Rose made way into the tall commercial building with smile on her face, she proceed into the Chief Executive Officer's office since she had an appointment with him.
"Miss. Simeon" they shook hands as she takes her sit across him."Call me Rose" she informed politely."Sure. Sure" he nodded holding a bright smile on his face.Who wouldn't be happy when their debtors finally called after several years?"I saw your call yesterday" he said in a happy tone.His company was among the companies that Rose's father took loan from, Mr. Edward has been lenient with them for many years without asking for his money but after getting their call last night, he felt some good news were lurking around."Yes. I'm here to clear off my father's debt" she said courageously and he smiled."Finally" he grinned and she didn't react."Here's the document. Fill it out and pass on the cash" he said bringing out a file from his locker, she stared at him in silence."Hope you know the amount he's owing?" He asked in a rhetoric tone raising an anxious brow."Remind me" she pursed her lips."It's $300, 000" he informed."Sure" she nodded as she took the pen on the table to begin filing the form."So -- how did you raise up funds?" He questioned cautiously so as not to annoy his customer.This was one question her mother didn't ask her properly, she didn't care how the money came about. Rose sighed."It's none of your business" she lifted her gaze at him."When I haven't paid, did you ever called to ask how I will raise the funds?" she asked as if annoyed making the atmosphere a bit tense."Ha ha" he laughed a dry laugh in other to lighten up the atmosphere."That's not what I mean, Rose" he rubbed his nose nervously."Then, mind your business. Mr. Edward" she pushed the file over to him standing from the sit."The money?" he asked in confusion."I'll pay that to your secretary, as said in the form" she eyed him and left his office with elegant strides.It's better to live poor, off debts than living poor, shallowing on debts.Rose walked into the hospital passage holding a white nylon bag that contained fruits, she smiled happily approaching her mother's hospital room.The burden has been lifted up from their chest, they can now sleep peacefully without being disturbed by random calls and messages.After she cleared the debts, she didn't relent to send her mother to the hospital for medical check up and the result showed that her mother was suffering from stress and lack of nutritional meals.She was currently fixed on drip under the watchful eyes of advanced doctors."Mum" Rose called out immediately she stepped into the room."Rose darling" she smiled weakly."How are you feeling?" Rose asked in a concerned tone."Guess I'm good" her mother nodded shortly."I brought you some fruits" she started removing the fruits out from the bag and placing them on the hospital table.Apples, Tangerines, Orange, Pawpaw, Strawberries and different sweet fruits that helps for skin nourishment."Thank you so much gurl" her mother smiled happily."It's alright" she returned the smile.Seeing her mother happy again and feeling relieved made her to also be happy."I'll go home to prepare something for us to eat" she said enthusiastically.Her mother will be discharged from the hospital after the drip finishes, it's normal for her to prepare something nice and fresh for her mother to eat when she return."Sure, be okay" her mother said with her coo.Rose left her mother's hospital room and strolled out of the hospital passage, she reached the payment counter and paid for her mother's hospital bill before leaving the hospital entirely.She bought some few groceries and proteins before going home to prepare a nice delicacy.She took her bath, changed into something free and short before entering into the kitchen.She chopped off the vegetables and proteinous beefs before boiling and cooking them.In few hours, her mother returned home with few luggages she had gone to the hospital with and she ushered her directly into the dining room."You are the best child in the world, Rose" her mother smiled brightly as she takes her sit."And you are the best mum in the world" she sat across her mother pushing her favorite dishes to her."Delicious" her mother nodded happily as she chewed delicately."Glad you love it" she smiled happily.She took in the broccoli salad into her mouth and immediately something sharp caught her in her stomach, in rush she ran into the toilet.The goggling sound comes out from the toilet as Rose exhaled walking back to the dining room."Are you alright?" Her mother asked anxiously."Yes. I think the broccoli is bad. It made me throw up" she said as she takes her sit."Oh, sorry about it. I will go ahead and freshen up" her mother smiled before leaving the dining room."What was that -- ?" Before she could complete her words, the force came again and she rushed into the toilet.[*][*][*][*][*][*]"May, I'm not kidding. I checked it yesterday and right now I'm still with the strip, it is showing red!" Rose complained on the phone looking scared and confused, she paced around her bedroom."Why were you so careless? It was just a one night stand, for pleasure and for money" May explained over the phone."What do you mean? Is it the fact that I was laid on and got --" she became angry and annoyed but was cut off."So, what do you want to do now?" May questioned."I don't know but we have to call the attention of that man, or what do you suggest I do?" she asked anxiously in a sad tone."Rose, you have to abort it" May suggested."Abort? Do you have any conscience? May, this is my first pregnancy and also my very first affair, it will be very hard on me to abort and I will never bring myself to commit such offence" she rants over the phone."The client I gave you last night is not any kind of man. He will never want to have a second affair with you neither will her consider letting you stay with your baby! He won't love you, Rose. I advise you get rid of the baby, remember it was an affair based on your desperation" May urged."You're driving me insane right now May. I need to see this man. I need to let him know my present state. I don't care if he rejects me or something but he should at least know" she persuaded sadly as tears gathered around her eyelids."Gosh! This is the worst case I have ever got this year. I shouldn't have let you do this" May sneered annoyingly over the phone."I'm grateful for you help, May" she said but got no response."When am I meeting him?" She made a come back but got no response again."Hello. Hello? May?" She continued calling out her friend's name and checking her phone screen in confusion.The famous restaurant in the city filled with patrons, the long morning queue seem as if it wasn't moving as the cashier and attenders were as slow as tortoise.Rose shakes her legs frequently with her eyes rolling around the restaurant. May sent her a message for about their meeting but it's almost passed the scheduled time.She was running impatient.She was dressed in a wrapped round light blue skirt and a black chiffon, her hair were properly gathered into a ponytail, she had no make up on but still looked beautiful."May" she waved in vigor as soon as she caught sight with her friend.May was wearing a dim glasses even when it's morning, dressed in a beautiful long flowery dress. She was on light make up with her hair plaited - resting on her left shoulder."You're here" May took her sit across Rose."What took you so long?" She questioned."You should be glad that I'm here" May rolled her eyes as if disgusted."What is happening? You went void for days, what about my request?" Sh
Rose won't give up without a fight.It was really a hard and risky decision and process but she got a positive result.She was able to run some investigation on her mysterious man and luckily, she got a hint.Why will she let go of a multi billionaire? This is just the beginning of her fairy tale story, so she thought.Though she wants the fame badly, another reason why she was being reluctant is the fact that - he is her first.She has never had an affair with any man before, so the last thing she did with him still stick in her memory like stigma.It was hard for her to forget that night even when she was unconscious during the act.The debts were settled, her mother's health is now stable, life was beginning to be fair to them since they still had some cash remaining.May invited her to a close by cafe which she went without second thought. She needed to catch some air, she needed an advise from someone close."It's unlike you Rose, why didn't you refuse my request this time?" May
Max angrily entered his luxurious mansion with his trusted man behind him.His mansion glitters with beautiful lights, extravagant furnitures and wonderful artistic designs.They walk into the living room."Sir, this woman is tougher than we think" Williams paused."Do you think she will subtle?" Williams inquired anxiously."She will come and she must subtle!" Max squealed in annoyance."How can I get married to someone like her? Is she a wolf?" He queried and turns to Williams."Why can't that fucking lady get the clear fact that she is nothing but a one night stand!?" He asked in contempt and Williams shook his head in disbelieve."I --- you see, it's her decision" Williams stammered frantically as he tries to avoid the furious gaze of his boss."Where is her mother?" He questioned, exhaling deeply."She is in the basement" Williams informed and he nods without a word."Boss, do you think she will come?" Williams made a come back after a brief silence."She will be here, soon" he sm
"Finally" May exhaled before gulping down the glass of water."It wouldn't have gotten this far if you have accepted to do it" May added with smile on her face."I see you are happy to hear this" she sighed sadly."Why? Do you want to keep the child?" May asked."Of course but now it seems I can't keep it. I won't keep it" she stand firm on her word when she remembered the status of Max.Even if she wants to keep the child, she won't be able to keep it. The baby's father isn't completely human as he said."Good. Good" May nodded."I also have good news for you" May said."What is it?" she got anxious."My boss is willing to accept you into his club but you will be a waitress" May informed."It's a good position. How much is the pay?" she asked in between mood. Neither too happy or sad. "Hundred dollars every night" May informed."That's a very good deal" she smiled.New week arrived and the date for her abortion slowly got closer, she was having a second thought. Including the job
“You have successfully reached your location, welcome to Florida. Have a nice day.” the bus station continued announcing as Rose got off from the station rolling her small box.She had a small smile on her face. Coming here wasn’t as it seemed.The first cool air conditioner flushed on her face for the last time as she stepped out from the station. Only to meet the hot burning afternoon sun.She was astonished.“I heard Florida is a sun-city but I never believed it. “ she shook her head in disbelief as she advanced towards the main exit.There were designated drivers that had already been booked to pick their arranged passengers and also families waiting to welcome their loved one. So bad she didn’t have anyone waiting for her or to accept her.It was a decision to be made overnight and pushed through with it with no delay.Immediately, her phone that was in her pocket started ringing and she picked it up. Though the number was unknown, she didn’t remember sharing her new line with an
[ROSE]Florida.Things seemed to settle in after that. I got a job, to drive away the boredom, as I wasn't used to being cooped up in the house all day, doing nothing. As the months went by, my belly began to show and it was getting more and more difficult to keep up with my workaholic lifestyle. Even my boss, advised me to take it slow. Since it was a supermarket, she quickly found someone to replace me, when I got to my third trimester.My due date came and I fell into labour while trying to prepare breakfast for myself. I guess I must have screamed really loud when the first contraction came, because Mrs. Nox burst through the door and ran to me.“Get the bag and the car keys!" I breathed heavily “The baby....is coming!" I told her gripping her arm tightly, as another contraction coursed through me.She ran out of the room, and came back, just as fast.“The car is ready. . Where's the bag?" She asked frantically.I pointed to the bedroom, and when she dashed away, I slowly and car
ROSE POVJason had slept throughout the entire train ride and I was happy he woke up when the train arrived at its final destination- New York. As we got down from the train, I warned Jason to close to me as I won’t be able to hold his hands because of the bags I was carrying.He stretched out his hands towards me and I looked at him in confusion.“Mummy, your bag.” He pointed to my handbag.I smiled and removed it from my neck, giving him halfheartedly, to see if it would be too heavy for him. It wasn’t heavy, but it was too long. The train station as busy and filled as usual. People were always moving around in New York, I had no idea where to. I took in that familiar air and glanced around the always busy street– swarms of people marching past the sidewalks, like they were hypnotized. The heavy traffic had become a normal thing, due to the overpopulation here.I ended my visual excursion and hailed a cab. Seeing that Jason had begun to get exhausted. I guess I was wrong because
MAX POVI watched Rose walk away with the child in her hand. A million thoughts raced through my head, as I tried to understand what had just happened. I had been trying a new suit out when I had heard a cry of pain. I froze, hoping to be sure of what I heard. Being the man I was, I had many enemies, and they would do anything to harm me, so I had to make sure that it wasn’t a trap When I started hearing childish sobbing, I decided to go check it out, and it really was a child. He was sitting on the floor, holding his knee, Normally, I would have walked away, but this time, every time I tried to look away, my heart kept nudging me to go help him.I finally gave into the pressure and crouched in front of him, and the moment he looked at me, I froze. Those blue eyes held me in a grip that was too tight to let me go. I squinted my eyes, trying to pinpoint what it was about this child that made my heart beat faster. From his blonde hair, to his eyes, to his nose, all of which seemed to
ROSE POV“Max …”“Mark …” The both of them had stared down the other as they finally led unto a conversation for the first time in more than half a year. The tension in the string of their perceived lingering resentment, that reproached each other’s presence, told so much in the tone they used to address their personas.“Come here ol’ friend. You know retirement’s really taken its toll on you …” Max couldn’t even manage to flinch fast enough and dodge a false jab that a mafia boss in a wheelchair had led to his face.“I heard you saved my life?” Max no longer doubted what we had made him believe. He was well inclined to still hold his drawbacks to be exclusively confirmed from the source.“I heard you weren’t able to figure it out in six months … I mean six months really, former mafia boss Max, really.” Of course, Mark mocked him. Really, I mean it.“I’m a little rusty and a lot busy so … let’s forget about that. Mark, you never told me you’re …” Max made to question his ever keepin
MAX POV Rose had begun a series of reveal that rooted from the last heart-spiking moment that I had experienced during the candle light ceremony some months back in our former city.“Well, you know that the mafia bosses’ wife shot you in the chest and when you woke up, I hugged and told you that everything was alright.” She recollected back to a memory that I could clearly remember as if it were yesterday.“Yes, and I had no doubts, didn’t question anything that you said either.” I recalled back to how she had rushed to hug me after tapping her feet against the floor and for a prolonged period of time. I knew that she had held her two arms against her face, Mark wasn’t there and Zayne held May in his arms as the three of them came to embrace my coming out of the theatre.“Yes, well there was more to the story that none of us wanted to bother you with.” I couldn’t believe it. Something that far back they hadn’t deemed it fit to tell me since then. Even though I didn’t know of the bi
MAX POVIt has been several months since we moved to this city. Rose and I have seen the best of it, although the first several months were hard because I had to heal from the surgery, it still didn’t stop me from making the most my hands especially a I started an online retail business.Rose finally gave birth something two months ago. That’s, if I was to calculate correctly, then the day she took in for Damian was when we came back from date night, high as can be and unto greater heights when I took her entire to a second haven.Of course, she still had to continue going to college but the shared assets from my mafia business that I received as compensation took care of that, and even afforded me enough to start up a new means to broaden my already started business.“Would you stop spacing out, Max?” Rose wouldn’t let me live it down that she got to drive to the grand opening.As a gift for just being who she is to the college’s community and her outstanding first-class degree, she
ROSE POV“Now we call on this year’s valedictorian to give her opening speech.” The vice chancellor had called me out to give a speech that he only told me about the day before.Of course, I didn’t know what to do so I had set myself up to bring up empty noted and wing it on stage.“Good day all of you, humble alumni like myself, able cohort of this humble institution and people who … oh who am I kidding.” I threw the notes to the floor. Most of the guests were surprised by how fast it took me to give up but for someone that had given birth twice, it wasn’t soon enough. Making up words as I went on was hard especially as I tried to piece them through to a structured form that would please the greater share of masses I was meant to lie.“Well the truth is this, VC Gayle, over there, Vice Chancellor Gayle everyone, give him an applaud please. He’s been the best and only VC that has been with me since my first year, and he’s leaving with us, who would figure.” He had actually stood up
MAX POVI wouldn’t tell Rose, but I was the one who encouraged Mark to leave. It hadn’t been the first time that I caught his gazes fixated on her. Earlier, I approached him to inquire more unto the truth that I knew had confronted me. He had told me of his true feelings and that was when I informed him of my plan to move from the city, away from the mafia group with Rose.“He said he’s not going to come back Max.” Rose had been worried about him and I could sense that much but there was little I could do since I was alright with his decision from the onset.I stretched my hand to her chin and climbed it till her disgruntled expression met with my gaze. “It’ll be alright Rose, he’ll be just fine. That much is obvious in how well he handled my business affairs. Besides, I’ll drag him to the christening if I have to.” “I guess you’re right. I don’t know why I was worried in the first place.” She had finally calmed down, although leaving me behind to enter unto the chatter in the main
ROSE POV I couldn’t easily comprehend the threshold of what I had been made aware of, but I could decrypt the greater part of it.Then, I noticed the side-eye that Mark shot at me. This hadn’t even been the first time that I caught on to his glaring attempts, but since we were about to bury our loved ones, I felt we should bury our grievances.The slow steps he had been making in an attempt to leave the ceremony intensified as he finally made his way out.Of course, I adored the way they had been throwing shades off the mystery at hand, but I also didn’t want to have Mark to miss the ceremony and the way he had been earnest in his attempted escape, that has almost become the case.“Mark! Mark! You can’t just leave yet, we haven’t even started the ceremony proper.” I called out to his leaving while taking notice on whether they had started without us.“I’m just going to get some water.” He tried at another flimsy excuse, the last one had been caught up to but he still persisted.“That
MAX POV I couldn’t even fathom the vigour that Rose mustered to speak down on my former clan elders. The tone and words she used to carry her lashing out on them made all that I had since said into some form of pleasantry.“I don’t know what to say Rose, that was …” I had been at a loss for words, the woman I loved just excused the extremities I had been tolerating for so long so effortlessly. “They might be back with another comeback to lift their defaced pride up a little so we better be done by then.” She had still been the same, always as careful as she was fidgety with a gun when she even managed to be that daring to someone.“Max, would you do the honours?” Zayne had finally invited me to do the honours, of which I was ever willing. “Rose, can you accompany me?” I needed rose by my side if I was ever going to say good bye to Jason and her mother forever, at least accept it.I then saw to Mark’s subtle leaving the funeral ground, making glances at Rose in that stead.“Mark
ROSE POV“Max, let’s hear them out first.” I tried to rush into a consensus that would finally cease the storming tides of Max’s raging tempest.He wouldn’t relent in his unjust spouting of bickering as he only manged to scald his clan elders with words that wouldn’t even be professed to an ugly blind date. “This girl has seen the death of her mother. Because of her, your child met his end. As a Mafia boss, haven’t you heard what people are saying about you? Your Alpha Lord title is hanging by a thin pluck of dangling thread and we haven’t even come to how all this is affecting the clan ...” The impetus they unsheathed to spout the gallery of composed backlash at my person was appalling. I calmed myself and chose to regard them with rationale. I wasn’t going to jump at all their defacing and answer to it using the vigour that only my husband was known for. Alas, I wished the same could be employed by Max.“I want to stop you there right there. First of all, I am no longer a mafia b
MAX POVRose had actually taken in and she wouldn’t even tell me of when it had happened. I was beyond jovial and had a million and one question to ask but our gentle march to the ceremony had me literally unable to utter a word.As we walked down the red carpet that had been set up in the scenic funeral setting, my gaze only fixed on her abdomen as I couldn’t even recount to when I pumped a child into her. “You’re here.” Zayne said as he opened the floor to where we were meant to settle for the ceremony.He had gone all out with the preparations for the ceremony so much so that he had even invited the elders from my clan who all wore their judgemental and worst disgruntled frown.“What are they doing here?” I couldn’t stand their presence because of how persistent they had always been in their revolt against Rose’s and my union.“What are you people doing here?” I directed at them with little regard in my tone.“Max, you have to calm down, they’re only here for the candle light cere