LYDIA'S POV:MONDAY:I was meeting with Nathaniel and the COO, Mr John, at the Lenox mall our company had just bought. We were to meet around 1 and it was currently twelve noon when my assistant had informed me that I had a meeting with Emma Belligram. Shock was an understatement and the meeting was at a restaurant up town, about twenty minutes drive to the location for my next meeting. I was famished so I was glad we were meeting at a restaurant but thoughts on what we could possibly be meeting linged on my mind. She has just told Lydia it was about Lenox mall.But it didn't add up. They were pleased to get the money and Jake Belligram hadn't said anything, so it was strange."We are here ma'am." The driver announced and I looked up from my laptop and nodded. He parked the car while I grabbed my bag."Thank you." I appreciated it as he opened the door from me. I put on my Gucci glasses and strolled into the classy Italian restaurant. I entered and was truly amazed by the interior de
LYDIA'S POV:I sucked my teeth sharply trying to keep myself calm from feeling anger at this moment."Anything you need ma'am?" The waiter questioned as I continued eating while checking my time to ensure I don't get late for my next meeting."I would like a Bellini." I had tried the drink and it was lovely.Unbeknownst to Lydia, as Mrs Belligram stormed out of the restaurant feeling humiliated and embarrassed at her question, she debated whether to call her husband to pick her up or just call an UBER as they just had one car right before they got back on their feet. Mrs King was seated in the back seat of her fully tinted car staring at Mrs Belligram, she was just inside a few minutes ago and overheard the conversation between Lydia and Emma.She concluded that Mrs Belligram will be helpful in ensuring Lydia's name is tarnished, and Lydia's relationship with Nathaniel never progresses.***********At LENOX MALL:Mr John, myself and Nathaniel strolled around the mall, ideas flowing in
3RD POV:THE NEXT DAY:It was an early Tuesday morning, the birds were chirping, the sun had just risen and the atmosphere was amazing, it was so relaxing one would just love to back to bed just like Lydia was on her bed, snoozing her alarm for the fourth time in twenty minutes as it was five minutes snooze. Mrs King, on another hand, was up and inside her home office sipping her cup of tea while looking out the window. She had gotten up before the crack of dawn, taken a shower and summoned her assistant to be here before 6:45. She had a list of things planned out for today and they had to be done before midnight.Her thoughts were interrupted by the knocking sound coming from the door and she turned around and took her seat before speaking."Come in." She announced and her assistant stepped into the office rushing in while still fixing her clothes and hair, carrying her two bags, one for her personal belongings and the other was her laptop bag."Good morning ma'am." She greeted and
3RD POV:Oh, Emma knew who you were especially because she loved the book Clapback so much. In fact she disliked Mrs King so much because Emma could relate to being mistreated by her in-laws. But after her meeting with Lydia yesterday, she felt different emotions throughout the rest of her day and she had come to the decision that she was wrong. She wanted to apologize to her favorite author, Lydia, as she never planned to disrespect or even act a villain. She was a peaceful woman who was hopelessly in love with her cheating husband."Good afternoon." She looked uncertain as she took a seat on Mrs King's left hand side."You must be wondering why you're here. And I am the type to get straight into it. We both have a common enemy which is Lydia Miller. I plan to publish that she's cheating with your husband." Mrs Belligram scrunched up her face and jerked her head forward."Excuse me?" She assumed she hadn't heard clearly. Why would she think I would agree with this? What is she even t
LYDIA'S POV:2 WEEKS LATER:Today was finally the day and I was in the dressing room getting ready. I took a deep breath looking at myself in the mirror with admiration. I chose to wear a navy blue, knee-length dress for the book signing event. The fabric was a soft cotton blend that draped elegantly over my figure. The neckline was simple and clean, with no adornments or frills. It felt classic and professional, but also approachable and friendly. I paired the dress with a pair of comfortable black flats and my favorite gold earrings and bracelet, and I felt so confident and I couldn't wait to see what the day held for me.A knock came through the door and I responded, "Come in." I turned around and saw the marketing representative sent by the publisher, Miss Vivian, coming in along with the third florist of the day."Yes, you have yet another flower but I think you would like to read the card." I had already received about two bouquets of flowers from my dad and Nathaniel just wish
I let out a breath and pointed at another person. I rubbed my lips together and used one hand to hold the microphone while using my handkerchief to clean my palm which was sweaty all of a sudden. It only happens when I'm nervous."Rumors have it that you have been hanging out with Nathaniel King despite everything, are you two working on being a couple again?" People began to talk amongst each other and it was quite amusing seeing how everyday early turned towards me for a response."We have hung out a few times, we are working on being friends that's all." I responded leaving no room for arguments."So you don't hate him nor anyone in his family?" Another question was thrown."I do not. Not even Mrs King. It's unhealthy and tiring to harbor hate." I responded."Why is the book then titled the Clapback?" The same person questioned and I chuckled weakly."Because I was tired of still getting attacked and abused by Mrs King even after getting divorced. A lot of horrible stuff was stoll
3RD POV:THAT NIGHT:Everyone was seated at the rooftop of Miller's restaurant, eating, drinking and having a good time. Nathaniel just smiled and kept stealing glances at Lydia, he barely said three words all night, those three words were ‘Congratulations’ and 'I'm okay.'Kelvin, Liam and Liam's fiancée had opted out of the dinner Ariana had invited them to as they had plans of their own but Jacob and Melissa had come with Nathaniel and Rachel. Rachel was looking for a means to talk to Lydia all night but couldn't seem to find a chance.The minute they arrived Lydia grinned from ear to ear seeing Andrew was already seated waiting for them and talking with the waiters making sure everything was in order for the beautiful dinner he had curated.Lorena's mum and father, Patricia who felt uninvited because Andrew had literally forgotten about her, Mr Miller, Lorena and Darren, Rachel and Nathaniel, Macy who had been staring at the expecting couple with scorn the entire night and Lydia we
3RD POV:“So your fiancé, oh I am sorry, your boyfriend who impregnated you without giving you a ring first is crippled and useless? Or what did you all say?” He kept taunting with amusement written on his face. Andrew shut his eyes and clenched and unclenched his jaw. “Okay Mr Philips…” Lydia began and Mr Philips raised his hand to correct her.“First of all, tone. And it's Don Philips.” He smiled watching her while savoring the flavor of his cheesecake.“Dad, that's enough. Andrew is not crippled and in no way useless, okay?” Ari defended but her father looked up from his cheesecake and laughed deeply.“Why do you say that? He's still having sex with you even though he can't walk right?” Her father questioned and everyone sucked their teeth in irritation. “Yes, and I'm extremely satisfied.” Arianna replied and immediately regretted it seeing her father's eyes change.“Wonderful! I'm giving you two, just a month to get married and the wedding has to be the most luxurious wedding in
I thought I would never be able to see them again…but I did and I'm going to make sure I live my life doing what makes them and me happy and loving all three with my whole heart.*************JUDGEMENT DAY:Mary had been found guilty on all charges and her lawyer was just a regular nonchalant state lawyer who was barely getting paid, he didn't even put as much effort into defending especially after finding out she was indeed guilty and all evidence was all spelt out.He just told himself, there was no point.“Counsels rise.” Both Mary and her lawyer rose to their feet as well as the state prosecutor. The female judge then asked for the jury's conclusion and she read it before then speaking.“This court finds the defendant guilty in the murders of the four men and the attempted murder of Lydia King. The court sentences you to death…..” The judge was still speaking but the members of the court as well as the journalist present all muttered amongst themselves pleased with the outcome.A
3RD POV:A FEW WEEKS LATER:It had been almost a month since the kidnapping of Lydia and a lot had happened in that period of time. When Lydia was kidnapped and she had seen a recorder beneath the down, it didn't belong to Mary, on the contrary it belonged to Jeremiah. He had personally flown to the city after his conversation with Lydia as his protective instincts arose at the sound of worry lingering in Lydia's voice. But while he was in the airplane, he and Aaron had been communicating and his heart broke when he landed and discovered that Lydia was kidnapped. But he swung into action at once.Mr Jacob Miller dialed all his contact in all the force which was why the FBI got involved and with the help of the two brothers, they pinpointed Lydia's location right in time though Jeremiah had arrived minutes before and ensured that he recorded all Mary was saying as he knew so well how cocky criminals got and they often start spilling. Then he went back outside in the car with Andrew a
Lydia's POV:"I killed him easily after telling him to come with me to carry the gifts of food I bought from him in my trunk. He happily followed behind and kept thanking me over and over again, if only he knew he was going to meet his demise. The hard part was now putting the body in your carry but after seducing the security team and diverting their attention, I went to your car. Luckily your car was not packed in CCTV's view, that was the end of it. Easie Peasie, Juicy Squeezie.” She finished and a single tear dropped down my eye as I thought about everything she had said.“O My Goodness, don't cry, it's not yet time for you to cry. I know I'm awesome but you don't have to.” She spoke mockingly and with anger and pain, I swallowed a lump in my throat and questioned, “WHY? WHY DID YOU DO THAT AND EVEN THIS? WHO IS PAYING YOU?”“Why am I doing all this? Such an important question.” I didn't miss the shift in tone as she walked closely behind me.“Well, I did all this because….You are
LYDIA'S POV:MINUTES LATER…“I know now you must be wondering, how did a queen like me do this? How was I able to destroy your family's image all by myself?” I was curious about that but the questions that were lingering in my mind were, Who asked her to do this? Who exactly was she? And more importantly, was she going to kill me or request for ransom instead? What was going to happen to me?“Don't worry sweetie, I'm going to tell you everything you need to know.” She hit my cheek twice softly then smiled snisterly.“So….Let's begin with the group of stupid guys that died in your family's hotel…” She took a seat before me and crossed her legs elegantly.“It was a chilly Sun…I don't recall what day of the week it was. Anyways, it was a chilly evening, and I had everything all planned out. I'm sure you've been mentally raving on how gorgeous I am, well so does every single man I come across. So I wore a beautiful short black dress and applied a sexy red lipstick and headed to the hotel
LYDIA'S POV:I opened my eyes slowly and they felt so heavy but I felt so different. My head was banging so loud I thought it was my heart beating, my body ached badly. My eyes were droopy, reminding me of the time I took too much cough syrup. It was a bit chilly in this place and I was seated on a chair but it was definitely not my office chair nor any of the chairs at home, as the chair felt cold and it was like sitting on a flat metal surface. I tried using my hands to rub my forehead, but I couldn't move my hands. It was then I forced my eyes open and instantly realized I wasn't in my house nor my office.Fear and confusion washed over me, as my eyes landed on absolutely nothing. It was completely dark in here and the only light was a small bulb which only managed to shine towards an empty office seat before me. I could see nothing else.Am I dreaming? Where am I? What the hell is going on? I struggled to move my arms and legs though they hurt badly, but it was so impossible. The
LYDIA'S POV:THAT SAME NIGHT:As the call on the other line dropped, I felt my body shake and goosebumps forming all over my arm. I just stood there with the phone still to my ear, stunned.“Who was it?” Nathaniel asked worriedly, breaking me out of my trance and I reverted my eyes towards him, removing my phone slowly from my ear, feeling my eyes tearing up in anger, frustration and exhaustion. But I blinked it away. Whoever was doing this to me would never get the upper hand in all of these. Never! “What's wrong? What did the person say?” Nathaniel asked again, pulling me towards him gently and I sighed.“I don't even know who it was! But what I do know for sure is that it was the person behind all these murders because not only was the person laughing like a maniac and a complete fool, I was also able to make out the words from what the person said, as he or she was speaking in a whisper. All I think I heard was, ‘Hope you're enjoying the drama in your life.’ before the person hu
NATHANIEL'S POV:My chair was faced out where I could see the entire busy city which served as a reflection to my mind which was running non-stop. My phone buzzed in my pocket and I instantly picked it up,My Queen👑❤️I'm okay, Nathaniel. I promise. I received the food you sent, thank you baby.I had also been checking up on her non-stop while waiting for a report from my private investigator. But as I looked outside, I decided to just do something rather than waiting.I dialed my mother's number, the one she had used to call me ever since she got released from prison. After just a ring, she answered instantly with excitement, “Hello, son. How are you doing?”She was currently in another country and she informed me where but I didn't care too much so it had slipped out of mind.“What are you doing?” I asked and she remained silent for a second.“What..What do you mean? I texted you last week that I joined a knitting and book club in a new city which I'm thinking of moving to. Is there
NATHANIEL'S POV:“She left already?” I heard voices coming from downstairs as I just finished freshening up after checking on the kids about twenty minutes ago. I was amazed to see that Lydia had already bathed them and even fed them. She was the best mum and I knew I needed to remind her every single day because she was truly a super mum and it was one of the many reasons I loved her so much. I'm not even going to begin to discuss how amazing she is as my woman.I left the twins with a smile on my face as I saw they were comfortable and just relaxing, kicking their feets. They were watching paw patrol which was surprising because Madison had always refused to watch it, calling it a ‘boys’ show. But It was nice to see her taking her time and actually enjoying it.I stepped out of my room in a casual fit as I had cleared my meetings till 10am, so I could be with the kids till I had to leave. I was genuinely worried about everything going on. I had wrapped my arms around Lydia throughou
3RD POV:THE NEXT DAY:There was something worse that could be added to the list of issues that the Millers were already facing.“O My Goodness.” Lorena closed her eyes rubbing her stomach as she watched the early morning news.Footage had been released from an anonymous source, displaying how food prepared by the hotel's chef was served to the three men that died and immediately after ate that they slumped and died.“According to the investigators, when they searched the CCTV camera, this was not found. And this comes to question a lot of things about the Miller company, did they delete this file to protect their image? And why were these three guests targeted or were there more people who died from the poisonous food prepared by hotel chefs and the bodies are still being hidden?” The news reporter casted and every friend and relative of the Millers were all perplexed. “Don't stress out, they are going to get to the bottom of this.” Lorena's husband assured serving a cup of tea then