MADAME BROWNE “I accept the role.” Ella’s voice chimed.I felt like loosing it at that moment. The audacity of that whore to think she could ever host an event that could ever amount the ones I've been throwing for years till know. For decades, I've been hosting all of the family's events. Birthdays, business meetings, anniversaries and even funerals. My events were flawless, the decorations elite and the guests were of highly distinguished personalities.But something wicked in me couldn't get over the urge to watch her suffer? Malice was an easy option seeing the courage gleaming in her ocean blue eyes. I resisted the urge to let out a laugh, a cackle perhaps. “Sure, I look forward to seeing what you come up with.” I said and rose from the table. I was done with breakfast today, I had gained all the satisfaction there was from Ella.She didn't cease to amaze me. Oh well, she's going to regret every crossing path with me. I strutted purposefully, my heels clicking against the mar
ELLA'S POVThe soft sound of giggles rushed into my ears as I stepped out from the elevator. The warm air of the hallway greeted me, the decor gripping me in it's inviting solace.I strutted towards the door to Ivy's room with uncertainty reeling in my veins. I still couldn't get over Madame Browne's proposal and what was at stake. The proposal was cornering, like a two edged sword with no way out. Hosting events was never my thing but I was determined to make it work, at least this time. I couldn't afford having Xavier see me create a mess, also, I saw this as an opportunity to prove to everyone that I could take on the task and still deliver.Madame Browne had obviously given me the role to see me fail, I could tell she was certain I would fail when cornered with such a huge job. But I would try my best and actually give it my all.But first, I needed to meet Ivy, I'd missed her nagging voice over the days. As I gripped the knob, the soft smell of sandalwood flustered into my nostr
ELLA'S POV “Alright, tell Ivy I'll be back.” I said and flashed a glance back at Mrs. Winters, the housekeeper. She was a petite blonde lady who obviously in her mid 60s, I could tell from the soft tinge of gray at the base of the strands of her hair.She offered me a soft smile and I flashed a quick glance at Ivy. Anxiety rushed in my veins, why had the president requested my presence? I had a million questions bubbling in my veins at that instant.He rarely called for anyone's presence so I was worried. Who wouldn't be? He was my father-in-law, and I couldn't help but wonder why he had called for my presence.Did he find out I was the one hosting his birthday party? If yes, then how? I thought the event was supposed to be a surprise to him and a celebration of a life well lived. My palms grew wet as I clenched my fists until my fingers bit into the flesh of my palms. A wave trudged down my spine as I inhaled softly. I could do this, of course I could. I turn on my heel and took p
ELLA'S POV The president's cold voice jerked me out of my interlude as I swiveled to see my once smiling father-in-law now frowning. He looked nerved, clear lines of worry laced in his electrifying green eyes. It was almost as if my question had striked a chord. But I wasn't going to press on.“Let's focus on why we're here,” he said, gesturing sharply to the work table situated at the middle of the room. I followed him as I traced my steps to the high neck swivel chair opposite his.“Sit,” he prompted softly and I took a seat. The soft lush texture of the chair crumbled beneath my back as I felt myself drifting into the comfiness.“You requested my presence,” I said sharply cutting through the silence as I tried to get some emotions but his eyes remaind cold, evident as if hiding a secret.Who were the people in the picture? And why did he feel offended when I asked who they were?I was still going to do my research later on but now I had to focus on the president. I watched as he
ELLA'S POV “So what's your say?” I held by breath after asking. I couldn't directly read the look on the president's face but from the little info I could get, I could as well say the expression on his face was a bland mixture of shock of and comtempt. I waited for his response anxiously, my palms turning wet as I bit my tongue.Just before I could finish my little prediction, his face twisted sharply into a frown, his eyes gleaming with a dark glint of anger. The leafy green color of his eyes burned with the golden red color from the chandelier. My heartbeat thumped hard in my chest as my pulse raced. The anxiety in me was filling to the bream with each passing second, waves rolling up my spine.“I… I am so sorry father in law—” I was saying when he interrupted me with a raise of his index finger. Pausing, I pursed my lips as I watched his finger fall. Fear seeped into my veins. What had I done? He looked so angry, like I had provoked him. It seemed my apology didn't work but the
MADAME BROWNE’S POVHow dare her? That bitch! She even had the audacity to confront the president and have him agree to her stupid excuse of an event. The rage in my veins was hot and blazing, my fingers biting into my palm until I felt little patches of blood seeping out.I clenched my jaw tightly as I watched the president yell, “You may leave Madame Browne!”My jaw fell slightly as I stared back at the president, his eyes were blazing with fire, his tone sharp and unquestionable. I felt my once felt courage melting into a pool of regrets. The president had never opposed my words before, even though we weren't exactly close, he always allowed me have my way not untill she came into the picture.Ella.I wanted to tear into her, that bitch, for what she did. I tried to resist the sharp pungent anger in my veins as my pulse raced. My breath came in muffled puffs, the tendsion in the room rising with each passing second. Smirking, I turned in the direction of the exit and traced my wa
ELLA'S POV As I stepped into the hallway, the chillingly familiar smell of Madame Browne's cologne flared my nostrils. The haughty smell of cedarwood sent shivers down my spine. The thought of Madame Browne haunted me, filling my insides with loads upon loads of fear. The way she stared at me back in there was haunting, her gaze flickering with malice. Her eyes, as I recalled, burned with a flicker of rage and contempt like a threat orchestrated just for me.Her jaw had dropped slightly when she found out that the president chose to support me over her. It was obvious he hadn't went against her words in years. She was used to having her way and it felt good to finally stand up to her.But the consequences of it struck at a corner in my mind. Consequences? The president had warned me about her, of how conniving she could be if things didn't go her way. I had to be careful with everything — the decorations, the guests and hosting the event.I traced my steps down the hallway, the fami
MADAME BROWNE'S P O V "Yes." I heard Ella say as I chuckled inwardly. I inhaled deeply, my deft fingers roving into my hair as I stared back at that whore, Ella. She looked innocent, smiling sheepishly like the fool she was. She had obviously said yes just because the offer to have Miss Genevieve, an award winning event host, was to her profit. But things weren't always as they seem. Instead of it to be at her profit, it turned out to be her loss. If you're also wondering what I meant, let me take you on a little trip down memory lane.*******“Grapes!” I ordered opening my lips as I a maid fed me some red grapes. The sickeningly sweet taste of the grapes spread on my tongue as I pierced my teeth through the grape.It was time. The heat from the water ravished my body in it's heated hold, causing me to fiddle here and then. The taste of wine on my lips intensified with a sour yet soft familiarity to red wine. It's metallic tinge reminded me of the scene of the president turning me
MADAME BROWNE'S POV I stayed awake all through the night. I couldn't sleep. The heavy sound of the footsteps grew closer and closer until I couldn't take it anymore. I didn't even winked all through the night— I mean not literally but I'm sure you got what I meant. This was the scariest version of myself that I'd ever seen. I couldn't deny it. The only thing that was just as scary as having someone toying with me was the sight of David, my unrequited love, leaving me and marrying another lady.My nails dug into my flesh and nearly dragged out blood from my palm as I stepped out of bed and walked towards the bathroom. I pushed the door open and searched it with a swift gaze. It was still early. Probably too early to take a bath but I was sure it was needed. I walked over to the other end of the bathroom where the sink was and as I walked towards it, I stared at myself in the mirror. The version of myself that stared back at me as haunting.Black eye bags. Red eyes. Red face. Palse s
MR MCKINNEY'S POV When I woke up that morning, a surge of adrenaline raced down my veins as I got up on my seat and raced towards the other end of the room where the guard I ordered to make her life a living hell stood. A yawn rolled out of my lips as I got out of bed and winced as I stepped into a slipper and walked over to where he was.It was obvious he had been waiting there for a long minute now. I rubbed my knuckles against my sore eyes as I flickered my lids open and this time, the view I had of the world was more clearer and sharper than before. I stared at the guard and scanned him for any emotions but found none.He was as rigid as a stone.Just the right man for the job. He knew exactly what to do now. I walked over to where he was and as I grew closer, I noticed a bright red hue in his eyes. It was obvious he had stayed there all night. “I remembered telling you to leave once she stepped into the room.” I muttered as he turned his gaze to me and shook his head. “I left w
MADAME BROWNE'S POV My heart nearly jumped in my chest when the president called me back. I was halfway through walking up the stairs knowing I had him on a leash with that picture but my assumptions were wrong. He didn't believe the lies I made on a whim just to get out of the tight situation he placed me in. “Did you really think I was tagg dumb, Madame Browne?”Those were the words he used. Yes. I could've sworn I nearly lost my footing when he uttered them. My legs quivered almost immediately as I grabbed the railing for support.My head dropped low and I felt my chest rise and fall as breathless pumps of air rolled out of my nostrils. A cloud of perspiration clung to my forehead as I wiped it off with my thumb and was about to move on when I heard a sound.Footsteps.My heart raced in my chest as I quickly straightened my back and turned to meet his gaze. I swerved sharply as our eyes met almost immediately. My breath caught in my throat as I took two steps backwards as she wal
MR MCKINNEY'S POV Madame Browne's voice rolled out in a low hushed whisper but I was able to catch it in its full glory. My eyes darkened as my fingers drummed against the table before sliding into my pockets and brought out the one evidence I needed in making her confess to all her crimes.My fingers wrap around it's edges as I pulled it out and with a stern frown on my face, I placed it on the table and scoffed. My fingers drummed on the table again but this time, I noticed different emotions surging up in her eyes. Rage. Irritation. Fury.The emotions in her eyes were far more than that but after a scrutinizing search, I could tell there laid darker emotions behind the heavy outer layer she had on. A pressing urge to tease her even more clogged my airways as a breath caught in my throat.“That's it.”With a soft flick of my fingers, I balled them into tight fists and awaited her response silently. Her gaze raked over me as the heat in it burned hard on my flesh but I ignored the
MADAME BROWNE'S POV He was there.Right there.Seated on the chair and cladded in all black outfits. His eyes sparkled under the soft hues of lighting from the chandelier. As I strolled towards the dining area, my heart thumped violently in my chest. My fingers clenched into hardened fists that were pressed to my sides. Sweats.Cold sweats clung to my forehead as I walked towards the table where he sat. I moved towards the table and once I was close enough, I took a seat on the chair and fixed my eyes on him. He had on a hat that shaded over his face and allowed dark shadows cast across his features.His eyes sparkled nonetheless. His gaze is as heavy as carrying rocks but in my case, the rocks were being dragged against my body. My chest fell as I heaved out a sigh and tapped on the table.“Hello?” I muttered and his fingers which I now noticed were cloaked in dark gloves pulled off his hat. A sense of fear washed into my veins as my lungs tightened and I choked on a breath.A low
MADAME BROWNE'S POVWhile in my unconscious state, I felt darkness wrap around me. I saw, felt and even heard nothing. Nothing other than that ding. With each time it came, I writhed, twisted and strived to get it to stop. I was sick and tired of it and to make matters worse, I was beginning to get scared to my wits as questions pulsed through my mind. Did I die? Was this all another version of hell? I was expecting an erupting volcano, heat and a little bit of fire but all I saw was darkness. Thick, dark darkness. I was about to ponder on a question when I heard a ding. I tried to move but my body wouldn't budge.I tried again and then again but with each trial, I drew closer to the realization that maybe I had died. I mean my body wasn't going to move anymore and the signs were beginning to police together.I was about to accept the finalisation of my current dilemma when all of a sudden, I felt the elevator shake. Panic surged through me and in a fit of fear and confusion, I trie
MR MCKINNEY'S POV If you are reading this now, you must've thought Madame Browne had died. Well, I wished she was dead too but not all of our wishes came true and the acceptance of the fact was the beginning of maturity.Don't be discouraged yet. There was still a lot of things coming for her that she just didn't know yet. You see, when I planned on getting someone to do something, I made sure to leave no stones untouched. Right now, I was seated on my chair with my arm crossed and my eyes fixed on the tablet in front of me. Right there on the screen was Madame Browne, fallen and weak with sharp fearful gasps rolling out of her lips.She was afraid.Don't get me wrong this was the only time I'd seen her this shaken to fear. Her hair which you'd expect tostull be tied up in some fancy bun was now let down in rough, messy strands that draped down to her back. She was currently trying to block the dings I was letting off stop but little did she know that I, Mr McKinney, was the one beh
MADAME BROWNE'S POVThe entire walk from my room down to the elevator was long because most of the minutes were spent pondering on the invite. I bit my fingers slowly as fear pulsed throughout me in sharp jolts. The guard who was sent to call me over there led the way since I was too shaken with suspicion and fear to go alone. As I followed his lead, I still couldn't let out the gleams of suspicion that clawed at my chest.Something was in the hallway. Something was watching over me, judging maybe even cackling as I made my way to the elevator with my steps as soft as feathers. The guards' back figure filled me with relief as I rubbed my chest and sighed.Several droplets of sweat trickled down my forehead as I paused and watched as he jabbed his fingers against the controls. The buttons by the elevator beeped countlessly for a long period of seconds but the doors didn't open.It was as if someone was in it but if that were to be the case at hand, the indicator had to be flashing red
MADAME BROWNE'S POV As I stepped out of the car, the cold wind justled several strands of my hair into the air as I struggled to keep my strands down. My fingers brushed off some blocking strands as I paced towards the door leading into the mansion. Two guards stood by it with firm frowns on their faces. “Thank you.” I muttered out loud to the driver who was probably engulfed in something else to respond. I made my way to the door and as I approached it, the drivers standing by it, pulled it open as I stepped into the mansion. I walked into the mansion and walked directly to the staircase. I made sure no one was watching before I placed silent steps up the stairs. The overhead lights in the room flickered brightly as I traced my steps up it. It didn't take long for me to arrive at the hallway leading into the elevator. I tapped on the buttons and as the door chimed open, I locked my arms and inhaled deeply as I waited for the ride to come to an end. My body was aching so much I n