Finally, some peace and quiet!
The only thing I hated was the strong smell of that man’s perfume in the sitting room and everywhere else. He was driving me nuts, and I could no longer bear it. I looked around for my phone; I had forgotten where I had put it. I barely had time to breathe after that monster had left when the door swung open with such force that it banged against the wall. I jumped, my heart racing. I thought Don Pedro was back again, but it was my boyfriend, Sergio. He stormed in, his face dark with rage. I was taken aback because, I knew, Sergio was a soft and kind man who always had a smile on his face whenever he came visiting. The man who just stormed in was not the Sergio I knew. He was furious. I was scared. I was really scared. “I knew it!” he spat, his eyes charring with accusation. My eyes flashed in confusion. “Sergio? What—” “Don’t even try to deny it, Tessa. I saw him! The man you’ve been sneaking around with just left your house.” I frowned. My boyfriend did not just call that terrible misfortune of a man my side piece or possible significant order. “What are you talking about?” I asked. Sergio let out a brief throaty laughter that scared me, his whole body trembling with agitation, I, on the other hand, was immensely confused. “Oh, come on! Don’t act innocent. I’ve had my suspicions for weeks, but tonight? I saw it with my own eyes. I finally know the truth.” “The truth?” My voice broke down. “Sergio, what truth are you talking about, you’re not making any sense!” “You think I’m blind?” He stepped closer, I stepped backwards. I saw his jaw tighten, his fists folded into a ball. “You think I haven’t noticed the way you’ve changed? Dressing differently, wearing clothes you never wore for me? I kept telling myself I was imagining things, but no. You’ve been cheating on me, haven’t you?” I stared at him, stunned. “Cheating? Sergio, that’s not true! Moreover, those are just work clothes, were you expecting me to wear rags to work?” “Then explain why another man—one who’s obviously rich as hell—was walking out of your house like he owns you!” His voice was shrill with anger. What had come over him? At some point, I was beginning to think it was a prank. I took a shaky breath, trying to stay calm. “You’re twisting this into something it’s not.” “Am I?” he asked. “You always complained that I didn’t have enough money. Even though not vocal, the way you behaved is. You acted like I couldn’t give you the life you wanted. Always Little Miss Independent!” And then he began to mimic me, “No Sergio, don’t do this, I got this, don’t do that, I’ve handled it.” he looked around, his eyes finally settling on me, “All the while you were being spoiled silly by another man!!!” My mouth fell open in disbelief. “Sergio, you will stop right there, when have I ever said that? When have I ever asked you for money?” “You didn’t have to say it,” he shot back. “I saw it in your eyes every time I struggled to pay for something. And now it makes sense! You were just waiting for someone better to come along.” Tears were beginning to burn at the back of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I was waiting for him to call off the prank. “I can’t believe you’re saying this. I have never, not once, been unfaithful to you!” I said. “Then who the hell was that man?” His voice snapped slightly like he wanted to believe me but couldn’t. I hesitated. How could I explain Don Pedro without sounding insane? That bastard has already driven me nuts. How could I explain that I was dragging my marital status with a stranger? That I woke up one morning, voila, a stranger claims me to be his bride? Sergio’s eyes grew darker. “See? You can’t even answer or defend yourself!” “Because it’s complicated!” I snapped, frustration bubbling up inside me. “It’s complicated, I don’t even know where to begin to make sense!” “Right. Complicated.” He shook his head, stepping back like he was finally seeing me for what he thought I was. “I feel so stupid. Here I was, thinking we had something real. But to you? I was just a placeholder until someone wealthier came along.” My chest ached. “That’s not true, Sergio! Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not true!” “But you won’t tell me who he is, will you?” I swallowed hard. “I—” I didn’t know what to say. I always had something to say, but at that moment, I was speechless. Sergio exhaled snappily, his face barely held any expression I could read, he was suddenly cold. “I don’t need to hear any more.” I felt my world tilt. “Sergio, please— I need you now, more than ever” “I’m done, Tessa.” His voice was steady now, no more yelling, no more rage. “I hope he’s worth it.” “No, Sergio, you won't even give me the benefit of the doubt?” I asked. My voice was warm with disbelief. “So you could lie to me further? Just like you lied to me about your real name, Melissa Lorenzo!” I was flung into deep depths of speechlessness. He knew? “No, no, You can't do this to me, I don't know who that person is, that Man, I can explain” “Explain to your late mother who maybe probably turning in her grave, disappointed at the cheap slut she raised,” he said. “Sergio!” I screamed, I honestly did not know when my hands flew across his face, slapping the good graciousness out of him. He said nothing else, he just stared at me, grinding his teeth. And then, he turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him. I stood there, frozen, my breath shaky, my heart aching in ways I couldn’t explain. Did Sergio just call me a slut? Did he just insult my late mother? I had just lost him and as much as I beginning to hate him for what he said, I had questions, I loved that man, Sergio, with all my heart. And I didn’t even understand how a stranger in the liking of Don Pedro Lorenzo, just ruined my life for the short time I had encountered him. For a moment, I wished I had listened to my aunt and had run away with her when she asked that we run.Don Pedro’s POV“Life would be so much easier if women reasoned like men,” I mumbled to myself as I adjusted my cufflinks in the rear-view mirror. Why are women so complicated, men are just very easy to come aroundIn my world, business was a chess game—calculated, strategic, ruthless, with no mercy. Dog eat dog; you either eat or be eaten.Men were built for such pursuits, their minds grounded for making decisions that built empires. Women, in my experience, were often led by stupid emotions, stubborn in their own ways, clinging to irrational sentiments. Love? Who believes in love in this day and time, such a joke!The whole infatuation irritates me.I smiled smugly at the thought of Tessa and how she was so determined, so infuriatingly headstrong. I wondered just how long her obstinacy would last under the weight of my plans to make her mine.I had orchestrated many plans in my life, each one executed with precision. Yet, nothing amused me more than watching a stubborn woman try
The so-called 72hrs that monster gave me had elapsed. I stood fixed in front of the mirror. My head replayed in slides, scenes of despair from two nights ago. There is something shame does to a person; it strips you of your worthiness; that small voice whispering in your head and telling you how unworthy you are—that's how I felt as I walked all the way back from Sergio's house. I felt so small and insignificant. I recalled how I had stood outside Sergio’s apartment, banging on the door. “Sergio! Open up!” Only to be met with silence. I had been here three times, loitering around and looking out for a shadow of him; he was the man I loved. I needed to know why he said all those things to me. By my third visit, I had met the caretaker, who informed me that the house had been sold and the occupant had evacuated earlier. It did not make sense to me. It was as if he had vanished. Something was wrong. I just knew. I swallowed the lump in my throat, hot bile heating up in the
Tessa’s POV“Where is that bastard!” I yelled, “Let me through”I screamed at the security guy, pushing through him.“Don Pedro or whatever you call yourself, You can’t keep her from me!” I shouted as I burst through the wrought-iron gates.I slapped the foolish guard when he tried to touch me.“Don’t you dare lay your filthy hands on me”I had come to the Lorenzo estate with one purpose—to see my dear Aunty Nora and get her the fuck out of there. But before I could reach the main entrance, two large men in dark suits stepped forward, blocking my path.“Miss Moretti,” one of them said in a flat tone, “you are not allowed beyond this point.”I was taking aback, trying to keep my voice steady, narrowing my eyes as I looked up at them. “I’m here to see my aunt. Now step aside.”They exchanged a look, one of them spoke into the wireless talkie he was holding, I could barely hear what he said, but he gave his colleague a signal and before I could protest further, one of the men seized my
“I’m sorry I didn’t quite grasp your name” she had said as she led me into the rest room.“Tessa” I said softly. “And yours?”“Regina” she said with a bright smile. “Let me help you with that”She moved to help me take off my clothes.Regina’s voice was soft, almost soothing. There was this calm reassurance in her carriage. In a way, her presence helped me cope with the madness in my mind.“Tessa, I know this isn’t easy,” she said as she carefully help me slip into my dress, adjusting the dress on my shoulders. “But everything will be fine. My brother… he can be difficult, I won’t deny that. But he has his sweet side too.”I forced a small smile, pretending I was okay when I felt like I was drowning. Because I was actually drowning. “Difficult?” I let out a light laugh. “That’s one politeway to put it.”If only she knew the devil she has for a brother.I loved her innocence. It meant, she was different from him.Regina giggled, shaking her head. “Trust me, I know him better than anyon
The reception followed immediately after. Now and then he would pinch of nudge at me signaling me to smile. At that moment, I felt like grabbing a nearby glass and breaking it on his head. His whole demeanour irritated me to my core. The fact that I had to breathe the same air as him had me feeling sick to my stomach. Such a needless extravagant display of wealth and status was not necessary for this sham of a marriage but then, only Don Pedro Lorenzo could pull such moves. My eyes ached at the sight of tables adorned with gold-trimmed dinnerware, I preferred silver. The set-up, as grandiose as the foolish man I married intended it to be, still looked tacky. They should at least use silver. I said unknowingly. But Not loud to hide my obvious disgust “Sorry?” he asked “Did you say something?” “No, I did not “ Thank goodness, Regina stayed close, her presence a small comfort. “You should eat something,” she suggested, offering to make me a plate. I shook my hea
As we re-entered the wedding hall, I managed to force a smile on my face when two ladies walked up to me to say they loved my dress and clear skin. A couple followed afterwards. They were friends of Don Pedro.I need to run away from her, slip out of this clothes and soak myself in hot water.Pedro squeezed my hand slightly, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.And the worst part?He was enjoying every second of it.***THIRD PERSON POV.The drive home was silent, Tessa was more or less a mannequin at this point because she was almost numb and suffocating in silence.Pedro didn’t speak. He didn’t even glance her way or act like she was sitting next to him. His focus remained on the road, while he typed away on his phone, and at intervals he would ask the driver to drive faster.Tessa sat rigid in her seat, her mind racing with everything that had happened. She was deep in thoughts about The wedding. The vows. Her Aunt’s well-being.She wasn’t his wife.She was his prisoner at th
THIRD PERSON POVRegina stormed into her room, almost in tears, her emotions barely contained beneath light make up, her face had turned red as she packed her hair in front of her mirror. The conversation with Tessa had had her feeling a type of way. It had reminded her of how unrewarding being Pedro’s sweet and obedient little sister has been. The door hadn’t even closed properly before Franco followed, shoving it shut behind him with a force that vibrated the walls.At first she flinched at the sound of the banged door, she turned to face him, crossing her arms, her chest rising and falling, struggled with controlled breaths.“My love, This is the only time I could come,” Franco said, his voice low, urgent. “Any moment now, I’ll be leaving with Don Pedro and Tessa for their honeymoon.” “And you expect me to be fine with that?” Regina fired, taking of her ear ring and jewelries.Franco sighed, stepping closer to her. “It’s not like I have a choice, Regina.”She scoffed, shaking he
Tessa’s POVI could swear I heard Aunt Nora’s voice as I made my way down the stairs.The few hours I had spent in this house were suffocating, just yesterday I was in my small space crying over Sergio, and today I was going for a honeymoon I did not plan!I wore a black dress I had gotten from a thrift discount sale. I got it with my money. I wore it in mourning of the death of my old self; soft and sweet Tessa.The sweetness of my past self must have been the reason why Sergio threw the towel on us and accused me of cheating.And cheating with whom?A tall awkward fool with ugly hair who still thinks he is in his prime.God forbid!!I wore that black dress to also make a statement, a small act of rebellion in a war I refused to lose. Just because I was his wife now did not make me his street dog.He wanted to marry me right? He will get exactly what he ordered.I got to the last step of the staircase, ignoring the chauffeur who had been waiting. I did not ask him to wait, I wondered
AUTHORS POV The house was unusually quiet when Tessa returned from the shopping mall. She was tempted to kick off her shoes by the door, except for the fact that she was not in the comfort of the room she shared with Pedro. She sighed as the scent of grilled meat and garlic hit her nose, straying from the dining. Her body ached, and all she really wanted was a hot bath and to be left alone. But the silence in the air felt heavy—like something was waiting. She walked into the dining area and found Don Pedro seated at the head of the long glass table. The only sound in the room came from the clinking of his fork against the china plate. The light above him made his presence look even more imposing than usual. He looked up at her, chewing slowly, watching her. “You’re late,” he said flatly, setting his cutlery down. “Join me for dinner.” Tessa forced a polite smile. “I’m not hungry. It’s been a long day. I’d rather go upstairs and rest.” Pedro’s jaw twitched as though he wanted to s
AUTHORS POVTessa’s heels tapped softly against the tiled floor of the shopping mall as she made her way down the brightly lit aisle. She wasn’t dressed to be noticed—plain jeans, a white shirt, her hair tucked into a low bun—but somehow, she still felt exposed. Maybe it was the shelves lined with menstrual pads in front of her, or maybe it was the heavy cloud of stress that had followed her from the office. If there was a way she could discard Pedro's bodyguards outside the mall, she would have. But she couldn't.She sighed and picked up a familiar purple pack, scanning the back with little interest. It was one of those errands that needed to be done—quietly, quickly, and without thinking. She had no energy to waste. Her head throbbed from a day filled with tense emails and awkward silences with Pedro. All she wanted was to buy her toiletries and get home.Just as she reached for another item, a voice cut through the air behind her.“Tessa.”Her whole body tensed. She didn’t even ne
AUTHOR’S POV The corridor was quiet, save for the soft click of Regina’s heels on the floor as she walked to her room. Spending time with Pablo wasn’t a bad idea after-all. it was all she needed to stay sane and somehow he worked his magic on her and she was all smile. As she reached her door and turned the handle and went in, she sensed something was wrong—but it was too late. Franco was already in the room. Before she could process the shock, he slammed the door shut behind her and pushed her roughly against it. His lips crashed into hers with a hunger that made her stomach turn. She tried to push but he held her to the door, kissing her forcefully. Ravaging her lips with reckless abandon. In split seconds, he was holding her against the door with one hand while his other free hands was ravaging under her skirt in search of her panties. His forceful grasp were so strong, Regina found it hard to breath. She shoved him hard. “What the hell, Franco!” He stared at her, ch
AUTHORS POV Pablo arrived at the front steps of the Lorenzo estate just as the night encroached, it was just past 8pm. The floodgate lights bathed everything under it with bright light, giving the evening a cold, bright feeling, at least for Regina. As soon as Regina stepped out to meet him, he smiled. “I came as soon as you called,” Pablo said softly, his voice carrying a quiet concern. Regina looked at him, a little stunned that he had actually come. “I didn’t think you would,” she admitted, her voice uncertain, laced with doubt. He stepped closer, careful, gentle. “Regina, I can’t ignore you. Not for anything.” She blinked, a slow breath escaping her. There was a stillness in the air, as if the whole world paused for this moment. “Thank you,” she whispered, then motioned towards the path by the garden. “Do you mind going for a walk?” “Of course not,” he replied, his hand lightly brushing hers as they started walking side by side down the gravel path. For a few minutes, they
AUTHOR’S POVTessa didn’t want to be there.At the damn restaurant even though it was silent with minimal designs, dressed in soft candlelight and gold, with empty chairs and untouched tables that made it feel more like a theatre than a place to eat. It did not appeal to Tessa, all she wanted to do was get some sleep and maybe wake up later at night to help Camila with the pitch like she had planned in her head.Tessa looked around in disbelief. The place was completely empty—except for her and Pedro.Pedro sat across from her, wearing a smug look, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. “I booked the whole place,” he said casually like he could hear the questions in her mind, like he was announcing a weather forecast. “Just so we could have a private moment. No distractions. No one watching.”Tessa look around, unimpressed. In her mind, she muttered, Wasteful. Completely unnecessary. Her expression stayed calm, but her eyes were shooting daggers around.“You didn’t need to do th
“Knock, knock.”Pedro’s voice echoed in the stillness. Tessa didn’t answer, not immediately. She stared at her computer screen, half-pretending to finish up a report that had long since ceased to be her focus. She wondered why he hadn’t left yet. Was he going to just stand there? Was he expecting her to acknowledge him first? She wasn’t sure what it was that kept her there in her chair—but she was certain she did not feeling like going back home, she probably would have gone to Jamie’s but he told her he had a guest coming over to fuck him, Jamie was raw like that.The door swung open with a soft whistlelike sound.Pedro stood in the doorway, his tall frame leaning against the doorjamb. He had a wry smile on one side of his face, but there was also a mild annoyance in his eyes. “Everyone’s gone, Tessa. What are you still doing here? Planning on spending the night on that desk?”Tessa didn’t look up at him immediately. Instead, she glanced at the clock on her desk. It was gettin
AUTHOR’S POV Now, the day was over and night’s drawing near. The office was slowly beginning to get quiet, the busy sound of the air conditioner was the only sound left in the room by the time the last couple of staff members left the lounge. Most of the team had trickled out already, leaving behind their cold coffee cups and half-written notes on desks. There was this joy that seemed to engulf them after work closure. Perhaps they had happy homes to return to after a long day at work, and Tessa would stare out of the window behind her desk, the uniform way the various cars pull out of the parking lot, disappearing into the streets only to return the next day. She did not have a happy home to return to. So it was okay for her to envy them. In those quiet moments, she hated herself for how painful and bitter she’d become; at least she had not developed into an angry red witch, but she was not far from becoming a witch with how often darkness seemed to engulf her. She used to be
Regina forced herself to wear a warm smile, wiping away her tears repeatedly. “No, I’m fine,” she replied, her voice was flat and she hoped she was convincing enough. “I just… don’t feel well.”Dame Rossa’s stare softened slightly, but her voice remained stern as she continued, “before I say what I want to say, I would like to be honest with you, from where I stand, you dont look fine, and it’s definitely man problems”Regina tried to deny, but Dame Rossa motioned her to be quiet in the most calm manner.“I am not here to kick you while you are already down, You know, Regina… I didn’t just come back to Monterrey because I missed the weather or the old house or even the metropolis itself. No. I came back for something deeper. I came back because I made a promise to myself—and to your father, God rest his soul.Your father… he meant everything to me. He wasn’t just my brother—he was my best friend. And he loved you more than life. You were his precious baby girl. And when he died… I fe
Regina woke up to a damp pillow, the time on the table clock was an unmistakable evidence of a day spent crying, it was past 4pm. The sun was beginning no give way for darkness to take over as it’s golden beams slowly withdrew from drawn curtains, Regina did not notice the smudged tear stains on her cheeks. For hours, she had lain in bed, unaware of the numerous calls from Pablo, or the call from her masseuse. She recalled every word she’d overheard from Pedro and Franco—their conversation had cut deeper than any sharp object. In the midst of that agony, a disturbing thought crept into her mind: perhaps the Sabrina Franco mentioned in their discussion looked hotter than she did. Curiousity swelled within her, she dragged herself out of bed and strolled barefoot to the mirror.Staring at her reflection, Regina scrutinised herself: her hair was a dishevelled mess, her skin pale and lagged, and her eyes red-rimmed from endless tears. “Is this what it takes?” she muttered quietly, h