LOGINMARK“I want you to send a memo to everyone that they are to close up by midday,” I instructed Reyna. “I want them to have time to spend with their families, and of course, the company will be on break for the next two days,” I added.“I am sure everyone is eager for a holiday,” Reyna said with a smile as she took down the note.“Yes, they have all been working all month,” I responded.Reyna was still smiling, and I was beginning to think that she might be smiling for some other reasons.“What’s with the smile on your face?” I asked her.“It’s just that your staff members have been talking about you,” Reyna said lightly.“Oh, really?” I asked, relaxing back into my seat. “I am being gossiped in my own company, isn’t it?” I added.But somehow, I wasn’t upset, or maybe it was because of Reyna’s smile.Somehow, I figured that if it was something bad, she wouldn’t be smiling.“Apparently, you are the CEO and there is no way they wouldn’t talk about you,” Reyna said.I nodded in agreement.
ALEXANoelle called me as early as possible.“Good morning, Alexa,” she said.“I didn’t think you would be up yet,” I responded even though I was excited that she had called.“Well, it’s the last day before the New Year, and Nelson’s family have a lot of things planned out,” Noelle told me.Since Noelle got there, she had been sounding happy and relaxed. As much as I wanted her to come back, she seemed very happy being there, and I just didn’t have the heart to keep pestering her for a return.Or maybe it was because I had Mark now.“Oh, I see,” I simply said.“Do you have anything planned?” Noelle asked me.“You know me, Noelle. I haven’t had anything planned for the New Year in ages,” I said deeply.“And I really wish that you did,” Noelle said sullenly. “I don’t like the fact that you are going to be by yourself and do nothing on New Year day or even the eve. You should have something to look forward to, Alexa. You are going to be a mum soon,” Noelle said, reminding me as though I
MARKAlexa reminded me of the monster I was when we were married, and after she went upstairs, I couldn’t beat myself up enough.If I had known better, I would have treated her better.Even if I hadn’t loved her at that time, I could have been good to her, but what Alexa didn’t know was that I too had been dealing with my own demons.The coma had affected me in ways I couldn’t explain to anyone.The inability to have sex was a major problem for me.For someone who started having sex quite early, spending five years with a wife and a supposed fiancée and being unable to make love to any of them was the most frustrating thing any man could deal with, and worse, I couldn’t talk to anyone about it.The doctor hadn’t been certain that I would ever be able to get an erection until the fourth year.What was I supposed to do?The drive to the hospital was very quiet, and as much as I really wanted to say something, I couldn’t find the right words to say.When we got to the hospital, I felt re
ALEXAMark arrived one hour earlier than the time we were supposed to leave for our doctor’s appointment, and I had just finished eating.“Hi, Mark,” I said with a smile when I opened the door and saw him standing there.Mark seemed more handsome than the last time I saw him.“Slow down, Alexa. You are letting your heart race for him again. You don’t want to end up heartbroken as he always leaves you,” a voice in my head told me.And I tried to shake it off, but at the same time, I also tried to listen to it because Mark had left me broken and hurt more than twice, and till now, I wasn’t even sure that I had gotten over it.“Hi, Alexa,” Mark said with a smile of his own.“You are here early,” I noted, trying to sound casual now.I had to remind myself that we were only going to be parents and nothing more. He would always be my ex-husband, and even if he said he had ended things with Mona, I already knew that Mark was the kind of man who always found himself other women.“Is it wrong?
MARKI spent most of the day having a meeting with some of my business associates and it wasn’t over until some hours later.“We are impressed with how you are handling the project, Mark Ronaldo,” the head of the team said.He had just flown in from a different city with his teammates to have this meeting, and because they were supposed to be flying back, we had to finish up everything we needed to do during the meeting. Anything else that was left could easily be sorted out from a distance and through mails.“We have been working with your company for years, and you have never given us anything short of excellence,” he added.“Regardless, I am glad that you find everything to your liking,” I told him.“Of course, I do,” he said with a smile. “Which is why our company wants to take a different approach,” he added carefully.“What approach is that?” I asked.“We are thinking of starting another project; a bigger one, and of course, with your company,” he said.And that warmed my heart.
IVY“It’s so good to finally hear from you,” I eventually responded.My eyes were still on the door.If Alexa ever found out that I was using her cell phone to speak with my mum, she might kick me out instantly, so I really needed to be careful.If only I had a cell phone of my own, but everything changed when I was forced into the mental home and stripped off everything I had.“Can I speak freely?” I had to ask.She hesitated for a few seconds before saying, “Mm-hmm.”“Isn’t she listening to our conversation?” I asked.“No, she isn’t. We do have some privacy here sometimes, and now that she has seen that I recognize you, she has left me alone,” she answered.“What about the calls being recorded?” I asked warily. “They did that in the mental home,” I added.“This isn’t the mental home,” she reminded me.“I know, but it’s not any different,” I countered calmly.Then we stayed silent for a millisecond again.“Is this your cell number?” She asked.Even from the distance, I could tell her
MARKReyna came into my office when it was time to close and head home.“I know it’s time, Reyna, and you are free to leave,” I told her. “I will also be leaving soon as well. I don’t intend to stay back until late today,” I added.“Alright, sir,” she responded.But she didn’t leave.“Is there some
MARK“Why would you even think of something like that?” I asked Vector, utterly stupefied by his question.“Why wouldn’t you even think of something like that, Mark? You don’t think it’s a possibility?” He asked me.“No, I don’t think it is, and like I said before, it was just a brief kiss on the l
ALEXAFive years ago…I waited for Mark to get dressed for his doctor’s appointment with Doctor Jones. He would never have me in the bedroom when he wanted to get dressed, and he always excused himself whenever I wanted to freshen up.Every time he stepped out, it always broke my heart because deep
MARK“Congratulations again, Mark Ronaldo,” Vector said as he lifted up his cup.I extended mine and our glasses clinked.The court’s verdict went in my favor, and now, I wouldn’t have to worry about my company being taken away from me.“And thanks to Brent as well. He made everything happen,” I sa







