Anthony's hands waved through his hair as the cold water droplets poured on his hard skin. He needed a fresh bath to clear up all he had done in the past minute. His adrenaline rush was still high, and the excitement bubbled in his stomach. Why he had kissed Sandra, he couldn't explain. There was no logical explanation. He grunted in discomfort. He had no sexual attraction towards her. There had been no sexual tension within them or whatsoever. He turned the shower off. The cold bath had definitely not helped in getting rid of the hardness he possessed. He walked towards the soap section. It was the first time he would be doing that in years. Sandra laid lazily on the bed, panting. Her heart kept on racing like it was going against race cars. She looked at the ceiling, searching for nothing. How was she to put a tag on what just happened? Anthony obviously hated her. He had made it clear. Why then had he kissed her? Her stomach churned. She felt as her fingers moved up to
Sandra picked up her cane as she tried moving speedily. Stefan rose to his feet. "What do you think you're doing?" He questioned, pulling close to her. She stiffened at the heat he had brought towards her. She shook her head, shaking off thoughts of him. Her husband needed her, and as much as Stefan was intoxicating. She would not let him divert her attention from what was important-checking on her husband. "I am going to see my husband." She heard her voice crack. Her eyes had grown watery. What if Anthony had been hurt? She didn't want him dead. She had prayed fervently for it, before, but now she didn't need that in her life. "You do know he's fine, right?" He tried soothing, as he placed a strong arm on her back. "I don't know anything. I've not heard from him all morning. No one is saying anything to me. I'm always kept in the dark. " "I'm saying something to you, and that is, you need to calm down. You do. Trust me, your husband is
Ten pm. Exactly ten pm on a dot, and Anthony was yet to return home. Sandra took another glance at the wall clock that faced her mockingly. Her fingers twisted within each other as she imagined all the things that could have gone wrong. Anthony might be dead. He might have gone missing. What if he had gone to get revenge at his enemies,and they ended up killing him? She wouldn't even be able to find his body. She lifted her arms from the table they had been resting on. Her hand grabbed her cane as she rose to her feet. She needed to stop creating fake scenarios in her head. The aroma from the five course meal that was served dissolved on her tongue. She didn't even feel so hungry anymore. She was just exhausted.She picked up her phone. Her hand slid through the contact list, finally arriving at his name. She stood hesitantly, staring at the name. With a deep breath, she tapped his name. The worst outcome was free to happen, if necessary. She tapped the loud
Sandra's eyes darted through the entire room in an attempt to avoid his face. She knew he was staring directly at her. Her heart squeezed as she felt him boring a hole into her heart. Anthony was asking her to bathe him. Why? She looked up to him. "Don't be shy," She felt her teeth dig into her lower lip as she thought of the next move to take. "Do you want me to come get you?" He asked. His voice was so sexy when in such a low tone. She felt her guard breaking to pieces. She folded her arms across her chest as though it would protect her from the effect Anthony had on her. Her eye widened as she noticed him rising from the tub. In no time, he was directly before her. His height towered over her. She gasped as he picked her up, and headed back to the tub. He gently placed her in it, not taking off her clothing. Her skirt soaked up the water in the tub and her thin shirt grew transparent as it hugged her chest. He stepped in, sitting directly op
"What mess?" Sandra questioned, rolling to his side. His eyes brushed over her stature quickly before he averted his gaze. He looked up to the ceiling. He could hear her breathing. One, two, three, he counted knowing she would soon murmur off some snarky remark. "Piece of shit..." She murmured, turning to the other side of the bed. He chuckled as he watched her curl up in the bed. "I lost a good friend today." He said. She turned around. "my best friend." "Jason?" He nodded. She drew closer. He looked down to find her almost snuggling up to him. For the first time in a while, he realized her presence wasn't as repulsing as he thought. "I'm so sorry." She voiced out in a hushed tone. He grunted a reply. The last thing he needed was pity from anyone. "Do you mind me asking what happened?" He shrugged on his bed. It was high time he let out his thoughts anyway. "The Chicago outfit is not too pleased
Sandra stood at the door with her handbag lazily hanging on her shoulders. Her knuckles had gone white in fear, and she relied completely on the handle of her boxes. Would she be taken in? She wondered silently. She pulled out her finger, pressing the door's bell. It rang out loud. She heaved a deep breath. If her calculations were right, the house shouldn't be empty. She looked at the black wooden door. It screamed class. She gulped down her fear. Her heart's beat increased as she heard footsteps approach. The door's handle bent down, and she watched as the door opened. Tanya stood at the other side draped in a short white dress. Her black hair hung up in a ponytail. She felt her chest tighten. Being the bad friend that she was, she had not checked up on her friend in a while. A long one at that. Tanya looked out the door, checking the environment. "Don't tell me you're still thinking you can shake off your husband." She said, placing
The cart screeched loudly as she pushed it through the mart. Her hand molded into a fist, before she rubbed at her darkened eyes repeatedly. Sleep had recently become only a wish for her. Who knew being a boss could be so traumatizing? She bent her arm, checking the timepiece. Just ten am. Another cup of coffee wouldn't be so bad. She picked up a toilet roll from the shelf. It had been a while - two years - since the day her previous life ended. The life that had scarred her. Well, two years was definitely enough to break down, cry, build back and get the itching tattoo that irked her. Her attention diverted to the arguing couple who were spitting words at each other. The two angels beside them held teary eyes in silence. "You piece of shit!" The woman slammed her husband with a slap to his face. She watched in horror as he spat out words which were too obscene for even her. God, those children would definitely need therapy. She rolled her cart off
"What do you mean?" Tanya questioned over the phone,causing Sandra to groan. She tugged down the edge of her tight, black dress as she stared at the mirror. "Girl, I need you to talk to me." Her voice boomed through the phone's speaker. Sandra took a quick glance at her phone. "What do you want me to tell you?" "I need" she stressed cautiously " you to tell me who the fuck you're going out on a date with! I need details." "why?" She asked, smacking her lips together. "why? Are you seriously asking me why?"She scoffed,"You can't just drop a bombshell on me, and run off. " "what do you mean?" Tanya's groan filled the room. "you're a twenty two year old virgin who has refused any and every offer from literally any man that crossed your path since Anthony. All of a sudden, I get a call at two am-" "it's seven pm over here," Sandra cut in. "whatever" she waved off the remark. "I get a call from you, and all you say is 'I'm goi
The ride home was extremely quiet. Ryan had come back for her three hours after he had left, and they were finally getting to head home by 3:39. Who knew she would still have to meet other family members even after their casino stuff? She huffed her anger out her nose. "Is all well?" "No." She grunted. The silence took its course. She folded her arms across her chest. "What's wrong?" He asked, placing his hand over hers. She flinched a bit, before regaining herself. How could she explain that she wanted to be alone? Her head was running at three hundred and thirty metres per second. She needed to soothe and calm herself. She was angry, frustrated, sad and mad at herself. Why was it so hard for her to find a peaceful ground? What would it take for her to live a normal life? She was finally getting her life back on track. She had forgotten Anthony and his nuisance. She had her best friend and this amazing guy with her. And all of a sudden, every
"Baby, are you okay?" Ryan asked, placing an arm on her shoulder. She clamped her fingers together, trying to force a smile. "Yes, I am." She replied, turning to him. Her lips spread. "Coleman" Anthony called out, digging into his meal. Sandra looked at her table to find out that a plate was before her. When did that happen? "Mavens." Ryan greeted. "Do you have any intention of introducing me to her?" He asked. Ryan smiled. "baby,meet one of my many brothers. Anthony Mavens" Sandra's frown grew deeper. He was pretending not to know her. Ignoring all they had shared. The same way he had dumped her before. "It's a pleasure meeting you." Anthony said to her with a grin. He stretched out his hand. She stabbed the meal before her. "Same" she replied with a wide smile. She searched his eyes. He really seemed not to recognize her. She stared deeper into his eyes and no flick of recognition passed by. Reluctantly,she sighed. She turned
The long awaited weekend had finally arrived, and Sandra was sitting peacefully like the passenger princess that she was. Earlier that day, she had completed the low cut dress she intended on wearing to the dinner. Adjustments had been easy to make. The makeup artist she had booked arrived ten minutes earlier than expected, and luckily, they had gotten everything done at least five minutes before Ryan arrived. He had arrived in a black tux with his hair gelled backwards. It gave his face a more defined shape. His tattoos all covered up made him seem so innocent. His doe eyes took the form of a bunny's. She could see fear, panic and excitement behind the walls of his beautiful eyes. How important was the dinner to him? She smiled lightly as she recalled his reaction to her present look. He hadn't gasped or gushed, but his eyes had held her body longer than she expected. "Why are you smiling?" Ryan asked. She turned to him, quietly placing her palm on his thigh. She felt
The door slammed in her face as soon as Tanya left the room. Sandra, feeling choked by the repercussions of her actions retreated slowly into the vacant chair her friend had just occupied. Her heart seemed to have sank to her stomach. She clenched it tightly, hoping to hold herself in place. She hadn't really meant what she said. She hadn't. Tanya wasn't a monster. She wasn't a saint either, but she was far from a monster. She sighed. In a way,she was right. Tanya was hurting these men and their families. Innocent people who had done nothing to deserve the sour plate of injustice she had dished for them. But was the truth worth her friendship? She collapsed further into the chair. Tanya was the only person she could ever run to whenever she was in trouble. Tan was her backbone. Her hope. Her candle in the midst of the darkness. Her doorbell rang, capturing her attention. Her nerves grew alert as she quickly rose to her feet. She quietly tiptoed to the door, avoiding any s
She looked around the room, searching the environment. The woman sitting on the other side of the table seemed to have her lips moving but Sandra's head was spinning too fast for her to grasp what was being said. Her lips quivered and she quickly covered them up with both her hands. She was sure her eyes would be reddened. The tears were already at the brim of breaking off. "I'm so sorry, my dear," A voice said, as she felt a palm resting on her shoulder. She looked to find out it belonged to the woman at the other edge of the table. "Get your hands off me." She growled, glaring at her. The woman, with fear in her eyes, quickly retreated as she tightened the grip on her baby. "I was only trying to help" She defended. A snarl escaped Sandra's insides. She couldn't understand why she was mad at the woman. Heck, she should be grateful that the woman just saved her from such a blatant liar like him. Her shoulders fell even harder as she tried to process her t
"Hi," Sandra greeted, wrapping her arms around him. He enveloped her and she took a whiff of his cologne. Gosh, he smelt nice! "I love your cologne," she complimented, pulling away from him. "thank you. How are you?" He asked, holding her left hand. She felt her cheeks flush a bit. "I'm okay. A bit flushed and stressed." "Why?" He asked, scanning her face. She smiled as she noticed his eyes trailing her out look. "I just finished my workout and the heat did not make it all too bearable. " "I understand that," he replied, pushing off the strand of hair that covered her face. She flinched back, pushing the hair to its original position. His brow creased in confusion. "You look good." He complemented. She forced out a smile, knowing he was feeling rejected by her actions. "The cargo and top go together. Blue is a really nice color," he continued. It was the first time in months where she wasn't wearing a crop top, sweater
Applying the face wipe on her chin, Sandra giggled at Tanya's remark over the phone. "Trust me, it's how they all behave on the first date. They're all sweet and charming until three months later. Boo, believe me. You will sit your god-damned ass down and wonder if that was the same man you met that night."she emphasized with a hiss. She scrunched her nose at her friend's remark. Ryan was obviously a nice guy,and she felt it was too early for Tanya to start having superstitions and thoughts of him not living up to standard. Her lips lifted up in a snarl. It was either ways too early to give him much credit. "I'll try to be careful," "You'd better. Just play along, and if you eventually get tired, hand him over to me. He has what I need. Paper. " Tanya said with a tight laughter so funny that Sandra had to shake her head. "It's not always about money," she replied, picking up her phone. "It is always and will forever be about money. Forever."
"What do you mean?" Tanya questioned over the phone,causing Sandra to groan. She tugged down the edge of her tight, black dress as she stared at the mirror. "Girl, I need you to talk to me." Her voice boomed through the phone's speaker. Sandra took a quick glance at her phone. "What do you want me to tell you?" "I need" she stressed cautiously " you to tell me who the fuck you're going out on a date with! I need details." "why?" She asked, smacking her lips together. "why? Are you seriously asking me why?"She scoffed,"You can't just drop a bombshell on me, and run off. " "what do you mean?" Tanya's groan filled the room. "you're a twenty two year old virgin who has refused any and every offer from literally any man that crossed your path since Anthony. All of a sudden, I get a call at two am-" "it's seven pm over here," Sandra cut in. "whatever" she waved off the remark. "I get a call from you, and all you say is 'I'm goi
The cart screeched loudly as she pushed it through the mart. Her hand molded into a fist, before she rubbed at her darkened eyes repeatedly. Sleep had recently become only a wish for her. Who knew being a boss could be so traumatizing? She bent her arm, checking the timepiece. Just ten am. Another cup of coffee wouldn't be so bad. She picked up a toilet roll from the shelf. It had been a while - two years - since the day her previous life ended. The life that had scarred her. Well, two years was definitely enough to break down, cry, build back and get the itching tattoo that irked her. Her attention diverted to the arguing couple who were spitting words at each other. The two angels beside them held teary eyes in silence. "You piece of shit!" The woman slammed her husband with a slap to his face. She watched in horror as he spat out words which were too obscene for even her. God, those children would definitely need therapy. She rolled her cart off