Chapter Two
They both laughed heartily as Juliette recalled the events of that day. They were both sprawled on the bed, tangled in sheets and each other's bodies, and sharing jokes and stories. After the "tedious" events of the previous night, they had both decided to have a day-off and enjoy each other's company. It was a beautiful day, and the sun shone brightly through the glass of their floor-to-ceiling window, further emphasizing the joyous, blissful mood in the air.

"Wow," Eric exclaimed after recovering from his bouts of laughter, "I didn't realize that come actors could be so bad without notice! I always thought Folasade was a good actor though"

"Yeah, that's what everybody thinks but trust me....he's faaaarrrrr, from being good" Juliette replied, rolling her eyes.

They both laughed again and paused for a while before she placed a hand on his cheek and sighed,
"Honey, I'm really sorry about last night. I know how much effort you put into that dinner and it wasn't fair for me to just stand you up like that. I..."

"Shhhhh, Juliette..." He placed a finger on her soft, tender lips, "stop apologizing already. I've told you, don't worry about it. I'm fine. Besides, you made up for it last night, although.....I think the kids are gonna ask us some questions today"

"Yeah, that's gonna be a problem" they laughed and gave each other a brief kiss.

"Uhm, babe. I know this isn't the right time to say this because it might spoil your mood but. .."

"But what?"

"My mum's coming over next week"

Eric was right. This really would spoil her mood. She found herself pushing away from him slowly until she was sitting up at the edge of the bed. Her heartbeat slightly picked up and she could feel a migraine coming up.

She relaxed a little when she felt her husband's comforting hands rub her shoulder, "are you okay?"

Was she okay? How could he even ask that? Her worst nightmare was coming over to ruin her peace in a few days time and he was asking if she was okay?

"Yeah, I'm fine.." she heard herself saying anyways, albeit nervously.

"Look babe, I know you and my mum don't really get along. But I just couldn't say no to her when she asked if she could visit. You know how mama is; when you refuse her request...."

"She unleashes the drama queen in her" Juliette completed in defeat.

"Exactly...but I promise though, she won't stay here for long. I'll make sure the visit is short-lived, just for you, okay?"

"Alright" she smiled in resignation.

He smiled and gave her a reassuring peck on the cheek before engulfing her in an embrace.

*******
"...yeah right. Knowing your husband, that woman isn't gonna stay here for anything less than a month" Pinky said as she picked up the wine glass and took a sip. Seated opposite her was a downcast Juliette, who had decided to discuss her "mother-in-law" problems with her best friend in a restaurant that screamed "exquisite!!!" At every corner. She hadn't bothered with make-up but her beauty still shone prominently.

"Yeah, tell me about it. Eric is too much of a momma's boy to ever say no to his mother. I'm just glad I have both a male and female child" she replied as she continued toying with the food in front of her.

"But she still hates you so much... why"

"Because I'm an actress, duh. She's of the belief that all actresses live dirty lives, and that they never have time for their family. Not too mention, she has seen some of my movies. Most of them...not, good"

"But those are old movies, back when you were still single and starting out in the industry. Ever since you got married, you've been watchful about the kind of roles you take, right?"

"Unfortunately, that's not what she's looking at" she responded dryly. Soon, her phone rang, interrupting their conversation and she frowned at the ID. Not today, please!

"Whose that?" Pinky asked curiously.

"Another member of the hate-Juliette-because-of-her-profession fanclub" she groaned, making air quotes, "excuse me..."

She clicked the answer button, "hello? What is it, Nkechi?"

"Aunty Juliette, it's mama. She's sick again..."a worried, soft voice answered from the receiver,

"Haven't I told you to take that woman to a hospital"

"That's it na, there's no money to take her. That's why I'm calling you"

She sighed in defeat, "Fine, I'm on my way there..."

She cut the call and stood up, picking up her handbag.

"Sorry Pinky, I've got an emergency..."

"Let me guess; aunty problems again?"

"Tell me about it" she rolled her eyes, "will you be okay here?"

"Yes, I'll be fine. Go and help that your yeye Aunty again abeg"

She smiled and nodded her head before leaving the restaurant briskly.
******
As she drove through the dusty pathways of the streets of Adedapo street, Mushin area Lagos, she couldn't help but mentally curse at the menace which was her Aunt. She hated coming back here. It reminded her of the type of lived she lived while growing up;the struggle to make ends meet each day, the constant battle with street boys, the maltreatments from the very same woman who she was on her way to help right now and everything else. This very pathway she was driving through was where she would walk several miles in order to go and fetch water from the town's borehole. She wondered why Aunt Ugonna insisted on keeping their home here in Mushin. She had offered several times to find them a better place, in one of the highbrow areas of Lagos but according to the contemptable woman,

"...I don't need anything from a cheap ashewo like you!!!"

She hated her. And her cousin Nkechi for always calling her up whenever her mother had another attack of pneumonia again. She hated her past life and the fact that she always found herself helping the very woman who despised her right from childhood.

Finally, she arrived here Aunt's residence and parked in front of the beat down brick house that she feared would collapse at any minute. Juliette always made sure she brought her least impressive car, which always made a loud statement anyways, and no police escort. She was already a popular face as it stood, and the last thing she needed was to attract more attention. She however vowed to forever haunt her Aunt if anything ever happened to her because of the frequent visits to the crime ridden area.

She put on her straw hat and wore a pair of dark shades before stepping out and hurrying into the compound. She didn't bother stop and greet anyone, or return any of the greetings thrown at her. She recognized most of the familiar faces of neighbors that she had grown up with, but none of them recognized her which was a relief.

She soon located her Aunt's apartment and quickly stepped in through the old, worn-out curtain. She found her cousin, bending over her mother while giving her a hot-water compress. Ugonna was shivering seriously and she could hear the soft whimpers of Nkechi's cries....

She was almost moves to pity..

Almost....

"Nkechi?"

The small framed girl turned and locked her eyes on her big Aunt. Her eyes were red from the constant crying and her face looked exhausted. Juliette couldn't help but feel for the poor girl, who was cursed with such a foul mother...

"Aunty Chisom, you came!" Nkechi cried, throwing her arms around Juliette. She was only fifteen, but poverty and frequent stress had made her look twenty five.

"Don't call me that, Nkechi" Juliette said, resenting the fact that her little cousin had used her old Igbo name, which was a constant reminder of the past.

"I'm sorry" she sniffed as she pulled away, "I seriously thought you wouldn't come"

Juliette didn't respond and looked at her Aunt over Nkechi's shoulder.

"And how is she doing?"

"Not good. It had started out as a mild fever yesterday but soon became worse overnight. I've been so stranded because I've used up all the money you've given me for her last time and....I don't know what to do" Nkechi couldn't help but burst into tears again.

Juliette still ignored her and went over to where her Aunt laid, shivering, with beads of sweat soaking her. Her pupils dilated and her breath came out in quick rasps.

She took a deep breath and called "Aunty Ugonna..."

The sick woman slowly turned on hearing her name and her eyes widened at the sight before her. It was as if her pupils had suddenly stopped dilating.

"You...." She spat venomously

"Come with me. We're going to the hospital..."

"I would rather die of this sickness and a thousand more all at once than go anywhere with you, you cheap slut.."


"Ah ah, mama! Please don't say th..." Nkechi started but her mother quickly interrupting her,

"Shut up! A sim gi mechie onu have I not told you never to call this woman to this house again? Idiot!!!"

"Mama, please stop this madness. I'm an actress, not a slut. When would you understand that. I don't know why you hated me right from childhood, but I only want to help you for my late mother's sake. Nkechi has done nothing wrong. She only wants you to get better, which is why she called me so stand up and...."

"The only thing that is madness, would be for me to stand up here and follow you anywhere Chisom. You are no different from your mother.Go away. I don't deal with shameless prostitutes in guise of actresses, and I especially refuse to have one for a niece..."

Juliette could feel the bike rising in her throat, "Aunty, I..."

"I SAID GET OUT!!!"The woman screamed, frightening the other two.

Finally, Juliette blinked away the tears threatening to spill and rushed out of the house with Nkechi on her trail..

"Here..." She pulled out some bundles of notes from her purse and threw it on her cousins face, "use it and take care of your mother and don't ever call me again!!!"

"Aunty Chisom, I'm sor..."

But before she could finish, she put her shades back on and dashed back into her car. She finally let the tears flow freely. She knew her warning to Nkechi was a waste of time, because she would still call back whenever she needed help...

And she would come back here and answer their call....

Just like she always did....

Chapter one
"..... aaannndd cut!!!!" The director yelled and Juliette heard herself heaving a sigh of relief. She was finally done for today, and done with the bad kisser who called himself her co-star. He always seemed to want to swallow her tongue with that wide mouth of this, and kept making disgusting sounds as he moved around in her mouth. She had complained severally to the director, in secret of course, but she always got the same response.

"Folasade is the best there is in the business, Juliette. If this thriller is gonna be a hit, then you're gonna have to tolerate him, I'm afraid..."

She was annoyed to no end, but Kenny, the director, was right. Folasade McAnthony was an award winning actor and the success of their current flick, [/i] Dancing In Heaven's Winds, would be partially because of him. So, she ignored the fact that this was the worst male lead she had ever worked with, and carried on.

"Well done ma'am, you really tried today!" Pinky, her short, petite assistant and best friend acknowledged, as she handed her a bottle of water.

"Thanks Pinky. I just can't wait to get this entire movie over and done with, especially with that crap that calls himself an actor" Juliette replied and took a sip.

Pinky chuckled and handed her her iPhone, "Oga called by the way. He was wondering if you're still up for today's anniversary dinner? He's in the restaurant now"

Juliette gasped as she took her phone and glanced at the bazillion texts sent to her. How could she forget? She had promised to finish early with today's shooting so she could meet up with Eric today, and their seven year anniversary dinner but she was so caught up and it had completely slipped her mind. She was sure she wouldn't make it to the restaurant on time.

"Oh no..." She groaned

Pinky looked at her worriedly and patted her shoulder, "its okay Juls, I'm sure he'll understand..."

Juliette shook her head and glanced at her phone again before looking up with a determined frown, "you know what? Cancel dinner. I have a much better idea...."

**********
[i]
Juliette: sorry love, still shooting. Can't make it today. Maybe next time?

He sighed as he stared at the text for the umpteenth time. Of course. What else should he have expected? It was not as if his darling wife was willing to abandon her almighty project for their six-month long planned anniversary dinner. "It was an international project" she said, "it would be shot in major cinemas across the globe". How could he even fathom then, that he would have Juliette sitting across him, munching away the expensive dinner he had ordered and sharing laughs and stories with him? It was inconceivable.

He had even dropped a major surgery appointment for this day.

He sighed once again and beckoned for the waiter. He paid his bill before picking up his suit and heading for his car outside.

"Dr Eric Njoku? Is that you?" He heard a voice say. He turned and saw a young man, probably in his early twenties with glasses bigger than his face, staring up at him with a huge smile.

"Yes, how can I help you?"

"Oh my goodness, it is you!! I'm Emmanuel, still an intern at the University teaching hospital. I've read all about your exploits in the medical field and your legendary surgeries. You're my number one hero! I want to be just like you!!!"

He smiled at the young, naïve lad. If only he knew how unhappy he was, he wouldn't be wishing to be just like him.

"Thank you young man"he said anyways.

"Can I take a photo with you?" He asked and Eric nodded. They took some quick snapshots before Eric gave the intern some words of advice and drove off in his black Ford.

"A gwara gi si, a lula nwanyi ahu! Don't marry her! She's an actress for Christ sakes! What kind of life do you plan on having with her?..."

His mother's words kept ringing in his head as he steered his car but he kept trying to shake them off. Of course he loved Juliette! Yes, she was a busy actress but it wasn't her fault that she was sooooo famous. And good at what she did. He knew what he was getting himself into when he had decided to marry her. Even Juliette herself warned him about the type of life that awaited him if they pushed through with the marriage but he threw caution to the wind and pushed through with the marriage. He loved Juliette, just as much as she loved him...

And her job as well.

He finally arrived home to the mighty duplex that he and his wife had worked so hard to secure. It was located at the heart of the Island, serenec and secluded and free from all the bustles and noises of Lagos life. His security man opened the gate for him, after hours of honking. Musa had fallen asleep. He couldn't blame the poor Mai guard,though it was already well past midnight. He parked his car and headed for the house with sleep and depression heavy in his eyes. He didn't even notice the Red Lexus parked right next to him.

When Miriam, the maid opened the door for him, the quietness hit him like a wave of lethargy. He glanced at the wall clock and turned to Miriam, ignoring her earlier greeting.

"Have the kids gone to sleep?"

"Yes oga, siiiiinnceee..."

Of course they had. How could he even ask such a question? Its not like he expected the poor children to stay up all night and wait up for him and their mother to burst in through that door. He bet they tried though. He had told them of today's anniversary dinner and he was sure that they expected today to be different from every other day but alas, it wasn't so.

It was never so.

He didn't even bother asking if the madam of the house had returned home and just dragged himself upstairs, with a cloud of melancholy over him. It felt like ages before he finally got to his room and opened the door. And even then, he didn't notice the unfamiliar fragrance of lavender all over the air. He didn't notice the petals scattered all over the floor and on his king-sized bed. Didn't notice the candle lit walls or the slow, classical quietly reveberating all over the room.

Didn't notice the tall, perfectly curved figure standing in front of him.

"Welcome home darling..." He heard the voice but still refused to look up. He was sure it was just his head playing pranks on him again. How silly, he thought.

It was only when he felt the familiar softness of her arm all over him that he looked up an saw her perfect, angelic deep eyes staring back at him. It was really her! It was his Juliette...

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it to the anniversary dinner. I had...."

He didn't let her finish before he smacked her lips with his and pushed her closer to him. It was like a feral need, a craving that needed to be satieted before it drove him to the brink of insanity. He grabbed her face and devoured it with the dance of his lips on hers.

And she too could feel the magic that had been unlocked. She had forgotten about the horrible kisses that she had been getting these past few weeks and the terrible romances. This was it. This was her lead man in real life action.

And then she felt his hands rip apart her nightwear. The one she has gotten specially for this night. She didn't care though, even if it was expensive. She tore apart his shirt and unbuckled his belt as they continued their lip lock, each fighting for dominance.

And when they were both sprawled naked on the sheets, she saw herself breathing in life again. She grabbed unto his perfectly sculpted arse cheeks with each thrust, and moaned in ecstasy, not minding that they had kids in the next room. She closed her eyes as she felt his member ripping into her and pushing buttons that drove her to the edge.

She was warm, she was wet, and she was perfect. He grabbed her boobs and buried his face in them as he pushed harder and harder, kissing both melons with each thrust. And when he had reached his climax, he stared into her eyes and muffled his excited groans with one final kiss. They clung on to each other as they both came, as they both eased themselves of their heavyweight, imposed burdens. Of the loneliness that had threatened to eat them alive.

And then they both burst into laughter......

Synopsis
She was perfect. She had it all; money, fame, beauty, talent and to top it all, a perfect husband with lovely children. Nothing could go wrong for her, that is, until she met him. That angelic facade who would steal her heart and bring her life to ruins. Can she survive the many trials that would knock at her door?