My Husband's Concubine

Katie Peggy-24years old, named after her Grandma, Katie C Peggy, because of the striking resemblance they both shared. There wasn't anything uncommon about them, maybe just the age, but they were perfect in character traits.

Both, well built with confidence. Katie- smart, fierce and irrational about her thoughts. She was a clear replica of her Grandma. On her right chin, just beside her jaw, she had a big birthed mark, Granny had that too.

Granny, whose sweet rendition of songs filled the house anytime she came visiting. A vibrant lady whose sole aim was making everyone happy even if she never was happy about anything.

She was obviously aging and her health was declining. She had wanted to be a big part of her grand kid's life, Katie and her younger sister,Karen,and no matter how much she wanted to do so much for them, by making every day for herself either by visiting them at home every weekend or by sending long texts or videos to them, she still couldn't beat the fact that she couldn't see them everyday.

She had been the one who took care of them, growing up, and that created an obvious bond between them, especially with Katie.

They shared an underlying bond, not just because of the similarities they both possessed, but because she was the first grand child she ever had.

Granny, was everyone's love, vibrant as ever. Katie loved her more than her Mum,. She never flowed on well with her Mum, because unlike Granny, they had so many differences which made them not get along well. Besides, Katie had what she believed in and didn't let anyone tell her otherwise.

Growing up, Katie would have sworn she was ready to conquer the world... There had been a time she was sure she was ready to set the world on fire, if not for anything but because of her love for music, she was deep into music.

At some point, she had requested, she dropped out of college, since she couldn't go to college and music school at the same time and she wasn't getting good grades either.

Which ever way she had to put it, her mum wasn't getting any of it, talking calmly to Katie wasn't enough to shun her from her decisions, but she made sure she constantly reminded her, that she wasn't in support of her sick decisions of learning music and constantly promised her of making sure she dears those thoughts.

"you would do just what i feel is right for you, and not what drives your fake fantasises". She had yelled at Katie one day, she had brought up the idea to her about forfeiting college

She attended same college with her sister, but in school, they always acted like they didn't know each other because Katie didn't want to be seen as the sickling dead ass girl who didn't know what she wanted for her life, unlike Karen. .

Karen, who was the direct opposite of her still got along with Katie so well. They were sisters after all. They deserved their own bond, which they didn't fail to establish. Karen-Calm, shy,collective, a book freak, she was Mrs Peggy favourite girl. You couldn't find Karen in classes? Then you definitely would find her with her nerd-like friends, or in her room, surfing the Internet.

Mrs Peggy, on some occasions had scolded Katie with the fact that she was the direct opposite of who Karen was. She needed Katie doing just exactly of what Karen did, Books! She needed her getting good grades in school, going for exhibitions, leading the school into some competitions and not Music. Not just music.

"would you at least listen to me for once? Even if you wouldn't listen after all but i should let you know this:

You gotta do something for yourself, anything,. You gotta be done with college this year and you ain't even good grades.

I am not gonna let you, mess yourself around in my house, you gotta do something, and hey when i mean something, i mean something and not that dead ass thing you spend your time doing". She said.

Katie who was unbothered about anything Mrs Peggy had to say simply gave no reply, but a nod.

" would this woman just leave me alone?. "she thought to herself.

A day after Katie's mother had scolded her, about making right decisions for her career, she had skipped school for a musical concert, she hadn't just skipped school, but she had been out of home for an event, without letting anyone know apart from Karen.

It was a yearly event, hosted by Anita Royce, a musical legend in Chicago. That was Katie's favourite artist. She couldn't afford to miss it, after all, she could die by Annie's music for all she cared.

She would have sworn at some point in her life, she was going to be like Annie some day.

She didn't just wanna attend the concert because of her fan love, but also she had plans to use that as an opportunity to showcase herself in the musical competition for newbies which Annie never failed to host alongside her performances for the year.

That day, she had excitedly informed Karen about her plans for the concert. She had asked her to follow her, because she was sure that was going for a life time experience and she needed her to be part of it, but Karen whose life was seemingly different from what Katie saw, declined her request on following her to the party.

"why don't you really want to go, Karen?

Is it about Mum?

You feel she's gon scold you like she always does to Me?

Oh, c'mon girl. You gotta come out of this boring you.

Life's fun, and there's more to life than this boring thing you always putting out.

Tag along, we would definitely be back before dinner and pops and Ma wouldn't even find out.

Okay? "She said.

"Uhm, sis, I would have obviously loved to tag along , but uhm, I got this internship interview coming up tomorrow and I gotta study for it. I am sorry I can't be with you today". Karen replied, with a sad face.

"uhm, okay. So you aren't going with me? No problem then , it's fine. And yeah I forgot to ask, how's your internship what-ever going? Going on well yeah?she asked.

Sorry I haven't been there for you lately. Yunno, Mum's just been on my neck lately. We clearly always at loggerheads". She said sighing.

"oh no no no it's fine Katie, to be honest, it's really fine, and yeah they been going on well. Just got this mail today from RHODAS, about an interview coming up tomorrow at SIMPSONS and I just really gotta read for it "she replied, facing Katie.

"well, okay then, I would need your help" said Katie, faking a sad face

"what's that, Katie? Any problem? Karen asked, confused as she watched Katie closely.

"nahh, not at all. It's just that I would really love you to cover up for me while I am away. I know Ma would probably ask about me, so uhm, could you like uhm.. Uhm......"she stuttered.

Before she could finish her last words, Karen cut in quickly

"it's fine sis,I understand you perfectly well, and you know i always got you" Karen said.

"oh really? You agreeing to stand in for me" Katie asked, in excitement.

"yeah, no probs ,okay? , but uhm, you just gotta be back on time, so Mum wouldn't get so mad at you, alright? She smiled

"Thanks huhn, pa isn't the problem, he wouldn't even bother asking where I have been all day, but Ma. She gotta be the real problem right here. She's always on my neck , and to be honest I feel she really just gotta rest at this point.

But uhm, could you like also text me if anything changes? I would definitely be on the gram, while in the concert" Katie said, turning towards Karen who was now busy with her phone.

"okay sis, but who you going with? That's a whole lotta risk, yunoo?because if Ma finds out she's gon scold you silly. You know how how much she hates you going for music classes on weekends, talk more or less leaving home without her consent , for a music fest" Karen said, without looking back at Katie.

"I know love, but you just gotta help me on this one, Ma wouldn't even find out, if everything goes as i have planned.

Uhmm uhm,sorry..,Would you also help me get Granny's drugs from the mall? Dad informed me earlier today saying she was coming to pick them up, possibly stay for the weekend and I am to pick her up" She said , faking a sad face.

"oh, Katie, you know i got extra lessons to do today. I wouldn't dare miss out on that. If i do, then i wouldn't be fit for my internship classes coming up by weekend "she said, sighing.

"please please, please, help me out this one time, i owe you if everything goes well". she said, staring closely at Karen's face

"okay, fine fine, heard you! But hey, you gotta be careful, okay? You really gotta be careful. By the way, Granny isn't here to help you out if you get into any mess. Okay? I got you". Karen assured her while parting her back closely on her chest. You are my big sis, and I love you and want the very best for you. Be fine, okay? You gotta go now before Ma finds out. She said hugging Katie closely to her chest.

"you accepting to stand in for me? "Katie asked holding Karen's hands, still looking into her eyes.

"yes, i would stand in for you. I love you". She replied, smiling.

"thanks, thanks thanks, i love you so much "said, Katie, jumping on her.

At that point, she was sure everything was set and that she just needed to be smart on her own part. It was a big day for her after all, no amount of excitement could express how happy she felt that day.

"so this is it "she thought in excitement.

"you have got just 24 hours left before I call the cops on you Man. I have let you on with these for quite a while now, and that makes me stupid right? "Katie shouted, heading towards Joe,while almost tripping off the rugged tiled floors stained with milk spills".

"you wouldn't just rot in jail, I would make sure I collect every fucking dime, you have stolen from me"urghhh, you! Joe? You??? Oh,, you fucking scum!

"you!! Uhhhh, you Man". Katie sighed, she was tired of shouting. She had cried her eyes out, even while putting out hard comments to joe.

"I would take back everything, you have taken from me"

"I met you when you were nothing! You had literally nothing. I should have left you in your miserable state.. Why didn't I leave you to rot in your wretched stinking lifestyle?".

"joe!!!!, you haven't just been stealing from my save, that wasn't enough for you, but you had the guts to sleep with my girl? My own Girl?? And you even got her pregnant? "She said, fighting tears.

"why Joe? You've hurt me so much Man. I loved you, so much! I picked you up, clothed your ass, fed you, not just you, I fed you and your sick wretched siblings. Even your Ma and Pa, I was literally your only helper, joe".

"I had deep feelings for you, you know that. C'mon, you can't even deny that, joe".Katie explained as she walked around the room with her hands tightly on her waist.

"couldn't you just have respected me enough? Was that too much to ask for? Nah,Man! You got me on this one joe.

She broke down into tears-uncontrollable tears.

"you really never sacrificed anything for us, for me, for the kids, seven and Gyrane.you never even really loved us anyways.so this is it". She said searching for her phone on the couch closest to her.

Having found her phone , she searched through her call list. She was lost, confused. She had no idea who she wanted to call, she had just called an officer who she was friends with, few hours before joe came in . She had informed him about the whole scene, and told him she was going to get back to him if anything changed afterwards.

"oh Boy"!, Katie whispered standing up from the white chair she had sat on earlier. "I would make you suffer, God!! You are so ridiculous Man... you really thought you could steal my stacks from me, and go scot-free, really man"?. She questioned.

Joe, who hadn't said anything about the issue since Katie started talking, unbothered about her rants, muttered to himself, saying calmly :

"I wish I was never here in the first place".

Now speaking out loudly to her, he said:

"Katie, I wouldn't be sorry that you couldn't read the room!. What was I supposed to do, knowing you really were into me, and we had kids?".

"Did you think I was going to come clean to you, about my feelings for you? What was I supposed to do about the fact that you were really in love with the so called poor wretched Man you picked up from the streets?.

I really wasn't into you, now you know. I am sorry for letting you go through all that! He said, unbothered.

"can I go now?, I didn't realize this was why you called me here. I had a meeting to attend to, before your text came in that you needed to see me urgently "he mumbled, looking closely at this wristwatch.

"maybe, we can talk about this some other time. You could fix a place for a meet over. Anytime during the weekend is okay by me. But right now? No. I really can't do this with you right now, Katie, let it go! He said, heading towards the exit door.

"did you just say those words to me?? ... Oh Man, you are sick! So dead sick".Katie said moving towards joe, at the door.

"Katie, stop tryna pick a fight over here. Please, let this go, I told you this already". "I am not ready to do this, I have an appoint-

Before joe could finish talking, Katie slapped him hard, and was dragging his shirts, battling with him to stop him from leaving the door, when he pushed her slightly over the couch

"I said it's enough Katie. You slapped me! Urghh, you slapped me Katie?".

"you fucking bastard ? You dare slap me? Joe screamed, in anger

"I slept with your Girl, yeah, I did"ain't no sorry about that, to be honest".

"I was never a husband to you. I wasn't. you only cared about your business, me driving the kids to school, you being bossy because you have got wealth and having me treat you right as much times as you needed me in bed"joe said, sighing.

"Lauren and I happened. Okay??? I figured she was who I found happiness with. She treated me right, she loved me unconditionally. This ain't no excuse. Joe exclaimed, his face beaming with smiles.

"whatt does love mean to you? You had me be a slave to you and you call that love? Where did you ever go right to me? You never did! Never and you never will! I let you on with all that because I needed a stance."

"Now I got that, now I got confidence and freedom and you wanna threaten me with going to jail"? You wanna threaten me with making me wretched again like I was when you met me? Joe said, facing Katie now.

"you wanna call the cops on me because I took some of your fucking illegal cash? Go ahead then, I wouldn't stop you either. He yelled at her.

"oh lord, you! Joe!! You fucking scum! You! You dare snitch on me??

"you would surely regret you did this, you would, I promise you Boy. "you and your mistress, y'all rotting in jail.katie groaned.

"oh, you are forgetting you get your moneyillegal means?"joe said, laughing hysterically?

"you got so much nerves". It's a fight then!.

"you wanna take me to jail? then we both getting in there, because I got every fucking names of the girls you have lured into trafficking".

"you wouldn't wanna go down that lane, I know"Joe said laughing out more loudly now.

"Girls? Ah joe, you wouldn't wanna try me. You wanna blackmail me to the cops? You wanna put me out to them?".

"you are even worse than I thought, joe"katie shouted.

"It's a fight then, let's see who wins"he said

"you wouldn't wanna try that, joe"katie responded.

At this point, she was calm for a second.

"so this God forsaken Man could think of reporting me to the cops, me? I fucking put this Man to where he's at right now and he has the guts to pay me back with all of these?". She thought.

Joe, who was already at the exit door, opened the door, turned back slightly to Katie on the couched, with a smirked face, shouted "let it go sweetie,you wouldn't win even if you try playing smart, I would ruin you completely, if not for your reputation then do it for the kids. He said, slamming the door behind her as he headed towards his car at the park.

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

Katie stood just in front of her wardrobe, looking closely through her dresses. She had stood for over 6minutes thinking of what dress she could pick for her concert. It was Anita's concert after all, she needed one of her best dresses for it.

She scattered through her clothes hanged up, hastily. Just then, she glanced quickly at a black dress, just by the end of the rail. It was a see-through, off shoulder dress her ex, Steve, gifted her on her last birthday. They had only dated for 3months when Katie decided to call off the relationship because she wasn't getting much attention from him, unlike how she had watched in the movies.

"oh, this dress!! Putting you on tonight anyways".she sighed, holding it closely.

Without hesitation, she grabbed the dress from the hanger where it hung, folded it, and fixed it in her red bag, that was the only bag she had gotten for parties or events that didn't need big hoodies or back packs like she had, and she took it as her most valuable asset.

"I can't allow Ma see me dressed in a gown. She clearly knows there's no prom night or what so ever she always felt I attended in high school, so I would just fix them in my bag and change at the concert" she thought.

Katie was almost done fixing everything she needed for the concert including her music book, her wish list and her camera when she realized she hadn't fixed any heels in yet.

"oh, forgotten. Not even got any heels" she mumbled.

She moved closer to Karen on her bed, squatted closely by her bunk and asked

"uhm, Karen, could I please make use of your black heels? Your black strapped heels Mum got for you last summer? Didn't even realize I hadn't got any heels up till now, I rarely go out yunno"she said briskly

"oh yeah, sure. You could make use of them, they are just beside the stairway, close to the garden"katie replied

She was lost in her phone and she hadn't even realized, she had said something to Katie that minute when Katie shouted

"garden, hallway, Karen? What are your heels doing there? Have You been uhm, like sneaking out at night or something? Because your heels didn't get there themselves". Katie asked in confusion

"uhm, yeah, I uhm, forgot to, uhm.... Get.. Urghh"Karen stuttered

"indeed late nights right". Katie said, holding her hands together tightly.

"uhm, yeah, okay. To be honest, I have been having late night dates with Jeon. But I just couldn't tell anyone including you because you had taunt me with it so much.

That's no lie and you know that. Everyone probably thinks I am so much of a nerd, and I got no feelings". Karen said, calmly, making sure she avoided every possible eye contact with Katie

Deep In thoughts, She was embarrassed she hadn't been so sleek as she thought she was with her late nights. Someone had just found out, and it was more embarrassing for her because it was Katie, she wasn't ready for her silly jokes. But she had fallen into the mess she tried to avoid and possibly couldn't do anything about it.

She hadn't even gotten over the moment when Katie shouted while holding her firmly by her shoulders

"Jeon, who's Jeon? Wait, chill, the Chinese Guy, from College, who always sent you text messages in form of eulogies? Oh, Katie, cmon"she said, surprised.

"shhhhhhh, calm your fucking voice down, what the fuck is wrong with you? Do you want everyone coming here to ask what' sup with you shouting? Don't do this right now. To be honest, this is why I didn't wanna let you know Jeon and I are a thing right now because you wouldn't let it go easily.

Could you just be serious right now? Because I am actually not having this with you. Why don't you just get the heels and leave right now". Karen said, faking a serious face to push Katie out.

"aww, what now? Why you mad over nothing? OH! I guess you feel embarrassed, I figured you out so easily. Huhn, what now? Our nerd's now having nights out with some sick Chinese dude who's not even got any fucking poise. Your boy is gay, hope you know? Oh, okay, we gotta leave that for some other time.

Oh! Was gon forget this, what if Ma finds out, like really? What if Mum finds out you rolling with a Chinese nerd. she's probably gon be disappointed that her best girl is now being a bad ass"katie said laughing.

"uhm, Katie, could you just stop right now? I was gon tell you last week, when we had family dinner with Granny, you remember that day? Karen asked, wanting a reply from Katie but she got no reply.

Uhm, okay you can't remember I guess. You were probably too excited about Annie's show today that you didn't even realize I needed to talk to you.

I tried okay? Now enough with the silly jokes. And hey, Jeon is no gay, it was just some sick rumors from the school press. His Dad is fucking wealthy, you know? They just tryna get on him". Karen answered with a smile beaming on her face.

She had just started dating Jeon, and he was her first boyfriend. Her first love!. She really wasn't gon let anyone talk bad about him and go scot free without schooling them.

"uhm, what ever then. I really gotta go, it's getting late already, I gotta see Annie's magnificent entry, that's like the most important part of this concert.

Maybe when I get back, we could talk about how you been having late nights without telling your fucking big sis. You got nerves though. Wasn't ever gon think that could be you" Katie shrugged.

"why's Jeon's case taking so much of our time here, Katie? Okay! We started dating and I should have let you know, because we promised to tell each other everything and I failed In this even though I tried, but hey I am sorry, I really am.. And I would love you to stop the jokes right now, because I am just gon cry if you taunt me more than this "Karen said, fighting tears.

"Alright, no tears here okay, I think I gotta go right now, the show is in an hour's time and I really hope the trains are still out, or else, I am definitely missing the show. I could die if I didn't see Anita Royce today..

And how about we do this? You stand in for me pretty well, so Mum doesn't notice I have been out, for some concert she probably hates so much and I promise not to taunt your ass anymore. How about that"?. Katie said, laughing gently

There was silence afterwards. Karen was clearly not having it. She shook her head, sighing while looking up at Katie

"Girl , you would probably ask for 20 more wishes, you are really silly. Karen replied, smiling at her.

Okay, I would cover up for you here, I got you . I would make sure everything goes on well here. But, you should try getting back pretty early so even if Ma's gonna scold you or shout at you, she wouldn't be so mad at you. And yeah, Granny isn't here to protect you from Mum". she said, turning back to her phone

"oh, yeah, that's true, Granny isn't here! I miss her so much already. If she were here, I probably wouldn't be sneaking out for a concert, she had probably talk to Mum for me. Phew! She signed . I would try as much as possible to get back home soon okay? But right now, I gotta go, okay?

Come give me a hug, or rather come give your big sis, a big kiss, or you only give kisses to Chinese Boys"? Katie said, laughing out even more loudly now.

"Oh Katie, stop, stop, okay? Just stop. You are really a pain in my fucking ass. Could you just like get-out? I mean you been dying everly for this concert, and now it's here and you had prefer to spend your time here, laughing at me, than going to watch your superstar, perform?

Nah, c'mon, you gotta go, okay? I love you". she shouted, throwing some kisses to Katie, from her bed where she laid, engrossed in her phone.

"I love you too" Katie said, waving to her, while heading towards the direction of the door.