4: Our First Meeting

Marcus

“Hello everyone, my name is Anna, and I am the daughter of Bel Air Companies worldwide.”

The words of my ex-wife resounded in my ears as I stared at her with opened eyes.

I was reeling in denial, refusing to accept that Anna could ever lie to me.

She was my silver lining of hope and the best thing life ever sent my way.

Watching her stand on the podium, delivering her speech, I felt a tightening in my chest, her betrayal changing my view about her.

Unlike the rich and elegant in the city, I didn't come from wealth, I was born into the lowest ranking, poverty-stricken background.

My life was headed downwards into a dark hole when I met Anna.

We both were fourth year business students and our chemistry was instant, like a spark, blazing and sizzling hot.

“Hi. Do you mind if I share a seat with you?”

I finally took my chance and gained the courage to go hold a conversation with her.

Anna had the most beautiful blue eyes and her pixie cut made her stand out.

“Sure. Make yourself comfortable.” She responded.

Lectures had commenced in full, but my mind, my entire being, was hooked on this woman who appeared to have a halo on her head.

I couldn't let her out of my sight and I didn't want this to be our last encounter.

Indeed, I was about to do the unthinkable and ask her for her number when the bell for the end of lectures startled me.

“Sorry, can I…” She turned her back to look at me, waiting for me to speak, but my words were hooked in my throat. “Never mind.”

She stared at me long and hard, before walking away.

My phone beeped, and I was shocked to see who had sent me an SOS message.

“Come to the college garden, we need to talk.” Monalisse typed.

My relationship with Monalisse was that of convenience. I was more like her lapdog, a puppet who she used whenever she pleased.

For over a month, she had ghosted me completely and rumors had it that she was dating Boris Wells, the son of a business mogul.

“Monalisse, you wanted to see me.” I braced myself for what she had summoned me to say as I waited for her to speak.

I had a feeling that our meeting was not for us to kiss and make up, and at this point, I really couldn't care less.

“Let's break up. You are a nice guy and all, but I have big dreams, large goals and your pocket is too tiny to house all of them.”

Her words were hurtful, brewing up insecurities within me. I curled my hands tightly inside my trouser pockets and waited for her to be done.

“We have no business together. You can go now.” She dismissed me like I meant nothing, like I was nothing of value.

It was on that fateful day that whatever lingering feelings I had for Monalisse disappeared. She became a cold, non-existent memory.

The scales which had bewitched me fell from my eyes as I saw her for exactly who she was.

That evening, the College was holding its annual madhouse party and I attended.

I needed all the distraction that I could get and so I went for the booze and fun.

“What the hell!” A lady cursed under her breath, as she wiped off the drink which I had mistakenly spilled on her.

I was about to apologize when those familiar blue eyes met mine, drowning me in its depth.

A smile played on my face as Anna recognized me.

“I didn't take you to be the type who comes to these types of events.” I teased. “I apologize for the mess.” I eyed her dress apologetically.

Anna smiled back at me, and took the stairs while I followed behind her.

We arrived at a free room, and she made use of the restroom to clean up. As I waited for her, I mentally began to make notes on what to say and how to hold a proper conversation with her.

“I came here with my friend. She claims that her boyfriend is cheating and wants to catch him in the act.”

Anna broke the silence between us, clearing the air as to why she was at a frat party.

I understood how crazy women could be and didn't want to be at the receiving end of any woman's aggression.

We returned back to staring at each other and my eyes darted down to her lips and slowly back to her face. I was slowly losing my self-control, and urgently needed to think of something else to say.

“So, are you one of those rich kids or do you work part-time jobs like me?” I inquired.

Anna's response strengthened my attraction towards her, making her a walking green flag.

“I actually work four part-time jobs. I am from a modest family.”

Well, I had found my woman. Nobody could tell me otherwise.

She was humble, sweet, loyal and saw potential in my company which we both became so invested in after college.

Everything Sow was birthed from our years of hard work and consistency and then something bad happened.

The main reason why I had to call it quits with my now ex-wife and take Monalisse back.

“Thank you all for coming today. This brunch would not have been possible without the sponsorship of you all.”

The claps echoed around me as she walked down the podium with her head held high.

The warmth which she once harbored towards me was replaced with a chill coldness.

In the process of trying to protect Anna, I feared that I had lost her.

“So you had so much money to spare, and you pretended all these years to be some poor broke bitch. Marcus, can you believe it?”

Monalisse wanted me to chirp in, and take her side as she taunted Anna, but I didn't want to be a part of her personal vendetta.

The only reason why she was here with me in the first place was because I thought she could be of help in salvaging the situation at hand.

However, I was beginning to have second thoughts about her entirely.

“We should take our leave.” I finally spoke, pulling Monalisse who refused to budge from where she stood.

“I am not fazed by your little pennies and measly dimes. You will always be beneath me.”

Monalisse was blowing hot, and the paparazzi took the opportunity to capture the moment.

As I tried to move her out of Anna's face, she angrily palmed Anna on the chest.

Anna fell on the floor, and a painful moan escaped her lips.

The next thing I saw was blood, slipping from in between her legs and dripping on the transparent floor.

Anna's moans intensified into a pained scream and she cried out.

I rushed to her side, lifting her from the floor. Her hands moved protectively to her stomach as she fought to stay awake.

The last thing I heard before she slipped into subconsciousness caused my blood to turn cold and my heart to beat erratically in my chest.

“Please save my baby.”