Within eight months, I earned enough to achieve my first goal. It was getting plastic surgery on my face. When I first mentioned it to Felix, he kicked against it. “There is no need for that!, you can use that money to get another degree, get a property, or something else. You are beautiful”. I disagreed with his opinion. It was what I needed. This disagreement caused a partial rift between us.
Felix got back from work one day and ignored me as usual but I stopped him. “You are upset. It is not necessary. You already stated that it is my money and my body too!”. He looked at me and walked past but he stopped. “I care about you Mira, believe me when I say this. You are beautiful”. I knew he couldn’t understand and I had to make him.
“It is necessary. I look at myself everyday and still see the abused girl from a year ago. I still feel intimidated. Did you notice I took away the mirror in my room? It is because I am scared to look at myself, '' I explained, panting. He held my shoulder gently and rubbed it. “What you need is a therapist” he said. I pushed him away gently and hissed. “In a few months I will be out of Levino, I need a new identity. I am seeking revenge, I need this surgery”.
Felix looked at me in disbelief and walked out. Twice I had talked about leaving Levino, he had talked me out of it. I never took my mission away from my sight. I woke up everyday to think only of revenge. I paid for the surgery without his consent and left on the appointed day. I was mentally prepared for how ever my new face is going to be.
Six days later, I was handed a mirror by the doctor. I slowly opened my eyes and it was the most satisfying sight for me. I looked totally different. I slowly touched my face, traced my fingers on my nose, chin and jaw. I looked more beautiful. After my recovery, I went to see Felix. I knocked on the door and it took him a minute to get the cue. “Mira?” he called doubtfully. He asked me a couple of questions to be sure he was talking to the right person.
He made way for me to come in and kept looking at me. “Are you fulfilled now?” he asked coldly. I nodded swiftly because I had no regrets. “I need your help this last time please”, I broke the long silence between us. “A new identity?” he asked almost immediately. I bowed my head because I saw through his words, Felix was not happy with whatever decision I was about to take. “Yes''.
Felix went inside and brought out a form. “I knew you would ask. Fill it” he said, tossing them on the table. He walked out after a while, leaving me all alone. I stared at the form and filled in the first column; FIRST NAME: KAIRA
LAST NAME: PULLEN.
My last days in Levino were heartbreaking for Felix. As the day grew older, he became more grumpy. I remembered the day he handed me my new passport, he didn’t wait any second to look at me. He walked away immediately and locked himself in his room all night. He went to bed without dinner.
At dawn, I waited for him to open his door and I let myself in. “What the hell. You could have fell” he hissed. I cared less about myself, all I needed was to talk to him. “What’s going on? You have grown cold. Felix you have been too kind to me and I don’t want to leave this city seeing that we were not on good terms' '. Felix turned away from me and said nothing to me.
I kept pushing but it was hard to get a cop talk. I got tired of trying and made an attempt to walk out when he stopped me. “Don’t go. Don’t leave, please”. His voice was breaking as he spoke. I paused. “Mira, I can take the thoughts of you leaving. I don’t want you to leave” he repeated. I shook my head because it was not possible. I knew I couldn’t do it and I told him directly.
“Felix, I can’t. I need to go and you know why. We can always link up and see each other, but I can’t remain here” I explained. It was too hard for him to keep, it had to let it out. “Mira, have you ever fallen in love? Can you watch the person you love walk out of your life?” he asked. I stood without moving or saying a word.
He walked closer and held my hands, “I had fallen for you for a long time. You are the reason I rush back home everyday, my life became interesting because of you. Please”. It was the first time a man had asked me out. The first time I felt wanted and desired by a man. The feeling was nice but my mind was already made up.
“Felix, I can’t”. I took my hands off his and walked out. I stayed out of his way till it was time to finally leave Levino for Bombay. The drive to the airport was slow and solemn. I knew I would miss him. He turned back and pulled me into his hands. It was a surprise hug, I wasn’t expecting it. It happened when I thought he was gone. “I will miss you so much. I have friends in Bombay, don’t hesitate to ask for help. I am a call away”.
His words caused me to tear up. Felix once again proved that I was worthy of love and kindness. He wiped my tears and kissed my forehead. “I want to do this again Kaira '' he smiled weakly. I chuckled and kissed his cheeks.
The telecom beeped and I got up to answer it. It was a call from the receptionist. “Hello ma’am, there is a man here, he claimed to have swapped bags with you at the airport. He has a bag with your booking name on it”. I paused the call and opened the wardrobe. She was right, one of my bags had the belongings of a man. I got back to the telecom and asked her to grant him access.
Four minutes after the call, my brain beeped. How did he know I was at Queens hostel? Unless he was Harrison. My doubt was confirmed when he knocked on the door. I opened without hesitation and he walked in, standing by the door. “I am sorry Kaira, I promise I am not stalking you, I got home and discovered that we had swapped bags' ' he explained.
I brought out his bag and noticed the bags looked alike. They were the same brand, same color and size. “It’s no problem. Thank you for bringing it back” I tried to sound as casual as I could. Harrison was lost, he kept staring at the interiors of the room till I snapped my fingers. “I am sorry, what room number is this?” he asked me curiously. “308’.
As soon as he heard that figure from me, the bag in his hand dropped. Harrison’s countenance changed. I stood there trying to not give any suspicious reactions. Like a reflex, he held my hand and pulled me closer gently, his hands on my waist were shaking from nervousness. He leaned towards my ear and breathed on it. I had a flashback immediately.
Two years ago when I had escaped from doomsday, this was how he held me, he tried to kiss me but I turned him down. He then took his face to my neck. It was in the same room, the same position, the same people. I pushed him away and he came to his senses. “I am sorry, it was the heat of the moment. I can’t explain this but you are …I mean, you look so much like her. I get the same chills ,..”
I snapped back at him immediately, shutting him up midway. “You can’t just walk in here and harass me. You can pick your bag and leave” I almost yelled. Harrison picked his bag and walked out. I breathed in relief and checked the bag he had left to confirm if it was mine. I opened the bag and the door burst open.
Harrison walked in and dragged me to face him, I was still scolding and nagging about his rudeness and behavior when he kissed me. For a second, my world paused, my mind went blank, my stomach had butterflies. Harrison kissed his brother’s wife.
It was the most passionate kiss I had shared with anyone in two years. It had a soft dangling feeling that made my stomach spark. It was a guilty pleasure. I enjoyed the softness of his lips on mine and how gently he sucked on my lower lip. It was nothing I had never felt before. Peace. I got carried away and almost forgot I was acting. Quickly, it felt like a light switched on in my head, reminding me of my position. I pushed him away and in a blink of an eye, he felt two resounding slaps across his face. “How dare you? Are you roaming mad?” I lashed out without holding back myself. My voice echoed in the room as I was the only person yelling. Harrison held his face and stood there like a statute, surprised and dumbfounded. “Get out! Get the hell out of here before I call security!” I threatened pointing at the door. This was the play button for Harrison. “Listen, I am sorry! I swear, I wasn’t thinking at all” he walked slowly towards me but I moved away from him. “I
“What!!!” He exclaimed with so much shock in his face and voice. “She left? Have you contacted the police?” He asked. “Should I contact them? Shit!! This is a mess. Just a fight? Alright brother, I will see what I can do from here”. He hung up and buried his hand in his hair. “Why in heaven's name did you agree to get married to a man who doesn’t love you?” He said slightly frustrated and angry. I looked at him without words because it was the same question I ask myself daily. I opened my mouth but my eyes opened up its floodgates. Tears flowed down instead of words. “Stop this Mira! Stop it! Crying won’t help anything. If you need help, you need to open your mouth and ask for help” he hissed. Help was what triggered a signal in my head. I looked at him with pleading eyes and nodded in agreement. “I need help. Save me” I pleaded with sob bubbles popping out of my nose. Harrison took off his glasses and sighed heavily. “I can fix you a lawyer that can get you a divorc
Harry looked at me with a chuckle, “I should be apologizing that you are suffering because of this. Gerald is living in my dad’s shadow” he concluded. I rolled my eyes and he understood I wasn’t in the mood to back up or defend my husband’s bad behavior. He moved his hand on my waist and slowly rubbed my back in a comforting manner but instead all he heard was a hiss. “What’s wrong?” He asked curiously. I looked away and tried to escape his grip but it was too late. He held me back and came behind me. His breath on my neck was warm. It was electrifying. It was the first time I experienced Romance. He touched the hem of my tee shirt and my body gave me away. My sudden consciousness he noticed. “Relax, I wouldn’t do that”. I blushed shyly. I loved how he looked and took care of me. He slowly raised up my shirt and his expression was a frown. “What the hell!!” He spat angrily. “You have new wounds and healing wounds. Gerald!”. Harrison was more upset than I expected. He
Harrison moved closer to me and pulled me into his arms. His hands around my waist, my butt against his groin area and his lips on my neck. I felt comfortable but my conscience peeked me. “Harry, isn’t this too much? I am still married to your brother “ I slowly moved away from him. I didn’t need his words to know he was sad. “Mira, can you please not remind me that you belong to my brother?”. His voice was fierce and different from what I was used to. “I am not going to be reminded of how miserable I am. You are no longer with him. You are with me now!! With me!” He started again. He pulled me closer this time gently and leaned on my shoulder. “Babe, I am sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I hate the idea of sharing you” he sighed. I understood how he felt and I wasn’t going to blame him for what fate did to us. I extended my hand to comfort him. I stroked his face and ears. “It’s fine, I am sorry for bringing him up, I just felt we were too close”. Harry ignored me a
“What?”. The whole room fell silent with tension. My response to my mom’s vocal question and their imaginary questions was answered by shock in their faces. “Mathilda talk sense into your daughter! This is pure madness”, my step father spat angrily. He paced around while my step sister was trying to hide the happiness that was pouring out from her heart to her face. “Mira, what’s going on? You can’t just walk in here and ask for a divorce. Gerald is a good…”. Before my mom could finish her sentence, her husband jumped in. “Listen to me Mira Copper, you are not divorcing Gerald and that is final”. I could not tell what it was, but something tempted me to laugh. I laughed bitterly as soon as he was done ranting. “Mira! You are scaring me”. My mom pulled me to a seat. With concerns and fears all over her face. “Mira, I need you to tell me, I mean us, what is going on? Why the sudden flip?” She asked like she was carjoling a child. It took me twenty five seconds
The drive back to my nightmare was the shortest drive in my life. It felt like seconds. Throughout, I stayed far away from Gerald in the car. He would chuckle and look away from me at intervals. As soon as he stepped out of the car, he walked around and opened the door for me like a gentleman. Behind this kind gesture, I knew my whole world was ending soon. He led me inside his mansion and pointed to a seat in the living room. “Mira, whose clothes are you wearing?”. His voice was blasting like thunder in my mind. Gerald kept tapping his feet as he waited for me to respond. In fear, I was dumb. I looked at Harry’s clothes and I dared not to cause a fight between two brothers. I swallowed my saliva as he asked the same question again. “My ….my friend’s sir “. My throat was dried, I needed water but I dared not to ask. Here I was a little lower than the maids. Gerald examined the clothes again and the look on his face changed dramatically. “Expensive brands!
After the incident with Gerald and Harry, I never saw him again till the day I escaped Free City. I was always seeing his cars in the mansion, hearing his voice from the mansion, study or garden but I never saw him. With those thoughts, I went to bed. It was going to be a big day for me at dawn. I woke up at 8:12am the next day and the first thing I did was to blindly look for my phones on the bed. As soon as my hand touched one, I yawned loudly. ‘Mira, I don’t know if I should say Kaira. It’s been a year and I still miss you. Nobody bakes cookies and bread the way you do. I miss having you around. I don’t know how long I can hold on here without you. Don’t push me, you are testing me. You are who I want, I love you. I can’t believe I am writing this at 3 am. Kaira, don’t stay too long, I might lose it ‘. My chest clinged when I read the text from Felix. He was a stubborn man who hasn’t given up on me. The way he loves me scares me, I get frightened by how much he expresses his
As I walked out of the registrar’s office three day later, I walked out with my certificate and a bright smile. An optimistic sign for the next step. She was not a difficult woman. The processes were swift and straightforward. I boarded a taxi as I went through my account balance, I was running short of zeroes and it bothered me. My apartment has been furnished and it was time to get a job. My new life has begun out of the blue. The stars were in my favor as I stopped in front of a supermarket to shop. As soon as I rolled my shopping cart into the supermarket, I bumped into the most unexpected person.Harry’s POV After a long day at the chambers, I got home and realized I had literally nothing in my cabinets and in my fridge. It was a long day with brainstorming and I needed to fuel back up. I stopped at a restaurant and filled myself out. The food I consumed was large enough to fill up six elephants. I entered my car and decided to shop too. I wouldn’t want to