Markris eyes landed on time at the top of his computer screen as he sent out the last important email of the day,"Wow!" He leaned back and stretched, breaking into a loud yawn. His ears picked up a sound, and his brow snapped together. Contorting his face, he stood up and proceeded to the window. He spread the blinds gently and looked out. His tired eyes bulged, only just realizing it was raining again. "Oh?" He muttered, shutting the blinds. He proceeded to his computer and shut it off. "That should do for the day." He yawned again, his bones stiff from all that sitting.He turned off the lights in the room and proceeded to his room. All he could think about was the softness of his bed and how he couldn't wait to bury himself in it. After going a whole day without resting, it felt like his bones would fall apart at any moment. He hastened his strides, and soon he arrived at his room. Pushing the door wide open, he walked inside and shut the door behind him. He didn't have the st
A bright smile danced around the corner of her lips, her eyes fluttering open. She rolled to her side, expecting to come in contact with the man beside her. Instead, her feet got caught between the duvet, and she almost moved to the ground due to the space."Shit!" She cussed, straightening herself. "Oh, there he is!" She thought, her eyes lighting up as she spotted Markris seated at his dresser. He felt her eyes resting on him and turned his head around. Pulling off his earplugs, he nodded at her shy wave."Good morning." Lorena drawled, her voice still croaking from their intense lovemaking."Hey." He tilted his head, his voice a little too disengaged for her liking. His eyes did not hold the warmth of last night, and it left her wondering if something bad happened while she was asleep."Did you sleep well?" She asked, determined to keep this conversation afloat. She couldn't be the only one still high of the euphoria from last night. She felt a familiar feeling rising from the pit
Adriano? Are you ignoring your father!"Markris rolled his eyes at the phone placed on his dressing table. "I slept pretty early last night." He said."Did you receive the mail I sent you?"He stroked his chin. He tried to figure out what his father was talking about."I don't have all the time in the world, Adrian! Its subject was Morena Cicero.""Oh---" He bobbed his head, his mind trailing back to that interesting mail he had seen the night he sent Lorena out of his office."So, did you?" The hastiness in his father's voice irritated him to no end. What was so important about some damn mail?"I did, but I haven't read it yet.""Well, do, and get back to me, young man!" He yelled, ending the call.Markris sighed, his eyes lingering on the phone. Lately, he felt at the edge of something bound to snap soon. He dragged his eyes away from his phone, and it landed on the package just beside it. A small smile danced in his eyes, a thought forming. He turned around with the package in his
Markris carried a sleeping Lorena from the garden in his arms. He passed by the living room, ignoring the stares from his servants. What did he care if they knew about their lovemaking? She was his wife, after all."Wife." He tried to sound it aloud, and it felt weird. However, he was beginning to warm up to this whole marriage thing. It felt good to have someone willing to stay by your side, despite your shortcomings. God knew he had put her through enough."You." He called out, recognizing them as one of Tanika's replacements whenever she was on her day off."My lord." He immediately paused and bowed."Go to the garden, and get me the package I left behind.""Yes, sir." He took to his heel immediately, and Markris proceeded upstairs.He went straight into his room and gently dropped Lorena on the bed. Pushing the duvet up, he tucked her in, then placed a light kiss on her forehead. She murmured incoherently in her sleep and puckered her lips. He chuckled, placing a kiss on them. She
A week later"My lady, you won't believe what Maria just sent me." Tanika burst into the balcony where Lorena was relaxing with a huge smile."Hey to you too, Tanika," Lorena giggled, watching the happy girl bounce from toe to toe. "What did Maria send?"Tanika brought out her phone from her apron and stretched it forward so Lorena could read out the text. "Oh?" She nodded, reading further. "Wow, this is amazing!""I know, right?" Tanika laughed, twirling around. "And it's all thanks to you, my lady. You are the best!" She gave her a thumbs up, her eyes shining with love and respect for the woman. She remembered when she was informed the lady of the house was coming. She never expected it to be someone as nice as this. If she could describe Lorena to anyone, it would go this way; A light that subdued every darkness it passes through. She was just such a bowl of sunshine, and Tanika adored her beyond words."Oh please," She laughed, waving a dismissive hand. "It's really all just Mar
"You did enough to control his fever," Lorena smiled weakly at Dr Esteban, Markris's doctor. He had been informed last night about Markris's situation, but he wasn't available then. He had to instruct Lorena on what to do over the phone. Seeing his temperature was almost normal now. She had done a good job. "Well," He stood up, gently closing the medical box he brought with him that morning. "He should wake up soon."Lorena searched his eyes as if there was something he was hiding from her. "You didn't say what is wrong with him. Is he okay?"A small smile danced around the corner of the older man's eyes, his lips twitching too. " You care about him, don't you?"Lorena's face scrunched, wondering why he thought this was some funny moment. She didn't know the man but didn't like how he was so carefree about such a serious issue. "Of course, I care about him.""Good," He nodded. "Adriano is fine or will be fine. It's just stress. I reckon he has been working a lot recently?""Yes." She
"You did enough to control his fever," Lorena smiled weakly at Dr Esteban, Markris's doctor. He had been informed last night about Markris's situation, but he wasn't available then. He had to instruct Lorena on what to do over the phone. Seeing his temperature was almost normal now. She had done a good job. "Well," He stood up, gently closing the medical box he brought with him that morning. "He should wake up soon."Lorena searched his eyes as if there was something he was hiding from her. "You didn't say what is wrong with him. Is he okay?"A small smile danced around the corner of the older man's eyes, his lips twitching too. " You care about him, don't you?"Lorena's face scrunched, wondering why he thought this was some funny moment. She didn't know the man but didn't like how he was so carefree about such a serious issue. "Of course, I care about him.""Good," He nodded. "Adriano is fine or will be fine. It's just stress. I reckon he has been working a lot recently?""Yes." She
Lorena strode into the kitchen, her phone tucked in between her ears. "So you're going today, yeah?" She asked, walking to the fridge."My lady." Tanika mouthed on seeing her come in, and she nudged her head in acknowledgment."Yeah, Hermes said he'll drive me there. Honestly, he's been really sweet and supportive." She said, and Lorena could picture the smile on her face.Hermes looked like a genuinely good guy, and she couldn't help but be happy for her friend. "So what are you too like? Lovers, or just friends?" She adjusted the phone so her shoulders served as support as her hands ransacked the fridge in search of a particular juice Markris wouldn't stop asking for."Honestly, we're just taking it one day at a time. Right now, we're more focused on meeting Isabe-" She paused, taking a deep breath. "I meant Helena, and seeing if she's, you know, really my baby." Her voice fizzled out into a breathless whisper."Don't beat yourself over this, Alma. I'm telling you, Helena is your ch
A gentle breeze triggered rustling leaves beneath the feet of the somber crowd as they gathered in numbers to pay their respect to the dead. It looked like the sky was in cahoots with the mourners, with the cloud covered in hues of dull grey. The circle formed by the one percent of Milan had a freshly dug grave in the middle and a casket adorned with the finest golden ensemble carefully lowered into it.By the side of the cemetery filled with the remains of historical, unimaginable wealth stood a choir band. Their voices, backed by the wind, spurred the deepest sadness even in the hearts of a crowd like this. A gathering filled with a bunch of people with questionable wealth. These people had their heads bowed and their souls in a temporal state of disarray.As the priest stood beside the casket to give an eulogy, a black Jeep Wrangler pulled over at the cemetery entrance, and the car doors flew open. The little distraction drew everyone's attention to the arrival. A woman dressed i
"Put me down, Markris. We'll not escape without being noticed if you're carrying me."He moved his lips to argue but saw reason in her point. A frustrated sigh escaped his lips as he put her down. "Okay, we need a plan before we burst out of this room," He snapped his fingers, his feet tapping against the floor. "Got it!" He slapped his palm against his thigh. "Take off the veil." He ordered, and she quickly did what he said. The sight, from her face down to her stomach, momentarily took his breath away. She looked even prettier, and he couldn't help the barrel of emotions that threatened to overwhelm him."Markris?" She waved a hand across his stunned face. "Markris!" She snapped her fingers, and he jerked up."Yeah, as I was saying. I'll call Jorginho to round up the car to the door of the room we came in through. We have to pass through the chaos without being spotted.""The door you came in through? I came in through an escalator. Is there a separate exit?" She asked, already t
"This costume makes me feel like a middle eastern bride about to be sold into a marriage of convenience." Lorena hissed, tempted to yank the veil off her face. For her, very few things were worse than being made to wear a veil. A stupid veil that served no purpose to her personally."I'm sorry gorgeous. You said you didn't want to wear a mask, so the veil was the other alternative." Marcelo responded."Still hate it, though." She muttered under her breath."Here, take my hands." He said, stretching out his hands, and she reluctantly accepted it.As they entered the building, her heart began to beat faster. It wasn't enough that the whole environment was creepy but then they had to get into an escalator that took them down. Further down they went until it suddenly came to a stop."Where exactly are we going to, Marci?" She asked, with panic in her voice.He smiled and held her hands firmly in his. "It's an underground party. Kinda extremely exclusive." He explained vaguely.This did no
"Are you happy Lorena?" He asked, cradling her in his arms. The day had lost its spark, as a golden pale light formed a ring in the sky. A gentle breeze blew, bringing along with it the smooth fragrance of olive, and rose. The two love birds sat at the edge of a cliff, staring down the depth of water far beneath them.She turned her head to look at him, a smile on her beautiful face. There was nothing that gave her more security than being in his arms just like this. With him, she felt safe and loved. "I am, but are you?" She asked, stroking his face gently."You are my happiness. You, and him." He chuckled, rubbing her belly."Oh please," She rolled her eyes and playfully swiped his hands away. "What if it's a girl? I want a girl." She pouted.He couldn't help himself, as he stole brief kids from her lip. "It can be anything, Lorena. As long as you're are their mother, and my wife.""When did you become this romantic?" She laughed, turning her attention back to the water."It's you,
When Markris drove into his mother's compound, he felt exhausted. Still, he jumped out of the car and walked straight into the house. He was about to open the door when it pushed open from inside."Mark?" Jorginho's eyes bulged as he stared from head to toe at his friend. "Is that you?"He hissed and pushed him out of his way. "Ignore the hair, man. Where is Lorena?" Soon as he stepped in, he came face to face with a host of eyes just watching him in awe.His eyes traveled around, doing a quick headcount. He still refused to believe Lorena was missing. It was all a prank. Any moment from now, they would bring her out, and he would hold her in his arms again. He'll sniff her scent, and everything will be alright."Son?" Madam Sapphire got up and slowly walked towards him. "Is that you?" She asked with tears in her eyes."Of course, it's me." He scrunched his face, throwing his hands out wide. "Why does everyone keep asking that, and most importantly, where is my wife?""It's the hair,
A car drove roughly into the gate of the Andino mansion and came to a halt. The gatekeeper peeked from the security cam to see who it was before pushing the buttons. The gate flew open, and the car roared to life again. Driving with force and then parking haphazardly, it came to a stop. A man jumped out of the car and went straight into the house. He took the stairs, and in two leaps, he was up. Going straight for Urso Andino's room, he pushed it open, but no one was in there. He checked a couple of rooms before slowly retreating to the art room. Soon as he pushed the door to the room open, he spotted the man he was looking for."Who is th..." Soon as he whipped his head around to question the intruder, he felt a hand around his neck, lifting him from the ground up and throwing him against the wall. As he struggled to breathe on the floor, the man approached him and placed a heavy boot on his stomach."You pathetic son of a bitch!" He spat on him, his eyes filled with disdain. Twisti
Lorena whistled, her eyes doing a quick one-eighty. "You know when you told me life has been good? I wasn't expecting a mansion." They had arrived at Marcielo's house, and from what she could see, he was doing more than okay. One year she had changed a lot. A whole lot."I guess I got lucky." He laughed, picking up her bag. Banging the car door shut, he ushered her into the house."Luck?" She scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Common Marci, you can't be modest about something like this. Your hard work has finally paid off, and there's nothing wrong with boasting a little."He chuckled, recalling he was dealing with a perpetually optimistic woman. "Okay, Belle, I'm glad my hard work paid off.""Much better!" She smiled."Come, I'll show you to your room." He said, gesturing towards the stairs.They climbed up the stairs past several rooms before finally arriving at a particular space."How many rooms are here again?" She raised a brow, looking around."Six, I think. I wanted something smal
As the dark clouds parted ways to streams of light, the birds came out to play. They flew around the sky, chirping heartily. Tired of laying on the hospital bed, Lorena strolled through the garden. The smell of antiseptic wafted through the hospital corridors, mixing with the scent of the blooming flowers. She took a deep breath as her bare feet tingled from the caress of the grasses.Just last night, her father and Verona had seen her. Her dad was more interested in the fact that she had lied about her pregnancy than anything else. When she mentioned her plans to leave Markris's house, he blatantly told her not to return home. The thought of those words alone made her scoff aloud. Like she wanted to return to Paolo Cicero's house, she realized it was time to take her life into her hands. Her dad would never change, and she was honestly done with caring about anything anyone said.As she moved through the garden, she sighted a sculpture that fascinated her and decided to check it ou
The sun started losing its spark as a gentle breeze announced the unset of the evening. A Lexus drove to an intersection, stopping where another car parked, blocking the road. The man in the Lexus stepped down and hurried over to the parked car. Without the slightest bit of hesitation, he pulled the passenger door open and slammed it shut."You plan on destroying my car?" Hermes rolled his eyes, his hands casually resting on the steering."Why'd you block the road, bro?" Jorginho ignoring his question, pulled the review mirror closer to his face.Hermes' face scrunched as he stared at Jorginho, fixing his face like they were en route for a model casting. "What, you don't have mirrors in your house or car?"He hissed and gently pushed back the mirror to its proper position. He turned to face Hermes, a frown on his face. "Hop off my dick, bro. Why are you being so mean to me?" He said, pouting."You're so..." He muttered between his teeth."So what?" He tilted his head to the side, his