Eron walked into his company's conference room, feeling as lifeless as he looked. He had not yet figured out what to do with, or to Kayla for messing his life up like this. It was obvious that he had been drugged, but he was sure at that point, that he did not have sex with Kayla. But only if his woman would believe him. How could she? There were tons of evidence pointing to the false notion that he was guilty, and until he came up with something that would vindicate him, he knew he had to stay away from her. "Let's go straight to the point with the meeting. The presentation first, any other thing will be postponed until the next meeting." Eron spoke rigidly, as soon as he took his seat. A nudge here and there, some mumbling, before the board member responsible for the presentation stood up and began to dish out his speech. Eron zoned out during the course of presentation—a habit that was very much unlike him. He missed everything that the man said and as a result, he had to tell hi
He watched her leave his office, every step she took determined to take her far away from him while he watched helplessly. As soon as she was out of sight and the door slammed close after her, Eron's left fist delivered its first blow against the wall beside him. He punched the wall three more times, then went back to his seat and plopped down on it like nothing happened, even if his hand was oozing blood already.He could not believe Kayla had forged those signatures with something as sensitive to Frema as that. Her father's properties? That was such a low blow, even for him. He wondered why Frema would think he would do something like that to her.His door pushed open seconds later and he regarded his new PA under his lashes, his face void of emotion. "Sir? Are you okay, Sir?" Jon, his PA questioned. Eron stared straight at him for what felt like hours before finally giving an answer,"Get out." He said simply, causing Jon to hurry out and slam the door shut behind him. Eron could
"... your real daddy is Ian Sunsetto Castile." The words rang over and over in Titi's head. Was the world spinning? Because that was exactly how she felt. She gripped the edge of the kitchen counter for support and did not stop her mom this time as she grabbed the bottle of whiskey again and instead of pouring into a glass this time, she drank greedily from the bottle."No. No, you said my dad, Eron.. he- he did investigations, he did DNA tests and shit, he's my father." Titi cried in disbelief. Kayla had the guts to grin like a cat."Well, yeah. He did those stupid tests and they came out positive, because yes, facts, your dad is stupid smart, but not smarter than his own father. Ian was such a smart man. He did all the undercover work. He said he didn't want you, in fact, he loathed you before you came into this world and all he wanted was for me to get rid of you. I refused, and asked him to pin it on his son, as that is the only way—" hiccup. "—as that is the only way I would not
Monday arrived, three days later and Frema ran around the house again, trying to set everything up for her now ‘three children’. She checked her watch minutes later, while the twins and Halsey ate breakfast quietly. She sat with then too, but she had no appetite to eat.Her phone beeped while she was twirling the contents of the plate around and it made her sigh in relief as she picked up, without bothering to check who it was. She could not have her children know that a woman had called her fat to describe her the other day at the grocery store and a handful of people agreed with her indirectly. She couldn't tell them that. So, she answered with a cheerful voice,"Frema Michelson." "Dad's lawyer called." Arsen's voice resounded from the other end. She sat straighter."What? Why?" She queried, curiosity eating her up already."He refused to tell, but he said it's something very important. You know he stopped talking to dad, right? I'm surprised." Arsen said, sounding as confused as s
Frema could not help how shame covered her entire skin like a cold blanket. Her flat shoes thankfully produced minimal noise against the tiles of the hospital as she tried to find the ward she'd been directed to. She tried to convince herself that she was only here because of the dream Josh had but it only seemed like she was lying to herself. She had only needed a reason to be here, and upon getting that reason, she called in sick at the ‘new’ place she worked in and prepared herself to see him.On getting to the door of his ward, she pushed it open warily and stepped inside, shutting the door behind her before she looked up at him. Her lips parted in shock at the sorry sight in front of her, and she gripped the door handle for support when she stared on. The person on the hospital bed was anything, but recognizable. The pictures on TV was censored, and did not do him any justice. In real life, he looked like a lost cause. He resembled a corpse, a literal one. He was covered with a f
Frema tried visiting Riley's ward which was in the same hospital, but she was told that Riley had been discharged. Arsen had actually let her know that Riley was surprisingly getting better and she had a long time to live, according to the doctor. Frema did not want to pay much attention to the announcement of a deadline, so she didn't. If she did, she'd be counting her last days with her bestfriend and even if it seemed like they had some more years, Frema had actually been banking on forever, so it was hard to settle for less.Riley was back in her house, when Frema finally got home and she clapped her new nails in her friend's face as welcome."Your bitch is back." She mouthed and Frema could've burst with joy."Damn right, she is!" She replied, going in to hug her senseless. The two women shook with laughter, and then tears.. but they remained in the same position for long minutes, sapping a feel of comfort from each other. They reluctantly pulled away after a while and Riley cupp
"Mom, I think I'm being followed." Titi complained, breathing heavily as she took out a bottle of water from the fridge and began to down its content. Kayla raised a brow."Followed? Girl, what the hell are you saying? Why would anyone follow us?" She questioned, becoming alert at the same time. Titi finished drinking and tossed the bottle, taking a seat to catch her breath."Hell, if I knew. One minute I'm walking back from this boy's home and the next, a black car—""Hold on, what boy's place?" Kayla snapped, cutting her off, to which Titi rolled her eyes."Stay with me, mom, that's not the problem here. I was being followed. FOLLOWED, by God only knows who, and I was being followed for almost one hour, but since I didn't have money for any Uber, I kept walking faster, hoping I'd lose the creep. I didn't. He only drove past our house when I got here but I swear he was following me." She said and Kayla stared at her daughter some more before grabbing her, only to spin her around to c
Frema shook with tears as she caressed her son's hair. Eron had set everything right and the truth was finally out in the open. He had just kept the properties and everything else to multiply everything tenfold. Maybe at first, his plan had been revenge but when he had said he changed, it was actually for real. Everything about him was real and now, it was too late to say sorry. Too late to make anything right. Eron might have died alone, but he'd taken a part of her to his grave while he was at it. A part she was afraid she would never be able to recover. So, the tears flowed down her cheeks until she had to hide her face in her palms as she cried uncontrollably. The boys were asleep, so she tried to be as quiet as possible, but she still got nudged by a small arm after a while. She wiped her eyes frantically and took her time while looking up. Josh spoke first, "Are you okay, mommy?" She nodded immediately, flashing a fake smile in his direction. Josh did not seem convinced. He car
EPILOGUETHREE YEARS LATER"She was such a beautiful young woman, she did not deserve to die." Someone murmured behind Frema, but she couldn't bring herself to turn and feed her curiosity by seeing who it was. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying and at this point, she truly had no tears left to cry. All she could think of them, was the fact that Riley had promised. How could she not keep her promise afterward? She'd obviously not been there for her friend enough, she hadn't even guessed that Riley would lose her life so soon. She died in the most painful way to her—chatted with her all night and then slept, never waking up after. How could she not notice the emptiness in her friend's eyes? How could she have missed the pain?"I'm sorry, Riles. I'm so sorry." She muttered weakly, staring at Riley's immobile figure. Her beautiful face and body stayed stiff now, . She could not count the amount of times she'd looked around, hoping for a miracle—just like what had happened with Eron, b
"I'm pregnant, you assholes! Could you let me out of here first, so I can get this baby out of me?" Kayla yelled, clutching the protectors tightly, even trying to climb it. Titi was in juvenile prison and the truth was, she was almost going crazy without her daughter by her side. No one paid her attention, though and she kept screaming until a figure walked up in front of the cell. The other inmates in the cell, glanced up at the visitor and on seeing who it was, the women sprang up and watched him intently, like he was a favorite snack. Only Kayla shook in fear."We meet again, Kayla." Eron spoke and she shook her head."I'm pregnant, you can't hurt me." She responded. He chuckled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes."You think I'm here to hurt you? What are the guards for, then?" He queried and she didn't reply, just stared at him. He continued, "Wow. Never thought I'd see the day where you'd finally shut up." She scoffed now, replying nonchalantly,"Well, surprise surprise." She b
Blood spluttered inside the sink, creating a gruesome sight. Riley was hunched over said sink, trying to catch her breath. "No, no, no, please. This can't fucking happen, not now, please." She complained, but her voice was filled with genuine anger instead of pity for herself. She was more concerned about staining her dress, in fact, than the actual ailment that had caused her to throw up. Today was Eron and Frema's wedding and Riley could not let her 'stupid cancer' get in the way if their happiness.A knock resounded on the door of the washroom. "Riles, are you okay?" Her husband's voice came and she shouted back right away,"I'm fine, babe. Honestly, you don't have to look for me every two hours. I just needed to pee." "Oh okay, we'll be heading to the church now with the groom. I'll be expecting you all later, okay?" He said and she replied back with an 'okay', waiting to hear him leave. He finally began to head out and then she turned on the tap, washing every evidence of her b
"I cannot believe I'm at Eron's funeral. I've always wanted to meet the man, but not like this, you know." It was yet another fangirl, on the phone with her friend as she passed by Eron's open coffin.Frema stood over the coffin, her eyes glistening with unshed tears as she watched him solely.. or better still, what used to be him. She was the only one who stood there now, as she had chosen to be the last to see him again. His body no longer smelt so bad and she realized it must be from the preservatives they'd used on him. She shook her head when more memories of them started to flood in. Her chest was constricting with so much pain and the tears now flowed at their own will but she stood there and let it all out.He had no family member to be here for him and everyone who came were either acquaintances or business partners. And then, her family. Almost everyone walked around nonchalantly, they even looked like they were at a mere business event and the only time she saw them twist t
Frema shook with tears as she caressed her son's hair. Eron had set everything right and the truth was finally out in the open. He had just kept the properties and everything else to multiply everything tenfold. Maybe at first, his plan had been revenge but when he had said he changed, it was actually for real. Everything about him was real and now, it was too late to say sorry. Too late to make anything right. Eron might have died alone, but he'd taken a part of her to his grave while he was at it. A part she was afraid she would never be able to recover. So, the tears flowed down her cheeks until she had to hide her face in her palms as she cried uncontrollably. The boys were asleep, so she tried to be as quiet as possible, but she still got nudged by a small arm after a while. She wiped her eyes frantically and took her time while looking up. Josh spoke first, "Are you okay, mommy?" She nodded immediately, flashing a fake smile in his direction. Josh did not seem convinced. He car
"Mom, I think I'm being followed." Titi complained, breathing heavily as she took out a bottle of water from the fridge and began to down its content. Kayla raised a brow."Followed? Girl, what the hell are you saying? Why would anyone follow us?" She questioned, becoming alert at the same time. Titi finished drinking and tossed the bottle, taking a seat to catch her breath."Hell, if I knew. One minute I'm walking back from this boy's home and the next, a black car—""Hold on, what boy's place?" Kayla snapped, cutting her off, to which Titi rolled her eyes."Stay with me, mom, that's not the problem here. I was being followed. FOLLOWED, by God only knows who, and I was being followed for almost one hour, but since I didn't have money for any Uber, I kept walking faster, hoping I'd lose the creep. I didn't. He only drove past our house when I got here but I swear he was following me." She said and Kayla stared at her daughter some more before grabbing her, only to spin her around to c
Frema tried visiting Riley's ward which was in the same hospital, but she was told that Riley had been discharged. Arsen had actually let her know that Riley was surprisingly getting better and she had a long time to live, according to the doctor. Frema did not want to pay much attention to the announcement of a deadline, so she didn't. If she did, she'd be counting her last days with her bestfriend and even if it seemed like they had some more years, Frema had actually been banking on forever, so it was hard to settle for less.Riley was back in her house, when Frema finally got home and she clapped her new nails in her friend's face as welcome."Your bitch is back." She mouthed and Frema could've burst with joy."Damn right, she is!" She replied, going in to hug her senseless. The two women shook with laughter, and then tears.. but they remained in the same position for long minutes, sapping a feel of comfort from each other. They reluctantly pulled away after a while and Riley cupp
Frema could not help how shame covered her entire skin like a cold blanket. Her flat shoes thankfully produced minimal noise against the tiles of the hospital as she tried to find the ward she'd been directed to. She tried to convince herself that she was only here because of the dream Josh had but it only seemed like she was lying to herself. She had only needed a reason to be here, and upon getting that reason, she called in sick at the ‘new’ place she worked in and prepared herself to see him.On getting to the door of his ward, she pushed it open warily and stepped inside, shutting the door behind her before she looked up at him. Her lips parted in shock at the sorry sight in front of her, and she gripped the door handle for support when she stared on. The person on the hospital bed was anything, but recognizable. The pictures on TV was censored, and did not do him any justice. In real life, he looked like a lost cause. He resembled a corpse, a literal one. He was covered with a f
Monday arrived, three days later and Frema ran around the house again, trying to set everything up for her now ‘three children’. She checked her watch minutes later, while the twins and Halsey ate breakfast quietly. She sat with then too, but she had no appetite to eat.Her phone beeped while she was twirling the contents of the plate around and it made her sigh in relief as she picked up, without bothering to check who it was. She could not have her children know that a woman had called her fat to describe her the other day at the grocery store and a handful of people agreed with her indirectly. She couldn't tell them that. So, she answered with a cheerful voice,"Frema Michelson." "Dad's lawyer called." Arsen's voice resounded from the other end. She sat straighter."What? Why?" She queried, curiosity eating her up already."He refused to tell, but he said it's something very important. You know he stopped talking to dad, right? I'm surprised." Arsen said, sounding as confused as s