SOPHIE’S POV“Daughter of sin."That was what he called me.I was staring at him, and he was staring back. His zealot eyes and firm lips, the hostile snarl of my stepmother beside him, as well as the jesting of Olivia. I stood rooted in that same spot as I was 5 years ago, wearing those same clothes. I was also crying and sobbing, pleading with my father to believe me. Everything felt so surreal until I started to feel a hand tapping at my arm. It was a small hand, but the tapping from it was unusually fervent. I opened my eyes and rose with a jerk staring back at me. This time, it was the face of Nathan, my son. I blinked repeatedly; it was all a dream.He drew closer to me and hugged me."Mummy, are you still having nightmares?”‘It was indeed a dream’ I thought to myself,I sniffed and drew him closer, taking in his scent to calm myself.We remained like that for a while, and then I peeked through the window, noticing that the purple-gray of early dawn had not yet faded."What is t
ELLIOT'S POVI sat up on my Jado steel-style gold bed, reminiscing on some of the things that had happened yesterday. I thought about the financial analyst, Sophie Mack. My encounter with her was at the office and then again at the restaurant. My memories kept going back to her hazel eyes, how they had glowed with rage when she called Olivia a slut, and how my initial likeness for her had immediately dampened into a sort of hatred. The lady seemed like one who was uncouth and had a filthy mouth. If not, why on earth will she call Olivia a slut? Someone she barely even knew."What a rude lady," I said aloud as I stretched out before laying back, relaxing the back of my neck against the headboard.My mind flashed back again to how I had run into Sophie and her kids at the Stand Grill restaurant.A small smile brightened my face as I recalled how her three sharp-mouthed musketeers made their orders."Isn't that a little too much for their small bellies?"I remember humorously thinking to
GENERAL POVPriest Gabriel Mack, Sophie's father, had a strange dream. He was in his sitting room, which now had a paranormal celestial quality to its atmosphere.While Gabriel himself was dressed in white priestly regalia, with a flaming sword in one hand and a bible in the other, Victoria, his wife, and his second daughter Olivia sat beside him, both of them dressed like angels with wings.Standing before him was his first daughter, Sophie, whom he had sent out of the house five years ago. She was wreathed in an all-black gown, kneeling before him and pleading with him not to let her go. Also, her belly seemed to protrude greatly this time—so big, one would think it was harboring about ten babies."Daughter of sin, you are here again? I see you're pregnant.” Gabriel had sneered in the dream."Get out of my presence this minute and don’t come back again, or I shall cut you down with my sword." He thundered.Sophie slowly turned and reluctantly walked towards the door. When she reache
Elliot POVI sat limply on my rotating chair, spinning listlessly, sometimes stopping at intervals to stare at nothing. There was complete silence in the office except for the low, steady blowing noise of my air conditioner. After my encounter with Mrs. Sophie a few days ago, I had been troubled and couldn't think straight."Had I gone too far?" I thought to myself.But she pushed me. I really tried to be as diplomatic as possible, but that lady, that weird employee of mine, was just too obstinate for a woman."But had I really gone too far talking about her husband that way, right in her presence?" Another indicative thought came in."But it was she who had started it by talking down on Olivia and calling her a slut. Yes, I was only defending Olivia; I was only reciprocating her gesture." I argued inwardly."But then again, why had she reacted that way? Why did she cry when I made the statement I made?" Perhaps her husband was really a deadbeat, and I was only being a jerk, reminding
GENERAL POVIt was Friday, the eve of Benjamin Harrington's birthday. Harrington is the chairman and founder of Harrington's Group International and the father of Elliot, the CEO.The company premises wore a festive look inside and out as the board of directors declared Friday a "no work day." So that a mini-party could be held in the chairman's honor.The entryways were lined with pre-lit miniature lanterns and oversized decorations. Targeted areas in the offices had large photographs of Benjamin Harrington displayed on them. A cluster of colorful balloons with ribbons attached to them dangled upside down from the ceiling.The staff were not left out; they wore flashy corporate dresses that flaunted the colors on the company’s logo: blue and black. The men wore blue jackets and pants with black ties and shoes. While the women wore blue skirts and blouses on black shoes, All of them were smiling and moving gorgeously from one point of the building to another.***“Sir.” Gerald’s voice
GENERAL POVElliot stood in a corner of his parents' spacious living room. He was wearing a three-piece serge suit, clutching a glass of wine, and observing the activities of the day. The high ceilings are adorned with ornate balloons. The party was underway. The stewards, in all white dresses, bore golden trays and obsequious smiles. Expensive wine sparkled in tall glasses, and the twinkling silvery chandeliers’ light reflected the glitter of jewelry on many of the female guests' hands and necks. Classical music was playing soothingly from the corner, and some couples held themselves close, speaking in low tones and with hallowed expressions.Those present were either blood relatives, highly placed company stakeholders, or very close family friends. It was extremely exclusive.Amanda immediately stood out from the crowd, wearing a red dress. She had accompanied her parents to the party. She came up to Elliot to say hello, kissing him on the cheek. “How do you do?”"Great," Elliot sai
ELLIOT'S POVI arrived early to work the next Monday. I got out of the car and grabbed my phone as I went into the complex. My mind was so much busier than my feet. I realized this as I got to the doorway that led to my office. Standing transfixed in one spot, my thoughts went back to yesterday's party. Earlier in the morning, when I got out of the house, my phone chimed, alerting me to a message from my mom."I forgot to tell you, sweetie. About yesterday, it's a new day; remember to keep your head down. Ok, I love you."I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to slam my phone against the wall and howl at both Dad and herself, and in fact, at the whole world, to leave me the fuck alone. As much as I loved them, they were being too forceful about this marriage thing, and with the way things were going, it was either now or never, particularly now that Dad was involved. Dad, with his robotic sense of virtue and fierce morals, did not know how to go back on his words. “You’re grown; I kn
GENERAL POVAfter the kids were done with supper at the dining table on Monday night, they hurried back into their room simultaneously, leaving Sophie behind, who was still busy with her meal.They had to quickly debate and contemplate amongst themselves to know if it was the right time to unveil Owen's monitor, which they installed in Candidate 1's office on Friday. Yesterday night, when they last checked, it had not picked up any visual or audio signals. That wasn't strange. It was a Sunday night, so no one could have been at the office at that time. If they were going to see anything, it would be today, which was a work day, but they needed to wait for Sophie to fall asleep. While they were still talking, they heard Sophie’s voice echo from the sitting room."It's just half past seven; why are you guys in your room so early?"They kept quiet for a while, looking at themselves, each of them thinking of the best thing to say in response.“Bella darling,” Sophie called again. “The Rob