Aria"Hello brother." The man greets his voice bubbly. Mecael's forehead creased. "Why are you here?"he asked his voice toneless. These two did not have such a good history together."Who's the girl?" The other guy stepping forward. Mecael steps in between us completely blocking my view.I tug my head to the side like I'm peeping through. I wave at the guy casually. His lips curl upwards,lines form at the side of his eyes. His smile was so genuine.I step from behind Mecael."Hi! I'm Aria." I chirped. Meeting someone who Mecael openly disapproved off brought a surge of excitement through me."Well hello there." He hold out his hand and I shake it."I'm this man's older brother." He side bumps him. Mecael pushes him away and straightens his suit."This cold guy?" I tease glancing over at him."Yeah. You can call me Alex." He smiles.I nod and repeat his name."I love how it rolls off your tongue.""You'd love how I moan it even better." I state teasingly. Mecael gives me a disappro
AriaMy eyelids felt heavy. The thought of someone ending my life didn't allow me to sleep. I wobbled out of bed and went to the bathroom.Having missed three consecutive classes I had to try and not miss another one. This marriage shit almost made me forget I was anl still am a student.I took a quick shower and went back to my closet. A knock is heard twice. I stare at the door for a few seconds thinking about ignoring it. Whoever it was knocked again. I wore an oversized top,wrapped the towel around my waist and went for the door."Hurry up and come downstairs." Mesta informed.I smile."Good morning to you Mesta.""Don't act like you like me. I don't and I won't try to hide it." She cleared.I nodded I'm understanding."Want to come in? You can help me pick out an outfit." She looked at me with an expression I couldn't read."Hurry up and come downstairs." She repeated. I was left wondering if she was wired to speak like that. No one ever spoke like a robot in real life. Not unle
AriaMy lessons were over quickly. Except for econimics. During the lecture time seemed to have stopped. Lionne staying by my side made me surprisingly comfortable.I hadn't realized how I had no social life till now. I said hi to a few people but nothing more than that. I realized that my life was wrapped up around my boyfriend way more than I thought.My phone beeps. Alex: I miss you.The audacity."Everything alright?" Lionne asks."I can call Sir…" he takes out his phone.I grab it."That would be unnecessary." I give his phone back.I sigh and type.Dearest Alex,I was always excited about our future. Now we only have a past. You were so nice to talk to. You felt very comfortable. You wrapped me around your little finger. Now I'm at school and I only have Lionne. With you I never thought of making friends. Please don't text me again.I press send. I referred to lionne as my frined. I so admitted to him how he had messed me up.The phone beeps again.Alex:Don't be a whore. Just co
MecaelI arrive at the Crescent club to find Lionne pacing outside. "Where is she?" I demanded."I…I don't know. I called her and she hung up but then she picked up and now her phone is turned off…" he was picking on his nails."Didn't your master ask you not to do that?" I look down on his hands. He clasps them and apologizes."Go sit in the car." I gave him the keys.It's the second time I'm driving to go pick up this girl. Did I care about her that much? No.But she holds the title of my wife. As a husband,it's only my responsibility.I storm inside. I rub my nose at the stench of alcohol. My eardrums complained. The lights and the crowd made it hard for my eyes to successfully scan the place. Asking the anyone for help would be useless. The security in these places were shocking.I take out my phone to trach her down. She was still around. That was great. Now to find her. I trailed to the right and off a corridor.The door slightly opened caught my eye. If she wanted to get lai
AriaHow can my body feel so heavy. I felt sweaty and sticky. It was hot. The room was hot and I felt like I was thrown into the pits of hell. The headache! My head was splitting.I notice the weight around my waist. The warmth radiating from my back. Memories from last night flash I'm my mind. They were pictures. Parts of them. I shake my head and immediately regret it. Everything begun to spin I shut my eyes tight trying to even my breathe.The club…the man…everything happened so fast but Mecael was there. He must have been there or I was hallucinating.My eyes slowly open. The streaks of sunlight burnt my eyes. It didn't help with the migraine. This…this wasn't my room. The blanket was too thin. The bed was too hard. The figure behind me stirred. I shift my weight to the left. I slowly observe his face. The black curly hair. His beautiful face. I was in bed with Lionne.Wait. Lionne?!What on Earth was I doing with lionne in bed. He opens his eyes and smiles softly."I'm sorry.
Chapter 13Mecael"Say something." I urged her after she was silent for more than a minute."What's your definition of submission?" She asks quietly."We can and will talk about this but not now." I look at Greg who shrugs setting his boy on the couch." You need therapy."She snorts lifting her nose."Hell no!" I sigh. It was going to be harder than I thought."I'm fine. Just because a guy tried to stick his-" she pauses." You know what I'm saying. I promised myself that I would never let a man ruin me. I'm not about to break that promise."'Never let a man ruin me.' What had my wife been through."Fine,I won't force you into it. I'm simply putting it out there for you to consider.""And I said no." His voice carried traces of irritation. It was time to drop the topic. For now."I have to go Mecael. I have some 'things' to work on." He looked over at Lionne.I nod. They were going to scene."Bye Lionne. Come check on me sometimes to ensure my husband doesn't kill me." Aria called aft
AriaMecaels lips were tightly pressed together. His eyebrow came down with a frown. His green eyes glared at me.For a second I wanted to run away,go back home,sink in my bed and cover my head. I didn't. I stood there because he was not going to kill a man on my watch."Move." He growled."No." I reply firmly."You put that gun down and let these poor guys go." He snorts. Mesta makes a move towards me. I face her fully."You touch me and I'll ruin your suit." I snapped. Of course I didn't know how to fight,but with my level of confidence,who would doubt me when I say I could throw a punch.She gives a bored look."Don't touch her Mesta." Mecael ordered. I huffed at her and crossed my arms."Don't touch them!" I point behind me using my thumb."Move Aria." He grumbled."If you have to kill them then you'll need to kill me first." I stand tall. The storm inside me was whirling. Did I trust Mecael not to kill me?If he pulls that trigger then…"Gladly." His lips curve upwards.I felt
MecaelAria spent the whole week ignoring me. Her room was always locked. One time she went through the window just to avoid seeing my face. She had exams coming up so I didn't push her. She was taking her last papers today so I would drop by her room later on.I fix my tie and knock on my father's office. He had just returned from his trip to Mexico. I knocked thrice before entering.He was behind his desk as usual. He stared angrily at the papers set before him. I close the door carefully as to not make a sound. He was an old man and I didn't wish to give him a heart attack.I cleared my throat twice. He looks at me with a quizzical expression before focusing on his papers again. My eyebrows furrow."Anything interesting?" He doesn't look up."The warehouse was attacked." That got his attention.He looked up,two papers still in hand. If I loose his concentration now I wouldn't get it again."Who?" He asked leaning back in his chair."Ricardo's men." I sit on the leather chair infro
AriaMecael held me until I stopped crying sniveling. Still,I held onto him because I did not want him to go away.I cried because at the end of it all everything had worked out. Not all of it was perfect but it was in place.Like last month the business made a loss but it did not collapse. It stayed and this month I'm certain it will all be better.Just like our lives,bits by bit,it was all falling into place.For the last three months, everything had happened so fast and I couldn't help myself from worrying that it will all fall apart.We had bought a larger apartment where we had room for the kids to run around. Thick walls for mecael and I and a larger kitchen and office for Phoebe.Alex had finally admitted to his feelings. Though he was thrown into a turmoil when Liz proposed out of nowhere,he got after it soon enough and said yes. They had a church wedding which obviously came as a surprise to all of us.None of the boys have visited Heloriet ever since he was taken away. We rec
Aria"Mom." I yelled as I made my way into the station.Mecael met me halfway. "Babe." I felt his gaze travel past me. "They have gone to get Greg from the airport." He nodded in understanding."Lorei…she."I step past him and charged towards my mother who was screaming about Heloriet being mad.I grabbed her biceps and forced her to stand still facing me. "What do you think you're doing,mother!"Her hands held onto my arms and she shook me frantically. "Aria…Aria..tell them,tell them how he tortured me. How he ran that…that business and forced the drugs down me. Tell them everything."My eyes burned with tears and I could not understand the reason behind them.Maybe it was the fury of watching her act like this. Or the extent of truth her words held.Perhaps it was none of those but the fact that ay the back of my mind I wanted to see her drop dead.It was the feeling of me having to betray the woman who carried me for none months and also took part in my upbringing.But why should
Aria"How is he?" I asked pacing in the hall. At the same time Mecael asked about the ones who were in the hospital"I don't know. The doctors haven't come out yet." "He's okay,I guess."I stop moving. "You guess?""He keeps on repeating that he did not push them. It's day three,Aria,your mom is not awake and so is the doctor."I sigh and sit. "Can I be honest with you? I feel nothing about this situation. In real sense I feel like they both deserve it. Except for the doctor,he doesn't."He hums from the other side. "I get you babe.""Is Alex with you?""He's supposed to be there by now,also Greg and Lionne are on their way. They are almost landing if I'm not wrong."The door opens. "I'll call you later.""Bye babe. Be safe.""Doctor.""Aria? She is awake.""The man?""His chances of survival are pretty low. But we'll keep you updated.""Then how is she? Can I go in and see her?"He nodded and followed me inside."That's the only thing she's been saying. 'Ill do it. Don't kill me.' S
Aria"James,Aurora stop running around,you'll fall." I called after them as I picked up the toys they had left all over."Kiiiids." They did not stop. I sigh and place the box of toys down.The front door opens and Phoebe walks on with lots of bag."I'm not against your spending but please limit it.""Hey babe." She pokes her head around. "Aurora,James.""Auntie!" That was Aurora. She came running so fast that I feared she would slip and fall."I told you to not run." I say breaking James speed."Na-na." "Come to me baby." She picks him from me.Looking around. "Where's your husband?"I playfully hit her arm. "He's not my husband. But he's gone to meet with some people,work related."She laughs and guides the kids to the kitchen."Nothing for me?""You have your own money. Spend it before you die."I go to reply but my phone vibrates from the coffee table.She stops moving." Oh you have friends now?""Shut it,Phoebe."A new number. "Hello.""Did I ever tell you I majored in performi
HelorietMy heart thudded painfully against my chest. Sweat droplets trickled down my face,behind my neck all the way down to my back.I swallowed hard,an action that was painful as well. The temperature in the room seemed to be cold but at the same time I was so hot that I was literally burning up.My knees were on the floor and I remained there,not wanting to tempt Lorei because I was too aware of what she was capabilities.She let out a loud sigh and removed her gloves. She licked up a pair of scissors that was lying on top of the drawer.Snipping it towards me,she said, "Do you want to know what I'm going to do with this?"No. No I did not.Her words scared me but what crepped me out even more was what she was going to do. Stabbing him to death? That would be painful. But he might survive if she happens to stab the less delicate parts,his thigh,for example.I shivered and pushed the thought further away as possible.If I think positive then everything else will be positive. My s
Lorei"Hello babe." I greet while sipping my wine."What?" He grumbled from the other side."I'm just checking on you.""I'm not yet dead so I assume you are not done with me."I gasp faking my surprise. "Who says I want to see you six feet under. I want you alive,so alive so that you won't be able to take any more of living.""I've already seen what you have succedes at doing,if that is what you want to confirm."A chuckle escapes my mouth. "I know you've seen it. I mean,I went out of my way to ensure they aired it,I did all that for you.""Geez,thanks.""You're welcome." I place the glass down and get to my feet. I swing slowly to where the other man was seated,tied up on a chair."Are you asleep,Heloriet?""What? No,I am tired.""Don't care." I tap on the man,waking him up. "I have someone who I am sure you'd love to hear from.""Unfortunately,I have no one.""Really? Think again, Heloriet. Think carefully." I speak slowly allowing him to soak in every word and get the weight of it
MecaelShe had said no to us moving in together. Well,it was not a direct no. She asked me to give her time.I agreed to that and that is why we are here seated on a date.James and Aurora are with their aunt who is also their godmother,Phoebe. Yes,she want it all."Why do you keep looking at me like that?"I smile. "I missed you and I'm happy that we are here like this…together.""I'm glad.""So what do you do nowadays that you gave up on the,you know.""I went into real estate.""Um,wow…I,I'm surprised.""I know. Greg was the one who helped me as he has a social life. Him moving also worked for my best.""I see." She drunk her wine. "How is Lionne, haven't talked to him for a while.""The boy is flourishing. He even went into modeling and–"She chocked on her food. "Wait. Wait wait wait. You mean Lionne,the Lionne that I know?""Everyone gave that reaction.""But it's good for him.""Yeah…" she was now playing with her food. "You're full." I noted."Mh.""Let's go to your place?"O
AriaAin't no way.After years of not seeing each other we meet casually at a park. What a coincidence.The beat my heart was currently playing was faster than any beat I've ever heard in all the music I have come across."I quit drinking." He announces after a long stretch of eyes fixated on each other."Good…I…I'm proud of you."He gave me a beaming smile with the corner of his eyes forming wrinkles. "Yeah." He chuckled. "Thank you."I cleared my throat. "You were with James. Thank you for looking out for him." "He got hurt. I'm sorry about that."I look at James. "Happens to the best of us.""I love his eyes." Of course he loves his eyes. The pairs are exactly the same. James took most of his features,like all of them. The eyes,face,hair,how his lips curl up in a smile.He held the girls hand. "This is Aurora."I smiled as I repeated the name.The bubbly child stepped forward and outstretched her tiny arm to me.I took it."Aurora. I'm a princess."Mesta was pregnant,that much I
HelorietI called him. I gathered all the courage I've packed and called him.I glance at the clock. Turning away I realize I had not registered the time,so I checked again.Only an hour remaining. One hour and he'll be here.After watching the news for more times that usual,I headed to my bedroom. The rest of the time was spent with me in bed feeling pathetic and regretting all my life choices.A knock came and the knob turned."I'm okay now,you can leave." I say under the blankets.I heard his low chuckle as he came closer. The weight shifted on the left side. A soft hand landed on my arm."I saw it.""It's bad but I have dealt with it. You can go.""I need you to look at me.""No."Silence.I sigh and uncover my face. He uses his finger to turn my head into his direction."I'm not crying." I say avoiding his eyes. "Is that's what you are looking for.""How have you dealt with it?"Good question.I had no answer.I sat upright. "Wanna have sex?" I lean in,my hand resting on his th