ALINA'S POVThe next morning, things had run so smoothly it was a wonder why they got into arguments in the first place. She had felt so remorseful about accusing him last night that she had gotten up early that morning to prepare something for him before Mrs. Agatha got a whiff of it and shut down her actions.Fortunately, the older woman must have been so tired that she had slept right through breakfast. She had eventually given the woman the day off, looking at how frantic and guilty she looked when she hurried to the kitchen apologizing for oversleeping. Was this how her mother had felt whenever she made a mistake at her employer's house? Her heart softened and without a thought added an extra week on her vacation period, a paid leave. She had advised her to go take good care of her family and to treasure every second of it. Her thoughts drifted to her father who despite being an alcoholic and woman-beater had created memories for her to remember him before things had gotten wors
MICHEAL'S POVHe stared grumpily at the ceiling as his libido plummeted to a soft drum. He pulled the duvet around his erection as he waited for her to freshen up. Just when he had carried her up the stairs, his cellphone had reminded him that he had a meeting to attend to.He muttered a curse under his breath as he made a mental note to fire his assistant for interrupting him."It's okay Micheal. We can still make love when you get back" she had reassured him on her way to the bathroom to freshen up.He groaned as the pain of his arousal tormented him.For the first time, he wished he had told his assistant to back off. But his father was coming and as the CEO he had to be present when his father arrived to greet him.Because he was running their dynasty even though he had his own subsidiary real estate company that was ranking him more millions than his parent company he couldn't abandon his father when he had retired due to health complications. He had to step up and building his
ALINA'S POVShe was seated on the couch two days after their encounter snacking on some chips and some guacamole when the doorbell rang."Who is it?" she called.The intercom buzzed alive and the screen showed no one. She frowned and returned to her chips.Maybe she heard wrong. She thought as she stuck a piece of chip into her guacamole one more time. The doorbell rang again and this time, she decided to go check who was behind it all.Her expectations didn't prepare her to see Agatha Wheeler, her husband's younger sister. She was wearing dark corduroys and a peach coloured tank top waving with enthusiasm and a huge smile on her face."Hi sister-in-law!" she chirped."Agatha?" she called in pleasant surprise. "What a pleasant surprise"The younger woman beamed with joy and enveloped her in a hug. She chuckled awkwardly, unsure of where to put her hands.She wasn't used to getting this kind of treatment, especially from his family members. It seemed that from the beginning, everyone
MICHEAL'S POVEarly that morning as he walked to his car, his cellphone had rung. It was a call from his mother telling him about his sister's intention to visit him. He had bluntly refused and didn't bother to tell Alina about it.He had felt bad for turning her away but he knew that she was just there to act as a spy for his mother, at least for the duration of her holiday.That day at work he had made an appointment with one of his contractors that he hired to sell a very huge and well-sought-after piece of property and had inquired about the results.The property was within the same vicinity as his but wasn't that far away that the person living there could see what was going on outside his estate. He had decided to sell it to the highest bidder and for so long had stayed closed until today when his assistant had informed him of the property being sold and surprisingly so fast. It had only been a few days since it was listed."So what's the name of the property buyer?"That was th
ALINA'S POVHere she was waiting patiently for Micheal's return. She was seated on one of the adjacent cushions watching the show "All American" while Agatha was freshly showered and settled in watching it as well, with a bowl of popcorn in between her folded legs.She breathed out a sigh of relief at the sound of the door opening."What are you doing here Agatha?" he asked as soon as he entered the room. His jacket was slung over his arm and his tie was loosened. He looked stressed.She rushed to his side to take his jacket from him and pulled his tie over his neck. He gave her a grateful smile. She could feel the heat of his sister's hateful stare as she watched from the couch."You guys! Get a room," She said, her face scrunched up with a wealth of disgust. Micheal let out a resigned sigh."Tell me, Agatha, why are you here instead of with your parents? as it should be" he answered."Because I wanted to stay with my brother and sister-in-law, is that so bad?" she quipped stressing
MICHEAL'S POV "What?"He had slumped back into his chair as he lost his balance. He had just finished a meeting when his mother had called him. For a split second, he had contemplated not to answer her call. But judging by the number of times he had already missed her calls, he had to answer. It might have been something very urgent. And it was."I said your father has been rushed to the hospital. He had a heart attack. We're at the hospital right now." His mother repeated."No," he said quietly."Micheal, can you hear me?" his mother's frantic voice broke through."This can't be happening," he said dazed.This couldn't be happening. His father had been fit as a fiddle just yesterday when he had gone to meet him to go over some details. During the conversation, he had caught his father massaging his chest.FLASHBACK"Dad, are you okay?" He had asked out of concern. "Am okay son. It's just beating a bit faster that's all. Am alright. Let's continue" His dad had said, brushing off th
ALINA'S POVFLASHBACK She was feeling her shoulders throb from carrying the weight of Michael's head all night as he lay peacefully. She didn't feel like it was something she needed to complain about. He had needed a shoulder and all she wanted to do at that point was to help. She had been so fearful and worried for her mother-in-law despite what everyone thought. She just had to push aside her fears to provide hope and support for the family. Something she wished someone had done for her when her mother had been first diagnosed. She had had to be strong at that point for both her mother and her. Even though they didn't have the resources for her surgery and had to rely on the over-the-counter medication that would only help with the pain and not solve the main issue, even then, she still had to have faith that everything would work out well. The one thing she dreaded most at that time always was losing her mother suddenly as she had done for her father.Now her priorities had change
MICHEAL'S POV"Let me go! Where the hell is Micheal?! How could he do this to me?!"He reclined back on his chair, and a knowing smile crept up on his face.He knew who was at the other end of the door frantically trying to get into his office. He knew sooner or later she would find out about it."Micheal! let me in!" She roared, slamming the door open with a loud bang.He looked up to see her cold steel eyes glaring back at him as her chest heaved up and down in fury.He gave her a smug smile as she stomped on her heels towards his desk with her clutch in hand being gripped so tightly it was a wonder it was still intact. His assistant and secretary were still trying to appease her and with a raise of his hand, he signaled for them to leave.She slammed her clutch onto the desk in fury. He arched a brow up at her in response and reclined back into his chair. "How could you do this to me?! Me!" She shouted raising her claws in exasperation."It took you long enough "He commented with a
ALINA'S POVWaking up that morning had been relatively quiet and peaceful,apart from the fact that Micehal had to rush out that morning without even a passing greeting even while she had called for him from the kitchen. Her belly was growing bigger and her waist line had grown thicker as she felt the weight of her baby while parading around the house in comfy sweatpants before settling on the couch.Her mother was supposed to come help her out today. And her gynecologist had said she was doing extremely well taking care of herself and the baby.She let out a frustrated sigh as a repeat episode of her favourite series came on.The house was relatively lonely and quiet on most days just like they were now.The only solace she had was either reading to her baby or watching a tv show and whenever her mother was less busy she would come over to keep her company.She smiled at the sound of the doorbell and without hesitation padded briskly towards the door without looking at the intercom, un
MICHAEL'S POV.His bag slipped and fell from his hand as he froze in shock.She had on a sly smile."What?" he asked in disbelief."You heard me." She replied, giving him a sly smile."Yes we made a baby that night you came over at my place." She explained.Micheal padded towards the living to see Alina seated in the couch flickering across the TV channels smiling distractedly.He breathed out a sigh of relief. She was out of earshot and thankfully was so engrossed in the TV program that she couldn't have heard anything that had been said a few minutes ago.His hand reached out to clutch her arm and dragged her upwards towards his study. Giving Alina a forced smile when she sent a worried glance their way.Paulina protested all the way till they were safely in his office. "Why are you acting suspiciously?" She said wryly. "It's not like she had any say to what happens in this house, you're the head of the house." She stated matter of fact."What was the meaning of the rubbish stunt
ALINA'S POVShe had been shaken up after his mother's visit. But the past three months have been quiet and distant.Micheal had seemed more distant than normal. He had chosen to spend his days at work and he was rarely at home. Even when he was home he was distant, he only spent silent hours eating and once dinner was over he was leaving without so much as a word. She wished he would at least open up and let her know what was bothering him but he was sworn to silence. Everything had relatively stayed normal except her mother visited more often.She had chosen to come to terms with the fact that Alina was pregnant and there was nothing that could be done now.She still didn't like Micheal but she was careful not to be present whenever he got back from work.She was nestled on the couch watching a rerun of the show "housewives of Johannersburg" When the knock sounded on the door.She paused the show and headed to the intercom to see who was knocking.It was a unfamiliar face.She frowne
MICHEAL'S POVA FEW DAYS BEFORE..."Paulina what are you doing here? In my bed?" He asked panicked as he looked under the covers to find that she was wearing nothing underneath.He quickly closed it,wrapping the bedsheets around him sarong style as he jumped out of the bed trying to get some distance away from her. She had on a satisfied smile and he could clearly recognize that smile from all the times they had made love in the past. He chastised himself inwardly for being unable to erase that part of his past and memory."You're the one in my bed " She clarified.His eyes darted around the room and his eyes widened in recognition."How did I get here?" He asked in disbelief."I brought you here. You needed a place to sleep because you were drunk and I couldn't let you drive home like that. So I offered to bring you to my room, and it's a small apartment, I don't have a guest room at the moment. "She stated sitting up and letting the duvet slid down her breasts without the least bit
ALINA'S POV"No! No! Please, somebody help me! Please! "She cried as she fought and scratched whenever she had the opportunity to. But she wasn't strong enough. She felt powerless and helpless. "Felix stop! Please am begging you" she pleaded, her eyes streaming down with a pool of tears. She felt her body loose all its energy as he inserted himself into her. She was numb to the pain now as he begun to move. She was at the brink of giving up when she heard a voice. His voice guiding her back."Alina, am here. No one is going to hurt you,I promise. Am here now" She heard him speak softly as he shook her slightly until the scene before her had begun to change. The disgusting smile of Felix atop her slowly disappeared and she found herself lying on the bare ground staring into nothingness.She finally opened her eyes to find Micheal's face towering over hers. His forehead were creased in worry as he stared intensely into her eyes. He gave her a warm smile and lifted her up in his arms
MICHAEL'S POVHe heard her sharp intake of breath as her shoulders slumped at his reponse. He couldn't let her see the pain in his eyes as he felt it in his heart.So masking his facial expression,he walked away leaving her sitting there still in shock over his reveleation. Once he was secluded in the confines of his room,he paced the room restlessly.He ran a frustrated hand through his hair.How could he tell her that every morning,she was the first person that he wanted to see.She was the one that kept him awake thinking about all the times they could made love and whenever he woke up he craved for her.But he couldn't let her know.His diagnosis had come back even worse.He had just returned from visiting the hospital. FLASHBACK"Am sorry man,but it looks like your health is detoriating faster.And all attempts to treat this the non-surgical way is not working."Jefferey said ,his tone turning solemn as he showed him his brain scans on the monitor."So what do I do?"He asked,unsure o
ALINA'S POV "Please turn this car around"she interjected firmly."No."He answered sternly. "What?"She grimaced in pain."Until I know for sure that that baby in your belly isn't mine,I cannot let you subject an innocent child to those terrible conditions"She gasped in surprise."Excuse me.I decide how I live and where I live.This is kidnapping!"She retorted in a pathetic attempt to reason with him.He scoffed and swerved the wheel towards the other side of the road pulling up on the gravel road leading up to the estate."Micheal,I don't want to live with you!"She cried."Well,unfortunately for you,you have no choice."he addressed,pulling up in front of his gate.Frantic and alarmed,she struggled to open the car door but it was locked."Don't be dramatic Alina.I know you're just pretending to act tough but you truly want to live in my mansion.Besides I took care of you better than any lover that you had "He commented,pressing the button that automatically pulled the gates open.She
MICHEAL'S POV"So what do you do for a living?"Michelle probed.Dinner started out quietly.After Alina had cut herself with the knife unconsciously,Her mother had taken over the kitchen and had finished up the meal instead. The meal was definitely delicious which reinforced the idea about where Alina had gotten her talent for cooking."Micheal?" he looked up to find curious glances directed at him.His smile faded quickly."Yes, ma'am"he responded."I asked you a question,what do you do?"She repeated.His spine straightened as he gave her a proud smile."I run a company ma'am"he answered. She arched a brow up at him."Is that all?she asked,Alina's hand reached out to cover hers."Mum,I think that's enough of the questions.Let's just eat and enjoy this wonderful meal that you made" She stated,staring back at her mother with pleading eyes."I haven't satisfied my curiousity yet,baby.I still have a lot of questions that you need to answer young mister"she said,pointing at him."Okay.Am
ALINA'S POV "Alina,you didn't tell me you were pregnant"She watched the horror that was evident on her mother's face."Mum..."she called trying to reach out to her but she moved away from her."Where is your wedding ring for goodness sake?!"she cried."In all this time that I've been here,I haven't seen even a single photo of the both of you.Did you lie to me Alina?"She directed,her eyes were tear-glazed.She opened her mouth to speak but no words came through.She didn't know what she would say.She didn't know how she was going to explain her dynamic with Micheal or tell her how she had been raped while under her husband's roof.Her mother had just come back from the hospital,so she knew that now wasn't the right time to explain everything to her."Alina,why didn't you tell me?"she questioned She plastered on a fake smile she had rehearsed over the years ."Mum,everything is fine"she assured."Micheal loves me and I love him.We're happy together and he takes good care of me.Yes, I a