LOGINShare
06 // After Death
Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56At exactly 1a.m., MJ arrived at the beach house in a new dress. It was a long blue strapless dress she had bought after someone spilled coffee on her blouse. Walking into the house, she threw her handbag on the couch and took off her heels. She walked to the kitchen and opened the fridge, retrieving a bottle of still water.
She gulped down the water until it was half, and left the bottle on the counter before she went back to the sitting room and plopped down on the couch. She leaned back on the couch and closed her eyes, rubbing her eyelids. Heaving a long sigh, she tilted her head to the side, facing the kitchen doorway. When she opened her eyes, they were glassy, cold glassy, looking ready to be relieved.
If she had any tears to shed, she would as her mind travelled back to a few nights ago, on the 3rd of May 2017. Coming back to this house was the last thing she'd expected to do after that ordeal. Memories of that day were still fresh in her head, starting from when she woke up.
She had woken up and strolled to the bathroom, the smell of the breakfast downstairs was too mouth-watering to ignore, and besides, someone was bound to come and wake her up for breakfast. She opened the carpet in the bathroom and took her toothbrush and toothpaste, and walked to the basin to brush her teeth. She took her own sweet time as she stared at her reflection in the mirror which stared back at her with utter disgust.
Staring back at her was a woman with light brown hair, not such a favourite colour, but it was better than her natural hair colour or the blond hair colour. All this for one bloody human being. She scoffed as she shook her head. It had been two days since her birthday ball, and nothing had changed much. May Smith was still 'missing', and as far as she was concerned, MJ Billings did not exist in South Africa, she had fled back to England immediately after her ball.
What would happen if May Smith were never to return ever again? Would Logan Parker forget about her? Would he go after MJ Billings? Would he come after me? She wondered.
Her chain of thoughts was cut short when a cold splash collided with her back, and she gasped as the water slid down her back. She stared at the source of water through the mirror, and she saw red! Behind her stood her brother, Jorge Billings, with an empty bucket in his hands and a wide grin on his face. "Good morning, and happy spring day!" He said in a singsong voice.
"Nathan Jorge Billings." She said quietly in a cool voice.
"Yes?" Jorge said innocently. MJ closed her eyes and ran her tongue over her teeth. Sighing, she said, "good morning to you too." She forced a smile before she continued to wash her toothbrush and rinsed her mouth. She placed her things back in the carpet and walked out of the bathroom, leaving Jorge behind.
He plopped down on her unmade bed while she took out she clothes from her walk in closet. Jorge sat up from the bed and stared at her. MJ turned around and glared at him. "What?" He asked.
"Out." She said to him, he smirked at her and shook his head, and then he asked, "what is there to hide, there's nothing I haven't seen before. I changed your diaper when you were still a little baby, you couldn't have grown a third breast over the years" he paused, and then continued with a smirk on his face, "unless you have grown an extra V down there." MJ groaned and slammed the closet doors, and Jorge burst into fits of laughter. A few minutes later, MJ came out of the closet in black Adidas tracksuits, her hair tied into a messy bun. She wore her pink fluffy slippers and started throwing her pillows on the floor. Jorge who was still lying on her bed, got up and slid his phone in his pocket. "I'll help you make your bed." He said as he pulled down her duvets, causing MJ to snort. "You can't even make up your own bed, Vicky does it for you." She retorted.
Jorge blushed a little, and said, "you always made my bed." He admitted, and just like that, they fell into a comfortable silence. They finished making MJ's bed and walked out together. Everything was chilled until Jorge started a very sensitive topic– Logan Parker. "You have to face him sooner or later, you know?" MJ stopped in her tracks and turned to look at her brother as if he had grown two heads. "No." She stated and continued walking down the stairs. "But, MJ –" Jorge jogged after her. He pulled her back, and she growled, "dammit, Jorge! I don't want to talk about him!" She continued walking, and Jorge tried to stop her again. "But, MJ, listen–" MJ sighed in relief when another voice sounded from downstairs. "Everything okay?" Anita asked the moment they entered the kitchen.
"I just woke her up, and she started shouting at me." Jorge lied as he took his seat.
"He threw a mouthful bucket of water on me." MJ retorted and sat down at the end of the table, playing along with his brother's lie.
"She wouldn't wake up." He shrugged his shoulders.
"I was brushing my teeth in the bathroom." MJ stated.
"So let me get this straight." Reina asked. "You threw a bucket of water on her while she was brushing her teeth?" She asked.
"Yes? Is that a problem, Mrs Peterson? I mean, you always told us to not let all our efforts go to waste, right?" He asked innocently.
"Oh my God!" Reina exclaimed in disbelief. "I'm sorry, MJ, I tried." She said and continued to eat. A few seconds later, the doorbell rang and Anita went to get it.
"Sorry I'm late, sweethearts! I got caught up at the cafe." Mrs Dos Santos said and walked into the kitchen. They all greeted her, and she placed a container on the table before she took her seat. "MJ and Jorge, I brought you some brownies." She pointed at the container, but none of them reacted. "Is everything okay here?" She narrowed her eyes at the two. "Will someone tell what's going on?" She asked.
"Jorge threw a bucket of water on MJ while she was still brushing her teeth, and now they are fighting." Reina explained.
"I'm not fighting." MJ stated.
"You are mad." Mrs Dos Santos said. MJ did not respond to this, she just played with her food.
"I'm sorry, May Jeanette." Jorge apologized.
"I'm not mad at you." MJ gave him a small smile.
"Logan?" Mrs Dos Santos asked, but MJ kept quiet. "He came to the café yesterday, and he stayed there all day long, trying to track you down." She said, and MJ looked up. "May." She clarified and MJ sighed. "He even ordered our special, he said it reminded him of you." She smiled. "You should wash off that dye and go back to the office, he looks–" Reina cleared her throat to stop her from speaking.
"Anita, you said you were going to drive us to visit my brother in prison before we leave." She said.
"Of course." Anita nodded.
"You can take one of my cars." Jorge said.
"Cars?!" Almost everyone at the table asked. Jorge raised his eyebrows at them and sighed when they returned the same look.
"Let me show you." He got up, and walked out.
"You coming, MJ?" Jameson asked, but she just shook her head, caught up in her thoughts to even look up. He looked at her in concern before he strolled out of the house. Alone at last! MJ thought after the door closed. She needed some alone time to think things through, and Jorge's snobbism was helpful. For once.
Maybe Antonina was right. Maybe MJ should wash off her dye and go back to the office as May Smith.
Or maybe, just maybe, she should waltz into Parker's office as MJ Billings and see what he is going to do about it. After all, he didn't know exactly how she looked as MJ Billings, he had only seen her behind a mask, so he wouldn't be surprised, right?
She was disturbed once again by the door being closed harshly. She sighed, wondering who it could be because Jorge's cars were still making noise outside. Ignoring it, she stood up and walked out of the kitchen, towards the main door. Their friends were trying their best to support her, the least she could do is appreciate their presence. She was about to open the door when she heard footsteps behind her. She turned around to check but she was met with a hand and a cloth on her face. She tried to fight the person but they were too strong.
The last thing she heard before she passed out was, "hurry up, Keagan! The boss can't keep those people out there for too long!"
Related chapters
The Billionaires Too (#2) 07 // Consequence
Life IS a roller coaster. It takes us up and down. It made you happy sometimes, and left you asking questions like ‘why me?’ most of the times. But that is just life; it is unpredictable, unreliable, and greatly unfair.24 hours. A day. Many things can happen within 24 hours. Time goes on; it does not stop or continue just as we wish. Sometimes we wish we could go back in time and prevent something from happening, but who are we to do that? Someone once said, ‘time is free, but it is priceless. You cannot own it, but you can spend it. Once you have lost it, you can never get it back.’ Neither of us can stop time, but we can use it to make up for our mistakes and heal our wounds.The Dos Santos women and Anita were seated in the waiting room at the hospital, waiting for updates on Carmen’s condition. They were the only people that had bothered themselves about her; everyone else had developed hatred t
The Billionaires Too (#2) 08 // Exposure
Her Monday had started well so far; she had arrived at work in time to open the building even though she had to take a taxi since Anita was not around to pick her up from her apartment anymore.After taking off without notice, Jorge and Anita had sent through an email informing Meryl that they were coming back today from Cape Town trip.The day after dinner, Anita arrived to work wearing shades and she completely ignored Meryl. It was obvious that she had been crying, and that proved to Meryl that Anita did not leave her apartment because she had nothing to wear; she left Meryl’s apartment because she wanted to go home and cry alone.Meryl had been trying to call her to tell her about her encounter with Javier that night and what she discovered, but her phone was off, and she was ignored her the entire day. When Jorge finally arrived, they left the office, and went on to work outside o
The Billionaires Too (#2) 09 // The Stranger
At least 72 hours had passed and there was still no sign of Logan.Jorge had asked some of his best IT experts to track him down the same way he had done with MJ. He and Thuso had sent out a search team, and had gone to all the places they thought he would be, but he was not there.They had just returned from their search, and were currently at Jorge’s, looking completely exhausted.Anita came down the stairs, wearing tracksuits and takkies. “Any luck?” She asked as she headed to the kitchen.“No!” Jorge said tiredly.“This is so unlike the boss to disappear without trace.” Thuso sighed.&ldquo
The Billionaires Too (#2) 10 // Redemption
Why wouldn’t everyone just leave her alone?It was not like she committed a murder; it was only fraud and tax invasion.Knock, knock, knock!"Why are people always banging on my door?!" She groaned as she climbed out of bed.She switched on the side lamp and put on her gown, and then she wore her sleepers and strode out of the room.It was past midnight and someone was knocking at her door. Considering everything that she went through, one would expect her to be careful with who she let in, but to no avail. She switched on the dining room light, and opened the door while rubbing her eyes.She had spent her day staring at her laptop since she came back from the office. Her boxes from the office were still sitting on the floor next to the door.She had been checking her social media acco
The Billionaires Too (#2) 11 // The Partner
The café was almost empty with the exception of the group of teenage girls who were finishing up their homework on one of the booths.All the tables in the café were flipped and placed on top of one another, along with their chairs.It was their nightly routine and it kept Antonina rooted. She liked having a customer or two while she prepared to close up for the day. La Café closed at 8p.m. every day, but she stayed up until 10p.m. because she had no one to go to at home.La Café had become her shelter, and it took the loneliness away for a few hours of the day. Like a woman with issues, she went home late and left early in the morning. Her small business was her solitude, and it provided her with the family and friends she never had.Over the years, she had found daughters and sons among her regular customers, and brothers and sisters from some of the elderly customers and suppliers.She had had to start over when she arrived in
The Billionaires Too (#2) 12 // Hopeless Search
“Morning, Anita!” Jorge greeted Anita who seemed to be in a daze. He walked behind the couch on which she was seated and peeked at her laptop screen. “Carlyle?” He asked in her ear, causing her to jump.“Jorge!” She scolded and closed her laptop.“Aha! Here I was, thinking Blue was Logan and MJ’s colour, but I guess it is everyone’s colour these days.” He said as he jumped over and plopped down on the couch.“Every day is Monday for MJ.” Anita rolled her eyes. “Do you know anyone by the name of Carlyle?” She asked, fiddling with her fingers.“No. Why?” He frowned.“Some guy came while I was at the beach two nights ago; he said his name was Carlyle.” She said quietly.“How did he look?” He ask
The Billionaires Too (#2) 13 // Wise Advice
David Botha was known to never leave a stone unturned. He was what people called a perfectionist; everything had to be done correctly and perfectly without a single mistake.One thing about him, he was not a family man. Yes, he was a good father to his children when he pleased, but not so good husband to his wife, Lolitta Leibrandt.However, he was a good private investigator.He worked for the rich. From CEOs to Mafias, from presidents to celebrities, and he never failed. He had decided to go back to England to investigate the ‘May Smith’ issue; even after MJ Billings had ‘confirmed’ that she had worked with her. At least that was what he told Logan when he left a few days ago. The truth was that he was here to find some dirt on MJ Billings.“Hey, beautiful.” He greeted the familiar face that was seated at the bar.
The Billionaires Too (#2) 14 // Bodyguards
The first Monday of June couldn't have started any better, it was a cold and good day to stay indoors, but as usual, work never stopped for anyone just as time never did. Time was money, and money was the only language some people understood.The Billings' beach house couldn't be any cooler, MJ had woken up to the bluest Monday ever when she found her brother with a bunch of men in black, waiting in the sitting room."Oh, there you are!" Jorge said when he spotted her in her business attire. The other men looked at MJ, scrutinizing her with their eyes. MJ looked at them with glass eyes, causing them to avert their gaze. She turned her attention to her brother, waiting for him to explain what was happening. "Well, MJ, these are going to be your bodyguards. They will-""I know what bodyguards do, but since when have I ever needed a bodyguard?" She asked quietly, her eyes burning holes
Latest chapter
The Billionaires Too (#2) 111 // New Friends
Everyone had a different opinion on what the greatest moments in life are. From someone reaching a certain, graduations, having a first child, getting married, or buying a new car... Those were great achievements if one came from nothing, but that was never the case for her.She came from a well-off family, she never lacked anything, and by the time she reached the age of eighteen, she had already begun paving her own path in the world.The greatness she had come to embrace, was standing tall in front of her enemies, with the knowledge that she would ruin them. Samantha Grayson loved the thrill, the threats, the blood, and the chase; and nothing excited her more than facing new challenges.She always wondered what it was about Cape Town that had Jorge running home every other week besides the skirt he left behind, but after finding out about MJ's kidnapping and recent events, she knew she wanted to see it for herself.
The Billionaires Too (#2) 110 // Heart To Heart
Logan thought he knew what had gone wrong, but as each day passed, he ran out of ideas of what might have happened. But from the way Cameron had urged him to investigate the matter, he was keeping himself under control from bursting out in anger.He had thought of all possible reasons why MJ ended up in hospital that night, but no one backed him up. He remembered that Reina and Jorge were there that night; he tried to talk to them then, but they did not give him answers.Everyone was telling him that it would be better if he asked MJ himself, but after everything she put him through, he did not want to speak to her or see her ever again. And if it were not for his brother's persistence, he would not have reached out to her, especially after she was openly hostile when he called her.He could still remember how her voice reverberated with hatred when she asked him where he had gotten
The Billionaires Too (#2) 109 // Beaufort West
After the cryptic message she received the other night, Sasha was never able to sleep again. She spent all night trying to imagine what could be in store for her, and every time she closed her eyes, she saw MJ damaging her face.By the time her alarm rang the following, she was exhausted; the only thing she remembered about that morning was saying goodbye to Demi.She remembered going to Beaufort West in a meter taxi, to the address provided by MJ Billings, and she remembered finding the house and someone opening the door for her, and that was it. She had no memory of the person or how she ended up in the house, she just woke up and found herself tied to a chair drilled in a deep, empty pool located in what looked like an underground parking lot.Her clothes were taken off, and she was left in only her underwear.The place was cold, there was no heat coming
The Billionaires Too (#2) 108 // Naked Truth
MJ knew she never made the best decisions under rage, but that never stopped her.The anger was nothing new to her, but the pain that came with it was brutal. She thought she had played Logan, that she had the upper hand all this time, while she was the one who fell straight into his trap.He used her most vulnerable side to deceive her, because he knew her past would always haunt her.She wondered what he would do if he knew the rest of the story, she remembered telling Blair how she feared how Logan would look at her once he knew her darkest truths, but now she was more worried about what he would do instead; would he device another plan to deceive her?The first thought after leaving that restaurant was to call Blair and tell her what happened, but she did not want to feel vulnerable again and find herself confessing things she feared to admit even to he
The Billionaires Too (#2) 107 // Reunion
As much as Logan had anticipated seeing MJ Billings again, he did not expect it to be so soon, especially after their last conversation on the phone. He was convinced that it would take months and a miracle for her to make another stop in Cape Town, and he was okay with that.He knew she was back over a week ago, but thought it best to stay out of the way, because he feared that she would catch on to the guilt in his eyes.The day she walked into his office with Sonya marked a beginning of a new era in his life, one too many times he was convinced that perhaps they could look past their differences and their past and start afresh, he believed they could be happy. But if their issues remained unresolved, they would never move forward.It was even worse now with the mess his sister got him into, not to mention that he led to Jorge's attack.He could see that it was
The Billionaires Too (#2) 106 // Brothers Too
The last thing Logan needed at this point was to interact with other humans. Antonina respected that even though be was in her home, but his brother on the other hand did not understand what it meant to give someone some space.Antonina left early in the morning to get the café ready for its opening day, while Logan decided to go to work late, he was not even ready yet.It had not even been twenty-four hours since their movie night, and Logan was not ready to face him again.The first time he saw that footage, he was devastated, he felt hurt and betrayed. He still wished he had not opened that video after Jackson gave him that memory stick, but curiosity got the best of him.Antonina's house was the best hideout, no one knew he was there and no one would ever guess that he was there. At least that was what he thought until Cameron showed up on his doorstep
The Billionaires Too (#2) 105 // Brothers
Logan arrived in his home tired. It was around 8p.m., he had made sure that he was the last one to leave the office especially since it was spring and days were longer. He always left his office at 7p.m. when the sun set.Nodding at the butler as a form of greeting, he entered his house and walked to his sitting room, and his steps faltered as he took in the picture in front of him, and his blood boiled. Dirty dishes were on the coffee table, unfinished food and food crumbs covered his table. There were dirty socks on the large couch and empty cans covered the floor. "CAMERON!" He barked as he took heavy steps up the stairs.He dropped his suitcase and jacket on his bed before he strolled out of his room to continue the search for his brother. "CAMERON!" He barked and pushed Cameron's door harshly, causing it to bang against the wall, and then he froze at the door, pursing his lips together. Cameron jumped out
The Billionaires Too (#2) 104 // Face Off
The place was quiet.Too quiet for her comfort.She tried to open her eyes, but something restricted her from doing so. She had been blindfolded. She tried to move, but her arms and legs were bound.She tried to think of a solution, but nothing came up. For the first time in her life, she felt stupid. She felt useless.All her life, she had proven to be able by herself. She had proven that she did not need anyone to achieve her goals, neither did she need anyone to come to her rescue, especially men. However, on the contrary, it was quite the opposite. "Jorge!" She whispered, her voice inaudible from fear.She took a deep breath, the smell of urine and dirty water hitting her nostrils and causing her to cringe and choke on her saliva. She coughed, the process not helping at all as she tried to stabilize her breaths. Oh, Jorge! Whe
The Billionaires Too (#2) 103 // Identity Switch
As usual, Parker's Enterprises was busy. The ground floor was packed with employees moving up and down. Mosetsana and Natalia stood behind the reception desk, but had a new companion. It was a young looking coloured girl, probably around 20. She had shoulder-length black hair and big brown eyes. Unlike the two other women, she was very active and fast, and spoke too much. First day at work, and Natalia and Mosetsana were already tired of hearing her stories. "I'm just gonna take these to Mr Parker." She said hastily and hurried to the elevator.Natalia buried her face in her palms and groaned. "When is this day ending?!" She whined and looked at Mosetsana who just sighed and gave her the tell-me-about-it look."Thank God, it's lunch time." Mosetsana said and started packing her things. Natalia just sighed and nodded. She placed her elbow on the desk and leaned against her arm, staring at the door boringly as some of her col
