Once the door clicks shut behind her, I hear a rustling from the bed. “Is she gone?” Clark asks, propping himself up on the pillows.
I nod, brushing a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “Yeah, she is. I’m sorry about the interruption,” I say, settling into bed and wrapping the duvet around me like a comforting cocoon.“She doesn’t want to go to work tomorrow?” Clark clarifies, his voice low and soothing as he wraps his arms around me, pulling me closer into his embrace.“Yeah,” I nod, feeling the weight of the situation settle between us. “She doesn’t like the thought of leaving the house; unfortunately, she feels she isn’t safe.” I let out a sigh, leaning against his chest, seeking solace in his presence. “And did you tell her there will be security with the both of you?” he asks, concern etched in his voice.I shake my head, frustration bubbling up inside me. “Yeah, I did, but she still wasn’t comfortable with the idea of leaving home. I wondLara’s POV“There’s someone here to see you,” Alice says, her voice breaking through the quiet hum of the office as she steps in, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. I lift my gaze from the laptop screen, momentarily distracted from the barrage of emails and documents that have consumed my morning. “Who’s that?” I inquire, my brow raising slightly as I shift my focus from the door to her.“It’s the lawyer,” she replies, her smile brightening the otherwise mundane atmosphere. “He’s here to discuss the progress of the case.” Her tone is light, but I can sense the underlying tension that always accompanies legal matters. “Can I let him in?” she asks, tilting her head slightly as if gauging my reaction. “Yes, please,” I respond, rising to my feet with a sense of anticipation as I make my way toward the lounge area, my mind racing with thoughts about the case.“Good afternoon, Mr. Elvis,” I say, extending my hand for a firm handshake, my professional demeanour kicking in. He meets my gaze wi
Elvis shakes his head, a look of concern crossing his face. “I’ve gone through the messages, and I can affirm that it will be shut down in the court of law. The threats are quite subtle and nothing too aggressive or persuasive to ensure imprisonment if the stalker were to be brought to trial.” “Besides, Miss Alice would have to give her consent for us to make plans towards ensuring the imprisonment of Mr. Evan,” he continues, his tone measured and careful. I can see the weight of the decision resting heavily on Alice's shoulders. “Of course she would want that, right Alice?” I ask, turning to face her, my heart racing as I wait for her response.She shakes her head, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face. “Not really, I’m not sure I want that,” she says, biting down on her lips as she glances down at her lap, avoiding my gaze. I can see the internal struggle written all over her; it’s as if she’s wrestling with a decision that weighs heavily on her heart. “But we discussed this
“Don’t you think it’s a bit strange that Evan hasn’t tried to breach the restraining order?” I say to Alice, who is seated opposite me on the sofa, her body language tense as she fidgets with the hem of her sweater. “I’m not sure what you mean by that,” she replies, her voice a bit on edge, betraying her anxiety about the situation. I offer a reassuring smile, hoping to ease the tension hanging in the air. “Well, it’s been a month since we got the restraining order against your ex-boyfriend, so I’m quite surprised there’s been no breach. You’d think he’d at least try something, given how unpredictable he can be,” I say, my tone light yet serious, trying to convey my concern without adding to her anxiety. I watch her closely, hoping my words can help her process the situation and feel a little more secure.“I mean, from how you described him, I expected him to retaliate, but there’s nothing of that sort,” I say softly, trying to gauge her reaction. Alice shrugs, her demeanour surpris
For a moment, there's an awkward silence, the air thick with unspoken words as Clark regards her with a mixture of concern and curiosity. I watch as she exits the room, her figure retreating into the hallway, and I can’t help but feel a pang of worry for her. “What was that about?” Clark asks, settling beside me, his brow furrowed in concern. I glance over at him, feeling the weight of the moment, and take his hand in mine, hoping to convey some sense of comfort. “She’s quite upset about the idea of returning home,” I reply, my voice low and steady.“Did she think that she’d be living here for a long time?” he states, a hint of annoyance creeping into his tone, as if the situation is somehow an inconvenience to him. I shake my head, trying to calm the rising tension. “Probably not. There’s just some fear she harbours about returning to her home alone,” I say, my heart aching for her. I can’t help but feel a swell of pity towards her; it’s clear that the thought of facing whatever aw
Once alone, I can’t help but chuckle softly to myself, shaking my head at the absurdity of it all. The room feels a little emptier without him, but I quickly turn my attention back to the screen, eager to dive deeper into the story unfolding before me. “Hey Alice,” I say to her as she walks into the room, a bright smile lighting up her face. “Is that for me?” I ask, my eyes drawn to the cup cradled in her hands. She nods enthusiastically, her excitement palpable. “Yeah, I made my famous pineapple juice for you,” she states, handing me the cup with a flourish, as if presenting a precious gift. I can already smell the sweet, tropical aroma wafting from it, making my mouth water in anticipation.“Oh really! What’s the occasion?” I ask, my curiosity piqued as I eye the cup before returning my attention to her sparkling eyes. She smiles widely, her expression warm and genuine. “I just wanted to show my appreciation for letting me stay here,” she explains, her voice filled with sincerity
“Clark!” I call out, pushing the door open as I step into our room. My eyes widen in shock as my brain struggles to register the sight before me. There stands Alice, clad in a very revealing transparent nightgown, her figure accentuated by the dim light, while Clark looks utterly horrified, his expression a mix of disbelief and confusion.“Lara,” she stammers, quickly picking up her robe from the bed and wrapping it tightly around herself, the fabric barely concealing her embarrassment. “Hi,” I say, leaning against the doorframe, feeling a whirlwind of emotions surge through me—anger, betrayal, and an unsettling curiosity. “It’s not what you think,” she insists, her voice shaky as she takes a few tentative steps toward me, stopping just a few meters away. The tension in the room is palpable, and I can feel my heart racing as I try to make sense of this unexpected confrontation.I smile, trying to mask the turmoil inside me. “I’m not sure I want to hear it, but why don’t you go ahead?
“What do you mean you had no hand in this? You literally were alone with her in the room,” I counter, my voice rising slightly as I glance at Alice, who seems unfazed by the accusations. “And might I add, inappropriately dressed,” I add, my eyebrows creasing with genuine annoyance at Alice’s behaviour. The way she’s carrying herself, with an air of nonchalance, only fuels my frustration. It feels like a game of chess where every move is critical, and I’m determined to expose the truth behind this tangled web of deceit.“She came in suddenly, and I was too shocked to react, and that was the same time that you came in,” he explains, a hint of desperation in his voice. “But you made no move to send her out; it’s obvious you have an interest in her,” I state, my gaze narrowing as I notice the flicker of something—perhaps guilt or longing—in Alice's eyes.“Since you have an interest in her, why don’t you go for her?” I challenge, turning on my heel and pretending to be angry as I stride o
Quietly shutting the door behind me, I make my way upstairs to my room, each step echoing in the stillness of the house. Once I’m inside, I close the door firmly, ensuring that I have a moment of privacy to search for the phone. I spend a good ten minutes rummaging through every drawer and flipping over cushions, my heart sinking with each fruitless attempt. Just when I’m about to give up hope, my eyes catch a glimpse of something sticking out from under the bed. My curiosity piqued, I drop to my knees and fall to the floor, my heart racing as I reach out to check it out. It turns out to be Alice's phone, and from my position on the floor, it seems to have fallen out of her hands—probably startled by my sudden presence in the room, I presume. A mix of disbelief and intrigue washes over me as I clutch the device, realizing how close I am to uncovering something significant.Wasting no time, I switch on the phone, my heart pounding with anticipation. To my surprise, the screen lights
It was a crisp Saturday morning when Clark and I decided to escape the city for a while. The sun was just starting to rise, casting a golden hue over everything, and I could feel the excitement bubbling inside me. "Are you ready for our adventure?" I asked, glancing over at Clark as he adjusted his backpack. "Absolutely! I've been looking forward to this all week," he replied, a wide grin spreading across his face. His enthusiasm was contagious, and I couldn’t help but smile back. We hopped into the car, the engine humming to life as we set off toward the countryside. As we drove, I watched the scenery change from the bustling streets of Lagos to the serene landscapes outside the city. "Look at that view, Lara!" Clark exclaimed, pointing towards a sprawling field dotted with wildflowers. I turned my head just in time to see a burst of color against the green backdrop. "It's beautiful," I said, feeling a sense of peace wash over me. "We should stop and take some pictures." Clark pu
As we dig into the meal, the aroma of the food fills the air, wrapping around us like a comforting blanket. The table is adorned with a colorful spread—fresh fruits glistening in the sunlight, a platter of scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and golden-brown toast, all meticulously arranged to create a feast for the senses. I watch as he takes his first bite, his eyes lighting up in delight. “This is incredible,” he exclaims, savoring each mouthful as though it’s the best thing he’s ever tasted. I can’t help but smile at his enthusiasm; it’s moments like these that remind me of the joy of sharing a meal with someone special.We fall into a comfortable rhythm, the clinking of cutlery and the soft sounds of chewing filling the space between us. I take a moment to observe him, the way he enjoys his food, the little quirks that make him uniquely him. There’s something so endearing about the way he closes his eyes for a brief second as he savors the flavors, as if he’s trying to capture the mome
I smile, nestling deeper into his embrace, “what’s done is done, there’s nothing we can do about it now. And it’s not like you can fire her after all you went through to hire her” I say, sympathetically.He shakes his head, “right now, I’m thinking very much of firing her. She can’t go scot free with that sort of behaviour”. I smile, “no let it be Clark, I don’t want to leave you without help at the office. As long as this was a one time thing then I’m fine, let’s move on” He smiles, “you’re just too kind but I can see that your mood isn’t totally lifted. I shrug, wearing a tired smile, “I just feel trained after that conversation, why don’t you go ahead and have lunch without me. I’ll eat later” I say.He shakes his head, “no way, you came all the way to my office for us to eat together. So what can I do to lift your mood” he says, a mischievous smile on his face. “Letting me sleep” I chuckle, suddenly feeling very tired.“I’ll let you do that in due time, but please let’s have lun
“Afternoon Miss Denie, you require our assistance” one of them says. She nods, “yes please kindly escort this woman downstairs”. They both turn to face me, their eyes widening in shock, before returning their attention to her, “that’s Mr Clark’s wife, please excuse us” they say, before exiting the room.I watch as Denie remains immobile and speechless as she processes their words. I don’t bother getting up as I patiently wait for Clark’s arrival.In less than a minute, Clark walks into the room, concern evident on his face as he walks directly towards me. “You sounded upset, is everything fine my love?” He asks, crouching down as he takes my hand.I look behind him to see Debie’s eyes widen at her mistake. I shake my head, “not really. I closed work early to come suprise you with some food and drinks” I say, raising up the lunch bag for emphasis.“But I was met with insults and disrespectful t from your assistant. She wouldn’t even let me inside your office. To think she actually cal
I’m met by a woman who seems to be in her late 20’s. She is seated in Lai’s former desk. Her auburn hair drops over her shoulders, and her hazel eyes catch my attention. “Good afternoon” she says, rising to my feet, a surprised look on her face as she slowly assesses me.Feeling uncomfortable with being under her scrutiny, I mumble a quick greeting before walking towards Clark’s office. “I’m sorry you can’t go in there” she says, blocking my path.I look up at her, obviously surprised at her audacity, “excuse me” I say, trying hard to control my emotions. She gives me a smile, which is more of a mocking smile, “I’m sorry but you can’t see Mr Clark right now, you shouldn’t even be up here. I wonder who let you in here” she says, frustratedly running her hands through her hair.I chuckle, slightly moving backwards as she’s right in my face at the moment. I quietly assess her, wondering how to address the situation. I force my lips to form into a smile, “I don’t appreciate the tone that
Clark brushes a strand of hair behind my ear, his touch gentle and reassuring. “We’re in this together, babe. No one can come between us,” he assures me, and I believe him. Our bond is unbreakable, forged through years of shared experiences, laughter, and even tears. I lean into him, feeling safe and secure in his arms.“Remember that time when we first met?” I ask, trying to lighten the mood. Clark grins, his eyes sparkling with nostalgia. “How could I forget? You were so sassy, but you still managed to charm me with that confidence of yours,” he confesses, his voice filled with warmth. “Yeah, I can be quite sassy,” I admit, “but I didn’t know this side to you. You were definitely worth it.” Clark’s smile widens, and I can see the pride in his eyes. “And look where we are now,” he says, pulling me closer. “Married, happy, and in love. It’s a beautiful journey we’re on.”I nod, feeling a swell of gratitude for the life we’ve built together. “I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” I say e
Jordan coughs, obviously uncomfortable with being made the third wheel, “I think you guys would love to be alone, so I’ll just leave and catch up with the others” he says, attempting to rise to his feet.Clark shakes his head, “absolutely not, I honestly don’t mind your presence here. A friend of my wife is mine” he states. Jordan smiles, “thank you, but in all honesty I have some things to discuss with Lai. Please excuse me and it was nice meeting you Clark” he says, before walking away leaving Clark and I to ourselves.“Why were you alone with him?” Clark asks, studying me. I smile, “I wasn’t alone with him, I was basically in the open. I purposely discussed with him, where you could easily see us” I say, chuckling at his jealous display.He smiles, “well I don’t like the fact that he keeps hovering around you. You might not be able to see it but I can definitely tell that he like you” smh r says, drawing me closer to him.“How so?” I ask, my tone evidencing my surprise at his words
“So what have you been up to?” Jordan asks, as we settle down. I shrug, partially intrigued by his sudden interest in my life, “nothing much to be honest. Just the usual, handling my business and enjoying my married life” I say, with a smile as I dwell on my relationship with Clark.Jordan chuckles, “how’s that going? Last time I saw you guys, you were both heavily invested in an argument” he says, slightly leaning forward. I chuckle, “you know how couples are, we fight and we make up. It’s all part of the process of understanding each other and learning to understand each other's triggers and boundaries” I say, my gaze drifting to Clark who’s heavily invested in a conversation before returning my attention to Jordan. “So you guys are good?” He asks, suggestively. I nod, “we are more than good, I’m in love with that man” I say, my smile huge as I set my boundary. “What about you, how’s life going?” I ask, shifting the attention from me.He shrugs, “nothing much, except from the fact
“Heyy Belle” I say, running to give her a hug, almost tripping along the way. “Careful Lara” Clark yells after me. “How are you doing?” I ask, pulling her into a hug, before releasing her as I examine her face.She smiles, “I’m hardly getting sleep with Tululla’s sleeping schedule. But in all honesty everyday feels like a blessing to have my little girl in my arms” she states.I nod, totally understanding what she means, “what about Lai?” I ask, scanning the room for my brother. “He’s over there with your dad and mine,” she says, pointing towards a section of the backyard.“They must be giving him some stupid parent advice” I joke, noticing how serious their conversation is. “Heyy Belle” Clark says, embracing her with a hug, “how are you doing?” He asks, returning to my side.She chuckles, “your wife already asked that. Like I told her, I feel blessed” she says, a wide smile on her face and I can tell that this is the happiest she’s been since I’ve met her. Clark nods, “alright, let