It had been weeks since I and Lucas' relationship kicked off. At first, it felt awkward having to stand in front of the press without giving a thought about anything or if one of us was getting into character– this was real and we didn't care if coffee spilled over his shirt whilst I was trying to kiss him across the table or if my red lipstick smothered against his lips when I kissed him.Dinner dates, surprise weekend getaways to private Island, sex on the balcony at the dead of the night in a private yacht where there was no one else besides I and Lucas and the other staff that waited on us. I was at peace and for once in as long as I can remember, I didn't doubt my position in someone's life. I was wrapped in an emblem of protection by his mere presence around me– it wasn't that he was rich and could afford top-notch security, it was in the way he held my hands, kept his gaze on me during business meetings before fucking me dirty on his office desk till I was in a juicy mess of my
The drive from Java Inc to the house I'd once shared with Valerie was ten minutes– I'd almost raced down to her house, partly because I missed her and knowing who Lucas was, he could show up in front of her door and whisk me away.Thinking about it alone made my chest flicker with a sense of belonging. I pulled up in the garage after beeping on the doorbell, it swung open."Hey–" my greeting was swallowed by an overjoyous Valerie who hugged me as soon as she opened the door.My goodness. I didn't realize I'd miss her so much until now."You better let go of me. Don't let the neighbors think I abandoned you," I chuckled.Valerie rolled her eyes playfully, "Oh please, not like I care about the neighbors. Come on in…come in," she said, pulling me by the hand into the living room, it was just like I'd left it. Perhaps a little change here and there but overall the warmth of being at home was there embedded in the walls and atmosphere of the house.I stopped in my tracks, closed my eyes an
Getting engaged was one thing, settling into the new life as a fianceé not just because you're putting on a diamond Tiffany and co ring was another. We'd not gone fully into the preparation of the wedding because of obvious reasons– to the world we're already a couple.But you make it more real, we settled for a private–secret wedding in Bali where it would just be the people that mattered most in the union– Lucas and I and the priest. I–I was jolted from my reverie when my phone rang, a flicker of confusion spread through my being when I saw the name that appeared on my screen.I cleared my throat before I brought the phone to my ear, "Good morning father,"There was a beat of silence before an almost inaudible "Good morning child," followed.I swallowed hard, for some reason I wasn't quite comfortable with Javier's tone, but I shrugged it off and chalked it up to age."I'm fine, thank you. How was your night?" I asked, running an absentminded finger over my keypads.Javier drew a h
It was bound to happen, hell it was. I should have seen it coming and protected her from my father's rage. His selfishness had led me to this point, albeit into the arms of the woman I couldn't breathe properly if she wasn't close.I pushed the door open, rage coursing through my veins like a volcano threatening to erupt and destroy anything in its wake. She wasn't going anywhere, at this point I don't give a flying hoot what anyone thought. I was done trying to live my life under someone else's rules, it was time to do what I wanted to, just how I pleased."Lucas…" a gentle voice spoke from behind, quenching the anger I'd felt a few minutes ago. How perfect can one be?I turned around to see a nerve wracked Samantha who was on the verge of a panic attack. She opened her mouth to speak but the words weren't forming, "Come here pumpkin," I inched closer to her and hugged her, she buried her face in my chest and let out all the stress she'd been feeling. I'd seen Samantha vulnerable at
The silence that followed after I told Lucas about the family gathering was so palpable I could feel it at the back of my throat. I placed my hands against it and squeezed it gently, his breath became heavier and tension lined the edge of his shoulders.I wonder how much damage Lucas' family must have cost him to make him uneasy about a mere family gathering."I'm not going…" the sound of his voice sharp like the edges of a blade.No response.I sucked in a breath and allowed his words to hang in the air, so visible I could see it floating around the room."Maybe I would afterall," he ran an absentminded thumb over the nape of my neck.I shrugged, "How do you mean?" I paused, "You just said–"He caressed my chin softly, "I know what I just said pumpkin," he looked at me intently with his eyes, his lips curled up in a small smile, "But there are exceptions to some rules, remember?"No response.Lucas folded his arms across his chest, "Andres and Audrey would be there at the family gath
The side comments, the stares heck the way they gaped at me with a snicker on their faces. Even if I wanted to ignore it, it was damn too obvious they were all about me. I tightened my grip on Lucas' wrist for two reasons; I didn't want him to cause a scene at a freaking family brunch and I didn't want to be the cause of a further rift, given the tussle he had with Andres."Oh come on son, your uncle was only joking," Magrete's eyes held a hint of sincerity as she spoke.Nothing much happened afterwards as everyone seemed to be at ease, sharing pleasantries while carrying glasses of wine on their fingertips, and lots of deserts to fill twenty people for ten days straight.I tried my best not to focus on the whispers and the blade-sharp glances that were thrown at us at intervals. Having been with Lucas for a while, one of the things I'd noticed was the strained relationship within Lucas's family– his relationship with Andres was more than enough to tell me what I needed to know.Every
From the corner of my eyes, I could see the way Lucas seethed with frustration, his jaw tensed. I guessed this was the time to do everything possible to diffuse the anger and the tension that was threatening to escalate. The painful thing was the stupid look on Andres' face. He looked so happy, like he really had gained the edge over Lucas. I held on to the hope that Lucas would calm down and handle the situation."Hey." I said, forcing a smile across my lips while I tugged at my pulsing wrist for support. It was obvious they were bent on taunting Lucas to see how far he could go unprovoked. Well, I wasn't going to take chances at all. Stepping slightly in front of Lucas to face Andres and Audrey, my voice was calm but assertive while greeting them."Audrey...and Andres. I'm so happy to meet you guys, I've been waiting all this for a moment like this. How are you both doing?" I asked, angling my head to the side while pulling out a hand to shake him. The smirk on Andres' face didn't f
It took me a maximum of three seconds to get over what had just happened. I wasn't surprised Andres lost his control and hit his step-brother. The war that simmered between them was like a rumbling volcano waiting to erupt, destroying everything in its wake.Why now of all places? Why did Andres have to do this in a family gathering? So many questions ran through my mind, before I sprung to my feet and in one instance I was standing beside Lucas, he still got his balance except the collar of his shirt was stained with a few drops of blood.This isn't good at all.I feared that the worst would happen. And, as I'd feared it did happen. Lucas spat thick red blood in his palm and that only doubled the anger that coursed through his veins, in one swift instance he charged towards Andres who was more than ready to take him on.I gripped Lucas by the arm and he turned to face me, his eyes bloodshot from anger, "Lucas, don't give him what he wants," my voice was almost inaudible.He flexed hi
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