This time around, I was no longer intimidated by Mrs Hensaws deadly and disdainful stare. “I see you are dressed beautifully,” she smiled, rubbing her right hand on my left arm, a gesture that felt more intrusive than comforting.I wavered a smile, which I clearly feigned. The effort of maintaining it was exhausting, but I refused to show any weakness. “Anyway, you can take a monkey from the bush to the city, but the unfortunate thing is you cannot take the bush from the monkey. Your dress is not going to change who you truly are. If you are a gutter girl, then you are going to remain a gutter girl no matter what you wear,” Mrs. Henshaw said subtly, her words cutting deeper than any knife. “Nice dress, though,” she added with a sneer, then walked away, leaving a trail of icy disdain in her wake.The rest of the people in the room couldn’t hear what she said. She only whispered it to me, her voice a venomous hiss meant to wound. Joshua looked at me, his eyes searching for confirmation
“Leave us,” Joshua said coldly to the drivers.We had reached the destination for the unveiling of the new branch. Truth be told, I felt so nervous, my heart was pummeling so fast and hard. It was as if a drum was beating inside my chest, each thump echoing in my ears. I sat beside Joshua, trying to regulate my breathing, feeling the tightness in my chest. People had already taken their seats in front of the building, where there was a small gathering and a podium placed on a stage. The press was there too, their presence adding to my anxiety, their cameras and notepads ready to capture every moment. I could see Eve amongst them, her sharp eyes scanning the crowd.“Okay, Boss,” the driver nodded and immediately stepped out of the car, closing the door with a soft thud that seemed to reverberate through my entire body.I stayed quietly with my hands placed gently on my lap, fingers interlaced, gripping each other for support. The leather seat beneath me felt cool and smooth, a stark c
“What did you just do, Jay?” Mrs. Henshaw flared at Joshua, her eyes almost bulging out of their sockets. We returned home after the unveiling of the new branch and the tension was high. I stood beside Joshua and saw everyone’s faces turn red and ready to devour me.Emma’s voice quivered with rage as she spoke. “I cannot believe you would make such a big mistake, Joshua. And to do it behind our backs! We had to find out along with everyone else? How could you, Joshua? How could you make this woman co-CEO in the company that Father built with his blood, sweat, and tears? Really, Joshua? Really?” Her words were like knives, each one cutting deeper than the last.Joshua stood silently, his face a mask of calm amidst the storm. It was as if he had expected this backlash and had already steeled himself against it. His eyes, though, betrayed a flicker of sadness as he looked at his family, the people he loved, now turning against him.I stood beside him, feeling like a target in a firing s
“What the fuck did I just watch on the news?” One amongst the men who was older, thundered, his face red with rage. The sheer force of his voice echoed through the large, dimly lit room, causing everyone to flinch.One had a full beard, grey and imposing, that kinda gave him an air of authority and wisdom. He stood tall with a good physique despite his age, muscles still defined under his crisp white shirt. His white hair contrasted sharply with his furious expression, making him look almost ethereal in his anger. He moved toward the family members, his eyes blazing with a fire that seemed to consume him from within. I narrowed my eyes, wondering who he was. Another family member? I guess the family never ends.The air was thick with tension, a heavy silence hanging over us as we watched one approach. His footsteps were deliberate and menacing, each one echoing ominously in the large lounge. The room itself seemed to shrink in his presence, the walls closing in as his rage filled the
“Take and sign the document,” Joshua exclaimed abruptly, his voice cutting through the tense air of the room as he shoved a crumpled paper toward me.Joshua’s abrupt command pierced the tense air of the room like a knife. He shoved a crumpled paper toward me, his expression etched with frustration and anger that seemed to radiate off him in waves.Confusion flickered across my face as I took in his sudden intensity. “What is this?” I demanded, suspicion lacing my voice as I narrowed my eyes at him. His behavior was unsettling, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to this than met the eye.Still reeling from his earlier outburst of punching the wall, Joshua’s face remained flushed with emotion. He had stormed away from the wall moments ago, his clenched fist leaving an echo of its impact in the air. Now, with a sharp tug, he yanked open a nearby drawer, his movements sharp and agitated as he retrieved the document he had thrust into my face just seconds before.“Just t
“Hi,” my eyes curled up as my gaze met with Cole, Michael’s son and Joshua’s cousin, I guess. His eyes were sweet and bright like the Morningstar, chestnut brown and beautiful. He had a genuine smile that enveloped his face, making him look even more approachable.“Hi,” I returned his gesture, though I was thrown off guard because he was the last person I expected to see. I thought it would be Emma, Mrs. Hensaw, or even grandmother, so I had prepared my mind for their tantrums. Instead, here was Cole, standing in the doorway, radiating warmth and kindness.“Claire, yeah?” he quizzed with his brows lifted slightly, and I nodded. His voice had a melodic lilt to it, as if each word was part of a song only he could hear. The sound was soothing, a stark contrast to the whirlwind of chaos I had anticipated. I could feel my pulse slow down, the initial surprise giving way to a more pleasant sensation of curiosity.“I’m sorry to barge in on you, but is Joshua in the room?” he asked, his to
“Come in,” I finally got hold of my tongue, my voice barely steady as I still stared at Emma with uncertain eyes.Before I could finish my sentence, Emma pushed me away from the entrance of the room and shoved her way inside. “The audacity to tell me to come into my own brother’s room in my house as though she owns anything here,” Emma scoffed, her eyes flashing with anger as she stormed into the room.I gritted my teeth tightly, trying to contain the anger that was boiling inside me. Lydia also stepped inside the room with her hands folded and placed on her chest. “She thinks she’s a superstar after forcefully marrying my Jay,” Lydia slashed at me, eyeing me up and down as though I was some disgusting thing.My breath came in shallow, ragged bursts as I stood beside the door where Emma had pushed me to. My heart pounded in my chest, a thunderous beat that echoed my rising fury. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I tried to keep my composure.Emma’s eyes roamed ar
“Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.”I chanted the mantra slowly, and each repetition was a soothing rhythm that calmed my racing mind. With my eyes closed, I focused on the sound of my own breath, inhaling deeply to draw in the cool air and exhaling slowly to release the tension that had built up throughout the day. The mantra was a lifeline, grounding me in the present moment and offering a respite from the relentless drama that had surrounded me after Emma and Lydia’s left.As their tumultuous presence faded from the room, a sense of quiet settled around me like a comforting embrace after all their threats. They had no inkling that I had chosen to remain here, steadfast in my resolve to see through my mission of ending Marcus’s influence once and for all. The thought of their ignorance brought a fleeting sense of satisfaction amidst the mess.I sighed deeply, opening my eyes to the lit room. The soft glow of the bulbs cast gentle shadows across the walls, creating a serene atmosphere that c
Authors POV Mia was in her room the next morning. She was pondering on her encounter with her supposed arch enemy, John. She sat on the bed, feeling much better than she felt the other night.The flashback of how John came so close to her yesterday stuck to her brain. It was a feeling that she couldn’t explain, just like genuine love, but she didn’t think it was love, probably immense disgust.Her hands wrapped around her chest, she sat on the bed silently and also strayed her thoughts to the new bride, or rather old wife as she claimed. The colossal part of Mia felt she overreacted about the whole situation. Why was she even angry? Was she married to Him or was he entitled to telling her about his past life? Irrespective of this incongruent thought of hers, she still felt bad, or rather angry.“Good day, ma’am”. A voice popped from outside which was accompanied with a knock on the door. It was the new cook “Yes, please come in” The cook came in with a tray in his hand. It had the
My heart raced so fast when Lucifer walked into the room. Thankfully, before he walked in, I collected Rogers hoodie and wore. I was sure he saw him when he came in and that’s why he came to my room. Lucifer never visited me so late at night, so the red flag was very glaring.I managed to convince him and he left the room not so suspicious. Thanks to God that my ears are very sharp and I heard the creaking floor boards as he approached. I guess God was on my side too.“That was a close one” I sighed with my hand pressing my chest after he left. Rogers who hid behind the curtains also came out.“You need to leave now!!” I snapped at him as he tried grabbing my arm romantically.“ and why should I?” He held my cheeks and tried kissing me but I tossed him aside.“Don’t do that again… please” he dragged and looked at me sternly. I looked back at him and held my breathe. A little bit of fear gripped me as I remembered what I had seen in his house. The drugs I saw made me a little terrified
" hi, Mister," A young chap greeted me with the Spanish accent. He was a bright looking boy. He had a confused smile on his face. With his blonde short hair." Good day Chap, you must be Jose ain't it?"I queried and squatted down to his level. He stared at me befuddled, but then I was smiling at him. He had a clear face and did have semblance with his father."Yes I'm Jose, how do you know my name, Mister?" He questioned with a childish voice. His left eye was slightly closed. I was about to answer, when there was a thunder clap.I looked upwards and the clouds where forming and sure a heavy rain was about wetting the soil."nada de qué preocuparse, chico (Nothing to worry about boy)" I said in Spanish. I scoffed and placed my hand on his face. " Jose, con quién estás hablando? (Jose who are you talking to?)" A feminine voice resounded from behind. " Who are you?"A lady questions with weak English and Spanish accent. The lady drags Jose away from my clasp. I huffed and stared at my
" Why did you summon us all? Brad snapped at me. It was the next day after I came back from Carl's house and I summoned everyone to the living room for a pack meeting. Carl was also invited but he hadn't arrived then."Just wait for Carl, there is something important I have to discuss and share with everyone." I said while Brad folded his hand gloating at me.The whole pack members were gathered and itching to hear what I had in store. Usually, I always did the listening but this time, doing the speaking did come with some ecstatic feeling."I don't have the whole fucking day Alina, you either speak now or I will waltz out of here."Brad bawled pointing his hand at me. My hands were now folded."Calm down Brad, she has never asked for permission to speak so give her this one chance"Lady Macbeth said. She seized a moment with my glare. We gaped at each other and she nodded first with a smile and blinked her eyes for about half a minute."Okay then" Brad said and sat back on his seat.
"I Armnado Luca, this day reject you, Elsa Roland as my mate" These were the words of Armando, my mate or rather my Ex mate now. It was my twentieth birthday and everything was going smoothly before this happened. Ironically, the party was hosted and organized by Armando unknown to me that he had a hidden agendum. Tears filled my eyes on hearing this and I stared deeply into his eyes and I saw no remorsefulness in him but rather he looked all serious." Armando, what is this, you are joking with me right? '' I playfully said and touched his arms as he was used to playing silly pranks on me and so i thought it was one of them. But unfortunately, my thought was not it and so it just remained my thought alone and not his."I am very serious Elsa. This is not a joke" He sternly uttered to me. My eyes became watery and my breathe ceased for some seconds. How was it even possible that Armando who had only shown me love would do this to me publicly. He was actually holding a microphone when
“So what is the situation back there?” Asher bashes Ma Trisha with his questions. she looks at me and then right back at him. I know from her looks that what prolly happened was out of the ordinary. She looks very pale and her eye can actually speak out the full story. I thrutch backwards and allow her move forward. She sighs but still on, she doesn’t say a word. I ponder in my heart wondering nd what king her she going her kind and what hodge might have gone through but I still can’t still figure it out. “It was a lot”she manages to spit out at last. I can only but imagine all that she went through. I can literally pick out the pain from her voice. “Please tell me more” Asher says with the utmost urge to want to know what happened. He is gritting his teeth right now with his hands clenched firmly. She doesn’t speak further. She continues to ogle at the both of us as though we are the one who are expected to speak and explain. I lock my lips and gulp down saliva while I allow
" You stand there and tell me you are sorry?" I bellowed. I brought the knife very close to his neck. He stayed there and moved not. "I do not care what you want to do with me. I know whatever comes my way from you, I really do deserve it. I was a son of a bitch and treated you like scum. You did everything to please me, but I was too stupid to have seen it." He voiced with a shaky voice that passed so many emotions, like a strummed guitar. His hands are still pointing downwards. His eyes quirked a second. I glared at him for seconds. My hands trembled as I had a very strong grasp on the knife. My face contorted and my eyes narrowed. All I felt in me was total bitterness. I really felt the urge to stab him but I was trying so hard to resist the demon." I just feel like killing you Rogers!!!! " I growled and placed the side of the sharp knife to his throat. I pressed slowly, but then it tipped on his neck. Suddenly blood started dripping little by little. I gnashed my teeth and wa
"When we have cookies, I play a game with her", Zelda said smiling and also relaxed on a seat." Game? What game is that?" I inquired, quite eager to find out what it was. My hands were laid on the table and eyes fixed on Mrs Zelda."It's a kind of questioning and truth" she said." Do you mean truth or dare?" "No, not that. Now the question and truth session is slightly different from truth or dare. In this game, before you pick a Cookie, someone would ask you a question and you have to be truthful to the core to answer the questions asked or the God of cookies is gonna take the cookies away." Her mom said and I chuckled." Disclaimer, Its just fiction and it's just some fun thing I do with her . She think it's true, so I use it to get answers from her when she lies to me because she loves cookies so much" her mom whispered to me because she was seated beside me. " Oh okay"I chortled."I will be right back, I need to get some milk" Zelda said and got up from her chair.I sighed de
"What is the plan?” Sir Luca questioned looking at us all. My eyes went to Adrain and wanted him to explain it because he made it.“ We do not really have a plan as of now because we are still not ready. Alina is the one who would be fighting Tiana…” he was still explaining when Sir lUca cut in.“ Why is it Aloka that would he going against Tiana? You should know how strong Tian is now at this moment. You know she is a witch and Also a balck wolf. I really do not think it is that great an idea for Alina to be the one that fights Tiana. I think you should be the one because she still has a soft spot For You and you can use that as namn upper hand to get her” Sur lUca said. In as much as I didn't want to get pissed but then I felt awkward. He sounded a though I was worthless.“ Let me out, let me show this Asshole what I am made of '' Maddy roared at me. The tone with which she used in vocalizing made me chuckle slightly.“Alina is the best person to go against Tiana not me because she