The moment I storm into my bedroom, I find my phone and quickly send a text to Tessa.“Are you home now?”It doesn’t take three minutes for her to reach me through a video call on WhatsApp.“I just finished taking my bath. What’s up?” Tessa struggles to position her phone camera on herself while she smears some moisturiser on her face and dabs it into her skin.“Is there a way that I can successfully make myself sick so I’m unable to get out of bed this weekend?” I ask her.Immediately, her hands still and she refocuses her gaze on me. Squinting her eyes, she asks, “What is going on? What are you trying to avoid?”A deep sigh escapes my lips as I pace up and down my room.“My parents have scheduled the weekend to meet with Austin and his family; the old man they arranged for me to marry since Brenda stole my boyfriend??” I have to make sure Tessa understands the implications of that meeting and I think she does.“Emily, unfortunately, I’m not a doctor or a health practitione
Christopher’s POV.What could be worse than having your favourite tailored suit ruined a few hours before an important interview?I am livid with anger as I watch the older woman bow and apologize to me profusely after spilling hot chocolate on the right sleeve of my jacket.“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to...” She said, tears already welling up in her eyes as passer-by cast their glances at us.My gaze turns frosty when she attempts to rub the spot with her hand. I quickly take a step back. “Don’t touch me!” I warn, my gaze narrowing at her.The woman started another round of apology and I walked away and headed for the elevator.I don’t know why people wouldn’t watch where they are going or their backs before making abrupt turns.My mood is dampened with my suit for the HAWA interview ruined. I need a new set of clean suits to change into before the scheduled time arrives.As soon as I get to my office, Emily walks in with my daily cup of espresso.“Good morn—.”“I don’t
Emily’s POV.“I have a confession to make,” I announce, once I get Christopher’s attention.Christopher’s brows furrow in confusion with a hint of impatience in his eyes. I bet he just wants me to get on with my confession fast so he can leave.I slip my hand into my purse and dig for the flash drive and surprisingly, I don’t feel anything. Instantly, fear grips me.My eyes widen in shock as I quickly shift my attention to my purse, taking out the items in it; lipstick, hand cream, and powder. I feel Christopher’s gaze on me and wonder what he must be thinking about me now. “I’m sorry, but please give me a minute,” I quickly throw him an apology and continue to frantically dig around my purse.Out from the corner of my eyes, Christopher leans away from his seat and stands. “Emily, in a minute, I will be out of this office.”Finally, he can’t put up with me anymore. Invisible tears streak down my cheek with me thinking that my reputation has barely anything left of it.Christo
“What?” I exclaim before I can get a hold of my tongue.I’m wondering if it’s the same TRANSCORP where I hold the same position she just mentioned that she is talking about or another one. Barbara eyes me, a smirk appearing at the corner of her lips. She seems to think that she’s got me seeing how she loves my reaction.“Which Transcorp are you talking about?” I know I shouldn’t be holding this conversation with Barbara as I want nothing to do with her, but I just want clarity on this matter.“Are you dumb?” she eyes me. “How many Transcorp are there in this world? And in case you have memory loss, which one did you go for the interview?” My mouth hangs open for a minute and the next moment, a pearl of laughter bursts through me from the pit of my belly.The grin on Barbara’s face immediately disappears as she stares at me like I have lost my mind.“Hahaha...” Even her facial expression amuses me. I can’t help but continue laughing until I stagger towards a rack of clothes. I
Barbara attempts something she thinks might be a sweet smile, but I find it disgusting.I am smart, and cannot be easily taken for a fool. From the introduction, I already understand what this meeting is all about, and that is enough reason to lock Barbara at the back of my mind.I dislike people who use their influence to request a position they do not in any way, deserve.“Hahaha...” Mr. Collins chuckles. “It’s understandable that you do not recognize my daughter. This is your first time meeting officially, also, there were about thirty candidates you interviewed on the same day, so you might not have taken note of her.”It doesn’t matter if Mr. Collins is implying that I’m not fit for my position for not recognising a face I interacted with for a few minutes or not. I also do not care if he has his doubts of the truth.“It can be hectic meeting a lot of people within a short time frame, especially when you are in a higher position.” Grandpa comes to my defence. “And let’s not
SATURDAY.Emily’s POV.“Emily, get off the bed now!” Mum orders as soon as she bursts into my bedroom.It’s not even up to 7 AM and for some reason, she wants me out of my bed. I groan and turn to my side.I had a hard time sleeping last night with my thoughts filled with Christopher and his reaction after watching my confession and the video evidence attached to it.My job is not safe until Christopher says so, so I can’t relax.On another hand, I fear that he might have replaced the hard drive, or forgotten to take a look at the contents.“Emily!!!” Mum’s raging voice pull me out of my deep thoughts.My eyes flutter open, and it takes them a moment to adjust to the bright lights coming from the parted curtains which I remember shutting before going to bed last night.“Good morning,” I greet tiredly as I try to sit up on the bed.“Good morning to you too!” Mum barks as she glares daggers at me. I wonder what I had done wrong this time around.I rub my eyes, asking, “How ca
I can barely recognize myself in the mirror when the make-up artist finally steps away from my face.According to mum’s order, she had made me look a bit mature with the powder and concealer just to fit Mr. Austin.I guess she is ashamed of the man just like I am for her to go to this extent.“I have a few jewellery pieces, I will bring them now,” Mum says to the makeup artist and leaves immediately. Few minutes later, she returns to my side with three different jewellery pieces “Which one would suit her outfit from amongst these pieces?” Mum inquiries, in deep contemplation. Then I see her eyes linger on the pearl necklace.A scoff escapes my lips. I would never have believed that she would one day care about my looks enough to give me something from her expensive jewellery collection if a day like today didn’t come by.Anyone who doesn’t know Mum will think she loves me so much and want me to be presentable, not knowing that she has a selfish reason behind her attitude.Some
“Go on!” I snap. “Go ahead and rip it so you can finally prove to mum that things go horribly wrong when you are with me otherwise, I’m well behaved. Also, the maids are outside and can clearly hear out conversation.”Rolling my eyes, I add, “Even if they can’t hear out conversation, the subject remains that the jewellery ripped after you walked into my room. Let’s see how long Mum will continue to feign ignorance.”Instantly, the smirk on Brenda’s lips disappear and finally, I can exhale in relief, knowing that my threat worked.Although I’m not confident about finally proving a point to mum because it might end up backfiring since she is so biased, I don’t take any risks.“I don’t need to cause any troubles for you today because you are already in one,” Brenda sneered, folding her arms below her chest. “You are getting married to an old man who wouldn’t even treat you well, so it’s fine if you play a little dress up game today with Mum’s stuff. I can put up with that.”“Get the
Emily.It is with so much relief on my heart that Christopher and I are walking right next to each other without any other human to interfere.Tessa is my best girl. She read the situation and then proceeded to an act. Mum almost ruined it though by trying to make Brenda follow us.I don’t know what she was thinking when she brought up that idea. I bet she didn’t know she looked empty in front of the Moore family for what she did.If I wasn’t so sure that Mum would never want to jeopardize her bidding relationship with the Moore family, I would have thought she was thinking of making Christopher interested in Brenda. I hope I’m not wrong.Because, I haven’t forgotten the fact that Mum was going to help Brenda marry Christopher instead after Brenda found out Christopher’s identity and cried to her that she wanted him.To think Mum had been foolish to even consider her request and even proceed to act on it.Today made me realize that there was probably nothing Mum could not do fo
Tessa.Mrs. Wilson being unable to read the ruin angered me in ways I didn’t know was possible.Even that fool naked Brenda pretended to be oblivious to the situation and sat there next to her mother, fluttering her lashes innocently; like she was some pitiful unloved lady ostracized by her family. If I didn’t know what Brenda was like, I would have fallen for her stunt but thankfully, I would never be deceived by her. But my family was different.They don’t know Brenda is a white lotus and a green tea bitch.And although I would like to expose that witch right in front of them, now wasn’t the time as it could ruin things for Emily. Besides, I can still deal with Brenda on my own.She doesn’t know whose lands she is stepping on.The awkward silence stretched enough to erupt Chris’s anger. He wasn’t a fan of Brenda, thanks to the true stories I told him about how Emily used to be bullied by her, and her mother.But before things could get out of hand; like Chris displaying an
Tessa. Grandpa’s talks were getting boring. From taking about the wedding, he shifted focus to business, engaging Emily’s dad in the conversation.Mr. Wilson’s eyes was full of smiles as he immediately connected to the conversation. After all, the business deal was the reason for his happiness, not his daughter’s marriage. I rolled my eyes inwardly as the silence on my part stretched. And that was when my gaze fell on my cousin, Chris. He was looking my way but I could bet it wasn’t me he was staring at.There was someone he had come to adore who was sitting next to me.From the corner of my eyes, I caught Emily looking back at Chris. And instantly, a smile appeared on my lips.These two looked tired of sitting at a place with no opportunity to interact with each other. Unfortunately for them, Grandpa was so old fashioned that he doesn’t have any innovative ideas in regards to this aspect.He doesn’t understand that the future couple need to spend more time together to know
While I’m happy someone from the Moore family came to my defence which is proof they had accepted me, I couldn’t help but be mad at Mum.What she just displayed was evidence of how bias she was to Brenda. She just showed the Moore family that I am the less preferred. Which is stupid.I don’t care that Mum loves Brenda with all her life. At least, she should tame her emotions and obsession outside. Even Dad who was alert, seemed to disapprove of Mum’s actions in front of the Moore family. I could tell by the way he touched the back of her hand while gazing elsewhere.And I would like to think that he was more disappointed because she and Brenda had indirectly told them they didn’t like the work they did with my wedding invitation cards.Soon, the awkwardness hanging in the air disappeared along with Tessa’s presence. Tessa arrived with a warm smile on her face , especially after she saw me. But the second she noticed Brenda, I saw her smile crack.I perfectly understand my fri
I felt Brenda’s discomfort as Grandpa Moore engaged me in a conversation. I think she’s crazy for even wanting the Moore family’s attention on her. Brenda is nothing short of a heavily delusional psychopath who doesn’t have a limit to her actions. Why on earth would she be mad that all attention was on me now? Somehow, I wished that Brenda will be taken away from my side. I don’t like sitting beside her and assimilating her negative energy. It makes me more mad. Unfortunately, I don’t have any other option. From talking about work, Grandpa shifted the conversation, mentioning the wedding which was in a few weeks. Uncle Frederick’s wife mentioned the wedding invitation cards were ready. A minute later, their family butler brought a square-shaped box with a red ribbon at the top. “They arrived this morning,” Grandpa Moore revealed with a smile before turning to Christopher to give him a glance. Then Mum used the opportunity to say her thoughts. “I think we should unveil the
“Thank you for caring this much about my daughter,” Mum said, her eyes lighting up like fireworks. Then almost immediately, she dragged Brenda into the conversation. “Brenda, you have to thank Mr. Moore.” And as if Brenda was just waiting for the right moment to show herself, she took Mum’s leading and turned her attention to Grandpa Moore. “Thank you, grandpa for your well wishes,” she said softly before turning to Christopher’s uncles to do the same. “... I deeply appreciate your concern.” It was so hard keeping a straight face when anger was about to consume me whole. Brenda spoke so endearingly as if she was the one marrying into the Moore family. It can’t be jealousy driving me at this point. Also, I’m not being paranoid. I have every reason to be furious at Mum and Brenda. I don’t know who is more dumb between the two but finally after analyzing the situation, I realised that Mum was the foolish one because how can you try to get Brenda into the Moore family’s good bo
“The patriarch and his family are all waiting in the living room. I will lead the way,” the butler informed Mum and Dad while gesturing towards the building’s entrance. “Sure,” Dad muttered as he and Mum quickly started to walk behind the butler and in no time, my steps and Brenda’s fall into place behind our parents’. The Moore residence was nothing like anything we had seen. It had this vintage style to the building whereas inside the house, the decors and styles were modernized, making it look like there have been a renovation in recent times. Brenda and I couldn’t help staring at the intricate designs on the walls, and the beautiful sculpture pieces inside the building. But I made sure my fascination was masked with a subtle elegance. Stepping into the grand living room with a splash of pure gold used in the interior decor, we meet the members of the Moore family rising to their feet with welcoming smiles on their faces. Within a few seconds, my gaze swiftly moved from on
As Mum and Dad went over to the first car, Brenda got in next to me and slowly secured her seatbelt. Next, she turned to me, her lips parting several times before finally bringing forth a word. “Emily, how do I look tonight? Do you think my lipstick is a little too dull?” Instantly, my eyes narrowed into splits as I briefly turned my gaze to her. What nonsense?! Is this witch actually asking me how she looks tonight? Is she on something? What kind of delusion gave her the effrontery to even say a word to me, talk more of trying to make me gauge her looks tonight? There could be only one reason for Brenda being high this evening. Her senses have returned. I feel Brenda deserves a beating for her annoying thoughtless provoking actions right now. She only acts out of point and looks for my trouble when she was her usual self. I guess she has actually made full recovery from the surgery. My stare on Brenda conveyed my deep hatred for her and I guessed just for a tiny
My question seemed to stop Mum right in her tracks. She stared at me for a moment and finally, Dad broke the silence. “We are going to be late if you two keep arguing,” he said with a tight frown. I bet he was only trying to end this fight because it wasn’t beneficial with his plans to keep time with the Moore family. “Darling, we are leaving in just two cars. What’s the sitting arrangement?” Mum asked as her gaze darted towards the cars before shifting back to Dad. As soon as Mum asked that question, Brenda interrupted with that annoying harmless smile on her face. “Mum, you and Dad can ride in the first car while I ride with Emily,” she suggested, taking Mum’s arm as if to please her and get her to agree.I’m not surprised Brenda made that suggestion. If anything, I had been expecting it. And if she hadn’t made that suggestion, I would have questioned her.Brenda likes attention. She can’t do without making others look bad as long as it would elevate her in other people