Moore
As I walked through the dark alley of the prison wall out to the blinding light of the day, I pushed my hands to my face, shielding my eyes from the rays of sunlight. Laughter, tears, or whatever emotion I could think of conjoined together, seizing my breath away as I walked diligently towards the extremely large gate that caged me and many others in isolation.
I was free! The idea of freedom overwhelmed my very being. I couldn't help the rush of tears amidst heartfelt laughter.
“Grey will be happy,” I whispered inwardly, my mind running to my husband as the men standing guard at the prison gate opened it so I could walk out. A step towards the freedom I had looked forward to for five years, an overwhelmed screeching voice of a young lady called, running breathlessly towards me, halting my movement.
“Moore, Moore wait!”
I turned, and my eyes broadened in shock. Nicole? “Don't tell me you're released too?” My voice was laced with excitement. Nicole McWood was the only friend and acquaintance during my time in jail. She gave me hope when no one else did, constantly reminding me of the love I had at home, though my husband Grey Addison didn't visit throughout my jail term. I believed he was too busy managing the company to have time to visit. But Nicole had families, despite her grave offence, trooping in and out every single day.
“Yes, Moore. I bet Dad believed I have learned enough lessons to last me for the rest of my life.” She grinned, holding my hands firmly as we both walked out of the prison wall. “I can't believe I missed seeing the sun.”
I smiled, holding dearly to her and my belongings. “Nicole! My goodness, Nicole!” As expected, Nicole was snatched out of my firm hold by people I believed were her family. She was swamped with hugs and kisses from various people happy to finally have her amidst them.
I turned away, my eyes searching keenly for people I believed were amongst the few in the crowd, my heart beating in excitement and anticipation. “Grey...” my lips let out his name as I couldn't find anyone resembling the love of my life.
My heart twitched in pain, no sign of Grey or Nora, my best friend. My family? They were the least of people who came out for me during this trial time. I bet Father knew I was imprisoned because for months, the news never stopped covering my case.
“Billionaire daughter, Moore Quinn, arrested for money laundering and fraud.” A real big stain on the richest man in Italy's name.
He probably would have supported me if I hadn't defied his orders by marrying Grey. “Goodness!” I sighed, frustration and helplessness written on my face. How do I get home? I bet both parties had been too busy with the company to remember I would be released today.
Impulsively, I pushed myself forcefully out of the jubilant space to brood on how to get home when Nicole called again. “You need a ride home?” A broad smile found its way to my face as I nodded. So nice of her to notice my dilemma even amidst the crowd around her. “Hop in then. I'd love to know where you live so I can come visit. This definitely won't be a goodbye.”
I turned and walked over to the SUV parked a few steps away from me as I entered, seated close to her. She introduced her family to me, and I gave her my location.
During the ride, my thoughts drifted to my husband. I must say I'm proud of his achievements. The company I set up with the money I had left was topping the chart after Dad's and Lucien's companies.
The news always portrayed it, and I got to see my cute husband on TV doing absolutely well. A few minutes later, the car pulled over at the mansion belonging to my husband and me.
Nicole and I exchanged addresses, and I waved at her as the car zoomed off.
Beaming with smiles, I carried my steps to the entrance and pressed the intercom, using my hands to swiftly arrange my hair packed in a messy bun.
The gate opened, and I gasped at the number of guards at the entrance.
“Who are you, Miss?” one of the mean-looking guards asked, raising a brow at the question.
“Moore,” I replied, scanning amidst the hefty men for any familiar face, but none of them struck me as one who recognized me. “Moore Addison.”
“What do you want?” the same guard asked, his eyes ravaging my body. Yeah, I know, I looked tattered.
I smiled, trying to sound friendly yet authoritative. “My husband is your boss, Grey Addison.” I bet they're new recruits, and it's quite understandable why they don't know me.
“Sorry?” Mocking laughter escaped their mouths, making me wonder what was funny about what I said. “You're who?”
“Excuse me?” I was getting agitated already. “My husband is Grey Addison. Let me in this minute, or you will regret making a mockery out of your boss's wife.”
“Is this some new method in—”
Angrily, I pushed my way inside, cutting off his words. “You want proof, huh?” I roared, tired and weak with each word. “Here!” I said, pushing a little frame I had always carried with me towards him. It's a wedding picture of Grey and I.
They stopped laughing, each shocked and surprised. “How is this even possible?”
“You will know how possible it is after I get in and get you fired for your insolence,” I said, snatching the frame from his hands and marching angrily into the mansion.
They were, for whatever reasons, too stunned to stop me. I opened the door, my happiness at its peak as I eagerly anticipated burying myself in his warm embrace.
The familiar smell of the living room got me extremely emotional. “Grey,” I called, my voice echoing as I ascended upstairs, not giving room to the noticeable changes in the house. The house seemed quiet; maybe he was at the office. Well, I doubted it; today was Saturday.
I quickened my pace, my excitement taking hold of me as my hands found their way to the knob of my bedroom. Without much thought, I turned, and my wide smile turned into horror at the sight before me as the door gave way.
“Oh my goodness! I love you, Grey, yeah! Harder!” were the welcome party I met as my dearest husband rammed with intensity into the core of my best friend!
Moore“Yes... oh my!”The grunts and moaning intensified as I stumbled backward at the sight before me. I blinked repeatedly, trying to convince myself that I was somewhere on the prison floor, having a dreadful nightmare.My heart, and everything inside of me, died at the sight I beheld. My husband was ramming into the very familiar figure of my best friend as he took her from behind. Her moans filled the room as both were oblivious to my presence.“Oh yeah... Yeah, Grey,” she moaned.I watched, my head spinning, and my body in severe pain.“No!” I mumbled incoherently. Grey would never do this to me. I went to prison instead of him. I accepted willingly to suffer for his atrocities and I got to be backstabbed by him and my friend?I couldn't move my legs and my voice failed me. As much as I wanted to scream his name, I couldn't bring myself to say a word. But then I couldn't stand watching them as I forced my voice out, tears already at the brim.“Grey,” I called calmly, my voice ho
Moore.I stared blankly at the papers thrown at me, my eyes watered and blinded by tears as I struggled to compose myself.“I will go, Grey, but not without knowing the terms of this divorce,” I groaned, forcing the words out.“I don't think you understand what you're getting into, Moore,” Nora spat for the first time since I arrived. I turned, my eyes glaring at her with a look of death. “Are you so clueless or just pretending to be ignorant? You signed some papers when you were arrested, didn't you?”“And how does that relate to my question?” I asked, still in disbelief as I looked at her. How could I have surrounded myself with enemies?“You're really clueless. You signed that no properties would be given to you after you returned. I mean, you weren't even supposed to return anyway,” she countered, with mockery in her voice. “I see why you got disowned. I would have done the same if you were my child.”My eyes widened in shock. My hands shook vigorously as I stared at the papers i
Moore"Moore," Nicole called, running towards me and engulfing me in a swift hug. "My goodness, Moore, who did this to you?""Nicole," I replied, my voice hoarse, as I turned to the gentleman who bid me farewell and went on his way. He had been kind enough to wait until Nicole arrived."What happened?" she asked, disentangling from the hug. I stared at her in shock and admiration. Just a few hours with family, and she looked way better.I couldn't say anything. I just held her hands. "I want to go home," I whispered. I didn't care what they thought of me; I just needed to be home. "I must return home to my family."Nicole nodded. I believed she knew I was too depressed to speak. She pushed me gently into her arms, and I whimpered silently."Let's get you out of here first. Then you can tell me where your family lives," she said softly.I nodded and followed her silently to a red sports car. She had always told me she missed racing, and I could tell she was a good car racer from her ch
Lucien.Six years ago, at the vibrant age of twenty-six, I was rejected and publicly humiliated by nineteen-year-old Lady Moore Quinn, the extremely beautiful daughter of Lewiston Quinn.News, billboards, and even gossip had taken over the humiliating rejection for years until this present moment. Not even the news of her imprisonment could wash away the vibrating anger surging through me every damn day her name was called. I wasn't satisfied she was punished, obviously for a crime caused by her husband, the peasant beggar she rejected me for.And each day, I dreamed of nothing but giving her a taste of her own medicine. I had to take her out of jail to quench that hunger.She was obviously not how she used to be six years ago. Her family owed me, even after her father asked me to take her little sister, I refused. It was her I wanted! I wanted the world to know she's at the lowest after the chronic humiliation. No one was allowed to make her suffer. I was so angry I decided to punish
Moore.“I can walk!” I yelled angrily at the man carrying me on his shoulder as I was roughly shoved into the car parked in the parking lot.“You behave or the Boss will have you whipped,” the big guy with a tattoo ordered, causing more fear in my already shaken self.I let out a dry laugh. “You don't think this is the '70s where I get beaten for trying to protest? I'm not frightened by your mere sleazy words.”The big guy glared, his eyes shooting warnings at me to keep my mouth shut. He didn't immediately close the car door, leaving it wide open. I knew trying to dart out of the car would be pointless, but I still did it. I couldn't let them think I was some stupid submissive.“I see you only act on impulse, young woman,” the tattoo guy said, catching me and throwing me back into the car. I yelped in pain as my head hit the other door of the car.The windows were tinted, so I couldn't see where Lucien went. They had two cars with them anyway.“Moore,” my sister called, and I raised
Lucien.The car pulled up, and I walked upstairs, choosing to follow the steps rather than use the elevator.Lillard opened the door wide enough for me, and I walked in, Athena sitting pretty on the couch, obviously waiting for me.She stood up, her hands wide as she pushed herself into my arms. “Where have you been, huh?”“I'm getting married to Athena,” I blurted, patting her backside, but she shoved herself away from me, her eyes boring into me with disbelief.“What?”Now that's what I hate most. I can't possibly repeat that when I knew she heard me vividly. I sighed, feeling extremely tired and repulsive. A feeling I had with me the very minute my eyes met that of Moore.Without replying to her, I dismissed Lillard and Damian and carried my steps through the stairs. Whenever I'm tired, I tend to do that to regain more energy and think with a clear head. But I regretted immediately not going through the elevator as Athena followed suit, anger emitting from her.“What did you just s
Moore.“Good Heavens!” I blurted, hurrying back to my room. Did I just see a naked man?I'm not new to such sights. I used to be a married woman before the unfortunate events that led me to this pathetic situation. And now, to make matters worse, I had been too impatient to wait for him to open his door before barging in.I had wanted to talk to him, to negotiate. I couldn't accept this fate because of a mistake I made years ago. I wanted him to do me a favour, but now it seemed I couldn't ask for anything after barging in on a naked man who I believed hated to see me around.The pretty girl had shown me to my room, which was the least luxurious I was expecting. I couldn't settle in. The pretty girl, whose name I didn't know, had mentioned that his office was adjacent to mine. Being extremely restless, my survival instinct pushed me without thinking towards the forbidden room. And now, of course, I have seen what I shouldn't have.Before I could think of a way to remedy my carelessnes
Moore.A slight knock on my door woke me from my sleep. I rubbed my eyes, trying to make sense of my surroundings.The knock persisted, causing a slight murmur and an intense headache. I groaned as I sat up, my memory slow to grasp my new surroundings.The knock came again with a slight push, and Emily and Madam Isabel entered my room."Goodness, Moore, you didn't even change out of your dress. Did you cry yourself to sleep?" Emily asked.I squinted. God, where the hell am I?"It's late already, and Mr. Giordano will be upset if you keep him waiting. It's not good to delay a groom," Emily continued."I know you don't want this, neither of us do, but there's absolutely nothing we can do about it," Madam Isabel added."Wedding?" I asked, surprised at how lovely Emily looked in a white floral dress."Don't tell me you're still this slow-witted after all these years, child," Madam Isabel chimed in.I'm always like this—slow to remember things whenever I just wake up, especially if I had a