My brain freezes at the most crucial situations and by the time I realize that I should run, it’s already too late.The silhouette draws closer with my every breath. The closer the figure gets, the more gigantic the man looks.There are only a few steps left between the two of us when my brain unfreezes and I realize that I need to run.I twist my body and scamper towards the backdoor but a force prevents me from talking another step and pulls me back. First, I feel a hand fisting my hair and next, my back collides with the wall.The man’s grip on my hair and nape doesn’t loosen, and tears cloud my vision. I try to fight him off with my hands, but he cages both my wrists in his other grip. He continues to drag me alongside him away from the backdoor.My purse and phone have fallen near the backdoor and with Denzel’s voice gone, my heartbeat becomes erratic and panic settles in my bloodstream.“Stop! Let go of me!” I scream, but no one in the neighbourhood seems to hear.The road is to
Jacob goes back after dropping off Denzel, me, and Ben. Ben is still unaware of everything that has taken place, and I don’t bother to let him know.The first thing I do after reaching the apartment is take a long relaxing shower to calm my nerves. After I change into my robe, I head in the direction of my bedroom.Ben has already been put in bed by Denzel. As I walk to my room, something troubles me on the way and before I know, my feet wander off in another direction. Instead of standing in front of my room, I stand on the threshold of Denzel’s room.My fist rises, and without a proper thought, I knock twice on the door. I don’t understand why I’m standing before his room instead of mine. My complicated emotions blur my thinking and feeling stupid, I decide to turn around on my heels and walk away.However, just as I’m about to turn, he opens the door and stands in front of me in his pants. The alluring sight of his naked torso greets me, and I don’t look away.“What’s wrong?” He as
I look at my mother in utter shock, whom I haven’t contacted in over six years. It’s not much surprising that she knows I’m back and knows my address. She’s used to spying on me since my high school days, but dropping by so early in the morning out of nowhere is awfully suspicious.And her outfit suggests that she has planned this visit for at most a week and didn’t just drop by during her morning jog.This moment looks so much like as if it’s staged. If God is watching over me right now, I’m sure he’s laughing with tears in his eyes.At one side of the door, my mother stands in a knee-length party gown with pearl necklace and bracelets and heavy makeup. And on the other side, in a stark contrast, I stand awkwardly staring at her in a man’s shirt and boxers with my hair looking like a chicken’s dwelling.One look and no one would admit that I’m someone who came out of her.“Are you daydreaming? Why do you look so lost?”I mentally slap myself back to reality at her disapproving look.
I angrily poke the omelette in the pan, breaking it into crumbs. Not being able to withstand my mom’s ignorance towards him, Denzel stuffs himself into the kitchen behind me.“How long is she going to stay?” Annoyance drips from his voice like drool. However, he can’t possibly be any more annoyed than I am.“Do you think I want her in my apartment after not contacting her for six years? She’s going to make my life a living hell!”“Well, with her rudeness aside, she sounds like a fun lady, though. Why do you hate her so much?”I have the urge to shove the scalding omelette crumbs into his mouth.“Tell me Denzel, have you ever had to grow up with a perfectionist?”He shakes his head.“I’ve spent almost twenty years of my life with her. I had to put up with her taunts and sarcastic remarks for every second of my day. And it never got easier. It's impossible to satisfy a perfectionist.”The kitchen grows silent and the sizzle of omelette in the pan fills the empty spaces. My face is hot w
For the first time since they’ve arrived, their face shows a human emotion. Both of them clamp their mouths shut in surprise and pure fear.“Mr. Flynn, we were told that she’s a single mother. We didn’t expect the child to be yours.”“Let me see your ID,” Denzel demands. The two take out their identity cards and hold them out for Denzel. His eyes run over them like a scanning machine before he returns the cards.The one with the iPod looks submissive, but the other one is as stubborn as a leech that doesn’t want to let go once it has started sucking on your skin.“Are you two married? May I see the marriage certificate? I’d also need to see a DNA proof to know you’re not bluffing.” She says proudly.Denzel’s gaze shines with a killing intent as he clicks his tongue. “Whether we’re married or not, it’s our business, not yours. As for the DNA proof, I have one.”Denzel unlocks his phone and shows them a digital copy of the DNA test results. The two can’t come up with any more excuses.“
Denzel Flynn******I rip the seal on the packet of pizza and shove one slice into my mouth. The foul taste is too strong to be erased by a single bite, so I shove the rest of the pieces too, not caring for a confused-looking Jake in the driver’s seat.“No, Flynn, I don’t want to eat your pizza even though I haven’t had breakfast doing your biddings all morning. But I’m so touched by your care.”I roll my eyes at his tantrum and hand over the last piece of pizza, which he takes without a word.“What do we have?” I ask.“I looked into the two of them. Their documents and information are legit. They manage an orphanage where they look after the abused and abandoned children.”“Did you find out about their informant?” I cut to the chase. Jake looks a little uneasy, hesitant to disclose the informant.“Who is it?” I try again.“Well, don’t get mad, but I did some digging, and it turns out the person paid a vast sum of money to those workers. The bank account details link back to Chloe.”M
Unknown POV******Layla rolls onto her bed in her rented apartment. Next to her is James Davenport, sleeping peacefully with his wife’s so-called best friend.Layla has spent yet another night with James in her bed and though she has no feelings for him, her actions are not for nothing. By making him commit adultery, Layla can make James her future voluntary or involuntary partner in crime. By the flow of the current things, she’s sure a lot of blood will be spilled in the future.Blood of the Flynn family.She smiles evilly at her genius plan when a knock comes at her door. Alarmed, she rises in the blink of an eye.No one knows of this place and her people aren’t patient enough to knock—they’d simply break in. This must mean that someone is on her trail.Can it be the cops? Did Denzel really break his word and told them her secret?“Wake up, Davenport!” She shakes the man passed out from alcohol beside him.“What is it?” His droopy eyes cannot discern the urgency and anger in Layl
Naomi West******My mom officially moved into my apartment and will live with us for heaven knows how long. Last night, her butler brought all of her stuff and I finally confirmed that she has more dresses than I do.After the relocation of her luggage, a bigger crisis hit us. Another person is equivalent to another room. Because of her baggage, she couldn’t move in with Ben, and the little demon heaved a sigh of relief when he learned that.So, I decided to give up my room and take refuge in Ben’s imaginary camp. However, Denzel wouldn’t have that.“I’ve finally been reunited with my son after five years. I want to be his roommate and get to understand him better.” He said.Neither I nor mom argued with that, and so it was decided that the boys will live together. Ben was exhilarated to hear that, too. And my mom got settled in Denzel’s old room.I’d expected her to taunt and throw a tantrum, having to live in a man’s room, but to my absolute surprise, she settled in really smoothly