The journey was long, but thanks for sticking with me on this one. There is an epilogue on the next page.
ONE MONTH LATERBy evening in the Ray Mansion, Zee stood at the diner table, watching the Rays eat a meal of fried rice and turkey."Well?" She asked because she had made the food herself.Michael gave her a smile which she returned, somewhat nervously, because she was waiting for the verdict of everyone concerning her cooking.She was confident that she had done well, but she still needed comments.During her catering classes, she had learned that the customer was always right.To her, it was a debatable point, but in that regard, she planned to pick her battles so she would stand a better chance of winning."The food is perfect as always." Said Michael, giving her a wink."You always say that." She said shyly, blushing at his open flirting before everyone."Thanks." She still managed to mumble.The others at the table threw them teasing looks and smiles."Sir Dean, please say something." Zee eagerly urged Michael's father."My latest daughter, I believe that you will do excellently a
Contact the guy who took your virginity and beg him to marry you. Seated on an armchair at the balcony of her bedroom, with the stars, gracing the night sky over her middle-class neighborhood in the city of San Jonas, Zee’s cobalt eyes surrounded by heavy dark eye shadow seemed to have doubled in size, her mouth agape as she took in the strange SMS. Only, the SMS had no sender. The words were in black typeface font over a white background. With her heart slamming against her chest, she tentatively tapped her black painted short-nailed forefinger on the back button on her phone, trying to dismiss the message. It did not budge. Her tapping became rapid. Still, the message remained. Instead, the words began to transform into a drippy handwritten bloodshot font. Another set of words appeared beneath the first. They were in the same bloody handwritten font and read- THE LAST DARE WILL NO LONGER WAIT in capitalized alphabets. A ga
Lemuel and Inara moaned in ecstasy as they climaxed in each other’s arms in their bedroom. As they caught their breaths, Lemuel rolled off her and they both chuckled as their toddler, Caleb started crying from the bed’s built-in crib.“Aww, he’s so jealous,” Lemuel commented jokingly as he gently combed his fingers through her ruffled hair. Her eyes were heavy-lidded from the aftermath of their lovemaking but she was smiling.“Jealous indeed.” She drawled and they both lifted themselves to look down at Caleb. He stopped crying and stuck his thumb inside his mouth. Then he went back to sleep as he sucked on it.“We have to do something about that thumb.” Said, Lemuel.“You are not putting anything bitter on my son’s thumb.”“You mean my son?”“Our son.” She said and he gently tweaked her cheek.“That was on a lighter note but why not? Your mum did it to you, remember?”“Well, he needs some time. My mom did it to me because I was about five and was still sucking my thumb.”“I can just im
Confusion marked Zee's brow. “What?” she asked. “Remember when I accused you of sending me a text with the words you just accused me of saying to you?” “Yeah,” Zee confirmed. She sounded thoughtful now. “I never saw the message again and that was how I knew it was my last warning.” Zee sighed resignedly. “I didn’t say the words, Zee. That was your last nightmare.” “I know that now,” Zee admitted. Her voice was solemn. “I’m sorry.” “Me too. Do the needful. I’ll be waiting for feedback.” “Okay.”
Zee wondered where he was staying in town.“Where are you staying in town?” she asked, her intention, to pick a spot close to his area. She hoped it was quite far from her home so that she would take some time, organizing her mind as she went.“Eagle Hotel.”Zee knew the place. The Eagle hotel was close to Inara’s family house and it was where Cassy and her friends had set her up with the bridal shower, getting her in trouble with Lemuel. Zee could not stand those bullies. She hoped she would never have to cross paths with any of them again.“The Eagle hotel is fine if you ask me.”“Great. We will meet at the restaurant, then. See you tomorrow. Is 2:00 pm okay with you?”“Yes, it is.”“Bye, Zee.”“Bye.”Zee ended the call. She should feel much calmer now that she had started the game but she did not. She was feeling all tensed up. She fell back on the bed. Then she took a deep breath and concentrated on getting some sleep.Hours passed and the night faded, bringing in a new day that we
Zee decided to be honest about her feelings. “I’m glad too.” She responded. “But concerning the rebellious look, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” “You do, Elizabeth. And just so you know, if I was responsible for you, you will definitely dread the thought of me finding you in this persona.” Zee found herself speechless and frozen for a second. In that moment, he held her back from him, breaking up the embrace. Then his lips curled into a barely noticeable smirk. “Sit down, Zee. I do not bite. But you already know that.” He sat down and watched her recover from the earlier shock of his words. “Persona?” she asked wonderingly as she sat down. “Are you saying that I’m not real?” He did not respond immediately. Instead, he was staring intensely into her eyes. It reminded her of how he had looked at her when he was deflowering her, his manhood, piercing her, making her a woman. She couldn’t stand any sort of pain, so she had cried b
She was frozen in shock as he spoke. “I don’t know why you keep doing this but the fake image you keep presenting is completely unnecessary. The reason I was on your neck in school was that I knew you needed the pressure. If I had not been a kind of a thorn in your flesh, you would have been sloppy with your classes and finally end up a dropout. That probably is something you will eventually regret. Then who would you blame? Your parents? Sure, but in the end, everyone is responsible for what they turn out to become based on the choices they make.” “Please stop…” “I have not finished talking.” He interrupted coarsely and she fell silent but her heart was vibrating with tension and denial as he continued. “It is clear that somehow, all you want is attenti
Zee’s eyes grew huge with alarm and when she looked at the rear-view mirror, the car was nowhere in sight. It seemed to have disappeared into thin air. What she saw behind her was an approaching Peugeot. It felt like she was reliving the last few minutes as the group of trailers that had made her stay behind the mysterious beetle, slowly approached. She did not realize that she had slowed down until she began to hear the impatient blare from the Peugeot behind her. “Come on, step on it.” She heard a man’s voice yell from the vehicle but she was still too shocked by what had just happened to move any faster. Buried in shock, she managed to keep driving until the trailers finished passing by her, and then the Peugeot fell into line beside her with the driver cursing out at her.
ONE MONTH LATERBy evening in the Ray Mansion, Zee stood at the diner table, watching the Rays eat a meal of fried rice and turkey."Well?" She asked because she had made the food herself.Michael gave her a smile which she returned, somewhat nervously, because she was waiting for the verdict of everyone concerning her cooking.She was confident that she had done well, but she still needed comments.During her catering classes, she had learned that the customer was always right.To her, it was a debatable point, but in that regard, she planned to pick her battles so she would stand a better chance of winning."The food is perfect as always." Said Michael, giving her a wink."You always say that." She said shyly, blushing at his open flirting before everyone."Thanks." She still managed to mumble.The others at the table threw them teasing looks and smiles."Sir Dean, please say something." Zee eagerly urged Michael's father."My latest daughter, I believe that you will do excellently a
"Zee, she's a terrible person. But we have to help her." Said Inara."How? We don't know anything.""We don't have to. I have an idea already. As a staunch church girl. As a bonafide daughter of a Reverend." She gave Cassy a pointed look. "As the silly daughter of a Preacher, I have an idea we can try.""I'm sorry I called you a silly daughter of a Preacher." Cassy apologized."No problem," Inara responded and faced Zee."Let's find matches and fuel or something.""Why?" Zee asked."We are going to burn the book," Inara said and led the way inside the shed. They followed behind her and searched for a lighter.Cassy worked hard, searching too. At that moment they were working together.Cassy found a lighter and handed it over to Inara. Zee found a lantern there, so she shook it. There was oil inside.Outside, the rain had stopped. Zee carried the book out to the yard and Inara poured the oil on it. Then Cassy set the book on fire.As it started to burn, a dark malevolent voice could be
"Whatever." Cassy told Inara. "Inny, you didn't need to come," Zee told Inara. "I called you. You didn't take my calls. I had no choice." Inara responded. "That's because I was already on my way. My car won't start so I had to use the bike." "Okay. No problem." "How did you leave the house? Was Lemuel there? "No. He is out with friends. He said one of his business partners is getting married and has enlisted him as one of the groomsmen. They are having a meeting." "Okay, that's cool," Zee said. "I hate to spoil your friendship party, but I've got a game to play and interesting pictures to reveal if I don't get to play," Cassy announced.
At that moment she got a call from Cassy and reviewed it. "Hello, Cassy." "Should I send the pictures or not?" "Cassy, you have to give me time but we can go for Violet May first thing tomorrow." "Hmm. Fine, but once we are back you're sending my money or your husband sees your slutty actions." "Yes, no problem. Can I bring Inara?" "Why?" "Because she has a way with words. She might be better at convincing Violet." "No." Cassy decided. "Nice try. You want to bring support so you both overpower me? No way." "That's not my intention." "I said no. Tomorrow what time?" "I will speak with Violet and let you know." "You better be fast," Cassy said ending the call. Zee called Violet May and tried to set up a meeting. Violet May demanded to know the purpose and Zee decided to be open about it. Cassy was blackmailing her just so she would be forced to convince the sp
After a few minutes, lost in thoughts, her phone rang with Cassy's call, so she answered. "Make that one million bucks." She said. "I forgot that you're married to a billionaire." "Cassy, I don't have that kind of money." "Oh, come on. There are many places you can borrow from. Your husband, then your best friend's husband, even your parents. I mean, you have so many options. Pick one." "Nobody will give out money just like that. Money doesn't grow on trees." "You're creative. I saw the grand opening ceremony where it was mentioned that you named that new joint Dine Together. I also saw the article where you were credited for naming that other joint Pause and Eat. Turns out you do have some rare talent. So use your creativity and get the money. I didn't ask for a million. I asked for half a million, which is way beneath the original price had you and your friend's husbands just paid the damn ransom. You stole my wealthy man. This is just me ge
ONE WEEK LATER In an elegantly dressed hall, dinner guests seated around intercontinental dish-filled tables with sparkling wine filled glasses, admired the occupants on the stage. The occupants were Michael, Lemuel and their spouses. The four were dressed in dinner outfits as well. Lights flashed as photographers took pictures of the four. A large projector on stage displayed the theme of the event which showed that Michael and Lemuel's collaboration had come to fruition. The event was the grand opening ceremony of the business they had opened in San Jonas. It was an event center with a wine depot on the side. Michael owned the depot and Lemuel owned the even
Cassy waited on the bench, refusing to give up, even though thirty minutes had elapsed since she last heard from Violet May. She repeatedly tapped her foot on the floor while frequently checking the time on her wrist watch. Unable to wait any longer, she rose to her feet and gave the door a knock. "What is going on?" She asked. "Go away." Came Violet's voice from inside. "What?" Cassy was perplexed. "Go away." "I've wasted my time here. And you say I should just go away? "Yes." "Are you even for real?" "Just go away. I am having mood swings."
Outside the Cabin, at a small distance, Michael and his entourage parked by the express. Morning fog slightly blurred the air. As the backseat was opened for him, the guard told him not to bother as they would handle everything. "That's my wife." Michael said, pulling out his gun and getting off the car. "Thanks, but I won't sit here." All the other men were outside and at Michael's signal, they poured towards the cabin on foot. In a matter of minutes, they had the cabin surrounded. Inside the room where the hostages were, their captors had gone impatient. "Your husbands are not communicating." Sam's partner said through gritted teeth. "Maybe we need to send footage of one part of your bodies missing. Perhaps they need such violent motivation." Zee and Inara begged with their eyes, struggling and grunting with great efforts that merely shifted their seats slightly. They could not utter any words or cry out because by now, the guys had
Michael was furious as he dressed up. He hadn't exactly left Elizabeth without security. He had kept one of his men to tail her, but keep his distance. He felt that since she was in San Jonas, there would be no real threat to her. Gosh! He had messed up big time. If anything bad happened to her, he would not be able to forgive himself. He had already called his men and told them to get ready. His head of security was already talking to their cartel branch in San Jonas. It was funny how these things worked. Every bad guy had a superior and the superiors were connected to Dons. Only men like him had the slim chance of calling off the kind of crime being committed. He finished wearing a dark blazer over dark fitted jeans and hurried out of the room. Sitting at the backseat of the car as Marcus drove with mad speed down the quiet express road, he called Lemuel and told him not to bother coming out as he would handle everything. Lemu