**Valerie**I walked quickly to the bathroom, the cool tile beneath my feet a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside me. My crying came out as sobs until I was standing in front of the mirror, my hands clutched to my mouth to prevent myself from wailing. He was right. I was a fucking weakling, and a dumb one at that.My hands pressed my aching chest to suppress the pain. It hurt so much, I didn't know what exactly, but he hurt. Maybe it was the realization that he was right."God, why am I so weak?" I shrieked, my voice echoing off the bathroom walls.I didn't even want to dwell on the fact that the anonymous person knew what happened. It could be anyone; crew members, my colleagues, security, or even this mysterious guy who didn't want to share his name. Or maybe someone who wasn't even on this ship, but had an informant.Then I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection; puffy and red eyes, running nose, smudged mascara that made me look like a panda."You fool," I
**Lucas**I'd been waiting all morning for Valerie to show up. Then I saw my competition—Matthew— arrive and my jaw tightened. But it immediately loosened when I saw Valerie arrive.Even all that had happened on her yacht, she still looked stunning. She had her hair packed up in a ponytail, and she was clad in a pink tank top and free jeans.I didn't want to approach them now; it'll only make me look bad if the guy and I get into another altercation.When she came out with Matthew, and he got into his car, I felt relieved. I'd thought he was going to spend quite some time there.Valerie's eyes met mine briefly, and she increased her pace. I did the same too and caught up with her.“Please just give me one minute of your time. Just one,” I stared at her, my eyes pleading, “no more than that.”Her eyes met mine, and she studied my face without saying a word.“I'll tell you everything,” I added. “No lies, okay?”She just pressed her lips into a thin line and let out a defeated sigh.I to
**Third person**Inside the hospital, Angela kept pacing around the waiting area. She couldn't let Lucas do the DNA test on her baby, else he'll find out what she was hiding.Is it even possible to do a DNA test this early in pregnancy? She thought.Valerie and Lucas were seated on the same bench, but Val had made sure to put enough distance between them. Calvin stood behind Lucas.Lucas's phone beeped, and he stepped away to answer the call."Mrs. Smith finally woke up, but briefly," Elliot reported.Lucas nodded thoughtfully, still confused himself at why Valerie had chosen to help Karen."Okay, there's no need to inform Miss Thorne now," Lucas instructed. "Maybe you can call her by evening."'Call me selfish, but I didn't want anything that'll take Val away from what we were doing here,' he thought to himself."Okay, sir."He hung up and then signaled for Calvin to come over.While Calvin and Lucas were away, Angela looked at Valerie. "So is this what you want?" Angela hissed, her
**Third person**Two months ago,Angela had just helped Lucas to his home. She stared at him hungrily. He always looked so cute when he was drunk, and right now, she needed him to satisfy her ache. The ache she'd felt between her legs as soon as they stepped in.“Valerie…” Lucas called out drowsily as he slumped onto the edge of the bed.Valerie? Who's that? Angela wondered with a frown.She moved over to him and caressed his chest. “It's me, Angela. I'm here to make you feel good and forget all about that other woman,” she said softly as she unbuttoned his shirt.“No, no,” he groaned, his eyes shut as he turned, the side of his face pressing against the bed. “It's Val I want… Ashley…”Valerie? Ashley? Are they two different women?She didn't think too much about it as she hitched her gown up and straddled him. Then she took off the rest of her dress quickly.Angela lifted Lucas's hand to palm her breast. But his hand flinched as soon as he felt her soft skin; it was like her touch bu
**Third person**Lucas pulled out his dick from Valerie, then kissed her forehead before carrying her to his bedroom.A wave of déjà vu hit Valerie hard, and she realized that it wasn't just déjà vu. It was real. She'd had sex with Lucas Stone while she was Ashley.Those weren't just her imagination; they were actually her past. They actually happened.Memories of that night hit her harder than a hammer would. It all came flooding to her…She'd been sad about Adam spending the night outside again…Frances had taken her to a bar to clear her head…Lucas… She'd remembered the way his blue eyes stared into hers and the way she was lost in them. He'd made her laugh, that's what she remembered.They'd gotten a room, and then… oh my… he'd done things to her that night. She was sore. But how come she didn't remember that night?And what now? Why call her Ashley? Was he still reminiscing about that time from years ago? Or… or… Did he know? That can't be possible. He doesn't know, else he'd ha
**Third person**Adam was pacing around in his living room; his phone had been beeping since the public found out about Karen's disappearance.Mr. and Mrs. Harrison have been trying to reach him. Call after call, text after text, until he finally lost count. He knew why they were calling.Just then, his phone started beeping again. He checked the caller ID. It was one of his security men.“Mr. and Mrs. Harrison are at the gate, sir. Should we let them in?”“What do you mean by ‘let them in’?” Adam barked impatiently. “Send them away. Tell them I'm indisposed.”“Yes, sir.”At the gate, the man relayed Adam's message to the Harrisons.Mrs. Harrison stepped down from the car; she wasn't having it. “Stupid man, come out here!” She yelled with her focus on the mansion. “After killing my daughter, you think that you can hide?”The Harrisons knew too well that Adam had killed Karen. It was the same way they'd made Ashley disappear… the same yacht… Same broken CCTV… Everyone was wasted and no
**Third person**Lucas's phone beeped. He picked it up and pressed the device against his ear. “She's awake, sir,” the voice from the other end came. “She's asking a lot of questions too.”He pressed his lips together as he looked down at Valerie, who was lying on his chest. He wanted to instruct Elliot to give Valerie the news too, but she'll hear him.So he just sighed out in resignation. “Thank you, Elliot.”He dropped the call and glanced at Valerie. “Karen is awake.”She sat up and stared at him. “H-how did you know?” Of course she was planning to tell him eventually, but how did he find out already?“My man is the one helping you,” he answered casually.“Your man?” She echoed, her face etched with confusion. Then it hit her. “The mysterious man?!”Lucas chuckled at her outburst. “Elliot is a bit odd sometimes, but I'd say ‘mysterious’ is quite a stretch.”He reached for her hand and kissed it. “Should we go to Karen now? Or tomorrow.”It was evening already."Let's go now." She
**Third person**The look in Valerie's eyes almost sent shivers down Karen's spine. Almost. But after what Adam had done, she was grateful for Valerie's determination.Karen adjusted on the bed. “Why are you doing this? What do you stand to gain?” She asked, a mixture of confusion and curiosity etched on her face. “You and Adam are lovers, and with me out of the picture, you can get everything you've dreamed of.”Valerie clenched her jaw. “Your husband and I are not lovers,” she stated firmly.“But he likes you. You could have used that… Why save me?”Karen was more than happy that Valerie had saved her, but she needed to know Valerie's motives.“I can't stand cruelty,” Valerie said with a blank look.Karen didn't buy Valerie's response. She knew that there was more; probably Adam had denied Valerie a favor, and she wanted to get back at him, but she didn't push it. Whatever reasons Valerie had weren't her concern as long as she'll also get what she wants.“So what type of evidence do
**Third person** Valerie dragged her heavy eyes open. She blinked a couple of times to clear her vision. The smell of drugs and antiseptic and hospital filled her nose. Beside her, Lucas sat with his eyes closed. Almost immediately she jumped up on the bed. “Let me go,” she shouted, startling Lucas. He climbed the bed and pulled her into his arms. “It's okay, you're safe now,” he whispered softly, planting kiss after kiss on her hair and forehead. Valerie relaxed into his embrace, her racing heart finally calm. A tear slipped from his eyes and he wiped it. He'd thought he'd lost her. “I'm sorry I couldn't keep you safe. I should have anticipated it, I should—” “It's not your fault,” she cut him off gently. “It's not.” Tears trailed down her own cheeks and she sniffed. “What happened to Matthew?” A muscle ticked in Lucas's jaw, he felt Matt had an easy fate after everything he did. "Dead." Valerie let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, her body shaking with relieve
**Third person**“Let's move, slowly,” Matt murmured in Valerie's ears, his hot breath fanning against her skin. His eyes were still locked onto Lucas—who was practically shooting daggers at Matt with his eyes."Matthew, please," Valerie whispered back, her voice trembling. "You don't have to do this. You can still let me go."Matt's jaw tightened, his chest heaving with desperation and anger. "Do you really think I'm stupid?" he hissed. "You want me to let you go? I should just allow you to run into his arms?" He questioned in a mocking tone.“Drop your weapon and surrender,” the police announced again but neither Valerie nor Matt paid any attention. “Best believe that if I do that, then I'll shoot you from behind before you get to him,” Matt added. The chilling sensation in his voice sent a shiver down Valerie's spine.“Man to man,” Lucas began, his voice almost a growl. “What would it take for you to let her go? Anything at all… name it. Even if you don't want to spend a single da
**Third person**It took Matthew half the time it would normally take to get to the bunker. He parked his car at a safe distance before running over to the location. And with each step he took, his mind raced, his heart pounded with anxiety. He couldn't afford to lose her now that he was so close. They'd literally be leaving the country today. Valerie please be there, please be there, Matt murmured, his legs moving faster.A half-relieved sigh left his lips when he reached the entrance and saw that the door was still locked—She was still here. His trembling fingers sifted through his bunch of keys, his breath gaspy and he wiped the sweat on his forehead with the back of his palm.Matt unlocked the door and then pushed it open forcefully. His eyes blazing with anger and anxiety found Valerie immediately. She was curled up at a corner, her cheeks stained with tears and her hands and feet shaking."What have you done??!" he growled, his voice venomous.She frowned in confusion, even th
**Third person**Matt seemed to ponder for a moment before he exhaled deeply. Then he moved over to the table and picked up a small knife. He began cutting the ropes. His jaw clenched at the red mark the ropes left on her skin, a pang of guilt coursing through him. He'd done this to her, he thought. “Do you need me to get you anything from the store?”Finally untied, Valerie examined her free hands and legs, a sense of relief and determination washing over her. “No, thanks.”“I'll be back soon.” He gave her a warning look. “Don't try anything stupid.”She nodded vigorously. “I wouldn't dare.”Satisfied, Matthew turned around and headed out. Valerie had her timid and innocent mask on, until the moment Matthew was out of view.She squeezed her eyes shut and then began counting from one to fifty in her head, giving Matthew enough time to leave the premises. Even with her eyes closed, she could hear the locks click behind him.When she was done, she sprang to her feet, her eyes desperat
**Third person**Eighteen hours had passed since Valerie's disappearance.Lucas stood in the center of his living room, surrounded by computers and anxious faces. His team of experts, handpicked from the best in the business, worked tirelessly to track down any lead on his woman.But so far, neither his team nor the police have been able to come up with anything tangible. There was also no signal from the tracker in Valerie's necklace. Either her kidnapper knew that the necklace was bugged and got rid of it, or they were under water, in a bunker, or somewhere that'll block the signal.One thing for sure; he'd find Valerie and he'd find her soon. Even if it meant turning the planet upside down. She'd be found.News about her and disappearance was all over the media and there was a huge cash prize for whoever brought relevant information on her whereabouts. Lucas ran a palm across his exhausted face. Deep lines creased his forehead, and his jaw was set in a rigid clench. "Broaden the
**Third person** It was almost as if Valerie disappeared just when Elliot blinked. After dismissing the woman who'd come to talk to him, he looked up but he didn't find his boss. Damnit! He'd clenched his jaw and quickened his pace, his hand instinctively resting on the gun holstered at his hip as he rushed outside. Eyes scanned everywhere around but there was no trace of her. "Miss Thorne?" he called out, his mind racing. “Ashley?” He called louder. “Valerie?” There was no response. Immediately, he dialed her number… once, twice, thrice… until it was unreachable. He'd rushed over to some passersby to ask if they'd seen her… There was nothing. Shit! Just then, his phone started ringing. Elliot pulled the device out and stared at the screen, his throat suddenly feeling dry as he registered the caller ID—Mr. Stone. He took a deep breath and then pressed the answer button. ***************************** Valerie's eyes fluttered open, her gaze was blurry and unfocused. She tri
**Third person**Valerie's blood ran cold as she stared at the picture attached to the message. It was a picture of a small boy, no more than two years old. The fact that he was a spitting image of Lucas Stone had goosebumps erupting all over her skin—same blue eyes, jet-black hair, nose, lips, jawline…Val's heart rate increased. Her son was truly alive?“We’re heading to the hospital; Mr. Stone said we're meeting him there?” Elliot asked, his hands already on the ignition.Valerie nodded absent mindedly and he started the car.She felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through her veins as she stuck her head outside the window. Breeze hit her face but it did nothing to calm her. She knew that she had to lose Elliot, and fast. As the car moved through the city, she spotted a convenience store up ahead and made a split-second decision. "I need to stop and get some water," she said suddenly.Elliot frowned and glanced at the bottle of water sitting in the middle of the car compartment.
**Third person**Valerie's smile broadened into a full-blown grin. "Oh, don't think it's unfair if justice isn't served for your lover's sister."Karen frowned, her eyes narrowing. "My lover? What do you mean?" What did this have to do with Victor, she hasn't even heard from him, Karen wondered.Valerie locked her eyes onto Karen's. "Victor, your bodyguard... the one you've been fucking.” She paused to study Karen's face—she didn't look so confident anymore. “But you killed his sister."Karen's face drained of blood, her eyes wide and her lips parting with shock. Valerie continued, "The young lady who took care of Nathaniel Scott."Dread coursed through Karen, her mind shifting back to the night Nathaniel was killed. He'd been with a woman, and when Adam killed Mr. Scott, the woman witnessed it. Karen had to silence her.A small smile found its way to Valerie's lips as she studied the horrified look on Karen's face. "So now, does it finally ring a bell?"Karen's eyes stung with tears
**Third person**Valerie woke up to a wet sensation on her clit. A shiver coursed through her spine, her nipples hardening.The sensation continued, and she was forced to open her eyes. She wiped her heavy eyes with the back of her palm and then looked down between her legs, where the source of the heat she was feeling came from. Lucas, with his head between her thighs, looked up, his tongue still whipping her sensitive clit. “Morning, babe,” he murmured. Valerie blinked a couple of times to clear her eyes. She arched her back and she cried out in pleasure when he slipped a finger inside her. “W-what are you doing?” She managed to ask between moans.He smiled and looked up at her again, with those dark, desire-filled eyes. Her cheeks flushed as she noticed her pussy juice rubbed all over his mouth and its surroundings. “I've always dreamed of waking you up like this,” she murmured, his voice rough.Lucas slipped another finger in her and began pumping, his tongue returning to her c