Deceitful Hearts

Chapter 7

Lauretta

It was Saturday morning. I couldn’t believe this was happening after all my work and sacrifice.

“Oh, Dad, how could you allow this witch into my house?” he demanded.

He scoffed. “You mean my house, the one I built with my own sweat and money? How could you be so wicked? I didn’t raise you to act like this.”

I interrupted him before he could continue. “No, please. I’m sorry. It was my fault. I made him angry, and that’s why he’s acting this way,” I pleaded earnestly.

Mr. Desmond left, still angry. We stood staring at each other.

“You! Do you see what you’ve caused?” he asked, pointing at my face. His expression filled with anger as he continued, “You, this slut. I thought you said you loved me?”

“Yes! I mean it. I really do love you. Please forgive me. I know I’ve hurt you, but I promise it won’t happen again, and I—”

“Oh, spare me that nonsense. Should I forgive you?” he sneered, his eyes filled with anger. “Fine, I’ll forgive you.” He threw me to the dirty ground, but thankfully, it didn’t hurt me.

He hovered over me. With a warning tone, he spoke, “If you want peace in this house, you need to learn how to fulfill my mother’s and my siblings’ wishes.”

I swallowed hard, trying to contain my fear. I knew that I had no other choice but to oblige. I took a deep breath and looked up at him, my eyes wide open with fear. “Yes, I will,” I replied.

Outside, nature offered an unexpected gift. Lightning flashed across the sky, creating indescribable patterns. The raindrops fell furiously from the sky.

As I gazed at myself, I touched my long, braided hair, sighed, and cried. I was struggling to get up when his sister Cassandra showed up from nowhere.

“Hello, slave...” she mocked. “You think you can marry my brother just like that? You cheap slut,” she added, making her way towards me. “I was told you are filthy rich and desperate to marry.”

My voice trembled with fear and emotion. “Yes, I love your brother, and I’ll do anything to have him,” I responded.

“I know because I can see how desperate you are,” she uttered, widening her eyes and gritting her teeth. She forced herself to get up. “Out of all the men in the world, why my brother? Why? Tell me, b***h. Why did you choose to force yourself on him?”

As soon as she finished speaking, she splashed a glass of water on my face. “Leave my brother, or else you will live to regret it,” she threatened. “I want you to imprint it in your brain. Leave before you experience what hell means.”

Tears swirled in my eyes, but none fell. As I was lost in thought, my phone rang. I picked it up to know who the caller was. It was my friend Anita.

“Oh, Anita,” I finally spoke, “how are you today?”

“I am fine.”

“Okay, but your voice doesn’t sound okay. What happened? Do you need someone to talk to?” she asked, her tone worried.

“No! Why did you call in the first place?” I snapped, sounding rude.

“Don’t be rude, darling. It is unlike you. What is wrong?”

I chuckled, “Thanks, darling, for always having my back.” I tried to dismiss her question. I didn’t want to tell her what they were doing to me, fearing she might hate Clition more.

“Oh dear, what are friends for? You know I want to see you happy always.”

“Thanks, baby. That’s why I love you,” I said. She sighed, uncertain whether to talk or not.

“Hello, are you there?” she asked, her voice trembling.

“Yes, I am,” I replied absentmindedly.

“You know you can count on me,” she said with concern. I went silent, lost in my thoughts about whether to tell her or not. “Are you there, Laurretta?” Anita’s voice jerked me out of my thoughts.

“Could you believe she called me names?” I finally spoke.

“Who? You mean that monster you adore?” she replied defensively. “I know he has no regard for you, and I warned you, but you never listened. Now you can see the monster in him.”

My face turned black as she struggled to control herself. “Hey! Enough of that. You see the reason I was afraid to talk to you at first. It wasn’t about Clinton.”

“Then who? If not him, no matter who spoke to you carelessly, it’s his fault because he started it,” she yelled, screaming on top of her voice. I could feel her anger on the phone. “What the heck?”

“Anita,” I called out. “It was his sister Cassandra. She called me all sorts of names.”

“You don’t mean it,” she muttered. “Oh dear, I am so sorry. That girl is a spoiled brat, I am sure. I am so sorry; it was a workload; otherwise, I would’ve been there. But don’t worry, this weekend I’ll be there, okay?”

I sighed over the phone. “Alright, I can’t wait. I really need someone to comfort me. It’s been very hard for me here.”

“Alright,” she mumbled, hanging up.

The next morning,

I woke up alone with the same feelings from yesterday. Clinton was on my mind, and I questioned if I was to blame for his anger. Was he upset with me because of his family? Should I try harder to please his family to ensure his happiness? I loved him deeply, and I was sure that he loved me just as much.

As I contemplated how to earn the love and acceptance of the Clinton family, I suddenly felt in the room.

“Hi, darling. How are you?” Clinton asked romantically. I stared at him, surprised. Had he forgiven me? He approached me with a smile.

“I am fine.” I blushed. He held my hand before kissing it. My heart nearly jumped out as he showed me love. He pulled me down from the bed before he wrapped them around my waist, as if inviting me to take the next step. It was intriguing and my heart couldn’t contain the joy I was feeling. It was pure bliss. A beautiful smile slowly spread across my lips.

He pressed his entire body onto mine before whispering inside my earlobe, making me hot. I feel damn hot and crazy for him right now.

“Little wildcat, let’s have some fun,” he whispered as his lips pressed against my neck. He gently caressed my breast, his touch filled with a sense of joy. “Let’s stay here. This is where I want to be, in this moment of pure pleasure.”

His thin, succulent lips pressed against my neck, his breath tickling my ear. I leaned into Clinton’s chest, my hand tightening. Our kiss deepened as his tongue explored my mouth, intensifying the passion between us.