STRIKE ONE

Miriam’s POV

The incident that happened at the wedding still hung in my heart. Williams betrayal, my family's deceit and their unforgivable lies.

I swear on my mother's grave, I will make them regret what they did. And I am going to start by paying Williams by his own coins. 

Climbing out of my bed, I went down to the kitchen area to get something to drink in my night dress.

I grabbed a box of milk and pulled some into my mug. Feeling an itch on my breast, I pulled down the strip of my night dress to take a look at it.

Just then, something fell to the ground and I shot my head up to see my unwanted audience. God, I had completely forgotten that I was no longer living alone and my husband, I could see the horror on his face. He was freaked out.

“Oh my God, I am sorry. I didn't see you there." I rushed over to help him but only caused and mess by tripping on my foot and crashing into him.

“Oh, no, are you alright?" I asked, trying to get up from him but slipped on my flip flops and fell on him again.

“I am so sorry," I apologized.

“Please, don't move..." He groaned and I looked up to see his eyes closed, neck and ears all red.

Identifying the cause, I quickly got up from him feeling embarrassed that I had touched him inappropriately. 

Without thinking twice, I rushed up to my room and dwelled in my embarrassment until I was able to stand by myself. 

‘He felt so big.' I looked at the hand that had touched him and felt my ears burn hot at my thoughts. It was horrifying.

Brushing my cringe thoughts aside, I grabbed my laptop and opened my web store. 

“Kiki, can I get a report on yesterday's sales?" I requested my AI sales assistant.

“Good morning, Miss Miriam. Yesterday's sales report recorded thirty million dollars in your account. There were ten thousand, eight hundred and sixty-nine purchases, Fifty hundred pre-orders and four hundred shipping," she reported, I liked to refer to my AI bot as a human.

That said with the report, I closed my web store report, satisfied with the increased income. 

No one knows this but I am the most sought after entrepreneur in Las Vegas. I kept my identity a secret because I trusted no one not even my crappy ex fiance.

Now that I know my family's true colors, I won't hesitate to bring them to their knees and beg for my forgiveness. I will make them regret what they did to me.

I shut down my laptop and prepared for work. After making sure, Lazar wasn't in the kitchen I made myself a cup of coffee. It'd be awkward for us to stay in one space.

Once I was done, I drove down to the clothing store. Lazar had come to stay with me without taking any of his belongings. 

So I thought of buying him some clothes, shoes and other necessities. 

When I walked into the store, a sales attendant came over to assist me. I thought of having a peaceful shopping but some ladies who had attended Janet's wedding couldn't help but run their mouths.

“Why is she in here? Doesn't she have any shame?" 

“She can't even afford anything here. Why bother shopping?"

“What if she is trying to steal? People like her who were ditched by her own family must have some bad habit no one can stand." 

They ran their mouths, slandering my person without evidence. The attendant who was with them even stepped forward to harass me.

“Excuse me, leave before I call the security. Thieves are not allowed into the store," she rudely addressed me. 

I have had enough of their endless trash, it's about time I put people in their place.

“And who said that I am a thief? Do you know I could sue you for slander and have you lose your job with just a simple phone call," I cautioned and she scoffed.

“Now you are trying to form a big personality. I have seen people like you. Always claiming to be powerful and rich when you are nothing but a cheap thief. Get out before I call the security to throw you out," she barked at me, snatching the purse in my hand.

The girls behind laughed and continued to slender me. 

Riled by their insults, I took out my phone from my purse and dialed the store manager's number.

“Get down here right now or you are fired!" I snapped ending the call abruptly.

“Lets see if you will be able to whine your mouth once you realize who I am. And that includes the two of you behind." I glared at them, infuriated by their disrespectful manners.

The attendant rolled her eyes and waved at a security team to throw me out. 

“Make sure she never steps her foot into this store again. No imposter is allowed in here," she said and returned to her desk where the other girls were.

The security guards approached me following the order of the attendant. 

“Touch me and you will lose your jobs. I have had enough of your insults. If you don't apologize for your rude manners before your manager gets here then have it in mind that you will be blacklisted from having a job for life," I warned the attendant and she scoffed, taking my words for granted.

“Imposters like you just love to daydream. Why the hell will I stoop so low to apologize to a thief like you? Security, get her out of her before she makes us lose our customers." She sized me from head to toe with a cynical smile on her face.

“Miss you have to leave now or we will be forced to drag you out." One of the security men stepped forward, trying to get a hold of me.

“What is going on here?" A familiar low voice grumbled, followed by intimidating footsteps that sent shivers down my spine.

“Lazar? What are you doing here?" I asked, as my husband came to stand by my side. 

He quickly cleared his throat and looked at his partner as if asking him a silent question.

“Um, I...I," he scratched the back of his head.

Seeing he was tongue-tied, his partner stepped forward to speak for him. 

“Good morning, Young Miss. I am the bo—" he cleared his throat. “His security I mean to say. Um, we were just passing by," he said, looking up like there was something on the ceiling.

‘Why does it feel like he is lying to me?' I mumbled in my mind but then it occurred to me that I couldn't reveal my identity to Lazar yet.

Shit, I just called the manager now. 

I grabbed Lazar's hand and matched towards the front door. Later, I will deal with those three. For now, I won't risk my identity with Lazar.

Once we were outside, a man stepped forward to open a black Roll Royce. I looked at Lazar and his face paled like he had seen a ghost.

His secretary quickly stepped forward and offered an explanation.

“This is our CEO's car. He lets Mr. Lazar to ride in it because he is an exceptional employee." 

“Honey," I mistakenly said and he looked at me with a clear surprise. He must think I am a weirdo for calling him that when we barely know each other.

“Your boss must really like you. One day I will pay a visit to your company and thank him properly," I muttered, pretending like I had not used an endearing name for him.

“I don't mind," he suddenly spoke up. 

“Sorry I don't get you."

“I don't mind if you call me honey," he said with a bright smile.