MALCOLM
"Mum, I would really appreciate it if you leave. I'm busy here and you aren't helping at all. Your constant scolding is making me lose focus." I clasp my hands together, pleading for her to leave.My mum has been in my office since 8 Am trying to make me see reasons why I had to get married. It's already 1 pm and she hasn't shown any sign of leaving."I'm not stepping out of this place until you agree to what I said. You have been together with Isabelle for two years, so why are you hesitant on getting married to her?" My mum asks, her eyes gauging me.I pretended not to have heard her and focused my attention on my laptop. Even though I couldn't concentrate, I still stared blankly at the laptop. I wanted to give my mum the impression that I wasn't listening to her, so she would leave. But who am I kidding?BANGMy mum forcefully shut my laptop, making the screen crack. I look up at her, anger clouding my vision."You broke it," I growled."So what? If you had answered my question it wouldn't have been in that state," she said nonchalantly."Mum…" I tried to speak, but she cut me off."Listen Malcolm. Do not think I don't know about your escapades. After I witnessed that whore claiming to be carrying your child, I looked into your daily life. And to be honest, I'm disgusted. Are you even my son? Are you sure you have my blood running in your veins because you act nothing like me? Can't you behave like your brother even if it's just for a day?"My lips thinned and my brows creased. Being compared to my brother was something I detest."Mum, please leave," I said, my eyes flashing.My mum slammed her hand on my table, she glared at me for a while, then picked up her bag."You are getting married to Isabelle in two weeks." Saying this, she stormed out of the office."Fuck," I grunted, as soon as the door shut.My mum has done a good job ruining my mood this afternoon."I'm getting married in two weeks," I muttered, finding it hard to believe.Angrily, I pushed down the entire content of my table. I screamed out in anger at my helplessness.My mum is the pioneer of my family. After getting married to her, my dad transferred his entire asset to her name and now she controls everything, including our lives. One act of disobedience from you, you will be kicked out of the family. So to avoid that, everyone dances to her tone. It's annoying to listen to her constant orders but then, I had to, if I wanted a share of my dad's wealth. Even though I was seen as the CEO and all the companies were named after me, I had no single say in the affairs of the company. It's really annoying. But then, I had to endure.My office door clicked open, pulling me out of my thoughts. I looked up at the door and there stood one person I despised with my entire being, Lucian, my younger brother."Good afternoon, brother," he greeted, smiling tauntingly at me."Get out!" I growled."Easy there. I'm not here to fight, I'm here to see how miserable you are." His lips curved in a cunning smile and he made his way to me."Didn't you hear me? Get out before I call security to throw you out," I snarled.He smiled and ignored my words. He walked till he stood just a foot away from me. His hand found its way to my tie and he began to fix it, still smiling."Let go!" I growled."You know, you shouldn't get married if you don't want to. I mean, I understand that you're chasing an unreachable goal. But do you really need to go as far as getting married against your will for something you will never have? Listen, Malcolm. The entire company is mine, they're all under my mum's name, so you know what that means…" he smirked."I would act wisely if I were you."I hit his hand off my tie and pointed at the door."Get the hell out of here," I boomed, my eyes flashing.Smiling, he headed for the door."Don't aim too high, Malcolm," he said before finally shutting the door."Fool, bastard," Different curse words erupted from me.I tore off my tie and stared at the door in anger. A knock sounded on the door that very minute."Who the heck are you?" I yelled.The door slowly opened and one of the security guards entered."Sir, you have a visitor," he said."Take the person to the lounge. I'll be out in a jiffy," I said and waved him out.My office was in no condition to receive visitors. Exhaling, I rang the cleaner to come tidy it up. I put my tie back on and properly dressed myself, then proceeded to go meet the visitor.Getting to the lounge, I saw a young lady dressed in a long flowing white skirt and a black long-sleeve shirt. Her hair was tied up in a bun and she had a rosary wrapped around her wrist."How may I help you?" I ask, on getting close to where she was. She jumped at the sound of my voice and immediately turned around, startled."I'm Leilani Miller," she introduced herself, staring nervously at me."So?" I asked, wanting her to go straight to the point, as I was still in a foul mood.She gulped anxiously."You remember me, right?" she asked, gazing at me."I have other important things to remember, other than some nerd," I spat irritated. This lady was wasting my precious time."Young lady, I can see you have nothing reasonable to say. See yourself out, or I'll invite security to kick you out." Saying this, I turned around to walk out. But her words made me stop."I'm pregnant and you are responsible for it," she said softly.I turned around swiftly and gazed at her."Repeat what you just said.""I'm…I'm carrying your child," she stuttered."Whore!" I spat, making the workers around the lounge turn in our direction."Wh..what?" she stammered."You come here, dressed as a saint just to pin a random pregnancy on me. Is there anything you whores can't do? You sleep around with men for money, then get pregnant and try to pin it on the rich ones.""Shame on you…" I spat on her face.I watched as tears rolled down her face. She raised her hand and wiped off my saliva dripping down her face."I'm really carrying your child," she insisted.Angrily, I pushed her towards the exit."The next time you set foot into this company to say trash, I will make sure to lock you up in jail," I threatened, disgusted. The anger I was feeling earlier, further fueled my annoyance."Get out!" I roared and pushed her, but she stood staring at me."I will throw her out," a familiar voice said.Turning around, I see Isabelle making her way to us. On a normal occasion, I would have warned her to refrain from concerning herself with my business, but today, I just let her. These whores won't stop until they are taught a bitter lesson. Knowing how vile Isabelle was, I knew she was equal to the task.Getting to us, Isabelle waved an employee over. Hastily, the employee ran over to us, holding a cup of steaming coffee.In a blink of an eye, she snatched the coffee from him and splashed it on the lady."Try someone else bitch. He is already taken."LEILANI I yelped in pain as the steaming coffee came in contact with my skin. I felt my skin burn and tears clouded my vision."Get lost," the lady who had just splashed hot coffee on me said, staring daggers at me.I gazed at my one-night stand, who stood there watching the entire drama unfold with a nonchalant expression. Tears rolled down my eyes without restraint and I quickly looked away. I heard murmurs and looked around, only to see that employees were gathered watching us. Embarrassed was an understatement of how I felt. Hastily I turned around and ran as if my pants were on fire. I ran with all my strength and might, I bawled my eyes out as I ran. Embarrassed and dejected. I felt like the universe was suddenly against me. I kept running, twice, vehicles nearly knocked me down. But I cared less. I kept running to get far away from that awful place.Finally stopping at the bus stop, I lowered myself into the empty seat and stared blankly into the space, lost in thoughts. My bab
FIVE YEARS LATER LEILANI "Mummy, can you take me to school today, please?" my little bundle of joy asks.I crouched down to her and held her hands, smiling lovingly at her."Don't you want your nanny to take you to school?" I ask, gently caressing her hand."No, nanny scolds a lot. Nanny is so scary," my five years old daughter complained.Hearing this, I felt anger cloud my senses."Who the heck did the nanny think she is to scold my precious daughter and make her scared," I thought, annoyed.I abandoned my handbag on the couch, carried Melinda and stormed towards her nanny's room."Sarah!" I yelled in anger.In a split second, the nanny hastily left her room and came to meet me.I watched as she gulped nervously, on seeing Melinda in my arms."I pay you to take care of my daughter, right?""Yes ma'am," she answered and bowed her head, taking in shaky breaths.I exhale and tried to calm myself down."Tell me, why do you always scold Linda?""I'm sorry ma'am, it will never happen ag
LEILANI "Mum, where are we going?" Melinda, who I had just woken up asked, staring curiously at me. "California," I answered and led her to the bathroom to brush her teeth. "Why are we going to California?" She asked. I couldn't help but notice that she was staring expectantly at me, as if there was a specific reply she wanted. "We are going for business, we will return soon," I replied. But then her face fell. "What's wrong baby," I asked worriedly. Linda shook her head. "Nothing." I was not satisfied with her answer. I know my daughter and I can recognize each look on her face. Melinda seemed to be holding back on voicing out her thoughts. I gazed at her and feigned a hurt expression. "I will be hurt if you do not tell me what's wrong with you." Her brilliant little eyes stayed on my face for a while, and then she sighed. "I was wondering if we were going to California to finally see Dad. But then you said it was for business. I couldn't help but feel disappointed," Meli
MALCOLM "I don't think it's necessary for you to go to New York yourself, I can just go alone," Michael said for the hundredth time today. We had just arrived at the airport and were rushing over to the checkpoint, as we were already late. Michael kept trying to make me see reasons why I shouldn't go to New York, but then, my mind was already made up and nothing was going to change it. I needed to know what was going on with the company. "You should save your strength, Mich. I won't change my mind," I said with a note of finality. Michael sighed and didn't say another word. Silently, we hurried over to the checkpoint. "Mr!" I heard a tiny voice call out. I wasn't the only man at the airport, so I didn't bother to look back. "Mr!" The calling persisted. "I think you are the one she is calling," Michael who had turned back said, making turn back as well. My eyes widened on seeing a little girl running over to me with my passport and wallet in her hands. "You dropped this," she s
MALCOLM "Don't worry, I won't hurt her. I will claim her and make her mine. Then watch you wither in anguish," Lucian said, making me glower at him. "Don't try me, Lucian. You know what I'm capable of," I warned, my eyes flashing. Lucian laughed mockingly at me. "I'm hundred percent aware of what you are capable of. You are a loser who runs away from your responsibilities. Isn't that what you can do most?" He asked tauntingly and stared at me, his eyes glinting in mischief. I felt my anger dissipate, guilt took over. "It has been years, Malcolm. You shouldn't keep blaming yourself," I whispered to myself. But then, I still felt guilty. "I'm sure you abandoned your daughter and Leilani. But do not worry, I took very good care of them. I'm sure they will prefer me to you," Lucian mocked. "Don't stress your poor self, I'll take very good care of them," he said, dusting invisible dirt off my shirt. "Just don't show your face to them again. I'm sure you don't want them to suffer
LEILANI The car pulled up in front of a magnificent building, I couldn't help but gasp in awe at how beautiful it looked. Just looking at the house brought tears to my eyes, never in my life did I imagine that I would be so rich to afford a building this big. Smiling, I pulled a sulking Melinda into the house. I stared at the entire decoration of the building, it looked so stunning. At one corner of the compound stood a statue of a sad pregnant woman, next to it is a statue of the same woman, smiling with a little girl in her arms. When I bought this house, I requested for these statues to be built. I wanted to show California and all those that rejected me that I excelled. I wanted them to know that my daughter and I were healthy and smiling. Just staring at the statue brought back memories. Memories that were unpleasant in the past, but pleasant to me in the present. "Mummy, why did you walk off like that? I wanted to get my look alike's number," Melinda whined beside me. My a
LEILANI "Sienna?" I muttered and looked behind immediately. My headache stopped instantly, tears clouded my vision as I watched Sienna who hadn't even noticed me. She looked so lean and weak. Tears rolled down my face and I sniffled. "Si…Sienna!" I called out. She paused her movement and looked at me. Her eyes widened. "Lani!" she screamed in disbelief. She took slow steps towards me, her eyes fixed on my face. "It's really you," she exclaimed and quickened her pace. Getting closer to me, she engulfed me in a bear hug. "God, where have you been Lani," she asks. "I…" I had barely said a word when she suddenly pulled away and glared at me. "What's wrong?" I ask, startled. "You are seriously asking me that, Leilani. God, you suddenly disappeared into thin air and the first thing you ask we finally meet again after five years is what's wrong. Really, Leilani?" She asks, tears rolling down her face. "You know why I came over to this place? It's because someone informed me th
LEILANI Sienna slept over last night. She was afraid that I would suddenly disappear again if she leaves. I didn't bother to convince her that I wasn't going anywhere, as I honestly wanted her to stay back. "Good morning, mummy." Melinda greeted as she walked out of her room. "How was your night baby?" I asked and approached her. "Terrible," she muttered and scrunched her face. Alarmed, I became worried that maybe she didn't like the house. "Why terrible? Couldn't you fall asleep?" I ask. "Aunty Sienna snores a lot. She cuddled me the entire night, I felt so hot, but she never let go," she complained, glaring at her room behind her. "I can hear you, Melinda," Sienna yelled from inside the room. Last night, Sienna insisted on sharing a room with Melinda. There were other rooms in the house, but then, she refused to sleep in any of them, saying she and Melinda needed bonding time. "I don't like her," Melinda whispered. "I love you so much," Sienna said. Melinda's eyes widene