STANLEY’S POV
Today's work actually is a little bit tedious and tiring. “Come to my office now” I called my secretary in. I glanced through the documents in my front and made sure to sign at the appropriate place I was meant to “Yes boss” she replied with her hands crossed at her back and her head bowed a little bit It’s amazing being a wealthy man and the CEO of the company you are managing, you are bound to be respected a lot but it is also challenging as you are left to make decisions that can either favor the company or do otherwise. “Natalia, the contract we’ve been working on, what about it?” I asked as I focused my attention on her “We’ve been shortlisted amongst the companies to be given the contract and with all our efforts I’m sure we will be highly considered for it” she defended “That’s good, I trust you and the rest to seal it up and please make sure to always keep me updated as regards it” “Definitely” “Thank you, you can go” I instructed and focused my attention back on what I was doing earlier “Sorry to interrupt you, sir, but since your wedding is in two days, isn’t it better for you to go home, take a rest, and prepare ahead “ she suggested “That’s very thoughtful of you Natalia, I would soon be done here and leave. Thanks for your concern” And with that she left my office and at that moment I remembered that I hadn't spoken with Flora, my fiancée, that day and we didn’t see each other before I left for work. I assumed that she must have slept at her best friend place overnight I picked up my cell phone and dialed her number, it rang for a while before she finally picked. “H-hello”, she answered I noticed her shaky voice immediately she picked up, I was a little bit worried but had to ignore it “Hmm, hello. Seems like you forgot you had a fiancé right?” I teased her and chuckled a little I was expecting her to reply immediately and laugh with me but it took her a while before she replied, everywhere awkwardly quiet “I’m very sorry darling” she finally broke the silence but I could barely hear her voice Now I’m getting worried, I adjusted myself on my chair and closed the document in my front “Are you okay my love?” I asked my voice now firm and serious “Hmm I actually want to discuss something with you” I tried to listen carefully but wasn’t calm, why is Flora sounding this way? I was confused and disturbed “Okay love. I’m on my way to your place. But, hope you are feeling okay? Nothing is wrong with you right?” I asked just to be sure all is well with my wife to be before I get to her place “Yes baby, I’m fine. Please just be quick. Get here soon” That was the last thing I heard from her before she suddenly hang up the phone Definitely, there’s something serious going on. Flora doesn’t sound this way on a normal day. She seemed really disturbed. My curiosity and desperation got the best of me that I couldn’t even explain how I managed to pack my things from the office and zoomed off immediately. I hope she’s okay. I thought ignoring how I drove recklessly along the way FLORA’S POV “Why are you here Micheal!!” I shouted but realization kicked in when Stanley held me and I realized Micheal wasn’t there and I must have hallucinated thinking he was there "Hey baby are you okay", Stanley said looking at me in the eye He pulled me to a hug and tried kissing me, but I shifted my face away so he ended up kissing my cheeks "What's happening and why did you mention Micheal’s name?", he asked, his voice laced with worry and frustration He pulled me into the living room, and shut the door. Immediately we got to the living room, he pulled me to sit on the couch beside him "Spill it out", he began, his face looking so serious That's it!! I'm finished!! How do I begin?? I thought **** After 30 minutes of confessing my sins to him, everywhere seemed calm and quiet. I was waiting for Stanley to say something, but he wasn't. I wanted to hear him yell, shout at me for cheating on him. For him to call me a cheater but none of that happened. He was just calm and quiet. This is very frightening, I thought. "Please say something Stanley", I finally broke the silence and knelt down immediately "What do you want me to say?", he said, his voice hoarse "Anything! Please, don't just keep mute", I told him, with tears in my eyes again "Okay!! Yes, I feel so disappointed", he said with a saddened face. "I feel like hitting my head on the wall. I feel so worthless. I feel betrayed" I didn't respond back to him. I was only looking down at my the bare tiles "But, in every emotion I'm feeling right now, I don't know why I still love you, like I feel that I can’t do without you beside me", he said. With all curiosity in me I looked up to loom at his face, to see if he was actually joking, but he wasn't "Yes Flora, I love you. I shouldn't still feel this way for you after what you did with that good for nothing bastard, but I don't know why the emotion is still there", he told me, while he helped me up and held my hand this time around "You didn't cheat on me because you wanted to, instead it happened because you were drunk already, so he took advantage of the opportunity. You were not in your right frame of mind, so why shouldn't I forgive you?", he said, his voice laced with love and sincerity "I really don't know what to say Stanley. I really thought you wouldn't forgive me. I thought you'd send me packing away, but you're not doing that. Instead you're professing your love for me", I said feeling very emotional and tingled with a little bit of happiness. "Yes baby, I still love you regardless. And I would still marry you no matter what, because you're the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. You told me the truth without me forcing you or finding out from someone else, therefore, I'd respect you for that", he said, pulling me to himself for a hug "Let's prepare for our wedding, and pretend like this never happened," he continued. "Okay?" I could only nod my head as a sign that I agree with him, because I was short of words. How am I lucky to have this man. I thought, he’s a blessing to me. Just like that, Stanley and I are back together, even with the ups and downs that we faced, we overcame all through love. “What about Jessica, your best friend? Where was she when all these happened?” Stanley asked just before he left and this question really baffled me and it totally slipped my mind to get clarified by Jessica. Immediately I picked up my phone to call her…ANONYMOUS POV The room reeked of stale cigar smoke and cheap whiskey, a scent so thick it seemed to cling to the air. My preference and I love the way the room is dark, with little light not daring to penetrate the drawn, heavy velvet curtains. It wasn’t just a comfort room but a lair. “Senator Jones, glad I caught you,” my voice crackled through the phone, a hint of a smile in my tone. “Just a quick, shall we say, ‘friendly’ check-in regarding our mutual… understanding.” I heard Senator Jones sigh, a sound that conveyed a deep exhaustion. “And to what do I owe the pleasure of this unscheduled discussion?” “Oh, you know, just making sure all loose ends are tied up” I chirped. “That little incident with Stanley’s mother. Nasty operation. Especially with Chloe involved.” “Chloe acted under constraints,” Senator Jones interjected, a defensive edge to his voice. “She was threatened, you know that.” “Of course, of course,” my voice soothed, though it had no real empathy. “And we wou
STANLEY’S POV The scent of the expensive leather of my Rolls-Royce and the distant thrum of the engine was usually a balm and a familiar comfort that signified my daily retreat from the different chaos of the world to the sanctuary of my family mansion. Well, not today. Each turn of the wheel, and the realization that we were almost home, only amplified the frantic drumming of my heart. “Poisoned” The word kept echoing in my mind, sharp and cold Ma. The wedding. My wedding was supposed to be a happy one for me but it was twisted into a gruesome stage for my mother's murder. And Chloe. My sister, my only remaining blood relative. She was with mother all night, tending to her. A cherished daughter and a loyal sister. Or a cold-blooded killer? This accusation felt like sacrilege and a betrayal of the bond we’ve had with our mother. But the autopsy, undeniable and indisputable facts screamed a different truth. The driver pulled up to the grand entrance of the mansion, the securit
STANLEY’S POV It had been a long time since I returned to work. The familiar sterile scent of disinfectant lingered in the air, barely masking the faint aroma of old paper in my office.As I looked through some paperwork, my secretary entered after a gentle knock on the door accompanied by Officer Collins.That was unexpected. We hadn’t scheduled a meeting, and there was no prior notice.I gave my secretary a subtle nod, and she quietly exited, closing the door behind her. I gestured for Officer Collins to take a seat.Sunlight filtered weakly through the grimy window, casting long, uneven shadows across the floor. I had an eerie feeling that I knew why he was here. My eyes fixed to the framed photo of my late mother on the desk. I stared at it for a moment, then looked up with dread in my eyes.“Mr. Stanley,” Officer Collins began, his voice unusually gentle, lacking the usual formal edge of law enforcement. He carried a Manila folder, thick and ominous, clutched in his hand. “We
JESSICA’S POV “Stanley, you are back,” I said, my voice tight, the moment he walked through the door without a greeting. The scent of stale police station coffee still clung to him, a bitter shroud. His usual confident stride replaced by a weary shuffle, his face was etched with exhaustion. “Yeah, I’m back” he mumbled sluggishly, dropping his phone onto the small table by the sofa. He didn’t look at me.“And?” I pressed, my arms instinctively crossing over my chest. “Tell me you didn’t just let her walk away, Stanley.” “First of all, how did you even know she was released?” he questioned, a hint of curiosity in his weary tone. “Someone there informed me” I defended, dismissing his question with a wave of my hand. “That’s not the main thing! How could you, Stanley, the woman responsible for the death of your beloved mother, be released like that, and you, her son, couldn't do anything?” I barked, my voice began to rise, cracking with anger. He shot up from the sofa, his voice no
FLORA’S POV Accompanied to the living room by my personal guard, I met my mom seated on one of the sofas. Her expression was unreadable, but her eyes spoke volumes. I knew she wouldn’t let go of me if I don’t explain everything that happened to her “Where have you been since last night, Flora” her voice finally cut through the deafening silence in the room I pretended like I didn’t hear what she just said and walked over to Aurora, gently picked her up in her little crib. I patted her softly, clinging to her as both comfort and excuse to ignore my mum's question. But before I could escape to my room, she stood right in front of me, our eyes locked in. There was no way around her this time. No escape route. No excuse. The only way out is to tell her the truth. “I just saw a news report on the television now claiming that you were detained for the death of Stanley’s mother” Her voice cracked. “Do you know how worried sick I have been?” “Relax mom. I’m fine. Just… calm down, plea
STANLEY’S POV The police station was dimly lit, with a sense of urgency in the air. I sat across Officer Collins answering questions about the investigation of the death of my mum “Are you certain the scarf we obtained belongs to Flora?” I nodded “Yes, I’m positive. I’ve known Flora for years. That scarf is hers.” Officer Collins made a note on his pad. “We’ll look into it, Mr Stanley. But can you tell me more about your relationship with Flora” Hesitantly and unsure of how much to reveal “We used to be couples before. A legal one but things ended badly between us and we had to divorce each other” “I’ve moved on, but I guess she hasn’t” I lied “And if I may ask, what was the reason for the divorce” Officer Collins asked “The divorce was due to the pressure from the press, the stakeholders at my company, and my family as regards the paternity of our child. Aurora” I sighed Officer Collins's eyes narrowed “Well, we will definitely consider that in our investigation” After we s