Franklin Howard:
"You're right. We would have gotten married, but it's not too late to divorce your sister now. She isn't up to my standard, and I do not like her," I said as the waiter brought our dinner, and Amelia smiled sweetly.
"Really? 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 pawn to 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.
"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 Amelia. I used to like her then. She was taller, like a formidable model, with slender legs, a slim, simple waist, and an 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 Natalie, I hardly attended these end-of-year celebrations, as I feel ashamed to be in the same location as my wife.
I would travel out and give excuses to my Dad on why I could not show up.
The waiter soon arrived with our meals, and I felt pressed and stood up from the table to excuse myself.
"I'm coming. I want to go and use the restroom," I told Amelia, and she smiled.
"Okay," she said, while the waiter positioned 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 the negative feeling that had settled in the pit of my stomach as I left for the restroom to relieve myself.
I stole a final look at Amelia as I quickly entered the restroom, while I saw her smiling.
I hurried into the men's restroom to relieve myself. There were several cubicles for the men to use, knowing that their Restaurant could get crowded with lots of patrons.
As I got out of the restroom, wanting to leave, not expecting that I would feel 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, 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, haha, 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 doesn't seem happy to hear that I came here on a date and not with my wife actually.
Damn it, 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 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 Michael 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 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, seeming to gather more attention of the staff working in this restaurant, as we weren't the only ones using the large parlor, and with Michael raising his voice at me, he seemed to have 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 friendship with Michael, but he was getting on my nerve 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 Howard:"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 some drinks, I was beginning to feel a light headache, and I smiled at Amelia and told her, "I have to go home now. How about we meet up tomorrow, Sunday, again? Do you go to church?""Um, yes, Frank. But I would like to have 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 parlour.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
Natalie Jackson had fallen asleep while waiting for her husband to return home, after he left the house with Amelia. When she awoke, it was 10 pm, and she heard the loud banging on the door.As she rushed to unlock the door, Franklin was back and accusing her of drugging him.She thought he was joking, but he was dead serious as he carried her in his arms and took her straight into their bedroom.Before her mind could register what he was about to do, Franklin started kissing her hungrily, as if his life depended on it.Franklin hadn't kissed her for three years since they got married. He doesn't even want to acknowledge her as his wife, as he mostly avoided her.He only ate her food and said he doesn't like eating outsiders' foods. That they don't cook it well and often mismanage ingredients. So, he returns home to eat what she prepared for him, or he orders her to bring his lunch to his office."Frank, stop!" She tried to stop him, to catch her breathing as he laid her on the bed, an
Natalie Jackson: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 hasn'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 t
Natalie Jackson: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
Natalie Jackson:I stood aside, looking from my husband to my sister. As Frank was asking her if she was alright."No, Frank. Allow me to go home. Natalie must rot in jail today!" Amelia sobbed, and Frank tried to speak to her, not to leave our house, but she refused."I'm a model, Frank! Look at what your stupid wife did to me!" Amelia was turning her hands for Frank to see the bruises that the cane had caused her."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 to be lusting after your sister's husband? Are we on good terms that you would claim that you came here to visit us? Do I need your stupid visit?" 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 and got into her car as she shut the car door and left.I was satisfied that I had disciplined Amelia, as I wondered what she came t
Natalie Jackson.As I walked downstairs and into the living room, Frank was trying to calm Amelia down as he was standing beside her and 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 page."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, and my eyes narrowed at her words as I finally descended the stairs and looked at the officers in black uniform standing in my living room."Good morning, Police officers," I greeted the two police officers who were looking at me in disbelief.I was short, but I had an hourglass shape."Good morning, ma'am. Are you Natalie Jackson?" One of the two police officers asked me, as I saw the way his eyes looke
Franklin Howard:I wasn't happy that Amelia would call the police on Natalie. For heaven's sake, Natalie was still my wife, and her being in police custody would drag my name into public knowledge, as Amelia was a public figure here, and many fans now wanted to know who harassed her.Amelia had gone to call her father, Mr. Liam Jackson, who wasted no time and ordered for Natalie to be locked up. His wife supported and pressed more charges against Natalie, as they said she was evil and always against Amelia. They said that was how she used to attack Amelia before, and the officers should ensure to teach her a great lesson that she wouldn't forget.I couldn't believe that Natalie's father would support Amelia over Natalie. He didn't even call Natalie on the phone or request to speak with her. He just jumped to the conclusion that Natalie was evil, and she had always hated Amelia and wanted to get rid of her.I was enraged as I drove back home. Enraged at everything that had happened in a
Franklin Howard:Stepping into the living room, I heard Mrs. Agnes Jackson shouting at her husband as she was seated on the couch and hugging Amelia to her chest.Amelia was crying like a baby, while her mother was rubbing her head and petting her."Natalie is an adult. How dare that daughter of a prostitute flog my daughter like this! I will kill her by myself, Liam, if you dare to grant that bitch bail. Look at our daughter! Natalie has always been jealous of Amelia because Amelia is more pretty 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!""Amelia was at fault for going to see them," Mr. Liam said to which his wife scoffed. "When has going to visit your half-sister and her brother-in-law become a crime?!"Mrs. Jackson's voice was so loud in the living room as she was shouting at her husband, who stood there silently an
**Natalie**Hearing the sound of voices coming from the ground floor, I roused from my sleep and went to see who the people discussing there were.Pulling the balcony door unlocked, I was surprised to see Michael and one of my elder brothers, Asher, and I wondered what brought them here."Natalie!... Hi!" Michael waved to me, and I frowned after seeing that Franklin's car had left the estate.It was a picture-perfect view from this balcony to take a look around the city.I held my flowing dress that the wind was pushing forward."Good evening, Michael. What do you want? Franklin isn't around," I replied after seeing that my husband had left the premises. I didn't want Franklin to return and assume that I cheated on him."Are you alright, Natalie? I came to see you and to present you with these flowers!" Michael said, raising the bouquet of roses, and looking up at me. Asher sighed and moved over to his car. "No. I am sorry, but I cannot accept them. I cannot cheat on Franklin with yo
Franklin's POV:"Natalie, open this door," I called to my wife, seeing that she had locked herself in her room.I shouldn't have agreed for Natalie to go and apologize to her stepmother, but I had to do what the prophetess said. I had to ensure that Natalie didn't disobey her words; now Natalie is making me extra worried."Natalie..." I called her name again as I couldn't believe that she was asking me for a divorce. I didn't like the fact that with any little misunderstanding between us, Natalie would immediately bring up divorce. I had told her that I didn't want to divorce her.We are already a couple, so why was she eager to divorce me? I assumed it was because of Michael that she wanted to leave me for him."Natalie, don't make me order Wesley to get a carpenter to come and remove this door. Open it now!" My voice was loud, and after a while, the room door unlocked, and Natalie stood there with her tear-streaked face."What has come over you? Is your stepmother a god that you sho
Natalie Jackson.Arriving on the second floor, I could feel my heart beating loudly in my chest.Asher pushed the door open and led me into the sitting room.Mrs. Agnes Jackson was perched on one of the white couches in the sitting room, going through a fashion magazine. But as her eyes locked with mine, she spat out the juice into her glass cup and dropped it on the coffee table. Glaring at me, she demanded, "What are you doing here? Asher, what is she doing here?""Mom," Asher let go of my hand and walked over to meet his mother.Mrs. Agnes shifted her focus away from me to her son, waiting to hear his explanation. However, I took it upon myself to approach her, kneeling beside her feet to apologize."I am sorry, Mother, for being a bad daughter to you." I knelt a short distance away from Mrs. Agnes, and she laughed, saying, "Hahaha. What is the meaning of this nonsense, Natalie? Get out of my presence. I don't care if you are a good daughter or a bad daughter to me. You are not my
(Natalie Jackson)Franklin and I arrived home, and my mind was in chaos, wondering how I would approach my stepmother and apologize to her.Mrs. Agnes hated me with a passion that I was aware of. I sighed while Franklin looked at me as he drove his car into the premises just after Alex opened the gate and welcomed us."You don't have to worry about going to see your stepmother. I will accompany you," Franklin said. I looked at him and told him, "Okay. But I am certain that she won't forgive me. I am so sure about that.""It's okay. Remember the prophetess said it's not compulsory that your stepmother must forgive you, but you should apologize to her.""Alright." I sighed and focused my gaze on the front of our house while Franklin parked his car. I carefully got out, and he came out and met me just after locking his car.Franklin gave the ice cream to me, but my mood was still down, knowing that my stepmother was behind my setbacks and childlessness.*What did she exactly do?* Well,
(Franklin Howard)"You are not our members, right?" she asked, and I quickly replied, "Yes, Ma. We came here seeking the fruit of the womb, but your mother already attended to us."I forced a smile even when I didn't want to."I can see that. But come to my office. I can still see how to help you both," she said as she walked away, while her mother continued with her walking and exited the house. We followed the middle-aged woman to her office, except for Natalie's mother, who went after the old woman to speak with her again.I wondered what Natalie's mother had to ask the old woman. It was really shocking that Mrs. Agnes Jackson had actually cursed Natalie and made Natalie's childhood difficult.Natalie looked sober, so I walked up beside her and held her hand.We followed the woman into her office, and she sat down on a red mat and looked at Natalie, just as she told us to wait.Her office, as she called it, looked more like a shrine, with white curtains on the wall, and she did som
(Natalie Jackson)As I rushed out of the house and made my way towards the exit gate, I heard my name, "Wait, Natalie! Come over, let me escort you."I looked back at the front of the house and saw Franklin walking over to his car, the black SUV."Come, let me give you a ride. Although I don't feel comfortable about this," Franklin said, and I sighed as I rushed back to his car to meet him."You shouldn't worry about it. My mother wouldn't take me anywhere evil," I assured him as I hurried to his car to join him inside.Franklin had changed and was now wearing a white shirt and black pants, paired with black shoes.He opened and shut the car door carefully after I had settled into the front passenger seat, then he entered the driver's seat and drove out of his residence."So where are we heading to?" Franklin asked me as he slowed down on the estate street and looked at me."Wait, let me call my mother," I smiled as I quickly withdrew my phone from my handbag and reached for it to giv
**Natalie's POV**One week later, after Amelia had welcomed her baby, Franklin's mother came to our home to see us.I was in the kitchen cooking since it was Saturday. I heard the sound of a car driving into the garage, and as I went out of the kitchen to see who it was, I was surprised to see Franklin's mother get out of the car, looking at me with irritation."Good morning, Ma," I greeted her, but she looked away without responding. I sighed and went back into the kitchen as I continued cooking.Later, I came out to the dining room to serve the meal since it was still morning."Franklin, how are you and your wife comfortable staying together when you don't have any children yet? Chris's wife has given birth to a bouncing baby boy, and yet you and Natalie don’t have any kids yet," his mother said."Mom," Franklin sighed, seated across from her in the exquisite living room."We will have kids, Mom. Stop pressuring us about it. We will have kids in God's own time," he replied to her."
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.