VALERIE'S POV My heart had to be next worst organ living in my body, right after my hairless skin pores. Like I literally had almost zero to no hairs on my skin! You would have to look closely to be able to detect any, that's if they were even there in the first place. And as for the life pump in my chest, all it does is to betray me every single time when it's cooperation is just needed. Like seriously, Hudson was the enemy. That fact is well known in body, soul, spirit, mind... you name it! So tell me, why is this damned heart of mine skipping beats just cause of a glance at our supposed enemy, instead of standing solid on our agreed resolve. Why? If this isn't betrayal, what else is it? I sighed deeply, getting ready to launch more complaints in my mind when a voice snapped me right out of it, "Hey! I was just trying to help!" I blinked, my brain registering my environment in a jiffy as I looked up at Rob's amused face and back to an... angry looking James? Before final
Valerie pov My confusion deepened as Hudson swiftly pulled out a chair from a nearby table to ours, invading my personal space. I quickly swallowed the water in my throat to stop him in his tracks and that was where it all went wrong. The water immediately clogged my throat, forcing a good measure of it into the wrong hole down my throat. My eyes bugged as a fit of coughs and gasping followed immediately, "Careful! You're going to get yourself hurt!" Hudson boomed and sprung up from his chair like a mother hen to get me a napkin. If my throat didn't feel like it were literally set on fire, I would have knocked down a couple of glass cups from the sheer force of his shouts. In seconds he was by my side, panicking and easing down gentle pats on my back while dapping every water droplet on my face. To say I was surprised by this whole display would be an understatement. Girl, I was stunned! He was just busy fuzzing over me, coupling my cheeks, feeling my temperature...like...l
VALERIE'S POV *Knock at the door* for some seconds, and a black haired young girl poked in, "ma'am?" I raised my head from my laptop to the angle the voice came from, smiling as I noticed it was the same girl from the IT department that I met earlier. "We're all set for you ma'am, at the conference room." She said, smiling gently. My ears perked up at her words, "Oh! Right!" I immediately moved to stand up but then I remembered the thing I kept on my desk, so I sat back down. "One minute please." I called out to the girl before going ahead to mumble absentmindedly as I shuffled through several paperworks on my desk. "I, ugh... I just need to... Erm..." I paused for a second, realizing what I was doing and quickly stole a glance at the door and sure enough she was still standing there, watching me. The moment our eyes met she smiled nervously, making me smile too before I resumed searching for it. This time more seriously and further off the desk. "Where is it... Where is... Wh
HUDSON'S POV Will it be strange if I said seeing my ex-wife was like a breath of fresh air?You know, like that feeling of when you've been stuck underwater for so long and then you finally get pulled out, the air rushing into your lungs suddenly feel so delicious that you could taste it? That's the feeling right there!I couldn't believe it honestly. Everything was happening so fast, I could hardly keep up with these new emotions going on inside of me these days. But one thing was clear though, 'I'm attracted to my ex-wife, Valerie.'Yes, that's what it was. Attraction.I maybe ignorant on some matters because I didn't want the burden that came with it but I wasn't a fool. I knew myself and behaviors better than anything, lying to oneself is like petting an open wound. You're too scared to apply gauze on it cause of the pain you might receive but at the same time, you give the injury space to be infected and eventually rot on that part of your body. Same thing with lying to yourse
HUDSON'S POV Huh?Unable to reach contact? "It's probably network issues, try again" James offered and I nodded in agreement, dialing the number again. "Network these days have been messy..." James voice faded as we listened to it ring after dialing."Sorry, you're unable to reach this contact please try again later. Thank you," Same robotic reply sounded through and we shared a knowing look.But instead of saying the thought that was already on both our minds, James said instead. "Maybe it's your phone, there's probably no signal in it. Try your other phone,"I heaved a breath and picked up my other phone beside a pile of documents on the table. My fingers felt heavy as I scrolled through a bunch of other unsaved numbers seeing as it was my business phone. I didn't save hers too but somehow I just knew which was hers and I dailed it.After spending nights upon nights in the darkness of my home office, with my fingers hovering over that very number, to dial it and hear her voice for
VALERIE'S POV "What the hell is wrong with this idiot?!" I questioned aloud, glaring at my phone for even letting the call go through. I should block this number as well, why is he even calling me?"So what if I blocked his lines?! It's my phone and my choice, I can do whatever I want with it!" I yelled at the phone, before moving to block the number he used to contact me while cussing under my breath,"Distasteful ignorant jerk ass!" So disrespectful and unapologetic about his actions that day at lunch, rather he wanted to use the same move again! Twice! "Not on my watch! What does he even think of me, huh? That I'm so dumb and foolish not to notice that he's trying to play smart?! Humph! Some intelligent man he is, Mama Joyce you're wrong I tell you!"This nigga is dumb as hell! And I'm done letting Dick heads like him have access to me. There, blocked! Let's see the next number you will use, partner," I sneered and turned my screen off, just in time to hear a deep throat clearing
VALERIE'S POV 4:55 PM, At Papa's house It has been a couple of hours since I switched off my phone to stop the incessant phone calls from that dick head Hudson, picked up the kids from school and even enjoyed lunch together before we headed for the 'family meeting' that was to be held right here, at the Hernandez Estate.The minute we arrived, Papa had immediately left me to the dogs using the kids as excuse. Last time I checked, they were enjoying fruits at the pool side just by the other side of the mansion. And so therefore, I was forced to 'bond' with my amiable aunties and uncle.Note the sarcasm there. The murderous stares I was receiving right now were farrrr from amiable, I'm telling you.Infact, just staring at them sent all the wrong type of signals to my brain. Signals that I should only be having when I'm faced with a serial killer, all my brain wanted me to do was run and hide. Just like I had always done when I was younger.It was unbelievable that the people I should
VALERIE'S POV Patricia's words seemed to catch Papa's ears though, cause he turned to face her, his gaze cold. "Oh? That means you lot don't help to ease her burdens, do you?" He asked, holding each of their gazes one by one. "No papa, we do!" Patricia argued, slightly touching his arm cause their seats were much closer than the rest of us. "Then why are you here laying foolish complaints instead of dealing with those arrogant employees that you employed?! Are trying to drag the company to the ground?" Patricia gasped at his words, pulling back her fingers. "Huh? Answer me!" He spat angrily, causing Patricia to jump in fright. "You better check your phone's, check the news, crosscheck with all your lame as connections! All the staffs you organized for that stupid protest are currently relaxing in jail! Jail Barbara, jail!" Papa spat, his tone mocking. All three of them shared weary glances before immediately reaching for their phones. "So you did it?" Papa asked, looking at all
VALERIE'S POVIt’s been days.Daysss, since Rob died. I didn’t’ even know what day it was or what said the time. All I knew was hurt. Hurt and guilt, that seemed to have remained permanently in my heart. Never leaving, and never letting me forget.I couldn’t forget, no matter how much I wanted to. No matter how much I needed to! Nanny Beth said I should fight it, that I was getting depressed… Rob wouldn’t want that. But then, how could I even bear to imagine what he wanted and didn’t want when I was the one that caused him to die? I didn’t have that right, and I didn’t want it.Life was already difficult enough, everyday was a drag, everything was a struggle. Getting out of bed, eating, drinking even water… taking a shower seemed pointless these days. Everything felt pointless.I mean, what was the need anyways? Why did I need to? What was the point in having people around you? What was the point of caring and loving someone, when they could so easily be taken away all in a matter of
VALERIE’S POVIt’s been days.Daysss, since Rob died. I didn’t’ even know what day it was or what said the time. All I knew was hurt. Hurt and guilt, that seemed to have remained permanently in my heart. Never leaving, and never letting me forget.I couldn’t forget, no matter how much I wanted to. No matter how much I needed to! Nanny Beth said I should fight it, that I was getting depressed… Rob wouldn’t want that. But then, how could I even bear to imagine what he wanted and didn’t want when I was the one that caused him to die? I didn’t have that right, and I didn’t want it.Life was already difficult enough, everyday was a drag, everything was a struggle. Getting out of bed, eating, drinking even water… taking a shower seemed pointless these days. Everything felt pointless.I mean, what was the need anyways? Why did I need to? What was the point in having people around you? What was the point of caring and loving someone, when they could so easily be taken away all in a matter of s
VALERIE’S POV“Day 500, Valerie just got her very first partnership deal!”“Isn’t that great? And she was so nervous about it, not knowing she would do so amazingly well.” his words read, echoing in my ears like he was right beside me. “You need to believe in yourself more often, Val.”“Day 730, we celebrated the kids one year birthday today! Can you believe those cubby cute balls are already a year old? It’s so fast! Time really runs fast, wow” “Day 952,” I turned yet another page, my teary eyes capturing the words that were carefully written in his neat hand writing. “Valerie looked so beautiful today. So lovely, and warm. Like a ball of light that you just can’t help but stare at since she’s so shiny… You are shiny to me, Valerie.”I blinked at those words, a tear rolling down as I flipped yet to another page of this blue journal. His journal… a close personal belonging of his that I was sure only he knew about. Only he used.This was where he shared all his thoughts, those time
HUDSON’S POV“Boss,” the men around greeted as soon as they saw me, pushing open the thick barrel door for me to walk through as I managed a nod their way. The scent of fresh water hitting my nostrils the moment I stepped into the partially lit room, my heavy steps echoing in the space as slowly movements filled the air. Movements similar to the sound of my boots, combining with the loud trail of a chair been dragged on the cold floor. “Boss,” the hoarse voices of the men around greeted harmoniously, their tone rough and monotone, exactly how I have felt these past few days. Most especially after I started driving down here this evening.I could feel my anger curling around in my stomach as I stared right ahead in the mini darkness. My eyes gradually adjusting, in other to make out the form of the very person I wanted to see.“Wake her up!” I ordered darkly, taking my seat in the dead silence that was soon interrupted by the sound of a bucket of water splashing. A frightened gasp fo
HUDSON’S POV“I think you should return back home for now, Hudson”Huh?“Why?” I found myself asking, rising from my seat as the very form of Henry Hernandez slowly approached me in the living room of his mansion.“We just got here, it hasn’t been too long” He just sighed at my words, waving me to take a seat as he did as well.“It’s past 4pm already, you’ve been here for a while. And Valerie, she…ugh…” he sighed again, this time even deeply than before. “She looks terrible!” I could see he was worried as well, just as we all were for her. “She’s just sad,” I voiced calmly, sighing quietly as well. “Anyone in her situation would be too,”“Yeah, you’re right. Rob was… they were always together, much like Toberto is always around me too.” Henry said slowly, his tone soft as his deep meaning of his words settled between us. “ I couldn’t imagine Toberto dying on me to be honest. He is my longest staff, and does…everything! Much like how Rob was to my pumpkin, he was strong and resilient.
VALERIE’S POV“May he be welcomed into your arms oh lord,”“May he find peace,”“And love, that we send him off with,”“Robinson Clark, may you rest in peace! Amen.”And just like that, he was gone.Right before my eyes. Right before my very eyes he was lowered into the ground, his casket numbing my soul as I watched more and more soil get thrown on him. Continuously, unrelenting… as though to prove to me that this was all real. It was all real and true, that I wasn’t just having any terrible nightmare.But still, no matter how much I stared at the fully covered soil, the freshly dug grave… I just couldn’t. I couldn’t believe it.No matter how much the incidents from the nights before replayed in my head, the gunshots, my cries and screaming, Rob’s bloody body been wrapped up… no matter how vivid the memories… I still couldn’t believe it. Not a single thing!I mean, how could i? This was Rob we were talking about! How could he be… be… dead. How could he be dead?! Just like that! How?!
VALERIE'S POVMy voice sounded all over the place, the man I was referring to getting into action at once. “We already called for one, they are yet to get here”“Call for another one, call another one! Call every damn hospital, I don’t care! I WANT THEM HERE NOW! RIGHT NOW!” I yelled at him for that response, my eyes going crazy as I applied more pressure on the open wounds. My every move desperate, “Val…” he groaned out, wanting to talk to me but I didn’t stop.“We have to get him to the hospital,” I said instead, my voice messed up from my choked sobs. “We have to-“We can’t do that! He is losing too much blood and we won’t be able to contain it before getting to the hospital. He can’t be moved right now!” One of the men protested heavily, he was the one with the most blood on him. Meaning he had been helping out a lot, but still that wasn’t enough for me. it wasn’t even close to been enough!“Do you want him to bleed out here?” I asked darkly, “Is that what you want? For him to ble
VALERIE’S POV“VALERIE!”The screams filled the air, my mind going numb as sharp ringing resounded my ears. Ringing so loud that it sent multiple harsh waves of pains and anguish to my brain, tormenting my entire being as I held onto my baby for dear life. My Miley…The breath refused to come out, just staying there stuck in my lungs, as though punishing me. Wanting to squeeze the life out of me as my eyes slowly assessed myself. My baby.Her eyes were sealed shut, her small fingers tightly clutching to my shirt as I held her. My silent tears rolling down my cheeks uncontrollably, dropping on her as the most prominent thought came to me.The very thought I was trying not to think, but woefully failing to do so. I did hear those shots, and currently I felt no pain whatsoever. Meaning… meaning… my baby…The more I struggled not to think anything, the more the thought bombarded my mind. Striking me at my very core, as I felt myself slowly slip away. Drowning even as more tears rolled dow
VALERIE’S POV“You,”“What the hell are you doing here?!” Hudson snarled hatefully, abandoning the plates at the table immediately. In no time he had walked over to me, pulling me protectively towards the table, with the kids behind us. “How did you get in here? James!”“Yes me, it’s me Huddie. What, happy to see me?” she probed, giving off an eerie vibe as she smiled crazily at him. Moving to me as well, but I couldn’t even believe my eyes right now. This was a person that was should’ve been arrested when they caught Drake! What was she doing here? How did she even get into our estate?!My mind buzzed with several questions at once, and Hudson probably sensed it. His hands giving mine a gentle squeeze as he remained calm, glaring daggers at the woman in front of us.“I’m going to say this once; Leave.”“Oh? Leave, why?” Charlotte questioned, frowning now as she looked between the two of us. “Because of her? Because of this bitch, you’re asking me to leave?!”“Leave my yard, using the