"Joanne" Hardy called and I found myself gulping. "You're pregnant." He said, and wow, I was starting to hate that word. "You're pregnant with my child, not yours. And that's why I need you to always grab an escort whenever you're leaving your room. Because not a single hair is ought to leave your body by something or someone else, if I didn't give permission. Now you will walk around here with caution. Get it?" His tone was sharp, but I gave no reply. Letting myself drown in his dark eyes, I went off. How… How is love possibly the only way I can be free from this sudden life this man has shoved down my throat. Or should I say that Bailey has shoved down my throat. Because he doesn't seem lovable, neither do I want him to love me, or let myself love him. But is love really the only way, if it is, do I really have no choice? I am not really a type to give up, I never want to give up. But doing another length to deceive this man, to seduce him. Would it be worth it? Can I even
That evening, when the maids had gotten me all dressed up, I stepped in front of my room's wall mirror and inspected my flat tummy.I envisioned how I would appear with an unanticipated baby bump, how I would appear after nine months, and how my child - His child - would appear after being born, and the thought of it all gave me a queasy feeling in my stomach.My hands slid from my hips to my tummy, and I softly rubbed my stomach, as if I could already feel the child.I exhaled a sigh."Is it kicking already?" Hardy's voice almost knocked me over against the chair in front of me.I sighed again as I jerked my head towards the entrance and softly scoffed when I saw Hardy standing there, dressed in a tuxedo sans the blazer."You scared me," I mumbled under my breath. When the hell did he walk in? "Seems like you were lost in your little world, you hardly noticed my presence," As he looked at me, his gaze hopped from my belly to my face.His voice sounded tired and more thicker and i
It was undeniable how good Hardy tasted, his lips hungrily crashing into mine like he'd been dying to kiss me. His hand was still holding my neck in place, like if he lets go they might wobble and fall off. My response to the kiss was unmatched by the man's ferocity; he went from fast-paced nibbles to emptying my lips and claiming my tongue as if it were his.I was out of breath, but I had no intention of stopping.It was really taking my breath away, yet I was ready to die on that spot, just for it. I had no idea what was playing on his mind. Had just that small gesture of mine driven him to such a state to kiss me this way, of course I would do anything to get out of here, but this is just… Hardy broke the kiss, the moment all my body started to give in, and I almost pulled him back. But I didn't want to get ahead of myself. He glanced at me from the mirror, seeing how my chest moved up and down from the night dress I was wearing, he smirked. His lips were red, and a bit
I was more than perplexed as I slowly rose to my feet."Theodore..? What exactly are you doing here?" I inquired, oblivious to the fact that I had just had a wild almost-sex dream about Hardy."To take you away, come on. We have to leave, or else we're going to be late" My eyes widened in shock. Is it finally happening? Leave as in escape.? I desperately wanted to clarify, but Theodore shook his head and whispered, as if he had read my mind. "Hardy's order." I sighed as I put my feet in the slides next to the bed, and Theodore grabbed my hand and pulled me carefully toward the door.What could possibly be wrong?"What's happening?" As we walked down the long, never-ending hall, I asked."Really, nothing." Theodore answered, and it was clear that he heard the worry in my voice."Theo." I called. "Nothing, okay! It's nothing to be worried about. You're just changing location." He said. Changing location…"Of course, like the parcel I am." I sighed. "You're not a parcel. Theodor
Theodore escorted me beyond the too-long hotel hallway before taking me to a more private spot, and I believe we walked into another building nearby because the walk was very lengthy and the space seemed a little different, so I was pretty sure we were in another building. We went up some stairs and then through a door, and then we found ourselves behind another closed door. We were making way too many abrupt turns, and it was just too much for me to compute. Finally, we arrived at another closed door, and behind it stood Hardy, dressed in all black with his hand holding his thick long blazer. I noticed the dozens of expensive diamond rings that he was wearing in his other hand. When Hardy became aware that Theodore and I were present, his shadowy eyes landed on me.And much like a DVR, my unpleasant dream about him played back in front of my eyes, and I found myself having to force myself to swallow.Darn it.Even though it was only for a split second, I swear I saw his pupil mov
"I want you to seduce them." Before I could make out what Hardy was saying to me, the alien words. Not that they were actually alien words, but were like so freaking strange.Who am I to seduce? The couples coming towards us? I sighed internally when the couples got to us and geez they were both so tall. The man's height was competing with Hardy's and the shiny blonde beside him was just two inches shorter than he was. Wow. "Hardy Bensimon." The man called, balancing his lady arms in his, and throwing Hardy one of the biggest most brightest smile. "Jeffery," Hardy called, coldly. "You haven't change one bit." Said the man, "Anyways, this is my wife, Aneesa" the Jeffery guy smiled so much his one sided dimple just had to expose itself through his scanty bears. "HI, I'm Aneesa." The lovely lady offered for a hand shake, but Hardy never took it. She looked sad, and a whole disappointedBut what did she expect, Hardy was a beast. A gruesome rude one. Instead, I took the l
Theodore gave a small smile. "Well I guess I better go out… since the zipper is like.."He stopped talking. I nodded in agreement and said, "Yeah."I attempted a smile and said, "Thanks again with the zipper."My stomach was experiencing that strange sensation once more, but I made a conscious effort to resist it.Theodore wanted to leave, but he was standing in front of me and wasn't trying.. Don't make this weird and difficult Theodore. When I snickered, "So when are you going to leave," it seemed as though his senses had suddenly opened up because he smiled apologetic before leaving the room.I closed the door while controlling my breathing by holding my chest.Okay, so why do I feign sex so easily around these guys?It was Hardy at first, and now it's his freaking bodyguard.I am aware that many pregnant women experience a surge in libido during the first and second trimesters, but if this is the case, then it should pass quickly and not be causing me any anxiety at all.Ne
I felt this surge of arousal kick in as my legs circled around Theodore's waist the moment he lifted up. My goodness, I have never felt this aroused before. He moved closer to the bed and gently took a seat with me still on his body, but now straddling him. Our lips were still locked and we were never planning to let go, we were both out of breath but we were never stopping. This is bad. So bad, I was doing this with Theodore knowing it would become so awkward for us later in the future, if my future happens to be me still alive, but still it was bad and I needed to stop. Well my head was saying stop but my body wasn't listening. There was no way I could fight such sensual tension my body was oozing, and the way Theodore reciprocated without feeling weird. He was about to have sex with his Master's hostage, but he didn't care. Has he been wanting to have sex with me for a long time then? His hand moved from my back then down to my waist. We finally let ourselves breathe and
—JOANNE- I looked at Hardy and the expression he had on his face, was so overwhelming, I had to ask“what’s wrong?I knew he wouldn’t tell me because he practically never tells me anything, but he has been really nice to me dad, I had this feeling that he was going to tell me.“nothing we should go home”Right. Had my hopes up for nothing. But the way He said home drew this sense of security that embraced my spirit.I knew he wouldn’t wouldn’t tell me no matter how much I persists, so I just let the matter immediately.Even though I had seen his phone screen and saw that Theo was the one who called I knew something was up, but I only hope to have something good. I was exhausted beyond exhausted to be specific.The only thing I wanted to do was lie, my head and close my eyes I haven’t slept properly, but any time I close my eyes all I saw was the Rope beside me waiting to be wrapped around my neck.It’s made me she had really badly anytime. I thought about it.I ignored the ladies
—HARDY CONTD. The detective stepped out of the interrogation room and asked if we grabbed anything.Joanne had to explain her first to her last meeting with this Ophelia girl which caused everyone to be in total dismay.“Wait a second, so she warned you about the ladies when she was the mastermind behind all these?” Detective Alex asked.“Yeah” Joanne nodded, looking frightened.“But she works for Anne—“Anne shaw? Age 26. Married to Asher Black?” Alex interrupted.“Yeah” Joanne nodded.“Well she and the other ladies are asleep now, they drank so much they all passed out. But don’t worry, the moment they’re awake they’ll be interrogated.” Alex said to be assuring but Joanne didn’t bulge.So he continued to put her mind at ease.“Ophelia is being tracked. Every means of transport registry has been nicked with cops, she won’t escape. We’ll understand who she works for”Joanne nodded and turned to me.Her gaze were soft but yet I didn’t know what it was demanding.“What’s wrong, I aske
-HARDYI pulled Joanne in a tight embrace, making sure I buried the entirety of her body in mine, she looked so scared. I need to eat every bloody corners of my heart. How much does a bust out I hadn’t planned this world I kept being played. I have sent her to congratulatory party to lure the fuckinh murder. Not get abducted.I watched the police handcuff the man that taken Joanne away, the bastard thoughts just because today was the stupid parade day didn’t mean in I’d seat and watch pave the way for the same history.The man now handed to the police, Looked vain. He was echoing pleads, and seen it wasn’t his intention for the attempted murder, that someone has sent him. I breathe in and out to see a relief because he look like such an easy targets. Unlike Lelani, who is currently being watched under my men’s custody, and wouldn’t darn lead us to the culprit.I knew this man would be an easy one. Definitely, I shouldn’t touch my eggs before they hatch, but I knew what am I got was t
—JOANNE~I opened my eyes to meet nothing but complete darkness. But my body was moving. I tried to breathe out a yielding sigh only to realize my mouth has been shut with a rough cloth.I let out a muffle scream and tried to seat up.My hands were tied in front of me but thankfully my legs were free.I scuttled before sitting up and realizing I was in a black van.I let out muffled screams that didn’t even stretch at any distant The driver driving the van slightly turned to me and nodded.“You’re awake.“Who the fuck are you” my scream came out muffled but he understood me well and replied me quietly.“Go back to sleep.” I kicked his chair and he scoffed.“A fierce one aren’t we?” I wanted to scream but I couldn’t, instead I started to cry.My eyes started to blink rapidly when I saw the thick ropes sitting beside me.No!History was indeed repeating itself.“Where are you taking me!” My scream loosened the cloth around my mouth a bit and the man driving sighed.“Just shut the fuc
-JOANNE—I was gasping for breath as Anne’s grip tightened around my neck, suffocating me. She was a tornado, twisting me around and smashing me into the table like a ragdoll. Adrenaline kicked in, and I fought back with everything I had. My fingers clawed at her hair and pushed against her slim frame, trying to gain any kind of advantage. But her strength was superhuman, and her nails dug into my neck like talons.I had to think fast.Desperation set in. I lunged at her shirt, gripping it tightly as if my life depended on it—and it did. I pulled hard, forcing her slender form to stumble forward. It was a desperate gamble, a Hail Mary pass to even the odds. I might’ve been down, but I wasn’t out. Not yet. My heart was racing, my muscles screaming, but I wasn’t about to let Anne win. I wasn’t about to let her take everything from me.I finally got the upper hand at things, and as I tried to hit her, Ruby came in full charge at me, pushing me to hit my head on the brick wall and causi
-JOANNE— Two days before my celebratory party. Theodore and I are seated with Hardy in one of the mansion’s empty rooms, talking about the twentieth.For some reasons. I felt enlightenment.Because Hardy was always fond of disdaining me whenever it came to sharing his plans. He would only let Theodore in on it, but tonight he was making me part of it.And it made sense because I was aware of it all.We were trying to fix the crazy puzzle together and rearrange ours. Trinity had walked in and out of the room every now and then, getting us water and all sorts of food.We’ve spent a good six hours in the room trying to come up with different alternatives and routes to take if plans A or B don’t align and manage to collide.We’ve managed to come to the conclusion that Lisa’s killer could be anyone. But the source we needed to pick from was from the White Ale-o house. Hardy looked unfazed, mentioning Lisa’s name a few times, and I tried to fight the urge to scream the truth out lou
-JOANNE -The present > As the revelations from Trinity poured forth, I found my jaw plummeting in stunned disbelief. My mind, once nimble and quick, now labored to organize this flood of disorienting information. Trinity's words had transformed what I thought I knew about Lisa and Hardy into a harrowing tale of deceit, confusion, and unrequited love, leaving my comprehension reeling.I was trying so hard to stay composed.It wasn’t just the fact that Trinity and Lisa had something going on. Well it was part of it. But it was mainly the fact that the woman Hardy was pulling all lengths for, pulling down seas and mountains for. Restraining every one that breathed out her name, the same woman that he had clearly offered his entire life to never loved him.It was shocking.Deeply.She only married Hardy to live a stable life?The fact that Hardy was clueless was alarming. Trinity let out a tired smile.“I’m sorry for boring your day out with this”I shook my head.“No. It’s good you sh
AUTHOR POV-Last part of FLASHBACK- 2years ago- - Days passed, and Trinity avoided Lisa altogether. She made sure Hardy was aware by making it explicit. She had told him, rather erroneously, that she had contracted a flu that might potentially be fatal for a pregnant woman. Even though Lisa tried to convince herself that she couldn't get sick from her sickness. As per her request, Hardy put Trinity in charge of the loo while assigning other maids to take care of Lisa. To genuinely keep Lisa at bay, Trinity had installed a new lock on her door. And when Lisa found out what Trinity had actually done to genuinely keep her at bay. She also stayed away. Under the Bensimon roof, they both became strangers, and even when Trinity's alleged sickness was curedShe and Lisa never spoke to each other properly again.- For what seemed like an eternity, Trinity languished in a bottomless pit of remorse. Until one fateful night, when she stumbled upon a scene that made her heart stop. T
Author POVFLASHBACK contd. -Trinity could feel her entire body heating up from the inside.What was going on?How did her little advances get out of the way for Lisa to notice their great deal?If Hardy were to find out about it, He’d get disgusted and throw her out of his domain.Her quietness and shame caused Lisa to burst out laughing.“Look at you. I’ve got you right where I wanted.” Trinity snapped back to reality and shook her head.“I believe you’re mistaken.” “Mistaken?” Lisa laughed.“The only mistake here is you denying it.”Trinity gently walked out of bed and shook her head.“You are deeply mistaken. And to have my beauty sleep. I would love it if you left.“So now you’re throwing me out?” Lisa scoffed.“I’m sorry.” Was the only thing Trinity said.And after a few gazes of disbelief, Lisa walked out of the room.***Hardy's wedding to Lisa was a whirlwind of excitement, the talk of the town. Everyone wanted to be in Lisa's shoes, wishing they could understand the allu