55****Maurice's POV****As I sat in my car driving home to my estate, my mind went back to the little intimate time Natalie and I had shared after taking our cars from the car wash. She had patted my hair tenderly and I had went ahead to kiss her lightly on the cheeks, before wishing her a good night rest. I took one last look at the pictures, maybe not the last for today. We had taken them in the venue of our mock wedding, and they were splendidly beautiful and nostalgic. ‘I would make Natalie my wife!' I thought assuredly. She added a lot of color and liveliness to my being. Remembering this night I was to be home alone, I walked in. My mother had left for North Esturnburg that morning, to be with her seventy nine year old ailing mother. Bringing out the access card from my wallet, I tapped the card very close to the sensor and in a minute the authentication process read successful. Just when I was about to enter, I felt a touch. It wasn't a hard push, lest I would have mistook
56****Natalie's POV****Maurice had received all round praises for securing the contract with Richwell Bank & Trust. As I sat for my lunch of Ribeye Steak served alongside with a creamy mashed potatoes, and roasted asparagus at the Rodriguez Cafe. Our new young intern, Jason Davies, exchanged pleasantries with me, holding onto his tray of lunch. He moved forward to where I sat.“I'd love to sit, can I?" He requested. “Sure..." I said lowly, my mouth was full. “Great choice of food for lunch!" he complimented. “I know right?" I said in response, smiling at the young man, who munched his lunch with relish.Jason was eighteen years of age and had proceeded to our company to serve as an intern. ‘He hoped to work as an employee in Venus Group' he had told my father. “Your company's great, miss!" he remarked. “Just two weeks and I'm half way over with learning software development, I can't wait to be a guru!" He said light heartedly, and his young eyes shone with excitement.I took a
57****Natalie's POV****Letticia's wedding came the next year, the first Saturday in the year 2023. Being Letticia's buddy, I had arrived the Fidell's apartment on a Friday opposing the next day which was to be her wedding. Letticia was my girl and I was determined to be there for her. The nostalgic memories with Kevin that panged my being, when I arrived the estate was still not enough to make me change my mind. “Natalie!" Letticia cried joyfully from the window to her room upstairs. She was over the moon to note that I was there for her wedding preparation. I had come with an echolac box. The Antler Clifton medium in pink, matching the pink joggers and face cap I had worn with a black body suit. With my echolac box being cradled, I made for the door way of the Fidell's mansion. Just before I got there, a young maid came through the entrance door. She was putting on a white apron on a black gown, and a head scarf was tied to her hair. Chubby, and a little below my height. She gre
58****Maurice's POV****Mr. Mark didn't hide his sad countenance when he got to know I would be leaving Venus Group in a month. That day, he had urged me with fatherly words. “It's painful to miss out from a smart mind like you, but I can't say no"“You need to go on with your dreams, Maurice"“Wish you immense luck!" He had finalized. Just like Mr. Mark had said, I indeed need to chase my dreams and improve my standard of living. I needed more finances. Notwithstanding the fact that my salary was upgraded, and I had gone ahead to change the official car given to me. I had plans of starting my family soon. I had purchased my new car, the Acura TLX in ash, this month, the month of July. However, the love between Natalie and I had blossomed over the months. Prior to Letticia's wedding in January, we were even more drunk in love and now I did see Natalie as my wife. For three days I have been seeing her repeatedly in my dreams, dressed as a bride. ‘Was this a sign?'Still, I needed
59****Kevin's POV****The surrounding walls of East Esturnburg Penitentiary stood very high, with electric fences huddled with razor wires at the top. The vigilant officers who were positioned outside, paced the surroundings of the penitentiary tirelessly with their hand folded to their backs. Their eyes were wild as an owl, very vigilant to any single abnormal movement made at the exteriors of the building. Inside the penitentiary, I stood with two other inmates chopping vegetables in readiness for lunch that day. We were surrounded by three officers, who didn't get their eyes off us for a second “Chop fast! and stop being sluggish like a pregnant woman!" An officer addressed me. I rubbed my forehead with the back of my palms incessantly, while chopping the vegetables. The environment was too hot and unbearable. On the other end, the boiling water heightened the hot environment. This was obviously the hardest chore for me, as I had never cooked. Why should I? When I had a hos
60****Maurice's POV****My eyes beholding my glamorous white tuxedo designed in gold hung at the side of my bed, and the blaring voices of Sebastian and my other groom's men in the hallway reminded me of the stark reality. It was my wedding day!.I yawned and stretched, being unable to refrain myself from smiling.‘Why should I?' I was getting married to Natalie Escobar, the woman of my dreams! I had almost given up hope in getting Natalie as mine and here we are today. The soft tap at my door, made me reduce the wideness of my smile by a centimeter. Opening the door, I discovered it was Sebastian. “Wakie... Wakie..." He teased. “Wow! Look who is up now! The latest groom in town!" He continued, clasping my palm in a huge hand shake. “Congratulations, man!" He urged, patting me gently on the shoulder. “Thank you so much, Seb!"“Thanks for everything..." I emphasized. “Everything?" He asked wide eyed, surprised at my statement. “Yes, everything" I continued. “You made sure you
61****Maurice's POV****“You are about to start a new life now, baby" my mom said, holding my hands. She was the last person standing, after a few guests had left. With a smile, she continued, “To take responsibility of your new family. I'm no more here to make you breakfast, lunch and dinner, you know right?" She went on, and I chuckled. “Of course, mom. I'm fully informed!" I replied. My mom gave me one last hug and while we did hug, my eyes darted towards the terrace I had seen Natalie, she was no longer there. “Alright, good bye mum! and please tell Stanley to drive safe!" I bellowed from the living room, my mom was already half way out of the building. I had sought for the service of a driver for her, after getting her a new small transportable car. Sipping my red wine and just admiring the surrounding of the cozy house I had purchased, I thought through about my life and the progress I have made these years. The past seventeen months gave me nothing but success, and accomp
62****Kevin's POV****These days in the prison have been more hellish than it ever was. For three whole weeks, I realized I couldn't sleep at night no matter how much I tried. I would sit on my bed which had began to sink in as days passed, my palms clutched to my jaw and my mind wandering to and fro.I thought about just when I would be released, and then Natalie. Was she okay? Alive? Still mad at me? She never visited for once, and then for Zurich Corporations, how low the staffs would perceive me, if I was ever going to resume my place as a CEO. Was a rapist fit for that position?.Those nights, I would think and think when the other inmates slept, and most times I would discover blood running out of my nose like it did when my mom came visiting. All I had to do was rush to the rest room, washing it off over and over again till the bleeding seized. It went on for three whole weeks, thank goodness that it never did during the activities of the day and of course I braced up during t
Epilogue Could Natalie and her husband hide his surgery and his state of incapability from Louisa?. They indeed tried their possible best, but Louisa noticed in no time. They wouldn't remain in whatever state Natalie had mentioned, forever. Louisa Brown found out the very moment she stepped her foot in the Brown's home for a visit. Maurice's mobility took quite the time, solid six months. However, he began exercising his legs by walking around the garden in their home. Natalie, his loving wife, was always willing to help. In a month, Maurice began to walk, advancing in progress as the days went by. Additionally, Natalie birthed her twin babies the next month, and Maurice couldn't contain his joy. Two healthy looking kids, a boy and a girl which they both named, Maya and Maverick. The lovey dovey couple, Jane and Kevin, visited the Browns as they promised, bearing their wedding invitation card which they presented before they left their abode. Their joy was simply undiluted,
72“I think we need to leave, your dad's food is getting cold!" She managed to say, she didn't want him to notice just how jittery and nervous she felt. He flashed a smile as he stood very close now, and Jane looked at him, admiring his beards and eyes. She couldn't stop staring at his eyes. His stare was still fixed at Jane. Making his eyes duller and licking his lower lips, Kevin leaned in more and more. ‘The effect Jane had on him!' Kevin couldn't dispute the fact that Jane was the first lower class girl he had ever fallen for, she would never had been his type before his days in prison but there was something about Jane! He couldn't help but appreciate the fact that a bit of his personality changed after his stay. Jane was fire!.Their nose touched now and they felt each other's breathe on their faces. Jane began to close her eyes tightly, exhilarated that Kevin made to kiss her. His nose grazed hers, and then went down her cheek, before she heard him whisper softly. “I'd try
71Jane walked brisky, and halted two steps forward. “What the fuck am I doing?!" She mused, her face wearing a little frown. Biting her lips and giving in to a wide smile, she remembered the naughty dream she had last night about Kevin. ‘How could I think of him so much that he appeared right in my dream?' she muttered unconsciously. Wasn't she stupid to fall for Kevin? She thought. Kevin had also been involved with Natalie. Why was she always attracted to anyone around Natalie?! She thought further, giving a loud sigh. She was definitely crazy! Yes. If Kevin still had a thing for Natalie, she would be flung back into another period of heartbreak and desolateness. She would rather kill whatever she felt for Kevin now and save herself of such stress, but could she?.Heading a few steps forward, she stopped right in her tracks as she discovered Kevin had been standing, his hands was tucked in his pocket and his face gazing directly to the floor, switching it to the other side of t
70****Natalie's POV****The reception area of The Arnold Healing Center was almost the same as the Oaks Medical Center where Maurice's first surgery was conducted. However, I could spot that the current hospital was more sparse and equipped. Not so surprised, the Fiddell's baffling wealth was never hidden!.The sudden deep breath Maurice gave as they placed him on the stretcher made me panic. I sucked in a deep breath too, shutting my eyes, before the masculine voice of an advanced doctor jilted me out of my solemn moment. “You will be just okay, pretty lady!" The doctor said with a smile, he was dressed in shrubs. I couldn't help but smile back despite how I felt. He was so cool, regardless of the fact that he had aged. Was this Kevin's grandfather? Dr. Arnold?.“Dr. Arnold... I think you're Mr. Brown's wife, right?" He asked, offering a handshake.“Yes, I am" I replied with a smile, taking his hands. I should have noticed he was Kevin's grand father the moment I beheld his face.
69****Kevin's POV****I painted the white part of my drawing paper, applying the red hue I had lightened with a white. As I stroked the brush repeatedly on the paper, I was satisfied at the exact color of redness it reflected. ‘Perfect!' I whispered. The sound of approaching footsteps caught my attention and I darted my eyes to the entrance of my little pleasure workshop. Yes! My pleasure workshop. For now, I painted every and anything my mind could think of to retain the little joy I felt since I arrived Carolton, hoping to enlarge that joy soon. Peering closely, I discovered it was my grandfather's worker, Jane. Our eyes met, and she looked away, letting her sight fall to her feet. In her hand was a basket of food. I had requested that Dr. Arnold inform Jane of my need for lunch that afternoon. “It won't be bad to know how her food tastes right?" I had asked my grandad. “How her food taste?" He returned the question with disbelief, evident in his eyes. “You have no idea of J
68****Natalie's POV****I just couldn't believe my ears when the doctor came up with another news after giving the diagnosis he did earlier. “I'd advise your husband should be moved to another hospital. His condition is critical and he needs the best hands to ensure a successful surgery" the doctor suggested. I looked on not knowing the best way to react. Already, I've been tired of weeping. My head felt way too light. Maurice made to talk. “Where do..."“Don't speak Maurice, please..." I sauntered.Maurice was very conscious unlike his first stay at the hospital, but now his condition was actually worse like the doctor had said. He was unable to stand upright now, and though he could gaze at me. All he did was lie on the bed, wearing a sad look on the face. “I will make very careful enquiries on the best hospital to be referred to"“Do have a nice day, Mr. Brown and take enough rest. The nurses would check in from time to time" he said, placing his stethoscope back to his neck
67“Granny! Granny!" Jane called, scurrying to the kitchen. “What about this? How does it look?" She asked, turning around in a circle. The emerald wrap dress she wore, danced around with her. “This is just perfect! You look beautiful as always my pretty little darling!" Her granny complimented, giving a tired laugh. Jane laughed along, going behind to clasp her granny's shoulder while resting her head on them. After visiting Dr. Arnold two weeks before, they had come to a conclusion that Jane would deliver food for him at lunch and attimes for breakfast if he had to leave his home on time, this would be passed across as a notice to her through a text or call. A compilation of the doctor's favorite meals were written down, and Jane took proper note of them. The first day she was dressed in a shirt and pant, and had gone to deliver bento boxes that contained smoked salmon bagels, roast beef, brie sandwiches and grilled vegetables wrapped in hummus. Dr. Arnold found that funny. He
66****Kevin's POV****Still pissed at what just happened, I surged forward. Wondering why the lady I had ran into, hit me so hard that my cap had to lose it's position. ‘What the fuck was she thinking?!'She succeeded in revealing my face, something I never wanted. Nobody should know that Kevin Fidell was back and out from prison. I couldn't bear to be treated or looked upon as a bad person, the prison had placed a long term stigma on me. One that would go as much as lasting forever. Now, I appeared like the lowest of low lives but I don't freaking care!. Everyone thinks of me as a deranged person. No, I was fully sane, but this is my resort to hiding my identity. Back in East Esturnburg Penitentiary, the law had made a decision that ended up in my favor. My sickness was too severe to still retain me, else my condition would get worse and so I was granted my freedom. Just like that! My only duty was to make sure I never got myself into any mess, else I would receive an even harder
65****Natalie's POV****Maurice took a break for one whole month, before he considered going over to his new office in Lauren & Co, the commercial building his office was situated. That one month served as a very intimate honeymoon for the both of us, and the environment of our abode made it even more enjoyable. Maurice and I had wild sex in every corner of the room, the bathtub, the kitchen, verandah, on the big cabinet and sometimes I was pinned against the wall. Saying I was not wowed would be my highest form of insincerity. I never believed Maurice would give me good sex, which got even better while we were at it. “Every man has wild thoughts for a woman he loves, Nat. I was simply respecting you and your body" he had said, when I informed him of my astonishment. The next one week after our one month of honeymoon, threw me into the loving wife mood. I prepared breakfast early while his bath water was already placed in bathroom, woke him up with morning kisses to go in for his