"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
The exertion I felt after the strenuous exercise I had just done made it difficult to express myself. Lucas' demeanor changed after he dropped the call and my ears itched to hear what the emergency was. My heart raced with different thoughts. If there was an emergency that meant one of us had to act accordingly and support and it was me.He tried to walk away again but I held him back, "I need you to get a hold of yourself," I said.He rolled his eyes, "Oh Samantha but I can't," he said, "I need to get out of here as soon as I can,"Before I could say another word he dashed through the stairs, to the room. I ran as fast as my heavy legs permitted, holding the rails for support. I didn't know how he did it but by the time I got to the room he was coming out of the shower smelling of lavender– my shower gel.I would normally laugh but whatever made Lucas lose his mind that he didn't notice when he used my shower gel was very serious. He pulled over a black leather jacket and walked over
The room was heavy with silence except for the shock on Lucas and the man's face. The lady looked sad, her husband who had been staring at her with an apologetic look moved closer to her.She raised her hands to stop him, "Don't come any closer George,""I…I'm…" he stuttered, scratching the back of his neck. It was obvious the lady was still on the edge over what had happened between them.She cut him off with a scoff, "You're sorry?" She inhaled deeply, "Of course you are. You're always sorry and each time you keep doing the same thing over and over again. And each time, we end up in the same spot."She walked over to the other side of the room, where a large painting of Picasso that covered almost half of the wall hung. For a while the painting caught my attention until she spoke again."Why not go ahead and tell your friend how much of a great husband you are?" Her words were more of a mock statement than a question.I looked over at Lucas who stood looking at the woman, he seemed
Lucas peered at me, "huh? Roosevelt's is the next turn," he said, "What'd you want to get?"I shrugged, "Girl's stuff,""Girl's stuff," he mimicked and chuckled. I grunted and leaned back into the seat. Lucas drove and swerved through the next turn, he halted at the Mall's parking lot.I opened the car door and wanted to come down when I noticed he was still on his seat, humming to the music. "Aren't you coming along?" I demanded.He shook his head, "I'm fine right here," he said, "Go on in, I don't want to interfere in your girl's stuff shopping," he said flatly, nodding to the beat of the music.I grunted and got out of the car. The mall was aloof with lots of cars in the parking lot. I almost ran back to convince Lucas to come with me. I exhaled and gathered courage before entering the mall, not before I turned back to check if Lucas has changed his mind.The mall was a vast one, with different sections. I quickly pulled out a trolley and started heading towards the intimate care u
To say I felt lucky was an understatement. Audrey slapping me across the face wasn't the problem; the onlookers who had brought out their phone to capture the moment was. I'd have spent the entire summer locked in my room if her hand touched me.I raised my head to see who had saved me. I felt a surge of relief when I saw Lucas standing there glaring at Audrey. The anger on his face was obvious from the way he brought her hands down still gripping them firmly, Audrey whimpered, trying to break out of his hold. But, he was too angry to think straight.I tugged at his hands to release his grip and he fired me a stay-out-of-this glare. I stepped aside, another second being at the center of a rift won't send me right to a therapist.There was a long line of silence, followed by loud angry breaths by Lucas especially. He was still hurt…it was obvious from the way he looked at her like he could pass a sword right through her heart. He shoved her hands angrily, he moved closer to me and grab
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