LEAHI watched as she scrambled her way up. Her eyes, with fire in them, glared at me. I didn't even falter.“You better watch out for me. I'll be back,” she threatened, shoving her car keys in my face.Noting that I had no intention of responding, she hissed, and stomped all the way to her car.Annoyed, I walked back into the house. I pointed at the first maid in sight, “who is she?” I asked,“She is Patricia McGreg. She used to be affiliated with Mr. Mountains.”“What separated them?” I asked, scrunching my nose.I could still feel the aftermath of her slap on my face. “I have no idea, ma'am.”I waved her off.Even if she did know, there was no way she'd admit it. I knew she had to be professional.“Can I get you an ice pack?” She asked,“Yes,” I replied,She swiftly moved out of the room. A minute later, she returned with an ice pack in her hands.“Here, it is.” She said, handing it over to me.I placed the pack on my cheek. I had been through worse, but taking a slap from her wa
LEAHThis had to be some kind of joke, right?“I don't know what you're talking about,” I replied, closing the files.I tried all I could to resist my shaking hands from being obvious.He seemed oblivious to it, as he swiped on his bottom lip. His head bobbed repeatedly as he walked around the room.I looked outside, ensuring he knew people could see us. He finally faced me, then took a seat.“Everyone knows you're fucking the Mountains brothers.” He accused,A lump grew on my throat.There was no way he knew that, right? Even the brothers themselves had no idea who I had a sexual relationship with. I took another look at him, and I could tell he was trying to judge my reaction. He knew nothing.I straightened my spine as I clamped my hands together. “You're just spewing lies because your fucked up brain got yourself nearly killed.” He chuckled, “you've grown a whole lot of balls.” “More than you ever could.” I spat back.His chuckle was low, and dark. “Don't you dare think, even
LEAHHe laughed boisterously through the phone.What the actual fuck?!I clutched the receiver tightly. “Francis, where are you?” I asked,“In Vegas, baby!” He screamed,I heard a number of people cheering in the background.“Francis, I need you to listen to me. You can't get married to Carla.”“Uh, why?” He slurred,I clutched the receiver, not knowing what to say.“You just can't.” I ground out,“But why?” “Because it's unreasonable for you to-”“I'm sorry, Francis is quite busy at the moment.” Carla's voice came in.“Hey, give me my phone!” I heard Francis scream.I heard grunts. It seemed like Francis was battling for his phone. “Will you give me a minute? I'll give you the phone as soon as I'm done.” Carla's voice came out.I began to speak into the phone, “whatever you think you're doing, you'd better cut it out.”“Or else what?” She barked, “you're not his family. You have no legal rights over him. Face your fucking marriage if you will.” She spat.My lips parted, but before I
LEAHI couldn't believe it. I was tongue-tied, in front of cameras.“Are you alright?” Jennifer asked.The fake concern was raw in her voice.I cleared my throat, “I am.”“He did tell you about the new development, didn't he?” “Yes, he did.” I lied, “I just didn't think we'd be announcing it so soon, as it is just in its planning phase.”“Oh. He was probably just excited about the new development.”“Right,” I agreed.The rest of the interview passed by a breeze. I could only count down the minutes for Jennifer to throw her minor shades.Soon enough, she closed up. “Cut!” The director's authoritative voice spoke.Jennifer plastered a smile on her face, “thank you for letting us host you.”“You're welcome. Thanks for the invite.”“This was fun. I hope we get to do it again.’I would rather chew on my husband's balls.“Sure, maybe after I achieve another great feat.”She threw a fist slightly in the air, “I'm sure that won't take too long.”She eventually got her cracked ass off my cha
LEAHI didn't know what to say.“What do we do?” I managed to ask.“Nothing. We watch him ruin his life with his own hands.” He replied,I took a deep breath, still almost speechless.“Well, thanks for informing me.” I thanked him,“Yeah,” he replied.The call ended immediately. I sighed. How did we let this happen under our nose?I exhaled heavily. There was just too much going on for me to even think clearly.“Mary,”“Yes, ma'am.” She replied, scurrying in.“Could you reach out to Clark Ink, and see if they can send the videos to you before release? I'd like them to crop out some parts.” Especially those that involved Jessica asking about my private life.I dug my teeth into my bottom lip.My phone buzzed, and I turned to find a text from Francis.“No congratulations?” It read,I sucked in my teeth, dropping the phone back on the desk.Exhausted, I decided it was time to take a break. Maybe it was time for me to just leave this environment.The constant need, and obsession for re
LEAHI studied her carefully. Almost just as much as she did, me. She didn't flinch, or seem the least bit surprised. Well, what could I expect? She was a therapist. She had probably heard, and seen worse.“We've all had that kind of thought at some point in life.” She finally replied, “more apples?” She nudged,I hadn't realized I had stomped on the one I had taken.I picked up another one. “I don't think anyone has experienced such emotions as I do. I literally have vivid dreams of me digging my hands into his chest, and plucking his heart out. It's getting too realistic. Sometimes, they're not even dreams. They're like visions.”“Do you have imaginations of murdering numerous people, or just one person?” She asked,Her seemingly feeble hands rubbed her knee. “I am experiencing some knee pains.” She explained,I nodded. “Sorry.”“Thank you.”“So, go on.” She nudged,“Most of the time, I dream of my husband. Soon to be my ex husband.”“Is there any reason you'd want to murder him?”
LEAHWait a minute. This had to be some sort of joke, right?I took a deep breath, trying to stabilize my nerves before I spoke.“I'm sorry, I didn't quite get you clearly.” I said to them, still dwelling in denial.“Your friend Kate was murdered on the seventeenth, three days ago, and we have reasons to believe that you were the culprit.”What? I squinted my eyes trying to see them clearly. Tears had clouded my vision.“That's impossible. Kate cannot be dead.” I denied it.She had just given birth to a child, and never did she make mention of any complications.Yes, I hadn't called her, but she had only texted me with information that she had a child. Nothing else whatsoever.I sniffed in, wiping my nose.“Madam, we would appreciate it if you came to the station to talk to us.”“I-” I tried to reply, but the words wouldn't leave my mouth.“It makes no sense,” I whispered.“Let's get to the station. From there, we'll put the pieces together.” His voice was firm, yet gentle.From the
LEAH“No!” I screamed out, but from the look on all their eyes, I could tell no one believed me. “I'm serious, I didn't murder anyone. The hell! Why would I do that?”“That's what we're trying to figure out.” He replied calmly. I watched as he opened up another file, and brought out a laminated paper.“What's that?” I asked, irritated.“It's a note. Just one page from Kate's diary. Here, have a look at it.”I took the paper, and my hands quivered as my eyes scrolled through it.“Diary,I don't know how to explain it without seeming insane, but I see Kate everywhere I go. She's literally at every corner, every hook, every door, every window. At first, I thought I was hallucinating, and being paranoid, but I can swear on my life that I did see her last night. I was closing up the windows to my apartment when I saw her long blonde hair. I leaned in closer, and true to my word, it was her. I saw her face.What is she doing all the way up here in Atlanta? I'm scared she'll come after
LEAH“Let's get a seat.” I said to all of them.We headed to the dinning. Drew, upon hearing our voices, came in.He occupied the head of the table, whilst bus brother sat at his right hand.The dining room could hold twelve, and we all occupied it.“Good evening, everyone.” Drew addressed, as his eyes roamed from me to the others. “I believe we all have an idea of what we are here to do.” There was no comment. He cleared his throat, and continued, “Mrs Irving is under a serious accusation. Murder, to be precise.” He turned to Vivian, “give us the legal details.”She raised her chin, “Today being the nineteenth of April, Mrs Leah Irving was served papers on the accusation of her former acquaintance, Kate.” She paused, “Although there has been no official arrest, she was invited to the station to make a statement. As at one pm, Mrs Leah was present at the station, and at two-thirty the interview began. An hour later, she was released. Under normal circumstances, she was to be in a cel
LEAHI wiped my eyes one last time. He was right. It was up to me to ensure that Lucas paid for all he has done.“Yeah, you're right.” I admitted,His eyes finally stopped piercing into me, as he looked away.“Do you still want to see her or…?”“No. I just want to go home, and lay my head. The coroner can give us any updates once they're discovered.”He didn't argue further, but led me as I walked to the car.The drive back home was silent, but as soon as we got home, I pulled one of the maids to my side. “Please prepare a meal for me. I haven't had anything since morning.”My stomach grumbled right on cue.I sat lazily on the chair, as I inspected my knuckles.For the first time in a while, I hadn't accessorized before leaving the house.Soon, a plate was brought before me. Pasta and sauce.I looked to Drew to see if the perfectionist in him would complain about me dining in his living room, but he didn't say a word.I dug in.“What am I hearing about a murder case?” Francis's voice
LEAHThat wasn't what I had expected, but I couldn't say it was a surprise to me.With the visuals in my head of them on the couch that night, I knew it was bound to happen soon enough. Although, this was quite sooner than expected…I didn't say a word.“He could have used a protection,” Drew ranted, “I don't know how stupid that boy can be.” I wanted to correct that Francis was almost thirty five, and himself, forty five. None of them were children.“It happens sometimes, you know, even with protection and all.” He clicked his tongue. “Excuses,”Our silence ensued, and soon enough we had arrived at his home.The driver parked right in front of the entrance, and I was helped down.I immediately walked up to my room without another word.As I took off my stiletto heels, memories of Kate flashed by. The first night we had met.I was six by then, and she, seven.“Leah,” my mother's crispy voice had called me.I remember running to her with my tiny legs, and almost falling on the floor.
LEAHI nodded. Then, I nodded again. And then again. I kept bobbing my head like a mop on a stick.Vivian could solve this. She was a pro at this. I had a brilliant team. They would help me out.“Could you reach out to Drew for me?” I demanded,Drew wouldn't let me die in here.“Sure thing. As soon as we're done with the interview.”That sounded fair.“That being said, Leah, where were you three nights ago?”I chewed on my bottom lip. Three nights ago, I was…with Drew.“I was with Drew!” I exclaimed in excitement. I had something to prove I was innocent. “It was the day I moved into Drew's house.”“Good. Very good. That's something.” She commended me,I gave myself a mental pat on the back.“Now, for the rest of this interview, if you're uncomfortable with their questions, just know you don't have to answer. You don't even have to say a word, you'll be well within your rights.”“I understand, thank you.”She touched my shoulders gently.I watched as she walked to the door. “We are r
LEAH“No!” I screamed out, but from the look on all their eyes, I could tell no one believed me. “I'm serious, I didn't murder anyone. The hell! Why would I do that?”“That's what we're trying to figure out.” He replied calmly. I watched as he opened up another file, and brought out a laminated paper.“What's that?” I asked, irritated.“It's a note. Just one page from Kate's diary. Here, have a look at it.”I took the paper, and my hands quivered as my eyes scrolled through it.“Diary,I don't know how to explain it without seeming insane, but I see Kate everywhere I go. She's literally at every corner, every hook, every door, every window. At first, I thought I was hallucinating, and being paranoid, but I can swear on my life that I did see her last night. I was closing up the windows to my apartment when I saw her long blonde hair. I leaned in closer, and true to my word, it was her. I saw her face.What is she doing all the way up here in Atlanta? I'm scared she'll come after
LEAHWait a minute. This had to be some sort of joke, right?I took a deep breath, trying to stabilize my nerves before I spoke.“I'm sorry, I didn't quite get you clearly.” I said to them, still dwelling in denial.“Your friend Kate was murdered on the seventeenth, three days ago, and we have reasons to believe that you were the culprit.”What? I squinted my eyes trying to see them clearly. Tears had clouded my vision.“That's impossible. Kate cannot be dead.” I denied it.She had just given birth to a child, and never did she make mention of any complications.Yes, I hadn't called her, but she had only texted me with information that she had a child. Nothing else whatsoever.I sniffed in, wiping my nose.“Madam, we would appreciate it if you came to the station to talk to us.”“I-” I tried to reply, but the words wouldn't leave my mouth.“It makes no sense,” I whispered.“Let's get to the station. From there, we'll put the pieces together.” His voice was firm, yet gentle.From the
LEAHI studied her carefully. Almost just as much as she did, me. She didn't flinch, or seem the least bit surprised. Well, what could I expect? She was a therapist. She had probably heard, and seen worse.“We've all had that kind of thought at some point in life.” She finally replied, “more apples?” She nudged,I hadn't realized I had stomped on the one I had taken.I picked up another one. “I don't think anyone has experienced such emotions as I do. I literally have vivid dreams of me digging my hands into his chest, and plucking his heart out. It's getting too realistic. Sometimes, they're not even dreams. They're like visions.”“Do you have imaginations of murdering numerous people, or just one person?” She asked,Her seemingly feeble hands rubbed her knee. “I am experiencing some knee pains.” She explained,I nodded. “Sorry.”“Thank you.”“So, go on.” She nudged,“Most of the time, I dream of my husband. Soon to be my ex husband.”“Is there any reason you'd want to murder him?”
LEAHI didn't know what to say.“What do we do?” I managed to ask.“Nothing. We watch him ruin his life with his own hands.” He replied,I took a deep breath, still almost speechless.“Well, thanks for informing me.” I thanked him,“Yeah,” he replied.The call ended immediately. I sighed. How did we let this happen under our nose?I exhaled heavily. There was just too much going on for me to even think clearly.“Mary,”“Yes, ma'am.” She replied, scurrying in.“Could you reach out to Clark Ink, and see if they can send the videos to you before release? I'd like them to crop out some parts.” Especially those that involved Jessica asking about my private life.I dug my teeth into my bottom lip.My phone buzzed, and I turned to find a text from Francis.“No congratulations?” It read,I sucked in my teeth, dropping the phone back on the desk.Exhausted, I decided it was time to take a break. Maybe it was time for me to just leave this environment.The constant need, and obsession for re
LEAHI couldn't believe it. I was tongue-tied, in front of cameras.“Are you alright?” Jennifer asked.The fake concern was raw in her voice.I cleared my throat, “I am.”“He did tell you about the new development, didn't he?” “Yes, he did.” I lied, “I just didn't think we'd be announcing it so soon, as it is just in its planning phase.”“Oh. He was probably just excited about the new development.”“Right,” I agreed.The rest of the interview passed by a breeze. I could only count down the minutes for Jennifer to throw her minor shades.Soon enough, she closed up. “Cut!” The director's authoritative voice spoke.Jennifer plastered a smile on her face, “thank you for letting us host you.”“You're welcome. Thanks for the invite.”“This was fun. I hope we get to do it again.’I would rather chew on my husband's balls.“Sure, maybe after I achieve another great feat.”She threw a fist slightly in the air, “I'm sure that won't take too long.”She eventually got her cracked ass off my cha