MELISSA’S POV Letting out a deep breath, I let go of my grip on the seat as the pilot announced a successful landing and welcomed us to Aphrodite. I love taking flights and traveling around the world. But throughout all the countless flights I’ve boarded, one thing I couldn’t get used to was the shaking of the plane during landing. My hands were clutched tightly on my seat because of the anxious feeling I get whenever we are landing. Standing up and heading to the door, the harsh breeze of Aphrodite City hit my face as if to remind me of the kind of life I’ve been enduring here. While descending, I reached out for my shades, put them on, and headed to the check-in point. Coming back to Aphrodite City was like a bitter pill that I couldn’t escape. It was bound for me to swallow. I guess no matter how many times I flee this city, I will still find my way to it. Or should I say the city itself will still find its way to me? That’s why I made a silent pledge to mysel
MELISSA’S POV “Can I have the bill, please?” I asked, gesturing towards a waiter who was passing by. Nodding in response, “Would you like any other thing else ?” He asked, leaning in closer to my shoulders. “No I’m fine,” I replied, wiping the oil on my lips with the tissue paper before me. “Alright, please give me a few minutes. I will get it for you.” He replied before turning to leave. Digging my hands into my bag, I grabbed my purse while checking in my head which card to use. My eyes felt hazy and a small yawn escaped my lips. I couldn’t wait to get home and nap for a while. In no time, the waiter brought the bill and it was nothing like I had anticipated. The price was quite pricy for just a plate of jollof rice. Maybe because this isn’t a local restaurant,” I thought in my head as I swiped the card on the atm. Beep beep..! My heart almost burst out of my chest as my card declined. “Oh God, what kind of embarrassment is this?” I muttered warmly as I pull
MELISSA’S POV My gaze shot up, meeting his. What does he mean by I should be thanking him? For what exactly? Rolling my eyes at him, “What good in particular have you done to me for you to deserve my appreciation?” I asked, his statement irritating my nerves with each passing second as it rang in my ears. He didn't utter anything in response, he only stood still, his hands tugged in his pockets while staring at me with an intrigued expression. I forced my way past him and just as I was about to open my car door, his voice broke through “Let’s see if you'll still say this after you see this…” Snapping his fingers, the boot of his car flung open almost hitting Kevin, who was standing a few meters close to it. Kevin inched closer to the boot, took out something, and closed it before turning to head toward us. I squinted my eyes as my gaze fell on what he was dragging behind him. I was about to look away when it suddenly dawned on me! My eyes widened while my mouth fl
LISTOWEL’S POV. Her question took me by surprise, causing me to flinch a bit. Honestly, it wasn't my intention to spy on her all the time. When she returned to Aphrodite City months ago, I was afraid that she might vanish again overnight. That's why I have my men on guard, checking out if there’s any unusual movement going on with her. But when she became the target of the media’s celebrity drama, I had to tighten the security around her. Lisa might not know but my men have protected her from several media intrusions. She's had so many reporters lingering around to question her unnecessarily but she never bumped into any. I wouldn't really say it is all thanks to me because I was the root of it in the first place. If I had not carelessly interacted with her in public as I did some months back, she would have lived her life peacefully like any normal person. That's why I almost went crazy when I couldn't find her whereabouts nor get a text to the plenty of messages I was spam
MELISSA’S POV My senses heightened as I slowly inhaled the sweet aroma exuding from the coffee before me. Vapor from the coffee hovered in my face as I brought the cup closer to my lips, blowing air over it in an attempt to cool it. While darting around in admiration of my new work environment, I took a sip of the coffee. As soon as the earthy taste of it glided its way down my throat, I got energized to start my day. Settling in the swiveling chair in my office, a wide grin formed on my lips as I glanced around my new workplace in admiration. The large office I was seated in was assigned to me this morning after attending a brief orientation with Mr. Montenegro, the executive director. My office was huge and even though the decor didn’t really suit my taste, I felt ecstatic about it. The exciting and most important part of this all was that I wasn’t sharing it with anyone. My hands shot up to my face as I covered my lips in disbelief. In as much as this was real,
MELISSA’S POV Immediately the clock struck five, I packed up my stuff into my bag and hurried off downstairs. I couldn't wait and go home to celebrate this massive win with my family; Nancy and Crystal. I can only imagine their shocked yet excited faces when they hear this. While exiting the forecourt of Legalstone, I waved to the colleagues I met on the way goodbye till I got to my car. Staring into thin space, I heaved a sigh as I started the engine. The traffic in town was kind of hectic but managed to pull through. Coming to a stop in front of the apartment complex where I reside, I turned off the engine and hurried to my house. The cozy smell of the scented candles I had put on the shelves in the hallway leading to my house filled my nose as soon as I walked out of the elevator. As I was approaching my house, I noticed something unusual on the floor right in front of my door. I took a few steps closer to check what it was. As soon as my eyes fell on it, I st
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.
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
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.
MELISSA’S POV Immediately the clock struck five, I packed up my stuff into my bag and hurried off downstairs. I couldn't wait and go home to celebrate this massive win with my family; Nancy and Crystal. I can only imagine their shocked yet excited faces when they hear this. While exiting the forecourt of Legalstone, I waved to the colleagues I met on the way goodbye till I got to my car. Staring into thin space, I heaved a sigh as I started the engine. The traffic in town was kind of hectic but managed to pull through. Coming to a stop in front of the apartment complex where I reside, I turned off the engine and hurried to my house. The cozy smell of the scented candles I had put on the shelves in the hallway leading to my house filled my nose as soon as I walked out of the elevator. As I was approaching my house, I noticed something unusual on the floor right in front of my door. I took a few steps closer to check what it was. As soon as my eyes fell on it, I st