Erica:I glared at Pearl from head to toe and she did the same to me. We were stuck in a deadlock and I could feel the heated tension in the room. I could hear her breath heaving angrily as her eyes fluttered in their sockets in anger.“How are you doing, Pearl?”“Oh for fuck's sake!” She yelled angrily.She looked over my shoulder at Dante furiously.“How the hell could you bring her over again?! Wasn't bringing her to one party not enough? I didn't think that I would have to see her poor, ugly face here in our house! And I don't understand why you are without a shirt, Dante! Did you sleep with her?!”I rolled my eyes nonchalantly and readjusted my bag on my shoulder.“I think I shall be going now …”“Like fuck you are! You aren't going anywhere !”I scoffed in anger and tried my best to keep my rage from rising.“I doubt you are comfortable seeing my face in your home. So why not allow me to do you the favor of seeing myself out .”She tossed her bag to the sofa beside her and walke
Clarissa:I was at the mall in sunglasses.Even though it was evening, I couldn't risk anyone recognizing me. Only the Goddess knew how many people knew Erica and my affiliation to her.I already had a lot of shopping in my arms. I bought as many stylish clothes and bags as I could.I had the feeling that I had visited every designer and bought at least one of the outfits: Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Givenchy, Gucci, you name it.I even surprised myself by buying things that I never thought I would ever be able to wear. I had lingerie, high-heeled shoes, and sexy bathing suits in my shopping.I stopped at another store and a dress caught my attention. I adored it on the mannequin and wondered if Lorenzo would think it was pretty on me.I looked at my phone and saw that I had barely scratched my budget and I could fit in a few extra things.I walked into the store and was greeted warmly by the shop attendant.“Good evening, Miss. Welcome to Lady Fashion. What would you like to buy
Erica:Pulled up to the driveway and sat in the car. I was exhausted. My dress was torn and it had a bloody hole in the middle.I reached over to the back but couldn't find my coat, Lorenzo's coat, that I had worn to the party. Where was it?I sighed and found an old shirt in the back and pulled it over my head. It covered the hole well enough and I planned to dash upstairs before the kids could see it.I got out of the car and went inside and the kids were excited to see me. The house wasn't as messy as I thought it would be and I gave them all a big kiss for being so responsible.Elma didn't hesitate to jump into my arms, much to her brother and sister's dismay. They asked her to leave me alone so that I could rest but she clung to me like a koala.“I guess we are all ready to go out."“Yes!!"The cheer was loud and unanimous. Even Elma was excited.I excused myself and headed up to my room to change. I dashed up the stairs as fast as I could so that Elma wouldn't catch up to me.I s
Erica:“Erica? Erica ?”I was pulled out of my thoughts by Javier staring at me, as well as the kids. I gave a nervous laugh and tried my best to collect my thoughts.I didn't want Javier coming with us, but at the same time, I didn't want to seem rude. He seemed like a nice guy and I was certain that there was not going to be an incident where I would end up fucking him.If anything, he was way better company than Dante. Maybe that was what I needed: some good company.“Hey, Erica,” he started softly. “You seem a little hesitant about me coming along with you and the children. I don't want to force your decision. I can go if you like. I have…”“No, no, no,” I said, holding his arm tenderly.I looked up at him and was once again captivated by his warm golden eyes and his handsome face.“I would be delighted for you to come along with the kids and me. I've been stuck in some bad meetings this week and some good company would do me a lot of good.”I watched his lips curl into a smile a
Erica:I paid for the toys and we finally left the store. My stomach growled and so did the kids.“It seems that you all are hungry. I know a great Chinese place where we can have something to eat.”Javier offered to take us and I was so happy that the kids didn't say anything to him, though I could tell that they were excited to go.“You know that you don't have to, Javier. I can take the kids out to get something to eat. We wouldn't want to burden you any more than we already have .”Despite how happy I was that he offered to take us out for dinner, I didn't want to be a burden to him. We only just met at a party and he had already followed me and the kids to the toy store.“Nonsense. I wouldn't mind taking you and the kids out. It would be my treat and besides, you could share some of your architectural ideas with me over dinner. And I know a place where the children can play a little while we talk. I doubt they would want to be bored with business discussions.”I turned to look at
Clarissa:I was in my hotel room all day the next day.I felt scared leaving; I still couldn't get over the fact that Erica nearly saw me at the mall last night.I lay on the bed and stared at the ceiling. I had never felt so bored in my life. I was living in a large hotel room and had enough money to buy and order whatever I wanted, yet, I didn't know what to buy or what to order.I tried on all the clothes that I bought last night at the mall and they all fit me perfectly. I wore them one by one and twirled in the mirror and imagined how happy Lorenzo would be seeing me in them.Now and then, I would imagine him holding my waist and kissing my neck, telling me how beautiful I was and how much she loved me.I would feel his hand on my arm and when I reached out to touch him, I was jerked from my thoughts and I realized that I had been lost in a daydream, that none of it was real.I did have some fun with the lady at the front desk. She had called me a dirty and ugly bitch the first n
Clarissa:I got dressed and headed down to the front desk.Once again, I got the opportunity to relish the look of astonishment on the receptionist's face. I couldn't seem to get enough of it.I went outside and flagged down a taxi. He pulled up right in front of me and gave me a seductive glance.“Damn! And where do you think you are going this fine evening, beautiful ?”I was about to reply to him but I suddenly realized that I had no idea of the clubs that were in town.As I continued to think, I caught glances of him staring at me and licking his lips hungrily as he savored my body.Finally, I gave up and leaned in seductively, trying my best to act enticing.“I am kind of new in town. Do you know any good clubs that you can take me to ?”I flashed a smile and I watched in delight as the cab driver unraveled at my seductiveness. “Of course I do. But for a beauty like you, it might cost you.”I rolled my eyes and smiled again.“I think I can pay the fare .”He pointed to the back
Dante:I was alone in my study and suddenly the door burst open.“Dante!”The voice was so familiar but I didn't even bother to raise my head from a document that I was perusing.Strong perfume filled the air and I felt the presence of two people in the room.They stood there watching me with irritation but I was determined not to give them the time of day. I had more important things to do than get myself involved in a meaningless squabble.“Dante, I am talking to you. Can't you hear me?”The voice came again and I could feel myself slowly losing strands of my patients. I gripped my pen a little harder and heard the frail plastic crack a little under my grasp.“Dan…”I slammed my hand down on the desk and looked up at the impudent figures that were glaring down at me.My sister, Pearl, stood defensively in front of my desk while Laura took shelter behind her but was still glaring at me ferociously.“What do you two want? Can you see that I'm busy?” My voice was rough and dismissive.