JASON"I'm calling off the engagement.."Karen's words echoed as I stared hard at the blank phone screen. I couldn't have heard her correctly, I heard wrong. Right?I'd only be deluding myself if I actually believed that bullshit. "What the fuck?!" I roared suddenly, sending books and files flying in the air, my breaths coming out in short pants. "What has gotten into this woman?" I wonder out loud. Why can't she be the fucking submissive her parents painted her to be. "She's very understanding, the perfect woman for the perfect man," I said out loud, echoing the words spoken by her mother who wholeheartedly assured me that there wouldn't be a problem at all. "You all fucking lied to me," I swear, picking up my phone once more. She'd better be joking because I'm not going to take it lightly with her. I click on her contact, automatically placing a call to her number. It rings and rings and rings, no answer. She doesn't pick up my call and a tiny trickle of dread and fear sli
HENLEYMy phone rings and vibrates on the table as I get ready to leave the office. It's been a really rough week so far, especially when I have to be extra careful in order to avoid those nosy reporters. I am really, really trying to stay off the news as much as I can. Nothing seems to be working though because it seems they're all hell bent on milking this piece of fodder thrown at them until all the juice runs out. Well, let them have at it, I'll be here trying to restore my peace of mind. Peace that my father didn't bother to restore himself and mother so calmly shattered what was left of it. At this point, I don't really know what to think of them anymore. It's getting really hard seeing them as my parents now and I really don't want to entertain some thoughts even though it seems I am already having an immense amount of clarity which is all because of one stranger. A stranger no one refuses to acknowledge. No wonder she had to go to the news to get my attention. Well, now
KARENShort, rapid knocks on the front door jerk me out of sleep making me jump off my seat with a startle. Who could it be?Glancing at the clock over my head to see what time it is, it is fifteen minutes to midnight. Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I walk as fast as my heavy legs can carry me, slightly irritated by the consistent knocking on the door by whoever the fuck it is. "Who the fuck are you?" I call out angrily. The knocking ceased immediately. "Karen, it's me," though his voice was muffled, I recognized it immediately. "Henley? What the fuck?" I hurriedly opened the door to find an exhausted Henley leaning heavily on the door post. "Hey baby girl," he offered a weak smile. This man is really stressed out."I have a lot of questions, but come in," stepping to the side to make way for him to pass, I wondered if he's alright. "I didn't know you could swear," he said to me. "Hmm, now you know," I replied sarcastically which only made him laugh. In a goofy way. "It's
HENLEY"Are you ready to do this with me?" I turned my head to face a very quiet Neila whose gaze was fixed on the house.She took a deep breath and nodded, "yes I am. Nothing has really changed about this place since I saw it last, maybe just the flowers," she commented and made to get out of the vehicle."Let me get that for you," I say to her, referring to the door on her end.She gives me a weak smile and steps out gingerly like the earth would swallow her immediately she sets her feet on it as I hold the door for her.Slamming the door shut, I led the way to the mansion with her walking quietly behind me.The weekend was the best time to meet my Father because he had a lot of free time during the weekends. The only downside is that Jason and Mother would be present, just like the last time.
JASONThe glass of wine I was holding a while ago, stood discarded on the ornate bedside table. It's a surprise I didn't even smash the delicate glass in my fury. What right does Dad have to give Henley an opportunity to look at me in a different way?None!He's not my brother, has never been and will never be. No son of a bitch will come from nowhere to steal my inheritance away from me. No matter how hard he tries to hide it, I know that its on his mind. I sneer.He's interested in having control of MERC, everything he does boils down to the company every single time no matter what he does. Everyone thinks he's a saint, fast rising as the youngest billionaire from Africa even though I know he built that company just to spit in my face and mother's face. After I offered to loan him the pathetic amount of money he couldn't seem to raise by himself. "Ungrateful bastard!" I shout and fling out my arm, knocking the glass of wine to the floor in the process, it shattered to tiny bits
KAREN"Hey," I smile sweetly. "Hi, Karen," Henley grins from across the table. It's our second date so far and I'm going to make sure it's not the last. I have had time to think, really think, since the last time we were together and no matter the angle of thought I used to approach the matter, I always arrived at the same conclusion.I'm eager to hear what Henley will say about it once I inform him. Though this isn't an official date, I consider it a date since Henley asked me to go with him. He's been going through a lot ever since his biological mother announced her existence and now, things are getting really out of hand. I don't blame him for needing some sort of moral support and it's touching that he thought to invite me. "Thank you for asking me to come. It's like you know that all I want to do is help you in any way I can," I give his arm a soft squeeze. How is he able to keep his head above water in times like this?I can't help but wonder. "I really couldn't come her
KARENHumming a tune as I wash the dishes, I shake my head this way and that way in tune to the music. I feel good today. I have never felt this good before in my life and I must say that it's an awesome feeling. "Like the circus meets the clouds…" I hum under my breath. They say everything gets better when you're in love and whoever said that couldn't have been more correct. I was scared of baring myself open for the fear of rejection. Apparently, Jason's nonchalant attitude towards me traumatized me to the extent of doubting an honorable man's true intentions. With everything going on in his life right now, I could have lost him. He could have said that a relationship would be extra work for him because he wouldn't be able to focus and give his total attention. What if he realized that I wasn't the one for him the way he's the one for me?What if he had said that he didn't feel love for me but only care?Would I have been able to handle rejection in whatever form it took?What
HENLEYNo matter what I have done or said or even tried to do, nothing seems to be enough to calm her down or make her happy. Hearing her sound so broken and devastated over the phone as she politely asked me to come over was one of the worst moments of my life. Looking down at her as she sobbed quietly, there's nothing I wouldn't do to stop her tears and ease her sorrows. I'd go to the end of the fucking world for her, she just doesn't know the extent of my love for her. "Sweet Karen," I called softly and gently held her shaking shoulders as she buried her head in my neck and cried. Running my hand slowly up and down her back, I coo to her softly, whispering sweet words to her to calm her down. "I can't believe that after everything we went through together they chose to believe him. Of all people, they chose him over their own daughter," she said, her voice hoarse from crying. "It's really disappointing, I agree. They had no right to cut you off like that. Anyone can see that
HENLEYA month has passed and I am yet to get used to the fact that I never got the closure I needed before my father passed on. Why is Fate so cruel to me? Maybe Fate decided that there is no need for closure. First, taking my mother away from me and turning my world upside down then taking my Father. Fate, why so cruel?Thirty minutes into this conference and I am already antsy, eager to get the hell out of here and go nowhere in particular. Anywhere apart from here where there is peace and quiet and not people singing your praises because of your financial status. "We'd like to specially welcome the very young Mr Daniels," the host's voice, amplified by the loud speaker brought me back to the present as I met his eyes from across the hall, "thank you for coming," I waved at him as as a way of acknowledgement and everyone else present applauded before he went on to welcome the other dignitaries present. Pulling at my tie carefully so as not to leave it looking rough, I shift s
JASON Today has a feeling to it, there is this feeling in the atmosphere that signifies that something is amiss and the very dominant knowledge that he isn't coming back. There is a particular stillness and calm that is settling all around me which gives off an eerie feeling and makes me feel like I am being watched from behind. I know I'd definitely look and sound crazy if I told mother but it's not an easy feeling to shake off, though I have tried. It might be because all the hustle and bustle that came with Dad's death has finally ceased and is immediately followed by silence so still that even birds aren't chirping as they used to and the breeze is blowing so softly it can barely be felt. It's like the universe is trying to use its own way to tell on me. Suddenly feeling nervous, I unconsciously glance over my shoulder and then get up from the bed to walk to the window whose curtains are drawn shut leaving the room in semi darkness. I part the curtains a little and star
HENLEYThe incessant ringing of my phone succeeded in clearing sleep from my eyes and pissing me off. I thought ignoring the calls would make it cease but instead, someone is hell bent on interrupting my sleep.With a groan I turn over to check the time on the ornamental wall clock hanging on the wall far away from the bed. I only got two hours in before this rude awakening and two hours is not enough!I badly need proper sleep and waking up now will only ruin my mood for the day.My phone finally stops ringing and I heave a sigh of relief preparing to force myself back to sleep as there's a lot to do in the morning. As I close my eyelids, my phone begins to ring all over again drawing a loud groan of frustration from me.I might as well answer it.Without bothering to check who was calling me at such an ungodly hou
JASONI am not a murderer. I am not a murderer. I am not a murderer. A voice repeated over and over in my head as I created a hole in the rug with my fast paced steps as I paced the room. I wanted to leave the house and just get away from this place in case my fears were confirmed but somehow, I found myself back in my room with the door locked. I can't remember coming here or locking the door, like I was in a daze. A memory clearing daze.All I remember is Dad falling down the stairs like a heavy sack of potatoes and landing with a very dull, odd thud. Is that what it sounded like when one falls terribly?He fell down the stairs and I was the one who pushed him. "Fuck!" I shout and slap my palm across my right cheek harsh enough to sting but I don't feel any pain which only makes me more frustrated."Fuuck!!!" I shouted at the top of my voice, pulling at my hair till stars began to pop out behind my eyes and the stinging pain coupled with the furious stomping of my foot helped to
JASON"I'm calm, I'm calm," I say again and again while pacing my room. My fingers clench into fists and unclench immediately, repeatedly as I give a sharp turn around the end of my bed. Dad is back from the hospital and now is the chance to properly have a talk with him about this whole shitstorm he helped to create. And that's if he's willing to talk. He'd better be willing because Henley is not going to be the only one that gets his attention. "Mr Daniels?" The stand by nurse whom I asked to inform me when Dad wakes up from his drug induced nap raps softly on the slightly open door leading to my room. "Yes?" I ask. "He's awake sir," she says.I dismiss her with a nod. Taking a deep breath, I rub my palms over my face repeatedly as I prepare myself for a conversation that will likely end with voices raised. Something I'm going to do my very best to prevent. Only if Dad is willing. "He doesn't have a choice actually," I say out loud. Not after taking what belongs to me and g
HENLEYNo matter what I have done or said or even tried to do, nothing seems to be enough to calm her down or make her happy. Hearing her sound so broken and devastated over the phone as she politely asked me to come over was one of the worst moments of my life. Looking down at her as she sobbed quietly, there's nothing I wouldn't do to stop her tears and ease her sorrows. I'd go to the end of the fucking world for her, she just doesn't know the extent of my love for her. "Sweet Karen," I called softly and gently held her shaking shoulders as she buried her head in my neck and cried. Running my hand slowly up and down her back, I coo to her softly, whispering sweet words to her to calm her down. "I can't believe that after everything we went through together they chose to believe him. Of all people, they chose him over their own daughter," she said, her voice hoarse from crying. "It's really disappointing, I agree. They had no right to cut you off like that. Anyone can see that
KARENHumming a tune as I wash the dishes, I shake my head this way and that way in tune to the music. I feel good today. I have never felt this good before in my life and I must say that it's an awesome feeling. "Like the circus meets the clouds…" I hum under my breath. They say everything gets better when you're in love and whoever said that couldn't have been more correct. I was scared of baring myself open for the fear of rejection. Apparently, Jason's nonchalant attitude towards me traumatized me to the extent of doubting an honorable man's true intentions. With everything going on in his life right now, I could have lost him. He could have said that a relationship would be extra work for him because he wouldn't be able to focus and give his total attention. What if he realized that I wasn't the one for him the way he's the one for me?What if he had said that he didn't feel love for me but only care?Would I have been able to handle rejection in whatever form it took?What
KAREN"Hey," I smile sweetly. "Hi, Karen," Henley grins from across the table. It's our second date so far and I'm going to make sure it's not the last. I have had time to think, really think, since the last time we were together and no matter the angle of thought I used to approach the matter, I always arrived at the same conclusion.I'm eager to hear what Henley will say about it once I inform him. Though this isn't an official date, I consider it a date since Henley asked me to go with him. He's been going through a lot ever since his biological mother announced her existence and now, things are getting really out of hand. I don't blame him for needing some sort of moral support and it's touching that he thought to invite me. "Thank you for asking me to come. It's like you know that all I want to do is help you in any way I can," I give his arm a soft squeeze. How is he able to keep his head above water in times like this?I can't help but wonder. "I really couldn't come her
JASONThe glass of wine I was holding a while ago, stood discarded on the ornate bedside table. It's a surprise I didn't even smash the delicate glass in my fury. What right does Dad have to give Henley an opportunity to look at me in a different way?None!He's not my brother, has never been and will never be. No son of a bitch will come from nowhere to steal my inheritance away from me. No matter how hard he tries to hide it, I know that its on his mind. I sneer.He's interested in having control of MERC, everything he does boils down to the company every single time no matter what he does. Everyone thinks he's a saint, fast rising as the youngest billionaire from Africa even though I know he built that company just to spit in my face and mother's face. After I offered to loan him the pathetic amount of money he couldn't seem to raise by himself. "Ungrateful bastard!" I shout and fling out my arm, knocking the glass of wine to the floor in the process, it shattered to tiny bits