LOGINMannie’s POVThe dinner proceeded as scheduled. Everyone had already shelved Dianne's incident as just a side entertainment, nothing to take too seriously.That was the arrogance of the upper class. They could laugh at someone’s downfall, sip wine over it, and move on like nothing had happened. Their smiles returned easily, their conversations flowing like water.I didn’t feel the same. My fingers brushed against the fabric of my dress as I stood there, my thoughts lingering. Deep down, I still hoped Dianne would learn from this and stop targeting me.Till now, I still couldn’t understand what I had done to her to deserve such hatred.“Stay here, I have some people I need to discuss business with.” Dominic said. His hand brushed lightly against mine before he stepped away.He led me to the table filled with food before leaving, as if placing me somewhere safe.I stood there, staring at
DIANNE'S POV"Then show me the purchase records right here." I said with a scowl on my face.My chin lifted slightly as I spoke, my fingers tightening at my sides. I made sure my voice carried just enough to reach the ears of those closest, and from there, it spread like ripples through water.Turning to Mannie who stood like a bright light in the room full of people made my heart itch with hatred.She stood there calmly, her posture straight, her expression steady. It was that calmness that made my chest burn.“Well, Mannie, did you think I wouldn’t ask?” I continued, my lips curling faintly. “With Mr. President being your backer, anything can be forged and said.”A few people nodded subtly.Others leaned closer, their eyes shifting between us.Good.That was what I wanted.“When you whispered into his ear, was it not a threat to make him follow your lead?”
MANNIE’S POVStepping out of the bathroom, I sat down on the bed and began to dress up.Drops of water still clung to my skin, sliding slowly down my arms as I reached for the towel again and dabbed lightly. The room smelled faintly of soap but my thoughts refused to settle.My mind wandered a bit to what had happened earlier today.I could still see Trisha’s face clearly. The way her eyes lit up when she saw the CD, not with gratitude, not with relief, but with excitement that had nothing to do with me.After I had given Trisha the autographed CD, she wasn’t even grateful.She had barely spared me a glance before pulling out her phone.“Oh my God, this is it!” she squealed, angling the CD toward the light as she snapped picture after picture.I had stood there, watching her. Waiting.Maybe she would say thank you.Maybe she would look at me and acknowledge the effort.
MANNIE'S POVWatching them leave, a sigh escaped my lips.The glass door slid shut behind them, sealing off the faint echo of their footsteps. For a moment, I stood there, staring at the space they had just occupied, my fingers still slightly curled at my sides.The receptionist looked at me, opening her mouth to say something but decided against it and also turned to leave.Her heels clicked softly against the polished floor as she walked away. She glanced back once, her eyes flicking between me and the table where the CD lay, then she shook her head slightly and disappeared down the hallway.Throwing one last glance at the CD, I turned to leave.I didn’t want anything to do with it. Not after the way that assistant spoke, not after the way Mr. Andre looked at me like he had already decided who I was.Still, my eyes lingered on it for a second longer than necessary.I tore my gaze away and reached into my p
MANNIE’S POVToday, as usual.. I began prepping the kids up, though something was missing...The house felt different the moment I stepped into the kitchen. I paused for a second, my hand hovering over the kettle as I listened. There was no sharp voice correcting how I held the spoon, no loud sigh over how I arranged the cups.Yup, it was my mother’s constant chirping over my shoulder.I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding and rolled my shoulders slightly. The quiet settled around me.I shrugged and quickly got them ready for school despite their constant little arguments and chatter. At least they were cooperative, though they seemed a bit quieter.“Adam, stop taking Jay’s pencil.” I said, turning from the stove to look at them.“I’m not taking it,” Adam replied, holding it up like evidence. “I’m checking it.”Jay frowned, his lips p
MANNIE'S POVJust like other days, I arrived home on time. I glanced at my wrist watch, sectioning my time in my head.Tomorrow was the D - day... And in the morning, I have to go to the Jewelry shop under the Blackmoore’s group to lead the singer around.My lips pursed, memories of me refusing the task flickered through my mind.After Sara had handed me the task, I had stood there for a moment, my fingers tightening around the file she gave me. The weight of it felt heavier than paper. Something about it did not sit right in my chest, like a faint itch I could not scratch.I met the supervisor and reported to him loudly about the task.He had leaned back in his chair, eyes watching me with that unreadable look he always tried to mimic. His fingers tapped lightly on the desk, once, twice, then he shook his head.“Mannie, you will handle it.”“But—”“No.” His v
The sound of my boots echoed on the marble floors as I stepped into the house.No—her house.Or at least the one I gave her.Zarah Twain.The woman who was supposed to be mine. The woman everyone swore was the same one from five years ago. The one my people brought home because she wore the right w
I never thought I’d see the day where I’d stand on a stage in fishnet stockings, an oversized pink hoodie, and pigtails with sparkly clips.But here I was.Trying to survive.The lights in the bar were too bright and too fake. I could feel the sweat sticking to my back under the thick, ugly hoodie
The cold wind hit my face the moment I stepped out of the bar. I looked left and right, scanning the sidewalk. She was already at the edge of the street, wrapping a scarf around her neck, clearly in a rush to leave.“Wait,” I called.She stopped, stiffened, and turned slowly.Her eyes met mine agai
The dim light of the bar gave everything a grainy hue. Music still echoed faintly from the cheap speakers, but my mind was fixed on one thing—the woman who had just stepped off the stage.She wasn’t like the others. There was something deeply strange about her outfit—layers of mismatched clothing t







