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2024-10-29 19:42:56“Calm down. Let’s get inside. Then call him back and tell him you’re having a runny tummy, just to keep him waiting longer. The later he starts searching for you, the better.”
“Okay.”
Pat ushered her into her apartment. Suddenly Zee felt like she had entered a small space because of Michael’s large house, but she didn’t mind. The house was simple and decent. Pat had two rooms with an adjoining kitchen and toilet.
“The spare room is yours and that other one is mine.” She pointed to a shut door.
“Okay. Thanks.”
Zee’s phone started ringing again.
“You had better take his call now before he starts suspecting something.”
“Okay.”
Zee received the call as they stood there in the living room space of the apartment.
“Hello.” She said, her voice small.”
“What is taking you so long, Baby?”
Zee could feel her heart thundering against her chest. She faked a small groan of discomfort.
“Are you okay?” h
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Dark Love - A Darker Shade of Love(Completed) 98
ONE WEEK LATER Zee was serving guests at the eatery where Pat worked. She was dressed in the uniform of her colleagues who were waiters and waitresses. It was a white shirt over black pants or skirt. She was wearing a black skirt and white tee shirt and a red wig with fringe and she was putting on gothic makeup in order to conceal her identity. Michael had stopped calling her right on the first day of her escape. He had only left her one SMS. It said, SWEETHEART, I WILL FIND YOU SOONER THAN YOU EXPECT. Each time she saw that SMS, her heart would thunder with fright. During lunchtime, she sat down with Pat in the lunchroom. As they had Irish Potato fries with Ketchup and soft drinks, Zee’s eyes studied Michael’s daunting SMS on her phone. “You should delete that message,” Pat suggested. “You really don’t need anything troubling you.” “You’re right,” Zee said and deleted the message. Then she placed her phone on the table. “Good.
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After sending Michael her message, she waited for his response, her heartbeat still slamming against her chest. She was expecting an SMS but she nearly jumped out of her skin as her phone rang with his call. She received the call and slowly brought it up to her ear. She said nothing and just listened because she was too scared to speak. She should not even be picking his call in the first place. “Elizabeth.” His voice was low, rough, and deep. “Are you trying to trace this call?” “I don’t need to, Sweetheart. And it’s nice to hear your voice. Nevertheless, since you have called my bluff, I will repeat what I told you over the phone. You will be home today, and you will cry, not only for your lies but also for your impudence. See you later.” The line wen
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Zee heard the car door slamming shut and the sound jolted her out of her fear-frozen state. She quickly dumped the album on the table and hurried out of Pat’s room, closing the door behind her as quietly as possible. She stepped into the living room as Pat was just entering the house using her key. Pat gave Zee that friendly smile that used to calm her fears, but for the first time, Zee was seeing a stranger, not the Pat she thought she knew. Still, she knew that she had to play cool if she didn’t want Pat to suspect anything, so she forced a smile, hoping it looked real, but she was dying with fright. “Hey.” Pat greeted. “You look pale. Are you okay?” Zee realized that she hadn’t really smiled. She had winced instead, and the more she tried to force a smile, the more it felt like her face was hurting. She fought to put a r
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Moments later, pain shot through Zee’s wakening brain as she came through to consciousness. She managed to open her eyes and look around. She was alone inside Pat’s room, gagged and bound to a chair. She groaned in her futile struggle to be free from her bonds. The door opened as Pat entered the room, gun still in hand but Zee continued struggling and grunting with her futile efforts. “Are you trying to run away?” Pat asked, her voice taunting and Zee stopped struggling. “First, you were running away from your true identity because your parents were not giving you much attention. That’s how you became gothic. Don’t worry, I still remember all your little yaps about yourself. Next, you’re running away from your husband. And now, you’re trying to run away from me. If I let you go, who knows what else you might start running away from?” Pat laughed, the sound eerie to Zee’s ears. Then she drew closer to Zee and removed the gag. “What do you want?” Zee de
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“We are hanging out at my place,” Pat added and waited for Inara’s reaction over the phone. “Best friend?” Inara asked. “I am aware that you’ve seen our pictures online. I know it pains you. You have been so jealous. Zee told me all about it. You should chill. Being a possessive friend is a sin.” Pat laughed. “You should know that. Zee did mention that you’re a Reverend’s daughter.” “Where is she?” Inara asked sharply while Zee started struggling with her bonds, grunting with her effort. “She can’t come to the phone right now,” Pat answered, smirking at Zee as she gave up struggling with her bonds. “But you can leave a message.” “What is she doing?” “She is having an evening bath.” “Please have her call me as soon as she is out. It is urgent. I need to speak with my best friend as soon as possible.” Pat giggled. “Calling her your best friend doesn’t make it so. She doesn’t like you anymore ever since we met.” “Y
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In the living room, Pat was standing at the center, surrounded by men in suits. They were Michael’s men and Michael was dominating one of the chairs, facing Pat, his stormy gaze fixed upon hers, a gun in his hand. Pat hated being caught unawares. Here was her target. How had he known to come here? She wondered. She mentally kicked herself for not checking before opening the door. Although that wouldn’t have helped, because Michael and his men would have forced their way in. On the other hand, if she had checked, she would have quickly gone back inside, killed the brat, and escaped through the window. She had been so sure it was one of her stupid neighbors, there to ask for something as usual. Did they think she was a supermarket? But she often helped them out to maintain her cover there as a nice and innocent girl. Now she was surrounded. And that t
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Hours later, Zee woke up on the bed. She was back in her marital bedroom. The first thing she observed was that she was feeling fine. Didn’t Pat injure her neck? Slowly, her hand reached for the side of her neck. She felt a plaster there. Michael must have cleaned her wounds. Looking down at herself, she saw that he had changed her clothing. She was now wearing a bland satin dress she had picked out to use as house wear during the shopping he had taken her. She also noticed that Michael was not there on the bed. Daylight was slipping in through the slightly open drapes. The time on the wall clock told her it was 7:05 am. She had slept for a long time. How she had been able to sleep peacefully without any nightmare was a wonder. Then she remembered Michael injecting her arm with something after which she had passed out. He always seemed to be prepare
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Hearing his words, she still pleaded, even though she knew there would be no mercy. “Please, Michael have mercy.” “I remember you calling my bluff.” “I’m sorry, I won’t do it again.” “The reason I called you was because I suddenly got restless with the knowledge of you out there. That’s why I called and gave you that ultimatum. I had no idea that you were in danger. Instead of you coming home, you were mouthing off to me. Me, Elizabeth. You had the guts and you were mouthing off to me.” His hand was still caressing her hair gently. “I’m very sorry, Michael please forgive me.” “If you had come home, all these would not have happened.” “I swear, I won’t do it again.” “I know you won’t. Get back to the bar or you’ll be getting sixteen. Or do you want to call my bluff again?” She shook her head, still clinging to his sturdy frame. “Get back to the bar.” He said and took his hand off her hair. “Get back there
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Dark Love - A Darker Shade of Love(Completed) 138: Epilogue
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
Dark Love - A Darker Shade of Love(Completed) 137
"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
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"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.
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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
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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
Dark Love - A Darker Shade of Love(Completed) 133
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
Dark Love - A Darker Shade of Love(Completed) 132
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."
Dark Love - A Darker Shade of Love(Completed) 131
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
Dark Love - A Darker Shade of Love(Completed) 130
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
