ROSE'S POV The next day when I wake up, I'm tired, stretching my bones, and feeling like remaining in bed all day, but my phone buzzes uncontrollably. I keep my head buried in the pillow, stretching my hands; my fingers tap the screen and answer the call."Babe, where are you?" Monique. Her voice is loud.I yawn, rubbing my eyes. "Home. Got a day off from college today.""Have you seen the news?" She says, voice urgent. "You are trending on social media right now?" She's panicking."What do you mean trending?" I sit up, putting the call on hold and swiping to social media. I gasp. The news from yesterday has gone viral. My email, messages, and social media platforms are filled with congratulatory messages. "Rose. Are you still there?" Monique calls."Yeah. Oh, this is bad." I jump from the bed. "Desmond's gone too far with this one."A knock on the door startles me. "Rose." Micah calls from outside my room.I throw a robe over my nightwear and rush to open the door.Micah's tired f
ROSE'S POV."I don't know babe. But we have to go back to that registrar and get answers.""I'm really tired Mon." I yawn, resting my head on the steering wheel. "I still have to reach college today. I just hope Desmond stays low because I don't think we can go back there today.""You look stressed.""Maybe it's because I am." I sigh. I don't check the time but professor Sharma hasn't called me yet, I can believe that I'm not late for the preselection rounds. I reverse and angrily drive out.It takes a few turns, stops and the evergreen enterprise comes into view. For the longest time, this place has reminded me of something bitter. Desmond's infedilty. But for the first time, it reminds me opf someone different. Someone I'd give anything to know where he is, and kiss and hold him forever.I must have stared off too long because it takes Monique snapping fingers noisily in my face to get my attention. "Why don't you just call him already?" She leans in on the half open window.."All m
ROSE'S POV"What has Desmond done?" Monique says, frowning at the certificate on my hands. "Married you without your consent? Is this even legal?" Monique is fuming on my behalf."So, this is my copy of the marriage certificate, right?" I ask Evie behind the desk. She nods, looking tensed. "Yes ma'am.""Very well." I put in my back and hurry out with Monique trailing behind me."What are you going to do?" Monique keeps yelling as we hop into the car.I don't respond maybe that's because I don't know what I'm going to do. But I know, I won't call my dad. I won't send a desperate cry of help to Micah. This is my problem, and I'm willing to face it. I press my feet on the throttle and the car comes to life. It slides out with so much force.Monique hits her head against the chair and turns to me. "What the..."Her last words are swallowed by the wind as I hit the road with full force and drive out. I drive straight to Desmond's mansion. I insert my card and the gates ride up for me to e
ROSE'S POV.Marriage registry? Marriage certificate?? Married to who?I sit up properly in bed. Certainly, this must be a mixed up. I never conducted a marriage with anyone so how can they be a marriage certificate? I But I get an auto reply informing me of the registry's working hours and how to book an appointment. Panic working it's best in me, I barely think and send book an appointment. I adjust my nightwear and jump down the bed, they're only two people who will know what to advise me at the moment, Micah and Ryan. I hurry towards Ryan's home and I'm about to know when I remember he's gone. I feel sad all of a sudden. I swipe through my messages and send an additional text to all my unread. I don't know where he is and to worsen things, he's not communicating with me.Micah would not be up by this time and owing to all the works he's been joggling lately, he needs his rest.But the light in the study is already on. That leaves me to one person.I run up the stairs and bust int
ROSE'S POV I push past Elias, not waiting to hear another condemning word from his mouth. I lower my head and cover my mouth, trying to hold back my retort as I rush into my room. I wonder who else has Elias level of suspicion. This is bad. I sink into my bed, holding my knees to my chest. Nobody can ever find out about Ryan and I. No body.My body shakes involuntarily, I stand and begin pacing. Soon, Mom will send a maid to bring me down as it's mandatory ritual that whenever members of the family return from a travel, we all sit and catch up. I really wish I could escape this. It used to be fun when I was five and I didn't have much to worry about. I'm nervously waiting for someone to see my sketch Ryan put in the hallway.The bulk of the day is spent settling in our travellers. While, I keep ignoring Sharma's and not once thinking about going back to the auditorium. After hours preparations, a maid knocks on my door, calling me down for the get together."Welcome. Everyone." I st
ROSE'S POV."Uhm... The family's due to return today." My phone rings; I check. Sharma. "I ditched my election campaign speech today.""So, you're going to come clean and tell your family everything?" She takes more wine."Tell my family what?" I squeeze my face. "Oh no. Are you drunk?""Drunk?" She laughs. "I have a higher alcohol tolerance than this." She adds. "You ditched the election? I had expected you to do it since.""No. Not like I'm out. I just felt suffocated today and needed a break.""But moral ambassador is not for you." She sees my change in expression and adds quickly, moving closer to me. "No. No. Like, you're moral and all, but I think being a college teacher is all that you should be. I'm not saying you shouldn't dream high. But you've got your own, which is drawing. You're an artist; it's high time you changed that dream into a plan.""Girl. Let's not do this." Ryan can bring up my drawing because he knows nothing about it, but not Monique. She knows how 'unholy'—i
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVEROSE'S POVI don't wait for him to say anything more. I grab my bag, get off the floor, brush off my dress, and walk out the door without turning back.I keep telling myself it's over, but somehow I know I'm lying to myself because I've been trying to get rid of Ryan for the past month or so, but it's been to no avail. I slam the door shut, enter my car, and grip the steering wheel with shaking hands as I drive out of the driveway. I try to shift my attention to the activity at the school today. Student ambassador. I'm supposed to want this. But it seems I'm only doing it for my mother. I wonder how she'd react if she knew what I did last night.The moment I pack my car, I jump out, stumbling as I rush down to the pavilion. I bump into someone on my way in. I barely have time to register who it is; I just mumble a sorry and attempt to continue running off."Hey." Professor Sharma blocks my path, grabbing my shoulders.I relax and catch my breath. "I'm sorry I'm la
I stir on my bed, waking up the next morning to severe aches between my thighs. I run my fingers along my clit and wince realizing how sour I am from last night foreplay. I sit up, not sure how to feel about this. Last night I crossed the line, I let Ryan do things to me no man has ever done and I loved it. It was the most exciting, and may I say, satisfying feeling in the world to have a man touch you like he worships you. I turn to his side of the bed that's now empty and inhale his masculine scent, a smile curving my lips.But it's morning now, I can't help but feel a little bad, like I wasn't supposed to let myself feel the way, especially with him. I sit up, wrapping the duvet around my body and wait for the regret. I wait for it but it never comes. My family's due to return today and I had sex with my Step-uncle – oral sex. How will I ever look at my mother in her eyes again. My phone ringing beside me draws me out of my thoughts and back to reality. I answer the call without c
I stir on my bed, waking up the next morning to severe aches between my thighs. I run my fingers along my clit and wince realizing how sour I am from last night foreplay. I sit up, not sure how to feel about this. Last night I crossed the line, I let Ryan do things to me no man has ever done and I loved it. It was the most exciting, and may I say, satisfying feeling in the world to have a man touch you like he worships you. I turn to his side of the bed that's now empty and inhale his masculine scent, a smile curving my lips.But it's morning now, I can't help but feel a little bad, like I wasn't supposed to let myself feel the way, especially with him. I sit up, wrapping the duvet around my body and wait for the regret. I wait for it but it never comes. My family's due to return today and I had sex with my Step-uncle – oral sex. How will I ever look at my mother in her eyes again. My phone ringing beside me draws me out of my thoughts and back to reality. I answer the call without c