Somewhere in San Francisco
Flora POV
I was lying on the bed with my legs crossed while my whole attention was centered on the book in my hand.
I heard my door room opened, I glanced up from the novel I was reading.
I couldn't hide the frown that crept on my face, and I looked down to my novel again.
“How are you doing, dear?” She asked as she ambled closer, I scoffed lightly.
She sat very close to me on the bed and placed a hand on my leg; yet I didn't spare her a glance. What does she want?
“Flora” She cooed.
I rolled my eyes and tossed the book aside.
“What's it, Mum?” I asked bluntly, and she sighed; bringing her face down.
“Flora, dear, you should know I'm doing all this for you; you…” “What exactly are you doing, Mum?” I butt in, standing on my feet already.
“Haven't you done enough?”
“You handed my hand in marriage at a very tender age, you gave me out at age Twenty, Mum” I chided, and she lifted her face to look at me.“And now, my supposed husband is dead for the past three months and again;I was forced to be a widow for the next six months” I continued with tears welling up in my eyes.
She stands on her feet and come closer to me. The tears were now rolling down my cheeks.
“So, tell me, what exactly are you doing?” I questioned calmly and she slowly held my hand.
“Flora” she called, but I removed my hand from hers. I was not in the mood to listen to her sermons now.
“I'm tired, mum,” I wiped my tears with the back of my palm. “I'm tired of staying indoors and wearing this ridiculous black dresses,” I almost yelled as I pointed at the black long gown I was wearing.
“But you still belong to the Gabriel's dear” she hushed, my expression switched to a quizzical one.
“What do you mean?” I mouthed under my breath. She breathes out heavily before tucking her loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
“Since your ex-husband (Xavier) is dead, you will get married to Ryder his younger brother; the Gabriel's still wants you, Flora” She explained and my eyes bulged.
What?
“Mum, do you know what you are saying?” I asked hoarsely, and she lowered her gaze.
“What have they done to you?” I questioned as I grab her arms. “What on earth did they gave you?!” “Why do you have to trade my happiness with their wants, Mum?” I yelled.
“First was Xavier, and now Ryder?” I shook my head. “For heaven’s sake, I'm Twenty-one mum. I'm tired of this marriage stuff.” I reminded plainly and she sighed.
“Flo…” She was saying again, but I cut in rudely. “You made me drop out of college all because of that marriage and thank goodness, Xavier is dead; I can start my new life afresh. And now, you are telling me I'm getting married to Ryder again!” I rasped.
“Ryder of all men? You know how much I detest him from sight,” I reminded and paused to catch my breath.
“Flora dear, you know I love you” She cupped my cheeks, I chuckled.
Does she love me?
But doesn't love my happiness.“You will have to get married to Ryder, I know what's good for you, Flora” She said in a convinced tone and my heart sank.
I gently withdraw her hands on my cheeks.
“Whether you like it or not, Mum, I'm never getting married to anybody. Ryder or not,” I said sternly and without sparing her one more glance, I slide my feet into my slippers and stormed out of my room.
I stared blankly into space with my arms folded. “Why's she bent on ruining my life?” I mumbled as I made my way to one of the chairs in the court yard.
A little introduction wouldn't be bad.
I'm Flora winters, living with my single mum since a teen. I don't even get to know who my father is, but there's this particular male picture I often see with my mum and each time I tried to say something about it, she cut me off; reasons best known to her.Not only that, but I was forced into early marriage at age twenty which me drop out of school; and all my mum could say to me was that 'she knows the best' She doesn't really care about my happiness yet, she doesn't like to see me in a sad state.
Sincerely, the man I got married to was not a bad guy, he didn't accept the marriage as well, but I guess he was left with no other choice.
But his family is one of a hell family, most especially his mum and his younger brother, Ryder.
Ugh!
Heaven knows I can't stand the sight of him.He's a monster;
who doesn't care about what other things of him.Each time he came to visit his brother, I always tried my possible best to stay clear away from him.
And if I mistakenly bumped into him, that smirk that run across him lips is what I hate most about him.
Gross!I really miss Xavier, even if though we never acted like a real couple; he was one of the best persons in my life.
But no strings attached, pathetic, isn't it?I remember the day he wanted to have his way with me forcefully, but when he saw my tears; he has withdrawn immediately.
May his soul continue to rest in peace.
Until date, his death still seems strange to everyone, even their family doctor couldn't detect the cause of his death.
We only live together for a year; and now he's gone.
I'm not happy about it,, but I guess God doesn't even approve our marriage.
“Ma'am” I felt a light tap on my shoulder and I flinched.
Oh, goodness!
“I'm sorry ma'am, I've been calling you for some minutes now” a maid said with a light now, and I sighed.
I was really lost in thought.
“What's it?” I asked her.
“Lunch is served ma'am” She replied, and I nodded.
“I will join you soon” I told her, and she bow before turning to leave.
Yes… I live lavishly.
Everything is being wrapped around my fingers; even my marriage with Xavier was a blast and for a whole week, our marriage was the talk of the towns.But I do not want all this, I want to explore.
I want to be free from all this craziness.“Gosh!”
I drew in a long breath and stand on my feet.I think I'm starving, I thought as I strode into the dinning room.
Flora POV:The following morningI came out of my room and shut the door behind me.I was walking down the hallway when I saw my mum approaching me; I rolled my eyes and halted my steps.Not only that, but I avoided her throughout since our last conversation yesterday- and I was glad she got the message.“Good morning Flora” she greeted with all smiles as she stood in front of me, but I only nodded and look away from her face.“Ryder is here to see you” she announced as I walked past her, I retreated my steps immediately. “I didn't hear you” I turned to her, she sighed. “For goodness’s sake, Mum; I'm still a widow!” I thundered and she slowly brought her face down.“Why on earth is he here to see me?” I inquired coldly and she lifted her face.“Just to pay you a visit and that's all dear” She replied calmly, I just huffed as I counted
Stella POV:“How have you been, Stella?” Marigold asked, immediately, we both settled down on a settee in the living room.“I'm okay” I replied sweetly, she nodded with a big smile on her lips.“Let me get some refreshments before lunch would be served” I say to her while standing on my feet, she shook her head. “No Stella, those can wait, right now, we need to talk” She said, and I just shrugged before returning to my seat.“What do we need to talk about, Marigold?” I asked her and she adjusted on her seat.“What else Stella? It's about Flora and Ryder,” She said impatiently, my countenance change instantly. “Marigold, don't you think about what people would say? Two brothers got married with same lady? Let's think about it carefully,” I tutored, and she frowned.She half yelled, “What are you saying, Stella?”“People shoul
Zayn POVI honked repeatedly, but the person didn't make an attempt of moving.F**k!Someone really wants to die.I stepped on the brakes and pushed the side door open. “Do you want to die?!” I roared immediately I stepped out of the car.I marched furiously towards the person and to my utmost surprise; It was a lady.A lady dressed in black outfit.“Please I prefer not to die” She said frantically, I huffed. “Then get the f**k out of my way!” I yelled, she cringed a little.“Please help me sir, I need to leave this place,” She begged as she rubbed her palms together. “And who do you think I am? A good Samaritan?” I asked nonchalantly, she slowly looked away from my face and counted her steps backward. Good.I walked back to my car and pulled it open; I glanced towards the lady's direction and breathe out. Furthermore, I shut the
The next morning…Flora POVI flickered my eyes open and my gaze landed on the ceiling.Huh?This is not my room; I thought as I tossed the duvet aside and sluggishly sat up.I looked around the room and everything came replaying in my head.How I had met inked guy.How he had saved me and brought me to his house.I breathe out heavily while I hugged my legs to my chest. This inked doesn't really look so good to me, he looks so dangerous.But I was glad he saved me last night, but I needed to leave as soon as possible.But where will I go?My stomach suddenly grumbled loudly, I looked down at it and realized I haven't had anything since last afternoon.“Hey stomach, food is my least problem for now, so you should behave” I cautioned, while I rubbed it with my right palm.I darted my eyes around the whole room again; it's so beautiful and has many girls stuff in
In the evening…Zayn POVI ambled into the living room with my jacket hung on my shoulder. I was so tired.My eyes travelled toward the stairs and saw lady in black descending the stairs, she halted her steps immediately she spotted me, I scoffed softly before tossing my jacket on a couch, I tucked my hands inside my trouser pocket, without looking away from her face. “You can't possibly stand there forever, can you?” I asked her, with so much sarcasm. She shut her eyes briefly and turned to leave. “And where do you think you are going?” I questioned coldly, she turned to me swiftly. “To the room,” She replied in a low voice. I scoffed.With my hands still in my trouser pocket, I climbed the stairs and got to where she was standing, staring straight into her innocent eyes, she quickly lowered her gaze.“If you're really going to stay with me, then you should get rid of this black dress of yours&rdquo
Flora POVI came out of the bathroom; dripping wet with a white towel wrapped to my chest.I strode to the closet and pulled it open. Furthermore, I placed my hands at akimbo, my eyes searching through the closet for what to wear.I really can't wear the mini dresses, one would only think I'm trying to seduce someone, most especially inked guy.I rolled my eyes when his image popped in my head. So grumpy.But seriously, Flora, aren't you thinking of leaving this place again? I heard my subconscious mind asked and I frowned.Just shut it, will you?Where do you want me to go? Huh! I yelled inwardly.I scanned the whole closet with my hand roaming everywhere.Gosh!His girlfriend doesn't keep decent dresses, does she?I came across a white flowery gown and I smiled broadly.I brought it out and checked it out;it has glitters all over the neck area.It's s
Flora POVI turned on the faucet and rinsed my face repeatedly. After I was done, I lifted my face and stared back at my reflection in the mirror.Jeez!No doubt, one could still tell I'd cried my eyes out. I turned off the faucet and grabbed a white towel to wipe my swollen face.I returned the towel to its rail, I adjusted the dress and stepped out of the bathroom.I really hate this inked guy for making me cry this much; no one has ever made me cry like this, not even when I was forced into early marriage.He asked me to stop wearing my black dress, and now I shouldn't wear the dresses in the closet?What does he want then;to go around naked. I snorted and bent the doorknob.“He's really going to hear it from me” I mumbled and stepped out of the room, I could feel my subconscious mind sneered. Fool.I shut the door behind me and walked through the hallway, hoping I would meet him in the living ro
Marigold POV“You are not helping the matter with your cries, Stella,” I told her, calmly.She scoffed softly and wiped her tears with the hem of her blue blouse.“Then what do you want me to do?” She asked.I sighed and moved closer to her on the long couch. I tucked my hair behind my ear and placed her hand on mine.“Everything will be fine Stella, Flora will be found soon” I assured. She swats my hand away and stood on her feet, boiling with rage. “This is all your fault, Marigold!” She fired, a little frown crept on my face upon hearing that.I also stood on my feet, staring at her.“How is it my fault?” I murmured.“If you had not demanded for her hand in another marriage, she wouldn't have left this house” She barked, I rolled my eyes. “And how's that my fault?” I asked nonchalantly and folded my arms.“If you had not done