LIAM'S POV Days have passed since I last met with Zoriana, and Owen is presently spending a few days in my grandma's place on her request. We've both hung out together in different nice joints in Maitama and he even showed me around the city. Everything was going fine although the date of my return to the states was drawing closely at such alarming speed and I was a little reluctant to leave the country because of Zori.However, that wasn't the problem right now. I was sitting by my reading table in my room, staring at the diary I had picked up many weeks ago at the Crown's Lunch Cafe. Owen was downstairs chatting with my grandma in the kitchen. Few days ago at Zoriana's parents home, I happened to hear her while she was having a phone conversation with Cassidy, right before I stepped in the kitchen. What I heard haven't let me be in peace since then as I've been battling emotionally on the next step to take.FLASHBACK;I walk with smiles toward the kitchen to meet Zori. D
ZORIANA'S POVFEW HOURS EARLIER "Carter, why don't you just let us be and go order your own Pizza if you want it so badly?" Cassy queried as she tried to snatch back the pizza pack from Carter who felt it was fun to see his only sister chase him around the rooftop patio of my family home. I sat on a chair watching them run around while enjoying the reflection of the morning sun on my skin and sipping from a glass of cocktail. "Zori, a little help here." Cassy called out to me, looking exhausted already from the chase. Carter was grinning in jubilation while he stuffed a piece of pizza in his mouth. Oh, my! These two grown kids, really? How long am I gonna act a mother between them...I smiled and just as I was about to say something, my ringing phone interrupted me. I looked at it on the table and hurriedly tapped on the receiver on finding it's Mrs Olivia Whyte calling. "Hello, grandma," I said as I signaled them to be quiet by placing a finger to my lips.Good thing
ZORIANNA'S POV PRESENTLY; I stared at the scene before me, not willing to believe it's real. The diary I've been painstakingly looking for all the while, was in Liam's custody? How? While I was few meters away from his grandma's home, I missed his calls intentionally because I wanted to surprise him. Only to get here and after greeting grandma I decided to check him upstairs, while Cassy and Carter were still having a conversation with her. I was standing right at the last stair of steps to his room when I heard their conversation. They probably thought no one was around so they were really loud and seem to be in an argument so I had stopped and listened. "...I was meaning to ask you what you were doing with a girl's diary." I heard Owen said. "What?! That's my stuff bro. You could have just asked me about it. It wasn't nice of you opening and reading it. I saw you just now you know." I heard Liam said. "I'm sorry I couldn't keep my curiosity in check when I saw the girl
NARRATIVE Owen, Cassidy and Carter had resolved the misunderstandings inside while Liam and Zoriana were resolving theirs. They walked into the terrace all smiles, but not expecting the sight that greeted them; "Oh, boy! I never knew Zori's such a good kisser! Or was she taking secret smooching classes behind our backs? Oh my, I feel so betrayed right now, I'm missing you Claire." Carter lamented dramatically on seeing the scene. Cassy smacked his head laughingly. "Shut up, Carter." She said and Owen laughed. "Ouch! Do you plan on making me go bald? Or what's your problem with my afro?" He lamented again, rubbing his hair. "You guys, really," Owen smiled. He already made up his mind long ago to apologize to Zori for reading her diary without her permission and also to Liam too for not informing him about his planned trip. He would do as he's promised Cassidy. Afterall it's only right for him to seek out the happiness of the one he loves first before his own and
TWO YEARS LATERZORIANA'S POV I laughed with Liam as we walked along the terrace of our home in New Orleans, Louisiana. We got married few months ago and it's been really amazing. There's never been a moment I regretted saying 'I DO' to him. We were living the exact kind of live I had desired and written down in my diary and much to my happiness, it wasn't fake. It was real! After my graduation and service to my country, we got married in the church we worshipped at in Nigeria. Myself, my friends; especially Cassy and my parents, cried tears of joy and reluctance as I was leaving. In the few months we've been here, things have been great for us, I was working in one of the big news stations in the state of Louisiana. Liam's fashion brand was already renowned in most countries of the world, especially in the countries in Africa and in most countries in North America. Owen was present at our wedding with his beautiful Italian girlfriend, things were going well wi
NARRATIVE "Gather around kids. Let’s see what you’ve painted." The middle-aged, brunette haired lady said as she tapped her ruler on her desk. Of course, it was to gain the giggling and chatty kids' attention. "Yes, Teacher!" The kids giggled as they all scampered back to their seats, each holding their canvas. Nine year old Cora, stared at her drawing proudly even though she’s done the opposite of what Madame Gary had asked them to paint. As far as she’s concerned, she’s done a good job and hopefully, the teacher would leave in a good word for her to her mom. She wanted to continue taking lessons under Madame Gary’s art class but her mom was skeptical about it as she thought Cora wasn’t that devoted to painting. "Not bad, Giselle. Hopefully, you’d be a great artist someday. Great job, Pamela! I like that you always put in maximum effort." Madame Gary went on as she examined the kids’ paintings from seat to seat, complimenting those who did really well and encouraging tho
FIFTEEN YEARS LATER CORA'S POV I walked through the glass doors into the gym and made the way straight to my favorite exercise machine _the treadmill_ Ignoring everyone else out of habit. I focused on my workout, letting myself travel through space and time as I did. I had my long blonde hair in a messy bun and of course, I was putting on my workout suit. As you already know, I'm Cora _Cora Connor. There's just one thing I've ever really wanted in life and I think you know what that is already; To be an artist, to practice and make art. Funny enough, that dream is still a dream. Even after five more years of daily practicing at Madame Gary's art studio, I still ain't able to draw a perfect circle. Now I know that's funny and really unbelievable but that's the fact! I was fourteen when Mom couldn't take it anymore as she's done all she could to help my dreams become a reality, each painful effort she made, proved futile. She had me quit on anything related to arti
CORA'S POV Is this some kind of joke? I mean, why's Oliver Hart sitting before me? Last time I checked, we never spoke a word to each other even though we took a course in the University together. Now, who's Oliver Hart? Oliver Hart and I schooled at the famous Oxford university. He was a random colleague I never had conversations with. I didn't know much about him other than him being a popular dude amongst the girls that year, well obviously because of his goodlooks. The girls did refer to him as a 'hunk' then and I also learned he was great with pencils and ink. Presently, I stared at him from underneath my lashes, my fingers caressing my wine glass. "So, to what do I owe this amazing surprise, Mr Hart?" I began. He smiled, his gray eyes liting up with his beautiful smile. "No, please. No need being so formal with me, we're old school colleagues afterall." He smiled again, tapping a finger on the table, probably out of habit. My eyes took in his every move as he c
ARLOWE'S POV “I’m so sorry, babes. I got carried away with my fling and failed to look after you well, even when it was I who took you there.” She apologized sadly. “It’s not your fault, Nick, so don’t be sorry. I have even more stunning news for you.” I led her to the bed and showed her the note, the mask and clothes the masked individual had left for me. Nicky was as stunned as I had been. Also, I showed her the text I had gotten from the unknown contact that was likely Adams Hathaway. And again, she was stunned silly by the absurdness of the whole situation. I mean, this was a man who seemed hell bent on making sure I was punished because of some misunderstandings and he was definitely aware that up until yesterday, I was his cousin’s wife so what in the world was he thinking? After some moments of silence and bewilderment, Nicky suddenly spoke up. “We would have to contact the attendant who supposedly led you to meet Adams Hathaway yester night. Then, we would be
ARLOWE'S POV "The fuck, Arlowe! I've been calling since forever! What the hell happened to you?!" Nicky worriedly yelled the moment my call went through. "N-Nicky...I... I..." My voice broke as tears rolled down my cheeks. "Babes, are you okay? I couldn't find you at the club. Where are you?" Her worry was so evident in her voice. My hands trembled as I held the phone to my ear, one hand clutching the duvet to myself while my eyes roamed around the room fearfully. "I'm... I think I'm in a big mess, Nicky. I...I must have... I can't believe I..." I stuttered through my words, not even able to comprehend or even say what my situation seemed like. "Arlowe, tell me, where are you? What do you see?" I pushed a hand through my messy hair in my frustration and the duvet fell to my waist. "I swear I don't know. It seems like a h-hotel room," "What!" Nicky gasped in disbelief and I sighed, wiping my tears. I couldn't believe it either. But the reality of what I had
ARLOWE'S POV Several minutes later, we arrived at the most popular nightclub in town. And I turned to stare at her with uncertainty. "Relax, Arlowe. We got this." She smiled and adjusted my skimpy dress. For us to successfully blend in, we had to dress for the occasion. This was Nicky's idea of helping me resolve my issue tonight and it was the only way possible at the moment. She had received a rare information which came with a high monetary price, that informed her of Adams Hathaways' location at the moment. He was said to be at this Palatial Club tonight. And it was the only time I had to see him and possibly plead his understanding face to face before I would receive the court order tomorrow. And although, the idea of coming here didn't sit well with me, I just had to since I'm really desperate. I have never been to a club before, so I don't know how these things work. Thankfully, I have Nicky to guide me. "Let's go," she smiled at me and linked our arms toget
ARLOWE'S POV It's absolutely ridiculous and unbelievable how my whole life could turn around from bad to worse within just a day. The more I think of it, the more perplexed and horrified I feel. Who would have imagined that I would get into trouble with a man I had never seen or even know what he looks like?Defamation of character and slandering? Ha! Isn't the accusation even heavy in the mouth of that Jonathan Kingston? Probably, the walls now have ears. Since it seems words I said in my anger and frustration, while at Eric's place, has now somehow found a way to get me in a deep shit hole. Just some days ago, I had yelled back at Eric in my anger over the ill-manner he was treating me and had asked him to go find the source of his problems and sort it out, and that he stopped pouring his aggressions on me. In my words, I had said, "I am not the cause of your frustrations, Eric. Go find that mysterious zillionaire cousin of yours whom you feel threatened by that you
ARLOWE'S POV Some hours later, I arrived my family home in Seattle and my family's coldness towards me was even worse than ever before. Apparently, the news already reached them even before I did. Grandfather must have received the news already. It was obvious that once the marriage was ever over, the business alliance between both families was over too, as well as all the goodies that came with partnering with the Hathaways' Starlight Group of Companies. Grandfather's icy blue eyes stared piercingly at me and I immediately knelt before him with teary eyes. "I'm so sorry grandfather, I tried to stay back and save my marriage but Eric was so determined to throw me out." I apologized even though I did nothing wrong. "I told you she would bring nothing but shame to this family," Kennedy, my mother's older sister said as she walked in the living room and went to stand behind her father. "You're just like your mother. No, you're much more worse than her. I would never have
ARLOWE’S POV “Eric please, you must reconsider. You can’t do this to me! You’re ruining my life!” I pleaded with tears running down my cheeks. But my husband wasn’t even paying me the slightest bit of attention as he tossed my luggage at me, not minding how the boxes rolled down the stairs to fall at my feet. “This marriage is over, Arlowe. Take your things and get out of my house. I never want to see you again.” He coldly stated as he turned around to return to his room. However, I couldn’t let him do this to me without a fight. My family would never forgive me. I would become an outcast in society. I hurried after him and held his shirt, “Hubby please don’t do this to me. I promise not to complain over anything again. You can bring in whomever you want to the house and do whatever you please with them. I won’t disturb or argue anymore, just please don’t abandon me. Please, babe,” I looked up at him with teary eyes, but his cold obsidian eyes glared back unflinchingly at
NARRATIVE Ava ignored the suspicious gaze Samantha was giving her and watched with full anticipation the verdict that'll be given to her. Her smirk grew deeper when she heard one of the girls suggest to take a look at Samantha's pockets. 'OMG! She's really the culprit, girls come see, the fragments of Lesley's bracelet is in her pockets.' Sandy exclaimed loudly on checking Samantha's pockets and finding the fragments of the jewelry.Lesley felt betrayed and in disbelief as she watched the scene before her with wide eyes. 'Sam, how could you?' She was on the verge of tears. 'No Lesley, that's not true. I'll never do such to you.' Samantha cried, trying to beg Lesley not to believe them. She was sure this was a plot against her. Since she had no evidence, she could only hope for a miracle. Her future was at stake here....Smack! Someone slapped her as she tried to reach out to Lesley. 'Forget it girls, let's just take this little bitch to the principal.' The girl sa
NARRATIVE 'Shut up, Samantha! No one here is interested in the crap you have to say, we'll only wait for evidence. If it's proven that you stole and broke Lesley's gold bracelet, you'll have to face the consequences of your actions.' Sandy said while roughly pushing the stunned Samantha to the floor of the basketball court. Ava watched from her spot as the girls all surrounded Samantha, each bearing malicious intents within them as they stared with contempt at her. These were high class kids that a lowly commoner like Samantha shouldn't dare offend.She was glad she was finally able to create a rift between the two close friends, whose committed friendship were an eyesore to her. She almost had a chance of making friends with the wealthiest and most popular girl in school but thanks to the lowly Samantha, her chances were ruined when she got caught and disgraced for bullying a Junior student.Lesley was not only a wealthy kid, she was pretty and was also the cheerleader. She h
NARRATIVE He shut his eyes tight when he looked at her and found her pushing her firm round fleshy boobs into his face, her erect attractive pink nipples winking at him from her transparent thin blouse. With every power he could muster within him, he reminded himself that his wife was out there, possibly searching for him. Gabby raised his hands to get her off him with his eyes still closed, unfortunately, he ended up grabbing her boobs instead of her shoulders. His eyes flew open instantly and to his bewilderment, He was holding the lady's fleshy boobs. She smirked at this and pushed his hands upwards, aiming to have his fingers caressing her nipples. Gabby swallowed hard and quickly retrieved his hands, turning his face away. He reminded himself how important Natalie is to him. He couldn't afford to cheat on her, no matter the circumstances. He loves her so much and wouldn't do anything under his sanity, to disrespect her. Besides, Lee's tits are much more attractive.