SERAPHINA The shop had done better than ever. I was proud of myself. More than proud that it gave me the guts to talk back to my once-best friend in the manner I did when her call came in the last time. Not only did I speak to her in that manner, but once again gave myself a name. The reputation I know I deserved. And as soon as the month started to end, her payment was ready. More than ready but I made up my mind to send it to her in my own time—not hers. Today was a Saturday. The day I planned to send her money. My mood asked me to and I was willing to do just that—so the very moment I stepped foot at the shop, I dumped my handbag as soon as my phone was retrieved from a purse inside of it. “Good morning, Isabella.” No one spoke from the other end.Looking at the screen of my phone, I realized it could be the network and ended the call, promising myself to reach out to her as soon as I could before the day ended. From the look of things, there was more than a lot to do at t
ISABELLA Did she just ask me what? Where were her manners? Did she forget I was still older than her even though things didn't work out well between us and it could have been my fault in a way? “What is it, Isabella?” Her tender voice, from the other end, brought me back to reality. “I don't have all day. You of all people should know how tiring and time-occupying the business is, or did you forget?” A smile came on my countenance. It was obvious Seraphina's business was now going well. Or maybe not. It was either it went well or she had the privilege of taking money from Carlos who wouldn't mind. The position I had seen them in several times wasn't a good one and the thought of it alone made me annoyed. “Good day, Seraphina.” “Good day to you, too, Isabella.” “Thank you—” I finally made up my mind to take a seat on the couch—opening my mouth to speak again. “I saw some money in my bank account. A message came in from the bank and when I checked, it was from your account. Did
ISABELLA The weekend came in a rush. It was the day when I would leave the house for the mansion where Carlos lived. As soon as I had taken a bath, I caught up with my room and was ready before that hour ended, grabbing my purse and then heading out of the house after wearing perfume and a watch on my wrist. Was Carlos as excited as I was to see him just as I was to see him? Several times, I asked myself this question as I caught up with the gate of the compound where I said a few words to the man who worked for me. “Have a nice day, ma'am.” Waving back at him, I led my way through the Estate and was catching up with a cab in no time, explaining my directions to him before asking for the fee. “It's almost an hour's journey. I believe you should pay half a hundred. That's what's fair.” Indeed, it was fair. Even if it wasn't, I would take the ride either way because at the end of the day, more than half a hundred dollars would be in my account and I would feel good again. Carl
ISABELLA As soon as the main door shut, I knew it was just me and Jenny in the whole of the house. Maybe Nonna was around but why should I care or give a fuck about wherever she was? Smiling, I looked at Jenny who looked at me as well. “You cook so well, Jenny. This is one of the traits I'll love to have someday.” “Oh—” she smirked. “Thank you for your kind words, Isabella. But don't you think you should taste the food before giving off reviews you have given?” I chuckled, picked up the glass of water, and sipped from it. “I don't think so—” I mouthed. “I might be full from just perceiving the aroma.” Picking up a spoon, I dug into the meal and nodded in satisfaction when my tongue tasted it. “This is nice, Jenny. Is it just both of us in this house?” “No, ma'am. Nonna is around.”“She spends most of her day in her room and her meals are served there, so feel free.” She offered a smile and walked away—leaving me to think about how to bring her back so that we could talk. The miss
SERAPHINA “And—open!” I changed the sign, turned around to meet the gaze of Carlos whose screen was on his phone. “Are you good?” I asked, taking a seat on my special chair. “You've had this look on your face since you walked into the shop. Do you want to tell me about it?”Carlos looked up. “Did you say something?” Now I was convinced that something was wrong with him. “What is the matter, Carlos?” Adjusting on the chair, I faced him. “Tell me. What exactly is wrong?” A sigh ran out of his mouth. “Nothing that should bother you, Seraphina. You're my boss at this shop, are you forgetting that?” Nodding, I mouthed. “You can tell me if something is going on with you, do you know that? After all, you saved my business on the first meeting. Why can't I help you if there's something I can help you with?” “You're so sweet, Seraphina—” he mouthed. “Stop teasing, Carlos. We both know I am not sweet.” More chuckles escaped my mouth and I looked out the window, realizing how much time I
ISABELLA It was about a month after I had spoken with Jenny about letting me know about the movement of Carlos when my phone beeped. Just that afternoon. Looking up from the book I had in my hand, I picked up the television remote and turned down the volume of the program I was watching when I picked up the phone to see what call came in and there it was. “Jenny—” I picked up the call before placing the phone in my ear. “Good afternoon, Jenny. How are you doing?” “Good afternoon, Miss Isabella—” her calm voice, from the other end, sounded. “I'm doing alright. How are you?” I sat up at the pose of the question, angry that she could not go to the point but rather ask me questions. “I'm doing very well, Jenny—” I let out a smile I didn't mean. “Is there something you have for me?” She chuckled from the other end and let out. “Yes, definitely. I called because I have something for you, Miss Isabella. It's about my boss. I overheard him making a phone call earlier this morning. It
ISABELLA A cab stopped me at the gate of Carlos's mansion. Over and over again, I thought about what I was here to do. There was nothing wrong with claiming my place, was there? A sigh ran out of my mouth and I held on to the empty carton with a smile on my countenance. What was next? Jenny. Reaching for my bag that hung on my shoulder, I picked up my phone. Without thinking twice or hesitating, I dialed her contact, looking for a spot around the gate where no one would suspect so that I could wait there. What the fuck was wrong with Jenny and why wasn't she taking her calls? Did she think I had all day? A sigh ran out of my mouth as I gazed at the screen of the phone for some time and then made up my mind to dial her again. “Hello, Jenny. What is wrong with you?” “Ma'am,” she cried from the other end. “I'm sorry about this but my boss is around. You'll have to wait until he's gone from the house. Can you give me some time?” A sigh ran out of my mouth and I let out. “Don't b
CARLOSI wasn't supposed to return home, but I had my reasons. Especially when I forgot a document I would need for a new contract at the house when I should have left home with it the last time. What was the need to stay out? Seraphina would make it to the house as well. Why not wait until she was here before I would go back to where I was coming from? The thought of it alone sounded good in my ears and I picked up my phone from my pocket, dialing Vito who must be waiting for my next return. “I'll not be out until later in the evening, Vito. Do you understand? Keep them on hold until I'm done with whatever it is I have come home to do. I forgot already that Seraphina would make it to the house today.” “Of course, Boss. I'll do just that.” The call ended. I looked around me, discovering the new driver parked me in the lot and this was my time to make it into the house. But it was weird because I felt something was off even though I could not place a hand on it. Where was Serap
CARLOS “What? Why?” The same confusion that plastered on my countenance was the same as that of my man, Vito. “I wouldn't know, Vito. That's what he said.” Vito adjusted on the chair. He looked at me and looked around the room before facing me again. “I don't know what to say about this but you cannot run from the meeting. Maybe there's something he has to discuss with you and we'll never know until you get there.” “You're coming with me.” I got up and walked around the dining section. “I don't know how I'm supposed to face Frank if this is one of his games. I'm too weak to fight if one arises and the strength or courage to face him, I don't have. Do you see it?” “I understand, Boss. You mustn't kill yourself.” I turned to face him. So many thoughts ran around in my head and one that bothered me the most was what my cousin wanted. He rarely reached out to me on the phone. In fact, the last time Frank and I talked over the phone was months ago and it had to do with the Mafia g
CARLOSThe month didn't start well, or end well. No one needed to tell me but I knew I lagged in my tasks at the office. There was so much to do and whenever I walked into the office, I ended up doing only a few.What was wrong with me? I knew, but still needed to ask. A woman had never affected me in this manner and I didn't have the slightest idea what to do and how to go about what to do if I knew. I hit my hand on the table, shouting. Another month had started and this wasn't the right way to start the month—even the day. Especially when there was more than enough to attend to. What would I say to partners who I penned all these while? A frustrating sigh ran out of my mouth and I stopped trying while realizing how a woman would become my end. Standing up on my feet, I caught up with the door and walked out, catching up with the stairs and then the diner where Nonna and Jenny stayed to eat. Whenever I came into the diner and Jenny was there, she got up and left. But she didn
ISABELLA It was a good thing—watching from afar. Even though I wasn't sure what the news was, I knew there was no way the two would be together at the end of the day. Especially when I knew my once best friend hated lies more than her enemies. Or was she going to let this one be? No, she had better not. I snapped out of my thoughts when my phone rang. My gaze went to the phone and I nodded, smiling at the callers whose name appeared on the screen of my phone. Without any hesitation, I picked up the call. “Hello, Frank Gotti—” The man from the other end chuckled. “Good morning, Miss Isabella. You've done a great job and you don't know.” His words made the smile on my face widen and I nodded, happy that his suggestion worked after all. That was what we needed. “I'm happy to hear that, Frank. But how did you know? Did your cousin reach out to you so that you're told?” He laughed again, and now it annoyed me. Could this man go straight to the point? Could he answer my questions
SERAPHINA Life was difficult, more like different without him. I loved him enough and considered him my husband even though I didn't know his thoughts towards me. Arriving at the shop today, I had many thoughts running around in my head and one was how he was faring. Wasn't it better to pick up my phone and reach out to him, or maybe pick up his call when next he called? No. I wasn't going to do that. Not now or ever. The man had offended me and must live with it. How could he lie to me? What did he take me for? Obviously, a fool and only a fool was what I was to not try to check or confirm. But how would I know it was a lie? Sitting at my desk, I heaved a sigh and dropped my bag. Today was going to be another long day. I could not wait for it to come to an end so that I could be gone from the sight of neighbors who did nothing but ask if all was well with me since last week after the breakup. “Good morning, Miss Seraphina.” “Good morning—” I looked up. “Welcome to the s
CARLOSShock was on my countenance. What just happened? Before I could say a word, Seraphina turned and walked away from the table, her perfume filling my nostrils. So many thoughts ran around in my head as I thought about what to do and even how to do it. My gaze scanned the hall and I caught sight of people whose gazes were fixed on me and then I managed to stand on my feet. What was I doing here without Seraphina? I could not blame her either. One thing that bothered me was how she got to know about the real person that I am. I also wondered about who sold me out. While I led my way from the table, I turned around when I recalled my phone and pack remained on that same table. As soon as it was grabbed, I led my way towards the door of the hall, catching up with the lot and then my car. “Boss—” shock appeared on the countenance of Vito who did not and would not expect me to be back at this time. The man looked around before meeting my gaze with aid from a mirror in the car sp
CARLOSThe most awaited day came into existence. One thing I looked forward to was the evening. The same evening when I and the woman I loved more than another would meet after not seeing each other in a while. A knock on my door cut short my thoughts. “Jenny. What is it?” “Mr. Carlos. Good morning. I brought you ginger tea.” “Come on in then.” The door opened and Jenny walked in. Smiling, she caught up with the table next to the bed and dropped the mug of tea. “Is there something you'll be needing? I can get it for you before I go on leave.” Leave? Did she say leave? Oh. How could I forget? Twice a month, Jenny took leaves. Today was one of those days and I would be left with Nonna who would not hesitate to order me around—totally forgetting I was the head of the house. I shook my head. “Not at all, Jenny. There's nothing you should help me with unless you get back to the house as soon as you can. Seraphina and I have a date and you should be home early so that you can
SERAPHINA Another weekend came and passed. According to my calendar, it was three weeks into my relationship with Carlos and there was nothing I did not love about the man. He was everything to me, strangely as it sounded. I wanted him for a husband even though we were yet to get to that point and a part of me did not mind waiting. This Monday morning, I packed my hair in a bun as I moped at my new look in the mirror, all ready for the day. Even the week. Carlos and I had a date by the weekend. There was no way I would miss a moment with him for something else. Just at the right time, my phone beeped and I turned around to reach for it with a smile that came on my countenance as soon as the caller was sighted. “Hello, baby.” The thick voice of a man I loved sounded from the other end, making me wish he was right in front of me, and this way, we could share a kiss. “Are you there?” “Good morning, Carlos—” I said and realized this wasn't in any way the right way to say hello to
SERAPHINA “Wh—what are you doing?” I looked around to be certain it wasn't a prank. “Are you—” I looked around again. “Are you kidding me?” He shook his head. “No, Seraphina. I am not kidding you.” What then was happening? I did not stop looking around just so I could be certain I was not being pranked even though I wished for this to be real—especially because of the feelings I have for Carlos. How didn't I know he was in love with me as well? A smile came on my countenance as I got ready to confess. “There's something you should also know, Carlos. I have loved you from the moment in that party. You didn't have to know because you didn't ask for it and now, you've given me a reason to want this with you. I love you, too.” The happy man looked around. Instead of sitting opposite me so that he could see me clearly, he walked to my side and was seated next to me the very next moment. “Did you mean that?” “I mean everything, Carlos.” There was no need to feign ignorance. Not
CARLOSIt was the day when Seraphina would make it to the mansion so that we could spend some time together. Little did she know about my plans for her. Waking up this morning, there were more than a lot running around in my head and one was what would happen between Seraphina and Jenny who had wronged her weeks ago. I didn't know what to do about that. I got off the bed and caught up with the closet, snatched a towel from the closet before reaching the bathroom. It didn't take long for me to be done and when that happened, I caught up with the room again. Jenny needed to be talked to. One part of me knew I should have fired her because she caused more than a lot to myself and Seraphina who blamed me, instead of her. Why would she do that? A sigh ran out of my mouth and I fell on the bed to think before drawing a conclusion that should be of help. Then, I got back on my feet and reached the door of my room. In a short while, I was downstairs, inhaling the aroma of many dishes I c