CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED-EIGHT*"I am going and there's no stopping me."*The sea was like a rippling blanket of brochure blue. Squabbling seagulls flew overhead, harassing the beachgoers in their endless hunger. Gannets were dive-bombing the stretched surface of the sea far out from shore. The horizon was edged with a silver tint and a cormorant was flying into that place where sun and water meet.It was an endless view of sparkling light blue water and the afternoon sun rays glimmered in the ocean giving off a relaxing sensation."Follow me, I already made reservations for us!" Nana gushed as they trudged their way into the heap of beach sand passing the chirping children making sand castles and women basking in the sunlight and the men casually having drinks.After about a good five minutes stagger in the sand, they arrived at an open resort with canopies and the inscription, VIP ONlY written on it."C'mon guys! Let's go relax!" Nana urged waving at them as she approached the entrance o
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED-NINE *Hello London, It's been Ages!"*"Ahhh!! The hub of London life. How j missed it so." He muttered to himself as the taxi cab pulled up to the popular bustling central city of London.The man was hefty, with a well-toned and shaped broad chest, tall and dangerously handsome with a slightly spiked lighter shade of sandy hair. His eyes were a darker shade of blue like the turbulent stormy ocean.As he casually walked past the throng of a crowd of people on the street, he couldn't help but chuckle as every passerby glanced his way, some group of girls couldn't help gawking at his features in awe, and some hushed his glory amongst themselves.He glanced at the Apple watch and it came to life as soon as he raised his hand to peer at it."Good. We are almost there." the google map indicated that the Famous St. Lauren's shouldn't be far off from where he was. So it's pointless taking another cab down there.He walked gracefully in a long stride rounding off the corn
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED-TEN*"Drastic situations call for drastic actions they say...*"No way in hell that the person she most dreaded would be here in London, in her face!!!!!What on earth is he doing here unannounced ?!I bet Drake is not even aware of this sudden development.Her heart thundered in her chest uncontrollably.She bit her bottom lip furiously in a bid to tamp down her ragging heartbeat but to no avail."What the fuck are you doing here?!" she growled, the whites of her eyes turning pink with rage.He chuckled as he shrugged glibly."Easy now, Racheal. Have a seat let's talk." He patted the empty seat beside him, a smirk curling up his lips.She shot a bitchy glare at him and glanced over her shoulders ensuring that no one was around.She leaned forward with spite stamped all over her face.", What the hell are you doing here? In London of all places and how did you know I work here?" Her brows furrowed with suspicion.A sly smile slashed his handsome face."what's so ba
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED -ELEVEN*Where is Drake when she needed him?!*She is certain that she took the exact path they had taken when they first arrived on the shores of Alamba beach.The stubborn beach sands seeped through her strapped sandals slowing her pace.Damn it!Where did he go?She squinted as her frantic hazel eyes scanned the beach in search of a sandy brown-haired handsome tall muscular man in a crisp white shirt and shorts with a phone pressed against his ears but to no avail.She puffed out an exasperated breath.Maybe Nana was right, she should perhaps give him a call.She looked down at herself in dilated orbs."Fuck!" she muttered under her breath in anger.She forgot her phone and her purse back in the restaurant.Just great!Now, Nana won't be able to reach her nor would she be able to reach Drake at this rate.What the fuck was she thinking running out like that?!She slapped her hand against her cheeks frantically.Okay, calm down. We are still on the beach. She is
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED- TWELVE *Where is Janice?*"What do you mean she went off just like that?!" Howled Drake, with anxiety furrowed in his brows.Nana shrugged, waving her hands frantically in the air."I tried to stop here but she insisted on going. What would I have done differently? I am in no control or authority to stop her. So...she left.""And you don't have any idea what route she took?""Of course not! I tried to call her but I realized she forgot her phone in her purse.""No wonder I couldn't get through to her."He puffed out an exasperated deep breath and ran a frantic hand through his sandy wind-blown hair."Goddamn it Janice!" he muttered under his breath. " I told you to stay put."Of course, she had always been stubborn at heart.But he didn't know things would escalate like this.He came down to south Africa to protect her, swearing an oath to her father and now she's probably out there, lost and sacred."what do we do now? We don't know exactly where she is and we c
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED -THIRTEEN *Will she be raped before help arrives?*Her heart was slamming aggressively against her ribcage as she undid the strap of her sandals with trembling frantic hands and started running in the opposite direction without looking back.Oh God Oh God Oh God!!!!!!She was screaming in her mind as she raced with wobbling legs in the other direction.The sky is dark and gloomy and the moon has risen to the sky, gleaming weakly down the beach. Because of the weak reflection of the moonlight, she could barely make out the path ahead of her as she staggered in the sand, running with her all of her might."Hey get back here !!!" one of the men called out in a raspy menacing tone.Oh, Fuck!The hair on her neck stood up in alarm.She had no idea how many they were. Maybe three or more even.What the heck is she going to do if they caught up with her?Those were men, Jane!!How would a miserable woman like her do to defend herself from such baleful men?One of the men
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED-FOURTEEN*Somebody please help me!!!*"I warned you to stay put and I wouldn't have to hurl you like that." The tall muscular black guy in a thick leather jacket and jeans said as he crouched to the ground and held her face aggressively in the palm of his head, forcing her to look at him.Her brain took a couple of minutes to reboot again. The impact had probably let loose some nuts in her head because her ears were still ringing and her vision was still blurry a little.But soon afterwards, her vision cleared and her eyes roamed the three men before her looking down at her with lewd hungry eyes like hungry dogs eyeing good meat.She flinched and scoot backward in panic."Easy now, young lady. Easy..." the other man in khaki jeans and brow sweater drew close with menace in his eyes. He was on short dreadlocks."You seem like a big catch. We have been trailing you since you guys got off that luxurious super expensive Limousine."Her hazel eyes dilated in shock.Sinc
CHAPTER TWO HUNDRED-FIFTEEN *Dear lord, this ain't happening to me, is it?*"shush... Be fucking quiet!!!" the American one shushed her aggressively with his index finger pressed against his lips, his eyes glowering with a threat.She quickly clamped her lips together tightly.Okay, he looks really serious. I guess trying to escape would be a futile and stupid thing to do.Her initial plan of convincing them to drop her off at the VIP restaurant in exchange for keeping shut and giving them whatever amount of money they may need, failed woefully.They saw right through her. It's no use bringing it up again So what could she do now?She is running out of options!Her heart was thundering aggressively against her chest."If you don't have any other better ideas, honey then we will have to sell you off to the highest bidder," Darey said with his usual devilish smirk stamped over his face.She gulped in fear.", Highest bidder?" she managed to croak the words out of her trembling lips.T
*To forever and beyond…*The day of the trial had arrived, and it felt as though the world held its breath. The courtroom was filled with journalists, spectators, and photographers positioned on all corners of the courtroom doors waiting. They were all here for the same purpose: the moment the world would witness as justice decided the fate of Mr. Jordan. In other words, the downfall of the Jordans.The courtroom was so unnervingly quiet that you could hear a pin drop as every creak of a bench and every rustle of paper lingered in the tense air.Janice Jordan sat at the front with Finn beside her. Her uncle came with some family members and they sat behind the pew. Janice’s hands trembled in her lap, fingers clasped so tightly together that her knuckles turned white. She glanced at Finn beside her, his jaw set, gaze fixed on the judge as if nothing else existed. This was heavy for him especially but at last he would witness the final judgment and hopefully get the justice his late f
*He had to bear the consequences of his actions.*Janice sat in an uneasy silence, staring out the window as the news sank in, each word settling into her mind like stones dropped into water.She could hardly believe her ears. Her father has been arrested?! This was the first time such news would reach her ears. The mighty Jordan was arrested?!"Janice? This isn't the time to space out!" Finn's voice yanked her out of her reverie. She blinked repeatedly as her brain was still processing this whole unexpected turn out of events. She gulped. "What's going to happen to him, I-I don't even know what to say. He's the only family I've got, Finn," her words barely squeak out of her lips."Unfortunately, it may be nothing good, Janice. This is the moment of truth, and justice must not only be done but it must be seen to be done." A cold shiver pricked against her skin like goosebumps. As much as she tried to ignore it, it was the hard truth. Her father had done horrible things in the pa
*Was this the end of the line for the mighty Jordan family?* "Janice, I'm so sorry you had to go through this alone, " Finn said, pulling her towards him for a long hug as he stroked her hair. Janice broke into tears, sobbing as her body shook with the weight of losing a child, a part of her that she wasn't fortunate to bring into the world. She sniffed and muffled against his chest, "I didn't mean to hide this from you, Finn. This is shocking news to me as well." "It's alright, sweetheart." He said gently as he continued to stroke her hair. Then he broke the embrace and cradled her wet face in his hand, forcing her to look at him. "Look at me, Janice," he wiped her tears with his thumb. His heart tightened seeing her like this. "I promise I will wipe the tears off your face. We can always make another one." She momentarily stopped crying and looked at him wide-eyed. "You didn't even ask if that child is yours, Finn." He chuckled and shook his head. "I didn't
Chapter Three Hundred and Thirty*The unexpected and Sad Revelation*Finn's (once Drake but will be called his real name henceforth)hammered as he paced the narrow room with the burner phone clutched tightly in his right hand and his left hand frantically raking through his sandy brown hair.Every creak of the floor, every rustle outside the window, seemed like it could be Fergus’s men clawing closer.They were running out of time.With the government closing in and Fergus’s rage nearly tangible, Finn knew their only chance was to reach out to someone who could help them disappear. His father’s old friend, Yamato—a man, both feared and revered, a former militant from Japan who had once pledged his loyalty to the family.Yamato listened in silence, his deep breaths echoing through the line. Then, without a word of question or reprimand, he simply said, “Be ready. I will take care of the arrangements.”A wave of relief coursed through Finn's body at once. His father had been right af
Chapter Three Hundred Twenty-Nine*My real name is Finn Orwells and not Drake Hughen.*He knew of one place Fergus wouldn't dare to look.The drive to his special hideout was unbearable, long, and tedious. It was a rocky path in the thick of the forest but close to a river bank. He usually came here when he needed some privacy from the Jordans and planned his next revenge move. But right now, the reverse was the case. How ironic did things turn out to be? He was literally bringing his arch enemy's daughter to his secret hideout, away from the hawk eyes of his evil brother-the person he was supposed to be working alongside.Well, things had changed. Maybe he had changed, too.But right now... he had a purpose.He glanced at the passenger's seat, where Janice was sitting quietly. Apparently, she was still shaken by everything that had unfolded. Poor woman... He had to protect her even from his own family.I'm so sorry, Mother....but I think I broke the rule.He gulped. I had fallen
*At any rate, he must save Janice.*The heel of his boots pounding in her stomach sent her to the floor, retching and wheezing with her heart in her throat, threatening to explode. A crushing pain seared through her chest. She sprawled on the ground, with her eyes shut tight, gasping for air desperately. The blindfold was restricting her vision, so she couldn't see who it was, but she could feel the extreme coldness exuding from his presence. "Let's try again, shall we, darling. And this time I won't go easy on you. I suggest you answer my questions if you want to leave here in one piece and see your asshole of a father!" the menacing raspy voice roared across the empty room. The man cocked his head to the two huge guys in black and at once they heaved her roughly to the chair and tied her hands and legs to the chair. The sound of the cocked gun jolted a shiver down her spine. He took long strides towards her and trailed the gun around her exposed chest, her buttons had come undon
*He must save Janice no matter what!*"What do you mean you haven't seen her?!" Mr Jordan bellowed through the phone, his hands trembling badly."You need to calm down, Mr Jordan. Remember, this is bad for your health. I will be at the shortly. " Matt spoke as calmly as possible through the phone."Calm down? What if something happened to her, Matt?! You were supposed to take care of her and now..." He paused, taking a sharp breath as he rubbed his temples frantically to ease the tension building up inside of me.Where on earth was his precious daughter? What could have happened to her?"Please, exercise some patience, Mr Jordan, while I wait for the construction team to help me remove my door. As I explained to you, Janice just stormed out of the house and locked me inside because she took the remote with her. She must have been in a hurry or something. I think maybe she's at her best friend's house, Hannah."Mr Jordan's eyes lit up.That may be true....who else will Janice be wi
She was super excited and relieved to see Drake coming to her rescue. Tears of relief etched at the corner of her eyes. He came for her! He must have sensed that I was in danger! But how did he know where to find me....? She pondered silently as she arched a brow at him curiously. "Drake! How did you know that I'm here?" She quizzed.He shrugged, winking at her."I just know, Janice. Now come one before Matt comes out!" He urged, waving her over.Her heart jumped at the mention of Matt. That monster! She never wants to be around him ever again! For now, she has been rescued, and she can safely go home and put this whole marriage behind her.Luckily, she has the videotape as evidence to nail Matt on the cross and call off the engagement. She rushed to the car and opened the passenger's door in the front seat and settled on it, jamming the shut quickly.For now, she will have to ask questions later."You good, Janice? I hope he didn't hurt you in there?" Drake asked, although his
*...if it wasn't Drake, then I would rather not love at all.* Damn it! Matt found out already? How did he even know about this? I thought he wasn't aware of it. What do you mean, Janice? Of course, Matt had been watching you non-stop! Only a fool wouldn't be aware of the deep connection that exists between you and Drake. At this point, I wouldn't even be surprised if the maids knew as well. The voice in her head taunted her. She bit her bottom lip frantically, trying to rein in the turbulent thoughts writhing inside of her head. She had to act cool and unbothered. Pretend as if you didn't know what he was saying, Janice. Act cool and get the hell out of here! The voice rang inside my head again like a Belfry. She sucked in several deep breaths and looked up at Matt intently, a smirk curling up her lips. "I have no idea what's you babbling about, Matt," she snapped, feigning ignorance. Matt scoffed, shaking his head. "Stop lying, Janice. It's too obvious! I'm not a