Maybelline. Late at Night. 12:00am I tapped my fingers against the couch, glancing at the clock again. 12:14 a.m. This was officially the latest he’d ever been out since we began living together. After three days of silent treatment, I hadn’t expected to care this much about him not being home. But as the hours crept by, worry crept in too, making it impossible to sleep.Finally, I heard footsteps stumbling up the stairs, and relief washed over me as I sprang to my feet. The door creaked open, and there he was, barely standing, with a lazy, lopsided grin on his face. I tried to keep my expression steady.“Oh, May,” he slurred, dragging my name out like it was the most precious word he’d ever spoken. “Maybelline… I knew you’d still be awake for me.” My arms crossed automatically. “Where the hell have you been?!” I snapped, irritation evident in my voice. He could barely hold his liquor , yet he went ahead and drank himself to stupor.“You look beautiful, even when you’re angry.” He
Maybelline.At the office. 11:30am.“What’s up with your housemate?!” Betsy suddenly asked.“Hmm,” I muttered sharply. She immediately paused and turned her chair towards me. Her brows narrowed at me,“What’s up with your housemate,” she repeated. I cleared my throat awkwardly and met her gaze.“We had a conversation yesterday,”“And?!”“We’re cool,” I added almost immediately. Her eyes squinted on me and she leaned even closer.“Are you sure? This look in your eyes is more than just cool. Anything happened after that?!” She asked.“Of Course not! We just talked. He apologized and we’re cool,” i replied sharply.“Girl, you …”“Ohh shoot shoot! I have a meeting with the management now,” I said, cutting her off as I pushed my chair backwards and got up.“Catch you later,” I added as I picked up my phone and rushed out immediately. ***“Dale. I asked you to come up with a list of popular couples, for At Least six weeks upfront and reach out to them, did you do that?!” Katrina asked as w
Maybelline.9:30am.“Here, have something to drink,” Grayson said as he placed a glass of orange juice on the dining table. I looked up from my laptop and stretched out, earning soft pop sounds from my joints. Grayson had been up and about since I got home. He insisted that he wanted to make an apology dinner for me and I let him. I watched him in amusement as he cooked using every single recipe he could find. By the time he was done, he was sweating profusely. He tried though At Least the food was edible and I didn’t throw up.He brought down his laptop also, took his seat beside me and we both worked quietly.“How are you feeling?! It’s your first big gig after all,” he said, I slowly turned to him and muffled an awkward laugh.“I don’t usually get nervous a lot, but I’m nervous. Everyone is trusting so much in me, I hope the show gets a lot of visibility and I don’t disappoint them,” I muttered, he nodded thoughtfully at my words.“I know you’ll put your heart into it,” he replied.
Maybelline. Later that night. 7:30pm “Our Numbers are going up!” “This is good!” “Our subscribers instantly hit one million after the show. “ I heard Katrina say to Grayson over the phone. All four of them were on a video conference call. I was in the kitchen trying to wash our plates after dinner. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but I could hear their conversations. My heart felt full as they all talked about it, even my own personal social media accounts have been blowing up since then. My followers instantly hit two hundred thousand, and I’ve been getting a whole lot of encouraging comments. This is a really huge platform for me. My phone beeped in my pocket signaling the arrival of a new message, I dipped my hands inside the pocket of my apron and took out my phone. It was a message from Tyler.“I’ve always known you’re TV gold, May. We watched your show today and it was awesome. Congrats on this milestone. Let’s celebrate soon,” The message read, I dipped the phone back into my
Maybelline.Next Day. Saturday. I walked down the stairs to see Grayson by the coffee maker, he had his hand in his pocket and a cup in his other hand and against his lips. I swallowed hard as I watched his Adam Apple move to and fro as he gulped down the liquid. He suddenly lowered the cup from his lips and turned to me. Immediately our eyes jammed, I choked on my own spit and released an awkward cough. “Good morning,” he greeted as he dropped his cup on the counter and walked up to me. I blinked rapidly and nodded slowly in reply with a small bow.“Morning,” I replied. He dipped his hands inside his pocket, took out something and stretched it out to me. My gaze dropped down to his hands and looked back up at him. “Wh-what is this?!” I asked in a small stutter. “You’re blown now, you won’t find it funny if you still decide to take the bus after this,” he said to me, I waved my hands frantically at him and shook my head a little bit too hard, negatively. “No— no, I can’t possibl
Maybelline. 7:30pm. I pushed the door to the house open and walked into the house. I could hear voices but I couldn’t quite decipher who Grayson was talking to. I held up my bag against my shoulder as I made my way to the living room. “It shouldn’t have been an issue,” “At Least I didn’t cheat with another man” I heard, my head spun immediately I heard her words clearly. Anger immediately pumping through my veins. I marched towards her and immediately I got to her, I grabbed a handful of her hair and pulled her to face me. “So, cheating on your fiancée with another woman is normal?!” I growled and tugged at her hair more violently. She yelped in pain but it only made me tug at her hair more. “You should be ashamed of yourself!” I yelled. “Let go of me you crazy lady!” She yelped in agony. “No you are the crazy one for being attracted to your own gender and for going as far as doing what you did a night before your wedding!” I growled in reply, my veins popping out of my nec
Maybelline.At the Music Recital. “Are you okay?!” Tyler asked me softly, as he turned to me and placed his hands on my hands entangled on my laps. I turned to him and sat up straight with a small faltering smile. Thankfully the dim lights of the auditorium was a perfect cover for me. The kiss with Grayson earlier was messing with my brain, I had no idea why I did that and I really couldn’t stop thinking about it.“I’m fine,” I whispered and he nodded slowly, the recital kicked off immediately and we turned back to face the stage. Shortly after the opening of the event, the student band came on stage to play.“She’s so beautiful,” I whispered leaning closer to him, he smiled and nodded slowly.“I know,” he muttered. Harriet took her seat behind the cello, he saw her look into the crowd, her eyes swept through the crowd probably in search of us because the moment she saw us, her eyes lit up in excitement. I raised my thumb at her and flashed her the biggest smile I could muster. “Sh
Maybelline. Later. “Why didn’t you tell anybody about it dear,” I whispered to Harriet, she was sitting on her bed, and I sat by her bed patting her hands gently. I drove Harriet home in my own car, Tyler insisted on going to the hospital to get drugs for her. Even after she said she didn’t need it. I didn’t push further, I knew it wasn’t about the drugs.“I didn’t want Mr T to worry about me,” she murmured in reply.“Well that didn’t turn out well, did it?! Because now he’s super worried, super annoyed and super sad,” I said to her. She sniffled as she raised her duvet up to her chest and tucked the sides under her armpit. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.“No dear. You didn’t do anything wrong”“But when your daddy comes back, he might say words that do not really sit well with you, please understand that he’s just a parent, hurting deeply.” I said to her and she nodded slowly, I flashed her a small smile and slightly got up from my seat to hug her.“I’ll wait for your dad to come back
MaybellineNext day. Monday 8:30 am.“She’s the one,”“This is the first time I’m actually seeing her at the office”“Yeah, she looks so innocent behind would have known,”The moment I stepped into the office building, I sensed something was off. Conversations died down, replaced by hushed murmurs and sidelong glances. I brushed it off, it was probably just in my head, but as I walked further, the stares intensified, growing more obvious, more uncomfortable.I fumbled in my bag, pulled out my employee card, signed in, and headed toward the elevator. When the doors slid open, I stepped in—and everyone else instinctively shifted away, pressing against the walls. The silence was unsettling, and I could feel each and everyone of their gazes on me. When the elevator finally reached my floor, I stepped out, heart racing. What’s going on?I pushed open the door to my office. Betsy was already at her desk, I could not see her face but her posture looked stiff, her eyes darting up to meet min
Maybelline. Next Morning, Sunday. 7:00am.The morning light filtered softly through the curtains as I blinked awake, stretching out in the bed, only to realize Grayson was no longer beside me. I sat up, rubbing my eyes, and found him standing by the dresser, already dressed in a sharp suit, adjusting his tie in the mirror. He noticed me watching him, and a soft smile crossed his face. "Good morning, Beautiful." I managed a drowsy smile, pulling the covers around me as I took in the sight of him. "Already up and dressed? It’s early Sunday morning," I grumbled. He chuckled, crossing over to the bed and leaning down to press a gentle kiss to my forehead. "I’d love to stay . There’s a client I have to meet today, he’s leaving town today. I might be back late"A pang of disappointment mixed with a hint of pride tugged at me. "How about breakfast, at least?" I asked, reaching out to touch his hand. He took my hand, squeezing it gently. "I wish I could, but I’ll grab something on the w
MaybellineSaturday, 8:30 AM“Since Thursday, this guy has been pounding on my door, trying to get me to talk to him!” Betsy’s voice crackled through my phone, her frustration evident.“If someone says they’re not interested, shouldn’t you just leave them alone?” she muttered irritably. I covered the pot on the stove and turned to glance at my phone, placed on a small tabletop tripod in the mini-dining area. This was our Saturday ritual—if I wasn’t at Betsy’s place, we’d spend almost the whole day on video, catching up on everything and nothing. Like we didn’t see each other throughout the week.Through the camera, I watched her unpack groceries, the familiar ease of her movements making me smile. She was fuming.“Betsy, maybe you should at least hear him out?” I suggested gently. “He might have realized his mistakes, and letting him apologize could bring closure. Maybe then he’d leave you alone.” She paused, her gaze narrowing playfully as she turned to the camera. “Whose side are
MaybellineNext day, Friday. 1:30pm"What a ride that was!" I exclaimed excitedly with a bright smile. "I don’t know about you, but I’ve laughed, and I’ve learned more about love from our incredible couple than I ever thought possible."“A round of applause to our beautiful couple, Luna and Novan Maxwell” I paused, the audience’s applause took over. I glanced at the couple and they were all smiles as they waved at the audience. They looked so good together and I could not help but admire how well they knew each other and how very in sync they are.“Tonight’s show was all about reminding ourselves of the power of connection—of the joy, the laughter, and, yes, sometimes the tears that love brings to our lives.” I continued as the applause subsided.“And none of it would be possible without each of you, tuning in week after week, sharing in these stories, and cheering our guests on." The room erupted in cheers and applause again. My smile softened as I looked up directly into the camera
Meanwhile,Fred.“How about my wife?!” I asked the nurse as she changed my drip. They insisted I stay in the hospital two days to rest properly even after I said I was fine. “I have no idea sir. She left as soon as she dropped you,” she replied, I nodded thoughtfully in reply and she quietly kept at what she was doing.“How long does it take for the belly bump of a pregnant woman to be very visible,” I suddenly asked, she paused and slowly looked down at me. “It’s different for different body types.”“Some women's baby bumps start to become visible around three months, some other women probably five or six months. So I can’t really say,” she replied and I nodded slowly. It’s only been one month and probably three weeks since Maybelline left. She’s obviously still carrying my child. I need to see her as soon as possible.“Why are you suddenly asking questions about pregnancy!” I slowly looked up at the door to see Nora standing there. She held her bag on her elbow with her hands fold
Later that Evening.6:30 pmMaybelline. I wiped my hands dry with the napkin as I turned to the mini dinning in the kitchen and picked up my phone. It was a call from Tyler. “Tyler!” I called out immediately and I answered the call.“I’m so sorry, I should have called you but I’ve been so busy with work I barely had time,” I said all at once.“It’s very fine. There’s no need to apologize, I knew you’d be very busy, that’s why I held off on calling too” he said, I slowly moved closer to a stool by the dinning and took my seat on it. “Yeah, So, what’s the update?! How did it go?!” I asked him. “If you’d be free tonight, let’s meet and talk?!” He asked, I rubbed the back of my head, it wouldn’t have been an issue before but now that Grayson and I are together, I definitely can’t just leave the house without first explaining. “Huhhh— I — I’m —““Love! I’m home!”“Babe!” I heard Grayson yell all the way from the entrance.“Babe?!” Tyler asked immediately.“Huhh—““Babe!” I heard Grayso
Maybelline I felt the lightest, feathery kiss on my forehead, and a slow warmth spread through me as I stirred awake. My eyes fluttered open to find myself wrapped in Grayson’s arms, his embrace tender and protective, and I couldn’t help but smile at the comfort of being held by him all night. I only came in to kiss him goodnight yesterday’s night, after that he insisted that he wanted me to sleep by his side. I wanted it too, so he didn’t have to persuade me for too long. Here we are."Good morning, my sunshine," he murmured, his voice deep and husky from sleep. His eyes sparkled as he looked down at me, and I reached up, my fingers tracing slow, loving patterns along his jaw, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my touch."I could get used to waking up like this," I whispered, and he chuckled softly, his hand moving to cradle the back of my head as he threaded his fingers through my hair with care.“Then move in with me,” he said, his voice a quiet, earnest plea that sent butter
Grayson. “Since when?!”“Why didn’t you tell us!” Becky exclaimed immediately. I told her that Maybelline and I are dating already. We were on video call, my phone was on a table top tripod with my laptop beside it.“Well, I was going to. But there was never a perfect time,” I said to her, her lips stretched into a smile. “Finally. I’m happy for you ” she giggled and I nodded slowly. “I’m happy too,” suddenly the screen splitted into two and Katrina’s Video appeared. “What are the both of you discussing,” Katrina said as she raised a piece of pancake and bit into it. “We’re discussing how to sell you off. Since you no longer know how to keep quiet,” I replied immediately, the corner of her lips raised in a small sneer as she bit into her pancake again and chewed slowly. “Guys, I have exciting news for you!”“What is it?! You met someone new?!” I replied not matching her energy, I definitely knew that was what she was on to, her eyes slowly rolled to me and she glared at me.“I
Maybelline. After Work. “When you said something nice, I didn’t think that it’d be this — Nice” Grayson said after he pulled out my chair and rounded the table to sit. He carefully sat like the chair would break under his full weight. I chuckled lightly at this.“I know this is not what you’re used to, but their food is good and not expensive” I said to him and he nodded slowly in reply. “If you say so,” he replied, shortly after, the owner of the shop walked up to us. Her eyes lit up immediately when she saw me.“Belline,” she called, my lips stretched into a wide smile as I got up to my feet and pulled her into a small hug.“It’s been ages. I hope you’re good!” She said as we disengaged and I nodded in reply, my lips still stretched into a wide smile. She slowly turned to look at Grayson and then backed up at me.“You came with someone today, who is he?!” She asked.“He’s the Pre …” My gaze slowly flickered to Grayson, he sighed slowly and gently looked away from me.“He’s my boy