Amanda stared at herself through the mirror in the lobby and couldn't believe what she had done. She was going to see her husband in a few minutes and couldn't express how she felt. She is disgusted by her sight and more disgusted at the man who just wanted out of their room with a triumphant smirk. He quickly peeled her on the cheek which earned him a disgusted scorn from Amanda. “You should be over this at the moment and just live in the moment, enjoying every bit of it with no words uttered or dirty looks and glare exchanged. Let's get you to your husband before he worries himself to death,” he casually said with a dry chuckle. With no other choice than to follow him, she reluctantly tagged along behind him, her walking style was different from earlier, it had become lifeless and without purpose. They got into the car and endured a long, silent drive, Barry tried engaging her in multiple conversations but was given the cold shoulder. Lawton's neighbourhood looked exceptionally b
Amanda tried her hardest to rid herself of the guilt, she couldn't even tell her husband as it ate her throughout the time. She quietly showered, scrubbing the hell out of her body, as if that would scrub off what had happened. She so badly wanted to break down and tell her husband or someone so she could have her sanity. She got fully dressed to start her day… her first day as Barry's employee, she was working as his secretary. She found a cab that drove her to Barry's company, the morning light finding its way to her face as she sat by the window. On getting to the building, she was taken aback a little bit because it superseded what she had in mind concerning the place. She made her way to the receptionist and with the card Barry had given her earlier that day, it pointed out what floor she was on.“You are on the tenth floor and this card will give you access to that part. Once you leave my desk, the entrance by my left has an access control system that leads you to the elevator
All Amanda could think of on her way back from lunch was the advice her friend had just given her.Amanda concluded she had to follow Barry's orders and keep everything to herself."I think she's right, I have to follow his orders," she said to herself while walking towards her office."My sex tape can't be out there," she continued."If it ever comes out, I will be ruined forever, " she added."What will my friends and family say about me, and Lawton, it would ruin it," she added."I don't have a choice, I just follow his orders," Amanda muttered to herself as she walked into the office. She immediately went to her office and sat down, ready to continue, ready to get back to work.Ever since Amanda started working in the office, she had noticed that Barry's secretary was always glaring at her and giving her deadly looks.She didn't think it was anything at first until it got worse. She decided to ignore her, as she didn't know why she was so upset with her.She looked out from her o
"Hi baby," Barry said to her while trying to hold her."You can't hold me like that in public," Amanda said moving slightly away from him."How was work?" Barry asked."It was fine," Amanda said."I'm going home" Amanda added."You can't leave yet, you had a long day let me take you shopping," Barry said, smiling at her."I really appreciate the offer," Amanda said."But, no thanks," she added, before walking towards the office gate.Barry rushed after her and reminded her he still had her sex tape with her and she has to follow his orders without complaining."Get in the car," Barry said, smiling gently at her as if she hadn't just threatened her.Amanda didn't have any choice, she hopped into his car and fastened her seat belt."Where exactly are we going?" Amanda asked."We are going to city mall," Barry responded."I'm going to buy you whatever you what," he said before starting the car.The journey to city mall was quiet as neither of them said anything to each other in the car.
"Could it be Lawton," Amanda said as she walked to the door to check who was there."Who is it?" Amanda asked."It's Barry," The voice responded.Amanda was surprised because he dropped her off a few minutes ago and she watched him drive off."What are you doing here? I thought you left," Amanda said, as she opened the door."Yes I did," Barry replied."So why did you come back?" Amanda said."I came here to see your face," Barry said, smiling warmly at her."But you just dropped me off," Amanda said."I know," Barry said."Can I come in for a drink?" Barry asked."It's not like I have a choice," Amanda replied."Come in," Amanda added."Thank you," Barry said, before walking in and shutting the door.Lawton was at the penthouse with Smithson.Smithson had called Lawton earlier on his way to work to tell him he had gotten a lead from Jack Harper, who was caught loitering around the hospital.Lawton rushed down to the penthouse after he received the call from Smithson.At the penthouse
Frozen, Lawton, and Smithson fixed their gaze on the screen as smoke and fire flooded the radio waves. The picture was grainy, distorted by the extreme heat and debris, but the absolute destruction was clear-cut. The warehouse had become a blazing inferno, devouring everything within its bounds.Something moved within the smoke just as Lawton was ready to speak. At first, it was simply a shadow, a hazy figure drifting among the tumult. But the figure grew more distinct as the smoke started to dissipate. Tall and strong, he wore a black tuxedo that, considering the situation, seemed immaculate. His eyes shone a terrible blue, like twin beacons of evil piercing the haze.Lawton and Smithson stared in shock as the man gently emerged from the flames, uninjured. The sheer absurdity of the sight rendered both of them momentarily mute. They had been sure everyone inside would have perished in the explosion. Jack Harper emerged without a scratch while the flames tore behind him, destroying wh
The restaurant hummed softly with chatter, a pleasant buzz that belied the strain between Amanda and Barry. On their table, candlelight flickering created subtle shadows and accentuated the uneasiness in Amanda's eyes. The weight of Barry's blackmail pressed heavily on her, making it difficult for her to enjoy the dinner or the evening, despite her best attempts to keep calm. Ever the charmer, Barry kept her enthralled with stories of his commercial triumphs, oblivious—or maybe apathetic—to her inner conflict. He leaned back, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched her after completing a particularly grandiose narrative about outmanoeuvring a competitor in a high-stakes transaction."Amanda," he said, his voice shifting from casual to austere, "I've been meaning to talk to you about something important." She tensed just a little, her fingers squeezing around her wine glass."What is it, Barry?"He inhaled deeply and focused sharply. "You are deserving of better than this life with L
Amanda got into her room tired from the activities of the day, She lay on her bed as she reminisced about her conversation with Barry.Amanda was still surprised at Barry's audacity. The man had just told her to divorce her husband."What makes him think he would tell me to divorce my husband and I will listen to him?" Amanda said to herself."Who does he think he is," Amanda continued."Bold of him to think I would leave my husband for him," She added.Tired of thinking about her previous conversation with Barry, Amanda got up from her bed and decided to shower.She was in the bathroom when she heard a knock on the door."I'm coming," she shouted, as she rushed out of the bathroom.She got downstairs and went straight to the door."Who is it?" She asked."It's Lawton," the voice said.Amanda opened the door and Lawton came inside, smiling softly as he saw his wife."How was your day baby?" Lawton said, hugging Amanda."It was fine baby," Amanda replied."Thank you," Amanda continued.