Five days later
Raine sat on the chair by Meira’s bed reading a novel to her when he looked up and saw her hand move once then twice which made him hopeful that she’d wake up soon so he continued reading.
“Why is… dynamite ringing in my head?”. Meira croaked out. “I don’t like the band.”
The book dropped from his hands to the floor and he shot up from his seat. “Baby?”. He rasped.
Meira opened her eyes and looked up at him with a wan smile on her face. “Hey handsome. Am I in heaven?”.
Raine laughed and a tear dropped as he bent and kissed her. “I love you.” He whispered reverently against her lips.
“I love you too. Can I have water please?”. She asked.
“Okay.” Raine said. “I’ll get the doctor.” He rushed out of the room.
The doctor checked on her and gave Raine the good news that Meira was out of danger and she could be moved to a private room so a nurse came in to give her water and Raine was told to w
Six weeks later The judge that was supposed to preside over Richard’s case had a severe heart attack so his case was postponed until another judge was available. A day to his hearing, he got a surprise visit from Meira and the twins and he imagined that Meira had come to tell him that she was dropping the charges against him, he imagined himself a free man again and he imagined that he’d stayed with Meira and they lived happily ever after. “Long time no see.” Richard said. “Hello Richard.” She sat down and the twins followed suit. “You look… like hell.” She commented. “I feel like I’m there already. How are you?”. He asked. “I’m good. Just came by to visit you since I won’t be at the hearing tomorrow.” She told him. “Oh? Aren’t you going to witness?”. “Raine said there’s no need for me to. I don’t wa
Immediately Meira opened the door and walked into the house with her twins, she knew something was amiss. It was nine pm and the house was quiet which was unusual because her husband Richard was always home at this time watching the news or football but there was nothing like that. “Mommy… Where’s daddy?”. Her daughter Gabriella echoed her thoughts. “Maybe daddy is working late today.” She replied. Why don’t you two go to your rooms and freshen up? I’ll make dinner.” “Okay!”. They chorused and left. Meira took her bag to the kitchen and dropped it on the table then began to make preparations for dinner with the thoughts of her husband at the back of her mind. She knew that Richard would have called her if he was going to be late so she didn’t bother calling him as she waited for him to call. She and her twins had dinner then she helped them with t
Meira stared at the phone in her hand as she sat in the backseat of the cab she was riding back to school. She’d tried to unlock the phone but didn’t know the new password Richard used which surprised her because he knew hers.The password for her phone, bank app and email were all the same and funny thing he knew who her close friends were and acquaintances as well but it would seem that he liked to keep his secret which made her curious so she took out her phone and dialed her best friend’s number again and got the same switched off reply.“What the hell is going on with you Angela?”. She wondered.“Fountain valley madam.” The cabbie announced jerking her out of her thoughts.
Raine knew he should stop obsessing over a woman he couldn’t have but no matter how he tried… it wasn’t good enough and oh he had tried to forget about Meira but it was hard.He could remember the first time he met her, it was at the company’s Christmas party and she’d accompanied Richard who was her boyfriend at the time and he could remember thinking that she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.She was dressed in a simple long sleeved knee length gown which had obviously seen better days but he didn’t mind. She looked beautiful in it even though her boyfriend had not thought so and then when she was finally introduced to him and he had to shake her hand, he didn’t want to let go until she tugged at her hand looking all shy and innocent.
Meira thought that her children would get upset and cry but they surprised her when they didn’t shed a single tear and instead consoled her as she cried uncontrollably after she told them everything about their father and her friend.“Everything will be okay mommy.” Gabi told her. "Please don’t cry.”“You both don’t look upset.” She sniffled and frowned looking concerned. “You’re not going into shock are you?”. She searched their faces.“We already know Mom.” Gabe said sheepishly.“What? How?”. She was stunned. They knew and never said anything? They continued acting like children who adored their father even though
“You live here Uncle Raine?.” Gabi’s voice was filled with awe. “Alone?”. They were standing by the car looking up at the house as the maids carried their bags inside the house.His house was two storeys high, breathtaking and looked like it was practically made of glass but it really wasn’t. Meira couldn’t tell exactly where it started or ended.“I live here with my housekeeper Hanna and five maids but they have their own quarters so… yes I live alone here.” Raine replied.“Your house is so cool sir.” Gabe said. "Do you have a swimming pool?”.“I have two.” He grinned.
Raine stood up and walked over to the banister clutching it so tight that his knuckles turned white. He didn’t want to say anything anymore because it hurt to think about it but it was Meira asking so he had to tell her everything.“After I woke up and I saw how damaged I was… well I didn’t take it very well.” He said. “I looked like a monster and felt like one. I was sad that I got to live and my family didn’t.”“That wasn’t your fault.” Meira said fiercely as she stood up and walked over to him. “Don’t blame yourself. You told me not to beat myself up about Richard so you should take your advice as well.”“Don’t worry, that’s all in the past.” He said. “Everyo
Raine came downstairs talking to someone on the phone just in time to see Meira and the twins leaving and they were dressed in their Sunday best which made him frown because he didn’t remember Meira telling him the previous night that they’d go out today.“Meira?”. He called as he hung up on the person he was talking to. “Where are you going to?”.“Oh, good morning.” Meira greeted. “We’re going to church. It’s Sunday.”“Church.” He repeated. “Yes....Church.” Meira said. “You sound like I said a strange word.”She was probably right. He couldn’t remember the last time he saw the inside of a church. Maybe
Six weeks later The judge that was supposed to preside over Richard’s case had a severe heart attack so his case was postponed until another judge was available. A day to his hearing, he got a surprise visit from Meira and the twins and he imagined that Meira had come to tell him that she was dropping the charges against him, he imagined himself a free man again and he imagined that he’d stayed with Meira and they lived happily ever after. “Long time no see.” Richard said. “Hello Richard.” She sat down and the twins followed suit. “You look… like hell.” She commented. “I feel like I’m there already. How are you?”. He asked. “I’m good. Just came by to visit you since I won’t be at the hearing tomorrow.” She told him. “Oh? Aren’t you going to witness?”. “Raine said there’s no need for me to. I don’t wa
Five days later Raine sat on the chair by Meira’s bed reading a novel to her when he looked up and saw her hand move once then twice which made him hopeful that she’d wake up soon so he continued reading. “Why is… dynamite ringing in my head?”. Meira croaked out. “I don’t like the band.” The book dropped from his hands to the floor and he shot up from his seat. “Baby?”. He rasped. Meira opened her eyes and looked up at him with a wan smile on her face. “Hey handsome. Am I in heaven?”. Raine laughed and a tear dropped as he bent and kissed her. “I love you.” He whispered reverently against her lips. “I love you too. Can I have water please?”. She asked. “Okay.” Raine said. “I’ll get the doctor.” He rushed out of the room. The doctor checked on her and gave Raine the good news that Meira was out of danger and she could be moved to a private room so a nurse came in to give her water and Raine was told to w
“I don’t want to lose my babies Raine.” Meira cried as she struggled to free herself. “Let me go!”. “Shut up!”. Leonardo hit her temple with the butt of his gun. Raine scrambled to his feet and rushed forward but stopped when Leonardo pointed the gun at him. “Move one inch and she’s dead.” “Please! I need to take her to the hospital.” Raine pleaded. “She’s bleeding.” “Does it look like I care?!”. Leonardo’s eyes flashed. Meira clamped her teeth together to stifle the scream that was coming and simultaneously elbowed Leonardo hard in his ribs making him release her with a grunt. “Meira!”. Raine rushed forward to meet her and helped her up. “Emeliano look out!”. Raina called out in horror as Leonardo reared up with a curse, pointed the gun in their direction and fired before they could do any
“Emeliano… are you sure you want to do this?”. Layla asked as she watched him sign the documents. “It’s your life’s work. Your family’s legacy.” “It all means nothing to me without Meira.” Raine said. “Besides… there’s no way I’ll let that douchebag have anything of mine.” Layla exhaled. “Bring Meira home. We all miss her.” “I will.” He nodded. He dumped the papers in the briefcase and shut it then handed it over to Rogers who left with it immediately. “Carlos?”. “Sei a posto.” Carlos said as they hugged. “Buona fortuna amico.” “I’ll need it.” Raine muttered. “Be careful daddy.” The twins hugged him. “Bring mommy home to us.” “I will.” He promised them. Even if he had to die trying. “Be good for Aunt Layla.” “Yes dad.” They nodded. Raine kissed their foreheads. “Ti amo tanto.” He
“Wonderful news my husband.” Angela beamed at Richard as she sat down. “You won the lottery?”. He asked. “Much better. Our mighty enemy has fallen.” She laughed gaily. “The only enemy I know of…,” He paused as his eyes widened. “Raine Cruz is dead?!”. “I wish. Meira has been kidnapped and I heard that she’s pregnant.” Angela beamed. “Really? Who kidnapped her?”. He was shocked. “Some white people that are after her husband or so it seems.” She shrugged. “I hope they kill her so he’ll suffer.” She said. “I doubt he’ll let them get away with it.” Richard remarked with grudging respect. “He’s like a cat with nine lives.” “Anyway, I want you to sign this check for me.” She took out his check book, opened the page and passed it to him. “The kids need new clothes and shoes and I have to pay the house rent or else we will be thrown out of the house.” “Fifty thousand naira?!”. His eyes widened. “This is the remaining am
“You didn’t bring me who I want but you brought the next best thing; His wife.” The leader Leonardo grinned at Raina. “His pregnant wife.” She added with a smug smile on her face. “Ooh.” He rubbed his hands together excitedly. “Perfecto.” “How can you do this to your own twin brother?!”. Meira yelled at Raina. “Even though you don’t remember anything but surely you should know that he was telling the truth. You should have felt it.” “Shut her up please.” Leonardo ordered before walking out of the room. “Emeliano will never forgive you for this.” Meira promised. “Har har, I’m shaking in my boots.” Raina snorted in derision before she gagged her. “This will flush him out so be a good girl and you won’t get hurt.” She patted Meira’s head and walked away. Meira looked around the room and sighed. There was no way of escape
A week later “You don’t have to do this Raine.” Meira said as they stood outside the door of the basement of Emerson group. He’d stayed home for two days to rest and then insisted on seeing Giovanna so Meira had no choice but to oblige him. “I want to. I have to see her.” He insisted. “Okay.” She sighed. “I’d want to see my sister too after all these years if she were supposedly alive.” The door opened revealing one of the bodyguards and Raine walked in nodding at the bodyguard. “I’ll be waiting in your office.” Meira told him. “I happen to like the view from up there very much.” “Okay.” He grinned. “Don’t stress yourself.” She kissed him and left. “Leave us please.” He said to the remaining two guards. The guards left and closed the door behind them leaving him alone with Giov
Three new bodyguards were hired to protect the twins a week later after an attempt was made by some unknown people to kidnap them two days after Giovanna was caught and detained.They were now more protected than even the governor of the state and though it was kind of intimidating seeing all the men in black but the children thought it was fun.Raine’s ex best friend had a sister who died when she was only six but she wasn’t Giovanna Gaines so Meira told the bodyguards watching her to torture her until she was willing to tell the truth but she kept saying the same thing; she was Talon’s sister.Raine finally woke up a week later much to everyone’s excitement and the first thing he said before he opened his eyes was; “Meira”.“I’m here.” She sobbed. “I’m right here.” She took hold of his hand.Raine opened his eyes and smiled wanly at her. “You’re a breath of fresh
“Raine doesn’t know this.” Meira whispered. “Did Carlos have the information verified?”. “Yes. Raina’s body was exhumed but they couldn’t find anything. There were no bones… nothing.” Layla replied. “Was the call traced?”. She inquired. “Maybe we could find out for ourselves if she’s really alive or the person’s just joking around.” “Carlos’ security team almost got it but the call disconnected before they could. It definitely didn’t come from Italy.” Layla said. She sighed dejectedly. “It’s one problem after another right?”. “Yeah.” Meira rubbed her forehead. “I have to inform the doctor that we’ve found a volunteer, I’ll keep you posted. Please be careful.” “We will. Take care of yourself.” Layla hung up. Meira informed the doctor about Thomas and though the doctor was skeptical but he agreed that half bread was better than nothing and Thomas co