1 Prologue

Prologue: History repeats itself

The Maher Journal.

Selena's POV

"Just pick up! You are not even married yet. Who keeps calling you?" Rocky groaned as she pulled her glasses off placing her head on her left palm.

She was seated opposite to me; we were the only ones in the small office. As the editorial manager, she was definitely entitled to one and I was her assistant.

She's an amazing lady with a beautiful appearance also. She had peach skin which went great with her chocolate brown eyes and a bit over the shoulders straight black hair. Her easygoing and lovable personality was out of this world. From the very first day she chatted with me it felt like we've known each other for decades. She was more of a best friend than a boss.

But right now, she looked like she could murder me with her bare hands.  My boyfriend, Daniel had been calling and my hands were also tired of declining.

Fed up even! This is the hundredth time today and I hadn't picked up once. Nonetheless, he still kept on calling. A disadvantage of having a stubborn boyfriend.

If I do pick up! I'll lose his trust.

Rocky massaged her neck as she looked over to my direction.

"You know who… So stop whining ma'am" I rolled my eyes at her and picked up a file from my table using it as a shield. She could try something crazy.

"Well, if I hear Shakira's voice again, I might pick up for you. There's a mute button for a reason. Jeez! How come your phone hasn't died even" She angrily got up and stretched her hand over the small demarcation, I quickly picked my phone from the table but her hand went into my chocolate bowl instead…

She deceived me!

"Roc—" Before I could protest she had already placed the stolen chocolates in her purse.

"I have to at least have compensation for the psychological and emotional discomfort you caused." She shrugged as she peeled open a wrapper.

"Emotional?" I humphed

"Of course. You keep on making me remember I don't have a boyfriend. That should property be the reason you didn't mute your phone even though there's a mute button" She mimicked the sad face of that of a three year old with her bottom lips extended.

I couldn't help but laugh. "I can get you one. It's just for you to say the word."

"Says the girl who takes relationship advice from me." She pushed her glasses back and retouched her lipstick using her phone as a mirror. Packing her hair into a ponytail, she pressed the naughty strands of hair that refused to stay in place repeatedly till they surrendered.

"I learnt from the best didn't I? And as the saying goes, the student will definitely and absolutely surpass the teacher" I passed her my powder brush.

"Who says that?" She passed it back to me and stood up; her black gown hugged her tightly, showing off her mild body curves.

"I could really get you a nice guy with that look." I whistled as I rowed on my chair with an evil grin on my lips.

"I heard the Chairman's son is coming today. If you can help me get him then my teachings really didn't go to waste" She pressed a bunch of files against her chest and turned to me with a smile.

"Rocky Sawyer, Mrs. Maher's daughter in law. You aim high Rocky" I smiled at her

"How about you come with me?" She asked.

The smile faded away faster than it came "That woman gives me the creeps. I'd rather eat the canteen's dishes for a month… No! A year." I feigned busy as I picked up a file.

"You helped me a lot and you deserve credit. Don't you need the bonus? Your mom's birthday is knocking, no… It's yelling now." She walked over to my desk and spun my chair, her eyes locking with mine.  The staring contest lasted for barely a minute when I broke.

"You always make me feel guilty to have your way." I sighed.

"Do I?" She feigned ignorance

"Yes. Yes you do." I replied to her with the same tone and she exploded with laughter which was really contagious and I followed suit.

We got to the door and I waited for Rocky to knock on the door. Seconds passed and I looked at her in confusion.

'KNOCK' she mouthed.

'You KNOCK,' I mouthed back.

She sighed and looked away, scanning the empty corridor.

I'm just really unfortunate today.

I tapped lightly on her door.

"Come in" Mrs. Maher's voice as firm as always flowed into my ears. I looked at Rocky; she had already put on her fake smile. Breathing in and out, I placed my fake smile on too as I opened the door.

Walking in, I scanned the room habitually. She was the queen of mood swings and her office sometimes described her mood for the day. There was a briefcase beside the guest chair. Someone else is in here. 

Maybe… Mrs. Maher's son.

"I'll be off now. Thank you." Why did his voice sound so familiar? Maybe I'm thinking too much? I must be feeling guilty from all the calls.

"Miss Storm. Miss Jones. What can I do for you?" Mrs. Maher asked and I couldn't help but look back at Rocky, she shouldn't push me to the shark's turf for real this time

"Lena look" Rocky pointed to her other side.

I looked back and my jaw dropped to the floor, my eyes almost popping out. What's he doing here?

I looked slowly at Mrs. Maher, then back at him. Mother? Son? I thought.

"What are you doing here? Is she your … your mother? " I questioned.

He just stared at me in silence and the room got awkward and uncomfortable. Since he didn't answer immediately, I didn't bother to wait a second more and stormed out of the office.

I had no idea what had gotten into me but I didn't care about any consequences at that moment. My body quivered in rage.

Are they really related? Why did he stay quiet?

"Selena slow down." Rocky called out and I stopped. She arrived at my side and locked arms with mine.

"Selena, calm down. I can explain." He arrived in front of me placing his hands on my shoulders. I took a step back causing them to fall and Rocky stood at my front.

"Mrs. Maher is your mother. How long were you going to hide it from us?... Wait! Sorry…. I'm not supposed to be in the middle of this." She pulled me from behind her and we stood side by side. "How long were you going to hide this from her?" She grasped my hand tighter.

"Selena let me explain please." He tried to take my free hand but I took backwards

"Go on." I said. "If you can't make things clear then it's over between us." I looked the other way trying to hold in my tears.

"Let's not make a scene here." He whispered

"There's already a scene. Go on."

"First off why would you think she's my mom?" He shook his head. I slowly looked at Rocky and she looked at me with the same confusion in my eyes and slowly let go of my hand, taking some steps back.

"My parents are divorced, like I told you. And I haven't met my mom in like ten years."

I was mentally prepared for a 'yes' but never expected this answer.

"She's really not you mom? Why did you hesitate to reply earlier?"

"I'm pretty sure I'd recognize my own mother Lena even after ten years.  Also, I was surprised to see you at work instead of an interview. " He put on a grin and grabbed my right arm pulling me closer to him.

The grin turned to a wicked smile and I immediately knew what he had in mind.

"Daniel. We are in the office." I pushed him away and turned around to walk away but then I remembered I lied to him and now I accused him wrongly.

I used the file in my hand to cover my face as I did a 180 degree turn back to his direction. I gestured for him to come closer and whispered into his ear.

"I'm really sorry about today. I promise to give you a proper explanation and apology once we get home. Also … I might be home really late today."

I didn't wait for his reaction or reply and looked around for Rocky but she seems to have disappeared. She must have gone back to the lion's den; Mrs. Maher's office. I scurried off to my small safe haven, my file still covering a side of my face from the slowly dispersing crowd.

Nosy people….

   ****

We have a guest?

I dumped all the groceries on the floor and hurriedly pulled off my broken heels.

"Daniel," I called out a couple of times but there was no response. Leftover dishes and empty cans of beers adorned the living room, causing me to frown.

Is this payback?

Maybe the female shoe in the front door is a prop as well? Childish!

"Daniel," I called out again, picking up some empty cans of beer from the couch.

Thud!

Something dropped on the floor. I trashed the beer cans in a sack and picked up the cause of the sound. It was a lipstick. I knew the brand almost instantly. Rocky had planned to get it yesterday, when we went shopping together.

It wasn't expensive but it wasn't cheap either. I'd actually always try to get samples once I'm in the mall but never dared to buy it. It wasn't a need so it was unnecessary.

I remember telling Daniel about it, did get it for me?

"Daniel!" I called out again and still no response.

I rushed to my purse and fished out my phone. I dialed his number and I could faintly hear a vibration from the couch.

It was his phone. He placed it on silent.

I sighed and gathered his clothes and headed to his bedroom to drop it off.

I got to the front of the room, it wasn't fully locked and I was welcomed with giggling sounds.

Daniel doesn't giggle, so there was definitely a girl in there.

I placed my hand on the handle and was about to barge in when a voice wafted through the cracked door.

"Baby, let's stop here. It's really dark outside. Lena must be coming back now." Daniel moaned. I couldn't help but peep through the small gap. Daniel's back was blocking the woman as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

"What? Are you afraid she'll barge in?" The girl said in annoyance. The voice was familiar but, I had my doubts because the person I thought of would never do this. "You promised to break up with her soon and tell her the truth."

"You are such a princess." Daniel said as he leaned back. His voice was deep and sensuous.

"I want to have you now. Are you going to stop me?" The girl turned Daniel over and placed him in the middle of her thighs as she slowly unbuttoned his shirt.

I finally got a clear view of her face as our eyes locked for a second. I removed my hand from the door causing it to open slightly and the contents in my hand dropped with a loud noise to the ground.

A shocked gasp escaped my mouth and I took staggering steps backwards as I tried to put the pieces together.

Shaking my head, I tried to get rid of the thoughts, rid of what I'd just clearly seen. Maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me?

Was I perhaps hallucinating?

Daniel pushed the door wide open and our eyes locked that very instant. I didn't avoid it. I tried searching for answers. Maybe, just maybe... guilt or remorse.

Nothing.

I slowly turned my gaze towards 'her'.  She was still on the bed with the duvet wrapped around her, her countenance completely stoic and uncaring.

"What's going on?" I finally voiced, after moments of opening and closing my mouth like a fish out of water.

"What do you think is going on?" A smirk grew on her lips.