NEXT MORNING
LEILANII woke up to the throbbing pain of my womanly part. Was my period coming?" I wondered and forced myself up. I opened my eyes and was welcomed by an unfamiliar room."Where am I?" I asked myself."Sienna!" I called out, but there was no response."Do you normally shout when you wake up?" A deep and husky voice asked beside me.I quickly turned in the direction of the voice and screamed instantly."What…What are you doing beside me?" I asked wide-eyed."Seems like you forgot. This is a hotel room and you and I fucked last night. Where else do you suppose you will see me this morning, if not beside you," He asked and slipped out of the bed, baring his entire body to me.I covered my eyes with my hands."I wonder why you are covering your eyes when you saw every part of me last night. You kept screaming about how much you love my fucking style," he muttered.His words felt like atrocities to my ear."And oh, I was right. You are a virgin and I had fun deflowering you," he said and I felt my whole world crash."You are joking right?" I asked, desperately hoping that everything he said was just some silly joke."Do I look like someone that jokes?" He asked, his hazel eyes stared into my dark ones and I realized he wasn't joking."You…you raped me," I whispered as tears streamed down my face."We both had sex. You followed me here willingly. If you want money from me, just say it and I'll give it to you, after all, I enjoyed banging you," he said. The ruffling of clothes made me aware of the fact that he was dressing up."I do not need your money," I cried."Then that settles it then. Once I step out of this room, we become strangers. We had a one night stand and nothing else." Finally buckling his belt, he picked up his suit and left the room, not without winking at me."Oh, God. I'm doomed. What will mum say?" I cried and slowly raised the duvet hoping for a miracle. But then, the blood stains on the sheet made me realize that a miracle was impossible.Tears streamed down my face and I wept like a baby. How could I make such a mistake? Mum is going to be ashamed of me.I slowly got up, my V area aching like hell. I search for my clothes and put them on. Then headed for the door. I opened the door and was about to walk out when my phone rang. I checked the caller, it was Sienna. I felt annoyed at her, this is all her fault. I declined her call, turned off my phone and threw it inside my bag, then left.Once I got home, I soaked myself inside my bathtub. I scrubbed and cleaned my entire body with tears in my eyes."I messed up," I kept crying.How could I make such a mistake, how…something I've been keeping since forever, waiting for the right moment. Now, I just lost it to a total stranger, who I probably won't see ever again. I mean California is a big city and my chances of running into him were low.After bathing, I wrapped myself in a towel and dejectedly stepped out of the tub. I felt so down and mad at the universe for letting a thing like this happen to me. I dressed up and lay down on the bed wallowing in self pity.My door suddenly clicked open. I needed no soothsayer to tell me who it was."Gosh, Lani. You scared me. I literally looked for you everywhere. When did you return because I came here looking for you earlier today," Sienna asks, but I totally ignored her, I was mad at her for making me go clubbing. This is all her fault."Really, Lani. You are ignoring me, After making me go round the whole City looking for you like a crazy woman. I even called your mum to know your whereabouts."Out of everything she said, the only thing my ears grasped was the part where she said she called my mum."Why will you call my mum," I asked in fright.I come from an Orthodox family. My parents are leaders at the church. Growing up as a kid, I was given so many lectures on the importance of keeping my virginity till my wedding night. And now, I just lost that. If my parents should hear of this, they will disown me without a second thought. Their reputation in the church is really important to them."I always call your mum whenever I can't find you. Why are you freaking out?" Sienna asked. And I broke down in tears."I lost my virginity last night, Enna and to a total stranger, " I cried.Sienna was shocked at first, but seeing how I was crying like a kid, she engulfed me in a hug."It's alright, Lani. Losing it doesn't make you less human. I mean, I lost mine at fifteen," Sienna consoled me."You know the type of family I come from. My parents will be so disappointed if they hear of this," I said crying even harder."Gosh, Lani. How would they know that you lost it? They won't, unless you tell them," Sienna said reasonably."You do not have to tell your parents about it. Even if they do ask, just lie to them that it's still intact," Sienna advised.The idea of lying to my parents didn't sit well with me. I've never lied or hidden anything from them, not even for a day. I remember when a boy asked me out at thirteen, I was so excited back then and didn't tell my mum. But then she somehow found out about it and locked me up in a closet for a whole day to make me reflect on my actions. Ever since that day, I never hide or keep anything from her, because of fear of being locked up in the closet again. I grew up with that fear, and here I am, twenty five and still a mama's girl."I can't lie to my mum, Sienna. It's against the holy book," I cried.Sienna pulled her hair, something she normally does when she is tired of trying to make me see points with her."It's a white lie. A harmless lie. And besides, you can always ask God for forgiveness, " she advised."A lie is a lie, Sienna.""You know what, call your mum on the phone and tell her that you lost your virginity, then watch her disown you," Sienna said, now tired of trying to convince.I broke into another round of tears and she pulled me into her embrace."I'm sorry. This is all my fault and that's why I'm going to do everything I can, to make sure it doesn't disrupt your life.""Listen, Lani. Let's spend the whole of today wallowing in self pity. Tomorrow morning, I want you to step out and continue with your normal life as if nothing happened. Okay? You will be totally fine. There is no difference between the Lani yesterday and the Lani here now. You hear me," Sienna whispered.Somehow I decided to listen to her."Tomorrow morning. I, Leilani Miller will step into the world like nothing happened."NEXT MORNINGMALCOLM COMPANIESMALCOLM"Here, you need to sign these documents," Michael, my best friend and assistant, said and placed some files on the desk.I groaned in exhaustion. After spending an entire night with the virgin girl, I returned to see piles of files, waiting for me and awaiting my review."I'm tired, Mich," I said and yawned."You should be, after all, you spent an entire night at a club banging some whore," Michael said with an eye roll."What's life without fun?" I asked."Yeah, you've had fun. Now, fun time is over, quickly review these documents, so I can get the remaining.""Wait, there is more!" I yelled.Michael ignored me and walked away.Being a billionaire is tiring. I have to work twenty four hours a day to keep the company moving. Day in and day out, there are always files heaped on top of my desk. I have so many companies scattered all over the world. I have hotels, restaurants, clubs…The thought of a club made my mind go back to the girl I spent a ni
THREE WEEK LATER LEILANI It's been three weeks now and I have been living like nothing happened. I did as Sienna asked and lied to my mum, who always asks about my virginity whenever she calls. I felt guilty for lying to her at first, but Sienna made me realize that it was my body and I owe no one an explanation."Aren't you going to work today?" Sienna asked, on seeing me still lazily lying on the bed."I'm tired…" I couldn't even complete my statement when a sudden urge to puke came. I hastily stood up from the bed and ran into the adjoining bathroom and puked until there was nothing left. Sienna stood behind me massaging my back to help me calm down."I really think it's time you see a doctor," She suggested.I nodded in agreement. For over one week now, I suddenly developed this morning sickness. "I will ring in sick today, and go to the hospital for a check up," I told her."Do you want me to come with you?" She asked as she led me out of the bathroom."No, I can't have you ski
LEILANII spent the entire day roaming aimlessly at the park. I was hungry, barefooted and tired. But I wasn't going to go home yet, knowing that my mum was still there, probably waiting for me to come back. I found an empty seat, I lowered myself into it. My mum had a church programme to attend in the evening, so all I had to do was wait till it was past five before going back. Although I have made up my mind to go find my baby daddy, I didn't want to go to him looking like a beggar, I need to get back home, tidy up and look good before going to find him. Getting pregnant outside of marriage doesn't make me less human. I still had my dignity to uphold.Finally, the time I have been waiting for came, I rose from the seat and found my way out. Getting home, I find Sienna pacing around the living room worriedly. I slowly entered the house and shut the door. Sienna turned around at the sound of the door shutting. Her eyes widened on seeing me, she hastily ran up to me and pulled me into
MALCOLM "Mum, I would really appreciate it if you leave. I'm busy here and you aren't helping at all. Your constant scolding is making me lose focus." I clasp my hands together, pleading for her to leave.My mum has been in my office since 8 Am trying to make me see reasons why I had to get married. It's already 1 pm and she hasn't shown any sign of leaving."I'm not stepping out of this place until you agree to what I said. You have been together with Isabelle for two years, so why are you hesitant on getting married to her?" My mum asks, her eyes gauging me.I pretended not to have heard her and focused my attention on my laptop. Even though I couldn't concentrate, I still stared blankly at the laptop. I wanted to give my mum the impression that I wasn't listening to her, so she would leave. But who am I kidding? BANG My mum forcefully shut my laptop, making the screen crack. I look up at her, anger clouding my vision."You broke it," I growled."So what? If you had answered my qu
LEILANI I yelped in pain as the steaming coffee came in contact with my skin. I felt my skin burn and tears clouded my vision."Get lost," the lady who had just splashed hot coffee on me said, staring daggers at me.I gazed at my one-night stand, who stood there watching the entire drama unfold with a nonchalant expression. Tears rolled down my eyes without restraint and I quickly looked away. I heard murmurs and looked around, only to see that employees were gathered watching us. Embarrassed was an understatement of how I felt. Hastily I turned around and ran as if my pants were on fire. I ran with all my strength and might, I bawled my eyes out as I ran. Embarrassed and dejected. I felt like the universe was suddenly against me. I kept running, twice, vehicles nearly knocked me down. But I cared less. I kept running to get far away from that awful place.Finally stopping at the bus stop, I lowered myself into the empty seat and stared blankly into the space, lost in thoughts. My bab
FIVE YEARS LATER LEILANI "Mummy, can you take me to school today, please?" my little bundle of joy asks.I crouched down to her and held her hands, smiling lovingly at her."Don't you want your nanny to take you to school?" I ask, gently caressing her hand."No, nanny scolds a lot. Nanny is so scary," my five years old daughter complained.Hearing this, I felt anger cloud my senses."Who the heck did the nanny think she is to scold my precious daughter and make her scared," I thought, annoyed.I abandoned my handbag on the couch, carried Melinda and stormed towards her nanny's room."Sarah!" I yelled in anger.In a split second, the nanny hastily left her room and came to meet me.I watched as she gulped nervously, on seeing Melinda in my arms."I pay you to take care of my daughter, right?""Yes ma'am," she answered and bowed her head, taking in shaky breaths.I exhale and tried to calm myself down."Tell me, why do you always scold Linda?""I'm sorry ma'am, it will never happen ag
LEILANI "Mum, where are we going?" Melinda, who I had just woken up asked, staring curiously at me. "California," I answered and led her to the bathroom to brush her teeth. "Why are we going to California?" She asked. I couldn't help but notice that she was staring expectantly at me, as if there was a specific reply she wanted. "We are going for business, we will return soon," I replied. But then her face fell. "What's wrong baby," I asked worriedly. Linda shook her head. "Nothing." I was not satisfied with her answer. I know my daughter and I can recognize each look on her face. Melinda seemed to be holding back on voicing out her thoughts. I gazed at her and feigned a hurt expression. "I will be hurt if you do not tell me what's wrong with you." Her brilliant little eyes stayed on my face for a while, and then she sighed. "I was wondering if we were going to California to finally see Dad. But then you said it was for business. I couldn't help but feel disappointed," Meli
MALCOLM "I don't think it's necessary for you to go to New York yourself, I can just go alone," Michael said for the hundredth time today. We had just arrived at the airport and were rushing over to the checkpoint, as we were already late. Michael kept trying to make me see reasons why I shouldn't go to New York, but then, my mind was already made up and nothing was going to change it. I needed to know what was going on with the company. "You should save your strength, Mich. I won't change my mind," I said with a note of finality. Michael sighed and didn't say another word. Silently, we hurried over to the checkpoint. "Mr!" I heard a tiny voice call out. I wasn't the only man at the airport, so I didn't bother to look back. "Mr!" The calling persisted. "I think you are the one she is calling," Michael who had turned back said, making turn back as well. My eyes widened on seeing a little girl running over to me with my passport and wallet in her hands. "You dropped this," she s