JACKSON'S POV
I couldn't go back to the office. I thought about going to the hospital, but I remembered that my doctor has not come back yet and there's no one I can trust there to ask the questions clouding my mind.So I drove home sadly, knowing that I have done it again! Yes, I have scared another woman away like I did before. Which woman in her right senses would accept to be fûcked by a sex freak who can hurt her in the process and only work on satisfying himself and not giving her pleasure.I'm such a dîck! Monica, my ex-wife is right, I am a beast and I belong in the woods with wild animals. She had made it clear to me that no woman would agree to have a relationship with me and it's a prophecy that is coming to pass.After parking my Royce Phantom inside the carport between my blue lamborghini and Bugatti Veyron, I thought about how perfect I had dreamt my life to be which this sickness has deprived me.Stepping down from my car, I shoved my hands into my slacks, I shook my head at how unfortunate my life is right now. What did I do wrong? Was I too ambitious?I worked hard to get where I am today. I am an infamous billionaire, though well known around here in Texas because I grew up here. I do my best to hide myself, be an invisible competitor against business rivals and though I am never the egocentric type, I had to be mean, hostile and rude to everyone, including my own family.I have an expensive and beautiful mansion, white exterior, pink interior, according to my wife's taste and black roof, my residency that doesn't feel like a home to me from the start. I had thought that I would be able to make it the home I dreamt of, but I failed woefully and she left.What does a billionaire have that I don't have? Absolutely nothing! Then why can't my money treat my so-called sickness and save me this psychic trauma?!I sighed weakly, "what went wrong? How can one wake up one day and face a tragic illness which has no decent cure like a virus? What am I supposed to do now!?!" I lifted my head up slowly to look at the stainless white painted mansion fenced by long flowery trees other than the iron bands built around it for security purposes. The house stands alone, far from other residential areas or commercial buildings. The plan was to settle here with my family and live a happy life. This is not what I bargained for and I don't know what my sudden obsession with Vera is all about.As I walked into my parlor, I saw Tim crouched down beside one of the sofas playing with his different toys. What sort of father am I to this adorable child?I must be the worst father on Earth! Tim must be so disappointed in me as his father, what if he hears about what I did today? What if he finds out that I am addicted to another woman?He saw me when he threw up his paper airplane and it landed on my black shoe. He smiled, showing his perfect set of white teeth, his dimples reminded me of his mother. I haven't been fair to her. Wasn't it my fault that she left? Why don't I think much about her ever since then while I can't get my mind off a lady I met yesterday?!Tim ran over to me and hugged my long legs, his head barely touching my waist. "Welcome, dad! Nanny Pamela came over and picked me up from school, she played with me too!" I squatted down to his height and kissed his forehead. "I see that you had a lot of fun today. On the other hand, dad had a stressful day and wants to go inside, shower, eat and sleep!" "Too bad! Don't worry, I learnt how to massage the shoulders and joints. Can I help you massage your body to ease your pain?" He asked, acting up like a big boy.I smile proudly at him. "Tim, no matter what happens, remember that dad loves you and wants you to live a happy life. And so, don't bother yourself about me, I'm fine. A little rest will be all I'd need" He smiles as well and hugs me again. When his soft little hands uncurled from the collar of my shirt, I eased him away and excused myself.He happily went back to playing with his toys. I watched him for a few seconds before I ran up the stairs to my room. It felt more like I was running away from my responsibility.Showering, eating and sleeping I said? Gosh, that didn't help at all! I tumbled around in bed till midnight and couldn't get to sleep.I had to go into Tim's room and spent time there watching him snoring softly as he slept. When I became exhausted from sitting like a statue, I stood up and walked around until I found myself beside the big swimming pool in the middle of my compound.I thought of her even when I had no reason to, whether I wanted to think about her or not, the thought of her always fills my head."What would she be doing now?" I thought out loud. I pondered about that and decided what she was doing was none of my business. But I can't stop my mind from hoping that she might be thinking about what happened between them and reconsider my offer of the contract. I fantasized about how the next nine days would be if she eventually accepts."...just for today, you can get some other girl to sign the contract with you for the rest of nine days." Her strict warning haunted my ears."At least, you are calm now. Shouldn't you be more grateful to the young lady than expecting more?" I shunned my inner body as I yearned for her closeness again.VERA'S POVHannah was right. I needed to see a doctor. After everything that has happened, I guess I must have hit my head somewhere without my knowledge and it's taking its toll on me.When Dr. Halmes sat across from me in his small office, I started thinking of what to say that was wrong with me.Dr. Halmes office wasn't too small, but the shelves at each side of the office contained records, scientific research papers and books mainly made for doctors. The first time I visited this hospital, I was just six years old and I had asked my mom how the doctor would be able to read all that book.My mother had laughed at me and told me that some of the books are those the doctor read in school and during research, and others are documents or records of people who have been in the hospital before which must be kept for future reference."How can he be able to know which book is this or that?" That was a very stupid question for me to ask if I look at now as an adult."Sweetheart, they all
Her heart raced and the headache multiplied by four. What is this about? Who could be doing this to her? Before it was just the flower on the 5th of every month, but this is unusual and she couldn't get her mind off the warning sign.Her hand landed on Nathan's face as he opened the door. "Ouch! That hurts!" He exclaimed, dodging the second blow. "Honey pie, why are you so worked up?" He asked worriedly and grasped her hands.She lurched into his arms. "Oh, thank goodness you are home!" "Vera, calm down. I'm here with you." Nathan tried to calm her down.She looked at her door as if whoever dropped the letter was standing right there. "D--did you no–tice someone come around my door?" She asked, horrified by what her instincts were telling her."Mmm, I don't think so, I was fixing breakfast when I heard you knocking. Is there a problem? You look so disturbed." He looked at her worriedly.He gave her enough space to go inside. She went in and sat down as she continually sighed tiredl
JACKSON'S POVI can't tell her how happy I am that she's the first person I saw when I woke up. I had seen the sadness that clouded her eyes as she cupped my face and looked intently at me, and I knew that she was worried about me.I didn't notice anyone else in the room. It was just her face that I saw and I wondered how or why she came to my house."Mr. J. T, the ambulance will be here soon, I think…""Get lost!" I yelled at Mrs Briggs and saw my son looking at me in horror. "Go, now!!" I ordered.Tim reluctantly climbed out of the bed to leave but Vera crossed over to him with a charming smile."Hey, buddy! Don't take this guy too seriously, he's not feeling well today and I know you are a smart kid so you understand, right?" She held his small hands.Tim looked into her eyes and thought of course he should trust this beautiful lady. Has his mother ever smiled at him like that? I felt jealous of my own son.My son looked at me and when I sighed, he released a deep breath and return
WRITER'S POVThey had to reach an agreement and keep copies of the signed documents each for themselves for future reference after she had gone through it and accepted."Like I said before, I have my own conditions." Vera whispered to him as she sank in the bathtub filled with warm water and rose flowers.If she wasn't in pain, she would have commented about how big the bathroom was. Just the same size as her bedroom and parlor put together.It's high time she understood that this man is loaded with money and she can't help but think that he's engaged in some illegal business of some sort to be so wealthy and careful.Jack crouched down beside her and massaged her shoulder and neck. He murmured apologetic words to her."Look at what my fingers did to your delicate skin. I'm so sorry, Vera. I didn't mean to hurt you again." "It's pointless trying to tell me that" she looked at him intently. "Tell me, what happened to you? I mean, it's abnormal to always be sex driven and a beast in be
JACKSON'S POV"You are unusually silent, what did you guys talk about?" I asked her worriedly.I didn't mean to pry or anything, she has a right to her privacy but I am already used to her chirping like happy birds and emphasizing with her hands. That's one habit of hers that I noticed in the past hours I have spent with her.She always has something to talk about and elaboration to her is her hands moving about. So her sudden quietness came after Hannah hurriedly left, obviously angry from whatever they talked about."I hope I didn't make a mistake by choosing to do this with you. I feel guilty, this is the second time I am disobeying her and the first time was too bad." She sighed.As the car stopped to obey the traffic light, I watched the people crossing the road from both sides before the light changed and the car moved forward.I glanced at her and she stared hard at me as if there's something on my face. I took her hand and squeezed reassuringly."I won't tell you to trust me,
VERA'S POVI prepared dinner and we ate in silence. We became strangers after I thought we were getting along well a few hours before the crash.Tim is a great kid, I won't deny the fact that he did a good job raising him so well. After dinner, he helped me out in the kitchen.There are ten bedrooms in the mansion and that got me wondering how one person who doesn't even have a real family or domestic workers buy such a house while there's only his son to share the house with.When he showed me to the bedroom he hired some hands to clean for me. He tried to talk to me again, but I ignored him because I was on the verge of bursting out of anger.The only way to avoid us bickering at each other is to avoid having a conversation with him until my anger subsides. I know myself well not to give him a listening ear.He knocked at the door for hours after I closed it on his face and I went to bed listening to the words he repeated."I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say those words to you," I cou
WRITER'S POV"Vera?" Jackson called worriedly as he gathered her into his arms. "I'm sorry, look at me." Vera looked at his face with blurry vision. She smiled, raised her left hand to caress his face."If I don't die in your hands, then I will live long," she whispered before she lost consciousness again and her hand fell limblessly to her stomach."How dare you smile and crack such a joke in this condition?" Jack hugged her tightly and shut his eyes to subdue his tears.He carried her into his office and called Mrs Briggs to help him get a female doctor."No one is allowed to come into my office, get me clothes that would fit Miss Vera. Bye!" He ended the call and tried to dress up before the doctor arrived.Vera lay on the couch in his office and the only thing covering her nakedness was his jacket. He walked about restlessly in his office when he waited for the doctor.When he heard a knock, he pushed the door open without making sure it's the doctor. He was lucky, the female doct
JACKSON'S POVShe's saying the truth, alright! But does she have to shout about it and let everyone know what is supposed to be a secret between us?"I'm sorry that I have caused you so much pain. Sometimes, I wish I had super powers, you know, like I could stop myself from… It hurts me too to watch you cry and I can't even stop. I get it, I need to be caged because I am a wild animal," I was blurting, I know, but everyone else is right and I am always wrong! Her facial expression changed from glare to sadness and she took refined steps towards me."Jackson, no… you are not. I'm sorry, it's just that…" I pushed her hand away when she tried to hold me and walked away. I thought I was hurting until that moment when it felt like she was going to disappear thinking that I don't need her anymore.Even as I yelled at some of the workers who wouldn't mind their business and cautioned some of the younger men who dared admire their boss's girlfriend, I stole glances at her to make sure she w
VERA'S POV If desperation was a person, it would be me as I came down from Jack's car, holding out my hands in front of me and careful not to miss a step and trip over. The fact that he had insisted on blindfolding and bringing me to God knows wherever he was taking me–claiming it was a surprise–sounded so cliche, but I couldn't stop my heart from fluttering in anticipation.It has been three months since our surreal kiss in the garden. The feeling that Monica was still alive–a. k. a. Monica had probably deceived us, or the man was trying to raise a false alarm, play with our emotions, and make money off Jack. Whatever it was–hung heavily over us. Malone's unacceptability still lingered; it hurt more to watch him become more of Kenneth than who I hoped he could become. Our fear of my capability to carry a child for nine months and birth without complications also made us restless. I sometimes find myself wallowing in self-doubt and trying to pretend I could do it since I had done i
JACKSON'S POV It was already late afternoon as I waited in my car at the park. I watched the figure walking toward my direction from the side mirror. The way he dressed and walked spoke volumes of someone who does dirty jobs for people for the money, the kind of man hired to go on deadly missions and trusted to do clean jobs without any trace back to his client.I have had my share of such men, but I work closely with only one private security company and have only used the company's cyber security and men. Though I do question their loyalty sometimes, that's what fuels my need to trust such people by risking it all or going through government agencies. And every businessman who has dangerous rivals knows which system always fails.I pressed a button beside the wheel to unlock the car doors for him to ease in. He looked around sharply before he folded himself into the passenger seat and lifted his black cap. He's dressed up in black from his cap to his shoes. With his long dark hair
WRITER'S POV Vera couldn't tell who trembled more, Hannah or herself, as she guided her into the house, and they sat on a leather-made bench in the kitchen. She had never seen her friend's house in disarray, no matter how determined her kids were at breaking, disarranging, and making a mess of things.Somehow, Hannah managed to be a good mother as she was a good wife who loved keeping everything tidy and in order. If the kids made a mess ten times, she cleaned it up twenty times without complaining about the stress but rather scolded them to be careful and not hurt themselves. What had gone wrong?When her sobs subsided, Vera heaved a sigh, and they both at the same time released each other. Their foreheads still pressed together, they looked at their hands and laughed at the realization that they were both shaking immensely. Vera's heart relaxed as their moods became lighter, her friend was still there, right behind her pain.Fifteen minutes later, they both sank into the couch in t
VERA'S POV I decided to drop by Hannah's house before heading to the hospital, but after I tried her phone too many times and she didn't answer, I had to go to the hospital first.She had never sounded so frantic before, and it chilled me to the bone that I couldn't contain the nauseous feeling as a form of reaction to my bewilderment.It was the first time Hannah and Oscar got in a fight. My favorite inspirational lovey-dovey couple fighting? It couldn't have been serious, but then, she wouldn't joke about such a thing!I called Dr Halmes office next and was certain that he was waiting for me before I made up my mind. I told Max to stay back and look after the boys, Timothy and Malone since Jack drove himself out and I didn't need a driver. My children meant more to me than my protection which Jack would have insisted upon, probably turned whiney, to make sure I allowed the driver to take me to wherever I wished to go.
JACKSON’S POVI rose to retrieve my phone from my pocket, partially relieved as I suddenly felt gawky in front of a lad. He is finding it hard to adapt and I wished that he would understand how much he was hurting his mother by acting in that manner. As I swiped my thumb across my phone's screen and saw the text that came in, I turned to look at Vera. There was no point reminding her that I still had to leave the house and not follow our plan for the day, so I told her that we would talk when I came back. Even though I had made up my mind to walk through the door and not stay for breakfast, her sickly face made my legs stay rooted to the floor.“You don't look well.” I reluctantly brushed strands of her hair off her face and tucked it behind her ear.“I'm going to be fine.” She turned away from me and went to the kitchen counter where canned juices waited.To say that she was going to be fine meant that she wasn't well, so I walked up to her and was about to get her to see the reason
VERA'S POV If I know Jack as much as I think I do the palms of my hands, then I know that he would be distracted and his train of thoughts would be shifted toward finding out if truly there is a Monica out there or not. How could he let himself be easily swayed by a mere random text from a stranger who, I might say, is supposedly looking for ways to fill his pocket after everything we have been through? How did I let myself think that it was over? Just when I thought that we had reached the pinnacle of happiness, a single text message from a strange number that kept calling his phone while we were screaming for release turned our world upside down again! Shattering every hope that I built in my dreams while in his arms! So much for a happy ending! “Yes, this is unbelievable! You're so unbelievable, Jack!” I climbed out of bed and hurriedly threw my robe on. The absurdity of the whole thing gave me a headache. Last night, my heart had flopped in pleasure, and this morning, in pa
WRITER'S POV Vera spent many nights brooding over her son. She didn't know how to make up for all the years wasted, but she wanted him to feel how much she loved him.He had accepted her and hugged her first but it was hard for him to start calling her Mummy.She felt the butterflies in her tummy come alive the first time he called her mummy following Timothy.She shared his room with him, and the first night he said he wanted to share Timothy's room instead was the night she finally went to spend the night with Jack, who seemed to have been suddenly forgotten by her."We'll have to rearrange the room for the boys if he's willing to share with Timothy." Jack offered happily after she told him."Thanks for everything, Jack. You made everything possible." She melted into his protective arms."I promise you that this profound happiness will never depart from your dazzling face again." He vowed, making her look into his eyes so he would see what he felt as he slid a ring into her finger
VERA'S POVJack agreed to stay in the hospital and complete his treatment until the doctor confirmed that he was healthy enough and good to go home.Natalie Bells was under detention in the police cell. Harry reported that she cried always and begged for forgiveness and freedom because she doesn't want to end up behind bars.Kenneth was awaiting trial and he's detained until the first hearing in court which I believe will send him to prison and he won't see the light of day ever again in his miserable life.The cops promised us that everything is under control and I shouldn't be afraid of moving and going about doing anything that I needed to do and my business.Jack wouldn't hear of me going back to stay in his mansion with Timothy. Even when his mother and sister offered to stay with us, he insisted that some policemen be sent to guard the building and also take us wherever we wanted to go.I understood his fears and I also felt safer being guarded even though it didn't seem neces
JACKSON'S POVThe first person I asked the nurse in my room about when I woke up and she helped me swallow some pàin kîllérs was Vera. When she told me that she hasn't checked up on me ever since the incident that happened at the parking lot, I instantly thought that she's very angry with me and won't ever want to see me again.When my mind got to how fast she reacts and acts up against me whenever I'm harsh towards her, especially her rash decisions and quick to get far away from me, I told the nurse that I wanted to see her."Your stubbornness is the next level. I already told you that she went to see Mr. Nathan and I know that she will come to you if she learns that you are awake." She shook her head."Are you taking these things off or should I help you do your job now? I'm not going to try to run this time, I just want to talk to her before she…" I stopped and blew out a breath."Okay, fine! Thank God the cops are right out there because I won't hesitate to have you tied to this