—JENNIFER—“ Oh please, You used to spend more than half of the day with me. '' Alex scoffed. “ Because YOU were always swinging on my back, forcefully. “ Christian replied, giving him a pointed look. “ I don't know how I even put up with you for all these years. “ Alex huffed. “ I should be saying this. “ Christian snorted in disbelief. “ Please ignore him. He can be an asshole sometimes.” Alex said, ignoring his best friend's comment and turned back towards me. “ I doubt about ‘sometimes’ “ I mumbled, definitely not for them to hear, but unfortunately they did. “ I can totally agree on that. “ Alex and Anya laughed while Christian glared at me from the side. “ I'm still here.” He grunted. “How unfortunate!! “ I mumbled again. Not caring if they heard and waited for another laugh but the laughter never came as Alex and Anya turned their heads to look at Me and Christian continuously. “ Wow!! I'm loving this.” Finally Alex spoke up and We both frowned. “ Love, what?? “ We
—JENNIFER—I sucked into a sharp breath when he started walking towards me, without breaking eye contact and within a few moments, he was standing in front of me with his hand extended. I stared at him then at his hand, which was waiting for mine to be placed on him. My head was suddenly blank, unable to tell what I should do when I was suddenly pushed towards him gently. I gasped, landing straight into Christian’s arms. He had held me quickly, before I could tumble over my own dress and fall on my face. Regaining my balance, I stepped back a little and turned to find all the eyes fixated on us. Heat creeped to my cheeks at the unwanted attention.I realised that it was Anya who pushed me, seeing me all frozen in my place. I was pulled back from my thoughts when Christian grabbed my hand and started dragging me towards the stage. I was unable to meet up with his speed, partly because of the dress and partly because of these bitchy heels. People, who were looking at us lovingly a m
—CHRISTIAN—I was cursing the moment I met this girl, who's now my fiance. Looking down at my ring finger, I shut my eyes tightly in annoyance. Leaving the congratulating crowd on the stage for Jennifer to handle, I walked out of the house and called James. He picked up at the second ring and his voice came. “ Y-Yes Sir? “ His tone was confused and laced with utter disbelief which he couldn't hide. Of course, he couldn't because his maniac boss is calling him during his own engagement that too when he is also present here. My conscience snorted at me. “ I want you to do a background check on Miss. Wingsley!! “ I said and the silence prevailed on the other side. “James?? “ I called out with a frown. “ Y-Yes Sir. Are you referring to Miss. Jennifer?? “ His stutters were giving away his nervousness. “ Do we have any other Miss Wingsley here, James?? “ I asked, deadpanned. “ N-No Sir. But-“ Do as you are asked, James. I want every single detail about her. Anything suspicious, an
—JENNIFER—His hands were clutching my wrist at either side of my head in such a harsh grip that it almost felt bruising. “ What the hell are you doing?? “ I flinched, literally frightened of those angry eyes. “ What the fuck do you want?? “ He hissed, tightening his grip on my wrists and getting closer. His angry hot breaths were touching my face, his nose almost brushing mine, making me look away and not him. His mood was terrifying, dominating. “ W-What do you m-mean?? Ah- leave me. “ I flinched in pain as he bored his eyes into mine. “ Stop playing fucking innocent.” He barked on my face and I flinched again. “ What did I even d- uh, stop it. You are hurting me. ““ That's what you deserve and this is what you are going to have all your life from now on since you are desperate to marry me. “ His hissed again, pressing his face on mine, our lips only an inch away. I hitched my breath for a moment before pushing him away with all my might and gasping for air. “ What the fuck
—JENNIFER—A week passed in blink and I was thankful for not having any male specimens of the Brown family in my way. I ignored Mathhew's calls and he finally had to call Dad to discuss anything. I was only receiving Anya's calls. That girl is just too adorable to ignore. In these seven days, she had visited me with four stylists and made me try around thirty six wedding dresses but she didn't like a single one of them for me. She made me run behind her for five continuous hours in the malls to shop other things needed for the wedding. And to make it even worse, She and Cally had teamed up. I got to know that she loves shopping, just like Cally and my experience with these two was terrifying. But all their plans and preparations were thrown into the water when Christian demanded that the wedding will be simply taking place in court and only families will be present. For once I was happy about something he had said. We didn't meet or talk after that argument on our engagement and b
—JENNIFER —“ I missed you!!” saying that he dipped down his head and kissed my cheek.WHAT THE FUCK!! I trembled in his hold as my stomach did some weird thing. His lips lingered on the spot for some seconds before he pulled back and stared LOVINGLY in my eyes. Like some long lost love who finally met me after chopping down the mountains to reach me. Heat creeped up to my neck and cheeks as I suddenly felt hot everywhere. A smirk got stretched on his lips seeing me being so affected by his touch. I was pulled back from my shock by the loud gasps and I looked at him in disbelief. “ What on the earth-“Christian?? “ An excited screech rang in the air and I turned my head back to find Cally standing there beside Celeste. Both of their mouths opened wide as they stared at us. To be specific, Me in Christian's arms. Realising it, I quickly pulled back and stood at a little distance from him but he didn't left my hand. “ Won't you introduce me to your friends, Princess?“ I was cut
—Jennifer—I turned back for the sixth time to look at my house. The place where I was born, raised and spent all my life, made so many memories. But finally it's time to leave it behind and start my new life, in a new house.Yes, it was the day of my wedding or should I call it the day of my doom?? “ Jennifer, we are getting late. Let's go.” Dad spoke up in a huff for don't know how many times. “ Come on, Love. It has to be this way. Today or tomorrow, you'd have to leave us, this house. Now your home is where Christian is. He's your family and I know he'll keep you happy. “ Mom said, kissing my forehead. Joke of the century!! I scoffed mentally at my helpless situation before Mom gently dragged me towards the car where dad was holding the door for me. I was about to turn back for one last time but dad's one glare stopped me. “ You seem to be so happy for kicking me out of your house!! “ I squinted my eyes at him and he shook his head before placing a hand on my head and pushed
—JENNIFER—And when exactly has my fate sided with me?? Never. Duh!! I clenched my jaws seeing Christian walking towards us with Alex by his side. All my prayers and bargains of not reading smut and eyefucking the hot guys ,with God and his angels went into vain. At Least you got saved from the deadly promises!! My conscience giggled and I shooed it away focusing on the devil in front of me. His eyes met mine with the matching glare that I was throwing his way. But we got interrupted by Matthew. “ Where the heck were you two?? “ He barked, stepping towards the guys. “ We were caught up in something urgent. Let's get it over with. “ He said and without giving anyone any chance to speak or even think, he entered inside the Lawyer's Chamber leaving us all with hung jaws. “ This stupid goblin!! “ I hissed, stomping my feet on the floor. “ I literally thought he ditched you. “ Cally whispered beside me. “ I wish he would. “ I gritted the words out and followed everyone inside. T
JENNIFER The next few days were spent with everyone celebrating my memory regaining and for our soon to be born child. Mom and Dad disclosed the whole truth about Catherine and I was just happy that they at least told me whatever it was. I was upset for being lied to but never angry. It eases their tension and we are back to normal. I looked at the clock and then towards the main door. With a sigh filled with disappointment, I had just turned back when the click of the door opening had me turning back again only to see my husband dearest entering with a bag in his hand. “You’re home.” I exclaimed, with a relieved smile while mentally thanking God. At first glance, he looked the same as when he’d left— black shirt, black pants, hauntingly beautiful face—but a closer look revealed the quiet storm brewing in his eyes. “You asked me to come home.” He watched, body still but gaze burning like an open flame, as I closed the distance between us. “So here I am.” His rough velvet
JENNIFER When I opened my eyes, my head felt heavy. It was hurting like someone had crushed it under a car wheel. With a wince of pain, I opened my eyes and the first thing I landed my eyes on was a pair of black eyes. Two moments of unblinking stare into those worry filled eyes before I took a sigh of relief. “ Christian!” I called out his name in my weak and hazy voice and saw him practically relaxing. As if a burden was taken away from her chest. “ Princess! You are awake.” His voice was filled with relief. “ What do you think?” I joked at his obvious question. A small sigh left his lips before a soft smile appeared as he bent down to kiss my forehead. “ You scared the shit out of me.” He murmured, straightening back. “ What? I don't remember anything?” I asked and he froze in his place. “ You don't remember anything?” He asked, repeating my words and emphasised on the last word. Now it was my turn to freeze in my place. I paused and all the events of the past
CHRISTIAN “Hello, Raphael.” I examined Jennifer’s stalker, who was strung up with heavy cuffs locking his arms and legs into a vertical spread- eagle position. Nails pinned his palms to the wall behind them, while black and blue bruises mottled his body like an obscene piece of abstract art. We were in the warehouse I’d bought for this specific purpose. Remote, soundproofed, and guarded enough that an ant couldn’t crawl across the floor without me knowing. Not all of my guys were okay with dirty work, which was fine. I only needed a few who were, and they’d done their job prepping the bastard for me. I couldn’t have him waiting too comfortably while I tended to Jennifer. My gaze flicked to the floor. A small pool of blood stained the smooth grey concrete. That was also fine. It will grow soon enough. Raphael’s face was so beaten up it was unrecognisable, but the heat of his glare made me smile. He had a bit of fight left in him. Good. That would make our session so much m
JENNIFER I slept in until almost noon the next day. It was the latest I’d ever woken up, but the previous day’s events had taken their toll. Even after a solid sixteen hours of rest, fogginess clouded my brain as I walked to the kitchen. Being drugged and kidnapped. Finding out my husband dearest has a brother about which I still have to ask him, Nearly dying, then getting rescued by Christian, and sort of/kind of making up with him. I’d had time to process, so it was easier to wrap my head around what happened, but yesterday was so surreal I still felt like I was walking on the edge of a dream. It was Monday, so I’d expected Christian to be at work. But when I entered the sun-splashed kitchen, I found him standing by the espresso machine, dressed in a black shirt and pants instead of his usual suit. I blinked with surprise. “You’re here.” I asked and he turned back swiftly as if pulled back harshly from another world. I guess I disturbed his thoughts. “It is my house,” he s
CHRISTIAN She’s here. She’s safe. I repeated the words in my head as I held Jennifer tight. Tiny shivers rippled through her body, and even though she was almost as tall as me, she felt fragile. Breakable. Fierce protectiveness burned in my chest. “It’s all right, princess,” I murmured. “You’re okay. You’re safe.” She buried her face deeper in my neck, her soft sobs twisting my heart like a wrung-out rag. Her hold on me felt like I was the only trustable and safe place for her. It felt like the old times, before her accident. It felt like I was holding her again for the first time in years, but this wasn’t how I’d wanted it to be. Not with her bruised, hurt, and terrified. Something struck my mind and my one hand automatically moved towards her belly. I felt my heart clenching in my chest at the thought of any possible harm to our child. The relief I’d felt at seeing her alive gave way to renewed rage. My cold gaze found Rapheal over Jennifer’s shoulder. He should pray t
Jennifer Lights washed across my vision at the force of the impact, but I didn’t have time to waste. I slammed my wrists down as hard as I could behind me until the frayed rope snapped against the protrusion. Luckily, Raphael hadn’t tied my legs, and I stumbled to the door. I almost made it before strong hands yanked me back. I hit the floor with a thud. Raphael pinned me to the ground and manacled my wrists above my head. “Let go of me!” I struggled against his hold. “You’re mine,” he said calmly, like we were at a picnic in the park and he wasn’t holding me hostage. “It’ll be so much easier if you give in, Jennifer. I don’t want to hurt you.” I couldn’t keep struggling forever. My energy was already fading, my muscles sore and my thoughts jumbled with panic. I turned my head a fraction to the right, and my breath hitched when I saw my purse lying a few feet away. My taser. I always kept it on me because since Christian forced me to do it. If I could only reach it… Raphae
JENNIFER A prickle of sensation dragged me from the dark, murky wells of unconsciousness. It started as a tingle in my fingers and toes. Then it was the hard press of wood beneath my thighs. Finally, it was the rough abrasion of ropes around my wrists and a pounding pain behind my eyes. I didn’t know what was going on. All I knew was, it hurt, and my throat was dry, and my head throbbed like someone had shoved a jackhammer or ten in there. Concrete anchors dragged down my lids. The darkness wasn’t soft and gentle like the gradual drift to sleep. It was endless and menacing, like the weight of the earth after being buried alive. I forced my lungs to expand past my rising panic. Breathe. Think. What happened? I struggled to sort through the day’s events. I remembered meeting my friends at the cafe. Morris running to the restroom. Nausea, dizziness, stumbling out for air…and the cold press of a gun against my ribcage. A voice, then blackness. Oh God. I’d been kidnapped. Th
JENNIFER A sharp stab of concern pulled my brows together. “Do you need to sit down? You don’t look so good.” Actually, I didn’t feel great either. My usual lethargy intensified and tugged at my limbs and eyelids. Morris’ face swam before me until I blinked the blurriness away. “Yes, I”—he gripped the edge of the table. “I”— his face turned ghostly white before flushing the crimson. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” He bolted toward the bathroom. The door slammed shut. A second later, I heard the faint but unmistakable sound of vomiting. My own stomach twisted at the noise. I hoped we hadn’t gotten food poisoning, but something was clearly wrong. My vision blurred again. This time, blinking didn’t help. I stood, hoping the change in altitude would clear my head, but an instant wave of dizziness forced me back into my seat. What is going on? I’d only had tea and a pastry. Could you even get food poisoning from tea and pastries? Black dots danced in front of my eyes, and panic
—JENNIFER— As soon as our mouths collided, I felt colours bursting behind my eyelids, making them shut up automatically. Christian went frozen at my unexpected stunt and couldn't even move for a long moment. For myself, I was in shock about how the mouth of this cold man could be so warm and soft. I didn't give it any thought so I was as stunned as him at my own action and couldn't even move out of shock until I felt his hands coming up to grab my waist and he pulled me into himself. My body felt burns and chills at the same time where his fingers were digging into my skin in a firm but not painful hold. Suddenly I was too conscious about the things that his touch was making me feel. The pause we both took out of shock had me thinking for a moment that he would pull back but instead, he tilted his mouth and deepened the kiss with a sudden force that I almost lost my step. A gasp of shock couldn't find a place to escape me because of the way his mouth was perfectly occupying m