SEAN: My eyes don't leave Sekani's side for the whole of the drive. I could tell she was slightly distant and agitated and that was all thanks to tonight's ceremony. I used to feel that way when Atrix Communications was still in her prime. The nerves and slight anxiety before you appear before everyone. Before you give your speech and honors to who it is due to. She needed space. She also didn't need to be talked to. She leaned her head against the headrest of her seat and closed her eyes. Leaving her to herself, I drew out my phone and started to scroll through the internet. I stumbled upon one of the posts from her page and stopped, smiling as a video of her dressed in a gold sequined dress began to play. Thankfully, I came with my AirPods so I connected to it and listened to her address a bunch of her interns. Her voice had the right hint of confidence in it, coupled with the sarcasm that had them laughing and also a few warning notes that suddenly made everyone serio
SEAN: I went in search of Sekani and thankfully, I found her discussing with Shirley and one of her employees. Jazz music played in the background, matching the atmosphere. Low-hanging crystal chandeliers lit the room up, giving it a clean aura, and coupled with the dinner gowns and tuxedo guests had on, it was the perfect atmosphere for a beautiful party. Thankfully, Sekani had a smile on her face and she turned, like she knew I was watching her, and smiled at me. She waved me over and it sent a wave of relief washing over me. At least, she was no longer in a bad mood. That alone was a relief for me. She placed a hand on my back the moment I walked towards her, guiding me towards the middle of the room, right in front of a few women who looked familiar. There was something about them that screamed cooperate and boss ladies apart from their dresses, the aura they exuded told tales. "Girls," Sekani called to their attention and they all turned to her, their smiles wideni
SEAN: She confidently continued her way towards me, a small smile on her face as she flipped her hair to the bank. The light kissed her skin, causing it to glimmer and I wondered how many men she must have trampled underfoot. No, I wasn't at all attracted to her. It was the air around her. The energy she exuded captured my attention. She then took a seat beside me and smiled at me before putting her dress in order. "Hey," I waved a finger at her. "Fancy seeing you seated out here," she chuckled. "You heard what I said earlier, right?" "Yes, I did," I sighed. "I really don't know what to say in reply to that. It's her party." "And you are her husband." She shrugged. "Shouldn't that concern you that she is in the arms of the man who she once had a thing with?" I laughed. "It might have been a one-time thing because it didn't surface on the internet." "Of course, it didn't," Toni smiled and reached for the purse in her hand. She took out a plastic tube and b
SEKANI: Rebecca. My arch nemesis from college. Seeing her here gave me some sort of comic relief. I'd laughed along with Yuri and Amelia the moment she walked in. Of course, both women didn't go to college with me but they knew Rebecca because I told them about her at a certain moment in time, when we all went on our very rare vacation. We'd all been talking about college and our conversation somehow stirred back to my late sister's friends. Seeing her here tonight had to be the funniest turn of events because why the hell was a lady who had once embarrassed and kicked me out of a sorority party because I wasn't 'cool' enough at my party? How the hell had she even gotten an invitation? I knew Shirley couldn't make that mistake as she wasn't even on our canceled guest list. Someone must have given her. "Don't give me that look," Sean said beside me, his voice clipped. "I didn't invite her because I don't even have an invitation. I am only here because we are married."
SEKANI: Sean was unresponsive, moving robotically and smiling at me as we waltzed around the room. I knew he didn't mean anything he was doing. He didn't mean to smile or pull me in. It was all for the public eye and the camera. But it got to a point where it started to feel really intense. He nuzzled my neck and pulled me in, his arm tightening around my waist. The song playing in the background had the most intense violin play I'd ever heard and this was my first time listening to it. But it wasn't so for Sean and I could tell from the way he swirled us both around so perfectly, like he was a professional dancer. He lifted me off the floor, his arms gripping my waist tightly as he twirled me around once again. Other dancers had slowed down and were watching in fascination and when he picked me up again, our gazes locked. His eyes narrowed slightly before he pulled me into him and buried his head into my neck. "I've tried to fight the attraction I have for you but it's al
SEKANI: I walked back into the hall, my arms wrapped around my waist in a form to protect myself. Sean doing the same for me had left an impact and the fact that he left afterwards made me feel extremely guilty. More guilty than I wanted to feel. Jake had climbed into his car the moment he stood up to his feet, glaring at me and giving Sean the middle finger and when I called after Sean, he ignored me, walking into the cab he had flagged down in my absence. Nothing made sense anymore. Not the music playing in the background, not the laughter and the clink of wine glasses. Hell, not even Shirley running around and making sure everything was in order made me satisfied but as angry as I felt, I knew I had to smile until tonight was over. I knew I had to speak to everyone and maintain that expression until tonight was over and hopefully, I could get back home and speak with Sean. It wasn't like I owed him anything. Hell, it was a contract marriage and although complicated, all
SEKANI: Three days. It had been three days since I last saw Sean and not only was I greatly bothered, I was extremely worried. I tried to concentrate at work, forcing myself into believing I wasn't at all affected by whatever it was that would have him not returning home for three days. Hell, I didn't care if he got kidnapped or something. He was an adult and the only thing binding us together was this contract marriage which was going to end eventually. So I focused on work and ignored whatever thoughts lingered in my head. "I am seated right in front of you, Sekani." A voice that had me snapping my head up spoke. Sighing, I leaned away from my desk and leaned back into my seat. "I am really sorry. I'm just tired." "Tired?" He raised his brows, not quite believing a word I said about being tired. "Are you sure you're tired? Or is it something else?" "Something else like what?" I asked, raising my brows in askance. "Someone you haven't seen for the past three d
SEAN: "The sunset is beautiful. Most times, I don't believe that we are blessed with this sight and take it for granted," she shifted from one foot to another. "You know, we should appreciate nature more and try to see the beauty in it but we don't. We never want to. We're laden with life's problems and other shenanigans that even taking a deep breath and watching nature play its course never happens." "Is that why you moved to the countryside, granny?" I turned to look at her, smiling and happy that she was healthy and happy. She nodded and dolled her white hat before trudging back to her seat. I followed behind her and tried to help her swat but one glare from her had me pulling back and chuckling fondly. "Yes, that's why I moved to the countryside apart from the fact that my children were starting to give me so many problems I couldn't even stand.." I took a seat beside her and stared into the horizon, at the beautiful sunset reflecting on the water body and leaving me