JARED"You can not fold your hands and watch her take your children away, Jared." Mom was in her usual angry mode whenever she wasn't getting what she wanted."Mom, stop it. Okay? It's enough." I was trying to think of a better solution."I'm trying to be helpful here." She eyed me unhappily."But you're making matters worse. Uncle Pete is right. We wronged that girl, we should be apologizing to her not making matters worse."I had thought of everything uncle Pete had said and I'd reminisced on the past, I was ashamed of how low I'd sunk myself to treat her that way.Even though she had accused me of being responsible for her pregnancy, it wasn't enough reason to treat her like that. She had lost her first pregnancy and all I had done was stand against her. The second one which I knew I was responsible for, I'd asked her to abort without a thought to her feelings.She had once confessed to being in love with me and in every way, she had shown me but I had turned a blind eye because I
MARTHAFear, disbelief, surprise and a sense of motherly yearning for her child all attacked me at once.My son was back? I knew what he was and his capabilities but he was still my son.Thought there was a reason he was dead to us. He had to be."Are you certain of what you're saying?" Jared questioned, the dread and disbelief on his face wa enough answer for me.Jerome's presence meant a lot of things would go wrong."Of course he's not certain of what he's saying. How can a dead man be back? Back to where?" Mia remarked.Everyone went silent immediately. No one could tell her the truth. Even she was not aware that Jerome was alive. We had her and others believed he was dead."Right?" She looked at Jared, then at me and finally at my brother-in-law.None of us spoke."Why's everyone quiet?" She was asking, looking clueless. "Is he alive?" She faced me."Yes, he is but I'll tell you
"Hello, ma'am."The young guy I'd employed recently to work for me discreetly greeted as soon as my car stopped at the spot I'd asked him to meet me.It was a deserted place that had old, abandoned houses and other buildings. It used to be a residential area from the looks of it but now was like no man's island.He was already there, waiting for me. I had just finished from the restaurant and came out to meet him. "Hi, Kazim."He was a Muslim and a Pakistani. He had come highly recommended. He was not more than twenty two but was very good.I also liked the fact he wasn't much of a talker. At least, it won't be me doing the spilling of our secret business. He handed me an envelope. "The information you need, ma'am.""Thank you." I took it and brought out its contents to peruse. My eyes widened in surprise at what I saw, I raised my head to meet his eyes. "Are you sure this is the right information?""Yes, ma'am." He simply replied.So Catherine had a son. Perfect! Such a pity he wa
As soon as I stepped into the house and heard the cries, I hurried my steps, maternal instincts kicking in."What's wrong with him, uncle Pete?" I rushed towards them."He's been crying few minutes after you left." Uncle Pete was seen trying to calm Zion but my little boy was having none of it. "Zion baby." I tried to hold him but he clung tighter to uncle Pete's shirt and cried harder. "He's not letting me hold him.""Do you think he's fully recovered?"Uncle Pete had to increase his tone just so I could hear him over my son's ear-splitting wails. "Or we should take him back to the hospital?""Let's go back to the hospital." The fact that Zion had never behaved like this before, worried me even more. He was discharged yesterday and had been calm until now. "Hospital?" He paused in his tantrums to look at us both. "Are we going to the hospital?"Uncle Pete and I exchanged glances then looked back at him. He was rubbing his watery, puffy eyes and sniffling back tears and snot. "Why
MIA"I knew you wouldn't disobey me." He commented as soon as I walked into the living room of his home.I eye rolled. "This is an issue of urgency, Jerome. Why didn't you tell me about her?"I dropped the small brown leather purse I was holding in the nearest sofa and folded my arms. "What difference will it make?" He chugged the remaining contents in his glass. "Why don't you sit and let's have a drink?""I'm not having drinks with you until you answer me, Jerome! Why didn't you tell me you fucked and impregnated Hailey?!" The more I thought of the matter, I felt used and stupid. "Are you jealous?" He flashed me a grin that made a dent on both sides of his face. Jared had the same dimples and the skin on both sides of his face sucked in whenever he smiled or laughed. The same effect it had on me whenever Jared smiled was the same effect it was having on me now seeing Jerome flash me a grin. That was ridiculous, I told myself. I could not be harboring feelings for two brothers.
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
'New York's second most influential businessman, the CEO of Johnson Investment, the many time award winning Business Man Of The Year and the youngest political candidate for the senatorial position in the United States, Jared Johnson, caught in a videotape having s€x with his secretary, Miss Celine Bordeaux.'I stared in shock at the screen of my phone as I read the pop-up notification news."What the hell?!" I blinked repeatedly.My hands shook as I clicked the play button. Moans and groans filled my ear.Jared?! How could he? What was wrong with him?!Anger, jealousy, bitterness and every other emotions choked my windpipe, restricting my airflow.My hands trembled badly as I rose from my bed and ran for the door.Uncle Pete needed to hear this. Read this.It was still early in the morning and he would still be sleeping but this was a matter of urgency.I was going to wake him, I didn'
"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 wasn
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