It does not take long after I leave for the garden for me to start to feel bad at the way I had spoken to Charles. He had had a look of genuine confusion on his face as to why I acted the way I did.“Anyway, that’s his business. If he wants to get all chummy with blondie, by all means, let him do so, but then he can’t eat his cake and have it too.” I think spitefully to myself, trying to justify my rude behavior.A soft and gentle breeze is blowing in the garden, which is almost a replica of the one at Sebastian’s house where I was kidnapped a few years ago. I had always loved that garden, as did Carol after she got married to Sebastian.It would be nice for Charles to plant one in his compound. If we ever define our relationship, I’ll definitely enjoy spending time there, and planting numerous colorful flowers and plants, as I’m sure our daughter would too.Ava coos contentedly, and I smile at her and kiss her smooth, small forehead, breathing in her sweet baby smell, my heart awash
As soon I park my car at Sebastian’s place, I whip out my phone and place a call to Charles, as I unfasten Ava’s seat belt and carry her out of the car. Richard comes over and makes to open the backseat, no doubt so that he can carry my bag out, but I lift a finger to stop him.“What the fuck is wrong with you?” I ask before Charles can even get a word out.“What have I done again?” Is the resigned reply.“I want you to call off your dog immediately. I’m a grown-ass woman and I should be able to go wherever I want to go by myself.” I say through gritted teeth. The only sign that Richard minds being called a dog is the fleeting clench in his jaw, and then his face returns to its impassive state.“That’s a very rude thing to say. It is for your own…”“Protection, I know, but I don’t need you, your guards, or anyone protecting me. I’m very capable of doing so myself. This is getting very ridiculous.”“Might I remind you that Charlotte is still out there doing god knows what, probably mai
CHARLESAt first, I’m angry when I learn that Jessica has taken off without at least one bodyguard to keep her company. I send Richard and another guard to go after her immediately, reckoning that she wouldn’t have gone very far, but I am wrong. There is no sign of her or Ava anywhere around, and the two guards return after a while, looking defeated.“I’m probably overreacting.” I try to convince myself, but I’m doing a piss poor job of it. I know just what Charlotte - I hate to think of her as my sister - is capable of, and I know that she has a habit of striking when one least expects it. Look what she had done to Samantha for chrissakes.For someone to first shoot at a pregnant woman, and then slit her throat after doing that, shows just how evil such a person is. I actually know that she has done more than that, after all, she was once part of a cartel, and had taken delight in torturing people who wronged her cartel.It was my mother who had introduced her to the leader of the ca
JESSICAThe park is bustling with activity when I get there with my daughter. Everywhere I look, there are little kids running around and playing with each other, supervised by their parents. Everywhere I look, I see happy couples.I wonder vaguely how many of these people are truly happy couples, because each time Charles and I go out to the park with our daughter, I’m pretty sure that people regard us as happy couples too. If only that were the case. We’re happy, quite alright, or we would be once Charlotte is recaptured, but we definitely aren’t a couple.I keep an eye out for any threats, although I don’t think that Charlotte and her cohorts if she has any, will be bold enough to try anything funny in a place this crowded. I find a park bench and sit on it with my daughter, who is making happy gurgling noises, and I feed her.About thirty minutes later, I turn on my phone to check something quickly, after which I would turn it back off, otherwise, I know Charles will keep disturbi
The security at Aunty’s house is very tight, but once the guards see that I’m the one in the car with Jeff, they immediately let us in through the gates of the large estate, the relief on their faces clearly apparent. I feel a pang of guilt, knowing that the guards, especially the ones at Carol’s house must have gotten hell for letting me go out without protection.I’m ready for a fight if it comes to that, though. I’m not a child, neither am I a prisoner, and I can go wherever I want to go without needing permission from anyone or needing to be followed around like someone who doesn’t know her left from her right.“Good morning, ma’am. We were all worried sick when you didn’t come back last night. Mr. Charles sent people out to look for you, but we couldn’t find you anywhere.”“It’s alright, Jim. I went out with my friends last night, and somehow lost my phone, which is why I couldn’t call anyone and why you guys couldn’t reach me. Anyway, I left my car at the hotel where I spent the
JESSICAI do not answer at first but rather proceed into the living room so I can drop the bag that I’m carrying. Once I drop the bag, I turn to him to explain what happened.“I’m sorry I didn’t call to inform you about my whereabouts, but we were both fine. I went to the park with Ava, and then one of my friends called me to tell me that he was in town with his sister and that they would both like to see me. So I went to see them, but apparently, I forgot my phone at the park, which is why I couldn’t reach you. Anyway, we got talking, and I didn’t realize how much time had gone until it was too late, so I decided to stay over.”“What the fuck were you thinking? Leaving the house like that without any form of protection whatsoever. Do you know how worried we’ve all been? And then to worsen matters, you turn off your phone so no one can reach you? What sort of game are you playing here Jessica?” Charles thunders, apparently deciding to ignore everything that I’ve said. I pat Ava’s back
JESSICAFrom that day henceforth, Charles began to avoid me, or at least, avoid being with me alone. At first, it was a little funny, but as days passed, it began to get annoying. He’s now working in one of the top hospitals in the city, but he did not tell me this news himself. I heard it from Aunty.He still frequents Aunty’s house, but not as much as he used to, and even when he does, he goes straight to the nursery to play with Ava, or if he wants to take her to the park, he would inform the nanny beforehand that he was going to do so, and then he would take and return her without seeing me.On the occasions when our parts happen to cross, he would greet me with his gaze averted, ask me how I am, and would then be on his way. All the camaraderie that we once shared is now gone, which sucks a lot because that means we’re not having sex anymore too. However, it’s not just the sex I miss, but the man himself and everything about him. I'm in love with him, but it sucks that he clearly
“Let’s go to the garden. We need to talk.” I tell him as we walk.“Sure. No problem. How have you been?”“I’ve been fine, and you?”“Okay, mostly.”“So, why have you been avoiding me?” I ask him, seeing no reason to beat about the bush.“I thought it was what you wanted.”“You thought it was what I wanted?” I repeat incredulously.“Well, yes. You were giving me attitude, and everything I did seemed to annoy you. Also, no matter how many times I asked, you didn’t tell me whatever it was that I did wrong, and neither did you accept my apologies. Then to worsen matters … well, you know how that last time we were talking and I yelled at you turned out. I hate that I frightened you so badly that it made you remember …"We were having an argument. People have arguments all the time. I yelled at you too. I definitely don't hold that against you." I interrupt him."Anyway, after that, I figured it is best if I kept my distance from you and we only relate where Ava is concerned. After all, yo