SHAWN'S POVHe felt his heart soften as he watched her rest on the bed frame with her eyes closed. He had never seen her broken and vulnerable like she was when she cried on his shoulder in the car.Her loud sobs broke his heart and dissipated whatever anger or hatred he had for her. At that moment, all he wanted to do was console her and be there for her.“Umm…your dad is asleep now. We should let him sleep. Let's go home and come back tomorrow.” Shawn said as he noticed Tiffany was falling asleep.“I don't want to go home.” She replied, her eyes still closed.Shawn's brows creased in Surprise at her response. “You are not being serious, are you?” He asked.“I am. I want to spend the night here with my Dad, in the hospital.” She replied, finally opening her eyes to stare at him.“That will not be feasible. There is no extra bed to sleep on, and you have to go to school tomorrow.” Shawn said.“I know. A day away from school won't hurt. This is my dad and I want to be with him.” She re
SHAWN'S POVHe got to work in a good mood. He couldn't tell why but he was happy. He even smiled and waved at his workers when they greeted him. He could see the looks of surprise on their faces.He got to his office and a few minutes later, Rachel entered.“I see, someone is in a good mood today. What's the secret?” Rachel asked as she took a seat and stared at him in anticipation.“Good morning to you too, Rachel. I'm just happy for no reason.” Shawn replied. He silently prayed Rachel doesn't ruin the good mood he was in.“Why don't I believe that?” She asked, arching her brows.“Well, you have to because that's the truth.” Shawn replied.“Will you go out for lunch with me?” Shawn stopped what he was doing and looked up at her. “Why should I always follow you to have lunch?”“I just like having you around me. Please? Please, don't say no.” She pleaded and grabbed his arms.“I'm sorry, Rachel, but not today. I will order takeout.” “Fine. Can we eat together then? In your office? I
SHAWN'S POVHe stood in front of his car as he waited for her, ignoring the screams of the students and flashes of cameras on his face.A few minutes later, he saw her walking towards his direction with her friend. Their eyes met and he waved at her. He watched her hug her friend before hurrying towards him.“Hey, good afternoon. You made it.” She said as she got to him.“Yes, I did. You were not expecting me, right?” He asked as he got into the car.“Honestly, I kept an open mind just in case you disappointed me again.” She replied, fastening her seatbelt.“I understand.” He nodded and started the car ignition.“Have you closed from work?” She asked.“No, but I'm done with the work I have.” He replied.“Thank you.” She suddenly said,Shawn turned to look at her in confusion. “Why are you thanking me?” He asked, his confusion vivid on his face.“For coming to pick me at school and taking me to the hospital to pick my dad.” She replied.“You are welcome.” He replied, returning his atte
SHAWN'S POV“I will have to go and stay with my dad until your return…” Tiffany said after he broke the news of his travel to her.“That will be fine. It's a win-win situation. You get to stay with him while I'm away and at the same time take care of him. You didn't have to say it but I knew you were not really satisfied with the maid being the only one to take care of your dad.”She turned to look at him in bewilderment. “How did you know?”“Well, I can read your body language and facial expressions most times.”She gave him a weird look before returning her eyes to the window.“You don't believe me?”“I do. It just feels weird, knowing someone else can do that asides my dad and friends.”“What do you expect? We have been cohabiting for months and I have come to know you to an extent.”“I don't know what to say.”“I think I should let you be. You are getting uncomfortable.” And with that, they stayed silent all through the ride home.“When are you leaving?” She suddenly asked as they
RACHEL'S POV“When will you be back?” She asked as Shawn broke the news of his trip to her that morning.“I don't know. A day or two.” He replied not looking up from his laptop.“Can I go with you?” She blurted.Shawn looked up at her in surprise. “Why would you follow me?”“To accompany and help you.”“No, thank you. That's the work of my PA.”“But I can be her substitute.”“Can you hear yourself? Are you my personal assistant, Rachel?”“No. But I can be one for this trip.”“I'm sorry to say this, but you sound unintelligent and unrealistic.”“I accept, but please let me go with you.”“I have work to do, Rachel. Kindly return to your office.”“Fine, I will leave. How about your fiance, are you leaving her by herself?”Shawn momentarily went silent before replying, “No. She will be staying at her dad's place.”“Fair enough. I will see you later.” Rachel said and walked out of the office.She got to her office and began pacing. She wanted to go with Shawn and be with him throughout the
TIFFANY'S POVTiffany stared at him in surprise. First he said he fell off his bike, then he told his classmates he fell off the stairs and now he just said he was hit by a car.It was finally obvious that he was hiding something and she wanted to know what it was. “But I thought you said…” She stopped herself on time from saying what she had in mind. Whatever he was hiding, she didn't want him to realize that she knew he was lying.“You were about to say something.”“Oh, not really. So, when are you resuming school?”“Next week, I guess. My injuries are healed and the body ache is gone.”“That's good news. I have to go now. It's getting late and my dad will be worried.”“Wait, you have something on your hair.” He leaned forward and took out the imaginary something from her hair.“Thank you.” She murmured nervously, even though she did not see what he took out from her hair.“Can I please ask for a favor?”“Okay…?”“Can you please give me a ride somewhere? I'm stranded and out of cas
SHAWN'S POVHe smiled broadly as he packed his things, ready to leave for home. He was supposed to leave the next morning since the conference ended late in the evening, but he was too excited to stay back.He thought about the event of the conference and how everyone applauded his contribution to every topic discussed. Without being told, he knew they were happy with his performance and his chances of being made chairman had increased.His father had called and he told him of his decision to return that night but begged him not to inform anyone. He wanted his return to be a surprise as everyone was expecting him the next day.After packing his bag, he called his personal pilot. “Are you ready?”“Yes, Sir. I'm waiting at the airport.”“Good. I will be there in a jiffy.Casting one last glance at the mirror, he hurried out of the hotel. A chauffeur was already waiting for him. He slid into the car and they hit the road.A few minutes later, he arrived at the airport, and his luggage
SHAWN'S POVHe laid awake in bed as he thought about how he almost kissed her back in her room. He chided himself as he remembered his promise of not getting touchy with her.He sighed in exhaustion and closed his eyes in sleep.The next morning he got dressed and went downstairs to have breakfast. She beat him this time, because the table was already set.“Good morning.” He said and took his seat.“Good morning to you.” She replied and took her seat too.They had their breakfast in silence and did not bother talking to each other. After breakfast, they bid each other goodbye and went their separate ways.He arrived at work and everyone seemed excited to see him. He returned their smiles and greetings before taking the elevator.He got to his office and was greeted by a bouquet, bottle of wine and a note.“Welcome back, Shawny,” was written on the note and he knew who the sender was immediately. Just then, the door went open and Rachel walked in. “Hey, Shawn.” She said excitedly and
TIFFANY'S POV"This student has shown exceptional character, leadership, and kindness throughout the year. And the prom queen of the year and overall best Student is...TIFFANY Dion! Congratulations Tiffany, you deserve this honor."She felt her heart skip a beat as she heard her name being called out as prom queen. She couldn't believe it. Shawn looked at her with pride and joy in his eyes as he applauded along with the rest of the students."Go on," he said, nudging her slightly. That was when she realized she was still seated.She stood up and walked up to the podium, her baby bump leading the way. Principal Campbell placed a crown on her head and handed her a bouquet of flowers. She graciously accepted them and waved the bouquet to the cheering crowd. She then took the microphone and looked at her classmates with a smile. "Thank you all so much. I am so honored and grateful to be chosen as Prom Queen and overall best Student. This has been an incredible night, and I couldn't have
TIFFANY'S POV"Rachel Sparks, you have been found guilty of kidnapping and multiple counts of attempted murder against Tiffany Dion. It is the judgement of this court that you be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Shelley Duvall, you have been found guilty of being an accomplice in these heinous crimes. You are hereby sentenced to 20 years imprisonment. Oscar, you have been found guilty of attempted murder on Derrick's life. You will serve 15 years imprisonment because the court has considered your age," the judge's voice sounded in the courtroom.Tiffany exhaled sharply in relief. It was finally over.It's been a month since she was rescued and today is the trial day for everyone involved in the crime. The past month has been graced with a lot of healing processes. She had therapy sessions to stop the incessant nightmares she had, and yoga sessions for her body healing.She had also started going for an anti–natal checkup for her baby. It was indeed
TIFFANY'S POVShe woke up to the bright lights of the morning, seeping through little spaces in the window. She turned to her side, and Shawn was not there. Has he gone home? Then she turned to see the paper on the table. She abruptly picked it up and read its content."Rise and shine! I didn't want to wake you up from your beauty sleep, hence this note. I got a call from officer Fowler that Rachel has been caught. By the time you get this, I should be at the police precinct. I will be back as soon as I can. stay safe. Xoxo, Shawn.❤️"She smiled, as she got off the bed and walked into the bathroom. He never ceased to show her how much he loved and cared for her. Both in words, and in actions. She brushed her teeth and had her bath, and then changed into one of the clothes Shawn's mother brought the previous day.She walked out of the bathroom and a doctor was waiting for her, with a nurse bearing a trolley containing food and medicines."Good morning, Mrs Gold. I'm Sharonne. I'm here
TIFFANY'S POV"Oh, my darling," Shawn's mother exclaimed as she rushed to her side. "Are you okay, my darling?" She asked, cupping her face.She nodded, tears welling in her eyes. Oh how much she had missed their presence. Her father had tears of joy in his eyes as he walked to her and placed a kiss on her forehead.At that point, she couldn't hold back the tears. She let it all out. It was a miracle and a blessing at the Same time to be able to see the people that had always been there for her.Shawn walked up next to her, and to get surprise and that of others, judging from their gasps of surprise, he took her lips in his, in a long, soothing kiss. When he pulled away, she realized how much she had missed the one man who had shown her love that was tantamount to her father's."Thank you for fighting. For coming back to me, to us," he said, his voice cracking with emotions.She nodded, as tears kept streaming down her face in torrents."Thank you for not leaving, Shawn. He almost los
SHAWN'S POVThe cars sped off as they headed in the direction of the outskirts of town. The more miles they closed, the more anxious he became. He prayed fervently that his wife and baby were okay. The journey was taking long as he kept looking at his wrist watch anxiously."Take it easy, we will arrive there soon." Bryan said, placing his hand on his shoulder.He nodded and looked out the window. The journey ended up taking three hours and they finally arrived at a street. The cars stopped at a distance and they all alighted, as the armed policemen took the lead, their guns set.Shawn and Bryan followed closely behind. They got to a spacious mass of land with an uncompleted duplex building in it. The policemen filed in, and they got to the entrance of the building.Two men were standing at the entrance and they made to shoot at the policeman when they saw them, but the policemen were faster and in a few seconds the two men lay on the floor in their pool of blood.The gunshot must ha
SHELLEY'S POVShe took determined strides into the precinct. She walked to the reception and the first thing her eyes caught was the picture of the girl with "missing" written boldly on it. Attached to it was a prize for whoever had information about her whereabouts.She sighed heavily as she finally approached the policeman on the counter."Good evening, sir," she greeted politely."Good evening, Ma'am. How do I help you?""I'm here in regards to the missing girl," she pointed at Tiffany's picture on the wall. " I know where she is being held and who is behind it," she said in a rush, afraid she would change her mind."Really? C'mon, I will lead you to the detective in charge of the case," the policeman said in disbelief.She followed meekly, and soon they were in front of an office door. The policeman knocked on the door and a voice from the inside asked them to come in.The policeman led her inside. "This lady claims to have information about the whereabouts of Mrs Tiffany Dion," t
SHELLEY'S POVShe snapped her eyes open and was met by pairs of worried eyes looking down at her."Are you okay?" An elderly woman asked."I don't think I am," she replied as she attempted to stand up but felt her head splitting into two."Easy, take it easy," the woman said, helping her up."Where am I?" She asked, finally taking in her surroundings."You are in our house," the woman replied."I mean, what is this place called?""Vancouver, but you are in Squamish." The woman replied."Squamish?" She gasped. That was like the outskirt of town. What had Rachel done?"You were found in a sleeping bag, almost dead."Rachel, that bitch! She had stuffed her in a common sleeping bag. She had obviously thought she was dead."Did you find my phone?""No, we didn't. You shouldn't be bothering about a phone. You narrowly escaped death." An old man, presumably the woman's husband, admonished."That's right, my dear." The woman concurred.Just then, a young teenage girl walked into the room with
RACHEL'S POVAfter the call with Shelley ended, she could not help but wonder what was wrong with her. She sounded perturbed and had an edge of urgency to her tone. Curious to know what was going on, she had set a meeting and asked that she meet her at her place.A few minutes later, her phone buzzed and it was her gateman informing her of the presence of a lady who called herself Shelley. She asked that he let her in and she walked downstairs to the sitting room to meet her."Welcome to my humble abode. What do I offer you?" She asked, trying to okay the role of a perfect host."That won't be necessary. I'm not here for that," Shelley said in what could pass for a harsh tone and Rachel was taken aback."Okay. What is it then?"" I was at the location where the girl is being held…"Rachel immediately cut her short, "What business do you have there?" You have done your job and therefore I expect to stop going there," her eyes were blazing hot with anger now."That's not the point, Rach
SHELLEY'S POVShe packed the last of the food in the lunch bag and slung it on her shoulder as she walked out of her tiny kitchen that could barely contain two people at the same time.Rachel would kill her if she found out about what she was trying to do, but she couldn't help it. This was not who she was, but her desperation to get money had changed her, and it was definitely not for good.Sighing, she locked the entrance door to her tiny apartment as she stood, waiting for a cab to flag down. She sighed in impatience as she looked forward to a cab. After a few minutes of waiting, a cab arrived and she got in and told him her location.She was lost in thought as the cab drove to the bus stop where she would take another cab going in her direction. She felt guilty about the things she had done in the last few months and hoped the almighty forgave her. "We are here, ma," the cab driver said, bringing her out of her reverie."I'm sorry I got carried away," she apologized and fished ou