(that fateful night)
Tracy just called, she sounded worried, and I tried to understand what she was saying."It's everywhere Ma'am, Jonathan is on the news again" I listened, quickly picking up the remote to turn on the TV. My eyes watched in silence, it was the same story every year, that Jonathan never missed. I quickly turned it off, contempt filled me, my phone ringing nonstop. It was Jonathan, I wanted to pick, but I know him too well to come up with a good lie.I thought today would be a good day to drop the news about my pregnancy, but once again he ruined it, Jonathan always looks for a way to ruin everything.Slowly I turn off the shower and step out, I can't let him find out about the Twins, they were my everything and I can't lose them to Jonathan.****Six years later....."What do you mean, he is there already" I asked, my tone elevated as I tried to get clearer words of what Benita, my assistant was saying as I struggled with the steering."Keep it down, you two" I yelled at Tiara and Tina who were at the back of the car.They were my sole reason reasons of surviving after such a horrible divorce, knowing I wouldn't wake up alone to an empty bed filled me with joy.The moment I saw their little adorable faces, I knew just then, they were more than enough but right now they are giving me a migraine."I asked you both to share," I whispered, taking the chocolate from them. "Am sorry Benita what were you saying," I asked trying to stay focused"He is here Ma, the person you are leasing your room to" she summed up at the other end of the line. "And he is so handsome ma'am" she giggled"Focus Benita" What was this girl's problem with guys, she has been dumped for the 4th time and she is still not seeing the bigger picture here. "Tell him, I will be right there, dropping the Twins at my mom's" I added, ending the call."You said we weren't going to Grandma till the weekend," Tiara said, her voice small."Come on baby, don't you miss grandma," I leaned down, brushing a strand of hair off her face, she was definitely like her papa."I like grandma's, she gives us a lot of goodies," Tina said as she bounced excitedly.Just 5 years old and I felt a long time had passed me by, watching them grow was the toughest and sweetest for meI rang the doorbell, and as the door opened, Joy my mom's maid answered with a brightening smile on her face."Look who we have here" she teased jokinglyTina and Tiara giggled, they were so playful sometimes I wondered where they got it from. Brushing past Joy they both headed upstairs, their laughter filling the echoes of the house."Be careful you two," I yelled from behind"Is my mother inside?" I asked curiously"You can always come in ma'am Claire" Joy usheredBut, I was too stubborn, my mom and I weren't on good terms, and ever since the divorce, she blamed me for being soft and lenient for not asking Jonathan for alimony, for wasting my life, even when insisted I didn't want anything from him.She had said she was not doing it for me, the only reason she asked for alimony was for the kids, she loved them so much that I sometimes get jealous."Here is their stuff" I handed everything to Joy, who struggled to hold each of them. "Why is it so many, are they staying till Christmas" she asked curiously"Most of it belongs to Tina, you know how demanding that little lady can be" I reminded Joy. "I will pick them up on Sunday so... Good luck" I quickly added, rushing to my car as Joy called behind. I waved, driving offFeeling relieved, I called Benita. "Is he still waiting?" I asked curiously,"Yes, Ma'am, should I ask him to leave" she asked"No, am on my way" I quickly added ending the callHe must be adamant, I thought marching the speed breakI drove into the parking lot and my eyes fell on the offloaded boxes at the back of a sports car, no one told me he drove a sports car, is he going to be trouble, I was too busy to deal with a troublesome tenantI got out of my car, picked up my handbag, and stepped into the elevator leading to my penthouse, I dialed Benita's number, and it kept ringing till she finally picked"What with the sports car" I asked curious"Ohh you saw that, I don't think he's that bad ma'am" she slowly added"You don't think Benita, you don't think he is a serial killer or thief" I questioned her as she remained silent. "Who drives a sports car and stays in a lease, obviously a good for nothing do-gooder does" I slowly remind her"You know what, tell him, the room is out of rent and give him a refund" I added"But-but Ma'am" Benita stutteredI quickly cut her short, "infact, don't bother, I will do it myself" I managed to say stepping out of the elevator in my apartment lobby"Where is he," I asked Benita, whose face was filled with worry, "Benita" I yelled"He-he is inside, he said he wanted to check it out" she stammered"You fucking did what? how can you let a stranger into the apartment, is there something wrong with you Benita, you are getting fired after this""He seemed very convincing and I got so confused and -and" I stared at her trying to understand what the hell she was sayingThe door opened and our eyes both stared at the figure coming out"Hey, you could be charged for……" the words left my mouth, I must be dreaming, I moved backward, Benita stared at me concern filling her face"Are you okay Ma'am?" she asked"Is he the tenant?" I asked hoping he was not"Yes ma, isn't he dreamy ma'am" Benita answered"Will you please snap out of it" I snapped at her"Sorry ma" I watched as he made his way towards me, and my heart skipped a beat."Claire" he called, his eyes filled with surprise"Hello Jonathan" I greeted back, his eyes held mine, he still looked the same, handsome and alluring as usual, face to face with the man who broke my heart into a million pieces."What are you doing here, are you also here to check it out, it nice, comfortable, and homely" I let him continue with the praises since I barely got any while being with him for six fucking years"No, Jonathan, I own this apartment" I could see the shock in his eyes, and I enjoyed every moment of it"You must be my new tenant," I said sarcasticallyHe stared at me, his eyes expressionless, I knew I hit a spot but it felt good for once."I'm guessing you won't be staying anymore because I live here?" I asked curiously, pleading and begging that his pride get in the way"I won't be, thanks for pitching that out" his voice was cold and hard"Benita please do a refund" I politely asked herI guess he wasn't that desperate for a place anyway, he is fucking rich, and he could stay in a five-star hotel, what the hell is he doing leasing a room, I stared at him in curiosity filled me"Am sorry for wasting your time" Benita apologized, handing him an envelope full of cash"You paid in cash," I asked now deeply curious, this was unlikely of him, paying in cash meant he was hiding or going on a low, I have lived long enough with him to know how he handles things privately without drawing attentionWas that the reason Why he needed to lease a room, was he he hiding or trying to stay lowI could feel his stares at me, "Don't overthink it, Claire, I don't need you in my business" he added, heading towards the elevator"I never said I wanted to" I yelled behind him as he disrespectfully flung his hand in a, "I don't give a fuck manner".Benita stared at me"What?," I asked"I guess am not getting fired then, since you guys know each other" A smile lit up her face"I don't know him, Benita, I refuse to know him" I reminded her angrily, stepping into my apartment***********"Hey Mom" I manage to say"Let me call the girls" she quickly added at the other end of the call.How long will she ignore me, I know she was angry but how long"You can't keep ignoring me forever Mom" I quickly added"I don't know what you are talking about" Her voice was calm and reserved,"Mom please, just stop it" she interrupted me, reminding me the girls were here"Mummy" Tina called"Wait let me guess who is talking, is it Tiara" I teased, I could hear their soft giggling, I missed them even if I had just seen them 5 hours ago"No, you are wrong again, it's Tina" she corrected as I smiled"Oh is it my beautiful Tina" I called out, "where is Tiara" I asked"Tiara, mummy wants to speak with you" she called out to her sister. "Hello mummy"Her voice was so warm and soft, "Why aren't you with Tina," I asked, "Grandma bought us new Barbie dolls" she said happily"Did she? Did you guys say thank you,""Yeah we did," Tina on the line, "and mummy it's not a Barbie doll it's a brat doll" Tina whispered, not wanting Tiara to know cause we all know how sensitive she can beMy attention shifted to the sound of the doorbell, I stood up to answer, unlocking the door, I stared at the figure who stood there"Jonathan" I called out"Mummy, who are you talking to? Who's Jonathan?" I could hear Tina's voice at the other end of the call, I ended the call in a hurry, my eyes still fixed on him"I need your help, Claire""Come in" I calmly invited him in, he looked tired, I promised not to get involved in his business but right now he was starting to make me worry and I hated that feeling"Can I get you some water or something?" I asked waiting for his response."A glass of water will do" he answered, his eyes refusing to meet mine. I stepped into the kitchen, walking back with a glass of cold water."Here you go" I handed it to him, now sitting opposite him as I watched him, drink the water in one full gulp, "what's going on Jonathan, this is unlike you," I asked curiously"What's with the sudden looking for a leased room to stay, are you broke, am sure the media would have picked that up" he remained silent"Thank you for your concern, but am not broke, am in a situation, in which I just need a quiet place to rethink and gather myself" he answered"A hotel suits that description," I said, trying to annoy the hell out of him"A hotel has too many eyes on it, I don't want to draw any more attention" I
(Jonathan pov)Who the hell was he and why was she restless, she quickly pulled my hand away from her waist, her eyes still fixed on him."Matthew, what are you doing here" she asked him"Can I come in, or are you too busy" his voice filled with anger, I could sense it, she glanced nervously at me before letting him in. I could see the history etched on her face, a mixture of vulnerability and fear.Mathew as she called him, with his disheveled appearance and piercing gaze. Exuded an aura of expressive masculine energy.His mere presence seemed to awaken something motionless within her, disturbing the calmness I had grown used to.As he entered the room, his eyes locked onto hers, both filled with longing. It was clear that they had something going on together.I stood there, a silent observer caught in the crossfire of their unspoken feelings. Questions filled my mind, but I chose to remain on the outskirts, an outsider between two love birds."Who is your friend," he asked Claire, s
"What are you doing here" I asked curious"Can we talk," Jonathan asked"In my office" I ushered him as he followed behind, we both stepped into my office. "You can sit anyway," I told him, returning to my desk and paperwork"So about this morning, am sorry, I never knew you both were that close," he said"He's my boyfriend, Jonathan, going around shirtless and sprouting out about being my ex was not part of the terms or what I signed up for" I quickly reminded him."I know, I know, I just don't trust him" My eyes stared at him."You don't trust Matthew and why is that, you barely know him," I asked curiously"I don't need to know him to know he is a good pretender and up to no good," his voice laced with bitterness and concern"Just say you are jealous Jonathan, that would be understandable" I mocked"Jealous?" he scoffed"Yes jealous, cause you know he is better than you in every possible way" I addedJonathan sighed and looked down at the floor. "Fine, I might be jealous," he admit
(Claire's pov) There I sat in the car, trying to get myself, I was still shaken from the whole incident. I rested my head on the steering wheel. I stepped into the apartment, my eyes scanning the entire house, I guess Jonathan must have gone to bed. Heading into the kitchen, I unlocked the refrigerator and took out an orange juice. I stared at it, before pouring it into the glass, I needed Jonathan far away from me, he was ruining my peace and I didn't sign up for this. Lifting my head, Jonathan stood in front of me, his gaze cold, I guess he wasn't asleep, so I ignored him, taking a sip of my juice. "Do you want something," I asked "I never knew you got remarried after the divorce," he asked, his eyes filled with doubts "Well we all had to move on Jonathan," I told him "Was that the reason you wanted a divorce, because you were already cheating on me," he accused "I guess we were both not sincere in our marriage," I said, trying to hide how disappointed I was that he had the
(Claire's POV)It has been two days since Jonathan stormed out of the house in anger, two days of peace, and two days of not dealing with his constant rumbling about Matthew being a two-sided jerk.It was exhausting fighting over the same thing. I know he was worried about me, but he shouldn't.I don't care where he was or what he was doing currently, but I don't need him back in my life, ruining my peace and happiness, all for his selfish reasons.There I sat in my mom's dining hall. The twins had camp to attend, so I quickly dropped them off. I needed a place to relax and cool off. My mom walked in. Her eyes did not leave mine. she took a seat next to me."Let me guess: Jonathan caused another problem," she said I smiled at her as I tried to hide the truth."Mum, Do you think I'm desperate for love?" I asked her, I know I've been through a lot, especially after six years since the divorce, but I deserve happiness.Why do I feel like whenever good things are about to happen to me? Jo
(Jonathan pov)She stood up heading to the kitchen as I watched her. That was intense, I smirk."What was the sound?" I yelled from the living room"A pan, I think it fell off" she answeredI watched her walk back into the living room but this time she headed straight to her room. "Hey" I called but was ignoredI needed to stay far from her, this feeling she kept bringing out of me, was not what I needed right now, I had a lot on my plate.The rumors might have died down but I needed the truth to bring me up to my feet. As much as I wanted to live in this moment try and make things right between us.I can't afford to bring her more pain, and I can't afford to be hurt in the process too.But I know one thing for sure, I wasn't going to let anyone hurt her, not Matthew, only I am capable of inflicting pain on her.That's our curse and fate.(Claire's pov)I must have lost my mind, what was I thinking, I obviously can't sleep here tonight. I picked up my phone and dialed Mia's number."A
(Claire's pov)"What!?" I try to understand what nonsense my mom was saying. "you left them with who?" I ask again" they are with Jonathan" she replied"Mom" I yelledwhy is this woman trying to kill me? "I believe it's time they spend some time together after all he is their father even though they're both clueless about who he is" she explained"Mom how could you leave them with Jonathan what if he tries to find out whose kids they are, mom you know I barely talk about who their father was to them you think Jonathan is not smart enough to figure it out" I told her.My mom was quiet at the other end of the line, I rolled My eyes in annoyance, closing shut My laptop I ended the call and called in Benita" yes ma'am, you called" Benita replied as she stepped into my office"Cancel my meeting with JH Appreal," I told herOkay Ma'am" she answered walking out. "Hello ma'am Mia" Benita greeted shutting the door behind her.I raise my head staring at Mia, Who sat down on the couch, her gaz
(Claire's pov)I managed to pull away, releasing myself from his grip, I stood up, staring at him confused, what the hell just happened?I stared at Tiara and Tina who sat there giggling, their eyes sparkled with excitement.Jonathan leaned in trying to touch me but I slapped his hand away."Tina, Tiara, it's time for bed, Let's head upstairs" I called to them"But we wanted cookies" Tiara whine"I will get you cookies tomorrow, first of all, we need to wash off these flours on your sister" I held firm to their hands dragging them upstairs as they kept whinning.It was a hazel but I was able to put them to sleep, I stared at their innocent faces, a smile curled at the end of my lipsA knock on the door interrupted my thoughts, I stood up heading to the door to unlock it."What do you want" I asked, my tone cold as I stared at him"Are Tina and Tiara in bed already?" he asked concern"Yes they are, is that all" I inquired, getting impatient as I stood there staring at him."They must b