Passion and pursuit

e rumors that you're

f surprise washed over me. Michelle

DUC

ing to process what

ckering across her face. She leane

is it

eady. "Michelle, do you re

even imit

d at me that day. I knew they were the gossipers that witnessed the scene that day. I didn't even ca

about that day when you weren

ead down to her neck, and I teased, "Michelle, that's the only thing you

, and she playfully swatted my back, dodging

le. "Okay! In short, it's because the man keeps staring at m

lle smiled knowingly, her e

moving her chair closer. "Babe, this is a bi

of her wo

NING FO

osed to know he was a politician? I spent most of my days in the res

now,he's the guy from the

ger, a grin spreading across her face. "That man is

onversation was heading. It seemed like Michelle thought I was jus

said, raising my han

e I'm living has made me stand on my own. I can have what I want without

a perfect match for him!" Her desperation was palpable, and she p

everything revolved around money. She believed love was just about meeting a man for an hour, c

it. Brandon is all about money. Yo

why Michelle was so

se of her mo

ver received care

use, I finally

Or that he loves me?" As soon as I spoke, I

e. It's money that matters," s

ective. "Michelle, let me tell you something,

mix of disbelief and fr

oom when Michelle's phone rang.

o, da

ntently as she

one of her

chelle stop t

ion must have been evident as I stared at her. After she finished

" A smile spread across her f

pretending I hadn't h

y tone laced with feigned curiosity

ing to jog my memory. But I cut her off, uninterested in that conve

aid, urgency creeping into my voice as I rose

not going home; I'

o the bus stop after what felt like an e

**************

Point

heard a knock on my door, a familiar rap that si

d he stepped inside, a

don," he said, extendin

e charity house we plan

he nodded, his e

d Michael to load the bags into the car downs

e were heading to a charity home, I preferred Michael to take the wheel. When we

andon,

to se

love

or the ot

s appreci

rompting Mrs. Roselyn to rush out from her r

rnoon, sir!" she exclai

, ma'am?" I

you, ma!" I

ned to my left, intending to send Michael on an errand to the car

x's

s he do