~Rosemary~There was a note of urgency in Mr. Seth's voice, one that immediately made me forget my annoyance with Gerald. I moved the phone to my other ear and asked, "What's the problem?"What he said next hit me like a bolt out of the blue!"What!" I exclaimed. "Can you repeat that?"The hotel manager did as I asked. My palms suddenly became sweaty. I was disoriented, but I managed to say, "I will be right there. Just hold them for now.""What's wrong?" Gerald asked as soon as I got off the phone.After sparing him a glance, I ran towards the bedroom. He followed behind me as I said, "That was the hotel manager. He said the FDA are at the hotel with a warrant to search the building... Something about someone getting food poisoning."Gerald hesitated. "Do you want me to drive you?""Yes, please!" I agreed immediately, knowing it would be suicide to drive in this condition.The car ride to the hotel suddenly seemed longer than usual even though Gerald drove at a high speed. When we fin
~Rosemary~Electric shivers ran through my whole body when I heard that voice. I glanced at the phone screen, only to find that it was from a private number. Bringing the phone back to my ear, I stammered, "Who...who is this?"But the only response I got was a disconnect tone. As I stared at the phone screen, the menacing voice echoed in my head. I tried to shake it off, but still it replayed. "What's wrong? Who was that?" Gerald leaned in close, looking at me worriedly.I opened my mouth to speak, but no words came out. I could only look at him and then back at the phone."Why do you look like you have seen a ghost?" the mean official, who had been grilling me for over an hour, stacked her hands on the desk and looked at me with a corner of her lips upturned.Only then did I regain control of my body. I showed Gerald the private number call log and whispered, "I think Max has something to do with this. He just called me. I recognized his voice.""Are you sure?" he asked.I nodded fi
~Rosemary~I gripped the lead gate as the sound of something shattering reached my ears. My heart leaped, and a voice in my head told me to leave immediately. But another voice told me to stay. I took a step further, craning my neck and looking around like a thief.The inside of the container-shaped structure was surprisingly brightly lit. I ran over to the skeletal body of a car and crouched beside it. Then slowly, I pushed my head up to look through the window frame.And that was when I saw him...Max was standing not too far away, flanked by a few suspended cars. About six men in grey overalls stood before him. Each of them was wiping his hand with soiled towels. What's happening? Were they ganging up against Max? Why did he look so pissed?I saw Max grip his nose bridge. He did a 360-degree turn and then glared at the men. "I can't believe what's happening right now. I really can't. Is this a prank? If so, you need to stop right now. This is no joking matter!"One of the men stood
~Gerald~“Hop in!” Rosemary said. Unlocking the passenger door. It was past eight and she had insisted on picking me up even after I told her I stopped by the company to get some work done last minute. I had indeed gone to G-Tech, but not to work. It was my day off, actually.Anyway. I got into the car and fastened my seatbelt. Rosemary stepped on the gas after getting back into the road. I glanced at her and saw that she was wearing a serious expression. The silence suddenly made me feel uneasy. I stared out the window, but my mind was flooded with worry. Was she mad at me for saying I was going for a walk and then went to the company? But I only left to go help her…“So tell me, what was so urgent that it couldn’t wait until tomorrow morning?”“Huh?” I turned my head sharply, stunned by the sudden question.Rosemary gave me a serious look. “You said you were just going for a walk. How come you ended up at “work” instead?”I scratched my head. “Ermm… I was called to handle something
~Gerald~I sat up on the bed abruptly. The sleep cleared off my eyes. I was wearing only black shorts. The air conditioner had been on full blast while I was sleeping, but now, I was sweating. How in the world did Max get that special number?Yes, I was X-crow. Although Elvis handled my email account and he was the one who responded to Max’s outrageous request the other day, my special number was one that I reserved to communicate with a selected few. When not in use, I left it in Elvis’s care for safety reasons. How come Max got it? And what did he mean by he knows everything about me? Like everything everything?I threw on a shirt and went into the bathroom. There, I turned on the tap and left it to run. It wasn’t guaranteed that I would be able to keep my voice down enough. I didn’t want Rosemary to hear me.“Is that the only text he sent? And when exactly was this?” I asked Elvis, sitting on the edge of the tub.I heard a few clicks from his end, and then he said, “It came about
~Gerald~This new threat set off something inside me. My grip on the phone tightened as I read the text over and over.Son of a bitch! He would reveal my identity if I didn’t do his bidding? How dare he!I thumped my fist on the desk hard. No one, not even my longest-standing rivals, had ever dared to say such words to me. Yet, Max Smith, that swine… that…My body vibrated as fury coursed through my veins. I must show that idiot that he has bitten more than he can chew. Whether he knows everything or not, he’s not getting away with this!I dialed Elvis. Once he answered, I ordered, “Gather the spies. Now!”I hung up the phone and stood up from my desk. On the way out of the Software Engineering department, Mr. Hanks popped out of nowhere. “And where do you think you are going?”I spared him a glance. “There has been an emergency, sir. I have to leave now.”Mr. Hanks stood in my way. I tried to walk past him, but he stretched out his legs with his arms akimbo. “It’s not even noon yet a
~Gerald~I leaned back in the chair, keeping the phone on the desk in front of me. The next second, I heard a thump and then Elvis growled, “Speak! Tell my boss what you just told us!”“I…I really don’t know anything. Please spare me!”The voice was Max’s, but I found it surprising that the man who was usually snarky and arrogant now sounded like a squeaky rat whose life was flashing before his eyes. I smiled a little. How the mighty has fallen…“Didn’t you say you would reveal everything about me to the world? How come you are saying you know nothing now? Do you take me for a fool?” I roared.“No, no, no!” Max cried. “I was only fibbing. I thought threatening to expose your identity would make you change your mind about working with me. I really don’t know anything aside from that you are American, and I don’t even have proof for that. It’s not true, is it?”I heard a slap and then another cry. “I’m sorry. Sorry. Please don’t kill me.”Elvis shouted, “Shut the fuck up!”In an instant
~Gerald~I stifled a laugh, looking at Max as he came closer. Earlier, when Elvis told me he had gotten Max to talk, I didn’t know they had beaten him to this extent. Aside from the bruises on his face and arm, I saw that one of his eyes was swollen shut. He looked like he had been run over by a train and then stung by a bee.Amani was wearing the disgusted frown she always wore whenever she saw me. “And what are you doing here?”I raised a brow. “Who are you again?”Amani eyed me and then turned to Max who said, “You loser, were you just about to enter this office? Are you on drugs or something? This isn’t a place for you to be!”“Oh, really?” I stopped with my hand on the doorknob. “If you ask me, I have just as much right as you do to be in this hospital.”Max laughed. “Do you have any idea how much treatment costs in here? This hospital is only for the top 1% in this city!”I smirked, shaking my head. Could this man be any more delusional and annoying? Anyway…“I haven’t got time
~Gerald~I slammed the door in his face. Before turning away, I listened as he stormed off, huffing and puffing about how I was making a huge mistake.“Before you say anything…” I began, looking at Elvis. “Get on the phone with the Russian mafia. I’m sure they would be pleased to know that Angel showed up here.”“No!”“What?” I exclaimed on the way to grab a glass of water.Elvis shook his head. “I don't think it’s a good idea to get involved in the battle between Angel and them. Time and time again, this has always ended with a bloodbath. It was hard enough for you to stay alive all these years despite having many enemies. I can't watch you get involved in a mafia war just because you want to take Angel down.”I sighed. “What do you suggest I do then?”“I suggest we wait. We wait for them to locate Angel and take him out. Since he's roaming without a care in the world, that should be pretty easy.”I shook my head with uncertainty. As far as I knew, Angel was much more powerful than m
~Rosemary~“Boss, are you okay? Boss!” Elvis ran to me as soon as the phone dropped from my hand. He made me sit on the sofa and peered down at my face.His tone changed. “Gerald, are you okay? Should I call the doctor?”I shook my head, clutching my chest. It was as if I was going to have a heart attack. But I knew going to the hospital won't help me.“Was that Rosemary on the phone? What did she say? Why are you like this?”I looked at him. “I don't know what to do, man. She’s getting married to Max again.”“What! How…but your divorce hasn't being finalized. You didn't sign the divorce papers, did you?”“I didn't. But now that she doesn't remember me or the love we shared, I’m afraid Max would make her drag me to court for the divorce. He's manipulating her big time.”I went on to tell him about the wedding photo Rosemary found and how she accused me of faking it and planting it in Max’s house.“This is getting out of hand. Should I tell the boys to take him out?”I groaned. “No. T
~Rosemary~“H-how is this… how did this…”I couldn't believe my eyes at all. I stared at the woman standing beside Max. She was wearing a very beautiful wedding dress. Most importantly, she wasn't me!She looked like me, but she wasn't me. She was Amani. I was sure of it!“So it’s true? What that man said is true! Max divorced me so he could be with Amani?”The photo slipped off my hands. Taking a step back, I stared down at it. “They even had a wedding. But why did Max propose to me two days ago? And Amani was so happy for me!”What the fuck is going on? Who's playing me for a freaking fool!All of a sudden, the door opened. I turned and saw Max. His eyes widened at the sight of me. He looked at my feet, and his eyes widened even more.“Care to explain?” I asked, folding my arms.I was trying so hard to keep it together. Heaven knows I wanted to jump at him and scratch his face. Another part of me also wanted to just break down crying. This moment reminded me of the heartbreak I su
~Rosemary~Call me insecure, but something didn't sit right about this meeting. First, because Amani showed up here at night. And second because for as long as I could remember, Amani had a thing for Max.She even snatched him from me when we were in high school. It was a miracle that we got married. Was she trying to snatch him yet again?But seeing this beautiful ring now, I realized what a fool I had been. Why did I think that the puppy dating they had in school still meant anything to Max after all the love I showed him since Amani left for college?“Yes!” I screamed, putting out my hand. “I will marry you, Max Smith!”“Really?” Max asked, his eyes lighting up.I nodded vigorously. After he slipped the ring on my finger, I raised my hand and looked at it. The rock was much bigger than the one he gave me when we first married. By the looks of it, it was probably worth millions.“You shouldn't have!” I said, tearing up.Max pulled me into a hug. “You deserve the very best, my love.
~Max~The cold was biting hard. Standing on the lawn, I listened to Amani as she went on and on about her grievances.Just two weeks ago, she had asked for a divorce. I knew it was because of my current financial woes. It hurt a lot that she wanted to leave me. But I begged.I begged her like I had never begged anyone before. She was my life!“I will stay on one condition. Get me everything that Rosemary has,” she had said.At the time, I thought that would be impossible considering the fact that Rosemary hated my guts. But after I received that call ordering me to come to the hospital because my “wife” was admitted there, I thought maybe…maybe it wasn't impossible after all.Although I suspected that Amani had a hand in Rosemary’s accident, I didn't dare to ask her that or even tell Rosemary the truth. I was going to do anything to make Amani stay with me.She agreed to leave the house for a while so I could make Rosemary comfortable with me. The plan was to make her transfer all he
~Rosemary~My eyes zoomed in on Max’s puckered lips. It was as if I was having a nightmare in a horror film.“No!” I said, turning the other way.Max sniffed. “My love, what’s wrong?”Yeah, what’s wrong with me? I thought I loved him? Or did that man get into my head?“There’s no rush, okay?”I turned to see him smiling awkwardly. I sighed. “I’m sorry, Max. I just…”“I understand perfectly. You don't have to explain yourself. You have just been through something so traumatic. I shouldn't have made such a move.”Aw… He’s so understanding. Seeing his face, I felt even guiltier for thinking about that guy. Why can't I get him off my mind? This isn't fair!“But… I just want you to know that I love you, Rosemary. Although we have had our ups and downs and people have tried to break us apart, we are soulmates.”I nodded, remembering what he said about us having a fight and me getting deceived into divorcing him and remarrying someone else.“Ermm. What was our quarrel about again?”Max scr
~Rosemary~The man stared at me before taking the burger from me. He smiled. “Thank you.”“Don’t you ever get tired?” I blurted out. He chuckled. “What do you mean?”“Come, sit,” he added, tapping the space on the bench.I hesitated. I didn't even know this man, but here I was, sharing my lunch. There was something warm about him.“Don’t you ever get tired?” I asked again, sitting down on the edge of the bench.I turned, smiling. “I do, Rose.”“But you have been staying out here day and night.”He shrugged. “I wanted to make sure you were all right and I wanted a chance to talk to you. Max banned me from coming close to your ward.”I sighed, placing my hands on my knees. “My husband… I mean, Max doesn't like you. He says you are bad news.”He shook his head. “Honestly… I am not in the least surprised by his behavior.”“Because you are a gigolo who deceived me into marrying you?”He chuckled. But when I looked at his face, he looked sad.“Actually…” he began, turning to face me again.
~Gerald~Amani gasped. “Of course not! Why would you accuse me of such a thing?”I shrugged. “Maybe because of the fact that you have always been jealous of Rosemary and you have been shamelessly trying to get with me. Or the fact that you are the most evil person I know!”Amani slapped her chest. “That's mean, Gerald! I might not be perfect, but I would never push my own sister off a cliff!”“Oh, cut the crap! Do I have to remind you that you once put honey in her food, slept with her husband, and even stole her baby?”Amani rolled her eyes. “I don't know what you are talking about.”“Typical!”I sucked my teeth and began to walk away.“Wait! I have something else to say,” Amani stopped me.I frowned. “What is it?”“I was thinking..” Amani fiddled with her fingers like a little girl.“Get to the point. I don't have all day!”“Ermm… I was wondering if you could give me some money.”I scoffed. “I don't have money to give you.”“But I heard that you are a billionaire and you own several
~Gerald~“Rose, it’s me, Gerald. Can you see me now?” I uttered, pulling back so she could see my face.But Rosemary squinted even more. “Why are you in my ward? I don't know who you are, sir.”What! Did I hear wrong?I blinked, then shook my head. “Rose, you are joking right?”“I came as soon as I found out you were here. Why didn't you call me?” I added, sitting on the edge of the bed.Rosemary slowly turned her neck to look at me. “Why would I call you? I don't know you!”“Why do you keep saying that? It’s me, Gerald. Can't you see me?”She frowned. “Look, mister. As you can see, I am not in the right state to be arguing. I need to rest. Leave now before my husband comes and sees you here.”“What!” I sprang to my feet. “Rosemary, please you are taking this joke too far. I am your husband!”“No, you are not!”The second Rosemary raised her voice, I heard the door open behind me.I turned to see who it was.“Max? What the fuck are you doing here?”Max stood frozen at the door with a