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
ISABELLA.Alex had an annoying attitude of not sticking to time, or schedule when it came to me. I knew that he only did that to me, because I had seen him leaving for meetings with others. He would usually leave minutes before the due time, and hang around the area so he would be fashionably late. In my case, he sometimes forgot our outings, or simply came hours later. Back then, I had adjusted to that because I was simply trying to understand him. Now, he seemed to have forgotten the power was in my hands. I could make or break his little princess. I chuckled, as I brought out my phone. I had been in the diner for ten minutes, I would give him five more minutes of grace. If he wasn't present after that, we would just have to see where the world took us.As I closed my handbag, I perceived a particular scent approaching me. I looked up to find Alex at our table. For some reason, he still took my breath away. He was dressed casually, and his hair was still a bit wet. I wanted to lean
EMMA.I had been waiting for approximately eight hours. I arrived here at ten am, and now it was six pm. No one had come to attend to me. I had no update whatsoever of Zara's present condition. She could be dead, and I would be unaware. In fear, I had decided to get myself a drink. As I returned, I silently searched for Aaliyah through the halls. Surely she would be able to get some information on Zara's state. My search had turned out fruitless. I couldn't find Aaliyah, and when I asked around, I found out there were at least three other nurses bearing her exact same name, and surname. What were the odds?I silently resigned, deciding to visit Zara's visiting room. Maybe sitting there would give me some sort of comfort.As I walked in, I paused in surprise. I hadn't expected anyone to be in that room. I pushed the door further, and the face I saw made me freeze in place.“Why are you here?” I asked ,holding my breath. I was trying to get rid of the mess we had made, and here he was,
EMMA.“Let me get something straight, you want me to release my sex tape?” I asked, in disbelief. Kristy nodded like what she said was absolutely normal.“That's insane.”“My plan might be insane, but it works.”I didn't know what to say to that. In a way, Kristy did have a point. If the tape was out, and about, Isabella would have nothing to hold me down. If she wasn't the first to release the tape, she would be furious. I imagined the look of surprise, then anger she would wear. It would be satisfactory.“How sure are we that Stella will want to take the job?” I asked.“I've been monitoring her profile. Ever since she started working at your company, she has changed the way she dresses. For some reason, I think she's trying to emulate you. She admires you.”That was hard to believe. Given everything that had occured in that office, and my life in general, I didn't think anyone would look at me in awe. Heck, I would be lucky to find someone who didn't glare in disgust.“I don't think
EMMA.Kristina's words might have not completely changed my mind from the aspect of death, but it did give me a new perspective. “Emma, I am always here for you. I have always been and I forever will be. Nothing will ever change that,”“I know,” I admitted.Deep down, I knew that Kristina would always be there, come rain or sunshine, she would never leave me, but that was the problem.I was a burden.“If you know that, why would you consider making such a horrible decision? Why would you knowingly hurt yourself? You're better than this.”“No, I'm not. I am most definitely not. I am a burden. I am a problem everyone keeps trying to solve. All I do is bring worry, and pain. Look at it now, I've brought on a new worry for you. You were not supposed to spend more than two days here, but I already know you're considering taking a week off just so you can take care of me because I’m a burden. All I do is bring issues, and problems. I don't do anything good. I can't make any good decisions.
EMMAI couldn't believe I ended up on the floor. I laid still, unable to move. All my joints were hurting, and my muscles felt like jelly.I groaned as I felt an inner pain on my waist.I closed my eyes, trying to push back tears.These days, it felt like all I did was cry. Every little thing caused my eyes to be teary, and I hated it. I hated being weak. I hate being vulnerable. I hated being unable to help myself.“Fuck this shit!” I cursed out in frustration, wiping my eyes.I was still thinking of a way to get myself either the water or a way to my bed when I heard the door open. I craned my neck to find Kristina at the door.As soon as she saw me, her eyes widened and she gasped. Literally everything in her hands fell to the floor, and she rushed towards me.“Emma! Are you okay?” She asked, touching my body.I groaned as she touched this idea that hurt. “My eyes are open, so I'm definitely fine.”“You're on the floor!” She exclaimed.As she saw the wounds on my hands, she gasped
EMMA.The warmth of the sun gently pulled me up from my deep sleep. I opened my eyes gently, still in doubt that I could move.I tried moving a finger, and to my surprise, it actually moved!It moved!I wasn't hallucinating.I smiled gently. Just as I was about to turn to check who was beside me, I heard a little mumble.I needed no one to tell me it was a man. What man was beside my bed?In curiosity, I turned around and to my surprise, the sheriff was there.He was in a black t-shirt, and jeans. He laid lazily on the couch, and if my presumptions were right, he had slept here overnight.How did he know I was here?I was still trying to compile everything when he stirred awake.As soon as he noticed I was awake too, he sprung up.His shirt was ruffled on his chest, and the arms hugged his huge muscles.He rubbed at his darkened eyes gently before speaking to me.“How are you?” He asked, gently.I wanted to reply, but I was still too awestruck to speak.How did he end up here? How di
EMMA.The soft, slow, yet strong push of the wind, moved me gently towards the water.My eyes were still closed as I heard, and felt the splash.I closed my eyes refusing to give into the kick of opening my eyes.Soon enough, I felt the water flow into my nose, and that was when I got back to my senses.I flapped my hands in the water, trying to find a way to stay atop but the pull of the water kept trying to pull me in. The water which had seemed calm was suddenly ready to swallow me. I grew on alert immediately.I opened my mouth, trying to get some air, but salty water flowed right in.Right there, fear set in. I flapped repeatedly, trying to stay above.I didn't want to die. What was I thinking?Why did I jump?Why did I take that step?Tears built up in my eyes as I tried my best to stay above the water.“I don't want to die,” I kept repeating to myself. I really didn't want to die.I looked around, trying to find a way out, but I was lost. I was in a large lake, and no one would
EMMA.Soon enough, our food arrived and Kristina was brave enough to ask the waiter for his number.First, he had smiled politely as he rejected the offer.I wasn't the least bit surprised. I knew it had to be against some sort of rule for them to give out their numbers or identities. There would be compromise.“He'll be back,” Kristy said as he walked out.I chuckled silently as I dug into my meal. It was truly amazing how much she believed in her beauty and energy.Of course, a lot of good looking people knew what they were but hers was divine. It was lovely.Hours later, we had somehow finished all our meals and were ready to leave. Luckily, Kevin returned to pick up the bill.She paid, and he handed us a receipt.As he walked away, I watched Kristina smile into the receipt.“Why are you smiling?”“Nothing,” she replied, tucking the paper into her jeans.“Kristina!” I exclaimed in a low tone,“I told you he'll be back.”“Girl…”She pursed her lips, smiling broadly.“Girl, you're go
EMMA.“So, you're worried there's a chance someone will recognize you?” Kristy asked,“Of course. It'll be a shame.”“No it won't.”“Do you know what you're saying? If someone recognizes me as the girl from Alexander's scandal, they will label me a slut and home wrecker. I would be doomed.”“No one will recognize you. The media focuses on too many people at once. By now, they're already looking at other celebrity scandals.”“You have a point though,” I agreed, taking a seat.We looked around, watching other booths. They were filled with different people, each having casual conversations.“Everyone looks so normal,” Kristy stated out.I turned to face her with a smile, “I was thinking the exact same thing!” She grinned. “No extra dinner dresses, not really any heavy makeup. Everyone just looks casual, and normal. It's beautiful.”“Indeed, it is.” I agreed.A waiter approached us with a menu in hand. “Welcome ladies,” he greeted us with a broad smile,Kristy sheepishly smiled back, a
EMMA.We both walked out of the house. I left my head hanging low, I didn't want Kristy seeing me so teary.“I'll drive,” she offered, taking the keys from my hand. I didn't resist it.I didn't think I would be fit to be behind the wheel.I sat into the shotgun seat of the car, still keeping my head low. There were so many reasons tears kept pouring from my eyes, but I couldn't focus on one.I sniffed hard, as Kirsty got in.I wiped my eyes, looking up to meet the pitiful look on her face.“Are you good?” She asked,I nodded.“We need to find where we can lay our heads tonight,” I said to her, looking at the road.“Where do you suggest?”“I don't know anywhere here. It's so foreign, and different.” I replied,“I'll just look up some places,”I remained seated as she scrolled through her phone.“Okay, there's one a few streets from here. We'll check it out,”That was fine by me.“Or would you prefer somewhere far from your home?”“No, it's cool.” I replied,She turned on the car, and
EMMAI watched as my-our mother rather- walked them towards the stairs, and watched as they climbed up.“Walk careful, darlings.” She said to them,She had never cared for me or Zara like that. We were always pains in her spine.She turned to face me, and for the first time, I noticed how much she had aged.Her eyes had wrinkles all over them, and her lips were thinned. She was older, but seemed lighter.The dark aura I had grown to know had dissipated.She sat on the chair opposite ours.We watched each other in silence. Me, in anger, and her in…I couldn't tell what emotion it was.How dare she treat them like actual children after what she had done to us?I knew there was no way those children were biologically hers, but she treated them better than she treated us. Weren't we deserving of her love, and attention?“It's been years,” she finally spoke up, breaking up my spiral.“It has,” I replied matter of fact.“How have you been?”“been good.” I replied.I didn't want to start up
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