'Journeys end. Journeys end, wait a minute'
He unfolded a paper and started reading,
Journeys end in lovers meeting,
Every wise man's son doth know.
What is love? ‘It’s not hereafter;
Present mirth hath present laughter;
What's to come is still unsure:
In delay there lies not plenty;
Then, come kiss me, sweet and twenty,
Youth's a stuff will not endure.
(Note: it's written by Shakespeare)
He bowed after completing, giving me a chance to notice what he is wearing.
'Is that your mother's coat?'
'A gentleman never kisses and tells, though I appreciate your interest in my attire. It speaks of your wifely qualities', he said haughtily.
I pinched the bridge of my nose, taking a Long breath. I said, 'First, you are a kid, KID, not a gentleman. Second, stop with wifely qualities, that's just ew. Lastly, why are you quoting Shakespeare to me?'
'You are offending my sensibiliti
I took it and tried not to bang the door on his face. I peeped in to see a dress from the boutique from the down floor. Wow, only Raphael Sinclair can blow the amount of my 2 months’ salary on a dress in 5 minutes. The material is so soft to my touch that I don't want to take it off me. Other than that, it hardly covers me, I don't know which is worse- his shirt or this dress. Both left nothing to the imagination.I'm not used to parading in the office in this kind of attire, it makes me feel exposed. Hmm, the other alternative is his shirt which if I Guess correctly, he won't be happy to part with. It's not about stinginess per se, more like being territorial about his things. If nothing I learned one or two titbits about him from these past couple of weeks. And trust me, Raphael Sinclair is extremely territorial. If only it extends to people. A girl can dream. Sigh.I opened the closet door collecting my ripped skirt (I won't say tattered. A girl should give re
By the time I get the mail, I'm tweaking the slides. I was so engrossed in preparing the slides it took 5 rings to pick up the phone.'Raphael Sinclair's office. How may I help you?'It is one of his more high-maintenance clients, who couldn't—or didn't want to—grasp the fact that he was currently in a meeting. By the time I wrapped up the phone call, all but signing away my firstborn on the promise that yes, he would call her back as soon as possible, I'm more than exhausted. I'm definitely underpaid for this job. It will serve him right if I send her a call through.At this rate, I would be fielding calls from his conquests in the near future. Though thinking about it, there was never such a call since I started.Note to self-indulge in office gossip related to Raphael Sinclair.I worked through the lunch finally wrapping up the presentation slides with an image of Butler bowing to his lord in the end. I will delete it before the actu
Saturday 'early' morning (I count 8 as early on weekends) I went for a long power walk. The only result I came to after my walk is-I'm not as fit as I think I'm. It plummeted my confidence, which was not much, to begin with. I wouldn't have felt this uncertainty if I was in form and doing fights regularly. I was thinking of a long shower as I climbed my stairs when I heard a crashing sound.I raced towards the sound only to halt at what I saw.' oh my God Richard, what happened? Are you ok? Can you walk? Here let me help you', I held his hand to lift him when I noticed his hand was covered in red dots. I checked his face to find some more red dots. Though they are a bit unusual. I never had chickenpox, maybe this is normal in such diseases.' you touched me', he said in awe.'of course, I would touch you. You are not feeling well. Are you feeling any hotness?' I put my hand on his forehead to check the temperature.‘Yes, totally' he hitched.
I grimaced already knowing the outcome.'Is there any way out of this?', I asked Kade, my eyes glued to my opponent. I prided myself on my Amazonian traits, but now I feel puny.'No', he replied casually.'Can I just step in and admit I give up?', my voice wistful to my ears.'No'.'You realize I'm coming out of that ring in a stretcher, right?''No'.'You are going to pay the bill for the hospital ', I said, not acknowledging his answer.'No'.'Remind me again why am I fighting?''No'.'You said you are not into illegal stuff anymore. What is this then? As far as I can see here, it not only squeaks illegal but also shouts’, I asked quoting his statement with my hands.'No comment''Are you going to answer with other than no or no comment?', I exaggerated my irritation.'No'.'Oh, come on, I'm about to get beaten here. At least try to motivate me. You know, all those prep t
'What? How is it possible? The police told''A bunch of lies', he completed for me.'Have you checked the post-mortem report? Have you seen your sister's body?''No, they said as there was no one to wait, they performed cremation', I said still in shock.'Doesn't it seem odd to you? Generally, in this type of case, a post-mortem is a must. For supposedly such a media-frenzied case to not put much attention in these details?''Why would they do that? How do you know any of this?', I asked him to try to wrap my head around this new information. There was never a point to doubt his statement because, if there was anyone I trust in the world, it would be Kade. It was Kade who helped me at my lowest, not my Sister and definitely not my mother. I never had time for friends or boys, the former because they don't like my attention(a girl with bruises and cheap dresses, I wonder what they thought I was doing, wince)and the latter's attention I don't want.
'Now, now you are going home', he said as a matter of fact.'Oh no no, we have to discuss the plan. Where to start, what to do, whom to find...'My rant was cut off by him saying, ‘which can be done tomorrow''But...'He didn’t answer in words, but his eyes shouted, 'not now'. Even though he rebukes, I'm not going to shut up that easily, 'but Kade...', I started pleading.'Not now kid. Tomorrow is soon enough', he interrupted.How could I go home quietly knowing somewhere out there a murderer is free? How to form my anguish into words, so that he would listen? I can't explain this failure that's choking me. Probably I should start digging without Kade. Yes, that's what I should do. But where to start?Who is powerful enough to hold the police department in his fist?Police department. Not a good idea to search the place which I should avoid at all costs. But that's all my brain can function after the Long day I had.
I took Kade's car while he followed on his Harley at a safe distance. We were connected through the call, checking at every signal for a possible tail.'Any prospect?', I asked while steering through another lane. My mind on the possibility of who might be following me? Right now, all I draw is a blank.'Take left. Don't speed up'.'What? You spotted one and didn’t tell me?', I shout at my phone.'Tone down. Just making sure before telling you. Lead up to Brooklyn bridge. And the kid takes as many turns as you can. We want him to be busy following you to check his mirror''Roger that captain'Let's dance, shall we?What followed next is me spinning my wheel at every turn taking time twice as long as it would normally take to reach the bridge.'Shit. He caught what's going on. Quick. Turn back. Black SUV. You are closer than me. Follow that car but kid, don't do anything. I'm serious. I'll be right behind you.''Got
I know I don't have time, but my curiosity got the better of me. I beeline to our seer, who knows it all aka Rose's office floor. Luckily, she is already at her desk, thank god for mercies.'Well, well, wonders never cease. Is it an apocalypse?', Rose asked.'Hey, I know I'm dodging you lately for drinks, what with all the work piling my desk. I will make time, soon. Now tell me what's with all the hype?''You mean you don't know? Tell me again where you work?'I gave her an eye roll and said, ' cut the dramatics. I'm squeezing the time as it is for this little chit chat'.'Wow, you sound like Raphael when you say like that'I mildly panic listening to that. Oh my god, I'm becoming his clone. Note to self-need to steer clear from him as much as possible.'Me? I'm nothing like that. He expects groveling sycophancy from employees. I'm way cooler than that'.'You know, sometimes the Raphael Sinclair you describe didn't mash with w
He extended his hand, before everyone important to us, to join him. I searched for Kade. Understanding what I’m asking, Kade appeared beside me, to walk me through the aisle.When I reached Raphael, he joined our hands together and turned us to the pastor. We both looked into each other’s eyes ignoring the pastor, until the time he asked Raphael, ‘do you Raphael Jacob Sinclair take Erica Anderson as your wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, keeping yourself solely unto her for as long as you both shall live?’Raphael said ‘I do’ while looking into my eyes.Then the pastor turned towards me and asked ‘Do you Erica Anderson, take Raphael Jacob Sinclair, to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and health, to love, honor and obey, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself solely unto him fo
Two days have passed since I cut our ties.Despite telling him no, I was suffering from a lassitude, a vagueness, that prevented me from doing anything more energetic and profitable than wandering the streets of New York listlessly. A strenuous exercise may help, but my body was not obeying my commands. What I need is, I decided fretfully, something to take my mind off Raphael Sinclair.Remind me why are we doing this again? Asked my inner diva.Self-respect, I gritted out.It must be nice sleeping with that self-respect, my inner self said sarcasm dripping from her voice.Decide which side you are before sprouting your nonsense.Can I say, peace? My inner b queried.There was nothing dramatically changing in my life once I said no. No light pointed out whether I have done the right thing or not. No mini-Raphael’s asking, ‘Why did you leave daddy, mommy?’ In the dreams. All the same, I felt lonely. Sometimes I questi
‘That’s the point. You never considered how I may feel! Normally, when a girlfriend says she is pregnant, her boyfriend asks-how does she feel? Is she happy? Does she want this baby?... you know the basic things. But do not place surveillance on her as if she is a fugitive. Who does that? You always canter to what I may want without consulting me, yet never wait and think what I may need, Raphael?’‘You are being unreasonable Erica. I explained to you the circumstances and the delicacy the situation warranted’‘No! You had your turn, now you listen to me. This relationship’, I swallowed the lump that formed on what I was about to say, ‘this...whatever we are having is not how a relationship works. There must be a give and take. There must be dates, talking...not soulful silences, sharing each other’s feelings, emotions, fear’s, hobbies, musical tastes, not to forget the past(like have any more surprise family
‘Before I speak any further, why don’t you go change while I order something for you?’ He pointed towards his wardrobe that has his second set of clothes.‘Are you going to charge this one too?’ I joked, reminiscing his demand to pay for the clothes he bought.‘Consider this my investment’, he countered.Once I changed into his shirt and ate a sandwich that no doubt one of his possums provided, I asked relaxing on the couch, ‘so, what do you want to talk about?’‘Do you love me?’‘Just go to the jugular, why don’t you? You don’t have the right to ask that question. I’m not here to listen to this’, I tried to get up.‘Sit down Erica. Trust me, I will explain later. Just answer my question’I snorted at him demanding my trust. ‘Why?’‘Because I want to know how you feel about me before I say anything&rsquo
It didn’t help to improve my mood either when I stepped outside the subway to encounter the rain. The way my life is going I really ought to have known better than to think the weather would cooperate. A wry glance at the dense cloud-packed sky confirmed that the rain wasn't likely to let up. Well, in for a penny, in for a pound. I had no alternative but to get soaked in the rain as I walked. By the time I reached my former office, I’m drenched wet to the bone, my cream shirt and black skirt, no doubt liberally splattered with dirty rainwater spots. I don’t know what I’m going to accomplish once I meet Raphael, however, in my current mindset I would probably stab him with his pen that’s always neatly placed on his desk.Once I entered his floor, my eyes landed on none other than the woman who was cast alongside Raphael in the picture. She was lounging casually on the couch outside his office, doing her touch-up. Why, oh why? Can this day get any
All I’m saying is he is human... treat him as such. Don’t condemn him without listening to his side, Raphael’s new friend aka my inner b advised me.That’s not true. We talked about what happened, I mulled.No, you dissected, and he listened patiently, my inner b was on a roll.Yet, not once did he object, I countered.At this, my inner diva started counting his virtues while pacing the imaginary floor. ‘Did you give him the chance? You were the one to build an impossible castle of dreams on an insecure foundation. You were the one to abandon a relationship that has leavening magic which lacked in this generation. You may reason yourself with whatever you think is right, but just think... he was the guy who held you when you cried. He was the guy who listened to your blabbering and didn’t blanch at your imagination. He was the guy who rescued you when you are in danger, not once but twice. He was the guy who wanted to a
‘I... but doctor, how is that possible?’‘Are you asking me the basics Ms. Anderson?’, he asked playfully.‘What? Of course not. What I mean is... doctor it’s... it’s actually only been a month since I entered a relationship. You see what I’m getting at?’, I asked hopefully with my cheeks blushing red, hinting at a probable malfunction in the scanning report.‘My dear, if I can be blunt, all it takes is only one time done at the right moment. And you are six weeks pregnant from what I can see in the reports’‘But... how? Six weeks?’Please ask again, I want to have a nice laugh, my inner d said sarcastically.‘Well, many new would-be mothers’ get confused the first time. The counting starts from your last period, not from the date the sperm enters your body’.‘Oh...ok’, I mentally cringed, visualizing the scientific side.
‘No!!’, my scream was joined by another male one. Rose looked surprised at the blood coming from her. The bullet was lodged near her heart. I could feel her life force slipping. What a waste! A Life is driven by greed and envy. Though I didn’t agree with her choices, I didn’t want this for her. I wanted justice, yes, but this feels... cheated.I looked at the guy who was the cause of this mess and was shocked to see his facial characteristics. He is by no doubt Raphael’s half-brother. His jawline... his nose...his hair... They look like Raphael, only younger. How could Diana sleep with him, knowing he resembles Raphael? That was one twisted mind I wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole.He knelt beside Rose, gingerly holding his hand, ‘Oh Rose, I’m sorry’, silent tears can be seen leaking from his eyes.‘I knew... you were always ...a poor...shot’, Rose joked with her last breath.Even though
‘Stop your riddles and say clearly Rose’, I spat the words.‘Erica...Erica...Erica, you always had a problem with power. First, Raphael when he made you a workhorse, now, me for not spilling my guts faster. It’s ok though, as this will be your last conversation... I will tell you. You know, as a friend’, she said sarcastically before continuing to reply to my questions, ‘so, where was I? Oh, yes, children. Me and my brother. Where does Sophie fit into this?’, she tapped her finger on the Chin and said, ‘right in the middle of it. We are... the three musketeers’‘I won’t believe you’, I said, not wanting to see the image she is projecting.‘Whatever! Believe it or not. Just because you closed your eyes doesn’t mean it’s dark outside. However, I agree she was not part of the plan in the beginning. It all started four years ago. My mother’s bedtime story on her deathbed,