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CHAPTER 16
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Love on the Queen; The Quest for Freedom CHAPTER 17
BEFOREHe walks past my desk without a word to me, without as much as a glance in my direction. I no longer exist to him.I refuse to watch him go, his briefcase in his hand as he closes for the day. It’s been like this for the past three weeks. Ever since that day in his office before River caught us, he’s been ignoring me, avoiding me like the plague.He only speaks to me when it’s absolutely necessary and only in a cold, detached manner. He doesn’t return my greetings and never offers any of his own. I thought I knew how cold he could get but this is something else. He’s a robot.It almost makes me wish that I never got used to his slightly less cold side. I would’ve been used to this side of him by now. Familiar with it.I can’t help but feel like he used me and dumped me. That he just wanted to get his hands under my clothes and now that he has, I have no value to him. Last week a stunning blonde bombshell dropped by to see him. She wore a very sultry dress and had an even sultr
Love on the Queen; The Quest for Freedom CHAPTER 18
BEFOREEvery atom of self-control disintegrates as his tongue invades my mouth. I soak in the feeling of his hands roaming my body. They’re frantic and hot and his kiss is fast and rough. It’s more angsty than the kiss in his office. The kiss in his office. I immediately channel all the strength in me into my arms and push him off me. The impact is almost nonexistent as he barely moves. I take several steps away from him until his body heat is longer in my personal space. “What is wrong with you?” I almost screamed. “What do you take me for?” “What?” He asks. He looks perplexed and confused. Like he can’t imagine a woman just pushed him away and rejected a kiss. I don’t blame him, it’s probably never happened before. “You think you can just ignore me for three weeks and then kiss me to magically make everything better. Is that how easy you think I am?” I say my arms flailing in gestures. I’m so angry right now I could punch him. His hand comes up to the bridge of his nose and s
Love on the Queen; The Quest for Freedom CHAPTER 19
He looks really handsome in that suit. Just like he did on the night he asked me out on our first date. Except then, there was a possibility that he could be mine and eventually he was. Now he belongs to someone else. And so do I. No matter how much I hate it. Memories of that night and many nights after that flood my mind. Happy memories. Filled with joy and laughter and love. So much love. Memories of a life I had not that long ago. A life that was nothing short of perfect. A life that was stolen from me when I did nothing wrong.So much time has passed. Almost three years since that night. It feels like such a long time ago but somehow it also feels like no time has passed. Because as I stand here, my eyes locked with his, I’m only convinced that I love him and I always will. There’s no grey area or blurred line. It’s that or nothing. I’m being punished for committing the crime of falling in love. I’m cursed to love him while he loves someone else. And I hate it. I hate tha
Love on the Queen; The Quest for Freedom CHAPTER 20
We docked in Nassau at the crack of dawn this morning. I woke up to the view of the beautiful city. A stunning blend of palm trees and skyscrapers. Beautiful beaches and town attractions. Places like Clifton Heritage National Park, Atlantis Paradise Island, Pirates of Nassau Museum are just some of the many places I hope to visit with Marion today. We’re actually spending the night here and setting sail again first thing in the morning. Marion said she wants to try swimming with pigs at one of the resorts. I didn’t even know they had things like that. I sift through my closet in search of an appropriate outfit for today. I’ve already packed my swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and the water-proof phone case I bought in Castries in my beach bag. I settled on a pair of cut-offs, my favourite Hermes sandals and a flowy, white top with a belt to match the sandals. I decide not to wear any jewellery and throw a scrunchie in my beach bag in case I want to hold my hair up. I don’t bother wearing
Love on the Queen; The Quest for Freedom Prologue
PROLOGUE Vienna Carter watches, numb and desensitised, as her husband violently thrusts into a screaming prostitute. Her wrists are sore and painful from the rope clutching them together behind her chair. She is exhausted and can barely keep her soulless eyes open. Her mind is blank and beyond ready to shut down. She could fall asleep right now, even with the moans and cries piercing the air and the sound of sweaty bodies slamming against each other filling the room. But she shouldn’t. Not if she wants another searing slap to the face. She almost wishes he would knock her out. Hit her so hard her lights would go off instantly. But she’s not sure if she would survive another concussion. Though right now, a coma doesn’t sound so terrible. In fact, it sounds pleasant. Despite her efforts to stay awake, her head falls slightly. She tries her best to straighten it but fails. Her eyelids follow suit. They slowly droop over her eyes until her lashes touch. She is too weak to resi
Love on the Queen; The Quest for Freedom Chapter 1
“Hey Vi! What’s up?” Nicola sings as I walk into the living room. Her bubbly aura breathing life into everything around her, including me. I’ve been feeling a bit dreary lately and seriously craving a good feeling. If anyone can put me in a good mood it’s her. I give her a quick hug as we both sit on the sofa at the centre of the room. “I’m alright Nic. You?” I say my voice sounds weaker than I hoped. I try to cover up the signs of my low spirit but Nicola sees right through it. “Oh, Baby.” Nicola says, worried. “Did he do something again?” I sigh, giving up immediately, I honestly don’t know why I even try hiding things from her . “Doesn’t he always, Nic?” I try to give her a chuckle but it comes out shaky. “It’s fine. I hate to say it, but I’m used to it.” And I am. The awful things he does always caused me so much pain and anguish in the past. But lately, I feel nothing. I’d like to say I’m immune now but it doesn’t feel like immunity. It feels like surrender. I’m assured that
Love on the Queen; The Quest for Freedom Chapter 2
My husband doesn’t bother returning my greeting. I didn’t expect him to. Even though he claims to detest me and wishes me fates worse than death, he’s adamant that I speak to him as though I couldn’t fathom a world without him. I wouldn’t mind him burning in the hottest depths of hell but I’m forced to call him things like ‘Dearest’ or ‘Honey’ or ‘Darling’. Names I should reserve for the man I actually love. “Is there a reason you seem to be visiting my wife more often these days, Mrs Jacobs?” He asks Nicola in a low but demanding tone. His voice planting seeds of fear in Nic and I. He always calls her by her husband’s last name even though she never adopted it. He says the word ‘wife’ with a hint of possessiveness. Despite the fact that I’m more his prisoner than his wife, he wouldn’t pass up the chance to establish the fact that, unfortunately, I’m his. On paper at least. I risk looking at his face and immediately regret it when I’m met with a frightening scowl. For some reason,
Love on the Queen; The Quest for Freedom Chapter 3
“I don’t know about this Mom”, I say to my mother on the phone. She’s currently trying her very best to convince me to go on the cruise Nicola paid for without my knowledge. But she’s only doing this because she doesn’t know the wrath I’ll invoke if I step foot out of this house while Zeke’s away and he finds out. “Come on, Baby.” She pleads and her pet name for me rugs at my heartstrings. “I’ve always wondered why you never had the urge to travel the world like your dad and I did. This is your chance to go somewhere you’ve never been. Why aren’t you jumping at it?”I’m trying to end this discussion and just talk with her about other stuff. Her voice fills me with hope and reminds me of life before Zeke, but her talking about the cruise is stressing me out. “I just think she should’ve asked me first. Plus, I’m uncomfortable having Nic spend that much money on me.” I sigh into the phone. That’s just one of the reasons I’m not going but it’s a valid one. I looked up the cruise and fo
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Love on the Queen; The Quest for Freedom CHAPTER 20
We docked in Nassau at the crack of dawn this morning. I woke up to the view of the beautiful city. A stunning blend of palm trees and skyscrapers. Beautiful beaches and town attractions. Places like Clifton Heritage National Park, Atlantis Paradise Island, Pirates of Nassau Museum are just some of the many places I hope to visit with Marion today. We’re actually spending the night here and setting sail again first thing in the morning. Marion said she wants to try swimming with pigs at one of the resorts. I didn’t even know they had things like that. I sift through my closet in search of an appropriate outfit for today. I’ve already packed my swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and the water-proof phone case I bought in Castries in my beach bag. I settled on a pair of cut-offs, my favourite Hermes sandals and a flowy, white top with a belt to match the sandals. I decide not to wear any jewellery and throw a scrunchie in my beach bag in case I want to hold my hair up. I don’t bother wearing
Love on the Queen; The Quest for Freedom CHAPTER 19
He looks really handsome in that suit. Just like he did on the night he asked me out on our first date. Except then, there was a possibility that he could be mine and eventually he was. Now he belongs to someone else. And so do I. No matter how much I hate it. Memories of that night and many nights after that flood my mind. Happy memories. Filled with joy and laughter and love. So much love. Memories of a life I had not that long ago. A life that was nothing short of perfect. A life that was stolen from me when I did nothing wrong.So much time has passed. Almost three years since that night. It feels like such a long time ago but somehow it also feels like no time has passed. Because as I stand here, my eyes locked with his, I’m only convinced that I love him and I always will. There’s no grey area or blurred line. It’s that or nothing. I’m being punished for committing the crime of falling in love. I’m cursed to love him while he loves someone else. And I hate it. I hate tha
Love on the Queen; The Quest for Freedom CHAPTER 18
BEFOREEvery atom of self-control disintegrates as his tongue invades my mouth. I soak in the feeling of his hands roaming my body. They’re frantic and hot and his kiss is fast and rough. It’s more angsty than the kiss in his office. The kiss in his office. I immediately channel all the strength in me into my arms and push him off me. The impact is almost nonexistent as he barely moves. I take several steps away from him until his body heat is longer in my personal space. “What is wrong with you?” I almost screamed. “What do you take me for?” “What?” He asks. He looks perplexed and confused. Like he can’t imagine a woman just pushed him away and rejected a kiss. I don’t blame him, it’s probably never happened before. “You think you can just ignore me for three weeks and then kiss me to magically make everything better. Is that how easy you think I am?” I say my arms flailing in gestures. I’m so angry right now I could punch him. His hand comes up to the bridge of his nose and s
Love on the Queen; The Quest for Freedom CHAPTER 17
BEFOREHe walks past my desk without a word to me, without as much as a glance in my direction. I no longer exist to him.I refuse to watch him go, his briefcase in his hand as he closes for the day. It’s been like this for the past three weeks. Ever since that day in his office before River caught us, he’s been ignoring me, avoiding me like the plague.He only speaks to me when it’s absolutely necessary and only in a cold, detached manner. He doesn’t return my greetings and never offers any of his own. I thought I knew how cold he could get but this is something else. He’s a robot.It almost makes me wish that I never got used to his slightly less cold side. I would’ve been used to this side of him by now. Familiar with it.I can’t help but feel like he used me and dumped me. That he just wanted to get his hands under my clothes and now that he has, I have no value to him. Last week a stunning blonde bombshell dropped by to see him. She wore a very sultry dress and had an even sultr
Love on the Queen; The Quest for Freedom CHAPTER 16
The ache in my shoulders worsens, punishing me for being a coward and running out of the spa five minutes after I recognised Summer. Summer Harrison. Yes. THAT Summer Harrison. I mean. Of course she’s the one Hans would be with. She’s the kind of person Hans should be with in the first place. Someone disgustingly rich, ethereally and nerve-rackingly beautiful, body to die for, perfect in every way possible. Not me. Klaus could work all his magic on me for years and I’ll still never be as prim, proper and perfect as her. I was stupid to ever believe otherwise. I sigh and tread back to my cabin, not really in the mood to do anything else. I hate the fact that I care so much but I do. No matter how much I tell myself otherwise, I still love Hans. Someone who doesn’t love him wouldn’t race out of the spa and burden themselves with full-body pain just because they came face to face with his new girlfriend who just so happens to be among the top ten most beautiful women in the worl
Love on the Queen; The Quest for Freedom CHAPTER 15
“He called you Vienna?” Nic asks through the phone. “Finally! That’s so sweet.” “I know.” I gush, remembering last night. “It’s been ‘Mrs. Carter’ ever since I saw him on the cruise. He even called me Mrs. Richards once. I went ballistic.” “Ugh. I can imagine. I’m so glad things are better between the two of you, Vi.”“Thanks, Nic. I’m glad we shared such a sweet moment even if it followed that terrible, awful dream. But I’ll try not to get too comfortable. I’ll still have to go back in three weeks. And he’ll move on with someone else. Probably that model I saw him with in Castries.” Nic called me at around ten this morning. I filled her in about everything that had happened so far. From meeting Madame Dubois,to finding out that Mom’s in Hawaii, to Julian, to learning Madame Dubois’ real name and the fact that she’s River’s grandmother, to seeing Hans with a model in Castries and right up until last night’s dream. “Hope you’re better now though. That dream must’ve been so frighten
Love on the Queen; The Quest for Freedom CHAPTER 14
My eyes flutter open to pitch black darkness. The air is hot and humid and I can barely breathe. My head feels like it was hit with a baseball bat, the pain is sharp and overwhelming. The surface beneath me feels nothing like the bed in my cabin. What is going on?I slowly sit up from the floor. Did I fall asleep on the ground?I must’ve rolled off my bed in the middle of the night. But the surface under me feels nothing like the soft, lush carpet in my cabin. It’s cold and hard and rough. Where am I?I try to lift my palm up to my face only to feel the biting cold of steel press against my wrist. The sound of chains crinkling informs me of exactly where I am. Terror crashes into me like a tidal wave. My blood runs cold. I’m back at the house. In my prison. Zeke. He found me. I start to panic and pull the chains harder but they’re tight and start to make my wrists sore. How could he have found me? After only a week? He’s supposed to be in Shanghai for God’s sake. No this can
Love on the Queen; The Quest for Freedom CHAPTER 13
I stare at Maddy/Marion in complete disbelief. Grandson? How is that even possible? They look like they come from two separate worlds.“I know, Darling. It’s hard to believe I’m even remotely related to this simpleton.” Marion says while squeezing River’s ear. “But, alas, I am. And I’ve grown quite fond of him.”“I love you too Mèré. But I’m not a simpleton.” River says, pulling her hand away from his ear.“I’ll be the judge of that, Lyon.” She says with a smug smile. I watch this exchange silently. Feeling like a member of the audience watching a play. “Umm… So how are you guys related?” I ask. “My mother is Marion’s daughter. She was born in France but came to the US as an exchange student during her college years. She met my dad in one of her classes and the rest is history.”“Yes. Your country and its men took my daughter, my Colette, away from me. And now I only see her in person every other month if I’m lucky.” Marion says with a feigned look of sadness. “But you FaceTime al
Love on the Queen; The Quest for Freedom Chapter 12
BEFORE Hans Griffin in personal crisis means the both of us working on a Sunday morning at the crack of dawn.A letter that was meant for his eyes only got mixed up in company correspondence and we’ve been trying to find it since the day before yesterday. I can’t help but wonder what’s in this letter because he’s been so paranoid and agitated about it. It’s been hell searching for this letter with him. I’ve put up with all his snide remarks and demeaning names and I’m slowly starting to get sick of it.We’ve only taken thirty minute breaks to go home and freshen up or get coffee to keep us awake.He’s not even allowing the rest of the employees to know that it’s missing. The only reason I know is because I receive all his correspondence, both personal and official. On Friday, he asked me if I’ve received any letter indicating personal matters and at the time, I hadn’t. It’s been just the two of us since Friday evening searching for this letter, and his patience has only grown thinne
