Selfish Desire: A Secret to Unbound.

Chapter One: My Today's Life.

“You, this good-for-nothing girl, I have told you to always clean this house.” My head ached as my stepmom yelled; her voice could wake the neighbors whenever she shouts.

I stood up and moved immediately to get a broom. I don't want to be spanked. As I was going, I remembered my mom. “Oh, I miss you, Mom. Your warm embrace, your cuddling and care.” I cried out in the empty room. My face swelled, daydreaming about my beautiful mom. My dad's house used to be a paradise, until that day.The day I will never forget.

When my stepmom, Jessica, married my father. From that day onward became my doom. At first, she pretended to be a kind person; she read bedtime stories to me before I went to bed and made sure my lunchboxwas rich. All she did back then was just deceive my father. Behind the scenes and smiles were just wickedness and vicious intentions.

That day, my stepmom came to pick me up from school. “Rosa stole a classmate's math set.” My teacher reported to my stepmom. Due to the tension, my hands trembled, sweating bullets. My face became pale as I stood close to the door.

Jessica looked at me, her eyes reddened with anger.She voiced out without hearing from me. “You stupid girl, why did you steal it?”

I looked at Jessica without fear in me. “I didn't do it, Mom.” I stood up for myself even if I was framed.

“Who is your mom?” She replied.

Her reply shattered my feelings for her. My chest pounding with a frantic beat. I was disappointed. “Ma'am, she was framed. I saw those girls sneaking the math set into her bag. She didn't do it. They lied.” Benson's voice was firm and bold as he said that.

The other classmates who were still around held their mouths. “Oh, that's bad.” "One of them exclaimed.

Jessica grabbed me like a little chick; she refused to listen to that boy or anyone. “C’mon, enter the car; let’s go home. I will tell your dad about this.” Her eyes were sharp, and she was feeling disappointed at me.

“I can see you have started misbehaving.” She drew my ears as she entered the car.

“This is as a result of bad friends; if I see you close to that Benson again. You will regret ever knowing me.”

Her words were like a sword piercing through my chest.

“But… but I'm innocent.”

“Shut up!” She exhaled and continued driving.

Immediately we arrived home, she didn't even relax. She reported to my dad. “I don't think Rosa can do such.” My dad said, looking at me.

“You should have trusted your daughter.” My dad continued.

“She said she didn't do it. I know she didn't.” His voice was full of anger.

I gently left where I was standing and hugged my dad tight. “Thanks, Dad. Thanks for believing in me.”

I couldn't call Jessica my mom again; I can't go close to her anymore.

Mom died when I was quite young, her face. Her beautiful face makes me cry whenever I stare at her picture. Her smile and the way she dressed elegantly in this picture. I see her image around me all the time. Her image is fading away like a vapor as I'm growing older. “Mom, where are you?” I asked a question no one could respond to.

Years later, Jessica had a daughter. Her name was Nana. She no longer talked to me like a mother and daughter; she treated me like a slave. My dad amazed me; the love between us faded away.I am now a stranger in my dad's house. He showered Nana with love and care and left me alone.

Today, my story has changed.

There was a conference organized by some bigger companies in city A. Lilian asked me to represent the company. “Rosa, I know you are a very good business analyst. I want to represent our company in this conference.” Lilian said gently.

“Really, I was just employed.” I replied, trying to give excuses not to go.

“You must go; please master all the presentations and make sure you do your best.” She said and left the office.

“Okay, I will.” I assured her.

At the conference, I did my presentation, and everyone applauded me. I was overwhelmed, my heart full of excitement. As I was about to sit down, someone gave me a note.

I opened it. “See me after the event.” Mr. Donald Ronald.

After the event we met Donald Ronald, the CEO of Hilly's company. We became friends.

Months later, my phone beeped while I was on my bed. I was wondering, who could that be?

I managed to pick up my phone and checked who sent me a message. “Donald.” I echoed as I stared at my phone.

Hey, I'm coming to pick you up for our date this evening.”

My heart pounding, the CEO of Hilly's company wants me. It is not possible. I smiled like an angel staring at his message.

It is my off day; I was at home all day. It is almost evening as I checked my time. I ran into the bathroom, showered, and was singing like a musician. After bathing, I wore a beautiful gown I just bought and wore a nice perfume. My stiletto was clicking on the floor as I catwalked around my room. The elegant makeup on my face was glittering as I looked at the mirror.

A few minutes later, a car honked outside my apartment. I peeped through the window. “It is Donald.”

I picked up my purse and walked towards the mirror again before I went out.

He looked handsome; I smiled immediately when I saw him relaxing on his white Maybach car. His wear was expensive; it looked customized. His eyes were all over me. My curvy shape and beautiful face.

“Hey.” I echoed, pretending to be normal, but my heartbeatbeats faster than a drum.

“You are beautiful.” He whispered, his voice soft. His look at me was like he should start tearing me up immediately.

With a lighter tone than I expected, I said, “Thanks.” With a smile on my face.

Donald moved like a gentleman and opened the car door for me to enter; I sat like a queen. His car is full of lavender scent.

He drove around the city, and I saw the glamorous streetlights, thinking about my past experiences at my dad's house. Today, I'm sitting beside the love of my life. The CEO of Hilly's company, the second man in city A.

He stopped at an expensive restaurant, and my heart sank. I saw this beautiful place on television one day. The decorations, the building, and the chandelier were perfect.

Donald gave me his arms as we both walked into the restaurant. Everyone stares at me; I didn't feel ashamed, but I could feel the confidence in me.

We were welcomed by the supervisor of the restaurant; he led us to the private section for VIPs. The place was fabulous and entertaining.

He pulled a chair and asked me to sit. With a smile on my face, I sat down. Dragging my gown down a bit. He kept staring at me. We chuckled afterwards.

“You will have to close your eyes.” He insisted on smiling at me.

“Huh, why?”

“Close your eyes.”

“Okay, okay.”

“Surprise, surprise.” He exclaimed.

“Surprise.” I said, raising my brows, looking for the surprise.

“No, no, close your eyes.” He insisted.

I love Donald more when we play together. It made me feel like a baby. The waitress came with a menu book. I was closing my eyes.

“Oh, I'm tired of closing my eyes.” I said, squeezing my face.

“Okay, open your eyes.” He said, holding the menu book. I was almost angry at him, but I liked the way he was teasing me.

“Where is the surprise?”I asked him; he was mute.