"My mom?" Fred asked and Zara nodded."Yes, your mom and it's beautiful right?" Zara asked and Fred nodded his head."Yes it's lovely, it suits you." He said and smiled down at her, Fred couldn't tell what it was but there was something wrong with him. Why in the world is he feeling this way? He asked himself, he's just feeling so warm and he can't explain it. It must be because of the guilt he's trying to fight, it can't be anything other than that, right?"She said your dad gave it to her, it was her engagement gift. She thought I should have it, I refused but she wouldn't let me. Then she said it was my wedding gift from her, I didn't have any choice but to accept it then." Zara said and he nodded."You did the right thing, I'm sure my dad won't mind at all," Fred said and Zara felt emotional, it's really good that they all felt the same way about handing the necklace over to her.Soon Fred and Zara arrived at the cinema and alighted from the car. They both made their way to the ti
"Well you see growing up, I had a rough life. I was mistreated by my own family and I didn't have the opportunity to do a lot of things." Zara said and Fred felt sad for her. Why would anyone treat a member of their own family so badly?"I'm sorry to hear that, I didn't know you had a rough past." He said and Zara smiled. She can feel a lot of emotions welling up in her. No one has ever apologized to her for the way she was treated. But here is Fred doing just that, she's grateful for tonight. She has been able to take a lot of things off her mind."Thank you," Zara said looking up at Fred."What are you thanking me for?" Fred asked Zara."Thank you for bringing me here to see the movie, at least I was able to fulfill one of my lifelong dreams," Zara said which is the truth. She has always wanted to come here and she loved that she came here."Really? Your lifelong dream?" Fred asked her and she nodded her head."Yes, I have a full list of things I'm yet to do that I would love to do.
Fred is just not in the mood to talk to Bella or argue with her as it stands. He had a long day and he's tired. He doesn't want Bella to wake Zara up, she's as tired as he is."Bella, not this night please," Fred said and proceeded to walk into his room with Zara in his hands. He hugged her tightly to his chest firmly lifting her and holding her like a newly wedded bride.Fred carried her to the room and Bella followed after him. She can't stand the sight before her, she's the one he's supposed to carry that way and not Zara. He's even treating her like she's some special person. He's not even considering her feelings, Bella felt like screaming her lungs out at him. He better have a very good explanation for this charade he's putting on.Fred placed Zara on the bed gently and used the blanket to cover her body to prevent her from catching a cold. They were outside there for so long, that he would have to get one of the maids to pull her clothes for her. But that will be later on, firs
The next morning Zara opened her eyes and yawned tiredly. She sat up and looked around her, she's the only person in this room. There's no one here with her, which means it must be late into the morning. Fred must have left for work, Zara smiled at the thought of Fred.She stood up and walked to the window, she opened the curtains and she was right. It's already late into the morning, she can see the maids running around and getting busy with something. Zara left to go to the bathroom, she passed by the mirror in the closet and paused."Wait a minute," She gasped as she was stunned. She's just realizing she's not putting on the gown from yesterday. She's now wearing a nightgown, come to think of it. She can't remember walking into this room all by herself last night. Fred must have brought her in here, and not only that. He even changed her clothes. That means he saw her, he saw everything."No! No!! That can't happen, he should have woken me up instead." Zara said with her eyes shut,
Bella woke up grumpy, she made her way to the bathroom. She didn't have a good night's rest, she was restless all through the night. Turning and tossing, she couldn't bring herself to stop thinking about Fred and the many things she could do to get rid of Zara.It's already as clear as day that they both have something going on. Or she will rather say, Fred is beginning to fall into her trap and she's not going to allow it. She will have to do something fast about it, she can't allow this to continue to slide.Meanwhile, Zara ate her food with so much joy and happiness welled up inside her. Clara made sure she finished everything on her plate."Are you sure you don't want to eat more? You can have the chef make something else if that's what you want. Besides, you didn't have breakfast. This is brunch, you might as well take your lunch now." Clara said and she shook her head."It's okay Clara, I'm full," Zara said as she took the last bite of her food. She munched the food and gulped i
Clara was so upset just by hearing her voice and she almost felt like tearing her into two. She has no idea who she thinks she is to demand something like that from her."And who do you think you are?" Clara asked her and Bella frowned."I'm a friend of your son Clara, his best friend for that matter. I think that should count for something, why can't I attend the same event as you both?" Bella asked, she honestly couldn't stand this discrimination any longer. It's getting on her nerves and she can't deal with it anymore."Well, that's because we are family and you are a good-for-nothing nobody," Clara said Bella got angry but, she didn't dare to show her anger. She wouldn't want Clara to get angry and throw her out of the house. She will just have to pretend to be cool with whatever she says."We are always going out together, Fred and I. I don't see reasons why that should change all of a sudden." Bella said and Clara laughed at her mockingly."Well that goes to show how dumb you ar
"Please stop by at the hospital, I need to pick something up for Clara." Zara lied, she had to do that so the driver wouldn't suspect a thing about her. It's the only one she could come up with, Clara is elderly so it's only reasonable that she will need something from the hospital."Alright ma'am," the driver said and did as he was told. Zara was happy, at least something was going well and smoothly.Zara alighted from the car and walked down to the reception. She looked around to be sure that she had not been followed by anyone. She feels so nervous that she can feel her hand and her palms shaking."Good day miss," Zara greeted one of the nurses at the reception."Good afternoon ma'am, how may I help you please?" The nurse asked and Zara moved a little bit closer to her. She would not want even the person beside her to hear what she was about to say. Thank goodness she has some money in her card, she just hopes it will be enough to pay for her bills."Uhmm, well you see the thing is
Hugging Fred made Zara emotional, she didn't even know when she opened her mouth and uttered those words. She should not keep something as big as this away from him. She will soon begin to show and it will be too late to say something then. She didn't cheat on him or anything like that, she was pregnant right before they even met with each other."Really?" Fred pulled away from the hug holding her shoulder and looking into her eyes. He can't tell what's wrong with him but, he has not been himself since this morning. Even before she came here, he had been thinking about her. And he can't seem to be able to concentrate on any other thing that doesn't have to do with Zara."Come here and sit, then you can tell me whatever it is you want to tell me," Fred said and Zara became nervous. Now she regrets saying that in the first place, she has no idea how he's going to react to the news.What if he doesn't like the idea of him being the father of another man's child? At least for the time bei
Fred was laughing when his phone rang, but the moment he answered, his face turned serious."Fred, this is Detective James. I've got some news. We have Hailey, her mother, and Bella. They're all in custody."Fred's eyes grew wide with shock. "What? How in the world did you guys find them?"The detective chuckled. "Let's just say we had some good leads. They're in the process of being booked now."A wave of relief washed over Fred. "Thank God. Thank you, Detective.""We're not done yet, Fred. We still need to question them and get to the bottom of this. But for now, you can rest easy knowing they're off the streets."Fred nodded, even though the detective couldn't see him. "I appreciate it. Please keep me updated."As he hung up, Fred turned to Zara and Clara. "It's all over. Hailey, her mother, and Bella are behind bars."Tears brimmed over in Zara's eyes. "Oh, thank God. Our kids are safe."Clara smiled, her face carved with relief. "This is the best news we could have asked for."Fr
The booms of the police sirens in the warehouse were getting closer now. Clara was holding her daughter-in-law Zara's hand very tightly to soothe her."Help is here, Zara, just hang in there." These words repeated for a while produced from the lips of Clara, firm but quaking with emotion.Zara's eyes fluttered closed, her face going white and sweaty. Clara missed one heartbeat, not even daring to go to the worst place in her mind.But then Zara's eyes flickered open again, and she fixed them onto Clara. "Clara. Lo siento. I didn't mean to put you in danger."Clara was crying now, blubbering, the tears cascading down her face. "Don't say that, Zara. You're going to be fine. You're going to pull through."The medics burst past Clara, utterly focused on Zara. Clara stood, staring, while they dropped down to her level and pinned the wound on Zara's neck, then pulled her up onto the gurney.She gripped Zara's hand tightly in her own, behind her back in the ambulance, praying that with ever
"I have to go in there, Clara, for I have to find out what's happening to my girl. The silence—it just kills me."Clara's face set in a stubborn cast. "No, Zara, I cannot let you in there on your own; it's dangerous."Zara was indecisive. Her mind knew Clara was right, yet on the other hand, she simply could not do this. "Clara, please, I gotta do this. I'll be okay."Clara just shook her head. "But I'm not going to let you go in there alone. What if Bella is dangerous? What if she unmans you?"Zara let out a melodramatic sigh at that one, knowing against all her credibilities that Clara wouldn't."Okay. But you have got to promise me one thing. You have to stay way back and let me handle it. I don't want you under attack because of me."Clara's expression had softened, but her voice did not relent. "I'll stay behind, but just because you promise me one thing- you're going to be careful, and if things get out of hand, you get out of there, period."Zara nodded. Clara, she knew was o
Reaching the bottom step and hearing the 'click' of the sound of the hardwood floor beneath her boots, she entered the living room, where Clara was already seated sipping at a cup of coffee."Hey girl, you look fabulous," she told Zara, placing her cup on the table.Another added booster of her confidence made her smile. "Thanks, Clara, I am feeling rather good today."Clara nodded solemnly. "Yes, we need to find a way to talk about Bella. I was just trying to clear my thoughts and jot down in writing some thoughts on how we would start in dealing with the whole issue."Zara nodded as she got seated on a small stone beside Clara. "I am all ears. Let's hear it all."There she was, deep in conversation, when through the door in came Fred-torn, untidy in his appearance. "Hey guys, sorry to interrupt, but I was thinking of something since you're going out, would you like me to make some lunch for when you get back?"So, forthwith, a smile flitted from Zara, quite touched at Fred's caring
"Me neither. It's like she just snapped or something."Clara held her eyes, concern etched on her face. "Do you think Fred's plan for helping her is a good idea?"Zara hesitated, having known otherwise what to respond to. A part of her wanted to believe that Bella could be salvaged, that she wasn't beyond redemption. Another part of her was just plain terrified, scared of what Bella might do next."I don't know, Clara," Zara said finally. "I want to believe that Bella can change, that she's not beyond help. But at the same time, I'm scared. I don't know what she's capable of."Clara nodded with understanding. "I think so too. But do we not have to try, Zara? For Fred's sake, if nothing else."Zara nodded, her emotions oozing with an air of resolution. "You are right. We have to try."Just then, Fred came downstairs. His eyes were tired, but there was a determined look in them. "Guys, I've been thinking. I know how we can reach Bella."Zara and Clara gave each other a hopeful look. "Wh
As Fred was lost in the thought that it might be possible for Bella to change, Zara grew tense in his hand. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked softly and gently full of concern.Fred was unsure of what to say to Zara about his plan; he just felt undecided. But something in her soft voice just made everything all right. "I have been thinking," he began, his voice barely above the whisper. "I probably could help Bella. I probably could get her the help she needs."Zara's face contorted in incredulity. "Fred, we have talked about this. Bella's beyond help. Toxic, she will bring you down with her."Fred nodded, realizing Zara's concern was founded. But he couldn't help that feeling inside him, telling him he needed at least to try. "I know, but what if I can reach her? What if I could help change her?"Zara heaved a deep sigh and searched his face for an answer. "You really would risk everything, wouldn't you, for her?"Fred nodded, his heart heavy with the weight of his decision. "I have to t
Fred trudged up the walkway, his feet heavy with the weight of his conversation with the detective. He had been hoping to find some way to help Bella, but now he wasn't so sure. As he reached the front door, it swung open and Zara stood before him, a look of concern etched on her face."Hey," she said standing aside to let him in. "How did it go?"Fred sighed, rubbing his temples. He didn't know how to summarize the complicated emotions swirling inside him.A seemingly sympathetic frown was creasing Zara's face. "That bad, huh?"Fred nodded, and he felt an immense weight being lifted, just being near Zara made things better.Zara softly closed the door as he entered inside, then leaned back against it, crossing her arms. "So, did you get to speak to her?" she asked softly.Fred's eyes dropped, his mind flashing back to the conversation with Bella. He hadn't expected her to be so. unrepentant. So uncaring."Yeah," he said at last, voice barely above a whisper. "She was vile like always
Fred asked the detective, "Is there a way to protect her? I don't want anything to happen to her."Detective Mathew's eyes became wide with shock. "Protect her? Mr. Fred, she's the one who has been causing harm to others. Why would you want to protect her?"Fred's expression turned grave. "She's like a sister to me," he said. "I am responsible for her, and I don't want anything to happen to her."The surprise on the detective's face slowly gave way to comprehension. "I see," he said. "Well, Mr. Fred, I can offer her protection while she's in custody, but once she's released. I'm not sure what we can do."Fred nodded, his eyes full of concern. "I understand. Just do what you can, please."The detective nodded. He looked so contemplative. "I'll see what we can do, Mr. Fred. But I have to ask, are you sure you want to do this? She's caused a lot of harm to people you care about."Fred's jaw clamped down tightly, his eyes flashing with determination. "Positive," he said. "She's like a sis
Fred's eyes never left Bella's face and a mixture of shock and sadness was written all over his face. "Everyone, please leave us alone for a minute," he said in a whispered tone.The detective had looked indecisive but nodded, gesturing to his officers to leave the room. "We'll be right outside, Mr. Fred," he said.As the door shut behind them, Fred turned back to Bella. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice trembling. "How can you say that?"Bella laughed coldly and mirthlessly. "You don't get it, do you?" she spat. "You never have. You've always been so blind, so oblivious to everything around you."He took a step closer, his hands extending toward her. "Bella, please. just tell me what's wrong. What have I done to hurt you so?"Bella's eyes suddenly flashed with anger, and she rose to her feet, her body etched with tension. "You want to know what you have done?" she repeated. "You want to know the worst thing you've ever done to me?"Fred nodded, his heart beating in his chest in