Vivian’s POV
I stood there, shocked to my bones, and frozen as ice. I literally could not believe what just happened. Well, maybe Manny was wrong for thinking that Belinda was not cold-hearted.
In all honesty, I knew Belinda as a soft-hearted person, which was why when Manny said what he said, I just took the initiative and came here. Manny was wrong, and so was I. A bitter reality that I might have to get accustomed to now is that in my absence, a lot of things might have changed, including the attitude of people I once knew.
My heart was shattered into a million pieces.
Losing Syrus was one thing, but losing my best friend was another thing entirely. Belinda had been the closest female in my life, and just now that I needed her right beside me, I had gone and messed things up between us. I stood there like a log for a few more seconds before deciding to leave. My legs felt too heavy, and my heart bled, but standing there was not going to solve anything.
So I turned around and managed to will my legs to move.
“Are you just going to leave?”
I heard Belinda’s voice. She had opened the door eventually. Before turning, I smiled in relief.
“You slammed the door in my face,” I said, albeit with a remorseful expression.
“It’s because that is exactly what you deserve and I am not sorry I did it,” Belinda said.
I would have been deeply hurt by her words but I saw that she was struggling to hide a small smile that was playing on her lips.
“Why are you here?” She bossed up and asked me.
Well, the fact that she had opened her door and was speaking to me meant I had a chance. “Can I come in?” I asked.
Without saying a word, Belinda went into her apartment, leaving the door wide open. Taking it as a cue, I walked into her apartment and shut the door.
“Thank you,” I said as I dropped my handbag on her couch. Neither of us bothered to sit down, and Belinda instantly crossed her hands over her chest defiantly.
“You have just five minutes, because I was getting ready to step out before you showed up here,” Belinda said harshly.
She did not look like she was preparing to go out to me, because her hair was still in a messy bun, and she still had her flip-flops on. Knowing Belinda, she would be looking like she actually meant to go out almost thirty minutes before time. But that was not why I had come. Even if she wanted to dismiss me with a lie, at least, she had accorded me the chance to try for a reconciliation.
“I am sorry about how I reacted to it,” I started.
“Are you really sorry or you are just bored?” Belinda fired even before I could finish my first line.
“Both of them,” I shrugged and said. I have never lied to Belinda before, and I wasn’t about to start now simply because I wanted her to forgive me.
Belinda knew this as well.
“I should have communicated how I felt in a more appropriate manner,” I said.
“Or maybe I should have just minded my business and let you do you, as you have always done,” Belinda said hurtfully.
Granted, she was still pissed off about the whole thing, and it was all my fault.
“I just wanted nothing from Syrus, Bel. You have no idea what I went through being married to him and dealing with his mother and sister. Now that I have gotten my freedom, I just wanted to be far away from him. Sending him a court order for damages only screamed desperation and greed, and I did not want that, because Syrus literally showed up at my doorstep, made me look like a fool and tossed the money at me,” I finally vented.
Tears had already gathered in my eyes, but in all honesty, the confrontation with Syrus made me feel even worse than I could ever possibly put in words. If Belinda had ever informed me or given me a heads up about what she had done, not that I would have been any happier, but it would have prepared me for Syrus’s confrontation, instead of just standing there and acting like an ignorant fool.
“You are still standing up for him, Vivian,” Belinda said and I shook my head in disagreement. “You are still defending him and shielding his bloody emotions!” Belinda’s anger was as full as mine now and we both let it bubble to the surface.
“That is where you are wrong, Bel. I do not care about Syrus’s feelings or his bank account. What I care about is my dignity and sanity. It was not in your place to do what you did, but you could have let me know afterwards instead of making me look like a fool in front of him,” I said as my tears flowed freely.
The words got to Belinda and her anger melted away instantly.
“You are right, Vivian. It was not in my place to begin with, but I wanted to make you feel better, and of course, make him feel the brunt of what his actions did to you,” Belinda explained
“His money would not make me feel any better, Bel. The only thing that would make me feel better is his distance from me,” I said
“Then you shouldn’t have gotten pregnant for the asshole,” Belinda said and we both burst into laughter.
We laughed so hard that tears gathered in our eyes again.
“I did not think of that when I was doing it,” I said jokingly.
Then Belinda walked up to me and hugged me tightly. “I am so sorry I hurt you and made you look ridiculous. It was never my intention.”
I hugged Belinda right back. “I am just glad that I have my best friend back,” I said and we laughed again.
Then Belinda untangled from me and looked at me, “Please tell me that you have not returned the money,” she said.
“No, why?” I asked, confused.
“Because whether or not he made you look stupid and tossed the money at you, we are going to go shopping with the money. We have to feel better about it regardless.”
“Belinda!” I yelled in amusement.
“You know shopping makes me feel good, and I know the perfect boutique to spend an ex-husband’s money,” Belinda said as she dragged me into her bedroom.
Vivian’s POVI don’t know why, but I allowed Belinda drag me all the way across town all in the name of shopping.“We really shouldn’t be doing this,” I told Belinda who took out her purse and began to apply some makeup on her face. “Gosh, Bel, in a taxi?” I said and laughed.Belinda would never cease to surprise me. She was always doing weird things, and when confronted about it, she would call it spontaneity. “A girl has to look pretty all the time,” Belinda said defensively.I watched her apply mascara on her eye lashes and shook my head in bewilderment. I also noticed that the driver was throwing us, Belinda especially, glances from time to time, but I said nothing. Belinda was never worried about how she was seen or perceived, and I stopped doing the worrying for her a long time ago.“You had your makeup done before we left your apartment, Belinda, and you spent an hour on it!” I said.“Yes, but that was some minutes ago. If I could retouch my makeup every passing second, trust
Georgia’s POVGeorgia tossed her purse on the couch; more like flung it as she and Bonnie entered the house.“Did you hear the things that unruly lowlife girl said to me?” Georgia was burning with rage.“She was so nasty,” Bonnie said.But Georgia could not shake the words off her system. For some reason, she was very upset that Bonnie could not even stand up for her and defend her just the way Vivian’s friend did for her. If Bonnie had been sharp witted just like her, then it would not have been a lost battle. Not only was Vivian shopping in the exact store that she shopped, she also had the nerve to set her up with her friend.“And we just stood there and did nothing,” Georgia said as she flopped on the chair. She did not want to specifically point all the accusing fingers towards Bonnie, because now that she was doing everything possible to get into this family, she should not be found pushing blames around.But at the same time, she refused to be a pushover like they did to Vivian
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.
Vivian’s POV“Today, we have gathered in holy matrimony to join two love birds, whose love could not be altered with the wave of time; Marie and Vale,” the priest started beautifully.I couldn’t stop smiling as I watched Marie and Mr. Vale, dressed to perfection: Marie in a white flowery down and Mr. Vale in black pair suits. Nancy wasn’t present, because she wasn’t invited, which was understandably so, even though they had all resolved things amicably. However, Bonnie, easy to forgive now that her mother had asked her to, was in attendance. Actually, she had flown in some days before, just so that she could have moments with her father too. I noticed that she was nice to me as well, and she even brought gifts for the triplets who would be coming to the world any time soon.Bonnie sat behind Syrus and I, squealing in delight.“This is the most beautiful wedding I have ever attended!” Bonnie whispered happily, but her voice was loud enough for us to hear her.Then Syrus turned to her
Vivian’s POVI sat on the patio just resting and thinking yet again about everything that had happened. This time around, my thoughts weren’t exactly filled with bitterness or anger or sadness. A lot had happened since Diana showed up here and hugged me. She had confessed that she was deeply hurt and begrudged, but after carefully thinking about it, and of course, discussing it with Marie, she had come to the realization that her brother had fooled her for years. While she had struggled and worked hard to achieve everything she had achieved, Leon had chosen to go through the illegal and seemingly wrong path, and she knew that he would have to face the consequences of his actions. Our conversation also brought me to the same resolution with Ted, and the rest of my family.The trial was held about three days ago. I couldn’t attend, because my due date was gradually drawing near, and deep down, I didn’t want to see Ted’s face and break down all over again. The drug lord, his men, along
Vivian’s POVEverything seemed to be happening in such a rush that it was all too much for me to handle. Syrus’s reappearance and his conscious efforts to win back my forgiveness and affection was also overwhelming.He had lived with Mr. Vale and Marie for over a week now, and he had not stopped persisting. Initially, I thought that he would have given up and run back to his company as he always did, but he hadn’t…yet. Syrus kept trying by words and in actions to prove that he was truly sorry, and I maintained the cold shoulders I gave to him, but still, he refused to relent. Syrus had been ordering flowers and notes for me every single day without fail. According to him, he wasn’t trying to buy my love and forgiveness with gifts, because he knew that I wasn’t that kind of woman, but flowers only indicated his genuineness and love for me, which was even why he wasn’t including any other gift. Also, his determination to restore his broken relationship with his father was evident, and
Syrus’s POVSyrus discovered that his father’s house was not as big as the mansion he grew up in, but it was a very homely and cozy bungalow. The moment he entered, he felt more at home and at peace more than he had ever been.“I will show you to your room,” Marie told Syrus as she led him to a room beside the room that Vivian was staying in.When they got into the room, Syrus was impressed at the neatness and warmth of the room.“Thank you, Marie,” Syrus told her deeply.“I am going to make some pasta and we will all eat at the dining table, so use this chance to rest and freshen up,” Marie said politely.She was about leaving when Syrus stopped her. “Do you think she will ever forgive me and talk to me?” Syrus asked.After he had made himself known as the extra traveller, he noticed that Vivian went cold. She had vehemently refused to share a seat with Syrus in the plane even though Mr. Vale had intentionally arranged the ticket in that format. Syrus could not deny that the hostili
Vivian’s POVBelinda and I hurried to the airport, because after all she had told me, I was afraid that Georgia might somehow know that I was in the city, and she would find a way to hurt me. I was heavily pregnant now, and if anything happened, I did not even have the strength to fight or defend myself.“I will come with you and wait for your employers until they get here. If anything were to happen, I don’t want you to ever have to face her alone,” Belinda said firmly when I tried to dissuade her from going with me to the airport.It wasn’t until we got to the airport safely that I became less worried. Also, even though I had wanted Belinda to return to her apartment initially, I was very grateful to have her here with me. We were able to get a safe place to sit and wait where the cops were always watching and patrolling about.“Do you want me to get you anything from the cafeteria?” Belinda asked when she noticed how weak and tired I was after we sat down.“No, I am fine. I was jus
Syrus’s POVSyrus drove home like a lunatic. He could barely wait to confront his mother for everything he just heard. His entire being was boiling with anger and rage.For years, his mother had lied to both him and Bonnie, and she had made them hate their father unjustly. More so, they had grown up without their father’s love and affection all because of her selfish and greedy desires! His mother was just as cruel and cunning as Georgia; there was literally no difference between them, and now, Syrus understood why she chose Georgia over Vivian. For all Syrus knew, evil always aligned with evil.“Damn, I have been such a fool to let Georgia, my mother, and the company come in between what Vivian and I shared,” Syrus said to himself painfully and regrettably.He wanted exactly what he saw between his father and Marie; love, loyalty, friendship, and companionship, and he did not want to enjoy that only when he was old. He had all that with Vivian, but he had ruined it. To Syrus, he beli
Georgia’s POVGeorgia was frantic. Things were getting out of hand. Syrus had been unreachable for hours since today, and she did not know what to do.“I cannot lose,” Georgia told herself as she paced about in her apartment. She had come too far to lose. She had done too much to lose now.“What do I do? I can’t let Syrus win over me,” Georgia said.As she was pacing about and thinking, Ken knocked on her door. Georgia answered it, but she was irritated. Ken was gradually becoming a nuisance to her; why would he keep showing up at her apartment?“You can’t just come in here whenever you like, Ken,” Georgia berated him.He hardly even gave her enough time to think things through and decide on what she wanted to do. “Why not?” Ken asked, making Georgia more disgusted. “We are a bound team now, remember?” Ken said.“You have your apartment, and I have mine. Stay at yours unless it is exceptionally necessary for crying out loud,” Georgia told Ken.She did not even bother masking her ann
Syrus’s POVAll these years, Syrus had felt horribly sorry for his mother, being that he felt that she was unjustly abandoned, but from what Vale said, it meant that his mother swindled and manipulated her way into his life.Syrus shook his head; he did not want to believe that about the woman he had loved, adored, and respected all his life.“That cannot be true,” Syrus argued.“Do you think that after all these years I would lie to you?” Vale asked. “The years I spent being married to Nancy were the worst years of my life. I tried to love her, but I just couldn’t. She knew I was in love with someone else. She knew that I would never love her, but she refused to let me go. I know that you might not like the sound of this, but I went as far as taking a secret DNA test on you, because I wanted to find every reason to leave,” Vale said as tears streamed down his face in sadness and regret.Syrus’s heart was shattered beyond words. He had no idea that the story between his parents was de
Syrus’s POVSyrus walked over to where Mr. Vale sat solemnly, backing him. Marie stood behind Syrus, urging him to go to Mr. Vale.People had left the cemetery now, and they had all moved to Anderson’s house, or most of them, for the next batch of the funeral celebration. Syrus’s plan had been to pay his last respect here at the cemetery, then he would return home, but everything changed, including his plans. More so, Syrus could not believe that he let his father’s mistress, the woman he hated so much talk him into listening to Mr. Vale, something he had equally vowed that he would never do. Syrus swallowed hard, the words finding it difficult to come out from his throat. “Vale?” Marie called softly, since Syrus was taking too much time in talking, and with how sad Vale was, he was not likely going to turn around even in the next one hour.“I was counting on this opportunity, Marie, and I have lost it,” Vale said, his voice dripping with sadness and regret.Marie knew that if truly