*MALIYAH*I was so happy when Esme informed me that I could prepare dinner tonight.I had hurried off to the kitchen to get started.I opened the cabinets one after the other to see that they were fully stocked with different groceries.What could I cook for him?I’ve never been this excited to cook for someone.I recalled the dish I always loved eating with my parents.One of the numerous dishes my mom had taught me how to make.Creole Gumbo.Though this doesn’t measure up to what he had done to me but perhaps it could lessen how indebted I feel if he enjoys the meal.I got started,following the recipe I had always known and being extra cautious to make sure it comes out well.When it was almost ready,I had a taste and it was delicious.Feeling pleased with myself,I heard his voice in the hallway.I walked out of the kitchen,and towards the living room where he stood speaking with Esme.As soon as Esme saw me,she spun and walked passed me.“Esme just told me that you’re making dinner.”
*MALIYAH*I headed out of the hospital,dejectedly with a cheek that felt like it was on fire.As I stood outside the hospital,I was filled with so many thoughts.What could have…who could have done that to him?I didn’t do it so it meant someone else did.I recalled the watch incident.Someone clearly has it in for me.What could be their purpose?I mean,am I the target or is Ben the target?Afterall,what keeps happening causes more pain to him than to me.I mean,his favorite watch was destroyed and now this.But at the end,I’m meant to take the blame for it.I just can’t understand why this keeps happening.Thinking about how pained he looked at the dining room made me feel so terrible.He was practically struggling to breathe.He didn’t deserve that.And it felt so devastating that he was going to think I did it.What is going to happen now?Was he going to kick me out of his house?The thought of not seeing him again hurt more than it should.I couldn’t bear to leave the hospital.I
*MALIYAH*I placed my hand over my cheek and said.”It’s nothing.”“It’s something,obviously.It’s reddish,not in a good kind.”He snapped.Now he was pissed.“I…em…I bumped my face against something.”“You’re lying.I can see finger marks close to your ear.My grandmother did this,didn’t she?”I swallowed hard.This wouldn’t cause any issue,right?For someone like me to get slapped by Madam Valentina is nothing.I slowly nodded.”But it’s fine.I’m used to it.”He frowned.”Used to it?She…she used to hit you before?”“No…not me but the others.I always tried not to upset her.I guess that’s why she had chosen me for this job because I always got things done and she had nothing to complain about.I don’t know why I keep messing up now.”I let out,sadly.“Does she always have to be so physical?Fuck!”He thundered,startling me.Why was he getting angry?It was my face and I wasn’t angry at Madam Valentina.He pressed a button on the table and just seconds later,a nurse came running in.“Can I get an
*MALIYAH*He placed his hand over his mouth looking shocked.“Maliyah?Grace Orphanage…Mali..”He stuttered.I nodded.”Yes…that’s me.Oh Lonny!”I squealed and we both closed the distance between us,hugging each other tightly.“My God!How long has it been?You’ve grown so much.”He said,disengaging from me.I think the last time I saw him was when I got adopted so that should be almost ten years ago.“I can see you added a few inches.”He teased.I smacked him.”I’m a lot more taller now.”“You’re still called Maliyah,right?”“Yeah,my parents didn’t change my name but I use their last name now.”He shook his head still in disbelief.This felt surreal as well.Alonzo was one of the few older kids back then at the orphanage.Lonny is what we fondly call him.From what I can remember,he was about five or six years older than me.And many of us had been very fond of him back then because he was so nice.He was the big brother we never had and his presence at the orphanage had meant so much to us.“
*BENNETT*A knock sounded on my door.“Come in.”Drew walked in,looking tensed.”I just got a call from Esme.She said Sir Caleb is at the house.”I frowned.”At my house?”Drew nodded.”And he specifically said he had come to see your wife.”Fuck!I should have given Maliyah a heads up about him.If I should head home immediately,it would give him the proof that he wants.I have to act calm about this.“Tell Esme to let us know when he leaves.”“Yes,sir.”With that,he walked off.I brought out my cellphone and gave Maliyah a call but she didn’t pick up.So I sent her a text instead.Me:Do not say anything about the contract to him.She didn’t reply.The message was delivered but wasn’t read.Wasn’t she with her fucking cellphone?Just when will that uncle of mine get off my back?******************MALIYAH*I’m casually having coffee with Ben’s uncle.He seemed like a nice person.He has been telling me stories about how close he was to Ben’s father and how he was more like a father figure f
*BENNETT*Nodding,I walked passed Esme and headed for my study.I still felt so agitated and I badly needed something to calm my nerves.I searched through the drawers in my study and grabbed a pack of cigarette.I took out one of them and lit it up.As I took a drag, I felt my nerves becoming a bit calm.And I was starting to think rationally again.Was that me a while ago?Acting like a wild beast?Recalling how I raised my voice at her and how startled she had been made me winced.What went wrong with me?I don’t think I’ve ever been that upset.I still don’t like that she was like that with the gardener but was that enough to turn me into a angry mess?‘A jealous mess,perhaps.’My subconsciousness mocked.Jealous?Me?Of a gardener?I had no reason to be.‘She looked so happy with him. “My subconscious mind mocked again.I recalled watching them from my car,how she had been laughing and running around with him.Fuck!Was Firing him enough?I should have him jailed!“Jailed.”I murmur
*MALIYAH*That moment ended so quickly when he moved away from me creating a distance between us.“Esme told me you didn’t tell Caleb about the contract.”He looked so calm now as if he hadn’t almost kissed me few seconds ago.Thinking it was best not to dwell on those confusing feelings.I played along as he changed the topic.“Yeah.That man is odd.He said he was like a father figure to you but he sounded mean.”Bennett scoffed.”Father figure,my ass.He wants my company and he would do anything to ruin me.”I blinked.”Woah…that’s…”I don’t even know how to describe.They were relatives.Relatives always got along,right?“Anyway,thanks for covering up for me.”“You’re welcome.”I replied.***************When I got back to my bedroom,I sat on the bed reeling in that brief moment in his study.What did he give me that look?Or was I misinterpreting the look?I mean,look at me,there’s just no way he can be attracted to me.A part of me wanted him to be and another part didn’t want him to be
*MALIYAH*I sat on the balcony trying to distract myself by reading a book but my mind was in turmoil.By the time I got home from taking a walk,Esme had furiously informed me about the latest headline.I can’t believe I was recorded.And I can’t believe I had caused yet another mess.What is wrong with me?It’s high time I accept that it’s a huge deal being Mr Graham’s wife and I practically need to be oozing of pure perfection whenever I’m outside.Just that,I’m not perfect and I don’t know how to be perfect.Hearing the familiar heavy footfall,I looked up to see Ben leaning against the door frame.A shiver of foreboding slithered down my spine.He must be so fed up of me right now.He slowly strode in and I lowered my head thinking of how to apologize for this.“The great waffle eater.”His voice sounded in the air.And he sounded playful?Wasn’t he angry?I stared up at him and he was smiling at me.“So what did you do with the money you won?You didn’t tell me you needed more money.