MARTHAIt was difficult to comprehend the scene before me even though I was seeing it with my own two eyes.Mia and Jerome?"Mom." Jerome seemed shocked to see me, but there was excitement as well.I was stunned speechless that I could only stare foolishly at them both. Mia quickly got out of Jerome's hold and wore her clothes.She was trembling, that much was clear to me. Trembling out of fear."How did you find your way here?" Jerome crossed the room to meet me buck naked, I saw him signalling his boys to go.I turned back to see their backs. I faced him again.As he was about to hug me, I moved back and slapped him. "Get dressed!"He grinned and wore his clothes.Mia didn't say a word, she grabbed her bag from the sofa I was standing near and made to leave."Where are you going to?" Jerome went to grab her."Leave me alone." Her voice shook as though she was abo
PRISCILLA "You need to know when to stop, Phil. What are you doing?!" I yelled at my husband in exasperation.His face was taunt with anger and determination. "You had better shut your mouth, Priscilla."I wanted to flinch but held it in. I knew Phil had a temper and could throw tantrums like a baby if he was not getting his way.Sometimes he could get verbally and emotionally abusive towards me but I'd endured.Lately, it was getting worse and I had somehow knew it had to do with his anger over not being invited to that party. An event that had taken place weeks ago! How petty could he be? It was beginning to grate my nerves raw. I wasn't one for confrontations but he was making it difficult to live with him. I just had to address it. "Why don't you just focus on your business and let Peter Johnson be. He's family by marriage.""I don't care who he is, Priscilla. I need to have the upper hand. I just heard from a reliable source that Jared is being favored for that political positi
CHRISTIANI spotted her in the dark corner of the bar, nursing a drink. One long look at her and I knew she was not in a good mood.Although that was to be expected. I'd been informed.The ringing of my phone cut off my thoughts.Jerome."What's up, man?""Have you spotted her?""Yes. I'll get back to you soon."I ended the call and took a seat on the high stool at the bar where I could easily keep an eye on her, waiting for my moment.I was doing this as a favor to Jerome. He had said he was going to help me with getting Hailey back. I'd been trying to reach her ever since but she wouldn't pick my calls and it was really difficult seeing her these days."What would you like to have, sir?" A young bartender with red hair that looks obviously dyed and a long pattern of tattoo that ran from her neck down to her left arm addressed me."A shot of tequila." I responded, still keeping an e
I stormed into company, my glass, custom-made heels clicking angrily against the polished floor. The aura I oozed off, despite the ridiculously big bouquet of roses I was carrying, was intimidating.And that was what I was aiming for but not to intimidate these innocent staff but their boss.Their stupid, arrogant, stubborn boss who was gradually turning my home into a garden of roses, daisies and chrysanthemums.He couldn't even get my favorite flower right. Tulip.Not to say these weren't beautiful but I didn't want anything from him."Good day, ma'am.""Hello, ma'am."Greetings followed me as I continued my angry march towards the elevator and up the building to his office floor. His secretary saw me and recognized me immediately. I was a famous face.Who would forget the face that had been on the news on and off for the past six years?The only difference was now I attracted respect and honor as the 'fiancee' of America's biggest and most influential CEO — Peter Johnson.Though
I hated that I was enjoying his lips assault mine. I hated that I loved the rage oozing off of him as he pillaged my mouth and exercised dominance.I hated that his hands were crawling up my waist and gently squeezing my firm butt. I hated even more that I was allowing this. I had loved him and given him everything I was worth back then, but he'd taken it for granted and made a fool out of me. He was back. Begging. Because his marriage with the love of his life was not going according to plan. If he had children with Mia, he would not be regretting. He would not be sending flowers. He would not have paid mind to my kids. He would have still ignored me like I didn't exist. "So sweet." He groaned in my mouth. He had once said he could not resist my body. I had thought it to be a compliment and let it get to my head but it wasn't...He had just seen me as an available tool for satisfying his sexual urge and his insatiable urge died off the moment Mia returned.I had looked so stup
JARED"What did she come here to do, Jared?" She pushed herself away from me as I tried to help her get on her feet, her turquoise blue orbs staring heatedly at me."It's nothing. Just let me help you up." I tried again but she would not let me. Unexpectedly, anger coursed through me. "Fine! Remain on the floor then!"I rose to my feet and went to occupy my own chair, my head spinning spirally in thoughts. They were conflicted at that moment.Why had I kissed her? What was the motive behind that kiss and the way she had kissed me back? Fear Lord, it felt like old times.Illicit affairs of six years ago sprung and flooded my mind, making me feel things I didn't want to feel.Things I should definitely not be feeling. I was a married man and she was a woman who hated me.I wanted to bash my head against a wall for that kiss. Then her eyes just before she'd left. The betrayal, pain.Guilt wrapped me l
PHILIPS "What do you mean the boy is gone? How can you say that?! Who took him?!" I grabbed one of the men I had kept to be in charge of Catherine's son and landed him a slap.He staggered back from the force of it. "I-I'm s-sorry, Mr. Pillax.""You're stupid! Do I pay you to be sorry, you incompetent fool?!" I raged. Fuck! What would I tell the mother? I had promised nothing would happen to him. Also, that boy was the only tool to use against Catherine to work for me. I glared daggers at the guys I'd paid to work for me. Two of them were injured. "What happened here? Tell me." I cooled my temper to ask them. The one in charge, he was the one I'd landed a slap, began to talk. "We heard strange noises middle of the night and I thought to go check it out. I saw nothing. I went back inside only to find my boys under attack and injured. They wore masks and these men are good. They must be professionals." He concluded with an air of defeat and shame. Anger and annoyance stirred. "Is
PETER"Thank you for agreeing to see my nephew, Bronx." I shook hands with the President who had now become a close friend and had asked me to quit with the formalities and address him like a friend would.It had taken a while and some corrections from the president but I finally felt comfortable calling the number one citizen of the United States of America by his first name. "I appreciate you making time for me, Mister President." Jared also accepted an handshake from him, feeling very proud of himself in that moment.I saw the pride in his eyes and all I could say was he truly deserved some accolades. He was the youngest of the contestants for the Senate position. Also, he was smart and bold."I like your nephew, Pete. He's smart, young and well spoken. He's definitely the kind of man needed in politics." Bronx smiled wide at me, evidently pleased. Even without my help, the President would have still taken a liking to him."Thank you, Mister President." Jared was all smiles as hi
"Good night, Hailey." Uncle Pete yawned, kissing my hair before leaving for his room."Good night, uncle Pete." I watched him trudge the stairs. Then he turned. "Are you sure you're not ready for bed?""While you were out this afternoon, I napped. So I'm not yet sleepy." I told him."Alright." He shrugged, emitted another yawn and continued his journey up the stairs to his room. Everyone in the house was asleep, including the maids, Miss Nancy and my son.When I saw he was out of sight, I tiptoed to the entrance and walked out of the house, heading for the electronic gate. Once outside the compound, I took the short walk with street lamps guiding my steps till I reached the small building.I'd worked on it and had it in a better shape. Money brought quicker results. I knocked on the door. "Good evening, ma'am." The young nurse opened the door for me."Good evening, Nora. Where are Landon and Brittany?" I asked of the other medical professionals I'd hired to care for Noah. It was
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 hu
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