Echoes of yesterday.
Ximena woke up; Margaret and Valerie lay beside her, so she quietly tiptoed out of bed. She checked her phone. No calls, no messages, but she was all over the media.

"Crazy cup!"

"You think money is everything? He’s got taste. Black salt is like honey to you."

"Cheap..."

Each comment felt like a nail hammered into her mind. Her phone dropped onto the couch, and she rubbed her forehead.


Rex was pushed through the crowd toward the podium. He waited for his turn to speak when a tomato landed on him, and another hit his head.

Soon, he smelled worse than a pig. The rain of insults followed. "Cock!"

"Human label."

Their words crushed his spirit. His men hurried him off the stage, but his mind was elsewhere, staring blankly at her contact.

"The strategy is to impress potential buyers while achieving the firm’s goals," Ximena said, addressing the board.

Her elegance was striking, and her confidence unwavering. Theo McDonald’s eyes never left her as she spoke with precision and charm.

The meeting ended in handshakes, but Ximena’s day was far from over. Rex grew grumpier by the day, while Ximena kept herself busy with clubs, food, travel, movies, and work. The brief hours of distraction were enough to keep painful thoughts away.

But the gossip at the company persisted. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment as her assistant followed behind. She stumbled over a rock, catching the attention of Theo McDonald, who immediately grabbed her hand. She froze.

"You look pale," he said softly. "I know a place..."

Her assistant took the files as Theo led her out.

The silence of the amusement park was heavy, and every time Theo’s eyes wandered to her, a smirk played on his lips.

"Wait here, I’ll get us something refreshing," Theo said before walking away. An unknown camera snapped photos from a distance.

Ximena's thoughts twirled, intertwined memories and emotions, until a jolt brought her back to reality, and she stumbled. The date was halfway through, and her smile faded as Theo returned, holding two glasses.

Her phone buzzed: Breaking! Families in tears as Flight Zero Zero Nine crashes into the Atlantic Ocean...

She looked up as Theo placed a drink before her. She stood up and left. He pulled out a diamond bracelet from his pocket, gritting his teeth.

Rex was standing in his office when his assistant rushed in. Her heels clicked loudly with each step.

"Sir, you need to see this," she said, showing him a tablet.

"Where did you find these?" Rex growled, his fists tightening.

He lost his composure again, all over a simple mistake. A mistake that could burn up an entire legacy, but the knowledge of it lingered like a slow-acting poison.

"Sir, you need to calm down," she said gently. "They can’t—"

"Leave!" he barked. She scurried out of the room.

In minutes, his office was a wreck, the destruction mirroring his inner turmoil. Breathing heavily, Rex grabbed his keys and stormed out.

Valerie screamed at the news, the pain inside her turning her frantic. Tears streamed down and sweat-soaked her clothes. She loved him, but love hadn’t kept him alive. She grabbed her shoes and left the mansion.

At a nearby bar, Rex sat nursing a drink. The liquid flickered in his glass after each gulp. Valerie entered, her hair disheveled, shoes in her hand.

She downed three glasses quickly. Rex's vision twirled, but he still found his way to her. Hours later, they were both exhausted.

Aunt Maggie watched the news, her eyes growing red with disbelief. Her phone wouldn’t connect. She paced the room, worried, until Ximena collapsed into her arms.

Rex woke up, both he and Ximena lying on the floor. His head throbbed, but all he could see was the beauty of her peaceful sleep.

Memories flooded back, clothes scattered, loud noises, and the chaos of the previous night. Valerie woke up, her eyes wide with shame.

"What have I done?" she whispered. "This stays between us."

She left for the bathroom, feeling the weight of the memory. Meanwhile, Rex’s mind wandered back to Ximena as reality sank in.

Valerie was walking down the street that morning when a car stopped beside her. Rex rolled down the window.

"I’m heading to your house," he said. "I want to see—"

Valerie hesitated but then opened the door and got in.

---

Aunty Maggie sat in the living room with Ximena. No words were spoken—just thoughts. Valerie entered, looking disheveled. Aunty Maggie blinked and stared.

She walked over and hugged Ximena. "No matter what, just know that I’m sorry! I didn’t know," she whispered. "Sister’s code: twelve-fifteen."

"Twenty-two zero-five," Ximena replied calmly.

Rex entered. Ximena broke from the embrace and dragged him to her room. "What are you doing here?" she demanded.

He stared, then smiled. "True beauty remains, even after a thousand storms and a million waves," he said.

Her palm landed hard on his left cheek. "You think you can walk in and out of my life without consequences?" she snapped. His knees weakened, and he could only stare. "Leave whenever it suits you."

"I nurtured the love, but you cut the branches," she said, standing by the door and gripping the knob.

"Please, let me grow the shoots. The seed is worth the effort."

"The soil is resistant this time..." she said, leaving him behind.


---

Ximena turned her back to the door, searching for something on the shelf. She grabbed a stool to reach higher and balanced on the tips of her toes. Closing her eyes for a moment, she suddenly felt warm hands grip her waist. Her head rested against his thigh. He helped her up, their attraction undeniable.

He softly called her name, and it touched her ear like a gentle breeze, sending shivers down her spine. The door opened, but his hands still held her.

Rex stood at the entrance, his eyes filled with distress and doubt. He held a bouquet of white roses, which fell to the floor as he turned and left.

Ximena gently pushed Theo’s hands away. He smirked, watching her walk to her desk. He left shortly after, and she groaned, shutting her eyes as guilt gnawed at her.

Mike’s footsteps echoed as he entered the room. “Ma’am, they reversed the contract,” he announced. She was indifferent until the words sank in.

“They?” she questioned, and Mike handed her the tablet. “Ma’am, we need that contract,” he reminded her. Ximena shook her head.

“Get us on their appointment list,” she instructed. Mike narrowed his eyes.


---

Aunty Maggie entered Ximena’s room. “Xie!" she called out. Ximena, wrapped in a towel, was facing the mirror.

“Good morning, Aunty Maggie!” she replied cheerfully.

“Blissful morning, sweetheart,” Aunty Maggie said, taking a seat on the couch. "Have you seen Valerie today?"

“I think she went out to the park, garden, or anywhere she can find some peace,” Ximena replied, busying herself with the closet before slipping into a fresh outfit.

“I wouldn’t be truthful if I said I’m not worried, Ximena,” Aunty Maggie admitted.

Ximena walked over and hugged her. “Worry never cures, but love does.”

“Your father’s fine. The last thing we need is to tell him about all of this. Otherwise, it won’t feel like a vacation anymore,” she smiled, trying to reassure her aunt.

“What do we do about Valerie?” Aunty Maggie asked, her voice filled with concern.

“The best thing we can do is get her a therapist. I’ve already informed the best agent, so don’t stress yourself too much,” Ximena replied, grabbing her purse. "I’m headed to work."

Later, Ximena sat at her desk, focused on her screen. She picked up the landline and dialed. “Mike my office.”

Mike arrived shortly after, standing beside the desk. "Would you be upset if you saw another guy with a girl?" he asked cautiously.

“What?” Ximena looked up, confused.

“Ma’am?” Mike blinked, unsure of what to say next.

Ximena waved it off. "What's the insight on the past few hours?" she asked.

Mike exhaled deeply. “Not terrible, but not great either,” he admitted.

Ximena nodded. “Invite the board for a meeting.” She returned her attention to her screen.

Mike reached for the door and paused, turning back. “He loves her and he was jealous.”

Ximena raised an eyebrow, but Mike had already left. She considered his words for a moment. A board meeting sounded like a great idea. A smile crossed her lips.

The meeting hall brimmed with board members, but Ximena’s eyes darted across the room—he wasn’t there. A pang pierced her heart, but she smiled anyway.

“Good day, ladies and gentlemen..."

As the meeting wrapped up, Ximena left at the last second, leaving Mike to handle the handshakes. She slammed her office door shut and sat down, scrolling through her phone. One article caught her eye:

REX WILLIAMS HAS QUITE A TASTE IN WOMEN. BUSINESS TYCOON SPOTTED IN A COMPROMISING POSITION WITH HIS SECRETARY. HER CURVES TURN HEADS!

Ximena's teeth clenched as her anger flared.


---

Rex worked late into the night. After reversing the contract, he knew he had to find another way to reach the top. His thoughts drifted back to her as he worked, remembering the feel of her waist under his hands.

He walked to his secretary's office to tell her she could leave, but the lights were off. Moonlight streamed through the window as soft music began to play.

The lights flickered back on, revealing Ruby in a tight dress. She picked up a glass and playfully sprinkled water on herself, flipping her hair as she approached him. He was enraged, but his lips refused to form words.

She knelt, her palms resting on the floor, her body moving to the music’s rhythm. Her dress left little to the imagination. She turned, spreading herself out, and pressed her body close to him.

Rex jolted, disgusted, and yelled as he broke away. His gaze darted to the door, disappointment etched on his face.
© Chidimma Mirabel Ugwuozo