EMMAIt was yet another day at work, and I hated it. I had spent the last night, preoccupied with thoughts of all my friends had said. They almost spent the night over, pouring out their different opinions. I loved my friends but they didn't seem to understand me. I loved Alex, and he loved me too. All these while, I had been telling myself I was ruining a marriage. The fact was, it never existed. I remembered the conversation I had with Alex that night. —“Did you ever love Isabella?” I asked.I was so scared to bring up the topic, especially as she had been the rockbed of our relationship.I remembered clearly how he looked at me, confused.“That was unexpected,” he replied.I knew he was trying to avoid the conversation, but I pushed harder.“Did you ever love her?” I repeated.“Is it important?”“It’s very important.” I replied. I was so scared that night. His answer would either break, or fix me up.“I never did.” He replied.I felt like a tonne of lo
EMMA.Kristy was the first to call. I picked up as soon as her name popped up.“Hey,” she said to me. I remained quiet. I didn't trust myself to speak. I covered my face with my palm, trying to push down the sobs. “Hey,” she said, again. Her voice was soft, and soothing. I felt the dam break loose. I closed my eyes, trying to contain the tears that were threatening to break open.“I don't know what to do,” I said in a hushed tone.I really didn't.“I understand,” she replied. “It's my fault. I shouldn't have advised you to trigger her.”“No, you were just trying to help.” I corrected her. Placing blame wouldn't help any of us.I listened as Kristy took a deep breath. “At least she hasn't released your identity yet. That means you still have time to fix things up.”“I don't know what to do,” I revealed. I propped an elbow on my desk.She sighed deeply. “From last night, I could tell you really wanted Alex. I know you still do, but we can't always have what we want. Do you get what I'm
ISABELLA.Emma should've known better than to toy with me. After all the mercy I had shown her, she thought it wise to play games with me. I picked up the wine bottle, and poured generously in my glass. That girl had some nerves. An ungrateful fool she was. Who did she think she was playing with? I recalled how she narrowed her eyes, daring me to carry out my threats. The fool thought Alex would be able to save her. I laughed out loud. He wouldn't even be able to save himself once I decided what to do with him. She fucked my husband, took him from me, and felt she had won. No one ever goes against me, and wins. I would teach her that wonderful lesson.I was still in the business of plotting my next move when I heard my phone ring. I looked down to see it was El calling. A smile crept up my face.“Girl!!”she exclaimed as soon as I picked up. The excitement was hard to hide. “Girl!!” She exclaimed even harder. “You know I love you. I love how smart you're handling this.”I chuckled da
EMMA.Alex left the office barely three hours after I had a talk with him. I had watched as he took long strides out of the office. I wanted to ask where he was going to, or what plan he had to solve things, but I couldn't. Just in case the tape got leaked, I needed to keep my profile low. Who knew? Maybe Isabella had more pictures of us in compromising situations. The media would eat that up.I took a deep breath, as I watched him walk in. Unlike his usual guard team, he was surrounded by women. One of the women gently massaged her arm, as they walked behind him. They were muscular, huge, and their faces were stoned in a frown. The one to the left had her hair up in a ponytail, and the other was in a buzz cut. Both parties took long, heavy strides.Alex walked into his office with them. I counted to two hundred, and they walked out. Their faces were still locked, but their movements changed. They walked easily, more feminine. I watched one whisper into the other's ear, pointing towar
EMMA.As expected, all the girls pulled up to my home. Aaliyah had somehow heard about it, and she left her shift at the hospital to attend to me. We had been talking for hours, and I had narrated all I could. I was confused, tired, scared, panicking, offended, and sad. I felt a thousand emotions at once. I wasn't even sure I would be able to handle all I was feeling.Faith gently rubbed my back with her palm. “You'll be fine,” she consoled me.Kristy looked into nothingness. She hadn't said a word in a while, and that was highly unusual. Everything today was unusual.“I have a bad feeling Alex will mess things up,” she finally said. I released a deep breath. Her silence was scarier than her words. “That's not a suitable thing to say at this moment,” Faith scolded.She shrugged, ignoring her opinions. I laid my back on the chair. Aaliyah walked into the room. She had changed from her scrubs. I watched as she rubbed her eyes. I could tell she hadn't gotten a good night's rest in day
EMMA.“I do have a question though,” Aaliyah spoke up, almost as soon as I conceded.Kristy did not hide her disdain. “What’s your question?” Aaliyah dropped the cup in her hands. “What guarantee do we have that this plan will work? I think it's better for us to wait for Alex. Who knows? Your plans might clash with his, and it'll cause a real problem.”“If Alex has a plan, he better step on it. I just know my girl won't sit by, and wait for him to solve things. She has been waiting for ages, and take a look at where we are.” Kristy replied. She turned to me. “I don't advise you to wait for Alex, but the ultimate choice is yours. What do you want to do?”“I think it's better we solve the problem ourselves. We can't keep waiting.” I replied, maintaining eye contact with Aaliyah. I watched her bite back her rebuttals. “If that's what you want, then I'm in support.” She finally agreed.I took a deep breath. “Now that we have that settled, we need to get into the real deal.” Kristy spoke
EMMA.The bouncer's threat must have slapped some sense into me, because I took a step back realizing how far I'd come. The alcohol seemed to be wearing off so easily. I was still drowsy, but I at least felt sane. I took another step back, and almost fell on my heels. The bouncer reached out, stretching a hand of help.“Get your hands off me!” I smacked his hands, as soon as they touched me. I didn't want help from a man who had threatened me.The music was still loud, and buzzing. I covered my ears with my palm, trying to shield myself from the loud noise. My head was banging, and everything looked like it was floating. Luckily, I was able to see Kristy, and Katy. They were still at the counter, having a drink. I watched as Kristy scooted closer to Katy, whispering something in her ear. She turned slightly, to take a view of the man behind her, and then shook her head in disapproval.Was Kristy already in search of another man? I knew she wouldn't deal with the infidelity her fiance
EMMA“I'll be there in a minute,” was the only thing I could manage to reply. I dropped my hand to my sides, unable to move. I should be running, panicking, searching for a way to save my sister, but I couldn't. It felt like the entire universe had paused on me. Why was this happening to me? Why was it all happening at once? Now? Why did it have to be now? Why was I always unlucky? I walked towards the door, feeling the weight of every footstep I took. Maybe I wanted to stay back, in here, hiding myself from the responsibilities, and problems out there. I didn't want to go out. I didn't want to face Zara. I didn't want to face the tape, I didn't even want to know if it was out. I just wanted peace. I couldn't handle anything else. I looked around, and found some maids were approaching me. For a minute, I considered running out, but then they were already heading squarely towards me. Whatever would be the outcome of this, I would face it.“Ma'am, how may we help you?” One of them aske
EMMA.At about five pm, Samuel had texted, telling me I would get picked up by eight. That meant I had three hours to prepare. Kristina and I had already chosen the dress, shoes, and bag I would use so it wasn't that much work left, but I still panicked.I needed to get my hair, and make up right.We eventually started preparing by six pm. A girl needed her time to prepare right?I sat before the mirror as Kristina worked her magic with my hair. Luckily, Zara had some curlers around and we made judicious use of them.“This date will be amazing,” Kristina said, brushing my hair.“I hope so,” I replied, trying to ease the tension I felt in my chest.It had been a while since I went on a first date with anyone. What were the etiquettes? What would we talk about?For someone who had decided to dump the dating pool for a long while, it surely was too early for me to be rehearsing what to say on a first date. What would we even talk about? I couldn't think of one thing we had in common. Su
EMMA.I knew Kristina often worked out to tone her body, and maybe gain some strength, but I was beyond surprised when she lifted the heavy box off the floor, and headed into the living room.I stepped out of the way giving her all needed chance just so she could do what she wanted.She slammed the box on the floor, turning to face me.“It wasn't even that heavy,” she said, breathing heavily. Yeah…“It wasn't that heavy but you lifted it off the floor, and slammed it down like a two hundred and sixty five pounds man. Oh, and the delivery man himself refused to lift it because she thought it was ‘too heavy’”“Come on, you know I work out. I lift weights often. This is a breeze.”“I work out too, but you don't see me lifting things like superwoman.”.She laughed out, wiping her face.“There's absolutely no point in arguing over this. Samuel gave you a gift, and I helped you bring it in. The least you could do is appreciate me.”“Fine,” I agreed, “thank you.”*You're welcome.”“Now let'
EMMAOh well. The day I agreed to go on a date had arrived.I didn't inform Kristy, neither did I tell Zara. Not even my mother was aware.I sat on my bed, pondering on what to wear. I knew I should have told them what happened, but after yesterday's event, we all clocked out.Since then, I just couldn't come up with a way to tell them. Not that they would be annoyed or anything.I knew they would be excited for me. They loved me.Kristina on one hand would be over the moon. She had been waiting for this for a long time.But in my heart, I harbored some thoughts.Was it wise to start something with Samuel?What if it didn't work out? What would happen to his lovely relationship with my family? He knew them before me. I didn't want to get in the way of anything.If I ended up ruining their friendship, I would be pissed at myself forever. I couldn't even tell if I would recover from that.Then again came the question of time. Wasn't it too early to date? Did I want to fall in love jus
EMMA Well, it was safe to say this was the sweetest and most intentional thing any man had ever said to me.I was dumbfounded, and couldn't even come up with any concrete reply. “Emma,” he called my name.“Yes?” I croaked out.He seemed to be genuine. As I stared at him, I will ndered if his words were genuine? They could always be lies.I would be a fool to believe his lies.“Emma, I want to take the appropriate step. Can I take you out on a date tonight?”Tonight? I had nothing to wear. All the clothes I had brought were casuals, and it would be almost impossible to find an outfit that would work in less than six hours.“What's the time?” I asked,He pulled out his phone. “Six thirty three.” He answered.No. Definitely too late.“I don't think I can,” I replied, slowly. I just hoped he didn't get the wrong message. I did want to go on a date with him, but I was beyond unprepared.“Why?” He askedIf I asked for a dress for the date would I come out as entitled?I mean, he had alrea
EMMA.He turned around.“Are you sure about that? I can always come by later.” I closed off my phone, “I'm sure.” I replied.His smile was all too bright for his excitement to be hidden. It somehow made me excited too. He had this boyish glow in his eyes whenever he was excited.I walked up to him.As I approached him, I noticed his eyes following my chest.Little did I realize that I wasn't exactly clad. I had unbuttoned my shirt, and while I had covered up, the buttons were mixed up, giving him access to see my chest. He looked away immediately. What a gentleman. Well-behaved. He maintained eye contact with me, and in his eyes, I could see him battling not to look again.Something about that turned me on.“Please come back,” I said.I said out loud just because. It was good that I did. I wanted to choose someone who wasn't Alex, and I had done that. I verbally, outrightly chose someone who wasn't Alex.I had broken free away from his grasp. I was my own woman.I took a breath, l
EMMA.The first time I had made an attempt at calling Alexander Blackwood after his wife pleaded, he did not answer.I was immensely grateful for that. At least, I could say I tried.I mean, it would go down in record that I dialed his number, right?Yes, it would. I hadn't done anything wrong.I laid in bed, watching the ceiling, engrossed in thoughts.The day had gone all so well. Kristina and Samuel had gotten into a deep conversation about me, and I didn't want to be there while they analyzed my lifestyle.Well, two hours had gone by, and neither of them had come up to me.I looked out the window, only to find the entire family, and some friends in the backyard. They seemed to be having fun discussions, and eating together.Did anyone notice my absence?Did it matter?I was sure they were preoccupied with activities.I laid back.Looking at my screen, I stared at my wallpaper. There was a picture of me in sunglasses, and red lipstick. My smile was broad, and genuine. I was all too
Emma.“Hey, Emma. We need to talk,” Mrs. Blackwood's voice came out as soft and gentle, but it was enough to send a chill down my spine. I sucked in a deep breath and wondered if picking her call was a good idea. I hadn't thought it through before picking her call.“Mrs. Blackwood,” I replied, sounding a little apprehensive. “How may I help you?”I didn't need a mirror to know my face had turned pale. I could easily tell from the weird and worried look plastered on Samuel and Kristina's faces. Kristina mouthed the words, “Are you okay?”I shrugged.Mrs Blackwood let out an audible breath before continuing. “It's about my husband.”My mouth ran dry. I knew bullying Anna wasn't far from him, but talking his wife into speaking with me? I didn't think he'd go that low.“Firstly, my husband didn't send me to call you, if that's what you're thinking,’’ she continued.“Okay,” I whispered into the phone. I could feel my heartbeat pick up pace. If Alex had not coerced her into calling me, the
EMMA.“Well,” Samuel started his speech, still standing really close to me, “I would try to initiate a conversation to see if there's any remote chance we could have anything serious.”“And then?” Kristina urged,I knew what she was searching for, and judging by the kind of person Samuel seemed to be, he would play along, and that would ruin me.“After that, I would try to make a grand gesture for her. That is after she has given me a green light of course,”Did I, by any chance, give him a greenlight?“And what's the definition of a greenlight to you?” Kristina probed,“I don't think it's wise to disturb,” I tried to divert their attention, but Kristina was so focused on what she was trying to achieve.Knowing the kind of person she was, I let her be. If she wanted to prove, she better do it.Moreover she would be gone in three days, and after that, the only source of information she would have would be me. I would definitely make her suffer. It wasn't time yet.I just had to endure
EMMA.I didn't know how to react to that message. Well, it was obvious Samuel wasn't trying to hide his status, but what was he doing in such a small town? He was supposed to be with the top leagues.I had heard of the johnsons. Although I had never met or had any personal encounter with them, I had attended some of their parties. Of course, Alex had been invited to some of their parties, and when I worked as his assistant, I was an immediate invitee.I bit my lips gently. If I was wiser, I should have taken advantage of that opportunity.I should have made some friends, even at the least a few connections with some elites. They would have helped.I took a deep breath.“What is he doing here though? As a sheriff at that,” Kristina finally asked the questions in my heart,“We have no idea. Although some say his father is trying to build a brand here so he's kind of preparing the place for him.”“Hmm…” I took a breath, “so, he's brooding this place.”“Something of that sort,” my mothe