Present timeOLIVIAThis is the third time.Third time in five days, the same dream, the same nightmare.I feel I am suffering from a trauma.Call it whatever; an emotional trauma as it may seem.It is gradually becoming a norm.Ever since I got that threat note, I have been nothing but disturbed every time.Every single time I close my eyes, all I see is those words replaying in my head.“My doom” What does that even mean?What exactly have I done to deserve those words?Is this because of Andrew?After facing a whole hazard streak of a life with Liam, now I am face to face with another.Another episode as I would like to call it.I woke up that early morning scared to put myself back to sleep.It was 4 am on a Saturday.It was the weekend and Andrew made arrangements already on how we would spend our day together.Today, he would spoil me with numerous gifts, the next day, more gifts, and other days, surprise outings and celebrations.There was never a dull moment with Andrew.Even
CHAPTER 29ANDREWI think he saw us.If not Elliot then probably just I alone.Anyway, I got there first so I am probably the one he saw.My father.I'm certain of it.He knew we sneaked into his office last night.Did he know all these while that Elliot was stealing from him?Dad was a man of words. He sometimes speaks in parables and codes.He never says anything too direct.You just have to decipher it yourself else you will be confused trying to understand it plainly as it comes.I was scared but Elliot wasn't.I knew something I was not sure Dad wanted anyone else to know.I wanted to share what I had discovered with someone.Elliot wasn't a good option.Maybe I should tell Mother but what if she already knows and just covering up for her stinkingly wealthy husband?Just what if?I thought about it as I gently sat in one corner at the venue sipping the cocktail drink that was served.Dad walked around shaking virtually everyone at the occasion.It was like the meeting of billiona
CHAPTER 30ANDREWOh, shoot! Mom heard what I said.“Son what did you just say?” she asked again in a low tone as I stood up to get to the stage with my brother.I saw the look on her face. It was intentional.And she was just waiting for me to talk.My brother was quick to rush to the stage. He was a huge fan of the spotlight. The first son of the Huxley family and heir to the Huxley Empire.What more do we expect?He had already climbed to the stage at the mention of his honorable name.My mom was dragging my suit, trying to get my attention stylishly but I didn't respond to her.I just walked away smiling at the people who couldn't just stop staring.The clout. The paparazzi.And yes again, the special attention!I tried as much as I could to avoid my mother's face as I stood on the stage while my father was around, shaking hands with his wealthy friend who came up to congratulate him.Another marking day for us.“Robert, you bought Xn, the same company wrecking you including us, y
CHAPTER 31Present time,OLIVIA“What a beauty!” I said in a low tone as I stood in front of the company.Another branch of the Huxley’s company.“This is beautiful,” I whispered as I marvelled at the sight of the enormous building before me.Andrew had sent me here to represent him in a meeting. Sometimes, he makes me think I am more than who I am. I had refused to come here countless times before I finally agreed to accept today.As much as I am trying to avoid the trouble and envy of the other staff, I do not regret coming here.I love what I see.Here I am, a representative of the Huxleys’ business.Me. Daughter of nobody now standing as a representative amongst the most influential men and women in the city to discuss business.“Oh God! I humbly ask for your help. Whatever happens, I don’t want to fuck up,” I said as I walked majestically and carefully into the building.I wore a black jacket suit and a royal blue skirt. By the pocket side of the jacket is a big button that was p
OLIVIAEverything became still.I was feeling heated even though the air conditioner in the room was on.It was as though I was the only one in the room.Everyone suddenly disappears.And flashes of my life’s history were playing in front of me.The room is not empty and obviously, I had gone into a trance or whatever they call this awkward feeling that looks like I exist alone in this room.I snapped. Before I knew it, I jumped back to reality.And everyone came into sight and applause invaded my ears.It just occurred to me why they were clapping. I remembered Andrew just made an announcement.“Head of the team?”“Is that a joke or something?” The voice in my head said aloud.The announcement was still a shock to me.“Is this a joke or something?” the voice in my head spoke aloud.Andrew didn’t tell me about this before I left the office. I didn’t even know what I was coming to meet.I just know I was here as a representative so it couldn’t be that bad.The echo of applause from t
ANDREWI can only imagine.What she went through. All those times she was with that cruel being, LiamShe deserves a whole lot more.That’s something I already put in motion.Making her the head of the team at the main branch was just the tip of the iceberg.I had more coming in for her. Lots of surprises.“Mr. Huxley,” my P.A called out.She was right there with me in the office computing some business project details.“About the house, sir. It think I got the best you would like,” she said.“Oh great, let me see.”She showed me the picture of a luxurious duplex building in the Lowers, a small island a bit far from the city.“Beautiful. How much is this?”“$8,000,000” she responded.“Not bad. I’m buying it. Handle that and put it in her name,” I responded.“Miss Olivia?”“Yes. I am buying that house for her, Pauline.”“That’s really nice, Boss. I’m sure she would love it.”“You think?” I asked.“Oh yes, definitely!” she responded hastily.She wouldn't believe her eyes when she sees i
CHAPTER 34OLIVIAI became emotional.Not in a bad way.Thinking of Andrew as I sat comfortably in the chair. No one had ever respected me this much.Or showered me with so much care.I haven't even given my body to him. Even a kiss, he hadn't gotten from me.Yet, the attraction, love, and care never for once diminished.One would think I charmed him.It surprises me also how he kept loving me and showering me with gifts.Everything I had always wanted or wished for, he made sure he got for me firsthand.Was I giving back the energy and love I am enjoying from Andrew?I pondered as I sat there.I kissed him yesterday.Right after he asked me to be his.That was the first time we would share a kiss.It was quite lovely as he placed his hands on my cheekbones and kissed me passionately in the kitchen.My thoughts made me forget I was in a serious meeting.But I snapped out of it immediately the table was set.Still at the company’s branch, and the whole team staring at me in anticipat
CHAPTER 35LIAM"She gets away with everything?""That bitch?!"Nope. Not happening. I won't allow that.Until I get what I want!Is Elliot messing with me or what?We ought to be seeing results by now.The threats seem not to be working as planned.We left a note that should scare her but nothing still.Perhaps some intensity should do the job.I rang Elliot's phone that instant."What's the update?""Any good news at all?" I asked over the phone."Your wife likes good things. Despite the note, she still hung onto my brother. She is a stubborn one," Elliot complained."If she doesn't feel threatened by that note, then we need to be more specific with it. We need to disturb her peace," I replied."Meet me at the usual spot later tonight to discuss that. Remember to make sure you are not being followed," Elliot answered and ended the call."Proud ass mother fucked, meet me at the….blah blah blah!" I mimicked."If not that I need his help, I wouldn't mind doing this myself. I wouldn't n
Robert HuxleyMy heartbeat raced with fear.Did I just hear right?Romeo, the man who made available every resource I used for Project X had just been arrested?That was trouble!Big trouble!!Joe wasn't so audible on the phone. I figured he was on the run or something.I turned to Andrew."Go and meet your brother. I need some time alone."If the police had caught up with Romeo, that could have meant trouble for Joe and me too.Romeo was into a lot of illegal tech biz. I have full reason to believe some of the devices at his workhouse were stolen.They were heavy machines that could only be owned by high-profile tech organizations.I wonder how one person could own and control that in such a small warehouse.I became paranoid all of a sudden.I needed to leave as soon as possible. At least away from here for now."What if he tells the authorities about everything? Then I would be in much bigger trouble. He knows everything. The plan, the process, and the execution….every single thing
Robert Huxley“Come here son,” I said to my second son, Andrew.I knew about what he and his brother had been doing whilst I was supposedly asleep or not looking.But there was something else I noticed.Whilst my eldest son was after the stack of cash in my cupboard, Andrew was more interested in my secret business, project X; my very main source of income.“Is there anything you want to talk to me about?” I asked him.“No.. no….no, Dad,” he stammered.“Are you sure about that?” I asked further.This time around, he kept quiet.He paused for a while and answered in haste afterward “No, Dad.”I put my arms around his neck and walked him to the garden just at the corner of the house.“You and your elder brother have been messing around my office lately,” I started.I saw the surprised look on his face when I said that. He tried to deny it but I acted like I believed him.I know your elder brother has been stealing from me but I don't have any issue with that. “It's my money and I am wo
Chapter 43Robert HuxleyI saw that look on Joe's as we approached the farmer's shop or whatever it is he called that place.That look you give a servant when his master is about to show him the secret of his possessions."Is everything alright, Joe?" I asked.He nodded in response. "Please don't fuck this up for me. I have a reputation to protect, Robert," he replied."Don't worry about nothing, Joe. I can do this. I won't let you down," I answered in haste.As we got in, there were a lot of men operating several computers and electronic devices as well as ladies who were dressed half-naked, caressing the men as they worked."What's this place?" I whispered to Joe."The farmhouse."It was nothing like a farmhouse. I was this close to turning back until something caught my attention; a pile of dollars.It must be like a million bucks. How does someone have such an amount of money and leave it lying around carelessly?"You look at that? It's nothing," one of the men interrupted.He we
SOME YEARS BACK,ROBERT HUXLEYI can't keep living like this.I just can't.My wife.My children. How do I take care of them?Working in Dunes isn't paying me so well.I can't be doing this. Working from morning till night only to be paid a chicken fee.I need to find a solution.A workable one."So what do you intend to do?" Joe said.Joe was my friend.A colleague who studied the same course as me; Accountancy.We were potential big boys. That was what he had always called us from school.He was richer. But I was never envious of his wealth and how comfortable he lived.Countless times I paid him visits. We ate and drank together and even made merry.That question rang aloud in my head."What do I intend to do?"I had no answer to that question.Not even at this moment. I was pretty confused. Clueless of what to do next."Joe, you have to help me out. I need your help," I started."What's that, friend?" He asked with an expression that showed utmost concern."I want to make money
CHAPTER 41ANDREWMy ears tingled at the sound of that familiar voice."Who would dare storm into the office like that?" I thought.Looking back, it was Uncle Joe. My father's closest friend whom he calls his brother."I said stop the merry!" He shouted."How dare you throw a party for a son without his father present?" He jested as he threw his arms around me."Uncle Joe!" I said."I never knew you were back.""Well, surprise! Or aren't you happy to see me?" I said"Of course I am, Uncle Joe. When did you arrive in New York City?""A few days ago, son. Here, I got you a present," he said, bringing out a brown envelope from his right pocket.What is this?What is he doing?I smiled. "Uncle Joe," I called out as I tried to unseal the envelope.I was quite anxious. The last person I got a gift from was my dad and that was the most expensive car in the city.I wonder what Uncle Joe had planned.I saw another brown paper inside the envelope and I brought it out to read the contents."Unc
OLIVIA"Is Stella joking or what?"Did she just say Elliot Huxley?The same Elliot Huxley, Andrew's brother.It can't be.How is this even possible? I looked at her in awe.What nonsense am I hearing? "Stella, pregnant for Elliot?"I froze."Are you alright?""How can you say such?" I asked."Say what?" "What happens to Liam?" She laughed. It was the coldest thing I had seen her do.I fear her. I wonder how Liam would feel when he hears all of this."Well, I have no shame. And just so you know, my real love lies with Elliot. I had known him even before now," she explained.How is this even possible?How did she and Elliot get to meet? How did the love and sex begin between them?Was that before she took Liam from me or after? All of these questions ran through my mind as she stood in front of me.She didn't even look bothered."I just chose to tell you cause very soon you will be seeing more of me around Elliot," she said and laughed out loud.Wow! Looks like the player got played.
OLIVIAIt's been a week now since I got the threat notes.I still haven't told Andrew about it.Now I look over my shoulder anytime and every time.That very day I got back from work, I came down with a serious migraine.My body began to ache and my bones were weak.I didn't even get the chance to pull off my clothes completely.“This is so unusual. I can't be sick,” I said to myself as I lay on the couch.My hands on my forehead and feet spread wide like I was preparing for childbirth.I thought of calling Andrew but I had already given him enough trouble.This time around, I am handling it myself.I can't have them thinking I am using him to my advantage.I struggled to pick up my phone.It was then I noticed I didn't lock the door properly.The aches must have gotten my attention.“I hope I met you home alone this time around?” A familiar voice came from the entrance.I looked up and it was Stella.She was looking fatigued.A part of me wanted to care and ask her what the problem
CHAPTER 38ELLIOTI looked at the expression on Liam's face.It was rather discouraging. A mix of shock of fear.Like I just threw a bomb in front of him.I can't have him going around with Stella.What business does he have with her? Why?I frowned at him as he kept staring at me after I had showed him the pictureWe stared at each other before he decided to break in silence.“She can't be your girl, Elliot!” He said repeatedly. He spoke so clearly like he was certain of what he was saying. “I wouldn't want this to cause a dispute between us, Liam. Who exactly is she to you?” I asked…Pretending not to be angry at his boyfriend's confrontation still.“She is my bitch!” He answered sharply. “Your bitch?!”“Yes, you heard me right. We've had sex multiple times while I was with Olivia and even right after your brother decided to pull his rich boy strings on my wife, Stella and I were sharing the same bed,” he explained. For a moment, I thought he was going to laugh off after saying a
STELLA"What's going on?""Why does my head feel so heavy?"I looked around and I felt like the whole building was upside down.Blurry visions, headaches, and all sorts.All at once I rent my head like they own it."Ma'am, you would have to be coming on the scheduled appointment to see the doctor," the nurse who stood beside my bed, said.I was still puzzled by the whole thing.Am I pregnant?Does he know?How would he take all of this?I need to make a call.Can I make a call? It's quite important," I said to the nurse who was in the room with me.Just before that, he walked in."Hey Liam, you are here," I greeted."What is this trash I am hearing, Stella? You are pregnant?""That wasn't the deal.""What are you saying? So what would happen to my baby?" "Oh come on. You are not a child. We both know I can't accept that kid from you. It can't be mine!" Liam responded in a loud tone.He paced around. The nurse walked out gently when she noticed the unsettling atmosphere in the room.I