Chapter 3: The Message

Few minutes later, Lucianda got a beep on her mobile, removing the phone from her bag to read the message, she froze.

“This will be the last time you will walk away from me when I am talking to you, Lucianda Castos. Next time, I might not be so forgiving.”

The message had no name and Lucianda did not have the contact on her list, but she knew. It was from that person, Prince Hakeem. The text was so straightforward that she did not have to think twice about the sender.

Obviously, getting her private number was not hard for an influential person like Hakeem and he has no hesitation in making her know it.

Wondering if there was nowhere the man could not penetrate, Lucianda wanted to scream.

Assuring herself it would not do any good to be publicly dramatic, Luci entered her car and as the driver drove away, she decided to channel the anger and frustration she was feeling into productivity.

*****

Walking into the house some hours later, Luci wearily dropped her bag on the hall table before walking tiredly to the opulent sitting room.

Suddenly, a figure ran to her and with a small scream, he jumped on her. Too late to take a firm hold, they both went sprawling on the soft carpet and Lucianda saw stars behind her eyes.

Laughing softly in enjoyment, Julian Castos wrapped his tiny arms around his mother.

“Where have you been, Mum? I have not seen you since morning and I missed you.” He pouted lovingly.

Her eyes had been closed while trying to regain her equilibrium but when she heard the softly spoken words from her son, she opened her eyes to look at him.

Lucianda’s gaze softened instantly with love and affection. Every time she set her eyes on this wonderful miracle that came from her womb, she could not help but feel grateful and fulfilled, despite the memory surrounding his birth.

“Hello son, I am sorry. Mummy had to go out, but fear not, I am here for you now.” She tickled his tummy on the last word and Julian gave a giggle of fun.

“Let’s play bubble berry, mum.” He cried excitedly.

Lucianda loved her son, really, she did, but at the moment, she could not control the groan of agony that came from her mouth.

Obviously, her son was also surprised judging from the way he blinked at her.

“What’s wrong, Mama?” He asked softly.

Settling for an explanation he would understand, she told him softly.

“Mummy needs a shower, son, and then food, before she can play bubble berry with her favourite man.” She tickled his tummy again.

Allowing himself to be distracted, he laughed.

“Okay Mama, but will you allow me to come with you?” He wanted to know before giving his complete agreement.

“I will allow you to come with me.” Lucianda agreed. Most times she allowed her son to stay in the bedroom while she would take a quick shower. With the door half shut, she could always listen to his chattering and respond back. It’s a mother-son moment they both cherished.

Jumping up in excitement, Julian eagerly pulled his mum to a sitting position, anxious for them to go upstairs to her room.

Pretending to be pulled by her son’s strength, Lucianda gave an exaggerated staggering and her son giggled wildly, amused with his mother’s drama.

“You are capping mum.” He told her with a big smile.

Julian Castos was a five year old boy with a face befitting the gods. So handsome with an adult chiseled cheek that would make you give a third and a fourth look, he was always the centre of attention everywhere and anywhere he went, with people staring at him, wanting to take pictures and compliment his unusual look.

Though his parents, Alex and Lucianda were also beautiful people blessed with good genes, it was still always a wonder they had such a handsome son. 

If only the people would look closely, they would see that only one other person could match his look in the whole city.

But what’s more shocking, apart from his look, Julian Castos was blessed with a very mature adult brain and his intelligence was always a surprise to everyone around him, including his parents.

It was no wonder that he had been the centre of his father’s world before his demise.

And of course, the joy and the apple of his mother’s eyes.

An example of that adult maturity was the way he just told his mum to stop exaggerating.

Pretending to be shocked, Lucianda opened her big eyes in a wide eyed expression and Julian covered his mouth childishly to smother his big laugh.

Chuckling at his expression, Lucianda gave a happy sigh as she followed her son up the stairs.

As usual, with the glow of her son’s love surrounding her, she quickly forgot about her day’s troubles.

*****

The following day, Lucianda was having a nap when her phone alerted her for an incoming call.

Groggy with sleep, she turned to search for the mobile without opening her eyes and after a minute, her hand touched the phone.

Flipping the cover open, she greeted the caller with a voice that’s heavy from sleep.

“Hello?” 

“Lucianda!” Just that and nothing else, but Lucianda immediately knew who it was.

Sitting up in a swift motion, the sleep immediately left her eyes as she unconsciously took a glance around the room.

Seeing that she was alone, she gave a sigh of relief. But it was not meant to last long.

With a body that was so tense, it felt it might snap into two at any moment, Lucianda’s eyes froze over.

“What’s all these Prince Hakeem? What do you want from me because I honestly don’t appreciate all these? You are beginning to look like a stalker and I wonder if it’s not time to involve the police.” She told him coldly.

Seriously amused by this, Prince Hakeem laughed so heartily. It was obvious even over the phone that Lucianda greatly amused him.

Lucianda clenched her teeth in rage.

Prince Hakeem was not just the Prince of a powerful Sheikh from the Western Asian country, he was one of the three most eligible and powerful men in London city.

Having left home at the age of twenty two, for the city of London, despite his family’s wealth, he had started his own moderate shipping company and within ten years, he had built it to something so formidable that only few could compete with him and they still would not win. 

Not only rich, Hakeem was so ruthlessly domineering, few people would dare look for his trouble. His influence was so powerful, only the rich and powerful would dare give him a handshake.

But that’s not his major attraction for the public, and the bloggers most especially. 

His look!

Oh Lordy!

With a strong, healthy physique, Prince Hakeem was so handsome like an Arabian god, he dazzled the eyes. 

Six feet tall with a skin like flawless diamond and a chiseled face like that of a golden statue, Prince Hakeem’s dark baby curly hair completed the look of uniqueness and the only thing that usually came to mind when he’s seen was “Perfection”.

Richly wealthy with influence and power, he was one of the top most influential and eligible bachelors of the country and he seemed to be at the top of that list.

But that’s not why many people were in awe of him.

For someone like Lucianda, it’s because she knew from distant experience, how cold and ruthless he could be. He spared no one in his quest for power and control.