ZORIANA'S POV After about an hour of exchanging pleasantries and catching up about the old times and all with Liam, the get together officially started. Many friends turned up as we had hoped, as the living room was crowded with closely twenty to thirty persons. The guys were having a good time playing card games at the bar, the girls were busy eating cookies, chatting, and some played games such as 'movie name game, brand game, Biscuits sliding games' with cool music booming in the background. I stood at a corner with Cassy, while we stole glances at the guys and talk about Owen and LPL. "You're gonna be so surprise when you hear this." I said to her, with my gaze still on Liam. "Okay, now I'm curious. What could that possibly be?" She asked, her eyes fixed on Owen.I trust Cassy to try and make something work out between them before the party ends. "Remember the guy I told you I sat with while traveling back home from school? The last passenger to gwagwalada?
NARRATIVE Cassidy was shocked because, Owen was never someone to speak up for another without a reason. What is going on? Or did he change over the years and she wasn't aware? However, the expression on the faces of the others proved otherwise. Owen speaking up for Zori came as a huge surprise to them all. Liam on the other hand felt bad that he wasn't the one who spoke up for her. He stared directly at her, and just in that moment she looked at him too, a complicated emotion reflecting in her eyes and for some unknown reasons, she immediately avoided his eyes. "Owen is right guys. Let's not question, criticize or doubt Zori. She's our friend so we must trust and believe her." Cassy said, as she now stared at Zori with a warm smile. "I agree too, let's continue the game,' Liam added. Everyone soon agreed and they continued the game with Zori as the next player to pick a piece. 'Never have I Ever kept a diary.' She read out.Many fell victim and took the shots
ZORIANA'S POVI woke up to a fierce headache and excess curiosity over the previous night. How did I get in Cassy's room? I don't remember climbing up here myself. I mused. Just then, the door opened and Mrs Emily, Carter and Cassidy's mom, walked in. I sat up the bed immediately. "Good morning Mom, merry Christmas." I greeted respectfully. "Merry Christmas, my dear. How was your night?" She asked, as she sat on the bed beside me. I avoided her eyes intentionally as my fingers fiddled with the duvet. My night was perfect if I hadn't passed out and ended up in Cassy's room without a single clue on how. "It was fine ma. How was yours? I hope you were able to get a good sleep and wasn't disturbed by our noisemaking yesterday?" I asked as well, genuinely concerned. "Not at all my dear. If anything, I was glad to have had you young chaps around. Brought back precious memories of my youth." She smiled and I couldn't help smiling too. Mrs Emily have always been a nice and
NARRATIVE In a nicely furnished duplex in gwagwalada district, Owen stood by the open window in his room staring into space with a lost gaze in his eyes. His hands were in both pockets of his pajamas as the morning sun reflected on his face. There wasn't any doubt he had a lot on his mind.FLASHBACK; "Hey, Owen!" A young girl of about 11 years called out to her friend as she walked into the playground. Young Owen looked up from the book in his hand. He was sitting on a swing while reading a story book as it was break time. "Oh, Cassidy," He smiled and waved at her. He noticed she didn't come alone, a young girl of about same age as her dressed in casual outfits came in with her. She obviously wasn't a student at their school. "Hi," The girl smiled at him. "Hello," He smiled back. "Owen, this is my friend, Zorianna. Zori meet Owen, my classmate and my crush," Cassy introduced, whispering the last two words to Zoriana, not knowing she was loud enough for Owen to he
FLASHBACK; The get-together.NARRATIVE "Owen, I'd like to talk to you about something," Cassy who was now drunk said to him as she snuggled in his arms. "Okay, I'm listening." He said in a low tone as he downed another shot of champagne. He said he was listening, however his eyes were elsewhere. He was looking at Zoriana as she was about to take a shot of champagne. He would've loved to take the shot from her and drink it instead but he couldn't. Cassy was in his arms, and Liam was here. Plus if he did, he'd attract attention to himself and would have to explain why he did to his friends or they'll misunderstand. "Owen, I'm still in..." Cassy looked up at him but found his gaze elsewhere. She followed his gaze and found out he was staring at her best-friend, Zoriana. The wave of pain and jealousy that surged and grasped at her heart was so painful it brought tears to her eyes. However she was smart enough to control her emotions. Owen, however didn't notice th
NARRATIVE PRESENTLY Owen heaved a sigh as he stared into space. He had been working on a project for the past two years that'd warrant him to leave the country to Italy. His efforts paid off few weeks back and after meeting with some important business partners in the hotel where he had met Liam by coincidence, he was scheduled for his trip in a month's time. His friends weren't aware of this yet as he plans to let them know few days before he leaves for Italy. He still had about two weeks before his journey. He would be completing his education there too. Moving away from the window, he walked to his wardrobe with a decision to sort out some of his belongings when his phone suddenly began ringing on his bed. He picked it up from the bed and tapped on the receiver the moment he finds it's Liam calling. "Hey, bro," He said. "Owen, my bro. How are you doing?" Liam's voice boomed with excitement from his end. "My grandma wants to meet you again. She said she's missed having
ZORIANNA'S POV "What are you thinking about so seriously?"I got startled by his sudden appearance beside me that I jumped and lost my balance. Just when I thought I was gonna hit the tiled floor hard, his strong arm caught me by my waist and lifted me to himself. His brown eyes digging deep into mine and my obsidian ones searching his. Our faces few inches apart. I lowered my gaze along his perfectly structured face and my eyes settled on his lips. His lips were really pink and a silly thought occurred to me and I blushed as a result.LPL, Liam Pink Lips. That name really fits him well. "What are you doing?" He said and I blinked several times.Oh no! He caught me. I screamed in my head. "Uhh? Nothing. I-I wasn't doing anything." I denied right away. He laughed and I bit my lip in embarrassment. "Naughty girl," He flicked my forehead slightly and I pouted my lips in disapproval. "Don't do that. You make me wanna kiss you when you do." I looked up at him with w
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
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.