“Wait!” Alice calls out, her footsteps quickening as she runs after me. I pause and turn to face her, a mix of annoyance and curiosity brewing inside me. “Yeah, is there something else you want to say?” I ask, my tone sharp. “The trial starts in 10 minutes, so you need to make it quick,” I add, glancing down at my watch, the ticking seconds amplifying the urgency of the moment.She takes a breath, her chest rising and falling as she gathers her thoughts. “I just need you to understand,” she begins, her voice trembling slightly. “This isn’t just about the case for me. It’s about everything that’s happened between us.” I watch her, intrigued despite myself, as her eyes flicker with a mix of vulnerability and determination. “Look,” I reply, trying to maintain my composure, “we don’t have time for a heart-to-heart right now. You had your chance to explain before all this.” I can feel the weight of her gaze, and for a moment, the noise of the bustling court f
“Oh I was just about to look for you” Becky says, a look of relief on her face at the sight of me. I smile, “sorry, there were some things I had to take care of” I say, referring to my conversation with Alice.She nods, “that’s fine, our case is about to be heard, so let’s get seated” she states as she loops her arms with mine pulling me towards my seat.My eyes travel towards Alice who just walked into the courtroom, her head is hung down to give a remorseful look and I guess that’s her objective to look like she’s regretful to get her a lighter sentence.Behind Alice stands a man who appears to be in his late thirties, his dark hair draping over his eyes, giving him a brooding, mysterious look. He towers at about 6'2", with a body build that suggests he spends time in the gym, muscular yet lean. Our eyes connect for a fleeting moment, and he gives me a sneer, almost as if he's challenging me. This must be Evan—Alice's boyfriend or perhaps her ex, since she has been vague about her
“Your honour, I’m going to be narrating the full story of this case, so please pardon me if it takes a while,” Becky says, her voice steady yet tinged with a hint of anticipation as she waits patiently for the judge’s confirmation to proceed.The judge nods, her expression a mix of curiosity and seriousness. “Please go on; that’s precisely what we are here for,” she replies, leaning back in her chair as if bracing herself for the unfolding narrative, her fingers steepled thoughtfully.“Thank you, your honour,” Becky responds, a flicker of determination in her eyes as she reaches for a document on the desk. She takes a moment to clear her throat, the sound echoing slightly in the hushed courtroom, signalling the gravity of what’s to come. “Your honour, the relationship between my client, Mrs. Lara Rique, and Alice is that of employment. However, it is a relationship that has been marred by deception and betrayal, one that I intend to unravel before this court today.” Becky's gaze swee
Becky shakes her head, “Now, faced with the prospect of leaving, Alice felt the walls closing in around her. Her mind raced with unfulfilled ambitions and the realisation that her carefully laid plans were slipping through her fingers.”“So, Miss Alice, in her devious scheme, decided to drug my client, which, unfortunately, she successfully executed. However, as the twisted plot unfolded, a flaw emerged in her carefully laid plan. You see, she had drugged my client in the morning, but her intentions to seduce Mr. Clark was thwarted by her own fears.”“The timing of her scheme was thrown off balance, leaving her unable to carry out her manipulative ploy until evening. The thought of potential rejection or the fear of getting caught paralyzed her, casting a shadow of doubt over her calculated moves. It was a moment of hesitation that revealed a crack in her facade.”“Fortunately for Mr. Clark, Miss Alice had forgotten to drug him, leaving her with only the seduction factor at her dispos
The judge nods, her expression a mix of authority and expectation. “Okay, Mr. Rick, it’s time for you to share the factual account of the story. Please remember that this is a court of law, and only the truth will be permitted here,” she states, her voice echoing slightly in the hushed courtroom. Mr. Rick nods, carrying a document before walking to the middle of the court, the weight of his presence palpable. “Thank you, Your Honor,” he says, a cunning smile curling at the corners of his lips as he prepares to speak, exuding an air of confidence that commands attention.“My client, Mr. Evans, and Miss Alice are being slandered here,” he begins, his voice smooth and deliberate, the courtroom hanging on his every word. “Nothing of this sort ever happened; there was never a plan made by my clients to swindle the Rique family of their wealth.” He pauses, letting the implications of his statement settle in, his eyes scanning the room, noting the reactions of the jury and the spectators.
A look of intrigue colours my face as I wait, my heart racing, to hear what she has to say—nothing but lies, of course, but I can’t help but feel the tension in the room as she finally takes her seat at the stand.Rick, with his trademark eloquence, leans forward, his voice steady yet commanding, “Please tell the court your relationship with Mrs Lara Rique,” he asks.She nods, her expression shifting from composed to sober as she begins to speak. “I’m an employee of Mrs. Lara,” she states, her voice trembling slightly. “I’ve been working for her for quite a while now, and I’ve been nothing but loyal to her. You can ask any of the employees; they’ll tell you the same.” Her words come out in a rush, as if she’s trying to convince not just the court but herself as well. “I don’t understand why she’s trying to charge me to court now,” she continues, her voice cracking under the weight of her feigned distress. Suddenly, she bursts into tears, fake tears spilling down her cheeks like a we
Rick nods thoughtfully, his brow furrowing slightly as he steps back, steepling his fingers. "And how was your stay in her home?" he asks, his voice smooth yet probing. I lean forward, my heart racing with anticipation, eager to catch the web of lies that I know will spill from her lips this time. I can almost see the gears turning in her mind as she concocts a story that I’m sure will be as elaborate as it is false. The corners of her mouth twitch, betraying the confidence she tries to project.“My stay in her house was wonderful in the beginning, and I was very grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Rique for their generosity towards me,” she says, her voice softening as she hangs her head down, a hint of vulnerability creeping into her demeanour. “But…” she trails off, leaving the air thick with unspoken tension. “But what?” Rick asks, his tone sharp and inquisitive, pressing further.“Mr. Clark kept on making advances towards me,” she continues, her voice trembling slightly as she pretends to
Each step toward the stand feels like a journey through quicksand, my heart racing as I approach the place where I must lay bare my truth. The stand looms ahead, a symbol of both vulnerability and strength, and as I finally take my position, I remind myself that this is my moment to speak out, to reclaim my story amidst the swirling chaos of accusations.“Good day, Mrs. Lara Rique,” Rick says, turning to face me. I nod, taking a few seconds to steady my nerves, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on me. “Good day, Mr. Rick,” I reply, my voice steady, carefully masking the turmoil of nerves swirling inside me like a storm.“I’d like to ask a few questions. I only require a yes or no response. Do you understand, Mrs. Lara?” he asks, his tone clipped and formal. I nod, but a flicker of annoyance ignites within me at the demeaning way he addresses me. “Yes, I do,” I reply, my voice firm, even as I feel a rush of emotions battling within. He nods, his expression unreadable. “Gr
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