MAEI was being watched.Or rather, it felt like I was being watched. I talked to Scar about it, but she simply watched me like I was crazy—definitely because of my recent sleepwalking habits—and then she assured me that there was too much security watching over us for us to be harmed easily. That calmed me down a bit but not totally. I started avoiding Owen right after that incident at his room and started taking harsher drugs because my sleepwalking simply did not want to end. Eli was skeptical about giving them to me at first but we came to a deal/agreement in the end. I was not to take more than two in a week.Needless to say, I did not follow what he had asked and I took it more than two times weekly.. most times, I even took it up to five times. I could now go get the drugs myself, so it was not a problem.Since then, I slept soundly. Sometimes I still got nightmares but I never woke up in the middle of it, and I never sleepwalked from then. Again, the guilt kept eating me up,
OWEN"Come to my room. Now." I walked towards my room without looking back to see if she was following and only stopped when I was inside, only to shut the door behind her."What happened tonight?" The question came at once, and she looked up at me as though she was confused by it. I did not like the look in her eyes. It was distant, almost like she was not here completely.If I did not already hold her in some sort of high regard, I would have concluded she was doing drugs. "From the beginning?" She asked softly, her teary eyes uncertain. "From the beginning, Mae. Sit." I ordered as I went to sit on the long couch myself. She sat beside me and started,"A guy tried to grope me at the club, and I was not in the mood for that so I ran off…" She turned to me as if to gauge my reaction but I was sure she would see nothing. I wondered when she would stop searching for these emotions—I was as nonchalant as they came.But it did not mean I was not affected by her confession… in fact, I s
MAEI woke up the next morning in a strange bed after falling asleep on Owen's chair in his chambers at Casa Eleganza. The realization hit me like cold water.I sat up, looking around and trying to make sense of where I was. I felt groggy and disoriented, my body heavy like I’d been run over by a truck. It took a few seconds for my brain to kick into gear. This was not my apartment and it also was not Owen’s room at Casa Eleganza. Then where was I?The air felt thick, and my skin prickled with sweat. I winced as my head pounding like I was going through a bad hangover. My mouth was dry, and my hands felt clammy as I rubbed at my face. Something wasn't right. I had never felt this restless and tired even after waking up before."Oh… Oh fuck…" I murmured when it hit me—I'd not taken the damn pill last night. It had been three days since I had not taken it now, and the withdrawal symptoms were getting serious.I cursed under my breath, my heart thudding in my chest. Missing a dose was l
OWENShe ignored me for the next few days. Just asked for her pills once and then ignored me for the entire day when I told her no. How did this woman come from being so fierce and full of life to being so numb and quiet.Her eyes were no longer the stormy greens I had gotten used to. They were now a pale replica… boring and distant.My ego and pride was holding me back from trying to engage in a proper conversation with her. In my defense, she could not exactly stand my presence.Today, I entered her room with a box containing clothes and jewelry and some shoes. Usually, I would throw a party for my birthday which would be combined with the launch of a new business normally, or showing off a new achievement.I wanted none of those tonight. Last minute, I decided I could spend the night with Mae. Marco would aim at me with his gun if he heard of this because he would definitely think I was possessed by some imposter, but every passing day, all I wanted was to be around this Mae woman
MAE"Fuck me and get this over with." I demanded, my legs shaking mildly under me. His eyes on me were like hot coal, with an intensity that made my breath catch. His silence only made the tension between us thicker, the air practically crackling with it. He took a step closer, his jaw tightening. "Don't say shit you don't mean, Mae. There is a reason I have been holding back. Despite your tough exterior, you cannot handle a man like me, and despite the fact that I am the city's most feared monster, I cannot handle any more of your hate." His voice was low, a growl that sent shivers up my spine. I lifted my chin defiantly, refusing to back down. "You’ve been looking at me like you want to devour me, Owen. You cannot tell me you just respect my feelings so much that you cannot fuck me. What is it, really? Afraid I can’t handle you?" His hand shot out, grabbing my wrist and yanking me closer. I gasped as my bare chest bumped against his, my titties literally crushing against his t
MAESaying I was embarrassed would be the understatement of the century. I really wanted to miss that dinner, but I knew if Owen really wanted me to come, he would make sure I was there even if it meant I had to be carried there, kicking and screaming.Okay, and the part I feared most was Owen walking in here and deciding to dress me up for the event. I would not even put that past him. I could not even put anything past him right now.I sighed, going through the box… I even got a makeup pack. How was he even sure I could do any makeup? Was there any rule book that stated that a painter must know how to do some makeup?I was good, but I did not do makeup as well as I painted.After around 20 minutes of doing some light makeup, I stared at myself in the mirror, barely recognizing the girl looking back. It got even better when I got into the dress.The dress Owen sent was stunning, no doubt about that. It was a deep maroon red dress that hugged my figure without feeling too tight, the
OWENI knew the look in her eyes—she was trying to figure me out. People did that a lot, I just did not know how to tell them that the answer was definitely not in my eyes.I smirked lazily, trying to kill the tension. Maybe I was interested in Mae Rivera, but she was right. I could have just fucked her and gotten this over with a long time ago if I wanted. I had a better plan though. She had taken a break now, but I knew Mae was in my club for a reason bigger than paying off her father's debt. She was looking for something or someone. I could monitor her closely and get someone to follow her around too, but I could also get in her good graces, protect her, fuck her when I wanted, get the information I needed.. just to throw her out when I felt like it.She tapped the table, and my attention returned to her beautiful face. No exaggeration, she was fucking gorgeous, this woman. Her skin was perfect and she did not even use those expensive lotions that the other women I hung out with us
MAEI begged to go back to Casa Eleganza after we were done with the dinner, and Owen hesitated, but finally promised me that he would take me back soon.Two days later, I was on my way to Casa Eleganza. Owen dropped me off in front of the building. I made to open the door after looking around frantically to confirm that no one would catch me out here in his car. I was not ready for the side talks so soon. Owen grabbed my arm before I could leave, stopping me. I spun around, "Owen, I have to go… I mean… Sir Owen…" I looked around now to see if anyone had magically caught that.He laughed, "You do not have to act like you respect me. We are the only ones here."I spun back around to him, "What do you want? I have to go in now…""A kiss."I stared at him like he had gone out of his mind. But he kept staring at me with a straight face, serious as fuck. My cunt was shedding tears at the demand—maybe even before the demand but I still shook my head regardless and scoffed, "I cannot kiss
MAE"Thank you very much, you have fed me properly today." I took a large gulp of yoghurt. My stomach was really full."That's one of my responsibilities to you." He wiped the corner of my mouth with tissue."What's today?" Suddenly I remembered about my medical checkup."Today is Friday. The end of the month.""Damn! I have my antenatal checkup today.""Really? There's still time. Tell me the schedule the doctor told you." He brought out his diary, waiting for my response."Every four weeks for the next seven months, and every two weeks till the ninth month.""Fine. I will have to be reminding you from henceforth." He closed his diary after taking note of it.Owen took me to the hospital, the exact one where I was told I was pregnant.It was same doctor that told me I was pregnant. She recognized my face."Hey Rivera. Hello." She greeted Owen and I."Hello Doctor.""Please, take your seats." She gestured with her hands. "How are you both doing?""We're doing very fine. We're just a
MAE"O... Owen, you're here?" I stuttered. Why was he here? Is today not supposed to be his wedding? He wasn't supposed to find out this way. The look on his face made me swallow hard. He was mad angry."You're not answering my question, Mae. Are you pregnant?" His face has no expression.Scar quietly excused herself, leaving me to deal with my problems alone. So much for female solidarity."Yes Owen. I am." There was no need lying now. He must have heard everything by the door. Lying would escalate to more problems that I wasn't ready for.I could see a flicker of happiness in his eyes for a moment before the annoyance took over. "How long are you gone?" His eyes went to my stomach. I had no bump yet."A month. I found out about it early last week." I said quietly, my eyes avoiding his."For that long, and I'm just knowing of it now! Mae, what other things are you hiding from me?" He folded his arms. " I have finally figured out the reason you have been avoiding me. You think I won't
OWENAfter I agreed to let Mae go to Joan's house as an insider again, I instructed Marco to find someone that will have an eye on her, some sort of a bodyguard. Since it was only two times a week, I would only be worried for those two days only, unlike before where worry was my best friend.We made love again bringing those sweet feelings to my heart. After I had dropped her off at Casa Eleganza. I went back to my club. I wasn't done going through those footages. The pictures I have so far were mostly those working as servers in the club.Eric would have a lot of work to do.I went through the last parts of the footages, new faces were that of the security men, Marco and a woman.I zoomed the video of Marco and the woman. It was same woman I had seen him with when I had my first meeting as regards to Joan's disappearance. He was holding hands with her and saying things that are barely inaudible.It felt strange though. Marco had never shown interest in woman. I wonder what this woman
MAECongratulations, Ms Rivera. You're three weeks pregnant."The doctor's words kept ringing in my ears on my way to my apartment. I couldn't describe what I was feeling.While in her office some time ago, I even had to tell her to check the name well."Mae Rivera." The doctor read from the piece of paper in her hands. "Is that not your name?""It... It is." I stammered."Why are you... Wait, you are not ready yet?" She read my face."Yeah, kind of." I said."That's okay, Mae." She smiled again. "Since you're not ready and we discovered it early enough, you can take it out."I'm keeping it, Doctor." I said firmly. The last thing on my mind at this time was getting pregnant, but since it has happened, I can't kill my baby. I have to beat the consequences of my actions."Your husband would be happy.""I'm not married." Do I looked married? I'm not even wearing a ring."Ohh, I'm sorry for the assumption." She apologized. "I hope its father would be happy.""He would. He was even the on
MAEIt was morning already and I was in Owen's arms. Making love out in the open was such an adventure. But we have to leave."Owen." I tapped him lightly. I remembered Eli. He would have been waiting for me to come back."Go back to sleep, Mae." He pulled me closer."It's nine thirty." I complained."I know." His eyes were still closed.He knew. He must have woken up before me.I succeeded in removing his hands."Mae, come back." He tried reaching out for me."Owen, wake up. We can't stay here all day." I put on my denim gown back."Staying with you makes me want to do nothing." He was fully awake now."That's sad, but I want to do something.""Ouch." He stood up from the bed.He had actually woken up, because he had his boxers on. He put on his shirt and trousers."I will be going over to Joan's today." I stated. I didn't want to waste time at all. My last meeting is with Joan was when he told me I had a bigger job to do for him."Really? Wait awhile. We just agreed yesterday.""I d
MAE I can't believe I just forgave Owen after all the promises I made to myself never to. When Eli has told me he saw Owen, I thought he was joking. But he did show up at my door, went as far as bringing me out of my hiding spot by threatening to kill Eli. This man brought weakeness to my knees by saying that the words he went to me last week. I was now convinced that he was the one who wrote them. He had a way of softening me up. I even agreed to go out to dinner with him. When he left, Eli came out of the bathroom. "I'm sorry." I could not control my laughter. "It's not funny, Mae. I nearly peed on myself." "I'm so sorry." I said again, going to him to rub his back. "So, you guys are back together?" Eli asked me. "Yeah, somehow." I shrugged. "I heard liplocking sounds and you agreed to go on a date with him. That's not a somehow. You like him, don't you?" "I don't know, Eli. My head and heart are not friends at all. I decided I would never talk to him again, and now he sa
OWEN"Where does she live?" I asked. It was two minutes past six am in the morning of the next day.Last night I was supposed to sleep like a baby because my woman has forgiven me, Scar turned it upside down by telling me news about Eve's death. I was happy, no doubt but a part of me was on high alert. I had some thoughts. It's possible that Joan's kidnapper could also be Eve's killer. And whoever did this wants to keep me to my toes.I decided that I would meet with Scar, Eric and Marco tomorrow morning, very early."Not that far from Joan's. Sometimes she sleeps at her house, sometimes Joan's." Scar replied. We were sitting on a round table.I had want to set this meeting only with Scar because I put her in charge of Eve, but then I did some thinking, it's best if Eric and Marco were aware of this as well. This was a clear sign that someone has their eyes on us."Did you ever speak to her?""Yeah, I did, just two times. The first time I met her at a pharmacy store, we didn't really
OWENI was so prepared for this moment. I had two things on my mind. It was either Mae was lying or she was back from her grandparents' and her roommate has refused to tell me when she returned.At this point, nothing else mattered. I only wanted to see Mae. That was the main problem I was facing now.I walked stealthily to her room, having a rethink of what I would say to her. I got to her door front and knocked.No response as usual.I knocked again.Eli answered.I wasn't supposed to see Eli. Mae should have been the one here. It meant one thing that he must have seen me coming here and decided to alert her."I'm here to see Mae." I stated."Mae is not around. You were here this morning." He said. "She's in the hospital with her grandfather."I gave a weak laughter. It had been a lie all along."She is. Let me in." I said simply."She isn't."I looked him dead in the eye before I shoved him and forced myself inside. In a split second, I had my elbow over his neck. He chose the hard
MAE"About Joan, what is the latest on him?" The last time Owen and I spoke about Joan. He did not tell me the details of his plans."Owen wants to go for Javier and Don Paulo. And Eve too." Scar said."Eve? I haven't heard that name around here?""She is an insider. She was the one who told me about Joan's schedule on the day we were meant to capture him. Owen suspects her.... Wait, why am I even telling you this? You are no longer with Owen. You have no business knowing about his affairs.""I'm already involved in this. There's no way I would be left out.""I'm sorry, Rivera. I can't say past that." Scar stood up from her seat.I feel that she was keeping her loyalty to Owen. She was right. I'm no longer with Owen and Owen is no longer my boss. So, I'm invariably an opposition or enemy.I went back to my apartment. Atleast, she told me a vital part of what I wanted to hear. I needed to eat pizza so I made an order for two boxes."Did you go to see Owen?" Eli questioned."No, why wil