REBECCA:FEW MONTHS LATERI grabbed my coat off the hanger by the side of the door and threw it on, wore my boots and grabbed my bag pack. Gently and quietly, I tried to open the door-"Rebecca Hoffman, you come back here, right now!" my mother screamed from behind me and I yelped, turned around with a racing heart to find her glaring at me. She was still in her pyjamas and had on her hair net."Jesus, Mom! It's 8am. and we have neighbours," I tried to remind her but she only stormed towards me with her face in a pout and grabbed my hands."You're not leaving without breakfast, now sit!" She pulled me to a stool in the kitchen and she took out some pots."I'm going to run late," I whined. "I have class in about an hour and that professor is as strict as they come.""I'll come beat him up if you want."I rolled my eyes as she tried to make something simple and light while I drummed my fingers on the table. I pulled off my jacket and laid it to rest on the counter and scrolled through m
REBECCAI put the coffee on the table and looked around.Where was Victor?He called me a few minutes ago that he'd be here.I glanced at the time. It was a few minutes past 6pm. and I had to rush to the grocery store to get groceries for dinner. Mom already sent me a list of things she would need.My phone rang and I quickly picked it up, "Hey, Tania.""Hey, girl. How are you doing?""I'm alright. Just waiting for Victor to show up so I can get home and get some sleep.""That assistant guy? What's he doing over there?" she wondered."He's here on a business trip and he's supposed to give me some documents to sign. Some kind of shares split." Oliver had a big part of Arthur's and my father's share and now he was transferring it back.Well… some."You're splitting it?""He is the adopted son of Arthur and should have Arthur's share.""Didn't they both decide to give it to you?""That was before Oliver came into the picture. Besides, I can't just take it all. He's worked hard for that c
"Why me?" I barely recognize my own voice. The man sitting on the couch in the dark room I was called into, scares me. It's not just because he's a stranger and I'm all alone with him, everything about him screams something more... Something deeper and mysterious-- dangerous even. I shouldn't be here. Yet I couldn't resist the tempting offer when Molly had thrown it on the table. "It's just one night," she had assured me. "They are big clients and you can get the money for her hospital bills. I barely have enough for myself, Becca. I really don't want to make you do this but the choice is yours." My mother had been sick for years now and we not only burnt our health insurance and trust funds but our extended family had called it quits, saying there's no need spending money on a dying woman. She wasn't dying. She just wasn't getting better but I wasn't going to give up. My mother is the only remaining family from the car crash fifteen years ago. I lost my father to a car acc
I push myself away from his arms and he lets me go, folding his arms with a cocky eyebrow that makes me want to shrivel and hide.He has never given me that look before. From when I agreed that first night, Oliver has always been gentle with me like he was in love with my body and he admired it every time."Explain the meaning of those words, Rebecca, before I lose it." His threats are enough to snap me out of the past.With a gulp, I repeat myself, "I'm ending this-"He scoffs, cutting me halfway, "That's funny. You sound like your own boss."He's mocking me, reminding me of my place and my throat dries up. "Oliver please," I whisper. "I can't do this anymore. Surely you never planned to still keep me by your side while you get engaged-""So?" He stops me there. "What's wrong with that?"I stare at him totally flabbergasted by his words and the look on his face tells me he's no joke.The disrespect glares me in the face and I come to the harsh realisation that I'm nothing but a mere
"Say something," Oliver plays with my hair as he still has my hand over his chest. He's touching my face tenderly and unlike before when I'll shiver from our spark, now I shiver in fear.For three years, he put up an act. He must've had a blast watching me fool myself. My God! All the nights I whisper how much I love him as he makes love to my body-- he must've laughed his ass off on his way to work the next day."Shall we go get dinner and then tomorrow we search for a bigger place?" He suggests in all his cruelty and I'm clenching my other fist." Or do you want to take this someplace else?" He draws closer to me, placing his hand on my cheek as he leans in for a kiss. "I want to fuck you so badly tonight till you squirt all over the sheets-""Don't fucking touch me!" I push him away with all my strength, trembling as I hug my arms. I feel exposed to his watchful eyes."Don't touch me," I whisper, holding his shocked gaze. "I don't want to be with you anymore-""The answer is no,"
I open my eyes to the bright morning light, alone in our bed. I didn't even know when he left for work. I was completely exhausted from our rounds of sex and passed out halfway.That was the only way I could sleep, otherwise, I would've been up all night, probably crying and sobbing like a freaking baby.The side of the bed where he used to occupy feels cold and I clutch the sheets tightly with a hole in my heart.Sooner than later, I'm going to be a live-in mistress. No doubt, when he's not sleeping with me, he's across the hall making love to another woman-- his wife.What right do I have to even complain and seek his attention?I lie flat on my back, resting my hand over my head to block the rays of the sun and to hide my tears rolling down the side of my face.Every joyful memory I've had with Oliver now stands at a distance, far from my reach, leaving behind only a wrenching feeling of despair and emptiness.God! Will this pain ever end?Sighing deeply, I pick myself up from the
I sit gently in the car and glue myself to the door with a racing heart. He hasn't said a word for the past five minutes now yet it feels like we've been in here for hours.We're still in the parking lot, not going anywhere-- at least that's a good thing, right?Is this one of those scenes in movies where the girlfriend is threatened? I've been expecting it for three years now but Grandfather-- as I've come to start calling him-- has been awfully quiet.Oliver has invited me for dinner with him three times and each of those times, he hasn't said a word directly to me.I wonder... What he wants now.The bodyguard at the front suddenly turns to me, handing over a thin envelope. I stare at him and then stare at what he's giving me.Is this a gift?I turn to grandfather who has his eyes closed and his head straight. I'm not even worth the attention, am I?"Take it."I jolt at the two words and quickly accept it with trembling hands. His voice is cold as ice and they hold a fierceness that
I can't lift my head from the steering wheel, ashamed at what just happened. Oliver's grandfather is long gone and I'm sitting in my own car with the weight of the cheque heavy on my consciousness."God!" I sigh with heavy breath. I just displayed what I've been labelled all these years.A freaking gold digger. I just picked that good sum over a human being! In my defence, I'll need to pay back what he's burnt on me and I'll need all the money I can get but taking it from Oliver's grandfather-- he must be having a good laugh.I don't know how I feel. A part of me wants to feel bad about my actions but a much bigger part worries if this is a blessing from God to help me save myself.Why didn't he use someone else? Why Oliver's grandfather? That man gives me the chills and the creeps. He looks like he can go at any length to make sure he has his way.His words from earlier flash in my thoughts and I grip the wheels. Betrothed from birth? Well now that's a huge shame on me. I understand
REBECCAI put the coffee on the table and looked around.Where was Victor?He called me a few minutes ago that he'd be here.I glanced at the time. It was a few minutes past 6pm. and I had to rush to the grocery store to get groceries for dinner. Mom already sent me a list of things she would need.My phone rang and I quickly picked it up, "Hey, Tania.""Hey, girl. How are you doing?""I'm alright. Just waiting for Victor to show up so I can get home and get some sleep.""That assistant guy? What's he doing over there?" she wondered."He's here on a business trip and he's supposed to give me some documents to sign. Some kind of shares split." Oliver had a big part of Arthur's and my father's share and now he was transferring it back.Well… some."You're splitting it?""He is the adopted son of Arthur and should have Arthur's share.""Didn't they both decide to give it to you?""That was before Oliver came into the picture. Besides, I can't just take it all. He's worked hard for that c
REBECCA:FEW MONTHS LATERI grabbed my coat off the hanger by the side of the door and threw it on, wore my boots and grabbed my bag pack. Gently and quietly, I tried to open the door-"Rebecca Hoffman, you come back here, right now!" my mother screamed from behind me and I yelped, turned around with a racing heart to find her glaring at me. She was still in her pyjamas and had on her hair net."Jesus, Mom! It's 8am. and we have neighbours," I tried to remind her but she only stormed towards me with her face in a pout and grabbed my hands."You're not leaving without breakfast, now sit!" She pulled me to a stool in the kitchen and she took out some pots."I'm going to run late," I whined. "I have class in about an hour and that professor is as strict as they come.""I'll come beat him up if you want."I rolled my eyes as she tried to make something simple and light while I drummed my fingers on the table. I pulled off my jacket and laid it to rest on the counter and scrolled through m
REBECCA"Is that why your mother is heavily guarded?" I wondered, making sense of it now as I took a step closer to him. "You've been associated with him. You used me-"He shook his head-"Say something," anything but of what use was it when the evidence stared me right in the face? He couldn't deny it. Not after what I've heard so clearly."I didn't…" he trailed off. "I didn’t use you… in the beginning, yes, I approached you because I was-""Oh my God!" I gasped and sobbed as the tears spilled over."But that was until I got to know you-""Yadda, yadda, yadda," Richard dismissed. "It's the same damn thing. You used her because she was close to Oliver and wanted to get closer to me. Well congratulations, it worked. You must be pleased with yourself now.""You know, the cops are fortunate to have you. Why don't you come work for me? I'll double-- no, triple your salary and we could start with you getting rid of that boy, Oliver for me. He's my adoptive grandchild and I can do whatever
REBECCAI stared at Theo in shock as the old man looked beyond pleased staring at him. Betrayed yet again? By everyone surrounding my life. I was betrayed by the one I thought would have my back."Why…?" I trailed off. I couldn't even cry or feel sorry for myself this time. "I trusted you-""You trust the wrong people," the old man said. "I tried to extend a genuine hand to help you but what did you do? You decided to bite a good hand. How does it taste now?" he glared at me but still had that look of triumph because he was clearly enjoying himself and his victory.I failed.Right at the edge of a breakthrough… I… "Why?" I screamed at him and Sophia gasped. I was immediately reminded that the two were still here and now they clung to each other as they trembled in fear."I can't believe I missed this spot," he sighed. "I searched for years and years for this yet you two idiots had this lying under your shop? Do you know what these are!" he screamed at them, instilling more fear and th
REBECCAMy father sure made a fool out of these people for fifteen whole years."Are you sure we're in the right place?" Theo asked again, refusing to believe his eyes and I looked at the picture my mother had confirmed."Yes," it was a coffee shop facing the Wright Company.How interesting was it that they all passed the place every day for fifteen years yet not one of them thought to come here to check."Wow. Okay. Let’s go in and order coffee? Or how does this work?" I looked at the key again and all that was on it was just numbers. "I guess we'll have to go in and find out." I opened the door and stepped out.We walked in together, and we walked right onto the front.The young woman behind the counter smiled, "Hello-" her eyes widened in realisation when she saw me but she was nice enough to shut her mouth and go straight to business. "What would you like to order?""Can I see the manager please?"She arched her brows, "Uhm… may I know why? Do you have a complaint? You can relay
REBECCA"Are you sure?" Theo asked over the phone and I shut the door and turned in the lock."Positive. I heard her discussing with Oliver while I was at his place then saw her pick it up from the ground."How could she have kept something like that away from me? She knew how much I was worried about her. I wanted to leave this damn country and the only reason we stayed back was because of her.I felt betrayed and this one hurt more than anything."Calm down. You're breathing too hard.""I can't help it. She betrayed me-""I'm sure she has her reasons. She wouldn't do that to you-"I tried to tell myself that but it sounded like a big fat lie and I didn’t want to delude myself. How could she trust Oliver more than me, her own daughter? After everything…"I'm gonna steal it," I whispered."What?""I need to know what's in that warehouse and I can't trust the fucking police. Help me, please."He took a while before he responded because he pondered on it-"You're the only one I have rig
REBECCAFrom the front door as I walked into the house to the living room where we used to watch movies and have little date nights, tears filled my eyes as I looked around. I trailed my fingers over the counter top in the kitchen and memories of when he once made my mother's favourite soup waltzed back in my head and I couldn't stop the tears from rolling down.This used to be a home once.Oliver and I were so comfortable around each other that we felt married. Or at least, I had felt that way. Clearly it was a delusion but it was everything to me at one point.I loved waking up to Saturday mornings where he would cook breakfast while I watched sometimes or he served me in bed. Where we both decorated with our favourite colours blending into something beautiful.Oh, I had dreams and he had orchestrated every single one of them. Whether he truly loved me or not, I would never know. Not like I even wanted to anymore. I was calling it quits.I climbed the stairs, remembering how he once
REBECCA I've been bedridden for a few days. I took the rest of my exams online with a supervisor assigned to me. It went smoothly despite the chaos of a few days but I didn't want anything to weigh me down.If I wasn't reading, I caught myself staring into space, thinking of my child and how he managed to survive.“I guess this one is really stubborn, isn't he?” I thought to myself. Just like his damn daddy. At least that was one way to know the baby was Oliver's.Despite seeing my condition, he still kept his mouth shut.Most nights I woke up from a nightmare, screaming the house down. It was always the same scene, only this time instead of the strange man who stabbed me, it was Oliver's grandfather while I watched Oliver stand at a distance with either his sealed or he rendered endless apologies instead.I was sick of hearing him apologise. I was tired of it. It burned in my memory and now whenever I thought about him, it was always about him saying sorry.Funny how he used to do f
OLIVER I was sent with a mission; to poison the Hoffman's down to their little girl. The old man was heartless but what did I care, it was a chance to be accepted and not to be thrown out to the streets once more.But that night, I picked up all my stuff and chose to run away for their own safety.I'd go to a river somewhere and drown because returning to the orphanage would only put the other kids in trouble and I didn't want to cause more trouble for anyone.A black van pulled up to me and I wasn't surprised to see my father's men. One of them grabbed me before I could bolt.“Pay up,” they said, one to the other. “I told you he couldn't do it.”“Look at him. He's a desperate little thing with no guts. You can't live a good life by being weak, you imbecile!” they smacked my head and tossed me about, laughing as they had fun.“I'll call them that I have the boy,” one of them said and took out his phone-“No!” I tried to reach for it but I was knocked down before I even knew what hit