The dull ache at the back of my head has reduced since I woke up. My intention was to speak to Gregory once I woke up. Unfortunately he left early for work. Things need to be straightened out. Last night was a night full of many emotions which I shouldn't have acted on. Ra tat tat, a rapping comes from behind my door.“Come in”.. “Good day ma'am. Miss Frederick is here” My eyes widened in shock, Rosie is here!. I assumed she won't be in town till next week. The rate at which I dashed off bed almost gave the help a heart attack, she is quick to recover though. My steps are quick as I rush towards the living area. “Rosie”. I yell, forgetting decorum, lunging unto her frame. If not for her firm stance we would have toppled over. Rosie's laughter fills the room. “Not the reaction I was expecting, but….. I am happy to see you as well”. She holds me firmly like her life depended on it even though she seems nonchalant she missed me as much as I missed her. She places a kiss on my te
Rosie was here as early as ten in the morning. One thing about Rosie is, she is always super excited about weddings and parties especially when it has to do with family. Under all that tough skin she's a real softie, as sweet as honey. “Oh my goodness Ro, we aren't expecting this much guest. It's just us if you aren't aware”. She stares at me with a tired expression. She's tired of my incessant whining. “Thing is, I invited some people”. This has been her response since I started complaining about her elaborate plans for the party. Truly Rosie was meant for the upper class. Always looking for the smallest thing to throw a party and celebrate. She would thrive in the world of millionaires and billionaires. Crafted with not just the mannerism but with exquisite bodily features to go with it.Her red hair sways to the as she tries to align a vaise at the side. “Perfect”. She accesses her work. When she's done she turns to me, a mother about to scold her rebellious child.“Go and get re
A man speaks to Gregory and I take that as an opportunity to move away from him. The hors d'oeuvre was my target. Without minding who might be watching, I pulled the waitress serving as a waitress to the side, taking the tray from her, stuffing my face with the snacks till it's empty. I do not bother to wait for the waitress. I walk to the kitchen, returning the empty tray and washing my hand. Once I return every one seems to be engrossed in a conversation or playing a game. Rosie really thought of everything to make the party exciting. The few kids around are running around. Someone hugs me from behind. To whom it might be I know not. Everyone I know is chatting or playing a game. The hands of the perpetrator are slender, feminine, and the skin is soft and smooth. Not willing to torture myself by guessing who might be, I turn around to find a grinning Ariella. She is one person I didn't expect, I supposed she'd be in school. Like every person I had seen in a while I gave her a big
Gregory's POV:The initial bewilderment on Rosie's face is replaced quickly with a wicked smirk, first it is directed at Denise, then at me. This situation could have been avoided if my body wasn't so drawn to this woman. If my treacherous body did hum to the placement of her hand on my arm, pulling me down. Her eyes didn't help the situation either, succumbing to those hazel orbs was my delight. Denise clears her throat trying to hide her mortification. It doesn't stop Rosie from smirking unabashedly at us, not even her friend's discomfort sways us. An audacious woman if you ask me. “Most of the guests have left,” she finally speaks. “Your mum and aunt are looking for you as well, but I can tell them you're occupied at the moment”. She stares at us and quirks her eyebrows continuously in a suggestive manner.Denise springs up to her feet, mortified by her friend's behaviour. “I'll go meet her now”. She says making her friend snickers.When she reaches Rosie, Rosie nudges her on the
Handling a company is no easy feat but I have successfully achieved that and more. I own several flourishing companies. The only downside that I have experienced is the issue with the people causing pockets of disaster around my businesses. This success has been obtained from thorough investigation before any investment and pitching for the right things, innovating and upgrading both goods and services. My grandfather started the company, my father continued it, making it flourish, then he passed the company down to me when he felt it was time. I did not only make it expand, I was able to spring up other firms with it, my father always reminds me of how proud he is of my accomplishments. In retrospect if he didn't make the right decision the company wouldn't be here today, so I always remind him he fostered a huge part of the growth we are experiencing. It hurts me when some people try to run it down all we've worked for.A knock comes from the door, my secretary pushes the dark doors
My intention for today is to visit the studio. I have missed working so much, taking pictures of cute families and babies, editing, chit chatting with my colleagues, hearing the latest gossip about some models and so on. Ivy has an adorable little shirt that says I love mummy, she is on my bed trying to suckle on her hand while I pack some stuff. My camera which hasn't been used in a really long while is also in the bag although this is just a visit it feels right to pack it as well. “Ma'am are you sure you don't want me to come with you?”. Carolina has asked me for the nth time this morning. She looks concerned with her hands folded in front of her. I take precise strides towards her holding her shoulders and stare into her kind eyes “Carolina I will be fine, I'm just going to visit them at the studio after that I'll head home. If I eventually return later than anticipated then that would be because Rosie and I did some catching up, Okay?”. I say the last word slowly. “Okay ma'am
“Spill” Rosie tries to keep a straight face at me. It's not working though. I wiggle my eyebrows at her to insinuate, something is going on. If anyone was to provide security for her I would like to think it would have been Gregory, and that would be because Rosie is family to me. Isaiah shouldn't be the one doing that except there's something underlying here. Which there is. Ivy's cries distract me from questioning Rosie any further, this is not the end of the topic. She has to tell me. I push my seat backward to step out in order to retrieve Ivy but the receptionist is here with a wailing Ivy and a distressed face. She obviously doesn't know what to do with a crying child. “Er.. I tried singing but it didn't work”. The receptionist tells me and Rosie giggles at her discomfort. “I think she needs something else, I'm sorry”. she continues.“This isn't anyway your fault Lily, she's just hungry. She gets cranky when she's hungry”. Lily the receptionist hands Ivy over to me. Now she h
The relief I felt was short lived with the emergence of someone else. A woman, Ellie. I know this because she is the only female in this house that can approach Gregory without any fear. She moves in front him and brings her hand to his upper arm. She looks like she is saying something but he turns from her to face my direction. I duck immediately, for fear of being seen which is stupid because it is unlikely for them to see me on this recliner. My heart beats erratically, this is what I get for trying to snoop. Wait, this isn't snooping, I was here before they came, so, yeah, I'm definitely not snooping. Gregory takes a gulp of his drink, which I assume to be whiskey, his eyes are on the pool. He is unaware of my presence here but my treacherous heart is still beating so fast. Ellie moves in front of him for the second time, she is closer to him this time gazing into his eyes. He moves his gaze to her but moves his gaze back to the pool. He says something to her with his eyes sti
DENISE'S POVNot long after we woke up did my greatest nightmare walk in. Blood drained from my face and for a split second, my heart forgot to beat.“Patrick”“Why, Hello there sweet peas” his smile broad as a Cheshire cat.“Never thought we would meet in these circumstances, what can I say the Lord is good”. It's sickening, him mentioning the Lord. This brute knows nothing about the Lord.“Now, now, don't be sad, this will only last a few hours and we can be happy. We could even play hide and seek if you like”.He stalks closer to us, no me.“Get away from her you psycho” Luke screams. Patrick pays him no mind as he moves even closer. He raises his hand to graize my temple, I flinch in reaction. “Get your hands away from me”. He laughs heartily at my reaction.“And why would I do that, huh, sweet peas”.“I owe you nothing, I paid all of my debts with interest. So. Get. Your. Hands. Off. Of. Me”. I seeth.“Come on sweet peas”. He draws. “This isn't about debt, this is about how muc
“Dee…” Rosie badges into my room. Luke called, he said he has something to show us. My eyes widen a fraction. “He has figured out something” I murmur. Rosie nods her head frantically at me. I waste no time picking up my bag as we dash out.“Carolina…, we will be back soon”. I hollered at Carolina who was cradling Ivy in her arms.“Ra tat tat” Rosie knocks on Luke's door. There is no answer at first but the second time the door swings open. Luke stands there with an awkward smile that doesn't reach his eyes. He looks kind of nervous. “Come in” he opens the door wider allowing us enter.“Luke are you…” the words are choked shut in my mouth as something hard hits my head. I hear Rosie scream before I black out. The pain at the back of my head is heavy. I try to raise my hand to rub the spot but I can't, my hands are bound.“Ah…” A wave of pain shoots through my head. I blink slowly several times to get the black dots out of my vision.“Ro…..” I call out to my best friend. She is lump
"Target has locked in”. Luke the tech guy tells me on the phone.“This is going to take roughly thirty minutes to one hour. Rosie found a way to get me invited, being Gregory's wife propelled it though. They gave me front row seats but I declined. I opted to sit behind. Sitting behind will keep me away from the prying eyes of Ellie. My eyes are on Ellie the moment she steps in. She's wearing a cream coloured A-cut short gown. She is wearing a black heeled boot to match. She looks good, I won't lie. She greets Peggy Ross. They exchanged pleasantries soon after the show starts. I take subtle glances and I notice how she suddenly feels uneasy after checking her phone. Is she unto us.? Has she found out her phone is about to be tapped. I quickly text luke. He doesn't respond, this gets me worried. My fear bites deeper, my legs bounce on their own accord revealing my anxiety.Ellie puts down her phone focusing on the models as they walk down the runway. I watch her for a long time and
The sad thing about me is I tend to forget too quickly. I forget how he can be and then I get hurt. I need to constantly remember my place. In less than three months I would be gone from this life.My ears perk at the sound of my name. Rosie pokes her head into my room. “Denise” she calls me in a quiet manner. Her eyes stare directly at me as she walks in. “Denise, l knows you are mad at how Gregory reacted towards our suggestion. She sits down on the bed getting comfy. “And just because he says it doesn't mean we are going to stop. You have my full support to pursue this to the very end”. She stretches her hand placing it tenderly on my arms. I wrap my hands around her instantly. Having a friend like Rosie who supports you is a big blessing. “What are we going to do?. We don't have the necessary information to help out”. I detach myself from our hug. “I was banking on our alliance with the guys to get info”. Worry plasters my face as I tell her this.“Don't worry we will figure
Denise's POV: Gregory and Isaiah have been avoiding Rosie and I. Purposefully if I might add. We know the reason they are avoiding us. It's so they don't get to give us details on what's going on with the Ellie thing. They leave the house pretty Early and return late at night. We are asleep when they return and we don't get the needed information. Tonight is going to be different though. Tonight we are not sleeping a wink till they return home and tell us all we need to know. “Dee, I'm not sure I can stay up any longer, my eyes are closing on their own”. Rosie yawns. Her eyes shutting down completely as she yawns. “Common Ro, we need to stay awake if we want to know what's going on.”. Rosie nods her head at me with her eyes still shut. When I look at the clock for the fifth time this night, it shows it's just eleven forty five. I sigh in annoyance knowing any moment from now I'll be falling asleep. I need to stimulate myself in order to stay awake, not just me but Rosie as well.
Denise's POV:Gregory mentioned Ellie has returned to her parents house. She must have figured something was up. I mean it is obvious non of us are home anymore or she is simply evading being caught either way she is out of the house. You would expect us to return hom but we didn't we are still staying in Isaiah's mansion. Isaiah has refused to let Rosie leave as well. I don't blame him though, after the whole incident he wants us to be safe. Not that Gregory's Mansion was not safe but Isaiah's mansion is on another level. The place is surrounded by so much bodyguards that are armed, I mean heavily armed. It's scary sometimes. The men don't look friendly, they all have similar tattoos but it's located on different parts of their body. It makes me wonder what agency Isaiah found such terrifying looking men. Men that have access to such heavy weaponry. Then again he is a billionaire, money can buy alot of things..Rosie and I step into the balcony were Gregory and Isaiah are having a
Denise's POV:Flashes, blood stains, pleas. I jolt up from my sleep breathing heavily. My forehead is covered in sweat despite how cool the room is. “You're awake” Gregory says, stepping out of what I assume to be the bathroom. His voice scared me a little since I wasn't expecting him here. He rushes over to my side. “You look frightened”. He noticed my fear. “I-I had a nightmare. My voice comes out hoarse. Gregory rubs my arms affectionately. “It's just a nightmare you are safe”. I nod my head and he wraps his strong arm around me holding me in a warm embrace. “I made a warm bath for you. Figured you'd be waking up soon”. He kisses me on the forehead, breaking our embrace. “Ivy”. I say. “She's fine she's downstairs with Rosie and Carolina”. Gregory holds my hands to help me out of the bed. I notice that I am still in the clothes I wore yesterday. The site of the dried blood raises bile to my throat. I close my eyes for some seconds to pushing it down. Gregory is patient with me.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND ONE (Anger)Gregory's POV The blood within my veins like molten larva ready to give way, ready to melt these people with my rage. The only thing holding me back is Isaiah and the thought of harming the mother of my child in my blind rage.Isaiah and I move closer. Isaiah takes two precise shot. The shots are faster than I anticipated. Two of the men surrounding Denise fall flat on the ground. The last guy pulls Denise fast, holding her captive by the neck with a gun pressed by the side of her temple. He cannot see us but he is certain of where the bullet came from. Her captors eyes are wide in shock and fear. His expression almost mirrors that of Denise. Hers are rounded in fear of the unknown. I can see her visibly shaking in his hold.“Come out or I'll kill this slut”. He roars, eyes focused on our location.“At the count of three if you don't come out you'll pick up her carcass”.My eyes dart to Isaiah and he has an easy smirk. In this horrible situation m
I turn my head to Rosie and her eyes are round and wide mimicking my own. “shit” I mouth. “Who’s there?”. Someone shouts from inside. The sound of footsteps approached us. My heart is beating faster than I can process. This wasn't how I planned it. I was just going to sneak up on her and find out what she's up to. The sound of a gun being corked is heard and colour drains from Rosie's face. I bet my face mirrors hers “On the count of three we run”. I mouth to Rosie. She nods to my suggestion like an understanding child. “One, two, three, run”. I mouth to her. We both rose, hitting down the cans we hid behind. They have all realised that people were indeed in their territory. Various footsteps are heard as we run; they are after us. “Boom, boom, boom”. Shots are fired at us but luckily we've taken a left. Soon enough I find some men hot on our trail. “Rosie”. I call out to Rosie as we run. She briefly looks back at me before keeping her eyes on her track we need to split up. “what!