MelissaI took cautious steps towards the gift Alexander brought for me. It was wholesome, my eyes continued watering on their own and I quickly wiped them off.“Hello Melissa, I heard you are a big fan of me,” the middle aged woman said.“Lyra Astrid?” I wanted to confirm if she was truly the one standing in front of me.She put her arms out, smiling. “In all her glory.”Lyra Astrid was the biggest and best artist the 21st century has ever produced. While in college, I watched all her painting videos and her speeches and tried to attend some but the entrance cost was just too high; for someone that was caring for an ailing mother.She was my role model, she was everything to me. I looked up to her and revered her like a goddess.It still came as a shock to me. I moved closer and whispered, “c-c-can I touch you or feel you or stand beside you?”My words were rambling out and I didn't care if everyone looked at me and saw a teenager because I most certainly did not behave like a mother
MelissaIf there was anything my kids took from me, it was uncouthness. They say what they want to say without any filter in their mouth, especially when it comes to someone they don't like. For example Francis.They insisted Alexander's gift be the last, and they had to go through all the gifts first.Janet knew them well and bought them what they loved. She got Albert the entire franchise of Harry Potter books and creative writing tools, my little boy screamed and forgot how tough he used to be.Aiden was next, he got a skateboard and protective gears. Aurora got something she had always cried about but I never took it seriously. Janet got her, her first pet. A Bengal female kitten. She grabbed the cage and scooped it out, cuddling her newly acquired pet and running around with it.It was time for Francis’ gift, he brought out 3 huge teddy bears and Legos for my kids. Feeling pity for him, they walked out, straight to where their father and the Thatchers stood. They weren't babies
AlexanderThe day was getting darker and darker, we were all getting ready to leave. The kids swarmed and played with Lady Selene and Sir Carlos while Bree just sat in the front seat of the car I came with.Melissa stood with me, with her hands clamped tightly behind her. Her eyes kept going back and forth around the area like a headlight.Sensing her shyness, I reached for her hands and caressed them, helping her to tuck the strands of hair falling at the back of her ear. “You look beautiful, you've always been beautiful.”“Oh, thanks,” she threw her face to the floor, not wanting me to see the blush gradually creeping on her face.I raised her face to meet mine, I decided to tell her the truth about the first day we met.Dragging her in, her breath was a few inches away from mine. “Remember the first day we met?”“At the restaurant? The day my hand went over your face twice?” She laughed.“Ouch,” I rubbed my cheek, making her believe it still hurt. Her laughter raised a notch, it wa
AlexanderWith due diligence, I was given a tour of the house. It was the first time I would step my feet into the house, it felt magical. We went to Albert's room first and I saw the main reason why Janet had to get him the type of gift he got. My baby boy had a diary, he scooped it away before anyone could get close to it. His single act earned a rich beautiful laughter from me.“What are you hiding from everyone?” I questioned. It was just me and them. Little bunny had left us prior going to clear up the sitting room and the kitchen. She gave us time to get familiar with one another.“It's called a diary for a reason. There are personal things in there,” he said, clutching the book tightly in his arms.“Yes sire,” I bowed, showing that I respected his space.Comics of different types and collections of short stories were arranged neatly on his bookshelf. Albert read and wrote anything he could think about. I grabbed a piece of paper peeping from under his bed. He titled it, my dadd
BreeThey kept chatting and smiling about how perfect the day was as we entered the house. I had been tossed to the side like an unwanted wrapper or maybe because I refused to talk to them and they wouldn't bother about me so much, at least not like all the attention I used to get in the past.I halted suddenly. “How could you let something like that happen?”“Something like what?” They said unanimously, both of them turning their heads to meet each other’s eyes, trying to figure out what I meant.“Do you mean the gifts we gave the triplets?” Sir Carlos asked. “Bree, you still have access to all our money as you would wish. You just decided to stop talking to us.”Frustrated, a groan forced its way out from the depth of my throat. I stamped my left foot on the hard floor and winced silently in pain. There was no need to make a fool of myself right in their presence.“I'm talking about letting Alexander go with that woman,” I pointed at the direction of where we came in.“Wait a minute
FrancisThe half content of vodka was busy in my system now doing whatever it wished. I had thought today was going to be a perfect day and I would be able to win Melissa's heart. But she herself was as stubborn as anything. There was no doubt that she and Alexander Pierce were a perfect couple.If her kids wouldn't like me, there was no way she would think twice about accepting my proposal. And the way I saw relief cloud her face when she saw Alexander coming, I was jealous.I had no idea that the son of a bitch knew. He even had the guts to come thank me for coming. What an insult.I thought it was going to be just a few people and then I saw exotic gifts bought for kids. It made me look like an idiot buying teddy bears and legos for 8 year old kids. The way they walked out of my presence was more humiliating than ever.Maybe it was planned, they never liked my presence from the onset. Not to mention the smartest one among them. They looked at me like I was a piece of shit.The gift
MelissaIf a mosquito landed on my skin while sleeping, I'd jump up immediately. Subtle talks kept flying around where we slept but I was still enjoying the feeling and rest from the night before. Until one particular talk caught my ear; they slept together.I opened my eyes to find myself wrapped carefully in Alexander's arms. His mouth was curved into the most beautiful smile I'd ever seen, he had a happy look on his face. He must be enjoying the sleep like I am too. Last night was a lot, I wasn't ready to get into the details.“Uhhhhhh,” I heard a voice saying. “It's way past breakfast, can you two just get up already?”“Shhhhh, daddy and mummy are still sleeping. Please don't disturb them,” I felt Alexander putting his hand out, shooing them away. His eyes were still closed and the other arm wrapped around me. I had no idea he was awake too.“5 minutes is all we have to offer, you and your rabbit should get up and find us food,” Albert said.I gasped unconsciously, making Alexande
Alexander Her mood changed almost immediately after she heard that question. I wouldn't blame her, there is only pain and heartbreak left for her in that place. That wasn't the initial question I wanted to ask but it just popped suddenly in my head and I pushed it out without thinking twice.The kitchen was quiet and I took that time to plead with her and also tell her about the current state of her foster mum. She gripped the clothes on her chest tightly as the tears were trying to force their way out. If she could hold her heart in her hand, she would. The only thing I could make out of her words was that she was taking all the blame. In the actual sense, I was the one that derailed her life journey.I sensed that she didn't have the strength to cook anymore, all she did was weep and weep. I grabbed my phone from the counter and placed an order for breakfast for all of us. The ingredients she had diced were placed in the fridge. She still did not leave her spot, I carried her to he
AlexanderI had the biggest round table made yesterday, with so many chairs. We wanted a large family meal with everyone we had come in contact with that year except the people who were behind bars. Mrs Dawson was closest to us, so I had her picked up myself. Janet, Maddy, Sally, Jayson, Andrew; were all invited from Carlton. I had my private jet go pick them up. It was a very beautiful sight.The chefs cooked exotic meals and everyone looked forward to eating together.Knowing the table wouldn't be able to get inside, we placed it under the tree in my yard. Everyone got to get a room to themselves and even though the house was rowdy and noisy, it still made a lot of sense.“The table is ready and being set, come on out everyone,” the kids ran around the house, bellowing this information.Everyone trooped out of their rooms, laughing and talking with one another. One by one, we sat at the table and the empty chairs were moved away by the staff.I stood up, raising a glass cup and a for
AlexanderEverything was starting to happen the way I wanted it to be. A very big happy loving family, with no issues or any form of bad blood amongst us. Yet I still dreamed of doing one beautiful thing, getting married to Melissa properly. I had asked for her hand in marriage again from her parents and they had given me their full support. Deep down I know that Melissa would love to start afresh with me again but I just wanted her to know some disturbing things from my life.I admired the diamond ring I got for her the day before yesterday. I had solely made sure that was all I did yesterday—find a wedding ring that is befitting for my woman.My ears caught the whiff of footsteps and I quickly hid the ring case.She sank into the bed beside me, rubbing my face. “Hey Alexander Pierce, I've been looking for you all over the house. Are you sure you are fine?”“Of course,” I gave a small smile. I didn't have the courage to look her in the eyes and she noticed it. To her, it might feel l
BreeA bowl of popcorn sat graciously on the table as we munched on it. Myself and the trio were binging a popular TV series. The remote was yanked from Albert's hand as he was the one controlling everything.“Hey,” he turned around screaming, he toned down his voice immediately he saw who got the remote from him.“Excuse us,” Alexander sat with Melissa beside me. Lady Selene walked in with Sir Carlos and just like that the kids found their way inside.It was a suspicious gathering. I looked from left to right but all their attention was on the TV. “I think I'll go inside with my buddies too,” I said, standing up.“No sir down Bree, you are needed here. Not with them,” Alexander said. Reluctantly, I sat. “Well, will someone be kind enough to explain the sudden strictness on your faces and the gathering?”He tuned the TV set from one station to another and he finally settled for one. It was a news channel, James and Melissa's foster father were being sent to jail.Judge: “James Talon
BreeIt's been 3 days since I last went to the police station. Alexander and Melissa were back home and everything and everywhere has been lively—back to how it used to be. I was still sulking about my visit, I was hating myself for it. The more I thought about it, the angrier I became with myself. I locked myself in my room, not letting anyone see me or talk to me. Aiden was smart enough to know that I didn't want to be seen so he always delivered my food through the space under the door. Everyone tried to talk to me but I wasn't letting them in.As usual that day, I sat in my bed, moping into space, still in my current situation before I heard the impossible.“Please break this door down, it's my house. I have a lot of them and I'll just have this repaired instead if everyone chose to stay here.I didn't believe what I heard. A few strikes at the locks and the door was forced open. I maintained my position and didn't move an inch.Melissa ran forward first, hugging me without mindi
BreeWith a black hoodie over my head, hiding the plasters that were still on my face, I snuck out of the house to the main road. Boarding a taxi to the police station, I was just so grateful that Melissa and Alexander weren't back from their trip. The kids and Lady Selene are today, sleeping I guess. That can only explain why the house was extremely silent before I left.No matter how much I tried to take my mind off it, I just wanted to see him. The man that called himself my biological father, the man that killed my mother just because he envied a set of people with generational wealth.“Hi good morning,” I greeted the first officer I came in contact with. “I'm here to see James Talon.”“Please sign here while I bring him out for you,” he pushed the visitor's signing book to me. “What's your name?”“Bree.”“Bree what?”I didn't know which one was appropriate. Whether to say Bree Thatcher or Bree Talon, none of them was settling right with me at the moment.“Just say Bree,” I half s
Melissa With the car seat lowered to the back, I desperately sought sleep. Alexander and I were home alone with the staff, we refused to sleep on time and played around like kids till the early hours of the morning. I wondered how he got up so early without a trace of sleep on his face, I guess work had made him get accustomed to it.I felt a hand on my face, pinching my nose and my ears. In a sleepy voice, I begged.“Oh God Alexander, let me have a little nap before we get to our destination, please,” I begged.“That isn't going to work on me,” he taunted. “Remember you wanted to play last night and I indulged you. You forget the fact that I'm a businessman and I'm used to staying awake.”I flung my hands out tiredly, signifying my surrender. “Oh the mighty Alexander, I give up. Let thy maiden enjoy her beauty sleep.”He chuckled, finally considered my request and let me be, diverting all his attention to the road. I heard him start rhyming with some words.“Wake up Melissa, we are
MelissaI sat behind the other side of the glass with a straight face, waiting for the person I was supposed to meet. Immediately she came and found her seat, I picked up the phone.“Heard you left Carlton with your family, did you come to see me because you miss me? Didn't hubby come along with you?”“I can see that your intel is still as good as ever. Even while in prison you have information about the outside world,” I said. “Your genital meet and greet business really proved useful.”She wasn't expecting me to get back to her that way, her face was riddled with shame and pain.“Ouch, I think I took it too far. My apologies, I didn't come here for that.”She sighed. “No need to beat around the bush, tell me why are you here?”“To let you know that I hold no grudges against you. You did what you had to because you were in love with my husband. Apologies, scratch that. You were obsessed with my husband Alexander Pierce. You let yourself be controlled by a man who didn't even mean wel
Melissa“Are you sure you want to do this mother?” All of a sudden I wondered why she wanted to see her husband. But I guess it was a fair thing to ask for.“Yes Melissa, I want to see him,” she smiled. “I missed him so much. Even though we would see some place where I can't touch him or hold him, I still want to see his beautiful face. He's everything to me.”I didn't understand what was going on in her head, even if I tried.“Mother, he sent you to a nursing home by himself, do you remember that at all?” I said, trying to make my point. “He left you alone.”Without any argument, still with a calm face and voice, she said. “I know that, I know exactly what he did to me. But he's the love of my life, he’s everything I have and everything I've always had. So if I throw it all away because I'm mad at him for throwing me in a nursing home, then I'll be miserable for the rest of my life. Besides I met beautiful people there, beautiful people who made the days I spent there. It's not like
MelissaAs we got closer to the hospital, I brought out my phone and saw that I had missed several calls from Lady Selene. “Alex, let me see your phone,” with his eyes still on the road, he brought it out and handed it over to me.“What's the problem? Is everything good?”“We've missed Lady Selene's call, multiple times,” I said. “I hope she doesn't break our head as soon as we get there.”“Maybe she missed us.”I rolled my eyes at him. “You flatter yourself too much Mr.”The first person to welcome us as soon as we walked the corridors of the hospital was Lady Selene. Her face radiated so much joy and happiness.“Where have you guys been? I've been calling your phones all day. Bree is awake and she's fine,” she jumped into Alexander's arms. “And the kids?”“You know as usual, bombarding her with so many things that had happened while she wasn't awake,” she said, so casually.I hurried into her ward with Mara in front of me. “She should be resting, no one is allowed to disturb her,