Ashley I sat in the backseat, my gaze fixed on the passing scenery, but my mind seemed miles away. Pain flickered in my eyes, like distant lightning on a stormy night. The road stretched out endlessly before me as the driver drove us down the road heading back home, each passing mile mirroring the turmoil within me. As the car hummed along, what Miss Jessica said kept repeating in my head. “You're pregnant,” I quickly closed my eyes as her cheerful face appeared in my thoughts.“Why do you feel too weak? It's not good for a pregnant woman, especially when you have a hormonal imbalance. You need to focus on eating well, getting plenty of rest, drinking enough water, and taking this particular prescribed medication to help balance the hormones for the baby growing inside you.""Ma'am," I felt a tap on my hand, and I quickly opened my eyes."Yes," I yawned wearily. "We've arrived," the driver informed me. I nodded, gently opened my door, and stepped out.The guards greeted me, but I b
Olivia Exactly 8:30 am At the Enchanted Moonrise Hotel on the outskirts of town, I found myself seated on the bed in room 418, anxiously checking my wristwatch. Suddenly, the door swung open, and six men dressed in black suits strode in."And here she is, the tigress." I stood up the moment I caught sight of Alexander entering."Good morning," I greeted, nervously fidgeting with my fingers.Though we might be working together, I still feel uneasy in his presence. He gives off a chilling, and menacing vibe. Damien may have a reputation for being ruthless, but the man before me now, clad in a sharp black tuxedo, is truly dreadful.His demeanor changed as he closed the windows and kept only the AC running. Lighting a cigarette, he settled in, releasing smoke into the air as he fixed his gaze on me."Sit," he barked in a cold tone. I nodded, mustering a small forceful smile, and took a seat. I cleared my throat, trying to calm my nerves.As he puffed out another smoke, a smirk playe
Ashley It was Monday morning, and Jessica had asked me to come in for a check-up. Mason had been calling nonstop for the past few days, so I blocked his number. I needed to see my father, but I didn't want to cause Mason more trouble or pain, concerning Damien's last threat. I know him, and I’m sure he meant every single word that left his lips that day, so I sat back. Getting ready, the driver took me to the hospital. It was bustling with people, just like any other regular workday.I walked up to the young nurse at the counter and said, “Hello, I have an appointment with Doctor Jessica.”Looking at me, she offered a warm smile. "Good morning, Mrs. Ashley," she greeted before saying, "May I see your card?"I handed her the card, and after checking it, she nodded and returned it to me. "Please have a seat and wait for her. She's in the operating room but just wait for five minutes. She'll be out," she said with a smile which I also returned. I nodded and made my way to find a place
Damien "How the fuck did this happen?" I run my hands through my hair in frustration, feeling like I'm at my wit's end. It's been two days since Ashley went missing, and we still have no leads on her whereabouts or any traces of the people who kidnapped her. The helplessness is suffocating me, and I can't shake off the feeling that time is running out. Though when Pasito, Eros, and some of my men arrived with me at the scene that day, we were only met with a grim sight. The driver's lifeless body, shattered window glasses, and an open door were the only clues left behind. Despite being delayed by traffic, we were greeted by an eerily quiet road, with the driver's dead body lying there, like a haunting welcome.I still can't fathom why on earth she would even follow down that deserted road.Who could have taken her? I have a lot of enemies who could stop at nothing but to see me in my lowest and that's the problem. Who exactly took her? The questions swirling in my mind are drivi
Mason I removed my tie and tossed it onto the bed, taking a deep breath in and exhaling slowly before sitting down to remove my shoes. My life has been a bag of trouble and restless for the past few months. Ashley was everything to me; she was the definition of perfection. We shared amazing memories, and we had agreed to wait until marriage to consummate our relationship back then. But then... Olivia happenedI wronged Ashley, and I know it. But I couldn't help myself. Back then, I yearned for her, craved her, and wanted her to make me feel like a man. But she still held firm to her beliefs about no sex until after marriage. I had a strong desire for intimacy, but I didn't know where to turn until Olivia entered the picture.It was all sudden like a movie.Though I've never known a sensible man to resist a tantalizing offer... especially not one as irresistible as Olivia.My intimate experiences with Olivia were beyond amazing. She was incredibly skilled, and I became fearful of l
Mason I yelled, “Leave me alone!” as the sharp knife sliced along my arm, causing me to scream in agony. Damien yanked the knife out, and blood gushed from the wound. “Let's get down to business,” he growled. I whimpered in fear and pain, the bravery and tough facade that I once had were gone. My body trembles uncontrollably, tears blurring my vision as I gaze in terror at my bleeding arm. The sight of my own blood sends a fresh wave of fear coursing through me, and I find it hard to maintain a semblance of composure anymore. What did I do? "Come over," I heard him muttered, his voice low and intimidating. One of his men stepped forward, his movements fast and brutal. He yanked out a coarse rope and tied my hands behind my back with a harsh, tight knot. Then, he ruthlessly tied up my leg.“Ah….” I let out a pained groan as the rope bit into my skin. Once the man was done, he then stood up and stepped aside, allowing Damien to move into his place in front of me.I lifted my head, m
Ashley My hands were tied behind me, and my eyes were blindfolded with scraps of cloth. I struggled to free myself, but the restraints held tight. Panic set in as I realized that I have been trapped. I can hear the heavy beating of my heart as fear grips me like a claw. The smell of dust seems strong here and my echoing voice taunts me with its emptiness. My voice kept bouncing back and forth.“Where am I?” I scream, but the only response is the haunting reverberation of my own terror. My head pounds with a painful ache, like a thousand needles stabbing my brain. And just then my stomach growls, a sign that I've gone without food for some time now.Though despite the rumbling of my stomach and Doctor Jessica's warnings about my health echoing in my mind, food is the last thing I'm thinking about right now. All that kept coming to my mind was the sight of the lifeless body of the innocent driver slumped over the steering wheel.Oh my God……! I bite down hard on my lips to stifle my so
My gaze widened in horror, and I felt the life drain from my soul. My world seemed to grind to a halt as my heart raced wildly, pounding in my chest like a drum. My body trembled violently, my limbs shaking with fear. I stared back at him, my mouth agape, but no words escaped my lips. I was frozen in terror, my voice caught in my throat. What is going on? How did he know? What is he talking about?!More like he read my mind, he instantly clapped his hands in the air, the door opened and I watched one of his men walk inside with my purse. Alexander took the bag from him and opened it. My heart kept beating hard, and my mouth kept flapping open and close, like a fish gasping for air. Yet no word left my lips, I felt numb.Oh my goodness, this can’t be happening. I trembled hard as Alexander pulled out my hospital card, his lips curling into an evil smirk as he stared into my terrified face. "Congratulations, preggy," he taunted, his voice dripping with venom as he tore the card int
“Do you, Jessica Hall, take Sebastian Albrecht as your wedded husband, to have and to know from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do you apart?” "Yes, I do," Jessica replied, earning a loud excited clap from the crowd. It has been four years and here we are in the church, witnessing the wedding of Sebastian and doctor Jessica. I don’t know but I feel like the happiest today, I have always blessed their union. Sitting beside me is Mrs. Albrecht, carrying my three years old son, Ryan, in her arms. He is just the cardboard copy of his father, Damien. The only thing he took from me is just my deep blue ocean eyes, other features are just like that of Damien. Damien rubbed my right hand, and perked it before intertwining them in his. I looked at him and smiled, he didn’t lie when he said that he will make things right again. He had been incredibly sweet, easy going, jovial and
Ashley Time flies and before I knew it it was morning already. I spoke with Sebastian yesterday and he told me that he will be coming with a surprise package. Knock. Knock“I am coming," I shouted and perked Mrs. Catherina in the cheeks and hurried to open the door. “Hey Sebastian," I greeted with a warm smile and he smiled back. “How have you been?" “Just there," I replied, my eyes curiously trailing all over him for any present or anything but he came empty handed. Where is the surprise package?" Hey, you said that you have something that will cheer me up,” I pouted and he laughed while walking in." Yeah, I did," he replied but just then, Mrs. Catherina walked in. “Hey Sebastian." “Wow!" He went in to give her a warm hug, though I noticed they exchanged a strange look. What was that for? I opened my mouth to ask, but Sebastian beat me to it, “So, Ash, how's my little nephew?” He plopped down on the couch, and Mrs. Catherina returned to her cooking, humming a tune in the k
Damien The room is dark, with a smell of alcohol lingering in the air. I sat on the ground with another bottle of alcohol and leaned my head against the wall. It has been four good months that I haven’t seen Ashley. I have tried to reach her, to explain things but it was all a futile mission. She doesn’t want to see me. She had blocked me on all the social media platforms from reaching her. Since her absence, life has been hard and bitter on my side. I had to give up her father’s company and resigned as the owner but still she doesn’t want me. I know I wronged her but I am ready to fix things. To show her the sweet, jovial, and easy going side of me.But I guess it is all too late now. I pulled my hair and took another huge sip from the drink. For the past few months, I have regretted the life I had lived. How I had neglected her. I blamed myself day and night for not being so serious in finding her then after that night.I hated myself more…. More for the constant abuses,
It's been three months since I left Los Angeles, and I must admit, I miss Damien every single day. He's tried every possible way to reach me, bombarding me with countless apologies and calls, desperate to make things right. Yet, despite the ache in my heart, I still yearn for him. But the painful realization runs too deep, and I just can't bring myself to go back to him. My heart and mind are at war, torn between the love I still feel and the hurt I thought I'd never overcome.I felt utterly betrayed, so I blocked Damien on all social media platforms. Since then, the only people I've been in contact with are Sebastian and Jessica. Though I've also heard through the grapevine that Damien has relinquished control of my father's company and resigned as owner. But I couldn't care less, my father is already dead. As I sat on the couch, staring blankly at the TV in front of me, my mind wandered, not even concentrating on the news. When suddenly, the doorbell rang, signaling that someone
AshleyThe airport is full of people leaving and entering from arriving flights. I sat down on the bench there waiting patiently for my flight, when suddenly the airport's public address system crackled to life. The air traffic control personnel announce, their voice echoing through the terminal..."Attention all passengers and airport personnels, due to severe weather conditions, all flight departures are currently suspended. Please check with your airline for further updates and instructions.""What?!" I gasped, shocked. Which weather? I thought, glancing up at the small opening up there to see the sky but to my surprise, it was clear. Not a cloud in sight, no sign of rain or even a hint of turbulence.What are they now talking about? I wasn't the only one perplexed, my fellow passengers exchanged confused glances, and a low murmur and noises started rising and that’s when my phone beeped. I pulled it out from my pocket and it was Sebastian. "Hey, Sebastian," I answered, steppi
amien. Swirling my office chair around, my mind kept drafting to different directions. I won’t deny the fact that I am kind of scared about the abortion that Ashley is about to go through but then again… . I rubbed my face, and let out a deep sigh. What if I lose her? God forbid! I don’t think I will survive that, picking out my phone to dial Ashley’s number when suddenly the door to my office opened and Lucas walked in. "Good evening, boss," he said, but I just raised an eyebrow in response. Noticing my expression, he added, "Someone is here to see you, boss."Someone is here to see me? Who? I am not expecting anyone.“Who?" I asked, eyeing him up suspiciously. He gulped hard and scratched his neck nervously, “I think is best to see him," Him?Giving him a suspicious glare, I leaned back in my chair and nodded for him to let the person in. He nodded and went back to the door. My curiosity widened as the door opened, and I readjust to see the person but to my surprise, Seba
Tears were rushing down my face as I hurried down stairs. All my world seemed to be crumbling before me for real this time. My heart was full of pain, and hurt.I haven’t felt this broken before all through my life. It feels like I am suffocating. I held my chest, feeling a painful tug against my heart. So all the time I have been living with that monster from that very night. He was the reason that my life was full of pain, bruises, suffering and trauma. I was almost downstairs, when a hand suddenly grabbed me from behind and pulled me into an empty corridor in the restaurant. "Ash, please calm down, let's talk," Sebastian whispered urgently beside me. But I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. "No! No!" I exclaimed, my voice cracking. "He broke me!" I wailed, and Sebastian pulled me in a tight, comforting hug. I continued to sob, screaming, and venting all my anger and frustration until exhaustion took over.**** ***** Sitting across the table alone with Sebastian
“And how is this related to the stranger?" I turned to Sebastian but Layla was quick to answer. “I just wanted to tell you how everything happened,” she said, attempting to look pitiful But I am not buying those cheap looks on her face. She had betrayed me, and I wasn't about to forget it. " Then be fast, I don’t have all day,” I snapped, my patience wearing thin. Sebastian patted my hand to calm down. "After I caught them, I threatened to tell you," Layla said, tears streaming down her face. "Honestly, I wanted to tell you, but they used my grandma's condition against me." She sobbed, but I raised an eyebrow at her. "He offered to treat her for free if I kept quiet and went along with their plan. I was devastated...," she trailed off, sniffling. Sebastian handed her a tissue across the table, and she took it, turning to face me. "They threatened to kick my grandma out if I didn't cooperate. You know how much I love her; she's my only living relative. So, I agreed to play a
My ringing tone pulled me out of my sleep, and I yawned, stretching out my hand to grab the phone from the nightstand beside the bed. Again, Damien hadn't slept here last night. My head pounded as I tried to sit up straight in bed. I picked up the call without checking the caller ID and placed the phone to my ear. "Yes?" I sounded drowsy, my voice husky from sleep."Are you just waking up?" Sebastian chuckled from the other end of the line. Startled, I pulled the phone away and checked the caller ID. "Fuck," I hissed under my breath. "It's still morning," I said, yawning. I heard him chuckle again before saying, "When you're done, come to the eatery at Street 10 by the roadside." "Why?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. "It's about our last discussion," he replied. My gaze widened, and I instantly sat up straight in bed, my heart racing."Did you find anything?" I asked, clinging to the duvet in fear. I heard Sebastian sigh before saying, "Just come out, at least by 10 o'clock.