"Let's see." Orla left his side to join them at the table. She pulled out a chair, sat on it and waited for her husband to fill the empty chair that was beside her. "I am glad you are fine. You got me so bad, Callan."Rosa stared apologetically at Orla. She glimpsed her gaze and quickly understood that she acted that way because she was following the script. But still, she was curious to know what she told Callan about her if there was any."Our job is done here, Sir." David stood to his feet, shooting a smile at Orla. "You should drive Rosa back to the penthouse. I will see you two later. Thanks for today." Callan told David."Sir," Rosa stood after David. "I just got a report from the company—" She froze on the spot when Callan threw a hand at her. "I told you that I will not be working today. Today is my wife's birthday. Handle whatever that's there to be handled. I will attend to all pending deals when I am over this." He jiggled his fingers in front of her, telling them off.A
The ambience of the hallway in the penthouse was resplendent. The kind that enveloped you with coziness, making it impossible to sever yourself from the warmth.The long corridors were demarcated by flush doors erected a few inches away from each other, on both sides of the hallway.The Interscope interior decoration on the wall highlighted the room in its full glory and form.Orla shrouded her shocked expression from Callan. She shouldn't expect any less from a five-star hotel. She looked down at her fingers that were protectively interlocked with Callan's, and a smile parted her lips into two. She had never felt so safe.She swirled her head, her loud giggles piercing her husband's ears as she walked closely beside him.Callan's lips twitched in a small smile. Her company was one thing he'd never joke with. Even the littlest things about her were consequential to him, he loved them and wanted to know every detail about his wife. She completed him so well."Did you book a room for us
Last night in the hotel room was blissfully spent with different rounds of wine and orgasms. Orla rolled on the bed, struggling to stretch her now weak arms. She was fatigued from last night's several hours of intercourse. Callan had taken her to every corner of the room. From the window side to the bed, the wall, and every other place he could press her tiny frame on. It was wild, one of the best nights of her life. Orla didn't complain, she loved every second of him drilling her tiny hole. Yawning out loudly, she suddenly remembered that Callan didn't use protection when he was fucking her. They were so engrossed with satisfying their lustful appetite that thoughts of protecting themselves didn't occur to either of them. Callan came three times, she came more than five times and he spilled his fluid inside of her. She remembered clearly that he did, but she couldn't bring herself to stop him when that was the best part. She jumped out of bed, panic shooting through her skin.
She had gone past the stage of being too shy to ask him for sex. He knew what she wanted now that her hand lingered on the bulge. Dusk was approaching, but there were streetlights everywhere and people could still see them.Though Orla was silent, Callan got what she silently asked for. Too bad he couldn't refuse her, their hearts were so connected that he always wanted to please her whenever she asked for it. He wanted her the same way and at the same time she wanted him."Come with me to the car, it's outside the park."Callan moved away from her, heading towards where he had parked the car outside. Orla followed like a horny bitch. Nothing mattered now, all she needed was Callan's cock buried deep inside her hole.No streetlights illuminated the area where he parked the car. It was quiet and safer, but he feared Orla's moans would attract the attention of passers-by."Get in the car, Orla," he ordered in a husky tone.She rolled into the backseat, and he followed, slamming the
Orla was slammed with restiveness as she sat with a group of Architects in the reception of Bernadoz Construction Company.The interview phase was over, and they were anxiously waiting for results, but Orla wasn't having it well. Her anthropophobia had activated in ample form as people surrounded her, she was far from being comfortable.Callan had dropped her three hours ago. She was now done with the interview, waiting for the result and Callan to come pick her up as promised."Is this seat taken?" A hunky black guy towered above her, his dark brown eyes gleaming with lechery as he made Orla's cleavage the cynosure of his eyes.She almost blamed herself for wearing that dress, but it wasn't all bad. It was a decent dress, just that this guy over here just derived pleasure in being a pervert."Not taken," she mumbled, focussing her attention back to the bald receptionist who had started calling in the applicants for their results.They were more than thirty, it was certain she would n
An hour had swiftly passed and Orla was still not talking to him. It was unwonted. Her queer countenances and continual tapping of her fingers against her palm made him restless. She sat there on the couch, her eyes sceptically boring into his.Callan tossed the car keys on the centre table, walking after her as she headed towards the hallway. His eyes weren't entertaining anymore.He composedly reached for her arms before she walked out of him, gently holding her to avoid hurting her slender arms."What's wrong? Did something happen there?" Worry was laced in his tone.Orla looked at him again, still finding it hard to believe her sister. Callan wouldn't hurt her, or was that what she thought?The magnitude of worry that invaded his face could make her fall to his knees, washing away every word Mia told her. And she could let them go if she continued to stare at him like that.His eyes held irresistible charms, but now wasn't the time to fall for those charms like she used to."No,
One week later.'It would have been better if it was avoided.' Callan thought as he mulled over the mess he had created.It had been a week of torture for both of them.Waking next to Orla every morning was hell, the silent treatment she gave him was scourging.It killed him that he couldn't touch her like he used to. He wished all these would come to an end, but Orla wasn't making it easy for him. She was mad at him, and he perfectly understood where her pain was coming from.Orla was suffering too. It hurt that Callan couldn't be the same man he used to be to her anymore. It hurt more that the trust had left her. After everything that had happened, there was no way she could trust Callan again.The man who took solace in resting in her arms after a long strenuous day, the man who welcomed her into a new day by planting kisses all over her face and letting her rest her little troubled head on his chest as she slept at night. The man who meant the world to her, the man who was everyt
"Orla," It hurt to call her name the same way it hurt to hear him call her name. He was the only one who could properly pronounce her name as she wanted. She arranged her stuff back into the box as Callan stared at her, hoping that she would say something to him. It'd been a week. A week without her smile, a week she had deprived him of her cuddles, a week without her by his side. He dreadfully missed her and was ready to do whatever it would take to have his wife back. "I don't know what to do, but I promise to do whatever you want me to do. I know I have fucked this up, but Orla, if you give me the chance…" She grabbed her bag from the bed, dashing out of the bedroom before he finished his sentence. She wasn't interested in whatever he had to say. She was hurting, she needed to stay far away from him. He was no good for her. He followed her into the living room, impeding her from reaching the door. "I have to be somewhere important, Callan." Her tone was a little dangerous.
Arnold Sullivan brought his car to a halt as soon as he arrived at the grand Barlowe mansion. He lingered in the driver's seat, his fingers tapping nervously on the steering wheel, his mind drifting back to the days before Orla's misfortunes began. Orla had been a sweetheart, always cheerful and kind-hearted, and he had loved her and Isla deeply. Arnold replayed countless memories, trying to pinpoint the moment when everything changed, when his trust faltered, and he was quick to judge Orla without giving her a fair chance. The weight of guilt bore down on him like a heavy cloak; he had wronged her in ways that gnawed at his conscience.And he wasn’t certain there would be a chance for reconciliation. Orla allowed him to be close to his grandchildren, but she didn’t give him the chance to be close to her again.He was still lost in thought when he spotted the nanny approaching with the twins. They wiggled their heads, clearly excited to see what he had brought for them. Arnold smiled
"Oh, this is amazing. So amazing. Never thought I would be doing this today." Callan's smile widened, his eyes drifting over the eager crowd, their faces alight with anticipation as they awaited the announcement. The buzz of their excitement filled the air, amplifying the significance of the moment. Callan's heart pounded with pride and love as he stepped forward, the spotlight warm on his face."The award for the architect with the most outstanding design this year goes to the woman of my dreams," he began, his voice strong and clear. "The woman who made me believe in love, my woman, the essence of my life." He paused, savoring the crescendo of emotions surging through him. "Orla Barlowe, my wife, the beautiful mother of our beautiful children.”The crowd erupted into applause, the sound like a wave crashing over him. Callan's gaze found Orla, standing at the edge of the stage, her eyes shining with disbelief and joy. "Please, let’s give her a round of applause as she rocks the sta
Four years later,“Isla and Leor, you two need to stay put. Daddy will be here soon," Isla cautioned her rambunctious twins. They had been darting around the hall ever since they arrived at the event that evening. A pang of regret almost hit her for bringing them along, but with their nanny having left two days ago, she had no other choice. "Please, you two, listen to me," she pleaded, her voice rising as she saw Isla making a beeline for the podium again. Isla, the more mischievous of the twins, was always leading her brother into some new escapade."Mommy, I want the shimmers," Isla insisted, crossing her arms and sitting beside her mother, tears glistening in her large hazel eyes. An idea suddenly brightened her expression, and she hastily wiped away her tears. "Daddy will get it for me. I'll tell Daddy to get me the shimmers," she declared, a broad smile spreading across her face as she swung her legs excitedly against the chair.“Me too, I want the shimmers.” Leor chirped in with
The tears that welled up in his eyes cascaded down his cheeks before he realized it. Callan had been gazing at Orla for five minutes, and he had yet to decide on what to do.Her radiant smile, the soft cries of their newborn twins—one embraced by the doctor, the other nestled protectively in Orla's grip, like she didn't want to ever let go—softened his heart.Orla looked at him, her smile inciting him to come forward, and without hesitation, he stepped closer."Congratulations, Mr. Barlowe," the doctor beamed, passing the baby into his waiting arms. "He looks so much like you, and the girl too.""They are so cute, but it's so sad they look exactly like you after ten months of carrying them," Orla remarked, her gaze fixed on her baby girl. "She's so cute."Callan sat next to her, his baby in his hand. "They are so beautiful. So beautiful I don't know what to say now."Orla noticed tears welling in his eyes for the second time that day. She had shed her tears upon seeing their twins for
The portable garden, the flowers, and the blue and pink wall decorations were all aesthetically giving a vibe. Gender reveals vibes. Orla scowled. They agreed not to do a gender reveal for their twins, but it seemed like Callan had deceived her. "Callan," she whispered, clutching his hands. She recognized a few people as she walked down with her husband. Rosa was present, it'd been a while since she saw her. Liam was there too, his arms wrapped around Rosa's waist. Orla smiled, wondering if they were a thing. Elizabeth was there, she had made up with Callan and Orla, and she'd been the best mother-in-law to her. Her sisters who weren't in jail were present, but Orla chose to keep to herself. She still didn't understand what was going on. The sheepish smile on Callan's face made it very impossible for her to even guess what was going on around her. "Callan, what's happening here?" She asked, but he didn't give a response. He was satisfied that he was able to bring her out of the ho
They were on the news again.Their pretty faces were displayed on the hundred inch Laser TV in the living room.Orla watched her helpless sisters, all in cuffs.They were on the news as always, but this time, it was for something inimical. She watched them with bleary eyes, wishing they had never trodden that path that almost crumbled her life for years.Now, they were everywhere, wallowing in shame as lights from a hundred cameras flashed on their faces, capturing them to display to the world that they killed their sister and mother.Three Daughters of Arnold Sullivan Are Murderers. The news headline was displeasing, not anything that Arnold would ever be proud of. All he had worked for all his life was about to collapse because of the scandal. But he started it, he charged them to court. He must have thought of it and was ready to lose everything before thinking that sending his daughters to jail was the best decision to make."What's the final judgment?" Orla asked Callan. She ha
Five Months LaterEmotionally, things had gotten a lot better with Orla. Though she was still trying to let her mind off the pain her family had caused her, she didn't let her feelings override her anymore.She hadn't forgiven her sisters, especially now that Arnold had decided to sue the three sisters who were involved in the death cases.She had no idea why he was doing that now, but no matter what he did, she knew things would never be right between them. She had ignored several calls for him to see her. There was no point in doing that after all these years. He made it clear to her that he'd forever hate her, Orla wanted it that way—for him to forever loathe her. There was no point in patching things up because there were no pieces to pick up. He had shattered everything a long time ago.She was dabbing her face with the small foam, getting ready for the visit to the hospital that morning.Her baby bump was already visible now, and she and Callan had to get acquainted with some n
When they settled in the car, Orla burst into intractable loud sobs. "How can anyone be so wicked, Callan? How can Mia be so wicked?"For a minute, Callan got drowned in the sea of thoughts. He wondered what would have happened if he had listened to his mother, and chose Mia that day they visited Arnold Sullivan's mansion. This day would never come up, Orla would never be vindicated, she would still live in distress, and he just knew he would never love Mia as much as he loved Orla.Relief washed through him for his choice. No one would have been better."How do you feel?" He asked her, taking her hands in his. A habit he was now used to and didn't want to ever stop."I don't know what and how to feel, Callan. I don't want to be a part of that family anymore." She shook her head, dejected. "They made me believe I was a murderer all along. How could they be so wicked to gaslight a young girl into believing that she killed her sister? Just how?""Don't get yourself worked up. I have al
Sophia's eyes roved the living room until they finally settled on Orla. "Dad," her voice cracked. "Speak up, Sophia!" Arnold ordered, his tone brusque. "Mia did," she glimpsed the tremor that smacked everyone, and she wasn't too surprised. She anticipated that. "Mia was the only one with Isla that afternoon, and she was the one who told us to change the narrative." Arnold scoffed, "Nonsense," Orla soldered where she was seated. She knew Mia hated her so much, but she never thought that she would do something like that. "Sick! You're Insane, Sophia! What evidence do you have against me? How dare you accuse me of killing my sister?" Mia flared up, her eyes simmering with rage. She rushed towards Sophia ready to hit her, but Emma went after her, dissuading her. "I was there too. I am the evidence that we all need, Mia. I was there with Sophia that day, you cajoled us into lying about the whole thing, and we did because we wanted to obey you. Their other sisters remained in their s