Logan eyed me.”Fine.A sex dream about someone.I can only speak for myself.When that happened to me,it was because I found her insanely attractive.”I gulped.”What if you don’t want to find her attractive?”He grimaced.”You could try to focus more on her flaws.On her bad side.Perhaps,that might make you think of her less.”“This is not about me.”I clarified once more.Logan smiled,cheekily and nodded.******************The following morning,Caleb walked into Madam Valentina’s house,gracefully.Madam Valentina who had just finished having breakfast was relaxing in the living room when she caught sight of her least favorite child.“Hello,mother.”Caleb began,leaning down to kiss her on the cheek.“I’m sorry I’ve not come by to visit for a while now.You must understand that it’s hard helping Ben to manage our family’s Empire.”Madam Valentina wanted to laugh.Helping,her foot.Caleb slowly sat beside her.”As a part of this family,I believe I have the right to know everything.What’s this d
*MALIYAH*I’ve been doing everything to avoid Ben,scared of how angry he might be and what he might do to me regarding the scandal.I had only meant to go downstairs to grab a yogurt from the refrigerator when I saw him approaching.I was scared to death so I had ran off without a second thought.But then again.I was in the wrong.I had to make up for it instead of avoiding him so I stopped running and I walked up to him with my heart in my mouth.I put on the most pitiful look ever and went down on my knees to beg.He didn’t look as mad as I had been expecting.I couldn’t exactly read his facial expression.“St…stand up.”He choked out.I quickly stood up and continued begging.”I’m sorry.I swear,something like that will never happen again.”“It’s fine.Everyone makes mistake.”My mouth fell open.I was not expecting that.Why wasn’t he berating my ass?“Em…does that mean you forgive me?”He nodded,curtly.I’m beyond relieved,though,I’m still wondering why he is letting this slide,easil
*BENNETT*Each passing day since I met Maliyah,it feels as if I’m rediscovering a part of myself I didn’t know existed.Comforting someone had never been my thing.I don’t even know how to.But with Maliyah,I just have to.I keep saying everything that comes into my brain trying desperately to make her feel better.This is someone I shouldn’t give a fuck about.And again,thinking she might go up to her room and get all saddened again,I turned to face her and suggested.“Will you like to have dinner with me?”She was sitting on the sofa now and she stared at me with those beautiful eyes of hers and nodded.******************Maliyah and I at the dining room now,eating quietly.“How was work today?”“You find it real hard to stay quiet.”I let out.She shrugged.”Quiet is boring.”“You do not want to listen to me talk about work.Trust me,it will bore you out.”“Does it bore you?Your work I mean?”I glanced at her.”At first,yes.But I guess I got to like how challenging it was.I’m a very compe
*MALIYAH*I was so happy when Esme informed me that I could prepare dinner tonight.I had hurried off to the kitchen to get started.I opened the cabinets one after the other to see that they were fully stocked with different groceries.What could I cook for him?I’ve never been this excited to cook for someone.I recalled the dish I always loved eating with my parents.One of the numerous dishes my mom had taught me how to make.Creole Gumbo.Though this doesn’t measure up to what he had done to me but perhaps it could lessen how indebted I feel if he enjoys the meal.I got started,following the recipe I had always known and being extra cautious to make sure it comes out well.When it was almost ready,I had a taste and it was delicious.Feeling pleased with myself,I heard his voice in the hallway.I walked out of the kitchen,and towards the living room where he stood speaking with Esme.As soon as Esme saw me,she spun and walked passed me.“Esme just told me that you’re making dinner.”
*MALIYAH*I headed out of the hospital,dejectedly with a cheek that felt like it was on fire.As I stood outside the hospital,I was filled with so many thoughts.What could have…who could have done that to him?I didn’t do it so it meant someone else did.I recalled the watch incident.Someone clearly has it in for me.What could be their purpose?I mean,am I the target or is Ben the target?Afterall,what keeps happening causes more pain to him than to me.I mean,his favorite watch was destroyed and now this.But at the end,I’m meant to take the blame for it.I just can’t understand why this keeps happening.Thinking about how pained he looked at the dining room made me feel so terrible.He was practically struggling to breathe.He didn’t deserve that.And it felt so devastating that he was going to think I did it.What is going to happen now?Was he going to kick me out of his house?The thought of not seeing him again hurt more than it should.I couldn’t bear to leave the hospital.I
*MALIYAH*I placed my hand over my cheek and said.”It’s nothing.”“It’s something,obviously.It’s reddish,not in a good kind.”He snapped.Now he was pissed.“I…em…I bumped my face against something.”“You’re lying.I can see finger marks close to your ear.My grandmother did this,didn’t she?”I swallowed hard.This wouldn’t cause any issue,right?For someone like me to get slapped by Madam Valentina is nothing.I slowly nodded.”But it’s fine.I’m used to it.”He frowned.”Used to it?She…she used to hit you before?”“No…not me but the others.I always tried not to upset her.I guess that’s why she had chosen me for this job because I always got things done and she had nothing to complain about.I don’t know why I keep messing up now.”I let out,sadly.“Does she always have to be so physical?Fuck!”He thundered,startling me.Why was he getting angry?It was my face and I wasn’t angry at Madam Valentina.He pressed a button on the table and just seconds later,a nurse came running in.“Can I get an
*MALIYAH*He placed his hand over his mouth looking shocked.“Maliyah?Grace Orphanage…Mali..”He stuttered.I nodded.”Yes…that’s me.Oh Lonny!”I squealed and we both closed the distance between us,hugging each other tightly.“My God!How long has it been?You’ve grown so much.”He said,disengaging from me.I think the last time I saw him was when I got adopted so that should be almost ten years ago.“I can see you added a few inches.”He teased.I smacked him.”I’m a lot more taller now.”“You’re still called Maliyah,right?”“Yeah,my parents didn’t change my name but I use their last name now.”He shook his head still in disbelief.This felt surreal as well.Alonzo was one of the few older kids back then at the orphanage.Lonny is what we fondly call him.From what I can remember,he was about five or six years older than me.And many of us had been very fond of him back then because he was so nice.He was the big brother we never had and his presence at the orphanage had meant so much to us.“
*BENNETT*A knock sounded on my door.“Come in.”Drew walked in,looking tensed.”I just got a call from Esme.She said Sir Caleb is at the house.”I frowned.”At my house?”Drew nodded.”And he specifically said he had come to see your wife.”Fuck!I should have given Maliyah a heads up about him.If I should head home immediately,it would give him the proof that he wants.I have to act calm about this.“Tell Esme to let us know when he leaves.”“Yes,sir.”With that,he walked off.I brought out my cellphone and gave Maliyah a call but she didn’t pick up.So I sent her a text instead.Me:Do not say anything about the contract to him.She didn’t reply.The message was delivered but wasn’t read.Wasn’t she with her fucking cellphone?Just when will that uncle of mine get off my back?******************MALIYAH*I’m casually having coffee with Ben’s uncle.He seemed like a nice person.He has been telling me stories about how close he was to Ben’s father and how he was more like a father figure f