~Rosemary~I took the wrinkled photo and stared at it. There were two people in the photo: a young boy who looked about twelve years old and a woman whose age I couldn't guess. While the boy was smiling brightly, the woman had very sad eyes and her smile could barely be seen. She had her hand wrapped around his shoulders and their clothes were obviously worn out. “This is Celine,” I heard Gerald repeat.“And this is you?” I asked, looking up at him.Gerald nodded. “Yes. I was 11 at the time. Almost twelve. And that woman is my mother, her name was Celine.”“Was?” He blinked, his eyes becoming misty. “She was murdered in cold blood a few years after that picture was taken.”“Oh, no!” I slapped my chest, looking back at the woman’s face. “She looked so young here.”“She was. She had me when she was about 17 or so. Also, she made me call her by her name for some reason.”Gerald held me. “But there you have it. Meet my mother, Celine.”I wiped the tear on my cheek. “I’m so sorry for you
~Rosemary~“Susan, I won't be able to come see you for a few days,” I said, sitting on a chair close to her bed.She stopped knitting the blue yarn in her hand and looked at me with her face falling. “Why? Are you planning on forgetting me again?”“No, no.” I shook my head. “I going to be out of town for a while. But I will send you flowers every morning as always.”She dumped the ball of yarn to the side. “I want you, not flowers. I know that might sound cheesy, but you know what I mean. I want you to be my daughter-in-law again before I die.”I sighed. “You look tired, Susan. How about you get some rest?”“But I just woke—”Susan tried to disagree, but I already pulled the blanket and gently forced her to lie down. After kissing her on the cheek, I grabbed my bag and walked out.Out of nowhere, a strong hand grabbed my arm and dragged me to the side. “Hey, what—”“Shhh!” Max ordered, pushing me against a wall.I shook off his grip. Looking up at him, I frowned deeply. “Have you for
~Rosemary~“Hey, sis!” Days later, I was driving out of my hotel when I heard Amani’s voice. I slowed down and saw her leaning against a car that seemed brand new.“What are you doing here?” I asked, parking on the side of the road.Amani walked over majestically. “What else would I be doing here? I came to see you of course.”She glanced at the gate. “But it seems you already instructed those buffoons not to let me in.”“That’s right.” I nodded with my hands still on the steering wheel. “After your silly husband came here and caused a scene, I had to take drastic measures. Now, tell me, what the hell do you want? You should know by now that I don't like seeing your face.”Amani smiled. “I am not here to fight with you today. I came here with a proposition.”I raised a brow at her.She came closer and continued, “I will allow you and Max to fake getting married before that wicked woman dies. But only on one condition... You will have to give me Gerald for that period.”“You want me t
~Gerald~The words I had wanted to say were knocked back to the back of my throat. I froze, my hand still on the doorknob. The moment she spoke, it was as if the whole world was at a standstill.Damn! She’s so sexy!Although I had seen her in a bikini and a towel before, there was something about this robe. Swallowing hard, I looked at her nipples which were peeking out of the lacy fabric. I looked down and when I saw the thigh-high slit, I gasped.“You have been out all day. What took you so long?”When Rosemary stood up and began to walk over slowly, my breathing ceased. My eyes traced her slim-thick body.Damn!!!My head suddenly felt so full. When she reached out and touched my chest, I felt like melting. “Anyway, come on in. I have something to tell and show you.”I shoved my hands in my pockets and pinched my thighs, trying to stop the blood that was flowing to my dick now. “Ermm…I really want to, Rose.”I looked away from her nipples and struggled to keep my eyes on her face.
~Rosemary~“Rose! What are you doing here? Did you come to help me?”I had just arrived at Bella’s daycare for the bake-off when Henny came running towards me. He had a little chef hat on his head and a white apron. Seeing him after so many days made my heart sing.I squatted and opened my arms wide. After hugging him tightly, I said, “I missed you so much, little man.”“I missed you too.” He adjusted his hat. “Did you come to help me?”“Actually, Bella’s Mom invited me to help them.”“Oh…” Henny dropped his head and pouted. “Everyone else has their mommy and daddy, but I have no one here. My pop tart isn’t going to come out great.”I felt a pang of pain in my heart. Holding his face, I made him look at me. “Your mom isn’t here yet?”Henny shook his head. “No, she's not coming. And my grandma can’t come. She went to the hospital again today. I don’t know why she can’t play with me or take me to the park anymore.”He sighed noisily and lowered his head again.Looking at his cute little
~Rosemary~The shopping bag in my hand fell to the ground. I gripped the woman’s wrist and pulled, but her fingernails continued to sink into my neck. “Please, let me go!”“Are you Rosemary Beckett or not?” she spat in my face. “I have been looking for you for years. You ruined my life. Now, I am going to have my revenge.”I coughed. “I don't even know you…I have never seen you before...”“Shut up! Die!” A sharp pain traveled to my head as she pressed even harder. I felt the air leaving my lungs and blood rushing to my head.In the blink of an eye, my back hit the hood of a car. I pushed with all my might, but she was like a rock.Her red eyes flared as she glared down at me. I quivered, still pulling at her wrists. “Please, don't kill me!”“Die, bitch! Die!”I coughed. After drawing a quick breath, I screamed as loudly as I could, “Somebody help! He—”“Hey!” someone called from a distance.And before I could blink, the scary woman was kicked off. I slipped down the hood of the car i
~Rosemary~Immediately, I dived in fully clothed. The cold water sent a chill through my entire body, but I swam over to Henny in seconds.“Henny,” I called, spitting out a mouthful of water.Henny’s whole body was soaking wet and his eyes were shut. I held him against my bosom and climbed up the ledge on the other side.My heart was thudding in my ears as I laid down him on the floor and unbuttoned his shirt. I put a finger under this nose, but I didn't feel anything.“Wake up, Henny! Wake up!” I screamed, pressing his chest.I heard the nurse run over to me. “Move aside. Let me do this.”Frantically, I continued to press his chest. “Open your eyes, please! Henny!”The nurse pushed me aside and got on her knees. She checked his pulse, then lowered her head to give him mouth-to-mouth.I shivered on the floor, wailing loudly. “Henny! Please wake up! Open your eyes! I promise to be your mommy. Just open your eyes for me okay?”Just then, Henny coughed out water. He let out a cry.“Oh, m
~Rosemary~I blinked, sniffing hard. “What about Susan?”“Actually…” Gerald drawled. “Susan is not as sick as you think?”I frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”“I mean, she doesn't have stage-4 breast cancer. In fact, she only has chronic hypertension.”“Eh?” I stopped wiping my tears and looked at Gerald sharply. “She doesn't have cancer? How can that be? She said so herself that she's dying. I even saw how bad she looked because of chemo. How can you say that she doesn't—”“I saw her hospital records, Rose. I am dead sure that she doesn't have cancer or anything close to that. She's faking it.”Immediately, I sprang to my feet. I shook my head. “No, that can't be. Susan is one of the most trustworthy people I know. She would never lie about such a thing. Come to think of it…”I stopped pacing and looked at him. “How in the world did you get her hospital records? You are no doctor.”Gerald slowly stood up. “It doesn't matter how I got them. What matters is the fact that Susan is
~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