"I brought a peace offering." He waves the book in the air. I turn and pretend am picking something from the fridge and crack a secret grin before swivelling my head to face him with feigning seriousness. "You didn't have to." I shrug. He slumps his shoulders and settles in a relaxed poise."I am not much of a reader. The book was just gathering dust sitting on the shelf." His eyes are piercing through me. He moves and stands meters away, if he moves any closer to me I will faint. He contemplates and sits on the seat near the island and places the book in front of me. "I'm placing it in good care." He taps the book softly. "It looked good in your hands."I feel flattered. "Thank you." I wipe my hands before picking it up and flipping through it. Just can't wait for the weekend to get here soon. I stay in bed with hot mocha and read it. The thought is so fulfilling.I look up and find Quinn's eyes trained on me with an emotion I can't place. There is a stretched silence between us
Unknown number: Don't look for me! DON'T!I read Quinn's text again as I enter a filled class the next day. His usual spot is where my eyes land at first, it's empty. Ryan is seated alone. His eyes glued to his phone.I sigh exhausting and walk to my seat. I find Roxana on her normal seat but my seat is occupied by Marya."You are seated on my seat." I seethe at her."It has no name on it." Marya spats with equal venom. I look over at Roxana to shush her idiotic friend but she does not attempt to look at me. I have sent her countless apologies but all in vain."This isn't your class. You aren't supposed to be in here."We attracting attention as the whispers surround us."It is a free country I can be where I want." I look between her and Roxana, anger boiling inside me. I exhale and turn on my heels to the only empty seat in class; beside Ryan.He doesn't bother to lift his head as I sit beside him."Am sorry," I mutter under my breath."I will file your apology under “Pending Case
Her Amazonian figure sits well on her wafer thin-body. She sways her sculpted hips with every move. Her Christian Louboutin heels clicking on the floor with each step she takes. Heads turn to look at her. She's always modest in her dressing. Never showing any cleavage or dresses going beyond her mid-thighs. So today i am surprised with her Chanel Hollow V-Plunged Bandage Dress that exposes her cleavage.She pushes the door to the ladies bathroom. "Out! " She snaps her fingers to the two girls inside. They scram away frightened.Like a supermodel on a runway, she magically turns to face me. This is the closest I have been to Courtney Emerson, an heiress to a multinational empire. I can't deny, she is beautiful and she knows it and owns it. Her pair of arched eyebrows incline slightly as she assesses me. I also do the same, one feature I find myself obsessing over is her button nose, too cute. She folds her red lips and sticks her tongue out and speaks, "Stay away from Quinn." She's
Ryan's Mercedes Benz slows down and he enters a code at the gate. I recall what transpired after Nimo realised I remembered her. The raw shock and shame on her face. And the innocent look of smitten Oliver. He had no idea. Poor guy! As I left I told her to end it with Oliver or I will. "Here we are," Ryan says joyously. His house bleeds opulence. It is humongous like the term itself. A castle to call it. Well trimmed garden. A grand driveway and a statue of Mary, mother of Jesus. A religious family, I may say. He takes my hand in his. A familiar wave of electricity travels down to my spine. I tug my Prada bag closer to me. I look down at my simple white dress that goes beyond my knees and my brown doll shoes. It looks the part. He pulls me with him towards the porch. A man meets us by the door. "Welcome master Ryan." He says taking my coat and bag. Ryan flashes him a significant smile, "Thank you, Will."His mother appears wearing a bright smile. "Welcome, dear." She gives me a m
I stare at the image. It is my mother on her wedding day. Her lips are curved in the most beautiful smile. Sophie is standing beside her, as a maid of honour."You look so much alike." Sophie speaks. I can't bring myself to tear my eyes away from the photo. A million emotions are boiling Inside me. "Do you know her?" My voice breaks as I ask. "She was my best friend since college." She puts her tea aside. It comes as a shock because my mother never told me about Sophie. I knew Andre's mother as her best friend."Do you know her?" Sophie repeats my question.Am tempted to lie but I nod instead, "She was my mother."I just feel this strong motherly connection with Sophie. I can trust her. "Figured that at the Gala, that's why I asked Ryan to invite you over."I get agitated. "This wasn't a get to know you dinner but a manipulation to interrogate me!" I remember Ryan telling me his parents can be nosy. I immediately regret admitting that the woman on the photo is my mother.In a bl
"I feel like i am in those Global TV shows," Andre says looking through his binoculars."As a detective or a criminal?" I ask and stare outside."Both." He turns to face me. "What dirt did you find on Mr Marcelo?" I ask. "None, just imagine. He is a Clean Slate, no criminal record not even for drunk driving or a parking ticket.""Too good to be true." I turn again to stare outside. I can feel his stare as I gaze the Emerson Hotel. A large banner is suspended above it written; Varsity Congress and workshop. It is going to be a one week workshop and I wonder if this is one of the reasons Mr Marcelo wanted we meet here."What do you think he's going to ask me to steal?" I ask Andre. "I don't know but money is what I would bid on." I look down at my attire, the short, tight dress. It isn't the kind one would wear to go on heist but a seduction mission."I doubt that," I answer."Enough with the worry, I will be here listening" He points at his headphones. "Just do as we have agreed o
I cling to Quinn like my life depends on him. He guides me in the opposite direction I earlier came in. At the furthest end, there's is a private elevator that takes us to the basement where his car is parked.I break the silence even though I know he won't answer me. "How did you find me? Are you stalking me?" "Stalking you?....please" He snorts. "I was with my... Courtney when I saw you. You had fear written all over your face so I followed you." He answers to my surprise. His red Lamborghini comes to sight. He unlocks it and turns to face me. "Get in!" He orders. "You seriously need to stop ordering me around," I say. "I can't help it am a Nickel." He grins and opens the door for me.I try to hide my smile by biting my lip. Quinn releases an involuntarily moan. He bends until we are on the same level. His soft lips are inches apart, I can smell his aftershave. "Stop doing that if you don't want me to take you here like a caveman." He hisses and shuts the door.I watch him wa
We stay in comfortable silence for a while. My eyes taking the decor in his apartment. And my mind recalling how tactical Quinn beat Mr Marcelo like it is something he does. I remember the many times I saw bruises on his knuckles and face. And the time he showed up at my apartment stabbed. "Where did you learn to fight like that?""I trained myself.""Impressive." I utter."I will order pizza is that okay with you?" Quinn asks suddenly untangling from me. Trying to change the subject. Probably there's something he's hiding. There's never anything straightforward or conclusive with him. My voice is raspy from the stretched silence, so I shake my head and cough. "Pizza is too overrated, do you have any groceries I prefer real food," I answer and my stomach grumbles announcing its starvation."No, I don't live here." He says. "Then whos apartment is this?" I ask worry sipping in. "Mine. I just don't like living here."And here I thought I was special for bringing me to his place. Pr
Elope with me.Those words hang around me. How can he ask me such a thing in the middle of my crisis? The ride back to his penthouse didn’t do any good. I couldn’t stop thinking about his proposal, in fact it rendered my other problems as nothing.I have never been a wedding girl, never attended one, never pictured myself as a bride. So his question was beyond me. We stayed the night at the pent house as usual he left us there to go be with his wife, the irony! The next day, Kelly orders an uber for us and I am glad to be back at my apartment. She leaves for work and I am left all alone. I sleep most of the morning and when I wake up I draft my resignation letter. I honestly don’t know what to do next but I want to hurt Andre and his mother as badly they have deceived me. I decide to read my mother’s diary. Most the entries are when she was a teenager. She seemed so in love with Wayne and Ryan’s mother didn’t lie. It is because of him that their Friendship ended the only Question I hav
Graduation day finally arrives.The day welcomes me with two open hands, it is a good day, a promising one. The ceremony is commencing. The sitting arrangement is based on honours classification and alphabetically based on the student's surname. I am on the front row because I am graduating with a first-class, and so is Quinn. He is a seat away from me.I can't bring myself to concentrate on what is being said ahead of me. I have my tablet pretending to be taking photos but I am chatting with Jack. I invited him for my graduation despite the terrible date we had the other day. He sends a GIF, it is so damn funny. I put my hand over my mouth to stop myself from laughing. Someone lets out an annoying cough, I turn to find Quinn giving me a wicked stare. I roll my eyes and concentrate back on my chat with Jack. I will not let him ruin my day like how his words ruined my date.What did he even mean with his words? Does he know something I don't? Shit, I am doing it again, letting Quinn wi
Cara's Pov"Psst...psst...psst." For a second I think I am imagining the annoying hissing sound until I feel a wet towel fall on my shoulder.I awkwardly smile at the family seated on the table I am currently cleaning. I put the dirty dishes on a tray. I turn with a grim face to find Kelly smiling at me. She signals at me to look at the entrance. I do.My favourite pair of couple walk in. Some of the customers turn to look at the newest couple in town. Instagram has turned them into couple goals. Their matching outfits, their live sessions on social media doing things together, working out together, they have even become marriage counsellors.I quickly carry my tray and hurry back to the kitchen."Should I go to their table and accidentally trip carrying hot, super hot pepper soup?" Kelly walks in after me."No, that is what they want. Drama." I throw the wet towel back to Kelly. It leaves a damp spot on my shoulder.I walk back to the door and peep to see where Quinn, Courtney, Roxan
Quinn's povI can't believe it is over a month since the wedding. Life has been crazy, what would have been or perceived as a honeymoon by the public was just a business vacation.Courtney spends her days shopping and the evenings posting what she shopped for. I spend my days in meetings one after another and my nights going through the reports from the meetings.Only occasionally I would steal a peek in the social media. I would click to a specific profile. She was dormant in social media but I was hoping she had posted something. Ryan had stated his intention so I stalked her to see if she agreed. Later I would log out and feel like the biggest scum on earth to be stalking another woman even when my wife was in the room. I would secretly send flowers to Courtney to ease my guilt.Our nights in bed we spend talking of old days and how our days were. Sometimes we fell asleep with our clothes on. I never initiated any intentions of sexual activity. Somehow I found myself relaxed and co
It has been almost two months, I find myself back at the University. We are to pick our gowns for the upcoming graduation in two days.My mind is focused on the building ahead of me. Kelly offered to escort me though she has decided to stay in the car. Over the time we have worked together we have grown closer. I feel I can trust her and with time she has proved that."Excuse me..." I barely hear the person trying to capture my attention."Excuse me..." The intruder taps my shoulder, I relentless remove my earphones.I turn to find a man staring back at me. His mouth is hanging slightly open and I am left to wonder what was his motive by disrupting me if he is just going to stare at me.He shakes his head from his thoughts. "Sorry, I don't mean to waste your time but it is my first time. Could you help me, I am lost. Which way is the psychology department?"My moment of anger dissipates when I realise he is not wasting my time. "I am heading that direction," I state."Just my luck." H
This is a filler chapter.Cara POVI wipe my forehead with the back of my hand. Today the hotel is filled to capacity. Everyone's eyes are fixed on the television, phone, laptop or anything that is streaming the Nickel's wedding of the century.I glance at the wall clock, my shift should be ending in a few. I just want to be out of here."You are going to miss the best part." Kelly, a coworker, says. I have known her for several days I have been working here."And Tony will fire your ass once he finds you watching that nonsense instead of working," I warn her as I load dishes into the dishwasher."So you aren't over the guy, look at you." She moves closer."I would have had to be into him to get over him." I staunchly declare.She rolls her eyes, "Sure honey, and my boobs are real." My eyes move to her chest where her plastic boobs are pushed up close to her chin. "Like what you see?" She shakes them in front of my face. I suppress a smile. I like Kelly, she is real and never sugarcoa
Quinn's povFive years ago"Another one please," I push my glass towards the mixologist that is trying to impress drunkards with his skills."Quiny..." I turn to find my sister, Meg together with my cousin, Leo. I groan. Ryan had convinced me that i wouldn't run into someone i know at this club."I had to find out from the papers that my brother was back. Where have you been hiding for those months?" She takes the stool beside me as Leo is left standing.We had a normal relationship, we barely hugged, kept in touch. I cared for her, just sucked at showing it. On the other hand, Meg, having spent most of her time away from home as punishment for her rebellious behavior. That did her more good than harm, she was never shy at expressing herself, she lived her life to the fullest and the influence of our toxic parents never affected her."I haven't been hiding. I have just been busy.""Heard Dad threatened to cut you off if you didn't come back and study business to take over the empire."
"Where do you see yourself in the next five years?" The Human resource guy implores.This isn't going how I expected. I thought it would be the C.E.O, my uncle, that will be interviewing me.I square my shoulders and confidently talk about how I predict my career will grow in the next five years and my contribution to the organization.The HR listens to me with indifference. I can hardly tell how this is going.After I have answered his questions he speaks."How soon can you start?" He asks."Tomorrow, " I answer."Okay. You are supposed to be here by five thirty the hotel opens at seven and everything ought to be ready. You will start out as a cleaner then from your performance we shall see how it goes."My head is turning, what is he talking about?"uh...i had applied for an assistant accountant trainee position." I remind him. What did he smoke?"Yes. You did. Did you not read the entire job description?" His tone is disapproving.No, I did not. But that is not a thing you tell you
The Dday finally arrives. We find ourselves; Oliver and I outside the deans office. We are early no one is yet to arrive. Not even the dean."What if he lied to Andre? Oliver is standing at the notice board. My attention is drawn when I see an announcement for those that meet the requirements can start on the graduation application. I am drawn back when Oliver speaks again."On the card you received it did indicate he was out to get back at us." Oliver says worried. I know how much being in this university means to him."Whatever happens we deal with it." I encourage him."Then you better be ready." A voice says. I look up to find Quinn's hard stare on us. He is alone.I stay tight-lipped. If I speak I will vex him and that will be bad for Oliver. Any day It would be my pleasure to argue with him. However Oliver has other plans..."If you think you can terrorize us like your father did to mine. You are wrong!" Oliver hisses at him."No one that is terrorizing you. And neither did my fa