EMMA.Quietly, I crossed my arms over my thighs as Alex's driver moved swiftly through the streets. I had no idea where we were headed. I didn't have my phone in hand, and I wasn't comfortable with Alex sitting next to me. I cleared my throat, trying to stifle the silence.He pulled a bottle of water from the side of his seat, and handed it over to me. I grudgingly received it. As annoyed as I was, I was thirsty. I gulped down the water quickly, causing it to trickle down my sweatshirt. He handed me a tissue.“I don't need one,” I replied. I wasn't that messed up. He stashed the tissue in a box.The ride continued silently. My eyes widened as we arrived at his destination.“I'm not going in there,” I quickly said. He had said we would be going out for dinner, not to a hotel. I would not be going into a hotel with him again. I had risked a lot for him, but my public face was not one I was willing to take.“You don't have to. Just sit here, and wait.” He replied, as he pushed the door
EMMA.His lips were soft, and his tongue was minty. I parted my lips, giving him access to me. He pulled me towards him, and I felt his hands loosen the ropes on my trousers. I reached for his sweatshirt, pulling it over his head. He flung it towards the edge of the room.The room was hot and sizzling when he pulled me up, taking off my top. Before I could even understand what was going on, his hands went around me, unclasping my bra. He pulled it off, and gently laid me on the bed.I tried to remain quiet as his mouth enveloped my left nipples. His right hand gently teased my right nipples, as he nibbled. His tongue flicked on my nipple, causing me to gasp.Soon, he moved to the right, and his hand went between my legs. I was still wearing the joggers. I shifted, as he pulled them off, tossing them aside.I waited for him to take off my panties, but he didn't. His hands slid to the side, and I felt his fingers reach into me.“You're already wet,” he said with a low chuckle. His index
ALEX.All through the ride to Isabella's house, my mind was clouded with numerous thoughts. What could Isabella use to threaten Emma? What made her so terrified? I knew Isa, and I knew she had no limits when it came to blackmail. I, myself, had been a victim of her schemes. I walked towards the building, noting the silence. I recalled one of my assistants mentioning Isabella chasing off almost all the staff.I ignored the thought as I pushed the door open.I was met with two cleaners, wiping the floors.They watched me as I approached them. Intimidation was obvious in their eyes.“Good evening, sir” they greeted, but I was in no mood to give a reply.“Where is she?”They kept mute.“whete the fuck is she?” I repeated.“She's at the family house,” one of them replied.I headed straight for my car. Why didn't I expect this of her? Of course she would try to turn my family against me. Brave of her to think she could hold my family against me after she almost ruined it.I instructed the
EMMA.In three days, my mind had not been at rest. I was constantly on edge, checking my phone. I would constantly wonder where it went wrong. After my encounter with Isabella last night, my mood was beyond repairable. Throughout the night, I tossed and turned constantly worrying what it would take for Isabella to release that clip. It didn't help that I was still in bed with her husband that night.Despite all that I said, Alex still returned to me that night. Mentally, I was too exhausted to even battle words with him so I let him have his way. I, however, couldn't close my eyes the whole night. I asked him if he was still getting the divorce, but he brushed me aside. Telling me not to worry, and that wasn't helping matters. When I asked where he went to, and what happened there, I got an even lesser answer. He kept telling me not to worry, and it did make me worried. What if he offended Isabella? What if, in anger, she decided to release it to the press?I looked around to see if
EMMA.“Ma'am,” Anna's voice called out to me. I looked up from the papers in my hand. In recent hours, I had been able to get some work done. The presentation was mostly prepared. I just needed some tips to brush it up.“Hey, what's going on?” I replied to her, as I dropped the papers in my hand.“It's time for the presentation.” She informed me.I took a quick glance at the time, and she was right. It was already time.“So soon,” I said, as I picked up my laptop. “Get them to the conference room, I'll be there in a minute,” I instructed.“Do you need some extra time?” She asked.I considered the opportunity. “Uhm…yes. Five minutes at best.” I replied.“On it.” She replied, as she walked out.I was grateful to have such an assistant as her. I knew she had great potential.In the few minutes I had, I made it my motive to adjust my makeup, and pick out power points.I lifted my files, and headed straight for the conference room.On my way, I halted when I heard my name. “Emma,” He repe
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.I stared into the empty space, watching the grass filled lawn. Kristy looked around, carefully taking in the arena.All the vibe , soft joy, and excitement had faded, and now it was time for business.I took a deep breath. The entire street was silent. I repeated that again. If anything were to happen, everyone in the neighborhood would know.Our voices would be loud.I shut my eyes, recalling how my mother used to slam pans as she shouted at us.The neighbors would come out, listening as she threatened to cut us off, and send us into the streets if we didn't behave.Why didn't Zara remember that?I clearly did. I recalled how a neighbor approached us, asking why we always defended our mother whenever the cops came to save us, and we would recite what she taught us, “she is our mother. We cannot survive without our mother.”Bullshit. Our mother had been ready to choose a man over us. Our mother threw tantrums because the man she wanted didn't want her in return.Our mother wa
EMMA.Kristy drove swiftly through the roads, with cool music playing in the background.We had driven off the part of town with numerous buildings, and we were currently passing through a number of line trees. I watched how beautiful nature could be.The silence and soft waves coming from the trees. It was beautiful to see.“How are you feeling?” Kristy asked, pulling my attention.I turned to face her, “I'm good. How about you?”“I'm alright.” She replied, with a deep heave.“Do you want to switch?” I asked,I knew I would eventually have to take the wheel for a while, but I didn't think it would be so soon.“No. It would just be helpful to have someone to talk to.”“Oh-” I sat up straight, “what's up?”“I'm just curious about your plans. I wasn't eavesdropping or anything, but Laura mentioned the possibility of you not returning. I thought this was just a short visit to see your sister. Are you really leaving us?”I took a deep breath, “I honestly don't know how it'll play out for
ISABELLA Slowly, my eyelids pushed open. I looked around, noticing that Alex and I had somehow ended up falling asleep on the balcony. We were laying on a spread chair, and I was on him.I wiped my eyes gently, clearing my view. How had we ended up here?I remembered us talking, and then I said a lot of things that had been needed. He said the things on his mind too. We eventually cuddled, and fell asleep.I remained in the same position. I could hear his heart beating gently.I loved the way we were. Just silence and peace. We hadn't even had sex in over a week but I felt this was the closest we had been.I heard him grunt, and shuffle, so I lifted my weight off him.He opened his eyes gently.“You're awake,” I said to him.As I watched his lashes move repeatedly, my heart swell with joy. Was this what it felt like to be in love?He grinned gently as he saw my face. “Good morning,” he greeted.He reached out, touching my face.“You look so pretty today,” I grinned at his complimen
ISABELLA.For the first time in years, I pulled out a blunt, and lighted it.Looking down through the windows, I watched as most people were gathered at a cubicle, partying, while the others stood nearby.They seemed happy, and…content. The exact opposite of what I felt.I took in a deep breath, before moving the cigarette to my mouth.A deep sip, and I pulled it out.How did I end up in such a life?I had imagined so many ways my life would turn out, but never did I think, despite all my hard work, that I would end up unsatisfied, sad, and tired.I had worked for this. I had worked for the money, for my home and for my husband. Now, I had lost almost everything.My daughter seemed like a distant relative who had no relationship whatsoever with my husband. Even I couldn't have a stable relationship with my husband. The memory of Emma still lingered in my marriage, and when it wasn't lingering, I was still bothered who he might be sharing his bed with.Emma wasn't entirely the problem,
ISABELLA “Who are you?” I asked, clenching my jaw.“It’s great you've finally decided to hold a conversation with me.”“That's not the answer to my question.”“My name is of no importance. You'll most likely never see me again.”“Good. Now, fuck off.”He chuckled. “You've always been a fiesty woman, Isa.”“Fuck. Off.” I spat even harder.The knowledge of Alex purposely leaving me out here was beyond heart breaking.“I have a lot more things to say to you.”“I have no intention of hearing it.”“My first question is, why him?”“Why what?” I asked, annoyed that he ignored my replies.“Why Alex? What's so special about him? He publicly disgraced you with a cheating scandal, he's currently ignoring you at your marital vacation? So, why him? What's so good about him?”“None of your fucking business.”“No, Isa. Don't be stubborn.”Who the hell did he think he was? “Leave.” I quickly said to him,“I believe that, by now, we would have accepted the fact that I'm not leaving anytime soon. You
EMMA.“So, now that Liam has given you the much needed permission to do whatever you want to do, what's the next plan?” She asked, breaking the silence.“I'll communicate with Kristy, and see if she'll be available to go with me in two days time.”“That's a solid plan. Is there anything else you need?” She asked,I could tell she was implying something from her tone, but I couldn't tell what it was.“Not really. Is there anything I should need?”“I think so,” she replied,“And that is?”“Give me a minute. I'd rather show you.”I sat quietly as she walked up stairs. She arrived a few minutes later with a pink gift bag in hand.There was a wide grin spread on her face.“What's that?” I asked, still in doubt.With all Laura had done for me, if she offered me another gift, I might just break down in tears.“I got a little something for you,” she said, still holding the bag.I felt the tears building up in my eyes.“I knew you would need it, and I didn't want you to be bothered. Here, take
EMMA.His words left me dumbstruck. My lips parted, but the words croaked in. I clamped my lips shut, pushing down the thousands of thoughts in my head.I thought he had forgotten me. I wished he had forgotten me!Why did he remember me?“You remember me?” I managed to croak out,His grin grew sly, and sheepish.“Now, onto business,” he said, ignoring my question. I blinked repeatedly, trying to recall if that had actually happened or if I was hallucinating. I had read somewhere that people often hallucinated once they had survived a traumatic experience, and it was safe to say my experience was traumatic. Was I losing my mind?I closed my eyes, then opened it. He was still sitting right before me, so that conversation had to have happened.I wasn't hallucinating. I couldn't be hallucinating “Oh my God,” I muttered out, understanding the implication of things.If I wasn't hallucinating, then he did remember me, and if he remembered me…“Are you alright?” His voice came in a thick,
EMMA.Laura arrived at four minutes after seven pm. I had just rounded up my third movie of the day. I had watched one, and was halfway through the second when the girls finally came. We talked for hours, and they finally left.I Ioved their presence, but them risking their spouses for me wasn't worth it. I wasn't comfortable knowing they were endangering their marriage.“I'm home,” Laura announced, as she walked in.“Welcome,” I replied, turning to face her.“Thank you,” she replied, pulling off her red bottoms. I watched as they both ended up on different sides of the room.If there was one thing I had grown to notice about Laura, it was how disorganized she was. No one was perfect-that I knew-but I had somehow concluded that she was. Aside that, she seemed to have her life I order. Moreover, it explained how she kept up with her social, and work life. Arranging her personal life wasn't needed at the top of the chart to me. She was on track.I watched as she dropped her handbag rec
EMMA.About eight weeks had gone by since I left that dungeon, and I still had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. It felt like the weeks I spent there had quadrupled, and taken even more months or years because it felt like the system had cut me out. Everything was the same, but different. I couldn't explain it. Everything looked the same, but felt different. I no longer felt like a young woman in her prime. I felt like an ex convict, and although I knew I was not actually convicted, it didn't make me feel any better. I had spent months in there fighting for my life. My brain, and thinking patterns had been altered.I took a deep breath, staring at the blank television. I was still too lazy to approach the sockets, and maybe it was better this way. I hated the noise that came from the TV, knowing fully well that I wouldn't be able to focus even when it was turned on. I was already too bothered about stuff.I was still deep in thought when I heard the doorbell ring.I gently wal