“Like always this is where we part ways' '. Rosie chimes giving me a hug.The driver is at the front of the shop. Oliver has successfully loaded everything we purchased in the car. He holds the door open for me to enter but I hesitate because I want to see Rosie in a taxi first before I leave. “Bye mama bear”, she yells from inside the yellow taxi. “Text me when you get home”. I yell in return as the taxi zooms off.There is no point waiting anymore, so I climb into the back seat of the, greet the driver and focus my attention on my phone. I've been checking out various baby shoots I carried out in the past.“Oliver please I'll be needing your help to set up the baby's crib”.“Okay ma'am, but ma'am don't you think the boss will be in a better position to do that. I mean… “he stops whatever he was going to say and pairs down at me.“You mean…..” I try to emphasise so he'll finish his statement.“Nothing ma'am”. He turns his attention away from me and looks ahead.“You can say what yo
Gregory brows are scrunched in concentration, he has been able to fix ninety percent of the crib, just a few parts are left. No matter how much he scares me I can't help but admire his features. His dark hair is dishevelled, soft pink lips parted, grey eyes focused on the task at hand. His muscles flex at intervals as he tries to put screws and objects in place.After his outburst neither of us have said anything. There has been no move from me to even breathe loudly. I fear that if I do so he will come for me.“It's all done”. He says rising on his feet and inspecting his work.“Is there anything else you would want to be fixed?”. He finally looks at me. I shake my head.“Words Denise”. He states“No”. My voice is small. He nods his head. “Ouch….” “What is it?”. He is by my side in milliseconds. “The baby kicked”. I say. I've barely got the word out and there is another movement, this one is obvious, you can see the movement through my clothes. I see his eyes go wide. It's a g
The rest of the dinner goes well, Mark tells of his trip, and cracks jokes here and there. Turns out Mark is an easy going person, he has the ability to even ruffle Gregory's feathers without him reacting. He still finds a way to bring me into the conversation too.“It was great catching up with you man, I'm glad to be back in town, it's been a really long while”. “Yeah”. They give themselves a hug and a light pat at the back. It's amazing seeing Gregory with someone he is at ease with, someone he jokes with and not in work mode with. I hope it will be the same at his Dad's place, since the party is meant for family and close friends.Gregory and I walk them to the door. Once they leave I make my way to my room. There's no point staying in the living room. Besides, I am exhausted.*******When Paul Williams told me it was a small party with few family and friends I wasn't expecting this many people. There are more than twenty five people here. The house is huge and bigger than where
“This bitch” Ariella muttered, her eyes still trained at the entrance. Unable to hold my curiosity anymore, my body turns to the direction of her hard glare. I can now finally see who her hatred is directed towards. “Ellie?”. It comes out as a question. “Don't tell me you like that snake?” She questions me as Ellie's name leaves my mouth. “Fortunately NO” I'd rather be friends with a goat than her. Ariella turns her gaze to the side of my face. “I knew we had a connection the moment I saw you”. She chuckles.“What did she do to you that you hate her so much”. I asked Ariella.“Ha!, The question is what did she not do.” I look at her bewildered.“Your brother and cousin seem to be good friends with her.“Yeah, they are too blind when it comes to her, I have tried telling them that she's a snake but no one ever listens to me so I gave up”. I didn't want to leave without finding out what she did to Ariella so I pressed on.“So what did she do”. “I'll just tell you one. When I was
My chest is heaving, I will not cry for this, the solution is to not let him keep me away from my child. If he doesn't want this I won't force it, he lost his memory, fine!, But he won't keep me from my child. I am starting to doubt that he ever truly lost it, maybe all those times he was being nice he was pretending to, and now he is back to his original self. He will not keep my baby from me. The tears threaten to fall but I look up blinking my eyes severally trying to draw them back in. Once I notice my body has relaxed I move to relieve my bladder. I wash my hands and reapply my lip gloss before heading for the door. A piece of paper falls of the door as soon as I open it, curious to as to why someone would stick a piece of paper in-between the door I reach for it. Bending down when one is heavy with pregnancy is a huge task especially for someone who is almost due like me. This evening Carolina was the one who helped me put on my sandals, she has been helping for sometime now.
His eyes light up at my question, even in death you can see how much she was loved by him.“Oh, my dear Gianna! The very love of my life. She was God sent. She had a pure heart, always felt everything intensely. Where do I even start from?”. He sighs.My eyes stay glued to his every move. His eyes show a man that has known love in its purest form as well as sorrow.“Ah..” another deep sigh from him.“I met Gianna when I went on vacation in Italy in my early twenties. It was love at first sight, she didn't see me but I saw her. She was walking around with a man who I later found out was her brother. She was the most beautiful girl I had even laid my eyes on, her chestnut hair was styled in a high ponytail, her skin radiated in the sun and her eyes sparkled with excitement as she spoke to her brother. From the very moment my eyes found her I knew then that I had to make her mine no matter the cost”. As he spoke my eyes were fixed on him with so much concentration. A smile is etched on h
My eyes widen as he tells the story, my ears are itching to hear more, I need to know more.“How did you guys, you know, end up dating if her brother didn't like you”. I gesture my hands. “She called me two days later and invited me over, Crazy isn't it?. I nod my head to his question, intrigued by Gianna’s boldness.“Is she really that bold?” I ask him, he shakes his head signifying that he isn't.“Not really, she's shy but still very vocal, I don't know how to explain it, she's firm when she needs to be but also shy. I hope you understand what I mean?”. He questions and I nod my head vigorously.“Her brother went ballistic when he saw me in their home”. He laughs heartily.“They had a beautiful home, a huge mansion seated on a large expanse of land with greenery. A beautiful garden which she liked to tend to. They hand heavily tattooed men guarding their home. Anyway, when the help ushered me into their home she was coming out with her brother, that was when her brother went ballis
The story that my father in-law told me is still swirling in my mind. To think that the perpetrator might be one of the close family and friends at the party. The person is actively responsible for the death of Gianna and even until now he or she is ready to destroy this family for what they no nothing about. “Denise”. My name being called brings me from my inner thoughts. When I look up, it is Gregory, his face is fixed on those permanent expressionless features. “It's time to go”. He says to me. I don't utter a word to him, I just arrange my purse beside me. He surprisingly offers me his right hand which I take, he uses his left one to guide me up my seat.“ I need to tell the others that I am leaving”, I mutter to him. He gives me a light nod letting go of my hand and my body. I find my way back to my father in-law telling him good bye, I do the same to Isaiah, Mark, Ariella, Rosie. Isaiah has offered to take Rosie home, nice of him. There's not much to speak about between Greg
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!