TAY8 years later.I massage my forehead as Jordan keeps talking, I have been in this meeting for an hour now and all I want is for it to end and catch a break. Running a company is no joke and I still have no fucking idea why I didn’t hire a CEO and stay at home.“The hotel in Limpopo needs….” A phone rings interrupts Jordan. “I said no fucking phones in the board room!”“Sir, it’s yours.” One speaks.“Oh,” I clear my throat and answer my phone.“Yes?”“Can I speak to Mr.Tay Payne?” a feminine voice requests.“Speaking.”“This is the principle; your son was involved in a fight. I would like to discuss his behaviour with you.”“I will be there in 30 minutes.” I hang up.“Let me know what decision you guys reach, I have somewhere to be.” I grab my car keys and walk out.Noah has been acting out lately and I don’t know what to do with him or what he is going through, is his adolescence stage at 8 years or what. Olivia babies him too much and I think that made him like this. Ten min
“Olivia, we need to discuss something important we’ve been keeping from you.” My mother says in a serious tone. The solemn look on my parents’ faces triggers my nerves as I mentally prepare myself for their next words.“I’m sure you know that we have been working with Payne Corporation for a long time now and that they are one of our few trusted business friends, right?” she asks, more of like confirming. I can only nod my head, confused why she was questioning me about our family’s business relationships.To clear my confusion, My Dad adds, “You are graduating from the University of Johannesburg tomorrow, the Payne family invited us to their house for dinner to celebrate your graduation and pair you up with their oldest son, Tay.” making me even more confused than before.“What do you mean by ‘pairing me up with their son?”“We decided it will be for the best if you marry Tay; it is going to benefit both families,” My Mother says excitedly. I am mentally reluctant to comprehend their
“Olivia, wake up,” a hand shakes me.“Five more minutes.” I pull the sheets over my head. “Sister-in-law?” I jolted awake at the name to find Nate and Andrew in my room.“What the hell are you guys doing here?” I ask, rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. “Hi to you too, I’m good thanks for asking!” I ignore Nate and repeat my question again.“What are you doing here so early in the morning?” I was hoping and planning to sleep the whole day, if possible. Maybe when I woke up, my parents will tell me that the marriagething is all a prank. “Sister-in-law, it’s one-thirty already. Were the dreams that good?” I grab a pillow and chuck it in Nate’s direction, but he ducks down in time and the pillow hits Andrew in the face.“Oh, my God! I am so sorry.” I pull my lower lip between my teeth as Nate laughs his ass off. Andrew glares at Nate and says,“It’s fine. We have to go to the jewelry shop to pick a ring. Tay said he will meet us there.” I quickly make my way to the bathroom and brush my
I lay on the bed looking at the ceiling, thinking about my demons, the ones that haunt me in my dreams. I am thankful for all the drama that happened today because I didn’t have time to think about my horrible memories. 25th of June, the day my innocence got ripped from me. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. Every year, when this time of the year comes—I feel dirty. Today, the 25th of June. I still remember his voice. I don’t think I will ever forget it. The whole reason I started writing; to get everything out of my chest. Everything I wrote in my book ‘Behind Closed Doors’ is based on my life, though people might think its fiction. It’s now the best-selling novel, and people don’t even know my actual name. Only Nora and Shawn know about it, and they also think is fiction. No one else knows the author behind those words. If I wasn’t such a coward, I would have studied English lit at the university, but I didn’t. My mind takes me back to those horrible memories. I was at a
TAYMy brothers and I sat around the dinner table in our parent’s mansion. Mom said she wanted to tell me something important. She clears her throat and we all look at her.“Um Tay? Your father and I have decided that it’s time for you to get married. You are not getting any younger, and I want to see all my children happy before…” I cut her off.“Mom, don't talk like that. You are not going anywhere.” I knew mom was running out of time, but I was in denial about her illness. For the past three years, I have been bringing specialist after specialist for her case. They all say the same damn thing.‘Sorry, Mr. Payne, but there is nothing we can do about your mother’s case anymore.’As if I wanted to hear their apologies. Honestly, I don’t think I will survive another loss of someone close to my heart, not again.“Tay, will you listen to me?” Mom pleas and I nod.“We met with Grace and Joe. The Fergusons last month and they have agreed that as soon as their daughter, Olivia graduates you
The breakfast with Carmen went well. She told me about Tay a little more. Carmen is an exceptional mother. The world could use people like her. It is a shame that bad things happen to good people. Why couldn’t my mother get a brain tumor instead? The world would be better off without her.I don’t see her as my mother anymore, and she doesn’t deserve to be called a mother neither. She never called me ever since I was at the Payne’s. What kind of mother is she? Honestly, I don’t know why I even bother thinking about her.Carmen dropped me off at the house a while ago, so here I am sitting on my bed reading about the Payne family online. Tay is 26 years old and CEO of Payne Corporation. He has received some awards for the best businessman of the year. He had his fair share of relationships, but he settled down when he dated Ria Johnson—and they have been dating for a while now. Ria is 23 years old, and a model. I look at the picture of her and Tay. They look good together. I spot mine an
The week passed by as a blur. I haven’t gone home yet, and I don’t even want to go back, although I miss Nora terribly. I got to know the brothers more; we spend most of the time doing puzzles.I enjoyed spending time with them. Tay is a wonderful cook. You would swear that he went to culinary school. Ria came to visit Tay, but he ignored her the whole day, using work as an excuse. Andrew doesn’t like her so much, so he also made work as an excuse.The brothers are amazing. The love they have for each other is incredible.“Morning,” Nana says, walking to the fridge. I’m in my gym gear and my hair is up in a messy bun.“Morning Nana and see you,” she chuckles, and I walk to the front door. I have been going for runs during the past week. I inhale the fresh air and start running.When I get back from my run, I find the brothers eating breakfast.“Did I tell you, you look sexy when you are all sweaty? Sister-in-law,” Nate compliments and takes a bit of his toast, and I let out a ch
My back is pressed against Tay’s hard build-up chest, his arms wrapped around my torso — I can feel his breath against my neck. After the nightmare I had, he hasn’t left my side. He held me in his arms like I would vanish if he let go. He kept on playing with my hair to calm me down and I gave in to his touch. It was comforting. Never in my life have I ever felt safe like I do right now.I try to move, but his grip tightens. He nuzzles his nose in my hair, and chills run down my spine.“Go to sleep, love,” he whispers in my ear, and Goosebumps cover my body within seconds. I let out a breath and closed my eyes.“I will be here when you wake up.” he kisses me at the back of my head and my eyes burn to sleep.****I open my eyes to find a peaceful, beautiful face asleep. Tay looks handsome sleeping; his hair is messy, covering his angelic face. I push the hair from his face and admire his features for a few seconds. I get out of his grip without waking him up and walk to the bathro