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Madam First Lady
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Rachel did not wake up until many hours later. She opened her eyes to a doctor bent over her.
Her mind traveled back to the conversation with her father and she sprang up, and withdrew in fright.
Her head began pounding in protest.
"Relax." The doctor cooed. "I am glad you are up. How does your head feel?" Racheal looked at the woman with distrust.
"I have a terrible headache." She said,
"That was expected, the blow to your head was quite..." The woman paused with an uncomfortable smirk. "Bad." She added. "How is your vision?"
Racheal slowly removed her gaze from the doctor's face and looked around. "Fine." She announced.
The room looked a little hazy but she suspected it was because she had been out for so long.
"How long was I unconscious?" She asked.
"About six hours." The doctor responded. "You should really not be receiving blows like this. They are very dangerous."
"You should tell HER that." Racheal said.
She had been maltreated for years. Roselyn would hit her violently, and sometimes when she felt unsatisfied, she instructed one of the guards to hit Racheal while she watched.
"Avoid her face." She would always say. Perhaps she was too angry today to care. She hated anyone reminding her of her past as a home wrecker.
"Tell me what?" She heard her stepmother say as she walked closer. Racheal felt an involuntary shiver go through her body.
How did she walk in unnoticed?
The doctor hurriedly stood up and bowed in greeting. "Madam first lady."
Roslyn did not even pay her a glance.
She continued walking and stopped just beside Rachel's bed. She roughly grabbed Racheal's face and examined it.
"Will she scar?" She asked, still without looking at the doctor.
"Not with the lotions I brought." The woman picked them up jerkinly from a nearby table to show the first lady.
Roslyn took one with the tip of her fingers, and examined it with a sneer. "They were made by the very best scientists." The doctor added.
"You talk too much." Roslyn spat, finally looking the woman in the eye. Irritation was clear in her tone and eyes.
"I'm sorry Madam." The doctor quickly said with an apologetic bow.
"You're still talking." Roslyn snapped. "Get out."
The doctor hurried away, completely forgetting to take her bag in her haste to exit the room.
Racheal could not blame her, she felt sorry. Her stepmother had a way of reducing a person to an idiot.
Racheal turned to steal a glance at her and caught her staring back at her. The hate in her step-mother's eyes made her shrink.
"You passed the examination." Roslyn said.
"What?"
"The doctor said you still had your hymen intact." Her stepmother said pacing the room.
"What?" Racheal found herself saying again.
"Your father was so proud. I think there is nothing to be proud about, there are many ways to get your pleasures without penetrative sex. A hymen does not make you a saint." Roslyn continued.
She finally stopped walking and stood beside her bed again.
"You should know those other ways." Racheal wanted to say but instead said "How could you?"
"How could I what?"
"You violated me. I was unconscious, I did not give anyone consent to touch me or examine me." Racheal felt angry and hurt.
"I gave them consent. I am your step-mother."
"I am an adult." Racheal practically screamed. "Only I can give consent about my body."
Her step mother laughed darkly. "Like you give consent to be confined here and the other things i do to you?"
She laughed again, this time she sounded genuinely amused. "You should know things do not work that way here."
"You are evil."
Her stepmother did not get angry or try to hit her. She still looked amused. Racheal felt pain deep in her chest.
Why did she have to go through so much humiliation. Everyday her step-mother found more ways to make her feel less human. She was debased every day, the next time worse than the last.
Her father said and did nothing to protect her, she had absolutely no one to protect or save her, not even Maxwell anymore. She terribly missed her mother at that moment.
"You won't even show me my mother's grave." She felt tears fall from her eyes as she looked at Roslyn.
"And you think I would do that after your little act just now?" Roslyn scoffed and began walking away. "Rest, you will need your strength in the coming days." She said over her shoulder as she exited the room.
Racheal collapsed back to her bed in tears. This became her life since Roslyn stepped into their world. Tears and pain.
She had always technically been in their lives though.
From what Racheal learned, Roslyn became her father's mistress a few years after he got married to her mother.
They had Claire together, while Racheal's mother had difficulty getting pregnant.
And they had Celia a few months after Racheal was born. Her mother was ignorant of all this, till her father began climbing high in the political ladder.
The rumors became too big to ignore by the time he became vice president. Her mother went out to clear her head after confronting her father one day and never came back.
Her father announced she had been found a few months later, dead. And he married Roslyn, Racheal was only five years old.
Her maid came in, distracting her from her thoughts.
"It's time Miss."
Racheal blew her nose into the piece of paper napkin she had plucked from the roll on the table. "Time for what?"
"To prepare you for your wedding day. Your father has made the arrangements, and the first person is waiting outside the door." The maid said.
"First person? I don't understand what you are saying Diana." Racheal said. Her head felt hot and she feared she would soon be burning with a fever.
"The wedding is a national affair and your father instructed that he wanted you to look your best. An esthetician is waiting outside the door." The maid explained.
"Esthetician? What do I need an esthetician for?"
The maid said nothing but was staring at a spot on Racheal's face.
"Please get me a mirror." Racheal said. The maid hurriedly did.
Racheal gasped as soon as she looked in the hand mirror, her face was swollen red with a cut that looked ugly but thankfully not too deep.
Racheal sighed sadly in resignation and handed the mirror back to the maid. Her looks should be the least of her worries now.
"When is the wedding?" Racheal asked. Diana should know, maids had a way of knowing everything.
"You don't know?" The maid looked at her with surprise. "You are set to get married this weekend."
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The following days passed by in a blur for Racheal. The presidential palace was busy with activities. The wedding was to be held here, in attendance of all political dignitaries from both countries. On the morning of her wedding, her face looked flawless as she sat waiting in a thick white lace wedding dress. She noticed her maid scurrying away, and looked up at the door. Her father stood, beaming with pride at her. This was the first time he had ever stepped foot in her room or even suite in the eighteen years they had lived in the presidential palace, first as a vice president and then a president. She wanted to hate him, she resented him a little even, but she could not hate him. As much as she wanted to, as much as she thought she should, she just couldn't. He was father, he was also the only living reminder of the pleasant parts of her childhood. "You look radiant." He said moving close to her. "Stand up so I can see you."Racheal obeyed quietly. "The only thing missing
The Bargain Stay away from her
In the official presidency office sat her father and Spencer Sherrod, her father-in-law. Roslyn was nowhere in sight, and for that Racheal was very grateful. Spencer Sherrod stood up as soon as the couple walked into the huge, lavishly designed office with flags standing before one side of the walls. He walked up to them, and the young couple bowed in greeting. "Welcome to the family." He said, giving Racheal a hug. "Thank you Mr President." She said."No. You can call me Spencer, or father-in-law. You just married Steffan after all." Spencer Sherrod said with a wide smile. Racheal looked at him warily, despite his sunny countenance, she instinctively felt he could not be trusted. This was a man that could be ruthless when he needed to be. Besides, she could not forget the attacks he launched on her country during the war. One could argue that it was a war and that her country fought back. But still, it took a certain kind of person to be willing to go to war in that manner. I
The Bargain A common thief
"No! I don't know where that came from." Racheal said immediately in horror. The guests began to whisper, and soon it became a full hall of murmuring and irritated hiss.Everyone was giving her dirty looks. "What is the meaning of this?" Steffan said, walking towards her. Racheal turned to look up at him. His eyes held a look of confusion. "I don't know where that cufflink came from, I did not take it.""Then how did it get in your purse?" Racheal heard a beautiful feminine voice say from the other side of the table. She turned to look. It was Thalia, she was looking at Racheal with sympathy."I am not a thief." Racheal said, defending herself. Thalia looked horrified. "I would never label you. I just asked a question." She said sweetly, looking like she may soon burst into tears. Steffan's mother Danna Sherrod shifted towards Thalia and rubbed her shoulders, consoling her.The woman had gone over several times during the dinner to check on Thalia and have small chats with her.
The Bargain What a day!
The bracelet sparkled against the light shining down from the ceiling. "It's beautiful." Racheal said in genuine awe. She could not remember the last time anyone had given her something this beautiful. Or any gifts at all."I'm glad you like it." He said. "Hold out your wrist."She did, stretching out her right hand. He placed the bracelet on her wrist and clasped it. It felt cold.She turned it this way and that in the light, admiring the delicate beauty of it."It suits you." He said. Racheal looked up at him. He was looking at her in the same strange way he had since they got in the elevator. And somehow the look made her heart race and skin hot.It was a different look from the one he had given her before the elevator. That kind, patient look that made her want to impress him.This look made her want to… She did not know what this look made her want to do!"It's a wedding gift." He finally said. "In our culture, a man is supposed to give his bride something valuable on their wed
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"It's fine, Aunty. We did not take any offence at all." Thalia said, smiling kindly and patting Racheal on the shoulders. "No. She embarrassed us." Danna Sherrod said angrily. "Soon the whole country will learn that the country's First Son is married a common thief.""I did not steal ma'am." Racheal said politely. "Then how did it get in your purse of all places?" Danna Sherrod barked."I don't know." Racheal said honestly. She was beginning to feel trapped. Last night she wondered if someone could steal without their own knowledge. Like Skylar had observed yesterday. She had not even gone near the vice president the whole time. So how could she have stolen his cufflink?And what would she need a cufflink for, especially one that had the family initials on it. She could not sell it to anyone. It had to be someone trying to frame her. She suspected Thalia. As far as she knew, only she had enough motive to frame her, except she had other enemies. She broke into a sweat. Did she ha
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The couple turned back to look at her."What is wrong with her look?" The president asked."She looks…" Danna Sherrod struggled for a word. "Inelegant, plain GAUDY." She shrieked. "She looks stunning to me." Skylar cut in. "More elegant than SOME PEOPLE with their extravagant makeup." She did not look at Thalia but everyone knew who she was talking about. Thalia had on layers of red lipstick, bright, bright highlighter and her cleavage was bare and bouncy.Steffan looked at Racheal who was close to tears now. She did not know why her mother-in-law hated her so much. She had not even made any effort to get to know her first. "Do you like your dress?" Steffan asked."Yes.""Good. Let's go." He turned to walk away with her."But I can change my outfit if your mother prefers." She said trying to keep up with his long legs."No." He said strongly. The force behind the one word silenced her.She quietly let him lead her, hand in hand to the convoy waiting outside. The security guards we
The Bargain A pretty bird
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The Bargain Playing by the rules
After that it was commotion. The crowd went wild trying to defend Racheal. Some attempted to grab at the old woman after the guards handed her over to the cops who pulled her through the crowd.Racheal was partially blind from the sting of the chicken blood in her eye. Her dress was completely ruined and her hair and face felt sticky. Steffan guided her into the car, and she could feel his anger even without seeing him. They drove hard and fast back home. She heard Steffan rummaging through the fridge in the car. Then he leaned in close and she felt something cold on her face. “Don’t move.” He commanded and Racheal stayed still. She felt him gently wiping her eyelids and her brows. “I cannot do much.” She heard him say in frustration. She said nothing. With the brief wipe he did, she was able to open her eyes a few inches. But soon, the mess from her hair began streaming down her face again. She quickly shut her eyes close. As soon as their cars pulled in through the presid
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The Bargain Epilogue
“Mind Skylar’s head.” Steffan said, watching her get out of the car. Racheal cradled six month-old Skylar’s head in her arms and got out of the car. Steffan turned and walked ahead towards the courthouse. She knew he did not like this, neither did her mother, but she wanted to lead a new life from now on.She would only allow any dispute to be settled by the court no matter how long it took, instead of the torture, killing and all they had done up to the point that she had Sterling.“Maman," Sterling said, peeking his head around his father’s shoulders.“Yes, baby.”“Maman.” He said again, and she smiled at him. Steffan adjusted him in his arms as they walked into the building.It was an informal courtroom, and the biggest case in Xen. This case was what had disgraced Roslyn and made her lose the elections. Journalists waited outside for the final hearing.She and Steffan sat side by side after the judge took her seat, and the accused began to be escorted in by the cops. Roslyl
The Bargain I can live with that
Racheal followed Steffan into his house quietly. His housekeeper greeted her warmly. She nodded at the woman. She was surprised to see Chef Bennett come out.“Dinner in five minutes, sir.” Then he paused. “Mrs Sherrod.” He bowed.“Make a place for two,” Steffan said. Those were the first words he had said, since she told him she missed him.“Sure, Sir.” Chef Bennett responded.“You kept him?” Racheal asked, as Steffan led the way upstairs. “You liked him.” He said simply.She said nothing more. He surprisingly led the way to his bedroom on the second floor. It was a dark masculine room, wide, dark and intimidating.She stood in the middle, unsure of how to act, or what to do next.He dropped his bag on the bed, and glanced at her.“I am sorry I hurt you.” She said. He paused, midway into sitting on the bed, then started to take his tie off.“That’s rare. Women never apologize.”She made a face at him. But continued anyway. “I was conflicted. I wanted to be with you, but I was
The Bargain Pregnancy test result
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The president is dead did not cover the horror of how Spencer Sherrod had died. He stared at his father’s coffin the next morning as the priest talked on and on. He had wanted to kill this man. He had wanted to kill him with his own hand, so why was he reacting this way to the man’s death?His mind kept going back to how Spencer had looked in the video he had seen. He was headed for a meeting, surrounded by his guards, edgy and nervous, and alone.The old woman had come from the crowd, begging an audience. He had hesitated, but asked them to let her through. The woman had hugged him, even as his guards had yelled that it was against protocol.One had even reached out to pull her away. Then flames. He shook his head as he remembered the explosion sound. They had quickly found out the woman was the journalist’s aged mother. The journalist Spencer had killed at Racheal’s office.He felt someone squeeze his arm. He looked down at the little woman. She was the only good thing in
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“We should start moving. I don’t want Limuel’s men to find us here," he said as he stocked the fire. She dropped a plate of Ramen in front of him. He smiled up at her, and she smiled back.He did not mind if he lost all his wealth, and became doomed to this kind of life, as long as he had her. She was all he wanted now, all he had ever wanted really from the day he met her.“It will be a few hours still before we can start moving.” She responded. He nodded and picked up his meal. She walked closer and sat beside him. He turned to her, caressed her cheek, and kissed her lightly. She returned his kiss, enthusiastically, the way he remembered, the way he liked.He loved how much she loved his touch. They were soon grappling at each other, their meal forgotten. He squeezed her warm soft body as she moaned his name and dug into his back. He savored the warmness of her, the fullness of her curve, the lusty way she matched his thrusts, squeezing tight around him.He did not want to
The Bargain Do you still love me?
Racheal sat shocked, staring at Steffan’s face, just barely able to see it in the near darkness. But she could see clearly enough the honesty in there. His blue eyes were clear and honest, open and pleading.“You should have said that when I wanted to hear it.” She said, shaking her head, starting to move away. But he held her.“I should have. I was a fool not to have.”“I even told you once that I loved you. You said nothing.”“I am sorry.”“Stop apologising. It won’t fix anything," she said, trying to pull away. She did not have to hear this, she did not want to hear this. It would make leaving him that much more difficult. It was easier walking away from a man who hurt her, and had never admitted to loving her even once. But now…“Racheal.” He said, taking her face between his hands. “I love you. I have always loved you. My heart stops at the thought of losing you. The day Isaac told me you were dying, the day you sent that divorce document, my heart completely stopped beatin
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“I thought you changed. Apparently, you did not," Steffan said finally, looking away. “You are still as stubborn and careless as ever.”His words stung her.“Careless? You sound like I got some warning that a certain Limuel was after me and ignored it.”“I tried to warn you. I sent a dozen messages, tried to make an appointment,” he blew up.She shrank back. Well. There was no way she would have known. She had his number blocked, so there was no way she could have seen his messages. She still did not know how he had gotten her new contact number by the way. She could not think of any of her staff who could have given him her personal number.She knew he was in contact with Isaac, but could Isaac have given him the number?“After all that has happened to you, I don’t know how you can still put yourself in danger like this.”“One could say I was in danger, hiding with you in a storm like this. At least Maman would think so.” She said quietly, lowering herself to the floor. That got
The Bargain Locked in
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“What? Why?” Racheal screamed in confusion as she watched Limuel’s guards pull a limp Steffan up.Then they began to pull him to pull him away, his tall frame causing his foot to drag behind him.“I had a suspicion he might come here.” Limuel said, pulling out a big cigar.“What did we do to you?” She asked, looking from Limuel to Steffan, who was being dragged away.“I have no problems with the Sherrods. Just you.”“What?” She asked just as she saw Limuel’s toddler run out of the house. The guards tried to stop the child who was not warmly dressed for the weather. The toddler screamed. He just wanted his father.Lukas Limuel turned at the commotion. “Let him through," he said, standing up. The child broke through the barrier of guards, and ran into his father’s arms.“I don’t have the time to explain anything. I hear your mother has suddenly returned from the dead. I believe she will pay a decent price in exchange for you as compensation for what your family did to us.” Lukas sa
