Angie was back the next day like Pierce said she would be. And I did not have to deal with him that morning, thank God. “I might have missed you a little bit.” I confessed to Angie as I leaned on the counters with my elbow. I purposely avoided the stool Pierce had used. Angie didn’t seem to buy it, but she put four slices of frittatas on my plate, topped it up with parsley and dropped it in front of me. “That’s a lot of food.”“You need it to grow a baby.” She said simply as she reached into the fridge. Why was everyone obsessing over the size of my kid? “Is that gelato?” I gasped, when she pulled out a long plastic plate.“Yes, home made.”“I thought you hated gelato.”“I never said that.” I had a teasing expression on my face as she put a scoop of it in a small glass bowl. “Eat your food, you have your appointment in two hours.”Back down to reality. “Yes ma’am.” Angie removed a bottle of ketchup from the fridge and dropped on the counter. “No I don't want it.” I could not s
Lily plopped onto her bed and looked up at me inquisitively.“Gimme a sec.” I muttered, handing the bag over to her. “You can start without me.”I left her room and went into mine before I accepted the call. “Hello?”“Good afternoon, This is Paul from Peaceful Pines, am I speaking to miss Myra Thompson?” The male on the other side of my call asked brightly.“That’s me.” he sounded almost cheerful, it would be safe to assume he wasn’t delivering bad news sounding like barney’s distant cousin. “Is my mum okay?” I asked, just in case.“Yes, she’s doing great I hear.” I let out the breath I was holding. “I called for a different reason.”“Yeah, what is it?” I hope they were not planning to increase the fees or something. Maybe he wanted to advertise a premium plan.“We got a call earlier today from your representative. He made enquiries about a transfer for your mother. We just want to check in with you, to make sure he got the information across.”“Representative? I didn’t-I didn’t send
I wondered if I had been yelling again. On closer examination I realized she had a single glass cup and some pills in the plate.“Your meds,” she said simply.“Later Angie.” “I think you’ll take them now.” she affirmed as she entered the room completely, her footsteps coming to a halt beside me. I eyed the older woman before I grabbed the pills and the glass. .When I placed the empty cup back on the plate, I thought I caught Angie glaring at Pierce, but I was probably mistaken. I waited till she was gone before I turned to Pierce again.He was staring at me already with a strange expression on his face.“You insult me when I take your money and still do it when I don’t.” “Because I can see through your false modesty. I liked you better when you were straightforward.” He shrugged. “I can’t.” I raised my hand in defeat. “I can’t with this anymore.” The longer I stayed here the more likely I would build a freaking headache from listening to him and his delusions. I had to escape thi
I should go to my room. There was no good-or smart reason to hesitate. I glanced at the hallway again. I already confirmed from Angie that Pierce was not back. A quick peek at the other rooms wouldn’t hurt anybody. I walked towards the hallway, tip-toeing like a criminal before I stopped. It’s not like I was checking his office or bedroom, I just wanted to know what the third room was for. Another guest bedroom I guessed. I would take a quick look and then, my curiosity would be sated. Or… I would try and the door would be locked.I grabbed the handle and twisted.Not locked. It would be the former then. I pushed the door open, and paused to let my eyes take the beauty.It wasn’t anything I expected.Burst of colors everywhere, popping from canvases that were placed on every surface. “Wow.” I said, not realizing I had spoken out loud. In the center of the room, in front of a stool was a half done painting of a woman with flowers growing out of her skin.Pierce paints? The words
I couldn’t sleep. But I blamed it on my busy day on set. I tossed again before deciding that a midnight snack would do me a world of good. I checked my phone as I grabbed it off the nightsatand.Three A.M.I wore my inside slippers. They were quiet. And it was better than going all that way barefoot. I paused at the threshold and glanced at Pierce’s corner. I pictured him in bed, with the sheets tangled up around his legs.I held the banister and went down the stairs slowly.He could be in his office working. Maybe he would be on his computer. Would he be shirtless? Maybe only in briefs because it was past midnight.I let out an exasperated breath. Pierce, naked should not be a concern of mine. He could be working in a frog costume for all I cared. I was serious about the no sex deal. Doing that meant there would be no more portraits of me with my emotions shining in my eyes. I envisioned Pierce studying my face. Committing every ridge and sweat glistening on my skin so he could r
“I’m guessing you’re here for the same reason I am.” he said.“I couldn’t sleep. Needed a snack.” I answered gruffly.“That clearly isn’t going great.” He pulled out an already opened bag of chips while I dumped the gelato regrettably down the sink. He leaned on the counter leaned on the counter, holding the chip bag invitingly.Could he not turn it out into a bowl or something?That would make sure I would not brush his hand accidentally.I let out a sigh. I was being a child acting like I could not eat out of a bag Pierce was holding without physically combusting.I trudged to him, hesitated, before I dipped my hand in to fish for chips. We crunched in silence. “How long did it take you to make the painting?” I blurted out, stunning myself.Shit, I should not have said it out loud.He shrugged, “A couple of weeks. You were a very helpful muse.”“I wasn’t given an option.”“Do you want me to pay you?” He asked casually.Of course. He assumed it was about money. “What if I said I w
“I have no right, he repeated.One more step and there was barely any space between us.A shiver of thrill went through me. Pierce glowered in anger, but I could see arousal too. I preferred this to his usual blank expression. The need to see him like that pushed me to speak.“I’m not your property, Pierce. You have your life outside of this house and so do I.”“What do you want outside of me?” He growled, his head lowering. If I pushed off my toes, I knew our lips would touch. My heart thudded in my chest loudly. How would I answer his question? Pierce had always been everything I wanted, even after we were through, I did not think it would be possible to meet someone and fall in love like the way I had done with him. His eyes were dark, nearly black as he watched my confused expression. He grabbed my waist roughly and turned me so my back was to him and my hands on the counter for support. The air crackled with sexual tension, very different from how it was mere seconds ago. Thi
“I want to fuck Pierce.” I announced to Hannah the second my butt was in a booth with her. An innocent customer glanced at our table before hurrying along. “Damn sweety, at least let the food get here.” Hannah’s face lit up with an intrigued smile. She placed both hands on the table, under her chin and leaned in.“You look too happy to hear this.” I said dryly.“Of course I am. I have been missing out on juicy Pierce details because you had been so secretive. If you want to talk now, I am all ears. So you want to bone him, tell me all about it.”I let out an exasperated sigh and shifted in my seat. “I mean you know what he looks like. And then I see him in the house all…normal.” I spat the last word out like it was poison. “I still don’t get why you can’t…” someone passed by the table and Hannah’s voice dropped an octave lower, “fuck him.”“We both thought it was smart to end the physical part of the relationship.” She already knew how complicated things were already. “He’s still hi
I got up quickly, suddenly wide awake, and slipped into my fluffy slippers. “Ready.”“No you’re not.” He said simply.I frowned and looked down at my outfit. I didn’t know there was a dress code for fangirling. “What do you want me to wear?”“Honestly, preferably nothing, but I’m not trying to lose my mind so some yoga clothes will have to do.”“You want me to dress up just to watch you?”“Oh so that’s what you had in mind.” He chuckled. “Let me rephrase it then, would you like to join me in the gym. To workout. I mean you get to watch me but you’ll lift a barbell while you’re at it.”“I’m not really a sports person.” I grumbled.“I’m not asking you to do a long jump, Myra. Just put on some yoga pants and come downstairs.”He left before I could start arguing. My book did say, exercise was good. Plus nothing could be tougher than the poses I had to do during yoga. And, I got to ogle Pierce while at it.Convinced, I switched my pajamas for fitting leggings and a tank top, wore my fluff
“Let go of my sister!” I yelled when I got to them.“She’s a thief. I caught her snooping around Pierce’s office!”“I was looking for Myra!” Lily yelled back. “In Mr Blackwood documents.”“What were YOU doing in their bedroom?” Lily countered.“I came up to find your sister of course, she has meds up take remember?”“Let go of her hand!” I asked again. “My sister is not a thief.”“Of course you’d take her side. You’re sisters afterall.” She said the word ’sisters’ like it was a degoratratory. “I don’t know what Mr Blackwood was thinking, having a child with you.”In a burst of anger I struck her cheek,and I stood frozen, shocked by my own outburst.“You hit me?” Ruth glared at me with disbelief and anger boiling behind her eyes. “I’m sorry I…” I swallowed my apology, “let go of my sister.”With a scathing look, she shoved Lily’s hand away and stomped downstairs in a huff. When I turned to face Lily, she said as rubbing her hand delicately. “What were you doing in Pierce’s office?”
Later that night Pierce curled up against me. I pressed my back into him and shut my eyes. After I left the art room, he had stayed a while before moving into his office where he stayed the rest of the day. I, on the other hand, gathered the snacks Angie had given me, and spent the rest of the day curled up in bed reading- that was until I started drifting off and Pierce joined me. “Finished your book yet?” He asked in my ear. “Not yet. Reading isn’t one of my strong suits. Especially self help books. But I’m pushing through, thanks for asking.” “What have you learnt so far?” I rooted in my mind for a non traumatizing fact I could remember. “It’s better to have the baby squatting than on my back. But most hospitals insist on laying down so…”-I shrugged- “doesn’t really matter.” “We’ll see about that.” “How was your painting?” “Turns out it was a vagina-ish drawing.” I giggled. “I like it anyway, so I added a couple other flowers, painted and called it a day.” “We both did good
It didn’t come as a shock that when I woke up he was gone. I wondered if he was still in the house, or had left for work. I went from hating when he was home to hating when he wasn’t, and I wasn’t sure when that change had happened. I stood up with the intention to look for him but changed my mind and decided to shower and brush instead. When I was through, I curled up in bed cradling my new book with a weird sense of excitement. I was so engrossed in it that I didn’t notice when Pierce entered the room, till he snatched it from my hands.“Hey!” I squealed. “The mama natural... cool.”He was wearing gym shorts and a tank top, and his body glistened with sweat. Pierce had a wonderful physique but his body appeared a little more toned of recent. He gave me back my book and I stopped ogling him.“Is there a dad version of that?” He asked casually, as he moved towards the bathroom. “I donno. Angie gave it to me.” I bragged, “and then she hugged me.” His brows furrowed, “I’m not big
I took my first step forward and felt an arm pull me in the opposite direction. “Hey little lady.” Pierce called. “Let’s not go that way.”“But my mum, she’s calling me.” Why was everywhere so freaking dark??“Open you eyes, love.” Open my- ohI did as I was told. To find Pierce looking at me, white as a ghost. My shoulder’s sagged, “I was sleepwalking again.” I could faintly remember my mum calling me. But she was in a hospital far away, and probably alone. “I have a favor to ask.” I started when Pierce led me back to the room.“Tell me.”“My mum, she’s alone there and I don’t want her to get hurt.”“I know Myra. I assigned security details to her room. She is safe.” I sighed in relief and climbed back into bed. “You in the other hand are a tough nut. I might have to tie a bell around your leg. You were very quiet today.”“I’m sorry, I didn’t want to wake anyone up?” That’s what was going through my head. “Maybe a house arrest collar would be more dignified-what are you doing?”“
Never was there a doubt in my head that I was anything but a stand in, of course towards the end of our relationship- end meaning when Tami returned-I began to think that he liked me for me.“Jealousy looks good on you.” He answered with a shrug. I furrowed my brows. He had said those exact words that night. But I didn’t pay attention to it because it rivaled everything I knew about him. Pierce didn’t do jealousy, or possessiveness. Not when he was on the receiving end of it.“You like it when I was jealous?”“That’s your fourth question, I think I’ve been charitable.” All I was left with was more questions. If he didn’t date me for Tami, it meant he dated me for me. Which was fucking annoying because I spent the majority of our time together trying to fit whatever mold she’d left in his heart. And it raised more questions on why he still insisted on keeping me around even though he was certain he was getting married to Tami! I took a deep breath, let it out, and when that wasn’t e
“Lily.” I called, going in to comfort her, but then she noticed my bloodied shirt. “What happened to you?”“Someone stabbed me when I went to the studio.”Her eyes widened, “dad?”“No, it was a woman.” She stepped out of the room and clasped me in a hug. “I’m glad you’re okay.”“Me too, I don’t want you going out.”“Alright.” She agreed immediately.“I’m sorry dad showed up.”“It was gonna happen sooner or later. I’m sorry about your interview.”“No harm done. Sweetie.”“I’m also sorry I didn’t do more after your nightmare. I didn’t know what to do-“I held her face with my good hand. “It’s not your job to know.” She nodded. “Do you wanna hang out with me? Pierce is ordering pizza.”“No, I think I’m gonna take a nap.”I understood she still needed time alone to process. “I’m over there. If you need me.”Pierce was back in the room when I returned, he was arranging two boxes of sweet smelling pizza and a sealed cup with mango smoothie. My heart softened at the gesture. I didn’t thi
The sound of sirens started and panic really spread among the crowd. The group scattered in different directions pushing me from side to side. While I followed with my injured arm pinned to my side and the other clutching my wound to stop the bleeding. In the chaos I saw Derek ripping people out of the way to get to me.“Shit!” He cursed when he saw all the blood. “It’s not a big wound, I just bleed a lot.” I assured him as men in uniform jogged to the area, and tackled some of the reporters. There were grunts and the sound of bodies hitting the ground around me, not to mention the moans of people who got trampled on, while trying to make their escape.I grabbed Derek with my bloodied hand to draw his attention to me. “I want to go home.” He eyed my arm again. “Please.” He nodded reluctantly and led me to the car, which was parked at the back of the building for some reason. The drive home was the most tense and quickest ride of my life, and I did not mind it one bit.“We’ll have
When I woke up the next morning to the sound of Pierce showering, I went straight down to turn on the television. My heart dropping with every channel that had my face or name written in it. Angie brought breakfast to me while I was still glued to the Tv.“What a pain that is.” Ruth said as she came to give me meds. “I never was a fan of TV, at the end of the day it’s all about the ratings isn’t it?” I didn’t give a response. “Are you still having bad morning sickness?”I shook my head.“Okay. I’ll leave you to it then.”My phone rang and I grabbed it, my eyes still glued to the television. “This is Rhonda, Myra. We need you to come in for a meeting this morning.”I chewed on my thumb and forefinger nervously. We’re they planning on recasting me because of the interview? “What time would be good?”She hesitated, “now.”I nodded, then realised it was a voice call. “Yeah, I’m on my way.”As soon as the line went dead I raced back upstairs. Pierce was slipping on a t-shirt when I got