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EMMA.Three days had gone by since I got the promotion,and all of those days had been hell. I wiped my nose as I picked up the fourth file on my desk. The chief before me had left a lot of pending work, leaving the company many steps behind on our marketing affairs. I took another look at our sales margin, it was unstable. I sighed. “Ms Martinez?” Anna called out my name. I looked up to find her walking into the office. She still had her hair in a slick back ponytail. I watched as she took the seat directly opposite mine. She gently dropped the files on the desk. It was Friday, officially the last working day of the week, and I could tell -by the dark shadows under her eyes- that this week hadn't been gentle on her. “I have rechecked every file in the office, and so far not a single error has been found.” She emphasized as she rubbed her eyes with her hands. I noticed she had a stain on her top. Had she spent the night at the office? I didn't want to know. Whatever go
EMMA “Emma!” Alex's authoritative voice called my name. I ignored him as I walked forward,trying as hard as I could to get to the restroom. Now all eyes were definitely on me. I knew each person in the room was curious as to why I was defiling the orders of their previous boss, but I didn't care. I was tired! Tired of being ridiculed,tired of being the laughing stock! Fucking tired! “Don't take a single step forward,” he ordered. I sighed as I turned to face him. All eyes were intently watching us. I felt uncomfortable in my own skin. Alex must have noticed because he beckoned on me to follow him. We walked into a quiet office, and as soon as the staff saw us there, they all exited the room. He didn't even have to say a word. “What's wrong?” He asked. “Nothing,” I murmured. “Why are you acting up? Did I offend you?” My eyes widened in shock. Was he seriously asking if I was offended? He made me his wife's subordinate, knowing fully well she was aware of t
EMMA. I dabbed the mascara gently on my eyes as soon as I was done wiping the smeared one off. It had taken me ten minutes to clear up the tears in my eyes, and after that, I realized I needed to reapply everything. Luckily, Anna was so efficient that she had saved her number on my phone. I texted her asking for my bag, and within minutes she had arrived with it.I knew the rumors had gone around, and she had questions, but she was wise enough to keep silent.I sighed as I looked in the mirror. How did I end up here? Barely a few years ago, when I had started my job at this same company, I knew I would climb to the board of chiefs, but never did I think I would get here with so much hate. I should have just resigned when I had the chance. My neck craned slightly as I heard the door open. A woman in her mid thirties walked in. She scoffed as she walked by. I sighed as soon as she pushed open one of the stalls. Everytime the door opened, I would be gripped by the fear of Alex w
EMMA Weekends had to be my favorite aspect of the entire year. Those moments when you were free to breathe, and just exist. No deadlines whatsoever, no expectations. Just being a normal human being. I tugged at the waistline of my joggers as I walked through the aisle. Currently, I was in search of some apples, but after that I would pick up potatoes. It had been a minute since I actually cooked. My recent promotion ate up most of my time, barely leaving me enough time to grab a bite, talk more about making a meal. “Do you need any help?” A sales girl asked as she walked up to me. I turned to her. “Not really,” I replied. She seemed to be new around, as every other worker knew who I was. I was a bit peculiar about the foods I bought, hence causing me to use much time in sorting. I sighed as I picked out the yogurt. Tomorrow, I would have to be at that dungeon facing Isabella and her crazy schemes. I wasn't prepared for it. As I walked up to the counter, I noticed
EMMAAlthough it was last minute, I had gotten a date for my Sunday evening. Originally, I had no intention of leaving the comfort of my home, but after much thought I realized the easiest way of pushing Alex off my mind would be to get another man in there. So,I opened up tind.er for the first time in weeks, and luckily there was a nice gent waiting to be responded to. I replied to his texts, and within minutes he had made reservations for us to hang out. Call it perfect timing but we were both free this weekend, and in need of a break from life.I applied red lipstick as I watched myself in the mirror. I decided to let my hair down today, and for the first time in weeks, I noticed how long it had gotten. I probably needed a haircut. This length wasn't exactly professional. As I stared at myself, I smiled broadly. The makeup had covered most of the dark circles, and heavy eye bags I had. I turned to the side, measuring the size of my waist through the mirror. My black, low slit d
EMMA.My jaw remained clenched as John inspected his car. I could tell he was panicking, and I understood why. If whoever Alex had sent to mess up the car had stolen a few items, it would have made more sense. We would have tagged it as a burglary. Now, I didn't even know what to call it.“This is messed up,” John said as he took a step backwards. “Anyone who did this really needs help,” I voiced out with more enthusiasm than I imagined.John turned to face me, obviously surprised. I'm sure he hadn't expected me to be so enraged over the situation. On a normal day, I would be worried rather than annoyed, but today, knowing who was behind it all, I just wanted to snap someone's neck.“I need to get you home,” he spoke, as he walked closer towards me. I massaged my arm with my left hand. It was getting chilly. John noticed that, and took off his coat. He wrapped it around me.“Let's book a cab for you,” he said as he led me into the street.“What about you?” I asked. I wasn't comforta
EMMA. I couldn't breathe. I touched my neck, trying to force the air down my lungs, but it wasn't moving. All eyes were fixed on me. I could see smug smiles on the faces of many, and a look of disdain on others.“She's such a loser!” I heard a woman whisper.I closed my eyes. “What more do you want from me?” Isabella asked. She had been ranting for what felt like forever. I wanted to run, I wanted to disintegrate, but I couldn't move. My lips quivered as she spoke.Soon enough, someone else stepped up.“That's enough, Mrs Blackwood.” I heard a male voice say. His voice was thick, and loud. He sounded aged. “This isn't professional, hand over the microphone.” He demanded.I stood, unable to speak. “Get out!” Isabella barked at him. He remained unfazed. I recognized him from the board of directors.“Hand over the microphone, or I'll have no other choice but to throw you out.” “You wouldn't dare!” She threatened.I saw how stern his eyes looked, and I could tell he was more than rea
ISABELLA.It was two minutes to midnight, and Alex was yet to return. I hissed as I took another glance at the clock. Why did I expect him to return on time? Most times he didn't even spend the night over.I crossed my legs, placing a pillow on my thighs as I recalled our last major fight. It was two months ago. Alex had returned barely past three am, and when I tried to confront him, I was ignored. I tried explaining that the public was getting wind of our marital issues. We no longer appeared as a couple in public, we no longer went out together. We were falling apart, and it was drastic. Blogs would soon be out for us. I didn't want to be the woman who couldn't keep her husband. Why wasn't he seeing my reasons? Despite all I had said, Alex was unmoved. “If they think there's something wrong with our marriage, then they're most likely right,” he replied.That night, I felt something snap in my chest. I recalled the first night I had found him in bed with that whore. I was shocke
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
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