EMMA.“Laura!” I called her name. She paused and turned to face me. I could see in her eyes that she desperately wanted me to tell the truth, and that was what I was doing, but as expected, she didn't believe me. I couldn't let her leave, she was my last hope.“Please sit,” I pleaded.“I don't have the time for this. Just tell me the truth, and I'll know how to help you.”“Please, sit. Please. Even if it's for five minutes, I beg of you. Please give me your time.”She sighed deeply, but then she dropped her bag on the desk, and sat.“I'm sat,”“Thank you,” I thanked her. I exhaled a deep breath, before I spoke up. “I have seen the pictures, and there are obviously the marks on my arm,”“Get to the point. I don't have all day,”“I know you don't, but please just listen to me. I'm driving somewhere.”She pulled closer.“Laura, you are my last, and only option. Aside from you, I don't know where to seek help from. I wouldn't lie to you. What would I gain from lying to you? You, and I kn
EMMA.I sat on the empty bed, while the women stood at the other end of the room. I couldn't call it a far end because the cell was the size of my fist. It felt like I couldn't breathe without touching the next person.In total, we were five in number, and there were only three beds. I looked through the bars. There was no need to panic, I wouldn't spend the night here. I had Laura, and she was the best. She wouldn't let me spend more than an hour here. I just had to trust her, and her ways.I clinged to myself, ignoring the glares others passed by way. They whispered words, but no one approached me.I had heard stories of jail, and the things that happened there. Although I knew none of these could happen unless in prison, I was still a bit terrified. If any of these women could end up here, they had to be horrible people.I shut my eyes, trying to push back my thoughts. That was an unfair thought. I was here, and I knew I was wrongly accused. It could be the same for them.I turned
EMMA.“Emma Martinez,” I heard my name called out.Slowly, I pulled my eyelids open. There was a female police officer at our door. I looked around, only to notice the bright rays of sun beaming into the room.It was daytime.“Hey, pretty face,” Diane greeted me.I looked to find her sprawled on an empty bed. She was topless, and had a smoke in hand.“Won't you get into trouble for that?” “This?” She asked, waving the cigarette stick. “No one's going to say anything. It's not the first time I've been here,”That sentence actually connected a lot of dots. It explained why her parents would get her jailed. I was sure they had hoped her frequent visits to jail would help change her attitude.If only they knew she paid her way with the officers.“Martinez!” The officer called out my name, with more force.I turned to face her, and quickly walked up.“Laura Miles is here for you,” she informed me. I smiled brightly.Although I had gone to sleep offended that she let me spend the night her
EMMA.“What you're saying is untrue,” I said, unable to believe anything, and everything.Laura slowly shook her head. “It has to be untrue,” I refused to believe, “please tell me it's untrue,” she didn't say anything, “Laura, please” I pleaded. I didn't want to believe it, I couldn't believe it. “Laura,” I called her name. Our eyes met.God! She wasn't lying. I couldn't sit anymore. I stood up, pacing around the room. I needed to clear my head. I needed something to push the thoughts back, I needed a drink.“God!” I muttered out, unable to think clearly.In all that had been happening, my heart felt like it had been shredded to a thousand pieces.“This can't be true,” I kept muttering out. It couldn't. It just couldn't be true.It had to be impossible. No. Alex wouldn't deny me. He wouldn't leave me to fight for myself. He loved me.“Emma,” Laura called my name. I immediately turned to face her, hoping she would reveal the truth. This…it couldn't be it. “I need you to sit for a min
EMMA."Emma!” I heard both voices call my name as they rushed towards me.For some reason, Kristy caught up to me on time, breaking my fall.We both ended up on the floor, with minor casualties.I remained still as she adjusted her position, getting off the floor.The door opened, and the cop walked in. “Any problem?” She asked.Kristy shook her head, as she wiped the dust off her jeans.The cop watched me silently, with a skeptical look on her face. For someone who was charged with drug trafficking, I could only imagine the thoughts that rammed through her mind.She walked closer, and I tried pushing myself up, but failed.“She's fine,” Kristy grunted, as the woman touched my neck, searching for a pulse.“I'll be back in five minutes,” she announced, as she walked out.I remained frozen, unable to think or breathe properly.I needed to clear my head. This couldn't be happening to me.Alex couldn't have denied me. My sister couldn't be in a coma. It had to be impossible.My mother co
ISABELLA.I sat, silently, watching as they both walked in. Laura in a white suit, and John in black.“Mrs Blackwood,” he acknowledged, as he stretched forth his hands.I smiled gently, receiving his handshake.“I'm Laura Miles,” Laura introduced herself, stretching forth her hands.I clasped mine together, holding back my sneer. “I know who you are,”I watched as she retreated her arm.“Can we sit?” John asked.“Sure,” I replied, trying to hide the edge in my voice. I didn't want Laura on my chair, or anywhere near my office for that matter, but some level of pettiness was beneath me.They both sat, watching me intensely. I focused my eyes on Laura. If she had any tricks of her sleeves, they were bound to fail.“How may I help you?” I asked both of them, impatiently. None answered immediately. I turned to face John, “you do know my husband and I have decided not to get the divorce, right?” “I am quite aware of that,” he replied.“Good,”“We're here for a different purpose,” “What i
ISABELLA “Why do we have to talk about her?” I asked, after a long minute of silence. I could already feel the tears dripping down my eyes.Alex brushed them off with his thumb, “oh, baby, it's nothing to cry about,” he consoled.I sniffed, gently wiping my nose. Why did he still have to talk about her? Why couldn't she leave our marriage? Even after all I had done, he still wanted to talk about her. He was clearly thinking about her.She was everywhere. The bitch was plastered on my marriage. She had her permanent seat at the table.“Alex, I don't think we should talk about the woman that nearly destroyed us,” I said to him,It was best to get it in the air that I didn't want to be affiliated with her. I wanted her to be a forgotten part of my past.“Baby, we-”“No, Alex. We can talk about it some other time.” I refused, gently touching his arm. I looked him straight in the eye, “tonight is for us, okay?”He nodded, “whatever you want princess,”“Thank you,” I appreciated him, The
ISABELLA.My fingers were as good as nonexistent. I grunted in discomfort as I tugged them from within me. Maybe I just needed some sleep. If my brain was shut, I would forget all about this. Maybe tomorrow, I'd be too busy to remember. Moreover, I had a planned trip with my husband, and daughter.I grinned as I snuggled into the duvet. Sleep was all I needed.I shut my eyes, willing for the thoughts in my head to stop, but it didn't. Every time I closed my eyes, an image of Emma would just pop up. She was living rent-free in my head.I sighed, turning to the other side. I usually slept better on the right side of the bed. The thoughts only worsened. The sex tape played repeatedly in my head. I sighed, looking at the ceiling.Maybe laying upwards would help me sleep. I placed a palm on my chest, closing my eyes.My eyes could barely remain shut for five minutes. I immediately sprang off the bed.A little bit of workout should help.I started with some squats, then a few jumps.Panti
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