LEXI Two weeks later, "Have you packed the bags into the car?" I asked Ryan as we stepped out of the company. "Yes, ma'am. I packed everything you brought to the office this morning. He responded humbly, causing me to tilt my head and sway suspicious eyes over him. It had been two weeks since he started acting this way, and I didn't think I would ever get used to his new attitude. Did I say that I was disappointed when I realized that he hadn't returned to his usual self? Will I be called a mad woman if I confess that I prefer the old Ryan to the new one? Don't judge me. I'm certain every lady prefers the bad guys. I retracted my gaze and began walking to the car. Hopping into the backseat, Donald also joined from the other side. Ryan went to sit beside the driver taking us to the airport, and the journey began. Forty-five minutes later, we got to the airport and were assisted to the runaway by some of the staff there. The jet was there, shining and ready to fly us to Korea. "Do
LEXI"What! A storage room?" Everyone exclaimed; their eyes widened and fixed on me. I couldn't care less."Yeah! A storage room. Can't you do that for me?" I asked the manager with nonchalance. He gulped, finding my request weird. His eyes scrutinized the faces of everyone who was at the scene. He didn't know the best way to respond."I'm sorry, ma'am, but plans have been made for everyone coming, and his room is also ready in case you think he might be an additional cost to the organizers." The manager explained with a smile, hoping that I would understand, but I wasn't putting on a grin, which meant that I was damn serious with my request."I don't care if his room is available. This is what I want. Let him stay in your storage room," I stubbornly insisted, avoiding Donald's and Ryan's eyes. I knew that Ryan must be extremely shocked at this point, and he must be battling with his emotions because of the way his eyes were fixed on me unblinkingly."It is against the hotel's policy
RYANLexi is a bastard. If only I could pounce on her and claw her face with my fingers. She kept pushing me to the wall because she knew that I wouldn't be able to turn against her and attack her. How could she possibly ask me to stay in a storage room when there are hundreds of rooms in this gigantic hotel?She even proposed to pay a sum of three million dollars to them if they allowed me to stay in their storage room. Was that how much she hated me and wanted to punish me? Was that how much she wanted me to be humiliated every time? I scoffed, "You are so pathetic, Ryan. Your life is so pathetic." At this point, it looked impossible to win her to my side. She had changed. This wasn't the Lexi I knew. She wasn't the woman who would fall on her knees to beg for my love.The woman who was ready to do anything just to make me excited and touch her. I chuckled in my head. It all made sense.The same way she was ready to do anything to make me happy, the way she was ready to do anything
LEXIIt came so suddenly, like a shock, that it took me a few seconds to comprehend what was happening. He had kissed me. Donald had really kissed me. I didn't feel anger, but I felt like we were doing the wrong thing. I felt like we weren't supposed to be doing this. Scrape that! I felt like I wasn't supposed to be doing this; it was all wrong.A gentle bite on my lip jerked me out of my train of thought. "Ah!" I groaned. Donald took advantage of the little time I parted my lips to prod his tongue into my mouth. Expertly, he twirled his tongue in my mouth. I was supposed to find it enjoyable, right? Gosh! It was disgusting, yet I couldn't bring myself to stop him.After what seemed like a long hour, which wasn't even up to five minutes, I stylishly broke the kiss and took a few steps away from him. "That was cool!" I mumbled, forcing out a smile. I guessed he noticed what happened there because I saw a weird glint flash across his eyes, but he never mentioned anything about it, whic
GENERAL Ten minutes after Donald left, Lexi's vision began to turn blurry, and a splitting headache ran through her head. Even though she was on a chair, she almost collapsed on the floor, but she held the edge of the table, which supported her and helped her maintain her composure. "Ah!" She groaned, tightening her eyes close. She shook her head as though shaking off the blurry vision and opened her eyes back. At this point, her eyes were spinning, and she felt a weird sensation crawling over her body. She wondered what had gone wrong. She hadn't shown any sign of sickness before she went upstairs for the party, so what was happening? Could it be the drink? She picked up the glass of wine, which was trembling in her hand, and inhaled, but she didn't perceive any weird smell. Suddenly, she became hot and heated. The urge to remove all she was putting on surged powerfully and it was at this point that she asserted that she couldn't be at the party anymore. She needed to leave before
RYAN As our skins collided, it felt as though my body was set on a fire of lust. It responded to each of her touches, and I kept having the urge to take it deeper. I realized that I had missed her so much. Although we had an intimate session once, I could remember everything. The feelings and sensations were vivid in my head. I remembered how I insulted her and accused her falsely of spiking my drink and seducing me to get in bed with her. I was such a dick that I refused to accept that I lured her into it, and I enjoyed every bit of it. She was a virgin, and I took the precious gift from her. Inching closer to her, just when I was about to press my lips against hers, a warning resounded in my head and propelled me to stop whatever I was doing. I froze, leaned backward, and shrugged off the myriad of obscene thoughts from my head. What was I trying to do? Did I just try to have sexual intercourse with Lexi? I was just about to take advantage of her vulnerability and intoxication. H
GENERALImmediately, Donald locked eyes with the woman who called his name; he blinked and tilted his head to the side, making it obvious that he was avoiding her gaze. He bowed curtly and turned back, focusing on what he was about to do before she stopped her.Seeing how he acted, the woman smiled, "Donald!" She called, dashing to stand in front of him. She lowered her head so that she could take a full glimpse of his face. "It's really you. I know this is you. I have been watching you from the party, but I needed to be certain it was you before I made a move." She continued to talk, grinning excitedly like someone who met her friend after many years. However, Donald put on an indifferent countenance. He was neither elated to see her nor acting like he recognized her from somewhere. All he was doing was avoiding her eyes. "I am sorry, Miss. I think you've gotten the wrong person. I am not the person you are looking for," he denied, his voice husky but shaky. There was fear in his ey
GENERALStepping out of the elevator, he walked toward Lexi's room and was about to knock when he heard his name again. It was from none other than Cinderella, the same woman he threatened seconds ago."Donald!" Cinderella called, causing his hands to hang in the air.The smile on his face dissipated. Sighing, he twirled around to face Cinderella.Before he could turn properly and ask questions, Cinderella wrapped her arms around his neck and clasped her lips against his. She nibbled on his lips hungrily.Donald was shocked. He stood transfixed for a few seconds as he assimilated what was happening. Finally, he jerked out of his reverie and pushed Cinderella away."What the hell are you doing, Cinderella? You know me so well. Don't make me do what I promised myself not to do," Donald shouted, pointing an accusing finger at her.Unlike when they were on the rooftop, Cinderella's eyes were devoid of fear. He could see the brazenness in her demeanor and eyes. Leaving him to wonder what s
GENERAL Five Months Later The thump on the door caused Cinderella and Donald to raise their heads and look in the direction of the entrance. At the same time, the door opened slightly, and Lexi popped her head in, scrutinizing the whole place. When her gaze finally landed on the couple, she smiled and waved her hand. "Hello, mummy and daddy," she mumbled, strolling inside. She was followed by her husband, Ryan, and her daughter, Isabelle. "Lexi!" Donald muttered, walking up to Lexi and pulling her in a tight hug. "You didn't tell me you would be coming when we talked on the phone yesterday," he added, breaking the hug and darting his gaze over her. He was surprised to see her at the hospital. "Yeah! I didn't tell you, but it would be bad of me not to come to see my godson as soon as he was born," she said, sauntering past Donald to where the baby was. "Oh! My little pookie. You look so handsome," she complimented, taking the bed from his bed. "He looks just like you, Cinderella,"
GENERALThe sounds of gunshots reverberated across the building. Jasmine was shot in her legs and was forced to stagger into the fire she just created. Like a flash, the fire spread quickly and engulfed the whole building.Zoe and Emily screamed their lungs out for help. The cops who had arrived at the scene earlier rushed in before the fire could get to the people who were tied. Expertly, they released them from the hold and carried them out one after the other. Fortunately, nobody sustained burns except Jasmine, who fell into the fire. The fire was quickly quenched, and she was saved before she could be burnt beyond recognition. Her face, hands, and legs were burnt like an offering. Just when they thought the storm had calmed, Isabelle, who hadn't revived from her blackout, started breathing with difficulty in her mother's arms. Her chest hurled up and down.Lexi's jaw dropped and her eyes blinked as she looked at the girl in her hands. "Isabelle! My love! What is wrong with you?
GENERAL"What! What are you saying?" Zoe let out a stutter. Her lips shook with her eyes dilating in disbelief. She was certain that she didn't hear right. Jasmine would never say that.Jasmine prodded into her eyes, and her lips curled into a sinister smirk. "You heard me, Zoe Middleton. I still have unfinished business with your son," she repeated herself."No, Jasmine. You promised me. This wasn't the agreement. Don't you even try to go back on your words?" She interjected, "I don't like when you try to act sly. I hate betrayals, and I don't pity them." She spurted out, her eyes revealing anger.Jasmine snorted, unfazed by her reaction. "Well, I lied, Zoe. Feel free to call me a betrayal," she asserted.Lexi burst into a peal of hysterical laughter, throwing her head backward. "Such a fool! You think you are smart. Nobody knows Jasmine better than I do. She is just a desperate attention seeker. You are doomed," she muttered amidst her laughter.Angered and frustrated, Emily walked
GENERAL Ryan's eyes blinked when his sister, Emily, and Zoe, his mother, walked in. He couldn't believe his eyes. He was forced to shut his eyes and open them back, and they were still there. They didn't change. "Mum!!!" Ryan muttered, stupefied. It was as though he had just seen horror. If he had been told that he would be betrayed by his own family, especially his mother, he would have argued blindly. What pushed his mother to this? Zoe and Emily strolled closer to them and folded their arms. "Surprised?" She muttered, and he gulped. "What are you doing, mother? Why are you here? Why are you with Jasmine? Don't tell me you've joined hands with her..." He mumbled, and his mother shrugged her shoulders, asserting his speech. His mouth opened and he scoffed. "What are you thinking, Mum? What is wrong with you? Why would you do such a thing?" He retracted his gaze from his mother and moved it to his sister, Emily. "And you? Can't you tell her that this is wrong? Did you join an ou
GENERALRyan drove like a madman to the spot where he was told his wife's car was found. Getting there, he met some cops doing their work. "Mr. Ryan," one of them called the moment he stepped out of his car. "Did you find any clue? Have you checked the dashboard? Isn't there any CCTV in the street?" He hurled questions at the cops, scared. "The card in the dashboard has been removed. We guess the kidnappers took that with them. And for the street CCTV, we've asked the residents here, and they said it isn't working. It was just there as a camouflage," the cop explained, and Ryan hissed. What was happening? Why did bad things keep happening anytime he was happy? Who would dare kidnap his wife and daughter?He ran his fingers through his hair and placed a hand on his waist. He hated that he was helpless. His child and wife had been kidnapped, but he didn't know what to do. How would he save them? Where were they taken to?* "What! My Lexi? Never!" Mrs. Alexandra's eyes widened when
GENERAL "Please, have your seat," Donald said, pulling the chair out for Cinderella to sit on it.She scrutinized the restaurant they visited with admiration in her eyes. She didn't know where they were going before they left home. Donald just told her to dress nicely. She blushed as she took her seat. He walked to the other side and reclined on his seat. "Welcome, ma'am. Welcome, sir. What would you like to take?" A female waitress walked up to them as soon as they settled.Donald picked the menu and skimmed through it. "Seafood, and a bottle of champagne," he responded, handing his debit card over to the waitress. She took the card, bowed curtly, and left to prepare their order. The seafood he chose was Cinderella's favorite. Soon, the waitress arrived with their orders and arranged them on the table. She returned Donald's debit card. "Enjoy your meal," she said and left.Cinderella's eyes sparkled with hunger as she saw the seafood. The urge to dig in surged within her, b
GENERAL "Finally! You've come to visit me," Ryan's grandmother said, grinning as she went to welcome Lexi, Ryan, and Isabelle, their daughter. "Oh, my Goddess! Is this my little Isabelle?" Grandmother asked, ruffling the little girl's hair. "Hello, grandmother," Isabelle greeted with a smile. "Hey, granddaughter. You've become so big," Grandmother said with admiration in her eyes, and they laughed.Lexi went close to her. They prodded into each other's gazes and embraced each other. Tears brimmed in Lexi's eyes. There was no way she would count her blessings and not count her grandmother. In fact, she would count her twice. She was the only one who never looked down on her despite her poor status in the past. She took her like a daughter and made sure she never lacked a thing. Seeing her again after five years brought back memories, and tears strolled down her eyes. "Thank you for everything, Grandmother," Lexi said with a croaky voice. A lump clogged her throat.Breaking th
GENERALLexi and Ryan weren't surprised by their presence. They glanced at them indifferently, waiting to hear why they were there.Zoe swallowed hard. "Hey, son!" She mumbled with a fake smile.With an emotionless expression, Ryan said, "Why are you here, ma'am?"Her eyes widened. She stuttered, "What... What do you mean by that? Why would anyone ask why I am at my son's house?" She darted her stare over Lexi and threw her deadly and hateful glare. Lexi didn't mind the looks from her. In as much as she didn't step her foot into the house. "I thought I told you not to bring your legs here unless you are ready to repent." Why are you here with the devil you birthed?" He snapped at his mother, fixing a cold gaze at her sister, who was hiding behind her mother.Zoe's face changed into horror. She wore a squinty countenance. "What! Did you just call your sister a devil? What has gotten into you? Has this witch messed with your sense of reasoning?" She hurled questions at him, throwing
GENERALJasmine's step slowed as she neared her hideout. It was evident that she was scared. Perhaps not scared. She wasn't just ready for the drama that would follow once she got to where she was staying. As expected, she saw the man she had been staying with, standing outside and looking fierce.With the way he paced up and down, Jasmine discerned that it wouldn't be a good day for her as usual. He was drunk and exasperated. She was going to get beaten for the umpteenth time. When she escaped the prison some weeks back, she met this grumpy man who offered to help her if she agreed to be his wife. Without thinking, she accepted since she was in dire need of help. And that marked the beginning of her misery. If she was beaten today, she would be sexually abused the following day. Should we talk about the dirty streets and the stinky houses? If she was the previous Jasmine, she would have puked the first time she stepped into his house. "Look who is here. The Almighty Jasmine," The