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UNFAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS
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HOOKED ON ZERO A STRANGE SIGHT
These days, waking up made me energized. Today was different.I woke with an ache at the back of my neck. It refused to abate even when I massaged it. Worse still, my bones felt stiff. The reason wasn't far behind. I had been working non-stop round the clock, making sure the deadline for the second and third batches of Exceva were released to the market.It was doing so well in the market, I had a feeling they would want a fourth and a fifth batch, and soon at that. One thing about economy is one had to foresee the future. From where I was lying, the future of Exceva was luminous.There was also a higher demand for my other drugs as well and I knew it had to do with Exceva. Thankfully, the lab had been restored and all the staff were back there, no more running around in my basement. I breathed a sigh of relief.I closed my eyes and expelled a happy breath. "See, Aretha, we did it. We did it, baby."I felt her presence and closed my eyes as I wrapped my arms around the pillow. I envis
HOOKED ON ZERO SPUNK
The English poet was right when he said hell hath no fury than a woman scorned.I should never have ceded authority to Kelly.Lesson learned.I paid dearly for not attending my meetings on Saturday. All she did was move them to today. I had just come out of the last one and I was bone-tired. She was quite lucky she had been in my employ for awhile otherwise with the rage that had been coursing through me since this morning, I would have fired her on the spot.Eric cut me off from my reverie when he announced we had gotten into the premises of my house. I told him he had the rest of the day to himself."But, boss, it's still early. Are you not going out again today?"What was he talking about?Coming back home at six in the evening wasn't early. On second thoughts, it was. I usually got back at ten in the night or even eleven, sometimes at midnight if I was bombarded with a lot of workload.I turned to see him coming down from the car. "I am, but you're not taking me." I began walking
HOOKED ON ZERO IT DOESN'T GET EASIER
"So you're telling me you still remember nothing?" Abigail looked at me inquiringly. I had started calling her by her full name ever since she first mentioned it to me.I sighed and sat up straighter on the chair. We were on the balcony of my room. It afforded me the opportunity of seeing the beautiful frontage of Alex's house. I often sat here just staring, not thinking, until Abigail would pull me out of that state, like now."I don't." I shook my head sadly. "But. . . I have these weird dreams where I'm a child. No - not a child, a machine, a cyborg-terminator child. I'm so strong, I feel the energy pouring through my veins, and-"I caught the look on her face and stopped speaking. She stared at me like I was an endangered specie. "Sounds like a re-enaction of the terminator. Come on, Mia, I know you love Arnold Schwarzenegger, but please lay off watching all these terminator-type films, just look at what they're doing to you."I shook my head. "You don't understand, I don't mean
HOOKED ON ZERO PLEASANT FEELING
Want to see a clumsy attempt at a poem?Well, here goes something.Green eyes like the colour of the sea at high tide. Turquoise is what they are actually called. Sultry lips ready for devouring, a come hither gaze a calling. Red fiery hair that shines in the sunlight, delectable curves on a petite figure. She's a whole mood with sprinklings of spunk, I would like to get all up in her trunk.How was that for a first timer?I smiled as I gazed at the so-called poetic words I had just written.Yeah, I knew it was lame.No matter, I'll take my weak penmanship as a reminder of how perfect Mia really is.She was definitely a whole package and more.From the corner of my eyes I saw movement. Kelly was wildly gesticulating about something that irked her. Her lips moved but my mind didn't register anyhing she said.My mind was fixed solely on the redheaded woman who was currently sequestered in my house and gradually ingratiating herself in my mind. She didn't just have spunk, she had balls a
HOOKED ON ZERO ONE UP
It's confirmed. Abigail is a chatterbox.She's been talking non stop for the past four hours, I joke not. From the time she stepped into the room at eight in the morning and woke me up till way after the physical therapist left, she had been yapping non- fucking stop.It was presently brunch time, and she was still talking about some guy she met at the supermarket. And get this, most of it was on auto-repeat.I mean I loved her and all, but I just wanted her to shut the fuck up for once. For some weird reason, she seemed to be in a real chipper mood today. Unfortunately for her, I wasn't in the mood for aimless chit-chat. The only thing that kept running through my mind was how I would do the work Alex gave me.It seemed I had fallen into a trap, one which I put myself into. You know the saying- The way you lay your bed is how you lie on it. Well this bed I was lying on was very uncomfortable and I didn't know how to make it feel better.". . . so this guy walks up to me with those in
HOOKED ON ZERO NOT GOING TO HAPPEN
Someone once said life could be categorized into memories.Childhood, teenage hood and adulthood. Each one showing different sides, both good and bad. I think that person forgot about people like me.Those with faulty memories.I tell you it was such an annoyance not remembering who I was nor where I had come from. I drifted through life day to day, relying on the information of what people told me through the television, Abigail, and even Eric. There was nothing for me to hold onto, nothing to think back to, and definitely nothing to grasp.I was like an unwanted ghost, flowing through life.Sad, right?So when Abigail told me I needed to get a life, I literally, jumped at it. She offered to take me out to a nice restaurant, seeing as I had been cooped up all this while. Luckily for me, I had stopped using crutches and was able to walk unaided. Even though I couldn't yet walk at a fast pace, I was still grateful I could walk at all.We - actually- she planned a big day for us. We wou
HOOKED ON ZERO THE MASQUERADE BALL
I knew Alex was rich, but I didn't know to what extent.As I gaped at the magnificent ball room before me, it felt like I was in a dream.Had I perhaps hit my head and woken up in some medieval era?I looked up to see baroque-style murals on the ceiling. I recognized Orpheus and Eurydice and their symbol of love. I had taken a liking to Greek mythology, thanks to the extensive library of different genres I had stumbled on in Alex's house. All around the rest of the ceiling, Plato's world was recreated in bright vivid colours.Gold candelabra-type chandeliers hung from the ceilings, black and gold marble glittered from pillars and floors, string curtains twinkled from their hangings, and baroque-style paintings hung from walls. Even tall statues and mannequins vied for recognition as well. Statues I was sure cost an arm and a leg, and maybe a few couple of human beings as well.It was all too much for me to take in.Alex was taking this medieval masquerade ball theme seriously. When he
HOOKED ON ZERO TIDBITS
I watched as a hand forced the little girl's head inside water. Just as she was about to choke, she was brought up for air. She coughed and spluttered but no mercy was given to her. After five counts, her head was plunged inside and after a few seconds, pulled out once again. The process was repeated, a little longer every time, until the girl was able to stay under water for longer . . . until she was able to hold her breathe a little more, until she was -I woke with a start, sucking in large gulps of air. It felt like I was choking. My whole body shook from something I couldn't understand. Even though the room was cool, I was slick with sweat. It trickled down the sides of my face and down my body, plastering my dress to my body.I took several deep calming breaths until I felt my heart relaxing to a more steady beat, then I looked down and saw the bed was a tangled mess. The silk bedsheet was all jumbled up and thrown to the side as if I had been. . . thrashing?Even as I tried to
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HOOKED ON ZERO TOGETHER AGAIN
Chapter 52"Mia, wait!" Those two words stopped her in her tracks. By the time he got to her, she was shivering. He turned her round and stared into her green depths which had darkened with swirling emotions. He traced the lines and planes of her face, remembering each one of them like it was just yesterday. "Why?" He whispered. "Why did you do it?" He shook his head as tears slid down his cheeks. "Why did you disappear from my life without a trace?"A gasp slipped from Mia's lips. She didn't realize it but she was also crying. "I'm sorry!""Sorry?" Alex's eyes flashed with anger. "Where is he?"Mia's eyes widened and her bottom lip trembled. "W. . .w. . . who?""Chito, of course, who else?" Alex was shaking with barely repressed anger until Ciara laid a hand on his shoulder. He closed his eyes, released a sigh and opened them again. "Where is Chito?""He. . . " Mia swallowed a lump which had suddenly risen in her throat. "He's in school.""There's a school here?" Alex looked around wo
HOOKED ON ZERO A JOURNEY
Chapter 51The plane taxied across the runway and deftly lifted in the sky. It was a beauty to behold, what with white and red colours glistening all over its body. The interior was even better. The cockpit sported state of the art dials and buttons, while the sitting areas had plush leather chairs and gadgets as well as many other attractions. A woman sat in one of the chairs peering down the lens of a camera. Her lips curled in a joyful smile. Every so often, she gasped as she sported a cloud. She turned to the man sitting beside her. "The clouds are so beautiful, they look just like cotton candy."Her smile was wide and beautiful, making it difficult for anyone to resist smiling back at her. The man only managed a slight tweak of his lips as he turned to spare the clouds a glance. Within a few seconds, he turned his face back to gazing at the television, where the map-charting of their journey was visible. His face, an unfathomable mask as he continued staring at it.The woman si
HOOKED ON ZERO TOO LATE FOR REGRETS
Chapter 50My head reeled. Alex knew. He knew who I was. Someone began to clap, breaking me off from he shock that had begun to grip me. I looked towards the doorway where a woman stood. She walked in, piercing, first Alex, then me, with her dark eyes. As she approached, I noticed she had on a leather catsuit which looked like a second skin, showing off all her curves. "What a sweet reunion, a boss and his employee, or should I say a love gone sour." She looked meaningfully at Alex. "Oh, wait, this next one is interesting. A target and her assassin. Boom!" She laughed heartily and I wondered why she looked so familiar. This meant only one thing.. . I snuck a peek at Alex but he didn't seem surprised. As a matter of fact, he didn't even flinch. And then all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place and I turned to him. "The call you got, that's how you knew who I was. You got a detective to spy on me?" Why did that thought make me angry? He doesn't rust you. A little voice whispered
HOOKED ON ZERO THINGS ASKEW
Chaoter 49I had a little dilemma on my hands. Chito had refused to budge. He stayed slumped on the ground, staring at the two men I had just killed. I understood it wasn't easy seeing me killing them in cold blood, but I needed him to snap out of his shock ASAP.What he didn't know was, It had been either them or us. I would choose us any day, anytime.I debated on what to do as I squinted at Chito's face. We certainly didn't have all day standing around. The fact that almost a minute had passed and no one had come did not fool me for one second. More men would come, that, I was sure of.Ever since Chito started walking, he began working out, and so he had added some muscle weight. That meant he had more body weight than I did. Nevertheless, I didn't know where the strength came from, I hoisted him up to his feet.I tightened my hold on his arm and shook him. "Look here, buddy, you need to get your feet moving now, we don't have the luxury of hanging around." I tipped his chin and not
HOOKED ON ZERO BATTLE READY
CHAPTER 48The closer I walked to the house, the more angry I became. It was a stucco-styled house, complete with shingles and the likes. Yes, it was grand and staggering, but it did not have the beauty and poise Alex's house did. There were no beautifully-laid trees nor fountains, neither were there statues. It was brown, big and ugly."Whoever owns this place must be ugly."I scanned the exterior looking for any hidden cameras or sensors. Uncle had given me a crash course a week ago, on gadgets and devices, so it wasn't difficult when I spotted a hidden camera on the edge of the roof facing the back. By now, he would have disabled all the cameras in the house so I knew I was home free.I decided to follow my instincts and head to the back. Something was definitely afoot there that they wanted to protect. I walked there, mimicking the lightness of a cat. It wouldn't do for me to be caught so early on, and without first releasing Chito either. I got to the back but saw nothing out of
HOOKED ON ZERO NOW OR NEVER
As soon as Alex excused himself to take his call, I slipped out and tiptoed to the room I shared with Chito. I immediately removed the pajamas I had on, revealing my black leather catsuit. It clung to me like a second skin, yet it was not uncomfortable. If anything, it was snug and comfy, a perfect wear to carry out what I was going to do tonight.My phone rang just as I reached for it. "Yes, uncle, I'm ready."I tied my hair in a bun on top of my head, slipped into a pair of sneakers and then I retrieved the shot gun from underneath the bed. I attached it to the clip on my side, then put my swords in a scabbard by my side as well. I was ready. I traced my eyes across the room, touching everything with them. Everything reminded me of Alex, and then Chito. I blinked back the tears that gathered in my eyes. No more. I was getting Chito away from those people tonight, come what may.Even if it meant forfeiting my life.Even if.I stepped towards the door but stopped when I noticed the ph
HOOKED ON ZERO KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
I felt the heat rise to my cheeks as soon as the words left my lips.A story of how you met your wife? Really? That's all you've got?I pushed the thoughts away and shook my head. "I'm sorry, I don't know where that came from, I-""I would like to hear it." I felt rather than saw her shift beside me and knew I had dug a pit for myself. . . or not, depending on what I said next."What do you wanna know?" I asked, a bit defensively."Well. . . I'll take whatever you're willing to tell me." She replied, almost immediately.I closed my eyes and tightened my hold on her. I didn't know where to start, because talking about Aretha was still a sore subject and I wasn't done healing yet. It had been almost two years since her passing and all I wanted to do was lick my wounds when no one was watching. Now, Mia was forcing me out of my comfort zone.There was a slight shift from her and I felt her moving away from me. "I understand."Did she though?She turned away from me and curled in on herse
HOOKED ON ZERO ABOUT THE PAST
Chapter 45My heart was literally in my mouth as I got into the car.Chito kidnapped?How?When?Why?Those three short questions kept reverberating in my head as the car began to move away from the parking lot. Chito was just a boy, for crying out loud, what did anyone want with him?I had a sinking feeling it had something to do with Mia. What it was, though, I couldn't say. I hadn't gotten any feedback from Red yet with regards to why my picture had been lying not far from Mia's purse on the day of her accident. I decided I couldn't wait any longer. I dialed his number and waited impatiently for him to pick.Unfortunately, it rang off and his voicemail kicked in. I cut it immediately, irritation rising inside of me. I didn't want to speak to his automated voice, I wanted to speak to him personally.My heart lurched as I remembered how Mia had called a few minutes ago, crying hysterically. I could hardly hear what she said. I had to cut the call and call her back, but she hadn't pic
HOOKED ON ZERO CAMP ANUHI
Chapter 44I was six years of age when my mother took me to camp Anuhi in Japan. At first I thought it was just like every other camp where one goes to for two, maybe three weeks, and goes back home after gaining some endurance trainings Little did I know it was a camp to rear assassins from o young age. I stayed at the camp for one month, and when it was obvious mother wasn't coming back to take me, I cried my heart out and didn't eat for a full day. The next day I resigned myself to my fate and adjusted the best way I knew how to.That was when I met master Haruki, the owner and maker of camp Anuhi. He made a star appearance one morning while the coordinator was briefing us on what we were going to do. He appeared large as life, even though he was slight of frame. He had a long white beard and a bald head. He also looked wizened, and I thought he was old.My first mistake.Our first mission was to run, I thought it was just that, little did I know it was just to warn us up. After r
