LOGINSTACYMinding my business, a smug smile on my face, I made my way back to where I’d come from. It truly served Eleanor right. And to think that maybe for a moment, despite the past, I’d felt empathy enough to want step in to help her, she’d seen it as an opportunity to run her mouth on me. Let her reap the fruits she had sowed. I briefly wondered if her family was aware of what she was going through in marriage. I didn’t think so, else, William and their mother, Veronica wouldn’t allow it. Maybe she was too ashamed to let them know. Wow. Life was indeed unpredictable. After all the pride and boasts, putting herself above me even though we were age mates simply because she had a family that cared. I hope William and Veronica would realize their golden daughter and sister was now in the same situation William had put me in years ago. That…A yelp left my lips as a hand pulled me into a corner. A mix of annoyance and confusion brewed within as I tried to get a proper look at the face
STACYWhen she returned, it was with a glass of juice, “I’m sorry I didn’t get wine, ma’am. I want to be sober looking after the kids. I hope you don’t mind?”I shrugged, “have your seat.”As soon as she lowered herself on the chair opposite, the lights hanging around the compound bathing her frame in a soft hue, I leaned forward, “why are you like this?”She lowered her lashes to avoid contact gaze, “I—I don’t understand, ma’am.”I leaned back, “you know, the first day you came to that hotel, you didn’t bring any bag or anything of value with you. I noticed you don’t receive calls from family members, even friends. Don’t you have any?”“I do.” She answered quietly, taking a small sip of her juice, more out of nerves than the fact that she liked it. “I want to talk to them.”Her eyes flew up to stare at mine, “m-ma?”“You heard me, Rita. I want to know if you’re a ghost working for me or a runaway? Are you either?”She hesitated, her throat moving up and down as she gulped.My eyes w
STACYWhen I stepped back into the house, I already had my emotions in check. My confidence was back in bloom, alongside a need for arrogance, if need be. Rowland was right about one thing. I couldn’t — shouldn’t — be scared of William anymore. I wasn’t the young, unemployed wife anymore. I was a boss, a CEO of a famous fashion brand. I had to act like it. So, I slipped my heels back on, comported myself and was now weaving my way through the big family. Some were sitting and drinking, the kids sat in a large groups, laughing and playing amongst themselves, paying no attention to the adults. I spotted my kids amongst them, already accepted into the big group, treated as one of them. That sight of seeing Luca and another boy his age play with leggo bricks made me smile. There was Layla and a girl probably a year or two older admiring each other’s clothes. Landon was driving toy trucks and stationing soldiers to protect what I perceived to be his truck company against another boy h
STACYRowland noticed my expression on the instant, he asked Rita to look after them kids and pulled me out of there. “You look like you just saw a ghost.” He glanced at my pale face. I hated that I still let him get to me like this, even after six years.I shook my head, “I-I’m fine.” “No, you’re not. You just saw…or rather heard his voice and you paled. Tell me, Stacy, was he that bad of a husband all those years ago to you?” I blinked at him in surprise, suspicion gnawed my inside, “I never told you who he was.”“You don’t have to, Stacy,” he turned away from the evening sky to meet my gaze.We were currently standing on a terrace at the back of the house, away from family chatter and celebratory mood. “Wh-what…I….” I was temporarily at a loss for words, “how do you know?”“He’s my cousin, Stacy,” he revealed, his expression serious.No, it couldn’t be. I tried to search his face for any hidden signs that he was joking, nothing. I found nothing of sort. He was serious. Oh my g
STACY“When is daddy coming to pick us?” Layla paced the living room, looking very pretty in the princessy green dress Bennett had bought for her, and her black expensive shoes complementing her pale green pop socks. Her hair was tied with ribbons as the same shade as her pop socks. Her brothers were looking very handsome in their designer suits and red bow ties.Somehow, Bennett had managed to convince me to wear a red dress to match my sons outfit. “He’ll be here soon, baby.” I told her. Rita was also dressed in the new gown I’d ordered from Zaya Pearl, New York City for her. She looked very pretty in it. A black dress with beige colored strap heels and a matching purse. I’d styled her hair and used some of my make up on her. I was taking her with me for two reasons; one, I couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her all alone in the house. Two, I would definitely need help with the kids. Family gatherings are no joke and I have no idea how Bennett’s family was. I couldn’t risk h
STACY“What? When was this?” He sounded genuinely shocked. He rose to occupy the space beside me, silently offering encouragement to talk. Mentally walking down memory lane was usually an ordeal for me, but one I, sometimes, couldn’t avoid. “I used to have her up until six years ago when she got sick and… she didn’t survive it.” I bit my bottom lip, trying to will back tears. “Was she the reason you were there that night? At that club?” He asked, losing every trace of anger and disappointment previously aimed at me. His tone had taken a softer edge. I nodded, “yeah. I…I had to do whatever I had to do just to make sure she got well.”“Tricia told me you were married.”I let out a small bitter laugh, realizing it didn’t matter anymore whether or not Bennett knew his kids, I had ruined my friendship over it, “of course, she did.”Maybe he noticed the extra sadness in my tone at the mention of Tricia or maybe he wanted to know the full story of Zaya, I didn’t know but he pulled me ba
STACY “Madam, please, your husband is busy. He will…” I paid no need to the secretary who was running after me as I pushed my way through desks and staff, heading for his door.Once I reached the door that read ‘Office Of The CEO’, I turned the knob and opened.The secretary disappeared from the
STACYI stepped into the dark room on wobbling legs and full of buzzing nerves. William was the first and only man to have ever seen me naked. Clad in just a pair of lace bra and panties, I felt uncomfortable knowing I was about to be seen by another man.Tonight was the night.I had signed a non-
STACYI skidded to a halt, almost tripping in my haste. The hospital floor was too squeaky clean. One had to be careful, but I didn’t care about being careful, not when the doctor had sounded serious on the phone.My daughter’s health. The cancer. Her brain. I stopped myself from thinking further
STACY “Zaya is your daughter too, William!” I screeched despairingly, the back of my throat burning with sorrow and unshed tears. My hair was disheveled and a strap of my dress was falling off my shoulder. My face streaked with dried tears.I was in a state of panic, panic, fear and sorrow all at







