Sitting quietly by the window, I watched the eventide overtaking the bustles of the day in the small town, Ontario.
It was just like any other day, but not for me.
The day was special, I was celebrating my 5th year anniversary with Owen Doyle, my boyfriend.Owen and I started dating around the time I turned 19.It was love at first sight- at least for him. I didn’t like him until a few dates after our first meeting, but eventually we got together. He was older, going to 32 as I will be turning 24.We have been together for five years and I naturally, expected a ring.I repeatedly told myself “today is the day!” The signs were all clear. Today is the day he would go on his knees and say those words: “Rosé Willian, will you marry me?”I envisioned myself saying yes a thousand times, with a few drops of tears of course, and Owen, would wipe off my tears with his thumb finger and plant a kiss on my forehead to seal the beautiful evening. A smile played across my face as I enjoyed my imaginations, “can’t wait!” I squealed.Just then, a heavily pregnant but gorgeous woman stepped into the three star restaurant, gaining the attention and admiration of everyone.
I equally smiled at her admirably. Owen and I hardly talked about children but I was curious to know what our children would look like. He was a short, scanty-haired man, and I was a light brown brunette with a thick full length of hair dangling on my face even as I tried to smile politely at the pregnant woman.As if she had noticed my struggles, she peered at my table and began to walk towards me. “Long hair troubles?” She smiled.“Oh, it’s fine….” I replied, unable to compliment her gorgeousness, I am a shy person, too reserved, too timid. She took a look at my table and went; “Celebrating something?”The bottle of unopened champagne resting in ice with candles on the table had definitely given it away. I blushed slightly and replied,“5th anniversary, my boyfriend is running a bit late….”The pregnant lady brazenly settled before me, the warmth in her eyes slowly fading to a look quite stern and unappreciating,
“I’m afraid he won’t be here today….” She began.I was confused and puzzled at her words, “Do you know who…”“Owen Doyles, my husband?” She cut in.
“Yeah, he’s not coming. You, cheap slut!”“Excuse me, ma’am, you probably have the wrong per…”
My statement was cut short by a slap that stung into my cheeks, the boisterous sound of it drawing unneeded attention to our table.“You’ve been having an affair with my husband for five years! Five years!!” She yelled, “The least you could do is offer an apology before denying it to my face! There are pictures of you going to my husband’s workplace, sleeping on my matrimonial bed when I was away, you have wrecked my home!!” My mouth fell open and my eyes popped in unbelievable surprise.“What?!” I gasped.
I looked around and phone cameras were drawn out of pockets and purses pointing at me, with multiple whispers of gossip going round the fancy restaurant.
“Ma’am, my boyfriend is not married!” I exclaimed, recomposing myself.
“Lies! You are a home-wrecker! A husband-snatcher!” Turning to the crowd, she said,
“Be careful women, don’t be deceived by her innocent looks, she’s the real devil. How could you do that to a fellow woman?!” The pregnant woman continued yelling, inviting more onlookers to our table. I was trying futilely to make sense of everything that was happening.“I don’t believe it” I muttered, “I don’t believe it…! Owen never said he was married” “I won’t believe it until he says so himself” I protested, shuddering. The pregnant woman fumed, jolting up from the table. She handed over a photo to anyone who cared to see and eventually the picture came to me. “There was Owen, smiling happily with a kid in his arms and the pregnant woman by his side. Owen was really married!I felt my heart shatter into a million tiny pieces as I walked back home, soaked in tears and sweat.
“Owen is married” I said for the umpteenth time, covered in shame and guilt of the atrocious act I had committed unknowingly.Another woman’s husband wasn’t mine to covet and I had been doing that for five years. I tried his number for the hundredth time in one minute, but the server said the same thing,“Number doesn’t exist…” A knot tightened my chest at the mere thought of hearing his voice. “More lies?” Is that what you want to hear?!” I cautioned myself.Videos of me being harassed in public had started making rounds on the internet before I got to my doorstep.
“How did I get here?” I cried, bitterly, seriously, completely aware of the fingers being pointed at me as I walked along neighborhood.=====
The light curtains of my window danced happily to the early morning whooshing of the incoming Spring.It will be March in two days. “February was horrible” I recounted, staring blankly into the space.I was almost at a good place before it all happened… I had a good job too.
I worked so hard to become a blogger for Ontario’s top ten Fashion Company, but how could they keep me after the atrocious email Owen’s wife had sent them. The viral video of a man’s wife harassing me for having an affair with her husband was enough for the Company to fire me.
I received a retrenchment mail that same day- exactly eight days ago.Sure, eight thousand dollars was not enough money for most people but it paid my bills. It paid my mother’s incurred debts. Where other people inherited properties and were left with happy memories of their dead parents, mine left me with nothing but debts and penury.I spent six thousand five hundred dollars every month from my eight thousand dollars salary, paying for my mother’s loans and I was still in more debts.I had no friends either.
I had become the scorn of women, crying and begging for forgiveness from a heavily pregnant woman. A woman who was legally my boyfriend’s wife.
I was constantly haunted by the image of Owen’s wife, yelling,
“Slut, leave my husband. He doesn’t want you…” while I knelt on the ground, begging her for forgiveness.“I am in the wrong. Not knowing is no excuse, I’m sorry…” I pleaded.My conscience couldn’t let me play victim. Another woman’s husband wasn’t mine to covet so I held it all in.
The abuses, the cusses, the backlash from the internet, I held it all in.I buried my face in the pillow and cried bitterly, for the last five years of my life, working so hard to be in a relationship that wasn’t leading anywhere.
I cried and cried until I had no more tears left in me. I could literally feel my body become weightless as I attempted to stand. Maybe it was the fact that I hadn’t eaten anything in days. How could I? I couldn’t go anywhere without being pointed at in the small city.Unexpectedly, a loud thud resounded on my door.
My heart thumped out of my chest as the thudding persisted.“Rosé!” Accompanied the thudding.
“Rosé, please open up. It’s me!” The stranger called.
Slowly, weakly, I crept up to the door and peered through the small hole, it was Paula, my next door neighbor.
I weakly pulled the door open, and without permission, she let herself in.
She immediately began to scream at the mess I was living in.
“Rosé! Are you going to die because your relationship ended?!”
“My life ended too” I replied.
Paula and I were not friends, we were just neighbors. In fact, this would be our first conversation.
“Your life in Ontario has ended…” she retorted.
“What do you mean?” I asked absentmindedly.
“Only your life in Ontario has ended” she repeated,
“Not your entire life. Go somewhere else, start afresh…“The next morning met us on the way to a far, far away land Paula called Washington. Paula’s seat on the plane was a few rows from me, she was actively taking pictures of the skies, clearly enjoying the takeoff.My eyes fell on an older couple beside me, giggling and chattering with each other and my heart ached uncontrollably.“Home-wrecker…” I cursed under my breathe, and a few tears dropped from my eyes.“I will never love again!” I muttered to myself. I was too numb to think, too heartbroken. My pains, now very accustomed to me patted my back gently, and I drifted off to sleep.Seven hours later, I was startled awake by the screeching sound of the plane landing.I scanned the aircraft for Paula and our eyes met,"Welcome to Washington!” She mouthed, beaming excitedly as we deplaned.We stepped down to the Terminal and we immediately spotted a lady with a “welcome back cousin!” placard, waving happily at us.“Lydiaaaa!” Paula squealed excitedly, running towards the girl. She looked
Mr EyeCandy stepped into the hallway, and his footstep resounded in the air. Our eyes met and my heart sank.“Hazel!” I muttered silently, that was the color of his eyes.I timidly darted my eyes to the ground as he closed the distance between us.A pair of the most expensive Daniel Martins boots stopped before me.“Woah!” I gasped, intoxicated by his manly scent that wafted my senses.“CEO!” The French speaking lady exclaimed, groveling over to his side. My gaze remained on the ground, as I failed to steady trembling heart.“Nicole Guy must have definitely seen this guy before writing about the character, Anderson!” I thought to myself. “Who’s this?” I heard him say. His voice clearly befitted his persona. Firm, confident, dominant, oozing with authority.“I already interviewed her, you don’t have to bother.” She replied.Her lie caught me off guard and I didn’t even know when I blurted out,“No, you didn’t!”I instantly regretted it when my eyes met with hers, because she gave th
Navy’s POVI walked into the reception of my multimillion dollar company and my employees went numb. That’s how much influence I have on my workers and I like it that way. I like to see the women drool when I walk by, and the men tremble nervously at my presence. But I love the effect I have on women more, making them wish their lives on me and never having it, no matter what. Yes, no matter what, no matter who.I have only tried to love one woman all my life, Clarissa McDamon- my ex. I am yet to recover from the suffering agony and trauma she put me through. To me, women are all the same, despite how innocent they look, or how pure their eyes seem. They are vile creatures, despite what they wear, and their fake smiles creep me out. Like the smile on my receptionist’s face right now, fake, unreal, pretentious.“Welcome, Mr Leonardo” she beamed. I nodded indifferently, scanning the expanse hall.“Are you looking for anyone, sir?” She asked, sensing my curiosity.“The Blogger…” I
My relationship with Clarissa ended on my stepbrother’s wedding day. It was a shock to me when the bride was revealed and Clarissa was unveiled. We had been dating for two years, and we were still in a relationship when she appeared as my brother’s bride.Lumbar Leonardo, my older brother- jealous, greedy, self-centered, always wanted everything I had. Maybe it was because I was born from an affair my father had with my mother that he constantly hated me.Everyone, including my father and stepmother knew about this marriage, except me. My father came up to me and said, “You’ll always find love, don’t create a scene. The whole Italia is watching.”There at the aisle, I cut ties with my family and relocated from Italy to Washington and rebuilt my life away from those toxic people I called family, avoiding women like a plague.Five years later and a message from my father chimed through the phone;Not that this was the first, but this time, it was dire.“If you don’t come home for th
Navy stormed away without a second glance at me. The bouquet of white roses looked beautiful and lovely but it was quite confusing from whence it came. I had no boyfriend and I hadn’t yet made any friends.Slowly, I advanced to the bouquet and picked up the card next to it.“Congratulations on your first day at work- Paul” “Who on earth is Paul?” I wondered aloud. If the card was not addressed to my name, I would have left it alone, just thinking about the size of it was discouraging.I shuffled into the elevator, wrestling with the oversized bouquet of roses covering my face and making it hard to see what was in front of me.The elevator dinged open and I stepped out, sauntering towards the exit by mere instincts.I had almost made it to the exiting door when I suddenly bumped into something- or someone. His phone fell, clashing brutally against the glass door before dropping to the ground. With a sigh, I slowly lowered my bouquet, wearing a regretful expression for the unintended
What was I thinking?!” I scolded myself, increasingly irritated and disappointed that it was thirty minutes past 7 and Navy was no where at the airport.“One more minute and that’s it.” I declared.Just as I decided not to wait any longer, my phone blared into life and I automatically dreaded having to lie to Paula again.“She’ll definitely catch me this time” I murmured.I reluctantly pulled out my phone and glanced at the caller ID. It was a strange number. Relieved that it wasn't Paula, I touched the answer button and placed the phone to my ear.“Where are you?” The caller asked, his voice deep and commanding.I immediately recognized it as Navy’s voice, no one else could be so brooding and cold, even on the phone.“I’m at the terminal, Sir” “Look up” he replied.I glanced across the hall and my eyes fell on a tall figure, waving stoically. My heart fluttered as I made my way to him.It was amazing how he managed to be so beautiful even with the frown he had on his face. He look
Rosé's eyes widened in surprise as we locked gazes and an awkward silence hung in the air. My heart raced uncontrollably as I searched in vain for the right words to break the ice that was fast forming between us."Should I apologize?" I wondered."Why should I when she's to blame for leaving the door unlocked?! I mean she was the naked one." "I...I'm s..." she paused, her trembling voice cutting through the silence."I'm sorry sir, I didnt know you'd return so soon" she finally said, her cheeks burning with apparent embarrassment.I swallowed hard and pretended I was unmoved by her curvy body, nor moved by her shocked demeanor when in fact, I was suppressing the urge to scoop her in my arms and kiss her. My body responded to her body in a way that I never imagined possible and I knew the right thing to do was to vanish before I did something stupid."I'll just..um, wait by the parking lot" I muttered, averting my gaze from her."Okay sir" she replied, her voice just above a whisper.
Rosé's POV"Why?!""What is he doing with you?"Put him on the phone, or I'm coming to get you right this minute." Paula ranted, evidently frustrated by the knowledge that I wasn't coming home on my first day at Varde's."Paula, just hear me out. It's not what you think," I pleaded, trying to calm her down."It's just for work and I’m not complaining." I shifted away from Navy’s earshot and positioned myself at a corner in the Terminal while he went through Security Check."Well, I'm complaining for you, get the phone to him!" Paula replied."Paula, I can't just take the phone to him, you know I won't" I replied, whispering in a way."Why not?" "Is staying out part of blogging?""You have to follow him to Italy? For a job? Why is he making you do that? And within really short notice." She ranted."I agree that staying out isn't a part of blogging. I'm not just going to Italy for a job, its more complicated than that."I could sense her frustration and concern growing with every word,
It was a cheat sheet, or something like that. But the evening was set. A house wedding, one I had never seen. Mother would turn wherever she was if I ever attempted something like this. Alexander called it a parlor wedding. It was happening right in my living room. We redesignedput my minimalist style living room aesthetic to good use, the chandeliers above creating a dimly lit room as dawn set in.Guests trickled in, their murmurs mingling with our choice of music.Alexander stood by the makeshift altar, being the head of two long feast tables, placed at the center. I stood behind him taking in the sight of everything we had done together.The scent of fresh flowers filled the air, the vibrant colors of the floral arrangements contrasting beautifully with the muted tones of the room.Soft candlelight danced on the two-tier cake, sitting at the center of the table.Alexander was particular when he said there were twenty people coming. As his parents arrive right on time, I couldn
Rosé’s POVI left Amelia straddled to his forefront, with a direction of how the rest of the day would go for her. Navy asked a million questions, yet before we left, Alexander asked the same questions all over again.“Is there anything that comes as an instinct to men?” Paula asked, shaking her head in disbelief.Finn stepped into the driver’s seat with my sister right beside him in the passenger’s seat. Paula instantly exclaimed, “I’m getting married tonight, please let’s focus on the road.”A soft chuckle escaped my lips as I glanced at Finn, “she’s burning you,” I teased, Finn nodded agreeably, “I am searching for a good comeback…”Paula broke into a soft laughter, flailing her arms in the air. “What are we buying first?” “A wedding dress first, before the bridesmaids dresses. We haven’t even decided on the color. We’re wasting time!” Grace exclaimed, strangely motivating us in the right way.“Pink,” Paula replied, her voice cracking with emotions, suddenly she broke down in
Chapter 146Rose's POVAs we all know, every story ends. Sometimes a new story begins where the old ended, other times, it is really the end. Grace's life was about to turn to the next chapter. I could already see the fire in her eyes, she could accomplish anything. I wasn't interested in fighting for her before, but seeing her want things like every normal girl her age felt fulfilling, striving to have a purpose told me we were alike in more ways than just blood. "Maybe having you as my legal guardian won't be so bad," Grace's voice boomed into my thoughts, her excitement evident in her bubbly tone."I was worried about us, about the kind of relationship I would have with you." She continued in a tone calmer than the first.I glanced at her with an eyebrow raised. "She told you about me?"Grace nodded, her gaze softening as she glanced at me. "There are only two people mamañ talks about you, and her mother.""She was always complaining about you." Her voice shivered faintly as she
Navy’s POVLove only took a moment, and I was witnessing that moment right before me.Finn had no notice of the heart that was not beating for him, fascinated by his mere presence.My gaze flickered from Rosé to Finn, before returning to Grace. It was only then I noticed her striking semblance to her sister. Her gaze captured the depth of her desires, her long wavy hair began to bounce as she jumped in surprise, startled by an incident we were yet to see.The server had over poured the coffee, spilling the hot drink on her dress.Finally the incident that would bring them together had finally presented itself. Just the interview was his opportunity to retain Rosé.“I apologize for that…,” Finn paused, swiping his gaze on the features of the inconvenient customer to be certain of the status. From the look on his eyes, it was obvious that he was stricken by her. In that moment, I wondered what could have drawn him to her, I wanted to know if it was her beauty or her smile.I couldn’t
Chapter 144Navy’s POVThe sister’s fight had ended the moment Grace face was flooded with tears. Rosé fragile as usual gave in to her emotions too, joining her in tears. The morning sun was yet to show his face, yet the sniffles from her mother and aunty must have woken my daughter, her presence now contributing to the chorus of tears in the room.I fell into a state of chaos, torn between racing to my daughter or my wife, not knowing who to console first.Amelia got louder, hurling me towards her direction.“I’m sorry,” Grace’s soft voice echoed in the room, “please, let me rely on you… as a sister. I have no one else.”Cradling my daughter on chest, I turned to face them. Rosé was quivering slightly, her face flushed with a mix of tears and relief. “Hmmm,” I exhaled softly, looking between mother and daughter.“Such crybabies.” I remarked, stirring a blush on Rosé’s face.“I think she is hungry…” Grace croaked, her voice barely above a whisper.I nodded, “I think so too… and I f
Chapter 143Navy’s POVI blinked my eyes open, perturbed by the noise in the house. It was barely a minute since I closed my eyes, my eyes were heavy from the the lack of sleep.The first image that came into my view, was an image of Rosé packing a luggage, and instantly, my heart plummeted at the sight of it, thudding against my chest.“Baby, what’s going on?” I asked, the drowsiness in my eyes was completely gone as I jolted to my feet, making my way to Rosé.“Please, tell me, what’s wrong? Please…” Rosé turned to me, her eyes blaring with something I had never seen before.“Let’s go to Paris… let’s go today, now, let’s just go!”“Why?” I asked, “I’ll do whatever you want me to do but I need to understand why first.” “Mamañ, she’s gone…” Rosé replied, her voice quivering as she spoke, “She left Grace here and disappeared, just like me… she’s abandoned her. You think she’s still going to change? You think we still have a chance to her support? That woman deserves to burn in hell!”
Chapter 142ROSE POV Navy sat on the armchair in my spacious room, observing me as I paced agitatedly around, seething with anger at mamañ.“I can’t believe her!” I breathed, “The message Andre sent to us is a clear threat, yet she perceives it as him seeking her. What’d I tell you? She would choose Andre over anyone at any time.”“Elodie,” Navy’s soothing voice interjected, imbued with longing. As our eyes met, I could not help but notice the desire in his gaze. His gaze steadied on me, the intensity of it sending shivers down my spine. Despite my anger at mamañ, in that moment, all I could focus on was the sudden pull between us. His presence filled the room, wafting around me like a curl of smoke.“Rosé,” Navy murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, but it echoed loudly in the silence between us.“Uh,” he cleared his throat, “She is just in love… could you look at it from that perspective?“A wave of disappointment struck me as the desire in his eyes faded while he spoke.I
ROSÉ’s POVA soft exhaled escaped me, as my eyes crinkled with tears, a lump formed in my throat as I struggled to speak.“What… what do you mean, Maa?” Grace spoke out finally, breaking the silence.The answer to that question I already knew. Mamañ had acted as expected.“Henry Benoit,” she sighed sadly, “I’ve wronged him in so many ways. Andre tried to kill him once, or twice…” Our eyes met briefly moment, and I could tell from her expression that it was more than that. “Only the truth mamañ.”Mamañ bowed her head in regret, memories flooding back.“Rosé, Andre tried to harm him so many times that Benoit got a restraining order against him.”“But he didn’t stop, did he?”Mamañ shook her head sadly, her tears welling up.“He didn’t, he tried every means possible.”“Why didn’t he just arrest him?” Navy’s voice boomed into the air, shifting our attention to his tall figure emerging from the hallway.“I put her back to bed,” he explained, planting a peck on my cheek as he joined the
As I stayed in his arms, breathing in his faint fragrance and warmth until a soft coo of a baby interrupted the silence.“It’s Amelia!” Navy gasped, excitement bubbling in his voice.“Wait, you called her Amelia?” I exclaimed, surprised. “Well, I figured she could have two names.”A soft chuckle escaped my lips as I stepped out of his arms. “I’d love that…”Navy nodded, cupping my face in his hands. “I’ll take care of her, you go to the dining.”Taking a deep breath, I made my way back to the dining room, where mamañ and Grace were still seated, their conversation paused as I stepped in. Grace’s appearance was nothing like mamañ’s, and the more I studied her features, I was more convinced that she wasn’t Andre’s daughter.“Mamañ, Grace,” I began, my voice steady, despite the turmoil within, “let’s talk,”Mamañ raised her gaze to me, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.“Where have you been?” I asked, my voice demanding nothing but the truth.“Here and there…” Mamañ replied, dartin