AMANII’m dreaming. I swear I am. I hope I am.My wide eyes meets Zuri’s shocked ones and I silently ask her if she’s thinking what I’m thinking. The slight nod of her head says it all. My chest twists with cold nervousness.“Aunt, c-can we go to the hospital?” I ask, lips already chattering. “Can we see Zephyr?”Aunt Ophelia shakes her head; “there’s a storm going on, Amani. I’m not sure grandpa would let anyone out that door right now. It’s obvious that Zephyr was attacked. Grandpa has ordered that no one should leave the premises until investigations are conducted.”A bone chilling cold suddenly settles on my shoulders and I sink to the floor with my arms wrapped tightly around my middle. Aunt Ophelia and Zuri exchange a few more words but I’ve completely spaced out so I can’t hear a thing. I barely notice when she kissed me on my forehead before leaving the room.Once the door closes, Zuri runs in my direction and plants her ass directly in front of me so our knees are touching.
AMANIMy fingers are trembling so badly, I end the call and barge away from the window like it’s on fire. My knees finally give way and I sink to the floor beside Zuri, trying hard to control the rapid pounding of my heart.“Amani, what happened? What did he say?”I open my mouth to speak but the phone rings again, shattering the tense silence. I don’t have Bhyron’s number saved on my phone but the moment I glance at the screen, I know he’s the one.“I can’t…” I whisper mindlessly. “I–I can’t…”Zuri looks worried as hell now; “Amani, who’s calling you? What did Bhyron say? What happened?”I shake my head over and over, covering my face with my hands. I know my reaction to Bhyron’s request is a bit extra, but for some reason, I feel like my heart is about to explode. “Amani! Speak to me, goddammit. Don’t me slap it out of you!”The phone keeps ringing and my panic keeps rising. Bhyron is relentless as usual.“Fine. Don’t tell me anything. I’ll answer the call myself.” Zuri huffs.Befo
AMANDAIn the lakeside city of Montana, a blonde-haired lady sits in her lawyer’s office, chewing her bottom lip and worrying her head off about her pending expenses.Her little sister’s hospital bills have to be cleared by next week, otherwise, the hospital might cut off her oxygen.The rent on her small cake shop and tiny apartment are expiring at the same time, totalling a whopping sum of three thousand dollars. She has to sign her sister up for dance lessons. Imelda loves dancing and there’s no way she’d be able to take that away from her. Which means she’d to find a way to get the money.Her cake shop hasn’t been doing too well lately. The town’s economy is on a downward spiral. Most of the residents can barely afford food, talk more of cakes. Her mind wanders to Jayden, her ex boyfriend, and chills run down her spine. After the last round of beatings ended her in the hospital and Imelda almost cried herself into a coma, Amanda vowed to leave him, even if it meant her heart wou
AMANIThe room is spinning. Or is it my brain? I’ve lost track at this point.My gaze darts between Aunt Ophelia, grandma Alice and grandpa, silently waiting for them to tell me that Duke is just playing around. Unfortunately, they don’t.Aunt Ophelia looks nervous as hell, grandma Alice’s face is currently buried in Bhyron’s chest as she cries her eyes out and grandpa looks at me with a disappointed expression that causes my heart to flip with the crushing weight of guilt.And Bhyron… he’s currently holding on to grandma Alice like she’s his lifeline, patting her back and murmuring soothing words in her ears.I’m shocked, yes. But I’m also confused as hell.“Are you sure of what you’re saying?” I ask, turning my attention to Duke. He walks towards me and holds up his phone. My eyes drift to the video on the screen and in the next one minute, my shock triples. It’s a news flash. The hostess’ chubby face is sent in grim lines as she reports;“…bad news for New York City as their may
AMANII can’t sleep. I tried to, but images of Grandma Alice crying her eyes out against Bhyron’s chest literally chased me around a rocky path in dreamland, armed with a sharp knife.I shoot awake some moments later, breathing like I just engaged in a sumo wrestling contest. Sweat pours down my face in torrents despite the cold AC that blows my heated skin.Looking around the dark room, goosebumps rise on my arms and my heart tightens with fear at all the shadows hanging around. I hate darkness with a passion that rivals Hades. I cannot sleep without the lights on and practically glaring. Zuri hates me for it, which is why we can never share a room.The only reason the lights are off is because Zuri opted to sleep with me tonight after I practically clung on to her when everyone left. My chest tightens painfully as I recall the strange feeling of abandonment that weighted my shoulders when I realized the entire family was upset with me, Aunt Ophelia inclusive.Memories of that sla
AMANII’m shocked to my bones. I’m in awe. I’m blown away.I move closer to get a better look. The closer I go, the grander it becomes.I barely have the words to describe it — It’s beautiful. It’s gorgeous. It’s definitely expensive… and also seems familiar as hell.I search my memory on a quest to figure out where I’ve seen it before. It’s very unique, very unlike anyone of its kind out there. A second later, it finally dawns on me, leaving a strong bitter taste at the back of my throat. I remain rooted to the spot, blinking rapidly in shock as the pieces slowly fall into place. The current object of my obsession is a wedding dress. It sits alone on a raised platform in the middle of the room, sparkling and shimmering like a rare creature in all its glory. The platform is made of black onyx stone and probably costs far more than what my parents’ entire company is worth.And the dress itself… I lack the words to describe it. It sparkles from top to bottom, and a closer inspection
AMANIBefore I can get my thoughts together, Aunt Ophelia hurries forward and grabs my arm, her eyes wide with a haunted expression that sends chills down my spine; “Amani, dear, you have to leave. You cannot be seen in here.”Now I’m more confused than ever and even more determined to find out what the hell is going on. I’m convinced that Aunt Ophelia knows something. She’s definitely hiding something from me.She tries to pull me towards the exit but I stubbornly dig my feet into the ground, refusing to move. Noting my hesitation, Aunt Ophelia looks over her shoulder and lifts one questioning brow; “Sweetie, what are you doing? We have to leave.”The forced cheer in her voice and the tiny, fake smile plastered on her lips makes me even more resolute to go nowhere.I pull my arm from her grip and fold them, looking her straight in the eyes;“Okay, aunt. Spill. What are you hiding?”A flash of panic lightens her eyes before she’s able to hide it beneath a confused expression.“What
AMANI“You can forget about the dress. It’s not for you. You don’t have to wear it…”I never wanted to wear Bhyron’s dress. I never wanted a dress that was made specially for some strange woman whom he’s obsessed with. But those harsh words coupled with his cold expression hits me like a goddamn punch in the gut.He’s clearly saying I’m not worthy enough to wear the same dress as the woman of his dreams. Jealousy burns like a fever in my throat. I’ve never wanted to beat up an imaginary woman so badly in my entire life. I’m almost ashamed of myself. Almost.I stiffen against him, holding his gaze while trying not to burst into stupid tears. I wouldn’t even know why I’m crying in the first place. So what if Bhyron is in love with some unnamed dancing bride? I don’t like him. I shouldn’t be bothered.The logical thing to do would be to step away from him and lick my wounds while I still can, but the last time Amani was logical, George Washington was still president.Instead of counting
AMANDAI pull my hoodie over my ears to cushion the harsh effects of New York’s cold night wind, still struggling to believe my stroke of luck.My plan was to come here, get my inheritance, go straight to the hospital and pay off my sister’s medical bills. Being “the child who was never wanted,” I was fully ready to find out that I was left out of the will.I also prepared myself just in case I was included in the will but only given a miserly sum. After everything I’ve been through, I vowed never to return to my biological family, talk more of begging them for money. But just a moment ago, I was prepared to go down on my knees and beg for money for Imelda’s treatment. Now, barely an hour later, I’m going back five million dollars richer. It feels like a dream.At first sight, Mr. Bhyron Macaulay is intimidating as hell. He had long hair in all the pictures that Caspian, my lawyer, showed to me, but his short cropped hair gives him the appearance of a seven star general in the army
BHYRON“Mr. Macaulay, your wife is suffering from severe dehydration and heartburn. That’s why she passed out. However, we have it all under control. She’s been stabilized and should be discharged tomorrow.”I sit before Dr. Samantha, Chief Medical Practitioner at one of the top private hospitals in New York, my heart beating a restless rhythm against my ribcage. The past two hours have been hell. I thought seeing Amani injured and bleeding in that horrible room was a nightmare, but I nearly lost my damn mind when I was forced to stand back and watch them strap her almost lifeless body to the stretcher.“And our baby?” I ask, tapping my feet anxiously.If anything happens to our child…The doctor flips through a couple of documents on her desk. “It’s still too early to tell. Once we conduct all the relevant tests, you’ll be the first to know.” Ten minutes later, I’m walking down the hall, intent on seeing my wife after being told I wouldn’t be able to see her for the next five hour
BHYRONThe woman on the floor lies completely still and unmoving. Her face is covered by a curtain of blonde hair and her long, graceful legs are twitching.Amani.A horrific roar tears from my throat and I attack blindly. One second, I’m standing by the door, fists clenched by my sides, and the next, I’m flying across the room, knife unsheathed. The gory sound of my blade slicing into something soft pierces the air as I tackle Antonio to the ground. Yes, I sliced off his useless manhood. And the wet sound it makes as it lands on the wooden floor does very little to soothe the beast inside of me. Pain filled moans bubble up his throat and I punch him there, forcing the bastard to stay silent.“What did you do to her, you neanderthal?! How dare you touch her!” I don’t give him the chance to fight or protest. I hit him blow after blow until his moans become off-key gurgles and his face is wet with blood; soft and disfigured beneath my fists. Even then, my anger is not soothed. Image
BHYRON“…your wife is pregnant.” The quiet world around me disappears and all that’s left is the loud, eerie buzzing in my ears. My eyes are glued to Duncan’s lips, my heart pounding an erratic rhythm as I wait for him to laugh it off, because I do not find this situation funny in the slightest.When seconds tick by and he still doesn’t attribute that statement to a failed attempt at mirth, white-hot mortification burns a hole straight through my chest.“Are you being serious?”Duncan nods, appearing braver. Or maybe he’s finally accepted that I might slash his head off of his neck very, very soon.“I’m really sorry that you have to find out this way, sir.”I take a threatening step in his direction but he stands his ground.“You’re sorry? You’re bloody sorry? This is insane!”I press two fingers against my eyes and draw several deep breaths. Amani is pregnant. My woman is carrying our child! My heart sinks with the recollection that the last two times we had sex was without protec
BHYRON“Sir, sir, I found something!”It’s been three hours since I personally set the Gunam Brother's seventh warehouse on fire. Unfortunately, the fire grew uncontrollable and gutted the warehouse beside it, burning it to ashes. That warehouse belonged to Bethel Washington, a renowned American drug and arms dealer. I’ve been trying to reason with his men for the past hour. Thankfully, the warehouse was empty and not much was lost. I only returned to my office thirty minutes ago and the police were already waiting for me, desperate to pin me for arson and send my ass to prison. My lips twitch at the thought. I don’t pay Axel millions of dollars, complete with paid vacation trips at luxurious islands to just sit around doing nothing. My alibi was ready even before I arrived at the warehouse and I just handed it to the police when I returned.The disappointment on their faces was almost laughable.Right now, I’m hunched over Axel’s computer, staring at the incomprehensible strings of
BHYRONI can count on my fingers the number of times I’ve been terrified. Five times. Five horrifying moments when I endured torture and darkness and hunger for weeks. But none of that compares to the feeling of utter, pure and undiluted horror that snakes through my bloodstream as I watch the video. My eyes are glued to the screen while the horror unfolds. My heart is barely beating as I take in the sight of Amani kneeling on the dirty floors, a group of masked men holding her down while another unknown man whips her mercilessly. The fucker blurred out his face. “No…” I whisper, my throat clogged, my lungs faltering. “No, no, no. God, no.”Memories of the horrific moments I spent in captivity, chained and whipped day and night assail my mind and I stagger backwards. I almost gave up during those horrific nights. Imagine what Amani must be feeling.Her cries are like little, venomous knives stabbed through my heart. I shut my eyes, already prepared to throw the phone across the roo
BHYRON“Mr. Ahmad, you can be rest assured that this project will rake in millions just like La Marièe. I’ll personally direct every single proposal and you’re guaranteed maximum profit.”Ahmad, one of our Arabian investors, had indicated interest in funding my new club months ago. He has the billions to spend and I’ve got the brains and man power to make sure we open another club by the end of this month that will probably earn ten times more than La Marièe.Ahmad nods, seemingly satisfied and about to give me a response when the sound of the door violently crashing against the wall rents the air.I rise from my seat, my heart pumping madly the second I lay eyes on Duncan and his grim expression. Duncan would never, ever interrupt my international meetings, talk more of slamming my door. Something’s wrong.Amani. Why is that the first thought that crawls into my mind?“Sir, I’m afraid we have a problem.”Dread settles like boulders on my shoulders. “Where’s Amani?” I ask through cle
WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS A BIT OF PHYSICAL ABUSE. **AMANII made a deal with Antonio Gunam and ordinarily, I shouldn’t be scared of him. But there’s something in his eyes. Something dark and ferocious. A wild, unhinged emotion that makes my strained arms tremble. I cringe away from his touch, my heart beating wildly when he presses closer. Of course the bastard doesn’t get the hint. His lips twist in a smirk and he runs a finger over my damp, sweaty chest. When those disgusting fingers almost touch my boobs, I pull backwards and a pained hiss escapes me as my skull slams against the drywall.He bends over, giving me a strong, involuntary whiff of his designer perfume. “You’ve gotten braver since the last time I saw you, little kitten. Have you forgotten how you writhed beneath me that night?” I bare my teeth at him, hiding the excruciating throbbing of my head with a snarl; “Why am I naked, Antonio? What’s going on? This isn’t what we agreed on.” He leans back with a wicked
AMANIYesterday was grandma Ayutthaya’s funeral but I wasn’t in attendance because Bhyron obviously felt I did not deserve to be there. He didn’t let me visit grandpa at the hospital either. He hid grandma’s dead body from me and now, I missed her funeral. An hour later, I’m still in the same position that Jay left me after he spilled the news. I’m shocked and cold. So cold. I only jolt back to reality when my phone rings. It’s a strange number. I pick up the device with shaky fingers. “Hello?”“Hello, kitten.” A breathy rasp filters through the speakers.My limbs turn to ice. That voice. It’s the devil himself.“Antonio?”He chuckles, a light dangerous sound that has goosebumps spattering across my flesh. “You remember my voice. Should I be flattered?”His flirtatious tone almost makes me gag. I shut my eyes and push back the horrible, dark memories that threaten to escape.“What do you want? I’m supposed to get the money to you tomorrow. I still have time.”“No, you don’t. In fa