It's been weeks since I had refused Victor's suggestion of getting to know each other and he will not stop pestering me.
“Valerie get me that or Valerie you didn't wash my bathroom neat. Can you rewash it?” Did he think if he does that I will beg him to be with him. No, never...
“What are you thinking about so seriously, Val ”Audrey said as she watched me a little bit longer.
“Nothing, ” I replied, smiling at her as I gathered my bag and got ready to leave for my dance classes.
Audrey was taking painting classes at an art studio close to the Thompson's estate while Lisa was taking cooking classes like I have imagined she would.
Gia on the other hand was pursuing her love for writing. She took writing classes at the art center also.
We all walk outside to where we will part ways as I was the only one going to the dance classes. Audrey, Gia and Lisa always stroll down to the art center while I drive the bus to the Thompson's Media House. Mrs. Thompson walked out of the door with Victor beside her who was rushing to go to work.
“Good morning, mom Diana and young master Victor ” We all greeted them.
“Good morning, Audrey, Lisa and Gia. You are off to school right?” She asked them looking at them with smiles on her face.
“Yes ” They all replied
“Okay, off you go then ” She said dismissing them as they turned to leave while Gia kept on gawking at Victor. I rolled my eyes at her “ Oh! Valerie, you too?” Mom Diana said as her eyes finally landed on me.
“Yes, mom ” I replied shyly. I still haven't gotten used to all the love and affection she has given me.
“ Good. Victor darling, be a good boy and take Valerie with you ” Mom Diana said as I froze looking at Victor expecting him to refuse which he didn't disappoint.
“But mom________”
“ No but darling, you both are going the same way. What's the harm in it anyway and moreover Valerie is like a sister to you ” Mom Diana said as she pushes me into the car. I walked slowly into it and sat down while Victor got in beside me, frowning as he pulled off the driveway.
Mom Diana stood waving at us while Audrey, Gia and Lisa were both surprised with their mouths opened. I wave to them on our way out smiling.
I sat rigid on the car like a statue not moving. Victor kept glancing at me like he wanted to say something but I never gave him a chance to......
“You don't have to raise your guard when you are with me. I don't bite ” He suddenly said, causing me to look at him shocked.
“I don't do that ” I scoff at him, before turning to look out of the window. I just wish I was taking the bus, I would have appreciated the scenery more than I'm doing right now.
“ You are doing that. Ever since I asked to know you more, you've been avoiding me and when we are together, you are always on edge ” He replied shrugging.
“Excuse you! I don't do that. Maybe my body perceived you as a danger but that was not intentional ” .
He mumbled something to himself as he swiveled the car into the parking space of the company. I opened the car door and walked out immediately. I saw his personal assistant on her heel to meet him.
“ Wait!!“ He suddenly called out to me, I turned to look at him with my arms folded across my chest “ I'm not done talking with you ”.
“ Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you but I'm done talking to you ” With that I walk out of him into the reception. I greeted Candy who was in her usual seat and strolled into the elevator that will take me to my dance floor.
Getting out of the elevator, I was surprised to see everyone scattered about in the hallway. A quick glance at my watch tells me that it was past our dance class.
I shyly walked past everyone to a girl who was standing alone at the far corner of the hallway. She was typing away on her phone as her slim face with pointed nose displaced all kinds of emotion.
“ Excuse me “ I said shyly, trying to get her attention since she seems the odd one out of all these wealthy people here.
She continued typing on her phone, I guess she didn't hear me. I walk closer to her and tap her lightly on her shoulder “ Hi! ” I smile shyly at her as her brown eyes look at me questionably.
“Hi!” She answers back with a smile on her pretty face.
“ I'm sorry to disturb you but what's going on here?“ I said as I pointed to everyone in the hallway.
“Oh! This?” She asked knowingly with a slight smile showing her dimples. I like her a lot.
“Mrs Shelley said we are going to pick our dance partner today, that's why we are all here waiting for her. Oh! Here she comes ” she said excitedly pointing to our dance teacher who was walking briskly to us in a tight pink jogger and a white crop top.
“Thank you ” I mouthed to her after Mrs Shelley had reached us.
“Okay people. Are you all ready to know your dance partner? ” She asked, looking at us as we all gathered around her.
“Yes, Mrs Shelley!!” We all replied excitedly.
“Good” She said as she took out some rolled up paper and dropped them inside a little basket she brought with her.
“Here inside this basket is the name of all the ladies in this class. I want all the men to pick it one after the other and the name you picked will be your dance partner ”.
“Wow! That's so cool!” The lady with the phone exclaimed excitedly beside me. The men were asked to go, they all picked and we all gathered around them to see what they picked. Luckily for me, no one picked me. I guess I will be the sole dancer of myself. I smiled sadly as we all went into the studio.
The studio was like any dance studio you will see around, with two big speakers at each side of the room. A pole for dancing for those who are interested in learning pole dancing. The room was wide enough to contain one hundred people but we are only thirty. Fifteen men and fifteen ladies.
“Okay people, ” Mrs Shelley's voice pulled me out of my thoughts as I turned to see that everyone had paired up with their partner while I was at the center with no one.
“Miss Williams, why are you here?” Mrs Shelley asked me frowning. I was surprised, I never knew she knew my name at all. Hell! I thought no one here cared about me to ask for my name.
“I___don't___have a__part_ner ” I stuttered shyly as I looked down at the floor.
“Of course, you do” She smiled apologetically at me “ but he's late again” She said as she glanced at the door, like the person she is expecting will walk in any moment from now.
“Okay. Miss Williams stayed to that side and watched the rest perform while we waited for your partner” She said as I walked to the far corner of the room and sat down on the floor.
“Okay, people. Are you ready?” She asked them as she walked to where the speaker was and took the remote.
“Yes, Mrs Shelley ” They all replied excitedly. I was excited as well as I stood up to join them to hell with my dance partner or not. I love dancing.
“Okay. Follow my leads. One, two, three, go” She played the music as we followed her leads and moved in synchronized to the song.
“That's really beautiful. I see you Valerie ” She said as she smiled at me after pausing the music.
“I want everyone to start from the right and when it's getting to the end, you all spin your partner around three times. Okay” She explained as we all nodded in response.
“Okay. Seven. Six. Five. Go” She played the music again as we all danced from the right to the left then back to the front and then the spinning part. I stopped and watched as they all spun their partners as the ladies couldn't stop giggling just as the music came to an end.
“Wow!! Mrs Shelley that was such a spectacular performance ” Victor said smiling as he strolls to where Mrs Shelley was standing clapping his hands excitedly. My heart skipped a beat as all the ladies all turned to gawk at him.
“Victor!!” Mrs Shelley exclaimed, smiling as he pecked her cheeks, “ you are late again. I don't know why you take dance classes when you know you will always be late ” She scolded him playfully grinning. His lips twitched up in a smile as he raised his eyebrow at her.
“Okay, people. Gather around ” Mrs Shelley said clapping her hands excitedly as we all stood up from the floor to gather around her.
“I'm sure you all know Victor Thompson here. He is the CEO of Thompson's Media which is this company and an actor but inside this class he's not going to be any of that. He will be a regular student as you all are ” The ladies all ‘Ohs!’ and ‘ahs!’ as I rolled my eyebrow at them snorting.
“What's there to like about him?. Nothing!” I mumble inaudibly to myself.
“Miss Williams '' Mrs Shelley called out to me as her eyes searched around for me. I walked out from where I stood at the back to meet her.
“Good!”She said as soon as she saw me “ Victor here will be your dance partner for as long as this class hold ”
“What!” I exclaimed. I can't believe this is happening to me. First, I was assigned his personal maid at home. Now, I'm his dance partner. Why can't he leave me alone. Don't he know, he's choking me.
Victor smiled at me while I glared at him getting pissed up. I've enjoyed all of my dance classes up until this moment but I'm not very sure I will be enjoying anymore of it, now that he is here. Hell! I've not been enjoying my time at home since he arrived.
My face pulls up in a frown while my fist all clenched up, I feel like punching the wall right now. To think that my world will be turned upside down a second time and I'm helplessly watching.
“Okay people, ” Mrs Shelley's voice brought me out of my thoughts as I turned to look at her while Victor was watching me curiously. I avoided his eyes.
“Let's do that one more time. Pair up with your partner. Victor and Valerie watch and learn ” Mrs Shelley said as she walked up to the speaker and played it..
Victor walked up to me wearing a smirk on his face. I glare at him, I feel like wiping that smirk off his face with my punch.
“Finally, I get to hold you close to me and do all that I so wish” Victor whispered huskily as he lowered his hands to grab mine as he dragged me to his chest..
I looked up at him since he was taller than me. “ In your dreams ” I replied as we both followed Mrs Shelley's instruction and danced from the left to the right and back up.
“Wow!! I'm so happy. I have the best dancers in my class ” Mrs Shelley exclaimed, clapping her hands excitedly as she praised us after she had paused the music.
“You dance so well, Milady, ” Victor whispered in my ear as he bowed to me and walked away. I rolled my eyes at him as I turned to listen to what Mrs Shelley was saying.
“That will be all for today. I will see you all on Wednesday. Bye!” She said as we all went to grab our backpacks preparing to go home.
“Wait for me outside. I will drive you home ” Victor said walking outside to his office. I cursed at his retreating back as I walked outside to the bus stop after saying goodbye to Candy.
I sat down on the bus and it pulled out of the bus stand and drove me home.
I walk quickly out of my office with Amanda following closely behind me holding my bag and documents. On getting outside of the building I was surprised to see that Valerie was not there. I beckon to the security who ran up to meet me.“ Have you seen Miss Williams anywhere?” I asked him as I scanned the office building.“Yes sir. She took the bus home a while ago ”“Bus? Why?” I asked him. He looked at me like he wanted to say something “ Don't answer, that was rhetorical” He nodded as I waved him off. He went back to his duty post.I can't believe she stood me off again. What am I going to do about her? Anytime I try to inch closer to her, she pushes me off entirely.
I walked to the door scared with one thought on my mind. Has my aunt found me? Did she want to take me back? I was scared, I wouldn’t want to go with her. I like staying at Thompson's house. Though Victor has been on my neck asking me to date him but I wouldn’t trade the peace I’ve found here for anything.Opening the door, I was shocked and surprised to see a delivery guy standing at the door holding a banquet of flowers and a big box wrapped in a red ribbon “Good afternoon, Miss” He greeted me as he took out a piece of paper from the flowers “ Are you Miss Williams?”“Yes, I am. How can I help you?” I asked him curiously as he smiled.“I just need you to sign this document and the rest of this will be yours&
I stood up sluggishly from the bed since I couldn’t sleep a wink last night as all I could think about was a brown eyed girl with a beautiful smile.I could still remember the feel of her hands on my back. It took all of my will power not to take her right there in that moment.I quickly rushed through shower and dressed hurriedly after remembering I had important clients coming in today.I rushed out after picking my briefcase and car keys. Opening the door, I was surprised to see my mom in front of my door with her hands raised about to knock.“Mom. Good mor
The dance audition has come to an end. We were now gathered in the back stage awaiting the result. There were whispers among the students but my mind was not here anymore. I knew I performed woefully at the audition, it would be a miracle if I was to be picked.I still couldn't bring myself to believe that Victor will be leaving very soon, just when I had finally decided to give him a chance, to see where this will take us.I paced to and fro the dressing room lost in thought. A light tap on my shoulder jolted me awake as I turned to see hazy green orbs staring back at me “ Are you alright?” She asked me as I nodded.“ Are you sure? If you are worried about the audition, I will say don't be, cause it isn't worth it you know and______”&n
As soon as Victor pulled into the Thompson's mansion, I walked out of the car and rushed into the house avoiding Mrs. Thompson who had stepped out with Leslie beside her.Walking down the sitting room up the stairs that will take me to the maid's quarter. Maria was going through the ingredients for dinner, I tiptoed down the stairs as I clutched my bag tightly in my hands afraid of Maria seeing me.“Valerie! Come here for a second'' Maria called out to me from the kitchen causing me to grumble under my breath. I reluctantly stepped down and slowly walked to meet her…“What's that in your hands?” Maria asked me pointing to the package containing the phone Victor bought for me.“It's__a_
I paced around the garden as my eyes kept glancing at the tiny gold watch at the back of my hand. It's been hours since I had texted Valerie to meet me at the garden but she isn't here yet.I've been tempted to call her but I didn't want to make the other maids suspicious of her. Left to me alone, I would have loved to tell everyone that we were dating but I decided to respect her wish…I turned immediately I heard the plant twig under her feet only to see that it was Valerie approaching. My heart skips a beat as I open my arms wider to receive her. I get this feeling always whenever I'm with her.Valerie ran into my hands as I hugged her close. My heart rate tripled. I was on fire. She kissed me with a hunger I knew I was only one that could satisfy her. Even after t
I can't bring myself to believe that I was going to follow Victor to Italy. I mean I've always wanted to go with him but I didn't make it in the competition. I thought all hope was lost but here I am about to leave for Italy today. I wish I could say thank you to Mrs Thompson but I____“Is she awake?” I heard Gia whisper to Audrey, who was looking down at me from where she stood closer to my bed with her hands folded across her chest. I pretended to sleep just to listen to what they wanted to say.“Don't you think she is too much? I mean after being with us for a few months, she has gotten closed to Mrs Thompson and she has taken over your position from you. And to think that Mrs Thompson asked us to be nice to her. Who does that?” Gia hushed voice continued, I craned my ears to listen to her since her voice h
I awoke to the sunlight pouring down the window blind. I use my hand to shed the sunlight as I stood up from the bed.My eyes scan the room, I gasped as soon as I noticed that I was no longer sleeping on the plane but rather I was lying in an enormous bed.“How did we arrive here?” I mumble inaudibly to myself. I strolled into the sitting room to see that no one was there. Where could everyone have gone? Where is Victor?I was about to walk back into the room when it suddenly clicked open. I turned back to stare at the guy who just entered the room as he was all smiles when he saw me.“Who are you?” I asked him, my hands shooting out to cover my bare chest which was see-through due to the flimsy nightie I was on.
“Happy anniversary, my dearest heart”I groaned as I rolled over the bed and turned to gaze at Victor who was smiling at me.“Anniversary? Whose?” I asked him as I turned to take him in, he had sat with his back resting against the bed post as he grinned at me.“Ours of course, Darling. It's our one-year anniversary today” he told me as he shrugged off the duvet and stood barefoot beside the bed.I let my eyes run through his naked frame as I lick my lips. I can't believe I wanted him again even after our marathon sex last night.“Are you even listening to me?”I forced my eyes away from his erection to smile shyly at him “Can you blame me? This big guy here is more fascinating than you” I told him with a broad grin on my face as I pointed to his erection.He smirks and turns to wiggle his butt at me as he moves toward the bathroom causing me to laugh out loud “Woah! That's one fine, hard butt” I exclaimed stifling the laughter as I admire his naked buttHe stopped at the door and tur
I searched around the hall with a frown on my face. There was only one person I wanted to see tonight but he isn't here. I'm so nervous. I missed him. He hasn't been coming over like always since Rhea is on holiday. I wish I could see him everyday.“Victor is busy in the dressing room. He said something about his speech” Mrs. Thompson was saying as she hid a smile on her face.“But, I___ didn't______” I stopped the protest as soon as I saw the smile on her face. I guess I wasn't that discreet. Everyone could see the love on my face.“Is it that obvious?” I whisper at Gia biting my lips as she settles herself on the seat and turns to greet Victor's brothers and family.“Yes, so very obvious” Nina replied with a wink. I smile shyly at her.“I’m so glad you've decided to give Victor a chance” Skylar, Vino's wife, was saying as she smiled at me. I nodded shyly at her. I couldn't believe she was the one who painted that picture in Mrs. Thompson's private salon.“We are very excited. I'm su
“Woah! You're so beautiful” Gia cussed loudly as she came over to me where I was walking down the stairs.“Are you sure?” I asked her, suddenly feeling self conscious of the gold dress which cling to my body like a second skin.The dress was a designer dress made by a French designer whose name was hard to pronounce.“Woah! Victor will be speechless tonight. I wish he could pick you up” Gia was saying as I stepped down the last step and turned to take her in. She was dressed in a short golden ball gown. She looks beautiful as her hair was pulled in a chignon and pinned with a gold brooch.“You look beautiful too” I complimented her as I turned to search for my daughter.“Where’s Rhea?” I asked her, suddenly registering my daughter's absence in the room.“She’s in the car with Lavelle. Come let’s go else we might be late for the party” Gia was saying to me as she rushed off to the door.I nodded and followed behind her pausing to lock up my house. I stopped to take in the small mansion
Five Years Later“Maama. Are we going to see grandmama today?”I turned to smile at my little daughter, I was so proud of her. She was a big girl and worthy of loving. I was partly glad that I didn't take the Thompson's advice and aborted her.“Sure. If that is what my princess wants?” I asked her, she nodded, bopping her head with an excited smile on her face.“Which of the grandmamas?” I asked her, suddenly remembering there were now two grandmothers for her. I smile knowing that my daughter will have a better future than I did.“Both” She exclaimed excitedly bouncing up and down the sidewalk as I held her hands. I took a turn and came to a stop in front of my dance studio.I gaze lovingly at Dance with Love, proud of how far I have come. Though I didn't achieve this on my own, it was worth knowing my dreams had come true.“But Angel” I called to her with a frown as I got into the studio. I smile in greeting to Thea, my receptionist before turning to my daughter “We can't see both o
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Michael was saying as I stood in front of the mirror adjusting my tuxedo and tie.“Yes. Much more than you can imagine'' I replied without looking at him as I fixed my cufflinks.“I thought you loved Valerie. I thought you wanted to fight for her. How will you do that if you're getting married to Tianna?” Michael continued as he paced the room, trying to find answers to his questions.“Isn’t it too late for this, brother?” I snapped at him as he turned sharply to me“What do you mean?” Michael asked, shocked, colouring his face.“Well, if you'd arrived when I asked you to, none of this would have happened. Who knows, I might have been married to Valerie already”“But_____"“Enough both of you” Vino glared at us both as he came into the room with his now seven years old son, Tino.“Uncle Victor, you look good” Tino complimented me as he came to stand beside me checking me out.“Thank you, Valentino. You're not looking bad yourself too” I replied whil
I watched the whole drama unfold in front of me like I was in the movies. My years of acting and the awards I’ve won couldn’t have prepared me for this twist.I kept looking from Grandmother Willow to Aunt Clara, surprised that something like this could happen in reality. Isn’t stuff like this meant for the movies?“I hate what you do to me, Mother. I hate what you did” Aunt Clara was crying as she pushed grandmother Willow off her and made to stand up. I pitied her right now. No mother should go through what she is going through right now. And to think she had hated Valerie all these years not knowing she was her daughter. Her only daughter.“I’m not done with the story. You have to listen to everything before you hate me” Grandmother Willow’s face had hardened as she stopped her daughter who was about to leave the mansion.“There’s more?” Tianna gasped as she settled back on to the chair. She had a proud smile on her face. I knew she loved this so much. After all those years she fi
“Get me Valerie” I heard Mrs. Thompson said to Gia as I descended the stairs and came into the parlour. I watched Gia nodded and rushed out of the room.I took a seat and picked up the tea Audrey had placed before me. I blew into it to reduce its hotness with my legs crossed, I began to sip it ignoring Mrs. Thompson.Ever since that episode at the restaurant two days ago. She had been avoiding me. It’s like she was having second thoughts of asking me to marry her son. Was she regretting her actions? Does she now think that Valerie is the right person for Victor? Is that why she sent for her?I won't allow her to take my dream from me. I dropped the teacup back onto the saucer and straightened my pine. I won't give up without a fight.“Ma’am!
Two Days Later.It was two days later after the incident that I decided to put my plan of leaving the house in motion. I was alone in the maids' quarter after packing my bags. I tore off a sheet of paper and was about to pen down my message to Grandmother Willow.I couldn't bring myself to leave without leaving a message for her. She was the only one who had cared for me since my parents’ death. And it was surprising seeing that she wasn't my real grandmother. She wasn't my mom's mother. Mom's mother had died from lung cancer when she was Nineteen.So, I never really met her. And Dad has been raised in the orphanage. He didn’t know his parents since they had abandoned him from birth. Which was why they had showered me with all the love and care. And now they were no more. Someone took them from me. And I can't know who that p
“No” I repeated, ignoring the gasps my words had earned as I stepped fully into the room.I can't believe Valerie gets to enjoy everything. This wasn't the kind of revenge I had in mind for her. I don't want revenge in which she gets to find love and happiness again. I want her to suffer forever.“What are you doing, Tianna?” Mom rushed to my side as she whispered to me. She tried to drag me from Lavelle who had stood up and was now looking at me with a murderous look in his eyes.“What are you trying to do? Lavelle had everything under control “She repeated just in case I hadn't heard her words earlier.“Control my foot” I spat on the ground as I turned to my mom who was frowning at me. Why can't they see it? This wasn't L