*Joanne contd.“Oh my Gosh, oh my fuckin gosh… Jo, That guy is literally staring at your butt” Bailey giggled tapping my shoulder in excitement.“I know you’re just making that up” I shook my head.“I am not… Okay take a look then , see for yourself, he is still staring at your butt, oh my gosh do you think he wants to get down with you tonight?” Bailey gasped.“Okay don’t be gross” I warned Bailey.“Okay but seriously, just check him out, he’s kinda cute” she urged with pleading eyes.I breathed out a defeated sigh and turned to look at the so-called guy she was talking about.I turned to the guy and his face was coming out a bit blurry. All of a sudden he started coming towards Bailey and I, and when he got close, Bailey pushed me towards me and he immediately covered my head with a black sack bag.I started to scream Bailey’s name and calling for help. But all I could hear was the sound of her happy scream and giggles over the club’s music. Suddenly it went quiet and the sack ba
Joanne- It was Monday morning, and the weekends which had just came had already disappeared so fast like the wind. Lying on my bed, as usual like a prisoner. I still could not deny the fact that I was still thinking about Theodore’s words since last Friday. It’s weird that he and Trinity are on to the same thing about me seducing Hardy. And if I do I’ll have my way here.What is actually wrong with them? I scoffed out loud and turned to the other side of my bed.And what’s been burning me up on the inside since Friday was when I took all I had in me and asked Theodore if he felt mad seeing me and Hardy day, I explained that he had gotten the wrong idea and Me and Hardy would never do anything weird.And how did he reply , he shook his annoying long hair and said he didn’t have any right to be mad, and then I asked why because between us we kind of had something going on.And then he said whatever we had going on was just to fill me up that he doesn’t have anything going on
Joanne-The maids awakened me up as usual, storming into my room and carrying out their daily tasks. That morning, as I was eating breakfast, I was still really drowsy. because last night Trinity and I stayed up really late.Just as vibrant and animated as ever, Trinity burst into the room as I was barely conscious and had food in my mouth.Why does she have such a flawless appearance? I feel like a flavorless cereal that has been soaked.“Good morning” Trinity’s calm voice made me roll my eyes.“How much sleep did you get last night” I had to ask.“Enough to keep me alive today” she beamed.Okay not fair.“Anyways I’ve got information” She closed the door behind her and rushed up to the two -person dining table, where I was, and took the only vacant seat.“Information?” I raised my brows. “About what escaping?”Trinity sighed. “You’re difficult” I laughed.Now that I think about it, I believe that running away would be the last thing I would want to do at this moment because it seem
Joanne contd. No matter how many events or parties I've attended with Hardy, the rush of anxiousness brought on by the onlookers always seems to get the best of me, and I always end myself wrapping my arms tightly around his.Hardy looked down at me and then ag our linked arms, before breathing out a sigh.“There's nothing to feel nervous about,” Hardy said , a low grumble in his chest.“Say that again but this time stare back at everyone gazing at us”“Just breathe. Don’t be dramatic” Hardy pressed, making my eyebrows flinch at his words.If this was Theodore or someone other than Hardy, they would have said something to make me feel better or any woman they were with at that moment, But hardy? Hardy is difficult, just like his name.I don’t think I can ever believe Hardy was nice before Lisa’s death.Someone like him can never be nice.I didn’t realize I was glaring at him until he scoffed.“Keep looking at me like that and you’ll ruin our reputation” “The only reputation you h
Joanne- I pursed my glossy feeling lips and slowly gulped as Hardy walked closer to me and the Kaleb guy. “Hardy Bensimon” Kaleb’s mouth flashed into a healthy smile.No surprise he knows who Hardy his.Hardy seemed quite popular among these wealthy people, considering how those two ladies behind me earlier, wouldn’t stop talking about him.Well too bad he doesn’t know then , he is not one to befriend people.Such an as-hole “Kaleb Whyte” Hardy spat like the name was too heavy to pronounce.Looks like he knew kaleb too. And why does he look so mad?“It’s been ages, it’s so good to see you, you know I have been aski-“What were you doing earlier with my fiancé?” Hardy growled .Kaleb paused, glanced down at me before looking back up at Hardy.And slowly looked down to look at me again.“She is..” He took a deep breath. “Joanne is your fiancé?”He sounded like it was the last thing he wanted to believe.“And you’re already calling her by her name” Hardy grumped a bitter chuckle i
Joanne-“Where have you been?” Hardy’s thick voice made me sigh.Honestly, he seemed like a lot. He was, actually.“Bathroom break... what? You’re not going to let me breathe now?” I scoffed.“Not that; I wanted to introduce you to some important people." He glanced behind me. “Were you talking to someone?"“Not really,” I lied.He didn’t have to know.“Anyways stick close to me.” Hardy said, and I nodded, sure I would be sticking more than glue.-I thought the party was over; everything and everyone rounded up and started to leave. I couldn’t wait to take this dress off my body and soak myself in a warm bath.My mouth pressed into an upturned wryness as the words left Hardy's mouth.“What do you mean by an after-VIP party?” I asked. You could literally hear the sadness and disappointment I was feeling in my voice.We were both seated on a soft couch at the end of the room, watching the room become empty.“I know you want to leave; trust me, I do too. The last thing I want to do is h
Joanne -I honestly will never understand how these wealthy people walk and talk.I thought it would just be a friendly dinner for Trevor Jones, the man of the hour, who took it in his time to invite these people over to celebrate his birthday with him.And I thought we would all just have dinner and head home. Maybe after a few toasts or whatever.But boy, was I wrong? Again.I will never be right with these people.It wasn’t dinner at all, but hell.And I should have seen this coming, for the fact that I’ve spent time with these women at the ale-o house and would have known what they were like.We were all supposed to be having dinner, but yet it feels like an interrogation center.What happened to everyone’s table manners? Don't talk while eating.Even the juicy sauced stake that has been blemishing my brain for a bite has run far from my appetite, all thanks to the tight spot the woman around the table had created.The men had quietly ignored every conversation, leaving the ladies
JOANNE-Trinity shut the door behind her, and I found myself gulping like a drowning alpaca.Why the hell was Hardy here?“What are y--His massive strides towards where I was caused my breath to seize, and I stopped talking and slowly took a step back.I stopped walking when my calves hit the bunk of my bed, causing me to heavily take a seat.I shot up immediately.“Tonight..” Hardy began.He looked more than drunk.“What did you and Trevor do?” He asked again, getting close.“Like he said, we did nothing."“And you just had to go for a bathroom break when he said the same darn thing. Stop lying to me!” He yelled.Who let his horses out of his stables? Why was he getting angry?“Because I had to pee, you didn’t think I was running away or something?” I scoffed.“Do you think this is funny?”He finally got close to me, and his height towered over mine.I shook my head. “I’m not even laughing.”“Exactly,” He grabbed my chin with his fingers.What the hell was he talking about?“I brou
—JOANNE- I looked at Hardy and the expression he had on his face, was so overwhelming, I had to ask“what’s wrong?I knew he wouldn’t tell me because he practically never tells me anything, but he has been really nice to me dad, I had this feeling that he was going to tell me.“nothing we should go home”Right. Had my hopes up for nothing. But the way He said home drew this sense of security that embraced my spirit.I knew he wouldn’t wouldn’t tell me no matter how much I persists, so I just let the matter immediately.Even though I had seen his phone screen and saw that Theo was the one who called I knew something was up, but I only hope to have something good. I was exhausted beyond exhausted to be specific.The only thing I wanted to do was lie, my head and close my eyes I haven’t slept properly, but any time I close my eyes all I saw was the Rope beside me waiting to be wrapped around my neck.It’s made me she had really badly anytime. I thought about it.I ignored the ladies
—HARDY CONTD. The detective stepped out of the interrogation room and asked if we grabbed anything.Joanne had to explain her first to her last meeting with this Ophelia girl which caused everyone to be in total dismay.“Wait a second, so she warned you about the ladies when she was the mastermind behind all these?” Detective Alex asked.“Yeah” Joanne nodded, looking frightened.“But she works for Anne—“Anne shaw? Age 26. Married to Asher Black?” Alex interrupted.“Yeah” Joanne nodded.“Well she and the other ladies are asleep now, they drank so much they all passed out. But don’t worry, the moment they’re awake they’ll be interrogated.” Alex said to be assuring but Joanne didn’t bulge.So he continued to put her mind at ease.“Ophelia is being tracked. Every means of transport registry has been nicked with cops, she won’t escape. We’ll understand who she works for”Joanne nodded and turned to me.Her gaze were soft but yet I didn’t know what it was demanding.“What’s wrong, I aske
-HARDYI pulled Joanne in a tight embrace, making sure I buried the entirety of her body in mine, she looked so scared. I need to eat every bloody corners of my heart. How much does a bust out I hadn’t planned this world I kept being played. I have sent her to congratulatory party to lure the fuckinh murder. Not get abducted.I watched the police handcuff the man that taken Joanne away, the bastard thoughts just because today was the stupid parade day didn’t mean in I’d seat and watch pave the way for the same history.The man now handed to the police, Looked vain. He was echoing pleads, and seen it wasn’t his intention for the attempted murder, that someone has sent him. I breathe in and out to see a relief because he look like such an easy targets. Unlike Lelani, who is currently being watched under my men’s custody, and wouldn’t darn lead us to the culprit.I knew this man would be an easy one. Definitely, I shouldn’t touch my eggs before they hatch, but I knew what am I got was t
—JOANNE~I opened my eyes to meet nothing but complete darkness. But my body was moving. I tried to breathe out a yielding sigh only to realize my mouth has been shut with a rough cloth.I let out a muffle scream and tried to seat up.My hands were tied in front of me but thankfully my legs were free.I scuttled before sitting up and realizing I was in a black van.I let out muffled screams that didn’t even stretch at any distant The driver driving the van slightly turned to me and nodded.“You’re awake.“Who the fuck are you” my scream came out muffled but he understood me well and replied me quietly.“Go back to sleep.” I kicked his chair and he scoffed.“A fierce one aren’t we?” I wanted to scream but I couldn’t, instead I started to cry.My eyes started to blink rapidly when I saw the thick ropes sitting beside me.No!History was indeed repeating itself.“Where are you taking me!” My scream loosened the cloth around my mouth a bit and the man driving sighed.“Just shut the fuc
-JOANNE—I was gasping for breath as Anne’s grip tightened around my neck, suffocating me. She was a tornado, twisting me around and smashing me into the table like a ragdoll. Adrenaline kicked in, and I fought back with everything I had. My fingers clawed at her hair and pushed against her slim frame, trying to gain any kind of advantage. But her strength was superhuman, and her nails dug into my neck like talons.I had to think fast.Desperation set in. I lunged at her shirt, gripping it tightly as if my life depended on it—and it did. I pulled hard, forcing her slender form to stumble forward. It was a desperate gamble, a Hail Mary pass to even the odds. I might’ve been down, but I wasn’t out. Not yet. My heart was racing, my muscles screaming, but I wasn’t about to let Anne win. I wasn’t about to let her take everything from me.I finally got the upper hand at things, and as I tried to hit her, Ruby came in full charge at me, pushing me to hit my head on the brick wall and causi
-JOANNE— Two days before my celebratory party. Theodore and I are seated with Hardy in one of the mansion’s empty rooms, talking about the twentieth.For some reasons. I felt enlightenment.Because Hardy was always fond of disdaining me whenever it came to sharing his plans. He would only let Theodore in on it, but tonight he was making me part of it.And it made sense because I was aware of it all.We were trying to fix the crazy puzzle together and rearrange ours. Trinity had walked in and out of the room every now and then, getting us water and all sorts of food.We’ve spent a good six hours in the room trying to come up with different alternatives and routes to take if plans A or B don’t align and manage to collide.We’ve managed to come to the conclusion that Lisa’s killer could be anyone. But the source we needed to pick from was from the White Ale-o house. Hardy looked unfazed, mentioning Lisa’s name a few times, and I tried to fight the urge to scream the truth out lou
-JOANNE -The present > As the revelations from Trinity poured forth, I found my jaw plummeting in stunned disbelief. My mind, once nimble and quick, now labored to organize this flood of disorienting information. Trinity's words had transformed what I thought I knew about Lisa and Hardy into a harrowing tale of deceit, confusion, and unrequited love, leaving my comprehension reeling.I was trying so hard to stay composed.It wasn’t just the fact that Trinity and Lisa had something going on. Well it was part of it. But it was mainly the fact that the woman Hardy was pulling all lengths for, pulling down seas and mountains for. Restraining every one that breathed out her name, the same woman that he had clearly offered his entire life to never loved him.It was shocking.Deeply.She only married Hardy to live a stable life?The fact that Hardy was clueless was alarming. Trinity let out a tired smile.“I’m sorry for boring your day out with this”I shook my head.“No. It’s good you sh
AUTHOR POV-Last part of FLASHBACK- 2years ago- - Days passed, and Trinity avoided Lisa altogether. She made sure Hardy was aware by making it explicit. She had told him, rather erroneously, that she had contracted a flu that might potentially be fatal for a pregnant woman. Even though Lisa tried to convince herself that she couldn't get sick from her sickness. As per her request, Hardy put Trinity in charge of the loo while assigning other maids to take care of Lisa. To genuinely keep Lisa at bay, Trinity had installed a new lock on her door. And when Lisa found out what Trinity had actually done to genuinely keep her at bay. She also stayed away. Under the Bensimon roof, they both became strangers, and even when Trinity's alleged sickness was curedShe and Lisa never spoke to each other properly again.- For what seemed like an eternity, Trinity languished in a bottomless pit of remorse. Until one fateful night, when she stumbled upon a scene that made her heart stop. T
Author POVFLASHBACK contd. -Trinity could feel her entire body heating up from the inside.What was going on?How did her little advances get out of the way for Lisa to notice their great deal?If Hardy were to find out about it, He’d get disgusted and throw her out of his domain.Her quietness and shame caused Lisa to burst out laughing.“Look at you. I’ve got you right where I wanted.” Trinity snapped back to reality and shook her head.“I believe you’re mistaken.” “Mistaken?” Lisa laughed.“The only mistake here is you denying it.”Trinity gently walked out of bed and shook her head.“You are deeply mistaken. And to have my beauty sleep. I would love it if you left.“So now you’re throwing me out?” Lisa scoffed.“I’m sorry.” Was the only thing Trinity said.And after a few gazes of disbelief, Lisa walked out of the room.***Hardy's wedding to Lisa was a whirlwind of excitement, the talk of the town. Everyone wanted to be in Lisa's shoes, wishing they could understand the allu