ISABELLA.I stood before the door to her home with my phone in hand. It had taken less than an hour for me to find her address. I didn't know if I should knock or not. I clinged onto my handbag, trying to clear my thoughts. After three bottles of wine, my thinking had gone haphazard. I was spoke too slurry for El to understand, and the hefty feeling in my chest was still there. I closed my eyes, trying to muster some confidence.I wouldn't threaten or harm her. All I needed was a plain conversation between us, and she would explain why she took credit for a clip that wasn't hers.I heaved a deep breath again. “No need for drama,” I told myself, knowing fully well I couldn't do it… Maybe I could. I definitely could.I pressed the doorbell, but nothing rung. Rolling my eyes in disdain, I took a step back. Of course she couldn't afford a working doorbell. The sneaky, lying piece of shit was looking to use my husband as a means out of her poverty. I snorted, before tapping gently on the
ISABELLA.I watched, panting as she scurried into the empty chair. My eyes darted around quickly, searching the environment. On one hand, I wanted to end this menace. On another, I wanted to make Stella pay. If I used Stella as a scapegoat, her partner would learn not to toy with me. I watched the bitch’s lip quiver as tears flowed down her eyes.“Oh will you shut up!” I barked at her, still tightening my grip on the knife.I needed another weapon, and a rope. Her mobility was a great risk for me. I considered checking the cupboards, but even in my drunken state, I knew taking my eyes off her was a great risk.“Fuck!” I cursed out loud, banging my palms on the desk.She shivered, and shook in fear. I wiped my eyes with my palm. Sweat had gathered all over my face. I touched my neck, only to find out my temperature was dropping slightly.“It's all your fault!” I started to speak, “you ruined everything! You should have just stayed in your place. One mistress I can deal with, but two…tw
EMMA.I walked out silently, weakened by all Stella had said. I forced my hands into my pocket, trying to push out the thoughts in my head. The fear in Stella's eyes was as clear as day. Nothing I could say would change her mind. She feared for her life, and I couldn't blame her. Isabella was crazy. Coming over to threaten Stella with a gun was the height of it. I sighed deeply, before taking in the air in the atmosphere. I knew it was a matter of hours before Stella went live, and once she did, it would take blogs less than an hour to connect dots and make everything public. I didn't know if I should head to the hospital or my home. I wanted to lay my head, and forget everything, but I equally knew I had to check on my sister. I was all she had. Leaving her alone at the hospital was unwise.I wiped my eyes, trying to stop the tears from pouring. I shouldn't have released that tape. I should've bought more time. Now, it was out, and my only escape had decided to flee for her life. W
EMMA.“I don't understand this,” she said out loud, pushing her weight up. I watched her struggle to sit right.“Please just lay down. You're not strong enough to sit.” I said to her, I didn't want to approach her just yet. She would be contaminated with the sin that I was. “Emma, why?” She asked in a deep sigh. Confusion was bold in her eyes. “Why would you do such a thing? Like, why? I don't get it! It makes no sense!” She shouted.I covered my mouth with my palm, trying to stifle the tears. I didn't want to cry before her.“Emma, this isn't you! You're better than this! I know you are!” I watched her scream the words out, veins bulging from the side of her head.I wanted to tell her that I wasn't better than what I did. I did in fact, fit into the description the press gave. Whatever Stella had said was right.“Emma,” she called my name, in a deeper sigh. Disbelief was all too evident. “Emma,” she called again, “I want to believe this is a lie. I want to believe you were framed.
EMMA.The moment I stepped into that car, it felt like the entire pressure dissipated. I watched as the reporters banged on the car.“Should I drive?” He asked.“Hell yeah,” I replied. I watched as they chased after us. Most of them gave up, as they saw us drive off, but a desperate reporter ran after us.“Let's use him for some fun,” he said, with a grin on his face. I smiled as he slowed down, giving the man a chance to catch up. Right when the man thought he had us, he bent to catch his breath, and we sped off again.I chuckled slightly, watching the streetlights towards the window.“Thank you for coming,” I thanked him.“I'm always with you,” he replied.I knew it was true, but I pretended not to hear him. I didn't want to acknowledge the fact that Alex had sent an eye to watch over me at all times. It was just easier to pretend I was normal, while knowing I always had someone to protect me.“You're quite sneaky,” I said to him,desperate for a conversation. I was willing to say an
EMMA.As I sat on the shotgun seat, I reconsidered my actions. Would it be better to face the menace on the streets or deal with a woman I wasn't safe enough to blink around?“We are no longer enemies,” she said out loud, interrupting my thoughts, “we never really were.” She continued. “Matter of fact, I've always liked you. There is something different about you. You are tender, yet quite sharp. You're the kind of virtue that lies unhidden.”I didn't know what to say, so I remained silent.“Whatever I may have done that night was out of proportion. Sometimes our emotions get the best of us. John, and I had been together for years, and before that, I had a huge crush on him."She faced me with a worn out smile on her face, “it was why I always competed against him. I wanted him to notice me. He was so engrossed in his studies that I knew the only way to get his attention was to be in alignment with his ambition.” She explained.I remained silent, looking straight into the street. Every
EMMA.The noise did not die down, even after Laura had told them she wouldn't answer their questions. I heard more footsteps approaching the door, and for a minute, I feared that had trampled over her.I stood by a dark corner, listening. A minute later, I heard a loud thud, and soon enough a hiss.“She kicked him on the groin!”a woman shouted.“I dare any of you to touch me again,” Laura replied.The questions were still up, and buzzing, but there were no footsteps to be heard.She opened the door, and I watched as she walked towards me.“Where's the door man for Christ's sake? Someone needs to lock this place up.” She said, as she approached me. Her face softened, as she watched me.“This will be really tough for you. You'll be lucky to make it out unscathed.”I didn't say anything to that, mostly because she was the first honest person. While I appreciated the motivation others tried to give, I was grateful for someone that acknowledged the gravity of the situation. This was just mo
EMMA.“Open up!” A loud voice came across with an even louder thud. I jumped from my sleep, into reality. “You have ten seconds to-”the same voice said, again. I couldn't make out the rest of what he said, as my mind was clouded with thoughts.I pulled over the blind. The rays of sunshine attacked immediately, causing me to shield my eyes.Right before I could consider my next move, I heard a loud thud. It was so great it felt like the foundation of the house was shaken.I ran out of the bedroom, and into the living room. On seeing everyone present, I froze in space.There were about five or six cops in my apartment. I looked to find they had broken the door down. I wiped my eyes, trying to clear up everything.The sleeve of the shirt I slept in had been rolled up to my elbow.“Ms Martinez, you are under arrest for the possession, and use of cocaine, marijuana,meth, amongst others.” The cop read out. I watched in shock as he read out my rights.“What are you talking about?!” I asked
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