‘No Dad, I won't marry Dominic Rollins. I won't!’ Sheena yelled at her father, her voice a mixture of anger and anguish.A few moments ago, her dad had called her and her sister, Elena, to his study to tell them what he called “mixed news" that could save their family from the deep sea of debt they were in.After ushering them to sit on the lone reading sofa at a corner of the study, he wasted no time in revealing the all-important “mixed news" to them.He had brokered an arranged marriage with the Rollins family, owners of Rollins Shipping World, the largest shipping company in London. According to him, it was a huge proposal that would unite both families and companies with their families benefiting most from the deal. For one, their multi-million dollar debt would be paid off, their house would be saved and their own shipping company W-shipping LTD would be fully operational again and restored to its former glory.Sheena immediately felt sorry for her elder sister, Elena, becaus
‘Hey Sheena, that's enough. You've had too many drinks already.’ Elena tried to grab the shot from Sheena's hand before she emptied its contents into her mouth.‘Leave me alone!’ Sheena protested, sloppily shifting her hand away from Elena's reach and pointing a warning index finger to her sister.‘You leave me the fuck alone. I'm getting married tomorrow to a man who's older than my father and today is my bachelorette party. My party! All mine! And I'll do as I please.’ She added.Sheena poured the contents of the glass into her mouth. The whiskey left a burning sensation in her throat as it traveled down the path to her stomach.Sheena had never been to a club. Despite her alluring looks, she was the nerdy, always-in-doors type whose idea of fun was getting lost in a good book or movie with a bowl of crispy buttered popcorn by her side.She had only had a small glass of whiskey one time during the secret night party her high school classmates had organized right after their prom. S
Sheena woke up feeling a strong, splitting headache with her mind completely fogged. It felt like her head was going to split into two unequal parts.She massaged her temple and tried to get out of the bed. She turned to sit up when her eyes caught the glass and vial of pills on the bedside table with a folded note beside it.She quickly grabbed the vial, took out two pills, and popped them into her mouth. She took the glass and washed the pills down with water.Almost instantly, Sheena felt the ache slowly relieve her with the fog in her mind gradually clearing.She picked up the note, hoping it would help her remember the events of last night and how she ended up in this very lovely and expensive-looking room. She opened it and read slowly:'Hey there, good morning.Here's a glass of water and painkillers, because I'm sure you'll need them when you wake up. I had an absolutely lovely time last night and while I do not regret it, I'm sorry for what we did. If I had known it was your
Jake recalled how he ushered Sheena into his car, a posh black GLK 350 Benz, as soon as they exited the club. The drive to the guest house was very short, so they barely had the time to talk - not that he wanted to anyway. The guest house was located at the other block, a short distance away from the nightclub.Jake had a room permanently reserved for him for days when he was too tired or very rarely drunk to drive the long distance home.He'd only just locked the room door when Sheena jumped on him, trying desperately to remove his suit and unbuckle his belt both at the same time. She looked drunk but hella sexy and cute, and while he had alcohol in his system, he was still well in control of his actions.Sheena's desperation to take off his clothes and hook up with him was naturally a red flag to him but he found himself turned on by her aggressiveness.He quickly assisted her in taking off his suit jacket, while at the same time taking her mouth in his. She tasted like a mixture o
Sheena arrived at the church premises 25 minutes before the appointed time for the wedding.Elena had called to tell her to come directly to the church as everything she would need for the wedding had been moved to the church. She had made the cab driver drive hastily towards St George's cathedral in no time.‘Sheena! Where the hell have you been? And what the hell are you wearing?’ Her father questioned irritatedly as soon as she got out of the cab and paid the driver.She didn't have the time to freshen up before hurriedly leaving the guest house earlier. She knew she looked like a hooker after a night's job, with her disheveled hair, extra short gown, and broken heels in hand.‘I’m so sorry Dad. I slept over at a friend's place where Elena dropped me off last night before we parted ways. I woke up late cos I wasn't feeling too well.’ Sheena offered the fabricated story Elena had told her over the phone when their father questioned her about both their whereabouts last night.Mr Woo
Jake Cross stood rooted at the entrance of the hall, unsure as to why he had changed his mind at the last minute, and decided to come to the church to witness the old man get married again - for the third time.He had ended his meeting hours ago and if he had left early enough, as soon as he was done with the meeting, he’d have arrived at the church on time, way before the ceremony started, but then, he chose to remain at the office pretending to work while thoughts of his mysterious blue-eyed goddess plagued his mind.After a while, he'd decided to go home but found himself driving toward Southwark where St George's cathedral was located and where his father's third wedding ceremony was taking place and most likely reaching the end.He parked his car at the church's parking lot. He sat there holding the steering wheel and brooding, contemplating if he should go into the church or just reverse his car and head back home.After a while though, longer than five minutes he decided on the
Sheena paced the room haphazardly, unable to stop her heart from racing.She felt uncomfortable and unnerved by the intense look Jake had given her as he sauntered confidently to the table where she and Elena were seated.Sheena stopped to look at the wall clock. It's been five minutes since she got to her room, Elena should be here by now and she wondered what was keeping her sister.She had her back to the door with her muddled thoughts, when the door to the room opened, ushering in an intruder.‘Oh God, Elena! What took you so long?’ Sheena queried, with her back still facing the door.‘I need help getting out of this gown, please.’ She shifted her hair which she had let loose to the side to allow Elena to untie the strings and undo the zipper.As the figure got closer and slowly pulled down the zipper of the beautiful strapless gown, Sheena froze. The familiar green citrus and fine cedar wood scent she has come to know too well wafted into her nose. She knew right then it wasn't
Jake and Sheena froze in their act. They turned to the door left ajar but no one had come through.Sheena quickly drew up her dress left in a puddle around her feet, covering her nakedness. She secured the dress to prevent it from falling.Jake flexed his shoulders regaining his composure, moved away from Sheena and placed his hands into his pant pockets. The duo peeled their eyes towards the door awaiting the entrance of the intruder. Just then, a maid entered, struggling with a basket of clean laundry. The maid gasped upon seeing Jake and Sheena in the room. 'I'm sorry.’ She apologized shyly and turned to leave but was stopped dead in her tracks by Jake's commanding tone.'Come in.’ he ordered, gesturing with his hand for her to enter.The maid turned to him, still skeptical if she should enter the room. Jake noticed her hesitation and nodded his head towards the bed, encouraging her to carry on.The maid walked with trepidation into the room and went about her business briskly. S
Jake and Sheena exchanged confused looks. What was Mirabel talking about? Their minds shared similar questions.'I need to tell you something about my father's death.' Mirabel announced.'What about our father's death?' Jake asked. They had moved to the study where they could converse in private. Sheena and Jake kept expectant eyes peeled on Mirabel.'I … I.-' she inhaled sharply before she continued. 'I know I've not been the best of persons but I'm working on myself. Hating the one man who had taken me in and had shown mercy on a lowly young orphan. I know now the old man loved me, loved us, even if he never showed it much. He's human after all and bound to make mistakes.' Mirabel swallowed before she began speaking again. 'I had always wanted him dead. Now that he's dead, I regret not having more time with him… I never had the courage to kill him even though I would have loved to, but I wouldn't have stopped anyone wanting to. This was before I knew the truth.''Mirabel, do you k
Sheena opened her eyes to bright blinding lights. She squinted trying to adjust her eyes to the lights, but shut them after an exhausting attempt. She let out a laborious breath so she could speak, but somehow, she didn't seem to find her voice. She felt parched, her throat overly dry and painful.She opened her eyes again, blinking severally to accommodate the light. After her success at it, she scanned the room. White pristine walls, huge beeping machines, a tray filled with medicines and needles. A hospital. It clicked. She was in the hospital.How did she get here? Memories of the previous day's event flood her mind as she wondered."Jake!" Was he okay? Did Damian shoot him too?Anxiety and fear hijacked every cell in her being. Her breathing hitched and she struggled to raise herself. The effects of the sedatives were still very much active, she felt dizzy but undeterred.'Hey! What are you trying to do?' The concerned voice filled the room as the intruder pushed the door hard,
'He didn't suspect a thing?' The skepticism in Jake's voice was evident.They had just finished making love. Sheena was resting her head on the muscled bare chest of Jake. She related her experience with Damian to Jake as she idly pulled on his chest hair, a sweet painful sensation for him.Sheena shrugged. 'I couldn't believe it myself. He just went to sleep without saying a word.''I think he is brewing something in that egregious mind of his. He can't be that collected after discovering you went out.' Jake spoke pensively. He paused weighing the possibilities before speaking again. 'And today?' He asked. 'Did he say anything to you today?''He left the house before anyone was up.' She raised her head to stare at him, studying his features. 'Maybe he's tired of paying me any attention. He's got too much trouble on his hand right now. You made sure of that… I don't think it's something to worry about.' She added.'I just have a bad feeling about this. It just doesn't seem right.' It
'I love you.' Jake whispered to Sheena as they lay on the large hotel mattress. His hand wrapped around her neck, he pulled her closer and planted a passionate kiss on her head.'I love you too.' Sheena replied and kissed him on his lips. She snuggled closer into his hold. Her desire to remain there glaring.Sheena and Jake have been meeting over the past few weeks. Sneaking in and out of hotels like teenage lovers. After that night at the Rollins house, it seemed as though they've never been more in love with each other. Always wanting to be near the other, making mad sweet love.'Hmm, delicious.' He said in reference to her kiss. He moved in to steal more kisses and Sheena laughed at his boyishness.'What?' He asked against her lips. 'You want it here?' He tickled her sides and she laughed harder. He nibbled on her lower lip as she laughed.'Or you want it here?' He trailed kisses down her neck and Sheena girlishily giggled. 'Or here?' He moved further down her breast and took a ni
'What do you want? Why are you here?' She turned to Mary. You let him into the house? 'Is he why you brought me here?' Sheena asked incredulously.'Please calm down, you're raising your voice. You'll make Damian come here ' Mary pleaded.'Let him come! At least, he'd get rid of this-' she eyes Jake in disgust, indecisive on what adjective to qualify him.'You'll wake up Jayden. Look at her, do you want to wake her?' Mary appealed to her reason and love for her child.Sheena turned her gaze to the bed and softened. Her anger rose again at the sight of Jake near Jayden. 'Get away from my daughter!' Sheena bellowed at Jake. She charged towards him and yanked his hand away from the child. She relaxed again as she watched the child. She smoothed her hand on the silk of Jayden's hair.The sigh of contentment and peace that escaped the child's lips, assured Sheena that everything was fine with Jayden and that she was only sleeping.Sheena bent over and kissed the top of Jayden's head before
Jake sat in the back seat of his car mulling over the events of the night. 'Drive faster.' He ordered his driver as he rested his head on the headrest, his face turned up staring at the roof of the car. He was thinking.'I can't. Damian keeps Sheena locked up like a prisoner. …It's difficult for me, even as her sister, to see her. We always have to sneak around to meet. …Sheena was waiting, waiting until you'll come to save her.'Elena's words played repeatedly in Jake's head like a mantra. Sheena had been suffering too, just like he suffered in jail. He shut his eyes tightly to drown out the pain, regret, and remorse he felt. He felt deeply foolish and sorry. He had wronged his woman. He had added salt to her painful wounds and he needed to tend to the wounds he had inflicted on Sheena fast.Regardless of the fact that Sheena didn't know that he thought so lowly of her, he still tortured himself for entertaining such thoughts about her. Jake wanted to meet Sheena so he could right
'What did you just say?' Elena's statement halted Jake in his tracks. His eyes were intent on her.'You heard me.' Elena responded. 'Jayden is your child with Sheena.''She is not my child' Jake said with so much denial and disbelief in his voice. He believed Elena was only trying to get his attention.'Elena, how can you stoop so low to resort to lying? How can you play with such a sensitive matter? Why are you trying so hard to prove your sister a saint? Sheena married Damian after sending Jake to prison. She gave birth to their daughter after her marriage to Damian and you say Jake fathered the child? Who would be stupid enough to believe that?' Oscar berated Elena.'Oh please shut up your foolish mouth Oscar! When would you ever allow your brain to do some actual work?' Elena insulted. She returned her gaze to Jake after silencing Oscar.'Do you really think Sheena could betray you?' Elena entreated Jake to reason.Jake raised his eyes to meet with Elena's. His heart weighed her w
Elena stood by the entrance of the club contemplating if she should enter. The loud music blaring from the speakers that she used to love, now scared her. She braced herself and stepped in. It didn't take long for her to be spotted.'You came!' Stella squealed joyfully. She extended a hand and pulled Elena towards their table.Stella was Elena's friend from her college days. They had remained friends even after college and lived like teenagers just partying, boozing and boys. That was when life seemed to be fair to Elena and her family. When she lived carefree, her father's business was doing well, her sister didn't need to marry an older man and she wasn't nursing a broken heart.Stella had traveled abroad just about the time the turbulence in Elena's family began. Stella had just returned from her long trip and insisted that Elena come to see her at the club. It has been a long time since she saw her friend and it excited Elena to reunite with Stella. Her excitement though was short
Sheena tried to stay as calm as she could manage. She kept fumbling with the hem of the oversized hoodie she wore. The hood sat over her head, dark glasses covered her eyes. It was her attempt at a disguise. The angst coursing through her was overwhelming.After much begging and pleading, Mary had reluctantly agreed to take Sheena to meet with Jake on the condition that Mary would have to speak with Jake first, and if Jake was unwilling to speak with her, then they would have to abandon the plan. It seemed like an easy condition.Sheena was certain Jake wouldn't hesitate to see her. Sheena had figured Jake had gone into hiding and was working underground to reclaim all that Damian had stolen from him. Damian was a mutual enemy and she didn't mind joining forces with her lover to bring the enemy to his knees.She couldn't keep calm. She felt like a teenager meeting with her lover for the first time after a long time. She didn't know what to expect. She pictured him sexier and more hand