Emma’s Point Of ViewI had no idea how long I had been here. Days had turned into nights, and the passage of time felt like a cruel trick. The walls of this hellhole had no windows, only a dim bulb that flickered overhead, mocking me.Was Adrian looking for me?Was Lily okay?Just the thought of my little girl crying herself to sleep without me sent a fresh wave of agony through my chest. I clenched my jaw, forcing back the tears. I had to be strong. I had to survive.The door creaked open, breaking my spiraling thoughts. My breath hitched as one of the men walked in, carrying a plate of food. My stomach twisted painfully. It had been almost two days since I had eaten, but I refused to break. I wouldn’t let them win.The man sneered. “Here! You better eat." he he snares then said," My boss is being so generous, letting you even have a meal. If it were up to me, I’d leave you to starve.”I glared at him, my lips pressed into a tight line. My gaze flickered to the plate, I wanted to rej
Adrian’s Point of View"Lily?" I called out, descending the stairs into the living room, my voice echoing slightly in the empty space. I had been looking for her for the past five minutes, and just when worry started creeping in, I heard a muffled sound coming from the couch.I quickened my steps and found her lying facedown, her small frame trembling slightly."Hey, baby," I murmured, sitting beside her and gently lifting her into my arms. "Why are you here all alone?"The moment her face turned to me, my heart clenched. Her cheeks were streaked with tears, her lower lip trembling as she sniffled. Panic surged inside me."Lily," I whispered, tucking her hair behind her ear. "What’s wrong, sweetheart? Talk to Daddy please."She hiccupped, rubbing her tear-streaked face against my shirt. "I miss Mommy," she whimpered, her voice cracking with emotion. "You promised she’d be back before my birthday, but she’s still not here… and… and I don’t even know if she’s okay."Pain shot through my
Celia’s Point of View"That bitch!!" I spat in rageThe sharp honk of a car behind me barely registered as I gripped the steering wheel, my knuckles white with tension. My foot pressed hard on the gas, only to slam the brake as the traffic light turned red. My heart pounded violently in my chest, my mind a whirlwind of rage."Why the fuck was Adrian still keeping his guard up around me? After everything I had done to make him vulnerable, to force him to need me, he still held on to that wretched woman." I ranted to myselfTwo months. It had been two goddamn months since Emma disappeared, yet he still thought about her, still looked for her. How? Why? Wasn’t absence supposed to make the damn heart forget? Instead, it had only made his feelings for her stronger.My nails dug into my palm as I let out a low growl of frustration. This wasn’t supposed to be happening.The light turned green. Without thinking twice, I veered off course, making a sharp turn down the desolate road leading out
Adrian’s Point of ViewMy daughter Lily and I sat together in the living room, watching one of her favorite cartoon shows. Her little head rested on my lap as I gently stroked her soft curls. It was one of those rare moments, something I treasured, especially after everything we have been going through.After this, I planned to take Lily to see my mother at the hospital. She had been asking about her grandmother for days now, and I had promised we'd visit. Last weekend, we had to postpone because of Celia joining in to play with Lily, but I wasn’t going to let anything get in the way this time.Just as I was beginning to lose myself in my haunted thoughts and the sweet sound of Lily's breathing, the sound of footsteps echoed from upstairs, followed by something scraping against the bare floor. I turned my head quickly to catch Nanny Isidro coming down the stairs, struggling with a large suitcase.I frowned. Why was she carrying such luggage?Gently adjusting Lily so her head rested on
Celia’s Point Of ViewSitting outside Lily's school and waiting for the bell to ring, was one hell of a nightmare. The endless chatter of these mothers, the giggling little squids, the blaring of car horns, it all annoyed the hell out of me. But I endured it with a smile because I knew it was paying off.Every single day, I was closer to achieving my goal. Adrian was finally depending on me, letting me in gradually, and that made all the efforts worth it.A small smirk tugged at my lips as I glanced at the car key resting in my lap. He had given me a spare key to his house. A small token, but a significant one. It meant I was trusted, that I was needed. The little brat had rejected every nanny that came for an interview, just like I planned. I made sure of it. Lily was attached to me now, and Adrian had no choice but to rely on me for his little girls peace of mind.My phone vibrated against my palm, and Adrian’s name flashed on the screen. I cleared my throat, softening my voice into
Adrian’s Point Of ViewMornings had become exhausting ever since Emma was taken. I barely got any sleep, and when I did, it was restless, filled with fragmented dreams of Emma, of Lily asking where her mother was, of the nagging guilt that I wasn’t doing enough. Every day felt like I was stuck in a loop, waiting for news that never came.I ran a hand over my face, sitting on the edge of my bed, staring at the floor as if it held answers. My phone was right next to me, silent as ever, mocking my desperation. I had called Pedro again last night, but there was still no lead, nothing.He too seemed to think this was unnatural, because every lead he followed ended up in a dead end. I too was becoming tired but for Lily's sake I just couldn't give upThen my mind rippled over to the conversation I overheard from Celia. "Was she really talking to business people?" I mumbled shifting myself on the bed. For the past few months, she had been overly sweet, too helpful. Was it really just about
Celia’s Point Of View“Slow down please Adrian, there's a kid in the car,” I said with fake concern, masking the irritation bubbling inside me. Last night, Adrian had almost caught on to me. Those stupid men of mine had called at the worst possible moment, and he had overheard part of the conversation. Luckily, I was quick enough to spin a believable story, that it was just business.Adrian had always been pretty dumb and naive. Beneath all that macho act, he was still the same fool he had always been. Or was it love that made him this softer? Because back when I knew him, he wasn’t like this. He was ruthless, sharp, a bloody flirt.. Now? Now he was blind and not to mention weak. I stole a glance at him as he gripped the wheel, driving like a maniac. His jaw was tight, his knuckles white. Beneath all that I could see stress and fear.Good. Let him drown in stress. It only made my job easier.We got to the hospital in record time, and I tagged along like the dutiful companion he thoug
Celia’s Point Of ViewThe ride home was awfully silent, except for Lily’s soft sniffles in the back seat. Adrian sat beside me, slumped against the window, his eyes dull and lost. He hadn’t said a word since we left the hospital. I didn’t push him, I didn’t need to. Grief had already done half the work for me.When I pulled up to the house, Adrian didn’t move at first. I placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “We’re home Addy,” I said softly.He let out a shaky breath and dragged himself out of the car. He looked so broken, so vulnerable, and I wanted to smirk at how perfectly everything was falling into place.He quietly got out of the car and walked inside. I got out and opened the door for Lily, she gets down with my help and I hold her hand as I lead her inside. Once Inside, Lily refuses to let go of my hand, her little fingers were still trembling. “Aunt Celia, Can you tuck me in please?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.I wanted to groan. It was damn exhausting, babys
Adrian’s Point Of View“Lily hurry up Sweetheart” I yelled from the sitting room. Checking my wristwatch it was a few minutes past 7am. I needed to drop off Lily at school before 8am, then head to the hospital to see Celia. I couldn't rest easy all night, i’d have gone to the hospital last night but it's too risky to take lily with me last night and she couldn't stay home alone. Then I heard little footsteps dragging my attention back to the stairs as Lily descended. I quickly stood up and walked up to her, picking her off the ground to hasten the walk, I sat her in her car seat and off we sped into the road. It wasn't long until we got to her school, hurriedly I helped her into the gates and rushed back into the car and started the car. At the speed of light I hit the road, only stopping at the hospital entrance. I hurried in and asked the nurse at the station “Excuse me, could I see Celia Guerrero, she was brought in last night” I asked“Hold on please” she scrambled on her keyb
Celia’s Point of View“My plans were finally falling into place” I murmured drumming my fingers rhythmically against the steering wheel as I drive into the busy roads of New York City, a sly smile playing at my lips as I drove through the dimly Lit streets. Despite approaching evening, The city was alive and buzzing with its usual chaosblaring horns, distant sirens, the occasional flicker of neon signs cutting through the darkness. But none of it mattered. Not tonight. Tonight was about control, about setting the pieces in place for the inevitable checkmate. The anticipation bubbling inside me was almost intoxicating.I pulled into the parking lot of a small, nondescript restaurant, a hole-in-the-wall place tucked away in a forgotten part of the city. I exhaled sharply, reaching for the hoodie on the passenger seat. Pulling it over my head, I adjusted the baseball cap snugly before sliding on a pair of oversized dark shades. A quick glance in the rearview mirror confirmed that I looke
Ryan’s Point Of ViewWe have been out here for hours, it took me a whole lot getting Celia’s residential address. For some reason she had this file hidden but I always had my way around it all. The air inside the car was thick with tension, the kind that came from hours of waiting with no payoff. Marian let out a dramatic sigh, stretching her legs as much as the cramped car allowed."Ryan, we’ve been sitting here for hours, ""So?" I muttered, my eyes locked on the house we were watching."So?" she repeated, voice dripping with irritation. "I didn’t think we’d be this useless. I thought we'd have gotten closer to the truth by now so everything will be over and done with."I shot her a glare. "If you are tired, why don’t you just leave? I don't remember asking you to tag along you know.""i tagged along because I want to catch Celia too. To get this damn complication out of our lives," she huffed, arms crossing over her chest. "I just didn’t sign up for a full-day surveillance missio
Celia’s Point Of ViewThe rich aroma of wine filled the air as I swirled the deep red liquid in my glass, my fingers lazily tracing the rim. The soft glow of the chandelier cast golden reflections against the pristine marble floors of my living room. Everything was perfect, just as it should be. My plans were working and it was just a few more cards to play before it all happens.I took a slow sip, savoring the taste of expensive indulgence, relishing the satisfaction of knowing that everything was going according to plan. Adrian was slipping further into my grasp, Emma was as good as forgotten, and soon, my life would be exactly as I had envisioned it.Then my phone rang.I didn’t even have to check the caller ID... I already knew who it was.Adrian. Again. This was the umpteenth time he was calling.I ignored it, continuing to sip my wine. But the ringing didn’t stop. Over and over, it filled the air, each shrill tone like a mosquito buzzing in my ear.Annoyance prickled through me.
Emma’s Point Of ViewI have spent so long in here that I have lost complete track of time. My body was getting weaker as the day goes by, my throat dry, my mind clouded with exhaustion. Time had lost meaning to me in this place. I wasn’t sure how many the outside world looked like now, All that rested in my mind was only that I was starving, they would usually bring food, on some occasions good food and most almost rotten food. When I heard the heavy creak of the door opening, I barely lifted my head because I knew what it was that was coming to me.The guard who always brought the food entered, his footsteps slow and deliberate. He carried a plate of food like always, but something about his presence today made my stomach tighten. His stare as he walked up to me lingered too long, his lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smirk but held just enough malice to set off every alarm in my head.I forced myself to sit up from my lying position. Ever since I'd been locked up in th
Ryan’s Point of ViewA sharp ringing jolted me awake.For a second, I was disoriented, my mind still trapped in the hazy remnants of sleep. Then I felt it... Marian’s head resting on my chest, her arm draped across my stomach.Memories from last night came rushing back.Her moans.Her nails digging into my back.The way her lips tasted warm, desperate, claiming.My phone rang again, cutting through my morning haunted thoughts.I sighed, carefully adjusting Marian so I wouldn’t wake her. I reached for my phone on the nightstand, my brows furrowing at the unregistered number flashing on the screen.Who the hell was calling me this early?I hesitated before answering. "Ryan speaking."A pause. Then a voice I hadn't expected."I know, Ryan."I froze. My grip on the phone tightened.That voice.. I recognized it instantly, anywhere, any day"Nanny Isidro?" I asked, sitting up straighter.She sighed. "Yes Ryan, it’s me. I had to call you."I swung my legs off the bed, my pulse quickening. "H
Ryan’s Point of View"How dare he.." I slurred to my glass "To think she chose him over me" I raised the glass and made to pour the content into my mouth but unfortunately it had finished I raised a hand at the bartender and he came over and refilled my glass. "He got that suspicious bitch pregnant, I bet my entire life that she us behind Emma's disappearance" I gulped down the drink at a go and it stung my throat"Sir, my shift is over, and you look totally wasted, can I take you home?" the bartender offered. Looking at my glass, I felt it was time to go home, but Marian was there! Waiting for more nagging. But could I leave my home to her? I decided to go home. " It's fine I can still find my way" I dipped my hand in my pocket still staggering and took out my wallet, I gave him my credit card and in minutes I stumbled out of the bar, the night air hitting me like a slap. My head was spinning, but not just from the alcohol. Celia. Pregnant. With Adrian’s child.I gritted my tee
Ryan’s Point Of ViewI watched as Celia’s car took a sharp right, her tires screeching against the pavement. She was trying to shake me off. Good. That meant she had noticed me and she was scared.I slowed down, letting her disappear into the highway as I went straight.I wasn’t here to catch her though. Not yet.No, I wanted her to feel some one lurking, to feel like eyes were always on her, like danger was around every corner. Once paranoia settled in, she would slip up. She’d get reckless while trying to cover her tracks, make mistakes that would give me an upper hand . And when that happened, I’d be there to catch her red handed.But for now, she could keep playing her little hide and seek game. She could keep thinking she was in control.I turned my car around and drove back home.The moment I set foot into my apartment, I knew something was off.I stood by the light switch, scanning the room. My instincts tensed, my fingers hovering near the glass vase by the door side.Then I f
Celia’s Point Of ViewI stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the maternity dress that hugged my belly just right. It was subtle.. just enough to make myself look like a responsible soon to be mother but still graceful. If I played my cards right today, everything would fall into place. Adrian had asked to meet after days of absolute silence. Could this mean he had made a decision? Maybe he is finally ready to accept me and our baby into his life.A smile tugged at my lips, but I quickly wiped it off. No, I had to stay in control. I shouldn't be swayed by just a invitation. I had spent too much time, too much energy on this to get excited over an ordinary invitation. Emma was never coming back, and Adrian had to accept that.I grabbed my handbag and stepped out of my room, I had given my men strict instructions before leaving the hide out.. From now on, I didn't want Emma’s door opened for any reason. Not even to let her use the bathroom, if she ever wanted to relieve herself, she