KIAN’S POV She’s like a raging ball of fire when she steps out of the car, visibly shaking with rage that is nothing like I have ever seen before. It almost deters me, almost rips apart the courage with which I used to accost her after hours of waiting. Almost. I am no fool. I knew from the secon
I cover the distance between the cars in two strides, cornering her and shutting back the door with a loud bang that echoes throughout the empty lot and Leslie’s eyes go wide. “Did you not hear me? I said grandfather is back.” Leslie’s eyes hold no other emotion at those words other than the an
TRAVIS' POV I am restless, pacing the front porch of Sir Hanson’s home. Clenching and unclenching my fists. Cracking my knuckles repeatedly out of a sheer force of habit, anxiety and maybe even a small hint of anger. It’s a little past 7pm, an hour and a little past the normal time Leslie is supp
“You don’t have to explain again, Travis. I know you’re only looking out for me and I am grateful.” She says softly and I nod. She goes silent after that as if contemplating her next words, perhaps a response to the question I asked earlier. “I already handled Kian. He won’t show his face around m
BEVERLY’S POV “Do not say a word to him, you hear me? I am on my way.” Kian’s words are a repeated echo in my mind even when it’s been minutes since he gave that stern warning through the phone. I hate when he talks to me in that tone, that business-like tone that seeks to draw the line and put m
BEVERLY’S POV He stands by the door that he literally just barged through. He doesn’t look pleased to see me standing there, by his grandfather and he is glaring daggers at me from where he stands. I fight the urge to roll my eyes at him because I am equally as mad at him for what he just called me
LESLIE’S POV I haven’t slept well in the last few days. As badly as I want to blame my lack of sleep on the back-breaking work of refining my old designs, creating new ones, picking out suitable textiles for them, guiding the tailors and preparing for the launch in three months, I also know deep
LESLIE'S POV Every single sound around me is swallowed by silence that seems to come from my own head. The crowd’s noise becomes muffled, a background sound that’s so distant it’s as though it’s miles away from where I am bent over the unconscious man. I can’t move. I can’t take my eyes off hi
KIAN’S POV “How long are you going to hold on to that?” Cole’s voice startles me. The ring box I was playing with in my hands almost slips out of my hold but I catch it before it can fall to the ground. I glare in Cole’s way as I tuck the box safely back into the last drawer beside my office desk.
LESLIE’S POV (Another week later) I’m starting to think the news weatherman is a fraud. Three years ago and now, his forecast about a perfect sunny day is entirely wrong. The sky harbours thick clouds that hide the sun no matter how desperate she wants to take a peek. It’s no different from tha
LESLIE’S POV (One week later) > ***************************************************** Read and delete. It’s the third time this week and I’m starting to get sick of seeing the words “corpse”, “body” and “Funeral”. I’ve been subconsciously blaming the innocent little thing growing ins
LESLIE’S POV I join Kian’s mother outside the room, closing the door behind me. She is still stewing in anger, face red with rage that’s waiting to be unleashed. Usually, I would do anything to pacify her so I wouldn't be at the receiving end of that unbridled rage. Now? Irritation is all I feel at
LESLIE’S POV (One Week Later) “If the police show up again, spray them in the face with the fire extinguisher or something.” Cole’s irritated voice filters through my phone’s speaker and it makes me crack a smile for the first time in a week. “Pretty sure I would get arrested for that.” “Not
LESLIE’S POV My reflexes work faster than they ever have. Fast enough to help me roll away, and bump into Beverly in the process. Mike relentlessly stalks towards me and that’s when I get a good look at his affected leg. I time his movement and before he can take another angry swing of his weapon
LESLIE’S POV Seconds after Beverly crumples to the ground, my breath is still caught in my throat. I’m still trembling as I watch her sprawled on the floor, body jerking uncontrollably. I’m amazed at my strength to still remain standing despite the traumatising scene in front of me. To still grip t
LESLIE’S POV Our hearts are already in our mouths before we see what jumped at us—a ginormous rat, every bit as scared as us. It runs at full speed and scurries into the nearby bush. “All clear.” She mutters and we both step into the shed using her phone’s flashlight. It’s a full shed; a bunch of
LESLIE’S POV We’re barely two minutes away from the abandoned school gate when the engine starts to sputter, the entire truck shaking with the intensity. “No…no…no…no, not now!” Beverly lets out a panicked groan. I am preoccupied with looking behind us to make sure we’re not being followed but at