It was early into the night, and the weather had a warm quality to it. An excited Mimie gazed into the vanity mirror before her. Her dark brown eyes reflected from the mirror and so did her unbelievably hot body. She was so beautiful and this, she knew. She also knew that beauty was power. You just had to be smart in using it to wield that power. A smile appeared on her lips. She was excited. She still couldn’t believe that she would be going on a date with Rio. It was her second chance to make him hers. Her last chance too, she believed. Though the last attempt to converse with him had failed woefully, she was determined to keep pushing. She sauntered to her closet, pulled the doors open and eyes all the dresses lined up. Making a choice, she grabbed a short red dress–something that screamed raunchy. She was intent on impressing Rio. She wanted too to get him to remember that he’d once complimented her singing. It still hurts deeply–his inability to remember it. She shook off the thought. She wouldn't let it spoil her night.
She found a matching lingerie and put it on. She slipped into her red outfit and walked back to the vanity mirror. Examining her look, a look of pride crawled up her face.I look dead gorgeous, she praised.She applied powder on her face and smashed her lips with a ruby red lipstick. She pouted her lips. The mirror revealed that she was all perfect for tonight.It's time to have my way, she expressed.She slipped her feet into a pair of red ankle strap heels and clutched her purse. Swiftly, she headed out of our apartment. Along the street, she flagged down the cab and got into it. And as the cab man drove her to the restaurant, her mind rested on how she’d struggled to get to where she was. She was no beauty without brains. She was highly talented. She’d put in the work in her singing craft even if it meant stepping on other people's toes. And she would put the same energy into snapping up the man of her dreams. Nothing and no one could stop her.In about 30 minutes, the cab came to a hustle. And with eyes on her, the cabman informed her that she had reached her destination. She paid her fare and stepped out of the cab gallantly. She strutted into the restaurant with eyes thrown at her here and there, especially from men. Her eyes searched the restaurant to catch a glimpse of Rio. Finally, she saw him sitting at one of the tables. A small shape formed on her lips. She walked to his table and said hi. He looked up at her but didn't seem fascinated.“Your date is finally here,” she said. The smile was still plastered on her face and was disappointed that he did not reciprocate the smile. She sat down upon realizing he wasn't going to pull a chair back for her. She didn’t blame him for his cold behavior though. She knew he was still going through the death of his wife, Sarah. But she believed she could make him forget her."You look great,” she said, fighting to hide her disappointment. He didn’t turn excited at her compliment. His blue eyes appeared so dull. She wondered if she had picked the right dress. Would he keep up this mood throughout their date? She drew in breath.“Do you now remember me?” she asked softly. "I mean from that concert.” She searched his eyes for answers. "The last time we spoke, you didn't seem to remember who I was.”He nodded in response.“Actually, I was surprised when I saw that I was paired with you. I didn’t think that my blind date would be someone I’ve met before. But examining your picture on my phone, it suddenly came back to me. The concert. I realized I had heard you sing on that day.”She smiled. At least, he remembered.“But on that day, I was just complimenting you for your talent and nothing else. I didn’t um, see you in that intimate light of wanting to have anything sexual with you. I was just taken by your singing talent.”Her heart sank. But she remained calm. She didn’t want him seeing through her emotions. He didn't have to be so harsh about the whole thing. Was he going to brood over his dead wife forever?A waiter came to their table and asked for their orders.“I won't be having anything,” he said.Mimie’s appetite had fizzled out as well. A shadow cast upon their table and she turned to see who it was. To her greatest surprise, it was the same red-haired she’d seen with Rio the last time. His face lit up at the sight of the girl. Mimie wanted her to leave."Hi Rio,” she said. "I saw you from afar and just wanted to say hi.”This was a lie. Anita had been stalking him. He was the key to her success. The lady sitting with him looked so beautiful."I was also hoping to put some publishing questions across to you. But it looks like you're busy.”“No I’m really not,” he said, surprising Mimie. She was totally dumbfounded at his sour attitude towards her. He averted his gaze to her and didn't look the least bit concerned about her feelings.“Thank you for showing up Mimie,” he said. "As I said before, your talent impressed me and nothing more.” He put his hand into his jacket and from his inner pocket, brought out his wallet. He opened it and slipped out some dollar bills. He passed it to Mimie.“That’s for your cab fare. Take care of yourself.”He sprang up from his chair and asked Anita to lead the way. Mimie watched as they both walked away. She scoffed at the sight.Embarrassed, Mimie remained seated at the table alone. She ignored the prying eyes of others around and tried to calm herself. She was utterly short of words. She drove her gaze back to where Rio had sat. And how he’d dismissed her with his unkind words. This was the second time he’d abandoned her for that red-haired girl. Just because she looked at his wife, she was sure. She could feel tears streaking down her cheeks. Silent tears. But she made no vocal sound, picked up her purse and sashayed out of the restaurant. She couldn't let people see how much Rio had gotten to her. She sniffled lightly as she waved down a cab. She got in and held close to herself. Didn't Rio know that nothing could bring Sarah back? He was better off moving on from her.“Are you alright ma’am?” the cab driver pried into her emotions. She looked up at the rear view mirror. His green eyes appeared so worried. The tears on her face must have given her away. She’d been sobbing silently.“I’m alright,” she lied.
Ugggggghhh!!!Mimie screamed as she stamped her feet on the hard surface of the floor. This was something she did whenever she was upset. She was restless. Things were not going according to her plan. In her line of work, confidence and a strong aura was something that came naturally to her. She had always gotten her way with this, and she was used to this pattern. This was how things were meant to be but not this time. She had no idea how else to navigate through this situation."I've never failed and it will not start with Rio!". She made this resolve as she stared at a photo of Rio. The picture was probably taken recently, Rio's hard unsmiling eyes stared at her through the picture. He was everything she wanted in a man."What's the fastest way to get to Rio?" She asked herself.Yes! Mimie smiled as her eyes rested on the second figure in the picture. Rio's two-year old daughter. If she could win over his daughter then he'd naturally come to her."Time to get to work", she smiled a
Rio was smiling all through his drive back home. Anita was truly a different breed. She was funny and they had ended up spending hours talking about her book and similar story plots.He could not remember when last he had felt genuinely free with anyone. Everyone who came around him usually had an ulterior motive, wanting him to help them one way or the other but Anita seemed different.He liked the way he was feeling, nobody has ever made him feel this way since Sarah's death. Rio entered into the house, unaware of all that had transpired in his absence.It was pretty late so he knew Riley would be asleep already. He was anticipating his next meeting with Anita and was unaware of the smile that graced his godly facial features.Rio's mother watched as he entered the house smiling. It had been ages since she saw him smile like that. Not the tight, rehearsed smiles he used during interviews but one that showed he was happy for some reason. She couldn't imagine why but she was happy wit
Anita, came back to the house, threw her bag on the scattered looking bed and as usual made one of those her celebratory dance. She was so into her celebratory mood she didn’t notice when Gracy, her roommate entered the room.“I’m beginning to like this new mood of yours, I don’t get to see the ever worried Anita anymore”.Gracy said as she made way to drop her books on the table.Anita smiled at her response. Her dreams were finally coming to life. She walked towards the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of cold water from the mini fridge they had in their kitchen and in an instant she had gulped everything down her throat.That celebratory dance must have taken a lot from her, she joined Gracy in arranging the scattered looking bed after which they decided what they would be having for dinner.“Lets order take outs! Who's paying?” Gracy asked before she could finish her sentence.“Don’t worry I’ll handle it” Anita said, scrolling through the menu of the online burger store. I’ll be having
Anita was handed over to the police as soon as the policemen arrived. She was still in shock at how the expensive earrings ended up in her purse, and she was not a thief even her parents could vouch for her on this.Anita’s lifestyle was a simple one, she was not a high class lady. She was not a fan of unnecessary attention so she saw no need for those earrings. Many thoughts ran through Anita’s head on their way to the police station.What would her parents think if they got to hear of this?What would Rio think of her? This was messing with the plans she had been working with, One little mistake could cost her all and everything could be blown out especially if her parents come to hear of this.They would not only call, they would show their face and that would mean exposure of the undercover work she was doing to get her books published and become a popular author.They got to the police station and she was pushed out of the van that had picked her up.She was taken to the interrog
The day of the wedding rolls up. Rio cleans and dresses nicely, he had gotten a haircut the previous day. The edges of his hairline were well pronounced, the barber had done a great job on his perfectly molded head.Rio was different from others”. He was a lover of good looks so he carefully took his time in preparing when attending a function. He was a beautiful man perhaps not in the conventional sense, but he had the appearance that could make him stand out in any large gathering.He had a thing for sleeveless shirts that revealed his muscular arms but that wasn't an option for the occasion. Several photographers had caught him on camera in this outfit and taken the liberty of posting the pictures on the internet. The comments that followed were majorly from ladies which had earned him the tag of a playboy.He could pass for a ladies man but Rio was more of a one woman guy. He never fantasized the idea of frolicking with many women.He took out his lime green Tom Ford Suit from his
"I can explain," Rio calmly stated, turning towards Anita, who sat beside him."She's my daughter," he began, his voice filled with a mix of hesitation and regret. "I never mentioned this before because I didn't see the need, and the right opportunity never presented itself," Rio explained, fastening his seatbelt.Anita shook her head, struggling to find the right words to respond."I apologize for not sharing this with you earlier," Rio said, his tone sincere."It's fine," Anita replied, forcing a smile. She had no choice but to accept his apology, even though it complicated her mission."Shall we proceed?" Rio asked, starting the car.Lost in her thoughts, Anita couldn't believe he had a daughter. This caught her completely off guard, and she hadn't prepared for it. She had no idea how to proceed with Rio now that she knew he had a daughter, a charming little girl at that. This unexpected discovery consumed her mind as Rio drove them to the wedding venue.Anita snapped out of her th
Anticipation filled the air as the groom stood patiently in the elegantly adorned church, eagerly awaiting his bride. Rumors circulated that she was momentarily delayed in traffic, causing a slight ripple of concern among the wedding guests.To ease the restlessness among the attendees, the priest discreetly signaled the choir to grace the sanctuary with their melodious voices. As the choir took the stage, their enchanting tunes began to permeate the room, casting a soothing spell over the eager congregation. Two songs gracefully flowed from their lips, captivating the hearts of all who listened.Just as the last note lingered in the air, a momentous shift occurred. A signal from the pastor prompted the choir to transition into a solemn hymn, symbolizing the arrival of the bride. In unison, the entire congregation rose to their feet, joining the choir in their heartfelt chorus, as if offering their voices as a harmonious escort for the imminent arrival.The bride, accompanied by her f