LEONHearing Nyla say those three words that scared me more than anything wasn't on my bucket list. It caught me off guard that I didn't know what to say or how to say anything. My silence made hurt flash across her eyes and that wounded me deeply. I felt like I had failed her by not being able to say it back but those words caused me deep-rooted trauma that I haven't been able to grow out of. Love isn't the same word to me as it is to everyone else.I saw my mom suffer in agony alone all in the name of love. I was a product of love and I always said repeatedly to myself that my mom’s life would have been so much better if they didn't have me.I like Naya without a doubt, I was attracted to her both physically and sexually. She made me feel things I have never felt in my life and do things that I have never done before. But Love? That was a stretch.Love was just a cruel word and the last thing I wanted to do was anything that would hurt her.It was hard to fall asleep knowing I hurt
NAYAAll I always wished for was to be loved and cared for, it was my birthday once again but that wish never seems to be coming to pass. As I rubbed the surface of a tabletop lazily with my eyes fixated on a girl blowing out a candle and smiling from ear to ear. A pang of jealousy washed through me as I watched her, it was my birthday too but there I was wiping spilled drinks off a table.My life was more pathetic than it sounded most times I just wanted everything to end so I could feel free but I never got the courage to make the move, you could call me a coward.My eyes met with the girl sitting across the birthday girl making my cheek turn red in embarrassment she probably thought I was weird for staring like that, I quickly took my eyes away and focused on cleaning the invisible stain on the table“How long would it take you to clean that table they are customers waiting!” I heard my manager snap at meI lowered my head in shame and walked over to the counter to continue giving
Everyone including Kayla was present at the dining table, as I walked in slowly all I could hear was the clattering of cutlery on the glass dishes. Of course, they started dinner without me “Hello” I muttered under my breath waiting for the outlash that was coming “You are late” Mom snapped as I was about to take my sit making me freeze halfway “I’m sorry I-” “That is all you know how to do, you are always fucking sorry” she spat in my face before I could complete my sentence My blood boiled in anger as I watched Kayla giggle as I was been scolded at “That’s enough,” Dad said, not raising his head off his plate. I quietly sat down and dinner just carried on, I couldn’t bring myself to take a bite of the food in front of me. My heart was thumping so loud anxiously waiting to hear the reason I was summoned. “So,” Dad said dabbing the corner of his mouth, I immediately sat upright as his cold gaze landed on me, my throat immediately drying up as I waited to hear what he had to
I sat still at the dinner table. Mom kept on fixing my hair and dress repeatedly, I wanted to bolt out of that room with the speed of light but I felt trapped like I couldn't move a muscle. Everything was happening too fast, the more I thought about the more it didn't make sense to me.How did I get here? I was given no choice. Was this how I would throw my life away?They made it clear to me that if I didn't get married as it was said, Nyla wouldn't get the money she needed for her major surgery. The money they promised to pay now all of a sudden, it was an exchange, they knew I wouldn't have a choice but to agree to it and they were right. I didn't have a choice.I didn't have a say in anything that was going on, I was about to be shipped off to a man I knew nothing about. If we were left at the orphanage maybe just maybe my life would have been slightly better than this, maybe I would be happy. I couldn't answer that but one thing was sure whatever would have been the outcome of
The night was long and I couldn't seem to catch any sleep, I kept tossing and turning to no avail. I spent half of the night trying to find out who might be the person I was to get married to, with my research I found out that the man who came was the acting CEO of Valois Group, and the woman that was with him was his mother just as I thought.If he wasn’t the one I was to marry, who was it then? Part of me wanted to go ask Kayla. She knew exactly who the person was but she didn’t want to let me in on it.I decided to get out of the house, it was suffocating. I needed air, and being in that house made me feel trapped, I tiptoed down the stairs to sneak out of the house without being seen by anyone just to avoid unnecessary questions.Or should I run away? A question popped into my head as I went down but the issue with that was that I still needed them no matter how I hated it, it was the wicked truth. Nyla needed to get that surgery “And where would you be heading to by this time?”
Another day another dress-up, this one was way more exhausting than the other one. Mom put me in an uncomfortable dress that I could barely move in, it hugged every inch of my body barely giving me room to breathe. She insisted on putting my hair in a bun which I wasn't comfortable with but couldn't argue, I hated having my hair up it made my neck feel like they were exposed.It was the day I was to meet my husband to be apparently, I had gone through the family tree of the Valois and I still couldn't guess who it would be. Every part of me was nervous and anxious at the same time. I expected Mom to confront me about speaking back to Dad or being rude to him like she would love to call it but she didn't. I guess she didn't want anything to spoil the very important day.“We have to start going we can't keep them waiting!!” Dad shouted from downstairs“We would be down in a minute,” Mom said choking me with the hair spray for the thousandth time“Mom you need to help me do my hair,” Kay
“Leon Valois nice to meet you,” Dad said without moving a muscle, unlike how he bowed to Ryan he didn’t bat an eyelid for the man in the wheelchair he stared at him right in his eyes and that spoke volume. They might be brothers but of different status“Let’s get straight to it,” Leon said with his jaw clenched, his eyes landed on me and I almost melted away. He had the same cold green eyes as Ryan but he looked like they were dead, it held so much darkness that made me squirm in my seat.“Where are your manners, won't you say hello to the guests?” Jennifer said“I didn’t come here to exchange pleasantries” Leon shut back glaring at her, Jennifer turned red like she was trying to hold herself back from an outburstWhy was he rude to his mother? I asked myselfMaybe he really hated the fact that he was to get married “Is she the one?” He asked his cold eyes glued on mine“Yes she is, say hello to your husband to be Naya” Mom said poking my sides“Hello,” I said in an almost whisper“S
I went straight to my room after we got home from the dinner, mom was talking to me about how I shouldn't disappoint her by making Leon call off the wedding or what not and she didn't forget to say Nyla wouldn't be getting the surgery money if I didn't get married. I didn't utter a word back to her and just went right into my room.“I can't wait to get her off our hands” I heard Kayla say from downstairs “Tell me about it,” Mom said and they both laughed like maniacs, I shut the door behind me and dragged myself to the ground with my back pressed against the door.My life wasn't getting better it always went from a mess to a bigger mess like I was living in a loophole. From being in the orphanage and praying every night to get out to finally get adopted as I have always prayed but it turned out to be a family that made it clear to you that you are a burden then to finally get sold off to an asshole in a fucking wheelchair like I was a mere commodity.I couldn't help but wonder how wo
LEONHearing Nyla say those three words that scared me more than anything wasn't on my bucket list. It caught me off guard that I didn't know what to say or how to say anything. My silence made hurt flash across her eyes and that wounded me deeply. I felt like I had failed her by not being able to say it back but those words caused me deep-rooted trauma that I haven't been able to grow out of. Love isn't the same word to me as it is to everyone else.I saw my mom suffer in agony alone all in the name of love. I was a product of love and I always said repeatedly to myself that my mom’s life would have been so much better if they didn't have me.I like Naya without a doubt, I was attracted to her both physically and sexually. She made me feel things I have never felt in my life and do things that I have never done before. But Love? That was a stretch.Love was just a cruel word and the last thing I wanted to do was anything that would hurt her.It was hard to fall asleep knowing I hurt
NAYAI lay in bed, feeling the warmth of the sheets wrapped around me. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioning. The soft glow of the bedside lamp casts a golden hue over everything, making the space feel even more peaceful.Leon was next to me, lying on his back with one arm resting behind his head. He had just come out of the shower, his damp hair slightly messy, and the scent of his body wash filled the air. He looked relaxed, but I knew his mind was always working, always planning his next move.I turned on my side to face him, resting my head on my palm.“You’ve been staring at the ceiling for the past five minutes,” I pointed out.He glanced at me with a lazy smirk. “Just thinking.”“About?”“What if I say you?” he asked and I just laughedHis smirk deepened, but he didn’t say anything. Instead, he reached over to the nightstand and picked up a sleek black box. “Here,” he said, handing it to me.I looked at him, then at the box. “What’s this?” I aske
RYANEverything seemed to be happening at once. My mind was spinning, struggling to make sense of what I had just seen. Leon? The CEO of TechNova? No, there was no way. It just couldn’t be true.TechNova was one of the fastest-growing companies, the name on everyone’s lips. Their products were everywhere people talked about them, used them, and praised them. I used them. My phone, my laptop, and even the computers at work were all TechNova products. And I wasn’t the only one. Everyone I knew used their devices because they were the best.The company was so good at what it did that no one ever questioned the identity of the anonymous founder. There were rumors, of course, speculations that went around from time to time. But it was never something I paid attention to. Because it didn’t matter.Until I saw Leon standing on that stage, taking credit for everything.Of all people Leon? How did he pull it off? It was just a regular company but it was a multi-billion dollar company and he di
KAYLAI was having lunch when I saw Ryan’s message, “Come to my place. Now.” The text read followed by his address.Without thinking twice I grabbed my keys and rushed out abandoning my food“Won’t you finish up before you head out?” My mom asked“I’m done you can clean up” I answered as I went out the doorThe drive to his house felt longer than usual. I wanted to fly to him if I could. I was already there. He called for me first, I didn’t have to linger around him. He called me himself. That was a huge progress right there. By the time I arrived, it was already dark. The guards at the gate let me in without question, and I made my way to the main house. I entered without knocking.The air smelled of smoke and expensive cologne. Dim lights cast long shadows across the room, and there he was, sitting on the couch, a glass of whiskey in his hand. His shirt was unbuttoned, his hair slightly messy, but his sharp eyes were just as intense as always.“You’re late,” he muttered, taking
The venue was massive, even bigger than I expected. A luxury hotel ballroom filled with bright lights, expensive decor, and an overwhelming crowd of people. From businessmen to reporters, socialites to tech enthusiasts, everyone was here for one reason. The launch of TechNova’s new phone.It was funny how everyone was present but no one knew the face behind the company. I stood beside Leon, my hand linked with his as I scanned the room. Everything was perfect, the shimmering golden banners, the sleek displays showcasing the new phone, and the massive TechNova logo glowing on the stage. The air buzzed with anticipation, and cameras flashed nonstop as reporters tried to capture every little detail.Leon looked unbothered no single sense of nervousness from him. He was dressed in a sharp black suit, his shoulders held high oozing out a great amount of confidence. Even in a room filled with powerful people, he stood out effortlessly.“Are you nervous?” I asked, watching his expression car
NAYAEverything else went smoothly, and all we had to do was wait for them to schedule another election. In the meantime, I kept myself busy by helping out at the office whenever there was work to do. I didn’t do much, but it was better than sitting around all day with nothing to occupy my time.I was seated in Leon’s office while he attended an online meeting. The more time I spent around him, the more I realized just how busy and hardworking he was. He had so many things going on for him that he didn’t even need Valois Group.Leon wasn’t just some ordinary businessman, he was a powerhouse. He owned an investment company with ties to several major corporations. He was the owner of the country’s largest tech company. He even had a private villa, home only to people of high status, those were the few I knew about. And yet, despite all of this, no one had the slightest idea. They thought he was struggling, living in misery, when in reality, he had been building an empire in silence.“He
JENNIFERWhat I received was worse than a low blow. How could Ryan have done something so reckless, something of this magnitude, and keep it from me? At the very least, if I had known, I could have done some damage control. But now, it was too late.I was too dumbfounded to speak, too stunned to react as the shareholders and board members all turned on me, demanding answers. They thought I was part of this mess, but they had no idea that I was just as shocked as they were. I wanted to defend myself, to explain that I had no clue what Ryan had done, but the words wouldn’t come. For the first time in a long while, I was completely speechless.“How could you allow this?” the chairman of the foundation asked“This has to be some type of misunderstanding,” I said trying to calm the situation but they weren't having it and my patience was drawing thin.“Did you think this was a good agreement and made him sign it?” his wife asked me irritating the shit out of me, who was she to question me?
Once again, the election didn’t hold it ended before it even started, worse than the last time. The shareholders couldn’t believe what they were seeing. The moment they finished reading the contract Ryan signed, chaos erupted.Jennifer tried to calm the situation down, raising her voice above the commotion. “Let’s give Ryan a chance to explain himself,” she urged, her eyes scanning the room desperately. But when it was finally time for Ryan to speak, he did the exact opposite of what everyone expected, he stormed out without a word.His sudden exit only made things worse. The board members erupted in anger, shouting over one another. Some demanded answers, others turned their frustration to Jennifer. She was left standing there, trying to maintain control, but it was clear this was a disaster.Leon turned to me, his eyes glinting with amusement. “What do you rate this surprise?” he asked, smiling like he had just pulled off the greatest trick in the world.I folded my arms, pretending
Arriving at the company for the election was almost the same as last time, the eyes of everyone around were glued on us, the camera of the press flashing in our faces. The only difference I would say is that Leon wasn't sitting in a wheelchair he was walking by himself.“Your cane” I gasped remembering he came without it again“I’m fine trust me and I have the best masseuse in the world” he winked at me as we walked in. I just shook my head at himRyan and Jennifer were the only ones not present yet everyone had to wait for them to show up. Everyone’s eyes didn't look away from us they kept whispering and giving us dirty look“Leon” a man called softly behind us and when we turned, it was an older man in his late fifties wearing a classic black suit so I assumed he was one of their family or major shareholders.“How may I help you?” Leon asked ignoring to exchange pleasantries “I am Richard Brokee, I worked as your father's vice president before he died,” he said“Okay and?” Leon ask