"Hello, uncle Pete."
"Yes, Hailey. What is it? Are you crying?" His voice immediately became concerned.
The tears I'd been holding back let loose and swam to the surface, wasting no time to stream down my face.
Using the heel of my palm, I wiped them away but more replaced the old, wiped ones. "W-when will you be back?"
I was still lodging in that hotel, though not the same room because the thought of staying in a room that Jared had shared a night with me was taunting and too painful.
I asked for another room but my money, the one uncle Pete had given me was almost exhausted. If I lodged one more night, I would be empty and I didn't know the area well enough to find a cheaper lodge.
"I'm on my way home. Why? Is Catherine troubling you?"
Catherine was the reason I was yet to go back to that house as there was no telling what she would do to me but I couldn't tell uncle Pete that, especially on the phone.
"N-no
"This place is nice, uncle Pete." I admired the interior decor of the restaurant we had just stepped into.One of the waiters seem to know uncle Pete and had ushered us to a private booth that had no customers except us."It belongs to a very close friend of mine." He said, taking a seat opposite me. Menus were placed before us. My stomach rumbled in hunger as soon as I opened the black and gold hardcover book-like menu that had so many dishes, categorized according to types and origins. I decided on Greek souvlaki, not because I'd had it before but because it looked nice.Uncle Pete went for Italian beef tortellini in broth. "I've had it once when I travelled to Florence and I liked it.""What drinks will you have?" The waitress who was attending our table inquired."I want something fruity. Moscato or Riesling will do." I answered."Get me beer." Uncle Pete decided.The waitress went away with our orders."So tell me, what did she do? I brought us here because it's private and you
"Take her away, officers." "What are you doing, Peter?" Catherine stood from the sofa, stubbing the cigarette she had been smoking just before we entered."I have warned you to stop smoking in my house." Uncle Pete was angry seeing how she stubbed the cigarette on his console table, messing the glass top. That cigarette obviously wasn't her first stick."Don't touch me!" She snarled at the officer, snatching her wrist away from him. "What have I done, Peter?""What have you not done, you psycho?!" He was really furious. "You turned my home into a strip club and a brothel?!" His emphasis on 'and' didn't go unnoticed. She faced me with the most hateful, venomous glare ever. If eyes could kill, I'd be lying in my own pool of blood in that moment. "You!"I jolted a bit and shifted slightly so I was behind uncle Pete. I didn't dare say a word. This lady knew how to scare me shitless. I couldn't hide the truth from uncle Pete, not because I was a tattletale but he deserved to know. He
"Was that you in the video?" A reporter shoved his mic in my face as soon as I stepped out of the vehicle Jared had opened for me — another public show of his pretending to be a loving husband.I almost lost my balance in my heels as eyes were all on me...and Jared.I tried to gauge his reaction but there was only calmness that had nothing to be with peace but rather the stifling urge to explode in anger."Mr. Johnson, how do you feel seeing your wife involved in such illicit activities especially with your reputation in the country?" Another asked, also trying her best to break through Jared's wall of security surrounding us.He didn't say anything. My heart thudded in my chest as series of emotions whirled within like a tornado, threatening to blow me off my feet.If only they knew it wasn't my fault. Were they blind? Was the public gullible to believe just about anything just because they believed what they call 'evidence'?Clearly, I was distressed and being forced in that video y
His name was barely out of my lips when he crashed his on mine.Anger forgotten, I let him invade my mouth with uncontrolled lust. I kissed him back and it was just as that night.Drunk or not, the lust had been potent and passion had been real. He shifted me so we were out of sight.There was a little corner that could contain both of us. I was slim so there was no problem there.I pressed myself up against him and let him kiss me.My gown had a high slit on my left leg. I raised the leg to wrap around him. He caressed the length of it, his fingers moving up till he found my lace pant beneath.A groan left his lips as a moan did mine. No one could hear us, I guess. Plus there was old Mozart playing. "I should not be doing this." He murmured in my mouth but didn't let go of me."No, we shouldn't." I agreed but still didn't make a move to let go of him as well.His two fingers moved my lacy underwear aside and one rubbed the entrance of my femininity. I went wild with lust, grabbing
JARED"What is wrong, Jared?" My fiancee frowned with a mix of concern and annoyance as she stared into my eyes."Nothing." I shook my head and continued to try kissing her again.I didn't know why I wasn't suddenly feeling it with her anymore. This was the same woman I enjoyed being with but two days after that sex on that balcony with Hailey, my body couldn't stop wanting sex.But the problem was it didn't want it with my woman. Here I was, trying my damnest to make love to her and enjoy it as I used to but it was futile. And it was also frustrating, not to mention annoying. I decided to stop thinking about the sex I'd had with Hailey. The way her body melded perfectly to mine. Even the way she moaned under my touch. I needed to forget and concentrate on Mia.Naked beneath me, I lowered my head and took a nipple in my mouth."Oh yes...Jared.. Mmm." She writhed beneath me, obviously into it.Her fingers slithered through my hair and grabbed a fistful.I went on to the other breast
"What? Not again." My hand trembled as I held the blue-and-white stick showing two red lines.Pregnant?! What the hell?! How had this happen?I sank on my bed. That was a rhetorical question. I knew how it had happened.Jared would not stop coming into my room to have sex and I apparently had developed strong feelings for him to let him.It was almost two months now. Two months since our secret affair began and it's been three weeks since Mia and Martha traveled.I had no idea what the traveling had been about but I wasn't concerned. I'd been able to have breakfast without being insulted and bullied by both women.I looked at the stick again to confirm, the lines were still there.Jared should be happy about it. For three weeks, his attitude had gone from cold to bearable towards me. That could mean he was beginning to warm up to me.Which could also mean he was getting to like me. The thought had me hopeful a
"If throwing caution to the wind was a person." I teased as soon I could catch my breath.He had come up behind me in the kitchen while I was trying to make breakfast for both of us after spending the night in his room and pressed his erection behind me.The guy was as strong as an Ox and was tireless. He found every opportunity to wear me out. Not to say I was complaining, I liked it too much to protest.Every time he touched me had me falling harder for him. Moreover, I could see how fast it was building our relationship.After that call and the way he'd hurried out of my room yesterday, there had been no opportunity to tell him of my pregnancy yet.He had barely given me time or the chance to talk during the night and by the time we were done, I was so tired — positively so. "There's just something about you that turns me on." He kissed my left ear.I could not believe that single, casual act had my body reacting again. Oh, Jared would be the death of me. Then he nibbled it, a m
"How could you have been so careless, Jared?" "Mom, I don't know. I was just..." A sigh followed."Mia must not find out about this and also don't forget that Mia's father is one of your biggest clients. You don't want to lose him.""Of course, I know that mom. I don't want to lose Mia either, you know that." "You should have used protection, at least. Moreover, if you wanted to have a girl who's not Mia, you could have had other girls, not that cheap slut who almost ruined your career." "Mom, the deed had been done. I can not explain why I kept sleeping with her but we must find a solution. I can't have her be pregnant for me." He sounded upset and a bit apprehensive. "Maybe I should ask uncle Pete for help. She listens to him.""Don't do that. You know Peter likes the girl, I wonder the kind of relationship they have.""What are you trying to say, mom? Uncle Pete is not like that.""You can never tell. Anyways, he's a bad option. He'll just end up taking sides with the bitch.""S
MIA"Where are you coming from by this time, Jared?" I stood from the sofa I was occupying before my husband walked in. "Hi, babe." He greeted but without making an effort to have it sound loving as it used to. Nerves knotted and anger was ready to flare. "Don't 'hi babe' me in that nonchalant tone of yours, Jared. It's past ten pm and you're just coming in? You're a married man for fuck's sake!"He merely stared, watching me display my anger. "Won't you say something?!" I was even more vexed at the calmness he was exuding."What do you want me to say?" He shrugged, making to walk past me, towards the stairs. I blocked his path. "That you were out with Hailey and her son today!"His brow raised in surprise. "How did you know?"I folded my arms. "You're not even denying it.""Why should I? You already know the truth." He stuck both his hands in his pockets. It was my turn to be surprised. "So you're having an affair with that bitch?! Huh?! Or is this some stupid plan to get her so
"Mommy, I want some ice cream." My son walked up to me as I was getting off the phone with the doctor in charge of my daughter's treatment.It was the same news. No improvement. She was still as still as dead... almost dead.I swallowed my pain and faced my other child who needed his mother. I was proud of how he was handling this whole thing. Twice I'd heard him pray with Nanny Nancy, asking God to heal Zaya and I always begged God to listen to the prayers of my baby boy. "But you just finished having lunch." I told him.He frowned, walked away towards the kitchen. Curious over his attitude, I followed him. Jared had offered to help with the dishes after we were done. He was being sweet and gentle in these recent times. I could see he was not just here for my kids, but me. Though I was still wary because of what had happened twice to me in the past. "Jared." Zion called as he stepped into the kitchen, not minding I was behind him."Yes, champ?" He turned from the sink.I quickly
PETER"Your phone has been ringing nonstop, uncle Pete." Jared gestured to my persistently buzzing phone. "It's an unknown number, I don't like picking unknown numbers." I told him. He was still in I and Hailey's home. Usually, he would be gone by now since we were done discussing but the fact he was still around gave me the impression he was still here for Hailey and Zion.But zero chance with Zion since the boy was yet to warm up to him.So it was mostly for Hailey.Something had happened between them, I could not tell what it was but I knew something had happened. "Why don't you pick your call, uncle Pete?" Hailey appeared from the hallway that led to the kitchen. She was making lunch for us. She'd insisted when the maids wanted to do it. I noticed Jared turn immediately at the sound of her voice and stared with some kind of emotion in his eyes.She, on the other hand, was purposely ignoring his presence and was doing everything to avoid her gaze straying to his direction. A s
MARTHAI walked into the kitchen for my morning dose of coffee. I wanted to have one of the maids do it but I decided to do it myself. I paused at the doorway when I spotted Mia having breakfast at the island. I made to turn away."Good morning, Martha." She greeted in a calm tone. "Morning." I didn't even bother to glance over my shoulder. "We need to talk." She said. "Not interested." I'd come to hate her and regret why I'd not seen her for who she truly was all these years. "You should be, Martha. Remember we need to work together, cooperate even, if Jared must achieve his political goals." The underlying threat in her tone had me halting in my steps. This was why I avoided confrontations with her. The sly bitch! She could easily ruin my son's life. I loved both my sons but Jerome always brought trouble his brother's way. It was as though he hated Jared with passion. When I had given birth to both of them, I never wished they would hate each other this much.Percy, my late h
JAREDMy eyes widened. "W-what?!" I almost choked on my own spit. "Slow down, Nina. We're never going to happen. You're a beautiful girl...""Woman." She corrected firmly."Sorry. You're a beautiful woman and I'm sure there are guys your age who'll be willing to...""I don't want them. It's you I want, Jared. And it's you I'll have." She rose from her seat. "Come see me off. I have somewhere else to be.""I can't let you go alone. I'll have to reach out to my uncle, then he'll reach out to your father." I brought out my phone.In a swift, unexpected motion, she leaned over and grabbed my phone, giggling and heading for the door in a race."Give me my phone, Nina." I followed her, already exhausted from her child-like behavior."No, I'm not letting you call anyone." She opened the door and I went after her.Eyes raised from their respective jobs once again to lock in on an excited Nina and an embarrassed me.&n
JAREDI was going through the ledger when I heard the little commotion going on outside my office. What was happening?I rose from my chair and stepped out of my airy office to see my secretary having a little banter with someone.Other staff were watching with interest. Few eyes caught my presence and went back to their station or faced their jobs...or at least they pretended to.I had never seen Miss Bordeaux in this infuriated manner. And the person she was talking back to was a bit hidden by a staff's work station."You do not have an appointment, little girl." My secretary snapped."Do you know who I am? Who my father is?" The familiar voice had me halting in my tracks. Maybe I should let Celine handle this one all by herself.I had just done a U-turn and was about to flee to my office when I heard the excited squeal. "There he is! There's my boyfriend!"I froze in place. I could hear the deafening silence that followed her statement. Eyes were on me. Everyone knew I was marri
CATHERINE"You know we have to be careful how and where we meet. The last time we almost got caught by that bitch." I complained as soon as I entered the passenger seat of his car. And by that 'bitch', I meant Hailey. I had been quick to spot her at that hotel before she sent her goons to come after us.She didn't know Derek yet, just me. So it was specifically me she had wanted. Derek and me hadn't met again until now when he'd called to see me. "Exactly why I chose a place far from town and in this car with tinted windows, one can hardly recognize us." He responded, tucking a strand of his brown long hair behind his ear. "How has it been?" I shrugged and lied. "Fine."But I knew everything was far from fine. My son was held in that bastard's custody. And then he'd had the guts to call me to order me to carry out his bidding. "Are you sure?" He observed my expression.Rather than give him a response, I extended my palm. "The money you promised me."He stretched to the backseat of
MISS BORDEAUXI stepped out through the glass doors of my workplace, ready to go home. It was such a honor to be working for the second biggest company in the country.Also, with a boss like mine, it was an absolute dream come true. Mr Johnson was such a wonderful sight for good eyes, though it was a bumper he was married. Well, at least, I got to admire from afar. He wasn't the type to chase after women. And he respected the company's rules of no office romance. I hailed a taxi. A young graduate like myself from the trailer knew better than to wish for something she had no right wishing for.Mr Johnson treated me nice like every other staff under him. He paid us well and when I attended trips with him, I sure did have fun but he never made any advances.Sure he would talk to me but in a friendly, boss to employee manner. "Where to, ma'am?" The beardy cab man inquired. "Fin Square." I replied, proceeding to open the back of the taxi."That won't be necessary, Miss Bordeaux. I can
The room smelled of passion and the result of satisfying lust as we both held onto each other, reaching our climax at the same time. He spilled his seeds inside of me before collapsing on my body. None of us could talk for a while. I waited for my brain cells to return to normal and be able to comprehend what had just happened. When it did, I couldn't even bring myself to look at him or even speak.But I had to say something. "Get off me."I swallowed, totally not expecting my voice to tremble as it had just did. Why was I on the verge of crying over something that I'd been a willing participant?He raised his head to study my expression, then he sighed. It was low but I heard it. "What's wrong Hailey?""Your wife needs you." I managed to get out through an emotional voice.He roll off me but didn't let go, rather he cradled me in his arms. "I promise this is not like six years ago."That made me even struggle harder to get away from him. "Unwrap your arms from my body this minute,