The car was moving at a normal pace. Trying to keep up with his speed, but I was anxious. I had to be careful not to be caught. For a moment, I thought about turning back and heading towards the house. If he wanted to go anywhere after work, that's on him. The drive was a bit too long, and I occasionally pushed my head to the driver's side to check if we were still on track with him.After what felt like eternity, he pulled up in front of a luxurious private club, at the outskirts of town. What was he doing here? I silently prayed he hadn't come here to do the obvious– drink and return home drunk, and get angry over flimsy things.I tucked some dollar bills into the driver's hands, "Thank you for your services," I said with a smile, "Um… do you mind waiting for me until I come back?" I asked.He hesitated, "Madam I don't–"I sighed, "I'll pay you double the price when I get back," I mumbled. His face lit up "Fine, I'll be waiting," he said with a groan.I grinned, "Thank you," I grabb
My eyes widened in shock at what just happened. I swirled around to avoid the thousands of eyes probably fixed on the incident. "I'm so sorry," the waitress said,"It's fine not to worry… I'm fine," I said, my back still turned back at her. I wanted to run away, run back into the car, this time for real without thinking twice. Oh, what I'd give right now to take back the hands of time.I had come here to spy and now, I was about to get busted. Lucas shouldn't have the slightest idea that I had followed him from the office down to this place.I turned back and saw the waitress, clearing up the mess. She looked up at me, sad about what had just happened."I hope you're not hurt anywhere? And I'm sorry about your dress," she apologized.I smiled nervously, "I'm perfectly fine no harm was done, and um… the dress, I can always have a change of clothes," I said, trying not to sound too pensive. I hurriedly headed out of the club. It was already enough drama for one night.The cool breeze hi
I tried to wrap my mind around what was happening but I couldn't do it. I knew this wasn't a dream. I had only succeeded in escaping reality for a few hours before slipping back into it. I felt like my head was empty, I wasn't thinking straight anymore. My eyes were bleary– if Audrey would just walk into the house and tell me all of these was a nightmare.I gritted my teeth when I remembered she had decided to settle with that jerk Andres. Of all people Audrey! I rested my head on the car. It was no news that I still craved for her… she knew it…he knew. That's a valid reason why they always put up a show in front of me at the club.And, I was too shameless to stay away from them. Every night I drove there hoping I was hallucinating and what was playing in front of me wasn't actually happening– I cursed Andres under my breath. Why do I feel like all of these were intentional? I tried to wrap my head around the fact that they had just started seeing each other, and it was a fling that w
Two months ago, if anyone had told me I would be dead worried about Lucas, that I'll drive all the way to the club to keep an eye on him? I'd probably stick my tongue out and eyed the person maliciously. We were world aparts, we seemed like parallel lines that'll never meet.At first, when his lips pressed against mine, I stiffened. He slipped his hands around my waist and held me firmly. His tongue worked its way into my mouth. I didn't reciprocate nor did I fight. I just stood melting slowly while guarding myself. I reminded myself this was about him- I was a means to an end.He slowly pulled away from me. I looked away, unsure why I did that. I struggled to keep my emotions in check, if he saw how vulnerable I was, he'd simply intensify his already terrifying behavior towards me."I…I… have to go in now," I turned around and started walking into the house, not waiting for a response. My head felt like it was going to split apart, my body hurt and I barely struggled to get inside th
"She isn't in her office," Laura, my secretary said, placing the documents I had sent her to give to Samantha. I turned my attention to her."What are you saying?" I was perplexed."Miss Emily said, she hasn't come to the office…,""All morning?" I questioned, a little confused. This was a new development, she was always in time to the office and when I stopped going with her, she still made it equally as early.I shrugged. I didn't want to give it much thought, it was just past nine a.m in the morning, maybe she was caught up in something. I turned my attention back to my laptop, "Alright you may go, I'll call you when I need you," I said."Very well then Sir," Laura said and left. When it was two p.m and my secretary informed me over the phone that she wasn't in the office. It was then her actions got me thinking. Had she finally gotten the cue and left? Was she tired of the shitty attitude I made her put up with for a few weeks now? I had so many thoughts. I leaned into my chair, t
Lucas stood with a clenched jaw and if I hadn't stared at him intently, I would have argued what I saw wasn't tears. I felt a mixture of surprise and happiness. I looked around the room at the staff I had invited for the surprise I planned for him– They were equally shocked, if not more than I was. I struggled to keep my emotions in check, I couldn't let his staff see through me.I walked over to him, closing the distance between us. I leaned forward and pulled him into a warm embrace, he buried his face in my neck and sobbed gently. "It's okay, Lucas, it's fine. And I'm sorry I did this, I-"He spoke gently with his face still on my neck, "It's not you Sam. Everything's perfect. I love it," His voice made my hair rise– For God sake Samantha Hall!I flustered a little that his words had such an effect on me and at a time like this. I held him so we stood face to face, "Come, let's go sit over there for a while," I mumbled with a smile on my face. He held my hands and squeezed them war
My heart skipped a beat at Lucas' words. I sat and straightened up, I wasn't quite certain if I was ready for any bad news that would spoil the happiness that radiated from within him. I pouted my lips waiting for him to speak.Lucas swerved the car to the other side of the road and pulled over, the chills from the air conditioning added to my anxiety. He turned to face me and cupped my chin in his hands and smiled. I forced a smile back at him that disappeared when his expression turned serious. "Is there a problem?" I almost said "here we go again""No, I want to tell you a little bit about me…" he clicked open the seat belt and tapped the steering with his fingers– he was nervous. Lucas acting vulnerable in front of me was a little off and exciting at the same time. My ears itched to hear what he wanted to say."I don't want to come off as boring so I'll go straight to the point," he said. I smiled, he was acting soft that night and one would think I did something more than a surpr
My heart flustered when I felt her tender lips pressed against mine. I wanted to tighten my grip around her and deepen the kiss. The scent of her hair filled my nose and I burned with passion– Lord! I wanted to scream because it was hard pretending I was asleep and not feeling anything. But, I'd let her have her way and not interrupt her.I didn't want to get ahead of myself and that kept me in check. I didn't want to see Samantha for more than she truly was to me– a substitute bride. I wouldn't dare do anything stupid even though it was a difficult task to keep my hands around her only. I tried to remind myself that there was no love and would ever be, between the both of us. The kiss wasn't the one that asked for more than it was intended– it meant I care about you, nothing more.The kiss lingered for a few more minutes till she pulled away. I was relieved even though I didn't want it to end just yet– Lucas get a grip of yourself. Besides, I couldn't let just bring my guard down eas
Days had passed and everything seemed to return back to normal except for a few times– when I saw Audrey, either at the house during breakfast or at the office. Asides that, my relationship with Lucas was moving just fine.I got out of the bed and made to walk into the bathroom to prepare for work when I lost balance and fell back on the bed. My head felt fuzzy and my legs were wobbly. I held the back of my neck to keep it steady, but it was like a log of wood was stuck in my head."My goodness…" I muttered under my breath as I managed to stand up and started making my way to the bathroom, when I felt bile rise to my throat. I quickened my steps, turned on the faucet when I stepped foot into the bathroom and threw up all the content in my stomach. I felt fuzzy the more I threw up, I slid onto the floor and leaned my back against the wall.There was a knock on the door. "Come in…" my voice was faint, even through the sound of the water gushing out I knew he must've heard.Lucas came in
I had mixed feelings about Lucas' actions. Yes, Audrey was a bit too much, but she was carrying his baby or at least that was what she made us think. Perhaps, he should have been a little lenient with her and let her be till she puts to bed."Are you cussing at me because of Samantha?" Audrey's tone was that of bewilderment.A vein in Lucas' neck pulsed hard, "My wife. That's who she is and I wouldn't have you displace her," he tightened his grip in my hands, "Now get out," his voice was calm but had the sharp edge of a sword.Audrey looked at me intently and I could clearly see through the hatred that brewed from her. She stared for a while and left.Lucas turned to face me. "I shouldn't have picked up a fight with her in the office," I regretted my actions, but it was much needed.He placed a finger over my lips, "It's okay pumpkin, you don't have to defend anything," his voice reached to my heart and patched the broken pieces like the holes weren't there to begin with."I love you
My schedule stared at me and I could barely make out the words. I had a meeting slated for four p.m and I was already bored. I was tired sick of everything happening, Samantha was doing a good job trying to keep it together but, for how long would she keep up with the act.A knock sounded on my door, the door creaked open and my secretary walked in. "Sir the meeting–"I rubbed my forehead in frustration, "I know what time the meeting is slated for,"She nodded and walked towards my desk to pick my laptop. "It's in five minutes right?" I questioned."Yes Sir, and some of the board members are already on their way," she said.I waved my hands in dismissal. I was suffocating and nobody was seeing it, or maybe they were and they can't do anything to salvage the situation. Audrey coming to the office was something I'd never have imagined to happen and it did.What was my father thinking, agreeing to it in the first place? He hated her the moment he set eyes on her, ''She's not good enough
Soon after Lucas left for his office, Laura walked in looking a bit disgruntled and without my regular morning coffee."Laura, I thought you left to get my coffee?" I questioned, when in fact she left to give Lucas and I privacy.She inched closer to my desk, "The new staff took the cup of coffee from me," her voice was low, I had to strain my ears to make out what she was saying.I clenched my fist into a ball, taking a deep seated breath to quench the anger that was threatening to erupt. "And who's the new lady?"You know who.Laura tugged at the edge of her shirt, "Audrey–"Take a deep breath Samantha. I took a deep breath, paused for a few seconds and forced a smile across my face. "Thank you Laura, you may leave now," I tried so hard to conceal the disdain in my voice."I'm sorry ma'am. I should have been more careful. But, she just snatched it from–"I raised a finger to stop her from saying more. I should have scolded her, but this had absolutely nothing to do with the young la
All through the drive, all I could think of was; What would the other staff say when they see Audrey and with a growing bump? Besides Lucas' secretary whom I was sure would keep the situation under lock, I wonder who else got wind of the news.I tried to focus on other things. Other things like exposing Audrey for whom she really was. I don't know if it was what comes with old age or his way of punishing Lucas for slipping up but Javier wasn't seeing Audrey for the sly she was and it bothered me."Samantha…"What does she want now?No response. I wasn't in the mood to talk to her and I was only doing what Javier asked, "I just want to get acquainted to the Java's working system," she rubbed her bulging stomach gently, "It would be nice if I get some experience to at least share with him when he comes of age and is ready to follow in the family's footsteps," she laughed.Lucas, where are you?I bit so hard at my lower lips until I felt the coppery taste of blood in my mouth. Don't cry.
After my visit to Valerie's place, I became more sensitive to Audrey's movements. Where she went to, what she did when we were out. So far, nothing out of the ordinary has happened."Lucas, wait up for me!" Valerie cried from the stairs. We were already running late and one of Audrey's dramas was something we didn't want so early in the morning.Lucas sighed sharply, "What the hell do you want this time?" He gritted.I hope it wasn't what I was thinking. She was dressed in a black velvet gown that stopped just on her ankles, court shoes and a blazer over the gown. It wasn't exactly my style but she looked good."I am coming to the office today," Audrey said.I was a bit taken aback, "Why?" We asked almost at the same time.She rolled her eyes in disgust, "Isn't it obvious?" She sighed, "I want to start working at the company," she looked at me with disdain, "Afterall she works there too,"There was no way in hell. The vein at the back of my neck pulsed hard, and I felt my heart bruise
Going to the office and coming back to the mansion to see Audrey with her fast growing bump wasn't something I looked forward to. I tried to square my shoulders and act like nothing's wrong when on the contrary, I was dying slowly.Audrey altered everything. The peace in the house, the scent and everything to suit her smell on the basis of being hyper sensitive to smell. Lucas ignored her and acted like she was some sorta ghost. But, I knew he looked forward to having his own child.It wasn't the birth of the child that irked me, it was the vessel bearing that child that made this unacceptable."Good morning Ma'am," Laura greeted when I got to work one morning.I nodded in response and made my way to the office. She followed in silence till we reached the door."Do I have any schedule that'll take me out of the office?" I asked when I slouched into the chair. She looked through her memo."Yes ma'am. A meeting with the investors slated to take place by three p.m and–"I waved my hands
I waited till the two lovebirds drove off to work before I started getting ready to go out. It was already past nine a.m exactly and I was a few minutes behind time. The prison visiting hours would be due in forty-five minutes.I'd been in touch with Andres since he was convicted of the crime. They'd all forgotten about him, I couldn't not after all we shared together. He wasn't the nicest person but he ignited the fire in me."Where are you off to?" Javier's voice sounded from the stairs when I opened the door. Lousy old man. I rolled my eyes and put on a calm expression before turning to face him.I flashed him a grin, "I'm going for antenatal," I lied. I could only hope he didn't request I go with the chauffeur because then I would be busted.He nodded, "Have a nice day," his voice was cold. I knew he didn't like me, he never did. Not when I was with Lucas, not when I was with Andres. I wondered why he didn't object to I and Andres' relationship when he got wind of it. Maybe he kne
She looked at the door, maybe hoping for a sign of Lucas then back at me. "Look I didn't ask your husband to get pregnant–"I sensed her anxiety from a mile away. Now was the time to act, "On the contrary, I don't care for you," My gaze lingered on her and fell on her growing stomach. "You would stay here till you give birth,"Audrey leaned into the bed, "I don't intend on moving out after childbirth if that's where you're driving at," her voice was a little shaky but she did a good job hiding it."We'll see about that. After childbirth, you'd go for a DNA test to ascertain who the father of the child is,"Now she got started, her face squeezed into a frown. "What the hell are you saying?"I rolled my eyes. Audrey. Audrey. Audrey. Still as vain as ever, "Exactly what you heard. If you claim Lucas is the father of your child," I paused when the housekeeper walked into the room from the closet and waited till she left, "Then we need to confirm, afterall…" my voice trailed off when she s