ISABELLA’S POVSomething wet hit me in the face, and I sprouted my eyes open with a loud gasp to see a mean-looking man staring down at me. My face was drenched with water, and its stench hit my nostrils. It smelt terrible. My head was banging so loud.“Wakey, Wakey, sweetheart.” He laughed hard.“Where am I?” I slurred on my words. It was as though my body barely had enough strength to rely on. This huge man stood upright, flexing his muscles and endless tattoos. We were in a place that looked like an abandoned warehouse, with rusting metals and dust. “Death’s den. You asked for us.” He mocked and settled on a dirty-looking sofa on my right. The door opened before he could speak further, and footsteps approached as random words filled the air. I watched them walk in, the three men I posted with another, and he looked exactly like Mireille’s man. My heart flipped.I lurged forward to scratch his face, only to be pulled back by something tight and cool wrapped around my hand. “Let m
ALARIC’S POV“How can you tell me to calm down?” I roared, hitting my fist against the wall. A sharp pain coursed through me, but I barely felt it. “My wife is missing, dammit. I don't know what she is going through or if he has his hands on her.” Anger surges through me. The urge to pull this policeman’s gun and shoot the culprit between the eyes engulfed me.The only problem is that we haven't found him yet. If they don’t, I will.I went into our hotel room this morning only to find it empty, and she wasn't even picking up. I had always known my wife to be stubborn and adamant. I should have expected this; maybe I would have been more prepared. I was standing in their office, more like pacing up and down their office. I watched as they tried to track her number since her phone was switched off. It was 11 am already, and it didn't look like she was coming home anytime soon.“Are you sure she didn't mention something to you? We can only deem her missing after twenty-five hours.” Anot
ISABELLA’S POVI can’t tell how long had passed. Every bit of will had started to seep from me for the hours that passed. My throat was so parched to the point that I could drink my pee. Would that be bad? My stomach was rumbling too. Damn! I should have eaten the rice when I had the chance. Finally, the door burst open with a kick, and I looked up dreamily, hoping it was food. “Step out bitches. Time for some exercise.” The hefty man with the bushy brown beard spoke before five men walked in, pulling each by the arm and shoving us out the door. I dragged my feet weakly as they led us, wiping those who slowed us down. I was so weak, and I knew this wasn't going to be easy.I mean ditching them and finding my best friend. I had to think fast. We had to find a way to leave before being sold. A bright idea popped into my head, and I put my feet forward, causing the lady before me to trip. She crashed into someone, then another and soon, some were on the floor. The men got so pissed,
ISABELLA’S POVSince they carried Mireille out of this room, I could not sleep. I have spent most of my time crying and blaming my cursed life for making life difficult for me. For us.Was she buried? Where?Those men never came back, so I had no idea who to ask. Days had passed that I was sure of because my strength had diminished, and now I could barely breathe. I haven't had food or water since I stepped in here. My stomach had stopped rumbling at this point, and the worm in it had started feasting on my insides, causing me sharp pains. My throat was so dry that even a drop of water would go a long way.“Is anyone there?” I yelled with all my strength, and desperation to cling to dear faith consumed me. My eyes barely had tears left to cry. “Hello,” I added weakly. My head was falling forward.The door creaked open, and a young-looking male walked forward. He wasn't as huge as the others but he still looked scary. He wore a white cotton shirt, black leather pants, and brown shoes.
ALARIC’S POVIt didn't work. The police’s effort, the attempt to get the girl to recollect anything, nothing worked. Two days of agony went by, and after night, staring at the space and hoping I didn't have to do the feared, I eventually picked up the phone and made that one call I never wanted to make again.“To what do I owe this call, Mr Wolfe?” Nam’s mocking voice cut through the air, and I felt my stomach churn in annoyance,I exhaled; my palm balled into a fist on my knee. “I need a favour.” I finally let out, and silence lingered in the air, then a crack.“Nothing is free, Wolfy, but what is life without comprises.” He laughed. “You know where to meet me.” With this, he ended the call.I ran my fingers through my hair, a voice scolding me for turning to my worst enemy. But I would do anything for my wife, even if it meant plucking every fingernail of mine off its bud. Hot coal dug deep into my skin even if I had to watch. Isabella wasn't just my wife. She was the reason the s
ISABELLA’S POVThe sun filtered through the curtains, announcing the arrival of a new dawn. I sprang my eyes open, my head banging badly. Alaric was sitting on the edge of the bed; his eyes held warmth. “Did you sleep well?” He asked, his tone filled with concern, and I nodded.I could barely make out what happened last night. Did he sleep here?“You were having a bad dream, so I had to tuck you back in bed.” He half smiled, his eyes now filled with sadness. His eyes were filled with dark circles with the hair trails on his beard. He looked like he had barely slept a wink. He was, however, dressed in a dark grey rubber shirt that clung keenly to his skin with a short white knicker.“Did you sleep?” I questioned and watched him squeeze my hand softly before standing up.“I called the police to find Mireille’s body. They will ask you some questions.” He paused, running his fingers through his hair. “I might need you to twig the truth a little bit.”My heart flipped. “What?” He seemed
ISABELLA’S POVFunny how the universe could flip the script in a second and leave all its occupants guessing. One moment, I was planning a wedding with Mireille. The next, I was standing at her burial, pouring the last sand over her casket. My scarf was tied over my head, with a black sunshade over my eyes. Alaric and Enzo were the only ones here. Mireille had no one else. I was dressed in a black suit, and one thing I knew for sure would be her frowning face if she could see me right now. She always said something about wanting a colourful burial someday, everyone dressed in bright colors with jams playing underneath, and me dancing because she wouldn't want to spend her last moment bored. . It had been nothing but a casual conversation that I never knew I would have to carry out someday. It hurt that the universe deemed her fit to die, with her legacy buried deep in the sand. I let another tear pat my cheek. A stabbing pain gawking at my chest. Guilt is eating deep within me. Wou
ALARIC’S POVThey say love hurts. But it isn't the love that hurts; it is the one we love. The thought of them letting go so easily and walking out on you as though you were never there.My eyes are glued to the screen of my laptop, and I am seated in my office, but all I can think about is her. The company’s resources were drowning, and a part of me wondered if it was all my fault. I had spent my time attending to her, after all.Dragging in a breath, I ran my fingers through my hair and eventually pushed the laptop aside to go through the papers with me. My eyes widened in realisation. Father had approved many investments without my thoughts, and most of them had flopped—almost all of them.Fuck!The company was struggling before his bad decisions. I picked up my landline and dialled Henry, telling him to come up, and he was walking through my door in minutes.“I saw the investments. What was that about?” I threw forth, hoping for a better explanation.“Your Father wanted us to….”“
ISABELLA’S POVWe walked in, holding hands. They were still sitting around the table. Elena looked up.“Our car is bad. We might have to spend the night, " my husband informed them, and I caught Elena’s face brightening. However, Alaric didn't look happy. He turned to me. “You should have dinner. I have no appetite.” “Me too.”Eating where I wasn't liked wasn't advisable, even if I was hungry. Who knew what end they would go to? A lot of things just seemed too weird. I could sense the competition among them all.“That’s nice. We are all staying over, too.” An older man who looked like he was in his late thirties said, his glass on the brink of his nose. He was dressed in a green shirt and white pants. I didn't know his name.“Alright, uncle. We will head to bed now. We have work tomorrow,” Alaric informed me and then pulled me with him. I could feel his warmth seeping through my skin as we headed upstairs, and soon, he stopped in front of a brown door. “We will stay in this room,”
ISABELLA’S POVI stood there frozen, unable to decide what to do or say. Was I to burst in on them and have her in a cuckold, or was I to wait till they left?I tried holding my breath as though they would hear it. I could hear her moan. Her back against the wall, they looked so engrossed in their act, and they probably weren't stopping anytime soon. Lastly, I wasn't about to watch a full-blown porn movie. A swam of irritation hit me in the stomach, almost throwing me up. This was so disgusting. It felt so wrong. What could ever be the reason to cheat on your husband with his brother? Why?I was thinking of what to do when my phone rang, and I was startled. I pulled it out quickly and turned it off. My body shook, and my lips got dry. I heard them; then he whispered something and footsteps. And somehow, I was glad that it was finally over, so I stepped out, only to see her standing there, her arms wrapped around her waist.“I knew it had to be you. Whatever you plan to do, remember t
ISABELLA’S POVMy heart was racing so fast as we drove into a tall building with a vast compound. This was the second time I was coming to his house, the first time was when I was invited by his father to talk about the marriage. My fingers were trembling. It was like visiting the past and it left a sour taste in my mouth. “We can leave if you don’t want to.” He must have been able to tell.“No, I’m fine. I just can't wait to see them.” I lied and watched him raise his brows but he doesn't ask any questions.Stepping closer, he wrapped his palm around mine, and whispered, “If you ever get a need to leave, then I will get you out of here. I don't like them either so I won’t force you to.” His words felt like pouring a big bowl of ice over my burning nerves because I felt a lot of relief. We walked through the huge white door, laughter echoing through the air. My legs were getting wobbly and I dragged in a deep breathe to calm myself.We were still holding hands. “Mother.” Alaric s
ISABELLA’S POVEven as we sat on the left side of the room, the looming feeling was unshaken. The setting was pretty. From the chandelier hanging low to the large wooden piano sitting in the centre of the room to the pianist clicking away. Including the white fabrics spread on each table and the pretty flowers. The atmosphere smelt so nice and rich. I couldn't tell if it was due to the other guests there or if a particular spray was infused in the air.I watched him signal the waiter, and he walked over. He was dressed in a white shirt and black pants, his black hair neatly trimmed, and a smile on his face.“What would you love to eat, Isabella?” he asked, quickly adding, “Can I call you that?”I hummed in response, too nervous to talk. It widened as my eyes ran over the words on the menu I had picked from the table. Every single meal here was so expensive that even water wasn't spared. It wasn't that I couldn't eat them; I just wondered why he was so nice to me. Noticing their gazes
ISABELLA’S POVI felt my heart swell with pride as I spoke. I was standing in a room with five men looking at me and nodding in agreement. CEO Rex was dressed in a grey suit and black shirt and had a proud expression. He was relaxed in his seat, his fingers stroking his beard. Today was my first day in San Francisco, and I had to catch an early flight to get here, and luckily, it was barely five hours. A car had come to pick me up, too.“I believe doing this will benefit our company because it will strengthen loyalty and help build a relationship with the community. I need you to understand that the world is revolving, and seeing things from young talents’ perspectives might just be what we need to keep us growing. Thank you.” I completed the sentence and watched Rex clap with a smile.Picking the document, I headed back to my seat. My heart started to race. What if they didn't like my idea? Wouldn't that make me look like a fool?“See, I told you she is a very intelligent woman,” Re
THIRD PERSON’S POVAlaric ran his fingers through his hair as he huffed. His anger was brewing, but not at her but himself. Maybe he had overreacted a little. This person was her boss, after all; this was her dream, her line of work, and he might have to accept. But how was he supposed to stand there and watch another man touch his wife?Adjusting his tie, he slammed the car door shut and then stormed after her.“Isa!! Stop!” He ordered, but she didn't budge. She had heard him, but she would be damned to let him have his way. She could feel the volcano in her about to erupt, coupled with the twist deep in her stomach.“Fuck Isa. Do you always have to be so stubborn?” He increased his pace, and so did she. Finally, she sighted the door and stormed in, fiddling with the lock when it was pushed open.“Fuck Isa. Fuck!” He yelled, looking at everything but her. “I am going to have hypertension at this point.” He was breathing heavily and running his fingers through his hair again. “Wha
ISABELLA’S POV“You looked stunning up there tonight.” My husband mumbled against my ears, his hot breath landing on my neck, causing me to bite my lip. “I can't wait to tear every single piece apart.” His voice was low now, and I squeezed my eyes shut as my mind filled with imagination of what he could do to me. My lips parted a little.“Permission to have some fun.” The CEO announced, and the woohs from the people pulled me back into reality. We were now sitting in a corner of the afterparty; the colored light dimmed to create a warm illusion. A song was blaring through the big speakers. Everyone was dancing too.I felt Alaric’s fingers crawl over my thigh, and I stiffened, my eyes meeting his. The warmth from the touch was seeping through my flesh. He smirked as he stretched me a glass of alcohol. “Drink away, wife. It’s your big day, and I am fucking proud of you.” The way he said it was so seductive could be that or the fact that this was my second cup. Something rose in me, an
ISABELLA’S POVIn the blink of an eye, ten days had passed. Days filled with laughter, love, unending compassion, and many dramas. The paintings were retrieved, and my name cleared. I even got an apology from the CEO.I also learnt about Alaric’s love for slow music and his carefree side. Knowing how much sacrifice he would make for me was almost amazing. Alaric was my light on the rough, dark road. He was the only one who truly believed in me and fought for me during those times. Seeing how love could really change someone like Alaric into who he was now was remarkable. But I didn't blame him for how he became; his father was nothing but a monster, and he had grown up believing he had to be that way, too. My heart ached terribly as I stood in line, a ticket in hand and my suitcase in another. Alaric had left to attend to some work emergency. A dark cloud loomed over my heart as I wished I could stretch the day longer than 24 hours to spend more time with him. I had branched Mireille
ALARIC’S POVThe call he had awaited forever finally came through the next morning. His words last night kept playing in his mind as he drove them to the station. Isabella didnt make a mention of it, but he was curious to know what she thought of him right now. “About last night… I’m sorry I burdened you.” He let out. Conversation was the key, right?“I’m not burdened, Alaric. If nothing, I’m glad you deemed me fit to share that part of you.” Her tone was warm, and he could tell she meant it. They said nothing until they pulled up in the building, and he watched her freeze. “What are we doing here?” Her voice cracked.“I have a surprise for you, " he said as he walked over to her and held her hand. Her heart was pounding so loudly against her ribcage as they walked through the passway. She could imagine them coming to take her away. However, they stopped in front of two men.“Do you know these men, Mrs Wolfe?” A uniformed man questioned. Isabella looked at the two men dressed in s