EDWARD I came out of my office after having a long call with Ryan about the construction going on at Old Musty. I walked downstairs only to find out that Stephanie had gone out to meet Aisha. It was strange. I thought we were having our bonding time. I bought her a car, had it delivered overnight and tried my best to make her feel okay, but evening came, and she popped out. Did she find me boring or what? I guess Emma could see the anger in my eyes, so I left her presence. Sitting in my lounge, I picked up my phone and decided to check Aishas Instagram story. She posted a video with her friends, Xena and Susan, all dressed up for a party. They were singing along to a song, the doorbell rang, and Aisha rushed to open the door, letting Stephanie and Olivia in. Aisha hugged Stephanie, welcoming her cheerfully, telling her and Olivia to spin around showcasing their dresses, and the video ended. I replayed it again. Stephanie was wearing a white short flare dress open at the back and
STEPHANIE Immediately, Edward stormed away, I turned to the girls, and Aisha held a grin. “And that's what we call romantic,” she laughed. “My man has never had an issue with me coming here” She turned to Xena and Susan. “Have your man ever done this?” They shook their head ‘No’Olivia rubbed my back “Having a protective man is awesome, in fact, that phrase ‘Youre mine and mine alone’ did things to my stomach” “I agree” Xena joined before peeking in his direction “Go on your man is waiting” I looked back, his car was just sitting there. I gave Olivia my key telling her I'll come pick up my car the next day and hug them goodbye. As I got to the car, Edward came out and opened the door for me before slamming it. He was angry, I knew, I was supposed to be angry at him too but I was not. The fact that he was jealous I loved it. The entire ride was silent. I didn't say a word to him. When we got home, I started to go upstairs with him following up behind me. I didn't look back or atte
STEPHANIE I didn't realize it was morning until I felt gentle kisses on my back. I turned around slowly to be greeted by Edwards' face. He was staring at me with nothing but love in his eyes and I felt a little bit embarrassed. It was a long night we had, I still felt weak. “Morning, Little bird,” he said, leaning in to kiss my forehead. I pulled the sheets over my chest properly. The sun had been up for a while, and the exposed curtains showed it. “You're late for work” I whispered. He didn't move “Remember I own the company” I chuckled “Humble brag” I closed my eyes. “I want to stay in bed all day,” I groaned. “You should stay but you have to work. You asked me to make you work, remember?”I opened my eyes and smiled, he was getting up now. “Can I get a day off Mr Dan?” He turned to glare at me before lunging forward, his face on mine. “You're looking for trouble, aren't you?” I laughed “I would love to stay in with you but you know I can't” he used his fingers to graze my br
STEPHANIE Immediately, Maison stormed out, I collapsed to the ground, catching my breath. Olivia ran over to me asking if I was okay. I think Maison's violence rate increased because he didn't hesitate to strangle me. Before he wasn't as quick to hurt me as he did now. “What are you going to do about it?” Olivia asked, sitting on the floor beside me.I was pissed, who gave him the right to want me back. He fucking hurt me before. Now I'm with Edward and I don't plan on loving anyone else. I needed to stay away from him. I told Olivia, “Please don't pick up his calls or tell him where my parents are. I'll try to avoid him and please stay away from him, call the cops if you must” Maison was a totally different person, his eyes contained hostility, blood and murder. And I know that if he wasn't capable of murder before, he was now. I waited for hours to make sure he had gone away first before heading home. Looking at my reflection, I could see the red marks of his fingerprint on my
STEPHANIE Edward carried me into the kitchen ignoring my tiny attempts for him to drop me down. Deep down, I loved it. He sat me on the kitchen counter and asked me what I wanted. Honestly, I was full now, he had fed me. “I'm not hungry anymore,” I said quietly. “Woman, you were going to leave me earlier because you were hungry” his face contained a kind of confusion, which made me begin to laugh. “I'll have a sandwich” “Why?” He questioned. I laughed “I'm not really hungry now” He walked up to me and whispered. “Little bird, you'll need all the food you can get tonight” I laughed again which was unusual. “I can't remember getting you high just a few minutes ago” I slid down the cabinet and placed my arms around his neck, eyes in his. “You don't know anything, Mr Dan, you got me drunk and I want to get high again” He smiled, this time, he wasn't angry that I called him Mr Dan. “Still…” He pushed strands of my hair behind. “You need to eat something” He lifted me without warni
STEPHANIE I made Edward lay down on the leather massage bed while I took off my sweater. He had taken off his shirt, so I was greeted with the tough intense muscle showing on his back. I got an oil which smelled of lavender and went ahead to apply it on him, my phone producing a soft, calming tone. I wanted him to feel good, and have the experience of a proper spa treatment. I let the oil drop on his back before gently blending them all over, driving my hands into every muscle of his back and neck. I heard him sigh in satisfaction. “This feels good, little bird” he whispered in a raspy note. I took my time to feel each strong muscle, yet his tender skin grazed my palm. I got to his waist and didn't hesitate to slide my hands past his trousers, feeling the fullness of his muscle-filled buttocks. “You're crossing the boundary” I heard him say and I took my hands. He turned around, facing the ceiling, and I went ahead to oil his chest, letting my fingers sink into his skin. As I
STEPHANIE I was surprised, shocked to the bone. How could Edward just fire Steven because he touched me or asked me out on a date? Any woman would be happy because he was all overprotective and so but I wasn't, Steven was a nice guy. If he was some pervert I wouldn't have bothered. I stared at Steven who had his head bowed, pain and confusion written all over. I needed to do something. I ran after Edward. “He was in his office now, about to sit, when I walked in. “How could you do that?” I questioned. “Steven didn't do anything wrong” he ignored me and sat down. So we are beginning this attitude of him ignoring me all over again. “Who goes around firing people who said they liked me?” He sat back on his chair and let me feed his eyes. “You need to go and reverse your order,” He stood up, and in a few steps, he was towering above me. He said most gently “No one touches what is mine” “But I'm not your possession. You have to employ him back”“Do you feel something for him?” He a
STEPHANIE I couldn't sit on the bed any longer so I got up and opened the door leading to the balcony, standing out. I rested slightly on the high glass wall railing. My mind was occupied with Maison's thoughts. What was this guy planning to do? I was a little bit afraid. I just didn't want anyone hurt because of me. When I heard footsteps behind me, I quickly vanquished every thought, the last thing I wanted was for Edward to know what was going on. He wrapped his arms around me, face in the crook of my neck. “You smell good”, I murmured a reply. “What are you doing out here?” “I needed some fresh air” I replied “Hmmm”, he held me tighter. “Is everything all right?” I cannot tell Edward that my ex-boyfriend is back and threatening to get back with me or people will die. “Yes, I am. Why?” “You seem quiet” “Naa, nothing is wrong”, I laughed, turned to him, and he looked at my body and smiled. “You look hot,” he smirked.I wanted to forget everything I was thinking, so I asked h
STEPHANIE Maison didn't mind my screams and cries. He was after pleasuring himself. He took off my underwear and opened my legs. He held me in a place and I could not move. He took off his shirt and unbuckled his belt, revealing his dick, which was all up and red burning with desire. “Maison, please don't do this”, I begged, but the look in his eyes showed that he was not willing to let go of me. “I'm hurt” I mumbled. He was leaning into me, and I shut my eyes, trying to subdue the pain I was about to feel.But instead, I felt his grip on me reduced, and his weight on me lifted. I opened my eyes slowly. He had gotten up and adjusted his trousers. I quickly got up and dressed myself too. He picked up his shirt without turning back, and he left. I was grateful he didn't rape me, at least he has a conscience. I got up and dressed properly. For a moment I thought he was going to have sex with me. I would have really counted him a monster truly if he did. He had been obsessed with me,
STEPHANIE I had no appetite, looking at the varieties Maison displayed on the table. The pain had reduced and the bleeding too. I laid in bed and began to feel uncomfortable. I got up and sat on the floor. It was night with no sign of a way to escape or anyone looking for me. I was starving and very weak. I looked at the table filled with food. Maison had brought food and clothes earlier. I knew I needed food for strength, but I didn't have the appetite to eat. I got up and sat by the table.I heard key sounds behind the door, and soon, the door was opened, Maison appeared in the doorway, looking intimidating. He sat in front of me, watching me. “You know you don't have to be locked in here for long, all you have to do is marry me and divorce your husband” “Where did you learn to become a monster, Maison? I once loved you, you were a caring guy with a good heart. Even when I found out you were in a gang, I didn't leave you because you were the best man I had been with, but then you
EDWARD I sat in front of the police detective who was asking me diverse questions about Stephanie. They found her car, crashed without a sign of her in it. She had an accident, but what happened after? I almost cried when I got a sighting of the vehicle. The night she went missing passed by quickly without me catching a glimpse of sleep or rest. We had contacted all hospitals by that side in case she was admitted to a hospital but none took in a victim of an accident. Her mother had run over to my place, struck with worry, I assured her that I'd look for Stephanie. We didn't gain any good news that night, all security footage didn't capture that particular place where she had an accident. My thoughts ran to Maison, but I didn't want to believe he had anything to do with Stephanie yet. Emma was asked a few questions and she told the detective that Stephanie had been going to her parents sometimes and coming back before I returned. She had left yesterday, saying she would come back
STEPHANIE I bled till morning earning just a tossed sanitary pad and towel from Maison. Was I really pregnant for Edward, or was it just an early period? Thinking about it, I wasn't sure I had my period last month, I didn't track it, and I was always having unprotected sex with Edward. The pain was unbearable but I couldn't do anything about it. I didn't have my phone with me or anything. After cleaning myself up, I lay on the bed twirling in pain. I was hurt. If I knew I had Edward's child, I would have done anything to keep it. I felt bad that I didn't even know I was pregnant. How can a woman not know she's with a child? I felt weak because I'd lost lots of blood, I had become pale and sickly. The sun had come up properly, when I saw the door open and Maison walked in. He stared at me for a moment before saying, “A doctor is here for you, you'll be fine in minutes” Immediately, what came across my mind was to tell the doctor that I had been kidnapped and he should help, but t
STEPHANIE Edward didn't like the name Maison or the statement that came after. “What?” he asked, fury already lingering in his eyes. I regret telling him. “When we were in the water park for a moment we couldn't find Anna, I wanted to call you but I found her with Maison behind an ice cream shop” “What?” Edward sprang to his feet, picking up his phone, and I followed. He was dialing a number. He was calling the cops. “He didn't hurt her, I swear” “But this is a threat, it's high time I get this over and done with.” He was frustrated, running his fingers through his hair. “What the fuck does he want from me?”“It is me,” I said quietly. “He said I should have a divorce and come back to him or he'll make my life miserable. “Why didn't you tell me this?” “Because it's my fault, it's my problem, I was the one who dated him. I didn't want to drag you into this” “You're my wife, Stephanie, we fucking shared a vow”, his voice rumbled. “Under a contract,” I said. I needed to know wh
STEPHANIE I was afraid. I had looked around for her, everywhere a kid could be. I met with the authorities, and everyone began to look for Anna. I felt like crying because I didn't know what to do. What would Edward say? How would he react to hearing his daughter was missing? The first time I had a day out with her and this happened? My skin was covered in goosebumps, shivering from fear. Poor Anna must be so scared.The authorities were not making any progress in finding her, so I picked up my phone to call the police and Edward when I remembered that we hadn't checked the ice cream shop area. I knew that Anna wasn't a child to wander off like that because of something she likes but never say never. I ran to the stall to find a young ice cream man. “Please sir have you seen a child about this tall” I gestured with my hand “Petite and dark hair” he stared at me as if trying to remember, “She's wearing pink and blue swimwear”“Oh I saw her leave with her dad after getting strawberr
STEPHANIE I swear I didn't realize it when I said Maison's name. I was a fool, a very stupid one. He stared at me before closing my legs, he sat at the edge of the bed, looking away. I started apologizing continuously and I had to do more. “I'm sorry Edward, I didn't know when I said that” He was silent. His face was void of any emotions. I adjusted my dress and slipped towards him. “Please” I touched his arm.“Tell me, Stephanie, I want the truth” His face was serious. “Do you still love him?”“I cannot love someone who has hurt me countless times.” I dropped my arms. “I hated him before I even ended things with him, and he went to jail.” I felt like I needed to explain everything to him. “It was two months before I met you that we broke up. He not only hurt me physically but he traumatized me, that I couldn't have a shut eyes without seeing him attempting to hit me again in my dreams. He was the guy I'd been with the longest. Please don't be mad” He didn't move an inch. “Please
STEPHANIE I had been at home for almost a week because Edward ordered me to rest and stay indoors. I know he can be overprotective at times but this was much. He asked Jude to accompany me anytime I was going out. I asked him the reason and he said he just wanted me safe. I had to spend more time with Anna, Rose had returned home but promised to be back. I enjoyed her company, she always tried to make sure I was comfortable. I called my mom and told her what happened between me and Maison and told her to avoid him and never let him into the house again. My mom was surprised because she never knew Maison to be a horrible person, so I had to apologize for lying before. I told her how he harassed me before and she was really sad. But I told her I was lucky now to have Edward. I made dinner and we waited for Edward to return. I took up my habit of making food if I was bored. It had not been all lovey-dovey for me and Edward since I returned from the hospital. He wasn't angry at me b
EDWARD I was so angry at Stephanie and I didn't want to see her until I heard a thud on the ground. Turning around I saw that she was on the floor. I rushed to her and lifted her head to see that she had fainted. I was afraid, even though I might be mad and all, I didn't want to lose her.I quickly carried her in my arms, calling Steven to help with the car. He was a fast driver and I was grateful to him for the first time. I stared at Stephanie, head resting on my body. Her eyes were swollen and she looked exhausted. I was sorry, but it would not have been great to forgive her easily. I did a background check on this ex-boyfriend of hers, and he was a psychopath. He sold drugs secretly and was part of a gang. I was surprised how Stephanie would have ended up with someone like that. I guessed she didn't know because she didn't look like anyone with a dark past or was trying to hide how crooked she was. I believed her story, Maison was capable of drugging someone and taking advan