Help me escape.

"My marriage is crumbling right in my presence and I am the one destroying it" *Are you even married? Because the last time I checked, mature men stay with their families and not their mistresses. *  my inner man screamed at me. 

Emily is leaving me alone.*you left her first * I crushed down to the floor and groan in pain

****

"Would you want to go with us?. " " I asked Emily. She was nervous because I was acting creepy, I mean who would follow a lady to the restroom without her knowing about it. Only for her to come out of the restroom and meet the guy who bullies her in the presence of the whole school just to prove a stupid point to his girlfriend. Who's quite aware of the fact that Emily is prettier than she can ever be. 

"No, thank you." She was quick to give me an answer, then turned to leave, I rubbed my hair furiously then turned to stare at her figure, only to see the red batch stain on her blue skirt, since  the color of our school uniform was White shirt and sky blue trousers or skirt, with a white blazer or a light blue jacket... 

"Emily. Wait. Don't go outside" I ran to meet her, pulled off my blazer, and tied it around her waist. She was surprised, she did not understand what I did and why I did it. Her eyes were staring at me with shock. Her eyeballs were bulging. I couldn't comprehend what I just did too, I was stunned at my behavior.

"Leo, wh.. what.. What's wrong?. " she shutters.

"I. Uhm, I .. you... your skirt is stained at the back, and it's not water." I feel so embarrassed talking about this, I feel it's something they take so seriously.

"What!.. my skirt?. I " she blinks her eyes like that of a doll, Damn! She's so cute, so fucking cute. I feel like kissing her right away. 

"What you gonna do about it now," I asked her

"I think I should go home, probably to change and clean up, thanks for your blazer. It's quite helpful. " she smiled at me, it was obvious that the smile wasn't genuine. I guess she's wondering how she would leave the school premises, and trek down-home. It's kinda far. 

"Should I drive you home? " I don't know when I blurted that out.

"Ahh, will that be convenient for you? I don't want Isabella and Margaret to complain, don't worry I am going to be fine? Your blazer is enough" her voice was really pleasant to my hearing.

"C'mon you don't have to worry, come let's get you home, so you can fix yourself." I pulled her out of the restroom. We walked to the school parking lot. Got the keys from my pocket and drove her out of the school premises.

I had to branch at the estate mall, to get her tampon and a park of the sanitary pad I saw, because I was confused about the one she uses, and since she couldn't go in with me. I was left with no option but to get her the two.

She was so surprised that I could help her with it. I have been doing some things lately that I am questioning myself. If I am in the right state of mind. Although It's only with Emily I go to the extreme.

I drove into the house, turned around to her side to get the door open for her... I was disappointed when I saw her already down.

"Are you sure you are okay Emily, " I asked with a worried expression.

"Yeah, I am fine, although I don't know what you mean by asking the question." The way her lips move is so captivating, I wish I could just kiss her right here and right now. 

"I mean.. i..  you know, the pain and all that, aren't you feeling it at all?." I shudder when asking my question, wait. What's my business? Gosh, am such a poke nose. Now I am beginning to act nosy, I wish she does not find it creepy. 

"Yes, I feel pain. There's inevitably no way one can escape it, it's normal to come and am use to pain, so this is just like a tip of an iceberg, you shouldn't feel remorseful I made you skip classes important ones to be precise when your dad is around, I should be the one apologizing, instead of you." I did not know what prompted me, all I could remember was me pressing her to the wall and devouring her sweet looking lips. She didn't kiss back at first but later kissed me with the same force which I used in kissing her, my hands found its way to her breast, cupping it in my hands. It's so soft. Our kiss got heated immediately she trapped her hands in my hair, making me lift her legs off the ground, up to my waist. I had always fantasized about this moment. She was still trapped between the wall and me, And I was not letting her go anytime soon. We savored each other through our little kissing act, and I kept on fondling her soft boobs. After a while, she broke the kiss and face down… 

"I..I. am so sorry, I don't know what came over me. Emily. I don't know how to react to what just happened", I felt my lower part has gone rigid and have been absentmindedly grinding on her because my trouser is carrying a patch of red. Which indicates Blood. Immediately she saw it, she ran all the way out of my sight. Damn, that was the best kiss I had had in years. 

****

"Hey. Hey.. c'mon wake up Leo. Why would you stay at the door here and sleep off" I heard someone waking me up from my trance. I don't know why I kept going down the memory lane. Tears started pouring out of my eyes, I am crying again. I Have finally lost Emily. I feel like crying, and laughing at the same time, I feel like screaming, this is what I have always wanted so why am I finding it hard to breathe...I knew it was Hannah, who woke me up, and am sure she's expecting me to get up and do her morning rituals of rubbing her tummy, and massaging her feet but trust me, I am not in for that now, not anytime soon. I stood up and ignored her and walked up the stairs, got my clothes and car keys. 

"Leo! Leonard!! You can't just walk out on me. I am your fiance. You should respect me. " I just hissed.

"Thank God you said fiance and not wife, I am still married okay. " 

"I am carrying your baby, the mother of your child, respect me! "

Gosh, she's not gonna let me leave until she gets what she wants. 

"Okay, Hannah, I'm sorry, I respect you and I love you okay. I have boiled some chickens for your feed. Just cooking the rest, an emergency came up, it's 10 am already. Please." I pecked her, and rushed down to my car, I sped past the automatic gate. 

-------Emily POV------------

Barr. Donna and Mary-Rose drove into the compound, with the triumphant smile on Mary's face, I knew it was a success. It went as planned.

"Barrister, thank you so much. I knew I could count on you. " 

"Emily, I know you don't want to divorce Leo, but what I don't understand is you changing your mind all of a sudden "

I smiled at her, 

"Donna you should know me better than anyone, I don't want to leave my Leo, I have tried everything within my power to get him back but it seems, Hannah is bent on breaking my family. And I am ready to play her games with her. I want to prove to her that the Emily she knew is dead and the one standing before you is the Reformed one, but Leonard is gonna be on the losing side. I only want to torture him, that was why I told you to prepare a divorce file. It will hit him as a shocker, trust me. Especially when he gets to the part that he isn't going to take claim on my babies. He would come being so annoyed and disagree bluntly with it, then I would ask him if he believes my babies are his. If he says yes, then I will charge him for cheating, and he would have to sign the divorce file, giving me half of his property. So thereby reducing the amount of his property that bitch is going to be stealing from him." A knock on the door interrupted me. I motion for Mary to get the door. 

The sight of a Leonard Luther stopped what I was saying.

"Good day, Mr Luther, my Lawyer informed me of your decision. You are just early, I wanted to take the pain to come over to you and sort whatever the issue is, before going on my trip. " I showed no special feelings for him.

"Uhm yeah, I..  wanted to ask you... " he was shuttering. Gosh the almighty Leo, is shuttering before me. Emily. Wow. Am pleased

"You are free Mr Leo, you don't have to feel shy, it's strictly official and business-based. No need shuttering, * I paused* or probably you need some privacy?." He nodded quickly... like a two-year-old kid.

"That's not a problem, Barrister, please would you mind giving Mr Leo and me some privacy." She had that triumph smile on her face, indicating she's in love with my acting. Immediately Barrister Donna left, I signaled to Mary-Rose for her to give us some privacy. She had the look that screams "make sure you don't fall for his charms" Don't worry Mary-Rose I will make him come back to beg me. He will crawl and beg for my forgiveness. By the time Hannah is done with him, alongside his stepbrother Judah, yeah you heard me right,  Judah isn't a real Luther. Well, that's a topic for another day.

"Okay Mr Luther, they have given us the whole room, you should feel free now," I smirked as I adjusted myself well on the sofa I was sitting on, stretching my aching feet. 

"Emily, what's happening?. I mean why the divorce.?." He asked all of a sudden, but I have chosen not to fall for his charms today. Whether he likes it or not, I am not gonna show him I am weak. 

"What do you mean Mr Le.." he interrupted me.

"Don't call me Mr Leonard, or fucking Mr Luther. Just stop, please. I am here to ask some questions. And I want honest answers, Laura. Honest answers." His clenched teeth told me he's so pissed off. But do I give a damn?. That's the question he should be asking himself.

"Me Leonard, you don't expect me to disrespect you, you are a married man, I feel I am disrespecting you and your wife by calling you hour direct name. So please Sir with all due respect I don't mean to piss you off, but that's what i'm going to call you, if you are not comfortable, probably I should get my lawyer to meet you instead. And based on the question aspect, I would want you to talk to my lawyer. I think you came here because you are not in agreement with the divorce file I sent to you. "

"Emily why are you doing this?. You cheated, I saw the video myself. Why are you trying to make me feel guilty? It should be the other way round, not this way. " he furiously rubs his hands on his hair. 

"Excuse me, Mr Luther, I wouldn't want you to increase your charges. Because they are handy already. I would call in my lawyer since it seems you are not ready to say anything. By the way, my lawyer would get to you tomorrow, for you to sign the document, because the other party has already done theirs, "

"Emily please just five minutes before you call whoever you wanna call please" his eyes made me weak. Nah, I won't fall for his tricks.

"Okay, go on. Am all ears. " 

"Why did you do it?. I mean, I never thought you of all people could break my trust. I trusted you with my all Emily. Of all people you could go down with, why does it have to be him? Emily, you let me and went for Andrew Dickinson. The Dickinson were enemies, to The Luther's  yet you went for him." Why would you do it, Emily? I loved you then. You passed all of my gold-digging tests, but you fell for Andrew fucking Dickinson. " I was so confused, what is he talking about, Andrew Dickinson was just my friend and nothing more.

"Andrew Dickinson? What are you talking about Leo? " my face crumbled as I was not getting what he's talking about at all.

"Yes, Andrew Dickinson! You fucking cheated on me with him, you made Andrew fuck you few weeks after our wedding, you shattered all of my plans for you, for our future together. " he pointed his fingers at me. 

"Wow. I now get it, so these were the lies she told you, oh Hannah. What a shame, anyways Mr Luther, why don't you wait for time to prove who's telling the truth and who's telling a lie? Why don't you just get patient, Leonard? I remembered what I said vividly at the hospital. I told you that I won't be here when you will need me, because a Tiger can't clean off its stripes, just for the record. She wants Judah, not you. You are just a tool to get to Judah. And your stupid self who's so trapped in her web put your marriage at stake just to please her, unfortunately for you, you just lost your marriage to your nasty game. and that I would get my lawyer to send you the divorce file tomorrow, which is today, and for you to sign it and then Boom you got what you wanted, then sit back, relax and watch how funny and lovely your downfall would be. Trust me Mr Luther your face is going to be on every tabloid, every signboard. Because it will be Marred on the street." I smiled as his face went pale.

"Leo, you don't have to get scared. There's a saying that my mum would always tell me, "may her soul rest in perfect peace, she would say *Experience is the best teacher* I would leave you to experience pain. Then you know how it feels to be stab right in the chest and not at the back this time around, Sign the fucking paper and get the hell outta here Leo. " 

He stared at me like I had grown horns, I cared less. He took out the paper with him, stared at it before asking if it was the original copy. 

"I don't know how violent you may react so I gave you the duplicate copy. Here this is the original copy, my signature is on it already" 

He took it from me, staring at me and my bulging tummy, before signing it. Immediately he signed it. I smile and called in Barr. Donna and Mary-Rose. He was about to go when I called him back.

"To clear your curiosity, I never for once had anything to do with Andrew Dickinson, the video you saw was not true, but you lost your marriage because you did not trust your newly wedded wife. I was at home all through the week you went on that emergency trip. Maybe that might help... Now you can leave, ex-husband." I smirked at him as his mouth hung open. 

He walked out with hurt visible on his face, while I smirked. 

"It's time for breakfast I guess".  I got up and walked down to the kitchen to get a glass of milkshake, *for the records Mary-Rose prepared it before leaving this morning*  it's really cold just the way I love it, based on the fact that it had been in the fridge.  

I sat all on my own, not ready to take in the fact that I was a free single pregnant lady 8 months after the wedding, wow.

Hannah, the step you took in my life to cause the breakage between me and Leo is not something that should be overlooked, trust me I will make your life a living hell. I will strip you naked in public and you won't have anyone to cover all of your secrets, even that comforting breeze you feel around you whenever you stretch forth your hand in the air, won't be there to comfort you. I will unexpectedly hit you. That I promise you, Hannah Taylor Warren. 

The next few days were stress-free, and I wouldn't lie that I now miss the feeling I get whenever I think of my Leo, it's heartbreaking tho. I saw Leo a few times and those times, it was clear that he was so happy to see me. 

The very day I requested his presence was when I went into forced labor. Mary-Rose was enough for me, but I wish I had a helping hand. I was furiously sweating, with Mary's hand in mine holding on to dare life. The doctors screamed at me, telling me to push. 

Mrs Luther push! You can do this, the head is out already. Just a little more and you are ready to hold your first baby in your hands. Mrs Luther, just a little more, save the baby, the doctor screamed at me. I pushed with the help of Mary-Rose long-lasting assistance, holding and pressing her hands as I pushed and she not complaining but enduring all... 

Hey! Hey!! Emily. You should get up. . You have been sleeping since yesterday. The food I bought is now cold. C'mon, sit up to eat...

Wait! So all that happened was a dream?. 

Wow.. it felt so real... 

I sat up from the bed and began to eat my food very slowly. 

"Mary-Rose, was Leonard here yesterday?. " I asked her but received a glare from her and an eye roll.

"You're still on Leo's issue right?. C'mon he does not want you, I mean I don't mean it like that. But you are pregnant with his kids and all he could think of is his mistress. He's not worth your attention and care, Emily. " I nod towards her. I understand what she's trying to pass, but I can't control my heart I don't have the gut to start the hatred now

I was going for my medics and in three weeks I would have my babies with me. I can't wait to breastfeed my babies. I will shower my babies with love, well I want their genders to be a surprise to me.

The front bell went off. I had to get up to check who was at the door. 

"I'm coming! Hold on" I called out to whosoever was at the door. The sight before me halted my movement, and probably my entire world. 

"Leo! What... I. Uhm what are you doing here?." I don't know why I was shuttering, I wanna be strong. I wanna get over you Leo, why are you making it hard for me? I want my dream to come true. 

"I ummm. I brought her here, Isabella is here. She made me drop her here. It seems you guys are quite close, so she wanted to come straight here. She went to the car to get her other pieces of luggage. So am… " he was interrupted by Isabella's noise.

"And if it isn't my lovely Emily Laura Luther Macbeth, my lovely playmate, wow you have grown more beautiful than I can remember, your skin glows, damn your pregnancy made you look so beautiful, unlike some people. Who becomes so ugly and pale. * I chuckled at her remark* Seriously, you need to see them. They are just so lazy. Their house looks unkempt, gosh.. *she turned Leo as if she just noticed he was standing there.* oh Leo, you are still here, do you wanna join us for a meal? Because I'm sure the bitch you are staying with is not a friend in your kitchen. " I chuckled at Isabella Remark, ever since she apologized concerning her behavior when we were younger, she has been nice and friendly to me, I love and crave her company.

"Well if my love is not a friend to the kitchen, I am a friend to the kitchen. Am outta here" He said and turned to leave. 

"Go order from K.F.C they prepare better than both you and your stupid lover" immediately she said that we burst into laughter. I knew her stay here was going to be fun. She's really fun to be with...

"I guess it's just us now right? me, you, and Mary-Rose or is she not here anymore? " 

"Nah she's still with me. Let's take you down to your room, then we all watch a good movie.". 

That day was fun-filled, I usually forgot my problems whenever she's around, she was just like the sister Hannah should have been. 

***memory lane ***

"Hey, Emily. How are you? I missed your call earlier, what's wrong?. " 

"Hannah, we got married a few weeks ago and Leo is already acting strange. He will be on the phone for hours talking to a strange lady. He always complains about my cloths, whenever I put on something revealing he's gonna call me a whore, if I put on something that covers my body well he's going to call me a pretender, that I dress like a nun and go about to sleep with other guys, and they are not true, I am still sore of the intimacy we both shared, he knows this, he knows I am not cheating on him. Why would I even do so? Something I did not do when we were in high school. Something that never came to my mind. He has been my crush all through my life, I use Leo as my scale in judging other guys that ask me out, he knows about this. I tell him practically everything happening in my life, even when he wasn't here I never cheated. So why should I do so now that we are married? Hannah help me, what should I do?. " I was seriously crying by the time I was done with my explanation.

"Emily, are you sure he did not see you with anybody suspicious? "

"What's this you are asking me? Do I act suspiciously? Why should I act suspiciously? There's nothing to hide, he knows everything in my life, were you even listening to what I said earlier? Hannah don't make my condition worse. "

"Laura I am not trying to act stupid or annoying but we need to be on the safer side. "Wait, what's Hannah saying? Why should I act suspiciously, I am in love with Leonard and we are married, I promised to respect him, care for him, and honor him. I wouldn't make such promises if I knew I was going to break it. 

"Hannah, so you don't trust me? Wow, after all these years we spent together you can't vouch for me, you can't predict my actions. Wow Hannah I am disappointed in you. I tell you about my problem and all you could ask me is if I have been faithful to my husband just six weeks after the wedding. You know what? I should not have called you at all. Thanks for the ambush. " with that I hung up. What's wrong with Hannah, why is she acting strange? 

I took matters into my hands, I should talk to my mum. That day I drove out of the house, after dropping a note on the bed stand for Leo indicating sheer I was.  Because I dare not wake him from his slumber. Yeah, it's up to that level. I drove down to the cemetery where my mum was buried. Got down from the car, and brought out the hibiscus flower I bought on my way here. Walled down to wetter she was buried.

"Mummy " I crushed down on my knees and cried my eyes out. 

"Mummy, why did you leave? The pains are still there, I know if you were here, you would have a solution to all of this problem. Mummy, Leo is acting strange, Leo is beginning to go against our vows, it's just six weeks after marriage. Mum, we came back from our honeymoon two weeks ago. What's happening, mum." I couldn't hold it anymore as I began to choke in my tears, I couldn't continue what I was saying, this is getting too hard for me to comprehend. I can't think of a good reason as to why he would be acting this strange.

"Mum, the doctor confirmed I am four weeks pregnant.  How will I tell him? What's wrong mum?. What's going on? Help me, mum. Help me!!!! " I screamed with all my strength. As my voice echoed. I stared at my mum for a while, her lovely picture is still in my head. I love her so much. 

"Bye mum" I walked out of the cemetery in tears, got into my car and drove away, aimlessly only to meet myself at Aldovia's entrance. My childhood memory came back rushing to my head.

Ma'am Laura! Yes. I should go see her. She might help. Although that's if she's still alive. I got down from my car and trekked down to her place. I missed my way at some point. But with the help of people around, I was able to get back on track and they also told me she's not dead, but can't talk well anymore and that she's beginning to have memory loss. It's 12 years already. I bet she can still stand and see clearly. 

I got to her house to see it was well furnished. Her children must have done this for her. I met a nurse at the entrance. 

"Excuse me miss. I was directed to this place, ma'am laura stays here right?. "

"Yeah, I am her nurse and you are? " 

"Just tell her Laura Macbeth, the 12years old girl that read her books for her"

The nurse was astonished, she stared at me like I had grown horns. 

"So you are the Laura she talks about? I am pleased to finally meet you." Wow, so ma'am Laura hasn't forgotten about me?.  I smiled at her as she led me to the living room and told me to sit, while she went to tell ma'am Laura about my presence. She came back all excited, saying ma'am Laura is eager to hear my voice. 

I became nervous all of a sudden when I remember mum did not allow me to bid her farewell when we were leaving Aldovia, what if mum fooled me by telling me she came here and she didn't. 

"Go on in. You don't have to be scared, she's so eager to touch you, and probably strain her eyes to see you." I smiled at the nurse. 

"Thank you, nurse… "

"Hazel Ferdinand is the name"

"Okay, Thank you, nurse Hazel. " I stood up from where I was seated, pulled out my shoes because that's what she loves then, whenever we want to read, she pulls out her flip flop and places her bare legs on the cold floor. I walked into the room to see ma'am Laura laying on a slightly raised bed. Her skin was so wrinkled and her hair had turned all white, even her eyelids. She has become so old, her fingers have become so tiny and wrinkled. But she still maintains the length of her hair *shoulder length*. 

"Laura, Laura my child is that you?. " her voice was so shaky and cracked, it came out like a whisper. 

"Ma'am Laura, it's your Child Laura, it's l your child." Tears were already pouring out of my eyes

"Oh my child come here let me touch you, oh I have missed you" I moved closer to her and hugged her, at the same time not pressing my weight on her. She slowly rubbed my hair and back, trying to soothe my tears.

"Laura, don't cry. Your mum told me why you left, I guess she's no more, she told me she had cancer of the lungs, and she had a few months to live, that's why she took you to where you would be cared for. You don't have to cry, my child." Just as if she did voodoo on me. I stopped crying.

"You remember the book you were reading for me then?." Are you kidding me?. I thought they said she does not remember things well, I can't even remember the exact book I was reading for her then. 

"No, I don't,  do you? " I smile as I watch her lips curve into a wonderful smile.

"Yeah, it's titled Help me escape. Have you forgotten?" 

"Oh, ma'am you still even remember the name of the book" 

I read that book for her all over again, she was so happy. By the time we were done, it was late in the Night. I had to call Leo to tell him where I was. Which he cared less about. When I was going, she gave me the book as her last gift on heart, then went to bed. I never knew that was the last time I would see her, she passed away overnight. 

Indeed the book, Helped her escape the pains and worries of this world.