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
WENDY’S POV The morning light passed through the light curtains that manned the windows, hitting me in the eye. A groan escaped my lips as my eyes flared open. My eyes blinked severally, familiarizing itself with the rays. I tried sitting up, but the heavy arm that wrapped around my shoulders bounced me back to the bed. My eyes rolled at his audacity. It’s not as if he wasn't aware of the rules. Sex. Nothing else. No feelings attached. That was the agreement the man lying at my back, Clinton and I went into. He’s a nobody who does bartending for a living. His muscular and handsome physique is what attracted me. Our relationship is solely transactional. I pay him monthly, he gives me pleasure. Yes, pleasure. The man whom I will be boring his last name sooner or later is the one I’m supposed to be lying next but he hasn’t touched me in ages. Not since he found out about…, well…, my lies. I mean… he wasn’t supposed to, but he did anyway. To this day, I still don’t know how Lis
LISTOWEL’S POVThe force with which my door flew open startled me, causing me to look up from the paperwork before me. Anger coursed through me as I fixed my gaze at the door side, ready to descend on whoever left his manners at home for him to barge into my office like that.“What the hell is—” my words caught in my throat as I noticed the familiar figure, smirking at me as he stood by the door. It was Enerst. My best friend. He casually walked in when he noticed the grimace on my face subsiding. Loosening his tie and kicking off his shoes, he threw himself on one of the leather sofas in my office. Without warning, he stood up and turned on the fan before resuming back to the sofa. Lying on his back he stretched out one of his legs to face west while the other faced east. Rolling my eyes at him, I asked in an irritated voice, “Really Enerst? Do you realize this is an office and that not everybody slacks off around like you do?”Enerst just grinned, unbothered at my words. “And do
LISTOWEL’S POV “First of all, No, you're not my best friend. In fact, I don't know you from anywhere,” I teased. “Also, my team found out that videos spread through out the city like wildfire, all thanks to a newbie blogger who wanted to hit the jackpot by publishing a story about me. And about you not knowing of Melissa’s status here, I chose not to tell you.” “Mmm… I see… But do you have to rub it in my face like that?” “Satisfied?” “Look, I’m here to talk some sense into that stubborn head of yours. Turning back to my desk, I ignored his statement and pretended to be scanning through the documents, although my attention was focused on him. For a couple of minutes, he didn't say anything, His gaze was fixated on the ground. I guess he was cracking up his dumb mind to come up with his so-called advice. My mind almost trailed from him when his voice suddenly broke through, “Look man. Melissa might have gone through a lot when you divorced her. If I remember rig
WENDY’S POV At the mention of that b***h’s name, I halted in my tracks. My terrified expression instantly turned into a grimace as I thundered, “So this is what it is about?” Listowel’s angry face and demeanor remained unchanged as he demanded, “ I said. What were you doing at Melissa’s house ?” “Oh… she called to tell you that I went there. Isn't it? So you've been talking with her over the phone behind my—” “Wendy! Answer my question!” “Listowel! What in the world has that bitch done to you? You don’t even care about the fact that you threw me, your fiancée, out of your office like a piece of trash without a fl—,” I shouted back but my voice faltered midway. “Why are you worried about her instead of me? What does she have that I don’t have?,” I asked in a low tone, my eyes instantly turning red as they welled up with tears. “Don’t change the topic, Wendy. What right do you think you have for you to go over to her house and threaten her?” Listowel asked again, ignorin
LISTOWEL’S POV The loud music playing at the bar was the perfect distraction to my thoughts. I came to this bar to reflect on my life and some choices I’ve made but the rhythmic music kept drifting me out. Humming the song, I periodically sipped the glass of whiskey that was on the counter before me. Moments like these always remind me of the past. The time when I lost hope of ever finding Melissa again. I remember how I used to drink myself to sleep every night, hoping that she would at least give me a call. Unconsciously, I asked myself, “I had it all, What went wrong?” as I drank the remaining whiskey in one gulp. The faint vibration of my phone pulled me out of my thoughts. Tilting my head to check who the caller was, I ignored it immediately I saw the caller ID and resumed pouring more of the alcohol into my glass. It was Kevin. He has been sitting outside in the car for a couple of hours now, waiting for me. So I assumed he was calling to tell me that it was late
WENDY’S POVStolling towards Melissa, “Well, well, well. Look who finally decided to show up,” I said, darting at her from head to toe. “May I know why you are here?” Melissa looked quite puzzled as she asked.“Oh.., spare me that pretentious act. You always want to be the bigger person huh?” “If you have nothing too important to say, I guess it is a bye then,” she said while brushing past to open her door.But I beat her to it. I rushed and blocked her access to the digital lock. “What the hell are you doing!” she snapped. A smirk played at the sides of my lips as I glared at her. Slightly leaning towards her “Yes…, I love to see you rebel. Bring the actual you out. I want the whole world to know that you're not as innocent as you look. You're a pretentious bi**h who does nothing but chase after men for money!”I guess my statement really got to her as I clearly could see the fury burning in her eyes as she halted in her steps. She actually looked a bit scary but I didn't flin
WENDY’S POV “I suspect Melissa coerced Listowel into throwing me out. She was already standing in front of Listowel’s office when I got there. I’m very certain, this was her doing….” “Mmm… that lady. I hate her guts. Please, I’m all ears. Tell me what you need me to do?” My grip on my phone tightened as I replied, “I want you to……..” “What?” Ivy exclaimed. “Why would you need—” Just do it!” I shouted, annoyed at Ivy’s sudden demeanor. Wasn't she the same person that had just said she hated Melissa’s guts? Why then is she acting like I’m the bad one? “Just get it for me. I'm not going to hurt her. I just need to clear things out to get,” “Mmm…” I could sense the hesitation in Ivy’s voice. “But miss…, this sounds… extreme. Can’t you just—” “Ivy,” I growled in a low tone. “I’m not in the mood for lectures. And if for anything at all, you're the last person I would seek advice from. It’s either you get it for me or your father suffers the consequences. “I’m sorry m
LISTOWEL’S POV “You can’t do this to me, Listowel” Wendy yelled as she realized the seriousness in my eyes. “Your grandmother will hear about this” “I don’t care what she’ll say. You’re not welcome here. Leave!” “Is it because of her? Are you doing this because of that bitch?!” she shouted, pointing towards the secretary’s desk. My eyes trailed to the direction she had pointed; only for me to lock eyes with Melissa! I instantly froze for a minute, processing the fact that Lisa was standing right opposite me, witnessing the beast in me! I bit the sides of my lips as I hurriedly dragged Wendy and handed her to the security guards for them to throw her out. Running my hands roughly through my hair, I anxiously bit my lower lip as I turned and headed back to my office. My head lowered, refusing to raise my gaze as I was enveloped in embarrassment. I couldn't believe I had not noticed Melissa’s presence all this while. “I might have scared her,” I whispered under my br
MELISSA’S POV As I sat in my office, my fingers aggressively tapped on the letters on the keyboard while I finalized some details of the latest contract. Although my attention was fully focused on the work at hand, the whispers and murmurs from the hallway were too loud for me to ignore. Since morning, news of Wendy Macinni currently working as an employee at Gordon Inc has been circulating every nook and cranny of the company as it spread like wildfire. A group of people who call themselves “sisters” has been going around, taking it upon themselves to explain what Wendy’s presence at the company meant but I refused to let it distract me. . “Let her work here. The company belongs to Listowel, after all,” I muttered to myself a while after I realized the pitiful gazes people had been passing at me. “If he wants his fiancée prancing around like she owns the place, that’s none of my business.” Yet, I still couldn't believe how much of a pretender Listowel could be. Wasn
WENDY’S POV Grandma Gordon smiled back at me while nodding. “You’re a good match for my grandson, Wendy”. You have the right strength, and I believe you could make him happy and no one else.” I felt butterflies in my tummy as she said this. From her tone, it felt as if she was indirectly dismissing Melissa and the other ladies who wouldn’t hesitate to throw themselves on Listowel. “Tell me what you need from me. What can I do to make this transition smoother for both of you?” My heart skipped a beat before it started racing heavily against my chest. Was she seriously asking me this? Could this really mean she’s in full support of me, despite all that I did to Listowel in the past? My cheeks flushed pink from delight as my lips parted to respond. “Ummm…,” shifting to the edge of my seat, I commenced, avoiding eye contact, “There is something… I’d need your help with.” “What is it dear, c’mon tell me. I will grant it for you,” I leaned towards the table a bit, holdi
WENDY’S POVThe call went through and an eternity later, she answered. “Good morning, Madam Gordon,” forcing the words out of my throat, I greeted. “Good morning dear,” she responded in a melodious tone that spurred me to continue. Per how she called me ‘dear’ I guess she's in a good mood but as I said earlier, she can't be predicted. Steadying my breath, “I'm calling to let you know that I will be at your place very soon, I will be hitting the road now,” I relayed. “Alright darling, I will be waiting for you soon”. “Ummm… I was thinking… is there anything you'd like me to bring along?” The was a long silence after my question which made me think it probably didn't sit right with her. “Just be yourself, Wendy” With that, the call hunged, leaving me staring at the screen in annoyance. Despite her nonchalant response, I wouldn't really be myself if I went empty-handed. A thought flashed in my mind while I was searching on the internet for cool gifts for a soon-to-be gra
LISTOWEL’S POV Today was a very long and eventful day. After the contract agreement, I had to meet some new investors who had shown interest in Gordon Inc. as soon as the government announced its collaboration with us. I headed straight to the bathroom as soon as I came home. Feeling tired and exhausted, I bathe in the jacuzzi, allowing the coolness of the water to wash over me. As I sat on my bed, wrapped in my bathrobe, I had my phone in one hand while I used my other hand to hold the towel that I was using to dry my hair. A smile immediately tugged on the sides of my lips as my eyes fell on the headlines of the various articles circulating the internet. Lots of people were praising my company, Gordon Inc. Some of the media houses have also enlisted my achievements over the years. My eyes gleamed with joy as people complimented me like they weren't the same people tearing me apart with their mean comments the previous week. The smile on my face even grew wider as I