VARYA’S POVThe constant beeping from my phone on the nightstand jolted me out of a restless sleep. I reached over and squinted my sleepy eyes at the TV. I kept seeing headline after story, each one more dramatic than the last.Everything in its path was being consumed by the scandal, which had taken on a life of its own."Mrs. Cassian Caught in Hotel Scandal: Cheating on Husband?""Cassian Family Business Suffers as Scandal Erupts!""Is CEO Kylo Divorcing His Wife Over Recent Scandal?"That last blow really hit me hard. I threw down the phone on the table and dropped my head into my hands as if I hoped this might bring some peace from everything surrounding me.My life had become a huge joke in public with all media taking up the news about it. My reputation was ruined and there were serious losses incurred by the Cassian family business because of that nasty incident.With great difficulty, I made myself get up and face the day, even though I wanted nothing more than to hide under t
KYLO’S POVThe office was quiet, too quiet. That kind of quiet gnawed away at my mind while letting the scandal send its tendrils back. The headlines were unceasing, daggers pointed directly at Cassian's family’s heart."Is CEO Kylo Divorcing His Wife Over Recent Scandal?"I clenched my jaw and slammed the laptop shut. The scandal had not only ruined Varya’s reputation but was also starting to damage the business. Clients were getting spooked, investors were nervous. This was exactly what I had always tried to avoid.As I drove home my head was a mess of anger and confusion. Varya had let me down and also our family, now our name was mud because of Varya.But there was also one more thing I did not want to acknowledge: the pain. Why was it that painful? The marriage was not based on love. It was an economic deal. So when she betrayed me why did it feel like someone hit me in the stomach?I drove into the driveway and stayed there for a minute in my car taking deep breaths. I needed to
KYLO’S POVThis morning was full of confusing meetings and telephone calls which bored me from one occasion to another. Everybody else seemed to be haunted by the Varya affair and its resulting effects on business but I still tried bearing with them until lunchtime when I found myself out of patience.The wretched things were happening; people would come in here at odd hours and invade my privacy when all I wanted was some peace to ponder about life’s matters. My table appeared as if it hadn’t seen life for ages.Suddenly without knocking the door swung open bringing Dora and Cassandra who wore faces that said one thing - they were determined to know more or less everything behind everything. However, this particular discussion had been anticipated long enough for sometimes to follow through.“Kylo,” began Dora sweetly smirkingly, “let’s have a word concerning Varya.”I flinched back from my chair looking utterly apathetic despite the confusion in their eyes. "What about her?"Cassand
DORA’S POVAs he walked from one corner of his study to the other, a storm of conflicting emotions on his face, I realized with an awful sense of satisfaction that I was savoring. It had separated them but now was time for me to take my next step.Varya had already done the damage; this seemed an opportunity for me to cause closeness to Kylo.My strategy began small at first with minor but deliberate acts. I ensured to be there whenever he sought assistance by lending an ear and a shoulder for him to cry on. Initially, he was aloof and absorbed in the aftermath of embarrassment.However, over time he became less guarded around me by expressing his frustrations and pain.Through the keyhole when I passed his office one night, I heard him talking bitterly about some matters to himself. Knocking lightly at the door I entered without knocking again."Kylo are you fine?" I asked softly as though there was something serious about it was like that.He looked straight up at me while dodging e
DORA’S POV “Good morning, Kylo already had his face buried in a newspaper when I got to the breakfast table” He raised his eyes towards me as I entered hinting at anger and determination. “Dora, have you seen this?” asked he lifting up the paper. With a seat next to him, I nodded at him indicating that I had seen it all. “It’s shameful.” He sighed pulling his hair backward amusedly. “It’s incredible that everything ended up here like some kind of a nightmare that never goes away” To boost morale during our meal, I reached out a comforting hand towards his arms. “We’ll pull through this, Kylo.” Together, we shall face it.” Our plans were drawn through various conversations over breakfast. Each day brought forth more signs that Varya’s position was increasingly becoming untenable – there had been no stopping media hype around her since earlier times ago; likewise, Kaylo was under mounting pressure as well. “There’s a need for a decisive move,” I said lowering my voice to
KYLO’S POVThe atmosphere of unease inside the house was so intense that it could be felt, like an unspoken burden on all of us. I sat in my study trying to concentrate on all the papers which had piled up over time but my brain kept wandering away.Varya lingered in my subconscious; this tireless annoying thing.I cast a look at the clock and its tick-tock was unbearable evidence for the late hour. I needed some fresh air, therefore, I thought of taking a stroll. While I was approaching the window an obscure shape slithered through the entrance gate; this made me squint but soon enough it dawned on me to be Varya whom I despise.What could she be doing at such late hours? My mind started racing with thoughts of her going into nightclubs, then I found myself boiling with rage within this kind of reality. What else could she try? Then alas! Curiosity won zealously over me making me stealthily follow her.Her steps were frantic and unfocused as if someone was bearing earth’s burden on t
VARYA’S POVThe house felt close, the air thick with unheard speech and poised quarrels. I could not take it anymore as I felt myself closing in on its walls. I needed to think plainly so I chose to go for a walk hoping that perhaps the coolness of the night would provide clarity.When I slipped out through the unlocked gate of the front porch I covered myself using my shoulders wrapping my arms around them for comfort in that simple act. The road was quiet with only an elusive far noise from a car’s movement somewhere around.I kept my eyes bound on the soil; remaining in deep contemplation repeating over and over again about what had happened previously within several weeks ago. Kylo was too cold; there were some smug faces from both Dora and Cassandra; people would always say anything they wanted – it was just too much.When I finally reached where the pavement met the edge of the road, pausing a little to sort out my mind. Streetlights cast long and flickering shadows that were da
VARYA’S POVJasmin was seated near me, her eyes straying to Kylo sometimes who was looking ahead impassively. I had not yet wrapped my head around everything that had transpired earlier; my mind was fuzzy with confusion and fear.From the hospital to the accident to Kylo’s unexpected concern it all seemed like a blur in my memory. My body was sore but it wasn’t anything compared to the pain in my chest – an emotional injury that wouldn’t go away.We got to the mansion where I was completely worn out, both physically and emotionally drained. As we entered the large foyer, Cassandra and Dora were waiting for us in the living room.You could feel the heaviness in the air as they were about to add more on top of what was already weighing heavily on my shoulders.The drive had been quiet on Kylo’s part and therefore I found myself stealing glances at him trying to read his expression. Was he angry? Concerned? Did he regret staying by my side at the hospital? I couldn't tell.Cassandra was