P was reluctant to follow me, so I had to drag her past the few students who were also having late lunches just like us. One thing I like about this campus is their way of brushing things off. Unlike my high school, no one spared us a glance as I dragged her out of the cafeteria. The moment we were out of earshot, I let go of my hold on her clothes and faced her with a pissed expression on my face. “What is it?” She folded her arms, with a brow raised at me in question. She didn't look too pleased that I dragged her out of the cafeteria —because of her lunch and Mr Matt. I doubt she's as pissed with me for leaving her lunch behind as much as she's infuriated with me for cutting off her conversation with Mr Matt. There is no doubt. She won't ever act on her infatuation with our handsome lecturer. She is just admiring him — nothing else. I glanced around to be certain there were no students around. We are outside the cafeteria, in a place where our voices can't be heard, no matter
*Trigger warning*Mention of rape.P and I shelved most of his books for him before Mr Matt sent her out to get soft drinks for him from the cafeteria in the next building because the one in his building had long been closed. Unlike the other buildings, the cafeteria in the teachers' offices closes with time because most of the teachers hardly return there to eat. They mostly eat out when they return from classes. I would have gone with P to keep her company, but Mr Matt gave me more tasks. “I will be back before you miss me, babe.” She pecked me on my cheeks before she left his office, to get the soft drinks for him. Mr Matt and I were enveloped in silence after the door closed. None of us said a word to each other as I graded the papers while he logged them into the database. I checked the time on my wristwatch, noting that it was just remaining ten minutes until my husband comes up here to get me. As much as I would love for him to come, I don't want him to meet Mr Matt, so he
“It's okay, baby. You are safe.” He kissed me on my hair as he tried to make me stop shivering. His hand gently held me, to keep me safe. When we returned from school, I screamed for him to bathe me, to wash off the feeling of having Mr Matt's hand on me. I asked Miguel to burn the clothes I wore; so I won't get to see a reminder of today. I was like a deranged person, kicking and screaming. My body continued to shake as my mind conjured scenario after scenario. It made me wonder what might have happened had Miguel not come over to look for me. Would he have raped me and blamed me for seducing him? Would he have killed me, should I refuse to let him kiss me? Who knows what would have happened to be back then?I shivered some more as goosebumps materialized on my arms. I have never felt this way. Not even when Miguel treated me like a commodity. I have never been this scared in my life, and it's no thanks to a man, whom I once thought good things about. Never in my wildest imagina
I haven't been to school since the incident, and that's close to two weeks. Miguel took a leave of absence for me. He wanted me to fully heal before I return to school.P visited me three days ago, and when she heard of what happened, she was distraught. She blamed herself for what happened. But I had to convince her that she was not the one at fault. Mr Matt seems to have planned everything. Had she not forced me to help him, he would have found ways to get me to do that. He has been arrested and charged to court for the raping of ten students and the murder of two. The pieces of evidence were found in his house. Five days ago, four of his victims stepped out to testify against him. And according to Miguel, he will be persecuted for murder, by hanging.I sat on the couch watching the tail of the nine-tailed. The series has completely aired, but I'm only watching it now because I love binge-watching movies. I don't have the patience to wait for an entire week for two episodes to be
I can't tell how I got to his office. I took four of the small framed pictures with me and had one of his guards drive me there. My tears threatened to blind me, but I sniffed, to keep them at bay. I won't let him see my tears. A scheming bastard like him is not worthy of that. I got down from the car and headed into his building. The security man greeted me with a smile, which I didn't reciprocate as I hastened towards the elevator. None of the workers stopped me because they have seen me countless times this week. Hell, one newspaper company published my pictures three days ago, letting the public know who Miguel's hidden wife is. If only they knew how much of a stalker their most handsome man is. I got to his floor and exited. His secretary wasn't out in the corridor, which will either mean she was in her office or out on an errand. I opened the door of his office and entered without knowing. “Jewel?” He asked, surprised to see me. He was working on something on his laptop, lo
“Jewel?” His voice was cautious.“Wait, I need to process all these things.”It's not every day that you get to learn that your husband has been stalking you for a long time.“If you want to annul this marriage, I understand, I'm just a bastard who stalks a student.” He bowed his head, “I'm sorry.”I watched him without saying a word. Right now, I don't know what to do. “Jewel?” He called out to me, but I didn't reply. My mind was still trying to come to terms with what was happening. I can't seem to wrap my head around this.“Say something.”“You were stalking me?” Those were the only words that came from my mouth.I couldn't process any other word.“I'm sorry, it was wrong of me to do that. I needed to—” “Not only have you been stalking me for years, but you lied to me. You made me trust you!” I yelled at him. Had his office not been soundproof, there is no doubt that his workers might have heard —not that I care. I'm too heartbroken to think of anything else besides this.“What
I avoided the stares from his workers and that of my driver, who looked like he wanted to know why I'm sad. I turned my focus on the window as the cars went by in a blur. Just for a moment, I felt like I will be free should I jump out of the car right now. I will be rid of Miguel and all the influences he has on me. For close to six years, I have been played by him. First, he did it from the shadows until he got bold enough to approach me. And I fell for it all. I'm such a fool. A damned fool who needs to be knocked on the head. I placed my palm on the window as I watched the car enter the compound. My mind is torn on what to do. I wish to leave him, but at the same time, I don't want to do that. However, I know that's what I have to do —for my sanity. I need to leave. I have to go far away. Yet, I can't seem to make my leg move towards another direction. I got out of the car, and headed into his house —my cage for the past two years. Others are placed in metal cages, while mine
“I'm sorry,” she sighed. “I'm not asking you to forgive me easily. I just hope you will understand my reasons for doing what I did. Back when he was still treating you unwell, I wanted to help you. That was why I spoke with him.” She peered into my eyes, “I thought it was the best solution until you developed feelings for him. I know asking you to stop dating Day will sound suspicious, that was why I egged you on. This way, you won't suspect a thing.”I sat still without saying a word. Half my attention was on her words while the other was on what happened. I can't help the thoughts that threatened to envelop my mind. “Please forgive me, Jewel. I won't ever repeat it.”“The last night I went to the ball,” I suddenly said.She sighed, “I was the one who told him where you went.” She placed her hand on my thighs, “I hope you won't fault him for that.”“He's a stalker,” I murmured, feeling how heavy my heart is. “For years, he has been keeping my pictures and painting me every chance he
They stared at him, looking confused. “Mum, what's he doing here?” Jane asked, still looking at him. She only spared a look at me before she turned her entire focus on him. “Come on, babies.” Miguel motioned for them to come close to him. When they didn't go to him, he glanced up at me. “I thought you weren't coming back. I intended to relocate to the street, you live with them.” He smiled at me, "I have made the plans already. Implementing it was my next plan." “You stupid man!” I closed the distance between us and enveloped him in a hug. He rose from the ground and twirled me in the air. I chuckled at the feeling of being lifted by him. I felt light as he held me up like a baby. "Put me down!" I said in a voice that doesn't sound as commanding as it should. You can't blame me. Having him carry me is something I wish he can do all the time. “Mum, why are you hugging him?!” Jane shouted. While the others stared at me with shocked expressions on their faces.“Oh.” I chuckled as
“Is our new home that far?” Jill yawned, already tired of the ride. It's not a secret that my kids hate trips since we have been going on numerous trips since they were born. I chuckled at the impatient expression on her face. “It's not that far. Don't worry, we are almost there.”We would have been there long ago had I driven like before. But no, I had to be extra careful on the road to prevent my happiness from taking the upper hand and leading me to something I might regret. “Can you get an ice cream for us?” Jane rubbed her eyes. “I'm tired.”“Do you want an ice cream now or when we reach?” I glanced at them through the mirror. “Now!” they chorused together, not taking a moment to think. “Okay.”And like that, a journey that would have taken us an hour max, took us two hours and thirty minutes to arrive. I had to buy their favourite ice cream for them.I drove straight to Miguel's mansion. Luckily, he wasn't back by the time we arrived. His guards let me in as if it's natural
“And if it's not my charming friend.” Phil beamed as he sat opposite me. He looked like he rushed, to get here. I don't blame him because I just suddenly called and asked him to meet me. I returned from Miguel's house an hour ago, to make it in time to bring my kids home. “You took your time, didn't you?” I frowned at him, “I was intending to leave before you arrived.” I pretended like I was angry at him when I wasn't. “I'm sorry. There was something I needed to take care of. Don't be offended, okay?” He grinned.“Even if I want to be annoyed with you, I can't,” I pouted. “You are just too cute for me to be angry at you.”“See? I'm too handsome for you to be angry with me.” He placed both hands on his cheeks, “So, why did you call me here? I know it's not to drink coffee.” He glanced around at the almost empty café, “it's almost evening!”“I'm leaving.”“So soon? I only came — wait a minute, what do you mean by you are leaving?” He gaped at me, staring at me as if I had somehow lo
I sent my kids to school and decided to drive to work. When I left Miguel, I only contacted Nikki and Star. It was with their help that I got back on my feet until I met a kind old man. He was the CEO of Dabris, and he gave his shares and the company to me because he was too old to handle it, and his company was going bankrupt. That was how I became a CEO and each day, I work to prove that he can trust me. Though he's not in this world any more, I still have this need to make him proud of me. I got a notification on my phone, and I slid it up, to see a message. I frowned at the content. Why the hell will someone ask me to listen to the news?I packed my car to the side of the road, and switched the radio on, to the station the message spoke of.“Hello, everyone.” I was shocked when I recognized Miguel's voice. There is no way I won't recognize his voice, even through the radio. “So, I was a douche to my wife. I treated her badly, and I'm here to ask for forgiveness.....” There wa
I didn't hear from Miguel after a week. It was as if he had given up, which I'm grateful for. I stopped looking back as I left my house, trying to pretend like everything was normal when it wasn't. I know it will only be a matter of time before he starts disturbing, me once more. I hurried over to my children's school, packed my car and went over to their playground when I didn't see them waiting for me at the security office like they normally do.From afar, I saw my kids standing together, with — Miguel? With my heart beating fast, I hastened towards them at the sight of his familiar stature.No.This can't be happening.How did he enter the school without permission?God. I quickened my pace towards them.Miguel had his back on me, so he didn't see me until I reached where they were.“Jane, Jill, James!” I called out to them as I hurried towards them.“Mum!” They ran towards me at the sound of my voice. And that was when Miguel turned.He looked as shocked to see me as I was to
Phil took me back to the office before he returned to his office. I met him two years ago when he came for an interview. He was fun on our first meeting, and we clicked it off —as friends. I know he feels something for me, but I don't feel anything for him, and I have never led him on. He's aware that I don't do relationships, and I don't want anything about that. Ever since I left Miguel, I have stayed single, training my cute bundle of joys, who are all I have left after the messy relationship I had with Miguel. Though they remind me so much of him, I won't trade them for anything in the entire world because they are all I have. They are my life, and I will forever be grateful to Miguel for making me a mother. I drove to their school the moment it was four. I spent the last hours thinking of my stupid husband and the expression that was on his face when I left with Phil. “Mum!” Jill called out as she raced towards me. “Hey! Wait for me,” James shrieked, trying to keep up with
JewelI strode into his office for the first time in years. Nothing has changed. Aside from the new interior design, and change of colours. The shocked expression on Miguel's face was more than I comprehended. My mouth curved up in a smile, but I tampered with it. “Good morning, Mr Miguel,” I professionally smiled at him. “I trust my secretary filled you up on what I request for a partnership?” I strode over to one of the chairs in the boardroom, and sat on it, with my legs crossed, while Miguel stood shocked still staring at me like one who has seen a ghost.The years haven't been good for him. He looked older than ever, with his hair duller. There are dark lines under his eyes, making him look sleep-deprived.“Jewel?” He swallowed. “I'm afraid we are not that familiar with each other, Mr Miguel. I will prefer if you call me, Miss.” I smiled at him, “should we continue?” “Where have you been? I have sought for you throughout—” “I'm afraid you are mistaking me for someone else, M
MiguelIt has been five freaking years since Jewel left. I have tried to locate her, but haven't been successful. I tried every means possible to locate her, but it seemed like she disappeared into thin air. I ran a hand through my hair as I stared at the piles of files in front of me. For five years, I have buried myself in my work, trying to lessen the thoughts of my wife, but nothing seems to help. I'm always thinking of her, and the mistake I made those years ago. Back then, I knew that Pearl was lying, but I needed enough evidence against her. That was why I attempted to play to the beat of her music. However, it cost me my priceless jewel. If only I didn't do that. Had I not spoken those harsh words to her, she wouldn't have left me. She would have still been here with me. I stared at my window. Star and Nikki left the house a week after Jewel disappeared. Until now, they have not contacted me because they blamed me so much for what happened five years ago. And I take the b
I didn't go to school because my mind was filled with thoughts of my husband and the words he spoke to me last night. As much as I tried to, I couldn't forget the bite of those words. I stared into space as I tried not to think of it, but each minute, my mind kept on repeating those words as if it were trying to remind me of what a douche my husband is.I checked my phone as if I were expecting a call from him. But there was nothing. He didn't so much as send a message to me. I rolled on the bed and would have continued to think had it not been for my baby that decided it was time to eat. I slowly rose from the bed and walked out of my room, to get breakfast.“Aunt Star, your nephew wants to eat,” I cheerfully said when I entered the kitchen. Both Nikki and Star turned to look at me with puzzled expressions on their faces. The way they stared at me made it seem like they were wondering what was going on with me. “You're acting rather strange, Jewel. Could it be the pregnancy?” Sta