The lamentations of the child, exposed to the sight of harsh realities of human nature, captured the attention of everyone in the house; first Mrs. Williams, followed by Zach and Christian. Zach appeared agitated and enraged to find me in such an uncomfortable situation as if he harboured the most malevolent thoughts towards Catherine, who still clutched the bowl. Mrs Williams attempted to console Kevin to cease his tears, then turning her gaze towards Catherine, she remarked, "It has barely been twelve hours since our arrival, yet I am beginning to regret bringing you along." Christian discreetly escorted me out of the kitchen so I could freshen up. I was overwhelmed; it had been a while since I had encountered such discomposure. Zach would need to take more decisive action to defend me against whomever she claimed to be to them. After cleansing myself in the bathroom, I entered the bedroom clad in a bathrobe. He entered with an apologetic expression. As he approached me, I
ZACH'S POV THREE YEARS AGO; It was a chilly, rainy night in Kansas City, Missouri. I ventured out in search of entertainment and decided to visit one of the most prominent clubs in the area. I opted for a VIP lounge to unwind and that's when I noticed her dancing with a group of ladies amidst the bustling crowd and flashing disco lights. She was the epitome of elegance, a tall, slender beauty whom I affectionately referred to as the "fair glass of strawberry milkshake." Instructing a staff member to relay a message to her that someone wished to speak with her, she graciously accepted the invitation, joining me in the lounge with the staff, clearly intrigued by the summons. "Hello," I greeted her, sliding into a seat before extending an offer. Quite spirited, wouldn't you say? "Hi," she responded, crossing her legs. "I'm sure you must be curious as to who invited you here," I mentioned. "Curious? I assumed it must be a wealthy individual flaunting their riches, a scenario I
I sat on the shore in the late hours of the night, the gentle sound of the waves providing solace. The footsteps I heard belonged to Christian, weighed down by guilt. I chose not to face him, despite my suspicions. I wished it was a different situation that I could handle. He handed me his phone, claiming it was his mother on the line. Out of respect for her, I reluctantly took the call. "Hello, Mrs. Williams," I murmured as I held the phone to my ear. "Jolaade, you have every right to feel frustrated. If I were in your shoes, I might have reacted worse, as the pain would be unbearable. I never imagined Zach could be serious about anyone, let alone proposing at the cost of his career, which he held dear. Believe me when I say you are different. I wouldn't label Kevin as a consequence of his past mistake, as every child is a blessing. I simply wanted him to spend Christmas with his father for the first time, and I couldn't avoid the mother, whose sudden competitive behaviour surprise
It was no longer surprising that the news had spread everywhere, and most people were judging me, except for a few who had seen through her lies. The secret of Zach being a father was no longer hidden, which was shocking to many. Some even speculated that I could have harmed the child for my own gain, but who would ever do such a thing to an innocent child just to be with the father? It was a dreadful Christmas morning, with negative social media posts coming at me relentlessly. I couldn't even bring myself to leave the bedroom, let alone the house. Thankfully, my few supporters - Erica, Bella, and my mom - reached out to check on me. They knew I would never resort to such deceitful behaviour. "Hey girl, Erica greeted me in her typical fashion. "Hi," I responded softly. "I never imagined working with someone as cold-hearted as her," she elaborated. "Yes, I have. She's one of the models I collaborated with while I was in the United States," she added. "Stay resilient, my dear. Lu
"Ma'am, the interns have arrived," Bella announced, standing at the door. "Who?" I inquired, puzzled by her statement. "The interns from the university. They submitted their letters last week," she explained, jogging my memory. "Ah, right," I muttered as it all came back to me. "Please show them in," I instructed. "Yes, ma'am," she replied, then signalled to the interns waiting outside, out of my sight. They entered in an orderly fashion; two young men and two young women, all well-dressed and stylish. One of the ladies sported large, elegant glasses. They appeared affluent, having graduated from a prestigious private school. Facing them, I extended a warm welcome. "Welcome to Apex; I hope you find what you're looking for here. I expect you all to conduct yourselves professionally and diligently in your assigned departments. Ms. Bella will be your guide; feel free to reach out to her for any assistance," I addressed them, and they responded in unison, "Yes, ma'am." "No need for
"Seeing how inseparable we were in high school and our reunion at university, it is evident that we are destined to be lifelong best friends. I acknowledge the mistakes I made in the past, but I sincerely hope you will give me another opportunity to regain the title of your closest companion." Her countenance was so persuasive that I found myself unable to resist, even when faced with her noticeable baby bump as she presented me with a ribbon-wrapped box of chocolates. "That makes me a future godmother," I responded in a playful manner. "Absolutely," she replied, visibly relieved that I had indicated my acceptance. We shared a brief, tender hug before I accepted the box of chocolates from her and offered her a seat on one of my many comfortable cushioned chairs. She sat down carefully, appearing to be near her delivery date. "What would you like to drink? Juice, yoghurt, vodka, champagne, red wine, or tea?" I inquired. She chuckled at each option mentioned. "I could continue list
BELLA'S POV.Contemplated how quickly the initial month had passed, only to find ourselves in the second month with the boss absent who was at the women in insurance conference in Houston. She had entrusted me with the responsibility of overseeing the firm in her absence. Managing the staff was manageable, but being in the same space with Wale, who often acted superior for his age, was a challenging task. Whatever had happened between us in the past was not something I was willing to disclose.During a particular lunch hour, I visited a fancy restaurant nearby and ordered my usual meal of chicken salad and a hot cup of black coffee. I noticed the interns already seated at a table, enjoying their lunch without realizing I was there. I discreetly sat at a nearby table to eavesdrop on their conversation, wanting to ensure that Wale wouldn't mention anything about me."Wale, why won't you even look at me?" Clara posed the unexpected question to him."What do you mean by 'look at you'?" Ke
BELLA'S POV I arrived at the vibrant establishment that evening in a taxi, the venue illuminated with disco lights, a diverse array of customers, and a variety of drinks. I carefully placed my phone into the rear pocket of my snug denim trousers. I was escorted to the exclusive VIP area where he sat, consumed by alcohol; rambling incoherently, sharing unnecessary jokes. "You made it?" He remarked, grasping my cheeks as I attempted to assist him, but my efforts were futile. I held onto his wallet, phone, and car keys. Seeking aid from a staff member, I was graciously assisted in escorting him to his vehicle; ensuring he was seated in the back, secured with a seatbelt. I generously tipped the staff member for his assistance. I assumed the role of a driver, inquiring about the location of his residence. "My house is inside..." His speech was slurred. I was puzzled. I turned back to face him, "Where?" I inquired. "Inside." He gestured, pointing to the dashboard. "You can't be serious