[70] ||Flash back continues||This woman said daughter few seconds ago? She called Amelia her daughter which means, Amelia is his half sister?What sign is this? Is it a good sign or a bad one, very bad one at that?"Why, woman?" Hardie was stuck with words as he blurted out nonsense. He called her woman since he believes she doesn't fit to be called his mother, she only birth him."Let me warn you and I want to be clear, I don't want to see your poverty stricken self around my daughter any more, stop forcing your self on her." Roselle sneered. "You worth less, much more less than a piece of trash."Hardie gritted his teeth trying to get hold of himself, how can the woman who was suppose to be his mother call him awful names?"I won't mind ending you and your pathetic father if you ever cross path with my daughter again. You don't deserve her friendship and you don't deserve to live to either." Roselle added with pure disgust in her voice and here seems like they were spit
[71] ||Flash Back Continues|| •••Months Later•••Today was Hardie's and Amelia's last day in high school cause they are done with their grades already. After his encounter with Roselle, the rest of the term was hell for him and his father though.Kendrick seems to be very ill and was bed ridden on several occasion since the hole in his heart find its cunning way to reopen again, he was to stay in hospital till he fully recover.The school was organizing a party for the graduating students and they were expected to come with their parents, Hardie was next to having none. His father was hospitalized and he mother already rejected him like he is a plague.Amelia saw the pains in his eyes but there is nothing she could do to soothe it away, she was forced to realized he has always been in mess since he was a kid because of her mother.Amelia knows she can't hate her mother but she hated the fact that she caused most of Hardie's pain and the fact that she, Amelia, could do
[72] ||Hardie Morrison||Since I know next to nothing about cooking, I decided it would be the best to ask Lincoln for help."So, what does the oh-so-mighty Hardie wants to prepare?" Lincoln asked wearing a teasing grin.I scoffed at how he stretched the oh-so-mighty Hardie. "Stop teasing, Lin. I want some thing simple yet satisfying." I muttered wearing a stoic expression. "What do you suggest is better for her?""You should know her better than any one, Mr Morrison. Think of some thing she would love." Lincoln replied in a flat tone. Here I am thinking he would help me out in choosing simple meal that's more presentable. Wait! What am I sprouting out? Like, is there any meal that isn't presentable?"Since you are unable to come up with some thing she would..."I cut him short as I recalled her favourite simple meal. "Macaroni and meat balls." I uttered in a sharp tone earning a creased brow from Lincoln. "She loves macaroni and meat balls.""Oh, good then." He replied plain
[73] ||Hardie Morrison||The day rolled away faster than usual and somehow I'm glad cause soon, Arling would be discharged, may be in a day or two.She hasn't talked a word about our last misunderstanding yet and I'm sure she would soon, the thought of seeing her angry and all red makes me nervous.Its nightfall already and Arling is already sleeping. Here I am with my body oozing of the smell of sweats since I haven't had a nice bath and change of cloth since three days now."Since she is asleep, you should go home now." Mrs Grayson voice came up suddenly. I guess my mind was far away from here cause of jumbled thoughts and I did not notice her presence."I wish I can but what if she wake up when I'm away?" I replied, my voice was cozy from the sudden chill of cold from no where."I'm here. I'll make her understand why you are away." She uttered as she made to sit next to the bed. "Now go.""Fine. I just don't want her to get emotional and start crying." I muttered as I sl
[74] ||Arling Arlington||The woman here who said is Hardie's mother, well I need no proof cause the resemblance is there and its visible. I was wondering why Hardie did not get me to meet her."He never told me about her before, maybe because I never asked?" I muttered as I adjusted myself to sit well. "Hardie look almost like her though.""Hardie and I had a little fight and hasn't talk for years. He can be very strict and always entertain gaps when he is not in good term with some one, you should know about that." She said putting on a sad smile. "Its time we stop acting on our difference and reconcile. Hardie, where is he?""Hardie...?" I creased her brows and turned to mom. "Mom, where is Hardie?""He went home. He would be back soon, I guess." She replied plainly as she adjusted her sitting position.Hardie's mother and I mouthed an ‘oh’ as I flashed her a wry smile."So, I heard you are Hardie's fiancée." She said with almost blank expression. "You plan on getting m
[75] ||Hardie Morrison||What does that cunning woman takes me for? An old fo ol who lacks the thinking ability? Or may be I'm still the soft and tender boy she left many years ago? Does she think I'll accept her so easily after what she have done? Really? If so, then she is too ignorant to notice the change in me?If I'm able to forgive her for every other mistake of hers, how do I forgive her for mur dering my father? I partially blame my father for his dea th but that woman takes all the blame.‘...Don't trade your happiness for my safety...’ that words still echoes in my head. I wish I never listened to him then, maybe he might still be alive if I haven't.I would be glad to have her arrested and press charge against her for mur der. But firstly, I have no evidence against her. And secondly, since she hold a prestigious post here in States, she would surely find her way out with her cunning moves.My head was in total mess as it bang loudly. That woman surely has foxy mo
[76] ||Hardie Morrison||The weather temperature today was cold but not that very cold. That doesn't matter, what matters is Arlington would be discharged any time from now since I already signed documents for her to be discharged."Please, keep her under close watch and make sure she doesn't go under pressure. She should be stress free too and nothing should threaten her health status too." The doctor advised as he scribbled down things on a pad. "She is still prone to shock and I'm sure you won't want her to go in to coma again.""Why will I? I won't be foolish to repeat such mistake again." I muttered in response. I don't want her mom to take her far away from me, I won't be able to stand the pain that would come after it."Here are the drugs she will be using..." The doctor handed the scribbled piece for me, not after explaining each benefit of the scribbled drugs and how she's suppose to use them."When is she gon' be discharged?" Min hung was the first to asked immediat
[77] ||Hardie Morrison||It was hard to convince Arlington about the babies being alive, she felt we were lying about them to have want her to go home with out thinking of seeing the babies.For this, I have to asked the doctor if it was okay and safe to visit just for the air to be clear and he gladly permits with out blinking an eyelid about it."They are much stronger than they were in the last few days and out of danger too." He told me. "They are recovering faster already, it safe to visit them."Due to the babies being conceived earlier than they were supposed, one of them was too weak and barely look like she was going to survive as of when they were birthed.The impact from Arlington's fall made her weak and having almost near de@th experience. Thankfully, she turned out to be a strong survivor and did not d¡e and the other baby was safe too.I couldn't just imagine how hard it will be on Arlington to hear about one of the babies not surviving. She will definitel
[84]The sun dipped below the horizon as the fiery colours infused the sky above the sky above them, painting the perfect backdrop for the end of an era. As the crimson hues bled into the night, Lincoln couldn't help but admire the scene from the rooftop terrace if Hardie's lavish home.The cool breeze brush past them, bringing forth a scene of melancholy that mirrored the thoughts racing through Lincoln's mind. It was hard to believe that after all the hardship they had faced together, their journey was slowly screeching into a halt.Hardie, in his usual assertive manner, told Lincoln that he did not plan of letting him go anytime soon. Despite anticipation, the words slammed into Lincoln's chest like a brick wall, causing him to struggle for breath.Although, Lincoln had mentally prepared for such a confrontation, the reality was far more difficult to accept. Over the years, the two had become intertwined in a complex net of loyalty and betrayal, blurring the lines of their allianc
[83]"Isn't she the same with her?" I heard her asked all of a sudden, her voice was laced with outmost surprise or maybe shock.I raised my head up to the television's screen, trying to figure out what she was talking about. It was Ms. Roselle, that was her name, Hardie's mom. Why is she on the media all of a sudden? "She's the one, right?" She asked again, this time turning to me. "This is Hardie's mother." "Yeah." I nod in agreement, drawling my words. "I'm sure she is the one, she looks like her and the name too." "Why is she on the screen then?" Charlotte furthered, staring questioningly at me. I frowned at her question, we are both in the same room and she is the one who had informed me about this yet, she is asking me such a question? She's seriously unbelievable! "Were you not the one who just told me about it?" I return her question back to her. "And we are yet to listen to what she might have done." "You are right." She said sounding defeated but I did not really care.
[82] ||•Lincoln Shire•||"Welcome..." The hotel receptionist uttered, wearing a delightful expression as she smiled warmly at us.I'm not the type that smiles but I was kind enough to reciprocate it. Charlotte, on the other hand, just gave her a slight nod with a blank expression on her face. It's obvious that she's too tired for all of this, every thing about her tell it all."Two VIP..." I simply stated but the stare on her face tells otherwise, I need her not to say much before I understand her expression. "We'll just hop for any available rooms left, okay. As far as it's as comfortable as a home, we have no choice to it."She shook her head with an apologetic look on her face. "I'm sorry, Sir..." She muttered, avoiding eye contact with Charlotte and I. "It's just a room left, all other rooms are occupied for the night."Mere looking at Charlotte, she was not comfortable with herself as she scrunched her face tightly in displeasure. "Why...?" She requested with indifference
[81] ||•Lincoln Shire•||The day has been kind of hectic for Charlotte and I, tailing and spying on other lords just to get want we want from them.Well, as usual, Charlotte was used as the bait to get to them. I must commend how much she has done in the nick of time.She made every thing much easier for me since they are things I can do and places I can't penetrate as a male, yeah .Retiring for the day, we decided to lodge the night in one of the suites around till the next day.I would have vouch for a clubhouse instead because there, I would surely meet with new lords but Charlotte had insisted we get a proper night sleep instead.Well, I have no other choice to obliging. We will just find a suitable suite for us after we are done with our drinks. •••"I think I need a break after this." Charlotte muttered before chugging down her last cup of wine. "This is becoming much more challenging than it ever was.""What break —?" I asked with my brows raised in questioni
[80] ||Hardie Morrison||I speed up and in no time, we arrived at the park, the same park I brought her to couple of months ago. It was just few weeks after we met. Arlington was a little bit surprised, well, it reflected on her face."I guess I did not see this coming..." She countered with a soft chuckle after. "Why did you bring us here?"I ignored her question and helped her undo her seat belt. "Come on." I said instead and hopped down from the car.She hopped down immediately after I did before I was able to turn around. "I can always help myself with the door, you should stop worrying over little things." She said as she shut the car's door behind her."Little things also matters, Arling." I told her in reply and hold her hand, and intertwined it with mine. "What did you want?" "I want… that." She pointed at the cotton candy not to far from us, wearing a wide smile on her face. The smile of hers that I did not want to miss, not now or ever.I’ve done so much wrong
[79] ||Hardie Morrison||"Ms. Roselle is coming home with us." Arling suddenly announced which made Hardie stopped in his track."What...?!" I blurted out, almost choking on my own breathe. " think I heard wrong, yeah. What did you say?""What did I say?" She repeated my question with her brows deeply creased. "I said; Ms. Roselle would be coming with us, did I say some thing awful?"These days, ever since this fóxy human suddenly introduced herself to you, I see you enjoy getting on my nerves...” those were the words I wanted to reply her with but said some thing else instead.I know and I'm sure of it, this fóxy human is trying to cause a rift between Arlington and I the same way she did to Amelia and other people too.But then, I would never give in to such cheap plan she drafted. I'll just have to pretend I never heard Arling speaks about her or made mention of her name."Aren’t you tired of staying here?" I asked, diverting the topic else where. "You’ve been in the ho
[78] ||Ms. Roselle||There are so many things to regret but I don't think I have a reason to regret any of them, except of course, if I lose access to them.Yeah! That would be my only regret!How do I regret my source of income and wealth? Because I smug in drugs? Or because I'm an old stripper and a s3x worker? Probably because I rob dignitaries off their wealth?I've done and indulged myself in so many shits and dirty works and I'm glad I did, if not, how do I gather so much wealth in the nick of time?But of course, I do have one regret! It's hurts me and I'm suppose it's never too late to rectify it!No taming Hardie when I have the chance to was my only regret! I couldn't hold in the pain I felt seeing him succeed in his own games and outsmarting other drug lords in the game.Most time, I do wonder how he was able to attain such height at a very young age. He used to be the gentle type who barely talks or socialize himself with others, how did he turn out to be the b
[77] ||Hardie Morrison||It was hard to convince Arlington about the babies being alive, she felt we were lying about them to have want her to go home with out thinking of seeing the babies.For this, I have to asked the doctor if it was okay and safe to visit just for the air to be clear and he gladly permits with out blinking an eyelid about it."They are much stronger than they were in the last few days and out of danger too." He told me. "They are recovering faster already, it safe to visit them."Due to the babies being conceived earlier than they were supposed, one of them was too weak and barely look like she was going to survive as of when they were birthed.The impact from Arlington's fall made her weak and having almost near de@th experience. Thankfully, she turned out to be a strong survivor and did not d¡e and the other baby was safe too.I couldn't just imagine how hard it will be on Arlington to hear about one of the babies not surviving. She will definitel
[76] ||Hardie Morrison||The weather temperature today was cold but not that very cold. That doesn't matter, what matters is Arlington would be discharged any time from now since I already signed documents for her to be discharged."Please, keep her under close watch and make sure she doesn't go under pressure. She should be stress free too and nothing should threaten her health status too." The doctor advised as he scribbled down things on a pad. "She is still prone to shock and I'm sure you won't want her to go in to coma again.""Why will I? I won't be foolish to repeat such mistake again." I muttered in response. I don't want her mom to take her far away from me, I won't be able to stand the pain that would come after it."Here are the drugs she will be using..." The doctor handed the scribbled piece for me, not after explaining each benefit of the scribbled drugs and how she's suppose to use them."When is she gon' be discharged?" Min hung was the first to asked immediat