I took a shower in my room, dressed in a silk night dress, before looking for Edward's room. I've never bothered to know where it was because the house was massive. Plus no one offered to give me a tour. I knew he always took a turn after a very large glass picture frame hanging down. I did find a door. It must be his room because that was the only one there. I knocked slightly and heard no response. I turned the handle and walked in. It was an astonishing sight. It was a large space that could be two of my whole house put together. It smelt of Luxury because I could see a diffuser on a stand emanating a Tuscan scent. The lounge area was arranged with sofas which the quality Italian leather could be sighted from after. A large bed stood by the side adorned with crisp white sheets and silk pillows. Large canvas and picture frames hung on the wall. It was beautiful. I couldn't help but look around the crystal chandelier raining down its light on me. I searched everywhere but could
STEPHANIE I woke up to the scent of musk and Leather oud drifting into my nose. As I tried to figure out where I was, I noticed Edward was already dressed for work. He had on black trousers and a blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up, showing off his veiny arms. I could still make out his firm torso through the shirt. I had no idea when he even got up. I need to sort out my sleep schedule. It was his cologne that had filled the room and fogged my mind.He glanced at me while adjusting his watch, catching me staring, and I awkwardly sat up. "You don't need to go to work today. I don't want to see you," he said, turning away. "Find something else to do." He seemed so angry, which was odd because even though he rarely smiles, he usually just looks manipulative, not angry. Did I mess up last night?“Why don't you want me at work?” I asked.He didn't look up. “Stay home or come to work, you'll be paid otherwise. So why bother?” He walked to the bedside picking up his MacBook. “I've spoke
STEPHANIE I felt a mix of worry and anger after hanging up with my Mom. I couldn't wrap my head around why Edward, of all people, would want to redevelop my town. He's visited before, so what sparked this idea? We had already fought against Alexander, and now this? It left me feeling unsettled. I'll have a word with him when he's back, maybe he forgot that it's my home. I tried to calm my nerves, by convincing myself that he wasn't aware. I'll approach him calmly, and I'm sure he'll reconsider the development.Feeling hungry now, I wandered down to the kitchen and found the chef, Martine, who stood up as soon as he saw me. He was a plump French cook, and from what I've tasted, he was excellent at his job."What would you like, Mrs Dan?" he asked, which felt odd since no one had ever asked me what I wanted before, I was usually the one doing the serving.I grinned, "Just call me Stephanie," and glanced around the spacious kitchen. "I want some pasta, but I'd like to make it myself.
STEPHANIE I heard Edward return and waited patiently in my room until it was quite late, so I could meet him in the room and tell him about the plans to demolish my town.When I entered, I saw him by the lounge area on a call. It seemed like a business call, so I sat quietly on the bed until he finished. As soon as he noticed me, he wrapped up the call and slipped the phone into his pocket, facing the open French window with his back to me.I got up and walked over to him. I didn't want to start with anything awkward like, how's your day? How's work? So I said, “I got a call from my mom today, and she told me that she, along with everyone else in Old Musty, received an eviction notice from Dan Realty.”I studied him and he didn't move a muscle. “Is that true?”“You should believe your mother more, don't you?” he didn't turn.“But why?” I asked, moving closer to him. “Those people at Old Musty struggled to build their home. My Dad struggled to build that house when I was a child” “Tha
STEPHANIE I left Edwards' room and went back to mine. There was no way I was going to share a bed with someone who had insulted me and my family. I was so upset that I couldn't even put it into words. Usually, only my Mom could comfort me, but I decided not to stress her and rang Olivia, and she answered straight away, immediately noticing how upset I was.“Girl, what's wrong?” She asked immediately.I needed to tell someone so I could feel better. So I told her about the redevelopment and Edward's offer.“Tell me you're taking it?” she asked.“How could I? Those people suffered to build those houses” “He offered your family a new house, a compensation f*e and you five per cent of every profit made in Old Musty. Girl, are you out of your mind?”“Money can't buy me”, I said, feeling slightly offended by her words. “It better do it because that's you being rich and independent. No more hustle”“That's not the point of me telling you this, Olivia” I needed her to tell me I was right,
STEPHANIE It wasn't long before everyone in Old Musty agreed to relocate. Edward kept his word and secured a house for my parents in my dad's name in a city area I could never have imagined living in, not even in another lifetime.My dad was under the care of a renowned doctor and was getting stronger. They were getting him ready for the heart transplant.I couldn't hide my happiness, but I kept it to myself. I didn't see much of Edward. He was always busy, coming home late when I was already asleep and leaving early in the morning. I liked the distance between us. It made the time fly by, bringing me closer to going back home with my family.I had just tucked Anna in and wished Rose and Emma goodnight when my phone rang—it was Aisha. I answered and was immediately met with a rhythm in the background.“Hii Stephanie” I heard her voice piped up. “We are having a party and your husband whom I asked to bring you along came alone” “Oh, I told him I was busy”, I lied. I was getting used
STEPHANIE I could taste the alcohol lingering on his tongue as Edward swiftly pressed his tongue into my mouth, wasting no time at all. He kissed me with an intense hunger that had been simmering beneath the surface, and I eagerly responded, having been teased by his flirtations since the wedding. His hands found their way to my waist, and I instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He eventually pulled back, his hazel eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race. At that moment, my body felt warm and alive, wanting his touch more than ever.I didn't want him to stop this time. I wanted his hands all over my body. He stared at me as if he had come to a realization but the words in his mouth proved otherwise. “You belong to me Stephanie” His voice came out raspy, sending lightning down my entire body. “You're mine” I loved how he took control of me. In this moment, I want to be his, yearning for his lips to meet mine again. Unable to hol
STEPHANIE I awoke in a serene room, feeling happier than usual as memories of Edward's touch lingered in my mind. I turned over in bed to find it empty. It wasn't a workday, so where could he be? As if sensing my thoughts, he walked in through the front door, sweaty and dressed in gym clothes. He must have been at the gym downstairs. "Good morning," I said, but he didn't respond, just removed his shoes. His eyes held nothing but the usual frown. Perhaps he didn't hear me. "Did you have a good night?”“You don't have to begin acting all strange because of what happened last night,” he said, eyes on his work.“Pardon?” I was confused.“Nothing happened between us. I was drunk and not in my senses. I would have never stooped so low with you” I couldn't believe my ears, just staring at him, pain building up in my stomach.“You were as drunk as I was and we both misbehaved.” He stood before me “So don't go around feeling whatever you're feeling.” He turned around “I'll add it to your p
STEPHANIE Edward got home, still recuperating from his injury, I had to move back in to take care of him. He couldn't use his hand properly or his body to do any harsh activities. I needed to be by his side. Anna was so happy I returned, they had told her I went on a trip. She kept on asking what I got her and I had to ask Emma to go get her the latest doll she had always wanted. Emma wrapped it up and I gave it to her as a gift. As a workaholic that Edward was, staying home wasn't funny for him. He still tried to work from home but I always reminded him that he should rest just like the doctor had suggested. I met him slumped on the couch in our room watching sports news. He looked exhausted. I laughed “You look like you're about to die because they asked you to stay home and recover” “Trust me now I'm getting an experience of what you felt while staying home all through that period” I smiled and sat beside him. “Have you taken a shower?” “Not yet. I feel so lazy right now,” h
STEPHANIE “GET YOUR FUCKING HANDS OFF MY WIFE!!” Edwards' voice rumbled and thundered down the street, and immediately, Maison let go of me. “So you brought your husband huh?” He threw me a very dirty look. “I thought I had told you to come alone. Now you're really going to get it dirty when we get home” He dug his hand into his back pocket and brought out a dagger before lunging into Edward, and they struggled with who would hit whom. I wasn't expecting to see Edward. How did he know what was going on and came? For some reason, I'm glad he came, but for another, I'm not; what if he gets stabbed? They gave themselves an equal share of beatings until Maison cut Edward on the arm. I just screamed where I was. Edward was trying to hit the knife out of his hand but he proceeded to pierce him with the knife in his abdomen. I felt like fainting. Edward managed to hit the knife out of his hands and held him to the ground, it didn't take a second before Sam and his team came and grabbed
STEPHANIE I ignored my mother who had seen me and Edward outside. I walked upstairs avoiding her gaze. I was ashamed of myself and also angry. I had ruined Edwards' life. I locked my door, slumped on the floor, and cried more. Thinking about it, how could Edward even want me back after knowing I slept with another man? What kind of a lover was he? I've never seen someone love me this bad in my life. I needed to do something concerning all these. I cannot sit back and watch Maison soil Edwards's name. I don't mind dying because of this. I needed to make things right. I should save the one who loves me more than the way I love him. I thought about it for some days before concluding. I picked out my phone and called Maison hoping he would pick up. He did, and I said. “You wanted me right? Now you can have me” ‘What are you saying?’ He clearly was pleased with those words. “But please don't ruin Edwards's name, please, I beg you, Maison. You can have me as you want.”‘Is it now you
EDWARD Stephanie was wearing his clothes, looking haggard, she had slept over, did she just have sex with him? Her mom had told me that she had gone to see me yesterday. But I never saw her, I just guessed she would be here, and here she was, in another man's clothes. “What are you doing here?” I asked her. “What are you doing here?” She asked me back. “You have no right to be here” She began walking down the stairs. “I do, you're fucking just leaving a man's apartment”“Just the way you fucking left a woman's apartment before coming here to pretend to beg” She was angry. “What?” I didn't understand her statement. She laughed “Edward you're funny” “I don't understand” She walked up to me, and I could smell tobacco and earth on her, it was unusual. She always smelt fresh and flowery. “Let me tell you something, you and I are never getting back together. Never” Perhaps did she hear about me and Camille but no one would tell her. “You cannot say that” “Edward you cannot stand h
STEPHANIE Gabriel kissed me roughly as if he had been craving for my body just like I was craving for a body. His hands caressed every inch of my body. I didn't mind that he was all muddy and could stain my clothes, I wanted his hands all over me. He hit me against the wall. Getting rid of my shirt first. Sucking my neck and chest. I ran my fingers through his soft locks. I was dripping wet, I had forgotten my pain. I just imagined that I was doing everything with Edward. He placed me on a console, taking his shirt off. He studied me before leaning in to kiss me slowly. He carried me into his workroom, to his pottery station, and laid me on the muddy floor gently. I stared at him. “What are you doing?” He smirked. “Just relax” He began to take off my clothes, and soon I was naked before him. “You're a total work of art” I just watched him. He took off his clothes before walking towards a heap of mud. He grabbed a bowl of muddy water and poured some on himself. I was surprised,
STEPHANIE I was into the kiss, my hands travelling to Gabriel's neck, when I realised that this wasn't right. I quickly pulled away to his surprise. “I'm so sorry. I can't do this” I said, getting up. “I'm not even supposed to be here” What was wrong with me? How could I kiss someone whom it has not been a week since I met? I was married, I shouldn't appear cheap before Gabriel. “Stephanie,” he called me. I refused to turn for fear that what would happen next might be more intense. “Stephanie please wait” I turned around. “I'm really sorry” “It's not your fault. It is my fault. I don't know what's wrong with me” I ran my fingers through my hair. “I have feelings for someone else” Gabriel stared at me with concern in his eyes. “It's normal to feel something for someone and at the same time feel something for another” “That’s not true” “You shouldn't deny your heart what it wants and your body what it craves,” He said softly. “I don't know you, Gabriel. I can't say I feel someth
STEPHANIE I didn't feel bad as Edward saw me on Gabriel's back. I felt happy so he would know that I could be special to any other man. I slid down his back and he watched me with concern. “Are you sure, I shouldn't take you inside?” “I have to speak to that man,” I gestured to Edward. I faced him properly. “Thank you so much, I would have been in lots of trouble without you. I'll come over later” Gabriel smiled. “I'll be expecting you” As he turned to leave, he gave Edward a quick look before walking away. I frowned when I turned to Edward. I limp slowly to where he is. “What are you doing here?” “Who was that guy?” “That's none of your business” Seriously, that's the first question Edward would ask me?He looked at my legs “What happened to you?” “Nothing much, I sprained my ankle” “Then you should get a doctor immediately” I stared at him with a frown. “What are you doing here?”He was silent for a while before walking up to me and sweeping me off the ground. He carried me
EDWARD I studied Camille as she said those words. How can this woman be so ruthless? I don't even know when she began loving me. “When did this all begin” “Hmm?” “When did you begin having a thing for me, I've known us to be best friends?” She smiled “Remember when you punched Raymond into a pool, that's when it all started”I shifted my head to the side. This was years ago in junior high school. We attended Raymond's birthday party, and when he saw her, he began teasing her for being so small. She began to cry. When I saw what Raymond did to her, I was offended and dashed to him, punching him and he fell into the pool behind. It was a very long time ago, I wasn't expecting it to be something that would make someone fall for someone. Plus she was my best friend. “Camille, we were kids,” I told her. “Well not anymore and you can keep to your word” “I cannot marry you” I was a bit offended. “I'm not asking you to marry me, I just want you as my man” “That cheating on Stephanie
EDWARD My bed felt cold without Stephanie beside me. The past few days have been a hard one for me. I couldn't concentrate well at work or home. I then realised the big hole in my life If Stephanie was not in it. The only time I got to hear her voice was when she called Anna to say hello. I had gone and tried apologising but she wouldn't listen. I wanted to give her space but I cannot live without her. I couldn't sleep and decided to go apologise this time forcing her to hear me out. Reaching her doorstep, I alighted only to find her on another man's back. They were talking, and she seemed relaxed and happy. Who was this guy that could make my woman happy? I was furious. Stephanie didn't know that everything I had done, I was doing it for her. It was getting to the busiest time of the year for me. There was a pile of work to do and lots of places to go. Sometimes it gets so busy that I would arrive home when Stephanie was asleep. I wanted to spend more time with her, especially