After a stressful day at work, I arrive home exhausted. “Uncle Jack, I’m home,” I say as I step inside the house. Today should be his day off if I’m not wrong. “Hello, Eleanor,” A female voice says. “What’re you doing here?” I glare at the woman in front of me. Adeline. “Eleanor, you’re home, so early,” Uncle Jack says, surprised to see me. “I’ve missed you too,” she says with a fake smile plastered on her face. I don’t know what Uncle Jack sees in women like her. She might be beautiful on the outside, but not on the inside. Adeline is a gorgeous brunette with brown eyes, standing 5’7” tall. She could still be a model at her age with those beautiful legs of hers and the way she’s been able to preserve her beauty. “I asked you what you’re doing in my house?” I ask a little louder. I don’t hate people, but I dislike this woman a lot because of what she did to Uncle Jack. “Eleanor, calm down. I can explain,” Uncle Jack says, putting his hands on my shoulders to ease me. “Explain
The following day, while going to work, my mind is racing. I cannot stop thinking about what happened between Mr. Crawford and I. I think that was my most embarrassing moment with him so far. I hope he acts like nothing happened between us because it would be better for both of us. I greet Nora in the lobby before I take the elevator up. I always greet Nora because her face usually indicates how my day is going to start. I don’t know how she knows, but if Mr. Crawford is angry with me, her face will tell me. I arrive on my floor, drop my purse on my desk and walk to the lunchroom to make coffee for Mr. Crawford and Vivienne. It’s my usual morning routine every time I come to work. I finish making their coffees and walk to their offices to deliver them. While walking to their offices, I can’t help but wonder how they’re always at work before me. I’m never late, but they both always arrive before me. I think it’s because they have cars and I take the bus to work. I can’t wait to be wo
Another day at work. I place Mr. Crawford's coffee on his desk when he speaks to me. “Eleanor, pick up that card on the table,” he says, with his eyes glued to his laptop screen. “Ok, sir,” I say, and do as he says. I pick up the card. It's a business card for a boutique. Is he giving me this because he wants me to shop there? I already told him I won't buy expensive clothes. I know he’s arrogant, but I didn't think he’d force me to buy a new wardrobe. “During the weekend, visit that place and get yourself new clothes.” “Alright, sir, thank you for the recommendation,” I say instead of arguing with him, even though I have no intention of going. I think it's better to pretend I took his advice so he’ll let the issue of my clothing choice slide. “It's not a recommendation. I want you to go there on Saturday and get good clothes for the polo match we’re attending on Sunday. I can't have my PA going anywhere with me looking like I don't pay her well enough to buy good clothes.” I und
Sunday is here, and I’m excited to go to the polo match. I ‘ve never been to one, and I hope Mr. Crawford doesn’t make it horrible for me. I step out of the taxi after paying the driver and walk to Mr. Crawford's apartment complex. This is the first time I’m going to his house, and I’m curious to see how he lives. I’m sure it will scream ‘bachelor.’ I walk inside the building and take the elevator to the penthouse, no surprise there. He’s a rich man, and I’m sure he could afford to buy the whole building if he wanted. I step out of the elevator into a beautiful apartment, nothing like how I imagined. His place screams money rather than bachelor. There’s a piano in the living room. It has floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and you can clearly see the full city landscape from up here. I walk further into the house, and on my right is a kitchen more beautiful than my house. “Turn around,” a voice says from behind, startling me. “Mr. Crawford,” I say once my brain recognizes the voice. “Y
After a stressful week at work, I am on my way to Carson’s house. Carson is like a grandfather to me, that’s why I see him a lot. It’s probably why Mr. Crawford misunderstands our relationship. Speaking of Mr. Crawford, I found out that he and Alex used to be best buddies. They had a falling out a few years ago, and nobody knows what happened. All everyone knows is they hate each other, or rather Mr. Crawford hates Alex. Alex claims to have no problems with Mr. Crawford. I plan on still being friends with Alex even though Mr. Crawford hates him or would want to kill me if he found out. I arrive at Carson’s house and I walk to the back where the pool is. I came today to use his pool. “How are you doing today, dear?” Carson asks when I walk outside to the pool. I told him I was coming to use his pool today, so he’s here waiting for me. “I’m good, and you?” I say, dropping my bag on the table beside the beach chair. “I’m doing fine, dear, and how’s work?” “The same as always,” I say,
“You haven’t called me that since before I could reach the top of the fridge without jumping.” Mushroom was his nickname for me when I was younger. “I know. I was hoping it would remind you that I love you dearly.” “I never said you didn’t love me.” “I know you didn’t, but I felt I needed to remind you.” “Why?” “I need you to remember so you can forgive me for not listening to you.” “Do you believe me now that Adeline is not homeless? That she only came back to you because she doesn’t want to be alone?” “Yes, I do. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you.” “It’s okay, you don’t have to apologize. How did you find out she’s lying?” “She sent her driver to pick up her things from the house.” “She has a driver. And she’s moved out,” I ask, shocked. “Yes, to both of your questions and this time. It’ll be the last time I ever believe her and take her back.” “Promise me that?” “I promise you, my dear niece, who loves me more than anyone in this world, that I will never believe Adeline
The following day, I go to work, trying to forget what happened with my boss. I tried making sense of everything and why he acted the way he did, but kept coming up blank. I couldn’t get any sleep last night because of him, and I hope I won’t have a lot to do today at work. I’m already feeling tired, and my day just started. I stop at Starbucks to get coffee on my way. I feel like drinking coffee not made by me. I join the line when I enter the coffee shop and wait for my turn. I use my phone to pass the time. “Eleanor,” a voice says from in front of me. I raise my head up, and a smile graces my lips when I see who it is. “Alex,” I say, smiling. I’m happy to see him. We’ve been talking a lot on the phone since the day I sent him a thank you message for the flowers. He is a really fun person to chat with. “How’re you doing?” “I’m good, and you?” “I’m good. I can’t believe you’re here. This is one place I never thought I’d run into you.” “Why’s that?” “Because you are a billion
Later in the day, around three in the afternoon, I receive a call from Evan. “Hello, Eleanor,” he says when I answer. “How are you doing, Evan?” “I was doing great until my cousin called, yelling and asking me why I was distracting you at work with flowers.” “He did what?” I ask, shocked. “You heard me right, Eleanor, and you know what made it funnier?” “No,” I say, wondering what horrible thing Mr. Crawford said. I can't believe he called Evan yelling. How do flowers at work make me distracted? “It’s especially funny because I don't recall sending you flowers today. So I don't understand why he’s accusing me.” “I’m so sorry, Evan. I didn’t think he would call you about the flowers. I lied and used your name.” “It's fine, Eleanor. If you don't mind me asking, who would send you flowers that would make you have to lie?” “Alex.” “Alex? Alexander Lewis?” “Yes, him.” “Now it makes sense why you told him they were from me.” Evan must also know about the fallout between Alex a
I look at my reflection in the mirror, I can't help the bright smile on my face as I see myself. The day is finally here. It feels like yesterday Jason asked me to marry him. I can't believe it's been three months since then. I gently rub my growing bump. I didn't want to wait until the baby was born to get married to Jason. I didn't see why I needed to. I love him, and there’s no reason why we should wait before we get married. I even like the fact that my baby is going to be a part of our wedding. You can't really see my bump because of my gown and being just fifteen weeks pregnant. I’m so happy to be marrying Jason today. I pat my hands down my beautiful white gown. My dress is an off-shoulder ball gown exhibiting thin silk threads thoroughly embroidered onto a point d'esprit tulle that provides finishing. I lift my hand and touch the necklace Jason got for me for our wedding today. My jewelry set is a teardrop blue sapphire diamond. Jason said he got it for me because they remind
As everyone walked to Eleanor’s room, I find it hard to move my legs. I was still in shock that I got Eleanor pregnant. I was always careful with my sex life. It baffled me how she got pregnant. I didn’t use a condom when I had sex with Eleanor because she was always on the pill. She was the only woman I ever had sex without protection than Christine. I always used condoms even if the woman I was sleeping with claimed to be on the pill. That’s why I was surprised Eleanor allowed herself to get pregnant. I know Eleanor didn’t want to be a mother yet. This was all just so confusing! “Jason, why are you standing there?” Evan asks. “Did everyone hear what the doctor said?” “Yes, we did,” everyone replies. “If everyone did, why am I the only one who’s shocked I got Eleanor pregnant?” “Because you’re the one who got her pregnant. We’re just all happy they’re both fine,” Amber says. “Did she tell you she was pregnant?” “No, she didn’t. I don’t even think Eleanor knows she is pregnant.”
I stay like Vivienne advises. I spend the whole morning at my desk waiting for Jason to call me to his office, but he never does. I spend most of it dozing off, though. I don’t know why, but recently I’ve been sleeping a lot. I find myself dozing off all the time these past few days. I wonder if the stress of everything with Jason and I is exhausting me. It's lunchtime now, and Vivienne and I are on our way out. “Do you think Jason and I will ever get past this?” I ask Vivienne as we take the elevator to the parking lot. “I believe you will. It might take a while, but you will.” “I know it’s selfish of me to wish for a future with him, but I do. I really hope one day Jason will be able to see me and not my father.” “Hopefully, that day will come soon.” Vivienne says, stepping out of the elevator, and I follow her. We drive to the closest fast-food joint for lunch. Arriving at the Subway restaurant, I don’t like anything they have, which is weird because they make my favorite sandw
I hear Hanna’s footsteps before she enters back into the living room. With every step she takes towards Mrs. Sullivan, I hear my heart beating fast against my chest. My dad died drunk while driving. I know Jason’s parents died because a drunk driver hit their car. Please, God, my dad could have hit anyone the night he died. Please don’t make it Jason’s parents.“Here, you go, son,” Mrs. Sullivan says, placing a file in front of Jason.Jason quickly opens the file. There are pictures inside from the accident.“If you look at the truck that hit your parents and the one with the man holding Eleanor in his arms, you can tell immediately that they are the same ones.” Mrs. Sullivan says, pointing to the pictures. Jason has them laid out on the dining table. “Eleanor, what day did your dad die?”“26th December 2000” I might have been just two years old, but Uncle Jack told me when I got olde
“Alex,” Jason says, turning around to face him.“What did you just say?” Alex asks, again“Please take a seat, Alex,” I say, pointing to the chair across mine“Is that why you invited me over for dinner? Jason suddenly wants to be friends with me again.”“Yes,”“Why”“I think you should take a seat first. It’s a long story,” Jason says“Alright,” Alex says, taking his seat, “I am listening,” He says once he is comfortable in his chair“I know you must be shocked to see me talking to you calmly for the first time in years,” Jason says“Yes, I am.”“I recently found out you were telling the truth about not raping Christine.”“Really, how,” Alex asks, looking shockedJason tells Alex everything that happened and how he found out he was innocent
I come back from my thoughts once I hear my phone ringing. I check the caller ID. It’s amber calling. I quickly answer so I can give her the good news.“Hi, Eleanor, how are you doing today? Have you eaten? Did you sleep well last night?” Amber asks once I answer. This is what Amber has been doing for the past two weeks. She calls me every morning even though she is supposed to be sleeping. I am so grateful to have her in my life. She cares about me greatly. I couldn’t have asked for another person in the world to be my best friend.“Have I told you before that I love you?” I say, smiling into the phone.“Eleanor, where is this coming from? Please don’t tell me you want to do what I am thinking. He is not worth it; please don’t hurt yourself. I know the pain feels like it will never go away, but I promise you it will with time. Please don’t hurt yourself,” Amber says, and I hear movement around he
I listen to Jason’s heartbeat as his hands draw smoothening patterns on my bareback. Jason and I just finished making love. After we released from our first kiss, Jason kissed me again, and before I knew what was happening, I found myself screaming Jason’s name in my bedroom. I missed being in his arms like this. I wish he would never have to stop holding me.“Jason,” I say, into his chest“Yes, love,” He replies into my hair.“I have a few things to ask regarding the video we watched earlier.”“What would you like to ask consigning it?”“How did you get it?”“I am a billionaire honey, getting CCTV footage of a restaurant is not hard for me.”“I know you must have hired someone to get the video for you, but what I am asking is, how did you know your grandmother set you up. Talk more of getting a video of her conversation with Christine.”
I drag my feet as I walk to the bathroom to pee. These past two weeks have been the worse two weeks of my life. I have cried so much I feared I would become sick. I didn’t know what Jason meant to me until his betrayal.I have not had a good meal and sleep in days because of what happened. I spend the whole night thinking about him and crying. I never have the appetite to eat these days. Amber, Evan, Uncle Jack, and Vivienne tried to encourage me to eat, but I didn’t see a reason to eat when all I wanted to do was disappear from the surface of the earth. I felt so much pain that I wished I didn’t exist sometimes.I step into the bathroom, and as I pass the mirror, I look at myself. The bones in my neck are more visible than usual. My eyes are bloodshot red and swollen from too much crying. My nose is also red from crying and too much sniffing. I looked like a zombie, to sum it up. I empty my bladder and sprinkle some water on my face before stepping o
JASON The night of the party… I walk into the gardens where my grandma is having her party. I don’t know what she’s celebrating, but I know I have to attend, regardless. I wish Eleanor had come with me, but I understand why she didn’t. I don’t understand why my grandma can’t see the amazing woman Eleanor is. I hope my grandma sees it one day, and they can finally get along. “Hello, grandma,” I say, hugging her. “Hello, dear. How are you doing?” she asks, hugging me back. “I’m well, and you?” “Good as well, dear. Where is she?” she asks, looking over my shoulder probably for Eleanor. “She didn’t feel like coming,” “That’s good to hear.” she smiles. The smile gracing her face makes me realize Eleanor had no hope with my grandma, as she had tried to tell me before. My grandma didn’t like Eleanor and didn’t bother to hide it anymore. “I’d like you to meet someone, my dear. I ran into her while at the mall a few days ago,” Grandma says, waving her hand toward someone behind me. “H