Lauren went straight to bed, trying to forget everything about her worries and uncertainties, but instead of forgetting, she traveled to dream land. After all, dreams are actually formed that way, from what we dream and think about, before going to bed.
"Congratulations miss Lauren Fonder, you have been accepted and all fees have been paid in full, even advance payments were made". She receives a male from Houston and she was in smiles all through as she approach her friend Pamela, who was also very happy for her. They both danced and jumped around rejoicing that she made the right choice. "You see, being in a contract marriage to a psycho isn't that bad you know, after all, it is only for five years, and within five years, even if you take all the shifts and double work in the entire city, you could never pay Houston's f*e, but now, it has been paid in full". Pamela says, hugging her, and just then, she turned to look behind her, she noticed that her mother was standing there, looking all strong, with a broad smile across her face. "Mother! She rushed into her arms, and they both wept. The tears were tears of Joy. Her mother had told her something good was going to happen soon, and she is happy that she didn't lose hope. "Thank you Lauren, for sacrificing so much to see that I am standing here now. I know it isn't your plan to marry now, but you did it for me, and I am glad". Lauren was happy to hear her mother's understanding tone. Especially the fact that she was sounding strong. They both hug and as soon as she turned to look behind her, she was standing face to face with Mendez. She looked back at her mother, but she was not there anymore, she looked back to face Mendez, he didn't look like her ideal man, she had never really liked him, nor given him a second thought, no matter how much Pamela talked about him, but now, she is married to him. "Enough with the hugging and laughing, go inside. You know what to do when you get there". He tells her with a stern voice. She was scared, and she didn't look back at her mother, she rushed inside the room and lay on the bed. She had to close her eyes for she doesn't want to see him lay with her, soon she started feeling his hands on her, and she had to open her eyes, when their eyes locked, she screamed, because he looked like a beast. She woke up with that scream, sweating and panting heavily. She lay on her bed, and looked round her small apartment. She had dreamt it all, though it had felt so real. Her mother has looked very happy in the dream, she seem to remember her so well, and that was all that mattered to her. She decided that she was going to Marry Lucious Mendez, even if it will take away her life, all she needs to know is that, it is only for five years and after five years, she can start her life again. Maybe she will be lucky to meet someone she will love, and she could start her life all over again. With that thought in mind, she picked her phone and dialed doctor Carter's number. He picked it at first ring. "Lauren Fonder, how are you doing, you left my office in a hurry, but I knew you needed the time". Lauren didn't bother answering him, she nodded her head and sighed. "I am ready". She says. "Wow, this is great news. You can come in to the office, I will set up a meeting with you two". "I will be there". She responded. " I know.........He tries to tell her. But She ended the call, and didn't bother responding to whatever it is he has to say to her. She was doing this not because she is greedy, or because she wants money, but because she seem not to have any choice. Her mother's life was at stake, and if she gets kicked out, she will not be able to feed nor even have a house, she was at a dead end. Her only option was to sell five years of her life, to a psycho.Lauren Fonder was shocked to be invited to the room where Lucious Mendez was being treated. Did he have to be present, for her to sign the contract?She swallowed hard upon seeing him again. He avoided his gaze, but he got up immediately and hugged her. "Oh Sydney, I thought you will never forgive me. When I heard you were coming here, I almost didn't believe it". He says holding her tightly". Are you okay? he asked, noticing her stiffness. Usually, she would have hugged him back, but she kept her hands behind."Yes I am fine". She answers. straightening her dress, before looking at the faces present. Why were there so many persons present? She wondered. There was no need saying much Infront of Lucious. She was handed the contract, and she went through the first page, then signed it, she couldn't wait to get it over with. "congratulations dear, you are officially, Mrs Lucious Mendez". She heard the voice of doctor Carter, and she feigned a smile. She waited to know what she is supp
Lauren slept over all that she had managed to read and learn about Lucious from Pamela. Pamela was something else, when it comes to anything that concerns Lucious. She had a whole Journal written about Lucious Mendez, she seem to know a lot about him, even though she never spoke to him, but then, Lauren isn't surprised. Pamela have always had a strong crush on Lucious, that even in her room, she have all this pictures from Magazines and newspapers of him, and she never hid her feelings, she was always open about it, to anyone, who wanted to know.She learnt that Cynthia, is his ex, just the same way she had suspected, and she never stopped trying to get back together with him, even after he married Sydney, she was still calling and trying to get in touch with him. Their breakup was caused as a result of Cynthia wanting to pursue her career further, when Lucious wanted her at home all the time with him. He cheated on Cynthia with Sydney, and he became bounded to Sydney. Rumors have
They arrived at a place she could call a Mansion, or maybe a castle.The exterior was almost like glass, she could see through, but when she places her hand on it, it was as hard as a rock. The gate scanned their car, and they were allowed to drive in, then when they got to the first door, there was also a machine that scanned their faces each, and they were allowed to get in, but Lauren, been a stranger, couldn't get it. This further surprised Lucious."Why is the gate refusing her in? He asked, looking back at his parents, who only smiles at him, before his mother wheeled him in, leaving his father to stay behind and register Lauren's face and finger prints on the door, as a part of the family."This house is more like a mirror, everywhere you go and everything you do is scanned and is saved for future, in case, something happens here, no one can deny not being part of it, if the person is actually a part". Lauren shrugged her shoulders, she has no plans doing anything that would
"What a day". She says. thinking he was already sleeping. "You are right my love. It has been a day". She heard his voice and almost took back her words, of only she could. She wanted him asleep, so he doesn't think of her in anyway. "why don't you come to the bed, and let us just close our eyes". She sighed, just what she was avoiding. Lauren wanted to disagree, but when she remembered what happened earlier, when she challenged him, she decided to just obey. She have learned that saying no to him, could be disastrous. She moved swiftly to join him on the bed, and she lay facing the opposite side. Not looking at his face, was very pleasing to her, but then she felt his hands.He held her by the waist and she shivered a little, but he didn't seem to be okay with the position, especially since his hand, seem to still make her shiver, just the same way it used to."Why not face me, I want to sleep, looking at your pretty face". he says, Lauren could really say no to this order, but t
Lauren slept, like she have nothing bothering her. She slept like she haven't slept in days, that she forgot that she has someone she is looking after. She woke up to an empty bed, she was alone on the bed, but she remembers, She had slept, holding Lucious, she turned around to be sure all that had happened, wouldn't turn out to be a dream, but he wasn't anywhere in the room, his wheel chair is also missing, she grudgingly turned to the clock beside her, and gasped. It is already Too late. How could she have slept that much, when she came to work. She got up, found her slippers close to the bed, she rushed to the convenience, and found a new toothbrush, she quickly freshen up and rushed to find her psycho patient. Her fear was, he must have left the building, probably in search of the real Sydney Mendez, but when she got outside the room, she found him, staring outside the window, holding on to the window proof, so he doesn't fall off, while his chair was close by in case. She watch h
"I see why he thinks you are Sydney. You look so much like her". Aunt Michelle says, as she walks round the garden with Lauren, after giving Lucious his medication. "Sydney was just too obedient, she would do anything for him. Many of us, domestic workers then thought she was foolish loving such a man, but her magic seem to work on him. He fell for her, but he never really stopped hitting her.There are so many things people didn't know about the late Sydney. She was a girl full of life, she was able to change Lucious, because she gave herself up to make him happy, but now that she is gone, I fear, this might have a different way of affecting him, but with you, there is no need to worry, you seem like you can handle him better". Lauren looked back as though he was standing by the window and staring at them. She is already suspecting that Lucious is hiding something."I don't think I will be able to be like Sydney, just like you said, she gave up herself for him. I have dreams, and I w
Lucious didn't come back to the house, and Lauren got more worried. Aunt Michelle tells her not to worry about him that he was probably around the house, especially at the garden, trying to direct her, but she too lost, to listen. Aunt Michelle tries to explain that she need not think Lucious is outside the house, because she didn't see him leave the gate, if he did, the security, would have told them, because as it is, everyone in the house, is on the look out for Lucious, and would alert them if he leaves the house."But where could he be, what if he hurt himself? She asked, but Aunt Michelle seem angry that she was worrying about him. "He hit you, no man should ever hit a woman, he should be the one worrying about you and not the other way around"."I am a nurse, a psychiatric nurse, I know how psychos behave, and I can take care of myself, I can't just have him running around the street". Aunt Michelle shrugged, allowing her to worry, as she walked away from her. Lauren, then
Chapter 16.Weeks had passed since after that night, and the way Lauren had anticipated that Lucious would chase her around, wasn't the way he was chasing her. He seem to behave himself more, and she became the one that was looking for him. He would even walk to the kitchen and make himself something to eat, and also, feed her, but he never again touched her the way he had touched her that night. He was just being very romantic, almost walking around the house naked, showing off his hot body, making her crave for him, but he never took a second look at her, even when she tries seducing him, by putting on something skimpy. She became worried, when she should have been happy. After breakfast, she wanted to tell him she would like to visit the hospital, to get some of his medications that were out, but when she opened the door to the room, he was completely naked."Oh! I am sorry, I didn't know you were....". She tries to say. He shook his head, wondering why she should be apologizing
Lauren spent the next few hours at her mother's bedside, her heart filled with both relief and confusion. Mrs Fonder's health was steadily improving, which should have made Lauren very happy and less bothered about other things, but her mind kept wandering to Lucious. She couldn't wait to be back home with him. She couldn't wait to have him close to her, to have him pin her to the wall and kiss her by force. The way he left earlier felt abrupt, almost as if he were avoiding her.Mrs Fonder kept looking at her daughter, wondering why she looked so distant and unhappy."Lauren, you seem distracted", she said softly, her voice, though weak, yet filled with motherly intuition.Lauren forced a smile, brushing back her mother's hair. "I'm just glad you are okay mom".Her mother gave her a knowing look. " I know you are glad I am okay, but I feel your worry look has more to do with Lucious". Upon hearing his name, Lauren's cheeks flushed. "Why would you think so mom? She asked, but Mrs Fon
The next morning, Lauren woke to the sound of her mother's weak voice calling her name. "Lauren". Her eyes shot open, as she rushed to her mother's side, she waited all night to hear her call her name, but she seem to be too weak, whoever that Pamela had been, Lauren wish to crush her like a grape. "Mom! You are awake! She cries, tears of relief streaming down her face."She took me, I didn't know who she was, but she took me to a very dark place, and wouldn't even let me sleep nor drink, I thought I would die, I thought I would never get to see you again". She kept going on and on, while Lauren could only cry openly."Whoever she is, she will pay for what she did to you, but don't worry, you are never going to be placed in the dark again". Lauren assured her, and she let out a faint smile."He said so too". She responded, and Lauren wondered whom she was talking about."I...I saw him. Lucious. He brought me here, he told me he would deal with the Lady. That kady seem to want Lucious
Lucious walked through the hospital's sterile halls, his footsteps slow and deliberate, but his thought wavering as he tries to understand why he feels the way he feels for Lauren, when he should actually be glad that she doesn't feel the same way, which will enable him to let go for her, as soon as possible. As he walked in, he couldn't shake the memory of Lauren's kiss. It had been brief, unexpected and laced with emotions, perhaps that is what he wants his heart to believe, perhaps she was just grateful, but there was something deeper in the way her lips pressed against his. His head, trying to push the though aside. It wasn't the time to overthink.Why should he over think a simple kiss, when they had done more than kissing, they have had sex couple of times, and she had really loved it, they had both loved it, so why should a simple quick and simple kiss, make him feel that way?As he reached the hospital lobby, his phone buzzed. It was a call from one of his men."Sir, Cynthia h
Cynthia sat on the cold hard floor, her eyes darting from one indifferent face to another. The weight of her betrayal hung in the air like a suffocating fog. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pleaded, "please Lucious, listen to me, I didn't know they will go this far, I was just clouded by anger". But her cries, fell on deaf ears, and even the men that is supposed to be heren, turned away, their disgust, evident on their faces and in their actions.Meanwhile, Lucious stood at the entrance, his gaze, fixated on the stretcher carrying Mrs Fonder. His heart clenched at how frail she looked, her pallor a stark contrast to the lively, though sick, but lively woman he once met, and have had the opportunity to speak with. With worry in his eyes, and fear that she might not make it, he ordered his me to clear the path and rush her to the hospital. He knew Lauren would be there, but he needed to ensure, that her mother was stable before bringing them together. He owe her that much, since o
By the time they arrived at the designated location, the phone rang again. This time,the voice on the other end sounded sharper, colder. "You have less than nineteen hours now", the caller growled. "And just so you know, I am very serious, you have enough time to speak with your billionaire husband, because once it gets to fifteen hours, i will start making her scream, your choice dear".Lucious's lips curved into a smile, but his eyes held no humor, just a calculated determination. He turned to his men and gave a subtle nod. "We are close", he murmured. "Too close for that bastard to realize what's coming". His voice dropped to a steely whisper as he added, "This is going to be war".He made a quick decision and pulled out his phone. "Track this call", he ordered one of his men, who instantly got to work on his laptop. Meanwhile, the number they thought he was dialing, was that if the kidnapper that have been calling, but he dialed that of Cynthia. A number he hadn't called for mont
Mrs fonder opened her eyes hours later in a dark room, and she could only wail. "I hate the dark, please bring the light, I hate the dark". Her voice attracted some thugs to her, who immediately shut her mouth with a robe, and she could no longer make a loud sound, she still struggled, until she passed out again. "What is the plan, this woman might die here? One of the thugs asked Cynthia, who also, doesn't seem to know what the plan is."If she dies, I don't care, I just want to hurt that bitch. She thinks she could just come into Lucious's life, and make any difference. If she only knows half the things I did to Sydney, she wouldn't try to double cross me ever again. I want to teach her a lesson, a lesson she will never forget in a hurry". She expressed with anger, written all over her face."This is you getting angry, over a man, but your anger, has nothing to do with us. We are here for the money, so if there is no plan, I don't think we are useful here, which means, you have to
Pamela, who recently just started dating someone, learnt about the incident, and she started calling Lauren, but she wasn't taking her call. She didn't want to tell her friend about the guy until she was sure, but she would still not tell her anything, especially with the news saying her mother was kidnapped. When someone finally took the call, Pamela was not too surprised, hearing Lucious's voice."Do you ever allow the owner of the phone make use of her phone? She asked sarcastically, referring to the other time, when he took the call."She cannot take her call right now, and that is why I am taking it for her". The usual vibe of mockery she use to get in his tone was replaced with sadness, so she had to ask."Is she okay? She was very worried."She was knocked down by an incoming vehicle, she is in the hospital, and she hasn't opened her eyes since then". No matter how much Lucious tries to sound like the hard guy everyone knows him to be, he still finds himself breaking down, just
Lauren woke up in a sweat. She didn't seem to be aware of her environment, she looked around her, and breathed hard, then she looked out her window, it was dark everywhere, no one was insight. She could feel her eyes swollen from crying, and her heart aching from worrying too much, Therefore, she decided that she was going to go to the sick home, her mother was supposed to have left there anyways, but she just wanted to be sure, of her complete healing. She wiped the tears that found it way out, believing that she would find her no matter what, she tells herself that she would go to the sick home, and demand for her mother.There is no way, they will tell her, they don't know what happened. The more she thought about it, the more her tears stream down. She wouldn't leave everything to Lucious, but as soon as she opened the door, she was stopped by Lucious, who have been busy, making calls all through.One look at him and she could already tell that, he was also worried."It is late i
61It was the persistent call on Lauren's phone, that distracted their evening. She initially didn't want to take the call, because she didn't want anything distracting them, but with the way her phone kept ringing, she knew she would have to take the call. One look at Lucious, who also didn't want any distraction, but knew the call must be important, he nodded for her to get her phone, while he lay back admiring her, and touching her hair. She has made his day, and somehow, he feels he could actually start anew with her. While still admiring her, her next reaction, caused him to sit up."What is it? he asked, looking so worried. She had just taken a call, and she looks like she just lost a kidney. Lauren, didn't know how to tell him what just happened, though she knows she is going to have to tell him, but it was too heavy for her. She started breathing hard, panting as though she had been running for a while. Lucious places his hands on her chest to help her calm down, but she he