't she your wife's elder sister? Are you fucking both your wife and her sister now?" Michael asked me, his anger was evident, and that actually pissed me off. As he shouted so loudly, despite the fact that we were in the private hall.
Some other patrons looked at our tables in shock, despite the dimly lit light in the room. While Amelia appeared tensed.
"Shut up, Michael! What has gotten into you? I am not fucking Natalie at home, and whatever relationship that I have with Natalie and her sister, it is none of your business," I barked, pissed off that my friend, like supporting my wife over me.
He never finds any fault in Natalie and would often disagree with me if I tell him that Natalie is ugly and not my type.
"Really, I had thought you arrived here with your wife, and here you are, actually fooling around with your wife's sister. Don't you feel any shame, Frank? And if at all you want to cheat on Natalie, must you cheat on her with her sister?!" Michael shouted, seemingly gathering more attention from the staff working in this restaurant, as we weren't the only ones using the large parlor, and Michael's raised voice had disrupted the eerie atmosphere of this private parlor.
"Michael, you can leave and not disturb me or lecture me on how to live my life," I told him, seeing Amelia looked embarrassed. Michael looked at us, just as I told Amelia to sit back, and he turned around and left.
I treasured my relationship with Michael, but he was getting on my nerves each time he disagreed with me about divorcing Natalie.
He most times tells me that I'm blind to see how beautiful Natalie is.
"I apologize to you on my friend's behalf. He's always like that, picking on Natalie's side, that I'm beginning to think if he's fucking her behind my back as the cheap slut that she was," I told Amelia to ease her tensed mood.
Franklin's POV:"Okay," Amelia replied, and we started eating the chicken pepper soup that the waiter had earlier served us.We didn't speak to each other while eating, as the pepper soup was spicy. After we were through and had a few drinks, I was beginning to feel a slight headache, and I smiled at Amelia and told her,"I have to go home now. How about we meet up again tomorrow, Sunday? Do you go to church?""Um, yes Frank. But I would like to spend some time with you today. You know, just you and I," Amelia touched my hand, and I quickly withdrew them, understanding what she wanted."No. We cannot do anything silly for now. I'm still married to your sister, and my family isn't aware that I want to divorce her now," I told Amelia as I was beginning to sweat despite the air conditioning unit in the private parlor.Amelia frowned and tried to touch me again, as she said, "No one would know, Frank. I have always wanted you, and now that I'm back, we will be together, and you will send N
Natalie's POV:I fell asleep waiting for Frank to return home after I had finished eating my dinner alone. When I awoke, I heard loud banging on the door.When I rushed to unlock it, Frank was back, and accusing me of drugging him.I thought he was joking, but he was dead serious, and he started kissing me and dropped me on the bed even before my mind could register what he was doing.Frank hadn't kissed me for three years since we got married. He didn't even want to acknowledge me as his wife. He only wanted my food, saying he didn't like eating food from outside because they didn't cook it well and usually mismanaged the ingredients. So he mostly returned home to eat what I had made for him."Frank, stop!" I tried to protest as I was breathing heavily.I was supposed to be excited that my husband was finally making love to me, but I knew that Frank wasn't in his right frame of mind. I suspected maybe Amelia had drugged him, and now Frank was home, accusing me of being the one who had
Natalie's POV:I rushed downstairs to the living room of our enormous mansion and rushed to pick up my phone that I had left on the center table. Picking up my phone, I unlocked the screen and swiftly placed a call across to Dr. Famous Joseph. He was our family doctor, and since I got married to Frank, Dr. Famous had been the one coming to treat me or Frank whenever we fell sick.Frank hardly visited the hospital, so he invited Dr. Famous sometimes. I was scared of anything happening to my husband. Even though I knew Frank didn't like me that much, it hadn't gotten to the point of me wishing him death.The day was bright and sunny, being a Sunday, and the phone call went through."Hello, Doc.""Yes, good morning, who is this?" Dr. Famous asked me, taking me by surprise that he didn't have my phone number stored on his phone."Doc, I'm Mr. Franklin Howard's wife. Please, there is a case of emergency at our home. Frank came home last night acting drunk, and I don't know what happened to
Natalie's POV:Dr. Famous offered me a warm smile as he saw me descend the stairs and approach him. He was sitting on one of our black couches waiting for me and my husband's arrival."Frank will be with you shortly," I let Dr. Famous know, and he smiled at me.A few moments later, Frank with an angry face came downstairs and stopped to greet Dr. Famous in the living room.Dr. Famous also stood up and shook hands with Frank. "Good morning, Mr. Howard."Frank and Dr. Famous shook hands, to which Frank replied, "Welcome, Doc.""Your wife already told me what happened, but I would like to perform some tests on you to know what truly happened and where you got drugged," Dr. Famous said, but Frank remarked, "You don't have to worry yourself with that, Doc. I will get to the bottom of this matter by myself, but I'm a little better now.""Are you sure, Mr. Howard? I would like to draw a sample of your blood to perform some tests and to know the cause of the problem. How about we meet at the h
**Natalie Jackson**I stood aside, looking from my husband to my sister as Frank asked her if she was alright.“No, Frank! Allow me to go home. Natalie must rot in jail today!” Amelia sobbed, and Frank tried to convince her not to leave our house, but she refused."I’m a model, Frank! Look at what your stupid wife did to me!" Amelia turned her hands for Frank to see the bruises the cane had caused.“She dared to flog me just because I came here to visit you guys.”“Did I invite you? Leave here, you bitch, and go back to our father's house! Aren't you ashamed of yourself for lusting after your sister’s husband? Are we on good terms that you would claim you came here to visit us? Do I need your pathetic apologies?” I barked at Amelia, and her eyes narrowed at me.“You won’t get away with this, Natalie! Get ready to rot in jail!” she cried as she got into her car, shutting the door behind her and leaving.I was satisfied that I had disciplined her as I wondered what she came to my house t
Natalie Jackson.As I walked downstairs and into the living room, Frank was trying to calm Amelia down. He stood beside her, speaking to her. "Calm down, Amy; we can discuss this amicably. It hasn't gotten to the point of you involving the police in this. Didn't you think about my reputation and yours, as no one knows Natalie?"Yes, I wasn't a public figure, but my husband and half-sister were celebrities with millions of followers on their pages."No way, Frank! Don't tell me to calm down. Your wife attacked me, and she has to be punished. Your ex-wife, I mean," Amelia said. My eyes narrowed at her words as I finally descended the stairs and looked at the officers in black uniforms standing in my living room."Good morning, police officers," I greeted the two policemen, who looked at me in disbelief.I was short, but I had an hourglass figure."Good morning, Madam. Are you Natalie Jackson?" one of the policemen asked. I noticed the way his eyes traveled from my head to my toes before
Franklin Howard;I wasn't happy that Amelia would call the police on Natalie. For heaven's sake, Natalie was still my wife, and having her in police custody would drag my name into the public eye. Amelia was a public figure here, and many fans now wanted to know who had harassed her.Amelia had gone to call her father, Mr. Liam Jackson. Additionally, he wasted no time ordering for Natalie to be locked up. His wife supported this and pressed more charges against Natalie, claiming she was evil and always against Amelia. They insisted that this was not the first time she had attacked Amelia, so the officers should ensure they taught her a lesson she wouldn't forget.I couldn't believe that Natalie's father would support Amelia over his own daughter. He didn't even call Natalie or request to speak with her. He just jumped to the conclusion that Natalie was evil and had always hated Amelia, wanting to get rid of her.I was enraged as I drove back home—angry at everything that had happened i
Franklin Howard;Stepping into the living room, I heard Mrs. Agnes Jackson shouting at her husband while seated on the couch, hugging Amelia to her chest.Amelia was crying like a baby, and her mother was rubbing her head and comforting her."Natalie is an adult. How dare that daughter of a prostitute flog my daughter like this! I will kill her myself, Liam, if you dare grant that bitch bail. Look at our daughter! Natalie has always been jealous of Amelia because Amelia is prettier than her. She snatched Amelia's boyfriend, knowing that Amelia and Franklin were dating. She stole him and drugged him, just like the prostitute her mother was. And you're telling me that you want to release her?" Mrs. Agnes growled. I gulped."Amelia was at fault for going to see them," Mr. Liam interjected."When has visiting your half-sister and her brother-in-law become a crime?!" I heard Mrs. Jackson's voice booming in the living room as she shouted at her husband, who stood silently again, lost in his
Natalie's POV:Franklin and I went up to the third floor where Amelia was admitted. As we arrived, we met Amelia's mother, who was happily looking at her new grandson, but as soon as she saw me, she shouted, "What are you doing here?!"Mrs. Agnes quickly petted the baby to stop crying as the baby in the bed woke up startled by her voice."Mom, I invited Natalie over. Can you just let her be?" Amelia asked her mother, who frowned."I don't want to see Natalie here. Do you want her to infect you with her bad luck?" Mrs. Agnes asked Amelia, who frowned."Mom, that's enough. Natalie is my sister, and it's not like you gave birth to another sister for me to have. Just let her be!"Mrs. Agnes looked pained, but she quickly brushed it off and replied, "Fine. Let me just see my grandchild and leave you two alone."I sighed as James, Asher, and Felix arrived in the room and they went to congratulate their sister."Congratulations, Amelia. So finally, I am an uncle," Asher said happily as he we
Natalie's POV:"Frank, what Michael and I were discussing was only family matters. He was saying that he doesn't love Amelia enough to marry her.""But he wants you," Franklin replied, and I sighed and nodded."I already told him that we weren't going to divorce. He was asking if you will change in the long run of our marriage?" I asked Franklin as he drove the car home in silence.Franklin didn't reply to me, and I didn't bother to ask him again about whether he was going to change.As we arrived at his estate gate, Franklin slowed down his car for the security men to open the gate, then he asked me, "Do you think I am going to change?""I don't know," I replied. "Change is always constant, and anyone can change over time. Maybe if you get bored with me or if we are still unable to have children."Franklin's blue eyes darkened, and he replied, "I cannot change. I married you because I wanted to. Yes, I was childish then, but I've come to realize that a part of me is addicted to you.
Natalie's POV.One week later, Franklin and I set out to attend Chris's wedding. The wedding venue was at a Catholic church, so we made preparations in our room.Frank donned a black tuxedo, and I wore a golden dress that perfectly accentuated my figure."Frank, did your brother invite my family?" I asked, to which Franklin replied, "I don't know. But I think so.""Alright."We finished dressing up and made our way downstairs to the living room. Lady Esther was still cleaning up the house, and we told her to give the key to Alex once she was through.Franklin and I got into one of his cars, as my car was parked in the garage.Franklin drove off to the wedding venue, and I was amazed at the large number of guests that were present. It was unlike my own wedding to Franklin.I watched as the wedding ceremony started. Some guests in black tuxedos who were familiar with Franklin greeted him as we watched the bride make her entry into the church hall.The pianist played the keyboard as she
Natalie's POV"Why, Frank? Why don't you want me to go and see Michael? It's not like I want to do anything with him; I just want to speak with him about accepting Amelia," I said as I pouted my lips in his car."You cannot be the one to advise Michael. Just leave him alone to decide for himself," Franklin bluntly refused, and I looked at him and asked, "Don't you trust me?"Franklin looked at me just as he parked his car and said, "I do, but not with a man who has his eyes on you. I cannot stand that chance, Natalie. Try and understand me.""Fine." I pouted, and Franklin assured me, "Don't worry, I will see Michael, or whenever we run into him again, then I can permit you to discuss with him on the way, and not in the confines of his home or office.""Alright," I replied, and Franklin turned off his car engine, and we got out of his car.I followed him, and we went into the house together.As it was nightfall, I proceeded to the kitchen to prepare our dinner. After I was through, I m
**Franklin's POV**I sat back on the couch in the living room just after my wife had left the house. I wasn't impressed with the way my mother often disrespected my wife, and I was wondering when all this would stop."So, Mom, what do you want me to do for Chris?" I asked her, as I had clearly rejected her invitation the previous week.Although I knew why she was calling me, it was about the company and about Chris having a fiancée who was pregnant with his child.I didn't know my brother's fiancée, although I knew he had posted that he was engaged, but I wasn't sure of who he was dating.This was my first time seeing her here, and to be honest, I didn't like the fact that the white dress she wore was revealing her baby bump."Franklin, I am sorry about what happened at the company the previous week. I tried negotiating with Dad, but he wouldn't comply. He feels I wouldn't manage the company well, even when I had done well in your absence the previous month," Chris said, and I looked
**Natalie's POV**The following week, Franklin and I spent time together setting up my new shop, where I intend to start selling the following week.We got all the sewing machines needed to sew some of my customers' clothes, and now he seems to appreciate my work.We went to the new hospital during the week to check if either of us had any medical issues that could be the reason I hadn't conceived yet. But the doctor said that we both were fine, and I tried not to worry about having a child again.It had been my dream to own my own store, and here we are.As the new week arrived, I was eager to start my shop and welcome my first customer for the day.I got up from bed and prepared to leave for work. The second woman who worked for us had stopped, and only Lady Esther Jacob still arrived to clean the whole house.I went to take my bath while Franklin was still sleeping on the bed.We made love the previous night, and now I had to prepare for my new business."Frank, good morning," I sa
Natalia Jackson:After Franklin and I finished touring the new shop, which was fitted with new glass at the front and freshly painted, we spoke about hiring someone to help me set up my shop.I was glad at the end of the day, and we thanked the staff before going to a restaurant for dinner.My mind was still preoccupied with thoughts about Amelia's pregnancy as Franklin and I sat across from each other at the restaurant table and chairs.Since I had grown too lazy to cook due to my unnecessary worrying, Franklin suggested we eat out, even though he doesn't usually like it."Babe, should we hire a chef?" Franklin asked me, trying to distract me from my thoughts."A chef?" I pondered it but shook my head."No. I don't need a chef. Don't worry, I will make lovely dinners for us tomorrow," I told him just as our meals arrived. We resumed eating, but just then, Gloria Austin came into the restaurant. Her face was stern as she walked in. Her expression changed as her eyes caught sight of me
Natalie Jackson,Arriving at the hospital where my family and I were registered, Franklin parked his car in the hospital parking lot, and we got out.We made our way into the hospital. The nurses in white uniforms welcomed us; they were already familiar with us."Who are you here to see?" one of the nurses asked, while the other attended to other patients.It was already afternoon, around 1 p.m., when Franklin and I arrived, and I gave the nurse Amelia's ward number."She's my sister. So we're here to see her," I told the female nurse, and she responded, "Alright. You can go there now, but note that visiting time will soon be over.""Thank you," we replied. Franklin and I went to the second floor where Amelia was admitted.As we got there, Amelia's mother was in the room. Her eyes widened in shock when she saw us enter."What are you doing here, Natalie? Get out!" she barked, her left hand pointing at the door for me to leave."Good afternoon, Ma, we are here to see Amelia," Franklin
Micheal's POV:I looked at my phone's screen after my phone call with Amelia ended. I wondered, "Should I go to the hospital today to see her? What if her family is there?"I pondered all these thoughts as I continued with the rest of my work for the day.I recalled Asher coming to challenge me at my house, and I knew he would be there in the hospital.Later, I rose from my chair and went to tour my hotel, as I had other shows to attend. I considered that after I closed from work, I would go and see Amelia and inform her not to abort my child.But what if she ended up aborting the pregnancy? I was restless, but I remembered the look of admiration I had seen in Amelia's eyes. Even when I told her that I did not want her and that we could not date, she didn't want to give up the hope that she could win me back. I sighed and went to the event shows, believing Amelia wouldn't terminate her pregnancy even after I had ordered her to, as she would want to use it to pin it on me. Not now that