WENDY’S POVI let out a heavy breath as I finally entered the room. I paced up and down the room, trying to steady the breath I'd been holding in from the entrance. Although I was striding confidently, my senses were on high alert. I was pouring a glass of water to drink when a knock came on the door. “Come in,” I said, anxiously hoping that it wouldn't be anyone I didn't want to see. The knob turned open and Mr. Derek Thompson stepped in. He's the managing director around here. He's a plump short man, who would have fit the business world more than the entertainment industry. He's a strict, boring, forty-five years old man. Writing at the clipboard he was holding, “Miss. Macinni?” he called out“Yes?” I responded, already irritated by his mere presence. Derek is a nobody but I'm forced to respect him just because he's an executive. “You've got a full schedule today. Make sure you miss none. You have an interview with YMedia this noon, a photo shoot at sunset, and a—”“An interv
WENDY’S POV“Oh no, that was my first time seeing her,” without flinching, I lied. My eyes flickered in excitement when I saw the interviewer’s curious face contorting into a sympathetic one. Yes, this is what I’ve always wanted. To garner the sympathy of the general public. If the public realizes a nobody like Melissa is trying to steal my fiancée. I would be on the victim's end. They would have no choice but to support me and kick out Melissa. As the interviewer continued to stare at me in pity, I lowered my gaze and as if trying to control myself from breaking out, used a handkerchief to wipe the corner of my eyes. The studio suddenly became tense and all cameras were immediately pointed in my direction; my face to be exact. I guess they wanted to capture my tears, but I was smart enough to not expose my imaginary tears by covering my full eyes with the handkerchief. For a brief moment, nobody said anything, even the media crew. Their eyes were fixated on me.“But… Miss Macinn
WENDY’S POV Leaning forward, “I’m sorry if this has hurt anyone. But it is what it is. I am CEO Gordon’s fiancee and I can emphatically state that he's not interested in any of the women they tag him with. We are in love with each other, and I believe he will never betray me. And to all the media houses, please stop publishing rumors and lies about him. It is sometimes unbearable to see him go through hell because of your actions,” I said, deliberately shaking my voice as I let out a single tear that snaked down my cheeks. The flash from the cameras almost blinded me as they tried to capture my face. Yes, this is exactly the kind of picture I want to create in the minds of the public. The interview came to an end after I answered the remaining few questions. The mead team thanked me for coming to their show and hoped to see me in the future, which I doubt there will be. With my assistant, striding behind me as we stepped out of the Ymedia building, the intensified
“Lisa.. please. Lisa…”That’s it. That’s the fucking words Listowel had whispered in his sleep that night. At first, I thought I had misheard him, so I didn’t think much of it. But when it occasionally happened, I knew it. I knew there was something wrong somewhere. I managed to hire someone to dig into what Listowel had been doing in my absence during the three years. And Lo and behold. I found out the truth.Melissa was his contract wife. A business arrangement, more like a replacement for me. Or should I say that was all she was supposed to be? Because the more I dug, the more I realized she wasn’t just some contractual obligation. She was different. She mattered to him in a way I never could.I clenched my fists as the memories rushed into my mind. Eavesdropping on Listowel and Kevin’s conversation the last time was fruitful after all. I was able to secretly meet with the private detective Listowel hired to look for that bitch. It wasn’t easy trying to get him to side with me,
LISTOWEL’S POV“I have news for you, sir.” “Good or bad?” I asked, my ears itching to hear what he had to say. If he says, it is bad news, I will have to put it on hold at the moment because I have a lot going on in my mind for me to add up his. His smile even widened more before his lips parted, “It is good news, sir. Gordon Inc. has just secured the Northville Heights real estate development contract the government proposed!” he excitedly exclaimed and he looked just like a kid who had been promised a candy. It took a moment for me to process what Theodore had just said. My heart leaped with joy as the realization of the magnitude of the contract dawned on me. We’ve been in talks with the government officials for months, I had almost lost hope since they were more inclined to give it to one of my company’s rivals. This is a massive win! This contract would be a game-changer for Gordon Inc., as it will bring in substantial revenue and likely boost our stock as well. “This
MELISSA’S POV Wearing a long-sleeved lace top, tugged neatly in black leather shorts which complimented her equally long black leather boots, she strolled towards me. Her oblivious eyes met my gaze and her face instantly changed into a hardened expression. She looked too pissed for someone who claim to not know nor have met me before. Seeing her made my blood boil, and the surge of anger swirling inside me turned me into nothing more than a ticking bomb waiting to explode. I mean, I understand she was trying to save her face and protect her relationship but why did she have to go to that extent of disrespecting me? Indirectly classifying me as a slut? Ha! How dare she! My grip on the steering wheel tightened as I glared at her through my windscreen. I guess she purposely came here for me as she was still walking towards my car. She was almost a few meters from me when, one of the back doors of the sleek black salon car parked adjacent to me, flew open. The force with which
LISTOWEL’S POVLisa cut me a deadly glare before jerking my hands away. Although she didn’t utter any other word again, her silence was very loud. If not for Wendy, that brat, whose appearance had ruined everything, my initial plan would have gone through. Why did she have to come around today of all days? For the past week, I’ve been trying to get to reach out to Melissa and apologize or at least, release a communique to retract her statement but what? She’s been giving me excuses upon excuses. And just when I had planned to ask for Melissa for forgiveness on her behalf, she’s ruined everything!I gritted my teeth in annoyance as her attitude at the parking lot replayed in my mind. I can’t wait to end the goddamn engagement that binds us. Slowly exhaling, “Don’t fret buddy, it’s just a matter of days and you will be free from her shackles. As soon as the contract gets signed successfully, you will officially cancel the engagement,” I inwardly reminded myself. The thought of it
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
WENDY’S POV Early the next morning, I returned to the mansion, the expression on my face that of anger. I was ready to scold my grandpa for his hypocrisy. But upon my return, he had already left for a meeting. He had given the keys to the maids and instructed them not to give it to me. One of the maids dared to challenge me when I demanded the key, infuriating me the more. And yeah, she was fired from working in our mansion that very day. I hate nobodies who tend to act pompous when they get little authority. With the pretense of delivering coffee, I made my way to the guest room. Luckily, Listowel was asleep so I thought to myself that I still had the chance to execute my plan. Quietly, I sneaked into the bed after undressing. My fingers trailed on the green veins lining up on his big muscles and arms. Oh, how I miss the old days! Doing this would have made him curl me up on his chest. A sudden turn he made jolted me out of my thoughts. Slowly, he sat up on t
WENDY’S POV My heart pounded rapidly in my chest as I made my way out of the restaurant. Luckily, the bodyguards my grandpa had recruited to watch after me were at the scene. They rushed in and seized the phones of the people around, threatening to sue any of them who would post it online. Sitting in my car, I let out a steady breath, trying to calm myself from the embarrassment from earlier. Gazing keenly into thin air, “Madam Gordon, harden your resolve because the next blow that's coming your way could end you paralyzed.” I gritted. Reaching for my phone, I scrolled through my contacts, looking for our family doctor’s contact. I hesitated for a split second before tapping on the green dial sign. This was the only way for me to get the upper hand. The call went through after the ring and Dr. Mensah’s voice came through the line. “Hi…” I breathe out. “It is Wendy…” “Wendy dear, how are you?” he politely asked, even though I hate it when he treats me like we ar
MELISSA’S POV The clock struck five and it was already time to close. I shut off my monitor and started arranging my desk, bringing the day's work to an end. I grabbed my bag and put in it some accessories before I stood up and adjusted my dress. From the glass windows, where I was checking myself, I could see a blue folder with a stack of documents inside. I let out a gentle sigh as I remembered what I told the owner the other day. I remember telling Listowel that I was gonna give it to a dispatch rider to deliver it to him but there here it was, still lying on my desk as if all the riders in town were on holiday. Well, I changed my mind at the last minute and decided to go give it to him in person. Yes. Yes. I know. I know that seeing him often was gonna disrupt my healing journey but….. I forced a chunk down my guts as I inched closer to pick it up. These documents seem to be important and it'll be thoughtless of me to leave them in the hands of a random rider. Wha
A wave of gasps erupted from the people around me as the liquid drenched my designer dress, turning the white fabric into red.My lips parted widely, my eyes closing shut as the wine dripped from my hair to my face and onto my dress. I froze. For a moment, I couldn’t move or utter a word.Was I just hallucinating or that dang old bat had poured the wine on me?I let out a slow breath, my fingers curling into a fist beside me as I stood properly. “What the hell do you think you’re—“ I yelled, but my statement died on my lips as her palm vehemently clashed against my cheek.My head snapped to the side, my hair flying everywhere as the sting spread through my face. My hands shot up to caress the area she had just slapped, glaring at her with deadly fury. Whispering, the onlookers started inching closer to the scene; their phones shot up in the air as they started recording. I raised my hand, intending to return the favor. These people were recording and I hate to be the one at the m
WENDY’S POV Tonight made it exactly a month since Listowel woke up in my bed. I had sent the photos to Melissa to get a reaction out of her. But to my surprise; she never reached out as I expected. I was even doubting she must have seen the photos until I witnessed Listowel being thrown out of her house by security two weeks ago. Only the heavens know how happy I was that day when I realised my plan had worked. Their so called lovely relationship had crumbled. I had this in mind and was in the process of planning my next move not knowing the blow that hanged in the air, waiting to be served. I was dining at the rooftop restaurant, when the articles of Listowel admitting that Melissa is the lady he’s been going out with circulated the internet. The people around had started murmuring among themselves so I had requested to change to a private dinning room. The music played softly in the background while the symphony of clinking glasses, people conversing over their foods an
MELISSA’S POV My phone buzzed with messages as my colleagues from work texted to inquire if I was really dating the famous ‘Listowel Gordon’. Who the fvck released these images and how the hell did the person get them? My mind raced with thoughts as mixed feelings wrestled to take over me. I couldn't really tell how I was feeling. I didn't know whether to be happy or pissed. Unlike before, people were admiring me now. They were somehow glad that we were a couple and wished that our relationship would prosper. Really? What changed? Why were they happy for us all of a sudden? Well, this and other thoughts swirled in my mind as I tried to connect the dots. The fact that the pictures that were trending were personal ones I took with Listowel baffled me. Unless maybe Listowel got hacked, I’m not sure he will release the photos like that without informing. Even though I wasn't getting immediate answers, I was glad this in some way had cleared rumors. For weeks now, I have
LISTOWEL’S POVI let out a long exhale as I read through the articles about Melissa and I. Surprisingly, all the comments we were receiving are all good and encouraging. Unlike the previous months, the people were complimenting our resilience to have kept our relationship going despite everything. The articles were spammed with people admiring Melissa’s beauty. Even though I didn't like the fact that they were comparing her to Wendy; I was happy either ways that she was getting the good recognition she deserved. With a smile on my face, I scrolled through each comment, liking each compliment. Suddenly, a sharp knock echoed outside of my door. My brows knitted together as I wondered who could have been at the office at this time aside Kevin and I. Glancing at my wrist, I noticed it was a few minutes past eight. I was about signalling Kevin to go check who it was when the door flung open. The audacity! Who enters my office with such disrespect?! My eyes darted the doorway, as I p
LISTOWEL’S POV Listowel, do I look stupid to you?” Lisa’s voice jolted me back to reality, anger flashing across her face as she crossed her arms over. My lips parted, and I was about to tell her that she was the smartest person I've ever known and that I was the stupid one there. Because all this was my fault. I was stupid for failing to see the signs of Wendy’s plot when it was so obvious. I couldn't believe how stupid I was to have ignored the fact that, Webdy had seductively rubbed her shoulders against mine that evening. But before the words could part my lips, she grabbed her bag and stood. “You know what? I don't have time for your little games…” I reached for her hand but once again, she pulled away as though I was a plague. I wanted to follow her but stopped. I was going to give her some distance in the meantime. Now that a major part of the puzzle has been revealed, it will take me no more than a few days to find out the whole truth. ********** With a fo
LISTOWEL’S POV I have faced several challenges in my life, from impossible negotiations to dealing with rival businesses but none of them have taken a toll on me as the one that I have been currently battling. This one was the worst kind of battle. Why? Because I was fighting the one person I loved most. And it looks as if there wasn’t any chance of me winning. For the past few weeks, after the event that happened at Melissa all my attempts to get her to listen to me have proved futile. There have been days that I’ve tried to reach her by waiting at her doorstep, but I couldn’t anymore because she reported me to the landlord and now I’ve been banned from entering her residence till further notice. I tried to catch up with her at work but her goddamn boss, Giovanni has had security chase me away several times. Even though it was humiliating, I was willing to endure it all for her. I could have countered Giovanni’s actions by making my men oppose him but the fact