~Gerald~When I looked at Rosemary and saw her face flushing with guilt, I felt a pang of pain in my heart. It was indeed a wedding dress. And it must have been from that woman.I threw the dress to the floor, my blood boiling slowly. I raked my hair with five fingers in a bid to quell my swelling anger.But that shit didn't work this time!“This is getting out of hand, Rosemary. And I am not cool with it. I never have been. I know you are avoiding telling her because you think it’s best—”“I don't think it’s best.” Rosemary looked up.“Fine. Just let me finish. I know you don't want to tell her you are married—”“I want to!”I pressed my temple and exhaled. “What I am just trying to say is this, I can't keep up with the pretense. Amani and Max are trying to rope you into doing their bidding. Don't let them. You are stronger than this.”“I know. But Susan is like a mother to me. I am doing this for her.”“By accepting a wedding dress?” Rosemary sulked. “It’s not a real one. Just a s
~Gerald~I clasped my hands together. “I come in peace.”“Get lost!” Then she slammed the door in my face.I froze on the spot, my mouth agape.What just happened? And who is that woman? I came all the way here only to be told off? Ain't no way!I banged the door with my fist. “I didn't come here to cause any trouble. I came to see Doctor Luke Silverman. I know he lives here!”“He doesn't! Get lost!”I scoffed. “Miss, I drove several miles to this place. The least you can do is open the door and speak to me. I am unarmed and I would not do anything to hurt you.”“That’s exactly what a criminal would say!”I opened my mouth to argue. But damn, she was right! I paced about on the front porch. What do I do? Suddenly, I snapped my fingers. I stopped and went back to the door.I knocked it gently and said, “Just give me thirty minutes of your time. I will pay you a hundred thousand dollars.”I listened. But all I heard was crickets. Shit! Money always works. What’s her deal? Was she re
~Gerald~I stopped, glancing at the black car which had just rammed into the sign on the road.Smoke was coming out of the hood and I could barely see anything. I got out and walked back briskly.Immediately I got close, I heard someone cough sickeningly. I waved the smoke, then opened the driver’s side door. “Get out!” I commanded, looking at the figure who was resting his head against the steering wheel.He didn't move.I gripped his collar and dragged him out impatiently. I pressed him against the car and looked at his face.“Who the fuck are you?” I asked, seeing that he looked nothing like Luke or anyone I knew.He looked like an eighteen-year-old kid!“Hahaha!” he burst out laughing, showing off scattered teeth.“What’s so funny?”“You wrecked my car!” he spat.I looked at the hood of the car which was now badly dented. But from the looks of it, it would still run. “Why were you following me, kid? Who sent you?”He snarled. “Argh!”Out of the blue, something flashed in the sun
~Rosemary~My body trembled uncontrollably. I sank to the floor. The image flashed through my head again and again.When I felt Gerald’s arms around me, I melted into his chest, holding on to his shirt.“Someone killed Martha, right? It wasn't suicide was it? Is it because of what she told me? The person sent me that photo, right? Did they kill her because she told me that my son is alive?” “Ermm… I don't know for sure. But it seems so.”I looked up. “What if the person that killed her has my baby? Huh?”Gerald merely rubbed my back.“What if they want to kill me because they don't want me to look for him?” I choked, my face getting wet with tears.Gerald wrapped his arms even tighter. “No harm will come to you, Rose. I will protect you with my life if I have to.”His words were assuring. However, I couldn't put the photo out of my mind. “Someone killed her! I thought she committed suicide. But she was killed, Gerald. Aren't you scared?”I closed my eyes as he kissed my forehead.“I
~Gerald~“Really?”I got off the desk, almost bumping into Rosemary. We stood opposite each other with only the phone between us.“Yes,” Luke’s wife said, her voice urgent. “How soon can you come? I think my husband was involved in fraud or some sort.”“We are on our way right now!” Rosemary said before I could even think.Luke’s wife asked in confusion. “Who’s that?”“No one. See you in an hour,” I said, then hung up.I felt something burn my forehead. When I looked up, I saw that Rosemary was staring daggers at me.“So I am no one?”Smiling, I put my arm around her shoulders. “Of course not! I didn't tell her yet that her husband might be involved in the disappearance of a baby. I didn't want to scare her, or else she would refuse to give me the time of day.”“Fine. But if the clue she found is very damning, we have to tell her.”“We?” I raised a brow. “You can't be serious about going there.”“I am coming with you, Gerald. Just give me a minute to get changed.”I pulled her back as
~Rosemary~I tapped my knees impatiently as Luke’s wife took her time to answer. “Actually…” she began. “The night before my husband disappeared, he left the house and returned the next morning without any explanation. He seemed to be a little tense. I thought it had something to do with his depression, but now, maybe I was wrong.”Gerald spoke first. “Wait, let me get this straight… Before Luke disappeared, he left the house in the dead of the night?”She shook her head. “Not exactly the dead of the night. He left at dusk but stayed out until the next morning. He doesn't drink or party and he has never stayed out before except for when he was still working as a doctor. So... That's strange, right?”I nodded. “I think your husband has something to do with the murder of Martha.”At this moment, I saw the last spark in her eyes extinguish. I sighed. “I’m not saying he killed her, but as you said, his behavior leading up to that moment is strange.”She nodded. “I understand.”“Can I tak
~Gerald~“Don’t go near it! Something else might be in there. What if it blows up?” Rosemary shouted when I squatted near the box.I looked back at her as she pulled away fearfully. “It’s fine.”While Rosemary whimpered, I picked up one of the dolls. The head dropped almost immediately. It seemed its neck had been twisted. I picked up the male doll and saw it was in the same state as the female one. My eyes narrowed in on the text which was written in red paint. Last warning? Was this connected to that teenager who stabbed me yesterday?My palms and fingers were smeared by the red paint as my grip tightened around the dolls. I scoffed.Someone was biting more than they could chew. How dare they!“I think we should call the police,” Rosemary piped up again fearfully.I dumped the dolls in the box and stood up. Wiping my hand with a few pieces of tissue, I turned around and finally said, “I don’t think that would be necessary.”“Why?” Rosemary pointed at the box. “That’s not an ordina
~Rosemary~“Sorry, I didn't think you would be back so—”“Shh… I’m not complaining, am I?” Gerald pressed a finger against my swollen lips. I smiled, watching as his eyes went to my boobs again.“What you looking at?” Gerald’s head shot up. “Huh? N-nothing. I just…”I brushed my fingers over my boobs. “You can touch it if you want.”Gerald looked at me with hesitation.I nodded, taking a step closer.Slowly, he reached out.I bit my lower lip the second I felt his warm touch. Jeez! This man will be my undoing.“I want you, Rosemary. I want you to now.”Gerald’s words sounded like music to my ears.I jumped on him, pressing my breasts against his chest.Without hesitation, he scooped me up, squeezing my butt hard.I giggled as my back hit the small bed. I gripped his shirt the moment he came closer. As I tore it off him, he kissed me again.“You sure about this?”I nodded.Gerald smiled. He slipped a finger underneath my panties, working his way to my core.I collapsed back to the be
~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