Thank you, everyone, for reading. I hope you are enjoying the story so far. Please remember to vote.
Silence has filled the room since Rooster’s last statement, and he is right, Jessie isn’t hiding. If she wanted to scare her dad and Diesel, she could have just hidden in her apartment.The door swings open, and Dwayne stood with papers.“We have this, it is her phone records, she was meeting someone the night she disappeared. Also, the footage shows someone coming back with her, but we can’t see who. They are looking for anything from when they leave.”“Do you know the number?” I look at him, taking the papers.“No, some guy she called Rob, the number is just ringing.”My eyes glance down at the paper. “Shit.” I feel sick.“Shit? What is it?” Rooster looks at me annoyed.“Mr Prent is Rob. The number though, I can’t explain. I know it, but the person is gone.” I thought he had gone.“So this Mr Prent, where is he?
I stare at her shocked by her words, by her agreeing.“Don’t be a fool, don’t make deals like that!” Is she a fool? “You’re making yourself weak! You stand there and claim to be the fucking Queen, yet one issue and you roll over and be a doormat and give it all up!” Maybe I shouldn’t shout and be so blunt but who knows what they would do to the city.“It’s either that or no Jessie.” She looks at me.“Now princess, Jake wants you as well, so it's all or nothing.” I turn and look at him as he smiles.“Fine, tell him I agree, now where is Jessie?” Serena looks at him waiting.“No, she doesn’t fucking agree!” I stare at her shocked.“Diesel let her, Jessie would be safe if it wasn’t for her. Right now it is her or Jessie, and I want my baby girl back!” Rooster looks at me furiously. I would tell him but Serena clearly wan
I watch as the blood mixes with the water, before disappearing down the drain. I want to say I feel better, but I don’t. How can I? Jake is out there somewhere, and I will find him. I am now simply waiting for Dwayne, I need to know Jessie is okay. She was with Jake, and I hate to think about what he has done.Climbing from the shower I get myself dried and dressed before going back to my office. Everyone is back to their usual jobs except for a few people who are searching for Jake.“Hey.”I look up hearing Dwayne’s voice.“Well?” I hope she is okay.“She is fine. She was out with Jake apparently, and they met up with Rob, and came back here to her apartment.” “Dwayne, that doesn’t tell me shit, what happened in her apartment as it was trashed.” If she willingly brought two men back fine, but what happened after? Did she agree and set it up to make Diesel Jealous?
I leave with Rooster, but we don’t speak. I watch as he shakes his head looking at me with disapproval. It hurt, her words hurt and I would be a fool to try and act like they didn’t. Right now though, we need to see Jessie. I can ignore the hurt, ignore Serena’s words, at least until I know for sure Jessie isn’t hurt.We rush in, and I see her sitting with her arms wrapped around Dwayne, and something inside me burns. Jealously swarms me and I don’t even know why. I don’t want Jessie, yet now she is sitting cuddled against Dwayne I am jealous.She doesn’t look hurt, that is a good thing. I watch as she runs to Rooster and hugs him. He wants to scream, and tell her off, even Rooster knows though, doing it now, too soon will hurt her more. Her wild ways put her in a place where she can be harmed.“What happened?” Rooster looks at Jessie, and I watch as she sits back now, Dwayne’s arm wrapping around her body in comfort.“I was out with a guy, Jake. We were just…”“No, Jessie, I don’t wa
It has been a week, and everything has been quiet. I want to see Jessie, make sure she is okay and thank her. Every time I consider it, I hear she is still at Diesel’s place. I don’t want to go there, I don’t want to see him. I have to though. I have battled all week over whether or not I should open the folder with his name. It could give me every bit of information I need on Diesel. It could tell me why he is the way he is. It could also hold information that I never want to know. Just like my folder. I’m glad I know the truth now, but that doesn’t help. It doesn’t mean I don’t think back over and over about how things ended up. My dad knew, and I don’t know if he agreed with what Jake did to me. Hell for all I know it could have been his idea. He told me Jake disappeared, but it was clear my dad had paid him too. The payment that no doubt he hoped would keep his involvement a secret. “You know, it doesn’t matter how long you stare at the screen, at the folder. Nothing will chan
I woke and considered last night. The fact I would have fucked Jessie is wrong. I smile at her from across the table. “Don’t worry Diesel, I know it was a mistake.” She smiles at me. “Fuck, Jessie! I don’t deserve you to be nice to me or understanding. I’m a fucking prick.” How can she smile and forgive me so quickly? “You’re not a prick Diesel. Last night you were hurting over everything. In those moments you let go of the ‘what ifs’ you don’t hide from your feelings or love. Don’t worry about it.” I simply nod to her. “Wait.” My word confused, as I watch her look towards me. She laughs slightly nodding. “Yes, Diesel. Don’t worry though, I know your past, and I know that is why you hide from love. I don’t blame you. Letting someone in and admitting it leads to pain. While I was gone I realised.” “Realised what Jessie?” “That me pushing you was wrong. You won’t ever let me or anyone else in Diesel. Anyone who you even remotely care for, any woman that is. Fear of what comes n
I get ready and look towards Dwayne.Something is going on with you, what?” I look at him waiting. “Still convinced you lost Jessie?” He needs to go claim her.“No, she slept with him the day after she was found.”“Oh,” what else can I say?“He agreed to give her a try, now Diesel will want me dead.”I laugh at his words.“Why now? Dwayne what have you done?”“Last night I saw Jessie, she ended up back at my place, in my bed.”I stare at him.“Fucking hell Dwayne! You knew and still slept with her? I can’t exactly tell him not to beat you. I am going to go there anyway, see Jessie, and apologise to him. I will let you know how much of a mess it is.” Grabbing my bag and the gift bag I leave, climbing into the car I sit.“Where to Miss?” Shaun looks at me waiting.“Diesel’s home addres
I listen to her words and struggle with what to reply. Her dad knew, her dad planned it. Me fine, I am no one to him, but his own daughter? “Is it fucked up that somewhere inside, that made me feel better? For years I told myself if I had done something different, or had begged him to leave Elsie out of it, they would be alive today. Knowing even his own family were treated the same makes me realise nothing I said would change it.” I wish it could have, but it won’t. “Ask me in a few months, Diesel, as right now I am still getting used to the idea my dad knew and paid Jake. I knew he struggled to accept I could run the city, but I didn’t think it would be that bad.” I look at her. “Do you think Jake was the plan? Maybe your dad wanted him to marry you so he took over the city?” Why else would her dad pay him to be in her life? “I know he did. I saw the contracts. My dad promised him the city once he died if we were married. He paid him
I gaze down into the crib, watching Lilly-Bell sleep, and a sense of peace washes over me. Seeing her brings a sense of healing as if parts of me have been rebuilt. Suddenly, I feel Diesel's arms wrap around my body, and I lean back against him, seeking comfort in his presence. His words, claiming me for the night, offer reassurance, but I can't shake off my fears that someone might try to harm her. Sensing my worry, Diesel continues speaking."She will be the most protected princess in the world," he assures me. "She has her guards around her, and Rooster is here."I know he's right, but the anxiety lingers. "But what if Rooster gets distracted or too busy with Lucas?" I voice my concerns, looking up at Diesel."Rooster has been a father far longer than us. Trust him," Diesel responds calmly. "Both babies will be asleep in here together. Just trust him, Serena, like you trust me, and I trust him."I feel the urge to argue, to come up with another plan to ensure Lilly-Bell's safety. M
Diesel walks away, leaving me alone with Rooster."I'm here to apologise," I begin, my voice filled with remorse. "I considered trying to save her from Jake, but I couldn't risk myself and the baby."Rooster looks at me, a mixture of surprise and concern on his face. "You have nothing to apologise for," he says, his voice sincere."To you, I do," I reply, my words filled with conviction. "You did nothing to hurt me, Rooster. Leaving your daughter in his hands could have put her life in danger. Diesel sees you as family, and I don't want anything to jeopardise that. I don't want to be the cause of any friction either."He listens attentively as I explain my reasoning. "Me and Diesel will never truly fall out, Serena. Despite everything, you did for Jessie, I am disappointed in her behaviour, but I am also ashamed of everything she has done. Right now, she hates me, and I can't blame her because I caused all of this."His words catch me off guard. "You are an amazing father, Rooster. Je
I lose my week doing everything that Serena usually would be doing. I don’t mind though, I know while I am out doing these things she is safe, away from anyone who may want to cause her to hurt.Dwayne has been at my side constantly, I guess to ensure everything goes to plan. I have no idea how Serena ran this city, who she knew, trusted, or who the troublemakers were. So having Dwayne there was a benefit as he could guide me when I was lost.This week I have seen those who respect Serena, and then I have seen the other side, the ones who were just waiting for a chance to make her fall or wait for someone to come take over. Many expressed to me how they knew she would fail and hand over the city eventually.They were shocked when I explained it was her city, she simply was recovering. They will learn not to try to make Serena sound weak around me.I find my week mostly explaining the situation to people, that Serena is healing and I am merely a stand-in. I keep it quiet that she is pr
I woke up to see a cast on my foot, Diesel sat beside me in bed, just staring at the wall."What happened?" I point to my foot, I can't remember going to a hospital."Dwayne got your doctor here. You seemed to sleep through everything. The baby is fine, here." He holds out the phone, a small video playing. I feel myself relax, the baby is fine, and that is all that I care about. "I'm sorry Diesel, for not telling you what was threatened. I thought I would be safe if you had known you wouldn't have left me alone." "This isn't your fault." How can she think it was?"Diesel, I should know not to pass it off as nothing. I watched my father lock this place down when there were threats. I just didn't want to lose our weekend together.""Let's leave it for now. Concentrate on getting better, that is all that is important right now. I have a replacement at my garage so I don't need to leave your side." "I need to get things sorted Diesel, yesterday, everything. I can't just leave everythin
The last few hours have been awful, Jake keeps hitting me because I refuse to leave Diesel and marry him. Maybe if I agreed I would be okay, but I can't. I can see Jessie is shocked, she didn't expect this, but it is her fault. She went along with him, all because he promised I would be gone and she would get Diesel. I don't even try and plead or beg him as I know from the past that won't work. Instead, I sit quietly, taking the hits when he gives them and acting like it is nothing. He seems to be getting more frustrated, his phone vibrating constantly."He is on the warpath!" He screams at Jessie. "You said he wouldn't, what the hell?" He turns back to me, and I get ready for the next hit but his phone vibrates again."He's taking over the city, fewer people are willing to stay quiet now." He turns to Jessie and hits her. "I thought he would just give up! I didn't know at that point she was pregnant!" She looks at me and then at him. "I'm getting a drink." I watch as he walks out
Waking, I move carefully trying not to wake her. The room now beginning to get chilly. I was meant to refill the alcove with wood. Grabbing my jacket I walk out and begin to gather more wood. The only downfall to this place, the fire needs wood constantly or it dies and the cold builds. Other than that though it is perfect. The silence and only sounds of wild animals can be heard. We needed this weekend, I learnt more about Serena, but I also learnt more about me, things I didn't know.I can't help but smile and feel happy, all I want now is peace, but I know peace for us will never happen, or if it does, it won't last long. Serena has the city, and nothing will make her give that up, not even a peaceful life with me. It is something I need to learn to live with.Walking back in I see the sofa empty, placing the wood on the alcove I call out to Jess, stopping as I see the backdoor open slightly, my eyes glance down and see her shoe. Panic builds as I rush out, calling her name but
I find myself trying to distract myself from everything. Diesel has messaged and said he will pick me up tomorrow. Apparently, he is giving me space until then.So, that means no Diesel tonight, which feels weird, we have spent every night together since we slept together almost. He is right though, we need a break from each other.We're the cause, the reason we fight so much. I use the time to work and plan what I want to say as I know if I don't nothing will get solved. After finishing work I go home, and just hide away. Trying not to think about the mess that no doubt is waiting for us.If Jessie is pregnant and Diesel is the dad, then what? Part of me hopes it is a lie, just so I can relax and know he isn't. How will it work? Jessie seems crazy, and that isn't something I want around me. I somehow manage to fall asleep.Waking a message from Diesel tells me to pack a weekend bag. I guess that means we're not staying here? As I get ready, I glance at the ring on my finger. That fee
I collapse into the bed. Frustrated at Diesel and how he reacts. I understand though, he was hurt over and over by everyone he loved. So his reaction is to expect the worst from people.All I wanted was a day without the shit, but it has come just as quickly as the morning sun rises. Part of me wants to hide away in here, just pretend the world doesn't exist.Actually, I feel like screaming and killing Diesel, he is so blinded by his own past, his own pain and fears he hasn't even realised or thought how I feel.Jake is still out there. Fear burns through me and has since the moment I thought I could be pregnant. Every day the past is on replay, and with how volatile Diesel is, I am afraid of the ending.Sure he wouldn't hurt me on purpose, but I have seen how quickly he loses control, how angry he gets and forgets to get all the information. Like today.He just assumed it was Jessies, assumed that it meant I knew and kept it hidd
I walk away, knowing that she needs time to calm down, I have my own plan this week and Jessie and her announcement have messed it up.Yet now I feel like I need to do it sooner rather than later. I reach into my pocket feeling the box, knowing that I will do it, tonight.I just need to figure out the situation with Jessie first. Getting to Roosters I walk in, his head turns and he looks towards me."Didn't expect you so soon, only just saw you." He laughs and holds out a glass."You don't know, do you?" Hell if he doesn't know it is likely to be a lie."What now, seriously can I not have one fucking day?" He looks at me stressed and I wish I could take away the stress but I am just about to add to it."Jessie showed up this morning at the garage." I watch as he rolls his eyes at my words, going to speak I put my hand up. "Not to try and fuck me Rooster, she is pregnant.""She can't have a fucking baby! She can't even look