Vivian's pov.The following day came and went quickly, with no call from neither Collins nor Helen. I stayed indoors all through the day and watched my favorite fashion show to calm my nerves. It would be understandable if Collins didn't call to apologize. I would never have dreamed of it but Helen, why didn't she return my call, I wondered.Sunday came, and I'm grateful that I'll be visiting mum in the hospital. I woke up quickly and turned off the alarm at the first ring. Stretching out, I yawned and staggered into the bathroom. I washed up and returned to the bedroom with a towel tied over my body. I noticed Cynthia still sprawled out on the bed and clicked my tongue.She never wakes up early on Sunday, I thought, and shook her gently. "Hey sleepy head, wake up already" I said, still shaking her. She muttered something inaudible and turned to her side.I left to prepare breakfast and decided to wake her when I'm done cooking. As I passed through the sitting-room, the doorbell rang
Collins pov.I wiped my hair with a towel and dropped it on my shoulder. I had just taken a refreshing bath and had put on a casual white shirt and black shorts. My phone beeped and I checked the screen. Oh, just some daily fitness reminder, I thought and dropped it on the drawers. Pulling out a chair, I sat at my working table and opened my laptop. I scrolled down and checked if I'd received any messages from the team in charge of publishing. " There's none," I sighed. Why? The team should have given me feedback by now. Why is it taking so long for them to perform a simple task? I think it's high time I handled that department myself, I thought and fumed. "Let me just put a call to Daniel to see how far they've gone in the production", I thought loudly and dialed his number. I took a sip from the contents of the cup on the table and commented "Tastes nice.""Good morning Sir", Daniel's voice came through. "Oh good morning Dan. Sorry for disturbing your weekend man.""No, it's fine.
Helen's pov.I slipped into my nightgown and turned off the light. Yawning lazily, I reached for my phone and checked my messages. No message from Collins yet, I thought and turned on my side. Let him suit himself. I'm not going back to that company if he doesn't apologize. I fumed and immediately knew I couldn't do that. It really angered me that I can't just decide to leave the company because of my ego. Getting a job these days is really hard, so keep the one you have. My inner mind scolded and I hissed. "Whatever, damn his face" I muttered and saw a message. It was from Alex, I thought, and I sat upright. When did he send this? I wondered and checked the time."Oh my God" I gasped. He had sent it at about three in the afternoon. Why hadn't I seen it? I thought and opened it."How are you doing Princess? Would you be free for the day?"Let's grab some drink", it reads.I hit my forehead and muttered "Good God, how on earth did I miss this message? I would have enjoyed myself out i
Vivian's pov.I stood by the window and gazed into the compound with my hands folded beneath my breasts. I had just returned from the salon where I'd got my hair styled. I glanced around and sighed. I have just one day more before I leave this place which has become part of me. It feels like I'm tearing myself away from my world. I remember that day when Fred informed me that a date had been picked for the wedding. I had cried my eyes out when I realized that my days together with Cynthia were numbered, and I'd have to live in uncertainty with people I knew little of.I heaved and walked away from the window and ran my hands over everything I could touch in the sitting-room. My eyes went to the flower vase on the table and I carried it carefully. I caressed it and smiled. The flower vase is one of mum's treasured memories of my father. Ever since his death, the only memory of him is the flower vase which he had bought her on their first wedding anniversary. "Old memories digging up"
Collins pov.I stared at the black suit on the bed and tutted. I bit my lips and glanced at my shoes, black and neatly polished. The suit dug out sad memories in me as I recalled that Anne had specifically picked the suit when we went shopping in preparation for our wedding. I could still remember her beautiful smiling face as she jumped all over me. We were happy together, I thought, and sighed. Why then did she decide to ditch me a few days to our wedding? I tilted my head and took the suit from the bed. I cast a final look before locking it up in the cupboard. Whatever her reason was, I hope she's safe wherever she is, I thought and sighed. I sat on the bed and rested my head against the wall. My thoughts came about how disapproving I had been when dad first introduced Anne to me. I had thundered at him that I'd never love Anne and had sworn never to. But my heart melted when I realized how sweet she was and in no time, I fell crazily in love with her. It was like a dream come true
Collins pov."That scumbag" I heard Vivian say, and I stiffened. Did she dare call me a scumbag? Really? I tutted and exhaled. I gazed at her closely and saw her sober expression. It looks like she'll cry anytime soon. "He even rough handled me the very first time we met", she screamed, and the other lady promised to cut off my arms and feed them to the pigs. I almost let out a laugh as I watched them in amusement. The ladies are obviously drunk, but it seemed to me that Helen is putting on an act. "That means I must have mistaken one for another," I said quietly."You said what?" Mark asked, staring at me. I drew closer and whispered. "Look Mark, I'm beginning to think I met the other lady first before meeting Vivian. You know, even in her drunken state, she seemed fierce and strict".Mark nodded. "Yeah, she just promised to feed your hands to the pigs.""Hey man, that wasn't funny at all", I laughed and sipped my drink. "So that is it. I guess I met her first. She was rude to me.
Vivian's pov.The pastor's voice resonated as I heard him say "Now you're both joined together as husband and wife".He turned to Collins and said "Having taken both vows, you may now kiss your bride". I raised my eyes to meet his and saw a deep sad expression in them. What is happening? He isn't happy to be married to me? I wondered and pleaded with my eyes "please Collins". I scanned the audience and saw eagerness in their faces. The pastor adjusted the mic and said a bit louder "You may now kiss your bride".Collins took some steps towards me and halted, facing me directly. He drew me closer, and I breathed in his scent. He lowered his head and I closed my eyes, anticipating the long-awaited moment. Suddenly, I felt his breath hard against my ears, and he tightened his grip on me."Ouch" I let out and added, opening my eyes, "What are you doing, Collins?"He smiled wickedly and shouted "I will never get married to a demon like you." My eyes widened in horror as he let out a wicked
Chapter one6:am, GreenvilleCollins Pov"What! No! No way"!"This is a joke, right...? You... don't mean this." I screamed unbelievably into the phone receiver. The voice at the other end of the receiver came through."Yes Collins. I'm sorry it has to end this way" and then the call ended. The shock was too much for me to bear. I burst into hysterical laughter, feeling a deep stab in my heart. "Oh no!, I started ."Haha... that was a...that was the greatest joke I've heard in my life....", I broke off and suddenly felt an itch to scream. Hitting the mirror in which I stood in front, I rubbed my hair in my hands and impulsively threw a fist at the pitiful image in front of me. The mirror came shattering all over in front of me and I watched blood triple down my battered hands. I heard a hurried advancement and knew instantly that it was my mum rushing up. She let out a gasp the moment she stepped in and echoed "What have you done, Collins?" She gazed at me, her expression clearly w
Vivian's pov.The pastor's voice resonated as I heard him say "Now you're both joined together as husband and wife".He turned to Collins and said "Having taken both vows, you may now kiss your bride". I raised my eyes to meet his and saw a deep sad expression in them. What is happening? He isn't happy to be married to me? I wondered and pleaded with my eyes "please Collins". I scanned the audience and saw eagerness in their faces. The pastor adjusted the mic and said a bit louder "You may now kiss your bride".Collins took some steps towards me and halted, facing me directly. He drew me closer, and I breathed in his scent. He lowered his head and I closed my eyes, anticipating the long-awaited moment. Suddenly, I felt his breath hard against my ears, and he tightened his grip on me."Ouch" I let out and added, opening my eyes, "What are you doing, Collins?"He smiled wickedly and shouted "I will never get married to a demon like you." My eyes widened in horror as he let out a wicked
Collins pov."That scumbag" I heard Vivian say, and I stiffened. Did she dare call me a scumbag? Really? I tutted and exhaled. I gazed at her closely and saw her sober expression. It looks like she'll cry anytime soon. "He even rough handled me the very first time we met", she screamed, and the other lady promised to cut off my arms and feed them to the pigs. I almost let out a laugh as I watched them in amusement. The ladies are obviously drunk, but it seemed to me that Helen is putting on an act. "That means I must have mistaken one for another," I said quietly."You said what?" Mark asked, staring at me. I drew closer and whispered. "Look Mark, I'm beginning to think I met the other lady first before meeting Vivian. You know, even in her drunken state, she seemed fierce and strict".Mark nodded. "Yeah, she just promised to feed your hands to the pigs.""Hey man, that wasn't funny at all", I laughed and sipped my drink. "So that is it. I guess I met her first. She was rude to me.
Collins pov.I stared at the black suit on the bed and tutted. I bit my lips and glanced at my shoes, black and neatly polished. The suit dug out sad memories in me as I recalled that Anne had specifically picked the suit when we went shopping in preparation for our wedding. I could still remember her beautiful smiling face as she jumped all over me. We were happy together, I thought, and sighed. Why then did she decide to ditch me a few days to our wedding? I tilted my head and took the suit from the bed. I cast a final look before locking it up in the cupboard. Whatever her reason was, I hope she's safe wherever she is, I thought and sighed. I sat on the bed and rested my head against the wall. My thoughts came about how disapproving I had been when dad first introduced Anne to me. I had thundered at him that I'd never love Anne and had sworn never to. But my heart melted when I realized how sweet she was and in no time, I fell crazily in love with her. It was like a dream come true
Vivian's pov.I stood by the window and gazed into the compound with my hands folded beneath my breasts. I had just returned from the salon where I'd got my hair styled. I glanced around and sighed. I have just one day more before I leave this place which has become part of me. It feels like I'm tearing myself away from my world. I remember that day when Fred informed me that a date had been picked for the wedding. I had cried my eyes out when I realized that my days together with Cynthia were numbered, and I'd have to live in uncertainty with people I knew little of.I heaved and walked away from the window and ran my hands over everything I could touch in the sitting-room. My eyes went to the flower vase on the table and I carried it carefully. I caressed it and smiled. The flower vase is one of mum's treasured memories of my father. Ever since his death, the only memory of him is the flower vase which he had bought her on their first wedding anniversary. "Old memories digging up"
Helen's pov.I slipped into my nightgown and turned off the light. Yawning lazily, I reached for my phone and checked my messages. No message from Collins yet, I thought and turned on my side. Let him suit himself. I'm not going back to that company if he doesn't apologize. I fumed and immediately knew I couldn't do that. It really angered me that I can't just decide to leave the company because of my ego. Getting a job these days is really hard, so keep the one you have. My inner mind scolded and I hissed. "Whatever, damn his face" I muttered and saw a message. It was from Alex, I thought, and I sat upright. When did he send this? I wondered and checked the time."Oh my God" I gasped. He had sent it at about three in the afternoon. Why hadn't I seen it? I thought and opened it."How are you doing Princess? Would you be free for the day?"Let's grab some drink", it reads.I hit my forehead and muttered "Good God, how on earth did I miss this message? I would have enjoyed myself out i
Collins pov.I wiped my hair with a towel and dropped it on my shoulder. I had just taken a refreshing bath and had put on a casual white shirt and black shorts. My phone beeped and I checked the screen. Oh, just some daily fitness reminder, I thought and dropped it on the drawers. Pulling out a chair, I sat at my working table and opened my laptop. I scrolled down and checked if I'd received any messages from the team in charge of publishing. " There's none," I sighed. Why? The team should have given me feedback by now. Why is it taking so long for them to perform a simple task? I think it's high time I handled that department myself, I thought and fumed. "Let me just put a call to Daniel to see how far they've gone in the production", I thought loudly and dialed his number. I took a sip from the contents of the cup on the table and commented "Tastes nice.""Good morning Sir", Daniel's voice came through. "Oh good morning Dan. Sorry for disturbing your weekend man.""No, it's fine.
Vivian's pov.The following day came and went quickly, with no call from neither Collins nor Helen. I stayed indoors all through the day and watched my favorite fashion show to calm my nerves. It would be understandable if Collins didn't call to apologize. I would never have dreamed of it but Helen, why didn't she return my call, I wondered.Sunday came, and I'm grateful that I'll be visiting mum in the hospital. I woke up quickly and turned off the alarm at the first ring. Stretching out, I yawned and staggered into the bathroom. I washed up and returned to the bedroom with a towel tied over my body. I noticed Cynthia still sprawled out on the bed and clicked my tongue.She never wakes up early on Sunday, I thought, and shook her gently. "Hey sleepy head, wake up already" I said, still shaking her. She muttered something inaudible and turned to her side.I left to prepare breakfast and decided to wake her when I'm done cooking. As I passed through the sitting-room, the doorbell rang
Helen's pov.Seeing him hold her like that makes my blood boil and I grit hard on my teeth. Why is he suddenly protective of her, I thought, and tilted my head to see the man who had made Collins react that way. I inhaled sharply and blew out air with my mouth. He is so cool, something in me beamed excitedly but j waved it away. He's no match for my Collins, I responded inwardly and pouted. Who is he anyway, and where did Vivian know him from? I wondered and saw Collins leaping to his feet, clutching Vivian's hand closely. "Thanks for the dinner" he said and bowed slightly. What's he trying to do? He was trying to walk away in front of the clients? I thought in disbelief and gazed at him. "I appreciate the kind gesture and the present too. I look forward to repaying your kindness. Something urgent came up so we'll take our leave now. Thank you". He said, not looking at me.I scoffed, crazy jerk! I swore at him silently and tightened my fist. I really can't believe he's getting work
Vivian's pov"That was a great meal. Thank you so much for the invitation, we're really grateful, and we promise to continue to offer the best service," Collins said, and smiled. I couldn't take my gaze off him no matter how hard I tried. How on earth can a man be so handsome and, on top of that, the handsome man is the most annoying man I've ever met. I took a slow breath and pretended to laugh along with the rest.The woman brought out a wrapped object and handed it over to Collins. She smiled at him and said "This is a present from us, please accept it. It's our way of congratulating you on winning the contract"I smiled as Collins' face lit, and his face turned into another smile, his dimples forming perfectly. "Thank you so much, we really appreciate this" he said and jerked at Helen. She smiled too and added "Yeah, we're really honored. Thank you. We anticipate another time with you""Yeah sure, more wins" the man said and raised his glass for a toast. Our glasses clicked, and