Richard Henry BlakesI stormed into my hotel suite, tugging off my tie with one hand and flinging my phone on the bed with the other hand. My frustration boiled over with every step. I just got played. Roosevelt fucking played me. I never missed it, how did this happen? An emotion I hated deeply descended on me like a heavy blanket. Defeat. Failure. It clung to me like a suffocating cloak. I rubbed my face, sighing deeply, before picking up my phone and walking out of the room. I needed something strong to clear my head before I lost my mind and killed someone. Reece to be precise. I wandered down to the hotel bar, praying that a drink could calm me down. It would have no other choice anyway.As I settled into a barstool, I took out my phone from my pocket and checked the screen, hoping to see an apology and a very detailed explanation from Reece. Instead, what I saw was a text and a missed call from Emily, intensifying my irritation. “Just what I needed,” I muttered with annoyan
Emily Tamara Jacobs. I walked out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around my chest and my hair also wrapped in a towel. Today was Sunday, which meant no school for Suzie, no waking up early, and also we'd be cooped up in the house all day since we couldn't go out.I walked into my closet and sat on the chair in front of my vanity. I grabbed body lotion and began to rub it on my skin. When I was done, I got up and walked to where my clothes were hung neatly. I eyed them for a while before grabbing a loose brown cotton sweater and grey joggers. I didn't need to dress up since we weren't going anyway and besides, it was cold.I unwrapped my hair from the towel and ran my hands through it. It was still a little bit wet. I applied hair butter and combed it gently before tying it into a quick, messy bun. Then, I left the closet. I still had to bath Suzie and prepare breakfast for us both. And then help with the bulk of assignments she had. I walked to my nightstand and grabbed the bottle
William Henry Blakes. My blood was boiling as I got down from the car and slammed the door. There were only two things on my mind. My daughter's well-being first, and then torturing the person who hurt my daughter very slowly. And oh, having a serious conversation with Emily. I still didn't understand how someone hurt my daughter during school days, and she's just finding out about it today. It's Sunday for the love of God! My eyes narrowed as I looked around the lobby, hoping to see Crew or Emily waiting for me, but they weren't there. I walked to the receptionist's table. “What room is Suzanne Blakes in?“ “Who are you?“ She asked, her voice professional. She stared at me with eyes that were as cold as ice chips, waiting for an answer. “I'm her Father.“ I glared at her. “Now tell me what room my daughter is in.” She looked like she'd punch me in the skull at my tone. She might be having a bad day, but I was having a bad week. And she shouldn't allow her displeasure to show o
William Henry Blakes I walked back into the room, tugging off my tux and placing it on the couch. It was dark outside, and Suzanne was sleeping. Her back looked better than it was earlier. Emily was seated on a chair, her eyes closed. Sleeping too. Or that was what I thought until I heard her voice. “Where did you go, William?”Now, she was starting to piss me off. What right did she think she had to ask me such questions? It was improper of an employee. “Out.“ I poured a glass of water for myself and sat on the couch. I was waiting for her to slowly crawl into my set trap. “To do what?“ “To take care of the situation.” I took a sip from the glass, my gaze burning as I watched her. “What did you do to her?” I think she shivered a bit at the thought. Or it was just the cold. “I took care of it. You're in no position to ask me the details, really,” I bit out. She kept quiet for a moment, and I was thankful for the silence. Before she spoke again. “How long?” She sat up, quietly
Emily Tamara Jacobs. I pushed the door open aggressively and got down from the car, a scowl permanently making its way to my face as I slammed the door shut in anger. I was upset. Scratch that, I was boiling. As I stormed towards the front door, I heard the door of the car open and close. And then hurrying footsteps behind. “Emily!“ Crew called out. “What's wrong?“ He asked the same question he had been asking ever since I stormed out of the hospital room and told him to take me home. I was grateful it wasn't Sal that was pressuring me. Not home. William Blakes’ mansion. I scoffed at the mere thought of his name. God, I hated him! With a burning passion. “Emily. What's wrong? Why the sudden rush home?“ Crew asked again, falling in step with me as I continued my journey into the house. “This is not my home,” I muttered, pushing the door of the mansion open and storming towards the stairs. Crew jumped in front of me, holding his hands up as he moved back slowly. “Woah, calm do
Emily Tamara Jacobs Getting back to the living room, I sat on a couch and took my phone out of my joggers. As I dialed Sel's number, Crew spoke at last. “But it's almost eleven pm. You can go tomorrow.” I knew he would do anything to stop me from going home but I wasn't staying here. I was done, nothing was changing my mind. “Thanks for the concern, Crew, but no. I'd rather not spend another night in this house,” I answered and then pressed my phone to my ear. Sel's sleepy voice filled my ears. “Em?” “Hey, Sel. Sorry to be a disturbance right now but can you come pick me up?” There was shuffling and then her voice came through. “Pick you up?“ She asked. “Where? Why?” I pressed my lips tightly. “Because I just quit my job and I'd like to come home now, please-” “You quit your job?”Her voice sounded strained. “I thought I told you not to do that?“ “Please, Sel. Just come pick me up and I promise to explain everything to you.“ I sighed. “Fine.““Great. I'll text you the add
William Henry Blakes. I lay awake, my hand in my daughter's hair while watching her sleep. I still haven't been able to get Emily's words out of my head, and frankly, that has kept me from sleeping. It wouldn't stop resonating in my head with every breath I emitted. I exhaled sharply, my eyes shifting to the doorway as I noticed a figure taking a position outside the door. I pressed my lips together, my eyes darting to the clock. It was just 2 am. Where the hell has he been? I took in a deep breath and held it, carefully getting up from the bed so I wouldn't wake Suzane. The moment my feet touched the ground, I tiptoed to the door as gently and noiselessly as I could. Suzanne was a light sleeper, I couldn't risk it at all. I closed the door in the same manner and walked to Crew, standing at his front. “Where were you?” I snapped, putting my hands in my pocket as I waited for his response. “And where is Trevor?” I demanded. I could see him narrow his eyes even through the shade
William Henry BlakeAs if sensing my eyes on him at last, he raised his head and met my eyes before giving me a frown. “He asked. I had to answer.” Trevor replied and I glowered. “I don't pay you to spew my family business out to anyone who cares to hear, Trevor,” I snapped. “Your father could have me killed in the twinkle of an eye, William. There's no difference between you both.” He looked away as he said his piece and I exhaled. “You seem to have forgotten that I am your boss-”“Trust me, I haven't. But at the moment, you're disturbing my breakfast.” He glanced down at his still filled-up plate and then gave me a pointed look. “When you both are done, William, please do answer my question.” My attention returned to Wilson who stood patiently waiting for us. “I was busy with work,” I responded. “And then work comes first before your daughter? And you fired the nanny too?”I fumed. Of course, Wilson would happily gloat about what I had done wrong. He had forgotten that he
William Henry Blakes Leroy’s gaze followed Emily as she walked out of the room while I watched him. This guy was the only one who could impose himself on me the way he did and he knew it and used it to his full advantage. Yes, I'd canceled on him a lot of times but he was my friend and he knew how demanding business was. Exhaling, I left him standing and walked away to my bar. Looking through my collection of wine, I selected a bottle and walked back to the table. “So, that was Emily.” He started with a knowing smile. “What?” I tilted my head at him as I put down the bottle on the table. “Let’s have it. What's on your mind now?” I asked him. “I haven't even said a thing, bro.” He chuckled as he started to unbutton his jacket. I eyed him with a grimace. “You are dressed like it's not dinner at my house. Do you have plans to be somewhere else?” I asked him. He laughed as I pushed the chair back and settled down. Every
Emily Tamara Jacobs.After changing into a clean pair of shorts, a clean white top, and matching white Crocs, I wrapped my hair into a bun and placed a call to Dahlia so we could go grocery shopping. I realized after going through the kitchen that there weren't exactly the ingredients I needed for the meal I had in mind to cook for dinner.I was supposed to be sleeping but there I was, about to go shopping for some groceries.“Thank you, Crew.” I smiled at him as I stepped down from the car. After the whole talk with him a few days back which didn't result in something positive, I'd decided to just drop the topic and forget it.If Crew and William say it's nothing even though I think it's something, then it's nothing. I was going to leave them to it.“Shop enough for us.” He told me as I scrolled through my phone to dial Dahlia.“Oh, so now you want to eat?” I raised a brow at him while he made a face, pre
Emily Tamara JacobsI groaned for the umpteenth time that morning. Forcing myself to peel my eyes open, I reached for the alarm that wouldn't stop blaring and turned it off. Groaning again, I closed my eyes for a second before peeling them open again.I should have known that all those staying up at night were going to have grave consequences later. I started to feel sleepy soon after the whole episode with Williams in the kitchen and I'd just cleaned up before returning to the room since I didn't get a glimpse of him after that. I still found it odd that he must have been looking at my thighs to see those tattoos on there.I let out a sigh while I allowed myself to wonder for even a second what would have happened if he had figured it out. I probably would be dead meat by now. Throwing my duvet off me, I got out of bed and yawned, stretching alongside. Yawning again, I went straight to release my bowels after which I brushed my teeth. I splashed water on my face to get rid of whatev
Emily Tamara JacobsI let out a deep sigh as I tossed around in my bed. It was past two in the morning and for some reason very much known to me, I was finding it very hard to fall asleep. I gripped my sheets as I pressed up on my bed, balancing my head on the pillow.The bed that had always felt comfortable to lie in suddenly felt like the opposite. Although I had a very tiring day with Suzie who wanted to see and do everything at once, I still couldn't fall asleep.I shut my eyes for a few seconds, counting the stars I couldn't see in my mind. When I was a child, I always found myself doing that whenever I felt restless. I always had a hard time controlling my emotions as a kid and my brother taught me to control myself. It started with asking me to take a deep breath and then shut my eyes for a few seconds.But I had big emotions I couldn't process and had to do that a lot. With time, it stuck and I'd never stopped doing that too. My brother…I never really thought about him or my
Emily Tamara Jacobs. I paced around the kitchen, a frown on my face while twirling my necklace. I was confused. And disturbed. And it was about what happened yesterday evening. For some reason, it disturbed me greatly. I didn't know why I was worried about it, but I was. I couldn't shake off that worry. I inhaled deeply to calm myself, but it wasn't working. Who was the woman? And why was she even asking questions in the first place? “It's fine, Em. She was just curious, that's all,” I muttered. But what kind of curiosity would make her ignore personal greeting and ask if I was Suzie's mom? And then her look after that? I sat on a stool, pressing my hands to my forehead. “Hey, Em. William said — are you alright?” Crew stopped in front of me, a frown on his face. His shades were tucked into the pocket of his shirt. I raised my head and forced a smile. “Yeah, I am.” “Ugh. Come on, Em. I thought we were past this?“ He rolled his eyes, plopping down on a stool. “I thought we we
Emily Tamara JacobsI pushed the door to Dahlia's salon, walking in with Suzie still in my arms. The scent of hair oils and hair wash soaps hit me instantly. It wasn't the kind of smell that could make someone gag. Nope. This one was pleasant. Most especially the lavender hair wash. That smell overpowered the rest. The Salon was large. It was the biggest shop in the avenue. And the most attractive. Dahlia has flawless brown skin and beautiful admirable hair. We've been friends for so long that I lost count. I knew her through her hair obsession. It was like talking about the same people. Where there was hair talk, there was Dahlia. So, it was very easy for me to notice her then in college. So, I wasn't really surprised when she ditched law to pursue her through her passion. Damn her parents for pushing her through the stress. My eyes roamed around the Salon. It was almost filled up, with just one space available. All her workers were working on one person's hair or the other. I
Emily Tamara Jacobs. I rose from the bed, my lips parting in a wide yawn and I used the back of my palms to cover it. To say I was tired was a big understatement. I was beyond tired. I stayed up most of the night to watch CoCo with Suzie. It was a weekday. Thursday, to be precise, and I should have been stricter with Suzie and sent her off to bed, but it had been over a week since she was home, and she still hadn't resumed school because her father wanted to change her school but still hadn't decided which school he wanted her to attend. I already advised him to take it to the next session. They would be going on holiday for the Christmas break anyway but for some fucking reason, my boss was back to his funk and he was now barking and glowering about the house.At least, he was answering the phone when I called.It didn't matter if he acted cold to me. I just hated being under his merciless gaze and watching him scowl at everyone in his way. It was never pleasant. So, it was saf
William Henry Blakes. I turned around on my bed, my hand instinctively stretching to the nightstand to grab my phone. I turned off the alarm, for the third time today. I should have been up hours ago, preparing for work, but I wasn't exactly in the mood. Besides, I was supposed to bring Suzie back home today. Her back had healed up, but the scars hadn't faded entirely. I'm not sure they would, anyway. I was still angry that someone had done that to her. I groaned, rolling in the bed and staring up at the white ceilings. I could probably sleep for a few more hours. It wasn't that necessary for me to pick her up this morning. She has been there for a few weeks, surely she could handle a few more hours. Besides, Emily was there to take care of her. I hated the way my lip twitched at the thought of her name. Emily and Suzie were bonding. And Suzie now talks more. Most especially since she started hanging out with Eleanor. If I had the chance, I'd have Eleanor stay at my house,
Emily Tamara JacobsI got out of the car, holding Eleanor tightly because she could be funny. I turned to lock the car doors. Sel and I agreed that I take her car out and then she come around later on to take the car and Eleanor. I smiled down at Eleanor who was practically bouncing as we walked into the hospital. We got into the elevator, and just the same time a text came in, telling me that Suzie's room had been moved to the last room in the hallway, from Crew. My lips stretched into a smile as I saw the text. William must have informed Crew that I was coming back. Which was great because he would have to be the one to move my bags out of Sel's car and into his. I was glad that he was still here. The elevator opened, and I walked out, moving straight toward the last room. I smiled as I noticed Crew and Trevor standing guard outside the room as usual. “Hey, guys.” I smiled at them both. Trevor didn't talk much with me so I wasn't surprised that he only smiled at me. Crew ho