I woke up with a start. My eyes shot open and darted across the pitch-dark room. I must have fallen asleep with Alicia because I could still feel her weight on me and the scent of her thick oud perfume. I slowly reached for the night lamp on my bed and turned it on. The place brightened up and bit, I glanced around for a second time and it took me a few seconds to register my environment and throw my legs across the bed. Alicia had fallen into a deep sleep and rolled off me, only her head remained on my shoulder so I gently moved. A crash pierced my ears and I stared at the door of my room. I didn’t need to be a genius to know that it was probably the sound that woke me up moments ago. I got up and took quick steps out of my room, I glanced toward the hall, it was pitch far as well so I turned on the lights and took quick strides in the direction of the sound. The crashing continued till I reached the front door. I sighed and opened it and the cold breeze hit me. My forehead crease
“If it were any other person, who did what you did to me...” I turned and wrapped my arms around my knees. “Who hurt me, humiliated and insulted my love several times,” I paused and made eye contact with Moore. “I would have left him — Them. I would have walked away and never looked back.” I informed him. “But here I am,” I declared and stood up. I could feel the glass piece on my bare foot. My main character: "Here I am. Standing in between dawn and dusk, with glasses piercing my skin — I am in front of you, I am with you." I continued and tears leaked from my eyes.The cold breath hit my skin and I admitted in a loud tone. “Yes! Freaking Yes! There were moments when I wanted to run away. Where I promised myself to go far away from you. To tear you from my soul.” I touched my chest as I spoke, my face contorted with face and I could feel the wrinkles under my eyes.“I was hurt, I felt abandoned, I felt used and I felt like you did not care! I wanted to go to Timbuktu, to erase your
I let out a soft laugh and Moore placed his hand on my lips. He reached out for the bottle of vodka and took a chug of it, he passed it to me but I pushes ed it away softly.“I don’t want to drink anything. I just, want to be with you,” I allow myself to be hypnotized with his blue orbs. The edges of his thin lips curled into the prettiest grin I had ever seen. Moore’s dimples popped and I traced my hand over his face while I felt his eyes on my skin. “Come,” He beckoned me. Moore grabbed my wrist and pulled me along as he walked. I followed him with sloppy steps and at this point, I was sure the alcohol had kicked in. I felt like I was floating and off the world, I never wanted that moment to end. The entire world had been put on pause and it was me and him, me and my grumpy handsome patient that had grown to become so much more to me. This was the fairytale life, the kind that I had never dreamt of. “We are here,” Moore slurred when we reached the roof of our home. I pouted and st
“No, you don’t have to say anything” Moore grinned and our noses rubbed against each other. I let out a chuckle and pulled away. “I am just really glad that everything is falling into place,” Moore spoke softly and brushed his hands against his shorts. “Yes, and this breakfast looks yummy, did you cook it?” I asked and tilted my head at him.“Well yes, I do know how to cook, unlike uh some people.” He commented with a smirk and I gasped and stood on my knees.“Really? Is this a jab at me now?” I asked with furrowed eyebrows, my hands stood on my waist and I gave him my meanest glare. “Look at me mister, I may not know how to cook, but my hands can do a lot of other things—” I warned with a goofy smile. “Other things like what?!” Moore challenged and stared at me intensely.“Other things like—’” I glanced around for any object, grabbed a fluffy pillow, and slammed it on his head. “Hitting people!” I grinned and cheered. Moore grunted and glared. “I am going to get you back for that
“We’ve been walking around in circles, Belene!” I exclaimed and relaxed in her car. “I am tired! I want to go home!” I whine but she simply rolled her eyes.“Patience! Have some patience!” She declared and frowned from her place in the driver's seat. “Besides, a few seconds ago, you said you were having a blast!” She pointed out and I gasped. “That was until you dragged me out of the cafe!” I retorted sharply and folded my hands on my chest. “You are mean.” I declared and huffed. Belene got out of the car and sighed. “Look, it’s not my fault the car stopped in the middle of nowhere, and I am no mechanic either,” She explained sharply and relaxed on the car as well. “Fine,” I agreed and sighed. “Let’s call someone who is,” I offered and Belene stared at me blankly. It took me a few seconds to register what the issue was. “You don’t know any mechanics do you?” I said and she rolled her eyes. “How can you own a car and not know a mechanic?!” I chided softly and fought back the urge t
“Alicia!” it took me a few seconds to register that it was Belene’s voice, my eyes darted to the ground, which Belene had dived into a moment earlier and my orbs widened when they locked eyes with Alicia’s limb body. I crumbled to the ground and felt my voice seize in my throat. Of course, another catastrophe would happen. This was why I hated celebrating my birthdays —Like mother would say, it was almost like I had a curse hovering over my head; such that, bad things always happened on days like this. “Alicia,” I finally found words. It took me seconds to register the fact that she had jumped in front of me, so someone had tried to kill me. Lucia was in prison, Arjun had followed her there too. Amelia was dead. There was only one person left who could do something as despicable as this and it was A. Lucia had hinted on the fact that the person hated me and they were close se. So who could this person be? “Someone call 911!” I heard another person yell, I tried to find my phone in
I rushed into the hospital and Belene trailed after me. I stopped at the reception desk and made eye contact with the bothered nurse. "Excuse me, how can I help you?" She asked. "I am looking for Alicia Scotland, my sister, she was admitted here a few moments ago, please help me," I begged and blinked away tears. "Of course," The nurse responded and typed away on her computer for a few seconds. "Oh," She sighed and made eye contact with me. "She is currently in surgery, please wait in the waiting room, I'll contact the doctor the moment they are done." The nurse explained politely and I stumbled back, Belene caught. "Everything will be fine, I promise." Belene soothed and I bent over and swallowed a sob. This was all my fault, Alicia was in there, fighting for her life and it was all my fault. "Belene, Amber! You are here!" I looked up to see Moore jogging toward us, I stood straight and hugged him the moment he got close enough. "I'll go get some coffee," Belene excused herself.
“Amber!” I heard Moore’s voice as I crumbled to the ground, my heart pounded in my chest and tears stung my eyes. I wasn’t sure why I was so emotional or what emotions I was feeling — I knew it wasn’t love or heartbreak. I never loved James. He had always just been a friend and yes, he was the only one I had pictured a life with — yet at the same time, I was never attracted to him. Maybe it was anger and frustration at the fact that he hurt Alicia. He abused her the same way those girls had abused me while I was younger. I ran my hands over my face and noticed something— no, someone beside me, I turned and saw Moore. He was engrossed in my phone and I watched as his features tightened in horror, my eyes widened and I grabbed it from him, a gasp escaped my lips and my hands covered my mouth. The photos in front of mesent chills down my spine. There were several images of James and Alicia together. Very graphic and suggestive images. “That man is a monster,” Moore commented but I
EIGHTEEN YEARS LATER "Mom, do you think I'll do well today?" George asked, a touch of nervousness in his voice. I paused in adjusting the collar of his soccer jersey and turned around to look at him and myself in the mirror. I understood where his fears came from. George had a crucial tournament to play in, and he was the star player of his team. That came with a lot of expectations from people, which put a lot of responsibilities on his eighteen-year-old shoulders. I smiled warmly at him, making sure he saw years of love and support in my eyes that weren't going away for any reason. "You've trained hard, George. You'll go out there and give it your all. No matter the outcome, your father and I will always be proud of you." He grinned. "Thanks, Mom," he gave me a hasty kiss on the cheek and sat on the bed to put on his boots. The pride in my heart swelled as I watched him tie his shoelaces. "Hey Mom, how long does it take Dad to retrieve my soccer jacket? I'm almost finished
"Hey...you okay?" Moore asked softly, his eyebrows furrowed in concern. "I'm fine. I guess the spin on the beach has me a little dizzy. But I loved it." Soft sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm bluish glow in the room. I sat on our bed, resting my back on a pile of pillows Moore had earlier stacked against the headboard. Moore lay beside me. His arms surrounded my swollen belly protectively, and his fingers made circular ticklish patterns. They made me giggle. We marveled at the miracle growing within me. Our baby, our little bundle of joy. "George is going to be such a lucky child," Moore's s voice held awe and tenderness. We had talked about naming him and agreed to name him George after my father. "And you, my love, will be an amazing mother. And you're an amazing psychologist. What do you think about practicing again after George is born?" I let out a soft sigh in agreement, but a hint of uncertainty lingered in my eyes. "I don't know, Moore. Pract
"Come on up, Amber. We have to head home." He rose and held out his hand towards me. I shook my head. "I can manage. You go and start the car. Get it running. I just need a moment to breathe," I uttered. I could barely recognize my voice. It was rusty, and I felt pains in the back of my throat when I spoke. Scrambling to my feet, I sighed. "Well. This is it. I'm only leaving this place, but you're forever in my heart." The scorching desert sun bore down on my weary shoulders as I stumbled towards the car. The weight of grief still sat heavy in my chest. All I wanted to do was escape the suffocating air of this wilderness. As I neared the car, my vision blurred, and the world around me swirled into an incoherent mess of colors. Darkness crept in, swallowing my consciousness, and I crumpled to the ground. "Amber!" I heard Moore's panicked cry a distance away, and the shuffling of his footfalls as he rushed to my side to gather my fragile form into his arms. "Amber, Amber are
"No, Moore," I replied, my voice heavy with determination. "She's cost me too much. We did the same with Louisa, and she only escaped. I won't let Alicia slip through our fingers again." "Amber, we will make sure the police do their job well if that's what you're afraid of. But we can't take the laws into our hands just like that. Let's follow due processes," Moore's voice pleaded with me from the driver's seat, his words laced with reason and the hope for justice. He tried to convince me that we should turn Alicia over to the police, and let them handle the consequences of her actions. But I couldn't bring myself to comply. Not this time. The weight of our past, the pain Alicia had inflicted upon me, resurfaced with every word. Forgiveness and love had always been one-sided, a futile attempt on my part to salvage what was lost. Now, it was time for me to take control of my destiny. And that will begin by making sure that nobody, starting with Alicia, could ever hurt me or my love
Moore was quiet. I couldn't blame him. My heart was too heavy, and what I was feeling could not be expressed in words. But his care, concern, and need to make me feel better warmed my heart. The door swung open, and the person responsible for our abduction finally stepped into the room. "It's about time you showed yourself, coward," Moore bit out at the approaching figure who didn't spare him a glance. She was focused on me. My heart skipped a beat as my eyes locked with familiar orbs. No way. This could not be. But it was: Alicia, my step-sister. The one who had torn our family and separated me from Moore all those years ago. The mix of anger and fear welled up inside me, but I held my ground, refusing to show any sign of weakness. "Well, well, well! We meet again, sister," she sneered and cackled, swinging a silver Swiss Army paring knife. I was sorely tempted to scream at her and wipe that smirk off her face, but I pulled myself together. Don't give her satisfaction. Alic
Mum and Christie… They were dead. How? Why? My heart pounded and a pool of tears found its way to the back of my eyes. They threatened to pour as I stared at Moore hastily driving towards the house. The tires screeched and he drove past other cars. With the way he drove, every other person could tell it was an emergency — an emergency because I needed to see him. I wasn't able to believe it. No, my dreaded thoughts couldn't have come to reality. Mum and Christie couldn't be dead. I'm sure the call was a prank call. I was excited yesterday — I was problem-free. It couldn't have happened. My Christie will be safe. But then it rang in my head again. If Christie was in danger, then it was my fault. I was probably the worst mother on earth. We left France in the morning. We took the next flight back here. I needed to be sure the call was fake; I needed Mum and Christie here with me. Thankfully, Moore's car came to a halt in our compound and I rushed out. I picked up my heels
I exhaled as I held onto the luggage. After Mum eavesdropped on the conversation, she offered to protect Christie. She insisted Moore and I went on a honeymoon A weird feeling tugged at my chest and worry filled my heart. Dreadful images filled my brain as I thought of it. Is it safe to leave Christie alone? I shut my eyes as I pondered on it. Of course, it was, my prolactin hormone was just at work. Christie will be safe. "Amber," Moore called and I opened my eyes. He gave me a warm smile and took the luggage from me while I turned to Christie. After this, I will make sure I get to spend time with her. "Christie" I called and bent down to her level. We were in front of the building about to leave but I had to make sure I talked to her. "Be fine, okay? Mum will come back soon. Take care okay?" Her giggle filled my ears and she pulled me into a hug which I reciprocated. I broke the hug and peppered her face with kisses which made her chortle. She was indeed a sweetheart! "Bye M
My chest fell and rose as I watched the police take Louisa. I couldn't believe she had escaped from the prison. I knew she wanted to harm me, she was desperate to cause me pain but I didn't expect her to break away from prison."No, you just can't —" Louisa's protest was cut short when the officers grabbed her arm as they led her to the van. The officer turned to me and I bit hard on my lip.My thoughts had begun to wander off. Will it keep happening over and over again? Did I deserve no peace? Why did Louisa cause me pain on things I didn't know about?I couldn't understand it. I whipped my head to Moore when I felt his soothing touch that caused my heart to pound. He pressed my hand softly and I looked up at him.His eyes held the warmest and softest expression I could read; I could read the hope and pain that hid behind his lids."Stop it. Stop it, Moore, you can't keep touching her that way. I hate it!" Louisa yelled as her eyes bore holes into my skin. Veins popped out on her for
I sucked in a sharp breath, the pressure pressed down on my neck made it hard for me to even breathe. My head was pressed back hard against the pillow beneath as the figure above me pressed down even harder than before.The darkness made it impossible for me to see who it was, I only felt cold palms grasped at my throat. My eyes flew open in both shock and panic, small ragged gasps escaped my throat as I felt the air start to leave me. My heart, once quickly beating slowed in tempo and my eyes widened in desperation.No, I couldn't die. I can't die just yet — at least not in this way. I couldn't let them kill me like this.Small coughs erupted from my lips, I wheezed, now desperate to survive, and used my last bit of strength to scream for help as I pushed the figure back with all my might.My push made the figure fall to the ground and I used that opportunity to reach for my light lamp as I coughed painfully, and gasped greedily for breath. The lamp came on, its light wasn't bright b