LISTOWEL'S POVThe constant ringing of my doorbell jolted me awake from my sleep. A groan escaped my lips as I lay down, the sharpness of the noise threatening to tear my earlobe."Who the f**k is that?" I cursed under my breath, I unwrapped myself from the blanket, pulling myself up. Pain coursed through my entire body as I tried to lift myself.The light rays from the chandeliers hit my eyes as soon as they flared open. It was after my eyes fully opened that I realized I had passed the night on the bare floor. "How did I end up here?" I asked inwardly as l attempted to recall how l came home last night. But the consistent ringing of my doorbell irritated my ears, distracting my thoughts.The coldness of the floor caused me to sit up on the sofa as it seethed through my body. It was after, I sat up that I realized I had passed the night on the floor. Rubbing my eyes, I made my way toward the door to check who in the world had the guts to disturb my slumber like this. My head thr
Listowel's POVGazing intently at her, I blinked hard and jolted back from my trance. It was just an imagination. Wendy has been getting under my skin but the last thing I would do is lay a hand on a woman. Although I so much wish I would go against my principles and press her against the wall and with the same deadly glare, warn her not to disrespect Melissa again."You know what? Just leave, I will get this sorted," I said, trying as much as possible to get her out of my sight.I guess she was keen on her decision to not move even an inch out of my house until the issue at hand was resolved because she grabbed one of the chairs in the dining and sat on it, her arms crossed to her chest as she stared into thin air.I resumed to the phone and dialed my butler's number. Kevin is the only one who can take care of this as he has even the tiniest details of all the companies in Aphrodite at his fingertips. The line rang twice before Kevin's calm voice came through."Good day, sir? You'
LISTOWEL’S POVI sat behind the long, dining table at the Grodon’s mansion. This mansion is where I grew up with both my parents and grandparents. Memories of my childhood filled my mind as I sat behind the table. As I darted around, admiring the artifacts, furniture, paintings, and other wares in the mansion that harbored my childhood memories, my heart gleamed with delight. But the heavy, suffocating air that engulfed the hall masked the delight within me. It has always been like this ever since my grandfather and parents died, leaving me with my grandmother and stepbrothers. My grandmother sat at the head of the table, her sharp eyes staring into her. The aura exuding from her was powerful and regal even in her old age. Beside me sat my stepbrothers, Daniel and James who were fidgeting in their seats, their lips tempting to break the loud silence. I hate being in the same room as them. My father had cheated on my mom with their mom. I never liked them because of their greedines
LISTOWEL’S POV The room fell into another tense silence. From the sides of my eyes, I could see grandma’s shocked face gradually darkening. Disapproval drawn all over her, but my expression remained straight and unbothered. I had been wanting to break the news to everyone for several years now. But I had to stop myself countless times from breaking it because I was afraid. I was afraid grandma might discard me and the company I worked so hard to grow will fall into the hands of my brothers. But now that Melissa was back, I was willing to risk it all. Besides, I’ve made my feelings and intentions clear to Wendy years ago,but she insisted she would win my heart again and forced herself to stay. For the past years, she's been trying to get me laid while she's messing around with other men but I've been acting oblivious. She had managed to get into grandma’s good books so bringing up talks of calling off the engagement would have disrupted my relationship with her. You know, im
MELISSA'S POV I could hear his long deep sigh on the line. “I'm sorry Melissa" For a moment my heart fluttered, but l instantly felt like he was genuine and that he was telling the truth. "Will it be possible for us to meet?" he asked. But the pity I was developing for him immediately got masked with contempt. My lips curled in disgust, an empty laugh echoing through the park as it left my lips. "Meet? You've got to be kidding me! Do you want to see me so you can fill me with your lies? No thanks, darling, I've outgrown your silly games”. Without waiting for his reply, I hung up the phone, my fingers trembling in anger. How dare he lay out such a request? Did he think I needed his comfort? Did he think calling me would unmake the harm done already? I tossed my phone inside my bag as I sprang up to my feet to take a walk. I was still stroking in the park, enjoying the breeze, when I felt a shadow loom over me. I couldn't even check to see who it was when a big muscled a
MELISSA’S POV “Seriously?…, is it my eyes or you really are on your knees right now?! Listowel, I don’t know if anyone has told you this before but you are very pathetic!”. “Does your fiancee know you are here pleading to get your ex-wife back? Is she aware that the man she will be marrying sooner or later is here crying to another woman to be accepted?” I asked, my bloodshot eyes glaring at him in disgust. I stood still, lost in my thoughts, wondering if Listowel had always been like this. A two-timer? “Yes…, she does. She knows you are the only one I love”, he replied as he raised and stood on his feet. Another loud laughter escaped my lips. This time, it was real and humorous. I've seen so many sides of Listowel but never this. “You're really hilarious, Mr. Gordon. I guess you still see me as a gullible teenager, who would believe anything and everything you say. What do you actually want? Huh? When we were together, you were in love with Wendy. You couldn't wait for h
LISTOWEL’S POVI turned back and forth restlessly in bed as I forced myself to sleep. Whenever my eyes closed, my mind was filled with memories of Melissa. The anger and resentment she had in her eyes while we were talking the last time had caused a sudden tightness in my chest. It was as if I was carrying a heavy burden but had no one to help me unload. I’m afraid it might escalate into something more deeper and she might not want to have anything to do with me again. But I wasn’t going to give up, not just like that. Not when I have her under the same roof as me at work. Not when I could still feel the same way I did when we were together six years ago. I just needed a way to make her realize how serious I was about her. Even though she might act distant, I know she still feels something for me. Not hate, not resentment but something else. Something deeper. I might not be certain of whatever feeling it was but one thing I’m certain about is the fact that she's mine. She has alwa
MELISSA’S POVTheir concerned look filled the unspeakable emptiness in my heart. I was still appreciating their wholesome and genuine reaction when Gloria’s voice broke through. “The CEO is really something else. After everything he passed you through…, he still got you working at his company? Woah…” her face contorted into a mischievous one as she let out her view. Yaw glanced at me with a stiffened look, a determined expression drawn all over his face, “Melissa, you don’t have to go through this alone. We’re on your side. We’ve got your back, we will make sure no one misunderstands you again”.Gloria, Collins, and Maxwell nodded in agreement, backing Yaw. Their support and kind words washed a sense of relief over me. Maybe today won’t be as terrible as I had envisioned. *****Soon, it was lunch break, Gloria and the rest had come to call me to join them at the cafeteria. As we settled in our seats, about to dig in, a group of people interrupted us.They threw a few glances at me
MELISSA’S POV Moments later, “There…. It's all done.” Listowel said, raising his gaze to meet mine. He had finished wrapping the bandage neatly around my knee. He cut off the excess bandage and asked me to stretch my legs. “Yeah… stretch it a bit forward. Do you feel any unease there?” he asked, probably making sure that he hadn't wrapped the bandage tight. “No. It is fine..” I responded, stretching my legs as he instructed. “We are all done then. Let me throw out the water and arrange the place before I go.” Listowel said while standing up on his feet. He strolled to the kitchen and attempted to pour the water into the sink. “No...no…” I said gesturing for him to send it to the sink in the guest bathroom rather. Some people may not see it as a big deal but I don’t find it hygienic to pour water filled with all those blood cells and other bacteria into my kitchen sink. Without any debate, Listowel did as I said as he turned and headed to the guest bathroom. I don
MELISSA’S POV “Thank you for your help. I think I can carry on from here,” I said as soon as Listowel set me down in front of my house. I can't believe he actually held me in his arms from the crime scene up to my house. Even in the elevator when I requested for him to put me down, he insisted otherwise. “I’m not leaving you here until I make sure you're good,” he said, his eyes trailing to my knee which he had tied with a singlet earlier on. “Do you need your singlet? I will dry-clean it and return it to you if you want. Better still, I could get you a new one….” I said and feigned ignorance, acting as if I didn't understand what he meant. “I’m. Not. Talking. About no damn underwear. I just want to go in there with you. Treat your wound. Put you to rest. And go back to my house. Simple.” A scoff escaped my lips as I asked, “Why would you want to go inside my —” My words caught in my throat when Listowel snatched my card and used it to unlock the door. He opened th
MELISSA’S POV My eyes flickered when met with at of the figures before me. It was Listowel. He quickly rushed to my side. Pulling me into a tight embrace, “Are you okay?..” he asked, his breath rugged from the sprint he might have taken to get here. I let out a sigh of relief as his warm body touched mine. His body frame was big, especially his chest, so I felt like a child in his arms. Sniffling, “yeah… I’m okay” I nodded before answering. Running his hands gently through my hair, “I’m so sorry, I couldn’t find you on time. So sorry,” he whispered over my shoulders. He gently pulled me from his hold, caressed my checks, and asked in a low tone, “Did he do anything to you?” With tears streaming down my face like a free fall, I shook my head in disagreement. “Thank God. I was so scared,” he admitted before pulling me into a hug again. A sharp pain pierced through the cut on my knees, causing me to wince, “Ouch…” “What's wrong??” Listowel asked, his voice laced
MELISSA’S POV Clutching my bag tightly, my eyes darted sideways as I tried to confirm if someone was indeed following me. My breath hitched in my throat when I caught a glimpse of the figure behind me. From his black-on-black outfit, I could tell he was a man. Who was he? Why was he following me? What does he want from me? Quickening my steps, I dipped my hands into my bag to search for my peppered spray. Suddenly, “Hey….” the man’s creepy voice resounded from behind. My heart pounded even more heavily when I couldn't find the pepper spray. Without looking back, I took to my heels. I could feel my pulse beating in my palms as I ran. Realizing that he was catching up to me, “Help….” I shouted, hoping that someone would hear and come save me. My cry for help was only responded to by the quiet streets. I guess this is the disadvantage of living in a residential area. People don't sit outside nor linger around for fresh air. Panting, I took out my phone, hoping
MELISSA’S POV The cool evening breeze welcomed me as I stepped out of my office. Adjusting my bag strap, I darted around to check if there were any colleagues in sight. I wanted to let them know I was leaving first today. Yes, it wasn't 5pm yet today. It was fifteen minutes past four and I was already leaving the office. Why? Because I’ve been feeling a bit restless today. I’m certain that I’m not unwell but I can’t really tell where this sudden feeling was coming from. I was only able to endure till this time because I only forced myself to. Luckily, a staff from the executive office passed by just in time. “Hey Aria…,” I called while waving to get her attention. Halting in her tracks, “Hi Miss Muggins..,” she responded with a smile. “I’m a bit under the weather today so I will be leaving—” “Ouu… so sorry. I hope you get better soon,” she said, cutting me off with her concerned words. “Thank you, dear. In case HR comes around, kindly let him know.” “S
LISTOWEL’S POV My mouth flung open widely as I stared at what I had just done. “No, no, no, no! There must be a way to delete this…” I mumbled as I tried to figure out how to delete the photo. My fingers hovered over the phone screen, searching every nook and cranny for the delete button. “I have to get rid of this before she sees it.., I muttered after finally seeing the delete button. My stomach twisted when I realized there wasn't any ‘delete for everyone’ option. “I cooked…,” I yelled and clicked my eyes shut hoping that by the time I opened them, everything would just be an imagination. But no. The goofy photo of myself was staring back at me after I opened my eyes. “This is so embarrassing….,” I said while running my hands through my hair. The double checkmark appeared beside the photo and there was no doubt that Melissa had already viewed it. Tossing the phone aside, I turned off the bed lamp and laid back on the bed, my thoughts a mess as I contemplat
LISTOWEL’S POV It wasn't part of my plans to get Melissa flowers today. While on my way to work this morning, some pretty lilies caught my attention. They were so pretty yet delicate that they immediately reminded me of Melissa. I signalled for Kevin to park after which I got out and headed to the florist. A bright smile formed on my face while my eyes flickered with delight. “Lisa is going to love them,” I mumbled to myself while darting at them in admiration. The lilies looked so cute and lovely. Since I was running late to work, I decided to personally deliver them to her after work. I was so certain this was the plan I was going to go with until I remembered something. “Melissa has resigned from the M&M legal firm and is no longer working so she will definitely be at home today.” I thought to myself and signaled for Kevin to move. “Take me to Crimson Estate,” I said before bringing the flowers to my nose to inhale the sweet fragrance exuding from it. I could se
WENDY’S POV Let go of me!” I screamed but my voice could barely be heard as the person’s hands had covered my whole mouth. “Ughhhh… fuck...” he let out a scream as my nails dug into his skin while I bit his hands hard with my teeth. His grip on me loosened instantly as he winced in pain. “Fuck you” he cursed, shocking me. It wasn’t the fact that he had cursed at me that shocked me but the fact he was the last person I expected to do this. “How dare you…” I sneered, my hands shooting up to his cheeks as I gave him a dirty slap. Glaring at him from head to toe, “Have you lost your mind? How dare you touch me with those filthy hands of yours?!” My blood boiled with rage as I stared at Kevin. LISTOWEL’S butler. What was he thinking when he touched me with those filthy hands of it? Wait, who gave him the audacity to even come near me? Not to even talk of dragging me like that? Hitting his chest without a stop, “ Answer me! Who do you think you are to stop me? Do you even kno
WENDY’S POV A glint of hope flashed in my eyes as he went inside the shop. Was he getting them for me? Does he plan on visiting me today? Gosh… I should have stayed home and waited for him to surprise me. My heart swelled with excitement and I became even more certain that they were mine when he picked a bouquet of white lilies. Oh my God. They are my favorites. I've given so many hints on my social media pages that I love lilies. But I didn't expect it to have caught Listowel’s attention. My heart raced faster in my chest as I watched him pay for the flowers before returning back to his car. Was Listowel going to apologize for the humiliation he put me through? “Yes..yes.. He is,” a little voice in my head replied, causing me to giggle to myself. Tucking the loose strands that were hanging on my face behind my ears, I admired my reflection in the dashboard mirror before starting the car. A thought flashed in my mind while I continued tailing Listowel’s car.