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