Chrisanna"What about a dolphin on my back? You love dolphins", the text says, making me chuckle."It's not about me. It's your back. Your skin. Why would you want to print everything related to me?" I tap quickly while walking with Mama when she's busy watching the dresses in the boutique.And Samuel has been texting me options for half an hour. "As if I can think of anything except you"My cheeks burn as I try to hold my smile back while biting down on my bottom lip. "You have barely looked up from the phone ever since we landed here, young lady", mama gives me a side eye, startling me. "I'm— I'm sorry. It was just—""You literally get to see your husband every single minute of the day. You realize how lucky you are to be in the same workplace?" she rolls her eyes. "At least, keep that on a break when we have some mother-daughter time"I bite my tongue. "Yeah. I'll take care of that. What did you like by the way?" I beam."I'm not really into getting anything today", mama says. "
ChrisannaI manage to drag Raye out of the building— as far as I can so she can't be anywhere in front of Samuel's eyes."How could you think that you can come here?" I blurt out, glaring at her. Never in my life before have I felt such pure hatred for anyone. She looks up at me nervously. "I wanna meet Samuel""The audacity you have to think that you can meet him! You can't. I won't let you. It'll be better if you leave before I lose it", I point at the exit, controlling the last drop of anger. I wish I could beat her black and blue but keeping her away from Samue is the most important thing now. She's still standing there, looking at me. "Didn't you hear me? Just leave!" I groan.She clears her throat and gulps down. "Chrisanna, it's urgent. I need to meet him""And I said you can't. I asked you very clearly to stay the hell away from my husband. If you think I'll let you meet him after all the worst things you have done to him, you're dumb!"Her lips shiver as if she's trying t
ChrisannaTwo times done. Both times it was negative, which clearly means I'm not pregnant. But I still did the third test.Holding the last pregnancy test in my trembling hand, I fixate my eyes on it, watching the lines slowly appear. My heart pounds with both anticipation and a tinge of anxiety. This wasn't planned. I didn't want this, but a part of me quietly hoped it was positive. The lines move further, showing me another negative result. Disappointment washes over me. There's a relief too. It's a strange feeling how anxious I was, fearing it would be positive, yet got disappointed when it was negative. It's not the right time and it's fine. I let out a sigh, staring at the mirror of the washroom and take my phone to text Mama."Sigh! It's negative""You okay, Chrissie?" her response comes."Yeah. I didn't want that either", I type."Still, I know you were hoping it would be positive", she knows me so well."It's fine, mama. God has his plans""Auburn, you ready?" Samuel calls
SamuelAs we walk into the bedroom, Chrisanna looks around, scanning each detail with astonishment in her eyes and a beautiful smile lingering on her face. I stand a few steps near the door, cross-armed, watching her experience everything. I made sure she likes everything about this room, about the entire house. She touches the walls, tracing while walking to the bed, and slumps on her back, looking at the ceiling and spreading her arms on the bed. I can't help smiling at how much happy she looks. It's rare.It's too rare when the reason behind her happiness is me. I move closer to the bed until my face is blocking the ceiling from her sight. She laughs quietly as she sees me, folding her hands on her stomach. "You're watching me explore like a little girl, huh?" she scoffs.I nod."Why, though?""Because I don't wanna look away when I see you smile", I tell her and lean down, touching her chin. Our lips connect as I softly kiss her for a split second. Her eyes part open at me an
Samuel"Samuel!" Mom exclaims as we stand face to face in the police bureau. She looks miserable, all in tears. My heart literally stops when I imagine something worse. Did they get to know something about Chrisanna? Is it bad? But when I spot Uncle Scott patiently talking to one of the officers, I realize they know nothing about Chrisanna yet. He knows nothing. He wouldn't be this patient and calm. "What are you doing here?" she asks, sniffing. At this point, I'm lost. I can't find the guts to utter what exactly happened when Uncle Scott also looks at me, surprised. How am I gonna tell him that his daughter was abducted and I was there? I could do nothing! "You and Chrisanna went to see the new house, no? How did—" She pauses and holds my arms. "Did you— get to know something about Kane?"I gawk at her in confusion. "Mr. Gabriel?"Mom clears her throat. I can see the nervousness in her eyes when she tries to look composed. "I think he's in danger", her voice cracks. "I was talki
SamuelWith every passing second, anticipation grew inside me even though I didn't want to panic. I refuse to believe Chrisanna has an enemy— this serious— who would abduct her. "Samuel, where will you go to find them?" Mom scoffs. She's clearly exhausted and worried— the way she doesn't react properly now is a sign that she's tired. "Let the police do their job. There's nothing we can do", she holds my hand as we stand out of the manor.I was about to leave right after dropping her off. But at the same time, I'm really worried for her. "I don't think I can sit peacefully, mom. And—""Emily!" Uncle Scott's voice draws our attention as we look in the direction of the parking lot.Uncle Scott shuts the door and surges to mom right away."Recently, did you and Kane get into a conflict with anyone?" he asks straight. Mom gets baffled for a while as she tries to recall. "It's nothing new. We have been dealing with Davis for two whole years. Kane definitely had a spat with him last week.
ChrisannaMama is still losing her mind as she asks me a million times if I'm hurt somewhere and if I should get a check-up. I reject the idea since I'm completely fine, other than my strong headache which must be the effect of the drugs that they used to keep me unconscious. Uncle Kane is out of danger now but it took the doctors almost three hours to give the verdict. It was a dark moment until the doctors said he was fine and the pacemaker didn't need to be replaced."Samuel!" mama says, looking over my shoulder as I look up and find him walking towards us. "What's the update?""Mr Gabriel just came back to his senses. Mom is inside", he says.Mama lets out a sigh of relief. "Let me go and meet him", she gets up. "And I can't convince this young lady to get a check-up. I'm sure you can", mama taps on his shoulder before leaving. Damn, mama!Samuel quietly sits beside me and sighs, stretching his legs and leaning his head against the wall. His eyes close shut. He hasn't breathed o
ChrisannaSamuel lets out a deep exhale, holding the steering wheel, and then looks at me. I give him a smile of encouragement. We had a long conversation throughout the week, preparing him to finally meet the therapist. But I don't think he's still that comfortable to start this new journey. I hold his hand on his lap. "You'll be fine""I don't know", he gulps down, holding my hand back and looking down at our locked hands. "I have never opened up to anyone other than you. I don't think I can""You can. And you will", I lean in, touching his cheek. "You have already accomplished half of this journey when you showed the courage to go for this. The next step will be easier. You'll surely open up because that's what therapy is for, right? That person you'll be opening up to won't be someone you know. And it's easy to open up to a complete stranger. That person won't judge you or sympathize with you. They'll just help you. And it's easy'I can totally understand the discomfort when he l