RAYMOND“The meals are still as bomb as ever. Don’t ever fire Pamela, bro” Alex warned.He and the others trailed behind me as we walked out of the dining room after filling our stomachs. I stepped foot in the living room first,then quickly turned to my friends with a finger on my lips.“Who is that?” Lamar whispered as we all watched her try to shut the door in the most silent way.“Shhhh” I placed a finger on my lips, asking them to be quiet.“What is wrong with him?” Lamar asked, still in whispers.I was looking forward to the look of shock on her face as she quietly spun. Pollen looked like she had seen a ghost the moment she turned to find my friends and I in the living room.“Hi” She made a little hand wave,but put it down immediately.“Hi” I answered with a smile I didn’t even realize was obvious. It was meant to be a mental expression.I watched as she hurried up the stairs.“Hey. What’s wrong with you?” Lamar punched me lightly in the chest, but I didn't bother as my eyes we
NATASHAMy mother adjusted herself and checked her lips for a thousandth time in the little mirror she brought out of her purse when the chauffeur pulled into the venue for the sorority party. Seeing that everything was okay, she waited for the chauffeur to get the door.Still seated in the car beside my mother, I peeked at the tall building where the meeting is scheduled to hold. It will be their first time holding one in such a luxurious space.“Aren’t you coming?” My mother paused on her way out of the car.“Patricia has seen me before. Do you want her to recognize me and ruin our plan?” I said and brought out a pair of glasses to put on.“Who is Patricia?”“The Pauper’s mum. How can you not know the name of someone who is likely to ruin your chances of being sorority Chairperson?”“You know I don’t care about those women, so keeping their names in my head is hard”“Well, you have to keep this one. She is not someone to play with, unless you want to lose to her like I did to her
POLLENMy hands trembled with excitement as I grabbed the ornate door handle.I have been looking forward to this moment since I moved in, but thought it was never going to happen because of the contract agreement that stated ‘No friends or family allowed’,but finally,my friend Mia and sister Laura were about to experience the grandeur of Raymond’s beautiful home. With a deep breath,I swung open the door, revealing Mia and Laura looking around the yard with their feet planted at the front door.“You guys are here!” I smiled broadly.“Finally!” Mia squealed when she saw me.Laura was too engrossed with the environment to say a word to me.We hugged briefly before entering the mansion.Mia's eyes widened, her mouth agape. "Wow...Pollen, this…this is incredibly beautiful!”Laura's gaze darted around the living room, taking in the crystal chandelier, the sweeping staircase, and the exquisite furnishings. "Pollen, this is heaven!" Laura gasped.I beamed with smiles, thrilled to share my
POLLEN “Why did you lie to me?” Mia’s face was right in front of mine as she outlined my eyes with a brown eye pencil. “What do you mean?” “You said Raymond has no friends when I asked you to introduce me to one of his friends” “That’s because I never saw him with any friends. I got back from the beach last Sunday to find tons of them in the living room, I was too shocked to utter a word myself ” “Am I supposed to believe this?” Mia paused with the eyeliner trapped between her fingers. “Believe whatever you want” I joked. “You know you are under my mercy, right?” “Talking like I can’t decide to go to the book launch with a bare face. I have a great skin you know” I winked at her. “Keep that ugly of face of yours let me finish what I’m doing” She placed one hand on my head while the other carefully drew a line on my eyelid. “Why do you want a man when you have one already?” “I have told you countless times that Jeff and I aren’t dating” “What are you doing then?” “Using eac
NATASHA“It’s been a whole freaking week and your sister’s daughter is yet to find any dirt on that pauper”“My sister’s daughter? That’s your cousin, Natasha. Can you be serious for once?”“How sure am I that she didn’t lie about attending the same school as that girl to get my attention?”“Your attention, huh? You think we are still at the top of the social hierarchy, don’t you?. The earlier you wake up to the reality that we are no longer as influential as we used to be the better for you”“With or without money, I am still Natasha Strefield!”“Is that what you think? Why don’t we tell your cousin that her uncle is no longer the owner of the numerous properties which her parents told her about. Let’s see if she still grovels to get your ‘attention’ ”“Really? Is that all you have to say?”“What do you want me to say? I wonder why you are even bothered with Raymond. We have gotten what we wanted, shouldn’t we be thinking of how to be happy now that your father is stuck in there
POLLENAs I stepped out of the evening sunlight and into the pristine, modern venue,my eyes scanned the crowded room.Not like I was looking for anyone in particular, I just wanted to give off a confidence that was befitting for my appearance.I had never been to a book launch before, but have heard rumors about the extravagance of such events.Even at that, nothing could have prepared me for the sea of expectant faces that spun my way as I made my entrance.My red flowing dress seemed to shimmer in the light, the one shoulder strap drew attention to my toned arm, while the daring cutout on my side flaunted a glimpse of my delicate skin. The dress was a bold choice, and I knew it.Mia had spent days deliberating over my outfit, and finally decided that this was the one. I was left with no choice, but to go with itAs I strode my way through the horde of guests, the room fell silent. Conversations hung in mid-sentences, and heads spun to take in the sight of me.My heart pounded wit
ERICI was at the dining area waiting for my mother to come down for breakfast while scrolling through my phone. “Good Morning, Poppy” I looked up when I heard her foot steps approaching.“Morning, Eric. Did you sleep well?”“I did. Never slept this good in a long while”“Really” I got up to pull a chair for my mother as she got to the table.“Thank you”“You welcome”“Is it because you are looking forward to the book launch?”“Nah. Has nothing to do with that”“That’s cold” My mother made a sad face.“Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. It’s just I dreamt of some one all through the night, and now I can’t seem to get her out of my head”“Who is she? Should I be expecting to see her soon?” She leaned forward to ask.“Not sure if she will be coming to the book launch, but if she does then you will definitely meet her”“Wait a minute? You invited her to the book launch?”“No. Kira did”“Oh, I see” My mother tilted her head as if to recall something.“What’s this young lady’s name?”“Why
NATASHA After hearing the maids sing praises of the pauper while making ridicule of me, I knew it was time to be more intensional about my actions.More than anything, I wanted to go in there and confront them, but what happens after I do? Not like I can ask Raymond to fire them. Apart from the fact that he is a logical person who doesn’t just do what he is told, his attention has been swayed by the ongoing scandal and being petty was only going to work against me.As I made my way upstairs, to where I knew I was going to find him, the crashing sound of ceramic caught my attention.I turned around to see what happened. It was Lily, she looked petrified while standing there. She must been shocked to find me in the mansion, more concerned that I might have overheard them.“Good day Ma’am”“Hello” I gave her a weary smile and continued my way up.I knew she was confused as to whether I heard their conversation or not. Well, I guess that’s enough punishment for the moment until I’m in th