"I am tired" she said in a voice choked with tears, "I am so tired. I want you back."Her free hand came over her face and she wept, shoulders shaking terribly, her heart in a shattered mess. Her hand holding his grasped tightly, feeling, remembering the many times he had held her hands, and she wept even more."I want you back" she cried amidst the tears, "Please, King , please... Come back to me."He heard... And so did the shadows that lurked in the darkness.*Joan watched Koty come up to them. He looked more handsome each time she saw him. He was working out, she noticed as she examined his dressing; his armless v-neck white shirt that clung tight to his skin accentuated the growing muscles under and the muscles on his exposed arms flexed with each movement he made; he had on grey shorts and a bandana was tied around his black hair and his look was perfected with the cute smile he wore. He strode to them, hands in pocket."Girls." He greeted when he came up to them.The girls bei
"I am a mother. I know you have feelings for her, I don't know how deep but it's there."He looked down at his feet, twisting his lips. Just great, he couldn't just hide his feelings well."I need you to use your affection and care for her to draw her out of her shell, I need you to make her smile even more at you and forget her pain, I need you to be a consolation to her. I won't mince words, I need you to make my daughter fall in love with you."*Joan opened the drawer and the note stared back at her. She could recite the numbers off hand. She had warned King not to call the number, after all they had kidnapped him and hit him but... What exactly did they know? What was so important that they needed King to call them before they acted?She shut the drawer and moved backwards until her foot hit the bed and she sat down on it tiredly. She had not even pulled off her white gown and taking a shower seemed like hectic work.Barr. Winnows...She turned to her side and stretched until she
You know my name already, Charlene and please do not add those miserable prefixes, just Charlene." she introduced.He stared at her, feeling a sense of dread wash over him. She had that mischievous look in her eyes and that horrid smirk on her red painted lips, plus the after tingles that refused to leave his skin from her touch and he knew he was in a whole lot of expensive trouble.*"Come on, Victor. You have guests." She said in a cheerful tone then circled him and opened the door, now on his left hand side. She guided him out, holding his hand instead of his arm. He cursed silently, letting her lead him through the brightly lit hallway, gleaming floors and panelled ceilings with at least three paintings hanging on the walls. If they...whoever kidnapped him, planned to use her as bait to trap him, fool him... He cursed again as his hand tightened around her small ones and a sudden surge of protectiveness washed over him. He towered over her, her golden blonde hair just hovered sli
Wipe your tears, Jack and clean up your wound, we have to up our efforts and find Victor. I won't kill you for your act of disrespect, you'll suffer the pain as your punishment; you killed Stacy, I didn't; your careless killed her."He nodded, glaring at Victor with as much venom as he could muster, "I killed her but not with my hands. I hope you 'fall in love' someday, Andrew, I really hope you do and when you do, I would be there to remind you just how weak her death will make you feel."*Their mouths melded together, cool and soft at first then hot, burning flaming hot, and quick; fast paced, like it was going to be their last. His hands went round her waist, her tiny waist; he didn't want it to end, he wished it would last forever. They only broke apart when the elevator bell dinged. She pushed herself away from him quickly and they stared at each other, both breathing heavily.He blinked, his brain clearing and he licked his lips. What the hell just happened?He held her hand an
"So nice to meet you brother, I've heard so much about you!" He exclaimed, looking and sounding his age for once.He stood awkwardly as Alistair who reached him halfway up his chest, hugged him tightly.Isla, Frederick and Luca all had smug looks on their faces while Charlene had the most shocked look in her face.This boy, his brother from another father, Alistair, just tried to kill him and was now hugging him?!*The tension in the air could be cut through with a needle. They were all seated on different couches; Isla and Luca together and the rest of them separately while Charlene stood like the obedient maid she was, stiff and unblinking behind Isla and Luca's couch, directly opposite his.He moved his eyes to Alistair, "Don't you dare, ever, tamper with my dreads and beards again." he warned icily.Alistair's eyes widened then narrowed arrogantly, "You looked like a slave brought out from the deepest of jungles, I had to have them chopped off...and where's a thank you for saving
"Be gone."He had been too occupied, suppressing his jealousy and hurt and betrayal and anger from radiating off of him, that he didn't notice the scared looks Isla and Alistair sent him or feel the bad omen of the future days.If he had, he would have beaten all odds and murdered Luca straight up.*He spent a month, a damned month in the darkest prison in Luca's mansion or rather his family's mansion, the Kings mansion.He was fed only once a day, he trained for eighteen out of twenty four hours in a day. He had the most brutal trainer, the infamous Ruzael, he sustained as much injuries as the punching bags he used for training.No one was allowed to see him or they just didn't see the need to visit; Alistair being the only exception. He came down to him everyday and when he left, he had to try not to rip out his mouth and eyes.Charlene never came down; she was a maid anyway plus she would be enjoying Luca's company too much.When he finally came out after a month, he spent another
"Do not test my patience, Ms. Charlene". He spat, gripping the steering wheel tightly that his knuckles ached.She faced him her face expressionless."Di not test mine too, Mr. Victor. You better start this car and get us out of here before one of Luca's men discover I am missing and comes search for me and trust me nothing you speak will get you out of the mess you'll be in; I would definitely win a plaque if I entered the film making industry." She smiled, "so drive now, will you?".*They had been driving for over two hours yet they hadn't come across any town or house; highways and bushes had been their companion...and also silence.Charlene was presently humming a tune nonchalantly to herself and he had to force himself not to snap at her to keep shut. He was sure she had a personality disorder; one minute, she was pleading with him meekly with tear filled eyes, the next she was blackmailing him with mischievous eyes. One moment, she was kissing him with hunger and passion; the n
Luca grabbed it immediately; Alistair, Isla and Frederico peeking in as Luca played the tape.They watched Vincent stalk into the garage, obviously angry and to the Jeep assigned to him. They watched Charlene enter in her work attire and follow after him slowly. They watched Vincent enter his car and Charlene enter after him and watched many seconds later as the car drive out of the garage and out the mansion huge gates."Who's the damned guard that let them out!" Luca shouted furiously.When no one responded, they all looked up.The guard was gone.*"Oh no...." Alistair growled in his deadly voice that one would never recognize as that of a 14 year old. The rest of them knew what was coming."Alistair wait..." Isla called grabbing hold of his arm. He shoved her away roughly and stalked away, suddenly seeming big and threatening despite his small stature."Luca call him to order!" Isla shouted, her eyes wide and fearful. Not those innocent guards, maybe not innocent, but Alistair had
She stood stiff and rigid, even her breathing was controlled. His hand ran through her straightened hair."I'm sorry, Bernadette, I'm sorry. I'm here, you can lean on me. I'm sorry."She tried to pull away but he held her back so she stayed cold. Vincent and Frederico watched with narrowed eyes.*"The PDA can be saved for later. We have a brother in surgery." A cold voice cut through the moment. She jumped away from Merlione, looking guilty and nervous as a drenched fish."Vincent," She called in greeting, trying to match his cold look. He eyed her up, also Merlione who came to stand protectively by her side.She wondered why she felt so nervous and guilty. Perhaps because she knew she needed the approval of King's family.Frederico stepped forward, looking unbothered. "We heard the news. What happened?""He called me," she answered smartly, "he called me just before he lost consciousness.""How did you know where he stays?""He told me." She was less nervous now but there was someth
She laid her head on his shoulder and let him tell her about work and his life for the past nine years while sharing one large can of soda then they ran around and played like little children, using the swings and involving in a sand castle competition with the other children.It was exactly what they needed in their too-careful world.*Frederico puffed on a cigarette, lost in thought. He was surrounded by loud music and intoxicated people but none of the senseless activities going on around him registered in his head. Only one thought did.He had to get rid of King Johannson.Either he did that or he risked being killed. Who else would have the audacity to kill Luca? And motive? There was also Vincent. He sure as hell was a suspect but all fingers pointed to King. It wasn't a coincidence that Luca was murdered during the same period the girl King loved was getting hooked.He took another long drag and stubbed out the rest. It was Luca first, soon it would be him. It was Luca's fault
The problem was that he just couldn't accept the reality that she wasn't his any longer. It felt unreal.He clicked the call icon. Still, he wouldn't leave her. If he ever left her, it would be because she asked him to.Switched off. He dialed her line again. Switched off. Third time. Switched off. He ran a hand down his face.*Isla knocked on Vincent's front door."Tommy, Tommy" She cooed when Thomas answered the door."Thomas, how many times have I warned you to stop answering the door!?" Charlene shouted from somewhere inside."Calm down, Char," She chuckled, entering the lavender-scented home."Nice morning, Aunt Isla," Thomas greeted respectfully, seemingly oblivious to his mum's worries. She laughed, ruffling his hair then stuffed a hundred-dollar bill in his hand. He beamed."Buy as many chocolates as you want, ok?" She whispered, ruffling his hair one last time before going into the kitchen where Charlene was."Oh, my love," She cooed, seeing the five-month-old baby in a movi
She threw her phone aside with a satisfied smirk, "he asked for it. Imagine telling me to apologize after openly stating he didn't take it to heart. A hypocrite, that's what he is."Joan didn't know whether to laugh or cry."Yes, he said he doesn't mind but it is only normal for you to apologize when you do something wrong to show you are truly sorry.""Well, that should be my choice, not his." She stubbornly refused.Joan raised her hands and dropped them in resignation."Good riddance," Isla whispered.*"You were out all day."Were the first words she heard upon entering the house at about 7 pm."Yes. I'm home early. Is there a problem?" He was at the foot of the stairs. He looked sad and beaten but he was one hell of a good actor."Sorry," She changed tactics, putting on a smile, forcing ill feelings out of her heart, "good evening. How was your day?""It was trashy and boring without you," He replied in a monotone, "I went out to see my family when you left for Church and I got
"Thank God, he's gone." Isla sighed with contagious relief."Nah," Joan shook her head, "you get his phone number and talk to him."Isla's eyes widened, "How am I supposed to do that? He's obviously in a rush. Why else will he get takeout?""I'll get it for you.""How?"*Just nice, she was called three days later."It has been confirmed," James spoke, the smiling man she met at the restaurant gone, "Fr. Greg wasn't the chief celebrant at your wedding."She wasn't surprised. "Then who was?"They were all present as three days before, including James' secretary and the Priest who had never uttered a word other than a quiet greeting.He showed her a photo."After going through the footage of that day, the day before, and the day after, we suspect this man as the culprit. He has never been seen in the Church before that day. He was seen entering the Sacristy just seconds after Fr. Greg did but he was never seen coming out. Upon closer inspection..." He showed her another photo. It was a
She thought of going to see King but the memory of Vincent's cold face crossed out the thought. She visited Isla instead.*"Surprise, surprise." Isla's eyes were wide as she ushered her into her modest penthouse in the early afternoon of a Monday. The house was pretty small but comfy. A set of mismatched couches in the middle, an eating area to the right, a TV at the center, a few flowers in antique vases kept at strategic corners, and a treadmill close to a door she assumed led to the room."I checked you at work but I was told you wouldn't be at work for the rest of the week. Is there a problem?"Isla laughed, passing her a glass of water after she sat on one of the couches, "Must there be a problem?""No, but one doesn't just take a leave from work, do they?"Isla wrinkled her nose. She looked pretty. Her long red hair was now shoulder length and she looked very relaxed at home in pajama shorts and a too baggy T-shirt."Ok," She plopped down beside her and tucked her legs in, "I
"There's something else. Your father...""Sold me off? I know that. I received documents today that stated I'm no longer enslaved to them and neither are you and I under any threat. I'm simply just married to him with the condition that I can never divorce him.""Like you would ever." He scoffed.She smiled. Patience, King, patience; I'm coming for you.*She posed and smiled the brightest as the media drowned them with camera flashes and endless questions. Her arm in Merlione's, he led her carefully through the sea of paparazzi and important figures to the hall where the business dinner was being held. It was a week since their wedding.The expensively decorated eating area was to the right while the guests milled about on the left, greeting each other and making business friendships. The first eyes she made contact with were that of King's. He was invited, along with Frederico.He was chatting with an older man. A stinkingly rich one, she realized, seeing his face. She couldn't reme
"Ok, but I'll like to remind you that until this case is resolved, you are still, as it is, married to Merlione Fritzgerald and it is holy that you remain faithful to your vows."She smiled, "Yes, Father."He rose. She did too."You don't mind if I pray for you?"*She returned to her current temporal house, as she chose to call it, after spending some time in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. She put on her nicest dress, applied makeup which she seldomly did, wore her best heels, and styled her hair until she looked the part of a queen.She sat in the living room and waited for Merlione to return. Once he walked through the front door, she stood and made to walk past him. He grabbed unto her arm."Where are you going dressed like this?"★Merlione's mouth dropped open at the sight of Bernadette. She looked... beautiful was an understatement. He wasn't sure he had ever seen her dress so much. He snapped back to his senses as she walked past, her rosy perfume tickling his nostrils. He grab
She always swallowed everything in and cried till her body was drained of fluid then she got up and pretended everything was fine.She looked up to Heaven and vowed. Even if it was the last thing she did, she'll fight for her and King's freedom.Making that decision, she got off the floor with a smile. The Fritzgeralds family had it coming.*"I told you; I told you! I warned you not to add that in the agreement yet you did. Look at the outcome now!" Merlione hollered, in front of his aunt and uncle."Stop being such a kid," Josephine snapped, "do you really think she'll never divorce you? Don't believe her religious crap.""Well, yes, I believe her. That's why they fought so hard so we'll never get married.""But you're married now," His uncle, Steve, reminded him.He fought the smile that forced its way up his face. He sighed, taking a seat on a side stool."I hate that I had to use such methods to get her. It's annoying seeing the hatred in her eyes whenever she looks at me which i