Xavier slept off shortly after eating and taking some pills to relief his pain. I found some tablets in Dad's room and gave them to him. I kissed him one last time before returning to my bed. He smiled at me and said something inaudible.I had no idea what it was but it felt like he was reminding me he loved me. Xavier looked adorable when he was sleepy, his voice became sexier and deep and his eyes closed like he was a child. I remained on my bed and watched over Xavier. He slept peacefully, unaware that I was staring at him. His chest still had bruises and his stomach wasn't left out. I randomly thought about how possible it was to fight and have no scratch on his face but on his chest and stomach. Was he protecting his face or something?It was insane, thinking of Xavier and the shit he wasn't going to tell me. I sighed and laid down on my bed. I fell asleep shortly after and tucked myself beneath the duvet. I folded my legs and curled to the side of the bed.The scre
I turned my gaze from the hallway and let it fall on the door. It was partially opened but I was asked not to come inside.I remained standing, in front of the classroom. I've been waiting for Xavier to come out for over ten minutes.I was glad I wasn't wearing a gown or some skirt. I felt comfortable in the joggers I tried on.When I came to meet him, some funny-looking guys requested his presence and he asked me to stand outside and wait. I had absolutely no idea what he was doing or keeping away from me. Xavier was becoming secretive lately and it infuriated me.I looked at the screen of my phone and check my call log. Devin's number welcome me and my lips twitched. I really felt like talking to Devin. I just needed someone to keep my mind away from what happened at home.I couldn't place it, the more I tried to comprehend it, the more difficult it turned. Although I knew I shouldn't tell strangers things concerning my family, Devin didn't feel like a stranger.Xavier was the one
It's been three hours since Xavier walked out of the house and he was yet to return. I didn't regret slapping him but I felt I over reacted to an extent. I stood outside waiting for him to get back. I kept calling my parents but they weren't taking their calls. 'Damn it," I huffed one last time after the call went to voicemail. I was getting scared and had no idea what to do about it. My phone buzzed and I shoved it out of my pocket.Mom: we're staying back, we'll be back tomorrow morning. Stay safe, I love you.I read the texts and sadness flushed over me. It felt strange that they've been keeping late nights lately. Me: Mom please, you are getting me scared with all the late nights you've been keeping. Its strange and making me overthink. Are you scared James will take me? Mom I already told you I won't leave you. Mom I love you and Dad and I don't take your love for granted. I hit the press button and heave a sigh. I waited for a reply for five minutes and
XAVIER'S POV The moment I opened my eyes, I felt a sharp pain. My head split in pains and I growled at how bad it ached. I held my head for the next twenty seconds before turning to the other side of the bed. My gaze fell on Emily, she was facing the wall and wrapped her hands around her body. I tried hard to recall what happened and I suddenly remember coming home drunk, talking rude and— "Fuck." I didn't mean to molest her, in fact I had no idea what I was doing and it stung my chest to know I did something that inhumane to her. I sat up on my bed and kept looking at her. It felt like she was still asleep but not in a deep sleep. I couldn't imagine how much hatred she had for me already. I had to know if our parents were back so I stood up quietly and tiptoed out. I locked the door gently so it didn't wake her up. When I got to the sitting room, the door was still locked and my jacket was on the sofa I dropped it last night. I messed up big time and I blamed myself. Vodka had
I was furious as I clenched my fist and walked toward her. I grabbed her arm and pulled her away. “Let go of me!!” she yelled but I kept walking and grabbing her arm. She looked mad but I wasn’t about to have her dressed like a hoe and kissing Devin in front of everybody. “Fuck you, Xavier, Let go of me!!” She kept fighting her arm out of my grip and I was left with one option, to carry her on my shoulder. I paused and lifted her. I placed her on my shoulder and continued walking. She kicked her legs in the air and kept yelling. Damn, she had no idea how I want to drop her and run back to Devin to punch him where the sun don't shine. Nah! Real men don't do that. I pulled the car door open and lowered her in. I slammed the door angrily and got inside. I was raging and she had no idea how crazy she was driving me. "Xavier I hate you!" She yelled. "I feel the same!". I was lying but I had to yell back to make her shut the fuck up. What I
I was thinking Emily would say something about that night but she didn't. Two days went and she didn't mention it and that got me worried. I was hoping we'd address it and I'd get another chance to apologize and explain how my actions were influenced by alcohol. I won't lie, 55 % of what I did want because I was drunk. I knew what I was doing, I had planned it and t8ld myself several times that it would be a bad idea. I wanted her to much that I for a second, felt been hard on her would make her be mine but, did it work? Emily did so well in avoiding me, she didn't sleep in the room and pretended like she was so busy with school work and was falling asleep while doing assignments or reading. That way, Mom and Dad didn't suspect but I knew it was deeper than what she let them see. She was grounded and her screen time reduced. Once it was 8 pm she had to give up her phone or get disconnected. I watched her from afar and saw how she carried on with her activities lik
I stopped the car and looked for a moment. I was wondering what James was doing on the freeway till I saw Devin and got even more curious. What kind of business could they be having? I kept looking till I saw one of James' guard glance at me. I drove off shortly because I didn't want to cause a scene or draw attention to myself. I went home, freshed up and off to work. When I got to work, I spent half the time wondering what they could be up to. When did they start hanging out and what the hell are they up to? "Hey," A brunette called, trailing me off my thoughts. "Hey." "Can I have my usual?" She looked familiar but I had absolutely no idea who she was and what her usual was. Fuck, I just need to find a way around it. "Uh right," I laughed. "Latte yeah?" Her brows raised as she look at me. "No, Cappuccino." "How did I forget that?" I teased. "Must have missed your order." "Yeah you did, never ordered a latte before." Fucki
I looked at her and sudden guilt flushed over me. More than I ever felt, I could feel guilt burning inside of me. I walked to my bed and removed my hoodie, leaving me on the T-shirt and trousers. I sat on the bed and cried silently. I didn't want Emily waking up to see me sob or hear me whimper so I remained as quiet as possible. I can't be weak, even if I already was. Everything felt crazy, I didn't want to be here. I only wanted a means of livelihood to help my parents get out of this mess and just provide for the family. Sky asking me to rob a strange man was the height of it. I didn't sign up for that and I didn't want to get myself involved in anything in that manner. I heard how drug dealing involved other things and I promised myself I was going to stay clean. I was only going to get deals, sell, get the cash and start the circle again. I scoffed and wiped the tears that welled in my eyes. They were hot and painful, filled with regret and guilt
I turned to Mom who was wiping her eyes. She had tears welled in them and Dad just hugged her. "It's over," he told her. "You don't have to worry anymore.""It just feels so unreal. I can't believe everything is fine now.""Me too."I honestly couldn't believe it. It was just too good to be true and I didn't know how to feel about it.She gave me a nod and pulled me into a hug. I remained there for a while before Dad asked us to get ready to leave. We strode happily to where the car was parked.We got home and I walked to my room it felt good having a separate room, I liked how it felt. I heard a scream and rushed out to see what was happening."Mom?""Emily! Xavier just got admission into a college in the Los Angeles!"My jaw dropped in excitement and I turned to Xavier. It was good news but Xavier didn't look happy. I turned my gaze to him and my eyes met his. He was staring blankly at me."What's wrong?" I asked him. "This is good news, Xavier.""I guess."His reply was cold and his
ONE MONTH LATER.The cold wind and fresh aura made me smile. I stood beside James watching his jet. Apparently, he was getting ready to leave and I didn't know how to feel about it.It was just the two of us standing there and there was silence. I wish I could hear everything he was thinking of. I felt the sensation and I knew more than ever that I was going to miss James.His lips formed a small smile like he heard what I was thinking and I just twitched my lips. I needed to enjoy the moment because it may be the last time I'd see him. I also knew his ailment had given him a short period of time to live and I really felt bad.I had no idea why I was feeling all those emotions at that point. There was this strong urge to hug him and just remain in his hugs. I remembered how welcoming and warm his arms were but I stopped myself. I didn't have to be overly emotional.I was trying hard not to think about James dying but I couldn't help it and before I knew it, a sob escaped my mouth. Tea
I opened my eyes and the first thing I saw was Xavier. He was staring at me with a small smile tugged on his lips. I got scared at first but the feeling faded and I felt okay."Why are you staring at me?" I asked with a frown."Why didn't you report James to the cops?"I knew he was going to ask that, I just didn't think it was going to be by 3 fucking a.m."I can't.""Why?""I can't even though I want to kill him myself. I know everything, I know the shitty things you did, I know you sold drugs."He twitched his like and continued looking at me. "Do you still sell drugs or do you deliver them in your sleep?"I grabbed the blanket and placed it on my body, turning to the other side to sleep."I need to sleep, leave me alone."He scoffed and I rolled my eyes. "I hate you."I heard him giggle, "I love you too," he responded.* * * *The door slamming open made me open my eyes. It was morning but I was hoping I could sleep a little longer."Emily, get up."Mom grabbed my hands before I c
The moment Mom asked if I saw James, my chest heaved. "No," I replied and twitched my lips. I didn't want to keep talking about him because of the emotions I felt whenever I thought of him."Emily."We turned and it was Xavier. I ran to him immediately and threw my hands around him. He hugged me back, even tighter. I couldn't believe I missed Xavier this much, it was hurting."I'm so sorry," he said as he hugged me. No one else was going to understand, not even Mom. "It's not your fault," she told him."The police found someone involved."My heart raced faster, I felt bad for James. He was going to die and I didn't want him to die in jail."Hi, excuse me." The doctor walked into us and turned to Mom. "There's been no form of abuse, she's fine.""She's fine?""Yes, she is," The doctor confirmed and gave a friendly smile.Mom gave a nod and appreciated him. She stood up from the chair and looked at me. "I need to go and feed Devin, no one is coming for him."I gave a nod, I understood h
I tried to open my eyes and the sunlight hurts them. I tried to figure out what was happening and I realized I was in someone's arm.I freed my eyes again and realized it was James and he was taking me out of the enclosed room. At that point I felt an adrenaline rush in me.He dropped me down and I felt hot tears roll down my eyes, I couldn't believe it. I hugged him right without thinking and cried into his arms.He returned the hug and just remained calm, watching me. I had no idea why I was crying and hugging him but I needed the hug.When I pulled away from his hug, he looked at me and smiled faintly. "You can do what you want now. Call the cops and tell them I rescued you from the teenagers who kidnapped you."Was he asking me to go?"Just go down the road, you'll figure your way. I'll have someone follow you from a distance just so you arrive home safely.""There's no camera Emily, I have my men dismount them so, the choice is yours. I love you."With that, he turned and entered
EMILY'S POVEvery minute I stayed locked in here makes me want to throw up. It feels like I’ve been kidnapped for years, I already lost count of days but I knew it was already weeks. My head split in pain as I tried to recall the incident. I was arguing with Xavier when I got pushed into a moving van. The details of the kidnap were blurry and I couldn’t remember much.I still have no idea how I survived the first day ‘cause panic attacks made me nauseated and disorganized. Their faces all scared life in me, I thought they were going to kill me because of how fierce they looked. The highest punishment I got for kicking one of the guy’s balls was a hard slap.It was hard enough to redden my face but not kill me, I wondered why they were being so careful with me till I overheard their discussion saying they sold me to a rich man and he didn’t want me bruised.I threw up hearing it and the rest turned out to be blurry vision and a bad headache. When I opened my eyes, I found myself in a di
I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat the moment she looked at me. I looked at Devin and he was growling like he was going to pass out.She lowered her stance to him and cleaned him up without saying anything. You would never believe they knew themselves before now. I didn't care though, I just wanted to get away and that was my concern.When she was done cleaning his wounds, she turned the first aid box to where I was and used a wipe to clean off the surface of the bruises I sustained.I flinched when her hands touched my face and the iodine dropped on my injury."Fuck."She didn't apologize or say a thing. She just turned her box away when she was done. Devin and I remained silent for a while before we heard footsteps and turned our heads in the direction if the door. She had returned with two plates of food. She dropped it in front of us with bottles of water and latched the door.Devin hungrily grabbed the plate and spooned rice into his mouth. I looked at him wondering if
My eyes glinted open and I felt a sharp pain. I could feel the chill from the breeze cutting straight through my damp body.I felt a metallic taste in my mouth, I turned and realized where I was. I was in a room with no ventilation. My face was bruised and I could feel the dried blood clot on my body. I tied to move but realized my hands were still tied to the pole and I couldn't move.My eyes turned to the growling sound and I saw the hefty man who injected Devin beating him up. He was growling as the punches landed on his body.On the other side of the room, a bloodied man was laying on the floor. Devin was getting beaten for doing that to the man. Couldn't he just wait till we realized where the fuck we were?I scoffed and struggled to break free but the ropes holding my hands together had a grip hold. I paused after several trials and just looked at Devin who looked like he was about to die. He needed to get treated because his wounds were susceptible and they looked like it was g
I walked out of the sitting room glad the police didn't want to interrogate me yet. They probably felt he was saying all that because he was accused and it made me feel a rush of relief.I opened the door to my bedroom and looked around. The mess I made on Emily's bed was still there and I didn't have the energy to clean up yet. I knew she wasn't going to yell at me for messing up her bed because she wasn't there and it hurt me to think of her absence.I turned my face away and walked to my bed. I sat on my bed and fell on my back. I looked at the ceiling, thinking of nothing but how to sneak out of the house.Devin had a plan he says we need to see and talk about. I wondered if he had other motives in mind when he sent his invitation but I was blank. I could ask him to tell me the plan over the phone but he would refuse and say it had to be a physical meeting."Fucking hell," I scoffed in an undertone and turned to the other side of the bed. It was only 8 pm and I could get some slee