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SIXTEEN

Author: Laura Ananaba
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

My phone pings inside my bag. It's from Julie, her usual dancing sticker. I reply with one of my best stickers, sticking out a tongue, then I push back the phone into my bag as I look around the restaurant. There's a queue of people waiting to buy coffee. I was in that queue five minutes ago, drained my first cup of coffee and now I'm tempted to step into line for a second one. I need it to stay pumped with all the meetings I have lined up today, both physical and online meetings.

I have always thought of hiring an assistant, but I have never gone through with it. Without knowing it, Philip had actually filled in for that role in the past and now that he's no more. Not like he's dead, just never going to work with me anymore— I now appreciate the things he did, but no regrets. I don't know if Julie would like to take up the offer. I don't trust strangers to handle my personal business effectively. The agent I'm here to meet is not yet here, and a cloud of doubt is beg
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  • The Ex-Convict's Obsession   One

    We have had better days, but today is not one of them. Even kisses being littered on my neck and around my shoulder can not be enough balm to soothe my nerves. This melancholy that I bear alone and I can not share with anyone is one of the many reasons couples are torn apart. I want to share, but I can't. No one would understand. Philip is standing behind me with his hands wrapped around my waist while I stare off into the garden from the window. The cup of coffee he made for me is on the kitchen Island getting cold. I only sipped it half way. His cold lips meet a spot on my neck as his hands travel down the length of my arm. Amidst my thoughts, I chuckle. "Thought you have to get to work." "I'm at work," he says. He spins me around and moves me back to the table before he lifts me to it while he settles in between my legs, still driving me crazy with kisses in the hollow of my neck. I have my neck thrown back for him to taste as I move closer to rub my Honeypot on his crotch.

  • The Ex-Convict's Obsession   Two

    CHAPTER TWO •David I used to think that nothing could change the way we felt about each other. Even though when I went to jail, I wished for her to be happy. I did not mind if her happiness would cost me losing her. Somehow I thought it was I who made her most happy. I thought she would wait. Helen waited alright. She waited for this moment when we would see again, because all these years she had been building firm resolve around her fences. We are supposed to have a meeting in the main house and I'm just sitting on the bed, looking through my files for where it went wrong. When you spend so much time in prison, people see you differently. It does not matter if you were guilty or not, what everyone knows is that you have lived a different life. You have lived amongst rapists, murderers, hit men and you have lived like them. You are an exconvict. I don't blame anyone for seeing me differently. I am a different man because I have done things I would never mention to survive. I have

  • The Ex-Convict's Obsession   Three

    CHAPTER THREE Helen "Jules," I say, picking up the phone. I leave it on the dresser while I do my skin care routine. "How has it been going with you and your new neighbor?" she asks, laughing. Everything amuses Julie including my present plight. "Oh, you know your brother. His only talent is being an annoying bull." She laughs and I smile into the mirror, rubbing in my face mask. "That means he's not as bad," she says in a sing-song voice. "How bad does it have to be?" I ask, staring at my green face in the mirror. "He's living in my guest house. I have to see him everyday." Her silence gladdens me. It means she finally gets it. "You poor thing," her voice comes from the other end. "Why is he doing it though? I spent most of my days in tears while he moved on with his life in jail." Julie laughs. I get the irony in my talk and I laugh too. Nobody moves on to anything in jail. His life must have been more stuck than mine even. "Promise me you won't let my brother get under y

  • The Ex-Convict's Obsession   Four

    CHAPTER FOUR David I have felt out of place all night. If I'm being honest, I have never wanted to be in that little guest house like this moment. It's my party, but it's not my party. People come to greet me like they're giving condolences, like I'm grieving. They're careful with their words. They are using words like "sorry", "loss", "pain", "moving on". Who knows, the person that put me behind bars could be here too. He could be anyone. Anyone. Most of the people here, I don't know them. They all know me though and must have come just to see me, not because they care. They know what I did to be in jail. They know I was behind bars for four years. They know my wife is a popular writer who is sitting far away from me. She's in a green dress that bares her shoulders down to the rise of her breasts. I can imagine running my finger on the swell of her breast while she curiously stares back at me. I miss when I could hold her and touch her skin—her body, every inch of it. I want to g

  • The Ex-Convict's Obsession   Five

    CHAPTER FIVEHelenPhilip massages my phalanges under the table. His touch makes me keep all the excitement locked inside me. My book is coming to the screens! He talks about the nature of the contract while I listen. Philip knows what is best for me even better than I do. As they talk about the pay, I'm clawing at his palm. The figures are unimaginable. It is a huge win for us.Just a shake of hands and it's a sealed deal. I almost squeal in delight as the movie producers exit the room. Philip turns to me and places a long kiss on my lips."I'm proud of you, love."I beam, nodding. "I'm proud of myself too.""Well, I'm glad I'm your agent. I am all so proud now."Laughing, I hit his arm and embrace him. I'm about to pull back when he pulls me back into his arms and brings his lips close to my ears, "let's spend the night together."My eyes widen. It's a good thing he can't see my face. It was a good idea, a great one. It just wasn't a good time."Your place?" I ask. We always stay in

  • The Ex-Convict's Obsession   Six

    CHAPTER SIXDavid"Uncle Davey, pass it." Cathie says, bouncing on her little feet.I roll the ball to her, she grabs it and runs to her other toys scattered on the lawn. I was not much of a play partner, so she could be tired of me. She runs back to me with the ball and when she's so close, she throws it at me where I'm seated on the lawn. Then she runs off."What do you want to be, Cathie?" I yell after. She stops at the sound of her name."Do you want to be a fighter, a runner, a stripper…" I quickly hold my head as something lands on it. Julie just threw a toy at me from the porch. "Don't spoil my daughter."Cathie follows her mother's steps and starts pursuing me with something to throw at me and that has us running around the place in circles until I turn around and she clashes into my hands. She's giggling uncontrollably when I throw her onto my shoulder and carry her to sit where her mum is on the porch.A smack lands at my back before I completely lower myself to the stairs.

  • The Ex-Convict's Obsession   Seven

    CHAPTER SEVENHelen.We organized a meet and greet. I have been sitting all day smiling, signing books and listening to my readers talk about their favorite characters. The residue of the joy and fulfillment I felt as I listened to them is still bouncing as a ball in my heart. They talked about the suspense, they connected with the journey of the main characters and their romance.Philip has been helpful. He has not felt like my boyfriend recently. He has been a bit distant, seeming like just my agent. Everything happening between us makes me so guilty. His worries could be understandable, but he should trust me to handle myself.Why would he? I don't even trust myself.One after the other, the same way questions I ask, in the same format I put it down. Today is not my best day. I would rather be soaking in a bubble bath than listening to people judge Evelyn's character in my book. She was my favorite. She chose not to love again and so what? She chose to be loyal both to her best fri

  • The Ex-Convict's Obsession   Eight

    CHAPTER EIGHTDavidCheers fill the air as Martin scores once again. I wince and move back holding a long neck beer in hand. I'm experiencing a dull ache inside my head and this place only worsens my state. Martin flashes his eyes around and when he spots me, he smiles and returns to his snooker game. He dragged me here after he picked me from the rehabilitation program Helen got me into. I don't feel like myself tonight, not just because of the way my body feels presently, but everything. It is all happening to me and it seems like it's not me. I would have called it a dream if I never held a toothbrush that was for hygiene and at the same time a weapon with a blade at its end in prison. I would have called it a dream if I was not stripped to be searched and butt naked, I stooped and coughed. It just hits me that as I walk into places I wouldn't have before, that my life has changed. This was happening to me. I sat in a room filled with ex prison inmates and listened as they shared

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  • The Ex-Convict's Obsession   SIXTEEN

    CHAPTER SIXTEENMy phone pings inside my bag. It's from Julie, her usual dancing sticker. I reply with one of my best stickers, sticking out a tongue, then I push back the phone into my bag as I look around the restaurant. There's a queue of people waiting to buy coffee. I was in that queue five minutes ago, drained my first cup of coffee and now I'm tempted to step into line for a second one. I need it to stay pumped with all the meetings I have lined up today, both physical and online meetings. I have always thought of hiring an assistant, but I have never gone through with it. Without knowing it, Philip had actually filled in for that role in the past and now that he's no more. Not like he's dead, just never going to work with me anymore— I now appreciate the things he did, but no regrets. I don't know if Julie would like to take up the offer. I don't trust strangers to handle my personal business effectively. The agent I'm here to meet is not yet here, and a cloud of doubt is beg

  • The Ex-Convict's Obsession   FIFTEEN

    CHAPTER FIFTEEN–DavidThe last I remember, the cushions here were cream or something close, but now it's in a popping burgundy color while the drapes are still cream color. Helen has never had a favorite color, she dabbles in anything that excites her for that moment. If she plans to stay here for long, I know she will have the cushions refolded occasionally.The flower that was on a cabinet at the side of the room is now absent. With a little relief I smile, adjusting the collar of my shirt. My eyes jump to the stairs as Helen hops down. Her evening dress is gone, now replaced by an ankle length floral satin gown that very well pronounces the slender curve of her hips and the swell of her bust which gazes out from the tip of her dress. Her hair is still packed the same way, but a few strands has left the hold and they fall over her face while some peep out from the back and the sides of her ear."What do you think we should have for dinner?" she asks, swishing past me to the kitchen

  • The Ex-Convict's Obsession   FOURTEEN

    FOURTEEN Helen The chauffeur David hired came a little late. He is a young white man with a chubby body and full beards covering the sides of his face. David handed him the keys to his black sedan without probing him about his lateness then he opened the car door for me to step in. He is in a black shawl lapel tux without a bowtie, leaving his first two buttons open. He seemed to be aiming at casually handsome and he looked like he achieved it. I didn't know how much I loved to see beards on a man till David started growing out his beard which he also shaved to a low even carving around his face. I am wearing the brown strapless gown we had dismissed at first, with my chest nut brown hair which is packed into a pony tail with a few loose curls falling over my face. I look 'brownish'. The gown has a few ropes at the back, but my back is almost as good as bare so whenever David's hands lightly stays there, I feel all exposed to him. He has always been the one with more control, this t

  • The Ex-Convict's Obsession   THIRTEEN

    THIRTEENDavidUneasily I pace from one end of the room to another with the phone in my ear. I have just gone to our former house to pack up most of my files and there are litters of it all over the table, the cushions and to the ground."You keep asking me this question expecting me to suddenly realize who wants me dead. I don't know anyone that would want me dead," I say matter-of-factly, without leaving the irritation out of my voice.Parker, the private investigator working on my case, his silence from the other end of the phone annoys me further than his lack of results since I hired him. "Next time you call me, please have something," I say."Your wife," he says, his voice sounding disembodied. "You run a joint account with her, yes?"I fold one arm and nod already getting defensive before he drives home his point. "Well, doesn't she have something to gain from putting you away?""What will she gain from that?" I ask, rolling my eyes."Wealth ofcourse," he says. "So she can be w

  • The Ex-Convict's Obsession   Twelve

    CHAPTER TWELVE Helen The sprinklers on the lawn are on. I stay away from the window because I know who and what I would see if I look out. Julie sits on a stool in my kitchen staring at the garden in the back yard. I walk into the kitchen and pour some juice into her glass. She takes a sip of the drink and munches her pancake. "It tastes so good," she says, nodding with her mouth stuffed. With a smile, I take my plate of pancakes and the rest of the juice and walk to a table in the living room, urging her to follow me. She sits opposite me at the table with bar stools. With the way I called her, she must have felt something was wrong with me. Truly, something had been. Everything had been wrong till David came over last night. As I take a bite of my pancake, I wonder if I should tell Julie about last night— about Philip, about David. She might not grasp what was going on within me. Her eyes float to the window and then back to me. She points at the window. "So that's my brother wor

  • The Ex-Convict's Obsession   Eleven

    CHAPTER ELEVENHelenPhilip does not want to hear me out. He is the judge and jury all in one. This is what we have become. From agents to friends, to fuck buddies, to fuck buddies demanding attention and commitment from one another. This is not working. I stop talking because all the while we have both been talking trying to top our voices. I told him I have nothing to do with David but he rather remains strong in his own convictions."It's crazy, Helen," he says, pushing the flower in his hands into my hands with a gift bag. "I was expecting so much from you when you are a woman who cheated on your husband with me.""Philip, what was that?" I ask, throwing the contents in my hand in his face. He dusts himself with his eyes on me and I stare back fuming and shaking with anger. Who was this man on my doorstep, what did I have with such a person, how did I get here?"You heard me, Helen. Your mother is a slut after all," Philp says with a smirk. I lunge forward, swinging my hand at him

  • The Ex-Convict's Obsession   Ten

    CHAPTER TEN David I would have thought Mrs Smith was in a bad mood or she was giving me ex-convict treatment if I didn't know better. She was one of those people who showed hard love. "You want to be a child so Helen can spoon food into your mouth," she says, setting up the BP apparatus. Helen is sitting on another cushion. My gaze rests on her and she moves her eyes away. Helen gets to her feet, wiping her hands on her sweat pants. "I'll be in the other house, Incase you need me." She is looking at Mrs Smith, not me. "Oh no, darling," Mrs Smith says, strapping my arm with the rubber cuff. "I need you now." Helen nods and sits back with her eyes moving about the place. I can tell she would rather not be here. I feel bad that I'm taking her away from other engagements she could have, but for a chance to stare at my wife without being at the receiving end of her anger, I will be sick again. Mrs Smith gets done with checking my blood pressure and she gives me a stern look. "You're

  • The Ex-Convict's Obsession   NINE

    CHAPTER NINEHelenThe sink is filled with used plates. I don't know why my cooking always has to be messy. Philip suggested I hire a cook since I can afford it without David's money. I have not considered that because even though I hate cooking, I can fix myself food. I just pick a day and make meals which I store in the freezer for a week. Sometimes it lasts more than a week because I buy take outs."Shit!" I curse as I innately put my finger in my mouth to calm the sting of the burn. This was the second time I was burning myself while forgetting I needed rags to bring out the pan from the oven. I walk to the tap and put my hand under the running water as I stare out through the window. This is usually the time David works on the lawn, when the sun makes the sweat at his back glisten. These days I watch him through the window and I can easily remember what he looked like naked. In my bed. My perverted mind recalls vividly as I watch him—The tightening of his core, the rigidity of h

  • The Ex-Convict's Obsession   Eight

    CHAPTER EIGHTDavidCheers fill the air as Martin scores once again. I wince and move back holding a long neck beer in hand. I'm experiencing a dull ache inside my head and this place only worsens my state. Martin flashes his eyes around and when he spots me, he smiles and returns to his snooker game. He dragged me here after he picked me from the rehabilitation program Helen got me into. I don't feel like myself tonight, not just because of the way my body feels presently, but everything. It is all happening to me and it seems like it's not me. I would have called it a dream if I never held a toothbrush that was for hygiene and at the same time a weapon with a blade at its end in prison. I would have called it a dream if I was not stripped to be searched and butt naked, I stooped and coughed. It just hits me that as I walk into places I wouldn't have before, that my life has changed. This was happening to me. I sat in a room filled with ex prison inmates and listened as they shared

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