Chapter 12
1590 Words
Tracy’s POV
Tracy sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the necklace she’d worn so proudly just the day before. It was beautiful—elegant, delicate, and undeniably expensive. But now, all she saw was a mistake hanging from a gold chain. The memory of Richard’s lips on hers still burned against her skin, her body still tingled with the way his hand had cupped her cheek, the heat in his eyes when he whispered he liked her.
But she had a boyfriend. A man who loved her before any of this—before the mansion, before the luxury, before the chaos of a love triangle.
A soft ding pulled her from her spiraling thoughts.
Ray Video Calling…
Her heart sank a little. Guilt tightened around her chest like a vice. She ran her fingers quickly through her hair, fluffing her Afro bun, and wiped her face before accepting the call.
“Baby,” Ray’s warm voice rang through her speakers.
Tracy forced a small smile. “Hey, love.”
His eyes lit up the moment he saw her. “You loosened your cornrows, finally. I’ve missed seeing your natural hair like this. You look so beautiful.”
“Thanks,” she said softly.
“I’m sending you some money for your upkeep and to get your hair done. I know how particular you are about your styles. Plus, you’ll need some pampering.”
“You don’t have to, Ray…”
“I want to,” he said, his tone gentle but firm. “Taking care of you is something I love doing. You know that.”
Tracy swallowed the guilt rising in her throat. “You’ve always been amazing.”
Ray chuckled, running a hand through his hair. “Of course. You’re mine. It’s my job to take care of you.”
Her heart clenched at that. He’d been there through everything. Supported her, protected her, loved her with a depth that felt unshakable. Even when he moved to South Africa after getting a top position at a major tech firm, their love hadn’t faded.
Ray’s POV
I watched Tracy through the screen, smiling at me with those soft eyes. She was everything I’d ever wanted. From the moment I met her, I was only nineteen and she was sixteen , she became my world. When I got the South African job, I was scared it would pull us apart—but it didn’t. If anything, distance made me want her more.
There’s Tessa from work, she has been a friend ever since I came to South Africa a year ago, I know she wants to be more than friends. Pretty, yes. Persistent, definitely. But not Tracy. Not even close.
I didn’t even see her that way. The only woman I wanted was the one smiling shyly at me through the screen.
She had insisted on working even though I do my best to take care of her. That was Tracy—fiercely independent. But that made me love her more.
I was going to marry her one day. No doubt.
I saw a necklace around her beautiful neck.
I was curious to know when she got it and if she had forgotten to tell me she got a new necklace, my baby tells me everything.
“What’s that on your neck?” I asked, narrowing my eyes slightly.
Tracy froze. “It’s… just a necklace.”
“Where did you get it from?”
She hesitated. That pause was too long.
“It was a gift.”
“From who, Tracy?”
She took a deep breath. “From Richard.”
Silence.
“Richard? Your boss’ son?”
She nodded. “Ray—please. It wasn’t like that. It’s more of a friendly thing.”
My jaw clenched, but I didn’t want to blow up. She looked so scared. So guilty. And it made my heart twist.
“I didn’t know you guys were that close.”
“We’re not. I mean—i was also surprised when I got it. There’s nothing going on babe.”
He exhaled deeply. “You know I trust you, right?”
“I know,” she whispered.
“But don’t let him cross boundaries.”
“I won’t. I promise. I’ll put the necklace away.”
She bit her lip. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
I smiled softly. “I just love you too much to pretend I’m not a little jealous.”
She laughed quietly, eyes misty. “I love you too, Ray.”
After the call ended, Tracy stared at the necklace again, then slowly unclasped it from her neck and placed it carefully into her jewelry case. It felt wrong wearing it. Especially now.
The Next Morning
Breakfast at the mansion was always an elaborate affair. A wide spread was laid out—fresh fruits, hot pastries, steaming yam and egg sauce, pancakes, smoothies, and fresh juice. Tracy joined Mrs. Regina at the long polished dining table, her usual quiet self, smiling when Mrs. Ada greeted her.
“You’re not wearing the necklace today,” Mrs. Ada said in her usual sing-song tone, eyeing her neck. “That thing was fine on you oh. Na so these rich boys dey show love.”
Tracy chuckled nervously. “I just didn’t feel like wearing it today.”
Mrs. Regina looked up briefly. “Which necklace?”
“The one she was wearing yesterday ,” Mrs. Ada replied.
Mrs. Regina looked at Tracy, “why don’t you have it on dear?”
“I didn’t just feel like wearing it ma, am not used to wearing a necklace throughout the whole day.”
“You’re right” she said with a smile, taking a sip of her juice. “Well, it looked nice on you.”
Tracy smiled politely, but her palms were clammy.
Across the room, Richard appeared, dressed in black jeans, a soft grey T-shirt that clung perfectly to his lean muscles, and designer sneakers. He looked relaxed, casual, but as usual, commanding.
He caught her eye briefly, then noticed her bare neck.
His brow arched slightly but he said nothing at the table.
After breakfast, as Tracy began walking out of the dining room, he caught up with her in the hallway.
“You’re not wearing the necklace.”
“I… thought I’d keep it safe today.”
“You don’t like it?”
“I do. I just…”
He tilted his head, reading her like an open book. “You told your boyfriend about it.”
She didn’t respond.
“I figured,” he said with a hint of frustration. “Look, I already told Mom you’re taking the day off.”
She blinked. “What?”
“I’m taking you to that spa I mentioned. The luxury one at Banana Island. I booked a treatment for both of us. You need it.”
“I don’t know, Richard. I feel like it’s too much.”
“It’s just a spa day. You’ve earned it.”
He leaned in a little, voice lower. “And you deserve nice things.”
Tracy hesitated, heart hammering. The memory of the kiss was still fresh. But the way he was looking at her now—soft but sure—made it hard to say no.
“Okay. Just spa, right?”
“Just spa,” he said with a smirk.
Later That Afternoon – Banana Island Spa
The luxury spa was nothing short of breathtaking. The scent of lavender and eucalyptus filled the air. Smooth jazz played softly in the background. The space gleamed with marble floors, glass walls, and gold fixtures.
Tracy was ushered into a private treatment suite while Richard waited in the lounge. She got a full body massage, facials, aromatherapy, and even a scalp treatment.
When she stepped out to meet him after, her skin glowed. Her eyes were brighter. She looked refreshed and stunning.
“Wow,” he said, standing up as she approached. “You look… amazing.”
She laughed softly. “It was good.”
They took a walk by the private water garden connected to the spa. Everything felt calm, quiet. And for a moment, it was just the two of them.
“Thank you, Richard,” she said. “For today.”
“You’re welcome.”
There was a pause.
“I didn’t mean to complicate things,” he said suddenly. “With the necklace. With the kiss.”
Tracy looked away.
“It’s not your fault. I should’ve pulled away.”
“I don’t regret it, though.”
She looked at him, eyes wide.
He shrugged. “I meant what I said, Tracy. I like you. A lot. More than I should.”
Tracy’s chest ached with the weight of it all. She liked him too… and that was the problem.
“I have a boyfriend.”
“I know.”
Silence hung between them.
When they got back to the mansion, the sun was just beginning to dip below the horizon. Tracy excused herself to her room.
She opened her jewelry case and stared at the necklace again.
The emotions swirled inside her like a storm.
She was caught between two incredible men—one who had loved her for years and one who saw her for who she was, even when she didn’t expect him to.
But for now, the only thing she could do was breathe, take each moment as it came… and pray she didn’t break a heart.
- Writer
