HENLEYThe incessant ringing of my phone succeeded in clearing sleep from my eyes and pissing me off. I thought ignoring the calls would make it cease but instead, someone is hell bent on interrupting my sleep.With a groan I turn over to check the time on the ornamental wall clock hanging on the wall far away from the bed. I only got two hours in before this rude awakening and two hours is not enough!I badly need proper sleep and waking up now will only ruin my mood for the day.My phone finally stops ringing and I heave a sigh of relief preparing to force myself back to sleep as there's a lot to do in the morning. As I close my eyelids, my phone begins to ring all over again drawing a loud groan of frustration from me.I might as well answer it.Without bothering to check who was calling me at such an ungodly hou
JASON Today has a feeling to it, there is this feeling in the atmosphere that signifies that something is amiss and the very dominant knowledge that he isn't coming back. There is a particular stillness and calm that is settling all around me which gives off an eerie feeling and makes me feel like I am being watched from behind. I know I'd definitely look and sound crazy if I told mother but it's not an easy feeling to shake off, though I have tried. It might be because all the hustle and bustle that came with Dad's death has finally ceased and is immediately followed by silence so still that even birds aren't chirping as they used to and the breeze is blowing so softly it can barely be felt. It's like the universe is trying to use its own way to tell on me. Suddenly feeling nervous, I unconsciously glance over my shoulder and then get up from the bed to walk to the window whose curtains are drawn shut leaving the room in semi darkness. I part the curtains a little and star
HENLEYA month has passed and I am yet to get used to the fact that I never got the closure I needed before my father passed on. Why is Fate so cruel to me? Maybe Fate decided that there is no need for closure. First, taking my mother away from me and turning my world upside down then taking my Father. Fate, why so cruel?Thirty minutes into this conference and I am already antsy, eager to get the hell out of here and go nowhere in particular. Anywhere apart from here where there is peace and quiet and not people singing your praises because of your financial status. "We'd like to specially welcome the very young Mr Daniels," the host's voice, amplified by the loud speaker brought me back to the present as I met his eyes from across the hall, "thank you for coming," I waved at him as as a way of acknowledgement and everyone else present applauded before he went on to welcome the other dignitaries present. Pulling at my tie carefully so as not to leave it looking rough, I shift s
HENLEY"Wine?" The waiter asked me."No, thank you." I shake my head. My eyes scan the room for any sign of Jason and Karen. He's the fucking host, where is he?"Brother!" Jason called from behind me moments before he slapped my back with his palm. His usual way of greeting. I forced a smile and nodded as I firmly shook his hand. We both know we smile at each other for the public, purely for business reasons. Our family is broken on the inside but no one knows that and we can't afford to let the public see how twisted we all are lest we lose everything. My smile falters as soon as my eyes lock with hers. There she is, standing quietly behind my brother looking like she doesn't belong to this world and is oblivious to the hungry stares that are directed at her. Her lips move upwards in a smile as she walks forward slowly with her right hand stretched towards me for a kiss. "It's good to see you Henley," She said, her whiskey brown eyes focused on mine. I lower my lips slowly
KARENMy heart beats hard in my chest as I walk towards the elevator. I hope Henley will forgive me for leaving him hanging like that. That kiss wasn't meant to happen. I press the button and the doors slide open. He tastes better than I had imagined. Butterflies dance in my stomach as my heart continues to beat hard in my chest as the elevator slowly glides down. What have I done?What if Jason finds out?The elevator dings and the doors slide open and I find Jason on the other side of the doors obviously planning to get in and come look for me. All the blood must have drained from my face because he looked at me puzzled. "Where have you been?" He questions me. "Upstairs," I say and get off on shaky feet. I hope he doesn't observe how shaky I am. "Doing what?""Helping your brother."I say simply meeting his eyes. Twitchy eyes always looked guilty to him. "Why would my brother want your help?" He scoffed. I want to snap at him and tell him that I'm capable of doing thing
KARENMy eyes open suddenly to meet cool brown eyes staring down at me with no emotion in them whatsoever. "You just had to ruin my dinner didn't you?" Jason said coldly. I give him a puzzled look."What did I do?""You've lost your memory too huh?" My heart goes to my mouth as images of Henley and I kissing flash through my mind. He's found out. I think in fear of all the lies I can wiggle out."You're all over the news too," He goes on and taps his phone screen. My lips have suddenly gone dry, I run my tongue over them. "What do you mean?" I ask politely. He shoves his phone in my face and it takes a moment for my eyes to focus. JASON DANIELS' BRIDE TO BE FAINTS AT DINNER HELD IN THEIR MULTIMILLION DOLLAR VILLA.The headline stated in capital letters.I sigh immediately as the cool breeze of relief washes over me. He doesn't know I kissed his brother. "Oh," Memories of the previous night begin to fill my head as I remember everything. I passed out from shock. "Bride to
KAREN"If anyone asks why you passed out, say it's because of the food. Don't embarrass me." Jason says coldly as he leads me into the five star restaurant which is possibly owned by his family. And by anyone he means reporters. I'm not going to hear the end of this for a very long time. He'll keep letting me know that I embarrassed him by passing out on the night he decided to pity me and propose finally. I turn my head to the side and roll my eyes. Like I even wanted him to propose. I don't want to marry Jason and I have to find a way to call off the engagement. It wasn't part of the arrangement. The huge chandeliers twinkle beautifully as we walk into the lobby, immediately a man dressed in a crisply ironed black suit walks quickly towards us with hands outstretched and a big smile plastered on his face. "Mr Daniels!" He said quite brightly with a bow. Yup.They own this restaurant. "The soon to be Mrs Daniels," He bows and smiles at me. I almost want to correct him that
JASONWhere the fuck is she? My eyes scan the restaurant for any sign of her, and yet nothing. Her mother catches me staring and offers a reassuring smile with a pat on the hand. "She's having pre-wedding jitters and it's affecting her bowels. She should be out soon." Mrs Beth says to me. Like I give a fuck if she's taking a shit. I give her my winning smile and nod my head. I just hope she's not out there granting an interview to some nosy reporter about how she never got a proper proposal from me. She doesn't know how to keep her mouth shut. Can anyone be more ungrateful?Her parents jumped at the idea with both feet without a thought when I made my intentions known and she's demanding a proper proposal. For what?She's not even my type. She's too skinny for me and I am doing her a huge favour by choosing to marry her – and her entire family too –Yet she dares question me in the eyes of the public. God! I hate her right now. I stare up ahead ready to storm into the ladi