“I’m surprised you came.” Everyone listening through the earpiece heard a man talking from a distance. It feels a bit unnerving even if they’re just listening to it go down. They can’t imagine how Fatima feels about this interaction.
“Who are you?” They heard her ask loudly and a pause was heard.
“The money?” They heard the man ask and Nikki worriedly looked at Grian.
“What if they find the tracker?” she whispered but Philippe held her shoulder to calm her down. She took deep breaths as they listened again. “Exact amount, three hundred thousand dollars.” Her voice was firm and confident.
While they were listening, they were interrupted by a knock on the door. The police scanned the man and asked Grian to look for who it was. He approached the door and looked outside and found William standing there,
EVERYONE IN THE HOUSE waited in anticipation. Grian and William reconciled when he realized that William had nothing to do with what was happening and he was just a victim as well. “You should rest, Grian,” Philippe reminded him but he ignored him. Phil sighed and sat down on the couch. “Fatima will hate it if you don’t,” he said, trying to bargain. “You rest, I’ll manage,” Grian responded and sighed. William opened the television and the news was all over every channel regarding the explosion and kidnapping. Their eyes widened in shock and fear. They just found out about the explosion right at this moment. No one informed them and now they sat there anxiously. “Oh my god,” Nikki said. “A few officers were injured from the explosion but the suspects and hostage were unharmed. They flee from the scene and the police are now tracking the fugitives down,” the news reporte
CHRISTOPHER DROVE FOR hours and finally reached where they’re keeping Fatima. He opened the small compartment in his car and grabbed the gun he kept there for emergency purposes. He took a deep breath before he got out of his car and followed some men inside as he sneaked in. What’s strange is there’s a lot of people here, are they in on it too, or are they just here because they’re just stopping by? He looked at the building and saw that it’s just a mere hotel. Is this just so they can lay low and keep Fatima from the public? Either way, he needs to find her fast. He looked around the place and noticed a suspicious guy walking to the elevator. He stared at him for a moment and watched the elevator close. He looked at which floor he’s going to and he immediately ran to find the stairs of the hotel to catch him there. Once he found the stairs, he started running up as fast as he could. He soon reached the second floor and he w
Fatima fell to the ground as the blood gushed out of her body. Gunshots were heard all around as Christopher ran to her body despite the officers telling him to stay put. He held her body as he tried stopping the blood. She was as pale as a ghost and she lost consciousness. His eyes widened in fear as he looked at her frail body. “Somebody help!” He screamed for help and carefully lifted Fatima and carried her behind the officers. The medical team immediately tends to the pair as they take Fatima away from him. All he could do was watch as she was being taken down to the first floor of the building. He followed behind them but the world seemed to stop for him as he stumbled inside the elevator while staring at her being carried by the medical team. They tried their best to stop her bleeding from getting worse. Once they were down, Christopher and Fatima were surrounded by guards to stop anyone from approaching them as they we
THREE WHOLE WEEKS LATER, Fatima still hasn’t woken up from her coma. They’re worried for the worst but the bullet wound seems to be recovering at a fast pace. Thank god the doctors were able to prevent the bullet from piercing further. If her mother shot her a little bit more to the lower left, she would’ve shot her daughter in the heart, making it close to impossible to save her life.“You should head home, Grian.” He looked up and saw Christopher standing behind him. Grian looks tired and seems to not have slept for the past three days. Worry consumes him.Fatima will be transferred to the hospital near Christopher’s company. It is best to do so since this hospital is too far away. The only problem is the media, they won’t leave them alone. Everyone wants updates on what happened, what will happen, and any other possibilities. They are also alarmed about the people who did this because their children might be targ
AS THE DAY PASSED, the media is still focused on them and is demanding for updates regarding the situation. While Fatima is recovering, everyone else is dealing with the media and answering their questions, and debunking some. Of course, Nikki and her brothers stayed in the hospital with her. She tried telling them to rest but they wouldn’t. They kept persisting to stay even if they needed to get some sleep.“Where’s the phone Grian gave me?” Fatima asked, realizing she doesn’t have it. Philippe looked around the room and saw a bag saying ‘Belongings’ that Grian brought to the hospital and took a look inside and found her phone. He grabbed it and handed it to her with squinted eyes.“What?” Fatima asked and he shrugged.“What’s with you and him?” he asked as if accusing her of something. Her eyes widened and she laughed awkwardly. “
WHILE FATIMA WAS RECOVERING, she starts to wonder what her mother meant when they were in the hotel room. She was talking about her father's accident, but why? How is Christopher involved in it too? Nothing is making sense and she doesn't know if she should take her mother's words for real. What happened that day that she has no idea of? This is making her go crazy. She sighed heavily and continued staring at the ceiling, the only thing she can see at this point. It feels like an eternity, she's been in this hospital for almost like a decade in her head. "What's on your mind, hmm?" She turned and looked to the side and saw Grian standing there with flowers in his hand. She eyed him before looking back at the ceiling. "Nothing..." she mumbled and he smiled. He stepped forward and showed her the flowers. "For you-" "I'm allergic to flowers," she stated and he blinked a c
AFTER HIS FEELINGS WERE broadcast live on television, Fatima felt like disappearing from Earth. Now that the whole world knows and she’s for a certain she didn’t mishear him, it basically makes her feel like exploding like a grenade. She still can’t believe it, he likes her.. again. After so many years. Did he even get over her in the first place or what?Grian’s mother burst into the room and asked, “Are you two dating now or what?” Fatima looked over at the door and her eyes widened in shock and embarrassment.“What?!” she shouted and turned her face away.“Why are you here, mom?” Grian asked with a sigh.“I heard the news. LITERALLY the news. How can I not go here?” she added.AT THE MANSION, BOTH Christopher and his mother heard the news. One was delighted and the other was n
FATIMA WOKE UP WITH her body feeling heavy and her chest feeling so sore and painful because of the gunshot wound. She slowly lifted her head and confusedly looked around the room. She furrowed her eyebrows, trying to determine what the hell was happening to her."FATIMA!" She heard someone shout and she looked up and blinked a couple of times, and saw Hannah tied up to a chair in front of her. Her eyes widened in horror and as she looked down, she saw herself tied up as well and was unable to move."W-where am I?" she asked as she tried freeing herself."Oh my god, thank god you're alive." Hannah sighed in relief."Those witches took you- and dragged me here as well!!" she screamed in frustration."Witches?" Fatima asked in confusion."Urghhh!"Footsteps from a distance were heard and Hannah shut her m
GRIAN'S POINT OF VIEW [FLASHBACK START] I was walking by the library when I saw a familiar small figure trying to reach a book. I smiled while I watched her struggle and admired her beauty. I've been friends with Fatima for a while now and I'm afraid I've gained feelings for her. It's terrifying yet exciting. She climbed up a ladder as she frustratedly reached for the book which she still struggles to get. I stood up from my seat and approached her. My body towered over her as I easily reached the book and she turned around and pouted. I chuckled and gave it to her as she stood on the ladder. "You're cute," I said as I looked down at her face and she rolled her eyes.
A FEW MORE MONTHS went by and it seemed like a blast for the couple. Not only that, Philippe and Nikki seem to be developing a relationship as well. Hannah on the other hand is busy with work and modeling making her have zero time for any dating. She tried to get along with people she’s attracted to but nothing ever works out between them. Christopher might not be seeing her but he’s still in her heart.Fatima has been busy with the coffee shop as well and she’s decided to continue her education despite it looking like she’s too old for school now. However, she only needs to finish about 2 more years of college.“I feel kind of sick,” she said before drinking some water and sitting down on a chair.While she was resting, she saw the door open and Grian ran inside while panting, looking for her. Once he saw her, he ran to her and bent down. “What’s wrong?&r
A MONTH LATER, THE two are celebrating their first month together. They decided to stay at home to enjoy a relaxing day because it's been hectic with the company that makes him very busy and exhausted every day. Fatima suggested that they take the day off and she'll cook them their food to celebrate.Of course, the family can't be left out."I can't believe Grian got my sister so easily. I hate this!" Hannah complained dramatically and Fatima laughed. Grian isn't here in the living room but is rather sleeping in Fatima's room to get some rest first. She's still cooking so he can get some rest before they eat at the dining table."You were the one suggesting to trip me so he'll catch me and we'll fall in love," Fatima said while squinting her eyebrows. Hannah crossed her arms and frowned."I didn't expect it to be so soon," Hannah said before rolling her eyes and everyone chuckled except Nikki, of course. She still doesn’t like Hann
FATIMA DROPPED OFF TIMOTHY in his school first. He started crying and asking for her so they stayed there for a few more minutes and reassured him. After that, they went to Philippe’s school and dropped him off as well. “Be careful and don’t do anything stupid, alright?” Fatima reminded him and he nodded.Philippe started walking to his school and was looking around to find Nikki but couldn’t. He walked to his classroom and as he was about to go inside, he saw Nikki walking to hers. He walked faster until he reached her and tapped her shoulder. She turned around and once she saw his face, she smiled. He waved his hand.“Good morning. Let’s eat lunch together later?” he asked and she nodded happily.“Sure!” she answered with a giggle. He nodded while smiling before going to his own classroom further away from hers. He walked down the halls and r
THE FOLLOWING MORNING, Fatima woke up early, feeling fantastic. The night before, she kissed Grian and it kept her awake all night because of how flustered she was. She only slept a couple of hours before waking up early in the morning to prepare breakfast.Philippe is going to school today since every other time that he was supposed to go, things get chaotic so he couldn't go to school. Nonetheless, the teachers in his school understood the situation.After she was done cooking, she looked at the clock and noticed it was 6:30 in the morning already. She was about to call Philippe to get ready but he soon came out of his room while yawning."Isn't it too early for you to get up?" he asked while rubbing his eyes and she shrugged."You need to get ready for school, now go," she ordered and he groaned."Do I really have to? I'm still so tired," he compl
Grian led Fatima to the middle of the ballroom. It feels like the world around them stopped as if it’s just the two of them there. It’s like a dream come true for Grian, the woman he’s been longing for is standing right in front of him in a beautiful red dress, ready for a dance. It feels surreal but it’s finally happening.When the music started, the people around them started dancing while they stood still and looked each other in the eyes. “You look so beautiful tonight, Fatima,” he said in a low tone and she smiled while blushing. Good thing it’s not that noticeable because of the blush from the makeup she’s wearing.“You’re looking fine as well,” she said while looking down. He held her chin and lifted it so she could see his face. “My eyes are up here,” he said with a smirk and she wrinkled her nose.“Everyone else
AFTER FATIMA, GRIAN, AND her youngest brother got in the car, they started driving to the venue. She was in the backseat with her brother while Grian was the one driving them. Her heart was pounding and felt like it was about to jump out of her chest. Nonetheless, she tried hiding how anxious she was. She noticed how Grian was glancing at her in the mirror inside the car.“What is it?” she asked and he blinked a couple of times before looking back at the road. He cleared his throat and she furrowed her eyebrows.“Nothing, just admiring a beautiful girl,” he smoothly answered and she scoffed but deep inside, she felt her heart flutter.Once they arrived at the venue, reporters were waiting at the entrance. Both of them breathed heavily before one of them smiled. “Don’t be nervous,” Grian said with a smile before looking at her and she eyed him. 
THE FOLLOWING DAY WAS the celebration of the beginning of the company that was newly owned by Grian. Not a lot of people were invited since it’s exclusive but they agreed for some reporters to join the event so everything can be broadcast on television. The event will be surrounded by guards so it will be high security. Grian is worried that something might happen to Fatima so he enhances the security of the place.Fatima and her siblings are getting ready for the occasion and they put on their clothes that were bought by Hannah. She insisted on buying everyone’s clothes and Fatima couldn’t refuse since her sister was persistent in doing so.Hannah is also getting ready with them and also brought a makeup artist with her and a hairstylist. “A bit excessive,” Fatima said as she looked at Hannah who was getting her hair and makeup done.“What? This is normal, get used t
GRIAN WALKED IN THE COMPANY and then got ready for the interview. It was announced that the new company owner will introduce himself on this day. Employees in the company know but outside of that, no one knows. Now that it was publicly announced that the CEO will be introduced, the news made their way to schedule an interview with him.He breathed heavily as he waited behind the stage. Everyone is waiting in anticipation as the clock ticks by. The room was noisy from everyone talking to each other including guests, investors, and partners of the company. Of course, they already know who the new owner is, but are still here for the new beginning of the company.A few more minutes went by and he was ready to go in front and say his speech. He fixed his tie and stood up from his seat. He drank some water before clearing his throat and checking the speech he made again. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.He wal