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
RAYMOND“Miss Pamela, do you think…” Pollen paused halfway when we nearly bumped into each other at the kitchen entrance.“Sorry, I didn’t see you —coming”I trailed off when my eyes fell on her.All I could do at that moment was stare, I was too dazed by her intoxicating beauty to mutter anything. How can one person possess different appealing kinds of beauty. Not long ago, she looked very innocent and charming in a pair of black sweat pants, white tank top and messy bun, now this?Alex who had came over to help me sort some files came out of the kitchen too, bumping into me in the process, as I was still by the door.He stopped in his tracks when he saw her, I wouldn’t blame him. She looked too good in the red gown with cutouts that revealed the right proportion of delicate skin.“Pollen, is it you??” Alex turned to me with a broad smile on his face.I pushed Alex aside, a subtle way of telling him to go do something with his life.“Okay Man. I’m going” Alex walked away grudgingly
I barged into Pollen's room, my anger smoldering just below the surface. She was sitting in front of her laptop, totally immersed in her little video call. I didn't bother knowing what the video call might be about, even though her tone and facial expression indicated it was something serious. I needed to use this room, and she was in my way."Get out, Pollen," I snapped, my patience getting slimmer with every passing second. "I need to use this room."But instead of scurrying away like she usually does, Pollen had the audacity to politely ask who she was talking to, wait a moment, and then turn to me with a firm tone. "I'm in my own room, Natasha. If you need to use it, please ask nicely and tell me what you need it for."My eyes narrowed, and my anger was flaring. What gave her the nerve to think she could talk back at me? Who does she think she was, speaking to me like that? I lunged at her, my hand reaching for her hair, but she sprang up, her eyes flashing with a fierce rage. I
Laura’s POV“What are you doing?”“Giving you what you want, of course.”My body arose like a flour kneaded with yeast, my nipples erected and ready to burst out of the white crop top I was wearing.“Not here, please,” I said in a whisper that sounded more like a moan.“Shhhh!” He placed a ding on my lips. It was the first time his bare skin was touching mine. I never imagined his finger barely touching my lips would send such electrifying waves of desire through my entire body.“I will have you wherever I want and whichever way I want." His hoarse voice ordered, “Now, take that top off.”Without questioning a single word he said, I yanked my top over my head. My boobs fell out with a bounce and pointed directly at him.“Now close your eyes and touch yourself; nothing will turn me on more than seeing you play with yourself.”Like a fool, I shut my eyes and touched myself while he stared and watched. I didn’t realise how satisfying having him watch me felt until I experienced it. It w
Laura’s POV“What are you doing?”“Giving you what you want, of course.”My body arose like a flour kneaded with yeast, my nipples erected and ready to burst out of the white crop top I was wearing.“Not here, please,” I said in a whisper that sounded more like a moan.“Shhhh!” He placed a ding on my lips. It was the first time his bare skin was touching mine. I never imagined his finger barely touching my lips would send such electrifying waves of desire through my entire body.“I will have you wherever I want and whichever way I want." His hoarse voice ordered, “Now, take that top off.”Without questioning a single word he said, I yanked my top over my head. My boobs fell out with a bounce and pointed directly at him.“Now close your eyes and touch yourself; nothing will turn me on more than seeing you play with yourself.”Like a fool, I shut my eyes and touched myself while he stared and watched. I didn’t realise how satisfying having him watch me felt until I experienced it. It w
Laura’s POVThe girl I went to sit next to welcomed me whole heartedly, unlike when they will purposely put their bags on empty seats just to avoid being next to me.“Thank you” I muttered politely and turned my attention to the lecturer who immediately looked away like he was caught stealing.The entire class was unable to focus since everyone was whispering about things that were obviously about my new look. I couldn’t only hear them, I could feel their eyes on every part of me.Chase. Where was he? Why wasn’t he in class? Is he even in school? It will be a shame if he doesn’t see me in this dress.The class eventually came to an end and everyone started talking aloud.“Oh my God, who would have thought she is this pretty” A girl started.“I know right” the second girl cooed.“We should go and say hi”“Should we?” When I heard that I spring up abruptly and turned to face the entire class, but came face to face with Queen.“A swine will mistake itself for royalty because it was fo
Laura’s POVChase.His name is Chase.I mean the guy I saw in a class room fucking another girl whom I badly wish I could trade places with.Ever since I saw that incident I haven’t been myself, I had masturbated twice the number of times I usually do, just over the weekend. To make matters worse, it was with no one but Chase. And because of the perverted things I had done with him in my mind, I even feel embarrassed at the thought of bumping into him, even though that was nearly impossible. As I walked through the hallway to my locker that morning, all eyes were on me. If I hadn’t done something else like terminating the air with the fart spray trapped in my locker I would have sworn that someone caught me touching myself while Chase and Amelia, as I got to know was her name after so much digging, had sex. But from the way they held they noses whilst whispering and sniggering, I knew it was the fart spray incident.I exhaled deeply and paused for a second before punching in my new
Laura’s POVIt was a Thursday, two days after Queen had purposely drenched me with tea. I was having a phonology class so I stopped by my locker to get the books I would be needing.I punched in the passcode to my locker and it gave me access. I opened the little space where I keep my stuff only to be hit and nearly killed by a pungent smell that nearly sent me to the afterlife.My face scrunched up and I hurriedly used the hen of the big black hoodies I was putting to protect my nose.“Did she just fart?” A student in the hallway asked.It was only then that I was brought back to my surroundings.I spun to look at the person who spoke with frantic eyes, hoping they’ll believe whatever I was going to say.“No, I didn’t. Someone must have trapped fart spray in my locker” I tried to explain.“You think we are stupid don’t you?” Another student asked, her hands covered her nose and her mouth.“Ewwww” More than half of the crowd that had gathered said in a sync.“I swear it’s not me” I w
Laura’s POV“You definitely did, I can’t recall giving you money for such exquisite things” “Well, Pollen did”“When? Why? That selfish girl can never do anything good for another person”“Then maybe we’ve judged her wrongly all this while, because she gave me twenty grand”“Twenty what?!”“Mum, I’ll fill you in when I return. That’s if I don’t sleep over at Mia’s”“You have to come back tonight. I need to hear everything” She persisted.“Okay Mum”I rushed out of the house as I had only thirty minutes left. Since I no longer use buses, I should be in school before my class starts.The cab guy who has been waiting for a while now was staring at the door when I came out. I walked dismantled the fleet of concrete staircases that spread to pavement where the driver has been waiting.“I’m sorry for keeping you. How much will that cost?”“Seventy-eight bucks, waiting fee inclusive” he said.“Here’s hundred” I gave an additional twenty two dollars.“Thank you” He received it with a smile.
Laura’s POVFor some days now I have staring at my phone, waiting anxiously for Mark’s call.The day he took my number at the bar, he had called my phone right there. That means I got his own number that day too, something that felt too good to be true. But Mark hasn’t called me as he promised, and it scared me at first. I was even tempted to initiate a call, but that would have automatically switched my position with his. It would have turned me from the Prize to the chaser, a situation Shera Seven always warned girls about.“Is everything okay?” My mother asked, her eyes straining hard on a laptop screen.“Yes. Why did you ask?”“You seem distracted”“Well—” My iPhone dinged and I hurriedly sat up when I saw who it was.It was a message from Mark. A big smile appeared on my face. I started to punch on my keypads instantly, but paused mid-way. I locked my phone and kept it away from me.Responding immediately depicts desperation and beautiful women shouldn’t be desperate.“Laura?”
Mia’s POV I clocked in late that morning. My eyes were groggy and my hair still looked messy even after combing it like every other day. “Hello Elsie. Amanda and James” I waved at them absentmindedly as I walked to the empty chair in a corner. I plunged myself in it and sighed. “You are late. Kilan was here to look for you” Amanda who spoke abruptly just Elsie was about to say something. “He did?” I tilted my head to look at her with my sleep depraved eyes. Apart from the cleaning I had been assigned to do for two weeks, which I have been doing for only three days, I haven’t been able to sleep properly. The pains from bending and scrubbing for three days straight has left me aching and groaning in the little sleep I manage to get every night. “He wants you to clean after the chefs in the kitchen instead. He said the employees on the floors you cleaned are complaining of how you suck at cleaning. They’ve been having reactions ever since” That was absurd, I know I might not be t
Natasha’s POV When I left Raymond in a fit of rage, I went to my room to cool off. How could he tell me not to address mere servants the way I want? It felt like he was choosing someone else over me again, even after doing everything I could to get rid of the pauper. I paced the space in my room to organize my thought, but there were just too many things running through my mind which I can’t overlook. Like the pauper for instance, even though she was no longer in his sight he still find ways to think of her. Now he wants to use their failed contract as an excuse to keep in touch with her. But I wasn’t going to let that happen. I will cut every string binding them together, even if it meant paying the compensation money for her. I brought out my phone and scrolled through it for her stupid number. I pressed ‘call’ and it started to ring. She didn’t pick immediately, when she did she refused to say a word. “Hello” I went first. “Hello? What do you want from me?” “Who is it?” I h