The Seductress

Stacey bit down her lips as she trailed behind Selene, watching her every move. She didn’t plan on trailing after her but when Zach had briefed her on his meeting with Wayne, it angered her. She had driven to her company and waited for long excruciating hours before she finally saw selene get into her car, and she had followed her.

She return her gaze back to Selene’s car. Stacey slows down when Selene halts the car. She watch her step out and look around before walking into a large compound. Stacey furrows her brows and looked around this part of town. It was a quiet place.. Really quiet and secluded. The kind rich people goes to for relaxation. Stacey brings out her phone and swiped at it. She took pictures of Selene’s car and the gate she walked into before tossing it on the dashboard. She gulped down a can of water as she waited patiently. Would she really see what she came for?, some proof that Selene ain’t just any kind of lady, she had powers, evil and dangerous. Such people shouldn’t be kept in the dark. Maybe if she could prove to people who Selene truly is, they’d stop thier sickening lust for her and Wayne would definitely hate her too. She’d become so famous and Wayne is sure to fall for her. She gave herself a mental high five and began to watch the huge gates closely again.

*

Twenty minutes later with her back aching terribly from sitting too long in the car, Stacey was already having a rethink. She could go come an have a nice bath. Selene isn’t gonna come out abytime soon and it’s getting pretty late. She sigh and strapped in her seatbelt. She reached for the ignition key but pauses as the gates opens. Stacey ducked lower on her seat and reached for her phone.

She watched selene closely as she took snaps. She was with a bag and she seemed really weary as she walked slowly to her car. Just as she was about to enter her car, Stacey dilates her eyes as she stared at Selene’s hands. She zoomed in and gasped silently at the sight of blood. She took several snaps before Selene finally opens the door and gets in, driving away seconds later. Stacey sat still, gobsmacked. She stared at the pictures and it was clear and perfect. Okay this is wierd, cos she can’t imagine Selene killing anyone. She only thought Selene has got some charm she uses on people…. could it also be she kills?, the thought settles deep in her as she ignites the engine. Her palms are clammy and she run a shaky hand through her hair before driving homewards.

*****

Wayne stops at Susan’s ward and looked through the small glass partition. Susan was sitting up and a nurse checking her pulse. She looked well, Susan was finally okay, healthy, and good as new. He took a step back and smiled, before opening the door.

“Mom” He says as he walked to her. Susan face lit up into a rare smile. The nurse gives him a smile and leaves.

“Wayne!” She breathe out, spreading out her arms as he moved into them without hesitating. She held him tightly as tears pooled at her eyes.

“Goodness I’m s.. so glad I’m alive Wayne, I can finally be able to make up for all the times I couldn’t carry out my responsibilities.” She whispered, sobbing quietly. Wayne smiles and slowly withdraws, taking her hand in his.

“I’m happy you made it too mom, you’ve always been a fighter” He wiped off her tears with his thumb pad and pulled her closely again. She’s grown so lean and pale, but she’d finally heal. He could swear a huge weight lifted from his heart just knowing she was fine.

“Where’s Fiona” She asked as they withdrew once more. Wayne chuckles.

“She stayed back home mom, you know how she is, she’s probably preparing the house for your arrival.” He rolls his eyes and she smiled affectionately.

“Then I can’t wait any longer, i wanna go home Wayne…. I miss home” She brushed down her hair with her palm as the tears pooled in her eyes again.

“Yeah mom, we gonna do just that, the doctor already discharged you, and we just need to wait a little more for the prescribed drugs then we’d leave.” He gave her a reassuring smile that warmed her heart. She felt so guilty that she hadn’t been around when they needed her the most, she was there…. but passive.

“Thanks Wayne, for not giving up on me. Though I was a bad mom, you never did give up on me, and I find it hard to believe you paid for all my bills.” Her chest tightens with emotions and Wayne shakes his head.

“No mom, don’t you ever think you were bad, you acted that way cos you were hurt… and didn’t know how to handle it, so stop it mom, please stop blaming yourself for whatever happened.” He pleaded and she sighs before nodding. .

“Now I’d just go get the drugs…. and we’d leave.” He pecked her on the temple and gave her a small smile before walking out of the room. Susan reached for the pendant under the hospital gown she wore and blink back her tears. The last gift Greg had bought for her before he died. She didn’t want the tears again, but she couldn’t help it. The tears came freely and she let them fall cos deep down her heart she decided it’s gonna be the last time she cried over something that can’t be changed. It’s time she moved on and she’s gonna do so and protecting Wayne and Fiona would be the first thing she’d do.

****

Wayne took a sideways glance at his mom sitting beside him as he drives home. He couldn’t tell her back in the hospital that he hadn’t paid for her bills. She knew him to be always dependent and might get curious to know about Selene. He just didn’t want that. Each passing day he finds himself wanting to get closer to selene. Not just because she’s beautiful but because he knew there’s something about her, something she didn’t want to tell. He just couldn’t place it. But he knew soon he’d find out.

“…. What are you thinking of son?” Susan’s voice cut through his thoughts. He makes a low throaty sound and smiles.

“Uh…. it’s nothing mom, just work.” He replies and he pulled over at the apartment that moment, discouraging any further talk. Getting down, he opens her own side of the door and step out.

They walked up the illuminated front porch as the door swung open. Fiona stood in the doorway, clad in an apron and the scent of baked potatoes clinging to her. The smile goes off her face as her eyes stop on Susan’s.

“Mom?” She croaked, throwing her arms around her as she dissolved in tears. Wayne stepped back as he allowed both of them to relish the moment. Fiona let out choky string of words as she sobbed, hugging her so tight Wayne was afraid she might break.

“You’ve grown so pretty Fiona” Susan manages to say as Fiona withdraws. She grins and wipes at her tears.

“Oh c’mon mom I took after you remember?” She sniffs and pouts playfully as they laugh.

“could we get in already. I’m famished and whatever you prepared is making my stomach protest” Wayne says as he inclined his head. Susan chuckles and rolls her eyes.

“You haven’t changed much Wayne, you’re still that foodie from years ago!” Susan says as she chuckled and they walk in. Wayne shuts the door after them and looked around the living room.

“Damn Fiona are we having a party, these are so much food!?” Wayne whistles lowly as he stared at the table flooded with lots of food. Fiona clucks her tongue in protest.

“Don’t be such a grouch Wayne, It’s not that much and from the way your stomach is rumbling I’m sure you’re gonna eat up every single dish on the table.” She smirked and wrap her arms around Susan.

“Now mom, why don’t you come shower, get dressed and come down for dinner. I’m sure you’d gonna love the food mom” She grinned as they walked down the hallway.

“Don’t push your luck too far kid.” Susan says as the door slams shut behind them. Wayne could hear their laughter echoing down the hallway. He gave a small smile. He realized just how much Fiona was happy. Damn!, having a family to fall back on can be the best thing that could ever happen to anyone.

Selene packed up the files from her desk and slipped it into a clear bag. She sighed tiredly and handed it over to wayne.

“We are gonna be leaving for the dinner appointment in an hour. Since it’s downtown it’s gonna take hours to get there. Prepare everything we need Wayne and make sure you’re ready in an hour.” Selene orders as she lowers herself on the swivel and massages her temple.

“Are you okay, you look really pale?” Wayne asks in concern. Selene forces a smile.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“Yeah, my head aches a little but I’d be fine.” She breathe out. Wayne sighs and walk to the cabinet. He takes some tablets of aspirin and pours water into a glass cup.

“Here boss, this will do.” He hands her the cup of water and tablets. She threw the tablet into her mouth and gulped down the water.

“Thanks Wayne, I was too busy to realise I’ve got aspirins” She mutters and hands him the glass cup. Wayne was barely listening to her. He cup her cheeks and stared down at her. Selene could feel those butterflies dancing in her tummy as he grazes his thumb pad under the skin of her eyes.

“You’ve got bags Selene, and your hair is a little bit pale, are you sure you’re fine?” He tucks away strands of hair to her ears as Selene gulps. She’s never had someone care for her this way. And it doesn’t seem real.

“I guess I’m just stressed out from all the work at the office Wayne… I just need to rest and it’s gonna pass away.” She mutter as she avoided his gaze. Wayne shakes his head.

“You haven’t been doing much work lately Selene, except you’ve been working late hours…. I could reschedule the dinner appointment, so you could rest” He suggests. She didn’t know why he was doing this. Maybe it’s just his own way of showing his gratitude.

” I can’t reschedule…. I’d be f-” The beeping of Wayne’s cellphone interrupts her and he withdraws his palm to pull out his phone.

“Uh…. I’d just get this.” He tells her and walks out of the office, closing the door softly behind him.

“Stacey” He grits out immediately he picks up the call.

“I’ve got something to tell you Wayne, and it’s important… could you stop by for lunch today” Her voice was without the usual flirty tone and that makes him pay attention.

“It’s got to wait Stacey, I’m leaving for an appointment with Selene and I’d be late home.” He says and she cusses audibly.

“Fine Wayne I’d say it over the phone…. you need to stop working for Selene” She deadpans and Wayne knots his brows.

“What’s up with the ‘Stop working for her issue’ you and Zach are pestering me about.” He snarls. Stacey scoffs loudly.

“That’s because she isn’t who she is Wayne!, that’s because I’m convinced there’s something dark and evil about her!” She blurt out in one breath. Wayne furrows his brows.

“What the fuck do you mean Stacey?” He voiced out. Stacey sucks in her breath and sighs.

“Fine… last night I trailed after her Wayne, followed her to some posh part of the town. I guess she went to visit someone, only I don’t think it was a friendly visit…” Wayne was barely listening, he was paying more attention to the tv set against the wall. It was the news of a murder that took place days ago.

Wayne took the phone off his ears as he stared at it, because he was staring at the place were he had drove Selene to days ago. Same house, same street and same mansion. What the fuck is going on?…

____