Vivian’s POVIt was a new week, and I was starting it off with a good spirit at work. I had decided before getting to work that I would be happy regardless. Belinda had forced me into picking out more clothes than I had anticipated to buy. Apparently, she wanted me to have more than enough clothes.“I really don’t care for myself, Vivian. You know I have more than enough clothes,” Belinda had said in her defense.“I know, but you should pick some for yourself, after all, you dragged me all the way out here,” I had countered her claim.“No, thank you. You know I want absolutely nothing to do with that jerk’s money,” Belinda had said.Her words sort of stung, but I let it slide. She knew I didn’t also want any of Syrus’s money especially now that we are no longer married, yet she forced his money into my bank account. Another thing that had stung was the way she had flippantly said it, without recalling that it had been this very issue that had almost caused a rift between us.Belinda
Vivian’s POVGeorgia’s announcement sent my nervous system reeling. I almost passed out when she said it, and I knew deep down that if Syrus wasn’t in on it, she wouldn’t be making such a public announcement.Hours later, when the TV had eventually come on, I had to listen to those exact words of Georgia all over again without being able to take my eyes away from the smile on her face, and the glint in her eyes. Somehow I felt that she was looking straight into my eyes and taunting me.I couldn’t stand it, so I excused myself and dashed off to the restroom. No one would suspect that it was the “fast rising star’s” announcement that had turned my mood upside down.When I got to the restroom, I cried my eyes out. Here I was thinking that I had gotten over Syrus completely, so whatever he did, or whoever he was with would not affect my emotions in anyway, but I had been totally wrong. What made it even more heart-wrenching was the fact that it was the same Georgia who had been responsibl
Vivian’s POV My stomach churned in annoyance. I had hoped that Syrus would fail, so that I would have an excuse not to get him involved, but it seems that he took the whole thing more seriously than I anticipated.“Welcome, Syrus,” Doctor Pedro greeted Syrus with a grin.I gritted my teeth to prevent me from screaming in anger. It was just painful to see that everyone else adored and liked Syrus without knowing how hurtful he could be. Syrus wore one of his suits that suited him well like it was made personally for him. The first time I saw Syrus in that pair of suit, it was as though he had fallen off from a magazine. I took my eyes away to avoid looking at him, or even catching me staring.“Why would I not make it?” Syrus deliberately turned to me with a quizzical gaze.“Well, you are almost late,” I said defensively.“Almost, but not late. According to my wristwatch,” Syrus said glancing at his expensive watch, “I am right on time,” Syrus said, his voice reeking of arrogance and pr
Vivian’s POV The moment I got out of the hospital, I walked so fast that even if Syrus intended to catch up with me, it would not be easy for him. I ensured that I came out first and fortunately, found a cab waiting. The last thing I wanted was Syrus following me out of the hospital and blaming me for ruining our first appointment.I knew that it was my fault, but I would rather swallow a frog than admit that it was my fault.I described Belinda’s address to the cab driver and he sped off immediately. Instinctively, I turned to check if Syrus had attempted to catch up with me to explain things, or even ask me how I was faring, but I caught sight of him leisurely walking out of the hospital and walking straight to his parked car without even looking around.More than I would like to admit, it hurt me deeply that Syrus was being so nonchalant about my feelings and emotions. By tomorrow, I would have to see him in that office again, and there was nothing I could do about it. I placed my
Vivian’s POVI felt better after visiting Belinda and talking about the hospital episode with her. It was even easier than I thought to admit to her how everything had made me feel, and even better that she did not judge me at all, instead, came up with a wild idea that she had me smiling and shaking my head as I did my job the next day.The appointment was not until hours later, and although Belinda had fought to go with me for moral support, I managed to dissuade her; it wasn’t necessary, and besides, I did not want Syrus to think I came with someone to bully him, because that is exactly what Belinda was hoping to do…bully the jerk.Then Belinda had given me hours of strict lectures about her extremely crazy idea. At first, I did not want to deal with it, but then again, Syrus wasn’t exactly a wonderful husband to me, and it just seemed like the right thing to do. My head was bowed and engrossed with what I was doing, plus the thoughts in my head that I did not see Dan show up in f
Vivian’s POVI stared at Georgia, and for some seconds, I did not know how exactly to react at her audacity. “How did you know I work here?” I asked. It was not the question I had wanted to ask, but then that was what came out of my mouth instead. This was my workplace, and certainly not the place for this kind of conversation. Well, maybe Georgia knew that she couldn’t show this level of audacity without getting a piece of how I felt if she had accosted me in a different place. Before Georgia could open her mouth to speak, the two ladies, who always talked about her walked in and saw Georgia. They gasped, star-struck.“Oh my goodness!” They screamed in delight and rushed over to us. I could see the look of pride in Georgia’s eyes at their reaction and the smile that played on her lips was that of mischief, and I rolled my eyes in disgust.“It is really you, Georgia!” the squealed in delight as they spoke together at once, as though they had been preparing for this day for years.
Syrus’s POV “You are fifteen minutes earlier,” Doctor Pedro said as I walked into his office, surprise written all over his face. I smiled and sat across from him. “Yes, I am,” I said.“Then let’s hope Vivian will not keep us waiting today,” Doctor Pedro teased.I nodded and said with a smile, “Let’s hope so,” But deep down I wanted Vivian to be late so that I could gloat.Knowing her plans now, I did not want to take any chances. This would be the first time I would be a father, and I would not take any chances at all. When Georgia had told me about it, I almost did not believe her.“Vivian is pregnant with triplets,” Georgia had blurted out the moment she stepped into the living room.“Excuse me?” I had been very confused“You heard me right, Syrus,” Georgia said as she sat next to me.“How did you know?” I asked. Not that I believed completely, because before the divorce, there were no signs that Vivian could be pregnant, although not that I paid much attention to her body, but w
Vivian’s POVIt took me every ounce of courage and discipline not erupt in laughter at Syrus’s expression. Indeed, Belinda deserved an Oscar for coming up with this idea that I had thought was crazy and not something I could do.“You will have to put Syrus on his edge of his seat with an attitude he will not see coming,” Belinda had said before diving into the rest of the plan she already cooked up in her head.And honestly, I had just wanted things to slide with Syrus after contacting my workplace for consideration, but when Georgia had appeared to threaten and humiliate me, I knew I just had to take Belinda’s advice.I had been somewhat surprised to have found Syrus sitting in the doctor’s office and waiting, but because I came fully prepared, I did not let my shock to take the better part of my emotions. “Are we ready to see what we have in there?” Doctor Pedro asked Syrus and I as I laid on the stretcher. After the agreement to act as adults and be peaceful, he had ushered us in
Georgia’s POVIn private now, Georgia held her hand to her chest and released the breath that she had been holding.“That was freaking close!” Georgia said in shock.While she sat there and watched the banter among Syrus, Nancy and Bonnie, Georgia had been praying that Bonnie wouldn’t be pressured into telling the truth, thereby mentioning her name.She was really smart enough to have told Bonnie to wire it over to her, because she knew without a doubt that Syrus definitely tried to trace that money. “I have to think of something,” Georgia said to herself in thought.She received the mail of her officially approved contract with the TV show, which meant that the money would soon be paid to get. It also meant that she would soon begin her tour. All things seemed to be working well for Georgia. Now, her only problem was Bonnie. Georgia had a deep feeling that if Syrus applied just the right pressure, she would slip. She knew Bonnie and the soil she was made from. Bonnie was too soft at
Vivian’s POV“Twenty thousand dollars?!” For a moment, I thought my ears were playing tricks on me, but from the look on Manny’s face, I knew he was not joking. Why would he? Who would joke about something as important as this?Manny took a seat, dejected. He looked like he was dressed for work, but I couldn’t ask him.“Dad’s medical bills certainly shouldn’t have cost that much,” I said with certainty. Not like I had any valid proof, but I just couldn’t believe it at all. “You weren’t here, Vivian, so you have no idea what it was like,” Manny said.There was still the underlying tone of anger and resentment which I just recently figured out, and it really broke my heart. Well, I guess everyone in my family now officially hates me.“I know that, but…” I tried to talk, but Manny interrupted me.“What about that Jane girl?” Manny asked out of the blue. I blinked several times, because for a moment, I could not understand Manny’s question, and he noticed my confusion.“The girl you m
Vivian’s POV“What does that even mean?!” I asked, angrier now.“What doesn’t it mean? Vivian?” Manny responded, equally upset, even though we were both equally trying to keep our voices down so that we would not wake dad up.“He does not want to see you, or speak to you! I wouldn’t even have let you in if he was awake!” Manny spewed.His words hit me like a punch in my guts, making me stagger backwards. So this was what life had become for me. My dad who accepted me when I returned after the divorce no longer accepted me.“This is not fair!” I said as hot, bitter tears began to fall from my eyes. “This is not fair at all.”It was as though my words aroused the anger that Manny had been trying so hard to keep at bay.“It is not fair? Vivian, do you have any idea the pain you have caused us?!” Manny bellowed. “First of all, you ran off with a man that none of us approved of!” Manny said.“I know that. I know that,” I was crying now, in deep regret.“That alone, caused dad to have his f
Vivian’s POVAfter Belinda left for work, I began to contemplate whether or not I should go. I wouldn’t have gone if Ted hadn’t been taken away, which should have given me enough confidence, but now, I just felt horrible going, because all this problem was because of me.I hadn’t spoken to Manny since the last call when he told me to run to safety. Maybe he must have been trying to reach me, but my phone was switched off.“You don’t have all the time in the world to contemplate, Vivian,” I told myself, because if I don’t go now, I might not catch Manny at home before he goes to work.So I got dressed and left the apartment, taking the key with me.On my way there, my heart began to pound heavily, and I wondered why I was feeling this way about visiting my family. I used to be very comfortable around them, and even though we have had our rough patches, we were still a family.Standing in front of the door now, I inhaled and exhaled.“You have got this, Vivian,” I encouraged myself befo
Vivian’s POVI have been reminiscing on the things that Belinda revealed to me, and I could barely make sense of it.I watched Belinda getting dressed for work as I stayed lazily in bed, my mind trying to understand everything.“Vivian!” Belinda practically yelled my name, making me snap out of my reverie. “Jeez, you were lost for a moment,” Belinda said.“No, I have been here,” I lied, and Belinda knew I was lying. I really do not understand why I lie to her when she could read me like a book. “I have been talking for about ten minutes, and you completely zoned out, so stop lying to me,” Belinda said.“Okay, what were you saying?” I asked, somehow sensing that she was yapping about silly things.After talking at length yesterday, I had pleaded with Belinda to spend the night with me. It was my first night in the apartment, and I did not want to sleep alone. Trauma from that small town still haunted me greatly; which was even why I switched off my phone. Thinking about it now, I had
Syrus’s POV“Mum, do you have an idea what Bonnie did? Did she tell you? Are you also in on this?” Syrus asked his mother, fuming.He had gotten a worrisome call from the family’s finance officer who expressed his deep concerns about how huge amounts of money was being withdrawn from the family account. First, it was Bonnie, then Syrus, and now Syrus was requesting for another amount of money.Syrus would be really upset if his mother was in on this.“You can at least start by talking first, Syrus,” Nancy demanded authoritatively.Georgia just sat there watching the family drama, and hoping to God that Bonnie would not be forced into mentioning her name, otherwise she would be doomed. This was the only family that she pitched her tent for now.“Bonnie had five thousand dollars wired out of the account, and I demand to know what she used the money for!” Syrus bellowed.“So you refused to answer mum’s question, but you want to force me into answering yours, right?” Bonnie stated stubbor
Georgia’s POVGeorgia was upset and disappointed at Bonnie for making her waste her time going all the way to that property only to discover that there was no one there.In as much as she would like to, she could not show off her anger and disappointment towards Bonnie. If she didn’t need both mother and daughter to reach her goal, she wouldn’t bother with a dumb head like Bonnie.“Sometimes, being born with a silver spoon just makes them really stupid and silly,” Georgia said to herself, referring to Bonnie. Georgia was not particularly a fan of these rich kids, because half of them were not remotely as smart as she was, and that was because they had everything practically handed over to them in a platter of gold.Georgia arrived at Syrus home, and for the first time, she really hoped that Syrus would not be at home. She did not want to see him, at least not now, and she was still very upset that after that interview, he never bothered to reach her. Instead, he had gone to be the kni
Georgia’s POVGeorgia arrived at home in a lighter mood, because a few minutes after she left Brenda’s apartment, she got a call from Brenda.“Have you changed your mind?” Georgia teased. She already knew the answer, but Georgia just enjoyed toying with her victims.“No, I haven’t,” Brenda responded, and from the sound of her voice on the phone, Georgia could tell that she was still shaken.Very good, just the way Georgia liked it!“I wanted to inform you that the interview video has been deleted completely, and it would never be out in the public,” Brenda said.“How am I certain that this isn’t a lie just so that I would not expose you?” Georgia asked.She was not a fool. In fact, she was way smarter than a bunch of people, and she knew how these things worked, because she had been in the game long enough, which was why she did not even talk about her other blackmail request yet.“Because you have just been crowned our star of the season,” Brenda announced.Georgia could not believe
Vivian’s POVBelinda threw her head back and laughed when I asked her that question.“Belinda, what did you do?” I asked her again, eager to know.“I didn’t do what I wasn’t supposed to do,” Belinda said vaguely, but I was not having it.“What are you talking about?” I asked her, my curiosity nearly overriding me.“Okay, let me give you the full gist, since you are this eager,” Belinda said.“Please do!” I said.We both settled in the bed, holding and hugging each other tightly, yet tenderly. It was as though we had been apart for eternity, and now that we were together again, we were afraid that being slightly apart might make one of us disappear.“That day when I left, I got a call from my clique of friends,”“You have a clique of friends now?” I asked Belinda, slightly jealous. All these years, she was the only one I ever had as a friend, even up till now, so realizing that Belinda got a whole bunch of friends and shared friendship with other people that I was not a part of just g