There has been akward silence in the well ventilated, exquisite office. I'm seated here, occasionally glancing at my wristwatch and patiently waiting for the twenty minutes of courtesy I had promised to give to be over, so I could walk out that door without the slightest feeling of emotion. I got the shocking call from Jason this morning. I hurried up with my breakfast and fed my babies. Before I scurried out of the house like a mouse being chased by a cat, I sat them down and gave them reasons why the remaining five of them can't let Jason know that they are his. I solemnly swore to be honest and transparent henceforth and to never tell a lie to them, even at the expense of my life. They were unhappy but at least I made them see reasons with me. Even if I was going to get married to Jason, I needed to keep my kids safe. Anything could happen, he could file for divorce one morning and insist on taking the children. I will be left with nothing but a few bucks as

Madelyn. I slammed the office door behind me without giving a fuck about it. I just needed something or someone to feel the pain I felt after being humiliated in such a manner. How I kept my cool and waited till I was out of their presence before I let the river that had gathered in my eyes to run freely, is a mystery. Right outside the door, with my head resting on it while my tears run down my cheeks. I was hurting and needed just anyone to cry on. I don't mind paying a stranger off after crying freely to them and expressing just how much pain I feel right now. “ I believe a woman as beautiful as you shouldn't waste those pearls on a man. Your tears are precious, Madelyn. You shouldn't waste it on the wrong people.” He came. He always comes to my rescue. Without a second thought, I ran into his embrace and let it all out. Pain, sadness, anger, fear. I let it all out. I didn't say what was wrong with me when I texted, all I did was tell him I

Jason. Madelyn left like hours ago. Grandma was still in the confines of my office, waiting for my return so she could round up her four hours lecture on how I treated Madelyn. Old ladies, and their ability to talk for ages! I had to leave my own office under the pretense of going to request for a file I needed from the financial team. “ Has power switched hands in this company, Jas?” I shook my head in response, “ Then, tell me why you have to go get files yourself when their are over hundreds of employees who would gladly go the end of the earth to get things done for you.” I learnt a lesson though. Never disrespect any lady in the presence of my grandmother. “ You look tired, Mr. Black. Probably get some rest or go home..” the receptionist began. When I left my office, the only place I could think of having a little rest to catch my breath, was at the reception. I loved sitting there, dressed like any other ordinary worker a

Natasha. Seeing Jason mess around with a female other than me made me more zealous to get him. I specifically want to see the look on her face when I send her an invite to our wedding ceremony. I stood there and bore the insults. I heard him call me an acquaintance and nothing more. I saw him stare at her with doting affection and love. And it made me more bitter. But at least it increased my determination to get Jason. I have known Jason since we were kids. His father used to be my mom's highschool lover but things didn't work out for them. Mr. Black met Melissa, Jason's mom and they got married instead. Few years later, he happened to run into my mom, his one time lover and best friend. As at that time, my mom just met my dad and they were still getting to know each other. Mr. Black already had Jason, I think he was about six years old then. His father still loved my mom, so did my mom love him in return. But they couldn't be together anymore, not with Mr. Black married and not w

MADELYN. Over the course of time, there's nothing I have been more scared of than my kids being taken away from me. They are the sole reason I'm alive, they are the only reason I'm still sane. They are my biggest motivation to never give up. My lovely little angels and the best gift I got after the incident with my father. Whether or not I got them out of a one night fling with a stranger, it doesn't change the fact that I'm proud to have them. When they came of age and begun to ask questions about their father, I started to fret. What if their father was a well-to-do man and they had to chose between me and him? What if they wanted nothing more to do with my broke, sorry ass? It was more reason why I didn't want them to ever find out about their father. Whoever he was, I was sure a time would come when my kids had to pick between their dad and me. As I wept in grandma's thighs, she stroked my hair slowly. Slow, gentle and affectionate strokes to ca