ANISSA

It didn't take long to contact my lawyer, Kate Lewis, she was my close friend. For the first time I would be asking her for her legal assistance, I only had her as a friend, never thought I was going to need her help with divorce one day. I'd believed I settled down with a good and faithful man.

She didn't take long to respond to the call. When the call timer popped up on the screen, I quickly took the phone to my ear. “Hello Katy,” I teased as I usually do but this time around I wasn't planning to spend more time on pleasantries.

“Babe, what's up?” She asked.

“I need your help,” I quickly said to cut out unwarranted pleasantries. “With my marriage. I want a divorce.”

The air fell into an awkward silence. I knew what Katy would be thinking, she has always known Davis and I to be one loving couple, one she always looked up to in perpetual adoration and even wished hers would be like that when she marries. For the seven months of my marriage with Davis, I haven't made any complaints to her about Davis, so speaking of divorce now rendered her speechless.

“What's really wrong?” She asked after several minutes of silence.

“I think it's not something to talk over the phone, you and I need to meet. Are you in the office? I'm coming to meet you.”

“No, you're consulting me as a close friend. I should be the one coming to your home to attend to you or you want to take him by surprise?”

“No, I'm not at home but in my–” My voice cut as I sensed someone's presence. Someone might have been eavesdropping, it will be none other than Mira. I turned my head to see her, I immediately changed course of words.

“--In my new boss’ house, it's not convenient, so I'll be meeting you in the next one hour. There I'll say everything to you.” I concluded.

“Okay,” Katy uttered before I cut the call. I stood up from the couch, walking straight to my room, ignoring Mira. With the stern face I kept, she couldn't ask me anything. Leon was gone to work, I only had to text him that I was going to meet my lawyer. There's no one who didn't know of Kate here in the States, she's one of the most talented family and divorce lawyers.

When I arrived at her office which was a forty-minute drive, it was time to sit down and say all I'd wanted to say which I couldn't say in Leon's side.

Katy fell back to her seat, mouth wide open. Her eyes balled out, like they would drop to the ground. “This is really ridiculous, you mean he's been cheating on you with a woman he hired as a nanny and you didn't know?”

“Yes–”

“You know what? This is the first step to hold him.” She sat up. I leaned towards her.

“What?”

“I'm pretty sure there's a CCTV camera in your house and it comes with an extra audio recorder?”

“Yes, although I haven't checked it in a long time. There was no reason for me to check it.”

Katy nodded. “Go back to the house and retrieve it, you could go with some officers if you suspect he might attack you or try to stop you.”

“Sure, let me do that.” I sprang up, adrenaline roaming all over me. I needed evidence on this. Imagine getting angry and leaving without even picking my phone, it's with Leon’s second phone I logged into my Facebook to call Katy.

On my way heading back to the estate, I stopped at the cops headquarters to pick up some officers who escorted me to the house. It was my first time returning since yesterday. The moment Davis and Nancy set eyes on me with officers, they ran inside from the verandah thinking I'm there to get them arrested but I knew what I was here for and went straight to it.

Three of the officers grabbed them and got them stationed in the drawing room so they didn't get a clue of what we're up to.

I finished with what I came to do, passed to my room to pick my phone before heading back with the officers. “I'll come back for you,” was the only thing I said before returning back to Katy with the evidence.

Davis was just sitting one day when I entered with a court summon. “You and Nancy are invited to the District High Court.” I passed on the summon to him without looking at him. He slowly rose up, jaw dropped. Nancy emerged with fright from the inner room grabbing her baby tight. I ignored them both.

“You think I'll pity you because of your baby?” I sneered. “That's not gonna happen. I'll pity only the baby.”

With everything set, the case kickstarts in court. The moment my lawyer, Katy Lewis walked in, everyone knew it wasn't gonna be any better for the accused. I'd already told Katy that I didn't want this to be a prolonged case, since we did court marriage, the marriage should be ended.

Davis and Nancy were doomed.

“What of alimony, is he paying anything? How do you want him to get punished?” Katy asked during the court recess.

“What if I ask him to give me all of his salary or almost all of it, he might later investigate finding out that I also cheated on him and it will be fifty-fifty.”

“He can never find out because there's no evidence, only you and Leon know of this, right?” I nodded. “Besides, even the court would forgive you because it wasn't premeditated and intentional. You weren't in your right senses.”

“Yahh, I felt so bad and miserable with my life that I resorted to that.”

“Still, don't let anyone know outside of Leon and I.” I nodded.

My heart beat with eager longings, time was running slowly, I couldn't wait for the judge to give her verdict. My mind had galloped, thinking of my new love, Leon. I was getting much obsessed and couldn't even concentrate until my name rang in my ear and Katy tapped me.

I sprang up immediately. “I'm sorry, my lord.” I bowed.

“How much percentage of Davis’ income do you want monthly as alimony. We realized he's a monthly worker.” To this, I paused. Some other thought came to mind, I turned slowly glaring at him, his eyes had all gone pale, then to Nancy who was standing beside him with her baby. Katy and everyone were watching me.

My lips curled into a sinister grin. Doom was calling.

“My lord, may I make a special suggestion?” I

asked. Even though I wasn't a lawyer, I'd attended similar cases like this in the past, heard conversations from my friend, Katy, and likewise read law journals. I could make my own special request.

“Yes, go on.” The judge permitted.

“Thank you, my lord. Since both of them deliberately cheated on me together after our marriage, then they must pay.”

“I will take care of the little girl but as for both of them, I want them out of my house first of all, then the alimony coming in every month from both of them.”

“But Nancy ceases to work for you as a nanny?” The judge asked.

To this my lawyer raised her hand, she was permitted to respond in my place. “If she thought well regarding her condition, she shouldn't have done something which could result in a legal case. Right now, she's guilty and has to comply or face prison terms. Both of them.”

Silence took over the entire courtroom, then the judge replied with a “Done.”

Nancy fell to the ground with a loud cry with her toddler almost getting injured. My maternal instinct would not let me watch this without doing something. I rushed to her, taking the baby away from her.

I left the court with my lawyer and my stepdaughter, a very happy person knowing I was free from the clutches of a manipulative and unfaithful husband. Now I was free to be with Leon.

“You can't declare your relationship so soon. He might appeal.” Katy, knowing my joy, cautioned.

“I can't even do that with Mira still existing in his life,” I replied. “But not even her can stop us.” I smiled wickedly. Katy was curious.

“Why?”

“She doesn't want to have kids but Leon needs kids. You see!” I happily swayed my hands. “Such a relationship wouldn't work in the long term. For the meantime, he has asked me to keep it a secret.”

Katy smiled, patting my back.

The court sent some officials to kick Davis out of my house, of which I built with my money and he came to live in it after our marriage. Katy and I stood to watch, grinning with delight while tears soaked in their eyes. Davis and Nancy looked more pitiful than anything I could ever imagine but there was no single iota of empathy in me for them.

“You both deserve this,” I mocked them openly. “Get the hell out of my house.”

“Don't think it's over, I still have a very nice job. I'll go over to live in my boss’ mansion. He will welcome me dearly.” Davis snapped back at me in retaliation to which I burst out laughing so hard.

I was about to say something next when Katy grabbed my wrist firmly. I turned to her and she winked. Don't say it yet was what I could detect from her action.

While relating with her, Davis snatched his daughter from my hands. “How can I trust you if you could do this to me?” He handed her over to Nancy. “You will surely relay your anger on her and I wouldn't watch that happen.”

I stormed at Nancy in an attempt to take the little girl back but Katy stopped me, she grabbed my waist. “Let them.”

I retreated, hissing at him. “Aren't you ashamed to be living with your boss?”

“He doesn't even know what's going on? Just return back to Leon and get to know when he's coming to live there,” Katy whispered into my ear.

“I'll ask him to decline his request, he will surely end up in the streets.”

“For now, keep it a secret. The day he knows he'll be in for a double regret.”

I grinned at Katy. Her words surely made my day. My heart beat for that day, I would surely go back there urging Leon to delay his coming to the estate. I must defeat Mira first of all. Then he will return as my servant, he will be doomed working under his boss’ wife.

ANISSA

Living and working under a mistress who doesn't even want you any close to her man would be a living hell, nobody needed to tell me that. From her response, I knew that this woman was in for no good. She suspected I was going to snatch her man away from her.

The job now made more sense to me, the pay was unique, there's no escort job in the whole city which would pay me such an amount but all in all, my intention was Leon, my love interest. Reason why I returned here quickly the same day Davis packed out of my house, I should have relaxed in my own house, enjoying my freedom but I wanted to see Leon every blessed day. I'd already notified him of the court's verdict and Davis’ intention to come stay with him.

“I'll delay him till about a month's time,” he said, throwing back suspense at me.

“I'll be going out now, make sure to escort my fiance to Chanel to shop for what she will wear for this evening's dinner. We have a business gala night. A lot of my high-ranking business tycoon friends will be in attendance for the business meeting.”

I almost asked what I was going to wear too. This would have given Mira more reason to suspect we have something going on besides my work.

“What will be my uniform or I'm gonna wear this mufti?” I put it in another way less suspicious. Leon should get my message. I was asking him what to wear as well as the girl he likes. He should also take care of me.

Putting his hand into his pocket, he withdrew a black card handing it over to Mira. “Please make sure my escort gets some nice pair of black suit with shoes suitable for her work,” he gave to Mira.

My face fell. I already knew it's not gonna work, first of all Mira is jealous of me. She might not get anything for me, still I couldn't say a word.

Leon left while I was left with his jealous Mira. “You should be working for me and not my husband.” She began to grumble as she walked inside of the house.

I said nothing.

“Tell me the truth about how you met Leon. I need no lies.” She raised her voice at me as she swiftly turned, blocking the way. I came to an abrupt stop, my eyes lingered on her without any motion.

“We met at the club, he was drugged. I had to save him from disgrace because he was all alone, feeling unwell.”

“So where did you guys spend the night, together?”

I smirked, looking away. “Sorry ma’am but I'm his escort, not yours.” I smiled. “I'm not under any obligation to answer questions like this, you could ask him yourself. He's your fiance and wouldn't hide anything from you but I'm bound by my work contract,” I lied.

“What the hell? You're so rude. Do you know I can stop you from working here?”

“I really didn't want to,” I replied with a cool demeanor, my emotions unpredictable. “But he begged me knowing that my working with him will bring great advantage to him! So see, I don't really gain as much as him. Many employers would want someone like me.”

My lips exuded such a powerful voice, speaking with so much confidence that Mira looked at me, confused and stunned at the same time. Next, she turned around. “Follow me,” she muttered. I grinned slightly, a brief one.

From the dinning where I ate my brunch, we left for Chanel. Leon had not yet returned, so I was going to escort his fiancee.

Worst agony ever. Knowing that you're second place.

I went with Mira to assist her shop for what to wear, though I wasn't a designer, I wasn't totally useless in the aspect of helping her choose the perfect dress for her. She took out a creamy colored, long, sexy gown with a high slight and pearls on the body. It was quite beautiful.

“Take this,” she handed over to me and we went next to the shoe session, from then to the bag and other accessories. While I was watching, I couldn't find her talking about my dress. I said nothing. We went over to the cashier to get the cost of everything.

“One hundred and thirty thousand dollars,” the young woman called from the computer upon calculating everything.

“Should I remind her of my outfit?” I thought and thought but a voice sailed in, I guess my new wolf, discouraging me.

“Since she has chosen to pretend to forget, also acts the same. Remind Leon rather.” I thought this to be a good idea, so I followed her back to the car. Should Leon return to ask, she's going to be the one looking bad, not myself, so I pretended to forget as well.

Leon didn't really do much to her. He knew she was jealous and he also knew that scolding her for pretending to forget would only make matters worse for me. I understood.

Things kept on this way for the next month and half. I mostly assisted her because Leon was always busy at the office. I tried to stay out of trouble with her and ignored her anytime she brought one.

One day, I was escorting her to buy dresses as that was what she always did with her fiance’s money every chance she got. After purchasing the dresses, ignoring me as usual, I followed her back to the car. That was when my head began to turn and my stomach began to rumple. I was slowly losing my energy, my strength and felt like I was going to collapse.

“What's going on?” Mira who observed growled but I shook my head, waving my hand for her not to worry. I tried to hold myself a bit until we got to the estate but it was getting worse.

“Are you hungry? I thought you ate before we left?”

I couldn't say a word, my lips were shut tight as I felt like throwing up. My mind began to flash back to what I hate. I still shook my head in horror.

“This can't be the reason I'm feeling this,” I muttered within myself. I had to excuse myself from future duties to book an appointment with the doctor. Under a special appointment sponsored by my boss and lover, he came over to the estate to attend to me.

I heard it from the bed where it sounded like I was in a trance. Leon, who was already dressed up and prepared to leave with his fiancee, couldn't, he sat by the bedside, switching his gaze between his phone and myself.

I opened my eyes to catch up with this, Mira stood over, crossing her arms over her chest while staring at us with jealousy.

“Don't worry Leon, you can go. I'll escort you on your next outing.” I was confident since I heard that the doctor was arriving soon.

They left not many minutes after I urged Leon and it wasn't long when the doctor arrived, a young, pretty woman. She carried a smiley face, merely seeing her disposition before talking to me, I was thrilled.

“Hello, I'm Dr. Pat.” She said, bringing out her test kits.

“I'm Anissa.” I managed to say.

“So straight to the point, your boss called me to test, then attend to you. Are you sick,” she placed the back of her palm on my neck, then forehead.

“So hot.”

“It started all of a sudden upon returning from shopping, I had no underlying ailment.” I explained. “Right now I'm weak and faint, feeling so uncomfortable.”

“Let's run an all-round test.” Pat suggested and I nodded, right inside of me, I was praying for the illness to go away. It wasn't a good sign starting my first day of work with an illness.

She began with the test. From one to the other, she ended up with literally all the test, forwarded it to the clinic which was close by.

“In an hour, all that we've taken will be ready.”

This one hour seemed like forever. I laid in the bed pondering over my fate. If I can't get up after today, will Leon still take me as his bodyguard? Even though I wasn't so happy being his second woman at the moment, at least I stand to gain these two things: seeing him everyday and getting this handsome pay. Who would dare to throw away such a privilege. Who knows if by seeing him and relating with him, I'll one day get to be his main woman, especially as Mira has a big flaw. She doesn't want kids but Leon wants to be a daddy so much and I want kids.

There's hope!

Before I knew, it was an hour and the doctor was coming towards me with a file in hand. I managed to sit up. We did many tests, why one file or are all the test results summed up here?

She beamed with a smile and I was wondering what's going on.

“Congratulations Anissa, you're pregnant.”

I froze.

“I am–” The words left my mouth as my voice ceased. I sprang up, right away the sickness left me. I didn't know if to laugh or to cry, if to worry or be excited.

ANISSA

“You should be so excited.” Dr. Pat urged.

If only she knew the circumstances in which I'm pregnant, then she wouldn't say this. How am I going to relay this to my boss that he got me pregnant when he's yet to do away with Mira and I'm still his escort? What will be his reaction, what will Mira do? Even if I was to hide, how long would I hide? Our secret now will be exposed and Mira will know that I'm not really an escort as I claim to be.

“You're pregnant for your crush and you're worried?” I heard a little voice scold from within me. “Who knows if this is one reason he'll get to marry you, to avoid scandal.”

I sighed, delving deep into this. One thing led to us working as boss and escort, and now another thing had come up. Could this pregnancy lead to marriage?

I forced a smile before the doctor, she didn't need to know the inner turmoil I was going through. Secondly, it's sure that I'll be losing my job and this huge pay should Leon not be ready to be a father now. He wanted kids but I couldn't tell if he wanted them so soon. I shook my head but when the doctor turned, I pretended to be smiling.

“Oh God, please help me!” I prayed silently. Now I had to convince Leon to keep me. I wanted him in my life but will this be possible?

Anyways, I had to wait till he returned to break the news to him. I was so eager to seek revenge that I didn't remember to use protection, I even asked him to release inside of me. While waiting for him, I picked up my phone and began to check what's happening on the media.

Leon returned late at night when I was already asleep, the pregnancy result lying beside me on the bed. I woke up in the middle of the night to see touches being pointed at me, I slowly opened my eyes and he was sitting beside me, going through the file.

I snatched it quickly from him, lifting my eyes to watch his reaction. I was scared of his reaction. When I realized Mira was there, I felt like the ground should open up and swallow me.

“Who are you pregnant for, Anissa?” The question came from her and my lips began to quaver. I looked away, imagining what to say. I could feel their burning gazes scorching on me. Mira particularly seemed to burn me to pieces.

She suspected me, I could tell from her gaze. Mira stormed towards me ready to pounce on me when I didn't reply but Leon stood in her way.

“Don't touch her, Mira.” He stopped her.

“Why are you treating your escort as you claimed so special? Is that what she was trained for as your bodyguard?”

“Or she's more to you? Is there anything you're hiding from me?”

I knew what she was trying to do, getting words from Leon’s mouth but he knew too well to remain silent.

Mira scolded, yelled, cried and threatened all through the night that I was afraid other occupants of the estate would hear. Leon was trying to keep her calm but she wouldn't listen.

“If you don't ask her to abort the baby as I believe it's yours, or kick her out of this estate, I'll report you to your uncle. A bigger scandal is loading.”

“Huhh?” Leon cocked his head, staring at his fiance with disbelief. “Would you dare do that? You, that's bluntly refusing to give me kids should we marry, have I reported you to anyone?”

Even I myself was surprised but since she was his fiancee, I couldn't say a word but left Leon to deal with her. He's my love interest after all, I wouldn't be really guilty should others get to hear of this. Who will stay with a woman who doesn't want kids, especially when building a family is one major wish.”

“Okay, since I'm responsible for this pregnancy,” he said, shocking me. “I will ask her to be my surrogate for two years, then we will get divorced.” He suddenly decided, sending thunder strikes through my nerves. I cocked my head, staring at him with utmost shock.

“Are you being serious? After you assisted me to divorce my husband, you want to use me and dump me?”

“It's my final verdict.” He growled but something in his eyes told me it wasn't his final decision, he just wanted to appease Mira.

“I wouldn't let any other woman come into this estate, I wouldn't let any other woman come close to you.” Mira vowed.

Leon paused, looking at her. The way I see it, he was trying to keep me but Mira was the challenge. I was praying deep within me. I didn't buy the idea of him divorcing me after two years, but even if this was the case, I will prove the most capable wife to make him change his mind and keep me.

“Anissa, l will reward you handsomely as my surrogate, you wouldn't regret knowing me.” Leon assured me but I looked away, this wasn't my dream. I had more in mind but it seemed like they weren't going to come true.

“You shouldn't even be keeping her, she can tempt you to change your mind and marry her.” Mira complained bitterly, twisting her face. I shook my head in disgust. If she wasn't weird as to not wanting kids, I would feel guilty but the audacity she has made me want to challenge her.

“Do you have any problem with that or are you going to change this rule?” Leon snapped back right at her, causing a blush to ripple on my lips.

I covered my mouth, trying hard to suppress the blush which was bubbling up on my lips. Mira stood there speechless, not knowing what to say.

“We have been in a relationship for two years, still you stand on your decision that you wouldn't give me kids even if we marry. You know how eager I am to be a father. Did you want me childless all my life?”

“Can't you see how selfish you are?” Leon continued to scold her.

She thereafter turned to me. Her anger was now directed towards me, Leon had defeated her. I didn't even know she hadn't bore any child for Leon.

“You think you're so lucky coming from a one-night stand as you girls do to become his surrogate wife, aiming to be his real wife?” She scoffed. “You fucked raw so you would get pregnant for him, you've destroyed my relationship, let's see if you get to survive for even a month here, talk less of the two years.” She said these, storming off.

By now, my heart was already beating so hard, zillion thoughts racing across my mind. I shut my eyes, taking a deep breath. My body felt weak at her threat, she was hurt and pained and could do anything. I sensed this danger lurking around me but if I leave, I will never get to be with Leon whom I was already obsessed with and can't live without.

What if I ended up being killed even before the two years elapsed? Who knows what she's planning?

But as I turned, Leon was by my side, draping his hand over my shoulders. “Remember, I told you we were going to keep our relationship a secret till the right time?” I nodded, not knowing where he was headed to.

“I'll take Mira by surprise. You will become my wife.” His eyes darkened with seriousness. I remained speechless, Mira’s threat played in my mind at the same time. I got to realize how I was in the middle of danger. I couldn't tell who would be faster to execute plans between these two, Mira or Leon?

“Don't worry, I'll protect you from her.” He assured me.

Now I was pulled in two directions; escape with my baby to save my life or stay back, believing Leon's words. I needed to choose one. But my dream is to create a wonderful family with my prince charming. If so, I have to fight.