My whole centre burned intensely.
“Uhm…” I tried to think of an answer but all my brain could do was concentrate on the pain. It hit like a wrecking ball.
I shook my head trying to clear my head with no luck.
Eyes stared still, waiting.
“Are you okay sweety?”
All I could do was nod my head and force a smile.
My posture bent a little, thinking that would ease the pain but nope.
Just a few more hours, I told myself. The conversation continued without me then I felt something else snap and shit I couldn’t take it anymore.
I turned so fas
Silence. I was not sure if it was awkward. Footfalls echoed in our little room, the curtain hiding us away from the rest of the floor. My husband pushed up, his arms on his chest before they lowered and he began pacing again. Never mind that I had three plastic hard wires just hanging from my belly. Never mind the fact that I was only in my underwear, my breast wrapped in a bandeau top they had made for me from bandages. Beside that I was peachy, real peachy. The curtain flew open. “Miss Madroi, sorry for the delay, your doctor is a few minutes away. I will be the assisting nurse.” The woman said, wearing pink scrubs. She wrote on my chart then walked out to push in what I would was an ultrasound and set it up. I was just happy that after thirty minutes of being there, they were finally going to pull out the freaking wires and I could go die in my bed. Surely I had lost interest in speaking, needing to be done for the night. Most calls went unanswered by my husband and th
It was security I never realized I craved. The curve of my fingers on his shirt. His warmth sifted through the hospital sweats I had been gifted. It was his scent flowing through my nostrils and somehow I could feel it’s effect down to my toes. I picked it apart ingredient by ingredient as if I were suddenly an expert on scents. It was the feel of his muscles just fabrics away. It was always romantic when a guy carried a woman in the movies and I had always scoffed because I was convinced no man would carry me. Storm held me to him even in the car. I lay on him fighting the clouds of fatigue with exhaustion wilting me away. It was just after midnight, the day finally gone with a new one upon us. The date would be marked in my journal because of how eventful it was. I held on as if he was my life line. I won’t lie, for me it was magical breathing his scent in, held like a baby by my husband. “You want to get food?” Food was the very reason we were in the predicament we wer
STORMA devil. A sly wicked devil. My eyes narrowed at Amar who drove us home. Our eyes met at the review mirror and he quickly looked away. I could see that smirk on his face, he found this funny. The cars were all filled with groceries, be sure my wife bought everything the store could offer. And the world would have to drown in hell before I ate anything Brandy cooked. I was sure her only experience in the kitchen was washing dishes. There was no way she was cooking anything I would eat. My head snapped to find her head having fallen on my shoulder. In her hand she clenched the fast food paper bags. I shook my head, not even sure how I felt. I should have been fuming. She made me late then pulled me from negotiating a very important deal for the Gambino cartel. That woman. She could just walk in the mist of deadly men and drag me out. I doubt she knew who I stood with, I doubt she even cared. I threw my arm around her shoulders to steady her. She turned, snuggling into my s
BRANDYDid I do anything productive during the weekend? Nope. Did I get rest? Nope. It was one movie after another all day and night long. I could do with more rest but I was ready to kick ass Monday morning.. I even put effort on wearing more makeup and did something other than a ponytail with my hair. Well, when it came to clothes I gave up after an hour of coordinating. It was a good thing Storm had his own driver because he could not stand me taking a whole hour finding an outfit for the day. A new week and nothing had changed. Somehow I got more stern faces and the disbelief inched on every face I came across. What did I do? I closed my office door, it clean and fresh. It was a bit sunny so I opened the windows, letting the sounds of the city greet me. A knock sent me jumping, eyes wide as I turned to the unexpected sound.“Come in.” The click of the heels and wow, legs, such gorgeous legs so early in the morning. I felt like a creep, shaking the thought from my head.
Three days and I still couldn’t get the conversation out of my head. He didn’t need to call, why did he? It was not as if we were really a couple. My heart couldn’t handle such things. My head was way fast, already creating a whole fantasy world and fooling my heart. I hadn’t heard from Storm since he called to let me know he was leaving and I hadn’t been to the house with all the work I had. Somehow I could day dream and work at the same time. I had too much to prove and too much to lose if I failed at this. Something big was waiting for me and I wouldn’t disappoint. An email alert drew my attention from the meeting I was in. I clicked on it while Ben blabbed away on the tiny display. “Mhh..” I nervously clicked on it, eyebrows furrowed. Somehow I couldn’t believe it, so I maximized it on the screen. Dear Miss Madroi,Twenty- three colleagues have reported their inability to do their work. This has been brought by the uneasiness in their work environment brought by behavior
“ Can I sit at the front?”“ No Ma’am, for safety purposes I would insist you sit at the back.” Damon said, still holding the door for me.I hopped in, the door closed with me getting comfortable.Four long days of intense work, three nights of typing and reading away. I should have been dead beat but I felt a smile crawl on my face. I had done a lot, seeing a way through finally.I watched Damon stir the steering wheel. It slid through his hands and it was like magic.“ Damon?” I called, scooting over to peek my head in between the seats. My smile broke into a grin as his forehead wrinkled, waiting for my question until he gave up and turned.
BRANDYMy hand kept patting.I rolled over, pulling a pillow to my face and drifted back to sleep.Friday.My day to sleep.I woke up at ten, alone in bed. Somehow I was well rested.A smile lay on my face.I slid out of bed, not failing to notice that I had been clinging to Storm’s pillow. If he saw me, I would never hear the end of it.I made the bed, tidied the room then got into the shower.My body froze, the water pouring on me.Something was lying heavy on my neck. My hand rose
We ate lunch first then went shopping.Damon was such good company and his jokes surely gave me abs.With my new card to my own money, I was a danger to my bank account.Paper bags draped from both our hands and we made several trips to the car when our hands couldn’t carry more. There was just so much to buy. I had to let Storm teach me his stingy ways.I didn’t know if Storm would be back for dinner but I went on and bought dinner for us. I hoped it was good because what better way to thank someone than to buy them food.It was six when we left the mall and I felt as if I needed no gym when going to the mall because so much cardio took place.
Hendrix did not come back that night and the next. At that point I was dizzy and weak. Walking out of the room would soon become a need. I kept telling myself ‘one more day’, as if that would make them forget I was harbouring a whole baby in their home.On the fourth day a knock came from the door.“Can we clean the room ma’am?”I reluctantly unlocked the door and walked to sit on the couch with Blue. I watched them change the sheets and blankets, took out the trash and the laundry. The floors were scrubbed clean, no part of the room except the couch I sat on was left uncleaned.Just as they were gathering their equipment I stood and walked closer.“Can you com
I could not help the soft laugh that escaped. Sprawled on the floor, having gone through all the paper bags. Once again I was in tears, shaking hand over my mouth. Hendrix bought different brands and different sizes of diapers because he was not sure which was suitable. A large pile of clothes and baby products sat next to me. He even bought different kinds of formulas and a machine to which I unboxed and pulled out the manual to weep even more. It was a baby formula making machine. Warmth spread in my chest, not sure how I could thank him. Knowing my baby was hungry, I did not waste anymore time. I plugged the machine to an outlet and read through the instructions. I got water and put in the said scoops then stood back and watched the baby bottle fill slowly. When I was sure everything was going as it should, I took my baby to the bathroom and gave him a proper bath. I oiled his skin, brushed his soft hair and got him warmly dressed. For once we had toys. I scattered them on the fl
I did not dare leave that bathroom. I wrapped my son in a gown and settled in a corner, him patched to my chest. In my head I kept playing the scene of me nudging Hendrix and grabbing Blue. The guilt did not lower and it felt as if I would die from it. It did not allow me an ounce of sleep. The sun rose and the smell told me Blue needed a change. I pushed up, my body aching as if I was run through by a truck. I filled the tub with water then attempted to undress Blue on the closed toilet seat. It was then I realized I had nothing with me. It was then I realized I had no diapers, I had no clothes for my child or any of his toiletries. Everything had been left back at home. The realization left me drained. What was I going to do? I did not have a single penny on me and even if I did, how would I buy the things I needed? I pushed up, hands on my waist, staring down at Blue in defeat. No one said motherhood would be so hard. Storm’s words echoed in my head but I pushed them away. When
While my husband took a shower I quickly looked for a place I could put Blue. The floor won, not risking him rolling off the chair at night. I took the cushions and made a boundary for him. I dared take the throw blanket on the bed and folded it before laying it on the floor. If Hendrix decided to crucify me for going into his closet then I would face his wrath head on. I looked through the shelves until I saw the spare blankets. I took one, rushing back before he came out of the bathroom. I wrapped my baby with the blanket before lowering him to the makeshift bed. I could not take my eyes off him, scared something would happen. My shoes were kicked off and I sat on the chair right in front of Blue. I folded my legs up on the chair and lay my head on my knees, staring at him sleep. He looked so small as if to be swallowed by the blanket. Was it normal for one year olds to be that tiny? He was barely putting any weight on, as light as a feather. I chewed on my bottom lip. If I gave
Blue cried himself to sleep and I was hanging on by pure stubbornness. By the time we reached the Williams mansion, darkness had dug its roots deeply. The mansion looked even larger with the lights on and more like another prison for me. Hendrix parked the car and it took all my self will to step out, careful not to wake Blue up. His body was still shaking, breaking my heart even further than it already was. I held him tighter with my aching arms. Hendrix led the way from the garage and I followed reluctantly. I did not know what was in store for me in this new house and new family, but my guard was high up. One thing for sure was I would not go down without a fight. Even as the thought passed through I fought down tears. I was tired. I was so tired. It seemed like a century ago when I was just a spoiled brat with my only problem being my over protective mother and keeping my position as queen bee in school. “Master Hendrix,” The voice snapped me out of my head, staring ahead to
I jumped on the passenger seat so fast, quickly pulling my seatbelt before shutting the door. Hendrix closed his door and start the car. He did not get the urgency I was in, turning his head to me only for me to nod for him to get a move on it. For all we knew they were taking my baby away at that very moment. The thought squeezed my heart so hard I had to clench my chest because it felt like a heart attack was very near. The car tires screeched before the car moved, turning. In my head I was saying nothing but prayers. The way seemed to stretch long, my eyes on Hendrix, wanting to scream at him to go faster but too defeated for words. I kept looking out to see if we were going to catch up to my family but they were far gone. A part of my brain was telling me to accept, that Blue was already gone and as much as I tried to fight it, the doubt kept getting louder and louder. I thought of a life without him and there was nothing. At this point why would I continue living? It was too m
The cars turned, my only way to get my baby. “Let me go!” I screamed, shaking out of the hands that grasped me. By the time I got free, the cars were already driving away. I couldn’t think, I couldn’t see, feeling as if I was losing my mind. The panic sat right in my throat leaving me heaving, my breaths out. My baby, my baby blue. No, I could not lose him.My shaking hands quickly pulled out my phone, hitting the speed dial. I was shaking like a leaf, tears streaming down my face. Each ring that went unanswered took an ounce of life out of me. My knees shook and I knew they would crumble down. “Storm, please,” I begged as soon as the call connected. “You are now a Williams, your son has no place there.” “Storm, he is my son. Please, please. You cannot take him away from me. Storm, please.” I quickly wiped away my tears, “ It will be the last thing I ask of you, I will never ask you again, please brother, please.” “I made sure he will be put through a good adoption agency. He w
This is book two, titled : His tainted wife. This is Ruth’s storyBook tropes: New found family, forced marriage, love after marriageRuth’s P.O.V. “We are gathered here to witness the union between….” My mind went to the moment my mother budged into my room with guards, instructing them to carry me to the bathroom where they stripped me down and threw me in the tub. She woke up today and decided to wedge nothing but violence on me instead of telling me they were marrying me away to a person I did not know, to a family I never heard of before. Not even Storm, my brother, was saving me this time. I thought I had met rock bottom but I guess not.My jaw shook even as I tried to tighten it, it seemed seconds away from shattering. It was a sharp pain that told me my father was still holding my shoulders, making sure I did not run. I stared at the door and saw the guard standing there, knowing there was no running. The officiate cleared his throat, pulling my attention to him only for
ONE YEAR LATERThe phone buzzed and I pressed the receiver button. “Ma’am, a package has arrived for you.” I didn’t even answer. I bolted up the seat and ran for the door. I threw it open, catching the attention of some of my teammates. The paperbag still sat on Kimberly’s desk. I snatched it up, a grin on my face. “Thank you.” I took out my phone, pressing redial as I rushed to the executive’s elevator. “Hi, I am coming up.” I said as soon as the call connected. “I am in the middle of something.” Storm said but I was already on my way up. “I am on my way, love.” I rushed out again, nearly out of breath. My heart was beating way too hard.“Okay.” He said and I cut the call. I wanted to scream, shout, and jump around. Storm deemed me unready to take after him. He was slowly training me to head the company so he could concentrate on the cartel. He would still be chairman but I would be the C.E.O.I flew out as soon as the elevator doors opened. “Matt, Rose.” I greeted the two as